تحدث مدرب الأرجنتين، ليونيل سكالوني في مؤتمر صحفي اليوم، قبل مباراة الفريق أمام الإكوادور في تصفيات أمريكا الجنوبية المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2026، وحديث ليونيل ميسي بشأن المونديال، ومستقبله مع المنتخب.
وأفاد ميسي في تصريحات سابقة بأنه قد لا يتواجد مع الأرجنتين في منافسات كأس العالم 2026، وسيتوقف الأمر على حالته الجسدية.
وفي مؤتمر صحفي اليوم الإثنين، صرّح سكالوني: “لم أتحدث مع ميسي بشأن كأس العالم المقبلة، أيًا كان قراره، فهو قرار صائب”.
وأضاف بشأن القائمة المستدعاة للمونديال: “نسبة القائمة اليوم لست متأكدًا منها، ما زلنا بعيدين، يمكن أن تحدث أشياء كثيرة، لكن لدينا قاعدة، ولن نخرج عنها كثيرًا”.
وأردف: “عندما يُخبروننا بعدد اللاعبين الذين سيذهبون إلى كأس العالم، سنتخذ القرارات، لدينا قاعدة من أجل المونديال، والجميع يعرفها بالفعل، لن نخرج عنها كثيرًا”.
وفيما يتعلق بمباراة الإكوادور، خصم الأرجنتين في الجولة الأخيرة من تصفيات أمريكا الجنوبية المؤهلة لكأس العالم، أكد: “نلعب ضد فريق يُقدم أداءً جيدًا منذ فترة طويلة، إنه اختبار جيد لنا، سنجري بالتأكيد بعض التغييرات الإضافية، إلى جانب التغييرات المطلوبة بسبب غياب ميسي وروميرو”.
وواصل: أعتقد أن من لعبوا أقل يستحقون اللعب، هذه هي الفكرة، ستكون لدى لاوتارو مارتينيز فرصة للعب غدًا، وسنرى أي نظام سيعتمد عليه، وأليكسيس ماك أليستر متاح”.
اقرأ أيضًا | فيديو | تفاصيل مشادة ميسي مع لاعب فنزويلا بين شوطي مباراة الأرجنتين
واستطرد: “الإكوادور من أفضل فرق العالم، وسيُصعّبون الأمور، ليس علينا فحسب، بل على أي فريق آخر، لقد اتّبعوا أسلوب لعب واضحًا للغاية لفترة طويلة؛ بدايةً مع جوستافو ألفارو، ثم مع فيليكس سانشيز باس، والآن مع سيباستيان بيكاسيسي”.
وفيما يتعلق بمقارنة أداء المنتخب الأرجنتيني في تصفيات كأس العالم 2022 بأداء المنتخب الحالي، علّق: “قدمنا مباريات رائعة مع المنتخب الفائز بكأس العالم، ومع هذا المنتخب أيضًا، الآن، برز لاعبون شباب يمنحوننا المزيد من الحماس، وبعضهم يجيد التعامل مع الكرة، فكرة اللعبة لا تختلف، والهوية واحدة”.
وأشار سكالوني: “أعتقد أننا عملنا وفقًا للأفكار التي راودتنا منذ البداية، وهي الشعور بالانتماء، واللعب دون التزام، واحترام زملائنا في الفريق وجميع الآخرين، هذه هي المبادئ التي وضعناها لأنفسنا عند انضمامنا للجهاز الفني”.
وعندما سُئل عن مستقبله بعد كأس العالم القادمة، أجاب المدرب: “أفكر في المرحلة المقبلة، لم أكن من النوع الذي يفكر في أي شيء أبعد من ذلك، فهذا غير لائق، نحن نركز على مباراة الغد، والمباريات الودية، والمباريات القادمة، أنا بخير الآن، وسنرى ما سيحدث”.
وتحدث سكالوني أيضًا عن نيكولاس أوتاميندي، الذي خاض مباراته الأخيرة في تصفيات كأس العالم على أرضه يوم الخميس: “إنه يستحق التكريم؛ لقد ساعدنا بشكل كبير، إنه لاعب مهم جدًا بالنسبة لنا؛ سيُذكر بكل ما قدمه، سيكون قائدنا غدًا ضد الإكوادور”.
وأخيرًا، خاطب سكالوني إسبانيا، منافسه في نهائي بطولة فيناليسيما: “إسبانيا، بقيادة لويس دي لا فوينتي، تُقدم أداءً استثنائيًا، إنها من أفضل الفرق، وتلعب بأسلوب كرة قدم يُحبه المشجعون، وهناك فرق أخرى تُجيد اللعب بأسلوب مختلف”.
Rockets fire through Sciver-Brunt but Graham’s cameo comes too late in three-run loss
ECB Media31-Jul-2024
Ellyse Perry and Sterre Kalis added a century stand for Birmingham Phoenix•Getty Images
Birmingham Phoenix 139 for 3 beat Trent Rockets 136 for 7 by three runsAustralian superstar Ellyse Perry starred with the bat and in the field as Phoenix ended their 12-match losing streak to beat the Trent Rockets in The Hundred.On a sunny afternoon in Nottingham, Birmingham Phoenix won the toss and chose to bat, making a steady start, with Sophie Devine and Sterre Kalis going at a run a ball for an opening partnership of 32. The introduction of Alana King saw the first breakthrough for the Rockets, trapping Devine LBW for 17.That brought Phoenix Captain Perry to the crease who proceeded to quickly up the run-rate alongside Kalis. Perry raced to 41 from her first 20 balls and was making the most of the batting conditions, whilst also riding some luck in being dropped on the boundary, in what ended up being an impressive 66 from 34 balls.Her partnership with Kalis put on 102 from 60, including 11 fours and four sixes, with every one of those sixes coming from the bat of Perry.Amy Jones arrived at the crease with Phoenix on 134 with four balls to go, and with Kalis, scrambled 5 more runs to leave the Phoenix innings at 139 from their 100 balls, with Jones being run out on the final delivery. That left Kalis on 48 not out, with Phoenix setting a competitive but chaseable total.Perry remained in the action in the field, firstly taking the wicket of Scrivens (6) and then catching Bryony Smith with a fantastic running effort at long-on, with Rockets at 58 for 2.Nat Sciver-Brunt came to the wicket in fine form and looked composed from the outset, reaching her sixth half-century in The Hundred with a powerful lofted drive off Hannah Baker, off just 33 balls.Rockets looked well in contention at that point but the demise of Ash Gardner, then Sciver-Brunt three balls later dragged Phoenix back into the game.Rockets needed 27 from the last 10 balls but the game wasn’t done yet.Heather Graham hit four boundaries, including a huge six off the 98th ball, to leave Rockets needing seven from the last two balls. Wraith was run out on the penultimate delivery going for the second, leaving Graham needing six to win from the final ball.To the delight of the Phoenix team, Graham could only manage two, taking her to a valiant 30 from 12 balls, but confirming Birmingham Phoenix’s first win in 13 attempts.Meerkat Match Hero Perry said: “I’m chuffed for the girls. We played with a lot of spirit today, played really positively, and it is nice to get over the line in a tight one at the end.”It took us a while to get going, but once you were in there was a breeze, so it was easy to find the pockets in the ground and build a bit of momentum with the bat. The total felt defendable, but they chased well, Heather at the end there was really unlucky not to bring it home for them, so to hold our nerve at the end was awesome.””I’m stoked for the girls; it is a great group and they play with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. You can’t worry about last season, this is a different squad, but it is something that has been spoken about around the group by other people. Hopefully people stop talking about that [12 in a row] now.”
On the Mohammad Ali selection, the Pakistan captain said they “wanted someone to bowl like Aamer Jamal”
Mohammad Isam20-Aug-2024
Saim Ayub made 0 and 33 on Test debut in Sydney•Getty Images
Pakistan have picked Saim Ayub as an opener for the first Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi for continuity, according to Shan Masood. The Pakistan captain also said that Pakistan were considering Muhammad Hurraira for selection but he will have to wait for his international debut.Hurraira, 22, has been a heavy scorer in domestic cricket and last month he scored 218 against a Bangladesh High Performance XI in a four-day game in Darwin. Earlier in his debut season in 2021-22, he racked up 986 runs at an average of 58, including a triple-hundred. As for Ayub, he scored 0 and 33 in his only Test so far, against Australia in January in Sydney.”We have plenty of riches in our opening batting,” Masood said. “Imam-ul-Haq isn’t in this series. We don’t limit ourselves to 17 players. We have 20-25 players who are part of our squad. We initially felt that it was our ideal chance to check Muhammad Hurraira – what he could offer the Pakistan team after doing so well in domestic cricket in the last three or four years. We rested Imam in this series. Saim, who is in good touch now, showed potential in the second innings against Australia. As a team, you have to send a message of continuity. So we will try to back the players. We want to give him a fair chance.”Related
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Pakistan will also go into the series opener against Bangladesh with an all-pace attack, a rarity in their selection policy. Masood explained that the conditions in Rawalpindi influenced the combination of their side. He said they wanted Mohammad Ali in the line-up to do a similar job to Aamer Jamal who had excelled in Australia earlier this year. Ali’s 19 wickets in PSL 2024 propelled him into the limelight but he has also been a consistent performer in domestic cricket. He has 150 wickets in 41 first-class games at an average of 25.72.”Firstly, you have to look at a few factors,” Masood said. “You have to take into account Pakistan’s position in the WTC. We at least have to win the home matches. Secondly, you have to look at the ground conditions. Thirdly, we have to look at our team combination.”We considered Aamer Jamal as a weapon in Australia. When the other three fast bowlers showed discipline, Aamer Jamal used to attack. He got crucial wickets in the middle overs. He used to eliminate Australia’s tail, which usually makes the difference by scoring 80-90 runs. As Shaheen [Shah Afridi] and Naseem [Shah] will take the new ball, we wanted someone to bowl like Aamer Jamal. I think Mohammad Ali gave us the surprise element in the PSL but we have been seeing it for a long time. He hits the deck hard. He has the quality to move the ball with the seam and in the air. He has extra pace too.”Having not made the finals of the last two WTC cycles, Pakistan are hoping to buck the trend and bring cheer to their fans.”I think you want your fans and media to write good things about the team,” Masood said. “We want to play cricket that everyone enjoys watching. Obviously, it is a result-oriented business so you need to have results in mind. We were sixth and seventh before [in the WTC], but we would like to play in the final this time. We want to play finals. We have to win our home Tests. Our challenge is to play consistently and play an exciting brand of cricket.”The first Test against Bangladesh will also be Pakistan’s first under coach Jason Gillespie. Masood wanted the new staff’s approach to align with Pakistan’s strengths. “We have a different coaching staff,” he said. “They bring a different mindset and culture but we also have to look at where we have to go as a side. I think fast bowling has been Pakistan’s strength. We have six quality fast bowlers. You need 20 wickets to win a Test. That’s a non-negotiable. Our goal is to get those 20 wickets and then batters can back up the bowlers. That’s how we went into the Australia series, and that’s how we will go into this series.”
Leeds United are going to be in the market to add another centre-forward to their squad before the summer transfer window slams shut at the start of September.
The Whites have brought in German striker Lukas Nmecha, who has signed on a free transfer from Wolfsburg, but the 26-year-old may not be an immediate first-choice option.
In the 2024/25 campaign, the former Manchester City youth player produced three goals and zero assists in 19 games in the Bundesliga, which does not suggest that he is going to hit the ground running as a regular scorer in the Premier League.
Another current Leeds player who may not be leading the line in the top-flight is Joel Piroe, as Football Insider reported in May that the club have doubts about his ability to make the step up.
Despite a return of 19 goals and seven assists in the Championship last season, the Dutch striker may find himself having to fight his way back to being first-choice next term.
All of this does mean, though, that Leeds may have to dip into the market to bring in another number nine, as they look for Daniel Farke’s own Rodrigo.
What Rodrigo brought to Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds
After Marcelo Bielsa won promotion to the Premier League in 2020, sporting director Victor Orta heavily backed him during the summer transfer window.
The biggest move of the off-season was a £30m club-record deal to bring Spain international Rodrigo to Elland Road from Valencia to improve the manager’s options at the top end of the pitch.
It was a big move for Leeds because Rodrigo had racked up 59 goals and 41 assists in 220 appearances in all competitions for Valencia, which shows that the club were bringing in a star who had already proven his quality in front of goal for a big European side.
The Whites went on to benefit from his quality at the top end of the pitch as the Spanish forward scored 28 goals and provided five assists in 98 games for the club in all competitions during his time at Elland Road.
Rodrigo’s versatility for Leeds
Position
Starts
Goals
Assists
Centre-forward
37
13
2
Attacking midfield
22
5
2
Second striker
18
3
1
Right winger
3
1
0
Left winger
1
1
0
Stats via Transfermarkt
As you can see in the table above, Rodrigo also provided positional versatility for Leeds to go along with his goals and assists, as he had the capability to play in a multitude of attacking roles for Bielsa.
Leeds are now looking for a forward who could make a similar impact to the Spaniard in the Premier League next season, and they are reportedly eyeing up a striker who could fit the bill.
Leeds have Championship striker on their radar
According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Leeds United are pursuing Norwich City centre-forward Josh Sargent, who worked with Farke during their short time together at Carrow Road.
The Whites head coach was the manager who signed the USA international from Werder Bremen for the Canaries in the summer of 2021, but he was sacked in November, which meant that they did not work with each other for very long.
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The reporter now claims that the 25-year-old marksman is on the club’s radar and that they will have to battle one of their Premier League rivals to secure his services.
Speaking to The Boot Room, Bailey said: “Josh Sargent is still one that’s very much on their radar. Burnley are also very interested, they like him an awful lot. Leeds aren’t panicking, they’re letting the market come to them.”
Norwich City'sJoshSargentcelebrates scoring their first goal
Meanwhile, journalist Alan Nixon claims that Burnley are very keen to bring him to Turf Moor this summer, but they are not willing to pay the £20m asking price set by Norwich at this moment in time.
Why Leeds should sign Josh Sargent
Leeds should now push to sign the American striker before the end of the transfer window because he could be Farke’s own version of Rodrigo in the Premier League next season.
Sargent, who writer Gab Sutton recently claimed “is the best ST in the Championship”, is similar to the Spanish forward in the sense that he is a natural number nine who can also play in a myriad of positions.
The Norwich star has played on the right and left flanks, as a second striker, and as a number ten in his career, which means that Farke could use him in a host of different ways, just as Bielsa did with Rodrigo.
Sargent, who provided an assist against Northampton Town in his first pre-season outing on Saturday, is also a forward who has the potential to deliver goals and assist at the top level.
Since struggling, with two goals in 26 games, in the Premier League as a very young player in a poor side, the £20m-rated star has been a force to be reckoned with in the Championship.
Josh Sargent (Championship)
23/24
24/25
Appearances
26
32
xG
12.06
13.32
Goals
16
15
Minutes per goal
116
167
Big chances created
3
6
Assists
2
5
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Sargent has outperformed his xG to fire in 31 goals in the last two seasons combined, which shows that he is a prolific scorer and an incredibly efficient finisher.
The Norwich star also won 46% of his duels, including 45% of his aerial battles, and that is why he may be viewed as an upgrade on Piroe as a starter, because the Dutch attacker only won 27% of his duels, and 21% of his aerial contests, in the same division.
This suggests that Sargent can bring the versatility of Rodrigo, the finishing efficiency of Piroe, all whilst also being an upgrade from a physical perspective, with the power and strength that he can provide on the pitch.
Therefore, Leeds must beat Burnley to his signature because of the potential he has to be a talismanic number nine for the Whites, as well as Farke’s own version of Rodrigo next season.
49ers could land Leeds' brand new Raphinha by signing £27m striker
Leeds United could seriously bolster their survival bid by signing this star this summer.
Birmingham City will be looking to press on this summer with even more exciting signings joining the St Andrew’s camp.
Chris Davies has recently stated that this is the intention when speaking to Birmingham Live, with seven brand new faces entering the club already not quite enough, as he insists that this newly promoted side needs ‘all the quality we can get’ to hit the ground running in the Championship.
Another striker addition might now be deemed a priority, with a report by Football League World revealing that Alfie May is set to leave Davies and Co. behind for a fresh League One challenge at Huddersfield Town.
This would be a big blow that the Blues would have to address, considering how many times last campaign the experienced centre-forward came up clutch for his promotion-chasing outfit with crucial goals.
Why losing May is a blow for Birmingham
Of course, around £10m has just been splashed out to land Kyogo Furuhashi as a thrilling capture up top, but May regularly proved during the Blues’ promotion heroics his vital nature from off the bench, which could well have been an effective calling card up a league too.
From just 27 starts last season in league action, May rifled home a mightily impressive 16 strikes, with Jay Stansfield the only other venomous attacker in Davies’ ranks that managed to hit double digits.
However, whilst the 32-year-old is a well-known beast at the testing level – with 89 goals and counting in the third tier – he has never once set foot in the Championship, with the EFL veteran’s legs perhaps not well suited to such a demanding step-up.
This is where an earlier £10m striker target on the Birmingham shopping list could come to the rescue and be a dream replacement for the departing May, with the target in question even tasting promotion up to the Premier League just last season, whilst Davies’ men soared to the top of League One.
Birmingham's "dynamite" May replacement
Whilst there will be some sorrow regarding May’s exit when looking at his starring role in that promotion story, the second tier is an unforgiving terrain which will have factored into Birmingham’s somewhat cut-throat decision-making.
May’s exit would soon be forgotten about if the Blues did fork out £10m to land Leeds United reserve striker Mateo Joseph, with reports back in June stating that the triumphant League One champions were keen on winning the services of the Spanish hotshot, as interest now emerges from Joseph’s native country in the form of Real Betis.
Joseph’s league numbers for Leeds (24/25)
Stat
Joseph
Games played
39
Games started
11
Minutes per game
33 mins
Goals scored
3
Assists
3
Stats by Sofascore
The standout numbers from the table above really do hammer home why Joseph would be an ideal replacement for the soon-to-be Terriers attacker, with the 21-year-old offering the same amount of firepower from off the bench last season in the Championship that May offered in spades back at St. Andrew’s, as seen in his blistering six goal contributions from a meagre 11 starts.
With a further four strikes next to his name for the Whites, which included a breakneck brace finding the back of the net against Chelsea last year, he might just be capable of turning up that goalscoring notch even more if he’s given regular first-team minutes in the West Midlands.
The “dynamite” attacker – as he’s been labelled in the past by U23 scout Antonio Mango – would give Davies the best possible selection headache subsequently, with his Leeds manager in Daniel Farke, also going out of his way to shower the up-and-coming striker with praise when hailing his link-up play as “excellent.”
In an ideal world, Birmingham might have kept May around for the long run as he then finally made a name for himself in the EFL’s elite setting.
Yet, the one-season hero is now closing in on a £1.2m move to Huddersfield, meaning Joseph could be just what Birmingham desire to get over May’s exit swiftly and improve their overall squad.
Birmingham City want to sign "outstanding" former Champions League winner
Birmingham City are among the teams interested in signing a former Liverpool star.
ذكرت تقارير إعلامية اليوم الأحد، أن نادي آرسنال قد تلقى أنباء سعيدة في تدريبات الفريق الأخيرة قبل مواجهة مانشستر سيتي المرتقبة مساء اليوم في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
آرسنال سوف يستضيف نظيره مانشستر سيتي في إطار قمة منافسات الجولة الخامسة من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، على ملعب الإمارات.
ويسعى آرسنال إلى تحقيق الفوز على مانشستر سيتي واستغلال الحالة الجيدة التي يمر بها الفريق خلال الفترة الأخيرة، حيث انتصر الجانرز على أتلتيك بلباو الأسبوع الماضي 2-0 في دوري أبطال أوروبا.
طالع.. رودري: نريد الانتقام من آرسنال.. وليفربول لا يدرك قوة مانشستر سيتي
وذكر سامي مقبل، الصحفي الموثوق في “بي بي سي سبورت”، أن نادي آرسنال قد استعاد بوكايو ساكا، وذلك بعدما شارك الأخير في تدريبات الفريق الأخيرة بشكل كامل دون أي مشاكل.
وأضاف أن ساكا في الوقت الحالي تزايدت فرص مشاركته في قمة آرسنال ومانشستر سيتي، ويبقى القرار في الأخير للمدرب ميكيل أرتيتا.
وأوضح أن هناك شكوك كبيرة حول فكرة مشاركة مارتن أوديجارد أمام مانشستر سيتي، في ظل عدم جاهزية الدولي النرويجي الكامل.
ساكا كان قد أصيب خلال مواجهة آرسنال أمام ليدز يونايتد خلال شهر أغسطس الماضي، ضمن منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
Ben Compton and Tawanda Muyeye reach close unscathed after Hampshire enforce follow-on
ECB Reporters Network11-Sep-2024
Ben Compton reached the close unscathed after his first-innings 51•Getty Images
Kent battled hard to save their Division One status after being forced to follow on by Hampshire, on a rain-affected third day in the County Championship at Canterbury.The hosts could be relegated by the end of this round of fixtures, but they reached the close 70 without loss in their second innings, still 126 behind, with Tawanda Muyeye unbeaten on 46 and Ben Compton 24 not out.Torrential rain fell during an already truncated evening session and play was eventually abandoned for the day at 5.26pm. Earlier, Kyle Abbott took 5 for 46 as Kent were dismissed for 207 in their first innings, Compton their highest scorer with 51.Kent began day three on 64 for 5, still 339 runs behind Hampshire’s first innings score of 403, but Compton and Harry Finch survived for the first 90 minutes of an extended morning session, aided by some sub-optimal slip fielding. Toby Albert dropped Compton twice, on 24 and 32, the first when he couldn’t hang on to a difficult slip catch off Abbott, the second a more routine head-high chance offered by James Fuller.Albert finally snared Compton at the third attempt when Abbott found his edge with the first delivery after he had switched to the Nackington Road End. In his next over, Abbott had Finch caught behind for 44, before Liam Dawson bowled Charlie Stobo for 10.Kyle Abbott claimed a five-wicket haul•Getty Images
Matt Parkinson was out soon after lunch, caught behind off Brad Wheal for four, but the last-wicket pair of George Garrett and Jas Singh proved a nuisance, particularly after James Vince dropped the former when he was on 17, again in the slips.Singh passed his previous best first-class score of 14, before he was removed by the new ball, lbw to Abbas for 18, leaving his partner stranded on 27.With 45 overs remaining in the day Hampshire immediately announced they were enforcing the follow on, but a whiff of farce arrived when Muyeye hit the penultimate ball before tea for a six into the gardens on the Old Dover Road side of the ground. Hampshire were unhappy with the replacement and four of their fielders, the twelfth man and a coach climbed awkwardly over the fence to look for the original, finally finding it after seven minutes.Shortly after the resumption the potential importance of those seven minutes was magnified when the rain arrived and a total of nine overs were lost. When play resumed at 5.05pm it was already raining again, the groundstaff were already holding the covers and Compton faced down three balls from Abbas before they gave up and went off again.
كشفت تقارير صحفية سعودية، عن موافقة الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم “فيفا”، على طلب النادي الأهلي السعودي قبل مواجهة بيراميدز، في كأس إنتركونتيننتال.
ويلتقي بيراميدز مع الأهلي السعودي، مساء الثلاثاء 23 سبتمبر في تمام التاسعة مساءً، على ملعب الإنماء (الجوهرة المشعة) بمدينة جدة،
ويلعب نادي بيراميدز ضد الأهلي السعودي، في إطار مواجهات دور ربع النهائي من بطولة كأس إنتركونتيننتال، والمنافسة على لقب كأس القارات الثلاثة.
وكان بيراميدز قد استطاع أن يحقق الفوز على أوكلاند سيتي النيوزيلندي بنتجة 3-0، في المباراة التي أقيمت بالقاهرة ضمن مواجهات الدور التمهيدي الأول للبطولة العالمية.
طالع | صور | بعثة بيراميدز تصل جدة استعدادًا لمواجهة الأهلي السعودي في كأس الإنتركونتيننتال
وقالت صحيفة الرياضية السعودية، إن الأهلي تلقى موافقة فيفا، على “التيفو” الذي طلب النادي السماح به قبل صافرة انطلاق المباراة، وعلى إثر ذلك ستبدأ رابطة مشجعيه في تجهيز “التيفو” وتركيبه على المدرجات المخصصة لهم.
وتابعت الصحيفة: “أعدت الرابطة أهزوجة جديدة بعنوان فخر الوطن، سيرددها أعضاؤها خلال المباراة، التي سيرفع الفائز فيها كأس آسيا وإفريقيا والمحيط الهادي”.
ووجهت رابطة مشجعي الأهلي الدعوة إلى جمهور الفريق للتجمع، الأحد والإثنين، عند مدخل اللاعبين إلى الحصص التدريبية في مقر النادي، من أجل تحفيزهم قبل مواجهة الثلاثاء.
David Moyes has signed only three players for Everton this summer, but as the weeks progress, there will likely be several more making the move to Merseyside.
More importantly, however, is the news that Moyes managed to secure defender Jarrad Branthwaite down to a new four-year contract extension with the Toffees.
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite
This could be crucial regarding Everton’s chances of breaking back into the top half of the Premier League table next season, especially with several clubs sniffing around the player.
It proves that the club are heading in the right direction, especially judging by the quality of their signings.
Carlos Alcaraz did spend time on loan at Everton last season, but his permanent move will improve Moyes’ midfield options.
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin leaving the club upon the expiration of his contract, signing another striker or two was a key priority for the manager.
As such, a deal to secure the signature of Thierno Barry was completed a couple of weeks ago.
The centre-forward may have cost the Toffees around £27m from La Liga side Villarreal, but this may just turn out to be a wise piece of business.
Why Everton signed Thierno Barry
While Calvert-Lewin didn’t exactly bring goals to the side last season – scoring only three all season – losing a forward meant Moyes had to be active in the transfer market.
Barry was the player earmarked as a major target, and for good reason. Last season, the French starlet scored 19 goals and grabbed four assists for Villarreal across all competitions.
Furthermore, the striker also showcased his creative side by creating seven big chances for his teammates, proving that he offers much more than just a goal threat.
He played in the U21 European Championship for France this summer, scoring once for his country as they reached the semi-finals before bowing out to Germany.
Despite averaging just 37 minutes per game for France, Barry also created two big chances, averaged two shots per game and missed four big chances.
Villarreal's Thierno Barry
If given more of a chance in the team, he may have had a bigger influence, no doubt about that.
This all sets him up nicely for the 2025/26 season, where he will be taking on some of the finest defenders in the world.
Should Barry live up to his potential, Moyes may have unearthed a stunning talent who will certainly secure them a stunning profit in the coming years.
While a promising signing, the Frenchman wont be able to lead the Toffees’ frontline on his own, especially with the pressure to score plenty during his maiden season.
Moyes must now be looking to bring in another centre-forward ahead of the new season, one who could offer similar sort of qualities to those of Barry.
With this in mind, it appears the Scot is targeting a move for someone who shone in what was their debut season in European football.
Everton enquire about move for new striker
Moyes was keen on signing Evan Ferguson from Brighton and Hove Albion, but that ship has now sailed with the Irishman bound for AS Roma. Additionally, Nick Woltemade was also a target, but Bayern Munich were also keen on the German.
One striker who has been on the club’s list for some time is Hamza Igamane, who shone for Glasgow Rangers last season.
Hamza Igamane.
Indeed, it was after his performance against Tottenham Hotspur in December 2024 that initially saw the Toffees linked with the Moroccan.
While a January move was never in the question, it looks as though Igamane could be on the move this summer.
It looked as though Lille were closing in on the youngster, but according to reports on the continent, Moyes might well be back in the frame for him.
The report read: “LOSC Lille struggling in their negotiations with Rangers for Hamza Igamane. Despite a personal agreement with the Moroccan, the deal’s still on hold. In the meantime, Feyenoord entered the race. Everton and Udinese have also made enquiries.”
Rangers have placed a £20m valuation on one of their prized assets, but this shouldn’t be an issue to the Merseyside outfit.
Should Everton win the race, Igamane could turn out to be Barry 2.0 given their similarities on the pitch.
Why Everton must sign Hamza Igamane
Igamane certainly made his mark for Rangers last season. Across 46 games in all competitions, he scored 16 goals, including strikes against Celtic, Spurs and Nice.
It is no wonder several clubs are chasing his signature after his performances for the Gers, especially in Europe.
Hamza Igamane’s Rangers stats last season
Metric
Premiership
Europa League
Goals
12
4
Assists
1
1
Goal conversion percentage
13%
29%
Big chances created
10
1
Shots per game
2.6
1.4
Via Sofascore
In the Europa League, Igamane recorded an impressive 29% goal conversion percentage, while also registering 1.4 shots on goal.
Ben Mattinson hailed his character last season, saying: “Hamza Igamane is such a Barclaysman type forward. Completely unpredictable, tonnes of flair and trickery. The type of player to try outrageous moves/shots just because.”
Interestingly, both he and Barry offered similar traits last season. According to FBref, both players performed well in front of goal, registering 18 and 20 goal contributions across both domestic and European competitions.
Elsewhere, the duo also registered similar figures when it came to shots per 90 (3.88 vs 3.02), shot on target percentage (39% vs 36%), goal-creating actions (4 vs 6 ) and successful take-ons (17 vs 18) last season.
This proves that the pair won’t just offer Everton a threat in front of goal, but that they can also create chances for others and are willing to take on opposition defenders on a regular basis.
Hamza Igamane
With both Barry and Igamane in the same team, there is no reason why Everton can’t make the top half of the Premier League next season.
Indeed, if both players take to the top flight with ease, can a European place perhaps be secured also? It is a long shot, but Moyes has finally rejuvenated the club after years of stagnation.
Another striker is crucial. By bringing in Igamane, Moyes will be able to replicate his Barry masterclass.
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