Nesta segunda-feira (26), a CBF nomeou Luísa Rosa como nova diretora de patrimônio da entidade. Com a escolha realizada pelo presidente Ednaldo Rodrigues, a arquiteta se tornou a primeira mulher a assumir um cargo deste nível dentro da confederação. Ela chegou no ano passado com aval da Fifa para desenvolver projetos financiados com verba do Fundo de Legado da Copa de 2014.
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Luísa Rosa, que também já trabalhou no Comitê Organizador da Copa do Mundo do Qatar, terá como uma das primeiras funções a ampliação da Granja Comary, em Teresópolis, local que recebe os treinos da Seleção Brasileira.
A chegada da arquiteta é mais um movimento da nova gestão da entidade, encabeçada pelo presidente Ednaldo Rodrigues, no intuito de tornar a CBF mais plural ao colocar mulheres em comandos da instituição. A expectativa é de que novas lideranças femininas sejam nomeadas nos próximos dias.
Outro setor da entidade que sofreu mudanças foi a comissão de arbitragem. Na última segunda-feira (25), mais de 10 nomes foram desligados pelo presidente da pasta, Wilson Seneme. Entre os desligados estãoSérgio Corrêa, responsável pelo VAR e um dos nomes mais antigos do setor, Manoel Serapião, responsável pela análise da arbitragem, coronel Marinho, ouvidor, Cláudio Cerdeira, José Mocellin, Nilson Monção, Almir Alves de Mello (responsável por cortes de vídeo do VAR), Marta Magalhães (psicóloga) e Érika Krauss (logística).
The unpredictability of Tottenham Hotspur’s campaign has continued into the new year in full force.
In just two weeks, Ange Postecoglou’s side have lost at home to Newcastle United, beat the incredible Liverpool in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final, and then required extra time to beat fifth-tier strugglers Tamworth Town in the FA Cup.
However, with progress being made in two cup competitions, the mood in N17 is more positive than it was last week, and in yet more encouraging developments, the summer signings of Dominic Solanke, Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray continue to prove their worth and the manager right.
Tottenham’s recent form
Competition
Opposition
Result
FA Cup
Tamworth (A)
3-0 AET (W)
League Cup
Liverpool (H)
1-0 (W)
Premier League
Newcastle (H)
2-1 (L)
Premier League
Wolves (H)
2-2 (D)
Premier League
Forest (A)
1-0 (L)
So, recent reports linking the club with a striker currently outscoring Solanke in a move reminiscent of Gray’s should excite the fans.
Tottenham Hotspur chase free-scoring forward
According to a recent report from Spain, Tottenham are interested in West Bromwich Albion’s inform marksman, Josh Maja.
Alongside the Lilywhites, the report has revealed that fierce rivals and fellow Premier League giants Chelsea are also keen on the 26-year-old forward this month.
While competition from the free-spending Blues is far from ideal for the North Londoners, the good news is that, per the report, the former Sunderland ace is valued at around £15m, which for a backup striker is a fee the club could easily justify.
It might be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Maja’s form this season and Spurs’ need for a backup to Solanke, it’s one worth pursuing, especially as there are parallels to Gray’s move in the summer.
How Maja compares to Solanke and Gray
Okay, so before we look at Maja’s form this season and how he stacks up to the man he could be competing with if he were to join Spurs, Solanke, let’s explore the main parallel between his potential move and Gray’s.
The most significant similarity is that, like with the teenager’s transfer, the North Londoners would be swooping in for one of the best players in a promotion-chasing Championship side.
Granted, the potential upside of the 26-year-old forward is far smaller than with the teenage star, but as he is currently West Brom’s top-scorer, he is arguably even more important to them than the Englishman was to Leeds United.
With that out the way, how has the Lewisham-born poacher’s season stacked up to Solanke’s this year?
Well, in just 26 appearances for the Baggies, totalling 2077 minutes, the “sensational” striker, as dubbed by Nigerian football writer Samm Audu, has found the back of the net on 12 occasions, which comes out to an average of a goal every 2.16 games, or every 173 minutes.
Maja vs Solanke
Players
Maja
Solanke
Appearances
26
28
Minutes
2077′
2158′
Goals
12
11
Goals per Game
0.46
0.39
Minutes per Goal
173.08′
196.18′
Assists
2
6
Goal Involvements per Game
0.53
0.60
Minutes per Goal Involvement
148.35′
126.94′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
In contrast, Postecoglou’s starting centre-forward has found the back of the net on 11 occasions in 28 appearances, totalling 2158 minutes, meaning he is currently averaging a goal every 2.54 games, or every 196.18 minutes.
Now, while that comparison certainly paints the Nigerian international in a brilliant light, it’s important to add that the former Bournemouth star has also provided six assists to his two this term and that the Englishman is operating in a far more challenging league.
However, even with that added context, Maja’s performances this season have been seriously impressive, and while he shouldn’t be looked upon as an upgrade for Solanke, he’d almost certainly be a useful backup, especially as Richarlison continues to suffer from injury setback after injury setback.
Therefore, so long as the price remains at £15m, Daniel Levy and Co should look to bring the West Brom ace to N17, as he’d be a valuable squad player, and the last signing they made from the Championship is settling into the team nicely.
He's better than Kolo Muani: Spurs join race to sign "unstoppable" PL star
Tottenham are rightfully looking to bolster their forward line in the January transfer window.
Zimbabwe will play against Ireland, Scotland and West Indies in T20 World Cup opening round in Hobart
Peter Della Penna17-Jul-2022
File photo: Sikandar Raza was named Player of the Match for his spell of 4 for 8•Peter Della Penna
Zimbabwe denied Netherlands their third straight championship at the T20 World Cup Qualifier as the hosts defended a total of 132 to secure a 37-run win in the final in Bulawayo. Netherlands – who have already claimed a spot at the T20 World Cup – collapsed from 45 for 2 to be bowled out for 95 in 18.2 overs as Sikandar Raza’s extraordinary tournament concluded in a Player-of-the-Match performance as he took 4 for 8.The result means that Zimbabwe will go to Hobart for the opening round of the T20 World Cup in Australia this October, where they will be in a group with Ireland, Scotland and West Indies. Netherlands will be sent to Geelong for their opening round fixtures against Namibia, Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates. The top two teams in each opening round group will advance to the Super 12 stage.Both teams had produced dominant performances with the bat throughout the tournament before a low-scoring thriller unfolded on Sunday in which nobody made more than the 28 off 25 balls by Sean Williams at No. 3. But along with Regis Chakabva’s 27 off 16 balls, it was significant enough to put Zimbabwe in a defendable position.Logan van Beek struck in the third over for Netherlands, bowling captain Craig Ervine, who was attempting to back away from leg stump for a booming drive, for 10. Chakabva paid the price for trying one too many reverse shots to Bas de Leede’s medium pace and was given lbw in the fifth. Wessly Madhevere was next to go, sweeping a full toss from left-arm spinner Tim Pringle out to deep midwicket for 9 to make it 54 for 3.But Williams and Raza came together for the biggest partnership of the match, adding 39 for the fourth wicket to get Zimbabwe back on solid ground. The stand finally ended when Williams heaved a half-tracker from legspinner Shariz Ahmad out to deep midwicket.Van Beek returned in the 13th and was on a hat-trick a short time later during a double-wicket maiden. A one-handed swipe to the leg side by Milton Shumba produced a swirling top edge taken by wicketkeeper Scott Edwards. Raza crossed with the ball in the air and fell on the next delivery for 19 playing across the line to a back of a length delivery and was given lbw.Zimbabwe only scored two more boundaries the rest of the innings, but both were struck by Ryan Burl to start and finish a pivotal 10-run over bowled by Fred Klaassen in the 17th. Burl was run out for 15 in the first ball of the 18th over, and the tail was wiped out a short time later with three balls left unused.Madhevere trapped Netherlands opener Max O’Dowd heaving across the line for 12 in the third over of the chase before de Leede, the hero of semi-final win over USA, became Madhevere’s second lbw victim in the space of five balls. But Netherlands recovered well from 17 for 2 to speed along to 43 by the end of the powerplay thanks to Stephan Myburgh and Tom Cooper.That was until chaos erupted in the seventh when Cooper was run out by a direct hit from short fine leg to the non-striker’s end for 9. After hitting two fours and three sixes during the powerplay, Netherlands did not find the rope again until the 17th over as spinners Raza and Williams strangled the run rate.The mounting pressure finally burst in the 10th when Myburgh was pinned in front for 22 during a wicket-maiden for Raza. Another false sweep followed from Edwards in the 11th as he top-edged Williams to short fine leg for 7.Raza then bowled Logan van Beek in the 12th for a third-ball duck before ending his spell with wickets on his final two deliveries, bowling Pringle for 4 and pinning Klaassen in front for a golden duck. Netherlands slid from 17 for 6 to 62 for 8.A late burst of sixes from Paul van Meekeren and Teja Nidamanuru off Burl’s legspin in the 17th produced a 14-run over. But van Meekeren was dismissed by Jongwe two balls into the 18th for 10 before Richard Ngarava removed Nidamanuru in the next over to end the match.Papua New Guinea defended a total of 97 to beat USA by five runs in the third place playoff at Bulawayo Athletic Club. USA needed 11 runs to win off 12 balls with three wickets in hand before captain Assad Vala struck twice with his offspin in the 19th, including No. 6 batter Vatsal Vaghela for a top score of 29 chipping a skied drive to extra cover. Chad Soper then speared a yorker into middle stump on the first ball of the 20th to bowl Yasir Mohammad for 16 to clinch a dramatic consolation win.In the fifth place playoff, Uganda held on in almost identical circumstances, defending 102 to beat Hong Kong by four runs. Hong Kong needed six runs off three balls with four wickets in hand, but Cosmas Kyewuta bowled Zeeshan Ali for 26 and then removed Ehsan Khan first ball. No. 10 batter Aftab Hussain could only manage a single after entering to face the final ball. Jersey comfortably chased down a target of 141 with 26 balls to spare to beat Singapore by six wickets in the seventh place playoff.
Celtic progressed through to the next round of the SFA Cup on Saturday thanks to a narrow 2-1 victory over Scottish Premiership rivals Kilmarnock at Parkhead.
Callum McGregor and Daizen Maeda scored the goals for the home side to secure their progression in the competition, either side of an equaliser from Bobby Wales.
The Hoops made it more difficult for themselves than they needed to by missing several opportunities to find the back of the net to put the game out of sight.
67HailHail criticised centre-forward Kyogo Furuhashi for being ‘guilty’ of spurning chances to score in the match, which has been a consistent theme throughout the season.
Kyogo Furuhashi's struggles this season
The Japan international has scored ten goals in 22 Premiership outings this term and does offer a constant threat at the top end of the pitch with his movement and instincts in front of goal.
Celtic'sKyogoFuruhashi celebrates with the trophy after winning the League Cup
However, his lack of quality in the final action has been an issue, as the former Vissel Kobe star has failed to make the most of the high-quality chances that the team has created for him.
Kyogo Furuhashi (24/25)
Premiership
Champions League
Appearances
22
6
xG
14.14
2.07
Goals
10
1
Big chances missed
17
3
Stats via Sofascore & WhoScored
As you can see in the table above, Kyogo has significantly underperformed against his expected tally, with 11 goals from 16.21 xG in the Premiership and the Champions League combined.
Brendan Rodgers could stick with the experienced attacker and hope that his form in front of goal improves, but the January transfer window also provides the boss with an opportunity to potentially sign an upgrade on the Japanese striker.
Celtic were recently linked with an interest in Lille centre-forward Mohamed Bayo, who is looking to find regular game time in the second half of the season, and his finishing ability could improve the team.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Why Celtic should sign Mohamed Bayo
The 26-year-old star, who was once described as one “of the best players in Africa” by European football expert Zach Lowy, joined Lille from Clermont Foot in the summer of 2022 and has only started 25 times in Ligue 1 since the start of the 2022/23 campaign, which shows that he has not had regular game time to showcase his quality in front of goal.
He has scored two goals from 2.02 xG in three league starts for Lille so far this season, making the most of the chances that have come his way, but his best form came during his days with Clermont Foot.
In the 2021/22 campaign – the last time he made more than 20 league starts – Bayo scored 14 goals and only missed 11 ‘big chances’ in 27 starts in Ligue 1, which speaks to the clinical finishing he can provide at his best.
The Guinea international, who is valued at £3.4m by Transfermarkt, showcased his quality in a major European league but has been unable to replicate it in recent years, due to his lack of game time.
Bayo, who scored 22 goals in 34 starts in the 2020/21 Ligue 2 campaign, is an effective finisher, as illustrated by his statistics, and this suggests that he has the potential to come in as an upgrade on Kyogo if Rodgers can get him back to his best.
Celtic submit huge bid to sign "incredible" upgrade on Maeda at Parkhead
Celtic have already had a £10m bid turned down by the Premier League side.
ByDan Emery Jan 19, 2025
The Lille outcast may just need a run of regular games, which he has not had at his current club, to get back to his Clermont Foot form, which is why the Celtic target could be an excellent addition and a potential upgrade on Kyogo, due to his ruthless nature in front of goal.
حقق فريق نادي الزمالك لكرة السلة، الفوز على غريمة الأهلي، في المباراة التي أقيمت بينهما اليوم الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات بطولة دوري السوبر لكرة السلة.
وتواجه الأهلي والزمالك، على صالة برج العرب بالإسكندرية، في أولى دور نصف النهائي من مباريات دوري السوبر لكرة السلة.
طالع | أبرزها الأهلي والزمالك.. مواعيد مباريات نصف نهائي دوري السوبر للسلة
وحقق نادي الزمالك الفوز على الأهلي، بنتيجة 72-70، ليحسم أولى مباريات دور نصف النهائي من بطولة دوري السوبر لكرة السلة.
وتُقام مباريات نصف النهائي ببطولة دوري السوبر لكرة السلة، بنظام Best of 5، حيث يحتاج كل فريق لتحقيق ثلاث انتصارات من أصل خمس مواجهات للتأهل إلى النهائي.
يذكر أن المباراة الثانية بين الأهلي والزمالك، ستقام يوم الخميس المقبل الموافق 15 مايو في تمام الساعة 9 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية.
Legspinner ready to unleash tweaks made after opting out of ODI World Cup
Valkerie Baynes22-Jul-2022
Sarah Glenn is back in England colours after six months•Nathan Stirk/Getty Images
As hard as it was “fan-girling” from home as England reached the World Cup final, legspinner Sarah Glenn believes she is set to reap the rewards of her difficult decision to opt out of the tournament.Evidence was there already as she played her first match for England since the Ashes in January, bowling South Africa opener Anneke Bosch as the hosts sealed a six-wicket victory with five overs to spare in their first of three T20Is at Chelmsford on Monday.Glenn finished with figures of 1 for 18 from three overs, while left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone took two behind veteran seamer Katherine Brunt’s T20I career-best 4 for 15 which contained South Africa to a paltry 111 for 9.”I was very nervous actually,” Glenn said of the moments before captain Heather Knight threw her the ball in the seventh over. She struck with her seventh ball. “When I saw Heather, she was like, ‘okay, next over’ and it was like okay, deep breath. Once I got through my first over I was fine and I just really soaked up the atmosphere.”Related
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Glenn went wicketless and conceded 39 runs from three overs in the only T20I completed during the rain-affected Ashes which Australia won by nine wickets. She opted out of going to New Zealand for the ODI World Cup, where she would have been a travelling reserve rather than part of the squad proper, as the toll of bubble life and other Covid-prevention rules the squad were forced to follow amid a surge in cases in the UK around Christmas time mounted.”I think it was what I needed,” Glenn said. “It was a really tough decision and it was quite hard seeing the girls but I was just fan-girling from home. It just made me really clear and I did a lot of training sessions by myself, just figuring out things with a clear head and that just helped so much. It has made me have so much more clarity coming into this summer.”There were a few things I wanted to make changes with in my bowling. I did a few drills and I found with a shorter run-up, I felt a bit more stable and more rhythmic so that has allowed me to work on my variations like googly, yorker, pace-off, things like that. With all of that, I practised it in pre-season so I knew I had it in the locker and I could just keep it simple for the summer.”Sarah Glenn in her delivery stride•Getty Images
Glenn took six wickets in four matches at the T20 World Cup in early 2020 at 11.33 with an economy rate of 4.25 and including a career-best 3 for 15 in England’s group-stage victory over Pakistan.She impressed against West Indies in September of that year and toured New Zealand in early 2021 before home series against India and New Zealand last year, and is still the No. 2 bowler in the ICC’s T20I rankings behind Ecclestone.”I forget that sometimes,” Glenn said. “Soph is much more experienced, so I always follow her steps. I am always asking her questions, being a little bit of a coaches’ pet, but she has helped me a lot and guided me in my international career so hopefully she can keep teaching me over the years.”Obviously the dream is to be number one but when I got to number two I wasn’t even thinking about it and that is when the danger is, when you keep thinking about it. So we just try to keep it simple, try to perform our best every game and if we’re number one or two, it is a bonus.”The pair could form a formidable combination at the Commonwealth Games, starting in Birmingham next week, where England will open their campaign against Sri Lanka on July 30.The England T20 squad are hugely enthusiastic about being part of a multi-sport showcase for the first time, and on home soil. The event appeal massively to Glenn as a former junior hockey international who grew up watching her hockey idols at events like the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.”It is honestly amazing,” she said. “When we went to the kit-out day, how everything was brought back all the memories and made me a bit emotional, actually, because it is so good to feel you are just one team from multiple teams. It brought back really good memories for me so I am excited to have that kind of experience again.”
Ao longo dos 90 minutos durante o empate por 1 a 1 com o Boca Juniors, o Corinthians demostrou diversas facetas. O time alternou momentos de enorme comprometimento tático com sinais de nervosismo. Mas em meio às adversidades, o clube alvinegro retornou ao Brasil com um valioso ponto, deixando encaminhada a vaga ao mata-mata.
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> GALERIA – Por onde andam os jogadores do Timão da final da Liberta 2012 contra o Boca na Bombonera
Como já é de praxe nas escalações, Vítor Pereira surpreendeu novamente, apostando em um sistema com cinco defensores, e improvisando Lucas Piton na ala-direita, já que ele não pode contar com Fagner, Rafael Ramos ou João Pedro.
O português escolheu deixar Gil, Renato Augusto, Giuliano e Róger Guedes, jogadores com experiência e bagagem, no banco de reservas, optando por uma zaga com média de23,3 anos e sete jogadores revelados pelo Terrão.
Nos 20 primeiros minutos da partida, a ideia de se defender em linha de cinco e atacar em uma espécie de 3-6-1 dava certo. O Timão pouco sofria e abriu o placar após persistência de Du Queiroz no rebote do escanteio.
Contudo, no decorrer da primeira etapa, a equipe brasileira ficou refém da sua postura defensiva, sem repertório ofensiva para ameaçar os argentinos.
O Boca também não conseguia chegar com perigo, mas controlava a bola e rondava a área de Cássio. Aos 41 minutos do primeiros, numa sucessão de falhas de Raul Gustavo, Maycon e João Victor, Benedetto não perdoou e colocou justiça no placar.
> TABELA – Confira e simule os jogos do Timão na Libertadores
Na volta do intervalo, os jogadores do Corinthians seguiam mostrando sinais de afobação e um certo descontrole. Passes bobos errados no campo defensivo e muito nervosismo na hora de realizar os movimentos no ataque.
E foi durante os primeiros 20 minutos do segundo tempo, no ápice da tensão, que os jogadores do clube alvinegro caíram na catimba dos argentinos. Cantillo, que estava há 11 minutos em campo, empurrou Pol Fernández, e foi expulso. No calor da confusão, Vítor Pereira também recebeu o cartão vermelho.
O apoio da torcida e o momento dos dois times apontavam para uma virada do Boca Juniors. Era questão de tempo. E foi aí que o Timão se reconectou na partida.
Filipe Almeida colocou Gil para reestabelecer o controle defensivo. Fábio Santos liderou por exemplo, impedindo qualquer chegada pelo lado esquerdo. Gustavo Mosquito e Du Queiroz se entregavam de corpo e alma para impedir que a bola cruzasse o gol de Cássio.
E foi assim, na garra, que o Corinthians superou uma arbitragem atrapalhada e atuação irregular de seus jogadores para somar um ponto na Bombonera, e precisar apenas de um empate diante do seu torcedor na próxima quinta-feira (26), às 21h, contra o Always Ready, para avançar às oitavas de final da Libertadores.
أعلن الاتحاد المصري لكرة السلة برئاسة الأستاذ عمرو مصيلحي، عن السماح بحضور جماهيري يصل إلى 2000 مشجع في مباريات الدور نصف النهائي من بطولة دوري السوبر لكرة السلة، وذلك بعد موافقة الجهات الأمنية المعنية على تأمين الحدث الرياضي المنتظر.
ووفقًا لما أعلنه الاتحاد، سيكون الحضور الجماهيري مقسمًا بين طرفي كل مباراة، حيث يُسمح لكل نادٍ بإدخال 1000 مشجع، لتوفير أجواء جماهيرية متوازنة وداعمة لجميع الفرق المتأهلة إلى هذا الدور المتقدم من المسابقة المحلية.
ويتضمن نصف النهائي مواجهتين من العيار الثقيل، حيث يلتقي الأهلي مع الزمالك في كلاسيكو جماهيري مرتقب، بينما يصطدم الاتحاد السكندري بنظيره سبورتنج في ديربي سكندري خالص، وسط توقعات بصراع قوي على حجز بطاقتي التأهل للمباراة النهائية.
وسيُقام هذا الدور الحاسم بنظام Best of 5، أي أن الفريق الذي يحقق ثلاث انتصارات أولًا يتأهل إلى النهائي، وتُجرى جميع المباريات على صالة برج العرب الرئيسية بالإسكندرية، بما يضمن تجهيزات لوجستية وتنظيمية على أعلى مستوى.
طاقم تحكيم أجنبي لمباراة الزمالك والاتحاد في نصف نهائي كأس مصر لكرة السلة
وكشف الاتحاد عن جدول مباريات الدور نصف النهائي بالكامل، حيث تنطلق المنافسات يوم الثلاثاء 13 مايو، بلقاء يجمع الاتحاد وسبورتنج في تمام السادسة مساءً، تليها مواجهة الأهلي والزمالك في تمام التاسعة مساءً.
وتُستكمل السلسلة يومي 15 و17 مايو، مع احتمالية لعب مباريات رابعة وخامسة في 19 و20 من الشهر ذاته، في حال عدم حسم التأهل مبكرًا.
ومن المنتظر أن تشهد صالة برج العرب حضورًا جماهيريًا كثيفًا من عشاق اللعبة، خاصة في ظل قوة الفرق المتأهلة وتاريخها الكبير، إذ يملك كل من الأهلي والزمالك والاتحاد وسبورتنج سجلًا حافلًا في بطولات السلة المحلية والقارية، ما يرفع من مستوى الترقب لهذه السلسلة النارية من المباريات.
ويأتي هذا القرار في ظل حرص الاتحاد المصري لكرة السلة على إضفاء أجواء حماسية للمباريات المهمة، وتعزيز الحضور الجماهيري في البطولات المحلية، تماشيًا مع توجهات الدولة في دعم النشاط الرياضي وتطوير البنية التحتية للمسابقات المختلفة.
Manchester United will be hoping they can turn around their form this season. The Red Devils have been in disappointing form under new manager Ruben Amorim, and are facing an uphill battle to make something of this season.
The new man in the hot seat at Old Trafford has had 15 games in charge, winning six, losing seven and drawing the remaining two.
There have been ups and downs, including a fantastic 2-1 win against Manchester City, but also some disappointing home defeats, most recently a 3-1 loss to Brighton.
As a result, United could well look to bring in some new faces in the January transfer window and are reportedly targeting one attacking star.
Man United target new attacker
The player in question here is Real Madrid attacking midfielder Brahim Diaz. It has been a mixed season for the Morocco international, who has suffered from injuries at times and could now depart Los Blancos.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to reports coming out of Spain, United ‘see the player as a top-level reinforcement’ this January, as they search for attacking acquisitions to help boost themselves up the table. The Red Devils view Diaz ‘as the ideal player to bring creativity to the team’.
A potential price for this transfer has not currently been made public. However, United are believed to ‘be willing to make a significant investment to secure his signing’.
He is currently valued at £29.5m by Transfermarkt, which is a fee that could be used as an estimate for how much Diaz could cost United.
Why Diaz would be a good signing for Man United
It has been a bit of an up-and-down season for Diaz. He has played 24 times in all competitions, with three goals and five assists so far.
Real Madrid'sBrahimDiazscores their second goal
However, injuries have played a part in his campaign, and he has played just 1073 minutes so far, the equivalent of just 11.9 full 90 minute games. Thus, his eight goals and assists stack up well with his full 90 minutes.
Last season, Diaz was fantastic, playing 45 times for Madrid, scoring 12 times and grabbing nine assists. His performances, which included a key goal in the Champions League last 16, perhaps went under the radar compared to stars like Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.
Controversially, a move to United for the Moroccan international would be a return to Manchester. He is a graduate of Manchester City’s academy, and played 15 times for the club, scoring two goals, both coming in a Carabao Cup game against Fulham.
Interestingly, he has previously been compared to another City academy graduate, Phil Foden. During Diaz’s successful loan spell to AC Milan in 2022/23, Joleon Lescott claimed that “if it wasn’t for a young Phil Foden”, he would be playing for City.
Indeed, the former Citizens defender explained that the Madrid star and City’s number 47 “are of a similar mould”.
That is certainly high praise given Foden was the Premier League’s Player of the Year in 2023/24, but the stats from last season and indeed this season in top-flight football suggest the comparison is fair.
The pair really are neck and neck in several stats last term. For example, both players averaged 0.9 goals and assists per game, and Diaz’s ability on the ball outshone Foden. He averaged 3.2 completed take-ons each game, compared to the City star’s 1.5 take-ons completed per 90 minutes.
Diaz vs. Foden key stats 2023/24 top flight season
Stat (per 90)
Diaz
Foden
Goals
0.5
0.6
Assists
0.4
0.3
Chance created
1.7
2.2
Forward passes
9
9.6
Take-ons completed
3.2
1.5
Take-on success rate
52.88%
50.54%
Stats from Squawka
Diaz, described as a “fearless” player by Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane, could be a brilliant addition for United. He would bring creativity and flair to the ball, just as Foden does for City.
This could be exactly the signing United need to help spur them on and improve their results this season, which have been far from good enough so far.
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