ورحب الخطيب بالأشقاء، موكدًا اعتزاز النادي بالعلاقات الوطيدة التي تجمع الأهلي بكافة المؤسسات والأندية في سلطنة عمان، واستمرار التعاون المثمر بين الأهلي والأندية العمانية، خاصة نادي النهضة، الذي حقق نجاحات عديدة خلال الفترة الماضية.
ومن جانبه عبر السفير عبد الله بن ناصر الرحبي، عن سعادته الكبيرة بزيارة النادي الأهلي، وتقديم التهنئة إلى مجلس الإدارة، وكافة منظومة الأهلي، على الفوز بكأس القارات الثلاث ضمن بطولة الإنتركونتننتال، والبطولات والإنجازات التي حققتها فرق النادي بشكل عام.
وبدوره أكد الشيخ أحمد بن ناصر النعيمي، رئيس مجلس إدارة نادي النهضة، أن ناديه يتطلع بشدة من خلال بروتوكول التعاون إلى الاستفادة من تجربة الأهلي الرائدة، وما حققه من نجاحات على كافة المستويات، والعمل على نقلها إلى نادي النهضة من خلال تبادل الخبرات خلال الفترة المقبلة.
وفي ختام الزيارة حرص محمود الخطيب على إهداء درع وعلم النادي وقميص الفريق إلى سفير سلطنة عمان بالقاهرة، الذي بدوره أهدى الكابتن محمود الخطيب درع السفارة وكتابًا خاصًّا عن العلاقات التاريخية بين مصر وعمان، كما أهدى الكابتن الخطيب درع وعلم النادي وقميص الفريق إلى رئيس نادي النهضة، والذي قدم له درع ناديه؛ تعبيرًا عن العلاقات الوثيقة بين الناديين الشقيقين.
New Zealand’s depth will be tested in the T20I series against India, but Ross Taylor sees it as a good chance for fringe players to stake a claim for spots in the World Cup squad later this year.The five-match series, part of a full tour by India, which also includes three ODIs and two Tests, begins in Auckland on Friday with New Zealand shorn of two key bowlers – Trent Boult (hand injury) and Lockie Ferguson (calf injury) – who will certainly be part of the T20 World Cup if fit.A number of other seamers who could have been in the frame – Matt Henry, Seth Rance, Doug Bracewell and Adam Milne – are also nursing injuries, meaning the T20I squad will lean heavily on the experience of Tim Southee along with spinners Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi.New Zealand’s most recent T20I series saw them lose 3-2 against England at the beginning of the season – with the deciding match going down to a Super Over – and after the visit by India they will finish the summer with three more matches at home against Australia.ALSO READ: Virat Kohli stresses on intensity and clarity in New Zealand“Probably right from the Sri Lanka series and England the focus has been on the World Cup,” Taylor said. “It will be different conditions in Australia but getting those combinations, trying a few different guys out, obviously a few injuries as well which changes the dynamic of the side, but tests the depth out and gives guys opportunities which bodes well for competition for spots.”While the upcoming series on home soil are a key part of New Zealand’s preparations for the tournament later this year – an event where they have never gone deeper than the semi-finals – Taylor believes there will have to be adjustments made for the conditions across the Tasman in October.”It’s the first time a T20 World Cup is there and you watch the Big Bash, there are big boundaries so you are going to have to skin the cat differently than how you play in New Zealand and other parts of the world,” he said.Kane Williamson, who missed the series against England with a hip problem, has returned to captain the team. New Zealand have won four out of the five T20Is they have played at home against India, including a 2-1 series win last year.Taylor is also confident that New Zealand will be able to put up a better showing in the two Tests that conclude the tour than they managed in Australia, were they were beaten 3-0 with heavy margins in all the games.”It didn’t go as we would have liked, we were completely outplayed in all three facets of the game,” he said. “Now we are back on home soil, India will be totally different opposition, No. 1 team in the world but in conditions we know.”
West Ham United's journey under David Moyes' tutelage may draw to a close at the end of the campaign, with the Scottish manager's contract up for expiry.
It's been quite the ride, and there's no certainty surrounding Moyes' situation, but if he is to depart he will exit with European silverware, having lifted the Hammers to repeated campaigns on the continent.
David Moyes.
It's clear that improvements are needed this summer, however, and whether Moyes stays or not, the defence needs a fresh face or two.
Captain Kurt Zouma and his partner Nayef Aguerd have been regularly criticised this season, but Thilo Kehrer might be the biggest flop of the lot, despite not having played in a West Ham shirt for much of this season.
Why West Ham signed Thilo Kehrer
West Ham completed the signing of Kehrer from PSG for £10m plus add-ons in August 2022 after the dynamic defender had fallen out of favour in the French capital, starting only 16 Ligue 1 matches in 2021/22.
It was regarded as a major coup and The Athletic's Roshane Thomas said that his "speed and eagerness to occupy advanced positions should add an extra dimension", with tactical flexibility also allowing him to feature across a range of roles.
But one year on, Kehrer has returned back across the Channel – in all likelihood, he will not return to east London.
Thilo Kehrer's 22/23 season in numbers
Alternating between central defence and full-back, Kehrer completed 85% of his passes in the Premier League last season, winning 51% of his duels and averaging 1.6 tackles and 2.7 clearances per fixture, as per Sofascore.
The Germany international was by no means great but he arguably had a tougher time out competing with his nation, lambasted for one particularly "horrendous" performance with Germany by journalist Stefan Bienkowski.
Thilo Kehrer for West Ham
Kehrer returned to France after signing for Monaco on loan in January, with an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the campaign.
He's certainly not a bad player and enjoyed some good moments in an Irons shirt, starting 25 Premier League fixtures and a frequent presence in the Europa Conference League, which West Ham of course won.
But he earned a sizeable salary and often struggled at the heart of a backline that suffered a regression on the domestic front following several years of high flying.
Thilo Kehrer's earnings at West Ham
The potential transfer fee for Monaco's permanent acquisition of Kehrer is uncertain but it's unlikely to surpass the £10m figure parted with nearly two years ago.
And considering Kehrer's salary, earning a healthy wage at £80k-per-week, it can be observed that the 27-year-old actually outearned teammates such as Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen.
Thilo Kehrer
£80k-per-week
Tomas Soucek
£65k-per-week
Declan Rice
£60k-per-week
Jarrod Bowen
£60k-per-week
Said Benrahma
£55k-per-week
Nayef Aguerd
£50k-per-week
Of course, both Rice and Bowen have eclipsed last season's salaries having risen to the forefront of European football, Bowen going from strength to strength at West Ham and signing a lucrative new contract at the start of the season following interest from outfits such as Liverpool and Rice joining Arsenal in a £100m deal, with a wage of £240k per week.
With Kehrer struggling to get a game in the Premier League across the opening half of the 2023/24 campaign, making just four substitute appearances, it's clear that he was right to move away, but it's hard to justify such a big salary. He certainly wasn't on the level of stars such as Rice and Bowen.
Wage Burners
Football FanCast's Wage Burners series explores the salaries of the modern-day game.
Newcastle United have moved to the front in the race to sign a soon-to-be free agent, it has been reported, with his current club failing to agree terms over a new deal with him.
PIF trying to upgrade on a shoestring budget
After a less than ideal season for Eddie Howe's side, there are serious concerns about the Premier League's financial fair play rules heading into the summer.
As it stands, they seem likely to need to sell one of their stars before they can invest in the squad, and CEO Darren Eales only fanned those flames by admitting that it was "the nature of the beast" back in January.
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"Any decision we make will always be against the backdrop of the medium to long-term benefit for the club. It's difficult to say specifically on certain players, but I can say that, if we're going to get to where we want to get to, at times it is necessary to trade your players", he explained. "It's just the nature of the beast."
The alternative would be to operate on a low budget this summer, with European football and the prize money that comes with it looking unlikely at present, with Eddie Howe's side stuck in 10th as things stand.
Joelinton appears likely to be sold at the last chance to cash in this summer if the club cannot extend his deal beyond 2025, while there are rumours that his midfield partner and compatriot Bruno Guimaraes, who has a £100m release clause in his contract, could be the one to make way.
Joelinton in action for Premier League side Newcastle United.
But the club may have just found a solution to that particular pair of potential departures.
Newcastle heading race for free agent
As per reports coming out of Italy, Newcastle are at the front of the queue for France midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who is due to be out of contract with Juventus this summer as the Turin outfit struggle to tie him down to a new deal.
The ex-PSG man has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, and almost made the switch to Manchester United two summers ago, only for the deal to fall through.
Now, he could finally make his move to England, with Italian outlet Tutto Juve claiming that there are four clubs in the race for his signature. Of those, however, Newcastle and Premier League rivals Arsenal are 'the clubs most interested in signing him' this summer.
Rabiot vs Newcastle midfielders 23/24
Adrien Rabiot
Bruno Guimaraes
Joelinton
Appearances
23
27
16
Goals and assists
7
8
3
Pass accuracy
82.6%
84.9%
83.3%
Shots on target (per 90)
0.6
0.34
0.4
Tackles and interceptions (per 90)
2.81
3.04
3.73
Eddie Howe's side held talks with Rabiot's agent last month, but it had appeared as though Tottenham had moved ahead of them in the race for the Frenchman. However, the latest reports from Italy have put the Tyneside outfit firmly back in the picture.
One concern for the Magpies may be the lack of European football, with Rabiot used to playing regularly in the Champions League. However, if they could sell the Frenchman on their project it could well sway him. Better still, a return to France seems out of the question, as Rabiot has already admitted a return to Paris Saint Germain is unlikely.
"It’s [the interest] flattering on the one hand, but it remains difficult when you know how it finished", he told reporters. “You should never close any door, but that will not be my priority in any case.”
With suitors potentially few and far between for the midfielder, a hefty wage package could just swing things in Newcastle's favour this summer.
In recent years, Everton have been successful in developing and investing in youth, with multiple players having an impact on the Toffees' first team.
The club have had to rely on youth at times this campaign, with the club's struggles with FFP and PSR rules making it difficult for the club to be active in the transfer market.
Jarrad Branthwaite has been the main beneficiary this campaign, with the 21-year-old excelling under Sean Dyche – subsequently being linked with a £75m move to Manchester United just four years after his £1m arrival at Goodison Park.
Other talents, such as Tom Davies and Ross Barkley came through Everton's academy before going on to make over 100 appearances for the Toffees, with the latter making the club £15m when he left to join Premier League rivals Chelsea.
However, a few years ago, there was a talent within the club's academy who had huge potential to become Seamus Coleman's heir. Despite this, eight years on from his debut for the Toffees, he's no longer at Goodison, and now playing second-tier football.
Jonjoe Kenny's stats for Everton
Right-back Jonjoe Kenny joined Everton at the age of nine, with the defender rapidly progressing through the ranks before signing his first professional deal back in 2014.
He was loaned out to Wigan Athletic and Oxford United in League One and League Two respectively during 2015 and 2016, before making his Premier League debut as a substitute in the 3-0 victory over Norwich City in May 2016.
However, he would have to wait until the 2017/18 campaign to make his first top-flight start, with Kenny starting in the 5-2 defeat against Arsenal after an injury to first-choice right-back Coleman.
He would go on to make 19 appearances in the Premier League that season, in a campaign which was his pinnacle in a Toffees shirt before dropping down the pecking order.
Jonjoe Kenny's PL apps for Everton
Season
Appearances
2021/22
15
2020/21
4
2018/19
10
2017/18
19
2016/17
1
Stats via Transfermarkt
He was subsequently loaned to Schalke in the Bundesliga for the 2019/20 season, where he received consistent first-team minutes but failed to do enough to earn a permanent move to Germany.
Kenny would again leave Goodison for consistent minutes, joining Scottish champions Celtic – where he only made 16 appearances over the course of the campaign.
The right-back rejected a new deal with the Toffees in 2022, leaving the club on a free transfer in order to fulfil his potential, with the youngster unable to secure a regular starting place in Everton's first-team.
Jonjoe Kenny's stats since leaving Everton
After leaving his boyhood club in 2022, he would return to Germany, this time signing for Hertha Berlin on a three-year deal. His first season saw him receive the consistent action he sought after, featuring for 2,242 minutes in the Bundesliga during the 2022/23 season.
However, his performances weren't enough to stop the club from dropping into Germany's second tier – with Hertha suffering their first relegation in over a decade.
Their relegation has seen Kenny find some form this campaign, with the former Everton defender chipping in with six goal contributions in his 21 league appearances.
However, it's sad to see the 27-year-old fall so far after his promising start to life at Everton, with the defender still yet to fulfil his potential since leaving the club.
With Kenny coming into his prime years, there's still time for the right-back to reach his potential, with the former England U21 international potentially being key in Hertha's push for an immediate return to Germany's top flight.
Uma tarde para esquecer. Em atuação ruim, o Internacional foi massacrado por 5 a 1 pelo Fortaleza e entrou em rota de colisão com a crise.
Conhecido por montar times ofensivos, Miguel Ángel Ramírez viu o seu time produzir pouca coisa com a bola nos pés.
Para entender a exibição atípica, o Internacional passou a etapa inicial sem dar um chute ao gol. O primeiro lance de perigo veio aos 12 minutos da etapa final, quando Yuri Alberto invadiu a área e foi travado pelo zagueiro. Naquela altura, o Inter perdia por 4 a 0.
Agora, Internacional e Ramírez terão dias intensos pela frente. O próximo compromisso é no meio de semana contra o Vitória pela Copa do Brasil.
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A major European newspaper claims that a "special" manager is being talked up as Manchester United's potential next boss after Erik ten Hag.
Erik ten Hag under pressure at Man Utd
United's current boss finds himself under enormous pressure to keep his job beyond the summer, with his side continuing to struggle this season. They are now languishing in sixth place and 12 points adrift of Aston Villa in fourth, with Champions League qualification looking close to impossible.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made it clear that he is going to be ruthless since becoming part owner of the Red Devils, and it looks as though he is already considering potential candidates to replace Ten Hag if things don't drastically improve.
Impressive Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has been linked with coming in, guiding his current team to within touching distance of promotion from the Championship to the Premier League this season. The 37-year-old is not only a big talent, but he also has ties with United, managing the Under-18s and also being assistant manager for a period in the past.
Former Brighton and Chelsea manager Graham Potter is also seen as an option to take over at Old Trafford soon, with journalist Ben Jacobs saying: "One is Graham Potter, who couldn't handle the Chelsea dressing room for various reasons, perhaps some not in his control, but is still highly thought of after his time at Brighton. INEOS liked Potter with a view to Nice long before the investment was completed at Manchester United, and that's why he's been linked."
It remains to be seen what decision will be made with Ten Hag – Ratcliffe could yet decide that he is the right man for the job if the rest of the season goes well – but another name has now been thrown into the mix.
Man Utd links to "special" manager heating up
According to a front page report from Gazzetta dello Sport [via Sport Witness], Manchester United see Bologna manager Thiago Motta as an option to replace the Dutchman in the near future, and the links are gathering pace in Italy.
It does look as though there is more hype than anything surrounding the update however, with the report admitting that no concrete interest from the Red Devils has emerged and it could just be a case of using a huge club's name to drum up interest elsewhere.
Should Motta become a genuine managerial option for United this summer, or even before then, he would be an exciting candidate, considering what an excellent job he has done at Bologna to date.
Bologna
68
1.72
Spezia Calcio
40
0.98
Genoa
10
0.90
The 41-year-old has been hailed as a "special" manager by journalist James Horncastle, and his team sit fourth in Serie A, as they close in on a place in next season's Champions League. A recent report has claimed that internal talks have happened within United, no doubt involving Ratcliffe, and he is one of Europe's most exciting young bosses currently.
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Motta prefers to play a possession-based 4-2-3-1 formation, with a report on his tactics from the Coaches' Voice adding the system "delivers more fluidity, despite still working to an overall structure", and he would represent a vibrant choice to come in and be an upgrade on Ten Hag.
Harvey Elliott is thrilled with new Liverpool manager Arne Slot's "elegant" style of play, which he admits is "a lot different" to Jurgen Klopp's.
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Slot ushering in a new era at AnfieldHis philosophy is in stark contrast to Klopp'sElliott relishing the new playing styleWHAT HAPPENED?
Elliott played a key role in Liverpool's 1-0 victory over Real Betis, which marked the beginning of their United States tour. The 21-year-old midfielder is enjoying Slot's possession-based style, which is a major shift from Klopp's high-intensity pressing football.
AdvertisementGetty WHAT ELLIOTT SAID
Speaking ahead of an upcoming friendly match against Arsenal at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Elliott shared his insights on the team's adaptation to Slot's methods.
"It's very elegant, Dutch style, it's very nice. The style of play is a lot different. It's more about in possession now," he told reporters. "The players are excited, we play certain patterns, it is a good buzz around the team and the lads are excited to apply it in games.
"It's a fresh start for everyone. I don't think it is nerves but excitement. I think we [will learn it] very quickly to be honest. We have seen in the last game there were certain moments where the amazing football was free-flowing.
"It's pre-season and it is only the first couple of games and we need to keep trusting what they are teaching us. We need to keep going if things don't work out [immediately] because it is all new."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Against Real Betis, Slot deployed two number 10s, Elliott alongside Dominik Szoboszlai, a role necessitated by the absence of Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota. The manager later indicated that he sees Elliott and Szoboszlai competing for the attacking midfielder position as this No.10 role will be pivotal in his system.
When asked if this new role could pave the way for his senior England debut, Elliott responded with determination. "I hope so. It's just down to me to put in the work, put in the performances," he said. "You can say it all you want but it is down to me to work as hard as I can and perform in training and games, so it is on myself. There's no one I could blame apart from me. I just wanted to come back early to get to grips with the new style of play and meet the coaching staff and gaffer for the first time. It gives me a chance to get up and running in pre-season. I feel like I've done that. I just need to keep going and building."
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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
The renewed focus on possession and creativity under Slot's management has given Elliott a platform to showcase his talents. He hopes to secure a regular starting spot when the competitive fixtures kick off by impressing the Dutch manager during Liverpool's remaining pre-season friendlies against Arsenal, Manchester United and Sevilla.
Manchester United are trying to see the positive side of Leny Yoro's three-month injury lay off, it has been revealed.
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French teenager ruled out for three months
United hope he can settle more easily
PSG were wary of defender's frailty
WHAT HAPPENED?
The French teenager signed for United in an eye-catching £52m ($66m) move from Lille but disaster struck in only his second game for the Red Devils. He broke his metatarsal in the pre-season friendly defeat by Arsenal in Los Angeles, ruling him out for three months.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
While the injury to the club's biggest signing of the summer is far from ideal, insiders are hoping the time out of action will help him settle in Manchester and adapt to life at United, according to . There is also hope that he will be 'fully up to speed' when he returns in November and gets ready to make his Premier League debut.
DID YOU KNOW?
Yoro is thought to have injured his foot in an innocuous tangle with Gabriel Jesus. The club are not citing the condition of the SoFi stadium pitch as a factor for the injury. However, it has been revealed that Paris Saint-Germain had concerns about Yoro's vulnerability to injury and that was why they pulled out of a potential move for the defender.
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WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?
United finish their USA tour against Liverpool on Saturday in South Carolina. In the mean time, the club are hoping to sign two more defenders before the season starts. The Red Devils have reportedly made opening bids for Bayern Munich duo Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui.
He warned that the Ranji Trophy would remain an ‘orphan and poor cousin’ of the IPL if wages don’t rise
ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jan-2020
Sunil Gavaskar wants the pay gap between domestic and IPL players ‘narrowed down as much as possible’•Getty Images
Sunil Gavaskar has called for a “substantial” hike in the wages paid to India’s domestic cricketers, and asked BCCI president Sourav Ganguly to look into bridging the pay gap between the Ranji Trophy and the IPL.At present, domestic cricketers earn a match fee of INR 35,000 per match day, and share among themselves 10.40% of the BCCI’s annual media rights income. Their revenue pales in comparison to the amounts that players can earn from the IPL auction, with a minimum base price of INR 20 lakhs.”IPL dominates Ranji Trophy,” quoted Gavaskar as saying, while delivering the Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial Lecture in Delhi. “Unless their match fees are increased substantially, it will be considered an orphan and poor cousin of Indian cricket.”Gavaskar placed the earnings of domestic and IPL cricketers in relation to their respective workloads.”I am hoping new president Sourav Ganguly will look into this,” he said. “The disparity that you see between IPL players, who don’t always play first-class cricket, and those who play all the domestic games, about 80 days, and somebody who plays 14 days of IPL.”There is big disparity. I am talking about the uncapped players. Hopefully that will be narrowed down as much as possible.”