It's a fairly open secret that FSG want to facilitate Michael Edwards' Liverpool return in the coming months, with one final set of talks reportedly ongoing in the Reds' last attempt to lure their former sporting director back to Anfield. If Edwards does return, meanwhile, reports suggest that he could work alongside a current Premier League technical director.
Liverpool's next sporting director
Unlike his previous role, Edwards would reportedly have greater control at Liverpool this time around, taking up the responsibility of crafting the next Anfield era after Jurgen Klopp's departure. So far, however, he had rejected FSG's attempts to bring him back to Merseyside in frustrating negotiations for the American owners, who have been pushing to land his signature in the coming months.
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Meanwhile, the Reds' search for a new manager is also underway, with Xabi Alonso's place at the top of their list also a fairly open secret as things stand. According to previous reports, Liverpool have offered Alonso a three-year deal and now face the anxious wait for his answer amid interest from Bayern Munich as well as Anfield.
On the plus side, it appears the Reds are closing in on an agreement with both Edwards and Bournemouth's Richard Hughes, according to David Ornstein reporting on Friday evening.
Richard Hughes' most expensive Bournemouth signings
Reds fans already know all about Edwards, but what about Hughes? Well, at Bournemouth since 2014, he has overseen the Cherries' successful venture into the Premier League to become a household name in England's top flight.
Called a "strong candidate" by Fabrizio Romano, his best move could yet go down as appointing Andoni Iraola after parting ways with Gary O'Neil in a surprise decision at the time. Iraola has since enjoyed an impressive spell, and has the south coast side sitting comfortably in mid-table.
Jefferson Lerma
Levante
2018
€31m (£26m)
Tyler Adams
Leeds United
2023
€27m ((£23m)
Hamad Traore
Sassuolo
2023
€26m (£22m)
Luis Sinisterra
Leeds United
2024
€22m (£19m)
Alex Scott
Bristol City
2023
€23m (£20m)
After a decade at the Vitality Stadium, Hughes looks ready for a big move with Liverpool emerging as an option. It would be a major step up, there's no doubt about that, but one that Hughes has proved he is ready for, particularly in the last year or so.
When the summer arrives, FSG will hope to have both Edwards and Hughes at the helm as they restructure the club in a new era at Anfield.
تلقى فريق مانشستر يونايتد دفعة إيجابية بشأن اللاعب نصير مزراوي، بعدما خضع لعملية جراحية عاجلة في القلب، قبل يومين.
كان مرزاوي قد تم استبعاده من معسكر منتخب المغرب، في فترة التوقف الدولي الحالي الخاص بشهر أكتوبر.
وخضع اللاعب المغربي لإجراء تصحيحي احترازي، نهاية الأسبوع الماضي، بعد معاناته من خفقان في القلب.
اقرأ أيضًا.. ذا صن: حالة ذعر في مانشستر يونايتد بعد واقعة تجسس داخل أستون فيلا
ولم يحدد مانشستر يونايتد جدولًا زمنيًا لعودة صاحب الـ26 عامًا، وظهرت تقارير صحفية تفيد إمكانية غيابه عن الملاعب لفترة طويلة من أجل التعافي.
ولكن وليد الركراكي، المدير الفني لمنتخب المغرب، أدلى بتصريح متفائل بشأن مزراوي، عندما سُئل عن حالته.
وقال الركراكي في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ميرور” الإنجليزية: “نصير مزراوي لا يعاني من مرض خطير”.
وأضاف: “نأمل بعون الله أن يكون معنا في المعسكر المقبل في نوفمبر (ضد الجابون وليسوتو يومي 10 و18)”.
بدأ مزراوي جميع مباريات مانشستر يونايتد في الدوري الإنجليزي هذا الموسم في مركز الظهير الأيمن بعد انتقاله مقابل 17 مليون جنيه إسترليني من بايرن ميونخ في الصيف.
Derbyshire see off home side despite season’s-best total led by 84 from captain Josh Cobb
ECB Reporters Network02-Aug-2019
Wayne Madsen of Derbyshire drives the ball to the boundary•Getty Images
Derbyshire 184 for 4 (Reece 60, Madsen 59*) beat Northamptonshire 180 for 5 (Cobb 84, Rossington 50, Rampaul 3-17) by six wickets Wayne Madsen’s 28-ball fifty brought Derbyshire home in a superb chase of 181 to beat Northamptonshire by six wickets with two overs to spare at Wantage Road. It was Derbyshire’s highest total of the season so far and earned them a second win in this season’s Vitality Blast.Madsen arrived after Luis Reece had given Derbyshire’s pursuit an excellent start and immediately looked in good touch. He swept Josh Cobb’s offspin powerfully for four before flicking and pulling two boundaries off Dwaine Pretorius. Fifty-six were needed from six overs and Madsen, via two fielding errors, took Nathan Buck for three consecutive boundaries.He lifted Ben Sanderson down the ground for six to raise a half-century and slashed Faheem Ashraf for four wide of third man and finished with 59 in 31 balls.Reece had laid the platform. He pulled and then cut Matt Coles for boundaries at the start of the third over before whipping Pretorius for two sixes over midwicket in the fifth as Derbyshire made 52 without loss in the Powerplay.The opening stand took Derbyshire to 63 in the eighth over before Billy Godleman’s rather torturous 20-ball stay ended as he swept at Cobb and missed. Reece then lofted Graeme White to deep midwicket to fall for 60 as momentum swung back to Northants, only for Madsen to haul it back Derbyshire’s way. Alex Hughes’ slightly fortunate 21 in seven balls completed the job.Northants slumped to a third defeat despite Cobb’s fine captain’s innings setting his side up for their highest T20 total so far this season.Cobb began by slicing a catch to backward-point at the start of the fourth over, only for Boyd Rankin to overstep. Cobb miscued the free-hit over mid-off for two but found his touch in the fifth over that he took for 13 runs including a clean blow over the long-off fence. He struck a second six straight over Matt Critchley’s head in the ninth over and added a third, again over long-off, against Mark Watt to leave Northants 80 for 1 at half-way.Cobb’s fourth six was a giant pull over deep-square as Rankin returned and he reached an 18th T20 half-century, and first this summer, in 34 balls. He then slog-swept Hughes narrowly over deep-square and lifted Watt twice into the Wilson stand for sixes. But trying to swing away Ravi Rampual in the 17th over, found long-on after equalling his second-highest T20 score.Cobb shared 103 for the second wicket with Adam Rossington in 10.5 overs. Rossington pulled the opening boundary off Rankin in the second over before driving a second four through cover. In the final over of the Powerplay he lifted Fynn Hudson-Prentice over mid-on and then point for boundaries but his third in the over came via a slice of luck, edging a swing past short-third man.It pushed Northants to 50 for 1 after six overs – their most productive start to an innings in this season’s Blast. When Rossington fell, for 50 in 34 balls to a splendid return catch by Hughes, his side were well placed at 115 for 2 after 13 overs.Alex Wakely arrived to drill Watt down the ground for four, slam Hudson-Prentice over his head for six and pull Rankin backward of deep square in making 27 in 18 balls before being well held at mid-off in the final over. Coles then played a reverse-paddle sweep over short-third man for four as Northants reached 180 but it proved light.
England have called up Fran Wilson for the opening ODI of the Ashes against Australia, starting on Tuesday in Leicester.Wilson played just once in England’s recent 3-0 ODI sweep against West Indies but took the catch of the series to dismiss Hayley Matthews in the third match. She also ran out Chedean Nation while on as a substitute fielder for injured captain Heather Knight in the only T20I of the tour – the other two matches were washed out. Wilson scored 91 for England Academy against Australia in a warm-up match at Loughborough on Friday.Allrounder Jenny Gunn, who made one appearance against West Indies – in the same ODI as Wilson – has also earned a place in England’s 14-strong squad, along with top-order batsman Lauren Winfield.With England on a 14-match winning streak across all formats, Knight, who has recovered from the hamstring injury she suffered during the T20I against West Indies, said of the Ashes: “You play cricket for series like this, they’re special, so we’re all just raring to go.”It wasn’t an easy squad to pick. We’ve won 14 games in a row and during that time time different people have performed and stuck their hand up. That bodes well for the Ashes and hopefully we can maintain that form throughout this series.”We’re really happy with this group. There’s a good feeling amongst us and we want to go out there and regain the Ashes. That’s our primary focus for the next month.”With England Women’s Academy playing against Australia A throughout the ODI series, players may be called up from there as back-up options.The Ashes, held by Australia, will be contested over three ODIs, a stand-alone four-day Test and three T20Is. ODIs and T20s are worth two points each for a win, while four points are up for grabs in the Test.England: Heather Knight (capt), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Jenny Gunn, Amy Jones, Laura Marsh, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Taylor (wk), Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danni Wyatt.
Jadon Sancho had his own "reasons" for refusing to submit an apology to Erik ten Hag, says Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy.
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Sancho had a public fallout with Ten HagForward refused to apologise to his managerWas shipped out to Borussia Dortmund on loanWHAT HAPPENED?
The England international's relationship with United manager Erik ten Hag deteriorated after the Dutchman publicly criticised Sancho's training efforts. Sancho was then exiled from the first-team squad and relegated to training with the academy players, a move see by many as a harsh disciplinary measure. Sancho claimed in public that he was being made a "scapegoat" as he felt that the manager continued to back underperforming players ahead of him. The comments did not go down well with Ten Hag and he was ultimately shipped out on loan in the January transfer window.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Sancho made a return to Borussia Dortmund, the club where he had previously flourished. The 24-year-old winger's move back to Germany came as a loan deal, providing him with a much-needed escape from the hostile environment at Old Trafford. Back in familiar surroundings, Sancho began to rekindle the form that had once made him one of Europe's most coveted young players.
WHAT BENNI MCCARTHY SAID
In an interview with Benni McCarthy, a member of United's coaching staff, explained why Sancho refused to apologise to Ten Hag: "I spoke to the manager and I said to him that you know the delicacy and I think Jadon feels that if he apologises then he's going to be classed as someone who doesn't train hard, that doesn't work hard, who that everything that was said against him was true and if you are from the streets, no one wants to apologise, you admit you are not training well, you are lazy, everything you are accused of. Jadon wasn’t going to have that. The manager just said that all he wants is an apology."
For Sancho, apologising would mean conceding to accusations he did not believe were accurate, which could tarnish his self-image and reputation. As McCarthy noted, "I spoke to Jadon as a coach, as a mentor, as a friend, and as someone who grew up on the streets and knows the code. But Jadon just wasn’t seeing it. He said, 'I ain’t apologizing because if I do, I’m apologizing for being lazy, always being late, not giving my best. That’s what I’m apologizing for', and those were his reasons".
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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR SANCHO?
Sancho's performances at Dortmund have shown glimpses of the player he once was, but his long-term prospects are still in flux. Dortmund are keen to retain him beyond the end of the loan period, but would need significant funds to secure Sancho's services permanently, a challenging prospect given their budgetary limitations. Whereas, if Ten Hag were to depart, it could open the door for Sancho to reintegrate into the United squad under a new manager. Nonetheless, in the short term, Sancho is focused on conquering Europe with Dortmund as they go up against Real Madrid in the Champions League final on Saturday.
O Botafogo segue anunciando novidades para o elenco. Nesta segunda-feira, o clube de General Severiano oficializou a contratação do zagueiro Gilvan, que atuou pelo Atlético-GO em 2020.
O defensor de 31 anos chega para oferecer mais experiência ao setor defensivo do Glorioso e é credenciado pelo bom aproveitamento nas bolas aéreas, uma das dores de cabeça do Botafogo na última temporada.
Gilvan é canhoto e tem 31 anos. O contrato é válido por uma temporada, mas pode ser renovado caso o Botafogo conquiste o acesso para a primeira divisão. O defensor também possui, vale ressaltar, experiência na Série B do Brasileirão com o próprio Dragão.
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Lionel Messi mania has gripped Montreal as fans go wild for Inter Miami superstar ahead of MLS showdown.
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Messi lands in Montreal
Fans go berserk to catch a glimpse of him
Is enjoying an incredible run on the pitch
WHAT HAPPENED?
Traffic and time both stopped on the streets of Montreal to witness the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner. Fans went berserk and loud chants of Messi were heard as the superstar tried to make his way into the team hotel.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Messi has been in sensational form this season and looked simply unstoppable in a 6-2 triumph over the New York Red Bulls where he contributed in all six strikes. After that historic display, the football legend has been backed by MLS pundit Matt Doyle to be involved in seven goals during a single match and even fire the Herons to their first-ever MLS championship.
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WHAT NEXT?
Messi will look to continue with his brilliant run of form against Montreal on Saturday and further help Miami get a stronger hold on the number one position at the top of the standings. He has already bagged three Matchday MVP awards this season and was recognised as the Player of the Month for April for his outstanding contributions.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has asked the fans for patience after a 1-1 draw against Burnley, as he made an interesting comparison.
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Man Utd draw 1-1 against Burnley
Ten Hag asks for patience from fans
Compares struggles with 2004/05 season
Getty Images
WHAT HAPPENED?
Man Utd dropped points yet again against Burnley and all but ended their hopes of making the top four this season. As a result, Ten Hag has received a lot of criticism for his tenure with the Red Devils. Despite being linked with a potential sack at the end of the summer, the Dutchman has remained positive as he pointed towards the former great teams also needing time to develop in order to become the juggernauts they were.
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WHAT TEN HAG SAID
Speaking to the media, Ten Hag asked for patience for the young team [via ESPN]: "We have some very young players and that is why we built this club back and that takes time. We built it by bringing in young players like Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Højlund and Kobbie Mainoo and they are all in the first season of the Premier League. The Premier League gets more and more intense year by year. Those players have to adjust and that takes time. I am very impatient but we need patience."
On teams needing time to develop, Ten Hag said: "The great Man United teams they also forget – 2004/05 – they didn't play that great football. They were building and it takes time but everyone forgets, even the players who were in the team. They forget they were struggling and needed time to progress."
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
As Ten Hag suggested, Man Utd did struggle in the 2004/05 season as they finished their campaign trophyless. They did, however, manage to develop a team with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney as they went on to win the Premier League twice in the next three years to add to their Champions League title win.
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WHAT NEXT FOR TEN HAG?
It is still uncertain if Man United will afford Ten Hag the time to develop the current crop of youngsters past the end of this season. His job security could very well hinge upon the result of their FA Cup final clash against Manchester City on May 25.
Arsenal have reportedly entered pole position to sign a "powerful" defender who's keen to join them, which comes as a blow for Man United boss Erik ten Hag.
Who Arsenal are apparently looking to sign in 2024
Manager Mikel Arteta has overseen a fantastic start to the season, with his side now climbing to the Premier League summit and looking like solid contenders for their first title in nearly 20 years.
Winning four out of their last five league games, losing just once so far this campaign, Arsenal travel to face Aston Villa this afternoon in what will be a very tough test against an equally in-form side.
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However, despite their excellent form right now, there have been reports of sporting director Edu and Arteta plotting to strengthen certain areas of the squad in 2024.
Thomas Partey's injury problems this term, combined with the expiring contracts of Jorginho and Mohamed Elneny, have highlighted their need for another central midfield option.
Villa star Douglas Luiz is a reported target for Arsenal, but he could be hard to prise away from the Midlands in January given just how crucial he is for Unai Emery.
joao-palhinha-douglas-luiz-liverpool-opinion
Meanwhile, Brentford star Ivan Toney is apparently keen on joining Arteta as the north Londoners set their sights on bringing in an experienced goalscorer next year.
According to Football Transfers this week, Arsenal are also eager to sign a new right-back as Arteta doesn't view Takehiro Tomiyasu or Ben White as viable long-term options for the position.
As per the same source, this has lead to real interest in Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong.
Frimpong eyeing Arsenal move over Man United
The former Celtic star, who has dazzled for Xabi Alonso's table-topping Leverkusen team so far, is a mainstay for the Bundesliga side.
Starting 13 league games, Frimpong boasts four goals and five assists already this term as a seriously attack-minded full-back.
Bayer Leverkusen'sJeremieFrimpongduring the press conference
Arguably one of the most exciting players globally in his position, a view shared by Football Transfers, the same outlet reports that Frimpong is eyeing a move to Arsenal over Man United next year.
Ten Hag is apparently keen on bringing the 22-year-old to Old Trafford, but it's believed he much prefers the prospect of a switch to north London.
Arsenal, as a result, are in the "driving seat" to secure a deal for Frimpong when his enticing £34 million release clause becomes active next year.
Jeremie Frimpong strengths (via WhoScored)
Dribbling
Key passes
Defensive contribution
Ex-Celtic boss Neil Lennon, commenting on the defender's meteoric rise in Germany, revealed how Frimpong blew everyone away in Glasgow when he first arrived (Glasgow World via Caught Offside).
"He came in and he just blew us all away with his pace and his quality – and his enthusiasm," said Lennon.
"He’s got a very infectious personality. He’s a lovely boy but he could be quite naughty at times too. He took the plunge to go to Germany and he has excelled and I’m really proud of him. He’s deceptive. He’s small but he’s so powerful, good on the ball and quite different from a lot of fullbacks out there."
While Chelsea have already splashed out £1bn on fresh faces during the Todd Boehly regime thus far, such eye-watering investment has not yet yielded success on the field for those at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues currently languishing in mid-table following a mixed start to the season.
Mauricio Pochettino's men did secure a thrilling 4-1 win over rivals Tottenham Hotspur last time out, yet the manner of the display was far from convincing from the west Londoners up against their nine-man opponents.
In truth, the nature of the scoreline – and the late hat-trick for the polarising Nicolas Jackson – undoubtedly flattered the visitors at N17, with work still to be done if Pochettino and Boehly are to turn the club into a credible force once again.
With that in mind – and in the hope of returning to Europe at the end of the season – the Blues may look to strengthen come the January transfer window, with rumours rife at present that the club are set to continue their model of signing up-and-coming talent, with the addition of Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittens.
Chelsea transfer news – Jamie Bynoe-Gittens
As per reports in Spain last week, the teenage winger is believed to have caught the eye of the Stamford Bridge hierarchy after breaking into the first-team in Germany in recent seasons, with the 19-year-old having previously been on the books at Manchester City until his departure in 2020.
The England U21 international – who was also part of the academy set-up with the Blues and with Reading in the past – is said to also be attracting interest from both Arsenal and Newcastle United, ensuring that Pochettino could have a fight on his hands to get a deal over the line.
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens
That battle for the 5 foot 9 starlet's signature could likely help Dortmund to oversee something of a bidding war for their emerging superstar, with the report indicating that Bynoe-Gittens could command a fee of around €40m (£35m) at present.
This also comes amid claims that the Bundesliga side could be willing to part ways with the youngster on loan in the New Year, with the club hoping to bring his compatriot, Jadon Sancho, back to Westfalenstadion amid his nightmare spell at Manchester United – where he has been exiled by manager Erik ten Hag.
Either way, it looks as if Bynoe-Gittens could be up for grabs in 2024, with Chelsea needing to ensure that they are at the front of the queue ahead of their Premier League rivals.
The stats that show Jamie Bynoe-Gittens would be a good signing for Chelsea
At present, the Blues are reaping the rewards of signing another promising, former Man City asset in Cole Palmer, with the £45m summer signing already providing three goals and four assists in just ten games in all competitions in his new surroundings.
Typically operating in a right-wing berth, the 21-year-old has arguably already become the creative hub of Pochettino's youthful side, having already created five 'big chances' in the top-flight this season – more than any of his teammates.
Cole Palmer's 2023/24 Premier League season so far
9 games
5 starts
3 goals
2 assists
5 'big chances' created
1.4 key passes per game
84% pass accuracy rate
3.0 balls recovered per game
7.36 average match rating
Stats via Sofascore
While the west Londoners' are currently utilising experienced winger, Raheem Sterling on the opposite flank, the club could perhaps find a more long-term solution in that role as a partner to Palmer in Bynoe-Gittens, with the teen undoubtedly a "huge talent" – according to talent scout Jacek Kulig.
Also described as a "game-changer" by manager Edin Terzic, the wing wizard has made a promising start to life at senior level with three goals and two assists in 30 outings so far to date, albeit while having been restricted to just two Bundesliga starts this season.
For a player who has "no fear" – in the words of teammate Karim Adeyemi – and is "one of the best players one-against-one", he is seemingly deserving of a more prominent role in the side, hence why a change of scenery could be a dream outcome.
As noted by the official Bundesliga website, the forward's hopes of making an impact in the Premier League – alongside the likes of Palmer – could be boosted by his apparent likeness to Man United's, Marcus Rashford, with the article stating last month:
'In terms of dribbling ability, close control, and a willingness to take on defenders as part of a drive towards goal, Manchester United star Rashford is a great current example of a right-footer on the left wing.'
Such praise may have a few eyebrows raised among those of a Chelsea persuasion, with that yet another reason for a deal to be pursued.
How Jamie Bynoe-Gittens compares to Marcus Rashford
Being likened to that man Rashford may not appear too impressive at present – with the 26-year-old scoring just once so far this term – yet the Old Trafford talisman did sparkle under Ten Hag last season, bagging 30 goals in all competitions.
Hailed as "unstoppable" at one stage in 2022/23 by his manager, the senior England international has regularly produced the goods at the highest level since bursting onto the scene in 2016, including scoring three goals at the World Cup in Qatar last year.
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford.
An undoubted weapon as a right-footed option down the left flank, it is no surprise that Rashford is a player who the Dortmund gem would look to emulate, with the pair also noted as similar players, according to FBref.
That comparison can be seen by the duo's willingness to impact proceedings where it matters most, with Bynoe-Gittens ranking in the top 7% among his European peers for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, across the last 365 days, while his United counterpart ranks in the top 9% in that regard.
Equally, the pair are also alike due to how regularly they look to unleash an attempt on goal and threaten the opposition, with the latter man ranking in the top 3% for total shots per 90, while Bynoe-Gittens ranks in the top 1% for that same metric – albeit from fewer minutes played over the past 12 months.
A further benefit of the Reading native is his knack for beating a man with ease, as he ranks in the top 1% successful take-ons per 90, as well as in the top 4% for progressive carries per 90, further proof of just what an outlet he is.
Of course, the next step would be for the in-demand talent to produce the goods on a more consistent basis, although with the backing of Palmer's quality service, Bynoe-Gittens could be the next young star to sparkle under Pochettino's watchful eye.