San Marino made history once again after beating Liechtenstein 3-1 to earn an unprecedented Nations League promotion in the process.
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England goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck made a stunning comeback from a stroke sustained last year in her first game for Barcelona on Saturday.
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Roebuck started in goal for BarcelonaBlaugrana won 4-1England international thankful for returnFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Roebuck revealed in March that she had sustained a stroke last year and had been dealing with the repercussions, after going months without playing for Manchester City. The England international, who has won 11 caps for her country, joined Barcelona on a free transfer in the summer after it was confirmed that she would make a full recovery.
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On Saturday, she officially returned to the pitch 19 months after her last appearance at any level, playing in Barca's win over Betis. She was denied a clean sheet in the last minute, however, as Yasmine Zouhir netted a 90th-minute consolation as the Catalan giants won 4-1.
WHAT ROEBUCK SAID
Roebuck wrote on Instagram: "303 days later. The goal was always to play the game I love again and at times it felt impossible but to do it for @fcbfemeni is a dream. It’s been a journey thank you to everyone who’s supported me along the way nothing will ever beat this feeling."
GettyWHAT NEXT?
Barcelona play Hammarby in the Champions League in midweek before a clash with Valencia next weekend. They are currently top of Liga F, having won all 12 of their 12 fixtures thus far.
MatériaMais Notícias
da bwin： O sinal de alerta está ligado dentro do Juventude. Após ilusionar a torcida com uma temporada mais ‘tranquila’, o Jaconero passou sufoco no Campeonato Gaúcho e por muito pouco não foi rebaixado.
– VEJA A TABELA DA SÉRIE A DO BRASILEIRÃO
Com isso, o time gaúcho foca na recuperação para a disputa do Campeonato Brasileiro e a diretoria garante que o elenco está em processo de avaliação.
‘Temos que evoluir muito. Temos que evoluir tecnicamente, coletivo, fisicamente e taticamente. O Juventude precisa aproveitar as três semanas para fazer um trabalho para qualificar a equipe. Vamos fazer uma avaliação geral. Fizemos um Campeonato Gaúcho sofrível e, agora, vamos nos debruçar para qualificar a equipe. Nós estamos muito abaixo do que precisamos para iniciar uma Série A’, afirmou, antes de completar:
‘O grupo todo está sob avaliação. Tem alguns jogadores que encerram o contrato agora. Vamos fazer essa avaliação geral, junto com a comissão técnica e departamento de futebol. A gente não pode precipitar e temos que ter cuidado. O início da temporada foi atropelado. Temos que olhar para trás para aprender com os erros. Assim, poderemos ser mais assertivos nas contratações’.
Vale citar, que na temporada 2022, além do Brasileirão, o Juventude tem a Copa do Brasil, torneio que está garantido na 3ª fase.
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The past 24 hours have been a whirlwind at Chelsea, finishing their pre-season with a 1-1 draw against Inter Milan at Stamford Bridge, unveiling new signing Pedro Neto, and now a deal collapsing for Samu Omorodion.
Omorodion scored nine goals in La Liga last season, and Chelsea were interested in him joining the club to compete with Nicolas Jackson and provide a different profile ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, as the Blues look to return to the Champions League.
But this deal collapsing now leaves Chelsea on the hunt for a striker again, whilst also throwing some of their other business up in the air, such as Conor Gallagher's exit, which was hinged on the Omorodion to Chelsea deal.
Chelsea hunting for Omorodion alternative
According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea and Atlético Madrid are now discussing Joao Felix as an option as part of the Gallagher deal. Jorge Mendes (Felix's agent) is currently discussing the move in London.
This deal is important in the Gallagher deal as Atlético's other business – which includes Gallagher and Julian Alvarez – was part of a domino effect, with Omorodion set to join Chelsea. Therefore the clubs are looking for solutions for the other deals not to collapse.
The Portugal international has reportedly already said yes to joining the club, now it's just down to the decision-makers at Stamford Bridge.
Felix made 44 appearances for Barcelona last season in all competitions, whilst on loan from Atlético, scoring ten goals, providing six assists, and totaling 2,143 minutes played.
Joao Felix vs Raheem Sterling comparison
Now, of course, Felix has already enjoyed a loan spell at Chelsea, joining in January 2023, and playing under Graham Potter and Frank Lampard. He made 20 appearances for the Blues in his time there, scoring four goals.
One player who is compared to Felix via FBref's "similar players" feature, is none other than Chelsea winger, Raheem Sterling. Whilst Sterling is more of a natural left-winger, Felix can operate from the left, as well as playing in central areas, most commonly behind the striker.
Goals
0.42
0.33
Assists
0.25
0.26
xG
0.49
0.30
Progressive Carries
3.87
5.45
Progressive Passes
3.82
3.55
Key Passes
1.04
1.36
Shots
3.70
2.29
Shots on Target
1.55
0.88
Shot-Creating Actions
3.44
3.86
Carries into Final Third
2.78
2.32
Successful Take-Ons
1.70
2.05
Fouls Drawn
2.82
1.60
Described as a "genius" by Portugal teammate João Cancelo, Felix provides an elegance on the ball that Sterling doesn't, with extreme technical quality and the ability to make things happen going forwards.
The Portuguese is in the top 5% of positionally similar players in Europe for fouls drawn per 90 with 2.88, showing his ability to ride tackles and force his opponents to foul him in order to stop him 1v1 (much like Eden Hazard, Jack Grealish etc).
He is also a volume shooter, taking 3.70 shots per 90, 1.55 of these being on target, and still providing a good output of 0.42 goals per 90, whilst producing even more xG, at 0.49 per 90.
His ability to manufacture his own chances and shots, makes him a very dangerous prospect cutting inside from the left wing, especially in 1v1 scenarios.
The main issues surrounding Felix would be his work rate, particularly when coming into Enzo Maresca's system, which is heavily man-to-man orientated.
This and the similar profiles already in the Chelsea squad, such as Christopher Nkunku and Cole Palmer, would be Felix's main challenges to overcome, in order to get decent game time for the Blues. That said, he could well shape up to be a fine replacement for Sterling.
Chelsea now set sights on "monster" £85m Samu alternative instead of Felix
The Blues have reportedly made an impressive centre-forward their priority target.
ByDan Emery Aug 12, 2024
Plays of the Day from the fourth day of the first Test between Bangladesh and West Indies in Mirpur
Mohammad Isam in Mirpur16-Nov-2012Milestone of the day
Mahmudullah completed his half-century early on the fourth day, taking a single in the third over to score his first since March 2010. Not long after, he took the more important single to post Bangladesh’s highest team total, off the final ball of the 136th over. It overtook the 488 Bangladesh scored against Zimbabwe in Chittagong almost eight years ago.Payback of the day
It will be hard to forget Chris Gayle dispatching Sohag Gazi’s first ball in Test cricket for six. Today, Gazi returned the favour with the bat, almost. He skipped out of the crease and chipped Sunil Narine for a boundary, off his first ball in Test cricket. Two dot balls later, however, he played back to a sharp off-break and had his off-stump pegged back.Misfortune of the day
Nasir Hossain refused many singles during his 61-run ninth-wicket partnership with Shahadat Hossain, so it was clear how little he trusted the man from Signboard, Narayanganj (yes, that’s where he’s from). Nasir rushed through the 90s, hammering two boundaries to move to 96. Tino Best’s slower ball however had the better of him, the batsman edging a push into the hands of Chris Gayle at first slip, to become the tenth Bangladesh batsman to be dismissed in the 90s. His selflessness didn’t pay there.Effort of the day
Shahadat played his part in helping get rid of Gayle in the sixth over of the West Indies second innings. Off the first ball of the over, Gayle’s flick towards deep-square leg was boundary-bound but Shahadat saved the four, with a little flick of his leg while he was prostrate. Shakib helped out with a strong throw and it kept Gayle down to two and on strike. Two balls later, Rubel Hossain had him caught behind.Catch of the day
Gazi got one to bounce at Marlon Samuels, which he popped to short square-leg Shahriar Nafees. Replays showed that the catcher had in fact backed away slightly as the batsman shaped to hit the ball through midwicket. But Nafees, apparently despite not really planning to, held on somehow. This on a day when Junaid Siddique dropped two catches, and Shahadat one.Timely blow of the day
Gazi has shown many skills with the ball in his debut Test, including a delivery that goes straight on. Off what turned out to be the final ball of the fourth day, the offspinner bowled a beauty to get rid of nightwatchman Veerasammy Permaul, who went on to the front foot, groped and missed the straight one completely. It pushed West Indies to 244 for 6, ahead by 215 runs with four wickets in hand, going into the final day.
Jose Mourinho is ready to make a move for one West Ham ace after another transfer he was working on fell through due to being hijacked by the Hammers, it has been reported.
West Ham working hard to strengthen
The arrival of Julen Lopetegui this summer has brought with it a freeing of funds in east London, with several new faces set to be on show when the Hammers kick off their new Premier League campaign against Aston Villa on 17th August.
After a difficult 2023-24 season under David Moyes, West Ham have added four new signings and plenty more are expected to arrive between now and the transfer deadline on August 30th.
West Ham's signings summer 2024
Player
Fee
Crysencio Summerville
Undisclosed
Max Kilman
£40m
Luis Guilherme
£26m
Wes Foderingham
Free
Indeed, two are imminent additions. The first of those is Borussia Dortmund striker Niclas Fullkrug, who was unveiled on Monday evening ahead of a switch to east London that is believed to have set the Hammers back a fee of 32m euros (£27m).
Imagine him & Summerville: West Ham plot another 'magnificent' transfer
West Ham seeking midfield reinforcements to aid new firepower in attack
ByConnor Holden Aug 4, 2024
The second of those is free agent Guido Rodriguez, who saw his time with Real Betis come to a close this summer and is now set to pen a two year deal at the London Stadium to bolster their midfield ranks. However, their move for Rodriguez may have unforeseen consequences at the London Stadium.
Mourinho wants West Ham man
That comes as Jose Mourinho is keen to take midfield man Tomas Soucek away from West Ham this summer. Now in charge of Turkish giants Fenerbahce, the ex-Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United boss has made eight new signings this summer, including ex-Newcastle winger Alan Saint-Maximin.
But he saw a potential move for Rodriguez fall through at the eleventh hour courtesy of interest from West Ham, who ultimately secured the Argentine's signature.
And now he has turned his attention to the very man Rodriguez may replace at the London Stadium, with Turkish outlet Takvim [via HITC] claiming that Mourinho is ready to try and land Tomas Soucek this summer to fill the hole in his midfield.
Soucek started 34 Premier League games last season for the Hammers, and still has three years left to run on his £90,000 a week deal at the London Stadium.
However, the 29-year-old faces fresh competition in the middle of Lopetegui's midfield with Rodriguez joining James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez as options for the new Hammers boss to choose from.
There is even speculation that West Ham may still be chasing another midfielder before the window closes, which would heighten the competition for places yet further, and at 29, Soucek is entering the last few windows for West Ham to see any return on their £19m investment on the Czech midfielder.
Meanwhile, a move to Turkey would see him return to European football, which could even be the Champions League if Mourinho's side are able to beat Lille in the play-off for Europe's elite competition.
Shakib Al Hasan has been ruled out of Bangladesh’s remaining matches in the T20 World Cup because of a hamstring injury. Shakib has not recovered sufficiently from the injury he picked up in his left leg during the game against West Indies on Friday, and after a 48-hour observation period, the team medical staff decided to rule him out.”Shakib sustained a left lower hamstring strain while fielding during the match against the West Indies,” team doctor Debashis Chowdhury said in a statement. “In clinical examination it was diagnosed as an injury of Grade 1 intensity. He is ruled out from participation in the last two matches of the tournament and until further review.”Related
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Bangladesh’s star allrounder pulled up when chasing a ball in the fifth over of the match. He went off the field briefly at the time but returned to complete his four overs, even though he hobbled around and was spotted clutching the back of his left leg on occasion.Shakib later opened the innings, for the first time in international cricket, in a bid to use his physical limitations during the powerplay, but visibly limped while taking singles before being dismissed for 9.Bangladesh, after getting through the first round of the competition, have struggled, losing all their three games so far. Qualifying for the knockouts looks improbable for them anyway, and Shakib’s absence can only make things tougher for them.Wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan is another injury worry – he missed the West Indies game with a a lower midriff injury. The team doctor has asked him to rest till November 1.Bangladesh’s next match is against South Africa on November 2, and their last Super 12s game is against Australia on November 4. They are scheduled to play three T20Is and two Tests against Pakistan shortly after the T20 World Cup.
“We looked at all the issues, including feedback from players and, in terms of the interview, the impressive interview that Mr [Michael] Smith gave”
Firdose Moonda18-Oct-2021Roger Telemachus was passed over for the job of Kwa-Zulu Natal Inland coach in favour of Michael Smith because Smith offered a more impressive interview, and not due to racial discrimination. That’s according to Dolphins CEO Heinrich Strydom, who testified as a responder at Cricket South Africa’s Social Justice and Nation-Building (SJN) Hearings and addressed allegations that Telemachus was unfairly overlooked.Telemachus took aim at CSA’s coaching hiring policy when he appeared at the SJN in July and specifically mentioned the appointment of the national coach Mark Boucher, while also discussing his own situation. He worked with the Kwa-Zulu Natal Inland team for seven seasons, during which time they won two trophies, and has since been appointed head coach of the Western Province Academy.Strydom explained how Telemachus and Kwa-Zulu Natal cricket parted ways ahead of the restructured 2021-22 season, which reduced the number of jobs available in the system. South Africa did away with the franchise system and now have a 15-team provincial system, effectively reducing the total number of teams, and thus of head coaches, from 21 to 15.”Mr Telemachus’ contract with the KZN Cricket Union ended in April 2020 but at the end of that season, which was interrupted and abandoned because of the Covid-19 pandemic, we decided to offer him a one-year extension until the conclusion of the 2020-2021 season, which he accepted. I can categorically state that no expectation was created that he would be re-employed once this extension had expired. For the 2021-22 season, the position of coach and assistant coach for the KZN Inland team became available and the positions were advertised in terms of KZN cricket employment policies. Mr Telemachus applied for these positions but was unfortunately unsuccessful.”The decision not to appoint Telemachus was made by a four-person panel, who interviewed all the candidates for the job and included the Dolphins convenor of selectors, who is also the cricket committee chairperson, the cricket services manager for KZN Inland, the coaching manager for KZN-Inland and a human resources administrator. Strydom was also due to attend the interviews but was unable to after a Covid-19 scare. Strydom confirmed that all members of the interview panel are of colour.When asked why Smith, who was previously a high-school coach at the elite school Maritzburg College, was preferred over Telemachus, who holds a Level 4 coaching qualification, Strydom said: “In terms of the committee’s feedback, they felt Mr Smith’s presentation was very impressive and he adhered to all the requirements they have, so that’s why they want to go with him,” Strydom said.He also said Smith’s experience at the Pakistan Super League – he has worked with Islamabad United as batting coach – and in his personal capacity gave him an edge. “Michael Smith has coached various provincial and international players on a one-on-one basis. He has also been involved in the Pakistan Super League, where he has worked with international players and coaches. We felt from an experience point of view, even though he has never been a full-time head coach for a provincial team, he has worked with international players and the feedback we got regarding him was very positive,” Strydom said.Ombudsman advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza pressed Strydom to explain why a candidate who did not have Telemachus’ playing and coaching experience was preferred over him if race was not a factor. “We did not just look at the issue of experience. We looked at all the issues, including feedback from players and, in terms of the interview, the impressive interview that Mr Smith gave. All those things were considered. We made an appointment which was felt was the best to take KZN-Inland forward,” Strydom said.Related
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Ultimately, Strydom conceded that KZN-Inland opted not to employ Telemachus based on his record, rather than his credentials. “We had seven years with Mr Telemachus of which our average position of where the team finished was ninth (out of 13) in the T20s, eighth in the List A competitions and seventh in the three-day competitions. In the last three years we won two trophies but over the seven years, it’s quite a modest performance record which had to be taken into consideration,” Strydom said. “And from various interviews and employee feedback reviews, where we had players who had been coached by him, a lot of players had a strong view that KZN has been overly accommodating to Mr Telemachus in this regard due to his performance and record over many years.”Contrastingly, Smith had overwhelming strong feedback from those he had worked with. “Mr Smith worked with various people all over the world. It was easy to get feedback from people about their experiences. The thing that stood out was the impressive interview and his plans in taking KZN Inland forward,” Strydom said.Strydom was asked to respond to an assertion by Telemachus that Strydom had told Telemachus that Smith brought more value and credentials to the post, which Strydom denied, although he recalled a conversation in which he thought he had cleared the air with Telemachus. “We had a conversation when he phoned me and he was quite aggressive in his tone in terms of why he didn’t get the job. I can’t remember the exact words I used, but the interview panel decided that Michael Smith was the best candidate to take KZN Inland forward. Even after that he said he understood and it was all good. To my surprise, the SJN was used as a platform to criticise the process we undertook.”Responding testimony at the SJN will be heard for the next two weeks before Ntsebeza submits his report to CSA at the end of November.
An elite European club has entered talks with Chelsea over signing a £50 million member of Enzo Maresca's squad, and it is believed he's tempted by the possibility of joining them before the summer deadline.
So far, Todd Boehly and BlueCo have given the green light to a host of players leaving Stamford Bridge, with co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Wistanley finding an array of suitors for them.
Fabrizio Romano: 6ft 3 star now agrees to join Chelsea after bid submitted
They have a long-term contract ready for him to sign at Stamford Bridge.
By
Emilio Galantini
Jul 25, 2024
Thiago Silva, Hakim Ziyech, Malang Sarr, Ian Maatsen, Omari Hutchinson, Michael Golding and Lewis Hall have all left Chelsea, with the aforementioned quartet bringing in around £89 million to help even out their financial scales after another window of lavish spending.
Boehly and co have also managed to get their wages off the club's books, which will save cash in the long-term and allow the west Londoners to reinvest that money in the salaries of future additions.
|
Chelsea's best-performing players in the Premier League last season |
|
|---|---|
|
Player |
Average match rating (WhoScored) |
|
Cole Palmer |
7.48 |
|
Conor Gallagher |
7.13 |
|
Nicolas Jackson |
7.07 |
|
Moises Caicedo |
6.85 |
|
Noni Madueke |
6.84 |
Alongside these former Chelsea men, a few more players have been tipped for the exit door this summer. Trevoh Chalobah is now prepared to leave Chelsea after being omitted from their pre-season tour, a move which has drawn criticism from both pundits and supporters.
"The Chalobah situation is an absolute shambles," said Bart Barrett, a life-long Chelsea season ticket holder, to GOAL.
"He was probably our best defender in last 10-15 games last season – no coincidence our form improved massively with him in there instead of Disasi and [Benoit] Badiashile.
"It's a joke they have signed Tosin to replace Chalobah, who is a better player and has been at Chelsea since a kid. But the only way they look at it is Tosin was free and Chalobah will go for £30m – so profit for the same squad role. It just shows a complete lack of understanding of the club."
While treatment of the 24-year-old Cobham graduate has attracted criticism, another player who supporters won't want to see leave is midfielder Conor Gallagher. The England international, who is also a product of the Chelsea academy, has been linked with a high-profile exit which would prove deeply unpopular with the fanbase.
He's entered the final 12 months of his contract, meaning the west Londoners are faced with the difficult decision of either selling this window or letting him go for free next year.
There has been no news in the way of renewed terms, and that is something which clubs are looking to take advantage of. According to TEAMtalk, Atletico Madrid have opened talks with Chelsea over signing Gallagher.
Diego Simeone's side are confident they'll win the race for his services and believe he really fits their mold. TEAMtalk also state that Gallagher is attracted by the possibility of joining up with the La Liga heavyweights, but it will be interesting to see if they're willing to go anywhere near Chelsea's £50 million valuation of the player.
Called a "very underrated" player by commentator Stephen Doyle, Gallagher's exit is a transfer which could be met with uproar.
Rangers’ pursuit of a European midfielder who could replace Todd Cantwell has been dismissed by a reliable journalist. The Scottish giants are now a few games into their 2024/25 season, picking up their first win in the league over the weekend as they beat Motherwell 2-1 at Hampden Park.
Philippe Clement’s side have been very busy this summer, as they have made eight new additions, but as speculation mounts over a player like Todd Cantwell, the club could still be looking for fresh faces in what remains of the transfer window.
Rangers could land dream signing for Barron in swoop for "exceptional" star
The Light Blues are reportedly interested in a deal to sign the midfielder this summer.
ByDan Emery Aug 13, 2024 Cantwell expected to leave Rangers
Cantwell has been at Rangers since January of last year, when he joined the club from Championship side Norwich City. The 26-year-old has gone on to feature heavily for the Scottish side since arriving, playing 64 times in all competitions.
During that time, he has scored 14 goals and chipped in with 12 assists, scoring five goals and recording four assists in the Scottish Premiership last season. However, his future now looks away from Rangers, as earlier in this window Clement confirmed that the midfielder had asked to leave the club.
Since then, Cantwell has been training with the club’s B team, as interest has emerged from Turkey, in particular Trabzonspor. However, a bid has yet to arrive, but with his future looking away from Ibrox, Rangers will be looking at potential replacements.
Rangers move for Gustavo Puerta is now unlikely
It was reported earlier this week that Rangers had made an offer to Bayer Leverkusen to sign midfielder Gustavo Puerta. The report stated that they faced competition from Brondby as well as Belgian side Anderlecht, but those reports have now been dismissed.
According to Football Scotland’s Mark Hendry, Rangers have not made any contact with Leverkusen to sign Puerta. The 21-year-old was on the club’s radar during the January transfer window, when Clement was looking to bolster his midfield options.
But according to this latest update, Puerta is not on the club’s radar now, and Rangers haven’t been in touch with the German side since their initial interest. The Gers’ interest now seems to have faded, with reports in Denmark stating that other teams are moving ahead for the midfielder.
Puerta joined Leverkusen in the January transfer window last year and has gone on to play 10 times for the German club, with all those appearances coming last season.
Apps
10
Goals
0
Assists
0
Stats as per Transfermarkt
The midfielder played seven times in the Bundesliga and three times in the Europa League, totalling 229 minutes of football. The 21-year-old signed a five-and-a-half-year contract when he joined the Bundesliga side in 2023, which means his contract still has four years left to run, and it is a contract that sees him earn a reported £4,000-a-week.
Puerta has shown great versatility in his short career, as the 21-year-old is able to operate as a central midfielder, both in attacking and defending roles, and he has also been known to play out wide when needed.