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Troubling news has surfaced after it emerged that two Rangers players may be ready to sensationally quit Ibrox this summer in a bid to link up with one of their former bosses.

Rangers second favourites for the title

After a shock defeat to Ross County and a draw to Dundee, Rangers are firm second-favourites for the Scottish Premiership, with Philippe Clement's side seeing the trophy slip out of their hands and into those of arch-rivals Celtic.

Rangers ace Clement wants to keep agrees deal in principle with new club

A major blow for the Gers.

By
Tom Cunningham

Apr 24, 2024

They trail Celtic by three points, but with a worse goal difference and realistically need Celtic to slip up twice between now and the end of the campaign to overturn the deficit, or to find a hot scoring streak not yet seen this season.

Rangers could yet land a cup double, with the Ibrox side to meet Celtic in the final of the Scottish Cup at the end of May, but in some quarters attentions are already turning to the summer transfer window.

Gers duo on Saudi shopping list

Now, reports have claimed that Al-Ettifaq are eyeing up moves for both James Tavernier and Connor Goldson this summer.

The Saudi side are of course led by Steven Gerrard, who worked with both at Rangers during his time there, and has already shown a penchant for signing his former favourites. The ex-Rangers boss was behind Jordan Henderson's failed move to Saudi Arabia, as well as former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, who has been a mainstay in his side this season.

Now, he is ready to turn to Scotland, with The Daily Record claiming that he is eyeing up moves for both Goldson and Tavernier this summer. They relay that Gerrard has made a "recommendation" to his wealthy owners to try and sign Rangers skipper Tavernier, while he is also "keen" to bring Goldson back under his management, where the pair helped him win a title in Scotland.

Under Steven Gerrard at Rangers
	James Tavernier	Connor Goldson
Appearances	168	182
Goals	42	17
Assists	62	5
Trophies	1	1

Amid building speculation Tavernier refused to rule anything out earlier in the campaign, though insisted he was happy at Rangers.

The pair are believed to take home a combined salary close to £70,000 per week, which would be a massive sum freed up in order to replace them. With both players now in their 30s, Rangers may decide that cashing in is the best course of action as they look to kick on again next season.

اختلف سيد عبد الحفيظ، مدير الكرة السابق بالنادي الأهلي، مع أحمد سليمان عضو مجلس إدارة الزمالك، بشأن حديث الأخير عن تعرض لاعبي الأبيض للظُلم مع منتخب مصر تحت قيادة حسام حسن، وأشار بأنه سيعرض على مجلس إدارة القلعة البيضاء الأمر من أجل اتخاذ قرار بمنع انضمام لاعبيه للمنتخب الوطني.

وخاض منتخب مصر آخر مباراة في التصفيات المؤهلة لكأس أمم إفريقيا 2025، أمس الثلاثاء، أمام نظيره بوتسوانا، وانتهت بالتعادل الإيجابي بهدف لمثله.

طالع أيضًا | أحمد سليمان: لن أسمح بما يفعله حسام حسن مع لاعبي الزمالك في منتخب مصر

وقال سيد عبد الحفيظ، في تصريحات عبر برنامج “اللعيب”، على قناة “إم بي سي مصر”: “أختلف مع الكابتن أحمد سليمان في كل حرف، وهذا أمر طبيعي، هناك فرق شاسع بين اعتذار الأفراد واعتذار المؤسسات”.

وأوضح: “لاعب مثل زيزو لو قرر الاعتزال دوليًا هو حر في قراره، ولكن المؤسسة ليس من حقها أبدًا أن تمنع لاعب من الانضمام للمنتخب إلا قبل الأجندة الدولية في ظل اللوائح والقوانين، لكن تمنعهم في فترة الأجندة الدولية هذا لم يحدث”.

تابع: “كما قلت هناك فرق بين اعتذار الأشخاص واعتذار المؤسسات، عصام الحضري عندما قرر أنه لن ينضم للمنتخب، هو مثل عبد الله السعيد الذي اعتذر عن اللعب دوليًا”.

وأضاف: “الكابتن أحمد سليمان قال إن حسام حسن ضم 2 في مركز واحد ويقصد محمد الشناوي ومصطفى شوبير في مركز حراسة المرمى، محمد عواد من الأساس لم يلعب سوى آخر 3 مباريات فقط مع فريقه (مش هنضحك على بعض)، عواد لم يكن سيلعب من الأساس منذ بداية الموسم، الذي بدأ الموسم الحارس الآخر هو محمد صبحي”.

وأشار: “محمد صبحي هو من بدأ الموسم باللعب في مباراة الشرطة الكيني ذهابًا وإيابًا بكأس الكونفدرالية، عواد شارك في السوبر الإفريقي بالصدفة، لأن صبحي تعرض للإصابة أو قيل لنا إنه تعرض للإصابة والله أعلم بما حدث، ولعب عواد”.

وشدد: “لو ستقيم محمد عواد على آخر 3 مباريات، فإن مصطفى شوبير مُرشح لجائزة أفضل حارس في إفريقيا، محمد الشناوي هو أحسن حارس في إفريقيا”.

ورد عليه أحمد سليمان: “ممكن جائزة أفضل حارس في إفريقيا بها مُجاملة، أنا لم أر مصطفى شوبير فعل شيئًا ليستحق الترشح لهذه الجائزة”، ليعود عبد الحفيظ ويرد عليه: “(حضرتك مشفتش إفريقيا ممكن حضرتك كان عندك شغل)”.

واستكمل عبد الحفيظ: “حارس مُرشح ليكون الأفضل في إفريقيا، وحارس آخر لم يبدأ الموسم من الأساس ولعب فقط 3 مباريات، أنا لا أريد أن أخسف بحق عواد، هو أدى الـ3 مباريات بشكل جيد، لكن نحن نُقيم على أساس فترة مشاركة طويلة”.

وشدد: “إمام عاشور أحسن لاعب في مركز 8 بمصر، بل قد يكون أحسن 8 في إفريقيا، ومع ذلك قلت إن المدير الفني حقه أن يستبعده، الكابتن حسن شحاتة عندما اختار عصام الحضري ليشارك معه، وكان هذا الاختيار ضد رغبة الأهلي تمامًا، لم يعترض أحد”.

واستكمل موجهًا حديثه لـ أحمد سليمان: “أنت كنت متواجدًا مع حسن شحاتة في الفترة الذهبية وكان القوام الأساسي لمنتخب مصر من الأهلي، لماذا لم تعترض وقتها بسبب استبعاد لاعبي الزمالك؟!”.

واختتم موجهًا حديثه لـ أحمد سليمان مُتعجبًا: “أنت قلت بأنك ستعرض الأمر على مجلس الإدارة.. أنت الآن تعرض الأمر في الإعلام قبل عرضه على مجلس الإدارة، نفترض إن مجلس الإدارة رفض!”، ليرد عضو إدارة الزمالك: “أنا أعرضه بالطريقة التي أراها، الموضوع لا بد أن يصل للإعلام، نفترض إن مجلس الإدارة رفض فأنا قلت رأيي”.

The Rajshahi captain credits the Pakistan allrounder for taking the pressure off him and helping the side to the BPL title

Mohammad Isam18-Jan-2020

Andre Russell looks on•Getty Images

Rajshahi Royals captain Andre Russell has credited Mohammad Nawaz for taking the pressure off him and helping the side to the BPL title on Friday. The pair plundered 71 off 34 balls, with Nawaz surprisingly dominating the partnership with an unbeaten 41 off 20 balls. The stand lifted Rajshahi to 170 for 4, which proved 21 too many for Khulna Tigers.ALSO READ: Nawaz, Russell fire Rajshahi to BPL titleRussell also praised wicketkeeper-batsman Irfan Sukkur for his fifty under pressure in the first half of Rajshahi’s innings. Sukkur became the first uncapped Bangladesh player to hit a half-century in the BPL final.”Once I was there until the end, we could definitely be more aggressive,” Russell said. “[Khulna] bowl well in the death but when two good batters [are] swinging from the hips, anything can happen. Well played to [Mohammad] Nawaz. He took a lot of pressure off me. He gave us the punch that we needed going into bowling. Irfan Sukkur is big-hearted guy. I have been telling him to believe in himself, you can hit the ball. Just be positive. When a big player speaks to these guys, they can move mountains.”Russell, who became the first overseas captain to lift the BPL title, said that he didn’t find it too difficult to deal with domestic cricketers.”It wasn’t that difficult [to be a foreign captain],” he said. “The first week, a few practice sessions and the first two games, was the time to know what each player is about – whether a bowler was better with the new ball, in the middle overs or at the death. It took me a few games but everyone really pulled through when I called on them. Rabbi bowled well tonight. Irfan has been doing well.”Russell said that he wanted to make sure that the domestic cricketers and the helpers around the team get paid, even though there was no prize money in this tournament. In the last BPL, the champions received BDT 2 crore (USD 250,000) while the runners-up side got BDT 85 lakh (USD 106,250).”In franchise cricket, every player looks forward to the prize money,” he said. “But for me, winning the tournament is everything. It might sound like I don’t like money. “I just want to make sure that these local guys who helps us with our bags and always around the team, is taken care of. They get some bonus. I am happy once they and the local players are taken care of. This is what matters the most.”Russell also said that he enjoyed his stint with Rajshahi with whom he had won his first T20 tournament as a captain. “It is actually a good feeling,” he said. “I didn’t really notice [that I was the first foreign captain to win the BPL]. They trusted my ability. I believe in myself as well, to get the job done. I contributed as much as I could. We had a very good unit. Everyone showed up tonight.”My first championship as a captain is really special to me. As a captain, you don’t want to be selfish. At the same time, you have to believe in other bowlers. Everyone answered and came to the party tonight.”

It’s the expectations that are the problem. If most young cricketers claimed three five-wicket hauls in their first seven Tests, the reports would be glowing. Equally, if most young cricketers achieved a bowling average of 27.40 in that time and showed the skills and maturity to be trusted with the Super Over in the World Cup final a couple of months into their international career, you could think they were doing pretty well. But for one reason or another, more seems to be expected of Jofra Archer.Look at Sam Curran. He’s played 14 Tests and not taken any five-fors. And if that feel like an unfair comparison – Curran is an all-rounder, after all – then compare Archer’s record to those of Stuart Broad and James Anderson over a similar period. After seven Tests, Broad had a Test bowling average of 45.33 (with a best of 3 for 54), while Anderson’s was 31.57 (with two five-fors and a best of 5 for 73). Even compared to the best of modern England, Archer is flying.One of the things that has become clear from watching England training in Port Elizabeth over the last few days – and not everyone with the strongest opinions has been doing so – is that Archer is not fully fit. It’s not a case of him coasting or England demanding anything unreasonable. It has been a case of them asking him to prove his match fitness and him struggling to do so.He was significantly slower than Mark Wood on Monday – not 5 or 6mph, but 10 or 20 – and spent much of Wednesday talking to the physio and doctor. After one of the 20 or so deliveries he bowled, Paul Collingwood – one of the assistant coaches – said “Well bowled, Colly” to him; a reference to the gentle pace he was generating. It was said, and taken, in good spirits but it wasn’t as inaccurate as you may think. Archer simply did not look match-fit.In such a scenario, it would not just be unwise but irresponsible to include him in the team for the Port Elizabeth Test. He has a precious skill and he requires careful and sympathetic handling. He is not the first fast bowler to miss a game or two through injury and he will not be the last. Such incidents do not usually precipitate questions about the management of the player or the player’s desire for the task. There’s not much evidence to suggest they should here, either.The good thing, from an England perspective, is that they have Mark Wood to come into the side in his place. Wood is probably the one man in England who can bowl at least as quickly as Archer and he has worked hard to earn this opportunity. He has reported some soreness after his exertions on Sunday and Monday and hardly bowled on Wednesday but, as long as he suffers no adverse reaction on Thursday morning, he is likely to be selected ahead of Chris Woakes here. With a bit of luck, Archer and Wood may play together in Johannesburg.But for all the Tests Wood has missed and all the injuries he’s suffered, it’s hard to recall an occasion when his desire has ever been questioned. For some reason – and it may simply be that Archer, like David Gower before him, makes the game look so absurdly easy that we set unreasonably high standards for them – Archer seems to face questions over his commitment and his desire. It’s far from clear the motivation of all the critics is good.Jofra Archer looks on during England nets•Getty Images

It’s surely relevant, though, that Archer moved to a nation crying out for a fast bowler. Yes, England has had glimpses of fast bowlers in recent times – Devon Malcolm, Andrew Flintoff (who took just four five-fors in his 183-match first-class career), Steve Harmison and Wood for example – but not for many years have they had a man with what appears to be the whole package: the repeatable action; the pace; the skill; the fitness. There were times during the World Cup when he made bowling over 90mph look ludicrously easy.But it never is. And England’s desire to play with their new toy has seen Archer used pretty unsparingly in the first eight months or so of his international career. He was the only man in the World Cup to bowl 100 overs and required a pain-killing injection ahead of the Super Over in the final. He bowled 42 overs in an innings – more than Broad has ever managed in a Test innings – in Mount Maunganui and then heard Joe Root, his captain, suggest “there are certain spells when he can unleash a little more”.To be fair to Root, it’s understandable he would want to keep returning to a man of Archer’s skill so often. Previous captains used to rely on James Anderson and Graeme Swann in a similar way. But we have, perhaps, been spoiled by Anderson’s resilience. He really has been something of a freak. It’s better, perhaps, to remember that Swann retired relatively early with an elbow injury.Comparisons with Anderson probably don’t help, either. “He’ll never play 150 Tests,” a sour-faced England supporter sneered as he watched nets on Wednesday. Well no, he probably won’t. But only one fast bowler in history has. If all others are deemed half-hearted failures, we are setting the bar impossibly high.Root also seems to be learning how to handle his key fast bowler. Ahead of this game, he spoke sensibly of the need to take the long-term view with fitness management and provided another reminder of Archer’s relative inexperience. Temper those expectations, was the basic takeaway.”Jofra is very much at the start of his career and I think managing workloads is important,” Root said. “He’s played a huge amount of cricket since he’s come into the international arena and we’ve seen a little bit of pushback from his body with that elbow injury.”He’s come into international cricket off the back of some brilliant domestic Twenty20 cricket, in particular. His reputation was made in IPL cricket, Big Bash cricket and performing and excelling in that. He came into Test cricket already with a reputation on a standard of Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad. People were matching him with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc. These guys have played a lot of Test cricket, very experienced.ALSO READ: Series in the balance as familiar foes take it to the wire“For him it’s about managing where he is in his career and for us as a management group understanding that he’s very young and every game he’ll pick things up. He’s a very fast learner – he showed that in white-ball cricket – and we have to give him that opportunity in Test cricket as well.”But even then, Root suggested Archer needed to be bowling not just well, but quickly, too.”Of course, if he’s fit and raring to go you want him in your side,” Root said. “But you want to make sure he’s 100 percent ready and he can deliver all his skills: not just seam and swing it around but bowl at 90mph too. We’ve got to look after him as a player as well as just trying to win the series.”The very best – the likes of Malcolm Marshall and Richard Hadlee – did not bowl flat out all the time. Far from it. They used their pace as one of the skills in their armoury and unleashed it when required.Perhaps Archer is still learning when it is required. Perhaps there is something to be said for him warming up better and bowling quicker at the start of spells rather than easing into them. But his Test-best performance to date – 6 for 45 at Leeds – came when he concentrated on control and movement and rarely operated at anything approaching the pace seen for a while in the previous Test at Lord’s. And his quickest spells – notably against Steve Smith at Lord’s and Matt Wade at The Oval – didn’t necessarily produce many wickets. The point being, Archer is about far more than pace. He’s much better than that.Perhaps he is having something of a tricky second album phase to his career. Perhaps he is struggling with the Kookaburra ball and a series of surfaces – in New Zealand, in particular – that might have been designed to thwart him. Perhaps, as Root says, his body is simply pushing back after being asked to do a bit much.But he’s doing very well, really. Extraordinarily well, by comparison to England’s other seam-bowling newbies in recent times. Craig Overton (averaging 44.77), for example, Jake Ball (114.33) or Tom Curran (100.00).Archer is missing this Test due to an elbow injury. It happens. He’ll be back. And in him England have something quite special. He deserves appreciating and looking after.

كشف الهولندي آرني سلوت المدير الفني لفريق كرة القدم الأول بنادي ليفربول، عن موقف المصابين قبل مواجهة برايتون ببطولة كأس رابطة المحترفين الإنجليزية.

ليفربول يحل ضيفًا على برايتون بدور الـ16، في ملعب فالمر غدًا الأربعاء، قبل أيام قليلة من تكرار المواجهة في الدوري يوم السبت المقبل.

وقال سلوت في تصريحات بالمؤتمر الصحفي للمباراة: “لا أتوقع عودة جوتا وإيليوت قبل نهاية فترة التوقف الدولي في نوفمبر المقبل، نتمنى أن يحدث ذلك”.

طالع أيضًا.. سلوت: محمد صلاح قدّم لنا ما تحتاجه الأندية الكبرى.. ولاعب ليفربول لا يحظى بالاهتمام المستحق

وأضاف: “كونور برادلي يتدرب معنا الآن، وسيكون ضمن الفريق غدًا، أليسون أيضًا ليس موجودًا في مواجهة برايتون غدًا. ولا أتوقع عودة كييزا الآن”.

وأكمل: “كييزا موقفه غير واضح حتى الآن، هو يتدرب لبضعة أيام ثم يخرج مرة أخرى، لا أريد أن أضع أيامًا أو أسابيع لعودته، نريد أن يكون في أفضل حالة ممكنة، ولا نضغط عليه من أجل العودة”.

وعند سؤاله حول امكانية إعارة كييزا، رد سلوت: “لم يخطر هذا على بالي إطلاقًا. أهم شيء هو أن أجعله لائقًا، لقد غاب عن فترة ما قبل الموسم، والانتقال لدوري مختلف يحتاج لمجهود بدني كبير، تجعل عودته صعبة الآن”.

وشدد آرني سلوت: “لم يكن الأمر مثاليًا بعد، سنحاول إيجاد الطريقة الصحيحة لعودة كييزا، أنا واثق تمامًا من أن ذلك سيحدث، نحن نثق في إمكانياته”.

وعن مواجهة برايتون: “ما يجعل برايتون مميزًا هو أنهم لا يملكون الكثير من الأموال في الدوري، لكنهم يشترون دائمًا لاعبين مناسبين، ولديهم العديد من اللاعبين ذوي الجودة العالية للاختيار منهم. أنا معجب للغاية بـ برايتون”.

وعن موقف واتارو إندو: “الأمر ليس سهلًا، حيث يرغب الجميع في اللعب، وإذا شعروا بالسعادة سيكون الأمر غريبًا، لكنني أعلم أن جميعهم محترفون ويعرفون ما عليهم فعله”.

وواصل: “إندو يمكنه أن يكون في التشكيلة الأساسية، لا يزال الموسم طويلًا، وسنحتاج إليه، ولا يزال يحتاج لبعض الوقت، وأعتقد أنه يستحق اللعب غدًا”.

وعن رحيل تين هاج، قال المدرب الهولندي: “إنه هولندي، وهذا يجعل الأمر أكثر صعوبة بالنسبة لنا كمواطنين هولنديين، نحن جميعًا في هذه الوظيفة، لذا نعلم أنه من الممكن أن يحدث ذلك للجميع، خاصة وأنني أعرف إيريك قليلًا، وأعرف مقدار العمل الذي يبذله”.

واختتم: “أمر مؤسف سماع هذه الأخبار، لكننا نعلم أيضًا مدى نجاحه في أياكس وفوزه ببطولتين هنا، وسنراه في المستقبل القريب مع نادٍ كبير مرة أخرى”.

تحدث مدرب برشلونة هانز فليك، بعد فوز فريقه أمام إشبيلية مساء الأحد بمنافسات بطولة الدوري الإسباني.

وحقق برشلونة فوزًا عريضًا على إشبيلية بخمسة أهداف لهدف، ليعزز صدارته للدوري الإسباني بـ 27 نقطة.

ويأتي فوز برشلونة قبل مواجهات هامة أمام بايرن ميونخ في دوري أبطال أوروبا، وريال مدريد بكلاسيكو الدوري الإسباني.

وقال فليك في تصريحاته بالمؤتمر الصحفي بعد المباراة: “أنا سعيد ولكن ما لا يعجبني هو الهدف الذي استقبلناه، كان من المهم جدًا العودة من الاستراحة بانتصار وقد قام الفريق بعمل جيد جدًا، كانت الأجواء في الملعب اليوم مذهلة، وأنا أحبها”.

وأشار: “كل المباريات مهمة، وليس فقط ضد الفرق الكبيرة، إشبيلية مباراة مهمة بنفس القدر، يتعين علينا أن نكون أكثر انتباهاً خلف ظهورنا، لا أحب أن تهتز شباكنا، يجب أن نفعل ما هو أفضل”.

وأضاف: “الأجواء كانت لا تصدق حين جاء جافي وقام بعمليات الإحماء، نحن سعداء بعودة جافي، إنه أمر مذهل، عندما ترى الأجواء في الملعب، فإنك تشعر بالدهشة، رؤية الملعب هكذا مع جافي أصابتني بالقشعريرة”.

اقرأ أيضًا | بعد غياب 348 يومًا.. جافي يشارك مع برشلونة أمام إشبيلية ويحمل شارة القيادة

وحول عدم مشاهدته لضربة جزاء فريقه لحظة تسديدها، رد فليك ضاحكًا: “لا أعلم، لقد فعلت ذلك مرة واحدة، وسجلنا هدفًا، والآن أصبح الأمر عادة”.

وبشأن ثنائي الفريق فرينكي دي يونج وإريك جارسيا، أوضح: “لقد عانى فرينكي من بعض الانزعاج اليوم، لكنه بخير، كما يعاني إيريك من بعض الانزعاج، لكنه ليس خطيرًا، ونأمل أن يكون خيارًا أمام بايرن ميونخ”.

وتابع: “لقد اعتقدنا أن فرينكي سيشارك أساسيًا ولكن يوم الجمعة شعر ببعض الانزعاج، اليوم كان أفضل لكنه لم يكن خيارًا للمشاركة أساسيًا، وكان من المهم جدًا بالنسبة لنا أن نشرك جافي اليوم، ولهذا السبب لم يتمكن دي يونج من اللعب (بسبب عدد التبديلات)”.

وانتقل للحديث عن مواجهة فريقه السابق بايرن ميونخ في دوري أبطال أوروبا حيث يلتقي الفريقان يوم الأربعاء.

وأكد فليك: “الأربعاء ضد بايرن ميونخ ليس معركة بين اللاعبين (ليفاندوفسكي وهاري كين)، بل معركة بين الفرق، أنا سعيد للغاية وسنبدأ غدًا الاستعداد لمباراة دوري أبطال أوروبا”.

وأصر: “مهمتنا هي الاستعداد جيدًا للمباراة القادمة، الفريق لديه الجودة ليكون جاهزًا، الفريق سيقدم كل شيء، بالنسبة لنا هذا أمر ذو أهمية حيوية، اللاعبون سيكونون مستعدين وجاهزين”.

وواصل: “أولمو، فرينكي، جافي… كلهم ​​جاهزون، مهمتي هي الاستعداد للمباريات، بغض النظر عن المنافس، لكننا نطلب من الفريق 100٪ وهذا ما يهم، حتى يكونوا مستعدين للعب”.

وشدد فليك: “نحن نعرف كيف نريد أن نلعب وكل مباراة ومنافس مختلفان، نتأقلم معه ونخطط وفقًا لذلك، علينا أن نعرف كيفية الضغط والاستحواذ على الكرة والتأقلم مع المساحات التي يتركها لنا المنافس”.

وعن مشاركة أنسو فاتي، أتم: “بالنسبة لأنسو، مسألة الإصابات لم تكن سهلة، إنها فرصة عظيمة له أن يبدأ أساسيًا، لديه الكثير من الإمكانات التي لا يزال من الممكن زيادتها”.

There are "hopes" that a praised 4-2-3-1 manager can be "persuaded" to West Ham United as head coach David Moyes becomes more under-fire.

Moyes contract talks postponed as West Ham consider alternatives

For now, contract renewal talks with Moyes are believed to be on hold as the club's hierarchy wait and see how results in the near future pan out.

Manager on brink of exit after claim West Ham could replace Moyes with him

More pressure is on Moyes after damaging defeat to Forest at the weekend.

ByEmilio Galantini Feb 20, 2024

According to reports, West Ham have also been exploring alternatives to Moyes, with the club yet to win a single game in all competitions since the turn of 2024. Their poor form has been comparable to a relegation-threatened side, and this isn't the first time Moyes has been threatened with West Ham's axe over the last 12 months.

The Scotsman guided them to a Europa Conference League triumph in Prague last year, West Ham's first trophy since the 1980s, but their league form remains a real worry.

14th

22/23

6th

21/22

7th

20/21

16th

19/20

The Hammers found themselves in a battle to avoid the drop last season, and there are some complaints over Moyes' dogmatic approach to games from sections of supporters. Indeed, members of the fan base were even pictured hoisting "Moyes out" banners in the away end during last weekend's 2-0 defeat away to Nottingham Forest.

However, while Moyes is under mounting pressure, he does still have credit in the bank. Their Conference League win, combined with the fact they've qualified for Europe in each full season of the 60-year-old's tenure, gives West Ham chiefs a very tough decision to make.

If the east Londoners do decide to part company after a very memorable era, the likes of Paulo Fonseca, Graham Potter and Steve Cooper are reportedly on West Ham's managerial shortlist.

Another shock contender for the job is Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel, who will lave the German giants at the end of the season. The 50-year-old's side are currently far behind Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga title race, and if they were to miss out on the German top-flight crown, it would be for the first time since they were beaten to the punch by Borussia Dortmund in 2012.

Hopes West Ham persuade Tuchel

That isn't to say Tuchel hasn't got plenty of credentials as a coach, though, with the tactician boasting a Champions League winners medal among his plethora of other honours in the dugout.

Broadcaster talkSPORT, and their journalist Sam May, now back London Stadium interest in the big-name 4-2-3-1 boss, and there are apparently hopes West Ham can persuade Tuchel to make a move back to London following his successful spell at Chelsea.

Tuchel, among the many trophies he's won, is also respected by elite counterparts like Man City's Pep Guardiola.

“He’s so creative with good build-up and connection, good runners and players who are good in the spaces," said Guardiola on Tuchel before their Champions League final clash in 2021.

“Both [Tuchel and Nagelsmann] are so creative with the shape they play."

كشف أحمد خطاب، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي فاركو، عن موقفه من بيع محمود جهاد، إلى الزمالك في فترة الانتقالات الصيفية.

وقال أحمد خطاب، في تصريحات عبر قناة المحور: “نحن نعمل في ناد محترف، ولا نقف في طريق أحد، لو أي لاعب يريد أن يخوض تجربة أخرى في صالحه لا نقف أمامه، وأعتقد أن الموسم الماضي كان خير دليل، محمود حمادة كان أحد الأعمدة الرئيسية لم نقف أمامه عندما انتقل إلى المصري، وأيضًا أحمد الصغيري وعبد الله بكري انتقلا إلى زد في يناير رغم ظروف الفريق الصعبة”.

طالع..الزمالك يعلن إصابة لاعبه بمزق من الدرجة الثانية قبل السوبر المصري

وتابع: “لا نعارض رحيل محمود جهاد، الجهاز الفني ليس عائقًا أمام أي لاعب، لكن الأمر متروك للإدارة هي صاحبة القرار”.

وواصل: “هناك تفاوض من أكثر ناد لضم محمود جهاد، منهم بيراميدز والزمالك، إدارة الأبيض تتواصل مع نظيرتها في فاركو من أجل ضم اللاعب”.

وأكمل: “نحتفظ بالهيكل الأساسي للفريق بنسبة 95% ولم ندعم بعدد صفقات كبير، لأننا نمتلك لاعبين جيدين في كل مركز، قمنا بضم زهير المترجي لاعب الوداد السابق، وهوالآن ينتظم مع الفريق ويحب الدوري المصري ويريد أن يُقدم الإضافة”.

وأتم: “جيفرسون اينكادا مستمر معنا، وصلت له عروض من بلجيكا وتركيا، ولكن كانت في فترة الأجندة الدولية وكان مع منتخب بلده ولم يحدث تواصل معه بسبب أن هاتفه لم يكن متاحًا، ووارد يحدث الانتقال في يناير”.

Aston Villa supporters have certainly endured an interesting journey over the last decade or so, witnessing the drama of relegation, promotion and the battle for survival, to now being genuine title contenders in the Premier League.

The days under Tim Sherwood, Remi Garde and Steve Bruce et al all seem so long ago such is the success that current boss Unai Emery is enjoying at the helm, the Spaniard steering his side into Europe last term, before kicking on again this time around.

With Champions League qualification a very real possibility come the end of the season, the Villans can not rest on their laurels despite the stunning strides that have been made of late, with the Midlands side wise to push for quality reinforcements before the window closes later this month.

Strengthening at full-back, in particular, appears to be a real priority for Emery and co, while further attacking additions can also not be ruled out, with there potentially set to be a different look to the club's starting XI come the end of January, if a handful of deals are to be done…

1

GK – Emi Martinez

While there has been reported interest in the World Cup winner in recent times, Villa are highly unlikely to sanction the sale of their first-choice stopper midway through the campaign, with the Argentine still an integral figure having kept five clean sheets in the league so far.

2

RB – Jeremie Frimpong

The first new addition could well arrive at right-back in the form of Jeremie Frimpong, with journalist Dean Jones revealing that the Bayer Leverkusen star is a "genuine" target for the high-flying outfit.

With 17 goals and assists to his name this season in all competitions, the Dutchman would be a fine replacement for Matty Cash in that wide berth, with the latter man having even lost his place to usual centre-back Ezri Konsa on occasion this season.

3

CB – Ezri Konsa

Speaking of Konsa, the Englishman would seemingly slot back in at centre-back if Frimpong was to be signed, with the former Brentford man deserving of the nod ahead of Diego Carlos, having been "so consistent" in recent years – according to former Villa man, John Terry.

Now on Gareth Southgate's radar at international level, having earned a first Three Lions call-up in November, the 26-year-old is truly flourishing under the Emery regime.

4

CB – Pau Torres

While Clement Lenglet has proven an able deputy of late, it is Pau Torres who is the undisputed first-choice option at left centre-back, having been prised from Emery's former club Villarreal on a £33m deal over the summer.

Described as "absolutely magnificent" by pundit Pat Nevin following the win over champions Manchester City last month, the Spaniard has been a key cog in a defence that has shipped just 27 league goals – the fourth-best record in the division.

5

LB – Marcus Acuna

As per The Athletic, alongside looking at Frimpong, the Villans also have their eye on Sevilla full-back, Marcus Acuna, with the 32-year-old having been part of the Argentina squad – alongside Martinez – that claimed World Cup glory in Qatar.

With reports suggesting Lucas Digne could be on his way, amid Saudi interest, Acuna could represent a perfect rival for Alex Moreno on the left flank, having been hailed as a "top defender" by City boss, Pep Guardiola last year.

6

CM – Douglas Luiz

While the likes of Liverpool and Barcelona are said to be circling for his signature at present, it is unlikely that the Brazilian will be on the move this month, ensuring he can continue his fine season in claret and blue – having registered 13 goals and assists in all competitions.

A key cog in Emery's relentless machine, the 25-year-old is set to command a sizeable fee if he is to later depart at the end of the season, with an £80m price tag having previously been suggested.

7

CM – Boubacar Kamara

The former Marseille man – who was snapped up on a free transfer in 2022 – has missed just four league games this season, all through suspension, with the remaining 17 appearances all coming from the start, highlighting his importance in the spine of the side.

8

RM – Moussa Diaby

Despite lining up as a second striker in recent times, Moussa Diaby could be relocated onto the right flank once again in order to revive his sparkling connection with ex-teammate Frimpong – having scored 14 goals and registered 11 assists in all competitions for Leverkusen last term.

The possibility to utilise that blossoming partnership could then see Leon Bailey ousted from the starting lineup, even though the Jamaican star does have nine goals and eight assists to his name across all fronts this term.

9

LM – John McGinn

Villa's super skipper is a nailed-on starter under Emery on the left flank, impressively leading from the front with seven goals and four assists in 2023/24.

While pressure will be applied to his position in the years to come amid the presence of Jacob Ramsey and Nicolo Zaniolo, for now, the Scotsman remains the club's 'Mr Reliable'.

10

ST – Ollie Watkins

While McGinn may be thriving as captain, it is Ollie Watkins who is Emery's undoubted talisman these days, having already registered 24 goal involvements this season – 19 of which have come in the top-flight.

A return of just one goal from his last seven league games has somewhat halted the Englishman's momentum, although as his brace of assists against Burnley showcased, there is so much more to Watkins' game than merely putting the ball in the back of the net.

كشفت تقارير صحفية إسبانية، عن بديل داني أولمو في مباراة برشلونة وموناكو، مساء الخميس في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويستضيف موناكو نظيره برشلونة بالجولة الأولى من مرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، بعد أن تفوق البلوجرانا في مبارياته الخمس الأولى بالليجا.

وتعرض داني أولمو الصفقة الجديدة، لإصابة في مواجهة جيرونا الأخيرة التي فاز بها البلوجرانا برباعية نظيفة، مما يجعل الجدل يُثار حول بديله.

طالع أيضًا.. مدرب موناكو يحذر برشلونة قبل مباراة دوري أبطال أوروبا: أحترمهم ولكن

صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية، أكدت بأن هانز فليك، قرر أن يدفع بـ رافينها في مركز صانع الألعاب “رقم 10” لتعويض غياب داني أولمو، لثقة المدرب الألماني في إمكانياته.

وإذا عدنا بالذاكرة للوراء قليلًا، سنجد بأن برشلونة لعب أول مباراتين في الليجا، بمشاركة رافينها في نفس المركز، عندما كان النادي يعاني من أزمة اللعب المالي النظيف، وفشل في تسجيل داني أولمو.

فليك يرى بأن اللاعب البرازيلي يستطيع أن يكون صانع ألعاب ولديه القدرة على تبادل المراكز بينه وبين الجناح، وقدم مستويات جيدة في مباراتي فالنسيا وأتلتيك بلباو ببداية الموسم.

البدائل الأخرى لـ أولمو ليست متاحة، مثل فرينكي دي يونج المصاب، وجافي الذي لا يزال لم يتعاف بعد، وكذلك فيرمين لوبيز، حيث يعاني من إجهاد، حتى وان كان فليك سيضمه للقائمة.

ويريد فليك استغلال الحالة التي يمر بها رافينها، حيث يقدم أفضل بدايه له مع برشلونة، بعدما سجل هاتريك في مواجهة بلد الوليد، وثقته الكبيرة في إمكانياته.

وبمشاركة رافينها في مركز صانع الألعاب، سيكون فيران توريس هو الجناح الأيسر، مع طريقة لعب 4-3-3، ويشاركه في الهجوم ليفاندوفسكي ولامين يامال.