تحدث الإعلامي أحمد شوبير، عن الكواليس المثيرة الخاصة بركلتي الجزاء في مباراة الأهلي والزمالك، مُشيرًا إلى اعتراض الجميع على تقدم محمود حسن تريزيجيه لتسديد الركلة التي احتسبت للمارد الأحمر.

واستطاع النادي الأهلي تحويل تأخره بهدف إلى الفوز بثنائي أمام الزمالك، في المباراة التي جمعتهما، مساء أمس الاثنين، ضمن منافسات الجولة التاسعة من عمر مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وقال شوبير في برنامجه الإذاعي صباح اليوم الثلاثاء: “الزمالك احتُسبت له ركلة جزاء بعدما كانت الكرة في متناول ياسين مرعي، لكن عدي الدباغ استحوذ على الكرة منه، وياسين كان يسيطر على الكرة، قدمه عَدَّت فضربه وأسقطه، وبالتالي ركلة جزاء صحيحة مليون في المئة”.

طالع أيضًا | حسين الشحات: ما فعله ياسر إبراهيم قبل القمة وراء فوز الأهلي.. وتوقعت التسجيل في شباك الزمالك

وتابع: “ركلة جزاء النادي الأهلي كانت بالكربون، حسين الشحات استحوذ على الكرة من محمود بنتايج، وأخذها بصدره، ولاعب الزمالك كان في طريقه لتسديد الكرة، لكن صدر حسين الشحات كان أقرب، فلم يتردد الحكم الإسباني في احتساب ركلة الجزاء”.

وأضاف شوبير: “مع احتساب ركلة الجزاء للأهلي بدأت بعض الأصوات داخل الملعب وخارجه تعترض على تسديد تريزيجيه، وسمعنا كثيراً (بلاش تريزيجيه يشوط)، لكنه أكد لهم: أنا الذي سأسدد”.

واختتم: “لدي معلومة مؤكدة بنسبة ألف في المئة: تريزيجيه كان قبل المباراة يسأل بعض زملائه: (لو جت بينالتي، أشوطها فين؟). لقد كان يتوقع فعلاً أن يحصل الفريق على ركلة جزاء، وكان قد اتخذ القرار أن يسدد، وبالفعل سددها في وسط المرمى وسجل الهدف الثاني للأهلي، لتنفجر مدرجات جماهير النادي الأهلي بفرحة عارمة وسعادة لا توصف”.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Santos enfrenta o América-MG neste sábado (29), na Vila Belmiro, em jogo válido pela 3ª rodada do Brasileirão. Ambos clubes buscam a primeira vitória na competição. Ao analisar o retrospecto do confronto, o Peixe tem resultados recentes ruins diante do Coelho.

Nos últimos seis jogos, o Alvinegro Praiano só venceu um duelo. Sem empates no confronto, o América-MG levou a melhor nas outras cinco vezes.

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A única vitória do Peixe ocorreu no ano passado, por 3 a 0. Na ocasião, Marcos Leonardo abriu o placar, e Zanocelo fez dobradinha para selar o marcador.

No histórico do confronto, o Santos possui uma leve vantagem contra o Coelho. Em 24 confrontos, o Peixe venceu doze vezes, empatou em três oportunidades e o América-MG conquistou a vitória em nove ocasiões.

No Brasileirão, as duas primeiras rodadas não foram tão boas para os clubes. O Alvinegro Praiano perdeu diante do Grêmio e empatou com o Galo. Enquanto isso, o time mineiro sofreu duas derrotas por 3 a 0, uma contra o Fluminense e outra diante do São Paulo.

SANTOS X AMÉRICA-MG (ÚLTIMOS SEIS DUELOS)

– América-MG1 x 0 Santos (Brasileirão 2022)
– Santos 3 x 0 América-MG (Brasileirão 2022)
– Santos 0 x 2 América-MG(Brasileirão 2021)
– América-MG 2 x 0 Santos (Brasileirão 2021)
– América-MG 2 x 1 Santos (Brasileirão 2018)
– Santos 0 x 1 América-MG (Brasileirão 2018)

As they aim to spend big once again this summer, Manchester United could yet add to their summer funds after a Champions League club opened talks to sign one of their want-away forwards.

Man Utd agree blockbuster Sesko deal

After missing out on European football and finishing as low as 15th, Manchester United were expected to struggle in the transfer market this summer. May believed that the United name, alone, would struggle to attract players and a record low in the Premier League was thought to be a drop too far for players of a certain calibre to even consider.

As it turns out, however, that assumption couldn’t have been more wrong. The Theatre of Dreams remains exactly that for a number of players rather than the nightmare it has become for certain stars and Ruben Amorim’s side have welcomed some much-needed improvements as a result.

First through the door was Matheus Cunha before Bryan Mbeumo soon followed to take the Red Devils’ spending to around the £120m-mark and now their most impressive arrival yet is reportedly on his way.

Newcastle United had the Champions League advantage and, at this stage, it wouldn’t be absurd to suggest that they have the more attractive project. What they don’t have, however, is the Manchester United name; the history of Old Trafford and a reputation as one of the most successful clubs in world football which made Benjamin Sesko’s decision for him.

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The RB Leipzig forward’s arrival is likely to take United’s spending to around £180m, which could yet see the Red Devils turn to the transfer market to sell several unwanted stars this month.

Benfica open talks to sign Antony

One of the players likely to leave this month is Antony, but whilst it seemed as though a return to Real Betis was on the cards, another side have now entered the fray. According to CNN Portugal, as relayed by Sport Witness, Benfica have now opened talks to sign Antony in an unexpected hijack ahead of Betis before the window slams shut at the start of next month.

INEOS have been ‘messed around’ by Betis this summer, meaning they are delighted more clubs are now entering a potential bidding war.

The Brazilian enjoyed a revived spell on loan at the La Liga club last season, but they have so far been unable to agree a second spell. Leaving the door ajar for other suitors to come swooping in, Benfica are now reportedly negotiating a loan deal which will see them buy a percentage of the winger. United, unsurprisingly, would prefer such an offer.

Dubbed a “special case” by Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini, Antony will be desperate to seal a move away from Manchester United this summer. Whether he’s willing to take a pay-cut from his reported £200,000-a-week (£10m-a-year) salary to do so may well be another question, however.

This summer is shaping up to be one to remember for Arsenal.

The Premier League season is still over a week away from getting back underway, and Mikel Arteta has already got most of the players he would’ve wanted through the door.

Crucially, Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres are now with the team and getting to grips with what the manager wants them to do, as the former’s control and the latter’s goals could play a massive part in the Gunners’ fortunes next season.

With that said, there is still time for the club to go out and make another statement signing, and while Eberechi Eze has been the name in the headlines for the North Londoners, they might be better off going for another star they’ve been linked with, a star who’d be an Alexander Isak-level acquisition.

Arsenal's pursuit of Eze

There are still plenty of options on the market for Arsenal to bolster and improve their squad this summer, but it would be fair to say Eze seems to be the player Arteta and Co are most interested in.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

There were links to the Englishman as far back as last summer, but they really began to pick up steam earlier this window.

It was several weeks ago that we learned the North Londoners had been in contact with the player and his camp. Shortly after, it was revealed that he was set on moving to the Emirates.

However, the Crystal Palace star has a release clause worth around £67.5m in his current contract, and according to reports from late last month, the Eagles want at least £30m of it in an upfront payment.

Understandably, the Gunners aren’t particularly keen on spending such a sum of money in one go this summer, and are now waiting until the release clause expires on August 15th to make their move.

It could end up being quite the complicated transfer to get over the line, so instead, Arsenal might be better off going all out for Morgan Rogers in an Isak-esque deal.

Why Rogers would be an Isak-level transfer

Now, while Rogers is not being heavily linked with Arsenal at this moment in time, he has been touted for a move to the Emirates multiple times already this summer.

In fact, the Aston Villa star has been touted for moves to several sides since the window opened, although with a price tag of potentially up to £100m, it would be a difficult transfer to get over the line.

Moreover, this lofty price is one of the many reasons Rogers’ potential move could be described as being Isak-like, as at the moment, it does feel like the Newcastle United star could be on his way to Liverpool for anything from £120m all the way up to £150m.

Another key similarity is that, like the Magpies’ superstar striker, the former Middlesbrough gem is undoubtedly one of Villa’s most important players, and just as his exit would seriously damage their team, his arrival would massively bolster the Gunners.

For example, in 54 appearances last season, totalling 4496 minutes, the Halesowen-born “machine,” as dubbed by The Athletic’s Jacob, put the ball in the back of the net 14 times and provided 15 assists for good measure.

Rogers in 24/25
Appearances	54
Minutes	4496′
Goals	14
Assists	15
Goal Involvements per Match	0.53
Minutes per Goal Involvement	155.03′
All Stats via Transfermarkt

That means the 23-year-old game-changer was able to maintain a goal involvement every 1.86 games, or every 155.03 minutes, which is a supremely impressive effort, especially as just a couple of years ago he was plying his trade in the Championship.

Finally, while he’s not won anywhere near as many caps as the Swedish international, the phenomenal Villa star is starting to become a regular in senior English squads and has already won six caps, with plenty more on the horizon.

Ultimately, it would be a seriously difficult and costly transfer to get over the line this summer, but if the Reds are able to sign Isak, then we see no reason why Arsenal couldn’t pull off a comparative deal for Rogers.

Saka & Rodrygo hybrid: Arsenal in contact to sign "amazing" £61m sensation

The talented international would add some real class to Arsenal’s squad.

2

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Aug 4, 2025

Almost exactly 100 years since Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe became the first pair to achieve it in Test cricket, the Afghanistan pair of Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi batted out a full day of a Test match without being dismissed. In the process, Rahmat became the holder of Afghanistan’s highest Test score (231*), Shahidi struck his second Test ton (141*), and the pair comfortably broke the record for Afghanistan’s best Test partnership (361). All in all, their addition of 330 runs across 95 overs on the third day has taken Afghanistan to 425 for 2, now only 161 behind Zimbabwe’s 586.Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo ranks among one of the best places to bat among Test venues, and Zimbabwe’s first-innings score across the first two days suggested a placid third-day surface, which it was, barring the occasional ball that stayed low.The Zimbabwe bowlers were made to grind by the strong defensive game showed by Rahmat and Shahidi, but they were also let down by their fielding. There were atleast four catches dropped, all off Rahmat, along with a few half-chances. Both spin and pace proved ineffective to get a breakthrough, and the set batters pounced on the loose deliveries from the inexperienced bowlers, a regular occurrence through the day.Starting the day afresh from an overnight partnership of 31 and staring at a mammoth 491-run deficit, Rahmat took a single in the first over of the day to bring up his fifty. But some disciplined bowling from Blessing Muzarabani and Trevor Gwandu kept the run-scoring in check. It took 12 overs for the day’s first boundary when Rahmat picked up one, by cutting left-arm spinner Sean Williams for four, and it would be a ploy he would use against all three Zimbabwe spinners. With no variable turn off the pitch, the pair could also trust their game when coming down the track against the spinners, something Shahidi did often against the part-timers Brandon Mavuta and Brian Bennett. Five overs before lunch, Shahidi brought up his half-century, and two overs later, Rahmat had completed his second Test ton.Rahmat Shah claimed the Afghanistan record for the highest individual score•Zimbabwe Cricket

Then came the first big chance in the 69th over with Afghanistan at 198 for 2 and Rahmat on 107. Bennett got a length ball to turn lesser than expected, Rahmat’s prod brought an outside edge, and the ball flew past Craig Ervine’s left at first slip. On 134, Rahmat survived a dropped chance at long-on, and on 152, escaped two catching opportunities in one Muzarabani over. In between, the pair brought up their 200 stand by finding the fence through midwicket or cover when Muzarabani and Gwandu overpitched their deliveries. And going into tea, Afghanistan were 298 for 2, with 203 runs collected in the first two sessions.Fresh off the two dropped chances in the penultimate over of the second session, Zimbabwe were further deflated at the start of the post-tea session when Rahmat struck three fours off Nyamhuri in the first over after resumption. In the same Nyamhuri spell, Shahidi cut him for four to move to 99 and next ball, picked up a single to claim his second Test ton.As the second new ball also turned old, the boundaries dried up again, but a four through cover from Rahmat to start the 108th over brought up the 300-run stand. When Rahmat moved to 199 with a single soon after, the partnership ticked over to 308, a new record for Afghanistan.Shahidi, the only double-centurion for Afghanistan previously, then watched on from the other end as Rahmat joined him on that list, and it came not in the form of a circumspect single but a full-blooded drive through mid-on. As the ball trickled to the boundary, Rahmat was applauded by his team-mates and by the sparse home crowd as he also went past Shahidi’s score of 200* from 2021 to claim the Afghanistan record for the highest individual score.As the final hour of the day began, and it dawned on Zimbabwe that they might have their first-ever day of Test cricket without a single wicket, Ervine tempted the two batters with some unusual fielding positions – perhaps to buy a wicket or force them to do something different – but there was no budging.If anything, Rahmat and Shahidi reined in their strokes. Only three boundaries were scored in the final 13 overs – only three fours and one six – as it was clear their aim was to finish the day unbeaten. As Williams bowled the final over of the day without much drama, Rahmat and Shahidi walked back with smiles, were congratulated by a few Zimbabwe fielders, and were welcomed with a standing ovation by their team-mates and support staff.

It is fair to say that Manchester United have moved to address their quality issues at the top end of the pitch in the summer transfer window so far.

Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko have all been brought in to bolster Ruben Amorim’s options in the final third, with the hope that they will score the goals to push the Red Devils back into the Champions League.

Sesko scored 21 goals in all competitions for RB Leipzig in the 2024/25 campaign, per Sofascore, and will be hoping to carry that kind of goalscoring threat over to his time in England.

The Slovenia international made his second appearance in the Premier League on Sunday, but is still waiting for his first start in the red and black.

United also need to look at other areas of the pitch, though, and were reportedly interested in a deal to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Red Devils were reportedly keen to sign the defensive midfielder before Brighton made it clear that he would not be sold this summer, and they ended their pursuit.

What Baleba could have brought to Man Utd

Baleba will not be signing for United, if the latest reports are to be believed, this summer, but the interest is clearly there, and it will be interesting to see whether or not they go reignite it in January or next summer.

The left-footed star could have been an excellent addition to the squad for the current campaign, though, if they had managed to convince Brighton to part ways with him in the current window.

That is because the 21-year-old star is a proven Premier League performer who could have come in as an upgrade on Manuel Ugarte as the holding, or ‘defensive’, midfielder alongside Bruno Fernandes.

Baleba started 31 matches in the top-flight for Brighton in the 2024/25 campaign and made 3.7 tackles and interceptions per game, winning 55% of his duels, per Sofascore.

What makes the United target stand out, however, is that he has quality on the ball to go along with his combative play out of possession in the middle of the park.

Non-penalty goals

0.10

0.05

Shot-creating actions

2.23

1.56

Progressive passes

3.99

3.08

Progressive carries

1.45

0.81

Key passes

0.71

0.50

Passes into the final third

3.69

2.97

Passes into the penalty area

0.78

0.45

As you can see in the table above, Baleba offered more to his team in possession across a host of metrics in comparison to Ugarte in the Premier League last season, which is why he could have been an excellent addition to Amorim’s squad.

Whilst they will not be adding a defensive pillar to their midfield ranks, the Red Devils are reportedly interested in a star who could be an even better signing than Baleba.

£21m star wants to sign for Man Utd

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Manchester United target Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens wants to sign for the club before the end of the summer transfer window.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, as relayed by TEAMtalk, Romano said: “Manchester United remain focused on the opportunity to bring in a new goalkeeper before the end of the window. The player they want is Senne Lammens at Royal Antwerp.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

“The player is keen on the move. Contacts took place again today, on Saturday, between United and Antwerp. The two clubs are talking. At the moment, [it is] not yet a done deal but [is] advancing as I told you as an exclusive story on Friday.

“The agreement with the player is OK. Club-to-club negotiations: they started at €17million plus €3m in add-ons to reach the package of €20m. Now, Antwerp are asking for something close to €25m for Lammens, so there is negotiation ongoing on the transfer fee, a negotiation on the numbers and the details of the deal. Conversations ongoing for Lammens to United.”

Romano further noted on X prior to United’s draw with Fulham that a fee was now close to being agreed.

Why Man Utd should sign Senne Lammens

Whilst Baleba would, as aforementioned, have been a solid addition to the squad as an upgrade on Ugarte, the Royal Antwerp star could be a transformational signing.

A goalkeeper is the last line of defence for a team and United, unfortunately, have not had an impressive operator in that position for many, many, years.

In the 2024/25 campaign, Andre Onana prevented 0.53 goals (xG) and made three errors that directly led to goals in 34 Premier League starts for the Red Devils, per Sofascore, which shows that he was not outstanding as a shot-stopper and made too many errors.

Lammens’ performances for Royal Antwerp in the Belgian Pro League suggest that he has the potential to come in as a monumental upgrade for United between the sticks, which could help to propel Amorim’s side to the next level.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig described his form as “simply phenomenal” and it is hard to disagree with that assessment when you compare his shot-stopping to the best shot-stoppers in the Premier League from last season.

Senne Lammens (Pro League)

+15.57

Jordan Pickford (Premier League)

+6.15

Matz Sels (Premier League)

+4.55

Mark Travers (Premier League)

+4.48

Ederson (Premier League)

+4.46

Dean Henderson (Premier League)

+3.14

As you can see in the table above, Lammens prevented a staggering 15.57 xG with his shot-stopping exploits for Royal Antwerp last term, almost ten more goals prevented than any goalkeeper in the Premier League managed.

These statistics suggest that the 23-year-old colossus, who has prevented 1.19 goals in four league games this season, has the potential to be the best shot-stopper in the top-flight, if he can translate his form over to English football.

Whilst there is no guarantee that he will be able to adapt and deliver the same level of performances, it appears to be a gamble that is well worth taking for United given his unbelievable form for Royal Antwerp.

In theory, his shot-stopping has the potential to prevent United from conceding around 15 goals in comparison to Onana over a Premier League season, which could be a huge difference in points by turning defeats to draws, draws to wins with huge saves.

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This is why Lammens would be an even better signing than Baleba, if they can get him playing at his best at Old Trafford, because he could be a transformational addition to the team, rather than just a decent upgrade in one area of the pitch.

يعتبر تشافي هرنانديز أحد أفضل لاعبي خط الوسط في تاريخ كرة القدم، وأحد أكثر لاعبي خط الوسط موهبة في إسبانيا وقد حظى بمسيرة حافلة بالألقاب.

وحقق تشافي هرنانديز العديد من ألقاب دوري أبطال أوروبا مع برشلونة بجانب ألقاب لا تحصى في الدوري الإسباني، وخاض 767 مباراة، ويعد ثاني أكثر اللاعبين مشاركة في تاريخ البارسا خلف ليونيل ميسي نفسه.

كما تولى تشافي هرنانديز تدريب برشلونة مؤخراً، حتى أن روبرت ليفاندوفسكي ينسب له الفضل في نجاح النادي الأخير، ومع ذلك ورغم عظمته، اعترف تشافي مؤخراً بأنه ليس أفضل من أسطورة ريال مدريد زين الدين زيدان.

اقرأ أيضاً.. دي يونج يكشف السبب وراء تراجع أداء برشلونة بعد الهزيمة أمام إشبيلية

وبحسب “مدريد يونفرسال” فقد شارك تشافي مؤخرًا في تحد صغير ومثير للاهتمام تم توجيهه له عن طريق أحد صانعي المحتوى، وكان عليه أن يبقى صامتًا حتى يسمع اسم لاعب خط وسط أفضل منه.

وكانت القائمة طويلة جداً، وتم ذكر أسماء من الجيل الحالي مثل جولر وجافي وكوبي ماينو وكامافينجا وبابلو باريوس وريندرز والتزم تشافي الصمت.

والتزم أيضًا لاعب ومدرب برشلونة السابق الصمت عند ذكر أسماء مثل زوبيمندي وفالفيردي وإنزو فرنانديز وماك أليستر وبيلينجهام وفلوريان فيرتز وبيدري جونزاليس وكيفن دي بروين.

وازداد قرار تشافي صعوبة بدخول لاعبين من عصره في خط الوسط إلى القائمة مثل بيرلو وفرانك لامبارد وستيفن جيرارد وكلود ماكليلي ومع ذلك التزم الصمت حتى تم نطق اسم زيدان ليفضله عليه.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras empatou com o Galo no Mineirão por 1 a 1 neste domingo (28) e apesar das polêmicas da arbitragem, o Verdão mais uma vez teve forças pra buscar o empate em um jogo duríssimo e só não teve forças pra buscar a virada porque faltou perna.

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Se liga aí na minha análise sobre o jogo de hoje!

Liverpool have work to do if they are to rediscover the balance that saw them lay waste to the Premier League in Arne Slot’s first season at the Anfield helm.

Despite the many changes to the Reds first team over the past few months, it’s perhaps difficult to suggest that Liverpool have made dramatic improvements on last year’s title-winning team, with Mohamed Salah even suggesting that this is so when quizzed on FSG’s summer spending.

That’s not to say sporting director Richard Hughes has overseen a poor transfer window; far from it. It’s simply that Liverpool were coherent and instinctive last season, a fully-gelled team, but have now parted with several important first-teamers and have replaced them with up-and-coming talents.

It’s only natural that a bedding-in period would take place, with the absence of balance and defensive solidity across the first two fixtures of Liverpool’s campaign evidence of that.

But for all the upheaval, Liverpool remain attentive to the market as it draws toward the stretch, with Hughes and Slot in concert over the Reds’ need for depth across the frontline and at the rear.

The latest Liverpool transfer news

Will Liverpool pull it off? Alexander Isak’s inflammatory statement on his future made it clear he wishes to leave Newcastle United and sign for the Premier League champions this summer, but the Magpies have struggled to sign strikers this summer and are publicly stressing he’s going nowhere.

Whatever happens, it’s been an unsavoury saga, but the door remains ajar, with Newcastle desperately scrambling for a new number nine.

But Liverpool need a defender too. While Giovanni Leoni was welcomed to Slot’s squad this month, the 18-year-old centre-half should be eased into the swing of things.

It is Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace who would provide the jewel for Liverpool’s defensive crown. The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Merseyside, with less than a year remaining on his contract.

The outcome of that saga remains unknown, and the same goes for Isak. However, Liverpool do need such a player, and if Newcastle maintain their obstinacy over their talisman’s future, it’s crucial that there’s an alternative option.

Liverpool holding talks for Isak alternative

According to Football Insider, Real Madrid star Rodrygo remains on Liverpool’s radar as they mull over a late-window bid.

The 24-year-old is anticipated to leave the Santiago Bernabeu this month, and his representatives have jetted over to England to hold talks with Liverpool officials over a potential transfer. And the same goes for Manchester City.

Xabi Alonso has made it clear that the Brazil international is not at the fulcrum of his vision in the Spanish capital, but Real Madrid won’t cash in for a cut-price figure, having listed him at a lofty €90m (£76m).

The sale of Diaz to Bayern Munich has left Liverpool light up top, and Rodrygo would be the perfect versatile forward to complete Slot’s frontline.

Why Liverpool want Rodrygo

While there is no question that Liverpool’s priority heading into the closing stages of the summer transfer window is to get Isak garbed in red attire, Rodrygo wouldn’t be a half-bad fallback.

Rodrygo has long starred as a first-team star with Los Blancos, having left his Brazilian homeland for the peerless superpower after he turned 18.

And though the 2024/25 campaign left plenty to be desired for him, Rodrygo has been hailed by his teammate Jude Bellingham as “probably the most talented and most gifted player in the squad.”

His sharpness with both feet and his propensity for equal shares of goals and assists lend themselves to different positional roles, but Slot would typically deploy him on the attacking left flank.

However, for all its control, Slot’s system is anything but rigid. Interchangeability and tenacity are key tenets, and it’s for this reason that Dominik Szoboszlai has played such a central role in the manager’s plans. Szoboszlai, indeed, could prove the perfect partner for Rodrygo at Liverpool, playing from his industrious central role and pushing forward to combine with the South American.

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Mohamed Salah

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Virgil van Dijk

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Dominik Szoboszlai

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Alexis Mac Allister

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Cody Gakpo

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You could say that new recruit Florian Wirtz would be a devastating and dynamic dance player for a prolific wide forward like Rodrygo, and perhaps that is so, but Szoboszlai has proven himself to be an energetic and effective midfield force for Liverpool.

The Hungarian might not be a clinical player, per se, but he’s been hailed by content creator Asim Mahmood as a “machine” with a “seriously elite mentality” since Slot dropped him from ten to more of a box-to-box deployment in the middle of the park.

Data from Sofascore shows that the 24-year-old created three key passes against Crystal Palace and two against Bournemouth in Liverpool’s Premier League opener, winning ten duels across the two fixtures and making a total of ten tackles too.

How does this relate to Rodrygo? Well, the Real Madrid man is known for his commitment and perseverance, winning 56% of his ground duels in La Liga last year (Sofascore).

Form and fluency in the Spanish capital have dwindled for his world-class talent, but he could pick himself up and then some by signing for Liverpool and emulating Szoboszlai in putting 110% effort into his performances.

The £120k-per-week Liverpool star, after all, ranks among the top 15% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for ball recoveries made per 90 and the top 5% for pass completion, via FBref, thus underscoring his crisp and energetic style of play, ensuring Liverpool purr.

Rodrygo would dovetail right into the Anfield running with Szoboszlai pulling strings behind him. His ‘poor’ 2024/25 campaign still yielded 25 goal involvements across all competitions – the same as Diaz – and he was routinely played out of position to accommodate Vinicius Junior.

His clinical touch would be strengthened in a role of greater importance at Liverpool, especially when forming partnerships with selfless, hard-working stars like Szoboszlai.

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Leeds United are believed to have reached an agreement over the signing of an international attacker this week, but a deal is far complete as the Whites have yet to convince the player to join.

Leeds targeting three more signings

The Whites need as much squad depth as possible upon their return to the Premier League, with plenty of new faces already arriving at Elland Road, from Anton Stach to Jaka Bijol. Leeds’ summer business is unlikely to be done there, however, with former scout Mick Brown claiming that as many as three new faces could still arrive this month given they have yet to truly reinforce their attack.

“The feeling at Leeds has been that if they want to compete in the Premier League, the squad is going to need strengthening and that hasn’t changed. Their recruitment has been okay so far, but I would suggest none of them are nailed-on Premier League players who you know are going to be a success.

“They don’t have the type of Premier League experience in their squad that they would like. Before the window closes, there are two or three new players they want to bring in and I think it’s something they’re working on behind the scenes. There are still positions they want to strengthen in, and they’re going to concentrate on getting in Premier League players to aid that transition.”

A new forward needs to be near the top of Leeds’ wishlist, in order to have enough firepower to cope in the top flight, and a promising update has dropped regarding one target.

Leeds reach agreement to sign Serie A attacker

According to an update from Italian media [via Sport Witness], Leeds have reached an agreement to sign Sassuolo attacker Andrea Pinamonti this summer, who has been capped once by Italy.

That said, the update does also state that the 26-year-old has rejected the chance to join the Whites, with his reasoning for the decision not explained. It is now a case of Daniel Farke and those high up at Elland Road working to change his mind.

Pinamonti is a proven attacker at the highest level, having scored 50 goals in 212 Serie A appearances. Former coach Moreno Longo has heaped praise on him during their time working together in the past.

At 26, Pinamonti is both an experienced head and someone with years ahead of him, so he could come straight in as an influential leader of the line for Leeds.

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Last season, the Italian scored 10 Serie A goals on loan at Genoa, also winning six Man of the Match awards from WhoScored, and the lure of moving to the Premier League will hopefully sway his thinking.