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Celtic have been rocked by the news that Brendan Rodgers has joined Leicester City, but the profound disappointment surrounding his departure may only represent the first step towards another colossal setback.

Rodgers has left Celtic midway through a season in which a potential treble-treble was on the cards, with the notorious bright lights of Leicester proving too irresistible to ignore.

The Bhoys faithful are, understandably, distraught. Not only is this a blow in terms of their ambitions both short and long-term, it has provided an acute reminder of the club’s subordination to Premier League clubs and the futility of their imperious dominance in Scotland.

Celtic are a huge club, make no mistake about it, but an explicit lack of genuine competition is holding them back and that can be seen when they are faced with a proper challenge in Europe. Ultimately, the most coveted cogs in the machine will grow tired of this trend and will be cherry-picked by clubs across the continent who can offer a higher standard of football.

Moussa Dembele has already flown the nest, Rodgers has now followed in his footsteps and, with the departure signalling the end of an era, Kieran Tierney could be the next man to walk through the exit door.

The 21-year-old is adored by the Paradise faithful and represents a textbook emblem of the qualities which the vociferous fan base demand from their heroes. His heart is etched onto his sleeve, his playing style rampant and marauding, his promise exceptional.

Reports in recent years have tipped Tierney to join Manchester United, but Leicester will have to be regarded as an incredibly plausible destination for him following recent events.

Rodgers has history in this context: he signed the focal-point of his midfield at Swansea, Joe Allen, in his first summer transfer window in charge of Liverpool.

But the substance to this potential future transfer plot also lies within Ben Chilwell’s future. Leicester’s first-choice left-back has enjoyed an excellent season with the club, and his performances have commanded interest from Manchester City, as per ESPN.

Left-back has been a problematic area for City during the past eighteen months, with Benjamin Mendy consistently sidelined and Fabian Delph’s own injury problems forcing Oleksander Zinchenko, Aymeric Laporte and Danilo – an attacking midfielder, central defender and right-back by trade – to share the responsibility of deputising at full-back.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

And City are unlikely to be the only interested party. English, 22 and phenomenally talented, Chilwell ticks plenty of boxes for the Premier League’s top-six.

It will take some doing for Rodgers to convince the Man City target to stay at the club long-term, and he should be firmly aware of that after taking the reigns at the King Power Stadium.

Of course, there is no guarantee that Chilwell’s departure automatically implies that Tierney will become the Foxes’ number one target to replace the England international, but his association with Rodgers suggests he will be a name at the heart of the transfer discussion.

Rodgers could ultimately come back to haunt Celtic by inflicting another colossal setback on the club in the shape of a move for the 12-cap Scotland international.

The most pertinent question is, perhaps, would Rodgers be willing to abandon his allegiance to the Hoops in a bid to prise a genuine hero away from Glasgow?

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Everton’s struggles are no secret and have been well documented in recent months. After a bright start to the campaign under Marco Silva, the Toffees have just five wins from their last 15 Premier League games.

There are also some issues emerging in terms of first-team personnel, with first-choice right-back Seamus Coleman performing well out-of-sorts this season, whilst Bernard and Theo Walcott have failed to inspire out on the wings.

Examining the main problem areas

Clearly, the only issues in the team are found in the wide areas. Coleman has been dropped on numerous occasions this season for the less-experienced Jonjoe Kenny, as a result of his below-par performances that have had fans suggesting that he is beginning to decline.

In the wide attacking areas, Theo Walcott has been distinctly average this season, and it could be argued that he has already exited his prime years as a footballer – the 29-year-old has just three goals and two assists in 28 league appearances this season.

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On the opposite flank, Bernard has impressed in spells and is always a tricky customer to deal with, but his end product is fairly poor and he could easily be considered expendable in this Everton team – the Brazilian has a mere three assists to show for his efforts in the league.

What can Silva do about it?

Well, the Toffees are fairly strong through the core, and have a number of players who perform well through the middle of the field, so a 3-5-2 formation could suit the players quite well.

Everton are well stocked in the centre-back department, with Michael Keane, Kurt Zouma and Yerry Mina all competing for the two centre-half positions, so playing all of them together would keep them happy and allow Lucas Digne – who enjoys getting forward – less defensive responsibility out in a left wing-back role.

Idrissa Gueye and Andre Gomes can be part of a two-man defensive midfield, with Gylfi Sigurdsson sat ahead of them in an attacking midfield role – Dominic Calvert-Lewin can be deployed on the right of midfield where his pace would stretch defences and allow the Icelandic international more space.

Up top, Richarlison should be partnered with Ademola Lookman, who hasn’t seen near enough game time this season – he has been afforded just six starts in all competitions.

If Everton utilise the personnel in their squad correctly for the last nine games, they could have an enjoyable end to the season.

انتقد أحمد حسام ميدو نجم الزمالك السابق، عصام عبد المنعم رئيس اتحاد الكرة السابق بسبب هجوم الأخير ضد فرجاني ساسي لاعب الزمالك.

وكان عصام عبد المنعم قد انتقد فرجاني ساسي بسبب تعديه ضد حكم مباراة الزمالك والمصري باليد، مطالبًا بترحيله من مصر.

وقال ميدو في تغريدة له عبر موقع التواصل الاجتماعي “تويتر”: “عصام عبد المنعم عنصري وجاهل، وهؤلاء الناس يجب منعهم من الظهور في التليفزيون”.

وكشف بطولات أن الحكم أمين عمر، حكم المباراة، دون في تقريره تعدي فرجاني ساسي، عليه لفظًا وتعامل معه بشكل غير لائق بجانب الاستمرار في استفزازه ببعض الكلمات بعد تعرضه للطرد.

طالع | بطولات يكشف تقرير الحكم عن تصرف فرجاني ساسي في مباراة الزمالك والمصري

وأكمل: “لا يوجد أحد بيننا ملاك ولكن من العيب الكلام اللي قاله هذا الرجل”.

واختتم: “أخواتنا الضيوف لا يوجد فرق بينهم وبيننا ونعتذر لك يا ساسي”.

يذكر، أن عصام عبد المنعم تولى رئاسة اتحاد الكرة المصري مؤقتًا خلال عام 2005.

عصام عبد المنعم عنصري وجاهل لازم الناس دي يتمنعوا من الظهور في التليفزيون.. ماحدش فينا ملاك بس عيب اوي الكلام اللي راجل قاله.. اخواتنا الضيوف مفيش فرق بينهم وبيننا بنعتذرلك يا ساسي ❤️❤️❤️ @FerjaniSassi

— Mido (@midoahm) October 4, 2020

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Arsenal are lining up a summer bid for Crystal Palace right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, according to The Sun.

The defender has been in excellent form for the Eagles this season, making a total of 28 appearances in all competitions, while also winning two caps for England’s Under-21 side.

What’s the word?

Per the aforementioned report, Wan-Bissaka is seen as a pacey, strong option at full-back as Unai Emery looks to bolster his defence.

Palace are said to value Wan-Bissaka at £40million, while the Gunners would also have to beat off competition from a number of rival suitors.

Everton are also interested, per The Sun, while Manchester City and Bayern Munich are monitoring developments surrounding the 21-year-old.

Wan-Bissaka, however, may be swayed by the prospect of staying in London, with Palace identifying Chelsea’s Reece James as a potential replacement.

Arsenal have struggled with the right-back position this season, as Hector Bellerin is out injured.

Stephan Lichtsteiner, at the age of 35, has often been deployed as the Spaniard’s deputy, along with Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Wan-Bissaka should be Arsenal’s top target

Wan-Bissaka is a fantastic prospect and is everything Arsenal need.

Bellerin’s injury problems this season have left the Gunners short and bringing in the England youth international would add genuine depth to the full-back position.

The youngster could be Arsenal’s first-choice right-back for the next decade and an investment of £40m in the current transfer market is pennies, particularly for a player who is only set to improve.

It may well leave Bellerin on the fringes but healthy competition is a good thing and the 23-year-old should relish any battle for his position.

A bidding war may well erupt this summer, with a number of top clubs eyeing Wan-Bissaka, but Arsenal should do everything they can to ensure he ends up in north London.

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The Birmingham Mail have released a detailed questions and answers piece on the situations of Salomon Rondon, Dwight Gayle and Jacob Murphy, and it sounds like the latter pair have no chance of a future at Newcastle.

What’s the story?

According to The Birmingham Mail, Rafael Benitez was so desperate to get rid of Gayle that the club upped his wages just to incentivise him to leave on loan.

Benitez “made it clear” last summer that the striker has no long-term future with the Magpies, claims the report.

Does Newcastle’s infamous title collapse of 1996 mirror what is happening at Liverpool right now? The Magpie Channel discuss in the video below…

It also runs the rule over Murphy’s future, saying there are “major doubts” about his ability on Tyneside and that the club would be open to offers.

Improvement at last

For far too long Newcastle have flirted with relegation, constantly hovering above the danger zone with a squad packed full of mostly bang average players.

Put simply, that is exactly what Gayle and Murphy are – average players.

The English pair have both performed well in the Championship but failed to step up to the top flight, and the explanation for that is they have found their level in the second tier.

Benitez and the club would be absolutely right to seek whatever transfer fees they can recoup this summer and move on from the underwhelming pair.

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Liverpool have reportedly made contact with RB Leipzig over the availability of Timo Werner, as the Reds weigh up whether or not to make a summer move for the forward as reported by SportBild.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the aforementioned report suggests that Jurgen Klopp’s side have asked to be kept updated with developments regarding the Germany international’s future.

Werner – who has scored 11 goals this season – is believed to be on Klopp’s radar, as the former Borussia Dortmund boss looks to bolster his attacking depth.

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Leipzig have reportedly offered the forward a double-your-money deal worth £5.2m-a-year in the hope of keeping him at the club – Werner’s current contract is set to expire in the summer of 2020.

He should be Liverpool’s top target

Despite having one of the most fearsome attacks in European football right now, it could be argued that if you were to scratch beneath the surface a little bit, then the Reds’ front-line is actually wafer thin in terms of depth.

Yes, Klopp does have Divock Origi, Daniel Sturridge and youngster Rhian Brewster to call on if anything were to happen to Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino or Sadio Mane, but, in truth, none of them can make enough of an impact to replicate the effect of the main trio.

The Reds have been lucky in terms of Salah, Mane and Firmino’s fitness this season, but that isn’t to say that Werner would simply be a backup option were he to arrive at Anfield.

Significantly, a huge factor of Liverpool’s free-flowing attack is the front three’s ability to interchange up top and use their attacking versatility to throw off opposition defences, and Werner fits the bill in that respect.

The German can play as a left forward, cutting in from the right like Mane currently does, or he can play as a central striker if needed – should he become available, Liverpool should go all out for the former Stuttgart man.

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West Ham have suffered yet another injury setback, as reports claim Jack Wilshere is now officially out for the season.

What’s the story?

In a worryingly predictable turn of events, The Sun report that Wilshere has suffered an injury setback in West Ham training.

The report claims that Wilshere had returned to training but damaged his ankle further, and is now expecting to be told by a specialist that his season is over.

“He was running at West Ham’s Essex training ground but the foot joint is still causing trouble — although the exact diagnosis remains unclear,” the report continues.

Manuel Pellegrini has not confirmed the setback, but he also did not deny it during his Friday press conference, instead saying: “I am not a doctor, we must wait,” as reported by Claret & Hugh.

Gamble over, time to move on?

The 27 year-old played his last action against Newcastle at the beginning of December, and has managed just four starts this season.

The English international joined the Hammers on a free signing last summer with big question marks surrounding his injury record, and those questions have now been answered in the worst possible way.

The gamble that the midfielder could put his long list of fitness troubles behind him has well and truly backfired, and Manuel Pellegrini would now be wise to shop for another new signing in midfield this summer.

أشاد الظهير الأيمن البرازيلي دانيلو، لاعب يوفنتوس الإيطالي، بالمدرب أندريا بيرلو، المدير الفني الجديد للبيانكونيري هذا الموسم.

بيرلو اعتمد على دانيلو في أول مباراتين له مع يوفنتوس، وشارك البرازيلي في مركز الظهير الأيمن، وكذلك لأول مرة يلعب كمدافع في طريقة الـ3 مدافعين.

طالع أيضًا.. ساري يسعى لإنهاء عقده مع يوفنتوس من أجل فيورنتينا

وقال دانيلو في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “لاستامبا” الإيطالية: “ترتكز فكرة بيرلو على حيازة الكرة، والضغط العالي والتحركات السريعة بين جميع خطوط الملعب”.

وأضاف: “لقد اعتدت على ذلك في مانشستر سيتي، وساعدني ما تعلمته هناك في التكيّف مع طريقة لعب بيرلو”.

واختتم: “أنا راضٍ جدًا عن أدائي مع بيرلو، أرقامي في المباراة الأولى والثانية، تثبت أنني أتأقلم مع طريقة لعب بيرلو، لكنني أريد مواصلة التعلم منه ومن طاقمه الفني”.

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Barnsley hosted fellow League One promotion-chasers Sunderland at Oakwell on Tuesday. 

Despite it being a fiercely contested match, with plenty of quality and creativity on display, it ultimately ended goalless, so both sides earned a single point each. 

This result is a greater disappointment for the Tykes, who will have been desperate to capitalise upon their home advantage in order to pull away from the Black Cats in the race for automatic promotion. However, whilst Daniel Stendel’s side remain above Sunderland in the table, there is just four points between them with the Wearside outfit holding a game in hand.

Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…

Barnsley are still in the driving seat though and Stendel will know that it is vital that his squad retains its composure.

What he said

Following the 0-0 draw, as quoted by ClubCall, the German coach said: “It was a closer game than we expected.

“The goal was to win, but we are satisfied…In the last minutes we tried to win, but we could not score. A draw for both teams is okay.”

Keep calm

There is still plenty of football left to be played in this campaign, and Barnsley still have every chance of securing promotion, so long as they keep their heads.

The failure to win last night was a disappointment and a setback, but by sending this calm message out to the squad and fans, Stendel is seeking to ensure that everyone remains relaxed and focused heading into the all-important run in.

[ad_pod ]According to the Daily Star, Manchester United are confident of signing Leicester’s Harry Maguire this summer after failing to secure the centre-back’s signature last summer under Jose Mourinho.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Red Devils reportedly tried to lure the England international to Old Trafford last summer, but were priced out of a move by the Foxes who were intent on keeping Maguire.

Now, however, the aforementioned report from the Daily Star suggests that it was Maguire who wasn’t keen to ditch the club who had splashed out £17m to sign him from relegated Hull back in 2017, instead deciding to stay put and show some loyalty.

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The former Sheffield United defender is now open to a move though, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly urging the club to sign Maguire so he can build his defence around the 26-year-old.

Very harsh on Chris Smalling

One would assume that Maguire would be signed to partner Victor Lindelof in defence, seeing as the 24-year-old has made the most starts out of any of United’s centre-backs this season with 32 to his name, whilst Smalling has 26 – Lindelof has also been arguably the club’s most improved player and has enjoyed an excellent season.

If that is to be the case, then it would be extremely harsh on Smalling who has performed very well under Solskjaer, proving to be a solid, reliable option who very rarely lets the side down.

A number of United fans have been impressed with the England international of late since the Norwegian replaced Mourinho, so for him to be dropped in place of Maguire – should the deal go through – would be cruel.

He may well keep his place, but with Lindelof in equally, if not more, impressive form, it is unlikely that Maguire would be kept on the bench were he to arrive for a reported fee of £65m.