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Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has admitted that discussions are already underway in regards to the Hoops’ planning for the January transfer window, as reported by the Daily Record.

The Lowdown: Busy summer…

The 56-year-old worked closely with CEO Dominic McKay during the summer window, bringing in 12 new players to Parkhead.

Three of those came on deadline day in Jota, Giorgos Giakoumakis and Cameron Carter-Vickers, with a number of players also heading out the door.

McKay has also now left his position due to personal reasons, with Michael Nicholson in interim charge, and plans are already in place to bring in more new faces in the New Year.

The Latest: Postecoglou’s comments

Postecoglou was talking to the media, as relayed by the Daily Record, ahead of Sunday’s clash with Aberdeen and spoke about the next transfer window.

He revealed that he would once again look into the market in Japan, describing it as a ‘good time’ due to the J1 League’s end season, saying:

“We know the areas we need to bolster. It’s about getting more players that I believe can play the type of football we want to play.

“There is a mentality attached to that. It’s about the type of personalities who are going to be brave and really ambitious.

“That’s what we’re trying to target. We will definitely be adding something to the squad.

“Japan is one of the markets we’ll be looking at. Obviously I know it really well and they will get to the end of their season, which is a good time if there’s anyone who will fit into our set-up.”

Postecoglou then went on to label the summer window as ‘frantic’ in a possible swipe at former CEO McKay, before revealing that discussions are underway for the winter market.

“We will be looking everywhere. The last window was frantic. This time we want to be planning well in advance.

“We’ve identified targets and begun discussions before we get to January so that we can conclude deals a lot quicker than we did in the previous window.”

The Verdict: Good news

With Celtic yet to replace McKay on a permanent basis, some supporters may have been worrying that plans for new recruitments in 2022 were on the back burner.

However, that is not the case, as confirmed by Postecoglou, and it seems as if he is working with Nicholson in regards to bolstering the squad.

Another shrewd signing similar to Kyogo Furuhashi from the J1 League would be ideal, so hopefully Postecoglou and the Hoops hierarchy can work their magic. At least they appear to be more organised about it now than they were during a “frantic” summer.

In other news: News Celtic and Ange could do without emerges regarding Furuhashi. 

Mohammad Ashraful has said Bangladesh’s main objective is to qualify for the Super Eights

Cricinfo staff31-May-2009Mohammad Ashraful has said Bangladesh’s main objective is to qualify for the Super Eights of the World Twenty20 which begins on June 5. They play their first game on June 6 against India, the current champions, whom they famously beat in the 2007 World Cup.”In this form of the game any side can beat the other,” Ashraful told reporters at Lord’s. “We defeated the West Indies in the last World T20 in South Africa and progressed to the Super Eight. Our main goal is to repeat that and if we beat India, who are the world champions, in the first match then we will fancy our chances of doing well against the top sides and making the semi-finals even.”Barring the upset win over West Indies in the last World Twenty20, Bangladesh had a disappointing tournament, losing their other four games by fairly convincing margins. However, Ashraful, who had a poor run himself, averaging 17.40 in five games, was confident of putting up a better show this time. “We have come here one week early, had three games against New Zealand, Holland and Scotland and the boys have done well,” he said. “We are confident and there are two tough games against Australia tomorrow and Sri Lanka the day after. So that’s a nice build-up to the main tournament.”One of the Bangladesh players who has impressed in the warm-ups has been the seamer, Rubel Hossain. He returned figures of 4 for 19 against Holland, and 5 for 16 against Scotland. “He has taken nine wickets in two matches and is bowling really well. He has an awkward action and has bit of extra pace,” Ashraful said of Rubel.He also backed his deputy Mashrafe Mortaza to come good after a disappointing solitary game in the IPL, where he conceded 58 runs in four overs for Kolkata Knight Riders, including 27 in the decisive final over of the contest. “It was only in the last over that he did badly. Otherwise I thought he was okay. But I know he’ll be back. He is that type of a player. He always does well against India.”Ireland is the other team that Bangladesh must face in the group stage, and having lost to them at the 2007 World Cup they might have reason to be cautious. But Ashfraful was confident of averting a repeat. “I think if we play our best cricket then we should not have a problem against Ireland because we have more quality in the side.”Bangladesh take on Australia in their next warm-up game on Monday.

West Ham star Michail Antonio has been announced as the Premier League’s Player of the Month for August.

And, as to be expected, a number of Hammers fans were quick to flock to the update on social media.

Antonio beat teammate Said Benrahma, Chelsea left-back Marcos Alonso, Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier, Everton winger Demarai Gray and Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood to win the award.

The £70,000-a-week forward has been in fine form in the opening three games of the campaign, scoring four times and registering three assists.

The 31-year-old managed to both score and provide an assist in all three games against Newcastle, Leicester and Crystal Palace respectively, and his impressive displays have earned him a second Premier League Player of the Month award in as many seasons.

Antonio also became West Ham’s all-time Premier League goalscorer last month and reached 50 top-flight goals for the Hammers with his goal against Palace.

Hammers fans react

West Ham shared the news regarding Antonio on their official Twitter page on Friday morning. This is what these Hammers fans had to say in reply, with many delighted.

“LETS GOOOOO”

Credit: @Vlasic_Szn

“We are massive”

Credit: @jasperhowlett03

“FULLY deserved, so happy. my number 9”

Credit: @BenChillingwor2

“Get in!”

Credit: @nickonion

“MY GOAT”

Credit: @lengwesthamfan

“Absolute standout choice. Fully deserved. His influence on the team goes way beyond the things measured by the core stats – 4 goals & 3 assists – it’s the work rate, the chasing balls, closing defenders, running channels. He makes us tick ”

Credit: @damienlucas

In other news: Many West Ham fans love what Rice did to Spurs and Chelsea fans. 

MatériaMais Notícias

O capitão do Inter Andrés D’alessandro concedeu entrevista coletiva na tarde desta quinta-feira. Forte e direto, o camisa 10 garantiu que o elenco está comprometido em tirara equipe dessa fase ruim que vive na Série B. D’ale chegou a dizer, cem citar nomes, que quem não estava comprometido já deixou o clube.

– Está todo mundo comprometido. Teve várias situações de jogadores que saíram neste ano. Várias situações, que fique claro. Quem não estava comprometido, saiu. Quem não quis ficar para essa situação de jogar a Série B, saiu – afirmou.

Ainda, segundo o meia, tiveram casos de jogadores que deixaram o clube por sentirem a pressão da torcida.

– Foram diferentes situações. Situações que sentiram que tinha que sair porque o individual era complicado aqui. Outros que decidiram sair por questão pessoal. Quem está aqui está querendo reverter a situação – complementou.

Depois, o jogador admitiu que o Inter está devendo na competição. Para ele, o clube deveria ter mais quatro ou cinco pontos, mas que não mereceu conquistá-los.

– Claro que o torcedor acharia que estaríamos a essa altura no G4 com folga. A gente achava que iria estar no G4, mas não com folga. A situação que podemos nos cobrar é não estar no G4, ter uns quatro ou cinco pontos a mais. Temos consciência de que não merecemos ter esses pontos a mais – reconheceu.

Para o jogo de sábado, contra o Criciúma, D’alessandro confirmou que a equipe entrará em campo com a obrigação de vencer para subir na tabela.

– Sabemos que estamos devendo. Está faltando algo para entrar no G4 e não sair. Fora de casa temos jogado bem, sido inteligentes em alguns jogos, mas dentro não. Está todo mundo comprometido para conseguir esse resultado dentro de casa. Estamos procurando isso. Tem que ser agora. Não adianta jogar bem e não ganhar. Nós temos que ganhar sábado – completou o camisa 10.

Internacional e Criciúma se enfrentam neste sábado, às 16h30, no Beira Rio. O Colorado está atualmente na quinta posição na tabela da Série B, com 17 pontos, dois a menos que o quarto colocado, Vila Nova e cinco a menos que o líder, Guarani.

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A new season of the EFL Championship presents new opportunities for either promotion and happiness or relegation and heartbreak. Coming off the back of Fulham’s fall from grace back into the Championship and Brentford’s overdue return to top-flight football, everyone’s wondering what the story of the 2021/2022 campaign will be. Will there be late drama? Will the promoted teams win by a landslide?Betting on the Premier League is one thing, but as teams spend more money on superstars, it almost becomes a given with regards toÂwhich teams will performÂwell. There hasn’t been an underdog story since Leicester’s run in the 2015/2016 season. The Championship draws its fair share of drama,Âas the seasons often pair with intense promotion and relegation battles, and showcase players whose previously unheard of or underappreciated talent shocks the nation.This year, theÂChampionship bettingÂcurrently has Fulham and West Brom withÂodds of 8/13Âand 4/6, respectively, to be promoted. However, bettors can’t ignore the start teams like Coventry City have had so far in this campaign. The 2021/22 Championship betting tipsÂpromisingly have Coventry priced at 12/5 for a top-six finish.

The Perfect Start

When theÂfailed Super LeagueÂwas announced, football fans were enraged. Not only was it a money-grabber, but the entire premise would have removed a crucial element of the game that fans love:Âthe romance.

There’s something special aboutÂunderdog stories, which is probably why the nation came together after Brentford’s shock win against Arsenal in August; as the Championship season kicks off, it looks like we could potentiallyÂhave another underdog story on our hands.

Coventry City, notorious for being slowÂin previous campaigns, has started the 2021/2022 season better than expected, with four wins out of their first six games.ÂOf course, it’s still early, and the run may not last. However, it’s evident the Sky Blues underdogs have clicked this season as established players like Jamie Allen and their summer signings such as Todd Kane and Simon Moore are all contributing.

New Players Making A Mark

Moore, especially, could prove vital to the success of Coventry City this season. After moving from Sheffield United, the 31-year-old goalkeeper has impressed City fans with his performances, particularly after his heroics in his sides’ 2-0 win against Middlesborough on September 11th. Moore was commanding in goal and pulled off an unbelievable triple save that earned him a spot in the EFL Championship Team of the Week.

There’s no doubt Moore has played a massive role in Coventry’s encouraging start to the season. Having a goalkeeper that’s both commanding and focused is crucial, especially when facing strikers like Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has odds of 2/1 to be the top goalscorer this season.

There will always be favourites amongst bettors and the 2021/2022 Championship season is no different. Justifiably, eyes are on Fulham and West Brom, two teams who were in the Premier League in the 2020/2021 season. As we saw with Norwich’s return this year, the teams that go down are often the ones that bounce back up. However, the Championship season has demonstrated that nothing is a guarantee and based on Coventry’s performance so far, there are more reasons to fear them than belittle them.

Liverpool supporters have been starved of excitement throughout the current transfer window, with Ibrahima Konate the only arrival so far, but that could change before the August 31st deadline.

What’s the story?

According to the Liverpool Echo, the Reds have West Ham United winger Jarrod Bowen on their watchlist, although it remains to be seen if they’ll make a move for him this summer.

The departure of Xherdan Shaqiri has freed up funds for Jurgen Klopp and director of football Michael Edwards, but the report claims that any incoming may hinge on Divock Origi also departing Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp will love it

Last season was a hugely underwhelming affair for Klopp’s charges. The Anfield outfit surrendered their Premier League crown without a fight, slipping to third in the top-flight standings, ending the season a whopping 17 points behind champions Manchester City.

As a result, the German tactician is thought to be in the market for at least one attacking target before the summer window closes.

The normally dependable duo of Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino suffered a severe drop-off in form in 2020/21, scoring 11 and nine goals respectively in the league, while Shaqiri and Origi failed to adequately replace them.

It’s led to Klopp attempting to make significant alterations to his options in the final third of the pitch, although his limited budget has left him playing the waiting game.

However, now Shaqiri has been snapped up by Lyon, and with Origi appearing to be getting nudges towards the Anfield exit door, a move for Bowen could be on the cards.

The 24-year-old impressed in the Championship after rising through the ranks at boyhood club Hull City, scored double figures in consecutive years for the Tigers as they toiled in the second-tier of English football.

And although he’s struggled to replicate the same form in front of goal at the London Stadium, scoring nine goals and providing 10 assists in 55 appearances for the Hammers, Bowen’s overall play has seemingly impressed Liverpool.

His unquestionable work rate, stamina and ability with the ball at his feet make him a good fit for Klopp’s unique gegenpressing style, meaning the former Borussia Dortmund boss would surely love to be able to call upon his services.

It remains to be seen whether Liverpool do make a formal offer for Bowen, but his proposed arrival has the potential to have the same impact that Diogo Jota’s had just 12 months ago.

And, in other news…Heir to Shaqiri: LFC eye move for “special” £19.8m-rated wizard, Klopp will love him

Crystal Palace confirmed seven new squad numbers ahead of the new season on Thursday.

One of which involved Eberechi Eze, and a number of Eagles supporters shared their positive thoughts about the change on the back of his shirt on social media.

Eze, who remains sidelined after rupturing his Achilles back in May, wore the number 25 shirt last season.

However, after Andros Townsend’s deal expired earlier in the summer, the club have now confirmed that the £37,000-a-week ace will inherit his number ten jersey.

There are also new numbers for Tyrick Mitchell (three) and Vicente Guaita (13), whereas new signings Marc Guehi (six), Michael Olise (seven), Joachim Andersen (16) and Conor Gallagher (23) were also assigned numbers.

However, it was Eze’s switch that got plenty of Palace fans talking on Thursday.

Palace fans react

The club posted the news on all seven players on their official Twitter page. This is what these Eagles supporters had to say regarding Eze’s change in number.

“AHHHHH EZE 10″Credit: @SWPalace”EZE 10 yesssss”Credit: @WestgateElliot”Eze 10. Glorious.”Credit: @ohjoewalker”Eze10 we moveee”Credit: @cpfcbailey”YESSSS EZE 10″Credit: @KB_EAGLES”Best number 10 in the league”Credit: @20SterlingDual

In other news: ‘Wow’, ‘Oh boy’ – Lots of Palace fans go wild as ‘massive’ news is confirmed. 

ينتظر تشافي هيرنانديز المدير الفني لبرشلونة، 5 أزمات مع انطلاقة فترة التحضيرات للفريق الكتالوني.

ويبدأ برشلونة فترته التحضيرية بداية من 4 يوليو المقبل، استعدادًا للموسم الجديد 2022-2023.

في 4 يوليو، سيعود برشلونة إلى التدريبات وسيلتقي تشافي بفريق يشبه بشكل أساسي ما تركه في نهاية العام السابق والذي سيُضاف إليه 5 لاعبين معارين من نادي برشلونة.

في نهاية فترة الإعارة، يعود إلى برشلونة كل من فرانسيسكو ترينكاو، إيناكي بينيا، ميراليم بيانيتش، أليكس كولادو وراي ماناج.

سيكون البعض موضع ترحيب أكثر من الآخر، لكن الحقيقة هي أنهم يضيفون صعوبة إضافية لإعداد الفريق، بحسب صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية.

ترينكاو البالغ 22 عامًا، لديه عقد مع برشلونة حتى عام 2025، هذا الموسم لعب على سبيل الإعارة في ولفرهامبتون، الذي أرسل بدوره أداما تراوري إلى البارسا على سبيل الإعارة.

وصل فرانسيسكو من براجا مقابل 30 مليون يورو، وبعد عام أول في كامب نو سجل ثلاثة أهداف وقدم تمريرات حاسمة في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، ولم يحسن سجلاته.

اقرأ أيضًا | برسالة نصية.. برناردو سيلفا يعرض نفسه على برشلونة

لعب ترينكاو 16 مباراة أساسيًا، سجل ثلاثة أهداف وصنع هدفًا واحدًا، ووضعه معقد، ولفرهامبتون لا يريده ولن يدفع ثمنه، اللاعب يريد الذهاب إلى سبورتنج لشبونة بالبرتغال، لكن الأخير لا يملك المال لدفع الـ18 مليونًا التي طلبها برشلونة، وتشافي على استعداد لاختباره في فترة ما قبل الموسم.

أما حارس المرمى إيناكي بينا، صاحب الـ23 عامًا في انتظار قرار نيتو بالتنافس مع تير شتيجن، وينتهي عقده العام المقبل، وقد لعب هذا الموسم مع جالطة سراي التركي على سبيل الإعارة، وترك انطباعًا جيدًا للغاية.

لدرجة أنه حتى لويس إنريكي فكر في استدعائه للمنتخب الإسباني، ويتحدث جميع مدربي كرة القدم الشباب بشكل رائع عنه، ومع ذلك، يستمر نيتو في قطع طريقه إلى الفريق الأول.

أما ميراليم بيانيتش، قضية معقدة، ربما الأكثر تعقيدًا من حيث الرياضة والكفاءة الاقتصادية، يبلغ عمر البوسني 32 عامًا ولديه عقد مع برشلونة حتى عام 2024.

وصل قبل موسمين مقابل 60 مليونًا من يوفنتوس، لذا فإن عدم الاستفادة منه شبه مستحيل، هذا الموسم لعب على سبيل الإعارة في نادي بشيكتاش التركي، لكنه لم يجدد له.

يبدو أنه قريب من أولمبيك مرسيليا، لكن هذا الخيار تم إخماده، لديه سوق في إيطاليا، لكن لا أحد يستطيع الدفع، ويؤكد أنه يريد البقاء ولن يسهل الدخول في صفقات تبادلية.

وفيما يتعلق بأليكس كولادو، العودة متوقعة والوحيدة من بين كل المعارين الذين يتمتعون بمكان آمن في فريق تشافي.

في سن الـ 23 لعب لغرناطة، حيث كان لا جدال فيه مع مدربيه الثلاثة، 17 مباراة لعبها أساسيًا وسجل هدفين رغم الهبوط.

قام بتحسين لعبته بدون الكرة وبسبب الجودة فهو أكثر من كافٍ ليكون جزءًا من الفريق الأول.

وبشأن راي ماناج، إذا سارت الأمور وفقًا للخطة، سيتم نقل المهاجم الألباني قريبًا إلى ساليرنيتانا في الدوري الإيطالي، وإذا لم يكن الأمر كذلك، فإن إلتشي يريده بديلاً للوكاس بوييه.

وصل إلى برشلونة مقابل 700 ألف يورو والآن يطلب برشلونة ثلاثة ملايين مقابل انتقاله.

لعب هذا الموسم مع سبيزيا، حيث سجل خمسة أهداف في 30 مباراة، أراد الإيطاليون الاحتفاظ به، لكنهم لم يصلوا إلى المبلغ الذي يطلبه برشلونة.

Glasgow Rangers manager Steven Gerrard believes he should be allowed to name more substitutes in the Premiership rather than the seven currently permitted.

The Lowdown: Gers get off to winning start

The Gers were in fantastic form as they kicked off their Premiership campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Livingston.

The Ibrox outfit will now move on to the Champions League, where they face Malmo in the first leg of their third qualifying round.

The Latest: Gerrard wants rule change

Speaking after the victory, Gerrard suggested managers should be allowed to name more substitutes domestically. He told Rangers TV (via The Daily Record):

“It (having squad options) is a lovely problem, I want the squad to be as strong as we can and have good players in every position.

“Over the course of the season we’re hopefully going to play 60 games, if it’s a successful season.

“So everyone needs to be ready. It was tough today, leaving people out of the 18.

“I think the rule needs to change.

“I understand why it has to be three subs but I think it needs to be more options from the bench like it is in the Champions League.

“But I don’t make the rules around here.”

The Verdict: Easy to say

Of course, you can understand why Gerrard would want that. At Ibrox, he has a big squad and a lot of options to choose from – having more players on the bench will give him more flexibility and would keep more of his squad members happy.

However, other than perhaps Celtic, the rest of the sides in Scotland’s top tier do not have the squad size or depth that the Gers possess. Given only three players can be replaced during the course of a match, seven substitutes is already a big enough number to choose from.

In other news, Rangers fans were livid at this article.

The last time Graeme Smith toured England with the South African team, in 2003, he had only recently graduated from being a teenage star to the captain of the sid

Ken Borland24-Jun-2008
‘Hopefully I’m a lot more grown up now and we can go a step further’ © Getty Images
The last time Graeme Smith toured England with the South African team, in 2003, he had only recently graduated from being a teenage star to the captain of the side. And despite an amazing start to the series in which he scored double centuries in the first two Tests, England still managed to fight back and secure a 2-2 series draw.This time, Smith is a grizzled veteran of a captain, although still only 27, and is determined to play his cards right and ensure South Africa claim their first series win in England since 1965.”I have wonderful personal memories from that tour, but the team is a lot more settled now,” he said hours before leaving Johannesburg for England. “I put on a very strong outward persona, but there were a lot of nerves inside my stomach. Hopefully I’m a lot more grown up now and we can go a step further.”One potential ace up their sleeve for South Africa will be the presence of Shaun Pollock in England, who will be commentating on TV for the series, having also turned out for Durham in the Twenty20 Cup. Coach Mickey Arthur confirmed that a phone call had already been made to Smith’s predecessor as captain.”We’ve already chatted to Polly and he said he will be free to give us advice. We will bring him in and maybe he can help at a few net sessions,” Arthur said.Smith believes South Africa’s other ace is a bowling attack that will feature last season’s phenomenon, fast bowler Dale Steyn. “I think our attack as a whole has huge potential, the most variety we’ve had and they can adapt to any situation, but I’m not going to put too much pressure on any individuals,” Smith said.The other potential star of the series is also from South Africa – Kevin Pietersen, now heading England’s batting. His spats with Smith in the past have been well-publicised but this time he said there will be no off-the-field hostility from his side.”KP is the key batsman and obviously we will need to control him. But we don’t want to get involved in any personal antics. The best way to silence someone is by the cricket you play.”Smith said it was less clear what other cards England would bring to the table. “I think there are more tactical and selection worries for them,” he added. “They have to decide whether to play an extra batsman or Andrew Flintoff at number six, and I think Michael Vaughan will prefer to have five bowlers, which means they will be a batsman short and that could be a key tactical factor if we can get into their top-order and create some stress for their top four.”Few touring captains have made as dramatic an entry into England as Smith, who scored 277 at Edgbaston in the first Test of the 2003 series before following it with 259 at Lord’s, and he is confident he will have shaken off a hamstring tear by the time this series starts at Lord’s on July 10Smith picked up the injury in the semi-finals of the Indian Premier League, playing for the eventual winners Rajasthan Royals, but he said he had already begun fitness work to ensure he is not too much of a cart-horse in England.”So far, so good, I’ve started running, but there is a lot of hard work ahead. For four weeks I basically did nothing so I need to get some time back in the legs and body. But I’m aiming to be back for the Middlesex match [starting on July 4] and so far I’m on cue.”There is a steely determination about Smith and his team-mates that suggests a top-class contest awaits England.