Tag Futebol

Crystal Palace have enquired about Schalke defender Ozan Kabak as they continue their squad overhaul under Patrick Vieira [The Daily Mail].

The Lowdown: Vieira faces enormous overhaul

Potentially unrecognisable comparative to last season, newly appointed Palace manager Vieira will face the challenge of constructing a new-look roster following the contract expirations of over 20 first-team players [The Sun].

Already making serious inroads in the transfer market, the Eagles have moved to bring in no fewer than four signings in the form of Jacob Montes, Marc Guehi, Michael Olise and Remi Matthews [Transfermarkt].

Wasting no time ahead of the Premier League season, could they now be set to add a fifth summer acquisition following latest reports?

The Latest: Crystal Palace enquire about Kabak

Crystal Palace are said to be monitoring Turkey international Kabak and have contacted Schalke to ask about him, whilst he will likely leave Gelsenkirchen this window due to financial irregularities at his current employers [Daily Mail].

The South Londoners are believed to have been keen on the 21-year-old for a couple of months, who could be available for as little as £8.5 million plus add-ons.

Several Bundesliga clubs also hold an attraction to the 6 foot 1 defender.

The Verdict: Kabak would be an astute signing for the Eagles

Needing to bolster their defensive ranks, Kabak would represent an astute piece of business for Vieira’s men.

Clearly able to hold his own against at the highest level, Kabak played an important part in helping Liverpool to qualify for the UEFA Champions League in 2020/21, registering 13 appearances for the Merseyside giants after joining on loan in January [Transfermarkt].

Showing his domineering presence at the back for the Reds within this timeframe, he managed to keep an average total of three clearances per game in the Premier League [WhoScored].

Once labelled as ‘absolutely incredible’ by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, Palace should move to sign the young defender and take advantage of Schalke’s troubling financial situation.

In other news, a pundit has exclusively backed a Crystal Palace pursuit of a reported target.

Former Leeds midfielder David Norris reckons that Adama Traore would be an excellent signing for Marcelo Bielsa’s team.

Reports earlier this summer believe that new Wolves manager Bruno Lago is looking to cash-in on the flying Spaniard to raise funds, with Leeds continuing to show a strong interest in the 25-year-old.

It’s been more than three years since Traore last signed a contract extension at Molineux, which has led to serious speculation surround his future, with only two years remaining on his current deal.

Traore remains one of the most devastating players in the Premier League, even though he managed just five goal contributions in 37 league outings last season, which is under half of what he chipped in with 12 months earlier (13).

But Traore, who produced more dribbles by Lionel Messi last season, remains a wanted man, and Norris exclusively told Football FanCast that the winger could improve an attack that outscored both Chelsea and Arsenal last season:

“He likes them attacking, exciting players that can create.

“They still must work hard, but the way he’s been in the last couple of seasons, and how much of a danger he is and how much he an create, I think that would be a great signing. Leeds are looking for top players and I think he’s a top player.”

Rowledge suffered a National Village Championship semi-final heartbreak as they lost by two runs to Shipton-under-Wychwood, from Oxfordshire

Mike Vimpany (as published in Daily Echo)19-Aug-2002Rowledge suffered a National Village Championship semi-final heartbreak as they lost by two runs to Shipton-under-Wychwood, from Oxfordshire.The Southern Electric Premier League club came within an ace of pulling off a remarkable victory after requiring 20 runs off the final over of a pulsating tie.Paul Tanner (36 not out) took 18 runs off Phil Garner’s last over to take gallant Rowledge to 209-7 – and to within two runs of Shipton’s 211-9.It was a heroic effort by Rowledge, who appeared out for the count after losing three early wickets.But Ricky Yates struck a superb 71 and, aided by Darren Mitrchell’s 49, set up a thrilling finish.Rowledge, who had required 84 runs from the last ten overs, had earlier done well to claw themselves back into the contest.Shipton raced away and were scoring at a rate of eight runs an over through prolific left-hander Dave Constable (65) but Chris Yates (4-28) and Dave Booton (3-41) pegged them back.Havant went out of the ECB Club Championship, losing by three wickets to Stanmore.They appeared to have the game in the bag after Stanmore, chasing Havant’s 199-6 (Paul Gover 55), tumbled to 69-6.But Alistair Fraser (64 not out) and Pete Edwards (66) turned the tie on its head to give the Middlesex club an unexpected victory.

Hampshire select from 13 for their opening Benson & Hedges Cup match against Kent at The Rose Bowl on Monday.

Vic Isaacs28-Apr-2002Hampshire select from 13 for their opening Benson & Hedges Cup match against Kent at The Rose Bowl on Monday.The eleven who played against Leicestershire plus batsmen Giles White and Lawrence Prittipaul.All rounder Alex Morris is out of the five qualifying matches with muscular back problems, although a scan has shown no damage. Dimitri Mascarenhas who limped out of the last Championship match after bowling just 4 balls is expected to be fit.As a precaution, James Tomlinson the Cardiff University fast bowler, who did so much last season to help Hampshire to the 2nd XI Championship title has been put on standby.The Thirteen: Will Kendall, Derek Kenway, John Crawley, Robin Smith (captain), Neil Johnson, Nic Pothas (wicket-keeper), Dimitri Mascarenhas, Shaun Udal, Chris Tremlett, James Hamblin, Alan Mullally, Giles White and Lawrence Prittipaul.

A number of Manchester City fans are delighted after it emerged the Citizens are in fact looking to hold on to Aymeric Laporte this summer.

The centre-back, who signed for the club in 2018, had a fantastic impact early on his City career, making 35 appearances in the Premier League during his first full season (Transfermarkt) as the Citizens won the title and achieving an impressive 7.05 average match rating from WhoScored in 2018/19.

However, his playing time has reduced since then, both due to injury and team selection decisions from Pep Guardiola. As such, it had been reported that he could make the move to Barcelona (ESPN).

However, for those who want Laporte to stay at the Etihad Stadium, there has been a positive update. As per AS, City are now looking to keep the £40.5m-valued Spain international (Transfermarkt) at the club this summer, while the Premier League champions do not intend to sign another centre-back this summer.

The news was shared on Twitter by @City_Xtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters. These took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on the reports that Laporte looks set to remain at the Etihad.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about the Laporte news

“Yessss”

Credit: @SilvaSpecial27

“Nicee”

Credit: @McfcNathan2nd

“Please be true”

Credit: @godswill_ukpong

“Yes please”

Credit: @BluuMoonRising

“That’s what I like to see on a Sunday morning”

Credit: @Emmekia_Green16

“good”

Credit: @Ethan4707

In other news, lots of Man City fans want the club to sign this Euro 2020 star.

Mushfiqur Rahman, the right arm medium pacer from Rajshahi district, hit theeyes in 1998 for the first time

Shahryar Khan02-Jun-2002Mushfiqur Rahman, the right arm medium pacer from Rajshahi district, hit theeyes in 1998 for the first time. He gained more attention when he got theprecious wicket of Sachin Tendulkar twice. Mushfiqur can operate the newball too, as we saw him bowling with Hasibul Hussain in a couple of limitedover international matches and he carried on well at those moments.As a handy batsman Mushfiqur first showed his batting capabilities inJanuary 2000 against the touring Australian Common Wealth Bank Academy,notched up a brilliant century at Rajshahi in a three-day match. These wereenough to get the call for the Test team that were heading off for Zimbabwein April 2000.That was Bangladesh’s first away tour and Mushfiqur became a flop show inthe two Tests Bangladesh played. He was horrible with the bat and didn’tbowl well all throughout. As he is branded as a batting all rounder, hisfailure with the willow disappointed everyone. He carried away with hissilly shots in the four innings he batted – none of them offered him even adouble figure.In the ODI series he wasn’t that bad if we take notice of the first one-daywhen he made a mark with his bat (31 runs in an excruciating situation), butwith his gentle medium pace he remained ineffective. As a result he wasruled out for the next 8 Tests Bangladesh played and was almost forgottenfor more than twelve months.By this time national squad included some new faces; they found sometalented batsman and some young energetic bowlers too, but hardly found anyall rounder. Actually Bangladesh can name three players as genuine allrounders and Mushfiqur is one of them. The other two are Khaled MahmudSujon, who is a veteran fighter; Neeyamur Rashid had real potentials to be afirst-rate all rounder (Somehow he squandered this).Neeyamur Rashid is currently out of the race, therefore, the contest islimited between the other two – Mushfiqur and Khaled Mahmud. Mahmud’s pluspoint is his experience and Mushfiqur played too well this year in premierleague, scored a lot of runs and pulled of with bags of wickets.The tour to Sri Lanka is just around the corner and both would be called infor the campaign in BKSP starting from the first week of June. This is thesecond good chance Mushfiqur is getting to prove his worth – no doubt!

MatériaMais Notícias

Se não é unanimidade entre os torcedores do São Paulo, Cícero mostra ao menos que é pé quente para o clube paulista. Afinal, tanto na despedida em 2012 quanto no recomeço neste ano, o meia levantou taças pelo Tricolor: a Copa Sul-Americana e, agora, a Florida Cup.

-Foi gratificante fazer parte daquele grupo (de 2012), e agora quero que seja assim em 2017. A conquista da Florida Cup nos deu mais confiança, e isso é importante para arrancar bem na temporada.Já começa pelo nosso treinador, porque o Rogério Ceni tem esta mentalidade vencedora e passa para a gente. Se a gente abraçar e colocar em campo, tenho certeza de que teremos um time imbatível. Vejo este grupo no caminho certo para títulos – avisou.

Cícero foi utilizado por Ceni no segundo das duas partidas da Florida Cup, contra River Plate (ARG) e Corinthians. Em ambas, converteu as cobranças de pênalti nas disputas que deram a taça ao São Paulo. Depois de dois anos no Fluminense, o objetivo do camisa 8 é conquistar a confiança da torcida.

-Pessoalmente, representa muito retornar ao clube e já conquistar um troféu. Quando saí do Rio de Janeiro, disse que voltaria ao São Paulo para conquistar títulos. Foi um título de pré-temporada, mas significa muito no trabalho que temos realizado no dia a dia. Meu intuito na volta é jogar firme e ajudar na briga por conquistas. Estou aqui para isso e à disposição do treinador – disse.

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Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa is interested in signing his fellow Argentine Pedro de La Vega this summer.

What’s the story?

According to Depo, the Whites are keen on landing the versatile 20-year-old winger, with the likes of Aston Villa, Fiorentina and Atalanta also said to be in the running to land him.

The report adds that the starlet is expected to leave Lanus this summer due to the amount of transfer interest in him.

Bye-bye Helder Costa

With Football Insider having recently claimed that Leeds are open to offers for the £70,000-a-week Helder Costa this summer, the Whites would surely be better off cashing in on him and bringing through De La Vega.

Costa endured a nightmare campaign in the Premier League last season for Bielsa’s side, scoring just three times and providing only three assists in 22 games in the division. That has prompted former Leeds players like Noel Whelan to brandish him a “massive flop”, and it’s hard to argue against that assessment.

In De La Vega, they would be getting an exciting young talent who can play on the right like Costa, as well as the opposite flank and through the middle.

A profile from Goal read: “Playing out wide does seem to favour him, however, with his footwork and ability to both play a killer pass and provide the finishing touches to moves having led to him being compared to Angel Di Maria in some quarters, albeit a right-footed version of the Paris Saint-Germain star with slightly more skill than agility.”

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/leeds-united-marcelo-bielsa-transfer-gossip-rumours-news-elland-road-rodrigo-de-paul” title=”Read the latest Leeds transfer rumours and news!”]

Dubbed as a “real talent” by South American football writer and podcaster Tom Robinson, the £9m-rated gem actually averaged more dribbles than Leeds star Raphinha last season – 2.8 per game compared to the Brazilian’s 1.9.

At just 20, De La Vega could turn into a real superstar under his fellow Argentine in Bielsa.

Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano has dropped a major Leeds update…

This summer is a crucial one in the history of Celtic Football Club. After such a dismal campaign, they will see a number of their players walk through the Parkhead exit door, never to return.

Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer are prime candidates for a departure but the Hoops must also address the exits of a number of loanees.

What’s the word?

Celtic used the loan market wisely this season to fill gaps in their squad.

Jonjoe Kenny replaced Jeremie Frimpong at short notice in January while Diego Laxalt succeeded the selfish Boli Bolingoli at left-back.

However, it doesn’t look as though we’ll ever see Laxalt in a Celtic shirt again.

The Hoops were pondering a £7.2m move for the Uruguayan but due to his form in the final weeks of the season, they’ve decided against a permanent switch.

That’s according to Il Milanista (via Sport Witness) who reveal the Bhoys have performed a U-turn on the defender.

They suggest that Milan were ready to negotiate a deal with Celtic but the Glaswegian side abruptly changed their mind right at the end of the season.

Consequently, Laxalt will return to Italy in time for the next campaign.

Fans must be elated

This news is likely to go down incredibly well with the fan base at Paradise.

They’ve not had much to cheer about this season but seeing Laxalt walk out the exit door will be a welcome sight.

At points, he’s looked the full package for Celtic. It’s not often you’ll sign a player from one of Europe’s elite clubs with plenty of international caps.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-manager-and-transfer-news-howe-favre-mcgregor-mccann-tierney” title=”Read the latest Celtic manager and transfer news!”]

Unfortunately, he’s not lived up to his full billing consistently enough. From a defensive point of view, he’s been incredibly abject.

Laxalt has been impressive going forward but when it comes to actions inside his own half, there is a lot to be desired.

The full-back was run ragged by Lawrence Shankland in the 0-0 draw with Dundee United before Joe Aribo left him dazed and perplexed during their Scottish Cup defeat to Rangers.

As they crashed out to their biggest rivals, the Uruguay international was described as a “horror show” by ACSOM host Paul John Dykes.

It was easy to see why. He was caught up the field as Aribo burst forward for Rangers’ opening goal and then was beaten all ends up for the second strike.

The Gers winger took up possession and twisted this way and that before leaving Laxalt for dust.

With Greg Taylor and then Adam Montgomery usurping him in the pecking order during the final weeks of the season, it will come as no surprise to see the left-back depart.

He has been disappointing for a number of months now; supporters will be all too pleased to see him depart for good.

AND in other news, Celtic chiefs must be grinning from ear to ear after exciting £70m claim…

Plenty of Aston Villa fans have been reacting to Dean Smith’s comments regarding European qualification on social media.

Villa have enjoyed a solid season in the Premier League and have flirted with Europe on several occasions throughout the current campaign. Smith’s side currently sit in 11th place on 48 points ahead of the meeting with Manchester United this afternoon, but three points today could see them end the weekend in ninth.

It seems as if the Villa manager has his eye on bringing European football back to Villa Park, though, admitting that the club ‘need to start challenging’ for that coveted prize.

In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports ahead of the clash with Manchester United, Smith said:

“Qualifying for Europe is the aim for the football club. The vision of the owners is to develop players and grow the value and the brand of Aston Villa Football Club across the world. We need to start challenging.”

Villa fans react

@villareport shared those comments on social media on Twitter, which unsurprisingly received plenty of interaction from a number of Villa supporters.

Here’s what some had to say in reply, with one making reference to youngster Carney Chukwuemeka, who has recently been linked with a move away, and another labelling them as ‘exciting’.

“No way we let Chukwuemeka leave now”Credit: @MazeSZN”Exciting times again as a Villa fan isn’t it”Credit: @will_avfc”The club starting to show the ambition that’s been missing over the last 10-15 years”Credit: @TheVillaHome”Can’t wait for the transfer window to open and see how serious the owners are. Could be a very exciting/interesting transfer window for us “Credit: @PeteVillan1981″Next year is our year”Credit: @mylokieran”Need to taste those European night atmosphere’s like Ajax again”Credit: @HoItender

In other news: Villa leapfrog PL rival in race to sign defender; source claims he’s visited the club, find out more here.