Tag Futebol

Everton have endured a tricky few weeks under Rafa Benitez, picking up just one point from a possible 12 as they’ve slipped down the Premier League table.

A run of three consecutive defeats was finally halted over the weekend when the Toffees held Tottenham Hotspur to a 0-0 draw, but putting the ball in the back of the net remains a major issue.

The Goodison Park outfit have only scored four goals in their last five outings, largely due to star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin being forced to watch on from the sidelines.

In his absence, summer signing Salomon Rondon has failed to notch his first effort in Everton colours, while Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend’s fast starts have slowed down somewhat.

However, Benitez could unearth the solution to his side’s problems in front of goal by placing his trust in Thomas Cannon.

The 18-year-old academy star has been in scintillating form for his boyhood club over the last two-and-a-half years, enjoying a breakout campaign throughout 2019/20 until the ongoing pandemic stopped play.

Cannon scored an incredible 16 goals in 16 appearances for Everton’s U18’s in 2019/20, adding a further five assists for his grateful teammates.

And the talented teenager proved it was no one-season wonder by notching up a highly respectable tally of 19 goal contributions in 38 outings last term, making his debut for the U23’s along the way.

Throughout his youth career, Cannon has scored a wide variety of efforts and due to his style of play, preference to run in behind the defence, and ability to work between the lines, comparisons to Leicester City forward Jamie Vardy have been drawn.

His 2020/21 showing was described as “formidable” on Everton’s official website and it appears the Republic of Ireland staff agree with them.

Cannon was called up to the national team after his eye-catching displays at club level, and he carried his form onto the international scene, notching a hat-trick of assists during the 13-0 thrashing of Gibraltar.

Whether the youngster is ready to play a part for Benitez’s first team yet remains to be seen, but he continues on the same trajectory, then surely it’s a matter of when and not if he gets his Premier League opportunity.

And, in other news…Brands could finally end EFC’s midfielder hunt with £175k-p/w “outstanding technician”

Plays of the day from the third day of the first Test between England and Australia in Cardiff

Alex Brown and Peter English in Cardiff10-Jul-2009

Partnership of the day
Simon Katich’s dismissal for a well-struck 122 ended a magnificent 239-run stand with Ricky Ponting; the fifth-highest second-wicket partnership by an Australian pair in Ashes contests. Not since Ian Chappell and Rick McCosker in 1975 have an Australian duo posted a total of such magnitude for the second wicket in England. Ponting’s eventual dismissal for 150 placed him on 11,110 runs (the uber-Nelson?) and just 64 runs shy of Allan Border’s mark. Border is the highest Test run-scorer among Australian batsmen, and third over all behind Sachin Tendulkar (12,773) and Brian Lara (11,953).Concern of the day I
Michael Hussey. Innings of 150 and 62 in the England Lions tour match now appear a false dawn after the once-mighty left-hander was dismissed for a scratchy three by James Anderson. Since the start of the last Australian summer, Hussey has scored just 325 runs at 21.66, including eight single-digit returns. He has not posted a Test century since last year’s tour of India, and will find himself under increasing pressure to retain his place in the top-order should his slump extend much deeper into this series.Concern of the day II
England’s old-ball options. The hosts’ much-vaunted attack has looked positively pedestrian after the shine has gone from the ball. Cool temperatures and a lush outfield have not been conducive to reverse swing, while Graeme Swann, England’s frontline spinner, has lacked the penetration of recent series. Anderson and Andrew Flintoff have threatened on occasion, but the same cannot be said for Stuart Broad, who has nagged rather than imposed thus far in the match.Shot of the day
The third day of the first Test was notable for attrition rather than aggression, but for one brief moment, Ponting applied the foot to the pedal. With trademark speed and timing, Ponting dispatched a short, sharp Flintoff bouncer over the head of Monty Panesar at fine leg. England’s displeasure was compounded when it emerged Aleem Dar had signaled no-ball. A bad session for England had just got worse.Are you Harmy in disguise?
Andrew Flintoff tried to inspire his team-mates after day two by reminding them of Australia’s collapse at The Oval in 2005. When he took the new ball in the first session it was more like Brisbane in 2006-07, when Steve Harmison started the series with a wide to second slip and England tumbled to a 5-0 defeat. Flintoff’s ball to Simon Katich wasn’t quite that wayward – and it didn’t have a demoralising impact of his side – but Matt Prior was required to leap in between first and second slips to make the take.Byes of the day
Prior was back in action, or inaction as it turned out, twice in two remarkable deliveries from Paul Collingwood. On a day when Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar both struggled to turn the ball one iota, up popped Collingwood with the rippers of the match. He marked his second over with two fast offcutters in quick succession which, with a puff of dust, burst past Marcus North’s outside edge, and way out of the reach of Prior’s gloves behind the stumps. They were Prior’s first byes of the series, but with Australia’s lead growing, England weren’t sure whether to treat them as a good omen or ill. If Hauritz has a hefty lead to play with tomorrow, the advantage of bowling last on this track may not be England’s to exploit.

Manchester City fans are delighted with the news they are interested in signing Toni Kroos, and they want the Citizens to capture the Germany international.

The Citizens have made a good start to the season under Pep Guardiola. They are currently third in the Premier League table, just two points behind leaders Chelsea (Sky Sports), and have won all three of their matches in the Champions League group stages (mancity.com).

City are well-known for having a whole host of midfielders and, according to El Nacional, they are now interested in signing another talented technician.

They say the Citizens are looking to take £27m-valued Kroos (Transfermarkt) to the Etihad Stadium – the 31-year-old is one of the most decorated players in world football, having won the World Cup and numerous Champions League and domestic league titles.

The news was shared on Twitter by @City_Xtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from the supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts, with one fan calling it ‘interesting’…

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Kroos news below

“Yes , 2 year contract,him x kdb in midfield is angelic”

Credit: @FlyStraight8

“Ngl dream signing, idc who he benches”

Credit: @mcfcdavid_27

“Well if we aren’t paying a penny then I don’t mind he would do bits here”

Credit: @RyanAsk66514735

“interesting”

Credit: @SilkyCyrus_74

“i aren’t ready for this man”

Credit: @JRxch01

“The De bruyne X Kroos Combination that’s surely illegal”

Credit: @CanceloMerchant

In other news, Man City fans are far from happy with this Manchester United news.

Shoaib Akhtar has been barred from playing in the national Twenty20 tournament by the Pakistan board

Cricinfo staff26-May-2009Shoaib Akhtar has been barred from playing in the national Twenty20 tournament by the Pakistan board after they had him replaced in the World Twenty20 squad because he was suffering from a skin infection.Shoaib had been named captain of the Islamabad Leopards squad two days after he was cut from the Pakistan team. A PCB official, however, said the board had informed the Islamabad Cricket Association (ICA) that Shoaib would be violating his central contract if he played for them despite medical advice advising 10 to 12 days’ rest.”The [Pakistan] board has sent us the medical report and a copy of the central contract, which states that a player playing against medical advice can be fined,” Shakil Shaikh, president of the ICA, told .Shoaib was initially a part of Pakistan’s 15-man squad for the World Twenty20 but he missed the training camp in Bhurban because of a skin infection and was advised 10 days rest by a three-member medical panel appointed by the PCB. The panel’s decision prompted the board to replace Akhtar with medium-pacer Rao Iftikhar Anjum.

The impact of the Lahore attack last week has forced the organisers of the ICC World Twenty20, to be held in England in June, to reassess security measures for the event

Cricinfo staff08-Mar-2009
Security in England will be stepped up dramatically © Martin Williamson
The impact of the Lahore attack last week has forced the organisers of the ICC World Twenty20, to be held in England in June, to reassess security measures for the event. Steve Elworthy, tournament director for the event, said a two-level security system will be implemented to protect venues and players this summer.”Definitely, the Lahore terror attack has forced us to relook our plan. Just after the attack, we had a meeting and we are meeting again next week where some top security experts will also participate,” Elworthy told .Elworthy said the recent events have changed the security situation worldwide and that the event organisers will monitor the security situation in London ahead of the second edition of the tournament. As part of the plan, the players’ off-field mobility may be restricted.”The Lahore attack has proved that terrorists can strike anywhere anytime and this is worrying. We have to be on our guard as London has been a terror target in the past,” said Elworthy. “We might have to keep a tab on the players’ outdoor activities during the tournament.”Elworthy also said that security arrangements in England would be different from the ones put in place during the inaugural edition in South Africa in 2007. “The situation here is different and we have to plan accordingly. The terrorists have become more active between then and now,” he said, “But we are confident of staging the event successfully.”Reg Dickason, an independent security adviser for the ECB, is expected to meet with the organisers on his return from the West Indies. “We had a round of meetings after the Mumbai terror attacks last year,” said Elworthy. “We have been monitoring the situation continuously for the past 13-14 months. The ICC is also in touch with us.”

أشاد محمد صلاح مدرب الزمالك الأسبق، بأداء لاعبي القلعة البيضاء خلال الفترة الماضية وخاصة أمام فيوتشر، في مباراة الأمس بالدوري، مشددًا على أن الفريق أصبح يملك روحًا مميزة.

واستطاع الزمالك تحقيق فوز صعب مساء أمس على حساب فيوتشر بهدف وحيد، خلال المواجهة التي أقيمت ضمن منافسات الجولة السابعة والعشرين من الدوري المصري.

وقال محمد صلاح في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة المحور: “منذ فترة وتحديدا بعد عودة مجلس مرتضى منصور، الزمالك يجيد الفوز حتى لو كان فنيا ليس في أفضل أحواله”.

وتابع: “هناك روح بين لاعبي الزمالك، وتشعر بأن الثقة عادت، وحصل (كوكتيل) في الزمالك بين اللاعبين الشباب والخبرة”.

وأردف: “البعض يتحدث أن شيكابالا (وشه وحش) والزمالك لا يحصل على بطولات في وجوده، شيكابالا خلال العامين الماضيين الزمالك حقق عدة ألقاب في ظل تواجده واللاعب نضج بشكل كبير”.

طالع | مرتضى منصور: سنصرف 10 مليون جنية للاعبين من مستحقاتهم.. وجماهير الزمالك هي البطل الحقيقي

وأكمل: “شيكابالا كان له دور قيادي منذ سنوات عديدة في الزمالك لكن لا أحد يرى ذلك أو يتحدث عنه”.

وأوضح: “تصريحات فيريرا بأن الزمالك لا يملك لاعبا مثل أشرف بن شرقي، هي صحيحة ولكني كنت أود ألا يذكر ذلك بشكل صريح”.

وأردف: “بن شرقي لاعب مهم ومؤثر ولكن هناك لاعبين قادرين على تعويضه في الزمالك”.

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حقق فولفسورج فوزًا مثيرًا وديًا على نظيره ميشيلن البلجيكي، 4-3، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما على ملعب أ زد الكمار بـ هولندا.

تقدم لوكس نيمشا في الدقيقة 9 لـ فولفسبورج، قبل أن يعزز النتيجة لوكا فالديشميت في الدقيقة 11.

ثم جاء الدور على عمر مرموش، نجمنا المصري وسجل هدف فريقه الثالث في الدقيقة 33، قبل أن يختتم ريدل باكو الرباعية في الدقيقة 36. هدف مرموش مع فولفسبورج في مرمى ميشيلين

طالع أيضًا.. سكاي: عرض إنجليزي “مثير” لضم عمر مرموش.. وفولفسبورج يرد

وقبل نهاية الشوط الأول، سجل ميشيلن هدف تقليص الفارق في الدقيقة 41 عن طريق ماريان شفيد.

وفي الشوط الثاني، بدأ فولفسبورج في إراحة نجومه ومن بينهم مرموش، ليسجل الفريق البلجيكي هدفين في الدقيقتين 54 و78، عن طريق الثنائي خورخي هيرنانديز و جيوفري هايرمانس.

مواجهة فولفسبورج القادمة ستكون أمام برينتفورد الإنجليزي يوم 23 يوليو الجاري.

The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece has dropped an Aston Villa claim on deadline day as Frederic Guilbert closes in on a loan move away from the club.

What’s the story?

Journalist Pete O’Rourke revealed on Tuesday lunchtime that the Frenchman has agreed a deal to join Ligue 1 side Strasbourg on loan for the season.

Writing on Twitter, Preece said: “Guilbert’s Villa deal runs until 2023 so it’ll be interesting to see if there’s an option to buy involved. Dean Smith happy to use Young, Tuanzebe and, if needed, Konsa as options at right-back. Guilbert clearly not fancied at #avfc. A good guy who did well season before last.”

Fans will be worried

The 26-year-old was also on loan at Strasbourg last term before returning to pre-season at Villa Park and working his way back into Dean Smith’s squad, even starting in the Carabao Cup second round clash against Barrow earlier this month.

Writing in his post-match player ratings for The Birmingham Mail that night, Preece gave him an eight, saying: “Always keen to provide an outlet down the right, Guilbert didn’t always get it right – but when he did, the goods followed. One low cross in the first half was too close to the keeper, but his stood up ball for El Ghazi’s second goal was on the money. Took his goal superbly.”

Guilbert showed the kind of attacking instincts and energy which arguably makes him an ideal right-back cover for first-choice Matty Cash, with Ashley Young now in the twilight years of his career and Axel Tuanzebe more of a central defender.

Guilbert enjoyed a fine time at Strasbourg as well, scoring once and providing another four assists in just 13 games for the club, averaging a whopping 2.8 tackles and 2.5 interceptions per game in Ligue 1 – to put that into context, no Villa player could match either of those numbers in the Premier League last term.

While Preece says that Smith is happy to use the likes of Young, Tuanzebe and even Ezri Konsa in the role, an injury to Cash would leave Villa desperately short of natural cover for that right-back slot.

It’s exactly why Villa fans will likely be very worried with this latest update on Guilbert, who it seems is heading back to Strasbourg on loan.

Meanwhile, a Sky Sports journalist has dropped this Aston Villa transfer update…

Celtic target Georgios Giakoumakis is now available on loan, according to Inside Futbol.

The Lowdown: Fee agreed

Giakoumakis has been linked with a late move to Glasgow in recent weeks and a Scotland switch appeared to be gathering pace.

Celtic reportedly agreed a deal in principle with VVV-Venlo for the 26-year-old on Tuesday.

However, personal terms with Giakoumakis are thought to be an issue, with a €150k-a-year difference between the player and the Hoops.

The Latest: Loan swoop?

Inside Futbol shared a story on Thursday afternoon regarding Giakoumakis.

They claimed that the Greece international is now available on an initial temporary basis.

Ange Postecoglou has been in constant contact with the VVV-Venlo forward over a move, and it seems as if Dominic McKay may now have the chance to sign Giakoumakis on loan instead of a permanent deal.

The Verdict: Giakoumakis to agree terms?

If the latest report is accurate and Giakoumakis is available to leave on loan, who knows, that could actually persuade him to agree on Celtic’s terms in a permanent €3m transfer.

If he left on loan, he’d likely stay on his £2,200-a-week Venlo wage, so, if he wants an improved salary as soon as possible, you’d expect he’d have to seal a permanent exit in the final days of the window.

A permanent or loan move appears to be one to keep a close eye on, and any deal could have an effect on an exit for Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard.

In other news: Southampton reporter ‘told’ significant Ryan Christie update.

أعلن نادي برشلونة في بيان رسمي مساء اليوم الجمعة رحيل اثنين من لاعبيه، خلال موسم الانتقالات الصيفي الحالي.

وقال برشلونة في بيانه: “لن يستمر كل من أداما تراوري ولوك دي يونج في صفوف النادي، كان اللاعبان في الفريق على سبيل الإعارة حتى 30 يونيو وسيعودان الآن إلى فريقهما”.

وأضاف: “يود نادي برشلونة أن يشكر الاثنين على التزامهما وتفانيهما ويتمنى لهما كل التوفيق والنجاح في المستقبل”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. سبورت: برشلونة يتخذ قرارًا صارمًا بشأن برايثوايت

وواصل: “انضم أداما تراوري إلى برشلونة في 29 يناير من هذا العام، من نادي ولفرهامبتون، وتم تقديمه رسميًا يوم 2 فبراير، ولعب 826 دقيقة في 21 مباراة في الموسم الماضي، عشرة منها كأساسي”.

وأردف: “كان لوك دي يونج آخر إضافة إلى الفريق الصيف الماضي، مع وجود رونالد كومان على مقاعد البدلاء، بعد وصوله على سبيل الإعارة من إشبيلية، لعب الهولندي 938 دقيقة لبرشلونة خلال 29 مباراة، عشرة منها في التشكيل الأساسي، مع هدف كل 134 دقيقة، أصبح البديل المثالي للفريق، وساعد في جعل برشلونة فريقًا أقوى”.