Pundit rates Everton target Koulibaly among world’s best

Forza Italian Football editor Conor Clancy believes Everton would have one of the world’s best defenders on their books if they manage to sign Kalidou Koulibaly before the transfer window slams shut.

Rafa Benitez, who was appointed as Carlo Ancelotti’s successor in the Goodison Park dugout last month, has made clinching the arrival of Koulibaly a priority ahead of the Premier League season getting underway next month.

Benitez managed Koulibaly during his time in charge of Napoli, where the Senegal international remains and made 37 appearances last term, and is keen to be reunited with the defender.

The Toffees have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of the 6 ft 2 Koulibaly as Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti has insisted the 30-year-old is not for sale.

However, that did not stop the Merseyside club testing the waters with an opening bid, according to Calciomercato, which has been rejected.

Serie A expert Clancy believes Everton would pull off a major coup if they manage to persuade Napoli to sell.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said: “He improves any team he goes to. He’s phenomenal. I’d say, to be honest, after Virgil van Dijk, he is in the conversation for being the second best defender in the world.”

Caso de polícia: Marcelo é suspeito de agredir ex-namorada, que faz B.O

MatériaMais Notícias

Em fase final de recuperação de lesão e perto de retornar ao time do Botafogo, o zagueiro Marcelo está envolvido em uma polêmica fora das quatro linhas. De acordo com informações e imagens divulgadas pelo “Jornal do ES”, o atleta do clube é suspeito de agredir a ex-namorada no último domingo, na Zona Sul do Rio de Janeiro, perto da sede do Glorioso em General Severiano.

O diário capixaba divulgou o B.O (Boletim de Ocorrência) registrado na 10ª DP – localizada em Botafogo – que comprova a acusação em relação ao zagueiro de 21 anos da equipe alvinegra. Os representantes do jogador preferiram manter a cautela e esperarão uma intimação oficial para poder se posicionar no caso.

Revelado na base do Botafogo, Marcelo vinha tendo papel importante dentro da equipe, sendo titular nos cinco jogos realizados pelo Glorioso na Copa Libertadores. Tratando de lesão na sequência da Taça Rio, Marcelo voltou a treinar no campo anexo do Nilton Santos na última segunda-feira. A polêmica não vem em boa hora: o próximo compromisso da equipe de Jair Ventura na competição continental é na semana que vem, dia 13, na Colômbia.

RelacionadasBotafogoCom pena já cumprida, Pimpão pode enfrentar o Fluminense na semifinalBotafogo05/04/2017Futebol NacionalCom promoção, vendas para Clássico Vovô começam nesta quinta-feiraFutebol Nacional05/04/2017BotafogoBlog do Mansell: Taça Rio? Você está brincando….Botafogo05/04/2017

Will House to retire from cricket

Will announced his retirement from cricket this evening after having played his last match for Sussex, an NUL floodlit match against the Hampshire Hawks

Sussex CCC Media Release03-Sep-2002Will announced his retirement from cricket this evening after having played his last match for Sussex, an NUL floodlit match against the Hampshire Hawks. The Club will be sad to lose Will as he is a very popular member of the staff and has contributed much to Sussex cricket during his time at Hove.Frustrated by a lack of opportunity Will has decided to focus on new challenges outside of cricket. He will remain in the Brighton area and is to take up a job in London working for a finance consultancy.Speaking of his decision Will stated: “I’ve had three great years with Sussex and loved every minute. I’m sure I’ll miss cricket and the camaraderie of the team but now feels the right time to move on with the next phase of my life.”Tonight will always remain in my memory as a very special game, and it was particularly nice to score the winning runs with a six!”Peter Moores, coach of Sussex CCC, added:” It is always a sad time when a cricketer decides to call it a day, we wish Will the very best of luck with his new career and it is great that he is remaining in Brighton and has every intention to keep close links with the Club.”

الخليفي: مبابي حجر أساس مشروع باريس سان جيرمان.. وسنفتتح أجمل صفحات تاريخنا

علّق ناصر الخليفي رئيس نادي باريس سان جيرمان الفرنسي، على تجديد عقد كيليان مبابي واستمراره في العاصمة الفرنسية.

ووقع مبابي عقدًا جديدًا مع باريس سان جيرمان حتى يونيو 2025، بعد ارتباطه بالانتقال إلى ريال مدريد في صفقة انتقال حر.

وتحدث الخليفي في تصريحات أثناء تواجده على ملعب “حديقة الأمراء” على خلفية المباراة أمام ميتز بالجولة الأخيرة للدوري الفرنسي.

وقال رئيس باريس سان جيرمان في تصريحات نشرها الموقع الرسمي للنادي: “يمثل تمديد عقد كيليان لحظة استثنائية في تاريخ نادينا، وهو خبر سار لجماهيرنا في جميع أنحاء العالم”.

اقرأ أيضًا | راتب أسبوعي خيالي.. تفاصيل عقد مبابي مع باريس سان جيرمان بعد التجديد

وأضاف: “منذ انضمام مبابي إلى عائلتنا، على الرغم من صغر سنه، فقد حقق العجائب على جميع المستويات، من خلال التمديد مع باريس سان جيرمان، أصبح حجر الزاوية في مشروع النادي للسنوات القادمة، داخل وخارج الملعب”.

وأتم الخليفي: “أنا فخور وسعيد للغاية – من أجل كيليان ومشجعينا ولعائلة باريس سان جيرمان بأكملها في جميع القارات – لمواصلة مغامرتنا المشتركة الرائعة لمشجعينا ونادينا، سنفتح أجمل صفحات تاريخنا”.

مران الأهلي | موسيماني وعبد الحفيظ يجتمعان باللاعبين.. وتأهيل بانون وعبد المنعم

استأنف الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالأهلي تدريباته مساء اليوم ضمن الاستعدادات لمواجهة الوداد في نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

ويلتقي الأهلي مع الوداد المغربي في التاسعة مساء الإثنين المقبل على ملعب مركب محمد الخامس بمدينة الدار البيضاء، حيث يسعى الأهلي للحفاظ على لقب دوري أبطال إفريقيا، والفوز بالبطولة للمرة الحادية عشرة في تاريخه والثالثة على التوالي.

كما عقد بيتسو موسيماني المدير الفني للفريق محاضرة فنية بالفيديو مع اللاعبين في فندق الإقامة قبل التحرك لخوض المران الثاني.

واجتمع موسيماني وسيد عبد الحفيظ مدير الكرة بالنادي باللاعبين لمدة ١٥ دقيقة قبل انطلاق المران الجماعي للفريق، الذي يقام على ملعب العربي الزاولي بنادي الاتحاد الرياضي البيضاوي.

طالع | الأهلي يوجه دعوة مجانية لجماهيره في المغرب لحضور نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا

وحرص الثنائي على الحديث مع اللاعبين في بعض الجوانب المتعلقة بمباراة نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا أمام الوداد المغربي.

وفي سياق متصل، واصل بدر بانون مدافع الفريق تنفيذ برنامجه التدريبي بشكل منفرد، على هامش المران الجماعي.

وأدى بانون تدريبات بدنية منفردة تحت إشراف محمود حمدي أخصائي التأهيل، وذلك ضمن البرنامج التأهيلي الخاص به.

ومن جانبه أكد أحمد أبو عبلة طبيب الفريق، أن بانون يستجيب بشكل جيد لبرنامج التأهيل المحدد له لرفع معدلات اللياقة.

وواصل محمد عبد المنعم مدافع الأهلي تنفيذ برنامجه العلاجي على هامش المران الجماعي للفريق.

وأدى عبد المنعم جانبًا من التدريبات البدنية والتأهيلية والجري حول الملعب، تحت إشراف محمود حمدي أخصائي التأهيل بالفريق، وذلك للتخلص من الإصابة بشد في العضلة الضامة.

وأدى لاعبو الأهلي جانبًا من التدريبات البدنية المتنوعة بدون الكرة، تحت إشراف كابيللو رانجواجا مدرب الأحمال.

فيما أدى رباعي حراسة المرمى بالفريق؛ محمد الشناوي وعلي لطفي ومصطفى شوبير وحمزة علاء، تدريبات بدنية وفنية تحت إشراف يانكون ميشيل مدرب الحراس.

وشهد مران الحراس جانبًا من التدريبات على الكرات العرضية والضربات الثابتة والتصويب من قرب.

وخاض تقسيمة قوية بطول الملعب على فريقين، شارك فيها جميع اللاعبين في ختام المران الجماعي.

وقاد موسيماني اللاعبين في التقسيمة، وحرص على توجيههم من خلال تعليمات فنية خاصة للمدافعين وأخرى للمهاجمين.

وشهدت التقسيمة حماسًا كبيرًا من جانب اللاعبين المشاركين، طمعًا في الدخول في حسابات الجهاز الفني للمباراة القادمة.

واختتم موسيماني المران بفقرة للتدريب على ركلات الترجيح شارك فيها جميع اللاعبين.

God of Majestoso: invicto, Maicon é protagonista do São Paulo no clássico

MatériaMais Notícias

O São Paulo inicia neste domingo, a partir das 19h, contra o Corinthians, a decisão por uma vaga na final do Campeonato Paulista. Nesta primeira partida da semifinal, que será realizada no Morumbi, o Tricolor conta com um protagonista dos últimos Majestosos para conseguir uma vantagem para o confronto de volta. Não se trata de algum atacante ou até mesmo de um meia, e sim do zagueiro Maicon.

O defensor está invicto no clássico contra o Corinthians, com três empates e uma vitória. Apelidado de God of Zaga pela torcida, é possível dizer que Maicon é o God of Majestoso desta equipe do São Paulo que entrará em campo.

Além da invencibilidade, outro fator faz Maicon ser o destaque tricolor no clássico contra o Corinthians deste domingo: o protagonismo nas duas partidas disputadas no ano. Na primeira, ainda na pré-temporada, o zagueiro foi expulso ainda aos 17 minutos do primeiro tempo após confusão generalizada. Ele, inclusive, saiu de campo fazendo ameaças ao volante Camacho.

RelacionadasSão PauloSão Paulo relaciona Cueva para o Majestoso; confira a listaSão Paulo15/04/2017Futebol NacionalSão Paulo x Corinthians: prováveis times, desfalques, onde ver e palpitesFutebol Nacional15/04/2017

A confusão na final da Florida Cup estava entalada, mas foi outra provocação que apimentou o clássico válido pela primeira fase do Paulista. Kazim postou “para cima dos bambis” no Instagram e revoltou os são-paulinos. A resposta de Maicon veio dentro de campo: ele abriu o placar e imitou uma galinha na comemoração. Na saída de campo, o zagueiro negou a provocação na hora de comemorar, mas alfinetou o atacante rival.

– Não é provocação de ninguém, não sou jogador de ficar provocando. Não sou igual a certos babacas que ficam na internet falando gracinha aqui, gracinha ali. Nem jogar joga, mas fica querendo dar uma de playboy e de favelado – disse Maicon na ocasião.

Agora, neste domingo, mais do que manter a invencibilidade sobre o maior rival, Maicon busca a vitória para ter a vantagem no jogo de volta, que será realizado na semana que vem, na Arena Corinthians. Protagonista dos últimos clássicos, o zagueiro quer manter esse bom retrospecto, mas sem se envolver em confusão.

'It is important that the club knows the views of members' says Anderson after reading his mailbag

Somerset chief executive Peter Anderson was in reflective mood at the County Ground as he sat reading through some of the replies to the letter that he sent out to all members of the club following the disappointments of the 2002 season

SOMERSET05-Oct-2002Somerset chief executive Peter Anderson was in reflective mood at the County Ground as he sat reading through some of the replies to the letter that he sent out to all members of the club following the disappointments of the 2002 season.In all the Somerset boss has so far received 58 letters the vast majority of which thank him for going to the trouble of writing the letter.A small minority of the letters express concerns about the effect on the morale of the players.Many correspondents put forward their own views but by and large most were very understanding of the reasons why a losing team in a downward spiral would find it hard to stop their poor performances.Mr Anderson told me: "I am always appreciative of members writing to me whether I agree with their points of view or not, because it is important that the club knows the views of members."The Somerset boss continued: "We will shortly be starting our rounds of area meetings, and I hope members will take advantage of the opportunity of the chance to come along and air their points of view."Each of the area meetings will be attended by either Mr Anderson, or the Club Chairman Richard Parsons.The full list of meetings is as follows:Bath and Wiltshire Area, October 15th at Bath CC at 7.45pm attended by Richard Parsons.Mid Somerset Area, October 15th at Glastonbury at 7.30pm attended by Peter Anderson.South Somerset and Dorset Area, October 17th at Yeovil Town FC at 8pm attended by Richard Parsons.Taunton Area, October 22nd at The County Ground at 7.30 attended by Peter Anderson.Devon and Cornwall Area, October 23rd at the Coaver Club in Exeter at 8pm attended by Peter Anderson.Weston super Mare Area, October 24th at Weston super Mare Cricket Club at 7.30pm attended by Richard Parsons.North Somerset Area, October 28th at the Angel Inn, Long Ashton at 8pm attended by Richard Parsons.Bridgwater and Coastal Area, October 29th at the County Ground at 7.30pm attended by Peter Anderson.’If any members have any queries or want further details regarding their area meeting they should contact membership secretary Jo Arnold on 01823 272946.

West Ham journalist issues big update on left-back hunt

Jack Rosser, the London Evening Standard’s West Ham United reporter, does not believe the club will prioritise a deal to sign Josh Doig from Hibernian this summer.

The Irons have yet to make a permanent signing this summer bar the arrival of Craig Dawson, who came into the club on a full-time deal after spending last season on loan from Watford.

The relative lack of movement will be a concern for supporters and players alike, surely, as they are just three weeks away from the beginning of the Premier League season.

Doig has been linked with a potential move to the Irons, but Rosser has written a piece claiming that both the Hammers and Arsenal are currently unwilling to spend £5m on him, which is Hibernian’s asking price.

As a result, Rosser has confirmed that while manager David Moyes would like to strengthen his defence with a new full-back, he does not believe they will focus all of their efforts on bringing Doig into the club.

Speaking to The Transfer Tavern, he said: “I don’t think it’s a top priority. It’s a position he’s wanted to look at for a little while. Cresswell was one at the start of last season, West Ham fans were quite keen to see him replaced, and then he went on to be one of their players of the season last year with that run, he was one of the standout players and someone that when he was injured, they really missed.

“And Masuaku, as well, when they were playing in a back three, back five, Masuaku was fantastic as well.”

ليفربول يوجه 13 سؤالًا إلى يويفا بشأن أحداث شغب نهائي دوري الأبطال

كتب ليفربول رسالة جديدة إلى الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم، من أجل طلب توضيح حول كيفية إعداد التقرير المخطط له فيما يتعلق بالمشاهد الفوضوية في نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وكان ليفربول قد خسر أمام ريال مدريد في نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا، يوم السبت الماضي، بهدف دون رد في العاصمة الفرنسية باريس.

وتأجل إنطلاق المباراة ثلاث مرات بسبب مشاهد فوضوية خارج الملعب، وتأخر دخول عدد كبير من جماهير ليفربول، وانطلاق أعمال الشغب، وتعامل قوات الأمن الفرنسية بقوة مع مشجعي الريدز وإطلاق قنابل الغاز المسيل للدموع.

وأعلن الاتحاد الأوروبي يوم الثلاثاء أنه سيتم إجراء مراجعة شاملة ومستقلة لفحص مشكلات الوصول التي أدت إلى التعامل بعنف مع المشجعين خارج ملعب فرنسا يوم السبت الماضي.

وقال الرئيس التنفيذي لنادي ليفربول بيلي هوجان في تصريحات عبر الموقع الرسمي: “نحن في ليفربول ندعو إلى إجراء تحقيق في ما حدث في باريس يوم السبت، وليس تقريرًا، أعتقد أن هذين شيئين مختلفين للغاية”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. تقارير: محمد صلاح متفائل بشأن تجديد عقده مع ليفربول

وأضاف: “لقد كتبنا إلى يويفا مرة أخرى اليوم وطرحنا أسئلة محددة – 13 سؤالًا محددًا – نود منهم توضيحها حول تفاصيل هذا التحقيق”.

وواصل: “نحن بحاجة إلى توضيح بشأن تلك النقاط التي نطرحها، والأسئلة التي طرحناها، لفهم العملية المقترحة بشكل كامل”.

واختتم تصريحاته قائلًا: “نشعر أنه من المهم للغاية أن نستمر في هذا التحقيق”.

Watson! Watson!

Plays of the day from the first semi-final between Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals in Mumbai

Cricinfo staff30-May-2008
Glenn McGrath was hit for three consecutive boundaries by Graeme Smith (file photo) © AFP
Crowd favourite: Half an hour before the first semi-final, the Wankhede was only about half full. An hour into the game the crowd, now packed to the rafters, was screaming “Watson, Watson” as he smashed Delhi’s bowlers to all parts of the ground. Mumbai has been known to cheer only their own but two neutral teams contesting the semi-final meant that the fans could cheer for the excellent cricket, irrespective of who was playing it.VIP treatment: The union railways minister Lalu Prasad Yadav arrived for the match surrounded by a throng of commandos who wanted to sit next to him to guard him. However, the MCA officials, owners of the VVIP box that sits atop the Garware Pavilion, objected and tempers had to be calmed by Ratnakar Shetty, the BCCI chief operating officer. Lalit Modi was obviously irritated and was seen shaking his head.Walking wounded: Graeme Smith was struggling with his leg and his footwork was severely restricted. Glenn McGrath tried to capitalise on the weakness but Smith countered by using his bottom hand to lift two consecutive deliveries for four to deep midwicket. McGrath then replied with a yorker which swung into Smith. Forgetting his injury for a moment, Smith punched hard at the ball, sending it racing to the long-off boundary before hobbling away to the side in pain.Catch it right: The pull from Swapnil Asnodkar came in flat, fast, and above chest height towards Farveez Maharoof at deep fine leg. The thumb rule for catching at that height is to take it with hands cupped in front of the chest – the conventional way. Maharoof tried to catch it Aussie style – with fingers pointing upwards – and spilled it. The ball bounced off his hands, hit his face and went over the boundary for four.Gambhir plays into Watson’s hands: With the asking-rate climbing steadily, Gautam Gambhir, Delhi’s best batsman, decided to force matters but failed repeatedly. He charged out of his crease to pull but was beaten by Watson’s quick bouncer. He then tried to slash through covers but was beaten yet again. A second attempt at pulling also failed and when Gambhir finally connected with a fierce cut, he saw Taruwar Kohli dive to his right to pull off a stunning catch at cover.

Game
Register
Service
Bonus