Category Uncategorized

New West Brom boss Sam Allardyce has it all to do in January if he’s to turn around the sinking Baggies ship this season, though he may be about to resolve one of their biggest problems in one fell swoop…

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Star, out-of-favour Manchester United defender Phil Jones is a target for the struggling Midlands outfit next month.

It’s claimed that the Red Devils are even willing to pay a ‘considerable portion’ of his whopping £120k-per-week wages in order to get him off the books at Old Trafford.

Albion manager Big Sam is targeting a new centre-back as his number one priority, as per the report, and knows Jones well from a stint at Blackburn Rovers in 2009/10.

Righting Bilic’s wrongs…

The Baggies’ summer activity was nothing short of a shambles as Slaven Bilic failed to secure experienced heads in the backline, and a move for the 28-year-old would certainly resolve that.

After Ahmed Hegazi was sold in October, the Croatian was left with players who have either never cut it or have never played in the top-flight. Indeed, the only centre-back they signed was Cedric Kipre from then-Championship strugglers Wigan Athletic.

Yes, they signed a 36-year-old Branislav Ivanovic, but it’s clear to see he’s done and dusted unlike Thiago Silva as his former club, Chelsea.

The Athletic claim he even rejected the chance to sign Shane Duffy, who has since gone to Celtic and already clinched a trophy. A decision that has proven to be a disaster already – the Midlands outfit rank second-worst for goals conceded so far this season.

Allardyce desperately needs a fresh figure in a defence that leaks two goals per game on average.

The United outcast has won a Premier League, Europa League and an FA Cup, and has also racked up 200 appearances in the English top-flight.

Big Sam once touted Jones to become England captain one day back in 2011, he said:

“I was never in doubt that he was going to make it. He is already growing into what I consider to be a leader. When he gets more experience he will be able to control his team-mates and eventually he will wear the armband for England. It’s a lot to ask of such a young man but he has the all-round outstanding ability to be a very top player.”

Whilst ex-United boss Louis van Gaal emphasised his versatile nature, after offering him a new contract, he claimed: “Phil is a talented footballer with great versatility.”

Even Jose Mourinho was a fan, dubbing the Englishman the ‘ideal’ defender, suggesting he’s “everything I like in a central defender.”

Yet he finds himself hugely out-of-favour under Ole Gunnar Solksjaer despite their defensive frailties, so a new start at the Hawthorns could be exactly what both Jones and Albion need.

AND in other news, Dowling heading for a familiar mistake as HUGE club eye Baggies sensation…

Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce has left Carlo Ancelotti in an ideal position ahead of Everton’s trip to St. James’ Park on Sunday.

Bruce has been full of praise for the defensive work of midfielders Ryan Fraser and Miguel Almiron in the Toon’s recent Premier League fixtures, and is likely to ask the duo to again aid efforts to thwart the Toffees this weekend to avoid a home defeat.

It was a tactic the Magpies opted for against Wolverhampton Wanderers in their last top-flight fixture, allowing the Molineux natives to enjoy 63.4 per cent of the possession before salvaging a 1-1 draw in the 89th-minute with only their second shot on target, per WhoScored.

Everton will arrive on Tyneside reeling from a first defeat of the season to Southampton last time out, but remain atop the league standings on goal difference to Merseyside neighbours Liverpool.

The Saints opted to go for the jugular against Everton with 13 shots, while enjoying more of the ball (54.3%), more passes (610 to 509), attempting more dribbles (26 to 21, with 18 successful) and restricting Ancelotti’s men to just two efforts on target, per WhoScored.

Nevertheless, Bruce is unlikely to try similar this weekend and instead, favour the relentless workrate of Almiron and Fraser.

“If you watch him [Almiron] week in, week out – it has been difficult to leave him out, because of what he gives you,” Bruce said, via quotes by the Chronicle. “I have asked him to play the left side of midfield at Wolves. He was tireless in his work.

“Him and Ryan Fraser ran themselves into [a] standstill. That’s what you have to do when they are playing the way they are.”

Bruce persisting with a defensive display will be a welcome relief for Ancelotti, as it will offer Everton the perfect chance to bounce back from a first defeat of the season by playing their own brand of football rather than trying to soak up the pressure once more.

Neither Fraser nor Almiron are superb defensively, either, with the former only winning 0.5 tackles a game in the Premier League this season, while the latter has been dribbled past on average 1.4 times a match.

Ancelotti will see the wide duo as the perfect players to exploit this weekend, especially if the Italian is able to call on James Rodriguez following the Colombian’s injury scare.

Rodriguez appeared to be struggling in the closing stages of the Southampton loss and was scheduled for scans this week, though Ancelotti was not overly concerned at the early prognosis.

“I think we have to check in the next few days,” he said, via quotes by the Liverpool Echo. “He was tired at the end, he felt his muscle a little bit. But I don’t think it’s a big problem. It’s true that the game was difficult for everyone.”

Rodriguez would be expected to play an instrumental role against Newcastle should he overcome the muscle issue, having thus far record Everton’s highest number of key balls (18), big chances created (five), accurate final third passes (70), successful dribbles (16) and taken their third-most shots (10) in the Premier League this season, per SofaScore.

The former Real Madrid ace’s 72.73% dribble success rate will also come in handy in attempting to exploit Fraser and Almiron, with Richarlison – who completes 84.21% of his dribbles – still suspended.

AND in other news, Carlo Ancelotti has landed a big break but it comes as an unfortunate blow for a “talented” Everton ace.

Wolves U23s manager James Collins heaped praise on youngster Theo Corbeanu after his performance against Doncaster Rovers in the Papa John’s Trophy.

Corbeanu has the world at his feet

The Canadian-born Romanian winger has only recently been introduced to the second string setup after scoring four goals and providing one assist in the U18 Premier League last season. Corbeanu has managed to replicate that form for Collins’ team, scoring twice from his first seven outings (via TransferMarkt).

The 18-year-old played just behind the club’s record signing Fabio Silva, as his Portuguese teammate notched a brace which helped them to a 2-1 win at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Cited by BirminghamLive, Collins was full of praise for Corbeanu and is excited about what is to come from him.

“He’s athletic, tall, can head it, can defend, can dribble past people and score, he can shoot, he can pass, he’s both footed, he’s got a bit of everything,” he said.

“Theo can be anything he wants to be,” Collins continues. “He’s an outstanding prospect. But, and there’s always a but with these players, he’s got to learn to play within the system and play with the others, adapt his game for different scenarios and situations.

“He’s got to keep improving and he knows that, he’s another good kid who wants to learn – but I think Theo can be as good as he wants to be.”

Transfer Tavern take

Corbeanu has made himself one of Collins’ key assets already during this campaign, which could force Nuno Espirito Santo into looking at him for possible first-team appearances further down the line.

Having played alongside Silva so competently, Corbeanu has put his name out there and supporters will now be more away of his ability, thanks to Collins’ generous words about him.

The former Romania U17 international needs to maintain his consistency and ensure that his attitude is spot on. If he can do that, the Molineux faithful could have another future star on their hands.

In other news, Wolves fans beg Nuno Espirito Santo to sign ‘monster’ midfielder.

It’s safe to say Leeds have already enjoyed a lively start to the new season.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side were hugely unlucky to be on the wrong side of a 4-3 thriller in their opening Premier League game of the campaign against Liverpool, before bowing out on penalties to Hull in the Carabao Cup in mid-week.

Is it Haaland Snr or David Hopkins? Your Leeds knowledge will be put to the test with this quiz…

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

Now, the Whites turn their attentions back towards the league, with a clash against fellow newly-promoted side Fulham at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.

Having run the changes for the game against Hull on Wednesday, Bielsa will no doubt revert to type, and go with his more senior options. And with that in mind, below is a look at how Leeds could line up against Fulham.

Despite naming him as captain against the Tigers, Kiko Casilla is likely to drop back to the bench, with Illan Meslier coming back in to take the starting goalkeeper slot.

In front of him, Bielsa will further ring the changes, with a complete revamp of the back-line that started against Hull, with Luke Ayling, Robin Koch, Pascal Struijk and Stuart Dallas all taking their places in the starting line-up.

Kalvin Phillips, Mateusz Klich and Pablo Hernandez should form the central midfield trio, with Jack Harrison coming in on the left flank. One key decision Bielsa may be tempted to do, is keeping Ian Poveda in the team, and hoping that a game at home to Fulham – which should theoretically be the ‘easiest’ game of the season given the Cottagers earned promotion via the play-offs – could see him finally make his mark for the club.

And up front, the sooner Rodrigo starts firing the better, and what better chance to do that then on Saturday?

Predicted XI: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Struijk, Dallas; Phillips, Klich, Hernandez, Harrison, Poveda; Rodrigo

MatériaMais Notícias

A derrocada do Palmeiras no Campeonato Brasileiro não abala a confiança da diretoria no trabalho do técnico Marcelo Oliveira. Foi o que garantiu o presidente Paulo Nobre na noite desta segunda-feira, dia seguinte à derrota por 2 a 0 para o Vasco, em casa.

– Não está em discussão a competência do Marcelo, que tem feito trabalhos muito, muito bons. No Coritiba, chegou a duas finais de Copa do Brasil. No Cruzeiro, ganhou dois títulos, chegou a outra final. O que posso dizer é que o Marcelo está desenvolvendo um trabalho bem interessante. Teve a falta de sorte de perder quatro, cinco jogadores, um ou outro se mostrou fundamental para o esquema que ele tinha montado. As peças de reposição, e não é questão de ter qualidade pior ou melhor, não se encaixaram tão bem. Eu confio muito nele, a diretoria de futebol como um todo também entende que ele é um técnico que está fazendo um trabalho que vai acabar dando frutos – disse o mandatário, à Rádio Bandeirantes.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasLucas Barrios faz exame e é liberado para defender a seleção paraguaiaPalmeiras09/11/2015PalmeirasAntes de ‘retiro’, Marcelo Oliveira e Robinho negam falta de treinosPalmeiras09/11/2015

Nobre admitiu que a lesão no joelho esquerdo de Gabriel foi fundamental para desmontar o esquema montado por Marcelo Oliveira. No jogo em que o volante se machucou, contra o Atlético-PR, o time defendia uma invencibilidade de oito partidas e estava no G4. Agora, está em nono lugar, a seis pontos do Santos, quarto colocado.

-O Gabriel foi um dos jogadores que melhor se encaixou no esquema do Palmeiras. Quando você tenta um outro jogador, para continuar no mesmo esquema, e depois tenta arrumar um outro esquema, acaba prejudicando um pouco. Mas mesmo assim a gente precisa avaliar que estamos na final da Copa do Brasil, que não é fácil. E se não tivesse perdido pontos “ganháveis” em casa, estaríamos brigando até pelo G3, nem pelo G4. O Palmeiras, querendo ou não, ainda é um time em formação. “Puxa, mas já tem um ano”, mas é só um ano. Chegar a duas finais demonstra que estamos no caminho certo. Como torcedor, não sou diferente de nenhum palmeirense. Quero ser campeão – acrescentou.

Questionado sobre as constantes trocas de técnicos no futebol brasileiro, Nobre explicou que é a favor da mudança quando o trabalho desenvolvido não dá mais resultado. Com ele na presidência, o Palmeiras teve Gilson Kleina, Ricardo Gareca, Dorival Júnior, Oswaldo de Oliveira e Marcelo Oliveira no comando, sem contar os jogos com o interino Alberto Valentim.

-Eu e meu grupo temos a filosofia de que trocar treinador não é solução para tudo, mas ano passado troquei duas vezes e esse ano troquei uma. Tem situações em que você vê que não vai mais para a frente. Eu converso com um e com outro (técnico) e eles falam que tem situações em que o grupo não reage mais, eles veem que não fazem efeito. Muitas vezes eles acham que a troca deles mesmos por outro profissional pode dar uma motivada maior.

Brighton maintained their good restart to their Premier League campaign yesterday evening by earning a point away to third-placed Leicester.

It could have been even better for the Seagulls had Neal Maupay not fluffed his lines with an early penalty that was comfortably saved by Kasper Schmeichel. However, in a match that saw the Foxes dominate possession, a share of the spoils reflected a solid return for Graham Potter’s side as they built on their weekend win over Arsenal.

Teenager Tariq Lamptey came in at right-back for his Brighton debut and won the plaudits of his manager along with the Seagulls’ social media team, who described him on Twitter as “a clear winner” of their man of the match award.

Another Brighton player whose contribution went unnoticed but was still valuable to their overall performance was midfielder Dale Stephens, who was recalled to the starting XI after only making a brief substitute appearance in Saturday’s defeat of the Gunners (as per WhoScored).

The 31-year-old gave a diligent and industrious display at the base of midfield, winning four of his duels and making three successful tackles – the joint-most of anyone in Potter’s line-up. An interception and two clearances also highlighted the unglamorous yet important work that he got through at the King Power Stadium. [via Sofascore]

Stephens’ display wasn’t just all about his unselfish defensive work, though – he also impressed with his use of the ball. With three key passes, he had as many as the rest of his team-mates put together, while three of his five long passes were accurate and he also had the highest number of accurate passes among Brighton’s team with 27 (from 34 in total, giving him a 79.4% success rate). [via Sofascore]

The Seagulls are six points clear of the drop zone with seven matches to play, a far more comfortable position than a week ago but still not out of the woods in the relegation battle. More performances like the dogged and imaginative one given by Stephens at Leicester should see them retain their Premier League status for another year.

Brighton fans, were you impressed by Stephens’ performance against Leicester? Comment below with your views!

كشفت صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الكتالونية آخر تطورات إصابة الدولي الأرجنتيني سيرجيو أجويرو، مُهاجم فريق برشلونة، وموعد عودته للتدريبات تمهيدًا للمشاركة مع البلوجرانا.

أجويرو مُنذ الانتقال إلى برشلونة لم يتمكن من خوض أي دقيقة، وذلك بسبب إصابته، حيث يُعاني المهاجم الأرجنتيني من إصابة في الوتر بـ ربلة الساق اليمنى.

اقرأ أيضًا | أجويرو: رفضت الأموال واخترت برشلونة.. ورحيل ميسي صدمني

وقالت الصحيفة إن عملية شفاء أجويرو تسير على ما يرام، حيث يواصل النجم الأرجنتيني العمل الميداني بشكل فردي، ومن المتوقع أن يتمكن من الانضمام إلى التدريبات في منتصف أكتوبر المُقبل.

وأوضحت الصحيفة إنه إذا أستمر أجويرو في التطور والتعافي بسرعة من الإصابة ولم يتعرض لأي انتكاسة، يُمكنه أن يكون قادرًا على اللعب مع برشلونة مع نهاية شهر أكتوبر القادم.

ويأمل أجويرو أن يتمكن المشاركة في كلاسيكو الأرض ضد ريال مدريد، يوم 24 أكتوبر، لكن الصحيفة الكتالونية أكدت أن ذلك ربما يكون صعبًا أن يتواجد في “كامب نو” حيث لا يريد النادي التعجل في عودته، حيث من الممكن أن تكون أولى مبارياته الرسمية مع برشلونة في 27 أكتوبر ضد رايو فاييكانو.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Santos comemora 104 anos de existência no próximo dia 14. Para presentear a torcida, o departamento de marketing do clube decidiu fazer uma promoção. O sócio-torcedor do clube não pagará ingressos para a próxima partida na Vila Belmiro, diante do Audax, no próximo domingo, às 16h, pela última rodada da primeira fase do Paulistão.

Já para os torcedores comuns, os bilhetes também estão com preços promocionais. Para a arquibancada superior, por exemplo, os ingressos estão sendo comercializados a apenas R$ 10 (R$ 5 a meia-entrada).

RelacionadasSantosElano quer ser reforço do Santos em decisões e repensa aposentadoriaSantos06/04/2016SantosCom novidade na zaga, Dorival faz novo teste em time titular do SantosSantos06/04/2016SantosCom Justiça e Damião, Santos crê em déficit de R$ 78 milhões em 2015Santos06/04/2016

As vendas nas bilheterias e por meio do site Ingresso Fácil começam já nesta quinta-feira e duram até o intervalo do duelo, caso ainda restarem ingressos.

Para os sócios, a reserva de bilhetes está disponível desde segunda-feira por meio do Portal Sócio Rei. Os associados, porém, não tem direito a levar acompanhante de forma gratuita.

Confira abaixo o preço dos ingressos para não-sócios:

Arquibancadas Superiores (Portões 7/8 e 24): R$ 10 (a inteira) e R$ 5 (a meia)
Arquibancada Visitante (Portão 21): R$ 10,00 (a inteira e R$ 5,00 (a meia)
Cadeira Térrea Lateral (Portão 26): R$ 20 (a inteira) e R$ 15 (a meia)
Cadeira Coberta de Fundo (Portão 22): R$ 30 (a inteira) e R$ 15 (a meia)
Cadeira Coberta Lateral (Portão 25): R$ 40 (a inteira) / R$ 20 (a meia)

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Speaking on talkSPORT, European football expert Andy Brassell has suggested Arsenal should cash in on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang if the money is right.

What did he say?

Reports in recent weeks have suggested the Gabon international has scrapped talks with the Gunners over a potential new contract, with his current deal coming to an end in the summer of 2021.

That means the north London side have a potentially huge decision on their hands in respective to whether they sell the star forward before the start of next season, or risk another Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez situation developing in January 2021.

And now Brassell has claimed that with the striker being 30-year-old, the Gunners have entered last chance saloon in terms of potentially cashing in on him.

He said: “If I was in Arsenal’s position, I would absolutely take the money for Aubameyang because I think at the moment Arsenal have got a very ill-fitting unbalanced squad. This really is getting into the sort of time where this is their last chance to sell him.

“You’re looking at a 30-year-old player who relies pretty heavily on his pace, even though, he’s bringing back more of his all-round game for the first time since he was at Saint-Etienne. But if someone offers up to £70million, £80million surely that’s a deal you have to take.”

Talisman

Joint-winner of the Premier League’s Golden Boot last season along with Liverpool stars Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, Aubameyang represents one of the few undisputed world-class players in Arsenal’s ranks at the moment. His start to the current campaign has been similarly prolific, netting 13 times in 19 games across all competitions, whilst 11 of those have come in the top-flight alone.

Can you name all of these obscure Arsenal signings? Give it a go now!

Whilst the Gunners could no doubt get a decent amount of money for him, selling him would have far more damaging ramifications. The message it would send out to the rest of Europe is one of a club are willing to let go of their best players because they can’t match their ambitions. With the club already not playing Champions League football, losing Aubameyang too would be a potentially fatal blow to their chances of getting back to the top anytime soon.

Meanwhile, Arsenal fans have been raving about this ace’s masterclass against West Ham. 

According to The Athletic journalist James Pearce, there is no truth to rumours that Liverpool are in advanced talks over a January move for Ryan Fraser.

It has been reported by talkSPORT that the Champions League holders, who opened up an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League table on Sunday afternoon, are closing in on a swoop for the Bournemouth attacker ahead of the winter transfer window.

However, Pearce has claimed that such speculation ‘is wide of the mark’, with the respected journalist being told that the rumours are ‘nonsense’.

Fraser – out of contract at the Vitality Stadium next summer – has only managed one goal and two assists in 11 Premier League appearances this season.

The 25-year-old contributed seven goals and 14 assists in 38 Premier League outings for the Cherries last term, though.

As expected, a number of Liverpool fans have been on social media reacting to Pearce’s update, and a selection of the tweets can be seen below: