Rob McElhenney has hinted that Phil Parkinson remains the man to take Wrexham forward, with the club’s co-owner delivering “legendary” praise.
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Frank Lampard is being backed to come into contention for a third spell as Chelsea manager, with Andy Townsend admitting you can “never say never”.
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Lampard returned to management with CoventryLooking to guide Championship side into top flightTipped to return for third Chelsea spellFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱GettyWHAT HAPPENED?
Ex-England international Lampard spent 13 memorable years with the Blues as a player, registering 211 goals while landing three Premier League titles and a Champions League crown. He returned to Stamford Bridge as manager in 2019 after cutting his coaching teeth at Derby.
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That reign lasted 18 months, through to January 2021. Lampard answered an SOS call in April 2023 – a matter of weeks after leaving Everton – as he stepped in as caretaker and oversaw 11 games at the helm through to the end of that season, picking up just one win in the process.
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Lampard has had to start again, having taken over at Coventry, and has helped to guide them into the Championship play-off places. He is considered to have shown fellow “great” Wayne Rooney how a reputation can be salvaged, with another stint in west London not being ruled out.
WHAT ANDY TOWNSEND SAID
Former Chelsea midfielder Townsend has told : “The way Coventry have been playing lately, Frank Lampard could be in the Premier League next year. Coventry have had some great times in the Premier League.
“I've said it on many occasions, I like to see great ex-players moving on and succeeding in management. I don't like to see what happened to Wayne Rooney down at Plymouth and coming out of Birmingham after such a short period of time.
“He was an unbelievable player. I like to see good players go into management and have an effect. I remember when Frank went into Chelsea when they were under that embargo, he had to turn to some of the younger players, and certainly they developed under his leadership.
“It hasn't always worked for him where he's been, but right now his team look good and they're exciting to watch. I've got some friends locally that go there every week and they're really enjoying what they're seeing. It's not only about the win, and they're winning matches, but people are enjoying what they're witnessing, which is nice. I hope Frank can go and make a success of it.”
The international break has finally ended, and Ipswich Town are back in Premier League action this afternoon with an exciting match against Manchester United.
However, it’s not just any old game against the Red Devils; it’s their first with new boss Ruben Amorim in charge, meaning it’s Kieran McKenna who’s got the most experience in the competition for once.
Now, there is a chance that United’s new manager bounce could cause the Tractor Boys some issues, but they also might be catching the team before they’ve learned what their new manager wants them to do.
Whatever it is, one thing we can be sure of is that Ipswich have at least one exceptionally exciting player who’d be the perfect addition to Amorim’s team, and McKenna simply has to start him.
Before we get to the player in question, what’s the latest news on the squad heading into this afternoon’s game?
Well, in his pre-match press conference earlier this week, McKenna confirmed that George Hirst will be out of contention for some time due to the injury he sustained against Tottenham Hotspur a couple of weeks ago.
The news was a little less dower for the likes of Jacob Greaves, Jack Taylor, Kalvin Phillips and Ben Johnson, as the Northern Irishman told the press that it would be “touch and go” for them to be fit enough for the game.
He also touched on the importance of the crowd for encounters like this, saying that the “players can’t do this one by themselves” and that having “30,000 behind us and pushing us is a big, big help.”
Given what we’ve seen so far this season, we can’t imagine the Portman Road faithful needing much encouragement to make their voices heard.
That said, McKenna can ensure they have something to cheer about by starting one of his most exciting players, someone who Amorim would surely love at United.
So, while many of you might be thinking of Liam Delap at the moment, and understandably so, it’s not him, but Leif Davis instead.
Yes, the former Leeds United ace is the Ipswich star who’d be perfect for Amorim, and that’s down to two things.
The first is the Englishman’s sheer talent, which also happens to be the reason he could terrorise United this afternoon.
Over the last few seasons, the 24-year-old full-back has become an attacking “animal”, as dubbed by former manager Scott Parker, racking up a frankly absurd six goals and 37 assists for the Tractor Boys in just 101 games.
That means the £25k-per-week star has maintained an average of a goal involvement every 2.34 games, despite going from League One to the Premier League and being a defender, which is also the second reason he’d be a dream signing for the United manager.
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Davis’ Ipswich career |
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|---|---|---|---|
|
Season |
22/23 |
23/24 |
24/25 |
|
Appearances |
46 |
44 |
11 |
|
Goals |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Assists |
14 |
21 |
2 |
|
Goal Involvements per Match |
0.36 |
0.52 |
0.27 |
|
All Stats via Transfermarkt |
|||
The former Sporting CP boss is renowned for playing a 3-4-3 formation and making the most out of wing-backs, which is a position that demands defensive and offensive ability, and as Ipswich fans will surely attest, their 23/24 Men’s Players’ Player of the Year has both in spades.
Ultimately, it will be a challenging game this afternoon, but by playing Davis, McKenna will be giving his side a much better chance of getting something from the game.
However, he might also be putting the incredible full-back in the shop window.
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أثار خبر وفاة المهاجم الجابوني آرون بوبيندزا، اليوم الأربعاء، إثر سقوطه من الطابق الحادي عشر في أحد المباني بالصين، موجة من الصدمة والحزن في الصحافة الرياضية.
كما أعاد الجدل حول موقف النزاع القانوني القائم بين اللاعب ونادي الزمالك، على خلفية هروبه والانتقال إلى رابيد بوخارست، قبل الانضمام إلى فريقه الصيني في الميركاتو الشتوي.
اقرأ أيضًا | أيمن يونس منتقدًا لاعب الزمالك: عليه مراجعة نفسه.. وغير مؤهل لـ منتخب مصر
وفي هذا السياق، تواصل بطولات مع خبير اللوائح والقوانين الرياضية، عامر العمايرة، لتوضيح الموقف القانوني وما إذا كان من الممكن استمرار القضية في الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم “فيفا” بعد وفاة أحد الأطراف، مؤكدًا أن الوضع يتوقف على عدة عوامل إجرائية.
وقال العمايرة: “إذا كانت القضية لم يصدر بها قرار وتوفي اللاعب وكان هو الطرف الوحيد في تلك القضية دون النادي الآخر، ستغلق”.
واستفاض: “هناك منصة قانونية تابعة للاتحاد الدولي تضيف من خلالها المستندات الخاصة بالقضية باستخدام حسابك الشخصي، ومن ثم يُطلب من الطرف الآخر تقديم رده وموقفه”.
وأضاف: “إذا تم تبادل الردود بين اللاعب والنادي الروماني، ووصلت تلك الردود إلى نادي الزمالك ورد عليها، فمعنى ذلك أن المطالبة تسير بشكل طبيعي”.
واستمر: “أما إذا لم يتم ذلك، فتبقى القضية في بدايتها، وسيُطلب استكمالها أو تُغلق في حال كان اللاعب فقط هو من تم رفع القضية ضده”.
وتابع: “لو كانت القضية محجوزة لصدور قرار، وكان أحد الأطراف قد توفي مثل اللاعب، فالتنفيذ هنا يصبح معقدًا”.
وأتم: “تبدأ الجهات بالنظر في الملابسات والبحث عن إمكانية اتخاذ قرارات تأديبية مثل الإيقاف أو غيره، ولكن ملامح القضية نفسها غير واضحة لأنك لا تملك المستندات الكاملة”.
Matthews hits maiden WC century; Dottin picks up two wickets – and plays her part in a run-out – in manic final over to seal the game
Annesha Ghosh04-Mar-20221:12
Sophie Devine: To take the game till last over, shows grit of the team
The 2022 Women’s ODI World Cup started with a big upset result on the opening night as Hayley Matthews’ 118 trumped Sophie Devine’s 108, and Deandra Dottin stole the show when she picked up two wickets and played her part in a run-out in a manic last over to consign hosts New Zealand to a shock three-run defeat.The clincher, though, might have been Chinelle Henry’s return catch on her second attempt to dismiss Devine, with New Zealand needing 45 off 29. That helped her make amends – tellingly, as it turned out – for dropping Devine earlier in the night; West Indies’ fielding swung between excellent and poor. The count for shelled chances, five until that point, ended on six.At one point, New Zealand needed just 24 off 17 with Jess Kerr and the experienced Katey Martin on course to avert an upset. The two picked 14 off the penultimate over to bring it down to a-run-a-ball in the final over. Enter Dottin. The result: 1W1WW. Game: West Indies.With that over, her only one in the game, Dottin somewhat stole Player of the Match Matthews’ thunder, but Matthews played a huge role with bat – she became the third West Indies woman to score an ODI World Cup century – and then ball, when she returned 2 for 41. Matthews was promoted to open in the absence of Rashada Williams, who is recovering from a concussion.After Devine opted to bowl, three fours from Dottin in the opening over set West Indies’ campaign rolling. Their first four scoring shots were all boundaries, with Matthews driving a full-toss past cover for her first runs.Deandra Dottin bowled the final over against New Zealand and produced a sequence of 1 W 1 W W to seal the game•Getty ImagesLea Tahuhu, the pick of the New Zealand bowlers with 3 for 57, struck back with Dottin’s wicket first ball of her second over, which, however, cost 13, with Matthews stroking three fours. She displayed her range with the first of many cuts, pulls, and back-foot punches that adorned her century, the first by a West Indies woman in an ODI in New Zealand.Along the way, she strung fifty-plus stands with Stafanie Taylor, Shemaine Campbelle and Chedean Nation.Apart from the Kerrs – Amelia and Jess – and Hannah Rowe, all the other New Zealand bowlers came in for punishment from Matthews. She was particularly aggressive against 17-year-old Fran Jonas, New Zealand’s second-youngest ODI World Cup debutant, and reached her ODI fifty off just 55 balls, soon after which West Indies lost Taylor for 30.Campbelle joined Matthews in the middle for the rebuild as she transferred her reliance from boundaries to strike rotation. In the 29th over, she upped the offensive again, clubbing Jonas for two fours in the first two balls of the 11-run over. In all, she struck 16 fours, and a six off Devine. Her century would come off a scamper for two.After Matthews fell, Anisa Mohammed’s six-ball 11 in the end lifted West Indies to their third-highest ODI World Cup total.New Zealand had never successfully chased more than 208 in an ODI World Cup, and their chase began on a wobbly note.A deflection by bowler Henry off a Devine straight drive ended Suzie Bates’ six-ball innings in the fourth over. West Indies then frustrated Devine and Amelia Kerr with an off-side-heavy field and backed it up with a persistent outside-the-off-stump line and terrific discipline on the outfield. The home side managed only 41 for 1, as opposed to West Indies’ 54 for 2, in the first powerplay.Sophie Devine struggled at times, but stayed the course to get to her sixth ODI century•Getty ImagesMatthews followed up her success with the bat with a key strike off just her second delivery – bowling with a tweaked left hamstring and Kinesio taped-up right arm, she trapped the in-form Amelia lbw in the 12th over for what was the batter’s first score below 30 in six ODIs.New Zealand reached 114 for 2 at the halfway mark and needed 146 off her final 25 overs, and a slew of let-offs helped them at that stage. First, a run-parched Devine powered Aaliyah Alleyne to Shamilia Connell at mid-on only to be dropped, when on 36. She then gritted out a tough phase with a 76 stand with Amy Satterthwaite and reached her fifty in 70 balls, her first in ODIs since October 2020.In the 24th over, three balls after coming in as the injured Connell’s substitute, Cherry-Ann Fraser handed Satterthwaite a lifeline when on 22 off Mohammed. The veteran offspinner, however, eventually trapped Satterthwaite lbw, becoming the first spinner to pick 300 wickets in international cricket. She took out Tahuhu next ball but was unable to bag a hat-trick.On 66, Devine received a second reprieve when Taylor, stationed at midwicket, couldn’t hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end. On 74, it was Henry’s turn to shell another chance off Devine, who reached her 3000th ODI run when she moved to 82.New Zealand needed 66 off the last ten overs. Nine of those Devine scored. Her hundred, second in ODI World Cups and sixth in the format, was all determination and patience, but it wasn’t enough on the night.
Arsenal host Liverpool at the Emirates tonight, in what is undoubtedly Mikel Arteta’s side’s biggest challenge of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign so far.
The Gunners will be looking to return to winning ways after falling to defeat against Bournemouth last weekend, in another outing ruined by an early dismissal.
Centre-back William Saliba was originally cautioned for dragging down striker Evanilson, but after an on-field VAR review, the Frenchman was given a straight red card.
He will subsequently miss this afternoon’s meeting, making the task a little bit harder for the Gunners if they are to inflict just a second league defeat of the season on Arne Slot’s team.
Numerous big decisions await the Spaniard, including who to replace Saliba with, but he may also be tempted to drop one player after his performances in the last seven days.
Why Arteta must drop Trossard against Liverpool
Leandro Trossard has had a week to forget on the pitch, all starting in the defeat against Andoni Iraola’s side at the Vitality last weekend.
The Belgian was the player who played the poor pass into the path of opposition striker Evanilson, which led to Saliba’s dismissal – undoubtedly costing Arteta’s side all three points in the process.
However, he was included from the off against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday night, but once more failed to justify his selection.
He stepped up to take the penalty during the second 45, but his effort was denied as he failed to get on the scoresheet and help the Gunners secure a more comfortable victory over the Ukrainian outfit.
Minutes played
88
Touches
38
Passes completed
21/26 (81%)
Shots taken
5
Possession lost
7x
Fouls committed
1
Penalties missed
1
Given the nature of the fixture this evening, Arteta can’t be carrying any passengers who are struggling and lacking confidence – something which has been evident in the 29-year-old’s displays over recent weeks.
As a result, he could drop to the substitutes bench once again, handing an opportunity to one player who has deserved a start in recent months after his emergence in North London.
The man to replace Trossard against Liverpool
17-year-old midfielder Ethan Nwaneri has been nothing short of sensational for the club’s first team in recent times after his breakthrough over the last couple of years.
He made his Premier League debut in the 2022/23 campaign as a 15-year-old, making him the youngest player in the competition’s history – showcasing the trust placed in him by Arteta.
Nwaneri has already bagged two goals for the first team this season in the Carabao Cup tie against Bolton Wanderers at the Emirates, earning him increased minutes off the substitutes bench.
The Hale End academy star, who’s previously been dubbed “unplayable” by former Gunners star Jack Wilshere, has also impressed for various youth levels over the last 12 months, scoring ten goals in 13 appearances in the Premier League 2.
Although the game is one of the biggest of the season, Nwaneri would massively relish the opportunity to make his full Premier League debut in such a fixture – potentially adding a different dimension to the Arsenal side.
It will be a tough ask to secure all three points after Liverpool’s start and the current suspension situation at the back, but regardless, Arteta has shown time and time again that he’s able to make the right choice for these decisive moments.
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Hollywood superstar Channing Tatum has saluted the "ride-or-die" mentality that Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have forged at Wrexham.
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MatériaMais Notícias
Os novos números apresentados pelo Botafogo para tentar contratar Elkeson agradaram tanto ao jogador quanto ao estafe do atleta. Contudo, o clube ainda não pode oficializar a coisa. Em processo de transição para a chegada de John Textor, investidor que comprou a SAF do Alvinegro, o clube está em um momento que impede de fazer “movimentos concretos” no mercado.
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+ Plano de carreira e seleção: como o Botafogo tenta atrair Romero mesmo sem ter a melhor proposta financeira
Dirigentes do Botafogo conversaram com representantes do atacante na última terça-feira, antes da partida contra o Boavista, pela estreia do Campeonato Carioca. Os números foram aumentados em relação à primeira proposta, feita em dezembro.
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As cifras apresentadas chegaram perto daquilo que o estafe do jogador havia pedido antes e a coisa caminhou para um entendimento mútuo. Na hora de “fechar o caixão”, contudo, o Botafogo não pode fazê-lo. Por estar no processo de transição para a chegada de Textor, o clube está em um momento de troca de burocracia interna que o ‘congela’ de movimentos bruscos no mercado.
O aporte financeiro ainda não chegou por inteiro e a equipe de Textor ainda analisa os documentos para a assinatura definitiva da compra da SAF, então o Botafogo está no “meio do caminho” entre o modelo de gestão antigo e o novo. A coisa não anda para nenhum lado.
O Botafogo mantém contatos praticamente diários com representantes de Elkeson, mas sabe que não existe como “ter preferência” pelo jogador. O clube sabe que se outra equipe chegar e oferecer cifras parecidas vai levá-lo. Internamente, há uma pressão para que os movimentos burocráticos caminhem com o discurso de melhora do elenco para a temporada 2022.
Enderson Moreira, inclusive, comentou sobre o assunto em coletiva na última terça-feira. O treinador afirmou que esse processo de transição com John Textor impede que o Botafogo faça contratações, mas que os jogadores já estão mapeados. O clube continua atrás de Elkeson.
As Liverpool look to ease any blows caused by the potential departures of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, Serie A champions Inter are now reportedly fearful that the Reds have already struck an agreement to sign one of their star men.
Liverpool transfer news
Things can’t get much better for Liverpool on the pitch. The Reds sit top of the Premier League after seven games under Arne Slot in a run that has seen them concede just twice. From the chaos of entertainment under Jurgen Klopp, Slot has taken a calmer, stricter approach to tighten things up at Anfield whilst displaying the type of football that can leave the Kop in awe.
That’s not to say Liverpool are without their problems. In fact, as things stand, they’re heading towards a complete disaster in 2025. Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk and Salah are all set to leave as free agents next summer unless anything changes. In order to avoid the ultimate failure, the Reds must complete negotiations with the trio.
Of course, planning for the worst-case scenario here is no bad thing, which has reportedly seen those at Anfield turn their attention towards Italy’s Serie A. According to reports in Spain, Inter now fear that Liverpool have already struck an agreement with Denzel Dumfries, who is set to become a free agent at the end of the current campaign.
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The Dutchman is a player who Van Dijk and Cody Gakpo will know well thanks to their national team and someone who the latter already showcased a connection with in recent days by assisting Dumfries against Hungary.
Whether Gakpo and Dumfries get the chance to repeat that goal at Anfield remains to be seen, but Liverpool are certainly wise to plan for life without Alexander-Arnold.
"Brilliant" Dumfries would ease Alexander-Arnold blow
If they need to replace Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool will have a near-impossible task, but one that Dumfries could yet arrive to complete to some degree in 2025. The Inter ace is one of few players who stand in good stead when it comes to replicating the England international’s attacking exploits, albeit whilst enduring his own defensive struggles.
Goals
4
3
Assists
4
4
Tackles won
13
26
Ball recoveries
58
176
Dumfries is a player who has caught the attention of those in and around English football over the years, with Micah Richards handing the right-back plenty of praise after his display against United States at the 2022 World Cup. The BBC pundit said (via TEAMtalk): “Denzel Dumfries. What a player he is. I just thought his whole game was brilliant.
“It was his timing of his runs… He didn’t sort of mix it up too much, but when he did, it was the right moments. Down this right-hand side, he was just breathless.”
When 2025 arrives, Alexander-Arnold’s potential Liverpool exit could commence a domino effect which ends with Dumfries heading the way of Anfield.
Brighton & Hove Albion are set to be without an important player for their clash against Tottenham Hotspur this coming weekend, but it could have been a lot worse, according to a new report.
The Seagulls suffered their first defeat of the season last weekend, as they were beaten 4-2 by Chelsea. It will have been a disappointing result for Fabian Hurzeler, but he will still be pleased with the start his side has made to the new campaign.
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Brighton were one of the busiest sides in the Premier League during the summer, as the club spent a lot of money bringing in new players for Hurzeler. A lot of those players have settled in well at the club; Georginio Rutter is one, as he netted his first goal in the game against Chelsea, but it appears the hierarchy are keen to do more business when 2025 arrives.
It was reported last month that the Seagulls could return to the Championship once again in 2025 – Sheffield United’s Ollie Arblaster is someone Brighton are eyeing up a move for when the January transfer window opens.
The midfielder impressed last season in what was a disappointing Sheffield United team, and he has continued to do so in this campaign. So much so that Brighton are willing to test the Blades’ resolve in the new year by putting in an offer in excess of £20 million, but it remains to be seen if that would be enough to tempt United to sell.
While Brighton keep their eye on potential targets for 2025, they will be focused on what is in front of them, and as they prepare for the clash against Spurs, they have suffered an injury blow that could have been a lot worse.
£30k-a-week Brighton star ruled out with injury
According to Voetbal International, relayed by Sport Witness, Brighton are going to be without Jan Paul van Hecke for their game against Tottenham on Sunday. The defender will be forced to miss the tie through injury, as he did for the Chelsea game a few days ago.
The centre-back has started five league games this season, but he missed the game against Chelsea through a groin injury that he has been complaining about for a while. That started to cause the Dutchman a few problems in recent days, and now tests have revealed that he will be out of action for a few weeks.
This means van Hecke will miss the Spurs clash as well as the Netherlands’ games against Hungary and Germany. This report states that Brighton feared the defender could have been out for a long time, but the tests have revealed that his injury setback isn’t as bad as first feared.
Apps
57
Goals
0
Assists
3
Van Hecke, who is said to be on a weekly wage of £30,000, is expected to return to action after the international break, meaning he could play for Brighton against Newcastle United.