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Tottenham could battle Aston Villa in the race to sign German defender Matthias Ginter this summer, according to Lyall Thomas.

The Lowdown: Defensive reinforcements needed?

Steven Gerrard could be a busy man this summer ahead of his first full season in charge at Villa Park.

Reports have suggested that eight players could be moved on from the Midlands, with Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa’s futures under scrutiny.

Should the pair depart, Villa would be left with just two senior centre-backs and then surely need to dip into the market, where it looks as if Ginter could be the first major deal.

The Latest: Thomas’ post

Sky Sports reporter Thomas took to Twitter on Tuesday afternoon to provide an update on Ginter. He confirmed that Villa are ‘interested’ in Ginter on a free transfer, with Premier League rivals Tottenham and West Ham also watching the World Cup winner this season.

“Aston Villa among the clubs interested in Matthias Ginter on a free transfer, acc. to Sky Germany. Separately, I’m aware he has been watched by a lot of top clubs this season including Juventus, Tottenham and West Ham.”

The Verdict: Sign

Gerrard is looking to take Villa to the next level, and bringing in an experienced centre-back on a free transfer could be an ideal move.

Ginter, who can also play as a full-back and in midfield, is valued at £21.6m and has bundles of top-flight experience in Germany as well as in European competitions and for his country. [Transfermarkt]

He appears to be a man in demand, so securing his services for nothing over the coming months could prove to be a coup and shouldn’t impact the club’s big £150m summer spending plans.

In other news: Gerrard and Lange now eyeing another free transfer for ‘superstar’ attacker. 

Ange Postecoglou has dropped a promising injury update concerning Celtic left-back Greg Taylor.

What’s the latest?

In recent comments cited by The Herald, the 56-year-old Bhoys boss revealed that, despite being brought off with a knock in Celtic’s 2-1 victory over Rangers last weekend, the defender does not look to have sustained a serious injury – with his withdrawal coming as a result of cramp.

Speaking about the condition of the 24-year-old, the Greek-Australian manager said: “Greg was just cramp.”

Supporters will be buzzing

Considering how important a part of the Celtic side Taylor has become under the management of Postecoglou, the news that the left-back has not picked up a long-term injury is sure to have left the Parkhead faithful buzzing.

Indeed, over his 18 Premiership appearances this season, the £1.58m-rated defender has highly impressed on the left of the Hoops backline, helping his side keep seven clean sheets, registering one assist and creating two big chances for his teammates.

The Scotland international has also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 1.2 key passes, one interception, 1.6 tackles, 1.1 clearances and winning 4.3 duels per fixture, with these returns seeing the £15.5k-per-week full-back average a SofaScore match rating of 6.92.

And, while last weekend’s Old Firm victory has afforded Celtic some breathing room at the top of the Premiership table, Postecoglou will be well aware that his side cannot afford to let themselves believe the job is already done in their bid to reclaim their Scottish crown this season.

As such, the news that the club’s first-choice left-back does not look as if he will miss any of the club’s upcoming fixtures is undoubtedly a major boost for the 56-year-old and his side, as well as being relieving for the Bhoys supporters.

AND in other news: Sources: Celtic now in talks over “important” Lennoxtown deal, Ange will be buzzing

تغلب فريق مانشستر سيتي على ضيفه تشيلسي بثنائية دون رد وحسم تأهله لدور الـ 16 من كأس رابطة الأندية الإنجليزية.

واستقبل مانشستر سيتي نظيره تشيلسي على ملعب “الاتحاد” بدور الـ 32 في كأس كاراباو موسم 2022/23. أهداف مباراة مانشستر سيتي وتشيلسي

بداية مباراة مانشستر سيتي وتشيلسي

بدأ مانشستر سيتي بداية جيدة مع كثير من الضغط على دفاع تشيلسي، وأرسل سيرجيو جوميز عرضية ولكن الكرة تمر من أمام المهاجمين.

وبالدقيقة 8 سدد بروخا بقوة من خارج منطقة جزاء فوق مرمى أورتيجا.

وعقب ذلك جاءت محاولة خطيرة للسيتي، حيث وصلت الكرة إلى جوليان ألفاريز داخل منطقة الجزاء، ويسددد بقوة ولكنها تصطدم بدفاع تشيلسي وتخرج لركنية.

بحلول الدقيقة العاشرة استلم جريليش الكرة على حدود منطقة الجزاء وسدد بقوة بجوار القائم الأيمن لتشيلسي.

وفي الدقيقة 13 جاءت فرصة خطيرة لتشيلسي بعد انطلاقة زياش الذي أرسل عرضية استلمها بوليسيتش وسدد لكن أورتيجا حارس المرمى أبعدها بقدمه.  فرصة  بوليسيتش وتصدي أورتيجا

واصل أورتيجا تألقه وحرم تشيلسي من فرصة في الدقيقة 23، بعد انطلاقة من بوليسيتش وتسديدة من خارج منطقة الجزاء، ولكن الحارس الأرجنتيني تصدى. تصدي أورتيجا 

ولاحت فرصة للسيتي في الدقيقة 29 عقب تمريرة رائعة من جوندوجان إلى ألفاريز داخل منطقة الجزاء ولكنه سدد بجوار القائم الأيمن لتشيلسي.

بالدقيقة 41 كانت هناك محاولة خطيرة أخرى من مانشستر سيتي بتسديدة من جريليش من خارج منطقة الجزاء، ولكن ميندي حارس تشيلسي يتدخل ويتصدى في التوقيت المناسب.

واصل أورتيجا التألق بتصدٍ جديد لتسديدة هال من داخل منطقة الجزاء ليحرم البلوز من فرصة للتسجيل بالدقيقة 44. تصدي أورتيجا لتسديدة هال 

وأجرى جوارديولا تبديلين للسيتي في الدقيقة 50 بخروج رودريجو وجوندوجان ومشاركة برناردو سيلفا وكالفن فيليبس.

وتحصل مانشستر سيتي على خطأ، وتوجه رياض محرز لتسديد ركلة حرة وسدد من خارج منطقة الجزاء ليسجل الهدف الأول لفريقه بالدقيقة 55. هدف رياض محرز في مباراة مانشستر سيتي وتشيلسي

بعد دقيقة، جاءت تسديدة قوية من حكيم زياش من على حدود منطقة الجزاء فوق عارضة أورتيجا.

ولم يمهل أصحاب الأرض الضيوف كثيرًا، ومرر جريليش كرة لمحرز الذي أرسل عرضية رائعة تجاه ألفاريز ليسدد في الشباك ويسجل الهدف الثاني لمانشستر سيتي في الدقيقة 58.

بالدقيقة 68 أجرى جراهام بوتر أربعة تبديلات تشيلسي بمشاركة ستيرلينج وماونت وجالاجير وأزبيليكويتا وخروج زياش وبروخا ودينيس زكريا وتشالوباه.  

واصل أورتيجا تصدياته الرائعة وتمكن من التصدي لتسديدة بوليسيتش من داخل منطقة الجزاء في الدقيقة 73.

بالدقيقة 75 أجرى بوتر تبديل آخر لتشيلسي بخروج هال ومشاركة هافيرتز، كما أجرى جوارديولا تبديلاً للسيتي بمشاركة أكي بدلاً من لابورت.

وبالدقيقة 88 أهدر ماسون ماونت فرصة حيث سدد كرة قوية لكن مرت جوار قائم أورتيجا. 

وبالدقيقة 90 سجل ناثان أكي بالخطأ في مرمى فريقه مانشستر سيتي لصالح تشيلسي، لكن لم يحتسب الهدف مع وجود تسلل على كاي هافيرتز. 

انتهت المباراة بفوز مانشستر سيتي بهدفين دون رد ليحسم تأهله لدور الـ 16 وستقام القرعة مساء الخميس عقب مباراة مانشستر يونايتد وأستون فيلا. 

Cricket South Africa have announced a new-look Under-19 squad for the Zimbabwe tour, retaining only two players from the side that played the youth World Cup in Zew Zealand earlier this year. Keaton Jennings has been named as the captain of the side which will be coached by his father, former South Africa coach Ray Jennings.”This is a younger squad with many new faces who have been part of the database of players that we have been monitoring over the past months. We are starting with the build-up to the 2012 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, where the majority of the players will be eligible to play so this will be a wonderful opportunity to harness the talent we have,” said Niels Momberg, CSA’s Youth Cricket Manager.”We had a terrific crop of under-19 players that took part at the World Cup this year and we have seen players like Dominic Hendricks, Cody Chetty, Graham Hume and Colin Ackermann making names for themselves and moving onto the next level of their cricket careers. I’m sure this next squad will be headed in the same direction,” he said.The tour will feature five limited-overs matches and two Pro20 fixtures in Harare.Squad: Keaton Jennings (capt), Gihaan Cloete, David Bunn, James Price, Simon Khomari, Johan du Preez (wk), Dwaine Calder, Calvin Savage, Keagan Rafferty, Chad Fortune, Rabian Engelbrecht, Quinton de Kock, Riyaad Henry, Lionel Vaaltyn, Diego Rosier

Frank Lampard was joined by Duncan Ferguson and his new squad of players at Finch Farm on Monday, where he held his first training session ahead of the FA Cup clash this weekend against Brentford, but there were some notable absences.

A double injury blow was delivered last week in a club statement on the website when it was confirmed that Abdoulaye Doucoure would miss at least four weeks of football.

That came after sustaining an injury in the 65th minute of the game against Aston Villa earlier this month at Goodison Park, where he was immediately subbed off due to a groin problem.

The other injury blow is a further setback for Fabian Delph. The 32-year-old has been struggling to maintain fitness throughout the season with just six appearances in the Premier League so far, and will remain sidelined for a little longer as he sustained a thigh problem in training last week, so will join Doucoure in rehabilitation at the club.

The absence of experienced players in the side is already a huge blow for Lampard, who will be working on developing how he can put his best foot forward in building his team, implementing his new signings alongside Everton’s existing crop of players.

Doucoure, especially, will be a big miss for the side as he has been one of the more impactful players in his position this season, playing a key role in the midfield this season when he has been available to play.

Owen Hargreaves was even quoted as saying “He’s much like [N’golo] Kante” earlier this term after his outstanding performance vs Burnley.

The 29-year-old has provided versatility playing a number of roles in midfield, displaying both offensive and defensive attributes, with two goals and four assists from outside of the box already for the Toffees, as well as winning the majority of his duels and being successful in a large percentage of his dribbles in the Premier League this season so far according to SofaScore.

Of course, the club has since bolstered their ranks with the signings of Dele Alli and Donny van de Beek but Doucoure’s injury will still be frustrating for Lampard as he seeks to make an instant impact on Everton’s season by playing his strongest team. It also presents a major dilemma as to how he selects his team in the opening month of his tenure.

Evidently, without the combative midfielder they are a weaker team so sourcing a solution immediately will be of utmost importance to the Chelsea legend.

With an FA Cup challenge imminent and the return of the Premier League just after, the side will be desperate to pick up points to avoid a potential relegation battle towards the end of the campaign.

In other news: Frank Lampard’s predicted XI for new era

Leeds United remain interested in signing Nottingham Forest starlet Brennan Johnson.

What’s the story?

Reports in the January transfer window suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s side were interested in landing the 20-year-old, but a deal failed to materialise before the end of the deadline.

Football Insider have now claimed that while Forest are preparing new contract talks with the youngster over staying at the club, Leeds are continuing to monitor him ahead of a potential move.

He was fantastic against Arsenal in the FA Cup

Sabri Lamouchi, Johnson’s former manager at Forest, hailed him not just as an “unbelievable player” but also one with the “right mentality” – exactly the kind of words which will have Bielsa nodding his head in appreciation.

The starlet enjoyed an impressive campaign on loan at Lincoln City in League One last season, scoring ten goals and providing a further twelve assists in the league – his displays were key as they made the play-off final, losing to Blackpool 2-1 despite him setting up a goal at Wembley.

It’s no surprise then that he has kicked on once again, this time in the Championship.

The 20-year-old has bagged seven goals and provided another five assists in 30 games across all competitions, playing in a whopping seven different positions, including stints on either flank, and through the middle on his own as well.

His performance in the FA Cup earlier this year against Ben White and Arsenal was a particular highlight.

Despite not getting on the scoresheet himself in that famous victory over the Gunners, he completely destroyed the north Londoners’ full-back Nuno Tavares, and he got the better of former Leeds defender White as well.

As per Sofascore, he attempted two dribbles, provided one key pass, sent in two crosses and also managed one interception, regularly being spotted doing his defensive work.

Writing in her post-match player ratings for The Nottingham Post, Sarah Clapson gave him the joint-highest score of a nine, saying: “Had the measure of Nuno Tavares early on, so much so the Gunners man suffered the indignity of a first half substitution. Continued to put the visitors on the back foot with his awesome pace.”

Johnson’s performance in that game at the City Ground showed exactly why he would be an exciting signing for Bielsa and Leeds if they can eventually land him.

Meanwhile, Phil Hay has delivered an update on this Leeds United transfer target…

MatériaMais Notícias

MatériaMais Notícias

Muito criticado pela torcida ao longo da temporada, o goleiro Alex Muralha terá a oportunidade de dar a volta por cima neste fim de ano. Com a fratura sofrida por Diego Alves – sofrida na partida contra o Junior Barranquilla, o reserva entra novamente em ação, de novo num momento-chave. Ele foi mal em disputas de pênalti pelo Rubro-Negro e recebeu rejeição.

Antes de voltar à ativa contra o Barranquilla, Muralha não conseguiu ajudar muito no segundo jogo da Copa do Brasil. Ele não sofreu gols no Mineirão, mas foi criticado por escolher sempre o lado direito ao tentar defender os pênaltis na disputa que consagrou o Cruzeiro como campeão. Diego Alves não disputou o torneio porque não foi inscrito dentro do prazo.

O técnico Reinaldo Rueda pediu apoio dos torcedores a Muralha neste momento. O treinador conteve a massa rubro-negro quando teve de substituir Diego Alves, fazendo gestos com as mãos, clamando por suporte.

– Hoje, precisamos mais do que nunca do apoio da torcida, temos que apoiar a todos. Muralha está trabalhando muito bem. Deus premia os homens bons. Agora é tocar a oportunidade. Em algum momento falei com alguns torcedores, os torcedores tem que seguir apoiando o Flamengo até a morte, são rubro-negros desde que nasceram. Estamos juntos, temos jogadores com bom comportamento, com grande esforço. Temos que dar uma segunda oportunidade a todos – disse.

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Muralha disputou 38 partidas neste ano, mais do que as 24 de Diego Alves. O segundo chegou ao clube após muitos pedidos da torcida pela falta de confiança em Muralha. Agora, novamente, o destino colocou o goleiro como responsável por defender a meta rubro-negra. Chegou a hora da redenção?

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan has said the ground conditions at the Shere Bangla National Stadium are “almost unplayable and unfit to play” with regard to the evening dew. In fact, he proposed that the subsequent games in the tri-nation tournament start earlier to avoid such a situation.”It was almost impossible to grip the ball as the dew started at 6:00 pm and we had four spinners in our team,” Shakib said. “If the conditions remain like this, even 300 won’t be difficult to chase. I even discussed the matter with [Kumar] Sangakkara, who agreed. We might speak to the officials and try to change the timing of the games to a 12:00 pm start.”His opposite number, Sangakkara, admitted that the dew was a big issue. “I had spoken to the groundsman earlier and therefore decided to chase,” he said. “Tomorrow this could happen to us. I can understand Shakib’s views but I don’t know what you can do about it [changing the time].”Of course, if the start time changes, it would make for better cricket. But I guess you take the good with the bad. You do feel sorry for the fielding side as dew kicked in the evening.”India captain MS Dhoni had expressed his concerns yesterday. “It would be good if we can start the match at 11:00 am, so that it gets over by 8:30 pm or 9:00 pm, at least an hour earlier than what it is now,” Dhoni said. “That is the time it really gets wet, but we have to play at whatever timings are given to us. We don’t decide on these matters.”The dew certainly played its role today, killing the excitement during the chase as the spinners found it difficult to grip the ball. But the game was lost while batting. It was the first game of the tournament and, ideally, it should have been exciting.However the dull, drab and low-quality contest witnessed half the crowd, which was never strong to begin with, heading for the exits mid-way during the chase. Perhaps it was the cold that was the catalyst behind the exodus, but the quality of play certainly wasn’t rivetting enough for them to brave the elements and come in numbers or stay till the finish.Bangladesh suffered from the old problems that have derailed their progress at the international level. Their top order struggled, rather surprisingly, against bounce on such an easy-paced wicket. The first four wickets all fell to short-pitched deliveries.Interestingly, around the time of the toss, the top order were practicing pull shots. They stood in line and kept pulling the balls which were thrown at them on to a net flung to their left. One was curious whether they were expecting short deliveries on this track or were they simply practicing big swings to the on side?And when it came, it didn’t seem like a plan. “On these wickets, you can’t go with a short-ball plan,” Sangakkara said. “But we found out that they were facing some problems with bounce and Suranga Lakmal later exploited it well.”Chanaka Welegedera bowled one short in the fourth over and Imrul Kayes was slow on the pull. The ball brushed the shoulders en route to Sangakkara. Another short ball, in the seventh over from Nuwan Kulasekara, saw Kayes mistime another pull but it cleared midwicket. The third bouncer though, in the 13th over, undid him as he got a fatal top-edge trying to pull.That seemed to kickstart a collapse. Lakmal got one to kick up to Raqibul Hasan’s shoulder height, who stabbed it straight to slips, while Shakib upper cut another lifter straight to thirdman. Mohammad Ashraful and Mahmudullah did the repair job, but on this wicket, with dew waiting to play havoc later in the day, 260 was never going to be enough.

Even though Liverpool have managed to keep a clean sheet in all of their three previous games across all competitions against Arsenal, FC Porto and Southampton, the Reds have managed to concede more goals in the league than Chelsea and Manchester City.

With the upcoming January transfer window on the horizon, it seems as though the club could be in danger of losing one of their defensive players after Football Insider reported that West Ham United are interested in making a move to sign Nat Phillips.

Even though Phillips has only made two senior appearances for Liverpool so far this season, the club should have no plans to allow the defender to join West Ham in January.

Given how he ended up as Liverpool’s second-highest rated player in the Premier League last season with an overall performance rating of 7.29/10 according to WhoScored, Phillips certainly proved himself to everyone at the Merseyside club that he is more than capable of playing for them at a high level.

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In addition to his impressive overall performances in the league last season, the central defender also managed to rack up an average of 4.8 clearances per game, 1.3 tackles per game and 1.2 interceptions per game, highlighting his defensive talents.

Labelled as a “monster” for his efforts in the team last season by Klopp, it’s a shame that Phillips, who is currently valued at £7.2m according to Transfermarkt, has not been given the opportunity to shine once again this time out.

As a result of his impressive season, Liverpool offered the 24-year-old a long-term deal that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2025.

Taking this into account, it would seem rather silly for the Reds to let Phillips go in January after giving him a renewed contract just a few months ago.

With this in mind, it could be in everyone’s best interest if Jurgen Klopp starts to give Phillips some regular game time to make it clear that he is a valued member of the squad that has what it takes to be a long-term option for them in the future.

Furthermore, with Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip now at the age of 30, Klopp could save Liverpool millions by unleashing Phillips once again. Cementing his place in the team could swerve Michael Edwards and co from hunting European shores for a pricey replacement.

In other news: Edwards must seal Klopp’s dream Liverpool deal in “electric” £20m “bulldozer” – opinion