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أعلن المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي مانشستر سيتي، بيب جوارديولا، رحيل أحد مدافعي السيتزن خلال الساعات القليلة المقبلة وهو الظهير الأيسر، أوليكساندر زينتشينكو.

وكانت هناك مفاوضات خلال الأيام الماضية بين زينتشينكو وآرسنال لانتقال الأوكراني الدولي إلى الجانرز بسبب عدم مشاركته بشكل مستمر مع جوارديولا.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ديفيد مويس: من الصعب عليّ تقبل تجديد عقد محمد صلاح مع ليفربول

وتحدث جوارديولا في مؤتمره الصحفي الأول قبل مواجهة نادي كلوب أمريكا وديًا، وقال: “سأقول نيابة عن النادي امتنانًا منا لما قدمه داخل وخارج الملعب، أشكر زينتشينكو على كل ما قدمه مع مانشستر سيتي”.

وتابع: “لقد تمكنا من وداعه بشكل صحيح يوم أمس، للأسف لم يحدث ذلك مع جابريل جيسوس ورحيم سترلينج”.

وأضاف في النهاية: “لكن كان هناك وداع لطيف ورائع بيننا وبين زينتشينكو الذي انتقل بالفعل إلى آرسنال”.

الجدير بالذكر أن زينتشينكو لم يتم الإعلان الرسمي عن انتقاله إلى آرسنال حتى الآن ولكن يبدو أنه سيحدث في الساعات القليلة القادمة بعد تصريحات جوارديولا.

In recent times, pre-match press conferences have often been the first skirmishes in a little game that Steve Waugh liked to call mental disintegration. Prior to this Chennai Test, though, veiled barbs and snide asides were in short supply, with both captains singing from a Show-must-go-on hymn sheet. It’s been a traumatic fortnight for everyone concerned, and Mahendra Singh Dhoni wasn’t just speaking for himself when he said: “The best thing that I could give to India at this juncture is a good game of cricket. That is what we are here to do as professional cricketers.”What happened in Mumbai put things into perspective. Cricket, like most sports, borrows many metaphors from the battlefield, but its rightful place in the larger scheme of things was brought home over the 60 hours that cold-blooded assassins ran amok in a hotel that has been home away from home to generations of cricketers. “We were not really thinking about cricket at that point of time,” said Dhoni. “When it happened we were so sad. We were glued to the television.”In that 70 hours or so, I really slept for just six hours. We were not thinking about cricket but thinking about what a ghastly thing was happening over there. It was really tough. The sentiments were quite low. We did a good job not to play the one-day series.”For Kevin Pietersen and his men, the terror attacks meant a trip home and consultations with loved ones and board officials over whether the tour should resume. There have been anecdotes aplenty down the years to illustrate the whingeing-Pom stereotype, but cowardice and lack ofcommitment certainly won’t be labels attached to this English side. Pietersen spoke of how much he and his players love playing in India, and win or lose, they have done the three lions on the crest proud just by being here.The platitudes will stop tomorrow morning though. For both sides, this is a pivotal series. Pietersen has to ensure that the focus is on the here and now, and an upwardly mobile Indian team, rather than on the Ashes series which is less than a year away. For India, conquerors of Australia not so long ago, this is a chance to push on and make a serious bid for the top ranking.In many ways, it’s also the start of a new era. As Dhoni said at the press conference, modern-day Indian captains had grown so used to Anil Kumble being there as a perennial Plan B [A when it was a turning track] that the idea of going into a series without him seems almost bizarre. Both Amit Mishra and Yuvraj Singh are stepping into large boots, and the best thing they can do is chart their own course. The minute Mishra worries about 600 wickets, or Yuvraj about 7000 Test runs, then they’re lost.The other Indian in the spotlight before the game was Rahul Dravid, once the unshakeable pillar of India’s batting. Once again, Dhoni’s backing for the struggling titan was unequivocal. “He has been shaping up really well in the net sessions,” he said. “We know the amount of talent he has got, and he is also one the most committed cricketers around. He will definitely get scores in the series.”When Pietersen was asked whether he considered Dravid a weak link, he almost scoffed. “I would never say that Rahul Dravid is a soft area of any line-up,” he said with a wry smile. “He’s a serious player. They don’t call him The Wall for nothing.”

England’s selection has clearly been influenced by the expectation that the pitch will take turn as it wears, but while the spin tussles will be fascinating, it could be the pace bowlers that break open the game with inclement weather forecast for the next few days. Andrew Flintoff’s mastery of reverse swing was a huge factor in England’s triumphant Ashes campaign of three years ago, and in Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan, India have two men who can match him.Tony Greig isn’t the only one to be amazed by the strides that Zaheer has made with the ball over the past two seasons, and his tenacity withthe bat has also been indicative of a man who truly values each cap he gets. Just as important to Indian hopes will be Harbhajan Singh, who has to assume the Kumble mantle. Too often in the news for the wrong reasons, his renaissance, against Sri Lanka and Australia, came at just the right time.Monty Panesar will hope to match him, while Pietersen clearly expects big things from the combative Swann. It’s the other two components of the attack that have the most question marks surrounding them though. James Anderson can go from red-hot to ice-blue-cold in the same game, while Steve Harmison doesn’t travel with the enthusiasm of Dr Livingstone. Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj have been targeted in the past with short-pitched bowling and Harmison’s natural length could be the decisive factor if England decide to go down that route.India start favourites, but mental resilience will play even more of a role than the humidity at a venue that has seen famous English and Indian victories. The crowd’s enthusiasm will be essential as men on both sides, shocked out of the protective bubble that they usually inhabit, try to get on with the task of playing a game.

Trying to replace a club icon is particularly difficult, and at Celtic that is no different.

As a dismal 2020/21 campaign came to a conclusion for the Hoops, they witnessed their no-nonsense club captain walk away from Parkhead. That man, of course, is a certain Scott Brown.

He headed to Aberdeen to take up a player-coach role and the individual to succeed his captaincy duties is Callum McGregor.

The Scot has had an excellent start to the season and had one of the best outings of his career in his nation’s colours this week when they took on Austria.

However, there is a sense that one of the many players that Ange Postecoglou brought to the club this summer could eventually become the true heir to Brown’s coveted place in the team.

Although yet to play, James McCarthy will be a big presence in the middle of the park once he’s fit enough. Liam Shaw, their signing from Sheffield Wednesday, could eventually star in that role, while Bosun Lawal has looked promising since arriving in Glasgow.

However, it is two players who were signed before Postecoglou walked in that appeared to stand the best chance before the summer’s arrivals.

Ismaila Soro is candidate number one. At various times last season, he looked like the most natural heir. He was composed on the ball and tough in the tackle, making ten successful challenges in one European outing against Lille.

However, the longer his stay at Paradise has continued, the more his form has deteriorated. Soro’s opening matches of the campaign left a lot to be desired as he lost a whopping ten of 14 duels against Midtjylland.

He was also rash in the challenge when he appeared from the bench against Rangers in the Old Firm before the international break.

With that in mind, Postecoglou should consider finally utilising Luca Connell in the first team.

The Irishman was signed from Bolton back in 2019 but he has never made a first-team outing for the Bhoys. He already had EFL experience with the Trotters when he arrived so it’s puzzling to see him make such a minimal impact in Scotland.

Left out of the club’s Europa League squad list, opportunities look as though they’ll be hard to come by for him.

Once again, this feels like a strange move. Connell was in excellent form during a loan spell at Queen’s Park last season, guiding them to promotion. In the process, the defensive midfielder scored three times and registered five assists.

The 20-year-old was a breath of fresh air to the Queen’s Park side and one goal encapsulated him perfectly. After he galloped forward and then found the net against Edinburgh towards the end of last term, the commentator said that he had a “wand of a left foot.”

With defensive nous and offensive abilities in his locker, Connell surely has everything needed to thrive in Postecoglou’s system. That’s precisely why he should be unleashed.

AND in other news, 100% duels won: Ange surely drooling after new Celtic signing’s international display…

Clive Lloyd, the former West Indies captain and ICC cricket committee chairman, is hopeful the ICL and IPL can co-exist and believes similar leagues in the West Indies will boost the game in the region

Cricinfo staff20-Nov-2008
Clive Lloyd’s suggestion would be welcomed by Kapil Dev, the ICL’s executive board chairman © Getty Images
Clive Lloyd, the former West Indies captain and ICC cricket committee chairman, is hopeful the ICL and IPL can co-exist and believes similar leagues in the West Indies will boost the game in the region.”There’s nothing like having a discussion to break the ice,” Lloyd told the . “Just like the United States president Barack Obama said ‘you have to speak to people’. They [IPL and ICL] both need to understand their agendas and work accordingly.” At present, the ICC and the Indian board have not recognised the ICL, and most national bodies have banned players contracted with the league from playing international or domestic cricket.Lloyd felt it will take some time for administrators to find a window for the Twenty20 leagues. “It will be ideal if they have a period where they can go and earn money and go back to Tests. It’s some time before the FTP [Future Tours Programme] can find the right slots for IPL and other similar tournaments so that players representing their countries are not forced to make a choice.”The players are now hoping that they don’t have to choose between Tests, ODIs and Twenty20s.With contracts worth millions on offer in the Twenty20 leagues, and a million dollars on grabs for each of the winning XI in the Stanford 20/20 for 20 in Antigua, Lloyd felt upcoming players needed to be given proper advice. “We need to get to make young players to understand that it’s just not about money. Money is there to be earned, but they need to learn the rudimentary elements of the game.”Lloyd said the West Indies needed leagues like the IPL and ICL to help revive the falling fortunes of the country in the sport; the region has the Stanford 20/20 as its premier domestic tournament currently, with 20 teams participating. “Leagues similar to the IPL and ICL will not only bring young talented players in the national team but will also make their basics clear,” Lloyd said. “The standard of domestic cricket is poor in the Caribbean and hence there is a need to bring in leagues like these. They would not only improve the standard of the game but will also help players become experienced at a young age.”After the success of the Stanford Superstars, Lloyd is backing the players to win a World Cup soon. Lloyd had led West Indies to wins in 1975 and 1979. “The team has not won any major trophy for a long time and lacks consistency. But I am sure they will be back in form and will bring the [World] Cup home in the Caribbean soon,” he said. “Apart from the money, players will gain experience with the right people to guide them from Standford Twenty20 Super Series.”

The Athletic’s Chris Waugh has said that Newcastle United could look to sign a ‘junior’ striker in the remaining weeks of the transfer window.

The lowdown

Newcastle made their first signing of the summer just two days before their season opener against West Ham, capturing former loanee Joe Willock for a fee in excess of £20m (via BBC Sport).

This morning they have been linked with a move for Schalke 04’s 20-year-old frontman Matthew Hoppe. The player’s agents are due to fly to the UK for talks with interested parties, and the cash-strapped German club may be forced to sell.

Callum Wilson, who scored in the defeat against the Hammers, is currently supported by Joelinton and Dwight Gayle. Two other strikers – Yoshinori Muto and Andy Carroll – have left the club on free transfers this summer.

The latest

In a Q&A for The Athletic, Waugh was asked by a supporter whether Newcastle are looking to bolster their striking ranks. He replied that a centre-back and a midfielder, ‘potentially a no 6 type’, are currently the ‘priorities’.

The journalist added that a senior striker ‘isn’t necessarily near the top’ of the Magpies’ list, but a ‘more junior type may arrive’ before the end of the month.

The verdict

At 20, Hoppe may well fit the ‘junior’ bill, and while some Newcastle fans might find it hard to believe the club will make three further signings with a ‘meagre’ transfer budget, a ‘financially stricken’ Schalke may have to sell on the cheap.

Beyond that, the Magpies have yet to use either of their available domestic loan slots, so they may look towards young Premier League talents with limited short-term prospects.

There are also whispers that the deal for Willock was independently-funded, so the club’s budget may still be intact. Waugh’s suggestion of a new centre-forward coming in could indeed bear fruit over the next couple of weeks.

In other news, does Joe Willock have a buyout clause?

يقوم النجم البرتغالي، كريستيانو رونالدو، نجم هجوم فريق مانشستر يونايتد، ببناء منزل جديد في مسقط رأسه بالبرتغال، حيث يُخطط للعيش فيه بعد اعتزاله كرة القدم؛ وفقًا لما ذكرته صحيفة “ديلي ميل” البريطانية.

وقام رونالدو بشراء قطعة أرض كبيرة في حي كوينتا دا مارينا الريفية بالبرتغال، في الساحل الغربي.

ويطلق على المنطقة اسم “الريفيرا البرتغالية” لأنها مرموقة وباهظة الثمن، وسبق وأن خصص نجم ريال مدريد ويوفنتوس السابق، 10 ملايين جنيه إسترليني لبناء المنزل، لكن الأسعار تضاعفت بسبب الارتفاع الكبير في تكلفة مواد البناء، ورغبة رونالدو في بناء منزل مُتكامل على حد وصف الصحيفة.

وأبلغ مصدر مُقرب من رونالدو الصحيفة حول رغبة البرتغالي في بناء المنزل: “لقد سعى جاهدًا لتحقيق الكمال طوال مسيرته الكروية ويريد نفس الشيء خارج الملعب، إنه يريد كل شيء مُناسبًا له ولأسرته”.

وأضاف: “الميزانية الأولية كانت حوالي 10 ملايين جنيه إسترليني ولكن الآن تبلغ 17 مليون جنيه إسترليني، ويرجع جزء كبير من ارتفاع الأسعار إلى الزيادة في تكلفة مواد البناء”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. المحكمة تصدر قرارًا جديدًا بشأن دعوى الاغتصاب ضد رونالدو

النجم البرتغالي كان يملك أغلى شقة في البرتغال، ولكن قام ببيعها في 2020، مساحتها كانت 3100 قدم مربع، وبها صالة ألعاب رياضية ومطعم وحوض سباحة داخلي.

يمتلك رونالدو أيضًا عقارات بما في ذلك مبنى سكني من سبعة طوابق في فونشال، ماديرا، حيث تعيش والدته دولوريس، وشقيقه هوجو بعد أن اشتراه قبل عامين.

 كريستيانو بجانب صديقته جورجينا رودريجيز وأطفاله الأربعة، يمتلكون أيضًا فيلا فاخرة في مدينة تورينو بإيطاليا مُنذ فترة وجوده في يوفنتوس، بالإضافة إلى قصر بقيمة 4.8 مليون جنيه إسترليني في مدريد.

ويُعد هذا المنزل هو أحدث عقار يضاف إلى مجموعته، على الرغم من أن رونالدو لا يبدو مستعدًا للاعتزال حتى الآن، لكن أعمال البناء متوقع الانتهاء منها في آواخر العام المقبل 2023.

Southampton have recently been linked with a move for Manchester United centre-back Phil Jones, but it could prove to be a disastrous signing by Martin Semmens.

What’s the word?

According to 90min journalist Graeme Bailey, Southampton are among a number of Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Everton, Brighton and West Ham, to be keeping tabs on the 29-year-old’s situation at Old Trafford.

Although the former Blackburn Rovers man has been surplus to requirements for some time at Manchester United, following the impending signing of Raphael Varane, it seems as if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is willing to let Jones leave on a free transfer in order to finally facilitate his departure, despite him having two years left on his deal with the Red Devils.

Jones was signed for United by Sir Alex Ferguson back in 2011 in a deal worth £17m but has struggled terribly with injuries during his 10 years at the club, Making 224 appearances to his name in all competitions, the 2011/12 and 2013/14 seasons were the only two where he managed more than 25 appearances in a top-flight campaign for the Red Devils.

Would he be a good signing?

Despite him reportedly being available for nothing, the report also suggests that Jones earns £100k per week at Old Trafford, which suggests that unless he took a serious pay cut, he would be one of the top earners at Southampton should he make the move to St Mary’s.

Unless the former England international is able to shake off his injury concerns and rediscover the form he was showing nearly a decade ago, then it is difficult to see him getting in ahead of any of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s current centre-back options. He will also turn 30 in February next year, so he would not be a signing for the long-term, while he has forged an unfortunate reputation for producing moments which wouldn’t inspire confidence.

[freshpress-quiz id=“594431”]

Therefore, it makes very little sense to sign him, and Southampton fans would surely be less than happy if they were to waste a significant portion of their wage budget for the transfer window on an ageing, injury-prone player such as Jones.

In other news… Southampton look set to miss out on their next Sadio Mane as agent drops transfer update

Leeds United have made progress in their efforts to sign Celtic central defender Leo Hjelde, following weeks of deadlock within negotiations [Yorkshire Evening Post].

The Lowdown: Leeds United gear up for the 2021/22 Premier League season

With the 2021/22 Premier League campaign set to get underway later this week, Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa will be desperate to strengthen in key areas to bolster his already talented roster.

Prioritising quality over quantity, the Argentinian has successfully acquired three additions in the form of Junior Firpo, Jack Harrison and Kristoffer Klaesson [Transfermarkt].

Now, the Elland Road hierarchy look to have moved closer to sealing another summer signing according to recent reports.

The Latest: Leeds United make breakthrough in Hjelde pursuit

Leeds are said to have moved closer to acquiring the Norway Under-18 international, who would join the Under-23 set-up [Yorkshire Evening Post].

Talks with Scottish giants Celtic had previously ground to a halt, however, a breakthrough in discussions has now emerged, bringing the two clubs closer to an agreement.

Hjelde could be a prospective replacement for ex-Whites talent Oliver Casey, who departed for Sky Bet Championship side Blackpool earlier this window.

The Verdict: Hjelde would be a low-risk signing for Leeds United

Providing long-term value and plenty room for development, Hjelde would be a low risk buy for Leeds United who has proven his ability to function within a high-octane footballing environment.

In 2020/21, the 17-year-old gained senior experience on loan at Scottish Premiership side Ross County, registering a solitary goal from 12 appearances in all competitions [Transfermarkt].

Despite his youth, the 6 foot 2 ace showed his awareness to dangerous situations across the year, recording an average of 3.3 clearances per game across the season [WhoScored].

Once likened to 2019 Ballon d’Or runner up Virgil van Dijk by former manager John Hughes, he certainly looks like a player who could blossom under a manager like Bielsa [BBC].

In other news, a Leeds United star has been backed to recapture his best form in 2021/22.

Part one of the history of matches between New Zealand and Pakistan

Martin Williamson24-Jun-2008
Waqar Hassan’s 189 helped Pakistan wrap up the first series © Hulton Archive
1955-56
Pakistan won the first Test between the two countries, the matting pitch in Karachi and Zulfiqar Ahmed’s 11 for 79 proving too much for the tourists. Back on turf in Lahore, Pakistan wrapped up the series with a remarkable comeback, recovering from 111 for 6 to make 561 on their first innings. Waqar Hassan (189) and Imtiaz Ahmed (209 batting at No. 8) added 308 for the seventh wicket, but set 117 to win, they scraped home by four wickets with 18 minutes to spare. The third Test was blighted by rain.
Pakistan 2 New Zealand 0 Drawn 11964-65
Pakistan’s first series in New Zealand produced three fairly unmemorable matches. In Wellington, Pakistan were 64 for 6 after being set 259 in 188 minutes before Asif Iqbal dug in and secured a draw. Auckland was a turgid, low -scoring affair, summed up by the fact there were 71 maidens on the first day. Rain blighted the Christchurch Test where New Zealand closed on 223 for 5 chasing 314 in four hours.
New Zealand 0 Pakistan 0 Drawn 31964-65
Given what had happened a few months earlier, New Zealand’s visit in the middle of a tour of India was hardly the subject of keen anticipation, but the home support were left happy. Pakistan opened with an innings win in Rawalpindi, Pervez Sajjad returning 8 for 47. Hanid Mohammad’s 203 blunted the New Zealand attack after they had stuck Pakistan in on a rain-affected pitch, and in the final Test hundreds from Saeed Ahmed and Mohammad Ilyas steered Pakistan to an eight-wicket win.
Pakistan 2 New Zealand 0 Drawn 11969-70
A strong New Zealand side came away with a 1-0 win, their first away series success. Pakistan had the better of the opening game, Mohammad Nazir taking 7 for 99 on his debut, and New Zealand shut up shop after being reduced to 11 for 3 chasing 230 in three-and-a-quarter hours. The only positive result came in a low-scoring game in Lahore where New Zealand won by five wickets. In Dacca, Pakistan looked set to level the series when New Zealand, 17 behind on the first innings, slipped to 101 for 8. But Mark Burgess (119*) and Bob Cunis added 96 for the ninth wicket. That left Pakistan needing 184 in two-and-a-half hours, and when bad light stopped play they were 51 for 4. Any chance of a resumption was scuppered by crowd disturbances.
Pakistan 0 New Zealand 1 Drawn 21972-73
Pakistan gained revenge back in New Zealand, some solace immediately after a 3-0 loss in Australia. In the first and third Tests the bat dominated, but in Dunedin New Zealand were twice bowled out cheaply, Intikhab Alam taking 11 for 130, after Mushtaq Mohammad’s double hundred.
New Zealand 0 Pakistan 1 Drawn 21976-77
Pakistan’s formidable batting was the basis of their big wins in the first two Tests. In Lahore it was Asif Iqbal (166) and Javed Miandad (163 on debut) who dominated, and then in Hyderabad Sadiq and Mushtaq Mohammad both made first-innings hundreds. Miandad, who finished the series with 504 runs at 126.00, scored a double hundred in the Karachi Test as Pakistan made 565 for 9, but for the once New Zealand’s reply was equal to it.
Pakistan 2 New Zealand 0 Drawn 11978-79
Pakistan fielded a weakened side in Christchurch – four regulars were playing in World Series Cricket – where they recovered from a small first-innings deficit to win by 128 runs. Miandad started the fightback with 160 and then Mushtaq Mohammed (5 for 59) and Wasim Raja (4 for 68) bowled the home side out for 176. There was nothing between the sides in a dull draw in Napier, and in Auckland, New Zealand did well to salvage a draw but were never in with a chance of levelling the series. Wasim Bari caught seven of the first eight wickets to fall in New Zealand’s first innings to create a new Test record.
New Zealand 0 Pakistan 1 Drawn 2

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Premier League forward Dean Windass believes West Ham’s Declan Rice could be worth up to £100m in this current market.

Rice was easily one of the best defensive midfielders in English football’s top flight last season. As per WhoScored, he averaged 1.8 interceptions per game, putting him in the top 10 for that category out of all the players who featured regularly during that campaign.

The 22-year-old is now being heavily linked with a move to West Ham’s London rivals Chelsea, with Athletic journalist Simon Johnson recently suggesting that it is a deal that could happen in this transfer window in an update on Twitter.

On how much he thinks Rice is worth, Windass told FFC in an exclusive interview:

“He’s got to be up there, 80, 90, 100m. I think for Declan Rice, if Arsenal, Tottenham or Chelsea come running, you can’t turn it down.”

Looking at Rice’s interception numbers again, in Chelsea’s squad, only N’Golo Kante averaged more with two per game. The former Blues academy player and the Frenchman, what a sturdy midfield partnership that could be.

There is a long way to go, though, before Thomas Tuchel can even think about deploying such a midfield duo. West Ham do not want to sell Rice and hold most if not all of the cards here, with the England international still having three years left to run on his contract.