Mary Earps returned to Paris Saint-Germain this week after completing England duty, and celebrated her cleansheet in a 6-0 win over Reims.
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Earps returns to Paris after England dutyKeeps 10th league clean sheet against ReimsPSG chasing Lyon for the league titleFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
Earps had been called up to the England squad for the April international break by Sarina Wiegman. However, the former Manchester United goalkeeper did not feature for the Lionesses as Chelsea's Hannah Hampton got the nod ahead of her for England's Belgium clashes in the Nations League.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Since her move to Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent from Manchester United last summer, Earps has been on top form and has only conceded 12 goals in 20 league games for Les Parisiennes. On Sunday, Earps kept her 10th Feminine Division 1 clean sheet, her second straight with PSG and celebrated her side's 6-0 win over Reims.
WHAT EARPS SAID
On Instagram, Earps posted photos from the win over Reims and wrote: "Back-to-back cleanos and another strong performance from the girls."
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WHAT NEXT FOR EARPS?
Paris Saint-Germain are chasing Lyon for the Feminine Division 1 title this season, and they are eight points off the top with four games remaining until the end of the season. Earps will be back in action when the French side takes on Le Havre on Wednesday, April 23.
تحدث هانز فليك، مدرب برشلونة، بعد فوز فريقه أمام بلد الوليد، في الدوري الإسباني، كما أجرى تقييمًا لأداء لاعبيه.
عاد برشلونة وحول تأخره أمام بلد الوليد إلى فوز بنتيجة 2-1، في الجولة الرابعة والثلاثين للدوري الإسباني “الليجا”.
ويأتي فوز برشلونة، قبل مباراته الهامة أمام إنتر ميلان، في إياب نصف نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا (الثلاثاء القادم)، والكلاسيكو ضد ريال مدريد بالدوري الإسباني (الأحد 11 مايو).
وقال فليك في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية، عن العودة الجديدة للفريق بعد معاناة: “الهدف كان حصد النقاط الثلاث، ولهذا أنا راضٍ عن الفوز رغم المعاناة التي مررنا بها”.
وعن داني رودريجيز وإصابته، أفاد: “أظهر جودته خلال الفترة التي شارك فيها، يجب أن نساعده على التطور، فهو جزء من فريقنا، في التدريبات أثبت أنه يملك المستوى الذي يؤهله للتواجد هنا، علينا دعمه ليستعيد عافيته ويواصل معنا”.
اقرأ أيضًا | رجل مباراة برشلونة وبلد الوليد في الدوري الإسباني
وإذا كان خاب أمله من تصرفات بعض اللاعبين، أوضح: “عندما تُجرى تغييرات عديدة في التشكيلة الأساسية، تفقد بعض التلقائيات، نحن سعداء بالنقاط الثلاث، وتمكنا من إراحة بعض اللاعبين قبل مباراة الثلاثاء”.
وأكد: “عندما تقوم بإجراء العديد من التغييرات، تصبح الأمور صعبة، لكنني أثق في لاعبيّ، قدموا كل ما لديهم، ولم يكن من السهل اللعب اليوم في هذه الظروف، نعم، كانت هناك أخطاء، لكننا فزنا في النهاية”.
وعما إذا كان خطط للدفع بلامين يامال، رافينها، ودي يونج، أم اضطر لتعديل الخطة، أفاد: “كان الأمر واضحًا بخصوص بيدري ودي يونج، 45 دقيقة لكل منهما، ورافينها أيضًا حصل على راحة لمدة 50 دقيقة، ولامين… من الجيد لهم أيضًا الحفاظ على الإيقاع”.
وإذا كان هذا الفوز استنزفه أكثر مما كان يتوقع، رد: “نعم، لكن هذه هي طبيعة الأمور عندما تكون متأخرًا بنتيجة 1-0”.
وبشأن عودة تير شتيجن، وتقييمه لأداء حارس المرمى في المباراة، علّق: “في الشوط الثاني أظهر جودته، من الجيد رؤيته بهذا المستوى، تشيزني سيلعب في دوري الأبطال وضد ريال مدريد”.
وعن مشاركة فيرمين لوبيز كمهاجم صريح بعد الدفع بداني أولمو، أفاد: “قمنا بوضع أولمو في مركز ’10’ وفيرمين كمهاجم صريح ‘9’ لدمجه أكثر في مجريات اللعب، حتى نتمكن من الهجوم بشكل أفضل أمام كتلة دفاعية منخفضة بهذا الشكل”.
وتابع: “ليس من السهل اللعب كمهاجم وأنت بالأصل لاعب وسط، لأنك تريد امتلاك الكرة، وأعتقد أن هذا الوضع كان أفضل له”.
وأشار: “فيرمين دائمًا لديه فرصة ليكون أساسيًا، سواء في مركزه أو في مراكز أخرى، يمكنه اللعب في أماكن مختلفة، غدًا سيحصلون على راحة، وعندما نسافر إلى ميلانو سنتخذ القرار”.
وعن حالة جافي، أتم: “جافي بخير، أخبرني أنه يشعر بأنه بخير، لكن علينا الانتظار حتى الغد، أما داني، فأنا حزين جدًا من أجله، لقد عانى سابقًا من الإصابات، وكانت هذه أول مباراة له معنا”.
Speculation season is upon us and Celtic will have to navigate the next few weeks of the January transfer window, which officially opened for business last week.
The Hoops confirmed their first piece of business of the month earlier this week, as central defender Stephen Welsh completed a short-term loan move to Belgian side Mechelen until the end of the season.
He had only featured in one match in the Scottish Premiership during the first half of the season and Brendan Rodgers has decided that the centre-back will not be needed in the coming months.
Celtic defender Stephen Welsh.
The Scottish academy graduate is not the only Celtic player who could be on his way out of Parkhead before the end of the January transfer window, however, as there are a number of stars in a similar position to the one he was in.
Odin Thiago Holm falls into that category and he is reportedly on the verge of a loan move to MLS side LAFC until the end of their 2025 season.
Another Celtic man who could find himself playing for a new club by February is winger Luis Palma, who has been linked with a move away from Glasgow this month.
The latest on Luis Palma's Celtic future
The Honduras international has only started one game in the Scottish Premiership so far this season, and that has, naturally, led to speculation over his long-term future at Paradise.
Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph recently reported that Spanish side Rayo Vallecano are interested in a deal to sign the former Aris sensation in the January transfer window.
The reporter claimed that the LaLiga outfit have already made an approach to snap up the left-sided attacker, with a proposal that would see him initially join them on loan with an option to make the deal permanent in the summer.
Celtic forward Luis Palma.
Joseph added that Celtic are reluctant to move the forward on from Parkhead at this moment in time, but they are also open to offers for his services, which shows that he is not untouchable and that their stance can be changed.
It now remains to be seen whether or not Rayo Vallecano’s proposal is tempting enough for the Premiership champions to sanction an exit for the winger, who has featured in the club’s last two league matches.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Joseph reported earlier this month that Genoa and Olympiacos are also interested in signing Palma, though, which suggests that there is not a shortage of suitors for the 24-year-old ace and that the competition for his signature could drive an auction that increases the fee Celtic can rake in for him.
The question for Rodgers and the Hoops board, however, is whether the money on offer is enough to compensate for what they would lose by allowing him to leave, and his performances over the past 12 months or so suggest that the Scottish giants would not be missing much.
Why Celtic should sell Luis Palma
Whether it is on an initial loan or a permanent deal right away, Celtic should cash in on the Honduran forward because his form has, simply, not been good enough to warrant keeping him amid such intense interest from elsewhere.
Since the start of 2024, Palma has produced two goals and zero assists in 20 appearances in the Premiership for the Hoops, including zero goal contributions in seven league outings this season.
The 24-year-old ace had scored five goals and provided nine assists in 15 league matches for Celtic during the first half of the 2023/24 campaign but his form since the turn of the year in that season has been dismal.
Appearances
7
Starts
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Big chances created
1
As you can see in the table above, Palma has offered very little to Rodgers on the pitch in the Premiership this term, with zero goal contributions and one ‘big chance’ created for his teammates.
Ahead of the January window, Belgian outlet Gazet van Antwerpen, via the Daily Record, reported that Celtic target Michel Ange Balikwisha is set to be available for a fee of £7.5m, and the Antwerp winger could come in to replace the Honduran attacker.
Why Celtic should sign Michel Ange Balikwisha
The Hoops should swoop to sign the Belgian youngster this month because he could come in as a big upgrade on Palma in the left wing position for Rodgers.
Celtic’s current forward has, as aforementioned, produced very little of note in the last year, with his struggles at the top end of the pitch, and Balikwisha could come in to offer more than him in the final third.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha for Royal Antwerp.
It would not be a transfer without risk, though, as the 23-year-old star struggled with injuries this season, missing 21 matches with thigh and muscle issues.
Celtic could, in theory, use that to their advantage and look to negotiate a lower price with Antwerp, due to his lengthy absence from the pitch this term, and then hope that they can help him to avoid any further fitness problems.
His form, when fit, during the 2023/24 campaign suggests that the potential is there for him to come in as a fantastic addition to the squad if they can keep him fit.
Appearances
33
Starts
27
xG
6.46
Goals
7
Big chances created
6
Assists
5
As you can see in the table above, Balikwisha was fit enough to feature in 33 league games last term, having also scored ten goals in 42 matches in all competitions in the previous season.
In those matches, the Hoops target, who was once described as one of a number of “incredible” young talents by U23 scout Antonio Mango, showcased his quality in the final third, with 13 goals and ‘big chances’ created combined.
Whilst they are not outstanding, Nicolas Kuhn level, statistics, Balikwisha is capable of consistently chipping in with goal contributions, which is something that Palma has not done for 13 months or so now.
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Therefore, the Belgian star, who also has plenty of room left to develop at the age of 23, could come in as a big upgrade on the wanted forward, by offering more quality and consistency at the top end of the pitch.
This is why Celtic should gamble on a deal for Balikwisha and swoop for the Antwerp dynamo before the end of the transfer window, whilst allowing Palma to join one of the sides interested in signing him.
A principal torcida organizada do Corinthians, Gaviões da Fiel, voltou a se manifestar nas redes sociais, cobrando explicações sobre o aumento no preço dos ingressos, bem como exigindo uma mudança de postura do time e da diretoria, pedindo a saída do diretor de futebol, Roberto de Andrade,e o gerente de futebol do Timão, Alessandro.
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> GALERIA – Relembre todos os técnicos estrangeiros do Corinthians
– Deixamos claro que não vamos tolerar o aumento do ingresso para a Libertadores e para o Campeonato Brasileiro, como já aconteceu em alguns setores da Arena na partida contra o Guarani. O torcedor não vai pagar a conta da má gestão do clube e da falta de transparência em contratos com empresas que não cumprem os combinados – disse a Gaviões em um dos trechos da nota.
Um dia após a eliminação no Paulistão, a mesma organizada pediu que os jogadores honrem a camisa do clube. Na visão deles, o presidente Duílio Monteiro Alves, assim como o diretor de futebol, Roberto de Andrade, e o gerente de futebol do clube, Alessandro, são os responsáveis pelas carências do elenco.
-Perdemos toda a pré-temporada por uma teimosia do trio Duílio, Roberto de Andrade e Alessandro, e o que vimos foi um elenco completamente desgastado, sem pique – o que nos preocupa muitíssimo para a alta carga de jogos que vem pela frente – expressou a torcida em outro trecho da nota.
Por fim, a Gaviões pediu as saídas de Roberto de Andrade e Alessandro. O primeiro é um ‘alvo’ antigo da organizada, que já cobrou sua saída quando Sylvnho foi demitido, e na chegada de Vítor Pereira.
-Por ora, exigimos a saída de Roberto de Andrade e Alessandro da diretoria de futebol. Queremos a profissionalização do setor e queremos agora! – exigiu a Gaviões da Fiel.
> TABELA – Confira e simule os primeiros jogos do Timão na Libertadores
VEJA NA ÍNTEGRA A NOTA EMITIDA PELA GAVIÕES DA FIEL
“Os Gaviões da Fiel vêm novamente cobrar explicações e mudanças por parte do presidente Duílio em relação à má gestão do futebol nos últimos anos, entregue nas mãos de Roberto de Andrade e Alessandro.
Também deixamos claro que não vamos tolerar o aumento do ingresso para a Libertadores e para o Campeonato Brasileiro, como já aconteceu em alguns setores da Arena na partida contra o Guarani. O torcedor não vai pagar a conta da má gestão do clube e da falta de transparência em contratos com empresas que não cumprem os combinados.
Vivemos uma situação financeira delicada, que resultou em um elenco com carências de posições. Perdemos toda a pré-temporada por uma teimosia do trio Duílio, Roberto de Andrade e Alessandro, e o que vimos foi um elenco completamente desgastado, sem pique – o que nos preocupa muitíssimo para a alta carga de jogos que vem pela frente.
Exigimos uma mudança não só nos quadros de tais gestores, mas também na postura dentro de campo. Não podemos ser derrotados nos quatro primeiros clássicos do ano da maneira que fomos, completamente apáticos.
O Corinthians não é brincadeira e não é playground de playboy. Quem não se enquadrar no comprometimento adequado, quem não render ou não for aproveitado, peça pra sair agora, porque vamos exigir a saída do clube como sempre fizemos com a força da Fiel Torcida.
Honrem nossa camisa!
Por ora, exigimos a saída de Roberto de Andrade e Alessandro da diretoria de futebol. Queremos a profissionalização do setor e queremos agora!”
FORA ROBERTO DE ANDRADE!
VAMOS JOGAR COM RAÇA!
NÃO AO AUMENTO DOS INGRESSOS!
O CORINTHIANS PRECISA DA FORÇA DOS JOGADORES E DA TORCIDA PARA SUPERAR O AMADORISMO DE SUA GESTÃO
Celtic captain Callum McGregor lifted the first, of hopefully many, trophy of the 2024/25 campaign on Sunday after his side won the League Cup final on penalties against Rangers.
After a 3-3 draw in regulation time, the Hoops kept their cool from the spot to win 5-4 in the shoot-out, winning the competition that they failed to secure last season.
There was no space in the matchday squad, despite Luke McCowan being ineligible to feature, for any academy players to experience being around a trophy-winning team.
Brendan Rodgers has a few promising young talents coming through the ranks at B team level, though, and one of them is in-demand centre-forward Daniel Cummings.
Daniel Cummings' goal record for Celtic this season
The 17-year-old striker has been in phenomenal form for the academy side this season, with a return of 23 goals in 23 matches in all competitions.
17 of those goals have come in his 16 Lowland League outings, and he has also found the back of the net six times in six UEFA Youth League games, which speaks to how ruthless the teenage whiz has been in front of goal.
Despite his impressive form, Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph recently claimed that the club have not offered him an extension on his contract, which is due to expire at the end of the season.
The reporter added that Club Brugge, Bologna, and RB Salzburg, along with unnamed Premier League sides, are interested in snapping up the Scottish talent, with his future at Parkhead up in the air.
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With Cummings potentially on his way out of the door, Rodgers could look to another B team gem to be the next superstar to come out of the academy – Mitchel Frame.
Why Mitchel Frame could be the academy's next poster boy
Unlike the Scottish centre-forward, Frame has already made his first-team debut and played in the Champions League, with his bow coming under Rodgers in the 2023/24 campaign.
The teenager, who McGregor claimed has a “great future” after his debut, came on for the final 15 minutes against Feyenoord last season and won two of his three duels in the match, as well as winning the corner from which Gustaf Lagerbielke scored the winning goal.
Celtic defenderGustaf Lagerbielke.
This suggests that Rodgers does see the youngster as a player for the future because he was willing to trust him in a Champions League match at the age of 17.
Frame has been a regular for the B team this season, with one goal and two assists in 24 matches across all competitions, and is a current Scotland U19 international, which shows that the teenage whiz is still developing and pushing for a first-team spot.
Celtic’s youngest appearance makers (24/25)
Premiership
Age
Appearances
Francis Turley
18
1
Alex Valle
20
6
Arne Engels
21
12
Odin Thiago Holm
21
3
Hyun-jun Yang
22
6
Stats via WhoScored
As you can see in the table above, Rodgers has not played too much trust in young players for Celtic this season, with no player under the age of 23 having more than 12 league appearances, and Arne Engels the only one with more than six outings.
This means that there should not be any panic that Frame has not established himself in the first-team yet, as he is only 18 and has plenty of time left to develop and force his way into the team.
McGregor believes that he has a great future and his Champions League debut, as well as his consistent game time for the B team and his country at youth level, suggests the potential is there for him to step up and emerge as the next academy superstar.
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Ruben Amorim has been an instant hit during the opening few matches of his Manchester United tenure, winning two of his first three outings in all competitions.
His 3-4-2-1 system has quickly been taken on board by the first team, leading to their upturn in results over the last couple of weeks.
The 39-year-old’s tactical tweaks have allowed many players to reignite their careers at Old Trafford, with the side looking a completely different proposition to what they did under former boss Erik ten Hag.
Erik ten Hag
Bruno Fernandes has been operating in a more advanced number 10 role behind the lone striker, a shift that has benefitted his goal combinations dramatically already.
The Portuguese has starred under his compatriot, registering two assists in the recent win over Everton, taking his tally to two goals and five assists in the Premier League.
However, it’s the form of one player who has dramatically improved, now looking to be a bargain at his price tag after failing to gain a consistent run of matches under the former regime.
Amad Diallo’s stats since Amorim’s appointment
Ivorian winger Amad Diallo joined United in a £37m deal way back in 2021 but has had to bide his time before making an impact on the first team at Old Trafford.
He’s been on two separate loan spells to Rangers and Championship side Sunderland, before returning last season – with his most memorable moment coming in the FA Cup clash with rivals Liverpool, scoring the winner in extra time.
The now 22-year-old has only made three league starts this season, but two of which have come since the appointment of Amorim in matches against Ipswich Town and Everton.
However, the new manager’s trust in Diallo has been massively rewarded, with the youngster taking to his new right wing-back role like a duck to water.
In his first two matches in the aforementioned position, he’s registered three assists, taking his tally of goal contributions to eight in all competitions – with Fernandes only achieving a higher tally to date.
Minutes played
90
Touches
71
Accurate passes
42/49 (86%)
Key passes
3
Assists
2
Shots
2
Successful dribbles
4/4
Ground duels won
11/14
Aerial duels won
1/3
Fouled
3x
His ability to work tirelessly down the flank has made him the perfect fit for the new boss’ philosophy, as demonstrated with his pressure leading to Joshua Zirkzee’s second strike at the weekend.
However, there’s another reason to be excited for the supporters, especially considering the club have another talent in their academy who can emulate Amad’s rapid rise under Amorim.
Man United's next Amad Diallo
Striker Chido Obi-Martin has caught the eye in recent months for his goalscoring talents after his move from Arsenal in the summer.
The 17-year-old has starred for the club’s U18 side despite his tender age, dominating opposition defenders and causing havoc, helping the Red Devils youngsters sit top of their division.
He registered a total of 32 goals in 18 matches for the Gunners last season, before scoring a hat-trick on his debut for United against Nottingham Forest a couple of weeks ago.
1) Chido Obi Martin
23
37
45
2) Ellis Simms
38
36
79
3) Folarin Balogun
33
34
80
4) Reo Griffiths
34
34
82
5) Oakley Cannoier
34
32
77
Obi-Martin has since added two more goals, with his latest against Stoke City breaking the record for the most goals scored by a player in the U18s Premier League, previously held by Ellis Simms.
However, the form of teammate James Scanlon has seen him already outscore the impressive Obi Martin this season, despite operating in a wide role rather than a central position.
The winger, who’s previously been dubbed as “terrific” by journalist George Smith, has already notched ten goals and four assists in his nine U18 outings – five more than Obi-Martin – which has seen him earn an international call-up.
Scanlon, who’s made 10 appearances for Gibraltar despite being just 18, has showcased excellent talents in attacking areas, similar to that for Diallo before his shift in position to a wing-back role.
Given the form of Fernandes in the central attacking position, should he be given the opportunity to star in the first team, he could feature in a wide role and follow in the footsteps of the Ivorian.
The youngster’s versatility in being able to feature on either wing, coupled with his ability with both feet could make him a valuable option for Amorim in the years to come.
A left-sided role has been a problem position for various managers at Old Trafford, but instead of dipping into the transfer market, they could delve into their youth system with Scanlon having the tools to make a positive impression on the side.
The teenager may have to make his first impression count should he make the jump, but given his impressive form since his transfer from Derby County in 2021, he could well be ready to star in the Premier League in the near future.
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افتتحت أمس الجمعة مباريات الجولة السادسة والعشرين من الدوري السعودي للمحترفين “روشن” موسم 2024-2025.
واستهل فريق الهلال مشواره في الجولة في فخ الخسارة أمام منافسه النصر في مباراة الديربي التي أقيمت أمس على ملعب المملكة أرينا.
وفي مواجهة أخرى أمس تمكن التعاون من الفوز على الخلود بهدفين دون رد، وحقق الاخدود الفوز على العروبة بهدف دون مقابل
تشكيل النصر أمام الهلال في الدوري السعودي.. رونالدو وماني في الهجوم
واستكملت مواجهات الجولة اليوم الأحد بعدة مباريات أبرزها مباراة الأهلي والاتحاد، والتي انتهت بالتعادل الإيجابي بنتيجة 2-2.
ومن المقرر أن تُختتم الجولة غداً الإثنين، حيث يلاقي الفيحاء نظيره الفتح، ويلعب الخليج مع الرائد، بينما سيتواجه فريقي الوحدة والشباب.
ويتصدر الاتحاد جدول ترتيب الدوري السعودي برصيد 62 نقطة، ويأتي الهلال بالمركز الثاني، ولديه 57 نقطة، فيما يتواجد النصر بالمركز الثالث، وفي جعبته 54 نقطة. جدول ترتيب الدوري السعودي
1- الاتحاد – 62 نقطة
2- الهلال – 57 نقطة
3- النصر – 54 نقطة
4- القادسية – 52 نقطة
5- الأهلي- 49 نقطة
6- الشباب – 43 نقطة
7- التعاون – 37 نقطة
8- الاتفاق- 36 نقطة
9- الرياض – 34 نقطة
10- الخلود – 31 نقطة
11- الخليج – 30 نقطة
12- ضمك – 28 نقطة
13- العروبة – 26 نقطة
14- الفيحاء – 25 نقطة
15- الأخدود – 23 نقطة.
16- الفتح – 22 نقطة
17- الوحدة – 20 نقطة.
18- الرائد – 18 نقطة
يمكنكم متابعة ترتيب الدوري السعودي محدث باستمرار من هنا
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been handed a much-needed boost as one of his star players closes in on a return from injury, according to a report.
Arsenal injury doubts ahead of crucial Liverpool match
This Sunday, the Premier League title-chasing Gunners take on fellow major contenders Liverpool in a blockbuster bout – which will surely go a long way in determining 2024/2025’s eventual champions.
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By
Emilio Galantini
Oct 25, 2024
Arne Slot’s Reds are in absolutely excellent form – winning seven of their opening eight league matches so far this season – while Arsenal were unbeaten before their 2-0 slump at Bournemouth last weekend, a match which also saw star defender William Saliba sent off.
As a result, the north Londoners will be without Saliba this weekend as they prepare to host Liverpool at the Emirates. That is a big blow for Arteta, who could also be without another centre-back in summer signing Riccardo Calafiori, after the Italy international was forced off during their Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night.
Arsenal’s next five Premier League games
Date
Liverpool (home)
October 27
Newcastle United (away)
November 2
Chelsea (away)
November 10
Nottingham Forest (home)
November 23
West Ham United (away)
November 30
Takehiro Tomiyasu could be out for a few weeks, following a recurrence of his knee injury which had kept him out since pre-season, before he made his first and only appearance of the campaign against Southampton just prior to the international break.
Jurrien Timber is an Arsenal doubt to face Liverpool as well, so it looks as if Arteta could be very short defensively in the worst case scenario. Meanwhile, uncertainty also surrounds Bukayo Saka and his involvement against the Merseysiders, with the £195,000-per-week star missing their last two games after picking up a leg injury on international duty with England.
“We’re going to do our very best to somehow have them available but it’s very uncertain,” said Arteta on Saka, Timber and Calafiori ahead of Liverpool.
“He [Calafiori] needs some more tests. Yesterday he had some, today he’s going to have some more and after that we will know. Last time we thought it was really bad and he ended up playing two or three days after, so let’s see how it is.
“He [Saka] has done a bit of training on the grass. How far we can get him to Sunday, that’s a different question. We have another day, which is a good thing, but we’ll see.
“Timber, again, it’s the first session that he could have some involvement. He’s been out for a while, we expected him to be further back than where he is at the moment but, again, we have to wait and see.”
Another player who could be set to miss their crucial encounter tomorrow is captain Martin Odegaard, who’s been unavailable since he suffered ankle ligament damage in Norway’s 2-1 win over Austria in September.
Boost for Arsenal as Odegaard closes in on injury return
As per the Associated Press, via Daily Mail, it is believed Odegaard is “nearing a return” from his ankle injury in a boost for Arsenal, but Arteta has not said whether he will be fit in time for Liverpool.
The 25-year-old attacking midfielder wasn’t able to play a part in many important fixtures – including away games at Tottenham and Man City – and Arsenal have done very well to cope without his presence.
Odegaard has bagged 23 goals and 17 assists for Arsenal in the Premier League alone since the beginning of 2022/2023, playing a key role in their very close races with Man City.
The former Real Madrid ace’s return is imperative, and while we have no exact date, this whisper he is close will come as some much-needed good news.
Celtic went into the international break off the back of a 2-1 win away from Parkhead against Ross County in Dingwall in the Scottish Premiership.
The Hoops have won all seven of their games in the top-flight so far this season, and the penalty they conceded on Sunday was the first goal they had let in in the division.
Brendan Rodgers will now be hoping that the players who have jetted off to play for their respective countries come back without any injury issues and full of confidence.
Meanwhile, the group of stars who did not go away on international duty went over to Ireland to take on Sligo Rovers in a friendly earlier this week.
Scott Bain, Maik Nawrocki, Stephen Welsh, Alex Valle, Luis Palma, Luke McCowan, and Hyun-jun Yang all started for the Hoops, alongside youngsters like Francis Turley and Lewis Dobbie.
Palma was the star of the show for the Scottish giants with a hat-trick in a 3-2 win, with two of his goals coming in stoppage time with the score at 2-2 heading into the final minutes.
This week may have also brought some bad news for the Honduras international, though, as the club are reportedly eyeing another winger…
Celtic's interest in Chile international
According to The Boot Room, Rodgers has a Celtic interest in Dario Osorio and that the Scottish giants ‘admire’ the FC Midtjylland wide player.
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The report claims that the Hoops and Scottish Premiership rivals Rangers are both interested in the 20-year-old talent, but they are far from the only suitors.
It states that Aston Villa, Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion, Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Newcastle United have also been keeping tabs on the Chile international.
His form at international level and in the Danish top-flight for Midtjylland has seemingly attracted the attention of clubs across Europe, with The Boot Room adding that teams in Spain and France are keen on the impressive youngster.
This means that Celtic would likely face plenty of competition from a host of clubs if they decided to make a swoop for the versatile winger in the January transfer window.
The outlet does not, though, reveal how much money his current team would demand if any team were to make a move for him at the start of next year.
Irrespective of whether or not a transfer to Parkhead is currently viable or not, the news that the club are looking at potentially signing another winger should come as bad news to Palma, who is looking to break into the starting XI.
Luis Palma's Celtic struggles
Rodgers swooped to sign the forward from Greek side Aris for a reported fee of £3.5m and the attacker enjoyed a terrific start to life in Glasgow.
The Hoops sensation recorded an impressive return of five goals and nine assists in his first 16 games in the Premiership for the Scottish giants in the first half of the 2023/24 campaign, which suggested that he was on course to be the club’s new Jota – who had left to join Al-Ittihad a few months prior.
2024, however, has not been a kind year for Palma in the league. He racked up just two goals and zero assists in 12 appearances in the Premiership during the second half of last term.
Celtic stars Matt O'Riley and Luis Palma.
He has only featured twice in the division so far this season, both times as a substitute, and is yet to record a goal or an assist for the champions.
This means that the 24-year-old attacker has only been directly involved in two goals in 14 league appearances in the Premiership since the start of the year, which is a relatively poor return when you consider his initial start to life in Scotland.
The former Aris star, who has been an unused substitute in both Champions League games so far, still has over two months to go before the January transfer window to force his way back into the starting XI, ahead of Daizen Maeda or Nicolas Kuhn, but it does not look likely on current form.
His friendly hat-trick against Sligo Rovers does, at least, show that he is motivated to perform and still fight it out for his Celtic career, which will be pleasing for Rodgers, but the club’s interest in Osorio will still be bad news for the forward.
Why Celtic's interest in Osorio is bad news for Palma
The Hoops wanting to bring another flanker to the squad, particularly one who has spent the majority of his career playing down the left side, will not be music to Palma’s ears.
Firstly, their interest in Osorio suggests that they are not currently happy with the quality or depth of their options on the wing, with Yang and Palma currently being the back-up options to Maeda and Kuhn.
Secondly, the arrival of another player in his position would see the Honduras international’s chances limited even further, which could make it harder for him to break back into the starting XI.
Osorio has started the current season with one goal and two ‘big chances’ created in five appearances in the Superliga, along with 2.1 completed dribbles per game.
The 20-year-old starlet, who was described as a “flamboyant” player by talent scout Jacek Kulig, also caught the eye with his performances for the Danish side last term.
Appearances
23
Starts
15
Goals
8
Big chances missed
0
Big chances created
4
Assists
2
As you can see in the table above, Osorio produced eight goals and four ‘big chances’ created in just 15 starts, without missing a single ‘big chance’ in front of goal.
This suggests that the Chile international, who is valued at €7m (£6m) by Transfermarkt, can provide quality as a scorer and a creator of goals from the left flank, at least in the Danish league.
Whilst it remains to be seen whether or not he can translate his strong form over to Scotland, Celtic’s interest alone is enough to be of concern to Palma, who may have to consider his future at Parkhead if they bring in another player in his position when he is already behind Maeda in the pecking order.
Got Soro instead: Celtic once wanted to sign a £27m star in the making
The Hoops were interested in a deal to sign the midfielder from the Premier League.
The allrounder bagged 6 for 38 as Victoria were bowled out for 199
Andrew McGlashan27-Oct-2021Sean Abbott pressed his case for a place in Australia’s Ashes squad with a six-wicket haul and 19-year-old legspinner Tanveer Sangha enjoyed an impressive debut as New South Wales took control on the opening day against Victoria.It has been a long wait for both these teams to get their season underway after numerous attempts were thwarted by border closures. Abbott wasted no time in making an impression with four wickets in the first session before Sangha, who has been part of Australia’s T20I squad this year, shone in the middle of the day.Abbott was part of the Australia bubble last season and is likely to be included in the enlarged squad this season especially after the retirement of James Pattinson. However, he told the that he would leave the squad to be at the birth of his first child due at Christmas.”It’s an Ashes summer and I was in the Test tour to South Africa that didn’t happen and the one here against India as well so I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thinking about it,” Abbott said after play. “I’ll be honest I was very nervous today, didn’t quite know where the first ball was going to go, but a few of us mentioned that we were quite nervous this morning having to wait so long to play some cricket.”Nic Maddinson was the mainstay for Victoria before he was last-man out for 87 after managing to add 53 for the last two wickets.Related
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Abbott, who has been working to put on some pace pre-season, had got the better of the mini Test battle with Marcus Harris when the left hander was caught behind in the sixth over. Close to lunch he then cleaned up Peter Handscomb and made it clearly New South Wales’ session when James Seymour, who had fought hard for two hours, was trapped in front.Abbott’s fourth came shortly after the break when Matt Short edged to slip before the innings was rebuilt by a 62-run stand between Maddinson and Jonathan Merlo.Then Sangha was introduced on a pitch offering turn and bounce and only had to wait until his third over to strike as he lured Merlo out of his crease, found the edge as the batter tried to adjust with Peter Nevill taking a sharp catch.Sangha’s second was another excellent delivery as he found Sam Harper’s edge with a leg-break and shortly before tea he had Mitch Perry caught at bat-pad with Victoria losing 4 for 20.Senior spinner Nathan Lyon claimed one wicket in his 22 overs and was briefly taken to by Maddinson who sent him for two sixes. Maddinson also latched on to Sangha as he cut loose with the last two wickets for company but the return of Abbott wrapped up the innings.Victoria were able to make inroads in the final 18 overs when Scott Boland removed Daniel Hughes, who played across a delivery from round the wicket, and Matthew Gilkes gave it away in the last over of the day with a wild drive against Short’s offspin.