Leeds United have managed to not let the disappointment of relegation down to the Championship completely derail them, the mood at Elland Road at the moment ecstatic with Daniel Farke's rejuvenated Whites third in the league.

New signings in through the door in the summer have breathed life into a team that had become stale, arrivals such as Ethan Ampadu and Joel Piroe have been crucial after joining in the off-season whilst figures already at the club such as Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter have come on leaps and bounds in the division below, registering 27 goal involvements between them.

Leeds were also effective in the summer transfer window in getting rid of deadwood at the club with many former first-team underperformers loaned out, players not deemed suitable for the demands of a promotion challenge right after being scarred by a demoralising relegation.

Marc Roca is one of those Leeds players who was shipped away on loan, loaned back out to his native Spain to play with Real Betis.

The deal to sign Roca in 2022 is now one filled with regret from a Whites perspective, the second-tier outfit now destined to sell the wantaway Spaniard for less already than what they paid to land his services just last year.

How Marc Roca performed at Leeds

Victor Orta paid £10m to secure Roca's signing from Bayern Munich, with the fee now looking rather extortionate.

It did feel like a bargain buy at the time though, with the 27-year-old even compared to Xabi Alonso in his play style according to the Bundesliga website when featuring for the German titans – heralded as the Spaniard's rightful heir when the former Liverpool man would hang up his boots.

Roca did show in flashes at Elland Road that he was worth splashing the cash on and warranted his former manager Julien Nagelsmann calling him "impressive" whilst in Germany, the 6-foot holding midfielder stood out against Newcastle United last December in a 0-0 stalemate – the 27-year-old winning all but one of his ground duels at St James' Park as per Sofascore.

He was, in other games, way off the pace on the contrary. Indeed, Roca's performance in a late season loss to Fulham angered Leeds fans who were already agitated by their club's relegation predicament, the tough-tackling presence of the Spaniard was nowhere to be found and had been replaced by a sheepish and anxious midfielder – winning just one of his nine duels at Craven Cottage.

It's no surprise therefore that Farke and Co were happy to see the back of Roca in the summer, loaning him out to Real Betis in La Liga after a spell where he'd cost £3.3m per goal involvement.

Former Leeds goalkeeper and current football pundit Paul Robinson stated – when the loan deal was announced – that it was smart thinking by the second-tier giants, commenting that Roca is simply "not good enough."

Yet, the one-time Bundesliga man has managed to redeem himself in his new surroundings despite vocal critics in West Yorkshire.

How Marc Roca is playing at Betis

Still, Betis could land Roca at a cut price with Leeds just keen to get the defensive midfielder off their books.

Football Insider are reporting that the La Liga outfit could sign Roca permanently for £9m in the upcoming transfer window, a deal that would see Leeds make a loss on their flop.

This is the case even with Roca putting in some stellar displays in Spain, making 15 appearances for Betis so far this campaign with an average of 5.6 balls recovered per game.

Games played

15

Goals

2

Assists

1

Balls recovered per game

5.6

Passing accuracy (own half)

91%

Leeds will be better off just cutting their losses at this point however, with Farke able to call upon Ampadu, Glen Kamara and many others in Roca's position at Elland Road.

Roca will also just be content remaining in his native Spain, putting this Leeds nightmare firmly behind him.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is ready to hand Amad Diallo a more prominent role in the business end of the campaign.

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Amad finding his feet at Old TraffordTen Hag sees promise in the forwardWill hand him more minutes in the final few gamesWHAT HAPPENED?

Diallo's journey this season has been riddled with challenges, starting with a knee injury sustained during pre-season that sidelined him until December. Despite his setbacks, he has shown glimpses of his potential when he scored the decisive goal to eliminate Liverpool from the FA Cup in March.

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After making a comeback, Diallo has patiently awaited his chance to shine, diligently working to regain match fitness and catch up in training. Ten Hag is finally starting to acknowledge his efforts and revealed that the 21-year-old will be more involved in the final stretch of the season with United fighting for a European berth.

WHAT TEN HAG SAID

Speaking on Amad, Ten Hag told reporters: "Amad is doing really well. We have a lot of competition in the front line and especially, I know, front players you have to give them trust. But they have to prove it and there is coming a certain point when things turn around and go against them. There is always a thin line between giving them trust but yeah there is coming a point where other players will get more chances, that is clear.

“Amad had a very bad injury so for a long period in this season he was out, he wasn’t available. But he returned and needed some time to get back, to get match fit, he needed training and in some areas, he needed to catch up. It’s fair now he gets his minutes. He has to keep fighting and set his performance in the minutes he gets. Not gets but deserves I think. And from thereon, you get your position in the starting XI.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR AMAD?

The upcoming fixture against Burnley at Old Trafford presents an opportunity for Diallo to showcase his skills and make a strong case in front of Ten Hag. Since his arrival from Atalanta in January 2021, in a deal worth £37.2 million ($46.2 million), Amad has failed to live up to expectations tallying two goals in 15 appearances. However, things are turning brighter for the Ivory Coast international.

قاد المدير الفني فينسنت كومباني فريق بايرن ميونخ للتأهل إلى منافسات دور الـ32 من بطولة كأس ألمانيا، مساء اليوم الجمعة، على حساب فريق أولم.

وتلاقى الفريقان في خضم منافسات دور الـ64 من بطولة كأس ألمانيا، موسم 2024/25، حيث فاز بايرن ميونخ بأربعة أهداف دون رد.

كان توماس مولر قد سجل هدف بايرن ميونخ الأول، في الدقيقة 12 من عمر الشوط الأول، قبل أن يضيف الثاني في الدقيقة 14.

وقضى كينجسلي كومان على أي آمال لدى أصحاب الأرض بشأن العودة، حيث سجل الهدف الثالث في الدقيقة 79.

ودخل النجم هاري كين المباراة في الدقيقة 63، ليسجل الهدف الرابع في الدقيقة 93 من عمر المباراة.

وتُعد هذه المباراة الرسمية الأولى لـ بايرن ميونخ تحت قيادة المدرب الجديد فينسنت كومباني الذي تولى مسؤولية تدريب الفريق خلفًا لـ توماس توخيل.

ويبدأ بايرن ميونخ مشواره في الموسم الجديد من الدوري الألماني يوم 25 أغسطس الجاري ضد فولفسبورج.

MatériaMais Notícias

O lateral-esquerdo Giovanni é um dos reforços do Santo André para a temporada de 2021. O jogador chega em um momento de crescimento da equipe. Aos 31 anos de idade, o atleta afirma estar feliz com o acerto e projeta a disputa do Campeonato Paulista. Tradicional equipe do interior paulista, o Santo André quer voltar aos seus momentos de glória. Giovanni acredita que pode ser um dos líderes da equipe na busca por uma grande campanha no Paulistão.

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Clique aqui e confira a tabela do Brasileirão 2020

– É um momento de felicidade. Poder voltar ao futebol paulista e ainda mais defendendo uma equipe como o Santo André. A motivação é enorme, porque temos uma equipe qualificada e que tem tudo para alcançar os objetivos que foram traçados para a gente em 2021. O foco é recolocar a equipe no maior escalão do futebol nacional – projetou.

Experiência e qualidade não faltarão para o ala, que tem no currículo passagens por Fluminense, Náutico, América Mineiro, Ponte Preta, Bahia e Cruzeiro. A bagagem o coloca como um dos líderes da equipe, não só no sentido técnico. Giovanni associa o sucesso da temporada ao empenho nas atividades já neste primeiro período do ano.

– Acredito que posso liderar sim. Tenho experiência tanto na Série A, quanto em divisões menores do futebol nacional. Com o tempo você passa a conhecer alguns atalhos. A chave do sucesso sempre será o trabalho. Então, de nós não vai faltar empenho no dia a dia e os resultados teremos dentro de campo. Como eu disse, o time que está sendo montado tem qualidade e se nos empenharmos nos treinamentos, conquistaremos coisas grandes.

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.

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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.

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.

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."

Manchester United look to have laid out their ambitions for the January transfer window at Old Trafford as Erik ten Hag continues to shape his squad, according to a new report.

Manchester United's questionable recruitment…

Despite spending over £170 million in the summer transfer window on Mason Mount, Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir, Sofyan Amrabat, Rasmus Hojlund, Jonny Evans and Sergio Reguilon, Manchester United fans will feel like some of their recruitment processes need to be questioned after a frustrating start to the campaign.

In midweek, the Red Devils surrendered a two-goal lead over Galatasaray in Istanbul and fell to a 3-3 draw in a must-win Champions League clash, leaving them bottom of Group A with four points from five fixtures as the challenge of Bayern Munich at Old Trafford awaits on matchday six.

During the tie, Cameroon international Onana was at fault for Hakim Ziyech's second goal of the evening, spilling the former Chelsea man's strike, which eventually trickled over the line in fairly hapless fashion.

Speaking to TNT Sports cited via TEAMtalk in the aftermath of the fixture, club legend Paul Scholes laid into Onana's performance on the night, stating: "What can you say? It’s a terrible mistake again (for the second goal). I’m sure if he is trying to punch it away with his right hand, it’s weak. He makes people nervous. I think he makes his defence nervy, his team nervous. He makes simple saves look really, really difficult.

"You see him again here at the near post (for the third goal). I’m not a goalkeeping expert and others will know more about this, but I don’t think he should be beaten at the near post. His positioning is poor. For me, all three goals are down to him."

Of course, Onana wasn't the only man to blame for Manchester United's downfall; however, it does provoke questions regarding the wider structure involving recruiting players at Old Trafford. Now, one other under-fire star could now be set to be replaced in January as part of a squad reshuffle by Ten Hag in the upcoming transfer window.

Manchester United target Sofyan Amrabat replacement

According to a report from The Guardian, Manchester United have concerns over loanee Amrabat's start to life at Old Trafford and could look to move in January for a new defensive midfielder.

Dutchman Ten Hag also has designs on bringing a right winger, number eight and striker to the club; however, much will depend on Sir Jim Ratcliffe completing his 25% purchase of the Premier League giants and their Financial Fair play situation.

Amrabat, who has previously been labelled "extraordinary" by Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique, has struggled to get to grips with life in the Premier League, evidenced by the fact he has recorded a WhoScored average match rating of 6.46/10, which places him as Ten Hag's 16th-best player on that metric (Amrabat statistics).

Come January, the Morocco international will slip down the pecking order at Old Trafford if the Red Devils elect to add more competition to their engine room.

The banned Pakistan batsman pleaded not guilty after being charged by the UK’s National Crime Agency of conspiring to bribe players in the PSL

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Feb-2019Nasir Jamshed, the banned Pakistan batsman, is set to face trial in the UK after being accused of bribing cricketers in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).Jamshed and two UK nationals, Yousef Anwar and Mohammed Ijaz, were arrested in February 2017 as part of an investigation into alleged spot-fixing by the UK’s National Crime Agency.Jamshed, Anwar and Ijaz have been charged with conspiring to bribe players in the PSL to underperform. The offences are said to have taken place between November 2016 and February 2017. Anwar and Ijaz have also been charged with conspiring to bribe players in the Bangladesh Premier League, in late 2016.On Monday, all three defendants entered not guilty pleas at Manchester Crown Court. Their trial is set to take place at the same court, starting December 2. All three were granted unconditional bail and told to attend a pre-trial review hearing on September 6.In August 2018, Jamshed was given a 10-year ban by the PCB after being found guilty of five charges under its anti-corruption code.Five other players also received sanctions from the PCB over corruption charges relating to the 2017 PSL spot-fixing scandal. Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif were each banned for five years, while Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Irfan and Shahzaib Hasan received shorter suspensions.

MatériaMais Notícias

Em partida válida pela 34ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro, Red Bull Bragantino derrotou o Atlético-GO pelo placar de 2 a 0. Os gols foram marcados por Ytalo, no começo da segunda etapa, e Claudinho, nos acréscimos.Com a vitória, o Massa Bruta chega aos 47 pontos e sobe para a oitava colocação. A O Dragão permanece com 45 pontos e estaciona na 13ª posição.

>>>> Veja a tabela de classificação do Brasileirão

O próximo adversário do Red Bull Bragantino é o Flamengo, no estádio Nabi Abi Chedid, no domingo. Já o Atlético-GO recebe o time do Santos, no Antônio Accioly, no sábado.

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Jogo bastante intenso, poucas chances criadas e gol anulado

Até a metade do primeiro tempo, Red Bull Bragantino e Atlético-GO fizeram um jogo de muita briga pela posse da bola, disputa intensa por espaço, mas com nenhuma oportunidade de perigo criada.

A primeiro lance perigoso surgiu apenas aos 30 minutos da etapa inicial. Edimar recebeu de Claudinho e cruzou, Ytalo escorou para Helinho bater. Jean defendeu e, na sequência, Ramires ainda tentou marcar no rebote, mas o goleiro do Dragão conseguiu evitar o gol.

O Atlético-GO respondeu cinco minutos depois. Após cobrança de escanteio, Éder desviou de cabeça, Marlon Freitas aproveitou e marcou para o Dragão. Mas arbitragem viu impedimento do volante e anulou.

Após esses dois lances, o jogo voltou ao panorama inicial de muita disputa e nada de lances de perigo. Jogada de perigo, só no finalzinho do primeiro tempo. Artur desceu pelo lado direito e cruzou, Ytalo dominou dentro da área, girou em cima do zagueiro e bateu, Jean estava ligado no jogo e fez uma ótima defesa.

Início do segundo tempo intenso e gol do Massa Bruta

As duas equipes voltaram com tudo na etapa complementar. Logo aos 4 minutos, Janderson disparou em velocidade e deu um belo passe para Wellington Rato. Mas o goleiro Cleiton estava mais esperto e antecipou o meia do Atlético-GO e conseguiu fazer o corte e salvar Red Bull Bragantino.

Quando o Massa Bruta respondeu o ataque Dragão abrindo o placar. Aos 10 minutos, Claudinho recebeu passe dentro da área, mas não foi egoísta e passou para Ytalo. O atacante bateu e inaugurou o placar: 1 a 0.

Quase empate do Atlético-GO e blitz do Bragantino

Quase que em seguida ao gol Massa Bruta, o Dragão por pouco não empatou. Aos 12 minutos, cruzamento na área do Bragantino, Wellington Rato desviou, a bola passa por Cleiton, mas Edimar estava esperto e evitou o gol do Atlético-GO.

A partir começou um bombardeio do Red Bull Bragantino. Artur (três vezes) e Ricardo Ryller tiveram ótimas oportunidades para marcar, mas quando não era a pontaria que falhava, o goleiro Jean estava lá para salvar o Dragão.

Com gol de Pênalti marcado pelo VAR, Massa Bruta liquida a fatura

O Dragão bem quem tentava o empate, mas o Red Bull Bragantino era senhor do jogo. E o gol que consolidou a vitória do Massa Bruta veio nos acréscimos. Após consultar o VAR o árbitro marca pênalti para o Bragantino, Claudinho, no dia do seu jogo de número 100 com a camisa do Massa Bruta, bateu e fechou a fatura.

FICHA TÉCNICA
RED BULL BRAGANTINO 2 X 0 ATLÉTICO-GO – 34ª RODADA BRASILEIRO SÉRIE A
Estádio: Nabi Abi Chedid, em Bragança Paulista (SP)
Data: 03 de fevereiro de 2021, às 19h15
Árbitro: Paulo Roberto Alves Junior (PR)
Assistentes: Bruno Boschilia (Fifa-PR) e Sidmar dos Santos Meurer (PR)
VAR: Adriano Milczvski (PR)
Gramado: Bom
Cartões amarelos: Ramires, Helinho, Léo Ortiz (BRA) / Willian Maranhão, Wellington Rato (ATL)

GOL: Red Bull Bragantino Ytalo (10’/2ºT) e Claudinho (48’/2ºT)

RED BULL BRAGANTINO (Técnico: Maurício Barbieri)
Cleiton; Aderlan, Léo Ortiz, Ligger e Edimar (Luan Cândido, 36’/2ºT); Raul, Ramires (Ricardo Ryller, 2ºT) e Claudinho (Vitinho, 50’/2ºT); Artur (Cuello, 36’/2ºT), Ytalo e Helinho (Bruno Tubarão, 20’/2ºT).

ATLÉTICO-GO (Técnico: Marcelo Cabo)
Jean; Dudu, João Victor, Éder e Natanael; Willian Maranhão (Pereira, 24’/2ºT), Marlon Freitas (Vitor, 16’/2ºT), Janderson (Arnaldo, 37’/2ºT), Matheus Vargas (Rithely, 37’/2ºT) e Wellington Rato; Chico (Danilo Gomes, 16’/2ºT).

يستعد محمد عبد الشافي، الظهير الأيسر للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، للعودة للمشاركة في الموسم الجديد مع الفريق.

وخاض عبد الشافي تدريبات تأهيلية، اليوم الأربعاء، على هامش المران الجماعي للفريق.

طالع.. تركي آل الشيخ يُعلن ملعب مباراة الأهلي والزمالك في السوبر الإفريقي.. وعدد الجماهير وكان عبد الشافي، قد تعرض للإصابة بالرباط الصليبي، ويواصل برنامجه التأهلي تحت إشراف الجهاز الطبي بالقلعة البيضاء.

وينتظم فريق الزمالك، في معسكر مغلق غدًا الخميس بالأسكندرية حتى يوم 6 سبتمبر المقبل استعدادًا للموسم الجديد.

وكان الزمالك أنهى مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز، الموسم الماضي في المركز الثالث، وودع بطولة كأس مصر من دور الستة عشر.

An in-form £39 million striker has "emerged" as a lead contender to replace Harry Kane at Tottenham, with the club eyeing a 2024 transfer bid.

Postecoglou eyeing new striker for Spurs

While the general consensus is that Spurs are most eager to sign a new centre-back, there have been some suggestions that the north Londoners could look to replace Kane next year.

Indeed, Tottenham hold a serious interest in signing Brentford star Ivan Toney as one option (Fabrizio Romano), with The Independent most recently claiming Spurs really like the 27-year-old as a player.

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He’s performing brilliantly abroad.

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However, the presence of both Arsenal and Chelsea in the race for Toney complicates matters, and it is believed that the former are currently favourites to sign him as things stand.

The England international could command a hefty price tag of around £100 million as well, according to Sky Sports, and that is a price which Spurs chairman Daniel Levy would be very unlikely to entertain.

Other, more affordable striker options like Stuttgart star Serhou Guirassy could be far more attainable. The Guinea international's representatives have apparently reached out to Spurs and other interested English sides. Guirassy also has a £15 million release clause in his contract, making him a pretty tempting choice ahead of 2024.

However, it is apparently Feyenoord forward Santiago Gimenez who is really catching the attention of Ange Postecoglou's side.

The Mexico international's scintillating form is one big draw, but reliable transfer journalist Romano also stated recently that Gimenez could be available for around £39 million.

Gimenez emerges as lead contender to succeed Kane

According to journalist Dean Jones, writing for GiveMeSport this week, Gimenez has now emerged as a lead contender to replace Kane at Spurs.

The North American has scored 18 goals in 16 Eredivisie starts so far this season, making his possible £39m valuation look like a bargain when comparing the prices of Toney or other star strikers like Victor Osimhen.

"Spurs have continued to track Feyenoord striker Santi Gimenez in recent weeks, in mind of a bid for the player in 2024," wrote Jones.

"He has emerged as one of the leading options to join Spurs when they look to finally replace Harry Kane in the setup.

"The club will look to totally avoid that Kane narrative whenever the time comes to sign a new frontman but the comparisons will be obvious. As such Spurs will make checks on the personality and maturity of any player that might be given such a tag, to make sure they could handle such pressure."

Gimenez has been called "sensational" for his displays in the Netherlands this term, with journalist Graeme Bailey saying as much while also sharing Tottenham's fondness.

“Santiago Gimenez looks sensational by the way, he looks so good. He looks amazing to me,” said Bailey on the Talking Transfers podcast earlier this season.

“Teams have been watching Feyenoord, of which there is a few, they are the best team in Holland, we know Arsenal and Tottenham have been watching Gimenez as of late.”