Napoli manager Antonio Conte has hinted the club needs more "reinforcements", while explaining why players don't want to sign for them.
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Conte becomes Napoli boss in JuneSays Italian club needs "reinforcements"Explains why they can't sign certain playersWHAT HAPPENED?
Former Chelsea boss Conte has sent a message to Napoli's owners about strengthening their squad after their penalty shootout win in the first round of the Coppa Italia against Serie B team Modena. While he accepts the limitations of the club's finances, and the fact that they aren't competing in European tournaments this season makes it harder to sign players, the Italian suggested things won't improve without more investment.
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He told reporters that Napoli need more "reinforcements", adding: "I put myself at the club's complete disposal, I knew the situation I found and on the market you have limits in terms of the cost of the player or the salary. Many players don't come here because we don't play in the [European] cups. I want the best for Napoli and to try to strengthen the squad because we need it. Then I don't know what will happen, today was a nice dose of reality."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Napoli had a dire defence of their Serie A title last season, with the Blues finishing 10th in the table. This summer they have signed Alessandro Buongiorno, Rafa Marin, Leonardo Spinazzola and Matija Popovic but are making more headlines for trying and failing to sell Victor Osimhen and buy Romelu Lukaku, despite reportedly making a verbal agreement with the Chelsea forward.
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GettyWHAT NEXT?
Conte's Napoli side are next in action next Sunday evening away to Verona as Serie A returns. After that, they round off August with home league games against Bologna and Parma. It remains to be seen if they will strengthen the squad by then.
Simon Milenko scored a brilliant maiden first-class hundred as he hauled Tasmania up to 254 on the opening day against South Australia.Milenko, who came in at No. 7, hit 100 of the 133 runs made while he was at the crease as first Lawrence Neil-Smith then Gabe Bell hung around with him. He was on 95 when Bell edged to slip, but No. 11 Riley Meredith survived long enough for him to reach three figures before he dragged on against Will Bosisto’s second ball of the innings.Until Milenko’s display it was a story of Tasmania’s top order wasting starts against some probing bowling from South Australia who had suffered further Shield heartache in the previous match against Western Australia when they lost with eight balls remaining.Joe Mennie claimed the first three wickets to fall – starting with Jordan Silk who was given lbw padding up after waiting an age for the umpire’s decision – then Chadd Sayers trapped George Bailey lbw in what will be his final first-class match before becoming an Australian selector after the BBL.Jake Doran and Ben McDermott both fell to Wes Agar to leave Tasmania 6 for 150 and seemingly struggling to reach 200.However, Milenko took charge although it was only after reaching his half-century – which he brought up with a six off Agar – that he changed gears as his second fifty took just 33 deliveries.Left with 12 overs to face before stumps, Jake Weatherald and Henry Hunt made it through without loss.
Jack Grealish was left stunned by Carlos Alcaraz's sensational victory against Novak Djokovic in the men's Wimbledon final on Sunday.
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Grealish attended Wimbledon final
Amazed by Alcaraz's win against Djokovic
Man City star praised him on Instagram
WHAT HAPPENED?
The young tennis ace beat the tennis legend in three sets to claim the 2024 Wimbledon trophy on Sunday. Manchester City and England star Grealish was in attendance and was amazed by the Spaniard's performance, taking to Instagram to share his thoughts.
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WHAT GREALISH POSTED
"Nah honestly lol," Grealish wrote in an Instagram Story. "Never seen an athlete like it".
Instagram/jackgrealish
THE BIGGER PICTURE
At just 21 years old, Alcaraz has won Wimbledon for the second year in a row. He has now won four grand slams, emerging victorious from every final he has appeared in. When he was 19, Alcaraz became the youngest player to ever be ranked the world's No. 1 in the history of the ATP Rankings.
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WHAT NEXT?
After taking in the Wimbledon final, Grealish will hope to see England win the Euro 2024 final when they meet Spain later on Sunday. The Manchester City star was left out of the Three Lions squad for the competition in Germany.
Manchester United have been warned that they will have to fork out a hefty fee to replace Erik ten Hag with their first choice this summer.
Ten Hag under serious pressure
It is no secret that Ten Hag is under pressure as Manchester United boss. Sunday's heavy derby day loss only heightened the scrutiny on the Dutchman, and the performance of his record signing from the bench only served to add further scrutiny to his suitability to the club off the pitch too.
Currently sixth in the Premier League, the Red Devils sit 11 points outside the top four and look destined to miss out on Champions League football for next season, something that is perhaps for the best given their disastrous showing in this season's competition.
Team
Played
Wins
Draws
Losses
Goal difference
Points
Aston Villa
27
17
4
6
22
55
Tottenham Hotspur
26
15
5
6
16
50
Manchester United
27
14
2
11
-2
44
With the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe earlier in the campaign, it has been all change at Old Trafford behind the scenes. Omar Berrada has arrived from Manchester City as the new CEO, while Dan Ashworth is expected to join from Newcastle and the club are also set to approach Crystal Palace's Dougie Freedman in the coming days.
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That change is yet to make it to the technical area, though the Daily Mail have reported that Ten Hag has received no assurances about his future and that 'many in the United squad believe it is likely new co-owners Ineos will make a change at the end of the season'.
With an FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool looming as well as a tough end to the season, there is a real concern that Manchester United could end the season trophyless and relegated to a second or even third tier European competition for next season, something that the new owners would not take kindly to.
As a result, there is plenty of talk around who may replace Ten Hag at Old Trafford.
United learn huge price for number one target
Football FanCast previously reported that United had already identified Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi as the frontrunner to replace Ten Hag at the end of the season, but the Red Devils will face a fight to land their man amid interest from around Europe and from Chelsea.
Now, they will also face a financial issue, with Brighton understood to be demanding a £12m fee from any club to release the Italian from his contract, which runs until 2026.
De Zerbi has no shortage of admirers both in and out of the Premier League, with Pep Guardiola having spoken admirably about him previously and Luton Town boss Rob Edwards explaining earlier in the season that "I think he's excellent and what he and his team have done is top”.
It is by no means the most expensive compensation (that record still belongs to Antonio Conte), but it would certainly represent a major dent in any summer business Manchester United plan to execute. However, the trade-off to land De Zerbi could prove well worth it.
Supporters would be forgiven for having resigned themselves to the expectation that Liverpool's exciting season under Jurgen Klopp's tutelage – the esteemed German's last on Merseyside – would have been derailed over recent weeks following a spate of alarming injuries.
Against Southampton in the FA Cup on Wednesday night, the Anfield side was indeed nursing 14 absences to first-team members due to injury and illness, but Liverpool's able academy players sparkled once again, teenage forwards Lewis Koumas and Jayden Danns both netting to sink Russell Martin's wasteful side.
Lewis Koumas scores for Liverpool.
The latter's emphatic brace off the bench spoke of a prolific career yet to come while the deflection off professional debutant Koumas' opening goal must not detract from the slickness and spirit of the 18-year-old.
The ashes of a remarkable Carabao Cup final over Chelsea last weekend were still smouldering, a joyous contest that saw midfielders Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo fall as a by-product.
Neither are expected to spend extensive time in the medical room but the sheer gravity of Liverpool's injury crisis is belied by the unrelenting progress on the pitch, with James McConnell and Bobby Clark starting in midfield – anchored by the out-of-place Joe Gomez – and performing admirably.
Clark, aged 19, was particularly impressive once again, with his recent efforts proving that he is undoubtedly one of Liverpool's finest teenage talents, if not the Premier League's.
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Klopp’s youngsters prevailed in tough circumstances once again to advance to the quarter-finals.
ByAngus Sinclair Feb 29, 2024 Bobby Clark's season in numbers
Arriving from Newcastle United when he was 16 years old, Clark has grown into his skin considerably over the past few months, having supplied Koumas with the assist for Liverpool's first-half strike against Southampton.
A nice way to crown a noteworthy display, but certainly not the highlight of his performance, which saw the dynamic midfielder showcase his ball-playing aptitude, creativity and work rate in recycling possession and protecting his backline.
Minutes played
90'
Assists
1
Touches
70
Accurate passes
42/46 (91%)
Key passes
3
Dribble attempts
1/3
Possession lost
12x
Tackles
2
Clearances
2
Source: Sofascore
As the table above portrays, Clark completed a display of many facets, taking control in the absence of his senior peers and proving that he is deserving of a lasting role in Liverpool's system.
In total, the 5 foot 10 talent has made eight appearances for Klopp's team this term, featuring across four of Liverpool's past six Premier League matches and being hailed by The Athletic's James Pearce for his "impressive development."
A versatile player, conditioned into a central role after thriving as a free-scoring winger in his earlier days, Clark offers danger through his penetrative runs and energy that melds with a range of passing to open up; passages for his teammate – something that Koumas was the grateful recipient of last time out.
Liverpool's Bobby Clark.
While Dominik Szoboszlai's return from injury is imminent, Endo's knock could see him return on Saturday to face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground and fears that Gravenberch had suffered long-term damage have been eased – Klopp said before the Southampton match, "it could have been worse, but it is bad enough to rule him out of this game and the next game" – Clark has demonstrated that he offers an ability that can be used and benefitted from over the coming weeks.
Another long-time absentee might find themself close to a comeback in Stefan Bajcetic, whose performances of great precocity last season have been stifled this year due to an abductor problem and growing pains that have consigned him to off-pitch development.
The Spaniard has only featured twice during the 2023/24 campaign, both showings coming in February, and while Klopp remarked that he is "pain-free", the 19-year-old has not returned to training and is unlikely to get the green light over the coming weeks.
Nonetheless, he's an immense talent and his return will be a huge lift, his quality perhaps even eclipsing that of Clark, and indeed the rest of Liverpool's talented Kirkby crop.
Liverpool have a bigger talent than Clark
This time last year, Bajcetic was the name on everyone's lips, with the all-action midfielder standing tall as Liverpool's shining light in a period of great trouble, Klopp's side slumping into mediocrity after many years of unrelenting output.
Described by Liverpool follower Zubin Daver as a "special" prospect, Bajcetic brought energy and skill and art to Liverpool's engine room and completed 21 appearances in all competitions, scoring off the bench to clinch an important Premier League victory in December 2022 on only his second appearance, gliding into the box and firing true against Aston Villa.
Across his 11 appearances in the Premier League last season, the Pontevedra prodigy completed 79% of his passes and succeeded with 64% of his dribbles, as per Sofascore, with much fanfare rising through the mists of Liverpool's demise: a future phenomenon had been born.
1.
Stefan Bajcetic
21
19 y/o
2.
Bobby Clark
10
19 y/o
3.
Ben Doak
10
18 y/o
4.
James McConnell
8
19 y/o
5.
Kaide Gordon
7
19 y/o
All stats via Transfermarkt
Despite being shackled to the sidelines this season, Bajcetic has completed more than double the senior appearances of any of his teenage teammates on Merseyside, speaking volumes for the sheer impression and trust that was placed in his skill as Liverpool fought to salvage something from their season.
Indeed, the 6 foot 1 star, nimble yet deceptively strong in his frame, would surely have been the first name on the teamsheet in midfield last night, had he been fit.
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His polished passing range and prodigious energy are exactly what is needed within a Klopp system, pumping life and mettle into the high-octane system, and while the iconic leader is draping the curtain on his tenure after the close of the campaign, Bajcetic has the attributes to succeed for many years.
An illustrious era might be drawing to a close but Klopp's legacy will endure for many years, with talented players such as Bajcetic and Clark having the makings of first-team regulars at Liverpool to contribute toward the success of the next chapter, whatever that might be.
Após escalar Xavier e Camacho como dupla de volantes na derrota por 2 a 1, de virada, do Corinthians contra a Ferroviária, na última terça-feira (13), na Arena Fonte Luminosa, em Araraquara, pelo Campeonato Paulista, com o segundo, inclusive, marcando o gol corintiano no jogo, o técnico Vagner Mancini optou por Gabriel e Cantillo no setor, no empate em 1 a 1 contra o São Bento, nesta sexta-feira (16), na Neo Química Arena, também pelo Estadual.
No entanto, Gabriel, que possui uma característica mais marcadora, geralmente atuando como primeiro homem de meio-campo, foi visto por vezes próximos a área, inclusive finalizando ao gol e criando jogadas diretamente. Enquanto isso, Cantillo, que tem nos passes a sua principal característica esteve posicionado como uma espécie de primeiro volante.
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Em entrevista coletiva virtual concedida após a partida, Mancini explicou o motivo da decisão.
– Simples, pela saída de bola do Cantillo e pela marcação do Gabriel. Como nós queríamos sufocar o São Bento, adotamos uma postura para marcar em cima, não deixar o São Bento jogar, o Gabriel tem uma facilidade maior de adiantar a marcação, é um atleta mais rápido, e o Cantillo, exatamente jogando por trás, para dar uma saída de bola com mais qualidade – afirmou o técnico corintiano.
Foi a terceira dupla de volantes diferentes que Vagner Mancini escalou nos últimos três compromissos do Timão. No último domingo (11), quando o Corinthians venceu o Guarani, por 1 a 0, em Campinas, o treinador optou por começar com Gabriel e Ramiro, diferentemente de Xavier e Camacho, contra a Locomotiva, e Gabriel e Cantillo, diante do Bentão.
De acordo com o comandante corintiano, as mudanças fazem parte de um planejamento em meio a sequência de partidas, assim como testes que estão sendo feitos para que o treinador defina o time ideal para a estreia na Copa Sul-Americana, na próxima quinta-feira (22), contra o River Plate (PAR), no estádio Defensores del Chaco, em Assunção.
– Na verdade, eu não pensei, eu tive a decisão porque os atletas jogaram na terça-feira, não estavam totalmente recuperados do jogo e por isso a gente adotou o planejamento que já havia sido estabelecido, desse jogo a equipe que jogou domingo, contra o Guarani, voltaria a jogar. A entrada do Cantillo, e por isso ele foi para Araraquara, foi para que ele pudesse jogar hoje – disse Mancini.
Antes do duelo pela Sul-Americana, o Timão ainda encarra o Ituano, neste domingo (18), às 22h, na Neo Química Arena, pela sexta rodada do Paulistão. Será a última oportunidade de Vagner Mancini promover testes antes de começar a sua trajetória em busca do título continental inédito.
>> Confira a tabela o Paulistão e simule os próximos jogos
England captain Heather Knight hopes spinning wicket will bring her side back into contest after ODI defeats
Melinda Farrell in Taunton17-Jul-2019England’s hopes of keeping the Women’s Ashes alive may rest on a turning pitch at Taunton and the two youngest members of their squad. Australia lead the multi-format series 6-0 after winning all three ODIs convincingly and will retain the Ashes if England fail to win the four-day contest, worth four points.England have drafted left-arm spinner Kirstie Gordon into the squad after her impressive performance for England Academy in the three-day warm up match against Australia. Gordon took a total of eight wickets in the match and may join England’s other left-arm 20-year-old spinner, Sophie Ecclestone, in the XI.A turning pitch – a regular feature at a ground often referred to as “Ciderabad” on the county circuit – could help England negate Australia’s pace attack, which is likely to include Tayla Vlaeminck, the 20-year-old right-armer, who is widely considered to be the quickest bowler in the Australian squad.After both captains had viewed the pitch, Meg Lanning described it as “used” and, while this is technically the case, the last time it was played on was the Men’s World Cup match between Afghanistan and New Zealand on June 8. But there were still visible marks on what appeared to be a dry surface and Lanning and her England counterpart, Heather Knight, both expected spin to play a significant role.”It looks a little bit dry, I think it will generally play okay to start with but obviously we’ll have to see how it adapts as the game goes on,” said Knight.”There’s the potential it could turn later in the Test which is pretty exciting with both sides going out there to win,” said Lanning. “I think it will be a great contest.””We’re happy playing whatever comes our way, I think it will be a really good contest and it will play reasonably well early on, it’s just towards the back end we’ll just have to see how it goes.”ALSO READ: Perth glories inspire Kate Cross to hit her markBoth sides are keen for a result, and with rain forecast that may be a challenge, but it is difficult to over-emphasise the importance of a decent pitch in a women’s Test. The last time a Women’s Ashes Test was played on a surface conducive to attacking cricket was in January 2014 at the WACA. The previous fixture, at Wormsley in 2013, and subsequent matches, at Canterbury and North Sydney Oval were played on slow surfaces that all too often led to dull cricket.”We obviously need a result so we want a pitch that will be conducive to that,” said Knight. “But I think the last few pitches we’ve played on have been very flat and slow which haven’t been great for the spectacle and haven’t been great in terms of creating exciting cricket to watch and creating results.”I think it will be slightly different to that. We’ll obviously have to see how it plays and as a team we’ll have to adapt in terms of how we play our cricket. If you ask me at the end of the four days we’ll see and we’ll have a better reflection on whether it’s a good pitch for four-day cricket or not.”The last few Test matches haven’t been good as a contest, but I’ve no doubt this match will be different to that,” agreed Lanning.”We’re ready to play on anything, we feel we’ve got a good attack with the ball, both spin and pace and the batting line-up is really strong as well.”
Manchester United's manager for next season will have to get the best out of a shoestring budget as the club look to curtail their spending in summer.
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Red Devils spent £175m on transfers last summerNew part-owners will cut down on big-money signingsClub will focus on young stars over expensive dealsWHAT HAPPENED?
United may bring in a new head coach to replace Erik ten Hag after a disappointing season under the Dutchman, though there have been recent reports of the current incumbent staying on for another year, at least.
AdvertisementGettyTHE EXPLANATION
Whoever is in charge, though, will not have a large budget to work with when it comes to bringing in new players, reports. New part-owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team hope to avoid breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) by putting an end to such lavish spending that saw them splash out around £175 million ($222m) on new players last summer. Instead, they would rather see young players brought up through the youth academy than bring in expensive established stars.
DID YOU KNOW?
United can raise further funds through the sale of Mason Greenwood, who has attracted interest from clubs across Europe due to his exploits on loan at Getafe this season. While Jadon Sancho, now on loan at Borussia Dortmund, could also be sold. The Red Devils are also willing to listen to offers for most of the current first team, except for the likes of younger stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund.
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United will have to make a decision regarding the managerial position soon. Ten Hag is pushing for a swift resolution to the issue following reports the club had already decided to part ways with him even though they won the FA Cup final last week.
Women's Super League giants Arsenal and Chelsea will head to the United States this summer during pre-season.
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Chelsea & Arsenal book US tours
Will face NWSL sides for first time
English teams to meet in Washington D.C.
WHAT HAPPENED?
The English sides will head Stateside to begin preparations for the 2024-25 season, reports. As well as playing a friendly against each other in Washington D.C, the London clubs will take on NWSL teams as part of their tours.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
The report says that Arsenal will take on Washington Spirit in an August friendly, while WSL champions Chelsea will play the new NWSL winners NJ/NY Gotham FC. Not only is this the first such high-profile tour for the two WSL sides, it will also be the first time English women's teams will take on their American counterparts.
DID YOU KNOW?
Chelsea and Arsenal will be hoping to take full advantage of their pre-season preparations. The Blues are preparing for their first season without legendary manager Emma Hayes, who has left to take over the USWNT. Meanwhile, the Gunners are aiming to unseat their London rivals by beating them to the WSL title next season.
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WHAT NEXT?
Despite just finishing their WSL season at the weekend, Arsenal are set to play a post-campaign friendly against the Australian A League Allstars on Friday. Chelsea, meanwhile, will celebrate their latest title win after sealing the trophy on goal difference with a 6-0 win against Manchester United on Saturday.
A rictus of a grin contorted Trent Alexander-Arnold's face. Before half time, the influential Liverpool star had struck the bar with a venomous strike after waves of Arsenal pressure at the Emirates Stadium in the FA Cup.
Liverpool rode their luck and Jurgen Klopp probably inwardly tipped his cap to the hosts' profligacy, but this group of players, resilient and tenacious and together, held firm to turn the tide in the closing stages and advance to the fourth round with a 2-0 win.
Luis Diaz, under fire of late for a dip in performance, has made improvements over recent games and will be delighted with his stunning strike at the death to confirm Arsenal's demise, assisted by the Gunners' personal scourge in Diogo Jota.
Prior, Alexander-Arnold – donning the captain's armband with Virgil van Dijk ill – had whipped in a fierce free-kick that was fortuitously turned in by Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior.
It was a hard-fought and noteworthy victory. However, not all caught the eye, with Cody Gakpo unable to spark the game into life and withdrawn before the hour mark.
Cody Gakpo's performance in numbers vs Arsenal
Writing in his post-match ratings, 90min's Grey Whitebloom was not impressed by the Dutchman's endeavours and handed him an ignominious 2/10 score, writing: 'Utterly ineffective throughout a painfully forgettable 59 minutes on the pitch.'
Harsh? Probably. But it's true that Gakpo was not influencing proceedings as he might have hoped despite an adroit pivot to beat his man and instigate the phase that led to Alexander-Arnold's bar-rattling strike.
The 24-year-old, who has been hailed for his "special skill set" by Reds assistant manager Pep Lijnders, has scored eight goals this season but remains a conflicting figure, enduring several lacklustre games.
Against Arsenal, as per Sofascore, Gakpo was indeed ineffective as he sort of played in flux from the No. 8 role and out on the right wing, withdrawn after 59 minutes having taken just 20 touches, which is even fewer than Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, who enjoyed a largely impressive night between the sticks but took the fewest touches (32) of any starting player, bar Gakpo.
Cody Gakpo vs Arsenal
Minutes Played
59
Touches
20
Accurate Passes
14/16 (88%)
Key Passes
1
Crosses
0
Shots
0
Dribbles
0
Duels Won
1/4
Stats via Sofascore.
While he completed 88% of his passes and made one key pass, his impactful moments were few and far between and Klopp will surely be considering whether to drop him for the forthcoming Carabao Cup tie against Fulham, with Jota impressive off the bench once again.
Of course, it's not all doom and gloom for Gakpo, who scored an important late goal against Newcastle United on New Year's Day during Liverpool's emphatic Premier League victory over Newcastle United.
Moreover, he has actually scored in all three of his side's Carabao Cup fixtures thus far and will be desperate to pardon his poor display in London with a confident performance over the Cottagers.
The £120k-per-week Gakpo remains an important member of Klopp's squad and his versatility has impeded him in instances, but there is no denying that a trail of lacklustre displays litter the road of Liverpool's campaign.
With Jota in fine form and Luis Diaz returning to his best, perhaps Gakpo should sit the next one out, and if his manager does decide to hand him a starting berth once again, he surely needs to play as centre-forward.