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According to The Evening Standard, Arsenal are looking at Crystal Palace starlet Tyrick Mitchell.

What’s the story?

With Sead Kolasinac out on loan at Schalke for the rest of the season, and his long-term future at the Gunners uncertain, it’s no surprise that Mikel Arteta’s side are on the look-out for a new left-back.

And as per The Evening Standard, the north London side are scouting Palace’s Mitchell, and that they are one of several Premier League teams watching the 21-year-old.

The report adds that Arsenal are monitoring his situation at Selhurst Park, and whilst it was initially suggested his contract expired in the summer, it is thought to run longer than that.

Arsenal’s next Ashley Cole

Described as a “silent assassin”, Mitchell is perhaps atypical of the modern left-back, being really strong defensively.

One of his former coaches at Brentford, Gabriel Flores, raved about Mitchell’s work going back towards his own goal, saying: “When he is defending, we all see the film Rocky and think of Eye Of The Tiger (the theme song for the third movie in the series), and someone needs to have that. This kid has it.

“I always tell players if you want to see someone having that fire in his eyes, having the eye of the tiger, then watch him. Watch when he defends, when he tracks players down, when he goes to look, he has this look in his face and he still has it now. That’s just in him. He has a real hunger, passion and desire to not get beaten.”

And that was clearly seen in his impressive performance in Palace’s hard-earned 0-0 draw against Arsenal last week. Mitchell came up against the Gunners’ man of the moment, Bukayo Saka, and he completely nullified the England starlet.

As per Sofascore, he made three interceptions for Palace which was the second-most of any player for Roy Hodgson’s side, whilst he also made five clearances too, with only James Tomkins making more in that department.

Saka on the other hand could only complete one of his three attempted dribbles and lost possession 17 times, with Mitchell sticking touch tight to him and giving him little room to manouevre. It was a superb defensive performance against a player who had been in sparkling form for Arsenal.

As young and English, Mitchell is the closest thing Arsenal could have to the next Ashley Cole, who of course came through the Gunners’ academy and was part of the Invincibles.

If the 21-year-old enjoys half the success that Cole did at the Emirates, then he will have been a superb signing for the north Londoners.

Meanwhile, Arsenal can get Hector Bellerin’s successor in this starlet…

MatériaMais Notícias

Depois de cinco anos, o América retornou à Primeira Divisão do Campeonato Carioca. Na noite deste sábado, enfrentou a Cabofriense, na casa do rival, o Estádio Correão, em Cabo Frio e ficou no empate em 0 a 0.

O primeiro tempo teve pouca emoção, apenas uma chance do América e outra da Cabofriense, que mesmo em casa, estava muito recuada, com um esquema 3-5-2. No segundo tempo, a Cabofriense voltou bem melhor e teve duas chances para abrir o placar, mas o goleiro Felipe fez duas boas defesas, garantindo o0 a 0 para o Alvirrubro, que se fechou nos minutos finais bastante satisfeito com o empate.

Após o apito do juiz a torcida da Cabofriense vaiou bastante o treinador Eduardo Húngaro.

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Em Friburgo, o Friburguense derrotou o Macaé (próximo rival do Flamengo) por 1 a 0, gol de Jeffinho, aos 15 minutos do primeiro tempo. O Friburguense volta a jogar na próxima quarta-feira, em Bacaxá, contra o Boavista. O Macaé voltará a campo para enfrentar o Flamengo, no Moacyrzão, também na quarta-feira, no Norte Fluminense.

Neste domingo, o Bonsucesso recebe o Resende no Luso Brasileiro, na Ilha do Governador, às 17h, completando a primeira rodada.

Tottenham Hotspur kick off their Europa League campaign later this evening as they welcome Group J rivals LASK Linz to north London.

Jose Mourinho will be looking for a response from his squad after they threw away a three-goal lead over West Ham on Sunday night, though they remain unbeaten since an opening day defeat to Everton.

It is the Lilywhite’s first venture into the Europa League since 2017 after they were knocked out by Gent in the last 32 round having failed to make it past the group stages in the Champions League.

The congested fixture list this season, much of which Spurs have already had to deal with, gives Mourinho plenty to consider – so here’s how he could line up his starting XI here tonight…

There could be as many as six changes to the side that squandered those two additional points at the weekend.

Gareth Bale is in line to make his full debut after his cameo in the second half against the Hammers, he had a golden chance to win it late on but he was evidently rusty, so an hour or so from the off tonight makes a ton of sense.

Another player who could make their maiden Spurs bow is Carlos Vinicius, though he may have to wait with Harry Kane likely to get the nod to start.

Both Harry Winks and Lucas Moura were also brought on off the bench by Mourinho on Sunday, so they will surely be named in the starting lineup this time around with Moussa Sissoko and Heung-min Son being dropped, the latter is worthy of some much-needed rest.

In defence, both Ben Davies and Matt Doherty could come back into the side with Sergio Reguilon and Serge Aurier making way.

Joe Rodon isn’t eligible to play this evening, so a central defensive pairing of Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez seems likely with both Eric Dier and Japhet Tanganga injured.

Giovani Lo Celso was confirmed to be back in training this week and he may well be handed a starting role over the £36m-rated Tanguy Ndombele, but there is still no place for Dele Alli.

Whilst Spurs youngster Jack Clarke could feature from the bench late on.

AND in other news, Fresh Spurs contract for £18m-rated LIABILITY would be a DISASTER waiting to happen…

23-year-old Angelino joined Julian Nagelsmann’s RB Leipzig side on loan during the summer transfer window and worryingly for Manchester City, they have an option to buy him for as little as £16.3 million (per Sky Sports).

The former PSV Eindhoven man has three goals in seven Bundesliga appearances so far this season, which has seen him average a superb 7.50 rating (per WhoScored).

He also has another two goals, plus an assist, in just three Champions League appearances for Die Roten Bullen, resulting in a strong 7.11 rating in that competition (per WhoScored).

This is significantly better than the average ratings offered by Benjamin Mendy and Oleksandr Zinchenko for City so far this season, with the Frenchman having earned a terrible 5.89 rating across his three top-flight appearances, whilst the Ukrainian has averaged a 6.86 rating in his two Champions League performances and is yet to start a game in the Premier League.

This begs the question, why was Angelino sent out on loan, when his performances this season suggest that he would have been a much better option in Guardiola’s side?

The 23-year-old has featured for City’s first-team on just 15 occasions in his career, in which he contributed three assists, so you could definitely argue that he was never given much of a chance with the Citizens.

Nagelsmann was full of praise for the defender after his performance in the Champions League win against Istanbul Basaksehir recently, saying:

“Angelino is only unpleasant when he doesn’t play, which only happened twice this year. That pretty much describes his character.” (per Goal)

He also described one of the goals the Spaniard scored as “world-class”, suggesting that he rates Angelino highly and it is perhaps likely that Leipzig will make his loan move permanent.

Therefore, it looks as if City will lose out on Angelino to the German club in the near future, which is perhaps a shame, as he was never given a run of games to prove himself in Guardiola’s side and he could have been the solution to their left-back problem this season.

There is however a catch, which could see City rectify their error and offer him an Etihad future. Indeed, as per Sky Sports, Leipzig can only activate their option-to-buy after 12 matches across the season, with five of those matches coming in the second half of the campaign.

So if City can recall him before his move is made permanent in the January window, they should do so given his excellent form.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Tottenham man Gary Mabbutt has called on Harry Winks to seize his chance at the club and “become a dominant force”.

The midfielder has been a regular in Jose Mourinho’s side this season, playing eight games across all competitions, but has completed the full 90 minutes just twice in the Premier League.

With Spurs now seeing a revitalised Tanguy Ndombele, and the summer addition of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg too, Winks has got far greater competition for places in that middle of the park.

And Mabbutt has urged him to take his opportunity when it comes, and insisted that he has got all the quality to become a really top level player for Spurs.

He said: “Harry Winks is a great player. Harry’s still got that opportunity, and he’s got to grasp that opportunity because things can come and go very quickly in football. Harry is also another player who could be in a similar position in that midfield area where he could become a dominant force.”

Whilst the Englishman, who earns £50,000-a-week according to Salary Sport, continues to play a lot of football at Spurs – last season saw him make 31 appearances in the Premier League alone – he hasn’t quite hit the heights that former manager Mauricio Pochettino tipped him to reach.

The Argentine, who even compared Winks to Spain legends Xavi and Andres Iniesta, once called him “perfect”, raving: “For me, he is the perfect midfielder, who can play box-to-box and like a holding midfielder.

“He has the quality and capacity to play and use the demand of the game and read it. He’s so clever, and we are so happy that he starts to feel better now because he provides to the team qualities that we don’t have.”

But if Pochettino envisioned him as a box-to-box midfielder, then he hasn’t shown any inclination of adding an attacking threat to his game, managing a measly two goals and two assists across all competitions in his last five years at the club. Winks hasn’t established himself as a regular at international level either, with just seven caps to his name with England.

Winks’ situation at Spurs is comparable to that of teammate Dele Alli, who like the north London side’s academy product, has hit a bit of a roadblock in his career. The former MK Dons starlet has fallen out of favour under Mourinho, playing just 67 minutes of Premier League football this season, and was hooked at half-time in the Europa League clash against Royal Antwerp.

But if Mourinho can really work out what kind of midfield talent Winks can develop into, then that will be the key to seeing him realise his potential.

Aston Villa appear set to spend once again this summer as if last year worked any wonders, and the latest name mooted with a switch to the Midlands is a player they must avoid to move on from the Suso era…

What’s the word?

According to Jornal de Noticias (via Sport Witness), the Villans are interested in Benfica winger Franco Cervi, though it’s suggested that they are one of several teams who could make a move for the 26-year-old.

It’s also claimed that the Liga NOS outfit have set his asking price at just €15m (£13.5m), claiming that it’s a fee Villa could ‘easily’ pay.

The likes of Celta Vigo and Besiktas are also keen.

Lange must avoid

Dean Smith could do with further attacking additions this summer after his side scored only 41 goals all season, but a move for Cervi doesn’t make too much sense.

This season, the four-time Argentina international provided just four goals and two assists for Benfica in all competitions whilst averaging a poor 0.9 shots, 0.7 key passes, 0.6 dribbles and 0.3 crosses per game, via WhoScored.

By comparison, Anwar El Ghazi and Trezeguet combined for ten goals and five assists with both players managing to dribble 0.9 times and shoot 1.5 times per match in the Premier League this season.

Therefore, it doesn’t seem like Cervi is much of an upgrade on either winger.

£13.5m appears to be a bargain on the face of it but bringing the speedster in would simply be a waste of money, similar to that of Jesus Garcia Pitarch’s spending spree last summer.

Despite over £150m worth of new players, Villa were still embroiled in a relegation battle, which is something they can’t afford to do this time around.

Johan Lange must be wiser with his targets.

AND in other news, £30m talisman is everything Dean Smith needs next season…

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has a mighty task on his hands if he’s to rebuild the Merseyside underdogs this summer but if fresh reports are to be believed, he could be heading down an all too familiar path.

What’s the word?

According to Sky Sports, the Toffees are one of several teams chasing Sassuolo winger Jeremie Boga after the 61-year-old tried to sign him whilst in charge of fellow Serie A outfit Napoli.

They still remain keen on landing the 23-year-old under Gennaro Gattuso whilst Borussia Dortmund see the former Chelsea starlet as a potential replacement for Jadon Sancho and likewise over at Bayer Leverkusen, who could lose Kai Havertz to Frank Lampard’s Blues soon.

Everton’s struggles from out wide are no secret with summer signing Alex Iwobi failing to provide much more than a solitary goal all season, so a swoop for a player like Boga does make sense on the face of it.

However, as talented as he seems, this reeks of another disasterclass from director of football Marcel Brands…

Brands disaster?

If you go back to the start of the season, the Merseysiders made some encouraging moves, namely Iwobi as mentioned above but also in Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Fabian Delph, Moise Kean and Djibril Sidibe. Have any of those truly stood out? No, probably not.

Boga is adept at playing anywhere across the front three and has brought returns of 11 goals and two assists in Serie A this campaign, via WhoScored, as well as averaging 3.9 dribbles, 1.7 shots and 1 key pass per appearance.

Former Chelsea youth coach Michael Beale hailed the Ivory Coast international as the best talent to come through the system, claiming he could “beat teams on his own”.

Although, we’ve been here before haven’t we with Eupen sensation Henry Onyekuru. He joined for £7m in 2017 and played a grand total of zero matches despite being signed on the back of a whopping 24 goals and nine assists for the Belgian outfit.

As per Sportmediaset, Sassuolo are asking for at least €20m (£18m) and whilst this is nearly half the amount of Iwobi, it still presents some doubt in Brands’ ability to spot a winger.

Players like Onyekuru and his fellow Nigerian show that maybe the Dutchman’s weakest attribute is out wide and thus, you’d have to have doubts over Boga despite the evident talent.

AND in other news, Free transfer swoop for UCL-winning “animal” would be shades of Distin…

Aston Villa have entered the race for one of the Premier League’s most in-demand youngsters and if they can snag him from their rivals, it would be very smart business indeed…

What’s the word?

According to the ECHO, the Midlands outfit have inquired about Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster over a potential loan switch this season.

The likes of Newcastle United, Brighton, Crystal Palace and newly-promoted Fulham have also been mooted with interest in the 20-year-old following a sensational spell at Swansea City in the Championship this term.

It’s claimed that the Premier League champions would sanction a move to either a Premier League club or a top European outfit, but he could also remain amongst the first-team setup for the new campaign.

Shades of Abraham

If Villa can clinch Brewster this summer, then it would certainly bring shades of Tammy Abraham back to Villa Park and would be a fruitful move for all parties involved.

The young Reds talisman only joined the Swans in January but went on to find the net 11 times, averaging 2.5 shots and 1.9 aerial duels won per game. He even won his temporary side 1.8 free-kicks per appearance too, via WhoScored.

In a similar vein, Abraham enjoyed successful spells away from Chelsea at Bristol City and the aforementioned Welsh club before linking up with Dean Smith’s side.

He quickly became a hit in the west Midlands after his 26 goals spearheaded Villa’s return to the top-flight. He has since gone on to become a mainstay under Frank Lampard.

Brewster’s time at the Liberty Stadium has seen his boss Steve Cooper claim that he’s a “real threat” whilst teammate Andre Ayew believes the young forward “has it all”.

The “exceptional” Englishman would be very welcome at Villa and could well be more suited to the top-flight than both Wesley and Mbwana Samatta.

Johan Lange must push ahead with this loan swoop.

AND in other news, Aston Villa selling summer signing a cold reminder of Suso’s failings

Reported Celtic target Ivan Toney is nearing the exit door at Peterborough United so Nick Hammond and co will have to act quick if they are to land the impressive talisman.

What’s the word?

According to Posh chairman Barry Fry, the League One outfit have given another club permission to speak to the 24-year-old after they met their valuation.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, via the Daily Record, he also claimed to have warned the Scottish champions, he said: “It’s not Celtic but, out of courtesy, I let Celtic know what had happened. They asked to be kept informed and we informed them. I haven’t heard from them since then.”

The paper also suggests that their £15m valuation has shifted in the wake of the pandemic, but it remains to be seen what sort of fee they have indeed accepted this week.

Shades of Dembele

Neil Lennon could be in the market for a new striker for many reasons, but none more so than having an alternative to Odsonne Edouard, who is likely to be well sought-after when the transfer window opens next week.

The 27-goal striker has been linked to the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham, Lyon and Everton in recent months whilst there would have to be doubts about whether Leigh Griffiths, Patryk Klimala or Vakoun Bayo can step up to fill the void.

A move for Toney would make absolute sense, particularly as it would follow a previous strategy from the Hoops when they landed Moussa Dembele from Fulham.

The French powerhouse had just bagged 15 goals in the English second-flight before Brendan Rodgers pounced back in 2016.

Toney may be in the division below, but he’s being eyed up on the back of a whopping 26 goals for Posh – it’s no wonder his former manager Steve Evans hailed him as a “dream” with “phenomenal” work rate.

Hammond needs to open the chequebook before it’s too late.

AND in other news, Celtic simply must avoid making a £5m mistake amid links to PL flop…

أكد حسين لبيب رئيس اللجنة المكلفة بإدارة نادي الزمالك، أن بطولة العالم لكرة اليد هدفه، لأن كأس السوبر الإفريقي اعتاد النادي على التتويج به.

وفاز الزمالك على الأهلي بنتيجة 28-27 في المباراة التي جمعت الفريقين مساء اليوم على صالة الدكتور حسن مصطفى بالسوبر الإفريقي.

وقال لبيب في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر فضائية “أون تايم سبورتس”: “بطولة العالم لكرة اليد هي التي أضعها نصب عيني، كان لابد أن نهتم بالفوز بالبطولة القارية، وتعاقدنا مع المدير الفني الإسباني روي ومعه مدرب أحمال لأن عيني على بطولة العالم وليس السوبر الإفريقي، لأن هذا السوبر هو السابع في تاريخ الزمالك، واعتدنا الحصول عليه”.

وأكمل: “مباريات الزمالك والأهلي دائمًا يكون الفارق فيها هدف أو اثنين، ولكن الفارس الأبيض يمتلك خبرات عالية، وكنت مطمئن أن الفوز سيحالفنا، وشعرت أننا قريبين من الفوز”.

طالع أيضًا.. حسين لبيب بعد التتويج بالسوبر الإفريقي لليد: أبطالنا شرفوا الزمالك.. وسنقدم الكثير في مونديال الأندية

وأردف: “بالتأكيد سندعم الفريق في كأس العالم للأندية، ولكن بعد العودة للمدير الفني، والأخير يجيد العملية التدريبية، ولو احتاج أي محترفين سنجلبهم له على الفور”.

وأوضح: “ولكني فضلت أن ألعب مباراة السوبر اليوم بلاعبي الزمالك دون أن أضيف عليهم أي محترفين، لأنني كنت على ثقة أننا سنفوز بالمباراة دون الاحتياج إلى محترفين”.

وواصل: “فريق يد الأهلي ذو إمكانيات عالية جدًا ومعهم مدير فني جيد، والدوري هذا الموسم سيكون جميل والجميع سيستمتع به”.

وأضاف: “لاعبو كرة يد الزمالك حصلوا على جزء من مستحقاتهم، وأنا لا أعد إلا وأوفي، وفريق اليد لو ظل 24 شهرًا بدون مستحقات سيلعبون ويتوجون بالبطولات”.

وبسؤاله هل الزمالك أعلن عن مرشحه في رابطة الأندية؟ أجاب: “سنجلس مع كبار النادي مثل أبو رجيلة وفاروق جعفر وحسن شحاتة، وسنستشيرهم وسنجتمع على اسم يمثل الزمالك في الرابطة”.

جدير بالذكر أن الزمالك سيلتقي مع برشلونة الإسباني في كأس العالم للأندية “سوبر جلوب” يوم 6 أكتوبر في الدور ربع النهائي للبطولة، التي ستقام في المملكة العربية السعودية.