كشف مهاجم نادي برشلونة السابق، فيتور روكي، المعار إلى صفوف ريال بيتيس هذا الموسم أسباب رحيله السريع عن قلعة “كامب نو” بعد حوالي 7 أشهر.
وكان روكي قد انضم إلى صفوف برشلونة في يناير الماضي قادمًا من أتلتيكو باراناينسي بمقابل 30 مليون يورو ولكنه لم يشارك كثيرًا.
وبالتالي، فضل برشلونة رحيل البرازيلي الدولي عن الفريق سريعًا على سبيل الإعارة من أجل الحصول على فرصة للمشاركة في المباريات.
اقرأ أيضًا.. ليفاندوفسكي يعرض مساعدة مالية على برشلونة
وتحدث روكي عن الأسباب التي جعلته يرحل، وقال في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “سبورت” الكتالونية: “كان الأمر معقدًا بعض الشيء بالنسبة لي”.
وتابع: “أتيحت لي بعض الفرص ولكن ليس بالطريقة التي كنت أفكر بها، لكن الآن الأمر مختلف، حيث إن كل تركيزي على ريال بيتيس”.
واستمر: “أشكر الله على عودتي لارتداء قميص منتخب البرازيل مرة أخرى”.
وواصل تصريحاته: “كانت المعاملة غريبة في برشلونة، كذلك الطريقة التي تحدث بها معي مجلس الإدارة، لكن هذا انتهى الآن لأنني سعيد بالحصول على الفرصة في الانتقال إلى ريال بيتيس”.
Tottenham have now made a pre-January move for a new winger target as manager Ange Postecoglou seeks to upgrade his wide options.
Spurs targeting forward signing in January
In recent weeks, Postecoglou appears to have rediscovered a winning formula with the attacking front four of Richarlison, Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson.
Richarlison has bagged three goals in his last two Premier League games as the Spurs frontman, while Son is maintaining his excellent form despite being moved back out wide.
Ange handed Spurs injury boost after update on van de Ven and "quality" ace
The injured duo are “most advanced” in their recoveries.
ByEmilio Galantini Dec 15, 2023
Kulusevski's replacing the injured James Maddison as Tottenham's central attacking midfielder, with Brennan Johnson now playing regularly on the right.
However, one thing supporters have learned from the last four weeks is that one or two injuries can really tip the balance and upset Spurs' run of good form. The January transfer window, which is set to open in just under a fortnight, represents a brilliant solution to Tottenham's lack of squad depth as they chase new signings.
Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy.
Postecoglou confirmed that Spurs are working on transfers ahead of the winter market, and it is believed sporting director Johan Lange has his eyes on a new winger.
"We're pushing hard, but you need all parties to agree," said Postecoglou on Spurs' transfer plans to Standard Sport.
"Other clubs, particularly if it's players they want [to keep], will be wanting to hold on to them for as long as possible for their own reasons through January."
The Lilywhites are targeting both Juventus winger Samuel Iling-Junior and Al-Ittihad ace Jota as possible options, according to recent reports, but it is now believed they also fancy Lazio star Felipe Anderson.
Spurs make pre-Januay move for Anderson
An Olympic gold medalist from the 2016 games in Rio, Anderson's spell in east London ended up being one to forget for the Brazilian.
Since joining Lazio, though, he has come on leaps and bounds as a regular under Maurizio Sarri. This season, Anderson has been a fixture in their starting eleven, providing more assists than any other player in Lazio's squad.
Lazio player Felipe Anderson.
This has apparently attracted attention from north London, as TV Play claim Spurs have made contact to sign Anderson in the form of an enquiry.
The 30-year-old is also being targeted by AC Milan and Juventus, who are taking note of Anderson's exploits. His contract expires next summer, meaning Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy could strike a fairly cheap deal as things stand.
Former Spurs midfielder Jermaine Jenas, commenting on Anderson during his spell at West Ham, called him a player of "unbelievable" quality.
"All of these things he is doing are effortless to him," said Jenas on Match of The Day (via football.london).
"The quality he possesses is unbelievable. Make a good run, he's going to find you. He's not selfish. He should have had more than one. He's just kept coming back for more. The strength he showed too was too much. He's becoming that cult hero that West Ham love to have in their ranks."
Mikel Arteta labelled Arsenal players as "lucky" despite suffering two crucial defeats which left their silverware prospects hanging in the balance.
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Arsenal got knocked out from UCL by Bayern
Whereas defeat to Aston Villa saw them fall behind Man City in PL
Arteta remains unphased despite enduring a horror week
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Gunners' hopes of silverware took a blow as they bowed out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage following a defeat to Bayern Munich. Prior to this disappointment, Arsenal relinquished their grip on the Premier League title race after a loss to Aston Villa, leaving their championship aspirations hanging in the balance.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
However, amidst these setbacks, Arteta remains optimistic about his team's prospects of conquering England. Ahead of a pivotal league clash against Wolves, he urged his squad to maintain their focus and determination and urged them to overcome self-pity.
WHAT ARTETA SAID
“I think the players are all very lucky to have had the week that we’ve had,” he said.
“Because these are the weeks that we want and have been seeking for many years to have at Arsenal. You have to deal with that. If you want to be in this position, you have to go through it and it’s going to be tough. Against those opponents, the margins are minimal and you have to try to compete to be better than them.
"But maybe even if you are better, you don’t win? Like what happened at home against Bayern and against Villa. Are you ready to react to that? If not you’re not ready to be living these kinds of weeks and we want to be living these kinds of weeks. Don’t feel sorry for yourself – if we want to be here we have to be prepared because this is a possibility.”
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DID YOU KNOW?
The Aston Villa loss marked Arsenal's first Premier League defeat in 2024 which underscores the team's remarkable consistency in domestic competitions. And yet they faced severe backlash from the fans for sliding behind in the title race to Manchester City. Arteta sees the criticism and scrutiny that accompany setbacks as a test of character and resolve, challenging his players to rise above adversity and maintain their composure.
“It is testing your resilience and your ego,” he said. “If I take a newspaper and show it to my son, seven days ago after Brighton, and then seven days later Bayern Munich, talking about the same team, they would think it is three years ago.
“It is the reality of what it is, but we have to live with that. That is the beauty of it, as well. On Saturday you can be at home and you can be the happiest man ever, saying we have a real chance here, let’s go for it with five games to go. We have to make that happen. That is our job.”
Tottenham are reportedly keen on signing a £34 million star from abroad as a replacement for midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in January.
"Important" Hojbjerg could still leave Spurs
Injuries and suspensions have hampered manager Ange Postecoglou over what has been a disastrous last nine days. Summer signings Micky van de Ven and James Maddison, who've starred since joining the club, won't be seen again until 2024 – with Destiny Udogie and Cristian Romero also suspended.
Postecoglou is missing his entire favoured backline right now, and the lack of Maddison's creativity in midfield was on full display during Spurs' dramatic 2-1 loss to Wolves last Saturday. Hojbjerg slotted in for the England international in a more advanced role but couldn't quite replicate his attacking influence, and reports suggest the Dane could still leave in January despite Postecoglou's lack of squad depth.
The 28-year-old is reportedly attracting interest from Juventus and Atletico Madrid, with Hojbjerg's agent already reaching an exit agreement with these two sides. Postecoglou, though, is of real belief that Hojbjerg is still a "very important" player.
“It is obvious someone that has played regularly would have wanted to play more but ultimately our performances have been strong and he has had to bide his time," said Postecoglou on Hojbjerg.
“He has also been very important in a lot of the games that we’ve won late or had to shore up late. He has been one of the people who has helped us and it is not like he hasn’t contributed at all. He’s been a really important part for us. We wouldn’t be in this position if we were just reliant on our starting XI.
“With Pierre, he is professional and very determined."
Spurs eye Andre to replace Hojbjerg
Regardless of Postecoglou's statement, Hojbjerg's future appears far away from north London as there is still plenty of noise surrounding his future.
Before Spurs' succession of absences, the former Southampton star failed to start a single league game, with his first nod coming in a win against Fulham to replace the suspended Yves Bissouma.
Now, according to a report by 90min, Tottenham and sporting director Johan Lange by extension are keen on signing Andre but must first sell Hojbjerg before making a move.
Fluminense midfielder Andre.
The Fluminese star would act as his replacement, but Spurs face competition from up and down the Premier League for his signature. Andre, who has a £34 million release clause in his contract, has also been called the "best midfielder" in his country right now.
"Pressure and playing with the confidence of someone who knows they are different," said South American journalist Fernando Campos on Andre.
"Get out of the way and make the team work. André Trindade is the best midfielder in the country and is a monster of a player."
Andre strengths
Passing
Dribbling
Through balls
Andre has attracted more praise from fellow reporter Nathan Joyes, too, who called him an "unbelievable talent". The Brazil international made 26 league appearances for Fluminese over their latest campaign, amassing a pretty impressive 94.7% passing accuracy (WhoScored).
What Chelsea want in the transfer market, they usually get, with the Moises Caicedo transfer saga last summer a case in point. But, on the pitch, the Blues have found it harder to realise their desires, having failed to get off to a blistering start under new boss Mauricio Pochettino. Things are at least looking up however, after wins over Burnley and Fulham were followed by a 2-2 draw against champions-elect Arsenal, albeit in a game that saw Chelsea take a 2-0 lead.
If they can get some kind of consistent run going, then those at Stamford Bridge stand every chance of returning to Champions League action, which would make their transfer business all the more interesting next summer. It would certainly help towards welcoming one particular dream signing, that's for sure.
Chelsea's dream signing
Following the incredible number of changes at the club over the summer, it was always going to take time for Pochettino to make his mark at Chelsea. The likes of Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, and Mateo Kocacic all swapped Stamford Bridge for a move to other top six Premier League clubs, making room for the likes of Caicedo, Nicolas Jackson, and Christopher Nkunku.
That's far from where Chelsea's spending will end in the next year or so, however, especially after the latest Jamal Musiala transfer news. According to Simon Phillips on his Substack, the Bayern Munich midfielder is a dream target for the Blues after the success that he has enjoyed in the Bundesliga. Things could have been far easier for Chelsea, of course, had they kept hold of Musiala in 2019, when the German left their academy in favour of a move to Bayern.
They have welcomed back academy departures in the past, with the likes of Romelu Lukaku making a return, and now it seems as though they are keen on doing the same when it comes to Musiala.
"Brilliant" Musiala is "different" to Bellingham
Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala.
Musiala's stats show exactly why he is Chelsea's dream target. The 20-year-old scored 16 goals and assisted a further 16 last season in what was an incredible campaign, which ended in yet another title win for Bayern in the Bundesliga. This season, meanwhile, Musiala has already been involved in five goals in ten games, finding the back of the net twice and assisting a further three times. When compared to Chelsea's current options, he stands out even more, as per FBref.
Player
Progressive Passes Per 90
Take-ons Completed
Goal-Creating Actions Per 90
Jamal Musiala
4.55
18
0.61
Conor Gallagher
5.53
7
0.24
Raheem Sterling
3.5
17
0.37
It comes as no surprise, then, that the midfielder has been praised so highly, including by Michael Owen, who told TNT Sport: “I think he is exceptional, really exceptional. It’s such a shame he chose Germany over England! I thought he was brilliant in the last major tournament (2022 FIFA World Cup).
“There’s lots of people comparing him to Bellingham but I think he is a different type of player. He’s a brilliant runner with the ball. I think he’s unbelievable when it comes to dribbling. He’s got the lot this lad."
Taking the job following the dismissal of Michael Beale, new Rangers manager Philippe Clement has the task of turning things around at Ibrox, with the club already seven points behind the Scottish Premiership leaders.
The new boss has some task on his hands when it comes to repairing the damage already done to the Gers' campaign. And, when the January transfer window comes around, he could make his mark on the side. The winter window could yet see some departures from the Scottish giants, however, with one club reportedly eyeing one particular Rangers player.
What's the latest Rangers transfer news?
Beale welcomed a number of arrivals in the summer, before watching on as his side struggled to find form in both the Scottish Premiership and Europe. In total, Rangers' summer spending reportedly reached the €16m (£14m) mark, with the likes of Danilo and Sam Lammers coming through the Ibrox doors.
Player
Price
Danilo
€6m (£5m)
Cyriel Dessers
€5m (£4m)
Sam Lammers
€3.5m (£3m)
Jose Cifuentes
€1m (£870k)
Dujon Sterling
Free
Kieran Dowell
Free
Jack Butland
Free
Leon Balogun
Free
Abdallah Sima
Loan
One of those arrivals could already be heading for the exit door, though, with the latest Jack Butland transfer news claiming that the goalkeeper has attracted the interest of Birmingham City. According to The Sun, new Birmingham boss Wayne Rooney wants to sign the goalkeeper, who started his career at the Blues and is his first-choice target.
The Championship club may be forced to wait until next summer to secure Butland's services, as they bid farewell to current goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who is reportedly one of their big earners. Having only recently signed Butland, Rangers will be keen to keep hold of their number one, particularly after he has made a strong start to life in Scotland, starting every game.
How has Jack Butland performed this season?
Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland.
Amid Rangers' poor start this season, the goalkeeper has been one of the few bright sparks, and Butland's clean sheets, keeping seven in 16 games in all competitions, have helped to make his transition at the club fairly seamless. As a result, the shot-stopper has earned deserved praise, including from former manager Beale, who said:
"It was a wonderful goal and after that we were unfortunate not to go and score one or two more. I have to say Jack Butland was outstanding tonight too and that's why we have recruited him."
From Clement's perspective, he will be hoping to keep hold of as many key players as possible, as he looks to take a struggling Rangers side back into title contention, whether that be this season or the next. The former AS Monaco manager certainly has a big task on his hands, but keeping hold of Butland could make things far easier when it comes to battling for results. If Birmingham come calling, then those at Ibrox may look to do everything in their power to keep hold of their current number one, handing Clement a major boost at his new club, in the process.
Liverpool have boasted their fair share of attacking talent over the years, but there has not been such a devastating unified strikeforce as the spearhead assembled under Jurgen Klopp's management.
The Reds had failed to kick on since the prosperity of the noughties and boasted just one League Cup trophy since that illustrious spell when Rafa Benitez orchestrated silver-laden success across the FA Cup and Champions League across two seasons, with Steven Gerrard the centrepiece.
Klopp arrived in 2015 after Brendan Rodgers' Luis Suarez-led side failed to win the 2013/14 Premier League title after an enthralling contest – following the bitter culmination, the Uruguayan phenomenon was sold to Barcelona for £75m in 2014.
With his pillar of prodigy gone the towering Anfield edifice crumbled, but the incoming German manager rekindled the flame and restored the Merseysiders with his transcendent stewardship.
Trophy
Times won
Premier League
x1
Champions League
x1
FA Cup
x1
Carabao Cup
x1
FIFA Club World Cup
x1
UEFA Super Cup
x1
Community Shield
x1
Fast-track to the present day and Liverpool has enjoyed one of the most resounding chapters in its lengthy history, winning trophies from all directions and establishing itself as a true European powerhouse once more.
While the collective growth in quality has been remarkable, Klopp will perhaps be best known for his devastating attacking instruments, with Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane forming an iconic frontline that struck fear into the hearts of Europe's most formidable outfits.
Salah still plies his trade on Merseyside to this day, having posted 190 goals and 83 assists across all competitions for the Reds, while Firmino departed in the summer after 362 appearances, described as a “leader” by journalist Henry Winter for his integral role.
Mane was the first to leave, but that does not discredit the profound effect he had on the Anfield side, cementing his name as one of the finest of his generation, and that's despite Klopp holding major reservations upon the first encounter between the pair.
Why did Liverpool sign Sadio Mane?
Mane is comfortably one of Liverpool's finest forwards of the modern era, with his rise to prominence really something to behold, but it wasn't always this way, with the Senegalese star not exactly making the best impression on his future manager.
Revealing his first thoughts in 2020, Klopp explained how Mane first came to his attention while he headed the Borussia Dortmund ship, and that he certainly hadn't been coloured impressed.
Klopp said: "I remember my first encounter with Sadio. It was in Dortmund. There was a really young guy sitting there. His baseball cap was askew, the blond streak he still has today.
"He looked like a rapper just starting out. I thought, 'I don't have time for this'. Our team back then really wasn't bad. I needed someone who could handle not being a starter at the very beginning, someone I could develop."
Well, a few years on and Mane had been dazzling in the Premier League with Southampton, scoring 25 goals and supplying 14 assists from 75 outings – including the division's fastest-ever hat-trick – and leaving Klopp no choice but to part with £34m in 2016 to secure his services.
It came during Klopp's first summer transfer window since taking the reins, with fellow acquisitions Gini Wijnaldum and Joel Matip forming the early framework for the forthcoming illustrious endeavours.
It was a masterful move, but no one knew that yet.
How many goals did Sadio Mane score for Liverpool?
Across 269 outings for the Merseyside outfit, the 31-year-old enjoyed the best years of his career by a long stretch, scoring 120 times and serving up 48 assists for his teammates, earning praise for his "unbelievable" performances by pundit Jamie Redknapp.
Winning all the silverware – barring the Community Shield – that Klopp has gleaned on English shores to date, the 97-cap Senegal legend has been more than just instrumental, blending lightning pace with deft attacking motions a cheetah would tip its hat to.
Situated on the left channel, Mane and Salah wreaked devastation as they veered inwards, having found space following the wizardry of Roberto Firmino in the centre, whose intellect and selflessness broke the enemy lines and allowed the incisive. wide pair to flourish.
Hitting double-digits across all six of his Premier League campaigns with Liverpool, his threat was one of great consistency, notably scoring 40 goals across the 2018/19 – 2019/20 terms alone.
The one-time Red Bull Salzburg man also combined 52 times with both Salah and Firmino across his Reds career, highlighting the level of destructive ability this esteemed frontline held.
Such prowess led Klopp to hail him as “one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players" also claiming that “the goals he scored, the trophies he won; a legend, for sure, but also a modern-day Liverpool icon."
All good things come to an end, and with just one year left on his contract and a resolution looking unlikely, Mane was sold to German champions Bayern Munich for an initial £27.5m, but his time in Bavaria was anything but auspicious.
The 5 foot 9 gem scored 12 times last season but failed to truly find his feet and saw his situation compounded following a high-profile bust-up with teammate Leroy Sane.
He has since joined the lucrative Saudi Pro League wave and teamed up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr for £24m, which ostensibly draws a curtain on his feats across Europe.
Endeared to the Liverpool fanbase and with a legacy woven into the fabric of this great footballing city, he is truly a staple of the immense success under Klopp's wing, rewriting the narrative and providing Anfield with a brilliant jewel.
Durham supporters arriving late for the third day were in for a nasty surprise as Sussex made a surge towards victory
Paul Edwards at Arundel22-Jun-2018 ScorecardDurham spectators arriving around an hour late at the Castle Ground on the third morning of this match would probably have been reassured to see Will Smith batting. They would also have been keen to see their side’s first-innings score. Sadly their initial assumption was mistaken and their consequent keenness was soon replaced by grisly despair.Rather than beginning again in the manner of centurions, Smith had been dismissed for his overnight 90 when sweeping at Danny Briggs’ fifth ball of the morning. And having walked off this glorious meadow at just after eleven o’clock Smith was now back again some 67 minutes later, less time than it takes the Duke of Norfolk’s under-butler to clean a piece of silver.For his departure had been followed by five more as Durham lost their last six wickets for nine runs in 11 overs of mayhem. Batsmen arrived and departed with a rapidity that would have done credit to a hard-pressed GP’s surgery. David Wiese took three wickets in seven balls and finished with 4 for 33; Briggs had Gareth Harte caught behind for 13 on a morning when double figures might have prompted a bat raised in irony.An already bad session soon degenerated into the worst day of a season in which Paul Collingwood’s side have offered occasional indications that they grappling their way out of their travails. By six o’clock Durham’s supporters were reflecting on the loss of 16 wickets for 286 runs and their side’s innings and 64-run defeat. Not even the view over the Arun valley could console the Gateshead loyalists. Only Stuart Poynter’s 84 in the evening session had offered them anything to cheer.That early clatter of wickets was an enormous bonus for Sussex. Having not needed his new-ball bowlers during the bedlam, skipper Ben Brown had no qualms about enforcing the follow-on. A disconcertingly frisky Jofra Archer then brought one sharply back off the pitch to bowl a strokeless Cameron Steel for 8 and Durham lunched in the bleak knowledge they had lost seven wickets for 65 runs.The afternoon session brought no relief as another five batsmen were dismissed while 95 runs were scored. Yet such collapses seem out of place at Arundel. Frenetic drama does not sit well in this absurdly idyllic setting. “Good morning, campers” said Mike Charman, the Sussex scorer and PA announcer, when welcoming the early arrivals. Such benevolence is entirely typical of a ground whose many perfections greet spectators and strain their belief.Charman is the sort of good-hearted bloke who does not broadcast an outgoing batsman’s score when he has made nought. It was a kindness he had to exercise on five occasions during Friday’s cricket. In the afternoon session, as cricket drifted into the heart of the day, Charman announced the winners of the raffle, advertised other games and wished Nicola a happy birthday.But there was little to buoy Durham’s travelling band until Poynter put on 79 for the eighth wicket with Nathan Rimmington. Long before that, Tom Latham had been bowled between bad and pad by Ollie Robinson and Smith had been brilliantly caught at what was effectively third slip by Harry Finch off Wiese. Two balls later Collingwood was leg before for nought when playing across the line and Briggs then picked up Harte and Graham Clark. As so often, batting errors had spurred the bowlers to excellence and that in turn had prompted further error. Poynter’s defiance ended when he was lbw swinging across the line to Briggs and Archer’s caught and bowled ended the match next over.Sussex supporters applauded it all. Their side is playing fine cricket and their only regret was that there will now be no cricket at this ground on Saturday.To that list in Emily Dickinson’s poem, supporters at Arundel, Tunbridge Wells and Scarborough would add the joys of watching cricket, albeit some of those joys appear, in the eyes of outsiders, extraneous to the game. Such folk circle the county festivals on the calendar in winter’s depths and they have gone out these Midsummer mornings confident that life will treat them well; they have not been disappointed.They reckon – when they count at all – cricketing days at the outgrounds: the high heat of June afternoons, Academy lads like Phil Salt and Tom Haines, smoke drifting from valley cottages, ash, sycamore and Douglas-fir trees, skylarks, and the soft light of perfect evenings.
تحدث خفيتشا كفاراتسخيليا، لاعب منتخب جورجيا بعد التأهل التاريخي لفريقه لدور الـ 16 في كأس أمم أوروبا “يورو 2024”.
وسجل كفاراتسخيليا هدف تقدم جورجيا أمام البرتغال في المباراة التي حسمها منتخب بلاده بالفوز بنتيجة 2-0.
كفاراتسخيليا حاز على جائزة أفضل لاعب في المباراة وقال في تصريحات نشرها موقع “يويفا”: “لم يكن هناك أفضل لاعب بصورة فردية اليوم، لقد كان الفريق، وأثبتنا للجميع أننا قادرون على اللعب حقًا”.
وأضاف: “نحن دائمًا نخرج للفوز ونركز دائمًا، نحن سعداء للغاية اليوم ولكن غدًا سنبدأ في التفكير في المباراة التالية، لكننا ممتنون جدًا لكل الدعم الذي تلقيناه”.
وتابع: “لقد حصلت على قميص رونالدو، وتأهلنا إلى الدور التالي، هذا هو أفضل يوم في حياة مشجعي كرة القدم الجورجية، لقد صنعنا التاريخ، لن يصدق أحد أننا فعلنا ذلك”.
وأكد: “لم يكن ليصدق أحد أننا قادرون على الفوز على البرتغال، لكن هذا هو السبب وراء كوننا فريقًا قويًا، إذا كانت هناك فرصة بنسبة 1%، فقد أظهرنا أننا قادرون على تحقيق ذلك”.
اقرأ أيضًا | موعد مباراة إسبانيا وجورجيا في دور الـ 16 بـ يورو 2024
وواصل حديثه عن نجم البرتغال كريستيانو رونالدو: “قبل المباراة كان هناك اجتماع وتمنى لي النجاح، لم أتخيل أبدًا أنه سيأتي ويتحدث معي، إنه لاعب عظيم وشخص عظيم، ولهذا السبب فهو شخصية عظيمة داخل وخارج الملعب”.
وشدد: “لدي احترام كبير له، إنه أحد أفضل اللاعبين في العالم، عندما يأتي للتحدث إليك قبل المباراة، كان ذلك أمرًا رائعًا، مما ساعدنا على الاعتقاد بأنه يمكننا القيام بشيء ما اليوم”.
وعن مقارنة نجاح جورجيا الليلة بلقب الدوري الإيطالي مع فريقه نابولي، أفاد: “السكوديتو كان لحظة لا تُنسى بالنسبة لي، لكنني أكثر سعادة اليوم لأنه عندما تلعب لبلدك، فإن ذلك يجعلك فخورًا جدًا، على الرغم من أنني كنت سعيدًا جدًا بكليهما”.
وأصر: “هذا هو أسعد يوم في حياتي، الفوز باللقب كان حلمي وكان هذا حلمي أيضًا، من الصعب التعبير عن مشاعري بالكلمات، أنا سعيد جدًا”.
وعن مباراة دور الـ16 ضد إسبانيا، أوضح: “نحن نحترمهم كثيرًا، لقد لعبنا العديد من المباريات ضدهم ونعرفهم جيدًا، إسبانيا والبرتغال من بين أفضل الفرق ولكن اليوم أظهرنا أنه من الممكن التغلب على أي فريق”.
وأتم: “لا يوجد منافسون سهلون في بطولة أوروبا لكننا سنبذل قصارى جهدنا لتقديم أفضل ما لدينا، نحن نحترمهم جميعًا ولكننا سنكون هناك للقتال والفوز”.
From analysing what works for Kagiso Rabada the bowler, to suggesting what needs to change for Kagiso Rabada the angry young cricketer, here’s Australia’s players and staff
Daniel Brettig in Cape Town14-Mar-20184:02
Holding: Rabada needs to control himself little bit
Seldom within a series do opponents line up to praise a fast bowler in public. But even more seldom do they do so in the knowledge that the same bowler will not be available for the remainder of the series through suspension, meaning all their worries about giving away a “mental edge” to the opposition stand cancelled.That, however, is exactly the case for Australia and Kagiso Rabada, the South African spearhead now sidelined due to an ICC code of conduct ban for repeated issues with celebrating a little too exuberantly in the faces of dismissed batsmen and, in the case of the touring captain Steven Smith, making physical contact. The qualities Rabada demonstrated in Durban and in particular Port Elizabeth led numerous Australian players and coaches to hold forth on his skills, and also on the wicket-celebration troubles that have nixed him from the remainder of the series.The fielding coach, Brad HaddinAs a wicketkeeper batsman, Haddin hammered plenty of the world’s best and fastest pacemen, and knows a special talent when he sees one. But he also thinks how Rabada comes back after missing two important Tests – which will leave him “hurting” – will be key.”He’s very impressive. For someone so young, the smarts he has the with ball in his hand, knowing when to go up and down gears… Looking from the sidelines, it looks like he really understands how to set up a batsman. For someone so young that’s quite impressive. I thought the spell in the second innings [in Port Elizabeth] to go after [David] Warner and the openers – that was a pretty placid wicket, and from where I was sitting that was some pretty hostile bowling. He took it on himself there to get the big wicket of Davey. He is impressive. It’s disappointing for the game that he’s not playing, but from our point of view it’s a bonus because he is a class act. It was a conscious effort [by Rabada] to go hard at him and it was a good ball that got him [Warner] in the end.”Everyone needs to take a step back. Let’s start playing cricket more on skill and less on emotion. Both sides have been guilty of things they’re probably not proud of over the last two Test matches. But we’re 1-1, it’s time to play some cricket on skill and leave that other stuff to the side. It’s disappointing for Rabada. I know the South Africans, playing us, I’ve heard them say a couple of times this is their big series, and now he’s got to sit back and watch what’s going on out there. It will be interesting to see how he comes back after that, because he’ll be hurting, no doubt, over the next couple of Test matches.”AFP
The bowling coach, David SakerWith Victoria, England and now Australia, Saker has worked closely with a host of high-class pacemen. His views of Rabada are more technical, and also in line with the view that when a great talent crosses your path, one of the best things a coach can do is to get out of the way – except, of course, when it comes to send-offs.”I wouldn’t change a thing, it’s a great product. Even two or three years ago when I first saw the guy… He’s still a kid now, he’s just pretty exciting, he’s got raw pace, his arm speed is quite amazing, he keeps running in and, like a lot of good bowlers, he gets wickets in clumps and puts a lot of pressure on the new batters. He’s obviously hard to start against because of his pace. You wouldn’t be changing a thing, he’s a really exciting cricketer and South Africa are very blessed to have him in their team.”I wouldn’t be changing his action or his product. His discipline in the game you would have to change and I’m sure they would look at that, they’ll put people and things in place you would think. Fortunately for us that’s not our problem and I’ll let South Africa deal with that one.”The rival, Mitchell StarcFor most of the past three years, Starc has been arguably the world’s most feared fast man when he gets it right, and certainly the quickest at his peak. To watch Rabada at work, including having to face him, has been an experience both good and bad for Starc. He also had some useful advice to offer, from the perspective of a fast man who, as a younger player, gave his share of send-offs and ran into trouble for doing so.”He’s a pretty good bowler, isn’t he? What’s he got now, four 10-fors? Dale has got five in [many] more Test matches. His record is pretty good, it speaks for itself. He’s their spearhead, the one they go to, and he’s done the job time after time. They’ve got two guys who are in the mix who have taken 300 and 400 Test wickets. They’ve got plenty of bowlers in their stocks. But if he’s not playing in the rest of this series, he’s going to be a big loss for them.”I think that’s the biggest one, how close you get to the batsmen these days. It’s very much a no-no. He’s only young and made a couple of mistakes, but I’m sure he’ll learn going forward that you just can’t get that close to the batter and the [umpires] are going to be on you at all times. He’s a fantastic bowler to watch when he’s in full flight, and he’s going to keep taking wickets and keep celebrating. Maybe [he needs to be] just moving away from the batter a little bit, which I think I’ve learnt in the past as well when I was a bit younger.”The batsman, Shaun MarshAt St George’s Park, Marsh was undone by the full range of Rabada’s skills with a reversing ball, pinned lbw in the first innings with a ball swerving back sharply at him, and then coaxed into following and edging a second-innings delivery of similar length that curled away towards the slips.”He’s obviously a world-class bowler, isn’t he? His stats say that. He’s been a good challenge for us the first two Test matches. Obviously not playing the next two. He bowls good pace and can swing it both ways.”I guess it’s obviously two nations going pretty hard out on the ground. It’s Test cricket and sometimes tensions do boil over. It is what it is sometimes. We’ve just got to keep playing good cricket and keep playing on skill.”