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There have never been any doubts about Wilfried Zaha’s ability on the pitch, although major red flags have arisen in his game at times this season that might dissuade some clubs from shelling out the big bucks for his services, ultimately costing him a dream second-chance at European football.

The spellbinding winger has a reputation – deserved or otherwise – for diving and his frustration at not being awarded fouls often leads him to charge down the offender and commit a foul in turn, which he has been typically booked for himself.

It has taken the 26-year-old far too long to realise that his opponents’ unlawful attempts to stop him is a somewhat warped sign of respect for his abilities and that, in rising to their antagonistic exploits, his petulance can cost his team when it matters.

Of course, the number 11’s frustration is understandable, but his sarcastic clapping of Andre Marriner which led to a red card against Southampton on 30th January is inexcusable and an undeniable low-point of an otherwise exemplary campaign.

The talisman’s one-game suspension thereafter seems to have served its purpose in teaching him a lesson though.

Zaha has been in sensational form ever since he collected that red card, chalking up six goals and three assists. Meanwhile, he has been booked just once, compared to seven cautions before that – a pivotal change in his season.

Many football fans dread the transfer window. The Pl>ymaker FC squad name who they’re worried about losing this summer in the video below…

Now the Ivorian seems to understand what it means when he’s kicked all over the park and when he keeps his cool he can can be unplayable, so long may it continue. His 3.7 dribbles per game since the end of January compared to 3.2 dribbles before then shows that this change in attitude has improved his performances even in the area most regard as his strongest.

Palace reportedly value their star man at £75-£80m and, since he’s cut out his petulant antics and become resilient, the tricky speedster has become worth every penny, if not to his potential suitors then the Eagles at least.

Zaha is their attacking soul and with his temper no longer a weakness, the damage he can do on the pitch knows no limits, as Cardiff found out to their detriment on Saturday.

Whether or not the likes of Arsenal and Spurs are willing to cough up that eye-watering sum, Palace shouldn’t budge on their valuation.

The tides are shifting in the management department of Chelsea.

Indeed, after watching his staff come up with underwhelming results recently, Roman Abramovich is seemingly ready to give power to some trusted advisors. At last, it appears he’s ready to bring a revolution in the backroom.

According to reports (via Daily Mail), Chelsea are keen on having Petr Cech to return to the club as their sporting director next season. Obviously, this is after the news that Frank Lampard is being touted as (per Corrierre dello Sport via the Mail) Maurizio Sarri’s successor next season, meaning the Blues are relying upon old blood to rekindle their fire going forward.

As if that wasn’t enough, former midfielder Claude Makelele is also being tipped (Euro United via Read Chelsea) to return in an advisory role in the board level. So, after the failed Italian experiment, it looks as if Chelsea are ready to go back to their roots. It’s also an indication of how Roman’s aiming to give up on changing the system every two years or so by sacking his management.

With the club legends at the helm, Chelsea could work more smoothly on every level. Off the pitch, Cech and Makelele will be able to find top talents to make them stronger going forward. Furthermore, If Lampard becomes the manager, he’ll do something which many past managers have hesitated at which is giving more chances to youth academy products.

Chelsea can operate as a stable club who give opportunities to youth, play attacking football and aren’t marred with controversy in management level anymore. At long last, right?

The love for the beautiful game these legends possesses will enable Chelsea to keep a clean image and soon grow back into a Premier League contender as well.

Chelsea fans, do you think the reshuffle in management can result in improvements next season? Join the discussion by commenting below…

أعلن بيتسو موسيماني المدير الفني للنادي الأهلي، تشكيل فريقه لمواجهة أبو قير للأسمدة، في المباراة المقرر لها اليوم السبت، في كأس مصر.

الأهلي يلاقي أبو قير للأسمدة، على استاد الجيش ببرج العرب في إطار منافسات دور ربع نهائي من المسابقة المحلية.

طالع.. مباشر بالفيديو | مباراة الأهلي وأبو قير للأسمدة في كأس مصر

وكان الأهلي تأهل إلى دور الـ8 بعد الفوز على الترسانة، فيما تخطى أبو قير ذات الدور بعدما انتصر على فريق حرس الحدود بهدفين دون رد.

طالع | بدلاء الأهلي أمام أبو قير للأسمدة في كأس مصر

ويشهد التشكيل ظهور أحمد نبيل لأول مرة في خط الوسط، بجانب عودة رامي ربيعة مدافع الفريق بعد غيابه الفترة الماضية بسبب الإصابة. تشكيل الأهلي أمام أبو قير للأسمدة اليوم:

حراسة المرمى: محمد الشناوي.‏

خط الدفاع: رامي ربيعة – ياسر إبراهيم – عربي بدر – محمود وحيد.‏

خط الوسط: وليد سليمان – أحمد الشيخ – حمدي فتحي – جيرالدو – أحمد نبيل.‏

خط الهجوم: أليو بادجي.

جدير بالذكر أن الفائز من مباراة الأهلي وأبو قير للأسمدة، سيلاقي فريق الاتحاد السكندري في دور نصف نهائي الكأس.

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Mohamed Elyounoussi played the full 90 minutes as Southampton suffered a 3-0 defeat at West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

The Saints will finish above the relegation zone, but there is no getting away from the fact that the loss at the London Stadium was very disappointing.

And a number of the club’s supporters were left fuming with the performance of Elyounoussi, who struggled against the Hammers.

According to WhoScored, the 24-year-old only managed one shot and had a pass success rate of just 77% during his time on the field.

Southampton signed the attacker from Basel last summer and there were high expectations, but he has not contributed a single goal or assist this season.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

The 24-time Norway international was not the only Southampton player who struggled against West Ham, but the club’s fans took exception to his display in particular.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

Newcastle fans were treated to yet another Rafa Benitez masterclass this season and, obviously, they’re praying the Spaniard’s journey at St James’ Park continues. It just has to, right? 

Clearly, Benitez – by now – knows how loved and adored he is by fans and the Magpies have put in a number of noticeable performances this season, optimised by some very talented players, despite the obvious love-in for a manager enjoying the kind of popularity previously reserved for the likes of Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson.

Salomon Rondon has been their talisman alongside Ayoze Perez but despite only playing nine Premier League games before getting injured, Sean Longstaff was a highlight of many fans’ seasons.

Longstaff, (who is somehow only valued at £2.2 million on Transfermarkt) emerged onto the scene when starting against Chelsea at the beginning of 2019. Indeed, that marked the start of eight games played in a row, where Newcastle fans quickly fell in love with the 21-year-old.

What a journey it was for everyone connected to the black and white cause, watching a Geordie develop into a top-level player, really connecting the fans to the club. Frankly, Newcastle needed that.  With the futures of both Isaac Hayden and Jonjo Shelvey uncertain, no matter who is in-charge of Newcastle, they must utilise the fantastic quality and potential of Sean Longstaff.

If there is one thing Mike Ashley loves to do, it’s save money and that’s exactly what using Longstaff more and more could allow them to do, in place of those who depart. In short, just don’t sell him to Manchester United, if they do come calling as the Telegraph predicted they would earlier this week.

Simply put, fans love nothing more than seeing a young talent emerging through the ranks and it’s clear to see that unlike others in the past, Sean Longstaff has the ability to go very far in the game and could be a proper modern-day hero at St James’ Park.

The club have certainly lacked them in recent times.

Do you agree Sean Longstaff has to be used a lot more next season… Let us know!

كشفت تقارير صحفية إيطالية، عن المدة المتوقعة لغياب السويدي زلاتان إبراهيموفيتش عن ميلان، بعد إصابته أمام نابولي أمس الأحد.

وفاز ميلان بثلاثية مقابل هدف على نابولي، سجل منها زلاتان ثنائية، ليرفع رصيده إلى 9 أهداف في المركز الأول بترتيب الهدافين لـ الدوري الإيطالي.

طالع أيضًا.. بونيرا يعلق على إصابة إبراهيموفيتش

صحيفة “لاستامبا” الإيطالية، أفادت أن زلاتان تعرض لإصابة عضلية قوية في الساق اليسرى، وسيخضع للفحوصات الطبية اليوم، لمعرفة التشخيص النهائي.

التقارير أكدت أن زلاتان قد يغيب لمدة تصل إلى 4 أسابيع، أي أنه سيكون بعيدًا عن روسونيري لمدة شهر بالكامل، ولكن حتى الآن لم يتم حسم الأمر.

زلاتان بعد خروجه، قام بوضع ضمادة على الفخذ المصاب، وكان سبب تغييره هو شعوره بآلام في التلت الأخير من المباراة.

ميلان يواجه ليل الفرنسي يوم الخميس المقبل في الدوري الأوروبي، قبل أن يستضيف فيورنتينا الأحد بالدوري الإيطالي.

Time to say goodbye: Joselu to be shown the door at Newcastle United

The Magpies are prepared to let flop striker Joselu fly this summer, as per Footballer Insider reports.

It genuinely defies belief that the big man has been considered a key member of the squad during the previous two seasons, but he has – and only recently has the club apparently made the decision that he is surplus to requirements.

A source close to Newcastle has apparently revealed to Football Insider that Rafael Benitez is keen on offloading the player this summer and has urged the club to consider any incoming offers.

Once a man of Celta Vigo, Frankfurt and Hoffenheim Joselu was Newcastle’s first choice centre-forward last season, which explains a lot, after signing from Stoke City in the summer of 2017, which also explains a lot.

Having scored a pitiful four goals in 32 appearances last season and began this campaign in equally fruitless fashion as the starting striker until king Solomon Rondon established himself as a number one, it is obvious why Benitez has absolutely no intention of keeping him on next season.

As Newcastle have looked to defend their Premier League status, Joselu has not started a single league game since the Boxing Day massacre by Liverpool and has failed to even make the matchday squad for the past seven fixtures.

The writing is most certainly on the wall for Joselu, and we can hardly blame Benitez and Newcastle. Genuine quality is needed if they want to improve on simply scraping by, and the Spaniard is evidently so far behind the required standard.

Newcastle fans, do you think Joselu’s time is up at Newcastle or does he deserve a chance? Join the discussion by commenting below…

Middlesbrough must add to their attacking ranks this summer, otherwise, they could be stuck in the Championship for a whole lot longer than another season.

Tony Pulis’ side may have been in contention for a play-off spot for the majority of the campaign, however, goals were a huge problem for the Teesside outfit throughout the year, with a number of clubs outscoring them in the division.

And, it appears they are interested in adding a razor-sharp attacker to their squad in the summer if the latest rumour to emerge is anything to go by.

What’s the News?

The Teesside Gazzete are running with a story claiming Middlesbrough are interested in signing Sheraldo Becker this summer.

The winger is out of contract with ADO Den Haag this summer, making him an extremely attractive option for the Championship club to consider.

The Verdict:

Going based off of his stats this season, Becker could be an excellent addition to the Riverside outfit this summer and one that Middlesbrough should look to make happen.

The 24-year-old has shown some fine form in the final third of the pitch for Den Haag, having netted eight goals and provided 11 assists across all competitions so far. Those figures would certainly be welcomed on Teesside.

A right winger by trade, he can also play on the left flank or be utilised as a secondary striker, which would provide Pulis with a number of options in the attacking third as the club will look to finally get out of England’s second-tier.

There is a chance that Becker could become Boro’s next Adama Traore as well, but hopefully with more goals. He has the pace, the tricky feet and the ability to make the direct runs their former star used to make in the red-and-white shirt that will surely get the Middlesbrough faithful off their feet in the stands if he were to join them.

Middlesbrough fans, what do you make of Becker? Let us know your thoughts below!

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According to Sky Sports, Tottenham have pulled out of the race to sign Andre Gomes with Barcelona demanding a fee between £25m and £35m for the midfielder.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the north London-based outfit have decided to pull out of the race for the Portuguese international just hours after it was also reported that long-term target Jack Grealish would reject any advances for his signature this summer.

Gomes joined Barcelona from Valencia in 2016 in a deal worth £29.3m, although the 25-year-old struggled at the Camp Nou and arrived at Goodison Park on loan back in the summer.

Watch the best fails from the world of indoor football in the video below…

He impressed massively in just one season on Merseyside, winning over the Toffees supporters with his smooth, classy displays in the middle of the park alongside the more combative Idrissa Gueye – he would’ve been a decent signing for Mauricio Pochettino to make.

Fantastic news for Everton

Of course, when you have a player spend an entire season with you and everything goes well, you tend to be the immediate favourites to sign him on a permanent basis if you wish to do so.

Whilst Everton and boss Marco Silva have already expressed a desire to keep the elegant midfielder at the club, it would’ve been extremely difficult to land him if a team such as Spurs had seriously gotten involved.

This are Champions League finalists we’re talking about. Not only that, but a team with a clear plan and visible signs of improvement, not to mention the fact that they regularly qualify for Europe’s greatest club competition.

Oh, and their new state-of-the-art stadium; they really are an extremely enticing option for any player in world football right now, and they would’ve had serious pulling power over Everton.

The Toffees can count themselves lucky that such an attractive club has decided to pull out.

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Celtic wanted to sign John McGinn to Parkhead during last summer’s transfer window, but after a number of rejected bids he ended up joining Aston Villa in a £2.75m deal instead.

The 24-year-old has quickly become a key player for the Championship outfit and helped them reach the play-off final with an impressive display against West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night – something that didn’t go unnoticed by Bhoys supporters on Twitter.

Being a fan of the Glasgow giants, it seemed almost nailed on that he was going to make the move from Edinburgh to the Scottish Premiership champions in August, but it never materialised as Celtic failed with offers before the player opted for a move to England.

While it has been another successful campaign for the club which could end with a treble-treble by the end of the month, it hasn’t been forgotten how they effectively missed out on McGinn.

Celtic fans were quick to have their say on the Scotland international’s latest performance via social media, and it’s fair to say that they still can’t believe he isn’t lining up for the Hoops this term.

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While one labelled it as a “howling decision”, another said “Celtic really missed a trick by not signing John McGinn”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…