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Manchester City extended their winning run to three matches in the Premier League as they beat Leicester 1-0 in a closely-contested clash at the King Power Stadium.

Pep Guardiola’s side went into the international break having won two of their first three league matches – beating Norwich and Arsenal 5-0. They are now one point off the top of the table after overcoming Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes.

Bernardo Silva scored the only goal of the game, in the second half, as both sides wasted chances and Jamie Vardy saw a goal chalked off for offside.

Whilst the Portuguese international will take the plaudits for scoring the winning goal, another City player stole the show with a sublime performance in midfield; Ilkay Gundogan.

The former Borussia Dortmund maestro was exceptional for City as he ran the game in the middle of the park, leading to SofaScore handing him the highest rating (8.3) out of the 22 starters on the pitch.

Defensively, Gundogan stuck to his task well and was solid. Per SofaScore, he won an impressive 71% of his duels against Leicester players, winning three of his five battles on the ground and both of his duels in the air. He also made one interception and one tackle, whilst only committing one foul all game.

These are not statistics that suggest that he was running about the pitch like N’Golo Kante making tackles here, there, and everywhere, but they do show that he was effective when he did challenge for the ball. It also highlights that he was strong in 50/50 battles, which meant that Leicester were not able to bully him into ceding possession.

Offensively, Gundogan stood out above the rest. Per SofaScore, the German completed 82% of his passes and 100% of his long pass attempts. He was also successful with both of his attempted dribbles and created an eye-catching four chances – including one ‘big chance’ – from central midfield. Gundogan used his technical ability and vision to unlock the Leicester defence, although his teammates ultimately let him down as he ended the match with zero assists.

He was solid defensively and excellent going forward, helping contribute to City’s eventual win by putting pressure on the Leicester defence. Guardiola will surely be delighted by the dynamo’s impact at both ends of the pitch and hope that the rest of his players can start taking the chances that the German is creating from midfield.

For many of the opening few weeks of the season, there had been cries and lust for Ben Godfrey to return to the Everton squad.

The defender, who made England’s preliminary squad for the European Championships, had been missing in the opening weeks but has now returned.

He helped Everton defeat Burnley 3-1 a week ago but his performance against Aston Villa left plenty to be desired.

On the chalkboard

Godfrey was charged with playing at right-back on Saturday evening with Seamus Coleman ruled out for the next 2-3 weeks with a hamstring problem.

However, during the 90 minutes, the former Norwich man proved why he should really be playing in the middle of the backline.

He was caught out numerous times down Everton’s right-hand side, particularly by Leon Bailey during his late match-winning cameo for Dean Smith’s side.

As the Jamaican galloped down the Villa left to open his account for the club, the Toffees full-back was nowhere to be seen.

He’d been dragged across towards the left-hand side of the pitch and left acres of spaces for Bailey to pounce on the ball and then score.

The solution

If Rafa Benitez wants to rest Godfrey or take him out of the firing line for a match then the boss should consider unleashing one of Everton’s eye-catching teenagers.

One of them happens to be Jarrad Branthwaite. The 19-year-old played in Everton’s win over Huddersfield a few weeks ago and caught the eye.

As the Toffees reached the third round of the EFL Cup, the central defender completed a whopping 98% of his passes.

With Everton’s defence struggling this term, keeping just one clean sheet, Benitez should turn to the youngster against QPR on Tuesday evening.

The Carabao Cup is the perfect platform to unleash young players and offer them valuable experience.

Branthwaite has so far appeared six times for the Merseyside outfit but it’s in the cup competitions where he’ll arguably feel more comfortable.

Playing against Championship opposition should also be highly beneficial. He spent a period of last term on loan at Blackburn where he actually lost to Everton’s midweek opposition 1-0.

During his time there, Tony Mowbray was keen to praise the youngster after a 1-1 draw with Stoke: “[He’s] a seven or eight out of ten every week. Win your headers, play forward passes and just do your job as it says on the tin and I thought he done that very well today,” he said.

That builds on comments from his boss at Carlisle, Steven Pressley. He once tipped the defender for international stardom: “The truth is, I think he has got everything. He can pass the ball almost equally as good with both feet. He’s a terrific footballer.”

“If he continues to develop, then, without doubt, he can be an England player.”

With a number of options at centre-back for Benitez to choose from, it’s in matches like the one on Tuesday where Branthwaite really needs to stake his claim.

AND in other news, Everton rocked by big blow after weekend development, Benitez will be seething…

Leeds United could reignite their interest in a deal to bring Nahitan Nandez to Elland Road in the winter transfer market.

What’s the talk?

According to recent reports from Italy (via Leeds Live), Victor Orta could once again pursue a deal for the Cagliari midfielder in January, with the Whites having been heavily linked with a move for the 25-year-old over the course of the summer transfer window.

The report goes on to state that, after failing to secure a move prior to the passing of the summer transfer deadline, with the likes of Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur reported to have been keen on the Uruguay international, Nandez is eager to find a new club in January.

Previous reports had also claimed that, despite the midfielder having a €36m (£31m) release clause in his current contract at Cagliari, the Serie A side were willing to part with the 25-year-old for a figure in the region of €26m (£22m) this summer – something that could well remain the case going forwards.

Orta could make amends

While Orta did secure the signings of Daniel James, Junior Firpo and Kristoffer Klaesson this summer, as well as the permanent addition of Jack Harrison, it is undeniable that the director of football’s failure to bring in any reinforcements in the middle of the park was something of a disaster by the Spaniard.

Indeed, with only Kalvin Phillips as a viable option in defensive midfield, as well as Mateusz Klich, Jamie Shackleton and Adam Forshaw – who hasn’t played a league game for almost two years due to injury – in central midfield, it is clear that the position is one in which Marcelo Bielsa lacks any real depth.

However, the news that Nandez could well be available once again in January presents Orta with an opportunity to make up for his failure this summer, as the 25-year-old would appear to make an excellent addition to Bielsa’s options in midfield.

Indeed, over his 32 Serie A appearances for Cagliari last season, the £19.8m-rated midfielder – who can operate from defensive, central on the right of midfield – scored two goals, registered two assists and created four big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of one shot and making one key pass per game.

The player Italian football expert Conor Clancy dubbed a “machine” also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 0.7 interceptions, 1.8 tackles, 1.5 clearances and winning 6.1 duels per match.

These returns saw the £42k-per-week Uruguayan earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.80, with his performances playing a key role in ensuring that Cagliari retained their status as a top-flight side last term.

As such, it would certainly appear as if the addition of Nandez would be a very smart piece of business for Orta to get over the line this January, as the 25-year-old would not only plug a gap in the Leeds squad but would also help to raise the standard of quality in Bielsa’s midfield.

In other news: Signed for £7m, now worth £19.8m: Orta struck gold on “exceptional” £35k-p/w Leeds gem

كشف الدكتور محمد عبد الجواد، طبيب فريق الكرة الأول بنادي سيراميكا كليوباترا، تفاصيل إصابة محمد كوكو حارس مرمى الفريق، التي تعرض لها خلال مواجهة بيراميدز.

وخسر سيراميكا كليوباترا أمام بيراميدز بهدفين مقابل هدف، في المباراة التي أقيمت أمس الأربعاء، في دور الـ16 لبطولة كأس مصر.

وقال عبد الجواد إن كوكو أصيب بقطع في الرباط الداخلي للركبة، ويُعالج بواسطة جبيرة مفصلية، ويحتاج فترة من 3 إلى 4 أشهر حتى يعود إلى التدريبات من جديد.

ويستعد فريق سيراميكا كليوباترا لمواجهة الاتحاد السكندري يوم 14 يوليو الجاري، ضمن الجولة 24 من بطولة الدوري الممتاز.

Newcastle United journalist Liam Kennedy insists that the club have been trying to sell Dwight Gayle since their promotion to the Premier League.

Gayle has been with the club since 2016 and has made a total of 113 appearances for the Magpies.

He has struggled for goals at times, though, with his most prolific campaign coming in the Championship, when he scored 23 times in 2018/19.

In his three Premier League seasons, he has scored just 11 goals, and Kennedy believes that the club have been trying to offload him for some time.

Indeed, they managed to sign Callum Wilson from Bournemouth last season and he went on to score 12 goals in 26 league games.

And Kennedy thinks that the club will continue to offer Gayle out as they bid to shift him from their squad.

He said: “Newcastle United, really, in many ways have been trying to replace Dwight Gayle for about five years now. Since they got promoted, they’ve wanted an upgrade on Dwight Gayle and they did that, in getting Callum Wilson.”

Newcastle start their Premier League season against West Ham United this weekend and it remains to be seen if Gayle will be included in the squad under Steve Bruce.

علّق المدير الفني لفريق أياكس الهولندي ألفريد شرودر على اهتمام مانشستر يونايتد بالثنائي يوريان تيمبر وأنتوني، في موسم الانتقالات الصيفي الحالي.

ولم يبرم مانشستر يونايتد أي صفقة في فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الجارية، بينما يسعى المدير الفني الجديد للشياطين الحمر إريك تين هاج إلى تعزيز صفوف الفريق.

وذكرت تقارير صحفية في الفترة الأخيرة أن تين هاج يتطلع إلى الظفر بخدمات اثنين من فريقه السابق، أياكس، وهما تيمبر وأنتوني.

وقال شرودر في تصريحات نشرها الصحفي فابريزيو رومانو: “لقد تحدثت مع تيمبر، وأفترض أنه سيظل في أياكس، هو رجل ذكي ويعرف ما هو الأفضل لنفسه، نعتقد أن مهتمه في أياكس لم تنتهِ بعد”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. فيديو | برونو فرنانديز ينتقد سلوك ثنائي مانشستر يونايتد صارخًا بألفاظ بذيئة

وأضاف: “أنتوني؟ نريد بقائه في أياكس، أريد أن أعمل معه، والنادي يعرف ذلك”.

وطلب وكلاء أنتوني من مسؤولي أياكس الاستماع إلى العروض هذا الصيف، لكن السعر سيظل مرتفعًا للغاية.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Fluminense busca soluções para a crise financeira. Uma delas, já confirmada pelo presidente Pedro Abad, será a venda de um jogador na próxima janela de transferência internacional. Um dos nomes mais cotados para deixar as Laranjeiras é o do atacante Richarlison e seu empresário, Renato Velasco, vê com bons olhos o possível acerto com o clube europeu nos próximos meses.

-Há um interesse dentro do Fluminense de fazer negócio. Não posso garantir, mas se vier uma proposta que vejam como viável pode ser feito o negócio. Se for bom para todo mundo não vejo porque não haver negócio – afirmou Renato Velasco à “Rádio Brasil”, antes de completar:

– Seria para agora (a transferência). É mais interessante para a adaptação do jogador. Chega na pré-temporada, no verão… Acredito que seja o melhor para o jogador. Além do Ajax tem outras especulações, mas temos que aguardar o documento oficial. Vemos com bons olhos esse momento – avaliou o agente.

Com 13 gols em 51 jogos pelo Fluminense, Richarlison é um dos destaques do Tricolor em 2017. Artilheiro do Flu no Estadual, o camisa 70 integrou a Seleção do Carioca e inicia o Brasileirão como titular na equipe de Abel Braga. O atleta também se destacou no Sul-Americano Sub-20 pela Seleção Brasileira.

A boa participação de Ricarlison pelo Brasil valorizou ainda mais o jogador. Entre janeiro e fevereiro, o clube das Laranjeiras recebeu uma oferta de R$ 30 milhões do Ajax, da Holanda. A proposta não atingiu os valores que o Flu deseja e foi recusada. Em dezembro de 2015, o Tricolor pagou R$ 10 milhões por 50% dos direitos econômicos do atacante revelado no América-MG.

De acordo com o empresário Renato Velasco, o Ajax mantém o interesse sobre o atleta de 20 anos. Uma nova proposta, no entanto, ainda não foi oficializada.

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Southampton have been credited with an interest in Chelsea defender Ethan Ampadu recently, and the Wales international could be a superb addition at St Mary’s.

What’s the word?

According to Hampshire Live journalist Tom Leach, the 20-year-old centre-back is one of the names being considered as a replacement for Jannik Vestergaard at Southampton this summer.

He wrote: “Still at Chelsea and seemingly destined for a season on the sidelines, Ethan Ampadu could be available for transfer this summer.

“Now aged 20, the Exeter City academy graduate could tick boxes in both midfield and defence at Southampton.

“There would be some concerns for fans, with Ampadu having been relegated last season with Sheffield United, even if he did impress during his time with Hasenhuttl’s former club RB Leipzig.

“However, should Chelsea decide that he is only available for a loan move, Saints would be out of the race with the club unable to sign another player on loan from Stamford Bridge after bringing youngster Armando Broja to the south coast.”

Would Ampadu be a good signing?

Ampadu’s chances of featuring in the first team at Chelsea this season look slim when you consider the options Thomas Tuchel has available to him in defence and midfield.

Considering that Trevoh Chalobah was named ahead of the Welshman in Chelsea’s starting lineup against Crystal Palace in their opening Premier League game (and scoring), with Ampadu failing to even make the bench, you could argue that the latter needs either another loan or a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge this season.

As Leach suggests, a loan move for the centre-back would be impossible, but they have already done several deals with Chelsea this summer and could use their contacts there to negotiate another deal for the £13.5m-rated youngster.

Although you could argue that Southampton are in need of an experienced head at the back, Ampadu seems to fit their transfer plans perfectly. He is young, has Premier League experience and can feature in both defence and midfield, which is something Hasenhuttl has suggested that he wants from any defender they sign between now and the end of the window.

The 20-year-old also has plenty of experience playing for his country and was praised by Wales manager Rob Page last season, who said: “He has a lot of strings to his bow and it is great to have a versatile player like that.”

[freshpress-quiz id=“594431”]

Therefore, if Chelsea are willing to let Ampadu leave on a permanent deal, then Southampton should definitely look to bring him in, as he seems to be the sort of tactically flexible player that Hasenhuttl would love to have in his squad.

In other news… Southampton can sign their next Lovren with swoop for “physically very strong” beast

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is closing in on signing Legia Warsaw’s Josip Juranovic, according to The Daily Record.

The Lowdown: Juranovic’s 2021/22 season

Juranovic has already made eight appearances this season, six of which have come as a starter.

In all six games, the Croatia international has started, he has played as a right midfielder.

The 25-year-old, on £317,200-a-year with Legia Warsaw, is thought to be keen on a move to Parkhead, and it seems as if a Scotland switch is edging closer.

The Latest: Daily Record report

The Daily Record shared a Celtic-related story on Wednesday evening regarding Juranovic and Thomas Henry.

They claimed that Postecoglou is closing in on signing Juranovic in a deal worth £3m.

Postecoglou has reportedly turned his attention to Juranovic after struggling in attempts to sign Aurelio Buta and George Baldock.

The Verdict: Shrewd move

Juranovic has started this season as a right-midfielder, but you’d expect he’ll rival Anthony Ralston to be first-choice right-back, should a move to Celtic get over the line as expected by The Daily Record.

Postecoglou only has Ralston and Lee O’Connor as right-back options at this moment in time, so a £3m deal for Juranovic appears to be a smart move at first glance as he has made over 100 appearances in that area.

It’s good to see that Juranovic will be capable of playing further forward if required, as he has shown in recent weeks, and it appears as if he’ll become Celtic’s eighth summer signing.

In other news: ‘Celtic have started official talks’ for versatile £10,000-p/w ace; he’s ‘incredibly fast’. 

A fine haul of five wickets for 17 runs by left-arm Azam Khan, enabled Airport Gymkhana register a four-wicket triumph over A.O. cricket club, in the 17th Karachi Gymkhana Callmate cricket festival played Tuesday.Winning the toss and batting first, A.O. CC seemed comfortably placed at 124 for three with contributions from Nadeem Akhtar (33), Mohammad Farrukh (31), Waseem Rao (23), Saeed Sheikh (22) and Shaheen Malik (20).With the introduction of Azam and Abdul Sattar, the game changed dramatically and A.O. CC losing their last seven wickets for the addition of 43 to be bowled out for 167 in 23.5 overs. Sattar grabbed three for 37 and medium pacer Sohail Jaffer two for 42.Airport Gymkhana achieved the target in 23.3 overs losing six wickets, with Ghulam Ali (43) being the main contributor. Off-spinner Mohammad Farrukh finished with figures of two for 30.Wednesday fixtures: Mohammad Hussain CC play Karachi Gymkhana Whites 1.00pm.