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Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan believes Patrick Bamford will be hurting after his substitution against Manchester City last week.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side picked up a magnificent victory in their last Premier League outing, winning 2-1 away to the soon-to-be champions. Leeds did it all with 10 men, too, with Liam Cooper’s first half red card making the Whites’ task all the more difficult.

Bamford was the player sacrificed after the sending off, with Bielsa needing to bring on a more defence-minded player in Pascal Struijk in what was a frustrating moment for the striker.

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Whelan discusses Bamford frustration

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan admitted that it will be stinging the 27-year-old, but the ex-Whites ace reckons Bamford will bounce back at home to Liverpool on Monday night, saying:

“There’s always a sacrifice and generally, usually, it’s going to be a forward-thinking player.

“It was Patrick Bamford on that occasion. He will be disappointed. He’ll have let it go more to the point that we got the win. It’ll have made that pill easier to swallow.

“Look, it’s another game where people look at strikers like Patrick Bamford and they look at stats compared to Salah. It’s another one for him to go out there and prove a point.

“To go out there and impress against, I would say, a very, very weakened and inconsistent Liverpool defence.”

Transfer Tavern take

Bamford has shown great consistency and character throughout this season, so it would be no surprise to see him find the net against the Reds. Deep down, he will know why he was substituted away to Man City, but any striker missing out on the chance to score more goals will be disappointed.

Jurgen Klopp has hailed Bamford as ‘exceptional’ before the Liverpool game and the striker will be fired up to prove his worth to Bielsa once again up against a relatively unproven centre-back partnership of Nathaniel Phillips and Ozan Kabak.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly keen on signing an established international defender. Find out who it is here.

MatériaMais Notícias

Bicampeão da Copa do Brasil e oito vezes campeão estadual, o técnico Levir Culpi classificou a vitória do Fluminense neste domingo como uma das mais importantes de sua carreira. Com o 1 a 0 sobre o Corinthians, o primeiro triunfo do Tricolor na Arena do rival, o Fluminense chegou aos 43 pontos na tabela e está mais próximo do G4 do Campeonato Brasileiro.

-É importante destacar para o torcedor a importância desse jogo para os jogadores. A atuação do Fluminense foi boa, conseguir essa vitória na casa deles é muito bom. É o jogo para torcedor, que une o time e dá aquela esperança. Nós brasileiros somos emotivos, e realmente foi muito prazeroso para gente esse resultado. Foi muito interessante essa vitória, um jogo muito bom. Foi uma das vitórias importantes da minha carreira. O jogo foi tão legal para nós que isso dispensa os comentários sobre a arbitragem – disse Levir.

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Além da importância para as pretensões do Fluminense no Campeonato Brasileiro, a vitória deste domingo ganhou mais importância pelo ocorrido na última quarta-feira, quando o Corinthians venceu por 1 a 0 na Arena e eliminou o clube das Laranjeiras nas oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil. O Tricolor teve três gols bem anulados e reclamou demais da arbitragem, pedindo dois pênaltis que não foram marcados.

Além disso, Levir Culpi e Fluminense terminaram com a escrita de nunca ter vencido na Arena Corinthians. Como técnico do Fluminense e Atlético-MG, Levir havia disputado quatro partidas no estádio corintiano, com quatro derrotas. O Fluminense, por sua vez, havia disputados três jogos na casa do rival, somando duas derrotas e um empate até este domingo.

Dan Petrescu, linked with Celtic’s vacant managerial post, has seemingly made a U-turn on his reported Parkhead interest.

The 53-year-old, who made 193 appearances as a player for Chelsea, was willing to put his name forward to replace Neil Lennon at Celtic Park, according to the Daily Mail.

Journalist Gianluigi Longari claimed Celtic placed the Romanian on their managerial shortlist of targets, but Petrescu has now addressed his future.

As quoted by Romanian outlet Pro Sport, cited by 67 Hail Hail, Petrescu shared his ambitions to lead another side in his native country to a league title.

“I didn’t take a break from matches, it’s impossible to do that. I have no way to feed myself, I have to satisfy my hunger somehow and I want to go back to coaching, but I want to fight at the top, I don’t want to be demoted (to clubs not fighting for titles).

“I would very much like to be the only coach to win the Romanian championship with three different teams – I don’t have these teams with beautiful play, I like the teams that win.”

Transfer Tavern take

Many Celtic fans weren’t exactly thrilled at the links to Petrescu last month, with supporters labelling him a “cheap option” and exclaiming “no way”, so they could be happy at the experienced manager’s latest comments.

Petrescu has had experience of success in Scotland, though. He led CFR Cluj to a famous 5-4 aggregate win over Celtic in the Champions League qualifying rounds during the 2019/20 campaign.

In regards to a long-term role, Petrescu has been in and out of numerous jobs, holding 16 managerial positions over the last 18 years.

With that in mind, it may not be the best idea of bringing him to Glasgow, with stability seemingly needed following Lennon’s exit.

In other news: A former Parkhead hero who has a Celtic tattoo shares Hoops managerial ‘dream’, find out more here.

According to a report by club insiders Claret & Hugh, via West Ham news, defender Fabian Balbuena has made up his mind over leaving east London and will depart at the end of this season when his contract expires.

Balbuena, who briefly forced his way back into the team under David Moyes, partnering Angelo Ogbonna and Aaron Cresswell consistently in a back three at the back end of the last calendar year, will now leave according to C&H.

Indeed, with no new deal on the table for him, the Paraguayan has apparently made up his mind and has decided to move on from West Ham when his current contract officially runs out.

The 29-year-old has recently had to watch summer signing Craig Dawson take his mantle in the starting eleven, and when Ogbonna succumbed to injury, Issa Diop was the chosen defensive partner by Moyes.

Flocking to this update, many Hammers fans had their say – find all of their best comments down below.

West Ham fans react to Balbuena development

“Noooo I rate this lad”

Credit: @daggers496

“How stupid though, great squad depth. Wont even get a fee for him”

Credit: @szn_bowen

“Very bizarre we aren’t keeping him. We have 3 senior CBs left. Reports Alves will step up but I feel we need another senior.”

Credit: @westhamtransfer

“This hurts but it’s completely understandable

He is good enough to be starting every game”

Credit: @MattIngram28

“Day ruined”

Credit: @WhuJosh

“Bang out of order alienating him like that. Was injured then got COVID which extended his absence but he hasn’t put a foot wrong for us this season”

Credit: @DanOCon23169711

“Another good player going for nothing”

Credit: @HarryZippyAx

“Big shame. I like the guy and he’s a good squad player who knows the club.”

Credit: @WesthamVan1

In other news: West Ham fans also flocked to a transfer claim, find out more here.

يعتبر سيرجينو ديست، اليوم، أكثر لاعبي كرة القدم رواجًا في فريق برشلونة مع خيارات للخروج في هذا السوق الشتوي.

لدى اللاعب الأمريكي عددًا من الأندية الراغبة في ضمه أكثر من أي شخص آخر من زملائه في الفريق الكتالوني.

ويرى نادي برشلونة في ديست فرصة عظيمة ليكون قادرًا على موازنة اللعب المالي النظيف، حتى يتمكن من تسجيل فيران توريس ويكون قادرًا على إجراء صفقة أخرى.

وبحسب صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية، حتى الآن، أبدت أربعة فرق تتنافس في دوري أبطال أوروبا الحالي اهتمامها بضم ديست، وهي، بايرن ميونخ الذي كان يريده بالفعل في صيف عام 2020 عندما وقع عليه برشلونة، وتشيلسي، بعد إصابة تشيلويل، ولم يتم الكشف عن اسم الناديين الآخرين.

اقرأ أيضًا.. برشلونة يدرس فتح باب الرحيل مجانًا لـ ديمبلي في يناير

ومع ذلك، وعلى الرغم من أنه يشعر بالرضا الشديد لوجود العديد من الأندية رفيعة المستوى لضمه، إلا أن ديست لا يزال في الوقت الحالي مقررًا بالبقاء في برشلونة وعدم التحرك في هذا السوق الشتوي.

ويريد الأمريكي، الذي تعرض لإصابات في العضلات أولاً ثم بسبب آلام أسفل الظهر، استعادة أفضل نسخته وإظهار أنه يمكن أن يكون لاعباً مهماً في خطط مدربه تشافي هيرنانديز.

MatériaMais Notícias

O ano passado terminou de forma melancólica para o Flamengo. De um time que namorou com a vaga na Copa Libertadores e chegou até a sonhar, mesmo à distância, com o título brasileiro, terminar no meio da tabela foi um tanto quanto decepcionante. Assim que aquele Campeonato Brasileiro terminou, a diretoria resolveu encontrar os motivos para a falta de resultados, já que o clube não passou nem perto de ganhar algum título. Hoje, em três meses de temporada, já dá para perceber alguns resultados.

E isso quem fala é a grande referência do elenco: o atacante Paolo Guerrero. Embora tenha começado muito bem no ano passado, caiu veementemente de produção e ficou sem fazer gol desde agosto, algo que gerou críticas e até dúvidas sobre a milionária contratação dele. Aos poucos, em 2016, Guerrero mostra o quanto pode não apenas ser útil, mas conduzir o time às glórias. O próprio camisa 9 explica o motivo disso.

– Vejo um trabalho mais sério aqui dentro. Todos se preocupando, não só comissão técnica e jogadores. Tudo que há de melhor o Flamengo está dando para nós, atletas. O trabalho na academia e dentro do campo é muito profissional. Temos um elenco qualificado e precisamos estar na briga por títulos sempre. O objetivo é ser campeão do Carioca e da Primeira Liga, que são os dois campeonatos que estamos jogando – comentou.

O “trabalho mais sério” a que Guerrero se refere engloba, basicamente, três aspectos diferentes. O primeiro foi a aposta na contratação do técnico Muricy Ramalho, um perfil que a diretoria considerou ideal antes mesmo da eleição presidencial no ano passado para comandar a equipe nestas mudanças. Em seguida, avaliaram que os jogadores perderam muito no aspecto físico ano passado. Por isso, o clube investiu pesado na comissão técnica, com fisiologistas de ponta e uma nova teoria: o tratamento individualizado dos atletas. Por fim, o Ninho do Urubu foi reformado. Ainda não está pronto, mas bem melhor do que em 2015.

Nessa mudança no centro de treinamento foi criado o Centro de Excelência em Performance, elogiado por todos os jogadores constantemente. Guerrero aproveitou para ser mais um a elogiar.

– Os trabalhos físicos têm sido muito bons. Logo quando cheguei no Flamengo deixei de fazer muita coisa e perdi um pouco, mas estou voltando e quero melhorar ainda mais – comentou o atacante.

É com ele que o clube quer, enfim, trilhar o caminho dos títulos.

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O treino do São Paulo foi movimentado na manhã desta quinta-feira, no CT da Barra Funda, no dia seguinte a vitória por 2 a 0 sobre o Novorizontino, no Pacaembu. Enquanto os titulares na partida fizeram apenas corrida no gramado, os reservas agitaram um coletivo pegado, com entradas duras e bons lances. O garoto Lucas Fernandes, inscrito na Copa Libertadores pelo Tricolor, participou pela primeira vez das atividades com o time principal.

O grande destaque do coletivo em campo reduzido foram duas fortes entradas do zagueiro Lyanco no centroavante argentino Jony Calleri. Os lances, que aconteceram na sequência, chamaram a atenção de Edgardo Bauza, que separou o beque para uma conversa particular após a atividade. No momento em que sofreu com as divididas, o camisa 12 nem sequer reclamou com o companheiro.

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Diferente de Ricardo Centurión, que também levou algumas entradas de outros jogadores durante a atividade e reclamou na hora com Patón, técnico com quem nutre boa relação. PH Ganso e Hudson, assim como Calleri, que entraram no segundo tempo da partida, participaram normalmente da atividade com os demais suplentes.

Enquanto isso, os dez titulares de linha deram voltas no gramado correndo e depois fizeram alongamento. A atividade foi completada internamente no CT da Barra Funda. O goleiro Denis, agora capitão do São Paulo, trabalhou à parte com seus companheiros de posição, Léo e Renan Ribeiro.

Bauza ainda não deu pistas sobre quem pretende usar na partida deste sábado, contra a Ponte Preta, às 19h30, no Moisés Lucarelli, pela sexta rodada do Campeonato Paulista, mas a tendência é que opte por força máxima.

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Enquanto o Atlético-MG confirma as contratações de Robinho e Júnior Urso, a nova fornecedora de material esportivo, Dry World, faz sua contagem para o lançamento do novo uniforme do clube para temporada de 2016. Após adiantar um detalhe da camisa na última quinta-feira, a marca utilizou as redes sociais para dar uma nova pista do manto alvinegro.

– O time DryWorld tem trabalhado duro para produzir um uniforme que mantenha as tradições da camisa do Atlético – publicou a marca, em sua página oficial nas redes sociais.

O lançamento da nova camisa principal do Atlético será na próxima segunda-feira, dia 15. A princípio, o atacante Robinho, recém-contratado, faria parte do evento, mas o camisa 7 já foi apresentado na Cidade do Galo e vestiu o uniforme de número 2. Na quarta-feira, o clube mineiro fará sua estreia na Copa Libertadores, contra o Melgar, no Peru, e já estará vestindo o novo uniforme. Além do novo fornecedor, a equipe também estampará a marca da Caixa como nova patrocinadora máster para a temporada.

According to TEAMtalk, Celtic are interested in signing James McCarthy from Crystal Palace, but the Eagles simply can’t afford to let their midfield diamond go.

What’s the word?

The Bhoys want to bring McCarthy back to his hometown of Glasgow as they apparently see him as the obvious successor to club captain Scott Brown. Neil Lennon’s side have struggled for consistency so far this season, having lost two out of their last three games in all competitions.

However, they may have a tough task trying to prise McCarthy away from Selhurst Park, as a number of Premier League clubs have reportedly taken an interest in the Republic of Ireland international, including Burnley and Aston Villa.

The 30-year-old, who has played for Hamilton Academical in the past, is arguably exactly what Celtic need, although Lennon has previously warned his players that they can’t live off of their former glories, which implies that he doesn’t want to sign players who will be approaching the twilight of their careers.

But from Palace’s point of view, Roy Hodgson simply can’t afford to lose his midfield enforcer.

Keep McCarthy at all costs

Reunited with his old comrade James McArthur at Selhurst Park, McCarthy has turned out to be a shrewd signing since he arrived at the Eagles from Everton for £3m, after six seasons at Goodison Park.

Together, the ex-Hamilton pair have helped Hodgson’s side cement their place in the Premier League

McCarthy has played a combined 261 games in the Premier League for Palace, Everton and Wigan, winning 88 games and losing 104. On average, he produces nearly 42 passes per match, showing he is an important part of the supply chain for the likes of Jordan Ayew, Michy Batshuayi and Wilfried Zaha.

Whilst this might not seem like a lot, only Luka Milivojevic averages more passes per game from the midfield, which shows precisely what Hodgson has to work with.

Not only has McCarthy made 40 appearances for Palace, but he is also averaging 2.3 tackles, 1 interception and 1.2 clearances per game in the top flight this season, via WhoScored.

Valued at £4m via Transfermarkt, it would make little sense to essentially let him leave for a small profit, especially when you consider the fact that these kinds of numbers would be incredibly hard to replace in a winter transfer window that seems more uncertain than ever before, given the current unprecedented circumstances clubs are currently operating in.

Palace’s form has been patchy at best so far, as a promising start to the season – which saw Hodgson’s side stun Manchester United at Old Trafford – has quickly tailed off, with three defeats in their last four fixtures in the league.

It goes without saying that his potential departure would be a total disaster for Parish but a major coup for Celtic.

AND in other news, Wilfried Zaha: Steve Parish can’t afford to gamble on Crystal Palace talisman’s future amid links abroad…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has questioned the decision to exclude veteran Keiren Westwood from the squad this season.

The 36-year-old has not featured for the Owls in nearly a year with Garry Monk option to run with academy graduates Joe Wildsmith and Cameron Dawson instead, which is rather damning with the long-serving shot-stopper thought to be on around £30k-per-week at Hillsborough.

Westwood was not given a squad number for the 2020/21 season and has been left to train away from the first-team squad. He was also reportedly available for transfer during the summer but no approaches were made.

Kirkland, who worked with the experienced Owls man during his stint in south Yorkshire, is baffled by the situation and has called on Monk to bury the hatchet to save their season.

He told FFC:

“I think they’ve got an issue. I think you have to talk about the goalkeeper situation there.

“I have worked with both Joe [Wildsmith] and Cam [Dawson]. Keiren Westwood should be playing without a shadow of a doubt. He’s the best keeper there. He should still be playing in the Premier League but there’s obviously question marks. People talk about Keiren and his attitude and stuff like that, but he was always great with me. I had no issues with him there.

“Other managers have seen a problem there and that’s probably why Garry [Monk] isn’t playing him now because there is obviously an issue behind the scenes. You don’t keep somebody who is one of your top-earners and as good as he is on the bench unless there are big problems behind the scenes.

“With Keiren not playing, that’s a huge mystery. I think if they’re going to do anything this season, they’ve got to bury whatever has gone on. He’s got to get back playing –  and now.”

Westwood has played 179 times for Sheffield Wednesday and appears unlikely to play for the club ever again whilst Monk is still in charge, especially with his contract up at the end of the current campaign.

The Owls have only conceded ten goals so far this term, which is fewer than league-leading Reading, Brentford, Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City.

It remains to be seen what the exact issue is between Monk and Westwood, but clearly, Kirkland believes the Owls would be a far stronger side with the Republic of Ireland glovesman between the sticks than either of their younger options.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Chris Kirkland tips Dejphon Chansiri to make a major call soon…