أعلن نادي الريان القطري رسميًا عن تعاقده مع المدرب البرتغالي آرتور جورج لقيادة الفريق الأول لكرة القدم حتى عام 2027.
وجاء الإعلان عبر الموقع الرسمي للنادي وحسابه على منصة “إكس”، مؤكدًا توقيع جورج على عقد يمتد لثلاث سنوات ونصف.
ويأتي التعاقد مع آرتور جورج خلفًا للمدرب السابق يونس علي، الذي تم فسخ عقده بالتراضي. ويهدف النادي من هذه الخطوة إلى تعزيز طموحات الفريق في المنافسة على البطولات المحلية والقارية.
ويُعتبر آرتور جورج مدربًا ذا خبرة، حيث سبق له تدريب عدة أندية برازيلية، من بينها بوتافوجو الذي قاده للتتويج ببطولتي الدوري البرازيلي وكوبا ليبرتادوريس، والتأهل لكأس العالم للأندية 2025.
طالع أيضًا | خاص | موقف طرابزون سبور من انتقال تريزيجيه إلى الأهلي
ويضم فريق الريان القطري في صفوفه المحترف المصري محمود حسن تريزيجيه، الذي يلعب مع الفريق على سبيل الإعارة من طرابزون سبور التركي.
وتجدر الإشارة إلى أن الريان يحتل المركز الثامن في جدول ترتيب الدوري القطري برصيد 13 نقطة، جمعها من 11 مباراة.
وبذلك، يكون نادي الريان قد حسم هوية مدربه الجديد، ويبدأ صفحة جديدة تحت قيادة آرتور جورج، الذي يتطلع جمهور النادي أن يُحقق مع الفريق الإنجازات والبطولات.
ارتور جورج يقود الرهيب حتى 2027 ❤️🖤👨🏫.#ارتور_رياني | #الريان pic.twitter.com/qcE7ppzFBn
— AlRayyanSC | نادي الريان (@AlrayyanSC) January 4, 2025
Glasgow Rangers should have their eyes firmly set on kicking on to win the Scottish Premiership title next season after they fell short once again this year.
The Ibrox giants have now failed to win the division in each of the last three campaigns, finishing second behind their local rivals each time, and they must now end that barren run in 2025.
Head of recruitment Nils Koppen has already been hard at work to make changes to the playing squad, with Oscar Cortes joining on a second loan and permanent deals for left-back Jefte and central defender Clinton Nsiala already agreed.
The likes of Bristol City's Tommy Conway, who is currently at the European Championship with Scotland, and Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland have also been linked with moves to Glasgow this month.
It was also recently reported that Scottish giants have struck a €2m (£1.7m) deal to snap up Moroccan centre-forward Hamza Igamane this month, with the striker now waiting to undergo a medical before the transfer can be officially completed.
That does not look to be their end of their business this month, however, as they are also reportedly pursuing a deal to sign a star from the SPFL.
Rangers submit contract offer to sign Scottish star
According to the Daily Record, the Gers are pushing to secure an agreement with central midfielder Connor Barron, who became a free agent at the end of last month.
The report backs up the claim that Igamane is set to join in a £1.7m transfer and adds that the club want to bring in the Scottish dynamo shortly after that move is finalised.
It states that Rangers have put an improved contract offer on the table for the 21-year-old talent, whose deal with Aberdeen expired at the end of May.
Connor Barron Aberdeen
The Daily Record adds that Philippe Clement and Koppen are facing a fight to land his signature as they are not the only team interested in signing him.
Hellas Verona, from the Serie A, and English Championship sides Plymouth, Stoke, Cardiff, and Swansea have also submitted offers in an attempt to secure his services ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
Barron is now weighing up all of the proposals on the table before making a final decision on his future, and the Gers will be hoping that their improved offer is enough to convince him to make the switch to Ibrox.
The report states that Rangers would then need to agree a fee with Aberdeen if the midfielder agrees to join, as the Dons would be due compensation for bringing him through their academy. If they fail to reach an agreement with the Premiership side then it would go down to a tribunal, which would decide how much they have to pay for him.
Clement could now land two exciting talents who could thrive alongside each other on the pitch by landing Igamane and Barron this summer.
Why Hamza Igamane is an exciting signing
Firstly, the centre-forward has plenty of room left to grow and develop at the age of 21, which means that he can be a long-term signing for the club.
Igamane could be a project player for Clement, as an attacker who can improve with more experience over the years to come, whilst also having the potential to make an immediate impact on the pitch for the Scottish giants.
His form in his native Morocco this season suggests that the quality is there for him to make an impact in the final third if he can quickly adapt to football in Scotland.
Sofascore rating
7.36
Starts
16
Goals
7
Assists
3
Dribbles completed per game
1.9
Dribble success rate
64%
As you can see in the table above, Igamane showcased his ability at the top end of the pitch with ten direct goal contributions in 16 starts – more than one every other start on average.
That came after the talented youngster's return of six goals and one assist in 18 league appearances in the Moroccan top-flight during the 2022/23 campaign.
He is a versatile forward who can play through the middle, out wide, or in an attacking midfield position, and his creative and dribbling qualities, as highlighted in the table above, could make him an interesting option to use in a deeper role behind a starting centre-forward.
Why Connor Barron could thrive alongside Hamza Igamane
If Igamane is deployed in a number ten position, or as a second striker, then Barron could thrive behind him as a box-to-box midfielder for Rangers.
The 21-year-old battler has the advantage of already having experience in the Premiership, with 24 starts in the division this season, which suggests that he could hit the ground running at Ibrox.
Barron already knows what it takes to perform in the Scottish top-flight and his performances during the 2023/24 campaign suggest that the quality is there for him to be an excellent addition to the squad.
Appearances
29
Starts
24
Assists
3
Big chances created
4
Tackles + interceptions per game
2.6
Ball recoveries per game
5.3
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the young talent played regularly in the league and showcased his ability in and out of possession in the middle of the park.
His three assists and four 'big chances' created from a deep-lying midfield position indicate that the 5 foot 9 dynamo likes to play forward and create for his teammates, which could make him a perfect option to play behind Igamane as he could look to find the 21-year-old attacker in dangerous positions on a regular basis.
Barron, who was once hailed as "tenacious" by Belgian scout Niels Liebens, also has the athleticism and defensive awareness to consistently win possession back, as shown by his 5.3 ball recoveries per game, and his 56% duel success rate.
This means that he can excel at breaking up opposition attacks with key interventions and that would then create more opportunities for Rangers in transition, which Igamane could thrive in due to his aforementioned dribbling quality.
Tipped to score 40 goals: Rangers could sign big upgrade on Dessers
The Light Blues have been urged to swoop to sign the SPFL centre-forward this summer.
ByDan Emery Jun 17, 2024
The Morocco U23 international could receive the ball from Barron, after the midfielder wins possession back, and then use his ability to effectively beat his man to open up the pitch and make things happen in the final third.
انتهى حقل توزيع جوائز الأفضل من جلوب سوكر، بمدينة دبي الإماراتية، والذي يقام من قبل مجلس دبي الرياضي على هامش المؤتمر السنوي للإمارة.
وأقيم الحفل مساء الجمعة، وشهد حصول العديد من اللاعبين والأندية على الجوائز في العالم والشرق الأوسط، كان أبرزها فينيسيوس جونيور الذي حصل على جائزة أفضل لاعب في العالم.
وكان النجم المصري محمد صلاح ضمن المرشحين لجائزتين، وهما أفضل لاعب وأفضل مهاجم، لكن كلاهما ذهبا إلى البرازيلي فينيسيوس جونيور.
اقرأ أيضًا.. دون هاتشيسون: محمد صلاح أفضل لاعب في العالم حاليًا
وفيما يخص قائمة المرشحين لأفضل لاعب شاب، فقد حصل عليها النجم الإسباني لامين يامال.
أما قائمة المرشحين لأفضل نادِ في العالم، كان ينافس فيها الأهلي المصري، لكنها ذهبت إلى ريال مدريد الإسباني، كما حصل العين الإماراتي على جائزة أفضل نادٍ في الشرق الأوسط متفوقًا على العملاق المصري أيضًا.
بينما كارلو أنشيلوتي، فقد حصل على جائزة أفضل مدرب في العالم.
وفاز كريستيانو رونالدو بجائزتين وهما أفضل لاعب في الشرق الأوسط، وأفضل هداف على مر العصور. جوائز جلوب سوكر لعام 2024
أفضل مسيرة: أليساندرو ديل بييرو.
أفضل فريق في الشرق الأوسط: العين الإماراتي.
أفضل لاعب في الشرق الأوسط: كريستيانو رونالدو (النصر السعودي).
أفضل نادٍ رجال في العالم: ريال مدريد.
أفضل مدرب في الشرق الأوسط: جيسوس مدرب الهلال.
أفضل نادٍ متطور في العالم: أولمبياكوس اليوناني.
أفضل فريق نسائي في العالم: برشلونة
أفضل لاعبة في العالم: إيتانا بونماتي (برشلونة).
أفضل رئيس نادي في العالم: فلورنتينو بيريز (ريال مدريد).
أفضل مدرب في العالم: كارلو أنشيلوتي (ريال مدريد).
أفضل وكيل لاعبين في العالم: خورجي مينديز.
أفضل مهاجم في العالم: فينيسيوس جونيور (ريال مدريد).
أفضل لاعب وسط في العالم: جود بيلينجهام (ريال مدريد).
أفضل لاعب شاب: لامين يامال (برشلونة).
أفضل هداف في التاريخ: كريستيانو رونالدو (النصر السعودي).
جائزة مارادونا لأفضل هداف في 2024: جود بيلينجهام (ريال مدريد).
أفضل مسيرة لاعب: تيبو كورتوا – نيمار دا سيلفا – ريو فرديناند.
أفضل لاعب في العالم: فينيسيوس جونيور (ريال مدريد).
Imran Khan, Pakistan’s Prime Minister and patron of the Pakistan Cricket Board, has rejected calls for reviving departmental cricket in the country. In a brief meeting at Khan’s residence, a delegation that included Misbah-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali and Mohammad Hafeez, made a bid to change the premier’s mind about the new structure, which has already cost over 400 cricketers their jobs, but could make no headway with Khan insisting that the new regional model was “the right way”.The cricketers who met Khan cited the reduced earnings for players under the new model, as well as the reduced opportunities for younger cricketers to pick up the game.”The new structure didn’t make any difference from its first year (2019) to the second (2020), which has been affected by Covid-19 too,” one member of the delegation said. “The pipeline of cricketers coming into the system has been drying up. We understand that Imran Khan has a point about having competitive cricket in Pakistan, but you cannot implement this in one go, without giving an alternative to cricketers.”However, Khan stuck to his stand, and said he had convinced the cricketers “with great difficulty” that the new structure needed time.”I have convinced with great difficulty Misbah, Hafeez and Azhar that the new cricket structure must be allowed to grow and become strong,” Khan said later. “I told them that every new system had its teething problems and it takes some time but I can assure you once it is established, it will ensure the raw talent we have in cricket will come through polished and groomed for international cricket.”He added that whatever success Pakistan had so far was in spite of the old system, and not because of it.”I am hopeful that we will be able in a position to field a very strong team for the next World Cup and do well in it thanks to this new system,” he said. “Despite this system we won because of the immense raw talent we have. Nowhere does a player graduate straight into the national team from junior or club level cricket.”ALSO READ: “We need departmental cricket back in Pakistan” – Umar GulAlongside the three cricketers, the delegation included PCB chairman Ehsan Mani, chief executive Wasim Khan, the COO Salman Naseer and Wasim Akram, in his capacity as a PCB cricket committee member.Khan had been a strong advocate for a domestic structure with only regional sides instead of departmental sides for much of his playing career too, wanting Pakistan to adopt a structure similar to Australia’s Shield cricket. Since becoming Prime Minister, a position that automatically makes him the patron of the PCB, Khan set about putting his ideas in place. He instructed Mani to restructure the domestic model with six regional teams in the system, which would be the only feeder for the national team. The decision effectively ended the role that departmental cricket had since the 1970s, but it also saw 400 cricketers lose their livelihoods because they had held jobs with departments only by virtue of playing for those teams. The PCB offered contracts to only 192 cricketers, apart from match officials. For many those contracts are much lower value than what departments were paying cricketers, where they often benefited from other perks.ESPNcricinfo understands the meeting was also marred by PCB officials contradicting players and not letting discussions flow smoothly. One of the players told ESPNcricinfo that Khan asked for patience with the new model, saying that Khan argued that such “transition” was always going to be difficult, but that for the national side to benefit, there needed to be competitive domestic cricket. No successful model in other cricket playing countries, Khan said, has departments (or corporate teams) playing at the highest level in domestic cricket. Khan also argued that players’ development stopped once they got jobs with departments, because the security bred complacency.The new structure is meant to empower the six province associations to operate from the grassroots level to the domestic level, and they will be responsible for regulating club, city and regional cricket. But while sound on paper, it’s not been easy to implement the new model in practice. Clubs that were supposed to be registered under the new model haven’t been, while players have played for the clubs for the past 18 months in a kind of vacuum – with the old structure gone and without the new structure in place.Domestic cricket in Pakistan has been played among departments and regions for nearly 50 years, starting in the early 1970s, when Abdul Hafeez Kardar, Pakistan’s first Test captain and then PCB chairman, encouraged organisations like Habib Bank Limited, Sui Southern Gas Corporation, Water and Power Development Authority and others to provide employment opportunities for players. With the new model, most departments have already suspended contracts they had with cricketers. Those who were permanent employees were asked to pick desk jobs, effectively ending their cricketing aspirations. These were players hired mainly for their cricketing skills, and given their lack of qualifications for other jobs, they have had to pick non-executive jobs with lesser pay.
Australia to resume international cricket with England tour, which is likely to be the beginning of a long period in bio-secure bubbles
Andrew McGlashan18-Aug-2020Mental health will be top of the agenda for the Australia men’s team as they resume international cricket for the first time since March with the tour to England, which is likely to be the beginning of a long period in bio-secure bubbles for most of their players.The Australian squad flies out of Perth on Sunday for a limited-overs tour which includes three T20Is and three ODIs. They will initially be based in Derby before the internationals take place at the major bio-secure venues at the Ageas Bowl and the Old Trafford.ALSO READ: FAQs – How Australia’s limited-overs tour to England will happenFrom there some players will head to the IPL in the UAE, which will require almost two more months in a biosecure environment. Australia’s international players then face the prospect of heading home straight into another bubble to prepare for their home season, which is likely to face significant reorganisation.Even those who return straight back to Australia after the England matches will be required to undertake two weeks quarantine in Perth – although CA is trying to negotiate a possibility of them being able to train during that period – and the Australian domestic summer is looking increasingly likely to require hubs of various types given the travel and border restrictions in place.It all adds up to what will be a challenging period that could last until after Christmas at least, and may yet be a model needed for considerably more time depending on how the Covid-19 pandemic impacts sport over the next 12 months.”[Mental health] is something to monitor heavily,” Australia’s limited-overs captain Aaron Finch said. “I know from an Australian point of view there’s a lot of work behind the scenes going into making sure there’s as good a goal post in place for players and really tailored approaches to make sure that we’ve got all our checkpoints in place to understand and recognise when things might be a little bit off. It could be a few months that people are in these bio bubbles and being stuck in a hotel room by yourself can be really tough.”ALSO READ: Another blow for Usman Khawaja, Andrew Tye’s return and a glimpse of the future captainTeam psychologist Michael Lloyd will travel with the squad to the UK and has been talking to players individually ahead of the trip. “I definitely feel it’s going to be a real issue and a real factor over the next couple of years in particular,” Finch said.Australia will follow England, West Indies, Pakistan and Ireland into the biosecure environment which appears set to enable the ECB to play their entire men’s international summer despite the pandemic. England have so far kept their Test and limited-overs squads entirely separate – although there could be some overlap during the Australia series – while the Test players were allowed a brief exit from the bubble between the West Indies and Pakistan series.The whole operation has been a considerable success although there has been the occasional breach, most notably when Jofra Archer made a detour home which forced him to miss the second Test against West Indies. Last week Mohammad Hafeez also broke protocol by having a picture taken with a member of the public on the golf course adjacent to the hotel at the Ageas Bowl. Access to the golf course has been one of the few activities available to the players inside the bubbles away from the cycle of hotel room, training and playing.Finch said that there would be conversations with the squad about all the protocols in place ahead of their departure and how to ensure everything is followed to the letter but knowing the consequences should be enough of a reminder.”What’s important to remember is we are in a position to help continue the global game,” Finch said. “And there should be no more motivation than that to do everything right.”I’ve been very strong with the guys in the last couple of weeks about making sure that we do literally everything we can with regards to the protocols to keep the global game going. Because at the end of the day, if that fails then we are all out of jobs and the game is not in a healthy state, which we can’t afford to have.”There’s been so much time and effort put in by thousands of people to give us the opportunity to play international cricket again, and even us leaving Australia, leaving Victoria, is a big process. The people who’ve worked their backside off over the last couple of months to allow it to happen, thousands of people are doing an unbelievable amount of work to get the game up and running again. So we owe it to them in particular to do everything right.”
Aston Villa could be one of the most active sides this summer and have already turned their eye to a potential superstar who could arrive at Villa Park if Unai Emery and Monchi get their way.
Aston Villa closing in on Barkley
The Premier League season may have only just come to a conclusion, but Aston Villa are already busy in the transfer market. After clinching Champions League football next season, a first since the 1980s, they are keen to strengthen their squad accordingly ahead of a push on several fronts next season.
They cannot afford to stand still given the sides around them will likely strengthen, and as a result they have waited less than 48 hours to close in on their first summer signing in the shape of one-time Villa loanee Ross Barkley.
As per The Guardian, Emery's side are "closing in" on the Luton Town midfielder, who, for his part, is keen to remain in the Premier League following his side's relegation from the top flight.
"One of the best" open to joining Aston Villa as NSWE plot £47m double bid
It could be the start of an exciting summer at Villa Park.
ByBen Browning May 20, 2024
The Englishman, who is said to be available for a "modest fee", revealed that he felt he had another three years of top-flight ability left, something that the Villans are willing to gamble on.
"I want to play in the Premier League. I want to play in Europe again. I feel like the next three years maybe I'll still be in my prime."
But from a savvy signing to a pricey one, Villa are now turning their attentions to a potential superstar.
One in, one out at centre-back
Now, the focus turns to the heart of defence, and it emerged on Monday that Aston Villa have placed Diego Carlos on the transfer list as they look to rejuvenate their backline, with the Brazilian having failed to have the desired impact in the midlands in the two injury-plagued years since his arrival from Sevilla.
In his place, Sport claim that the Villans are eyeing up an audacious move for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, with Emery and Sporting director Monchi in 'love' with the Uruguayan. In act, the pair have already held a 'relaxed, informal talk' with Barcelona over a potential transfer.
How Araujo compares to Villa's current options
Ronald Araujo
Diego Carlos
Clement Lenglet
Pau Torres
Appearances (23/24)
25
27
14
29
Tackles and interceptions per 90
1.76
1.98
1.56
1.57
Blocks per 90
0.9
1.19
1.48
1.02
Pass accuracy
88.8%
88.4%
89.5%
87.4%
Fouls per 90
1.13
1.29
0.23
0.66
Barcelona remain in financial difficulties and there has been speculation that Araujo could depart this summer in an attempt to alleviate them, with Manchester United previously having been linked to the Uruguayan, who is approaching the final two years of his £115,000 a week deal at Camp Nou.
And the outlet claims Villa promised to turn their attention to signing him should they secure Champions League football, something they have now done.
Barcelona defenderRonald Araujo.
Xavi will be unwilling to let the 25-year-old leave, having hailed him as "spectacular" previously.
“I’m very happy to have Ronald on the team. He has such a great personality. He celebrates everything and to have that type of profile as a defender, to be so engaged with the team, and celebrate everything is hard to find. We welcome him with open arms because it’s spectacular to see him train, he’s so positive, he has an excellent character and that’s fundamental to us.”
Any deal will come after Carlos has departed Villa, it is added, and will have to happen for far less than the €80m demanded by Barcelona. But, as the report suggests, it is certainly one to watch.
خطف فريق السد القطري، تعادلًا صعبًا أمام نظيره الهلال السعودي، بهدف لمثله، خلال المواجهة التي جرت بينهما ببطولة دوري أبطال آسيا.
والتقى الهلال مع السد، على أرضية استاد جاسم بن حمد، في إطار مواجهات الجولة الخامسة من مرحلة الدوري للمسابقة القارية.
وجاء هدف الهلال في الدقيقة 10 من الشوط الأول، بعد عرضية من سالم الدوسري لداخل منطقة الجزاء قابلها محمد كنو بتمريرة وصلت إلى البليهي فسدد الكرة داخل الشباك.
طالع أيضاً.. فيديو | بمشاركة تريزيجيه.. بن شرقي يقود الريان للتعادل مع برسبوليس الإيراني في دوري أبطال آسيا
وأدرك فريق السد التعادل في الدقيقة 72 عن طريق باولو أوتافيو، بعد تمريرة سحرية قابلها بتسديدة داخل الشباك.
بذلك التعادل، يحتل الهلال المركز الثاني في جدول ترتيب المسابقة برصيد 13 نقطة، من 5 مباريات، حقق الفوز في 4 مباريات وتعادل في مواجهة وحيدة.
بينما يتواجد السد في المركز الخامس في جدول ترتيب دوري أبطال آسيا، وفي جعبته 9 نقاط، جمعها من خوض 5 مواجهات فاز بمباراتين وتعادل في ثلاثة. أهدف مباراة الهلال والسد في دوري أبطال آسيا
Two men stood head and shoulders above everyone else on an attritional day as Zimbabwe compiled 228 for 6 in Mirpur.
The Report by Liam Brickhill22-Feb-2020On an attritional first day’s play in Mirpur, two men stood head and shoulders above everyone else on the field as Zimbabwe compiled 228 for 6. Craig Ervine was the glue in Zimbabwe’s middle order, compiling the fourth hundred by a visiting captain at this ground,and one that mixed studied defence with some exotic strokeplay. For Bangladesh, Nayeem Hasan twirled tirelessly through 36 overs to take 4 for 68, repeatedly pegging Zimbabwe back whenever they threatened to take control.Both men were somewhat fortunate to find themselves in their respective positions: Ervine is captaining Zimbabwe for the first time in this game only because regular skipper Sean Williams stayed at home to be present for the birth of his daughter, while an out-of-sortsMehidy Hasan’s absence from the playing XI opened the door for Nayeem to seize his opportunity.Mehidy has been off-colour since taking 15 wickets against West Indies at home in 2018, after which he took six wickets in four Tests last year. He missed the Rawalpindi Test earlier this month due to an injury, and was subsequently dropped for the first time in ahome Test since he made his debut against England in 2016. This gave, Nayeem, who took 13 wickets last week in a first-class match, his chance. His second delivery dipped and gripped to beat a groping Ervine’s outside edge, and he troubled everyone in Zimbabwe’s top order with fizz, bounce and an unerring line almost throughout.It was a sharp piece of fielding from Nayeem that brought Ervine to the crease this morning, Abu Jayed finding reward during a disciplined opening spell with the dismissal of opener Kevin Kasuza in the eighth over after Zimbabwe had won the toss. Three overs later,Nayeem started a spell that would stretch on for a full 36 overs through the day, and an absorbing battle between the offspinner and the left hander began to unfold.Ervine certainly didn’t have it all his own way, Nayeem teasing his outside edge on several occasions early on, with leading edges flying through – and over – cover and point. Between times, however, Ervine held firm and his response to the sight of significant turnand bounce even from a fresh, uncharacteristically grassy track was to unfurl a succession of sweeps both orthodox and reverse.Taijul Islam bore the brunt of his early strokeplay, leaking 43 runs from his first seven overs, and Zimbabwe surged ahead as Bangladesh turned ragged in the field, missing three chances – one of them very tough, but two clear drops – in the space of three overs.With Prince Masvaure well set at the other end, having compiled a competent half-century, Ervine sensed an opportunity to go on the offensive, slashing Abu Jayed for three boundaries, some more convincing and deliberate than others, in the space of an over.The quick runs pushed Ervine and Masvaure’s partnership beyond 100, but Nayeem struck back with the vital dismissal of Masvaure, bending low to hold a drive slammed firmly back at him. Yet another sweep off Taijul took Ervine to fifty at the other end, but Nayeemonce again put the brakes on Zimbabwe by dismissing Brendan Taylor via a slightly fortuitous inside-edged reverse sweep.At 134 for 3, the innings was in the balance, and Nayeem kept threatening further breakthroughs, with iffy strokes aplenty against his probing bowling. While Taijul continued to mix tight deliveries with freebies, failing to bowl a single maiden throughout theday, Nayeem changed his line of attack to a settled Sikandar Raza. Coming around the stumps, he had Raza playing for turn as the ball rushed on with the arm, a thin edge being safely snaffled by Liton Das behind the stumps.With Timycen Maruma focused on survival, Ervine continued to take the attack to the bowlers, stepping out to crunch Nayeem back over his head and cruising through the 80s with a pair of bruising thumps through the covers off Jayed. After a brief rest, Nayeemresumed his battle with Zimbabwe’s captain, drawing some fidgety pokes outside off as he entered the 90s.Having used one review to good effect, Maruma wasted another when he was trapped plumb infront by Jayed shortly before Bangladesh took the second new ball. Ervine, meanwhile, was equally at home against the new pill as he was the old, flaying Abu Jayed once again through the covers and then moving to 99 with a pair of sweeps off Nayeem.A glance off Ebadot Hossain took Ervine to three figures, but it was Nayeem – who else? – who finally won the battle. In the penultimate over of the day, he followed up a loopy floater with a zippy quicker one that rushed through Ervine’s tired defence, castling him for 107.While the teams had stayed pretty much neck and neck throughout the day, with the advantage shifting back and forth, Nayeem’s late strike tilted the balance in Bangladesh’s favour. Just one frontline batsman, Regis Chakabva, remains for the visitors. Bangladesh willgo into day two fancying their chances of quickly rolling the tail over, while Nayeem while have his eye on a five-wicket haul and a milestone of his own to match Ervine’s.
As Arsenal gear up for what is likely to be a busy summer transfer window, reports suggest that they could be forced to watch on as one of Mikel Arteta's players completes a move to Barcelona even if the Gunners win the Premier League this season.
Arsenal transfer news
Arsenal is the place to be right now, with Arteta's project into its stride and the north London club back among Europe's best. If they now go on and secure the Premier League title, the former Manchester City assistant can forever look back on his time at the club as a great success. That doesn't mean further incomings aren't needed in the future, however.
Reports have been circling over Arsenal's need for a clinical striker for some time, with names such as Ivan Toney and Viktor Gyokeres mentioned in potential big-money deals.
Toney, of course, looks destined to leave Brentford and will undoubtedly have plenty of options when the summer window swings open. Gyokeres, meanwhile, has emerged to become one of Europe's top strikers this season, making him an ideal signing for any of Europe's best.
Arsenal keen on "fantastic prospect" ahead of Manchester United – report
But the two sides might be pipped to the post.
ByBen Browning Mar 29, 2024
Away from the good news, however, Arsenal may be about to lose one of Arteta's men this summer after contract talks reportedly ended with Jorginho. On course to become a free agent, Jorginho has now offered his signature to Barcelona, according to Nacional (via Football365).
The Italian, if he joins Barcelona, will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Thierry Henry when it comes to Arsenal players ditching north London for the La Liga giants. Alas, on this occasion, it is partly Arsenal's choice, it seems, with Jorginho yet to be offered a new deal at the Emirates.
Having captained Arsenal in the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup this season, Jorginho's leadership would be missed nonetheless.
"Magnificent" Jorginho would need replacing
On the surface, it's easy to dismiss Jorginho's importance at Arsenal, but the experience of a player of his calibre can quickly prove to be invaluable when competing on all fronts, and the Gunners must replace that. What's more, with Thomas Partey's Arsenal future still in doubt, Arteta may need to find another backup to Declan Rice this summer whether Jorginho departs or not.
The Arsenal boss won't be waving goodbye to the Italian without any reluctance, having previously said via Just Arsenal: "He’s a top player, especially when the opponents have certain behaviours or [a] certain setup. The way I can imagine the game, he is going to have a big impact, but I think you have to do it at this level and when he’s not playing consistently, credit to him, because he was magnificent today, again."
Links to Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi suggest that Arsenal have a plan in place, but it's certainly a small area of concern for Arteta. Welcoming the young midfielder should solve that problem, however, as the Gunners potentially look to defend their Premier League crown if all goes well in the current campaign. There won't be many better ways for Jorginho to bow out, that's for sure.
Nottingham Forest have had their fair few fan-favourites that have impressed the fans during their time at the City Ground, before leaving the club for pastures new.
Oliver Burke and Henri Lansbury are just two examples of players who provided a feel-good factor around the place despite all the off-field antics under former owner Fawaz Al-Hasawi.
The club were hit with a transfer embargo back in 2015 after breaching FFP rules after the owner massively overspent during the summer of 2014/15.
Michail Antonio joined the club from Sheffield Wednesday during that summer, before achieving a tally of 14 goals and 14 assists in 46 Championship games, prior to leaving the club for £7m to join West Ham United.
He's since featured 300 times for the Hammers, becoming their record Premier League goalscorer in the process.
However, the other player the Reds signed during the summer of 2014 hasn't quite gone on to match Antonio despite leaving the City Ground for over double the price.
Britt Assombalonga's stats at Nottingham Forest
After joining Forest in a then club-record deal of around £5.5m from Peterborough United, striker Britt Assombalonga had a huge potential to be a hit at the club after scoring 23 times for the Posh in the season prior.
He didn't disappoint in his first campaign for the Reds, scoring eight times in as many appearances at the start of the 2014/15 campaign.
Assombalonga would go on to score 15 goals by February, looking certain to be the first Forest player to score 20+ goals in a campaign since Marlon Harewood and David Johnson back in 2002/03.
However, he suffered a horrific dislocated kneecap against Wigan Athletic, which would rule him out for 14 months. He returned for the final four Championship games in April 2016, with the striker looking to regain fitness ahead of the next campaign.
Assombalonga returned with a bang in 2016/17, scoring 14 times in 32 appearances, including a double on the final day, which secured the Reds' Championship status.
His good form caught the eye, with the striker departing the City Ground, just three years after his arrival, joining Middlesbrough for £15m – a deal that would prove to be excellent business by the Forest board.
2014/15
29
15
2015/16
4
1
2016/17
32
14
Britt Assombalonga's stats since leaving Nottingham Forest
The striker upset a lot of Forest fans by leaving the club at the first given opportunity, especially after all the work the club did with him after his serious injury.
However, he produced an impressive goal-scoring record at Boro, scoring 15 times in 44 times during his first campaign at the Riverside Stadium. Assombalonga would follow that up with 14 goals the following season, scoring 29 times in 86 Championship appearances following his arrival.
Former Middlesbrough striker Britt Assombalonga.
The "unbelievable" forward, as described by former Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock, would eventually drop down the pecking order during the 2020/21 season, which would result in the striker departing the club for free, just four years after paying £15m for his signature.
He would leave England for Turkey to join Adana Demirspor, where he would only last 18 months before returning to the Championship to join former side Watford on a deal until the end of the 2022/23 season.
However, after only scoring twice in 11 appearances, the Hornets decided against offering the DR Congo forward a new contract, with Assombalonga once again leaving to move to Turkey.
Former Watford striker Britt Assombalonga.
The striker joined Antalyaspor last summer but has far from enjoyed his time in the Süper Lig, scoring just once in his 18 league games this season – while racking up just five goals in all competitions in total.
Given how his career has taken a rapid nosedive, the Reds made a brilliant decision to sell the striker in 2017 whilst his value was at an all-time high.
He scored some crucial goals for Forest, but ultimately the £15m fee was too good to turn down, with the club making a £10m profit on the now 31-year-old in less than three years.
Nottingham Forest messed up with £40k-p/w flop who's worth less than Origi
He never made a real impact after arriving at the club in 2022.