أعرب لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ليفربول، كوستاس تسيميكاس، عن سعادته بخوضه 100 مباراة مع ليفربول في جميع المسابقات منذ انضمامه إلى الريدز.

وانضم الدولي اليوناني تسيميكاس إلى صفوف ليفربول في صيف 2020 قادماً من نادي أولمبياكوس اليوناني.

فيما أشاد تسيميكاس بقدرات صديقه المقرب، مهاجم الريدز وقائد منتخب مصر، محمد صلاح، حيث وصفه بأنه اللاعب الأفضل في العالم هذا الموسم.

اقرأ ايضاً.. جيمي كاراجر وجاري نيفيل يختاران التشكيل الأفضل في الدوري الإنجليزي.. موقف محمد صلاح

وقال كوستاس تسيميكاس في تصريحات للموقع الرسمي لنادي ليفربول: “هذا يعني كل شيء. كان اللعب في فريق كبير بمثابة حلم بالنسبة لي عندما كنت طفلاً صغيراً”.

وأضاف: “عندما أتيت إلى هنا لم أكن أدرك أنني أستطيع الوصول إلى هذه الأرقام ولكنني سعيد حقًا. أنا أكثر من سعيد، أنا محظوظ من الله لأنه أعطاني القوة وعدم التعرض للإصابات لتحقيق هذا الرقم”.

وتابع: “أنا سعيد للغاية بالتواجد مع هؤلاء الأشخاص هنا ومع هؤلاء اللاعبين. أعتقد أننا قادرون على تحقيق العديد من الأشياء إذا التزمنا معًا وفعلنا بالضبط ما فعلناه حتى الآن”.

وعن مباراة وست هام، أفاد قائلاً: “أنا سعيد للغاية لأن فريقي سجل خمسة أهداف، ومن الواضح أنني حصلت على بعض الدقائق، أمامنا رحلة طويلة حتى نهاية الدوري وعلينا أن ننظر إلى كل مباراة على حدة، وأن نحصل على النقاط الثلاث ونفوز بأكبر عدد ممكن من المباريات”.

وعن أهدافه في عام 2025، أكد تسيميكاس: “أنا متأكد بنسبة 100% من أنني أريد الفوز بكل شيء. أعتقد أن هذا الفريق قادر على الفوز بكل شيء، لذا فإن كل بطولة أمامنا واضحة، يتعين علينا الفوز بكل مباراة أمامنا ومحاولة الفوز بكل بطولة”.

وواصل حديثه قائلاً: “لقد حددنا أهدافنا منذ بداية الموسم والشيء الوحيد الذي يتعين علينا فعله هو ذلك بالضبط، الخروج إلى هناك وإظهار للعالم أننا لاعبون جيدون، ونلعب كرة قدم رائعة ونفوز بمباريات كرة القدم.”

وقال تسيميكاس عن محمد صلاح وتسجيله لأكثر من 20 هدفاً للموسم الثامن توالياً: “أراه متعطشًا أكثر للدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز وكل المسابقات. أعتقد أنه يريد أن يُظهر للجميع أنه في هذا الوقت الذي نعيش فيه الآن، هو أفضل لاعب كرة قدم في العالم”.

واختتم قائلاً: “بالنسبة لي شخصيًا، هو الأفضل في العالم. الأشياء التي يفعلها داخل الملعب لا تصدق، والأرقام التي يسجلها في كل مباراة، وخاصة في ملعب التدريب مع كل العمل الذي يبذله، إنه يستحق كل شيء وأنا سعيد جدًا من أجله”.

Manchester United have been tipped to try and hijack a deal Liverpool were offered the chance to complete just last week.

Ashworth arrives to kick start new United era

The Red Devils may be yet to make a signing on the pitch, but off the pitch Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been putting the finishing touches to his backroom staff.

Omar Berrada arrived earlier in the campaign from Manchester City, while after protracted negotiations the Red Devils were finally able to poach Dan Ashworth from Premier League rivals Newcastle United, who had themselves taken him from Brighton.

Manchester United's new look staff

Name

Role

Appointed

Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Owner

December 24th 2023

Dan Ashworth

Sporting Director

July 1st 2024

Jason Wilcox

Technical Director

April 19th 2024

Jean-Claude Blanc

CEO

April 30th 2024

Omar Berrada

CEO

TBC

“Newcastle United and Manchester United have reached an agreement for the immediate release of Dan Ashworth from his contractual obligations at Newcastle United. The terms of this agreement remain confidential between the clubs. Newcastle United thanks Dan for his services and wishes him well for the future”, a joint statement read.

Related Man Utd line up move for "monster" Ugarte alternative

United are still hunting for the perfect Mainoo partner.

Posts 2 ByConnor Holden Jul 2, 2024

He will arrive to take up the sporting director role, while there are also discussions ongoing to appoint former Chelsea and RB Leipzig chief Christopher Vivell on a short term contract over the summer transfer window, according to the reliable David Ornstein.

Attention will soon turn to the pitch though, with deals being discussed for both Manuel Ugarte and Matthijs de Ligt as the club look to bolster their ranks following a disappointing eighth-placed finish last season. Now, they have been tipped to try and hijack a deal for a Premier League talent.

Anthony Gordon transfer news

That comes as CaughtOffside report that Manchester United are one of three clubs chasing Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon, who was offered to Liverpool earlier in the summer.

Gordon arrived at St James' Park from Everton 18 months ago, and has impressed under Eddie Howe. In 64 appearances for the Magpies, he has managed 13 goals and 11 assists, though he has also been booked on 13 occasions.

A boyhood Liverpool fan, he was reportedly offered to the Reds at the end of June as Newcastle's financial fair play issues threatened them with a points deduction, but a move fell through as Liverpool were not keen to include Jarell Quansah in any deal for the 23-year-old.

Currently with England at EURO 2024, it has been reported that his head has been turned by that, though Newcastle have since solved their financial issues and have reverted to their stance of "not for sale" on the ex-Everton man.

Should he opt to leave Tyneside, United have been credited with an interest, but a move seems unlikely. Not only have Newcastle slapped a massive £75m price tag on his head, but he is also in a position that United are well stocked with both Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho calling the left side of attack their favoured position.

Though the Red Devils may have the advantage of Ashworth's connection (he helped bring Gordon to Newcastle 18 months ago), spending £70m on additions that don't directly improve the starting XI and just happen to desire a move to your biggest rivals is not the best use of their money this summer.

“Sitting in rooms alone for up to 10 days is quite tough,” says South Africa head coach

Firdose Moonda19-Nov-2020

South Africa coach Mark Boucher surveys the scene•Getty Images

With South Africa gearing up for a full international summer of cricket that will run for the next six months, national coach Mark Boucher said working around the coronavirus pandemic is something the set-up would have to get used to.CSA announced on Wednesday that one player from the 24-man squad that has been assembled to take on England had tested positive for Covid-19, and was removed from the team’s biosecure base in Cape Town. Two team-mates are considered close contacts and have also gone into isolation.All three players are asymptomatic and will continue to be monitored, with no replacements being called up to the squad. Doctor-patient confidentiality means that the names of the players cannot be revealed.ALSO READ: SA won’t take a knee for England seriesPlayers were tested again on Thursday morning and will be tested for a third time next week, with the series due to start next Friday.”Covid is something that is in the world, so we are going to have to live with it,” Boucher said. “There are going to be times when guys get infected with Covid-19 and there are medical protocols that you have to follow. It’s not ideal. I think it affects everyone. From a sporting team, I think there are probably bigger things in life. It affects families and that’s something we are just going to have to deal with.”Boucher said the most important part of dealing with players who test positive is managing their mental health during time in isolation. “At the moment, it’s more about the welfare of those players,” he said. “The care factor needs to be there because sitting in rooms alone for up to 10 days is quite tough. That’s where our focus is, so that when they do come out of it they come back into this environment and they feel like nothing has been lost.”Similarly, taking care of the squad as a whole, who will be moving from one bio-bubble to the next over the course of the season is also top of team management’s priority list. For Boucher, the most important component is making sure the place where players stay is as comfortable as possible.”We have been on tours where there have been security issues and we’ve had to stay in a hotel environment so the actual living part is not too bad. It’s something that we can get used to. We are staying in a fantastic hotel, where there is nice open space and that’s something our management team have done really well on. The guys are pretty happy with where we are staying at the moment.”This is not the first time that South African cricket has been affected by Covid-19. The opening round of the franchise four-day competition saw six players from the Warriors squad withdrawn after two tested positive and four others came into contact with them, and several players withdrew from July’s 3TC match for related reasons. Boucher was also unable to attend the exhibition match because he had contracted the virus at the time, albeit only a mild case.”I was one of the lucky ones. I didn’t know I had it,” he said. “I had been training for quite a few big runs that we do during the offseason and I was still running. When I did find out I had it, I maybe felt a little bit down for one or two days. I was throwing to a couple of guys in the nets and my body was aching and paining and I thought it was because I hadn’t thrown balls for so long. But then I realised the virus was the reason I was feeling those aches and pains.”Thankfully, I didn’t get a bad dose, it lasted for two or three days and it was done. Hopefully that happens to a lot of people who do get it.”South Africa has, so far, recorded more than 750,000 positive cases of Covid-19 and 20,556 deaths, but the country remains at its lowest level of lockdown. Almost all activity has resumed although there are limits on the number of people that can gather and fans are not allowed in stadiums.While this will be the first time that the national cricket team play behind closed doors in the Covid-19 era, Boucher believes that their experience doing so at lower levels and their new team culture of “smart-aggression” will mean the emptiness and silence won’t affect the quality of the cricket. “We’ve played franchise cricket in front of no crowds, so I’m sure the guys are used to that,” he said. “There’ll be no lack of passion. We’re trying to drive a different culture, and I think the passion is going to be there with or without the crowds. We know people will certainly be watching us.”

A £100,000-per-week Tottenham player who featured in 39 games under Ange Postecoglou last season is believed to be keen on following Tanguy Ndombele out the exit door this summer.

Spurs reach agreement to cancel Ndombele contract

Four years after Spurs signed the Frenchman for a club-record £63 million from Lyon, the end is very near for Ndombele following a nightmare stint in north London.

Tottenham could now offer Gil in swap move for prolific £17 million striker

This is an “attractive” proposal.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 12, 2024

Ndombele's contract is set to be terminated, putting an end to his Spurs deal around a year before its original expiry in 2025, with both the midfielder and chairman Daniel Levy ready to amicably part company.

Despite flashes of brilliance under Jose Mourinho, rare glimpses of the 27-year-old's raw talent have been few and far between. A succession of managers in Nuno Espirito Santo, Antonio Conte and Ange Postecoglou couldn't get the very best out of Ndombele, who hasn't played for Spurs since 2022.

Appearances

91

Goals

10

Assists

9

Bookings

10

Minutes played

5,160

In that time, the former Ligue 1 sensation was sent out on hopeful temporary spells across Europe, as Spurs tried to drive up his price to sell. Ndombele spent half of the 2021/2022 season back at Lyon, and then the whole of 2022/2023 at eventual Serie A champions Napoli.

Last campaign, Ndombele endured a lacklustre spell at Turkish Super Lig side Galatasaray, and it appears Tottenham have seen enough as they simply attempt to get his £200,000-per-week wages off the books.

Ndombele was particularly criticised for his attitude at Tottenham, as explained by pundit Alan Hutton, following that infamous incident of him walking straight down the tunnel after being taken off in a 3-1 FA Cup win over Morecambe.

“It’s attitude. He was very lazy, he wasn’t doing much at all," said Hutton to Football Insider.

“When you get taken off, you know it’s because you’ve not played well. He’ll know within himself he’s not played well. It shows you it’s petulant, it’s a bad attitude, it’s not what you want moving forward. Conte won’t stand for that.

“It annoys me because I know there’s a really exceptional player in there.”

Tottenham chiefs will be happy to offload Ndombele after four regrettable campaigns, but it is believed that midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could soon join him. Reports have suggested that Fenerbahce are keen to sign Hojbjerg after a recommendation from Mourinho, with Atletico Madrid also in the mix.

Hojbjerg wants to leave Tottenham after Ndombele

As per The Mail, Diego Simeone's side have reignited their interest in the Spurs regular, who featured in 39 games across all competitions last season. However, while he did play often, the overwhelming majority of his appearances came off the substitutes' bench. The £100,000-per-week Denmark international's contract expires in 2025, meaning Spurs could opt to sell this summer.

Hojbjerg is apparently keen to leave Tottenham after Ndombele, in a bid for more regular starting opportunities, so this could be one to watch.

كشف السويسري مارسيل كولر، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، عن دكة بدلاء المارد الأحمر في مباراة اليوم أمام إنبي، بالدوري المصري الممتاز.

ويستضيف استاد المقاولون العرب مباراة الأهلي وإنبي، ضمن منافسات الجولة السابعة من عمر المسابقة المحلية.

ويدخل الأهلي هذه المباراة وهو يحتل المركز الثاني في جدول ترتيب الدوري برصيد 11 نقطة، بفارق ثلاث نقاط عن المتصدر، الزمالك، الذي خاض بالفعل مباراته في نفس الجولة أمام الاتحاد السكندري وفاز بثنائية دون رد. ويسعى المارد الأحمر لتحقيق الفوز وتقليل الفارق مع المتصدر ومواصلة المنافسة على اللقب.

طالع أيضًا | تشكيل الأهلي أمام إنبي في الدوري المصري.. كوكا أساسيًا

على الجانب الآخر، يدخل فريق إنبي المباراة وهو يحتل المركز السادس عشر في جدول الترتيب برصيد 5 نقاط، جمعها من فوز وحيد وتعادلين، بينما تلقى ثلاث هزائم، ويسعى è لتحقيق نتيجة إيجابية أمام الأهلي لتحسين موقعه في جدول الترتيب. بدلاء الأهلي أمام إنبي اليوم في الدوري

حسين الشحات، أشرف داري، حمزة علاء، عمرو السولية، كريم نيدفيد، عمر الساعي، مصطفى أبو الخير، سمير محمد وكريم الدبيس.

A world-record partnership between Dawid Malan and Jos Buttler saw England overhaul an impressive South Africa total with ease and sweep their T20I series 3-0 at Newlands.An unbroken century stand between Rassie van der Dussen and Faf du Plessis threatened to salvage some South African pride. But England proved just too good again as Malan and Buttler brushed aside their efforts with an unbeaten 167-run partnership of their own, the highest second-wicket stand in T20Is.Player of the Match for the second time in a row, and Player of the Series, Malan was unbeaten on 99 from just 47 deliveries, while Buttler was not out with 67 off 46 to hand England a nine-wicket victory with 14 balls to spare and see their side pass Australia at the top of the ICC rankings.Van der Dussen and du Plessis came together with their side stuttering on 64 for 3 but piled on 127 off 66 deliveries, including 84 runs off the last five overs, to set England a target of 192 when no side had previously made 190 batting second at Newlands. Van der Dussen’s unbeaten on 74, off just 32 balls, was his highest score in T20Is.South Africa were without fast bowler Kagiso Rabada due to a groin strain and their bowlers lacked penetration as Malan and Buttler dominated the attack.Stellar unionSouth Africa looked in danger of becoming bogged down in their innings, but Reeza Hendricks’ dismissal brought together du Plessis and van der Dussen and it didn’t take them too long to find their stride.Van der Dussen struck the first of his five sixes, pulling Ben Stokes over deep square leg to double his score to 12 but it was just the beginning. Tom Curran’s second over, the 16th of the innings, went for 16, book-ended by two giant sixes to du Plessis.Van der Dussen then helped himself to 22 runs off Jofra Archer in the next over, bringing up his 50 off just 23 balls with South Africa looking far healthier at 145 for 3.Du Plessis brought up his fifty off 37 balls with four threaded off Sam Curran wide of third man. It was his second half-century of the series following his 58 at the same venue in the first match.England’s fielding was not at its best, and on the last ball of the innings Sam Curran caught van der Dussen on the boundary but threw the ball in thinking – possibly mistakenly – that he was going to touch the rope, but not hard enough for Archer to grab a relay catch. It didn’t matter as by then the damage was done – or so it seemed.That man Malan (and Buttler too)Malan, Player of the Match as England sealed an unassailable 2-0 series lead at Paarl on Sunday, bettered himself and further stamped his authority as the world’s leading batsman in this format.He needed the help of DRS to overturn an lbw decision on 16 when Lungi Ngidi’s delivery was found to have pitched outside leg. Malan was the beneficiary again when, returning for a second run, he found himself well short as Temba Bavuma fired the ball in brilliantly to Quinton de Kock, who broke the stumps with his gloves but the ball lodged in his midriff.Around those moments, however, Malan was dominant, thrashing five sixes, including a monstrous 94-metre effort down the ground off a Ngidi slower ball, and 11 fours. Buttler was also in fine form, striking five sixes.With five overs remaining – and nine wickets in hand – England needed just 27 runs and with both batsmen roaring they made the task look simple.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Jordan on topChris Jordan came out on top once again in a battle with de Kock, whose brisk 17 off 12 deliveries could not erase the sense that he is shouldering a heavy burden as opener, captain and wicketkeeper.In doing so, Jordan took the outright lead as England’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is with 66, having drawn level with Stuart Broad in the previous match.De Kock had scored 11 of the 12 runs to come off Archer’s second over, including a four followed immediately by a huge six that landed in the rubble of a construction site beyond deep backward square. But when Jordan entered the attack in the next over, he struck with his fourth ball as de Kock miscued to mid-off and Tom Curran swallowed a straightforward catch. It was the third time this series that Jordan had dismissed de Kock.Stokes again, and againStokes was unused with the ball in the first match and went wicketless in the second, conceding 14 off just two overs, but he lived up to his usual billing as the man who makes things happen when he came on in the eighth over and struck with his sixth ball.Bavuma had made a bright start, reaching 32 off 26 balls before Stokes struck to have him caught by Jordan at mid-off. Stokes was the can-do man once more in his next over when he had Hendricks caught behind for 13.Stokes was injured later on, cutting his left hand as he ran into the boundary boards after trying to intercept a van der Dussen blow and caught a sharp edge near the adverting hoardings. He left the field but was later seen patched up and smiling, albeit with some concern over his ability to hold the bat as England faced a hefty run chase.

Jonny Evans was named in a makeshift Manchester United back four containing three centre-backs against Brentford – provoking howls of derision online.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Three CBs in starting XIEvans or Martinez to play at LBTen Hag under pressure to get a winFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱AFPWHAT HAPPENED?

Erik ten Hag had to scramble together a defence against the Bees due to the absences of Noussair Mazraoui, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, leaving fans guessing as to who would be playing at left-back.

AdvertisementWHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

United fan TerfaTG wrote on X: "No Amad. No party. That front three don’t hold the ball up enough. The manager never learns."

Utdcynical concluded that 36-year-old Evans was drafted in as an emergency full-back. "Jonny Evans at left back" they wrote, with two crying emojis.

Fellow Red Devils' supporter Utdjacobi_ wrote: "What did Harry Amass do to offend Erik ten Hag?"

Another dismayed supporter, bayonuels, added: "This line up confirms that ten Hag is too scared to be dynamic. Possibly Martinez playing in left back when we can play 3 at the back with high flying wing backs or even be more daring and pair Zirkzee with Hojlund in a 4-4-2. Anyways, all the best to the team!"

The official account of the Northern Ireland team was pleased to see their former international Evans included in the team. "Evans masterclass pending," they wrote.

Getty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Ten Hag desperately needs a victory to ease the pressure on him after United won just two of their opening seven Premier League games, heading into the game in 13th in the table. He survived the international break, during which England appointed Thomas Tuchel, who was a serious candidate to replace the Dutchman in the summer.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

WHAT NEXT?

Brentford boss Thomas Frank is admired by INEOS and is also believed to have spoken to United. And if the Dane can mastermind another victory over the Red Devils after the 4-0 battering in Ten Hag's debut campaign, his chances of eventually taking over at Old Trafford will rise.

MatériaMais Notícias

O sub-20 do São Paulo jogou no Morumbi contra o Ceará, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro. Mas o domingo não foi de comemoração. A equipe do técnico Alex perdeu de virada para o Ceará por 2 a 1, sofrendo sua segunda derrota na competição nacional.

RelacionadasSão PauloSão Paulo ‘sofre’ com jogadores suspensos no Campeonato BrasileiroSão Paulo05/09/2021São PauloSão Paulo aposta em recuperação física após intertemporadaSão Paulo04/09/2021

A partida no Morumbi começou equilibrada, mas com o São Paulo passando mais tempo com a bola nos pés. O gol do Tricolor saiu aos 40 minutos, com um golaço. Pedrinho entrou na área e achou um passe para Vitinho, que, com tranquilidade, limpou um marcador e finalizou para balançar as redes.

Na segunda etapa, o Ceará cresceu e conseguiu virar com gols aos nove e 20 minutos. Na sequência, o São Paulo chegou a criar diversas oportunidades, mas não foi possível alterar o marcador.

CONFIRA A TABELA ATUALIZADA E SIMULE OS JOGOS DO BRASILEIRÃO DE 2021!

Com o resultado, o São Paulo segue na liderança com 30 pontos. A campanha na competição é de nove vitórias, três empates e apenas duas derrotas. O Tricolor Sub-20 volta a campo no próximo domingo (12), às 11h (de Brasília), visitando o Flamengo na Gávea.

The South Australia batsman will continue to play BBL and hopes to be part of the Marsh One-Day Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Nov-2020Callum Ferguson will retire from Sheffield Shield cricket after South Australia’s next match against Queensland.He will continue to captain Sydney Thunder in the BBL and intends to make himself available for South Australia’s Marsh One-Day campaign which is expected to be played in the latter part of the domestic season early next year.With one game to go in first-class cricket, Ferguson sits on 9278 runs at 36.81 of which 8210 have come in the Sheffield Shield. It was confirmed on Thursday, when Ferguson made his announcement, that he would be in the XI to face Queensland.He missed South Australia’s opening match of this season before returning for the game against Tasmania where he made 29 and 40 but he bagged pair against Victoria in round three.”I’d like to thank my family, my parents Pauline and Jim, and my wife Rhiannon who have supported me through the journey,” Ferguson said. “I also have great gratitude for all my team-mates, coaches, SACA Members and fans who have made my time in the baggy red most enjoyable, and I have always been proud to play for this great State.”I wish nothing but the best for the team which I believe has the talent and drive to take us to a Shield in the years to come. I’m looking forward to playing in the Marsh Cup later in the season and continuing to help mentor our young exciting players”Ferguson played one Test for Australian in 2016, against South Africa in Hobart, where he made 3 and 1 – being run out in the first innings – and was one of a group of players to pay the price for Australia’s crushing defeat.James Pyke, the South Australia chairman of selectors, said: “Callum has been an integral part of the South Australian system for many years and he should be extremely proud of all that he has done for cricket in this State.”His performances on the ground have been of the highest calibre and most importantly he has been a team member of great character and strength. His leadership has been excellent, and we hope Callum’s impact will be reflected in a new era of players in the future.”We wish Callum the best and look forward to watching him guide our younger players and to help them build an established career just as he has done.”

Aston Villa have successfully circumvented breaking Premier League profit and sustainability (PSR) rules and now look set to to bolster their Champions League-qualified squad.

Of course, Unai Emery and Monchi haven't exactly been shiftless over these recent weeks, with moves made to sign Ross Barkley and Chelsea's Ian Maatsen. Moreover, the regrettable sale of Douglas Luiz to Juventus, to counter PSR, included the signing of Enzo Barrenechea and Samuel Iling-Junior in the opposite direction.

Villa will look to send some deadweight packing this summer and this could include either or both left-backs Lucas Digne and Alex Moreno, but Maatsen would need some support and an experienced head has been lined up.

Aston Villa transfer news

According to Spanish sources, Aston Villa are set to tussle with Manchester United for the signing of Reinildo Mandava, who has one year remaining on his contract with Atletico Madrid.

The versatile defender, aged 30, has displayed remarkable powers of recovery to return from an ACL injury suffered at the start of 2023, playing a starring role in Diego Simeone's side's exploits over the past several months.

The Mozambique international could be available for just £8m, with his robust style of play making him the perfect player to add depth and dynamism to the Villa Park backline.

Why Villa are interested in Reinaldo

The Athletic's David Ornstein might have allayed fears of a points deduction or detrimental restrictions on spending after the shrewd business of recent weeks, but Villa are certainly not out of the woods.

Digne, for example, is being considered for a transfer away, one of the club's highest earners and probably going to be replaced as the No. 1 left-back by Maatsen.

1.

Boubacar Kamara

£150k-per-week

1.

Youri Tielemans

£150k-per-week

3.

Ollie Watkins

£130k-per-week

3.

Moussa Diaby

£130k-per-week

5.

Lucas Digne

£120k-per-week

5.

Leon Bailey

£120k-per-week

5.

John McGinn

£120k-per-week

5.

Emi Martinez

£120k-per-week

Reinildo, despite missing the first half of the 2023/24 campaign, indeed impressed with his athleticism and sharp defensive involvements, ranking among the top 9% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 1% for tackles and successful take-ons and the top 8% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

Furthermore, the 30-year-old won 66% of his ground duels in La Liga last term. Digne, in comparison, won only 53% of his contested ground duels.

Reinildo is a true "gladiator" – as has been said by talent scout Jacek Kulig – and would offer the kind of dynamic alternative to a player like Maatsen, whose tactical flexibility and high-level technical quality marks him as the first choice, though he too is perhaps not quite so formidable in the tackle, winning only 50% of his ground duels last season while on loan from Chelsea at Borussia Dortmund.

Having showcased himself to be a dynamic and capable defender with impressive creativity and a combative sheen, Reinildo would be an absolute bargain at £8m, and given Digne's exorbitant wage and stuttering form, it might be wise to ship the Frenchman on.

Aston Villa struck gold on Smith signing who's worth £33m more than Luiz

He was one of the Premier League’s best players last season.

ByAngus Sinclair Jun 28, 2024