Bayer Leverkusen boss Erik ten Hag is looking to move on Matej Kovar for a second time after selling the goalkeeper at Manchester United.

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Ten Hag looking to sell KovarSold goalkeeper when in charge of UnitedUnited looking for new goalkeeperFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Czech goalkeeper joined Leverkusen in 2023, making six Bundesliga appearances under Xabi Alonso, and is set to depart the club already. As per , Leverkusen have agreed a deal with PSV to sell Kovar who is looking to become a first-choice number one on a permanent basis. While it marks the second time Ten Hag has shifted Kovar, with Brentford's Mark Flekken arriving to become the main option between the sticks, it was inevitable Kovar would have to leave for regular game time.

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Ten Hag has been tasked with rebuilding a Leverkusen side that has been torn apart by the departure of manager Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid and key first-team players Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz to Liverpool. The Dutch manager, who despite winning the League and FA Cup, endured a torrid time at United and will be hoping to repair his managerial reputation in Germany. The moving on of apparent deadwood will be necessary if Ten Hag is to unleash a revolution at side pipped to the Bundesliga title by Bayern Munich last season.

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United are looking to revamp their own goalkeeping options. Ten Hag's signing, Andre Onana, has proved to be an unreliable figure in-between the sticks at Old Trafford and Ruben Amorim is desperate for a new number one. The Botafogo goalkeeper John has impressed at the Club World Cup and is the latest option United are considering as the Onana replacement.

AFPWHAT NEXT FOR TEN HAG?

Ten Hag will continue to look to improve his Leverkusen squad and put his own stamp on the club. Lukas Hradecky and Flekken provide strong options in net for the Dutchman, but replacements for Wirtz and Frimpong may prove more vital.

The Frenchman is set to move to the Stade Louis II on a free transfer, while Barcelona's No.10 could arrive on loan with an option to buy

Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro revealed last September that his goal was "to have 50 percent of the first-team squad made up of academy players" within the next three years. It's an ambitious but arguably achievable goal for a club long renowned for developing homegrown talent, such as Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet and Kylian Mbappe.

However, Scuro remains acutely aware of the importance of continuing to scour the market for potential bargains in order to ensure that Monaco maintain the requisite blend of youth and experience to compete at Champions League level.

For that very reason, the Brazilian is willing to take a punt on Paul Pogba and Ansu Fati, two fallen stars desperately hoping to shine again at the Stade Louis II…

• Popularity unaffected by doping ban

  Because of their focus on unearthing hidden gems and polishing rough diamonds, Monaco haven't made many waves in the transfer market since the summer of 2013-14, when club president Dmitry Rybolovlev spent just under €150 million (£128m/$174m) on new players, including Colombian stars Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez.

  One could easily argue, then, that Pogba would represent Les Monegasques' most high-profile signing of the past decade. For example, the former Juventus midfielder has 63 million followers on Instagram – more than 30 times as many as Monaco – and that's in spite of the fact that Pogba hasn't played a competitive game of football since September 3, 2023 because of a doping ban.

  Right from the start, the Frenchman accepted his share of the blame for taking a supplement prescribed by a doctor in Florida that led to elevated levels of testosterone in his system, which was picked up by a drugs test after a Serie A game against Udinese, but Pogba insisted all along that he had never "knowingly or deliberately" ingested a banned substance. As a result, he fought the four-year ban initially imposed upon him by Italy's anti-doping committee (Nado), and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ultimately reduced his suspension to 18 months, ruling that while "Mr Pogba was not without fault, and that, as a professional football player, he should have paid a greater care in the circumstances," the breach "was not intentional".

  "Finally the nightmare is over," Pogba said after his appeal was "partially upheld". "I can look forward to the day when I can follow my dreams again. I play with integrity and, although I must accept that this is a strict liability offence, I want to place on record my thanks to the Court of Arbitration for Sport's judges who heard my explanation. This has been a hugely distressing period in my life because everything I have worked so hard for has been put on hold."

  Now, though, he's free to resume a top-flight career that appeared to be over.

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  The fall of Fati

  At 22, Ansu Fati is 10 years younger than Pogba – and yet there is just as much concern over whether the Spaniard is also finished at the highest level.

  It now feels like an eternity ago but, back in 2019, Fati was the most exciting young player in world football, a 16-year-old striking sensation breaking one record after another at Barcelona and wowing the world in much the same way as Lamine Yamal is now.

  Then came the injury that changed everything. On November 7, 2020, just a fortnight after Fati had become the second-youngest goal-scorer in Clasico history, he tore the meniscus in his left knee. Barca said the teenager would be out of action for four months. He didn't return for nine, though – and even when he did, he wasn't the same player.

  There were flashes of Fati's former self during the 2022-23 campaign, in which he scored 10 goals in all competitions, but the mere fact that Barca loaned him to Brighton the following season showed that the club had lost faith in a forward upon whom they had bestowed the ultimate honour by giving him Lionel Messi's iconic No.10 jersey.

  Unfortunately, Fati failed miserably to impress in the Premier League, meaning there was never any chance of his temporary stay the Amex materialising into a transfer.

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  The Flick factor

  Hansi Flick's appointment as Barca boss last summer hardly improved Fati's fortunes, as the German was charged with making Barca not only better, but fitter. It, thus, came as little surprise to see the injury-plagued Fati afforded just three starts last season – and just 298 minutes of total game time.

  According to , the attacker was deeply affected by the way in which he was treated by the German and has now reluctantly accepted that there is no longer any future for him at Barcelona.

  Of course, the Catalans have been trying to sell Fati for some time now, in order to create some wiggle room on their wage bill and generate some pure profit to alleviate their ongoing financial fair play problems. The problem is that they've been unable to find a buyer for the fragile forward. Monaco, though, are willing to take Fati on loan with a view to permanent move.

  So, what hope do both Fati and Pogba have of kickstarting their careers in the principality?

• AFP
  

  'Inspiring brand of football'

  There are certainly few more privileged places to play football than Monaco. However, the glamorous tax haven is also home to one of Europe's most attractive teams thanks in no small part to the work being done at the Stade Louis II by Adi Hutter.

  After winning domestic titles in his native Austria and Switzerland, with Red Bull Salzburg and Young Boys, respectively, before reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt, the 55-year-old coach took charge of Monaco in July 2023 and immediately led the club back into the Champions League via a runners-up finish in Ligue 1.

  Hutter's side immediately announced themselves as a team to watch by beating Barcelona last September, while they also beat Aston Villa on their path to the knockout phase play-offs, where they were beaten 4-3 on aggregate by Benfica after a thrilling 3-3 draw at Estadio da Luz.

  French football followers were utterly unsurprised by the exciting nature of Monaco's campaign, given Hutter's willingness to afford creative talents such as Eliesse Ben Seghir, Maghnes Akliouche and George Ilenikhena the freedom to express themselves.

  "For me, football is entertainment," Hutter told earlier this year. "I hate boring football: 15 passes around the backline and then back to the goalkeeper. I like to play an inspiring brand of football. It doesn't mean you win every game but the spectators expect you to play the ball forward. In the offensive third, I say: 'Guys, you are creative players.' I don't say: 'You have to play this ball and this ball. Guys, you earn money for your creativity.'"

  One would imagine, then, that Fati and Pogba would relish playing under such an offensively-minded coach.

Arsenal agreed personal terms with a “powerful” player last summer, and while a move ultimately didn’t come to fruition, it could happen this year instead.

Arsenal braced for Champions League semi-final tie against PSG

Mikel Arteta’s side have a golden opportunity to make 2024/2025 their most memorable campaign in decades, despite missing out on this year’s Premier League title to Liverpool by some distance.

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Two season-defining European semi-final legs have the potential to pay dividends for Arteta’s side, with their first Champions League final appearance since 2006 on the line, not to mention the possibility of being crowned winners for the first time in their illustrious history.

Bournemouth (home)

May 3rd

Liverpool (away)

May 11th

Newcastle United (home)

May 18th

Southampton (away)

May 25th

Arsenal face-off against a PSG side who they’ve already beaten once this term, a 2-0 league phase win back in October, with Luis Enrique’s side also tasting defeat in Ligue 1 for the first time this season against Nice last week.

Riding high off their sensational 5-1 aggregate win over Real Madrid in the last round, Arsenal go into the tie carrying plenty of encouragement, with Arteta urging his players to play with bravery.

“You’ve seen it first hand the way we approach the game against Real Madrid, the way we approach the game when we played [PSG] before, the way we approach every week,” said Arteta in his pre-match press conference.

“That’s not going to change, that’s who we are, it’s our biggest strength. The good thing as well about us is that we are able to adapt to very different contexts, and we have shown that again this season. Because sometimes you don’t want to, but the teams are able to take you to a different game, and feeling comfortable playing that game, and overcoming that game with yourself in a position that you play more of the game that you want, is a big strength. I think this season again we have demonstrated that we have the capacity to do that.”

Away from the pitch, sporting director Andrea Berta is preparing for his first summer window at the club. Reports suggest Arsenal want to sign a new second-choice keeper, and links to Espanyol starlet Joan Garcia are re-emerging as a result.

Joan Garcia teases summer transfer after agreeing terms with Arsenal last year

Arsenal are tipped as one of the main contenders to sign Garcia once again this summer, after the 23-year-old agreed terms on a move to the Emirates last year (Fabrizio Romano).

Now, the Spanish shot-stopper has dropped an update on his future, confirming Arsenal’s interest last summer and teasing the possibility of a move away from Espanyol this summer.

“There was a lot of interest last summer, especially from Arsenal, but I stayed here and since then I’ve been 100% focused on this season,” said Garcia to press in Spain.

“We all know the situation, not just mine but the club’s, and anything can happen. But the future will tell, and we’ll worry about it when the time comes.”

Garcia is viewed as one of La Liga’s standout goalkeeping talents after another great season, and he’d undoubtedly be a great back-up to David Raya. The cost of his signature, as things stand, is around £21 million – the current value of his release clause – but this could be seen as a real snip.

“García is such an athletic GK. His legs are so powerful and springy enabling him to generate more power to reach the ball,” said Football Analyst Ben Mattinson.

“Good flexibility, agility and his proactiveness enable him to be an alert shot-stopper in the box and recover to make double saves.”

وجه أحمد بلال مهاجم الأهلي الأسبق، انتقادات قوية للإعلامي مدحت شلبي بسبب تصريحاته الأخيرة ضد محمود الخطيب رئيس القلعة الحمراء.

وقال أحمد بلال في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “النهار”: “الأيام الماضية شهدت العديد من النقاشات، حيث تحدث الكابتن مدحت شلبي وتطرق إلى الكابتن محمود الخطيب، مع كامل احترامنا وتقديرنا لمدحت شلبي، الذي يمتلك خبرة تمتد لخمسين عامًا في الإعلام، وهو شخصية مهنية محترمة جدًا، إلا أنني أود قول كلمتين”.

وأكمل: “كابتن مدحت حتى الآن لم تعتذر للكابتن الخطيب، لم تقل أنا آسف أو حقك عليّ أو تجاوزت في حق الكابتن الخطيب، وهذا الكلام لم يصدر منك، رغم أنك إعلامي محترم ومحبوب، ونثق بك ونستمع إليك، والناس تأخذ بكلامك وتتأثر به، لذلك ليس من المنطقي أن يتم إيقاف برنامجك خلال 24 ساعة بسبب هذه الافتراءات”.

وواصل: “محمود الخطيب رجل محترم ومهذب جدًا، لا يصدر عنه أي كلام جارح، يتعامل بالقانون والأوراق الرسمية، وهو رجل ملتزم يحمل النادي الأهلي على كتفيه، وحقق نجاحات كبيرة جدًا، فلماذا هذا الهجوم؟ وما الداعي؟ ولماذا هذا التوقيت؟ لماذا يتم الطعن في الخطيب بهذا الشكل؟، ماذا فعل الخطيب لك شخصيًا حتى تتحدث عن أحداث من عام 2012 و2013، وتذكر أنه قال إنه مريض”.

وأردف: “أنت إعلامي محترف، لديك خبرة طويلة، واعٍ ومثقف، لكن يبدو أنك لم تستمع جيدًا للنصائح، ولم يحذرك أحد من الدخول في هذا الموضوع الحساس، والترند ليس بهذه الطريقة يا كابتن مدحت، هل هذا أسلوب إعلامي، وهل يصح أن يُقال هذا الكلام على التلفزيون؟ هناك أناس يصدقون ما يُقال، ويتابعون ويثقون للأسف”

وزاد: “هذا هو النادي الأهلي وهذا هو محمود الخطيب، الذي يملك ظهيرًا قويًا يدافع عنه، ربما يقبل الخطيب الاعتذار غدًا، لكن يجب أن تعتذر أولاً، وتحدثت عن خسارة الأهلي 120 مليون جنيه بسبب ريبيرو وكولر، وتساءلت عن دور الدولة ومن سيحاسب الأهلي، ولكن ألم تحسب المكاسب التي حققها الأهلي”.

خاص | حكم مباراة الأهلي والزمالك في الدوري المصري

واستطرد: “هل تريد أن يصبح الأهلي مثل أندية أخرى تواجه أزمات مالية مثل الزمالك، الذي تحدث نائب رئيسه عن ديون بقيمة 2.5 مليار جنيه، وألا يصعب عليك حال الزمالك، هل تريد الأهلي أن يصبح مثل الزمالك أو الإسماعيلي أو غيرهما من الأندية التي تعاني”.

وأضاف: “نحن نريد أن تكون جميع الأندية مثل الأهلي ملتزمة، تدفع مستحقات اللاعبين والمدربين، ولا تواجه إيقاف قيد، واسم مصر يجب أن يبقى نظيفًا، لا أن يشتكي الأجانب من أنديتنا، الأهلي يلتزم بعقوده، ويحقق أرباحًا، وفي عام واحد، حقق الأهلي دخلاً يتراوح بين 14 و15 مليون دولار”.

وأتم: “الأهلي باع لاعبين مثل وسام أبو علي وكذلك حصل على 9.5 مليون دولار من كأس العالم للأندية، و2.5 مليون دولار من بطولة إفريقيا، وإذا كان عليه 120 مليون جنيه، فهو قادر على سدادها دون أزمة، والأزمة الحقيقية هي عدم الدفع، أو أن يشتكي النادي في الفيفا، أو يواجه إيقاف قيد، والمفروض أن نشيد بالأهلي لالتزامه، لا أن نهاجمه بهذا الشكل”.

علق حازم إمام، نجم الزمالك السابق، على أداء الأبيض خلال الفترة الأخيرة، متحدثًا عن أبرز المشكلات الفنية والنفسية التي يعاني منها الفريق، مُقدمًا تحليلاً تفصيليًا لأداء اللاعبين وأسباب تراجع النتائج رغم السيطرة الواضحة في معظم المباريات.

وقال حازم إمام في تصريحات عبر برنامج “الحريفة” على إذاعة “أون سبورت إف إم”: “الزمالك تعادل أمس، وهو ليس في المركز الثاني كما يظن البعض، الفريق خسر المباراة السابقة، وتعادل مع الجونة، ولكن الغريب هذا الموسم أن الزمالك يقدم أداءً جيدًا في بداية المباريات، باستثناء مواجهة الأهلي، التي كانت أقل فنيًا بكثير، الفريق يبدأ المباريات بشكل قوي ومسيطر، ثم يتراجع فجأة ويستقبل هدفًا، سواء من هجمة مرتدة أو تسديدة بعيدة، وكأن الحظ يعانده”.

وتابع: “كرة القدم في النهاية توفيق من الله، فمثلًا في مباراة الأمس لم تكن هناك أي هجمة خطيرة باستثناء فرصة واحدة فقط التي سُجل منها هدف غزل المحلة، في مباراة الجونة أيضًا، تعادل الزمالك بهدف من تسديدة واحدة، وكذلك في مباراة وادي دجلة، وفي مواجهة الأهلي كان متقدمًا ثم استقبل هدفًا في الشوط الثاني، الفريق استقبل حتى الآن سبعة أهداف في الدوري، جميعها جاءت في الشوط الثاني، وهذه إشارة واضحة على وجود مشكلة حقيقية في التركيز خلال النصف الأخير من المباريات”.

وأضاف: “أي محلل أداء، حتى وإن كان مبتدئًا، سيلاحظ أن الزمالك يعاني في الشوط الثاني؛ لذلك، يجب على الجهاز الفني إيجاد حلول مثل تأمين الخط الخلفي أو زيادة الضغط أو تغيير أسلوب اللعب حتى لا يتكرر نفس السيناريو، على سبيل المثال، الهدف الأول الذي دخل مرمى الزمالك أمام مودرن، من كرة ثابتة بعد ركنية ارتدت بطريقة غريبة، ثم توالت الأخطاء نفسها في المباريات التالية أمام وادي دجلة والجونة والأهلي وغزل المحلة”.

وأردف: “في كل مرة، حين يستقبل الزمالك هدفًا، أشعر أن اللاعبين يتوترون بشكل مبالغ فيه، فجأة يبدأ الفريق في لعب الكرات الطويلة غير المفهومة، وتجد لاعبين يمررون الكرة بشكل عشوائي، حتى في مواقف لا تستدعي ذلك، على أي لاعب يرتدي قميص الزمالك أن يتحلى بالثقة، لأنه يلعب في نادٍ كبير، مثله مثل الأهلي أو بيراميدز، اللعب تحت الضغط في نادٍ جماهيري يجب أن يكون دافعًا، لا عبئًا”.

طالع أيضًا | الزمالك على صفيح ساخن.. مفاجأة بشأن مصير فيريرا وبديله

وواصل: “جمهور الزمالك كان حاضرًا بكثافة رغم التعادل السابق، وهذا يعكس دعمه الكبير للفريق، لذلك لا يجوز أن يفقد اللاعبون ثقتهم بمجرد استقبال هدف، لست ضد فكرة الكرات الطويلة، لكن يجب أن تُلعب لمن؟ ما الهدف منها؟ بالأمس لعب الزمالك كرات عالية كثيرة، ولكن لم يكن هناك من يستغلها بالشكل الأمثل”.

واستمر: “أتذكر عندما كان مانويل جوزيه مدربًا للأهلي، كان يدفع بوائل جمعة كرأس حربة إضافي في الدقائق الأخيرة لاستغلال الكرات الهوائية، وهو ما نراه في أوروبا أيضًا مثلما يفعل ماجواير مع مانشستر يونايتد، بالأمس، قام فيريرا بإجراء تغييرات عديدة، وكان أحمد ربيع أحد الإيجابيات، فهو لاعب مميز منذ أن كان في البنك الأهلي، يجيد اللعب برأسه، ولديه نزعة هجومية قوية، وسيُحدث الفارق في وسط الملعب بجانب دونجا وحاتم سكر عند عودته”.

وأوضح: “بعد التعادل، أخرج فيريرا عمرو ناصر ودفع بسيف الجزيري، رغم أن الموقف كان يتطلب الإبقاء على الثنائي معًا للعب الكرات الطويلة، ثم قام بإخراج أحد لاعبي الارتكاز، كان من الممكن الدفع بحسام عبد المجيد للأمام كمهاجم إضافي بجوار سيف الجزيري، خاصة أن الكرات العرضية كانت تُشكل خطورة حقيقية على دفاع غزل المحلة”.

واستطرد حازم إمام: “في أكثر من كرة عرضية بالأمس، بدا واضحًا أن دفاع المحلة يعاني من التعامل مع الكرات الهوائية، إذًا، لماذا لم يواصل الزمالك اللعب بهذه الطريقة؟ كان من الممكن أن يُبقي على ثنائي هجومي في العمق ويطلب من الأجنحة إرسال كرات عرضية متكررة، خصوصًا أن الفريق كان مستحوذًا تمامًا على مجريات اللقاء”.

وأردف: “شاهدنا لقطة غريبة في الدقيقة 97، عندما قام محمد صبحي بتنفيذ كرة عرضية بعد رمية تماس، رغم أنه ليس متخصصًا في ذلك، لم أفهم الفكرة من أن يترك اللاعبون تنفيذ الكرة لحارس المرمى في آخر فرصة بالمباراة، هذه اللقطة أوضحت حالة الارتباك التي يعيشها الفريق في الدقائق الأخيرة”.

وأكد: “أحيانًا يكون التوفيق هو الفارق بين الفوز والتعادل، لكن الزمالك بحاجة إلى شخصية قوية داخل الملعب، صحيح أن الفارق في النقاط مع الأهلي أو بيراميدز ليس كبيرًا، لكن المشكلة تكمن في فقدان التركيز وقت التقدم، الزمالك دائمًا يبدأ بشكل جيد ويتقدم في النتيجة، ثم يفقد السيطرة تدريجيًا”.

وأوضح: “الإحصاءات تؤكد أن الزمالك لم يكن سيئًا فنيًا، فقد سدد الفريق 25 كرة مقابل تسديدتين فقط لغزل المحلة، وبلغت نسبة الاستحواذ 66% مقابل 34%، كما وصلت دقة تمريرات الزمالك إلى 80% مقابل 68% للمحلة، ونفذ الفريق 35 كرة عرضية مقابل 7 فقط للمنافس، بالإضافة إلى 10 ركلات ركنية مقابل ركنية واحدة”.

واختتم: “الأرقام كلها في صالح الزمالك، لكنه يفتقد للفعالية الهجومية والشراسة داخل منطقة الجزاء، الفريق يلعب بشكل منظم ويمتلك الاستحواذ، لكن دون إنهاء فعّال للهجمات، وكأن الأداء مجرد استحواذ ليس حقيقي، الزمالك يحتاج فقط إلى اللمسة الأخيرة والحفاظ على التركيز حتى النهاية”.

MatériaMais Notícias

da bet7： Eliminado precocemente no Campeonato Paulista e Libertadores e flertando com a zona do rebaixamento no Campeonato Brasileiro, o Corinthians tem na Copa do Brasil o seu principal alento na temporada. Enquanto o técnico Luxa possui na competição a sua maior segurança no cargo até o momento. 

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da dobrowin： Luxemburgo tem apenas 33,3% de aproveitamento à frente do Timão, com somente quatro vitórias conquistadas. Uma delas é que dá sobrevida ao treinador na equipe alvinegra até agora: a sobre o Atlético-MG, no dia 31 de maio. Os corintianos eram vistos como eliminados nas oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil, ao perder o jogo de ida por 2 a 0, em Minas Gerais. Mas venceram o Galo pelo mesmo placar na volta e se classificaram nos pênaltis. A partir dali, o objetivo de Luxa no Corinthians passou a ser claro: conquistar o torneio mata-mata, enquanto foge da zona do rebaixamento no Brasileirão. 

+ Renove o seu estoque de camisas do Timão com o cupom LANCEFUT 10% OFF

O treinador, no entanto, tem encontrado dificuldades para afastar o perigo do Z4. O Timão é o primeiro time fora da ‘zona da confusão’, termo usado pelo próprio Luxemburgo, a um ponto do Goiás, que abre o grupo. Das últimas quatro rodadas, em três o clube alvinegro precisou torcer por uma combinação de resultados para não entrar no pelotão.

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Assim, sobra a Copa do Brasil para mostrar serviços. E o adversário das quartas de final gera uma certa animação aos corintianos. Já que o América-MG vive uma realidade parecida com a do Corinthians. O Coelho briga para fugir da zona do rebaixamento no Brasileirão, mas, no momento, não está conseguindo, pois é o penúltimo colocado da competição. E em termos internacionais, a equipe mineira está nos playoffs da Copa Sul-Americana, assim como o Time do Povo. Por outro lado, no único encontro entre as equipes nesta temporada, a vitória foi dos americanos.

Além do fator esportivo, ir o mais longe possível na Copa do Brasil é importante para o Corinthians aliviar a parte financeira. O clube já não conseguiu atingir duas metas da previsão orçamentária para essa temporada: chegar pelo menos à semifinal do Paulistão e às oitavas de final da Libertadores. No Brasileiro, a projeção é de sétimo lugar, o que é muito difícil no cenário atual, mas não é descartado internamente. Isso porque a comissão técnica acredita que pode levar a equipe até ao grupo de classificados à principal competição continental – o que, dependendo do decorrer da temporada, pode significar até o nono colocado do Brasileirão. 

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A Copa do Brasil, então, é um ponto fora da curva para o Timão até nos termos das finanças. Já que na estimativa para a temporada, o previsto era que o clube chegasse até as oitavas de final, o que já foi ultrapassado com a classificação sobre o Atlético-MG, há pouco mais de um mês. Assim, o Corinthians já arrecadou R$ 7,6 milhões na competição, R$ 4,3 milhões a mais que o previsto. Caso passe pelo América-MG, a equipe alvinegra chegará a R$ 16,6 milhões embolsados no torneio. O que já vai superar o que ficou pelo caminho na Libertadores, pois a classificação às oitavas de final na competição continental renderia aos cofres corintianos 1,25 milhões de dólares (R$ 6 milhões, na cotação atual).

Derby County are now keen on signing a 100+ career goal forward this summer, with John Eustace personally driving the move, according to a report.

Derby's summer transfer plans taking shape

It was always going to be tough to avoid relegation from the Championship in Derby’s first season back in the second tier, but having just about got the job done, Eustace will be looking to bring in signings capable of helping his side push up the table next season.

The Rams have set out to raid some of their Championship rivals next summer, having submitted a bid for Hull City right-back Cody Drameh, although they did not receive the response they would’ve been hoping for, with the proposal being knocked back.

Drameh is not the only defender in Eustace’s sights, however, with enquiries also being made over centre-back Ricardo Santos, who is available on a free transfer upon leaving Bolton Wanderers.

Derby now fighting Blackburn for midfielder who won 139 duels this season

John Eustace could have a say in the transfer saga…

BySean Markus Clifford May 11, 2025

The Championship outfit are clearly keen to bolster their options at the back, despite maintaining a decent defensive record throughout the 2024-25 campaign, given their league position, shipping just 56 goals across the campaign.

However, there is also an eagerness to strengthen their attacking options, with a report from Derbyshire Live revealing Derby are now keen on a move for Andi Weimann, who previously spent three years at Pride Park from 2015 to 2018.

Eustace is personally pushing for the Rams to bring back Weimann, who will be available on a free transfer, should the forward fail to agree a new contract to extend his stay with current employers Blackburn Rovers.

"Incredible" Weimann could be tempted by Derby move

The 33-year-old clearly has a strong relationship with Eustace, with the 45-year-old also signing him for Blackburn last summer, and he received high praise from his manager last season, who said: “It doesn’t matter how old he is (or) how young he is when you have a player of that quality.

“Everyone can see the impact he has had on and off the pitch. We are very fortunate that he decided to sign here.”

Former Bristol City boss Nigel Pearson is also an admirer of the Austrian, describing his desire and work ethic as “incredible”, and he has a plethora of experience at Championship level, which could be very useful for Derby.

The Blackburn forward has spent the majority of his career in the second tier, scoring 74 times in the competition, and after picking up seven goals last term, he now has over 100 career goals to his name.

As such, Weimann could be a fantastic signing for Derby, who will be hoping his existing relationship with Eustace will be helpful in convincing the attacker to move to Pride Park.

The Notts skipper’s crisp 100 came after Worcestershire were bowled out in 31.1 overs at New Road

ECB Reporters Network25-May-2024Nottinghamshire skipper, century-maker and long-time Manchester United fan Haseeb Hameed had an all-round day to remember as Worcestershire were outplayed on an unhappy return to action at Visit Worcestershire New Road in their Vitality County Championship encounter.Worcestershire, back at their headquarters after flooding led to the first two games with Durham and Somerset being moved to Kidderminster, were bowled out in just 31.1 overs. A combination of a bowler-friendly wicket, a probing performance from the four-pronged seam attack and one or two undistinguished strokes enabled Nottingham to seize the initiative with the ball.Then Hameed heard of the Red Devils triumph over Manchester City in the FA Cup final before pressing home Nottinghamshire’s advantage with Joe Clarke during the evening session during a partnership of 147. Hameed reached three figures shortly before the close from 214 balls with nine fours before he was dismissed shortly before the close to leave Clarke unbeaten on 73.But Worcestershire were left to rue dropping Hameed on 36 and Clarke before he had scored, the latter off Nathan Smith who was the pick of the home attack, just as they threatened to keep Nottinghamshire’s advantage in check at what would have been 90-4 had the chances been taken.Groundstaff worked through the night to ensure play could get underway on time after yesterday’s wash-out. Both teams and staff lined up for a minute’s applause before the start of play in honour of Worcestershire spinner, Josh Baker, who passed away aged 20 three weeks ago.Worcestershire opener, Ed Pollock, came in for his first appearance of the season in place of Kashif Ali who was taking a break from the game. Nottinghamshire pace bowler Luke Fletcher was recalled in place of Olly Stone – and was soon making his mark after Hameed won the toss and chose to bat on a green pitch.His former Trent Bridge colleague Jake Libby fell to a stunning low catch at second slip by Calvin Harrison away to his left. Dillon Pennington, on his first return to New Road since leaving Worcestershire last summer, then knocked out Pollock’s middle stump after he pushed forward.Harrison held onto another smart catch at slip to account for Gareth Roderick off Fletcher who then had Rob Jones, after he went for an expansive drive, caught by Tom Moores who had replaced Joe Clarke behind the stumps. The procession of wickets continued with Lyndon James’ angled in delivery trapping Worcestershire Club captain Brett D’Oliveira lbw.Fletcher was rested after a spell of 9-5-18-3 but there was no let-up for the home side. Matthew Waite flicked at James and was taken by Moores diving to his left at full stretch, and Adam Hose went to pull Pennington and top-edged a return catch.Nathan Smith came down the wicket to Paterson and was lbw and the same bowler had Joe Leach pouched at backward drive. Adam Finch showed some defiance in striking Pennington for six over mid wicket before caught behind off his ex-team-mate.When Nottinghamshire batted, openers Haseeb Hameed and Ben Slater looked comfortable and scored freely as the 50 came up in the 17th over. There were few alarms for the duo although Hameed on 26 edged left armer Ben Gibbon just short of second slip.But a breakthrough finally came with Nottinghamshire just three runs in arrears when Slater on 41 pulled Smith straight to Gibbon at fine leg. There was more joy for Smith when Will Young tried to get his bat out of a way of a delivery but only deflected the ball onto his stumps.Smith should have had a third wicket in three overs but Roderick dropped Joe Clarke before he had scored – a rare let-off by the consistent keeper. Hameed also had an escape on 36 at first slip immediately after tea off Finch before going onto complete a 50 from 110 balls.Clarke followed him to that milestone from 86 balls as the pair gradually accelerated during the final session. Hameed went to three figures but did not add to his total before he was trapped lbw by Waite after striking nine fours in his 219-ball innings.

Steven Gerrard is probably the most influential and peerless Liverpool affiliate of the 21st century, and that reputation isn’t going to budge.

Maybe, Trent Alexander-Arnold stood a chance of knocking his hero away from top spot, but he’d have needed to devote the entirety of his career to his boyhood club to achieve this, and instead will sign for Real Madrid on a free transfer aged 26.

Trent’s decision heightens the situation going on at both of Liverpool’s defensive flanks. Andy Robertson, 31, still has a year left on his deal but has waned in influence and security this term, and heirs are being considered ahead of the transfer window.

Despite the issues Liverpool have faced at left-back, Cody Gakpo has still managed to go from strength to strength on the left wing, lacking the desirable stream of creative support though he has.

Cody Gakpo's season in numbers

It’s interesting that Gakpo should have hit his smoothest stride in a Liverpool shirt this season despite Robertson’s declining creative output.

This isn’t to say that the left-back has completely lost his way, but there’s no question things have been taken down a notch. That’s not true in Gakpo’s case, though, with his efforts this year leading to a return of 17 goals and six assists across all competitions, including 29 starts.

A shrewd and dynamic grtasp of the fundamentals had led Jurgen Klopp to play the Dutchman across a wide range of roles last season, but Arne Slot has shaved the fat off Gakpo’s game, limited him to a goalscoring duty off the left flank.

Centre-forward

27

12

4

Left winger

12

3

3

Right winger

7

1

0

Central midfield

7

0

0

It’s paid dividends, with pundits Joe Cole and Peter Crouch agreeing that he has “gone up another level” in his countryman’s tactical set-up.

As per FBref, the 25-year-old ranks among the top 5% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for non-penalty goals scored per 90, highlighting Slot’s success in sharpening his clinical edge into something keen and deadly.

Robertson still plays his part, crisp in possession and with a close-knit connection with Virgil van Dijk, but Liverpool are ready to sign an upgrade who could take Gakpo to the next level.

Liverpool chasing new left-back

Following the latest from TEAMtalk, Liverpool are indeed ready to address their left-back conundrum after Robertson’s up-and-down season, with Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez at the top of the shopping list.

With the Cherries, who are pushing for Europe, ready to sell the 21-year-old for a £45m figure, this is one FSG will be giving their full consideration to.

However, Kerkez is the prototypical modern full-back and would make Slot’s system that much better.

Imagine Gakpo & Milos Kerkez together

Gakpo is chiefly a goalscorer, but he’s also a forward of impressive physicality, causing problems for opponents and getting stuck in with duels and dribbles.

Kerkez will take his game to the next level.

The Bournemouth man might only be young but he’s made quite the name for himself across the past year, posting two goals and five assists in the Premier League this year, creating eight big chances, as per Sofascore, winning 60% of his ground duels and averaging 4.5 ball recoveries per game.

Also ranking among the top 14% of full-backs in the English top flight this term for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref, the Hungary international has the burners to apply pressure on his opponents ahead of him, thus allowing Gakpo the time and space to find better positions and maybe lift his goal tally even higher next year.

It’s worth noting Robertson, having failed to register a goal contribution in the league this year, has averaged 0.2 dribbles per game, evening out to one every five matches.

Luckily, Gakpo has stepped up and produced the goods, impressively winning 56% of his ground duels, completing 60% of his dribbles and missing just six big chances in the Premier League, as per Sofascore, having converted nine strikes.

With something young and hungry behind him, overlapping and proving a general thorn in his opponents’ sides, Kerkez is exactly what Liverpool need, having already been singled out as a “machine” by Sky Sports’ Izzy Christansen for his tireless and combative performances.

Kerkez’s strengths as an attacking full-back are exactly what Slot needs, perhaps demonstrating a style of football that Robertson would have been able to match and even surpass back in his pomp, but Father Time has crept up on the Scotland skipper after so many years of gruelling service at Liverpool.

While Robertson should keep his place in the Liverpool squad (meaning Kostas Tsimikas will need to be sold), Kerkez should find himself taking the first-choice spot, not only completing the defence and restoring some much-needed creativity to the wide positions but driving Gakpo’s journey even further into the limelight.

Athletic and adventurous, Kerkez has dazzled for Bournemouth this season, a core part of Andoni Iraola’s efforts and, just maybe, success in securing a place on the continent for the first time in the Vitality Stadium’s history.

But Liverpool need a new left-back, and he fits the bill. Bringing such pace and potency down the channel, such energy and enthusiasm, Kerkez would be sure to elevate Gakpo’s game to the next level, striking the perfect balance that could see Slot defend his Premier League crown.

Better than Rogers: Liverpool could see £65m bid accepted for 18-goal star

Liverpool are in the market for new forwards this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair May 5, 2025

Barcelona are aiming to make Lionel Messi the centrepiece of a special ceremony planned for the reopening of the newly renovated Camp Nou.

Barcelona plan Messi tribute at Camp Nou reopeningCeremony scheduled for 2026-27 season, pending roof installationMessi currently plays for Inter Miami in MLSFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to a report from , Barcelona are planning to invite Messi back for a tribute during the grand reopening of the renovated Camp Nou. The club intend to stage the ceremony once the new roof installation is complete, which is expected to occur in the summer of 2026. Messi, currently playing for Inter Miami in MLS, is viewed by the board as the central figure for the occasion.

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Barcelona are undertaking major renovations of Camp Nou, with the full reopening of the stadium scheduled for the 2026-27 season. The tribute is seen as an official farewell and celebration for Messi, who departed the club in 2021 after 778 appearances, 672 goals, and 35 trophies. The club view the event as a key moment in reconnecting with its historic identity and fanbase and a special occasion to see both Lamine Yamal and him under the same roof.

DID YOU KNOW?

Messi last played for Barcelona in May 2021 before joining Paris Saint-Germain. He is currently under contract with Miami and was part of the side that won the 2023 Leagues Cup, the club’s first major honour.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

Barcelona will monitor the progress of the stadium renovation over the next year. If the roof installation is completed in the summer of 2026 as planned, the Messi tribute and reopening ceremony will take place in the 2026/27 season. If delayed, the event will be rescheduled to align with the full completion of the Camp Nou project.