The visitors triggered two collapses to bowl South Africa out for 204 in their second innings, but have lost their way after that
Firdose Moonda03-Apr-2022
Keshav Maharaj picked up two wickets in one over towards the end of the day to put South Africa on top•AFP/Getty Images
Stumps South Africa are seven wickets away from winning their first Test in Durban since 2013 and going 1-0 up in the two-match series against Bangladesh. After South Africa asked Bangladesh to complete their highest successful Test chase, and fourth-highest at Kingsmead, the new-ball bowlers, both spinners, plucked out three of the top four in just six overs to leave the visitors facing an improbable final-day task.It was the first time that South Africa used spin to open the bowling in a home Test and they made incisions at both ends. Simon Harmer had Shadman Islam caught at slip off his second ball, while Keshav Maharaj bowled Mahmudul Hasan Joy and had Mominul Haque out lbw to pick two wickets in his first three overs.Along the way, Maharaj entered the top ten among South Africa’s leading wicket-takers in Test cricket, and displaced Paul Adams to become their most prolific Test spinner since readmission.Bangladesh’s top-order collapse undid a fine display in the field that saw them dismiss South Africa for 204, forcing two collapses along the way. They took four wickets for 32 runs in a strangling afternoon session, in which South Africa only scored 52 runs, and then finished off strongly after tea, with five wickets for 36 runs.Their performance was even more impressive because they only had Taskin Ahmed’s services in limited capacity after he picked up a shoulder injury, which will end his tour after this match. Taskin, however, still bowled 11 overs and picked up two important wickets. Ebadot Hossain stepped up in Taskin’s absence and bowled with good aggression, but it was Mehidy Hasan Miraz who took on the bulk of the bowling load. He delivered 35 overs of crafty offspin and finished with three wickets.Despite heavy overnight rain – of 50mm, two-thirds the April average – play started on time on the fourth morning and Dean Elgar set South Africa up with his second half-century of the match, but it was not without its chances. Bangladesh thought they had Elgar out on 7 in the second over of the morning when he was beaten by a Mehidy delivery that drifted in and hit the back pad, but the South Africa captain was given not out on field, and Bangladesh’s review was unsuccessful on umpire’s call.Shadman Islam is mobbed after completing a stunning catch to send back Kyle Verreynne•AFP/Getty Images
Elgar continued to taunt Bangladesh and had words with Ebadot, who brought some fire to Bangladesh’s effort when Elgar drove a ball back to him and Ebadot threw the ball back at the batter in frustration. Umpire Adrian Holdstock had to ask the pair to calm down. Ebadot’s reward came against the other opener, Sarel Erwee, who worked his way to 8 off 50 balls before Ebadot beat his inside edge with a full delivery that angled in. Though Erwee indicated he had hit the ball, Bangladesh reviewed and Ultra Edge revealed no contact while ball-tracking confirmed it was going on to hit middle and leg. South Africa’s opening stand was broken on 43.That was the only wicket to fall in the morning session, despite Bangladesh creating several more chances. Elgar was dropped off Mehidy at first slip, on 34, and dropped again at second slip, on 43. He went on to reach his half-century off 73 balls when he punched a Khaled Ahmed short ball wide of gully.Then Keegan Petersen was struck on the back pad by Khaled and Bangladesh appealed. Marais Erasmus gave it not out, Khaled wanted a review, but Mominul did not even consider it. But replays showed the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps. It proved to be a costly missed opportunity for Bangladesh as Petersen’s partnership with Elgar grew to 68.Taskin eventually removed Elgar after the break, on review after Erasmus was unmoved when Elgar was struck low on the front pad. Ball-tracking showed it was hitting the top of middle stump and Erasmus had to overturn. That was the eighth decision overturned in the game and the fifth off Erasmus.Elgar’s dismissal sparked a mini-collapse. Five overs later, Petersen nudged Mehidy to short leg where Mahmudul took a good catch low down. In the next over, Ebadot made Temba Bavuma play at a good-length delivery, found the edge, and Yasir Ali went one-handed to his left at slip and took a fantastic low catch. With two new batters at the crease, Bangladesh applied the squeeze, conceded 15 runs in the next six overs, and Kyle Verreynne was given out lbw after missing a slog-sweep off Mehidy. Verreynne reviewed and the decision was overturned, but two overs later, he reverse-swept Mehidy and under-edged a catch to Shadman Islam at silly point, who claimed another sharp catch, just off the ground.South Africa approached the post-tea session with a clear intent to attack. They scored 47 runs in 12.5 overs, but their plan worked in Bangladesh’s favour. Mehidy removed an edgy Wiaan Mulder, who was lured into the drive and edged to slip in the third over after tea. Taskin had Maharaj trapped lbw and then Bangladesh effected the twin run-outs of Harmer, who was found short of his ground after a direct hit from deep square-leg, and Lizaad Williams. Bangladesh would have been pleased with their work despite the magnitude of the target, before it came undone in six overs at the end of the day.
أكد أحمد سالم المتحدث الرسمي باسم نادي الزمالك، وجود حالة استياء لدى مسؤولي القلعة البيضاء، بسبب تداول أخبار خاطئة بشأن فريق الكرة خلال الفترة الأخيرة.
وقال أحمد سالم في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة الزمالك: “كل فترة يكون فيه موسم الهجوم على الزمالك وتعرض الزمالك للأخبار غير الصحيحة، الموسم بدأ بمجرد عودة الزمالك للمنافسة”.
وتابع: “لا نريد أن نفرط في التفاؤل والزمالك الأقل حظوظا في الثلاثة فرق، الأمل عند لاعبي الزمالك وسنلعب لآخر دقيقة، خاصة بعد خصم 3 نقاط من الأهلي كحق أصيل للزمالك وبيراميدز كمنافسين”.
وأكمل: “تفرعنا بأمور شبه يومية في بعض البرامج بإشاعة أخبار كاذبة عن الزمالك لا أعرف المقصود منها هل التأثير على غرفة الملابس أم يريدون أن يفقد اللاعبون تركيزهم؟ إما تصدير إحباطا لجمهور الزمالك، هذا أمر غير مفهوم واعتدنا على ذلك ولكن لن نصمت، لن يكون هناك استسلام أو تهاون مع أي أحد يقول أخبار كاذبة، ولا يوجد شيء لدينا نخاف منه أو نخفيه”.
خاص | أول رد فعل من الزمالك بعد محضر زيزو ضد النادي
وواضح: “فريق الزمالك بعيد تمامًا عن الشائعات ويوجد به لاعبين كبار جدًا ومعظمهم دوليين ويعرفون الضغوط ولا توجد أي مشكلة، مركزين جدًا والـ 6 مباريات المقبلة حياة أو موت”.
واختتم: “مجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك مستاء جدًا من كم الشائعات غير المنطقية والتي هدفها هز استقرار الفريق، ولو أحد تجاوز النقد الذي يندرج تحت حرية الإعلام سيتم تقديم شكوى فيه في الجهات المختصة”.
Depois de Patrick de Paula ser vendido ao Botafogo, o Palmeiras viu outros clubes do futebol brasileiro criarem coragem para propor negócios envolvendo atletas que não estão tendo espaço com o técnico Abel Ferreira. E nesta semana foi a vez de Gabriel Menino. O meia, com passagem pela Seleção Brasileira, recebeu uma sondagem para defender o Grêmio por empréstimo na Série B, mas a oferta foi recusada pelo Verdão.
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Não foi a primeira busca pelo camisa 25 recebida pelo Alviverde. Conforme o LANCE! apurou com pessoas ligadas à diretoria de futebol, América-MG e equipes dos EUA já procuraram o clube propondo acordos por empréstimo.
Não é o desejo da gestão Leila Pereira firmar negócios neste modelo. A reportagem apurou que após conversa com Abel, o clube prefere manter Menino no grupo, afinal ele é útil pela sua versatilidade – pode atuar como lateral-direito -, do que liberá-lo por acordo temporários.
Por mais que Menino tenha perdido a preferência não só com a comissão técnica, mas também com a torcida e o restante do elenco, principalmente após curtir a postagem comemorativa do Chelsea depois da derrota alviverde no Mundial de Clubes, a avaliação é de que não há vantagem em liberar um jogador avaliado em 15 milhões de euros (cerca de R$ 80 milhões) e que pode ter propostas do futebol europeu na janela de transferências. O Verdão aceitaria até metade disso para liberar Menino.
Segundo pessoas ligadas ao futebol alviverde, a proposta gremista previa o empréstimo por uma quantia considerada irrisória. Diferente dos mineiros, havia a vantagem apenas do Palmeiras não precisar pagar parte dos salários, como foi sugerido.
A ambos, o Palmeiras deixou as portas abertas para propostas que envolvam a compra de parte dos direitos federativos, como aconteceu com Patrick de Paula.
Pelo Palmeiras, Menino soma 97 partidas, tendo marcado seis gols e dez assistências, além, é claro, de ter conquistado o bi da Libertadores, Copa do Brasil e as Olimpíadas de Tóquio-2020 com a Seleção Brasileira.O jogador de 21 anos, que já fora monitorado por gigantes como o Manchester City, tem contrato com o Palmeiras até dezembro de 2024, com multa em torno de 60 milhões de euros (cerca de R$ 393 mi), valor considerado fora da realidade para sua saída pelo próprio Palmeiras.
Newcastle United failed to make progress last weekend, defeated as they were by Brentford in west London. It’s early days yet, but the Magpies are 12th in the Premier League and seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester City.
Eddie Howe could only watch on as his side spurned several excellent chances. Newcastle have struggled for goals and energy in the final third this season but appear to have fixed that issue somewhat. The overall fluency, however, remains off-kilter.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe
What is the goal for the Magpies as things stand? In Howe’s own words, speaking after the Gtech defeat, Newcastle have been far too “inconsistent,” while club captain Bruno Guimaraes criticised his team’s “very disappointing” start to the season.
There’s ample time to reorient and step toward greener pastures, but balance needs to be found and managed, lest Newcastle suffer patchy results right up to the summer.
Newcastle – Remaining Fixtures in 2024
Date
Opponent
Competition
14/12/24
Leicester (H)
Premier League
18/12/24
Brentford (H)
Carabao Cup
21/12/24
Ipswich (A)
Premier League
26/12/24
Aston Villa (H)
Premier League
30/12/24
Man United
Premier League
With Sven Botman and Jamal Lascelles entering the final phases of their rehabilitation from injuries, the rearguard will at least be bolstered soon, but the Toon’s midfield needs work, and Howe appears to be lining up an exciting new star to settle the equilibrium.
Newcastle transfer news
As per Caught Offside, Newcastle are still tracking Borrussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha, who Howe admitted was on the club’s radar in 2023, before he left Wolfsburg to join the Yellow Wall in a £25m deal.
Felix Nmecha for Borussia Dortmund.
The 24-year-old is a robust and varied presence in the middle of the park, with an all-action style that could complement and combine with the skills of the Magpies midfielders nicely.
Manchester United are also interested, and while he’s a popular presence in Nuri Sahin’s Bundesliga side, they would be willing to listen to offers in the ballpark of €45m (£37m).
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
What Felix Nmecha would bring to Newcastle
Upon bringing the German in, Dortmund technical director Sebastien Kehl said this of the new recruit: “Felix Nmecha is a fast, technically adept and physically strong player who will enhance our midfield both offensively and defensively with his profile.”
Clearly a player with the athletic prowess to survive the energy and intensity of the Premier League, Nmecha actually offers the mould that Howe has liked to enforce at St. James’ Park – almost a hybrid of Joelinton and Guimaraes.
As per FBref, he ranks among the top 15% of midfielders in the Champions League this season for goals, the top 13% for assists, the top 11% for pass completion, the top 16% for successful take-ons and the top 21% for tackles per 90. You can see that he’s an all-round type of player.
So much so, in fact, that FBref have recorded Arsenal’s Declan Rice as one of the German’s most statistically similar players. Newcastle have some interesting parts in the engine room but that would be the cog to complete the machine.
Though, with elegant Sandro Tonali and energetic Joe Willock both occupying space, it becomes rather questionable as to where a £40m-odd midfielder would fit in the Tyneside system.
Someone would need to go. Lewis Miley’s still making progress as he establishes himself from the academy, but it’s fellow Newcastle native Sean Longstaff who should be ruthlessly given the chop.
How Felix Nmecha compares to Sean Longstaff
Perhaps part of the problem is that Joelinton, Guimaraes and Longstaff have formed the largely-used core of Howe’s Newcastle team for the past three years, and now fresh legs are needed.
Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha
Longstaff – a long-time scapegoat of fans in the Toon – is certainly industrious, and tenacious besides, but he’s lacking in several departments that are paramount for Newcastle to make progress and sit alongside those at the very top of English (and European) football.
Nmecha offers certain similarities to the United star, but as you will see below, outstrips him across various key metrics that suggest that he will allow Howe’s midfield to operate at a higher level.
Felix Nmecha vs Sean Longstaff – 2024/25
Match Stats*
Nmecha
Longstaff
Matches (starts)
13 (8)
14 (8)
Goals
2
0
Assists
1
0
Touches*
39.5
25.6
Pass completion
88%
87%
Key passes*
0.6
0.2
Dribbles (completed)*
0.5 (67%)
0.1 (33%)
Ball recoveries*
3.1
1.9
Tackles + interceptions*
1.9
2.3
Total duels (won)*
3.6 (59%)
2.7 (54%)
Stats via Sofascore (* = per game)
Even at a glance, it’s clear to see that the Dortmund man brings more to the table. Whether he would hit the ground running in the Premier League is of course somewhat uncertain, but then the same can be said for any hopeful incoming stepping onto English shores for the first time.
And anyway, it’s not like Nmecha hasn’t tasted English football to some degree in the past, for he cut his teeth within Manchester City’s powerful production line before journeying abroad to make his name, settling with Wolfsburg in 2021 after his youth contract dried up.
Newcastle, of course, know of Nmecha’s qualities all too well, and not just because of erstwhile transfer intrigue. The rangy midfielder was the author of the goal that saw Dortmund leave St. James’ Park with three Champions League points last season.
But, painful as those memories are, it suggests that Nmecha has the skills to succeed against Premier League opposition.
With rival suitors starting to register their interest, Newcastle need to act fast to score a big upgrade on Longstaff and continue the construction of a top-class Tyneside team.
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Club reprimanded by Cricket Discipline Commission following comments by former chair
ESPNcricinfo staff05-May-2022
A view of the weathervane at the County Ground in Chelmsford•Alex Davidson/Getty Images
Essex have been fined £50,000 and warned as to the club’s future conduct after accepting two charges relating to a historic racist comment.The club pleaded guilty to the charge that John Faragher, the former chair, used the offensive term “n***** in the woodpile” during a board meeting in February 2017, and also acknowledged that it had failed to conduct a timely investigation into the matter.Faragher, who resigned last November, continues to deny the allegation, having insisted in a social media post in February that the process had been “entirely reactive and fundamentally unfair”, and driven to a large extent by Essex’s and the ECB’s desire to avoid the mistakes made by Yorkshire in their handling of Azeem Rafiq’s allegations of institutional racism.To that end, the written findings of the CDC panel commend John Stephenson, Essex’s chief executive and interim chair, for doing “all within his power” to take internal action on the matter, but noted that “he has been thwarted by the ECCC board, which has been paralysed by division”. This includes last week’s resignation of Wasim Haq, the board member who blew the whistle on Faragher’s comments, alongside fellow board member Paul Harvey.”The use of racist and discriminatory language such as this is plainly unacceptable: it’s utterance by a club chair is all the more deplorable,” the summary continued.Related
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“It is clear that the club has failed to uphold the standards expected of it, not only in respect of the conduct of its former chair but also as regards its failure to act appropriately or at all thereafter.”It is also clear that the impact of this breach has had a negative effect both upon the game of cricket and upon the ECB.”Nevertheless, the panel – chaired by Ricky Needham, alongside Amrisha Parathalingam and Mark Milliken-Smith QC – also concluded that a points deduction would be inappropriate given that the comments had been made by a non-player away from the field, and allowed for £15,000 of the fine to be suspended for two years.The club was also credited for its “significant motivation” to tackle racism and to “re-energise” its “historically positive approach to its EDI obligations”, both within the club and the wider community.Responding to the CDC findings, Essex said in a statement: “The club has a zero-tolerance policy towards racism and any form of discrimination. We continue to work with the ECB to eradicate discrimination from the game, which includes implementing their 12-point action plan and the club’s further commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion policies and processes.”
A Seleção Brasileira aplicar uma goleada não é surpresa, no entanto, atuando na Bolívia, onde a altitude atrapalha o desempenho dos jogadores brasileiros, foi um fator positivo extra. Após a goleada por 4 a 0 em La Paz, o técnico Tite disse que teve suas expectativas superadas.
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– Sim. Qualquer expectativa que pudesse colocar em cima de todo esse desempenho, em termo de análise qualitativa e quantitativa, vir para cá com tamanhas adversidades e fazer um placar tão elástico, com número de finalizações importante, mantendo nível, alternando sem perder o modelo – disse o comandante brasileiro.
O treinador falou sobre a posse de boa jogando na altitude. Segundo ele, é muito difícil ter o desempenho que seus jogadores tiveram neste duelo, principalmente, levando em consideração a qualidade da seleção da casa.
– Nossa retomada de posse se manteve alta, 21%. A gente busca retomar a bola logo, gera um nível de concentração alto dos atletas. Depois ter posse de bola para não afogar de mais, porque a cabeça dói, o atleta diminui capacidade física. É muito difícil o desempenho que tivemos jogando contra a qualidade da Bolívia e aqui em La Paz – completou Tite.
Tottenham Hotspur are facing a crucial set of fixtures with a paper-thin squad, following a succession of injuries and suspensions, but that hasn’t stopped reports of players potentially departing N17.
Tottenham preparing for Carabao Cup quarter-final against Man United
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is currently preparing his side for an all-important Carabao Cup quarter-final clash against Man United on Thursday evening, with the competition potentially representing the club’s best chance of winning major silverware.
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Postecoglou stated at the beginning of 2024/2025 that he usually wins trophies in his second season, comments which will surely be looked back on if the Australian fails to deliver on his promise to supporters.
In truth, barring a sensational 5-0 win away to Southampton, and 4-0 demolition of Man City at the Etihad Stadium, Spurs have looked far away from delivering a first piece of silverware since 2008.
Tottenham’s next five Premier League games
Liverpool (Home)
Nottingham Forest (Away)
Wolves (Home)
Newcastle United (Home)
Arsenal (Away)
The Lilywhites boast just those two victories from their last nine games in all competitions, a run which includes disappointing defeats to the likes of Ipswich Town, Chelsea and Galatasaray, but Postecoglou has been forced to contend with numerous injuries and suspensions in that time.
That being said, Man United have blown hot and cold under Ruben Amorim since the Portuguese’s arrival at Old Trafford, so there is every chance that Spurs could overcome the Red Devils – especially on home turf.
Postecoglou won’t be able to call upon a number of first-team players for the encounter, due to long-term injuries, and one of them is Brazil striker Richarlison.
The 27-year-old is currently sidelined with a thigh problem, which is expected to keep him out until mid-way through January (Premier Injuries), but teams from his homeland are expressing a serious interest in tempting him away mid-season.
Richarlison open to leaving Tottenham
Fluminense president Mario Bittencourt recently confirmed that he wants to sign Richarlison, and has sent official documentation to Spurs asking if they would like to open transfer talks.
“What is concrete is that we have expressed a formal interest in Richarlison. We know how difficult it is to bring him in,” said Bittencourt.
“We believe that he may want to be close to the Brazilian national team, to return home to the club where he excelled. I have a close relationship with him. I was vice-president of football when he arrived.
“We sent a first document to the English club, still without an offer, but asking if they would like to negotiate.”
However, according to UOL, Bittencourt and Fluminense will now face stiff competition from fellow Brazilian side Flamengo. The outlet reports that Fluminense have contacted Richarlison directly to express their interest in holding negotiations, and they’re prepared to offer Tottenham around £17 million to secure the ex-Everton star’s services.
However, Spurs are demanding nearly double that amount, and want around £34 million to consider selling. Chairman Daniel Levy and co are also adamant that they will not consider a loan deal, even with the option to buy.
Richarlison himself, while prioritising a stay in England, doesn’t completely close the door on a return to Brazil – and is open to either that or a move to Saudi Arabia.
قال الروماني لورينتسو ريجيكامف، المدير الفني السابق لنادي الترجي التونسي، إنه قضى فترة رائعة مع أبناء باب سويقة، حيث حقق العديد من الانتصارات، ونجح في قيادة الترجي إلى الدور ربع النهائي من دوري أبطال إفريقيا، بالإضافة إلى التتويج بلقب كأس السوبر التونسي.
وأضاف ريجيكامف في تصريحاته: “استلمت الفريق وهو في المركز السادس بالدوري، وتمكنت من قيادته إلى صدارة الترتيب، كانت فترة ناجحة بكل المقاييس، ولهذا كان من الغريب أن يتم إبلاغي بإنهاء التعاقد، لم أكن أتوقع ذلك إطلاقًا، خاصة أننا كنا نستعد لمباراة هامة أمام صن داونز في نصف نهائي دوري الأبطال”.
وأوضح: “رحلت عن الترجي دون أي مشكلة، وأديت عملي على أكمل وجه، بذلت أقصى ما لدي، وحققنا الفوز في جميع المباريات الصعبة حتى مباراة بيراميدز، وحتى في تلك المباراة، خسرنا في اللحظات الأخيرة فقط، في القاهرة، وقدمنا أداءً رائعًا رغم الهزيمة”.
خاص.. كاف يحقق مع حكم مباراة بيراميدز وأورلاندو بايرتس
وعن أسباب عدم تأهل الترجي على حساب صن داونز، تابع: “لا أحب الحديث عن أمور لم أكن جزءًا منها، لدي احترام كبير لكل المدربين، ولا أعرف أسباب عدم تأهل الترجي، أستطيع فقط الحديث عن فترتي، حيث كنت أُعد الفريق بشكل جيد لمواجهة صن داونز، لكني رحلت قبل هذه المواجهة”.
وتابع: “شاهدت المباراة، ولم يعجبني أداء الترجي، كان هناك خلل واضح في التمركز والمساحات بين اللاعبين، والمباراة جاءت مغايرة تمامًا لما كنت أتوقعه، أعلم جيدًا أن الترجي يملك الإمكانيات التي تؤهله لتخطي صن داونز، والتأهل للمباراة النهائية”.
وعن رأيه في مواجهة الأهلي وصن داونز، استكمل: “شاهدت جميع مباريات دوري الأبطال هذا الموسم، وأعتقد أن المواجهة ستكون صعبة، يجب على لاعبي الأهلي أن يتمركزوا جيدًا داخل الملعب، فقد سنحت لهم فرص كثيرة للتسجيل في مباراة الذهاب”.
وأكمل: “على لاعبي الأهلي أن يتحلوا بالثقة في لقاء العودة، ولا يجب أن يخافوا، لأن صن داونز سيدخل المباراة من أجل الضغط وتحقيق الفوز، الأهلي سيلعب على أرضه وأمام جماهيره، ويمتلك كل المقومات التي تمكنه من الفوز، عليهم أن يقاتلوا”.
وأشاد ريجيكامف بالنادي الأهلي قائلاً: “الأهلي نادٍ كبير ويمثل الكرة المصرية بشكل مشرف في إفريقيا، الوصول إلى نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا خمس مرات في آخر خمس نسخ ليس بالأمر السهل، إنه إنجاز مذهل، صحيح أن الفريق قد يفوز أو يخسر، لكن مجرد التواجد بهذا الاستمرار في النهائي أمر يُحسب له”.
وأضاف: “الأهلي مرشح قوي للفوز على صن داونز، لأنه يمتلك الخبرة والعناصر التي تعرف كيفية التعامل مع مثل هذه المباريات، وكل العوامل في صالحه”.
وعن بيراميدز، أتم: “سيخوض مباراة صعبة أمام أورلاندو بايرتس، الذي قدم أداءً أفضل منه وكان أخطر حتى من صن داونز، على بيراميدز أن يتحسن كثيرًا إذا أراد التأهل”.
وتوقع ريجيكامف أن يكون نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا مصريًا، قائلًا: “أعتقد أن النهائي سيجمع بين الأهلي وبيراميدز”.
وعن مستقبله التدريبي، أكد: “لم أتلقَ أي عروض من أندية مصرية في الفترة الأخيرة”.
واختتم تصريحاته بالحديث عن بطولة كأس العالم للأندية، قائلاً: “الأهلي، الترجي، الوداد، وصن داونز سيكونون مستعدين جيدًا للبطولة، النسخة المقبلة ستكون مميزة، وستشهد مباريات قوية أمام أندية كبيرة، أتمنى أن يستمتع اللاعبون بهذه الفرصة، وأنا واثق أن واحدًا من هذه الأندية الأربعة سيجعل جماهير بلاده وإفريقيا كلها فخورة به”.
This is a new year. Is this Liverpool’s year? Let’s not be too hasty – especially with Arsenal narrowing the deficit in the Premier League title race with an impressive win at Brentford – but the Reds are fixed in pole position.
The Saka-less Gunners reduced the gap to six points, leapfrogging Nottingham Forest into second place. There’s still a sizeable gap to bridge toward Liverpool, who also have a game in hand, but too many false dawns have stretched across Merseyside in recent years.
Trent
Liverpool have plenty of success stories over the past decade, but plenty more agonising flashbacks besides. That’s football. It’s staggering that Arne Slot has done so well after gripping Jurgen Klopp’s baton last summer, taking Liverpool to another level that promises, at least, gripping showdowns across multiple cylinders.
Signings are needed though to complement – hopefully – some stirring contractual resolutions. Liverpool merely dipped their toes into the market last summer, but will need to strengthen considerably this year, lest their rivals catch up and overtake them this year and next.
Liverpool looking at big signing this year
As per Football Insider, Liverpool have made Morgan Gibbs-White their top target this year, with the dynamic midfielder endowed with the completeness to make more than a few ripples within Anfield’s squad.
Morgan Gibbs-White celebrates for Nottingham Forest
It’s claimed that FSG’s recruitment team have upped their interest in the Nottingham Forest star ‘ahead of the January and summer transfer windows’, suggesting that a move this winter isn’t out of the question.
Gibbs-White has been the life-juice of Nuno Espirito Santo’s third-placed side this year, and prising him away won’t be easy. In fact, he was valued at £60m by his outfit during the off-season and they will hardly be looking for a reduced figure after the progress this term.
What Morgan Gibbs-White would bring to Anfield
Nottingham Forest appeared to splurge upon their return to the Premier League in 2022, scattergunning across the market as they sought to preserve their place back in the big time. It worked. Just.
But English football felt that business had been conducted haphazardly. English football was wrong. The Tricky Trees have burgeoned into one of the most steely and cohesive units in the Premier League, with Gibbs-White pulling the strings from the middle.
Forest signed Wolves’ talent in August 2022 for a fee rising as high as £42.5m, something that was met with derision from many circles of the Premier League’s sprawling support base. The Tricky Trees will feel that they’ve had the latest laugh, for Gibbs-White is one of the highest-performing midfielders in the Premier League this season.
Still only 24, Gibbs-White has now claimed 35 goal contributions from 95 appearances, and having been praised as a “monster in transition” by one analyst, the Englishman’s general play is highlighted, with such an impressive distinction through his playmaking, yes, but also his defensive work and on-the-ball retention.
Also praised for his “magic tricks” by reporter Jamie Martin, the £80k-per-week star has the quick-footed, fast-thinking style that works perfectly at the City Ground, marrying flair with tactical pragmaticism.
There’s also a combativeness to him and a sense of responsibility too. The free-scoring Chris Wood has commented on Gibbs-White becoming a “really positive leader for Forest” who is “always looking to progress the team.”
Bearing the full package, Gibbs-White could even become Slot’s own version of Steven Gerrard at Liverpool. That’s a bold claim, but just hear us out.
Slot's own Steven Gerrard
Steven George Gerrard. Liverpool’s ultimate superstar. The iconic England midfielder engineered the greatest Champions League triumph in history, played 710 times for his boyhood club and registered 341 goal contributions.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard
The Premier League title eluded him but he remained on Merseyside throughout his European career and knitted a connection with the city that will endure forever.
He was the perfect centre-midfielder, in many ways, for his all-encompassing nature made him a force to be reckoned with across the various roles. Eight, six, ten – he could do it all, and with panache at that.
Gibbs-White has the prototypical skill set to assume the kind of dynamic approach that Gerrard once plied in the Premier League, with his ball-playing and -carrying skills reminiscent of the Scouse hero. Moreover, Forest’s midfield talisman has fostered an impressive defensive game through Nuno’s strategic system.
The skills learned during this time are transferrable, and Liverpool would be sure to reap the rewards of such an impressive tactical range. In fact, Gibbs-White has even been warmly referred to as the “Aldi Jude Bellingham” by BBC analyst Raj Chohan, praising his athleticism and ability to plough through even the most noble of defensive lines.
League Stats: Morgan Gibbs-White vs Jude Bellingham (24/25)
Match Stats*
Gibbs-White
Bellingham
Matches (starts)
15 (15)
14 (14)
Goals
3
6
Assists
3
4
Shots (on target)*
1.7 (0.9)
1.4 (0.6)
Pass completion
80%
89%
Key passes*
1.8
1.1
Dribbles*
1.4
1.1
Ball recoveries*
4.1
3.0
Tackles + interceptions*
2.3
3.0
Total duels (won)*
5.3 (46%)
5.4 (57%)
Stats via Sofascore (* = per game)
Bellingham is cut from a similar cloth as Gerrard, describing the retired pro as his “hero” and admitting that he has attempted to incorporate similar aspects into his own game.
Jamie Carragher has also waxed lyrical about Bellingham and drawn him against a prime Gerrard, with his strength across every single area something unique and hardly replicable.
Ultimately, Liverpool know that their lionised skipper is someone who will never be replaced, not really, but through Gibbs-White, whose silky ranged passing, crunching challenges and leadership skills provide him with the template, there could be a second coming to a lesser degree.
One thing’s for certain: Slot’s tactical acumen would only elevate Gibbs-White’s impressive game over the coming years, and while he’s been eye-catching since moving to Nottingham, at Liverpool he would raise his game by many levels.
Worth more than Trent: Liverpool have hit gold on £115m star in the making
Arne Slot has turned this Liverpool talent into a superstar.