Morgan Sanson would vastly improve Manchester United’s midfield options

Manchester United are well on course to achieving a spot in the top four again this season, when just a few months ago it seemed almost impossible.

The change in scenario, well that’s all been due to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the manager who has made a wonderful difference to everyone at Manchester United.

The players have developed such freedom in their play, something that could be an advertisement for anyone who wants to come and join Old Trafford, with now seemingly the best time to do so.

Whoever may be in charge from this summer onwards, there is still work to be done and the one area that definitely needs improving, as well as their defence, is midfield.

One player who certainly has the star-quality to put an end to their concerns in midfield is Marseille’s Morgan Sanson.

Sanson, (who is valued at £19.8 million on Transfermarkt) has pretty much every window been linked with a big move to England and this summer will probably be no different.

Having provided four goals and four assists this season, he hasn’t quite lived up to the tally he accumulated last season – 12 goals, three assists – yet Sanson still presents himself as a very good option for a club like Manchester United.

He has years of experience playing for one of the top teams in Ligue 1, which could leave him with a relatively high chance of having success at Old Trafford.

Whether its a more attacking or defensive role the manager wants Morgan Sanson to perform, he can do it all and that’s one of his top assets.

The 24-year-old is still young, has plenty of time to adjust and if he can continue his strong performances at Old Trafford, could be a new star.

Do you agree… Let us know!

The Chalkboard: Yerry Mina must start every remaining game this season

[ad_pod ]

Everton defender Yerry Mina must start every remaining game for the Toffees this season after his colossal performance against Chelsea, but also because of the uncertainty over the future of loan star Kurt Zouma.

What’s the story so far?

Well, since signing from Barcelona back in the summer for a huge £27m fee, Mina has made just 14 appearances as a result of injury issues and a struggle to dislodge Kurt Zouma and Michael Keane from the starting eleven – 11 of those 14 games have been starts.

To spend such a fee on one player, the Toffees need to be starting the Colombian international when he is available for selection. As we saw against Chelsea on Sunday, a game that he was only playing in as Zouma was ineligible to face his parent side, Mina can be very, very good.

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…

His composure on the ball and dominant physical skills make him an ideal modern-day centre-back, and one that should be trusted more by Marco Silva.

Should be favoured over Zouma anyway

French international Zouma is set to return to Chelsea in the summer at the expiry of his loan deal, and with the Blues set to be under a transfer ban for the next two windows, one would assume that it will be unlikely for the Toffees to get him back.

So, as a result of that, Everton are simply nurturing Chelsea’s 24-year-old player and aiding his development, all whilst their own 24-year-old sits on the bench.

The Merseysiders are being foolish with their treatment of Mina, as he is unlikely to get to grips with English football and adapt whilst out of the side – Everton would be better placed throwing the South American defender into the team even if he does make a mistake or two, for it would benefit them more in the long term.

Zouma isn’t Everton’s player, and it feels unlikely that they’ll be able to get him back, so Silva must start putting his own first in the final few games of the season.

A moment in time: Brian Clough at Forest, and how he became the best

It’s rare a list is unanimously agreed by everyone and France Football’s latest compilation, ‘The 50 Greatest Managers of All-Time’, sparked social media wars unlike anything we have ever seen.

Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola disciples went to war on why it was unjust either manager was as low as they were ranked, whilst Manchester United fans revolted at the horror of Sir Alex Ferguson only being ranked at number two on the list behind Dutch football icon Rinus Michels.

A moment in time – Brian Clough, Nottingham Forest

Brian Clough – N.Forest Pic : Action Images Nottingham Forest

But for Forest fans, they were contempt with their greatest every manager, Brian Clough, being ranked at 15, the highest English manager on the list and only behind the likes of Ferguson, Bill Shankly and Matt Busby.

Clough is remembered as not only the man who took Forest from the lower reaches of the Championship to back-to-back European Cup winners in the span of five years but as one of the most likeable and entertaining figures in English football.

Books and documentaries have been made about Clough’s accomplishments, and tales of what he achieved will be passed down from Forest fan to Forest fan for generations to come.

Before his arrival, Forest was a pretty unremarkable club, with only two FA Cups and one second-place finish in the First Division being the only real high points pre-1975. Which is what makes the next five years under Clough that more incredible.

Clough became the first manager to spend £1,000,000 on a player in Trevor Francis, and alongside his footballing partner Peter Taylor, the duo led one of the greatest English clubs teams to ever play to greatness.

Their dominance from 1975 to 1980 was felt so much around the league that Liverpool, who many thought of as the dominant team in both England and Europe, simply referred to Forest as ‘That Team’, for their ability to get results against the Merseyside club during their most successful years.

But like most good things, it all had to come to an end eventually. Clough broke the team up, selling Francis, Peter Shilton and John Robertson to make way for new faces. And although he was able to create a second great team with the likes of Des Walker and Stuart Pearce, the magic from that European Cup winning team just wasn’t there anymore.

And sure enough, this lack of magic began to wane on the team, and in 1993 Forest and Clough were relegated from the Premier League.

Although he was unable to leave the team he had built on a high note, Clough is still regarded as one of the, if not the, best English manager of all time. He would have been 84 yesterday, and his legacy is felt stronger than ever.

Forest fans, what is your favourite memory of Clough?

عبد الحفيظ يكشف تفاصيل إصابة أيمن أشرف وتطور حالة محمد محمود

تحدث سيد عبد الحفيظ مدير الكرة بفريق النادي الأهلي، عن الفوز أمام إنبي مساء اليوم الأربعاء، وإصابة كل من أيمن أشرف ومروان محسن، بجانب تطور ملف علاج محمد محمود لاعب الشياطين الحمر.

وكان الأهلي قد فاز على إنبي بثلاثية دون رد، في مباراة الجولة 32 من عمر الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وقال سيد عبد الحفيظ في تصريحات تلفزيونية بفضائية “الأهلي” :”نتيجة مهمة في إطار الاستعداد لمواجهة الوداد، الأداء الشوط الأول كان أكثر من ممتاز ورائع، الشوط الثاني كان على فترات، ويتبقى فقط مباراة بيراميدز، وبعد ذلك سنتوجه للمغرب”.

طالع | حلمي طولان يشكو من تلاحم المباريات بعد الخسارة أمام الأهلي ويتحدث عن موسيماني

وأضاف معلقًا على إصابة أيمن أشرف: “أي لاعب يشعر بألم نغيره مباشرة، وعندما قال قال إنه يعاني من إجهاد في السمانة خرج، كما استبدلنا مروان محسن فور شعوره بالإجهاد، ونريد السفر للوداد كاملين العدد”.

وعن اللاعب محمد محمود، أردف مدير الكرة بالأهلي: محمد محمود أجرى جراحة الغضروف، ومن حوالي شهر شعر ببعض الآلام في الحركة بالتدريبات وكان الأمر ليس طبيعيا وسافر للطبيب الألماني، وقال لا يوجد مشكلة هو يحتاج إلى 3 اسابيع وبعد ذلك يعود للملعب”.

واستكمل: “عندما عاد إلى مصر بعد 3 أسابيع قال لطبيب الفريق أشعر ببعض الآلام، وأحمد عبد العزيز أوصى باجراء عمليه له، محمد محمود عمره 21 سنة والعمر أمامه وأيًا كان الوضع لن يعود إلا وهو سليم 100%”. 

وأتم: “أتمنى أن نكون موفقين مع موسيماني، قبل حضوره كان تاريخه وأرقامه يتحدثان بالنيابة عنه”.

واختتم:.”موسيماني من أول يوم أتى فيه للأهلي وهو يجرى اجتماعات وجلسات مع اللاعبين والجهاز الفني، بالإضافة إلى أنه يجعل الفريق يلعب كرة القدم”.

Rangers fans fume at lack of leadership after defeat to Aberdeen

[ad_pod ]

Loads of Rangers fans have been reflecting on Tuesday’s defeat, and something the club posted on Twitter after the match has really riled them up.

Rangers fell to defeat at Ibrox for just the second time under Steven Gerrard on Tuesday, and once again it was at the hands of Aberdeen.

The sides were playing their sixth meeting this season, and goals from Niall McGinn and Connor McLennan were enough to send the Dons through to the Scottish Cup semi-final, where they will face Celtic.

McGinn’s goal was particularly poor from the home side’s perspective, as the Reds ace simply nicked a square pass from Glen Kamara on the edge of the Rangers box, skipped past a defender and slammed it home.

While Derek McInnes’ side deserve credit for their performance, the Ibrox faithful are understandably fuming at what was a lifeless display from their side.

They are particularly disappointed by the apparent lack of leadership in the team, as key figures like James Tavernier and Connor Goldson are not leading from the back as expected.

Jermain Defoe, who came on with the score already at 2-0, gave the post-match interview, which is surely the responsibility of players like Tavernier.

The Gers’ official Twitter account posted Defoe’s interview, and judging from the reactions below it has tipped fans over the edge…

Southampton fans react as Mauricio Pochettino makes surprise admission

[ad_pod ]

Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs visit Southampton this weekend and the Argentine boss has spoken about how upsetting it was for him to leave the Saints in 2014, even saying that he cried when he traded the south coast for busy London.

The former Espanyol manager guided the St Mary’s Stadium outfit away from the relegation zone having taken over in January 2013, before storming to an eighth place finish next season, after which he was snapped up by Spurs.

Speaking ahead of the weekend’s clash, in which he will be forced to watch from the stands, Pochettino said:

“A lot of people were disappointed when I left the club and they are not going to forgive, but I still love them.

“In one year and a half I spent there, it was a great experience. For different circumstances that are difficult to understand, I left the club. I cried a lot when I left, my family too. It was one of the most important periods in my life.”

How much money could you make busking for a week as a freestyle footballer? Find out in the video below…

The 47-year-old understands that he can’t expect the Southampton faithful to forgive him for leaving when what looked like a positive project had only just begun, although some Saints fans on Twitter think that there is nothing to be forgiven.

Others, though, scoffed at the Argentine’s admission, with some taking the opportunity to have a dig at their former manager – you can check out the best of the reaction below…

This would be huge: Liverpool fans want to spend big on Callum Hudson-Odoi

[ad_pod ]

Liverpool fans on Twitter have been busy discussing a move for Chelsea starlet Callum Hudson-Odoi, amid reports that the Reds have been in contact with the teenager’s agent over a potential switch.

The 18-year-old’s stock in the football world is rapidly on the rise after he made his England debut against the Czech Republic during the recent international break, which has come just a few months after he was the subject of a number of bids from European powerhouse Bayern Munich.

Mo Salah has been brutally mocked for his recent diving antics in a new video by 442oons. Check it out below…

Hudson-Odoi isn’t being granted regular playing time by Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge, fuelling rumours that the Blues academy graduate could be set for a move in search of exactly that – that fact that he handed in a transfer request in January is telling.

His situation has alerted Liverpool, who, if they could lure Hudson-Odoi to Anfield, would certainly be pulling off a major transfer from a Premier League rival in Chelsea – the FA Cup holders are said to want in excess of £43m for the forward.

Let’s see what the Reds supporters on Twitter have been saying about the reports, with the reported asking price being the main topic of conversation…

Crystal Palace fans react as Andros Townsend wins ‘Goal of the Year’ award

[ad_pod ]

Crystal Palace fans have taken to Twitter to react after Andros Townsend won the ‘Goal of the Year’ award at the London Football Awards on Thursday evening.

The England international picked up the accolade as a result of his stunning strike against Manchester City at the Etihad earlier this season, in which he rifled a dropping ball into the top right corner from well outside the box.

His goal also meant more than just pure aesthetics. Townsend’s strike helped the Eagles beat the champions 3-2 on their own turf, becoming the only side to do so in the current campaign – the former Tottenham man has become the first player to win the ‘Goal of the Year’ award at the London Football Awards.

Impressively, the 27-year-old was also nominated for the ‘Player of the Year’ award after an impressive season in which he has already hit seven goals – a personal best – although he lost out to Tottenham’s Son Heung-Min.

Understandably, Palace fans are beaming with pride at Townsend’s achievement, and have taken to Twitter to react…

تحديد موعد مران الأهلي الأول في المغرب.. وموسيماني يجتمع مع الجهاز المعاون

يخوض الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي مرانه الأول بالمغرب اليوم الأربعاء استعدادا لخوض لقاء الوداد المغربي في دور نصف النهائي من دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

ويستعد الأهلي لخوض مباراة الوداد المغربي المقرر إقامتها مساء السبت المقبل. موعد المران

ومن المقرر أن تتحرك حافلة الفريق من فندق الإقامة إلى ملعب التدريب في السابعة والنصف مساء بتوقيت الدار البيضاء، الثامنة والنصف بتوقيت القاهرة.

وكان سيد عبدالحفيظ، مدير الكرة، وسمير عدلي، المدير الإداري، قد قررا معاينة أكثر من ملعب للتدريبات اليوم؛ لاختيار الأفضل لخوض تدريبات الفريق قبل المواجهة المرتقبة. محاضرة فنية

قرر الجهاز الفني بالنادي الأهلي بقيادة بيتسو موسيماني عقد محاضرة فنية للاعبي الفريق بفندق الإقامة بمدينة كازبلانكا؛ استعدادا لمواجهة فريق الوداد المغربي.

ومن المقرر أن يتحدث بيتسو موسيماني المدير الفني للفريق خلال المحاضرة عن الأمور الفنية والخططية قبل التحرك لخوض المران الأول في المغرب. موسيماني يعقد جلسة مع الجهاز المعاون

حرص بيتسو موسيماني، على عقد جلسة مع الجهاز المعاون له؛ من أجل وضع خطة الاستعداد لمواجهة فريق الوداد.

وناقش موسيماني مع معاونيه العديد من الجوانب الفنية والخططية من واقع مشاهدة المباريات التي خاضها الفريق المنافس خلال الفترة الماضية.

ويسعى الجهاز الفني لتجهيز اللاعبين بالشكل المناسب لمباراة الذهاب التي تجمع الفريقين مساء السبت المقبل بمدينة كازبلانكا. موسيماني يجتمع مع محللي الأداء

عقد بيتسو موسيماني، جلسة مطولة مع الثنائي موسي ماتالابا وأحمد سليمان، محللي الأداء بالجهاز الفني؛ من أجل التحضير لمباراة الوداد.

شهدت الجلسة دراسة الفريق المنافس بشكل جيد، والاطلاع على عدد من المباريات الأخيرة للوداد المغربي، في إطار التحضير لمواجهة السبت التي تجمع الفريقين في الدار البيضاء.

وعكف ماتالابا وسليمان طوال رحلة السفر من القاهرة إلى المغرب على إعداد مجموعة من الفيديوهات المتنوعة لفريق الوداد؛ لدراسة نقاط القوة والضعف في صفوفه استعدادا لمواجهة السبت.

Chelsea risk losing more than Hazard with club heading nowhere under Sarri

Amid what can only be described as an underwhelming season by their standards, things could be about to get much worse for Chelsea.

Zinedine Zidane’s return to Real Madrid has only stoked the fire when it comes to Eden Hazard’s potential move to the Santiago Bernabeu, and the Belgian could possibly be joined by one of his current team-mates in what would be a huge blow for the Blues.

The Breakdown

The Evening Standard reports that, as well as Hazard, Real Madrid are also keen on world-class midfielder N’Golo Kante.

Unlike Hazard, though, Kante still has years to run on his current deal after extending his contract earlier on in the campaign.

That, however, should not stop the 27-year-old from at least trying to push for a move to the Bernabeu with now arguably a good time to leave the west London club from his perspective.

As harsh as it may sound with Maurizio Sarri having been at Stamford Bridge for less than a year, under the Italian, the Blues do not look to be going anywhere.

Real Madrid, of course, are not in a good moment either, though that could easily change with Zidane now at the helm and after a summer of spending.

With that in mind, if Kante wants to further his career just like Hazard, then a move to Real Madrid is probably in his best interest.

Chelsea fans, are the club about to lose both Hazard and Kante this summer? Join the discussion by commenting below.

Game
Register
Service
Bonus