Batsmen need to take greater responsibility – Sarfraz Ahmed

Pakistan’s batsmen need to step up and take greater responsibility. That was the short, sharp message their captain Sarfraz Ahmed had for them ahead of the first of two Tests against Australia in the UAE.It may as well be taken as a timeless message, appropriate for almost any era of Pakistan history, but it could hold greater resonance in this time, when they’re still scrambling to fill some mighty gaps.Their have been a couple of good days post-MisYou; the very first time they batted, in Abu Dhabi last year; and as fine an away batting performance in difficult conditions as they have managed in years at Lord’s. In and around those, however, have been some scary days; the final day in Abu Dhabi; all of Leeds ; even Malahide had its peek-through-fingers moments.And though it may seem that inexperienced, spin-naïve Australian batsmen vs Pakistani spin is the defining narrative of this series, it could well turn on how a vastly-improved Nathan Lyon goes against a batting order without two of his greatest tormentors from four years ago.Younis and Misbah swept Lyon to irrelevance then, his three wickets costing 140.66, his 110 overs ceding nearly four an over. But in India and Bangladesh, Lyon has expanded his range and Pakistan, never as good against spin as the stereotype had it, a little less good now.”We played against Nathan Lyon in 2014, and at the moment we see he is a different bowler,” Sarfraz acknowledged. “He has lots of wickets in Asia. So we have a plan in the batting and hopefully we will execute well against him in the match.”None of the other broader batting issues are unfamiliar though. There’s still no settled opening pair at hand – Mohammad Hafeez being back, as a kind of horses-for-courses opener, should tell you that much. Azhar Ali has dropped off ever so slightly from his 2016 self. Asad Shafiq has not stepped up decisively.”Batsmen need to take responsibility,” Sarfraz said. “In the past, our batsmen have always scored the runs and put the team in strong positions. Now our batsmen haven’t been able to convert their starts.”Hopefully, they will be able to do that in this series. Our batsmen have really worked hard in the practice sessions. When we get the opportunity, hopefully we will be able to score big.”He should consider himself within the ambit of that edict. It’s been some time since he played the kind of game-breaking innings that set him up for leadership. It’s been some time since he scored any kind of runs, just three fifties in his last 14 innings, and one in nine innings as Test captain.Given that runs are the true currency for a Pakistani captain (Misbah-ul-Haq, by contrast, had seven fifties in his first nine innings as Test captain), it has been a difficult year for Sarfraz.”That was my first Test series last year. I have learned a lot in this one year obviously. We did make some mistakes last year because of which we suffered. But now we have learned from them and my aim is to take the team forward. Our first target is to perform well in these two Test matches and win the series.”

حكم مباراة الأهلي والألومنيوم في كأس مصر

أعلنت لجنة الحكام بالاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم، عن طاقم حكام مباراة الأهلي والأولومنيوم، المقرر إقامتها مساء اليوم الجمعة ببطولة كأس مصري.

وتقام المباراة بين الأهلي والألومنيوم، على أرضية استاد القاهرة الدولي في إطار لقاءات دور الـ32 للمسابقة المحلية.

وكان الأهلي قد نجح في الفوز بلقب كأس مصر عن الموسم الماضي بعدما انتصر على الزمالك بنتيجة 2-1.

طالع أيضاً.. تشكيل الأهلي أمام الألومنيوم في كأس مصر.. تغييرات بالجملة وكهربا يقود الهجوم

ومن المقرر أن يلتقي الفائز من مباراة الأهلي والألومنيوم مع فاركو في إطار دور الـ16 من كأس مصر.

وتأهل فاركو إلى دور الـ 16 بعد تخطيه عقبة الواسطى وذلك بعدما فاز بثلاثية دون رد. حكم مباراة الأهلي والألومنيوم في كأس مصر

حكم ساحة: عبد الرحمن صالح.

حكم مساعد 1: عادل ماهر.

حكم مساعد 2: طارق مصطفى.

حكم رابع: جلال أحمد.

الجدير بالذكر، أن مباريات دور الـ32 من بطولة كأس مصر هذا الموسم 2024-2025 تقام بدون تقنية الـvar.

15 Fastest Male Players On EA FC 24

EA Sports FC 24 was released at the end of September in the UK and is the first iteration of the game in the post-FIFA era.

Pace will always be key for players, and this edition is no different. Football FanCast gives a rundown of the 15 fastest male players you can play with on EA FC 24, ranked by their sprint speed.

15 Moteb Al-Harbi (Al-Shabab)

Saudi Arabia is where we start with full-back Moteb Al-Harbi.

The 23-year-old, who plays for Al Shabab, has a rating of 94 for sprint speed and 92 for acceleration, as well as having high agility and a three-star weak foot.

As a 68-rated silver card, he maybe isn’t someone that many people will be looking to use to challenge the very best, but if anyone is building a Saudi Pro League team, then Al-Harbi is a powerful option on the flank.

14 Cade Cowell (SJ Earthquakes)

From Saudi Arabia to the United States with the explosive Cade Cowell.

Capable of huge bursts of pace, this explosiveness is reflected by his 92-rated acceleration.

Similarly to Al-Harbi, the San Jose Earthquakes forward also has a sprint speed rating of 94, and so is another silver card that could be a fine alternative when working on a budget.

13 Theo Hernandez (Milan)

Someone who isn’t very cheap at all is AC Milan left-back Theo Hernandez.

The Frenchman plays as a left-back on paper, but his mazy dribbling ability takes him all over the pitch – and that is something which can be easily recreated in the game.

His overall rating is 85, making him a rare gold card, and has the pace attributes that would frighten the best of his fellow full-backs. Adding Hernandez’s 84-rated physicality into the mix, it is easy to see why he could cost you as much as 100k on Ultimate Team.

12 Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce)

Bright Osayi-Samuel previously played for Blackpool and Queens Park Rangers, but has more recently become a Turkish Cup winner with Fenerbahce.

Whilst he has previously been a winger on the game, right-back is his primary position on his 24 UT card, though you can always convert him into a RWB or RM.

The Nigeria international has three-star skill moves and three-star weak foot, so paired with his electric pace, he could be a great player to unleash going forward.

11 Kevin Schade (Brentford)

The first of two Premier League players is someone you perhaps wouldn’t expect, in the form of Brentford’s Kevin Schade.

His ability to play anywhere across the front line as well as at LM could come in very handy.

Schade comes in ahead of the previous players despite having the same level of sprint speed due to his superior 93-rated acceleration – though but his finishing (68) and composure (60) could be something of a deterrent.

10 Inaki Williams (Athletic Club)

Inaki Williams has been a regular choice in the early stages of any Ultimate Team lineup when it comes to La Liga forwards, and he is the fastest in the Spanish top flight once again this year.

Athletic Club now have his brother Nico on their books as well – who is by no means slow himself – and they could be a lethal duo on the same team.

As is the case with Schade, Inaki boasts an acceleration rating of 93 and a sprint speed value of 94, though his 78 shooting rating might see players lean towards deploying him on the right wing rather than centrally.

9 Ismaila Sarr (OM)

Finishing off the group of players with 94 sprint speed is former Watford man Ismaila Sarr, now of Marseille.

Marseille’s attacking options see Sarr team up with the likes of Iliman Ndiaye, Francois Mughe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, something which sounds like an exciting prospect when you’re playing in kick-off mode.

Sarr’s dribbling seems on the low side, with a rating of just 81, but with his raw pace, he can fly down the right flank and get crosses in. Alternatively, switch his card to LM and have the ability to cut back in and get shots off.

8 Sheraldo Becker (Union Berlin)

The last of the five so-called big leagues in Europe to be reached on this list is the German Bundesliga – but they are certainly well represented further down the line.

Sheraldo Becker of Union Berlin kicks off the 95-sprint speed section, with his 93-rated acceleration being very impressive as well.

When it comes to cheap options for strikers, similarly to Inaki Williams, pace stats that are this high mean that a shooting rating in the mid-high 80s can be overlooked. Becker himself has 76 shooting and can be changed to RM or CF if needed.

7 Sirlord Conteh (SC Paderborn 07)

Remaining in Germany but dropping down to the second tier as we travel west across the country to Paderborn.

Sirlord Conteh’s playstyle of mostly explosive pace is a hugely exciting one, even if he is a second-division player who won’t be used all that much.

His available positions are the exact same as Becker's and is also a striker by default, but his acceleration is even higher at a staggering 94, providing the slight extra edge.

6 Moussa Diaby (Aston Villa)

According to EA FC, Moussa Diaby has the highest sprint speed in the Premier League with 95 and he also has an acceleration rating of 95 to go with it.

The Frenchman joined Aston Villa from Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen in the summer and millions have already been able to witness his impact on the game.

Diaby fits into the mould of a player with a wicked foot who will look to cut in regularly, and even if a defender knows what he is going to do, stopping him is another thing altogether, similar to the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Bukayo Saka.

At the same time, the Villa man has a very capable three-star weak foot to go with his explosive speed, while his four-star skill moves mean he can be a threat all over the field.

VIDEO: How’s your luck, Cristiano?! Al-Nassr forward Ronaldo almost scores two screamers but hits woodwork TWICE – including from trademark free-kick – during Saudi Pro League loss to Al-Raed

Cristiano Ronaldo was denied twice by the woodwork – including from a trademark free-kick – during Al-Nassr's 3-1 league loss to Al-Raed.

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  • Al-Nassr beaten 3-1 by Al-Raed
  • Wasteful Ronaldo drew a blank
  • Was left frustrated after the match
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    The Portuguese talisman has been in sensational form this campaign but on Thursday it was just not his night. Failing to inspire his team to salvage at least a point against Al-Raed, he stormed off the pitch, shaking his head in frustration. Ronaldo missed several gilt-edged opportunities in the second half, but he did come close to scoring on two occassions.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    In the 24th minute, after Brozovic set him up with a delightful cross, Ronaldo unleashed a first-time volley that came off the woodwork. However, the rebound fell on the feet of Ayman Yahya, who made no mistake to tap in home from close range. Whereas, deep in stoppage time, Ronaldo had another crack at goal, this time from a dead-ball situation 20 yards out. He followed his trademark run up and rifled in a thunderbolt over the wall that dipped just in time but not enough to beat the crossbar.

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    WHAT NEXT?

    Ronaldo will look to make amends for his misses against Al-Raed by putting in an impressive shift against Al-AIn in the Champions League as Al-Nassr are desperate to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg to progress into the last four of the AFC Champions League.

Southampton: The club record signing who ended up leaving for £0

Southampton splashed the cash on deadline day as they snapped up Ross Stewart from Sunderland for an initial fee of £8m, which could rise to £12m including add-ons.

Who are Southampton's most expensive striker signings?

The Saints have not been afraid to lavish out big fees in order to find a consistent number nine to bolster their attacking options over the years.

They will now be hoping that the former Black Cats star does not follow in the footsteps of a certain Guido Carrillo, who turned out to be a huge flop at St. Mary's after his move to the club under Mauricio Pellegrino.

Top five signings (excluding Carrillo)

Fee paid (via Transfermark)

Danny Ings

£21.6m

Paul Onuachu

£15.5m

Adam Armstrong

£15.2m

Manolo Gabbiadini

£14.6m

Che Adams

£14.4m

The club have had mixed success with their recruitment at the top end of the pitch over the years but the signing of Carrillo was a particularly poor piece of business, all things considered.

How much did Southampton pay for Guido Carrillo?

Southampton signed the centre-forward from French side AS Monaco for a club-record £19m fee in January of 2018 in an attempt to find a reliable scorer.

The striker had worked with Pellegrino, who was the manager at the time, at Argentine club Estudiantes and the club decided to back their head coach by securing a record deal for Carrillo, with vice-chairman Les Reed stating that he was confident that the player would benefit the Saints for "years" to come.

It was reported that the Argentine boss made a number nine signing a priority after £75m was raked in from Liverpool for central defender Virgil van Dijk, which provided him with the funds to splash out on a big addition.

However, it was a strange move for Southampton to make as Carrillo was 26 and had yet to prove himself to be a consistent or reliable goalscorer.

Former Monaco striker Guido Carrillo.

Football Transfers rated his Expected Transfer Value (xTV) at €13.1m (£11.2m) at the time of the move, which suggests that they paid far above the going rate to secure his services.

The £19m signing arrived off the back of just 15 goals and four assists in 65 Ligue 1 matches for Monaco. He had joined the French side after scoring 40 goals in 140 appearances for Estudiantes in his home country.

During the first half of the 2017/18 campaign, the 6 foot 2 forward scored only four goals and created zero 'big chances' for his teammates in 15 league outings for Monaco.

That came after the towering striker plundered seven goals and one assist in 19 Ligue 1 matches for his former club throughout the 2016/17 season.

These statistics show that Southampton signed a relatively experienced player who had yet to find his scoring boots on a regular basis at senior level.

They were gambling on him finally developing into a consistent scorer whilst being able to adapt to English and Premier League football. That turned out to be an expensive gamble that did not work out.

How many goals did Carrillo score for Southampton?

The Argentine ended up playing just ten matches in all competitions for the Saints and did not find the back of the net on a single occasion.

Pellegrino handed him seven Premier League appearances during the second half of the 2017/18 campaign, which included five starts, but he was unable to hit the ground running at St. Mary's with zero goals and zero 'big chances' created.

Carrillo only completed 66% of his attempted passes and lost 63% of his duels throughout those top-flight matches for the club, as per Sofascore, an indication that he struggled with the quality and physicality of the division.

Former Southampton striker Guido Carrillo.

The former Monaco marksman did not provide a goal threat, did not create for his teammates, was not a reliable passing option through the middle of the pitch, and was dominated by opposition players from a physical perspective.

Pellegrino was sacked in March 2018 and his replacement, Mark Hughes, opted to send Carrillo out on loan to LaLiga outfit Leganes for the 2018/19 campaign.

The Argentine finisher spent two seasons on loan with the Spanish outfit and contributed with ten goals and two assists in 60 appearances for the club.

How did Carrillo leave Southampton?

Southampton eventually decided to cut ties with the £19m flop as they released him on a free transfer in the summer of 2020, two-and-a-half-years after his club-record move to the club from Monaco.

Journalist Josh Bunting described it as a "disappointing" situation for the Saints as they received £0 back off their initial £19m investment on the striker.

It was a howler of a move by Reed and Pellegrino in 2018 as they gambled on a player who had shown few signs of being ready to take the Premier League by storm after his struggles in France.

Former Southampton striker Guido Carrillo.

The warning signs were there and it turned out that they should have been heeded as Carrillo went on to flop in England and left for nothing after failing to score a single goal for the club.

Where is Carrillo now?

He is currently back playing for Estudiantes in Argentina at the age of 32 and has scored five goals in 27 games since making the move earlier this year.

Football Transfers currently rates his xTV at just €1.5m (£1.3m), a whopping £17.7m less than the fee that Southampton paid to secure his signature at the start of 2018.

He has not proven his worth since departing the Saints on a free transfer which only goes to emphasise the disaster that played out regarding Carrillo during his time in England.

Reed seemingly trusted Pellegrino's opinion on the centre-forward, as he had already worked with the ex-Monaco man in Argentina, and was willing to spend a huge sum of money off the back of his thoughts, despite the statistics not backing it up.

It ended up being a costly howler and Russell Martin will be hoping that Stewart does not go down the same route over the years to come.

Abdul Razzaq to make comeback aged 38

Former Pakistan allrounder confirms playing return, with goal of featuring in the PSL

Umar Farooq07-May-2018Former Pakistan allrounder Abdul Razzaq, who last played internationally five years ago, has picked up his bat again to make a surprise comeback at the age of 38. Razzaq has signed a contract with Pakistan Television to play in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy, and is aiming to be involved in the fourth edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) next year.Razzaq’s most recent appearance for Pakistan came in 2013, in a T20 against South Africa, and he was last seen on Pakistan’s domestic circuit in 2015. His international career began in 1996, when he made his debut against Zimbabwe in Lahore, a month before his 17th birthday. He has played 46 Tests, 265 ODIs and 32 T20Is, besides representing five counties. Over the last few years he has turned to professional coaching and worked as assistant and bowling coach with PSL side Quetta Gladiators in the last two seasons.Officially, Razzaq had never retired, but he faded away from the scene after a lack of opportunities having ended his domestic contract with Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited. He moved to England with his family and was recently signed with as a TV cricket expert, featuring in a studio show covering Pakistan’s recent homes series against West Indies alongside former Test batsman Mohammad Wasim and former captain Rashid Latif.”It was Mohammad Wasim who actually motivated me to play again,” Razzaq told ESPNcricinfo. “Given the fact that my love for the game is still there, I have decided to give it a shot for one last final time. I am offered a contract by PTV and going to play first-class cricket for them this year. I know I cannot play for Pakistan anymore and that isn’t my aim either. I know there are a lot of youngsters all over and they are doing very well. I don’t want to push myself there but my aim is to play for another year or two in Pakistan Super League and this is all about it.”To be picked for the PSL, Razzaq will have to demonstrate his enthusiasm for playing again, as well as prove his fitness. Although, no team has yet shown an interest in picking up the ageing allrounder, returning to domestic cricket may turn heads. Once a sharp bowler clocking over 140kph regularly in his youth, he later built a reputation on his hitting and made headlines with quick cameos with the bat. He was considered as one of the most-notable allrounders Pakistan had ever produced.However, his previous stint in domestic cricket ended up with issues around a lack of fitness and he was often found criticising the then head coach Waqar Younis for not considering him, as Younis pushed for youngsters to come into the system.”It is actually about passion and hunger but the only concern for me is fitness right now, which I am working on,” Razzaq said. “We have the example of Misbah[-ul-Haq] and that is really something encouraging me to push myself. If he can do it being over 40 then there is no reason why I cannot. I have started playing cricket and will play the upcoming Ramzan tournament in Karachi to get myself ready for four-day cricket this season. That is my main target and this will set a tone for me going ahead in the PSL. It’s not about different format but about giving yourself a chance and I think first-class cricket is where I [can] revive myself.”

'You get remembered for how many Tests you've played' – Bairstow

England’s Test wicketkeeper says the format mush be cherished amid the growth of the T20 game

Andrew McGlashan in Wellington02-Mar-2018Jonny Bairstow has fought tooth and nail to establish himself as a white-ball cricketer for England, but it’s his Test career that will leave a legacy.After seemingly forever being around one-day squads with just the occasional appearances to show for his efforts, Bairstow is now forging a role as opener in the 50-over side. The early results have been impressive with 543 runs in 13 innings, although he will be keen to convert a start, having not had a fifty in five knocks. He has made scores of 37, 39 and 44 in that interval.His first innings of the series against New Zealand was scratchy following a short break back home, making 4 in Hamilton, but he looked in fine touch in Mount Maunganui before ramping Lockie Ferguson to third man.However, at a time when Test cricket faces almost daily sermons about its health, and some players are opting out of first-class cricket to pursue the white ball, Bairstow was adamant that for all the success he can achieve in the one-day game – and there is a World Cup next year for which England are among the favourites – the five-day game will be what he is remembered for and hoped the format would get the care it needed.”It’s the traditional game, it’s like taking fifteens rugby away and just playing sevens rugby. It’s something we’ve definitely got to cherish and play and I want to go on and play as many Tests as I can because you get remembered for how many Tests that you’ve played.”Bairstow, who went unsold at the IPL auction, acknowledged the decisions made by Alex Hales and Adil Rashid won’t “have been taken lightly” and “you can’t force people into playing things” but said that it was another shot across the bows for Test cricket.”Test cricket is huge, and if we’re not careful then there are going to be more and more people that do it [give up the red ball], because you’ve got lucrative tournaments around the world that people now can go off for five weeks and earn a heck of a lot of money for five weeks work when the strain and stress on the body of bowling fours overs comparatively to bowling 24 overs in a day in Test cricket. So whatever way it is we can preserve Test cricket and go forward with that is really important.”Bairstow thought he would be involved throughout England’s five-month spell overseas before coach Trevor Bayliss put him on a plane back home to freshen up after the one-day series in Australia. It meant he had to forgo the opportunity of playing in the T20 side, the format he has yet to secure a regular spot in. As with this tour, the need to keep players fresh amid a demanding schedule is a key reason for that rather than his ability: in his three most-recent T20Is he has made 60 not out, 47 and 27.”I kept for a thousand overs in the Ashes, 6,000 balls before we even practiced,” he said. “You have to be managed, in some ways it’s not feasible to play every game and train every day, batting for hours in the nets. Otherwise you get complete burnout of the squad in two years because of the amount we play.”Trev knows his players and he made the right call to say we needed a couple of weeks back home, recharge the batteries, see the families and come back fresh.”

Think two steps ahead in ODIs, unlike in Tests – Rohit

Rohit Sharma is ready to put behind him the Test series in which he was preferred to Ajinkya Rahane for the first two Tests and then dropped. Rahane made a crucial contribution in the Test that India won. Rohit is a genius ODI batsman, and that confidence just shows vis-a-vis when he is playing Tests and still looking to establish himself. In ODIs, he has proved himself almost all over the world and in big tournaments, and South Africa is a blip he will be keen to correct.Going into this six-ODI series he won’t have the same trepidation he might have had going into the Tests. Just like Quinton de Kock for South Africa, he will be looking forward to this change in format.What is different in Tests then? Two days before the start of the ODI series, Rohit, India’s limited-overs vice-captain, might have unwittingly given away a little bit of a peek into his mind when playing different formats. He was asked if the changes for the ODIs will be more technical or mental, and he ended up putting Test batting in perspective.”You need to tell yourself that the shots you played in Tests and shots you play in ODIs are different,” Rohit said. “I am talking about myself. Every individual has their own plan, but when you play Test cricket it is important to analyse the situation, where the game stands at that point, and one bad shot can change the course of the game.”Rohit has had that experience in Tests, which possibly makes him bat unnaturally. In Southampton in 2014, with India leading the series, Rohit holed out off Moeen Ali just before a break, and India went down after that, both in the Test and the series.Now comes the contrast in limited-overs cricket. “In ODIs you think two steps ahead and want to put pressure back on the bowlers,” Rohit continued. “And change it around. There are a lot of Test cricketers who think in the same fashion in ODI [and Test] cricket. For me, it is different and nothing changes other than mentally. Technical aspect remains the same. Yes, the shot selection and certain technical aspect of your game changes but mentally you have to keep telling yourself that you have to read the situation and try and analyse where the game is going and where you want the game to be going after the day’s play.”Rohit is not a natural opener but he can tell you how to build an ODI innings even if you wake him up in the middle of the night and give him a situation. It is rightly feared that Rohit can come close to scoring an individual triple-hundred in ODIs. Rohit, though, doesn’t want to take it for granted, especially in the light of walking from a format he struggled to one that comes naturally to him.”See, nothing is comfortable in cricket, in sport rather,” Rohit said. “There will always be times when things are not going your way, and then when things are going your way. It is important for you to keep things going. I’m not going to talk about Test cricket so much because it’s over now, and we have a big job at hand winning the ODI series here.”I think every batsman who will be taking part in this ODI series will have a huge role to play. I’m here to make an impact in the series, I want to try and do that. Both are different formats. It’s not that I don’t try so much in Test cricket and try a lot in ODI cricket. I give the same effort in all the formats that I play, but sometimes it comes off and sometimes it doesn’t. But that doesn’t mean that you have to change things too much. You’ve got to believe in yourself, you’ve come so far and played and got success. So you have to believe in your ability and know how to take things forward. I’ve been in a difficult situation before many times, so for me it’s all about taking it one game at a time and responding to situations.”Rohit wants to put his good form in ODIs to good use in the upcoming series. “I’m enjoying batting quite a bit,” Rohit said. “Of course, the last six-seven months have been really great. Since the Champions Trophy in England, we’ve had a great run except for the loss against Pakistan [in the final]. That was a little disappointing. But yes, since then it’s been a good run and I hope I can continue and put the team in a good situation. We want to get those victories away from home. It’s always important what you do outside India.”There will be a personal record to set straight too. Rohit does have good memories of South Africa. He played a big part in winning the World T20 final in 2007 here, he won his first IPL here, but his last two international trips have not been memorable. In Tests, he has had eight innings for just 123 runs in the country. He averages only 12.28 in South Africa after seven ODI innings. He was part of the side that was streamrolled in the ODIs on the last trip. He will set about this job with the knowledge he has done it before elsewhere.

Manchester United Propose Swap Deal To Sign "Unbelievable" Defender

After a summer of arrivals, Manchester United have got off to a surprisingly difficult start in the Premier League this season, just about sealing all three points against Wolverhampton Wanderers, before suffering a 2-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur.

In their most recent outing, they didn't exactly look comfortable, either, conceding twice in the first four minutes against Nottingham Forest. Eventually, the Red Devils fought back to win 3-2, but it was far from convincing.

With that said, Erik ten Hag reportedly has unfinished business in the transfer window, and could yet reportedly welcome another fullback.

What's the latest Manchester United transfer news?

On paper, Manchester United's summer additions looked more than suitable. They solved their goalkeeping dilemma by welcoming Andre Onana from Inter Milan, whilst also adding some much-needed energy to their midfield, in the form of Mason Mount, before adding an out-and-out striker with the arrival of Rasmus Holjund.

It looks as if another goalkeeping arrival is also on the cards in Altay Bayindir. Recent reports have claimed that the Fenerbahce shot-stopper has already signed a Red Devils contract and undergone a medical, with Dean Henderson set to join Crystal Palace.

So far this season, United have not looked like a side who have just solved a handful of weaknesses, perhaps leading them straight back to the transfer market. With a matter of days left before the window slams shut, those at Old Trafford must act fast, and that could yet result in exits to accommodate arrivals.

According to Football Insider, Manchester United have been in talks and proposed a swap deal to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers right-back Nelson Semedo, in a potential move that would see Aaron Wan-Bissaka go the other way.

As per Football Insider, it is believed that the Midlands club still need to sell players to meet financial fair play regulations in the current window. And, with Wan-Bissaka in the final year of his United contract, a deal including Semedo could help all parties involved. Given how complicated the transfer could be, though, you'd think that United will need to act fast if they want to make it happen.

Should Manchester United sign Nelson Semedo?

The transfer window is all about upgrades, and that's exactly what Semedo would be for Manchester United when compared to Wan-Bissaka.

Last season, according to FBref, the Portugal international made more progressive passes, made more take-ons and more clearances per 90 than the current United fullback.

When at his best, Semedo has earned deserved praise in the past, too, including from reporter Tim Spiers, who said, via This is Futbol:

“Semedo, his stats were unbelievable.

"10 tackles and 8 clearances, miles more than anyone on the pitch. Now there’s a reason for that, because Fulham targeted him, so the ball was often coming in his direction.

"Yeah, a few balls went over his head, but I thought he had a decent game. Semedo’s stats, they sort of cloud a little bit of how the game actually panned out but I thought he did pretty well. And it reflects an improved confidence from him and a better mentality and I think he’s settling in quite well.”

Read the latest Man United transfer news HERE…

It certainly looks like it could be an action-packed end to the summer transfer window for Manchester United, who will be desperate to give Ten Hag a squad capable of challenging on all fronts.

If the Red Devils can welcome Semedo whilst parting ways with Wan-Bissaka, they may see it as a shrewd deal, and it looks like one to keep an eye on.

Dyche Could Forget Tete With Everton Swoop For £22m Maverick

With the 2023/24 Premier League campaign almost upon us, Everton manager Sean Dyche is fervently trying to complete his summer transfer activity.

Ashley Young and Arnaut Danjuma were signed on respective free transfers and loan deals earlier in the window, while a £15m fee for teenage Sporting Lisbon striker Youssef Chermiti has been agreed.

The Toffees have spent the last two seasons fighting against relegation from the top-flight, and Dyche is now looking to assemble a squad capable of climbing the league ladder and cementing a spot further up the division.

What's the latest on Kamaldeen Sulemana to Everton?

According to BBC Sport, the Merseyside outfit are deliberating over lodging a formal offer for either Che Adams or Patson Daka to complete the centre-forward position, though there is also interest in bolstering the wide flanks.

Read the latest Everton transfer news HERE…

Adams' Southampton teammate, Kamaldeen Sulemana, is also on the Goodison Park side's shortlist after the club failed to sign him in January; the 21-year-old joined Saints in a £22m plus bonuses transfer, rejecting the Toffees.

How good is Kamaldeen Sulemana?

It's a crucial summer for Everton, and while every season brings a weight of expectation for such a proud club looking to return to prominence, it is simply paramount that the woes of the past few years are cast aside now.

The transfer business has so often been the crux of the outfit's issues, but with the calculated Dyche now at the helm, there will be optimism anew that the club can rectify the past mishaps and finally send the crowd into rapture, and Sulemana could be integral in this regard.

The former Rennes wideman did not quite have the desired effect at St. Mary's Stadium as his side suffered relegation from the Premier League but showcased his devastating ability on the final day of the term as Saints secured an enthralling 4-4 draw against Liverpool.

As per Sofascore, Sulemana earned a match-high rating of 8.7 that day, scoring two goals, succeeding with two of his three dribble attempts, winning six of his nine duels and making one key pass.

kamaldeen-sulemana-southampton-everton-transfer-gossip-dyche-barry-horne

Hailed for his "incredible speed" by Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, Sulemana would pump life into the Toffees attack and wreak havoc with his fleet-footed prowess, ranking among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, meaning he is second-to-none when beating defenders with the ball at his feet.

FBref lists Tete as a comparable player to the 18-cap Ghana star, and given that Everton were pursuing the Brazilian whiz both in January and this summer before the player signed on a six-month loan deal with Leicester City (last winter), before agreeing a contract with Turkish giants Galatasaray this week, the type of profile Dyche covets is clear to see.

Tete has been described as a "hurricane" by Shakhtar CEO Sergei Palkin and ranks among the top 26% of attacking midfielders and wingers for goals and the top 25% for successful take-ons per 90 – given the comparison to Sulemana's metrics, Tete does not appear to boast the same level of progressive expertise as the Southampton dynamo.

Indeed, Sulemana has been described as an “excellent ball-carrier” by The Athletic's Joel Bortey, and if Everton can tidy up their striking position this summer, then supplementing the frontline with this bundle of energy would only increase the energy and flow of the Toffees team.

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