محمد صلاح: تغلبنا على غياب فان دايك وفابينيو بالشباب.. وجوتا سيساعدنا في المستقبل

أكد نجم فريق ليفربول محمد صلاح إنهم يفتقدون زميلهم المدافع فيرجيل فان دايك، في ظل الإصابة طويلة الأمد التي يعاني منها في الوقت الحالي، ولكنهم قادرون على الفوز بدونه في ظل وجود لاعبين شباب.

وتعرض فان دايك لتمزق في أوتار الركبة خلال مواجهة إيفرتون، قبل أسبوعين، في الدوري الإنجليزي.

وخضع الهولندي لعملية جراحية ناجحة في الركبة، حيث من المتوقع غيابه عن حامل لقب الدوري الإنجليزي لأشهر طويلة.

وقال صلاح، في حواره لشبكة “بين سبورتس” القطرية: “الأمر كان صعبًا عندما وقعت الإصابة لـ فان دايك خاصة إنه كان يلعب بشكل مستمر مع الفريق منذ انتقاله إلى ليفربول قبل ثلاث سنوات، والدفاع يعتمد عليه بدرجة ما”.

وأضاف المصري: “لكن في الوقت نفسه كان لابد أن يكون لدينا رد فعل قوي، اللاعبون الصغار جيدون، نتحدث معهم باستمرار، هم يرغبون في اللعب وإظهار أنفسهم، وهذا ما حدث في المباريات الأخيرة لنا”.

وواصل: “حتى عندما شارك فابينيو في خط الدفاع ثم تعرض للإصابة، نجح اللاعبون الشباب في تقديم أداء جيد، هذا دور من أدوار اللاعبين ذوي الخبرة في النادي حيث عليهم التحدث مع الشباب من أجل بث الثقة في أنفسهم”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. محمد صلاح يعلق لأول مرة على شارة قيادة منتخب مصر: لا أريد الدخول في مشاكل

وتابع: “سوء حظ بسبب الإصابات؟ ربما، ولكن اللاعبين الذين شاركوا بعد ذلك أدوا جيدًا، وفزنا في المباريات التي خضناها بدون فان دايك وفابينيو، هذا أمر جيد، عندما يكون لديك مصابين ورغم ذلك تفوز بدونهم، هذا أمر جيد بالفعل، نأمل الاستمرار في ذلك”.

كما تطرق صلاح للحديث عن البرتغالي دييجو جوتا الذي انتقل إلى ليفربول قادمًا من ولفرهامبتون هذا الصيف، ونجح في تسجيل سبعة أهداف حتى الآن.

وعن جوتا، قال صلاح: “لقد نجح في تسجيل أهداف جيدة منذ مجيئه إلى الفريق، وعددها جيد أيضًا، هذا يساعدنا بعد ذلك بحيث يكون لدينا خيارات عديدة”.

ويرى صلاح أن عدد كبير من فرق الدوري الإنجليزي لن تستطيع الصمود في القمة حتى نهاية الموسم، حيث قال: “هناك فرق بدأت الموسم بشكل جيد، ربما يستمرون في ذلك لبعض الوقت، ولكن لا أعتقد أنهم سيفوزون في النهاية باللقب، حدث بالفعل قبل أعوام وفاز ليستر سيتي بالبطولة وكان ذلك خارج التوقعات، ولكن لا أعلم، بالنسبة لي أرى أننا الأبطال”.

Sign him up: Everton fans want Andre Gomes on permanent deal

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The Everton fans have once again been on social media calling for their club to sign Andre Gomes on a permanent deal in this summer’s transfer window.

Gomes joined Everton on loan from Barcelona ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.

The Portugal international did not make his debut for the Toffees until the middle of October due to an injury, but has been a regular since.

As it stands, the midfielder will head back to Barcelona this summer.

However, the Everton supporters are hopeful that director of football Marcel Brands might be able to secure a permanent deal for the 25-year-old.

In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

It does appear that the Toffees will spend big this summer in a bid to improve on what has been a largely frustrating campaign.

However, Gomes – contracted to Barcelona until the summer of 2021 – might well have other options after impressing at Goodison.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the Everton fans can be seen below:

Pundit View: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink wants Roberto Firmino to be more selfish

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Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has demanded that Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino becomes more selfish in attack for Liverpool, and has suggested that his unselfish work for the team is affecting his personal goal tally.

The former Chelsea striker scored 200 goals throughout his career, which implies that he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to forward play and what an attacker needs to do – however, on this occasion, he might not have hit the nail on the head regarding Firmino’s form.

What’s he said?

Hasselbaink wrote in his column for the BBC: “What you also need as a traditional striker is a selfish streak. When I played, I always wanted to score goals and I would love to play in this Liverpool side because they create so many opportunities.

Jurgen Klopp has gotten quite inventive with his excuses this season. FFC’s James Jones think he has no one but himself to blame for Liverpol’s poor form in the video below…

“With 13 goals in all competitions this season, Firmino is not doing badly, but he ended up with 27 in 2017-18 and at this stage he already had 23.

“Salah is struggling for goals too, but Mane is making up for that with 11 goals from his past 11 games, and he is on fire right now. At the moment Liverpool do not have a big problem, but if Mane stops scoring they could have because they rely so heavily on their front three.”

Firmino simply has to sacrifice his personal goal tally

As Hasselbaink said, the Brazilian’s goal tally isn’t too bad and whilst it could be better, the role that Firmino plays right now is vital for Jurgen Klopp and the Reds.

It is abundantly obvious that Liverpool’s midfield is lacking creativity and has done ever since the departure of Philippe Coutinho – the likes of Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Fabinho, Adam Lallana and Gini Wijnaldum have contributed just seven goals and six assists in the league throughout the entirety of this season.

What Firmino does is vital to provide any sort of link between the midfield and attack. Yes, at times he does end up far too deep in positions that make you wonder what on earth he’s doing, but he simply has to do that in order to keep things ticking over nicely.

The former Hoffenheim forward is the epitome of a team player, and is perhaps the only member of the squad who will be bought a pint from each and every one of his teammates should Liverpool secure a maiden Premier League title.

Hasselbaink is wrong – whilst Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are finding the back of the net, Firmino can pat himself on the back for making it all happen.

ميرور: مانشستر سيتي ينافس مانشستر يونايتد على بوتشيتينو

كشفت تقارير صحفية إنجليزية أن مدرب توتنهام السابق ماوريسيو بوتشيتينو مرشح لخلافة بيب جوارديولا، في مانشستر سيتي، حال رحيله.

ومن المقرر أن ينتهي العقد الحالي للمدرب الإسباني مع السكاي بلو في عام 2021.

ولم يتوصل بيب جوارديولا إلى أي اتفاق مع مسؤولي مانشستر سيتي بشأن تجديد عقده، وهو ما أدى إلى انتشار التكهنات حول مستقبله.

وأكد أحد مسؤولي مانشستر سيتي أمس أنهم يأملون تجديد عقد جوارديولا، ولكنهم في الوقت ذاته سيبحثون عن بديله المناسب حال رحيله (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وحسب صحيفة “ميرور” الإنجليزية، فإن مانشستر سيتي ينافس جاره مانشستر يونايتد على التعاقد مع ماوريسيو بوتشيتينو الذي أصبح بلا عمل منذ إقالته من قِبل توتنهام في نوفمبر الماضي.

وأوضحت أن المدرب الأرجنتيني لديه معجبين بالفعل في مانشستر سيتي، في الوقت الذي مازال فيه مستقبل جوارديولا موضوعًا للنقاش على الطاولة.

وأشارت إلى أن مانشستر سيتي ينظر إلى بوتشيتينو على أنه البديل المناسب لـ جوارديولا، خاصة أن الأخير لم يُظهر أي دليل حتى وقتنا هذا على رغبته في تجديد عقده.

ووصل بيب إلى موسمه الخامس مع مانشستر سيتي، متخطيًا بذلك الفترة التي قضاها مع برشلونة وبايرن ميونخ، بواقع أربع سنوات لكلًا منهما.

وقضت زوجة جوارديولا، كريستينا، معظم العام الماضي في برشلونة حتى تتمكن من رعاية أعمالها في مجال الأزياء.

وربما يكون ذلك دليلًا على إمكانية رحيل جوارديولا عن مانشستر سيتي، نهاية الموسم الحالي، ورحيله إلى إسبانيا حيث مسقط رأسه هو وزوجته.

وأفادت الصحيفة أن مانشستر سيتي قادر على إقناع بوتشيتينو بمسألة عودته إلى التدريب من خلال ملعب الاتحاد، وإغرائه بمشروعهم.

ولكن سيواجه مانشستر سيتي منافسة قوية من قِبل جاره مانشستر يونايتد حيث سبق وأن ذكرت تقارير صحفية أن بوتشيتينو هو بديل النرويجي أولي جونار سولشاير حال اتخاذ قرار بإقالته لتذبذب النتائج وتراجع المستوى (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

Arsenal sacrifices huge statement in reported pursuit of Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Arsenal received a massive blow having missed out on the opportunity to recruit profit-turning wiz Monchi, who opted to return to his former club Sevilla after leaving Roma last month – but they may still land a Crystal Palace starlet.

Monchi would have been perfect for Arsenal given his ability to work within a budget – which is something the north London club seems intent on doing at the moment.

Indeed, in his time as a Sporting Director, the former Sevilla goalkeeper has recruited the likes of Dani Alves, Ivan Rakitic, and Julio Baptista for relative peanuts before shipping them off for huge profit.

But it is not all doom and gloom.

According to the Sun¸ the Gunners are preparing a huge bid for Crystal Palace’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka this summer, who is rated £40 million by his current employers.

The young Englishman has been incredibly impressive since making the switch from his native right-wing position into right-back, and his performances have earned the interest from the biggest clubs in the country.

If reports are correct, and some might hope they are not, Emery is set to offer either one of Reiss Nelson or Ainsley Maitland-Niles as part exchanges to traverse Arsenal’s financial limitations and sweeten the deal.

Nelson is the most likely candidate having already spent the majority of the current campaign on loan representing Bundesliga side Hoffenheim scoring an impressive six goals in 18 league appearances.

Though Crystal Palace may not be interested in another forward and will likely prefer to take utility man Maitland-Niles if they are to even entertain the possibility of losing their star defender in the next window.

The young Englishman has been in sensational form at right-back and definitely carries enough quality to make the fluid switch into any Premier League side.

Likewise, Wan-Bissaka would transition into Arsenal’s squad well – both staunch in defence and incredibly gifted in attack, there is no doubt he would be the perfect fit for Emery’s brand of football.

Arsenal fans, would you want to see either of your prodigies moved on to make way for Aaron Wan-Bissaka? Let us know in the comments below…

Everton fans can’t believe Marco Silva’s post-Watford claim

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Everton were beaten 1-0 by Watford on Saturday afternoon, and the Goodison faithful can’t quite believe what Marco Silva said after the match.

Silva’s Everton went on a superb run of form in October and November, beating Fulham, Leicester City and Crystal Palace before a hard-earned draw at Chelsea.

Things have gone off the deep end quickly since the last second heartbreak at Anfield though, and the latest performance at Vicarage Road was absolutely woeful.

Check out Neymar’s controversial new haircut for 2019 and Xherdan Shaqiri as you’ve never seen him before in the video below…

The Toffees mustered just four shots on target on Saturday as Andre Gray’s second half goal was enough to give the Hornets all three points, and once the score was 1-0 Silva’s side looked dead and buried.

This lack of fight and passion has perhaps infuriated the fans more than the actual results themselves, and they can’t believe Silva’s verdict on the match.

“We created enough chances to achieve a different result today,” the boss claimed, per Phil Kirkbride of The Liverpool Echo.

Needless to say, fans don’t exactly agree with the gaffer’s judgement on this one, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below, look away now Marco…

Sehwag fit for full Champions League

Virender Sehwag has recovered from his ankle injury and will be fit to play in Delhi Daredevils’ opening Champions League 2012 match, against Kolkata Knight Riders, on Saturday. He had played in the franchise’s warm-up game on Thursday, against Sydney Sixers.Daredevils’ team mentor, TA Sekar, confirmed that Sehwag was fit, and said that he had obtained fitness clearance before flying to South Africa. A BCCI official said the board had nothing to do with the decision to play Sehwag: “The BCCI has nothing to do with it. It is a franchise tournament and it is for them to take a call.”Sehwag was initially doubtful for the Champions League, after straining a ligament in his left ankle during India’s Super Eights match in the World Twenty20 against South Africa in Colombo on October 2. He had gone off the field during South Africa’s innings and did not return, and it was reported that he could require two weeks of rest.His fitness has been suspect over the past year: after the 2011 World Cup he delayed a shoulder surgery, playing the IPL and subsequently missed India’s tour of the West Indies and half of the Test series in England. Earlier this year, towards the end of the Australia tour, he had back spasms that forced the selectors to rest him for the Asia Cup.Sehwag will not captain Delhi Daredevils at the Champions League, having asked the franchise to relieve him of the responsibility so he could concentrate on his batting.

Tottenham target Olivier Giroud ready to boycott training

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According to reports from Sky Italia (via The Daily Mail), Tottenham target Olivier Giroud is ready to boycott training on transfer deadline day.

What’s the word?

Spurs are still searching for a striker this month and as well as Giroud being on their list, it appears as though a move could still be on the cards for Willian Jose.

The Lilywhites have been linked with a switch for the Frenchman for the majority of this week, however.

Graeme Bailey understood on Tuesday that his agent was trying to engineer a switch before he followed that up by suggesting Chelsea would sanction his exit.

Calling all transfer experts! How much did each of these Deadline Day signings cost?

Despite that, the 33-year-old remains in west London, with a move to the north of the capital appearing some way off as we reach deadline day.

Yet, with a transfer to Lazio also potentially in mind, Sky Italia (via The Daily Mail) suggest he is set to refuse to train in order to finally seal his departure.

Desperation

With Harry Kane out injured, there is a clear need for an out-and-out centre forward to join the club. Steven Bergwijn has already joined but similarly to the likes of Lucas Moura and Son Heung-Min, he can play out wide, as well as through the middle.

However, attempts to land Giroud, who hasn’t scored all season in the Premier League, appear rather desperate.

The fact he might be easier to obtain given a lack of game time – he has started just twice in the league – makes it appealing but he is not the man to boost Spurs’ Champions League qualification hopes.

Spurs have relied on the goals of Kane for a while now, and with 17 already this term, bringing in someone like the former Arsenal man is a sign of their nervousness.

After all, he hasn’t netted more than that tally in top-flight football since his days with Montpellier towards the beginning of the last decade.

While Kane is out, they need to find someone more assured in front of goal. Time for that, though, may well be running out.

Crystal Palace fans want David Wagner to replace Roy Hodgson after 47-year-old leaves Terriers

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Crystal Palace fans have taken to Twitter following the news that David Wagner will leave Huddersfield by mutual consent, and have said that they would like to see the German-American boss take over from Roy Hodgson at the end of the season.

Wagner departs the Terriers with the club propping up the rest of the Premier League with just 11 points to their name, and a measly two wins from 22 games.

However, the 47-year-old has operated on a shoestring budget for the majority of his three-year stay with the club, all whilst managing to achieve one of the most amazing promotions in recent history when he led Huddersfield to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs back in 2017.

Wagner also managed to keep the club in the top-flight against all odds last season, and will undoubtedly get another job at the top level in no time.

Intriguingly, some Palace fans are hoping that it will be with them having lost patience with Hodgson…

Tottenham in hunt for ‘new Raheem Sterling’ Alex Marshall

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Tottenham Hotspur have been named amongst four English clubs chasing the services of Jamaican talent Alex Marshall by TeamTalk.

What’s the word?

Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham have been uninspiring at certain stages this season and a lack of depth has become clear following Champions League defeats to Barcelona and Inter Milan, along with numerous injury concerns.

After not signing a single player during the summer, Spurs’ stance is likely to change in January and TeamTalk names the Lilywhites alongside West Ham, Liverpool and Aston Villa in the hunt for Jamaican talent Alex Marshall.

Capped seven times by the Caribbean nation, 20-year-old Marshall has been likened to Manchester City star Raheem Sterling, also born in Jamaica, and a stern battle for his services could lie ahead in the New Year.

A decent addition?

While Tottenham’s first-choice line-up largely continues to select itself, the lack of depth in North London has become a real problem and Spurs could find it difficult when the financial implications of their imminent stadium switch appear.

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Signing an inexpensive talent like Marshall could prove to be a masterstroke from Pochettino as a result and Spurs have a history of making signings like this pay off, having enjoyed the success of Dele Alli’s rise after he arrived from MK Dons.

Marshall would not secure immediate first-team football in the Premier League but Pochettino’s dedication to young talent could prove to be extremely beneficial in the long run, as Marshall is a signing that could save Spurs millions in the seasons to come.

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