Tag Futebol

A Erling Braut Haaland brace wasn’t enough to prevent Borussia Monchengladbach from leapfrogging Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga but Manchester United’s long-term transfer target delivered a masterclass on Friday night.

Haaland scored twice to help Dortmund take the lead but Gladbach hit back in style, capitalising on a dreadful defensive performance from the visitors to smash home four goals and leave Edin Terzic facing questions about his future.

The 20-year-old has now bagged four goals and an assist in just three Bundesliga games against the Foals.

Reports in recent months have revealed that Haaland finds himself on the Red Devils’ radar amid interest from Premier League rivals Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Juventus.

Chelsea will be in the market for a new striker given their ongoing offensive struggles, whilst United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is seeking to bolster his firepower, even after the arrival of Edinson Cavani last year.

With Haaland sharing the same agent as Paul Pogba, United could well use the Frenchman to swing a move in their favour.

Primarily a centre-forward, the Norwegian has burst onto the European scene over the past couple of years. Haaland has made 13 Bundesliga appearances so far this season and has 14 goals and two assists to show for his 13 starts, with Dortmund currently adrift of Champions League contention as they lie fifth in the table.

Having excelled for Dortmund, it’s no surprise he is currently averaging a WhoScored rating of 7.57, that being one of the best of all strikers in the German top flight, second only to a certain Bayern Munich striker by the name of Robert Lewandowski.

Against Gladbach last night, Haaland showed why he could be Solskjaer’s game-changer. One of his best traits is his ability to hold on to the ball and burst into the box.

While some strikers may look to rely on playmakers to create opportunities, Haaland tries his best to make things happen for Dortmund, as evident by his 0.8 dribbles per game in the Bundesliga this season. Averaging at least one dribble across all competitions per match suggests that on the whole he is more successful than it otherwise might appear.

Whilst he couldn’t complete a successful dribble from his solitary attempt, the €200m-rated (£178m) Norway international had more shots (3) than almost every player from either side apart from Jadon Sancho and also scored on two occasions, notching an impressive 66% conversion rate – a total contrast to Sancho, who failed to find the back of the net from three attempts.

His predatory instincts inside the box were there for all to see, proving that he is prepared to put the graft in to push forward, which is exactly why he would be a fine fit for the Red Devils.

Speaking to Bundesliga.com, Augsburg striker Alfred Finnbogason dubbed Haaland a “natural talent” – only Lewandowski has scored more goals in the Bundesliga this season.

AND in other news, Manchester United still want to sign Leon Bailey from Bayer Leverkusen…

Celtic captain Scott Brown must stick around at Parkhead and it would be ‘crazy’ not to have him around next season.

Sutton speaks out

Those are the words of former Bhoys striker Chris Sutton, who has had to witness an unusual turn of events at his old club this season.

Neil Lennon’s side are currently 19 points behind arch-rivals Rangers with three games in hand, and they have had to put up with protests calling for his dismissal following their early exit from the Europa League.

On top of this, the Irish tactician has often opted to drop Brown in favour of youngsters Ismaila Soro and David Turnbull, who have been impressive this season for the Hoops.

Writing in his Daily Record column, Sutton believes that Brown must be retained at all costs.

“Scott Brown must stay,” he said. “Regardless of whether Celtic win or lose the race for Ten In A Row.

“He’s been sat on the sidelines in other recent matches as Ismaila Soro has taken his place and really cemented a spot in the side.

“It all points to a career winding down. An inspirational skipper who is coming to the end of the road with a contract expiring at the end of the season.”

Sutton continued: “But I’ll tell you one thing. With so much uncertainty around Celtic and huge upheaval looming in the coming months, it would be crazy not to have Brown around that dressing room for 2021-22.

“I’m not saying he should be playing 20 or 25 games. It might only be five or 10. As he turns 36 years of age of June, it might not be any.

“But I still feel he needs to be there and there’s a reason for coming to this definitive conclusion.”

Transfer Tavern Verdict

Brown has been sensational for Celtic over the years and has been the driving force of his team’s dominance in Scottish football.

Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney recently described him as the “perfect” leader and was in awe of his qualities, which supporters will be fully aware of.

Someone with that sort of presence in the dressing room should have the chance to stick around at the club. Brown is Mr Celtic and Parkhead will be a strange place without him.

In other news – Celtic due to receive short windfall on the back of transfer concerning former Bhoys’ star.

MatériaMais Notícias

Em texto anterior a este, o signatário propunha sete ações para o melhor desenvolvimento do calendário do futebol brasileiro. A terceira delas, priorização do Brasileirão, foi objeto da última redação. A quarta delas, redução do número de jogos para os grandes clubes, é objeto do presente escrito.

É sabido que o número de jogos por temporada dos grandes clubes brasileiros é excessivo. Tal fato impede que os jogadores deste clubes tenham o tempo apropriado para treinamentos físicos e técnicos – o que compromete a qualidade dos espetáculos e, consequentemente, prejudica os clubes do ponto de vista comercial.

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Um grande clube brasileiro pode jogar até 90 jogos oficiais por temporada atualmente, a saber:

– 38 jogos pelo Campeonato Brasileiro.

– 24 jogos pelo conjunto Libertadores da América / Copa Sulamericana / Copa do Brasil.

– 19 jogos pelos Campeonatos Estaduais.

– Cinco jogos pela Copa Sul / Minas / Rio.

– Dois jogos pela Recopa Sulamericana.

– Dois jogos pelo Mundial de Clubes.

Esse excessivo número de jogos oficias por temporada de grandes clubes pode, e deve, ser reduzido. Uma alternativa é que um grande clube faça um máximo de 74 jogos oficiais por temporada, a saber:

– 38 jogos pelo Campeonato Brasileiro.

– 16 jogos pela Libertadores da América ou Copa Sulamericana (clube que jogar um das competições, não joga a outra).

– Nove jogos pela Copa do Brasil (ou oito jogos pela Copa do Brasil e um jogo pela Supercopa do Brasil).

– Nove jogos pela Competições Periféricas (Campeonatos Estaduais e Campeonatos Regionais que, no agregado, teriam esse número de datas à disposição).

– Dois jogos pela Recopa Sulamericana.

Como se vê, é perfeitamente possível fazer com que o total de jogos oficiais por temporada dos grandes clubes seja menor. A redução da quantidade de jogos dos maiores clubes significa melhor qualidade do futebol apresentado pelos mesmos. O futebol brasileiro agradece.

* Luis Filipe Chateaubriand é consultor de conteúdo do Bom Senso Futebol Clube e autor da obra “Um Calendário de Bom Senso para o Futebol Brasileiro”

MatériaMais Notícias

A primeira rodada do Campeonato Goiano ganhou uma expectativa de proporções mundiais. Convivendo com a euforia do Prêmio Puskás concedido pela Fifa a Wendell Lira, a competição terá como atração neste domingo a provável estreia do atacante pelo Vila Nova. Estreia logo no clássico diante do Goiás, clube que revelou Lira, às 17h, no Serra Dourada.

O jogador de 27 anos será homenageado antes de a bola rolar, mas acompanhará o início do clássico do banco. Ele não está no mesmo nível dos demais fisicamente.

– Wendell trouxe uma mídia muito grande para o Vila. Mas, ao mesmo tempo, aumentou nossa responsabilidade, e teremos de lutar para manter o nível que conseguimos para garantir o título da Série C – afirmou Márcio Fernandes, técnico do Vila Nova, ao LANCE!.

Já o Goiás aposta na reformulação feita para 2016. Novamente comandado por Enderson Moreira, o Esmeraldino terá Juninho, ex-Figueirense, Wendel, ex-Sport, e Daniel Carvalho, ex-Botafogo, como algumas das atrações hoje.

ANÁPOLIS PROMETE SURPREENDER

O domingo ainda será de clássico entre Anapolina e Anápolis, no Jonas Duarte. O Anápolis é comandado por Ramon Menezes e aposta em Toró, ex-Flamengo, e Lenílson, ex-São Paulo, para surpreender.

GOIANÉSIA, EX-TIME DE LIRA, TEM NONATO E ROMERITO

Os festejos por Wendell Lira não ficarão restritos ao clássico em Goiânia. Distante 174 quilômetros da capital, Goianésia também será palco de homenagem para Wendell Lira, que estará “presente” em dois jogos ao mesmo tempo. Como? Os jogadores do Goianésia, time pelo qual Lira marcou o gol que lhe rendeu o Puskás, entrarão em campo diante do Itumbiara, no Valdeir de Oliveira, também às 17h, com uma camisa temática sobre o histórico gol.

Semifinalista nas duas últimas edições do Campeonato Goiano – em ambas com Lira no elenco –, o Goianésia tem seus trunfos para seguir incomodando. O veterano atacante Nonato, de 36 anos, buscará a terceira artilharia consecutiva do Goiano. Já Romerito, companheiro de Nonato e Lira como atleta no Goianésia, tem sua primeira experiência como técnico no próprio Azulão do Vale.

– O Wendell trabalhou muitos anos aqui. A lembrança é boa. Pena que a gente não pode contar com ele. Mas estamos empenhados, e vamos usar o fator casa para tentar competir com Goiás e Atlético-GO – disse o agora treinador, ao LANCE!.

Já o Itumbiara tem como principais atrações para o Goiano-2016 o zagueiro Gladstone e o volante Léo Gago, ambos com passagens por grandes clubes do futebol brasileiro.

Leeds United had an incredibly exciting January transfer window, and it all culminated in the £17m signing of Raphinha on deadline day.

Unfortunately, almost a month on from the Brazilian’s arrival, we’re yet to see much of him as he’s played just 15 minutes of Premier League football since arriving.

You don’t splash out £17m on a player just for him to rot on the bench, but right now, it’s hard to see where his first start comes from.

The old adage is ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ and Leeds are in absolute dreamland at the moment in the Premier League.

They sit sixth in the table after six games, and two men they have to thank for their brilliant start to life back in the top-flight are Jack Harrison and Helder Costa.

Costa has been in unbelievable form this term, scoring twice and assisting a further two, while Harrison has been arguably Leeds’ top creative force, with an xA 1.4 higher than any other United player this season.

Raphinha would have to do an almighty job in training to convince Bielsa to drop either of his wingers, and even then, that might not be enough.

He’s been impressive in his cameo appearances so far, with Noel Whelan speaking highly him recently, but that hasn’t been enough to sway the manager so far.

“From what we have seen of him so far, he looks a really good signing.” Whelan said.

“He is quick, direct and good with both feet. He is a player that can open up defences and has an eye for goal. That is definitely the sort of player that Marcelo Bielsa likes and it is great that he can play on either side.

“A great talent and every time he has come on for the first team he has added something. He has bags of pace and is a danger going forward.”

Bielsa has shown great loyalty to his starting XI over the years at Leeds, let’s not forget he refused to drop Patrick Bamford despite his poor run of form and Eddie Nketiah’s emergence, but that decision has eventually paid off as Bamford has repaid that faith this season, netting six goals in his first six games.

Of course, Raphinha will get some starts this season, but it’s really tough to predict when he’ll get his first shot in the starting XI.

MatériaMais Notícias

Após 28 dias, os jogadores do Fluminense se reapresentaram na tarde desta segunda-feira, nas Laranjeiras. O grupo se junta a Richarlison e Felipe Amorim, reforços que serão apresentados pelo clube até o fim da tarde.

Os atletas farão exames clínicos e, na terça-feira pela manhã, seguem para Orlando, nos Estados Unidos, onde disputarão a Florida Cup, na pré-temporada.

O zagueiro Henrique, que está no Napoli, da Itália, deve se juntar ao grupo até o fim da semana, já que é aguardado até quinta-feira para exames e assinatura do contrato por três temporadas.

Alguns dos jogadores, porém, que estão nas Laranjeiras nesta reapresentação podem não seguir com o time para os Estados Unidos, já que não fazem parte dos planos o técnico Eduardo Baptista.

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Speaking to Football Insider, former Tottenham midfielder Michael Brown has tipped the club to go for Swansea City defender Joe Rodon as a ‘typical’ signing whilst also lavishing praise on Spurs manager Jose Mourinho. 

After a summer of numerous marquee deals, with six new additions in total coming through the door at Hotspur Way, Brown has waxed lyrical over the ‘very exciting’ business being done and has tipped Spurs to bring in a seventh new player before Friday’s transfer deadline.

Rodon still on Spurs’ radar

Rodon, who emerged as a target in the final hours of deadline day, was reportedly ‘close’ to a Tottenham move according to Sky Sports, but journalist Alasdair Gold has claimed they are still in talks.

Football Insider echoed this report, stating Daniel Levy submitted a fresh £13m bid for the 22-year-old earlier this week.

Tottenham have already signed Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Joe Hart, Matt Doherty, Sergio Reguilon and Carlos Vinicius whilst securing the return of club icon Gareth Bale on loan.

According to these recent reports, the 6 foot 4 (1.93m) Swansea powerhouse could be set to join them before the domestic transfer deadline on Friday.

Brown very excited about Rodon

Brown has issued his take on these developments, claiming the Welshman could be a ‘typical’ Lilywhites signing who Mourinho can mould into a world-class asset.

“I think it’s very exciting with all the signings coming in,” the 43-year-old explained to Football Insider.

“I think anybody can be moulded by Jose Mourinho, he’s got that special talent that we’ve seen. He says he’s the special one, as we know.

“He’s a very experienced manager, someone you’d want to play for and it’s a typical sort of Spurs signing, isn’t it?”

Transfer Tavern take

Still only 22, Rodon has already been described as a ‘quiet leader’, with Wales international teammates Bale and Ben Davies reportedly being huge admirers.

A regular for the Swans last term, Rodon has already displayed his consistency at Championship level; and at good value for money (£15m and upwards), he could be a noteworthy signing if Spurs get him.

Lilywhites, should your club sign Rodon before Friday’s deadline? Have your say in the comments section below…

The impossible is slowly but surely turning into likely or even expected – Lionel Messi is set to leave Barcelona after almost 20 years of service and playing under the same banner his whole career. And Manchester City are waiting to take him to the Premier League.

The Argentine has now missed the initial pre-training tests at the camp and is likely to also miss Ronald Koeman’s first training session today as well. All of this certainly points towards an almost definite separation.

But Man City should also be really optimistic because according to Terry Gibson, Barcelona themselves would love nothing more than to actually sell the Argentine in the ongoing summer transfer window.

Here’s what he said for Sky Sports’ Transfer Talk podcast: “It’s a sign now that there is going to be a war between Barcelona and Messi. If you’re asking me what is going to happen eventually, I think Manchester City are the favourites now. But part of me thinks (Josep) Bartomeu and Ronald Koeman want to see Messi out of the door now.

“They want to eradicate his wage bill, Luis Suarez’s wage bill, the team needs rebuilding. If Barcelona can get the transfer fee from Manchester City, get Messi off the wage bill and try to pin the blame on Messi, that’s the outcome which suits Bartomeu, Ronald Koeman, and the outcome that will suit Manchester City.”

The Catalans have been struggling with their wage bill and do have enormous financial issues. Selling Messi, however weird that may sound, could potentially throw them a lifeline.

Of course, Pep Guardiola is just waiting for that to happen and then he’ll pull the trigger.

Verdict

There have been various different discussions of whether Messi would fit in at Man City. He’s 33 now and doesn’t exactly run too much and the Citizens are all about intensity, speed and aggression.

But are we really discussing whether adding the world’s best player to a team would indeed make that team better? It does seem like a no-brainer.

Inter Milan have signed Alexis Sanchez from Manchester United on a three-year deal, reports say. 

Sanchez, 31, has spent the past season on loan at the San Siro since joining the Serie A side in August 2019. The 132-cap Chile international scored four goals for Antonio Conte’s side in all competitions.

Man United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed he will move to Milan on a permanent deal.

Speaking after United’s Europa League win over LASK, Solskjaer said the deal would be announced today.

According to the BBC’s Simon Stone, Inter expect to be able to use him for the Europa League last eight. Goals from former Premier League players Romelu Lukaku and Christian Eriksen saw the Nerazzurri reach the quarter-finals on Wednesday night.

“I can confirm that he’s agreed and we’ve agreed,” Solskjaer said. “Alexis enjoyed his time there.

“They’ve liked him, so of course that’s a good move for him. Wish him all the best. He’s a top player, that we want to see play his best football.

“For whatever reason we didn’t see the best of Alexis, but he’s a top professional and we just wish him all the best.”

The Chilean will receive a payout from the Red Devils for cancelling his contract at Old Trafford, which still has two years left to run in theory.

His departure will bring to an end the long-running saga which has plagued the club’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward for years.

United beat Manchester City to his signature, signing him from Arsenal on a four-and-a-half year deal with wages worth £400,000-a-week.

Sadly Sanchez failed to live up to expectations, having only scored five goals in 45 games for the Red Devils, and the board will be glad to get him off the books for good.

The veteran was involved in a bust-up with academy graduate Mason Greenwood during pre-season training (The Sun).

However, Sanchez has shown early signs of a revival under Conte, scoring in the 3-0 victory over Genoa last month.

Regardless, finally ridding themselves of a player who has done more harm than good could pave the way for United to sign Solskjaer’s top target Jadon Sancho instead.

United fans, are you happy to see Sanchez leave? Let us know down below!

كشف الإستوني، راجنار كلافان، مدافع فريق ليفربول السابق وبايد ليناميسكوند الحالي، أن يورجن كلوب المدير الفني للريدز، والقائد الثاني لحمُر الميرسيسايد، ميلنر، كان سيحدث بينهما عراك بالأيدي، وذلك في موسم 2017/2018.

كلافان خلال حديثه أوضح أنه في يناير 2017 خلال فترة البوكسينج داي، بعد تعادل ليفربول مع سندرلاند بنتيجة 2-2 في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، حيث كاد أن يشتبك الثنائي قبل أن يتراجع ميلنر في النهاية.

وقال كلافان في تصريحات نقلتها شبكة “جول” العالمية في نسختها الإنجليزية: “كان هُناك ضغط كبير خلال فترة أعياد الميلاد وبداية شهر يناير”.

وأضاف: “في إحدى المرات، كانت هُناك مباراة ضد سندرلاند خارج ملعبنا، وكاد أن يكون شجار بالأيدي بين كلوب وجيمس ميلنر، كان ذلك في فترة البوكسينج داي، وكان يبدو أن سيكون هُناك قتال فيما بينهما لكن في النهاية تراجع ميلنر”.

وواصل: “لقد رأيت في عين كلوب أنه كان سيقطع كل شيء من أجل فقط إثبات وجهة نظره، وهذا الوقت كان أكثر الأوقات إرهاقًا بالنسبة له أيضًا، لقد كان تحت ضغط كبير”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مدافع ليفربول السابق: راموس تعمد إصابة محمد صلاح لمصلحة ريال مدريد

وأكمل: “لقد كانت سنتي الأولى والثانية لكلوب، ماذا سيفعل؟ من المفترض أن يكون مدربًا جيدًا، أنت يورجن كلوب الذي ستجعل نجومًا مميزين بين جميع اللاعبين، لكن كان هُناك ضغط كبير عليه”.

وأردف: “كلوب كان مُختلفًا عن المدربين الآخرين الذين عملت معهم، في الاجتماعات مع الفريق لم يكرر نفسه أبدًا، لقد كان يتحدث دائمًا من زاوية مُختلفة”.

وأتم تصريحاته قائلًا: “لقد كان دائمًا يشعر باللاعب وبالفريق جيدًا، كان يعرف متي يقول ماذا إذا رأى أن هُناك مشكلة ما في الفريق، يُمكنه حل الأمر بمزحة بسيطة، لقد كان يستطيع قراءة الفريق بشكل جيد للغاية”.