In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Dean Windass has tipped Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish to walk into Manchester City’s starting line-up tomorrow.

The former Hull City and Middlesbrough striker believes Pep Guardiola’s Citizens, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur are the only clubs Grealish would leave the Villans for, as Manchester United would refuse to meet the asking price set by Villa’s owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.

Villa recently increased their valuation of Grealish to £100m and set a marker for any potential suitor to make the five-cap England international the most expensive British player in history, after he penned a new, five-year contract.

The 25-year-old has endured a troubled week after being banned from driving for nine months and fined more than £80,000 after pleading guilty to two motoring offences.

Windass would not hold the incidents against Grealish, and firmly believes Sawiris and Edens are well within their rights to demand a British record fee for the midfielder.

He told FFC:

“Yeah, in today’s market, forget about what he’s done off the field, we all make mistakes, I’ve been there and worn the t-shirt.

“But he’s a talent, local boy, he loves the club, he’s going to make mistakes he’s a young boy, he’s a young kid, and these young kids just need reminding every now and then.

“They’re on that much money now that the world is their oyster. Yeah, he’s been done drink driving, and now he’s paid the price, does it really hurt players nowadays that they’ve been done drink driving? You can afford to get a driver, it’s not as if they’ve got to get the bus.

“It’s wrong what he did, he’ll pay that price, and you’ve got to learn from it. We’ve all got learn from mistakes. I’ve been there. You learn from mistakes, and Dean [Smith]’s probably good for him, pull him to the side [and say] let your football do the talking and stop doing daft things off the field. But he’ll learn from that.

“But £100m, I think it was £80m before he signed his contract, he had an £80m clause in his contract. So £100m is a fair valuation now without a shadow of a doubt.

“He could go in Man City’s team tomorrow, and he’d be a good player. That’s the only teams he would go to, Liverpool or Man City or Tottenham. Manchester United would sign him tomorrow, but they won’t pay £100m.”

Grealish has been in outstanding form under Smith this season, providing five goals and six assists in 11 Premier League games ahead of the Birmingham-based outfit facing West Bromwich Albion on Sunday night.

Manchester United were linked with a potential move for the midfield maestro in the summer but baulked at Aston Villa’s £80m asking price, with Executive Vice-Chairman Ed Woodward adamant that the figure in question was unrealistic.

Any move by the Red Devils would now likely face competition from their Etihad Stadium neighbours, with Guardiola said to have discussed a move for the 25-year-old with Kevin de Bruyne after marking Grealish as his top target.

AND in other news, Sold for £1.5m, now a PL winner: MCFC made a big mistake selling “world class” leader…

مزح المدير ماسيمليانو أليجري حول عدد فرص التهديف الضائعة ليوفنتوس في الفوز 2-0 على جنوى، وشرح الخلاف على خط التماس مع لاعبه ألفارو موراتا والمشادة بينهما.

كان هذا هو الفوز الرابع ليوفنتوس في آخر خمس مباريات بالدوري الإيطالي، وبالتأكيد لم يفتقروا إلى فرص التهديف مع 27 تسديدة، بينها 12 على المرمى، لكن حارس مرمى جنوى سالفاتور سيريجو قدم أداءً بطوليًا.

وقال أليجري لـ”DAZN”: “أعتقد أننا أردنا تعزيز مكانتنا عندما يتعلق الأمر بتحويل النسبة المئوية لفرص التسجيل إلى أهداف! أعتقد أننا الأسوأ في الدوري الإيطالي، لذا أردنا دمج هذه الإحصائيات!”.

وأضاف: “لقد استمتعت بمشاهدة الفريق يلعب هذا المساء، كما فعلت في مباريات أخرى، حتى عندما خسرنا، لا يمكننا تحسين فعاليتنا إلا أمام المرمى، وهذا أمر مؤكد”.

كان هناك خلاف ومشادة بين أليجري وموراتا، الذي تم استبداله بعد بطاقة صفراء للاعتراض، ثم استمر في الجدال مع مدربه.

وأوضح أليجري: “لقد تلقى بطاقة صفراء وكان يواصل المجادلة، لذلك فضلت استبداله، إنه أمر مخيب للآمال، حيث لعب ألفارو بشكل جيد وكذلك فعل الفريق بأكمله”.

وعن خطته 4-3-2-1 في مباراة الليلة، أفاد مدرب يوفنتوس: “بنتانكور ولوكاتيلي يجلبان الجودة والكم، مانويل أكثر كفاءة ورودريجو أكثر كمًا، لكنه يتحسن في الطريقة التي يلعب بها الكرة، فقد اعتاد على التمريرات القصيرة، لكننا نحتاج إلى أن يكون الجميع جيدًا في التمريرات القصيرة والطويلة لتحريك المهاجمين”.

واستطرد بشأن هدف باولو ديبالا: “أعتقد أن العديد من أهداف ديبالا كانت وصوله إلى حافة منطقة الجزاء عندما يضعها المهاجم، هذه هي خصائصه”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. كوادرادو لحارس مرمى جنوى عن هدفه الرائع: سجلته بالخطأ

وأكمل: “الثلاثة خلف موراتا لديهم درجة معينة من الحرية، ربما أقل من كولوسيفسكي لأنه لا يريد العبور مع ديبالا، الشيء المهم هو أننا امتلكنا العقلية الصحيحة طوال 90 دقيقة”.

لا يزال يوفنتوس على بعد سبع نقاط من المراكز الأربعة الأولى، مع أتالانتا ونابولي وإنتر وميلان في المقدمة.

وعلّق أليجري: “في هذه اللحظة، نحن في المركز الخامس مع فيورنتينا، كان من المهم الفوز اليوم، الأربعة الأوائل يقومون بعمل جيد للغاية ويستحقون مراكزهم حاليًا، ولا أعرف ماذا سيحدث في نهاية الموسم إذا تغيرت الأمور”.

وأتم أليجري: “لدينا أهدافنا، في الدوري الإيطالي ودوري الأبطال وكأس إيطاليا، لذلك سنصل إلى هناك خطوة بخطوة، مباراة تلو الأخرى نركز عليها”. أهداف مباراة يوفنتوس وجنوى

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Dean Windass has delivered his verdict on a potential return to Leeds United for James Milner.

The midfielder started his career at Elland Road but hasn’t played for the Whites since 2004. After leaving Yorkshire behind, Milner has gone onto play for Newcastle, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Liverpool.

He is now a multiple Premier League winner and he’s also earned a Champions League winners medal for his troubles.

Milner has previously been asked whether he would return to the club he rose through the ranks of as a trainee and he didn’t rule it out in 2019, saying: “I’m a fan. I always follow the team and the results. So you can never say no or even yes because just so much changes in football, you never know what happens.”

Football FanCast questioned Windass about a potential return this week and he admitted that although it would be a good fit for the player, he’d probably struggle to get into the side.

He said: “I think that’d be a good fit for him. But I think with James, he’d still want to play. And if he went to Leeds he won’t play, he will be just like he is now at Liverpool – a squad player. James will want to go on and play for an extra two or three seasons.

“I played until I was 39/40 in the Premier League and I wasn’t as fit as James Milner. So I’m sure that he won’t be looking at 35 – when I was younger, at 35 you retire. You get your pension and that’s it, you’re done. You play now until you’re 36, 37 or 38 and I’m sure that James will look that way.”

The £140k-per-week Liverpool midfielder played 50 times for Leeds between 2002 and 2004, scoring five goals in the process.

He was part of the side that were relegated from the top-flight 17 years ago so a return to Elland Road would be a fairytale ending to his career.

Certainly, as far as heading back to somewhere he loves, it would be a positive move for the 35-year-old. However, given his age, it’s unlikely he’d have what it takes to thrive in Marcelo Bielsa’s system.

You only need to look at the minimal impact Pablo Hernandez has had at the age of 35 this term. He’s started just two Premier League games all season.

AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano hints at possible “opportunity” for Leeds, it would usurp Rodrigo deal…

According to an ‘interesting’ update by reliable transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, via Man City Xtra, Juventus are ‘in love’ with striker Gabriel Jesus but they are not negotiating with Man City or his agents – with the Sky Blues’ stance on selling him made abundantly clear.

Jesus, who signed for City back in 2017, has been tipped as Sergio Aguero’s heir at the Etihad Stadium – with the latter club legend now entering the twilight phase of his career as he slowly returns to full match fitness.

The Argentine has made brief cameos recently since his latest injury lay-off, with City now having to start planning ahead for life without the club’s all time top goal scorer.

Flocking to this Romano update, despite Txiki Begiristain and co not wishing to sell Jesus, many Man City fans have buzzed over Juve’s interest whilst begging the club to offload him.

As links to Erling Haaland grow stronger and stronger, it’s clear these supporters don’t see their current attacker as a man fit to replace Aguero.

Find all of their verdicts on the young Brazilian down below.

Man City fans buzz over Jesus news

In other news: Man City fans were left fuming by this update, find out more here.

Dean Windass, while speaking exclusively with Football FanCast, has urged Everton to sign Real Madrid dynamo Isco in the upcoming January transfer window.

The former Hull City and Middlesbrough striker believes Isco is the perfect blend for the side Carlo Ancelotti and Director of Football Marcel Brands are striving to build at Goodison Park.

Everton sit comfortably inside the Champions League places after 14 games having claimed a 2-1 win over Arsenal on Saturday, even without summer arrivals James Rodriguez and Allan taking to the field.

Ancelotti is thought to be targeting midfield upgrades in the mid-season market after deeming the engine room to be an area of concern, with reports touting Isco as a potential target.

That’s according to Spanish publication Sport, who claim the £18m-rated maestro’s situation at the Santiago Bernabeu is only getting worse after failing to convince head coach Zinedine Zidane to recall him to the side.

Madrid would like to get Isco’s £210,000-per-week contract off their books but will not allow him to leave for free as they did with Rodriguez, though Windass would urge Everton to strike a deal nonetheless.

He told FFC:

“He’d be Ancelotti’s sort of player. He’s had him before so yeah, great player.

“When was the last time you spoke about Everton bringing players like that into the club? That’s how much of an impact Ancelotti has made. Players want to play for managers like that.

“They probably need four or five players in January to sustain being at the top of the Premier League.”

Isco has started just three of his nine La Liga appearances this season ahead of Real Madrid facing Eibar on Sunday, and is thought to be coming to terms with his time in the Spanish capital nearing its end with Juventus, Sevilla, AC Milan, Everton and now Arsenal all considering moves.

No bids have yet been put to Los Blancos, while claims by Eurosport suggest it will take a very impressive offer for Isco to leave the Santiago Bernabeu as he may yet stay and fight for his Galacticos future.

Isco has rejected several potential exit routes in the past through his love of Real Madrid and desire to succeed with the club he joined from Malaga in 2013 during the same summer as Ancelotti was appointed head coach.

Just maybe Brands will listen to Windass’ demand.

AND in other news: “Huge blow” – Exclusive: Pundit reacts to major Everton setback…

Jake Vokins made his first Premier League appearance of the season against Arsenal on Tuesday night but was far from good enough defensively during his time on the pitch.

The Southampton academy ace was selected at left-back in the absence of Ryan Bertrand, who was suspended for the game against the Gunners.

Unfortunately for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, Stuart Armstrong’s early goal was as good as it got against their North London opposition as they fell to a 3-1 defeat at St Mary’s, with the Austrian criticising his team’s defending post-match.

Vokins was one of Southampton’s poorer performances on the night statistically, and was substituted just after the hour mark with Ibrahima Diallo moving to left-back to replace him.

As per SofaScore, the 20-year-old would earn a disappointing 6.1 match rating for his display, which was the joint-worst rating, with Yan Valery, of any outfield player on the pitch.

During his time on the pitch, the left-back would contribute no tackles or interceptions, and lost all three of his ground duels during the game, suggesting that the Saints really missed Bertrand against the Gunners – especially in defensive areas.

Vokins was very rarely involved, as he had just 23 touches, which was far fewer than the 43 touches goalkeeper Alex McCarthy had during the game.

Unfortunately for the academy ace, he would manage just 11 passes during the game, whereas opposition left-back and former Saints man Cedric would have 81 touches, and contributed 24 passes, showing his influence on proceedings.

The Saints defender struggled against Bukayo Saka, as he got past him for Arsenal’s second goal, with the Gunners ace picking up a 7.8 match rating, suggesting that he had the better of Vokins throughout his time on the pitch.

Fortunately for Hasenhuttl, Bertrand has now served his one-match ban, so will most likely be back for the game against Aston Villa at the weekend. However for Vokins this was perhaps evidence that he is not ready to be a starter in the Premier League just yet, as he clearly struggled against Mikel Arteta’s side on Tuesday night.

And, in other news… “What a player” – Exclusive: Pundit “surprised” that Hasenhuttl fave is still at Southampton

MatériaMais Notícias

Depois de ter de cancelar o treino no campo da última segunda-feira, o técnico Dorival Júnior ganhou um reforço nos trabalhos realizados na manhã desta terça, no CT Rei Pelé. Trata-se do atacante Paulinho, que esteve ausente da última partida por conta de febre.

Entretanto, o atacante, antes titular da equipe, viu o comandante santista apostar novamente em Patito Rodriguez como titular. O argentino, que substituiu Paulinho diante do Novorizontino, vem agradando a comissão técnica e ganhou a vaga no ataque santista.

A grande ausência do treinamento desta terça ficou por conta do centroavante e capitão da equipe, Ricardo Oliveira. O camisa 9 realizou o aquecimento e os trabalhos físicos com o restante do grupo, mas foi preservado do trabalho tático, sendo substituído pelo camaronês Joel.

Desta forma, Dorival Júnior ensaiou a equipe da seguinte maneira: Vanderlei; Victor Ferraz, Gustavo Henrique, Lucas Veríssimo e Zeca; Thiago Maia, Renato e Lucas Lima; Patito, Gabigol e Joel.

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A novidade entre os reservas foi a volta do lateral-direito Daniel Guedes, que está recuperado de uma tendinite na perna direita. Já David Braz e Paulo Ricardo ainda seguem tratando suas respectivas lesões e ainda não estão aptos.

O Santos volta a treinar na manhã desta quarta-feira, já de olho no clássico diante do Palmeiras, no sábado, no Allianz Parque, pela 5ª rodada do Paulistão.

كشف الجهاز الفني لمنتخب مصر بقيادة كارلوس كيروش، عن بدلاء الفراعنة في مباراته أمام الأردن المقرر إقامتها اليوم السبت.

منتخب مصر يلتقي مع الأردن، في إطار مواجهات دور ربع نهائي بطولة كأس العرب المقامة في قطر حتى 18 ديسمبر الجاري.

طالع | تشكيل مصر أمام الأردن في كأس العرب بدلاء مصر أمام الأردن

محمد صبحي، محمود جاد، مروان داوود، أحمد رفعت، مهند لاشين، محمد عبد المنعم، أسامة فيصل، محمد مجدي أفشة، محمد شريف.

ويتواجد خارج القائمة: أحمد حجازي – أيمن أشرف (إصابة)، أكرم توفيق (إيقاف).

يذكر أن الفائز من مباراة مصر والأردن سيلتقي مع منتخب تونس في دور نصف النهائي من كأس العرب.

All of a sudden, the positivity is rolling back to the green and white half of Glasgow.

The Hoops have now won four games on the bounce and amongst that, they took home the Scottish Cup following a win over Hearts.

Heading into a transfer window, the Hoops are building up ahead of steam nicely.

What’s the word?

Celtic can be under no illusions that they’re still having a disastrous season. Their victory against Hearts last weekend cannot mask that and in January, they need to address a number of issues.

That starts with their horrific defence, one that conceded a mammoth 19 goals in six Europa League games.

It’s no secret that the Bhoys could do with a new goalkeeper and they may have found their answer in someone already playing in Scotland.

That’s because according to The Daily Mail, Celtic are interested in signing Dundee United stopper Benjamin Siegrist.

The Swiss has been placed on their list of targets ahead of January and it is thought that they’ve already scouted the 28-year-old on a number of occasions.

Siegrist’s agent Dr Thomas Kraft said: “There is interest in him from clubs in the Bundesliga and the Dutch Eredivisie.

“Celtic have also scouted him several times, that is true. But today, at this moment, we have no official offer from Celtic. Will Benjamin leave Dundee United in January? It depends on the financial situation at United. You would have to ask the club, it’s difficult for me to say.”

Sign the thing

This would be a brilliant piece of shrewd business from Nick Hammond and Celtic.

The Hoops landed Vasilis Barkas for a haul of £5m in the summer but it’s hard to argue that he’s been a perfect signing. His succession of individual errors against AC Milan have summed up a torrid start to his Hoops career, one where he’s been dislodged by two different ‘keepers.

First, it was the turn of Scott Bain but he was again rather error-prone, proving to be a disaster when Celtic shipped four goals in Prague. On top of that, Conor Hazard has been inconsistent.

He kept the club’s first clean sheet since early November against Kilmarnock but was at fault in normal time during the Scottish cup final. Hazard did, of course, save two penalties in the shoot out but they could do with a more reliable senior goalkeeper.

In Siegrist, they’d have that. The Dundee United stopper has had an excellent campaign, keeping five clean sheets in the process. “Benjamin has had an extraordinary season and the last match against Hibernian he produced a high-level performance,” his agent told The Daily Mail.

It’s important to look at his colossal height of 6 foot 4 too, something that comes close to matching the frame of Fraser Forster. The Englishman was a goliath between the sticks last season and it’s clear Celtic are missing someone of his presence.

Siegrist could help to finally solve this void.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Celtic tipped to replace Lennon with manager who has 29.5% win rate…

Glasgow Rangers beat Premiership rivals Hibernian to go 19 points clear of arch-rivals Celtic at the top of the table with Neil Lennon’s side playing later on Saturday.

Ianis Hagi’s goal in the first half proved to be enough to extend their lead at the summit of the Scottish Premiership, although Hibs had their chances to bring the game level, but failed to stop Rangers from winning 12 games in a row.

The ball was worked to Kemar Roofe who carried it forwards and skipped away from Hibs defenders before Hagi finished off a fine team move to give the Gers a deserved lead.

And it was Hagi who ran the show as he outshone both Roofe and James Tavernier, having dragged a shot wide shortly before he found the back of the net.

The 22-year-old got himself on the scoresheet, but that was merely the icing on the cake in what was a masterful performance from the young Romania international.

As per SofaScore, Hagi received a high rating of 7.3 out of ten for his efforts – he won five out of his seven ground duels (71%), took three shots overall, including one shot on target, and was fouled twice, which suggests he was a real handful for Jack Ross’ Hibs.

He also took 50 touches of the ball, provided 27 out of his 33 passes (82%), completed one out of his two dribble attempts successfully and made two tackles and one interception as well.

Hagi, who earns wages worth £23,000-per-week at the Govan-based Glaswegian giants, has now scored three goals and supplied seven assists in the Premiership so far this season, via WhoScored, while he is averaging 2.1 shots and 1.3 key passes per game.

With Jordan Jones waiting in the wings after completing his seven-game ban for breaching COVID-19 regulations, Hagi will have handed Gerrard a huge selection headache with his dominant display during the win at home to Hibs as he ensured Rangers maintained their 100% domestic record at Ibrox this season.

He can’t ignore Hagi any longer after his latest showing, that’s for sure.

AND in other news, Ross Wilson must sanction Rangers swoop for Peterborough winger Dembele…