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كشف أحمد مجاهد، رئيس اللجنة الثلاثية لإدارة اتحاد الكرة السابق، سبب إعلان ترشحه لانتخابات اتحاد الكرة على منصب الرئيس في هذا التوقيت، مشيراً إلى أنه يوجد سبب واحد سيجعله ينسحب.

وقال أحمد مجاهد في تصريحات عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر” عن إعلان ترشحك للانتخابات: “منذ فترة طويلة قلت يوجد مجلس إدارة للاتحاد، وقلت لن أتحدث عن الانتخابات إلا بعد الأولمبياد والمجلس يحدد خارطة الطريق وتحديد موعد للجمعية العمومية، لذلك اخترت هذا الموعد للإعلان”.

وتابع: “أعضاء الجمعية العمومية مرحبين بتواجدي بمجرد ما استطلعت رأيهم، وقائمتي ستكون بين الخبرة والشباب بمجرد الإعلان عن موعد الانتخابات”.

طالع أيضاً.. “بقائمة متوازنة”.. أحمد مجاهد يعلن ترشحه لانتخابات اتحاد الكرة

وأفاد: “سبب وحيد سيجعلني لا أترشح لانتخابات اتحاد الكرة وهو ترشح هاني أبو ريدة، لا أستطيع أن أترشح أمامه”.

وأكمل: “اتحاد الكرة يحتاج إلى تجديد حقيقي وفعلي، يجب أن نغير ما يحدث في الكرة المصرية، توجد تجربة الدوري السعودي والمغرب، نحتاج إلى مواكبة كل ما حولنا، أفضل أن أترشح كرئيس لاتحاد الكرة أو لا أترشح نهائيًا”.

واستكمل: “ليس لي علاقة بأزمة كهربا مع الزمالك، كهربا خالف عقده مع الزمالك ولذلك تعرض للغرامة من الاتحاد الدولي”.

وواصل: “شيكابالا وقت تسليم درع الدوري قال لي أنت أهلاوي، لكن المراقب والحكم كتبوا أنه شتمني لذلك تم إيقافه في ذلك التوقيت”.

وأوضح: “مجلس إدارة اتحاد الكرة الحالي ظلم لأن عمرهم ما اشتغلوا مع بعض ولا اختاروا بعضهم رغم أنها قائمة موحدة، أعطى لجمال علام انسانيًا 9 من 10، لو سألت علام نفسه لن يكون راضي عن فترته في الجبلاية”.

وأشار: “رابطة الأندية ليس من حقها تغيير نظام بطولة الدوري ولكن تدير المسابقة فقط، الرابطة خطوة تحتاج إلى بعض التصليح وتهذيب في الإجراءات والأداء”.

وبسؤاله هل أنت ضد الأهلي؟ أجاب: “أنا اتولدت في الأهلي، منذ أن كان عمري 10 سنوات كنت أشجع الأهلي وأحضر المباريات في الثالثة شمال، الأهلي ملايين تشجعه ومؤثر في الرأي العام، وأن تكون ضده ليس منطقيا، وكذلك نادي الزمالك، لا ينفع أن يكون أحد ضد الناديين”.

وأثني: “أعظم من لمس الكرة في مصر محمود الخطيب، ومجدي عبد الغني واحد من أفضل لاعبو خط الوسط في تاريخ كرة القدم المصرية فقط”.

وأكد: “أحب حسام البدري وأحترمة جدًا، ومقدر تمامًا أنه كان حزينا بسبب رحيله، كنت أرى الكرة المصرية تحتاج إلى نقلة، كنت أرى كارلوش كيروش سيقدم شيئا كبيرا للكرة المصرية، وهذا لا يقلل من قيمة حسام البدري، وكيروش درب ريال مدريد ومانشستر يونايتد أنا متواجداً لمدة 35 سنة داخل مجال الكرة لم أرى أحد بهذا التركيز وهذه العبقرية، كيروش 100% رحل لأنني من أتيت لتدريب المنتخب، هو نفسه أرسل لي رسالة وقال لي ذلك”.

وأتم: “معترض على تعيين ميكالي وعلى راتبه، برادلي كان متواجداً وحقق 18 نقطة وخسرنا 6-1 من غانا ورحل عن منتخب مصر، نهاية ميكالي كانت الخسارة 6-0 من المغرب في الأولمبياد، والنهاية لم تكن جيدة بجانب الاختيارات فوق السن، كان يوجد الكثير من المشاكل، كان يجب عدم التوقيع لمدة 4 سنوات، أتحدى أن هناك دولة في العالم تعطى له من أول يوم هذا المقابل المادي الذي سيحصل عليه ميكالي ولمدة 4 سنوات وما تعجبت له موافقة صريحة من الجهة الإدارية”.

Arsenal continued their recovery in the Premier League last night with a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest, although the last five minutes were presumably nervier than Mikel Arteta would have hoped for.

Emile Smith Rowe started ahead of Kai Havertz in midfield, and while he wasn't poor by any stretch of the imagination, he wasn't great.

This position could develop into a problem for the Gunners in the long term, although it would appear as if Edu and Co are looking to address it as soon as possible, as the latest player touted for a move to N5 could slot right in and become their own James Maddison.

Arsenal go hunting in the Championship

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT earlier this week, transfers expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Arsenal have "sent some scouts multiple times" to watch Leicester City's dynamic midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

However, the Italian journalist also confirmed that the Gunners weren't the only side to have done so, revealing that "three or four clubs have done the same."

He confirmed that Brighton & Hove Albion have already bid around £20m to secure the 25-year-old's signature, but that was quickly rebuffed by the Foxes, who value their star at closer to £40m.

While that would be a lot of money for the Gunners to spend on a Championship player, his performances this season suggest that he could make a significant impact at the Emirates.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall could replicate James Maddison's impact on Spurs

Now, the first thing to note is that no, Maddison and Dewsbury-Hall do not play the same role or position in their sides, with the former occupying a more attacking midfield role and the latter a central role, but that is not the point.

When the Lilywhites signed the England international from Leicester for £40m in the summer, they required a new number ten, and the former Norwich City ace has undeniably come in and made that role his own – scoring three goals and providing six assists in just 11 league games.

In the Gunners' case, they need a new central midfielder to come in and challenge Havertz and Smith Rowe for the starting left-eight role, and based on his performances in the Championship for Leicester City, there is every chance he could make that role his own.

Described as a "revelation" by former manager Brendan Rodgers, the 25-year-old has been like a man possessed in the second tier, scoring ten goals and providing nine assists in just 26 starts, which is a significantly more impressive haul than Havertz's four league goals and one assist in 14 starts.

In the case of Smith Rowe, while he started against Forest, he has played 374 Premier League minutes across the last two seasons, so trying to compare where he is today to the Foxes star would be pointless.

This is also true when looking at their underlying numbers, as using the Hale End star's numbers from two seasons ago wouldn't be a fair representation of where he is now, but when comparing the other two, who comes out on top?

Well, rather unsurprisingly, it's the "dangerous" Dewsbury-Hall, as described by his manager Enzo Maresca, who comes out on top in essentially every metric relevant for a modern eight, and by quite some way.

Dewsbury-Hall

Havertz

0.64

0.33

0.35

0.21

0.35

0.07

6.29

4.29

4.18

1.57

0.90

0.21

5.23

2.28

0.78

0.21

0.94

0.71

0.98

0.50

1.45

0.50

5.51

4.79

For example, the gulf in the number of progressive passes and carries the pair produce per 90 is vast, as is the number of shot and goal-creating actions they produce per 90.

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While there is every chance that Smith Rowe could rediscover his scintillating form of the 2021/22 season when he registered 12 goal involvements in 21 league starts, that could take some time, and if Arsenal want to challenge for the title this year, they need a player to come in and have a Maddison-esque impact, which is precisely what Dewsbury Hall could provide.

Tottenham Hotspur are way ahead in the race to conclude transfer business in January, having wrapped up deals for Radu Dragusin and Timo Werner earlier this month and now focusing on concluding their efforts with a new midfielder.

Ange Postecoglou will want to combat the absences of Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Biossouma (both at AFCON) and the expected departure of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and a new target has been lined up.

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Posts ByBrogan Clasper Jan 5, 2024 Spurs eyeing midfielder this month

According to Turkish outlet Star Gazetesi – via Football 365 – Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is willing to change his course of action in the transfer market and forge ahead with a move for Fenerbahce playmaker Sebastian Szymanski, with Postecoglou said to be a very keen admirer of the player.

Chelsea's Conor Gallagher has been the No. 1 target this month but it's increasingly unlikely that he will be allowed to leave this month, with Levy now willing to 'do anything' to land Szymanski.

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Valued at €35m (£30m), the Poland international has been in fine fettle over the past few years and has reportedly convinced the Lilyewhites to send scouts to watch him in action.

Sebastian Szymanski would banish Giovani Lo Celso

Since the start of the 2023/24 campaign, Tottenham have demonstrated their ability to succeed in the Premier League once again after enduring a difficult year that resulted in a lowly eighth-placed finish and Harry Kane's sale to Bayern Munich.

But Postecgolou's appointment has changed all and there is now a real sense that a glowing new chapter has arrived, with the lack of depth the main reason behind a decline in form before the festive period.

Star playmaker James Maddison is soon set to return from injury after a few months on the sidelines and while Szymanski would not disrupt the England star's playing time, it could spell the end for Giovani Lo Celso, who is out of contract in 2025 and has been linked with a move away this season despite enjoying some success in the first-team.

The Argentine is one of the most creative midfielders around and ranks among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, pass completion and progressive passes, the top 8% for shot-creating actions and the top 4% for tackles per 90, as per FBref.

However, the 27-year-old has only started four Premier League matches under Postecoglou's leadership despite Maddison's injury and this could pave the way for his exit, with Szymanski the perfect replacement.

Described as an "exceptional" talent by scout Antonio Mango, the 24-year-old signed for his Turkish side in the summer after winning the Dutch Eredivisie with Feyenoord last term,

Since the summer, the creative gem has posted 12 goals and 14 assists across 33 appearances and contributed defensively with an average of 2.3 tackles and 4.3 duels in the Turkish Super Lig, as per Sofascore.

Sebastian Szymanski: Key Characteristics

Strengths

Weaknesses

Long shots

Aerial duels

Key passes

Pass accuracy

Taking set-pieces

Through balls

Defensive contribution

Source: WhoScored

This shows that he can produce the kind of rounded displays requisite for success in the Premier League, and given Lo Celso's relentless tackling, this is a good thing.

He also ranks among the top 4% of midfielders across divisions similar to the Turkish top-flight for goals, the top 5% for assists and the top 14% for shot-creating actions per 90, so his attacking approach clearly isn't too shabby either.

Lo Celso is doing a good job this term but Szymanski is younger and just as dynamic, if not more so, and he would be a great addition to a fast-rising Tottenham team.

Kent captain suffers injury in opening over of Royal London Cup game in Cardiff

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Apr-2019Sam Billings could miss the rest of the season after being told the shoulder dislocation he suffered at Cardiff on Thursday will require surgery*. Kent have put his recovery timescale at “three-five months”.Billings’ return to action for Kent, having just flown back from India, lasted a matter of minutes. He was quickly ruled out of England duty, having been picked for an ODI in Dublin next week and the subsequent T20I against Pakistan, with Ben Foakes called up in his place.Kent’s director of cricket, Paul Downton, revealed the extent of Billings’ injury with an update on Friday afternoon.”Sam has seen a specialist this morning, where he underwent a scan to assess the extent of his injury,” Donwton said. “The scan highlighted significant damage to his shoulder, meaning he will require surgical intervention. This surgery has been scheduled for next week and it is anticipated that he will be back to fitness within three-five months.”I know I speak for everyone at Kent when I say we really feel for Sam. To have picked up this kind of injury ahead of what was set to be an exciting summer is tough. However, I have no doubt that his dedicated professionalism and strong mindset, will see him working hard behind the scenes to return back to fitness as soon as possible.”Billings, the Kent captain, had returned to the team for his first county fixture of the season, against Glamorgan in the Royal London Cup, after completing his stint with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.However, he was hurt attempting to stop a shot in Harry Podmore’s first over of the match. In obvious pain, Billings was left prone on the outfield for several minutes, and was administered oxygen before being helped off the field.Kent later confirmed that he had been taken to hospital, where the shoulder was relocated, and returned to Sophia Gardens afterwards.Billings had not been included in England’s 15-man squad for next month’s World Cup, but was likely to be one of the batting reserves. England already have a number of injury concerns, particularly among their batsmen, as they build towards the World Cup opener against South Africa at The Oval on May 30.Jason Roy is missing for Surrey in the latest round of Royal London Cup games after suffering back spasms earlier this week, while Eoin Morgan also sat out the same fixture for Middlesex after complaining of sore shins before the toss.Kent’s other England selection, Joe Denly, was not included for the trip to Glamorgan after suffering a back spasm while batting against Gloucestershire on Tuesday.Alex Hales, meanwhile, has been put on indefinite leave by Nottinghamshire for personal reasons, but is expected to link up with the England squad for a pre-season training camp in Cardiff this weekend.*1530 GMT, April 26 – This story was updated with news of Billings’ scan results

MatériaMais Notícias

Uma foto da possível nova camisa do São Paulo para a próxima temporada vazou na internet nesta sexta-feira (26). Na imagem, dá para ver algumas diferenças em relação a camisa da última temporada.

São Paulo bateu na trave no Brasileirão! Lembre títulos que o Tricolor passou perto de vencer

A foto não exibe a camisa com os patrocínios, e destaca um novo estilo de gola, com as cores vermelho e preto. A marca da Adidas também voltou a ser na cor preta, e as linhas nos ombros passou a ter a cor vermelha.

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Linda camisa! Modelo segue a primeira linha dos times da Adidas. https://t.co/8Dyk4sdqoV

— Gabriel Santos (@ga_obiel) February 26, 2021

VEJA COMO FICOU A CLASSIFICAÇÃO DO BRASILEIRÃO

O lançamento da nova camisa está previsto para acontecer no começo do mês de março. O São Paulo deve estrear no Paulistão ainda com o uniforme ‘antigo’.

O Tricolor, comandado pelo argentino Hernán Crespo, que fará sua estreia no clube. joga diante do Botafogo-SP, no próximo domingo (28), às 19h, no Morumbi, pela 1ª rodada do Campeonato Paulista.

Nottingham Forest have now played six matches without picking up a win, losing five in the process.

The latest defeat occurred last Friday in a 2-0 home loss to Spurs, which puts Forest 17th in the Premier League with 14 points from 17 games.

With that in mind, it is no surprise that Steve Cooper has just been sacked by Forest, with ex-Tottenham Hotspur boss Nuno Espirito Santo set to take charge immediately, according to the Mirror.

Nuno Santo’s managerial stats

The 49-year-old manager is best known for his time at Wolves, where he coached his side to a Championship title and consecutive seventh-place finishes following that promotion. He brought European football to the club, making it all the way to the Europa League quarterfinals in 2020.

Most recently, Santo has been coaching in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad, where he was sacked last month following a run of five Saudi Pro League games without a win. However, two of the three trophies of the ex-Spurs boss' managerial career occurred in Saudi Arabia.

The table below is an overview of Santo’s career, showing his win rate and experience.

Nuno Santo's managerial record

Club

Matches

Wins

Al-Ittihad

53

37

Spurs

17

9

Wolves

199

96

Porto

49

27

Valencia

62

32

Rio Ave

80

32

Stats via Transfermarkt

How Nuno Santo can get the best out of Anthony Elanga

Santo’s approach to football is very reminiscent of Jose Mourinho’s, with the defensive side of the game prioritised before any form of attack can be considered. This is a slightly tedious way of playing, which means that when results are going your way, it's good, but when the team is losing, it can be extremely uninspiring.

However, a player who can thrive with Santo at the helm is ex-Manchester United forward Anthony Elanga. The £25k-per-week Sweden international has been effective for Forest since being signed for £15.1m in the summer, particularly from the bench – with the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal where he got an assist and the 1-0 win versus Chelsea where he scored the winner springing to mind.

Overall, the 21-year-old has contributed six goals in just 11 starts this season, and with the right system, the new boss could unearth his next Diogo Jota – a player who scored 53 goals and contributed 27 assists under Santo's watch in 169 outings.

Just like the Liverpool player did under Santo at Wolves, Elanga can feature off the left as a winger, playing off a target man such as Taiwo Awoniyi, the equivalent of Jota’s Raul Jimenez, or even as a lone striker if needed.

This system could easily be replicated at Forest, with Santo having similar players who fit the successful mold. Elanga would most likely feature behind the Nigerian attacker on the left, partnering Morgan Gibbs-White in the attack of the preferred 3-4-2-1/3-4-3.

Elanga is at his best when he has space to run into, using the “electric” pace that Paul Robinson recently praised him for to breeze past opponents on the counterattack. The United academy graduate is the definition of an athlete, and Santo’s sit-in, soak-up-the-pressure, and go approach would suit Elanga perfectly.

The main difference between Jota and the Forest winger is that the former Wolves player displayed more natural goalscoring traits, but with focused training from Santo on finishing and potentially chance creation, there is no reason why Elanga cannot even surpass the Wolves version of Jota.

Arsenal are open to selling one of their fringe players in order to sign a replacement who is already in the Premier League, according to a fresh report that has emerged.

Arsenal outgoing transfers

The Gunners sanctioned the sales of 14 players during the previous window, with eight of those being on a permanent basis, while the remaining six were sent out on loan for the rest of the season in order to increase their experience and game time.

Edu and Mikel Arteta also have Jorginho, Mohamed Elneny and Cedric Soares who will have reached the expiration of their deals upon the conclusion of the current campaign, so they could additionally be heading for the exit door in January (Arsenal contracts).

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In the top-flight this season, Thomas Partey has made just three starts and one substitute appearance (WhoScored – Partey statistics), and while the defensive midfielder has been sidelined with both groin and hamstring injuries, he’s not currently happy.

Back in October, Ghana’s international was reported to be frustrated with his lack of game time and more specifically his inability to nail down a regular place in the starting line-up, though if the following update is to be believed, he won't have to put up with it for much longer.

Arteta happy to get rid of Partey

According to Football Insider, Arsenal are open to selling Partey next month in order to both raise the necessary funds and make room to sign Fulham's Joao Palhinha, who has emerged as a target.

"Arsenal are keen on a potential move for Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha in 2024, sources have told Football Insider. However, a well-placed source has told Football Insider that the Gunners are likely to have to move Thomas Partey on before a deal for the Portugal international becomes possible."

252

1,151

0

2

0

1

91.1%

83.9%

1.5

5.4

1

1.6

0.5

1.5

"Sensational" Palhinha an upgrade on "useless" Partey

While Partey hasn’t been given a fair chance to prove what he’s capable of this term, Arsenal will feel they are making completely the right decision to let him leave in January given the upgrade in defensive solidity with Palhinha, who former Fulham defender Stephen Kelly says is "sensational" and "amazing".

Arteta’s 30-year-old veteran also isn’t getting any younger either, and when he has been handed the opportunity to showcase his talents this term, he has failed to make any kind of positive impression that will increase the chances of him staying in the team.

Journalist Josh Bunting has previously criticised him, saying: “Thomas Partey is the most frustrating player, every game he will try that type of shot from range and blazes over the crossbar, it’s just so careless and wasteful, good breaking down the play but absolutely useless in the attacking phases of play.”

Furthermore, Partey pockets £200k-per-week which is more than the likes of Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal salaries), so Edu and Arteta need to get him off the books and use the extra cash to generate funds towards new signings in 2024, be it Palhinha or an alternative target.

خطف فريق بيراميدز فوزًا قاتلًا على الداخلية، بهدف مقابل لا شيء في المباراة التي جمعتهما اليوم الأربعاء، ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري.

وسجل بيراميدز، هدف الفوز في الدقيقة الأخيرة من عمر اللقاء عن طريق مروان حمدي، في الدقيقة 95.

طالع..فيديو | إنبي يوقف سلسلة انتصارات الأهلي بتعادل إيجابي في الدوري المصري

بهذا الفوز رفع بيراميدز رصيده إلى 79 نقطة في المركز الثاني من جدول ترتيب مسابقة الدوري برصيد 79 نقطة، بينما تجمد رصيد الداخلية في المركز الأخير عند 19 نقطة.

وكان فريق الداخلية قد تأكد هبوطه إلى دوري المحترفين بعد احتلاله المركز الأخير.

يذكر أن الأهلي، قد حسم لقب الدوري المصري موسم 2023 -2024 بعد منافسة مع بيراميدز، حيث حسم الأحمر اللقب منذ أسبوعين. هدف بيراميدز أمام الداخلية اليوم في الدوري

Sarfraz Ahmed and his men are chasing an 11th successive series win, but New Zealand have a squad that has done the rounds in T20 leagues and would fancy causing an upset

The Preview by Hemant Brar30-Oct-2018Big PictureIn this day and time, it’s a surprise that a team can go seven months without playing international cricket. However, that’s the case with New Zealand, who played their last game in March-April 2018. They will end the drought with the three-match T20I series against the No. 1-ranked Pakistan in the UAE, the first of which will be held in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday night.It’s not as if the players have been taking it easy though. Many of them, including Colin Munro, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Ish Sodhi were part of various franchises during the IPL or CPL. Also, New Zealand A were involved in a three-match T20 series in Dubai where they defeated Pakistan A 2-1. Players like Glenn Phillips, Corey Anderson and Mark Chapman were part of that team.Even so, New Zealand were dealt a blow when Martin Guptill was ruled out of the limited-overs leg due to a calf strain. It came after they were already without their first-choice spinner Mitchell Santner, who was ruled out for nine months after his right knee problem worsened in March.Guptill’s absence meant Phillips was rewarded for his good form in CPL 2018 and the T20s against Pakistan A. The wicketkeeper-batsman is likely to partner Munro at the top of the order, while Williamson and Taylor will complete the top four.Sodhi is set to lead the New Zealand spin attack, and given the nature of the wickets in Abu Dhabi, he is likely to be backed by the left-arm spin of uncapped 30-year-old Ajaz Patel. Wednesday’s game can also mark Anderson’s return to international cricket, who last played for New Zealand in the 2017 Champions Trophy.Pakistan, on the other hand, seem to have mastered the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket under Sarfraz Ahmed. They will be chasing their 11th successive series win. After demolishing Australia 3-0 recently, they have once again shown what a strong bowling attack can do even in the shortest format. While there is Hasan Ali’s pace and Faheem Ashraf’s guile, the bowlers who will test the New Zealand batsmen most are spinners Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim.Pakistan have always had bowling riches, but in Babar Azam, they now have a batsman around whom other power-hitters can play. Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik not only lend experience and stability to the middle order, but they are also as good as any backup spinners.Form guidePakistan WWWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)New Zealand LLLWLIn the spotlightBabar Azam is currently the No. 1-ranked batsman in T20Is, and there is a good reason for that. His last five innings read: 50, 45, 68*, 51, 97*. During this period, he averages 103.66 with a strike-rate of 131.22. It was Babar, who held the innings together in the first T20I against Australia where Pakistan suffered a middle-order collapse and slipped from 130 for 3 to 133 for 8. While there are more experienced batsmen in the Pakistan squad, there is little doubt who the main threat is.Colin Munro is one of the most destructive batsmen around. The left-handed opener not only has the most T20I hundreds, but his strike-rate of 163.59 is the highest for anyone with more than 500 runs in the format. However, by his own admission, he finds it difficult to spot the ball when it is turning both ways. This means it will be a fascinating battle when he faces Shadab’s wristspin; it could well decide the series.Team newsPakistan have stuck with the same squad that whitewashed Australia earlier this month. While they may juggle between Usman Khan and Shaheen Afridi for the role of the second seamer, there are not many changes expected from the XI that played in Dubai on Friday. Fakhar Zaman remains out with knee pain.Pakistan (possible): 1 Babar Azam, 2 Sahibzada Farhan, 3 Mohammad Hafeez, 4 Shoaib Malik, 5 Asif Ali, 6 Sarfraz Ahmed (capt & wk), 7 Faheem Ashraf, 8 Imad Wasim, 9 Shadab Khan, 10 Hasan Ali, 11 Usman Khan/ Shaheen AfridiWith Phillips set to open the batting, he will also keep wicket. This means Tim Seifert will have to miss out. Seth Rance may also have to wait for a chance with Anderson and Colin de Grandhomme occupying the allrounders’ spot.New Zealand (possible): 1 Colin Munro, 2 Glenn Phillips (wk), 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Mark Chapman, 6 Corey Anderson, 7 Colin de Grandhomme, 8 Tim Southee, 9 Ish Sodhi, 10 Ajaz Patel, 11 Adam Milne/ Lockie FergusonPitch and conditionsAbu Dhabi’s is not on a typical T20 wicket where batsman could hit through the line and on the up, as Australia found out when they were bowled out for 89. The average first-innings score here is 147. The forecast for Wednesday is partly cloudy with the temperature hovering around 27 degree Celsius. With the games being held at night, dew is also expected to play a role.Stats and trivia Pakistan have now bowled out their opposition 30 times in T20Is. New Zealand and Australia are the next with 19 each. Pakistan have won 26 out of 30 matches under Sarfraz Ahmed. Their four losses came against West Indies, World XI, New Zealand and Australia. Colin Munro (567) and Glenn Phillips (457) were the top two run-scorers in CPL 2018.QuotesIt [seven months] is an unusually long time between internationals but I guess that makes the guys very excited to get back involved. It’s a great country to come to and play cricket against Pakistan, who are one of the strongest teams in world cricket at the moment.

Liverpool are one of the clubs interested in signing an "absolutely incredible" young midfielder, with Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg revealing several teams have held talks.

Liverpool transfer news

The Reds are in sparkling form at the moment, beating Everton in the Premier League last weekend and then thumping Toulouse 5-1 in the Europa League on Thursday night, and there is a feeling that something special is brewing in Jurgen Klopp's 2.0 era at Anfield.

That has been aided by some excellent summer transfer business, with Klopp gutting his midfield and transforming it with the younger signings of Alexis Mac Alliater, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch. All three have been highly impressive signings to date, and Wataru Endo has also been a shrewd acquisition as a squad player.

This has to be the start of the rebuild, however, with more new signings arriving in January and next summer, ensuring other areas of the pitch are strengthened, too.

Bayern Munich superstar Jamal Musiala is one player who has been linked with a move to Liverpool, while Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher is also a surprise candidate to be the final piece of the midfield puzzle.

Liverpool hold talks to sign Assan Ouedraogo

Taking to X on Thursday, Sky Germany journalist Plettenberg dropped an Assan Ouedraogo transfer update, saying the Reds are one of the teams to have held talks for the Schalke midfielder:

"Eintracht Frankfurt has entered the race for Assan Ouedraogo! SGE bosses have inquired about the 17 y/o and are aware of all the financial details. Boss Krösche with a very high opinion about the player.

"SGE believes he's capable of earning a significant spot in the squad starting from the new season. Leipzig, Bayern, Milan, Frankfurt, Liverpool, Neapel. His management in several talks now. BVB no chance."

Ouedraogo may be something of an unknown to many because of his age, but this could be such an exciting piece of business by Liverpool if they can beat others to his signature. The lure of playing under Klopp is one thing that the Reds will have over other clubs, given his reputation as one of the best managers of his generation, and as mentioned above, his new chapter at Anfield is really in full swing after a difficult time of things last season.

Ouedraogo obviously wouldn't be arriving at Liverpool as a midfielder who would go straight into the first team, but he would be a long-term signing with a potentially massive future in the game. Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has made it clear how highly he rates the teenager, calling him "absolutely incredible" during the summer and "Schalke's most talented academy player since Leroy Sané".

Schalke

10

Schalke Under-19s

13

Germany Under-17s

15

Germany Under-16s

6

The 17-year-old is already making waves in the 2.Bundesliga, with Ouedraogo's stats showing that he has already bagged once in nine appearances this season. Planning for the future at Liverpool is absolutely vital, and the German ace is someone who could be a key part of it, should the Reds get their man.