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It has been a tough few weeks for Aston Villa, despite a brilliant start to the season for Unai Emery’s side. They lost just one of their first 12 games in all competitions, a 2-1 defeat at home to Arsenal.

That included a memorable 1-0 win at home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

However, they have had a serious downturn in their form over the past few weeks. Emery’s men have not won in the last five matches, and have actually lost all of their last four in all competitions.

It is certainly a concerning run that they will be hoping for an upturn in form once club football resumes next week.

With the January transfer window fast approaching, it might be a good time to refresh the squad as they look to buck the trend of losses and start the new year on a high. Three names in particular could be smart sales for the Villans…

1 Diego Carlos

The first player who could leave Villa Park in January is defender Diego Carlos. According to a report from Football Insider, Emery ‘could give the green light to sell’ the Brazilian centre-back. Fulham were interested in the 31-year-old over the summer, and might well be interested again.

Carlos has been something of a bit-part player for the Midlands club this term, featuring 11 times in all competitions. Having started just 36% of the games in the Premier League, the lack of opportunities might well be frustrating for the defender, who earns £100k-per-week.

However, he has struggled at times this term, particularly against Ipswich Town. Coming up against one of the division’s most in-form attackers, Liam Delap, Carlos put in a disappointing performance. Tim Sherwood was critical, explaining the Brazilian’s defending “was so bad” against the Tractor Boys.

With the likes of Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa as first choices at the back, plus Tyrone Mings making a full return from a serious year-long injury, it will be tough for Carlos to regain his place in the side, making a transfer a sensible solution for all parties.

2 Matty Cash

Poland international Matty Cash has had an important role to play at Villa Park since joining from Nottingham Forest in 2020 for £16m. The right-back has played 148 games for the club, contributing to 19 goals in that time.

Stat

Games

Minutes

G/A

2020/21

28

2378

2

2021/22

40

3574

8

2022/23

28

1908

1

2023/23

46

3319

8

2024/25

6

428

0

This season, despite a short time on the sideline with a hamstring injury, the 27-year-old has featured several times under Emery. The £80k-per-week star has played six times, all in the Premier League, although he is yet to see any European action.

Emery has tended to select Konsa at right-back instead of the Slough-born defender. Although the England international is a centre-back by trade, he has slotted in on the right side of defence six times this term, with half of those appearances coming in the Champions League.

Cash was described as an “upgradeable” player by football analyst Ben Mattinson. With Konsa an option there, and youngster Kosta Nedeljkovic knocking on the door as his understudy, selling Cash and replacing him internally or with a new purchase on lower wages might be the way forward for the Villans.

3 Emiliano Buendia

It has been a long road to recovery for Villa attacking midfielder Emiliano Buendia, who recently returned to full fitness following an anterior cruciate ligament injury that kept him out from August 2023 to June 2024.

Sadly, the Argentine has not found a starting berth easy to come by this term and has struggled for any regular minutes in the Villans midfield. Buendia has featured eight times in all competitions, but has started just two games, both in the Carabao Cup, and has 32 minutes to his name in six appearances in the Premier League and Champions League.

There is no doubting his quality. Football statistician Statman Dave described him as “magic” at his previous club, Norwich City. His record there is superb, with 24 goals and 41 assists in 121 games for the club, but his form has been mixed since returning from injury this season.

There is plenty of competition in those attacking midfield areas, with the likes of Morgan Rogers and Jacob Ramsey currently first choice for Emery in those roles.

The Villa number 10, who earns £75k-per-week and was a target for Leeds United in the summer – might well decide to leave for pastures anew, so he can get back to playing regular football now he is back to full fitness.

If all those exits were to occur, the Villans would be able to free up roughly £255k-per-week on the wage bill…

Aston Villa eyeing move for new £25m target who could replace Diego Carlos

Aston Villa are interested in a player who could potentially replace the Brazilian.

ByBrett Worthington Nov 19, 2024

MatériaMais Notícias

Recentemente, se algum técnico do Corinthians estiver na berlinda pode crer que uma derrota em clássico será o suficiente. Pelo menos os últimos três treinadores demitidos do clube foram depois de perderem para rivais diretos do estado.

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O caso mais recente aconteceu nesta quarta-feira (2), após o Timão ser derrotado por 2 a 1 pelo Santos, na Neo Química Arena, pela terceira rodada do Campeonato Paulista. O resultado, inclusive, quebrou uma sequência de 12 jogos sem vitórias do Peixe em Itaquera.

GALERIA > Cabem no Timão? Confira técnicos estrangeiros livres no mercado
TABELA > Confira e simule os jogos do Corinthians no Paulistão

Os dois antecessores de Sylvio também foram desligados do Corinthians após serem derrotados em clássicos, mas no caso de Vágner Mancini e Tiago Nunes os reveses foram diante do Palmeiras.Como curiosidade, todas essas derrotas foi com o Timão jogando na sua casa.

Além do trio, outro treinador que caiu após perder um clássico na Neo Química Arena foi Cristovão Borges, que também foi demitido a ser derrotado pelo rival alviverde, em 2016.

Just because the transfer window is currently closed, it doesn’t mean clubs aren’t still scouring the market for their next purchase.

Chelsea have done this in the past, with Christopher Nkunku and Hakim Ziyech two examples of this in the past ten years, with deals being agreed ahead of the window opening.

Enzo Maresca and the sporting directors will already be getting an idea of the squad they have, and where it can be improved upon further, as the list for any Janury or summer additions starts to be made.

Chelsea looking at Serie A defender

According to reports by Italian publication sempremilan, Chelsea are one of the clubs keeping tabs on AC Milan star, Theo Hernandez, as he will be entering the final year of his deal at the end of the season. Other interested clubs include European heavyweights PSG, Bayern Munich, and Juventus.

AC Milan legend, Paolo Maldini, once labelled Hernandez as a “special” talent after scoring his 29th goal for the Italian club, levelling Maldini’s goal-scoring record at the club for a defender.

The 27-year-old has made 222 appearances for Milan, scoring 31 goals, providing 41 assists, and totalling 19,164 minutes played.

But could the signing of Hernandez actually unlock one of Chelsea’s newest signings, giving Jadon Sancho a new dynamic partner to work with down that left-hand side?

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

How Hernandez would impact Sancho at Chelsea

Chelsea signed Sancho on deadline day this summer, joining the club on an initial loan deal from Manchester United, which will turn into an obligated transfer for around £20-25m. The 24-year-old has already made four appearances for the Blues, providing three assists in his 263 minutes played.

But the signing of £50m-rated Hernandez could change the dynamic of that left-hand side for Chelsea, allowing Sancho to thrive even more, and making it harder for the opposition defence to know what his next move is.

Sancho and Hernandez stats
Stats (per 90 mins)	Sancho	Hernandez
Goals	0.00	0.24
Assists	0.91	0.24
xG	0.03	0.19
Progressive Carries	4.83	3.24
Progressive Passes	4.83	5.68
Shots Total	0.30	1.43
Shot-Creating Actions	4.83	3.92
Tackles	0.34	1.22
Interceptions	0.00	1.67
Stats taken from FBref

The current dynamics of Chelsea’s left side see Marc Cucurella starting at left-back, but forming a back three with the two centre-backs, whilst the right-back – often Malo Gusto this season – inverts into midfield.

This often leaves Sancho isolated out on the left wing, with his main source of support coming from Chelsea’s left-sided number eight (often Enzo Fernández), who has to make overlapping and underlapping runs to create space for Sancho.

Hernandez would change this dynamic, as he is a more attack-minded fullback, as you can see from his metrics. He offers goal threat, often making overlapping and underlapping runs into dangerous areas, combining with his Milan teammate Rafael Leao, and joining in with goals and assists.

By giving Sancho this constant support, he would not only be able to create more for Hernandez but also for himself, using Hernandez’s runs and threat as a decoy, allowing him to cut inside, slot a pass into the striker or even take a pop himself.

This would mean Chelsea have to rethink their tactical strategy, with maybe the right-back slotting into the back three instead of inverting, but that would be on Maresca to tweak his system and find the best way to utilise the talent he has in the squad.

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يشهد اليوم الثلاثاء، 4 مارس 2025، عددًا من المواجهات القوية في مختلف البطولات، حيث تتجه الأنظار إلى الدوري المصري، دوري أبطال أوروبا، ودوري أبطال آسيا.

يخوض الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك مواجهة قوية أمام نظيره إنبي، على استاد المقاولون العرب، ضمن منافسات الجولة السابعة عشرة من الدوري المصري الممتاز.

ويدخل الزمالك المباراة محتلاً المركز الثالث في جدول الترتيب برصيد 29 نقطة، بعدما خاض 16 مباراة، حقق الفوز في 8 منها، وتعادل في 5، بينما تلقى 3 هزائم. ويطمح الفريق الأبيض لمواصلة الضغط على المتصدرين والمنافسة على اللقب.

في المقابل، يعاني إنبي هذا الموسم، إذ يحتل المركز السابع عشر برصيد 12 نقطة فقط، جمعها من انتصارين و6 تعادلات، بينما تلقى 8 خسائر، ويسعى للخروج بنتيجة إيجابية تساعده في الابتعاد عن مراكز الهبوط.

وفي مواجهات أخرى ضمن الجولة ذاتها، يلتقي الإسماعيلي، الباحث عن استعادة توازنه، مع فريق زد، بينما يشهد ديربي الإسكندرية مواجهة قوية بين الاتحاد السكندري وسموحة.

على الصعيد الأوروبي، يستضيف ريال مدريد نظيره أتلتيكو مدريد في مواجهة نارية ضمن ذهاب دور الـ16 من بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، وذلك على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو”.

وتُقام مباراة الإياب بين الفريقين يوم الأربعاء، 12 مارس الجاري، على ملعب “ميتروبوليتانو”، وسيتأهل الفائز من هذا اللقاء إلى ربع النهائي لمواجهة المنتصر من مواجهة آرسنال وآيندهوفن، وفقًا للقرعة التي أجريت في فبراير الماضي.

وكان ريال مدريد قد تأهل إلى هذا الدور بعد تخطيه مانشستر سيتي في مرحلة الملحق، بينما صعد أتلتيكو مدريد مباشرة من دور المجموعات.

وفي إطار منافسات دوري أبطال آسيا، يحل الهلال السعودي ضيفًا ثقيلًا على باختاكور الأوزبكستاني في مباراة ذهاب الدور ثمن النهائي.

وتصدر الهلال مجموعته في مرحلة المجموعات برصيد 22 نقطة من 8 مباريات، ويأمل في تحقيق نتيجة إيجابية تسهّل مهمته في لقاء الإياب، في طريقه نحو المنافسة على اللقب القاري.

طالع أيضًا | الزمالك يفتقد 4 لاعبين أمام إنبي.. بطولات يكشف أسباب الغيابات مواعيد مباريات اليوم الثلاثاء 4-3-2025 والقنوات الناقلةمواعيد مباريات الدوري المصري اليوم

إنبي ضد الزمالك، الساعة 9 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 10 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “on time sport 1”.

زد ضد الإسماعيلي، الساعة 9 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 10 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “on time sport 2”.

الاتحاد السكندري ضد سموحة، الساعة 9 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 10 بتوقيت السعودية. مواعيد مباريات دوري أبطال أوروبا اليوم

كلوب بروج ضد أستون فيلا، الساعة 7:45 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 8:45 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports HD 1”.

بوروسيا دورتموند ضد ليل الفرنسي، الساعة 10 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 11 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports HD 3”.

ريال مدريد ضد أتلتيكو مدريد، الساعة 10 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 11 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports HD 1”.

آيندهوفن ضد آرسنال، الساعة 10 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 11 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports HD 2”. مواعيد مباريات دوري أبطال آسيا اليوم

شانغهاي إيست آسيا ضد يوكوهاما مارينوس، الساعة 2 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 3 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports AFC HD”.

بوريرام يونايتد ضد جوهور، الساعة 4 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 4 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports AFC HD”.

باختاكور ضد الهلال، الساعة 6 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 7 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports AFC 1 HD”.

الريان ضد الأهلي السعودي، الساعة 8 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 9 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports AFC HD”.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنــــا

U.S. Soccer is moving its senior and futures training camps across the country, the Federation announced Friday

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USWNT will move training camps from Southern California to FloridaDue to take place in Ft. Lauderdale starting Jan. 17NFL has also moved events due to tragic firesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The U.S. women's national team will now hold their two January training camps in Florida, with the Los Angeles fires forcing the federation to delay and move the Southern California training sessions, the USSF said Friday.

Manager Emma Hayes' two squads – the senior side and one featuring 24 prospects – were due to meet in Carson, California starting Jan. 14. Now, though, they will convene three days later in Fort Lauderdale at Inter Miami's Florida Blue Training Center.

Fires raging in the Los Angeles area have reduced some 10,000 structures to ash and rubble, killed at least 10, displaced thousands of others and spread over an area larger than the size of San Francisco.

The USWNT aren't the only sporting entity impacted by the tragedy, the NFL moved the Los Angeles Rams home playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings to the Arizona Cardinals' home stadium as a result of the fires.

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Fifty players are set to feature at the two camps, with Hayes switching sessions between the senior and the prospect sides. There are no fixtures slated for either team, though. Key players such as Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, and Mal Swanson have all been left off the roster as they rest and recover.

WHAT MATT CROCKER SAID

U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker explained the decision to move the two camps: "The safety of our players and staff is always our top priority, and with the fires still burning, many areas in a state of emergency, and the air quality next week an unknown, we made the decision to move the camps. Our hearts go out to all those affected in Southern California and our sincere gratitude goes to all the first responders and volunteers helping to navigate this tragedy. We also want to thank Inter Miami for accommodating us on such short notice and enabling us to run two training camps in a world class facility.”

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR THE USWNT?

Hayes will convene with her two squads in Florida next week, and have six days to work with them. The next USWNT fixtures are scheduled for February in the SheBelieves Cup.

Sheffield Wednesday picked up their first win in the Championship since the opening day last time out, surprisingly beating West Bromwich Albion 3-2 in an action-packed affair at Hillsborough.

The Baggies remain at the top of the table despite this blow to their ego in South Yorkshire, as both Josh Windass and Anthony Musaba found the back of the net, alongside a slice of fortune from Darnell Furlong, to gift Danny Rohl’s men a much-needed three points.

The victory would have obviously pleased the German in the dug-out, but he could make a couple of tweaks to his lineup anyway when Wednesday face off against Bristol City later on, with Ike Ugbo in danger of being potentially axed.

Ugbo's performance vs West Brom

It has arguably been an underwhelming start back at Wednesday for Ugbo, who was a firm fan’s favourite last season as an exciting loanee, with the ex-Chelsea youngster helping himself to an impressive seven goals from 18 second tier games as the Owls beat the drop.

Now, however, the Canada international only has one goal and one assist from eight appearances on his return, with his showing against Carlos Corberan’s Baggies somewhat forgettable.

The below-par Wednesday number 12 was barely involved throughout, as other attacking stars such as the aforementioned Windass and Barry Bannan took centre stage over the quiet 26-year-old.

Ugbo would only muster up 12 touches of the ball throughout his flat 71 minutes on the pitch, with James Beadle in the Owls net even beating this amount of touches himself at 31.

Thankfully for Rohl’s side, Musaba would pop up with a crucial goal at the death away from Ugbo’s off-day, with the lacklustre 26-year-old also failing to even register a single shot at Alex Palmer’s net.

Ugbo was handed out a low 6/10 rating by Sheffield Star journalist Alex Miller after the game subsequently, with the potential now for the Owls boss to freshen things up top away from relying on their number 12 to come good.

The players who could replace Ugbo

The first shout that could replace Ugbo this Wednesday night is Michael Smith, who was substituted on in place of the Canada international late on versus West Brom.

Smith couldn’t really leave his mark on the contest, as Musaba ended up being the late goalscoring hero, but the experienced centre-forward did manage to throw himself about as a lively presence with all four of the aerial duels he went in for successfully won.

Smith’s numbers this season vs Ugbo’s

Player

Games played

Goals scored

Assists

Smith

9

1

3

Ugbo

8

1

1

Sourced by Transfermarkt

The 32-year-old – who has been dubbed a “game-changer” by former boss Darren Moore – has actually bettered Ugbo’s numbers this season so far too, with two more goal contributions in all competitions, and could feel he’s worthy of a starting spot away at Ashton Gate consequently.

Smith also has three goals from nine games across his career when facing off against Bristol City, with the hope of adding another to his Wednesday goal tally this evening if he is selected over an underperforming Ugbo.

Jamal Lowe will also feel he’s in for a credible shout to start over the ex-Troyes attacker too, having impressed in spurts since joining the Owls in the summer, with a debut goal against a hapless Plymouth Argyle on the opening day sticking out.

Yet, he has had to make do with a spot just on the substitutes bench in the last two clashes, with a need perhaps for Rohl to freshen his side up in attack away from Ugbo.

The Owls manager will want his team to press on now and pick up another three points – away from who does end up leading the line – and with the Robins’ form this campaign so far very up-and-down, Wednesday will hope they can catch the hosts on a bad day.

Related Sheffield Wednesday dud who left for £0 is now outperforming Ugbo

Sheffield Wednesday dropped a clanger letting go of this former player when they did.

Posts ByKelan Sarson Sep 12, 2024

Everton are not going to ignore Neal Maupay's recent behaviour poking fun at his parent club.

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Everton to act on Maupay digStriker knocked parent club on X Currently on loan at MarseilleFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to trusted Everton source, Alan Myers, the Toffees are "aware" of of Maupay's post laughing at the club's struggles this season. With the Frenchman still under contract, despite being on loan at Marseille, they will address and deal with the matter "internally and privately".

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Maupay hit headlines on Sunday when he took to social media and said: "Whenever I'm having a bad day I just check the Everton score and smile." It came after the Toffees, who signed the striker from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022, had been beaten at home by Nottingham Forest to sit only three points above the relegation zone. He scored just once for Everton in 32 appearances, before spending last season on loan at former club Brentford, and then joining Marseille on loan in August 2024.

DID YOU KNOW?

Maupay is still technically an Everton player, with a contract that runs to 2026. But his Marseille loan includes an obligation to buy that will make the move a permanent one come summer. Reports have suggested the fee could be as low as £3 million ($3.8m), but may rise to £10m ($12.5m) dependent on variables throughout the season.

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AFPWHAT NEXT?

Maupay, a regular starter for Marseille since the start of November, will have to wait for Everton's assessment of the situation, although given his willingness to publicly attack the club he may not be all that worried. The terms of his loan mean he won't return to Everton at the end of the season, so for all intents and purposes the relationship is already broken and likely can't be fixed.

A significant transfer update on Matt O'Riley has reportedly emerged at Celtic, with the Hoops' current stance on the matter being made perfectly clear.

Celtic transfer news

Brendan Rodgers is likely to be content with the squad at his disposal, but that's not to say that there won't be more new faces brought in before the end of the summer transfer window.

Versatile Crystal Palace ace Jeffrey Schlupp has been linked with a move to Parkhead, with contact said to have been made with the 31-year-old. He is now a hugely experienced figure, making 268 appearances in the Premier League, as well as scoring 22 goals and registering 15 assists for good measure.

Celtic are also reportedly interested in making moves for Liverpool pair Bobby Clark and Ben Doak, with loan switches the more likely outcomes considering that the Reds won't want to lose two promising young talents permanently. Hoops legend Kenny Dalglish is certainly a fan of the latter, saying of Doak: "The wee man has done brilliant at Liverpool. He's got good vision, he can go past players and he's not selfish. He's always looking for teammates."

Away from signings coming in at Parkhead this summer, there is also a constant battle to retain the services of certain key players, not least O'Riley. Now, another key update has emerged regarding his future.

Celtic reject fresh £20m bid for player

According to Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph, Celtic have rejected an offer of £20m from Atalanta for O'Riley, which is the reigning Europa League champions' fourth attempt to snap him up, following previous bids of £14m, £14.3m and £15m.

The report states that Brighton and Chelsea also remain potential suitors among others for the 23-year-old, adding that he "will not be leaving Celtic on the cheap this summer", with the club demanding more for his services.

It does feel as though Celtic are going to find it hard to keep hold of O'Riley beyond the summer, but it is encouraging to see them digging their heels in as they appear to wait for the perfect offer to come along.

The Dane is a priceless figure for the Hoops considering how hard his creativity and general end product could be to replace, with 18 goals and 13 assists in the Scottish Premiership last season testament to that. Rodgers knows very well his importance to his team, too, saying earlier this year:

"He is very humble, there is nothing flash about him. His peers recognise the work he puts in and the mentality that he has. They know when they sit beside him in the changing room, this is a guy that puts in absolutely everything for the team and that is obviously very much respected."

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It will be interesting to see if Atalanta come in with a fifth attempt to sign O'Riley or if another club look to trump them, but the ideal outcome would be to see him stay put for another season.

يرى المدير الفني الإيطالي، روبرتو دي ماتيو، أن نادي ليفربول يمتلك لاعبًا مميزًا قد يستطيع خلافة النجم المصري محمد صلاح، في مركزه، حال رحيل الأخير عن الفريق الصيف المقبل.

ومن المقرر أن ينتهي العقد الحالي للنجم المصري مع ليفربول في صيف 2025، أي نهاية ذلك الموسم.

وصرّح محمد صلاح أكثر من مرة، بشكل علني هذا الموسم أمام وسائل الإعلام، بعدم وجود أي جديد يخص ملف مستقبله مع ليفربول.

وبدأ البعض يفكر فيمن يستطيع خلافة محمد صلاح في صفوف ليفربول حال رحيله، ولكن روبرتو دي ماتيو يرى أن النادي يمتلك لاعبًا بالفعل ربما يستطيع ملء فراغ صاحب الـ32 عامًا.

وأثنى روبرتو دي ماتيو على اللاعب فيديريكو كييزا، رغم أن الأخير لم يحصل على فرصته كاملة في ليفربول.

وانضم كييزا إلى ليفربول، الصيف الماضي قادمًا من يوفنتوس، مقابل 10 ملايين جنيه إسترليني.

وظهر كييزا مع ليفربول في 8 مباريات فقط، وبدأ كأساسي في لقاء واحد، حيث تأثرت مشاركاته بكثرة إصاباته والمرض والصراع مع لاعبين آخرين في مركزه، على رأسهم محمد صلاح.

اقرأ أيضًا.. آلان شيرر يختار ثلاثي ليفربول في التشكيل المثالي للجولة 23 من الدوري الإنجليزي

وقال روبرتو دي ماتيو، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “ليفربول إيكو” الإنجليزية: “أعتقد أن ليفربول لديه لاعبا من الطراز الأول بين يديه وهو كييزا”.

وأضاف: “إنه يتمتع بالعديد من الصفات التي تحتاجها للقيام بعمل جيد حقًا في الدوري الإنجليزي، إنه سريع، ويمكنه تجاوز المدافع ويعرف أين يسدد، أعتقد أنه يمكن أن يكون ناجحًا، إنه أحد أفضل اللاعبين الإيطاليين، كانت الإصابات هي نقطة ضعفه الوحيدة”.

وواصل: “لقد عانى دائمًا من بعض الإصابات في مسيرته، إذا استطاع استعادة لياقته البدنية الكاملة والبقاء في حالة بدنية جيدة ولعب المباريات، فهو لاعب رائع، أستطيع أن أرى سبب توقيع ليفربول معه”.

وأوضح: “إنها خطوة رائعة، الذهاب إلى ليفربول، نادٍ رائع ومميز، تحديات في الدوري الإنجليزي ودوري أبطال أوروبا، لكن سلوت قال إنه يواجه منافسة جيدة من اللاعبين، محمد صلاح ولويس دياز وغيرهم، لذلك ليس من السهل الانضمام إلى التشكيل”.

واسترسل: “أعتقد أنه سيكون إضافة لهم في النصف الثاني من الموسم، إنه يبدو أفضل الآن، لقد لعب بضع مباريات، هو لاعب رائع إذا كان بإمكانه الحفاظ على لياقته”.

وتابع: “من يستطيع ملء الفراغ الذي سيتركه محمد صلاح؟ إنها مهمة كبيرة، أليس كذلك؟ لقد كانت له مسيرة رائعة وأرقامه مذهلة، لست متأكدًا من أنه (كييزا) يمكنه ملء مكان محمد صلاح، لكنه يستطيع تقديم مساهمة كبيرة للفريق، يمكنه بالتأكيد أن يكون لاعبًا جيدًا لهم”.

وأوضح: “من الجميع أن يكون كافة لاعبيك لائقين، عندما يحين النصف الثاني من الموسم، نأمل أن يكون كييزا في حالة جيدة عندما يتعين على ليفربول التناوب، لأنهم يشاركون في الدوري الإنجليزي والأبطال والكأسين، هناك الكثير من المباريات للعب”.

واختتم مدرب تشيلسي السابق: “لست متأكدًا من مقدار ما يعرفه المشجعون الإنجليز عن كييزا، لكنني أحبه حقًا”.

Liverpool start their 2024/25 season on Saturday as they travel down to Suffolk to take on Ipswich Town at Portman Road in the Premier League.

The Reds will have a new manager in the dugout for the first time since Jurgen Klopp's arrival in 2015, with Arne Slot set for his managerial debut in England.

Klopp was replaced by the Dutch head coach, who was at Feyenoord last term, this summer and the supporters will get the chance to watch his style of football in action for the first time in a competitive setting this weekend.

However, at the time of writing, it does not appear as though there will be any new signings for fans to get excited to see against the Tractor Boys.

Liverpool have not made a single addition to their first-team squad during the summer transfer window, which officially slams shut at the end of the month.

That is not through a lack of trying, however, as it has been well-documented that the club have been in the market to add a new defensive midfield option to their ranks this month, with no luck.

Liverpool's failed pursuit of Martin Zubimendi

Sky Sports reported that Liverpool had identified Real Sociedad defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi as a player who could have made a big impact in the middle of the park at Anfield.

The outlet added that the Reds believed that the Spain international, who won the European Championship with his country in Germany this summer, was set to move on from his boyhood club before the end of the window.

Instead, the 25-year-old midfielder has opted to remain with Real Sociedad after an offer of a contract extension with increased wages, which has convinced him to extend his stay with the Spanish side.

Sky Sports claimed that Zubimendi, who has a £51m release clause in his current contract, has decided to reject a move to Liverpool, in a blow to Richard Hughes' recruitment plans.

Their failure to tempt the Spaniard into making the move to England does not have to be a major disaster, though, as Slot could forget about him by landing another one of the club's reported targets.

The Mirror recently claimed that the Dutch boss added free agent Adrien Rabiot to his list of possible number six targets, as he believes that the France international could provide his young squad with valuable experience and quality.

He is available on a free transfer after his contract with Juventus expired at the end of last season and that could make him an ideal target for the club now that they have missed out on Zubimendi, as they would not have to negotiate a fee with a selling team.

What Liverpool missed out on with Martin Zubimendi

It is easy to see why the Reds were keen to sign the Euros winner to bolster their midfield options for the 2024/25 campaign when you consider his form for Real Sociedad last term.

The 25-year-old ace made 31 appearances in LaLiga for his club and showcased his quality in and out of possession at the base of the midfield.

His progressive passing from a number six position was one of his biggest strengths. In fact, he ranked within the top 26% of midfielders in LaLiga for progressive passes (5.15) per 90, and the top 21% for pass accuracy (85.7%).

This shows that he was one of the best players in his position in the division when it came to being reliable and progressive on the ball, as the £51m-rated talent rarely gave possession away and constantly looked to play forward.

Appearances

31

29

Pass accuracy

86%

88%

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.8

2.4

Ball recoveries per game

5.5

3.7

Ground duel success rate

52%

41%

Aerial duel success rate

61%

53%

As you can see in the table above, Zubimendi also caught the eye with his work off the ball, outperforming current Liverpool number six Wataru Endo in a host of key defensive statistics.

The Spanish brute won the majority of his physical battles, notably in the air, and made more tackles, interceptions, and recoveries per match on average.

Whilst, on paper, it appears as though the Sociedad star would have been a fantastic addition to the squad, there are alternatives out there and Rabiot is one who could make Slot forget all about Zubimendi.

Why Liverpool should sign Adrien Rabiot

Firstly, the France international being available as a free agent could make him an ideal target as it would alleviate the need for the club to go out and splash millions on a number six, which could then free up those funds to be used in other positions.

Rabiot's form for the Old Lady in the 2023/24 campaign suggests that he has the quality to make up for the Reds missing out on the Real Sociedad star.

Firstly Zubimendi produced four goals and one assist in LaLiga last term, whilst Rabiot racked up five goals and three assists in 31 outings in the Serie A for Juventus, which suggests that the free agent could make a greater impact in the final third.

The 6 foot 4 Frenchman also ranked within the top 49% of midfielders in the Serie A for progressive passes per 90 (4.07) and the top 13% for progressive carries per 90 (2.44) – illustrating his ability to drive his team forward in possession.

Appearances

31

31

Pass accuracy

84%

86%

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.7

2.8

Ball recoveries per game

4.8

5.5

Ground duel success rate

56%

52%

Aerial duel success rate

58%

61%

As you can see in the table above, Rabiot and Zubimendi's defensive statistics in their respective leagues were very similar, with the Spanish ace slightly shading it in a few areas.

This suggests that Liverpool would be bringing in a midfielder with similar attributes to the Real Sociedad ace by signing the former Juventus star, who was once hailed as "incredible" and described as a "proper wardrobe" by the legendary Gigi Buffon.

Therefore, Slot could forget all about the club's failure to sign Zubimendi by landing the experienced Rabiot on a free transfer, due to his quality in and out of possession in a number six role.

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