Tag Futebol

A number of Liverpool supporters have reacted positively to Neil Jones’ claim that James Milner will leave the club at the end of the season.

The 36-year-old has been a wonderful servant for the Reds since arriving in the summer of 2015, arguably becoming one of the greatest free transfers in the club’s history.

Milner has now made 268 appearances for Liverpool, winning the Champions League and Premier League along the way and being a great leader in Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

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However, at 36 there is no doubt that the midfielder’s best days are behind him, and his current Liverpool deal expires this summer.

According to Jones on The Redmen TV [via LFC Transfer Room on Twitter], Milner will move on at the end of the current campaign, joining another club as he nears the end of a stellar playing career.

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Liverpool fans happy about Milner exit claim

These Liverpool fans were pleased to hear that the club are unlikely to keep Milner beyond the end of this season, with some feeling that his best days are behind him, a view perhaps borne out of some recent underwhelming performances and his rarity of starts this season.

“Finally”

Credit: @boff_daddy

“Freedom”

Credit: @_JazzyJaz_

“CM incoming then surely”

Credit: @TWregistalfc

“About time. Been a top loyal servant but is no where near good enough as a player anymore. Thanks Milly”

Credit: @iLikeFutb0l

“Wonderful. I’ll set off fireworks on the day he leaves”

Credit: @Sabista_

“Thank God. Thanks to James for his services, but I was dreading ‘let’s keep him for one more year because of his leadership'”

Credit: @PhilyRedd

In other news, some Liverpool fans are delighted over this Fabrizio Romano transfer claim. Read more here.

Leeds United enjoyed a fine first season back in the top-flight last term as Marcelo Bielsa guided the side to a top-half finish in the Premier League.

They have not found it as simple this time around, however, as they sit 16th and five points off relegation with 18 matches played, although that gap could shorten with Watford and Burnley both having games in-hand over them.

Their struggles could lead to Bielsa looking to improve his squad in the January transfer window and one player who has been touted with a switch to Elland Road is Huddersfield gladiator Lewis O’Brien. Journalist Pete O’Rourke has claimed that he would be interested in the move, telling GIVEMESPORT:

“He signed a new contract at Huddersfield but I’m sure if the opportunity came to go to Leeds, it would be something that he would jump at.”

Bye-bye Klich?

By signing the English battler, Bielsa can finally axe Polish international Mateusz Klich.

The £34k-per-week Leeds dud has struggled badly this season and the arrival of another player in his position could lead to him either leaving the club or being a regular on the bench instead of starting matches.

He has started 10 Premier League games this season and averaged a dismal WhoScored rating of 6.37, ranking him 15th in the squad. This shows that he is consistently delivering sub-par performances for Bielsa and that is why he must be axed from the team and replaced by O’Brien in January.

The Huddersfield man has caught the eye in the second tier with a string of fine displays. He has averaged a WhoScored rating of 7.01, whilst making 3.7 tackles and interceptions per game – showing that he will fight hard for the team in midfield.

Terriers boss Carlos Corberan previously hailed the gladiator, saying:

“He’s an example of the players we have as a club. We want our academy players to have an impact on the first team.

“(Head of football operations) Leigh Bromby is very focused on the academy and we want to develop the young players because we know how important they are going to be for this club and to see how O’Brien works every single day, how he competes every time is very good.

“He can play well or he can play badly but it is very difficult to find a game where O’Brien doesn’t compete well. Sometimes how you play can depend on the opponent, the shape, the structure, your team-mates, but how you compete is down to you.”

He reportedly has a £10m release clause in his contract with the Championship side and Victor Orta must now activate it to bring him to the Premier League next month. The Lillywhites must snap him up and offer him the chance to displace Klich, who needs to be axed by Bielsa.

AND in other news, Leeds could sell “shocking” Christiansen flop by signing “wonderful” £9m-rated star…

Manchester United are reportedly lining up a move for Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic in the upcoming January transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to talkSPORT, the Red Devils are one of several Premier League teams interested in securing the highly-rated 21-year-old’s signature this winter, with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur also listed as potential suitors.

With just 18 months left to run on his current contract, Vlahovic is believed to have turned down a new deal that would have made him the highest-paid player in La Viola’s history, opening the door to an imminent exit.

Ralf Rangnick must swoop

The Serbia international has become one of the hottest properties in European football over the last 18 months after putting in a string of impressive performances for Fiorentina.

After notching up 21 goals in 40 appearances last term, Vlahovic has elevated his game to new heights this time around, bagging a remarkable 17 strikes in just 19 outings in all competitions.

The youngster’s outstanding exploits in Italy have seen him dubbed a “complete number nine” by Serie A expert Conor Clancy, while talent scout Jacek Kulig labelled him a “machine,” highlighting his truly top-class potential.

Although United are currently well-stocked in the forward positions, Edinson Cavani is out of contract next summer, Anthony Martial is desperate to depart and Cristiano Ronaldo is set to turn 37 in February.

Therefore, new interim manager Ralf Rangnick must swoop for Vlahovic over the coming months, fending off the extensive competition for his signature.

With long-term target Erling Haaland appearing to be out of their reach following the recent comments by his controversial agent Mino Raiola, the 6 foot 2 beast is a great alternative option capable of providing a similar level of firepower.

It has previously been claimed in recent reports that Fiorentina are set to demand £70m for their prized asset as Vincenzo Italiano’s charges look to maximise their profits, but if Vlahovic can fire the 20-time English champions back to their previous perch, it will be deemed money well spent.

And, in other news…Imagine him & Bruno: Ralf can form scary MUFC duo by landing “exceptional” £33m beast

MatériaMais Notícias

The hosts of the 2011 World Cup will enjoy home advantage for the quarter-finals and semi-finals if a proposal to this effect is approved by the ICC board

Cricinfo staff01-Dec-2009ANZ Stadium granted ODI status

The ANZ Stadium in Sydney was also granted ODI status by the CEC. The 80,000-capacity stadium in Homebush, had hosted the 2000 Olympics and New South Wales chief executive Dave Gilbert had recently suggested that it could host next year’s Ashes Test, moving cricket from its traditional home at the SCG.

The hosts of the 2011 World Cup will enjoy home advantage for the quarter-finals and semi-finals if a proposal to this effect is approved by the ICC board. It means India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will play at home if they make the knockout stage but, if two of them play each other, the higher-ranked side from the group stage will host the match.The chief executives’ committee (CEC), meeting in Dubai on Tuesday, supported a request from the World Cup’s central organising committee and has passed it on to the ICC board, which will take it up when it holds the first of its four meetings in February next year.At the announcement of the tournament’s match schedule last month, the venues for the knockout phase, and not the match-ups, were specified. While two of the quarter-finals will be played in Mirpur, Ahmedabad and Colombo will host the other two. Colombo will also be hosting a semi-final along with Mohali.As the immediate permutations stand, either India or Bangladesh, who have been placed in Group B, are likely to meet Sri Lanka, from Group A, in the final eight. The semi-finals may also throw up a likely scenario where all three are involved, if paired against non-hosts in the quarter-finals.Sharad Pawar, the ICC vice-president, is the chairman of the 2011 World Cup’s organising committee, while Ratnakar Shetty, the BCCI’s chief administrative officer, is the tournament director. The 43-day event comprises 49 games spread over three countries and 13 venues and will be a week shorter than the 2007 edition in the West Indies.The ten Full Member countries and four Associates have been divided into two groups of seven each, with the top four from each group qualifying for the quarter-finals. Group A includes Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya. Group B comprises India, South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland and the Netherlands.The CEC also approved a recommendation from the women’s committee that the top four sides from the Women’s World Twenty20, to be held in West Indies next year, will earn direct qualification for the following edition in Sri Lanka, while the four remaining teams will have to go through a qualification process.

Right-arm fast bowler Damien Wright will replace allrounder James Pattinson in the Victorian squad for the remainder of the Champions League Twenty20 after being cleared by the tournament’s technical committee. Pattinson, 19, suffered a fractured left thumb at training at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium in Delhi on Monday morning.Ironically, Pattinson had replaced Wright in the Victoria squad ahead of the tournament after the 34-year-old was ruled out with a calf strain. Wright though, still travelled with the team to India as a bowling coach and will now available for selection in Victoria’s next game, against Wayamba on Tuesday.The Australian Twenty20 Big Bash runners-up are in a good position to qualify for the next stage of the tournament, having beaten Delhi Daredevils in their opening game. A loss to Wayamba, though, will see the qualifiers from Group D decided on net run-rate.

رد أحمد سيد زيزو لاعب الزمالك على ما يروجه البعض بأن الغريم التقليدي، الأهلي، خسر لقب الدوري بسبب وجود تقنية الفار، موضحًا دور جوسفالدو فيرير المدير الفني للفريق الأبيض مع اللاعبين، وتطوير مستواهم.

وقال زيزو في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “ام بي سي مصر”: “من الممكن الموسم القادم الزمالك يحصد اللقب أو الأهلي أو بيراميدز، في بداية الألفينات، الزمالك حصل على الدوري 3 مرات في 4 سنوات”.

وأكمل: “الزمالك لم يحصل على 3 دوري متتالي أبدًا، وبالتالي هذا يُعطينا دافعًا كبيرًا لكي نحصد اللقب الثالث ونكتب تاريخًا لأنفسنا”.

وتابع: “لكن لا أستطيع أن أقول إن الأهلي لم يفز بسبب تطبيق تقنية الفار، كله نصيب وقدر”.

طالع | مرتضى منصور يحسم مصير زيزو بعد عرض الريان ويوجه رسالة لجماهير الزمالك

وأوضح: “فيريرا كان يعلمنا تفاصيل في كرة القدم، كان يُعلمنا كيف نُمرر ونتسلم، اللاعب عندما يصل لمرحلة مُعينة ينظر لنفسه ويقول هل الآن سأتعلم التسليم والتسلم؟، ولكن بعد شهر من التدريبات معه أدركنا أننا لم تكن نعرف كيف نمرر ونتسلم”.

وأشار: “كان دائمًا يقول لنا إننا نقف بشكل خاطئ في الملعب، بجانب أن التنظيم الدفاعي هو نتيجة عمله الذي علمه لنا، فيريرا جاء يُعلمنا الكرة من الأول وجديد”.

واستطرد لاعب الزمالك: “فيريرا يُنمي قدرات اللاعبين، الفترة الماضية لم أكن ألعب جناح أيمن، وبعد ذلك شعرت أنني ألعب في مراكز أخرى أفضل، ونفس الأمر حصل مع سيد نيمار ولاعبين آخرين”.

وواصل: “فيريرا صعد لاعبين كثيرين من الشباب للكرة المصرية، وسبب في وجود استثمار للنادي، لا يوجد فوارق كبيرة بين اللاعبين في الدوري المصري، إذًا لماذا النادي يدفع في لاعب 25 مليونًا مثلًا ولدينا لاعبين شباب جيدين؟”.

وبسؤاله ما الفرق بين فيريرا وكارتيرون؟، أجاب: “فيريرا معلم، (هو البابا) يمتلك خبرات نتيجة حوالي 2000 مباراة أدارها، ويستطيع التعامل مع اللاعبين، هو ليس عنده طريقة موحدة للعصبية، يعرف كيف يتعامل مع كل لاعب”.

Nathan Bracken will have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee next week after flying home from the Champions Trophy in South Africa

Cricinfo staff01-Oct-2009Nathan Bracken will have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee next week after flying home from the Champions Trophy in South Africa. The ongoing knee problem forced Bracken out of the tournament and he consulted specialists in Sydney and Melbourne this week.”Following consultation with knee specialists, Nathan has been booked in for arthroscopic surgery next week,” Cricket Australia’s doctor Trefor James said. “His progress following surgery will monitored for a return to training in due course.”Bracken has also been ruled out of the New South Wales squad for the Champions League Twenty20 in India. Australia’s next engagement after the Champions Trophy is a seven-match one-day series in India starting later this month.

Leeds United are not in a comfortable position in the Premier League this season, currently 15th in the table following a slow start with just two wins from their first 11 games.

The Whites have been plagued with injuries which have caused inconsistencies in every aspect of their team. From defence to attack, the well-oiled machine of last season has gone rusty, with squad players having to be thrown into the line-up in key positions.

Patrick Bamford, Kalvin Phillips, Luke Ayling and Raphinha are a few of the key players who have been sidelined so far this season, which has clearly effected the team’s performances of late, but luckily Raphinha and Phillips have returned to action in the last few weeks.

Bielsa could unleash a dynamic £37.8m-rated duo in Phillips and Forshaw, and that could have a positive impact on Leeds’ chances of taking points from Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

The England international returned from a minor injury recently and will be raring to go after playing in the 1-1 draw with Leicester before international break.

The 25-year-old spoke out lately about his midfield partnership with Forshaw, who has also recently returned from a horrific injury which has cost him two seasons of his career.

Phillips told BBC Leeds: “It’s very nice to have Adam back. We’re good friends, we get on really well and I think it shows on the football pitch that we understand each other, the way each other plays.”

Forshaw, who nearly gained an England call-up in 2016, has not had an easy ride with the hip injury he picked up after just seven games of the 2019/20 season.

Initially, the injury was thought to be minor, with the protectory of the midfielder being out for only 16 weeks, but Leeds and Forshaw were dealt a devastating blow when he was sent for surgery and ruled out for the rest of the season.

Forshaw struggled to build his fitness moving into the 2020/21 campaign, and in a brief return for the under-23s, he sustained an injury to his hamstring which again saw him sidelined for the entire season.

The 30-year-old made an emotional return to Premier League football against Leicester City a few weeks ago, the midfielder spoke to the Sunday People, saying: “Starting against Leicester was a big moment for me and my family, so I’m pleased.

“I’d just like to say a massive, massive thank you to Rob Price and his team, the strength and conditioning coaches, the manager for the way he’s managed me throughout the summer.”

Bielsa will be thrilled that Phillips and Forshaw have a genuine connection which can hopefully translate on the pitch against Spurs and help Leeds to an important three points as they attempt to escape a potential relegation battle.

In other news: this potential partnership could unlock success for Leeds

Dean Smith is poised to be announced as the new Norwich manager in the next few days, with his second in command looking likely to be former Aston Villa assistant manager, Craig Shakespeare.

Shakespeare is predicted to be announced as the assistant manager at Carrow Road alongside Smith, with the duo working together at Aston Villa to secure an 11th place finish in the Premier League last season.

Both Smith and Shakespeare were sacked last week after five losses on the bounce in charge of the Villa side. Speaking in a statement, Smith shared his thoughts after the dismissal from his boyhood club;

“My belief was that we would continue our progression this season. I understand the football industry and, of course, I respect the owners’ decision, but I felt that with important players soon returning to full fitness we would achieve a top-half finish.”Steven Gerrard has since been appointed as the 50-year-old’s successor at Aston Villa.Shakespeare has an impressive CV, his most notable achievement would undoubtedly be the role he played in the Premier League winning team of Leicester City in 2013, which then saw the assistant manager promoted to head coach for 8 months. It’s that spell, coupled with his expertise of keeping Villa in the division last term, that explains why he could help save Norwich this term too.Speaking on his time as head coach at Leicester in 2017, Shakespeare talked about dealing with the media; “That was the thing I found most difficult. I had always been a guy who was behind the scenes, low profile, and liked it that way. The media — the intensity of it, the amount of time it takes up — really took me by surprise. I’ll do what I have to do, media-wise, but I also like the idea of getting on with my job and letting the big managers be to the fore.”Getting on with the job, as the coach says, will be vitally important when he arrives in Norfolk, but he can live up to the praise of Jamie Carragher, he could be game-changing upon his entrance to Carrow Road, particularly from a defensive point of view.The former Liverpool defender previously sung the praises of the 58-year-old coach, however, giving him ‘top marks’ after joining Aston Villa last season, the pundit said;

“Craig Shakespeare has also come in so it’s been top marks from a coaching setup and, also, when you bring players in and get the signings right. So, going from the worst (defensive record) in Europe to the best in Europe, I think that’s what we’ve been seeing.”The Aston Villa coaching alumni have a challenge on their hands when it comes to the project at Norwich City and it won’t be easy to prevent relegation. The Canaries have just one win from eleven and currently sit at the bottom of the Premier League table with only five points from a potential 33, five points adrift from safety.That said, Shakespeare and Smith certainly have the credentials, experience and resources in hungry young players like Todd Cantwell and Billy Gilmour at Norwich, to give the relegation battle a good shot and if appointed, will host Southampton at Carrow Road this weekend.In other news: ‘World class’ Billy Gilmour can save Norwich from relegation…