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Chelsea are looking to cash in on midfield talisman N’Golo Kante in order to balance the books in this transfer window.

Frank Lampard has seemingly identified a future without the France international in his squad and is looking for suitors to come in for his services. Inter Milan are highly interested in Kante but Chelsea’s asking price could prove to be too high for them to meet.

That’s according to Tuttosport (via Sport Witness), who have also linked Premier League rivals Manchester United with a move for the 29-year-old.

The Blues have firmly stated that a loan move will not be considered and are demanding a fee of €60m (£54.3m) in order to let Kante leave in this window.

With the recent signing of Kai Havertz and the likes of Mason Mount cementing his place in Lampard’s starting XI, the battle for minutes in Chelsea’s midfield is getting tougher.

Despite helping Chelsea to win the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League, Kante’s time in west London appears to be coming to a close.

The Frenchman made just 22 league appearances last season due to several injuries sidelining him throughout the campaign. Four separate injuries kept him out of the squad at various intervals, with a hamstring problem seeing him miss the final five games of 2019/20 (via Transfermarkt).

Manchester United are reportedly ready to match Kante’s £54.3m price tag and can do so comfortably, according to the report. However, no official moves have been made as of yet.

Do you think Chelsea are right to sell N’Golo Kante? Have your say in the comments below…

يلتقي فريق الأهلي مع الحرس الوطني بطل النيجر، اليوم السبت، في إطار منافسات دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

الأهلي يواجه الحرس الوطني، ضمن إياب دور الـ32 من عمر المسابقة القارية، وذلك على ملعب الأهلي وي السلام.

ويحتاج الأهلي إلى الفوز بأي نتيجة أو التعادل السلبي لضمان الوصول إلى دور مجموعات دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

طالع | مباشر بالفيديو | مباراة الأهلي والحرس الوطني في دوري أبطال إفريقيا موعد مباراة الأهلي والحرس الوطني اليوم

تقام مباراة الأهلي والحرس الوطني، في تمام الساعة السادسة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، والسابعة بتوقيت السعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة الأهلي والحرس الوطني في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

تذاع مباراة الأهلي والحرس الوطني، عبر قناة أون تايم سبورت 1.

يمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنا.

Chelsea are currently head and shoulders above all of their Premier League rivals in the current transfer window.

The Blues mean serious business going into the new season as they currently boast a mammoth six new senior signings. They arguably have four marquee recruits after splashing the cash on the likes of Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell and Kai Havertz.

Their fourth major signing comes in the form of Brazilian icon Thiago Silva, who left Paris Saint-Germain on a free contract in search of pastures new.

A recent report from The Telegraph has brought to light some of the behind-the-scenes work that went into the 35-year-old’s move to Stamford Bridge.

Brazil and former PSG teammate Neymar reportedly nudged Silva in the direction of Chelsea after warning him that he would regret not taking up the offer. The £115.2m-valued forward was one of the players from whom the Brazilian sought advice before deciding on the move to Frank Lampard’s side.

Silva has played in both the French and Italian top tiers but the chance of joining a Premier League side is a huge opportunity. Similarly to Neymar, former Blues player Willian also encouraged the veteran to pursue the move to west London.

Silva signed a two-year deal with Chelsea and could even see his career out under Lampard. He could well be the focal point of the Englishman’s defence this season as the Blues look to challenge in the Premier League title race.

What do you think of this update, Blues? Join the conversation in the comments below!

According to Football.London journalist Alasdair Gold, Ryan Sessegnon could make a breakthrough into the first-team at Tottenham before the end of this season.

What did he say?

The England youth international has had a rocky start to his career at Spurs, with various injury problems restricting him to just 12 appearances across all competitions – in total, he has only played 341 minutes of Premier League football.

Whilst Sessegnon has been a peripheral figure this season, Gold has insisted that Lilywhites boss Jose Mourinho remains a big fan of the former Fulham ace, and that should their chances of finishing in the top five go, he could be one of the main beneficiaries.

He said: “Mourinho likes him and wanted him at United. For now it’s about building him up & working on his defensive skills. Mourinho told me he sees him as a terrific future left-back, with similar traits to Ashley Cole, but he’s not ready yet. It’s telling that he looks to have bulked up during lockdown which will aid his development. I’d be surprised if he’s loaned out a year after being bought for £30m.

“Same with (Oliver) Skipp, I think if top 5 chances go then you’ll see a lot of the younger players given chances to stake their claim for a more regular spot. He’s had a tough season with injury and he’s still got a lot of work to do. He’s got such a high ceiling though.”

Opportunity

After drawing against Manchester United and beating West Ham, Spurs are firmly in the race for Champions League football next season. With Manchester City’s place in the competition under threat, a fifth-placed finish may well be enough this season, and currently, Mourinho’s side lie just four points behind that spot.

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If the Lilywhites somehow collapse over these coming games, then Sessegnon may well be given the chance to shine towards the last couple of weeks of the campaign. But with there being so much to play for, it’s difficult to see how Mourinho would be confident enough in throwing a young starlet who has barely played into the deep end.

Sessegnon’s time is likely to come next season rather than this as Gold suggests.

تحدث حسين لبيب رئيس اللجنة المُكلفة بإدراة نادي الزمالك، عن آخر تطورات تجديد عقد أشرف بن شرقي لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم.

وقال لبيب في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قضائية “النهار”: “بكل صراحة بن شرقي من أفضل اللاعبين وهو لاعب مؤثر في نادي الزمالك ويهمنا أن يجدد لـ3 مواسم قادمة، وأهم شيء أننا لم نقصر في حق النادي”.

وأردف: “بن شرقي اتفقنا معه على كل شيء، تتبقى نقطة واحدة أن اللاعب يريد أن يضع شرطا جزائيا ضعيفا جدا وانا مستحيل أن أوقع عليه، ونحن لن نقبل هذا لنادي الزمالك، ولكن ليس معنى ذلك أننا نفرط فيه”.

وأكمل: “ولكن نحن نريد اللاعب ولكن لن نفعل شيئا ضد الزمالك، (احنا مش بتوع شو ولا مناظر) لكي نعقد صفقات ونضع الزمالك في أزمات بعد ذلك، وأرجو أن يكون الجمهور على علم بأن هذه اللجنة لم تترك ملف إلا وعملنا فيه”.

طالع أيضًا.. حسين لبيب: أفكر في إلغاء احتفالية الزمالك.. ستحدث مشكلة كبيرة

وأوضح: “كل شخص في اللجنة يحاول حل مشاكل الأعضاء، وعمل نظم مختلفة لدفع الاشتراكات، ونُقابل بأن هناك أشخاص يقولون للأعضاء لا تدفعوا حتى تفشل اللجنة، أنتم لا تفشلون اللجنة أنتم تسقطون الزمالك”.

وأضاف: “(ليه بندغدغ في رموزنا مثل فاروق جعفر، وهناك أندية أخرى مبتصدق تلاقي رمز عشان تكبره إحنا ليه بنصغر نفسنا)، وتتم مهاجمة حسين السيد، هذا ما يحدث فينا.. يجب وزن ما يخرج من أفواه البعض، هل نحن قصرنا في حق الزمالك؟”.

وأردف: “هل يُعقل أن يُقال أن اللاعبين منزعجين بعد الفوز بالدوري! كل هذا موجه ضد الزمالك”.

هل تنزعج من اللاعبين الذين يتحدثون عن مشكلة في السوشيال ميديا؟ أجاب: “لا ولا توجد لائحة تمنع ذلك، وحتى لو هناك لائحة تنص على عدم الحديث عبر السوشيال ميديا لن أعمل بها، لأن من حق كل واحد أن يتحدث، ولكن الأهم أن يكون الحديث وجها لوجه ونستمع لوجهات النظر”.

وتطرق للحديث عن شيكابالا وحازم إمام، قائلا: “لم يخطئا ولكن تم استثارتهما للغضب، ونحن تقدمنا بالاستئناف ضد العقوبات التي وقعت عليهما ونحن نسير وفقا للوائح والقوانين”.

وأختتم: “نحن نعرف عملنا جيدًا ولكن بالأصول والأدب والاحترام، نحن لن نترك حق الزمالك، هل إيقاف شيكابالا 8 أشهر تريد به اعتزال قائد الزمالك مجبرًا؟!، هو لم يُخطئ ولو عوقب فيجب أن يُعاقب الجميع”.

Paul Robinson has urged Troy Parrott to stay at Tottenham Hotspur and learn from fellow striker Harry Kane, in an exclusive with Football Insider. 

After arriving at Spurs from Belvedere FC for an undisclosed fee in July 2017, Parrott is spending his second season with the Lilywhites. He has bagged 6 goals and produced 1 assist in just 4 games in the UEFA Youth League, but despite injuries to both Kane and Son Heung-min, the teenager is yet to make a start all season.

In fact, Jose Mourinho’s side have been playing without a recognised striker since February. 

However, Robinson stressed the 18-year-old should remain in London to capitalise on any opportunities that may come his way throughout the course of next season. 

Speaking to Dylan Childs, the veteran goalkeeper said: “If the club thinks sending him out on loan will benefit him, he would certainly command a loan to a Premier League side or a top Championship side.

“At Spurs, there is the potential for him to play cup games. Being in and around the squad he can learn from Harry Kane.  Subconsciously you pick up all of his traits, his habits, and his finishing if you work with him in training. You mould yourself without even knowing it.

“It is important to get football but with injuries and suspensions, he might get two or three games and score a bagful. We saw it with Rashford. Football is all about timing. If he is out on loan they cannot recall him.”

All things considered, it is difficult to disagree with the former England international here. 

Understandably, given his track record, lots of supporters have been begging for Parrott to get the chance to prove himself, and crowds all around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium rose to their feet when he came on in extra-time in the FA Cup fifth-round defeat to Norwich City. Although the youngster didn’t lack the courage to take a spot-kick in the penalty shootout, sadly his attempt on goal was saved (BBC).   

It is fair to say his teammate Harry Kane is quite a dead-ball-specialist, having buried 37 penalties and only missed 7 in all competitions in his career so far.

While it would be easy to ship the starlet out to a lower league, if Parrott does stay in the English capital, not only will he be able to pick up finishing tips and tricks from the England captain during first-team training, he will become more ingrained with the Tottenham backroom staff and therefore develop a greater understanding of Mourinho’s methodology.

In contrast, he would potentially have to start all over again once he returned to his parent club after a loan spell with another side.  

The Irishman signed a new contract earlier this year, and it remains to be seen whether or not he will heed Robinson’s advice, or head out on loan in the coming months. 

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Name: Michael Obafemi

Club: Southampton

Date of Birth: 6 July 2000

Position: Centre-forward/Winger (Right)/Second-striker

Michael Obafemi – his career so far

Michael Obafemi is now already a fully-fledged senior team member at Southampton and given his pedigree and success at youth level, that statement doesn’t really come as a big surprise at this point. But the Irish centre-forward is not exactly a product of the Saints’ academy but has had quite a colourful path towards it.

Before joining Southampton’s own development squads, Obafemi spent some time in revered academies at Chelsea, Arsenal and even Watford as he progressed through the ranks, impressing the right people and turning some heads along the way as well. Still, he would have one more stop after all those spells before he could join his current team.

The now 19-year-old talent played for Leyton Orient for a while before he was scouted and scooped up by the Saints in the summer of 2016, first joining up their U18 squad in the U18 Premier League and FA Youth Cup during the 2016/17 campaign.

But he was quick to impress his new club as well and the following season brought more success his way with Obafemi splitting his time between the U18 and U23 squads and even getting his first senior team exposure as well.

As a whole, however, the now 19-year-old centre-forward would tally a total of 32 appearances for Southampton’s U18s, scoring 15 goals and assisting further two and then recording 21 appearances for the U23s with eight goals and five assists under his belt in the process as well.

Needless to say, his stay in the academy and the development squads was quite successful and was rewarded with his professional debut as a substitute in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in January 2018, aged just 17 years and 199 days.

Since then, he’s made a total of 27 senior team appearances, scoring four goals and assisting two on the side as well. Interestingly enough, his first goal meant he would become the club’s youngest scorer in the Premier League to date, at 18 years and 169 days old.

Even though he’s already reached the heights of the first-team squad, there is more to come from this talented young centre-forward.

Transfer latest

At the moment, there don’t seem to be any transfer rumours or transfer news surrounding Obafemi and the young player is likely to stay at Southampton at least for the time being. Seeing how his contract is still valid until 2022, the 19-year-old could be looking to impress even further once football finally resumes.

Of course, with the summer transfer window rapidly approaching, no one is really exempt from transfer rumours but so far, it’s been quiet on that front in regards to Southampton news on possible exits from the club.

But that should be a blessing for the Saints since Obafemi certainly has a lot more to offer in the near future and they should do what they can to ensure he stays at St. Mary’s Stadium.

Player profile

Obafemi is clearly far from a finished product but he’s been showing glimpses of his brilliance throughout the stay at Southampton. The youngster’s natural fitness is certainly what immediately catches the eye and his raw pace, agility and strength are definitely one of the highlights of his player profile.

Despite not having a very big frame, the Irish striker has the power to engage and win duels but will mostly use his acceleration to blaze past defenders and get into favourable positions. While he also has a great mentality, the technical side of his player profile could still be improved.

He is decent on the ball but is still far away from a modern striker who regularly links up with his teammates and supports the build-up phase of their attack. But seeing how he’s only 19, there is still time for him to polish some of the traits and keep progressing even further.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Southampton defender Jan Bednarek was in top form for Poland over the weekend.

On the chalkboard

The Saints have endured a tricky start to the 2019/20 campaign, winning just two games in the Premier League and lying 19th, three points off safety.

The centre-back has played in every single top-flight game; Southampton have conceded 29 goals, more than any other club in the league.

Nevertheless, Bednarek played 90 minutes as his country beat Israel 2-1 in a Euro 2020 qualifier.

Per SofaScore, he made a total of three clearances, blocked two shots, made four interceptions and won two tackles; he was never dribbled past.

Bednarek had a total of 65 touches throughout the game, won four ground duels and was also fouled once.

This was a remarkably stoic performance from a player who has struggled throughout the campaign and Saints fans will be hoping it can be replicated this weekend.

Not a bad defender

Southampton have a very good centre-back on their hands but, of course, they are conceding goals and have the leakiest defence in the league.

Against Israel – not the best opposition possible, but still, one can only play the team in front of them – Bednarek, who is valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt, turned in an all-action performance.

He can step out of defence to win the ball, put his body on the line, and is good at reading the game too.

All he needs is a bit of confidence and Southampton will have to hope that this game has helped with that.

Clearly, there is a player in there who can help shore up the Saints’ defence, provided he can repeat this showing week in, week out.

They play Arsenal at the Emirates this weekend; it remains to be seen if Bednarek can build on this promising performance.

انتصر فريق المصري على نظيره أسوان، بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدفين، في المباراة المثيرة التي أقيمت مساء اليوم الأربعاء، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

المصري واجه أسوان، على ملعب استاد الإسكندرية، في إطار مواجهات الأسبوع الـ20.

وتقدم المصري في الدقيقة الأولى عن طريق عمر كمال عبد الواحد، بعدما تلقى تمريرة طويلة مرسلة من أحمد رفعت من وسط الملعب، إلى داخل منطقة الجزاء ليستلمها بهدوء ويسددها في مرمى عمر رضوان حارس أسوان.

وفي الدقيقة 39 من عمر الشوط الأول، تعادل محمد جابر لاعب أسوان لفريقه، من رأسيه رائعة استقبلها من عرضية من الجانب الأيسر عن طريق عمر الحلواني.

وعاد المصري للتقدم مرة آخرى في الدقيقة 51، عن طريق أحمد جمعة، الذي تابع الكرة المرتدة من يد حارس أسوان، ليسددها في المرمى.

أسوان لم يتأخر كثير في الرد، وأحرز الهدف الثاني والتعادل في الدقيقة 54، عن طريق محمد أسامة الذي استلم كرة من داخل منطقة الجزاء، وراوغ مدافعي المصري وسدد الكرة في مرمي حارس الفريق البورسعيدي.

وسجل المصري هدف الفوز والحسم في الدقيقة 66، بعد مرور رائع من عمر كمال لاعب المصري لمدافعي المصري، وإرسال كرة عرضية لـ أوستن أموتو مهاجم الفريق البورسعيدي المتواجد خالياً من الرقابة أمام المرمي، ليضعها برأسيه في الشباك.

وبهذا الفوز يرتفع رصيد المصري إلى النقطة 32 محتلاً المركز الثالث، مُزيحاً بيراميدز إلى المركز الرابع بـ31، في حين يأتي أسوان في المركز الخامس عشر برصيد 20 نقطة. شاهد أهداف المصري وأسوان

Leeds’ striker position has been the topic of a number of debates ever since this season started.

Eddie Nketiah continues to perform, and Patrick Bamford continues to fluff his lines in front of goal.

The Whites only managed to pick up a draw against Preston North End on Tuesday evening, but they could have very easily won it if Bamford had his shooting boots on.

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His poor finishing was the exclamation point on what was an all-round poor evening for the former Middlesbrough man, and a look at his stats after the game shows just how bad he was.

The main point of concern is obviously Bamford’s inability to hit the target with his shots.

Six efforts came and went from the 26-year-old, yet the goalkeeper wasn’t tested by any of them.

Check out the real life version of FIFA 20’s Volta Football in the video below…

It’s not as if these were potshots from 30 or 40 yards either, these were efforts that many strikers in the Championship would have a great chance of scoring from.

This isn’t a new phenomenon either as it’s now eight matches since Bamford found the net.

However, there is always the argument that his game is about so much more than just goals, but we didn’t get to see that at Deepdale.

The striker was barely involved in the game having just 26 touches, and he made just one key pass – the least out of any of the Whites’ outfield players barring Leeds’ two centre-backs. Therefore, it’s not just his finishing let him down.

While there is great value in having Eddie Nketiah on the bench and bringing him on for Bamford late on, if the 26-year-old is going to perform like this when he does start it may be time for Bielsa to start looking at some different options upfront.