أكد المدير الفني لمنتخب أنجولا، بيدرو جونسالفيش، على صعوبة المجموعة الثانية في بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا 2025 والتي ستقام في المغرب.

وتنطلق البطولة في 21 ديسمبر المقبل وتستمر حتى 18 يناير 2026، بمشاركة 24 منتخبًا مقسمين على 6 مجموعات.

وأوقعت القرعة أنجولا في المجموعة الثانية التي تضم مصر، جنوب إفريقيا وأخيرًا زيمبابوي.

اقرأ أيضًا.. جماهير جنوب إفريقيا عن مواجهة مصر في كأس الأمم: نخشى أنجولا

وتواصل btolat.com مع جونسالفيش للحديث عن القرعة، وقال: “من المؤكد أننا سنخوض مباريات صعبة للغاية، لكن في مرحلة دور المجموعات كل ما نحتاجه هو أن نقدم أفضل ما لدينا”.

وأضاف: “نحتاج إلى اكتساب الثقة والثبات من أجل الظهور بقوة بين الفرق المرشحة للبطولة، سيكون هدفنا أن نكون أفضل مما ظهرنا عليه في النسخة الماضية (الخروج من دور الثمانية)”.

واستمر: “سنواجه منتخب مصر الفريق الأكثر تتويجًا بالبطولة، جنوب إفريقيا الحاصلة على برونزية كأس أمم إفريقيا الماضية ونجحت زيمبابوي في العودة من جديد إلى مصاف الفرق الأفضل بالقارة”.

وأتم: “وبالتالي، العمل الجاد يجعلنا نصل إلى أبعد مرحلة ممكنة لذلك كل ما أريده من لاعبي أنجولا هو أن نكون في أفضل مستوى ممكن في النسخة المقبلة من كأس أمم إفريقيا”.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Vinicius Junior is set to return soon from his injury.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Vinicius Jr set to make quick return from injury
• Ancelotti sets return date for the Brazilian
• Could return to action against Atalanta

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• (C)Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Vinicius was anticipated to miss up to a month of action after suffering a biceps femoris injury in his left leg during a match against Leganes on November 24. The winger has now missed three Madrid games – a win against Getafe and defeats against Liverpool and Athletic Club.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  However, Vinicius has returned to training already and it has been said that the Brazilian could return for the upcoming clash against Girona. Ancelotti has confirmed that Vinicius is ready to return but not this weekend. Meanwhile, defender David Alaba will have to wait until next year before he is back in action.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT ANCELOTTI SAID

  Speaking to the media, Ancelotti said: "Seeing Vinicius is good news, he has recovered very well. He won't be ready for tomorrow, but he will be ready for the Champions League. Alaba has helped us a lot in training, but he needs another month. He will be back in January. The deadline for him is next year."

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• WHAT NEXT FOR VINICIUS?

  Real Madrid will be up next against Girona on Sunday, December 8; and Vinicius will likely return to action in their next clash against Atalanta on Tuesday, December 10.

Wolverhampton Wanderers may have slipped to a 2-0 defeat against Arsenal on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, but the side acquitted themselves well in what was going to be one of their toughest games of the campaign.

It is clear that Gary O’Neil will have to replace Pedro Neto, as the Old Gold did miss his presence in the tie against the Gunners.

Could this perhaps see the manager make a surprise swoop for a former Premier League sensation between now and the end of the transfer window?

Wolves eyeing up move for Neto replacement

According to the Sun, Wolves have joined the race to sign former Crystal Palace and Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha from Galatasaray before the end of the current window.

With the sale of Neto boosting the coffers, O’Neil has some money to spend, and he will need to replace the Portuguese gem.

Several teams are keen, including Palace, to bring Zaha back to the Premier League. A loan move is perhaps the most logical option, however, although the Turkish side are looking for a fee of around £9m to sell the Ivorian.

The 31-year-old has plenty of experience in England. Will O’Neil make a late swoop for the player?

Wilfried Zaha’s statistics last season

Having joined Galatasaray from Palace last summer, Zaha didn’t quite have the impact expected of him last term.

Ten goals and five assists in all competitions was hardly a bad return during his maiden season on the continent, yet he started only 20 games in all competitions.

Goals

9

Assists

3

Successful dribbles per game

1.4

Big chances created

2

Key passes per game

0.8

Shots on target per game

0.6

Among his teammates, Zaha ranked fourth for goals and assists (12) in the top flight, while also ranking sixth for shots on target per game (0.6) and second for successful dribbles per match (1.4), showcasing his effectiveness in the final third, despite his limited time on the pitch.

The winger was hailed as “world class” by former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp back in 2019 and his time in England was a major success.

Indeed, in 305 Premier League games, Zaha scored 68 goals and registered 29 assists, which works out as a goal contribution once every 3.1 games.

His abilities out wide could make him a dream signing for Matheus Cunha, who is looking to build on an impressive 2023/24 season.

The Brazilian scored 14 times last term, but with someone like Zaha playing alongside him, this number could rise significantly.

According to WhoScored, Zaha’s main strength is his dribbling ability, while his style of play is characterised by a lot of dribbling while cutting inside often.

These traits could see Cunha be the benefit of Zaha’s many jinking runs into the opposition penalty area, causing absolute chaos for opposition defences.

This partnership could certainly make O’Neil forget all about Neto, especially if it clicks into gear in the Premier League.

The next week could be vital, especially if the Old Gold wish to finish in the top half of the table this season.

Wolves to battle for dream Kilman replacement who has "kept Haaland quiet"

They are going head-to-head with another PL club to sign him

ByJoe Nuttall Aug 23, 2024

MatériaMais Notícias

Apostando no mercado de criptoativos, o Corinthians, em parceria com a Chilz, empresa de serviços financeiros neste tipo de negócio, lançará neste sábado (6) uma campanha inovadora no futebol brasileiro com membros do fan token $SSCP podendo adquirir ativos limitados em um plataforma “in game”, onde a conquista de moedas pode ser obtida através de um jogo.

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No caso, os corintianos parceiros do Timão no fan token poderão apostar no placar do duelo contra o Fortaleza, neste sábado (6), às 17h, pela 30ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro, na Neo Química Arena, através da ferramenta de prognóstico (palpite do torcedor).

Os primeiros 100 proprietários que acertarem o resultado serão brindados com um momento marcante do duelo contra o Leão do Pici, assim como aconteceu no Campeonato Italiano, na última semana, quando um fotógrafo captou a comemoração de um gol marcado pelo atacante Ibrahimovic, pelo Milan contra o Roma, e transformada em edição limitada para os proprietário contemplados. A ação, fez a plataforma de criptomoeda rossonera crescer em 25%.

No Brasil, nenhum outro clube havia feito uma ação parecida.

Em parceira com a “Sócios.com” e a fintech blockchain, empresa de transações financeiras, o fan token $SCCP foi lançada no fim de junho e permite com que os torcedores que façam parte do programa participem de algumas decisões cotidianas do Timão.

Big Picture

It’s been a good beginning for the Royal Challengers Bangalore to IPL 2021, winning a hard-fought encounter against defending champions Mumbai Indians on the opening day. They looked like they had the chase well in hand, before letting it slip away and needing AB de Villiers to haul it in for them. In that respect, things haven’t quite changed for the Royal Challengers, and you suspect de Villiers will still be the man they will look to as saviour, especially given the form he showed against one of the IPL’s most formidable bowling sides.The team that vies with Mumbai Indians for the title of the best bowling side are the Sunrisers Hyderabad, but their bowling was a bit off the boil in their opening encounter against the Kolkata Knight Riders, which ended in a 10-run defeat. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, fresh off a star turn in India’s white-ball series against England, was uncharacteristically expensive, going for 45 runs in four overs and only picking up a wicket with the final ball of the innings.The conditions at Chepauk have traditionally favoured spinners. In the first two games at the venue in IPL 2021 though, that’s been uneven. The ball was sticking in the surface for the opening match, but the batsmen seemed to have an easier time of it in the second game. However, what remained consistent was that the top-notch T20 bowlers continued to be tough to face, such as Rashid Khan and Jasprit Bumrah. You suspect that if a bowling group that has reasonable pedigree fires cohesively, the surface could still pose a challenge to the batsmen.

In the news

The Royal Challengers are likely to welcome back Devdutt Padikkal in the playing XI. The 20-year-old left-handed opener was among their success stories in IPL 2020, and was in great form in domestic cricket before this edition too. Laid low by Covid-19, he had rejoined the team before the first game but was still advised rest for the first match. Padikkal’s return will mean Washington Sundar no longer has to play the makeshift opener’s role. Who will sit out for Padikkal will be interesting – with the choices appearing to be between Rajat Padiar and Shahbaz Ahmed. Given they are likely to have seven bowling options without Ahmed, he might be the one to sit out.The Sunrisers might also be able to have Kane Williamson available for selection, although fitting him into the XI is another issue. Williamson was pronounced not ‘match fit’ by coach Trevor Bayliss, which was why he missed out in the first game. But with Jonny Bairstow being the Sunrisers’ best batsman in the opening match – coming on the heels of a Man of the Series show against India in the T20I series – it’s unlikely that he will have to make way. Rashid Khan is of course undroppable, and Mohammad Nabi’s bowling might be of vital importance in Chennai.The Sunrisers might also want to consider whether to continue with Wriddhiman Saha as the keeper and opener or bring in a young batsman who can bat in the middle order instead among Priyam Garg, Virat Singh and Abhishek Sharma. After all, in Bairstow, they have someone who can open and keep.

Likely XIs

Royal Challengers Bangalore: 1 Virat Kohli (capt), 2 Devdutt Padikkal, 3 Rajat Patidar, 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 AB de Villiers (wk), 6 Daniel Christian, 7 Washington Sundar, 8 Kyle Jamieson, 9 Harshal Patel, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Yuzvendra Chahal.Sunrisers Hyderabad: 1 David Warner (capt), 2 Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 3 Manish Pandey, 4 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 5 Vijay Shankar, 6 Mohammad Nabi, 7 Abdul Samad, 8 Rashid Khan, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Sandeep Sharma, 11 T Natarajan

Strategy punt

Among the Royal Challengers bowlers, the ones David Warner finds toughest to score off are Washington Sundar – and Glenn Maxwell. Against both offspinners, Warner’s run-rate hovers at around seven, but against the other bowlers the Royal Challengers have, Warner is destructive. Sundar already has an acknowledged expertise at bowling in the powerplay, while Maxwell was used upfront too on occasion last year for the Kings XI Punjab. The Royal Challengers may not want to have offspin from both ends to start with, but at least one of the two could be given the new ball to try and rein Warner in.The Sunrisers’ trump card remains Rashid Khan, and they might be best served by using him in the middle, particularly if Maxwell and de Villiers are batting next to each other. Of all bowlers the Sunrisers have, only Rashid has had some measure of control against de Villiers, while he has bossed Maxwell, conceding less than a run a ball against him. He has been terrific against Kohli and Padikkal too, but if the pacers can do the job upfront for the Sunrisers, it leaves Rashid free to control the middle overs.

Stats that matter

• Virat Kohli is all-time leading run-getter in IPL history, while David Warner sits fourth. However, if you compare only the years in which both played, Warner has an edge on Kohli. In the years both have played the IPL, Warner has 5257 runs at an average of 42.39 and a strike rate of 141.46. Kohli, who has played 166 games to Warner’s 143 in those years, has 5216 runs at 39.21 and a strike rate of 130.82.
• Since Rashid Khan began playing in the IPL, in 2017, no bowler has a better economy rate than his 6.24 in the competition, even when setting a limit as low as 30 balls bowled. The only one who compares in terms of having an economy of less than seven with more than 50 wickets is, expectedly, Jasprit Bumrah, who has conceded runs at 6.90, and has taken 85 wickets to Rashid’s 77.

West Ham are making a very drastic change in playing style, with the appointment of Julen Lopetegui, replacing David Moyes, who had been at the club from 2019-2024, in his second stint as Hammers boss.

Lopetegui is largely known for deploying a more possession-based style of football, whilst Moyes was more driven towards defensive compactness, and hitting teams on the break, to get results by any means necessary.

With this change in style, playing personnel will have to be adapted, with recruitment largely underway, to equip Lopetegui with the players needed to play his possession brand of football, ahead of their 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

West Ham transfer news

According to reports from Sky Sports Germany's Florian Plettenberg, West Ham are monitoring the situation of Mats Hummels. The German defender's contract expired with Borussia Dortmund this summer, as Hummels is currently assessing his options for his next move.

Bologna were said to be interested, but have reportedly withdrawn their interest, and the other possibility being touted is for Hummels to retire from his playing career, but no final decision has been made yet. Previous reports suggest West Ham have actually offered the player a contract.

Hummels made 40 appearances for Dortmund in all competitions last season, scoring four goals, providing one assist, and contributing to 12 clean sheets in his 2,932 minutes played.

Hummels and Alvarez partnership to solidify Hammers

Hummels, once described as "one of the very best in the world" by writer Michael Yokhin, has many attributes that would help West Ham and new boss Lopetegui implement his system, carrying an elite understanding of the game, and composure on the ball.

Dortmund made it all the way to the Champions League final, with Hummels playing a huge part in that, playing all 13 games, and scoring an important goal against PSG in the semi-finals, to double their lead to 2-0 on aggregate.

As you can see from the comparison table below, Hummels blows both Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd out of the water, especially in passing metrics. Attempting double the number of passes of the Moroccan, and nearly triple the amount of Zouma.

Passes Attempted

80.6

36.4

45.8

Pass Completion %

89%

83.8%

80.1%

Progressive Passes

4.66

1.68

3.30

Progressive Carries

0.63

0.22

0.49

Tackles

1.70

0.32

0.78

Interceptions

1.87

0.92

0.83

Blocks

1.87

1.21

1.60

Clearances

4.66

5.08

4.13

Aerials Won

2.16

1.84

2.33

He also has the highest pass completion rate, most progressive passes per 90, and the most progressive carries per 90. This shows Hummels' competence playing out from the back, composure on the ball, and willingness to break the lines with his passing ability.

These are traits Lopetegui values in his central defenders, and something the Hammers will be trying to add this summer, improving the on-ball qualities of their defenders to suit the style of their new managerial appointment.

Edson Alvarez – who was entrusted to replace Declan Rice last summer – sitting just in front would also add extra legs to protect the defensive line, helping to form a solid and consistent spine down the centre of the pitch.

The Mexican completes 2.91 tackles per 90 minutes, 1.50 interceptions 2.16 blocks, and 2.79 clearances per 90, ranking in the top 12% or higher for all of these metrics among midfielders in the top five European leagues.

Therefore, a pairing of Hummels and Max Kilman, with Alvarez sitting in front, would definitely provide West Ham with a secure foundation, allowing them to implement their new style of play quicker, and get the best out of others.

Better than Fullkrug: West Ham lodge bid to sign new "goal machine"

West Ham could sign another striker alongside Fullkrug

ByConnor Holden Aug 7, 2024

There are less than ten days to go until the transfer window slams shut, and while Manchester United have been busy this summer, there are still a few areas that could be addressed.

Erik ten Hag has already welcomed in the likes of Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui, but Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co have yet to hand him a new winger.

Fortunately for the Dutchman, that looks like it's about to change, as recent reports have touted a former European champion for a move to Old Trafford in the coming days, and his arrival could finally see Jadon Sancho's time at the club come to an end.

Manchester United transfer news

According to a recent report from Spanish newspaper Sport, United are interested in signing Juventus ace Federico Chiesa.

In fact, the report goes a step further than that, claiming that, alongside Chelsea, the Red Devils have already made an offer to the Italian international, who is widely reported to be surplus to requirements in Turin.

If Ratcliffe and Co push on with this deal, they could reportedly secure the winger's services for a fee as low as £13m, which could be a steal if he can get back to his best in England.

United might have to contend with more than just Chelsea to sign Chiesa, but given his raw talent and the low fee, he could be the perfect player to replace Sancho in the squad, even if he's just a stopgap until a superstar winger comes onto the market.

How Chiesa compares to Sancho

So, if United are to sign Chiesa for the cut-price fee being reported, he'd likely come in to play off the right, as while he's played on the left before, it's not his most played position, and he's just not going to displace Marcus Rashford, who has a lot to prove himself this year.

Therefore, one of his biggest rivals for game time could be Sancho, but how do the pair actually stack up to one another?

Well, when it comes to attacking players, one stat matters above all others: output. When we look at it over the last two seasons – as the United ace played half a campaign last year – there isn't much of a competition at all.

Chiesa vs Sancho

2022/23

Chiesa

Sancho

Appearances

33

41

Goals

4

7

Assists

6

3

Goal Involvements per Match

0.30

0.24

2023/24

Chiesa

Sancho

Appearances

37

24

Goals

10

3

Assists

3

3

Goal Involvements per Match

0.35

0.25

All Stats via Transfermarkt

For example, in his 70 appearances for the Old Lady across the 22/23 and 23/24 campaigns, the "world-class" Genova-born ace, as described by journalist Zach Lowy, scored 14 goals and provided nine assists, meaning he averaged a goal involvement once every 3.04 games.

In contrast, the Englishman scored ten goals and provided six assists in 65 appearances, equating to an entirely mediocre average of a goal involvement once every 4.06 games.

It's not just about what's happening on the pitch, though, as the problems between the former Borussia Dortmund star and Ten Hag are well known at this point, and when you combine that off-field issue with his lacklustre form and the fact he's on a massive wage of £350k-per-week including bonuses, replacing him with Chiesa, even just for the short term, makes perfect sense.

Therefore, United should do what they can to bring the Italian wideman to Old Trafford this summer, as at his current price, he is a bargain and based on his form over the last two seasons, he would be more productive than the Englishman.

Related Forget Ugarte: Man Utd in contact over "engine" who'd be perfect for Mainoo

The hunt for a new midfield addition continues at Old Trafford…

Posts ByJoe Nuttall Aug 20, 2024

With just two weeks left until the transfer window slams shut and the Premier League campaign already now underway, Everton are reportedly intensifying their efforts to sign a midfield reinforcement.

Everton transfer news

The Toffees, even without a resolution for their takeover problem, have enjoyed a solid summer of arrivals and, as things stand, are set to keep hold of Jarrad Branthwaite. Those at Goodison Park have welcomed Iliman Ndiaye, Tim Iroegnunam, Jesper Lindstrom and arguably most impressively, Jake O'Brien from Lyon this month in what should hand Sean Dyche quite the boost once everyone is settled.

Whilst they've so far managed to keep hold of Branthwaite, the same can't be said for Amadou Onana. The Belgium international sealed his exit away from Goodison Park to join Aston Villa earlier this summer in a deal worth a reported £50m, leaving a gaping hole in Everton's midfield.

Filling that void could yet be a Europa League midfielder, however. According to Gazzetta dello Sport via Sport Witness, Everton are now intensifying their move to sign Edoardo Bove, who AS Roma value at a reported €15m (£13m) this month.

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A player who can play as an attacking, central and defensive midfielder, Dyche would be welcoming a player who could act as a three-in-one reinforcement and a direct replacement for Onana.

Just 22 years old, Bove came through the ranks at Roma, earning a number of first-team opportunities last season from the start, but could now ditch his boyhood club for the Premier League. For just £13m too, the Toffees would crucially avoid breaking the bank in a deal that should see them avoid any trouble with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules.

Record-breaker Bove can replace Onana

It's quite the task, but Bove is the calibre of player who would be able to step up and replace Onana this month. What's more, still 22 years old, the Italian should be a player with plenty more to offer in years to come. Everton's potential £13m investment could quickly turn into a stroke of genius if he reaches his potential.

Progressive Carries

21

21

Progressive Passes

88

101

Tackles Won

31

38

Ball Recoveries

95

160

Bove managed to keep up with Onana last season, especially on the ball and in the number of tackles that he managed to win. The one concern for Everton should be his struggle to match the Belgian when it comes to recovering possession. Having such a player at the heart of a side that will be out of possession more often than not is vital. It is a trait that any Onana replacement must bring in abundance.

If this is to be it for Bove at Roma, then he will leave a record breaker, having become the youngest player to score in a European semi-final for the club in May 2023.

In a few days, Liverpool will step into August, the month of the "crescendo" in the transfer market, according to new sporting director Richard Hughes.

Liverpool are the only team in the Premier League yet to complete a major signing this summer as Arne Slot implements his brand of football at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp's swansong season restored stability and Champions League football, bagged the Carabao Cup, but now the Merseysiders must fight to rise further.

Can that be achieved without one or two impactful adjustments? The pragmatic undertones emanating from the club point toward a low-key conclusion to the summer's business, but that's certainly not to say that an exciting upgrade won't be brought in at one area or another.

Wataru Endo served as the specialist No. 6 last season, signed from Stuttgart for £16m after FSG fumbled other targets, but Marseille have bid for the Japanese, 31, already this summer and his conservative ball-playing style doesn't quite align with Slot's fluid, fast-moving system.

As such, Liverpool would be wise to strengthen further in defensive midfield, with an exciting up-and-comer already lined up.

Liverpool's search for a midfielder

According to a report from Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb at the weekend, Liverpool have registered an interest in Genoa midfielder Morten Frendrup, having been arrested by his tough-tackling quality.

Genoa would entertain offers of €25m (roughly £21m) for the Denmark U21 international, and with Aston Villa also known suitors, Slot and Co will need to act quickly to secure the talent's services.

What Morten Frendrup would bring to Liverpool

Genoa signed rising starlet Frendrup in a shrewd €3.5m (£3m) deal back in 2022, with the deep-lying midfielder since rising to a strong position in Italian football, having amassed 89 appearances, notching ten goal contributions.

One of Europe's finest tacklers, Frendrup's 133 tackles in Serie A last season played an instrumental part in Genoa's comfortable campaign. Atalanta's Ederson, another Liverpool transfer target, recorded 83 tackles in second place, some 50 behind the 23-year-old.

Indeed, as per FBref, Frendrup ranks among the top 1% of central midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for tackles, the top 13% for interceptions and the top 17% for blocks per 90, emphasising his imperious quality in protecting his backline.

His impressive six-assist haul last season also hints toward a ball-playing quality that hasn't quite been able to be showcased at Genoa, such is the direct, counter-attacking style of football under Alberto Gilardino.

But at Liverpool, that all could change, allowing the exciting prospect to realise his lofty potential at the heartland of Slot's system. Endo could play an important role over the coming campaign, but he's probably not the solution in the biggest moments when ball-playing fluidity needs to be at its apex.

Frendrup must be signed and moulded into a world-beater.

Why Frendrup would be an upgrade on Wataru Endo

Frendrup might not have been able to showcase his passing quality to the extent that Liverpool scouts might have liked, but there's little question that he boasts the technical and athletic acumen to rise to the fore under Slot's wing, learning Liverpool's ways.

Genoa's tactical approach precludes ball-playing fluency of that calibre anyway. Last season, as per Opta, Genoa ranked 11th in Serie A for passes per sequence, at a rate of 3.09.

This direct style of play presented Frendrup with a tough task in utilising his passing range to his maximum, instead, the Dane was tasked with enforcing his steely authority in the middle of the park.

Moreover, the outfit's lack of average zonal control aligned with Genoa's 16th-place ranking for possession in the Italian top flight last term. This is all a roundabout way of suggesting that Frendrup would grow into the ball-focused role at Liverpool, for it is prioritised by Slot and his tactical team.

Endo, for example, completed 80% of his passes in the 2022/23 Bundesliga campaign, whereas the Japan international averaged an 88% pass success rate last season with the Reds.

One thing that Endo didn't bring to the Premier League was defensive strength, not in the way that a top team like Liverpool requires. As you can see below when comparing his metrics to Frendrup's, the industrious Liverpool man simply doesn't have the kind of mettle to protect the backline that is required.

Morten Frendrup vs Wataru Endo (23/24)
Stats	Frendrup	Endo
Matches played	37	29
Matches started	36	20
Goals	2	1
Assists	5	0
Pass completion	81%	88%
Touches per game	46.8	54.4
Tackles per game	3.6	1.7
Interceptions per game	1.4	0.7
Key passes per game	0.4	0.6
Recoveries per game	5.3	3.7
Dribbles per game	0.4 (67%)	0.3 (67%)
Ground duels won per game	5.8 (61%)	2.9 (41%)
All stats via Sofascore

As you can see, Frendrup is a far superior defensive player, with his mobility, energy and enthusiasm in recycling possession and quashing attacking efforts leading talent scout Jacek Kulig to describe him as a “midfield machine”.

He's just far more robust, ready to provide Liverpool with the kind of zest and zeal needed in the engine room to supercharge Slot's budding system.

While signing Frendrup, who is admittedly untested as a natural free-flowing passer, comes with an element of risk, he has ample talent to see him skyrocket to the upper echelon of holding midfielders in Europe.

Perhaps it would be wise to keep Endo on the books, but his skillset is limited and Frendrup could be the perfect successor.

On the list: Liverpool want £27m striker who'd make Salah unplayable

The Reds are part of a lengthy list of suitors for this rising star.

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Andrew Miller16-May-2021

Jofra Archer bowled 29.2 overs for Sussex’s 2nd XI last week•Getty Images

Jofra Archer has been ruled out of England’s two-Test series against New Zealand, starting at Lord’s on June 2, and may face surgery on his troublesome right elbow after failing to come through this week’s return to first-class action.Archer, who was withdrawn from this year’s IPL prior to its postponement earlier this month, had undergone a series of cortisone injections to enable him to get through the T20I leg of England’s white-ball tour of India in March.Related

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He also underwent an operation on the middle finger of his right hand while receiving further treatment on his elbow, to remove a splinter of glass following a bizarre incident involving a fish-tank. He showed no ill effects following that treatment and has been playing without protection on the affected digit.After a low-key return to action for Sussex’s second XI against Surrey two weeks ago, Archer appeared to be returning to his best when he picked up two wickets, including his England Test team-mate Zak Crawley, in a hostile new-ball burst on his return to the County Championship against Kent at Hove this week.However, he bowled just five overs in Kent’s second innings, and none on the final two days of the match, a situation that appeared to have caused confusion for his Sussex captain Ben Brown on a rain-shortened third day, when he gestured for Archer to open the bowling but had to turn instead to his team-mate George Garton.”It was a communication thing with Jofra on Saturday evening,” Brown said at the conclusion of the match. “There is no issue. I asked him beforehand if he was going to have a bowl and he said yes in a warm-up capacity. But he was feeling too sore to bowl.”The issue here is a sad one for Jofra. He’s a champion cricketer, so talented and so gifted, but at the moment he cannot do what he wants to do, he cannot do his skill.”I really feel for him. He’s in a difficult situation, with that skill of bowling really fast being taken away from him if you like. This week has been very challenging for him. He was hopeful about how it would go, but he’s felt pretty sore in this game.”An ECB statement subsequently confirmed that Archer “was suffering from pain in his right elbow when bowling and was unable to bowl in the final two days of the match.”The England and Sussex medical teams will now seek guidance,” the statement continued, “and Archer will see a medical consultant later this week to determine the next course of action on the management of his elbow.”Archer first suffered problems with his right elbow during the tour of South Africa in January 2020, when a stress fracture was detected that ruled him out of the final three Tests of the series, as well as the subsequent one-day campaign.The option of surgery may be the preferred course of action for Archer and for England – not to mention his IPL franchise, Rajasthan Royals – given his importance to the team’s plans across formats in the back-end of the year.As the MVP in the last IPL in November 2020, and following a series of hostile displays in the 3-2 series loss in India, Archer’s value to England’s T20I attack is paramount, especially given that the team will go into the T20 World Cup in October and November as one of the favourites, and seeking to become the first team to hold the 50-over and 20-over titles concurrently.Then there is the Ashes campaign in Australia hot on that tournament’s heels – a tour that England’s Test captain, Joe Root, admitted this week was the “pinnacle” of their plans for 2021, notwithstanding a five-match home series against India before that.In the meantime, England have already indicated that they will be giving opportunities to fringe members of their Test squad during the New Zealand series – not least among them, Archer’s fellow Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson, who has been a fixture in the biosecure environment without yet being given a Test debut.Mark Wood and Olly Stone, who like Archer can bowl at speeds in excess of 90mph, are expected to be included in the squad, although the contingent of players who have recently returned from the IPL – including Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran and Moeen Ali – are expected to be rested, due to the time they have already spent in bio-secure environments.Ben Stokes is already ruled out of the series after sustaining a broken finger during his stint with Rajasthan Royals at the IPL.