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After a record-breaking League One title-winning campaign last time out, Birmingham City will be looking to carry that momentum into the 2025/26 Championship season under Chris Davies.

Co-owners Tom Wagner and Tom Brady have big plans at St Andrew’s, and the Blues will be looking to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2011 as soon as possible.

Birmingham City’s first 5 Championship fixtures

Date

Birmingham City vs Ipswich Town

August 8

Blackburn Rovers vs Birmingham City

August 16

Birmingham City vs Oxford United

August 23

Leicester City vs Birmingham City

August 30

Stoke City vs Birmingham City

September 13

To do that, new signings to help them in the second tier could be key, and the club have already made a start on their summer transfer business.

But who will start against Ipswich Town on August 8? Well, Grok, the AI tool on X, has forecasted Birmingham’s 25/26 line-up, with five new faces in the XI.

AI predicts Birmingham’s 2025/26 line-up 1 GK: James Beadle

After helping England to U21 European Championship glory this summer, goalkeeper James Beadle will be playing for Birmingham this season.

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Signed on a season-long loan from Brighton, Beadle already has second tier experience after his time with Sheffield Wednesday in 24/25.

2 RB: Ethan Laird

A key member of the League One title-winning side, Ethan Laird has been predicted to keep his place in the Birmingham side.

His ‘pace and attacking contributions make him a mainstay’ under Davies, and Grok adds that Laird’s ‘enthusiasm and Championship experience will be vital’.

3 CB: Krystian Bielik

Club captain Krystian Bielik is also backed to retain his place in the XI, being described as a ‘cornerstone of the defence’.

Bielik’s Birmingham stats

Games

125

Goals

2

Yellow cards

32

Red cards§

2

The Poland international is still under contract until 2027 and Bielik’s ‘leadership and ability to play in midfield or defence ensure his place’.

4 CB: Phil Neumann

Alongside Bielik is new arrival Phil Neumann, who signed on a free transfer from Hannover 96 earlier this summer.

The German actually penned a pre-contract agreement at the beginning of 2025 and has been backed to go straight into Davies’ XI.

5 LB: Lee Buchanan

With Laird keeping his place at right-back, Lee Buchanan has been predicted to make his return from a serious knee to start at left-back.

Buchanan ‘is expected to hold down the left side with his defensive solidity and attacking overlaps’.

6 CM: Hayden Hackney

Backed to cost £10m from Middlesbrough this summer is Hayden Hackney, with AI-driven predictions suggesting Birmingham could target the 22-year-old versatile midfielder.

Grok says Hackney’s ‘ability to play multiple midfield roles would add dynamism’ to the Blues side.

7 CM: Paik Seung-ho

Partnering Hackney is Paik Seung-ho, who was a regular in 24/25, making 50 appearances in all competitions.

The South Korea international is likely to play a key role once more, and Grok says his ‘composure and work rate make him a certain starter in the Championship’.

8 CAM: Kanya Fujimoto

The Blues have been heavily linked with a move for Japanese attacking midfielder Kanya Fujimoto this summer, with his contract at Gil Vicente set to expire.

Still just 26 years of age, Fujimoto’s ‘creativity and flair would suit Davies’ attacking philosophy’.

9 RW: Demarai Gray

Returning to St Andrew’s this summer is academy graduate Demarai Gray, nine years on after leaving Birmingham for Leicester City.

Gray’s ‘Premier League experience and pace would be a major coup’ for the Blues, according to Grok.

10 ST: Jay Stansfield

Birmingham’s record signing Jay Stansfield was always going to keep his place in the XI after a successful first season as a permanent Blues player.

The striker already has ‘proven Championship quality which makes him the focal point of the attack’.

Fran Wilson makes 61 in Western Storm’s 200 for 5, as match loses 41 overs to rain

ECB Reporters Network07-Jul-2024

Hollie Armitage made a brilliant unbeaten hundred•Getty Images

Northern Diamonds 199 for 4 (Armitage 101*) beat Western Storm 200 for 5 (Wilson 61, Corney 40) by six wickets – DLSHollie Armitage scored a brilliant unbeaten hundred to guide Northern Diamonds to an impressive six-wicket victory over Western Storm on the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern method in an entertaining Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy match at Cheltenham.Chasing a revised target of 199 on a day when 41 overs were lost to rain, the visitors reached their target with 16 balls in hand thanks to a captain’s innings from Armitage, who posted 101 from 76 balls with nine fours and a six to help Diamonds close the gap on leaders Southern Vipers.She received valuable support from Sterre Kalis, who contributed 34 in a third wicket stand of 71, and Australia international Erin Burns, who weighed in with 21 not out in an unbroken partnership of 67 in 6.5 overs for the fifth wicket. For their part, Storm were left to rue missed opportunities, having twice dropped Armitage on 23 and 53.Fran Wilson had earlier raised a perfectly-judged innings of 61 off 63 balls as Storm recovered from a poor start to post 200-5 after losing the toss. Emma Corney made 40 at the top of the order, Nat Wraith struck a forthright 34 and overseas all-rounder Amanda-Jade Wellington provided a hard-hitting 27 at the death. Abi Glen was the pick of the Diamonds bowlers, claiming 2 for 24 from six overs.Diamonds inserted Storm on a drying surface and promptly reduced them to 26 for 2 in the powerplay, Glen and Rachel Slater removing Sophia Smale and Sophie Luff respectively. Determined to break the stranglehold and afford the innings impetus, Corney twice drove Glen down the ground for four in the ninth, Storm eventually realising 50 two overs later.Adept at working the gaps, Wilson proved an effective ally and acceleration came with the advent of Katie Levick’s leg breaks, Corney launching her over mid-wicket for another boundary. Hampered by a slow outfield, the third wicket pair nevertheless ran hard between the wickets to gain momentum, taking advantage of the College Ground’s short boundaries to punish the bad ball when it came along.Having contributed a 54-ball 40 in an increasingly progressive stand of 61 in 11 overs, Corney had a half century firmly in her sights when she took on Sophia Turner and miss-cued high to Kalis at point, just seconds before a heavy rain shower moved in to force the players off with the score on 87 for 3 at the end of 17 overs.The loss of a further four overs set the tone for the remainder of the innings, Wilson and Wraith engaging in frenetic running as the Diamonds bowlers were forced to contend with a wet ball. Wraith hit the ground running, scoring at better than a run-a-ball and registering the first six of the innings, while the assured Wilson also picked up the pace to move to 50 via 57 deliveries.Wraith drove Glen to short extra cover and departed for a 28-ball 34, but Wellington picked up the cudgels immediately, pulling Levick for a six over square and then driving compatriot Erin Burns for four in raising a quickfire 27 from just 14 balls. Applying pressure at the death, Wilson then hoisted Phoebe Turner high over mid-wicket for a massive six as Diamonds wilted under pressure.Carrying that momentum into the second half of the contest, Storm struck a couple of early blows, Ellie Anderson having Lauren Winfield-Hill held at point and Smale enticing Emma Marlow to miss-cue to extra cover. Wellington then passed up an opportunity to remove influential Diamonds skipper Armitage on 23, dropping what appeared to be a straightforward catch at mid-off and disappointing off spinner Chloe Skelton.It proved a costly slip, Armitage pulling a Wellington full toss for six to put the visitors ahead on DLS before the next rain break. When they re-emerged to chase a revised target of 199 from one over fewer, the third-wicket pair continued to power on, Armitage going to a 41-ball 50 with her fifth four, a pull shot to mid-wicket at the expense of Wellington.Trusting in pace off the ball and struggling to exert control in the soggy conditions, Storm needed a breakthrough. Niamh Holland provided inspiration, bowling Kalis via a bottom edge in the act of cutting, the Dutch international having contributed a valuable 37-ball 34 in a stand of 72 in 11 overs.Requiring 70 to win off 10 overs, Diamonds received another let-off when Armitage was dropped on 53 by Issy Wong on the deep mid-wicket boundary off the bowling of Holland. Alex Griffiths showed how it should be done later in the same over, holding on in the deep to send back Bess Heath for 10 and reduce the visitors to 132 for 4.But Armitage ensured the home side paid for their profligacy, finding the boundary with increasing regularity to provide acceleration at just the right time in a match-winning partnership with Burns, who used all of her experience to score 21 not out from 13 balls and ensure Diamonds reached their target without any further slip-ups.

ينتظر عشاق الكرة المصرية مباراة منتخب مصر القادمة أمام منافسه بوركينا فاسو، والتي تجمع بينهما ضمن لقاءات تصفيات إفريقيا المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم 2026.

وتقام مباراة مصر ضد بوركينا فاسو، في إطار لقاءات الجولة الثامنة من التصفيات المؤهلة إلى مونديال 2026، على أرضية استاد 4 أغسطس.

ويخوض منتخب مصر اللقاء تحت قيادة المدير الفني حسام حسن، الذي يأمل في قيادة الفريق للفوز ومواصلة تصدر جدول ترتيب المجموعة، وحسم بطاقة التأهل إلى كأس العالم.

طالع.. إصابة لاعب منتخب مصر وغيابه عن مواجهة بوركينا فاسو

وتضم المجموعة الأولى كلًا من مصر، بوركينا فاسو، سيراليون، جيبوتي، إثيوبيا وغينيا بيساو، ويأمل الفراعنة في تعزيز صدارتهم والتأهل رسميًا إلى نهائيات كأس العالم.

ويتصدر منتخب مصر ترتيب المجموعة الأولى برصيد 19 نقطة من 7 مباريات، متفوقًا على بوركينا فاسو صاحب المركز الثاني بـ14 نقطة.

ويدرك الجهاز الفني لـ منتخب مصر أهمية اللقاء، حيث يتم حسم التأهل إلى كأس العالم مباشرة، حال الفوز وحصد النقاط الثلاثة. موعد مباراة مصر وبوركينا فاسو في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026

وتنطلق المواجهة بين مصر وبوركينا فاسو، يوم 9 سبتمبر الجاري، في تمام الساعة السابعة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة مصر وبوركينا فاسو في تصفيات كأس العالم 2025

ومن المقرر أن تذاع مباراة مصر وإثيوبيا عبر قناة “أون سبورت 1″، وقناة SSC 1 HD وقناة MBC MASR 2.

England’s new all-format head coach wants white-ball players to feel “bulletproof” again

Vithushan Ehantharajah05-Sep-20241:51

McCullum excited to work with England’s ‘best-ever’ Jos Buttler

Cheering up a “miserable” Jos Buttler is key to revitalising England’s white-ball team. That is according to Brendon McCullum, the man tasked with rebuilding a fallen dynasty in his unified role as all-format head coach.The Test tsar watched on from a distance as a once-trailblazing outfit fell apart, culminating in two failed World Cup defences in the space of nine months. Matthew Mott lost his job as limited-overs coach as men’s managing director Rob Key sought a change of leadership, and Buttler was lucky to stay on as captain.Tactical errors across both 2023’s 50-over World Cup and the T20 edition earlier this summer, combined with undulating form with the bat, wore heavy on Buttler’s shoulders. As such, a once free-spirited cricketer, integral to England holding both ODI (2019) and T20 (2022) titles, adopted a far chippier disposition on the field and with the media.At this stage of Buttler’s career – he turns 34 on Sunday – the end is closer than the beginning, characterised by a setback in his recovery from a third calf injury in the last four years that has ruled him out of the upcoming T20I series against Australia. With Buttler also doubtful for the five-match ODI series, there is a chance he will not be able to fully oversee the initial stages of a much-needed generational shift.Related

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While McCullum will only take the white-ball reins from the start of next year with Marcus Trescothick holding onto them until then, getting Buttler back to his old, relaxed self is top of his priorities. “He’s been a little bit miserable at times,” McCullum said of Buttler. “I think he’s not naturally as expressive as what some may be.”But I think he’s done a great job, right? He won a [T20] World Cup as captain. He’s been part of World Cup-winning teams previously as well. He’s an incredibly gifted player. He’s a fine leader.”My job is to get the best out of him so that all those that sit in the dressing room feel like they can be 10 foot tall and bulletproof when they walk out to play. And they know that the skipper is going to give them that extra pat on the back and enjoy the ride with them. So it’s a great challenge. I’m so excited about it, and I know that Jos is too, which is great.”The confidence McCullum has in lifting Buttler’s spirits comes from their off-field relationship: the pair are good friends despite having never played alongside one another. McCullum believes this pre-existing connection – something he did not have with Test captain Ben Stokes – will be a key pillar for their professional relationship, and hopes he can show Buttler that the final stages of his career can be the most fulfilling.McCullum congratulates Buttler after his century at Edgbaston in 2015•AFP/Getty Images

“When I started the gig with the Test side, Stokesy and I knew each other – we had a natural respect for each other – but I wouldn’t say we were mates,” McCullum said. “What we’ve developed over the last couple of years is a very close friendship, to the point where I call him a very close mate. As much as you do this for cricketing reasons, ultimately you want good friendships and relationships to develop that last far longer than the time you’ve got in the job.”Jos and I actually start from a stronger base. We know each other, we’re mates, we have similar styles of play in our game. What I want from Jos is for him to enjoy the next few years. If he was to retire today, he’d go down as probably the greatest white-ball player England’s ever produced.”So, the opportunity for the next three or four years, however long he plays for, is just to enjoy it. Not to protect anything. Just get the most out of all those guys around him, keep walking towards the danger, play with a smile on his face and try to do something which is really cool. Where you can look back and say: ‘Gee, I really enjoyed those last few years’. I’m sure our relationship will go from mates to very good mates.”As for that friendship with Stokes, McCullum hopes to use it to squeeze more appearances in coloured clothing out of his Test captain.From reversing an ODI retirement to play in the 2023 World Cup to ruling himself out of contention for 2024’s T20 World Cup, Stokes has proved elusive to lock down as a limited-overs cricketer as far as England is concerned. Last week, men’s selector Luke Wright suggested Stokes is still considered available for the upcoming Champions Trophy.Ben Stokes has not played a limited-overs international since November 2023•AFP/Getty Images

With Test captaincy Stokes’ main priority, what itches he has for the white-ball cricket are scratched across the franchise circuit, which will include a maiden stint in the SA20 for MI Cape Town this winter. McCullum expects Stokes to stick around as captain throughout his tenure, which has been extended to 2027. As for his limited-overs future, there is a conversation to be had.”The skipper and I haven’t spoken about that [carrying on in Tests] actually, but I’m assuming he’s all-in,” McCullum said. “He seems like that sort of bloke. He’s been incredible and our relationship is fantastic.”You never know where the game’s going globally and what sort of opportunities will pop up for him which will challenge him, but I know how invested he is in English cricket and how determined he is to drive this team forward. I’d assume that will involve him being in charge for that period of time – even though he’s building a group of leaders around him that are growing and prospering in those leadership roles, too.”In regards to the white-ball – yeah, why not? I guess we’ll see where he sits. He loves big moments and big stages. As we’ll have to do with all our players, there’ll be times when they can’t play everything, so there’ll be some bilateral series where we simply can’t have all of our best players playing at the same time. But when it comes to major events and big series, I think those players are very much in those discussions.”

While there is still some work to be done, Chelsea have been incredibly effective in the transfer market this summer.

Enzo Maresca and Co. clearly wanted the majority of their first-team additions to be before the start of pre-season, and they’ve largely succeeded.

One team that has been quite the opposite is Manchester United, who got their hands on Matheus Cunha early but then proceeded to take well over a month to agree a fee for Bryan Mbeumo.

The Europa League runners-up look to have finally got their man for a price that could reach £70m with add-ons, and now it looks like Chelsea want to sign someone who’s been compared to the Cameroonian international.

Chelsea target their own Mbeumo

Chelsea should enter next season full of confidence, as, in addition to the team that secured them fourth place last year, they’ve added some serious talent.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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The likes of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro will undoubtedly make Maresca’s side far more potent upfront, and the tremendously exciting Jamie Gittens should add more quality to the left-wing position.

Moreover, the West Londoners have shipped off Noni Madueke to Arsenal for a profit and could be set to earn a sizable payday on some of their other unwanted players.

The Conference League champions are not done there, though, as they now look determined to bring in a young attacker who could be their answer to Mbeumo.

At least, that’s according to a recent report in Friday’s print edition of Spanish publication Sport, as relayed by Sport Witness, which claims Chelsea are seriously interested in Xavi Simons.

The report reveals that, alongside United, the Blues have held talks over a move for the Dutch international, although the reported price tag of around €70m is proving to be a problem.

It could end up being a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but Simons has proven he’d be worth spending big on, especially as he could be Maresca’s own Mbeumo.

How Simons compares to Mbeumo

One of the most significant comparisons between Simons and Mbeumo stems from FBref, which analysed players in Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League across the last 365 days.

It then concluded that the Brentford star was the fourth most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the RB Leipzig star.

The best way to understand how that conclusion was reached is by examining some of the underlying metrics in which the pair ranked closely.

Simons & Mbeumo

Statistics per 90

Simons

Mbeumo

Non-Penalty G+As

0.48

0.42

Progressive Carries

3.56

3.43

Shots

2.09

2.08

Shots on Target

0.96

0.90

Expected Assists

0.25

0.25

Goal-Creating Actions

0.50

0.53

Tackles Won

0.88

0.82

Successful Take-Ons

1.38

1.37

All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Season

These include things like non-penalty expected goals plus assists, progressive carries, goal-creating actions, successful take-ons, tackles won, shots and more, all per 90.

These numbers help show that, although he’s three years his junior, the former Paris Saint-Germain gem, who one analyst has dubbed “one of the best 10s in the world,” is just as adept at creating and scoring chances.

Moreover, both players are positionally versatile, with the soon-to-be United star thriving on the right, as a second striker, or up top, while the Amsterdam-born dynamo can play off either wing or in the ten.

Finally, both players were effective outlets for their respective teams last season, with the Cameroon international scoring 20 goals and providing nine assists in 42 games, as the Blues target scored 11 goals and provided eight assists in 33 games.

Ultimately, it won’t be cheap, but Chelsea should do what they can to sign Simons this summer as he would add some serious quality to their squad and be the perfect answer to Mbeumo.

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يرى نصير مزراوي، نجم نادي مانشستر يونايتد، أن هناك بعض الإيجابيات التي خرج بها فريقه من مواجهة الديربي أمام مانشستر سيتي يوم أمس الأحد بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وسقط مانشستر يونايتد أمام مانشستر سيتي بثلاثة أهداف دون رد يوم أمس الأحد على ملعب الاتحاد، في قمة الجولة الرابعة من الدوري الإنجليزي.

ويعتقد مزراوي أنه لم يستطع تحديد مشكلة مانشستر يونايتد في لقاء الأمس، موضحًا أنه سوف يحلل ما حدث في المباراة بجانب زملائه في وقت لاحق.

طالع .. برونو فرنانديز: علينا أن نكون مثل مانشستر سيتي.. ونعاني من عدم تسجيل الأهداف

وقال مزراوي في حديث إلى قناة مانشستر يونايتد الرسمية: ”أشعر بالسوء حقًا، أشعر بخيبة أمل في نفسي وفي الفريق وخيبة أمل من الجماهير لأننا لم نتمكن من تقديم الأداء الذي قدمناه مؤخرًا اليوم”.

وأضاف مزراوي في حديثه: “إذا خسرت ولعبت بشكل جيد وحصلت على الفرص التي صنعناها في المباريات السابقة، يمكنك استخلاص بعض الإيجابيات التي خرجنا بها من الخسارة اليوم، لكن بشكل عام اليوم لم نكن جيدين بما يكفي”.

وأوضح الدولي المغربي: “لا أستطيع تحديد الخطأ الذي ارتكبه مانشستر يونايتد اليوم، لأننا دائمًا ما نكون في حالة انفعال بعد المباراة، لذلك أحاول دائمًا أن أهدأ وأحلل المباراة، وإلا، فسأوجه أصابع الاتهام فقط وغالبًا ما لا أتحدث عن هذا الأمر الآن. سنحلل المباراة كفريق وسوف نتحسن حقًا”.

His extended tenure is likely to be beyond the end of the current World Test Championship cycle

Andrew Fidel Fernando29-Sep-2024

Sanath Jayasuriya was ready to give some throwdowns•AFP/Getty Images

Sanath Jayasuriya’s contract as men’s head coach is likely to be extended for a year, following his success with the Sri Lanka team over the past few months. The team has beaten India in an ODI series, won a Test at The Oval, and another in Galle against New Zealand since he took over as interim coach in early July.Sri Lanka Cricket had advertised the permanent head coach position following Chris Silverwood’s exit in late June. But with at least two of Sri Lanka’s three sides showing signs of improvement under Jayasuriya, SLC has initiated the process to bring Jayasuriya in on a longer term.”We are in the final stages of negotiating the contract with him,” board CEO Ashley de Silva told ESPNcricinfo. “Probably in the next two or three days you will get to hear more.”Related

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Jayasuriya had originally been appointed cricket consultant for one year in December last year, a role that would have mostly had him working with the High Performance Centre. But he traveled with the team to this year’s T20 World Cup, and subsequently took the head coach role.Under him, there have also been a T20I series loss against India, plus two Test defeats in England. But the successes have outweighed these. Sri Lanka are now in the hunt for a World Test Championship final place, and Jayasuriya’s next contract will take the team past the end of the ongoing cycle.Feedback from players has also been positive, with Angelo Mathews – the most experienced player in the Test side – having described Jayasuriya taking over the team as a “turning point”.”Sanath Jayasuriya was superb as cricket director and now as coach,” he said. “He communicates well and has given us a lot of freedom. We are all working towards one goal, and now everyone is on the same page. He’s also done a superb job grooming the players. He has been amazing. I wish him all the very best.”Jayasuriya had previously been chief selector in two different stints in the last decade, but these had largely been defined by modest performances from the men’s team. There has been more stability during his ongoing assignment, however.

أكد سيد عبد الحفيظ، مدير الكرة السابق بالنادي الأهلي، أن المرحلة الحالية تتطلب تكاتفاً ودعماً كبيراً للفريق قبل المواجهة المرتقبة أمام سيراميكا كليوباترا في الدوري الممتاز، مشدداً على أن الانتقادات في هذا التوقيت لن تكون في مصلحة النادي.

وقال عبد الحفيظ في تصريحات عبر برنامج “اللعيب” على قناة “MBC مصر”: “ما أراه إن هذا التوقيت يحتاج إلى تكاتف أكثر، الفترة الماضية انتقدنا الفريق، لكن الآن نحن على وشك مباراة هامة جدًا قد تعيدك للمنافسة”.

وتابع سيد عبد الحفيظ: “أنا كمنتمي للأهلي أتساءل، هل من مصلحة الأهلي أن ننتقد الآن؟ لا، المفترض أن نجتمع الآن قبل مواجهة سيراميكا كليوباترا لأنها مباراة هامة”.

وأضاف: “مشكلة الأهلي في اللاعبين أنفسهم، عليهم أن يعرفوا المعنى الحقيقي للأهلي والسمات الحقيقية التي تميز النادي، وأن من يدخل الفريق يأخذ من سمات النادي وليس العكس، وهي أن اللاعبين يكون قلبهم على قلب بعض، هذه هي الروح التي تجعلك تكسب بطولة”.

طالع أيضًا | شوبير يوضح موقف فيتوريا من تدريب الأهلي.. ويوجه اللوم للجمهور

وأردف: “بداية الأهلي المتعثرة قد تحدث، لاعبو الأهلي ليسوا في حالتهم الجيدة، في موسم 2010 -2011 كان هناك أسماء كبيرة في الأهلي وكانت نفس الحالة السيئة، ثم عادوا وانطلقوا انطلاقة قوية، لذلك أطلب من الجميع الاتحاد والاجتماع خلف الفريق في الفترة الحالية لنتخطى هذه الفترة”.

وبسؤاله عن إمكانية توليه منصب المدير الرياضي للنادي الأهلي، أجاب عبد الحفيظ: “لا يجب أن تسألني هذا السؤال خاصة وأن هناك من يعمل في هذا المنصب الآن منذ فترة قليلة، فلا بد أن يأخذ فرصته وما زال الوقت مبكرًا جدًا”.

ومن المقرر أن يواصل الأهلي مبارياته في الدوري المصري بخوض لقاء قوي أمام سيراميكا كليوباترا، في إطار مواجهات الجولة السابعة من المسابقة المحلية، وذلك يوم الجمعة المُقبل الموافق 19 سبتمبر.

Fair to say, this transfer window has not exactly gone to plan for Newcastle United.

Anthony Elanga has arrived from Nottingham Forest for a reported fee of £55m, which is certainly an exciting addition.

However, now that James Trafford is poised to re-join Manchester City, the Magpies have now missed out on seven key targets, with Hugo Ekitiké, Liam Delap, João Pedro, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Dean Huijsen all choosing to go elsewhere.

There’s also the small matter of their best player, seemingly, going on strike to force through a move, more on that in just a second, hence why Eddie Howe is in the market searching for a striker.

Newcastle's search for a new striker

As you may have pieced together by now, according to a report by Chris Waugh of the Athletic, Alexander Isak has not travelled with the rest of the squad to Asia for pre-season friendlies in Singapore and Korea Republic.

The club statement claims he is nursing a groin injury, but George Caulkin of the Athletic outlines the Sweden international’s desire to leave and join an ‘elite team’, with a move to Liverpool his preference.

Thus, as they commence their striker search, Craig Hope of the Daily Mail reports that Newcastle have added Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson to their list of targets.

The Blues have already signed both Liam Delap and João Pedro for £30m and £55m respectively this summer, so Matt Law of the Telegraph claims Jackson is available for sale, with Chris Burns of Football.London adding that the Senegalese international is valued at around £80m.

So, could Jackson soon swap West London for the North East?

How Nicolas Jackson would improve Newcastle

Despite often being much maligned, Jackson’s scoring record since joining Chelsea two summers ago is pretty impressive, bagging 30 goals in 81 appearances for the club, including netting both times Newcastle have visited Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.

Former Liverpool and England striker Peter Crouch praised his “unbelievable” performances, while Liam Twomey and Mark Carey of the Athletic document his ‘excellent’ pressing, making him ‘a big part’ of how the team play.

Similarly, Ed Dove of ESPN outlines how the Blues’ form waned while Jackson was injured, praising the striker’s ‘broader contribution… without the ball’ as well as his ‘self-sacrifice and relentless running’, becoming the first Chelsea player to reach double figures for Premier League goals in successive seasons since Didier Drogba.

Should he move to Newcastle, Jackson would be following in the footsteps of a pair of fellow Senegalese strikers who are certainly remembered fondly on Tyneside.

During the 2011/12 season, spearheaded by Papiss Cissé and Demba Ba, the Magpies finished fifth under Alan Pardew, just two years after being promoted from the Championship, and both strikers were on fire.

Toon players to score 13+ PL goals in one season

Players

Season

Goals

Alexander Isak

2024/25

23

Alexander Isak

2023/24

21

Callum Wilson

2022/23

18

Loïc Rémy

2013/14

14

Demba Ba

2012/13

13

Demba Ba

2011/12

16

Papiss Cissé

2011/12

13

Alan Shearer

2003/04

22

Alan Shearer

2002/03

17

Alan Shearer

2001/02

23

Alan Shearer

1999/00

23

Alan Shearer

1998/99

14

Alan Shearer

1996/97

25

Les Ferdinand

1996/97

16

All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt

As the table outlines, 2011/12 remains the only season in which two Newcastle players have scored 13 or more Premier League goals since the heady days of 1996/97, a year the Magpies finished second.

Demba Ba, the more prolific of the duo, was ultimately sold to Chelsea for £7.5m in January 2013, so could Jackson become the reverse Ba?

Well, let’s compare the pair to find out.

Ba vs Jackson comparison (PL only)

Statistics

Ba at NUFC

Ba at CFC

Jackson at CFC

Games

54

33

65

Minutes

4,399

1,533

5,050

Goals

29

7

24

Mins per goal

152

219

210

Assists

6

1

10

Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt

As the table outlines, Ba at Newcastle was marginally more prolific than Jackson has been during his time at Chelsea, scoring five more goals in around 600 fewer minutes, albeit the latter has registered more assists; the former certainly did not continue this scoring spree at Stamford Bridge all those years ago!

Nevertheless, in contrast, Jackson, at 24 years old, would surely be primed to have make immediate impact should he arrive at Newcastle, just as Ba did, hence why he should be amongst their top targets, if Isak does indeed get his wish and depart.

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Posts ByRoss Kilvington Jul 27, 2025

أعلنت رابطة الأندية المحترفة المصرية، عن أفضل لاعب في مباراة الأهلي وسيراميكا كليوباترا، التي جمعت بينهما اليوم، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

والتقى الأهلي مع سيراميكا كليوباترا، على أرضية استاد القاهرة، في إطار لقاءات الجولة السابعة من الدوري المصري.

واستطاع الأهلي تحقيق الفوز بهدف دون رد، سجله محمود حسن تريزيجيه في الدقيقة 26، بعدما مراوغة رائعة داخل منطقة الجزاء ثم سدد كرة قوية R2 سكنت شباك محمد بسام.

طالع أيضاً.. فيديو | الأهلي يعود للانتصارات بهدف “باهت” أمام سيراميكا كليوباترا في الدوري

واختارت رابطة الأندية، صاحب هدف فوز الأهلي محمود تريزيجيه كأفضل لاعب في اللقاء، نظرًا للمجهود الذي قدمه مع فريقه في مباراة اليوم ومساهمته في الفوز.

بتلك النتيجة، يحتل سيراميكا كليوباترا المركز الثامن في جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري برصيد 10 نقاط، بينما يتواجد الأهلي بالمركز العاشر، ولديه 9 نقاط.