Tag Futebol

Hugo Lloris continues to justify Jose Mourinho’s decision to sign Joe Hart this summer, with France legend Jean-Pierre Papin waxing lyrical over the Tottenham Hotspur shot-stopper for his form during the November international break.

What’s he said?

While speaking with L’Equipe, Papin praised Lloris for working miracles as he helped guide France to victory over Portugal in the UEFA Nations League last Friday.

The 33-year-old pulled off, what Papin feels to be, three top-drawer saves that played a key factor in determining the result, which moved Didier Deschamps’ France clear of their Group A3 rivals with Portugal left trailing by three points.

France ensured they stayed top of their group in the final fixture on Tuesday night with a 4-2 home win over Sweden, while Portugal edged Croatia 3-2 in a nervy affair decided in second-half stoppage-time by Manchester City’s Ruben Dias.

Papin believes Lloris’ superb ability between the posts safeguarded France from any troubles in victory over Portugal, while the Spurs and Les Bleus captain earned the 119th of his 120 international caps.

“I liked the mastery of this well-organised team,” Papin said. “They displayed seriousness and discipline, which is reassuring for the future. We could fear that Portugal would crush us with their mastery, it was not the case.

“France was sure of the football, well in place, with a great goalkeeper. Lloris had three balls to touch and he achieves three miracles.”

Justifying Hart’s arrival

Lloris’ form with France and in north London this season continues to justify Mourinho’s decision to bring Hart to Tottenham as a free agent, having stated how he felt the former England international’s arrival would help inspire the French shot-stopper to up his game.

Mourinho was clear that Hart was not being brought in to make up Spurs’ domestic quota but to offer competition between the sticks, feeling that Lloris was not challenged enough by Paulo Gazzaniga and Michael Vorm last term.

“Joe is one of the top ‘keepers of the last decade in this country. He started very early, playing in a big club like [Manchester] City and playing for the national team,” Mourinho said, via quotes by One Football.

“Now he has a chance to be back at a club like us. Of, course Hugo is our captain – he is world champion captain. He’s a phenomenal goalkeeper and is very important in our group, but I think Joe will give him the hard competition that we need.”

Lloris has since proven Mourinho’s belief – and commitment to pay Hart £2.6million in a £27,500-per-week, two-year contract – true, with the 33-year-old keeping his 54th international clean sheet against Portugal after two shut outs in eight Premier League games.

The £10.8m-rated veteran has also made more saves (17) than Manchester City’s Ederson (15), United’s David de Gea (13) and Liverpool’s Alisson Becker (9), plus a higher number of high claims (4) than the rival trio in the top-flight this term, per SofaScore.

A five out of 10 match rating from L’Equipe for his efforts against Sweden, having conceded twice from two shots on target, however, also goes to show Mourinho’s need for high-level competition, as Hart can keep Lloris on his toes once the goalkeeper returns to north London.

AND in other news, Tottenham have been urged to sell a “world-beater” who’s also a Jose Mourinho outcast this January.

Liverpool are currently in a delightful dilemma that sees them torn between who to field up at the top of their attack. Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota are currently at the forefront of a lot of debate as the Reds move forward in their holding Premier League campaign.

The Portuguese attacker has proven to be a superb signing already after scoring six goals in four appearances. Jota bagged his first hat-trick for the Reds against Atalanta in the week and has matched the record of Anfield legend Luis Garcia, scoring a goal in his first three Anfield appearances.

However, despite his impressive start, Chris Kirkland believes that Firmino is still the man for the job.

Firmino is still the man for Klopp

Speaking to Football FanCast, the former Liverpool goalkeeper said that he believes “Jurgen backs him [Firmino] to the hill”. Indeed, despite his irregular run of goalscoring performances and struggle to find the net, the Brazilian has established himself as an integral part of this title-winning team.

“As long as the team’s winning, the problems will become if they start drawing games or losing games and your striker’s not scoring goals,” Kirkland continued. “That’s when he’ll look at it. But while the team’s winning and while they’re successful like they are, no he won’t be worried about it at all.”

The beauty of Liverpool’s front three is that Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah’s clinical eye for a goal allows Firmino to free roam and drop deep to create chances. Adopting the lesser seen ‘false nine’ role, the Reds boast a unique but extremely effective attack.

With Jota now also in the ranks, a new Klopp formation could be unearthed. The 23-year-old has shown his confidence on both wings and up front as a No.9. Both his and Salah’s versatility could make for a very exciting relationship on the pitch, without the need to cast aside Firmino.

“We know what Firmino does for the team and eventually he’ll start banging the goals in, there’s no doubt about it at all,” said Kirkland. The £64.8million-rated striker has one goal and two assists in the Premier League so far this season, but those stats are just a slice of the bigger Firmino picture.

Under a new and exciting attacking formation, the 29-year-old will undoubtedly flourish and prove a lot of recent doubters wrong.

In other news, Liverpool given boost ahead of potential Ozan Kabak signing…

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson’s baffling admission about Eberechi Eze arguably poses more questions than answers.

What’s the word?

Palace completed the signing of Eze from London rivals Queens Park Rangers for £16m up front with £4m in potential add-ons in the summer, whilst QPR attached a 20% sell-on clause in the contract.

Speaking in the pre-match press conference, Hodgson said, as quoted by London News Online: “Once again it’s [about] competition. Jeff Schlupp isn’t exactly anything other than a very good attacking left-sided midfield player.

“So I had to make choices there. I’ve not been able to fit both in the team together – especially with the form of Andros Townsend on the other side.

“It’s been nothing more complicated than that. But again, like Jairo Riedewald, he has been excellent in training. He’s done really, really well. He’s impressed everybody – not just with his ability but his attitude and professionalism.

“His chance, I’m sure, will come very, very soon.”

Since the start of the season, the Eagles have a pretty average record of four wins in eight games in all competitions. Hardly something to sniff at, but there is certainly room for improvement. Eze has featured in seven out of eight of their top-flight fixtures but has only started three games so far.

Is he the right man for the job?

Palace have often been accused of being a side that lack ambition but you have to give credit where credit is due as Steve Parish put his money where his mouth is in the summer.

The Eagles have been ensconced in mid-table mediocrity for so long, constantly looking over their shoulder at the relegation battle below over the years. But Parish has signalled a statement of intent by bringing in Eze, Michy Batshuayi and Nathan Ferguson, who have added a breath of fresh air to an aging squad. Whilst Ferguson is yet to make his first-team debut, he is clearly one to watch for the future.

Granted, the 22-year-old started against Leeds, but it looks like it could be a case of too little, too late, as fans are reportedly growing frustrated by the lack of minutes he has gained under his belt. Per SofaScore, he has averaged just 46 minutes per game in the Premier League so far.

For all of Hodgson’s good qualities, he’s never been particularly great at managing a squad – flashbacks to his short-lived Anfield reign will send shudders down the spines of Liverpool fans.

Sticking with Jeffrey Schlupp who has struggled for consistency this season seems like a bit of a pointless endeavour, especially when you consider the fact that the 27-year-old is dispossessed 2 times per game in the Premier League, via WhoScored. By comparison, Eze, who reportedly earns wages worth £30,000-per-week, has only been dispossessed once per game, as per WhoScored. If those stats aren’t enough to go by, he scored a goal and supplied an assist against Leeds United, which is more than Schlupp has managed this season.

If Hodgson wants to stick with his senior players he needs to be a bit more savvy about when to do it as he has badly misjudged this one so far. Starting Eze against Chelsea and Everton is almost setting him up for failure right from the start.

AND in other news, Crystal Palace may forever regret not signing now-Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk…

Even though their squad is already pretty good, Neil Lennon is hoping to make some adjustments while the ongoing summer transfer window is still open. For Celtic, the priority is still very much to buy a new left-back to reinforce the backline.

Of course, with the Bhoys chasing that 10th Scottish Premier League title in a row, it’s understandable that they are going to put a lot of effort into fine-tuning the team and making them as competitive as ever.

One of their big transfer targets is Paris Saint-Germain’s Mitchel Bakker and if recent reports are to be believed, Celtic have already tried getting the 20-year-old full-back on loan but their bid was turned down by the Parisiens.

And, unfortunately, Lennon has suffered another big blow in his chase because Sky Sports report Bakker himself has told PSG that he wants to stay at the club and fight for his spot in the team.

Of course, with only three starts for the Ligue 1 champions and Champions League finalists last season, he’s not exactly the first name on Thomas Tuchel’s list. However, succeeding at Paris Saint-Germain seems to be his priority.

It remains to be seen how Lennon reacts to this piece of news and whether the Hoops will try again or look for alternatives elsewhere. The former Ajax youngster is now still pretty far away from Celtic Park at this particular moment in time.

Verdict

It goes without saying that landing Bakker would be an incredible piece of business for Celtic, even if it’s just on a loan deal. However, the youngster is not exactly thrilled with that option and simply wants to play for his current club.

We’ll have to wait and see whether this update shuts the door for the Bhoys completely or will it just be a minor setback in their pursuit of the 20-year-old’s signature.

كشف أحد مُلاك نادي نيوكاسل يونايتد الجدد مدى إمكانية تعاقدهم مع النجم الفرنسي كيليان مبابي، الذي سينتهي عقده الحالي مع باريس سان جيرمان في الصيف المقبل.

ورفض كيليان مبابي أكثر من عرض من قِبل إدارة نادي باريس سان جيرمان للتوقيع على عقد جديد، حيث يطمح للانتقال إلى صفوف ريال مدريد.

وارتبط أكثر من نجم في اليومين الماضيين بإمكانية الانضمام إلى نيوكاسل يونايتد، وذلك بعد نجاح عملية استحواذ صندوق الاستثمار السعودي على أسهم النادي.

وبلغت صفقة استحواذ صندوق الاستثمار السعودي على نيوكاسل يونايتد أكثر من 300 مليون جنيه إسترليني.

وأكدت تقارير صحفية مختلفة أن الإدارة الجديدة لـ نيوكاسل يونايتد قررت رصد مبلغًا ضخمًا لتمويل صفقات جديدة في الفترات الانتقالية المقبلة.

وأدلت أماندا ستافيلي، أحد مُلاك نيوكاسل يونايتد، بتصريحات لصحيفة “ميرور” الإنجليزية، حيث سُئلت عن إمكانية التعاقد مع كيليان مبابي في المستقبل.

وردت أماندا قائلة: “نحن في السوق للتنافس على لاعبين من الطراز العالمي، لقد فعلنا ذلك من قبل، لكننا نحتاج إلى البنية التحتية اللازمة”.

وأضافت: “نحن لدينا بالفعل لاعبون من الطراز العالمي، ونريد التأكد من حصولهم على الدعم من حولهم”.

اقرأ أيضًا | أبرزهم مارسيال.. نيوكاسل يستهدف رباعي مانشستر يونايتد في يناير

وواصلت: “أنت بحاجة إلى ميزانية كبيرة في كرة القدم، لكننا لسنا هنا لنكون غير عقلانيين، إنه صندوق استثمار حكومي”.

وأوضحت: “يتعين علينا إجراء مراجعة كاملة فيما يتعلق بالصفقات، وما نبحث عنه في يناير، لكن الأمر سيستغرق بعض الوقت”.

Ever since Mousa Dembele left Tottenham back in January of 2019, the north London side have greatly missed their former midfield maestro.

Despite standing at 6 foot 1, the Belgian was fleet of foot, and glided past players with ease. Such was the incredible impression that he made in his time at Spurs, Mauricio Pochettino paid him one of the greatest compliments he could by comparing him to some of football’s greats.

He said: “I can only talk about him because I know very well him after nearly four years. And I told you and then some people use my words to describe him as a genius of the football. And for me he is this type of player, I think I told you in my book, I put him next to Ronaldinho, Maradona, Okocha – players that I was lucky to play with.”

Can you name every one of Spurs’ top goalscorers from the past 15 seasons? It’s a tricky one…

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But since Dembele’s exit to the Chinese Super League, Spurs haven’t had a midfielder in a similar mould to the Belgian; capable of starting from deep, carrying the ball forward, and being a threat with both his passing and strength further up the pitch.

However, if the latest reports from Foot Mercato are to be believed, then the Lilywhites could be finding Dembele’s perfect heir in Lazio powerhouse Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

At 6 foot 3, the Serbia international is similarly tall and powerful, and whilst his physical attributes match up, he is equally as impressive with the ball at his feet too.

This season, the 25-year-old has been in imperious form for Lazio in Serie A, racking up five goals and four assists in 27 games across all competitions. Aside from being defensively sound, averaging 1.8 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game, he has been a monster when marauding forward.

He has averaged two shots, 1.3 key passes and 1.2 dribbles per game, and that ability to go through the gears from the middle of the park is exactly what Spurs have been missing since Dembele’s departure.

It’s no surprise that his agent, Mateja Kezman, spoke highly of his abilities, saying: “He has remarkable attributes and you’ll not find another player in the world with that power, muscular structure and height combined with technique and tactical awareness.”

It’s a signing that could add a different dimension to Spurs’ midfield, and one that will surely have people reminiscing about the good old days of Dembele.

Glasgow Rangers have already been busy following the end of the Scottish Premiership season.

The main bit of business is that Ianis Hagi has been signed permanently from Genk. The Romania international joined on loan in January and scored three times in 12 games, which convinced Steven Gerrard and co to part with £3m to take him to Ibrox.

Not only that, six players have also already been released. Wes Foderingham, Jordan Rossiter, Jason Holt, Jon Flanagan, Andy Halliday and Jak Alnwick are those who will soon become free agents.

Now, the 54-time Scottish champions have confirmed that four youngsters have signed new contracts to extend their respective stays at the club. The quartet is made up of Jack Thomson, Brian Kinnear, Robbie Fraser and Alex Lowry.

This news has caught the eyes of the Gers supporters, and it is fair to say that they are delighted with the development, probably because it means that several exciting youngsters are committing their futures to the club. They have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts, and you can see some of the best comments from the social media platform below.

Let us know what you think!

Sunderland are yet to hear back from defender Tom Flanagan after offering him a new contract after his current deal expired on June 30.

The Black Cats could need to make wholesale changes this summer after what proved to be another promotion-less season, failing to gain a route back to the Championship from League One for the second consecutive season.

Manager Phil Parkinson is expected to be extremely busy over the next few weeks as a number of first team regulars have now left the club.

Flanagan, who is one of those players, has been offered a new deal by the Wearsiders, but the versatile defender is yet to respond to that offer.

With Flanagan’s future now hanging in the balance at the Stadium of Light, it is also understood that Birmingham City and Coventry City are among a group of interested teams in for the defender.

One of those interested sides, Coventry, who gained automatic promotion from League One are seemingly keen to sign the defender with a latest report by Coventry LIVE looking into how Flanagan would fit in Mark Robins’ side if a deal was completed.

The report also goes on to add that the Sky Blues have told Flanagan’s agency Red6 Sports Management their intentions to make a move for the £225,000-valued man.

It does look likely that Flanagan will not be returning to Sunderland now, especially with reported interest from clubs in the Championship.

His spell at the Stadium of Light is now best in the past and he would be foolish not to take a step up to England’s second tier, but of course, he could want to attempt a promotion push with the club next term.

The guarantee of achieving promotion, however, is simply non-existent…

Where do you think Tom Flanagan will play his football next season? Let us know in the comments section below…

Despite leaving the club towards the end of last year, Mauricio Pochettino’s name continues to be intrinsically linked with Tottenham.

The Argentine was replaced by Jose Mourinho after a stuttering start to the season saw them drop to 14th in the Premier League at the time of his sacking.

The Greatest Bargains in Premier League history – How much did they cost?

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Now, amidst the current financial struggles that sides are facing due to the current climate, The Telegraph have claimed Spurs have opened negotiations with their former boss over a reduction in payments – the report claims that Pochettino is “still getting paid his £8.5m salary during his break from management”.

After hearing about the report, Spurs fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the situation.

A couple of Spurs fans simply urged the club to bring Pochettino back.

Judging by the reaction of most of these Spurs fans, it’s safe to say Pochettino still holds a special place in their hearts.

The Argentine was at the club for five years, and whilst he may not have won any trophies to show for it, he certainly established Spurs as a core part of the ‘big six’ in the top-flight.

Whether Pochettino will be willing to do his old side a favour with the severance package remains to be seen however.

Meanwhile, Alasdair Gold names the Spurs starlet akin to Marcus Edwards.

Leeds United fans on Twitter are a little bit bemused as they believe there are two glaring omissions from the latest Championship Team of the Week.

Indeed, the United fanbase believe that Kalvin Phillips and Jack Harrison should have been chosen in the XI after their performances for the Whites against Blackburn Rovers.

To be fair, even though some of these supporters may be a bit biased it’s fair to say that the United pair deserved a spot in the team.

Earlier in the week, United fans were drooling over Phillips after the incredible job he did keeping tabs on Bradley Dack, while Harrison netted his second goal in as many weeks to secure the win for the Yorkshire outfit.

Two United players were included in the team as Ben White and Patrick Bamford were selected at centre-back and up front, but the fanbase clearly think that two more of their players warranted selection.

Here’s what the Elland Road faithful have been saying on Twitter…