A vitória por 2 a 0 sobre o Grêmio, nesta quarta-feira no Maracanã, garantiu a classificação do Flamengo para as semifinais da Copa do Brasil. Vivo na briga pelo título, o Rubro-Negro também faturou mais uma milionária premiação: a vaga entre os quatro melhores da Copa renderá mais R$ 7,3 milhões ao clube.
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Assim, o Flamengo se aproximou dos R$ 60 milhões em premiações com os torneios de 2021. São 7,55 milhões de dólares, cerca R$ 40,8 milhões, somando os prêmios da fase de grupos até a semifinal da Libertadores, etapa na qual o Flamengo enfrentará o Barcelona de Guayaquil, do Equador. Veja as datas aqui!
Já na Copa do Brasil, o Rubro-Negro já havia arrecadado R$ 7,85 milhões com os prêmios das terceira fase, das oitavas de final e das quartas de final.
Zimbabwe may feel some progress has been made if they don’t walk away empty handed
Danyal Rasool02-Nov-2020
PCB
Big pictureThe second ODI was more representative of the respective qualities of the two sides, with Pakistan stamping their authority after a shaky performance in the first game where they struggled to move out of third gear. Zimbabwe, for their part, will be disappointed at missing out on a chance to pile on the runs after establishing a solid platform with arguably their two best batsmen, Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams, at the crease. They lost wickets to soft dismissals, demonstrating the lack of consistency that has plagued Zimbabwe for so long.For Pakistan, anything less than a clean sweep will be looked upon as something of a failure, but they must also be seen to be giving exposure to young players in the side as calls for a generational transation in Pakistan cricket grow louder. It has, to their credit, been a series of out-with-the-old, with Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez omitted, while Haider Ali and Haris Rauf made their debuts, with Khushdil Shah set to follow on Tuesday. The jury may still be out on whether an opening pair that leaves out Fakhar Zaman is best suited to the positive cricket they need to play, and indeed if a lower middle order of Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim and Ahmed is a shade too brittle, but each has made contributions this series, and shown themselves to be fit for purpose.Zimbabwe have more serious questions to ponder. Their best middle order is the same as their best middle order a decade ago, and while that speaks very highly of Taylor, Williams and Craig Ervine, it is worrying that no one has seriously managed to make a push for their places. Wesley Madhevere is an enormously exciting player, but with these three all in their mid-30s, Zimbabwe will hope to have replacements ready when the trio eventually do walk away.The other serious challenge hampering Zimbabwe is a lack of genuinely probing pace and swing bowlers. Blessing Muzarabani is probably the likeliest to have a long career, but Carl Mumba and Richard Ngarava never quite mustered the threat you might expect with the new ball, and nor, over his career, has Donald Tiripano. Finding and developing quality pace is perhaps the hardest skill of all, both from a scouting and coaching perspective, but for this series, Zimbabwe lack it, and may continue to pay the price.Zimbabwe may feel some progress has been made if they don’t walk away empty handed, while Misbah-ul-Haq’s Pakistan can breathe a sigh of relief if they get the whitewash, safe in the knowledge that the first series post transition appears to have gone according to plan.Form guidePakistan WWWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)Zimbabwe LLLLLIn the spotlightJust because Haider Ali was dismissed by what can only be described as a freakishly weird lbw decision, it shouldn’t detract from the majesty of the innings he was playing. Just as the 20-year old did on T20I debut against England, he displayed his full range of attacking weapons during his brief stay at the crease. He was especially destructive when hitting through the air, and undeterred by a slightly tetchy start where he had a catch put down by Taylor. The way he batted didn’t deserve to have the spotlight robbed from him just because of the manner of the dismissal, and if he’s in the same sort of touch in the third game, chances are it is his talent that we’ll be talking about.Zimbabwe have a problem at the top, and while it’s not quite clear how to resolve it, the existence of the problem is not in dispute. Brian Chari and Chamu Chibhabha have struggled to cope against the fearsome pace of Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, and both games have seen Zimbabwe’s middle order left to pick up the pieces. It isn’t even just a problem this series; the last time Zimbabwe had a fifty opening stand was in July 2018, also against Pakistan. Whether Tinashe Kamunhukamwe’s inclusion resolves that problem is unclear, but until Zimbabwe can find a way to start well, the middle order will always have just a bit too much catching up to do.Team newsWith the series won, Pakistan could ring the changes. Shah may finally get a look-in, while Usman Qadir will hope to make his debut, too.Pakistan (possible): 1 Fakhar Zaman/Abid Ali, 2 Imam-ul-Haq, 3 Babar Azam (capt), 4 Haider Ali, 5 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 6 Iftikhar Ahmed, 7 Khushdil Shah, 8 Imad Wasim/Faheem Ashraf, 9 Haris Rauf, 10 Mohammad Musa, 11 Shaheen Afridi/Wahab RiazZimbabwe were unchanged for the second game, but it continues to appear as if they’re a batsman light. Ryan Burl could be brought in to shore things up, while Kamunhukamwe must surely be running Chari close.Zimbabwe (possible): 1 Brian Chari/Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, 2 Chamu Chibhabha, 3 Craig Ervine, 4 Brendan Taylor (wk), 5 Sean Williams, 6 Wesley Madhevere, 7 Sikandar Raza, 8 Elton Chigumbura/Ryan Burl, 9 Carl Mumba, 10 Richard Ngarava, 11 Blessing MuzarabaniPitch and conditionsIt’ll be a different surface once more, and one that should favour the batsmen. The weather continues to remain clear.Stats and trivia Victory in the third game would extend Pakistan’s winning streak to nine, their third best. Their best winning streak, and joint-second best in ODI history, was a 12-match run in 2007-08, though that included 11 wins against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. Brendan Taylor is 98 runs away from overtaking Grant Flower as the second-highest Zimbabwe ODI run-scorer. He is currently 312 runs behind the leader, Andy Flower.
أكد محمد حبشي، وكيل المدرب السويسري كريستيان جروس، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة لاقدم بنادي الزمالك أن الأخير وقع رسميًا على عقود تدريب الأبيض لمدة 6 أشهر.
وأوضح حبشي في تصريحات عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورتس” وجود بند يسمح بالتجديد لموسم آخر بالاتفاق بين الطرفين وأن العقد يتضمن شرطًا جزائيًا، واصفًا إياه بأنه “رقم طبيعي وليس كبيرًا”.
وأضاف أن جروس عقد عدة جلسات مع رئيس النادي وأبلغه بجميع طلباته، مشيرًا إلى أن الجهاز الفني سيكتمل بانضمام مدرب الحراس في يناير المقبل.
طالع..الزمالك يتقدم بشكوى رسمية ضد أمين عمر ويطالب بإحالته للتحقيق
وأشار إلى أن المدرب السويسري يهدف إلى تقديم أداء قوي مع الزمالك والمنافسة على البطولات لإسعاد الجماهير، قائلاً: “الزمالك نادٍ كبير يُنافس على كل البطولات، وجروس يريد أن يُقدم شيئًا للنادي وللجماهير”.
وفيما يتعلق بالحديث عن الحالة الصحية لجروس، وصف حبشي هذه الأحاديث بأنها غير لائقة، قائلاً: “الموضوع عيب أن نتكلم فيه، وواضح أن لها توجهاتها”.
ونفى وكيل جروس، طلبه تغيير الجهاز الطبي للنادي، مؤكدًا أن هذا الأمر لم يحدث وأن الجهاز الطبي مستمر.
واختتم حديثه بخصوص ملف اللاعب آرون بوبيندزا، مشيرًا إلى أن الزمالك بدأ الإجراءات القضائية المتعلقة بالقضية، متوقعًا أن تسير الأمور لصالح النادي.
وتقدم مسئولو الزمالك، بشكوى رسمية للفيفا ضد اللاعب ونادي رابيد بوخارست الروماني بعد توقيع بوبيندزا على عقود الانضمام للقلعة البيضاء وانضمامه بعدها للنادي الروماني.
Australia pace bowler Josh Hazlewood is confident that there will be enough preparation for the Test series against India towards the end of the year despite the challenges that the home season will pose.Hazlewood is one of a host of Australia players, including fellow paceman Pat Cummins, who will head from the ongoing tour of England to the IPL, where he has a deal with Chennai Super Kings, before returning to Australia in early or mid-November.That will be followed by two weeks of quarantine, although a deal is being worked out which will allow players to train. They could be based in Adelaide initially, following the development that Western Australia would not allow teams to train during that two-week period.Adelaide is also shaping as the starting point for the series against India in mid-December and it could yet host back-to-back Tests if Melbourne is not able to stage the Boxing Day game, although Cricket Australia is expected to allow as much time as possible before making a final call.The lead-in to that first Test against India remains a little uncertain. On the schedule are limited-overs matches against India, which were being earmarked for the start of the tour, and then the Afghanistan Test which was slated for Perth. But that venue now appears unlikely and the match itself would seem in doubt given the logistics involved, although CA has always stated its commitment to hosting the one-off game.Hazlewood, who played his first T20I in four years on Tuesday, is a lock for the Test side and could be expected to also feature in the white-ball matches. Given the need for hubs and biosecure bubbles there won’t be the chance to head back to New South Wales for a Sheffield Shield match, but he suggested an Australia v Australia A fixture, similar to the match staged in England ahead of the 2019 Ashes, would provide enough preparation.”The summer is becoming a bit clearer as the days go by and I’m sure we’ll get enough red-ball cricket before that first Test, whether it’s Australia v Australia A or something like that,” he said. “I’m quite happy with just one long-form game, I feel like that’s enough for me to get up and running. That’s what I’ve done last five or six years, one Shield game and straight into the Test matches.”ALSO READ: Covid-19 outbreak in CSK camp: ‘A little bit of a concern’ – Hazlewood Hazlewood admitted the players would ideally like to start the Test series in Brisbane, where Australia have not lost since 1988, but knew that this season will require adjustments on many levels. The series India won two years ago started in Adelaide, where the visitors won, and skipped Brisbane altogether.”Things are out of our control a bit at the moment. Obviously, we’d love to start in Brizzy with our great record there,” he said. “We play well there and sort of get on a role, but this year will be a lot different. We love playing in Adelaide whether it’s red ball or pink and it’s always a great wicket.”For now, Hazlewood’s focus is on the tour of England, which switches into ODI mode as the squad heads to Manchester following Australia’s consolation victory in the final T20I, which was enough for them to retain the No. 1 ranking.Hazlewood replaced the rested Cummins in the XI and produced impressive returns of 1 for 23 in four overs, his first two overs helping keep England to just 33 for 1 in the powerplay as he claimed the wicket of Tom Banton.It was the first time since the 2016 T20 World Cup that he played the format for Australia, but he slotted back into the Sydney Sixers side last season to help them take out the BBL title and is hoping for more opportunities in the IPL.”I feel comfortable in the format, have been working on a few things and they seem to be going well.” he said. “Hopefully I get a few games for Chennai this year and every time I get out there in T20 just keep taking the opportunity.”
Allrounder claims three wickets in an over to derail Warwickshire, finishing with 11 for 96
ECB Reporters Network11-Aug-2020
Ryan Higgins wheels away in celebration•Getty Images
Ryan Higgins struck three times in an over on his way to career-best figures of 7 for 42 as Gloucestershire clinched a 78-run Bob Willis Trophy victory over Warwickshire at the Bristol County Ground.The former Middlesex allrounder claimed wickets with the first, third and sixth deliveries of his second over with the new ball to reduce the visitors to 4 for 3 in their second innings, chasing a victory target of 239 from a minimum of 65 overs.Warwickshire never fully recovered and were eventually dismissed for 160, Matt Taylor removing Alex Thomson and Henry Brookes with successive deliveries to finish with 2 for 27. Skipper Will Rhodes top-scored with 48, while Higgins ended with match figures of 11 for 96 as Gloucestershire took 20 points and Warwickshire just four.It was all rather hard on Oliver Hannon-Dalby, who earlier in the day had completed even more impressive match figures of 12 for 110 by claiming all four wickets after Gloucestershire had resumed on 197 for 6 in their second innings.Jack Taylor, unbeaten on 23 overnight, fell lbw for 34 in Hannon-Dalby’s opening spell and the tall seamer later returned to clean up the tail with the second new ball. Tom Smith was leg-before for six after a stand of 36 with George Scott and it was 267 for 9 when Josh Shaw was bowled for 11.Last man Matt Taylor came out to hit successive boundaries off Hannon-Dalby, who then took revenge by having him caught in the slips by Tim Bresnan. Scott ended 44 not out, a crucial contribution to a total of 275 on his debut for the hosts.Lunch was taken before Warwickshire began their second innings. Whatever Higgins tucked into is sure to be on the menu at Gloucestershire’s next home game.His second over proved a triple-wicket maiden as he had Rob Yates caught off a leading edge for two and quickly followed up by dismissing Sam Hain leg-before and Ian Bell caught behind.Warwickshire were in disarray. Rhodes and Matt Lamb staged a partial recovery and had taken the score to 50 in the 19th over when Lamb was bowled for 14 by a full delivery from Josh Shaw.Rhodes was unbeaten on 48 at tea. But Higgins again emerged from an interval inspired and struck with the first ball of the evening session, the Warwickshire captain nicking a low leg-side catch to wicketkeeper Gareth Roderick.At 80 for 5, the visitors had the choice of continuing the run-chase or trying to bat out for a draw. The latter became a more obvious course when Michael Burgess departed lbw to Higgins for 15 with the total on 101.Taylor then struck his double blow, helped by a strange choice of shot in the circumstances from Alex Thomson, who pulled a short ball straight to the bowler’s brother Jack Taylor at deep square and fell for three.The next delivery saw Brookes trapped leg-before for his second duck of the game and, with the score 104 for 8, Gloucestershire had 23 overs to claim the last two wickets. Their former player Craig Miles was brilliantly caught low at first slip by Chris Dent for 12 to give Higgins a sixth wicket.Last man Hannon-Dalby and the stubborn Bresnan battled away for almost 12 overs, but it was all over when Hannon-Dalby edged Higgins through to Roderick with a possible 4.5 overs remaining.
Ange Postecoglou could have been handed a major boost in his bid to overhaul the Tottenham squad this summer after it emerged that a top talent is open to a north London move.
Postecoglou eyeing Spurs reinforcements
After a disappointing end to their Premier League season, Tottenham will have to settle for Europa League football next season, and Postecoglou is keen to make changes in his ranks to cater for the added European football. The Spurs boss has already highlighted his desire to add to his attacking ranks this summer, while a new centre-back is also thought to be on the radar.
"It's no secret [we need a new attacker]. You saw the way we finished the season. We obviously lost Richy and Timo as well with injuries but we're fairly light in that area. We started last season with Manor [Solomon] and [Ivan] Perisic and we were quite healthy in that front third in terms of numbers, but as the year went on it became pretty evident that we need to bulk up.
Spurs must sell Conte signing who's earning more than Van de Ven & Porro
He’s had his moments in Lilywhite but this star must be ruthlessly ditched this summer.
ByAngus Sinclair May 26, 2024
"We're in Europe as well next year so we'll have more games and it's definitely an area of the park we'll need to strengthen. You always understand that things can change really quickly but we've got a plan in place that I'm really comfortable with in terms of incomings and outgoings. Whether that all comes together you just never know but having clarity about what we need to do I think helps the process."
Timo Werner's long-term future at the club remains unclear, while they have also been credited with an interest in Nottingham Forest winger Callum Hudson Odoi this summer, but a striker is also thought to be high on their wishlist with the likes of Santiago Gimenez and Benjamin Sesko under consideration.
Now, the club have been offered a boost to bring in a new star man to lead the line at Tottenham.
Toney ken on Tottenham move
That comes in the form of Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who Thomas Frank has already conceded is likely to leave the Bees this summer as he heads into the final year of his contract with the club.
Brentford striker Ivan Toney
It was thought that the Englishman would attract attention from London giants Arsenal and Chelsea, but they were put off by Brentford's hefty £100m demands in January and their interest has since cooled.
The striker, dubbed a "monster" by Frank for his ability to play through pain, is now likely to be available for far less than that proposed fee, and Tottenham News report that the Englishman would "jump at the chance" to move to Spurs, with his favoured move to Arsenal now off the table.
How Ivan Toney compares to Tottenham's current strikers 23/24
Ivan Toney
Richarlison
Heung-Min Son
Appearances
17
28
35
Goals
4
11
17
Mins per goal
362.5
135.5
172.6
Shots on target per 90
1.3
1.51
1.17
Aerial duels won %
47%
30.5%
23.8%
It remains to be seen whether Spurs will be able to make an offer that will satisfy Brentford's desire for a big sale, but a move for Toney would certainly bolster their frontline and allow Postecoglou's side to finally replace the focal point of their attack that they lost with Harry Kane's departure.
سجل الدولي المصري محمد صلاح هدف ليفربول الثاني في مباراة مانشستر سيتي، المقامة بينهما ضمن الجولة 13 من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز على ملعب أنفيلد.
محمد صلاح سجل الهدف من ركلة جزاء في الدقيقة 78 على يسار الحارس ستيفان أورتيجا، الذي ذهب للكرة ولم يتمكن من التعامل معها أمام المصري ليسجل الثاني لفريق ليفربول.
طالع أيضًا: فيديو | أسيست محمد صلاح.. جاكبو يسجل هدف ليفربول الأول أمام مانشستر سيتي
هدف محمد صلاح هو الـ11 له هذا الموسم في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، والخامس من ركلة جزاء.
هذا هو الهدف الـ12 لـ محمد صلاح في مانشستر سيتي خلال مباراته الـ22 بمختلف المسابقات، منذ انضمامه إلى ليفربول في صيف 2017. هدف محمد صلاح في مباراة ليفربول ومانشستر سيتي
One of the most interesting things when reflecting on football from years gone by is how much legendary players would be worth in today’s market. Think Arsenal’s Invincibles, Fergie’s great Man United side, and even Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea. Players of that are would be worth a pretty penny now, wouldn’t they?
Football has changed drastically in the last 30 years, however, and with the fast-moving transfer market, it is fascinating to reflect on the changes in transfer fees.
For example, at the start of the Premier League era, Paul Gascoigne’s move from Tottenham Hotspur to Italian side Lazio was the most expensive transfer, at £5.5m. Fast forward 25 years and Neymar’s £200m move from Barcelona to PSG became the all-time most expensive transfer in 2017.
Interestingly, there is a way to convert a player’s transfer fee from an old transfer into modern-day currency, thanks to a tool by Totally Money’s Transfer Index. For example, had Gascoigne’s move to Lazio from Spurs taken place in the modern era, it would have been worth £93.7m. Or take Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2009, which would have been worth £195.1m in today’s market.
The other use this tool has is to allow comparisons between a player’s modern-day value compared to the past sale of a player in years gone by.
Arsenal’s summer signing Declan Rice, is very highly valued, but there was one star from the 1990s, who Arsenal sold for more than Rice’s value in 2024.
Declan Rice’s transfer value in 2024
Arsenal paid West Ham United a club-record fee of £105m in July 2023 to acquire the services of Declan Rice ahead of the 2023/24 season. It is fair to say the former Hammers captain has been a success at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal are still very much competing for the Premier League title. They are currently top of the table, although Manchester City have the chance to displace them should they win their games in hand.
Rice has been superb for Arsenal this season, having scored six goals and registered seven assists in the Premier League in 34 games. He has played at the base of midfield and further forward in a more advanced role, and is having a stellar time of things.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice
Indeed, his current value reflects just how good he has been this season. According to CIES Football Observatory, Rice is currently worth £85m, although it would likely take much more than that to even tempt Arsenal to sell him. Rice’s teammates William Saliba, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli are also all valued at £85m.
However, one of Arsenal’s sales from years gone by has actually proven to be more expensive according to modern-day valuation than Rice and his three teammates are currently valued at.
Nicolas Anelka’s transfer value in 2024
The player in question here is Arsenal’s former striker Nicolas Anelka. The Gunners sold the Frenchman for £31.5m to Real Madrid in 1999, but, as per The Transfer Index, that would now be worth a staggering £108.5m in today’s market.
Anelka had initially signed for Arsenal from PSG’s academy in 1997 and scored 28 goals in 90 games for the club, having arriving for a nominal fee of just £500k.
However, it was his exemplary season in 1998/99 which led to Real Madrid signing the Frenchman. Anelka bagged 17 goals and registered five assists in 35 Premier League games during his last season in North London.
Frustrating for Anelka, it did not work out in Madrid, and he left just one season later when he returned to PSG. The former France international scored just two La Liga goals and 2 Champions League goals for Los Blancos, in 19 games and ten matches respectively.
It’s safe to say that spending over £100m on that sort of record in today’s era would go down as a major blunder. Either way, it should be seen as a huge success story from a Gunners perspective.
Arsenal certainly reinvested the money well, splashing £14.4m on Thierry Henry from Juventus, which equates to £49.9m in today’s market.
Of course, this proved to be a legendary move for the Gunners, as Henry became the club’s greatest player in many fans’ opinion, scoring 228 in 377 games for the club.
It remains to be seen when the Gunners will make such a big sale again, if ever. One thing is for sure, they do not seem likely to sell any of their big stars this summer, as they continue to push for trophies under Mikel Arteta.
Market Movers
Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?
Um dos destaques do futebol sul-americano na temporada, o atacante Miguel Borja não voltará ao Palmeiras. Emprestado ao Júnior Barranquilla até o final de junho, o centroavante vive boa fase e, por isso, o clube colombiano efetuará a compra de 50% dos direitos econômicos do jogador, pelo valor de 4,5 milhões de dólares (aproximadamente 22,5 milhões, na cotação atual).
Palmeiras afasta Lucas Lima após flagra em festa clandestina: veja outras polêmicas envolvendo o jogador
Anteriormente, o Junior, segundo o agente do jogador, ofereceu 3 milhões de dólares, mas a proposta foi rejeitada pelo Verdão. Assim, segundo apurou o LANCE!/NOSSO PALESTRA, os colombianos aceitaram o desejo alviverde e notificaram o clube brasileiro de que irão ativar a cláusula de compra prevista em contrato. Com isso, os clubes precisam, apenas, chegar a um acordo sobre os prazos para o pagamento.
Deste modo, Miguel Borja deixará o Palmeiras em definitivo. A saída do atacante será um importante fator para as contas palestrinas em 2021, dado que o time não vendeu o atacante Dudu e tampouco se classificou para as quartas da Copa do Brasil, como previsto no orçamento no início da temporada.
>> Veja a tabela completa do Brasileirão
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O jogador chegou ao Alviverde em 2017, pelo valor de 10,5 milhões de dólares (cerca de R$ 34 milhões, na cotação da época), com investimento da Crefisa. O Maior Campeão Nacional, com isso, adquiriu 70% dos direitos do atleta, que foi eleito o melhor jogador da América do Sul em 2016. Posteriormente, o clube teve de comprar os 30%, devido a cláusulas contratuais, por 3 milhões de dólares.
Manchester United are eyeing up a shock move for a Premier League star this summer as his current side look to battle financial fair play concerns, it has emerged.
Ten Hag's defensive crisis continues
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag saw his defensive woes continue against Chelsea as he lost another two to injury. Already without Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez for the next month through injuries picked up in the 1-1 draw to Brentford, the Red Devils have also lost Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw to long term injuries, meaning that Diogo Dalot has often been deployed at left-back this season, to mixed results.
Man Utd ready to make £100m+ offer to sign "high quality" Real Madrid star
The Red Devils are in desperate need of reinforcements before the new season.
ByBen Browning Apr 5, 2024
At half time against Chelsea, they lost Raphael Varane through an injury that he had been battling for much of the first half at Stamford Bridge, where he was replaced by Jonny Evans, himself only just back from injury. The veteran defender lasted little more than 20 minutes though. Another injury saw him replaced by youngster Willy Kambwala, and sees Manchester United's defence stretched beyond bare bones, with no recognised left back and just Harry Maguire as a senior option at centre back ahead of a clash with Liverpool.
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire.
That results have suffered is not entirely surprising, though the performances have been far more concerning for Ten Hag and the new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, with his side conceding the most shots in the Premier League in 2024. Clearly then, improvements are needed at the back, and the Red Devils could be about to land one if Ratcliffe gets his way.
Villa defender on United's wishlist
Now, a report from Football Transfers claims that United could once more make a move for Ezri Konsa this summer amid impending financial fair play concerns for Aston Villa. The defender, who can play as a right back or centre-back, has been a shining light for Unai Emery's side this season and made his England debut over the March international break.
Ezri Konsa vs Manchester United defenders PL 23/24
Ezri Konsa
Harry Maguire
Lisandro Martinez
Appearances
28
18
9
Pass accuracy
92%
83.2%
92.3%
Tackles + interceptions per 90
2.47
2.64
2.34
Aerial Duels won
68.6%
76.5%
37.5%
The report claims that United are looking to target "younger, homegrown talents", and have Konsa on their wishlist after interest in him last summer. The Englishman penned a new contract at Villa Park at the time, with the club more than doubling his £30,000 per week wages to keep him in the Midlands amid interest from Old Trafford.
If given the choice, Villa would obviously prefer to keep their star, whose game has improved significantly this season. Sky Sports journalist Dan Bardell labelled him a "complete" defender that can do "everything" after his impressive start to the season.
“He’s actually unlocked new things in his game that we hadn’t really seen before as well, in terms of his ball progression in bringing the ball out from the defence", he explained.
“He didn’t play it safe before, but these weren’t really things that you saw from him and he’s kind of developed alongside Emery now as this complete centre-back. If you’re looking to tick things off that a modern-day centre-back can do, Konsa can do everything".
However, Villa posted losses of almost £120m last year, and there is concern that sales may be necessary to continue their upward progression. Should that prove the case, United may well look to take advantage.