Alex Hepburn, the former Worcestershire allrounder, has launched an appeal against his conviction for rape last year. The appeal is scheduled to be heard in London on June 4.Hepburn was sentenced to five years in prison in April 2019 after his conviction on one count of oral rape after a retrial at Worcestershire Crown Court.The jury heard that the victim, who was left with a post-traumatic stress disorder that included facial paralysis, had thought she was having consensual sex with Hepburn’s then county colleague Joe Clarke, in April 2017.In the course of the four-day trial, the jury heard how Hepburn had “dehumanised” women, rating them in text messages to his team-mates in a “sexual conquest competition” on the social media platform WhatsApp.Hepburn, it was alleged, had been “fired up” by the contest and took advantage of his victim after finding her alone on a mattress on the floor of the flat he shared with Clarke.During sentencing at Hereford Crown Court, Judge Jim Tindal told Hepburn: “You thought you were God’s gift to women. You saw the victim as a piece of meat, not another human entitled to respect.”ESPNcricinfo understands the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) has not assisted Hepburn in this chapter of his legal proceedings and was not aware his request for an appeal had been granted.Following the case, the PCA – with the help of funding from the ECB – established a sexual consent training workshop. Every England player, male and female, as well as players at all 18 first-class counties and all Kia Super League teams were obliged to experience the classes.Hepburn lodged an application to appeal some months ago and permission was granted on January 30. The Court of Appeal, where Hepburn’s case will be reviewed, is the second most senior court in England and Wales. It does not usually require witnesses to be recalled, but reviews the case from the records of the trial and the judge’s notes. It remains possible, however, that witnesses could be recalled.

Derby County won't be content with simply making up the numbers in the Championship next season, wanting to take the second tier by storm under Paul Warne after being a big fish in a small pond in League One for too long.

Before the Rams nearly went bust and fell all the way down to the third tier, with Mel Morris' crazy spending almost resulting in the club going under until David Clowes seized control, Derby were routinely the nearly-men just narrowly missing out on promotion to the Premier League.

Frank Lampard had assembled a fantastic squad during the 2018/19 campaign that beat Leeds United spectacularly in a playoff semi-final – with Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori lining up for Derby on loan from Chelsea – before Lampard's side unfortunately folded at Wembley to an Aston Villa side that boasted another Blues face in Tammy Abraham up top.

Florian Jozefzoon was another name in the Pride Park camp at the time who was expected to go on and do big things for the Rams, only to go down as a flop after such promising beginnings donning Derby white.

Florian Jozefzoon's transfer to Derby

Jozefzoon would end up falling victim to his own hype when moving to Derbyshire, having wowed crowds regularly at Brentford before relocating to the Rams in a bumper deal.

The 11-time Suriname international would light up the Championship prior to his failed move to Pride Park playing for the Bees, amassing seven goals and seven assists from 39 games during his final season in west London.

The ex-Bees number seven would often have fans out of their seats at Brentford with audacious strikes somehow creeping in regularly, including this free-kick stunner against Burton Albion.

Jozefzoon wasn't short of suitors for his services when his fruitful 2017/18 season was up, therefore, with Leeds United reportedly interested in the explosive attacker once upon a time alongside the eventually successful Derby.

Derby would pay way over the odds for the 5 foot 8 forward in the end, however, with Leeds thankful they weren't so rash in forking out £2.75m on a player that would end up flopping for the Rams.

This was the case far too often under the hap-hazard rule of Morris as chairman though, Derby paying an initial £3m – which would rise to £5m owing to add-ons – on former Peterborough United star Jack Marriott that same transfer window.

He would fare far better than Jozefzoon – accumulating 17 goals up top for the Rams from 86 games – but the current Wrexham face would also end up exiting down the line having lost his way towards the end of his stay in Derbyshire.

Jozefzoon's time at Derby

The mega Derby buy would initially bed in successfully to the project Lampard was spearheading, making 34 appearances for the former Rams manager during that playoff season before he would leave for Chelsea.

Jozefzoon didn't blow away anyone with his performances, with a lacklustre output of two goals and a solitary assist from those matches, but his displays were steady enough to not raise any alarm bells about him being a potential flop right away.

It was his second season in Derby colours where things began to unravel, with Jozefzoon unable to hold down a consistent first-team spot under new boss Philip Cocu's management away from Lampard.

He would constantly find himself out of the first-team picture under the Dutchman, despite previously being on the books at PSV Eindhoven with Cocu, and would end up making only 14 appearances during the 2019/20 season and picking up just one dismal assist to show for his troubles during this frustrating period of his Rams career.

It would prove to be his final full campaign for Derby, moving on to Rotherham United on loan for the 2020/21 campaign before then leaving for good to play in France with US Quevilly-Rouen Métropole.

That move to the Ligue 2 side wouldn't cost a single penny in transfer fees for his new French employers, with Derby burning wads of cash in retrospect signing the failed Rams winger for a hefty £2.75m.

Derby's more staunch approach to spending now really exposes how much money they wasted on duds during this time period, with the likes of Sonny Bradley and more all joining as free agents and going on to become promotion icons under Warne this campaign.

Derby hit the jackpot signing star for £0 who's now worth more than Sibley

Derby County will have this hero in their ranks to thank if they manage to seal promotion back up to the Championship.

ByKelan Sarson Apr 16, 2024 What Jozefzoon is doing in 2024

The now 33-year-old winger is still hanging onto his playing career, featuring for Bandirmaspor in the Turkish second division and showing that there's still life in his ageing legs with four goals and six assists from 26 matches.

Even with the ex-Derby flop still enjoying his football in the twilight of his career, his transfer worth has fallen all the way down to a low sum of just £85k according to Football Transfers.

That's even lower than the likes of James Collins for Derby, who is also staring the possibility of an oncoming retirement straight in the face at 33 years of age.

Yet, the former Luton Town man is still as prolific as ever with 18 strikes bagged in all competitions this season from 45 games.

Collins is worth just £343k, which is around £250k more than Jozefzoon remarkably even with the former PSV man once costing £2.75m, with Warne and Co no doubt trying to squeeze as much as they can out of the experienced centre-forward before he inevitably hangs up his boots soon.

1. Max Bird

£1.8m

2. Eiran Cashin

£1.5m

3. Ryan Nyambe

£1.3m

4. Curtis Nelson

£1m

5. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing

£773k

Sourced by Football Transfers

Jozefzoon's fee back in 2018 would also see him come in as Derby's highest valued asset currently, showing the more methodical approach Derby now operate under especially with Max Bird and Eiran Cashin potentially making Warne's men millions after developing in their academy structure.

Warne will know that the step-up to the Championship will be initially tricky to traverse, having been relegated from the division multiple times as Rotherham United manager in the past, but he will hope this Derby side is different and can kick on even more to become a challenger for promotion up to the Premier League again.

Market Movers

Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?

Aston Villa are in talks to sell a young attacker in a permanent transfer, according to a new report.

Aston Villa transfer rumours

Unai Emery is on course to lead Villa to a top-four Premier League finish in his first full season in the Midlands, guaranteeing Champions League football in the process.

The Spaniard has been backed by NSWE in the transfer market with big-money deals for Pau Torres and Moussa Diaby, and that could continue over the summer, with a plethora of players being linked with a move to Villa Park.

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Recently, reports have claimed that Villa are preparing an offer for Besiktas midfielder Ernest Muci which has been approved by Emery, whereas they are seemingly set to pounce upon Spanish free agent Mario Hermoso at the request of their manager.

Other targets include Crystal Palace star Michael Olise and Villarreal’s Alex Baena, however, there could be some departures, with talks underway over one potential exit.

Aston Villa in talks to sell attacker

According to TEAMtalk, Stockport County have opened talks with Aston Villa over a permanent transfer for Louie Barry. The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at Edgeley Park and contributed to 13 League Two goals in 20 appearances before suffering a hamstring injury that kept him out of the remainder of the campaign.

Stockport won the fourth-tier title and are now looking to land Barry on a full-time basis, however, a number of Championship clubs are also eyeing the Villa gem.

Since joining Villa’s academy back in 2020 from Barcelona, Barry has been out on loan with Ipswich Town, Swindon Town, MK Dons, Salford City and Stockport. He’s made just one senior appearance for Villa, scoring in an FA Cup defeat to Liverpool in 2021, with his best campaign in front of goal coming with Stockport.

After signing Barry on loan last season, Stockport’s Director of Football, Simon Wilson, waxed lyrical over the Villa attacker, saying: “We are delighted to secure Louie for the upcoming season, and feel he will add attributes we do not have in the group.

"He is an outstanding one v one player who can scare the life out of defenders. We want to be a team that has different types of tools to win games; this was something we felt we needed, and we believe Louie is one of the best around.”

Manager Dave Challinor is also a fan of the player, adding: “We’ve had to be really patient, but that’s been rewarded by Louie now being at the club. He was our top target in his position, and for him and Aston Villa to choose us as his next destination is really pleasing.”

The pair could therefore be delighted if Villa agree to sell Barry to Stockport in a permanent transfer, making this one to watch.

MatériaMais Notícias

A torcida do Corinthians está empolgada com o volume de possíveis contratações do clube para esta temporada. Uma delas é o volante Paulinho, que está livre no mercado e conversa com os dirigentes corintianos. No entanto, com proposta de fora do país e muita coisa a pesar na decisão, ele se manifestou de forma dupla nesta quinta-feira sobre essas possibilidades.

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GALERIA
> Jemerson e Otero dão adeus! Veja quem já deixou o Corinthians em 2021

Primeiramente, ele usou seu Instagram para esclarecer o que tem levado em conta para definir o seu destino. Além disso, ele rebateu uma reportagem do Meu Timão sobre sua esposa ser um dos fatores que impediriam uma volta ao Timão neste momento. O volante fez questão de dizer o quanto o fator família será decisivo na escolha. Confira:

“Minha carreira sempre foi pautada por relações profissionais respeitosas e leais, por isso me causou indignação o texto que o repórter Rodrigo Vessoni publicou no site Meu Timão. O Corinthians é um clube onde sempre fui muito bem recebido, onde me sinto respeitado e querido. Sou grato por tudo que vivi e ainda vivo por causa do Corinthians.

Expor a minha família da forma como foi feito na publicação (inclusive citando o nome dos meus filhos menores de idade) é completamente inaceitável e inconsequente”.

Além de falar por meio de seu Instagram, Paulinho concedeu entrevista ao canal “Bem Posicionados”, do YouTube. Lá ele admitiu conversas com o Corinthians e revelou que não há nada definido, mas também não descartou a possibilidade de defender outro clube no Brasil, se optar a jogar no país.

-Houve conversa com o Corinthians, a gente conversou bastante, vem conversando. Não tem como (não conversar), por tudo o que o Corinthians fez por mim, mas sempre deixei claro que não tenho nada definido.

-Pode talvez soar de um jeito que as pessoas não entendam, mas é a minha vida. Eu construí uma história bacana dentro do Corinthians, mas nada impede, se vier uma proposta bacana de outro clube, eu falar: ‘Vou pensar, acho que é bom para mim, minha família’ – declarou.

Paulinho também admitiu que recebeu propostas de fora do país e quer definir o mais rápido possível a sua vida para poder voltar a treinar e ser integrado ao seu novo clube o quanto antes, no entanto sempre com cautela. Por fim, ele esclareceu que em momento algum descartou voltar a jogar no Brasil.

– Surgiram opções fora do Brasil: Europa, mundo árabe. Eu estou pensando bastante para poder tomar uma decisão. Ainda tem um certo tempo para definir, mas estou tentando definir o mais rápido possível, até para fazer pré-temporada dependendo de onde for, se for Europa, ou mundo árabe, ou Brasil, quero definir o mais rápido possível – declarou antes de completar:

-Muita gente diz que eu não quero mais o Brasil. Não é isso. O que eu tenho que fazer é tomar uma decisão e eu não posso mais tomar uma decisão equivocada. Eu vou fazer 33 anos. Falam que sou jovem, sou novo, mas não posso me equivocar. Tenho família, esposa, meus pais. Tenho que colocar tudo isso na balança e decidir se é melhor ficar no Brasil ou ir para fora. Tenho que ter muita cautela e calma para definir para não ser precipitado.

O Corinthians segue as conversas com Paulinho, mas sabe que a situação é difícil e que há uma preferência por atuar ainda no futebol europeu. A contratação não está descartada, mas neste momento é vista como “muito improvável”. A diretoria alvinegra vê Giuliano e Renato Augusto mais próximos de um acerto com clube, que pode ocorrer já nas próximas semanas.

continua após a publicidade

Leeds United will be aiming to get rid of some deadwood at Elland Road in the summer, especially if Daniel Farke's men secure promotion up to the Premier League.

Liam Cooper's forlorn expression at the final whistle of the Whites' emphatic second-leg victory against Southampton suggests that the decorated Whites servant will be a likely casualty pushed out of the door in the summer, the German boss giving the 32-year-old a run-out late on in the 4-0 win to allow him to lap up the appreciation of the Leeds masses come full-time.

There will be upgrades already in the mind for the promotion hopefuls to fill the gap of the long-standing member of the Leeds squad exiting, with Joe Rodon an obvious permanent buy the West Yorkshire outfit will be looking to get over the line.

Their success rate with targets could well depend on whether they return to the Premier League or stay put in the Championship, however, with a swoop also being lined up for this exciting centre-back according to reports.

Leeds looking at Gent defender

As per Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Leeds are eyeing up a potential swoop for Gent centre-back Jordan Torunarigha when their rollercoaster season is over, with interest also coming in the form of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.

The Nigeria international would cost Farke's Whites in the region of £2.5m to acquire his services from his current Belgian employers, as per Plettenberg, a deal that would, for instance, eclipse the £1.3m spent on current talisman, Crysencio Summerville.

Formerly on the books at Hertha Berlin, Leeds will have to sell the club to Torunarigha so he doesn't just opt to return back to these comforts in the Bundesliga, where he picked up six goals and five assists from 81 games.

The forward-thinking defender could well suit Leeds' style of play, seen in Rodon gradually playing out from the back this season, having amassed an impressive four goals and five assists with Gent over 102 games by being a measured operator on the ball.

It could now be a case of out with the old and in with the new regarding the ex-Hertha Berlin man, with Cooper struggling at points this season when called into action and he could really hinder Leeds back up in the Premier League if kept around.

How Torunarigha compares to Cooper

Described as being "one of the best" defenders in the game by ex-Gent teammate Gift Orban back in September, who further elaborated that the 26-year-old defender is "very good" on the ball alongside his combative duties at the back, Cooper would be bumped down the Whites pecking order even more with Torunarigha's arrival onto the scene.

Comparing the two defenders on FBref, the £2.5m-rated titan would be a smart acquisition to make with his progressive passes statistic over the last year – coming in at five per 90 – even bettering Rodon's 4.35 in contrast despite the wantaway Tottenham Hotspur defender being touted for a move in and around the £10-15m ballpark.

Torunarigha vs Cooper – FBref stats over the last year

Stat – per 90 mins

Torunarigha

Cooper

Shot-creating actions

1.12

0.51

Passes attempted

62.70

88.47

Pass completion %

83.5%

89.9%

Progressive passes

5.00

4.59

Progressive carries

1.51

0.26

Successful take-ons

0.35

0.13

Touches (attacking penalty area)

0.91

0.76

Tackles

2.46

1.27

Stats via FBref

Bettering Cooper as well in many key aspects in the table above, surprisingly trumping the 32-year-old in the tackles department to back up Orban's claims of the Gent defender being a well-rounded player, the 6 foot 3 Torunarigha could also be an ideal player to bring in if Leeds cannot strike a permanent deal with Rodon.

It will be an exit tinged with a lot of sadness when Leeds do move on Cooper, but with the likes of Torunarigha available on the cheap, any disappointment about the ageing defender's exit would soon be quelled.

Before any concrete talks take place, however, the Whites – led by 20-goal hero, Summerville – will aim to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking against Southampton to control what deals can and cannot happen.

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Sunderland will, when the curtain falls on the Championship season at the start of May, just write this campaign off as a misstep on the way to greater success down the line.

Mike Dodds has failed to reinvigorate a group who were down on their luck already managed by Michael Beale, with the interim boss almost a certainty to step down at the end of the season having overseen a poor mid-table finish.

The team, looking at the future, could well be moulded around the exploits of 18-year-old Jobe Bellingham going forward, who has still managed to excel with seven goals in the Championship despite his team's dire standing in the division.

Staggeringly, when Sunderland were competing with the top dogs in the Premier League, one horrendous flop was earning nearly four times Bellingham's wage even whilst firing blanks for the Black Cats.

Ignacio Scocco's record at Sunderland

Signed under the tenure of Gustavo Poyet – who would only pick up 23 wins from his 75 games in charge – Ignacio Scocco undoubtedly goes down as a major dud from this period that did initially raise eyebrows.

The Argentine attacker would join for a bumper £3m mid-way through the 2013/14 campaign, joining the Wearside outfit alongside fellow flop Jozy Altidore who struggled to settle in his new surroundings much like Scocco.

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Altidore would at least manage to find the back of the net three times as one of the new strikers on the block after joining, with Scocco failing to ever score for Sunderland during his troubled couple of months at the Stadium of Light.

The South American centre-forward would only make eight appearances for the Black Cats, before returning to his native Argentina with Newell's Old Boys as a bad mistake on Sunderland's end.

On top of costing Sunderland an extortionate £3m, Scocco's wage would have burnt a hole in the Wearside club's pocket even from such a short time in England with his wage far greater than Bellingham's own pay packet currently.

Ignacio Scocco's wage at Sunderland

Scocco would end up costing his then Premier League side £25k-per-week during his turbulent spell at the Stadium of Light, exposing how much money the Black Cats wasted on failures when still playing in the top flight.

Bellingham earns just £6.5k-per-week in contrast, clamouring for an eventual pay increase next season as his importance to the Sunderland cause only grows heading into a more promising campaign on the horizon.

Scocco would rise to the top of Sunderland's high earner list with his bumper £25k-per-week pay packet looking at the table above, pipping Jack Clarke to top spot even whilst the former Tottenham Hotspur winger has bagged 15 goals from 40 appearances this season.

Anthony Patterson also earns £15k-per-week less than Scocco, despite being an everpresent member of the Sunderland team this campaign through all the ups and downs.

Sunderland will have learnt their lesson about splashing obscene amounts of cash looking back at the likes of Scocco, moving towards an approach where the promising youngsters at the club are front and centre.

Bellingham could well become even more of a star for the Black Cats if he can steer them to a promotion push next season, whilst Scocco continues to enjoy his retirement without ever really thinking about his woes at Sunderland.

Wage Burners

Football FanCast's Wage Burners series explores the salaries of the modern-day game.

It was looking like a frustrating night for the hosts before Ronaldo stepped up with his 901st career goal.

Portugal fought back from a goal down to beat Scotland 2-1 in the UEFA Nations League in front of a packed-out crowd in Lisbon, with Cristiano Ronaldo ending up as the hero after stepping off the bench at half-time.

Scotland got off on the front foot, going in front early through Scott McTominay, who scored a trademark goal from a late run into the box to the shock of all the home fans watching on in the Estadio da Luz. Unsurprisingly, Portugal had almost all of the ball following the opener and the Tartan Army were determined to defend for their lives, keeping out 16 shots in the first half, the most they have faced in 45 minutes since 2012.

But their defensive work was undone early in the second half as Bruno Fernandes struck a sweet first-time strike provided by Rafael Leao into the bottom corner to level the scoreline, albeit with the help of some questionable goalkeeping from Scotland No.1 Angus Gunn.

And there was time for a classic Ronaldo winner off the bench as the Al-Nassr striker grabbed his 901st career goal to win the game for his side after stealing in to meet a teasing Nuno Mendes cross from close range.

GOAL rates Portugal's players from Estadio da Luz…

• AFP
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Diogo Costa (8/10):

  Virtually no action troubled the Porto goalkeeper other than the Scotland goal.

  Nelson Semedo (6/10):

  Was not as impactful as his full-back partner Mendes, despite not having much defensive work to do.

  Ruben Dias (7/10):

  Played every Scotsman onside for their early goal but did not have much to do after that.

  Antonio Silva (7/10):

  Contributed more in the attacking third than in his own defensive one. Launched into a couple of commanding runs that put Portugal into a good position.

  Nuno Mendes (8/10):

  Had a bright game at left-back, charging forward and having several good efforts on goal as well as providing a perfect cross for Ronaldo's winner.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Midfield

  Bruno Fernandes (8/10):

  Looked like a man on a mission after going down early and took his goal superbly with his weaker foot.

  Joao Palhinha (6/10):

  Did not do a lot wrong but was unable to provide an attacking threat as his side chased the game in the second half. Was taken off at half-time.

  Bernardo Silva (6/10):

  Did not have his regular influence on the game and was replaced with 25 minutes to go as a result.

• AFP
  

  Attack

  Pedro Neto (6/10):

  Like Bernardo, struggled to make a dent, particularly against Liverpool's Andy Robertson and was hooked ahead of the second half.

  Diogo Jota (6/10):

  Was wasteful with the chances he did get in the final third and was generally below his usual standards.

  Rafael Leao (8/10):

  Was comfortably Portugal's best player before coming off and on another night he could have had a hat-trick.

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• Getty
  

  Subs & Manager

  Ruben Neves (7/10):

  Got stuck in off the bench, breaking up a number of Scotland counter-attacks in the second half.

  Cristiano Ronaldo (9/10):

  Naturally became the main man when introduced off the bench, nearly providing a brilliant assist and also hitting the post in the final 10 minutes before netting the eventual winner.

  Joao Neves (7/10):

  Swept up well as Portugal pushed on and was a nuisance in midfield.

  Joao Felix (8/10):

  Saw a one-on-one to make it 2-1 saved in and then forced a fantastic save out of Angus Gunn.

  Diogo Dalot (6/10):

  Did not see much from the Manchester United man during his time on the pitch.

  Roberto Martinez (8/10):

  Made all five of his subs in the second half, including some half-time changes, which paid off with the late winner from the age-defying Ronaldo.

أكد سامي الشيشيني مدير الكرة في نادي البنك الأهلي، أن الفريق قدم مباراة جيدة أمام الأهلي، مشيرًا إلى أن الحصول على نقطة من المارد الأحمر هي من “فم الأسد”.

وانتهت مباراة الأهلي مع البنك الأهلي، بالتعادل السلبي، في المباراة التي أقيمت مساء الأحد، ضمن منافسات الجولة الرابعة من بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وقال الشيشيني خلال تصريحات عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورت” لبرنامج “ملعب أون تايم:: “حصلنا على نقطة من فم الأسد، كنا نُعاني من ضغوط بعد خسارة مباراتين أمام الزمالك وبيراميدز والتعادل مع فاركو، ونقطة أمام الأهلي جاءت في وقتها، قرعة الفريق صعبة جدًا”.

وأضاف: “تألق مصطفى شوبير وحصوله على جائزة أفضل لاعب في المباراة، دليل على أن البنك الأهلي كان جيدا ووصل بأكثر من فرصة”.

وتابع: “قبل اللقاء، طارق مصطفى المدير الفني لـ البنك الأهلي، درس الأهلي بشكل جيد، الغيابات ساعدتنا مثل وسام أبو علي وإمام عاشور”.

وواصل: “حتى قميص الأهلي اشتغلنا عليه، لاعبو البنك كانوا يريدون أن يلعبوا بالقميص الأسود، لكن طارق مصطفى قال سنرتدي البرتقالي، لأن الأهلي عندما يرتدي القميص الأحمر يكون مرعباً لأي خصم، لكن عندما يرتدي الأهلي قميصا أخر يكون فريقا عاديا، نحن لم نشعر بأي فارق بين لاعبي الفريقين، وفي أوقات كنا أفضل”.

وأردف: “اللاعبون أحيانًا يخافون من قميص الأهلي الأحمر، بالتأكيد القميص له عامل كبير، عدم ارتداء الأهلي للقميص الأحمر فرق نفسيًا مع لاعبي البنك الأهلي”.

طالع | ترتيب الدوري المصري بعد تعادل الأهلي أمام البنك الأهلي

واستطرد: “غياب وسام وطاهر وإمام كان مفيدًا لنا، ووسام رقم واحد، الأهلي وصل اليوم بـ 3 أو 4 فرص وإذا وسام كان موجودا كان سينهي المباراة”.

واستمر: “الأهلي والزمالك وبيراميدز لن يفوزوا بكل مبارياتهم القادمة، لأن هذا الدوري أصعب دوري في تاريخ مصر، والتعادلات ستكون كثيرة، وكل الفرق سيكون عندها شراسة ولن تخسر بسهولة”.

وأتم: “أحمد ياسر يعاني من كسر في الترقوة وسيركب شريحة، والإصابة ستستغرق من شهرين ونصف لثلاثة”.

Unai Emery's first port of call after finishing his first full season at the Aston Villa helm appears to be signing former loanee Ross Barkley from relegated Premier League rivals Luton Town.

Barkley, aged 30, has enjoyed quite the resurgence on English shores after losing his way these past several years, starting just ten league matches over the past two league campaigns with Chelsea and Nice (on loan in France), yet now hailed for being "not far off Player of the Season" by Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson.

This is a shrewd move for an experienced and cultured midfielder who will add depth and dynamism to a team preparing for the raised bar of competing among Europe's elite, but supporters will hope for further, more lucrative deals to follow.

Though Villa have enjoyed immense success, some outgoings will be required to stay in line with Premier League Profit and Sustainability rules, but if certain blocks are shifted then an exciting new name could wind up in the Midlands.

Villa lining up marquee move

As per journalist Graeme Bailey, Aston Villa have joined Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City in registering an interest in Paris Saint-Germain's Xavi Simons, who starred on loan with RB Leipzig in Germany this season.

PSG are expected to list Simons for loan once again this summer but could be tempted to sell if an acceptable offer is put forth, with previous reports suggesting that a sum of €60m (£52m) might do the trick.

The report does stress that Simons' preference is to move to Barcelona, having cut his teeth in La Masia's fabled academy, but whether the financially stricken giants have the means to bring the 21-year-old back remains to be seen at this stage.

Xavi Simons' season in numbers

An incredible, multi-functioning wide forward, Simons exceeded expectations with Leipzig last season and clinched ten goals and 15 assists from 45 matches in all competitions, placed alongside Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz and Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala as one of the Bundesliga's "three crazy attacking talents" – as per Jacek Kulig.

His versatility and ability to maintain potency wherever he is deployed make him a weapon of singular devastation, allowing Emery to deploy him where he sees fit to cater to the needs of the forthcoming fixture.

Left winger

23

5

7

Right winger

18

5

5

Attacking midfield

2

0

3

During his German Bundesliga campaign, the 13-cap Netherlands international scored eight goals and provided 11 assists from 32 matches, as per Sofascore, creating 14 big chances, completing 82% of his passes and averaging 2.5 key passes, 2.6 dribbles, 5.2 ball recoveries and 6.3 successful duels per game.

He's truly shaping into one of the elite forwards of his generation, and Villa would hand him the freedom to cement a spot as the attacking fulcrum of an outfit on the rise, perhaps reflecting his own burgeoning potential.

Let's illustrate that point.

As per FBref, Simons ranks among the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 4% for shot-creating actions, the top 11% for progressive passes, the top 19% for progressive carries and the top 15% for successful take-ons per 90.

This level of offensive quality highlights the reason some of Europe's most illustrious teams are desperate to bring him to their stadium, and Villa must surely throw the kitchen sink at getting the deal over the line, with Simons even dubbed a "superstar" by journalist Antonio Mango.

It might require sacrifice, but perhaps that's simply part and parcel of rising through the levels to secure a spot at the forefront of the continental game.

Indeed, while it would not be the most popular move Emery has enforced since succeeding Steven Gerrard in the Villa Park dugout, it might be the right time to sell Jacob Ramsey, especially given Simons would mark an almighty upgrade.

How Villa can sign Xavi Simons

Aston Villa might be in the pink in many ways but there is indeed an underlying caveat that summer transfer activity must be conducted with financial fair play rules in mind.

Simons might be an option for permanent or (initially) short-term transfer but there's little question that he would improve Emery's team, and every effort must be exhausted in bringing him to Villa Park.

But perhaps a sale would facilitate the move. While it would be met with division, Villa must consider cashing in on Ramsey to fund Simons' signing, and given that Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United are involved in a tussle for his services, as per The Telegraph, it might open up the switch.

Villa's boyhood star, who is 22, has impressed in recent years but suffered an injury-affected season as his peers forged a path toward the Champions League, starting just eight Premier League matches and last featuring at the beginning of March – providing just one goal and one assist in 2023/24.

But he's still an excellent talent, predicted to bloom into a “top-class” player in the future by pundit Jamie Carragher, performing wonderfully last season, scoring six goals and supplying seven assists from 31 top-flight starts, as per Sofascore, completing 84% of his passes and averaging 1.2 key passes, two tackles and 4.6 successful duels per fixture.

Ramsey's obvious talent actually makes a deeper argument toward initiating the dynamic midfielder's sale, with David Ornstein even revealing back in January that Villan bosses hold an opinion that they could bring in as much as £50m for the player's departure, something that might not hold the same weight after his recent injury issues but nonetheless speaks of his pedigree.

Ramsey's brother, Aaron, was sold in similar circumstances last summer, joining Burnley for a fee in excess of £12m, and given that his homegrown status would hand Villa pure profit, this could be the ruthless move to make to ensure that the rise continues and Emery is provided with the perfect tools to crafter even greater success next season, and beyond.

Villa chasing £17m Watkins partner who's a better dribbler than Grealish

Unai Emery could score a big hit by signing this exciting talent this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair May 23, 2024

While the likes of Arsenal and Man City also appear ready to pounce, Villa would be wise to use their newfound Champions League status to do all they can to tempt Simons into making the move to the Midlands.

Cristiano Ronaldo sent his best wishes to Al-Nassr team-mates as he misses out on the club's AFC Champions League opener on Monday.

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Ronaldo shares message for team-mates and fansMisses out on AFC Champions League openerAl-Nassr face Al-Shorta in Baghdad on MondayWHAT HAPPENED?

The 39-year-old has been ruled out of the AFC Champions League clash against Iraq's Al-Shorta on Monday after being diagnosed with a viral infection. Ronaldo was advised to rest in Riyadh and as a result, he did not travel with the Al-Nassr squad to Baghdad.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Ahead of the Saudi club's AFC Champions League opener on Monday, the Portuguese icon sent his best wishes to his team-mates and also shared a message for his fans in Iraq who were eager to catch a glimpse of their idol.

WHAT CRISTIANO RONALDO SAID

Taking to Instagram, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star uploaded a team photo on his story and wrote, "Wishing my teammates the best of luck for the game and special message to all my fans in Iraq. Hope to see you all soon."

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR CRISTIANO RONALDO?

The veteran forward will hope to recover before the club's next Saudi Pro League game which is against Al-Ettifaq on Friday night.