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Ipswich Town's promotion up to the Premier League is arguably the stuff of fairytale, with the Tractor Boys facing off against Forest Green just last season in League One to now be faced with the surreal prospect of playing against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.

Only finishing a point shy of the top spot in the final Championship standings after Leicester City lost 2-0 on the final day to Blackburn Rovers, Kieran McKenna's men will now have to traverse the tricky step-up and hope they can tough it with the top dogs, unlike a leaky Sheffield United.

The powers that be at Portman Road have, no doubt, already drafted up an extensive list of players that could soon join the ranks in Suffolk to help make the jump up to the top-flight less of a daunting proposition, with this £10m-rated midfielder already in their sights according to reports.

Ipswich going after top Championship star

According to a report in the Sun, McKenna's unbelievable Tractor Boys want to strengthen even more with the midfield addition of Ben Sheaf in the off-season.

There could well be an almighty transfer tussle for the Coventry City star-man brewing, however, with Luton Town also interested again after Sheaf allegedly turned down a move to Kenilworth Road in January.

Formerly on the books at Arsenal as a youngster, it will be intriguing to see who the 26-year-old picks as his next club after missing out on promotion glory with Mark Robins' men this campaign with a London reunion potentially on the cards as Fulham have also thrown their hat into the ring for Sheaf's services.

Ipswich will hope they can gain an upper hand in this battle by convincing the 26-year-old that he will get adequate game-time making the switch to Portman Road, with Sam Morsy potentially sacrificed for the fresher midfielder to shine in the Premier League.

Morsy has been a key cog for McKenna in the centre of the park this blistering Championship season, but with his 33rd birthday coming this September, it could be deemed the correct time to bolster the midfield ranks away from the Egypt international especially if Sheaf is available.

How Sheaf compares to Morsy

Controlling games centrally this season for the FA Cup semi-finalists, Sheaf – who is “a ready-made Premier League player” in the words of Ryan Dilks from the Second Tier Podcast – certainly warrants being given a crack at the very top of the English football pyramid.

In what could be his final ever display for the Sky Blues, Sheaf dictated proceedings at the CBS Arena versus Queens Park Rangers – even if Robins' men did lose 2-1 – with a staggering 114 touches amassed.

Managing to register three key passes as well in the slick display, with a mean streak evident in his game too by winning nine duels and four tackles, this well-rounded approach has even been boldly compared to that of Declan Rice's with football analyst Raj Chohan describing the former Gunner's game as being "Rice-esque."

This is high praise indeed, with this level of adoration worrying Morsy back at Ipswich in the present who will fear his solid spot in McKenna's XI will be taken up by Sheaf soon.

Sheaf does also better Morsy when you compare their numbers over the last year per 90 minutes, according to FBRef, with the heavily praised Coventry midfielder trumping his Tractor Boys counterpart in terms of progressive passes, shot-creating actions, tackles and much more.

Stat per 90 mins

Sheaf

Morsy

Progressive passes

8.34

6.77

Progressive carries

2.19

1.20

Shots

1.63

0.82

Shot-creating actions

3.44

2.88

Pass accuracy

83.9%

84.9%

Tackles

3.68

2.86

Interceptions

1.46

0.82

Blocks

1.56

1.27

As can be seen by glancing at the table above, Sheaf blows the Ipswich midfielder out of the water over the last year in many key areas and should be viewed as a fantastic heir for the ageing ex-Wigan Athletic man.

The 32-year-old could well now view this promotion up to the Premier League with Ipswich as captain as the best possible bang to go out on, knowing that Sheaf could now very much take his spot.

Ipswich Town: The players who have reached the Premier League.

The Tractor Boys secured a magical promotion to the Premier League just a year after escaping League One.

ByStephan Georgiou May 7, 2024

After nearly three weeks on the sideline, Tim Weah has returned to training for Juventus after a minor injury.

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Weah back in training for JuventusWinger injured Aug. 19Missed September international window with USAWHAT HAPPENED?

Tim Weah could be close to a return to pitch after suffering a minor injury on Aug. 19 against Como in Juventus' Serie A opener.

The 24-year-old U.S. international returned to his club's training ground, Juventus shared Wednesday. It's a welcome boost for Juventus and the U.S. national team as the winger spent three weeks in rehabilitation following his injury.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Weah missed the September international window with the USMNT, a period that saw them fall 2-1 to Canada and then draw New Zealand 1-1. The winger's absence was well-noted, as the U.S. saw a lackluster attack fall short in both matches.

His return for Juventus is important for manager Thiago Motta, too, who lost winger Federico Chiesa late in August after the Italy international secured a transfer to England with Liverpool. Weah has been transitioned from wing-back to his natural position at winger this season and scored his first Serie A goal prior to his injury.

Whether or not Weah will be fit for the weekend remains to be seen, though.

DID YOU KNOW?

Weah's only other goal scored for Juventus came in the Coppa Italia, a 6-1 win over Salernitana. would lift the Coppa that same season.

Weah has eight league club goals, spread across his time at Paris Saint-Germain, Celtic, Lille and Juventus.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR WEAH?

The U.S. winger is in training this week, and will be looking to make a return to the pitch this weekend as the travel to take on Empoli in Serie A action. If he doesn't find himself fit for Saturday, he'll have his eyes on their UEFA Champions League opener against PSV on Tuesday. That match could feature several American internationals, including Malik Tillman, Weston McKennie and Ricardo Pepi among others.

MatériaMais Notícias

A imprensa espanhola já noticiou a possibilidade de Rodrigo Muniz acertar com o Atlético de Madrid. Com a proposta oficial em mãos, o Flamengo, agora, avalia a transferência do atacante, vice-artilheiro do clube em 2021, com 15 gols, que desperta interesse de outros times do exterior, incluindo o Genk, da Bélgica. A informação da formalização da oferta foi publicada pelo “Extra”.

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A oferta do Atlético de Madrid, do técnico Diego Simeone, é similar a do Genk, cujo valor total poderia alcançar 5 milhões de euros, cerca de R$ 30 milhões, caso o atleta atingisse determinadas metas estipuladas em contrato.

Autor de nove gols na temporada de 2021, Rodrigo Muniz está à disposição de Rogério Ceni para o jogo do Flamengo nesta quinta-feira, na Arena Pantanal, às 20h contra o Cuiabá. A partida terá transmissão em tempo real do LANCE!

Vindo de uma derrota para o Juventude, em Caxias do Sul, o Rubro-Negro tenta se reabilitar e conquistar a primeira vitória como visitante neste Brasileirão.

> Confira os resultados e a classificação completa do Campeonato Brasileiro!

The future of young defender Djed Spence has taken a twist this week, as Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou makes a final decision on his plans for the player.

Spence unfavoured by Conte and Postecoglou

The 23-year-old signed for Spurs from Middlesbrough in the summer of 2022, following a very impressive loan spell at Nottingham Forest where he stood out in their push for Premier League promotion.

Tottenham think "special" player will miss rest of the season after injury

They expect him to sit out the remainder of 2023/2024.

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Emilio Galantini

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A hot commodity back then, Spence arrived in north London with a stellar reputation, and some supporters believed he could thrive as a wing-back in then-manager Antonio Conte's three-at-the-back system.

However, it really didn't turn out that way, as the Englishman was given barely any opportunities by Conte to impress – with the tactician branding Spence a club signing rather than his own.

Djed Spence's best Serie A games for Genoa on loan this season (at least 45 mins)	Match Rating (via WhoScored)
Juventus 0-0 Genoa	7.16
Empoli 0-0 Genoa	7.08
Salernitana 1-2 Genoa	6.41
Genoa 2-3 Monza	6.38
Genoa 2-1 Lecce	6.16

“Spence is an investment of the club. The club wanted to do it," said Conte on Spence.

“I said ‘OK, this player is young but he showed he can become a good, important player for us’. The club decided to buy him The club was very clear with me and said we reached an important achievement and … now we want to continue to grow. To grow together with ambition."

The defender, following Conte's exit, was given a second chance to impress at Spurs with the arrival of Postecoglou. The Lilywhites head coach, though, wasn't impressed either.

Spence was shipped out on a temporary spell to Leeds United during the first half of this season, which didn't work out, and he now finds himself back out on loan at Genoa in Serie A.

There are some Tottenham supporters who believe he could still come good, but according to football.london journalist Alasdair Gold, a decision has already been made on Spence's future this summer.

Spence decision made as Tottenham green-light summer exit

According to the reliable correspondent, Spence will be allowed to leave Tottenham with Postecoglou deciding he's part of his plans, alongside fellow full-back Sergio Reguilon.

Spurs will be in the market for a new full-back this summer, according to various reports, so this could be the right decision – as getting in ahead of a potential new arrival and the in-form Pedro Porro is arguably too much to ask of Spence.

This end to his career at N17 is a real shame, especially given the hype around him just two years ago.

"He has been the standout player in the Forest side and we are talking about a full-back," said former Forest star Brian Laws.

"Full-backs do not tend to get many headlines. He grabs them by the handful. In every single game, he has a positive impact. He has power going forward, he has electric pace, he has an abundance of skill, he can drop his shoulder, step over, go inside or outside — he is a major threat."

Manchester United are eyeing a summer move for a player called one of the "top midfielders" in his league, according to a fresh transfer update.

Man Utd transfer news

The Red Devils are still buoyant after their thrilling 4-3 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup on Sunday, but fans will also be aware of the bigger picture, knowing that plenty of new signings are needed in the summer window.

A host of players have been linked with moves to United at the end of the season, one of which is Borussia Dortmund attacking ace Donyell Malen, who could head to Old Trafford in a permanent swap deal with Jadon Sancho. The Dutchman has 11 goals in 19 Bundesliga starts this season, also netting once in the Champions League, and he is capable of thriving right across the attack.

Another report has stated that Dan Ashworth wants to take Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes with him to the Red Devils in the summer, assuming a deal is agreed to make the Englishman the club's new sporting director.

Meanwhile, Juventus centre-back Gleison Bremer has been backed to bolster United's defence, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly willing to trigger his release clause at the Serie A giants. The 26-year-old has won 2.9 aerial duels per game in the competition this season, as well as making 3.9 clearances per match, and he could be viewed as Lisandro Martinez's long-term partner.

Man Utd want to sign one of league's "top midfielders"

According to a new claim from Bianconera News [via Sport Witness], Manchester United are considering making a move for Weston McKennie this summer, with the American currently plying his trade at Juventus.

In terms of other Premier League clubs, Fulham and Arsenal are also credited with interest in the report, while Dortmund and RB Leipzig are also mentioned as potential suitors, too. Juve want to extend his current deal beyond 2025, but these clubs are making life difficult for them, putting his agent in a strong bargaining position.

McKennie is arguably a surprise option to come in and strengthen United's midfield options in the upcoming summer window, considering his stock fell during a disappointing spell at Leeds United. He made 19 appearances in the Premier League on loan last season, but ultimately failed to help keep them in the top flight.

The 25-year-old has enjoyed something of a resurrection at Juve in 2023/24, however, with USA head coach Gregg Berhalter hailing him recently.

Man Utd star with 103 touches outshone Amad Diallo's late winner

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There would be question marks over whether United could do better than McKennie, especially given the manner in which he struggled to adapt to the English game at Leeds, but he is still a fairly young player and Erik ten Hag could believe he can get the best out of him.

Seven assists in Serie A this season outline his creative quality in midfield, and he has also averaged 1.9 clearances and 1.6 tackles per game in the competition, showing that he can be an effective all-round player.

In the very first game of the season, versus Wolverhampton Wanderers, Manchester United looked vulnerable and unconvincing.

Unfortunately for Erik ten Hag, that has continued to be the case all season, with only an FA Cup and an unlikely top four spot somewhat salvaging the campaign.

In fairness to the former Ajax boss, injuries have hit his squad hard, especially in the defensive department, with only Diogo Dalot evading the crisis.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at who Sir Jim Ratcliffe is looking to sign this summer in order to bolster the backline.

Man Utd's search for a centre-back is underway

According to a report from Italian outlet CalcioMercato, Man Utd are looking to sign a centre-back, with Gleison Bremer at the top of their list.

The story mentions that the Red Devils' new ownership group led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe have already made contact with the Brazilian defender, who currently commands the Juventus defence.

The former Torino ace is known to have a €58m (£50m) release clause in his contract, and Ratcliffe will have no issues meeting that figure.

Therefore, a move this summer seems likely, especially with the latest news of another setback to a United defender.

Related Man Utd struck gold by selling academy grad who's worth less than Maguire

The former Man United ace has struggled in the Premier League this season.

Posts ByTom Lever Mar 25, 2024 Why Bremer would be the perfect replacement for Harry Maguire

There’s no doubt about it: when on the field, Harry Maguire’s performances have massively improved, with the fact that he won the November Premier League Player of the Month award supporting that.

However, the 31-year-old has had a rather troubled season due to a handful of injury setbacks, making him miss six games already, with another issue occurring this week on international duty with England.

Ten Hag needs reliability and availability from his players, which plenty haven’t been able to provide, including Maguire, and with the interest in Bremer, he could be replaced at the end of the season.

Unlike the United number five, Bremer has yet to pick up an injury this season, which means he has played 28 out of a possible 29 Serie A matches this campaign, picking up 12 clean sheets in the process.

Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig described the 27-year-old as the “complete package,” relating to his ability on the ball, his defensive dominance, and his athleticism, which were all on display in his most recent game for Juventus against Genoa.

Bremer vs Genoa

Stats

Bremer

Goals conceded

0

Tackles

3

Interceptions

5

Dribbled past

0

Duels won

9/11

Pass accuracy

85%

Touches

74

Via Sofascore

As you can see, the former Torino man is a physical monster, winning nine of his 11 duels in the tie, but what’s most impressive about Bremer is his ability to be one step ahead and read the game.

Alongside his pace, this allows the centre-back to have a proactive approach to defending, as shown by his five interceptions and three tackles, which will be important when Ten Hag inevitably plays a high line next season.

The latter is also vital when playing alongside Lisandro Martinez, who isn’t the quickest himself, but that slight weakness could be harnessed by Bremer’s ability to cover ground easily and recover swiftly.

Overall, Maguire has certainly been a solid player for United this season, but his injuries and profile have held the team back at times, with reports last season indicating Ten Hag's concerns over the former skipper's 'sluggish pace'.

Whereas, the introduction of Bremer could just transform the team’s approach entirely.

The strike and its aftermath. Here’s how things have unfolded

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Oct-2019

Mushfiqur Rahim speaks during the meeting between players and BCB officials•Raton Gomes

October 24News – BCB-striking players’ meeting: Nazmul Hassan’s aggression leaves cricketers ‘rattled’
Opinion – Mohammad Isam: How Shakib stepped up to fill a Mashrafe-sized hole
October 23News – We call off the strike and will return to playing’ – Shakib Al HasanNews – Strike moves towards resolution, Mashrafe could mediateOctober 22News – BCB chief lashes out at players’ strike, but says board is ‘open for talks’October 22News – FICA head Tony Irish criticises Bangladesh players association for inactionOctober 22Analysis – A Bangladesh press conference two decades in the makingOctober 22News – ‘They’ll come’ – Sourav Ganguly confident Bangladesh tour of India will go aheadOctober 22News – BCB calls emergency meeting of directors; Mashrafe Mortaza backs playersOctober 21News – Better contracts, no discrimination, open transfers: Bangladesh players’ demandsOctober 21News – Bangladesh players go on strike, India tour under threatOctober 21News – Top Bangladesh players likely to go on strike amid growing discontent with cricket board

Germany's clash with Denmark at Euro 2024 was overshadowed by the appearance of a masked man in the rafters of the stadium.

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Germany v Denmark a dramatic encounterMasked man climbed the raftersChased by police at gunpointWHAT HAPPENED?

Germany and Denmark's clash was marked by multiple delays. A thunderstorm caused a stoppage in the first half, while VAR intervened more than once to stunt the flow of the game. Towards the end of the second half, referee Michael Oliver was urged to delay the game as a masked man had climbed the rafters at the Stadion Dortmund.

AdvertisementTHE EXPLANATION

While there is no motive known for the man, he is reported to have walked along a beam high above the crowd, while fans shouted for him to come down, and Michael Oliver suspended the game. He spoke with both captains – Kasper Schmeichel and Ilkay Gundogan – with TV images showing that he was pointing out the masked individual, a 21-year-old who has since been arrested.

Police required the use of a helicopter to locate the individual, hence the delay.

Daily MailWHAT GERMAN POLICE SAID

Police said, per Bild: “The police have now arrested the man. At no time was there any danger to other people. The police are still unable to provide any information about the man’s identity or his motive.”

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UEFA have been criticised for their security woes at the tournament, particularly after six pitch invaders disrupted Portugal's game against Turkiye.

Chelsea are having yet another below-par season and find themselves currently residing in mid-table in the Premier League.

The London-based club are a massive 14 points away from the top four despite spending over £1b over the last two seasons on transfer and loan fees alone.

This figure is astonishingly high and puts into perspective how badly they've played since the arrival of Todd Boehly at Stamford Bridge.

Out of the many additions made by Boehly in order to try to make his club one of Europe's powerhouses once again, the vast majority have failed to make an impact on the club since their arrival.

There is, however, one signing in particular which stands out above the rest for being woeful despite earning a bumper wage.

Marc Cucurella's form since joining Chelsea

Marc Cucurella joined Chelsea in August 2022 from Brighton and Hove Albion for a fee which was worth around £63m.

The move came off the back of his first in England's top flight, where he performed above and beyond what was expected of him.

For his one and only season as a Brighton player, the Spain international managed a total of 38 appearances and contributed to two goals.

Although the stats may not showcase how solid he was across the season, he showed enough to get Chelsea to spend enough to make him the second-most expensive left-back in world football.

Since arriving at Stamford Bridge, the one-time Barcelona full-back has appeared on 45 occasions but, he has only garnered a total of two assists during that time.

His regular role in Chelsea's starting XI is largely due to the sheer number of injuries and time on the sidelines that Ben Chilwell has been faced with.

The England international has spent a total of 83 games on the sidelines since the arrival of the 25-year-old, which has resulted in the Blues relying on Cucurella more often than not.

To make matters worse, during their Premier League clash against Everton on the 10 December, Cucurella was himself struck down by injury and forced off the pitch early.

Wage Burners

Football FanCast's Wage Burners series explores the salaries of the modern-day game.

His injury was so severe that he had to undergo surgery, which has kept him sidelined for the past couple of months.

As with all players who get injured, their salaries are still paid in full, which leaves clubs in a bit of a pickle. Hence, why now, the Spain international is bleeding the London-based club dry.

Marc Cucrella's total cost at Chelsea

After being at the club for around 81 weeks now, the salary Cucurella has received is eye-watering. Over the time he has spent at the club, the 5 foot 8 defender has gained around £12m in wages alone – raking in a staggering £175k-per-week, as per Capology.

Player

Wages

Raheem Sterling

£325k-p/w

Reece James

£250k-p/w

Wesley Fofana

£200k-p/w

Ben Chilwell

£200k-p/w

Christopher Nkunku

£195k-p/w

Enzo Fernandez

£180k-p/w

Marc Cucurella

£175k-p/w

Figures vis Capology

It would appear that such an outlay – which comes to £75m in total when including his initial transfer fee – has not been justified, with talkSPORT pundit Jamie O'Hara even branding him a "disgrace" following Chelsea's Champions League tie against Real Madrid last season.

This judgement came after Chilwell was sent off after pulling on the shoulder of Rodrygo in the box. The only reason the England international decided to commit the foul in the first place was due to the poor positioning of Cucurella for the goal.

This isn't the first time a situation has occurred like this with Cucurella, and it likely won't be the last. So, not only have Chelsea spent a near-record-breaking fee on the left-back, but they have also made themselves £12m lighter for a player who seemingly isn't up to the standard they expect.

So, it is without doubt that the left-back has bled the club dry and looks set to be yet another Boehly signing who won't make the cut in the near future.

تحدث علي كرمالي، وكيل أعمال الجزائري زين الدين بلعيد، عن تصريحات أحمد قندوسي، لاعب الأهلي المعار إلى صفوف سيراميكا كليوباترا والتي أثارت جدلاً كبيراً.

وكان أحمد قندوسي خرج بتصريحات عبر فضائية “أون تايم سبورت”، قائلًا: “المفاوضات بين زين الدين بلعيد والأهلي فشلت بسبب الوكلاء، بلعيد كان بنسبة 70% في الأهلي، لكن إدارة الأحمر كانت تشترط أن يتواجد مع اللاعب وكيلا غير وكيله”.

طالع..كيف برأ أمير توفيق نفسه في تحقيق الأهلي بشأن تصريحات قندوسي؟

وقرر الأهلي إحالة تصريحات قندوسي للشؤون القانونية، من أجل كشف ملابسات الأمور.

وتحدث كرمالي في تصريحات عبر قناة أون تايم: “حديث أحمد قندوسي كان لديه حق فيه، الكلام الذي قاله زين الدين بلعيد صحيح، فلم يكن لديه مشكلة مع الأهلي أو أمير توفيق، والعلاقة بين النادي الأهلي وعائلة بلعيد كانت جيدة”.

وتابع عن سبب فشل انضمام بلعيد إلى الأهلي: “العائلة كانت لديها أسباب شخصية ورياضية، وفي نهاية المطاف، اختار بلعيد المشروع الرياضي وهو الاحتراف في أوروبا، وضميره مرتاح. الوكلاء اتفقوا مع بعضهم في مفاوضات بلعيد مع الأهلي”.

وأكمل: “قندوسي حر في تفكيره، وزين الدين بلعيد حر في تصريحاته، أظن أن ما نشره بلعيد على إنستجرام ليس كلام اللاعب، بل أحد ما يكتب له لأنه لا يوجد لديه وقت”.

وواصل: “تحدثت مع محمد رمضان المدير الرياضي للأهلي واستسفر مني عن حقيقة تصريحات أحمد القندوسي”.

وأتم: “هل توجد مفاوضات مع بلعيد من ناد غير الأهلي؟ لا توجد مفاوضات رسمية، فكل ما يُقال هو كلام على مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي”