[ad_pod ]

Liverpool youngster Harry Wilson has been producing eye-catching display after eye-catching display with loan club Derby County this season, and while he probably wasn’t at his best during the 2-1 FA Cup defeat against Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium on Saturday, he still showed exactly what he is capable of.

The 21-year-old was sent out on a season-long deal to the Championship club during the summer transfer window, and there is no doubt that he has shown his potential, hit the ground running and made a massive impact given he has scored 12 goals and provided a further four assists in 31 appearances in total.

The Wales international has played on either wing and through the middle this term, but he started on the left-hand side of a midfield trio against Chris Hughton’s men at the weekend.

Wilson had the licence to roam forward when possible, and he showed exactly what he is capable of in the final third with his latest display.

He had more shots (three) than any of his teammates even if none of them were on target, while he was fouled by the opposition on four occasions to show how effective he can be at winning free-kicks for his team.

Perhaps most impressive though was the fact that he made two key passes and nine crosses during the clash against the Premier League outfit, despite not lining up as an out-and-out wide man against the Seagulls.

We all love the Champions League theme tune but you’ve never heard it like this before! Check out the video below…

The Welshman is clearly not the finished article given only one of those nine attempts found a teammate, but with better players around him that success rate would surely only rise.

The signs surely are that Wilson will return to Anfield at the end of the season and get a chance to impress during pre-season and then during the 2019/20 campaign, and the likes of Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah will be loving it if the 21-year-old is supplying them from August onwards.

[ad_pod ]

Brendan Rodgers must be thinking of starting Timo Weah for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Valencia.

The teenager got his first taste of European action coming off the bench in the disappointing first leg defeat and was back in that position again on Sunday for the dramatic win over Kilmarnock. At 18 you’re not worried about being branded an impact sub – a generation ago that was a more dramatic ‘Super sub’.

Weah has started two matches since joining Celtic but at home against blanket defences isn’t the best setting to exploit his pace.

As far as most folk are concerned Valencia are as good as through to the last 16 of the Europa League with Thursday’s return leg virtually a dead rubber. UEFA’s decision to charge Geoffrey Kondogbia for deliberately getting booked to miss the return leg confirms the view that the Spaniards view the tie as over.

Whatever time it arrives, if Celtic get the first goal the tie becomes live again. The pace of Weah and Oliver Burke in the same team can open up that possibility against opponents who racked up their 14th La Liga draw at the weekend when they drew 0-0 at home to Espanyol.

As well as his pace Weah has enthusiasm in buckets, a quality that the Celtic support have quickly latched onto.

How much money could you make busking for a week as a freestyle footballer? Find out in the video below…

European football requires more than enthusiasm and pace but with eight full caps for the United States and an extended PSG contract the loan signing has an impressive pedigree that is based on more than just his surname.

There’s not been too much to cheer about for Celtic fans in Europe this season – a starting place for Weah in Valencia might just breathe some life into a tie that the Spaniards already consider to be over.

[ad_pod ]

According to a report by The Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur are ready to hand in-form attacker Son Heung-Min an extension to the five-year contract he signed in July worth £150,000-a-week, and it is once again a glowing endorsement of their transfer strategy.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the 26-year-old only committed his long-term future to Spurs little over six months ago, but following a sensational 2018/19 campaign to date the north London outfit are ready to offer him improved terms, as per The Daily Mail.

The Daily Mail report that talks between the two parties are likely to happen in the summer with the club keen to tie down a player that has become a hugely key for Mauricio Pochettino’s men – he has scored 16 goals and provided a further nine assists in 32 appearances in all competitions this season.

The report adds that Son could be in line for a pay rise of up to £40,000-a-week from Tottenham, who have failed to sign a single player in the previous two transfer windows, given he is currently thought to earn £110,000-a-week.

Spurs have got it right again

While many may criticise the north London outfit’s lack of action and therefore ambition in the market, and especially when they lose key men like Harry Kane and Dele Alli at the same time, you do have to admire the way they do their business.

Rather than just taking a punt on lots of new players for the sake of it, Pochettino trusts in the ones that he already has at his disposal and coaches to make them even better, rewarding them financially when they are.

It is a tactic that largely works given they are still in the Premier League title race and a step closer to the quarter-finals of the Champions League following their 3-0 win against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.

Not bringing in new players who could easily flop may have actually helped them, as the current personnel know each other’s games inside out which can only help their chemistry on the pitch.

يتطلع نادِ يوناني إلى الحصول على خدمات لاعب فريق ليفربول، ياسر لعروسي، في فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الحالية، حسب ما أفادت تقارير صحفية اليوم.

وارتبط الظهير الأيسر الجزائري بخطوة الرحيل عن الأنفيلد، هذا الصيف.

ويلعب لعروسي في صفوف فريق ليفربول تحت سن 23 عامًا، وشارك في مباراتين فقط مع الفريق الأول تحت قيادة المدرب يورجن كلوب.

وحسب شبكة “ليفربول إيكو” الإنجليزية، فإن ياسر لعروسي مطلوب في الدوري اليوناني في موسم الانتقالات الصيفي الجاري.

وأفادت أن نادي أولمبياكوس اليوناني يتطلع إلى التعاقد مع اللاعب صاحب الـ 19 عامًا.

وحسم ليفربول صفقة من أولمبياكوس، في الميركاتو الصيفي الحالي، حيث ضم كوستاس تسيميكاس.

وسينتهي العقد الحالي لـ لعروسي مع ليفربول في عام 2021.

وأوضحت الشبكة أن مسؤولي ليفربول لن يمانعون فكرة الاستغناء عن خدمات لعروسي حاليًا من أجل الحصول على أموال جراء بيعه، بدلًا من رحيله مجانًا العام القادم.

There are quite a few issues which have plagued Crystal Palace’s season, yet it’s their poor defensive work which has ruined some good work time and again. For the fans reading this, they’ll know all about the frustration their backline can cause them at times, probably fuming at the screen. 

The Eagles might not have conceded as many as last season, yet are still quite weak defensively, being unable to close out games because of it. If they’re ever going to improve and move up the league, pushing for a top-half finish and beyond, it needs sorting this summer. Largely, the attack is there. Now it’s about tightening up.

Indeed, their current crop of defenders are too slow and error-prone to help them maintain consistency, forcing Roy Hodgson to make decisions in the summer.

He and Steve Parish have to buy better defenders to solidify his core and push for a top-half finish next season. It can’t keep on like this, enduring a Premier League season rather than enjoying it.

With that in mind, here are two options he can look into.

James Tarkowski

The Burnley defender’s been a marvel in earning them points with his rock-solid defending and has impressed many clubs with that, despite a dip since the summer. Prior to the World Cup, he was an outside bet to make the 2018 squad and linked with Liverpool, so Palace should act on the relative quietness about him since.

Sill, while the hype has undoubtedly died down after an inspired season with the Clarets last time around, Tarkowski’s been pivotal to their fantastic turnaround of late. He’s helped them keep five clean-sheets while making 183 clearances, winning 217 duels and 140 aerial battles (stats via Premier League).

An ambitious potential target to consider, Tarkowski can be the defensive leader Palace are missing, while adding some missing steel and composure to their back-four.

Gary Cahill

Now an outcast at Chelsea, Gary Cahill needs to work fast to save his career from doom.

Having worked with Roy Hodgson at the national level, Cahill can prove himself at Crystal Palace. Seeing out his final days in the sun, he could have a transformative effect on the club. Indeed, the Chelsea man’s ability to contain prime attackers, composed nature and leadership qualities can highly benefit the Eagles – who are reportedly (via the Sun) set to go in for him this summer.

Hodgson needs someone who can hold the line and clear danger whenever needed and, despite his age, Cahill can still be an asset to improve his side’s defensive state.

Palace fans, can any of these two solidify the Eagles defence? Join the discussion by commenting below. 

[ad_pod ]

When it was realised West Bromwich Albion star Kieran Gibbs wasn’t going to be available for the Championship clash with Leeds United at Elland Road on Friday night because of injury, the obvious choice was to select left-back Conor Townsend in his place – but it didn’t happen.

On the chalkboard

Well, Gibbs has been a regular fixture in the position for the promotion-chasing Baggies this term, and Townsend would have been well within in his own right to expect to stand in for him against Marcelo Bielsa’s men.

However, manager Darren Moore was thinking differently and bafflingly decided to use centre-back loanee Tosin Adarabioyo there instead, and within 20 seconds they visitors found themselves a goal down when the Manchester City youngster failed to close Pablo Hernandez down effectively.

With his more experienced 26-year-old teammate watching on from the substitutes’ bench, the youngster was then at fault for at least one more goal on a terrible night for the west Midlands outfit, as they ended the weekend seven points adrift of the top two.

What now for Townsend?

Given he has only played 315 minutes of Championship football so far during the current campaign it is clear to see that he isn’t a key first-team individual, but he must be tearing his hair out that he wasn’t given an opportunity against the Whites.

Who has been the Championship’s best player this season? The Pl>ymaker FC squad discuss in the video below…

While the decision on the day completely backfired on Moore, he also surely sent out a simultaneous message that Townsend is not in his plans either in the short-term or the long-term.

The summer addition from Scunthorpe United may as well already start looking for his next club ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

West Bromwich Albion fans will be hoping for an upturn in form after losing out to a couple of promotion-chasing sides, with today’s draw certainly not helping their promotion pursuit.

Darren Moore has worked wonders in recent transfer windows as he’s managed to secure the services of a number of impressive players, including the likes of Dwight Gayle, Mason Holgate, Jefferson Montero and Jacob Murphy.

And, supporters will be delighted to see that their side are already looking towards the summer transfer window, as according to Birmingham Live (via Yorkshire Post), West Brom will try to sign Holgate and Gayle permanently if they achieve promotion to the Premier League.

Gayle has been hugely impressive at the Hawthorns in the current campaign as he’s produced 16 goals and seven assists, which has had a big impact on their promotion chances.

Many fans may disagree, but Moore would be wasting Lai Guochuan’s money if he decides to bring Gayle to the Hawthorns permanently as he’s had previous opportunities in the Premier League from his time at Crystal Palace and Newcastle United, but he failed to handle the pressure and posed very little threat.

So, the Baggies would be better off looking at a proven striker who can ensure a consistent flow of goals, as supporters will be well aware of how crucial having a constant flow of goals is in the top-flight.

West Bromwich Albion fans, would you want to see Gayle sign Permanently? Surely there’re better attacking options out there…

كشف محمد بركات مدير منتخب مصر عن أسباب اجتماع حسام البدري المدير الفني للفريق القومي مع أعضاء اللجنة الخماسية اليوم.

ومن المقرر أن يلاقي منتخب مصر منافسه توجو في الجولتين الرابعة والخامسة بالتصفيات المؤهلة لكأس أمم إفريقيا خلال شهر نوفمبر المقبل.

وقال بركات في تصريحات خاصة لـ “بطولات”: “جلسنا بعد انتهاء أزمة كورونا وصدر قرار باستئناف الدوري ورأينا أن استكمال البطولة مهم لأن اللاعبين ابتعدوا عن المشاركة كثيرًا لمدة 5 أشهر”.

وأضاف: “بالطبع اتضح تأثير استئناف الدوري وضغط المباريات على اللاعبين لكن لم يكن هناك حلول أفضل من ذلك في يد اللجنة الخماسية”.

وتابع: “نحن نبحث عن أفضل طريقة للاستعداد لمباراتي توجو لأننا مطالبين بتحقيق نتائج جيدة لأن البداية كانت صعبة ولم نحصد سوى نقطتين أمام كينيا وجزر القمر فكل تركيزنا على حصد الـ6 نقاط”.

وواصل: “التوقف سيبدأ يوم 9 نوفمبر لمدة 8 أيام وسنخوض خلاله المباراتين لكن طلبنا أن نبدأ المعسكر من أول الشهر أو يوم 2 نوفمبر لأن هذا أفضل للكابتن حسام البدري بسبب ابتعاد اللاعبين فترة طويلة عن أجواء المنتخب وربما نخوض مباراة ودية خارج الأجندة الدولية”.

واستأنف: “ربما نواجه صعوبة في انضمام المحترفين للمعسكر بسبب الإجراءات الاحترازية وفيروس كورونا والحجر الصحي فقررنا الاعتماد على لاعبي الأهلي والزمالك ففوجئنا بقرار الاتحاد الإفريقي الذي يبدو أنه يعاندنا بتأجيل مباريات نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا لمنتصف وأواخر أكتوبر، وإذا تأهل أحد من القطبين سيلعب النهائي يوم 6 نوفمبر وهذا زاد الأمور صعوبة”.

وتابع: “بالتالي لو بدأنا المعسكر من أول الشهر فلن ينضم معي لاعبي الأهلي والزمالك وكذلك المحترفين الذين سينضمون لنا يوم 9 من نوفمبر وبناءً عليه فكابتن حسام البدري أعد كذا سيناريو لمواجهة هذا الموقف”.

وأردف: “بالطبع نتمنى أن ينضم لنا لاعبي الأهلي والزمالك بحالات معنوية مرتفعة وبالنسبة لبيراميدز لا يوجد أي مشكلة لأنهم سيلعبون يوم 20 نصف نهائي وإذا تأهل سيخوض النهائي يوم 25 أكتوبر ويجب ألا ننسى أن موعد الجولة الأخيرة في الدوري لم يُحدد حتى الآن”.

واستكمل: “سنجلس خلال اليومين المقبلين مع حسام الزناتي لنعرف مواعيد مباريات الجولة الأخيرة والكابتن حسام البدري عرض العديد من الاقتراحات والتصورات على اللجنة الخماسية اليوم بشان المعسكر”.

وأضاف: “الاتحاد الإفريقي خاطبنا من أجل تحديد ملعب مباراة توجو في مصر وقررنا أننا سنخوض المواجهة على استاد القاهرة وحتى الآن كاف لم يخطرنا بموعد اللقاء”.

وعن ضغط المباريات، أشار: “نحن الآن نمر بظروف استثنائية وبالتأكيد ضغط المباريات آثر على اللاعبين، وإذا نظرنا للدوري المغربي سنجد أنهم سيخوضون مباريات خلال فترة التوقف الدولي”.

وبسؤاله عن قائمة منتخب مصر رد قائلًا: “من المبكر الحديث عن القائمة وصعب أن نعلنها قبل المباراة بشهر كامل”.

Manchester City gobbled up the first big trophy of the season as they saw off Chelsea on penalties in somewhat dour affair at Wembley.

Some last minute controversy involving goalkeeper Kepa and manager Mauro Sarri overshadowed the game really, and the incident just threw more disdain on a situation at Chelsea which is already being bleakly observed by those from afar.

However, the win for City on the otherhand tells a different story, and should give Pep Guardiola’s men the confidence they need to go ahead into the rest of the season and capture the Premier League title.

Winning trophies is a habit, and no matter what the prize, it’s always good to be involved in picking up silverware and ensuring that winning does indeed become something which comes as a given for the players involved with the club.

The Sunday could prove a turning point too, with City’s closest title rivals Liverpool being held to another dour 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.

It could represent a big swing in momentum in the title picture in general, as City once again add another trophy to the cabinet while Liverpool look on axiously and wonder what might have been this season given the lead they once held at the top.

It’s City who are now in the asendency though, and with their form, momentum, and winning habits firmly back on track, it really could be City’s title to lose now, not Liverpool’s.

West Brom gave their promotion chances a massive boost on Tuesday after they beat Queens Park Rangers 3-2 at Loftus Road.

A return to the Premier League, however, does not seem like it will have any bearing on Salomon Rondon’s future at the Hawthorns with the 29-year-old still inching closer to a permanent exit.

The Breakdown

Rondon is currently on a season-long loan at Newcastle United and, according to the Northern Echo, his parent club have slapped a £16m price tag on his head amid interest.

West Brom, though, would probably be better off keeping the Venezuela international should they win promotion back to English football’s top flight.

Rondon has managed to find some form since the Christmas period after making a slow start to the campaign, while he is the type of striker overall who is ideal for the more inferior Premier League sides.

He is strong, good in the air and can hold up the ball well, making him a great outlet to teams such as West Brom who need to find a way out once winning the ball against technically better and possession-hungrier opposition.

That, of course, was not enough to save West Brom from their last relegation from English football’s top division.

Next time round, however, with better players around him, it could be a much different story.