تحدث محمود عبد الرازق شيكابالا، لاعب نادي الزمالك السابق، عن تشكيل منتخب مصر في مباراة بوركينا فاسو، التي تقام بينهما اليوم الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات تصفيات كأس العالم.
ويلتقي منتخب مصر مع بوركينا فاسو، في إطار الجولة الثامنة من عمر مباريات المجموعة الأولى لمنافسات التصفيات الإفريقية المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم 2026.
وقال شيكابالا خلال تصريحات عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر 2”: “بهذا التشكيل الذي اختاره حسام حسن أعطى انطباعًا أن المنتخب لم يذهب لكي نفوز، لأنه يدفع بتشكيل دفاعي أكثر”.
طالع | محمد بركات: تشكيل منتخب مصر أمام بوركينا فاسو مفاجأة.. وحسام حسن يؤمن نفسه
وأضاف: “أحمد عيد لا يجيد التحول الهجومي بشكل جيد، لو كان حسام حسن يريد أن يلعب على التحولات فكان الأفضل أن يلعب بـ زيزو لاعب الأهلي كجناح”.
وأكمل: “الشق الهجومي، على الورق ليس متماسكا، على أرض الملعب لا أعرف ماذا سيحدث، كنت أرى أن تواجد مصطفى محمد أفضل، مروان عطية وكوكا لا يستطيعان أن يرسلا كرات طولية لصلاح ومرموش”.
وأتم: “مصطفى محمد كان لا بد أن يتواجد خاصة أنه يسير بشكل جيد مع فريقه، حسام حسن لم يُفضل ذلك ولكن نتمنى له التوفيق”.
ويتصدر منتخب مصر حاليًا ترتيب المجموعة الأولى من تصفيات كأس العالم، برصيد 19 نقطة، بعد مرور 7 جولات، فاز في 6 وتعادل في لقاء.
Trent Rockets slip to third straight defeat after under-powered batting effort
ECB Media03-Aug-2024
Sarah Bryce gets low to sweep during her match-winning innings•ECB via Getty Images
Welsh Fire made it three wins from four in the Hundred as they beat Trent Rockets – who have now lost three in a row – in a controlled chase with two balls to spare.Rockets skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt won the toss and opted to bat but lost both openers to their first ball: Bryony Smith played on against the impressive Freya Davies, and Grace Scrivens also chopped on facing Beth Langston.The Rockets’ powerful and dependable middle order of Sciver-Brunt and Ash Gardner went some way to repairing the damage after Natalie Wrath had hit a 24-ball 28. They were 33 for 2 after the 25-ball Powerplay, and 60 for 3 at the halfway mark.But when Sciver-Brunt overbalanced against Jess Jonassen and was stumped for a predictably excellent 37 from 26, Welsh Fire were right on top. Gardner and Heather Graham were able to press the accelerator to an extent, but a total of 130 seemed under par, with all of the Fire bowlers proving tricky to get away, Davies excellent up top and Aussie Jonassen picking up two wickets with her ever-accurate left-arm spin.Fire also lost two early wickets, Sophia Dunkley brilliantly caught by Kirstie Gordon and Tammy Beaumont lbw to England colleague Sciver-Brunt to provoke a few jitters on the bench.But West Indian superstar Hayley Matthews and Scottish keeper Sarah Bryce rebuilt, taking the score up to 49 from 33 balls before Sciver-Brunt repeated her lbw trick to get rid of the dangerous Matthews.From there Jonassen and Bryce kept the required run-rate in check in, putting on 38, and Georgia Elwiss took over once Jonassen was out, adding a further 44 with the impressive Bryce, who ended up with an unbeaten 51 from 39 balls.”We knew if we just built partnerships together, there were runs out there, with big pockets where you could run hard, and I think we did that really well,” Bryce said. “Jess is a great runner. They say winning is a habit and we have had some tight games when different people have stood up at different times and I think as a team that is really exciting.”
Liverpool are now looking to sign an attacking superstar who has been likened to Florian Wirtz to replace Luis Diaz in the summer transfer window, according to a fresh claim.
Diaz linked with Liverpool summer exit
The future of Diaz has been a big talking point at Anfield in recent months, with the 28-year-old not exactly committing his future to the Reds, hinting that “negotiations” have taken place over an exit.
“We’re there, negotiating. We’ll see what can happen, for us and for the club. We’ll try to do our best and make the best decision. We’re in the process of negotiations, talking with the club, with Liverpool, with everyone who’s approaching us. But I’m very calm where I am, you know, very happy. Trying to make the best decision, now.”
Bayern Munich appear to be the front-runners to snap up Diaz before the summer transfer window reaches its conclusion, but it remains to be seen what his decision will be, with Liverpool reportedly not willing to hand him a contract extension.
If the Colombia international does move on, a top-quality replacement will need to be found by Liverpool, with Lyon’s Malick Fofana one player who has been mentioned as an option, as well as Newcastle United ace Anthony Gordon, who was backed up come in last year.
Liverpool express interest in Real Madrid's Rodrygo
According to AS, Liverpool have expressed an interest in signing Real Madrid superstar Rodrygo to replace Diaz this summer, should the Colombian leave Anfield.
The 24-year-old Madrid ace is valued at as much as £112m by the La Liga giants, which is almost as much as the £116m the Reds paid Bayer Leverkusen for Wirtz, who he has been compared to as a player by FBref.
Rodrygo is arguably one of the world’s best wide attacking players currently, so the idea of him in a Liverpool shirt is a mouthwatering prospect.
The Brazil international has enjoyed a hugely successful spell with Madrid, winning three La Liga titles and two Champions League crowns, among other trophies, while Carlo Ancelotti has lauded him in the past.
“He is a special striker, he can play in all positions. He is fast, smart and effective one on one. The learning is over. He is a Real Madrid player for all purposes.”
In reality, though, Liverpool’s chances of signing Rodrygo appear to be unlikely, given the amount of money they would have to pay for him, having already spent a record-breaking amount on Wirtz.
Slot's next Wirtz: Liverpool in contact to sign "the new Haaland" for £78m
Liverpool are planning to sign a new striker in the summer transfer market.
ByAngus Sinclair Jul 14, 2025
While the Reds’ finances appear to be good this summer, being able to splash out the same amount again feels like a stretch too far, and there is also no guarantee that Diaz will depart.
لطالما كان ليفربول يملك بعضاً من أفضل المواهب في التاريخ لكن الجدل لم يتوقف أبداً بين نجوم الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز الآخرين حول من الأفضل.
ويحب المشجعون والخبراء مقارنة لاعبي ليفربول بلاعبين آخرين من تاريخ كرة القدم أو حتى مقارنتهم بلاعبين من نفس الحقبة التي كانوا يلعبون بها.
ومن المواضيع التي لطالما شغلت أوساط كرة القدم على مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي، أفضل لاعب في الدوري الإنجليزي بين محمد صلاح وإدين هازارد.
وبدأ هازارد مسيرته مع تشيلسي عام 2012 بينما بدأ محمد صلاح مسيرته في ملعب أنفيلد بعد ست سنوات وترك بصمة فورية في النادي.
ويعد ميكيل دامسجارد لاعب برينتفورد الحالي ومنتخب الدنمارك هو أحد أولئك اللاعبين الذين تم وضعهم في اختيار بين الثنائي في فيديو نشرته رابطة اللاعبين المحترفين على “تيك توك”.
أقرأ أيضاً.. هامان: صفقات ليفربول الجديدة ستؤثر على عدد أهداف محمد صلاح هذا الموسم
ورغم صعوبة الاختيار إلا أن النجم الدنماركي اختار محمد صلاح وابتسم في تصريح نقلته “rousing the kop” :”أوه هذا حديث طويل في غرفة الملابس، لكنه محمد صلاح طول العمر”.
وأضاف :”من الصعب أن ننتقد صلاح لذلك ربما سأختاره، ولكن بالنسبة لي إدين هازارد لاعب جيد جداً ويفعل بعض الأشياء التي لا تراها دائماً في الإحصائيات لكنني أختار محمد صلاح”.
He and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who scored 77, added 196 for the seventh wicket, as visitors posted 565
Vishal Dikshit24-Aug-2024
Mushfiqur Rahim completed his 11th Test century•Associated Press
Mushfiqur Rahim turned the tables on Pakistan on a hot and humid fourth day in Rawalpindi with an innings of 191 by being a figure of patience, and exhibiting controlled aggression and compact technique. His 11th Test hundred was also his first against Pakistan in the format.Mushfiqur’s two century partnerships poured water on any hopes the hosts had of taking a first-innings lead at the start of the day. Riding on his knock, Bangladesh first took a sizeable lead of 117 runs by putting up 565, and then adding to Pakistan’s jitters by dismissing Saim Ayub late in the day, with the hosts still trailing by 94 runs with three sessions left in the game.Bangladesh’s opening bowlers Shoriful Islam and Hasan Mahmud swung the ball beautifully in the ten overs Pakistan had to see through. They drew multiple edges out of which only one carried, beat the edges of the bat consistently, and bowled stifling lines to create several tense moments for Pakistan to concede only 23 runs.Mushfiqur’s century partnership with Litton Das didn’t last long on Saturday, and when he added another hundred with No. 8 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, it made Bangladesh only the second team with two century partnerships after the fall of the fifth wicket in a Test innings against Pakistan. Mehidy gave Mushfiqur company in a massive stand of 196 runs for the seventh wicket with his seventh Test half-century – and only his second outside Bangladesh – which first loosened Pakistan’s grip on the game, and then strengthened their own by taking a lead after lunch.Bangladesh were 316 for 5 and trailing by 132 at the start of the day, which will make Pakistan rue the chances they put down to allow a wicketless second session. Seeing that there was nothing in the pitch for the bowlers, and that Pakistan were without any frontline spinner, the visitors changed gears after a slow first hour.The only time Mushfiqur came close to getting dismissed in the first session was when Mohammad Ali trapped him in front, on 59, but a review overturned the on-field decision. Ali jagged one sharply into Mushfiqur with the help of movement off the pitch to hit him in front of leg stump. Mushfiqur, however, reviewed with success, with ball-tracking showing the ball missing leg stump. Bangladesh had started the day with all three reviews intact while Pakistan had none left in the bank.Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored 77•AFP/Getty Images
Once Litton edged one behind off Naseem Shah’s short delivery outside off which he failed to get on top of, Mushfiqur hit the pedal – especially against the spinners. Soon after Mehidy, whose technique wasn’t as compact as Mushfiqur’s in the first session, collected fours in consecutive overs off Khurram Shahzad, Mushfiqur raced from 73 to 100 in just 20 balls. He punished Shahzad for two more fours in an over – a deft steer through gully, and a punch through the covers – before also driving Shaheen Shah Afridi straight for four in the next over, to reach 88.With Bangladesh chipping away at the deficit and Pakistan desperate for wickets, Masood brought on spin from both ends with 12 minutes left for lunch, and Mushfiqur cashed in. He smote Ayub for back-to-back fours, first against the turn over midwicket and then to the long-on boundary to reach 96, and in the next over nudged one to the leg side for two to spark off animated celebrations for his hundred.In the second session, the temperature had crossed 35 degrees Celsius, Pakistan had bowled over 100 overs already, and it was going to take something extraordinary to take the remaining four wickets quickly. Mehidy looked a lot more assured after lunch, while Mushfiqur continued to play the ball late and right under his eyes to collect runs. Ali soon resorted to a short-ball plan for Mehidy by placing six fielders on the leg side, but his wayward lines failed to create opportunities, and Pakistan moved away from that tactic a bit too soon.The scant Pakistan crowd at the ground thought Mushfiqur, on 126, was finally gone when he nudged a ball from Agha Salman to square leg, but the ball actually fell just short of Saud Shakeel. Mushfiqur wasn’t deterred though; he then lofted Salman over Shakeel two balls later to bring up the century stand as Bangladesh soon took the lead, and when he reached 140, Mushfiqur had overtaken Tamim Iqbal as Bangladesh’s top-scorer in away Tests.The real chance of dismissing Mushfiqur came after he reached 150, when he tickled the ball down leg where Babar Azam put down a catch at leg slip to his left. Mehidy, meanwhile, moved along to his half-century, and in the last over before tea, Mushfiqur smacked Salman for four over extra cover and then almost for a six to the long-on boundary to further stamp Bangladesh’s authority on the day.Once Mushfiqur fell in the last session by edging Ali behind just before the third new ball was taken, Shoriful gave his side the kind of attacking and late lift Afridi had given Pakistan, with 22 runs off 14 balls, while Afridi took two of the last three wickets with the new ball to help Pakistan take 4 for 37 and wrap Bangladesh’s lower order up.Among the Pakistan bowlers, Salman toiled the most by bowling a spell of 24 overs, split by the tea break, which saw 16 overs on the trot in the second session.
Manchester United continued their pre-season preparations for the 2025/26 campaign with a 2-1 win over Premier League rivals West Ham United in America on Saturday night.
Bruno Fernandes scored both of the team’s goals in a narrow win over the Hammers, scoring from the spot in the first half before delivering a fantastic finish in the second.
There was another outing for new signing Matheus Cunha, who played the opening 66 minutes of the game, but Bryan Mbeumo was not ready to don the shirt for the first time.
Whilst fans have had the chance to watch last season’s team, along with Cunha, ramp up their preparations to improve on last year’s dismal showing, there are a number of players who have not been part of the travelling party.
Wolverhampton Wanderers'MatheusCunha
Ruben Amorim decided to leave several players at home for this tour and the Premier League summer series, as the club are looking to move on from them this summer.
One of the players in the ‘bomb squad’ is Brazilian forward Antony, who spent the second half of last season on loan with Real Betis in Spain.
Why Man Utd should sell Antony
It simply has not worked out for the left-footed dud in England and it appears to be the right time to allow him to move on from Old Trafford on a permanent basis, after a successful loan spell.
United reportedly agreed an £85m deal with Ajax to sign Antony in the summer of 2022 to bolster Erik ten Hag’s options at the top end of the pitch, but he has only mustered up 12 goals and five assists in 96 appearances for the club to date.
The 25-year-old star has not offered enough in the final third to suggest that he has much of a future in English football, rarely scoring or creating goals in his three years in Manchester so far, which is why it could be the right move to cash in on him this summer.
It could also be a smart time to cash in on the winger because he is fresh off the back of a successful loan spell with Real Betis, which shows that he does have the quality to make an impact in other leagues in Europe.
Antony (24/25)
LaLiga
Conference League
Appearances
17
9
xG
2.87
1.41
Goals
5
4
Big chances created
8
5
Key passes per game
2.2
1.1
Assists
2
3
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the former Ajax star caught the eye with nine goals and 13 ‘big chances’ created in 26 appearances for the Spanish side, which may help United to attract interest from other clubs this summer.
Whilst it remains to be seen where Antony will end up by the conclusion of the summer transfer window, there is an even bigger United flop closing in on a move away.
Man Utd flop agrees personal terms on exit
According to the print edition of Corriere dello Sport (26/07/2025), as relayed by Tutto Mercato Web, Jadon Sancho has agreed personal terms with Italian giants Juventus.
The report claims that the England international, who is not part of the club’s pre-season tour, has verbally agreed to a five-year contract with the Old Lady, which would see him earn around £5.2m-per-season.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It states that Sancho is aware that his race is run at Manchester United and he is willing to drop his wage demands from the £8.7m-per-season he is said to earn at Old Trafford in order to seal a move to Italy.
However, the sticking point is currently the transfer fee. United want a fee of around £22m for the former Borussia Dortmund star, whilst Juventus are currently offering up to £17m.
Chelsea's JadonSanchocelebrates scoring their first goal
This is a move that appears to be heading in the right direction, though, given that he has already agreed personal terms, which means that flop could be closing in on an exit from Old Trafford.
Why Sancho is even worse than Antony
Cashing in on Sancho would be a great move for United because he has flopped in Manchester and is currently even worse than Antony as a wide option.
The English forward joined from Borussia Dortmund for a fee of £73m in the summer of 2021 and has scored 12 goals in all competitions for the Red Devils in the subsequent four years, which is as many as Antony has scored for the club in three years.
Sancho was not a part of Ten Hag’s plans at the start of last season and the Dutchman sent him out on loan to Chelsea for the 2025/26 campaign, but he struggled to offer consistent quality for the Blues.
24/25 season
Antony (Real Betis)
Sancho (Chelsea)
Appearances
26
42
xG
4.28
2.60
Goals
9
5
Big chances created
13
11
Assists
5
8
Games per goal/assist
1.85
3.23
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Sancho only averaged a goal or an assist every 3.23 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea last term, as Antony outperformed him during his five-month spell with Real Betis.
These statistics show that the Brazilian winger was far more effective during his loan spell away from Old Trafford, as he scored more goals and created more ‘big chances’ in 16 fewer appearances.
As Jamie Redknapp said in the clip above, Sancho simply does not do enough in the final third to produce goals and assists to help his team win matches.
The 25-year-old flop has scored 12 goals in four years at United and only managed five goals in 42 games on loan at Chelsea, which backs up the pundit’s point about his lack of output at the top end of the pitch.
Another Cunha & Mbeumo: £100m "monster" now wants to join Man Utd
Manchester United could have the chance to bring in another ‘proven’ Premier League talent…
ByRobbie Walls Jul 26, 2025
Therefore, United should be delighted that Sancho has agreed personal terms with Juventus and is now closing in on an exit, with the finer details of the transfer fee just to be ironed out, because he is even worse than Antony, and possibly a bigger flop despite a smaller fee.
Yorkshire’s fourth win in five matches moves them up to second with two rounds to go
ECB Reporters Network11-Sep-2024
George Hill took his second five-wicket haul of his career•PA Photos/Getty Images
Yorkshire moved a step closer to securing promotion after completing a three-day victory over Leicestershire in Division Two of the Vitality County Championship despite more time lost to the weather.Leicestershire, who had trailed by 281 on first innings after being dismissed for 98, were bowled out for 209 second time around as all-rounder George Hill played the starring role.The 23-year-old seamer took the last half-dozen wickets to fall for season’s best figures of 6 for 59, handing Yorkshire a fourth win in five matches by an innings and 72 runs, the last wicket falling just as dark clouds were threatening to cause a fourth stoppage in a disrupted day.The win lifts Yorkshire to second place in the table, where they will find themselves with two games left if Middlesex fail to beat Gloucestershire at Lord’s.All-rounder Rehan Ahmed celebrated his England recall with an aggressive but well-crafted 77 from 86 balls but India star Ajinkya Rahane could make only 32 and, with top-scorer Peter Handscomb having returned to Australia for his own domestic season, Leicestershire were unable to force Yorkshire to bat a second time.After more than half of day two was lost to the weather, rain restricted the opening session of day three to 14 overs, during which Leicestershire, who had been 35 for 2 overnight, advanced to 90 for 3, still 191 runs away from making Yorkshire bat again.Yorkshire’s pace spearhead of Coad and Fisher were eager to build on their work of the two days before, having shared eight wickets as Leicestershire were shot out for 98 on day one, which Fisher followed up by picking up both second-innings wickets to fall before rain set in on Tuesday.Coad’s celebrations were cut short in the fifth over of the morning when his appeal for caught behind against Ajinkya Rahane was turned down and it was Fisher who drew first blood on the day as Lewis Hill was caught low down at second slip in the next over.Two boundaries in Fisher’s next over gave immediate notice of Rehan Ahmed’s intended approach to his side’s predicament. He was dropped at first slip on 13 off Jordan Thompson shortly before the first of the day’s stoppages but looked in good touch nonetheless and he and Rahane, fresh from his first century for Leicestershire last week, had added 50 in as many minutes – 38 from Ahmed – when the England player crashed Coad square on the off-side for his seventh boundary.Ahmed lofted Coad somewhat imperiously over long-on for six and brought up his personal half-century from 47 balls, but if the division’s current leading wicket-taker was beginning to suffer any frustrations, they were abated in an instant when Rahane bottom-edged him into his own stumps, a major breakthrough regardless of Ahmed’s impact at the other end. At 131 for 4, Leicestershire were still 150 in arrears.Yet in the event, it was Hill who delivered the decisive spell of the day after replacing Fisher in the attack just before Rahane’s dismissal.In the space of six overs before tea, the 23-year-old found enough movement to remove Louis Kimber and Ben Cox leg before and, crucially, Ahmed, responding to belted back down the ground for six by finding the outside edge, Adam Lyth taking the catch at second slip.Hill’s spell continued after the interval and soon accounted for Tom Scriven, also leg before, before clipping Scott Currie’s off stump with another fine delivery past the outside edge, the wicket giving him the second five-wicket haul of his career after his 6 for 26 against Lancashire at Old Trafford in 2022.After 33 overs already lost on the day, Yorkshire were looking upwards anxiously as dark clouds rolled in from the west but Hill spared his teammates the prospect of coming back tomorrow as last man Chris Wright skied one into the offside field and Fisher ran round from mid-off to take the catch at just before 4:40pm.
ونجح اندرو روبرتسون أن يفتتح التسجيل لصالح ليفربول في الدقيقة الرابعة بعد تسديدة من محمد صلاح، قبل أن يعزز المصري بالهدف الثاني بمجهود فردي رائع.
وبحسب شبكة “4 3 3” العالمية فقد وصل محمد صلاح للمساهمة رقم 65 في دوري أبطال أوروبا، حيث سجل 48 هدفا وصنع 17 أسيست.
أقرأ أيضاً.. فيديو | محمد صلاح يسجل هدف ليفربول الثاني أمام أتلتيكو مدريد
وأصبح محمد صلاح نجم ليفربول اللاعب الوحيد في تاريخ دوري أبطال أوروبا الذي يسجل ويساهم في صناعة هدف في أول 6 مباريات لفريق إنجليزي، وأكثر لاعب يسجل ويصنع في مباراة واحدة في دوري أبطال أوروبا منذ موسم 2017-2018 متجاوزاً ميسي ومبابي.
وأصبح محمد صلاح أول لاعب في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز يساهم بشكل مباشر في 45 هدفا في جميع المسابقات عام 2025، حيث سجل 17 هدفا وصنع 8 تمريرات حاسمة.
وأصبح صلاح كذلك ثالث لاعب يسجل ويصنع تمريرة حاسمة خلال الدقائق الست الأولى من مباراة في دوري أبطال أوروبا بعد بومباردا وكريم بنزيما.
وأحرز محمد صلاح هدفه الثامن والأربعين في دوري أبطال أوروبا لينضم إلى زلاتان إبراهيموفيتش وأندريه شيفتشينكو، وهناك عشرة لاعبين فقط سجلوا أكثر منه.
وتخطى محمد صلاح الهداف الفرنسي السابق تييري هنري في قائمة هدافي دوري أبطال أوروبا، ليصبح صلاح عاشر أفضل هداف في تاريخ دوري أبطال أوروبا.
ونجح محمد صلاح أن يسجل ويصنع في نفس المباراة خلال 54 مباراة مع ليفربول في جميع المسابقات، ويعد ستيفن جيرارد أقرب لاعب له برصيد 27 مباراة.
This time last summer, Manchester United fans were understandably excited after they clinched the signing of highly-rated striker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna.
The Dutchman joined the Red Devils in a £34m transfer, hoping to transform the club’s fortunes within the final third and subsequently take the club to the next level.
However, the club’s ambitions for a new talisman this window highlight the lack of impact the 24-year-old has achieved during his first year at Old Trafford.
Zirkzee, Dalot, De Ligt
He only managed seven goals in his 49 outings, but only three of his efforts came in the Premier League, ultimately failing to match the excitement generated by his arrival.
Numerous players have been linked throughout the ongoing window, which has seen Ruben Amorim personally making moves to land a new forward ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
The latest in United’s hunt for a new striker this summer
Ollie Watkins has been a name constantly mentioned with a summer switch to Old Trafford, but a move may be on the back burner, with other options currently being pursued.
The England international still remains as an option, but remains lower down the list, unsurprisingly so given his current £60m asking price.
Aston Villa's OllieWatkinscelebrates
Another name has subsequently been thrown into the mix, with Stuttgart talisman Nick Woltemade emerging as a potential option, according to The Sun’s latest update.
They claim that the Red Devils are currently facing a battle for the 23-year-old, who scored 17 goals across all competitions for the German outfit last summer.
The article also states that Newcastle United are also considering a move for the 6 foot 6 forward, who is valued at £40m, after his proposed transfer to Bayern Munich hit a stumbling block.
Why United’s latest target would be another Zirkzee
Benjamin Sesko is another player who’s been firmly in United’s sights this window, leading to reports claiming that the RB Leipzig striker is currently the hierarchy’s main target.
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskocelebrates
Such interest in his services is understandable given his record in the Bundesliga, with the youngster managing to score the most goals of any U21 striker in Europe last season.
His tally of 21 goals would undoubtedly hand Amorim the clinical option he’s been lacking since his appointment, but they may face an uphill battle for his signature.
Newcastle are another side constantly matching the Red Devils in the race for his signature, with both clubs trying to work out a deal for the forward who’s valued at around £78m.
Given the current asking price, other options may be pushed back up their current shortlist, leading to a potential deal for Woltemade, who is available at nearly half the price.
Man Utd strikers
Interestingly, he possesses a very similar skill set to that of current first-team member Zirkzee. The pair are both towering assets at 6 foot 6 and 6 foot 4, respectively, while they are also very skilful, something which may come as a surprise given their towering frame.
Indeed, Zirkzee’s former Bologna boss Thiago Motta has previously likened him to Ronaldinho due to his prowess on the ball, while Woltemade has been compared to both Lionel Messi and Jamal Musiala for his dribbling ability.
The 23-year-old can also operate as a striker or in a slightly deeper role, whilst also having experience in Germany’s top division, just as the Dutchman possesses, given his previous spell at Bayern Munich.
However, there’s no denying that Sesko will remain the fanbase’s number one choice, but Woltemade would be just as exciting an addition, offering a cheaper alternative, but a just as impactful option based on the stats they produced last campaign.
The Stuttgart ace, who’s been labelled “unstoppable” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, posted a higher goal per shot on target rate, whilst achieving a better goal and assist per 90 rate – undoubtedly offering more of a clinical edge to the United side.
How Woltemade & Sesko compare in the Bundesliga (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)
Woltemade
Sesko
Games played
28
33
Goals & assists
14
18
Goals & assists per 90
0.78
0.68
Shot-on-target accuracy
50%
43%
Goals per shot on target
0.4
0.3
Pass accuracy
71%
67%
Key passes made
2.1
0.7
Passes into the opposition box
1.3
0.3
Take-ons completed
1.7
1.4
Carries into the opposition box
1.2
0.5
Aerials won
2.7
2.6
Stats via FBref
He also completed more key passes per 90, more of which made their way into the opposition’s penalty area, subsequently handing Amorim’s side another creative option in their hunt for added success.
Woltemade’s talents are further highlighted in his higher tally of take-ons completed, whilst winning more aerial battles per 90, which would make him the perfect all-round outlet in the final third.
Stuttgart's Nick Woltemade
Given the interest from elsewhere, Amorim’s side will have to act quickly to avoid missing out on the talented youngster’s signature – especially to a divisional rival.
Despite the huge interest in Sesko, the hierarchy desperately need to put such a move on the back burner and prioritise a summer deal for the U21 Euro top scorer.
Bad news for Onana: Man Utd make contact for "incredible" star after Sesko
Manchester United are making huge moves in the transfer market this summer.
The PCB has adopted a more rigid stance on its hosting of the tournament, ruling out a hybrid model format
Osman Samiuddin10-Nov-2024
The BCCI informed the ICC this week of the decision of the Indian government to not allow India to travel to Pakistan.•Getty Images
The PCB is seeking advice from the Pakistan government on how to proceed with its hosting of the Champions Trophy, after the BCCI made clear it will not send India to Pakistan for the tournament in February.The BCCI informed the ICC this week of the decision of the Indian government to not allow India to travel to Pakistan. That decision was formally conveyed by the ICC to the PCB on Friday, who have now gone to their government for next steps.”The ICC emailed the PCB informing them about the inability of the BCCI to send its team to Pakistan,” a PCB spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo. “No reason was given. There is nothing in writing we have received from the BCCI. The PCB has apprised the federal government of the situation.”Related
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The PCB has adopted a more rigid stance on its hosting of the tournament – the first ICC event in the country since 1996 – with the board chairman Mohsin Naqvi ruling out a hybrid host model very clearly on Friday. Such a model, used in the 2023 Asia Cup which Pakistan hosted, would see India play its games outside of Pakistan and all non-India games in Pakistan.Given that Naqvi is Pakistan’s interior minister, that stance can be taken as representative of the government’s in this case. An official familiar with the situation said the Pakistan government will consider directing the PCB to stand firm, reject the hybrid model and insist the entire tournament is held in Pakistan. That would be a directive the PCB would be in no position to ignore in much the way the BCCI is unable to act against its own government’s directive.It leaves the ICC, with 100 days to go to the start of the Champions Trophy, in an especially difficult situation with simmering political issues between its two leading Full Members threatening to spill over – unsurprising given that Naqvi’s BCCI counterpart, Jay Shah, is the son of Naqvi’s counterpart in the Indian government, the home minister Amit Shah. The situation will not become any simpler when Shah takes over as the ICC chair, on December 1.The India-Pakistan rivalry is the marquee match in all global events, and organisers have long made sure they face each other at least once in every tournament since the 2013 Champions Trophy. It is regularly the match that draws the most eyeballs. But indications within this PCB administration are that their government might not allow Pakistan to travel to India for future ICC events – the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup is the next such event. On Friday, Naqvi had warned that “gestures” Pakistan had made in the past might not be repeated: he was referring to Pakistan traveling to India for the men’s ODI World Cup in 2023, right after India had refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup.Last month, the ECB chief executive Richard Gould made clear how important India and Pakistan both were to ICC events and the global cricket ecosystem. “If you play the Champions Trophy without India, or Pakistan, the broadcast rights aren’t there, and we need to protect them,” he said, on a visit to Pakistan during England’s Test series in the country.An event in Lahore this week to launch the schedule and start the 100-day countdown has been postponed in light of the developments. Instead, the PCB is expected to push the ICC this week to secure in writing from the BCCI the reason for its decision and on what specific grounds the Indian government is preventing its team from traveling. The ICC has been contacted for comment.As of now, the eight-team event is due to be played between February 19 and March 9, across Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi. Stadiums at all three venues have been undergoing renovation and upgradation to different degrees in order to be ready for the event. Pakistan are the defending champions, having won the event in 2017.