شن خالد الغندور، نجم الزمالك السابق، هجومًا لاذعًا على مجلس إدارة القلعة البيضاء برئاسة حسين لبيب، متهماً إياهم بالإهمال والتقصير في إدارة شؤون الفريق، موجهًا انتقادات حادة لقرارات المجلس، وأنها السبب الرئيسي في تدهور مستوى الفريق وخسارة العديد من اللاعبين المميزين.
وقال خالد الغندور في تصريحات عبر قناة “المحور”: “جمهور الزمالك كان يقول على أشرف بن شرقي “بن قلبي”، وكان يضرب به المثل، الآن لو رشيد أخوه ووكيل أعماله يتفاوض مع الأهلي والنادي دفع له ما يريده، كان اللاعب سينتقل للقلعة الحمراء”.
وتابع: “انسوا فكرة إن الأهلي أخذ إمام عاشور وهو كان لاعبًا في الزمالك، وانسوا إن أشرف بن شرقي يعود للأبيض، النادي الأهلي من حقه أن يضم ما يريده، لدرجة إن أحمد رضا الصفقة الجديدة للمارد الأحمر، كان لاعبًا في الزمالك”.
وشدد: “وبالتالي، لو أراد الأهلي أن يضم لاعبي الزمالك كلهم، هو حر، هذا احتراف وكل ناد يبحث عن مصلحته، (النادي الأهلي بيغيظك بينرفزك جايب لاعيبتك الي كانت متألقة معك) حقه هذه مصلحته”.
طالع أيضًا | خاص | وكيل بنتايج يخطر الزمالك برغبة اللاعب في الرحيل وفسخ تعاقده بالتراضي
واستدرك: “لكن على نادي الزمالك ومجلس إدارته أن يركز مع فريقه ويقويه، وقولًا واحدًا مع كل الاحترام لمجلس الإدارة، أقول لهم (اعطوا العيش لخبازه) لو أحد طلب من الكابتن حسين لبيب أن يرشح لاعب كرة يد للانضمام للنادي سنضرب تعظيم سلام، لكن أن يطلب أحد منه أن يضم لاعب كرة قدم للفريق، أقول له (أسف يا كابتن حسين إنت ملكش في الكرة)، إنت رئيس النادي ونجم من نجوم كرة يد، وعليك أن تقوم بتعيين لجنة فنية تُجيد الاختيار، وتعيين مدير رياضي”.
وأردف: “لكن لو ستقول إن فلان ينزعج لو أنت قمت بتعيين لجنة تخطيط! أنت في عمل عام، وتوليت منصبك من أجل أن يقف الزمالك على قدمه وتُسعد الجماهير (مش قادر توقفه إمشي) وإن كنت لا تستطيع أن تضم لاعبين على قدر النادي، ابحث عن الأشخاص الذين يستطيعون ضم لاعبين جيدين للفريق، وليس لاعبين من الدرجة الرابعة، الأهلي الآن ضم تريزيجيه ويبحث عن بن شرقي، ويبحثون عن لاعبين في الدوريات الأوروبية، لأن عندهم القدرة المالية”.
واختتم: “إذا لم تكن تمتلك القدرة المالية، لا تستمر في الشكوى وأن تُظهر للجميع أن نادي الزمالك (مش لاقي ياكل) لو ستفعل هكذا ارحل وأحد غيرك يتولى المسؤولية”.
تحدث أحمد أبو مسلم، المدرب العام لفريق مودرن سبورت، عن فوز فريقه على الزمالك، بهدف نظيف، ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز.
وقال أبو مسلم عبر قناة إي تي سي: “الزمالك فريق كبير وكنا موفقين في مباراة اليوم، الفريق يمر بمرحلة إحلال وتجديد، والفوز على الزمالك في مباراة اليوم كان مهمًا، مودرن فريق كبير وولد كبيرًا، وفي الفترة الماضية لم يكن هناك انسجام بسبب رحيل بعض اللاعبين وضم صفقات جديدة كنا نركز في مباراة اليوم أمام الزمالك، وكنا موفقين في التغييرات”.
طالع.. وليد دعبس: اللاعبون نفذوا المطلوب أمام الزمالك.. وانتظروا مودرن سبورت بعد الصفقات
وتابع: “كنا مميزين في مباراة سموحة، ولكن التوفيق لم يحالفنا، مودرن من الفرق الكبيرة، ومع الوقت، المدرب سينجح في حفظ اللاعبين وفهمهم، مما سيسهم في تحسن الأداء”.
وأكمل: “الزمالك كان يهاجم بكل خطوطه من أجل تسجيل هدف، واستغلينا اندفاعه من أجل التسجيل، الفترة الماضية كانت صعبة، لكن الإدارة كانت تساندنا وتدعمنا”.
واستمر: “هدفنا هو البناء من مباراة اليوم من أجل تحسين نتائج الفريق وموقعه في جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري استفدنا من الصفقات الجديدة، ونتمنى التواجد في المراكز المتقدمة”.
وأتم: “أغلقنا ملف مباراة الزمالك وسنبدأ الاستعداد لمواجهة حرس الحدود الزمالك يجب ألا يتأثر، بالغيابات عبدالله السعيد لاعب كبير، ولكن يجب أن يكون هناك بديل، درسنا الفريق بشكل جيد، وخلال الفترة القادمة سيتحسن الأداء”.
Chelsea have revived their interest in highly-rated Benfica defender Tomas Araujo as they search for a new centre-back.
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Chelsea keen on signing new defenderAraujo high on Blues' wishlistBenfica rejected previous advancesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Chelsea have signed a lot of players over the last three years but head coach Enzo Maresca still wants to add to his talented squad as he looks to restore the club's status as one of Europe's best. suggests a central defender is a priority for the former Leicester boss, and in Portugal reports Benfica's Araujo is on their shortlist. The 22-year-old has impressed in the 36 games he has played for the Portuguese club and as a result is drawing interest from the likes of the Blues.
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Scoring goals has not been a problem for the Blues this season – only three teams have netted more than them. But having conceded 13 times in 11 games, it is no surprise to see rumours of signing a centre-back doing the rounds. The likes of Tosin Adarabioyo arrived to replace Thiago Silva in the summer but he has yet to provide any real competition to Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana. Araujo's versatility and high ceiling would make him a shrewd signing if Chelsea are willing to pay Benfica's asking price.
DID YOU KNOW?
Araujo was called up to the Portugal national team for the upcoming Nations League games following his brilliant form. The young defender will join Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. as they prepare to face Poland and Croatia.
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Reports believe Benfica value Araujo very highly and a deal would not be easy to pull off. He is contracted at the club until 2028 and the more he impresses, the more likely it is that Chelsea would have to fork out a fee similar to what they paid for Enzo Fernandez.
كشف متخصص سوق الانتقالات، فابرزيو رومانو، عن الموعد المحتمل لانتقال مهاجم الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي آينتراخت فرانكفورت، عمر مرموش، إلى مانشستر سيتي في الميركاتو الشتوي الحالي.
وازدادت الأنباء في الأيام القليلة الماضية عن اقتراب مرموش من كتيبة المدرب، بيب جوارديولا، لتدعيم صفوفه بعد بداية سيئة لنادي مانشستر سيتي في الموسم الحالي.
اقرأ أيضًا | رئيس إيفرتون السابق يحث مانشستر سيتي على ضم مرموش: مختلف عن هالاند.. وسيضيف السحر
🚨🔵 Omar Marmoush, close to joining Manchester City!
Verbal discussions progressing fast with Eintracht and Man City hopeful to complete formal agreement next week.
City have 100% agreed personal terms with Omar.
Pep also see him as perfect player to replace Julian Alvarez. pic.twitter.com/OY41NZVAU4 — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 11, 2025
وبحسب ما كتبه رومانو عبر حسابه الرسمي على منصة “X” فإن جوارديولا يرى مرموش بأنه اللاعب المثالي ليحل مكان، جوليان ألفاريز، الذي رحل عن مانشستر سيتي في الميركاتو الصيفي الماضي وانتقل إلى أتلتيكو مدريد.
وأفاد رومانو أن المفاوضات الشفهية بين مانشستر سيتي وفرانكفورت تتقدم بشكل ملحوظ على أمل إتمام الاتفاق الرسمي الأسبوع المقبل.
يأتي ذلك، خاصة أن نادي مانشستر سيتي وافق بنسبة 100% على جميع الشروط الشخصية في عقده مع عمر مرموش، وبالتالي، يريد حسم المفاوضات مع فرانكفورت في أقرب وقت ممكن.
Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman is keen for England to iron out the 'sloppy moments' which made victory over South Africa 'hard' on Tuesday night.
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Lionesses bounced back from defeat to GermanyBut rode their luck in 2-1 win over South AfricaWiegman discusses elements that made victory 'hard'Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
England narrowly emerged 2-1 winners in Coventry in their second friendly of this international window, bouncing back from a difficult 4-3 defeat to Germany on Friday night. South Africa could've easily got a draw from the game though, with the Lionesses often gifting them opportunities in the second half in particular.
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It didn't look like things would be hard for England when Leah Williamson scored after just 12 minutes, or when Grace Clinton doubled that lead midway through the first half. But Williamson's poor pass allowed Thembi Kgatlana to halve the deficit before the hour and many of her team-mates made similar mistakes before full-time, albeit ones that went unpunished as the Lionesses claimed the win.
WHAT WIEGMAN SAID
Offering her thoughts on the result and the performance afterwards, Wiegman told : "I thought after the first half, it was a little more straight-forward. I think the first half, we played well. The second half, we had some struggle moments. I think we were a little bit too sloppy. I think the first half we had sloppy moments too but we created some chances from corners and also just in open play. The second half… we were a little bit sloppy and they're smart in a counter attack and very fast so, of course, that was hard for us."
Asked how she and her team fix that sloppiness, which was a huge problem against Germany as well, Wiegman responded: "Keep trying. We all know that. Keep playing football, keep playing forwards and, of course, talking about taking that out. Some passes are, I think, easy, and some are in connections and just feeling at moments when there was transition, they would really jump on us, and then making some better decisions. Just talk about it and move forward."
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England will need to be sharper for their next fixture, with them set to welcome Emma Hayes' United States to Wembley in November. Despite only being in her new job for a few weeks, Hayes led the U.S. to an Olympic gold medal this summer and the lively attack was a particularly important factor in that triumph.
The 2023/24 Premier League campaign has been a tricky one for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United side, with injuries plaguing his side for the vast majority of the season.
Bruno Guimaraes has often been the man to rely on in the middle of the park but has often been partnered by numerous different teammates throughout the season due to various injuries and suspensions.
Fellow Brazilian Joelinton has struggled with a thigh issue that ruled him out for numerous months, disrupting his progress alongside his compatriot in the Magpies' midfield.
Sandro Tonali has barely made an impact following his big-money move to Tyneside last summer following a 10-month suspension for breaking betting rules during his time at AC Milan in Italy.
He only featured eight times before his subsequent suspension back in October, with Howe having to rely on young prospects such as Elliot Anderson and Lewis Miley to provide numbers in the middle of the park for his side.
However, the upcoming transfer window gives the club the opportunity to strengthen their midfield, with the Magpies still targeting one player who has previously disappointed during his relatively short stint in England’s top-flight.
Newcastle targeting former Arsenal man to bolster their midfield
According to TEAMtalk, Newcastle are attempting to hijack Aston Villa's attempts to sign former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi this summer.
Matteo Guendouzi at Lazio
The 25-year-old has played for Lazio in Serie A this season, featuring 46 times, scoring on three occasions from central midfield. However, despite only being on loan at the Italian side during the 2023/24 campaign, the deal included an option to buy, which Lazio decided to take up, but he is expected to leave following a fallout towards the end of the season.
Although Villa remain ahead in the race, with boss Unai Emery wanting to be reunited with his former player, the Magpies have seemingly lodged an enquiry after requesting more information on the Frenchman – as per the report.
It’s been stated that Lazio are holding out for a least €30m (£25m) for his signature, with Howe’s side needing to pursue a move for the former Gunner to allow one Newcastle player to reach the next level and become unstoppable.
Why Guendouzi would allow Guimaraes to become unstoppable
With Newcastle's various issues in midfield, Guimaraes has often had to play in a deeper role than usual to provide cover and allow players such as Sean Longstaff and Anderson to go and create carnage in the final third.
However, despite playing in a deeper position under Howe in 2023/24, the Brazilian managed to achieve a tally of seven goals and eight assists in the Premier League – a fantastic return for a player who has mainly been tasked with defensive duties.
The 26-year-old averages 1.3 shots per 90 and averages 0.4 goals or assists per 90, as per FBref, for the Magpies in the Premier League this season, demonstrating his qualities when in attacking positions.
Guimaraes' stats in the PL during 23/24
Statistics
Tally
Games
37
Goals + Assists
15
Goals + Assists per 90
0.4
Shots per 90
1.3
Take-on success
55%
Goals per shot on target
0.4
Stats via FBref
Guendouzi’s potential arrival could allow the Brazilian to operate in a more advanced position, further bolstering his already impressive stats in the attacking third.
The “monster” Frenchman, as described by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has won 34 tackles and 21 interceptions in Serie A during 2023/24, demonstrating his ability to regain possession for his side.
However, he’s also able to progress the play and play forward upon winning the ball, completing 121 progressive passes at a completion rate of 83% last season.
Guendouzi's stats in Serie A during 23/24
Statistics
Tally
Games
35
Progressive passes
120
Pass accuracy
83%
Tackles
34
Interceptions
21
Progressive carries distance (yards)
2056
Stats via FBref
Finances may be difficult at St James’ Park, but his talent is evident from his statistics from this season, with Newcastle needing to pursue a move for his signature.
Whilst Aston Villa may have the advantage of Champions League football in 2024/25, the project being built by the Saudi PIF is an exciting proposition for the former Arsenal man, in a deal which could be very similar to that of Guimaraes, who joined Newcastle when they were out of any form of European competition.
Newcastle make approach for "phenomenal" £30m titan who's Gibbs-White 2.0
The Magpies are still looking to bolster their midfield ahead of next season.
Arsenal couldn't quite get over the line in the Premier League or the Champions League this season, but there can be no doubt they took another step forward.
Mikel Arteta's side produced the best defence and the second-best attack in the league, and while Bayern Munich knocked them out of Europe, they didn't look out of place.
However, to take that final step and finally win something next year, they'll need to do one better and produce the best attack in the league, and considering the latest player touted for a move to N5 has been compared to Erling Haaland, they stand a good chance of doing that.
Arsenal's striker search
Arsenal have been linked to countless strikers this year, including Joshua Zirkzee, Santiago Gimenez, and Benjamin Sesko, who recently turned them down, but it would appear Edu Gaspar and Co have not been deterred.
According to a recent report from Italy, Napoli's Victor Osimhen wants a move to the Premier League this summer, and Arsenal have made their first move to sign him, establishing contact with his agent.
Alongside the Gunners, the report claims that Paris Saint-Germain and teams from the Saudi Pro League are incredibly keen on the forward, while Chelsea have cooled their interest.
Napoli strikerVictor Osimhen.
While the report does not mention a potential price, the Standard reported in March that Napoli would demand clubs pay the player's full £113m release clause.
It would certainly be expensive to complete, and the interest from the Middle East could make it more so, but if Arsenal want to finally end their striker search, then there are a few better players to do that with than Osimhen, especially when he's been compared to two-time Premier League golden boot winner Haaland.
How Osimhen would improve Arsenal and his comparisons to Haaland
Now, before comparing Osimhen to the Gunners' current crop of forwards, let's look at this comparison to Manchester City's robotic goalscorer, Haaland.
The comparison comes from FBref, which looks at all the players in Europe's top five leagues and creates a list of the ten most similar players for each one, and in the Nigerian's case, the Norwegian is the ninth most similar striker across the five competitions.
Aside from the fact that they're both brilliant goalscoreres, the pair's similarities can be seen best in a number of their underlying numbers.
For example, their expected assists, actual assists, shots, shots on target, goals per shot and shot on target, goal-creating actions and ball recovery metrics per 90 are all incredibly similar.
Expected Assists
0.14
0.15
Assists
0.14
0.18
Shots
3.86
3.99
Shots on Target
1.63
1.76
Goals per Shot
0.14
0.18
Goals per Shot on Target
0.33
0.40
Goal-Creating Actions
0.36
0.39
Ball Recoveries
1.82
1.37
With that said, how does Napoli's "world-class" number nine, as dubbed by José Mourinho, stack up against the Gunners' two primary strikers, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus?
Well, even though he scored fewer goals than he did last season, the former LOSC Lille superstar has a far more impressive output over the last two seasons.
Appearances
39
47
33
Goals
31
9
11
Assists
5
1
7
Goal Involvements per Match
0.92
0.21
0.54
Appearances
32
51
36
Goals
17
14
8
Assists
4
7
8
Goal Involvements per Match
0.65
0.41
0.44
For example, he's scored 57 goals and assists in just 71 games since the start of last season, while Havertz has managed 31 in 98 and Jesus 34 in 69.
Ultimately, with a far more impressive track record in front of goal than the club's current options and favourable comparisons to Haaland, Arsenal should be doing all they can to bring Osimhen to North London this summer, even if that means breaking the bank to do so.
Arsenal keen on £84m Sesko alternative who could be their new Van Persie
The goalscoring “machine” could be even better than the Leipzig ace.
Unai Emery may have already identified the next piece of his Aston Villa jigsaw, with the former Arsenal boss tipped to make a mega move for a Premier League star early in the transfer window.
Villa gearing up for Champions League football
After a historic season, Aston Villa will be playing Champions League football for the first time under its current name, and are already moving to ensure that their squad is strong enough to do so.
They have been strongly linked with a move for free agent Mario Hermoso, while the likes of Wilfried Ndidi, Michael Olise and most recently defender Archie Brown are all also thought to be on their radar.
Villa could sign Palmer & Saka hybrid who's 'one of the best in the world'
Aston Villa could sign a player who’s like Saka and Palmer.
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They have already made their most important signing of the window, tying Unai Emery down to a new long term deal that keeps him at the club until 2029 amid widespread interest in the Spaniard.
But attentions now turn back to the pitch, and there is one man Villa are hoping to snag on the cheap.
Villa keen on Chelsea midfielder
That comes in the shape of Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher. As per the Independent, Villa are eyeing a move for the 24-year-old, who is widely expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer amid interest from across the Premier League.
It is claimed that there is "hope a deal can be done" as "Chelsea need to make major sales before 30 June", though the Villans are also somewhat hamstrung by financial restrictions.
They can offer Champions League football though, and Emery is said to be a massive fan since he "believes can suit their new approach" and help bolster his midfield ahead of the new season.
How Gallagher compares to Aston Villa midfielders (23/24 PL)
Conor Gallagher
John McGinn
Douglas Luiz
Appearances
37
35
35
Goals
5
6
9
Assists
7
4
5
Pass accuracy
89.2%
79.5%
85.7%
Fouls commited per 90
2.39
1.17
1.53
Yellow cards
9
9
12
Stats taken from fbref
Though not necessarily the most stylish and easy on the eye player, Gallagher's value is recognised by those he plays with. This season, Moises Caicedo has been stationed in midfield with the Englishman, and has spoken highly of the Cobham youth product.
tottenham-conor-gallagher-dream-xi-jan-opinion
"Conor is like a machine, you know? I like to play alongside Conor and Enzo. With Conor, he has different characteristics. Enzo is more an offensive player and Conor is more defensive and he helps me a lot when we need to recover the ball. It’s amazing to play with both of them", the ex-Brighton man told the Chelsea website.
But whether or not they are playing together next season remains unclear, with Gallagher having long been touted as a potential sale this summer due to his status as home grown, which makes navigating financial fair play easier for the Blues.
With one year left on his £50,000 a week deal in west London, Gallagher has made no secret of his desire to play for Chelsea, but may not have a choice and though Chelsea may have to compromise somewhat on their £50m asking price, he could be moved on.
A novela Ferreira continua no Grêmio. Nos últimos dias, o destino do atacante parecia selado e o exterior parecia um caminho sem volta.
+ Veja no aplicativo do LANCE! o resultado dos jogos da rodada
Desde o início da semana, quem ganhou força nos bastidores foi o Atlanta United, que chegou a alinhar tudo com o jogador para que ele atuasse na Major League Soccer.
De acordo com uma fonte ouvida pela reportagem, Ferreira entendeu que não era o momento ideal para sair do Grêmio. A família teve voz ativa durante as negociações e tudo mudou em cima da hora.
Diante do impasse, o Atlanta United desistiu da negociação e não pagou a multa rescisória do atleta.
Com isso, o Grêmio voltou a carga com o staff do jogador e negocia uma valorização e renovação de contrato.
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The 2023/24 season has been a disappointing campaign for Manchester United. Erik ten Hag’s side currently sit seventh in the Premier League table, 13 points off a top-four spot and having lost 12 games so far.
They also crashed out of the Champions League in the group stages, and the 15 goals they conceded in the competition was the most by a Premier League team in a single campaign in the group stages, as per Opta Joe.
Of course, these numbers are nowhere near good enough for a club of United’s stature, and it has seen manager Ten Hag, who is into his second season at the club, face plenty of criticism. However the club have denied several times that they have been talking to other managers, and it remains unclear at this time as to whether or not they will part ways with Ten Hag this summer.
The finger of blame has been pointed in a few different directions by United fans this season. Aside from the criticism that Ten Hag has faced, United fans have also directed blame at certain players, including Casemiro, who has struggled for form this season, and has looked nothing like his usual self – dubbed a "Soccer Aid" player by pundit Jamie Redknapp.
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro.
Naturally, United’s way to fix the problem has been to look into the transfer market, although not just in midfield. They have looked at Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite as the man to sure up the defence, but with a £75m price tag, according to GiveMeSport, the Red Devils may have to find an alternative option, and they have identified one of the best defenders in Serie A as that player.
Manchester United's Branthwaite Alternative
The man in question here is Juventus centre-back Gleison Bremer, who has recently emerged as United’s ideal alternative target to 21-year-old Branthwaite. According to The Mirror, Bremer has a £43m release clause in his contract, which would save United £32m should they sign the Brazilian over Branthwaite.
27-year-old Brazil international Bremer, who played one minute at Wembley against England last month, has been a key man for the Turin side this season. He has started 32 games in Serie A, playing every minute of each.
Juventus defender Gleison Bremer.
According to journalist Rudy Galetti, interest in Bremer from the Old Trafford club “is becoming increasingly insistent”, with Juve targeting Mario Hermoso of Atletico Madrid as a potential replacement should Bremer move to United.
How Bremer compares to Branthwaite
Described by football analyst Ben Mattinson on X as a “monster” at the heart of Juve’s defence, Bremer is certainly one of the most highly-rated centre-backs in Europe. The 27-year-old has helped to keep 15 clean sheets for Juve this season, the joint-third most in Serie A, as per Sofascore. That is almost double the amount Manchester United have managed to keep this season, with eight, according to Sofascore.
The most notable difference between Branthwaite and Bremer is the fact that the Everton man is left-footed, and Juve’s number three is right-footed. However, this is not necessarily a cause for concern for United, who aren’t specifically targeting a left-sided centre-back, and Braithwaite is equally strong on each foot. Indeed, both are capable of playing central centre-back in a back three in possession, which is likely where they would both slot in at United if they joined the club next summer.
Bremer is a very aggressive centre-back, who likes to step up and get close to attackers; he is not afraid to contest duels on the ground or in the air. Branthwaite is a wonderful defender, quick along the ground despite his frame, and superb at defending wide spaces.
Aerially, Bremer ranks highly, according to Fbref. He averages 2.88 aerial duels won per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 15% of centre-backs in Serie A. In comparison, Branthwaite averages 2.69 aerial duels won per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, which ranks him in the top 21% of defenders in the competition, as per Fbref.
However, with this in mind, it is worth considering that Brantwahite is quite a bit taller than Bremer, with the former standing at 6 foot 5, and the latter smaller at 6 foot 2.
Another place where Bremer’s numbers stack up favourably against Branthwaite’s is on the ball. Whilst still not elite, the Juve defender averages 3.32 progressive passes per 90 minutes, whereas Branthwaite averages just 2.06 progressive passes per 90.
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Take this with a pinch of salt, however, because Branthwaite is playing in an Everton side with far less possession and a different way of playing than Juve. In actual fact, Branthwaite is superb on the ball, despite what the numbers suggest.
Both defenders read the game excellently, and this is reflected in their interception numbers. Branthwaite excels here, with his 1.61 interceptions per 90 minutes ranking him in the top 9% in the Premier League. On the other hand, Bremer makes just 1.22 per 90 minutes, placing him as low as the 65th percentile.
No doubt, signing Bremer could help fix the struggles that Casemiro has faced this season. The Brazilian midfielder has looked like a shadow of his former self – being dribbled past 2.2 times per game in the league – although having Bremer behind him to cover for him if he loses a challenge could well be vital for the 32-year-old veteran.
It is certainly sad to see such a decline, yet bringing in a player like Bremer, who can help in duels and by sweeping up loose balls, might well prove to be helpful to the former Real Madrid man – who has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford, as per the Daily Mail.
Should Manchester United deem Branthwaite unattainable this season, Bremer offers a wonderful alternative. He is aggressive and good in the air, although does leave a lot to be desired in possession.
For just £43m, he could be a great choice should the Red Devils wish to strengthen at the back, and provide more support to his compatriot Casemiro ahead of him.
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