Tag Futebol

The Tamil Nadu finisher was picked by Punjab Kings for INR 5.25 crore at the 2021 IPL auction

Deivarayan Muthu19-Feb-2021After snapping up a certain Shahrukh Khan for INR 5.25 crore, the Punjab Kings’ co-owner Preity Zinta turned to the Kolkata Knight Riders table, where Aryan, Shah Rukh Khan’s son was sitting, and quipped: “We got Shahrukh!”Zinta then said at a media conference that she has been getting a lot of messages asking who this Shahrukh Khan is.While you may have been wondering the same, Shahrukh’s team-mates always knew that he was going to go big this auction. After stepping out of quarantine to prepare for the forthcoming 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy, Shahrukh and his Tamil Nadu team-mates were following the auction in their team bus in Indore. In the video posted by his captain Dinesh Karthik on Twitter, you can hear a voice in the background: “!” (Hang on brother, your bid will go up to 4 crore).

Turn up the volume and listen to the team's happiness for our bright #IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/wkDfFbqGGP

— DK (@DineshKarthik) February 18, 2021

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson must have learned a thing or two from all his experience getting tags down on runners at the plate.

In a Sunday matinée against the Colorado Rockies, he striped a ball to left field that may have gotten to Rockies outfielder Yanquiel Fernández a little too quickly. Stephenson rounded first and dug for second as Fernández fired the ball in for a bang-bang play at the bag.

The one-hopper slightly beat Stephenson to second, but he popped up just after he started to slide in an effort to avoid second baseman Kyle Farmer's tag. He had to put his hands in the air and throw his body back as much as he could in the awkward maneuver to remain untagged. Remarkably, Stephenson was safe and got up with a one-out double.

Definitely one of the best slides of the season just one day before the MLB pauses for its All-Star break. Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. pulled a similar move last week to avoid a tag from Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh at the plate to score a run. Maybe Stephenson took some notes.

They have received plenty of criticism for it, but Chelsea have signed some extraordinary young talents in recent seasons.

For example, despite still being just 18 years old, Estevao has been a revelation for Enzo Maresca’s side this season.

The young Brazilian has already scored five goals and provided one assist in just 843 minutes, and looks like he could be something truly special.

So, fans should be ecstatic that Chelsea have now signed another highly rated wonderkid who’s been compared not only to Estevao but also to Moises Caicedo.

How Chelsea are repeating their Estevao success

As if Estevao’s doing what he’s doing this season wasn’t already enough, Chelsea fans will have a few more wonderkids making their way to the club in the summer.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Perhaps the pick of the bunch, and the one who feels most ready to have an impact akin to the Brazilians, is Geovany Quenda.

The Blues paid a whopping £44m for the Portuguese gem back in March, and while that’s a lot of money to spend on someone who is still just 18, he already looks value for money.

For example, in 22 first-team appearances this season, totalling 1273 minutes, the dynamic winger has scored five goals and provided eight assists.

In other words, the “relentless” teenage sensation, as dubbed by Mattinson, is averaging a goal involvement every 1.69 games, or every 97.92 minutes.

Appearances

22

Starts

12

Minutes

1273′

Goals

5

Assists

8

Goal Involvements per Match

0.59

Minutes per Goal Involvement

97.92′

Points per Game

2.32

Another wonderkid who’ll be making their way back to Stamford Bridge in the summer alongside Quenda is Kendry Páez.

The Ecuadorian midfielder is currently on loan with RC Strasbourg in Ligue 1 and, despite being just 18 years old, is making quite an impression.

In all, he has made 17 first-team appearances for the French outfit and was named young player of the month for September.

Perhaps even more impressive than his club record, the teenage star has also already won 23 caps for Ecuador and will undoubtedly play a role for them at the upcoming World Cup.

The conveyor belt of young talent is going to stop next year though, as BlueCo have now got their hands on another incredible prospect who has been compared to Estevao and Caicedo.

Chelsea's next wonderkid

It was announced on Wednesday that the consortium that owns Chelsea and Strasbourg, BlueCo, had agreed to sign Burkina Faso youngster Mohamed Zongo.

The 16-year-old will join the French club once he is 18, and according to the report, so long as he performs well, he will likely then move to the Blues at a later date.

While this isn’t a story that is going to get the fans all that excited, it is another example of the West Londoners’ owners being proactive and seeking out the best young talent in the world, which is a category Zongo most definitely belongs in.

For example, respected scout Jacek Kulig has dubbed him “one of the most exciting U17 talents in Africa.”

On top of that, U23 scout Antonio Mango has described him as a “magic” talent who has “incredible vision” and “ability to open up the game from all angles and areas.”

Something else that should excite the Stamford Bridge faithful is that he appears to be reasonably versatile, playing as both an attacking midfielder and a right-winger.

Interestingly, journalist and Chelsea writer Lloyd Canfield made a bold statement that the youngster “plays like a unique mix of Estevao and Moises Caicedo.”

The comparison to the Brazilian feels rather straightforward given the 16-year-old’s position and skillset.

However, when it comes to the Ecuadorian, Canfield argues that it’s his ability to shoot from range and control possession in the middle of the park that makes the comparison reasonable.

Ultimately, it’s going to be a while before fans can get a proper look at him, but if what those in the know say is true, BlueCo and, potentially, Chelsea have a real star on their hands.

The end for Tosin: Chelsea ready £52m bid to sign "outstanding" titan

The hugely exciting star could be just the Tosin upgrade that Chelsea and Enzo Maresca have been crying out for.

ByJack Salveson Holmes 4 days ago

Tottenham have reportedly made an eye-watering initial offer to sign Real Madrid forward Rodrygo ahead of the January transfer window after contacting Los Blancos president Florentino Perez.

Rodrygo’s once-prominent status at Real has come under serious threat this season, with the Brazilian winger’s reduced role fueling speculation about a potential departure from the Bernabeu.

The 24-year-old’s situation has deteriorated rapidly since Xabi Alonso replaced Carlo Ancelotti in the dugout. Despite featuring in 13 matches this season, Rodrygo has managed just 359 minutes of playing time in all competitions, less than 18-year-old Franco Mastantuono, Arda Güler and the exit-linked Vinícius Júnior.

More tellingly, he hasn’t completed a full 90 minutes in any game at all this term, suggesting a serious fall down Alonso’s pecking order.

Rodrygo has started just three of his 13 competitive matches in 25/26, including only one start in his last seven La Liga games, raising serious questions about his future at the club where he’s won two Champions League titles.

The former Santos sensation, speaking to reporters in Brazil’s mixed media zone earlier this week, opened up about his lack of chances and put on a dedicated front.

However, behind-the-scenes, whispers are indicating that a January exit could be on the cards for him.

Rodrygo was attracting interest from Tottenham in the summer, with north London rivals Arsenal also holding talks over signing the South American as far back as May, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg.

While a move to the English capital didn’t materialise for Rodrygo, it could well be revisited in January, with ESPN Brasil reporting that he’s privately open to leaving Real after growing dissatisfied under Alonso.

From Tottenham’s perspective, it is believed that Thomas Frank’s side are prepared to spend a club-record fee on bringing Rodrygo to N17, as per reports from Spain, and there’s now been another update on his future, again involving Spurs.

Tottenham make 'initial offer' for Rodrygo after contacting Florentino Perez

As per Spanish media sources, the Lilywhites have approached Perez with a proposal already.

Tottenham are now said to have made an ‘initial offer’ of around £75 million for Rodrygo, with £62 million to be paid in full plus a further £13 million in add-ons. Right now, they’re apparently showing the ‘most interest’ of any potential suitor, with Johan Lange and Fabio Paratici setting their sights on a statement signing.

However, that isn’t to say they’re alone in the race, as other unnamed Premier League clubs have inquired about Rodrygo as well.

The Lewis family recently backed Tottenham with a £100 million cash injection which could be put towards the club’s recruitment drive, and reports of this nature suggest that they’re looking to usher in a post-Daniel Levy era with real aplomb.

Tactically, he offers Frank exactly what the Dane has been missing — creativity.

His strengths include exceptional dribbling, key passing, finishing and crossing ability (WhoScored), providing that spark from wide areas which Tottenham have desperately lacked so far, bar Mohammed Kudus.

Rodrygo’s versatility across the front three would give Frank real tactical flexibility as well, given he’s capable of operating on either flank or even centrally.

The winger scored 14 goals and bagged 11 assists in all competitions under Carlo Ancelotti last term, with Jude Bellingham calling him their most ‘gifted’ and ‘underrated’ player.

The Yankees turned the baseball world upside down over the weekend when they crushed 13 home runs in two games against the Milwaukee Brewers. The display of power wasn't the biggest takeaway, however. Instead, it was the new torpedo bats some of their hitters used that now has everyone talking about what could be one of the biggest changes the sport has ever seen.

Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers is using one of those new bats, with his being labeled a bowling pin style. He made a good point while talking with ESPN's Jeff Passan, saying pitchers have new weapons each season, so why can't hitters?

"There's new pitches getting invented every year," said Jeffers, who went 1-for-8 in the first three games of the season. "We're just swinging the same broomstick we've swung for the last 100 years."

He added: "The bat is such a unique tool. You look at the history of the game, and they used to swing telephone poles. Now you try to optimize it, and it feels like some branches are starting to fall for us on the hitting side of things."

The rule book states this about bats: "The bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 2.61 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length. The bat shall be one piece of solid wood." These new bats have just moved more wood down slightly below the barrel.

So if you can make legal tweaks to a bat, like players and teams are starting to do, it seems like there shouldn't be a problem with making sure these things remain legal.

We'll have to wait and see if that remains to be true, or if pitchers won't have to worry about these bats anymore.

تحدث توماس توخيل مدرب منتخب إنجلترا، بعد الفوز أمام ألبانيا، بهدفين نظيفين، في تصفيات أوروبا المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2026.

وقال توخيل في تصريحات نشرتها “بي بي سي” البريطانية: “مباراة رائعة، أحببت هذه المباراة، اليوم كان صعبًا ومثيرًا وكنا مسيطرين تماماً ثم فقدنا السيطرة فجأة، تجاوزنا لحظات صعبة وتغلبنا على أجواء كهذه وافتتحنا المباراة بهدف من ركلة ثابتة، قدمنا مستوى رائعًا والجميع سعيد واستحقوا ذلك”.

وأضاف: “شعرت أننا مندمجون في اللقاء ولكن كان من الصعب اختراق دفاعهم أيضًا، كنا بحاجة للحظة صغيرة مثل ركلة ثابتة أو لحظة سحرية، لافتتاح المباراة واكتساب القليل من الثقة وفهم أفكارهم، لذلك كان علينا الانتظار، لكننا لم نتوقف، أردنا إرسال إشارات من مقاعد البدلاء من خلال القيام بتغييرات هجومية بأننا نريد الفوز والآن نواصل الضغط”.

وسئل توخيل عن استياء جود بيلينجهام بعد تبديله في نهاية الشوط الثاني: “صحيح أن التبديل لم يعجبه، لكن هذا هو الوضع، روجرز أيضاً لم يعجبه الخروج ولم يستحقه، بيلينجهام كان يحمل بطاقة صفراء واتخذت القرار قبل الهدف الثاني وبقى القرار قائماً”.

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وذكر توخيل عن سلوك جود بيلينجهام قبل استبداله: “لم أرى الأمر بهذه الطريقة، علي مراجعة الأمر، رأيت أنه لم يكن سعيداً ولا أريد تضخيم الأمر أكثر من ذلك حالياً، إلى حد ما إذا كان لديك لاعب مثل بيلينجهام يتمتع بروح تنافسية عالية فلا يفضل ذلك أبداً، نحن نركز على المعايير والمستوى والالتزام والاحترام المتبادل، لن نغير قرارًا لمجرد أن أحدهم لوح بذراعيه”.

وسئل توخيل عن فكرة إذا كان بيلينجهام لا يتقبل فكرة الفريق الجماعي وعلق على عدم احتفاله بالهدف الثاني: “هذا انطباع سئ، يجب أن يكون الأمر متعلق بالفريق الجماعي، وهذا ما نحاول إيصاله في المعسكر، علي مراجعة الأمر إن كان بيلينجهام احتفل أم لا وتأكد أن الجميع احتفل بالهدف، كنت سعيداً بالهدف وتحدثت مع روجرز، لا نريد أن ننقل صورة مختلفة، نشعر أن الجميع ملتزمون ويتقبلون القرارات الصعبة سواء قبل وخلال المباراة”.

وواصل توخيل عن بيلينجهام: “عليه تقبل الأمر، لا ينبغي أن نبالغ في تقديره، لم يكن روجرز سعيدًا عندما لم يتمكن من البدء اليوم لأنه يستحق اللعب ويريد اللعب طوال الوقت، منحناه وقتًا من الراحة لأنه شارك في دقائق لعب طويلة مع النادي ولعب معنا ضد صربيا، أنا أيضاً لا أريد أن أبالغ في تقدير الأمر، أنا ملتزم بكلمتي والسلوك هو الأساس، القرارات تتخذ وعلينا تقبلها”.

وأثنى توخيل على هاري كين: “يعود للخلف ويساعدنا للحفاظ على نظافة شباكنا، أخلاقياته وسلوكه رائعان، لا أجد الكلمات لوصفه، هو ملتزم بكل ما نقوم به وقائد وذلك يظهر جدارته”.

Wayne Rooney has opened up on the biggest regret of his entire footballing career – and it involves Cristiano Ronaldo. Rooney played at three World Cups for England but has revealed that he wishes he had sat one of them out as he was not fully fit at the time. The legendary striker also admitted he was close to not joining Manchester United after a rival Premier League side enquired about him.

GettyRooney wishes he didn't play at 2006 World Cup

Rooney was at the peak of his powers a few months out from the 2006 World Cup, his next tournament after exploding onto the scene at Euro 2004. However, the striker suffered a metatarsal injury just one month out from the World Cup in Germany when playing for United against Chelsea. He faced a race against time to be fit for the big event, which ended in massive disappointment as he was sent off in the quarter-final tie with Portugal. Rooney accidentally stamped on Ricardo Carvalho and Ronaldo was one of several players to encourage the referee to send Rooney off. Ronaldo was later seen winking at the Portugal bench. 

And Rooney has admitted that he wished he had never gone to the tournament. He told 'The Wayne Rooney show' on the : "I regret going to the World Cup 2006 probably. I weren’t fit, I shouldn't have went and then it ended with getting a red card and so yeah if I went back, I probably wouldn't go."

AdvertisementHow Rooney-Ronaldo partnership almost never happened

Rooney struck up an incredible partnership with Ronaldo at United, winning three Premier League titles together and reaching successive Champions League finals. However, they nearly never played together. Rooney revealed that Newcastle United rivalled the Red Devils for his signature in 2004 before he eventually moved to Old Trafford for £27m.

Rooney explained: "I would have certainly went [to Newcastle]. Manchester United wanted to wait a season and then sign me the year after they did sign me. Newcastle put a bid in and if Manchester United hadn't come in, I would have gone to Newcastle. Those two were bidding against each other. My agent's best mate was chairman at Newcastle at the time! So I'm sure he was getting nudged to try to get me as well.

"I wanted to go to Manchester United, but I spoke with Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer. In true Bobby Robson style, on the phone he called me 'Mark'. I thought he had either forgotten my name or he was a genius – because that's my middle name."

AFPRooney: I was quicker than Ronaldo

Rooney has said that he was quicker than Ronaldo in his prime although he was not the fastest player in the United squad. "We’d done tests at over 30 yards I think it was, and I was topping that and Owen Hargreaves was second," he said. "Owen was quicker than when people think.  so yeah, I was, I was faster than that. But there's all different aspects in, in football. Cristiano obviously dribbling with the ball is really quick, Ryan Giggs dribbling with the ball. Some players seemed quicker with the ball and then without it as well."

While Rooney retired from football in 2020, Ronaldo is still going strong with Portugal and Al-Nassr. And Rooney is convinced his former team-mate will reach his long-held target of scoring 1000 goals before he hangs up his boots. He said: "One hundred percent.  He’s not retired before he’s caused thousands.  It’d be great for him as well if he does that and I’m sure over the next couple of years he’ll be playing with his son alongside him, so I think that’s a big thing as well for him."

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Rooney etched into Man Utd history

United's decision to sign Rooney back in 2004 proved a masterstroke, with the striker going on to become the club's all-time leading scorer with a staggering 253 goals. He also played a major hand in winning 12 trophies, including five Premier League titles and one Champions League.

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has put striker Will Osula on red alert for the Premier League after seeing him score twice as the holders booked their place in the Carabao Cup fourth round with a 4-1 win against Bradford.

The 22-year-old Dane scored the Magpies’ second and final goals against the League One leaders at St James’ Park to highlight his development, and with record signing Nick Woltemade still coming to terms with English football and Yoane Wissa injured, he has been told he could get his chance amid a hectic schedule.

Asked how close Osula, on £25,000-a-week, is to starting a league game, Howe said:

Howe impressed with Newcastle forward Osula in training

Osula, rarely seen this season with just over 200 minutes of game time, arrived at the club from Sheffield United as a raw youngster last summer, and Howe and his coaches have since gone to work with him on the training ground.

Newcastle largely dominated throughout and the game was effectively over when Joelinton and Osula struck after 17 and 19 minutes respectively.

However, thanks to the efforts of City goalkeeper Sam Walker and some sub-standard finishing, they had to wait until the 75th minute for the Brazilian to make it 3-0, and although lifelong Magpies fan Andy Cook reduced the deficit, Osula scored again at the death to wrap up a comfortable win.

Howe said: “It was always going to be a difficult game. Nobody makes anything easy for you. Bradford are top of their league and full of confidence, so we needed an element of patience in our performance. But once we got into our groove, we were good.”

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Opposite number Graham Alexander, who played under Howe during his spell in charge at Burnley, was happy with much of what he saw from his side on a difficult night on Tyneside.

Asked what they had learned, he said with a smile: “We learned what a Champions League team looks like up close.”

On Cook’s goal, he added: “He’s a proper lad, he’s been a big player for this club for the last three or four years and everyone knows about his support for Newcastle, but he’s also got a massive bond with our club as well, so it was a special night for Cooky just getting on the pitch.

“But that’s a goal he’ll be talking about for the next 50 years, I expect.”

Arsenal ended up just about getting past Greek Super League champions Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday, courtesy of strikes from Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.

For all the chances, possession and clear-cut openings created by Mikel Arteta’s side, they held a tender 1-0 lead for the majority of the 90, and goalkeeper David Raya was forced into a magnificent first-half save to keep them ahead.

Summer signing Viktor Gyokeres also had multiple chances to extend their advantage, but the Sweden international just couldn’t quite fire home on what was a frustrating night for him.

Arsenal’s control of the match never wavered, with club captain Martin Odegaard pulling all the strings in midfield and dictating the tempo throughout.

The Norwegian’s vision and passing range constantly stretched the visitors’ defence, creating numerous opportunities, particularly for Gyokeres, with the striker feeding off Odegaard’s excellent through balls but missing the final end product.

The £30 million star was very nearly rewarded for his efforts with a goal, but was unable to convert Bukayo Saka’s cut-back very late in the second half.

Instead, it was Saka who ended up putting the game beyond sight in added time, courtesy of another excellent threaded pass from Odegaard, with the England international slotting home through goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis’ legs.

Their routine win over Olympiacos was Odegaard’s first start after coming back from a shoulder problem, and boy did he deliver on a night where he absolutely silenced his critics.

In the build up to their Champions League clash, former Arsenal player Perry Groves suggested that Arteta should continue to bench Odegaard in order to send a message and help the ex-Real Madrid man rediscover his best form.

However, Wednesday’s heroics sent a clear message in return — the 26-year-old is still one of Arteta’s superstars.

Owen Hargreaves says Martin Odegaard has proved he's still Arsenal's star man

This is echoed by TNT Sports pundit Owen Hargreaves, who told the panel during last night’s broadcast that Odegaard was back to his “absolute best” against Olympiacos.

The £240,000-per-week playmaker now has Eberechi Eze to compete with for a place in the centre of Arsenal’s attacking midfield, alongside Ethan Nwaneri, who the Gunners wish to deploy more centrally rather than in the wide area like last season (David Ornstein).

Odegaard will undoubtedly be mindful of the growing competition for a place in Arteta’s starting elevens, but he appears to be staking his claim as an undroppable following last night’s sumptuous display and his assist against Newcastle last weekend.