PENJAGA gol Paris Saint-Germain dari Perancis, Alphonse Areola menyertai Fulham menerusi kontrak pinjaman setahun dengan pilihan pembelian, menurut juara Ligue 1 itu, awal pagi tadi.
Pemain berusia 27 tahun itu yang kontraknya bersama PSG tamat 2023, menghabiskan tempoh musim lalu bersama Real Madrid di belakang penjaga gol nombor satu Belgium, Thibaut Courtois.
Areola yang menjulang Piala Dunia 2018, menjuarai tiga gelaran liga Perancis ketika di Parc de Princes.
Cottagers turut menandatangani penyerang Brighton, Anthony Knockaert dan pemain tengah Southampton, Mario Lemina.
Mereka akan menerima kunjungan Arsenal di tempat sendiri Sabtu ini dalam aksi pertama Liga Perdana musim baharu.
WEST BROMWICH – West Bromwich Albion (WBA) membuat kejutan pada bursa transfer musim panas 2020. Di akun Twitter-nya @WBA, The Baggies –julukan WBA– memperkenalkan pemain baru mereka dengan nama panggung CR7.
Sekadar informasi, nama CR7 identik dengan pesepakbola asal Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo. Nama panggung CR7 itu pertama kali muncul semenjak pria 35 tahun itu membela Manchester United pada 2003.
(Ronaldo saat membela Timnas Portugal)
Lantas, CR7 Cristiano Ronaldo yang dimaksud manajemen WBA? Ternyata CR7 yang dimaksud bukan Cristiano Ronaldo yang berstatus pesepakbola peraih lima trofi Ballon dOr.
CR7 yang dimaksud adalah eks pemain Sheffield United, Callum Robinson. Nama Callum Robinson mencuat semenjak membela The Blades –julukan Sheffield– di Liga Inggris 2019-2020.
Dari 16 pertandingan di Liga Inggris 2019-2020, pemain yang mentas di posisi winger kiri itu mengoleksi satu gol dan dua assist. Kemudian pada Januari 2020, Callum Robinson dipinjamkan Sheffield ke WBA.
Bersama WBA, pemain yang dapat beroperasi sebagai penyerang tengah itu mengoleksi tiga gol dan dua assist dari 16 pertandingan Divisi Championship. Berkat bantuan dari CR7 itu, WBA promosi ke Liga Inggris 2020-2021.
Setelah melakoni 46 pertandingan, WBA finis di posisi dua Divisi Championship 2019-2020 dengan koleksi 83 angka. Finis di posisi sudah cukup bagi WBA untuk promosi ke Liga Inggris 2020-2021.
Sekarang yang jadi pertanyaan, sanggupkah WBA survive di Liga Inggris 2020-2021? WBA dapat mengambil contoh Sheffield United di Liga Inggris 2019-2020.
(Sheffield United buat kejutan di Liga Inggris 2019-2020)
Berstatus sebagai klub promosi, Sheffield United finis di posisi sembilan dengan koleksi 54 angka. Bahkan, Sheffield racikan Chris Wilder sempat bersaing di papan atas, hingga hampir lolos ke Liga Champions 2020-2021.
Karena itu, menarik menanti kiprah WBA di Liga Inggris 2020-2021, plus aksi CR7 di sisi kiri penyerangan The Baggies.
St James’ Park – Newcastle United FC | Visionhaus/Getty Images
Newcastle have released a strongly worded statement condemning the Premier League’s decision to reject a takeover bid made by PCP Capital Partners, the Reuben Brothers and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) based on its Owners and Directors test.
The Magpies have been linked with a takeover bid for most of the calendar year, but all their efforts for new ownership fell through when the Saudi Arabian-backed consortium rejected the Premier League’s offer of arbitration to determine who would own the club.
Hoping to have their latest bid accepted by the Premier League – a deal worth £300m that would end Mike Ashley’s 13-year tenure owning the club – a new deal proposed, but despite claims that Newcastle have provided the necessary evidence to allow the takeover to go ahead, they’ve been pushed back once more.
A statement on the club’s official website read: “Newcastle United can confirm that the Premier League has rejected a takeover bid made by PCP Capital Partners, the Reuben Brothers and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) based on its Owners and Directors test.
“This conclusion has been reached despite the club providing the Premier League with overwhelming evidence and legal opinions that PIF is independent and autonomous of the Saudi Arabian government.
“The club and its owners do not accept that Premier League chief executive Richard Masters and the Premier League have acted appropriately in relation to this matter and will be considering all relevant options available to them.
“Mike Ashley understands fans’ frustrations and would like to reassure them that he has been fully committed to ensuring this takeover process reached completion as he felt it was in the best interests of the club. Mike continues to be fully supportive to Steve Bruce, the players and all the staff and wishes them well for the upcoming season.”
FC Porto v Rio Ave FC – Liga NOS | Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Quỷ đỏ thành Manchester đang chú ý đến hậu vệ cánh trái của Porto, Alex Telles.
Quỷ đỏ đang gấp rút chuẩn bị các bản hợp đồng cho mùa giải tiếp theo tại Premier League. Và một trong những vị trí cần sự bổ sung đó là hậu vệ cánh trái, vị trí là Luke Shaw và Brandon Willams đang trấn giữ.
Về mặt kỹ năng, cả 2 hậu vệ trái của Manchester United đều có chất lượng khá cao. Tuy vậy, mỗi người đều chỉ có được một thế mạnh riêng. Với Shaw, chấn thương là một trong những cản trở lớn đối với sự nghiệp của anh. Kể từ sau khi bị gãy chân, Shaw đã không còn là chính mình. Mặc dù ở mùa giải vừa rồi, anh đã thi đấu không hề tồi, nhưng Manchester United cần có một sự ổn định nơi vị trí này.
Về phần Brandon Williams, mặc dù với những màn trình diễn cực kỳ thuyết phục cho những lần thay thế cho Shaw thì cuối mùa, cầu thủ trẻ của MU đã tỏ ra hụt hơi. Đã có những tin đồn về việc, cầu thủ trẻ của MU phải tiêm thuốc giảm đau để thi đấu, tuy vậy sự non nớt trong việc phòng ngự đã không làm Ole Solskjaer hài lòng.
Mới đây theo A Bola, Manchester United đã có cuộc nói chuyện với người đại diện của Alex Telles tại Bồ Đào Nha. Thậm chí, họ đã đạt được những thỏa thuận sơ bộ về việc hậu vệ này sẽ về thi đấu tại Manchester United.
Alex Telles là một trong những hậu vệ xuất sắc tại giải Bồ Đào Nha trong màu áo FC Porto. Trong mùa giải vừa rồi, hậu vệ trái này đã ghi đến 11 bàn thắng và có 7 kiến tạo tại giải vô địch Bồ Đào Nha cùng với 49 lần ra sân trên mọi đấu trường.
PERTAHANAN kiri Serbia, Aleksandar Kolarov menyertai Inter Milan dari Roma, selepas kelab Itali itu mengumumkan awal pagi tadi.
Kolarov, 34, yang memenangi Liga Perdana Inggeris (EPL) sebanyak dua kali dalam tempoh tujuh tahun bersama Manchester City, menamatkan pengembaraan selama tiga musim di Stadio Olimpico.
“Pertahanan berusia 34 tahun ini, menyertai Nerazzurri dengan perpindahan sebanyak €1.5 juta (RM7.3 juta).
“Persetujuan juga termasuk beberapa perkara berkaitan bonus, yang boleh menjangkau nilai maksimum €500,000 (RM2.4 juta) berdasarkan pencapaian yang dicapai kedua-dua, pemain serta pasukan pembeli,” kata Roma dalam satu kenyataan.
Kolarov, yang beraksi sebanyak 91 kali bersama negaranya, bersedia untuk bersaing dengan pemain berusia 21 tahun, Alessandro Bastoni bagi memikat pengendali Antonio Conte dalam perubatan kesebelasan utama.
Inter, yang menamatkan saingan di tempat kedua Serie A dan tumpas kepada Sevilla di perlawanan akhir Liga Europa, juga menandatangani pertahanan kanan Real Madrid, Achraf Hakimi dan pemain tengah Cagliari, Nicol Barella.
BARCELONA – Agen Philippe Coutinho, Kia Joorabchian, menyebut sang klien tidak merasa bersalah saat membantu Bayern Munich membantai Barcelona di perempatfinal Liga Champions 2019-2020. Kala itu, Bayern membuat malu Barcelona dengan kekalahan telak 8-2.
Mungkin kekalahan Barcelona dari Bayern tidak akan pernah dilupakan oleh Blaugrana –julukan Barcelona. Namun, pada momen tersebut ada hal yang paling menyakitkan ketika Coutinho ikut membantu Bayern meraih kemenangan telak.
Coutinho pun ikut menjebloskan dua gol ke gawang Barcelona tepatnya pada menit 82 dan 89. Situasi itu jelas sedikit terasa aneh karena Coutinho sendiri adalah pemain yang sesungguhnya berseragam Barcelona.
Hanya saja saat itu, Coutinho tengah menjalani masa peminjaman di Bayern selama satu tahun untuk musim 2019-2020. Karena itu, pemain berpaspor Brasil itu mencoba untuk profesional dan menjalankan tugasnya bersama Bayern.
Akan tetapi, berkat kiprah apik Coutinho di laga tersebut, Joorabchian tak menyangkal bahwa Barcelona tertarik menariknya kembali. Karena itu, setelah kembali dari Bayern, Coutinho akan tetap tampil sebagai pemain Barcelona pada musim depan.
“Ya, Anda harus melakuakn pekerjaan Anda dan ia melakukan pekerjaannya dengan sempurna. Mungkin itulah alasan mengapa Barcelona sangat menginginkannya kembali,” ungkap Joorabchian, mengutip dari Goal, Rabu (9/9/2020).
“Koeman memanggilnya tepat setelah kemenangan Liga Champions bersama Bayern, keesokan harinya, dan mengatakan kepadanya bahwa ia (Coutinho) sangat ada dalam rencananya dan ingin ia kembali,” pungkasnya.
England were poor in a 0-0 stalemate | Michael Regan/Getty Images
Gareth Southgate’s England were poor once again as they were held by Denmark in a dull 0-0 draw in Copenhagen on Tuesday night.
The personnel in the Three Lions’ 3-4-3 saw them struggle in the opening period, with the hosts undoubtedly the superior side.
The visitors improved following Mason Mount’s arrival on the hour mark, but they failed to work any clear-cut openings before Harry Kane had his effort cleared off the line by Mathias Jorgensen after Andreas Christensen misjudged Kieran Trippier’s ‘thump’ in behind.
Let’s get into some player ratings from what was a pretty drab international fixture.
Kasper Schmeichel (GK) – 6/10 – Did he actually have to do anything?
Daniel Wass (RB) – 7/10 – Dynamic, energetic and offered a threat in the final third. Diligent defensively and aggressively tracked Raheem Sterling’s movement into the half-space.
Mathias Jørgensen (CB) – 7/10 – Pretty inactive on the night but superb bit of last-ditch defending denied Kane late on and bailed out his centre-back partner.
Andreas Christensen (CB) – 7/10 – Attempted to assert his authority against Kane throughout and impressed in their battle. Error in the dying embers almost cost his side, however.
Robert Skov (LB) – 7/10 – Dangerous left-foot was only teased from set-piece situations and failed to hit the mark when crossing opportunities opened up down the left. Nonetheless, Skov – like Wass – impressed defensively, with his aggression thwarting Jadon Sancho for much of the contest.
Christian Norgaard (DM) – 7/10 – A fine debut. Aggressive in duels and comfortably protected Denmark’s centre-back pairing. Was also tasked with dropping behind England’s first line to aid his side’s build-up from the back.
Thomas Delaney (CM) – 7/10 – Typically industrious in the middle of the park, astute positioning helped shun the opposition’s counters and was instrumental in Denmark’s impressive work out of possession – especially in counter-pressing situations.
Christian Eriksen (CM) – 6/10 – A quiet night for Denmark’s star, but the sequence in which he left Eric Dier for dead before teeing up Kasper Dolberg with a perfectly weighted pass was vintage Eriksen. Spurned the best chance of the night late on.
Yussuf Poulsen (RW) – 5/10 – Served as a wide target-man almost. Caused problems late on but was rarely involved for much of the contest. Defensive work can’t be overlooked.
Kasper Dolberg (ST) – 6/10 – Held the ball up well at times and led Denmark’s fierce press from the front. Spurned two of their better chances on the night, however.
Martin Braithwaite (LW) – 6/10 – Bright drifting in from the left and posed a threat to Jordan Pickford’s goal. Worked profusely to deny threat of Trent Alexander-Arnold at the other end as well.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 6/10
Rasmus Falk – N/A
Simon Kjaer – N/A
Jordan Pickford (GK) – 7/10 – Rarely tested despite Denmark having their fair share of efforts on goal. Erratic in possession but made a superb save to deny Dolberg in the opening period.
Joe Gomez (CB) – 7/10 – England’s best defender on the night. Looked at home as an exterior centre back where he was granted more time in possession and impressive recovery speed allowed him to cover ground expertly and deny the hosts when Alexander-Arnold was caught high upfield.
Conor Coady (CB) – 6/10 – A promising debut for the Wolves skipper who defended stoutly throughout in a familiar role. Inconsistent in possession, though, and failed to deliver penetrative passes into England’s inside forwards with requisite ‘punch’ to bypass Denmark’s savvy midfield.
Eric Dier (CB) – 5/10 – Saw plenty of the ball but position meant he was able to do little with it. Rarely progressed play and often looked inside for safe option – understandable. Had similar passing issues to Coady, although there was the rare example of a beautiful switch of play. Looked the most vulnerable of England’s backline throughout.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (RWB) – 6/10 – Served as a primary outlet on the night with his aggressive positioning but the work of Denmark’s wingers ensured he wasn’t handed the desired room to wreak havoc with his supreme crossing ability. Was bright, though, and teased his threat on occasions.
Kalvin Phillips (CM) – 6/10 – A nervy debut from the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ who wasn’t helped by being partnered with an almost identical profile in midfield. Struggled in possession early but settled nicely and certainly improved in the second period. Tenacious as ever.
Declan Rice (CM) – 5/10 – Similarly proved himself not to be a double pivot midfielder. Showed off his ball-winning prowess on occasions but didn’t impose himself on the contest at all. Poor angles when the visitors attempted to build-up which contributed to England’s progression woes.
Kieran Trippier (LWB) – 5/10 – Had the tough task on playing on the left flank and it was no surprised he struggled.
Jadon Sancho (RW) – 5/10 – Another disappointing night for the Borussia Dortmund star, who was substituted on the hour mark after failing to make any sort of impact.
Harry Kane (ST) – 5/10 – Isolated and starved of service for the most part, but was lax in possession when the ball did fall to his feet and wasn’t able to make the most of albeit limited sights of goal.
Raheem Sterling (LW) – 6/10 – Movement into half-spaces was smart but too predictable – mainly due to the horrible dynamic England had down their left-hand side – but enjoyed a better time of it following Mount’s introduction as space started to open up between Denmark’s lines.
