تواصل أزمات نادي الزمالك مع القضايا الخارجية، بسبب مستحقات صفقات اللاعبين الأجانب الذين تعاقد معهم في فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الماضية.
بعدما خرج نادي أستريلا أمادورا البرتغالي ليؤكد أن القلعة البيضاء لم تلتزم بسداد قيمة القسط الأول من صفقة الجناح، شيكو بانزا.
اقرأ أيضًا | ميدو: خوان ألفينا كشف لاعبي الدوري.. وربنا يبعد عنه اللي مابيحلاش في عينيهم حد إلا من الزمالك
وقال أندريه سيلفا، المتحدث الرسمي باسم نادي أستريلا أمادورا، في تصريحات خاصة لـ بطولات: “الزمالك لم يسدد قيمة القسط الأول من مستحقات صفقة شيكو بانزا، وبالتالي هو مدينًا لنا”.
وأضاف: “لم نتقدم بشكوى ضدهم حتى الآن أمام الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم، لقد راسلنا الزمالك من أجل القسط الأول، ومنحناهم مهلة حتى الخميس المقبل، إذا لم يردوا علينا ولم يسددوا المبلغ، سنتقدم بشكوى ضدهم أمام فيفا”.
وتابع: “عليهم دفع القسط الأول وفقًا لاتفاقنا معهم، وعليهم ألا يتجاهلوا اتصالاتنا”.
في السياق ذاته، يواجه الزمالك أزمة أخرى مع نادي أوليكساندريا الأوكراني بسبب صفقة الجناح خوان ألفينا بيزيرا، حيث لم يقم النادي الأبيض بسداد مستحقات الصفقة، وهو ما دفع النادي الأوكراني إلى تقديم شكوى رسمية ضد الزمالك أمام الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم “فيفا”.
وبات الزمالك مهددًا بعقوبات جديدة من “فيفا” في حال صدور قرارات ضد النادي في القضيتين، مما يزيد من تعقيد وضعه القانوني في سوق الانتقالات.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape 204 for 3 (Stubbs 56*, Abell 55, Markram 42, Hermann 42) beat Durban’s Super Giants 112 (Mulder 38, Jansen 5-30) by 89 runsMarco Jansen led the line with an outstanding five-wicket haul, as Sunrisers Eastern Cape crushed Durban’s Super Giants by 89 runs to claim back-to-back SA20 titles in a formidable team performance at Newlands.After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Sunrisers put a hefty total of 204 for 3 on the board, thanks to a forceful batting display built around two distinct partnerships – 90 from 52 balls between Jordan Hermann and Tom Abell, and then an unbroken 98 from 55 balls between Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs, who top-scored with 56 not out from 30 balls.By contrast, Durban’s innings never got any traction. After travelling down from Johannesburg in the morning following Friday’s Qualifier victory over Joburg Super Kings, their batters were caught cold in a feisty powerplay performance, led by Dan Worrall’s attacking seam and swing, and capped by Jansen’s towering left-arm angles.Their innings was rocked by the early loss of Quinton de Kock, who drove flat-footedly at Worrall and inside-edged onto his stumps for 3. He might have had two in two had Jansen not spilled JJ Smuts at slip first-ball, but Jansen made immediate amends, inducing Smuts into a chipped drive to mid-off from his second delivery, before Bhanuka Rajapaksa flapped a loose clip to the same fielder, Patrick Kruger, for a third-ball duck.At 7 for 3, the contest was already as good as over, and though Wiaan Mulder did his best to reboot Durban’s innings in a 56-run stand with a near-strokeless Matthew Breetzke, Jansen would once again be the man to strike for Sunrisers, this time in the field. Few other players could have reached Mulder’s swing for the ropes off Simon Harmer at the end of the tenth over, but he stretched over the boundary with his arms at full extension, to send Mulder on his way for 38.One ball later, Breetkze’s static knock of 18 from 27 balls ended as he lost his off stump to Ottniel Baartman, and in the same over, Baartman ended any faint hopes of Durban miracle. Heinrich Klaasen has been the outstanding ball-striker of the tournament, in rushing along to 447 runs at an extraordinary strike-rate of 207.90, but this time he lasted a solitary delivery, as Baartman landed his inswinger and extracted the on-field lbw from Stephen Harris, with the ball shown to be clipping leg.The end came in a rush. Jansen returned for his third over and plucked off Keshav Maharaj’s off stump, then ended any remaining resistance with two wickets from his final three balls. Junior Dala flicked him off his pads for a token six before picking out Harmer at long-on one ball later, before another off-stump heat-seeker dealt with Reece Topley to cue the celebrations.Durban’s display arguably went awry from the very first over of the match. They deviated from the plans that had proven so effective against Joburg Super Kings in the Qualifier, handing an opening over to the left-arm spinner Smuts that was milked for nine chanceless runs – two more than Sunrisers would concede in claiming their first three wickets. It set the tone for a passive display with the ball, even after Topley had struck with his fourth delivery in the second over, a plumb lbw against Dawid Malan (6).That brought Abell to the middle, and though he would finish with the Player-of-the-Match award, he led a charmed life for the first 14 balls of his innings. He was dropped on 6 in Topley’s second over then survived a potentially innings-turning moment from his very next ball, as Maharaj scooped up a low chance at mid-off, but signalled to the umpires that he was unsure if it had carried. That doubt potentially informed the subsequent TV referral, despite the replays suggesting that his fingers had been under the ball.Abell’s innings kicked up a gear as he turned to his favoured scoop shot, with a four and a six from consecutive Mulder deliveries, and with gaps suddenly appearing in the field, he rushed through to a 30-ball fifty with seven fours and two sixes inside the 10th over, with Sunrisers’ 100 coming up in the same over.Durban hit back in style, however, with Maharaj bagging both set batters in the space of four balls. Hermann holed out to Klaasen at long-on for 42 from 27 balls, before Abell was beaten in flight on the slog-sweep to be bowled for 55 from 34. That brought Stubbs and Markram together in the 11th over, with a bit of a rebuild required at 106 for 3.Each man picked off an early boundary but it was Stubbs who was the first to step up the tempo with back-to-back fours to end Dwayne Pretorius’ second over. After that it was over to Stubbs’ long levers, with three sixes in eight balls powering the total past 200. In the end, it would prove to be more than enough.
Newcastle United missed the chance to reinforce their lofty Premier League position as they were given a thorough hiding against Champions League-chasing rivals Aston Villa.
A switch flicked in December and United charged their way into the ascendancy, winning the Carabao Cup off Liverpool in March and underlining their elite-level credentials.
Still third in the top flight, Eddie Howe’s side now need to regroup ahead of the crucial final stretch of the season, their six-match winning run snapped.
Joelinton applauds Newcastle fans
However, this was a bruising display that will have left stand-in manager Jason Tindall seething. So often so strong, the centre-halves were taken to the shops against Villa Park’s slick frontline.
Newcastle's defence falls against Villa
Newcastle have been in emphatic form in recent weeks, turning Crystal Palace over 5-0 in midweek. However, the relentless fixture list, having forced United into three games over six days, claimed a top outfit in this one.
Fabian Schar equalised before twenty minutes after connecting with the in-form Harvey Barnes’ whipped delivery, but it was not a good evening for the long-serving Swiss centre-back, who disappointingly lost all five of his duels.
Likewise, Dan Burn has been a pillar of strength this term but he failed to produce his best performance, skewing Youri Tielemans’ lunge into his own net to all but seal the hosts’ victory. He also struggled to impose himself against a lively frontline, winning just one of five duels.
Dan Burn scores an own goal for Newcastle
Both Schar and Burn will recover over the coming days and gear up for next weekend’s crucial clash against Ipswich Town at St. James’ Park.
Options have been sparse in defence, but there’s one man who may be dropped going forward after being exposed against Unai Emery’s men.
Newcastle must now drop stalwart
Even with Lewis Hall sidelined for the rest of the season, Kieran Trippier surely needs to be benched for the tough run-in, with Howe perhaps shifting Tino Livramento back into his natural right-back berth and giving Matt Targett some rare game time from the outset.
26/04/25
Ipswich Town (H)
18th
04/05/25
Brighton (A)
10th
10/05/25
Chelsea (H)
7th
18/05/25
Arsenal (A)
2nd
25/05/25
Everton (H)
13th
Following the loss, the experienced full-back was branded with a 4/10 match rating by The Chronicle Live, who noted that he was run ragged by the Lions.
Ceding possession 16 times despite only making one key pass, as per Sofascore, Trippier’s ball-playing skills weren’t at their best, but more concerningly he only won one of his four contested ground duels, having a tough time against the dangerous Ollie Watkins.
Newcastle's Jason Tindall and Kieran Trippier
Newcastle writer Thomas Hammond even made the scathing comment that “Trippier’s legs gave up on him.” Aged 34 and a true veteran of the game, it’s hardly surprising that this might be the case for the vice-captain.
Schar and Burns suffered rare off-days and you’d think that all of a Magpies persuasion will be able to rally ahead of the stretch ahead, but if faced with such intensity again, Howe and Tindall might want to consider dropping Trippier, who was already at risk of being sold during the winter transfer window and may well be in the coming months.
Newcastle assistant manager Jason Tindall
The concern, of course, is that the Toon face a testing finish to the season, one which they will need to pass with flying colours if a place back at the continent’s prized tournament is to be achieved, lifting a stunning campaign even higher.
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Manchester City have dominated the Premier League for the best part of a decade, securing six titles in the last ten seasons, including a phenomenal four consecutive titles, from 2020-2024.
One area the Citizens have struggled in this season, however, is in the defensive department, conceding 40 goals already this term in their 29 games played, which is the same number of goals conceded as rivals Manchester United, who sit 13th in the league.
Rodri being out injured has played a huge factor in this, losing their protection in front of the defensive line, but the decline of Kyle Walker mixed with injuries to the likes of John Stones and Nathan Ake has left City light at the back at points this campaign.
Meanwhile, last season’s runners-up – Arsenal – have conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League this season, after also conceding the fewest in the league last term, showing their defensive quality over the past few years.
Arsenal's centre-back pairing
The Gunners had the best defensive record in the Premier League in the 2023/24 campaign, conceding just 29 goals in their 38 games played, averaging 8.5 shots conceded per game (2nd in the division) and finishing as the league runners-up.
Gabriel and Saliba
So far this season, Arsenal have conceded 24 times in 29 games, again making them the most resolute defensive side in the league.
Much of this comes down to their rock-solid base in defence, with William Saliba and Gabriel, the French international making 27 appearances in the league this season, whilst the Brazilian international has also made 27 appearances in the league.
William Saliba vs Gabriel comparison
Stats (per 90 mins)
Saliba
Gabriel
Goals + Assists
0.05
0.16
Progressive Carries
0.42
0.37
Progressive Passes
4.05
4.57
Passes Attempted
70.6
62.8
Pass Completion %
93.4%
90.3%
Tackles
1.89
0.86
Blocks
0.72
1.49
Interceptions
0.79
0.57
Aerial Duels Won
1.74
2.26
Stats taken from FBref
Comparing the two defenders’ underlying metrics this term, you can see how well they balance each other out, Gabriel offering more aerial prowess and box-defending traits to make blocks, whilst Saliba has a better recovery pace to make tackles and be progressive via carrying.
Manchester City spent a good deal of money in the January transfer window, and Pep could now have his very own answer to the Saliba and Gabriel partnership, with his new £63.4m duo.
Manchester City's own Gabriel & Saliba
In the January 2025 transfer window, Manchester City spent £33.8m on Lens starlet, Abdukodir Khusanov, whilst also paying around £29.6m for Palmeiras defender, Vitor Reis.
The former being 21 years old and the latter being 19 years old, gives City a new defensive foundation that could last a decade.
Much like Gabriel and Saliba too, Reis and Khusanov have traits to balance each other out, with Khusanov being more aggressive, having much more recovery speed and therefore being more involved in duels.
Indeed, the ex-Lens man has won 64% of his aerial duels in the Premier League so far, while averaging 4.5 ball recoveries per game, as per Sofascore.
Whereas, Reis provides more aerial ability and calmness on the ball, aiding Manchester City in their possession-based approach, with the South American starlet ranking in the top 15% of his peers for pass completion, across the last 365 days, as per FBref.
Khusanov has been given a quicker platform into Guardiola’s side, already making eight appearances for the club and scoring one goal. His blistering speed and tenacity to engage in duels has earned the 21-year-old high praise from Julien Laurens, labelling the young defender as “outstanding”.
Reis has only made two appearances for the first team since his arrival, but due to the teenager coming from the Brazilian League, Guardiola is likely looking to integrate Reis in a slower, more methodical manner, with the view of forming his very own Gabriel and Saliba in the years to come.
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Australia have had the fast bowlers to dominate England and that has been no accident
Daniel Brettig in Perth18-Dec-2017In the revered Australian film , the titular character explains his practice of shooting prisoners of war by saying he enacted “Rule 303”, in reference to the .303 calibre rifle in use at the time. In this series, Australia have skated to victory in the bare minimum three matches by invoking another simple and sometimes brutal rule: “Rule 140”.There was some irony in Chris Woakes’ final dismissal by Pat Cummins, for the New South Welshman’s delivery was recorded at a speed of 130.2kph. But the wider truth of Australia’s pace advantage can be read from the overall speeds of the two bowling attacks across all three Tests in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. According to CricViz, England’s pace bowlers have clocked an average of 135.37kph over that time, a long way short of Australia’s 141.44kph.While some spells and days offered hope to the lesser velocities of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Craig Overton, the broad truth of this encounter was that in Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Cummins, Australia had the weaponry to wear down England’s batsmen while taking no little delight in terrorising their tail enders. For an example, just look at the first ball Cummins bowled to Anderson this day. Four years ago Michael Clarke had warned England’s No. 11 to “get ready for a broken f***en arm”; this time there was no verbal warning about the spitting bouncer that slammed into the earpiece of Anderson’s helmet.Australia’s instant response to this blow was sympathetic, and in the intervening years the game has been changed by the death of Phillip Hughes in November 2014. But Smith’s team has always been conscious of keeping speed and intimidation as part of their shot locker. As Smith himself put it before the series: “I still think that we have to play the game. Some people have some weaknesses to short bowling and you’ve got to use it. If they get hit, you have concern for them, but it’s still part of the game.”Australia’s Ashes celebration will haunt England•Getty ImagesFrom the perspective of the Australian coach Darren Lehmann, his desire for bowlers of top pace has been clear ever since he took the job, and was taken to an extreme when he dropped Peter Siddle in South Africa three years ago for letting his pace decline. Numerous bowlers have been sidelined for similar reasons in the past, but seldom so pointedly or publicly. Lehmann’s explanation at the time has always been his modus operandi when choosing the members of his fast bowling group.”Unlucky for Sids because he’s done a great job for us over the last few Tests but we’ve gone for the extra pace,” Lehmann had said. “He’d like some more wickets obviously but it’s the pace drop. We need him bowling 140kph and at the moment he’s averaging 131, 132. He knows that, we’ve spoken to him and I’m sure he will be back bigger and stronger.”In the previous Ashes series in England it was Australia’s reluctance to pick Siddle due to his lack of speed that actually proved costly, as he languished on the sidelines until the encounter was decided on a pair of seam-friendly pitches in Birmingham and Nottingham. Overseas, Australia have since gone on a journey of adaptability underlined by their improving displays in Asia, but they have always remained committed to a high-speed approach at home.It has been important, as well, to ensure that the pace bowlers at Smith’s disposal maintain a high level of skill. A 145kph long hop is still a long hop – Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss dispatched plenty such deliveries in Mitchell Johnson’s more wayward years – but that same speed on a disciplined line is a far more challenging prospect. Siddle, Ryan Harris and Johnson proved that in a 2013-14 series that Lehmann’s coaching staff have been so eager to recall this time around. Now the next generation have combined velocity and accuracy with similar effectiveness – credit due to the assistant coach David Saker and his predecessor Craig McDermott.
‘If the wickets are responsive to fast bowling it gives encouragement to young bowlers to bowl fast. If they don’t, well it is probably the opposite’Trevor Bayliss, England coach.
“Certainly the extra pace helps but you’ve also got to be skilful with it and put the ball in the right areas and get the ball to move, and they’ve certainly been able to do that as well,” England’s coach Trevor Bayliss said. “I think the basic conditions … if the wickets are responsive to fast bowling it gives encouragement to young bowlers to bowl fast. If they don’t, well it is probably the opposite.”One of the curious things about the series was that England, in winning all three tosses, enjoyed the better of the conditions on offer, especially when Smith declined to enforce the follow-on in Adelaide and opened up his batting order to a sharply swinging pink ball under lights.Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood were able to slog through full days of bowling on day one in both Brisbane and Perth, maintaining their speed, accuracy and fitness for long enough periods to ensure England could never quite break free. Then when the fifth wicket fell in each innings, the liberal use of bouncers ensured that the visiting lower order was quite simply not a factor.Joe Root, who has been unable to cope with the sustained barrage, was frank in conceding that he had entered the series knowing he and his bowlers needed to outsmart and out-skill the Australians, for there was no question about whether or not they could out-blast them. “We’ve got a very skilful, talented bowling unit but that’s probably one area where we haven’t got lots of resources in the side at the moment,” he said.”We had to try and out skill them and we weren’t quite able to do it in these first three games. That’ll certainly be our challenge in the last two. We certainly haven’t been able to get the ball to move as much we’d have liked, and credit to the guys they tried absolutely everything. It wasn’t due to a lack of effort, we felt like we tried every plan, different fields, bowling straight, hanging it wide, every now and again a bit of bumper warfare. It felt like we didn’t leave anything to chance.”Lacking that extra pace to mix things up meant that England were unable to pressure the Australians in general and Smith in particular after any early movement with the new ball had dissipated. Even then it was plain to see the contrast in bounce and carry when a few less kilometres of speed were behind it. At the start of Australia’s first innings, after Anderson and Stuart Broad had been made to hop around, the new ball in their hands looked like it was hitting a pudding relative to the pacy surface Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins had been operating on. No-one was better placed to exploit the difference than a ruthless Smith, with significant help from the Marsh brothers, among others.England’s No 11 James Anderson takes a blow on the helmet•Getty Images and Cricket AustraliaNews that Mitchell Starc is now nursing a bruised heel – quite often the forerunner to a stress “hot spot” or fracture – provided a reminder of the fine balance Cricket Australia’s medical staff, selectors and coaches have had to maintain to keep the pacemen fit. As was the case four years ago, they appear to have run a long-term plan that has paid off at the most important time in the team’s four-year Test match cycle.”I think here in Australia it certainly makes a difference on the flatter tracks where there isn’t much sideways movement,” Smith said. “That extra air speed can make a big difference. We’ve worked really hard to ensure we had these three big quicks on the park and ready for this series. A couple of them skipped the one-day series in India. We knew what was coming up, we were preparing for this series and we wanted those big three on the park to do what they’ve done the last three Test matches. A lot of praise has got to go to the medical staff for ensuring those guys were ready to go and also the selectors.”Starc and Hazlewood in particular have played some pretty consistent cricket for a little while now. The force that goes through their bodies bowling at 145kph plus it must take a lot out of you. I was tired after bowling a couple of overs here the other day and I don’t have any force going through the body. So I’ve got a new-found respect for the bowlers, the work they do off the park, the weights, the rehab, the fitness, everything they do to get themselves right to play Test match cricket and bowl at that pace consistently, it’s an incredible effort.”In 2013-14, of course, John, Harris and Siddle were able to stay together for all five Tests. This time around the selectors and medical staff must deliberate on Starc’s fitness to ensure he is ready for the next major assignment: four Tests in South Africa in March. Starc has already insisted to Smith that he wants to be playing come Boxing Day, but if there is anything that has been proven by the way the Australian pacemen have been brought to a peak of effectiveness at exactly the right time, it is that great talent needs to be supported by sound management. Unlike Morant’s “Rule 303”, Australia’s “Rule 140” is anything but a snap decision.
da esoccer bet： A derrota por 1 a 0 do Corinthians diante do Argentinos Juniors, pela Libertadores, deixou a torcida corintiana ainda mais revoltada com Fernando Lázaro. Tanto na arquibancada quanto nas redes sociais, torcedores protestaram e pediram a saída do treinador. Com ampla história no clube, ele disse entender o lado do torcedor, mas não se mostrou afetado pelas cobranças.
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da brdice： +Fernando Lázaro tem noite desastrosa e leva a pior nota em derrota do Corinthians
– Não misturo (torcida com trabalho). Não me impacta nesse sentido. O torcedor está assim por uma derrota em casa, que não acontecia faz tempo. Sei o sentimento e o que gera esse resultado, aliado ao resultado da Copa do Brasil. Gera cobrança do torcedor. Entendo o sentimento do torcedor. Vamos buscar melhorar. Saímos triste pelo resultado. Entendo a cobrança – falou o técnico corintiano na coletiva de imprensa.
+ Assine o Star+ por apenas R$32,90 por mês e acompanhe o Timão na Libertadores quando e onde quiser!
O treinador também foi questionado se estaria disposto a entregar o cargo em meio a sequência negativa do Timão, mas disse que está focado em acabar com a oscilação da equipe. Mesmo com a derrota, Lázaro acredita que o grupo do Timão na Libertadores está aberto.
– Temos oscilado, a sequência tem sido de alternância de resultados e desempenhos. Não é ruim, mas tem alternado, e isso nos incomoda. Os resultados negativos, como hoje, não são o objetivo, queremos constância. Conseguimos resultado fora na competição, e depois esse resultado em casa seria importante para consolidação e valorização dos pontos fora. Sabemos que está em aberto, grupo difícil. Temos o Del Valle. Penso em trabalhar, ir buscando corrigir, melhorar e estamos batalhando nesse sentido, de menos oscilação de um jogo para outro – ponderou o técnico.
BALBUENA
Uma das surpresas na escalação inicial do Corinthians foi Balbuena, já que Bruno Méndez vinha formando parceria com Gil. O paraguaio novamente não foi bem e foi um dos culpados pelo gol do Argentinos Juniors na partida.
Além da análise da derrota, Lázaro justificou a opção por Balbuena afirmando que ele neutralizaria a força no jogo aéreo da equipe argentina.
+ Veja tabela e a situação do grupo do Timão na Libertadores
– Partida que não iniciamos bem, tomamos gol cedo, isso acelerou um pouco, enervou. Era um jogo de paciência, contra um adversário forte, que buscava atrair uma primeira marcação para uma bola que fosse colocada em disputa, ou buscando o espaço na defesa para criar situações. Isso é um pouco a opção pelo Balbuena, é uma bola que eles utilizam bastante, o pivô, e tendo consciência disso, entendemos que era um jogo para muita disputa aérea. Ele teve bem nessas disputas, muitas situações, o adversário exigia isso, por isso a opção – explicou Lázaro.
O Timão volta a campo pela Libertadores no dia 2 de maio, contra o Independiente del Valle, na Neo Química Arena. Antes, o clube alvinegro enfrenta Goiás e Palmeiras, pelo Brasileirão, e tentará reverter a desvantagem contra o Remo, pela Copa do Brasil.
The campaign is still a month away from completion, although attention at Manchester United is swiftly turning toward the summer transfer window and the need to bolster Ruben Amorim’s ranks.
While it would be foolish for anyone of a United persuasion to be too optimistic regarding the impact of potential new signings, amid the club’s wretched recruitment record over the last decade or so, it is difficult to argue that this side is in need of major surgery once again.
With departures expected to reach double figures, ahead of next season, there is likely to be something of an overhaul at Old Trafford, with drastic improvement needed amid the Red Devils’ place in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
Erik ten Hag
Much could depend on whether or not Champions League qualification is secured, via Europa League glory, although regardless of what occurs on the continent, it looks as if the INEOS regime are already closing in on the signing of wantaway Wolverhampton Wanderers man, Matheus Cunha.
The latest on Man Utd's move for Cunha
It’s fair to say that Cunha can’t have done much more to catch the eye of those at Old Trafford this season. Indeed, during Wolves’ 2-0 win over United on Boxing Day, the Brazilian was simply sensational for the hosts, having scored directly from a corner, while also teeing up Hwang Hee-chan for the second of the day.
That was followed by the 25-year-old’s impact in Sunday’s 1-0 win for the Old Gold, as it was actually his surging run which earned the free-kick that Pablo Sarabia duly converted.
Now onto 14 league goals for the season, Cunha appears all but certain for a Molineux exit this summer – following prior January interest – having already outlined his desire to “take the next step” in his career.
Cunha stats
As widely reported, that ‘next step’ looks set to lead the former Atletico Madrid man to Manchester, with positive talks having been held regarding the forward’s potential contract at the Theatre of Dreams.
That move for the £62.5m sensation could represent the first piece of business in a potentially hectic summer for the Red Devils.
Man Utd readying offer for new midfielder
Alongside that interest in the Wolves ace, it would appear that United are also keeping a close eye on Ipswich Town starlet, Liam Delap, with the Englishman set to be available for £30m amid the Tractor Boys’ impending relegation.
Transfer Focus
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Elsewhere, meanwhile, reports in Spain have suggested that Amorim and co could also go back in for a long-term target, in the form of Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, with the Dutchman said to be ‘back on the Red Devils’ radar’.
As per the report, United are ‘willing to present a proposal’ in order to entice the LaLiga giants into a summer sale, with the Premier League said to be ready to ‘test the limits’ of Barca’s resolve.
Benfica's Kerem Akturkoglu in action with FC Barcelona'sFrenkiedeJong
The 27-year-old was famously linked with the Old Trafford side back in the summer of 2022, during Erik ten Hag’s first window in charge, albeit despite an agreement on a fee, a deal for the former Ajax midfielder couldn’t get over the line amid issues regarding personal terms.
There may be a feeling of De Jong’s chance having come and gone, although United should still jump at the opportunity to land such a statement signing.
How De Jong could fit in at Man Utd
There could well be a fresh look to Amorim’s 3-4-3 set-up next term, with a new goalkeeper and centre-forward seemingly set to be prioritised, while Cunha would likely line up in one of the two number ten berths.
The Wolves talisman has already thrived in a similar system under Amorim’s compatriot, Vitor Pereira, in recent months, with his overall record in England’s top-flight now standing at 39 goals and assists in just 77 games.
What the one-time RB Leipzig man will need, however, is quality service from those around him, hence why bringing De Jong into the fold could be a dream scenario.
Likely to operate as part of the midfield two – potentially alongside Bruno Fernandes or Manuel Ugarte – the Netherlands international is simply a master at progressing play, as emphasised by the fact that he ranks in the top 9% of European midfielders for progressive passes, and the top 16% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.
Also ranked in the top 1% for pass completion, the experienced metronome has rightly been lauded as “one of the best midfielders in the world” by former boss, Xavi Hernandez, ensuring he would be a worthy upgrade in Amorim’s ranks.
Non-penalty goals
0.12
Top 25%
Assists
0.12
Top 28%
Shot-creating actions
2.59
Top 36%
Passes attempted
82.09
Top 4%
Pass completion
93.8%
Top 1%
Progressive passes
7.17
Top 9%
Progressive carries
2.09
Top 16%
Passes into final third
9.20
Top 3%
Tackles (in attacking 3rd)
0.49
Top 10%
As stated, that forward-thinking ability that De Jong provides would ensure he is the ideal figure to pick out the likes of Cunha ahead of him, as indicated by the fact that he also ranks in the top 3% for passes into the final third, at an average of 9.21 per 90.
What also sets the 5 foot 11 maestro apart is just how effective he is at regaining possession too. As evidenced last season – considering he has only started seven league games this time around – De Jong averaged 2.2 tackles per game, having also recovered the ball 5.9 times per game in LaLiga.
For context, United’s ball-winning monster, Casemiro, has only recovered 3.9 balls per game in the Premier League this term – albeit while enjoying a far superior record with regard to tackles made (3.5).
For De Jong to then have such quality both in and out of possession would ensure he can comfortably cope in a midfield two, with United having the chance to acquire two players entering their peak years, in the form of him and Cunha.
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Saurashtra, the defending champions, pulled off a miraculous win in Solapur to keep their knockout hopes alive.Down and out at 69 for 8 in their second innings, with their lead just 112, they were revived by Jaydev Unadkat, the captain, and Chirag Jani, one of their premier allrounders, who made 45 and 43 respectively.The ninth-wicket pair added 93 to help Saurashtra set Maharashtra a target of 213, which proved 48 too many. Left-arm spinner Parth Bhut sent Maharashtra on a tailspin by picking up 7 for 44, his fourth five-for in first-class cricket.Seven Maharashtra batters got off to starts, but none managed more than Taranjitsingh Dhillon’s 28 at No. 7. The defeat sees Maharashtra languishing in the second half of the Group A table, while Saurashtra are closing in on the top three.Related
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The thrillers
Having come into their fifth-round fixture without a win, Services were bundled out for 108 on the opening morning under swinging conditions in Lahli. It’s from here that they orchestrated an epic comeback against Haryana that culminated in a sensational one-run victory.This was only the second time in Ranji history that a team had managed to secure victory by one run. Andhra was the only other team to pull off this feat, when they beat Tamil Nadu by this margin, at Salem in 1974-75.Pulkit Narang, the offspinner who has recently been part of India A, led Services’ turnaround. His three wickets were instrumental in Services pocketing a five-run first innings lead. Rajat Paliwal, the captain, then led the way with 86 in the second innings to set Haryana a target of 146, which if achieved would have propelled them to the top of the standings.Haryana made a good fist of the target, with openers Ankit Kumar and Harshal Patel adding 51. Then from 81 for 1, they sensationally collapsed; losing 6 for 11 as Narang ran through the batting line-up to pick up 5 for 55 as Services clinched a famous win.In Surat, Manish Pandey played a clutch knock to help Karnataka clinch a one-wicket thriller against Railways.Chasing 226, the inexperienced top order, sans Mayank Agarwal and Devdutt Padikkal, caved in and were at 99 for 6. Stand-in captain Nikin Jose registered a pair. But the lower order rallied with Pandey remaining unbeaten on 67.Pandey aside, there was a crucial contribution from pacer Vijayakumar Vyshak, who made 38. But when he was dismissed, Karnataka still needed 29 runs with just two wickets in hand.Pandey found support from Vidwath Kaverappa and Vasuki Koushik to clinch an unlikely win. Vyshak had also picked up a five-for with the ball in Railways’ second innings to help limit Railways’ lead, which proved to be crucial.The win helped Karnataka jump to second in Group C, level on points with Tamil Nadu. However, TN are toppers by virtue of a better quotient and two bonus points to Karnataka’s zero.Mohit Avasthi holds the ball up after bagging a seven-for•Cricket Association of Bengal
The upset
Gujarat, the early pace-setters of the season, have stumbled big time. After winning their first two games, they’ve now lost two on the bounce, in addition to a drawn game due to the elements. This leaves them precariously placed, and outside the top three, in Group C going into the second half of the league phase.Their latest defeat was against the Wriddhiman Saha-led Tripura, a team that had only won nine Ranji games in all since they came into existence in 1985-86. However, this season alone, they’ve added two more wins and are third in the pool, which gives them a chance of pushing for the knockouts.Tripura’s win was all the more special as they rallied around in the second innings after conceding a 26-run lead, courtesy an outstanding effort from Manisankar Murasingh who scored 72 in their 343.Gujarat weren’t really in the chase of 318, slumping to 64 for 5 from where there was no turnaround. Parvez Sultan, the left-arm spinner, ended with a match haul of 10 for 116.
The victory march
Mumbai recorded their fourth win in five games as they thumped Bengal by an innings and four runs at Eden Gardens. The turnaround was led by Shivam Dube, the captain, and debutant Suryansh Shedge, who added 144 for the fifth wicket on the opening day. From 87 for 4, they managed 412 in the first innings.Bengal were bundled out for 199 and 209, with only Anustup Majumdar (first innings) and Abishek Porel (second innings) standing tall with the bat. Fast bowler Mohit Awasthi recorded figures of 7 for 52 as Bengal were skittled in under 60 overs in the second innings.
Leeds United have their eyes on a new centre-back signing and one who could come in to replace Pascal Struijk.
Leeds return to top of Championship with win over Middlesbrough
The Whites and Daniel Farke managed to get back to winning ways in the week after a run of just one victory in their previous six Championship games with a 1-0 triumph over Middlesbrough.
Dan James’ early goal proved to be the winner, although Ao Tanaka and Patrick Bamford both had goals wrongly ruled out for offside.
Leeds’ win, coupled with both Burnley and Sheffield United dropping points, ensured that they’d return to the top of the table with just five games remaining.
Talking after the game, Farke said: “I’m proud of my boys. It was a tough game, overall an excellent advert for the Championship. Both sides had periods, but in the end we found a way to win this game and it was crucial today to return to our clean sheet behaviour.
“We had to dig in, had to deal with a couple of injuries and had one day less in between games, and Middlesbrough were in red-hot form. “We had to dig in and show steel and togetherness and spirit to bring this over the line in a hard-fought game and a well-deserved win.”
Leeds (85 pts)
Sheffield United (83 pts)
Burnley (85 pts)
Preston North End (h)
Plymouth Argyle (a)
Norwich City (h)
Oxford United (a)
Cardiff City (h)
Watford (a)
Stoke City (h)
Burnley (a)
Sheffield United (h)
Bristol City (h)
Stoke City (a)
QPR (a)
Plymouth Argyle (a)
Blackburn Rovers (h)
Millwall (h)
Leeds won at the Riverside without Pascal Struijk, with the left-footed centre-back suffering an injury against Luton Town. There is a concern that Struijk may have a fracture in his foot and could be out for the season, which resulted in Ethan Ampadu filling in at centre-back.
Now, a transfer target has emerged on the Elland Road radar who could prove to be a replacement for Struijk.
Leeds keen on signing Modibo Sagnan
According to reports in France, relayed by Sport Witness, Leeds and the 49ers are interested in signing Montpellier HSC centre-back Modibo Sagnan.
Like Struijk, Sagnan is a left-footed defender and could be on the move this summer with Montpellier bottom of Ligue 1. Leeds could take advantage of their potential relegation with a move for the Mali international.
Sagnan, 25, can also turn out as a left-back as well as a centre-back and has played for the likes of Real Sociedad, Lens and FC Utrecht before joining Montpellier.
Over the last 12 months, Sagnan has ranked in the top 10 percentiles when compared to centre-backs in the big five European leagues for both goals and take ons – he has scored five times in 39 games for his current employers.
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Struijk also has an eye for goal with Leeds, but by the looks of things, should Leeds win promotion, a move for Sagnan could be one to watch.
da betsson： Manchester City find themselves on a decent run of form, which has seen them remain unbeaten in their previous six games in the Premier League and FA Cup.
da pixbet： With an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest to look forward to this weekend, especially as the competition represents the only chance they have of silverware this season, Pep Guardiola will be desperate for a win.
With just five league games left between now and the end of the campaign, City are yet to guarantee a top-five finish, which will see them secure qualification for the Champions League for the 15th year in a row.
It promises to be an exciting end to the season for the club. If FA Cup glory is achieved, plus a solid finish in the top flight, Guardiola could enter the summer with some renewed hope of starting a fresh era at the Etihad.
After several signings made during the winter transfer window, the Spaniard is already thinking ahead to the summer equivalent as one of Europe’s top young talents is being earmarked for a move to City.
Man City's summer transfer plans
With Kevin De Bruyne set to depart the Etihad Stadium this summer, City will be in the market for a new attacking midfielder.
Kevin De Bruyne
Morgan Gibbs-White, Nottingham Forest’s mercurial playmaker, has already been earmarked for a possible summer switch but the Citizens may have to pay upwards of £100m.
The England international isn’t the only player on City’s radar in the attacking midfield positions, however.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Indeed, according to Football Insider, Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz remains the number one target for City to replace De Bruyne this summer.
German publication Bild reported last week that City could be set to pay the £129m fee that the German side has set for the player, although Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are also showing plenty of interest in the German international.
This high fee could give City a major advantage over the other teams, as detailed by former City financial advisor Stefan Borson who told Football Insider: “The impression I get is that they see Wirtz as that kind of headline signing to replace Kevin De Bruyne, and they recognise that to do that deal is going to cost what it costs.
“I think in some ways City might quite like the fact that that is the price because it pretty much rules out Real Madrid from the situation, and it possibly also rules out Bayern Munich as well.”
Replacing the ageing Belgian with someone who has the world at their feet could boost their confidence heading into next season, no doubt about that.
He is also comparable to another young maestro who is making waves on the continent – Lamine Yamal.
Why Wirtz could be Man City's very own Yamal
Yamal has been breaking records since he made his Barcelona debut at the age of just 15 years, nine months and 16 days in April 2023, becoming the youngest-ever debutant for the club in La Liga.
He hasn’t stopped there. A few months later, the winger made his debut for the Spanish national side aged just 16 and even scored, becoming both the youngest player and scorer for his country after the win over Georgia in September 2023.
At the 2024 European Championships, Spain won the title with Yamal playing a key role. His stunning goal in the semi-final against France set the nation on their way to an eventual 2-1 win, which powered them into the final.
He is on a fast track to greatness, and this season has been his most productive yet. Indeed, the 17-year-old has scored 14 times while grabbing 22 assists as Barcelona edges towards the La Liga title.
Although he plays in a different position to Wirtz, operating as a natural winger rather than an attacking midfielder, the two share some similar statistics this season.
Real Sociedad'sJonAramburuin action with FC Barcelona's Lamine Yamal
Yamal is even the seventh-most comparable player to the Leverkusen star as per FBref.
The pair have registered similar statistics across a range of metrics in their respective domestic leagues, including goals and assists (19 vs 18), shots on target per 90 (1.26 vs 1.15), shot-creating actions per 90 (5.76 vs 5.53), touches in the attacking penalty area (122 vs 187) and successful take-on percentage (50.3% vs 49.6%) this season.
Should Guardiola get a deal for Wirtz over the line in the coming months, he could be signing his very own version of the Spanish superstar, that’s for sure.
Despite being only 21 years of age, it feels as though Wirtz has been around for a lifetime. He made his debut for Leverkusen during the 2019/20 season, even scoring in the Bundesliga.
The next two seasons saw him go from strength to strength, registering 18 goals and 22 assists for the club across just 69 matches. His emergence from raw talent into a potential world-class star was evident, but then disaster struck.
In March 2022, he suffered a cruciate ligament tear that saw him miss 43 games for club and country, ruling him out of the 2022 World Cup in the process.
This type of injury may have kept plenty of players down on their luck. Not Wirtz, who has arguably returned even stronger.
Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has previously hailed the 21-year-old as a “superstar”, and that is exactly what he was last season for Leverkusen. The club won the domestic double.
Florian Wirtz’s stats for Leverkusen this season
Metric
Champions League
Bundesliga
Goals
6
9
Assists
1
10
Big chances created
4
16
Key passes per game
2.8
1.9
Successful dribbles per game
2
2.7
Via Sofascore
Throughout the 2023/24 Bundesliga season, Wirtz created 12 big chances, averaged 2.3 key passes per game and succeeded with 2.5 dribbles each match – a success rate of 51% – which helped the club claim their first ever league title.
Although Leverkusen won’t win any silverware this term, Wirtz has still contributed superbly, netting 15 goals along with recording 13 assists in all competitions.
He has yet to hit his peak and this is what is so enticing about the youngster. Guardiola will be able to push him towards becoming one of the best in the world should he end up at City this summer.
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