Referência técnica no elenco do Vasco, Nene é o protagonista do elenco e já tem cinco gols e quatro assistências na temporada. O meia será mais um grande nome do futebol carioca a ser homenageado naCalçada da Fama do Maracanã. Recentemente, o atacante Gabigol, do Flamengo, teve a oportunidade de eternizar os seus pés no lendário Estádio.
RelacionadasVascoConselho Deliberativo do Vasco aprova a inclusão da SAF no Estatuto Social em reunião na sede da LagoaVasco24/03/2022VascoAo L!, Carlos Brazil cita cinco pilares na busca pelo sucesso e elogia torcida do Vasco: ‘É a melhor do Brasil’Vasco24/03/2022VascoGabriel Pec destaca semanas de treinos para a estreia do Vasco na Série B: ‘Entrosar cada vez mais’Vasco24/03/2022
Na próxima terça-feira, às 14h30, o camisa 10 do elenco cruz-maltino estará presente na Tribuna de Honra do Maracanã para deixar a marca de seus pés eterninazados no Estádio. Além dele, outro ilustre vascaíno também terá a honra da homenagem: o ex-jogador e atual comentarista, Pedrinho.
Ainda não é assinante do Cariocão-2022? Acesse www.cariocaoplay.com.br, preencha o cadastro e ganhe 5% de desconto com o cupom especial do LANCE!: GE-JK-FF-ZSW
O meia já disputou 157 partidas com a camisa do Gigante da Colina e balançou as redes em 53 oportunidades. Na atual temporada, entrou em campo 11 vezes, marcou cinco gols e deu quatro assistências. No Rio de Janeiro, ainda atuou pelo Fluminense, quando disputou116 jogos e marcou 28 gols.
+ Confira e simule a tabela do Campeonato Carioca
Em duas passagens, Nene acumula feitos importantes com a camisa do Vasco. Ele se tornou o segundo maior artilheiro do clube carioca no século XXI com 53 gols, atrás apenas de Romário, que estufou a rede em 131 oportunidades. Vale destacar que esses números foram retirados do levantamento do Blog Canal do Garone.
Glasgow Rangers failed to replicate their vibrant performance from midweek during the 1-0 victory over St Johnstone in the Premiership, but three points was all that mattered for the Ibrox side.
Despite this, the Light Blues still trail Celtic by 11 points in the title race. However, another win will boost confidence, and with a League Cup final coming up in a couple of weeks against their Old Firm rivals, building momentum is key.
Philippe Clement will be pleased with some of the performances on display in Perth on Sunday. They gave him plenty of food for thought ahead of the clash against Kilmarnock on Wednesday.
Rangers best performers vs St Johnstone
James Tavernier redeemed himself after a series of disappointing displays recently. The captain won nine of his ten duels during the contest while making six tackles, two key passes and succeeding with 100% of his dribble attempts.
Vaclav Cerny was another one who stood out. The winger is emerging as one of the best players in the squad. He may not have got on the scoresheet in Perth, but the on-loan gem took 67 touches, made four key passes and attempted two dribbles during the contest.
Accurate passes
Nicolas Raskin (81)
Dribble attempts
Benjamin Mbunga-Kimpioka (5)
Tackles
James Tavernier (6)
Interceptions
John Souttar, Connor Barron and Jason Holt (3)
Ground duels won
James Tavernier (8)
Key passes
Vaclav Cerny (4)
Both players linked up well on the right flank, yet not everyone performed to the standards required…
Robin Propper’s game in numbers vs St Johnstone
Robin Propper may have enjoyed his time in Europe in midweek, but Scottish football is a different breed, something that he hasn’t quite gotten to grips with as yet.
The £1.5m signing from FC Twente was supposed to be the replacement for Connor Goldson that every fan wanted. So far, he is looking like a waste of money.
The Dutchman was struggling with an injury issue during the first half, but he persisted until the break when Leon Balogun replaced him for the second period.
During the opening 45 minutes, Propper lost all of his duels, took just 26 touches and committed a foul. The defender failed to make a tackle or interception while failing to cope with the physicality that St Johnstone forwards Mackenzie Kirk and Benjamin Mbunga-Kimpioka brought to the table.
Whether his struggles were due to injury or not, Propper has not had the desired success that Clement indicated when he brought him to Scotland in the summer.
With Neraysho Kasanwirjo out for the next six months, it certainly looks like the manager will delve back into the transfer market for a new defender in January.
Before then, Propper must be dropped to the bench, especially with a crucial run of fixtures coming up in the next few weeks.
A partnership of John Souttar and Balogun could work well against Kilmarnock on Wednesday. Depending on the extent of Propper’s injury, Clement may not have a choice on who features in the heart of the defence.
Move over Hagi: Rangers star who won 9 duels was real hero
The Glasgow Rangers midfielder outperformed Ianis Hagi in the win over St. Johnstone.
Ruben Amorim will soon get his first taste of action as Manchester United manager, with the Red Devils facing off against Ipswich Town on the road to kickstart the new Portuguese boss’ reign in the Premier League.
This is a potential banana skin, considering the Tractor Boys are just fresh off a shock away win at Tottenham Hotspur, on top of the fact Kieran McKenna’s past Man United loyalties will mean he’s keen to get one over on the brand new face in the Old Trafford hot-seat.
Beyond this opening test in Suffolk, Amorim will also already be thinking about any potential additions he could make to his squad, with the potential for him to be prioritising a new central midfielder to partner Manuel Ugarte.
Ugarte's importance under Amorim
It has been well documented now the past both Amorim and Ugarte have shared together, with the Uruguayan winning himself a big move to Paris St. Germain in the summer of 2023 after starring under the 39-year-old’s watchful eye at Sporting CP.
Of course, the Premier League is a different kettle of fish altogether to Amorim’s native country, but the fresh face in the Theatre of Dreams dug-out will want to get even more out of the 23-year-old who was beginning to shine under the interim reign of Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Ugarte stood out in the Dutchman’s final match as temporary boss, with the United number 25 winning ten duels and only misplacing four of his 51 passes as the Red Devils breezed past Leicester City 3-1 in confident fashion.
He will have to make sure his performance levels are more consistent, so Amorim continues to pick him, having struggled to get going against Chelsea in early November when only two of his 13 duels on the day were successfully won.
That could well happen under the familiar managerial methods of Amorim, with the former Sporting midfielder perhaps joined by a new face in the middle of the park who could go on to become United’s very own Rodri.
The signing who could be Man United's own Rodri
The only issue here would be getting all of United’s central midfield talents into one starting lineup, with Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo also options at his disposal that could fit into his distinctive 3-4-3 set-up.
But, it seems as if another midfielder is on his transfer wish list, with German Leon Goretzka one player taking their fancy. However, according to TEAMTalk, they fill face competition from Bundesliga outfit Union Berlin.
Frustrated by his current situation in Bavaria, having not been a regular starter since Vincent Kompany’s arrival as manager, the Red Devils could swoop in to breathe life back in the 29-year-old’s career.
Said to be the eighth most similar player in Europe’s top five leagues to Rodri when comparing the two midfielders on FBRef, this could be a perfect route to go down if United finally axe Casemiro down the line, with Goretzka a smart addition judging by his eye for a goal and assist too.
Shots in total
1.73
1.63
Shot-creating actions
3.03
4.63
Passes attempted
75.42
113.39
Pass completion %
90.1%
91.5%
Progressive passes
7.52
12.00
Progressive carries
2.53
2.73
Successful take-ons
0.58
2.73
Progressive passes received
2.30
1.77
Although the Ballon d’Or winner is, of course, the better player, the wantaway Bayern star and Rodri are similar in many aspects of their respective games, with Goretzka actually bettering the Spaniard in shots averaged per match across the last year.
Goretzka has bagged 41 strikes for the Bundesliga giants, on top of picking up 46 assists, leading to shouts from football journalist Stefan Bienkowski that the 29-year-old is even “world-class.”
He could well be a great alternative to Fernandes in this regard, therefore, with Goretzka also mirroring his Spanish counterpart when looking at his impressive trophy haul at Bayern.
The 29-year-old has picked up five Bundesliga titles playing in Germany, which isn’t too dissimilar to Rodri’s four Premier League title triumphs in a row, with the addition of the 6 foot 2 star giving United a classy option who could be a statement buy for the new Amorim era.
Whatever does take place on the transfer front moving forward, United supporters will just hope Amorim settles in well initially, with lots of flashy buys already being hyped up.
Amorim’s perfect wing-back: Ten Hag sold Man Utd gem now worth 132% more
The talented youngster should have been a hit for Man Utd.
Each year, the Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious individual award, is handed to the player who has been the world’s best in the previous season. At least, that’s how it’s supposed to work.
Players, managers and the media have voted on the Ballon d’Or, though they don’t always get it right. Now solely voted for by a jury of journalists from across the world, the event will hopefully be more representative of who truly deserves the award moving forward.
However, plenty of players in the past have been disgracefully overlooked, from World Cup-winning goalkeepers to treble-winning shoo-ins.
With that in mind, we’ve put together a starting XI of the best players to have never won the Ballon d’Or. It’s worth noting that while Maradona and Pele would be on this list, neither player was ever eligible to win the award due to it only being open to non-European players since 1995, by which time Maradona was nearing the end of his career and Pele had long retired.
Ballon d'Or past winners: The best XI of former champions
Probably the only time you’ll ever see Messi and Ronaldo in the same team.
1
By
Barney Lane
Oct 23, 2024
1
Gianluigi Buffon
Goalkeeper (best: 2nd 2006)
Only one goalkeeper in history – Lev Yashin – has ever won the Ballon d’Or, with the Soviet shot-stopper scooping the prize way back in 1963. Gianluigi Buffon arguably should have been the second.
In 2006, Italian defender Fabio Cannavaro was awarded the Ballon d’Or after captaining Italy to glory at the 2006 World Cup. While Cannavaro winning the prize wasn’t exactly a shock, Buffon was certainly worthy of it himself.
At the World Cup, the Juventus ‘keeper kept a record five clean sheets, conceding just two goals in the entire tournament, and made a match-saving save in extra-time of the final when he tipped a goal-bound Zinedine Zidane header over the bar.
2
Cafu
Right-back (best: =14th 2002)
In December 2020, France Football – the magazine that conceived the Ballon d’Or – published a Ballon d’Or Dream Team. Voted for by journalists, the idea was simple: create and crown the best team in football history.
Logically, you’d think it would be full of Ballon d’Or winners, no? Think again.
Pele and Maradona made the cut, as did Spanish midfielder Xavi – none of whom have ever won the Ballon d’Or. Brazilian defender Cafu, another player to have never won the award, was also included at right-back.
Cafu’s place in the team was no doubt deserved. He is the one of the greatest right-backs to ever play the game. So why did he never win the Ballon d’Or itself? Perhaps he was too overshadowed in Brazil in the Ronaldo era.
3
Paolo Maldini
Centre-back (best: 3rd 1994, 2003)
Paolo Maldini is your favourite defender’s favourite defender.
Take John Terry, for example. “I also hope that one day I will be as good as Maldini,” the Chelsea legend once said of the Italian. Or Rio Ferdinand: “Paolo Maldini, he’s the best,” he said recently.
Maldini is also your favourite attacker’s least-favourite defender – which is perhaps an even bigger compliment.
“Paolo Maldini is the best I’ve played against,” Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazario once said of him. Zlatan Ibrahimovic once said: “Maldini was the best and toughest defender I ever faced. He had everything: he was a complete defender, who was strong, intelligent, and an excellent man-marker.”
However, despite him being revered by his peers, Maldini, who won seven Serie A titles and five European Cups during his career, never won the Ballon d’Or. He came closest in 1994 and 2003, finishing third on both occasions.
4
Virgil van Dijk
Centre-back (best: 2nd 2019)
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk
If Maldini is everyone else’s favourite defender, then who is the Italian’s favourite defender? No, it’s not his former AC Milan teammate Alessandro Nesta, nor his Italy counterpart Cannavaro.
Instead, and perhaps surprisingly, it’s Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk.
“I have played with some of the greatest defenders like Nesta, Baresi, Cannavaro, but I feel I was unlucky not to pair with Van Dijk,” Maldini said of the Dutchman in 2022, as per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. “Virgil will be the best defender in history of football soon.”
Now 33, Van Dijk has been one of the world’s most outstanding defenders over the past decade, winning almost everything there is to win with the Reds, including the Premier League and the Champions League. He finished second in the 2019 Ballon d’Or behind Lionel Messi, but has yet to scoop the prize himself.
7 Future Premier League Ballon d'Or winners
Rodri was the Premier League’s first Ballon d’Or winner since 2008 – who could be the next to do it?
By
Barney Lane
Oct 24, 2024
5
Roberto Carlos
Left-back (best: 2nd 2002)
In 2002, shortly after Brazil had lifted the World Cup, Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos came close to winning the Ballon d’Or, finishing second behind compatriot Ronaldo.
It’s difficult to argue that Roberto Carlos should have beaten Ronaldo in 2002 given that the striker was the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, two of which came in the final against Germany. However, had it not been for his countryman’s exploits, the full-back would have been a deserving winner.
Widely regarded as the greatest left-back of all-time, “The Bullet Man” was renowned for his marauding forward runs, mazy dribbles, and, of course, trademark bending free-kick.
6
Xavi
Centre-midfield (best: 3rd 2009, 2010, 2011)
The lynchpin in what many people believe to be the greatest midfield trio of all time, Xavi was a truly exceptional deep-lying playmaker, (or regista, if you will) who was a master of controlling the tempo of matches with his unparalleled passing range and vision.
He saw space that other players simply didn’t, allowing him to turn seemingly innocuous moments into dangerous attacks in the blink of an eye.
The Spaniard finished third in the Ballon d’Or for three years running between 2009 and 2011, with Messi winning the top prize in each of those years.
Players with the most Ballon d'Or voting points since 2000
These are the most voted-for players at the Ballon d’Or since the turn of the century… who comes out on top?
1
By
Barney Lane
Oct 25, 2024
7
Andres Iniesta
Centre-midfield (best: 2nd 2010)
Alongside Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Xavi were the heartbeat of the Barcelona and Spain teams that dominated world football between 2008 and 2012, winning the World Cup, European Championship, Champions League, La Liga, and countless other honours.
However, unlike Xavi, who ran things from deep, Iniesta had more of a prominent role in the final third. As such, he had some notable moments of glory, including his extra-time winner in the 2010 World Cup final. After that goal, Iniesta finished second behind Messi in the Ballon d’Or, a tale that has proven all too familiar over the years for many a player.
Kevin De Bruyne has arguably been the Premier League’s best midfielder for almost a decade now.
Since joining Manchester City in 2015, he’s steered City to six Premier League titles and a first-ever Champions League triumph, contributing 103 goals and 171 assists along the way.
It’s difficult to understand quite how, amid those achievements, he has never been awarded the Ballon d’Or, especially in 2018, when he starred as the club won the Premier League with a record points total of 100.
“The way he’s played it’s difficult to find one [better] in Europe,” City boss Pep Guardiola said of De Bruyne at the time.
9
Thierry Henry
Right-wing (best: 2nd 2003)
Not strictly a right-winger, but we had to put him somewhere; at his peak, Thierry Henry was simply unstoppable.
Fast, skilful, and with an unmatched eye for goal, the Frenchman scored 226 goals for Arsenal between 1997 and 2007, winning the Premier League’s Golden Boot a record four times and firing the Gunners to the title on two separate occasions. He was also a key man for his country, playing starring roles in France’s 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 triumphs.
Henry’s finest hour came in 2003/04, when he scored 39 goals in all competitions as Arsenal won the Premier League title without losing a game. His achievements, however, went unrecognised by Ballon d’Or voters, with the striker somehow finishing fourth behind Ronaldinho, Deco, and Andriy Shevchenko having been pipped by Pavel Nedved a year earlier.
10
Robert Lewandowski
Centre-forward (best: 2nd 2021)
Robert Lewandowski has been robbed of the Ballon d’Or on two occasions.
In 2020 after a stunning season in which he scored 55 goals in all competitions as Bayern Munich won the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup, the award was cancelled due to the pandemic.
The following year, the Pole then put up similar numbers, scoring 48 goals, but was controversially snubbed in favour of Lionel Messi, who had endured a hit-and-miss first season with Paris Saint-Germain.
It’s not too late for Lewandowski, however. This season, despite being 36, he’s already scored 17 goals in just 14 games for Barcelona thanks to his recent double in El Clasico. Keep going at that rate, and he may well find himself in contention next year.
The Top 11 El Clásico Goalscorers This Century
Who has scored the most often in El Clásico since 2000?
سيشهد سوق الانتقالات الصيفية في ليفربول نشاطًا كبيرًا، بينما يراقب برشلونة الفرص المتاحة لاقتناص بعض الصفقات القوية من صفوف الريدز.
بعد موسم شهد إخفاقًا أوروبيًا لكن نجاحًا محليًا، يستعد ليفربول لإعادة هيكلة تحت قيادة المدرب، آرني سلوت، مما قد يؤدي إلى تغييرات كبيرة في التشكيل الأساسي.
وأمام ليفربول قرار مهم بشأن مستقبل لويس دياز، حيث قد يتم بيعه لتمويل صفقات جديدة، خاصة أن برشلونة يرى في الجناح الكولومبي خيارًا مثاليًا لتعزيز الفريق، نظرًا لقدراته الفنية المتنوعة التي تناسب أسلوب النادي الكتالوني.
اقرأ أيضًا.. روبي فاولر عن مستقبل محمد صلاح وفان دايك وأرنولد: ليفربول تعامل معهم بشكل سيء
العائق الأكبر أمام انتقال دياز إلى برشلونة هو السعر المرتفع الذي يطلبه ليفربول، مما يعقد المفاوضات في ظل الأوضاع المالية الصعبة للنادي الكتالوني، الذي قد لا يكون قادرًا على دفع المبلغ المطلوب دون التخلي عن أهداف أخرى، بحسب موقع “Footmercato” الفرنسي.
محمد صلاح يمثل خيارًا آخر لنادي برشلونة، حيث ينتهي عقده مع ليفربول في يونيو المقبل، مما يجعله متاحًا بصفقة انتقال حر، ورغم بلوغه 32 عامًا، لا يزال يحافظ على مستواه العالي، مما يجعله هدفًا مغريًا للأندية الباحثة عن تعزيز خط الهجوم.
قد يكون برشلونة مضطرًا للاختيار بين محمد صلاح ولويس دياز، حيث يصعب عليه التعاقد مع اللاعبين معًا، وبالتالي، فإن التوقيع مع محمد صلاح قد يُبعد صفقة دياز، ما قد يدفع الأخير للبحث عن خيارات أخرى داخل إنجلترا أو في دوريات أوروبية أخرى.
وتلعب الأندية السعودية دورًا مؤثرًا في تحديد مصير اللاعبين، إذ تسعى لاستقطاب نجوم كبار مثل محمد صلاح ودياز بعروض مالية مغرية، حيث يضع الهلال الفرعون المصري هدفًا أساسيًا في الصيف استعدادًا لكأس العالم للأندية.
Fulham are already in contact over a potential January addition who could be available for as little as £4m as Marco Silva’s side look to continue their early season momentum.
Fulham start Premier League season strongly
Seven games into the 24/25 Premier League campaign, Fulham are just three points outside the top four after an excellent start to the campaign under Marco Silva. Though they lost Joao Palhinha over the summer, the arrivals of Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson, Joachim Andersen and Sander Berge have all helped Fulham begin the season in strong form.
The departures of veterans such as Willian and Bobby DeCordova Reid paved the way for a revamp at Craven Cottage, and the squad have bought into the new-look regime. They have lost just twice so far this season, and even in their 3-2 defeat to reigning Premier League champions Manchester City they had excellent chances to beat the Cityzens, with Adama Traore in particular squandering a pair of fine chances.
Their only other defeat has come at Old Trafford on the opening evening of the season, where they were beaten by a late Joshua Zirkzee goal after wasting plenty of good chances of their own, and there is a real feeling of optimism around West London about where the club could finish this season.
That will be put to the test in a favourable run of games ahead, with Fulham facing two sides without a win plus struggling Everton and Brentford in their next five games.
Fulham’s next five Premier League games
Aston Villa (Home)
Everton (Away)
Brentford (Home)
Crystal Palace (Away)
Wolves (Home)
Fulham target international defender
TEAMtalk report that Marco Silva’s side have made contact with the agent of 9-cap Cameroon international defender Joyskim Dawa, who currently plies his trade for Steaua Bucharest. Standing at a massive 195cm tall (6 foot 4) the 28-year-old defender has impressed in the Europa League, something that has caught the attention of several clubs in England.
As per the report, Leeds and Everton are both also keen on signing the defender, but Fulham are the only club to have gone as far as to make contact over a potential move in the winter window. Any transfer would be relatively cheap, with Dawa having a £4m release clause in his contract with the Romanian giants.
Fulham now monitoring "outstanding" £17m Palhinha replacement open to move
He’s struggling for minutes at his current club…
ByTom Cunningham Oct 10, 2024
A strong defender, he is also handy at the other end, scoring twice in five Champions League qualifiers this season and once in nine appearances in the Romanian top flight.
Fulham signed two new centre-backs over the summer, in the shape of Andersen and Jorge Cuenca, but should Dawa continue to impress they may feel that the £4m release clause is a bargain they cannot afford to miss out on as they look to make a push for European football next season.
After failing to reinforce their backline in the summer, Newcastle United are now reportedly ready to go again in pursuit of a Serie A defender who’s attracting plenty of interest.
Newcastle transfer news
The Magpies certainly seem prepared to make up for what was an incredibly quiet summer on the transfer front. Sporting director Paul Mitchell will be well aware of just how much he and the rest of his team behind the scenes failed on the recruitment front, especially regarding their very public chase to sign Marc Guehi.
In the end, the England international stayed put at Crystal Palace as Eddie Howe was forced to settle for makeshift internal solutions amid existing injury concerns within their backline.
Newcastle now plotting move to sign "great" £34m star ahead of Arsenal
He could replace Callum Wilson…
1 ByTom Cunningham Oct 12, 2024
With plenty of making up to do, the transfer rumours have already come thick and fast, including those regarding potential moves for Jonathan David and Antoine Semenyo. The former would particularly steal the headlines given the lethal partnership that he could form with Alexander Isak at St James’ Park.
Meanwhile, Semenyo would arguably be the answer to Newcastle’s right-wing dilemma before they turn their attention towards finally adding a defensive reinforcement.
According to Milan Live, Newcastle are now ready to go again in pursuit of Fikayo Tomori in 2025, competing against the likes of Aston Villa and West Ham United for the the centre-back’s signature.
Beginning to struggle in Serie A after becoming one of the best defenders in Italy, the door could now be opened for Tomori to complete a move back to the Premier League. Leaving Chelsea in 2021, the Englishman has unfinished business in the top flight that he could complete courtesy of Newcastle in the new year.
Just 26 years old, if Tomori wasn’t ready for England’s top flight before, then he would surely be now after what has been a successful spell at Milan, all things considered.
"Outstanding" Tomori can solve Newcastle problem
Newcastle were seemingly well aware of their defensive problems during the summer window having chased Guehi for the majority of the window, only to fail in that pursuit. Now, when 2025 arrives, those at St James’ Park look set to go again in an attempt to bolster Howe’s options, this time focusing on a player who has played in the Premier League as well as Europe’s biggest stage.
With a point to prove following his Chelsea exit, Tomori could complete a Premier League return at his peak to hand Newcastle a defensive leader for years to come. It’s a rise that former manager Frank Lampard may have seen coming, even with the Blues eventually showing Tomori the door.
Lampard was full of praise for the Chelsea academy graduate after the Blues defeated Lille 2-1 in the Champions League, saying (via Metro): “Fikayo was outstanding again. He has to keep on with that.”
It wouldn’t be the first time Newcastle have explored bringing Tomori to Tyneside, either. Reports in the summer claimed that despite Milan’s then-reluctance to sell, a bid of at least €40m (£33.5m) could have been enough to initiate negotiations, according to Italian outlet CalcioMercato.
Espanyol have labelled the decision to allow Barcelona duo Dani Olmo and Pau Victor's registration a "very dangerous precedent" for Spanish football.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
National Sports Council ruled in Barca's favourOlmo & Victor are available for selectionLa Liga clubs voice discontent over rulingFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Barcelona’s financial difficulties had prevented them from registering Olmo and Victor for the second half of the season due to La Liga’s wage cap rules. Their initial request to extend the players’ eligibility was denied, prompting the club to appeal. On Wednesday, the Spanish National Sports Council (CSD) granted Barcelona an urgent precautionary measure, allowing Olmo and Victor to be available for selection until the case between the club, La Liga, and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) reaches a conclusion.
AdvertisementGettyWHAT ESPANYOL SAID
The CSD justified the move by citing potential "serious economic and sports damage" to both Barcelona and the players if the precautionary measure was not granted. However, the ruling has sparked discontent among other LaLiga clubs, with Espanyol and Atletico Madrid publicly opposing the decision. Espanyol issued a statement highlighting their apprehension about the potential impact on competitive integrity.
It read: "RCD Espanyol wishes to express its concern and worry about the situation that has arisen in Spanish football following the resolution adopted and made public by the Higher Sports Council, in the cases of FC Barcelona footballers Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor.
"The decision to grant an urgent, provisional precautionary measure until the appeal is finally resolved has created a very dangerous precedent and poses a threat to the integrity of the competition, as other clubs, as well as the RFEF and LaLiga, have denounced in various statements and communications.
"RCD Espanyol, which remains fully committed to the competition, has strictly complied with the regulations on economic control and will continue to do so, despite the tensions, limitations and difficulties that these economic rules generate.
"As has been stated in various forums, we understand that the rigorous economic control applied in recent years has ensured the sustainability of many clubs. The Sports Law itself includes and protects this economic control of LaLiga and, however, with this resolution, the norm approved and accepted by all professional clubs is put at risk.
"The main players in football in this country: LALIGA and the RFEF have maintained a common and firm position from their respective authorities throughout the process. However, the CSD has exposed and discredited both institutions with its decision. RCD Espanyol urges a review of this resolution that generates uncertainty and threatens the principles of equality and justice in the competition."
WHAT ATLETICO MADRID SAID
Whereas, Atletico Madrid wrote: "Club Atletico de Madrid wants to show its deep concern for the situation generated in Spanish football after the resolution adopted by the Consejo Superior de Deportes ["National Sports Council"] on Wednesday. We consider that this decision jeopardises the current system, questioning the rules of the game. The Ley del Deporte [‘Sports Law’] itself includes and protects La Liga's economic control and yet, with this resolution, it is put at risk.
"LaLiga's economic control has been the main tool that has managed to turn our football into a solvent sector, a process admired internationally. Our club, like all LaLiga members until this resolution, has been complying with the rules of economic control and we will continue to respect them.
"In fact, in order to be able to compete at the level we have been competing at in recent years, we have decided to carry out various capital increases, despite the enormous effort that this entails.
"This government intervention creates a very dangerous precedent, as it opens the door to circumventing the rules and repeating the serious mistakes of the past. Atlético de Madrid remains committed to rigour and responsible management. Without clear and equal rules for all, no fair competition is possible."
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
DID YOU KNOW?
Olmo, who joined from RB Leipzig for a reported €60 million (£50m), has been instrumental in the team’s attacking midfield, netting six goals in 15 appearances. Meanwhile, Victor, whose initial loan from Girona was made permanent, has featured in 17 games for the Catalan side.
Aston Villa have a fight on their hands to retain one of their up-and-coming talents, according to a new report.
The Midlands side return to Premier League action this weekend as they welcome Everton to Villa Park looking to make it three wins from their opening four games.
Monchi thinks "special" young talent can become world class at Aston Villa
He revealed he has high hopes for the youngster.
ByBen Browning Sep 10, 2024 Aston Villa eye Jonathan David
The Villans had a very busy summer, as Unai Emery was backed by the board with eight new additions, their most expensive capture being Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana. Despite the flurry of activity, Villa seemingly still have their eye on more transfer business they can conclude, but this one would be for next summer.
Aston Villa's summer signings
Amadou Onana
Everton
Ian Maatsen
Chelsea
Cameron Archer (now sold)
Sheffield United
Jaden Philogene
Hull City
Samuel Iling-Junior (now loaned)
Juventus
Lewis Dobbin (now loaned)
Everton
Enzo Barrenechea (now loaned)
Juventus
Ross Barkley
Luton Town
It has been reported that Aston Villa are one of the sides in the running to sign Jonathan David on a free transfer next summer. The Premier League side is said to have had contact with Lille this summer, but a move didn’t come to fruition. The striker is now in the final year of his contract with the French side, and he is yet to put pen to paper over a new deal, though he has indicated that he would be willing to do so.
Lille's Jonathan David
If a new deal isn’t agreed, David will become a free agent next summer, and Emery is a big fan of the forward, and therefore, Villa could be in the running to sign him on a free transfer, but they are said to also face competition from Inter Milan. While Villa look into a deal for next summer, the club have a fight on their hands right now, as they look to tie down a striker already at the club to a new contract.
Aston Villa may lose young striker in cut-price exit
According to the BBC, Aston Villa remain in contract talks with striker Rory Wilson as they try to secure his long-term future at the club. The 18-year-old is in the final year of his contract at Villa Park, and he could leave for just £228,000 in compensation if he moves to a European club.
The Premier League side is said to have tabled several contract offers to the young striker worth five years, as they want to get the contract completed before the January transfer window.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery
If a deal cannot be agreed before January, Wilson will be able to speak to clubs outside of England and sign a pre-contract should he wish to do so. The report states that several European clubs are interested in signing Wilson, with one of those being Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Wilson was in phenomenal form last season for Villa and Scotland’s under-21s, as he scored 46 goals in 52 games in all competitions, but that form has failed to get him an appearance in the first team. The 18-year-old, who joined Villa in 2022 from Rangers, has started this season in great form once again, scoring one goal in three Premier League 2 matches and will be doing his best to get a chance in the first team at some point this season.
Ruben Amorim says he had to do what was best for Manchester United after taking Joshua Zirkzee off after 33 minutes in the 2-0 loss to Newcastle.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Man Utd lost 2-0 to NewcastleZirkzee withdrawn after 33 minutesAmorim admits he had to make a changeFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Manchester United suffered yet another defeat at Old Trafford under Amorim, this time losing 2-0 to Newcastle, condemning them to 14th place in the Premier League standings. It was a disastrous first half for the Red Devils, who found themselves behind early on. It was also a night to forget for Zirkzee, with the Dutchman rarely able to complete a pass. He was subbed off after 33 minutes to loud cheers from the crowd as he headed straight down the tunnel.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT AMORIM SAID
Explaining his decision to remove the striker after the match, Amorim said: "You have to think about the team. The player is suffering during the game. We needed another midfielder. It was tough on me to do that, I talked with Joshua on that. I’m always thinking about the team. At that moment it was important for him to come out.
"I know that Josh is a really good guy. When he went to the tunnel, I can understand that some guys can be in a bad way but he is a really good lad. It is life, and we will support Josh and continue. Newcastle were better than Manchester United, they weren't better than Josh."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
As Amorim said, Zirkzee's was not the only poor performance at the Theatre of Dreams. Pundits also criticised Lisandro Martinez for his poor defending for both Newcastle goals, while the midfield pivot of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro put the hosts on the back foot from the very off as they struggled to deal with the pace and power of their opponents. United were simply outclassed by a better team who did not hesitate to hand the Red Devils their ninth loss of the season.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR ZIRKZEE AND MAN UTD?
Things do not get any easier for Zirkzee, Amorim and Co as they travel to Liverpool next Sunday. It would be a surprise to see the new United head coach line-up with two strikers again at Anfield, meaning that Zirkzee could return to the bench with Rasmus Hojlund the obvious favourite for Amorim. The Red Devils must start winning soon, or they are at serious risk of falling into a relegation battle.