A new date has been set for the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool after their December clash was postponed due to Storm Darragh.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
| Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱 |
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
Simmons: WI need to improve batting
Chemar Holder, Shamarh Brooks back in WI squad
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.
Liverpool have the chance to head into the October international break in pole position, leading the race in the Premier League after six matches. Crystal Palace and Selhurst Park stand in the way of achieving this.
Palace shattered expectations under Oliver Glasner last season, who transformed the club after it had fallen by the wayside under Roy Hodgson to win and play some astounding football, Michael Olise and Ebere Eze starring.
A summer of upheaval has left the Eagles grounded in 2024/25, with three draws and three defeats to show so far.
Under Arne Slot, Liverpool have conceded the fewest league goals of any side across England’s top four divisions, but must not approach this lunchtime fixture with any degree of complacency, for Palace are desperate to earn three points and rise from the relegation zone.
2023/24
Anfield
1-0 loss
2023/24
Selhurst Park
2-1 win
2022/23
Selhurst Park
0-0 draw
2022/23
Anfield
1-1 draw
2021/22
Selhurst Park
3-1 win
2021/22
Anfield
3-0 win
Slot has been reserved in his pack-shuffling so far, but he should make two changes from the midweek win for this one, with Darwin Nunez likely to head back to the bench.
1 GK – Alisson Becker
Alisson’s 84.6% save percentage in the Premier League this season is the joint-highest (alongside Bournemouth’s Neto, who has only played twice).
He’s the best. What else is there to say?
2 RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold
Has Trent Alexander-Arnold plateaued over the past several matches? Is his contractual cloud hanging overhead in a gloomy fashion, affecting his performances?
Perhaps. Trent has still been mesmerising this season, with a ball-playing quality that scant few players can mimic, let alone match. He could be key against Glasner’s outfit.
3 CB – Ibrahima Konate
Ibrahima Konate ended the 2024/25 campaign on the rocks. The France international had been displaced by the younger Jarell Quansah and had been sapped of confidence after some “dreadful” displays, as The Athletic’s James Pearce said.
He’s been reborn under Slot’s leadership. Konate has already scored twice this season and has arguably been even better than his indomitable defensive partner… winning a whopping 74% of his contested duels in the Premier League.
4 CB – Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk will be delighted with his side’s defensive efforts this season, and though Konate is perhaps putting in the flashier, more energetic performances, he is simply unrivalled in blending his intelligence, positioning and galvanising leadership together.
The hosts might have been goal-shy across the opening weeks, but there’s plenty of talent at Palace’s disposal. This is a team that is performing far below its expected level, and it might click at any stage.
Liverpool need to be ready, and Van Dijk will be so important in ensuring this raucous ground does not find the fuel to lift it out of the relegation zone with a statement win.
5 LB – Andy Robertson
Andy Robertson’s fitness levels have not been fragile by any stretch but he did hobble off at Molineux one week ago, albeit starting against Bologna several days later.
There’s a slight chance that Kostas Tsimikas will replace the Scotsman, but he should retain his starting berth, offering a creative outlet from the left flank.
6 CM – Ryan Gravenberch
Man of the match against Bologna, man of the moment for Slot’s Liverpool. Ryan Gravenberch has been a revelation at the heart of the pitch this season, so elegant and cultured in his dynamic midfield role.
He’s played every minute of Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League campaigns this term, and that’s not going to change against Crystal Palace.
7 CM – Alexis Mac Allister
Alexis Mac Allister opened his account for the season with a close-range strike earlier this week. His role in Slot’s team probably won’t see him score many, but the Argentina international might just be the most crucial member in the line-up, so influential and important in guiding the attacking flow, in retaining possession.
He’s so wonderfully varied in his craft, ranking among the top 10% of central midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions and the top 9% for tackles per 90, as per FBref. What a player.
8 RW – Mohamed Salah
He simply doesn’t stop. Ceaseless. Inevitable. Mohamed Salah was the star as Liverpool triumphed on Wednesday evening. It was an indifferent collective effort from the Reds, but Salah’s goal-and-assist display maintained their 100% start to the Champions League campaign.
9 AM – Dominik Szoboszlai
Dominik Szoboszlai, has divided opinion somewhat this season, but there’s a first-class player in there and he is being picked to start each week for a reason.
The Hungarian, aged 23, scored seven goals and supplied four assists across 43 matches, which is something he wanted to improve on. This term, with three goal contributions from eight matches, he’s steadily working toward achieving that.
10 LW – Cody Gakpo
Cody Gakpo could finally receive a starting berth in the Premier League under Slot’s wing after Luis Diaz was chosen for the continental stage, and he’s fully deserving of the opportunity.
Despite his infrequent role this term, Gakpo, hailed for his “special skill set” by Jurgen Klopp’s former assistant manager Pep Lijnders, has been excellent on the left wing, looking like a different player to the man who ebbed and flowed under Klopp, never truly hitting his stride.
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.
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.
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.
Everton wanted to sign "special" £30m star but are stuck with Lindstrom
Sean Dyche could have signed a talented Championship sensation this summer…
ByRoss Kilvington Oct 1, 2024
Nicolas Jackson has revealed that he was nicknamed "CR7" and "Neymar" growing up, as he idolised Cristiano Ronaldo and the Brazilian forward.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Senegal international wanted to entertainLooked up to a couple of all-time greatsHas become fearsome forward in his own rightFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Senegal international has become a senior star in his own right, with the 23-year-old striker now on the books at Chelsea. He registered 17 goals for them last season, while taking his tally for the current campaign to nine through 20 appearances.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Jackson always wanted to be a player that delivered end product and provided entertainment for those in the crowd, with a couple of all-time greats looked to for inspiration. The quick feet and finishing prowess that he displayed as a youngster earned him comparisons to ex-Real Madrid and Barcelona superstars.
WHAT JACKSON SAID
Jackson, who still has plenty of potential to unlock in his game, has told the Premier League’s official media channels when asked about his childhood nicknames: "I have a lot. Jacko, Nicks, CR7, Neymar. They were my idols so they just called me that."
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
GettyDID YOU KNOW?
The Gambia-born frontman said back in November 2023 of wanting to emulate CR7: "When I was growing up, I loved Cristiano Ronaldo. I had his name on a shirt that I always wore. Not an actual shirt because they are expensive, so you don’t buy them. But I had a shirt that I put 7, Ronaldo on with a pen. I did it myself when I was a kid.
"Of course, I would pretend to be him, but it was difficult to watch his games because you needed to pay. We would go to my friend’s house, everybody. We would watch in a large group, never just with one person in the house. All my friends, we’d all go to one house to watch Real Madrid."
England could, conceivably, have taken the nine wickets they needed to seal an unlikely victory had the weather not intervened most critically on the final day at Trent Bridge. India should have overhauled the remaining 157 runs they needed in that time to claim a deserved 1-0 lead in the series, despite requiring a record successful run-chase. And England would have, without doubt, been in a far better position had someone other than Joe Root done something with the bat. For all the beautiful scenarios that cricket – or sport for that matter – tends to throw up, here we are again with the series on a level footing after the drawn opener, but with both sides in possession of greater knowledge than they had a week ago, not to mention a few selection conundrums.England had rammed home what was more than an inkling during their series defeat to New Zealand that their batting line-up is out of touch, and in the absence of Ben Stokes, far too reliant on one man, Root. But England also learned that they can fight even after being considerably underdone after a lack of red-ball games. Just how sustainable that is as a strategy rather than as a fall-back in a crisis will be found out soon enough if their batters continue to fail.First-innings dismissals to excellent deliveries for Rory Burns and Jonny Bairstow aside, England’s batting left so much to be desired. No one besides Root even threatened the high-30s and Dom Sibley’s blockades of 18 off 70 and 28 off 133 bolstered his indomitable captain without providing any spark. Wholesale changes loom, some forced by injury, others by a pressing need to put runs on the board.Ollie Pope has had an extra week to recover from a quadriceps tear but may have to wait to make his return after a shake-up for the team’s balance, thanks to Stuart Broad’s calf muscle injury, a late niggle to James Anderson and the recall of an in-form Moeen Ali – England’s first sighting of spin this summer.India’s bowling attack, without R Ashwin, answered many questions; their pace attack was a highlight, led by Jasprit Bumrah’s nine wickets for the match. Ravindra Jadeja held his own with the bat, scoring fifty in the first innings while it was the middle order who struggled. Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane all failed to crack double figures but none of that senior trio is likely to make way at this stage.At Lord’s the weather is set fair, meaning what began as an enthralling contest between these sides offers a similarly gripping second chapter.Saqib Mahmood could earn a maiden Test cap at Lord’s•PA Photos/Getty Images
(last five completed matches, most recent first)England DLDLL
India DLWWW
It is 356 days since Zak Crawley’s double-century against Pakistan in Southampton. His only innings of note in the 14 he has played since has been 53, albeit in incredibly challenging batting conditions during the day-night Test against India at Ahmedabad in February. There is a sense that Crawley showed he has what it takes to make it during his knock at the Ageas Bowl nearly a year ago, and that he is a player worth persisting with for the future. However, England’s need to strengthen their batting is pressing. Dan Lawrence will make way as Jos Buttler moves up to No.6 to accommodate Ali, most likely at No. 7, but Crawley isn’t safe either. Haseeb Hameed has impressed in the nets, not to mention with his hundred against the Indians in a warm-up for this series, which hasn’t gone unnoticed given the current line-up’s struggles to support Root. Should Hameed make his first Test appearance since touring India in 2016-17, it could be at the expense of Crawley or Sibley. Crawley needs a strong showing, his time isn’t already up.Cheteshwar Pujara has gone nine Test innings without reaching fifty. His score of just 4 first-up in Nottingham didn’t help, although being 12 not out in the second innings buys time in the sense of what might have been had India had the chance to pursue their target on the fifth day. With KL Rahul finding some touch as opener, having been initially included in the touring party as a middle-order option, Pujara could be on unstable ground should Rahul drop down at any point to make way for the regular openers.
Broad faces a wait to play his 150th Test after his injury, with Mark Wood set to replace him for his first Test of the summer. Saqib Mahmood, drafted into the squad as cover, could yet make a surprise debut after Anderson missed training due to his tight quad. He impressed in the white-ball series against Pakistan, and looks set to compete with Craig Overton for the final place in the XI. Ali should slot straight in for his first home Test in two years after his impressive form in the Hundred and is likely to bat at No. 7 with England retaining Sam Curran at No. 8 in a four-man pace attack.England (possible): 1 Rory Burns, 2 Dom Sibley, 3 Zak Crawley/Haseeb Hameed, 4 Joe Root (capt.), 5 Jonny Bairstow, 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Moeen Ali, 8 Sam Curran, 9 Ollie Robinson, 10 Mark Wood, 11 Craig Overton/Saqib MahmoodWith Shardul Thakur sidelined with a left hamstring injury, Ashwin looks like an automatic selection, especially in warm (by this English summer’s standards) and dry conditions. However, with some cloud cover expected, India could seek to exploit their reverse-swing options in Ishant Sharma and/or Umesh Yadav. Mohammed Siraj is expected to play, so it will likely come down to a choice between Ashwin, if India opt for two spinners, or Sharma if they want a four-pronged pace attack. Mayank Agarwal, a late withdrawal after he was concussed by a Siraj bouncer two days before the first Test, has recovered and batted in the nets this week but Rahul has snatched the opening position for the moment with 84 and 26 at Trent Bridge.India (possible): 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 KL Rahul, 3 Cheteshwar Pujuara, 4 Virat Kohli (capt), 5 Ajinkya Rahane, 6 Rishabh Pant (wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 R Ashwin/Ishant Sharma, 9 Mohammed Shami, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Mohammed Siraj
What they say about death and taxes also applies to rain playing a part in England home series, as we saw in the first Test. But the good news is the elusive summer of 2021 appears to be emerging with warmer, drier weather expected for the duration at Lord’s but with some cloud. The pitch looked set to be a typical bat-first proposition on match eve.
“They’ve got 1000 wickets between them, so it’s going to be potentially a bit of a loss, but with that comes opportunity for other people. We’ve seen previously in the summer, look at the Pakistan series, the opportunity arose for other people coming in to rise to those challenges”
“The good thing is Jadeja has got runs in the first game already, so he will go into the second game confident. That already makes our batting a bit deeper, the lower order contributed with the bat as well”
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”.
MatériaMais Notícias
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.
RelacionadasJuventudeJuventude quer manter o lateral Michel MacedoJuventude19/12/2021Athletico ParanaensePedro Henrique sobre o Athletico: ‘Encontrei a felicidade’Athletico Paranaense19/12/2021BahiaPresidente do Conselho Deliberativo do Bahia descarta impeachment de Guilherme BellintaniBahia19/12/2021
Despite picking up seven out of a possible nine points in the Premier League this season, Arsenal are not in the best shape heading into this weekend's North London Derby.
Declan Rice is suspended following his sending off against Brighton & Hove Albion; Mikel Merino is still out due to a shoulder injury sustained in training, and Martin Odegaard is set to miss at least three weeks of action due to an ankle injury he picked up on international duty, leaving Mikel Arteta with limited options for his midfield.
While there is undeniably an element of misfortune in the Gunners' current predicament, some fans believe the club left themselves short by not signing another midfielder in the summer and selling too many squad players.
However, while the former may be true, Edu Gaspar and Co did well to get the money they did for the players they sold this summer, although perhaps the best sale the club have made under the Brazilian came earlier in his tenure.
Arsenal's summer departures
So, while Arsenal brought in Riccardo Calafiori, Raheem Sterling, and Merino this summer, most of their business was seemingly focused on shipping out the players deemed surplus to requirements.
While this might have left the team vulnerable, the sales brought in a lot of money, which could prove useful next summer.
For example, fan favourite Emile Smith Rowe, who had firmly fallen out of favour last season, was moved on to Fulham for an initial fee of £27m that could rise to £34m, and considering the Hale Ender has started brilliantly in West London, we wouldn't be surprised to see that happen.
A month later, the club secured an exit for Eddie Nketiah, who joined Crystal Palace for a fee in the region of £30m.
The talented striker looked like a promising talent just a couple of years ago, but with Gabriel Jesus in the team and Kai Havertz ahead of both of them in the pecking order, it was crystal clear that the 25-year-old was no longer in the manager's plans, so a sale once again suited all parties.
Lastly, despite playing a hugely significant role in the team's first title challenge in 22/23 and being a firm fan favourite, Aaron Ramsdale secured a move to Southampton on deadline day for a fee that could reach £25m, including add-ons.
However, while these three deals should hopefully allow the club to splash the cash once again next summer, Edu's best sale occurred last season.
Folarin Balogun's valuation in 2024
The player in question is former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, who burst onto the scene in the 22/23 season while on loan with Ligue 1 side Stade Reims.
In 39 appearances for the French side, the "unbelievable" American marksman, as dubbed by sports presenter Jules Breach, scored a whopping 22 goals and provided three assists, maintaining an average of a goal involvement every 1.56 games.
However, it was clear that he did not want to return to North London to sit on the bench, so when the summer rolled around, the club sold him to AS Monaco for £35m, which is a brilliant fee for a striker from the academy who had made just ten appearances for the club in total.
Appearances
39
32
Goals
22
8
Assists
3
7
Goal Involvements per Match
0.64
0.46
Moreover, Edu and Co made the sale at the perfect time, as while he wasn't terrible for Monaco, he was only able to score eight goals and provide seven assists in 32 matches, which means his average fell to a goal involvement every 2.13 games in the same season that Alexandre Lacazette produced 27 goals and assists in 35 games.
This dip in form has also seen his valuation come down dramatically, with Football Transfers now pricing him at just €17m, which is just £14m, or £21m less than Arsenal got for him last year.
Ultimately, Balogun is a talented forward who could still go on to have a brilliant career, but considering he didn't want to sit on the bench at the Emirates and has seen his valuation collapse, Edu and Co struck gold when they got £35m for him.
Arsenal sold their new Ramsey for £25m, now he's being outscored by Gabriel
The Brazillian has become an unlikely source of goals.
ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 12, 2024
While he enjoyed a relatively successful debut season in charge of Manchester United, there hasn't been an awful lot to cheer about for Erik ten Hag in the last year and a half.
Granted, the Dutchman has lifted two trophies in England, but considering their terrible form in the Premier League, things are looking too rosy at Old Trafford.
However, despite the disastrous results, constant injury problems and division in the fanbase, there are a few positives within the squad, notably the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo.
Despite still being so young, the tenacious midfielder has made himself an important member of the first-team, and as a result, his valuation has exploded from what it was when Ten Hag arrived, per Transfermarkt.
Mainoo's market value when Ten Hag took over
Ten Hag was officially announced as United's new manager in April 2022, but he didn't officially start until the end of that season.
At this point, Mainoo had just turned 17 and was a relative unknown to most fans in the country.
This was reflected in his first valuation in November 2022, which priced him at just €300k, or about £250k.
Mainoo's market value in June 2023
Now, the young midfielder's next two appraisals came in March and June of the following year, and while he still wasn't a household name, he had made his first team debut.
During the 22/23 campaign, he made three appearances for the first team; one in the FA Cup, one in the Premier League and one in the League Cup, all amounting to 87 minutes of action.
These early showings saw his price tag almost triple to around €800k for both valuations, which converts to about £675k.
Mainoo's market value in December 2023
By last December, the young midfielder was a well-known prospect by most fans in the Premier League.
However, due to an ankle injury he sustained in pre-season, he had only made two appearances by the end of November, but it was crystal clear that he had a significant role to play over the next five months.
This shift from fringe player to squad player unsurprisingly saw his valuation shoot up to €6m, which is about £5m.
Mainoo's market value in March 2024
At this point last season, the then-18-year-old "baller", as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, was not just a regular part of United's first team but a crucially important starter.
Additionally, the Stockport-born gem had already scored his first goal for the team in an FA Cup game away to Newport County and won his first senior England cap on March 23rd.
This rapid rise and impressive impact at the club and international level saw his valuation skyrocket and reach a new peak of €35m, which is about £30m, and it was entirely justified.
Mainoo's market value in July 2024
So, we come to the 19-year-old's most recent valuation, which stands at a whopping €55m, or £46m, which is an enormous 18300% increase from his very first valuation in November 2022.
However, while it might sound extreme to some, it makes perfect sense, considering the season he had last year.
|
Mainoo's 23/24 |
|
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
32 |
|
Goal |
5 |
|
Assists |
1 |
|
Goal Involvements per Match |
0.18 |
|
All Stats via Transfermarkt |
|
In all, he made 32 appearances for United's first team, in which he scored five goals and provided one assist.
Then, in the summer, he made 6 appearances for England at the European Championships, five of which were starts, including the final.
Moreover, he scored in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, so there really isn't much else he could have done, and the fact that he's still a teenager makes it all that bit more remarkable.
Ultimately, United have an academy gem with the world at their feet in Mainoo. If he can remain fit, then there is no limit to what he can achieve in the game and no limit to how much he might be worth in the future.
Left for £0: Man Utd could regret losing star who's now outscoring Hojlund
The vastly experienced poacher is enjoying a career renaissance.
1
By
Jack Salveson Holmes
Sep 11, 2024