Opener makes 27-ball half-century to make light work of sub-par Blaze target

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Jun-2023Danni Wyatt backed up her semi-final heroics with another blisteringly quick half-century, as Southern Vipers condemned The Blaze to their first defeat of the season across formats, to complete an emphatic defence of their Charlotte Edwards Cup title at New Road.In a contest that stretched into the reserve day following torrential afternoon rain on Saturday, The Blaze limped from their overnight 53 for 4 in 9.3 overs to a sub-par total of 114 for 8 in 20. Shrubsole, who confirmed her retirement at the conclusion of the contest, was duly named Player of the Match after her two early wickets had proven key in denying the tournament pace-makers any chance to set a more imposing total.Their ambitions were blighted on the resumption by the offspin of Charlie Dean, who struck with her first delivery of the day as Sarah Glenn lofted a drive down the throat of long-off for 7, before the dangerous Nadine de Klerk gave herself too much room on the cut and lost her off stump for a run-a-ball 14.At 95 for 6 after 17 overs, The Blaze would have gladly settled for a run-a-ball total of 120, but Vipers’ skipper Georgia Adams denied them any late momentum as Sophie Munro was bowled first-ball for a duck. Mary Taylor bowled her solitary over of the final to close out the innings, picking off Lucy Higham with a slower ball to leave the contest very much in her team’s hands at the interval.Seeing as the Vipers opening pair of Wyatt and Maia Bouchier had racked up an imposing opening stand of 108 in 11 overs against Thunder on Saturday, a target of 115 in 20 scarcely seemed daunting. And sure enough, they clattered off in pursuit of victory, posting 67 inside the first seven overs before Bouchier drove too loosely at Sarah Glenn to be bowled for 25 from 20.By then, however, Wyatt was firmly into her stride, as she cracked along to a 27-ball fifty with 10 fours, including six from her first seven legal deliveries. De Klerk skidded one into an attempted pull to trap her lbw with 26 still needed, and though Ella McCaughan was stumped off Higham before victory was completed, Adams sealed the deal with back-to-back fours, with 34 balls left unused.A summer downpour forced the game into a reserve day•Getty Images

An emphatic victory had seemed on the cards even when play had to be suspended on Saturday afternoon, when The Blaze had struggled to 53 for four in 9.3 overs after choosing to bat first, before lightning in the area took the teams off at 4:35pm.Play was officially abandoned at just after 6pm, following torrential rain, with the decision made to come back on Sunday for the reserve day -bad news for some of the Vipers players who had been due to take advantage of the short break in the season by taking a holiday.In the 57 balls possible before the storm breezed in, former England fast bowler Shrubsole pinned her former international team-mate Tammy Beaumont lbw with a trademark inswinger with the third ball of the innings.She then found Sarah Bryce swinging straight up into the air in the following over as The Blaze slumped to 19 for two, and only reached 34 for two by the end of the powerplay.Spinners Lauren Smith and Georgia Adams then put the batting side into more trouble, with Georgie Boyce caught behind with one that popped, and Kathryn Bryce was bowled through the gate.The Vipers had earlier won their Eliminator against Thunder by 18 runs after half-centuries from Wyatt and Bouchier – with Thunder coming up short in the chase of 191.

With Manchester United looking to welcome players who would suit Ruben Amorim’s system, INEOS are now reportedly preparing a move to sign a former Champions League winner at the manager’s request.

Man Utd transfer news

Whilst Amorim has shown glimpses of what his 3-4-2-1 system is capable of in victory over Manchester City and an impressive Anfield draw against Liverpool, it’s arguably causing more problems than creating solutions so far. The current Manchester United squad, simply put, is just not equipped to play such a system.

It’s a squad which lacks wing-backs in a system which utilises that very role and a squad which arguably features just one centre-back capable of thriving in a back three in Lisandro Martinez. Meanwhile, there’s also a fairly blunt frontline which desperately needs sharpening. So, to say that there’s work to be done would be quite the understatement.

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Whether Manchester United have the means to complete such a transformation remains in question too. The last thing that the Red Devils need is to bump into any profit and sustainability issues when they’ve already flirted with a shock relegation battle once this season, which could yet see the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford depart.

Those sales should put those at Old Trafford in a far healthier position to pursue some much needed fresh faces of their own and that could hand Amorim a solution to his wing-back problem.

According to reports in Spain, INEOS are now preparing a move to sign Achraf Hakimi for Manchester United at Amorim’s request this summer. The Paris Saint-Germain right-back played successfully as a wing-back during his time at Inter Milan, where he won the Serie A, and could now become one of the first signings of the Amorim era.

Given that his contract expires in just over a year too, there could yet be some welcomed room for negotiation in any deal to sign the experienced full-back this summer.

"Elite" Hakimi would solve Man Utd problem

A rising gem at Borussia Dortmund, Champions League winner back at Real Madrid, Serie A winner at Inter Milan and an established star at PSG, Hakimi could now tick off the final big league on the list by joining Manchester United. And given that he wins almost everywhere he goes, the Red Devils could be in for quite a ride if he does put pen to paper in the summer.

PSG boss Luis Enrique has been among those to praise the 26-year-old Moroccon this season, telling reporters as relayed by Morocco World News: “He’s becoming more well-rounded, especially on the defensive side.

“Hakimi is an elite player with vast experience and serves as a reference for his teammates. I think he’s more mature compared to last season, and that reflects his development.”

The Spaniard’s praise suggests that Hakimi is at the peak of his powers, making now the best time for Manchester United to move in on their reported target. If Amorim is looking to solve his wing-back problem, then signing a player who’s operated among the elite in that very role would certainly be an intelligent move.

Manchester United have received a rare boost in their 2024-25 campaign, with a positive injury update being delivered on Amad Diallo.

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Ruled out since FebruaryNursing ankle problemSet for training returnFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The 22-year-old winger has been absent since early February, when he picked up an ankle problem in training ahead of a Premier League clash with Tottenham. There were suggestions at that stage that his season could be over.

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Amad had been a bright spark for the Red Devils in an otherwise disappointing campaign, with nine goals and seven assists recorded across all competitions. He had shown promise in a wing-back role under Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim.

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It may be that Amad comes back into contention for more minutes over the coming weeks. United’s Premier League season has become a write-off, as they languish in the bottom half of the table, but they remain in contention for Europa League honours.

Getty Images SportWHAT FABRIZIO ROMANO SAID

Fabrizio Romano has said of Amad’s efforts to play again this term: "Amad Diallo, set to be back in training with Manchester United squad already next week! Despite initial expectations for season to be over after injury, he’s recovered in record-time…and so Amad will be available for training from next week."

Jason Holder’s young side improved marginally over the course of the tour, but the flaws in West Indian cricket reduced the Test series in Australia to a no-contest

Daniel Brettig at the SCG07-Jan-20163:02

Five things learnt from Australia-West Indies Tests

A lopsided bout ended on the sort of low-key day that Nathan Lyon felt confident enough to bowl legbreaks, David Warner worked on improving his average against West Indies, and Mitchell Marsh walked out to bat at No. 3 for Australia. All this in front of a crowd of 6865, swelled mainly by free admission to the SCG.There had been thoughts among Australians of making a game of it – manufactured last-day chases run deep in the DNA of the coach Darren Lehmann, and the captain Steven Smith is of a similar bent. They offered Jason Holder the chance to defend something in the region of 370 runs in 70 overs, after the hosts had declared their first innings at 0 for 0, but the offer was rebuffed. West Indies, it appears, are going to have to learn how not to lose before they try to win.After the omnipresent rain could not help but make a pair of appearances, proceedings ended with the pleasing introduction of a Richie Benaud Medal for the player of the series, awarded unsurprisingly to the prolific Adam Voges. However, the environment in which this award has been struck contrasts vividly with that which saw Benaud introduce the Frank Worrell Trophy in honour of his opposing number at the conclusion of the epic 1960-61 contest.Fifty-five years ago, the new trophy was soon to represent global supremacy in cricket, with the chorus of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” still ringing around the MCG as Worrell took his bow. This time around, the medal hung around Voges’ neck will not be contested again for quite some time, and almost certainly never during the peak months of the Australian summer.The poverty of West Indies cricket is underlined by the following numbers. Australia’s top five shared six centuries between them, as against the visitors’ one. Usman Khawaja and Steven Smith averaged 100 and 214, while Voges piled up 375 runs without being dismissed. All members of the Australian bowling attack in Sydney took their wickets at an average less than 30 runs apiece; Jomel Warrican’s five wickets at 76 was the West Indies’ feeble best.There has actually been evidence of improvement from West Indies across the series. Their abject display in Hobart was notably bettered in Melbourne, and in Sydney they were at least able to sustain a first innings for long enough to ensure Australia could never really contemplate manufacturing a victory on the final day. Darren Bravo, Kraigg and Carlos Brathwaite and even Warrican showed signs of promise.Nevertheless, the team’s problems were writ large across the three Tests. In any other team the pathologically languid Marlon Samuels would surely have played his last Test, but the ongoing dispute between the WICB and the cadre of Twenty20 freelancers may well grant him another stay of execution. Jason Holder is a principled and skilful young man, but the burden of captaincy clearly affected his output. The less said about the rest of the pace bowling attack, the better.Overseeing all this is the coach Phil Simmons, a man who arrived home from a successful stint coaching Ireland with plenty of big ideas for the future. After a strong start that included a drawn series against England – what would South Africa give for that result right now? – Simmons miscalculated by jettisoning Shivnarine Chanderpaul at a time when his experience was still adding greatly to the team, even if his batting had long since begun to fade.Darren Bravo scored West Indies’ only century in the Tests series•Getty ImagesWhen he assented to Chanderpaul’s omission from the home series against Australia, Simmons thought he would be able to negotiate the return of numerous T20 merchants to the Test side. When this did not happen for the tour of Sri Lanka, Simmons complained of outside influences and was summarily banned by the WICB from doing his job. Chanderpaul’s absence had a marked effect on Samuels and Bravo; the former increasingly floundering without a more senior bulwark, the latter shrugging off the initial shock to showcase a more deliberate style showing evidence of the Guyanese left-hander’s determination.It is worthwhile noting that as this West Indies side have limped around Australia, the Guyana first-class team are lapping the field in the Caribbean regional tournament thanks in no small part to Chanderpaul’s presence. Older and wiser than when he took up the job, Simmons is still hopeful of luring some of the T20 group back to Test cricket. More than ever, he appreciates the need to balance youth with experience.”I still have the feeling that it will always be good to get the best players from West Indies playing all formats of the game, and if we can get that then we will then have an organisation that’s moving forward,” Simmons said. “That is my hope now, at the end of the day we might have a solution, but you still might have players that don’t think they can play Test cricket or don’t really want to play Test cricket anymore.”For Australia, the series represented further strengthening of Steven Smith’s standing as leader, while a new model top order settled into their places. For all that, Smith is aware he has simply done the least expected of an Australian captain – win series at home – and greater challenges lie in wait elsewhere. First there will be New Zealand across the Tasman, then Sri Lanka away, building towards that most vexing foreign assignment – India in 2017.How much value this contest actually had for the hosts is difficult to judge. Confidence was bolstered, certainly, but methods were seldom tested. Marsh and Peter Nevill batted on the final day of the Test in meaningless circumstances when neither had been called upon to bat under pressure all series. Even Warner, a habitual underachiever against the West Indies, was able to improve his record this day.Much the same question of value will be asked higher up by Cricket Australia, about the point of hosting the West Indies in summer. The chief executive James Sutherland believes there is still plenty of affection for the Caribbean side down under. If so, then it may require board-to-board assistance more substantial than the Richie Benaud Medal to ensure that love can be reciprocated with a requisite standard of cricket.

Manchester City are now set to submit a £34m offer for a defender, according to journalist Andre Hernan.

Man City keen on multiple January signings

Pep Guardiola is tasked with rebuilding the Man City defence, with it recently being revealed that captain Kyle Walker wants to leave the club, having been left out of the squad for the 8-0 demolition of Salford City.

The Sky Blues are particularly keen on a new centre-back, having a £33.5m bid accepted for Lens’ Abdukodir Khusanov, and the deal is now nearing completion.

Guardiola is keen to make multiple additions this month, with progress being made for Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush, whereas Palmeiras’ defensive gem Vitor Reis is another key target.

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City’s opening bid for Reis was knocked back by the Brazilian club, but they remain undeterred, with journalist Ben Jacobs revealing they are optimistic about being able to get a deal over the line.

As such, Man City have taken immediate action to try and get a deal done, with journalist Andre Hernan taking to X to provide an update on the transfer pursuit, saying: “I heard from a negotiation source who says this was just a first offer and that it will increase in the coming days.”

The journalist states the Sky Blues’ initial offer for the defender was considered too low, but they are willing to make an offer of €40m (£34m) to get a deal over the line. Palmeiras are said to be in “no rush” to finalise the move, indicating that a deal may not be possible until later in the January transfer window.

Reis could be a long-term success at Man City

The 19-year-old is already making a name for himself in his home country, having made 18 appearances in the Brazilian Serie A this season, and his defensive talents have been on show for all to see.

Over the past year, the Brazilian has averaged 1.87 tackles per 90, placing him in the 81st percentile compared to his positional peers, while an average of 3.08 aerials won per 90 ranks him in the 82nd percentile.

Of course, given that he is still a teenager, it may take time for Reis to get to a level where he’s capable of being a consistent starter for Guardiola’s side, but there are signs that he could soon be ready to make the step-up.

Members of the Brazilian media have lauded the starlet as a “monster”, while journalist Bence Bocsak has hailed him for his passing ability, which could make him a perfect fit in a Guardiola system.

£34m is a lot to spend on a teenager, but Reis is showing signs he could be capable of going right to the very top.

An “astonishing” West Brom player has “little chance” of being fit to face Preston North End on New Year’s Day, according to journalist Lewis Cox.

Latest West Brom news

The Baggies picked up their first positive result without Carlos Corberan in charge on Sunday, as they battled their way to a 1-1 draw away to rivals Sheffield United in the Championship. Having fallen behind, Karlan Grant responded just before half-time.

The search is now on to find Corberan’s successor, with West Brom desperately hoping his exit doesn’t rock their promotion charge, and a number of potential candidates have already been mentioned as possible replacements.

Liverpool first-team coach John Heitinga is seen as a front-runner to come in at the Hawthorns, despite no doubt enjoying life alongside Arne Slot this season, helping the Reds top the Premier League table. The Dutchman managed Ajax for a stint last year and may be keen to lead a team again.

Heitinga isn’t the only individual who has been linked with the vacant West Brom job, however, with Mark Robins backed to come in and lead the troops, having tasted victory against the Baggies twice in the past. He recently suffered a shock sacking at Coventry City and is likely to be keen to return to management. Away from the manager situation at the Hawthorns, the Championship club have now suffered an injury blow ahead of their return to action.

Injury blow for "astonishing" West Brom ace

According to Cox on X, West Brom midfielder Alex Mowatt has “little chance” of facing Preston, having picked up an injury against Derby County on Boxing Day.

Not having Mowatt available for the home clash with Preston to start 2025 would be an undoubted blow for West Brom, even though they did well without him against the Blades. The 29-year-old is an influential performer with so much quality in the middle of the park, bagging four goals and two assists in the Championship this season and being lauded by Sky Sports commentator Gary Taphouse in the past.

If Mowatt does miss out on New Year’s Day, as is expected, the hope is that his absence is still only a short-term one and that he is back for the trip to Swansea City on Saturday afternoon.

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The Englishman is too important a player for West Brom to be without for a sustained period, and it would have an adverse effect on their hopes of sealing promotion to the Premier League.

يشهد نادي ريال مدريد الإسباني تطورات جديدة في صفوف الفريق، منذ التعاقد مع تشابي ألونسو لمنصب المدير الفني، خلفًا للإيطالي كارلو أنشيلوتي.

وقاد تشابي ريال مدريد خلال منافسات بطولة كأس العالم للأندية 2025، والتي أقيمت في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية وتوج بها تشيلسي الإنجليزي.

ريال مدريد ودع البطولة من دور نصف النهائي أمام باريس سان جيرمان الفرنسي بعد هزيمة برباعية دون رد، ويعمل النادي الملكي على تدعيم صفوفه من أجل التنافس على الألقاب بالموسم الجديد.

وذكرت تقارير في وقت سابق أن حارس مرمى ريال مدريد، لونين، على وشك الرحيل عن صفوف الفريق في السوق الصيفي الحالي، وهو ما يجبر النادي على البحث عن حارس مرمى جديد (طالع التفاصيل).

على الرغم من ذلك، تفيد صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية، بأن لونين يُفضل البقاء في ريال مدريد، ومتمسك بالاستمرار في صفوف الفريق، رغم اهتمام فياريال بالتعاقد معه.

وتأتي تلك الأنباء بعد قرار ريال مدريد بتجديد عقد البلجيكي تيبو كورتوا والذي يقوم بدور الحارس الأول للفريق، حيث من المنتظر أن يمدد النادي عقده لمدة موسم.

لونين، البالغ من العمر 26 عامًا، يلعب لريال مدريد منذ عام 2018، بعد انضمامه من زوريا لوجانسك، وخاض ثلاث فترات إعارة مع ليجانيس وريال بلد الوليد وريال أوفييدو، وعاد لريال مدريد منذ عام 2020.

وخلال تلك الفترة شارك لونين في 62 مباراة فقط، وكان كورتوا هو الحارس الأساسي لريال مدريد.

يذكر أن الأوكراني لونين، يرتبط بعقد مع ريال مدريد حتى عام 2030، ويبدو أنه يتمسك بالاستمرار مع الفريق حتى الآن.

Rangers chiefs have reportedly made contact to sign a Sweden international on loan for Philippe Clement in the January transfer window.

Rangers eyeing new defender in January

It has been an eventful start to 2025 at Ibrox, with Rangers defeating arch rivals Celtic in their first Scottish Premiership fixture of the calendar year before dropping points on the road at Dundee and Hibernian.

As a result, pressure has been building on Clement once more, however, CEO Patrick Stewart recently revealed that the club are backing the Belgian. Talking to Sky Sports, Stewart said:

“I need to make some tough decisions, it comes with the role, but I am committed to making the right ones for Rangers, not just the popular ones. So cutting to the chase, we are backing Philippe at this time as a board.

“It’s about taking a deeper look at the issues, addressing those problems, and staying focused on building a stronger future for the club.

“Changing a manager isn’t a silver-bullet solution. You know where I’ve worked previously, and that isn’t something that has been effective there, it’s not effective at a lot of football clubs where there’s constant change of manager.”

Stewart also spoke about Rangers’ plans for the January transfer window, admitting the need for a centre-back is on the club’s wishlist despite the winter market being difficult to do business.

“The January window generally isn’t a particularly fruitful window. Most selling clubs do not want to sell their best players. We have no intention of selling the players that are performing on the park at the moment and why would we expect any other club that’s challenging for trophies to do so.

“All of that said… I think there are a couple of scenarios where it can be really effective. Firstly where a club has suffered injuries such as we have – particularly a centre-back – it is an opportunity to make a reactive signing. This is a position we’ve been looking at since December and so we have been active in discussions.”

Stewart and technical director Nils Koppen have been linked with a number of centre-backs, including Manchester United’s Jonny Evans, Norwich City’s Grant Hanley and Cavalier FC’s Richard King, however, a new target has now emerged.

Rangers make approach for Sweden international

According to Swedish outlet Expressen, Rangers have made contact to sign Burnley defender Hjalmar Ekdal. The Gers aren’t the only club keen on a move for the Clarets centre-back though, with Stoke City, QPR, Middlesbrough also making approaches for the 26-year-old.

Ekdal, a Sweden international, is expected to be loaned out by Burnley this month, and there is also interest abroad from Sampdoria, Empoli, Brescia and Groningen.

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Former Burnley boss Vincent Kompany praised Ekdal and Ameen Al-Dakhil back in 2023, calling the duo “intelligent”. “They’re intelligent players and that helps. They communicate, they understand when asked to do certain tasks and they’ve got the athleticism.

“In times when they’re not quite in the right position, or they haven’t done something perfect, they’re able to compensate. They’re centre backs who are quite mobile, you could go on a run in the forest and they’ll run with the midfielders.”

في وقتٍ يواصل فيه برشلونة التعامل بحذر مع قيود اللعب المالي النظيف وقاعدة 1:1 التي تفرضها رابطة الليجا، تحدث رئيس النادي خوان لابورتا بصراحة عن التحديات التي تواجه الإدارة، سواء على مستوى تسجيل اللاعبين الجدد، أو التعامل مع ضغوط المدققين، أو حتى مستقبل الانتخابات المقبلة في 2026.

وفي حوار مطوّل مع صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو”، تطرق لابورتا أيضًا إلى الوضع المالي لـ برشلونة، مشروع ملعب سبوتيفاي كامب نو، والآمال التي يضعها على فريقه في الموسم المقبل، مؤكدًا أن رحلة التطوير لا تزال مستمرة، رغم ما تحقق حتى الآن.

– ما الذي يحتاجه برشلونة إذًا للوصول إلى قاعدة 1:1 المعقدة في سوق الانتقالات الصيفي وفقًا لقوانين الليجا؟

“نحتاج إلى خفض كتلة الرواتب، وهناك أيضًا جانب يجب على النادي أن يُنهي ترتيباته بشكل نهائي، كل شيء يسير حاليًا في الاتجاه الصحيح، وهذا سيسمح لنا بتسجيل اللاعبين كما ينبغي.

نعمل على ذلك من خلال تفسير لوائح الرقابة المالية الخاصة برابطة الليجا، ونبذل جهدًا كبيرًا لتحويل هذا الأمر إلى واقع والسماح بتسجيل اللاعبين.

في الماضي، كان الضغط منصبًا على التعاقدات والبيع، أما الآن، فالضغط الحقيقي أصبح متعلقًا بالقدرة على تسجيل اللاعبين”.

– علاقة برشلونة برابطة الليجا أصبحت أفضل من السنوات الماضية، هل هذا يمنحك الطمأنينة بشأن إدراج عملية الـ100 مليون يورو الخاصة بتأجير مقاعد الـVIP في ملعب سبوتيفاي كامب نو ضمن حسابات قاعدة 1:1؟

“شخصيًا مقتنع تمامًا أن هذا ما سيحدث، لا أتصور أن يكون الأمر مختلفًا، هذه العملية تمثل 100 مليون يورو، وقد حصلنا بالفعل على 58 مليونًا منها، وهو المبلغ الذي كانت تطالبنا به الليجا لكي نتمكن من الاستفادة من قاعدة 1:1.

لكن الآن، ومع الضغط الإعلامي، بدأ المدققون يرون أننا بحاجة لبذل مجهود إضافي، كل ذلك نتيجة سلسلة من الضغوط التي جعلت المدققين يظنون أنه يجب أن يكونوا أكثر صرامة، من وجهة نظري، هذا أمر قابل للنقاش تمامًا، لكني أحترمه وألتزم به، غير أن الوضع وصل إلى نقطة وكأنهم سيطلبون منا الوقوف على رؤوسنا ولساننا ممدود، لأنني لا أعلم بصراحة ما الذي يمكن أن يطلبوه أكثر من ذلك.

نحن في مرحلة تصاعدية، نادي برشلونة يحقق إيرادات تقارب المليار يورو، ويبدو لي أن بعض هذه القواعد ليست سوى عوائق، لا معنى لها في نادٍ بهذا الحجم وهذه الإيرادات.

وفوق ذلك، نحن على أعتاب افتتاح ملعب جديد سيكون علامة فارقة في كرة القدم العالمية، وسيدر دخلًا ضخمًا، نعم، أتفهم وجود بعض التحفظات، وأراها منطقية في بعض الأحيان، لكن ما يُطلب منا ليس دائمًا سهل التنفيذ، ومع ذلك، نواجه كل تلك التحديات، وغالبًا ما نخرج منها منتصرين”.

اقرأ أيضًا | لابورتا يوضح قرار برشلونة بشأن إبرام تعاقدات جديدة وبيع لاعبين بارزين في الصيف

– إذا لم يكن ممكنًا العودة إلى ملعب سبوتيفاي كامب نو الآن واضطر الفريق للعب في مونتجويك كما في الموسمين الماضيين، هل سيكون هناك مشكلة في تفعيل المقاعد الـ475 الخاصة بـVIP؟

“لا، إطلاقًا، حتى الآن، عندما نذهب للعب مباراة خوان جامبر على ملعب يوهان كرويف، سيتم تخصيص منطقة لهؤلاء المقاعد أيضًا، هذا أمر منصوص عليه في العقد، ونلتزم به حتى لو كان على شكل خيمة خارجية مخصصة للـVIP، دائمًا ما نجد حلولًا لكل شيء”.

– دعنا نتحدث عن عام الانتخابات المقبل في 2026، لقد صرّحت مسبقًا بأنك تنوي الترشح، هل وضعت جدولًا زمنيًا واضحًا لذلك؟

“بصراحة، لم أفكر في هذا الأمر بعد، تركيزي حاليًا منصب على مسألة تسجيل اللاعبين الجدد، وهذا الأمر يشغلني كثيرًا، كما أن ملف الاستاد يشغلني أيضًا، فنحن نبذل كل ما في وسعنا لتجاوز العقبات والعودة إلى ملعب سبوتيفاي كامب نو في أقرب وقت ممكن.

أما بالنسبة للعام الانتخابي، فلم أبدأ بعد في التفكير بكيفية تنظيم كل ذلك، لدينا الإدارة القانونية في النادي، وأنا واثق أنهم قد بدأوا في وضع تصور مبدئي أو خطة لهذا الموضوع”.

– هل من الممكن أن تُقام الانتخابات في شهر مارس، بالنظر إلى جدول الموسم؟

“الانتخابات يجب أن تُجرى في الفترة ما بين 15 مارس و15 يونيو، سنرى لاحقًا ما سيحدث، من الصحيح أن النصف الثاني من الموسم قد يكون وقتًا حساسًا، وقد يؤدي إلى بعض التوتر أو التشويش، أو ربما لا، هذا يعتمد على مجريات الموسم”.

– وإذا أُجريت في 15 يونيو، فهذا سيكون بعد أسبوعين فقط من نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا المقرر في بودابست؟

“كنت أتحدث مؤخرًا مع اللاعبين، وكان من الجميل أن أرى مدى فخرهم بما حققناه في الموسم الماضي، لكن الأجمل هو رغبتهم القوية في أن ينجحوا هذا الموسم في ما لم نتمكن من تحقيقه في الموسم السابق، لديهم طموح واضح لتصحيح المسار وتحقيق نتائج أفضل”.

– وفقًا لنتائج “مرصد البلوجرانا” الأخير، 86٪ من أعضاء النادي يؤيدون إدارتك، هل ما زال هناك ما يجب القيام به؟

“نعم، بالتأكيد، لا يزال هناك الكثير لننجزه، لدينا هدف كبير أمامنا وهو افتتاح الاستاد الجديد، ونسعى لإنهائه بحلول نهاية صيف 2026، وبعد ذلك، يجب أن نحدد التوقيت المناسب لتركيب السقف المتحرك.

ولا ننسى أيضًا أننا ما زلنا نطمح للفوز بمزيد من الألقاب، ونأمل أن يتحقق ذلك، نريد الاستمرار في ترسيخ فلسفة الحياة هذه التي أعتقد أنها وصلت إلى قلوب جماهير برشلونة، نحن هنا لخدمة البرشلونية، وهنا لنفكر باستمرار في ما يمكننا فعله لتحسين وضع النادي وإسعاد الجماهير.

لقد أعدنا الفرح والانتماء إلى جماهير برشلونة، وأنا راضٍ جدًا عما تحقق، لكن علينا أن نستمر في الحفاظ على هذا المستوى، يجب أن يعيش البرشلونيون في حالة من السعادة والاعتزاز والمتعة والفخر بناديهم”.

da doce： Transfer deadline day was a quiet time for Manchester United.

da apostaganha： Ruben Amoirm’s side did not make any last-minute additions to their squad, although did miss out on signing Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich on loan. He ended up at Tottenham Hotspur, who have a £45m buy option. Rumour has it, that United did not want to spend the £5m loan fee Bayern wanted.

However, they did bring in a couple of defensive additions earlier in the window. One of those signings was Ayden Heaven from Arsenal. The Hale End academy graduate cost an undisclosed compensation fee, with his contract expiring in the summer.

The other defensive signing United made was to bring Patrick Dorgu to the club.

Why Man United signed Dorgu

Whilst, technically, this was a defensive signing, left wing-back Dorgu will add some much-needed attacking impetus at wing-back in Ruben Amorim’s back three system. It is an area they have struggled in this season, hence the £25m addition of the Dane from Serie A side Lecce.

If there is one thing Dorgu will bring to Old Trafford, it is that quality in the final third. His record this season for Lecce proves that, given he has three goals and one assist in 21 Serie A appearances this term.

Impressively, the 20-year-old Denmark international, who is a teammate of United stars Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen, scored on his debut for the national team. His strike, against Switzerland in September, was a well-drilled effort with his right foot to the near post.

The addition of Dorgu, for what is a fair price in the current transfer market, will add a new dynamic and attacking threat to the United side that they simply did not have at left wing-back previously.

However, looking back, there was a former United star who could have perhaps done a brilliant job as a left-wing back and saved them millions on their new January signing.

The star Man United should not have sold

The player in question here is former left-back, Alex Telles. He joined United on deadline day in October 2020, making a £15.4m move from Portuguese side FC Porto with boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was United’s manager at the time of the signing, describing him as “a fighter and a winner” upon joining.

In total, Telles notched up 50 appearances in the famous red shirt of United. He managed seven assists in that time, which included four in the Premier League during his second season.

Telles record by season for Man United

Stat

2020/21

2021/22

Games

24

26

Minutes

1761

2026

90s

19

22

G/A

3

5

Stats frm Transfermarkt

The Brazilian also scored one goal during his time at Old Trafford, coming in the Champions League against Villarreal. It was a strike that perfectly demonstrated his technical quality, volleying a free-kick from Bruno Fernandes back across goal and into the back of the net.

Although he did not stay at United long, Telles put in some solid contributions, and for the money that was spent on the Brazilian, he proved his worth. However, he did not stay at Old Trafford long under Erik ten Hag.

The Brazilian was first loaned out to Sevilla in the 2022/23 campaign, the Dutchman’s first season in charge, before making a permanent move away the following summer. Telles went to Saudi Arabia to join up with former United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr.

Just one season later, the Brazilian was on the move again. Now 32 years of age, Telles finds himself playing back in his homeland, for Botafogo. He has made 18 appearances for the club so far and has one goal and one assist.

Looking back on it, perhaps Amorim might have kept Telles at Old Trafford, had he been given the choice. Whilst Ten Hag played with a flat back four, the former United number 27 might have excelled as a wing-back under the Portuguese manager.

He had 57 assists for Porto and could deliver a wicked cross with his left foot. Telles certainly might have had a role to play under the new boss, which might have had a domino effect and saved United some money on Dorgu, at least in the immediate future.

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Posts ByRoss Kilvington Jan 24, 2025