In a move that would boost their attacking options even further, Fulham now reportedly have money to spend in the race to sign an experienced forward ahead of their Premier League rivals.

Fulham transfer news

The Cottagers enjoyed an underrated summer transfer window and have been reaping the rewards ever since, with Emile Smith Rowe particularly impressing since arriving from Arsenal. It all came together for Marco Silva’s side in their most recent Premier League outing, as they brushed Newcastle United aside in a game that saw Raul Jimenez show glimpses of his best form.

Now 33 years old, however, there’s no doubt that the Mexican could do with a little help within Silva’s frontline, be that from Rodrigo Muniz, who is yet to replicate last season’s stunning purple patch, or another experienced option to form a new partnership.

Fulham certainly proved that they’re willing to spend if they see fit during the summer and after such an impressive start to the Premier League campaign, they could improve even more in the winter window. According to The Sun, Fulham now have money to spend in the race to sign Callum Wilson ahead of West London rivals Brentford in the January transfer window.

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Wilson is reportedly open to the idea of a Newcastle exit having played second fiddle to star man Alexander Isak in the last couple of seasons. Couple that with the fact that his current contract expires next summer and Fulham could even land a cut-price deal this winter.

Earning a reported £46,000-a-week at St James’ Park, Wilson’s arrival would not disrupt Fulham’s wage bill with their highest earner – Bernd Leno – reportedly receiving £130,000-a-week at Craven Cottage.

"Incredible" Wilson would complete Fulham frontline

Given that Wilson should not cost an extensive fee due to his contract situation, Fulham would be getting a relatively low-risk deal by signing the forward in the January window. Of course, if it wasn’t for that contract situation, then the Cottagers may be forced to act far more cautiously, especially when looking at Wilson’s injury troubles.

2024/25 – Back injury

6

2023/24 – Chest injury

10

2023/24 – Calf injury

6

2023/24 – Hamstring injury

6

It’s a risk that could lead to quite the reward for Fulham, with Wilson often clinical in front of goal when without his injury struggles. Having scored nine goals in 985 minutes of Premier League action last season – almost a goal a game – the 32-year-old could now make one last move in England’s top tier to hand Silva a major boost.

Wilson has earned plenty of praise from Eddie Howe despite his injury concerns at Newcastle, with the Magpies boss saying via the Independent in 2023: “Callum has an incredible mindset, he has that already. He is pushing himself all the time.

“In your playing career, you are going to have good spells and bad spells, but you need that inner belief always that you are the best and I think Callum has got that.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Com a saída de Gilvan e o interesse do Corinthians em Kanu, o Botafogo foi ao mercado atrás de um mercado. Klaus, que trabalhou com Enderson Moreira no Ceará, foi o escolhido. O zagueiro de 27 anos fechou contrato por dois anos e chega, inicialmente, para compor elenco.

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+ Velocista, destaque em 2020 e baixo aproveitamento nos chutes: quem é Vinícius Lopes, reforço do Botafogo

O que esperar de Klaus no Botafogo? A passagem pelo Vozão, clube que atuou nos últimos dois anos, foi marcada por altos e baixos e terminou de maneira negativa. O jogador iniciou com tudo e criou a expectativa de que teria um impacto positivo, mas isso não se confirmou. Quem explica é Lucas Mota, setorista do Ceará no “O Povo”.

–Havia uma certa expectativa que ele pudesse se firmar no Ceará, ser o titular. O Ceará contrata dois zagueiros, Klaus e Tiago, que disputariam para ver quem formaria a dupla ao lado do Luiz Otávio. No começo da temporada, se imaginava que ele (Klaus) seria o titular, começou muito bem, fazendo gols… Viveu o maior momento de protagonismo na semifinal da Copa do Nordeste de 2020, fazendo o gol da classificação contra o Fortaleza. Ele estava muito bem, era um jogador que aparecia – afirmou, ao LANCE!.

Do histórico gol em um clássico decisivo a chegar a ser não relacionado para algumas partidas por opção técnica. Klaus foi de protagonista em título da Copa do Nordeste a quarta alternativa na defesa do Vozão em um ano.

–Ele terminou o ano como reserva e o Tiago como titular. Em 2021 ele perdeu espaço por completo. O Ceará foi ao mercado e trouxe o Messias, e o Klaus perdeu espaço. O primeiro substituto para a zaga era o Gabriel Lacerda, um garoto das categorias de base – completou – completou o jornalista.

+ Botafogo anuncia dois reforços: saiba as contratações, saídas e sondagens do clube

Na última temporada, foram apenas 14 jogos – o defensor, inclusive, chegou a atuar pelo time de Aspirantes do Vozão. No Brasileirão, Klaus entrou em campo apenas em quatro oportunidades. Em 2020, foram 25 jogos. O número baixo se explica pelos problemas físicos.

–O Klaus se atrapalhou muito pela questão das lesões no Ceará, o que o impedia de ter uma sequência. Ele não é um zagueiro muito ágil e rápido, isso pode ser considerado um ponto fraco, mas é um defensor que tem uma certa técnica para fazer saída de bola. O principal ponto forte do Klaus é a bola aérea. No Vozão ele fez cinco gols, a maior parte foi de bola aérea. Não apenas pelos gols, mas porque levava perigo nessas jogadas. Aparece muito bem nesse quesito tanto ofensivo quanto defensivo – analisou Lucas.

No Campeonato Brasileiro de 2020/21, Klaus teve 24.2 passes certos (87% de aproveitamento), 1.6 lançamento, 3.6 cortes, 0.7 interceptação e 2.1 disputas de bolas vencidas por jogo. Por outro lado, o zagueiro cometeu dois pênaltis. Vale ressaltar que ele atuou em 12 duelos. Os dados são do “SofaScore”.

In a must-win encounter to control their own playoff destiny, Guyana Amazon Warriors got a crucial innings from captain Nicholas Pooran, who lifted his side with an unbeaten 75 off 39 balls that included four fours and seven sixes to set an easily defendable total in a 46-run win over Jamaica Tallawahs on Saturday in St Kitts. Pooran arrived in the ninth over at 63 for 3 and scored the lion’s share of the runs the rest of the way to get his side to 169 for 6 before impressive spells from Gudakesh Motie and Odean Smith kept the Tallawahs batting line-up tied down in the chase.After smothering two balls defensively from Chris Green upon his arrival to the crease, Pooran went into attack mode against Veerasammy Permaul in the following over, heaving him over the leg side rope to get off the mark and then followed it up with another swat over cow corner for six two balls later. The biggest fireworks though came in the final two overs as Pooran started the 19th against Andre Russell by carving out a wide yorker in elegant fashion over short third man for a boundary to bring up a 30-ball fifty. Another attempted wide yorker on the next ball disappeared over extra cover for six.Tallawahs ended the 19th and started the 20th missing consecutive chances to dismiss Pooran. A lofted drive off Russell was heading straight for Haider Ali on the cover boundary but he lost the ball in the sun only for it to land just to his right and bounce over the rope. Carlos Brathwaite then misfired on a point blank runout chance fielding off his own bowling to begin the next over and Pooran made him pay by clobbering two of the next three balls over midwicket and long-on for the final two of his seven sixes to put an exclamation mark on the Warriors innings.Tallawahs looked in a very good position at 63 for 1 in the ninth over before Smith disrupted the chase with his medium pace. Haider Ali tried to heave Smith over the leg side but could only top edge a swirler taken by Shoaib Malik tracking back from short third man. Chandrapaul Hemraj then took a tremendous low catch at short extra cover off a scorching drive from Kirk McKenzie next ball to remove both set batters following a 41-run stand.But Smith’s signature moment came in the 15th when he bowled a wicket maiden that included the scalp of Russell mistiming a heave to long-on. Motie got the ball to grip and turn sharply in the following over to claim Shamarh Brooks and Brathwaite with a stumping and a leading edge to extra cover, completing a collapse of 4 for 3 that began when Motie had Rovman Powell punching to Smith at mid-off at the end of the 14th. From 98 for 3 to 101 for 7, Tallawahs had little fight left and eventually subsided for 123 with five balls left unused.

أكد كارلو أنشيلوتي المدير الفني لفريق كرة القدم الأول بنادي ريال مدريد الإسباني، جاهزية اللاعبين لمواجهة أتلتيكو مدريد في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ريال مدريد يستضيف أتلتيكو مدريد غدًا في ديربي العاصمة الإسبانية، ضمن ذهاب دور الـ16 من بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، على ملعب سانتياجو بيرنابيو.

وقال أنشيلوتي في المؤتمر الصحفي للمباراة: “ستكون مباراة متقاربة، ولن يتم حسم أي شيء في الذهاب، لا يمكننا التفكير في تحقيق أفضلية غدًا”.

وأضاف: “دائمًا تكون مباراة خاصة من حيث المشاعر والضغوط، ومواجهة الغد أيضًا ستكون كذلك، سنواجه فريقًا يقدم موسما جيدا، وفي مواجهة الديربي الأخيرة لعبنا شوط سيء أمامهم، وفي الشوط الثاني كنا جيدين، ولكن علينا أن نكون كذلك غدًا طوال الـ90 دقيقة”.

طالع أيضًا.. فينيسيوس يرد على أنباء رحيله عن ريال مدريد

وعن موقف فالفيردي، قال: “لقد تدرب بشكل فردي أمس، ولدينا مشاعر جيدة بشأن مشاركته، سنرى اليوم ما سيحدث، وسنقرر غدًا موقفه من المشاركة ضد أتلتيكو مدريد، بديله سيكون لوكاس فاسكيز وليس أسينسيو”.

وواصل: “أفكارنا لن تتغير، هي نفس الأفكار التي نتبعها في المباريات الأخيرة، لن نعزز وسط الملعب أو نستبدل لاعبا في الهجوم، سنواصل العمل بنفس الطريقة”.

وعن الثنائي الفرنسي مبابي مهاجم ريال مدريد ونظيره جريزمان في أتلتيكو مدريد، قال أنشيلوتي: “نحن نتحدث عن اثنين من أفصل اللاعبين في العالم، جريزمان يحب اللعب خلف المهاجم ويتمتع بتحكم جيد للغاية، وكيليان لديه جودة مهاجم حقيقي، هو أكثر قوة في إنهاء الهجمات”.

ودافع عن فريقه، قائلا: “نحن لا نفتقر للشجاعة، فريقنا قادر على قراءة الموقف جيدا في كل المباريات، وهو ما لم نفعله في مباراة ريال بيتيس، لذلك تلقينا خسارة في وقت صعب”.

وعن أول ذكرى له مع سيميوني، قال: “عندما سجل هدفًا في مباراة يوفنتوس ولاتسيو، وقاد لاتسيو للفوز ببطولة الدوري الإيطاليا عام 2000، وكمدرب أحترمه كثيرًا، إنه مدرب رائع، لقد حقق الكثير من النجاحات في أتلتيكو مدريد”.

واختتم: “سيميوني مواجهته دائمًا صعبة، يعرف كيف يدفع الفريق إلى الملعب، والالتزام الذي يتمتع به على المستوى الدفاعي وأفكاره واضحة وناجحة ويطبقها فريقه بأفضل طريقة”.

A well-connected former West Ham United chief has “heard” that technical director Tim Steidten and co could move for an “elite” striker – with summer signing Niclas Fullkrug’s injury potentially making them re-enter the market for forwards.

Niclas Fullkrug continues long recovery after injury

In September, Fullkrug suffered an achilles tendon problem, and he has been on the road to recovery ever since – leaving manager Julen Lopetegui with Michail Antonio and Danny Ings as his number nine options.

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Prior to their 4-1 victory over Ipswich Town in the Premier League, club insider ExWHUemployee said that Fullkrug’s comeback was taking longer than expected. Last week, fellow Hammers source Claret & Hugh then stated that Fullkrug’s injury is “significantly worse” than first thought – as Lopetegui is now forced to potentially contend with an aging strike force for the foreseeable future.

Match

Date

Opponent

Competition

Result

#9

05/10/2024

Ipswich (H)

Premier League

4-1 win

#8

28/09/2024

Brentford (A)

Premier League

1-1 draw

#7

25/09/2024

Liverpool (A)

Carabao Cup

5-1 loss

#6

21/09/2024

Chelsea (H)

Premier League

3-0 loss

#5

14/09/2024

Fulham (A)

Premier League

1-1 draw

#4

31/08/2024

Man City (H)

Premier League

3-1 loss

#3

28/08/2024

Bournemouth (H)

Carabao Cup

1-0 win

#2

24/08/2024

Crystal Palace (A)

Premier League

2-0 win

#1

17/08/2024

Aston Villa (H)

Premier League

2-1 loss

Both Antonio and Ings are also out of contract in the summer, meaning Steidten and David Sullivan simply must think about the long-term, as well as Fullkrug’s fitness issues.

In terms of new centre-forwards linked with moves to the London Stadium, it is believed Atlético Madrid striker Alexander Sorloth is considering a West Ham switch, while Steidten has apparently drawn up transfer plans for Omar Marmoush of Eintracht Frankfurt after his excellent start to 2024/2025.

West Ham may have limited funds to play with in January, though, especially after a summer where they spent nearly £120 million on nine fresh faces for Lopetegui. A fairly cheap and prolific option, valued at around £21 million by Transfermarkt, comes in the form of Benfica ace Vangelis Pavlidis.

West Ham could move for Vangelis Pavlidis

The Greek international recently put England to the sword with an impressive brace at Wembley, helping his nation to a shock 2-1 win, and he bagged an impressive 33 goals in all competitions for previous club AZ Alkmaar last season.

Now, speaking to Football Insider, former Irons recruitment chief Mick Brown, who remains well-connected at the club after leaving his post in June, suggests West Ham could move for Pavlidis after previously holding an interest in him.

“After that performance, clubs will certainly be interested,” said Brown.

“Many of them will have already known about him and will have reports from watching him in the past which they’ll likely be re-visiting. He’s got a great goalscoring record in his career, and that’s the sort of player every team needs.

“When you think about clubs that need a striker, there are a few of those in the Premier League and he’d be a worthwhile contender. I know clubs have been having close looks since before he moved to Benfica.

“I’m surprised none of them made a move when he left AZ in the summer. From what I know the likes of West Ham are looking for a striker, and have looked at him before. I’ve also heard that that interest could still be there and I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see their name in the running if he is to move again.”

Football Transfers have even called Pavlidis a “similar” player to Sporting Lisbon sensation Viktor Gyokeres, and if he is indeed anything like the Swede, West Ham would have a real player on their hands.

As well as this, sports psychologist Stewart Flaherty has hailed the 25-year-old’s “elite” striker play.

Unbroken third-wicket stand of 183 raises hopes of victory in final home match of campaign

ECB Reporters' Network13-Sep-2021

Hassan Azad was unbeaten on 122 at the close•Getty Images

Centuries from Hassan Azad and Lewis Hill raised Leicestershire’s hopes of ending their LV=Insurance County Championship home campaign on a winning note.On a day shortened by seven overs by bad light, Azad finished unbeaten on 122 – his first hundred since April – but Hill’s 109 not out – his third of the summer – came only a week after his 113 against Derbyshire in what has become comfortably the best season of the 30-year-old’s career.The two have shared an unbroken stand of 183 to take Leicestershire to 291 for 2, trailing by 68.Earlier, Ben Brown finished unbeaten on 133 after five and a half hours at the crease and veteran Leicestershire seamer Chris Wright took 6 for 94 as Sussex closed their innings on 359 for 9, with Fynn Hudson-Prentice, who had been injured on Sunday, unable to complete his innings.The former Derbyshire all-rounder was struck on the left hand by former Sussex seamer Abi Sakande and his third appearance for his new county will be his last of the season after x-rays revealed a break that will require surgery.Sussex resumed on 310 for 4 but a double-wicket maiden by Wright sparked a collapse that saw the last five Sussex wickets fall for 25 runs.Tom Hinley’s pull was plucked out of the air impressively by Ed Barnes before Jack Carson, playing away from his body, was caught behind.Soon afterwards, Wright bowled Henry Crocombe and Sean Hunt with consecutive, almost identical deliveries that struck off stump. Joe Sarro kept out the hat-trick ball but quickly chipped Barnes to short midwicket.Wright has 46 wickets for the season, well over twice as many as any other Leicestershire seamer. His latest haul was the fourth of five wickets or more this season and the 17th of his career.In reply, Leicestershire lost Sam Evans first ball in the opening over as he nicked to second slip but, on a good batting surface, Azad and George Rhodes added 103 in just under 25 overs before Sussex skipper Tom Haines beat the latter’s defensive push to clip the off stump with his medium pace.Azad’s first 52 runs came off 74 balls with eight boundaries but was content to bide his time thereafter, especially as Hill – batting at four with skipper Colin Ackermann on paternity leave – was eager to seize the initiative at the other end.Hill accelerated after tea, racing to a 67-ball half-century with six fours in seven overs before slogging the left-arm spin of Delray Rawlins for consecutive sixes over deep midwicket.Azad completed his second century of the season from 187 balls soon after picking up a 10th four but Hill was catching him fast, reaching his from 116 balls with 11 fours and two sixes.

Everton are believed to be interested in signing a sensational young talent who has a £58m release clause but is set to be sold far below that number, even sending scouts to watch him in action.

Latest Everton news

It’s fair to say that it’s a busy period at Goodison Park currently, with so much happening surrounding the ownership situation and Sean Dyche’s future. The Friedkip Group have acquired Farhad Moshiri’s majority stake in Everton, which supporters are understandably happy about, with the hope being that a far happier period at the club is now on the horizon.

The Blues have got far too used to being in Premier League relegation battles in recent years, and for that reason, Dyche finds himself battling to keep his job. While the pressure on the 53-year-old has eased in recent weeks, thanks to a couple of improved results and performances, another dip after the international break could see a change in manager required.

When it comes to transfer news, new additions will always be appreciated by Everton fans, but an update on the future of a current player has been reported, with struggling striker Beto linked with a move to Roma. The Serie A club are also owned by The Friedkin Group, which could make the transfer easier to get over the line.

Everton keen on signing £58m sensation

According to an update from Caught Offside, Everton are among the Premier League clubs scouting Santos right-back Joao Pedro Chermont.

Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Chelsea and Wolves are all mentioned as being in the mix, too, however, with the two London clubs already preparing opening offers for the 18-year-old’s services. His current side would be willing to sell for less than his £58m release clause, in order to “alleviate their financial difficulties”.

Chermont isn’t a household name to Premier League fans, but the fact that he has a release clause of that size immediately says how much Santos value him as a player, even though they will sell for below that amount. The teenager already has one cap to his name for Brazil’s Under-20s, suggesting that he is already ahead in his development, and the calibre of clubs interested show why Everton should be doing all they can to snap him up.

For that reason, it clearly won’t be easy for Everton to strike a deal for the Santos starlet, but this is where The Friedkin Group’s added financial muscle will hopefully come to the fore, allowing them to compete more with other clubs.

Friedkin's relationship with huge club could now see £25m Everton man leave

A January exit is on the cards.

By
Henry Jackson

Oct 7, 2024

The Blues need to reach a stage where they are no longer relegation battlers and instead a strong Premier League team again, and bringing in players of Chermont’s pedigree would be a massive step in the right direction.

MatériaMais Notícias

O volante Patrick de Paula completa neste sábado, dois anos como jogador profissional e também da sua estreia no Palmeiras. O primeiro capítulo dessa já rica história no clube aconteceu no empate em 0 a 0 com o Atlético Nacional-COL pela Florida Cup. O Verdão se sagrou campeão daquela edição do torneio.

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TABELA
> Veja classificação e simulador do Paulistão-2022 clicando aqui

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GALERIA
> Confira a pré-lista de inscritos do Palmeiras para o Mundial de Clubes

Captado para a base do Palmeiras em 2017 e responsável pela quinta cobrança do clube na disputa de pênaltis na final do Paulistão-2020 contra o rival Corinthians, Patrick de Paula, em tão pouco tempo, já foi campeão paulista, da Copa do Brasil e duas vezes consecutivas da Libertadores da América.

Na competição internacional da continental de 2021, o camisa 5 marcou nas duas partidas contra o São Paulo, pelas quartas de final – o primeiro gol, anotado no Morumbi, evitou, inclusive, um revés palestrino na casa do rival. Além dos tentos contra o Tricolor paulista, o jovem balançou a rede na goleada por 5 a 0 contra o Independiente del Valle-EQU, no Allianz Parque.

No Verdão, Patrick atuou em 99 jogos (61 como titular), marcou oito gols e deu quatro assistências. Na temporada passada, foram 47 jogos (24 como titular), três gols e duas assistências. Em 2022 vai disputar mais um Mundial de Clubes.

– Fico muito agradecido e feliz com a oportunidade que o Palmeiras me deu de realizar um sonho e melhorar a vida da minha família e de pessoas que sempre estiveram me apoiando desde o começo. Agradeço demais ao clube, a torcida que sempre me incentivou, e claro, a Deus, que me dá saúde todos os dias para poder trabalhar. Espero continuar correspondendo as expectativas e fazer uma excelente temporada, para dar alegrias ao nosso torcedor – afirma o volante.

تحدث كارلو أنشيلوتي مدرب ريال مدريد، بعد الفوز أمام رايو فاليكانو في الدوري الإسباني، وقبل مواجهة أتلتيكو مدريد في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وحقق ريال مدريد الفوز على رايو فاليكانو بنتيجة 2-1، وسيواجه أتلتيكو مدريد يوم الأربعاء القادم في إياب دور الـ16 لدوري أبطال أوروبا.

وقال أنشيلوتي في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية: “الشوط الأول كان جيدًا للغاية، عندما تصل إلى الدقيقة 70 أو 75 وأنت متقدم 2-1 عليك أن تفعل شيئًا جيدًا وهو الدفاع حتى لا تتعرض للمشاكل”.

وأضاف: “هناك العديد من الفرق التي لعبت في دوري أبطال أوروبا ولم تفز بالأمس واليوم، عانى إنتر وليفربول، ليفركوزن خسر، بايرن ميونح خسر، من الصعب التحضير لمثل هذه المباريات ضد فرق تبذل الكثير من الجهد مثل رايو”.

وتابع: “الشعور جيد لأن الهدف كان تحقيق ثلاث نقاط، في الشوط الأول كان بإمكاننا إنهاء المباراة 3-0 ولكننا انتهينا 2-1، في الشوط الثاني سنحت لنا فرص للتسجيل وإحراز الهدف الثالث”.

وأردف: سجل فينيسيوس ومبابي هدفين رائعين، وكانت لديهما فرصتان لجعل النتيجة 3-1، ثم أعتقد أنه يتعين علي الدفاع وإخراج المهاجمين”.

اقرأ أيضًا | رجل مباراة ريال مدريد ورايو فاليكانو في الدوري الإسباني

وأكمل الحديث عن مبابي قائلاً: “لقد سجل هدفًا رائعًا، لقد قاتل، لقد جاءت الكرة من لعبة خلفية”.

وعن فينيسيوس الذي عادل الظاهرة رونالدو نازاريو من حيث عدد الأهداف المسجلة مع ريال مدريد، علّق: “إنه ينتظره مستقبل عظيم، لقد وصل إلى هذه الأرقام في وقت صغير جدًا، إنه يكافح ويكافح كل موسم، إنه يستحق ذلك لأنه، بالإضافة إلى كل شيء، هو فتى جيد”.

وأشار لاستبدال المهاجمين: “بالنسبة لي لا توجد مشكلة، لأن مبابي ورودريجو شاركا وحصلا على راحة، وسيكون ذلك جيدًا لهما يوم الأربعاء، عندما أريد الدفاع، أستبدل المهاجمين، وهذا لا يشكل مشكلة بالنسبة لي”.

وعن لوكا مودريتش، استطرد: “سيتعافى، لكنها كانت مباراة صعبة، سيتعافى الجميع، نأمل أن يتعافى روديجر من الإنفلونزا وكذلك كورتوا”.

واستطرد: “بيلينجهام عاد إلى لياقته البدنية الجيدة، كورتوا سيتعافى سريعًا قبل مباراة الأربعاء، لقد أعجبني أداء الفريق في الشوط الأول، كان بوسعنا أن نسجل 3-0، في الشوط الثاني تراجع مستوانا”.

وفيما يتعلق بحديثه مع نجله دافيدي أنشيلوتي، أوضح: “كنا نتحدث عن التغييرات، سواء إشراك إبراهيم دياز أو كامافينجا، بالنسبة لي الأمر ليس بهذه البساطة لأنني أركز على المباراة، كنا نتحدث عن التغييرات التي كان علينا إجراؤها”.

وعن ظهور بيلينجهام وهو يضع ثلج على ركبته، استرسل أنشيلوتي: “لقد كانت ضربة، ليس هناك شيء خطير”.

وعن قلة الانسيابية قبل مواجهة أتلتيكو مدريد، أكد: “لم أرَ أنانية لأن الهدف الأول كان تمريرة من فينيسيوس إلى مبابي، والهدف الثاني كان من صناعة فيني، لقد حاولوا التنسيق معًا كما هو معتاد، يوم الأربعاء سيكونون في قمة مستواهم لأن الحافز كبير جدًا للجميع”.

وعن تشواميني، أشار: “لديه شخصية قوية جدًا، هو جاد، محترف، لقد تعامل مع الانتقادات بشكل جيد جدًا وهو يلعب بشكل رائع مع الكرة وبدونها، إنه مذهل، الشراكة مع مودريتش كانت ممتازة”.

وأتم بشأن الأداء: “إذا لعبنا كما فعلنا في الشوط الأول، فلدينا فرصة جيدة للتأهل إلى الدور التالي (بدوري أبطال أوروبا أمام أتلتيكو مدريد)”.

Avishka Fernando has not hit a T20I fifty in 21 innings. But in the last four matches – two practice games against an Oman side, and in Sri Lanka’s warm-ups against Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea – he has made scores of 83* off 59 balls, 33 off 18, 62* off 42, and 61 off 37.Related

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These were perhaps lower-intensity matches than regular T20Is, but there was also a positional change that Sri Lanka believe allowed Fernando to run up these scores. Though he is usually a top three batter, he has now been moved down to No. 4. Ahead of Sri Lanka’s tournament opener against Namibia, coach Mickey Arthur revealed that it was a data-driven insight from Mahela Jayawardene – who is Sri Lanka’s consultant for the first round of the tournament – that had prompted the change.”Avishka is very comfortable at No. 4,” Arthur said. “We had a bit of a brainstorming session, and Mahela came with a plan. He had a look at stats which he sent on to Dasun Shanaka and myself. It was pretty clear that No. 4 was a good fit for Avishka in terms of the brand of cricket we wanted to play. Avishka will bat at No. 4 tomorrow, definitely.”With Avishka, we know that after 15 balls, he strikes at 160. It was just getting Avishka to those 15 balls. Up front he just puts himself under a little bit of pressure in terms of dot balls. So when he’s come in at No. 4, generally the field has been back, which has allowed him to rotate strike and got him into the innings. Which gets him to the point where once he gets in, he’s almost unstoppable. We sort of tinkered with it and tried it, and touch wood, it’s worked so far. Let’s hope that continues through the tournament.”Long before Jayawardene was a highly respected franchise coach (having now got a Hundred title under his belt, in addition to three IPLs), he was renowned for his strategic nous as a player and as a captain.Both Arthur and current captain Shanaka lauded Jayawardene for the inputs so far.”We get a lot of help from him,” Shanaka said. “He’s got a lot of experience. He analyses not only our team, but the oppositions’ weaknesses. He sees the game in a unique way. He’s already contributed a lot, and we’re looking forward to getting more from him through the tournament.”Arthur had this to add: “Mahela’s contributed a massive amount. One of the reasons I was so excited to work with Mahela was because I worked with him a long time ago when he was still playing, in franchise cricket, and I was struck by his ability to analyse the game exceptionally well. I think his cricket brain is amazing. We’ve had some good chats, and some good debates.”