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. 

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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.

Liverpool fans may believe that this could be their year in the Champions League after being drawn against FC Porto recently. The Reds managed to get the better of the Portuguese club in last year’s competition, so they’ll feel confident heading into this year’s clash. 

It’s safe to say that Jurgen Klopp already faces a busy summer with a number of loan players returning and a few first-team members possibly taking their careers elsewhere.

One player who may be coming to the end of his time at Anfield is James Milner.

The Englishman hasn’t been able to secure regular minutes in the current campaign, other than when there’s an injury. He’s filled in at right-back, left-back and in central midfield at times but he just hasn’t looked comfortable in possession and he turns 34 next year with his contract set to run out in the summer.

Luckily, Jurgen Klopp has already found the perfect replacement for Milner in the form of Marko Grujic. The 22-year-old has spent the current campaign on loan at German side Hertha Berlin, scoring three and assisting one.

Grujic has earned rave reviews in the current campaign as one of the rising stars in the Bundesliga. His temporary manager Pal Dardai described him as top shelf and intimated (as per Index, via Empire of the Kop) that he is the most talented footballer he’s ever worked with.

His performances in the middle of midfield have been sensational, with his passing, tackling and eagle eye for goal making him a very well-rounded midfielder.

The Serbian has done more than enough to warrant a first-team place at Anfield in the summer. He offers so much more than Milner and could provide a different dynamic, with his attacking qualities benefiting Klopp’s style.

Liverpool fans, do you think Grujic is ready to make the step up? Surely his performances have been too good to ignore this season…

Despite having lost all of their last three matches in the Premier League, Everton will head into Tuesday night’s match with Cardiff City as slight favourites after Neil Warnock’s men were hammered 5-1 by Watford this past weekend.

Everton probably preferred having the weekend off to regroup as a team ahead of the match at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Marco Silva’s men dominated proceedings at Watford last weekend but suffered defeat thanks to an Andre Gray goal in the second-half.

But, one big positive that the manager could’ve taken from the match with the Hornets was the short but clinical performance by substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who replaced Gylfi Sigurdsson in the 74th minute.

The change saw Calvert-Lewin and Cenk Tosun play together for the first time in quite a while. And, Calvert-Lewin immediately made his presence felt as Everton pressed high up the pitch, hoping to snatch a late equaliser.

Silva has struggled to find his best combinations so far this season and has been rotating his team quite regularly in recent matches.

Playing Calvert-Lewin and Tosun together, as two strikers, could give the team a significant boost.

Indeed, this new solution may just be the answer to the Toffees’ recent attacking woes, with a successful trial in their next game against Cardiff City possibly being the first step to launching Everton into the European places.

Silva dropped Bernard to the bench for the match against his former team and started Sigurdsson on the left wing, with Tom Davies operating in the middle.

A change in formation might be more accommodating if both Calvert-Lewin and Tosun start on Tuesday, which would present Everton with a new and exciting tactical shift.

It could also present more chances for crosses to be whipped into the box, while Calvert-Lewin has shown in the past that he has the pace to cause opposition defenders problems.

Tosun could assist Calvert-Lewin, with his shooting accuracy and ability to create space possibly proving too much for a very vulnerable Cardiff defence to handle.

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Southampton central midfield trio James Ward-Prowse, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oriol Romeu will likely continue their partnership when the club faces Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday, and they may well have received a potential boost following an interesting Ole Gunnar Solskjaer comment.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the south coast outfit will be determined to stay out of the Premier League relegation zone now having moved above the safety line with their 2-0 win against Fulham at St Mary’s on Wednesday night, but that is easier said than done given they face the Red Devils and then Tottenham Hotspur next.

Normally, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men would be coming up against the likes of Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera in the United midfield, but it could be a very different story at the weekend with both of those set to miss out through injury.

Fred and Scott McTominay started the 3-1 success against Crystal Palace in midweek, with 17-year-old James Garner making his first-team debut late on from the substitutes’ bench, and Solskjaer has hinted he will be involved again at the weekend.

Speaking to manutd.com, the interim manager said: “We’ve been waiting for that chance [to introduce him to the first team]. Of course, now with Nemanja [Matic] and Ander [Herrera] injured, there’ll be more chances for Jimmy.

“We might even see him on Saturday against Southampton again.”

In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

Good news?

It certainly would be, especially if the teenager starts.

While he clearly has plenty of potential given he has made his bow at such a young age, there is no doubt that Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg and Romeu would prefer to come up against an inexperienced player who may be nervous about potentially making his first senior appearance at Old Trafford, than say Herrera, Matic or Fred.

Southampton face a tough task to take anything back home with them from ‘The Theatre of Dreams’, but coming up against Garner would certainly give their midfield hope that they can win important battles in that area to hopefully pick up a much-needed point.