Tag Futebol

Celtic have made some incredibly strong progress under Ange Postecoglou but the time to properly judge the Australian will be next May.

The Hoops have signed some exceptional players to suit his system and all of that has provided six wins on the spin.

Yet, given how everything unravelled last season, supporters must be realistic about their chances.

What’s the word?

With just over a week to go before the transfer window closes for the month, the Bhoys still have plenty of business they want to conclude.

Odsonne Edouard could still head to the Premier League and if he does depart, a replacement will be required.

Celtic have been in the market for Greek forward Giorgos Giakoumakis but they are also interested in signing a player closer to home; Kevin Nisbet.

The Scotland international has been a target all summer and according to reporter Peter Martin, they are trying to tempt Hibernian with a player swap deal involving Leigh Griffiths.

Whether Hibs decide to bite on a deal, however, remains to be seen.

Must sign him

With Nisbet having expert knowledge of the Premiership, deciding to sign him this summer should be a no-brainer for Postecoglou and Dominic McKay.

Only Edouard scored more goals in the Scottish top-flight than the 24-year-old last season while a further two strikes in 2021/22 has taken him to 20 in Hibernian colours.

Furthermore, Celtic have seen firsthand the damage he can do.

On his way to being described as “wonderful” by Frank McAvennie, Nisbet scored twice against the Bhoys last term, including a last gasp goal in the League Cup.

On that occasion, he embarrassed the catastrophic Shane Duffy late on. A ball was swung into the area but the Irish centre-half typically failed to deal with it.

He lost balance and then instead of clearing the ball sufficiently, played it straight into the path of Nisbet who fired home in injury time.

It was a typical poacher’s finish from a player who has made the Premiership his playground over the last 12 months.

His record might not be as attractive as someone like Giakoumakis who found the net 29 times last campaign, but he knows the SPFL inside out.

Needing little adjustment time, he may well be the perfect heir to Edouard’s coveted throne. Ange needs him for that reason alone.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Kyogo: Ange must seal Celtic swoop for “dazzling” 27-goal weapon…

The England and Essex batsman Alastair Cook has extended his contract with the county for a further two years.”I’m delighted to have signed a deal to continue my relationship with Essex for the foreseeable future,” Cook told the club’s website. “I hope to play for England for as long and as much as I can but it’s important to have the support of everyone at Essex, who are a county moving forward very quickly under Mark Pettini and Paul Grayson [coach].”It’s nice that I’ve been able to secure my future before going away [with England] and hopefully Essex will always be there for me.”Winning the Friends Provident Trophy at Lord’s was undoubtedly one of my highlights of 2008. Having grown up playing for Essex since the Under-12s it was a special moment and hopefully the first of many.”Cook departs for Antigua today with England’s Stanford 20/20 squad.

After suffering a disappointing opening day defeat to Watford, Aston Villa return to Premier League action when they take on Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.

Dean Smith’s side will be hoping for a far better outcome when they taken on the Magpies at Villa Park, and the manager will have some big calls to make as to whether he looks to alter his starting line-up.

One man whose place is under serious threat after a truly lacklustre performance last weekend is Anwar El Ghazi.

Reports in recent days and weeks have suggested that Serie A giants AS Roma have made an approach to sign the winger, with Smith now willing to let him go as he looks to try and revamp his attack.

The Dutchman was shocking in the opening day clash against Watford, having no shots on goal, attempting no dribbles, providing no key passes and losing a whopping nine of his ten duels – such was his disasterclass that Smith hauled him off on the hour mark for Leon Bailey.

Writing in his post-match player ratings for The Birmingham Mail, Ashley Preece gave El Ghazi a four, saying: “Fell flat on his face moments in as Watford had their tails up. Smith was on at the Dutchman as he failed to track back on occasion. Again, El Ghazi showed nothing and struggled amidst the Watford press. Was taken off on the hour. Poor.”

A lack of consistency is something which has affected El Ghazi badly in his time at Villa Park – he scored the bulk of his 10 Premier League goals last season in just two purple patches over the course of the campaign – and it’s something about which Smith will no doubt be wary.

Speaking back in September 2020, Villa journalist Dan Bardell said: “There’s something wrong with him. I think his head has just dropped completely. I think (his) confidence is absolutely on the floor – that never helps – but if people like (Henri) Lansbury and El Ghazi, they’re not taking games like this by the scruff of the neck, then they’re not going to be playing in the Premier League either.”

The £40k-a-week ace now has incredibly stiff competition for a place out wide, and given the nature of his performance against the Hornets, Smith must surely axe him from the starting line-up for today’s game against Newcastle at Villa Park.

His time on the pitch, and indeed at the club, may well be up.

Meanwhile, Villa must finally land this star…

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has dropped a big Leeds United update on Kalvin Phillips which will have Marcelo Bielsa delighted.

What’s the story?

The England international missed the opening game of the Premier League season, with the Whites being thrashed by rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford in his absence.

However, Hay has claimed that Phillips is getting set for an immediate return to action.

Writing on Twitter, the journalist said: “Phillips is getting closer to starting. Llorente likely to be back next week. Bielsa says the responsibility for the defeat at Old Trafford was his. Too much of what he asked for from the players went wrong. #lufc”

Bielsa will be relieved

Such is the importance Phillips has on this Leeds side, former Whites man Andrew Hughes said: “The only way to get someone who can cover and do the same job perfectly is to spend £50m, at least. That’s what a player like him costs. Rather than talking about how other players match up, you just have to accept he’s very special.”

While it would be far too easy to suggest that the Whites got hammered against Manchester United mainly down to Phillips being out, the midfielder’s absence did play a large role in that defeat, not least because it meant Bielsa fielded a centre-back in Robin Koch in the anchor man role.

The German struggled immensely both in and out of possession, and let his manager down with a woeful display, and Bielsa would no doubt have been desperately hoping all through this week that Phillips would be back.

With Everton next up at Elland Road, the news from Hay that Leeds’ talisman is “getting closer to starting” is sure to have Bielsa absolutely delighted.

Meanwhile, Leeds United have made an approach for this ace…

علق سامي قمصان المدير الفني المؤقت للنادي الأهلي على الفوز الذي حققه الفريق أمام إيسترن كومباني بأربعة أهداف مقابل هدف في الدوري المصري الممتاز.

ونجح سامي قمصان في قيادة الأهلي للفوز بالمباراة الأولى له بعد رحيل الجنوب إفريقي بيتسو موسيماني عن إدارة الفريق.

طالع أيضًا.. فراس بن عيفية: الخطأ أمام الأهلي بحساب.. وعلينا التكاتف حتى نهاية الدوري

وقال سامي قمصان في المؤتمر الصحفي بعد المباراة: “أشكر موسيماني على الفترة التي قضاها معنا، وأنا تعلمت منه الكثير جدًا”.

وأضاف: “أشكر اللاعبين أيضًا على الفوز، كان يوجد القليل من عدم التركيز في البداية، لكن الحمد لله استطعنا أن نسيطر على الكرة ونقدم أداءً جيدًا، ومكاسب المباراة كثيرة جدًا سواء على مستوى النتيجة أو اللاعبين”.

وتابع: “استعاد الكثير من اللاعبين مستواهم، بالإضافة إلى تعافي بعضهم من الإصابات، مثل بدر بانون ومحمد محمود”.

وأردف: “عودة اللاعبين الدوليين ستعطينا قوة، وبإذن الله نستطيع أن نٌعيد الدوري مجددًا للأهلي، ودعونا نتفق أن النادي الأهلي اسم كبير ولذلك من الطبيعي أن نقدم أداءً جيدًا”.

وواصل: “موسيماني حقق نتائج كبيرة وقدم أداءً جيدًا و(لعبنا كرة حلوة معاه) وهزمنا الزمالك بخماسية وانتصرنا على الإسماعيلي بنتيجة كبيرة بنفس اللاعبين الموجودين في الملعب”.

واردف: “حالياً أنا أفكر بطريقتي وفي عملي، ونحاول أن نستعيد اللاعبين المصابين وأن نعيدهم لمستواهم المعهود، وجمهور الأهلي مختلف وينتظر الأداء والنتائج والبطولات”.

وواصل: “مجرد أن تكون مدير فني للنادي الأهلي حتى لو لمباراة واحدة فهذا شرف كبير جدًا، وأتمنى تتويجنا باللقب سواء كنت موجودًا أو لا”.

واستأنف: “مهم جدًا أن يكون الحس التهديفي موجود لدى المهاجمين وهذا يأتي بالمشاركة في المباريات، ولكن وصول المهاجمين للمرمى مهم جدًا، وليس من الضروري أن يسجل المهاجم بل من الممكن أن يقوم بدور ثاني، مثل أن يكون محطة ويساهم في وصول زملائه إلى المرمى”.

وأردف: “طالما أن اللاعب يحاول فيجب علينا أن ندعمه والتوفيق سيحالفه بالتأكيد، ومحمد شريف في الموسم الماضي كان هداف الدوري وحسام حسن مع سموحة كان هدافًا وبيرسي تاو لاعب جيد ويجيد التهديف، وكذلك صلاح محسن”.

وتابع :”ديانج يعاني من إصابة خفيفة تعرض لها بالأمس في المران، وعبد المنعم سيكون معنا بعد 4 أيام، وحمدي فتحي سيكون موجودًا معنا من الغد”.

وأضاف: “محمد متولي تعرض لشد عضلي، وكنت أضع في حساباتي أن أبدأ بالمالي أليو ديانج، ولكن إصابته جعلتنا ندفع بـ محمود متولي في البداية، وأشكره جدًا على أدائه اليوم”.

وواصل: “مهم جدًا أن تضع طريقة اللعب على أساس منافسك واليوم لعبنا بطريقة مناسبة واستطعنا أن نستغل نقاط الضعف لفريق ايسترن كومباني المحترم ومن الممكن أن نغير طريقتنا تمامًا في المباراة المقبلة”.

واستمر: “سندخل معسكر مغلق بإذن الله ابتداءً من يوم الجمعة استعدادًا للزمالك”.

وأكمل: “أشكر محمود الخطيب على ثقته، وأشكر مجلس الإدارة وباذن الله أستطيع أن أنفذ المطلوب مني حتى لو ليوم واحد”.

واستأنف: “ليس شيئًا جديدًا على الخطيب أو النادي الأهلي الذي يثق في أولاده، وأشكرهم جدًا على الدعم الذي رأيته على مدار اليومين الماضيين”.

واختتم: “أشكر جمهور الأهلي جداً على ثقته ودعمه لي، وبإذن الله سنكون عند حسن ظنهم”.

أدى لاعبو الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك تدريباتهم البدنية في صالة الجيمانزيوم قبل خوض المران على أرض ملعب عبد اللطيف أبو رجيلة بمقر القلعة البيضاء.

وفضل الجهاز الفني خوض معظم التدريبات البدنية في صالة الجيمانزيوم في ظل ارتفاع درجات الحرارة.

وركز الجهاز الفني للزمالك بقيادة البرتغالي جوسفالدوا فيريرا خلال الوحدات التدريبية على التسديدات مع التمريرات السريعة للاعبي الفريق.

وقام الجهاز الفني بوضع مرمى صغير للتسديد عليه لزيادة دقة التسديد، بجانب التركيز على التسديد بالقدم المعاكسة لكل لاعب من أجل الوصول إلى أعلى المستويات بشأن اتقان التسديدات.

وحرص البرتغالي جوسفالدوا فيريرا على عقد جلسة سريعة مع حمزة المثلوثي الظهير الأيمن للفريق من أجل الاطمئنان على إصابته.

طالع أيضا.. الزمالك يتلقى رد اتحاد الكرة ورابطة الأندية على طلب نقل مبارياته لـ الدفاع الجوي

وأوضح المثلوثي لفيريرا حالته الطبية وشعوره بالآم في موضع الإصابة، وطالبه المدير الفني بعدم التعجل في العودة لحين التعافي بشكل كامل، ويؤدي اللاعب تدريبات تأهيلية بالركض حول الملعب.

وخضع الثنائي محمود عبد الرازق “شيكابالا” وأيمن حفني لتدريبات إضافية في صالة الجيمانزيوم بعد المشاركة في جزء كبير من التقسيمة الفنية التي خاضها الفريق.

ومنح فيريرا تعليمات لتنفيذ الثنائي تدريبات خاصة في صالة الجيمانزيوم لرفع معدلات لياقتهم البدنية، على أن يستكمل باقي اللاعبين خوض التقسيمة والتدريبات الفنية.

ويواصل الزمالك استعداداته لمواجهة الداخلية يوم الإثنين المقبل ضمن منافسات دور ال32 من مسابقة كأس مصر.

Speaking to Sky Sports, via Football Daily, reporter Dharmesh Sheth has unveiled more West Ham United transfer news involving goalkeeper Paris-Saint Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola and another name.

The Lowdown: West Ham in Areola talks…

As per a previous update by Sky, via Football Daily, West Ham are indeed in talks to sign Areola with the terms believed to be a season-long loan including the option to buy.

The Hammers have been targeting new shot stoppers despite tying down Lukasz Fabianski with a one-year extension at the London Stadium (football.london).

Bringing more news on West Ham’s hunt for new keepers, Sheth has now made a live TV claim.

The Latest: West Ham have held ‘a couple’ of talks…

According to the reporter, Areola remains West Ham’s primary goalkeeping target with talks ongoing, but the Irons also made another bid.

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Indeed, GSB allegedly lodged a £6 million bid to sign West Bromwich Albion ace Sam Johnstone, with Moyes and co now turning to Areola.

“A couple of talks regarding potential arrivals,” he explained on Sky (via FD).

“They’ve had a bid rejected, we believe to be around £6m by West Brom for their keeper Sam Johnstone.

“I’ve been told today that West Ham’s primary target remains the PSG keeper Alphonse Areola, talks are continuing with PSG over a loan with an option to buy.

“But it is clear that West Ham United are in the market for a goalkeeper.”

The Verdict: Get it done…

As the new season looms and so to a campaign competing in the Europa League, West Ham need to strengthen in priority areas as soon as possible.

While between the sticks is arguably not as big of an issue as up front, where the depth is minimal, the club will want to wrap up this move and turn their attention to other priorities.

West Ham also want to reinforce their central defensive options after the departure of Fabian Balbuena and it is imperative that the club start getting some business done.

In other news: ‘Yes yes yes’, ‘Unreal’, ‘Come ooon’…ExWHUemployee’s news has many West Ham fans ecstatic, find out more here.

A near capacity crowd of 5,500 for this day night NUL match were treated to a thrilling encounter between relegation strugglers Somerset Sabres and Nottingham Outlaws at the County Ground in Taunton

Richard Walsh19-Aug-2002A near capacity crowd of 5,500 for this day night NUL match were treated to a thrilling encounter between relegation strugglers Somerset Sabres and Nottingham Outlaws at the County Ground in Taunton.Another exhibition of attacking batting from Kevin Pietersen, who picked up where he had left off the previous day added yet more misery to the Sabres NUL relegation plight as they slid to a second defeat at the hands of the Outlaws.The South African born, ECB qualified twenty two year old effectively put the game beyond a Sabres team who were desperate to gain revenge for their reverse at Trent Bridge 24 hours earlier.When Pietersen came to the wicket Nottinghamshire were 37 for 2. By the time he departed 36 overs later he had scored 147 and the Outlaws were 291 for 6.Whilst Pietersen was at the wicket he shared in a fourth wicket stand of 158 with Balal Shafyat (66) followed by a fifth wicket stand of 60 with Chris Read (21) until he eventually succumbed in the final over when he was caught by a grateful Simon Francis at long on from the bowling of Mike Burns. In all he had faced 101 balls, hit 5×6’s and 16×4’s in a breathtaking display.For Somerset the pick of the bowlers was Richard Johnson who ended with 3 for 41 from his 9 overs.Facing a daunting 297 for victory the Sabres got off to the worst of starts when they lost Peter Bowler to the third ball of the innings.Pinch hitter Johnson struck some lusty blows, until with the score on 34 he lost his partner Jamie Cox for 2. Mike Burns followed next ball, and then one run later Johnson himself was bowled by David Lucas for 25, and the Sabres were in dire trouble at 35 for 4.Ian Blackwell, who has not enjoyed the best of form in his last few innings smote a quickfire 31 to cheer the crowd, but after three successive boundaries he was bowled by Lucas, and the Sabres found themselves 80 for 5.Keith Parsons, who had shared the fifth wicket partnership of 45 with Blackwell now started to take on the attacking role, and in Matthew Wood found a very willing ally to support him.Parsons brought up the hundred in the fourteenth over,his own fifty seven overs later and then with the last ball of the twenty third over the Sabres one hundred and fifty.All the while that he remained at the wicket the Sabres realistic hopes of salvaging a victory remained intact, but after adding 91 with Wood, Parsons was adjudged LBW to Stephen Randall for 73 and Somerset were once again on the backfoot.Nine runs later Turner became another of Randall’s victims, which brought Keith Dutch to the wicket. He quickly warmed to the task and started to show the kind of form that won him the Man of the Match award in the C and G semi final last year.Meanwhile his partner Wood reached his fifty in the 36th over, by which time the Sabres required 74 runs to win off nine overs.Next ball however Dutch (18) hit Franks hard to long off where Logan took the catch, and the Sabres were once again struggling at 225 for 8.A glimmer of hope remained until Matt Wood was bowled by Paul Franks for 61 , followed shortly afterwards by Steffan Jones and the Sabres were all out for 237 to give the Outlaws victory by 62 runs.Immediately after the end of the game Somerset coach Kevin Shine told me: "Of course this was a major disappointment to us all. Once again chasing a large total we lost early wickets which in the end proved crucial."He continued: "We put together some partnerships but not early on and when we did we were always short of wickets. Now we have just five NUL games left so we will just keep on going and try to win them all."The coach continued: “The lads are going to be hugely disappointed and they will be hurting after this home defeat. But we can’t dwell on that. We have to pick ourselves up and focus our attention on the county championship match that starts here on Wednesday.”

Hampshire’s last away day of the 2002 Season saw them relegated to Division II after drawing their penultimate match of the year against Sussex. They went down fighting with a creditable draw at Hove.Robin Smith and John Francis carried on the good work of the third day, after another rain delayed start had lost 24 overs off the day. Their fifth wicket partnership put on 104, before Francis edged Kevin Innes to the safe hands of Richard Montgomerie for 48.Wicket-keeper Nic Pothas looked completely out of sorts in his short stay, falling to the same combination for eight.Finally after making a back-to-the-wall sixty, hitting seven fours in his 158 ball stay, Smith was comprehensively bowled by James Kirtley.Dimitri Mascarenhas and Shaun Udal both put bat to ball to bring Hampshire past the 400.Kirtley was the pick of the Sussex bowlers with 6 wickets for 107.Chris Adams asked Hampshire to follow on after tea, which gave Neil Johnson another opportunity to score a half century.

According to a report by Italian news outlet Fanta Calcio, Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic ‘really’ wants to join Tottenham Hotspur – with the Lilywhites already tabling an offer.

The Lowdown: Vlahovic on the radar…

The Serbian powerhouse has been heavily linked to Tottenham over these last few weeks, with reliable reports from the Times detailing Spurs have held talks over him.

Vlahovic is a valuable commodity all over Europe after a head-turning Serie A campaign as Spurs eye his signature alongside the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United from the Premier League (TUTTOmercatoWEB).

The Latest: Vlahovic eyeing Spurs…

As per Fanta Calcio, the 21-year-old ‘really’ likes Spurs and the Lilywhites have now tabled a €40 million (£34.1m) offer for his services.

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However, Fiorentina executives have rejected their bid and will only sell for around €60m (£51.1m), with this report claiming to ‘watch out’ for next week as Vlahovic’s future in Serie A could be decided ‘in a few days’.

Tottenham apparently see the 6 foot 3 striker as a replacement for superstar Harry Kane and are trying to convince Fiorentina to sell, so much so that Fabio Paratici and co have apparently been ‘pressing’ for weeks.

The Verdict: Get it done…

Even though Spurs have had their initial £34.1m offer rejected, we urge Paratici to come back with a bid far closer to the valuation.

Lauded as a ‘phenomenon’ by former Italy international Antonio Di Natale (Rtv38 via TMW), he notched an incredible 21 goals and three assists in 34 Serie A starts over 2020/2021 (WhoScored).

At just 21-years-old, a figure around £51.1m is arguably a steal in the long term if he develops further after last season, but of course Tottenham’s precarious finances will be a factor determining this move.

If Paratici can negotiate a compromise fee, Vlahovic would come as a sensational signing.

In other news: Spurs chiefs perform Harry Kane U-turn as behind-scenes developments emerge, find out more here.