أعلن الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم “كاف”، اليوم عن تأجيل بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا للمحليين 2024 في كينيا وتنزانيا وأوغندا إلى أغسطس 2025.
وتقام بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا للمحليين في ثلاث دول بملف مشترك، خلال الفترة ما بين الأول من فبراير وحتى الثامن والعشرين من الشهر ذاته، على أن تقام القرعة يوم الخامس عشر من يناير الجاري.
طالع.. خاص | خطوة جديدة من اتحاد الكرة بشأن منتخب مصر للمحليين
ومن المقرر أن تشارك مصر في النسخة المقبل من بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا للمحليين بـ منتخب الشباب مواليد 2005.
وأصدر كاف بيانًا يؤكد فيه أنه تم تحقيق تقدم جيد في كينيا وتنزانيا وأوغندا من خلال بناء وتحديث الملاعب وملاعب التدريب والفنادق والمستشفيات والبنية الأساسية والمرافق الأخرى لاستضافة بطولة الأمم الأفريقية “شان”.
ومع ذلك، أشار خبراء البنية التحتية والتقنية في الاتحاد الأفريقي لكرة القدم، والذين كان بعضهم متمركزًا في كينيا وتنزانيا وأوغندا، إلى أن الأمر يتطلب المزيد من الوقت لضمان أن تكون البنية التحتية والمرافق على المستويات اللازمة لاستضافة بطولة الأمم الأفريقية للمحليين كينيا، تنزانيا، أوغندا 2024. بيان الاتحاد الإفريقي بشأن تأجيل كأس أمم إفريقيا للمحليين
أعلن الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم اليوم عن تأجيل بطولة الأمم الأفريقية للمحليين 2024 في كينيا وتنزانيا وأوغندا إلى أغسطس 2025.
تم تحقيق تقدم جيد في كينيا وتنزانيا وأوغندا من خلال بناء وتحديث الملاعب وملاعب التدريب والفنادق والمستشفيات والبنية التحتية والمرافق الأخرى لاستضافة بطولة الأمم الإفريقية الناجحة في كينيا وتنزانيا وأوغندا عام 2024.
ومع ذلك، أشار خبراء البنية التحتية والتقنية في الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم، والذين كان بعضهم متمركزًا في كينيا وتنزانيا وأوغندا، إلى أن الأمر يتطلب المزيد من الوقت لضمان أن تكون البنية التحتية والمرافق على المستويات اللازمة لاستضافة بطولة الأمم الأفريقية للمحليات بنجاح في كينيا وتنزانيا وأوغندا عام 2024.
وقال رئيس الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم الدكتور باتريس موتسيبي: “أود أن أعرب عن امتناني العميق للرئيس ويليام روتو من كينيا والرئيسة سامية سولوهو حسن من تنزانيا والرئيس يويري موسيفيني من أوغندا لقيادتهم والتزامهم والتقدم الجيد الذي تم إحرازه في بناء وترقية الملاعب وملاعب التدريب والفنادق والمستشفيات والبنية التحتية والمرافق الأخرى في كينيا وتنزانيا وأوغندا لاستضافة بطولة الأمم الأفريقية توتال إنرجيز (“CHAN”) كينيا وتنزانيا وأوغندا 2024 الناجحة. أنا معجب بالبناء والتجديد الجاري للبنية التحتية والمرافق لكرة القدم في كينيا وتنزانيا وأوغندا. أنا واثق من أن الملاعب وملاعب التدريب والفنادق والمستشفيات والبنية التحتية والمرافق الأخرى ستكون وفقًا لمعايير الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم المطلوبة لاستضافة بطولة الأمم الأفريقية في أغسطس 2025.
سيجري الاتحاد الأفريقي لكرة القدم “كاف” قرعة بطولة الأمم الأفريقية للمحليين كينيا وتنزانيا وأوغندا 2024 في نيروبي، يوم الأربعاء 15 يناير 2025 في الساعة 20:00 بتوقيت نيروبي.
سيتم الإعلان عن التاريخ الدقيق في أغسطس 2025 لبدء بطولة الأمم الأفريقية للمحليين، من قبل الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم في الوقت المناسب.
Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a blow after learning that another one of their players could be facing a spell on the sidelines alongside Rodrigo Bentancur, according to a fresh report that has emerged.
Spurs injury news
The Lilywhites have James Maddison, Micky Van De Ven, Ashley Phillips, Richarlison, Ryan Sessegnon, Manor Solomon and Ivan Perisic out of action with their own problems as it stands, but they were recently joined in the treatment room by another squad member.
During Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League defeat to Aston Villa, Bentancur was forced off the pitch on 32 minutes after being on the receiving end of a dangerous challenge from Matty Cash, so there will be concerns surrounding his fitness, having only just returned from a long-term knee injury.
Latest Tottenham injury news, expected return dates, suspensions
FFC keeps you up to date with all the latest Spurs news involving injuries as they prepare to take on Chelsea.
ByMark Marston May 4, 2024
So far this season, Pape Matar Sarr has started 11 out of the 13 games in the top-flight showing how much of an integral feature he’s become under Ange Postecoglou (WhoScored – Sarr statistics), but the central midfielder might also have to wait a while before he makes his next appearance.
The Senegal international didn’t train with the first team on Friday due to sustaining a hamstring injury over the past fortnight, meaning that he didn’t feature in Sunday's encounter in the capital, and an update has now emerged regarding the 21-year-old’s situation at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Pape Matar Sarr injury update
Taking to X, Paul O Keefe confirmed that Saar has picked up an injury, but at this stage, the extent of his problem is unknown, just like the exact amount of time he’ll be facing on the sidelines for Spurs.
“Don’t know how bad it is yet. He came back from international duty complaining he felt a problem.”
Tottenham Hotspur midfielderPape Matar Sarr.
Despite being a central midfielder, Sarr has been strong in the offensive aspect of his game this season having provided two assists and scored one goal in 12 appearances in the Premier League (Transfermarkt – Sarr statistics), and the fact that he could be facing a spell on the sidelines will be a blow for Spurs.
The Thiaroye native has also been extremely calm and composed in possession, where he’s recording a 90% pass success rate at this moment in time, highlighting his ability to dictate and control the game from his natural position when on the ball.
Postecoglou’s £10k-per-week earner (Tottenham salaries), even has the versatility to operate in defensive, central and attacking midfield, making him a wonderful option to have in the building because he is able to easily adapt to the manager‘s demands should he need cover for any other injuries.
According to football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Sarr has shown what “delicious” chances he can create for his fellow teammates in the final third, so there’s no doubt that everyone associated with the club will be hoping that he won't be away from the action for too long and that he can stage his comeback to the pitch sooner rather than later.
It's a huge international break for the U.S., who are competing for a third consecutive trophy in this competition while having one eye on the summer
It's a big year for the U.S. men's national team. All eyes are on the Copa America, the biggest tournament the team will play in on the road to the 2026 World Cup. It's the ultimate test as we reach this halfway point of the World Cup cycle, a chance for the USMNT starlets to go toe-to-toe with some of the best in the world.
Before that, though, the U.S. has something of a tune-up: the CONCACAF Nations League. Just two games stand between them and a third consecutive trophy to open this tournament's history. Continuing to top the region remains a key benchmark for the U.S. both now and in the future.
That's the macro, but there's plenty of micro to be interested in over the next few days as well. Copa America roster spots are on the line, and there are plenty of players with points to prove on the road to this summer's tournament. Some will be playing for starting roles, while others will be playing for spots in the squad but, overall, there are several players with much at stake, starting with Thursday's semifinal against Jamaica.
With that said, GOAL look at which USMNT players will be under the most pressure to perform in the CONCACAF Nations League…
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Folarin Balogun
Life in Monaco hasn't quite gone to plan for Balogun, at least so far. After dominating Ligue 1 with Reims last season, the striker's first campaign with his new club has been a bit more muted, as he has scored just five times in the league so far this season.
It's been almost a year since Balogun committed to the U.S., and though the new shine hasn't worn off yet, with other strikers in the pool thriving, it's safe to say that the No.9 race is tighter than it was just a few months ago.
Balogun can answer any questions about him being the Copa America starter with a strong camp here. The likes of Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright and Josh Sargent aren't going away, particularly if they can keep scoring at their current rates, but Balogun remains in pole position. If he can get a goal or two in these Nations League games, he'll keep his position relatively secure heading into the summer.
A rough window, though, would open up questions about how he fits into this team. Could Pepi offer more? Is Sargent too hot to bench? Could Wright open different doors? For Balogun, this camp represents a chance to prevent those questions from even being asked.
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Gio Reyna
At one point during his spell at Chelsea, Christian Pulisic said that the USMNT was his escape. When things weren't going well at club level, he knew he'd have the national team, which presented him a place to reunite with friends and rediscover whatever confidence had been lost in west London.
The hope now will be that Reyna can use the USMNT in the same way, especially considering the fact that his club situation has been way, way worse than Pulisic's ever was. Reyna has hardly played since joining Nottingham Forest on loan in January, ensuring that he enters USMNT camp with little to nothing really going for him on the field.
He'll certainly be frustrated with how everything has gone at club level throughout this season, having been unable to really get going at either Borussia Dortmund or Forest. The fastest way to change that is to enjoy a big international break. If Reyna can be a difference-maker for the USMNT, Forest and manager Nuno Espirito Sato will surely take have to take notice as they look to avoid relegation.
It seems this international break comes at a good point for Reyna, who can use it as the springboard he so desperately needs to finally get his 2024 up and running.
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Matt Turner
Like Reyna, Turner hasn't been playing at Forest. He lost his starring spot a few weeks back, and it's hard to really see him regaining it before the end of the campaign.
He remains the USMNT's No.1, though, but it's up to him to prove that he should stay there, even if it's hard to see Turner losing that job any time soon. Players like Ethan Horvath and Zack Steffen only just found new homes after long spells on the sidelines, and it'll take sustained periods of success to unseat Turner.
Drake Callender and Patrick Schulte, meanwhile are a bit too new to usurp him, and it seems Gaga Slonina is destined to start in the Olympics, and thus will sit out the Copa. Right now, there really isn't anyone who can hope to unseat Turner by the time the Copa kicks off.
That's not to say this month isn't important, though. When you aren't getting minutes, every chance to play is important, and that counts doubly for goalkeepers. It's key to establish some kind of rhythm, even if it's just two games, and having made a few blunders this season, these games feel important for Turner to get some confidence back heading into the summer.
Another mistake, though, will leave Turner with plenty to think about. And, with the Copa countdown on, the U.S. will need Turner feeling as confident as possible if they're to compete with the likes of Argentina and Brazil.
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Johnny Cardoso
After years of treading water, Cardoso is soaring now. His transition to La Liga since joining Real Betis in January has been seamless, and now we'll get to find out if he can be the Tyler Adams back-up the USMNT needs.
There's no guarantee that Cardoso will start these two games, as Gregg Berhalter could potentially go with a No.10 rather than a No.6 in midfield. If Berhalter does want to go with a more defensive option, though, Cardoso is the natural option to start, presuming Adams is unable to as he works his way back to full fitness.
Cardoso has earned nine caps so far, five of which came in 2023, but we've never really seen him get an extended runout in big games. This is his chance, then, to really vault himself into a good place heading into the Copa America.
Australia have packed 10 days of cricket into the last three weeks, and their T20I captain hopes the team can cap a hard month on the road with a title win
Liam Brickhill in Harare07-Jul-2018With one match to go before a well-earned break, Australia captain Aaron Finch is hoping his team will cap a hard month on the road with a victory. “Hopefully leading into this final, we’re saving our best for last and then the boys will get a little break,” Finch said.Australia have packed 10 days of cricket into the last three weeks, and they’ll need the rest ahead of a busy 2018-19 season. After a trip to the UAE for Tests, ODIs and a T20I against Pakistan, the side will play South Africa, India and Sri Lanka over a summer that will also feature an expanded Big Bash League.Australia have also been coming to terms with a new era both on and off the field, with the addition of new faces to their squads bringing with it a general need for recalibration. While there’s still room for improvement, Finch thinks there have been “great developments” in the team.”Slowly we’re starting to find the right balance and a little bit more of an understanding of how each other play the game,” Finch said. “There’s a few new faces around, so as a captain I think it’s important to have more of an understanding of guys strengths and things where there’s room for improvement. There’ve been some great developments over the last few months on tour. We’ve trained hard.”But hard yakka in the nets hasn’t necessarily transmuted into success. Inconsistent results certainly aren’t down to any lapses in their training schedules: Australia have trained for an hour or more after their last two games in Harare, braving plummeting mid-winter temperatures, and several players have spoken about the effect new coach Justin Langer is having. All the same, their last few games have been marked by both record-breaking peaks and repeated blunders.”I don’t know if rusty is the right word,” Finch said. “We’re still just slightly off in our execution with the bat, ball and in the field. Putting down a couple too many chances in the field – well, one is too many. With the ball we’re probably just leaking that one over that’s a real big one. In the past we’ve been really good at, if we’re hit for a boundary early, shutting down the over and getting out of it. Lately there’s been too many 15, 16-plus overs. With the bat, anytime you have to get a new partnership going, it makes it more difficult.”It would have been nice for our in batters to make sure that we got the job done comfortably [against Zimbabwe]. A little too close for comfort, but in the end getting a win is important, leading into the final with momentum.”Finch’s personal returns have also been mixed in the tri-series, with 240 runs (and a new world record) in his first two innings followed by 19 runs from his next two. But such are the vagaries of T20 batting, Finch said, targetting another big knock in Sunday’s final.”I feel like I’m playing very well at the moment. I’m not too bothered by a couple of low scores to be honest. T20 cricket tends to be high risk at the start of the innings and as long as I’m moving well and hitting the ball in the middle of the bat I’m pretty confident. Having played a lot of T20 cricket now, I understand the highs and lows of a batter in this game so it’s just about making sure that you’re giving yourself the best chance, making the right decision under pressure, and I still feel as though I’m doing that. It just hasn’t gone my way in the last two games, but hopefully a big one in the final.”Sarfraz Ahmed and Aaron Finch at the toss•AFPFinch will be up against an attack Australia hadn’t seen much of in T20Is before their trip to Zimbabwe. Australia’s last T20I against Pakistan before the tri-series was at the World T20 in 2016, and while they have played each other in other formats, Australia have had to scramble to adapt their gameplans on a quick turnaround while in Harare.”They’ve got a lot of very dangerous players,” Finch said of Pakistan. “If you look at the stats from this series, Fakhar Zaman has been outstanding and a real thorn in our side for a couple of games. He’s also been really consistent in this format for quite a long time. Obviously [Mohammad] Amir came back and bowled really well in the last game. They’ve got a lot of left-arm options. And then Shadab Khan as well, bowling legspin and spinning it both ways is also a threat. We reviewed heavily after the game against Pakistan and came up with some really solid plans for their bowlers and batters.”The world no. 1 ranking will remain out of Australia’s grasp even if they win Sunday’s final – they needed an unbeaten run through the tri-series to snatch the position away from Pakistan – but Finch said that winning the tri-series, rather than gaining ranking points, was Australia’s goal throughout.”On this tour, there’s been no talk about ‘we have to win this tournament to become no. 1’. It’s about winning the tournament for Australia. We’ve put ourselves in a position to do that, so that’s a real positive. We haven’t played our best cricket in the last couple of games, but there’s room for improvement and come tomorrow I’ve got a real good feeling that we’ll bring our A game.”Though rankings aren’t the focus, a win in the final would mean that Australia’s T20 side would be their top-ranked men’s team in second position (their women’s side is no. 1 overall), and Finch put their climb up the tables from sixth position last year down to the increased number of T20Is on their calendar. Australia have played 17 T20Is since the last World T20 in early 2016, winning 12. Between the 2014 and 2016 World T20s, they had played just 10 games, losing six.”We’ve been really consistent over the years in T20 cricket with some great sides,” Finch said. “In the past there’s been a lot less T20 cricket played as a country outside of the world tournaments. When you’re playing one game generally per series, if that, it can be quite hard to get your ranking up there. I think over the last 18 or 24 months we’ve played a lot more T20; we’ve probably had a lot more settled side over that time as well. I think there’s merit in how we’ve moved up the rankings.”
Leeds United ran riot today in their Championship win over Millwall, defying all expectations to truly kickstart Daniel Farke's reign at Elland Road.
Described by journalist Joe Donnohue as the "most complete performance of the season", many thought that today's clash would mark the first true test of this new regime, travelling to the feared Den.
How did Joel Piroe play vs Millwall?
Having weathered an early storm from the hosts, it clearly gave the Whites the confidence needed to grow into the game and go ahead after a nice run of play saw Joel Piroe score his first.
Although his second was slightly more fortuitous, his brace spearheaded an emphatic victory for the visitors to propel them up the table.
Unsurprisingly, the Dutchman's 8.2 Sofascore rating for the game was merited, although it was hugely buoyed by those two goals which proved so important.
Other than that, the striker largely struggled to make an impact despite once again being deployed deeper.
In fact, it was arguably his strike partner who truly stole the show for Farke, as Georginio Rutter continues to mastermind his comeback after last season's thorough disappointment.
How did Georginio Rutter play vs Millwall?
Having signed for a club record £35m, expectations were understandably but perhaps unfairly high for the 21-year-old who was expected to spearhead their survival push.
Given today's clash was played in the Championship, it is clear that this was a failed venture, although that was far from Rutter's burden to hold.
Should he prove to be as instrumental as this early-season form suggests, that could end up being one of Jesse Marsch's unwise investments that actually come to fruition.
After all, the £70k-per-week forward's 8.6 rating was the highest of anyone on the pitch, as he managed to not only score but assist too, via Sofascore.
However, it was his creativity that truly stood out in a match that was crying out for a magical moment, which Rutter gladly provided on numerous occasions.
The former Hoffenheim ace provided a startling five key passes despite starting the match up front, with his positional fluidity proving tough for the hosts to compete with.
Some stellar defensive work buoyed the aforementioned figure further, as he would also win four duels whilst making two interceptions and one tackle, as per Sofascore.
It was a performance bound to draw praise, with the away support handing him "his flowers" in the words of Donnohue.
Then, another writer in Graham Smyth would wax lyrical after handing the forward an admirable 8/10 in his post-match ratings: "Fought to try and hold the ball up, provided an assist, played a part in the second goal and scored the third. Not everything he tried came off but he deserved his ovation."
Such a persistent effort to create something special helped him to stand out in a game that could have easily devolved into a scrappy affair. Fortunately for Farke, he was in possession of a magician with true quality which shone through on the day.
Although Piroe will steal the headlines for his brace, Rutter's continued performances at a level befitting a side hoping for promotion will be of far more importance to the German tactician after today.
This season’s eliminator and second qualifier will be played at the MCA Stadium in Pune on May 23 and 25
ESPNcricinfo staff17-Mar-2018
Rising Pune Supergiant players walk out to the field•BCCI
The IPL governing council has decided to allot two of this season’s playoff matches – the Eliminator and second Qualifier – to the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) in Pune. The games will be played at the MCA stadium in Gahunje on May 23 and 25.”For the play-off, there was a suggestion that since Rising Pune Supergiant (now defunct) were the runners-up last time, we should give first priority to Pune,” IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla said after a governing council meeting on Friday. “If the stadium and the wicket is ready, the first priority would be given to Pune, if not, then we will consider Kolkata for the playoffs.”The eliminator and the second qualifier are usually held at the home venue of the previous-season’s runners-up, and by this logic Pune would have got the two games anyway. However, Rising Pune Supergiant, who lost last season’s final to Mumbai Indians, are no longer part of the tournament. Other state associations, including those of Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, had been pushing to host the games, and in a move to eliminate rival states from staking claim, MCA president Abhay Apte had sent an email to Shukla, stressing the “unwritten rule” that the previous year’s runners-up host the playoff games.
يستعد المنتخب السعودي لمواجهة حاسمة أمام نظيره العماني، اليوم الثلاثاء، في الدور نصف النهائي من بطولة كأس الخليج العربي “خليجي 26”.
ومن المقرر إقامة مباراة السعودية وعمان على ملعب “مبارك الحمادي” في تمام الساعة الخامسة والنصف مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، إلا أن هذه المواجهة الهامة تأتي في ظل غيابات مؤثرة في صفوف الأخضر، مما يطرح تساؤلات حول تأثير هذه الغيابات على أداء الفريق. وتشمل قائمة الغيابات في صفوف المنتخب السعودي عن مواجهة عمان
ناصر الدوسري: ويغيب اللاعب بسبب تراكم البطاقات الصفراء، حيث حصل على بطاقة في مباراتي العراق واليمن، ويُعتبر الدوسري من الركائز الأساسية في خط وسط المنتخب، وغيابه سيشكل فراغاً واضحاً.
عبد الإله المالكي: وتشير التقارير إلى أن سبب الغياب يعود إلى إصابة عضلية تعرض لها في المباراة السابقة أمام العراق، ويُعد المالكي عنصراً هاماً في توازن خط الوسط الدفاعي والهجومي، وغيابه سيؤثر على قوة الفريق في هذا الخط.
طالع أيضًا | مدرب عمان: نتطلع للوصول إلى نهائي خليجي 26.. ونمتلك خبرة اللعب تحت ضغط
بالإضافة إلى ذلك، كان المدرب الفرنسي هيرفي رينارد، المدير الفني للمنتخب السعودي، قد استبعد عدداً من اللاعبين قبل انطلاق البطولة، من بينهم ياسر الشهراني، وصالح الشهري، وفراس البريكان. هذه الغيابات تقلل من الخيارات الهجومية والدفاعية المتاحة للمدرب.
ويأتي المنتخب السعودي إلى هذه المباراة بمعنويات مرتفعة بعد فوزه الهام على المنتخب العراقي بنتيجة 3-1 في الجولة الثالثة من دور المجموعات. هذه النتيجة منحت الفريق دفعة قوية وثقة أكبر قبل مواجهة عمان.
يواجه المدرب رينارد تحدياً كبيراً في إيجاد التوليفة المناسبة لتعويض الغيابات، ويتوجب عليه الاعتماد على البدلاء وإيجاد حلول تكتيكية مناسبة. في المقابل، تُعتبر هذه الغيابات فرصة للاعبين آخرين لإثبات جدارتهم وكسب ثقة المدرب والجماهير.
Despite some initial positivity stemming from an impressive pre-season campaign and the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea fans have had to endure another miserable season of false dawns and poor performances.
The Blues are on a three-game winning streak across all competitions but find themselves tenth in the Premier League and closer to the relegation zone than top spot.
One of the most significant problems at Stamford Bridge is the side's inability to finish chances, so fans should be excited about the latest player touted for a move to west London: Napoli's Victor Osimhen.
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ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024 Chelsea transfer news – Victor Osimhen
According to reports in Italy, via Football Transfers, Chelsea have made the Nigerian superstar their number-one transfer target for 2024, and they are entirely unfazed by the new contract he signed at the end of 2023.
In fact, the report has revealed that the Blues view the €120m (£103m) release clause in Osimhen's latest contract as an invitation from the Serie A champions to launch a bid with Todd Boehly and Co readying a 'big summer assault'.
While it would be another outlandishly expensive transfer for the west Londoners, it might just be worth it to sign a goal-scoring "machine" and "Naploli's heart and soul", as dubbed by journalist Mina Rzouki.
Additionally, the prospect of seeing Osimhen and Cole Palmer in the same team should be all the convincing that Chelsea needs to once again dip into their seemingly endless piles of cash.
How Victor Osimhen and Cole Palmer could play together
In a season that has been generally quite miserable for the Chelsea faithful, there has been at least one undeniably positive development: the signing of former Manchester City youngster Palmer.
The 21-year-old has already scored eight goals and provided four assists in 12 Premier League starts, and if his teammates were more clinical, he'd have a lot more of the latter by now.
The Blues' primary striker this season has been Nicolas Jackson, and while the Senegalese international has looked good at times, and has racked up seven league goals already, he would have scored many more if his finishing was up to par.
Victor Osimhen
The same problem exists with the Blues' backup striker, Armado Broja, as the Albanian has looked good at points, but hasn't delivered in front of goal, netting twice all term.
The poor finishing of the Chelsea pair is painfully apparent during games and even harder to ignore when comparing their underlying numbers to Osimhen's.
Non-Penalty Expected Goals
0.39
0.66
0.48
Non-Penalty Goals
0.45
0.43
0.23
Shots
3.63
2.80
2.54
Goal-Creating Actions
0.45
0.37
0.23
Shot-Creating Actions
1.91
2.98
1.39
Dispossessed
1.36
2.30
1.86
Aerial Duels Won
1.91
0.93
0.47
For example, Jackson generates a higher non-penalty expected goals figure than Osimhen – almost double, in fact – and yet when it comes to the number of non-penalty goals they score per 90, the 6 foot 1 Napoli star comes out ahead.
Now imagine it was the "natural talent" of Osimhen, as described by U23 scout Antonio Mango, getting on the end of Palmer's crosses, and not Jackson – the former City prospect could end the season with close to 20 assists.
Ultimately, it would be a massive investment from Chelsea to sign the Nigerian forward, but the partnership he could build with Palmer is surely reason enough for them to go for it.
Interim Sunderland manager Mike Dodds spearheaded the Black Cats to a 2-1 win over West Brom in his first match in charge at the weekend, an ingenious substitution by the stand-in Sunderland boss completely changing the game.
Alex Pritchard being introduced into the contest was the catalyst the Championship hopefuls needed to overcome the Baggies, a short but sweet cameo off the bench saw the former Huddersfield Town man assist both Black Cats goals in the slim victory.
Sunderland star with fewer touches than Patterson stole the show vs WBA
Sunderland had an unlikely hero in their ranks drag them over the line to a 2-1 victory against West Brom.
ByKelan Sarson Dec 10, 2023
In the short term, it looks likely that Dodds will continue as manager of Sunderland, especially for Tuesday night's game versus Leeds United.
But, the ongoing rumour mill at the Stadium of Light is circulating that the Tyne and Wear giants might go for this shock Tony Mowbray replacement soon.
Paul Heckingbottom could be offered an immediate return to management at Sunderland according to rumours, even after a bruising experience managing Sheffield United in the Premier League.
Managers in the frame to replace Mowbray
Left-field faces such as Julien Sable, Kim Hellberg and Will Still are still the prominent names being reported to replace Mowbray in the Sunderland hot seat, but Heckingbottom's recent departure from the Blades means he's now a notable outsider for the vacant position.
The Yorkshire Post in the last few days has reported on the very real possibility of the 46-year-old being the next Black Cats manager. Heckingbottom has allegedly been installed as the favourite for the role after securing promotion to the top-flight as Sheffield United boss during his up-and-down tenure a striking achievement on his CV that Sunderland could well admire.
Despite that noteworthy promotion, Sunderland should steer clear of the dismissed manager with Heckingbottom falling short elsewhere of what ambitious chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus wants in a new managerial recruit after axing Mowbray controversially.
Paul Heckingbottom's managerial record
Heckingbottom's failures as a manager far outweigh any of his recent successes, failing to endear himself to the hardened Leeds United masses in a doomed spell in charge at Elland Road in 2018 whilst a short stint at Hibernian directly after also didn't go to plan.
The former Blades man would only win four of his 16 games in charge of the Whites before being put out of his misery, unable to handle the intense pressure of managing an EFL giant on that occasion.
Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom.
That wouldn't bode well for Heckingbottom if he took over the reins at Sunderland, an expectant fanbase keen for their fallen club to return to the Premier League soon with a chairman at the Stadium of Light who is also impatient to get back to the promised land of the top-flight.
Heckingbottom's style at Sheffield United also wouldn't be an apt fit for the Black Cats, the 46-year-old boss favouring an organised and well-drilled approach over allowing the attacking players in his system room to breathe.
It was telling this season too that when Heckingbottom lost the likes of Sander Berge and Iliman Ndiaye, the well-oiled system that had won the Blades promotion to the Premier League completely fell apart – the one-time Leeds boss overly reliant on his stars to bail him out.
If he was appointed as Mowbray's successor, the concern would be that if stars Jack Clarke and Dan Neil were misfiring, Heckingbottom wouldn't be able to get a tune out of the other inexperienced players in the Black Cats camp.
22/23 season record
53
32
8
13
23/24 season record
15
1
2
12
Overall record
68
33
10
25
This campaign – which saw Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp refer to the out-of-sorts manager as being in a 'very dark place' before his expected sacking – Heckingbottom's weaknesses as a boss were majorly exposed for all to see with Sheffield United way off the pace in the Premier League.
Losing 8-0 to Newcastle United at Bramall Lane was an all-time low for Heckingbottom, whilst a 5-0 loss to fellow promoted team Burnley was deemed the final straw for the scarred manager before being dismissed.
Appointing the 46-year-old would be a poor managerial decision right after Mowbray. Sunderland should instead wait it out for a manager more suited to their club than going after a boss still raw from his recent failures.
Arsenal are reportedly ready to embrace the January transfer window, as Mikel Arteta aims to deliver the Gunners their first Premier League title since 2004.
The north Londoners came agonisingly close to winning the league last season, however battles with injury and lack of squad depth exposed the weaknesses of Arteta’s side, blemishes that are already showing this term.
The January transfer window will be fundamental for the manager to bolster his squad and combat injury scares without fear, with another title race there for Arsenal to be a part of if form can be maintained for the entirety of the season.
Aside from building depth around the first team, the Gunners could also look to improve their current favoured XI, with a range of positions speculated to be targeted for improvements in the near future.
A report from the Mirror explained that the midfield is Arteta and Edu’s first port of call to strengthen in January, with links also made to a number of forwards to add more of a prolific presence to the already dazzling front line.
Arsenal transfer targets – forwards
One forward that has been named as a potential target at the Emirates is Brentford talisman Ivan Toney, who admitted his admiration for the Gunners during the Diary of a CEO podcast.
The Englishman is claimed to be valued at £100m by the Bees, with a report from the Mirror stating that the west Londoners' valuation of their striker comes in an attempt to ward off Arsenal’s interest.
Last season, the 27-year-old finished third in the Premier League scoring charts behind Erling Haaland and Harry Kane with 20 goals, reinforcing how potent he could be in Arteta’s attack.
Away from England, Football Insider have now suggested another leading target alongside Toney, with the north Londoners having been named as a party interested in Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic.
Earlier this month, Football Transfers claimed that the 23-year-old remains as Arteta’s preferred number nine target, following on from the Gunners’ interest in the forward last January prior to his move to Turin.
In a refreshed report from Italy, as relayed by The Sun, it’s claimed that the Premier League outfit look ‘set to beat’ the likes of Real Madrid to the 6 foot 3 dynamo, with the forward’s price tag said to be in the region of £50m.
With a current market value of €80m (£70m), Arsenal could capture a bargain in signing the Serbian for a lesser price than his value, with Vlahovic possessing a host of attributes that could take the squad to the next level.
Dusan Vlahovic’s career in numbers
With 116 domestic goal contributions in 230 appearances, the Juventus hitman has cemented himself as one of the most potent forwards in Europe following his rise at Fiorentina.
The 2000-born gem scored 44 Serie A goals while with La Viola, with his magnificent 17 goals in 21 appearances by January 2022 luring Juventus to capture his signature last year.
In 45 appearances in 2021/22 representing both Fiorentina and Juve, Vlahovic contributed to 35 goals, scoring 29 and assisting six to announce himself to the European stage.
Despite struggling to hit such levels since that season, the 23-year-old would undoubtedly be a strong signing for the Gunners, with his ability to convert far greater than the current options on show at the Emirates.
Why Dusan Vlahovic would be a good signing for Arsenal
Once lauded as a “goal machine” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Vlahovic’s 2022/23 campaign was disappointing by his standard, scoring only 14 goals in 42 appearances for the Bianconeri.
Former Juventus midfielder Alessio Tacchinardi explained how the reason for the Serbia international’s dip in scoring form is attributed to Juve’s playing style, saying that the team don’t “put him in a position to score” or “create chances”, as relayed by Football Italia.
In the instance that the 23-year-old signed for Arsenal, the issue surrounding the Serie A giant’s negative playing style would dissolve, with the Gunners creating 73 big chances last season in the Premier League.
What the notorious goalscorer could bring to north London is a more reliable presence to lead the line, as communicated in the table below.
23
26
230
334
99
131
21 Serie A goals 20/21
14 Premier League goals 19/20
Currently, Gabriel Jesus prevails comfortably as Arteta’s favoured number nine, however the Brazilian isn’t as clinical in the final third as one would assume for a striker.
Arriving in the Premier League in 2017, Jesus’ highest scoring tally in a Premier League season is the 14 goals he netted for Manchester City in the 2019/20 campaign, numbers far below the expected levels for a centre-forward.
Despite him shying away from recording show-stopping goal tallies, the 26-year-old offers a host of qualities to Arsenal’s front line aside from putting the ball in the net, making him a difficult player to drop from the team.
How Gabriel Jesus could make room for Dusan Vlahovic
If Arsenal were to sign Vlahovic, the assumption would be that the Serbian would replace Jesus based solely on his more prolific track record in front of goal, although Arteta could opt to utilise both forwards to an even greater effect.
Previously, the manager has opted to play two forwards in a 4-4-2 formation at the Emirates, which has been replicated in play through Martin Odegaard’s ability to assume more advanced positions when play is progressing.
The Spaniard could replicate his past set-ups by fielding Jesus alongside Vlahovic, combining the Brazilian’s creative energy with the 23-year-old’s assured finishing ability.
Average
Rank in squad
1.7
1st
1.2
5th
3
1st
1.7
4th
As portrayed in the table above, Jesus supplied a constant threat and energy in Arsenal’s front line last season, with his movement and relentless desire to be in possession making him an essential outlet in Arteta’s side.
If paired with Vlahovic, the manager could reap the benefits of the four-time Premier League without the pressure of him being the sole leader of the line and more of a playmaker than the summit of the squad.
Fuelling the strengths that the Brazil international consistently showcases at the Emirates could be a smart move for Arteta, who could also play a part in reviving Vlahovic’s proficiency in front of goal by providing him with a creative asset as complete as Jesus.
Only time will tell how serious the Gunners are in battling to secure the Juventus star’s signature, particularly if his form fails to kick start throughout the remainder of 2023.