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Wolves stormed the Championship last season, racking up 99 points as boss Nuno Espirito Santo led them to the title and promotion to the Premier League.

The Portuguese boss was then heavily backed in the summer transfer window by Chinese owners Fosun International and with the help of super agent Jorge Mendes, the West Midlands club made some headline signings that some of the Premier League’s top teams would have been proud of.

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Santo ended up making 10 signings during the summer and broke the club’s transfer budget for the second time in as many years with the £18m capture of the pacy winger Adama Traore, who many consider to still be a raw talent.

Wolves recruited from some of the top European clubs this summer and brought in Ruben Vinagre and Portuguese international Joao Moutinho, rated at £9m by Transfermarkt, from Monaco, Rui Patricio from Sporting Lisbon and Raul Jiminez on loan from Benfica.

Perhaps the most important deals for the club though came in the confirmation that a number of loan deals would be made permanent. Diogo Jota, Willy Boly, Leo Bonatini and Ruben Vinagre all signed permanent deals at the Molineux after spending the previous season in the Championship.

So, Wolves fans, who do you think was your signing of the summer? Have your say by voting in our poll below.

UEFA recently asked football fans to vote for their Champions League player of the week following the recent fixtures.The tournament’s official Twitter page provided a list of the candidates and a link to the online poll.Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard, Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford and Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah made the shortlist, while Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi and Real Madrid talisman Cristiano Ronaldo were also included.[ad_pod id=’leo-vegas’]

BT Sport and BBC anchor Gary Lineker thought that there was one notable absentee from the list – Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

The Frenchman made some crucial saves during Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, one of which caught the eye of everyone’s attention.

The shot-stopper used his feet to deny Karim Benzema a headed goal from close range in the second half.

Lineker, who spent three years of his career playing for Tottenham, noticed the vote and offered his own candidate.

Liverpool’s Salah ended up winning the pool by 51% of the vote.

Last month, Jurgen Klopp described a 2-1 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor as the first ugly win of his Liverpool career – a rather significant step for the Reds considering he took the Anfield hot seat in November 2015.

Well, Sunday’s performance against West Bromwich Albion suggested it was no fluke, as Liverpool produced yet another unmemorable display but managed to claim another win on the road against the eighth-placed Premier League outfit.

Crucial to that, in addition to Roberto Firmino’s 46th minute goal which proved to be the winner, was Liverpool’s ability to keep a clean sheet – something they’d done only seven times in the Premier League before this weekend.

And in that regard, Klopp owes much to summer signing Joel Matip, who was an absolute rock at the heart of defence on Sunday afternoon. Indeed, as our infographic shows, Matip completed three tackles, three interceptions and three aerial duels, whilst taking the occasionally necessary Row-Z option five times.

Equally impressive, however, was the Cameroonian’s contribution on the ball. In addition to a 90% pass completion rate, he actually had the most touches of the ball of any Liverpool player. Capable in possession yet ready to win ugly when required, Matip could be the defensive leader the Reds need to make themselves a real force in next season’s title race.

Arsenal’s start to the season has been unconvincing for the most part, but in the Champions League, there is a line below which Arsene Wenger’s sides do not seem to fall.

That would appear to be the case in this year’s edition as well. Arsenal were drawn in the same group as PSG, but aside from that, facing Basel and Ludogorets Razgrad does not sound like the toughest group the Gunners could have faced. Could. Have. Been. Worse.

But so often over the past decade or so, Arsene Wenger’s problem has been coming second in their group. It’s not that Arsenal are incapable of progressing past the last 16 of the competition through the size of the club, resources, players or gypsy curse. It’s that Arsenal’s perennial second-place finishes in the group stage has meant unfavourable draws in the last 16.

This season is a chance to change that. Whilst PSG are rightly to be considered one of European football’s powerhouses, Arsenal will also rightly feel confident that they can go toe to toe with the Parisians, and gearing up for a showdown for top-spot at the Emirates at the end of November.

PSG are in poor form

If Arsenal have flattered to deceive in the opening weeks of the season, then PSG have flat-out disappointed.

Whilst PSG are supposed to have won the league already, they find themselves sitting seventh in the (fairly academic and meaningless at this stage) table.

What’s more, PSG are having some serious problems. The French champions now find themselves on a run of two matches without a win, losing to what could well be title rivals Monaco and drawing at home to St Etienne, where they conceded a last-minute equaliser.

All is not well…

Will the fans be behind PSG?

A defeat and a draw may not sound like a crisis, but remember that this is a team who lost only two league games in the entirety of last season, scoring 102 goals and conceding just 19. This is a team who won the league by all of 31 points; their nearest rivals closer to the relegation zone than they were to a title challenge.

If ever there was a time when PSG’s entitled fans would get on the backs of their team, it’s losing at home again on the back of their last two league games. And so if there was ever a time for Arsenal to score an early goal….

They can be tactically out-thought

More worrying than their form is the fact that PSG were tactically out-thought by Monaco just before the international break.

Leonardo Jardim’s Monaco – who face Tottenham in the Champions League – closed off PSG’s ability to attack down the flanks, especially at full back where Layvin Kurzawa likes to get forward and is helped out by Blaise Matuidi. Jardim’s 5-3-1-1 formation stifled PSG’s creativity in the middle and closed down the flanks with speed. They reduced the champions to only four shots on target, despite their 75% possession.

If a compact defence, closing off the flanks and countering quickly are how Monaco managed to beat PSG, it’s also how Manchester City dumped them out of the Champions League last season. Is this how Arsenal will approach it?

They have no focal point

The departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic really changes PSG’s team. That doesn’t necessarily mean their formation or even their approach, but it does change their make up and perhaps even their identity.

For the last four years, Ibrahimovic has been the focal point of the team and the man who can conjure something out of nothing. In that time they’ve added players to play off him, but none who can obviously replace him. And that might take them a few months to get right.

Until then, Edinson Cavani looks like the main man, with Angel di Maria, Hatem Ben Arfa, Lucas Moura and Jese Rodriguez all fighting for the right to buzz around in behind him.

No set role for Angel di Maria

Angel di Maria is the most gifted attacking player in the Paris St-Germain team, but the problem is, where does he play?

That’s the question asked of both Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid and indeed Louis van Gaal at Manchester United. Is Di Maria a pacey, tricky winger? Is he a creative playmaker? A busy number ten? Or a midfield scurrier who shuttles the ball forward and supports the attack?

Until Unai Emery finds a proper use for his main man, PSG are always going to look a little bit lost.

Manchester United are considering making a bid for Inter defender Federico Dimarco in the January transfer window, according to a report.

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• Left-back impressed for Inter
• Erik ten Hag wants him at Man Utd
• Italy star will cost around £50m

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  United are looking to strengthen in the next transfer window following their inconsistent start to the current season.

  According to , left-back Dimarco has impressed coach Erik ten Hag and was added to their shortlist of targets after being monitored by the club's recruitment team. However, the Red Devils will have to pay around £50 million ($61m) to convince Inter to sell him.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  United see the 25-year-old as a solution to their injury issues given they have been without Luke Shaw since August and it is not known when he will be back. Fellow left-back Tyrell Malacia, meanwhile, has not featured at all this season because of a muscle injury.

• WHAT'S MORE

  United may face competition in their bid to sign of Dimarco, who joined Inter's youth academy as a child and rose through the ranks.

  He spent loan spells at Ascoli and Empoli before joining Swiss side Sion on a permanent deal. That move lasted just one year, however, as Inter brought him back and again loaned him out to Parma and Hellas Verona.

  He has been a first-team regular for Inter since the 2021-22 campaign, however, and his performances have caught the attention of other clubs, with Real Madrid and Napoli keeping an eye on him.

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  United will hope to persevere despite their injury concerns when they take on Sheffield United in the Premier League on Saturday.

MatériaMais Notícias

O encontro entre o presidente Jair Bolsonaro e Marcelinho Carioca não caiu bem para muitos torcedores do Corinthians, principalmente por conta da utilização da camisa do clube. Um dos mais famosos corintianos, o atual comentarista do Grupo Globo, Walter Casagrande. Em vídeo publicado nas redes sociais, o ex-jogador fez duras críticas ao Pé de Anjo.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansBolsonaro veste camisa do Corinthians e posa com Marcelinho para apoiar a ‘MP do Mandante’Corinthians29/07/2020CorinthiansTiago Nunes explica longo ‘silêncio’ e demonstra impaciência em coletivaCorinthians29/07/2020CorinthiansTiago Nunes indica escalação de Jô e deixa Cantillo como dúvida no TimãoCorinthians29/07/2020

-Eu cheguei em 1975 nesse clube aqui, no Corinthians, comecei minha vida lá, corintiano de garoto, cheguei para jogar no dente de leite, nas categorias de base do Corinthians. Em 1979, a torcida do Corinthians abriu uma faixa no Pacaembu dizendo “anistia para os presos políticos e exilados políticos”. Em 1982, 1983, até 1985 essa camisa aqui era da democracia corintiana, essa camisa representa liberdade, representa democracia, e nenhum ex-jogador tem o direito de representar o clube politicamente. Eu também não tenho. Isso aqui é democracia. Isso aqui sempre foi democracia – disse Casão.

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pic.twitter.com/Ydo2gvebs8

— SCCP News (@_sccpnews) July 29, 2020

Marcelinho foi até Brasília nesta quarta-feira para se encontrar com o Presidente da República, com quem vestiu a camisa do Corinthians e posou para fotos e vídeos em rede social. De acordo com o depoimento de ambos nas imagens, o objetivo da reunião foi falar da “MP do Mandante”, sobre os direitos de transmissão, pela qual manifestaram apoio em seus discursos.

Tanto o Corinthians, quanto o Banco BMG, patrocinador máster do clube, já emitiram notas oficiais negando qualquer envolvimento no encontro que aconteceu nesta tarde. Ambos afirmaram que não enviaram as camisas e que a iniciativa partiu única e exclusivamente de Marcelinho, que é o embaixador da parceria “Meu Corinthians BMG” e participou do lançamento da nova camisa.

continua após a publicidade

From the son of legendary France defender Lilian to PSG's wonderkid, the following youngsters are hoping to make waves this season

The new Ligue 1 season is just hours away, and fans are excited to see their club's latest big-money signings in action.

Perhaps even more satisfying for a supporter, though, is seeing a young player flourish when given the opportunity on the biggest stage.

But who should you be looking out for when the teams are named on the opening weekend? Goal breaks down some of the top talents the French top flight has to offer in 2019-20…

• Yacine Adli | Bordeaux

  This former PSG academy star will pursue his career at Bordeaux after sealing a move away from Parc des Princes.

  Bordeaux boss Paulo Sousa sees Adli – who was previously linked with a move to Arsenal – as a big part of his plans, and at 19 he is likely to receive ample first-team action after inviting comparisons with Adrien Rabiot for his midfield displays.

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  Rayan Ait-Nouri | Angers

  Ait-Nouri is a product of the Angers youth system, and should be ready this season to step up to the first team having featured on just a handful of occasions for the club. 

  The 18-year-old left back comes into the new campaign with a burgeoning reputation, and caught the eye of none other than Juventus thanks to his performances with the France Under-19 team.

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  Adil Aouchiche | PSG

  The 17-year-old midfielder was one of the stars of this year's Under-17 Euros, scoring nine goals in five games to equal Michel Platini's Euro 1984 record. 

  Aouchiche stands out in the middle of the park but has ample talent for venturing forward. He has picked up pre-season minutes for PSG this summer and could well play a part in the Ligue 1 holder's plans for the coming season.

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  Eduardo Camavinga | Rennes

  Camavinga was included in Rennes' starting line-up for Saturday's Trophee des Champions defeat at the hands of PSG, an incredible feat for a player still three months shy of his 17th birthday. 

  A native of Angola, the teenager offers strength and dynamism in the middle of the field and looks set to feature on a regular basis for his club this season.

MatériaMais Notícias

O atacante João Pedro, de 18 anos, teve um começo fulminante pelo Fluminense em 2019. Destaque nas categorias de base, a joia foi vendida para o Watford, da Inglaterra, antes mesmo de estrear pela equipe profissional. Em seu primeiro clássico, em março, João não se intimidou diante do Flamengo e marcou seu primeiro gol na carreira.

Com o passar dos meses, o garoto amargou o banco de reservas e um jejum de gols, enquanto o Fluminense lutava para não cair no Brasileirão. Com a missão cumprida no Brasil,o atacante viaja para a Inglaterra com um desafio semelhante, mas com um grau de dificuldade maior. Na difícil Premier League, a nova equipe do jogador ocupa a última colocação.

João Pedro falou sobre a expectativa pelo novo desafio com exclusividade ao LANCE!, analisou seu primeiro ano como profissional e deixou um recado ao torcedor Tricolor.

1 – Qual é o balanço que você faz desta temporada, a primeira entre os profissionais?

– (Foi) uma boa temporada , minhas atuações foram muito acima do q eu esperava.

2 – A reta final não foi a das melhores, com você amargando a reserva e até mesmo nem sendo utilizado. Ao que você atribui essa fase não tão boa e a escassez de gols, já que o último foi no dia 7 de setembro?

-Futebol é momento. Infelizmente fiquei alguns jogos na reserva porque não vinha fazendo gols, mas mesmo assim com boas atuações. Mas foi um ano muito produtivo, terminei como vice artilheiro do time.

3 – Além de ajudar o Fluminense dentro de campo, as suas metas contribuíram para a saúde financeira do clube. Qual foi o seu sentimento quanto a isso, já que o seu rendimento foi primordial para o pagamento de outros funcionários e jogadores?
​
– Nem pensava sobre isso, só queria estar dentro de campo e ajudar ao Fluminense.

4 – No fim, além de livrar o Fluminense do rebaixamento, o elenco conseguiu a vaga na Copa Sul-Americana. O sentimento é de dever cumprido?
​
– Sim, porque é uma competição internacional e dá muita visibilidade ao clube.

5 – Tem algo que você se arrepende ou poderia ter feito diferente em 2019?
​
– Não. Sempre me empenhei e dei o meu melhor. Algumas vezes as coisas não acontecem do jeito que a gente quer, mas faz parte do futebol .

6 – O Watford está em último colocado no Campeonato Inglês. Como você analisa essa situação e como está a motivação para esse desafio, de livrar o time do rebaixamento?
​
– Estou muito motivado, sempre tive o sonho de jogar na Inglaterra e espero chegar e ajudar o time a sair dessa situação!.

7 – Qual é o recado que você dá para o torcedor Tricolor?

– Agradecer ao carinho que o torcedor sempre teve comigo. Eu passei metade da minha minha vida aqui e sempre terei um carinho enorme pelo clube.

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Wasim Jaffer, the highest individual run-getter in the Ranji Trophy, has switched to Vidarbha from his home team Mumbai. Jaffer, who will replace Rakesh Dhurv, would thus join S Badrinath and Karnataka’s Ganesh Satish to complete a solid line-up of Vidarbha’s professionals.”Wasim will obviously bring in loads of experience and expertise. His presence will not only be handy in the batting department but also with regard to helping young batsmen from Vidarbha hone their skills and take their game to the next level,” Prakash Dixit, the president of the Vidarbha Cricket Association president, told ESPNcricinfo.Jaffer, who is currently overseas, said he will speak about his move only after returning to India. After an illustrious 19-year stint in first-class cricket with Mumbai, Jaffer is 241 runs short of becoming the first batsman to score 10,000 runs in the Ranji Trophy.Jaffer will be reunited with Paras Mhambrey, the former Mumbai and India pacer who took over as Vidarbha coach last year. Mhambrey’s move to rope in three experienced professionals worked wonders as Vidarbha finished third in Group B last season and qualified for the Ranji knockouts after almost two decades.Since a domestic team can sign a maximum of just three players on its roster, Vidarbha decided to release Dhurv, the left-arm spinner, once Jaffer agreed to come on board.Jaffer’s decision comes on the back of his most forgettable seasons in first-class cricket, mainly due to the multiple injuries he suffered during Mumbai’s Ranji campaign. He scored just 22 runs from the two games he played. Despite his finger injuries, Jaffer remained with the squad for most of the season and mentored a young Mumbai batting line-up.Jaffer’s move will result in Mumbai being forced to field one of its least experienced squads in the forthcoming domestic season. Last season, Jaffer was the lone player in Mumbai’s ranks with more than a decade’s experience in first-class cricket.Jaffer had been one of the most sought-after professional signings ever since he lost his place as India’s opener towards the end of the last decade. He had been approached by multiple teams even when he was leading Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, but had decided to stick with his alma mater.

A round-up of IPL related news on April 25, 2015

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Apr-2015

Ben Hilfenhaus, the Australia fast bowler, and Colin Munro, the New Zealand batsman, have been signed up by Mumbai Indians as replacements for Aaron Finch and Josh Hazlewood.Finch had been ruled out after suffering a hamstring injury during Mumbai Indians’ match against Rajasthan Royals on April 14, while Hazlewood had opted out of the tournament keeping in mind Australia’s tight international schedule.While Munro is yet to play in the IPL, Hilfenhaus figured in 17 games for Chennai Super Kings, in 2012 and 2014, and took 22 wickets at an economy-rate of 7.72.Fleming wants improvement from Ashwin, Jadeja
Stephen Fleming, the Chennai Super Kings coach, wants his main spinners R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja to improve their performance so far this season.Super Kings have relied heavily on the duo over the years, but this time, they have managed four wickets between them in five matches. While Ashwin has conceded 8.16 runs an over, Jadeja’s economy-rate is as high as 10.15.”The spinning aspect of our game hasn’t been as effective as it has in the previous years so far and it is one area where in this game we would like to get a bit more penetration,” Fleming told the IPL website ahead of Super Kings’ home game against Kings XI Punjab.”But in saying that, we have won games despite our spinners not clicking. That is a good thing because in the past we have been called a team that relies too much on the spinners. If we can get the spin component going well at home, there will be an improvement.”In our home games Ashwin has been our lead bowler. It is not that he is in bad form. Jadeja is someone we would like more from and we are working hard at it.”Bailey impressed with Sandeep, Anureet
George Bailey, the Kings XI Punjab captain, is impressed with his domestic Indian new-ball pairing of Sandeep Sharma and Anureet Singh.Both seamers have taken eight wickets each so far from five games. While Anureet has also been used at the death and has gone for 8.75 runs an over, Sandeep has struck consistently at the start and conceded just 5.55.”Sandeep is showing great capacity of taking wickets upfront, which is very important,” Bailey said. “A lot of teams look for a bowler who can break up the top order.”Anureet has shown how versatile he is to be able to bowl at any stage of the game. He has taken well to the death-bowling role, which is a very difficult one. Our depth is pretty good. We have Shardul Thakur, who had an outstanding Ranji Trophy. But we haven’t been able to get him in yet.”