Jamie Carragher believes Nottingham Forest will become serious Premier League title contenders if they beat Liverpool.
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Carragher backs Forest to become PL contendersForest thumped Wolves 3-0Have won their last six league matchesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Nottingham Forest picked up their sixth league win on the trot – a streak that started with beating Manchester United at Old Trafford – as they thumped Wolves at Molineux on Monday. Morgan Gibbs-White handed Forest an early lead in front of England manager Thomas Tuchel before Chris Wood doubled the team's lead at the stroke of halftime. Taiwo Awoniyi then scored the third and final goal in second half stoppage time to seal a memorable win for the visitors.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
With the victory at Molineux, Forest are now tied on 40 points along with Arsenal and have more wins in the Premier League than the Gunners. Their next league fixture is against leaders Liverpool on January 14 and according to ex-Reds star and pundit Carragher, Nuno Espirito Santo's men will become serious title contenders if they can beat the Merseyside club.
WHAT JAMIE CARRAGHER SAID
Speaking on , the former England international said: "If they beat Liverpool they are in the title race. What I would say right now is if the Champions League goes to the top five positions they have got one hell of a chance."
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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR NOTTINGHAM FOREST?
Before facing Liverpool in the Premier League, Forest will face Luton Town in a third-round FA Cup clash on Saturday at home.
Glasgow Rangers captain James Tavernier has endured a difficult start to the 2024/25 campaign for the Ibrox side.
The defender looks a shadow of his former self, with his struggles compounded by another poor Old Firm display against Celtic on the weekend, as they strolled to a 3-0 victory.
Daizen Maeda got the better of him once again, using his pace down the right-hand side to terrorise the Englishman. Could his time at the club be coming to an end?
James Tavernier’s future at Rangers
Tavernier’s future was up in arms during the summer transfer window, as several clubs were looking to lure him away from Ibrox, with interest coming from former Rangers managers Steven Gerrard and Giovanni van Bronckhorst, in charge of Al-Ettifaq and Besiktas respectively.
No move materialised before the transfer deadline, yet journalist Graeme Bailey has provided a fresh update surrounding his future, saying: “Exclusive – James Tavernier offered Rangers exit route following Old Firm abuse. Clubs in Turkey and Qatar ready to make moves.”
Could this see the 32-year-old make an unlikely move away from the Gers sooner rather than later? Or will he remain at the club until the end of his current contract?
James Tavernier’s season in numbers so far
Last year, the Englishman scored a career-high best of 24 goals throughout the campaign, while also registering 12 assists in all competitions.
This made him the highest scorer in the squad, yet despite this incredible individual season for the club, they could only win the League Cup as Tavernier’s mentality came into question during the latter months of the season.
Rangers had excellent chances to win the Scottish Cup and Premiership title, but suffered damaging losses to Celtic, Ross County and Motherwell during the run-in.
James Tavernier's Rangers statistics
Season
Games
Goals
Assists
2023/24
58
24
12
2022/23
55
18
10
2021/22
58
18
17
2020/21
46
19
16
2019/20
46
3
16
2018/19
57
17
20
2017/18
46
9
9
2016/17
44
2
7
2015/16
50
15
23
Via Transfermarkt
This lethargy has carried into the current season, with Tavernier failing to really inspire his teammates thus far, winning just three of their opening seven games of the campaign.
Tavernier has failed to score a single goal during these games, while registering just two assists in the process, as his attacking output has dropped significantly from last term.
The right-back has managed to create three big chances while averaging 2.5 key passes per game in the top flight, but those appear to be wasted by those playing in front of him.
He could well be on the wane as a player, especially with his output in front of goal dipping dramatically. This could see Clement having to make a decision on his future sooner rather than later, as January could represent the final chance for the Gers to sell him for a decent fee.
Whatever happens, he has been a wonderful servant to the club, but it looks as though the end is nigh, and it is time for the Light Blues to cash in.
James Tavernier
Hopefully, a solid transfer fee is received, similar to the sort that Walter Smith managed to wrangle for defender Alan Hutton back in 2008.
How much Rangers sold Alan Hutton for in 2024 money
Following a stunning start to the 2007/08 season which saw Rangers perform well in both Europe and domestically, Hutton soon became a transfer target for Premier League clubs.
Alan Hutton
Towards the end of the January transfer window, Smith accepted Tottenham Hotspur’s £9m offer to take the defender down south, representing a sensational profit considering he emerged through the youth ranks at Ibrox.
This fee was clearly too good to turn down, allowing Smith to bolster his squad during the summer of 2008 as he ramped up for a tilt at the league title that season.
In 2024, money, however – with Totally Money having adjusted for inflation over the years – this £9m transfer fee would be worth a staggering £29.8m if he made the same move just now.
This transfer fee is currently over four times more than what Tavernier is worth at the time of writing. According to Transfermarkt, the captain’s market value is currently standing at €6.5m (£5.5m), clearly demonstrating how much the club hit the jackpot by moving on Hutton when they did.
If Clement can get anywhere near the fee Hutton was sold for, then he would be doing extremely well, no doubt about that.
Alan Hutton’s Rangers statistics
The right-back made his debut during the 2002/03 season for the Light Blues, before gaining more of a chance in the next campaign under Alex McLeish, although it was a poor one for the Ibrox side, who finished trophyless.
The 2004/05 campaign saw Hutton establish himself as the main right-back during the first half of the season, but a leg break against Kilmarnock in February 2005 meant he didn’t play a part in either the League Cup final or the title run-in.
Alan Hutton
Once he recovered, he made a total of 90 appearances for the club before Spurs came calling in 2008, leaving after making more than 100 competitive appearances for the Light Blues since making his debut in 2002.
He was praised highly by former assistant coach Ally McCoist, who said of the defender: “I have no doubt Alan is destined for great things but I believe those great things can be with Rangers. We don’t want to lose players of his quality.”
Unfortunately, barring a rare occurrence, selling players for this type of fee has hardly been done since Hutton departed all those years ago.
While Tavernier is approaching 33, his statistics over the previous few years should mean Clement can place a decent valuation on his head if any clubs continue to sniff around the captain.
Whatever happens, Tavernier must improve his performances between now and the start of 2025, otherwise he could even be dropped by the management team should these poor displays persist over the coming weeks.
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The Gers have had some fine strikers over the years to call upon
O São Paulo não contará com o atacante Calleri para o clássico contra o Palmeiras, na próxima quarta-feira (17), às 20h30, no Allianz Parque. O argentino foi expulso ainda aos oito minutos de jogo, após uma entrada dura em David Luiz.
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O lance aconteceu depois que o zagueiro do Flamengo tirou a bola de Rigoni. Quando o defensor ia lançar a bola, Calleri chegou atrasado. O árbitro Leandro Pedro Vuaden não deu o vermelho na hora, mas após consultar o VAR, ele expulsou o argentino.
Quem pode substituir o camisa 30 é Luciano, que ficou no banco de reservas na goleada sofrida para o Flamengo. Mesmo com o desfalque de Calleri, Rogério Ceni poderá contar com a volta do trio Welington, Nestor e Gabriel Sara, que cumpriram suspensão.
CONFIRA A TABELA ATUALIZADA E SIMULE OS JOGOS DO BRASILEIRÃO DE 2021!
Com essa derrota, o São Paulo caiu para a 15ª colocação, com 38 pontos, somente cinco a mais que o Juventude, primeiro time na zona de rebaixamento do Campeonato Brasileiro.
Chelsea have a rich history of selling their academy graduates and generating an exceptional fee for them.
You only have to look at the last 12 months, selling all of Mason Mount (£55m), Lewis Hall (£28m), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (£15m), Ian Maatsen (£35m), Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5m) and Billy Gilmour (£7.5m), to raise funds.
Next in line are Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah, who both played integral roles at the back end of last season in securing European football for the Blues, with a sixth-place finish in the Premier League.
Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher for Chelsea
Gallagher has agreed to a £33m move to Atlético Madrid, whilst Chelsea are looking to sell Chalobah, waiting for offers in the region of £25m for the English defender. These two sales would take Chelsea's academy sales total over the last 12 months to a whopping £203.5m.
The latest on Chaloba's future
Chalobah was left out of Chelsea's pre-season squad as the Blues are looking to sell the 25-year-old. Enzo Maresca referred to other right-footed centre-back options in the squad when asked about Chalobah's disclusion.
Wesley Fofana, Axel Disasi, and Tosin Adarabioyo were three senior players named, whilst Maresca also mentioned an academy player, Josh Achaempong, who can play as a right back, and right central defender in a back three.
Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah
Chalobah made 17 appearances for Chelsea last season, scoring one goal, contributing to three clean sheets, and totalling 1,227 minutes played.
Who could replace Chalobah?
According to reports on the continent, via FourFourTwo, Chelsea have plans to launch a last-minute hijack for Crystal Palace defender, Marc Guehi, who looked set to join Newcastle United this summer.
The report states that it is understood Chelsea have a matching clause in Guehi's current deal, allowing them to match any offer from Newcastle for the 24-year-old defender, who is rumoured to be valued at £60m.
Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
Guehi made 29 appearances in all competitions for Palace last season, providing one assist, and contributing to eight clean sheets in his 2,254 minutes played.
Why Guehi would be a great Chalobah replacement
Both defenders are right-footed, both defenders came through the Chelsea academy system, and both players are only one year apart in age. According to FBref, they are also on exactly the same wages, at £50k per week.
Guehi earned himself an England call-up after his impressive season for Palace and he was exceptional. Former England player Matt Upson even praised him as "outstanding" for England, playing alongside John Stones at Euro 2024. He was seen by many as a standout performer.
Guehi vs Chalobah comparison
Stats (per 90 mins)
Guehi
Chalobah
Progressive Carries
0.67
0.47
Progressive Passes
2.98
2.92
Passes Attempted
58.2
73.9
Pass Completion %
86.9%
89.4%
Passes into Final Third
4.00
2.83
Tackles
1.24
1.51
Blocks
0.98
0.75
Interceptions
0.72
0.80
Aerials Won
1.29
1.79
Stats taken from FBref
From these metrics, you can tell Guehi is slightly more progressive in his play, whether that is carrying the ball forwards on the outside of a block, averaging 0.67 progressive carries per 90, or whether that's with his progressive passing, averaging 2.98 per 90.
Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah.
Guehi isn't afraid to break the lines with his passing, making four passes on average per 90 into the final third, something Maresca values in his backline, showing an ability to play through the opposition press.
In Maresca's system, he often forms a 3-2-5 in possession, with one of his full-backs inverting into midfield, to create that double pivot, and having two number eights between the lines as those receivers. This is the type of pass a Maresca defender would be expected to make, breaking the lines and playing through into those number eights.
Marc Guehi
Whilst Chalobah averages more passes attempted per 90, and higher pass completion, he is playing in a much more ball-dominant side, as opposed to Guehi, who played in a Palace side that averaged 41.6% possession, only four teams averaged less last season.
On the contrary, Chalobah was playing in a Chelsea side which averaged 59% possession, the fifth most in the Premier League last season. This, of course, allowed him to get on the ball more, and in turn, his passing volume metrics are better.
Despite having more passes attempted and a higher pass completion, the Palace superstar still managed to provide more progressive passes, key passes and passes into the final third per 90, so you can assume with extra passes attempted, these numbers will increase even more.
Crystal Palace'sMarcGuehiin action with West Ham United's Michail Antonio
One key weakness of Guehi would be his height for a central defender. Measuring at 5 foot 11. He is on the small side for his position, having an effect on his aerials won per 90 metric, as he only averages 1.29 per 90, which is in the bottom 13% of centre backs in the top five European leagues.
Chalobah, on the other hand, is 6 foot 3, has a better frame for a central defender compared to Guehi, and ranks better in most defensive metrics due to this, averaging 1.80 aerials won per 90, 1.51 tackles per 90, 0.76 interceptions per 90, and 4.82 clearances per 90.
His recovery pace and physicality make him a brilliant defender in this league, which often requires the defenders to step out and be aggressive, but also recover into their positions, especially when defending in transition.
Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah.
Despite Guehi's ability on the ball, his arrival could cause even more problems for the Blues, who already lack height in the central midfield areas, and at fullback (especially in an ever-changing era where fullbacks are becoming centre-back hybrids).
The Blues conceded 11 goals from set pieces last campaign, four more than title challengers Arsenal, and eight more than eventual Premier League winners, Manchester City. If Chelsea wants to challenge at the top of the table, scoring and stopping set pieces will be crucial.
Arsenal and Manchester City have shown this in recent years, City topping the chart for least goals conceded from set pieces with three (Arsenal second with seven), and Arsenal topping the chart for set pieces scored with 20 (City third with 16, only behind Everton in second with 19).
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Leeds United have made four additions to their first-team squad during the summer transfer window, which officially opened for business last month.
Joe Rodon, Alex Cairns, Jayden Bogle, and Joe Rothwell have all come through the door to bolster Daniel Farke's options across the pitch, with a centre-back, a goalkeeper, a right-back, and a midfielder added.
One area of the pitch the Whites are yet to make an addition in, however, is the final third as they have yet to pounce on a winger or a striker to improve their forward line.
The West Yorkshire outfit have, though, been linked with attackers throughout the summer transfer window and one of them could be their next version of Raphinha.
Raphinha's magical play for Leeds
The Whites signed the Brazilian wizard from Rennes in the summer of 2020 under Marcelo Bielsa and he hit the ground running at Elland Road in the Premier League.
Across two seasons in the top-flight with Leeds, Raphinha showcased his ability to make a big impact in the final third as both a scorer and a creator of goals.
Appearances
30
35
Goals
6
11
Assists
9
3
Big chances created
12
10
Key passes per game
2.1
1.9
As you can see in the table above, the South American right winger chipped in with 17 goals and 12 assists in those two campaigns to help his side avoid relegation both times.
Raphinha then completed a £55m move to Barcelona in the summer of 2022 and Leeds could finally replace the magician by landing another South American sensation who operates on the right flank.
Leeds' new Raphinha
In June, it was reportedly in the Brazilian media, via the Yorkshire Evening Post, that Leeds are keen on a deal to sign Fluminense forward Jhon Arias this summer, who had been the subject of a £14m offer from West Ham United at the time.
The 26-year-old ace has only produced one goal and two assists in ten Serie A matches this term but his form throughout 2023 and 2022 suggests that the potential is there for him to be a fantastic signing.
Barcelona star Raphinha.
Like Raphinha, Arias is a South American right winger who could provide Leeds with a consistent stream of quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals.
Appearances
33
29
Goals
7
7
Assists
10
7
Big chances created
15
4
Key passes per game
2.2
2.0
As you can see in the table above, the Fluminense forward racked up an eye-catching 14 goals and 17 assists across those two seasons
in the Serie A – two more direct goal contributions than Raphinha managed in the Premier League.
These statistics suggest that the Colombian whiz, who was described as an "unsung hero" by South American writer Nathan Joyce, has the quality to make a huge impact at the top end of the pitch.
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Arias could arrive at Elland Road and be a Raphinha-esque figure on the right flak diue to his ability to both score and assist goals at an impressive rate, which is why Farke should swoop to land his own version of the Brazilian ace this summer.
كشف أحمد جاب الله طبيب فريق الكرة بـ الأهلي موقف إمام عاشور لاعب القلعة الحمراء من المشاركة في التدريبات الجماعية غدًا استعدادًا لمواجهة أورلاندو بايرتس في دوري أبطال إفريقيا.
وكان الأهلي قد تمكن من الفوز على الجونة مساء أمس الأربعاء بنتيجة 2-0 سجلهما إمام عاشور ضمن منافسات الدوري المصري.
طالع | تقارير تكشف تطورًا جديدًا في رحيل أكرم توفيق إلى الدوري القطري
وقال أحمد جاب الله، في تصريحات عبر الموقع الرسمي للأهلي: “إمام عاشور لاعب الفريق سيشارك في التدريبات الجماعية غدًا بصورة طبيعية بعد تعرضه لكدمة خفيفة في القدم خلال مشاركته في مباراة الجونة”.
وخضع إمام عاشور لفحص طبي للاطمئنان على حالته قبل انطلاق مران الفريق الذي أُقيم عصر اليوم على ملعب التتش استعدادًا لمباراة أورلاندو.
وأدى إمام عاشور جلسات استشفاء اليوم مع لاعبي الفريق الذين شاركوا أمام الجونة للتخلص من الإجهاد العضلي وفقًا للبرنامج الذي حدده الجهاز الفني.
ويستعد الأهلي لمباراة أورلاندو بايرتس الجنوب إفريقي التي تُقام مساء السبت المقبل على استاد القاهرة ضمن منافسات الجولة السادسة والأخيرة لدور المجموعات بدوري أبطال إفريقيا.
After years of below-par business in the transfer market, Arsenal have finally started to operate with quality, with Mikel Arteta’s side reaping the rewards as a result.
Signings of William Saliba and Gabriel have locked out the defence, helping the Gunners finish the 2023/24 Premier League campaign with the best defensive record.
Academy graduate Bukayo Saka produced his best campaign for the club, finishing with 16 goals and nine assists, contributing to Arteta’s side having the second-highest tally of goals scored in England’s top-flight.
Declan Rice is another talent who has flourished at the Emirates after his big-money move, with his tally of 15 goal contributions last season making him the club’s fourth-highest player for goals and assists in a year where Arsenal nearly ended their 20-year wait for a league title.
However, it was one other midfielder’s stats that truly caught the eye, with the Arsenal talent producing several moments of magic that catapulted Arteta’s side to within touching distance of a Premier League triumph.
Martin Odegaard’s stats for Arsenal in 2023/24
Martin Odegaard joined the club for £34m back in the summer of 2021, after an impressive six-month stint on loan in North London in which he managed four goal contributions in his 20 appearances.
However, the Norwegian has gone from strength to strength since his permanent move to the Emirates, producing 22 goal contributions last season – demonstrating his abilities in the final third with his superb finishes and his eye for the perfect final pass to a teammate.
Martin Ødegaard's Arsenal career
Season
20/21
21/22
22/23
23/24
Appearances
20
40
45
48
Goals
2
7
15
11
Assists
2
5
7
11
Goal Involvements per Match
0.20
0.30
0.48
0.45
Stats via Transfermarkt
Arguably, his best performance came in the 5-0 demolition of Burnley at Turf Moor, where Odegaard netted a superb free kick, before teeing up Saka for a neat finish early on in the second half.
His performances have led to the 25-year-old being handed the club captain role, a reflection of Arteta’s trust in the attacking midfielder who has finally found a settled home in North London following a turbulent start to his career at Real Madrid after breaking through as a 16-year-
old.
Three years on from his big-money transfer to the club, Edu and Co conducted excellent business in bringing the ace to the club, with his market value skyrocketing as a result of his consistent displays under Arteta’s guidance.
Martin Odegaard’s market value in 2024
Looking back at the deal to sign Odegaard, Arsenal managed to sign the midfielder for an excellent fee – one that certainly looks to have paid off given his stats and the sharp increase in value.
The Norwegian is now valued at a whopping £93m as per Transfermarkt, a near three-time increase on the fee forked out for his signature during the early Arteta’s early stint in charge of the Gunners.
His subsequent value is more than rumoured new additions Riccardo Calafiori and Martin Zubimendi, who can only boast figures of £25.4m and £42.3m respectively – despite both being linked with moves around the £50m mark.
A deal for Calafiori – who was one of the breakout names from Euro 2024 – is progressing swiftly if you believe reports, with personal terms said to be agreed for a defender who could somehow make Arteta's backline even more impenetrable.
That said, everyone loves an attacker and despite the Gunners' supreme record at the back, it's the “exceptional” Odegaard, as described by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who walked home with the club's Player of the Season award for 2023/24. He has undoubtedly been one of the best additions to the club in the last decade, transforming their midfield and leading the revolution under Arteta.
Should he be able to build on his excellent form from last season, he may well be able to hand Arsenal the edge in the title race – cementing himself in the club’s history forever.
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With a month remaining in the transfer window, Arsenal are busy lining up their transfer targets.
استفز نيكو ويليامز، نجم أتلتيك بلباو، جماهير نادي برشلونة بتصريح مثير، وذلك بعد فشل انتقال اللاعب إلى صفوف الفريق الكتالوني خلال فترة الميركاتو الصيفي الحالي.
برشلونة أراد التعاقد مع ويليامز خلال صيف العام الحالي، لكن الصفقة تعثرت في نهاية المطاف بعدما اختار اللاعب البقاء مع بلباو وجدد عقده مع النادي الباسكي.
اقرأ أيضًا .. سلاح فتاك.. إحصائية تظهر تفوق لامين يامال الكاسح ضد ريال مايوركا
وأشار ويليامز في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو”، إلى أنه سعيد حقًا في صفوف بلباو ويخطط للاستمرار لسنوات طويلة مع النادي الإسباني.
وقال ويليامز: “بالنسبة لي، جماهير بلباو بمثابة عائلة لي، أنا سعيد جدًا هنا وأريد مواصلة صنع التاريخ هنا، وآمل أن تكون هناك المزيد من الأمسيات المشابهة”.
ويليامز تألق وسجل هدفًا مساهمًا في فوز مثير لصالح بلباو على إشبيلية بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدفين يوم أمس الأحد، ضمن منافسات بطولة دور الدرجة الأولى الإسباني.
وأضاف ويليامز عن تصفيق وغناء جماهير بلباو له في لقاء الأمس: ”لا أعرف كيف أصف هذا الشعور، هناك سبب وجيه لبقائي هنا، أنا فخور جدًا بالجماهير، وبدعمهم لي منذ اللحظة الأولى، أريد الاستمرار هنا، وأن أمنحهم حبي وأحاول رد الجميل لهم على أرض الملعب”.
برشلونة اتجه إلى خيار ضم ماركوس راشفورد في نهاية المطاف قادمًا من صفوف نادي مانشستر يونايتد، وذلك على سبيل الإعارة حتى نهاية الموسم الحالي.
Camisa 10 e destaque do time sub-20 do São Paulo, Pedrinho marcou um gol e deu uma assistência na vitória por 4 a 2 do Tricolor diante do Palmeiras, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro da categoria. O meia é um dos principais jogadores do time que é líder do campeonato, com 29 pontos conquistados.
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CONFIRA A TABELA ATUALIZADA E SIMULE OS JOGOS DO BRASILEIRÃO DE 2021!
O jogador falou sobre a preparação e a atuação da equipe no Choque-Rei.
– O time inteiro estava muito focado na partida. Falamos bastante sobre a parte inicial da partida, que era muito importante começar o jogo muito ligado, e foi o que aconteceu. Começamos o jogo em uma intensidade muito alta e fizemos o que trabalhamos durante a semana. É importante manter os pés no chão, somos líderes da competição, mas não chegamos em lugar nenhum ainda. Vamos continuar trabalhando forte para alcançar nossos objetivos – afirma Pedrinho.
O ex-jogador Alex de Souza, atual treinador da equipe da base do São Paulo, que foi um grande meia do futebol brasileiro, recentemente em entrevista elogiou Pedro Vilhena e afirmou que viu muita qualidade no jogador, inclusive comparando com suas características quando era jogador. O jovem de 19 anos elogia o treinador e agradece pela oportunidade.
– O Alex é uma pessoa incrível, teve uma carreira de atleta que não preciso nem comentar, mas mesmo assim sempre está disposto a nos ensinar e aprender todos os dias. Por eu jogar na mesma posição que ele, sempre me dá dicas e atalhos da posição. Me inspiro muito nele – comentou o jovem meia.
Seu contrato com o São Paulo ia até junho de 2022, mas foi prorrogado por mais duas temporadas, terminando apenas em 2024. Pedrinho está no São Paulo desde os 10 anos de idade e sempre foi destaque nas categorias de base do clube. O meia se mostrou feliz emrenovar com o Tricolor do Morumbi.
– O melhor sentimento possível, renovar meu contrato com o clube que me acolheu quando eu tinha apenas 10 anos é muito gratificante pra mim. Apenas agradecer a todos pelo que fizeram e fazem por mim até hoje, como atleta e ser humano – agradeceu.
O técnico do time principal, Hernán Crespo, acompanha a base de perto e, recentemente relacionou Pedrinho para a partida contra o Grêmio. O atleta vem chamando a atenção da comissão técnica do profissional, que o inscreveu na Libertadores.
Pedrinho contou como foi que recebeu a notícia de que seria relacionado para o time profissional.
– Eu estava pra sair de folga quando o Biasotto me mandou mensagem dizendo que o Muricy havia falado com ele e que eu estaria relacionado para o jogo contra o Grêmio no dia seguinte. Senti uma alegria imensa. Isso significa que o trabalho aqui na base está sendo bem feito – conclui.
Pedrinho já foi convocado para a Seleção Brasileira sub-17, em 2019, e já conquistou dois títulos eplas categorias de base do São Paulo: o Base Brasil 2020, pelo sub-13, em 2015, e a FAM Cup, pelo sub-17, em 2019.
Last year at the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, only 10 matches in the entire season produced results. The opening round saw all two off three matches drawn, with huge scores dominating games and little chance of a result in sight. The signs this time indicate this could be a very different QeA season. All three games ended up producing winners and losers; two of them saw results inside three days. The one likeliest to result in a draw, though, was saved by some aggressive captaincy by Azhar Ali, though it didn’t quite work out for him the way he’d have liked.Sarfaraz Ahmed pips Azhar AliThis game held particular intrigue from a personal match-up point of view, with the two men leading Central Punjab and Sindh also the pair who have swapped captaincy at international level for much of the past five years. And with Azhar’s Test captaincy reputed to be slipping from his grasp, a positive result here might have revived his fortunes. So as soon as he saw the game meandering to a draw, he declared Central Punjab’s second innings, setting Sindh 212 to win in just under two sessions.It was the sort of captaincy Azhar isn’t exactly reputed for, but set up a tantalising finale to what should have been a bore draw. Sindh came out all guns blazing, while Central Punjab’s bowlers didn’t quite carry the threat their captain might have hoped for on a fading final afternoon. Saud Shakeel’s 69-ball 61 led the charge, while Asad Shafiq, hopelessly out of form internationally, took over once he’d been dismissed to ensure Sindh didn’t just bat for light. Hassan Mohsin gave him good company, and with minutes remaining before the light faded decisively, Shafiq cleared his front leg to deposit the ball over cow corner to seal a dramatic finish.Hussain Talat, Shan Masood get South Punjab off to flying startNorthern were the underdogs everyone rooted for along their run to the final last year, but repeating the feat may prove trickier on the evidence of the first match. Nauman Ali’s side were routed from the outset, bowled out inside 50 overs despite electing to bat first. Zahid Mahmood and Agha Salman took seven of the wickets before South Punjab batted Northern well out of the match thanks mainly to Hussain Talat and Shan Masood. Talat amassed a career-best 253, while Masood scored 134 of his own to give their side a colossal 342-run lead in the first innings.With clinical efficiency, Northern’s bowlers set to work once more, Zahid Masood completing a 10-for with six wickets in the second innings. Mohammad Abbas removed two at the top to open up the middle order early, and there was little sign South Punjab would be forced into batting again. Hammad Azam’s 79 was the only thing resembling resistance from Northern, but it wasn’t to stop them from crumbling to an innings defeat.Yasir Shah belts out an appeal•Getty Images
Yasir Shah leads Balochistan to winning startYasir Shah might face an uphill task if he is to convince Pakistan’s selectors to send him with the national side off to their next assignment in New Zealand, given his poor record in the southern hemisphere. Here in Karachi, though, he couldn’t have asked for a better start, taking eight wickets – four in each innings – to help Balochistan beat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Bismillah Khan’s century saw them get to 362 in the first innings, before Yasir and Khurram Shehzad, who took a five-fer, skittled KP out for 167.That slowed Balochistan to set them a virtually insurmountable 413 to get in the fourth innings, and with five sessions to go, batting out ad raw seemed out of reach, too. Yasir was the man who ran through some middle order resistance to guarantee the game wouldn’t even need a fourth day, as he and Kashif Bhatti finished with a combined eight wickets to consign KP to a 186-run defeat.