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“Craque o Flamengo faz em casa”, mas o Flamengo investiu alto para formar um elenco com atletas experientes e renomados. Diego Alves, Rodrigo Caio, Filipe Luís, Diego, Gabigol… Assim, as convocações para as Eliminatórias Sul-Americanas e algumas lesões têm dado oportunidades neste início de temporada aos garotos do Ninho, que têm correspondido à fama do clube. Rodrigo Muniz, com sete gols em 2021, é o principal símbolo desse momento.

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O Rubro-Negro conta com 29 jogadores em seu grupo principal – como consta no site oficial – dos quais 10 tiveram passagens pelas divisões de base do clube.

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Outros nomes do Sub-20 e até Sub-17, como Ryan Luka, Lázaro e Yuri são convocados regularmente para completar os treinos e as relações das partidas.

Contando com o Estadual, onde o Flamengo atuou nas rodadas iniciais com os Garotos do Ninho”, Copa do Brasil, Supercopa, Libertadores e Brasileirão, os treinadores (Rogério Ceni e Maurício Souza) já utilizaram 20 jogadores da base.

AS SOMBRAS DE DIEGO ALVES

Debaixo das traves, o Flamengo conta com a experiência de Diego Alves desde 2017. O camisa 1 é titular absoluto do Rubro-Negro quando saudável, mas, especialmente na última temporada, teve problemas com lesões- o que deu brecha para dois goleiros formados no Ninho brilharem: Hugo e Gabriel Batista.

O primeiro assumiu a “bronca” e substituiu Diego Alves em reta final decisiva, tendo papel importante na arrancada para o Octa do Brasileirão De quebra, tornou-se o goleiro mais jovem a conquistar o torneio nacional pelo Flamengo.

Já em 2021, Gabriel Batista aproveitou a oscilação de Hugo Souza e nova ausência de Diego Alves para conquistar seu primeiro título como titular no clube que o revelou: o Tri do Campeonato Carioca, diante do Fluminense.

Ao todo, Diego Alves soma 13 jogos em 2021, Gabriel Batista oito e Hugo cinco.

Entre os laterais do grupo, Matheuzinho é o que vem dá base e mais tem chances em 2021. É, inclusive, o jogador da posição que mais atuou na temporada: são 18 partidas e quatro assistências, sendo o quarto maior garçom do time. Apesar disso, Isla é o titular na direita quando está à disposição e, agora, a concorrência aumentou com o retorno de Rodinei.

> Confira como está a classificação atualizada do Brasileirão

Do outro lado, Filipe Luís é o dono da lateral e Renê é o reserva imediato para Rogério Ceni. Contudo, o jovem Ramon é visto com muito bons olhos pelos torcedores – que cobram mais chances ao garoto – e também internamente.

ZAGA É O SETOR COM MENOR PARTICIPAÇÃO DA BASE

Rodrigo Caio, Gustavo Henrique, Léo Pereira, Bruno Viana e o improvisado volante Willian Arão são as principais opções para a defesa do Flamengo. Com a transferência de Natan para o Red Bull Bragantinoe o empréstimo de Thuler para o Montpellier, da França, o setor com menor participação das divisões de base no atual time rubro-negro é o defensivo. Gabriel Noga, de 19 anos, deve ser o próximo integrado ao elenco. É um talento promissor do Sub-20 atual.

JOÃO GOMES, O FUTURO DO MEIO DE CAMPO

O setor do meio de campo é bastante alterado com as frequentes convocações de Everton Ribeiro, Arrascaeta e Gerson, por exemplo, além das mudanças promovidas por Rogério Ceni. Neste cenário, João Gomes surgiu como uma opção e, cada vez mais, vem se provando como um futuro titular do Flamengo.

São 22 jogos na atual temporada, sendo o atleta que mais atuou em 2021. Com bom passe, gol na decisão do Carioca e participação efetiva na marcação – é o jogador com mais desarmes do Flamengo – é uma figura importante no grupo.

Hugo Moura e Max também têm recebido oportunidades no meio de campo do Fla, enquanto Richard Rios, Lucas André e Yuri fazem a transição da base para profissional, participando das atividades e sendo relacionados em alguns jogos.

Dos seis atacantes que estão à disposição no grupo principal, o Flamengo fez grandes investimento em cinco: Gabriel Barbosa, Pedro Vitinho, Michael e Bruno Henrique. O sexto veio justamente das divisões de base e é o terceiro artilheiro do clube na temporada. Trata-se de Rodrigo Muniz, com sete gols.

Goleador desde as categorias de base, o centroavante vem se provando como uma realidade no clube, apesar da fortíssima concorrência interna. O ótimo desempenho do camisa 43, inclusive, desperta o interesse de clubes europeus.

Guyana pacer Ronsford Beaton has been suspended from bowling by Cricket West Indies with immediate effect after his action was deemed illegal by an independent assessor at Loughborough University, an ICC accredited testing centre for suspect bowling actions. Beaton’s action was found to be in breach of the permitted 15 degrees under the playing regulations.The pacer was reported during Guyana’s game against the United States last Monday in the Super50 Cup, and he will now undergo remedial work under the supervision of the franchise, following which he can apply for a reexamination.Curiously, this isn’t the first time Beaton has faced suspension over a suspect action. After only his second ODI appearance against New Zealand in December 2017, the pacer was reported and later suspended after failing an independent assessment of his action. But he successfully remodelled his action in the subsequent months, and was cleared to bowl again in late August 2018.Beaton has played two ODIs for West Indies, both in December 2017.

Bismah Maroof hit a career-best 70 not out off 50 balls as Pakistan women beat Bangladesh women by 15 runs to take a 2-0 lead in their three-match T20I series in Lahore.Maroof came in to bat at 35 for 1 in 4.4 overs, and stayed till the end to drive Pakistan to 167 for 3. Bangladesh put up a good fight, but could muster only 152 for 7 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Monday.Maroof’s 10th T20I half-century comprised nine fours and one six, and was the centrepiece of Pakistan’s innings, with Javeria Khan lending good support with a 44-ball 52 at the top of the order. The two shared a 95-run stand for the second wicket in just 11.5 overs to put Pakistan on course for a winning total.Bangladesh’s best bowler was right-arm medium pacer Jahanara Alam, who took 2 for 27 in her four overs, accounting for Javeria and Iram Javed. The only other wicket-taker was Lata Mondal.Bangladesh’s chase was crippled by left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal, playing only her second T20I. Sadia took a career-best 3 for 19 in her four overs as the middle order crumbled. Sanjida Islam, batting at No.3, held the first half of the innings together with 45 off 32 balls, but lacked top-order support.Bangladesh had begun poorly by losing a wicket in the second over. They kept losing wickets and had sunk to 93 for 6, with 75 needed off 39 balls as no batter in the top five could string together a partnership with Sanjida. The lower order then hit out to eventually bring the margin of defeat down. Fargana Hoque at No.6 made 30 off 19 balls while Alam hit two sixes and a four in her unbeaten 18 off just 5 balls.Maroof was player of the match in the first T20I too, when Pakistan defended 126 for 7 by keeping Bangladesh to 112 for 7. The third and final T20I of the series will take place on Wednesday, and will be followed by two ODIs.

If Durham lose and Glamorgan fail to convert their advantage against Leicestershire, Northants will go up with a game to spare

Richard Hobson in Northampton18-Sep-2019

Durham 131 and 212 for 8 (Eckersley 54*, Hutton 4-54) trail Northamptonshire 217 and 315 (Proctor 86*, Levi 60, Rossington 52) by 189 runsWhen Durham were relegated by the ECB as part of the financial rescue in 2016, figures at the club predicted a five-year journey back to the first division. On another warm, cosy day at Wantage Road they all but surrendered the possibility of making it in three to a Northamptonshire side whose own promotion may be confirmed as early as tomorrow.One by one, the challengers are thinning out. As Durham slid to near defeat, so the push from Sussex expired via an unexpected loss to Derbyshire. If Northants complete victory and Glamorgan fail to convert their advantage against Leicestershire, then Northants will go up with a game to spare. Should Glamorgan win then Northants will still need only four points against Gloucestershire next week.It would be an exaggeration to say that they are dominating this match, but neither have they been behind since the half-hour or so of carnage from Adam Rossington on the first day. With Luke Procter to the fore, they added 80 second-innings runs to their overnight 235 for 6 to set a target of 402 and once again Durham’s top order collapsed to leave the result an apparent formality.Durham can claim to be taking small steps forward, with five wins against four last season and a tally of 150 points, 20 up on 2018, with a game to go. There is even something slightly positive to be taken from the haul of 19 batting points. It may be easily the worst among their rivals, but they managed only 16 last summer. And even 11 Steve Smiths would struggle to rack up 400s at the Riverside.If one eye is on the field, the other must be on the ledgers. The latest accounts, up to the end of September 2018, were lodged with Companies House recently and reveal an overall loss for the year of £1,136,418. This against a profit of £2,227,951 for 2017, when they received £2 million from the ECB for agreeing not to apply to stage Test cricket for the foreseeable future.Durham certainly know the meaning of the word ‘battle’. Whatever the paucity of certain techniques, enough of them showed the guts required to fight their way into a final day. The forecast is good, again, and the new ball is only one over old, but at a time when matches are routinely finishing way ahead of schedule their lower order deserve credit for refusing to succumb to the inevitable.Ned Eckersley held things together during the gloom of a floodlit extra half hour, when Northants failed in a dubious mission to bounce their way to a breakthrough. Rossington must question his earlier strategy of easing up on Eckersley to focus on removing his tail-end partners. Matt Salisbury has faced 55 balls for his two runs, undaunted even after being struck by Doug Bracewell.In fact, Durham’s best periods bookended an otherwise rather dispiriting day. They struck in each of the first two overs, with the ball seaming away, and a brilliant diving catch by Cameron Steel at backward point removed Brett Hutton just as he was starting to smite profitably. But a last-wicket stand of 51 between Procter and Ben Sanderson shifted the initiative.Procter completed his fifty from 109 balls and went along at better than a run a ball thereafter. No stroke startled as much as his straight six against Brydon Carse, which prompted a change of ball, though a couple of later Vince-like cover drives by Jack Burnham would have better sated the aesthetes who always converge around the second-hand bookshop during lunch.They had only victory to anticipate as they ferreted through the shelves of slightly-foxed Swantons and mottled CMJs. In the seventh over, Alex Lees was bowled shouldering arms to Hutton, a poor decision given that the bowler was shaping the ball back in to the left-hander, and a tortured innings by Angus Robson ended with a routine catch to Rossington.After his sensational stumping on Wednesday, Rossington suffered mixed fortunes this time. He dropped Robson, not that it mattered, and needed treatment after being struck painfully on a finger. Equally, he held an absolute beauty, right-handed at full stretch when Burnham chased a wide one from Procter, who enjoyed a characteristically effective, easily-overlooked day.But Rossington’s effort was trumped by Richard Levi at third slip when Carse slashed at Bracewell. Levi did well to react quickly enough let alone hold on at full stretch. Ominously, though, Carse had kept the nuggety Eckersley company for 17 overs. Salisbury has matched that, and while Northants supporters might have chuntered on their way out at least they have one last home day ahead.

Tottenham Hotspur are only five points better off in the Premier League this season than they were last year, but Ange Postecoglou is clearly shifting the cogs to chart a course to success unseen in many years.

A painful reminder, but unless Tottenham pull off a sensational and implausible title triumph, a barren trophy drought will stretch to 16 successive seasons without silverware.

This interminable wait for the unbridled joy that one of the game's major honours would bring rages on, but Postecoglou arrived in the summer to steer the ship back on course and has navigated through several obstacles to instil his vision and give the squad an identity.

Harry Kane ended his career-long affiliation with the London club in August and headed for the footballing riches Bayern Munich can offer, but Heung-min Son was handed the primary talismanic role and Spurs spent shrewdly to counter the blow.

Micky van de Ven and shot-stopper Guglielmo Vicario proved excellent pieces of business to shore up a defence that leaked goals like a ruptured container, but it is the capture of James Maddison from relegated Leicester City that has been the centremost success of Postecoglou's reign so far.

Why Tottenham signed James Maddison

Signed for £40m in June, Tottenham saw an opportunity following the Foxes' demise in 2022/23 and snatched it, bypassing lasting interest from wealthy Newcastle United to steal away with one of the Premier League's standout playmakers.

Last season, Leicester fell into the second tier on the final day but Maddison emerged with his head held high, posting ten goals and nine assists from just 28 starting appearances.

He also ranks among the top 5% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists and progressive passes and the top 1% for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref, making good on praise from pundit Jermaine Jenas that he is "on the verge" of being world-class.

The £170k-per-week star started life in London with a bang, crowned the Premier League's Player of the Month for August and having now plundered three goals and six assists from 13 matches, also completing 86% of his passes and averaging 2.8 key passes per game.

With Heung-min Son and Richarlison raking in goals for Postecoglou's side this season, Maddison's efficiency in his creative endeavours has proved invaluable for the club's progress this term, and he's undoubtedly one of Tottenham's most important and influential members.

Spurs could have signed "monster" £100m Richarlison replacement

Ange Postecoglou’s side still need a centre-forward to replace Harry Kane.

By
Angus Sinclair

Feb 5, 2024

He's not, however, the Spurs star with the highest market value right now, that tag lies with Dejan Kulusevski, who has been phenomenal this season and is arguably Postecoglou's most underrated ace.

Tottenham's signing of Dejan Kulusevski

Spurs captured Kulusevski and centre-midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus back in 2022, with the former joining on an initial 18-month loan.

An electric start to life on English shores saw the Sweden international clinch five goals and eight assists across the latter half of the 2021/22 Premier League season, but he was very much at the core of Spurs' issues last term and scored twice from 37 outings in all competitions, said to be "blowing hot and cold" by pundit Glenn Murray.

The 23-year-old has always been regarded as a high-class talent and there was clearly a tacit belief that he would return to the forefront under Postecoglou's wing, with a £25m permanent transfer agreed upon last summer.

Dejan Kulusevski's market value now

Typically found on the right wing but capable of doing fine work centrally, Kulusevski is actually considered to be Tottenham's most valuable player by Football Transfers and this is an illustration of his prowess and unrelenting energy – the very quintessence of his manager's fluid, guns-blazing approach.

More valuable than Maddison (who, admittedly, is sure to see a sharp rise in the near future), Kulusevski is versatile and dynamic and is finally flourishing with the kind of constancy that portends an illustrious future at the top of the game.

As per Sofascore, the 6 foot 1 phenom has scored five goals and supplied two assists from 21 matches in the top flight this year, though his brilliance stretches far beyond the constraints of direct goal contributions.

Indeed, he has also completed 83% of his passes, averaged 1.7 tackles, 4.3 ball recoveries and 4.2 successful duels per fixture, leading Sky Sports journalist Jamie Weir to state: "Dejan Kulusevski really is a special special player. Works so hard, covers every blade of grass. Hell of an engine on him, and just so much heart."

The former Juve starlet also ranks among the top 18% of positional peers for tackles made per 90 to emphasise the application that has made him such an indispensable figure for his side.

With tools to inflict damage on opposition from many, many angles, Kulusevski is sure to feature at the centre of Tottenham's projected rise under their Australian manager, and while he doesn't have the finishing ability of Son, or the raw creative excellence of Maddison, he is undoubtedly one of the most important ingredients in the Spurs side – the flour in the cake, if you like, vital and unseen.

The acquisitions of both players are just an illustration of the upward curve that Spurs are seeking to continue, embarking on a new journey under new leadership with a fresh vision and rekindled optimism.

Next summer, Levy will bolster Tottenham's ranks further, with centre-forward and central midfield signings likely, and given the judiciousness that is at the centre of the recent business, the future looks bright and the likes of Kulusevski will be at the heart of it.

Former Benfica academy player Oliver Sarkic paid tribute to late twin brother Matija who passed away on Saturday.

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Matija Sarkic passed away on SaturdayWas in Budva during his deathTwin brother Oliver paid touching tributeWHAT HAPPENED?

26-year-old Matija Sarkic, who plied his trade with Championship side Millwall, fell ill while with his friends in an apartment in Budva. Attempts to save his life were unsuccessful as the goalkeeper passed away at a tender age.

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Amid tributes pouring in on social media from his fans and colleagues, Matija's twin brother and Decic forward Oliver Sarkic mourned his sibling's passing on X, as he wrote that the family's life will not be the same in his absence.

WHAT OLIVER SARKIC SAID

Oliver wrote: "Thank you everyone for the love and support shown to Matija and our family. Really shows the amazing person he was. I wish he was still here with us I but couldn’t be more proud to say he was my twin brother. Life won’t be the same without you. Rest in peace, we love you."

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Millwall will be looking forward to paying tribute to their player once the Championship side are back in action in August.

Liverpool moved to five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with an emphatic 4-0 win away at Bournemouth at the Vitality on Sunday.

The Reds now have cup clashes with Fulham and Norwich to come over the next seven days as they get a break from the rigours of top-flight action.

They did, however, make fairly light work of their league duty on Sunday with an assured and impressive showing – particularly in the second half.

There were a number of superb performers for the Reds on the south coast, including the two scorers – Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota – but one player who went under the radar with his display was central midfielder Alexis Mac Allister.

Nunez and Jota's match-winning brilliance

With Mohamed Salah away on international duty, Liverpool's other forwards had to step up and that is exactly what they did as Nunez and Jota ruthlessly dispatched the Cherries during the second half.

The first goal came via a composed finish from the Uruguay international, who brilliantly ghosted away from his marker to finish coolly from his Portuguese teammate's pass.

That was then followed by two strikes from the former Wolverhampton Wanderers star. The first was a clinical near post-finish after Cody Gakpo slotted him through and the second came after a clever cutback from Connor Bradley allowed him – after an initial missed strike – to rifle the ball into the far corner.

Nunez made it four with his second goal in stoppage time as he stretched to poke Joe Gomez's deep cross into the bottom corner at the far post.

Mac Allister's vital contributions

As well as Jota and Nunez, Mac Allister was sublime for Liverpool and played a key role in the victory with his showing in the middle of the park.

He was Jurgen Klopp's unsung hero as the former Brighton star quietly went about his business. No thrills or spectacular moments from the World Cup winner but plenty of little moments that all added together to form a complete performance.

Mac Allister constantly battled hard in midfield to ensure that Bournemouth did not get the better of them in transition when the ball broke loose, as he won 14 of his 19 duels throughout the game.

As you can see in the table above, the Argentina international was outstanding defensively with 12 tackles and interceptions combined to break up attacks from the hosts.

This prevented Alisson from being worked as much as he may have been had the central midfielder not stepped in on numerous occasions to win possession back.

Meanwhile, his midfield partners Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott managed nine tackles and interceptions combined between them, which illustrates how impressive Mac Allister's defensive contributions were.

Along with his strength out of possession, the 25-year-old whiz created four chances for his teammates at the top end of the pitch – four more than Jones and Elliott combined (zero).

This shows that the Reds maestro was impressive with his work on and off the ball throughout the game at the base of Klopp's midfield, which is why he was the unsung hero as Jota and Nunez stole the headlines with their respective braces to win the match but he was just as good with his vital contributions in and out of possession.

Soumya’s record double-century in the Dhaka Premier League will give the batsman confidence ahead of the World Cup, says Tamim

Mohammad Isam in Dhaka24-Apr-2019Soumya Sarkar and Liton Das, both talked up as among the most talented top-order batsmen in Bangladesh, have been frustratingly inconsistent in their international careers so far. With the World Cup coming up, Tamim Iqbal, the senior opening batsman, is hoping the two youngsters grab their chances as best as they can, first in the tri-series in Ireland and then at the showpiece event.The only time Liton has really shown his ability was at last year’s Asia Cup final, in which he dominated India’s bowling to make 121 as Bangladesh went down off the last ball. Soumya made a sound start in 2015 but has had to mostly fight for his place in the ODI team since 2016. Earlier this year, he made a maiden Test hundred, against New Zealand in Hamilton, and yesterday, he became the first Bangladeshi to score a List A double-hundred.Tamim said that a score like the unbeaten 208, which came in a crucial Dhaka Premier League game for Abahani Limited on Tuesday, was bound to give Soumya confidence ahead of the bigger challenges. The batsman was having an ordinary time in the league, having scored just 197 runs in 11 innings, but hit 106 and then the record double-ton in Abahani’s last two matches.

Liton and Soumya have enough chances, and I am sure this is the right time to show the world how good they areTAMIM IQBAL

“It is a great achievement to become the first Bangladeshi to score a (List A) double-hundred,” Tamim said on Wednesday. “Although we will play in completely different conditions and against vastly different bowling attacks (when on tour), scoring runs is still a positive. It will give him confidence, regardless of where he has scored these runs. If he had made 10 and 5 in his last two innings, it would have left a percentage of doubt in his mind.”But now he knows he has scored the runs, and how he has done it. When you are in bad form, you forget how to score runs. Therefore, it is very positive for him that he has two big knocks before going to Ireland.”Since the 2015 World Cup, Tamim has had five different opening partners in ODIs: Soumya, Liton, Imrul Kayes, Anamul Haque and Mohammad Mithun. When Tamim was out with injuries occasionally in the last two years, Bangladesh used five different opening pairs. There is currently no word on who should open with Tamim in a best-case scenario, but it will be one of Soumya and Liton, the only other openers in the World Cup squad.Liton Das goes downtown•Getty ImagesBut while Soumya has shown that he has some form on his side, Liton followed up his poor New Zealand tour with only two fifties in eight DPL outings for Mohammedan Sporting Club. Tamim, however, felt that both batsmen could fulfil their potential in the coming months.”A regular opening partnership means that the two know each other’s game quite well,” he said. “For example, if I am hitting the fielder, he needs to take that extra chance. I can do the same if the other batsman is struggling.”But if somebody is not settled at the crease or in the team, it’s very unfair to go and tell him, ‘brother, now you take the risks’. But I am confident that Liton and Soumya have enough chances, and I am sure this is the right time to show the world how good they are.”Tamim agreed that Bangladesh were still waiting to identify their ideal opening pair, which every successful cricket team must possess.”It happens in every profession where your colleague of 20 years, for example, will know how you operate, and what you like and dislike. There was always understanding between some of the best opening pairs in the world like Hayden-Gilchrist, Ganguly-Tendulkar or Sehwag-Tendulkar,” Tamim said. “If you look back at those games, they seem to be having fun in the middle and they each knew what the other wants.”We haven’t had that opportunity yet but those two who have been picked in the World Cup squad, I am sure they can represent Bangladesh for the next 10-15 years. I feel this is the best time for them to perform.”

Pep Guardiola admits his "game plan was not good" during Manchester City's FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United.

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Guardiola admits he got tactics wrongCity beaten at WembleyDreams of double up in smokeWHAT HAPPENED?

City were beaten by their bitter rivals at Wembley, as their dreams of a Premier League and FA Cup double crumbled. A mistake from Stefan Ortega gifted United the opener, as he rushed out of his goal and Josko Gvardiol headed the ball over the goalkeeper's head, allowing Alejandro Garnacho to score. Kobbie Mainoo then added a second prior to half-time before Jeremy Doku pulled a goal back. City, however, couldn't muster a late comeback.

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Guardiola made a number of bold tactical decisions throughout the game, substituting both Nathan Ake and Mateo Kovacic at half-time, then hooking Kevin De Bruyne before the hour. And he has now admitted that he got his tactics wrong.

WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

He told reporters: "Congratulations to Manchester United for winning the FA Cup. I think my game plan was not good.

"The second half was much, much better. We were more intense, in part because we were 2-0 down and had nothing to lose. It was a tight game. We gave away the first goal, they made a good transition for the second so credit to United for the second goal. We tried. We had clear chances in the second half which wasn't easy because they had man marking and defended the pockets but we had the chances and unfortunately we scored a goal a little bit late. Maybe it could have been different but the team was there like all the time when we lose.

"Disappointed today, it's normal teams can lose finals but this season has been extraordinary fighting for all the trophies in a good way. We will rest and come back next season."

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City will begin preparations for next season as they aim to win a historic fifth successive league title. It remains to be seen how they will invest in the summer.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to sign a new defender who is already in the Premier League, according to an update from a reliable journalist.

Spurs tracking Bournemouth's Zabarnyi

The Lilywhites have made a generally positive start to the new campaign having won nine, drawn three and lost four of their opening 16 games, meaning that they currently find themselves fifth in the table in the top-flight. However, Ange Postecoglou’s form has recently been hindered by injuries, and with Micky Van De Ven and Ashley Phillips both being out on the sidelines for the foreseeable, the manager needs to enter the market to find replacements to bolster his numbers at centre-back.

Tottenham make contact over move to sign £60m "tank" for Ange

Ange Postecoglou is not messing round with January around the corner…

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Dec 10, 2023

Bournemouth’s Illia Zabarnyi has been highlighted as a potential target, with the colossus having impressed during his 23 appearances in this division since putting pen to paper on the south coast from Dynamo Kyiv back in January (Transfermarkt – Zabarnyi statistics). The Ukraine international isn’t a new name to the hierarchy at Spurs, who saw a late bid rejected for him last summer.

Now, if the following update is to be believed, Daniel Levy is considering taking a second bite of the cherry to secure his 21-year-old long-term target. Taking to X, The Daily Mirror's Ryan Taylor revealed that Tottenham are still scouting Zabarnyi and are wowed by his high level of performance since the start of the season.

“Fabio Paratici wanted to sign Bournemouth’s Illia Zabarnyi from Dynamo Kyiv. Data analytics suggested he was a player of huge potential. Spurs rate him very highly & his Premier League numbers are now flagging up on several key defensive algorithms.”

Zabarnyi is a "physically imposing" rising star

Standing at 6 foot 2, Zabarnyi provides a real presence at the heart of Bournemouth’s backline, which he’s proven so far this season where he’s averaging 3.8 clearances and 2.1 aerial wins per game in the Premier League (WhoScored – Zabaryni statistics).

The Kyiv native will also know what it takes to compete and be successful at a high level having secured three pieces of silverware since the start of his career, something that most of Ange's young squad in north London have not had lots of opportunities to experience yet.

Postecoglou’s target additionally only pockets £25k-per-week as it stands (Bournemouth salaries), so he would be a more than affordable option for the board to recruit because that would make him the joint fourth-lowest earner on the books (Tottenham salaries).

As described by GOAL, Zabarnyi is a “physically imposing” centre-back and there’s no doubt that he would strengthen the current defence should he put pen to paper, so this could be a situation to keep a very close eye on should any developments occur in the weeks ahead.