ديلي ميل: بين المميزات والعيوب.. الحيرة تضرب ليفربول بشأن تجديد عقد محمد صلاح

أعدت صحيفة “ديلي ميل” الإنجليزية تقريرًا مطولًا عن الإيجابيات والسلبيات المتعلقة بالعقد الجديد الذي يسعى نجم فريق ليفربول محمد صلاح إلى توقيعه في النادي الإنجليزي.

ومن المقرر أن ينتهي العقد الحالي للنجم المصري مع كتيبة يورجن كلوب في صيف 2023، دون وجود لأي اتفاق حتى الآن بشأن التجديد.

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وسبق أن ذكرت تقارير صحفية أن السبب وراء عدم تجديد عقد محمد صلاح حتى الآن يعود إلى المطالب المالية الباهظة للاعب صاحب الـ29 عامًا.

وسردت “ديلي ميل” في تقرير مطول أبرز الإيجابيات والسلبيات الخاصة بإمكانية تجديد عقد محمد صلاح، على النحو التالي: أولًا: الإيجابيات

السجل التهديفي

لا عجب أن صلاح في أفضل مستوياته أمام المرمى، هذا الموسم وصل بالفعل إلى 20 هدفًا، وحقق ذلك في 21 مباراة فقط، في الدوري الإنجليزي يتصدر قائمة الهدافين برصيد 13 هدفًا وهو في حالة مشتعلة كل أسبوع.

خلال مسيرته في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، سجل محمد صلاح 108 هدف وصنع 42، بالنظر إلى أن هذه الأرقام جاءت في 160 مباراة، فقد أثبت صلاح مرارًا وتكرارًا عبر عدد من المواسم أنه شخصية قاتلة داخل منطقة الجزاء.

في المجموع، لديه 145 هدفًا باسمه مع ليفربول، لقد كان أفضل لاعب في السنوات التي تلت وصوله، وسيظل كذلك إذا أو عندما وقع عقده الجديد، في ضوء إحصائياته فإن القرار لا يحتاج إلى تفكير.

القدرة على خلق السحر من لا شيء

كم مرة رأى أنصار ليفربول صلاح يرقص في طريقه إلى داخل منطقة الجزاء ويطلق صاروخًا لا يمكن إيقافه في الزاوية العلوية؟.

غالبًا ما يلعب ليفربول كرة قدم رائعة ومذهلة، لكن مثل أي فريق آخر يكافح أحيانًا لخلق الفرص، في هذه اللحظات، يظهر محمد صلاح بشكل جيد في كل مرة تقريبًا، بفضل قدرته على خلق السحر من العدم.

سواء أكان الهدف بعد تسديد الكرة بطريقة مقوسة بعيدة عن متناول الحارس، أو عن طريق لوب حيث تأتي الكرة بفارق بوصات أسفل العارضة، فهو يمكنه فعل كل شيء، وفوق كل ذلك، أصبح احتفاله بخلع القميص مبدعًا أيضًا.

المُفضل لدى الجماهير

صلاح لديه علاقة حقيقية بجماهير ليفربول، ربما لا مثيل لها، شكلت بطولاته خلال الفترة التي قضاها في ميرسيسايد رابطة قوية بينهما، وقد رد صبرهم ودعمهم بعدد أهدافه الذي يحسد عليه.

الأغاني التي يرددها الجماهير إشادةّ بـ محمد صلاح من كل منصة في الأنفيلد خلال المباريات، وعند السفر في جميع أنحاء البلاد، من يستطيع أن يلومهم.

ما هو مؤكد أن هذه العلاقة ستصبح أقوى إذا قرر صلاح التوقيع على عقد جديد، عندما يدخل اللاعب في سن الثلاثينيات من عمره، سيتعين على المهاجم عادة تغيير أسلوب لعبه، وستكون جماهير ليفربول صبورة على ذلك تجاه محمد صلاح أيضًا.

أفضل لاعب في العالم حاليًا

وأصر صلاح على أنه لن يواجه أي مشكلة إذا فشل في الفوز بالكرة الذهبية خلال مسيرته، ثم قال إنه أفضل لاعب في العالم، لقد كان تعبيرًا ذاتيًا متفائلًا، لكن الحقيقة البسيطة هي أن وجهة نظره جيدة جدًا.

على الرغم من حصوله على المركز السابع في تصويت هذا العام، بغض النظر عن مستواه المتلألئ في هذا الموسم، إلا أنه يرفض السماح بتحديد وقته في الملعب من خلال الجوائز الفردية، ولمواجهة هذا الأمر، كشف أنه يخبر نفسه أنه أفضل لاعب كرة قدم حاليًا.

يتنافس كل من ليونيل ميسي وكريستيانو رونالدو بانتظام على هذا اللقب، لكن صلاح هو الذي استوى على عرشهما هذا العام، يحتل ليفربول حاليًا المركز الثاني في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، ولعب محمد صلاح دورًا هامًا في ذلك. ثانيًا: السلبيات

هيكل أجور النادي

المحادثات بين صلاح وليفربول بشأن عقده مستمرة منذ بعض الوقت، ويبدو أن الفشل في التوصل إلى اتفاق ينبع من مطالبه المتعلقة بالأجور، حيث سبق وأن كشفت تقارير صحفية عن أنه حريص على كسب أكثر من 300 ألف جنيه إسترليني في الأسبوع.

ولكن هذا من شأنه أن يفسد هيكل الرواتب الصارم في ليفربول، حاليًا يُعد فان دايك هو اللاعب الأعلى أجرًا في النادي بـ220 ألف جنيه إسترليني، بفارق 20 ألف جنيه إسترليني فقط عن محمد صلاح، ليتساوى الأخير مع تياجو ألكانتارا، ولكن المصري يريد المزيد.

عادة لا يقدم مُلاك ليفربول عقودًا طويلة ومغرية للاعبين فوق سن الثلاثين، وسيبلغ صلاح هذا السن في يونيو المقبل، قد يكون هناك استثناءً هنا، ويقول المهاجم المصري أن الأمر يعود إلى النادي.

وصرح صلاح في وقت سابق: “إذا كان القرار في يدي، فأنا أريد البقاء في ليفربول ولكن القرار بيد الإدارة وعليهم حل تلك المشكلة”.

قد يتطلع صلاح إلى الحصول على 300 ألف جنيه إسترليني في الأسبوع، لكن بيتر كراوتش يعتقد أنه يستحق المزيد، في الواقع لقد طالبه بأن يصبح اللاعب الأعلى أجرًا في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، على الرغم من أن هذا قريب من المستحيل.

يربح كريستيانو رونالدو لاعب مانشستر يونايتد حاليًا 480 ألف جنيه إسترليني أسبوعيًا، ويحتل صانع ألعاب مانشستر سيتي كيفين دي بروين المرتبة الثانية بـ 385 ألف جنيه إسترليني في الأسبوع، بعد ذلك يأتي ديفيد دي خيا بفارق 10 آلاف جنيه إسترليني.

لا توجد طريقة معقولة بالنسبة لـ ليفربول لمنح صلاح هذه المبالغ الكبيرة، لكن لا شك في أنه يستحق المزيد من المال، لذلك يعود الأمر إلى إدارة النادي لتقييم كافة الجوانب المتعلقة بذلك الموضوع.

سن محمد صلاح

من المؤكد أن لاعب كرة القدم البالغ من العمر 30 عامًا ليس كبيرًا في السن، لكنهم يميلون إلى الاضطرار إلى التكيف مع عناصر لعبتهم وتغييرها في هذا العمر تقريبًا، هذا مفترق طرق مثير للاهتمام سيصل إليه صلاح في العام المقبل.

لا يزال يمتلك أقدامًا سريعة البرق، وتحولًا سريعًا في السرعة ولمسة رشيقة عند الاستحواذ، ومن غير المرجح أن تتلاشى هذه الجوانب في الموسم المقبل، ومع ذلك سيكون هناك انخفاض تدريجي، وهذا هو المكان الذي يجب أن يفكر فيه ليفربول.

يبدو أن تسليم صلاح صفقته الجديدة، والأجور المذهلة لتتماشى معها، هو الخيار الصحيح، لكن هذا الأمر يعني أن المصري سيستمر مع الفريق إلى منتصف الثلاثينيات من عمره، بالنسبة لنادِ منسجم تمامًا مع هيكل الأجور المحدد وثقته في الشباب، فإن وجوده يمثل معضلة مرحب بها.

أظهر رونالدو أن كل شيء ممكن إذا اهتممت بنفسك، وصلاح يفعل ذلك بالضبط، لا يزال في حالة رائعة، موسمًا بعد موسم، وسيتجه للموسم المقبل بنفس المستوى، متحمسًا للفوز بمزيد من الألقاب.

ولكن هناك أيضا جانب سلبي، الأمثلة السابقة للأندية التي قدمت صفقات كبيرة للاعبيها الأكثر خبرة جاءت بنتائج عكسية، فقط اسأل بعض المنافسين الشرسين لـ ليفربول بالقرب من المراكز الأولى في جدول الدوري الإنجليزي.

هناك مسعود أوزيل وديفيد دي خيا وبيير إيميريك أوباميانج، هم مجرد عدد قليل من الأسماء التي تمت مكافأتها بتمديد وشروط مالية متزايدة، لكن كل هذه العقود خضعت للتشكيك والتدقيق بشدة منذ ذلك الحين.

ليفربول، كونه النادي العصري والذكي، سيعرف هذه الإخفاقات وسيكون حريصًا بشدة على تجنب الخطأ نفسه، على الرغم من مستوى محمد صلاح.

في النهاية، هذا قرار سهل لا يحتاج إلى تفكير، يتعين على الريدز ببساطة ربط نجمهم الرئيسي بصفقة جديدة، إنه عنصر حاسم في آمالهم في الفوز بمزيد من الألقاب في السنوات القادمة، ويستحق العقد المبلغ الذي يريده.

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وأصر محمد صلاح على رغبته في البقاء مع ليفربول، وجاءت تصريحات حتى بعد التقارير التي تربطه بالانتقال إلى برشلونة للعمل تحت قيادة تشافي.

وقال صلاح: “قرأت ما قيل عن اهتمام تشافي بالتعاقد معي، هذا شيء يجعلني سعيدًا لأن فريق مثل برشلونة مهتم بي، لكنني سعيد في ليفربول وسنرى ما سيحدث في المستقبل، في الوقت الحالي أفضل البقاء في الدوري الإنجليزي لأنه الأقوى في العالم”.

يبدو أن هذه هي النتيجة الأكثر ترجيحًا، لكن يعود الأمر إلى ليفربول لاتخاذ الخطوة الأولى لسد الفجوة، بين مطالب محمد صلاح وأسس النادي، على الرغم من أن هذا بالتأكيد مجرد مسألة وقت.

Southampton sold Man Utd flop Luke Shaw at exactly the right time

Luke Shaw looked to be one of the brightest talents the Southampton academy had ever produced when he established himself in the Saints first-team aged just 16, before completing a £27m move to Manchester United in 2014.

The left-back made his first-team debut for the South Coast club as a 16-year-old in January 2012 and he went on to make 67 appearances for the Saints before making the switch to Old Trafford two years later.

Big things were expected of the Englishman at United but like so many players who have joined the club in recent years, his career has not reached the heights that many thought it would.

Injury and fitness problems have plagued his time with the Red Devils and although he has gone on to make 149 appearances in all competitions, his time as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first-choice left-back looks to be nearly over.

After a fairly underwhelming 2019/20 campaign which saw Shaw average a 6.85 rating across his 24 appearances in the top-flight, United paid around £15 million to bring in Alex Telles from Porto during the summer transfer window.

The Brazilian has impressed in both of his most recent United games against West Brom and Istanbul Basaksehir respectively and it would perhaps be a surprise if the 25-year-old Englishman is able to reclaim his starting spot when he returns from injury.

The former Southampton man has earned his fair share of critics during his time at Old Trafford, with former United legends Patrice Evra and Roy Keane both critical of his performance in the 3-1 defeat against Crystal Palace earlier this year, with Evra saying:

“It was laziness from Shaw. He’s guessing… and he’s got to sprint back to be in line with Lindelof.

“Shaw has been injured so he doesn’t have the same speed but he has to adapt his game. He’s not as fast as he used to be.” (per Daily Star)Therefore, it can definitely be argued that Southampton made a great decision in selling him for £27m when he was just 18, as he clearly hasn’t progressed in the way many thought he would and he now looks set for a spell on United’s bench.

And, in other news… Nathan Redmond’s injury can be the making of “super talented” Southampton ace

Tite reconhece atuação ruim e não descarta novas baixas no Corinthians

MatériaMais Notícias

O técnico Tite reconheceu a atuação ruim do Corinthians diante do Fort Lauderdale Strikers, na tarde deste sábado, em partida que marcou a despedida da equipe da pré-temporada nos Estados Unidos. A falta de entrosamento entre os reservas do Timão e a forte ventania durante a partida foram algumas das justificativas do treinador para o baixo desempenho apresentado.

Em jogo ruim, o Corinthians só foi dar o primeiro chute a gol no segundo tempo, quando Romero, Danilo e outros titulares já haviam entrado.

– Onível técnico esteve abaixo realmente. Quando estivemos a favor do vento, deu pra trocar passes, triangular. Contra, já não fluiu. O Moisés jogou fora da posição dele, por exemplo. A partida visa dar mais oportunidades individualmente do que coletivamente, quebrou o gelo do Vilson, consegui trabalhar com Cristian, dei sequência ao Marlone… O jogo teve mais cunho de observação individual do que coletiva – comentou.

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Tite disse voltar ao Brasil mais empolgado até do que quando chegou aos Estados Unidos, em meio à saída de cinco titulares da campanha do hexacampeonato brasileiro em 2015. No entanto, ele trabalha com a possibilidade de perder mais atletas.

-Vou usar uma figura de linguagem que o presidente Roberto de Andrade me falou: eles estão chacoalhando a roseira, a árvore, enquanto não parar de chacoalhar, a gente fica sem referência. A árvore está chacoalhando. Acho que só com o término da janela (será possível saber se sairão mais jogadores) – declarou.

O deixa os Estados Unidos após 12 dias neste domingo e chega ao Brasil na manhã de segunda-feira. Domingo, na Arena, o clube estreia no Paulistão, diante do XV de Piracicaba.

Manchester United should steer clear of £50m Ousmane Dembele flop amid transfer interest

Manchester United chief Ed Woodward may be about to steer the club into an unmitigated disaster if recent reports are to be believed…

What’s the word?

According to Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the Red Devils remain locked in negotiations with Barcelona for Ousmane Dembele, though the two sides are yet to reach an agreement.

It’s claimed that United have offered a loan deal, but this has been rejected by Barcelona, as the Catalan club are only interested in offloading the former French international on a permanent basis.

Romano also revealed that Dembele did not train with the rest of the first team today as discussions continue over a possible move.

Accident waiting to happen?

At first the future seemed so bright for the Barca flop but the £135m signing has suffered from the burden of expectations so far.

Lionel Messi insists he is “frightening in training” but there has been little-to-no evidence at all to show for that on the pitch.

Last term, the Frenchman only managed to play in nine games in all competitions for the club, scoring just once in La Liga, as he struggled to cope with recurring injury problems. You have to go all the way back to the 2018/19 campaign before you can begin to contemplate the fact that he scored eight goals in 29 games in the Spanish top flight.

It is perhaps no surprise at all that he has fallen further down the pecking order, with newly-appointed Barca boss Ronald Koeman preferring Antoine Griezmann on the right wing.

He even suffered the ignominy of being left out of the squad altogether as he was absent from the side that faced Sevilla on Sunday.

If he can’t seem to get a chance at the Nou Camp, then why would he be guaranteed any game time at all at Old Trafford?

Man United are, without a doubt, in desperate need of a right winger, as Daniel James and Juan Mata are Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s only viable options on the wings, while there are some encouraging signs from Mason Greenwood as well.

And although Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho has been Solskjaer’s top transfer target, the chances of signing the England international seem to be getting ever slimmer with each passing minute.

It’s unknown how much Dembele will cost the Red Devils, but he is believed to be on a contract worth a whopping £215,000-a-week at Barcelona, which is quite ludicrous when you consider the fact he has barely featured at all. His market value is also estimated at £50m via Transfermarkt.

Even Marcus Rashford is ‘only’ on £250k-per-week. The Englishman may find it insulting if Dembele demands more off the back of an abysmal season in European football.

Woodward will know he cannot afford to make another mistake after slipping up by signing Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal. Once is a mistake, twice is a decision, and if there are any more after that then he has no chance of being forgiven.

This is simply a signing that the board must avoid making at all costs.

AND in other news, Edinson Cavani’s imminent arrival at Manchester United raises more questions than answers

Opinião: Eurico e Dinamite são responsáveis pela situação do Vasco

MatériaMais Notícias

O terceiro rebaixamento do Vasco em oito anos tem como principais responsáveis Eurico Miranda e Roberto Dinamite, que fizeram péssimas administrações no clube carioca, combalido financeiramente.

Sem recursos e com uma grande cisão interna não foi de espantar que caísse mais uma vez, embora seja uma pena para sua enorme e fanática torcida.

Os jogadores tiveram brio e o técnico Jorginho também. Mas um time que faz apenas 13 pontos no primeiro turno e inicia o segundo com quatro derrotas dificilmente escaparia da Série B. Ainda assim quase fez um milagre. Mas chegar à última rodada sem depender apenas das próprias forças é complicado.

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Que Eurico mantenha a base, porque a equipe não é das piores, e passe a usar mais os jogadores da base, investindo com mais força na formação de novos atletas.

E que a torcida dê o apoio em 2016 que vimos ontem no Paraná, porque os jogadores, repito, mostraram brio, garra, muita força de vontade. Caíram lutando. E isso não é pouco, não.

Radrizzani is doing right by Leeds with ownership rejig

Leeds United’s backroom situation has been interesting to follow for the past year or so.

Rumours of potential massive investment from Qatar have been bubbling under the surface for some time now, while there have also been the odd murmurs about the San Francisco 49ers increasing their minority stake in the club.

However, the 49ers rumours seem to finally be coming to fruition with The Telegraph reporting that Radrizzani is finally set to sell a further stake in the club to the Americans.

The added investment may be a huge help at Elland Road for years to come, and while the 49ers don’t have the enormous wealth that QSI has, they will be better for the club.

Many fans were worried that the club would sell their soul if QSI came in and Leeds would become unrecognisable from the club they currently, but the 49ers aren’t going to be majority owners, so they won’t bring about that type of drastic change that fans were worried about.

Radrizzani would be doing the right thing by inviting in more investment, after all, his own personal wealth isn’t even £1bn, which is seemingly the benchmark for a Premier League owner these days, but he’s not sold the club’s soul by handing the reigns over to the Qataris.

QSI investment would see Leeds become a lot more successful, but there are countless blogs from Manchester City fans warning of the dangers of becoming an overnight financial superpower, the fanbase can quickly lose touch of what the club was and what it means to them, and that’s not what we want to see at Leeds.

Some fans have also expressed their concerns about the heinous human rights violations that the Qataris have been behind over the past few years, but that’s a story for another day, and there isn’t much to say on that front that hasn’t already been said.

The 49ers increasing their stake alongside Radrizzani being at the helm is seemingly the perfect set-up for Leeds at the moment, and the Italian has done right by the club with this backroom rejig.

Sheffield United: John Egan models new away kit in Instagram post

The 2020/21 Premier League season is only a month away as it plans to start on the 12th September, and fans of Sheffield United will be keeping a close eye on the club over the summer to see what signings they make.

However, one thing they now know is what the kits the club will be wearing next season. Indeed, following the release of the home kit last week, supporters of the club have now been shown the away strip.

One of the players who has shown Blades fans the new kit is defender John Egan. The centre-back played 36 games in the league last term, scoring two goals, but more importantly he was involved in all 13 clean sheets that the Blades have kept in the division, per Transfermarkt.

He has clearly been a vital player for the club this season and his new Instagram

/CDt2HykljBx/”>post of himself in the new pink away kit has gone down very well with fans, who clearly love the design judging by the comments on his post.

The Irishman clearly loves it as well as he supported the picture with the caption: ‘New away kit is 🔥’. Hopefully the club can perform just as well next season in the new kits as they did in the 2019/20 campaign, as they finished ninth and only five points away from a European spot.

Blades fans, what are your thoughts on the kit? Let us know down below!

Roger mantém dúvida no ataque e ressalta força do Sport em Recife

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A indefinição no ataque do Grêmio para o jogo contra o Sport, neste domingo, segue. Porém, a disputa “perdeu” um concorrente, já que Bobô sentiu um desconforto muscular nesta sexta-feira e passará por uma reavaliação médica antes do confronto. Se liberado, o atacante deve ficar entre os reservas na Ilha do Retiro.

Portanto, Everton e Pedro Rocha são as opções de Roger Machado para o confronto. Um deles formará o ataque ao lado de Luan. Após o treino no CT Luiz Carvalho, o treinador comentou a disputa e as qualidades de cada um dos concorrentes:

-Eu tenho as duas possibilidades, dependendo do que a partida oferecer. Tanto o Pedro e o Everton podem ir para o jogo.Pedro Rocha tem vitória pessoal no drible e dá profundidade. O Everton também dá essa profundidade, mas é melhor na finalização – avaliou Roger Machado.

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Com 59 pontos, o Grêmio inicia a 34ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro na terceira posição da tabela, atrás de Atlético-MG, 62, e Corinthians, 73.

Buscando confirmar sua vaga na Copa Libertadores-2016, o Tricolor Gaúcho encara o Sport neste domingo, na Ilha do Retiro, às 19h30. Dos 49 pontos conquistados pelo Leão, 37 foram somados em Recife, o que torna o Sport o quarto melhor mandante do Brasileirão. Santos, com 44, Corinthians, com 43 e o próprio Grêmio, com 39, lideram a estatística.

– Sei da força do Sport jogando em casa. Já joguei muitas vezes lá (em Recife). Eles não perdem há muitos jogos lá, mas confio no nosso aproveitamento fora de casa – declarou o técnico do Imortal.

Tottenham Hotspur: Pundit suggests Pochettino favourites will leave this summer as news emerges

Former Premier League player Danny Mills has claimed Tottenham could face a shock departure in the summer. 

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Mills believes veteran defenders Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld could leave the club in the upcoming transfer window.

While Vertonghen has long been linked with a summer exit, the pundit’s prediction for Alderweireld might come as a bit of a surprise to Spurs fans.

Last week, Jose Mourinho told Sky Sports that Tottenham “are not going to spend rivers of money” in the transfer market due to the economic uncertainty surrounding the pandemic.

Indeed, Daniel Levy has told the Portuguese he will have to offload players to fund a move for stars like free agent Willian, and Mourinho will have to rely on reduced fees and loan deals as he looks to overhaul his squad.

Mills told football writer Dylan Childs “It is going to be very, very difficult. Spurs’ biggest problem is who they lose. Vertonghen, Alderweireld could well go and they have already lost Eriksen.

“It is going to be interesting to see what happens in the transfer market and who is prepared to spend money with everything that is going on.

“There is always a spin and an argument to justify spending but it will interesting to see how that dynamic fits with fans.”

As it stands, it is hard to argue with the pundit here, as Vertonghen is likely to leave as he has already rejected an offer on the table.

The Belgian duo were favourites of Mauricio Pochettino, yet the 33-year-old has lost his place in the starting lineup under the Argentine’s successor.

Although Vertonghen has only played 19 games in the Premier League this season, he has shown no signs of slowing down, making 2.1 tackles per game, averaging 1.6 interceptions and completing a staggering five clearances on average (WhoScored).

He is reportedly considering an offer from Real Betis, amid interest from former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, who is now in charge of Serie A giants Inter Milan.

On the other hand, Alderweireld signed a contract extension in December, keeping him at the club until June 2023.

Furthermore, he recently revealed the appointment of Jose Mourinho had a major influence on his decision to extend his contract.

However, Alasdair Gold has highlighted the importance of Eric Dier, Japhet Tanganga and Davinson Sanchez at the back over the course of the season.

Moreover, Mourinho is well aware he will have to work with a limited budget, and he may be tempted to sell the £21.6m-valued veteran if an offer arrives to spend the profits elsewhere.

Tottenham fans, do you think Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld will leave the Lilywhites in the near future? Let us know down below!

Norwich City: Predicted XI to face Everton

Norwich’s chances of Premier League survival are not impossible, with eight matches still to play, although time is certainly running out for them to haul themselves off the bottom and out of the relegation zone.

This evening the Canaries host Everton at Carrow Road five days after they were thrashed at home by Southampton and Daniel Farke must be hoping that the additional two days of rest for his team compared to the Toffees will stand in their favour.

Norwich have only three more home games after today and still have to travel to Chelsea and Manchester City (as per TransferMarkt), so we are at a point in the season where wins become imperative and gallant draws aren’t of much benefit.

That is why Farke is defiantly insisting that he will set up his team with an attacking mindset, although his to 4-4-2 from the 4-2-3-1 that he had employed all season did not have the desired effect against Southampton.

With the need for wins growing by the week, though, Football Transfer Tavern predicts that the manager will stick with two up top this evening, with a slight alteration in midfield from last week.

No prizes for guessing that Tim Krul will again be in goals, while Farke’s defensive options are severely limited by the injury absences of Sam Byram, Grant Hanley and Christoph Zimmerman. Even though the Canaries shipped three goals on Friday, they could line up with the same back four of Jamal Lewis, Timm Klose, Ben Godfrey and Max Aarons given the lack of viable alternatives – there wasn’t one defender among their nine substitutes against Southampton.

In midfield, the wide duo of Todd Cantwell and Emiliano Buendia didn’t manage a single shot between them last week but, with a combined tally of six goals and nine assists for the season, their ability to unlock opposition defences will be crucial to Norwich’s hopes of Premier League survival.

Kenny McLean will likely retain his place in the middle of the park, although there could be a different man alongside him. Tom Trybull was poor on Friday, being dribbled past no fewer than eight times and losing 10 of his 15 duels, so Farke may opt for Alexander Tettey in his place. Marco Stiepermann has returned to training after previously testing positive for coronavirus (as per WhoScored) but this game could come too soon for him.

Farke broke with convention to field a two-man attack last time out, handing Josip Drmic a first Premier League start alongside top scorer Teemu Pukki. Neither man got on the scoresheet but the Canaries’ need for wins should see the same attacking duo being deployed. The manager might also take a punt on youngster Adam Idah, who showed how potent he can be with an FA Cup hat-trick against Preston.

Maybe the 4-4-2 isn’t to everyone’s liking but Norwich need results swiftly and the deployment of as many attacking options as reasonably possible is what they require in their current predicament.

Norwich fans, can you see this being the team chosen by Farke or should he revert to 4-2-3-1? Join in the discussion by commenting below!

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