بوسكيتس: سعيد بمواجهة الأهلي الأكثر تتويجًا في إفريقيا.. وميسي لاعب ممتع

تحدث سيرجيو بوسكيتس، لاعب فريق إنتر ميامي الأمريكي، عن مواجهة الأهلي في افتتاح بطولة كأس العالم للأندية 2025، بالولايات المتحدة الأمريكية.

ويستعد فريق النادي الأهلي لمواجهة إنتر ميامي الأمريكي في افتتاح بطولة كأس العالم للأندية 2025، والمقرر لها في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية.

طالع| ريبييرو يكشف خطة إيقاف ميسي “الاستثنائي”.. ويصرح: هدفنا تشريف الأهلي

ويلتقي الأهلي مع نظيره إنتر ميامي الأمريكي في افتتاح بطولة كأس العالم للأندية 2025، في التاسعة مساء يوم 14 يونيو بتوقيت أمريكا – الثالثة صباح يوم 15 يونيو بتوقيت القاهرة.

ويتواجد فريق النادي الأهلي في مجموعة تضم كلا من: إنتر ميامي الأمريكي، وبورتو البرتغالي، بالميراس البرازيلي.

وقال بوسكيتس، في تصريحات للقناة الأولى: “سعيد ببدء كأس العالم للأندية أمام فريق كبير اعتاد على اللعب في بطولات كبيرة وهو الأكثر تتويجًا في إفريقيا، وستكون مواجهة كبيرة”.

وتابع: “المشاركة في مونديال الأندية أمر كبير جدًا، لا سيما أننا سنلعب أمام جماهيرنا، بالطبع أي لاعب يتمنى المشاركة في مثل هذه البطولة، سنبذل قصارى جهدنا لتخطي دور المجموعات”.

وواصل: “نعلم من هو ميسي، لا يوجد لاعب متكامل ومنفرد مثله، أستمتع بما يقدمه وبما هو قادر على فعله في الملعب، ولا أعتقد أن هناك لاعب آخر يُضاهي مهاراته”.

Zimbabwe ready to 'cause some damage' in the Super 12s

Craig Ervine says the pressure of making the next round is off, and hopes his players will express themselves with freedom

Firdose Moonda23-Oct-2022

Craig Ervine and Sikandar Raza led Zimbabwe into the Super 12s•AFP/Getty Images

The Super 12s are only just beginning but Zimbabwe have already achieved their major goal of the T20 World Cup: to actually get to this point.Coach Dave Houghton previously said he would not consider his team to have actually qualified for the tournament unless they advanced from the first round and secured a spot among the bigger teams. Now, they have done that and been given a licence to “do cause as much damage as we can,” which they are accepting with a mixture of trepidation and thrill. “Everybody’s really, really looking forward to playing the bigger teams and putting up some more good performances and just carrying on the momentum that we’ve built up so far,” Craig Ervine, Zimbabwe’s captain said.It’s a far cry from the Zimbabwean side that were on the edge of their seats more than four years ago, when they bottled a chase of 230 in a rain-affected 40-over match against UAE and missed out on the 2019 World Cup. At 7 for 2 in their must-win game against Scotland on Friday, Zimbabwe feared history may be repeating itself but getting over the line in that match has helped them exorcise some of the ghosts of that previous failure.”It’s been nice to qualify and put all those demons to bed from the UAE game. A lot of guys obviously had a few of those thoughts at the back of their minds – once we lost two wickets in the first couple overs against Scotland, but to get over the line there was absolutely crucial for us,” Ervine said. “There’s a bit of relief in the camp, and now guys will have a lot of weight off their shoulders, and can now enjoy the next few games.”Related

Raza embodies Zimbabwe's mission to make the Super 12s

Chatara, Ervine and Raza lead Zimbabwe into Super 12s

Sikandar Raza and Zimbabwe bury ghosts of Harare 2018

With no further expectations or explicit targets in mind, Zimbabwe enter the Super 12s unshackled although they remain acutely aware of what they are up against. “It’s probably a little bit nerve-racking to have to play all these big teams again, but it’s a great opportunity for guys to put their hands up and get in some real solid performances,” Ervine said. “It does take away a little bit of the pressure that we have felt over the last week during the qualifiers. I think that guys will be able to express themselves a little bit more and just have a little bit more freedom to come out and just play the game of cricket.”Though they are Full Members, Zimbabwe play significantly less cricket than the top eight teams and have the fewest fixtures on the next FTP. Their opportunities to test themselves against the best in the world are rare and limited, but not so far in the past that they can’t remember what is required. They last played against India and Bangladesh in August this year, against Pakistan in April 2021, and against their first Super 12 opponents, South Africa in 2018. But they have played more must-win cricket in Australia in the last week than any of those teams and have the advantage of getting their squad used to conditions and pressure situations.Muzarabani, Chatara, and Raza have enriched Zimbabwe’s bowling stocks•AFP/Getty Images

So far, they have demonstrated that their strength lies in their varied bowling attack, led by a pace pack for whom Australian conditions appear to be tailor-made. “They’ve been so good for us up front with the new ball. We’ve picked up a few early wickets, which has helped the cause,” Ervine said. “Here in Australia, Blessing [Muzarabani]’s been able to extract a little bit of bounce, Richard Ngarava has been excellent up front as well, getting a little bit of movement with the new ball. And Tendai Chatara has been excellent with the new ball, and he’s been able to get it to go both ways.”And after batting line-ups have got through that, Zimbabwe have at least three spin options, led by a resurgent Sikandar Raza, who has remodelled his action and developed deliveries including the carrom ball. “He’s always going to be a key performer for us in the order as well as with the ball,” Ervine said. “His contributions are obviously always so important because he strikes the ball so well. He scores so quickly and his four overs with the bowlers is huge and important for us, especially to slow down the run rate of the opposition.”Zimbabwe’s weaker suit is their batting but Ervine is hopeful that they will play to their potential, and without fear, as the tournament progresses. “The first couple overs have been a little bit tricky in the lights just because there has been that little bit of movement around. So we are looking to try and have a look and see those first couple overs, see what’s happening and what sort of movement there is. From then on, it’s just kind of playing the bowlers on merit basically,” Ervine said. “Everybody’s got all the shots.” And Zimbabwe are ready to fire.

'I gave all my salary to my mom so we could eat' – Cruz Azul's Jorge Sánchez details rise from poverty to becoming a Mexico international

Vicente Sánchez’s team will face Club León in the Liga MX quarterfinals.

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Mexico international earns $1.5 million per season with Cruz AzulHis first official football paycheck—just 1,500 pesos ($75) when he was 17 and playing for Santos LagunaSánchez aims for Gold Cup return after missing Nations League Final FourFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Long before he was earning millions playing for Cruz Azul, Jorge Sánchez was a teenager just trying to help put food on the table. Today, the Mexican international earns $1.5 million per season – one of the highest salaries on the team, according to . But his path to professional football was anything but easy.

In a recent interview with content creator Debryanshow, Sánchez opened up about his modest upbringing and the emotional memories tied to his first paychecks. One of the most striking moments came when he revealed how, as a child, he earned money by giving pony rides to kids.

“I used to walk kids around on ponies,” Sánchez said. “Everything I earned, I gave straight to my mom so we could eat. I grew up with very little. There were days when even a meal was hard to come by.”

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Gran historia de #JorgeSanchez ⚡️🙏

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Raised in a household without a father figure for much of his early life, Sánchez said he took on whatever small jobs he could find to help his mother and sister. His first official football paycheck – just 1,500 pesos (75 Dollars) when he was 17 and playing for Santos Laguna – was spent on a heartfelt celebration.

“With that money, I bought burgers and sodas for my mom, my sister, and myself,” he said. “We sat down and cried together while eating. It wasn’t much, but we enjoyed every bite.”

Despite an up-and-down start to his stint at Cruz Azul, where he arrived in mid-2024 to replace Rodrigo Huescas at right back, Sánchez remains a symbol of perseverance and resilience. Having played in Europe with Ajax and Porto and now representing Mexico at the national level, he’s living a dream built on hard work, sacrifice – and pony rides.

AFPDID YOU KNOW?

After making his first-division debut with Santos Laguna in 2016, Sánchez made a significant career leap when he joined Club América in 2018. His performances there earned him a spot with the Mexico national team, eventually leading to a move to Europe in 2022 with Ajax. That same year, under coach Tata Martino, Sánchez became a regular for and was called up to play in his first World Cup in Qatar.

He was later loaned to FC Porto before returning to Mexico, where his role has slightly diminished under current national team boss Javier Aguirre. Although he was not selected for the Nations League Finals, he did feature in earlier qualifying rounds. Despite this, Sánchez remains one of the top full-backs in Liga MX and is expected to fight for a spot in Mexico’s squad for the upcoming Gold Cup.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR CRUZ AZUL?

Vicente Sánchez’s Cruz Azul will face Club León in the Liga MX quarterfinals, with the two-leg series set to begin on May 7 or 8. After finishing third in the regular-season standings, will host the decisive second leg at home.

'I never even realised!' – Hector Bellerin admits he only comprehended size of Arsenal after exit

Hector Bellerin admits he did not appreciate the size and magnitude of Arsenal until he left the club.

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  • Bellerin now playing for Real Betis
  • Left Gunners in 2022 for Barcelona
  • Talks about size of club
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Bellerín has admitted that he didn't fully appreciate the magnitude of Arsenal until after he left the club in 2022. The Spanish defender spent over a decade at the Emirates Stadium, but says he was so caught up in the day-to-day bubble of being a footballer that he didn't realise the true scale of the Gunners.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Bellerín joined Arsenal from Barcelona as a 16-year-old in 2011 and quickly established himself as a fans' favourite in north London. The right-back was part of the Arsenal sides that won three FA Cups under Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery, and also helped the club reach the League Cup final in 2018.

  • WHAT BELLERIN SAID

    Bellerin told The Rest Is Football: "When I was playing for Arsenal, you know, I was really young. I basically became an adult in my time over there.

    "And now when I look at Arsenal games, I look at the club, I think like, ‘Wow, this club is so big!’ I never even realised how massive, how important, how many people it affects, how many people support this club – and just how, how big it is, you know?

    "I feel like football also doesn’t give you the time to really think about these more existential kind of matters, you know?" he added. "You have like two, three games a week, so just getting ready for the next one, recovering from the one before – so many things happening."

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    WHAT NEXT?

    Betis are still in the Europa League and face Jagiellonia Białystok in the second leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final on Thursday. Betis lead 2-0 from the first leg.

Sheffield United submit "multi-million offer" for "brilliant" 22 y/o ace

Sheffield United are pushing to complete the signing of a “brilliant” attacking player in January, with a “multi-million offer” submitted for him.

Latest Sheffield United news

The Blades continue to flourish in the Championship this season, sitting third in the table but only behind second-place Burnley on goal difference. Chris Wilder’s side look in a great position to push hard for a Premier League return, looking to bounce back at the first attempt.

In terms of transfer rumours affecting the Blades, Ben Brereton Diaz has been linked with a return to Bramall Lane, having struggled for playing time at Southampton this season.

The Chile international has only made four starts in the Premier League, making 10 appearances in the competition in total, as well as failing to score in that time. In fact, a loan agreement has even reportedly been agreed, which supporters can be excited about given the lack of risk involved.

In what would be a high-profile piece of business for the Blades, a reunion with Kyle Walker at the end of the current campaign has also been mooted. The veteran right-back could leave Manchester City in the summer, and signing him would be a statement of intent by United.

Sheffield United submit offer for "brilliant" ace

According to a new update from Soccer News [via Sport Witness], Sheffield United have submitted a “multi-million offer” for NEC attacker Sontje Hansen.

The Blades have concrete interest in the 22-year-old, sending the bid to his club, with the amount in question believed to be £2.9m. Ligue 1 side Lens are also in the mix to sign him, but they will need to sell players before attempting to snap him up.

Hansen is a talented young attacking player who is capable of shining on either flank, but a right-sided role is arguably his position of choice overall. The Dutchman is already making an impact in the Eredivisie for NEC this season, scoring four goals in nine starts in the division. Former Netherlands Under-17s coach Peter van der Veen has also hailed him.

Championship Table: Latest standings for the 2024/25 season

Latest English Football League Championship standings 2024/25.

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Hansen has made an impact on the youth international stage, not least scoring 13 goals in 24 caps for the U17s, and he has represented his country across five different age groups.

Netherlands Under-21s

5

1

Netherlands Under-18s

3

0

Netherlands Under-17s

24

13

Netherlands Under-16s

7

2

Netherlands Under-15s

5

2

The NEC star would be a long-term acquisition by United, hopefully scoring goals for them in the Premier League for years to come, so fans will be keeping their fingers crossed that a move that can be agreed as soon as possible.

Liverpool preparing bid worth £97.5m to sign new star and may offer Nunez

Liverpool are now preparing a bid worth £97.5m for a “world-class” forward, and Darwin Nunez could be used as a makeweight in a swap deal, according to a report.

Nunez could be set for Anfield exit

Nunez has had plenty of chances to prove himself at Anfield, and while there have been promising signs from time to time, he has struggled to justify his huge price tag.

As such, it appears as though the Uruguayan’s time on Merseyside could be coming to an end, with FSG now reportedly willing to accept a £60m offer.

The Reds have also started looking at replacements for the 25-year-old, with it recently being revealed that Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is high up the list of targets.

Liverpool now in talks to sign £21m Robertson successor for Slot

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During the January transfer window, Arne Slot has been looking at different ways to get unwanted players off the books, with Federico Chiesa’s future at Anfield also in doubt. It has been reported that Chiesa could be used as part of a swap deal to sign Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, following the Italian’s poor start to life in the Premier League.

However, according to new reports from Spain, Liverpool are now preparing a bid worth £97.5m for Kvaratskhelia, combining a transfer fee with a player swap, with Nunez potentially being sent to Napoli as part of the deal.

Napoli forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

At the moment, Paris Saint-Germain are leading the race for the forward’s signature and have agreed terms with the player, but the Reds’ proposal could put them in a good position to get a deal done.

Napoli have stalled in negotiations over a new deal for the 23-year-old, meaning he could be on the move in the summer transfer window, and there is no shortage of interest, with Manchester United and Chelsea also keen.

Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League fixtures

Date

Brentford (a)

January 18th

Ipswich (h)

January 25th

AFC Bournemouth (a)

February 1st

Wolverhampton Wanderers (h)

February 16th

Manchester City (a)

February 23rd

Kvaratskhelia performing at the highest level

The Georgia international has been a key player for Napoli over the course of a number of seasons, and he has continued to play an important role in his side’s title pursuit this season.

In 17 Serie A outings, the winger has bagged five goals and three assists, and he is ranked as the Italian side’s second-best performing player, with an average WhoScored match rating of 7.12.

Kvaratskhelia also played a key role for his national side in Euro 2024 last summer, with talkSPORT’s David Tanner lauding him as “world-class”, leading Georgia to the round of 16 for the first time.

Nunez’s move to Liverpool has simply not worked out, so it makes sense to include him in a deal for Kvaratskhelia, although it may be wiser to use Chiesa as a makeweight, given that he is showing even fewer encouraging signs than the Uruguayan.

The former Juventus man has made just one appearance in the Premier League, and a goal against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup is unlikely to buy him much time to show further signs of improvement.

PSG green-light £50m exit for player as Arsenal consider January deal

Arsenal are now evaluating the possibility of sealing a January deal for one “very complete” PSG player, as the Ligue 1 champions’ club chiefs now aim to sell him outright this month.

Jason Ayto tipped to target new forward for Arsenal in January

Manager Mikel Arteta has repeatedly refused to rule out the notion of Arsenal bringing in a fresh face before the end of January, with Gunners interim sporting director Jason Ayto believed to be in the market for a new wide forward after Bukayo Saka’s injury.

Arsenal could advance for £60m man in the "coming days" after Arteta call

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Arsenal are apparently scouring the market for another attacker, according to credible media sources like Standard Sport, specifically after Saka was ruled out until around March after undergoing surgery on his hamstring.

While Arteta is also insistent that his priority is making use of his current options, with Gabriel Martinelli often featuring on the right in Saka’s stead, widespread reports continue linking the north Londoners with another option in that position.

Arsenal’s next five Premier League games

Date

Tottenham (home)

January 15

Aston Villa (home)

January 18

Wolves (away)

January 25

Man City (home)

February 2

Leicester City (away)

February 15

Wolves star Matheus Cunha is believed to be a top target for Arsenal, but Vitor Pereira’s side are determined to make life difficult for them to sign the Brazilian this month, as they attempt to tie him down with a brand-new contract.

World-class wide options won’t exactly grow on trees this month, and January is a notoriously tricky window to navigate for most clubs, meaning Ayto and Arteta will need to be clever if they wish to try and reinforce the squad.

While Cunha will be a very difficult purchase, another option that could be more obtainable comes in the form of PSG outcast Randal Kolo Muani.

France'sRandalKoloMuanireacts

The France star, who remains a mainstay for Didier Deschamps at international level, has been repeatedly linked with an exit from the Parc des Princes after falling out of favour under Luis Enrique.

Kolo Muani has been completely left out of Enrique’s last two Ligue 1 matchday squads against Lyon and Monaco, not to mention their Coupe De France win over RC Lens on penalties, indicating that his future is far from the French capital.

PSG green-light £50m exit for Randal Kolo Muani as Arsenal consider deal

According to Italian news outlet Tuttosport, north London rivals Tottenham, AC Milan, Juventus and Turkish champions Galatasaray, alongside Arsenal, are all weighing up a winter deal for the 26-year-old as PSG become open to offers.

Arsenal are believed to be thinking of signing Kolo Muani in January, and PSG’s directors are ideally looking to sell him outright and would green-light the move, in the event they receive a bid of around £50 million.

This price would apparently put Serie A sides Milan and Juve out of the race, giving the likes of Arsenal a boost in pursuit of his signature, but it is unclear whether the club are prepared to shell out a figure that high for Kolo Muani.

“He is a striker who offers different game options to our team. He is very complete and has an impressive volume of play,” said Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe on Muani.

“We are happy with the game he played on Friday and I hope he scores tomorrow (Monday). We will try to get him to score a goal.”

Rangers star with "bags of pace" has become their new Ryan Kent

Glasgow Rangers manager Philippe Clement has seen his side win their last two games 6-0 and 3-0 respectively. It wasn’t just securing all three points that was important against Kilmarnock and Ross County, but the performances themselves were superb.

Indeed, across both matches, the Gers registered 47 shots, which resulted in nine goals being scored. The main difference was having Hamza Igamane supporting Danilo.

The starlet scored three times across both games, including a stunning long-range effort against County, but his link-up play with Danilo was equally impressive.

It is no secret that the club have struggled to find a consistent attacking threat on the left wing. Oscar Cortes and Rabbi Matondo have both endured spells out injured this term, while Nedim Bajrami has filled in to decent effect, despite the Albanian favouring an attacking midfield role.

Igamane looked at ease in an unfamiliar setting, that’s for sure. Only time will tell if this could be a long-term solution to Clement’s problem, however.

How the Belgian tactician would love to call on someone like Ryan Kent in this Rangers side, especially when he was in his prime under Steven Gerrard.

Ryan Kent’s Rangers statistics

As in the past, the Light Blues relied heavily on the loan market ahead of the 2018/19 campaign, which was to be Gerrard’s first at the club.

Several players joined the Gers, but it was the loan signing of Kent which got heads turning, especially as he was developing nicely at Liverpool under Jürgen Klopp.

“I think when the opportunity came around to join a club of this magnitude, it was a bit of a no-brainer,” said Kent regarding his move north of the border. With a former Liverpool icon in charge of the Light Blues, it was a move that could work out well for all parties.

Indeed, the winger enjoyed an excellent campaign in Scotland, scoring six goals while registering a further nine assists in all competitions, which led to calls for Gerrard to pursue a permanent deal for the starlet.

With the summer deadline ticking away, plenty of supporters were getting anxious about whether Kent would be returning to the club, but a deal worth around £7.5m – one of the biggest signings in the club’s history – was announced ahead of the transfer window closing.

He scored against Celtic in Rangers’ first win at Parkhead in nine years during the 2019/20 season, adding in another seven goals, but he couldn’t lead them to silverware.

The 2020/21 campaign proved to be his finest, registering 27 goal contributions – 13 goals and 14 assists – as the Gers won their first league title in a decade, going the whole season undefeated in the process.

Ryan Kent’s Rangers stats

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

2022/23

44

3

10

2021/22

46

3

19

2020/21

52

13

14

2019/20

33

8

4

2018/19

43

6

9

Via Transfermarkt

This proved to be Kent’s pinnacle at the club. He would produce some moments of magic over the following two campaigns, but a return of just six goals proved that his heart certainly wasn’t in it anymore.

With just months left on his contract, it appeared as though the English winger was seeking to leave Scotland, and it came as no surprise in May 2023 when they announced that he was one of the five players who would be departing in the summer.

Since leaving, Kent has played a total of 19 games for Fenerbahçe before having his contract terminated.

Former Rangers forward Ryan Kent.

There is no doubt that between 2018 and 2021, Kent was one of the finest players in Scotland.

Does Clement have his own Kent-like figure in his current first-team squad? There’s another loan star lighting up Ibrox with every passing week…

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Rangers' new Ryan Kent

Like Kent, Cerny is on a season-long loan deal, yet his impressive performances of late have led to calls to make this a permanent one at the end of the season.

Across all competitions this season, the Czech sensation has scored nine goals while providing five assists for the Light Blues, cementing a spot on the right flank.

While Ross McCausland was preferred last term, it was evident that Clement required a player who could offer that cutting-edge in the final third and Cerny has worked his magic so far.

Domestically, the wide player has created three big chances, averaging 2.6 key passes and 1.5 successful dribbles per game, causing plenty of chaos to opposition defenders in the Premiership.

it is in the Europa League where Clement has seen the winger at his best, however. Not only has he notched up five goal contributions in as many games, but the 27-year-old has created two big chances, succeeded with 1.8 dribbles – a 60% success rate – along with averaging 1.8 key passes per game.

Furthermore, when compared to his peers in the Europa League, Cerny ranks in the top 5% for total shots (4.32), the top 16% for successful take-on percentage (60%) and in the top 19% for carries into the opposition penalty area per 90 (2.29), demonstrating just how effective he is in getting past defenders and into the penalty box.

Just before he signed, Rangers Journal founder Kai Watson heaped praise on the Wolfsburg attacker, saying: “The last time Vaclav Cernu played in a league similar to ours (Eredivisie) he had 27 goal contributions in 36 appearances. A left-footed right winger with bags of pace and ability on the ball, he would be a real statement signing.”

Vaclav Cerny

It may have taken a month or two to truly settle in, but the fans are now seeing the very best of Cerny. A winger who is not only able to get the better of their opposite number but who can cut in on his stronger foot and score plenty of goals.

He is certainly emerging as the club’s new Kent and a permanent deal will be looked at as the season progresses.

Whether Rangers can afford him is a different story. The board and manager will cross that bridge when they get to it. Firstly, there are trophies to be won.

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Previously valued at £100m: Rangers could sign phenomenal Gelhardt upgrade

Glasgow Rangers have entered a big week in their season and potentially in Philippe Clement’s tenure at Ibrox ahead of two huge matches this week.

The Light Blues, firstly, play host to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur at Ibrox in the Europa League on Thursday night, with former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou returning to Glasgow for the first time since his exit from Parkhead last year.

Clement’s men then have to prepare for their trip to Hampden Park to take on the Hoops in the final of the League Cup on Sunday, which is a chance for the Belgian boss to win his second trophy in charge of the club.

James Tavernier’s goal against Aberdeen in the final of the competition last year ensured that the former Club Brugge boss made a fast start to life in Glasgow.

However, two draws and three defeats in 15 matches in the Scottish Premiership so far this season has led to growing speculation over Clement’s future at the club. Football Insider recently reported, though, that the board will not take a decision on his future until CEO Patrick Stewart starts his job after the cup final on Sunday.

The manager may hope that he is afforded the January transfer window to turn things around, and a striker appears to be on the agenda for the Light Blues.

Rangers' interest in Championship forward

According to Football Insider, Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt is interested in making the switch to Glasgow to sign for Rangers next month.

The report claims that the English attacker wants to move on from Elland Road due to his lack of game time on the pitch in the Championship for Daniel Farke’s side this season.

It adds, however, that the German head coach remains undecided as to whether the club should send him out on loan for the second half of the season or attempt to cash in on him on a permanent basis.

Leeds forward Joe Gelhardt.

Football Insider reveals that Rangers are plotting a January swoop for the former Wigan Athletic centre-forward, as they look to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch.

The outlet claims, though, that the financial situation at Ibrox means that they are more likely to pursue a loan deal for the 22-year-old Leeds outcast, rather than attempting to put together a package to sign him permanently.

Whilst Gelhardt is reportedly keen to make the move to Glasgow, Clement could save his job at Ibrox by looking elsewhere and swooping to sign another reported transfer target for the Scottish giants – Evan Ferguson.

Rangers linked with Premier League attacker

Last month, The Boot Room reported that Rangers are one of a host of clubs interested in a move to sign Brighton & Hove Albion centre-forward Evan Ferguson when the January transfer window officially opens for business.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Previously valued at £100m, the outlet claimed that both the Light Blues and Celtic are keeping tabs on his situation ahead of the window after the Premier League side opted to make him available for a loan in the second half of the season.

Joao Pedro, Georginio Rutter, and Danny Welbeck have been preferred ahead of him at times this season and his lack of minutes on the pitch appears to have created an opportunity for a team to snap him up on a temporary basis.

The Boot Room added that there is plenty of competition to secure his services on loan, as Premier League teams West Ham, Southampton, Leicester, and Fulham are all eyeing up a possible swoop for the young marksman.

It also revealed that Brighton want to make sure that Ferguson will play week-in-week-out wherever he ends up on loan, which could give Celtic and Rangers – who may still be in European competitions – an advantage over Premier League sides that are fighting relegation and under pressure to make instant changes if players do not hit the ground running.

With Celtic and Rangers, the Ireland international would be playing in a team that is dominating matches and playing on the frontfoot, giving him the best possible chance to hone his skills in front of goal and gain confidence before returning to Brighton next summer.

Why Rangers should sign Evan Ferguson

Clement could save his job by ditching the club’s pursuit of Gelhardt to focus on signing Ferguson on loan in the January transfer window because he would be a big upgrade on the Englishman.

The Leeds dud has only made 12 appearances and started two games in the Championship since the start of last season, which means that he has not been deemed good enough to even be a rotation option for a team in the second tier of English football.

Brighton strikerEvan Ferguson.

His last spell as a regular starter came in the Championship with Sunderland in the second half of the 2022/23 campaign, and Gelhardt scored three goals and missed five ‘big chances’ in 18 appearances.

Whereas, Ferguson has played 37 times, starting 17 of those games, in the Premier League for Brighton since the start of last season, and contributed with seven goals.

The Irish marksman, who was hailed as “phenomenal” by teammate James Milner, is two years younger than Gelhardt and is on the fringes of a top-flight club, rather than struggling for game time in the second tier.

22/23

5.67

6

+0.33

23/24

3.97

6

+2.03

24/25

0.36

1

+0.64

Total

9.99

13

+3.01

As you can see in the table above, Ferguson has also proven his quality as a finisher at Premier League level in recent years, outperforming his xG by around three goals.

This shows that he is a ruthless finisher who could thrive on the service that he would get at Ibrox. Rangers have created 32.2 xG and scored 26 goals in the Premiership this season, which suggests that Clement’s current forwards have not made the most of their chances in front of goal.

Putting a striker with Ferguson’s finishing ability into the Rangers team could improve that xG conversion rate, given his xG performance in the Premier League, and that is why Clement could save his job by landing the forward, who could ensure that the results match the performances from an attacking perspective.

Clement could have unearthed Morelos 2.0 in "unbelievable" Rangers star

Rangers have a player in their squad who has an exciting future ahead…

ByRoss Kilvington Nov 30, 2024

CEP diz que 'não teve ressalvas' em SAF do Botafogo e John Textor: 'Trabalhamos por dois anos pela S/A'

MatériaMais Notícias

O Botafogo vive um período de transição com John Textor. Com a SAF vendida, o Alvinegro tem no norte-americano uma pessoa que comanda por inteiro o departamento de futebol.

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+ Em carta de despedida do Botafogo, Freeland agradece jogadores, torcida e diretoria: ‘Vocês foram fantásticos’

Carlos Eduardo Pereira, presidente do Glorioso entre 2015 e 2017, esclareceu em participação no “Charla Podcast” que não foi contra à venda do Botafogo. Inclusive, lembrou que participou do começo do projeto de profissionalização – ainda no primeiro plano, liderado por Gustavo Magalhães na gestão Nelson Mufarrej.

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–Pelo contrário (ser contra a John Textor). Isso é muito importante a gente esclarecer aqui. Temos que reparar uma injustiça que se fez com os irmãos Moreira Salles em metade de 2019. Foram eles que contrataram a Ernst & Young para fazer um estudo para que o Botafogo se profissionalizasse e criasse uma empresa para profissionalizar o futebol. Começa ali, gestão Nelson Mufarrej. Eu estava nessa reunião – explicou.

CEP afirmou que o processo de venda do Botafogo foi rápido após a aprovação da Lei da SAF porque os detalhes do clube já estavam organizadas. O mandatário reafirmou a confiança no projeto de John Textor.

–Por que o Botafogo foi analisado rapidamente? Porque ele estava estruturado para isso, ele foi trabalhado para isso. As contas do Botafogo foram organizadas. Boas ou más, elas estavam lá, transparentes. A Ersnt & Young não teve muito trabalho porque as contas estavam arrumadinhas. Não adianta as pessoas quererem falar essas fake news que todo mundo era contra, falar mal do Rotenberg, Montenegro, CEP, Mufarrej… Foram nós que trabalhamos por dois anos pela S/A. Não tem o menor sentido se trabalhar por alguma coisa e votar contra. Não tive nenhuma ressalva, votei a favor porque não tinha mais alternativa – completou.

Ao ser perguntado se o Alvinegro poderia passar por um processo como o do Flamengo, que se reconstruiu a partir de contenção de gastos durante anos, Carlos foi enfático.

–O Botafogo teria que ter tido uma injeção de capital como o Flamengo teve. A Globo injetou R$ 100 milhões por ano a mais do que injetou no Botafogo – afirmou.

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