سقط ليفربول في فخ الهزيمة بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف، أمام مضيفه تشيلسي، في إطار منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لموسم 2024/2025.
وواجه ليفربول نظيره تشيلسي، ضمن منافسات الجولة الـ35 من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز على ملعب “ستامفورد بريدج”.
وحسم ليفربول لقب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز هذا الموسم 2024/25، بعد أن فاز على توتنهام بنتيجة 5/1، في اللقاء الذي أقيم ضمن منافسات الجولة 34 من البريميرليج، الأحد الماضي.
اقرأ ايضاً.. ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإنجليزي بعد هدف إيزاك أمام برايتون
في الشوط الأول ومع الدقيقة الثالثة، افتتح إنزو فيرنانديز التسجيل لصالح تشيلسي، مستغلاً تمريرة حاسمة من بيدرو نيتو.
ولم ينجح رفقاء محمد صلاح، في خلق فرص حقيقية على مرمى تشيلسي طوال الشوط الأول.
وكاد بيدرو نيتو أن يضيف الهدف الثاني لأصحاب الأرض قبل نهاية الشوط الأول، لكن تسديدته اصطدمت بالشباك الجانبية لحارس الريدز أليسون بيكر.
في الشوط الثاني ومع الدقيقة 56، أضاف تشيلسي الهدف الثاني عن طريق مدافع ليفربول جاريل كوانساه بالخطأ في مرماه، بعد أن اصطدمت تسديدة فان دايك بجسده، لتهز شباك الريدز معلناً ثاني أهداف أصحاب الأرض.
التهديد الأول لـ ليفربول على مرمى تشيلسي، جاء عبر رأسية فان دايك لكنها مرت بجوار مرمى سانشيز.
وقدم محمد صلاح تمريرة عرضية حاسمة داخل منطقة جزاء تشيلسي، لكن رأسية داروين نونيز جاءت بعيدة عن مرمى تشيلسي.
وكاد محمد صلاح أن يقلص نتيجة المباراة بهدف أول لصالح الريدز بضربة رأسية بالدقيقة 77، لكنها مرت بجوار مرمى سانشيز.
فيما أهدر بيدرو نيتو فرصة ثمينة لإضافة الهدف الثالث بحلول الدقيقة 80 بعد تصدي مميز من أليسون بيكر، ووقف القائم بجوار ليفربول ومنع كول بالمر من تسجيل ثالث أهداف البلوز.
وبحلول الدقيقة 85، قلص فيرجيل فان دايك نتيجة المباراة بتوقيعه على أول أهداف ليفربول من ضربة رأسية بصناعة من أليكسيس ماك أليستر.
ووقع كول بالمر على ثالث أهداف تشيلسي من علامة الجزاء بحلول الدقيقة الخامسة من الوقت المحتسب بدل من ضائع في نهاية المباراة.
وبهذه النتيجة، تجمد رصيد ليفربول عند النقطة 82 في المركز الأول في ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي، بينما ارتفع رصيد تشيلسي إلى النقطة 63 في المركز الخامس. اهداف مباراة ليفربول وتشيلسي (3-1) الدوري الانجليزي
Newcastle United won for the first time in five matches in the Premier League with a thumping 4-0 victory over Leicester City at St. James’ Park on Saturday.
It was a big day for English forward Jacob Murphy as he scored his first two goals of the season in the win, taking his tally to two goals and four assists in 13 appearances.
The former Norwich winger has only scored five goals in the Premier League since the start of last season, and should be hoping that his performance against the Foxes helps him to kick on.
Eddie Howe, though, could land a huge upgrade on Murphy when the January transfer window opens for business, amid interest in a star from one of their rivals.
Newcastle plotting bid for West Ham star
According to the Mirror, the Newcastle United head coach is plotting a bid to sign Mohammed Kudus from Premier League rivals West Ham United.
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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The report claims that Arsenal and Liverpool are also in the race to land the Ghana international next month, which means that there is plenty of competition for his services.
It states that the Hammers have placed a whopping £90m price tag on the attacking midfielder’s head, and that means that the Magpies would have to splash out a club-record fee to bring him to St. James’ Park.
Mohammed Kudus for West Ham
The outlet adds that Newcastle would need to sell players in order to afford a swoop for the West Ham star, with Miguel Almiron said to be a prime candidate to be moved on.
Howe must push for the Magpies to bring in enough funds to facilitate a move for Kudus because he could come in as a huge upgrade on Murphy on the right flank.
Why Newcastle should sign Kudus
The Hammers signed the forward from Dutch giants Ajax in the summer of 2023 and he has proven himself to be a fantastic performer at Premier League level, and in Europe.
Kudus scored five goals and created three ‘big chances’ in nine appearances in the Europa League last term, whilst Murphy managed zero goals and one assist in three Champions League outings.
Mohammed Kudus celebrates for West Ham
The left-footed wizard, who was described as “unbelievable” by teammate Michail Antonio, also caught the eye with his performances in the English top-flight.
Appearances
33
21
Goals
8
3
xA
3.67
3.42
Assists
6
7
Dribbles completed per game
3.8
0.6
Pass accuracy
84%
74%
As you can see in the table above, Kudus made a greater impact than Murphy at the top end of the pitch, with more goals, more xA, and far more completed dribbles.
The West Ham magician has the quality to consistently drive past opposition defenders, whilst being reliable with his passes and effective in the final third, and this is why he could come in as a huge upgrade for Newcastle.
Howe could improve his team by signing a proven Premier League star who could win matches for the club more frequently with his superb qualities in possession, which is why he should work to secure his services in January.
Tis’ the season for Newcastle United, who are flying high through the festive period and continued their hot streak of form with a commanding victory over Aston Villa in the Premier League.
It’s been an imperfect season, but Eddie Howe’s side have shown character and quality in equal measure across these crucial recent weeks, reorienting themselves at a point that would have sparked calamity, had fortunes not been turned.
Newcastle United manager EddieHowebefore the match
Brentford were dispatched in the Carabao Cup, while Ipswich Town and Leicester City were put to the sword in the top flight before Unai Emery’s side made the trip to Tyneside.
Newcastle's best players vs Villa
Ever since PIF arrived, Newcastle have sought to raise their station in the footballing world. They’ve been great and have enjoyed some highs, but PSR has stifled progress in 2024.
However, deft decision-making saw the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak kept at St. James’ Park at the expense of prospects Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh.
With emphatic performances such as this one against Villa, it seems to be a brilliant move. Isak and Gordon got themselves on the scoresheet while Guimaraes’s crazy goal was chalked off after a VAR intervention.
It was comprehensive and cultured. The Magpies were aided by Jhon Duran’s red card after the half-hour mark, but then they were also one goal to the good at that point.
The fluency and slickness on show come from one centrepiece in particular. Indeed, Sandro Tonali is flourishing in the deep-placed midfield spot and was Howe’s unsung hero this afternoon.
Sandro Tonali's resurgence continues
Tonali has made steady steps toward the highest rung of the Newcastle ladder this season, having spent most of the past year suspended due to betting breaches.
Sandro Tonali in action for Newcastle
The £55m acquisition from AC Milan has now completed 19 appearances this term, scoring two goals and serving two more, and though his effort against the Villans wasn’t the flashiest, he proved that he is a fundamental part of this new-look Newcastle system.
The Chronicle Live’s Lee Ryder thought so, remarking that the Italian ‘sparkled like a festive wine.’ Tonali was praised for his ball-playing and command in the engine room, supercharging Howe’s team and allowing those such as the rampant Joelinton to find space and security to wreak chaos.
Minutes played
90′
Goals
0
Assists
0
Touches
89
Pass accuracy
64/74 (86%)
Key passes
1
Dribbles (completed)
0 (0)
Tackles + interceptions
3
Total duels (won)
9 (6)
Statistical data as an individual entity can be misleading. It would seem that Tonali’s match metrics present an average and uninspiring picture, but the eye test reveals plenty. He was the glue in the middle who made it all tick.
Sky Sports’ Keith Downie even hailed the Italian’s impact in the deeper, more controlling role, saying: “Tonali in the number six has (sic) changed the whole dynamic of the team.”
Long may it continue. Tonali’s elegance is fused with a combative and tenacious side that denotes his long-term success in the Premier League.
Interest in the 25-year-old is ramping up; Newcastle have reluctantly considered Tonali’s not-too-distant sale to placate the latest PSR plague.
Sandro Tonali celebrates for Newcastle
Whether it will happen is another matter entirely. But if Tonali continues to produce such impactful results, the Newcastle transfer team’s shrewdness and wherewithal may be called into play.
Because, come on now, he surely can’t be allowed to play elsewhere.
Howe must finally sell Newcastle flop who is earning 3x more than Murphy
This Newcastle flop needs to be sold at the end of the season.
Bangladesh will lodge an official complaint about South Africa’s “deplorable” sledging during the Durban Test after, according to them, the umpires ignored their on-field complaints. The BCB is, in fact, planning to complain to the ICC about both the sledging as well as the overall umpiring during the game.Bangladesh have already filed one complaint – about the umpiring – during the ODI series, but want to take up some other issues that cropped up during the Test, which Bangladesh lost on the final day by 220 runs after collapsing for 53 in their second innings.Related
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Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, BCB cricket operations chief Jalal Yunus said, “We have already lodged one complaint about the umpiring after the ODI series. The match referee [Andy Pycroft] had an argument with our manager Nafees Iqbal, but then we gave him a written complaint. We will lodge another official complaint about this Test match.”Mominul Haque, the Bangladesh captain, also spoke up, joining Yunus as well as team director Khaled Mahmud, selector Habibul Bashar and Shakib Al Hasan in expressing disgruntlement with the umpiring.”Sledging is quite normal, but the umpires didn’t seem to notice it,” Mominul said after the game. “The umpiring in the match is not in our control, but I think the ICC should think about bringing back neutral umpires.”On Sunday, after the fourth day’s play, Mahmud and Bashar criticised the match officials, while Shakib, who left the tour early because of personal reasons, had also tweeted that the ICC should look at reinstating neutral umpires considering the improved Covid-19 situation in most parts of the cricketing world. At the end of the fourth day’s play, Tamim Iqbal was also seen speaking to the umpires but it is not clear what they spoke about.Bangladesh made lbw appeals on multiple occasions during South Africa’s second innings, especially in the first two sessions on Sunday. They opted for a review when Dean Elgar was given not out on the field by umpire Marais Erasmus in the fifth over after being hit on his back leg. But he survived on umpire’s call as ball-tracking showed that the ball was only clipping off stump.Then, in the 19th over of the innings, Bangladesh successfully overturned Adrian Holdstock’s not-out decision for an lbw against Sarel Erwee. According to ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball commentary, it “looked so out to the naked eye and it was a surprise that the on-field call was not given despite a screeching appeal”.In the 26th over, Khaled Ahmed was denied an lbw decision against Keegan Petersen. Bangladesh didn’t take that review but replays showed that it would have hit the stumps and would have been out had the review been taken.The main indication that emotions were running high was when, on the fourth morning, Ebadot Hossain, while bowling, threw the ball back in Dean Elgar’s direction after it was hit to him, and the pair exchanged words. Umpire Holdstock had to ask the players to calm down.Yunus also went back to the issue with the sightscreens, which delayed the start of the Test. He said that Bangladesh had expected the umpires to make up for the lost time as the Test went along.Should we go up? In this case, they did, and got the wicket of Sarel Erwee•AFP/Getty Images
“There hasn’t been impartial umpiring in this Test match,” he said. “It started on the first day. We were held up for half an hour at the start of the game because of the sightscreens. We were deprived of the initial advantage.”To make up this half an hour, they extended the lunch session, instead of starting early, which we usually see. It is definitely at the umpire’s discretion, but generally we see them making up for lost time by starting early. These are subtle technical things.”It is, however, understood that both the teams had agreed to the playing conditions, which includes the rule when it comes to making up for lost time, before the start of the Test.Yunus said that Bangladesh were also concerned about how the umpires treated the Bangladesh players when they complained about the sledging by the home side.”They surrounded [Mahmudul Hasan] Joy when he went out to bat,” he said. “They were saying something. He couldn’t say anything back since he is a junior player. It was deplorable. Instead of controlling the situation, the umpires warned our players whenever we made complaints against the sledging.”Sledging definitely took place from both sides, but when they started it and took it overboard, we complained to the umpires. It wasn’t acceptable. We properly condemn it. We have to accept the umpires’ decisions, but the ICC must reinstate neutral umpires.”
Liverpool have been a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League again over the last decade or so.
Skipper Virgil van Dijk has been a huge part of their revival as the main man leading the defence for the Merseyside team since his transfer from Southampton back in 2018.
Van Dijk’s intimidating presence, resolute defending, and high footballing IQ make him one of the best defenders not just in the Premier League, but in the world.
The club has never failed to recognize the Dutchman’s importance to the team, rewarding him with a high salary, making him the among the highest-earning defenders in the English top flight.
Just how much does the Dutchman earn at Liverpool, though?
GOAL delved into the numbers with Capology and found out!
*
Virgil Van Dijk’s wages at Liverpool in numbers
Van Dijk currently makes £220,000 ($277,890) on a weekly basis from the current wage bill, putting him on a yearly salary of well over £11 million ($14m).
Player
Nationality
Weekly wages in GBP
Weekly wages in USD
Annual wages in GBP
Annual wages in USD
Virgil van Dijk
Dutch
£220,000
$277,890
£11,440,000
$14,450,264
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTop earners at Liverpool
Mohamed Salah and Van Dijk are the highest earners at the club.
Following these two is the full-back duo of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson, taking the third and fourth spots, respectively.
Meanwhile, at fifth comes the Argentine midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who joined the club from Brighton in 2023.
Player
Nationality
Weekly wages in GBP
Weekly wages in USD
Annual wages in GBP
Annual wages in USD
Mohamed Salah
Egyptian
£350,000
$442,097
£18,200,000
$22,989,057
Virgil Van Dijk
Dutch
£220,000
$277,890
£11,440,000
$14,450,264
Trent Alexander-Arnold
English
£180,000
$227,364
£9,360,000
$11,822,944
Andrew Robertson
Scottish
£160,000
$202,102
£8,320,000
$10,509,283
Alexis Mac Allister
Argentine
£264,244
$189,470
£7,800,000
$9,852,453
Top 5 earners in the Premier League
Despite Van Dijk being the second-top earner at Liverpool, he fails to make the top 10 cut when it comes to the top earners across the Premier League.
Manchester City stars Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne acquire the top spots, while Salah comes in at third.
Player
Nationality
Weekly wages in GBP
Weekly wages in USD
Annual wages in GBP
Annual wages in USD
Erling Haaland
Norwegian
£525,000
$663,164
£27,300,000
$34,483,586
Kevin De Bruyne
Belgian
£400,000
$505,254
£20,800,000
$26,273,206
Mohamed Salah
Egyptian
£350,000
$442,097
£18,200,000
$22,989,057
Casemiro
Brazilian
£350,000
$442,097
£18,200,000
$22,989,057
Jack Grealish
English
£300,000
$378,941
£17,169,698
$19,704,906
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Getty Images SportHighest paid players in the world
Although the Liverpool defender is one of the highest-paid players at Liverpool and in the Premier League, he doesn't come close when it comes to the highest-paid players in the world.
The list is massively dominated by players from the Saudi Pro League.
One of the greatest forwards to ever grace the sport, Cristiano Ronaldo sits at the top of the list as the top-earner in the sport across the world, playing for SPL side Al Nassr.
Following him on the list is his former Real Madrid team-mate in Karim Benzema who plays for Al Ittihad.
Meanwhile, Riyad Mahrez comes in at third, followed by Senegal internationals Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly at fourth and fifth spot.
Everton need to step up their game. As most Toffees supporters are likely aware, there’s a gruelling run of winter fixtures coming up in the Premier League for Sean Dyche’s men.
They don’t quite teeter on the precipice of the drop zone, but 16th-placed Everton will know that a poor run of results over the next few weeks could be damning – for Dyche, at least.
01/12/24
Man United
Old Trafford
04/12/243
Wolves
Molineux
07/12/24
Liverpool
Goodison Park
14/12/24
Arsenal
Emirates Stadium
22/12/24
Chelsea
Goodison Park
26/12/24
Man City
Etihad Stadium
29/12/24
Nott’m Forest
Goodison Park
The fact is, there’s a long stretch of football still ahead in 2024/25, but Dyche will not last the duration if he does not enforce drastic changes quickly.
Everton's search for a new manager
The fact is, Dyche is skating on thin ice, and the cracks are raking across the sheet. Everton’s drab football is frustrating supporters, with successive goalless draws in the Premier League preceded by a 1-0 defeat against bottom-placed Southampton.
Dyche triumphed in lifting the Toffees away from the relegation zone in 2022/23, but the club have now regressed and there is a growing portion of the fanbase seemingly yearning for change. It’s understandable, and fans might get their wish.
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With The Friedkin Group set to purchase Farhad Moshiri’s 94% stake in Everton, change is going to arrive at Goodison Park, which is going to undergo change in any case since the Blues are leaving their iconic stadium at the end of the term.
This proud and prestigious outfit wants a more attractive and expansive style to lift the squad back to the upper end of the table and perhaps into Europe.
Football manager Sergio Conceicao
According to TEAMtalk, former Porto manager Sergio Conceicao could be the man to herald the new era, with Everton believed to be closely monitoring the 50-year-old ahead of a potential swoop this winter, if Dyche is indeed dismissed, having been earmarked as the ‘number one target’ for TFG.
Why Sergio Conceicao would be "incredible"
Hailed in the past for his “incredible” managerial quality by journalist Jerry Mancini, Conceicao would be a significant coup for Everton, should they pull it off. Before Enzo Maresca was appointed at Stamford Bridge, the Portuguese boss was linked with a move to Chelsea.
Given his Portuguese roots, Conceicao could prove to be Everton’s own version of Ruben Amorim, with his possession-based and attack-minded approach sure to revolutionise Everton’s tactical genetics in the same way that Amorim is tipped to transform Manchester United.
His 4-2-3-1 formation would see Evertonians at least assimilate his teachings in a framework not too dissimilar to Dyche’s but the actual tactical philosophy would differ wildly.
With three Liga Portugal titles and eight more across domestic fronts with Porto, Conceicao – like former Sporting boss Amorim – has the winning mentality that Everton need to begin a new journey and move toward the limelight once again. Moreover, he has a superior head-to-head record against the Red Devils’ new boss.
Ruben Amorim
16
7
5
4
1.63
Marco Silva
6
1
1
4
0.67
Jurgen Klopp
6
0
1
5
0.17
Nuno Espirito Santo
4
1
1
2
1.00
Mikel Arteta
2
1
0
1
1.50
Pep Guardiola
2
0
1
1
0.75
Unai Emery
1
0
0
1
0.00
Fluid in his approach, Conceicao is adaptable depending on the opponent and willing to tweak his set-up should the situation demand it. This bodes well for a prospective role with Everton, for he could ensure that the English outfit are dynamic and capable of keeping teams guessing.
Such qualities could even see him enhance the qualities of players such as Dwight McNeil and Iliman Ndiaye, perhaps Everton’s most exciting attacking players in a colourless landscape this term.
McNeil has principally been a winger throughout his Everton career but has been utilised in a central attacking midfield role this term to great effect, notching three goals and three assists in the Premier League while averaging 2.7 key passes per game, as per Sofascore.
Ndiaye has taken his place on the left channel, ranking among the top 4% of attacking midfielders and wingers across the Premier League this season for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, suggesting that there is just reasoning behind the decision.
It’s all just a little rigid is the problem. However, that could change with a more expansive and attack-minded manager in Conceicao. With Dyche at the helm, it’s hard to envisage Everton rising to the level that they so desire.
His fiery response to alleged comments made by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta – whom he claimed “insulted” him when Porto met the Gunners back in March – aligns with the fiercely candid demeanour of Amorim and suggests that he would slot right into Premier League football on Merseyside.
Not that the Toffees are ready to go toe-toe with the likes of Arteta and Guardiola at the Premier League summit, yet the appointment of Conceicao could certainly nudge them a fair bit closer.
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Sean Dyche has been under pressure in his role as Everton boss in recent weeks.
Arne Slot's replacement at Feyenoord has been sacked just before a crunch Champions League play-off clash with AC Milan.
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Slot leaves Feyenoord for LiverpoolPrisk replaces him at Dutch giantsSacked just before UCL play-offFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
After Slot joined Liverpool last summer, Pliske took up the reins at the Dutch giants. However, the 47-year-old has been sacked due to 'inconsistent results and a lack of progress'.
AdvertisementESPNWHAT FEYENOORD SAID
In a statement on the club's website, Feyenoord general and technical director Dennis te Kloese said: “It is very disappointing for all parties that we had to come to this decision. Although Feyenoord has certainly achieved impressive results with Brian in the UEFA Champions League, the past few months have been far too inconsistent and we unfortunately see too little structural progress.
“As a professional and as a person, I still hold Brian in high regard. Sometimes, however, you have to conclude that despite everyone’s good intentions and intentions, it does not work, and at a certain point there is no longer enough support within all levels to continue.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Priske has ultimately paid the price for Feyenoord's league form, with Slot's former side currently fifth in the Eredivisie. They are 12 points behind league leaders Ajax and despite impressing in Europe, the Dane has been dismissed. Now they will likely be managerless for a double-header against Milan in the Champions League.
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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?
Feyenoord host Christian Pulisic's Milan on Wednesday in the first leg and then travel to Italy for the second leg on February 18.
West Ham United have spent a fortune on strikers over the past few years, and have had little to show for it. Since 2019, the Hammers have splashed a combined £117.5 million on Sebastien Haller, Gianluca Scamacca, Danny Ings, and Niclas Fullkrug. Between them, they’ve scored just 27 goals.
Haller scored 14 in 52 games before leaving for Ajax; Scamacca managed just eight in his only season at the London Stadium; while Ings, who remains at the club, has scored only five goals in 56 appearances.
Fullkrug, who West Ham spent £27.5 million in the summer, has yet to get off the mark for the Hammers, failing to score in his first four games before succumbing to injury. Fortunately for the Irons, amid their striker struggles, they’ve still been able to rely on record scorer Michail Antonio.
His return of just seven goals last season and only one in nine games this term, however, suggests the 34-year-old has run out of steam.
Hammers want Kolo Muani in January
With Fullkrug still out injured and both Ings and Antonio misfiring, West Ham are now turning their attention to out of favour Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani. The 25-year-old, who joined the Ligue 1 giants in 2023 from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth over £75 million, has been a bit-part player for PSG this term and has not featured in any of the club’s last three league games.
TBR Football claim PSG are now ready to let Kolo Muani leave the club on loan in January, and that the Hammers are among those keen to take him on. Arsenal, Manchester City, and Manchester United are also keeping tabs on the France international.
A separate report from L’Equipe’s Florian Plettenberg earlier this week claimed that a number of Premier League clubs, though it did not name which, have already contacted PSG about a loan move for Kolo Muani.
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ByEmilio Galantini Nov 6, 2024 Kolo Muani's goal record is impressive
Kolo Muani started his career in his home country with FC Nantes in 2018, for whom he made just shy of a century of appearances before moving to Frankfurt in 2022. In his one season in Germany, his 23 goals in all competitions forced PSG to come calling.
Since moving to the French capital, however, Kolo Muani has struggled. Last term, he scored just nine goals in 40 games, while this term he’s bagged just two in 10. He’s atoned for that with impressive form for France however – 25 appearances for Les Bleus have brought with them eight goals.
Randal Kolo Muani
After scoring a brace in France’s 2-1 UEFA Nations League win against Belgium in October, France manager Didier Deschamps was full of praise for Kolo Muani.
“He is confident and has a very specific profile where in his runs with the ball there is presence,” said Deschamps of the PSG forward, while his former youth coach has praise his explosiveness and resilience, two traits which should serve him well in spearheading a Premier League attack.
Will Pucovski is all-but ruled out of the start of the Ashes series after not recovering from his latest concussion in time for Victoria’s next Sheffield Shield match and his state coach Chris Rogers has cautioned against rushing him back into the national set-up.Pucovski was hit in the nets last month and suffered his 10th concussion dating back to a football injury when he was a teenager. After he missed the trip to Sydney last week it was hoped he would pull up for the return fixture at the MCG on Friday but symptoms are persisting and he has yet to bat again in the nets.”It’s no doubt a setback. I’d say now it’s unlikely he will play in the first Test,” Rogers said. “All the people in these conversations understand we have an immense talent on our hands. We want him playing in three, five, 10 years so these are the decisions we are going make in his best interests and hopefully we can set him up to have a long career.”He is now highly unlikely to be included in the large group of Australian players that will head to Queensland later this month to quarantine ahead of a intrasquad match that is set to decide final Ashes selection.Pucovski made his Test debut against India at the SCG in January and that is the last competitive game he played due to a shoulder injury sustained in the match which required reconstructive surgery.Related
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Although there remains hope he could feature in the yet-to-be-confirmed third Shield game between Victoria and New South Wales, the condensed nature of the Ashes schedule and his lack of cricket means it is increasingly likely he may not feature at all.”No doubt there’s a lot of frustration for him, he wants to be playing,” Rogers said. “It’s an interesting one as well, he hasn’t played for seven [nine] months so to walk straight back into the caldron and perform against very good opposition that’s going to be really difficult. The decision is to look after him and allow him a bit more time to prepare in the right way rather than rush him into matches that will have a lot of intensity and scrutiny.”In this situation there’s a strong desire to get him into that Australian side because he’s such a talent player but…there’s got to be some thought about what’s in his best interest and how that plans out. He’s still so young, there’s so much time left in the game for him so no need to rush him back into a Test series when he hasn’t even played professional cricket and isn’t 100%.”Pucovski’s absence would leave his Victoria team-mate Marcus Harris as the likely opening partner for David Warner at the Gabba – the same pairing that featured against India in January. Harris started his season with a second-innings century against New South Wales to follow his strong returns with Leicestershire.Usman Khawaja, who has made two Shield hundreds this season, will also be in the frame but could be considered for a middle-order position with the No. 5 spot yet to be locked in. Travis Head has made a strong case with a productive start for South Australia and had previously been recalled for the postponed South Africa tour earlier this year having been dropped midway through the India series.
Sol Campbell believes seven members of Arsenal’s current squad would have been good enough to play some part for the club’s historic ‘Invincibles’.
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Gunners last landed Premier League title in 2003-04
Completed that entire top-flight campaign unbeaten
Arteta hoping to enjoy similar success with class of 2025
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Back in 2003-04, the last time that the Gunners lifted the Premier League title, the north London outfit completed an entire top-flight campaign unbeaten. Arsene Wenger was calling the shots back then, while all-time greats such as Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp formed part of star-studded ranks.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
England international Campbell was a defensive rock, with the classy centre-half savouring two championship wins and a couple of FA Cup triumphs during his iconic first spell with Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s class of 2024-25 are hoping to enjoy similar success in the present and immediate future.
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WHAT SOL CAMPBELL SAID
They have plenty of talent at their disposal and Campbell – speaking as part of the campaign – told GOAL when asked who could make it into the fabled ‘Invincibles’: “The two centre-halves – [William] Salbia, definitely, and Gabriel for sure. I think [Bukayo] Saka as well. [Martin] Odegaard looks like he could do a bit back in the day for us. [Gabriel] Martinelli as well, he can be incredible. [Jurrien] Timber is looking really good. Also [David] Raya, the keeper.
“It’s difficult because the physicality was different for a keeper. You would have to deal with guys that would really block you in. This blocking the keeper has been around a long time in football – Stoke used to do it, Wimbledon back in the day. It’s not new rocket science now, blocking players or keepers, or blocking paths. It’s just about being clever with it.”
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DID YOU KNOW?
Campbell was joined in Wenger’s starting XI on a regular basis in 2003-04 by versatile Ivorian Kolo Toure, with the pair forging quite the centre-half partnership. Saliba and Gabriel now provide the steel at the heart of Arsenal’s defence and are considered by many to be the most formidable duo in European football.