Tag Futebol

Rangers travel to the Czech Republic on Thursday as they come up against Sparta Prague in the Europa League group stages.

Steven Gerrard’s side are currently on zero points in their group after they lost 2-0 to Lyon at Ibrox in their opening match.

With the Gers attempting to win their first match in the group, Gerrard could make some changes to his XI to freshen the side up and give his team the best chance of winning.

One player who he must unleash on Sparta Prague is summer signing Fashion Sakala, who was on the bench against Dundee FC at the weekend.

Gerrard must select Sakala from the start and change the formation from the win over Dundee. Ianis Hagi started behind Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe, but bringing Sakala in could allow Rangers to go with a 4-3-3 and play him and Roofe either side of Morelos in an attacking trident.

Hagi struggled against Dundee, with a 6.6 SofaScore rating, and Sakala coming in for him could be a shrewd call from the manager. Sakala has the potential to be a game-changer for the Gers, whilst his versatility also means that he can be used in a variety of ways.

Gers chief Ross Wilson hailed the beast as a determined player, citing his pace and power as two of his biggest strengths. He said:

“Fashion has had an excellent season in Belgium and we believe he will develop further still working with all of our staff at the training ground. Fashion is a determined, humble and positive guy and we are sure he will fit the group here.

“We wanted to add more pace and power to the group across January and the summer and I am pleased that we have done that, firstly with Scott Wright and now with Fashion Sakala. I know Steven and the coaches are excited to work with Fashion and I am sure that he will further enhance his growing reputation here with Rangers.“

He scored 16 goals for Oostende in Belgium last term and has scored once in two Scottish Premiership starts for Rangers. This shows that he has the quality to score goals on a regular basis, which means that he has the ability to be a game-changer for the Gers.

If he starts against Sparta, he could make a telling contribution in front of goal to win Rangers the game or earn them a point. That is why Gerrard must unleash him from the start against the Czech side, to give him the opportunity to prove his worth.

AND in other news, Wilson must secure Rangers January deal for “natural goalscorer”, fans would love it…

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou will be without Callum McGregor against Raith Rovers, while Giorgos Giakoumakis is also unlikely to start, Alison Conroy reports.

The Lowdown: Poor run of form

The Hoops go into Thursday’s League Cup quarter-final off the back of four defeats in five games in all competitions.

Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Livingston now means it’s seven months without a domestic away win, with the Hoops making their worst league start in 23 years.

Captain McGregor and Giakoumakis both missed the loss to Livingston, and it seems as if the pair will both be missing from the starting lineup against Raith Rovers.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/celtic-updates-14/” title=”Celtic updates!!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Latest: Conroy’s post

Reliable reporter Conroy took to Twitter on Wednesday, just over 24 hours before the meeting to share updates on the pair.

Postecoglou admitted that McGregor will miss the meeting at Parkhead, while Giakoumakis is unlikely to start.

“Ange Postecoglou says Callum McGregor won’t be back for Celtic’s League Cup tie v Raith Rovers. Giorgos Giakoumakis is in the squad for tomorrow night’s game but unlikely to start.”

The Verdict: Not ideal

A cup quarter-final won’t be straightforward, regardless of the opposition, so having the pair missing from the starting lineup could be a big blow.

Giakoumakis is still yet to feature for Celtic after his summer move, so the clash against Raith Rovers could have been the perfect opportunity to announce himself to the Parkhead crowd from the off.

He may still get the chance to feature, potentially from the bench, should he make it, unlike McGregor, but it appears as if Albian Ajeti could be the man to lead the line once again for Celtic.

In other news: Celtic icon smiles and reveals whether he would replace McKay at Parkhead.

Tottenham Hotspur are set to compete with Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain for the prospective free transfer of AC Milan’s Franck Kessie in January, according to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Tuttomercatoweb), and the trio of suitors may have been given some encouragement following recent developments. 

The Lowdown: Contract problems 

Since his permanent move to AC Milan in 2019 following a two-year loan spell, Kessie has been linked with a move to top clubs across Europe. 

The 24-year-old, who has made 44 appearances for the Ivory Coast national team, hasn’t appeared for the Serie A side since his brace earned all three points at the end of May against Atalanta.  He is yet to feature for Stefano Pioli’s side this season after helping his nation to the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games in Tokyo during the summer. 

With his contract running out next summer, the interest in Kessie is set to increase during the upcoming 12 months. 

The Latest: Contract roadblock

According to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Tuttomercatoweb), Kessie has rejected a contract extension from Milan worth €6.5m (£5.57m) a year. 

The Italian newspaper reported that the midfielder wants €8m (£6.86m) a year plus €2m (£1.7m) in bonuses, and Spurs are said to be keen on the midfielder, who scored 13 goals in 37 league appearances for the Rossoneri last season. 

Milan will be fearful of losing one of their key players for nothing like they did with Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG) and Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter). 

Kessie claimed in July that he wanted to stay at Milan ‘forever’ but has now rejected a new deal with the club.

The Verdict: Perfect Box-to-Box 

Kessie’s quality has been clear to see since he arrived at the San Siro. Last season he carried an 89% pass completion per match whilst making 2.07 blocks per game. 

Spurs currently have a couple of gifted centre-midfielders in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oliver Skipp, but with doubts having circulated over Tanguy Ndombele’s future, the arrival of Kessie would be an added bonus to Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad. 

Former Milan striker Antonio Cassano even lauded the midfielder as “intelligent” and “devastating” earlier in the year during one of the best seasons of his career, and we will have to see whether the Lilywhites can beat the pulling power of PSG or Liverpool next summer. 

In other news: Many Spurs fans have been raving about one of their summer signings – find out more here.

MatériaMais Notícias

Jovem lateral revelado nas categorias de base, titularidade, proposta do futebol europeu… dez anos após ver Fagner sair precocemente do Corinthians rumo ao PSV (HOL), o torcedor alvinegro agora tem preocupação com a possibilidade de saída de Guilherme Arana, titular desde o início da temporada, em alta e assediado por clubes como Ajax (HOL), Bordeaux (FRA) e Bayer Leverkusen (ALE). Mais experiente e presente em 200 jogos do Corinthians ao longo dos últimos anos, o lateral-direito evitou conselhos ao lateral-esquerdo, mas deixou claro que vê os dois casos de modos distintos.

– Eu vejo situações diferentes no meu caso e dele, apesar de os dois terem sido formados no clube. Eu joguei muito menos no profissional, o Arana já vem desde 2014 entre os profissionais, 2015 atuando bastante, ano passado também e esse ano se firmou como grande jogador que vem sendo. Esses anos de profissional deram bagagem a ele para chegar a qualquer clube europeu preparado, com mentalidade de como se comportar. É difícil falar que não tem que ir ou tem que ir, é a escolha do atleta, o que é bom para o clube e para ele, uma série de fatores. Mas a gente espera que aconteça o que for melhor para ambos – disse Fagner, que respondeu logo depois se sua história serve de exemplo negativo sobre uma transferência cedo à Europa.

– Minha história é conhecida. Mas assim, o que eu digo hoje é que tanto o Maycon quanto o Arana tiveram mais participações como profissional do que eu. Na minha época foi outra situação, de término de contrato, com eles é diferente. Eu saí com apenas sete jogos, até você adquirir respeito e bagagem é diferente – completou o lateral-direito corintiano, satisfeito pela diretoria segurar jogadores em 2017, ao contrário do que ocorreu nos últimos anos.

-O Corinthians é um clube grande, que sempre vai estar disputando título. Quanto mais forte for o elenco para disputar título, é o que o jogador quer.

Revelado pelo Corinthians em 2007, Fagner atuou somente sete partidas até o fim do ano, quando foi negociado com o PSV. Depois, ele defendeu Vitória, Vasco e Wolfsburg até acertar o retorno ao Corinthians em 2014. Campeão brasileiro em 2015 e estadual neste ano, o camisa 23 completou 200 partidas no empate em 1 a 1 com o Patriotas, na Colômbia, pela Sul-Americana. Realizado profissionalmente, ele se vê no melhor momento da carreira.

-Eu me vejo muito feliz, realizado com tudo o que vem acontecendo, só tenho a agradecer pelas pessoas que estão ao meu lado, quem me ajudou no começo. Sem dúvida me sinto realizado, estou em casa, e a maneira de retribuir é buscar a evolução para estar sempre em alto nível – relatou o lateral, que já foi assediado por clubes internacionais e hoje não cogita transferência.

-É difícil falar do futuro, uma coisa que pode ou não acontecer. Estou muito feliz aqui, estou realizado profissionalmente e pessoalmente, perto da minha família, fui criado aqui. Se eu pudesse escolher um clube para me aposentar seria o Corinthians, onde comecei aos nove anos. Mas é muito cedo para isso. Hoje não penso no que pode acontecer amanhã, porque pode atrapalhar. Se eu ficar pensando daqui a 15, 30 dias, vou deixar de produzir.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansNem oscilação tira invencibilidade do Corinthians; veja números e motivosCorinthians29/06/2017CorinthiansCapitão da Copinha completa ‘time’ de renovações do Corinthians no anoCorinthians30/06/2017CorinthiansCorinthians negocia 25% de Petros para quitar até dívida por… PetrosCorinthians30/06/2017

Tudo sobre

BrasileirãoCorinthiansFagner

عُرض الأرجنتيني باولو ديبالا على نادي مانشستر يونايتد الإنجليزي في صفقة انتقال مجانية بعدما كان على وشك التوقيع مع إنتر ميلان.

غادر اللاعب البالغ من العمر 28 عامًا يوفنتوس رسميًا عندما انتهى عقده في نهاية الشهر الماضي وأصبح الآن وكيلًا مجانيًا.

شارك ديبالا في 293 مباراة خلال فترة سبع سنوات مع يوفنتوس وسجل 115 هدفًا، مما ساعد النادي على تحقيق خمسة ألقاب متتالية وأربعة كؤوس إيطالية.

لكن ديبالا يضع نصب عينيه الآن على تحد جديد، بعدما فشل في التوصل إلى اتفاق على عقد جديد مع يوفنتوس. 

وارتبط إنتر ميلان بشكل كبير بانقضاض على اللاعب الأرجنتيني الدولي، الذي التقى مع نائب رئيس النادي خافيير زانيتي الشهر الماضي.

لكن ESPN تدعي الآن أن اهتمام إنتر ميلان بديبالا بات فاترًا بعد أن تمكنوا من إعادة روميلو لوكاكو إلى سان سيرو على سبيل الإعارة من تشيلسي.

اقرأ أيضًا | رسميًا | مانشستر يونايتد يعلن غياب كريستيانو رونالدو عن جولته التحضيرية

يحرص كل من مانشستر يونايتد وآرسنال على وصول ديبالا إلى الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ومع ذلك، يشير هذا التقرير الأخير إلى أنه “تم الاتصال” مع مانشستر يونايتد بشأن صفقة محتملة، حيث يحاول ممثلو ديبالا إثارة الاهتمام من إنجلترا.

ويُزعم أنهم أجروا بالفعل مناقشات مع قادة مانشستر يونايتد بشأن التوقيع عليه، خاصة بعد طلب النجم كريستيانو رونالدو الرحيل.

ويقول التقرير إن الشياطين الحمر يصرون على أن أي اهتمام بديبالا لا يغير موقفهم من بقاء رونالدو على الرغم من أن صحيفة “ذا صن” تشير إلى أن مانشستر يونايتد يقبل بحقيقة رحيله الموشكة. 

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has earmarked Leeds United starlet Joe Gelhardt as one to watch in the Premier League this season.

What’s the story?

The 19-year-old has yet to make a first-team appearance at Elland Road under Marcelo Bielsa, but Hay has tipped the teenager to be the club’s surprise package.

During a Q&A for The Athletic, the journalist name-checked the likes of Jamie Shackleton and Cody Drameh, but reserved special praise for Gelhardt and said he could be the man to make the biggest impression.

He said: “Possibly Shackelton. I’d like to think Drameh might get a chance if Ayling gets injured or has to relocate to centre-back. But Gelhardt is the one, I feel. So much talent there. Everyone talks about it.”

Bielsa should give him a chance

The former Wigan starlet only arrived at Elland Road last summer but has since made a big impression behind the scenes at Thorp Arch, with Hay previously revealing that the club feel they pulled off an absolute steal.

He said: “He’s been hugely impressive in the (Under-23s). Every time I see him, he looks like a massively talented player. Leeds have been quite honest in saying that the money they paid for him, around about £700,000 up front, from what I was told, is a small fee for somebody with massive amounts of talent.”

With 11 goals in just 18 games at Premier League 2 level, including a stunning hat-trick in a 5-0 win over West Brom last season, Gelhardt is doing everything he can to make waves at academy level.

Bielsa has just Patrick Bamford as a recognised striker option to call upon, and with the Whites yet again not bringing in a new striker to add some competition, it’s surely the perfect time for Gelhardt to be brought into the fold.

The 18-year-old made it onto the bench for the Premier League games against Manchester City and Liverpool towards the back end of last season, but wasn’t brought on.

With Hay claiming that Gelhardt is highly-rated inside the club, this season seems like the perfect chance for Bielsa to give him a chance in the first-team.

Fans will surely be excited with Hay’s prediction that the 19-year-old could be Leeds’ surprise package this season in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Phil Hay has dropped a Leeds United transfer update…

Michael Ball doubts Everton will make a move to sign striker Salomon Rondon in this transfer window.

The Toffees have been linked with a swoop to sign the former Newcastle United forward as they look to strengthen their forward line.

Rondon is still under contract with Chinese club DL Pro, but The Sun reports that he could well be released from his contract as they look to cut costs.

That could see the Venezuela international available on a free transfer, and has led to links with the Toffees.

New Everton boss Rafael Benitez worked with the striker at both DL Pro and Newcastle, and he has remained prolific in China, scoring 14 goals and laying on seven assists in 28 games.

Still, Ball does not think that a move to sign the 31-year-old is viable, due to his age.

During his spell in the Premier League under Benitez, Rondon scored 11 times in 32 games.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Ball said: “Yeah, that was a shock one. A very surprise link, he’s over in China, I think, and obviously, he’s scoring goals, he’s 31, he’s got the experience of the Premier League.

“But is it a long-term one for the club? I don’t think that’s going to be one that’s going to get over the line.”

Yorkshire have been granted planning permission for a new pavilion at Headingley in the latest part of the ground’s redevelopment.It is a joint project between Yorkshire and Leeds Metropolitan University and there will be teaching facilities incorporated into the new building. The pavilion will also act as a media centre and is set to include better player facilities to replace the current arrangement where both are based at the Football Stand End.Headingley is an unusual ground in that it doesn’t have a traditional pavilion and the ground has been going through various stages of redevelopment in recent years. Work is due to start this November and be completed some time during 2010.”Leeds Met and ourselves have worked incredibly hard with our advisors over the past 18 months to deliver a project which satisfies everyone’s needs,” said Yorkshire chief executive Stewart Regan. “This development will go a long way towards helping the club retain international cricket here in Yorkshire.”

أفادت تقارير صحفية بريطانية، أن أحد أندية الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، بدأ محادثاته مع نادي مانشستر يونايتد، من أجل التعاقد مع مهاجم الفريق، ماركوس راشفورد.

موسم 2021/2022 الماضي، كان مُحبطًا لـ راشفورد، حيث عانى من التهميش تحت قيادة رالف رانجنيك وأولى جونار سولشاير، والاعتماد دائمًا كان على كريستيانو رونالدو وجادون سانشو.

وحسب شبكة “سبورتس مول” البريطانية، فإن توتنهام هوتسبير دخل في محادثات أولية مع مانشستر يونايتد بشأن إمكانية التعاقد مع راشفورد هذا الصيف.

وتسبب عدم مشاركة راشفورد بشكل مُنتظم مع مانشستر يونايتد، في ابتعاده عن منتخب إنجلترا الأول لكرة القدم، لذا يدرس صاحب الـ”24″ عامًا إمكانية الانتقال إلى نادٍ آخر.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مانشستر يونايتد يحدد إريكسن بدلًا من دي يونج

وأشارت الشبكة في تقرير إلى أن توتنهام ليس متفائلًا من المحادثات الأولية مع مانشستر يونايتد، بسبب طلبات النادي المادية.

وأوضح التقرير أن توتنهام كان يتوقع أن يطلب مانشستر يونايتد الحصول على 50 مليون جنيه إسترليني، لكن النادي طلب 80 مليون باوند.

راشفورد عقده الحالي مع الشياطين الحمُر، ينتهي في نهاية الموسم المُقبل، 30 يونيو 2023، ويوجد في عقده خيار التمديد لمدة عام آخر.

A prediction has been made by Noel Whelan regarding when he thinks the Newcastle United takeover process may be concluded.

The Lowdown: Arbitration adjourned

As shared by the official website of the St. James’ Park faithful, the arbitration hearing between themselves and the Premier League has now been adjourned until early 2022 because of issues with the disclosure of evidence.

The hearing was expected to take place this month, but now further delays have been implemented, leaving things in limbo for the foreseeable future.

The Latest: Whelan on takeover process

Whelan, a pundit who played as a striker for the likes of Leeds United and Coventry City, has since given his thoughts on the takeover process to Football Insider, claiming that he cannot see it being concluded even next year, leaving a question over just how long it will take:

“I think it’s been a farce ever since it first started, to be quite honest with you.

“This doesn’t surprise me that they don’t want to disclose any kind of findings. They’re going to drag it on as much as they possibly can.

“It’s not good for Newcastle because they want this takeover done. They want the takeover done because it’s going to improve and bring more money into the football club.

“It’ll strengthen their squad and position in the Premier League.

“You can never see this one settling very quickly because there’s two strong personalities at either end of this: Mike Ashley and the Premier League.

“The Premier League will need to make sure they’ve got all their documents in order, as will Mike Ashley.

“The process is going to drag on. I probably can’t see it getting concluded in 2022 either.”

The Verdict: Worrying

These are certainly worrying times for the Toon Army, as they go into yet another season with uncertainty surrounding the North East club.

Even though the arbitration hearing is now set to take place next year, there is a chance that it could be delayed even further as it has done already.

If Whelan’s prediction that the process may not even be concluded before 2022 is right, then a serious question has to be asked over how long the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium will be willing to wait and ultimately, whether a takeover on Tyneside will ever be completed.

In other news, find out which £50,000-per-week target is attracted to a Magpies move here!