أمير مرتضى يتحدث عن مشاركة الزمالك في السوبر ليج.. ويصرح: لم نستفد من الراحة السلبية

تحدث أمير مرتضى منصور المشرف على قطاع الكرة بالزمالك عن رؤيته وموقف النادي من المشاركة في بطولة السوبر ليج الإفريقية والمزعم انطلاقها خلال عام 2023.

وقال أمير مرتضى منصور في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورتس1”: “وصلت لنا دعوة أن نحضر نهائي بطولة كأس الأمم الأخيرة في الكاميرون، وعلى هامش ذلك كان سيتم مناقشة الأمر، ولكننا اعتذرنا لأن الدعوة وصلتنا قبل النهائي بيومين فقط، وعلى الجانب الآخر معلوماتي عن البطولة والمشاركة فيها والجوائز لا أعرفها”.

طالع أيضًا.. كاف يُعلن موعد انطلاق دوري السوبر الإفريقي.. 100 مليون دولار جوائز

وأكمل: “أنا رأيي إيجابي في هذا الأمر، لأن دوري الأبطال بطولة مرهقة وطويلة وعوائدها قليلة، ونحن حصلنا على هذا اللقب 5 مرات من قبل ونريد المنافسة على بطولة أخرى”.

وتابع: “لا يصح أن نلعب بطولة دوري الأبطال 4 أو 5 أشهر، وفي النهاية تكون المكافأة مليون ونصف دولار لا تكفي عقد لاعب”.

وأردف: “بالنسبة للسوبر ليج بشكل عام ستكون جيدة، ولكن نريد أن نعرف نظام البطولة وبعدها سنرتب أولوياتنا”.

طالع | روي ألميدا: الأهلي فرصة عظيمة لـ سواريش.. وسعيد بتقدم الزمالك في الدوري

وبشأن عودة إقامة نهائي أبطال إفريقيا من مباراتي ذهاب وإياب، أجاب: “في إفريقيا لا توجد وسائل مواصلات تربط البلاد ببعضها، ولذلك الأفضل أن يلعب كل فريق على ملعبه في المباراة النهائية، ورأينا أن الأهلي في نهائي إفريقيا ورغم أن مصر والأهلي من أغنى الأندية في إفريقيا إلا أنه لم يستطع أن يسهل العقبات من خلال تحمل تكلفة الجماهير”.

وحول ضغط جدول الدوري المصري وفترة الراحة الحالية للفريق، أردف: “لا يوجد شيء اسمه أن أخذ راحة 12 يومًا لأنه لا يوجد فريق لمواجهته، هذا ليس طبيعيًا، هذه ليست فترة راحة لأنها ليست أجندة دولية ولا فاصل بين دورين، هذه الراحة ليس فيها أي استفادة، لو لعبنا المباريات بشكل منتظم أفضل من أن نأخذ راحة ثم يتم ضغطنا بعد ذلك”.

The toss and more gloss

Shades of Sehwag: Gautam Gambhir, on 99, stepped out to Shane Watson and lofted him over wide long-on for six to bring up his third Test hundred © Getty Images
 

Cheeky captain
Was it a surprise that Anil Kumble won the toss? No, because he had a practice run before the actual toss. Immediately after he got the coin from Chris Broad, the match referee, Kumble flipped it only to realise mid-flight that they were not on air as yet. So Kumble caught the coin before it could land. Shrewdly he must have studied the coin’s behaviour pattern, and flipped it the next time in a way that it landed in India’s favour, and that too way off the pitch where the toss happened. Welcome back, captain.Home ground blues
A century in front of his home crowd has eluded Virender Sehwag. In his only Test at the Kotla – he was out of the side when India played Pakistan here last year – he scored 74 against Zimbabwe in 2002. Even in the three ODIs he has played here, he has managed a best of 42 against England in 2002. Today, as a result of frozen feet, he made sure he will have to wait longer to get a century on his home ground. The second ball he faced was a fast in-swinger from Brett Lee, Sehwag’s feet stayed rooted, and he played outside the line of the ball. Umpire Aleem Dar had no hesitation in sending Sehwag off. Gambhir, though, who scored 2 and 3 in his first match here – against Sri Lanka in 2005-06, brought up his hundred after tea.The upper-cut from hell
Lee, who has had an ordinary series so far, built up consistent pace today. In the first over after lunch, he dug one in short. Sachin Tendulkar, well entrenched by then, waited for it to rise, arched his back a bit to make room, and guided it over slip. The shot was delicate and breathtaking at the same time. Lee’s pace almost carried it for a six.Man of his word
“If we are behind by five overs or so, yes I won’t be giving Brett a bowl,” Ricky Ponting said at his pre-match conference. And so it happened. By drinks in the middle session, Australia had managed only 40 overs, behind by – yes – five overs. And there Ponting proved he would keep his word: he didn’t bowl Lee until the 62nd over. The corrective measure, though, didn’t prove too fruitful for Australia. From the moment Cameron White came on, Gambhir and Tendulkar ripped into him. The first ball he bowled was cut away towards point boundary, the third one was driven to extra-cover boundary. In the four overs he bowled, he visited the boundary often enough to negate his quick over-rate. In the end, by 4.30pm, the scheduled close of play, Australia had managed only 81 overs.How not to use the elbow
In the 51st over of the innings, Gambhir flicked Shane Watson to midwicket, and the bowler was not impressed. As Gambhir ran down for the first run, he saw Shane Watson gesticulating and muttering something to him. So, on his way back for the second, Gambhir apparently got his own back, thrusting his elbow into Watson’s ribs. Time for the match referee to do some overtime: mischievous captains at toss, slow over rates, and now quarrelling children to sort out.How to get to 100
Gambhir has played a lot of cricket with Sehwag, and some of it seems to have rubbed on to him. At 99, when Gambhir tried to steer Watson to the third man boundary, Michael Hussey made a diving save to keep Gambhir put. But to the next ball, the batsman stepped out, and lofted Watson over wide long-on for a six to bring up the landmark. Sehwag would have approved. At any rate, the six worked better than the elbow earlier during the day.How not to appeal
Brad Haddin was the most desperate man at the Kotla today. Twice he almost went up in appeals when the batsmen had leg-glanced off the face of the bat. The heights of desperation, though, were reached when Lee appealed for an lbw against Gambhir. Umpire Billy Bowden shook his head “no”, but the ball had already lobbed to Michael Hussey at wide third slip. Out went the lbw appeal, and in came one for a catch, Haddin looking at the umpire with his left hand pointing to Hussey. The perseverance, at least, cannot be faulted.

Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs make improved offer for Domingos Duarte

Tottenham Hotspur are believed to have submitted an improved offer for Granada CF centre-back Domingos Duarte, as they eye further defensive reinforcements [Fichajes via Sport Witness].

The Lowdown: Defensive solidity becomes a focus for Spurs in 2021/22

Starting off 2021/22 with consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League, Nuno Espirito Santo will be keen to continue this defensive consistency, whilst using it as a platform to mount a challenge for Champions League qualification this season.

Identifying the need for fresh blood at the back, the Portuguese coach has recently brought in Argentina international Cristian Romero [Guardian]. It seems he’s not done yet, as the Lilywhites may be set to move closer to signing another defender owing to claims in the Spanish media.

The Latest: Tottenham submit improved offer for Duarte

Tottenham are said to have put forward a second bid for 6 foot 4 Duarte, after their first proposal of around €8 million (£6.8m) was turned down by the La Liga outfit [Fichajes via Sport Witness].

There is no mention of the fee or structure in the second bid or whether it will be accepted by Granada CF.

The 26-year-old is rumoured to have a release clause of €30 million in his contract, but his club are seeking to sell him for €18 million (£15.4m) according to Tribal Football.

The Verdict: Spurs should look to sign dominant Duarte

Needing to conclude business swiftly with the window nearing an end, Duarte would be an encouraging signing that would add some leadership and a dominant presence to the Spurs backline, even if not a guaranteed starter.

In 2020/21 he was ever present, registering a solitary goal in 42 appearances for his current employers in all competitions [Transfermarkt].

Furthermore, the Portugal international showed his ability to attack the ball effectively, winning an average of 1.7 aerial duels per fixture across this timeframe [WhoScored].

Once described as someone who “oozes calm and confidence” by La Liga Lowdown pundit Heath Chesters, Spurs could secure an effective back-up for whoever earns the first XI spot alongside big money signing Romero.

In other news, Tottenham Hotspur are eyeing a move for a La Liga ace. Find out who here.

أبرزهم مدرب محمد صلاح السابق.. 5 مرشحين لخلافة موسيماني في الأهلي

يواصل مجلس إدارة النادي الأهلي، دراسة العديد من السير الذاتية للمدربين خلال الفترة الحالية، للاستقرار على خليفة الجنوب إفريقي بيتسو موسيماني.

وكان النادي الأهلي قد أعلن فسخ التعاقد مع موسمياني بالتراضي، بعد قرار الجنوب إفريقي بالاكتفاء بالفترة التي قضاها داخل جدران القلعة الحمراء.

وعلم “بطولات” أنه يوجد 5 مدربين وهم الفرنسي رودي جارسيا والبرتغالي روي فيتوريا والفرنسي الآخر باتريس بوميل والروماني رازفان لوشيسكو والصربي رازوفيتش يتصدرون قائمة الترشحيات لخلافة موسيماني في تدريب الأهلي.

ويعد أبرز الأسماء المرشحة لتدريب الأهلي، هو الفرنسي رودي جارسيا، مدرب روما السابق وليون، حيث كان مدرباً لمحمد صلاح نجم منتخب مصر حينما كان لاعباً في نادي روما الإيطالي.

ويستعد الأهلي لمواجهة إيسترن كومباني مساء غد الأربعاء، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

طالع |  فينجادا لـ بطولات: تدريب الأهلي شرف.. وكيروش حسم قراره

ويحتل الأهلي المركز الثالث في ترتيب الدوري، برصيد 37 نقطة، بعد خوض 16 مباراة.

ويقود النادي الأهلي في الفترة الحالية سامي قمصان المدرب المساعد، حيث خاض مواجهة الكأس أمام المصري بالسلوم وفاز بهدف دون رد.

Celtic in pole position for Fabricio Bustos

Celtic have begun the new season in topsy-turvy fashion.

The Hoops were knocked out of Europe’s premier competition and then tasted defeat in their first league clash of the campaign.

However, Ange Postecoglou’s men have bounced back in perfect style. They won their first Europa League qualifying clash and then smacked Dundee for six last week.

On the chalkboard

One of the biggest success stories from Postecoglou’s reign so far is undoubtedly Anthony Ralston.

The right-back was barely seen throughout the 2020/21 campaign, featuring just once under Neil Lennon and John Kennedy combined.

Though, he’s come flying out of the traps during the new season and has immediately become one of the first names on the team sheet.

Ralston has scored two goals, including a brilliant individual strike against Hearts in their 2-1 defeat at Tannadice.

That being said, whether he can sustain this consistency very much remains to be seen.

Other options

Celtic continue to track various right-backs with Yan Couto and Aurelio Buta considered. Another option could be Fabricio Bustos.

That’s according to reports in France who suggest that the Bhoys are in pole position to sign the defender from Argentine side Independiente in a deal worth €4m (£3.4m).

Standing at just 5 foot 5, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Bustos is a rather weak full-back. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

During a training session with Argentina a number of years ago, he was forced to apologise to a certain Lionel Messi for a robust challenge.

The defender recalled: “I was strong to a play that could have been avoided and that is why I apologized at the time. He told me that nothing was happening and I calmed down. It serves as my experience for everything that comes.”

The statistics paint a picture that Bustos is a very tough-tackling player too.

During the 2021 Copa de la Professional, the 25-year-old was in particularly vibrant form. Over the course of 13 matches, Bustos has won 2.2 tackles and made 2.2 interceptions per match.

Although Ralston has won a mighty 3.5 tackles per game this term, he has only produced one successful interception per game.

The Independiente full-back is also particularly strong in the offensive phases of play. He has made 0.8 key passes and 1.1 dribbles per outing in Argentina’s domestic cup for instance.

Although Celtic’s current option has proved he has what it takes to star at Parkhead, they could do with another option as the campaign plays out.

AND in other news, Celtic prepare bid to sign “very gifted” £4.5m beast, fans must be buzzing…

West Brom: Baggies keen on Adam Reach

West Brom are reportedly interested in a deal to sign Adam Reach, following his release from Sheffield Wednesday, according to journalist Alan Nixon. 

What’s the story?

Reach has been a free-agent since his contract with Sheffield Wednesday reached a conclusion at the end of the 2020/21 season, in what was a frustrating end to his time at Hillsborough.

The Owls were relegated from the Championship, as they finished bottom of the second tier standings after a poor run of results throughout that season.

Reach made 49 appearances in total for Darren Moore’s side in that campaign, but wasn’t offered a new contract by the club in the summer, as they prepared for life in the third tier of English football.

West Brom reportedly have Reach training with the club, although Blackburn Rovers are also believed to be keen on signing the midfielder this summer.

‘Creative outlet’

Reach will be hoping he can make a good impression whilst with the Baggies, as he looks to find himself a new club ahead of the 2021/22 Championship campaign.

The midfielder has a considerable amount of experience in the second tier, but some might feel as though West Brom could do better than signing him this summer.

Valerien Ismael already has some strong options available to him in similar positions, and it wouldn’t be foolish to think that the likes of Grady Diangana and Matheus Pereira would be ahead of him in the pecking order in the West Brom’s manager’s plans at this moment in time.

Pereira in particular is well ahead of Reach, with the Brazilian midfielder chipping in with 12 goals and six assists last season, although his best efforts weren’t quite enough to see the Baggies avoid relegation into the Championship.

Pereira also had an average WhoScored rating of 6.96 in the 2020/21 season, whilst Reach only had an average rating of 6.61 from last year’s campaign with Sheffield Wednesday, so there is a difference in quality between the pair.

With reported wages of £23k-per-week, the Hawthorns faithful might feel as though there are better options out there for their team as they look to make a swift return to the Premier League this term.

Speaking in an interview with This is Futbol back in April 2021, Football journalist and podcaster George Elek labelled Reach as ‘the creative outlet’ in the Sheffield Wednesday team last season.

“Reach’s form at the moment has been fairly key for me, he’s not a player that I’ve necessarily always bought into, but he seems to be the creative outlet who’s getting Sheffield Wednesday into the kind of positions they want to be getting in and were probably struggling to under Garry Monk and Tony Pulis.”

As the Baggies will be targeting an instant return to the Premier League, a signing of Reach’s calibre will be the last thing the supporters want as he was relegated with the Owls last season.

News on Sanath and Murali

The Team Management in South Africa confirms that Sanath Jayasuriya has recovered sufficiently to play against South Africa ‘A’ in a warm-up game scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday 23rd November). However, this would be confirmed only at this evening at 7.00 p.m (11.00 p.m. Sri Lanka time).Meanwhile we have also got confirmation that Muttiah Muralitharan would be under-going surgery on Tuesday 26th November 2002. Dr. Peter Nottle (Leading Laprocopic Surgeon from Melbourne) will be the surgeon operating on him and will also monitor his recovery thereafter.The well-known Dr. Peter Nottle was incidentally in Sri Lanka recently to train some Sri Lankan doctors on surgery.

Celtic: Postecoglou makes Mooy top target

Ange Postecoglou has made Aaron Mooy a top Celtic transfer target, according to 90min.

The Lowdown: Rumours of a Mooy approach

Postecoglou has been heavily linked with two Australian internationals after he took over at Parkhead; Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan and Mooy.

The Hoops were set to promise Ryan the number one shirt, whereas talks of a possible approach for Mooy were touted last month.

The pair both worked with Postecoglou during his four-year stint as Australia manager, and it seems as if the 55-year-old has made Mooy a top target.

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The Latest: Recent report

According to 90min, Postecoglou has asked Celtic to prioritise a deal for Mooy this summer.

Sources informed the site that the Hoops hierarchy are still keen on a deal for James McCarthy, however, they are eager to back a specific recommendation from Postecoglou when it comes to Mooy.

The report adds that a deal could cost Celtic around £4m for the 30-year-old, who was described as a ‘game-changer’ by pundit Kevin Campbell last month.

The Verdict: Good signs

It’s good to see that the Hoops are eager to grant Postecoglou his wish when it comes to signing Mooy.

He’s a player the Hoops boss knows well, and it could’ve been easy for Celtic officials to brush off signing Mooy in favour of a free transfer for McCarthy.

That may well still happen, but as long as Celtic are doing everything they can to get Postecoglou the players he wants, there should be no complaints from his end ahead of the new season.

In other news: Celtic transfer twist emerges on ‘fantastic’ ace; Dominic McKay trying to play a blinder, find out more here. 

Vlahovic really wants to join Spurs

According to a report by Italian news outlet Fanta Calcio, Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic ‘really’ wants to join Tottenham Hotspur – with the Lilywhites already tabling an offer.

The Lowdown: Vlahovic on the radar…

The Serbian powerhouse has been heavily linked to Tottenham over these last few weeks, with reliable reports from the Times detailing Spurs have held talks over him.

Vlahovic is a valuable commodity all over Europe after a head-turning Serie A campaign as Spurs eye his signature alongside the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United from the Premier League (TUTTOmercatoWEB).

The Latest: Vlahovic eyeing Spurs…

As per Fanta Calcio, the 21-year-old ‘really’ likes Spurs and the Lilywhites have now tabled a €40 million (£34.1m) offer for his services.

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However, Fiorentina executives have rejected their bid and will only sell for around €60m (£51.1m), with this report claiming to ‘watch out’ for next week as Vlahovic’s future in Serie A could be decided ‘in a few days’.

Tottenham apparently see the 6 foot 3 striker as a replacement for superstar Harry Kane and are trying to convince Fiorentina to sell, so much so that Fabio Paratici and co have apparently been ‘pressing’ for weeks.

The Verdict: Get it done…

Even though Spurs have had their initial £34.1m offer rejected, we urge Paratici to come back with a bid far closer to the valuation.

Lauded as a ‘phenomenon’ by former Italy international Antonio Di Natale (Rtv38 via TMW), he notched an incredible 21 goals and three assists in 34 Serie A starts over 2020/2021 (WhoScored).

At just 21-years-old, a figure around £51.1m is arguably a steal in the long term if he develops further after last season, but of course Tottenham’s precarious finances will be a factor determining this move.

If Paratici can negotiate a compromise fee, Vlahovic would come as a sensational signing.

In other news: Spurs chiefs perform Harry Kane U-turn as behind-scenes developments emerge, find out more here.

Fulham agree terms with Marco Silva

Fulham have agreed terms with Marco Silva regarding the vacant managerial position at Craven Cottage.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Athletic, who claim that the 43-year-old has provisionally agreed a deal to become Scott Parker’s successor at the west London club.

Parker left the Cottagers on Monday after he and Shahid Khan came to a resolution regarding the 40-year-old’s compensation fee, with the outgoing manager subsequently being appointed the new manager of Championship side AFC Bournemouth.

And, despite being heavily linked with a move for the Swansea City manager Steve Cooper, it would now appear as if Silva will be the man leading Fulham out on the opening day of the season.

Fans should be furious

While Silva does have a history in the English game, having managed the likes of Hull City, Watford and Everton in his relatively short career in football management, there are a great many question marks regarding the Portuguese’s credentials for taking over at a Championship side.

During his spell at Hull back in 2016/17, Silva impressed during his 18 Premier League games in charge of the club, winning six, drawing three and losing nine fixtures, picking up 21 points along the way.

However, this was ultimately not enough to keep the Tigers in the top flight, with the club finishing the season in 18th place in the Premier League standings.

The 43-year-old was then awarded the Watford job the following season, going on to win seven, draw five and lose 12 of his 24 Premier League fixtures in charge of the club, before the Hornets parted company with Silva following a run of just one win in 11 games.

The former Sporting CP head coach continued what was now becoming a trend of failing upwards in 2018/19, landing the Everton job after Sam Allardyce’s departure at the end of the previous campaign.

His spell at Goodison Park proved to be his longest at a club in England, winning 15, drawing nine and losing 14 of his 38 Premier League fixtures in his first full season with the Toffees, enough to finish eighth in the Premier League table.

However, Silva once again found himself out of a job 15 games into the 2019/20 campaign, having picked up just 14 points in the league, with Everton languishing down in 18th place at the time of his dismissal.

As such, considering the sheer magnitude of the task at hand at Fulham next season, with the club very much expecting an immediate return to the top flight of English football, appointing a manager with no experience in the division, as well as what is quite a shaky record in the Premier League, would certainly not appear to bring with it any guarantees of promotion.

And, with a young, exciting and Championship-proven manager such as Steve Cooper clearly being interested in the job, should Khan indeed opt for Silva over the 41-year-old this summer, fans would be well within their rights to be furious with their owner’s decision.

In other news: Smyth drops transfer update on “immense” £9m-rated gem, Fulham fans should be buzzing

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