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Despite having not yet been appointed as Celtic boss, Eddie Howe is reportedly already gathering a list of potential transfer targets and on it is Bournemouth defender Steve Cook.

According to The Sun, the former Cherries boss wants to bring the centre-back North of the border in what be a move that would hugely bolster their current options.

After all, Howe knows the 29-year-old extremely well having relied on him at the Vitality Stadium on several occasions, Cook going on to play 168 matches for the club in the Premier League following promotion in 2015.

It was even a relationship that led the manager to label the defender as “incredible” on numerous occasions.

Whilst not playing at the top level anymore, Cook continues to turn in some excellent performances.

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He has made 39 appearances for the Cherries in all competitions this season, captaining the club as they attempt to make an instant return to the Premier League.

Although one downside could be his wages, as he’s amongst their highest earners on a reported £45k-per-week on the south coast.

According to WhoScored, he is averaging 0.5 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game this season, whilst also contributing 0.7 blocks and a huge 4.3 clearances. They are certainly numbers that would see him become a massive defensive presence at Celtic Park.

After all, the Hoops could certainly do with adding to their centre-back options.

Shane Duffy looks likely to return to parent club Brighton and Hove Albion following the expiry of his loan deal, whilst the likes of Christopher Julien and Kristoffer Ajer continue to be linked with switches away from Celtic.

Cook then could be the perfect addition.

Rated at £6.3m but available on a free transfer come the end of the 2020/21 season, the Hoops must make a move for the Bournemouth man should Howe arrive at the club as expected.

AND in more news, take a look at which current on-loan star the Hoops must sell in the summer…

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has revealed that he is not surprised by reported interest in goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

The 6 ft 5 colossus only joined the Midlands club in the last summer transfer window but, according to Football Insider, the 28-year-old could already be on the move. They report that Manchester United are lining up an offer to take him to Old Trafford following his impressive performances in the Premier League this season.

With 14 to his name, only Manchester City’s Ederson (16) has kept more clean sheets than Martinez, putting into perspective how good he has been in the current campaign.

For Hendrie, Villa must keep hold of their star players if the club are to progress. However, the retired Premier League footballer admitted that he can see Martinez departing Villa Park in the next transfer window.

“Well, he’s had a great season,” Hendrie told FFC. “When you talk about key players in that Villa side this season, standout performers, he’s one of them. He’s been absolutely immense between the posts.”

Hendrie also went on to add: “You can see why the likes of Man United are certainly sniffing around and want to take him to Manchester United.”

The ex-Villa midfielder concluded by saying: “It wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest [Manchester United transfer] but, again, I’ll just touch back on Villa [overall]. [They] need to be keeping the likes of Martinez, [Jack] Grealish and [John] McGinn.”

Martinez will get the chance to close the gap with Ederson in the hunt for the Golden Glove when Villa take on Fulham after the international break.

Manchester United’s recent boardroom reshuffle has seen Red Devils’ legend Nicky Butt leave the club.

Previously Head of First Team Development at Old Trafford, the former midfielder departs after nine years of overseeing the club’s best academy prospects.

It is work that has seen him draw plenty of praise.

Speaking exclusively to FootballFanCast, Peterborough United Director of Football Barry Fry suggested that he has “saved the club hundreds and hundreds of millions” with his “fantastic” development of youth.

It is difficult to argue with that assessment with as many as six Red Devils academy graduates; Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay, Mason Greenwood, Brandon William, Axel Tuanzebe and Dean Henderson, all forging a key role within Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad.

Between them, those six players have racked up 571 appearances for the Red Devils’ first team, indicating the fantastic work that Butt has done in his preparation for senior football.

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Meanwhile, he has also saved the club considerable amounts in transfer fees too, as Fry alluded to. The six players are all rated at £182m between them, with Marcus Rashford rated the highest at a price of £76.5m.

It could be imagined though that it would have taken even more for a club to purchase the England man, again highlighting the excellent work done in the youth system by Butt that the club have not had to fork out those considerable fees for new recruits.

Away from the players currently plying their trade at Old Trafford, the Red Devils have also certainly profited from individuals who have sought pastures anew.

In the time that Butt has been employed at the club, the Red Devils have raked in approximately £25m from the sales of academy prospects – the most lucrative being the departures of the likes of Adnan Januzaj and Sam Johnstone to Real Sociedad and West Bromwich Albion respectively.

It is a mark of the quality of Butt that United can earn such amounts from their youth prospects even if they do not have the desired impact with the Red Devils.

He is certainly deserving of the praise he gets then as he departs the club.

AND in more news, take a look at which Red Devil rounded off his international contributions with style…

تحدث منذر الكبير المدير الفني لمنتخب تونس، عن مواجهة نسور قرطاج أمام موريتانيا، غدًا الأحد، ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس الأمم الإفريقية، الكاميرون 2021.

منتخب تونس يواجه موريتانيا، في مواجهة عربية خالصة، ضمن مواجهات الجولة الثانية للمجموعة السادسة لبطولة الأمم الإفريقية، غدًا الأحد، في تمام السادسة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة.

وقال منذر الكبير خلال تصريحاته في المؤتمر الصحفي: “لا مجال للتفريط في نتيجة مباراة موريتانيا، سنحرص على ردة فعل إيجابية، بعد المباراة الأولى التي كانت دون المأمول على مستوى النتيجة والأداء”.

وتابع: “المنتخب القوي يمكن أي يخطئ ويسقط، لكن ينهض بسرعة، لذلك علينا أن نؤكد أننا جئنا للعب في الأدوار النهائية بالبطولة”.

وعن إصابة 6 لاعبين من المنتخب بفيروس كورونا: “جئنا بـ28 رجلًا واليوم خسرنا جهود 6 لاعبين، لكن يبقى 22 لاعبًا نثق فيهم لتحقيق الهدف المنشود، واثق من أن لاعبينا سيقومون بالواجب وسيقدمون كل ما لديهم فوق الميدان، لتحقيق الانتصار الذي سيمكننا من مواصلة المشوار”.

وواصل: “نعرف أننا سنلعب في ظروف صعبة، مثلما حدث في لقاء مالي، وعلينا أن نحول هذه الظروف لنجاحات”.

طالع أيضا.. بيان رسمي | كاف يُعلن قراره النهائي بشأن مباراة تونس ومالي في أمم أفريقيا

واستكمل: “يوسف المساكني جاهز للعب، وما أستطيع تأكيده هو أنني سأشرك العناصر الأكثر جاهزية من أجل مصلحة منتخب تونس، وأتحمل كل مسؤولياتي في اختيار التشكيل، وأثق أن من يشارك سيشرف المنتخب”.

و عن تعامله مع الانتقادات التي طالته بعد البداية غير الموفقة أمام مالي، علق الكبير: “أستمع للنقد البناء الذي يساعدنا في تطوير أداء اللاعبين، على المستوى الفردي والجماعي، لكننا لا نقبل بالتجريح والتقليل من احترامنا”.

وأردف: “هناك جزئيات صغيرة ستكون حاسمة في لقاء الغد وسأعمل على استغلالها لتحقيق الانتصار”.

و تحدث الكبير عن التحكيم في البطولة قائلًا: “نحترم كل حكامنا ونحترم قارتنا، وعلينا أن نساعد الكاميرون على إنجاح البطولة وأن ندافع عن الكرة الإفريقية”.

واختتم: “الكاميرون تحدت كل الصعاب الصحية لتنظيم البطولة، وما علينا كأفارقة إلا أن نساعدها على كسب الرهان”.

After his stunning strike in the Europa League in mid-week, Dele Alli is surely pushing for a chance to start when Tottenham take on Burnley on Sunday afternoon.

Speaking after the game against Wolfsberger, Jose Mourinho was quick to lavish praise on his star, saying: “The goal I don’t need to speak, because everyone watched it and I believe that all around the world on all these sports TV, people are going to watch it, no need to talk about it.

“But for me the globality of the performance is what matters. He played very well in every aspect of the game, he played very well. In this moment when we are going to play every three days, 10 matches in March, to have Dele back at this level is amazing.”

Then, in his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against the Clarets today, Mourinho added that he is “very happy” with the £26m-rated Alli now, and insisted that as he works his way back up to full fitness, he will continue to get better.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Gary Neville laid down the gauntlet to Alli about stepping his game up, saying: “I want a lot more from him. He’s an outstanding player. There’s a reason why his career is doing what it’s doing at the moment. It’s not just Jose Mourinho. Dele has to get hold of that himself.”

Well, his performance on Wednesday night against Wolfsberger certainly showed that the talent is still very much there, and as Mourinho says, it was his all-round performance that really offers signs of encouragement going forward.

With Burnley awaiting the Lilywhites on Sunday afternoon, Alli’s ability to create a bit of magic could be the kind of game-changer that the Spurs boss needs to break down a Clarets defence that have come to be known as one of the most stubborn in the Premier League in recent seasons – even this year with them lying just above the drop zone, only seven other teams have conceded less than them.

Alli’s introduction into the starting line-up is something Mourinho must seriously consider.

Tottenham Hotspur have seen many a starlet break into the first-team, but none have quite had the impact and transformation of Harry Kane.

We’ve seen the likes of Harry Winks, Oliver Skipp and Japhet Tangana all make their debuts over the last few years while Jose Mourinho has twice broken the record for the youngest-ever player to feature for Spurs this season alone.

One of which being Dane Scarlett.

Back in November, he made a substitute appearance during the 4-0 thumping of Ludogorets at just 16 years, eight months and two days old.

For a long time, fellow academy hopeful Troy Parrott was touted to be one of Spurs’ brightest prospects, and he took the chance to follow in Kane’s exact footsteps earlier this campaign by joining Millwall on loan.

But things have not gone to plan for the 18-year-old Irishman.

In 14 appearances, he failed to score a single goal and only provided one assist which has resulted in him being recalled and subsequently shipped out to League One Ipswich Town instead.

His chances of becoming the next Kane are on the brink, though Scarlett could have far greater potential long-term.

Just like the leading Spurs talisman, the 16-year-old wonderkid has already been capped at international level for the U15s and U16s, but unlike him, he’s already made his senior debut for the Premier League giants.

That’s already a hugely encouraging sign.

His form in the youth set-up has been hugely remarkable too.

In 15 appearances this season across the Premier League 2, U18s Premier League and FA Youth Cup, Scarlett has bagged a whopping 20 goals which includes three hat-tricks, via Transfermarkt.

It’s no wonder he caught the eye of Mourinho, who said after his debut a few months ago:

“He played a few minutes in some of our pre-season matches. Of course, he went back to his [U18] team. He trains with them.

“Yesterday when I felt there was space for another young player in the squad, I didn’t decide by myself, I asked my football director and I asked the academy director and they contacted all the coaches. ‘Who deserves it?’

“There are of course a few names, especially the U18s because they are doing so well. They gave me his name and because I knew him already I thought if the opportunity would arise it would be a good chance for me and a good feeling for everyone in the academy.”

According to football.london’s Alasdair Gold, there’s a belief in the academy system that Scarlett can become a ‘real star of the future’ whilst fellow colleague Rob Guest claimed last month that the 16-year-old “has a big future in the game.”

Scarlett is still undoubtedly raw, but if Mourinho and the club play their cards right, then they could well stumble across their next Kane. And given his desire for trophies at 27, that could be a timely thing to uncover.

IN other news, Forget Eriksen: Spurs need £30m “goal threat”, he’s “perfect” for Mourinho…

Crystal Palace are reportedly leading the race to sign Fenerbahce midfielder Ozan Tufan but will have to step up their efforts to sign him in the January transfer window.

What’s the word?

Tufan is believed to be keen on a move to the Premier League, according to reports, with the Eagles eager to add to their midfield ranks with one of the most sought after players in Europe.

According to Sporx, as per Sport Witness, the 25-year-old midfield dynamo is ‘very close’ to a switch to Selhurst Park. However, it’s understood Palace are still some way from reaching an agreement to sign Tufan from Fenerbahce amid interest from a whole host of clubs across Europe.

Although Palace have made an offer in the region of €10m for his services, it’s claimed there is a fundamental gap between both parties that has yet to be resolved.

Ideal heir to James McCarthy?

The Eagles are keen to bolster their midfield options and Roy Hodgson could view Tufan as a sure-fire replacement for James McCarthy, who has been heavily linked with the Selhurst Park exit.

Tufan has established himself as one of the top talents in his home country after moving to Fenerbahce from his hometown club of Bursapor in 2015. He has since been linked with a move to Palace, although they face stiff competition from Premier League strugglers West Bromwich Albion to secure his services.

While Jairo Riedewald has been a total revelation this season, Hodgson has struggled to settle for his preferred pairing in the midfield. Club captain Luka Milivojevic, James McArthur and McCarthy are the trio battling to bag a spot, but there are still questions hanging over all of them.

The £9m-rated 55-cap Turkey international has previously drawn comparisons to former Manchester City star Yaya Toure and would arguably be a significant upgrade on most, if not all, of the midfield options that are currently available to Hodgson.

Tufan has played 15 games in the Turkish Super Lig this season, bagging four goals and five assists, whilst he is currently averaging 1.6 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game, via WhoScored.

Not only would he be able to provide cover and competition for the likes of Riedewald, Milivojevic and McArthur, he’d also offer an alternative threat in attack, as he has also taken 1.6 shots on average per game to McCarthy’s 0.2 shots in the Premier League.

A transfer for Tufan would make sense for Palace given the relatively low fee as there is an urgent need for a player in that position with one eye on the future.

AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano drops fresh update on Wilfried Zaha’s future at Crystal Palace…

New West Brom boss Sam Allardyce may be heading for his first mistake of managerial career at the Hawthorns already if emerging reports are to be believed…

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, the 66-year-old is eyeing up a reunion with his former West Ham and Crystal Palace centre-back James Tomkins ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

It’s claimed that the experienced defender has slipped down the pecking order at Selhurst Park and Big Sam is keen to take advantage of this.

The 31-year-old cost the Eagles around £10m back in 2016, whilst he’s now valued at just £3.6m by Transfermarkt.

Massive mistake?

Allardyce has one massive job on his hands and starting in defence could be a good place to start. No team in the Premier League has leaked more than the 26 goals that have flown past Sam Johnstone this season.

Not even rock-bottom Sheffield United, the only team Albion have defeated.

However, a move for a player that has played just 70 minutes for the Palace U23s all term isn’t the right one to make. It could be a disaster waiting to happen.

In fact, Tomkins has only made their matchday squad in three of their 13 outings, per Transfermarkt.

Whilst in only 18 starts in the 2019/20 campaign, the Englishman averaged 1.6 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 0.8 fouls per game, via WhoScored, which is worse returns than what the likes of Conor Gallagher and even Grady Diangana are managing in this struggling squad.

There’s clearly a firm relationship there between Allardyce and Tomkins – in 2015, the centre-back was tipped for England:

“Roy should look at James. He has really matured and is playing very well and consistently. “

And the Palace man backed Big Sam to pull them out of the mire in 2017, he said: “We’ll keep going and there is no better man in charge to get us out of this situation. We all believe in him and all the lads believe in each other; we’ve got a good dressing room with a lot of experience in there.”

Albion fans may remember him well too, as he silenced Solomon Rondon twice back in 2017 and 2018 under both Tony Pulis and Darren Moore.

Despite the obvious connection, Tomkins doesn’t seem like the ideal candidate to lead that struggling Baggies backline.

AND in other news,ÂWest Brom exclusive: Pundit drops Luke Dowling claim after Slaven Bilic sacking…

MatériaMais Notícias

Um dos destaques da pré-temporada do Botafogo, no Espírito Santo, Octávio pode estar em breve à disposição do técnico Ricardo Gomes. Em fase final de recuperação de uma lesão, o meia correu diversas vezes em volta do gramado e mostrou que terá condições de jogo nas próxima semanas.

Escalado como titular por Ricardo Gomes nos primeiros treinos do ano, Octávio ainda não deve ser relacionado para o jogo contra o Macaé, quarta-feira, às 19h30, no estádio Los Larios, em Xerém. A tendência é que ele volte diante do Resende, no próximo sábado.

انتقد أحمد ناجي، مدرب حراس المرمى بنادي سموحة، التعامل مع الحراس داخل الزمالك بعدما تم استبعاد محمد أبو جبل لحساب محمد عواد أمام الإسماعيلي في الجولة الرابعة من الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وقرر كارتيرون استبعاد محمد أبو جبل من التشكيل الأساسي أمام الإسماعيلي بعد أخطائه في مباراة الأهلي، والتي انتهت بفوز المارد الأحمر بخماسية مقابل 3 أهادف.

طالع – كيروش يعلن قائمة منتخب مصر لـ كأس العرب.. استبعاد ثنائي الزمالك

واستهل أحمد ناجي تصريحاته عبر برنامج “جمهور التالتة” على قناة “أون تايم سبورتس” بالحديث عن قائمة منتخب مصر في كأس العرب، قائلًا: “دائما كنت أضم 4 حراس في المحافل الكبيرة تحسبًا لحدوث أي إصابة لحارس مرمى، بجانب أنني أرفع الروح المعنوية للحارس الرابع وأقربه من المنتخب وأجعله جاهزًا”.

ويرى أحمد ناجي أن التعامل مع الحراس في نادي الزمالك سلبيًا، موضحًا: “الحساب في الزمالك أن من يخطئ يجلس احتياطيا، هذا غير منطقي ولا يفيد الحراس في القلعة البيضاء أو يوفر العدالة، لو عواد كان قد لعب 3 أو 4 مباريات كان سينضم للقائمة لكن ذلك لم يحدث، بالتالي تم استبعاد الثنائي”.

واستمر مدرب حراس سموحة: “كانت هناك جلسة بين كارتيرون ومدرب الحراس وأسامة نبيه مع حراس الزمالك وقيل لهم هل تسير الأمور بينكم بالتدوير أم من يُخطئ يجلس احتياطيا، فالحراس اختاروا الخيار الثاني والذي أراه ظالمًا”.

وأكد ناجي على ضرورة انضمام أبو جبل، مضيفًا: “أبو جبل هو أقرب حارس ينضم للمنتخب بعد الشناوي حتى لو خسر مكانه في الزمالك، ومعهما محمد صبحي أو محمود جاد، أبو جبل يجب أن يكون أساسيًا طوال الوقت، لأن الأخير خسر مكانه في الزمالك”.

وواصل مدرب حراس المنتخب السابق: “أبو جبل ذُبح في الزمالك ومنتخب مصر، لا أعرف هل لديه مشاكل غير فنية في المعسكر؟ لا أعلم”.

وانتقل أحمد ناجي للحديث عن عدم ضم الهاني سليمان: “هو حارس لديه خبرات كبيرة ويستطيع أن يؤدي بشكل جيد في المنافسات القوية”.

واختتم تصريحاته: “عصام الحضري أكد لي أن الهاني سليمان في حساباته عندما يتحسن في المباريات القادمة، وأنا قلت له أنت المدرب وأنت لك الحق في الاختيار لأنني عندما كنت مدربا لحراس مرمى المنتخب كنت لا أحب أن يقول لي أحد ضم حارس معين”.