Na manhã desta quarta-feira, o atacante Rhuan se despediu do Botafogo pelas redes sociais. O jogador foi negociado com oRadomiak Radom, da Polônia, e já formalizou o acerto com a equipe europeia. O jogador destacou que foi graças ao clube que ele pode dar uma vida melhor para a família e que levará para ser o Glorioso no coração.
> ATUAÇÕES: Rafael Navarro comanda vitória do Botafogo sobre o CSA
RelacionadasBotafogoBotafogo costura últimos detalhes e fica perto de anunciar retorno de JonathanBotafogo28/07/2021BotafogoAnálise: liderado por Rafael Navarro, Botafogo vence e ganha confiança antes de clássico com o VascoBotafogo28/07/2021BotafogoNavarro brinca com Marco Antônio após assistência na vitória do Botafogo: ‘Vai ter que pagar o almoço’Botafogo28/07/2021
-Muito obrigado, Botafogo. Boa parte da minha vida, vivi dentro do clube. Um período com mais alegrias do que tristezas. Conquistei títulos, convocação para Seleção de base e realizei o sonho de me profissionalizar. Foi graças a este clube que também pude dar uma vida melhor a minha família – disse Rhuan, que ainda completou.
– Minha última temporada com esta camisa não foi como eu esperava. Peço desculpas ao torcedor alvinegro que sempre apostou em mim. Tiro destes momentos aprendizados que levarei para o decorrer da minha carreira.Sigo agora um novo caminho, na Polônia! Um novo clube, uma nova história, mas o Glorioso estará sempre em meu coração. Gratidão ao Botafogo e a todas as pessoas que compõem este clube, agradeço a cada funcionário que esteve comigo ao longo destes anos – concluiu
> Veja a tabela da Série B
O atacante, que estava fora dos planos do Alvinegro, assinou com a equipe polonesa de graça; o Botafogo, porém, mantém 40% dos direitos econômicos de uma possível futura venda. O contrato é válido por três temporadas.
Cria das categorias de base do Botafogo, Rhuan sequer chegou a ser relacionado para um jogo na atual temporada. Fora dos planos, treinava em separado e não fazia parte da rotina do time principal.
Ele chegou a subir ao time principal com certa expectativa, sendo um dos destaques do time sub-20 à época, mas não conseguiu supri-las. Foram 40 partidas disputadas e um gol marcado com a camisa do Botafogo no período.
Whilst the Sheffield Wednesday fans packed into the Stadium of Light rejoiced at their team pulling off an unbelievable escape from relegation at the full-time whistle, most of the hardened Sunderland supporters had scurried home already after being subjected to a dismal final day loss.
Most of the stadium was empty come the end of the Championship clash in the home sections, with Danny Rohl's men strolling to a comfortable 2-0 victory in a clash that was meant to be far more nervy and tense for the travelling Owls.
Sunderland lacked any real drive to try and make Wednesday fight for a vital three points, with the Black Cats unable to make the home fans smile briefly to see out a shocking campaign by picking up a rare win with just three shots on target from 18 efforts.
There could now be a huge summer clear-out on Wearside to try and propel Sunderland into a far more positive era next campaign, which might even see this midfielder – who was touted for a major move up to the Premier League in January – just allowed to leave after underwhelming the last few torrid weeks.
Pierre Ekwah's performance vs Sheffield Wednesday
Previously being watched by the likes of Crystal Palace and Fulham ahead of a big move, those Premier League suitors might hold off on their interest in Pierre Ekwah now based on his uninterested showing against Wednesday on the final day.
Caught out ball-watching for the Owls' opener at the Stadium of Light, with Barry Bannan given far too much freedom on the ball by Ekwah to then pick out Liam Palmer to place home, Wednesday got so much joy against the Black Cats by just displaying more energy venturing forward through the middle of the park.
The former West Ham United youngster was way off the pace throughout against the buoyed-on visitors away just from this moment in isolation, however, with a meagre one shot attempted on James Beadle's goal from the 22-year-old alongside a weak two tackles being attempted to try and disrupt the flow of Rohl's men.
Hauled off in the 71st minute by interim boss Mike Dodds, who has presumably now bowed out of being Sunderland's next cursed manager with this defeat, it wasn't a shock to see Andy Tomlinson of the Roker Report hand out a disappointing 3/10 rating to Ekwah after the dust had settled from the 2-0 loss.
Ekwah's numbers vs Wednesday
Minutes played
71
Touches
53
Key passes
0
Shots on goal
1
Tackles
2
Dribbled past
1
Stats by Sofascore
With Tomlinson describing the 22-year-old's display as being "pretty anonymous", Ekwah's downfall in the senior ranks has been an intriguing one to watch unfold considering how promising of a gem he looked at the start of the season.
The 6 foot 2 midfielder looked like an absolute golden steal at the start of the campaign – having joined from West Ham United in January of 2023 – after a blistering performance against Southampton in September last year, bagging two strikes as the Black Cats tore the Saints to shreds in a comprehensive 5-0 victory.
Since then, the fortunes of both teams have significantly changed, as has Ekwah's standing in the Black Cats camp with the very real possibility that the Frenchman could be offloaded this coming summer if a top-flight party takes a punt on his services.
Pierre Ekwah's transfer value in 2024
Sunderland would still be able to demand a high fee for their up-and-down 22-year-old to depart, with this transfer valuation higher than that of first-team regular Dan Neil – according to Football Transfers – despite Neil being a consistent performer for the Black Cats this season throughout all of the mess.
Despite underperforming during Sunderland's terrible end to the season, Ekwah still finds himself being worth a high £4.6m, a figure the Mackems would surely only be too pleased to receive.
Neil, who has been largely everpresent this campaign and dependable with four goals and five assists from 44 total matches, surprisingly is worth £600k less than his inconsistent counterpart at £4m.
Sunderland's highest value assets – 2023/24
1. Anthony Patterson
£11m
2. Jack Clarke
£7.6m
3. Jobe Bellingham
£6.6m
4. Adil Aouchiche
£5.4m
5. Abdoullah Ba
£5.3m
Sourced by Football Transfers
Ekwah doesn't quite get into the top five highest valued assets at the Stadium of Light when scanning the table above, but the likes of Abdoullah Ba and Adil Aouchiche – who fit into the same bracket as Ekwah as raw and unreliable youngsters who have shown their inexperience – could also be moved on soon especially when you consider their equally hefty values.
Selling on the underperforming central midfielder could prove to be the smartest call of the three when you consider how much the 22-year-old's value has risen over the last few years despite struggling in patches.
Sunderland midfielder Pierre Ekwah.
Glancing back to 2022, when Ekwah was an unknown entity to Sunderland supporters in the Hammers youth system, Ekwah was worth just a paltry £51k – according to Football Transfers – with his value then skyrocketing all the way up to a superior £2.8m in 2023 after a move to the Stadium of Light went through.
This could make for a very interesting off-season saga in Wearside, therefore, regarding Ekwah's future with a massive temptation to cash in on the topsy-turvy midfielder now especially if a Premier League club gambles on the 22-year-old to come good making the step-up and bids a handsome amount.
Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil.
There will be no such uncertainty over Neil's future, however, with the former academy product turned occasional Sunderland captain champing at the bit for the next campaign already to try and make his boyhood club promotion challengers once more.
With a new manager an absolute priority first and foremost before any incomings or outgoings are confirmed, this summer promises to be dramatic and hectic and one the powers that be at Sunderland must get spot on to make up for such a car crash of a campaign that's been finally put out of its misery.
Sunderland could hire O'Shea alternative who'd be perfect for Clarke
Sunderland could keep Jack Clarke around for longer with this managerial appointment.
There wasn't a dry eye in sight as Liverpool defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 in the Premier League to close the door on an incredible, unforgettable era under Jurgen Klopp.
But the show must go on. And FSG's CEO of Football, Michael Edwards, is not resting on the German's laurels. Oh no. Liverpool are set to announce the appointment of Arne Slot and a swarm of summer transfer activity is set to follow.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp bows out
Joel Matip has not featured for Liverpool since December following an ACL injury but the 32-year-old has played his last, with his contract set for expiry next month, and while Jarell Quansah proved his quality yet again with a second successive Premier League goal against the Old Gold, reinforcements will be needed at the back.
Liverpool eyeing invincible centre-back
Quansah has enjoyed a terrific breakout campaign, starting 27 matches in all competitions, but he's carried quite a weight this season with Matip absent and Ibrahima Konate recently sliding from form.
Which is why it's paramount that Liverpool's defence is bolstered, and according to a recent report from Caught Offside, the Reds are actually in pole position to sign Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Odilon Kossounou, who is valued at €60m (£51m).
Bayer Leverkusen defenderOdilon Kossounou.
And that's despite interest from a host of top outfits like Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
The 23-year-old still has two years on his current deal with the invincible German Bundesliga champions but a big bid may well tempt Xabi Alonso's side to cash in while they can. That could well be forthcoming with the report stating that talks are set to take place over a transfer.
Odilon Kossounou's season in numbers
Bayer Leverkusen have thrived with an interchangeable backline this season, consisting of more highly-touted stars that can fit onto the pitch at any one time.
Kossounou, however, has remained a key part of the project throughout, starting 26 matches across all competitions. Several years ago, scout Jacek Kulig remarked that the Ivory Coast international is endowed with a "crazy amount of talent" – it's safe to say that he's proven such praise true.
An important part of Alonso's superteam, Kossounou has completed 89% of his passes in the league this season while averaging 0.5 key passes and six ball recoveries per game, succeeding with 58% of his dribbles and 53% of his contested duels, as per Sofascore.
With finals still to be contested in the DFB-Pokal (against Kaiserslautern) and the Europa League (against Atalanta), the £27k-per-week star has the opportunity to make two more attempts at showcasing his skills ahead of inevitable interest over the summer.
Why Liverpool are interested in Odilon Kossounou
Liverpool have one of the most exciting squads in the Premier League and Slot will find talent aplenty when he arrives this summer, but the rearguard needs some new life and Kossounou would be the perfect player to augment the ranks and improve, not hinder, the new era.
As per FBref, the Ivorian ace ranks among the top 18% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted, the top 5% for shot-creating actions, the top 2% for progressive passes and the top 1% for progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90.
His progressive style and sharp technical skill make for the perfect combination to succeed under Slot's wing, with the incoming Dutch manager emphasising enjoying purposeful drive across the park but also ensuring that his team maintain a crisp, organised structure.
Bayer Leverkusen'sOdilonKossounouin action with Hertha BSC's Linus Gechter
Kossounou will be expected to raise the bar in regard to his defensive ability but there is enough about his core clutch of attributes to suggest that he has a future at the top of the game – indeed, he is two fixtures away from cementing his name among his peers in footballing immortality.
It's also worth noting that while he's not the most accurate in the duel – winning just 52% of his challenges in the German top flight this season – Kossounou has played several matches as a right-back this season and has barrelled up and down the pitch, reflected through his Sofascore heatmap and the fact that he ranks among the top 6% of central defenders for progressive passes received.
1.
Nathan Ake
Manchester City
2.
Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool
3.
Ibrahima Konate
Liverpool
4.
Pau Torres
Aston Villa
5.
Josko Gvardiol
Manchester City
Stylistically similar to some of the Premier League's meanest titans, Kossounou might just be blessed with the skills to succeed at Slot's Liverpool, especially given that he could emulate Van Dijk's demeanour on the pitch.
Van Dijk is well into his 32nd year but the Red skipper is still one of the best in the business, having been hailed for his staggering "levels of brilliance" by reporter Beth Lindop.
As per Sofascore, he finishes his first Premier League campaign as Liverpool captain having started 36 matches, completing 91% of his passes, keeping nine clean sheets, posting two goals and two assists, averaging 4.7 ball recoveries and 3.9 clearances and winning 76% of his duels.
Clearly, Kossounou has some way to go before reaching the pinnacle of modern defending, but the trappings of future success are there.
Van Dijk ranks among the top 10% of positional peers for pass completion, the top 6% for passes attempted, the top 9% for progressive passes and the top 4% for shot-creating actions per 90 – so there's a discernible semblance in technical and creative quality.
Virgil van Dijk for Liverpool
But, moreover, Kossounou has that raw athletic ability that will truly propel him to the upper echelon of defenders in Europe, having already rooted his name on the edge of such conversations with his undefeated performances this season, averaging a whopping six ball recoveries per game in the Bundesliga.
£51m is a sharp figure but Liverpool will need to replace Matip this summer and why not score one of the most talented defenders in the business? After all, he has skills to make him rise to a position not too dissimilar to that of Van Dijk.
Doubters to believers: A tribute to Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp
Anfield will say goodbye to its esteemed manager after nine years of every emotion imaginable.
The Premier League season may have only just come to a painful end for Arsenal, but there is no rest for the wicked in the modern game, and while the players are off enjoying their holidays, the club are already hard at work in preparation for this summer's transfer window.
Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar have enjoyed a run of brilliant summer windows for a few years now.
Last summer, they welcomed the likes of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, while Manchester City stars Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus helped to raise the standards the season before, and based on early reports, it could be another bumper window this year.
That said, one of the stars touted for a move to the Emirates is a talented youngster who has actually outscored the Gunners' mercurial Brazilian this season.
Arsenal transfer news
According to a recent report from journalist Graeme Bailey, Arsenal are interested in Besiktas' highly-rated "wonderkid", Semih Kılıçsoy, and are one of the clubs "best placed" to make a move this summer.
Bailey has revealed that, alongside the Gunners, Manchester City are the other favourites for the youngster's signature, with Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, and Newcastle United also interested.
Other reports claim that the 18-year-old could be available for around £22m, which, while not cheap for someone his age, could prove to be a bargain in the future, especially based on his performance this season.
How Kılıçsoy compares to Jesus
Now, due to him being so young and still relatively unproven in European football, Arsenal wouldn't sign Kılıçsoy to be an immediate Jesus replacement. That would be far too much pressure to place on him, and, thanks to his reasonable price tag, he wouldn't need to be that either.
However, despite being so young, the "physical monster," as described by data analyst Ben Mattinson, was on fire this year and might be able to displace the Brazilian through sheer talent alone.
For example, in just 35 senior games this year, the "frightening" Istanbul-born ace, as talent scout Jacek Kulig described him, scored 12 goals. This means he scored a goal every 2.9 games, or one every 173 minutes, based on the 2083 games he played for the first team.
Kılıçsoy vs Jesus
Players
Kılıçsoy
Jesus
Appearances
35
36
Minutes
2083'
1909'
Goals
12
8
Goals per Match
0.34
0.22
Minutes per Goal
174'
238'
All Stats via Transfermarkt
In comparison, the Gunners' Sao Paulo-born star could only muster eight goals in 36 games this season, meaning he averaged a goal every 4.5 games, or every 238 minutes, based on his 1909 minutes of action. Worse still for the 64-capped international is that his tally of 11 goals from last year is still fewer than the young phenom from Turkey managed this season.
In his defence, the 27-year-old's tally of eight assists this year does take his overall goal involvement haul one higher than his potential competition's, but considering the almost decade age gap, that's hardly significant.
Arsenal keen on "insane" £34m star who could take Saka to the next level
The “complete forward” is incredibly clinical in front of goal.
ByJack Salveson Holmes May 29, 2024
Ultimately, with such an impressive debut season behind him, it's easy to understand why Mattinson claims Kılıçsoy "won't be in Turkey much longer", and for that reason, Arsenal should do all they can to tempt him to North London, even if it takes him a season or two to stake a claim in the first team.
Michael Carrick is arguably one of the most underrated players to have ever graced the Premier League, let alone Manchester United.
The artist playing in the defensive midfield role made 464 appearances for the Red Devils before leaving in 2018.
For context of just how unbelievably talented he truly was, even Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said, “He’s one of the best holding midfielders I’ve ever seen in my life.”
So, have they replaced him? Arguably not. Let's take a look at a defensive midfield target who could fill the void left by Carrick, a player who has has plenty of similarities to a certain Declan Rice.
Man Utd’s quest to find a defensive midfielder
According to a report from journalist Shaun Connolly, Man Utd are interested in signing Ben Sheaf from Coventry City.
The midfielder joined the Championship club permanently in 2021 after coming through the ranks at Arsenal.
It’s mentioned that the Englishman “impressed” all season, as well as against the Red Devils at Wembley in the FA Cup.
Sheaf wouldn’t exactly break the bank, as a fee of £21m would secure his services this summer, which is an indication of the type of signing Ratcliffe will look to make.
How Sheaf compares to Carrick and Rice
Six years on from his exit, Man United still haven’t been able to acquire a midfielder of a similar class and standard to Carrick.
Manchester United Michael Carrick
Even The Athletic produced an article on the absence of a replacement for the former United icon, saying that a whole host of attributes have been missing since his departure.
Those were listed as: “Passing ability, vision, controlling of the tempo, understanding of the game, and positioning in and out of possession.”
It’s quite clear that almost every attribute mentioned above is key for a number six, and Sheaf could just serve as the solution to United’s Carrick dilemma.
As you can see below, Sheaf has plenty of characteristics that mirror those of the current Middlesbrough manager.
Touches
76.5
71.8
64.7
Passes completed
49.9
53.1
48.4
Pass accuracy
85%
91%
86%
Passes completed (Opp half)
28.3
31.2
29
Tackles
3.4
2.2
1.5
Interceptions
1.4
1.2
1.6
Duels won
6.4
4.1
2.9
Firstly, they are both extremely technical players who are able to dictate the tempo of play and control a game with ease, whether that’s using one-touch passes or baiting a press with touches.
The duo also retain the ball brilliantly, as shown by their pass accuracy, and they’re not afraid to step further forward to make their team more dominant and even serve as a threat from range, as shown by their completed passes in the opposition half and the clip below.
On the other hand, Sheaf and Carrick also provide plenty of defensive security, not only because of their ability to execute defensive actions but also because of their reading of the game.
Another vital aspect of the Coventry midfielder's game is that he is a “monster” when it comes to winning the ball back, as per football writer Raj Chohan.
He also said that Sheaf is “Rice-esque” in terms of his ability to cover ground with ease, and the statistics further highlight their similarities, in terms of defensive dominance and technical class.
Declan Rice
This in particular has been a huge issue at United this season, with Casemiro lacking the athleticism to match the speed of the Premier League, as shown by the fact he was dribbled past 2.2 times per game last season.
Overall, Sheaf would be a fantastic signing, and he has everything that a Premier League side would want in a defensive midfielder. Could he just become the new Carrick and United's very own Rice?
Man Utd eyeing Casemiro replacement who’d be a "monster" next to Mainoo
While few would dispute that Aston Villa are feeling the weight of a protracted, high-stakes season, fighting on home soil and on the continent, Unai Emery must feel pretty contented with the way things are going at Villa Park.
The past few fixtures have left a bit to be desired but Villa are fourth in the Premier League standings with a comfortable seven-point cushion over fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who hold a game in hand but have lost four top-flight games in succession.
It has been a meteoric rise and it may yet end in silverware, with Emery’s side heading to Greece for their Conference League semi-final second leg against Olympiakos bearing a 4-2 deficit. Stranger things have happened…
Clement Lenglet Aston Villa
Regardless, Emery is not one to rest on his laurels and the go-getter will work furiously throughout the off-season to bolster his team.
But who might he sign? Well, it looks like Aston Villa are confident of securing quite the silvery signature.
Aston Villa's summer transfer plans
With Nicolo Zaniolo keen on a return to Italy this summer and Emi Buendia still yet to play this season as he recovers from an ACL injury, it makes perfect sense that Aston Villa are eager to secure a high-level new wide forward.
This will not be the sole area of concern but if the right player bobs into the club’s radar, Monchi – President of Football Operations – will pounce. It’s for this reason that Villa are working on a deal to bring Crystal Palace star Michael Olise to the Midlands.
Crystal Palace star Michael Olise
Olise has been one of the Premier League’s most exciting right-wingers this season and last, with his feats attracting interest from heavyweights like Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.
However, according to Football Transfers, Villa believe they can outmanoeuvre closest contenders Arsenal and United in the race given that the 22-year-old would prioritise a starting role and Champions League football were he to leave Selhurst Park.
He might be rated at £60m owing to a release clause but Emery’s team offer perfect conditions for such a fast-rising player and must now advance their interest.
Michael Olise's season in numbers
Following Olise’s exploits last season, football talent scout Jacek Kulig declared him to be “one of the best wide playmakers in Europe”, having overcome past injury issues to rack up 11 assists from 37 Premier League matches.
This season, the London-born France U21 international has suffered a regression on the fitness front while leaping to new, prodigious heights when gracing Crystal Palace on the pitch.
Michael Olise: Premier League Stats 23/24
Stat
#
Matches played
17
Matches started
12
Goals
9
Assists
4
Pass completion
83%
Shots per game
2.9
Key passes per game
1.9
Recoveries per game
3.5
Tackles per game
1.0
Dribbles per game
2.2 (61%)
Duels won per game
5.8 (51%)
Stats via Sofascore
The table above, arrayed as it is with Olise’s metrics in the Premier League this season, does not tell the tale of this star’s season by half, with line-breaking brilliance, deadly two-footedness and sparkling creative spirit shaping a skill set that is both diverse and destructive.
A lot is said about a forward’s acceleration and the effect that can have on a frontline’s fluency but Olise’s deceleration is one of the most underrated aspects of his game, capable of halting his surge like a roadrunner and expertly dispatching the ball, surgically placing it to a well-placed striker or indeed firing home himself with ferocious power, startling precision.
He’s robust and tenacious, highlighted by his high output in the duel, and he’s found feathered balance in his attacking approach, varying his goals and assists to enhance Oliver Glasner’s thriving Crystal Palace project.
It’s quite clear that the £100k-per-week ace is destined for greatness, but conditions matter and he must choose wisely if he is to leave the Eagles for a divisional rival.
He must choose Aston Villa.
How Michael Olise would fit in at Villa
It’s difficult to quantify how rich a career Olise could forge for himself but there’s little doubt that the 5 foot 10 wide forward’s demonstrable success in England’s top flight marks him as one of Europe’s highest-quality talents.
Crystal Palace's Michael Olise
And indeed, Kulig’s vocal support of the player is felt through his more recent remark that Olise has been “one of the EPL’s best players” this season – and that’s despite finding a starting berth on just 12 occasions.
If he can do it at Palace, he can do it at Villa Park. Leon Bailey has been Aston Villa’s principal right-winger this season and given that the Jamaican has posted 14 goals and 14 assists apiece in all competitions it’s hard to argue that he isn’t deserving of a prominent place in Emery’s plans once again next term.
But what’s another star to the system? In fact, Olise is a player who would transcend the Aston Villa side, handing centre-forward Ollie Watkins an even higher class of comrade to ensure that Champions League nights become a regular feature for Emery’s side, that routes toward silverware are realisable on the regular.
Watkins, to his credit, might also prove to be the perfect strike partner for a dynamic player like Olise, with the Three Lions star having incredibly scored 27 goals across all competitions in 2023/24 – including 19 goals and 12 assists in the Premier League.
Moreover, the Lions talisman has created 11 big chances in the Premier League this term, averaging 1.1 key passes per game, and so Olise would find that his own pursuit of goals would not take a hit with a transfer to a new system.
It’s a system that might suit his wonderful strengths and it’s a move that might just see Olise flourish from the less-trodden road toward a riskier – in a sense – project at Aston Villa than the celebrity and history of Manchester United.
Crystal Palace star Michael Olise.
But why not? Olise ranks among the top 4% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 3% for assists and the top 2% for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref, but this does not mean he must opt for the wrong, easier option.
Such prolificness would translate to a new style at Aston Villa, where the roots of success have been placed in firm soil and the 13-point gap from eighth-place Manchester United, having scored 21 more goals, speaks volumes of the polarity in the projects, and where Olise might find the better launchpad for his promising career.
Fighting against such clubs, for such players, is a mark of Aston Villa’s rise under Emery. This is the story of Aston Villa’s position of power. This is the giddying new reality of a football club breaking into Europe’s elite. Just imagine Watkins and Olise under the lights in the Champions League. Salivating isn’t it.
Emery must drop Konsa and unleash Aston Villa's "decisive" star
Aston Villa must overturn a two goal deficit against Olympiacos this evening to secure a spot in the final
Manchester United are reportedly ready to demolish Old Trafford, allowing them to build a £2bn, 100,000-seater ‘Wembley of the North’ next door.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Red Devils had considered keeping current venue
Are now looking into a completely new site
Hoping to have new home ready for around 2030
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Red Devils are aware of the need to give their famous home a serious upgrade. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made that project a top priority since his arrival as a major investor at the club. Various proposals have been floated as the Premier League giants mull over what to do next.
Advertisement
Getty Images
THE BIGGER PICTURE
There had been talk of United scaling Old Trafford down to 30,000, allowing the iconic venue to be preserved and handed over to the club’s women and academy teams. A ground of that size is, however, considered to be too big for the sides concerned.
DID YOU KNOW?
According to the , the Red Devils are now prepared to flatten their current home and start over. Said proposal would not come cheap – as architects Foster and Partners are charged with the task of delivering on United’s vision – with an ultra-modern construction coming with a £2 billion ($2.6bn) price tag.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
AFP
WHAT NEVILLE SAID
United will look to integrate historical elements of Old Trafford into their new build, with club legend Gary Neville – who now sits on the stadium project task force – telling : “None of the stands that were there when I first went in 1979 are there in the same form. Most of the stands have been built between 1993 and 2005. We’d not be keeping anything that is 100 years old. What is it that we’d be saving?
“Yes, we must keep the statues, the Munich clock or tunnel. They must be a part of whatever Old Trafford becomes. I get that the location of the pitch is important to some fans but I was at Tottenham vs Arsenal on Sunday. I don’t think any Tottenham fans went there thinking about the location of the pitch and that it’s different to the one Glenn Hoddle played on.”
A number of big-name players are currently off contract ahead of a season of huge challenges
Andrew McGlashan01-Sep-2020The Big Bash contract embargo has been lifted with clubs now set for a hectic period of completing their lists ahead of a season full of uncertainty and with the league facing significant pressure from broadcasters amid concerns over a lack of star names.There had been plans to hold a first BBL player draft this year but that has been shelved due to the complexities created by Covid-19 meaning that squads will be completed in the traditional way of individual signings.However, a report in Nine Newspapers has said that consideration is being given to a central pool of funds to help clubs attract big-name overseas players in an attempt to balance the likely absence of more Australian players due to the need for larger international squads in hubs.That was one of the major issues at the centre of heated remarks by Channel 7 CEO James Warburton last week when he threatened to walk away from the broadcast deal if the BBL was stripped of a large number of big-name players.CA has occasionally helped bulk up the pay of major names in the league previously with a marketing element to their contracts, as was the case with AB de Villiers at Brisbane Heat last season and Kevin Pietersen in the past. However, this latest plan would be for the benefit of the all the clubs.
Contracting for #BBL10 is OPEN!
And there are plenty of big names up for grabs with clubs now free to sign and re-sign for the season ahead pic.twitter.com/rfUneVGz9k
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) August 31, 2020
Last month, CA brought onboard T20 specialist Trent Woodhill to work alongside BBL boss Alistair Dobson on reshaping the league and attracting players from around the world as the tournament prepares for its 10th edition and attempts to regain its sweet spot which came prior to expanding into a full home-and-away season.This year’s tournament is currently scheduled to be longest in terms of duration, penciled in to start on December 3 and finish on February 6, although changes are expected to the schedule with the likelihood that it will be played in hubs.”In terms of players wanting to play in it and its standing in the world game I think it does just sit behind the IPL,” Woodhill said from the Australia camp in Southampton where he is an assistant coach on the tour. “Every tournament has got to have an aspect of wanting to improve and I saw that in 10 years of IPL.”Being around the international stage and being all over the world, people love the Big Bash. People love the colour, love the entertainment, they want to tune in and watch it and overseas players want to come play in it, domestic players love it. It’s a great sense of fun but we also find it’s a stepping stone for others as well to push for IPL, push for [the] Hundred and international call-ups.”Adam Zampa was pumped after removing Steven Smith•Getty ImagesAlthough there remains significant uncertainty over the international schedule later in the year as countries continue to map out a return to action amid the pandemic, it could be that there is less cricket – and competing T20 leagues – being played than would traditionally be the case meaning more players available for the Big Bash.The league is confident overseas players will be able to take a full part in the tournament – they are also expected to feature in the WBBL which is due to start in mid-October – despite the various travel restrictions around the world and quarantine requirements in Australia.”There’s constant dialogue,” Woodhill said. “We are really excited for the tournament and I’m really excited about overseas players wanting to participate.”Various in-play tweaks are also expected to be introduced for the new season which could include free hits for wides, bonus points and substitutions although Woodhill declined to go into any detail about changes while on Australia duty in England. “I think this season you will see some great innovation,” he said.While the lack of a player draft reduces the chance of a major overhaul of which teams players are based at, there are a number of high-profile names currently out of contract including Alex Carey, Rashid Khan, Peter Handscomb, James Pattinson, Sandeep Lamichhane and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Celtic secured their third straight Scottish Premiership title with an emphatic 5-0 win over Kilmarnock away from Parkhead on Wednesday night.
The Scottish giants ran out comfortable winners against the hosts, who did not put up much of a fight, to ensure that Brendan Rodgers' side will lift the top-flight trophy once again.
Their 2-1 win in the Old Firm last weekend meant that even a point would have been enough to crown them champions, but they still went out and did it in style with a fantastic performance and result.
Matt O'Riley ran the show in the middle of the park and put on a masterclass on Wednesday night. However, he was not the only star of the evening as centre-forward Adam Idah also helped to win the title with a sublime showing.
Matt O'Riley's magical performance for Celtic
The Danish magician was on top form for the Scottish giants with two goals and one assist on the night to help the Hoops on their way to the trophy.
O'Riley's first direct contribution to the match came in the fifth minute as his fantastic right-footed cross found Idah for a tap in at the back post, to make it 1-0 on the night.
He then went on to score the fourth goal for Celtic with a thumping effort from the edge of the box, that soared into the roof of the net, after James Forrest's lay-off.
The former MK Dons star then rounded out the scoring with a composed touch and finish inside the box from Nicolas Kuhn's cutback to make it 5-0.
Overall, O'Riley created a staggering seven chances – more than any other player on the pitch – and one 'big chance' to go along with his two goals, and that is why he was the star of the show.
Adam Idah's title-winning contribution at Kilmarnock
Rodgers made a big call to drop Kyogo Furuhashi from the starting XI to unleash Idah from the start as the main centre-forward for the Hoops on Wednesday night.
It was a call that paid off big time for the Bhoys as the Ireland international, who earned a 9/10 rating from GlasgowWorld's Ben Banks, was integral to how Celtic got a foothold in the match.
His sublime number nine play provided the rest of the team with a platform to take the game to Kilmarnock, as he dropped deep, ran the channels, and held his position to retain the ball depending on the situation – reading the game and making the right movements when needed.
This was summed up perfectly by his goal as Idah dropped deep to receive the ball, spun his man and then drove forward before laying the ball out wide. He then made a movement to the back post and was in the perfect position to finish from close range.
Minutes played
62
Touches
35
Shots on target
4
Goals
1
Pass accuracy
85%
Key passes
1
As you can see in the table above, despite having fewer touches than Joe Hart (46), the 6 foot 3 ace had a big impact on the game with four shots on target and one chance created.
His hold up play was also crucial to the third goal for Celtic as he held off a defender before playing a sensational ball around the corner for Daizen Maeda, who then crossed for James Forrest to convert.
Celtic make £6m+ bid to sign "highly rated" goalkeeper to replace Hart
He could be the new first-choice ‘keeper at Celtic Park.
ByBen Browning May 15, 2024
Kyogo, who averages 5.7 passes per game and a duel success rate of 40%, does not offer the same all-round centre-forward play, which is why Idah's inclusion was so important for Celtic and why he helped Rodgers to win the title alongside O'Riley with his crucial performance.
Manchester City are reportedly facing the catastrophic threat of being banned from all competitions if they are found guilty of FFP breaches.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Hearing into FFP case has been openedCity waiting to discover their fateRivals calling for toughest possible punishmentsGettyWHAT HAPPENED?
The reigning Premier League champions have seen the hearing into their Financial Fair Play case, which could include as many as 130 charges, finally opened. No ruling is expected for at least a couple of months, while any appeals would drag a protracted saga out even further.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
For now, the reports on how English football could be “thrown into chaos” if City are stung with the toughest possible punishments. It is claimed that many rivals believe a one-off points deduction would not be sufficient, with expulsion from the Premier League one avenue that may be explored.
GettyDID YOU KNOW?
If that were to be the case, then rules relating to FA Cup and Carabao Cup competition could lead to the Blues being removed from all domestic activity. Clause 31 of the FA Cup rules states: “Where a club has been admitted to participate in the competition but is then removed from the league in which it competes (or its league fixtures are suspended), the Professional Game Board [PGB] may remove the club from the competition.” The EFL Cup rules define participating clubs as “each member from time to time of the league and each member from time to time of the Premier League”.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
WHAT NEXT?
Champions League rules are slightly different, as they fall under the remit of UEFA, and City are due to take part in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the United States next summer. Their participation in those events would be case into serious doubt if they were to be expelled from all events in England.