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West Ham United have now been offered an ex-Chelsea manager as a potential replacement for Julen Lopetegui, with the Spaniard facing his last chance saloon against Wolves in the Premier League on Monday.

Julen Lopetegui could be fired if West Ham fail to beat Wolves

It has been reported by reliable media sources that Lopetegui has been given one last chance to save his job against Wolves (The Telegraph), with insiders viewing the all-important clash as a “cup final” in terms of the 58-year-old’s future.

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The Hammers are looking for winter reinforcements to help save their season.

ByEmilio Galantini Dec 7, 2024

A disastrous start to the season for Lopetegui was exacerbated by demoralising defeats to Arsenal and Leicester City last week, which piled even more pressure on the Spaniard, who’s led West Ham to just four league wins so far this season.

#16

03/12/2024

Leicester City (A)

Premier League

3-1 loss

#15

30/11/2024

Arsenal (H)

Premier League

5-2 loss

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26/11/2024

Newcastle United (A)

Premier League

2-0 win

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09/11/2024

Everton (H)

Premier League

0-0 draw

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02/11/2024

Nottingham Forest (A)

Premier League

3-0 loss

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27/10/2024

Man United (H)

Premier League

2-1 win

#10

19/10/2024

Tottenham (A)

Premier League

4-1 loss

Lopetegui has been slammed on various occasions for his tactics, player selection and overall approach to games – with calls to relieve the ex-Spain boss of his duties prevalent long before the last few days.

There have been reports that “several” senior West Ham stars are not behind their manager, and other media sources believe that Lopetegui has frustrated key club figures with last-minute changes to game plans (GiveMeSport).

In response, the Hammers are drawing up contingency plans in case they’re forced to fire their current head coach, with reliable club source ExWHUemployee revealing earlier this week that they’ve held talks with multiple managers already.

Graham Potter, Sergio Conceicao, Kasper Hjulmand, Roger Schmidt, Thomas Frank, Edin Terzic, Massimiliano Allegri and Matthias Jaissle have all been linked with the potentially vacant post this week.

New candidates are emerging on a consistent basis, with former Chelsea, Juventus, Napoli and Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri also in the frame.

West Ham offered ex-Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri to replace Julen Lopetegui

Sources in Italy last month reported that West Ham have been considering Sarri as an option, and French news outlet Foot Mercato now backs this up with a new claim.

Indeed, it is believed West Ham have been “offered” Sarri, with David Sullivan and Tim Steidten apparently open to the possibility of handing him a job back in the Premier League.

Famed for his brand of “Sarri-ball”, which was successful at Napoli and drew admirers, the tactician boasts a Europa League triumph from his time at Chelsea and a Scudetto from his period in the dugout at Juve.

Called “extraordinary” on a tactical level by his former star midfielder Jorginho, the 65-year-old won Serie A’s Manager of the Year award in 2016/17 and guided Lazio to second place a year before he left the Stadio Olimpico.

Sarri does have major credentials, and if supporters want to see attacking football, he could be a good option considering that the Italian is known for being an offensive-minded coach (The Football Analyst).

Arsenal are ready to make a January bid to sign their “perfect” player, and it is believed they’ve leapfrogged Manchester City in the race for his signature.

Arsenal make statement with 5-1 Champions League win over Sporting Lisbon

Mikel Arteta has made the perfect start post-international break, following up their impressive 3-0 win over Premier League high-flyers Nottingham Forest with a statement 5-1 victory at Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

Arsenal expected to hold talks for emergency loan signing of £77m forward

The Gunners need reinforcements.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Nov 26, 2024

A disastrous run of form, stretching from mid-October to mid-November, saw Arsenal go without a single win in the top flight – putting their chances of a first league title for 21 years in serious jeopardy – but two exceptional performances in the last few days have provided hope that Arteta can resurrect the club’s fortunes.

Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard rounded off a superb display in Portugal last night, with Arteta praising his side for their convincing performance.

“For sure, especially against the opponent that we played in their home,” said Arteta on whether he was impressed with Arsenal against Sporting.

West Ham United (away)

November 30

Man United (home)

December 4

Fulham (away)

December 8

Everton (home)

December 14

Crystal Palace (away)

December 21

“I don’t think they’ve lost a game in 18 months. They’ve been in top form, they did better than anyone they played here, so to play to the level, with the determination, the purpose, and the fluidity that we’ve done today, very pleased.

“For sure, the performance was there a few times and when we played big teams. When we played PSG, we were exceptional, again, when we played Bayern we were exceptional and some mistakes cost us. Now it’s Inter, now it’s this level, that’s the level we have to be able to cope, and you have to make it happen, then that creates belief, then on the next one the players will be better prepared. We need that consistency because the ability to do it is there.”

West Ham await Arsenal at the London Stadium this weekend, and you’d seriously fancy the Gunners’ chances given the opposing form of both sides right now.

Arsenal ready to make January bid for £60 million Martin Zubimendi

According to CaughtOffiside, the Emirates Stadium could reinforce Arteta’s chances of making this campaign a success with a winter swoop for Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi.

Both Jorginho and Thomas Partey are edging towards exits, following the expiry of their contracts, so the club also need to think about long-term replacements for them – if contract extensions are not on the table.

Arsenal are ready to bid £50 million for Zubumendi in January, as per CS, but Sociedad will demand closer to £60m. The north Londoners have an advantage over City, though, with Arteta ahead of his old mentor Pep Guardiola in the race for Zubimendi’s services.

Arsenal were linked with Zubimendi in the summer, and the Spaniard has been tipped as a potentially ideal upgrade for Arteta’s midfield.

“My personal feeling is that Zubimendi would be fantastic, even if [Amadou] Onana and Douglas [Luiz] have the advantage of both already knowing the Premier League,” said reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano in an interview with CaughtOffside earlier this year, commenting on which midfielder Arsenal should go for.

“Zubimendi is [a] fantastic player, he can help with his vision, quality and intelligence on the ball – he’s the perfect midfielder.”

Carlo Ancelotti's side were not at their best on Sunday, but still did enough to move level on points with leaders Barcelona

Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe grabbed the goals to redeem an otherwise sloppy performance from Real Madrid, as Los Blancos snagged what might be three vital points in the Liga title race with a 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano.

Madrid buzzed and pressed in the early goings without making much happen, but Mbappe provided the breakthrough after 30 minutes with a signature cut onto his right foot and ensuing smash into the bottom corner. Vinicius made it two after four minutes later as a wonderful bit of skill created an angle for his deflected strike. The visitors stuck around, though, and Pedro Diaz brought Rayo back into it with a wonderful strike on the stroke of half-time.

Carlo Ancelotti's players really should have put the game to bed after the break. Vinicius was a constant marauding presence down the left, while Mbappe caused problems in spurts, but they missed chances in spades as the Brazilian put one narrowly wide from point-blank range and his French colleague lashed another just outside the post. Rayo, for their part, didn't offer enough going forward to seriously threaten an equaliser, a speculative volley a few yards wide serving as their best chance.

Madrid would have liked to have made things easier for themselves, and it really should have been five or six. But the win pulls them level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona, albeit the Blaugrana now have a game in hand after the postponement of Saturday's meeting with Osasuna.

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Santiago Bernabeu…

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Andriy Lunin (6/10):

  No chance for the Rayo goal, and didn't have much else to do.

  Lucas Vazquez (6/10):

  Not his cleanest game. Mistimed a few runs and didn't link as effectively as usual.

  Raul Asencio (6/10):

  Solid at the back in his one-on-ones, but a little loose on the ball. Might have been punished by a better opponent.

  David Alaba (8/10):

  A really impressive performance as he continues his injury recovery. Good in his tackles and showed off his passing range, too.

  Fran Garcia (7/10):

  Scampered up and down the touchline. He's not as good defensively as Ferland Mendy, but his energy makes him useful.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Midfield

  Aurelien Tchouameni (7/10):

  A really commanding showing at the base of midfield. Kept an often sloppy Madrid in the game with his defensive nous.

  Jude Bellingham (5/10):

  Quiet from the Englishman, who was always up for the fight, but lacking in his usual cutting edge. Immensely frustrated to be subbed.

  Luka Modric (8/10):

  Magical in midfield. Timed everything wonderfully, connected with the front line, and grabbed himself an assist. Ageless.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Attack

  Rodrygo (5/10):

  Not his best game. A few lively moments, but he struggled to make a real impact on proceedings. Struggled after picking up a hand injury in the first half.

  Kylian Mbappe (7/10):

  Took his goal wonderfully and was active in the first half. Faded a little in the second, but still stretched the play.

  Vinicius Jr (8/10):

  An outrageous piece of skill led to Madrid's second. Did everything except put the ball in the net in the second half.

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  Subs & Manager

  Federico Valverde (7/10):

  An impactful, energetic cameo.

  Eduardo Camavinga (N/A):

  No time to make an impact

  Brahim Diaz (N/A):

  No time to make an impact

  Carlo Ancelotti (6/10):

  Not his team's most convincing performance, but he got his tactics right and will take the win. Attention now turns to Atletico on Wednesday…

Newcastle United have been pushed forward as if by a steel spring in recent days, defeating Arsenal in the Premier League after dumping Chelsea out of the Carabao Cup.

Alexander Isak is alive, putting a slow start to the season behind him and reminding Europe that he is one of the finest centre-forwards around. Eddie Howe must be delighted.

However, the contractual concerns regarding the Swede are inescapable and must be resolved.

Alexander Isak's contract situation

Isak is 25 years old, approaching the prime years of his career. He’s into his third campaign on Tyneside, having overcome injuries throughout his first year to post 25 goals from 40 appearances across all competitions in 2023/24.

There’s no immediate concern: Isak is contracted at St. James’ Park until 2028. Even so, interest in his signature is incipient but fierce, and if he does not follow Anthony Gordon in penning new terms, he and his suitors will have increased leverage as time goes on.

Callum Wilson is out of contract at the end of the campaign, and thus, club legend Alan Shearer feels that the Magpies should move to bolster their frontline with a first-class signing, one who might even be more talented than Isak.

Newcastle could sign new striker

Newcastle could do with some added firepower up top, and who better to sign than Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, who is one of the hottest commodities in Europe right now?

With Ruben Amorim leaving Sporting Lisbon imminently to turn the ship around at Manchester United, Premier League supporters will inevitably look at the Sweden international as the natural star to follow to Old Trafford.

However, Newcastle’s financial power and growing need for another striker could see them rival their divisional competition, and Shearer believes that indeed they must.

Discussing Newcastle’s probably transfer plan in a Q&A with The Athletic, the Premier League’s all-time top goalscorer suggested that Gyokeres should be the first-choice target:

Amorim has already allayed the Portuguese champions’ fears that they will suffer a winter exodus by stating that he will not be bringing any players with him in January.

Given that, as Guillem Balague claims, Sporting wish to cash in on Gyokeres, Newcastle – who were linked with the centre-forward back in January – must surely be contemplating lodging a bid, with his team rumoured to be ready to field official bids worth £60m.

Gyokeres would be an Alexander Isak upgrade

Gyokeres once sat in the Brighton & Hove Albion reserves, and after failing to earn a single appearance in the Premier League, routinely out on loan, joined Coventry City in the Championship.

Prolific endeavours under Mark Robins culminated in waves of interest from some rather high-profile suitors, but it was Sporting who he chose to sign for in 2023, an avenue that has proved to be most auspicious for a player now regarded as “one of the most feared strikers in Europe” – as said by reporter Harry de Cosemo.

Last term, as Sporting conquered the Portuguese top flight, Gyokeres was utterly mesmerising in his efforts, posting 43 goals and 15 assists across 50 matches in all competitions. This year, it’s not even December, and he already has 23 goals to his mountainous pile.

Many Magpies supporters will indeed feel that their outfit is blessed with a singular attacking talent, but everything suggests that Gyokeres is riding a level that surpasses even that of his compatriot at the moment, which truly is quite a thing.

Oh for sure, he’d do well to dislodge his countryman Isak from the number-one spot in Newcastle, but Gyokeres’ efforts over the past few years suggest that he could hold the quality to do just that.

Alexander Isak vs Viktor Gyokeres (League Stats 2024/25)
Match Stats*	Isak	Gyokeres
Matches (starts)	8 (8)	10 (10)
Goals	3	16
Assists	1	1
Touches*	30.1	41.2
Shots (on target)*	2.9 (1.3)	4.9 (2.6)
Big chances missed	4	7
Pass completion	72%	80%
Key passes*	0.9	2.0
Dribbles*	0.6	2.5
Total duels won*	2.5	6.3
Stats via Sofascore

Those statistics speak for themselves, for Gyokeres is outstripping Newcastle’s talisman across almost every metric. Of course, the Premier League carries a higher level than that of Liga Portugal, but crane yourself back to midweek, when Amorim’s side defeated Manchester City 4-1 in the Champions League, Gyokeres bagging a hat-trick.

As per FBref, the 26-year-old ranks among the top 1% of forwards across divisions similar to Liga Portugal for goals scored, shot-creating actions, progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90, highlighting just how frightening his threat really is.

Isak is a top player in his own right, riding a colourful purple patch right now, but it’s hard to argue against his Sweden teammate being the man of the moment right now, with free-scoring performances that set him apart from all but a smattering of strikers across Europe.

Described as a “powerhouse” by data analyst Ben Mattinson, Gyokeres has the athleticism, muscular physique, sharp movement and natural finishing to rival the likes of Isak and Erling Haaland for power as the star striker in the Premier League.

Even if Isak remains with the Toon over the coming years, this would surely be the optimum move to make, allowing Howe’s project to reach new heights and solidify a place in the Champions League, pushing for the shiniest silverware too.

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Angus Sinclair

Nov 8, 2024

أحرز لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي جيرونا أرنوت جروينفيلد، هدف التعادل لصالح فريقه في شباك برشلونة.

ويستضيف نادي برشلونة نظيره جيرونا، ضمن منافسات الجولة التاسعة والعشرين من الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم “لاليجا”.

اقرأ ايضاً.. فيديو | نيران صديقة.. كريتشي يسجل هدف برشلونة الأول أمام جيرونا

ونجح أرنوت جروينفيلد، في تسجيل هدف التعادل لصالح جيرونا في اللقاء عند الدقيقة 53 من عمر المباراة.

الهدف جاء بعد فشل لاعبي برشلونة في الخروج بالكرة وسط ضغط لاعبي جيرونا، لينجح داني بليند في تقديم تمريرة حاسمة لـ جروينفيلد الذي سدد الكرة في شباك تشيزني بطريقة رائعة. هدف تعادل جيرونا أمام برشلونة في الدوري الإسباني

غفلة دفاعية من لاعبي برشلونة تعطي جيرونا التعادل #الدوري_الاسباني#LaLiga pic.twitter.com/jpcwICsO1O — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) March 30, 2025

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior admits he took "strength" from a banner held up by Manchester City fans mocking his Ballon d'Or snub.

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• Rodri beat Vinicius to 2024 Ballon d'Or
• City fans mocked the Brazilian ahead of kick-off
• He responded with Man Of The Match display

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Brazilian was beaten to the 2024 prize by City's star midfielder Rodri and refused to attend the awards ceremony as a result, provoking a banner from City's fans reading 'Stop Crying Your Heart Out' ahead of Tuesday's Champions League round of 16 play-off first-leg tie. He then produced a Man Of The Match performance in Real's dramatic 3-2 victory.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  It had been widely assumed that Vinicius was in line to be crowned the world's best player in 2024 after he played a key role in Real Madrid's run to a La Liga and Champions League double. When news emerged prior to the ceremony that Rodri – who was key to Manchester City's fourth consecutive Premier League title and Spain's Euro 2024 triumph – was set to beat him, all Real Madrid staff boycotted the event. The giant banner held up by City fans as the teams emerged onto the field at Etihad Stadium provided the 24-year-old with all the motivation he needed to set up two of Real's three goals.

• WHAT VINICIUS SAID

  Vinicius said: "I saw the banner, but when opposition fans do things it always gives me more strength to play a great game and here I did that. City know our history and everything we've done in this competition."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR VINICIUS AND REAL MADRID?

  Real take a one-goal advantage into next week's second leg and are clear favourites to qualify for the last 16 at the expense of Pep Guardiola's side. Another deep run in this competition would enhance Vinicius' prospects of scooping the Ballon d'Or in 2025, though team-mates Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham also have their eyes on the prize.

Erik ten Hag’s position as Manchester United manager is becoming more under threat as the season goes by. The Red Devils have started the season poorly, and find themselves in 14th in the Premier League after seven games. They have just seven points to their name and have scored five goals, the joint second-lowest in the top flight. It has certainly been a poor start to the new campaign.

With that in mind, it is not surprising that United’s hierarchy, headed by new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, are debating the Dutchman’s future as manager. The Manchester Evening News’ chief United writer, Samuel Luckhurst, claims the club are ‘lining up’ Thomas Tuchel as the new boss.

Should the German get the job at Old Trafford, he would no doubt want to make some changes to the squad. Not only would he want to add new faces, but he may also wish to move on some of United’s current stars. Here are three of them who could be given the boot…

1 Casemiro

The first player Tuchel might decide to move on from the club should he get the prestigious role at Old Trafford is midfielder Casemiro.

It is fair to say that the Brazilian has found life difficult in the last 18 months or so, and has looked like a shadow of his former self. The Brazil has struggled with his mobility around the pitch, lack of control in possession and tendency to dive into tackles.

United signed the 32-year-old from Real Madrid for a whooping £70m, leaving the club where he won the Champions League five times, including the legendary threepeat in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Sadly, United’s number 18 has had a steep decline in his form, which has seen his minutes diminish over the seasons he has been at the club. The Brazil international was a key player in his first campaign, playing 51 times and 3905 minutes as United won the Carabao Cup and finished fourth.

Last term, the midfield battler played fewer minutes, largely due to injury. He played 32 times in all competitions, and 2578 minutes in total. However, his decline was noticeable, and the midfielder has played just nine times, including six in the Premier League, just 548 minutes.

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When considering his rapid decline, and his wage of an eye-watering £350k per week, United’s highest earner, it may well make sense for Tuchel to move him on. The Red Devils have Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and the likes of Toby Collyer who could take his place, so it might not be too much of a miss for United in the long run.

2 Antony

Antony is another player who could leave Old Trafford if Tuchel moves to the club. The winger joined the club for an extraordinary £81.3m fee but has underwhelmed during his time as a Red Devil.

The former Ajax winger, who played under Ten Hag in Amsterdam, has simply not lived up to expectations given the extortionate fee he cost. The winger has played 86 times for the club but has managed just 12 goals and five assists in that time.

2022/23

44

3118

8

3

2023/24

38

1910

3

2

2024/25

4

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1

0

Granted, this is not just on the winger. He has not played in the same system where he thrived at Ajax, with Ten Hag’s United side at times happy to concede possession and become deadly in transition rather than be a side who have the majority of the ball, especially in the opposition’s third.

With that being said, he has not lived up to expectations and Tuchel might prefer other profiles of winger, more in the mould of Marcus Rashford. He has spoken highly of United’s number 10 in the past, calling him “a big threat” before praising the impact he has had at Old Trafford.

It certainly feels like a fresh start for the Brazilian at a new club would be the best thing for all parties. It also means the Red Devils get his wages off the books; Antony earns an extraordinary £200k per week, the fourth-highest earner at the club.

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We at Football FanCast have gathered all the information on exactly how much the wages of each player is at Manchester United.

ByLuke Randall Sep 4, 2025 3 Victor Lindelof

One of United’s longest-serving players is now Victor Lindelof. The Sweden captain joined the club in June 2017, signing from Benfica for a fee of £31m. Whilst he played a key role at the back with Harry Maguire under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he has been more of a squad player under Ten Hag.

Lindelof has notched up an impressive number of appearances for the Red Devils. The 30-year-old has played 260 times for the Red Devils, even managing to score four goals and register seven assists.

However, the central defender has not had many minutes under Ten Hag since he took over at Old Trafford. He has played just 64 times under the tutelage of the Dutchman, and whilst he has suffered from injuries too in that time, he has not been the first choice ahead of the likes of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.

Nicknamed ‘The Iceman’, he was cool, calm and collected in arguably his finest moment in that famous Red shirt. Lindelof slotted home the winning penalty in the 2022/23 FA Cup semi-final shootout against Brighton and Hove Albion at Wembley, to send United through to the showpiece event, which they ended up losing to Manchester City.

United’s number two has been a superb servant to the club and is into his eighth season at the 13-time Premier League champions. With that being said, United may well want to sell the defender, who earns £120k per week, if Tuchel becomes manager.

It is unsurprising that the German would want to give the squad a refresh should he get the job at Old Trafford. Casemiro, Antony and Lindelof are just three players who could depart, with Tuchel looking to bring in some new faces to help refresh the squad and take United back to the top of English and European football.

Man Utd could forget Fernandes by signing £120m future Ballon d'Or winner

Bruno Fernandes has been out of form this season and could be replaced by a mega-money signing.

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Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich has reportedly opened talks with Real Madrid as he considers an exit from the Bavarian giants in the summer.

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Kimmich's deal with Bayern set to expireReal Madrid open talks with 29-year-oldBayern extension remains Kimmich's priorityFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Kimmich has been one of Bayern Munich's most consistent players over the last half a decade as the midfielder, who has also played right-back regularly, is considered one of the best in the world. The German's contract with the Bavarians is set to expire in the summer and talks with Bayern Munich over an extension are yet to reach an agreement.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

German outlet BILD's Christian Falk has now reported that Real Madrid have opened preliminary talks with Kimmich over a summer move to Santiago Bernabeu as a free agent. The report has suggested that the 29-year-old's first priority remains to renew his deal with Bayern Munich. However, if the that is not possible, Kimmich is said to see Los Blancos as the most appealing destination.

Getty Images SportDID YOU KNOW?

Real Madrid have been keenly pursuing Kimmich's Bayern Munich teammate Alphonso Davies in a similar sort of free-agent move. However, the Canadian left-back has now all but guaranteed his extension with Der Rekordmeister and will stay at Allianz Arena this summer. However, it is still unclear if Bayern will deal Los Blancos a double whammy and tie down Kimmich to a new contract as well.

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WHAT NEXT FOR KIMMICH?

At the moment, talks between Kimmich and Real Madrid have not gathered much steam, and the Bundesliga giants may need to move quickly if they are to tie the Germany star down.

Batter seemed to have been ousted from the England Test team but is now back as one of its senior-most members

Andrew Miller11-Aug-20212:41

Bell: Moeen the spin-bowling allrounder lends better balance to England

At the start of the summer, it wasn’t out of the question that Jonny Bairstow’s Test career was done and dusted. He finished a dispiriting tour of India with three ducks in four innings in Ahmedabad, and with Dan Lawrence joining the likes of Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope at the vanguard of a new generation of England middle-order batters, it seemed that his pre-eminence in England’s white-ball squad might finally take full-time precedence.Now, however, everything’s back up for grabs. Following his recall for the first Test at Trent Bridge, Bairstow’s senior status will be plain for all to see this week, in a second-Test squad that has been dramatically shorn of so many of its usual suspects. With Ben Stokes absent, and Stuart Broad and James Anderson also set to be sidelined by injury, there could be no-one bar the captain Joe Root boasting more than Bairstow’s haul of 76 caps come the first ball on Thursday.Related

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India ponder the Ashwin question while England seek batting fixes

“It would be a big loss, naturally because they’ve (Broad and Anderson) got a thousand Test wickets between them,” Bairstow said on the eve of the match. “But with that comes an opportunity for other people. When we’ve seen that previously in the summer, in the Pakistan [ODI] series, there were opportunities that arose for other people coming in and they rose to those challenges.”Bairstow continued to look at the bright side, hoping for “someone to come in and step up”, while explaining that England were well-prepared for these speed bumps.”I don’t think it’s too much of a de-stabiliser to be honest,” he said. “With the nature of professional sport, there are going to be injuries at times, there is going to be illness, it can happen overnight and you’ve got to be adaptable within the group. That’s what we have been. Whether it’s in South Africa [in 2019-20], rewinding to when everyone was unfortunately poorly, or other occasions.”Jonny Bairstow sprints during England training•Getty Images

To be fair, Bairstow has overcome so many logistical challenges already this year that a bit of team uncertainty on the eve of a Test match is nothing much to faze him. “I’ve been busy,” he conceded, after a 2021 itinerary that began with two Tests in Sri Lanka, continued with a bout of quarantine in Ahmedabad ahead of his two Tests in India, a packed one-day campaign, and a successful IPL, and culminated in his arrival at Loughborough at 1.30am, ahead of the Trent Bridge Test, fresh from the second of his two match-winning performances for Welsh Fire in the Hundred.”You’re going from playing a Hundred game the night before, and trying to hit as many balls as possible into the River Taff, which was great fun, to then facing Broady and Ollie Robinson with a Dukes ball,” Bairstow said of his build-up to that Test recall. “So there’s definitely many differences within that process.”But I was content, I was happy,” he added, after scores of 29 and 30, which – Root aside – represented England’s most consistent run-scoring in the Test. “It was obviously slightly different to the week before, but to spend a decent amount of time at the crease was pleasing. I didn’t go on to get a big score but if I keep doing what I was doing in those two innings, keep with that method and mindset, then hopefully there is going to be a fairly big one to come fairly soon.”Expectations of England’s team are fairly low at present, given their struggles to assert themselves either against India or in their 1-0 series defeat against New Zealand earlier in the summer, and changes in the batting are on the cards as well, with Moeen Ali set to return at No. 7 after his own blazing performances in the Hundred, and Haseeb Hameed a strong chance to earn his own recall after four years, given the recent struggles endured by Crawley and Dom Sibley at the top of the order.All of which means that England’s middle order could have an improbably familiar look to it, given that Root, Bairstow, Jos Buttler and Moeen are all more familiar with one another in the triumphant 50-over format than they have been of late in Test cricket. It’s a prospect that Bairstow welcomes, given how important the team’s mindset has become in this extraordinary summer, when opportunities for conventional match practice are so vanishingly scarce.Rory Burns, Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow are all smiles at the team photo•Getty Images

“It’s a fair point,” he said. “Having relationships and experience within that middle period there is something that we can latch on. It is a very fun experience, being out there together in the middle, and being able to recall those experiences and relish those partnerships that you’re able to have. Hopefully we’ll be able to have a chuckle while we reflect on what’s been a positive, successful partnership between individuals, but also as a collective.”Just as Bairstow’s return to the Test team coincided with a run of success in the Hundred, so Moeen is back with his form and confidence brimming over, after a brace of blazing performances for Birmingham Phoenix in the past week. And speaking from personal experience, Bairstow admitted that feeling good about your batting, no matter the format, is a huge part of cricket’s mental battle.”If you’re coming back in with confidence and off the back of scoring runs, no matter what format it is, and you are able to harness those approaches and you’re going out with an amount of confidence that’s out there, then I think it’s great,” he said.”Mo’s coming back in and he’s been striking the ball very nicely in the Hundred. We know Mo’s quality within Test cricket. He was the second-fastest [England player] ever to 100 Test wickets and 2000 Test runs. Now, that doesn’t come by coincidence. In Mo, we’ve got someone that’s extremely skilful, with a lot of experience, and he brings a lot to the side.”

أعلن النادي الأهلي عن إرسال خطاب إلى اتحاد الكرة، من أجل التعليق على الأخطاء التحكيمية وتأثيرها على نتائج مباريات الدوري المصري.

ونشر الأهلي بيانًا يكشف فيه تفاصيل خطابه لاتحاد الكرة، والاعتراض على عدم تحقيق مبدأ تكافؤ الفرص بين الأندية.

وألمح الأهلي إلى إمكانية اللجوء إلى الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم “فيفا”، حال تكرار أخطاء التحكيم بسبب تهديدها لنجاح مسابقة الدوري المصري.

طالع | شريف عبد المنعم: الآن يُمكننا محاسبة كولر بعد المثلث الهجومي الجديد في الأهلي

كما أكد الأهلي على معاناته من أخطاء التحكيم غير المبررة والتي تحرمه من حقوقه المشروعة.

ويحتل الأهلي المركز الثاني في جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري، ولديه 29 نقطة جمعها من الفوز في 8 لقاءات والتعادل 5 مرات دون تلقي أي هزائم. خطاب الأهلي إلى اتحاد الكرة للمطالبة بحلول حاسمة للأخطاء التحكيمية

أرسل النادي خطابًا لاتحاد الكرة اليوم بعد تكرار الأخطاء التحكيمية «الفجة»، التي تؤثر في نتائج المباريات بشكل مباشر، بدون إجراءات حاسمة.

وجاء في الخطاب: «لقد تم إرسال عشرات المكاتبات طوال الفترات الماضية لإنقاذ مسابقة الدوري، وتحقيق مبدأ تكافؤ الفرص بين الأندية المتنافسة.. لكن لم يتلق النادي أي ردود على مكاتباته، ولا يزال فريق الأهلي يعاني من تكرار الأخطاء غير المبررة وحرمانه من حقوقه المشروعة وآخرها مباراة الأمس.. ولأن النادي لم يجد حلولًا على أرض الواقع ولم تُتخذ التدابير التي تعيد الأمور إلى نصابها الطبيعي، أشار إلى أنه حال عدم تصويب هذه الأخطاء التي تهدد نجاح المسابقة، سوف يضطر النادي -على عكس رغبته- إلى إحالة كل ما يجري من أخطاء تحكيمية إلى الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم، لتطبيق معايير واحدة وعادلة تضمن الشفافية في المنافسة بين الأندية».