Newcastle United have already suffered the consequences of failing to welcome certain reinforcements during the summer transfer window, with injuries to Sven Botman and Fabian Schar exposing the lack of depth in Eddie Howe's backline. The Magpies boss has already been forced to play Dan Burn out of position and at centre-back this season, in a problem that he must be avoiding if he is to guide his side into the top four for a second consecutive Premier League campaign.
That said, reports suggest that Newcastle have turned their attention to providing a solution for Howe's problem, with a bid made for one particular January target to hand those at St James' Park a major boost for the second half of the season.
Newcastle transfer news
Despite having just three recognised senior centre-backs in the form of Jamaal Lascelles, Botman and Schar in the summer, Newcastle failed to welcome another option. And with Botman's injury history, as well as Schar's injury history far from positive, it was always a decision that was likely to come back to bite the Magpies. Now, with the January window approaching, Newcastle are reportedly looking to solve their centre-back shortage by welcoming a Serie A star.
According to reports in Spain, Newcastle have made a £26m bid for Genoa centre-back Radu Dragusin. Dragusin has recently signed a new contract in Italy but reportedly has a gentleman's agreement in place that will allow him to leave if any club matches his £26m price tag, handing Newcastle a major boost in their negotiations.
The Magpies are yet to get a response, but their supposed bid suggests that they are ahead of the likes of Arsenal, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur, who are all also reportedly interested in the defender.
When the January transfer window opens, Genoa's response could result in some good news for those at St James' Park or even potentially commence a bidding war from the Premier League.
"Dominant" Dragusin can be even better than Botman
With Botman currently out injured, Dragusin has the chance to arrive in January and instantly take his place in Howe's starting side. The 21-year-old has been incredibly impressive for Genoa this season and may get even better with a Premier League move. Dragusin's stats certainly show that's likely to be the case and even give Botman something to worry about.
Player
Progressive Carries
Progressive Passes
Tackles Won
Interceptions
Radu Dragusin
5
21
7
16
Sven Botman
0
9
5
4
Promoted from Serie B last season, Genoa sit 15th and five points clear of the drop zone, making the work of Dragusin so far in the current campaign all the more impressive. The central defender has earned deserved praise as a result, with Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig describing him as "dominant" and his listing his strengths as: "Tackling, athleticism, positioning, heading, passing, anticipation."
With that said, Newcastle could get the perfect solution to their depth problems in the January transfer window, as they face the wait to find out whether their reported £26m bid for Dragusin is successful.
A boa vitória do Atlético-MG sobre o Atlético-GO por 3 a 1, rendeu elogios ao time e ao meia Hyoran, que marcou um golaço no duelo contra o Dragão.
E, o principal afago veio do técnico Jorge Sampaoli, que classificou o jogador como muito importante para o time e compromissado. Confira como foi a descrição do treinador do Galo sobre Hyoran no vídeo acima.
VEJA COMO TERMINOU A 30ª RODADA, CONFIRA A CLASSIFICAÇÃO!
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Steve Rhodes said that turning pitches in the subcontinent are as acceptable as quick tracks in places like Antigua
Mohammad Isam25-Nov-2018
AFP
A spin-friendly pitch in Chattogram is as acceptable as a green and bouncy track in Antigua, said Bangladesh coach Steve Rhodes. He said that visiting teams are not surprised with these conditions when they come to play in the subcontinent, adding that batsmen didn’t quite manage to play well under pressure against spinners during the Chattogram Test which Bangladesh won by 64 runs in under three days.Rhodes was responding to questions a day after the Test that drew some flak for being so stacked in favour of spinners, who took 34 out of the 40 wickets in the game. In Antigua in July this year, the West Indies and Bangladesh pace bowlers had combined to take 24 out of the 30 wickets that fell, as the visitors went down by an innings and 219 runs.”I think in the subcontinent you come to expect turning wickets, so it is no surprise,” Rhodes said. “It is a turning wicket in Colombo where a Test match is going on between England and Sri Lanka. It is just a different type of wicket. I take you back to the Antigua Test where we played on very alien conditions: green and bouncy; a swinging Duke ball which nipped around a lot. It was very different.”I think that’s the beauty of playing around the world. There’s lots of different ways of playing this wonderful game. Coming to Bangladesh and playing on different wickets did make [for] some intriguing cricket. When you feel a little bit worried about getting out [on a turning pitch], you tend to play in a manner that is a little bit counterattacking. Sometimes that looks like rash batting for Test cricket. But it is the pressure that you are being put under and you’re trying to make that bowler not bowl as well. You counterattack a little bit.”Rhodes said that Shimron Hetmyer did put Bangladesh under the pump with his counter-attacking style, particularly in the second innings when he started to take on the spinners. “I thought Hetmyer’s innings was very interesting. He counterattacked us. I was so glad to see him gone in the second innings. He could have caused danger if he lasted an hour.”I thought Mominul [Haque] played wonderfully well when the pitch was turning on the first day. It was possible to score runs.”Bangladesh coach Steve Rhodes gives Ariful Haque some pointers•AFP
With the prospect of another spin-friendly pitch awaiting in Dhaka, Rhodes said their target of trying to win the series 2-0 shouldn’t take the focus away from his plan to make Bangladesh a better side away from home. “We just have to make sure we are ready to play away from home. It is something that I am conscious of. But take nothing away from what happened. It is a really good win against West Indies,” he said.”I am very respectful for them as cricketers. They will come back hard in the next Test. We need to be ready for that. I want to win 2-0.”Rhodes said that Bangladesh could go with the strategy of a four-pronged spin attack if the conditions suit them, mainly because the four bowlers have complemented each other. He said that Nayeem Hasan, who became the youngest bowler ever to take a five-wicket haul on Test debut, offers something different than Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who has been the regular offspinner since 2016.”Nayeem is a wonderful prospect. Five wickets on debut at that age is incredible,” Rhodes said. “The way he fitted into the four-man attack was wonderful. He is different to Miraz. Both can play in the same team. Nayeem has height and bounce, which is totally different from Miraz, who himself has wonderful skills.”History has shown that on most occasions, you play a Test with two spinners, three paceman and an allrounder. When the West Indies played with four quicks and really no spinners, it was their way of doing it. If we feel four spinners is the right way, it is our aggression and style of doing it, so what?”But Bangladesh have concerns, particularly about the opening batsmen who have continued to fail in the three Tests played in the home season so far. Imrul Kayes and Liton Das didn’t do the job against Zimbabwe while Soumya Sarkar, who replaced Liton, hardly made any difference against West Indies.Rhodes, however, defended Soumya’s dismissals, but admitted that Imrul’s Test form was a concern given his recent ODI form. “Soumya got a good ball in the second innings,” Rhodes explained. “He didn’t do a lot wrong. In the second innings he went for a big drive, he nicked a turning ball, which happens. You have to get people time to settle in there. We will look at that situation, and all the members of the squad, and hopefully give you guys some sort of news on that.”[Imrul] is finding it tough. We will look at his position definitely. Like all players who are not managing to get the runs, he feels upset and we feel for him. He is part of our team. We want him to do well. His ODI form was absolutely magnificent, and then you scratch your head about what’s wrong with him in Tests. Every opener struggles, but we want to get it right.”
Liverpool can secure their place in the Europa League round of 16 on Thursday night when LASK visit Anfield.
For that to happen, the Reds must better Toulouse's matchday five result, with the French outfit hosting Union Saint-Galloise.
Jurgen Klopp's side are still in pole position to avoid the extra two games that come with finishing second and entering the knockout play-off round. They're two points ahead of Toulouse while four points from their remaining two fixtures will confirm their status as group winners.
Klopp has used this competition as an opportunity to rotate his side and give key first-team stars a chance to rest. This has opened up the door for several youngsters, including Ben Doak, Jarell Quansah and Harvey Elliott to shine.
Klopp must now bench 3/10 Liverpool ace for his "unbelievable” player
The Reds must unleash this press-resistant machine going forward.
ByAngus Sinclair Nov 29, 2023
With the above trio expected to be three of ten changes from the recent draw with Manchester City, here's what a predicted Liverpool XI could look like tomorrow evening…
1 GK – Caoimhin Kelleher
Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
Kelleher has played in three of Liverpool's four Europa League outings this term and although he hasn't painted himself in the brightest of lights, conceding five goals, his place in the team against LASK is solidified.
First-choice goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, picked up a hamstring injury in the draw against Man City, so the 25-year-old must now impress in Europe to fill Klopp with confidence moving forward, especially if the Brazilian is out for a lengthy period.
2 RB – Joe Gomez
Etihad hero Trent Alexander-Arnold will be wrapped up in cotton wool on Thursday which means Joe Gomez should get the nod at right-back. The Englishman has featured across all four matches in this competition and captained the side in their 3-2 defeat against Toulouse last time out.
Once dubbed by Klopp as a "sensational footballer", Gomez has been a reliable back-up this term and whilst he can't offer the same attacking threat to Trent, he does provide steeliness defensively having made 2.5 tackles per game and won 63% of his duels in Europe.
3 CB – Ibrahima Konate
Ibrahima-Konate-Liverpool
A man-mountain of a centre-back, who has suffered multiple spells on the sideline this term, Ibrahima Konate has a chance to show Klopp he's a better option than Joel Matip at the heart of the Liverpool defence.
Hailed by defensive partner Virgil van Dijk as "incredible", the Frenchman is held in high regard at Anfield and considering he ranks in the top 15% against his positional peers for tackles per 90 across Europe's top five leagues in the past year, it is clear to see why those close to him have waxed lyrical about his talents.
4 CB – Jarell Quansah
chambers-quansah-liverpool-opinion
Quansah has made a seamless transition into the Liverpool first-team this term and the 20-year-old has impressed with his exceptional ball-playing abilities and defensive attributes.
Lauded as "absolutely phenomenal" by fellow academy graduate, Alexander-Arnold, the centre-back has starred across his three appearances in Europe, registering an impressive 91% pass completion and he's only been dribbled past 0.3 times per game. If he continues to perform at a high, the world is Quansah's oyster.
5 LB – Kostas Tsimikas
luke-chambers-kostas-tsimikas-liverpool-opinion
Left-back stalwart Andrew Robertson is expected to return from his shoulder injury in January 2024 but until then, Kostas Tsimikas will continue to deputize for the Scot on the left side of defence – acting as the only player to keep his place from the trip to the Etihad.
The Greek international is unable to match Robertson's quality down the left flank having yet to create a big chance and has only registered 0.7 key passes per game across three matches in Europe.
6 CM – Wataru Endo
Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo
Wataru Endo has yet to truly impress since arriving from Stuttgart in the summer, but he'll get another chance to demonstrate his qualities on Thursday night.
The Japanese international was expected to become the ball-winning machine to replace Fabinho, however, Alexis Mac Allister has been preferred by Klopp in that position. Having made four appearances in this competition, it's unlikely he'll get dropped against LASK.
7 CM – Ryan Gravenberch
wataru-endo-ryan-gravenberch-liverpool-opinion
Ryan Gravenberch was starting to come into his own in a Liverpool shirt, especially in the Europa League, having supplied an assist and scored twice across his first three matches.
The 21-year-old had since suffered a minor knock, which meant he didn't start on Saturday, however, the silky Dutchman has averaged the highest Sofascore rating of any Reds player in this competition (7.97), made the most key passes per game (3) and created the most big chances (2).
8 CM – Harvey Elliott
Harvey Elliott.
Harvey Elliott has been dubbed as "exceptional" by Jamie Carragher for his performances this term and although he hasn't been awarded the requisite game time to go with that praise, another audition awaits on Thursday night.
The midfield metronome, who has started in all four Europa League matches, has terrorised opposition defenders with his tremendous low centre of gravity. He is capable of gliding past his opponents with ease, completing 75% of his attempted dribbles in this competition.
9 RW – Ben Doak
Ben Doak
One of the most exciting prospects to be unleashed from the Liverpool academy in recent years, Ben Doak is one of several blessings in disguise to come from Thursday jaunts to rogue destinations.
A direct and pacey winger, who has been described by van Dijk as a "Tasmanian devil" for how he strikes fear into opposition defenders, Doak's precocious talents have rewarded him with two appearances in Europe and a third is looking likely.
10 LW – Luis Diaz
For what Luis Diaz has had to go through off the field this term following the kidnapping of his father – who has now been released – it is remarkable that he has still managed to focus on delivering excellent performances on the pitch.
Dubbed by Klopp as a "special" talent, Diaz scored and assisted in the return fixture against LASK and will be looking to terrorise his Austrian opponents once more.
A quarta-feira será de muita tensão na Arena Fonte Nova. A partir das 18h (Horário de Brasília), Bahia e Athletico medem forças pela 31ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.
+ CONFIRA A CLASSIFICAÇÃO DO CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO
Na 17ª colocação, o Esquadrão de Aço está na zona de rebaixamento e não pode mais pensar em perder pontos. Apesar da posição ruim, o Bahia teve algo a comemorar que foi a preparação de 10 dias entre os jogos. Sendo assim, o time de Dado Cavalcanti precisa dar uma resposta ao seu torcedor.
Já o Athletico vive uma situação diferente. Com 39 pontos, o Furacão aparece na 10ª colocação e sonha com uma possível briga para entrar no grupo dos classificados para a Libertadores da América. Na rodada passada, o time paranaense ficou no empate contra o São Paulo.
Data e horário: 19/01/2021, às 18h Local: Arena Fonte Nova, em Salvador (BA) Árbitro: Luiz Flávio de Oliveira (SP) Assistentes: Danilo Ricardo Simon Manis (SP) e Miguel Cataneo Ribeiro da Costa (SP) VAR: José Cláudio Rocha Filho (SP) Onde ver: TNT Sports e Premiere
BAHIA (Técnico: Dado Cavalcanti) Douglas, Nino Paraíba Ernando, Juninho e Matheus Bahia; Gregore, Ramon e Ramírez; Fessin, Gilberto e Thiago.
Desfalques: A atualizar.
ATHLETICO (Técnico: Paulo Autuori) Santos; Jonathan, Pedro Henrique, Thiago Heleno e Zé Ivaldo (Khellven); Richard, Christian, Bruno Leite (Alvarado) e Carlos Eduardo; Reinaldo (Vitinho) e Kayzer.
Desfalques: Márcio Azevedo (lesão no joelho), Abner (lesão na coxa), Erick (lesão na coxa), Fernando Canesin (suspenso), Lucho González (dores no joelho), Léo Cittadini (entorno no tornozelo) e Nikão (dores na coxa).
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أعلن عضو في الجهاز المعاون للسويسري مارسيل كولر، المدير الفني لفريق الأهلي، رحيله عن منصبه خلال الساعات الماضية.
وكان الأهلي، نجح في التتويج ببطولة الدوري المصري، موسم 2023-2024 بعد فوزه الأخير على سموحة، حيث الفارق بينه وبين بيراميدز أقرب ملاحقه 8 نقاط وتتبقى لللأخير مباراتين فقط.
وكشف أحمد أبو الوفا، المعد النفسي بالفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، رحيله عن منصبه بالقلعة الحمراء خلال الساعات الماضية.
وأكد أبو الوفا على انتهاء مهمته مع النادي الأهلي، مشددًا على شعوره بالفخر بتجربته داخل القلعة الحمراء خلال الفترة الأخيرة.
وشدد على أنه لم يتحدث عبر أي وسيلة إعلامية خلال فترة تواجده في الأهلي، مؤكدًا أنه لن يتحدث عن الفترة التي قضاها في منصبه.
طالع..سوتشي يكشف لـ “بطولات” سر تغير موقفه بشأن انتقال يحيى عطية الله إلى الأهلي
وكتب أبو الوفا عبر حسابه الشخصي على موقع التواصل الاجتماعي “فيس بوك”: “أنا عمري ما اتكلمت مع صحفي رياضي بخصوص النادي الأهلي، ولا برنامج، ولا كتبت شيء يخص النادي في أي بوست”.
وتابع: “لكن عشان كلام كتير أوي الأسبوع اللي فات ده تحديدًا، فدي أول وآخر مرة هتكلم عن شغلي في النادي الأهلي في مجموعة نقاط”.
وأضاف: “التجربة دي أنا كنت بسعى ليها وحرفيًا بجري وراها وقابلت كابتن سيد عبد الحفيظ من خلال دكتور أحمد أبو عبلة قبل ما أشتغل مع النادي بأكثر من سنة بشغلي مع النادي الأهلي أنا حققت حلم كبير أوي في حياتي هفضل ممتن لكل دقيقة فيه، الحلو والوحش”.
وأكمل: “الحمد لله علاقتي بالجميع ممتازة، واللاعبين تحديدًا أنا فخور إني اشتغلت معاهم فرد فرد قرار إني أمشي أنا بلغت بيه الإدارة بعد رجوعي من الحج مباشرة وآخر ماتش ليا في أوضة اللبس كان ماتش بيراميدز الثاني”.
وواصل: “منظومة النادي الأهلي كبيرة جدًا ومليانة حكايات وتضحيات من بشر، الإعلام ميعرفش هما مين، دول أبطال حقيقيين وبجد فخور بالعمل معاهم جميعًا، أنا مشجع للنادي وهفضل مشجع للنادي وعلى رأي أبويا، إنت هتفضل بتشجع الأهلي حتى لو بيلعب بلي”.
وأتم: “وأخيرًا، أنا بجد خلصت شغلي وفخور بيه ومعنديش حاجة تاني أقولها، فمش هيكون عندي أي شيء زيادة عن اللي موجود في البوست ده بالتوفيق للجميع”.
He was so focused on his role in securing New Zealand a famous four-run victory in Abu Dhabi that he barely realised he had produced a marathon 13-over spell
ESPNcricinfo staff21-Nov-2018Neil Wagner was so focused on his role in securing New Zealand a famous four-run victory in Abu Dhabi that he barely realised he had produced a marathon 13-over spell.Wagner, known for his capacity to produce long, energy-sapping spells, did not bowl until the 34th over of the innings but then operated from shortly before lunch until the final wicket fell. He was the one who triggered Pakistan’s mind-boggling collapse by getting Asad Shafiq caught behind with the last ball of the morning session.”It took a while to sink in,” he said. “Adrenalin was running high. It was pretty hot at one stage, and the nature of wicket, it did feel like you were tiring a little but you tried not to think about it or look at the scoreboard. When someone mentions you’ve bowled 13 overs, then you start feeling tired. I was going all right, you are in a bit zone, and you just keeping going. It hits you when you go to bed.Wagner would later claim Yasir Shah, caught at slip for a duck, while left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel become a hero on his Test debut with a five-wicket haul to secure the fifth-narrowest Test victory in history.Neil Wagner roars after taking a wicket•AFP
“It’s pretty surreal to be honest,” Wagner said. “An amazing fightback. We knew we’d be in with a chance if we kept fighting. That last hour was quite freakish.”The feeling in the changing room, looking at everyone’s faces and seeing the joy and relief, being surprised at what we’ve achieved. It was pretty awesome to see a guy like Ajaz Patel come in in his first Test, it took me about eight Tests to have my first win, so to play a special part in a win, see a smile on his face, was a cool moment.”The back-from-the-brink nature of the win, not just on the final day but from the moment New Zealand were bowled out for 153 in the first innings, has instilled a belief that no cause is lost. Victory in Dubai would give New Zealand just their second series victory away from home against Pakistan.”We know that even if we are a little bit behind we can keep fighting, we know what we can achieve,” Wagner said. “It was bloody tough, hard work, a big fight and it will just get harder. [Pakistan] will come back hard. Hopefully we can do something similar and pretty special.”
He featured in four Tests for Australia in addition to playing 41 first-class games
ESPNcricinfo staff31-Dec-2018Bill Watson, the former Australia and New South Wales batsman, has died aged 87.A right-handed opener, Watson struck a hundred in his second first-class match against the touring English side in Sydney in 1954-55 and subsequently made his Test debut against England that season along with former Queensland batsman Peter Burge, also at the SCG. He made 18 and 3 in a draw on debut and went onto play three more Tests for Australia, in the Caribbean.He played 41 first-class games, scoring 1958 runs in 66 innings, including six hundreds and five fifties. His highest first-class score was 206 playing for NSW against Western Australia in Perth in 1956.Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts paid tribute to Watson: “Our thoughts are with Bill’s family at this time, and all the friends he made throughout his time in cricket. He made a valuable contribution to NSW cricket and was regarded as a legend of the St George club. We pay our respects to Bill and we are grateful for his deep involvement in all levels of the game. He will be sadly missed.”
A última sexta-feira (29) teveumgostosuperespecialparaaChapecoense.Como passaporte carimbado para a Série A do Brasileirão, a equipe capitaneada por Alan Ruschelconquistouseuprimeirotítuloemâmbitonacional apósvenceraequipedo Confiança, por3 a1. E o responsável pór erguer o tão desejado troféu não poderia ser uma figura mais icônica para a história da Chape: o lateral-esquerdo e capitão da equipe, Alan Ruschel.
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>Como foi a campanha consagrada com a taça da Chapecoense
Em sua partida de número 99 pelo time de Chapecó, Alan teve uma boa exibição e ajudou a equipe a garantir a vitória e o título. Ídolo e personagem da recente história do clube, o jogador atuou em 43 partidas na temporada e já tinha conquistado o Campeonato Catarinense 2020.
Na campanha do Brasileiro foram 27 jogos, 15 vitórias, oito empates e apenas quatro derrotas. Durante a competição foi eleito diversas vezes para as seleções das rodadas e eleito o melhor jogador do primeiro turno da Série B. Com o atleta em campo, a Chapecoense teve um aproveitamento de 65,43%.
Mesmo se mostrando bastante contente com o objetivo atingido, Ruschel não deixou de pontuar que superar a desconfiança no entorno de seu futebol e também questões estruturais como os atrasos de salário foram pontos necessários para chegar a gloriosa conquista.
– Estou extremamente feliz por ter escrito meu nome aqui mais uma vez. Já havia conquistado o primeiro título internacional e agora, com muito trabalho veio o primeiro nacional. O clube é muito maior que os jogadores e que as pessoas que geram essa instituição. Eu voltei do Goiás, superei dificuldades, provei meu valor e mostrei dentro de campo que poderia atuar ainda em alto nível. Apesar das condições financeiras e percalços, o grupo se uniu e colocamos a Chapecoense no lugar que ela merece. Agora é comemorar, descansar e ver o que o futuro nos reserva – afirmou.