Man Utd swoop for Marco Verratti could unleash Paul Pogba, says Danny Murphy

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Writing in his column for The Daily Mail, Danny Murphy has suggested PSG midfielder Marco Verratti would have been “ideal” for Manchester United.

What did he say?

The Red Devils’ central midfield options this season has largely been limited to Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matic, Fred and Paul Pogba, with none of them finding the back of the net this campaign.

Murphy has now insisted United’s problems lay in not having someone to fill the boots of Michael Carrick, and revealed someone like Verratti could release Pogba from his defensive shackles.

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He said: “The United squad has been a mish-mash of players signed by different managers. The one constant in recent times however is that they’ve not found a midfield player to replace Michael Carrick. Matic is solid, Scott McTominay is solid, but they aren’t Carrick. Pogba tries to do the job but he hasn’t got the defensive awareness Carrick had, he is best served further up the pitch.

“For me, it’s a glaring miss that has affected United’s whole build-up play. Manchester City have a player who can do it, Fernandinho. Someone like Marco Verratti at PSG would have been ideal. He came to Old Trafford with his side and ran the show. When I see Pogba, I see player who can see a pass, shoot with both feet, and make things happen.

“Pogba has played as one of the two deep-lying midfielders but United need to be dominating the ball for him to effective. United don’t so it doesn’t work.”

The answer to multiple problems

As Murphy says, having Pogba play as part of the deeper-lying midfield two robs the France World Cup winner of his natural attacking instincts. In his final season at Juventus, the 26-year-old racked up eight goals and 12 assists in Serie A, but it was his under-lying numbers that really showed his contributions going forward.

The Frenchman averaged 3.5 shots and 2.9 dribbles per game – two figures that comfortably better what he has been producing this season in the Premier League (1.8 shots and 1.5 dribbles respectively). If United have someone like Verratti to control the pattern of the play from deep, and find Pogba in more advanced areas, he could do a whole lot more damage.

The 5 foot 5 magician has averaged an eye-watering 84.9 passes per game in Ligue 1, at an accuracy of 93.1%.

Whether United could convince the French giants to part with the 26-year-old, or whether the midfielder would even be prepared to join however, is another matter altogether.

مهاجم سالزبورج يُشعل المنافسة بين ليفربول وكبار إنجلترا

أشعل مهاجم فريق سالزبورج باتسون داكا المنافسة بين أندية الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، في موسم الانتقالات الصيفي المقبل وعلى رأسها ليفربول.

وحسب شبكة “جول” العالمية، فإن باتسون داكا مطلوب بقوة في الدوري الإنجليزي نهاية الموسم الحالي.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ليفربول يعلن موعد استقبال الجماهير في ملعب أنفيلد

وأفادت أن المهاجم الزامبي يتواجد على رادار كل من ليفربول ومانشستر سيتي ومانشستر يونايتد وآرسنال.

ويمتلك داكا عقدًا ساريًا مع سالزبورج حتى عام 2024.

وأشارت إلى أن القيمة المالية لـ داكا تصل إلى حوالي 20 مليون يورو في الوقت الحالي.

داكا سجل 27 هدفًا وصنع 8 أهداف في 31 مباراة في الموسم الحالي مع سالزبورج، في مختلف المسابقات.

سداسي الأهلي الدولي يجري مسحة كورونا استعدادًا لمواجهة المريخ

أجري سداسي النادي الأهلي المنضم لـ منتخب مصر في الفترة الحالية، مسحة طبية للكشف عن فيروس كورونا، عقب نهاية مباراة الفراعنة أمام جزر القمر التي أقيمت اليوم الإثنين.

وكان منتخب مصر انتصر علي جزر القمر بأربعة أهداف دون رد، في إطار الجولة السادسة والأخيرة من تصفيات أمم إفريقيا المقبلة بالكاميرون.

وتواجد في صفوف المنتخب من الأهلي كل من محمد الشناوي وياسر ابراهيم وعمرو السولية ومحمد مجدي أفشة ومحمد شريف ومحمد هاني.

طالع | الأهلي يعلن انتظام ديانج في المران قبل مواجهة المريخ

وأفاد مراسل “بطولات” من ملعب استاد القاهرة، أن لاعبو الأهلي أجروا مسحة بعد المباراة داخل الملعب استعدادًا للسفر للسودان.

ويستعد الأهلي لمواجهة المريخ السوداني يوم السبت المقبل في الجولة الخامسة من منافسات دور المجموعات بدوري أبطال إفريقيا.

ويحتل الأهلي المركز الثاني في ترتيب المجموعة الأولى بدوري الأبطال برصيد 7 نقاط، خلف المتصدر سيمبا التنزاني بـ10 نقاط، ويأتي في المركز الثالث فيتا كلوب بـ4 نقاط، وفي المركز الأخير المريخ السوداني نقطة واحدة.

Liverpool should switch up the midfield against Leicester and start Naby Keita

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…Â

Liverpool face one of their toughest tests of the season so far against a high-flying Leicester side on Saturday, so what changes should Jurgen Klopp make from the win in midweek?

The Champions League scare against Red Bull Salzburg may have been the final confirmation to Klopp that Jordan Henderson is just not cutting it at the moment.

There is no doubt the former Sunderland man silenced all his doubters by lifting the greatest club trophy of them all last term, but he has now been taken off around the hour mark in each of his last two appearances.

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Fans slammed his performance on Wednesday as he completed no key passes, dribbles, tackles, interceptions or clearances (Whoscored), and we suspect he could drop to the bench as one of three changes on Saturday.

The back four pretty much picks itself after Klopp confirmed Joel Matip is still not ready to return during his pre-match press conference. And while Alisson is close to returning, it seems foolish to rush him back with a two-week break after this game.

Moving into midfield, Fabinho’s stunning consistency since breaking into the XI makes him pretty much un-droppable – the Brazil international has started six league games and both Champions League fixtures this term, forcing even rival fans to sit up and take notice.

And that’s where things get interesting. James Milner’s introduction during the week steadied the ship for Klopp’s side, and the 33 year-old’s experience could be perfect against an in-form team like Leicester.

The other spot is then up for grabs, but Naby Keita’s return to action over the last couple of weeks seems perfectly timed with Henderson’s loss of form, and the Guinea international’s quick feet and eye for a forward pass could be useful here.

Finally, with Roberto Firmino set to travel to Brazil for international friendlies against Senegal and Nigeria over the break, we suspect Klopp will rest his mercurial number nine, rewarding Divock Origi for his game-changing impact at Bramall Lane last week.

This would see Sadio Mane shift into a central position, a role he has grabbed seven goals in nine appearances in as a Red, with Mohamed Salah keeping his place on the right flank.

Charlton fans react after seeing Chris Powell as part of the England coaching set-up

Some Charlton fans have taken to Twitter to react after spotting Chris Powell as part of the England coaching set-up.

The former Charlton and Huddersfield manager became part of Gareth Southgate’s staff at the start of September as part of the BAME programme, a move designed by the FA to “solve the challenge of under-representation”.

Powell managed the Addicks from 2011-2014, following a playing career that saw him make 214 appearances for the south Londoners.

The 50-year-old was appointed at The Valley in 2011 and went on to guide Charlton out of League One and into the Championship as champions, although he was later sacked by Roland Duchatelet just days after reportedly agreeing a new contract with the club.

After seeing their former boss on the bench for England as part of Southgate’s staff, a number of Charlton fans took to Twitter to react.

Let’s take a look at what some of the Addicks supporters said…

آرسنال يتلقى خبرًا سارًا بشأن ساكا قبل مواجهة ليفربول

تلقى فريق آرسنال دفعة إيجابية قوية قبل مواجهة ليفربول مساء الغد، في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وسيتواجه الفريقان في إطار منافسات الجولة الثلاثين من الدوري الإنجليزي، على ملعب الإمارات.

اقرأ أيضًا.. كلوب يُعلن موقف فيرمينو وهندرسون من مباراة ليفربول وآرسنال

وذكرت شبكة “فوتبول لندن” الإنجليزية أن بوكايو ساكا لاعب فريق آرسنال شارك في تدريبات اليوم استعدادًا لمواجهة ليفربول.

وأوضحت أن ساكا تمكن من المشاركة في التدريبات الجماعية اليوم الجمعة، قبل مواجهة غد المرتقبة.

وانتشرت الشكوك خلال الأيام الماضية حول إمكانية مشاركة ساكا في مباراة آرسنال وليفربول.

وجاءت تلك الشكوك بعد استبعاد ساكا من التواجد مع منتخب إنجلترا في فترة التوقف الدولي، في شهر مارس الماضي بسبب الإصابة.

ورغم ذلك، فإن ساكا ظهر بشكل جيد في تدريبات اليوم رفقة زملائه في آرسنال.

وأشارت الشبكة إلى إنه في حال عدم حدوث أي انتكاسة بعد جلسة التدريبات، فإن ساكا سيكون خيارًا بالنسبة لـ أرتيتا في مباراة الغد.

مرتضى منصور: حرصا على الزمالك.. انتظروني عقب المباراة المصيرية أمام تونجيث

أعلن مرتضى منصور رئيس مجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك (الموقوف) إصداره بيانا هاما، اليوم السبت، عقب المباراة المصيرية للفارس الأبيض أمام تونجيث السنغالي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

الزمالك يستضيف تونجيث السنغالي، على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي، في تمام السادسة مساء، في ختام دور المجموعات للمسابقة القارية.

وكتب مرتضى منصور عبر حسابه بموقع التواصل الاجتماعي “تويتر”: “الليلة ان شاء الله عقب نهاية المباراة المصيرية بين فريق نادي الزمالك ونادي تونجيث السنغالي وهي المباراة التي ستؤهل فريقنا ان شاء الله لدور ربع النهائي لبطولة دوري أبطال افريقيا رغم صعوبة المهمة لكن لاعبينا رجالة وعلى قدر المسؤلية وربنا يوفقهم”.

وأضاف: “عقب المباراة يصدر المستشار مرتضى منصور رئيس مجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك الشرعي والمنتخب من الجمعية العمومية بيانا هاما وهو البيان الذي أجل نشره إلى بعد انتهاء المباراة حتى يساعد اللاعبين على التركيز في مباراتهم الهامة”.

طالع أيضا.. مصطفى محمد: الإسماعيلي طلب ضمي مقابل عواد.. والصفقة فشلت بسبب مرتضى منصور

يذكر أن، وزارة الشباب والرياضة كانت قد أعلنت حل مجلس مرتضى منصور، بسبب وجود مخالفات مالية، وتعيين لجنة ثلاثية مؤقتة لإدارة القلعة البيضاء لحين إجراء انتخابات الجمعية العمومية عقب دورة الألعاب الأولمبية.

Wolves have their next Conor Coady in youth prospect Christian Marques

This article is part of Football FanCast’s In The Pipeline series, which takes a look at some of the most promising young talent either linked with clubs or emerging from their academies…

In the past week, much of the talk at Molineux has been surrounding potential player departures as first-team stars Willy Boly and Ruben Neves have been linked to moves to Arsenal and Real Madrid, respectively, while young prospect Chem Campbell has garnered interest from Germany if reports are to be believed.

The 16-year-old has caught the eye of Wolves boss Nuno Santo in the past after he was invited to train with the first-team during the summer, but he wasn’t the only youngster to do so as Christian Marques also did too – he even went one better by travelling on their pre-season tour of China.

Are Gareth Southgate’s Aston Villa roots the reason behind the Wolves player in the video below being overlooked?…

Although he didn’t feature as the west Midlands club picked up the Premier League Asia Trophy, he has had such an impression in the youth ranks that he was able to bypass the U18s straight into the U23 squad this campaign.

His academy manager Scott Sellars has given a glowing review on him in recent times, by saying: “He is an excellent communicator, good technically and is a great passer of the ball.

“We see him in the mould of a Conor Coady, playing that central position, and we’re really pleased with how he’s developed in his time here.”

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Which is only reinforcing his previous incumbent’s words, as former U23 coach Rob Edwards said: “He works really hard, he’s got a great attitude and he’s got real quality as well.

“He’s played these last few games and done fantastically well for us. We’ve got high hopes for him.”

Marques’ qualities are only emphasised when taking a look at his international exploits, where he captains the Switzerland U17 squad, so it’s no surprise to see him draw comparisons to Wolves’ current captain Coady.

If he stays on track, he could well transform into the long-term leader of this football club. These latest comments certainly would suggest it is possible, even if it is a distant dream at the moment.

The 16-year-old also featured in the U23s’ EFL Trophy match with Morecambe, where he came up against several players who have been playing in the men’s game for a lot longer than he has.

Meanwhile, in Premier League 2, he’s having to battle players some five years his senior.

Marques has so much potential as displayed with his rapid rise through the Wolves ranks. There’s no reason why he can’t become an integral figure at the heart of Nuno’s defence sometime down the line.

رسميًا | لجنة الاستئناف ترفض مشاركة أي لاعب موقوف حتى الفصل في التظلم

قررت لجنة الاستئناف باتحاد الكرة، برئاسة المستشار عادل الشوربجي، عدم السماح بمشاركة أي لاعب تقرر إيقافه من قِبل لجنة الانضباط.

وكانت لجنة الانضباط بالاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم قد أصدرت قراراتها بالعقوبات الواجبة في واقعة الفيديو المنتشر لعدد من لاعبي الزمالك ضمن فريق مواليد 1999، وهم يسبون عددًا من رموز وجماهير الأهلي.

اقرأ أيضًا.. رسميًا | الزمالك يستأنف على قرارات لجنة الانضباط بشأن لاعبي الشباب

وتقرر بصفة رسمية عدم السماح بمشاركة أي لاعب صادر ضده قرار بالإيقاف، وذلك حتى يتم الفصل في الاستئناف.

وتضمنت العقوبات إيقاف إمام عاشور 12 مباراة، وغرامة مالية قدرها 200 ألف جنيه، بالإضافة إلى إيقاف 5 ناشئين آخرين 8 مباريات، و100 ألف جنيه غرامة مالية لكل منهم.

West Brom fans lavish praise on Matheus Pereira after Barnsley draw

Matheus Pereira came up with an 81st-minute leveller as West Bromwich Albion recovered from two goals behind to draw 2-2 with Barnsley on Tuesday night.

Cauley Woodrow’s first-half double had put the Baggies in all sorts of bother in the Championship affair, but the home side impressively responded to pick up a point.

Slaven Bilic’s side are top of the Championship with 26 points to show from their 13 matches, and it will be very, very interesting to see whether the club can secure a return to the Premier League for the 2020/21 campaign.

Bilic has Pereira to thank for snatching a point on Tuesday night, and it will not come as a surprise to learn that the club’s fans were delighted with the attacker.

The 23-year-old – on loan at the club from Sporting Lisbon – has now managed three goals and seven assists in 11 Championship outings this season.

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And he is becoming a real favourite with the WBA supporters:

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