حصل نجم منتخب البرتغال وفريق النصر، كريستيانو رونالدو، على جائزة مرموقة من جانب الاتحاد البرتغالي لكرة القدم، مساء يوم الثلاثاء، حسبما نشرت صحيفة “ريكورد” الشهيرة.

وأقام الاتحاد البرتغالي لكرة القدم حفل توزيع جوائز، للمرة الأولى، حيث نال كريستيانو رونالدو جائزة تُسمى بـ”جلوب برستيج”.

ويتواجد رونالدو حاليًا مع منتخب البرتغال استعدادًا لخوض مباراتين في إطار تصفيات قارة أوروبا المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم، 2026، وذلك ضد كل من أيرلندا والمجر.

وقال رونالدو في تصريحاته خلال تسلمه الجائزة المميزة: “مساء الخير، أمتلك بعض الجوائز في المنزل، لكن عليً أن أقول إن هذه الجائزة مميزة وجميلة”.

وأضاف: “حسنًا، ماذا عساي أن أقول؟ أعتقد أن كل شيء قد قيل بالفعل، عليً أن أعترف أنني أفكر فيما سأقوله في هذه الكلمة خلال فترة ما بعد الظهر، كنت أفكر فيما هي تلك الجائزة، كنت أتساءل إن كانت جائزة تُمنح في نهاية مسيرتي المهنية، شعرت ببعض التوتر وقلت لنفسي (لا يمكن أن تكون كذلك)”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. قائمة منتخب البرتغال لمباراتي أيرلندا والمجر في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026

وواصل: “هذه الجائزة مصدر فخر كبير لي، لا أراها نهاية مسيرتي، بل استمرارًا لكل ما فعلته، أود أن أشكر كل من هنا، لقد مرت أجيال عديدة عبر المنتخب الوطني، أرى هنا العديد من اللاعبين السابقين الذين كانوا زملائي في الفريق، لقد لعبت مع المنتخب 22 عامًا، هذا يتحدث عن نفسه، شغفي بارتداء القميص والفوز بالألقاب واللعب للمنتخب الوطني، أقول دائمًا لو استطعت، لاخترت اللعب للمنتخب الوطني فقط، لن ألعب لأي ناد آخر لأنه قمة وذروة مسيرة لاعب كرة القدم، لهذا السبب ما زلت هنا”.

واسترسل: “أود أن أشكركم جميعًا، أشكر جميع زملائي في الفريق، على التعلم منهم جميعًا، وحتى من هذا الجيل الأصغر أيضًا، بالنسبة لي إنه لشرف لي أن أكون معكم، هدفنا هو الفوز في المباراتين القادمتين والتأهل لكأس العالم”.

واستكمل مازحًا: “أعلم أنكم قد سئمتم من رؤيتي هنا، في هذه الاحتفالات، لكنني أعتقد أنني ما زلت أساهم كثيرًا في المنتخب الوطني وفي كرة القدم، أريد الاستمرار في اللعب لبضع سنوات أخرى، ليس كثيرًا، يجب أن أكون صادقًا”.

واختتم: “علينا أن نركز فقط على الحاضر، مع وضع أنظارنا على المستقبل، سيكون حلمًا (التأهل لكأس العالم)، لكن خطوة بخطوة، تهانينا لجميع الفائزين، وللرياضة النسائية التي حققت الكثير، وللرئيس على الحفل، وللجميع هنا، وأعتقد أن هذا يكفي، تصبحون على خير جميعًا”.

England, who must win the third ODI to not fall too far behind in the Ashes series, might have to deal with a double-legspin threat with Georgia Wareham in line for a recall

Andrew McGlashan16-Jan-2025During January 2014, it was in Hobart that England secured the win that retained the Ashes. The following year, Australia got the trophy back and haven’t relinquished it. This year, England return to Tasmania needing a victory to rescue this series. Otherwise, they will have a mountain to climb.Friday’s game at Bellerive Oval (these days called Ninja Stadium under its latest sponsor) will be a huge test of the belief in the England team after a golden chance for a series-leveling victory eluded them in Melbourne amid a tentative batting display and some questionable tactics.If Australia win and take the ODI series 3-0, it will put them 6-0 up in the multi-format series and needing just two more points – a single T20I win or a draw in the Test – to retain the Ashes. In a condensed schedule, England will have had less than three days to digest what took place at Junction Oval as Alana King spun a web around the middle order after they had bowled Australia for under 200 for just the third time batting first in an ODI since 2009.Related

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“No doubt that would have been a hard loss for England, chasing 180,” Dan Marsh, Australia’s assistant coach, said. “We know what we’ll do is we’ll scrap and fight, no matter what total we put on the board, if we’re batting first. And if we’re chasing, the same thing applies, we won’t leave anything out there chasing that total.”Nat Sciver-Brunt was King’s second wicket, getting a leading edge into the covers having reached 35 on a surprisingly spin-friendly surface. In the opening match at North Sydney Oval, she had been one of two quick wickets taken by Ash Gardner, both Sciver-Brunt and captain Heather Knight caught at deep midwicket.”We’ve been really happy with our bowling performances,” Sciver-Brunt said. “[We need a] little switch with the bat. Obviously, the other day we were disappointed for a number of reasons. We can’t really dwell too much on what’s already happened. We can’t really change that. So the only thing we can change is what’s in front of us.”The skills required for it are already within us. It’s just a little bit of a mindset shift in terms of sticking to our strengths and being willing to use those in any moment. From that perspective, being a bit more proactive… not necessarily being reckless but being smart with that and using our strengths to take pressure off ourselves.”

“We didn’t bat our best in the last game, there’s no doubt about that, but these girls, they’re quick learners and they’re very, very skillful, so I expect to see a bit of batting performance tomorrow”Dan Marsh, Australia’s assistant coach

England could face a dual legspin threat in this match with Georgia Wareham in contention for a recall, potentially in place of fast bowler Darcie Brown, on a surface that Marsh said was drier than expected, which continues a trend for the series on what are traditionally batting-friendly pitches.”I think when the wicket’s a little bit drier, it tends to hold up and spin a little bit, so I think she [Wareham] would definitely come into the mix,” Marsh said.Describing Wareham as more “skiddy” to face than King, Sciver-Brunt continued to stress the importance of being proactive with the bat. “For me, that looks like being quick on my feet, playing off the back foot quite a lot,” she said. “Being smart with my options, but not necessarily going into my shell too much.”The closing stages of the second ODI saw Amy Jones trying to carry England to their target with Lauren Filer and Lauren Bell for company. Amid mixed attempts to farm the strike, it ended with Jones not taking a single off the last ball off the 48th over, which was a free hit after Annabel Sutherland had been removed from the attack for two waist-high full tosses.[File photo] Georgia Wareham could be in line for a recall•Getty Images”It’s hard to see someone put themselves out there so much and for it to not get over the line,” Sciver-Brunt said. “Having been in fairly similar situations myself, I know that it’s a tough one to take. She’s all right. She will have done a lot of reflecting and we’ve obviously chatted about it.”Australia, for their part, also know they have been below their best with the bat, particularly during the collapse of 8 for 49 in Melbourne. However, even if faced with another tricky surface, there won’t be any thought given to tempering their ambitions, with Marsh specifically referencing wanting to put more pressure on Bell with the new ball.”We feel like we’ve got the batting line-up and the depth to push the boundaries,” Marsh said. “We didn’t bat our best in the last game, there’s no doubt about that, but these girls, they’re quick learners and they’re very, very skillful, so I expect to see a bit of batting performance tomorrow.”Having remained in Sydney to continue her rehab from back problems, seamer Kate Cross has rejoined the squad in a bid to play her first game of the series. Her participation will depend on how she comes through training on Thursday, but if available, she could come in for Filer, who has mixed some threatening deliveries with regularly slipping in her delivery stride. England, collectively, are desperate to get a foothold in the Ashes before it’s too late.

Ruben Amorim has laughed off speculation surrounding a meeting with Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, joking that he was offered a new contract. The Portuguese coach is under pressure after a poor start to the season, with the Red Devils sitting 14th in the Premier League and already out of the Carabao Cup. But Amorim insists the talks were 'normal' and part of a long-term project.

Ratcliffe flies in to meet Amorim

Ratcliffe travelled to Carrington to meet Amorim on Thursday, along with CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox. Manchester United have only one league win from their first four games and were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Grimsby Town. Despite the scrutiny, Amorim said the meeting was simply to discuss data, progress and support, and joked that the hierarchy are handing him a new deal.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportAmorim jokes about what was discussed

"New contract, he was offering me a new contract!" Amorim joked when asked about Ratcliffe’s visit. He added: "No, it’s normal things, just to show the support, explaining that it’s a long project. I spoke with him, Omar and Jason, just trying to see all the data around the team. A normal meeting.

"This is football and this is the club with more pressure, maybe, than any in the world, but we want to win. We need to be more aggressive and more clinical. The rest, I think we are improving compared to last year."

Man Utd boss under immense pressure with results lacking

Amorim is still searching for consistency after an expensive summer rebuild and remains under pressure following a 3-0 defeat to rivals Manchester City. While he believes the team are playing better overall, results remain underwhelming. Ratcliffe’s visit was framed as a show of support, but the spotlight will only intensify if results do not improve quickly, with Amorim not willing to drop his 3-4-3 system.

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Getty Images SportMan Utd face crucial clash against Chelsea

United face Chelsea at Old Trafford on Saturday in a must-win clash to ease the tension around Amorim. The Red Devils are without a win against the Blues in their last three meetings.

Pant takes the reins from KL Rahul, who led the franchise for its first three seasons

Sreshth Shah20-Jan-2025

Rishabh Pant has vowed to “give 200%” to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) after being officially unveiled as the franchise’s captain for IPL 2025. As ESPNcricinfo had reported earlier, Pant was set to be named captain after being bought at the pre-season auction for a record INR 27 crore (USD 3.21 million approx.).”Thank you to LSG family for showing the faith in me,” Pant said, alongside team owner Sanjiv Goenka and mentor Zaheer Khan, in Kolkata on Monday. “I will give my 200% and that’s my commitment to you. I will try whatever is in my power to repay the faith you have shown. Looking forward to have a new beginning with new energy and just have a blast out there, and have lots of fun.”Pant takes over from KL Rahul, who led the franchise for its first three seasons before going back into the auction this time around. Pant moves to LSG after a long stint with Delhi Capitals – he was with the franchise since 2016, took over its captaincy in 2021 and led all through barring the 2023 season, when he was recuperating from a serious car accident.Related

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With LSG, he has a chance to build on the team’s previous three seasons of moderate success; they made two playoffs in a row before missing out in IPL 2024.”Yes this is a new team and a new set-up but my ideology of captaining a side doesn’t change,” Pant said. “But as a cricketer you are [always] trying to add to your captaincy. If you give confidence and trust in a player, he will do things you can’t even imagine. That’s the ideology we will try to have. We will give them trust, clear communication and lay out what role we have for them.”One thing we will stress on is a never-say-die attitude. ‘You fight till the last ball.’ That’s what I emphasise on. Performances will come and go, but are you fighting enough? Are you giving your 100% on the field? And that is something you can control as an individual.”See, everyone gets tired but eventually how far are you willing to take it? Are you willing to give that extra 20-30% for the team, even though your body is not allowing? That’s the kind of character we want in the team and that’s the culture we are building.”Too many left-hand batters? Zaheer sees it as a ‘tactical edge’Zaheer, who as captain of Delhi Daredevils in 2016, had worked with a young Pant fresh off his India Under-19 stint, said Pant is someone who has inspired a new style of play. He said that acquiring Pant and naming him captain was the first of many pillars that LSG were putting in place to create a winning franchise.But will their crew of middle-order left-hand batters affect team balance? LSG will potentially line up with Pant, David Miller and Nicholas Pooran back-to-back. Zaheer said good batters will always find a way.”It can be a tactical edge also,” Zaheer said. “That’s how we are looking at it. I haven’t looked at how many left-handers I want in the team. It’s fine as long as you have the balance, you have options in the squad and your bases are covered. When I’m looking at our team, it’s looking like a solid unit.”Now about creating that environment entering the season and creating the pillars of success for any team. We want to get that in place and that starts with Rishabh being captain. He’s going to drive the whole unit in that way so that so that there’s a ‘Brand LSG’ – the kind of cricket that LSG wants to play, and we will be able to deliver.”IPL 2025 is set to start on March 21 at Eden Gardens, and run till May 25. LSG is the second franchise to unveil a new captain for 2025, after Punjab Kings put Shreyas Iyer in charge.

MatériaMais Notícias

A luta para conseguir fôlego cerca o Botafogo às vésperas do confronto com o Fluminense. O técnico Luís Castro lidou com a preocupação de garantir que a equipe esteja em plenas condições para o clássico que ocorre às 18h30 deste sábado (20), no Nilton Santos.

RelacionadasBotafogoCom novidade, Botafogo confirma lista de relacionados enfrentar o FluminenseBotafogo19/05/2023BotafogoDiego Hernández chega ao Rio de Janeiro e demonstra entusiasmo por jogar no Botafogo: ‘Eu me sinto pronto’Botafogo19/05/2023Fora de CampoVeja quem narra Botafogo x Fluminense e onde assistir ao clássico carioca no BrasileirãoFora de Campo19/05/2023

Após ter surpreendido ao poupar titulares no duelo com o Athletico-PR, Castro ainda não definiu se lançará sua força máxima no Clássico Vovô. A “rodagem” pode continuar a acontecer no meio de campo.

+ Todos os jogos do Brasileirão você encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!

+ Veja a tabela e os jogos da Série A do Brasileirão 2023

Marlon Freitas pode voltar a se tornar titular. O volante recebeu oportunidade diante do Goiás e teve bons momentos, mas não evitou a derrota por 2 a 1. Sua disputa é travada com Gabriel Pires, que se desdobrou nas partidas mais recentes e vem ditando o ritmo do Alvinegro.

Outra variação é entre Tchê Tchê e Lucas Fernandes. O camisa 6 é visto como uma das referências da equipe, mas atualmente passa por oscilações. A outra alternativa é por Lucas Fernandes, jogador que ao ser acionado vem mostrando muita dedicação.

Um dos desafios do Glorioso no clássico é “ganhar” o meio de campo. Isso passa por jogadores que consigam aliar um bom empenho à tranquilidade para desenvolver as jogadas. Os desafios fazem o Botafogo não repetir sua escalação há um mês.

Em meio a tantas oscilações em sua rotina, o Alvinegro tem o retorno de sua linha de frente. Junior Santos retorna após ter sido poupado na Copa do Brasil. Caberá a ele ajudar a fôlego a um trio que tem também Victor Sá e Tiquinho Soares.

Mesmo em meio a um período acidentado, o Botafogo tenta encontrar forças para lançar o que há de melhor, engrenar um bom entrosamento e garantir a vitória diante do Fluminense.

Everton’s need for reinforcements at right-back has become a top priority for David Moyes as the start of the new Premier League season looms.

Following the departure of Ashley Young, the position remains one of uncertainty.

Nathan Patterson has featured consistently in pre-season but has yet to convince as a long-term solution.

Meanwhile, 36-year-old Seamus Coleman, though an influential presence in the dressing room, is no longer expected to start regularly.

The club had pushed hard to sign Kenny Tete from Fulham, but their advances were rebuffed when the Dutchman signed a new contract at Craven Cottage.

With the window moving into its decisive phase, Everton – who are also pushing ahead with their bid to sign Southampton’s Tyler Dibling – are now casting a wide net.

Among the options is a player whose career arc and profile make him a particularly intriguing fit for Everton’s evolving blueprint.

A versatile operator with Premier League experience, European pedigree, and the kind of adaptability that Moyes has historically favoured.

Everton's search for a right-back

Moves are now being made, amid Moyes’ cry for more additions, with a £35m bid having been lodged for young Dibling, while the Toffees are also closing in on a deal for Chelsea’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. As per Romano, the former Leicester City playmaker is set to sign for a fee of around £25m, plus add-ons.

As for their right-back search, Ainsley Maitland-Niles may not be the headline-grabbing name Everton fans were expecting this summer, but he could prove to be one of the most effective.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The 27-year-old former Arsenal man is currently with Lyon, where he quietly enjoyed a strong 2024/25 season.

He featured 32 times in Ligue 1, scoring once and registering four assists, while also appearing 11 times in the Europa League and contributing a further three assists.

Now, with several Premier League and European clubs interested, TEAMtalk revealed that Everton are among those assessing his potential return to England.

Maitland-Niles’ ability to play at right-back, central midfield and right midfield makes him a valuable asset in any squad.

Mikel Arteta once described him as having “a huge talent” due to such versatility, a quality Everton currently lack in key areas.

From a financial perspective, the deal makes sense. Maitland-Niles’ market value sits at around €12m (£10m), a relatively modest figure in today’s market.

At a time when the Toffees are navigating tricky financial waters, the prospect of bringing in a seasoned, multifunctional player without breaking the bank would be a significant win.

Perhaps most compelling, though, is how Maitland-Niles mirrors the path of one of Everton’s success stories from recent windows: Jake O’Brien.

Why Maitland-Niles could be the next Jake O’Brien

O’Brien’s rise at Everton is a blueprint worth examining.

Signed from Lyon in a £16.4m deal last year, Everton’s most expensive signing of the summer, the Irishman struggled initially.

He failed to start a single game under Sean Dyche, and many feared he was another big-money misstep. But under David Moyes, O’Brien has flourished.

Now a regular in the back line, the 24-year-old has shown composure, athleticism, and maturity well beyond his years.

He even chipped in with two Premier League goals last season.

Speaking on his difficult start, O’Brien said: “It was disappointing. It wasn’t what I was expecting, but I still trained really hard every day and knew once I got my chance, I’d grab it.”

Maitland-Niles could offer a similar redemption arc. Statistically, he already ticks plenty of boxes.

According to FBref, he ranks in the 93rd percentile for tackles per 90 (3.09) and the 80th percentile for blocks per 90 (1.41), figures that would suit a Moyes team that prioritises defensive grit.

His pass completion rate of 86.3% (86th percentile) and progressive passes per 90 (4.52) (74th percentile) indicate composure on the ball and the ability to progress play in tight spaces, vital for a full-back expected to contribute both defensively and in buildup phases.

He also averages nearly one successful take-on per 90 (0.95), showing that he can beat a man when required.

Like O’Brien, Maitland-Niles comes with a Ligue 1 education and the hunger to prove himself in the Premier League once more.

His time at Arsenal, where he made 132 appearances over nine years, demonstrates not just pedigree, but also resilience. He knows the demands of top-flight English football and has shown he can compete in a range of roles.

Crucially, Maitland-Niles also aligns well with players Everton admire across Europe.

His statistical profile mirrors that of Rayan Aït-Nouri and Ian Maatsen, players known for their versatility, athleticism, and tidy technical skill.

With Maitland-Niles still just 27, Everton would be investing in a player entering his prime years.

Whether used as cover for Patterson, a starter in his own right, or even in midfield, he brings balance, intelligence, and experience to a side that desperately needs those traits.

Given the club’s well-documented recruitment missteps in years gone by, a move for Maitland-Niles would represent a pragmatic, potentially high-upside piece of business, especially if he can replicate the impact of O’Brien on the pitch.

Glasgow Rangers appear to have hit the jackpot with the signing of Djeidi Gassama this summer, as the French forward has hit the ground running at Ibrox.

The 21-year-old winger arrived from Sheffield Wednesday on a permanent deal for £2.2m, and has already scored four goals in six appearances in all competitions, as per Sofascore.

Gassama, a right-footed left winger, has already made a habit of getting supporters off their feet with exciting dribbles and clinical finishes in front of goal, after coming over from the Championship.

Russell Martin will now be hoping that the former Paris Saint-Germain youngster can continue to impress week-in-week-out for the rest of the campaign.

Rangers in talks to sign Championship forward

The Light Blues may now be on course to repeat their Gassama masterclass with a swoop for another exciting young attacker from the second tier of English football.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

According to HullLive, Rangers have submitted a bid to sign Hull City winger Abu Kamara to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch this summer.

The report claims that the Gers are now in talks with the Tigers over a potential deal to bring the England U20 international to Ibrox, with a fee of £3.5m said to be the asking price.

However, HullLive adds that LaLiga outfit Getafe and Birmingham City have also made offers for the left-footed attacker, and that Getafe appear to be leading the race at this moment in time.

The outlet also states that there is a growing feeling that the deal will be done soon, and that the forward has played his last match for the club.

Why Abu Kamara would be an exciting signing for Rangers

The 21-year-old talent would be an exciting signing for Rangers to make if they can beat Getafe and Birmingham to his signature because he has the potential to provide a threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals.

Kamara is a left-footed right winger, providing a different option to right-footed right winger Oliver Antman, and his performances in the Championship last term suggest that he could be a Gassama repeat at Ibrox.

Former teammate Conor Shaughnessy once described the England youth international as a “dangerous” right-sided forward, and his statistics back up that claim.

As you can see in the table above, Kamara and Gassama performed at a similar rate against their expected tallies, whilst the Hull star offered more creativity for his side in the final third.

These statistics suggest that Rangers could expect a similar impact from the former Norwich man at the top end of the pitch, which is an exciting prospect when you consider what the Frenchman has already achieved in Scotland.

Kamara’s form for Portsmouth on loan in the 2023/24 campaign also shows the kind of potential he has for the future, as the English wing wizard delivered an eye-catching return of ten goals and 11 assists in all competitions.

For a fee of £3.5m, which is not significantly more than the £2.2m that the club paid for Gassama, the Hull youngster could be a shrewd and exciting addition to Martin’s squad to bolster his options in the wide areas.

Better signing than Mendy: Rangers line up move to bring £8m star to Ibrox

Rangers are reportedly interested in a deal for a star who would be an even better signing than Nobel Mendy.

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However, it is now down to the club to convince the player that a move to Ibrox is the best next step for him, and to persuade him to turn down Getafe and Birmingham in the process.

Manchester City have now received an offer for a £90k-a-week player, who Pep Guardiola has previously described as “exceptional”.

Pep questioned after deadline day Donnarumma signing

The emphatic 4-0 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers to kick the season off was arguably a false start for Man City, who have since been brought back down to earth with consecutive defeats, most recently suffering a late 2-1 loss away at Brighton.

As such, Guardiola has already made the big call to bring in a new goalkeeper, with City completing the deadline day signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who is seemingly set to displace James Trafford in the starting XI.

There are some question marks over the signing of Donnarumma, given that the Italian isn’t regarded as a ‘Pep keeper’, as he is not well-known to be particularly impressive with the ball at his feet.

Former goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel said: “Donnarumma had a really good season with PSG and was instrumental in PSG winning the Champions League. He is OK with his feet but he is not Ederson – no-one is Ederson.”

With Ederson departing to join Fenerbahce, City are back to having four goalkeepers on the books, with Marcus Bettinelli also arriving this summer, but they now have a decision to make about the future of Stefan Ortega.

That is because a report from Sporx (via Sport Witness) has revealed that Trabzonspor have made a bid for Ortega, with the Turkish Süper Lig side keen to bring in a new goalkeeper before their transfer window comes to a close.

Ortega is not the only option available to the Turkish side, however, with it being revealed they have also been offered the opportunity to sign Manchester United’s Andre Onana, who is seemingly being forced out following the arrival of Senne Lammens.

"Exceptional" Ortega should be allowed to move on

Following Donnarumma’s arrival, the £90k-a-week goalkeeper is unlikely to have any opportunities, with Trafford ahead of him in the pecking order, while Bettinelli is also on the books in the case of a real emergency.

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As such, Man City should sanction the 32-year-old’s departure, despite the fact he has impressed at times in a City shirt, with Guardiola saying in the 2022/23 campaign: “The way he’s played in Carabao Cup and FA Cup so far. Even in the Champions League when he played against Dortmund.

“We were qualified but fighting for the first position. He’s an exceptional goalkeeper. Exceptional.”

The German has been at the Etihad Stadium for two Premier League title triumphs, and famously played a pivotal role in the 2023-24 campaign, producing a crucial save to deny Son Heung-min in the penultimate game of the season.

That said, Pep is now well-stocked in the goalkeeper department, so there is no reason to stand in Ortega’s way if more clubs come calling.

اقتحم نادي ليفربول الإنجليزي، سباق التعاقد مع أحد نجوم فريق يوفنتوس الإيطالي، لتعزيز صفوفه بقيادة المدرب آرني سلوت، بحسب ما أكدت تقارير تركية، اليوم الأحد.

وشهد ليفربول بداية متباينة هذا الموسم، فبعد فوزه بأول خمس مباريات له هذا الموسم، تراجعت النتائج وتعرض للهزيمة في 3 مواجهات بين الدوري الإنجليزي ودوري أبطال أوروبا.

وجاءت فترة التوقف الدولي ليحصل الفريق على راحة لمدة أسبوعين، قبل العودة لمواجهة مانشستر يونايتد على ملعب آنفيلد، يوم الأحد 19 أكتوبر.

ورغم موسم الانتقالات الصيفي القوي لليفربول، حيث أنفق ما قد يصل إلى 500 مليون جنيه إسترليني، لم يكتفٍ النادي الإنجليزي بالتعاقدات التي أبرمها ويتطلع لفترة الانتقالات القادمة.

اقرأ أيضًا | أسطورة يوفنتوس: كابيلو أوقف انتقالي إلى برشلونة

وذكر موقع “Turkish Football”، أن ليفربول دخل في سباق التعاقد مع مهاجم يوفنتوس الشاب، كينان يلدز.

وأوضح التقرير أن ليفربول راقب أداء يلدز مع منتخب تركيا، حيث شاهدوا اللاعب الدولي في فوز تركيا الساحق 6-1 أمام بلغاريا، وقد أحرز هدفين.

ويوضح التقرير أن ليفربول تواصل بشكل أولي مع ممثلي يلدز، ومن المتوقع أن يواصلوا متابعته هذا الموسم، حيث إن أداء اللاعب مع تركيا عزز من الاهتمام به، ما جعل ليفربول يدخل في منافسة مع عدة أندية أوروبية أخرى، بما في ذلك مانشستر يونايتد وآرسنال وتشيلسي.

Manchester City lost one of their key players over the summer. Kevin De Bruyne departed the club after a decade, leaving as one of the all-time great players, not only in City’s history, but in the entirety of the Premier League, given his record and the fact that he is a six-time champion.

He featured 422 times for the Citizens in total, scoring 108 goals and assisting a remarkable 117 times. His loss is certainly going to impact City, as the Belgian legend embarks on a new adventure for Scudetto winners Napoli, under Antonio Conte.

With De Bruyne gone, City will need to replace him well to ensure they maximise the likes of Erling Haaland. In recent days, a shock link has emerged for Pep Guardiola’s side.

City’s latest transfer targets

It will be fascinating to see just how much money City spend before the end of the 2025 summer transfer window. Reports in recent days suggest they are plotting an ambitious £85m move for Real Madrid winger Rodrygo.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The Brazilian might not be the only marquee player through the door at the Etihad Stadium before the window slams shut. According to talkSPORT, they are ‘contemplating a stunning hijack’ for Chelsea’s deal to sign RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons.

The Dutchman has been a long-term target for the West Londoners this summer and has agreed personal terms, but City could ‘come in and try to complete a deal themselves’, with no fee yet agreed.

Leipzig are looking for £60m, and with Chelsea around £10m, it could give City a chance to hijack the move.

Why Simons would be a good signing

There is no doubt that Simons is a hugely exciting talent. The Leipzig attacker, who can play right across the frontline, has shone in the last couple of years for the German side, and was once described as a “sensation” by football scout Antonio Mango.

Last season, the youngster, who is still just 22 years of age, played 33 times for Leipzig, scoring 11 times and assisting a further eight goals. He struggled with an ankle injury and missed a large portion of the season between October and December.

Some of his stats from the 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign are impressive and show his ability to create chances in the final third. For example, the former Barcelona academy star averaged 5.86 progressive passes and 2.13 key passes each game, placing him in the top 5% and 15% respectively.

Goals and assists

0.67

84th

Progressive passes

5.86

95th

Key passes

2.13

85th

Carries into final third

2.97

97th

Ball recoveries

5.36

9th

It is that kind of creativity that will serve Haaland well. The Norwegian striker has been a revelation for City and has a sensational record for the club. In 146 games, he’s found the back of the net 124 times, chipping in with 21 assists.

Yet, taking a player with the quality of De Bruyne out of the City team would surely impact Haaland if they don’t replace him well. The pair combined for 25 goals, and Haaland has never linked up with a player more times in his career, as per Transfermarkt.

It is certainly a big job for Simons if he were to step into De Bruyne’s shoes this season. Just looking at the numbers he managed to put up with Haaland shows just how dominant the pair were together.

Yet, the Dutchman, who was born in Amsterdam, has put up some fantastic numbers over the past couple of seasons and is a consistent chase creator, as the above number showed. It is easy to imagine Haaland getting on the end of passes such as this one to new Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko.

Of course, £60m is a huge investment for City to make, given they have bought a lot of players already this summer. Yet, they need a quality De Bruyne replacement, and Simons has the ability to become that player.

Haaland would love a new De Bruyne this season, and perhaps City have found their answer in the talented young Dutchman.

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