أكد وليد صلاح الدين لاعب الأهلي السابق والمحلل الرياضي الحالي أن مصر تمتلك أفضل لاعبين وأندية على مستوى القارة الإفريقية، مُشيرا إلى تفوق قطبي الكرة المصرية على الوداد والرجاء في ذهاب نصف نهائي دوري الأبطال.

وكان الأهلي قد نجح في الفوز على الوداد أول أمس بثنائية نظيفة على ملعبهم بالدار البيضاء، قبل أن يلحق الزمالك هزيمة بالرجاء بهدف دون رد على نفس الملعب.

وقال وليد صلاح الدين خلال مداخلة ببرنامج “وان تو” عبر أثير “أون تايم سبورت”: “نحن أقوياء جدا ولدينا أفضل كرة وأفضل أندية ولاعبين ولكن دائما لا ننظر إلا للسلبيات ولدينا جلد ذات كبير”.

وتابع: “إن شاء الله نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا يكون مصريًا بين الأهلي والزمالك على ملعب استاد القاهرة، ويحصل بيراميدز على لقب الكونفدرالية وتعود الكرة المصرية للسيطرة على القارة”.

وأضاف: “الناس جميعا في الوطن العربي وأنحاء العالم يعرفون أننا كبار، وأننا نمتلك أفضل منتخب في إفريقيا والزمالك قاهر إفريقيا والأهلي نادي القرن ولكن نحن لا نشعر بذلك، أتمنى أن يتخطى القطبان عقبة مبارتي الإياب”.

وأتم: “نحن متفوقون في كل شئ حتى أن الأهلي والزمالك هما فقط من كانا ينافسان على لقب نادي القرن الإفريقي”.

وتقام مباراة الإياب بين الأهلي والوداد يوم الجمعة المقبل على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي، فيما يقام لقاء الزمالك والرجاء في اليوم التالي على الملعب ذاته.

Former Whites boss David O’Leary wasn’t afraid of the transfer market between 1998 and 2002, and though his exuberant spending may have later financially crippled Leeds United, it gave birth to one of the finest players to ever grace Elland Road, Mark Viduka.

Simply put Mark Viduka was one of the best bits of business Leeds United and David O’Leary have done in recent memory. We say that not because he was a particularly cheap player – he arrived for a club record fee £6 million (as per the club’s official site) – rather the Australian was a great bit of transfer wizardry because he was an absolutely sensational player who provided plenty of priceless memories. You know, the kind neutrals tend to remember because they’re actually just very good at kicking a football.

After dominating the Scottish Premiership and scoring 27 goals for Celtic in the single season he played at Parkhead, O’Leary saw fit to release the beast from his Scottish confines onto the poor and unsuspecting Premier League. Alongside a young boy wonder, Alan Smith, Viduka collected 22 goals during his debut campaign, hoisting Leeds United into fourth position and reach the semi-finals of the Champions League. Not to mention the utter madness that unfolded in November 2000 with the forward claiming all four goals in Leeds United’s 4-3 victory over Liverpool at Elland Road.

However, even some of the worst players can have random splurges of genius. It takes real talent to turn up over and over and perform at the highest level, which is exactly what the beast did during the 2001/02 campaign – collecting a cool 16 goals in all competitions, including a winner against the Gunners at their Highbury fortress.

Indeed, to spindle the same sort of footballing magic Viduka managed on such a consistent basis despite Leeds United slowly making their ill-fated descent toward Premier League relegation is truly remarkable, and the 11 League goals he bagged in his final year at Leeds proved to be some of the clubs last in topflight thanks to an ongoing absence.

Following Leeds’ drop, Viduka moved to Middlesbrough where he played a pivotal in their run-in to the 2006 UEFA Cup final, before retiring at Newcastle United.

What a player, what an icon and what a career.

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John McGinn. He can play a little bit.

The 24-year-old followed his brace against Nottingham Forest during the week by scoring once in Aston Villa’s 3-0 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon.

Villa signed the midfielder from Hibernian last summer and he has proved to be outstanding in the second tier of English football.

According to WhoScored, as well as scoring and assisting Anwar El-Ghazi at Boro, McGinn had four shots, three dribbles and boasted a pass success rate of 90%.

As expected, the Villa supporters were absolutely delighted with what they saw from the 13-time Scotland international on the afternoon and many took to social media to lavish praise on him.

Villa are now sixth in the Championship following an excellent run of form and if McGinn continues to produce then Dean Smith’s side will certainly take some stopping.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the Villa fans can be seen below:

Not even the most optimistic of Sheffield United supporters w0uld have believed at the start of the season that their side would be within touching distance of automatic promotion with just eight games to play.

Yet, after their dramatic victory at Elland Road on Saturday against Leeds United, the Blades have put themselves in a fabulous position in the Championship table.

Currently second and one point ahead of the Whites, Chris Wilder’s side are now in control of their fate and know that a continuation of their recent form will all but guarantee Premier League football next season.

However, in order to achieve this goal, the former Oxford United boss will have to sacrifice the experiment of playing central defender Chris Basham in the heart of midfield.

Although the 30-year-old was responsible for the winner at the weekend, his inclusion in an unfamiliar role affected the usual attacking prowess which has propelled United into the promotion hunt this season.

With the Blades facing Bristol City, Birmingham City and Preston North End over the course of the next month, Wilder will know that he needs more creativity in his midfield to ensure that the club’s momentum continues and therefore either Kieran Dowell or Mark Duffy should return to the starting eleven in place of Basham.

Also, it is extremely unlikely that United will surrender as much of the ball in any of their remaining fixtures compared to their approach against Leeds and so there will be more of an emphasis of controlling the tempo rather than setting up to counter-attack.

A return to defence for Basham could suit United as he fits the unique mold of a centre-back who can provide an attacking threat However, with both Martin Cranie and Jack O’Connell producing brilliant displays at the weekend, it may prove to be difficult for him to force himself back into his favoured position.

What do you think Blades fans? Is Basham good enough to keep his position in central midfield? Or should he return to his usual role in defence to accommodate Duffy or Dowell? Let us know below.

It can be all too easy to look at two teams league positions and make some false prejudices. That’s the exact case here too, as with Swansea hosting Middlesbrough later today, the side 15th in the Championship is surely going to be the favourites over the 8th placed bottlers, especially when you factor in the recent form.

At times this season, we’ve seen Swansea playing some incredible football under Graham Potter. It may have taken the ex-Ostersunds manager time to adapt to the Championship, but his brand of football is much better than Tony Pulis’ anti-football.

As the two sides clash, it will be an interesting match-up, and one that if Potters’ side gets going in then they will surely edge it.

TONY PULIS

Tony Pulis is undoubtedly the more experienced gaffer going into this clash, but with experience doesn’t always come advantage, and it’s easy to argue that the Welshman’s football is stagnant and behind the times. Stints with Stoke City, Crystal Palace, West Brom and now Boro in recent times have all brought the same set-piece orientated football, and it’s time he had a rebrand or got out of the game.

In a world where the likes of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are passing teams off the park, Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds are high-pressing their way to glory and Mick Harford’s Luton Town are playing scintillating stuff in the third tier, hoof-ball has no place anywhere in the football league. The EFL is starting to see beautiful football, and whilst Pulis can’t adapt his sides will struggle, as we’ve seen with Boro losing their last four games.

TT GRADE: D

GRAHAM POTTER

There was very little hype and media attention around Graham Potter when he came to Swansea City, especially considering how well picked up on his time at Ostersunds was. The once-unheard of 43-year-old made his name in Sweden, where he miraculously took Ostersunds from a fourth tier club all the way through the Swedish footballing system, into the top flight and even into the Europa League, which he qualified for through winning the Svenska Cup.

His achievements have been incredible, and whilst he may only have Swansea in 15th, the signs have been there. Consistency has been his side’s problem, although he’s shown that his Swans can roll with the punches against the best sides in the country, with their recent FA Cup clash with Manchester City, an unjust 3-2 loss, proving just that. It’s the football that has them standing out, though, and should he add consistency then promotion is a real possibility next season.

TT GRADE: B

TT VERDICT

When comparing Potter and Pulis, it quickly becomes apparent that league position is never a safe barometer with which to compare managers in the Championship.

If given the chance, plenty of Boro fans would be rid of Tony Pulis in a heartbeat, and whilst Swansea may be taking their time to adapt, Potter is certainly the man for the job and is certainly a more apt manager given the current footballing climate than the dinosaur that is Tony Pulis, and that’s why he wins this battle.

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Marko Arnautovic insists that he has matured, despite the transfer saga that plagued West Ham United throughout January, per Kronen Zeitung (via Sport Witness).

The Austria international attempted to engineer a move to China at the turn of the year but was ultimately convinced to stay, signing a new contract with the Hammers.

What’s the word?

Arnautovic has been at the centre of the biggest saga at the Irons since Dimitri Payet’s dramatic mid-season departure.

The striker very nearly moved to the Far East, instead signing a deal that includes a £45million release clause that can be triggered by any interested party in the summer.

He has started one game for the club since in the 4-3 win over Huddersfield Town, and was booed when he was substituted for Lucas Perez.

And he has now made the incredible claim that he has more maturity about him, despite a farcical turn of events under Manuel Pellegrini.

He said, via Sport Witness: “This “Bad Boy” thing will follow me for a long time.

“I used to do things without thinking twice before, today it’s different. I have matured enormously, both as a person and in sports. You just get older and smarter.

“Of course, the family contributes a great deal to this, and my agency Next Sports Marketing has also always given good advice on the side.”

Fans likely to bust a gut

Supporters are likely to bust a gut laughing at these quotes.

Arnautovic has cut a sulky figure since January and is clearly not happy with his lot at the London Stadium.

But he maintains that he puts a great deal of thought behind his every move now.

That, simply, cannot be true; had he decided to think his actions through in January he would not be sitting on the bench quite so often.

Instead, Pellegrini has put his foot down. Arnautovic is set to be out of the team for a while and he is likely to push for a move once again in the summer.

Has he matured? It’s doubtful.

يعتقد الدولي المغربي حكيم زياش، جناح فريق تشيلسي، أنّ زميله السابق، دوني فان دي بيك، قادر على النجاح مع فريقه الجديد، مانشستر يونايتد، وذلك قبل مباراة الفريقين في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

زياش وفان دي بيك، تزاملا سويًا في أياكس أمستردام قبل الانتقال إلى البريميرليج، هذا الصيف.

ويستعد تشيلسي، لملاقاة مانشستر يونايتد، مساء غدًا السبت، ضمن لقاءات الجولة السادسة من البريميرليج.

وقال زياش في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ميرور” البريطانية: “نحن كنا نتحدث في البداية عندما انضم إلى مانشستر يونايتد”.

وأضاف: “ولكن في الأسبوع الماضي، لم نتحدث كثيرًا، ولم أتحدث معه عن وضعه (عدم مشاركته في المُباريات)”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. حكيم زياش يتحدث عن فشل انتقاله لـ آرسنال.. ويؤكد: ذهبت إلى تشيلسي في الوقت المناسب

وواصل: “أعتقد أنّ فان دي بيك، سيكون بحاجة إلى الوقت من أجل التكيف والنجاح، إنه يأتي من بلد مختلف، وبأسلوب مُختلف في اللعب”.

وتابع: “أنا أعلم بالتأكيد أنّ فان دي بيك، سيكون بحاجة إلى الوقت، حتى يتعاد على كل شيء مع مانشستر يونايتد”.

وأتم تصريحاته قائلًا: “ثم في النهاية سيُظهر صفاته وجودته مع الفريق، ولكن أهم شيء بالنسبة لي الآن، هو أنّ يكون هادئًا”.

There’s something in the water at Hale End these days.

For the first time in what feels like forever, Arsenal have an exciting group of youngsters coming through at the club that all look like genuine first-team hopefuls.

Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah are just a few of the prospects to come through Arsenal this season and have an impact in the world of football, but in an era of the game where youngsters are finding it hard to make it into the first-team at the top-level, it is vital Unai Emery keeps hold of this group of youngsters at the club.

As well as the quadrant of players who fans see as the most promising, Ainsley Maitland-Niles has grabbed his sophomore year in the first-team with both hands and has established himself as a vital player going into the second half of the season, a sign that players from the academy can feature for the senior team.

Emery has no desire to sell these players on despite interest from Bundesliga teams for some of these youngsters, and it is important for the future of the club that the Spaniard keeps hold of them.

Without Champions League football, for now, turning to youth is a genuine option Emery could turn too in order to save some money in the transfer market, and fans would agree this could be a beneficial move for the club.

It won’t be a crazy claim to make to say Emery could rely on some youngsters to fill out barebone positions in the Arsenal team, such as the wing where the Gunners currently only have Alex Iwobi and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the senior team who play their naturally.

This group of players coming through at Arsenal are a once in a generation bunch, a crop of youngsters that only come through at a club once every few decades, and for fans of the club, they know that if they are given the time to develop they will one day star for the first-team.

Arsenal fans, what youngster do you want to see more of in the first-team?

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Dominic Ball will be offered a permanent deal at Aberdeen this summer, manager Derek McInnes has confirmed.

What’s the story?

Well, as reported by The Daily Record, Ball has spent the last 18 months on loan from Rotherham, but his contract with the Millers expires this summer.

This means the versatile defender will be a free agent, putting him well within the Dons’ price range for summer signings.

And McInnes has clearly been impressed by the 23 year-old, openly speaking about his desire to pen him to a permanent deal.

“Dom loves it here and really enjoys it. There is a good chance we might get something done on that front,” McInnes said.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

Perfect signing

Ball would hardly be a marquee signing for the Dons, but he would be a very smart addition as the club look to close the gap on the big two next season.

The 23 year-old came through Tottenham’s youth academy before spending time on loan with Cambridge and Rangers, eventually making a permanent switch to Rotherham in 2016.

He has performed at multiple youth levels in both the England and Northern Ireland international set-ups, and has filled in very impressively for Shay Logan while the right-back has been out with an ankle injury.

Ball has racked up 31 appearances in all competitions this season, finding the net twice, and his ability to cover multiple positions in McInnes’ squad makes life so much easier for the boss.

Getting a player with this versatility without spending a penny is just the cherry on top – this would be a perfect way to kick start the Dons’ summer business.

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In recent memory, Birmingham have had a habit of losing their most promising academy players. Nathan Redmond was the first to flee the scene before Damarai Gray also packed his bags and moved on too.

Gray made his first-team debut for the club at 17, Redmond at 16. But the club now has a youngster who can surpass them both.

At the age of 15, Jude Bellingham has already been a part of the first team squad. He’s yet to make his senior bow, but it seems only a matter of time before he does.

However, embroiled in a relegation battle, it may be best for Garry Monk to ease him in slightly more gently next season.

It says a lot about the player, though, that he has been close to appearing in the Championship already. Monk clearly has no fears and if you’re good enough you’ll get your chance.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

In Birmingham’s match with West Brom last month he was the 19th man in the squad, warming up with the team before the game and then watching on from the substitutes bench.

Considering his age it’s quite the achievement and he now has the potential to follow in the footsteps of some of the Blues’ former players currently plying their trade in the Premier League.

Of course, the club will hope he doesn’t make the leap with another side as Redmond and Gray did.

Bellingham is an attacking midfielder but has a habit of getting involved in the goals. He scored four in one game against Liverpool last year and also found the back of the net on his U23 debut this season, popping up with the winner three minutes from time. That says it all about his will and determination.

He’s also shone at youth level for England and has hit double figures for appearances in the U23s this term.

The 15-year-old is incredibly raw but is certainly one that should be monitored closely going into next season.

Not turning 16 until the summer, Bellingham has a serious chance of becoming the club’s youngest player to feature in the Championship. Only time will tell whether he breaks that record.