The Uruguayan plugs holes everywhere for Carlo Ancelotti, and Los Blancos wouldn't be in the hunt for a treble without him
Federico Valverde really shouldn't have played in Real Madrid's Champions League knockout play-off second-leg against with Manchester City three weeks ago. The Uruguayan was ailing; he had an injury his left thigh, but even after having played more minutes than anyone else for Madrid this season, he put in the kind of shift that most aren't capable of.
Valverde strode up and down the right wing having started in an unfamiliar right-back role that he is very quickly adjusting to, and ate up ground with the vigour of a footballer determined to do everything for his team. He needed injections to make it happen.
We tend to glamorise such displays. There is a real appeal to watching the sacrificial footballer, the player who will put in the legwork where others might simply sit out or stroll their way through 90 minutes. Valverde, though, is more than just that.
There are runners, and then there are would-be superstars who put aside personal interest, preferred positions, and areas of highest impact to give their team a lift. This is the role Valverde fills – and has done for some time. It is unclear what, exactly, his best position is. For some, he is the Steven Gerrard-regen that Madrid have always needed. For others, he's a really, really, good James Milner.
Either way, he fills a perfect role for Madrid. In this team of egos who begrudgingly fill roles, Valverde does as he's told – and more – serving as the connective tissue in a side dominated by individualism.
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Versatility
Valverde's match-by-match summaries make for remarkable reading. Most footballers are able to operate in one position, while a select few can manage in two or three. But according to over the past three years, Valverde has played in six different roles: central midfield, attacking midfield, defensive midfield, right wing, right midfield and right-back. The skills here are all loosely related – especially for a footballer raised as a box-to-box player at Penarol – but applying them, at the highest level, is a different ask altogether.
It's something Carlo Ancelotti has highlighted repeatedly. "Fede is a complete and very important player," the Italian coach told a press conference in January. "He can cover many positions, and he performs perfectly in all of them. It's very difficult to find a right-back like him. For me, it's challenging to decide his best position depending on the game. Sometimes we need him more as a full-back, and in others, as a holding midfielder."
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Kroos replacement?
Valverde admitted himself that he was emotional when Toni Kroos handed him the No.8 shirt upon his retirement last season. It was a move that felt symbolic. After all, Kroos was the man who made that Madrid team tick, one of the best passers to ever play the game. It was more than that, too – he was a veteran, one of the elder statesmen of the squad. This was a gesture that not only acknowledged footballing talent, but also came with an implicit sense of respect.
There was a small issue, though: Valverde is not Kroos. He can do many things that a 34-year-old Kroos couldn't: run, tackle, play 90 minutes at full pelt. But he can't pass like Kroos or dictate a game in the same way. Despite that, Ancelotti deployed Valverde as his Kroos replacement of sorts at the start of the season, and it was far from a success.
The Italian therefore adjusted, and soon realised that Valverde could be the perfect man for a different role. With Kroos gone, Ancelotti opted for a midfield trio that cast Valverde as the all-action player that does a little bit of everything. His energy would allow one of either Eduardo Camavinga or Aurelien Tchouameni to sit while freeing space for Jude Bellingham to roam and create.
It required a certain amount of adjustment – from everyone, not just Valverde himself – but it helped a different midfield configuration form.
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Plugging holes
Of course, that has all gone out of the window now. Madrid haven't exactly been crippled by injuries this season, but they have suffered from long-term absences in key areas. The right side of their defence, in fact, has been decimated by two serious knee injuries, first for Dani Carvajal, who required surgery on complex ligament damage, and then for Eder Militao, who suffered a torn ACL for the second season running. So when Lucas Vazquez, Carvajal's most obvious replacement, needed rest, Valverde was asked to step up.
The result was impressive. The Uruguayan filled in with ease, proving a more than capable replacement. Vital to his success in the role was his supreme reading of the game, something made clear by the fact that he is in the 96th percentile among all full-backs in interceptions, averaging 1.78 per game. Ancelotti would later remark that Valverde is the third-best right-back in the world, after Carvajal and Vazquez.
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No ego
Valverde's appeal does not just come with his on-field ability, either, as he has the attitude required to make up for the weaknesses of others. On talent alone, there are very few, if any, sides that can match the pure firepower that Ancelotti has at his disposal. With that, though, comes a certain amount of ego. Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, in particular, are guilty of allowing their fame to go to their head.
Vinicius isn't a lazy player; he can run, play out of position and at least defensive interest when needs be. But he doesn't track back, he won't fill spaces or anticipate holes. This is not necessarily a question of footballing brain – more so one of the conservation of energy. Vinicius doesn't put in defensive legwork because that might mean a wasted opportunity going the other way.
The same can be said for Mbappe – albeit in a different way. The France captain only loosely subscribes to concepts of 'defending' and 'hard work', and so at times, Madrid find themselves only playing with nine men – especially when they don't have the ball. That does not mean that Valverde has to fill every hole, as there are other outfield players who can also put in the legwork. But it's a case of knock-on effects. Vinicius and Mbappe's lack of work-rate means Bellingham sometimes has to press higher, which in turn can leave space in the middle, and Valverde has to make the effort to fill it.
Everything you need to know about Liverpool faithful Trent Alexander-Arnold's wages at the Premier League club
Trent Alexander-Arnold has a special place in the hearts of Liverpool fans as someone who came through the ranks of the club's youth academy.
After spending 12 years there, he made his first team debut back in 2016 and the England star has now established himself as one of the most important members of the squad, thanks to both his defensive and attacking capabilities.
The right-back has been handsomely rewarded for his contributions to the team, making him one of the top earners in the squad.
But just how much does he earn at his boyhood club, though?
GOAL delved into the numbers with Capology and found out!
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Trent Alexander-Arnold’s wages at Liverpool in numbers
Trent’s performances for Liverpool have made him the third-highest earner in the current squad. Trent earns £180,000 ($227,364) on a weekly basis at the club, which puts him on a salary of little under £10 million ($12m) in a year.
Player
Nationality
Weekly wages in GBP
Weekly wages in USD
Annual wages in GBP
Annual wages in USD
Trent Alexander-Arnold
English
£180,000
$227,364
£9,360,000
$11,822,944
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTop earners at Liverpool
Unsurprisingly, the top earner at the Merseyside club is Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah. Following Salah is defensive stalwart Virgil Van Dijk.
At number three then comes in Alexander-Arnold, followed by the other full-back, Andrew Robertson.
Finally, capping off the top five earners list is the Argentine midfielder Alexis Mac Allister.
Player
Nationality
Weekly wages in GBP
Weekly wages in USD
Annual wages in GBP
Annual wages in USD
Mohamed Salah
Egyptian
£350,000
$442,097
£18,200,000
$22,989,057
Virgil Van Dijk
Dutch
£220,000
$277,890
£11,440,000
$14,450,264
Trent Alexander-Arnold
English
£180,000
$227,364
£9,360,000
$11,822,944
Andrew Robertson
Scottish
£160,000
$202,102
£8,320,000
$10,509,283
Alexis Mac Allister
Argentine
£264,244
$189,470
£7,800,000
$9,852,453
Top 5 earners in the Premier League
Although Alexander-Arnold is one of the top earners at the club, he misses the top-10 cut when it comes to the top earners across the league.
The list is dominated by attack-minded players like Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah.
Player
Nationality
Weekly wages in GBP
Weekly wages in USD
Annual wages in GBP
Annual wage sin USD
Erling Haaland
Norwegian
£525,000
$663,146
£27,300,000
$34,483,586
Kevin De Bruyne
Belgian
£400,000
$505,254
£20,800,000
$26,273,206
Mohamed Salah
Egyptian
£350,000
$442,097
£18,200,000
$22,989,057
Casemiro
Brazilian
£350,000
$442,097
£18,200,000
$22,989,057
Jack Grealish
English
£300,000
$378,941
£15,600,00
$19,704,906
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Getty ImagesHighest paid players in the world
Alexander-Arnold might be one of the best players at Liverpool and in the Premier League, however, when it comes to salary numbers he is nowhere close to the top-earners across world football.
That title currently belongs to veteran striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi side Al Nassr.
Following him is Karim Benzema who represents Al Ittihad, while Riyad Mahrez enters the list at number three, followed by former Liverpool and Chelsea stars, Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly, respectively.
Todd Boehly and BlueCo are planning to loan out a “phenomenon” from Chelsea, with both the player and club worried about one thing in regard to his place in Enzo Maresca’s first team.
Players who could leave Chelsea soon
As we fast approach the January transfer window, reports suggest the writing is on the wall for a few surplus Chelsea players.
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Todd Boehly and BlueCo are willing to spend marquee figures.
ByEmilio Galantini Dec 7, 2024
Midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka is working hard to find a new club next month according to reports this week, with West Ham and Crystal Palace named as potential landing spots in the Premier League.
The former Aston Villa gem has struggled to work his way into Maresca’s plans, failing to make a single top-flight appearance this term, and the same can be said for £200,000-per-week defender Ben Chilwell.
Chelsea’s next Premier League fixtures
Date
Tottenham (home)
December 8
Brentford (home)
December 15
Everton (away)
December 22
Fulham (home)
December 26
Ipswich Town (away)
December 30
Once a captain under previous Chelsea bosses, the England international has been deemed surplus to requirements by Maresca, and it is widely believed Chilwell looks set to leave Stamford Bridge in January.
Cesare Casadei, who worked with Maresca at Leicester City during their push for promotion, is now unfancied by his manager at Chelsea – leading to reports that he could follow Chilwell and Chukwuemeka out of the door.
Juventus and Milan reportedly hold an interest in Casadei as we approach the winter window, so perhaps a move back to his homeland is on the cards for the ex-Inter youngster.
There have even been suggestions this week that Chelsea could offload Axel Disasi in January to free up funds for a move for Benfica starlet Tomas Araujo, so January could be active in terms of player exits.
Chelsea could loan out Estevao Willian in 2025
One certain arrival in 2025 is that of Brazilian starlet Estevao Willian, who Chelsea signed in a deal which could be worth £52 million from Palmeiras in the summer.
The 17-year-old, who’s bagged a sensational 13 goals and nine assists in the Brazilian Serie A across 2024, will link up with the Blues in July next year – and is very highly rated by big names like Ronaldo Nazario.
However, while he’s set to arrive in west London off the back of excellent form and a glowing reputation, there is a worry behind the scenes that the competition for places will stunt Estevao’s minutes.
This is a concern the player and club share, with one Spanish media source claiming that Chelsea are planning to loan Estevao out again once he lands in London from Palmeiras next summer.
The teenage sensation, who his agent, Andre Crury, compared to Lionel Messi, was also been labelled a “phenomenon” and tipped to win the Ballon d’Or one day – so it is imperative that Chelsea don’t stunt his growth.
“He’s a real phenomenon,” said Crury to AS (via Sport Witness).
“He’s the next Ballon d’Or [winner]. His name is Estevão. He’s very similar to Leo. He has power from set pieces, he is also left-footed. Not physically, because he’s taller, he’s black, but there are things that remind Messi.”
وجّه وائل جمعة، نجم الأهلي السابق والمحلل الفني الحالي، انتقادات واضحة لأداء الفريق الأحمر في الشوط الأول من مواجهة الهلال السوداني، مؤكدًا أن المدرب السويسري مارسيل كولر لم يعالج أخطاء مباراة الذهاب، خاصة على مستوى توظيف اللاعبين.
وقال جمعة في تحليله للمباراة عبر شاشة “بي إن سبورتس 6”: “نفس مشكلة مباراة الذهاب تتكرر في التوظيف، تحدثت سابقًا عن ضرورة أن يلعب إمام عاشور أمام ثنائي الارتكاز، لأنه حلقة الربط بين الخطوط، اليوم، كولر يصر على الدفع به في الجانب الأيمن، مقابل وضع بن شرقي ناحية اليسار، مما أدى إلى غياب الترابط في وسط الملعب”.
وأضاف: “طالما أن كولر يصر على هذا الشكل، فيجب عليه أن يخرج جراديشار ويدفع بمحمد مجدي أفشة في مركز صانع الألعاب، الأهلي قادر على تقديم أداء أفضل بكثير”.
80 مليونًا من خارج النادي.. الأهلي يكشف لـ بطولات تفاصيل عقد زيزو
واختتم: “الأهلي قادر، بخبراته وإمكانيات لاعبيه على لعب المباراة كما يريد، ولكن يجب الحذر من الكرات الثابتة، الجبهة اليسرى مكشوفة، ولا بد من دعم يحيى عطية الله وأشرف بن شرقي، أسلوب لعب الأهلي يميل إلى الدفاع بشكل أكبر”.
ويأتي هذا التحليل في ظل وضعية مريحة نسبيًا للأهلي، الذي دخل لقاء العودة متفوقًا بنتيجة 1-0، بعد الفوز في لقاء الذهاب بالقاهرة بهدف سجله محمد هاني.
ويدرك الأهلي أن التعادل أو الفوز في مباراة الإياب سيضمن له التأهل إلى نصف النهائي، كما أن الهزيمة بفارق هدف واحد شرط التسجيل ستمنحه بطاقة العبور، مستفيدًا من قاعدة احتساب الهدف خارج الأرض.
ويُقام اللقاء على ملعب “شيخا ولد بيديا” في نواكشوط، وسط أجواء جماهيرية حماسية، حيث يبحث الأهلي عن مواصلة مشواره في البطولة القارية الأهم، من أجل تحقيق اللقب للمرة الـ12 في تاريخه.
ومن المقرر أن يلتقي الفائز من مواجهة الأهلي والهلال مع المتأهل من لقاء صن داونز الجنوب إفريقي والترجي التونسي، في الدور نصف النهائي من دوري أبطال إفريقيا، وهو ما يرفع من أهمية اللقاء بالنسبة لكتيبة كولر، الساعية للوصول إلى النهائي والمنافسة على اللقب مجددًا.
Arsenal have been struggling for goals in recent weeks, failing to find the net in three of their last seven games in all competitions.
“The lack of goals is a concern because you need goals to win games and be consistent,” Gunners boss Mikel Arteta admitted ahead of his side’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea earlier this month.
“That’s the only thing that people are going to judge. You can overrun the opponent, you can outperform the opponent in every single way. [But] it’s about whether you scored a goal,” he explained. “That’s the problem. The problem has to be resolved by scoring more goals than the opponents.”
Development: Arsenal chiefs now looking to sign £70m+ France star on loan
Arsenal can’t seem to find the back of the net at the moment.
By
Barney Lane
Nov 8, 2024
To solve that issue, Arteta and the powers that be, namely stand-in sporting director Jason Ayto, are understood to be monitoring a number of strikers ahead of the January transfer window.
The 39 year-old has stepped into the shoes of Edu Gaspar, who is on gardening leave ahead of what is a relatively surprising move to Nottingham Forest, and the likes of Paris Saint-Germain star Randal Kolo Muani and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres have been linked as possible new number nines.
Vlahovic wanted after New Year
According to Caught Offside’s Daily Briefing, Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic is another of those that Arsenal are currently keeping tabs on. The publication reports that the Gunners are weighing up a January move for the Serbia international, and Ayto and Co are expected to approach to begin contacts in the coming days.
Vlahovic’s contract with Juve expires in the summer of 2026, and while the Italian club are said to be trying to tie him down to a new deal, they are struggling to make progress. Manchester United flop Joshua Zirkzee was named by The Daily Briefing as the player Juventus would look to sign to replace Vlahovic should he leave for The Emirates.
Dusan Vlahovic's career so far
Vlahovic, 24, began his career in his home country with FZ Partizan, but made his name in Italy with Fiorentina, scoring 49 goals in 108 games for the Purples. Since moving to Juventus in the summer of 2022, he’s kept that good form going, netting 50 goals in 117 games.
Nine of those goals have come in just 16 games this season as Juventus have enjoyed an unbeaten start to their Serie A campaign.
Dusan Vlahovic 2024/25 Serie A statistics
Games
12
Goals
6
Expected goals
8.1
Aerial duels won per 90
1.39
Shots per 90
3.70
Despite being a key player for Juventus, however, recent comments from the striker, once described as “lethal” by BBC Sport’s Phil Dawkes, suggest he’s not entirely happy in Turin.
Speaking to RSI after Serbia’s 1-1 draw with Switzerland earlier this month, Vlahovic explained how he prefers playing for his country than his club.
“It is a bit easier for me when there is another striker, because [Alexander] Mitrovic holds up the ball and engages in aerial duels, so I can make more of my own characteristics and qualities,” he said.
“The coach also does not require many defensive duties from me, so that makes it easier too. With my physicality, I can’t really run that much and am not as fresh in my finishing when I’ve been working so hard.”
Only 10.5 overs of play were possible after a delay of more than four hours
Firdose Moonda24-Mar-2022No result South Africa have qualified for the World Cup semi-finals after rain washed out their match against West Indies in Wellington. Only 10.5 overs were possible after a delay of more than four hours that saw play get underway after 3pm local time and South Africa were in trouble at 61 for 4. But persistent rain meant no further play was possible.West Indies’ hopes of advancing are hanging by a thread after three losses, three wins and a no-result. If either India or England lose a match, West Indies could still advance to the knockouts, but their tournament future is now out of their control. Irrespective of the outcome of their final match against India, South Africa will qualify in second place and have avoided facing table-topping Australia in the final four.South Africa may consider themselves lucky to have got away with the point they needed to break away from the chasing pack after they teetered on 22 for 4 in the sixth over of their rain-reduced encounter. In a match that was cut down to 26 overs a side, South Africa were on the back foot after West Indies’ opening bowlers made good use of extra bounce in the surface to dismiss their top four without any of them getting into double figures.Laura Wolvaardt was out cheaply for the first time in the tournament when she tried to cut a wide Chinelle Henry ball through point but found a flying Deandra Dottin, who took another stunning catch. Dottin dived left and took the catch one-handed, in her right hand. Four balls later, Lizelle Lee’s torrid run continued. She tried to hit a Shamilia Connell delivery across the line and toe-ended it to midwicket. Karishma Ramharack juggled the ball but took the catch to leave Lee with no scores over 36 from five matches in the competition.Connell could have had another off her next ball when Tazmin Brits edged it but Hayley Matthews moved too early at slip and the ball hit her wrist. In Henry’s next over, Brits was dropped at second slip as she jabbed at a ball but Dottin couldn’t hold on. Henry got her reward two balls later when she got a delivery to stick in the surface and Sune Luus lobbed it to Stafanie Taylor. Henry had an opportunity for two wickets in two balls when Mignon du Preez edged her next delivery to second slip but Dottin dropped it again. It only took until her next over for Henry to strike again, when Brits sliced her to Ramharack at cover. Henry finished with figures of 3 for 19.du Preez and Marizanne Kapp were rebuilding the innings and scored 39 runs in 32 balls for the fifth wicket when the drizzle which had hung around throughout the day became harder, forcing the umpires to take the players off the field. du Preez managed her highest score in her last 10 ODIs and was hitting the ball on 38 not out but was unable to continue. Conditions did not improve and the match was called off after another lengthy rain delay.
An elite European side have held “new talks” to tie down one of their forwards with a brand-new contract, with Arsenal lurking in the background for his signature.
Arsenal draw transfer shortlist as Mikel Arteta targets new winger
The Gunners are back to their imperious best, winning their last three consecutive games by very convincing margins, including a 5-2 victory over West Ham United, which equalled the Premier League record for most goals scored within a first half.
Arsenal could eclipse Declan Rice fee with £112m bid for "superb" forward
It would be their most expensive ever transfer.
ByEmilio Galantini Dec 3, 2024
Arsenal still languish nine points behind Arne Slot’s near-unbeatable Liverpool team, who’ve lost just one league game so far this season, but we’ve seen even more surprising comebacks in years past – so Mikel Arteta is by no means dead and buried in the title race just yet.
Like many other sides, the north Londoners have been forced to contend and improvise with numerous injuries to key players so far, which has undoubtedly played a major role in their form overall.
Man United (home)
December 4
Fulham (away)
December 8
Everton (home)
December 14
Crystal Palace (away)
December 21
Ipswich Town (home)
December 27
Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori are just some of the Arsenal crop sidelined by injury at various points this term, with White missing until next year after undergoing knee surgery.
This has reportedly led Arsenal to scour the transfer market for alternatives to key men, including Saka (Mick Brown, Football Insider), as it is believed that interim director Jason Ayto and Emirates Stadium chiefs are targeting a new wide player.
Arsenal are keen on Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo as one option, according to some reports, while rumoured summer target Nico Williams also remains on Arteta’s transfer wishlist.
Closer to home, there are suggestions that Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo is a target for Arsenal heading into 2025 (GiveMeSport). Another potentially astute option, who could be available at zero cost next summer, is Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane.
The Germany international winger’s future remains up in the air heading into next year, with Sane’s contract expiring in the summer and elite clubs able to sign him for free.
Sky Sports Germany, via Florian Plettenberg, have reported that Arsenal are looking at signing Sane as a result, and they’re keeping a keen eye on developments regarding a new deal, with Arteta and co weigh up the possibility of bringing a proven, elite winger to north London.
Bayern Munich hold "new talks" over Leroy Sané contract as Arsenal circle
Plettenberg has now shared a fresh update on the 28-year-old’s future, as Bayern try to stop Sane from joining Arsenal or any other interested side for nothing.
Plettenberg writes that new talks have taken place over a new deal for the £239,000-per-week forward, and while the Bavarians are keen to tie him down, they would consider “top offers” for him as early as the January window – if no progress is made in talks.
Sane has Premier League experience from his time at Man City, where he worked closely with Arteta under the guidance of Pep Guardiola at the time.
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea side made it four wins on the bounce, beating Southampton 5-1 in the Premier League.
Goals from Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho secured victory for the Blues, adding another three points to their tally.
Chelsea now sit second in the Premier League, winning eight times, drawing four times, and only losing two from their opening 14 games. The Blues sit on 28 points, seven away from Liverpool in first, which continues to beg the question of whether they are in the title race this season.
There were plenty of top performances from the Blues, but one that stood out, was Nkunku, who started ahead of Nicolas Jackson up front and didn’t disappoint with his performance.
Christopher Nkunku's performance in numbers
The Frenchman was able to add to his growing goal tally, despite playing as second fiddle so far this season to Jackson upfront, now netting 12 times in his 21 appearances, also with two assists in his 882 minutes played.
Alongside his goal and assist, the Frenchman completed one of his two dribble attempts, made two key passes, took four shots, and completed 14 of his 15 passes (93% completion).
Despite the brilliant performance from the 27-year-old forward, he wasn’t the best player on the pitch, as another one of Chelsea’s French talents shone, returning to the side after missing the last few games.
Malo Gusto's performance in numbers
Malo Gusto played once again in his inverted right-back role, joining Moises Caicedo in midfield, and forming something of a 2-2-5-1 shape on the ball for Maresca’s Blues.
His performance earned him a 7/10 match rating from The Standard, after another dynamic display from the Frenchman.
Performance in Numbers
Want data and stats? Football FanCast's Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.
The 21-year-old has become a key figure in Maresca’s tactical plans, using his positional flexibility to configure different shapes against different opposition, in order to give Chelsea the advantage in games.
So far this season, Gusto has made 13 appearances, providing two assists, and totalling 880 minutes played.
Malo Gusto vs Southampton performance
Stat
Gusto
Minutes
90
Touches
91
Accurate Passes
70/72
Assists
1
Key Passes
2
Long Balls
1/1
Ground Duels Won
7/7
Tackles
7
Interceptions
1
Clearances
2
Stats taken from Sofascore
Gusto was brilliant defensively in this game, making seven tackles and winning all seven of his ground duels (100%). His ability to recover and defend whilst retreating, defend 1v1 areas out wide, and also counter press when the ball is lost, certainly gives Chelsea an edge out of possession.
But the defender also offers security on the ball, circulating play nicely, keeping it simple to bring his teammates into play, and even providing an assist towards the end of the game.
The blend of athleticism and off-ball qualities with his technical security and ability on the ball is exactly why Maresca uses him so frequently to solve problems.
With Tottenham up next at the weekend, the decision for Maresca will be whether to return to Caicedo playing as an inverted full-back to get all three of him, Roméo Lavia and Enzo Fernández in the team together, or whether Gusto will retain his spot, meaning one midfielder has to make way instead.
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England opener believes defending champions can upset Australia in their opening game, despite chastening Ashes defeat
Valkerie Baynes02-Mar-2022England’s World Cup rivals may write them off at their peril when the tournament kicks off in New Zealand this week, Tammy Beaumont says.Beaumont believes defending champions England have the ability to upset Australia, the runaway title favourites, in their tournament opener despite suffering a chastening Ashes series defeat last month. England were beaten 12-4 in the multi-format series, with their only points coming from two washed-out T20Is and the drawn Test. The tourists were bowled out for modest totals in all three of their ODI matches with the Australians sweeping that leg of the series 3-0.Related
McGrath switches focus to World Cup after season she 'never would have imagined'
Ecclestone, Shrubsole dismantle South Africa
“I feel like a lot of people have sort of written us off in a way,” Beaumont said. “I remember we had a lot of people trying to call us favourites last time and you know, we’re still the holders of the World Cup, so I think you write us off at your peril really.”To go back-to-back and retain your trophy away from home is always difficult, although I think the conditions in New Zealand are quite similar to home. Winning a World Cup at any time is a massive achievement but particularly when we’ve gone through Covid and all the bubbles and restrictions and stuff like that for the last two years, to come out here and hopefully perform really well will be a good testament to the team.”Beaumont said England’s World Cup preparations had run more smoothly than the lead-up to the Ashes in which training and warm-up matches were badly affected by rain once the squad had emerged from strict Covid-prevention measures and quarantine. Since their New Zealand quarantine period ended three days early following an easing of government guidelines, England have defeated Bangladesh by 109 runs in their first warm-up fixture and South Africa by six wickets in the second, which was reduced to 35 overs per side because of rain.England begin their World Cup campaign on Saturday and Beaumont backed her side to turn the tables against Australia.”I guess we know their plans,” Beaumont said. “So we’re ready to go against them. You’ve got to play everyone at some point. We played India the first game of the last World Cup and lost, and it didn’t necessarily affect us.”We’ll take on Australia, I think on our day we can beat them. We’re in a good place at the moment to go into that game regardless of the Ashes results, but yeah, I don’t think one game is going to necessarily ruin your World Cup hopes, hopefully. It’s a good time to get back out there and give it a good crack.”Tammy Beaumont has been a vital presence for England as an opener•Getty ImagesAs in the last World Cup, Lauren Winfield-Hill is expected to accompany Beaumont at the top of the order, having come into form during the warm-up clashes with a half-century against Bangladesh – she scored 14 off 15 against South Africa – after a protracted battle to post a big score. In 11 ODI innings since the start of last year, she is averaging 25.63 and hasn’t reached fifty in the format for more than five years.Debutant Emma Lamb replaced Winfield-Hill for the third ODI in Australia – the final fixture of the Ashes tour – but fell for a second-ball duck, leaving selectors without a convincing argument to make a longer-term switch for the World Cup.Beaumont’s highest score during the Ashes was 50 in the third ODI, but she has been a vital presence as an opener since before England’s 2017 World Cup triumph.England are also looking for their middle order to gel amid a dearth of regular contributors dating back to their home series against New Zealand towards the end of last year, which the hosts still managed to win 4-1.”I don’t think the problem has just been in the middle order,” Beaumont said. “Everyone has got to take accountability. I didn’t have the best series with the bat in the Ashes so I think everyone’s got to step up.”We’ve had some really good chats about not necessarily just what we need to do but actually how we need to do it and we need to get back to playing quite aggressive cricket and taking the game on. Today you saw Lauren really go for it up front and then it’s easier for the others to follow in and the middle order to really get stuck in when they’re not behind the eight ball.”I think in the Ashes constantly we as the top order were putting an incredible amount of pressure on that middle order to kind of mop up the mess we’d made so for me, it’s accountability for the whole top order really and the middle order.”
كشف عامر العمايرة خبير اللوائح الرياضية، كيفية فسخ أحمد سيد زيزو لاعب الزمالك تعاقده مع القلعة البيضاء خلال الفترة المقبلة، وذلك قبل موعده الأساسي في نهاية الموسم الجاري.
وكان الزمالك قد أعلن أن الموسم الحالي هو الأخير لـ أحمد سيد زيزو مع الفارس الأبيض، بداعي توقيعه لعقود الانضمام إلى صفوف الأهلي في صفقة انتقال حر عقب نهاية الموسم الجاري.
وأعلن الزمالك في بيان رسمي أمس عن إحالة أحمد سيد زيزو للتحقيق نظرًا للتصريحات الإعلامية المسيئة للنادي.
طالع | الزمالك يفرض عقوبة جديدة على أحمد سيد زيزو
وقال عامر العمايرة في تصريحات خاصة لـ بطولات: “ليس شرطًا أن يتقدم زيزو بـ شكوى لـ اتحاد الكرة حتى يفسخ عقده مع الزمالك بسبب المستحقات المتأخرة”.
وأكمل: “بحسب اللوائح، زيزو عليه إخطار الزمالك رسميًا بطلب الحصول على مستحقاته المتأخرة والتي يجب أن تكون أكثر من قيمة شهرين في عقده”.
واختتم: “بعد 15 يومًا إذا لم يسدد الزمالك مستحقات اللاعب يكن من حقه فسخ التعاقد من طرف واحد ومن ثم يتقدم بشكوى للاتحاد من أجل الحصول على مستحقاته”.