قدّم مدرب ليفربول آرني سلوت، تحديثات حول إصابة مهاجم الفريق، قبل المباراة أمام أستون فيلا بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ويخوض ليفربول مباراة ضد أستون فيلا على ملعب “آنفيلد” غدًا السبت في إطار مواجهات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وتعرض مهاجم ليفربول، ديوجو جوتا لإصابة خلال الفوز 2-1 على تشيلسي في آنفيلد الشهر الماضي وغاب عن آخر خمس مباريات لفريقه.

وخلال مؤتمره الصحفي قبل المباراة، قال سلوت صباح الجمعة: “نتوقع عودت جوتا بعد فترة التوقف الدولي … الأسابيع الأولى بعد فترة التوقف الدولي نتوقع عودته”.

وحول طبيعة إصابة جوتا، أضاف سلوت: “أقول دائمًا في هولندا أن هناك خصوصية بشأن هذا الأمر ولا أعرف كيف هو الحال هنا، كما قلت للتو، سيعود بعد أسبوع أو أسبوعين من فترة التوقف الدولي”.

وعن أداء فريقه وإذا كان مفاجئًا بالنسبة له، أكد: “لا أعتقد أن كلمة مفاجأة هي الكلمة المناسبة لاستخدامها لأنني أعرف جودة الفريق، لست مندهشا لأنني منذ اللحظة التي بدأت فيها العمل رأيت الطاقة التي يبذلها هؤلاء اللاعبون”.

وواصل: “يمكننا أن نكون ثابتين ونعتمد على الحظ أيضًا، كانت معظم النتائج مستحقة ولكن بعضها كانت قريبة أيضًا ولكن بشكل عام لم أتفاجأ بسبب الجودة والجهد الذي بذلوه”.

اقرأ أيضًا | سلوت عن تجديد عقد محمد صلاح وثنائي ليفربول: لن أتحدث في العلن

وعن تطور أداء لاعبه كورتيس جونز، أستطرد: “في حالة جونز، لم أكن أنا من فعل ذلك، لقد أصبح أبًا ولم يكن لي أي دور في ذلك! لا أحد يعرف ما إذا كان ذلك يلعب دورًا، ولكن منذ أن أصبح أبًا بدأ في تقديم أداء رائع”.

وأكمل: “في فترة ما قبل الموسم، رأيت أنه لاعب جيد ثم انخفض أداؤه قليلاً، ولكن بعد ذلك منذ أن أصبح أبًا… هذا يخبرك كثيرًا عن جودة الفريق، إنها نتيجة للأداء الفردي، في حالة جونز، يساعد كونك والدًا في تحسين الأداء!”.

وحول المداورة بين روبرتسون وتسيميكاس، علّق: “تشكيلتي تخبرك بما أفكر فيه، هناك ظهيران جيدان للغاية في مركز الظهيرين، ونخوض العديد من المباريات، كلاهما يحتاج إلى اللعب، فهو مركز يحتاج إلى الطاقة”.

وأكد: “هناك أسباب عديدة لتغيير لاعبي الوسط والظهيران، لكن هذا له علاقة كبيرة بالجودة، لدي ظهيران أيسران جيدان للغاية، دعونا نرى من سيبدأ يوم السبت”.

وبشأن المهاجم رقم 9، أوضح: “عندما كان ديوجو جوتا وداروين نونيز متاحين، دفعنا بأحدهما، والآن، نظرًا لأن داروين لعب كثيرًا، فقد كان الأمر أكثر من اللازم بالنسبة له، لذا توصلنا إلى أفكار أخرى”.

واسترسل: أعجبتني الفكرة الأخيرة بتسجيل لويس دياز ثلاثة أهداف، من المثير للاهتمام دائمًا أن نرى ذلك، لكن دياز جناح أيسر جيد، لدينا 4 لاعبين متاحين لثلاثة مراكز، لذا يمكننا التفكير في فكرة أخرى”.

وأفاد: “ولكن إذا عاد جوتا، فسنحصل على لاعبين رقم 9، لقد قدم دياز أداءً جيدًا للغاية، وحتى بالنسبة لي، كان الأمر بمثابة مفاجأة، كنت أتوقع منه أن يقدم أداءً جيدًا، لكن أدائه الجيد كان مفاجأة”.

Tom Heaton was a training goalkeeper for England at Euro 2024, and he has warned fans that they will regret their role in Gareth Southgate's exit.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Southgate booed by fans at Euro 2024
• Heaton thinks fans will regret behaviour
• Set to remain at Manchester United

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Euro 2024 saw Southgate receive a lot of flak from fans who went as far as throwing beer cups at the 53-year-old when he walked over to applaud their support. Heaton, who played a unique role for Southgate, believes that these moments played a part in creating a negative atmosphere in the camp and led to Southgate stepping down.

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• WHAT HEATON SAID

  When speaking to The Daily Mail, Heaton was asked if fans would regret their treatment of Southgate, he said: "I really do. If you think back to the track record, I think he's changed the feel and expectation of it. We were all sort of excited to watch the games. We were performing well. So I think now that the door has sort of shut on it in that way, I think we will come back to go 'incredible job'.

  "It's very rare in football you get a squad of players, the ones who aren't playing, every single person there wants to win it for the manager. He is a leader you want to follow. You want to go win it for him because of what he's done. I was involved from the start of that tenure when it changed over from Big Sam (Allardyce) to him in the first couple of years, and since that point, it always felt really, really positive. And I think that first game (against Serbia at the Euros), it felt different. It felt like the narrative had changed.

  "Getting booed in each half, pretty much every half all the way to the semi-final, it's not easy. I don't know, of course, but I imagine that probably took its toll on him. That sort of guy who would only be wanting the optimism to try and win it, giving everything he's got for it. So I didn't know.

  "I suppose I was caught a little bit by surprise (by Southgate's decision), but when I thought back and reflected, I could maybe see it from his point of view. He's his own man in terms of what he wants. The preparation in these tournaments, the level of detail that goes into it, it's intense. He probably needs a bit of a break. But I would imagine it would be on his mind to get back into it (club football)."

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Heaton was a surprise call-up in Southgate's 26-man squad for Euro 2024. The 38-year-old has himself claimed that his inclusion was as 'a little bit of a mentor and senior player, a bit of a bridge between the coaching staff.'

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• WHAT NEXT FOR HEATON?

  Heaton is still under contract with Manchester United after signing a new one-year deal despite his lack of opportunities. It is unlikely that he will receive a lot of playing time under Erik ten Hag, however, he hopes to impress the team nonetheless. He said: "I had a couple of discussions with a few other people, but to be true to myself, it didn't feel right. The gut didn't feel right. I've still got a big hunger to play.

  "Admittedly I was a little frustrated last year at the lack of playing opportunities. Me and the manager had quite a few conversations about it, but that's football.

  "I also know I'm getting older but I still think I can deliver when I need to, and I'll be trying to show him that in the next few weeks."

Mott is pleased with the performances of players who are putting pressure on for a spot in the T20 World Cup squad

Andrew McGlashan08-Jan-2020Australia fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck feared the worst when she suffered a knee injury last month but is making good progress in her recovery ahead of the T20I tri-series with India and England and T20 World Cup.Vlaeminck, 21, picked up an ACL strain to her left knee during training before Christmas and has sat out the resumption of the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) but is now back running.She has a history of bad knee injuries having been through two reconstructions and missed half of last season’s WBBL after suffering a previous ACL strain.”Tayla has been really good, happy with her progress,” Australia coach Matthew Mott told ESPNcricinfo. “It was a big scare at the start, she feared the worst because of her past history. But she did a strain about a year ago that felt similar so the recovery has been pretty good.”Vlaeminck is one of the quickest bowlers in the world and has added a strong point-of-difference to the Australia attack since making her debut in October 2018. She only has four wickets from her six T20Is but her economy rate is under six an over and she has often earned wickets for team-mates by unsettling opposition with her pace.The other major injury-watch around the Australia camp has been Ellyse Perry following the shoulder damage that curtailed her WBBL season after she landed awkwardly when attempting to take a catch against the Melbourne Renegades on November 17.Tayla Vlaeminck troubled Sri Lanka with her pace•Getty ImagesMott was commentating for radio at the time one of his star players went down and admitted to some unease when Perry continued to field during the match. She was keen to return towards the end of the WBBL with the Sydney Sixers trying to qualify for the finals, but a cautious approach was taken and she made her comeback in the WNCL for her new state, Victoria, on Tuesday scoring 24 and taking 1 for 20 from seven overs.”No matter who the player is you worry about the worst-case scenario,” Mott said. “I know she’s always tough, the fact she stayed out on the field was good and bad. It meant it wasn’t too serious. I’ve spoken to her and would have preferred she come straight off and get some treatment. As captain she wanted to influence the Sixers, but the right decision was made [not to rush back].”Australia will name their T20 World Cup squad in the middle of the month and while there won’t be much change from those who have thrashed Sri Lanka and West Indies in the last six matches, Mott and the selection panel will look closely at those who performed well in the WBBL as well as the India A series. Offspinner Molly Strano, who was the leading WBBL wicket-taker, and the Hobart Hurricanes seamer Belinda Vakarewa are two pushing for call-ups.”As a selection group we were very happy with what was thrown up and the competition for spots,” he said. “Someone like Belinda Vakarewa who has been on our radar for a long time, for her to get the opportunity to open the bowling and close out innings, you can’t put a price on that.”Molly Strano who has been in the team and done well and has probably been unluckily squeezed out by some allrounders. Even younger players like Annabel Sutherland doing well in the A series, Erin Burns who probably didn’t really nail it in the WBBL but had a great A series. There are players on the fringes who have given us a tough game for this final 15.”

Mark Boucher encouraged his South Africa side to channel the spirit of the 2008 Perth Test last night, and Pieter Malan’s battling, unbeaten 63 left them dreaming of an improbable escape on the fourth evening of the Newlands Test despite James Anderson’s late wicket.After England looked to hammer their advantage home in the day’s first session, with Dom Sibley completing his maiden Test hundred and Ben Stokes clubbing 72 off only 47 balls, South African heads began to drop with the lead soaring past 400.But after the declaration came 20 minutes after lunch, Malan and Dean Elgar were resolute, leaving the ball well and blunting England’s attack on a pitch that looked to possess few demons by the close. Elgar fell for 34 after struggling against the part-time legspin of Joe Denly, but Malan put on 52 with Zubayr Hamza to push South Africa towards the close before Anderson coaxed an edge out of Hamza to give England a vital breakthrough.That wicket left South Africa needing 312 more runs on the final day. If that target seemed a tall order, then the fact that conditions have become increasingly favourable for batting suggests that a draw is by no means impossible.After Dom Bess’s dismissal to the final ball of the third day, Stokes wasted little time in signalling England’s attacking intentions in the morning session. He bludgeoned the eighth delivery he faced to the midwicket boundary off Dwaine Pretorius, and hit the same bowler for six down the ground and through third man with a delicate reverse-lap in consecutive balls at the start of his next over.Unexpectedly, Faf du Plessis had declined to take the new ball as soon as it became available, instead hoping that Keshav Maharaj might lull Stokes into a false stroke. Stokes took the bait, ripping it clean off while avoiding the hook as he deposited him over midwicket for six.The new ball then came, but Stokes showed no signs of slowing down as Vernon Philander’s 14th over of the innings went for as many runs (12) as his previous 13 combined. Kagiso Rabada fared little better, and at one stage, Stokes was on 38 off 26 balls at the same time that the unmoved Sibley had added only three from the 31 deliveries he had faced.After edging through the vacant third-slip area for four, Sibley nailed a sweep shot off Maharaj to bring up his maiden Test hundred, the first by an England opener at Newlands since Jack Hobbs in 1910. He began to move through the gears himself, perhaps inspired by the carnage unfolding at the other end as Stokes smote four, six, four off three Maharaj balls to move to 70 from 42.But he was soon to go, slapping the left-arm spinner to Rassie van der Dussen at long-on after 75 destructive minutes to start the day. Ollie Pope dragged on while looking to force the ball through the off side before Jos Buttler edged the unwell Anrich Nortje through to Quinton de Kock while scooping, and Sam Curran picked out Hamza at midwicket three balls after lunch.Sibley, however, stuck to his task, hitting a rare six and reverse-sweeping four more off Maharaj, before Joe Root decided he had seen enough and called his men in with 438 the target.Malan and Elgar started watchfully, showing good judgement in leaving the ball and looking to score when England erred from their lengths.England thought they had made the breakthrough only ten balls into the innings, as Stuart Broad rapped Malan on the pad, but Kumar Dharmasena shook his head and was proved right when Ultra-Edge revealed a large spike as the ball passed the inside edge following England’s review.Root turned to spin early in the piece, bringing Bess on to bowl the ninth over of the innings, but it was not until Denly’s introduction immediately before tea that Elgar looked particularly troubled.Perhaps by a quirk of fate, Elgar had only faced 106 balls of legspin in his Test career before this game, despite playing as many as 104 innings, and he immediately struggled to read Denly’s legbreaks, which turned and bounced appreciably out of the rough. He survived until the interval after being struck on the thumb, but then feathered an edge through to Buttler when lunging forward in defence to give England the breakthrough.Elgar reviewed Paul Reiffel’s decision almost immediately, but Ultra-Edge suggested he had got the faintest of scratches on the ball, enough evidence for the on-field decision to be upheld, and he was left to rue what he perceived to be his misfortune.It seemed like a big moment, with Hamza struggling against Broad throughout the series – the No. 3 had been dismissed by him in all three innings – and South Africa’s first fifty stand for the first wicket in 17 Test innings coming to an end. But despite both batsmen taking regular body blows, and Malan in particular leaving several deliveries that seemed almost certain to hit the top of his off stump, South Africa were set to survive until the close.But Anderson re-wrote the script’s finale, after finding a fraction of reverse swing late in the day. After shaping the ball in towards Malan in the first over of his final spell, the second ball of Anderson’s next over nibbled away off the seam, finding the outside edge as Hamza pushed at the ball expecting it to come back in. It was Anderson’s 92nd wicket against South Africa, taking him past Shaun Pollock (91) as the leading wicket-taker in England-South Africa Tests.It seemed as though Malan in particular would prove a tricky man for England to dismiss: as Boucher had hoped, he was positive in using his feet against the spinners, and survived a short-ball barrage from Stokes in the final session to make it to stumps unscathed. While victory seems highly improbable, South Africa will be hopeful that their new opener can lead the charge towards a crucial draw.

Tottenham Hotspur have been fantastic this season under Ange Postecoglou, with the club now in a great position to secure Champions League football.

The Lilywhites' recent 4-0 battering of Aston Villa put them just two points behind the Villans with a game in hand.

In truth, the entire Spurs squad is filled with quality, which was only enhanced in the summer, with the midfield particularly strong.

However, there are a couple of players still in the squad who perhaps don't quite live up to that billing. Indeed, one midfielder is now worth even less than Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg having failed to meet his potential since being signed by Mauricio Pochettino.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s value in 2024

Danish star Hojbjerg has been a constant figure in the Tottenham midfield since his arrival from Southampton in 2020 for a bargain fee of £15m.

The midfielder has played all but five Premier League games in the past three seasons, racking up 174 appearances over his Spurs career so far, including 26 matches this campaign in the Premier League.

However, out of those 26 outings, the 28-year-old has only started six times, with Postecoglou opting for a more athletic and technical midfield.

Nonetheless, Hojbjerg is still estimated to be worth £26m by CIES Football Observatory after cementing himself as a reliable Premier League-quality player for a top side, unlike a certain Spurs ace who has struggled to showcase his talent.

Spurs have already sold a homegrown Hojbjerg upgrade who's pure "bliss"

This former £10m sale would perform very nicely within Ange’s set-up.

By
Angus Sinclair

Mar 1, 2024

Giovanni Lo Celso’s worth in 2024

In January 2020, Christian Eriksen left Spurs for a new challenge in Italy, joining Inter after playing at the club for seven seasons.

The Denmark international made over 300 appearances for the Lilywhites, scoring 69 goals and providing 90 assists across all competitions, firmly cementing himself as a club legend of the 2010s.

With the creative mastermind leaving, Pochettino turned Giovani Lo Celso’s £15m loan deal into a permanent signing for £27.3m, with the view that the Argentine would be the perfect replacement for Eriksen.

Initially, the former PSG ace performed well in a midfield three, starting the first seven games of the 2020/21 season and finding the net four times in the Europa League group stages and Europa League qualification phases. However, his Tottenham dream hasn’t exactly gone to plan since, with the midfielder spending the last year and a half prior to this campaign on loan at Villareal.

The XI for Lo Celso's first Premier League start
Spurs 1-1 Sheffield United (Nov 2019)
GK – Paulo Gazzaniga
RB – Serge Aurier
CB – Eric Dier
CB – Davinson Sanchez
LB – Ben Davies
CM – Dele Alli
CM – Mousa Sissoko
CAM – Tanguy Ndombele
RW – Giovani Lo Celso
LW – Heung-min Son
ST – Harry Kane

This campaign, Lo Celso has failed to work his way into the team other than when James Maddison picked up an injury, but despite his value dropping, he does have four goal contributions in four starts to his name.

Sadly, the 27-year-old is now among the lowest-valued first-team players in the Spurs squad, which is a relatively fair reflection of his influence on the side.

Spurs' Lowest Valued Players
Player	Value
Fraser Forster	£4m
Bryan Gil	£13m
Ben Davies	£13m
Manor Soloman	£13m
Lo Celso	£13m
Via CIES Football Observatory

The fact that Lo Celso was an unused substitute in the victory over Villa at the weekend further supports that, and it seems that he will have to settle for a backup role to Maddison if he is to stay at Tottenham.

Overall, it’s quite clear that Lo Celso’s time at Spurs has been somewhat of a disaster, with the club set to take a huge loss on the Argentine if he does leave in the near future.

Market Movers

Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?

As Everton continue to compete in an FFP-induced relegation battle, one eye has turned to the summer as the Toffees eye a deal for a proven Premier League talent.

Toffees braced for big summer

As the Goodison Park faithful eagerly await news of a takeover, there is plenty of action on the transfer front as it looks like a season of change for Everton. Amadou Onana has long been linked with a move away from Merseyside with Arsenal seemingly leading the race to sign the midfielder.

Another Toffees' star possibly destined for a future beyond Goodison is Jarrad Branthwaite. The defender has been attracting interest from across Europe with the 21-year-old's recent call-up to the England national team only increasing this attention. A rumoured fee of £75million would be necessary to complete the deal with Spurs and Real Madrid among the interested parties.

Everton struck gold on ace who’s now worth 6x more than Doucoure

He joined the club back in 2022.

ByEthan Lamb Mar 17, 2024

In regard to incomings, Sean Dyche looks eager to find an immediate replacement for Branthwaite with Everton linked to moves for Championship defenders Jacob Greaves and Rav van den Berg. With the Merseyside outfit clearly desperate to make improvements this summer, the club also look set to secure their first deal well before the window has opened.

Everton in pole position to sign Harrison

As reported by TeamTalk, Everton are in pole position to complete the permanent transfer of Jack Harrison with the outlet stating that the Toffees "have negotiated a deal that allows them to make the move permanent next summer, with a price of around £20m believed to have been agreed", although there are some variables to a deal going through.

Harrison has been on loan at Everton this season after his parent club Leeds suffered relegation to the second tier at the end of the last campaign. Since arriving at Goodison Park, the 27-year-old has contributed four goals and three assists as the Toffees fight to stay in the Premier League.

Non-Penalty Goals

0.20

91

Assists

0.13

70

Touches

2.34

87

Progressive Carries

2.71

92

Harrison's time on Merseyside has seen him earn the praise of Dyche who spoke highly of the player after he scored against Man City back in December:

“Against City I thought he was very good. I think there’s so much good to come from people like him, he’s good around the group as well and rubs off on people. He’s got a natural positivity about him.

“I think he enjoys it here, he enjoys the training and the group he’s with so that’s a good blend. That’s the kind of blend we want, players to come here, to work hard but also have professional enjoyment as I call it.”

With the financial future at Goodison still uncertain, it is arguably not the time for Everton to be taking risks in the transfer market. However, making Harrison's deal permanent could represent a major coup for the Toffees in the long run as they acquire a player who knows the side and can go on to make an impact.

West Ham have set their sights on a Diego Simeone transfer target amid technical director Tim Steidten's search for a new forward.

West Ham's need for more goal threat as they make early summer plans

Regardless of whether manager David Moyes will still be at the London Stadium post-June 30, with his contract set to expire on that date as things stand, there is little arguing that the east Londoners could do with more goal threat in their squad.

£60 million price drop as West Ham move for clinical striker

The Hammers arguably need a new front man.

ByEmilio Galantini Apr 11, 2024

Michail Antonio (34) and Danny Ings (31) aren't getting any younger, and both have only scored a combined five Premier League goals this season.

Moyes' side are heavily reliant on star winger Jarrod Bowen for the majority of their goal threat, but as highlighted by the England international's recent injury, which caused him to miss their Europa League first-leg defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, they need other attacking outlets.

Jarrod Bowen

19

Mohammed Kudus

13

Tomas Soucek

9

Lucas Paqueta

8

James Ward-Prowse

6

West Ham failed to replace Gianluca Scamacca last summer, following the Italian's return to his homeland with Atalanta, and that is something which Steidten apparently intends to do when the window reopens.

Indeed, Brentford striker Ivan Toney is attracting interest from West Ham ahead of the summer, with his Bees deal expiring next year.

Toney will be a man in demand given his proven top-flight ability, having scored 20 league goals last season, so West Ham have alternatives to the former Peterborough United ace.

Steidten is thought to be keeping tabs on Toulouse's star Thijs Dallinga as another option from abroad, while it's also believed that they could add another threatening winger to their ranks to chip in going forward.

West Ham are casting their net far and wide in that regard, and South America could be a fruitful pool of talent for them.

West Ham set sights on Jhon Arias who's wanted by Simeone

This is where West Ham's interest in signing Fluminese forward Jhon Arias comes in.

The Colombia international, highlighted as "one of the players to watch" ahead of the summer's Copa America, is also a personal target of Atletico Madrid boss Simeone, according to journalist Christian Martin.

“[Atletico Madrid manager Diego] Simeone has him in the pipeline as an interested party. Jhon Arias could end up on Los Colchoneros’ team with a value between €15million and €17million," said Martin to Colombia's version of AS this week.

“West Ham, Burnley, Wolverhampton and Crystal Palace, would also be on the list of suitors.”

According to WhoScored, the 26-year-old is "very strong" at key passes in the final third and adept at both crossing and dribbling, which will come as enticing for supporters.

Whilst most of their focus will be on handing Jurgen Klopp the perfect farewell, Liverpool still have one eye on summer reinforcements to start their new era in the best way possible. Reports are now even suggesting that they've made a major bid for a long-term target.

Liverpool transfer news

Following the news that Xabi Alonso is set to stay at Bayer Leverkusen for at least another season, it now looks as though Ruben Amorim is the main name being linked with the Liverpool job this summer. The 39-year-old has enjoyed incredible success at Sporting CP and could now be rewarded with the chance to complete the impossible task of replacing Klopp at Anfield this summer.

Of course, it will be easier to decipher Liverpool's transfer route when their next manager is announced, but that hasn't put an end to Michael Edwards' and Richard Hughes' work off the pitch when it comes to incomings. Reports have already linked the Reds to the likes of Jeremie Frimpong, who would slot straight into Amorim's wing-back system, and young Juventus centre-back Dean Huijsen.

Liverpool's 5/10 ace who was saved by Mac Allister must now be axed

Klopp’s Reds made life difficult but got the job done in the Premier League at Anfield.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 5, 2024

Edwards may want to officially announce his return to the transfer market in style, however, and there's arguably not many better ways to do that than by splashing the cash. According to El Debate in Spain, FSG and Liverpool have made a €150m (£129m) offer to sign Federico Valverde this summer, having reportedly been interested in the midfielder for five years now.

The newspaper's report does not make clear if the offer is brand new, but it is certain that the bid remains active on the table if Madrid choose to cash in.

It's a deal that would undoubtedly send shockwaves this summer, but it remains to be seen whether Real Madrid allow the Uruguay international to leave. Of course, Liverpool's midfield already received quite the upgrade last summer with the arrivals of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch, but now Edwards could add the cherry on top by welcoming Valverde.

"Great" Valverde can form unstoppable partnership with Mac Allister

The reports of Liverpool's bid instantly sparks dreams over the partnership that Mac Allister and Valverde could form at Anfield. It's a mouth-watering prospect, with the midfield duo capable of keeping the Reds at the very top even without Klopp next season. Those in Merseyside got one of the best signings of the season for just £35m last summer and reports suggest that they're now ready to spend big to welcome another class act.

Real Madrid won't let Valverde go easily though, given the praise that he's received during his time at the Bernabeu, which includes the words of club legend and former manager Zinedine Zidane. The Frenchman said via Talksport after his side defeated Atletico Madrid in 2020's Spanish Super Cup final: "He's won the MVP trophy and I'm happy for him. He's done a great job, like everyone. I'm sure that we will want to share it with his team-mates."

As the summer approaches, Liverpool will be one of the most interesting clubs to watch as Edwards looks to make his mark, replace Klopp and perhaps pay out Valverde's hefty £180,000 per-week wages and large transfer fee.

Mott is pleased with the performances of players who are putting pressure on for a spot in the T20 World Cup squad

Andrew McGlashan08-Jan-2020Australia fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck feared the worst when she suffered a knee injury last month but is making good progress in her recovery ahead of the T20I tri-series with India and England and T20 World Cup.Vlaeminck, 21, picked up an ACL strain to her left knee during training before Christmas and has sat out the resumption of the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) but is now back running.She has a history of bad knee injuries having been through two reconstructions and missed half of last season’s WBBL after suffering a previous ACL strain.”Tayla has been really good, happy with her progress,” Australia coach Matthew Mott told ESPNcricinfo. “It was a big scare at the start, she feared the worst because of her past history. But she did a strain about a year ago that felt similar so the recovery has been pretty good.”Vlaeminck is one of the quickest bowlers in the world and has added a strong point-of-difference to the Australia attack since making her debut in October 2018. She only has four wickets from her six T20Is but her economy rate is under six an over and she has often earned wickets for team-mates by unsettling opposition with her pace.The other major injury-watch around the Australia camp has been Ellyse Perry following the shoulder damage that curtailed her WBBL season after she landed awkwardly when attempting to take a catch against the Melbourne Renegades on November 17.Tayla Vlaeminck troubled Sri Lanka with her pace•Getty Images

Mott was commentating for radio at the time one of his star players went down and admitted to some unease when Perry continued to field during the match. She was keen to return towards the end of the WBBL with the Sydney Sixers trying to qualify for the finals, but a cautious approach was taken and she made her comeback in the WNCL for her new state, Victoria, on Tuesday scoring 24 and taking 1 for 20 from seven overs.”No matter who the player is you worry about the worst-case scenario,” Mott said. “I know she’s always tough, the fact she stayed out on the field was good and bad. It meant it wasn’t too serious. I’ve spoken to her and would have preferred she come straight off and get some treatment. As captain she wanted to influence the Sixers, but the right decision was made [not to rush back].”Australia will name their T20 World Cup squad in the middle of the month and while there won’t be much change from those who have thrashed Sri Lanka and West Indies in the last six matches, Mott and the selection panel will look closely at those who performed well in the WBBL as well as the India A series. Offspinner Molly Strano, who was the leading WBBL wicket-taker, and the Hobart Hurricanes seamer Belinda Vakarewa are two pushing for call-ups.”As a selection group we were very happy with what was thrown up and the competition for spots,” he said. “Someone like Belinda Vakarewa who has been on our radar for a long time, for her to get the opportunity to open the bowling and close out innings, you can’t put a price on that.”Molly Strano who has been in the team and done well and has probably been unluckily squeezed out by some allrounders. Even younger players like Annabel Sutherland doing well in the A series, Erin Burns who probably didn’t really nail it in the WBBL but had a great A series. There are players on the fringes who have given us a tough game for this final 15.”

Having joined on a five-year deal in July, the 22-year-old has already usurped Vitor Roque in the pecking order in Catalunya

Robert Lewandowski can't last forever. New Barcelona manager Hansi Flick may be able to get some new life out of the soon-to-be 36-year-old, but the Blaugrana, at some point, need to start thinking about the future.

It seemed, just eight months ago, that Brazilian Vitor Roque would be the answer to their concerns. But with an exit already looming for the big-money teenager, Barca seem to have moved on in their search for a reliable Lewandowski back-up. And in Pau Victor, they just might have found their man.

The Girona academy graduate has been Barca's player of the summer so far, scoring three goals in two pre-season games – including a brace to bury Real Madrid in a high-intensity Clasico 'friendly'. But who is the 22-year-old who has never made a top-flight appearance that now looks set for a role at one of Europe's biggest clubs?

GOAL runs the rule over the player Barca hope can become their long-term Lewandowski replacement.

Where it all began

Like so many in Catalunya, Victor comes from a strong footballing family. He is one of three brother, all of whom have some sort of career in the game ahead of them, with the youngest, Guillem, potentially the best of the trio having been part of La Masia for a number of years.

Pau, on the other hand, didn't come through Barca's famed youth system. He instead joined the Girona academy at the age of 17 after leaving second-division side Sabadell FC, and had to bide his time before making it into the first team at Barca's near-neighbours.

AdvertisementGThe big break

Victor's Girona career was largely defined by false dawns. At the start of the 2020-21 season, he seemed set to become a first-team regular in the second division as the Catalan outfit looked to plot their way back into La Liga. The forward made six appearances in the first 12 matches of the campaign, but soon fell out of favour, and tasted just two minutes of first-team football following the turn of the year.

Having spent another season in Girona's reserves, Victor was loaned back to boyhood club Sabadell, who had fallen into the third tier, for the 2022-23 campaign. He managed seven goals and six assists for a team that finished in mid-table, and that in turn convinced Barca to take him on loan for the following campaign and make him part of their Barcelona Atletic squad, who themselves also play in the third division.

Victor thrived in the famous Blaugrana colours as he quickly became a favourite of manager and Barca legend Rafa Marquez. He formed a deadly duo with teenager Marc Guiu, who has since joined Chelsea, scoring 20 goals and providing six assists to a team that went on to reach the play-offs.

How it's going

Victor's performances for Barca's second-string convinced them to make his move permanent, and he signed a deal that will keep him at the club until 2029 midway through the summer. He was immediately thrust into first-team training, and with other more established players enjoying post-tournament breaks, Victor has taken the opportunity to impress Flick and run with it.

Though a natural striker who has some experience of playing out wide, Victor has been deployed as a roaming No.10 so far this summer, filling the gap left by the absence from the club's tour of the United States of Ilkay Gundogan and Pedri. He hasn't looked out of place, though, as he first opened the scoring against Manchester City before netting twice against Real Madrid in New Jersey to seal a narrow win over Barca's arch-rivals.

"Three goals in two games? Not bad! He knows how to score and that’s good for a forward," Flick said of Victor after the Madrid game.

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GettyBiggest strengths

Although most comfortable leading the line, Barca view Victor as more of a natural creator, a second striker rather than out-and-out No.9. Accordingly, he is an excellent dribbler, creative in tight spaces, and intelligent in his movement.

Both of his goals against Madrid came from clever runs, anticipating the spaces that Lewandowski would open up – and darting into them. He is also a capable presser, and has shown a penchant for covering ground off the ball – something Flick will certainly value.