تحدث علاء نبيل، المدير الفني لـ اتحاد الكرة المصري، عن أزمة مباراة الأهلي وبيراميدز، في بطولة دوري الجمهورية مواليد 2007، التي ألغيت بعد احتجاج من مسؤولي بيراميدز على احتساب ركلة جزاء لصالح المارد الأحمر.
وشهدت مباراة الأهلي وبيراميدز، حالة من الجدل بعد اعتراض مسؤولو نادي بيراميدز على احتساب الحكم ركلة جزاء لصالح الأهلي، وتم إلغاء اللقاء.
طالع | ركلة جزاء تتسبب في إلغاء مباراة الأهلي وبيراميدز مواليد 2007
وقال نبيل خلال تصريحات لبرنامج “ملعب أون سبورت” المذاع على قناة “أون سبورت”: “موقف غير رياضي بالمرة، والأندية ليها دور كبير جداً في الأزمات التي تحدث، فريق يعترض ويرفض استكمال المباراة بسبب احتساب ركلة جزاء هذا غير معقول، (إيه اللي إحنا فيه؟ وصلنا للمرحلة دي إزاي)”.
وتابع: “بيراميدز فريق كبير، والنادي الأهلي هكذا، لكن لماذا نصل إلى هذا الوضع؟، والجميع يردد الآن لما لا نصل إلى ما وصلت إليه المنتخبات الأخرى مثل المغرب؟”.
طالع | بيراميدز يوضح تفاصيل أزمة مباراة فريق الشباب أمام الأهلي
وأضاف: “بالطبع سيكون هناك موقف من اتحاد الكرة بشأن تلك الأزمة، توجد لائحة سيتم تطبيقها، حتى لا تتكرر هذه الأزمة مرة أخرى، لأن هذا لا يليق بالكرة المصرية”.
وعن جلسة هاني أبو ريدة رئيس الاتحاد مع جهاز منتخب مصر، أوضح: “هذه لم تكن جلسة، لكن كان تجمعا من أجل دعم منتخب مصر للناشئين تحت 17 عامًا قبل مشاركته في بطولة كأس العالم في قطر”.
وأتم: “المهندس هاني، تحدث مع الجهاز الفني لـ منتخب مصر، عن الاستعدادت للفترة القادمة والمباريات الودية المقترحة، كانت جلسة بطابع ودي ليس أكثر لا يوجد به شيء رسمي”.
Arsenal came into their clash with Nottingham Forest on Saturday with narrative bursting at the seams.
Ange Postecoglou had recently been appointed as the Forest boss and considering his past association with Spurs, there were a few pre-game jitters that he’d return to English football and upset Mikel Arteta’s side.
It’s safe to say the Spaniard made sure that was never a scenario this weekend, even with key men missing through injury.
Arsenal’s starting XI did not include the likes of William Saliba and Bukayo Saka who were absent through injury while Martin Odegaard limped off early in proceedings with a shoulder injury.
That mattered not for the north Londoners who defeated Ange and Co 3-0 courtesy of a double from Martin Zubimendi and a third goal in four matches from Viktor Gyokeres.
In defence, Arsenal’s backline barely gave the visitors a sniff but in the final third, they were relentless, largely thanks to their new signings.
How Arsenal's new signings fared against Nottingham Forest
Last season, the Gunners were hamstrung by injuries, particularly to the forward line.
Saka missed large parts of the campaign, as did Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, which meant they had to play with Mikel Merino up top.
Coincidentally, Arsenal came into this game without that trio again; they also came into the encounter without star centre back Saliba.
Arsenal's WilliamSalibareacts
In years gone by, absences such as those have hindered Arteta’s side, but they didn’t on Saturday.
At the back, Cristhian Mosquera put in a phenomenal performance and at £13m, he looks like one of the biggest bargain signings in the Premier League this summer.
At Anfield two weeks ago, the Spaniard was forced into the game early on due to Saliba’s injury and his first test in English football was an impressive one, even if they lost 1-0 to Liverpool.
A fortnight later, Mosquera was part of a backline that kept a well-earned clean sheet. He looked like the best defender on that pitch, notably making a last-man tackle in the second half that Saliba would have been proud of.
Mosquera is quick, he’s aggressive, he’s composed and above all, he’s a battler. Against Forest, he barely put a foot wrong, ultimately winning three of his four duels.
In the middle of the park, fellow Spaniard and fellow new signing Zubimendi was superb. His rocket of a finish opened the scoring and then he rounded off a brilliant victory by scoring just the third header of his senior career, leaping high to head home Leandro Trossard’s cross.
Gyokeres also caught the eye. The Swede has attracted criticism in the early weeks of the season but there is one simple fact; he’s a goalscorer. After Arsenal beat Forest, no player had scored more goals in the top flight this season.
His supply line was perhaps the best it’s been all season, and that was thanks to a duo who were evoking memories of Saka and Emile Smith Rowe. You know how the song goes.
Arsenal's new Saka and Smith Rowe
When Arteta became Arsenal manager it wasn’t a straightforward adaptation period. This was his first job as a head coach, after all.
Yet, in Saka and Smith Rowe, he found a set of new heroes who would carry the opening phase of his project at the Emirates Stadium.
While the latter may have moved on, hampered by injuries before joining Fulham, Saka has gone to new heights.
He’s now one of the best wingers in the world, and certainly one of the most creative. No player created more goalscoring opportunities per 90 minutes in the division than Saka last season.
So, when he picked up an injury in the win over Leeds last month, panic set in. Just how would Arsenal cope?
Well, courtesy of the controversial £55m summer signing, Noni Madueke, they have found a player capable of emulating Saka’s best qualities.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Against Liverpool, the former Chelsea man looked like Arsenal’s most vibrant forward and the same could be said for his display against Forest this weekend.
Madueke may not have scored or assisted, but having found the net on England duty last week, he came into this encounter full of confidence. It certainly showed.
The 23-year-old was utterly relentless down the right flank, embarrassing Morato every time he was faced with a one-on-one situation.
Madueke attempted a whopping eight dribbles during the game, completing five, and showed his ability to create too. Like Saka, the England international was a constant livewire, beating his man for fun and also creating goalscoring chances, providing five key passes during the game.
For several seasons now, Arteta has been crying out for someone capable of producing genuine quality as backup to Saka and they have now found that man.
He’s electric and looks set to explode having traded the blue side of London for the red side.
Minutes played
78
Shots
0
Successful dribbles
5/8
Touches
65
Accurate passes
22/31
Key passes
5
Accurate crosses
4
Duels won
10
Tackles
3
While Madueke didn’t leave the game with a goal or assist, Eberechi Eze did on his first start for the club.
Given the nod over Gabriel Martinelli, the £60m summer arrival repaid his manager’s faith with a cracking display down the left flank. Eze skipped past players regularly and like Madueke, was a constant threat.
In Eze and Madueke, they have two players who look as though they could be Arsenal’s new Saka and Smith Rowe. They were certainly as fun as the club’s Hale End poster boys.
It was the former Palace man who supplied Gyokeres with his strike. Eze burst in behind and got on the end of a brilliant lofted ball from Riccardo Calafiori.
Decisive with his actions, the 27-year-old didn’t need to bring the ball down. Instead, he played a first-time ball across the box for Gyokeres to fire home from close range.
Once upon a time it was Saka and Smith Rowe running the show in attack. Saka will still do that for a while to come, but Eze and Madueke have proven that there is life elsewhere, that Arsenal now have the depth required to really push for major honours in 2025/26.
Not Zubi & Madueke: Arsenal star looks like 'one of the PL's best signings'
Arsenal claimed their third win of the Premier League season against Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal have undergone a "significant" board shake-up as executive vice-chairman Tim Lewis leaves the Gunners with Josh Kroenke becoming "increasingly prominent" at the Emirates Stadium. Lewis, who first advised the Kroenke empire back in 2007 before officially joining the Arsenal board in 2020, had become a powerful voice behind the scenes.
Lewis: The Kroenke consigliere
Few figures have been as influential in shaping modern Arsenal as Tim Lewis. A corporate lawyer by trade, he first entered the Gunners’ orbit during Stan Kroenke’s initial investment in 2007, when ITV sold its 9.9% stake. From there, he became a key figure as Kroenke climbed to majority shareholder in 2011 and eventually gained full control in 2018. Over time, Lewis’s remit stretched far beyond legal advice. According to during the COVID-19 crisis, he played a critical role in refinancing the club’s debts and ensuring financial stability. In the cutthroat world of Premier League politics, he became a leading voice in pushing back against state-backed ownership models.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportArteta's ally and transfer master
Lewis was also deeply connected to the footballing side of operations. He developed a close relationship with manager Mikel Arteta, backing him through turbulent early spells and personally negotiating his new three-year contract in 2022. On the transfer front, Lewis was instrumental. His rapport with Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish proved decisive in Arsenal securing the £60m signing of Eberechi Eze last summer. His fingerprints were all over the Gunners’ bold spending strategy, which helped reshape Arteta’s squad into one capable of challenging at the very top.
Josh Kroenke's rising power
At 45, Josh has steadily been building his influence in the Emirates corridors of power. With Lewis now gone, his role is set to become even more dominant. The reshuffle will also see managing director Richard Garlick elevated to CEO, while the board will be bolstered with fresh blood, two more representatives from Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), a long-term advisor, and a fan favourite in Ben Winston, a Hollywood film producer and lifelong Arsenal supporter.
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Josh thanks Lewis and welcomes Garlick
Josh said: “We are delighted to promote Rich to CEO after an incredibly successful period as Managing Director of Arsenal. Rich has made an enormous impact on all fronts as we continue to strive to win major trophies, be financially sustainable and put our supporters at the heart of everything.
“At this moment, we would like to thank Tim for his continued dedication and commitment to Arsenal in a period of transformational change for the club. He has played a pivotal role and ensured we are in a great position to continue to deliver our strategy in our ambition to win major trophies. In keeping with our desire to always move forward, we will strengthen our Board with some exciting additions who will bring vast experience to the club across a wide range of professions.
“The group know and love Arsenal, and will bring a different skillset and expertise while injecting fresh thinking and energy to support us all to achieve our ambitions.”
O Corinthians deixou Róger Machado esperando uma resposta por mais de 24 horas antes de iniciar a negociação com Vanderlei Luxemburgo, que está próximo de ser anunciado como novo treinador do clube alvinegro.
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+Luxemburgo negocia com Corinthians: lembre como foram as passagens do técnico pelo clube
A diretoria corintiana iniciou as conversas com Róger no último sábado (29), pouco antes do clássico contra o Palmeiras, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro. Machado acenou o interesse na oferta corintiana e foi informado que o diálogo seguiria após o jogo, no intuito de um fechamento no domingo (30).
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Porém, frente à repercussão negativa sobre a contratação do profissional, o departamento de futebol do Timão recuou na investida.
Róger Machado e o estafe do treinador ficaram durante todo o domingo (30) aguardando um novo contato do Corinthians, o que não ocorreu. Na segunda-feira (1°), pela manhã, o técnico ficou sabendo pela imprensa que o Timão havia aberto negociações com Vanderlei Luxemburgo.
+ Veja tabela e a situação do grupo do Timão na Libertadores
Isso o deixou muito chateado, fazendo com que ele comunicasse pessoas próximas que seguiria a vida e não aceitaria retomar uma possível nova investida corintiana. Minutos depois, o clube alvinegro entrou em contato com o técnico dizendo que não avançaria a negociação.
Leeds United are in the market for proven Premier League quality and have now been offered the chance to sign a striker who has previously delivered in the English top-flight, according to a report.
Daniel Farke wants Leeds United to add attacking quality
It comes as no secret that the key to staying in the Premier League is by possessing an adequate level of attacking flair. Still, nobody is under any illusions that smart recruitment is needed at Elland Road to ensure options are up to scratch.
Speaking after his side’s pre-season draw to Villarreal, Daniel Farke has admitted Leeds need to acquire competition in the final third as his side are ‘not ready’ to take on the rigours of England’s most prestigious division without reinforcements.
Leeds United manager DanielFarkebefore the match
He stated: “We are not naive. We know that even in comparison to our Championship offence, you could say that we are not much improved. We know in the offence we are not ready for Premier League level. We’ve proven we can be ready for one game and for that I am not too concerned at the moment as it stands.”
With that in mind, Leeds are still very much in the race to sign Everton’s Beto after previously being linked with a move for the Toffees’ forward earlier in the window.
Versatile attacker Jota Silva is also on the Whites’ radar and looks set to leave Nottingham Forest. Nevertheless, Sporting Lisbon are also in the race to sign the Portugal international.
Time is marching on, and plenty of work remains to be done. Now, Leeds have been offered someone who could revolutionise their attack in the Premier League.
Leeds United offered chance to sign Aleksandar Mitrovic
Accoridng to TBR Football, Leeds have been offered the chance to sign Al-Hilal forward Aleksandar Mitrovic by intermediaries and it remains to be seen whether a potential loan move could materialise involving the Serbia international.
Fulham and Sunderland have also been contacted over his potential availability amid speculation that the former Newcastle United man could leave the Gulf region as his current employers enter the market for a new striker.
How many goals has Aleksandar Mitrovic scored in the Premier League?
Appearances
129
Goals
38
Assists
11
Labelled a “sensation” by former Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic, the 30-year-old is a recognisable name with considerable top-flight experience that could meet Farke wish to improve his pool of attacking options.
However, it remains to be seen whether his wages would be affordable for Leeds, given that Mitrovic is said to earn £400,000 per week on the books at the Al-Hilal Stadium.
Scoring 68 goals in 79 appearances since his departure from Fulham, the Smederevo-born man has maintained the consistency shown from his time in England and if he were to arrive at Elland Road could certainly have a positive impact on their survival chances.
An emphasis on investment remains at BlueCo’s Chelsea, but several learning curves have been passed and there’s a feeling that things are not so scattergun anymore.
With Enzo Maresca’s side preparing to take on the Paris Saint-Germain super-team in the Club World Cup final, the club will be permitted to take only the briefest sojourn before a reduced pre-season commences ahead of 2025/26.
There has already been a deluge of new arrivals for the west Londoners, who secured their place back in the Champions League and won the Conference League across Maresca’s first season at the helm.
Liam Delap and Joao Pedro have been poached from domestic rivals, while Jamie Gittens, 20, has finally completed his £51.5m transfer from Borussia Dortmund, having been hailed by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley as “England’s best left winger in 2024/25” before he plateaued over the closing months of the term.
Jamie Gittens in action for Borussia Dortmund.
The talented Estevao, Kendry Paez and Dario Essugo are all bound for Stamford Bridge too, but Chelsea still have a few more tricks up their sleeve.
The latest on Chelsea's summer transfer window
Noni Madueke has been granted permission to engage in the personal technicalities of his proposed transfer to Arsenal, with the Gunners having seen a £52m offer accepted.
The right winger is a talented player but hardly indispensable. And he’s not the only one the Blues are willing to offload in order to reshape in a superior fashion. Indeed, Nicolas Jackson may be sold, with Todd Boehly reportedly pricing the Senegalese striker at an eye-watering £100m amid interest from AC Milan.
Elsewhere, Chelsea have been mooted to make their move for Aston Villa’s dynamic attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers, something which Madueke’s departure would facilitate.
Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers
But Maresca seemingly wants some more competition out on the left, too, with Mykhaylo Mudryk in interminable purgatory and the likes of Christopher Nkunku, Raheem Sterling and Joao Felix all likely to leave this summer.
And that’s why Chelsea could make an approach for Brighton & Hove Albion’s Kaoru Mitoma, who, aged 28, is settled as one of the most underrated wingers in the Premier League.
That’s according to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, who has confirmed that Chelsea (and Arsenal) have considered making a move to sign the Japan international this summer.
Bayern Munich and Saudi Arabian suitors are also looking to get a deal done, and while there’s a sense that Mitoma’s entourage are drumming up interest to get a bumper new contract at the AMEX, the door is ajar for a summer switch, though Brighton would certainly need to lower their £80m asking price.
Why Chelsea want to sign Kaoru Mitoma
Mitoma joined Brighton from Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale and was instantly loaned out to Royal Union Saint-Gilloise in the Belgian Pro League, something which proved instrumental for his development as he polished his physical properties before being unleashed in the Premier League.
Brighton & Hove Albion's KaoruMitomain action with Fulham's Timothy Castagne
Now, he’s a seasoned veteran, having completed 108 appearances for the Seagulls across all competitions, scoring 24 goals and assisting 20 more.
His 37-goal involvement return in the Premier League, across 88 matches, is also nothing to be sniffed at. Mitoma isn’t the most prolific player, but he is immensely talented and endowed with the pace and intelligence to make a real difference.
Kaoru Mitoma
In fact, the 28-year-old ranked among the top 15% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the English top flight last term for non-penalty goals and the top 12% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref, which highlights the impact he could have in Chelsea’s first team.
Is there any proof that Gittens, so young and untested, could bring such an instant effect to Maresca’s squad? Indeed, cast your mind back to Jadon Sancho’s days at Dortmund, and you will find all the substance needed to form such a compelling argument.
League Stats 24/25 – Kaoru Mitoma vs Jamie Gittens
Stats (* per game)
Mitoma
Gittens
Matches (starts)
36 (28)
32 (21)
Goals
10
8
Assists
4
3
Shots (on target)*
1.6 (0.8)
1.6 (0.8)
Big chances missed
12
4
Pass completion
81%
82%
Big chances created
8
6
Key passes*
1.0
0.7
Dribbles*
1.4
2.4
Ball recoveries*
2.8
2.0
Tackles + interceptions*
1.7
1.3
Duels won*
4.1
4.9
Stats via Sofascore
While Gittens is maybe a bit more active in the duel, and certainly has the makings of a clinical wideman, Mitoma is more complete in his performances, with BBC pundit Shay Given even claiming he’s “at the heart of everything positive” Brighton do in the Premier League.
There is also the pretty significant factor that Mitoma plies his trade in the Premier League, whereas Gittens has been cutting his teeth these past few years in the Bundesliga, a division of ostensibly lower quality.
The aforementioned Bailey has regarded Mitoma as “one of the Premier League’s best”, and it’s clear to see why. Though consistency might not be the Japanese’s strong suit, he has shown quality on England’s biggest stage that most wingers could only dream of, and even then, such ambitions would be hazy, ill-defined things.
While Gittens has the makings of something special, Chelsea would be wise to ease him into a position of seniority at Stamford Bridge. Signing Mitoma and allowing the pair to jockey for starting roles could prove a move that bears dividends for the success of Maresca’s project.
Chelsea manager EnzoMarescabefore the start of the second half
Chelsea will be raising the bar in the months to come. European nights will be freighted with the added expectation and intensity that the Champions League theatre brings. Mitoma is exactly the kind of player who could help the club tackle this issue and come up with a solution.
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Enzo Maresca is looking to sign a Spanish midfielder this summer
أعلنت لجنة الانضباط في بطولة كأس الدوريات، عقوبة لويس سواريز، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي إنتر ميامي بعد البصق على أحد أعضاء الجهاز الفني لنادي سياتل ساوندرز، في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات نهائي البطولة.
وتلقى إنتر ميامي والذي يلعب ضمن صفوفه النجم الأرجنتيني ليونيل ميسي هزيمة ساحقة أمام سياتل ساوندرز في نهائي كأس الدوريات بثلاثية دون رد.
وتم تداول مقطع فيديو عبر وسائل التواصل الإجتماعي، وبدا أن لويس سواريز، يبصق على أحد أعضاء الجهاز الفني لفريق سياتل ساوندرز، عقب الهزيمة.
ووقعت الحادثة بعد صافرة النهاية، عقب شجار بين لاعبي الفريقين، أثاره سواريز بعدما أمسك بلاعب وسط الخصم أوبيد فارجاس، من رقبته قبل أن يضربه زميله سيرجيو بوسكيتس على ذقنه.
اقرأ أيضًا.. فيديو | بصق على المدرب.. سواريز يواصل إثارة الجدل بعد هزيمة إنتر ميامي
عقب ذلك دخل سواريز في مشادة كلامية مع أحد أعضاء الجهاز الفني لفريق الخصم، وأوقفه زميله أوسكار أوستاري، لكن سواريز بصق على المدرب.
وأعلنت لجنة الإنضباط الخاصة بالبطولة إيقاف مهاجم إنتر ميامي لويس سواريز 6 مباريات، ومن المقرر أن تطبق العقوبة على صاحب الـ 38 عامًا بدءً من النسخة القادمة من البطولة.
كما تمت معاقبة زميله سيرجيو بوسكيتس أيضًا بالإيقاف مباراتين بعد تدخله في الشجار الذي نشب بين اللاعبين والقيام بضرب أحد لاعبي الخصم.
Luis Suárez appeared to spit on a Seattle staff member after the final whistle in the Leagues Cup Final 👀
🎥: @MLS pic.twitter.com/gCMLdbwDlC — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) September 1, 2025
Leeds United are ready to arrive on the Premier League stage once again and could now be lining up a swoop for a captain in one of Europe’s top five leagues, per a report.
Leeds United urged to bring in Premier League quality
Daniel Farke was lauded for the magnificent job he did at Elland Road last term after his side gained promotion to the top flight. However, the German coach knows more than most how big the jump is between the Championship and Premier League.
Back in 2021, the 48-year-old was sacked by Norwich City after the Canaries endured a tough start to life as a newly-promoted outfit, which will be a scenario the Whites will be desperate to avoid this time around.
Leeds United manager DanielFarkecelebrates after the match
With bringing in Premier League quality on the agenda, Paul Robinson has urged Leeds to sign Kyle Walker-Peters after he departed Southampton under freedom of contract following their relegation last term.
He stated: “I think he’s given himself a real opportunity now of being the master of his own destiny as to where he wants to go. I think the important thing is he just doesn’t go into a squad and be a bit-part player, but he goes into a team where he gets the opportunity to play every week.
“That could be Leeds, and it’d be a very good signing. With Firpo looking like he’s moving on, there’s an immediate opportunity to get in the team, though Tottenham will also be in for him, and it may depend on regular football.”
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Versatile Juventus star Timothy Weah could also join Leeds after he turned down the opportunity to join Nottingham Forest, potentially presenting a coup if the Whites can put forward a compelling offer to the United States international.
Now, there is every chance Farke and company could now swoop to land a midfielder from France who would fit the bill at Elland Road.
Leeds prepare bid for Himad Abdelli
According to Football Insider and journalist Pete O’Rourke, Leeds are preparing a £12 million bid for Angers captain Himad Abdelli after scouting the Algeria international for an extensive period.
Farke is said to be a huge fan of the 25-year-old, who recorded 112 ball carries in Ligue 1 last term, drawing level with the likes of Florian Wirtz and exceeding Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers.
Five similar players to Himad Abdelli (Fotmob)
Mateus Fernandes
Southampton
John McGinn
Aston Villa
Iliman Ndiaye
Everton
Tete Morente
Lecce
Omari Hutchinson
Ipswich Town
Labelled “powerful” by Angers manager Alexandre Dujeux, Abdelli registered six goals and a solitary assist in 36 appearances last term and could become the Whites’ third signing of the summer after sealing deals for Lukas Nmecha and Jakub Bijol.
Leeds are in the market for attacking midfielders to bolster their chances of survival, and the man in question may be a cost-effective solution if all parties can come to agreement over a deal that sees Abdelli pitch up at Elland Road.
Aston Villa have a squad filled with players who shone for the club in the Champions League and Premier League this season.
It’s fair to say, though, that they haven’t been blessed with a natural, god-given talent since Jack Grealish departed in the summer of 2021.
Jack Grealish
The Englishman worked his way up from academy starlet to first-team sensation before leaving for £100m four years ago.
Why Jack Grealish was so good at Aston Villa
The 2024/25 season may not have been his finest at Manchester City, notably left out of the squad by Pep Guardiola for their final match of the season. Yet, he is still 28 and has plenty of football left in him.
“Of course, Jack has to play. That’s the truth. Jack is an unbelievable player that has to play football every three days. And it didn’t happen this season, and last season neither. And he needs to do it with us, or another place. But that is a question for Jack, his agent, and the club. If he stays, we’ll be fine, and he’ll fight like he fought since day one to make a contribution.” – Pep on Grealish.
During his spell with Villa, however, he was one of the finest talents in the country. He scored 32 goals and grabbed 43 assists across 213 matches, leading the club back to the Premier League in 2019.
As the years progressed, it became clear that Grealish was perhaps one of the finest academy graduates to play for the club. In his final season, the Englishman demonstrated his creative talents.
In just 26 top-flight games, he created 14 big chances for Villa, along with averaging an impressive 3.2 key passes and succeeding with 2.5 dribbles per game.
Jack Grealish’s Aston Villa statistics
Season
Games
Goals
Assists
2020/21
27
7
12
2019/20
41
10
8
2018/19
35
6
8
2017/18
31
3
6
2016/17
33
5
5
2015/16
21
1
1
2014/15
24
0
3
Via Transfermarkt
While Villa have gone from strength to strength under Unai Emery since 2022, the Spaniard must wish he had a talent like Grealish at his peak to utilise.
With the summer transfer window soon to open, can Emery sign the next best thing for the Midlands side?
Aston Villa could sign their new Grealish
The Villa Park side are showing plenty of interest in a move for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze after he enjoyed a stunning campaign.
This culminated with the winning goal in the FA Cup final against Man City and this has driven his price up. Indeed, the Englishman is wanted by the Villans and could cost around £65m according to reports, should any club wish to sign him this summer.
The fee would shatter Villa’s record transfer, but there is no doubt Eze would be worth the price.
In the Premier League this season, the 26-year-old averaged 1.7 key passes and succeeded with two dribbles per game. Furthermore, he even created 12 big chances for the Eagles.
These statistics are comparable to Grealish’s from his final league season at Villa, and it suggests Eze has the ability to become their new attacking sensation.
Analyst Ben Mattinson lauded the midfielder as a “superstar” in April 2024. Fast-forward 12 months, and this sentiment certainly continues to ring true with the England international scoring 14 goals and supplying 11 assists during an outstanding season.
Couple that with the flashy and carefree nature that Grealish also exudes, and the Palace sensation with his extra end product certainly has the potential to eclipse what the current City star achieved in the Midlands.
The only stumbling block might be the fact that Eze wouldn’t be playing Champions League football should he move to Villa. If he does, however, there is no doubt that the London-born dynamo can lead Emery’s side to another campaign in Europe’s premier club competition.
The next few weeks could be interesting, to say the least.
Aston Villa eye move for £25m Martinez successor who's beaten them 6 times
Leeds United are currently preparing for their final match in the Championship, hopefully for a long time, against Plymouth Argyle at Home Park on Saturday.
The Whites can hit 100 points in the second tier for the first time in their history with a win against the Pilgrims this weekend, which will also confirm their position as champions of the division.
Daniel Farke’s side hammered Bristol City 4-0 last time out at Elland Road to set themselves up for a chance to hit a century of points in their final match.
Leeds will be beginning to think about how they will prepare for a season in the Premier League next term, as they aim to avoid an instant relegation back down to the Championship.
Leeds United manager DanielFarkecelebrates after the match
The official confirmation of Ipswich Town’s relegation from the top-flight last weekend means that all three newly-promoted sides have gone straight back down in the last two seasons, which illustrates the difficulty of the task ahead for the Whites.
Recruitment will need to be spot on from the club to give Farke and his staff the best possible chance of avoiding relegation, and signing loanee Manor Solomon could be one of the first bits of business on the agenda.
Why Leeds should consider signing Manor Solomon
The Israel international is currently on loan from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur until the end of the season, which means that the clash with Plymouth this weekend could be his last outing for the West Yorkshire outfit.
TEAMtalk recently reported that the Whites are planning to pursue a permanent deal for the former Fulham star, and that Spurs are open to cashing in on the winger in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Leeds may look to press ahead with a swoop for the 25-year-old dynamo because of his impressive form in the Championship this season, as he has displayed his quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals for the Whites.
The Spurs loanee has been particularly impressive in recent weeks, during the business end of the campaign, with a return of two goals and five assists in his last five matches in the second tier.
Appearances
38
xG
7.93
Goals
9
Big chances created
21
xA
9.08
Assists
12
As you can see in the table above, Solomon has been directly involved in 21 goals in 38 appearances in the Championship so far this season, which speaks to how influential he has been in the final third for Farke throughout the campaign.
This is why he could be an excellent addition to the squad ahead of promotion to the Premier League, as the Spurs loanee could be a difference-maker at the top end of the pitch.
Leeds lining up move for 33-goal star
Leeds, however, could land an even better signing than Solomon if they can win the race for their latest reported transfer target in the summer window.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to The Boot Room, Leeds United are one of a number of clubs lining up a move for Celtic winger Daizen Maeda to bolster their attacking options.
The report claims that Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Liverpool have been keeping tabs on the Japan international, who has scored 33 goals in all competitions this season.
Daizen Maeda
It also reveals that Aston Villa, Brentford, Leeds, Crystal Palace, and West Ham United are among the other Premier League clubs interested in a deal to sign the Celtic superstar in the summer transfer window.
The Boot Room adds that the Scottish Premiership sensation is set to be available for a fee in the region of £25m, which means that he will not come cheap, and Leeds must push to win the race for his services because he could be an even better signing than Solomon.
Why Daizen Maeda could be an even better signing than Manor Solomon
Both Maeda and Solomon are right-footed forwards who predominantly cut in from the left flank and attempt to impact matches with goals and assists on a regular basis.
The Celtic star has racked up a staggering 33 goals and 11 assists in 47 games in all competitions, including four goals in nine Champions League matches.
Solomon, on the other hand, has scored nine goals and provided 13 assists in 40 matches in all competitions for Leeds, which immediately suggests that Maeda could offer more consistent quality, particularly as a goalscorer, for the club next season.
It is not only their quality in possession that should be taken into account, however, as the Whites are going up to the Premier League knowing that the last six teams have come straight back down, which means that they will have to do plenty of defending and are likely to be on the back foot in plenty of matches.
With this in mind, the Celtic star could be an even better signing than Solomon because of the work that he puts in out of possession to be a positive for his side defensively, whether that be tracking back to help his full-back or in counter-pressing situations.
38
31
Tackles + interceptions per game
1.1
1.7
Dribbled past per game
0.6x
0.5x
Clearances per game
0.1
0.3
Aerial duel success rate
0%
40%
Aerial duels won per game
0.0
0.5
As you can see in the table above, Maeda offers more than the Leeds loanee from a defensive perspective, with more tackles, interceptions, and clearances made per game, whilst being dribbled past less often.
Maeda, who has been described as a “machine” by coaches, can also defend the back post when dropping in to help his full-back out, as shown by his aerial duels won, whereas Solomon struggles a lot in those situations.
Daizen Maeda
Therefore, Leeds could be better of pursuing a deal for the Celtic star, despite there also being a lot of reasons why Solomon could be a great addition, because of his potential to offer more than the Spurs loanee both in and out of possession in the Premier League next season.
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