The 2023/24 season has been a tough one for Newcastle United. Eddie Howe’s side have not quite lived up to expectations in the Premier League, and currently sit sixth in the table, 13 points off a top-four spot.

In the Champions League, the Magpies crashed out of the group stages in devastating fashion, finishing fourth in a tough group which consisted of AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund.

Under Howe, the squad has come on leaps and bounds. The pinnacle of the Englishman’s time in charge was when Newcastle reached the Carabao Cup final in 2022/23, although they did go on to lose the game against Manchester United.

This season, Howe’s side have been completely ravaged by injuries. They currently have nine first-team players out injured, with three of those players midfielders, namely Joelinton, Lewis Miley and Joe Willock.

This has led to Newcastle being linked with several midfield targets over the past few months. However, there is one name in particular who the Magpies are strongly linked with, and a move could come about this summer.

Newcastle's midfield transfer plans

According to Chronicle Live’s Chief Newcastle Writer Lee Ryder, the Tynesiders sent scouts to Stamford Bridge recently to watch Chelsea midfielder, Conor Gallagher. The 24-year-old’s current deal at Chelsea expires in 2025, and there is no current indication that he will sign a new contract with the Blues.

According to CIES Football Observatory, Gallagher is currently valued at £69m, a sizeable fee. However, it could well be the case that Newcastle could get the midfielder for less, considering his contract expires in a year.

Gallagher has been a key player under Mauricio Pochettino this season. The 24-year-old has played 43 games in all competitions, scoring five goals and registering eight assists along the way.

In signing the one-time Crystal Palace loanee, Newcastle would be recruiting a wonderful engine in the centre of midfield. In possession, he is a creative player and is an underrated final third player. Gallagher averages 1.48 key passes per 90 minutes, as per Fbref, which places him in the top 21%.

Off the ball, Gallagher is a diligent presser who works hard out of possession. This is proven by his 0.51 final third tackles, which place him in the top 5%, and 3.81 tackles and interceptions he makes, placing him in the top 19% among midfielders in Europe.

However, if Gallagher is seemingly unattainable for Newcastle this summer – or if the club wish to utilise their funds elsewhere – they may well have an alternative option, whom they brought in last summer.

Newcastle’s perfect Gallagher alternative

The player in question here is 18-year-old Travis Hernes, who joined Newcastle from Shrewsbury on 1 September last year for an undisclosed fee.

Hernes is a highly-rated youngster, who was described by his former academy manager Charlie Musselwhite in an interview with Chronicle Live as “elegant on the ball and quality in possession” before he explained Hernes is “best as a box-to-box”.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast's In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Hernes has already played professional football; he made his first-team debut for Shrewsbury against Wolves under-21s, who are his former academy side, in which he played 23 minutes and made a good impact, scoring Shrewsbury’s only goal of a 2-1 defeat.

In total, Hernes has played six first-team games but has spent the majority of this season playing youth football for Newcastle, where he has scored three goals and registered three assists.

Perhaps there is a scenario where Hernes gets an opportunity in the Newcastle first team in the near future. Whether or not they sign Gallagher, he could well be a good option for Howe as he continues his development, and there is every chance the Magpies could look to bed him into the first-team fold at St James’ Park.

Newcastle could sign dream Botman partner who's like "prime Roberto Carlos"

The Magpies are one of several clubs monitoring him ahead of the summer.

ByEthan Lamb Apr 18, 2024

Openers Lizelle Lee (99) and Laura Wolvaardt (91*) helped South Africa women pull off a chase of 260 – their second highest in ODI cricket – in the series opener against New Zealand women in Auckland. While Lee was dismissed for a run-a-ball 99, Wolvaardt made a more sedate 91 not out off 124 balls and sealed victory along with Mignon du Preez.It was Lee who made the early running in the chase, and she brought up her half-century off 51 balls in the 16th over. By then, South Africa were 83 for 0. Lee and Wolvaardt stretched their opening stand to 163 before Lee fell to medium-pacer Hayley Jensen in the 32nd over. Three overs later, Suzie Bates had Luus caught behind for 15 and when Dane van Niekerk departed for 37 in the 47th over, South Africa were all but home. Wolvaardt and du Preez completed the formalities with seven wickets and nine balls to spare.Lee had struck 13 fours while Wolvaardt hit nine. In all, the entire New Zealand side managed only 20 fours and a six. Fresh off winning the Super Smash title with Wellington Blaze, Sophie Devine had a good start – hitting 27 off 31 balls – but couldn’t convert it into a substantial score. It was Katie Perkins who had top-scored for the hosts, with 78 off 83 balls, including six fours. No.3 Suzie Bates produced the next best score for New Zealand, making 53 off 75 balls.At 146 for 3 in the 34th over, New Zealand seemed to have the upper hand, but Bates’ dismissal triggered a meltdown as they lost their last six wickets for 113 runs. After Masabata Klaas had taken down the first two wickets, Ayabonga Khaka picked up three wickets in the middle to peg New Zealand back.Wicketkeeper Rachel Priest (21) and Jensen (20) made late cameos to help push the total beyond 250, but it was not enough on the day for New Zealand.

Aston Villa are among a host of Premier League clubs who are interested in signing a "really important" player from a top flight rival in the summer transfer window.

Aston Villa top four hopes & transfer news

Unai Emery's side are still basking in the glory of Sunday's superb 2-0 victory away to Arsenal in the Premier League, as they did their top four chances no harm whatsoever. It was arguably their most impressive result of the season, along with the victory at home to Manchester City, in what has been a memorable campaign.

Emery deserves so much praise for the job he is doing – winning at his former club may have felt particularly sweet for him over the weekend – and the hope now is that they can hold off Tottenham and secure definite Champions League football ahead of next season.

Qualifying for Europe's biggest club competition would not only be a huge financial boost, but it would also allow Villa to target top-quality players in the summer transfer window, with Vitoria de Guimaraes winger Jota Silva linked with a move to the club, being compared to former hero Jack Grealish.

Meanwhile, Villans owners NSWE have reportedly made steps to sign Inter Milan and Netherlands right-back Denzel Dumfries, with the Dutchman wanting more than £80,000 if he makes a move to Villa Park.

Aston Villa want "important" Premier League player

According to a report from HITC, Aston Villa are keen on hijacking West Ham defender Ben Johnson this summer, but they are far from being alone when it comes to the race to sign him.

It is claimed that the defender "could leave West Ham for nothing this summer with Aston Villa, Everton, Wolves and Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur all running the rule over the out-of-contract defender".

Meanwhile, it is also believed that "clubs in Italy, France and Germany have talked to Johnson’s representatives too".

While Johnson may not be the world-renowned signing that Villa fans will no doubt crave this summer, particularly if Champions League football is secured, he could still be a shrewd addition considering he will be available for free.

The £20,000-a-week West Ham man is capable of doing a reliable job at both centre-back and right-back, and he has made 13 Premier League appearances this season, also enjoying three outings in the Europa League. David Moyes has been full of praise for him in the past: "He’s a really important player for us. In the squad and the group he’s really important.

"Quite often we’ve brought him on and used him in different roles and he’s had a chance to have some games under his belt, he’s not let us down and scored a good goal in midweek."

Related Stan Collymore desperate for Aston Villa to sign 21-year-old this summer

He’s been a standout for his club.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Apr 14, 2024

The fact that Hammers insiders are desperate to keep hold of Johnson says a lot about his worth, and while not a stellar, match-winning option, as mentioned, he could give Villa much-needed depth in a couple of defensive areas.

Imagine if Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had succumbed to the pressure last season.

His dynasty was in disarray after a staggering nosedive from the high-octane, swift-breaking brand of football that had lifted the club toward illustrious heights. Heights that had restored a city, etched his name into Liverpool folklore.

The German decided that this was not to be the narrative that would define his tenure, and the sweeping summer changes to a sapped and sighing midfield have proved significant, altering the pathway Liverpool were headed.

Klopp is now leaving but the Merseysiders have been revived and are competing for the Premier League and Europa League titles after clinching the Carabao Cup earlier in the term.

On Sunday, Manchester City host Arsenal in a clash against first and third; Liverpool will be keenly watching. But first, the Reds will host Brighton & Hove Albion in a must-win top-flight clash.

Liverpool have been hit with a catalogue of injuries but there is golden light at the end of that storm, with key members of the squad filtering back through.

Liverpool team news

Andy Robertson has avoided serious injury after hurting his ankle on international duty with Scotland, though it's likely that the 30-year-old left-back will be sidelined against the Seagulls.

Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip remain long-term absentees, while Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota and Stefan Bajcetic will not be involved but edge closer to a return.

More positively, Ibrahima Konate is fit once again after missing the past few fixtures, while Curtis Jones could make his first appearance since the start of February.

A variety of senior options in the centre of the park is something Klopp has not quite had at his disposal over recent months, and he might now be tempted to make a tweak, with Dominik Szoboszlai, for all his quality, possibly moving to the bench against Roberto De Zerbi's men.

Why Dominik Szoboszlai could be benched vs Brighton

Szoboszlai hit the ground running and then some on Merseyside after joining from RB Leipzig last summer, Liverpool meeting the Hungarian's £60m release clause.

His power, skill and high-energy approach have been a perfect fit under Klopp's wing and this is reflected through his metrics, ranking among the top 7% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 3% for shot-creating actions, the top 19% for progressive passes, the top 4% for progressive carries, the top 17% for successful take-ons and the top 5% for blocks per 90, as per FBref.

Across 33 appearances for Liverpool, the 23-year-old has scored seven goals and added five assists, with his dynamic performances in the engine room leading talent scout Jacek Kulig to describe him as a "magician."

These skilful, influential efforts have indeed been key to Liverpool's success but he's not the only star in that department and given that Wataru Endo and Alexis Mac Allister have been in such fine and fluid form across recent matches, Szoboszlai might find that he enters after the break against Brighton.

Especially when fellow summer signing Ryan Gravenberch is pushing for a starting berth after recovering from a setback before the international break.

Ryan Gravenberch's season in numbers

Of the four midfielders welcomed to Anfield last summer, Gravenberch has probably made the least significant impact so far, though at 21 years old the Netherlands international has showcased the innate ability that may yet see him flower into a leading midfielder.

Completing a £34m transfer from Bayern Munich last summer, Gravenberch's stock had taken a hit after a year in Germany offered little promise, with just three Bundesliga starts all season and criticism regarding his work rate off the ball and defensive deficiencies.

Still, Klopp saw the promise within this multi-functional player's skill set and while he has ebbed and flowed during his maiden campaign in England, there has been plenty to get excited about.

And this has been reflected through his showings thus far, grabbing three goals and two assists across 31 appearances, starting nine games in the Premier League.

Why Ryan Gravenberch should start vs Brighton

As per FBref, Gravenberch ranks among the top 6% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 13% for progressive passes, the top 6% for progressive carries, the top 5% for successful take-ons and the top 6% for blocks per 90.

Given his stylistic similarities with Szoboszlai, added to the defensive security provided by Endo and Mac Allister, this might be the perfect opportunity to hand the Dutchman a starting role, especially with Liverpool hosting Sheffield United on Thursday evening before travelling to Old Trafford on Sunday.

Gravenberch, on his day, has been described as a "Rolls-Royce" of a midfielder by journalist Declan Carr, and while his displays in the Premier League have left much to be desired, Gravenberch need only take the soil of his efforts in the Europa League and cultivate a sustained level of performance on the domestic front.

As per Sofascore, Gravenberch has clinched three goal contributions from five games in Europe this term, averaging 2.2 key passes, 1.8 tackles, 5.0 ball recoveries and 4.6 successful duels per match.

Such an all-encompassing array of abilities is part of the natural ability that Klopp knows, as does Gravenberch himself, no doubt, is yet to be harnessed to its full, latent but waiting for a breakthrough.

This crucial late stage of the campaign will call for rotation as Liverpool fight across two fronts, and while Szoboszlai is unquestionably one of the finest players on Liverpool's books, the 6 foot 2 Gravenberch must now take this opportunity to make his mark.

Jones and Bajcetic are both returning from injury layoffs and there is no better time for Gravenberch to prove that he has what it takes to make his mark and aid his outfit in the fight for silverware.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Aston Villa’s hopes of reaching their first European final in over 40 years took a major hit on Thursday evening, succumbing to Olympiacos 4-2 at Villa Park.

The first leg of their Europa Conference League clash against the Greek giants was supposed to end in a victory for the home team, taking an advantage back to Greece, yet it didn’t quite go as planned.

Of course, a place in the final is not out of reach, but they will need to vastly improve next week in order to fight back from a 4-2 deficit.

Unai Emery’s side are still in charge of their own destiny, in both Europe and the Premier League, but big performances will be needed over the coming weeks to end the season on a high.

The Spaniard will have one eye on the upcoming summer transfer window. If Villa do secure qualification for the Champions League, then he will need to make a few more signings to help bolster his squad.

Aston Villa transfer news

According to Football Insider, Villa reportedly want to sign Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho in the summer.

The centre-forward has rejected an offer of a contract extension at the Foxes which would see him extend his stay, but it now appears as though this will be his final season with the club.

Emery will have some money to spend in the window, but adding a few players on free transfers will help him utilise his budget far better in the hopes of signing genuinely top-class players who can take the Midlands side to the next level.

The Spaniard signed Youri Tielemans from the Foxes last summer on a free transfer and luring the Nigerian international to the club could allow Emery to repeat that blinder, no doubt about it.

Youri Tielemans’ stats for Aston Villa this season

The Belgian midfielder had shone during his time at Leicester, making nearly 200 appearances for the club since joining in 2018 from AS Monaco.

During that time, he scored 28 goals along with chipping in with 26 assists, and the Foxes faithful will forever remember his wonderful striker during the 2021 FA Cup final against Chelsea to see the club win the trophy for the first time.

Youri Tielemans' stats for Villa this season

Metric

Conference League

Premier League

Goals

1

1

Assists

1

6

Key passes per game

1.4

0.6

Big chances created

1

5

Successful dribbles per game

0.3

0.5

Via Sofascore

It appeared as though Villa had secured one of the bargains of the summer when it was announced he had joined the club, giving Emery the chance to work with a sublime midfielder who was heading into his peak years.

Despite the initial excitement, the 26-year-old had to wait until November to make his first Premier League start for the club, undergoing a rocky introduction to life at Villa Park.

Since the turn of the year, however, he has started 12 league matches while playing key roles in their European ties against Ajax and Lille, which has seen them reach the semi-finals of the Conference League.

Tielemans currently ranks seventh among the Villa squad for big chances created (four) in the Premier League, along with ranking sixth for goals and assists (seven), seventh for tackles (1.3) per game and 16th for possession lost per game (6.6), showcasing his talent across a range of metrics for the club this term.

Although he endured a tough start, it is beginning to look like the midfielder is enjoying his football again as he emerges as a key player under Emery.

Signing Iheanacho could be a solid addition to the first-team squad ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

How Kelechi Iheanacho could fit it in at Villa

The main area in which Emery needs to strengthen is with regard to his attacking options. Yes, Ollie Watkins has enjoyed a sensational season, scoring 27 goals, and registering 12 assists, but if he suffers an injury, Villa don’t have much in the way of backup.

Jhon Duran has failed to hit the ground running during the current campaign, netting only six times in all competitions.

Iheanacho has plenty of Premier League experience first and foremost, which will be a big bonus for Emery. In stints with Leicester and Man City, the 27-year-old has played close to 200 games in the English top flight, scoring 42 goals along with racking up a further 26 assists, a decent enough strike rate in terms of a reliable backup option.

The striker hasn’t quite enjoyed the finest of seasons with the Foxes, however, finding the back of the net just six times, although he has played only three Championship matches since the turn of the year.

Despite averaging just 42 minutes per game and starting ten league games throughout 2023/24, the centre-forward has still managed to score five times, creating three big chances while succeeding with 58% of his dribble attempts – 0.6 per game – suggesting that he has still shown glimpses of his talents when given the opportunity to do so.

The 6 foot 1 striker has been dubbed “prolific” by talent scout Jacek Kulig in the past and certainly has the pedigree to step up whenever Watkins needs a rest, or dare we say it, suffers an injury.

He may not be the big-name signing that is expected this summer, but Emery will have to be realistic as to who he goes and spends money on, especially if the club wish to comply with financial fair play regulations.

This means a few bargains will have to be found and Iheanacho definitely fits the bill in that regard.

Not only does he have a host of experience in the top flight, but he can even drop slightly deeper if required, depending on how Emery will set up next season.

Adding another centre-forward or two will be a priority this summer for the manager in order to ease the burden on Watkins. The Englishman is a fantastic player, but he can’t do everything on his own, thus indicating the need for a couple of others to chip in when he isn’t at the races.

On a free transfer, Iheanacho sounds like a superb investment – as Tielemans has proven to be.

Related Aston Villa now eyeing £11,000-a-week target who starred in UCL semi-final

He’s a player in-demand…

Posts ByTom Cunningham May 3, 2024

This season, Liverpool Football Club, like many other sides in the Premier League, have been swamped with injuries.

Currently, they have key players including Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota all sidelined until April, with Joel Matip out for the season and Thiago Alcantara injured for an unspecified time.

However, this has allowed outgoing manager Jurgen Klopp to give Liverpool’s academy players a chance to prove themselves in the first team. This season, Conor Bradley has been one of the breakout stars from the bunch of youngsters dubbed as “Klopp’s Kids”, with the likes of Jayden Danns taking his opportunity by scoring twice already in just four first-team appearances.

It was “Klopp’s Kids” who put in major contributions to help Liverpool beat Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final in February, to begin Klopp’s farewell tour in ideal style. They could well help the Reds win other titles, with Liverpool still competing for the Europa League and the Premier League.

However, football is not always easy and can often be incredibly unforgiving, especially as a young player breaking through. “Klopp’s Kids” have performed incredibly well this season, but there have been occasions where it has not quite gone to plan.

Jarrell Quansah's difficulties against Man Utd

Frustratingly, the above notion is something that young Liverpool centre-back Jarell Quansah can relate to. It was his mistake against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon which allowed their big rivals back into the game.

It was Quansah’s poor pass on the halfway line, which was meant for Virgil van Dijk, which Red Devils captain Bruno Fernandes intercepted, taking a shot on first time and lobbing Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher from just inside the Reds’ half. It was a superb finish from Fernandes, but a poor mistake from Quansah which allowed it to happen.

Mark Doyle of Goal ranked Quansah a 4/10 for his performance at Old Trafford, although did note that before his mistake, the young defender “looked very comfortable”.

Klopp himself had a message of support for the 21-year-old, explaining in his post-match interview he believed Quansah “dealt extremely well with it”, and ensuring there would be “absolutely no blame or whatever, not at all, no criticism. That just happens, he will learn from it”.

It was a frustrating moment for Quansah, who has made 27 appearances for Liverpool this season, and aside from his error on Sunday, has not put a foot wrong at the heart of their defence.

That said, after a tough game on Sunday, it might well be a good time for Quansah to sit out of the limelight on Thursday night, in Liverpool’s crunch Europa League match against Atalanta.

The perfect replacement for Quansah

If this were the case, it would give Klopp the chance to unleash “monstrous” centre-back Ibrahima Konate, as one football writer once described the Frenchman.

Konate, like many Liverpool players, has had injury problems this season and has missed eight games for Liverpool and France so far. Whilst Klopp preferred Quansah over his fellow centre half on Sunday, Konate is an experienced player despite being just 24, and has featured in a World Cup final already. It could well be the case he comes back into the side against Italian outfit Atalanta with that big game experience sure to help..

The centre-back is very dominant in the air, and standing at 6 foot 4 means he wins many of his aerial duels. According to Fbref, Konate wins an average of 4.02 aerial duels per 90 minutes this season, ranking him in the top 3% for centre-backs in Europe. This is only slightly worse than Van Dijk, who on average wins 4.29 aerial duels per 90 minutes, placing him in the top 2%, as per Fbref.

That is certainly a handy asset for Klopp to have in his centre-back pairing, particularly in knockout football, if Liverpool are trying to hold onto a late lead and are constantly having to defend crosses in the penalty box.

Konate is also a wonderful progressive passer, averaging 5.62 per 90 minutes, placing him in the top 9%. This is slightly better than his captain Van Dijk. The Dutchman averages 5.05 progressive passes per 90 minutes which ranks him in the top 15% of positionally similar players.

It is hard to argue against Konate’s inclusion against Atalanta. He is a perfect modern centre-back and compliments Liverpool captain Van Dijk perfectly. Combined, they make one of the best defensive pairings in world football and the experience they both possess could prove to be crucial as Liverpool hunt down two more trophies to give Klopp the perfect send-off.

Wrexham are set to welcome back Jacob Mendy from injury as the full-back will feature in a reserve match this afternoon.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Mendy was nursing a hamstring problem
• Is match-fit and set to rejoin the action
• Mullin is also inching towards full recovery

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Mendy, who has been sidelined since the end of last season, will lace up his boots for the first time in months as he aims to regain match fitness and rejoin the first team in their League One campaign. His injury, a hamstring problem, sidelined him during a critical period when Wrexham secured a runners-up finish in League Two, ensuring their second consecutive promotion. The injury required surgery during the summer, leading to a carefully managed rehabilitation process that has kept him out of action until now.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Having missed the opening games of Wrexham’s League One campaign, Mendy is now poised to make his comeback. He is scheduled to play in a Central League fixture against Stoke City Under-21s, with the match set to kick off at 1 pm at Clayton Wood, the Potters’ training ground. This marks an important step in his recovery as he works to regain full match fitness and prepare for a return to League One action.

• WHAT PARKINSON SAID

  Wrexham’s manager, Phil Parkinson, has revealed that the reserves match will feature not only Mendy but also several other players who have yet to make an appearance this season. Parkinson sees this as an opportunity to give these players valuable playing time and to ensure they are match-ready for future first-team opportunities.

  “The players who didn’t get a chance in the Sheffield United cup game are participating, and the rest are training,” Parkinson said. “Jacob is among those playing, alongside Anthony Forde, Billy Waters, Jake Bickerstaff, and a few of the younger professionals who have impressed during pre-season.

  “We expect Stoke to field a strong side, which is exactly what we need. It’s a crucial game for Jacob, who has worked hard to get back to this point after a long spell out. His rehabilitation has gone very well, and we’re pleased with his progress.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• DID YOU KNOW?

  While Mendy’s return is imminent, Wrexham’s star striker, Paul Mullin, is also making strides in his recovery. Mullin, who underwent minor spinal surgery in June, has not yet featured for Wrexham this season. However, the signs are encouraging, and Parkinson is hopeful that the 29-year-old will soon be available for selection.

  "Mulls is having a full week of training this week and we will assess him towards the end of the week," added the Reds' boss.

  "His injury is absolutely fine, there are no problems with that at all. It is just getting him fit now and getting some more training in him combined with some fitness work. He's having his mini pre-season now but each day he is progressing so we are pleased with that."

في خبر حزين هز الوسط الرياضي، نعت مديرية الشئون الصحية بدمياط اللاعب الشاب محمد شوقي عبد العزيز إبراهيم، لاعب نادي كفر الشيخ، والذي وافته المنية فجر اليوم الثلاثاء الموافق 19 نوفمبر 2024، إثر أزمة قلبية مفاجئة.

وكان اللاعب قد تعرض لتوقف مفاجئ في عضلة القلب خلال مباراة لكرة القدم بملعب الزرقا يوم الأربعاء الماضي 14 نوفمبر، وتم نقله على الفور إلى مستشفى الزرقا المركزي حيث تم وضعه على جهاز التنفس الصناعي في العناية المركزة. ورغم محاولات الأطباء لإعادة إنعاش قلبه، إلا أن القدر كان أسرع.

وأعربت مديرية الصحة بدمياط عن خالص العزاء والمواساة لأسرة اللاعب وزملائه وأصدقائه، سائلة الله العلي القدير أن يتغمده بواسع رحمته وأن يسكنه فسيح جناته.

طالع أيضًا | شقيق عضو مجلس إدارة الزمالك يوضح كواليس تعرضه لـ حادث حريق

وكان الدكتور أشرف صبحي وزير الرياضة، قد عقد اجتماع عاجل مع اللجنة العليا للرعاية الطبية للرياضيين يوم الأحد الماضي الموافق 17 نوفمبر، لبحث تداعيات هذه الواقعة واتخاذ الإجراءات اللازمة.

ووصف تقرير طبي حالة اللاعب بالحرجة، حيث تعرض لتوقف عضلة القلب مرتين، وقرر وزير الشباب والرياضة التدخل شخصياً في هذه القضية، وأمر بفتح تحقيق شامل للوقوف على أسباب هذه الواقعة.

ووجه الوزير اللجنة العليا للرعاية الطبية بالتحقق من توفر الإسعافات الأولية في المباراة، واتخاذ الإجراءات اللازمة لضمان سلامة اللاعبين.

وهدد الوزير باتخاذ إجراءات قانونية بحق أي جهة مقصرة في هذه الواقعة، حالة ثبوت أية مخالفات في ملابسات الواقعة أو تقصير من أحد الجهات المعنية سيتم إحالة الأمر إلى جهات التحقيق الرسمية فى الدولة لإتخاذ إجراءاتها القانونية في هذا الشأن مع المتسببين، طبقاً للحوكمة الرشيدة في دورة التعامل الطبي.

Neil McKenzie, Bangladesh’s batting coach, has said that Tamim Iqbal’s game is in need of a slight adjustment. The left-hander has not given any hint of being out of form after returning from his short hiatus from international cricket, but his anchor role has, in some quarters, been misinterpreted.In the first ODI against Zimbabwe, for example, Iqbal took 43 balls to make just 24 runs. While that suggests he is slowing down at the crease, in the end, Bangladesh got to a total of 321 for 6 which proved plenty more than enough. McKenzie, who has worked closely with all of Bangladesh’s frontline batsmen in the last two years, stressed that Iqbal is an important cog in laying the platform for a big total, but perhaps needed to hit a couple of more boundaries in the Powerplay to give himself a better strike-rate.”Tamim knows what he needs to do,” McKenzie said. “It is boiled down to the specifics. We feel he needs two more boundaries in the Powerplay. Where he is going to get it, and what he is going to do, is his approach. No one is going to bat for Tamim, he will bat for himself. I don’t see it as batting too slow or quickly.”We know how important he is for the platform. He plays good shots to quality bowling. We probably just want an extra shot or two in the Powerplay. He has that covered; we know what he can do. We saw in the BPL last year, when he got that big hundred.”McKenzie said that Iqbal is well aware of his role in the team, and doesn’t need any guidance on how to construct an innings. “He knows his gameplans. We are not school masters here. We don’t tell anybody what to learn or what to do. We give opinions, thoughts and technical advice, and then it is upto the player to implement it into his game. We are not talking about a young guy. We are talking about a senior man. Believe me, he knows it before you guys or any of us do that he has made a mistake.”Tamim puts a lot of pressure on himself. He values his wicket a lot. It is what has made him successful. Maybe it is about trying to loosen him up for one or two balls. If he can get one or two more boundaries, all you guys will get off his back.”ALSO READ: Can in-form Bangladesh look past Mashrafe retirement drama?McKenzie was also pleased with how Liton Das understood that he needed to curb his shot-making in order to bat longer periods. “We didn’t tell him to play less shots. We have given him ideas of how we want the team to play. We don’t want to take away his natural instinct as a player. It is heartening for me to think that he has gone away and thought, ‘you know what, I have to match up risk versus reward. I keep getting out for twenties and thirties, I have to put that shot away.'”You saw yesterday how many times he kept the ball on the ground, and he got a hundred. It is good for Liton.”McKenzie dispelled the idea that Bangladesh are having it too easy against Zimbabwe, and won’t be tested against this bowling attack. He said that kind of complacency is what he wants the Bangladesh players to avoid at all costs.”You have to be hungry. You have to look for the badge or country you are playing for. Whether it is Zimbabwe or Australia, it is international cricket. These guys are hungry to do well for Bangladesh. You can only play against the opponent in front of you. There’s no opponent you can take lightly,” he said.”I think as soon as you are talking in that attitude, we don’t want that in Bangladesh cricket. Whether we are facing Australians, South Africans, Zimbabweans or the Afghans, you are playing for Bangladesh, representing millions and millions of people.”

Manchester United are battling Liverpool for the signing of an "excellent" player with a £51m release clause in his contract, according to a fresh transfer update.

Man Utd eyeing centre-back signings

Big additions are needed in the Red Devils' squad in the summer transfer window in order to avoid suffering another underwhelming season in the Premier League. It is clear that these changes are required all over the pitch, with an ageing midfield needing fresh legs and the attack needing more firepower, while centre-back is also a position that needs new signings.

The likes of Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans are all in their 30s and arguably past their best, meaning Lisandro Martinez is the only central defender who feels like a genuinely strong option there currently.

Plenty of defenders are being linked with summer moves to United at the moment, with Barcelona star Ronald Araujo seen as a good choice who has matured into one of the premier players in La Liga in his position. Sporting CP centre-back Goncalo Inacio has also emerged as a target for United in the summer window, with the Portuguese playing a key role in his side sitting on the verge of winning the Primeira Liga title this season.

There are also two Englishmen who have been backed to seal moves to Old Trafford in the coming months, with Everton ace Jarrad Branthwaite and Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi both reportedly wanted by Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Both will hope to feature for England at Euro 2024, but it is not guaranteed that they will be chosen in Gareth Southgate's squad.

Man Utd battling Liverpool for "excellent" ace

According to Football Transfers, Manchester United have "stepped up their pursuit" of Inacio, but they aren't alone in showing a strong interest in the 22-year-old, who has a £51m release clause in his current deal.

Perhaps crucially, the report notes that the Portuguese giants are "resigned to losing" the defender this summer, though it appears clubs are stopping short of bidding full whack for Inacio.

Liverpool are also in the mix to snap up the Sporting youngster, seeing him as someone who could be a long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk at the heart of their defence.

It is no surprise to see huge clubs showing so much interest in Inacio, considering he is already a top-quality centre-back and a player who should only mature in the coming years. He has already made 168 appearances for Sporting, despite still being such a young footballer, as well as scoring twice in six caps for Portugal.

A left-sided central defender who can also do a job at left-back, Inacio ticks so many boxes for United, whether it be his versatility, defensive resilience or quality on the ball.

Appearances

30

Starts

26

Goals

1

Assists

0

Pass completion rate

89%

Clearances per game

1.9

Tackles per game

1.5

Granted, it may not be easy for him and Martinez to be a natural fit, considering both are left-footed, but if Erik ten Hag and Ratcliffe view him as their primary defensive target, they need to be trusted. Inacio is certainly a special young talent, being hailed as "excellent" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, and he could develop into a world-class player over time.