حرص أشرف صبحي، وزير الشباب والرياضة، على متابعة الحالة الصحية للاعب الكاراتيه يوسف أحمد لحظة بلحظة، بعد تعرضه لإصابة خطيرة خلال إحدى مباريات بطولة الجمهورية، أدت إلى فقدانه الوعي.

وأجرى الوزير اتصالات مكثفة مع والد اللاعب للاطمئنان عليه، مؤكدًا أن الوزارة لن تدخر جهدًا في توفير الرعاية الطبية الكاملة له، مشددًا على أن صحة الرياضيين تأتي في مقدمة أولويات الدولة.

طالع أيضاً.. اتحاد كرة اليد يخاطب أندية الدوري بضرورة توفير أجهزة إنعاش القلب

وفي هذا السياق، تواصل وزير الرياضة مع خالد عبد الغفار، وزير الصحة والسكان، وأيمن عاشور، وزير التعليم العالي، لضمان حصول اللاعب على أفضل رعاية طبية بالمستشفيات المتخصصة، كما بحث مع كريم بدوي، وزير البترول والثروة المعدنية، إمكانية تقديم الدعم لأسرة اللاعب، خاصة في ظل عمل والده بشركة “بتروجيت”، واحتياجه لإجازة لمرافقة ابنه في رحلة العلاج.

وعلى المستوى الطبي، تم تشكيل لجنة عليا لمتابعة حالة اللاعب برئاسة حازم خميس، رئيس اللجنة الطبية العليا بالوزارة، وعضوية نخبة من كبار الأساتذة والاستشاريين بجامعة الإسكندرية في تخصصات القلب، المخ والأعصاب، والرعاية الحرجة، لضمان توفير الرعاية الطبية اللازمة.

كما شدد صبحي على مسؤولي الاتحاد المصري للكاراتيه بضرورة متابعة حالة اللاعب عن كثب، والتأكد من توافر جميع معايير السلامة الطبية خلال المنافسات لضمان حماية اللاعبين من الإصابات الخطيرة.

Learning their trade at the highest level is tough for inexperienced batsmen

George Dobell10-Jun-2021By the time Zak Crawley completed his epic 267 at the Ageas Bowl last August, it appeared England had found a young player of significant ability.It wasn’t just the size of the innings that impressed. It was the range of strokes, the assured way he dealt with periods of pressure and the timing that seemed to have the ball racing to the boundary. It was an innings that bore the hallmark of real class.But Chumbawamba probably thought there were on the brink of great things after their song, Tubthumping, was a huge hit in 1997. The follow-up just wouldn’t come. Sometimes we’re nearer our destination than we think.Crawley may well still have a great future at this level. He’s only 23, after all, and, even now, there aren’t too many obvious flaws in his game. His technical game, anyway.But he is clearly struggling for confidence. And here, having been surprised by a fine inswinger from Neil Wagner the previous ball (he intended to leave it, but felt obliged to jab his bat down at the last moment as it veered towards his off stump), he was drawn into a prod at the following delivery.This time the ball – whether by design or natural variation – went straight on. Crawley could – should, really – have left it. His timid prod produced only an edge to the cordon.It was not so dissimilar at Lord’s. While his first-innings dismissal – wafting at a wide one – was ugly, the reasoning wasn’t so bad: it wasn’t a great ball. His mistake was a failure to move his front foot and, perhaps, an impatience to play himself in. Had he attempted the stroke when he had 25, he may well have picked up a boundary. But on two? The percentages were far less in his favour.In the second innings at Lord’s, he had been tied down for half-an-hour in making two runs. That should have been fine: England were battling for a draw, after all. But it appeared to leave Crawley skittish. As a result, he was just a little too eager to push – bat far in front of pad – at one which left him. Again, it resulted in an edge to the cordon.Zak Crawley rues another failure•PA Photos/Getty Images

These appear temperamental rather than technical errors. And while the slight reluctance of that front foot to get into line might be described as technical, it could equally be a sign of the tentativeness of a man who doesn’t seem to quite understand his role. If the management can assure him he has time to play himself in, that he has to earn the right to unveil the shots we all know he has, he might yet turn things around. He is still a special talent. But, having won his original call-up on potential rather than achievement, he is one who is learning his trade at the highest level. That’s tough.All this means is that, since that double-hundred, he had batted 11 times in Test cricket and passed 13 once. In that period, he has averaged 9.63 and lasted 23.60 balls per innings. In his most recent six Test innings, he has scored just 18 runs in total.There are caveats to all this. In India, in particular, he played on some of the toughest tracks imaginable. And any analysis of his batting in this series has to acknowledge he is up against a fine attack.But Test bowling attacks are always demanding. And that average just won’t do. The England management have some tricky decisions to make. Crawley has been knocked down: can he, like Chumbawamba, get up again?In an ideal world, he might now go back to county cricket and build form and confidence. But with Kent not having a Championship match for more than three weeks – and only two in the next 12 weeks – his options are limited.This is one of the most significant challenges for modern English batters. That white-ball window, whether it’s filled by T20, List A or Hundred cricket, provides little opportunity to prepare for first-class cricket against a red, Dukes ball. And while there are still a few long-form specialists around, most young players have to possess the white-ball skills – the ramps, the flicks, the power – to sustain a career. It perhaps means their embrace of the old virtues – a sound defensive game and the experience of using it for hour upon hour – has been diluted. There are times it shows.It’s not a complete coincidence that England haven’t produced a specialist batter who has been an undisputed success at Test level since Joe Root. And his debut was back in 2012.Dan Lawrence, at least, provided some resistance. His third half-century in his 12th Test innings kept England’s heads above water in this game. It wasn’t hugely convincing at first but there’s fight as well as talent in Lawrence and he backs his own game to find a way.Related

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If we look a little further ahead, though, you wonder where he fits in. With Ben Stokes to return, you would think he is vying for selection with Crawley and Ollie Pope, who looked more comfortable here before edging an attempted cut. The likes of Haseeb Hameed, who is with this squad, and Dawid Malan must be close to a recall. Time is running out to find a settled line-up ahead of the Ashes.With a crowd in full voice and beer snakes in the Eric Hollies Stand, this was a day that really did feel like a return to something approaching normal. You might even say the same about England’s mid-innings stumble.But one man who won’t look back on the day with any fondness is James Bracey. After receiving a fine delivery that beat him through the gate at Lord’s, he found himself taking strike against the great Trent Boult for his first delivery here. For a left-hander, in particular, that is almost as tough as it gets.Sure enough, that first delivery was in that probing area just outside off stump. By the time Bracey made contact, the ball had left him and the stroke looked loose. But this was a man coming off a duck on debut and unsure if the ball was going to come into him on the angle. It was fine bowling. But hey, this is Test cricket: you’re going to receive fine deliveries. It meant Bracey had faced seven deliveries at this level, been dismissed by two of them and not scored a run.Suffice to say, Bracey is a much better player than he has shown in these two innings. But Ben Foakes and Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow (all of whom have made Test centuries as an England keeper) will be available for the India series and he may have only one more innings to prove himself. It can be a brutally cruel game.Dan Lawrence drives down the ground•Getty Images

One of the things this collapse should have put to bed is any criticism of the opening pair. Yes, there were moments during their stand (72 in 30 overs) when they felt like the guy at a party who tells everyone to use a coaster. They’re sensible cricketers. And in age when we have become accustomed to the outrageous, ‘sensible’ perhaps isn’t what everyone pays to see.Sure, it would be fun if they scored quicker. And sure, there may even be a time when that run-rate costs England an opportunity to turn a draw into a win. Perhaps, in a richer playing age, they may struggle for selection.But what should be pretty clear by now is that England are not in an especially strong era of red-ball batting. They’ve a dozen men who could take the white-ball game by storm. They are spoiled for choice at the top of the order, in particular.But their Test batting line-up is as brittle as butterscotch. They need protection. They need caution. Sibley and Burns’ pace of scoring is the least of their worries. Crawley and Bracey’s pace of being dismissed is much more of an issue.

MatériaMais Notícias

Depois de ter o seu provável retorno ao Corinthians adiado na véspera da partida contra o Flamengo, na última quarta-feira, no Maracanã, mesmo após provar que já estava recuperado de uma grave lesão muscular na coxa esquerda, Willian agora tem tudo para entrar na lista de relacionados do técnico Sylvinho para o clássico que o Alvinegro fará contra o Santos, neste domingo, às 16h, na Neo Química Arena, pela 34ª rodada do Brasileirão.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansZagueiro Marllon move ação contra o Corinthians e cobra R$ 6,1 milhões do clube na Justiça do TrabalhoCorinthians18/11/2021CorinthiansFilha de Sylvinho desabafa nas redes sociais após ser alvo de mensagens de ódio de torcedores do CorinthiansCorinthians18/11/2021CorinthiansWillian treina de novo com elenco do Corinthians e indica que deverá voltar ao time no clássico de domingoCorinthians18/11/2021

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Horas depois de participar de um treinamento na última quinta-feira, no CT Joaquim Grava, na reapresentação do elenco após a derrota por 1 a 0 para os flamenguistas, o meia-atacante fez uma publicação em suas redes sociais para celebrar o fato de que finalmente está completamente apto para voltar a atuar.

– Totalmente recuperado. Graças a Deus – escreveu o jogador no seu perfil no Instagram, em um registro feito pelo atleta mais de cinco semanas após ter se lesionado no último dia 13 de outubro, nos primeiros minutos do duelo contra o Fluminense, em Itaquera, pela 26ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.

Depois daquele confronto, Willian desfalcou o Timão em sete partidas e viu ser interrompido o início de sua nova trajetória com a camisa do clube que o formou como jogador e do qual ele havia saído em 2007. Um dos reforços de peso contratados para esta temporada, o ex-atleta de Chelsea e Arsenal voltou a treinar com o restante do elenco no início da semana passada e agora deverá retornar de maneira gradual à equipe após readquirir sua condição física ideal.

Desta forma, a tendência é a de que Willian seja relacionado para enfrentar o Santos, mas inicialmente fique no banco de reservas e seja colocado em campo por Sylvinho no decorrer do segundo tempo. Assim, ele começará a ganhar o ritmo de jogo necessário para em seguida ser escalado de novo como titular.

GIULIANO E CANTILLO SÃO DÚVIDAS

Se por um lado Willian está prestes a fazer o seu retorno ao time corintiano, por outro os meio-campistas Giuliano e Cantillo se tornaram dúvidas para o clássico deste domingo. Ambos reclamaram de desconforto no músculo posterior de suas coxas direitas em diferentes jogos que disputaram nesta semana. E na última quinta fizeram fisioterapia e não treinaram com o elenco.

O meia Giuliano acusou o problema muscular já no primeiro tempo do jogo contra o Flamengo e precisou ser substituído logo depois. Já o volante manifestou o incômodo na coxa após defender a Colômbia contra o Paraguai, na terça-feira, em Barranquilla, pelas Eliminatórias da Copa do Mundo de 2022.

Nesta sexta-feira, o Corinthians tem um treino programado para a período da tarde no CT Joaquim Grava, quando Sylvinho comandará o penúltimo trabalho de preparação para o clássico. A presença de Cantillo e Giuliano nesta atividade é incerta e o clube ainda não divulgou resultados de exames realizados pelos jogadores para constatar a gravidade das lesões que os dois sofreram. No sábado pela manhã, o time fará o treino final antes de encarar o Santos.

XAVIER É DENUNCIADO NO STJD E VIRA OUTRA PREOCUPAÇÃO

Além de tentar recuperar os seus jogadores lesionados, o Corinthians corre o risco de ficar sem uma das opções para o seu meio-campo nas rodadas finais do Brasileirão.O volante Xavier foi denunciado pelo Superior Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva (STJD) pelo seu envolvimento na confusão ocorrida no final do jogo em que o Timão empatou por 2 a 2 com o Internacional, no Beira-Rio, no mês passado, quando acabou sendo expulso pelo árbitro Bruno Arleu de Araújo.

Xavier foi denunciado no artigo 250 doCódigo Brasileiro de Justiça Desportiva (CBJD), que fala em “ato desleal ou hostil” praticado em campo, e teve o seu julgamento marcado para a próxima terça-feira, na sede do STJD, no Rio de Janeiro. E a pena prevista, em caso de condenação, é de um a três jogos de gancho, sendo que uma destas partidas ele já cumpriu como suspensão automática pelo cartão vermelho recebido contra o Inter na capital gaúcha.

Xavier conseguiu ser expulso no Beira-Rio após entrar em campo apenas aos 34 minutos do segundo tempo, quando substituiu Gabriel Pereira e a sua equipe lutava para segurar a vitória parcial por 2 a 1. Ele foi excluído do duelo pelo juiz após empurrar o atacante Taison em um conflito ocorrido depois que ele se enervou com a marcação de uma falta contra a sua equipe.

Se for punido com três jogos de suspensão, Xavier, reserva que vem sendo pouco utilizado por Sylvinho no Timão, ficaria fora dos confrontos diante do Ceará, na próxima quinta-feira, em Fortaleza, e Athletico-PR, no dia 28, em Itaquera. Assim, ele só voltaria a estar disponível ao treinador para o confronto do dia 5 de dezembro, contra o Grêmio, novamente em São Paulo.

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Pep Guardiola has defended Erling Haaland's sudden dip in form as Manchester City's nightmare season continues in the Premier League.

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Guardiola defends Haaland over droughtHas scored three league goals in his last 12 matchesMan City down to seventhFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Haaland made a flying start in the 2024-25 campaign as he scored 10 goals in his first five Premier League outings, which included two hat-tricks. However, his form has taken a hit since the end of September and has scored only three goals in his last 12 league appearances.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The Norwegian goal machine's sudden dip in form has coincided with City's downfall, as they have won just one game in their 12 matches across all competitions and dropped to seventh place in the league table, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool. Despite the star forward's poor showings, manager Guardiola came to his defence as labelled the situation as a collective failure of the team.

WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

Speaking to reporters, Guardiola said: "It's about us, it's not just about one playing. When Erling was so prolific, it was about us, the team. Erling is so important for us and will be so important for us. We need to use him better.

"The reason why is this one and this one and this one. It is about us, about everyone. The guys are running more than ever. Many little details and big details make us not as good as we were."

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR MAN CITY?

The defending champions will be back in action in the Premier League on Boxing Day as they take on Everton at the Etihad Stadium.

Will Rhodes, Birmingham Bears’ captain, posted a T20 career-best 79 as the North Group leaders notched a fourth consecutive win and consigned Leicestershire to a fifth straight defeat in the Vitality Blast.Sam Hain overtook Ian Bell as the Bears’ all-time top scorer in the format in making 45 as they racked up 191 for 7. Ben Mike took a career-best 4 for 22 bowling two death overs but Naveen-ul-Haq was the pick of the Foxes’ bowlers with 2 for 20 from his four.Scott Steel made 46 and Rishi Patel 30 but after losing three key batters in the powerplay, Leicestershire were always off the pace and fell 35 runs short, Tim Bresnan taking 3 for 29 and Danny Briggs 3 for 35.Asked to bat first, the Bears lost both openers to Naveen’s slower balls, Ed Pollock miscuing his to short fine leg and Pieter Malan spooning one to mid-on, which left Bears 42 for 2 from the powerplay.But Rhodes, dropped off Colin Ackermann on 27 when Naveen misjudged a chance at long-on, hit clearly to clear the ropes five times as he and Hain added 113 from 62 balls before Rhodes mistimed one to caught at square leg.”I think I’ve owed the lads a performance like that,” Rhodes said afterwards. “I’ve had a fairly bleak three or four months with the bat and to hit a few over the ropes is really pleasing.”Related

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Hain looked set for a fourth half-century in five innings but going after Ben Mike he holed out to long-on, where Lewis Hill took a fine catch above his head, with Carlos Brathwaite caught at wide long-off in the same over.Mike claimed two more in the final over, tracking a skier from Michael Burgess out to midwicket for a return catch, before Dan Mousley hit the next ball straight to deep point, although Bresnan pulled the hat-trick ball for six and overthrows made for an untidy end.Josh Inglis hit two of his first three balls to the boundary as Briggs opened the bowling for the Bears, but he was bowled trying to cut, setting the tone for a costly powerplay for the Foxes, who also lost Lilley to a stumping off Briggs, and Ackermann to a slower ball from Bresnan that he hit straight to mid-on to leave them 48 for 3.Rishi Patel raised Leicestershire’s hopes with 30 from 25 balls and as he and Steel added 51 off 39 the Foxes needed 92 from eight overs. But after Patel’s flick off his legs found the fielder at square leg, Steel was beaten by Briggs and stumped, with Louis Kimber run out in the same over.Hill was left unbeaten on 26 but wickets fell quickly at the other end, Bresnan dismissing Mike and claiming his third wicket off the last ball as Ed Barnes holed out to deep midwicket.”It’s a very disappointing night for us,” Paul Nixon, Leicestershire’s head coach, said. “We had a really good bowling powerplay but there was a bit of a breeze down the ground and the Bears used it as they targeted the Pavilion end, scoring about 100 in eight overs. They looked a side full of confidence.”We didn’t field well again – the catch dropped off Hain should have been taken. There were too many expensive overs and when we batted there were too many soft dismissals. The first three dismissals essentially gave their wickets away.”

Everton looked like they were closing in on their first Premier League win of the season, going two goals up against Aston Villa. We’ve been here before though, haven’t we?

It was yet another case of déjà vu as the Midlands side stormed back to score three goals and take the three points, leaving Sean Dyche and his team shellshocked.

Despite several players impressing against Villa, such as goalscorers Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dwight McNeil, there were a few who failed to really demonstrate their true talents during the 3-2 defeat.

One name that stands out is Jack Harrison, who didn’t offer much going forward into the final third.

Jack Harrison’s game in numbers vs Aston Villa

The loanee was expected to stretch the Villa defence during the game, providing chances for Calvert-Lewin, yet this plan didn’t quite work out.

Indeed, during his 64 minutes on the pitch, Harrison completed just nine passes, which was 13 fewer than Jordan Pickford, while he only managed 24 touches, again fewer than his goalkeeper (42), suggesting he didn’t get involved as much as Dyche would have wanted.

Harrison’s Premier League stats this season

Goals

0

Assists

0

Big chances created

1

Key passes per game

1.8

Successful dribbles per game

1.5

Shots per game

1.8

Via Sofascore

Defensively, the winger lost possession six times, was dribbled past once and made an error which led to Unai Emery’s side scoring, underlining how poor he was on the right flank.

Subsequently handed a 5/10 match rating by the Liverpool Echo’s Chris Beesley, he stated that the forward had ‘more perspiration than inspiration from him.’ Not ideal, is it?

There is no respite for the Toffees, as they face Southampton in the League Cup this evening. Might Dyche make a few changes to his starting XI for the clash against the Saints?

The players who could replace Jack Harrison

In truth, Harrison is the only senior right-winger in the current Everton first team, but could the manager make some tactical tweaks or shift certain players into different positions against Southampton?

McNeil, who scored against Villa, has operated on the right flank in the past, providing Dyche with an option. The former Burnley manager worked with the 24-year-old at his old club, knowing exactly how to bring the best out of the player.

Furthermore, new signing Jesper Lindstrom may also be a candidate to come in for Harrison out wide. The former Eintracht Frankfurt gem usually plays as an attacking midfielder, scoring 34 goals and registering 26 assists while playing in this position during his senior career.

The Dane has some experience out wide, however, making 34 appearances combined on both the left and right flanks, scoring twice and grabbing three assists in the process.

During the 2022/23 Bundesliga campaign, Lindstrom ranked in the top 4% for both shot-creating and goal-creating actions per 90, while also ranking in the top 4% for carries into the opposition penalty area per 90.

These attacking traits could see him thrive out wide for Dyche, especially against a side who have leaked 11 goals in five matches so far this term.

There aren’t many options at his disposal, which means the manager may have to improvise slightly, especially if he aims to get the best out of his squad this evening.

Related Fewer touches than Pickford: Dyche must drop 5/10 Everton problem

The experienced star is costing his side.

Posts 2 ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 15, 2024

Allrounder hasn’t played for England since September but could make T20 comeback after six years

Alan Gardner20-Jun-2021Chris Woakes has conceded that his winter of inaction with England “felt like a bit of a waste”, and revealed that he had received an apology from the team management and the ECB over the shared car ride that led to him having to self-isolate on arrival in Sri Lanka in January.Woakes has not played international cricket since last September, having travelled to South Africa, Sri Lanka and India without making it into the starting XI in any format of the game. He was recalled this week to the T20I squad for the first time in almost six years, and while admitting that had come as a surprise he said he would be hoping to push himself into the selectors’ thinking ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year.”I haven’t been in this squad for a while and I look at this as an opportunity” he said. “It is great for me to be back amongst the squad. I don’t take any squad selection for granted, I am certainly not just here to make up the numbers – if I get a go I will be trying to stake a claim. I also realise there are a few injuries knocking around but that doesn’t take anything away from me being part of this England team and putting my hand up to be part of this World Cup – with two World Cups around the corner.”T20 is the only format Woakes has had any game time in recently, initially at the IPL and then with Birmingham Bears in the Vitality Blast. After being named PCA Men’s Player of the Year last summer, Woakes was part of the ODI squad that flew to South Africa only to return without playing a game after concerns over bio-security. He then missed the first Test in Sri Lanka – a game he felt he was “a shoo in to play” – after being deemed a close contact of Moeen Ali, who tested positive for Covid-19 on arrival in the country.When the Test team moved on to India, Woakes was repeatedly overlooked before returning home as part of the ECB’s rotation policy, then missed the three ODIs due to the logistical demands of travel and quarantine required to rejoin the England bubble. “I just want to put it behind me really and look to what’s ahead,” he said. “It’s certainly been a tough seven or eight months since last September.Related

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“It all bubbles up to a really frustrating time. Not playing a single game all winter, after the summer I had, almost felt like a bit of a waste for me. Still great to be with the squad but you want to be playing cricket and making the most of your form when you’re hot.”On the decision to send him and Moeen in a shared taxi from Birmingham to Heathrow, despite the multitude of protocols in place to protect players from potential Covid-19 transmission, Woakes said that he had “vented” his frustration at the time, with his period in isolation effectively costing him his place in the side.”I felt like I was kind of a shoo in to play that first Test match in Sri Lanka, and obviously having had what happened, therefore obviously it did have a knock-on effect, [if] the team wins or the team does as well, all of a sudden it becomes hard to break back in. It doesn’t mean that I’d have played all the Test matches for the winter, but it might mean that I’d have had an opportunity to put my hand up before in a strong performance. And then the thoughts around selection for further Test matches might have been different.”I vented my frustration at the time, and apologies were given. [No] stone was [left unturned], but unfortunately that was the one thing that we did not quite get it right, and I did pay a price for that.”Having opted to go to the IPL after being picked up at auction by Delhi Capitals, Woakes then missed England’s two-Test series with New Zealand earlier this month. That decision was agreed between the player and ECB, with Woakes saying time away from home had “taken its toll mentally” – but he was keen to find a way to press his case for a Test return against India later in the summer, despite few opportunities to play red-ball cricket over the next six weeks.”I spent a lot of time away from home in that period and it had kind of taken its toll mentally,” he said. “The IPL was very much a decision which I took on, it’s on my shoulders, but I felt it was a great opportunity to learn and play some cricket after the winter I’d had.”Those two Tests versus New Zealand were put in [the schedule] quite late and I think the issue was as soon as getting out of isolation in London I’d have had to have a few days at home then play for Warwickshire to make myself available for any part of that Test series. Then there’s the tricky side of Covid restrictions and getting back in that bubble. Once we’d made the decision it was never really an option to play the second Test match. You’d have had to be in the bubble from the start.”It’s a real tricky situation. I felt I needed a refresh and some time at home with the young family. I kind of put up the pros and cons of missing that two-match series. It was very much in our hands, I spoke to Spoons [head coach Chris Silverwood] and the rest of the backroom staff here and they said ‘as much as we feel you probably should have a breather and get away from cricket, it is on you. If you want to be part of that we’ll definitely let you’.”I decided that little break would do me good in the long run. They certainly know I want to play Test cricket, don’t get me wrong. I haven’t played much red-ball cricket but they know I want to be a part of that Test squad and I believe they want me to be part of it so hopefully come that India series I’ll be fit and firing and ready to play a big part of that.”

The transfer window slams shut in less than two weeks, and while fans' attention has understandably turned back to the Premier League, some clubs still have a lot of work to do.

Manchester United are one of those sides, and while they've been quite active in terms of incomings, they are now trying to finalise a few outgoings.

One of the players Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co are supposedly looking to sell in the next nine days is Christian Eriksen, although it seems like they aren't going to get much for him.

In fact, the reported fee is so low that one of the club's midfield stars is currently worth more than ten times the supposed amount.

The latest on Eriksen

According to a recent report from Football Insider, two years after joining the club for free and signing a three-year contract, United are open to selling Eriksen before the window shuts next week.

The report claims the club put him up for sale due to his hefty £150k-per-week wages and because 'Ten Hag deemed him surplus to requirements' earlier this summer.

Unfortunately, due to his contract expiring next season and the fact that he's 32 years old and is earning so much, selling him could prove difficult. As such, the report has revealed that the Red Devils are willing to accept an offer as low as £5m to get him off the books.

He'll leave the club with 72 appearances, three goals and 13 assists to his name, and while he wasn't a world-beater at the Theatre of Dreams, he was a useful player who fulfilled the role given to him for a couple of years. That said, the tiny fee he'll generate for the club is over ten times lower than the recent valuation of one of his midfield teammates.

Bruno Fernandes valuation in 2024

Yes, the player in question is none other than club captain Bruno Fernandes, who joined the Red Devils from Portuguese giants Sporting CP in January 2020 for an initial fee of £47m.

However, his most recent valuation from Transfermarkt is significantly more than that, coming in at €70M, which converts to about £60m, or 12 times more than Eriksen could be sold for this summer.

Now, that might seem like a lot of money for a player who is set to turn 30 next month, but based on his performances at United, it's entirely justified.

Fernandes' United record
Appearances	235
Goals	79
Assists	67
Goal Involvements per Match	0.62
All Stats via Transfermarkt

For example, since moving to England, the midfield "genius", as dubbed by his manager, has made 235 appearances for the club, scoring 79 goals and providing 67 assists, meaning he has averaged a goal involvement once every 1.60 games.

A record like that would be impressive regardless of the era he was playing in, but the fact he has managed to maintain such a high level while the team around him has struggled in recent seasons is a testament to how great he is.

Moreover, since taking the captain's armband, he has shown that he can be a leader on the pitch, and while he may get stick for his body language here and there, his teammates clearly respect him.

Ultimately, while it's a lot of money, the valuation of Fernandes is entirely justified.

Forget Ugarte: Man Utd in contact over "engine" who'd be perfect for Mainoo

The hunt for a new midfield addition continues at Old Trafford…

By
Joe Nuttall

Aug 20, 2024

With a deal reportedly agreed to sign Mikel Merino, Arsenal have turned their attention towards another reinforcement for Mikel Arteta's side, even preparing an offer to secure his signature, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Arsenal transfer news

The Gunners were in no position to panic heading into this summer's transfer window. Coming off the back of two consecutive Premier League title races, Arsenal needed to fine-tune their current squad rather than overhaul Arteta's side like they have needed to do in the past.

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The versatile forward could provide cover across the Arsenal frontline.

1 ByBen Browning Aug 23, 2024

The aim in recent months has, like in the last two years, been welcoming those who would help close the gap on Manchester City. And as Arsenal attempt to make it a third time lucky up against Pep Guardiola's winning machine, that gap is arguably smaller than ever.

Arrivals such as Calafiori will undoubtedly play a part, as will the pending arrival of Merino. The Real Sociedad midfielder is reportedly set to complete a move to The Emirates in a package worth €37m (£31m) ahead of transfer deadline day.

The Spaniard may not be the only arrival from La Liga, however. According to Romano, Arsenal are now preparing an offer to sign Joan Garcia from Espanyol this month, having already agreed personal terms with the goalkeeper.

Romano wrote in his Caught Offside column via GiveMeSport: “Arsenal already have an agreement with Joan Garcia to replace Ramsdale if he leaves. The Espanyol goalkeeper, 23, won the Olympics final with Spain this summer, and he has an agreement on a contract with Arsenal.

“Now it’s down to a club-to-club agreement, but that’s not going to be a problem from what I’m hearing, so when Ramsdale leaves, they will be ready with an official bid for Garcia, this is the idea.”

"Raya 2.0" Garcia would replace Ramsdale

Of course, the reason that Arsenal have turned to Garcia this summer is because Aaron Ramsdale is likely to leave before the window slams shut amid interest from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Opening the door for Garcia, Arsenal may be left paying his reported £26m release clause in the coming days to secure a shot-stopper dubbed "Raya 2.0" by analyst Ben Mattinson.

Saves

2.36

1.41

1.50

Save Percentage

82.5%

68.1%

64.3%

Pass Completion Rate

74.3%

74.9%

69.7%

Minutes

1,260

2,880

540

It's easy to see where Mattinson got his comparison from, with Garcia's pass accuracy incredibly similar to Raya, which is where Ramsdale crucially fails to replicate the Spaniard.

At just 23 years old too, the Spaniard arrives as an Olympic gold medalist, having helped his side defeat France in the final at the Paris Olympics this summer. Now, it's Premier League gold that he could find himself gunning for this season.

سخرت جماهير فريق مانشستر سيتي من نجم ريال مدريد، فينيسيوس جونيور، في مباراة اليوم بين الناديين في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويستضيف ملعب “الاتحاد” مباراة الفريقين في إطار منافسات ذهاب ملحق دور الـ16 من دوري أبطال أوروبا، موسم 2024/25 (لمتابعة اللقاء من هنا).

ورفع عدد من جماهير فريق مانشستر سيتي لافتة، تتضمن صورة حصول النجم رودري على جائزة الكرة الذهبية، من أجل استفزاز فينيسيوس جونيور.

وكان فينيسيوس جونيور هو المرشح الأبرز للحصول على جائزة الكرة الذهبية، كأفضل لاعب في العالم لعام 2024، من مجلة “فرانس فوتبول” الشهيرة.

ولكن تفاجأ الجميع بحصول رودري على جائزة الكرة الذهبية، ليحل فينيسيوس جونيور في المركز الثاني.

وتسبب ذلك في مقاطعة ريال مدريد بأكمله لحفل توزيع الكرة الذهبية، كقرار تضامني مع النجم البرازيلي.

ولم تقتصر لافتة جماهير مانشستر سيتي على صورة رودري، بل كُتب كذلك: “توقف عن البكاء بشدة”، وهي جزء من أغنية للفرقة الغنائية أويسيس، صدرت في 2002.

Man City fans unveil a banner aimed at Real Madrid, after they boycotted the Ballon d’Or awards…#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/sO00OSPb5J — Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) February 11, 2025