O Palmeiras se aproximou, neste domingo (12), da contratação do goleiro Marcelo Lomba. O atleta de 34 anos chegaria para a vaga deixada por Jailson de reserva imediato de Weverton, titular absoluto da posição no Maior Campeão Nacional. A informação foi divulgada pelo jornalista Bruno Andrade e confirmada pelo NOSSO PALESTRA.
O arqueiro deve chegar de graça, dado que seu contrato com o Internacional está próximo do fim. Ele deve assinar um contrato curto com o Verdão, com valores abaixo dos praticados recentemente pelo clube.
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O atleta é visto com bons olhos pela diretoria e comissão técnica, por ser experiente, apesar de não estar em fim de carreira. Além disso, o perfil pessoal de compromisso e liderança, assim como conhecimento em competições de alto grau de relevância, assim como a experiência de atuar com grandes camisas, encaixam com os ideais de Abel Ferreira.
Alvo do Palmeiras, Lomba defendeu o Internacional nas últimas seis temporadas e era titular da equipe gaúcha.
Newcastle United have enjoyed an excellent start to the 2024/25 Premier League season, with Eddie Howe engineering three wins and a draw from the opening four matches.
This has proven to be the perfect way to expel the malaise that has seeped into Tyneside following a disappointing summer transfer window. Newcastle might not have secured top target Marc Guehi or brought in a high-profile new forward, but oh do the Magpies boast some talent.
Marc Guehi
Alexander Isak is one of the finest strikers in Europe; Anthony Gordon is a fast-rising winger who was crowned United’s Player of the Season for 2023/24. Bruno Guimaraes doesn’t really need an introduction, he’s that good.
These are the salient superstars in England’s North East. But Newcastle’s first team is comprised of myriad cogs, all hard-working and thriving within the system.
Joelinton is one such player, having been a revelation since being repackaged into a bullish midfield role after initially struggling as a striker. How he struggled.
What was said about Joelinton when he signed
Joelinton quite quickly fell by the wayside at Newcastle. The one-time striker was signed from Hoffenheim in a club-record £40m deal in 2019, having impressed, aged 22, in Germany, notching 11 goals and nine assists during his final term.
It went downhill like a boulder… going down a hill. Joelinton concluded his first season on English shores with just two goals and two assists across 38 Premier League matches.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: “If they were looking for a similar player to Rondon, Joelinton is him.” It was clear that the Venezuelan centre-forward, who had enjoyed a productive loan spell with the Toon the year before, needed replacing, but Klopp’s words would have been more apt if framed through the negative tint of the hulking striker’s career, like when he played for Everton.
Indeed, Joelinton was even remarked to have “similar traits” to Rondon by journalist Andrew Musgrove, standing at 6 foot 3 and winning 6.1 duels per match in the Bundesliga the year prior, evidence of his innate physicality.
Rondon’s comparative success with Newcastle was probably viewed dolefully by Magpies fans who watched Joelinton struggle through contests each week, with the Brazilian even being viewed as the worst Premier League transfer in modern history at the time. Reporter Declan Carr echoed this, calling him “the worst signing ever” in 2021.
He was simply not a natural finisher, lacking composure and temperament in vital moments. His former Hoffenheim boss Julian Nagelsmann had described him as an “animal” before moving across Europe to England, but such raw and ferocious character was not enough to dispel the notion that he wasn’t cut out for the number nine role.
Howe deserves all the plaudits for transforming the club, bringing in some exciting quality but also resurrecting some existing strugglers. Fabian Schar has grown into his skin under the 46-year-old’s tutelage and Jacob Murphy offers a good squad option, for example.
But Joelinton is the cream of that long-serving crop, and it’s all thanks to his positional rebirth.
Joelinton under Eddie Howe
Let’s not get it wrong here, Howe was not the architect of Joelinton’s reformed role in the middle of the park. His predecessor, Steve Bruce, was.
Joelinton: Premier League Stats by Season
Season
Average Position
Apps
Goals
Assists
24/25
Central midfield
4 (4)
1
0
23/24
Central midfield
20 (15)
2
1
22/23
Attacking midfield
32 (30)
6
2
21/22
Attacking midfield
35 (30)
4
1
20/21
Centre-forward
31 (23)
4
2
19/20
Centre-forward
38 (32)
2
2
Stats via Transfermarkt
Bruce, at the least, got the ball rolling, attempting to shift the 28-year-old across various wide attacking and midfield roles before his dismissal, and Howe then found the blueprint for the machine’s success.
The result has been masterful. As per FBref, the £150k-per-week talent ranked among the top 17% of Premier League midfielders in 2022/23 for goals scored, the top 6% for successful take-ons, the top 10% for interceptions and the top 3% for aerial duels won per 90.
That was the year that Newcastle defied expectations and beat the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur to a spot in the Champions League, finishing fourth in the English top flight.
Last season, Joelinton was faced with fresh adversity: an injury-affected year precluded him from reaching the same heights and contributed toward Howe’s side’s struggles, but perhaps this only personified his unique importance.
Indeed, during the 2022/23 campaign, he averaged 2.2 tackles, 1.5 interceptions, 1.7 dribbles and won seven duels per game, as per Sofascore, truly underscoring the robust and relentless nature that worked oh-so-well with Guimaraes and Co in the centre of the pitch.
Hailed as a “machine” by teammate Kieran Trippier, this mass of muscle has stretched beyond his perceived ability and found true success in midfield for Newcastle, rewriting his own script and continuing to make a marked impact on his side’s efforts.
After all, he’s started each of Newcastle’s matches so far this season and has yet to suffer defeat, indeed perching in third place in the Premier League.
Therefore, Newcastle can now say that they have hit the jackpot on the Brazil international, who might have had as rough a start as any in England, but now stands proudly as one of the most important players of a still-evolving golden era.
It’s funny to think that he was once viewed as a striker in the mould of Rondon. Things have certainly changed – for the better.
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ظفر فريق يوفنتوس بديربي إيطاليا وتغلب على إنتر ميلان، بهدف دون مقابل، خلال المباراة التي جمعت الفريقين مساء الأحد.
وحل إنتر ميلان ضيفًا على يوفنتوس بملعب “آليانز ستاديوم” في إطار مباريات الجولة الخامسة والعشرين للدوري الإيطالي.
ولاحت فرصة في البداية ليوفنتوس بعد تمريرة من ماكيني إلى نيكولاس جونزاليس الذي لم يستغل هفوة دفاعية من إنتر ميلان.
ثم أهدر باريلا فرصة لإنتر ميلان ولكن حكم المباراة أشار إلى وجود تسلل على لاعب النيراتزوري.
وعقب ذلك تصدى دي جريجوريو ببراعة لفرصة من إنتر ميلان، وأهدر دومفريس فرصة ثانية.
وسدد فرانشيسكو كونسيساو تسديدة تصدى لها يان سومر حارس الإنتر في الدقيقة 22.
ولاحت فرصة للإنتر لكن لاوتارو مارتينيز سدد تسديدة ضعيفة لم تكن كافية لتهديد مرمى يوفنتوس.
توالت الفرص بأخرى لكولو مواني لكن تدخل بافارد في التوقيت المناسب، ورد لاوتارو بفرصة للإنتر لكن تسديدته كانت أعلى من اللازم، تلاها تسديدة مماثلة من الأرجنتيني مرت دون خطورة.
اقرأ أيضًا | فيديو | روما يتغلب على 10 لاعبين من بارما ويواصل نتائجه الجيدة في الكالشيو
أعقب ذلك تسديدة قوية من دومفوريس لكن القائم كان عائقًا أمامه في الدقيقة 43 من عمر المباراة.
في الشوط الثاني استمر إهدار الفرص من الطرفين، حتى تمكن كونسيساو من تسجيل هدف يوفنتوس الأول ف الدقيقة 74 بعد تمريرة من كولو مواني عقب مجهود فردي وسط دفاع الإنتر.
وكاد يوفنتوس يضيف الهدف الثاني بعد دقيقة واحدة، لكن دومفريس أنقذ الكرة من على خط المرمى.
حسمت المباراة بفوز يوفنتوس بهدف دون رد ليرفع رصيده للنقطة 46 في المركز الرابع، وتجمد رصيد إنتر ميلان عند النقطة 54 في المركز الثاني خلف المتصدر نابولي بفارق نقطتين. هدف فوز يوفنتوس أمام إنتر ميلان
Teams seek progress as they begin new WTC campaigns
Danyal Rasool11-Aug-2021
Yasir Shah was simply unstoppable on Pakistan’s last tour to the Caribbean•Associated Press
Big pictureA dustbowl at Sabina Park, devoid of spectators owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, with rain forecast on all five days of the Test match, doesn’t sound like the first step of any great journey. But it is at this venue that West Indies and Pakistan set off on a mission to put right all that went awry in the past two years, trying to ensure they’re in the running to challenge New Zealand in their defence of the World Test Championship in two years’ time.West Indies, who finished second from bottom in the inaugural cycle, will be especially pleased their most recent series, a dismal 2-0 thrashing at South Africa’s hands, didn’t count towards the WTC. But if that’s the form they continue to bring this time around, they’re unlikely to push themselves any higher up the table. Head coach Phil Simmons admitted the quality of batting needed to improve by leaps and bounds, and was content to pass along the favourites tag to Pakistan for the series, one Babar Azam’s side would rather not be burdened with.That South Africa series might not be an entirely accurate depiction of West Indies’ stage of development at this point, with a previous series against Sri Lanka highlighting some of their all-round quality, and a spirited win against Bangladesh spotlighting their depth. The batting has shown shades of the class that is required at this level, but several batters making contributions in the same innings has been an issue. Meanwhile, the pace-bowling attack, which could feature three out of Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales and Jason Holder, would trouble most sides, while Jomel Warrican and Roston Chase could find grip and turn on Sabina Park’s surface.Related
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For Pakistan, this remains, perhaps, the opportunity of a decade to make the WTC final. The way the fixtures have fallen for them this cycle, this two-match series is perhaps the most challenging away hurdle of all, with their only other tours taking place in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. With the confidence of a spectacular 2-1 win in the Caribbean four years ago under their belt, and coming into the series on the back of wins against South Africa and Zimbabwe, Azam’s side will – and indeed, should – be disappointed if they fly back home without the trophy.The middle order of Azhar Ali, Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Fawad Alam forms the spine of this batting line-up. With a stable opening pair in Pakistan harder to find than the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland, the coming-of-age of Azam and Rizwan’s glistening form gives the visitors the buffer they badly needed to protect the lower-middle order which – it must be said – chip in more with the runs than they recently used to. Yasir Shah’s return also provides an intriguing subplot. The legspinner’s value to the side has diminished considerably in the past 18 months or so, but enjoyed a standout tour in 2017, with 25 wickets at 21.96 in three Tests – ten clear of Mohammad Abbas and Gabriel.At this rate, it might appear Pakistan have enough to overwhelm the hosts. But while it’s never wise to underestimate Pakistan, overestimating them hasn’t exactly proved a winning strategy either. Just tune in instead, would you?Form guideWest Indies: LLDDW (last five completed matches, most recent first) Pakistan WWWWLIn the spotlightGabriel’s ill-advised swipe off Shah, when he probably needed to see off just one more delivery, is the stuff of cricket legend now. But the man who despairingly watched from the other end has been slightly forgotten. Roston Chase’s anguish in the moment might have been extreme, but the greater concern for the Bajan will be his inability to conjure up anything like that form in the four years that have passed since. The leading run scorer of that series, Chase’s batting average soared to 48.53 in a career that had just begun to glimmer. That consistency, however, has proved elusive, with just two further three-figure scores in 53 innings since, and the average has plummeted to 29. If anyone needs a career reboot, it is him, and with Pakistan back in his neck of the woods, this could be his opportunity.Roston Chase has a hit in the nets•CWI Media/Philip Spooner
Abid Ali was fortunate to be retained for Pakistan’s two-match series in Zimbabwe after a wretched run of form saw him average just 17.71 since his debut series. Once given the chance, however, he cashed in with aplomb, with a half-century and an unbeaten double-hundred, consolidating his position as opener. However, West Indies might look at his overall Test record, and an inexperienced Imran Butt alongside him, and wonder if there’s a fragility right at the top of the Pakistan batting order. With Abid out to prove his runs in Harare signalled a return to form and not just “stat-padding” against a weaker opponent, the 33-year old against a formidable West Indian bowling line-up is set to be a match-up to keep an eye on.Team newsWest Indies have announced their 13* for the Test match, with Nkrumah Bonner back in the squad after missing the second Test against South Africa with a concussion. Shai Hope could move back to the top order to allow Bonner into his preferred slot at No. 3, which would mean Kieran Powell misses out. Jomel Warrican is the only specialist spinner in the squad, with Rahkeem Cornwall among the travelling reserves. Warrican could be in a three-man fight with Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales for two bowling slots.West Indies (possible): 1 Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), 2 Shai Hope, 3 Nkrumah Bonner, 4 Roston Chase, 5 Kyle Mayers, 6 Jermaine Blackwood, 7 Joshua Da Silva (wk), 8 Jason Holder, 9 Kemar Roach, 10 and 11 two out of Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales and Jomel Warrican.Pakistan’s recent success in West Indies with spin bowling might tempt them to play two spinners, although that would squeeze out Faheem Ashraf, whose lower order runs were vital against South AfricaPakistan: (probable): 1 Abid Ali 2 Imran Butt 3 Azhar Ali 4 Babar Azam (capt) 5 Fawad Alam 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk) 7 Faheem Ashraf/Nauman Ali 7 Hasan Ali 9 Yasir Shah 10 Mohammad Abbas 11 Shaheen Shah AfridiPitch and conditionsScattered showers are forecast throughout the Test match in Kingston, so significant interruptions would not be surprising.Sabina Park has tended to play host to fair contests between bat and ball, if a little on the slower side over recent years. When Pakistan last played here in 2017, Yasir Shah was the Player of the Match, taking eight wickets.Stats and trivia Sabina Park played host to the second shortest Test match in history, when the umpires called off a game against England in 1998 after just 10.1 overs owing to a dangerous pitch. Roston Chase needs 57 runs to reach 2000 Test runs West Indies have not defeated Pakistan at Sabina Park since 1977, with the teams having split four Test matches down the middle. Pakistan’s victories came in 2005 and 2017.Quotes”Jamaican pitches provide a good challenge to the batters, hence our batters need to come to the party and display their true potential and calibre in these two Tests” *August 12, GMT 0800 The piece was updated following the announcement of West Indies’ 13 for the Test match.
One of Everton’s busiest transfer windows in recent seasons came in the summer of 2022, when Frank Lampard was manager. The Toffees signed six players on permanent deals, and two players on loan, as they looked to boost Premier League survival hopes for the 2022/23 campaign.
The headline signing from that season was Amadou Onana, who joined from Lille for £33m, although he has since left for fellow Premier League side Aston Villa. The Toffees signed four first-teamers who are still at the club today; Dwight McNeil, James Garner and Idrissa Gueye cost them a combined £26m, and James Tarkowski joined on a free.
Everton midfielder Amadou Onana.
Their sixth and final permanent deal that summer was a player who has also now departed the club. That man is striker Neal Maupay.
Maupay’s Everton record
It is fair to say that Maupay’s move to Goodison Park did not work out for any party involved. The Toffees signed him from Brighton and Hove Albion for £15m in 2022, and he never really found his best form in front of goal.
neal-maupay-everton-premier-league
Life as an Everton player started superbly for the striker, who scored in just his second game for the club, a strike at Goodison Park against West Ham United.
However, the Frenchman failed to find the back of the net again and ended his time at Everton with one goal in 31 appearances.
Last term, the former Brighton striker left on loan to return to his former club Brentford. The 28-year-old had a far more successful time of things for the Bees than he did as an Everton player. His second spell in West London saw him score eight goals and grab three assists in 31 appearances for Thomas Frank’s side.
Following the expiration of his loan at Brentford last July, the striker departed Everton permanently. He made the move back to France, signing for Olympique Marseille, where former Seagulls boss Roberto de Zerbi is now manager. The French outfit signed him on loan with an obligation to buy him in 2025.
Things did not go according to plan for Maupay at Goodison Park. Then manager Lampard was very close to bringing in a different striker, who is now one of the deadliest players in the Premier League.
Who Everton nearly signed instead of Maupay
The player in question here is Aston Villa and England international Ollie Watkins. The striker has been a revelation under Unai Emery over the past 18 months and scored the Three Lions’ winner in the Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands.
According to an exclusive report from Football Insider back in 2022, the Toffees ‘registered their interest in signing’ Watkins during the final days of the summer transfer window. Incredible though it may seem, the report does state Villa were ‘open to letting Watkins go’, as they searched for a quality centre-forward.
Well, as it turned out, Watkins proved to be that very player for the Villans. He has now played 177 times in that famous claret and blue shirt, scoring 74 times and grabbing 29 assists. That included a superb 2023/24 campaign, in which his 32 goals and assists in 37 Premier League games helped the club qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 1983.
Watkins Premier League record by season
Season
Games
Minutes
Goals
Assists
2020/21
37
3328
14
5
2021/22
35
2955
11
2
2022/23
37
3136
15
6
2023/24
37
3226
19
13
2024/25
6
446
4
2
Stats from Statmuse
Watkins, who was described as “elite” by football statistician Statman Dave, has quickly become one of the most valuable players in the Premier League. According to a report from The Mirror in July, he is valued at an eye-watering £85.7m, far more than what the Toffees could have expected to pay back in 2022.
Everton fans can only dream about how things might have turned out for them had they managed to sign the Villa striker instead of Maupay.
Perhaps Lampard, who was sacked in January 2023, would have kept his job, with the Toffees were reaching the pinnacle of European football thanks to Watkins.
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تحدث المهندس محمد سراج الدين عضو مجلس إدارة الأهلي، خلال الندوة الحوارية التي أقيمت اليوم على هامش مشاركة النادي في معرض سبورتس إكسبو 2025 أن مجلس الإدارة وضع الملف التعليمي ضمن أهم أولويات البرنامج الانتخابي الذي تم تنفيذه على مدار السنوات الماضية، كما أكد أن البرنامج حقق تجربة ناجحة على كل المستويات.
ويشارك النادي الأهلي في جلسة نقاشية موسعة ضمن فعاليات معرض ومؤتمر “سبورتس إكسبو 2025″، حيث استعرض خلالها استراتيجيته في الإدارة الرياضية، الاستثمار، والتوسع في مجالات التسويق الرقمي والتحول المؤسسي.
وأوضح في تصريحات خلال تلك الاجتماع: “النادي نجح في تحقيق تعاون مثمر للغاية في التعامل مع اشهر الجامعات العالمية وعلى رأسها الجامعة الأمريكية، مما ساهم في الاهتمام بدمج التعليم مع الرياضة من أجل خلق كوادر واعدة تقود بناء الأجيال القادمة بشكل مؤهل للتعامل مع المتغيرات الراهنة”.
طالع أيضاً.. بمشاركة الأهلي.. رئيس الوزراء يفتتح النسخة الثالثة من “سبورتس إكسبو 2025”
وأضاف: “الأهلي بالتعاون مع الجامعة الأمريكية نجحا في مزج البرامج التعليمية والرياضية بشكل عملي ونظري، وخصوصا في مجال الإدارة الرياضية والتسويق والاستثمار واستلهام التجارب الناجحة وتطبيقها بشكل فعلي”.
وأتم: “بجانب إلى تعاون الأهلي مع الجامعة الكندية وكذلك مؤسسة لاليجا التعليمية مما ساهم في نقلة نوعية كبيرة على الصعيد الخارجي”.
O ano de 2022 será especial para os torcedores de Ceará e Fortaleza, que terão a oportunidade de jogar torneios internacionais.
+ Veja no aplicativo do LANCE! o resultado dos jogos da rodada
Em toda a história da dupla cearense, os dois nunca participaram na mesma temporada de competições continentais.
Na temporada 2020, quando o Fortaleza jogou a Copa Sul-Americana, o Ceará não teve calendário internacional.
Em 2021 a roda girou e foi a vez do Vozão disputar a Sul-Americana. O Leão não teve calendário internacional.
Nesta temporada, enquanto o Fortaleza irá disputar a Libertadores da América, o Ceará vai jogar a Sul-Americana pelo segundo ano consecutivo.
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انضم إيمانويل أديبايور، لاعب فريق آرسنال السابق، إلى قائمة منتقدي النجم السابق لفريق ليفربول، جيمي كاراجر، بسبب تصريحاته التي قللت من شأن بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا، في إطار حديثه عن فرص محمد صلاح في الحصول على الكرة الذهبية لهذا العام.
ويقدم محمد صلاح موسمًا خرافيًا رفقة ليفربول، تحت قيادة المدرب آرني سلوت في مختلف المسابقات.
ويرى الكثيرون أن محمد صلاح يُعد مرشحًا بارزًا للحصول على جائزة الكرة الذهبية، كأفضل لاعب في العالم لهذا العام، من جانب “فرانس فوتبول”.
اقرأ أيضًا.. ألدريدج: منتخب مصر وريال مدريد يهددان فوز محمد صلاح بـ الكرة الذهبية
ولكن جيمي كاراجر شكك في إمكانية تتويج محمد صلاح بتلك الجائزة المرموقة، بسبب منتخب مصر، لعدم المشاركة في بطولة كبرى، حيث لا يرى أن كأس أمم إفريقيا منافسة كبيرة مقارنة ببطولات مثل كأس أمم أوروبا ويورو.
وتسببت تصريحات كاراجر في إثارة غضب العديد من اللاعبين الأفارقة المميزين، على رأسهم أحمد المحمدي وأحمد حسن، بخلاف غيرهم.
من جانبه، قال اللاعب التوجولي السابق إيمانويل أديبايور، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “ديلي بوست” الإنجليزية: “هذه التصريحات لا تحترم كأس أمم إفريقيا فقط، بل وأيضًا جميع الأفارقة”.
وأضاف: “الأمر دائمًا هو نفسه عندما يحين موعد بطولة كأس إفريقيا حيث تتردد الأندية في السماح للاعبين بالمغادرة، ويحاول المنتقدون التقليل من أهميتها”.
وواصل لاعب مانشستر سيتي السابق: “لقد لعبت ضد مدافعين من الطراز العالمي في الدوري الإنجليزي، كاراجر ليس واحدًا منهم”.
John Textor assinou o contrato vinculante para adquirir 90% do futebol do Botafogo. O Grupo de Trabalho da SAF comemorou a aquisição por meio de uma carta aberta, divulgada pelo clube no site oficial na manhã desta quarta-feira.
+ Textor projeta estruturação do Botafogo e lida com ‘idolatria’ da torcida alvinegra
O grupo é formado por Laércio Paiva, envolvido com a S/A desde o primeiro projeto ainda em 2019, André Chame, porta-voz entre o Botafogo e a Eagle Holding, eFrancisco Müssnich.
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VEJA A CARTA: “Depois de quase três anos de trabalho na formatação do projeto de SA do Clube, chegamos, enfim, ao momento mais importante: com o apoio da XP, foi assinada, na última segunda-feira, Oferta Vinculante entre John Textor/Eagle Holdings e o Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas.
Desta forma, entregamos ao BFR uma Proposta concreta, que poderá ou não definir o futuro do futebol do Clube. Qual será este futuro, nenhum de nós pode dizer, tanto no caminho que atualmente trilhamos, quanto no que agora está sendo proposto.
Os esforços para o melhor formato contratual foram feitos em dezenas de horas de reuniões, por uma incansável equipe negocial e jurídica altamente qualificada, todos trabalhando por puro amor ao Botafogo, e serão apresentados aos órgãos do clube.
Não nos cabe aqui fazer qualquer juízo de valor sobre a Proposta apresentada, já que não pertencemos aos Conselhos do Clube. Um projeto desta importância não deve pertencer a nenhuma corrente política, e assim nos posicionamos desde o início.
Cabe agora ao Conselho Fiscal emitir parecer sobre a Oferta, a fim de guiar a votação no Conselho Deliberativo e, por fim, na Assembleia Geral de Sócios. Deve ficar claro que a decisão final é apenas e tão somente do clube, através de seus Conselheiros e Associados.
É hora de ter serenidade, confiando aos nossos Órgãos máximos a função de aceitar ou não a Proposta.
Nossa função, por ora, está cumprida. Como botafoguenses apaixonados, seguiremos apoiando o clube naquilo que nos for solicitado, sempre buscando o que acreditamos seja o melhor para o Botafogo.
Manchester United have produced some stellar players from their academy during the Premier League era. Of course, the most famous group is the esteemed Class of ‘92, featuring the likes of David Beckham, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes among others. They were a key part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s side for years, winning the treble as their greatest achievement.
In the more modern era, the likes of Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay have flown the flag for Carrington academy graduates, with the Scot moving on over the summer, joining Italian giants Napoli.
Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo are the most recent academy products to thrive in the first team under Erik ten Hag. Both youngsters scored in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City last season.
Another United academy graduate, who is no longer at the club, has had a strange career but certainly left his mark at Old Trafford. That man is Paul Pogba.
Pogba’s United career
In August 2016, the Red Devils broke the then-world record transfer to bring Pogba back to Old Trafford. He cost a whopping £89m, having left for nothing in 2012, joining Italian giants Juventus.
His time at United has certainly split opinion over time. The Frenchman, who won the World Cup in 2018, played 233 times in that famous Red shirt, initially playing seven times in the 2011/12 season before his departure. In that time, Pogba scored 39 goals and grabbed 48 assists.
He also played a big hand in winning two trophies during his second spell at Old Trafford. The 31-year-old scored in the 2016/17 Europa League final against Ajax, which the Red Devils won 2-0, and played 90 minutes against Southampton in the Carabao Cup final that same season.
The former United number six scored some crucial goals during his time for the club. Aside from his strike against Ajax, Pogba found the back of the net twice against Man City in 2017/18 to help his side come down from 2-0 down and win 3-2.
He evidently had a big influence in the dressing room, and those who managed him at Old Trafford clearly viewed him as a leader. The 91-cap French international was United’s captain on 11 occasions during his time at the club.
Whatever the general opinion of Pogba’s spell at United is, there is no doubt he was a maverick on the pitch, a genius player who possessed incredible skill with the ball at his feet and sublime passing ability. Losing him for free was a big mistake from United, and is something they will be hoping to avoid with Mainoo, who seems to be getting a new contract soon enough.
However, the Red Devils are linked with another academy player who they lost on a free, and could end up buying him back like Pogba.
Man United target former academy star
The player in question here is Lille and England international midfielder Angel Gomes. The 24-year-old left Old Trafford in 2020, joining the French side where he has excelled and has since played for the Three Lions.
According to a report from GiveMeSport, the Red Devils are among several Premier League sides who are ‘continuing to track’ the midfielder. A price tag has not been named, and whilst the midfielder’s contract expires next summer, he would still cost a fee in January. He is valued at £24.3m as per Transfermarkt.
Indeed, this would certainly be similar to the Pogba situation; losing a highly-rated academy graduate midfielder for free, who was described as a “danger-man” by football statistician Statman Dave back in his academy days. The main difference between the two deals would be the fee, with Gomes set to cost far less than the Frenchman.
The London-born midfielder played ten times for United, largely as an attacking midfielder. When he made his debut, he was their youngest-ever Premier League player and the first player born in the 2000s to make their English top-flight debut. He was just 16 years and 263 days old when he came on against Crystal Palace in 2017.
Since his move to France, via a loan to Portuguese outfit Boavista, Lille’s number eight has played 123 times for the club and has seen a redefinition of his role. He could now be considered a versatile midfielder capable of playing as a number six, a number eight or a number 10.
He is a controller in the middle of the park, possessing great technical quality and a high footballing IQ. The former Boavista man has worked on becoming a first-phase specialist, receiving the ball from the defenders and progressing play forwards.
Should the United academy graduate return to the club, he could form a superb partnership with 19-year-old Mainoo. Playing together in a double pivot, the duo could enhance United’s midfield quality and strike up a good balance between attack and defence.
Neither are a natural defensive midfielder, but both have defensive capabilities which means they can hold down the fort, allowing the other to foray forwards.
Indeed, both players excel in the final third, with Gomes creating an average of 2.4 chances per game this season, and Mainoo completing more forward passes, with 12.8 each match, as per Squawka.
Gomes and Mainoo stats from 24/25 league season
Stat (per 90)
Gomes
Mainoo
Chances created
2.4
0.5
Long balls completed
1
1.8
Through balls
0.5
0.2
Passes completed in opposition half
24.3
20.7
Forward passes
8.7
12.8
Take-on success
75%
73.68%
Duels won
3.6
7.1
Stats from Squawka
There might be a concern with lack of balance should this midfield pair ever form in that famous Red Devils shirt. However, against teams who are likely to sit deep and allow Ten Hag’s side to have the ball, it could certainly work.
The pair are yet to play together for England, with Mainoo missing the most recent squad due to injury. However, the United number 37 made way for the Lille man for his Three Lions debut, in the Nations League against Ireland.
Should the Red Devils get this deal over the line, it would be a huge statement of intent. Their former academy midfielder would certainly enhance the quality of their midfield and could form a deadly partnership with Mainoo, which would be one of the most technical midfield duos in Europe.
INEOS must axe Man Utd star who earns more than Mainoo & Garnacho combined
Man United paid £70m for the player but now they must get rid.