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Noel Whelan has dubbed Leeds United defender Diego Llorente ‘fantastic’ after his return from injury against Watford. 

The lowdown

Llorente returned to the starting line-up against the Hornets after missing three matches through a hamstring problem which he sustained against Liverpool (via BBC Sport).

And the Spaniard’s first-half goal proved to be enough to secure Leeds’ first victory of the season and lift them out of the bottom three.

Llorente was also SofaScore’s man of the match with a rating of 7.6/10, having completed 60 of his 67 passes and won two of his three ground duels.

The 28-year-old earned a place in Garth Crooks’ BBC Sport Team of the Week, featuring alongside Chelsea duo Cesar Azpilicueta and Trevoh Chalobah in defence.

The latest

Whelan was effusive in his praise for Llorente, pointing out just how many attributes he possesses.

And he also feels that the Spaniard elevates the rest of the backline.

“He was brilliant,” the former Leeds man told Football Insider. “In my opinion, he’s a fantastic centre half.

“He’s very dominant in the air, great on the ball, drives into space when it’s available. His ball distribution is fantastic.”

He later added: “He makes other players better. Everyone steps up to the mark when he’s in the side, and we’re a little bit more settled.”

The verdict

Llorente is an impressive player, but it is just a matter of keeping him fit. Suffering an injury so early into this season after last year’s troubles doesn’t bode particularly well.

You feel that Leeds’ chances of repeating last season’s top-half finish will improve no-end if the Spaniard can avoid any further setbacks.

He’s probably the best centre-half they have at their disposal based on Whelan praise, so a push into the top half and towards the European places could perhaps depend on his availability.

In other news, this Leeds loanee is having a torrid time.

كشفت تقارير صحفية، أن نادي برشلونة يهتم بالتعاقد مع الدولي الإنجليزي، ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد أحد نجوم فريق ليفربول.

أرنولد أكثر اللاعبين صناعة للأهداف بعد محمد صلاح في الموسم الماضي داخل ليفربول، ويقدم مستويات ممتازة خلال السنوات الأخيرة.

صحيفة “ليفربول إيكو” البريطانية، نقلت ما أفادت به شبكة “فوتبول توتال” أن برشلونة يستهدف اللاعب الإنجليزي لتعزيز صفوفه خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الجارية.

اللاعب الإنجليزي لديه عقد مع ليفربول ينتهي بنهاية موسم 2024/2025، ويسعى برشلونة لمحاولة إغراء الريدز بمقابل مادي كبير.

برشلونة مستعد لتقديم 80 مليون يورو للحصول على خدمات أرنولد، وهو رقم خُرافي بالنسبة للظهير الأيمن وقد يجعل ليفربول يفكر في الأمر.

أرنولد تم تصعيده إلى فريق ليفربول تحت قيادة يورجن كلوب وأصبح من أهم اللاعبين في العالم بمركز الظهير الأيمن.

آخر لاعب انضم من ليفربول إلى برشلونة كان فيليب كوتينيو، بعد الثنائي لويس سواريز وقبله خافيير ماسكيرانو.

من جانبه، صرح أرنولد مؤخرًا أنه يسعى للاستمرار مع ليفربول لأطول فترة ممكنة، وتحقيق الألقاب بقميص الريدز الذي يعتبر نادي طفولته.

أرنولد يستعد لقيادة ليفربول في افتتاح مبارياته بالدوري الإنجليزي على ملعب كرافن كوتيدج، عندما يلاقي فولهام الصاعد حديثًا من الشامبيونشيب، يوم السبت المقبل في الواحدة والنصف ظهرًا بتوقيت القاهرة.

Plays of the Day from the first day of the Wellington Test between New Zealand and India

Sidharth Monga in Wellington03-Apr-2009Their first fifty
Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir have looked threatening every time they have come out to bat this series. But before today they hadn’t put together 50 runs even once. So when Sehwag flicked Tim Southee for India’s 50th run in the tenth over, the batsmen were punching each other’s gloves in the middle of the pitch, even before having finished the single.The costly over-step
Three Tests, three no-balls, three wickets denied. In the Hamilton Test, Kyle Mills had Gautam Gambhir plumb lbw on the first ball of the second day, but it was a no-ball. In Napier, Daniel Vettori had Rahul Dravid caught by Brendon McCullum off an official no-ball, but replays suggested Vettori had not over-stepped. Today, though, James Franklin over-stepped, and induced an edge from Dravid, which nestled in McCullum’s gloves. Simon Taufel did not miss it.Jesse Warne – Shane Ryder
How popular is Jesse Ryder in Wellington? Just go out and listen the crowd go “Jesse, Jesse” in the same tone as Aussie crowds used to cry “Warnie, Warnie”. Ryder had just got Yuvraj Singh’s wicket and, by the response from the crowd, it could very well have been Warne bowling in the evening session at the MCG, with one wicket to go for a five-for.Well left … almost
In the third over of the Indian innings, Gambhir tried to leave a Chris Martin delivery, and was clearly late in making his mind up whether to do so. As he was shouldering arms, the ball hit the face off his bat, and rolled towards the gully. It would have been an interesting way to get out.

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has delivered a late update on the status of Argentina duo Emi Martinez and Emi Buendia before his side’s Premier League clash against Everton later on Saturday afternoon.

What’s the story?

The pair opted to quarantine in Croatia in order to keep training, and having missed the last game against Chelsea last week, look set to be involved in some capacity against the Toffees today.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Villa boss said: “We are expecting them to join us tomorrow (Saturday) morning and I’ll assess it then and decide if they’ll be involved or not. We have got their numbers of what they have been doing each day. That gets sent straight to the performance department and passed onto the coaches.

“They are in a good place physically which is what we need to know. I’ll assess that in the morning and wait until tomorrow.”

Fans will be buzzing

Make no mistake about it, missing both Martinez and Buendia last week in the 3-0 defeat to Chelsea was a major blow to Villa, and their absences proved too much to cope with at Stamford Bridge.

Having them back for today’s clash against would be a huge boost to Villa’s chances of picking up all three points, while here on FFC, we’ve already called on Smith to start Martinez.

Whether Smith opts to start Buendia – an outfield player with no match practice for these past ten days – is another question, but even if he doesn’t make the starting line-up, having the former Norwich City star on the bench could be a game-changer in the closing stages of the game.

After the disappointment of last week, Villa fans will surely be buzzing at Smith’s latest update on both Martinez and Buendia.

Meanwhile, Villa could have their new John Carew in this starlet…

West Ham United are close to sealing their second signing on deadline day…

What’s the word?

According to the Telegraph’s chief football correspondent Jason Burt, a loan move for Spartak Moscow midfielder Alex Kral is “90% done”.

“West Ham close to signing Czech international midfielder Alex Kral from Spartak Moscow. Told deal is 90% done. Loan with an option to buy.. some good business being done,” he tweeted.

The Czech Republic international is a player that David Moyes and the club have followed for quite some time, with the Scot even scouting him in person at Euro 2020.

“They have been following him since January but were shocked they get him in on loan and have moved quickly,” revealed 90min’s Graeme Bailey soon after these reports first emerged today.

Moyes masterclass

This late flurry of signings from Moyes and co is very encouraging indeed.

The 58-year-old has been crying out for some depth across his playing squad and he certainly seems to be getting exactly that – Kurt Zouma has bolstered the backline, they’ve found a Jesse Lingard replacement in Nikola Vlasic, and now they edge closer to a solid back-up to Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice.

An injury to either would leave Moyes with only retiring Mark Noble in the engine room and that’s the last thing they need heading into a Europa League campaign, in which they’ll soon be playing two times a week, minimum.

Interestingly, a move for Kral seemingly fell through earlier in the summer after his sub-par showing at Euro 2020, according to The Athletic, so to be able to sign him on loan to take a look at him first-hand, is certainly a wise and shrewd decision.

It means the east Londoners won’t have to commit a transfer fee, so it appears to be a low-risk signing all-round and one that is likely to leave many singing Moyes’ praises once again.

You only have to look at his deals for Soucek and Vladimir Coufal to know that he can spot a player when he sees one. Nobody would’ve known either player before they arrived at the London Stadium and now they’re two of the first names on the team sheet and easy fan favourites.

Similarly, it’s unlikely that many could’ve foreseen the vast impact that Lingard had on the squad, given his lack of game time prior to his loan move.

If Moyes and the Irons can get Kral in on loan before tonight’s deadline, then it’s merely another example of the Hammers’ boss working his magic in the transfer market.

It has to be considered yet another masterclass.

AND in other news, ExWHUemployee: West Ham in talks with four players on Deadline Day

أبدى محمد عودة المدير الفني لفريق المقاولون العرب، حزنه من الهزيمة أمام الزمالك خلال مباراة اليوم في الدوري المصري.

وقال محمد عودة في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورتس2”: “حزين جدًا من اللاعبين، لأننا خلال فترة التوقف ركزنا على غلق المساحات على لاعبي الزمالك”.

وتابع: “أضعنا فرصًا كثيرة في الشوط الأول، ويستحقون ما حدث بسبب أنهم لم يصدقوا أنهم يهدرون فرصًا كثيرة أمام الزمالك، فكان يجب أن يسجلوا هدفًا”.

وأردف: “حذرت لاعبي المقاولين العرب من أمرين، أولًا الكرات الثابتة والأمر الثاني قلت لهم أنا أخشى منكم ولا أخشى الزمالك، أن تكون الكرة معكم وتُرد بهجمة مرتدة، الخطورة كلها كانت تأتي منا”.

طالع | ترتيب الدوري المصري بعد فوز الزمالك وتعادل بيراميدز اليوم

واستطرد: “كل الكرات التي وصل بها الزمالك كانت بأخطاء منا، التغييرات كانت رغمًا عني، محمود عزت تعرض للإصابة”.

وأضاف: “أحمد علي أنا عاقبته بالخروج لأنني نبهت على اللاعبين في تسديد ركلة الجزاء أن يسددوا بقوة وليس مهم أن تضيع”.

واختتم: “أحمد علي سدد ضربة الجزاء برعونة وأهدرها، لذلك قمت بتغييره رغم أنه كان أفضل لاعب في الفريق، وقلت له هذا لأن تعليمات المدير الفني يجب أن تُنفذ”.

Former Premier League striker Nigel Jemson has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer isn’t the right man to bring back success to Old Trafford.

The legendary United frontman, who recently signed a new long-term contract at the club, is approaching the three-year mark since he replaced Jose Mourinho in the dugout.

However, whilst Solskjaer has made the Red Devils top-four regulars once again and led them to a second-place finish last season, he’s been unable to end their four-year wait for silverware since Mourinho’s side lifted the Europa League.

Solskjaer has suffered defeats in three domestic semi-finals and lost at the same stage of the Europa League in 2020 before falling short in the final back in May.

The arrivals of Jadon Sancho and Rafael Varane will boost United’s chances of a first Premier League title for nine seasons, but they dropped two points at Southampton on Sunday and already trail title rivals Chelsea and Liverpool.

When asked about United’s title chances, Jemson told The Transfer Tavern:

“Have they got the squad to win the Premier League? They may have. Have they got the manager to win the Premier League? No, I don’t think so.

“Is he the right man to take Manchester United forward? I don’t think so. All this hype about Ole’s at the wheel and all this. They finished second in the Premier League. If they don’t win a trophy this year, it’s a failure.”

If you look at the table, things don’t exactly look good for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Old Gold have lost both of their first matches under Bruno Lage and are yet to score a goal.

On the chalkboard

Heading into the summer, it became apparent that Wolves needed far more bodies in their first-team ranks.

This all came down to planning, something Nuno Santo claimed needed to be improved before he left for Tottenham.

However, that message doesn’t appear to have got through to the club’s ownership.

They are again staring at a situation where their squad is slim and they’re already paying the price. Lage said last week that the first-team group currently consisted of just 15 players due to injuries. Consequently, Wolves need more depth, and they need it quickly.

They have always been keen to strengthen options available to coaches in the academy but it’s time they put senior matters first.

The solution

One area where Wolves lack genuine rotation options is in the final third. Adama Traore and Trincao are the only viable choices on the flanks at the moment with Pedro Neto now ruled out until February.

The Portuguese attacker broke his knee cap towards the back end of last term, dealing the club a harsh blow considering he won their Player of the Season award for 2021/22.

With that in mind, signing another body would be a good idea. According to The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, Wolves have joined the race to sign Ademola Lookman.

They are battling to sign the 23-year-old with Crystal Palace, but his parent club RB Leipzig are intent on a permanent deal for the winger.

Lookman has never really discovered true consistency but he showed in glimpses for Fulham last term that he’s got the quality necessary to thrive in the Premier League.

Some of his actions in the final third were supreme as he found himself involved in eight goals. For context, only Neto contributed to more top-flight strikes in the entire Wolves team.

Hailed as a player with “unbelievable quality” by his former boss Scott Parker, he had a tendency to put in some electrifying displays at Craven Cottage.

The £9.9m-rated gem played 1.8 key passes per match and was successful with 2.4 dribbles a game.

In terms of those already at Molineux, only Neto managed more key passes and only Traore provided more dribbles. On that final piece of evidence, he’d be a top drawer replacement if the latter leaves.

Traore has been linked with a mega £40m move to Tottenham and given Wolves’ financial constraints, there’s every chance that proposal will be accepted by the hierarchy.

If that does go through, then Lage must do his best to lure Lookman to the Midlands in the final week of the window.

His dribbling and speed might not be on the same destructive level as the Spaniard’s but he’s still very dangerous.

AND in other news, Wolves could finally replace Jota by signing “explosive” £34m “powerhouse”…

MatériaMais Notícias

Marquinhos Gabriel não atuava pelo Corinthians desde o pênalti perdido nas oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil, quando sua equipe foi eliminada pelo Internacional mesmo jogando em casa. Após mais de um mês, ele voltou a ser utilizado pelo técnico Fábio Carille e mostrou em apenas 15 minutos que pode ser uma peça útil ao elenco: foi dele a assistência para o gol de Jô que marcou a primeira vitória do Timão no Campeonato Brasileiro, por 1 a 0, diante do Vitória, na segunda rodada da competição.

Após a partida, o camisa 31 do Corinthians fez um desabafo na saída da Arena Fonte Nova. Contratado pela equipe no ano passado, ele soma 49 partidas e oito gols marcados, mas ao mesmo tempo encara forte oposição de boa parte da torcida alvinegra por conta do estilo de jogo mais cadenciado, menos vertical. Cotado para deixar o clube, como fizeram Guilherme e Marlone neste ano, Marquinhos Gabriel explicou à ESPN os motivos pelos quais espera ficar e dar a volta por cima.

-Importante para mim e principalmente para a equipe, por ser um jogo fora de casa, complicado, com muito calor. Soubemos nos impor, trabalhar a bola, então foi muito importante. Eu sempre segui trabalhando, os altos e baixos acontecem, o que não dá é cair e ficar deitado, acomodado. Vou sempre buscar meu melhor, trabalhar para estar no auge. As coisas às vezes não acontecem como gostaríamos, mas meu papel é continuar trabalhando. O pessoal do Corinthians me ajuda, o grupo é maravilhoso, então é continuar trabalhando. Para mim e para todo mundo seria mais fácil eu sair daqui e buscar espaço em outro lugar, mas a parte difícil da vida do jogador é dar a volta por cima. O que quero é ficar aqui, trabalhar para ajudar todo mundo e consequentemente a mim – disse o camisa 31 do Corinthians.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansMelhor visitante da elite, Corinthians atinge 15 partidas de invencibilidadeCorinthians21/05/2017CorinthiansATUAÇÕES: Mudança de Carille e oportunismo de Jô são os destaquesCorinthians21/05/2017

Neste domingo, Marquinhos Gabriel foi acionado por Fábio Carille aos 26 minutos do segundo tempo, na vaga do volante Maycon. A alteração fez Rodriguinho recuar e deixou o Corinthians mais ofensivo para buscar a vitória nos minutos finais. Apenas quatro minutos depois de entrar, o meia tabelou com Jadson e serviu Jô para marcar o gol da vitória por 1 a 0. Por isso, o treinador rendeu elogios ao meio-campista.

-Os jogadores que foram criticados ano passado, se quiserem, e com nosso trabalho, vamos recuperar todos. Marquinhos jogou muito bem em Porto Alegre contra o Inter, quatro chances de gol claras foram com participação dele, entrou bem em casa na volta, é um jogador de muita qualidade, que está trabalhando forte, querendo, e aos poucos vai buscando seu espaço.

Tudo sobre

CorinthiansFabio CarilleMarquinhos Gabriel

Football.london writer Sam Inkersole believes that Tammy Abraham would certainly bring something different to West Ham.

There has been much speculation about Abraham’s future this summer, with Football Insider reporting earlier this month that West Ham were in pole position to sign the striker, but now Arsenal appear to be leading the race, according to the Mirror.

David Moyes has made a striker one of his top priorities this window, with Inkersole believing that Tammy Abraham would bring the club something different up front, telling Football FanCast: “He would certainly bring them something different. If Abraham went there, he’s excellent at holding the ball up, he’s just not as mobile as you would perhaps like your striker to be. 

“I think he would suit West Ham’s playing style; I think with Declan Rice seeing a lot of the ball in that West Ham midfield and playing through the lines to Abraham, get him to hold the ball up and because they do like their wide players, Fornals, Jarred Bowen bringing them in, Said Benrahma I think’s going to have a big season next season as well, I think it would be a good move for the Hammers.”

With West Ham qualifying for the Europa League, David Moyes needs to increase the size of his squad in order to cope with the demand of having at least six extra fixtures to play.

If the Hammers do decide to go for Tammy Abraham, they will be getting a player who knows where the back of the net is, as he has goal-scoring pedigree in both the Premier League and the Champions League.

Abraham featured 32 times in all competitions last season and helped himself to 12 goals in the process. This was a continuation of his goal scoring form the season prior, where he found the back of the net on 18 occasions in all competitions, including three in the Champions League.