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Glasgow Rangers left-back Borna Barisic stole the show against St. Johnstone on Wednesday night to ensure Steven Gerrard’s side stayed on top of the Scottish Premiership at Christmas.

The Croatia international started the action alongside Connor Goldson, Filip Helander and James Tavernier to form the back four in front of Allan McGregor, with Gerrard feeling the need to ring several changes to the team that came from behind to beat Motherwell, with Joe Aribo replacing Scott Arfield in the midfield.

Barisic has established himself as a first-team regular starter under Gerrard since he first arrived at Ibrox but has found his place in the starting XI under threat after the arrival of Calvin Bassey in the summer.

Gerrard recently admitted as much, as the Ibrox boss realises competition for places has arguably never been higher, with Bassey and Nathan Patterson ready to step into the full-back roles if required.

“The pair of them have started the season really strongly, and it’s interesting to watch Barisic and Tavernier because they have now got competition for places,” he said, as quoted by The Sun. “The way he’s looking in training, I wouldn’t think twice about putting Patterson in to start a game. And Bassey has already proved that he’s capable of stepping in as well.

“Both James and Borna know they have a challenge for their positions, which is good.”

“When Barisic is in the right place from a mental point of view, he’s capable of the kind of high-level performance he gave against Poznan.

“That’s the reason he’s picked as the best left-back in Croatia.

“When he gets into the final third, he’s got incredible quality. His delivery is exceptional.”

But Barisic, who reportedly earns £18,000-a-week, seems to have heeded his warning with his latest display against Callum Davidson’s side, with the defender winning eight out of his nine duels overall (88%) – which is more than any other player from the two teams, as per SofaScore.

Nobody manged more dribbles, either, with the Croatian completing two out of his three dribble attempts successfully, via SofaScore.

Only Tavernier took more touches of the ball, too, with the club captain managing 108 to Barisic’s 95 touches in the full 90′ minutes.

The 28-year-old provided 38 out of 59 passes (64%), while he also made four tackles, two interceptions and three clearances, which shows that he put in a defensive shift to ensure the Gers kept their first clean sheet since the 2-0 win over Lech Poznan in the Europa League.

Once hailed as an “unbelievable” defender by former Rangers full-back Alan Hutton, the timing couldn’t be better for Barisic with Bassey chomping at the bit amid links abroad, as the cards are very much in his hands.

AND in other news, Glasgow Rangers may have found their next Steven Davis in Ciaran Dickson…

علّق المدرب الألماني، توماس توخيل، المدير الفني لنادي تشيلسي، على اقتراب مواطنه، رالف رانجنيك من تولي المهمة الفنية لفريق مانشستر يونايتد.

وذكرت العديد من وسائل الإعلام الإنجليزية على مدار الساعات القليلة الماضية، أن إدارة مانشستر يونايتد تُخطط لتعيين الألماني رانجنيك مديرًا فنيًا مؤقتًا للفريق حتى نهاية الموسم.

وقال توخيل في المؤتمر الصحفي الخاص بمباراة مانشستر يونايتد: “نحن سنواجه ناديا كبيرا، ولديهم لاعبون بارعون، يجب ألا ندعهم يلعبون، لأن ذلك يعني أننا سنرى موهبة هؤلاء اللاعبين لأنهم على أعلى مستوى”.

وعن اقتراب رانجنيك من تدريب اليونايتد: “رالف كان مدربي وساعدني كثيرًا، إنه أحد الشخصيات التي أقنعتني بخوض تجربة التدريب”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. توخيل يوضح موقف كانتي ولوكاكو وثنائي تشيلسي من اللعب أمام مانشستر يونايتد

وأضاف: “لقد كان له تأثير كبير عليّ وعلى مدربين آخرين، ولكن أنا لا أود أن أتحدث كثيرًا عنه لأنه لم يتم تعيينه بعد، لذلك دعونا نحترم الجميع”.

وبسؤاله ما إذا كان الوقت مُناسبًا للعب أمام مانشستر يونايتد: “أنا لا أعرف ما إذا كان الوقت مناسبًا للعب ضدهم، لأن هذا يعني أننا نعرف شيئًا ما أو نتوقع شيئًا ما”.

ضربة قوية.. توخيل يُعلن إصابة مدافع تشيلسي بالرباط الصليبي https://t.co/Lru77Gi8AI pic.twitter.com/7gniUvl3Ff — Btolat.com (@Btolat) November 26, 2021

وأكمل: “نحن أمامنا تحديات كبيرة، ونريد أن نلعب على أعلى مستوى، نحن جئنا من أسبوع صعب وواجهنا يوفنتوس، والآن نستعد للمباراة التالية، سنواجه التحدي على أعلى مستوى مرة أخرى يوم الأحد”.

وتطرق توخيل للحديث عن وصوله لـ50 مباراة مع تشيلسي: “أنا لم أتخيل أن الأمور كانت ستسير على ما يُرام”.

وتابع: “لقد كنت مُندهشًا جدًا أنني لعبت 50 مباراة بالفعل، لم أشعر بذلك حقًا، لقد مرّ الوقت بسرعة، آمل أن أقوم بمزيد من العمل بحزم أكثر وخوض 50 مباراة أخرى”.

وأتم تصريحاته بالحديث عن المنافسة على اللقب في الدوري الإنجليزي: “نحن في ماراثون لم ينته، وسنحاول العمل، ولكن لا يزال هُناك طريق طويل لنقطعه، لقد أظهر لنا مانشستر يونايتد وليفربول أن يجب علينا أن نكون على أعلى مستوى باستمرار لتحقيق ما نُريده”.

يُذكر أن تشيلسي يحل مساء الأحد ضيفًا على مانشستر يونايتد، على ملعب “أولد ترافورد”، في تمام الساعة السادسة والنصف بتوقيت القاهرة، ضمن لقاءات الجولة الثالثة عشر من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Atlético-PR estreia na temporada nesta quarta-feira, contra o Fluminense, em Volta Redonda, pela Primeira Liga. E o técnico Cristovão Borges já tem na cabeça o do time que vai encarar o Tricolor no Rio de Janeiro. Segundo o treinador, a base será a da equipe de 2015, mas com algumas mexidas. Ele também disse que vai escalar os jogadores que estiverem em melhores condições.

– Pretendo manter a base que foi usada, porque temos que partir de algum lugar. Fizemos algumas mudanças. Independentemente de experiência, valerá a condição naquele momento. Quem estiver melhor, sai na frente [por uma vaga]. É isto o que temos feito – disse o técnico em coletiva nesta segunda-feira.

A provável escalação do Furacão, levando em conta o último amistoso contra o Red Bull Brasil, tem Weverton; Eduardo, Christián Vilches (Cleberson), Paulo André e Roberto; Deivid, Otávio e Vinícius; Marcos Guilherme, Sidcley (Ewandro) e Crysan (André Lima).

As muitas dúvidas existem muito por conta da parte física de alguns atletas. Com dores musculares, Anderson Lopes não vem treinando. André Lima ainda não está 100% fisicamente. Se recuperando de lesão, Nikão é desfalque certo, assim como Walter, que está trabalhando a parte física e ainda não está regularizado.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Cruzeiro já sabe o que é necessário desembolsar para contratar Matías Pisano para a próxima temporada. Além da dívida de US$ 700 mil (cerca de R$ 3 milhões), referente ao empréstimo de Ernesto Farías, entre 2012 e 2013, a Raposa terá que desembolsar US$ 1,3 milhão (aproximadamente R$ 5 milhões) por 50% dos direitos econômicos do jogador, segundo Héctor Yoyo Maldonado, secretário-geral do Independiente.

Em entrevista à Rádio Mitre, de Buenos Aires, o dirigente explicou o que pretende receber para liberar o jogador no início do próximo ano.

– É uma forma de abater a dívida. Pisano está avaliado em 2 milhões de dólares – explicou o cartola.

The transfer window may be shut, but one West Brom star is being linked with an exit from the Hawthorns this week…

What’s the word?

According to Saudi Arabian outlet Okaz, Baggies centre-back Ahmed Hegazi is attracting the interest of Jeddah duo, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad, with the latter appearing to be the front-runners to land his signature.

Saudi Pro League teams are able to sign players until November 12th despite the English window closing earlier this month.

The 29-year-old joined Albion from Egyptian outfit Al Ahly in 2017 for £4m and is thought to be on wages of around £26.5k-per-week.

Unforgivable mistake

This would be one baffling move to make on Luke Dowling’s part.

The Baggies picked up their first clean sheet of the season on Monday evening as they held fellow top-flight strugglers Burnley to a 0-0 draw.

Slaven Bilic made the bold call to completely tinker with his backline, dropping his usual first-choice duo Kyle Bartley and Semi Ajayi for the experience of Premier League champion Branislav Ivanovic and Hegazi.

The Egypt international was quickly becoming a forgotten man at the Midlands club having not made a single matchday squad since the season-opener until now.

His first start and full 90 minutes on the pitch resulted in a rare clean sheet, so it would be inexcusable to let him go after that feat.

Per SofaScore, the veteran centre-back recorded seven clearances, won 71.4% of his aerial duels and also made one interception.

If he were to depart the Hawthorns, Bilic would be left limited in options with genuine experience at this level – to add to the four names already mentioned, both Cedric Kipre and Dara O’Shea are still very raw.

Ivanovic is certainly hoping that he and Hegazi can “build on that” performance, so Dowling must resist the urge to cash in on the 29-year-old just yet.

AND in other news, Pulis signing proving to be a TOTAL WASTE of money after latest snub…

West Ham United were wise to side with caution this summer having opted against pushing through a potential £26million deal to sign Chelsea full-back Emerson Palmeri.

What’s the word?

The Irons were linked with Chelsea’s out-of-favour defender Emerson this summer by talkSPORT, who claimed the 26-year-old was being considered by manager David Moyes to strengthen the backline in east London.

Emerson was thought to have been one of several players that could depart Stamford Bridge after failing to impress Frank Lampard last season, having been awarded just 15 Premier League appearances and playing infrequent roles in the Blues’ cup efforts.

But the Stamford Bridge natives were not willing to allow Emerson to depart on the cheap, and reports by Goal suggested they would demand £26m for the alleged Inter Milan target as they sought to raise funds to offset Ben Chilwell’s £45m arrival.

Lampard has continued to overlook Emerson this season having opted against naming the defender in any of his league squads to date, much to the Italy international’s disappointment.

“When I arrive here I change my head, I feel important and part of the group,” Emerson is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail while on international duty.

“At Chelsea, things are not going as I wish in this part of the season. I just have to work.”

It is noted that Chelsea will likely look to offload Emerson again in January, with the Santos, Brazil-born full-back behind Marcos Alonso and Chilwell in Lampard’s plans.

Wise to baulk at £26m deal

While Moyes is said to have considered Emerson as a potential option to explore in his search of a new full-back, David Gold, David Sullivan and Karren Brady were right to baulk at any deal for the disheartened 26-year-old if interest reached that level in east London.

Emerson would only have offered a marginal upgrade on current Irons ace Aaron Creswell when their numbers from last season are compared, with Moyes calling on the Liverpool-born 30-year-old to feature 29 times across all competitions at left-back in 2019/20.

Moyes handed Creswell a total of 31 outings in last year’s Premier League campaign, of which all were starting roles and the £5.85m-rated ace managed an average 0.8 key balls, 0.5 shots, 1.4 tackles, 1.9 clearances and 3.7 duels won per match while helping to five clean sheets, per SofaScore.

As for Emerson, the Chelsea outcast started just 13 of his 15 top-flight appearances and managed an average 1.3 key balls, 0.6 shots, 1.5 tackles, 0.9 clearances and 4.5 duels won a game while helping to just one clean sheet.

With Emerson on a £75,000-per-week contract at Stamford Bridge, West Ham would have been making a vast financial commitment for limited gains by signing the Lampard exile.

AND in other news, West Ham can sign a “gifted” long-term target before Friday’s deadline after a Premier League rival turned to alternative options.

More than four years after leaving Elland Road, Lewis Cook could be set for an incredible return to Leeds United this summer.

The England international joined Bournemouth in the summer of 2016, with the Cherries’ chief executive Neill Blake declaring that they had signed “one of the country’s brightest prospects”.

But following Bournemouth’s relegation to the Championship, things are up in the air, with Football Insider now claiming that Leeds are eyeing up a move for their former midfield prodigy.

Is it Haaland Snr or David Hopkins? Your Leeds knowledge will be put to the test with this quiz…



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The report claims that Cook is “firmly on their radar”, and that the 23-year-old’s close connection with the Whites could see him be convinced of a move back to Yorkshire.

Hailed as a “special talent” by Eddie Howe, Cook can return to Leeds and form an exciting partnership in the middle of the park with Kalvin Phillips.

The duo both came through the Elland Road’s side academy, and with the club making their return to the Premier League after well over a decade, it would be quite poetic to see the pair start in their first game back.

As clubs spend big money on signing players from all across Europe, the Leeds midfield could be dominated by two homegrown, local stars. When Cook was bursting onto the scene, then Whites boss Dave Hockaday waxed lyrical about the young prospect, saying “if you chopped Lewis’ head off and put an older head on his shoulders, you wouldn’t be surprised”.

It was Hockaday who handed the midfielder his debut and first start for Leeds before he left the club, and some of the credit for Cook’s emergence surely has to go to the former Whites boss for placing his trust in him.

And with the midfielder now having played a total of 75 times in the Premier League in his time at Bournemouth, he could provide Marcelo Bielsa’s side with some valuable top-flight experience.

Bringing a former academy starlet back home? It just seems like a no-brainer.

Name: Taylor Harwood-Bellis

Club: Manchester City

Date of Birth: 30 January 2002

Position: Centre-back

Taylor Harwood-Bellis – his career so far

Hailing from Stockport and the same Stockport Metro Junior League that produced his Manchester City teammate Phil Foden, the 18-year-old Taylor Harwood-Bellis has been a part of the Citizens’ academy ever since he was only six years of age.

And interestingly enough, the young defender also formed a partnership in the backline with another bright prospect of the academy who joined at a much later stage in his development, Eric Garcia. The whole generation seems incredible for Man City at this point and the best part is, they are only now starting to fully blossom and emerge onto the scene.

Harwood-Bellis, however, hasn’t had the exposure to the senior team his teammates have enjoyed since their progress from the academy. The imposing 18-year-old centre-back is still registered as Man City’s U23 squad member and can only boast with a handful of appearances for the first-team in his young career.

But he did climb the youth ranks quite quickly and with great impressions. He ended up playing a total of 18 games for the U18 squad, even netting an impressive three goals in the process as well. On a similar note, his ventures in the Youth Cup with the UEFA U19 team were equally good as he mustered ten appearances with a goal on the side as well as City clawed their way towards the final of the competition.

Still, his biggest contribution to date is to the U23s, for whom he played a total of 31 games and netted two goals in the process as well.

Harwood-Bellis’ professional debut arrived when he was named in the starting lineup for Man City’s EFL Cup clash against Preston North End in September 2019 and prior to that, he would also feature in the team’s pre-season US tour.

Since then, he could muster three additional appearances for the seniors, bagging one goal in the FA Cup as well.

Transfer latest

The biggest Manchester City news on the youngster is definitely the decision the club and Pep Guardiola will make on his future. He is only 18 years of age so there’s still a way for him to go in terms of progression and development but he’s been a regular with their U23s for quite some time now and he could probably use some first-team experience, either with the Citizens or possibly even on loan.

Either way, it wouldn’t really be a bad idea to show some faith in him and maybe push him towards the seniors a bit more often, just to ensure his immediate future remains linked to the Etihad.

Of course, with the summer transfer window approaching, City should also be alert to any transfer rumours or transfer news trying to unsettle the kid. At this point, however, nothing indicates they should be scared just yet.

Player profile

Harwood-Bellis is an imposing and powerful central defender that is well capable of shrugging attackers off the ball and then initiating attacks by himself when he’s in possession and has successfully forced a turnover.

When it comes to his positioning, the youngster usually has to deal with long-balls and aerial threats as City’s box is often bombarded in such a manner. But it’s interesting to see how he’s also aggressive in his approach as he often leaves his position in order to engage the opposition in a duel.

And while he still has to work on his decision-making and body orientation when defending, this is mostly due to the sheer inexperience and young age. He is, however, comfortable on the ball and would suit Man City’s style of play if given a proper chance.

أبدى التونسي حمدي النقاز، الظهير الإيمن لنادي الزمالك، حبه الشديد للنادي الأبيض وجماهير قلعة ميت عقبة، بعد عودته مرة أخرى.

ووقع حمدي النقاز على عقود انتقاله لنادي الزمالك لمدة ثلاثة مواسم، رغم هروبه مسبقًا من القلعة البيضاء وفسخ تعاقده من طرف واحد.

أقرأ ايضًا.. النقاز: دفعت 200 ألف دولار لأعود لـ الزمالك.. وسأرد على دعم ساسي لـ المثلوثي في الملعب

وقال النقاز خلال استضافته عبر برنامج “يحدث في مصر” المُذاع على قناة “إم بي سي مصر”: “والله العظيم عندما رحلت من الزمالك كنت حزينًا وكنت أتواصل مع اللاعبين، ورحلت إلى الترجي”.

وأشار: “ولكن عندما واجهت الزمالك وأنا مع الترجي، كنت ألعب بقوة وجماهير الأبيض سبتني، وواجهت النجم الساحلي (فريقي الأم) وأنا مع الزمالك وكنت أؤدي بقوة”.

تابع: “زوجتي ندمت أنها خرجت من مصر، عكس ما قيل أن السبب في رحيلي هو أسرتي، وزوجتي كانت أكثر الداعمين لي في العودة للزمالك، وسأجعل الجماهير تنسى كلمة الهارب”.

وواصل: “كنت متأكدًا أن الزمالك سيحصد الدوري لأنه يستحق، واللاعبون كانوا متحفزين جدًا”.

استكمل: “الفيس بوك هو سبب الشحن، أنا ممكن أجعل الجماهير تحبني من خلال فعل بعض الأمور، ولكن أنا لا أحب الحديث كثيرًا، وسأفعل هذا في الملعب، وإن شاء الله الثلاث سنوات المُقبلة، سيرون مني كل خير”.

أردف: “مستحيل بالنسبة لي أن أخرج إعارة، وعدت للزمالك لكي ألعب وأثبت للناس من خلال الملعب، أنا أحبكم وأحب نادي الزمالك جدًا وإن شاء الله تشاهدون النقاز بشكل أفضل من السابق”.

أكمل: “حسين الشحات لاعب كبير ولو واجهت الأهلي سأبذل مجهودا كبيرا، لا أعلم لماذا يتحدث الناس عني وعن الشحات كثيرًا، عادي جدًا وتحدث هذه المراوغة في الكرة وتحدث مع أي لاعب في العالم، ووارد أنني أراوغ لاعبا آخر”.

أوضح: “اللجنة الحالية احترمتني، ولكن حتى لو جاءت لجنة أخرى ما المشكلة سألعب أيضًا، وإن شاء الله نحصد بطولة إفريقيا النسخة المُقبلة وهذا الأهم بالنسبة لجمهور الزمالك”.

استطرد: “أول اللاعبين الذين تحدثت معهم فور عودتي كانوا محمود علاء وطارق حامد وأوباما وعبد الله جمعة”.

وعن رحيل محمود جنش، قال: “حارس كبير وعنده اسم كبير، ولكن خروجه للإعارة أمر فني لا أتحدث عنه”.

وعن طموحاته مع الزمالك بعد العودة، قال: “طموحي تحقيق الألقاب، وحتى لو الجماهير حزينة مني، سيرون في الملعب ونحن نحصد الألقاب”.

استكمل: “الذي يلعب في فريق كبير يجب أن يتحمل الضغط، والزمالك لديه شعبية كبيرة ليس في مصر فقط بل على مستوى العرب جميعًا، وطبيعي أن يكون هناك ضغط”.

وعن المفاوضات مع الأندية الأخرى: “أول مباراة لي ضد الأهلي مع الزمالك فزنا بها، هذه مباراة ديربي مصر كلها تنتظرها، ولن أفكر مطلقًا في اللعب للأهلي منذ انتقالي للأبيض، وما كان في ذهني عندما خرجت من الترجي أن أعود للزمالك ولم أنظر لأي عرض آخر”.

اختتم: “المثلوثي أخي وليس لدي مشكلة معه، ولو هو تحدث عني فأنا أكبر من الرد”.

Amidst all the controversy surrounding Tottenham and Daniel Levy at the moment, Harry Kane has stepped up to help remind people that football and footballers in particular can still have a positive impact.

The England international announced via his official Twitter account that he and some fellow Premier League stars have launched their fundraising drive, “PlayersTogether”, to help raise significant sums of money to be distributed to NHS workers and those most in need of help during this current situation.

Spot the fact from the fib: Are these Premier League records true or false?

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And after hearing about Kane’s role in the initiative, Spurs fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on their talisman’s actions.

Some Spurs fans felt that Kane is showing Levy how to act, with one supporter in particular suggesting that the striker is “putting our chairman to shame”.

Boy did football need something like this.

Both Spurs and Liverpool, amongst others, have brought their own clubs’ reputations and the sport of football into disrepute, but this latest fundraising campaign orchestrated by the players shows they have a powerful voice that can really provide crucial help.

Kane, and everyone else involved in the scheme, deserve a lot of credit for backing their words with actions.

Meanwhile, Spurs fans are reminiscing over this former powerhouse.