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The Rafa Benitez to Newcastle rumours just won’t seem to go away, will they?

The Spaniard left St James’ Park back in the summer of 2019, with the club releasing a statement that despite working hard to extend his contract, they couldn’t reach an agreement with him.

And despite it being well over a year since he made his exit, his name still continues to be a major talking point on Tyneside, and his latest interview during the week once again opened up a tonne of speculation over a potential return.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Euro Leagues Show, Benitez said: “When I left Newcastle I was waiting until the last minute for a takeover but obviously it didn’t happen. I have a very clear idea that in the situation it was impossible to stay, even if I was really pleased and really happy there.

“So with all of these things in your head, if I decided to stay when we had no money, imagine with a takeover. At the moment I have a lot of respect because I have a job and I am very grateful to Dalian and Wanda but the Premier League is a target for me.”

As the former Magpies boss says himself, he worked under a set of very strict financial restrictions at St James’ Park, and it really is a case of ‘what if?’ in terms of just what he could have achieved had he been given some extra backing.

Newcastle’s outlay after Steve Bruce’s arrival, both last summer and the one just got by, shows that Mike Ashley may be loosening the purse strings ever so slightly, whilst a takeover is still also on the cards.

Many of the players at the club have already worked with him before, with Matt Ritchie admitting that his work was “unbelievable”, particularly tactically.

Described as someone who did miracles in his first stint as Newcastle boss by Ian Wright, just imagine what Benitez could do with the whole club pushing in the same direction as him.

حقق بايرن ميونخ فوزًا هامًا على نظيره هوفنهايم في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما ضمن الجولة التاسعة من الدوري الألماني للدرجة الأولى.

سجل سيرجي جنابري في الدقيقة 16 هدف بايرن ميونخ الأول بتسديدة من الجبهة اليمنى، بعد عدد من التمريرات الرائعة بين نجوم العملاق البافاري.

روبرت ليفاندوفسكي تمكن من تعزيز النتيجة بهدف ثانٍ في الدقيقة 30 بتسديدة صاروخية من خارج منطقة الجزاء، بعد تمريرة توماس مولر الذي حصل على الكرة بقوة من المدافع.

طالع أيضًا.. بايرن ميونخ يصارع ريال مدريد على ضم لاعب نابولي

في الدقائق الـ10 الأخيرة، قتل بايرن ميونخ المباراة بهدفي تشوبو موتينج وكينجسلي كومان.

وبهذه النتيجة يصبح رصيد بايرن ميونخ 22 نقطة في المركز الأول بينما هوفنهايم يتوقف رصيده عند 11 نقطة في المركز العاشر. أهداف مباراة بايرن ميونخ ضد هوفنهايم

ولإطار نفس الجولة فاز بوروسيا دورتموند على أرمينيا بثلاثية مقابل هدف، بعدما تقدم إيمري تشان من ركلة جزاء، ثم ماتيس هوميلز في الدقيقة 45، وجودي بيلنجهام سجل هدف قتل المباراة في الدقيقة 72.

سجل فابيان كروس هدف حفظ ماء الوجه لـ أرمينيا في الدقيقة 87 عن طريق ركلة جزاء.

بهذه النتيجة يصبح رصيد بوروسيا دورتموند 21 نقطة في المركز الثاني خلف بايرن ميونخ بنقطة واحدة، بينما أرمينيا في المركز السابع عشر برصيد 5 نقاط.

It wouldn’t be a deadline day without some drama at Leeds United.

The Whites have been linked to a plethora of players including Todd Cantwell and Louie Sibley, but now it seems as though they’re in the market for a new young star in the shape of Michael Olise.

The French U18 international has already made a big impact on the senior game despite only being a teenager. He has appeared 32 times for Reading, including four outings this season that have seen him rack up three goal contributions as the Royals got off to the perfect start to the season, picking up 12 points from a possible 12.

Olise certainly looks to be a talented player, and the fact that he has France U18 caps shows just how highly-rated he is, but aside from his talent, he has another quality that will make potentially make him a Bielsa favourite.

Olise is incredibly versatile being able to play as either an attacking or defensive midfielder as well as on either flank, and that is a trait that Bielsa values extremely highly.

Just look at how much Bielsa loves Stuart Dallas, the Northern Irishman can play in so many positions, anywhere across the midfield and at either full-back spot, and that versatility aided him towards starting 45 out of 46 games last season.

The £4.05m-rated ace is like an attacking version of Dallas, he’s a swiss army knife of a footballer who can be deployed in almost any attacking role as well as in the midfield.

At just 18 he’s a player that Bielsa could mould into anything he wants, and his offensive output so far this season certainly suggests that he has what it takes to become a Premier League player, with his one goal and two assists in four games helping Reading into the automatic promotion spots in the early knockings of the season.

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Jorginho, de tantos méritos neste reconstruído Vasco, já começou o jogo perdendo para Eduardo Baptista. Wellington Silva, lateral-direito de origem, foi escalado na esquerda, onde marcaria melhor as investidas de Madson. O técnico cruz-maltino, então, prontamente deslocou Nenê, articulador central do Vasco, para a ponta-direita, onde em momento algum, desde que chegou, ele conseguiu render.

Assim, o esquema tático que vinha funcionando, sumiu. Durante todo o primeiro tempo, o que se viu no Estádio Nilton Santos pareceu apenas um remendo da equipe que tanto havia melhorado. Raras investidas, Jorge Henrique e Leandrão isolados, e Andrezinho, tanto quanto Julio dos Santos, não tinha jogada para fazer.

E Jorginho mexeu no intervalo. Além das trocas dos atacantes titulares (citados acima) por Rafael Silva e Riascos, o treinador ainda fez mais uma logo depois. Saiu a preocupação tática e entrou o desespero. Com Eder Luis, a equipe ganhou mais um velocista, mesmo sem ter armadores jogando bem – apesar de a falta de meias ser um problema de montagem do elenco.

A pressão final foi o que se esperava, até pelo jogador a mais. Porém, é preciso melhorar. É preciso acertar sempre para escapar do rebaixamento. As rodadas estão favoráveis (pelo menos nas três últimas, a maioria dos resultados tem ajudado). Assim como chamou atenção, recentemente, a imprecisão na pontaria dos jogadores, a do técnico não pode ser desprezada.

O Vasco não está rebaixado. Mas quase todos os jogadores caíram no gramado abatidos, ontem. De todo modo, são estes mesmos atletas que precisam dar resposta técnica antes que seja tarde. A situação piorou? Naturalmente. O problema maior é a carga de pressão com a qual o Gigante da Colina vai encarar os poderosos ataques de Palmeiras e Corinthians na sequência do campeonato.

تُقام مساء اليوم السبت مباراة بين فريقي ليفربول بقيادة يورجن كلوب، وبرينتفورد بقيادة توماس فرانك، في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

طالع | تشكيل ليفربول الرسمي أمام برينتفورد.. محمد صلاح وماني في الهجوم وفيرمينو بديلًا

ويستضيف ملعب “جريفين بارك”، معقل برينتفورد، مباراة الفريقين التي تأتي في إطار منافسات الجولة السابعة من الدوري الإنجليزي.

وفاز ليفربول في الجولة الماضية على كريستال بالاس بثلاثة أهداف دون رد، بينما فاز برينتفورد على ولفرهامبتون بهدفين بلا مقابل. تشكيل ليفربول المتوقع أمام برينتفورد

حراسة المرمى: أليسون بيكر.

خط الدفاع: فيرجيل فان دايك، جويل ماتيب، ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد، أندي روبرتسون.

خط الوسط: فابينيو، كورتيس جونز، جوردان هندرسون.

خط الهجوم: محمد صلاح، جوتا، ساديو ماني.

يمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة على مركز المباريات من هنا.

Everton are reportedly linked with a move for Red Bull Salzburg’s Hwang Hee-chan this summer. 

According to the Liverpool ECHO (posted via @TheGwladysSt), the club are interested in the forward as they make their plans for the upcoming transfer window.

The report states Carlo Ancelotti is prioritising ‘quality over quantity’ and doesn’t expect to land any ‘big money deals’.

Hee-chan has had a terrific season with Salzburg after returning from a loan spell at Hamburg last summer. The 24-year-old has accumulated 13 goals and 16 assists this term, including the goal and assist he bagged against Liverpool in the Champions League (via Transfermarkt).

According to Transfermarkt, Hee-chan is valued at £9 million, indicating a fair asking price should Everton opt to pursue a move for the South Korean international.

Blues fans seem to already be sold on the idea of adding the striker to their ranks. One supporter thinks he would be an ‘absolutely unreal signing’ whilst another remembers his performance against the Reds and has commented ‘looked superb against Liverpool’.

Meanwhile, one fan even compared him to former Toffee Andrey Kanchelskis. They were perhaps referring to the fact that he too was a goalscorer, netting 20 times in 52 appearances for Everton, and that he is a similar stature to Hee-chan with a height of 1.78m compared to the South Korean’s 1.77m.

Read more of the eager Toffees’ fans replies below:

Do you think Everton should sign Hee-chan this summer, Blues? Have your say in the comments below!

Newcastle United have made an offer for Malaysian wonder kid Luqman Hakim, according to Arena (via NUFC Blog).

According to The Guardian, the 18-year old was on the list of ‘top 60 young footballers of 2019’ last year and has been tipped to make the move to Europe in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Hakim secured a deal of five years with Belgian first division team K.V. Kortrijk last year, which is owned by Vincent Tan, who English football fans will also recall is the owner of Cardiff City.

He graduated from a football development programme in Malaysia and seemed to graduate with flying colours, and was going to be rewarded by being able to train with Cardiff until he turned 18 in March earlier in this year.

However, that arrangement was postponed, and thus he has been playing with Malaysian giants FA Selangor instead.

Lionel Foy is the agent of the prospect and has claimed there are lots of teams in the Premier League interested in securing the signature of the striker, however, it is not known yet if he would be allowed to be given a work permit first that would allow him to play in the English top flight.

Nevertheless, if the Magpies’ offer for Hakim is accepted by his club, then it could possibly be a sign that the proposed takeover at St. James’ Park will go through.

Given his strong connections in Asia with Malaysia, the youngster could attract more supporters from that part of the world, and could be an incentive for the Saudis especially to push through their £300 million bid.

Only time will tell whether their deal with Mike Ashley goes through, but if it does, Hakim could be a catalyst for that given his Asian connections.

Geordies, do you see any link between the Hakim offer and the Saudi takeover? Comment below!

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Everton have struggled throughout this season and have been desperate for a star to pull them out of their current situation. The likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison have just six goals between them so far and the club have only 13 in the league.

As time goes on, it seems the under-pressure Marco Silva could benefit from a genuine breath of fresh air to push the Toffees on. Now, after another great performance this past week, it seems as if Anthony Gordon could be that man.

Against North Macedonia U19s for England U19s, the Toffees star scored an excellent goal as he cut inside to fire the ball home. It was a fabulous effort and one that puts further pressure on Silva to consider handing an opportunity to the young talent.

The Everton academy star has six goals in 10 games for the U23s this season and has constantly been a useful player for David Unsworth’s men.

Plus, with Everton’s goalscoring options not quite pulling their weight, the former Watford boss may not have a choice but to play him soon.

As this is the Premier League and not the U23s, a start for the 19-year-old might be one step too far right now. However, a substitute appearance could be within Gordon’s grasp after featuring on the bench against Southampton and following that up with a goal on international duty.

Up next for the Toffees is the visit of Norwich City before the hectic Christmas period where Silva is no doubt going to need all the firepower he can get to fire his side to another morale-boosting victory.

Plus, it would be a wise idea to bleed Gordon in just before Everton face off with a selection of the Premier League’s top clubs.

Now is the perfect time for him to come in.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

Fabian Schar has been Newcastle’s best defender this season so it is testament to Steve Bruce’s abilities that his side picked up a win last week despite the Swiss’ absence through injury – he will also miss the clash with Bournemouth today.

On the chalkboard

The centre-back had been a regular performer in the Newcastle back five prior to sustaining a knee injury, and though the Magpies had to re-jig things with Ciaran Clark coming in, they looked comfortable last weekend.

The Irishman got on the scoresheet, too, but his one tackle meant he fell short of Schar, who has averaged two tackles per game in the 2019/20 Premier League.

In fact, his tackle success rate is one of the best for players outside of the top-six clubs, and he has only been dribbled past 11 times despite coming up against players Son Heung-min, Marcus Rashford and Willian, proving himself worthy of his £40,000-a-week salary.

No Newcastle defender has made more interceptions than the 28-year-old, either, so the defence would have been forgiven for struggling a little more against the Hammers, and the fact they looked as organised and resolute as always – except for the last minute – means Bruce should be commended.

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Strength in depth

Recent matches have shown that the work Bruce is implementing at Newcastle is beginning to pay off, and but for Robert Snodgrass’ last-gasp strike they would have only conceded three goals in the past four games.

That is an impressive return, even more so when you consider the fact that Bruce hasn’t added to his centre-back options, and is therefore making the most of the players brought to the club by Rafa Benitez.

The additions he has made in the full-back areas, Jetro Willems and Emil Krafth, have settled in well and added to the defence, with the former in particular impressing.

He deserves credit for the organisation of the team, and the manner in which they bounced back from the 5-0 defeat at Leicester, as players easily could have lost confidence and morale, but instead defeated Manchester United.

If the Magpies can maintain their resolute defence, with or without Schar in the side, then they have the foundations in place for a successful campaign, and if the front-three can find that extra bit of quality at the other end of the pitch they will have an effective balance in the team.

Arsenal and Unai Emery will be gutted not to have beaten Liverpool on Wednesday in the League Cup despite scoring five goals.

The Reds eventually won the fourth-round tie on penalties, but that was only after a 5-5 draw in normal time.

Such high-scoring games seem to be something of a running theme in this fixture. For example, many will remember the 4-4 draw in 2009 when former Russia international Andrey Arshavin scored all of the Emirates Stadium outfit’s goals.

Watch the moment Granit Xhaka’s Arsenal career may have come to an ugly end in the video below…

This time around, it was Gabriel Martinelli who stood out for Emery’s team. The Brazilian scored twice, taking his tally for the campaign to seven in all competitions. What makes that even more impressive is the fact he has started just four games.

Such has been his impressive form, the club’s supporters are now calling for the club to sell 16-time France international Alexandre Lacazette, who they signed for £46.5m from Lyon in July of 2017.

The 28-year-old has scored 38 goals in 94 appearances for the Gunners, but the fans feel 5 foot 9 Martinelli should already be ahead of him in the pecking order.

They have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts, and you can see some of the best comments from the social media platform below.