All posts by h716a5.icu

Pep Guardiola is already thinking about adding "more trophies" to the Manchester City cabinet after signing a fresh contract.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Guardiola extends his stay at EtihadHas signed a new two-year dealGeared up to win more trophies with CityFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Guardiola has reaffirmed his commitment to Manchester City by signing a new two-year contract, which will extend his tenure at the club to an impressive 11 seasons. The Spanish manager, who joined City in 2016, has overseen a period of unprecedented success, capturing six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, and a Champions League trophy. With the new deal in place, Guardiola has expressed his desire to keep building on this legacy and bring even more silverware to the Etihad Stadium.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

In an announcement video he said: "So honestly I think myself, my staff and friends, I think we deserve to be here. I am sorry to say. I am not arrogant to say, but it’s the truth. I think we deserve after four defeats in a row to bounce back and try to turn the situation. In that moment, in the period, I had the feeling you have to take the right decisions for the future and I want to take it. Since the beginning of the season I’ve been thinking a lot. I want to be honest, I thought this [season] should be the last one. But the problems we had in the last month, I felt now was not the right time to leave. I didn’t want to let the club down. I felt I could not leave now, simple as that. Don’t ask me the reason why. Maybe the four defeats was the reason why I felt I cannot leave. Manchester City means so much to me. This is my ninth season here – we have experienced so many amazing times together. I have a really special feeling for this football club. That is why I am so happy to be staying for another two more seasons.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

While the announcement of the new contract brings optimism, Guardiola finds himself navigating one of the most challenging periods of his City career. For the first time under his leadership, the club have suffered four consecutive defeats, a streak the club hasn’t experienced since August 2006, during Stuart Pearce’s tenure.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR GUARDIOLA?

As the club looks to end its current losing streak, Guardiola’s renewed contract serves as a reminder of the management's enduring belief in the manager and his potential. He will next lead his troops against Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Franchises had registered interest but Wood has opted to spend time at home with family

Matt Roller17-Feb-2021Mark Wood has withdrawn his name from the IPL’s longlist on the eve of Wednesday’s player auction.It is understood that franchises were told at a briefing in Chennai on Wednesday that Wood had decided to pull out of the auction in order to spend time with his family at home. Wood, who is the father of a young child, was rested for England’s first two Tests in India but has returned to the squad ahead of the remaining two matches and the white-ball leg of the tour, which runs until March 28.Wood had put himself forward at the highest base price (2 crore/£200,000) ahead of the auction, and is understood to have attracted some interest from franchises, but opted to withdraw his name in advance rather than pulling out after selection.He had previously been lined up by Mumbai Indians as a potential replacement for Lasith Malinga ahead of the 2020 season, but decided not to take up their offer, with the franchise ultimately signing James Pattinson instead. He was signed by Chennai Super Kings for the 2018 season, but played only once, conceding 49 runs in his four overs.Related

Mark Wood backs rotation policy as England eye pink-ball dividend in Ahmedabad

England players could miss NZ Tests to play IPL knockouts

Who should CSK, DC, PK and KKR go after?

Who will MI, RR, RCB and SRH target?

Spurned Moeen begins the long kiss goodnight

Wood’s withdrawal from the IPL shines an unfavourable light on England’s central contracts system. Despite being named in squads for England’s last five Test series and a long run of involvement in their limited-overs set-up, Wood only holds a white-ball central contract, meaning that he earns significantly less than Test specialists on red-ball deals – not least with match fees and bonuses reportedly cut during the pandemic.However, while he might normally expect to supplement his income with contracts in franchise tournaments, England’s packed schedule in 2021 has left him feeling unable to do so, instead reasoning that he needs to rest ahead of another busy home summer. Given Wood has previously admitted considering pursuing a white-ball-only career, his example may prompt calls for a reformed contract structure, not least with the backdrop of Chris Silverwood, England’s head coach, defending the ECB’s attitude towards the IPL on Wednesday.Wood’s withdrawal means that there are 16 English players due to go under the hammer in Wednesday’s auction, including Dawid Malan, Alex Hales, Moeen Ali, Jason Roy and Adil Rashid. Among those missing are Tom Banton and James Vince, both of whom decided against entering the auction in order to ensure their availability for the start of the County Championship season in April.Joe Root also declined to put his name forward for the second auction in a row, despite recently re-stating his ambition to force his way into England’s T20 World Cup plans.”I am desperate to be part of an IPL season and hopefully a few more beyond,” Root said last week. “[But] with the amount of Test cricket in particular this year, it didn’t feel like it was the right time and I didn’t feel like I could throw all my energy into it, which I think it deserves.”

Chelsea have had a very interesting week in the transfer market, as proceedings with Atlético Madrid hit a stumbling block, stopping Samu Omorodion joining the Blues, and Conor Gallagher from going in the opposite direction.

The Blues have now pivoted to long-term target, Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, as their number one target. However, it is believed they are watching multiple striker situations develop as they assess their next move.

Osimhen made 32 appearances in all competitions last season for Napoli, scoring 17 goals, providing four assists, and totalling 2,476 minutes played.

Chelsea transfer news

According to reports from The Independent, Chelsea could look to test the resolve of Brentford and make an offer for striker Ivan Toney late in the window. This could be as a loan with an obligation to buy of around £60m.

Manchester United are another club stated in the reports that could make a move for the 28-year-old late in the window. Any sale would be a massive decrease on the asking price in January, which was close to £100m.

Toney made 17 Premier League appearances last season, scoring four goals, providing two assists, and totalling 1,449 minutes played.

Toney vs Osimhen comparison

The "remarkable" forward, as manager Thomas Frank described him, has shown his quality in the Premier League already, scoring 20 in the league last season in 33 appearances.

A 20+ goal a-season striker is something that is not easy to come by in the Premier League, and getting your hands on one, especially at Chelsea, who have failed in this department since Diego Costa, is a hard task.

Goals

0.25

0.62

0.61

Assists

0.12

0.11

0.15

xG

0.37

0.65

0.57

Shots Total

3.17

3.69

2.77

Shots on Target

1.30

1.53

1.05

Shot-Creating Actions

2.42

2.47

2.01

Progressive Carries

1.43

1.59

0.43

Progressive Passes

2.48

0.96

2.41

Touches (Att Pen)

4.16

6.83

4.76

Aerials Won

3.35

1.81

3.32

For these metrics, we have decided to compare Toney's 2022/23 season too alongside the Osimhen and Toney 2023/24 campaigns. This is due to the minute differential in the two seasons, managing 3,090 in the 2022/23 season, compared to 1,450 in the 2023/24 season.

You can instantly see from the numbers, Toney produced 0.61 goals per 90 in his 22/23 season, over double his production level this season (in fewer games). Despite accumulating 0.08 less xG per 90 than Osimhen, Toney only averaged 0.01 goals per 90 less than Osimhen.

This shows the lethal nature of the England international during that season, as he took a lower volume of shots, managed less on target, but still scored at a 0.16 goals/shot ratio. He overachieved his xG in that season by 0.04 G-xG per 90.

A reliable marksman is exactly what Chelsea need, one that can offer a significant box threat improvement too, which is certainly another asset the Bees star can bring, winning 3.35 aerials per 90. This would give Chelsea a focal point in the box, especially when facing low-block sides.

So at a cheaper fee and potentially much lower wages too, Toney could prove to be an astute move for Chelsea late in the window, especially if their Osimhen hopes slowly diminish.

Better than Sterling: Chelsea could forget Felix by signing £25m target

The Blues could sign a better alternative than the former loanee…

ByEthan Lamb Aug 14, 2024

Christian Pulisic hopes to inspire kids in the U.S. by helping AC Milan reach the latter stages of the Champions League.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Pulisic wants to 'inspire kids back home'Reveals Champions League ambition with AC MilanAC Milan take on Slavia Bratislava on TuesdayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The United States men's national team star has become a mainstay in the AC Milan lineup ever since he moved to Italy from Chelsea. Pulisic is hopeful of inspiring the next generation of youngsters in his homeland to pursue the sport and dream of making it big in Europe as he bids to help the Rossoneri compete for Champions League glory.

AdvertisementWHAT CHRISTIAN PULISIC SAID

In a chat with UEFA.com, the winger said: "I'm really proud to be an American. I hope that what I do on the pitch is really inspiring kids back home in the US and saying: 'You know what, maybe I can go over to Europe and I can do it too.' I had some Americans who played in Europe that I looked up to, but not a lot playing at the highest level.

"Now you can see already that there are more and more players coming through, Americans playing in Europe. To see the support back home, to see how the sport has grown since I've been in Europe the last ten years, back in the US, it's really special to me. [I'm] definitely proud to represent my country."

Getty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

When asked about his ambitions and targets with the Rossoneri on their 125th anniversary, the 26-year-old added: "It's a club that's always striving for success. We want to win titles. I think you can feel it around the building. It's an important aspect to this club. With all the history of the club, you feel it every day when you walk into the training ground that we're here to have a good time, but we want to win.

"The Champions League is always right up at the top as far as the competitions that you play in. So we want to continue to perform there and give ourselves an opportunity to go far in the competition."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR AC MILAN?

Paulo Fonseca's side will next be seen in action in Europe on Tuesday as they take on Slovan Bratislava in a Champions League clash away from home.

The South Africa board now runs the risk of ministerial intervention

Firdose Moonda20-Mar-2021Cricket South Africa runs the risk of ministerial intervention after its Members’ Council – the decision-making arm of the organisation, which is made up of provincial presidents – rejected the interim board’s proposal for a majority independent board.At a meeting on Saturday, the members’ council advised the interim board that eight of its 14 participants voted against an independent board. This means the interim board is unable to complete one its most pressing tasks as directed by the country’s sports minister Nathi Mthethwa: to lay the framework for a new board in line with the 2012 Nicholson Commission. The interim board and minister are expected to address the public on further steps in the coming days.The reluctance of the Members’ Council to implement an independent board dates back to the time that the Nicholson report was presented to them. Part of the reason the Members’ Council continue to appoint non-independent directors is to please the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), the umbrella body under which all sports federation in this country operate – SASCOC does not approve of a majority of independent directors. That means cricket’s is mostly run by people who are involved in the domestic structures and not outsiders from the corporate world or elsewhere.Under the non-independent board, CSA has been steeped in administrative chaos that has seen several senior staff suspended for alleged misconduct and resulted in severe financial losses. Currently, CSA is still working to avoid debt that could run into hundreds of millions of Rands as a result of the failure to secure broadcasting rights for a domestic franchise T20 tournament, the Mzansi Super League, among other things. The South African Cricketers Association has previously called the situation CSA is in “an existential crisis”, something the sports minister has recognised and acted on.It was on Mthethwa’s insistence that the interim board was put in place after he threatened to step in at CSA following 18 months of headline-making over questionable governance, which led to the suspension and eventual sacking of CEO Thabang Moroe. CSA is still without a permanent CEO, and is on its third acting head, and is also without a board or a framework for how to appoint one, which essentially puts it back where it was six months go – on the cusp of government intervention.Mthethwa can act according to the country’s National Sport and Recreation Act, which gives him the power to intervene “in any dispute, alleged mismanagement or other related matter that is likely to bring a sport into disrepute”. He can also take away funding from CSA and may no longer recognise it as a national federation.

Ruben Amorim has called for patience after Manchester United suffered their sixth league defeat this season against Nottingham Forest.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Amorim hopeful of success at Old TraffordUnited suffered sixth Premier League loss against ForestNew boss uses Sporting CP as an exampleFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Red Devils have already experienced their worst start to a season in the last 38 years and on Saturday, they suffered their second consecutive loss in the Premier League under Ruben Amorim's tutelage as they went down 3-2 against Forest.

AdvertisementGetty THE BIGGER PICTURE

Despite the loss at home, Amorim called for patience as he cited the example of the start of his Sporting CP stint back in 2020. When the 39-year-old took charge of the Portuguese giants, they were struggling in the league, having already suffered eight defeats, however, since his arrival, the club slowly turned things around and eventually finished fourth in Liga Portugal. The coach then went on to win two league titles and two Taca de Portugal trophies.

WHAT RUBEN AMORIM SAID

Speaking to reporters, the Red Devils boss said, "We already knew [it would be tough]. It will be a long journey but we want to win because this is a massive club. You feel it, when you lose one game it's really hard for everybody. I can understand that. I can feel it in the stadium after the first goal.

"We understand the context but we have to keep going in the same way, doing the same things. The same words I have here with [the 4-0 win over] Everton, I have today. Focus on the performance. We need to improve in a lot of aspects of the game and continue to do the same things tomorrow in training."

He added, "I had this and worse in Sporting in the beginning. The feeling for me is the same but for the world it's completely different. You know Sporting in Portugal but Manchester [United] has a lot of attention but for me it's the same feeling.

"I had this period at Sporting and if you are a little experienced in football this happens with a lot of clubs and we have to manage to continue to do the same things and improve the team because this will turn around. We need time and to continue to work in the same way every day."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

The English giants will aim to get back to winning ways on Thursday as they take on Viktoria Plzen in an away fixture in the Europa League.

However, the head coach cautions against knee-jerk reactions following the 1-3 T20I series defeat against Pakistan

Firdose Moonda17-Apr-2021Head coach Mark Boucher has accepted “a massive amount of responsibility,” for South Africa losing eight out of their 11 series in his time in charge so far but believes the national men’s team is “on the right path.”Speaking after their 1-3 defeat to Pakistan in the recently concluded T20I series, their second against this opposition in this format this year, Boucher cautioned against knee-jerk reactions to South Africa’s poor form, which has seen them win only one trophy out of a possible six this summer.”I take a massive amount of responsibility and I should. I don’t shy away from it,” Boucher said. “I am hurt, I am extremely hurt at the moment, as is the rest of the management and coaching staff. We put a lot of hard work and effort into this. But there’s no panic from me yet because I do understand that we have been given some trying circumstances over the last period of time and we will continue to put in hard work.”Related

'Scoring big hundreds and taking five-fors' – Dean Elgar's South Africa ready for a 'new chapter'

A problem of plenty at the top, and plenty of problems elsewhere

South Africa were without a core group of players for both T20I series against Pakistan for reasons beyond Boucher or anyone else in the support staff’s control. In Pakistan, South Africa had to send home members of their Test squad before the T20Is in anticipation of home Tests against Australia, which did not happen. Then, against Pakistan at home, South Africa were without five players who departed for the IPL, based on an agreement between CSA and the BCCI, and captain Temba Bavuma missed the entire series with a hamstring injury. “I am not going to make excuses,” Boucher said. “We’ve still got to try and win with whichever players we put on the park but it has been tough.”Despite that, Boucher was able to see a silver lining. “There have been a lot of positives. With the opportunities that have been given, a couple of guys have come through with flying colours,” he said. “It’s given us a better view of what our depth is like, so I’ve got a fair idea of a larger squad we can look at.”Key South Africa players were not available because of the IPL•BCCINow, Boucher hopes to use the winter – which will include a yet-to-be-confirmed tour to the West Indies consisting of two Tests and five T20Is (rescheduled from last year), a white-ball visit to Ireland and a possible trip to Sri Lanka ahead of the T20 World Cup – to distill the bigger group into its strongest components with a focus on major tournaments.”We have to get our squad back together, get all of our players fit and available to play. We always earmarked the West Indian trip as being when our full squad needs to be together,” Boucher said. “Going forward now we need to start looking at the World Cups and start building on a formula we want to play. It’s a matter of getting all the guys together and getting them used to each other and hopefully used to winning a couple of games together.”He acknowledged that South Africa’s results have not been good enough: “I am a guy who wants to win and we haven’t won series which is frustrating for me, the coaching staff and no doubt the public,” he said.Asked if he feels pressure from the mounting scrutiny of his time in charge, which now stands at 18 months with more than two years still to go, Boucher said he trusts in the plans he has put in place.”We’ve stuck to our guns with what we believe is the right way to go about the set-up. We’ve spoken to the players. The players were the ones who originally actually came up with the way that they want to play which is a very nice position for us to be in and we are just going to try and guide them in that direction,” he said. “As I said from the start, there’s a lot of hard work to be done and we are still working very hard in all aspects of our game as well. The pressure is going to be there no matter what. When you get to this level in international sport, you must expect the pressure. If you can’t handle it, then you need to get out of the kitchen. We understand that the public wants to win. We are sticking to our guns.”For now, that means that South Africa are not seeing the next two months as an off season, but a period in which they have to properly prepare themselves for the challenges of the season to come. “I don’t see this little break that we have as any sort of off season. It’s another opportunity for us to get stuck in and really upskill ourselves and get to where we need to be,” Boucher said.

Following a reported fourth bid from Newcastle United, Crystal Palace are now advancing in talks to sign a possible replacement for Marc Guehi, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Crystal Palace transfer news

The Eagles already lost Michael Olise to Bayern Munich earlier in the window and have been in no mood to accept anything lower than their valuation for Guehi, reportedly rejecting Newcaste's latest offer worth £60m plus £5m in add-ons.

Palace co-owner Steve Parish recently spoke about the defender's future, saying: "We would like to keep hold of him. There is a price and a situation where we might consider it.

"He will still be at Crystal Palace at the moment, but it's not impossible [that he goes]. He is certainly not making anybody's life difficult, his agents are decent people. It is a very good situation. Whether he is here or not will make no difference as to how he performs."

Crystal Palace could replace Olise by signing "one of the best wingers"

Palace still looking for offensive upgrades after Olise exit

ByConnor Holden Aug 18, 2024

Admitting that an exit is a possibility this summer for the right price, it's no surprise that the Eagles have lined up a potential replacement for the England international.

According to Romano, Crystal Palace are now advancing in talks to sign Maxence Lacroix from Wolfsburg this summer. The centre-back reportedly remains their priority target and manager Oliver Glasner considers Lacroix an "ideal choice" to replace Guehi should the Chelsea academy graduate depart in the next two weeks.

If those at Selhurst Park manage to get their asking price for Guehi, before adding a player of Lacroix's calibre, then it could be looked back on as a stroke of genius by the end of the campaign.

"Talented" Lacroix has already worked under Glasner

What would instantly hand Palace a major boost is the fact that Lacroix has worked under Glanser in the past during the manager's tenure at Wolfsburg. The defender played 36 games for the Austrian during their time together in the 2020/21 campaign and a reunion looks set to be on the cards if the cards fall into place this month.

Described as "talented" by former teammate Koen Casteels, Lacroix is just 24 years old and could be on the verge of entering his prime, making now the best time to complete a move to the Premier League.

Possibly stepping into the Palace team alongside the experienced Joachim Andersen, the Frenchman could quickly form quite the partnership to make Selhurst Park forget all about Guehi in the coming campaign. That said, there are still plenty of pieces to fall into place before a deal even nears completion.

Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl has ruled out the possibility of signing a back-up for Harry Kane in the January transfer window.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Kane has missed Bayern's last four gamesSuffered injury against Borussia DortmundBayern won't sign backup in JanuaryFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The England captain has missed Bayern Munich's last four matches across all competitions after sustaining an injury in his team's 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund at the end of November. The German giants hoped he would be fit in time for Saturday's Bundesliga match against Mainz, however, he was left out of the squad as Vincent Kompany's side went down 2-1.

AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Bayern have now lost two out of the four matches which Kane missed and on Saturday the team's attack looked pale and toothless in front of the goal. Sporting director Eberl, however, ruled out the possibility of signing a new striker in January as a backup for the Englishman as he claimed that the club do not want to waste money.

WHAT MAX EBERL SAID

Speaking to , Eberl said: "Because we think we have a squad that has the quality to achieve the goals we have set for ourselves. As the saying goes: Bayern aren't money-wasters either. But we have great numbers because we always think economically."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

gettyWHAT NEXT FOR HARRY KANE?

Kompany provided an update on the 31-year-old's condition as he claimed that the striker is expected to return to action by next week and could start against RB Leipzig in the club's upcoming Bundesliga fixture on Friday.

Voted by team-mates and support staff as the side’s ‘cricketer of the year’

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Jun-20211:00

Kyle Jamieson: James Anderson’s ability to move the ball both ways is ‘special’

Kyle Jamieson won the 2021 edition of the Players’ Cap, which is awarded to the player who has been voted by the New Zealand players and support staff as their ‘cricketer of the year’.The inaugural Players’ Cap was won by Brendon McCullum in 2012, while New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has won the most such awards, with three to his name, in consecutive years from 2015 to 2017.Related

BJ Watling, the quintessential New Zealander – and the best at what he does

Kyle Jamieson banking on the experience of his fellow pacers for England tour

Top-order batter to 'something special' fast bowler – the Kyle Jamieson story

Jamieson was awarded the cap by the soon retiring BJ Watling at the team hotel in London on Monday night, two days before New Zealand will face England in a two-Test series.The New Zealand Cricket Players Association said the voting was closely contested this year, but “Jamison’s impact across the Test format in particular” meant he edged out fellow international rookie Devon Conway and Williamson.BJ Watling presented the The Players’ Cap for 2021 to Kyle Jamieson•NZCJamieson reflected on his year in international cricket and thanked his teammates for making the New Zealand side what it is.”It’s been a special 12 months being part of this group and thanks to everyone for making it such an easy team to fit into,” Jamison said. “This is pretty special and not something that I expected at all. There have been some great guys who have won this before and being recognised by your peers is the ultimate.”The wins are what I enjoy most, that Bay Oval Test was a special one going into day five – my first day five match – and just being part of that Test victory is what I value the most.”Watling said the Players’ Cap was one that recognised moments that might be overlooked by people outside, but ones that the players themselves knew were important in every game.”This cap is a special award as it reflects those moments that often go unnoticed, but as a team we understand those small margins that go to winning games,” Watling said. “The really great thing is the guys coming in are contributing to our team, and this year Kyle has certainly been one of those guys who has come in and taken his chances and opportunities from the get go, and I am sure we will see him here receiving many more Players’ Caps.”Past winners of the Players’ Cap: Brendon McCullum – 2012, Tim Southee – 2013, Ross Taylor – 2014, Kane Williamson – 2015, Kane Williamson – 2016, Kane Williamson – 2017, Trent Boult – 2018, Ross Taylor – 2019, Tim Southee – 2020.