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Aston Villa have signed Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea from Juventus, a talented and rising duo with big claims for prominent roles on the wing and at the base of the midfield respectively.

What's the catch? Douglas Luiz, Unai Emery's midfield general, has been snatched from Villan clutches, signing for Juve to placate PSR and prevent a Premier League points deduction on the eve of the most gripping campaign in the club's modern history.

All told, Villa Park deserves credit for weaving around a potentially ruinous situation. Luiz was the linchpin in the centre but positive recruitment will see the loss countered.

While the PSR deadline has come and gone and Villa are understood to have done enough to avoid the clamping jaws, further outgoings may be required, with Tottenham Hotspur keen on signing homegrown talent Jacob Ramsey; albeit, there is a reluctance to authorise the 23-year-old's sale.

If such a scenario occurs, Emery and Monchi might just have found the perfect replacement.

Aston Villa transfer news

According to SportBILD – via Sport Witness – Aston Villa are leading the race for FSV Mainz teenager Brajan Gruda, despite interest from Liverpool and Newcastle United.

Gruda enjoyed an impressive breakout year in the German Bundesliga and is swaying toward an exit after hearing of such high-profile intrigue.

With a host of German outfits also taking note and Gruda not having a release clause inserted in his contract, Mainz are looking for €50m (£42m) to swallow his departure, aged only 20 and with so much dizzying potential.

Brajan Gruda's 23/24 season in numbers

Playing with unfettered joy and a swagger that speaks of his confidence in his qualities, Gruda is a nimble and slippery attacking midfielder with positional flexibility that has seen him operate across the frontline, even featuring in a deep-lying midfield role on occasion.

While Gruda only scored four goals and added three assists for Mainz last season, he did so with the gliding gait and breezy assuredness of a player who recognises their skill set, influencing and improving his team's play.

Moreover, given that he'd spent the previous campaign playing for the juniors, there's no question that Gruda is on the fast track to stardom, with interest from some of Europe's top outfits bearing testament to his rise.

Some might claim that Gruda, with mere tentative steps taken into his professional career, would be best placed remaining in his homeland with Mainz for the next year or two, but he proved that he has attributes to call real danger to even the most formidable of opposition, and with the sharks circling this might mark an attractive opportunity that may be rued if not acted upon.

What Brajan Gruda would bring to Aston Villa

So young, so untested, Gruda was not called up to Julian Nagelsmann's squad for Euro 2024 but he was invited to aid preparations, such is his potential and such is the quality of his skill set.

As per FBref, the versatile star ranked among the top 8% of attacking midfielders and wingers during the 2023/24 Bundesliga campaign for shot-creating actions, the top 4% for progressive carries and the top 5% for successful take-ons per 90, highlighting his elite progression and playmaking ability.

A marvel with his close control, shuffling style and eagle-eyed vision, Gruda – the possessor of a "monstrous left foot" – has the trappings of an elite-level creator down the line, and he would make a real difference to Aston Villa's first team.

He might not have the same level of raw speed as Nico Williams, another top Villan target to strengthen the flanks, but he sure does boast some similarities that speak further of his suitability to Emery's system.

1.

Takefusa Kubo

Real Sociedad

2.

Nico Williams

Athletic Bilbao

3.

Samuel Chukwueze

AC Milan

4.

Edon Zhegrova

LOSC Lille

5.

Mykhaylo Mudryk

Chelsea

Williams was in electric form for Athletic Bilbao last term, instrumental in the Basque team's triumphant Copa del Rey campaign, totalling an impressive haul of eight goals and 19 assists across all competitions.

The Spain international ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 7% for progressive carries and the top 6% for successful take-ons per 90.

Williams, admittedly, is performing at a higher level, since being called up to Spain's national team and proving to be one of the tournament's standout performers at Euro 2024, but then Gruda truly has a bunch of skills that would make him an excellent alternative.

Matches played

28

31

Matches started

19

29

Goals

4

5

Assists

3

11

Pass completion

71%

79%

Big chances created

9

10

Key passes per game

1.5

1.5

Ball recoveries per game

3.5

4.2

Dribbles per game

2.5 (52%)

2.8 (48%)

Duels won per game

5.5 (46%)

5.2 (46%)

Football Insider report that Villa are tussling with Tottenham Hotspur for the 21-year-old winger's signature, having failed with a concerted approach in January 2023.

One thing is for certain: Aston Villa are on the rise and are now in a position to sign some of Europe's foremost talents to continue Emery's exciting project. Williams is a hot prospect, however, and signing him will be tough.

Luckily, with Gruda profiled extensively, the Midlands club could seal an impressive signing to lift them to the next level.

Jack Grealish repeat: Important Aston Villa star could leave for PL club

Another of Aston Villa’s finest academy graduates could depart.

ByJoe Nuttall Jul 4, 2024

Three years ago, Aston Villa resigned themselves to the bitter loss of their talisman. Jack Grealish was one of the hottest prospects in the Premier League, and so Manchester City took it upon themselves to launch a £100m bid to bring him up the M6 and join Pep Guardiola's imperious operation.

Since leaving Villa Park, his boyhood club, his stomping ground, the England international, 28, has won hordes of major honours, bathed in illustrious heights with one of the greatest football teams in English history, an all-conquering mega-power that would fancy its chances against any of the great sides of years past, domestically and abroad.

Jack Grealish: Major Honours at Man City

Season

Trophies

2023/24

Premier League, UEFA Supercup, FIFA Club World Cup

2022/23

Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup

2021/22

Premier League

Via Transfermarkt

Last season, though, the £100m man clinched three goals and three assists apiece over 36 appearances in all competitions. He's lost some of his flair and gusto. Gone is the fleet-footed brilliance of a truly unforgettable phenomenon; hello, industrial efficacy, mechanical motions chipped and tinkered at to maximise control and – this part is crucial – winning.

Could Grealish return to Villa?

According to Football Insider, Aston Villa are actually interested in bringing Grealish back to Birmingham, with the Citizens tempted to cash in on their record signing following his crash in form and perceived partying antics.

Grealish does not appear to be the same player that he was at Villa Park, but this is a point in tactics, not an evaporation of dizzying ability.

However, City are hoping to recoup much of the lofty outlay paid to NSWE three years back. This isn't particularly realistic: it was an exorbitant sum anyway and Grealish has suffered of late, missing out on the Three Lions' Euro 2024 squad.

But perhaps it could materialise – especially when it was reported earlier this week that Jhon Duran seemed to be closing on a transfer to Premier League rivals West Ham United.

The fearless Colombian has erected quite the presence despite his young years (he's only 20), expressing power, pace and prodigious potential in a wonderful mingle. But he's not unexpendable, and while the Villans appear to have placated PSR, completing such a sale would place them in a positive long-term financial position.

Both players, Grealish and Duran, possibly one out, one in, are talented and highly valued in a competitive transfer market, but there's one recently sold Lions man worth even more. His name is Douglas Luiz, and Aston Villa well and truly hit the jackpot on him.

Why Aston Villa sold Douglas Luiz

Back in 2017, Aston Villa's dismal tumble into the second tier made a poignant comment on one of English football's foremost outfits. The Villa Park halls are rich in silver-gleaming history, having reached the pinnacle of European football and been one of the most prominent top-flight teams for an age.

All seemed lost, especially after Fulham landed a 1-0 victory over Steve Bruce's side in 2018, confining them to a second successive year in the Championship. But second time lucky, Aston Villa surged back into the big time and have since been on an upward curve. Luiz has been one of the chief architects.

Signed from Manchester City in a £15m deal five years ago, the Brazilian was welcomed to Dean Smith's brood at the dawn of a second shot in the Premier League, and he made 204 appearances, scoring 22 goals and assisting 24 more.

Luiz, now 26, was described as "one of the Premier League's standout midfielders" by The Athletic's Jacob Tanswell for his exploits under Unai Emery last season, having also been crowned the club's Player of the Season during the 2022/23 term.

Emery has done a wonderful job of propitiating Aston Villa's fanbase with an incredible resurgence, but without Luiz's brilliance, it simply wouldn't have happened.

Douglas Luiz: Premier League Stats (22/23 & 23/24)

Stats

2022/23

2023/24

Matches played

37

35

Matches started

33

35

Goals

6

9

Assists

6

5

Pass completion

86%

89%

Big chances created

7

10

Touches per game

60.6

70.1

Key passes per game

1.2

1.5

Dribbles per game

0.6

0.7

Ball recoveries per game

6.1

5.5

Tackles per game

2.0

1.7

Duels won per game

4.4

4.2

Stats via Sofascore

The table above shows just how remarkable his level has been in the English top flight over the past few years, instrumental in qualifying for the Europa Conference League and then the Champions League.

But all good things… as they say. With PSR concerns rife over the past month, it became clear that the 5 foot 10 midfielder might have to be sacrificed to avoid a breach that could result in a hefty fine or a points deduction.

Juventus were keen on his signature, and so completed Luiz's signing for £42.5m at the end of June, with the Premier League side claiming Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea in part of the deal.

It means that Luiz – who was hailed as Villa's "star man" by journalist Graeme Bailey – actually stands above Duran in market value and indeed in Grealish, with Football Transfers reflecting the Englishman's true market price with a £32m tag.

Football Transfers actually mark Luiz's valuation at £43m themselves, suggesting that Juventus have struck a deal for a fitting price.

It might be a bitter pill to swallow, watching Luiz jet off to the Serie A, where he will compete for Juventus and seek to orchestrate the Italian side's own revival after a regression over recent years.

Villa's newfound position among Europe's elite means that a reunion between the player and the Midlands club is a very real possibility next season, but should it happen, he will be met with a warm embrace, for he has been one of the most important cogs at a golden period in Aston Villa's history.

Related Aston Villa could sign £40m Diaby upgrade who PSG want to replace Mbappe

Emery is eyeing a move for the Championship player of the year in 2023/24…

Posts ByRoss Kilvington Jul 9, 2024

West Ham United have accepted a £2m offer after weeks of talks to sell a 25 year-old Hammers player, according to a report.

West Ham transfer rumours after Guilherme

The Irons began their summer business by making Luis Guilherme the first signing of the Julen Lopetegui era, with the Brazilian arriving on a big-money deal from Palmeiras. South American expert Tim Vickery has been full of praise for Guilherme, believing West Ham have signed a “lightning quick” player with plenty of promise.

“In the case of Luis Guilherme, Palmeiras have so much promise. Their youth work has been doing such remarkable stuff. Endrick is 18 who is just about to go to Real Madrid. They’ve got Estevao who is 17 and who looks like he will join Chelsea in a year’s time. That means Luis Guilherme has been a little bit overshadowed, but he is very, very interesting.

“West Ham were said to be interested in another winger, Wesley, who plays across Sao Paulo at Corinthians. They’re very different, as Wesley is right footed and cuts in, and Luis Guilherme is left footed, but the thing that they have in common is that they’re not lightweights. These are physical. Luis Guilherme is physically built, lightning quick with a left foot.”

Vickery then added: “It will be very much a case of West Ham developing him and developing him slowly. You see, I don’t think this is a player who is going to go straight into the team and make an immediate impact. This is one you are building for the future. “For a player operating in that position, there is a huge learning curve ahead, and that’ll be the case with Luis Guilherme.”

After Guilherme, West Ham have been linked with completing more business, with Fabrizio Romano revealing that contacts have started over a move for Wolves centre-back Max Kilman.

Meanwhile, The Guardian have claimed that contact has been made with left-back Ryan Sessegnon after his departure from Tottenham, whereas another free transfer in Luton Town goalkeeper Tim Krul could also be on the cards.

Some departures may also materialise this summer, and it looks as if one is close to being completed.

Nathan Trott to leave West Ham for FC Copenhagen

According to a report from TEAMtalk, West Ham have accepted an offer in the region of £2m to sell goalkeeper Nathan Trott.

The 25-year-old, who spent the last two seasons on loan in Denmark at Vejle BK, making 56 appearances, is set to join FC Copenhagen following weeks of talks between the two clubs.

West Ham now ready offer to sign new £17m left-back

There’s been contact with his representatives.

ByCharlie Smith Jun 20, 2024

West Ham actually triggered a two-year option in Trott’s contract over the summer, but it looks as if that was only to ensure they’d receive a fee for his services, something which now looks set to materialise.

Trott only ever made one senior appearance for West Ham’s first team after progressing through the academy, and it looks as if the Hammers will secure the services of Wes Foderingham after he left Sheffield United to fill the void left by Trott.

Arsenal are reportedly preparing a bid to sign a £51 million player targeted by Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich, and it is believed the Gunners want to act fast to win the race.

Edu could sign new world-class striker for Arsenal this summer

Mikel Arteta's side were praised for their excellent attacking form last season, despite just losing out on the Premier League title to eventual champions Man City, who won a national record fourth league crown in a row.

European club set for talks to sign "prolific" ace from Arsenal this week

It could be a summer of change at the Emirates Stadium.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 29, 2024

The north Londoners scored over 90 goals in the league alone, with the majority of their strikes coming courtesy of Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz. Their attacking contributions came from across the forward line in the absence of a world-class natural number nine, which is testament to the fluidity of Arsenal's side going forward.

However, it has been widely reported that sporting director Edu could soon put that to an end, as Arsenal are actively seeking a new striker this summer. Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah are Arteta's only senior options in that position right now, but both are facing uncertain futures at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal's top goalscorers in the league last season	Goals
Bukayo Saka	20
Leandro Trossard	17
Kai Havertz	14
Martin Odegaard	11
Gabriel Martinelli	8

A guaranteed 25-plus-goals-per-season front man has long been thought of as the missing piece of the jigsaw, with Arsenal chiefs eager to source it before the start of next season.

"Arsenal are seeking to sign a prime striker before their pre-season tour," wrote reliable journalist Miguel Delaney for The Independent recently.

"Mikel Arteta has already long started work on plans for next season, and wants to bring in three first-team level players while moving out three or four.

They did already considered purchasing a striker in January, with that long seen as the final main piece missing. A move for Ivan Toney was considered then, but Brentford’s £100m price put Arsenal off, and he has since fallen way down the list of targets.

"Arteta wants to get all business done early, so the squad is immediately ready to work on a campaign where they are aiming to hit over 90 points. The plans have already seen in the market as reminiscent of Liverpool around 2018."

A forward who Arsenal have been regularly linked with is Bologna star Joshua Zirkzee, coming after the Dutchman's excellent Serie A campaign.

Arsenal preparing bid for Joshua Zirkzee

According to Italian newspaper Tuttosport, as relayed by Spanish media, Arsenal are preparing an official bid for Zirkzee, but Bundesliga giants Bayern also have the striker on their list of potential targets and are "involved" in the race.

The Bavarians, who will now be lead by new manager Kompany (Fabrizio Romano), possess a buy-back clause regarding Zirkzee – which hands them an advantage. However, if they decide not to formalise their interest, Arsenal would be handed a fairly clear run.

Arsenal chiefs apparently want to move quickly for Zirkzee as they seek to end their long search for a natural striker of real quality. Stefano Pioli, commenting on the £51 million Zirkzee last season, claimed he is a striker who "has everything".

كشفت تقارير صحفية إنجليزية تفاصيل مثيرة للقلق بالنسبة لجماهير فريق ليفربول، بشأن مستقبل الثلاثي محمد صلاح، ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد وفيرجيل فان دايك.

ومن المعروف أن عقود الثلاثي ستنتهي مع ليفربول في صيف 2025، أي نهاية الموسم الحالي.

ولا يوجد أي اتفاق بين لاعبي ليفربول المذكورين من جهة، ومسؤولي النادي من جهة أخرى، فيما يخص تمديد إقامتهم في ملعب “الأنفيلد”.

وأكد محمد صلاح، في تصريحات علنية خلال الفترة الأخيرة، أن مُلاك ليفربول لم يتقدموا بأي عروض لتجديد عقده مع الفريق.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ليفربول يتواصل مع ممثلي لاعب برشلونة لخلافة محمد صلاح

وظهرت تقارير صحفية بعد ذلك تفيد fأن ليفربول تقدم بعرض مبدئي لـ محمد صلاح من أجل تجديد عقده، وكذلك زميليه فان دايك وترينت ألكسندر أرنولد.

ولكن يبدو أن الأمور لا تسير بشكل جيد، حسبما ذكرت صحيفة “ذا صن” الإنجليزية، خاصة فيما يخص أرنولد المُهدد بإمكانية مغادرة ليفربول والانتقال إلى ريال مدريد.

وأوضحت أن مسؤولي ليفربول عرضوا على أرنولد زيادة قدرها 70 ألف جنيه إسترليني، على راتبه الأسبوعي الحالي البالغ 180 ألف جنيه إسترليني، وذلك بمقتضى عقد جديد لمدة خمس سنوات.

وأشارت إلى أنه بالرغم من ذلك، فإن أرنولد يتمسك بالحصل على 350 ألف جنيه إسترليني، لمضاهاة الراتب الحالي للنجم المصري محمد صلاح.

وذُكر أن أرنولد أخبر أصدقائه المقربين بالفعل برغبته في البقاء مع ليفربول، خاصة مع استقراره في قصر شيشاير مع صديقته الجديدة.

ومع ذلك، فإن أرنولد مصمم على الحصول على ما يعتقد أنه يستحقه، خاصة وأنه يثق في كون ريال مدريد يستطيع تلبية ما يريد بسهولة.

في غضون ذلك، عُرض على فان دايك عقد جديد للاحتفاظ بخدماته لما بعد الموسم المقبل.

ولكن وُرد أن اقتراح ليفربول لم يرق إلى مستوى توقعات قلب الدفاع الهولندي، وحتى الآن لم يكن هناك أي تقدم بشأن قيمة أو مدة التمديد.

وينطبق الأمر نفسه على محمد صلاح، حيث أشارت “ذا صن” إلى أن مالكي ليفربول رفضوا الرضوخ لمطالب صاحب الـ32 عامًا بشأن الراتب، وهو يدرك أنه سيحظى بأموال ضخمة في الدوري السعودي.

يأتي هذا في الوقت الذي أكدت فيه صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية عكس ذلك، بعدما ذكرت بأن ليفربول يقترب من تمديد عقد محمد صلاح، وربما يحدث ذلك قبل نهاية هذا العام (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

Trent Boult did not train on day two of New Zealand’s camp in Mount Maunganui; Boult, it is understood, was feeling unwell and stayed away as precaution. Ross Taylor said he was hopeful the pacer would be fit to go on the third day of the camp, which is running from July 19 to 24 at Bay Oval with cricketers from the national men’s and women’s teams based in the North Island.”I think he’s just tired from his eight overs bowling at us yesterday,” Taylor joked, adding, “Obviously, with what’s going around, you’ve got to be a bit smart around things like that. Hopefully he’s fine and raring to go tomorrow.”Taylor and Boult were two of eight men’s players to attend the first half of the North camp, alongside Colin de Grandhomme, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner. The second half of the six-day camp will have Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Jimmy Neesham, Will Somerville and Will Young taking part.The camp will give the two groups of men’s players, as well as seven women’s players – Anna Peterson, Katie Perkins, Lauren Down, Holly Huddleston, Hannah Rowe, Rosemary Mair and Natalie Dodd – the chance to get a feel of the turf again, even while being protected from the elements in the New Zealand winter. A marquee tent has been set up at Bay Oval, over the outdoor nets, meaning the players could train despite it raining on Monday.New Zealand’s bowling coach Shane Jurgensen, who is part of the support staff present at the camp, explained the men’s camp had been split in two to limit the number of players present. “Geographically, with the way things are set out, we’ve got more [players training] on the North Island. We split this camp into two for that reason,” he said. “For now it’s a temporary [tented] structure, we’ve got two nets. The bigger structure will come in next year.”We want to make sure we maximise our time with the guys, give them every opportunity over three days, and then we have the second group coming in later in the week.”Jurgensen, who was part of the camp in Lincoln for players from the South Island last week as well, said that from a skills point of view, work has begun on tweaking bowling plans and habits to meet the new playing conditions – such as the ban on saliva to polish the ball – in the era of Covid-19. “We’re trying to adjust to potential new rules, in my department, with the bowling,” Jurgensen said. “We’ve got to look after the ball in a different way now, we’ve got to come up with some new deliveries. So this week’s been a good starting point.”Rowe, the seamer, said it was good to get back on turf, and to pick the brains of the men’s players. “We’ve all been training indoors. It’s really good to get that opportunity to get back on grass. If we didn’t have the marquee up here, we’d be back indoors [due to the rain],” she said. “Also, to share facilities and obviously to learn off [the men’s players] as well… I know the girls down South [Lincoln] had really good conversations with the boys regarding different ways to play the game, so, yeah, it’s awesome to be able to share that with them.”In all, New Zealand have six national camps scheduled this winter, three each in the north and south islands, in their bid to shake off the effects of the pandemic-induced lockdown.

أجرى الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم “فيفا” قرعة كأس العالم للأندية 2025 اليوم الخميس، في ميامي بالولايات المتحدة الأمريكية.

وأسفرت قرعة كأس العالم للأندية 2025 عن مجموعات قوية، خاصة المجموعة الثانية والمجموعة السابعة.

ويستعد الأهلي لمواجهة مثيرة مع فريق إنتر ميامي الأمريكي الذي يضم النجوم ليونيل ميسي ولويس سواريز وجوردي ألبا وسيرجيو بوسكيتس.

فيما يضرب الهلال السعودي موعدًا مع ريال مدريد الإسباني، ويقع الوداد المغربي مع مانشستر سيتي ويوفنتوس الإيطالي.

وتقام منافسات النسخة الأولى من كأس العالم للأندية بنظامه الجديد في صيف 2025 بالولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، بمشاركة 32 فريقًا.

طالع | موعد والقنوات الناقلة لقرعة كأس العالم للأندية 2025 اليوم

وتنطلق بطولة كأس العالم للأندية يوم 15 يونيو وتنتهي 13 يوليو، بتواجد 32 فريقًا، للمشاركة في النسخة الافتتاحية.

ويعد الأهلي المصري هو ممثل مصر الوحيد في القرعة، ويتواجد رفقته ثلاثة أندية إفريقية، وهي، الوداد المغربي والترجي التونسي وصن داونز الجنوب إفريقي.

ولا يمكن لأي مجموعة أن تضم أكثر من فريق واحد من نفس الاتحاد القاري، باستثناء الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم (أوروبا) الذي يضم 12 ناديًا ممثلاً للقارة الأوروبية.

اقرأ أيضًا | تصنيف الأندية في كأس العالم للأندية 2025

وكشف جياني إنفانتينو رئيس الفيفا، رفقة الظاهرة البرازيلي رونالدو، النقاب عن كأس العالم للأندية الجديد.

وبطل كأس العالم للأندية سيحصل على مفتاح خاص يستطيع به تحريك الكأس كما يشاء.

نتائج قرعة كأس العالم للأندية 2025

المجموعة الأولى: بالميراس، بورتو، الأهلي، إنتر ميامي.

المجموعة الثانية: باريس سان جيرمان، أتلتيكو مدريد، بوتافوجو، سياتل ساوندرز.

المجموعة الثالثة: بايرن ميونخ، بنفيكا، بوكا جونيورز، أوكلاند سيتي.

المجموعة الرابعة: فلامينجو، تشيلسي، كلوب ليون، الترجي.

المجموعة الخامسة: ريفير بليت، إنتر ميلان، مونتيري، أوراوا ريد دايموندز.

المجموعة السادسة: فلومينينسي، بوروسيا دورتموند، أولسان هيونداي، صن داونز.

المجموهة السابعة: مانشستر سيتي، يوفنتوس، الوداد، العين.

المجموعة الثامنة: ريال مدريد، سالزبورج، الهلال، باتشوكا.

نظام كأس العالم للأندية 2025

مرحلة المجموعات تتكون من 8 مجموعات، وتضم كل مجموعة 4 فرق، يتم التنافس في كل مجموعة بنظام الدوري من مرحلة واحدة.

ويتأهل الفريقان صاحبي المركز الأول والثاني في كل مجموعة إلى دور 16.

وفي مرحلة خروج المغلوب ستكون هناك مباراة واحدة مباشرة من دور 16 إلى النهائي.

ولا توجد مباراة فاصلة لتحديد صاحب المركز الثالث. الفرق المتأهلة لـ كأس العالم للأندية 2025 

قارة إفريقيا: الأهلي المصري، الوداد المغربي، الترجي التونسي، صن داونز الجنوب إفريقي.

قارة آسيا: الهلال السعودي، أوراوا ريد دايموندز الياباني، العين الإماراتي، أولسان هيونداي الكوري الجنوبي.

قارة أوروبا: تشيلسي (إنجلترا)، ريال مدريد (إسبانيا)، مانشستر سيتي (إنجلترا)، بايرن ميونخ (ألمانيا)، باريس سان جيرمان (فرنسا)، إنتر ميلان (إيطاليا)، بورتو (البرتغال)، بنفيكا (البرتغال)، يوفنتوس (إيطاليا)، بوروسيا دورتموند (ألمانيا)، أتلتيكو مدريد (إسبانيا)، سالزبورج (النمسا).

أمريكا الشمالية والوسطى ومنطقة البحر الكاريبي: مونتيري (المكسيك)، سياتل ساوندرز (الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية)، كلوب ليون (المكسيك)، باتشوكا (المكسيك).

أوقيانوسيا: أوكلاند سيتي (نيوزيلندا).

أمريكا الجنوبية: بالميراس (البرازيل)، فلامينجو (البرازيل)، فلومينينسي (البرازيل)، ريفير بليت (الأرجنتين)، بوكا جونيورز (الأرجنتين)، بوتافوجو (البرازيل).

البلد المضيف: إنتر ميامي (الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية).

It's been a Premier League season of ups and downs for Tottenham Hotspur football club this year, and while they haven't been able to clinch that final Champions League place, the future looks bright.

Ange Postecoglou has instilled a new sense of attacking fervour within the squad, and with the right additions in the summer, they could go one step further next year.

Several players could be replaced over the coming months, and surprisingly, one of those could be Rodrigo Bentancur, as the latest star touted for a move to N17 could end up being the Lilywhites' next Luka Modrić.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news

According to a recent report by respected journalist Graeme Bailey, Tottenham are one of several clubs interested in LOSC Lille star Angel Gomes.

The journalist revealed that, alongside the Lilywhites, the player's former club, Manchester United, West Ham United, and Aston Villa are also monitoring his situation ahead of an important summer transfer window.

No price has been reliably reported yet, but CIES Football Observatory currently values the midfield maestro at €30m, which converts to £26m.

While this isn't cheap by any means, if his final price is anywhere near CIES' valuation, then Spurs should be looking to bring the Englishman to N17 as he could be the perfect Bentancur upgrade and has won favourable comparisons to former White Hart Lane great, Modric.

How Gomes compares to Modric and Bentancur

Okay, so before getting onto the ways Gomes would be an improvement over Bentancur, it's time to look at the comparison to Real Madrid star Modric.

The comparison itself stems from FBref, which provides a list of the ten most similar players for each player in its database. They have concluded that the Croatian great is the fourth most similar midfielder in Europe's top five leagues to the Lille ace.

When looking at the pair's underlying numbers from this season, there are some key statistics that jump out as being quite close to one another, such as their expected goals, non-penalty expected goal and assists figure, number of shots, passing accuracy, the number of completed medium and long passes, their goal-creating actions, the number of blocks and ball recoveries they complete, and the number of aerial duels they win, all per 90.

Gomes compared to Modric

Stats per 90

Gomes

Modric

Expected Goals

0.07

0.07

Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists

0.28

0.38

Shots

1.19

1.30

Passing Accuracy

89.4%

86.7%

Completed Medium Passes

22.2

23.9

Completed Long Passes

5.83

7.85

Goal-Creating Actions

0.43

0.57

Blocks

0.79

0.73

Ball Recoveries

4.42

4.86

Aerial Duels Won

0.25

0.45

All Stats via FBref for the 23/24 League Season

It's certainly a flattering comparison to receive for the former United "wonderkid", as described by talent scout Jacek Kulig, but there is merit to it, and with the right coaching, he could end up reaching similar levels.

With that said, how does he compare to the man he'd likely replace in the centre of the park, Bentancur?

Well, from an output perspective, he comes out miles ahead. In his 44 appearances this season, the 23-year-old has scored two goals and provided ten assists, while the Uruguayan has scored one goal and provided one assist in 22 games.

The comparison is just as heavily weighted in the Englishman's favour when looking at the pair's underlying numbers, as he produces a higher non-penalty expected goal and assists figure, more progressive passes and carries, maintains a higher passing accuracy, produces more shot and goal-creating actions, and makes fewer errors, all per 90.

Gomes vs Bentancur

Stats per 90

Gomes

Bentancur

Non-penalty Expected Goals + Assists

0.28

0.23

Progressive Passes

7.12

6.60

Progressive Carries

1.69

1.55

Shots

1.19

0.39

Passing Accuracy

89.4%

83.6%

Shot-Creating Actions

3.71

2.71

Goal Creating Actions

0.43

0.39

Tackles

0.86

2.04

Errors

0.04

0.10

All Stats via FBref for the 23/24 League Season

The Spurs man does take more shots and make more tackles, but that could well be more about the system than individual talent. Moreover, his potential replacement has started 15 games as a defensive midfielder in his short professional career, so there is no reason to think he couldn't be just as defensively astute.

Ultimately, while Bentancur is a talented midfielder, he doesn't stack up to Gomes in a genuine comparison, and considering the youngster has similarities to the Ballon d'Or-winning Modric, Spurs pulling the trigger and bringing him to N17 seems like a no-brainer.

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Wolverhampton Wanderers’ hopes of finishing in the top half of the Premier League table took another hit on the weekend as they drew 2-2 with struggling Nottingham Forest.

The Old Gold now occupies 11th place in the table, but faces tricky ties against Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool between now and the end of the season.

Gary O’Neil has built a well-structured team who have proven before they can go toe to toe against anyone – evidenced by wins over City, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur this term – but it looks as though the club are stumbling at the most important part of the campaign.

Achieving a top-half finish would be a big boost heading into the summer transfer window, especially as O’Neil will be aiming to further bolster his side ahead of next season.

Might the former Bournemouth manager already be eyeing up a potential signing or two? As a current Premier League defender has emerged as a target for the Molineux side.

Wolves transfer news

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, the Old Gold are showing some interest in signing West Ham United defender Ben Johnson on a free transfer this summer, as the player is out of contract at the end of the campaign.

Wolves are not the only team running the rule over the right-back, however, as Aston Villa, Everton and Spurs are all keen on luring him away from West Ham once his contract expires.

With O’Neil having to comply with financial fair play regulations, bargains may need to be sought out this summer as opposed to splashing out big fees on players.

Johnson currently earns £20k-per-week at the Irons, indicating that his wage demands shouldn’t be too expensive for the club, and it could allow the manager to divert whatever transfer funds he has at his disposal elsewhere.

If they did succeed in bringing him to the Midlands this summer, it would be the second player to move from West Ham to Wolves in just over a year, as Craig Dawson made the move in January 2023 for a fee of just £3.3m, and it has proven to be quite the bargain indeed.

Craig Dawson’s Wolves statistics

The veteran defender had featured for West Bromwich Albion and West Ham in the Premier League prior to his move to Wolves, making 246 appearances in the top flight combined for both clubs.

This meant the club were securing the services of a player who had plenty of experience and was signed to significantly bolster their defence.

His displays helped Wolves retain their Premier League status, while he even scored on his debut during a 3-0 win over Liverpool and his fine performances have carried on to the current season.

The 33-year-old has only missed seven league matches this season so far, forming a solid back three alongside Max Kilman and Toti Gomes.

Among his teammates, Dawson currently ranks fourth in the squad with regard to overall Sofascore rating (7.13), while he also ranks second for accurate passes per game (44.1), first for accurate long balls per game (4), seventh for interceptions per game (0.6) and first for clearances per match (4.8) as the club have enjoyed a solid debut campaign under O’Neil.

Metric

2022/23

2023/24

Accurate passes per game

40.8

44.1

Total duels won per game

3.3

4.4

Tackles per game

0.8

1.2

Clearances per game

4

4.8

Accurate long balls per game

4.1

4

£3.3m has turned out to be a wonderful piece of business for a player who brings as much to the table as Dawson does. Could signing Johnson this summer allow the Old Gold to secure a Dawson 2.0?

Ben Johnson’s market value at West Ham

According to Football Transfers, Johnson is currently valued at €4m (£3.4m), which is a lot lower than his peak value of €15.8m (£13.5m), which came towards the end of the 2021/22 season.

Signing the 24-year-old for nothing could allow O’Neil the chance to give him a regular slot in a team fighting to break into the top half of the table. If he performs well, then there is no reason why his valuation can't rise back over the £10m figure.

This could see Wolves move him on for a significant profit if other clubs showed interest, ensuring they comply with FFP regulations, meaning the move is a no-brainer.

Ben Johnson’s statistics at West Ham this season

It's safe to say that Johnson hasn’t quite been a first-team regular after emerging from the academy into the senior fold.

While he has made 107 appearances for the Londoners, 70 of those were starts, with the other 37 appearances coming off the bench, but this term the defender has managed to feature in the starting XI just seven times.

Due to limited opportunities in the top flight, Johnson has won 2.5 total duels on average per game, made 0.8 tackles and recovered 3.1 balls per match, with these figures likely to be higher if given more game time.

Despite playing only three times in the Europa League this term, the Englishman has averaged a pass success rate of 87% per game along with losing possession just six times on average per game and averaging 29 touches, showing his intent to get involved while averaging only 33 minutes in each match.

Hailed as a “wonderful professional” by former coach Stuart Pearce back in 2021, Johnson simply needs more minutes on the pitch to fully demonstrate his true potential.

He isn’t getting that at West Ham, hence why it looks increasingly likely that they will release him this summer, sparking a free-for-all regarding the teams that are currently showing plenty of interest in him.

Dawson has shown his class since making the move north last year, and he could still be a vital part of the Wolves' defence during the 2024/25 season.

If Johnson makes the move to the Midlands, he could have a positive impact under O’Neil and help the side work their way up the Premier League table.

As reiterated, adding a player of Johnson's quality to his squad, especially without having to pay a transfer fee, is surely a no-brainer for O’Neil this summer.

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MatériaMais Notícias

É mais tranquilo trabalhar com uma vitória nas costas. Esse é o clima para a semana no Botafogo, que derrotou o Coritiba no último fim de semana e se prepara para enfrentar o Remo, no próximo domingo, pela 3ª rodada da Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro.

+ E o camisa 10? Botafogo tem nomes oferecidos, mas age com cautela por possível nome da posição

Após um empate na estreia e uma campanha marcada pela irregularidade no Campeonato Carioca, Warley viu o triunfo com bons olhos. Em entrevista exclusiva ao LANCE!, ele valorizou este clima mais leve.

– A semana inicia bem, a gente sempre quer vencer. Foi um jogo difícil, a gente procurou errar menos e melhorar mais. Graças a Deus deu tudo certo na partida, todo o grupo foi bem. Estou me adaptando na lateral, jogo nessa posição de origem, mas estava sempre jogando na ponta. Na lateral estou me sentindo bem e onde me botarem para jogar eu estou jogando – afirmou.

Warley na lateral. Essa tem sido uma das facetas do Botafogo nos últimos jogos. O camisa 25 começou a temporada sendo titular na ponta, mas atuou na linha defensiva na final da Taça Rio, diante do Vasco, porque Jonathan, titular da posição, estava machucado. Desde então, mesmo com a chegada de Daniel Borges, não saiu mais.

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O próprio jogador enxerga uma possível sequência na posição, retornando às origens da carreira, quando começou como lateral-direito nas categorias de base do Santa Cruz. Warley afirmou que o desejo é ficar na linha de defesa.

– Chamusca conversou comigo que ele quer que eu fique como um ala, jogando mais à frente (da linha defensiva), atacando mais, cruzando essas bolas rápidas para o ataque chegar fazendo gols. Ele procura falar sempre falar comigo, me manda ir para cima, subir mais um pouco, mas me cobra muito para defender também – confessou.

O LANCE!apurou que Warley foi o jogador do Botafogo que mais correu em altíssima intensidade na partida contra o Coritiba. No sentido de distâncias percorridas em geral, o lateral-direito ficou atrás apenas de Rafael Navarro. O atleta afirmou que vir da linha de trás favorece a velocidade, uma das suas principais características.

– Estou me sentindo bem na lateral, estou ‘firmasso’. Tenho que botar na minha cabeça que preciso de boas atuações e buscar melhorar na posição. Quero ser um lateral que dá muitas assistências, vai para cima e fique sempre atacando. Jogar mais atrás acaba me favorecendo, até porque no ‘um dois’ eu já passo no ponta ‘voado’ para fazer o cruzamento – analisou.

As conversas com Marcelo Chamusca são praticamente diárias. A concorrência na posição vai aumentar, já que Daniel Borges está se ambientando e Jonathan se recuperando de lesão. Mesmo assim, Warley valoriza o contato com o treinador e afirma que o grupo o apoia.

+ Ronald supera adaptação e vira boa arma ofensiva do Botafogo

– Nós nos entendemos, o grupo é fechado com ele. Está sempre passando melhoria para a gente nos treinamentos, o que tiver que reclamar, reclama… Quando tem que elogiar, elogia. Mas estamos fechados com ele. Ele é paizão e às vezes dá bronca, xinga com o intuito de cobrar, melhorar. É um cara cobrador e gosta de brincar na hora certa. Ele é do bem – colocou.

O segundo gol do Botafogo diante do Coritiba, marcado por Chay, tem participação direta de Warley, que sai do campo de defesa até o ataque para dar a assistência. O jogador falou que este tipo de jogada é um dos pedidos do treinador Marcelo Chamusca.

– Ele sempre pede que eu ataque e chegar na área para fazer essa bola rápida. A jogada do gol do Chay começa comigo, roubamos a bola, o Oyama toca para o Ronald, ele me dá a bola e eu cruzo.O melhor jeito é a correria. Ele sempre pede para explorar nossa velocidade, o Ronald, que tem um 1×1 bom, um baixinho rápido demais, atacar linha, pede para atacar pelos lados, evitar pelo meio – completou.