LONDON – Gelandang Chelsea, Jorginho, memberikan isyarat untuk gabung ke Juventus pada bursa transfer musim panas 2020 nanti. Pemain berpaspor Brasil itu memang cukup lama dikaitkan dengan Bianconeri menyusul ketertarikan pelatih Maurizio Sarri untuk kembali bekerja sama dengan salah satu pemain kesayangannya.
Seperti diketahui, kebersamaan Sarri dan Jorginho telah terjalin sejak keduanya sama-sama bekerja untuk Napoli. Jorginho bahkan menjadi satu-satunya pemain yang dibawa Sarri saat ia mendapat kesempatan untuk melatih Chelsea pada 2018 kemarin.
Sayang, tangan dinginnya dianggap tak memberikan dampak positif hingga akhirnya Chelsea memilih untuk melepas Sarri. Musim ini, pelatih asal Italia itu mendapat kesempatan untuk menggantikan posisi Massimiliano Allegri di kursi kepelatihan Juventus.
Sarri pun disebut-sebut bakal kembali membawa Jorginho untuk berada dalam skuadnya musim depan. Menanggapi rumor tersebut, Jorginho mengaku sama sekali tidak masalah seandainya Sarri membutuhkan jasanya.
“Tahun lalu, banyak penggemar yang memilih saya karena saya datang dengan manajer lain dan, menurut saya, saya akhirnya mendengar beberapa hal yang jujur tidak jadi,” lanjutnya.
“Tapi saya tidak pernah menentang pandangan para penggemar dan orang lain yang mengkritik saya. Justru sebaliknya, sebenarnya itu memberi saya kekuatan karena di dalam saya tahu mereka salah,” ujar Jorginho, melansir dari laman Daily Mail, Kamis (7/5/2020).
“Jauh di dalam pikiranku, itu seperti ini, Aku akan membuktikan mereka salah dan bekerja dengan tenang seperti yang selalu kulakukan, karena tidak pernah mudah bagiku,” tandasnya.
Covid-19 stoppage aside, it’s looking for all the world as if Liverpool will have a Premier League title to defend when 2020/21 kicks off.
As much as fans might want Kylian Mbappe, Jadon Sancho, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and every exciting young attack-minded player to arrive at Anfield and aid their bid to do so, however, it’s looking as if they are in for another quiet summer.
Even before the global crisis took hold and threatened to slash transfer spending right across the continent, 90min‘s understanding was that the Reds aren’t actively on the lookout for any blockbusting deals – instead striving to minimise disruption and keep the current group together.
So, ahead of another summer which promises to underwhelm the fantasists, let’s put the transfer rumours to one side, and have a look at some of the invariably overlooked players within the current ranks who could save the Anfield hierarchy a few quid when the window opens.
Kamil Grabara
Adrian’s Liverpool career started out oh so well after his ‘marquee’ arrival on a free transfer last summer, but after his costly showing against Atlético Madrid just before the break, the unforgiving calls to sign a new, more reliable backup to Alisson have re-emerged.
Let’s be realistic on this one, though – unless Adrian leaves, which is unlikely in itself, Liverpool probably aren’t going to go out and sign another keeper.
Especially not when they’ve got one they rate oh-so highly currently in the midst of a steep learning curve at Huddersfield. He’ll return to Anfield a better and more accomplished player, even if there have been some shaky moments, and having him available could well sink any lingering prospect of a new keeper coming in the door.
This is probably a good time to point out that Loris Karius still exists too.
Sepp van den Berg
He hasn’t quite been the most impressive of Liverpool’s merry band of prodigious youngsters this season, but Klopp – a former central defender – clearly sees something in young Sepp.
He’s featured heavily in the cups and has spent the season intermittently learning from Virgil van Dijk, and while the thinking is that Liverpool will seek out a replacement for Dejan Lovren should he leave the club this summer, the reality is that they may not have to.
With Van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all pretty excellent senior options, it might well be the time to dip into the youth ranks and pick out a new fourth-choice centre-back. If Van den Berg shows he’s ready, he’ll be in contention.
Yasser Larouci
Two undisputed facts: 1. Liverpool need cover at left-back, and 2. it’s going to be mightily difficult for them to sign an accomplished player happy to live off the scraps Andy Robertson leaves behind.
If only they had an explosive young defender with the ready-made physical attributes, attacking competence and defensive nous to step up and provide some lasting and energetic cover.
Oh wait: Yasser Larouci exists, and having finally fought off his longstanding injury issues, he’ll be champing at the bit to earn his way up the pecking order this summer.
Marko Grujic
Grujic has been a desperately unlucky man. Throughout his loan spells with Cardiff and Hertha Berlin since 2018, he has steadily improved into a fearsome, physically-imposing defensive midfielder, with the ability to make an impact on virtually any squad in Europe outside of the very, very best.
It just so happens that, while he’s been doing so, Liverpool have transformed themselves into just that – one of, if not the, very, very best.
Still, all hope is not lost for the highly-rated Serb. While Jordan Henderson’s impeccable work is an adequate stand-in, the Reds do lack a natural alternative to the diligent, deep-lying Fabinho, and with Adam Lallana set to leave, there is likely to be a midfield berth going spare. Could there be one more chance?
Curtis Jones
Some names need introduction; Curtis Jones does not.
He’s the fuzzy-haired Scouser with the cojones to step up and bury the winning penalty against Arsenal, and the unbridled, uncontainable ability to win a Merseyside Derby by himself with a brain-melting curler into the top corner.
With nine senior appearances this season, the 19-year-old has already started racking up the minutes, and of all the players on this list, he’s the one you would pencil in as guaranteed to pick up an increased role within the first team next season.
Harvey Elliott
He’s just turned 17 last month, and plays for a team in which Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané are the starting wingers, yet Elliott’s impression in his debut season at Anfield has left some fans disappointed he hasn’t featured more.
It’s hard to overstate how ludicrously, freakishly, generationally good at football he is.
A league debut against Sheffield United back in January was little more than a token gesture, but if we don’t see him again before the season resumes, then you know he’ll be knocking on Klopp’s door during pre-season, looking to multiply his tally of senior minutes.
Rhian Brewster
To say Brewster has been ‘banging them in’ since joining Swansea on loan is perhaps overstating it, but he’s been a steady source of goals and inspiration for the Swans since January.
He has netted four times in his 11 appearances so far, and is yet to go three matches without getting himself on the scoresheet. He’s shown he has maturity beyond his years, while his five bookings so far would suggest he has a fire in his belly, and it looks as if he has all the hallmarks of a striker who will make his mark when given a meaningful chance in Klopp’s first team.
He’s had to wait patiently – injury issues have made sure of that – but if the Reds are on the lookout for someone to take the load off Roberto Firmino this summer, and a move for Timo Werner proves unviable, then they should look no further than the kid running the show in South Wales.
JAGUH berbasikal trek negara, Azizulhasni Awang, akhirnya terpaksa melepaskan ranking pertama berbasikal dunia dalam acara keirin.
Selepas empat bulan mendominasi kedudukan keirin, kini berdasarkan ranking terkini yang dikeluarkan Kesatuan Berbasikal Antarabangsa (UCI), kedudukan Azizulhasni tergelincir di tangga kedua dengan 2710 mata manakala dengan kelebihan 175 mata, Harrie Lavreysen dari Belanda kini memimpin ranking acara berkenaan.
Namun, perkembangan itu tidak menjejaskan misinya untuk memburu pingat emas pertama Malaysia dalam Sukan Olimpik Tokyo 2021.
“Sebenarnya saya sudah menjangkakan akan dia merampas ranking utama dunia daripada saya selepas kejuaraan yang diraihnya dalam Kejohanan Dunia.
“Kejohanan itu menawarkan mata sebanyak dua kali ganda dan dalam masa sama, dia adalah juara benua.
“Jadi kombinasi ini memberi kelebihan kepadanya untuk merampasnya daripada saya,” katanya dalam temu bual maya bersama wartawan Nadi Arena, Bazly Azmi.
Atlet kelahiran Terengganu itu menganggap semua pelumba memiliki peluang untuk mencabar emas, lantas mendorongnya untuk membuat kerja rumah bagi mengkaji kekuatan lawan.
“Jelas sekali dia adalah ancaman utama dalam Sukan Olimpik kelak.
“Bagaimanapun, saya tidak menutup mata (terhadap keupayaan) pelumba-pelumba lain seperti Great Britain (GB), Jerman, Australia dan Jepun.
“Saya masih melakukan analisis (prestasi) ke atas pelumba-pelumba yang telah layak tetapi sudah tentulah tumpuan khusus akan diberikan kepada Lavreysen.”
Italian clubs will be allowed to train in groups from Monday 18 May, after Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte gave Serie A preparations the go-ahead, despite the ongoing battle against the coronavirus.
The sporting calendar was brought to a halt at the beginning of March by the deadly virus, and there was little hope that the season would be completed as Italy became the most infected country in Europe.
Coronavirus Cases Drop In Italy After Weeks Of Lockdown
But the situation has vastly improved in recent weeks, and Prime Minister Conte announced that ‘team training will restart on May 18, including football’, although the Italian government is waiting for some ‘guarantees’ before confirming the return date of the fixture list, as reported by Goal.
“Team training will restart on May 18, including football,” Conte said. “[Minister of Sport Vincenzo] Spadafora is following the situation with great attention and is very responsible.
“We must wait for conditions to be achieved to guarantee maximum safety for the resumption of the championship.
“We need some more guarantees which at the moment have not been met. We hope this will happen as soon as possible.”
FBL-ITA-SERIEA-JUVENTUS-TRAINING-HEALTH-VIRUS
The wheels are in motion for the return of calcio, and Serie A clubs have already begun recalling players back to Italy, who had previously returned to their homeland to spend lockdown with their families.
Teams are desperate to get their players back into the country as soon as possible, as those who return must spend two weeks in isolation before joining any group training or activities of any kind.
Serie A viewers are keen to see the league recommence, after Lazio launched a pulsating title challenge against champions Juventus, with only one point separating the two teams. I Bianconeri will have Paulo Dybala in contention for immediate action, after the Argentine star overcame his lengthy battle with the coronavirus.
Bundesliga trở lại với loạt trận tối 16/5 vừa qua, trong đó có trận đại thắng của Borussia Dortmund trước Schalke 04.
Tỉ số loạt trận Bundesliga vòng 26 tối 16/5.
Asburg 1-2 Wolfsburg
Borussia Dortmund 4-0 Schalk 04
Fortuna Dusseldorf 0-0 Paderborn
Hoffenheim 0-3 Hertha Berlin
RB Leipzig 1-1 Freiburg
Frankfurt 1-3 Monchengladbach
Trong số các đội bóng ra quân giữa mùa nCoV tối 16/5 vừa qua thì Dortmund chính là những người thắng tưng bừng nhất. Erling Haaland là người đã lập công mở tỉ số cho Borussia Dortmund trong hiệp một trận đấu với Schalke 04. Sau đó là màn ăn mừng đúng phong cách giãn cách xã hội.
RB Leipzig gặp khó trong cuộc đua đeo bám Dortmund và Bayern khi hút chết trước Freiburg. Việc để hòa 1-1 khiến cho khoảng cách trên BXH giữa top 3 giờ lại càng xa hơn.
Ngoài trận Dortmund thắng Schalke ra thì Hertha Berlin đã mở tiệc bàn thắng ngay tại sân của Hoffenheim với ba bàn vào lưới đối phương.
Không chỉ có những bàn thắng, Bundesliga trở lại đã mang đến những hình ảnh mới nhất về bóng đá mùa nCoV cho người hâm mộ và các những giải đấu sắp sửa theo bước như Serie A hay Bundesliga, Ngoại hạng Anh.
KUALA LUMPUR: Ketua jurulatih skuad Harimau Malaya, Tan Cheng Hoe memberi bayangan awal beliau akan mengekalkan sebahagian besar pemain bagi menghadapi baki beberapa perlawanan pusingan kedua kelayakan Piala Dunia 2022/Piala Asia 2023 pada Oktober ini.
Jurulatih kelahiran Kedah itu berkata beliau juga akan memantau perkembangan pemain lain yang mempamerkan prestasi memberangsangkan dalam saingan Liga Malaysia (Liga-M) untuk dipanggil menyertai sesi latihan pusat bagi menghadapi pusingan kelayakan tersebut.
“Berikutan sudah lama mereka tidak dikumpulkan dengan kali terakhir pada November tahun lepas, saya harap mereka semua masih ada persefahaman yang baik antara satu sama lain.
“Perkara itu juga menjadi sebab kenapa saya rancang kekalkan ramai pemain utama demi memudahkan perancangan, namun saya masih melihat mana-mana pemain lain yang beraksi dengan baik bagi membolehkan saya menilai prestasi semasa mereka,” kata Cheng Hoe dalam kenyataan dikeluarkan Liga Bola Sepak Malaysia, pada Jumaat.
Konfederasi Bola Sepak Asia (AFC) sebelum ini mengambil keputusan menangguhkan beberapa baki perlawanan pusingan kedua kelayakan Piala Dunia 2022/Piala Asia 2023 susulan penularan wabak COVID-19.
Berdasarkan perancangan terbaharu AFC, sekiranya mendapat kelulusan Persekutuan Bola Sepak Antarabangsa (FIFA), Malaysia akan menentang Emiriah Arab Bersatu (UAE) pada 8 Okt di Dubai, dan Vietnam pada 13 Okt di Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil.
Dalam pada itu, Cheng Hoe berharap saingan Liga-M yang ditangguhkan sejak 16 Mac lepas akibat pandemik COVID-19, perlu diteruskan bagi memastikan pemain yang akan dipanggil ke sesi latihan pusat nanti dapat mengekalkan kecergasan fizikal dan mental.
Beliau menegaskan kecergasan fizikal serta motivasi pemain yang akan dipanggil bakal terjejas sekiranya saingan Liga-M dibatalkan.
“Jika liga dapat bermula pada September ini, pemain sekurang-kurangnya ada sesuatu untuk mereka bersedia sepanjang tempoh beberapa bulan ini daripada sekadar melakukan latihan sendirian di rumah.
“Pemain juga dapat mencari kembali sentuhan mereka dalam soal fizikal dan kecergasan bersama pasukan masing-masing sebelum sertai pasukan kebangsaan,” jelas Cheng Hoe.
MANCHESTER – Gelandang Manchester City, Bernardo Silva, mengungkapkan hal paling menyebalkan dari seorang Cristiano Ronaldo ketika memainkan permainan sepakbola. Sebagai rekan setim di Timnas Portugal, Silva pun merasakan hal tersebut dalam setiap sesi latihan.
Silva sendiri menaruh kekaguman terhadap Ronaldo yang begitu istimewa. Namun, ia juga terkadang merasa sebal karena sering menelan kekalahan dari CR7 –julukan Ronaldo– saat menjalani latihan. Meski begitu, Silva merasa beruntung karena Timnas Portugal memiliki Ronaldo yang bisa selalu menjadi andalan bagi tim untuk mencetak gol penting.
“Saya pikir apa yang menjengkelkan tentangnya (Ronaldo) dalam satu hal adalah dalam sesi latihan. Anda memainkan permainan, dan itu satu lawan satu. Pelatih mengatakan siapa pun yang mendapat skor akan menang, dan itu selalu Ronaldo,” ungkap Silva, mengutip dari Goal, Sabtu (16/5/2020).
“Ketika sebuah permainan macet dan Anda tidak tahu apakah Anda akan menang atau tidak, Anda tahu bahwa jika Anda memberinya (Ronaldo) bola, ia yang akan memutuskan. Sesuatu yang istimewa mungkin terjadi ketika ia memiliki bola,” tambahnya.
“Bahkan di sesi latihan itu agak menyebalkan karena selalu ia yang mencetak gol paling penting! Saya pikir itulah yang membuatnya istimewa, berada di sana pada saat-saat paling penting,” lanjutnya.
Pada musim panas lalu, kerja sama Ronaldo dan Silva telah membuahkan hasil dengan mengantarkan Portugal menjuarai UEFA Nations League. Keduanya pun disebut sebagai tandem berbahaya di Timnas Portugal yang siap merusakn pertahanan lawan.
