سجل الدولي الأرجنتين أليكسيس ماك أليستر لاعب فريق كرة القدم الأول بنادي ليفربول، الهدف الثاني في شباك توتنهام خلال مواجهة الفريقين ضمن الجولة 17 من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
سيطر ليفربول على المباراة، حتى جاء الهدف الأول عن طريق النجم الكولومبي عند الدقيقة 23 من زمن الشوط الأول.
وتمكن ماك أليستر من تسجيل الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 37، ليضاعف النتيجة لصالح الريدز خارج ملعبه في لندن.
الهدف جاء بعد عرضية من روبرتسون حاول فيها سوبوسلاي مع دفاع توتنهام لتجد القادم من الخلف ماك أليستر ويضعها بالرأس في شباك فورستر.
تلك النتيجة تُعني أن ليفربول قد ينهي العام وهو بطلًا للشتاء، حيث سيصل إلى 39 نقطة بفارق 4 نقاط عن تشيلسي الثاني. هدف ماك أليستر الثاني لـ ليفربول أمام توتنهام في الدوري الإنجليزي
Philippe Clement has acted swiftly since the end of the season, making two signings already for Glasgow Rangers as he seeks to strengthen his squad ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
Jefte and Oscar Cortes are the two arrivals at Ibrox as Clement’s transfer strategy begins to emerge; signing talented youngsters who could develop into sellable assets further down the line.
Oscar Cortes
This philosophy makes sense. Hopefully, the days of signing players in their late 20s/early 30s on bumper three or four-year contracts are long gone. Instead, a new model will be put in place from this summer onwards. One that could see Rangers close the financial gulf to Celtic.
Money might not always be spent on incomings, with several players who are out of contract targeted, including a young centre-back who is on the books at AC Milan…
Rangers transfer news
As revealed by the Gallant View podcast earlier this week, the Ibrox side are showing interest in Clinton Nsiala as they aim to secure his signature on a free transfer from Milan.
With Clement’s budget for the transfer window unknown, he may have to rely on exploring players who are out of contract, which means Nsiala could arrive in Glasgow for nothing.
While interest is there for the youngster, it remains to be seen whether he fancies making the move to Scotland, although it looks as though he may have a better chance at playing at Rangers.
It wouldn’t be the first time that the Gers have signed a talented defender for nothing, as the likes of Calvin Bassey, Leon Balogun and John Souttar cost nothing in transfer fees.
French players to have made an appearance for Rangers
Player
Year joined
Games
Aaron Nemane
2017
6
Sebastien Faure
2012
65
Salim Kerkar
2010
`18
Jerome Rothen
2009
8
Lionel Letizi
2006
8
Jeremy Clement
2006
22
William Stanger
2006
1
Oliver Bernard
2005
14
Julien Rodriguez
2005
46
Gregory Vignal
2004
38
Jean-Alain Boumsong
2004
26
Jerome Bonnissel
2003
4
Fabrice Fernandes
2001
4
Stephanie Guivarc'h
1998
18
Lionel Charbonnier
1998
27
Basile Boli
1994
31
Via Transfermarkt
Should Nsiala sign for the Light Blues, he could potentially be an ideal partner for Souttar, especially with Connor Goldson’s future up in the air.
Why Rangers could sell Connor Goldson this summer
According to Saudi Arabian outlet Al-Riyadiya, former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard – who is now in charge of Al-Ettifaq – is keen on making a move for Goldson this summer.
Not only that, but James Tavernier is also being lined up for a reunion with his old boss. The duo are on the wrong side of 30 and, as the Ibrox faithful saw towards the end of last season, their performances dropped significantly as Celtic pipped the club to the Premiership and Scottish Cup.
Connor Goldson
Moving on Goldson could see Souttar return to his favoured slot as a right centre-back, which will allow Nsiala to play as the left-sided centre-back, and it could make for a solid partnership.
John Souttar's 2023/24 season in numbers
The former Hearts defender missed practically the entire 2022/23 season after suffering an ankle injury just 45 minutes into his league debut for the Light Blues.
The 2023/24 campaign was much more productive. Souttar showed resilience way beyond his 27 years in order to fully recover and make 41 appearances for Rangers in all competitions, even chipping in with two goals and two assists.
John Souttar
The Scot ranked third among his teammates for accurate passes per game (58.3) in the top flight, along with ranking second for interceptions (1) and for clearances (3.5) per game, showing how solid he was at the heart of the defence.
These performances came after he was regularly deployed alongside Goldson in the left centre-back slot.
If the Englishman does leave, it could leave a gap in which Souttar could fill, allowing Clement to bring in a left-sided defender who is comfortable on the ball and can build play from the back.
What Clinton Nsiala could offer Rangers
While he has shown plenty of promise, the former French U16 starlet has yet to make his first team debut for Milan, mainly playing at U19 level for the Italian giants.
Last season, the 20-year-old made 40 appearances for the U19 side in both the UEFA Youth League and in the Primavera 1, registering four goals and two assists.
This shows he could add a few goals into the side from the heart of the defence – similar to Souttar – but his abilities go way beyond that.
Throughout the 2023/24 season for Milan U19s, Nsiala finished with an impressive 87% pass success rate while also averaging 5.1 accurate long balls per game, evidence that his passing is among one of his finer attributes.
The youngster also averaged 3.2 interceptions per game along with averaging a staggering 10.8 ball recoveries per game while winning 6.8 total duels each match.
These statistics certainly indicate that the defender has plenty of promise, but they came during an U19 league season rather than a top flight league.
Earlier this year, scout Ruairi Criscuolo profiled Nsiala, saying that Nsiala was “another exciting French prospect” before also saying: “As well as short passing he has the vision and ability to spot runners and find them with his long passes.
“Tall and powerful enough to be a threat in the box.”
It would be a major gamble for Clement to bring him to Ibrox and deploy him in the starting XI straight away, yet he has clearly demonstrated plenty of potential during his spell with Milan and this is the type of profile in which the Belgian must sign this summer.
Experienced players will be required during the transfer window, but having a mix of old and young players could be the perfect recipe for success next season.
Souttar is coming into his peak years as a defender and if he can maintain his form from last season, there is no doubt he will be one of the first names on the team sheet for Clement.
Clement could wave bye-bye to Goldson as Rangers eye 20 y/o colossus
The Light Blues are reportedly interested in a deal to sign the centre-back this summer.
ByDan Emery Jun 5, 2024
A change of mentality is needed ahead of next term, especially considering how badly the club stuttered when the pressure was on during the final few weeks of last season.
Perhaps making some bold calls in the transfer market could be a good thing for Clement and his backroom staff, going against the grain by luring talented youngsters who could make an impression if given a chance.
ESPNcricinfo understands that he chose to leave his post following a heated board meeting
Firdose Moonda17-Aug-2020Dr. Jacques Faul has resigned as acting CEO of Cricket South Africa, on the same day that the organisation revealed Chris Nenzani had stepped down as president over the weekend and COO Naasei Appiah had been fired. Faul, who was seconded from the Titans in December 2019, was due to return to his role with the franchise on September 15, but has opted to leave his post four weeks early.While Faul was not available for comment on Monday evening, ESPNcricinfo understands that he chose to leave his post following a heated board meeting in which his position became untenable. An acting CEO is expected to be named imminently, with Appiah, who is fighting his dismissal in court making himself “available” on a radio show minutes after news of Faul’s resignation was made public. Company secretary Welsh Gwaza, who was at the board meeting and was unable to divulge any information, is one of the names being mentioned for the acting role.The search for a permanent CEO can only get underway once the case of suspended CEO Thabang Moroe has been clarified. Moroe was suspended in December and has been on full pay since then while CSA waited for a forensic audit in order to charge Moroe for alleged wrongdoing. Last week, Moroe met with CSA but they were unable to reach a conclusion. He is expected to return to meet CSA this week with several sources anticipating he will be fired. Moroe’s lawyers have expressed an intention to take CSA to court if that is the case. Only then, and if Moroe does not return to his job, can CSA be able to begin the process of appointing someone for the job full-time.In the meantime, CSA will elect a new president on September 15 with the board under increasing pressure to step down. South Africa’s main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), issued a statement on Monday demanding that Nenzani appear before parliament to answer questions over his role in the administrative meltdown that led to Moroe’s suspension. The DA has also called vice-president Beresford Williams and “the rest of the CSA Board to follow suit and tender their resignations as well.”Similar calls have been made in the past by the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) and several sponsors who were concerned about corporate governance at CSA under Moroe. That led to Faul taking over as acting CEO as part of an overhaul at the top level of South African cricket, with influential former players Graeme Smith and Mark Boucher brought in as director of cricket and head coach respectively.Smith had previously declined the role under Moroe but has since confirmed he is willing to continue in his role even if the executive changed. “My commitment is still there to want to go good in South African cricket and to move forward with whoever the leadership is going to be,” Smith said on August 1. There are now worries that Smith may walk away as well, with infighting at board level increasing. Ultimately, it was the inability to see eye-to-eye with the board that ended Faul’s second stint as acting CEO. He had earlier taken over following the suspension of Gerald Majola in March 2012, and had remained in the role until his resignation in July 2012.
تتجدد الإصابات في صفوف ريال مدريد يومًا بعد الآخر، وشهدت المباراة أمام جيرونا إصابتين في صفوف الملكي.
والتقى ريال مدريد وجيرونا ضمن مباريات الجولة السادسة عشر للدوري الإسباني “الليجا” لموسم 2024-2024.
وتمكن ريال مدريد من تحقيق الفوز بثلاثية دون مقابل على جيرونا، ليقلص فارق النقاط مع المتصدر برشلونة إلى نقطتين.
واضطر كارلو أنشيلوتي مدرب ريال مدريد لاستبدال لاعبه جود بيلينجهام خلال اللقاء، في الدقيقة 61 وشارك داني سيبايوس بديلاً له.
وبدا بيلينجهام متألمًا على إثر إصابة تبدو في الفخذ الأيسر في منطقة العضلة المقربة، وأشارت صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية إلى أن الأمر غير واضح حتى الآن ما إذا كانت إصابة قوية أم بسيطة لا تستدعى القلق.
شهدت المباراة أيضًا إصابة لفيرلاند ميندي، وبدا يعاني من إصابة عضلية في الفخذ الأيمن، وتم استبداله في الدقيقة 81.
ويغيب عن ريال مدريد بالفعل كل من فينيسيوس جونيور، ديفيد ألابا، داني كارفخال، إيدير ميليتاو، وإدواردو كامافينجا، كما تم استبعاد البرازيلي رودريجو من المباراة بسبب الإصابة أيضًا.
وتأتي تلك الغيابات قبل مباراة ريال مدريد القادمة أمام أتالانتا في منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، المقرر لها الثلاثاء المقبل.
The Premier League's financial case against Manchester City could end up costing the governing body tens of millions of pounds, a report says.
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Man City's financial case set to beginChampions have hired expensive representativesClubs to suffer due to Premier League's huge billWHAT HAPPENED?
The English top-flight and the league champions will soon face off in a legal battle as the hearing into the 115 charges for allegedly breaking financial regulations is to begin. City are said to have brought in high-priced lawyers for the case, including familiar face Lord Pannick KC, who represented the club in their successful appeal against UEFA banning them from the Champions League. The barrister is said to be charging around £5,000 per hour.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The legal costs for the case are expected to be gargantuan considering its size and importance. The reports that the Premier League will have to pay for the majority of legal fees accrued in their battle with Everton last year, which the top-flight won, resulting in the Toffees being handed an initial 10-point deduction which was later cut to six. Despite the league's attempts to hand the £4.9m legal bill to the stricken club, an independent commission has ruled that Everton will only have to pay around a third of it.
DID YOU KNOW?
The ruling suggests that, even if the Premier League wins the case against City, it will still be hit with significant legal fees. On the other hand, if the reigning English champions are successful, the Premier League may have to pick up the entirety of the bill, which would affect payments issued to other clubs.
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GettyWHAT NEXT?
While the case will soon begin, it may take a long time before a verdict is handed down due to the severity and breadth. However, many are already calling for City to be hit with a massive points deduction or even relegated from the Premier League.
The Ukraine star sent a timely reminder to Mikel Arteta as the Gunners laid down a marker once more
A palpable sense of excitement and expectation flowed through the home crowd ahead of Arsenal's third attempt to dethrone defending Premier League champions Manchester City. And the Gunners rounded off their pre-season campaign with a routine 2-0 victory over an ineffective Lyon side on Sunday afternoon in the sunshine.
Two Declan Rice corners were headed home by centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel in the ninth and 27th minute respectively as the north London outfit showed their set-piece threat again.
Mikel Arteta's side never really got out of second gear in a low-key second half but it was more than enough to see off their French opponents and win the Emirates Cup in front of their own fans.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from the Emirates…
AFP
WINNER: Oleksandr Zinchenko
The Ukrainian is, arguably, a somewhat derided figure at Arsenal, with many fans dissatisfied with his displays last season. But with Jurrien Timber still injured and new signing Riccardo Calafiori more of a centre-back, this match would have acted as a timely reminder to Arteta of Oleksandr Zinchenko's qualities. The 27-year-old whipped in plenty of dangerous balls, one of which Bukayo Saka should have finished off, he broke up play well, looked impressive going forward and was solid enough in defence. Perhaps he deserves to start at left-back against Wolves next week despite the excitement around Calafiori.
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LOSER: Jurrien Timber
Netherlands international Timber has endured rotten luck since signing from Ajax last summer. An anterior cruciate ligament injury limited him to just three appearances last season and the left-back reportedly had a foot issue that kept him out of the Arsenal squad for the Lyon match. And with Zinchenko impressing and Calafiori getting his first minutes for Arsenal, by the time he returns to fitness, Timber may be quite far down the pecking order.
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WINNER: WILLIAM SALIBA
Both the Frenchman and centre-back Gabriel were imperious at the back and big aerial threats, quite literally, in the opposition's box. Not only did they take their headers well from excellent Rice corners, they kept Lyon's attack in check. Saliba just about edged this one as he has that ability to drive out from the back with his pace and close control. He scored two goals last season but with Arsenal being the league's set-piece kings, the defender may eye a few more goals this term.
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LOSER: GABRIEL MARTINELLI
Although flying forward Gabriel Martinelli has shown just how good he can be in pre-season, this was a frustrating performance from the 23-year-old. Loose passes, heavy touches, one-dimensional attacks, and an uncertainty in the final third harken back to the final quarter of the season where he failed to score in any of his last 10 Premier League matches and lost his place to Leandro Trossard. While his movement and distribution improved – especially when he came in field – in the second half, Martinelli remains a somewhat inconsistent figure.
Tottenham Hotspur might have been one of the busiest Premier League outfits in the transfer market since Ange Postecoglou was selected as manager last year, but further work is expected after the 2023/24 campaign concludes.
A blazing start to a new chapter had left a giddying feeling among the fans, but the plain realities that a long and winding season has presented have served as a better measure of the squad's current level.
While fifth-placed Spurs are hopeful of qualifying for the Champions League, last weekend's 4-0 thrashing against Newcastle United has allowed Aston Villa to create a three-point lead in the top four.
Micky van de Ven for Tottenham
With English sides dropping like flies in Europe, hopes of a fifth place in the continent's elite club competition next term through the co-efficient rankings look decidedly slender.
Tottenham will need to fight hard in the Premier League to leapfrog Unai Emery's side, increasing chances of signing top targets.
Spurs lining up Premier League star
According to Football Insider, Tottenham are preparing to launch a bid to sign Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White this summer, though will face concerted competition from Premier League rivals Newcastle United.
With Tottenham said to be in pole position for the 24-year-old's signature, however, Postecoglou could add a perfect additional dimension to his team ahead of a likely return to European competition next season.
Nottingham Forest player Morgan Gibbs-White
Arsenal have also registered an interest in the player, with reports suggesting that a bid of £50m would be enough to tempt the City Ground side to sell.
Morgan Gibbs-White's season in numbers
Forest signed Gibbs-White from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a deal worth £42.5m in 2022, with the talented midfielder's move raising a few eyebrows.
Still, he'd established his technical quality and potential on loan at Sheffield United and the Tricky Trees were convinced that they had got their hands on a top-class talent.
And their faith was rewarded last season, with the £80k-per-week star playing a talismanic role in Steve Coopers' side's safety-preserving return to the top-flight, having been hailed as a "real character and leader" for his club by Spurs pundit John Wenham.
First 17 games
1
2
Last 15 games
4
5
Stats via Transfermarkt
Also praised for his "magic tricks" by reporter Jamie Martin, the dynamic ace has really come alive in the second half of the current campaign and might just be the key to success.
As per Sofascore, he has complemented his 12 goal contributions from 32 Premier League fixtures this season by creating 12 big chances, also averaging 1.9 key passes, 1.3 dribbles, 4.6 ball recoveries and 5.3 successful duels per match.
Gibbs-White also, as per FBref, ranks among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for aerial duels won per 90, denoting his excellent commitment to winning the ball back and the spring in his step, only standing at 5 foot 9.
He's, humorously, been described as the "Aldi Jude Bellingham" by analyst Raj Chohan, and while this is something of a double-edged compliment, it does highlight Gibbs-White's high-level traits and how they could make a marked improvement on Postecoglou's team.
The "Aldi Jude Bellingham"
Jude Bellingham might as well have been grown in a laboratory, such is the 20-year-old's prodigious talent, excelling at the world's most prestigious football club following his £115m transfer to the Spanish capital from Borussia Dortmund last summer.
A multi-functioning, many-faceted midfielder, Bellingham wreaked fear onto the opposition following a blistering, unexplainable start to life at the Santiago Bernabeu, scoring with ferocious consistency and currently boasting 20 goals and ten assists from 35 matches for his team.
Jude Bellingham for Real Madrid
Described as a "proper superstar" by broadcaster Dan Walker after Los Blancos dumped defending Champions League winners Manchester City on penalties, the England international is destined for stardom. Should England find a men's Ballon d'Or winner in the near future, he is him.
As per FBref, Bellingham ranks among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 2% for pass completion, the top 5% for progressive passes, the top 10% for interceptions, the top 6% for blocks and the top 18% for aerial wins per 90.
Gibbs-White is not Bellingham, nor, really, is he the 'Aldi Jude Bellingham.' Gibbs-White possesses his own skill set and he would make an impression at Tottenham based on this fact, not that fact he offers intelligent movement, sweet pivoting motions when collecting on the turn, and deft dribbling to draw a certain semblance.
Morgan Gibbs-White celebrates for Nottingham Forest
But what is pertinent is the robust player's athleticism and tactical flexibility, covering much ground across a range of positional roles this season and finding success in each.
His ability to play off focal points and blend his direct threat with playmaking quality makes him a great partner for Spurs skipper Heung-min Son, who is something of a protean attacking player himself.
Son has compensated for Harry Kane's summer sale superbly this season, often playing in a centre-forward position, scoring 15 goals and providing nine assists for his teammates across 29 Premier League matches.
He is invariably dangerous, in large part due to his vast array of tools, and even when fielded at the spearhead he's dropping deeper, playing balls forward, seeking out passages and movements from his teammates.
Gibbs-White would be a masterful addition, with his unceasing supply of creativity setting Son up while his forays into the final third will allow the South Korean phenom to return the favour.
Postecoglou's system is built on fluidity and hard-working commitment from his players, with Gibbs-White undoubtedly suited for such a style of play.
While Tottenham have a healthy bunch of impressive offensive players, Gibbs-White could provide the attacking midfield with a Bellingham-like presence to boost Son, serve as a foil for James Maddison and ensure that the club continue to rise under Postecoglou's guidance.
Spurs line up move for £60m star who'd be their new Eriksen
The Spurs target would be a rival for James Maddison.
Rassie van der Dussen falls short of maiden Test hundred as South Africa fold on fourth day
The Report by Valkerie Baynes27-Jan-2020Nine wickets for the match to Mark Wood propelled England to an emphatic 191-run victory and 3-1 series triumph against South Africa inside four days at the Wanderers.Wood’s conquering of adversity – and England’s for that matter – on this tour gives them huge cause for optimism, but the hosts’ view of what lies ahead remains obscured by mountains every bit as imposing as their 466-run target for victory in this match.While England could enjoy the return of one of their key strike weapons to his best and the emergence of several youngsters with decade-long careers beckoning, South Africa’s rebuilding prospects have been hit by structural turmoil, issues with depth and low confidence, which has to be near rock-bottom after losing two consecutive home series for the first time in 70 years.Wood, playing back-to-back Tests for the first time since 2017, claimed a rare double by contributing 53 runs and nine wickets to play a pivotal role in the result and be named Man of the Match in an incredibly popular choice given his battle to even be playing here.Wood added 4 for 54 to his first-innings 5 for 46 – the second five-wicket haul of his Test career – as England comfortably accounted for the home side in the end, despite some resistance in the form of Rassie van der Dussen, who fell two runs shy of his maiden Test century and put on a 92-run stand with Faf du Plessis for the third wicket.As straightforward as England’s win ultimately was, the Test was not without tension with du Plessis becoming involved in an altercation with several England players, which included him making physical contact with Jos Buttler that could land him in hot water with the match referee. That was after the retiring Vernon Philander was fined 15% of his match fee as his verbal conflict with Buttler spilled into a second chapter.With uncertainty remaining over du Plessis’ Test future and Philander playing his final international match, South Africa stand to lose experience with only the greenest of green shoots appearing.While van der Dussen’s display with the bat, reaching his third half-century of the series in just his fourth Test, Beuran Hendricks’ five-for on debut and Anrich Nortje’s five-wicket haul in England’s first innings should all have given South Africa hope – and they may yet prove to – the overwhelming feeling was that there is just so much work to be done.In contrast, England were led by the likes of Man of the Series Ben Stokes, Joe Root and Stuart Broad offering a nurturing core to youngsters Ollie Pope, Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley and Dom Bess, the latter missing from this side which boasted a five-pronged pace attack. And with James Anderson, Jofra Archer and Rory Burns to return from injury, the depth is there that South Africa seem to be lacking.It was Archer’s absence, only settled on during the warm-ups in the first morning in Johannesburg when he aggravated an elbow injury, that brought Wood to the fore.Despite concerns over his ability to back-up after Port Elizabeth, his first match in six months, Wood produced in consecutive innings at the Wanderers, too.South Africa openers Pieter Malan and Dean Elgar started strongly enough, negotiating the first hour without worry. It was Chris Woakes who made the breakthrough after drinks when he tempted Malan to send an outswinger to Stokes at second slip. Elgar was out in similarly soft fashion, spooning a return catch to Stokes.Du Plessis and van der Dussen then came together, sparking South African hopes of reaching a fifth day, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the pair with van der Dussen withstanding a testing spell from Woakes and du Plessis getting into that heated exchange after he was struck by a ball thrown in from the outfield.Du Plessis fell first for 35 to a Stokes delivery that kept low and ricocheted on to his stumps off the toe of his bat. Having been hit on the chest by a Wood bouncer, van der Dussen was dispatched two runs short of his hundred a short time later when his attempted drive popped up to Broad, who was stationed for the catch at short extra cover.Broad sent down a gem to the recalled Temba Bavuma, who gloved the ball to Buttler behind the stumps and walked despite the umpire looking unmoved. Once Broad had Dwaine Pretorius caught cheaply hooking to deep backward square, Wood was back in the game.Wood had Philander out, strangled down the leg side for an anticlimactic end to his final Test, drew an all-too-typical smash from Quinton de Kock who found the safe hands of Woakes at mid-off and then another leg-side strangle dismissed last man Nortje after Hendricks had been run out.England’s struggles with illness at the start of the series, when a virus affected most of their touring party, and the 107-run loss in the first Test seemed so long ago as they looked towards their tour of Sri Lanka in March with the luxury options of resting players, further exposing the newer ones and picking their squad to suit the conditions. South Africa, meanwhile, must surely be asking, “Where do we go from here?”
Manchester City's transfer plans have been explained as the Premier League champions deal with the potential departures of three key players.
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De Bruyne & Ederson 'agree' Saudi moves
Silva linked with Barcelona
Combined 18 PL titles between trio
(C)GettyImages
WHAT HAPPENED?
Last week it was reported that agreements had been reached for Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne to sign for Al-Ittihad, and for Ederson to join Al-Nassr. Bernardo Silva, meanwhile, is reportedly interested in joining Barcelona – and even knows what shirt number he wants. These are three important players for Pep Guardiola, but according to, City have no immediate plans to replace them.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
De Bruyne and Ederson's long-term futures appear pretty tenous right now. The Belgian playmaker is out of contract at the end of the coming season and has admitted he is "open" to a Saudi move, while those close to Ederson felt he was ready to move to the Middle East towards the end of the last campaign. In a relief to City supporters, the club reportedly expect both players to remain this summer, and so the need to replace them immediately is reduced.
(C)Getty Images
DID YOU KNOW?
City have explored the goalkeeper market as they faced the possibility of both Ederson and Stefan Ortega leaving. They may not need to now, though, with Ederson's backup signing a new contract last month to remain in Manchester. He would be considered No.1 if the Brazilian did move on.
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WHAT NEXT FOR CITY?
City have spent the early part of the summer focusing on outgoings, with Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Tommy Doyle leaving on permanent deals. They could soon complete their first signing with the expected arrival of Brazilian wonderkid Savinho.
Even with Sunderland announcing that Mike Dodds would be manager until the end of the season following Michael Beale's dismissal, that hasn't stopped the Black Cats rumour mill churning out possible Beale successors for the summer.
It will be a major decision for the Black Cats board to get right, with Dodds even in line for the permanent job if he excels in his temporary duties between now and the end of this campaign.
With the likes of Steve Cooper linked to the vacancy, another name that has tasted promotion success up to the Premier League is also being touted to be in the running for the Sunderland job.
Yet, unlike Cooper, this appointment might not be the best fit despite this name's impressive unbeaten record against the Black Cats when occupying the other dug-out.
Sunderland's manager search
TEAMTalk have reported that former Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom will be spoken to regarding the Sunderland vacancy, the 46-year-old manager eager to dip his toes back into the cut and thrust of second-tier football despite the calamitous end to his Blades reign.
This would be a risky decision to take by those associated with the Black Cats, with Heckingbottom exiting South Yorkshire with just one Premier League win from 14 matches in charge this campaign with the Blades looking doomed to an immediate return to the Championship.
Still, with an automatic promotion up to the top flight on his resume sticking out – with football pundit Carlton Palmer describing this feat as "remarkable" at the time – the Sunderland hierarchy could deem Heckingbottom as a potentially successful successor to Beale regardless of any recent misfires.
Heckingbottom's managerial record
The 46-year-old boss is certainly one that divides opinion, with fans of Barnsley and Leeds United cold on their ex-manager after struggling at both Oakwell and Elland Road.
Winning just four matches in charge of the Whites from the 16 games he was in the dug-out for, on top of accumulating 40 losses with the Tykes, it's fair to say Heckingbottom had to rebuild his scarred managerial career somewhat at Bramall Lane.
Heckingbottom would win 51 games for Sheffield United as both a permanent manager and as a caretaker, which coincided in the South Yorkshire outfit winning automatic promotion last season comfortably before the wheels came off making the jump up.
Club
Games managed
Wins
Draws
Losses
Sheffield United (permanent/caretaker)
109
51
18
40
Hibernian
32
12
10
10
Leeds United
16
4
4
8
Barnsley
105
37
28
40
Still, it's not as if Chris Wilder – Heckingbottom's immediate replacement – has fared any better with the Blades rooted to the foot of the Premier League table on 13 points currently.
Heckingbottom's insistence on playing a 3-5-2 formation – which saw varied levels of success at Bramall Lane – could work at the Stadium of Light away from his numbers as a boss, with the likes of Trai Hume excelling potentially as a wing-back figure.
Moreover, amazingly so, Heckingbottom has never lost a game when facing off against the Wearside outfit as a manager – picking up four wins and a draw from his five encounters with Sunderland, with the last win coming just last year as the Blades won 2-1 away from home.
It would be a major risk to throw Heckingbottom into the spotlight at Sunderland, with the job having a reputation for swallowing managers whole and then spitting them back out again as was seen with Beale, but his recent promotion-winning status could sway the Black Cats hierarchy somewhat.
Regardless of who is chosen next as Beale's successor, it will no doubt be an interesting managerial saga to watch unfold with Dodds keen to impress now to stake his own claim for the permanent job.