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تحدث يورجن كلوب المدير الفني لفريق ليفربول، عن الإصابات، ومهاجمه داروين نونيز، اليوم الجمعة، في المؤتمر الصحفي الخاص بمباراة ليدز يونايتد، غدًا السبت، ضمن لقاءات الجولة 14 من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وبدأ كلوب بالحديث عن مانشستر سيتي، قائلاً:”هم ليسوا بعيدين عنا، هناك الكثير من الفرق بالقرب من القمة، المشكلة أننا لسنا واحدًا منهم”.

وأضاف:”لأسباب مختلفة، لم أفكر في الوضع العام للدوري، لكنني رأيت ليدز الآن، وشاهدت آخر ثلاث مباريات وكان هناك فرق كبير بين الأداء الذي قدموه والنتائج”.

اقرأ أيضا.. سبب إقامة مباراة ليفربول وليدز يونايتد السبت في وقت متأخر

وواصل:”أتوقع أن يكون جوردان هندرسون بخير، سيعود تياجو ألكانتارا وإبراهيما كوناتي أيضًا في مباراة الغد، نابي كيتا اقترب من العودة، وما تيب ما زال مصابا، ليس عليك أن تسأل عن ديوجو جوتا أو لويس دياز لفترة من الوقت”.

وتحدث عن الخسارة الأخيرة في نوتينجهام قائلا:”لا أعتقد أنه يجب عليك الفوز بالمباريات فقط عندما تكون متميزًا وتقدم أداء رائعا، لم نكن كذلك في فورست، لكن كان يجب أن نفوز، يجب أن نبني فريقًا للمستقبل، ربما نجرب نظامًا مختلفًا مرة أخرى ونبدأ من جديد”.

وأكمل بالحديث عن داروين نونيز:”جاء داروين إلى هنا بعد فترة راحة قصيرة، وسافر مباشرة إلى آسيا، ولا يتحدث الإنجليزية، بالإضافة إلى أنه في فريق جديد، وضغوطات السعر الذي أتى به، وبعد ذلك يحكم الجميع على الفور، بدأ بشكل جيد وسجل ضد مانشستر سيتي وفولهام، ثم تلقى البطاقة الحمراء، وشعر بالإحراج وسقطت الثقة”.

وأنهى:”ليلة السبت في التاسعة إلا ربع مساء، توقيت عظيم من أجل لعب كرة القدم، آمل أن تكون الجماهير مستعدة”.

يحتل ليفربول المركز الثامن برصيد 16 نقطة، بينما يأتي ليدز يونايتد في المركز 18 برصيد 9 نقاط.

وانتهت أخر مواجهة بين الفريقين بانتصار الريدز بسداسية نظيفة، سجلها محمد صلاح (هدفين) وساديو ماني (هدفين) وجويل ماتيب وفيرجيل فان دايك.

Gemaal Hussain confirmed his position as the leading wicket-taker in County Championship cricket this season by taking his tally to 29

11-May-2010
Scorecard
Gemaal Hussain confirmed his position as the leading wicket-taker in County Championship cricket this season by taking his tally to 29 as Leicestershire were made to follow on at Bristol. The 26-year-old Gloucestershire seamer claimed 3 for 26 to help skittle the visitors for 102 in reply to 376.Anthony Ireland and James Franklin had identical figures of 3 for 21, whileWill Jefferson top scored with 51. Leicestershire made a better fist of things second time around and closed on 122 without loss, still 152 behind, with Matt Boyce 59 not out and Paul Nixon unbeaten on 50.Earlier in the day Gloucestershire had added 62 to their overnight score of 314 for 6, Steve Snell and Hussain both contributing 28. Matthew Hoggard finished with 4 for 67 from 25 overs.It meant the home side earned four batting points, their first on home soilthis season. Soon a seam attack without the rested Steve Kirby hadLeicestershire in all kinds of trouble as left-armer Franklin sent back Boyce and Nixon in the space of four deliveries during an excellent new-ball spell.Lunch was taken at 40 for 2 and that became 68 for 4 as James Taylor andAndrew McDonald fell cheaply to Hussain and Ireland respectively. Jefferson stood firm to reach his half century off 62 balls, with eight fours, but there were still only 73 runs on the board when he was bowled driving atIreland.The tall opener had twisted an ankle taking a quick single in the first over after lunch and did not appear when his team batted for the second time. There was little first-innings resistance from the Leicestershire tail, although Claude Henderson hit four fours in his 28 before being last man out, Jonathan Batty taking a fifth catch behind the wicket to give Franklin his third wicket.Hussain, who had made only one Championship appearance before the start of this season, again impressed with his lively pace and ability to swing the ball as well as dart it about off the seam.But any hopes Gloucestershire had of winning inside two days were soon dispelled as Nixon replaced Jefferson at the top of the Leicestershire order and helped Boyce see out day’s remaining 43 overs without undue alarm. Boyce reached his fifty off 108 balls, with six fours, while Nixon looked equally secure in following suit off 137 deliveries with four boundaries.

The ICC development committee has expanded the global qualification system for the World Twenty20, to give the Associate and Affiliate members of the governing body a chance to feature in the tournament

Cricinfo staff10-Jun-2010

The ICC development committee has expanded the global qualification system for the World Twenty20, to give the Associate and Affiliate members of the governing body a chance to feature in the tournament. The qualification tournament, which was contested by eight teams in February 2010, is set to feature 16 sides when it is held in early 2012 ahead of the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka, later that year.The expanded field will comprise ten qualifiers from regional Twenty20 tournaments in addition to six countries that currently enjoy ODI/Twenty20 status. The exact details of the regional qualification network are yet to be announced.The committee has also pledged $2 million towards development of major cricket facilities in leading and targeted associates and affiliates, in partnership with members and third-parties. The members eligible to apply will include each of the top six-ranked Associates/Affiliates, China, USA and a Member nominated by each of the Africa, East Asia-Pacific and Europe regions together with any Associate or Affiliate scheduled to host certain ICC events.”These are two extremely exciting, strategic and encouraging developments for the future of our great sport,” ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said after the meeting in Jakarta. “They represent a clear sign of our ongoing commitment to growing the game beyond its traditional boundaries and ensuring that each of our members has the opportunity to develop and become the best they can be.”Cricket has never been stronger. We now have three viable formats of the game at international level – something no other sport can boast – and cricket continues to grow in popularity in almost every corner of the globe. These initiatives are steps along the path towards continued sustainable growth,” Lorgat said.While in Jakarta, the development committee received a presentation from Cricket Indonesia and attended the national Under-17 championships. In addition, Lorgat met with representatives from the Indonesian government and the national Olympic committee.”Indonesia is an outstanding example of an Affiliate Member on an upward move. It is the fastest growing member in terms of participation numbers and I believe this is due to excellent staff, volunteers, strategies, plans and partnerships that are in place,” Lorgat said.The number of ICC members, currently 104, may continue to grow as Seychelles’ application for Affiliate Membership was forwarded to the ICC Annual Conference 2010 for consideration. The committee has allocated the staging of three World Cricket League events to Hong Kong/China (Division 3 in January 2011), the United Arab Emirates (Division 2 in April 2011) and Botswana (Division 7 in March/April 2011).The qualifier for the women’s World Cup,which will determine the four teams to join England, New Zealand, Australia and India at the 2013 World Cup in India, will be staged in Bangladesh in November 2011. West Indies, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Japan will compete in the tournament, in addition to one qualifying team from the Americas and two teams each from Africa and Europe. This event will double as the women’s qualifying tournament for the ICC World Twenty20 to be staged in Sri Lanka in 2012. The allocations are all subject to the finalisation of logistical and budgetary arrangements in coming weeks and months.The committee confirmed the groupings for the eight-team WCL Division Eight event from November 6 to 12, 2010, in Kuwait.Group A: Bhutan, Kuwait, Suriname and Vanuatu.Group B: Bahamas, Gibraltar, Zambia and the next highest European qualifier (to come from the regional division two event, which runs from July 13 to 19 2010).

MatériaMais Notícias

O Flamengo é tetracampeão da Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior. Depois de vencerem a Copinha em 1990, 2011 e 2016, os rubros-negros repetiram a façanha no Pacaembu. Em uma sólida atuação da dupla de zaga formada por Patrick e Matheus Dantas, os cariocas seguraram o ímpeto ofensivo do São Paulo e venceram, por 1 a 0, gol do centroavante Wendel nos minutos iniciais do duelo.

Também apoiado pela sua torcida, que preencheu todo o setor do tobogã do estádio municipal, o Flamengo soube explorar o cansaço físico dos paulistas para levar a taça. Depois do gol relâmpago, a equipe do Rio de Janeiro trocou bons passes, permaneceu bem postada em campo e foi impenetrável no setor defensivo.

Para ser campeão, o Flamengo eliminou Elosport, Coritiba, Audax, Avaí, Portuguesa e o São Paulo na final. O time encerra a Copinha invicto e tendo tomado apenas três gols em nove partidas.

Destaques do campeão

O goleiro Yago Darub fez alguns milagres durante os pouco mais de 90 minutos da partida. O jovem arqueiro rubro-negro foi o responsável pelo Tricolor não ter saído do zero na decisão. Foi bem pelo alto e também por baixo. Ao lado de Patrick e Matheus Dantas, Darub foi o destaque do Mengão na conquista do tetra da Copinha.

Jogo de gente grande

A final da Copinha teve alto nível técnico, principalmente no primeiro tempo. Vistos de perto por Edu Gaspar, coordenador de seleções da CBF, os garotos mostraram que têm muito bola para jogar nos profissionais de seus respectivos clubes. Infiltrações dos meias, avanços dos pontas, toques rápidos, zagueiros técnicos e times ofensivos. Valeu o ingresso.

Gol relâmpago

Ligado no jogo desde os primeiros segundos de partida, o Flamengo não se intimidou com o clima desfavorável no Pacaembu e partiu para cima. Logo aos três minutos, bola cruzada na área por João Pedro e o atacante Wendel, de cabeça, subiu mais alto que os são-paulinos para colocar a equipe do Rio de Janeiro na frente.

Bonito de se ver

Diferente de outras competições do futebol profissional, a Copinha consegue unir um clima amistoso entre torcedores rivais. Na chegada de são-paulinos e flamenguistas ao Pacaembu, a paz imperava e tanto paulistas como cariocas circulavam livremente nos arredores do estádio sem a necessidade de cordões policiais.

Lamentável

Durante o primeiro tempo, alguns torcedores do São Paulo trocaram socos nas cadeiras do Pacaembu. O desentendimento aconteceu porque alguns tricolores queriam assistir o jogo sentados, enquanto outros torciam de pé. Depois de um diálogo exacerbado, um dos envolvidos na confusão acertou um chute nas costas de seu desafeto e pancadaria começou. A polícia chegou logo depois e levou os envolvidos.

FICHA TÉCNICA
SÃO PAULO 0 X 1 FLAMENGO
Local: Pacaembu, São Paulo (SP)
Data-Hora: 25/1/2018 – 10h
Árbitro: Lucas Canetto Bellote
Auxiliares: Paulo de Souza Amaral e Enderson Emanoel Turbiani da Silva
Público/renda: 30.794 pagantes/R$ 829.760,00
Cartões amarelos:Theo, Pepê, Yago e Hugo Moura (FLA)
Cartões vermelhos: –
Gols: Wendel (2’/1ºT) (0-1),

SÃO PAULO: Júnior; Tuta, Walce, Rodrigo e Bruno Dip (Gabriel Novaes, no intervalo); Luan, Liziero e Gabriel Sara (Fabinho, aos 41’/2ºT); Igor, Toró (Oliveira, aos 41’/2ºT) e Helinho (Antony, aos 23’/2ºT). Técnico: André Jardine.

FLAMENGO: Yago; Bernardo (Aderlan, aos 28’/2ºT) Dantas, Patrick e Pablo (Michael, aos 17’/2ºT); Theo, Hugo Moura e Pepê (Patrick Valverde, aos 28’/2ºT); Bill (Yuri, aos 37’/2ºT), Lucas Silva e Wendel (Luis Henrique, aos 17’/2ºT). Técnico: Maurício Souza.

RelacionadasFutebol NacionalATUAÇÕES: Goleiro Yago para o São Paulo e se torna herói de título do FlaFutebol Nacional25/01/2018FlamengoApós título do Flamengo, Lucas Silva afirma: ‘Final não se joga, se ganha’Flamengo25/01/2018FlamengoAutor do gol do título da Copinha, Wendel exalta Fla ‘aguerrido’Flamengo25/01/2018

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp must consider giving Luis Diaz his full debut in the Premier League against Leicester City on Thursday night.

The January signing from Porto came off the bench for his first appearance in a Reds shirt in the FA Cup victory over Cardiff City at the weekend, and is pushing to make the starting line-up against the Foxes.

His case has been made even more pressing by the fact that Klopp has only just seen Mohamed Salah return from AFCON duty with Egypt.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, he said: “Mo is now back, I spoke already to him. He is very disappointed of course, but looking forward to all the things coming up here now.

“He is an experienced player, he is a physical monster, to be honest, so we have to see. He will obviously have a little recovery session today and we will see how he feels tomorrow and from there we go.

“The proper plan we don’t have, play him as often and as long as possible is probably the plan, but we will not rush it. But if he is fine we will not leave him out for the wrong reasons as well, so let’s see.”

In Diaz, the Reds would be unleashing someone who could dove-tail seriously well with Diogo Jota in attack.

The 31-cap Colombia international was in scintillating form for his former side Porto this season, registering a very impressive 16 goals and six assists in only 29 appearances for the Liga NOS giants.

Valued at £36m by Transfermarkt, the 5 foot 10 star has been dubbed a “livewire” and as being “phenomenal” by Portuguese football expert Alex Goncalves – exactly the kind of rave reviews that would have had Klopp excited before his arrival.

With Jota becoming the spearhead of this Liverpool attack, having someone of Diaz’s pace, trickery and end product alongside him is something that could cause any team havoc, not least Leicester tomorrow.

After showcasing some of his talents against the Bluebirds at the weekend, Klopp can really have the Anfield faithful excited by starting Diaz.

انتهت مباريات المجموعة الأولى ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، والتي ضمت كل من ليفربول ونابولي وأياكس ورينجرز.

وفاز فريق أياكس على رينجرز 3-1، بينما فاز ليفربول على نابولي بهدفي محمد صلاح وداروين نونيز على ملعب آنفيلد.

اقرأ أيضا.. ضربة موجعة قبل مواجهة ليفربول.. إصابة سون واستبداله في مباراة توتنهام ومارسيليا ترتيب مجموعة ليفربول في دوري أبطال أوروبا

1 – نابولي 15 نقطة

2 – ليفربول 15 نقطة

3 – أياكس 6 نقاط

4 – رينجرز بدون أي نقطة

ويتصدر نابولي المجموعة بسبب تفوقه بالمواجهات المباشرة على ليفربول، بعد فوزه في المباراة التي لُعبت في إيطاليا 4-1.

وحسم فريقا نابولي وليفربول تأهلهما منذ الجولة قبل الماضية، والفريقان كانا يلعبان من أجل صدارة المجموعة للحصول على قرعة أسهل في دور الستة عشر.

كشفت تقارير صحفية أن جزءًا من إدارة نادي بايرن ميونخ الألماني غير مقتنع بفكرة التوقيع المحتمل مع هاري كين، نجم توتنهام، نهاية الموسم الحالي.

أشارت تقارير الشهر الماضي إلى أن بطل الدوري الألماني جعل كين هدفه الأول من أجل الظفر بخدماته في الصيف المقبل.

ولكن يبدو أن فكرة التعاقد مع هاري كين لا تنال تأييد كل مسؤولي بايرن ميونخ، حسبما ذكرت صحيفة “ذا صن” الإنجليزية نقلًا عن “بيلد” الألماني.

وأوضحت أن عددًا من مسؤولي بايرن ميونخ يعتقدون أن كين، 29 عامًا، لا يتناسب مع أسلوب النادي في كرة القدم.

وكان بايرن ميونخ قد فشل في التعاقد مع مهاجم جديد بعد رحيل روبرت ليفاندوفسكي إلى برشلونة الصيف الماضي.

ومع دخول كين آخر عامين من عقده مع توتنهام، ظهرت شائعات عن إمكانية رحيله نهاية الموسم.

ذكرت شبكة “سكاي ألمانيا” في وقت سابق أن بايرن ميونخ جاهز وينتظر التحرك إذا لم يوقع هاري كين عقدًا جديدًا مع النادي اللندني.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مساعد كونتي عن إراحة هاري كين قبل مونديال قطر: ليست وظيفتنا

ولكن مع اعتقاد بعض كبار الشخصيات بأنهم غير مقتنعين بتلك الصفقة، فإن فرصهم في التعاقد مع هاري كين قد تتأثر.

الشخصيات الرئيسية في بايرن ميونخ لم يخفون إعجابهم بقائد إنجلترا، في وقت سابق، حيث قال الرئيس التنفيذي أوليفر كان عن كين: “إنه متعاقد مع توتنهام، بالتأكيد هو مهاجم كبير، لكن هذا كله حلم في المستقبل”.

بينما قال مدرب بايرن ميونخ جوليان نايلسمان: “إنه قوي للغاية، متألق بالرأس والقدمين، يمكنه تسجيل الكثير في البوندسليجا”.

وأضاف: “لا أعرف السعر، لكن من الصعب حقًا على بايرن ميونخ الوصول إليه، سنرى ما سيحدث في المستقبل”.

The chief curator at the Galle International Stadium, Jayananda Warnaweera, has ruled out producing a turning pitch for the first Test as a farewell gift to Muttiah Muralitharan

Sidharth Monga in Galle16-Jul-2010

The chief curator at the Galle International Stadium, Jayananda Warnaweera, has ruled out producing a turning pitch for the first Test as a farewell gift to Muttiah Muralitharan, who needs eight wickets in his last Test to reach 800 wickets. Warnaweera, the former Sri Lanka offspinner, was confident Murali wouldn’t need much assistance from the conditions to reach the landmark.”If we compare the last India Test with this, we have a good wicket,” said Warnaweera. “You will ask why we are not giving Murali a turning track. But Murali doesn’t need a turning track. On any wicket, any flat wicket, Murali will take wickets. We were more concerned about number of days of cricket. We want all five days to say cheerio to Murali.”Warnaweera said Murali’s favourable history at the venue should help his cause. “Murali has played 11 to 12 Tests in Galle, and he has nearly 110 wickets (sic. 103 wickets in 14 Tests),” he said. “That means his average is more than nine wickets a match. He needs eight wickets only. We want to have good time with Murali, so we need all five days of cricket.”There is a little bit of grass left to hold the pitch together. Any wicket will turn on the fourth, fifth day, and this should go to a fifth day. It’s up to the players, though.”India, meanwhile, didn’t have the best of days as they prepared for the Test that begins on Sunday. Overnight rain had left the practice pitches wet, and the batsmen could have a hit only in the indoor facility. The Sri Lankans enjoyed a full practice session, though, as the pitches had dried up suitably by the time they arrived.Harbhajan Singh, recovering from a fever, didn’t bowl in the nets, but indications are that he is on track to make it for the Test. In his last Test in Galle, Harbhajan took 6 for 102 and 4 for 51 to set up India’s series-levelling victory. He is now the most experienced bowler in an Indian squad depleted by the absence of Zaheer Khan and Sreesanth.

MatériaMais Notícias

Mesmo que não tenha sido proposital, o técnico Fábio Carille alimentou o clima de mistério que costumam anteceder os clássicos. Nesta sexta-feira, o comandante do Corinthians não informou a escalação do time que encara o São Paulo neste sábado no Pacaembu, pelo Campeonato Paulista, e externou diversas duvidas na montagem da equipe. Segundo o técnico, todos os atletas titulares da defesa reclamaram de dores, além do atacante Júnior Dutra, e não estou garantidos no Majestoso.

-Não tem time ainda. Não tenho problema em falar o time ou não, muitos jogadores chegaram com dor. Só vai dar 48 horas do jogo à noite. O grupo já sabe o que penso, mas só vamos definir amanhã (sábado). Podemos aparecer com dois volantes, um atacante de movimentação… Ainda não temos lastro do Dutra, não sabemos como é a recuperação dele. Podemos jogar com o Kazim. A nossa equipe não vai mudar, o que vai mudar é a característica dos jogadores – afirmou Carille, em entrevista coletiva.

-Não será uma mudança tática, mas de característica de jogadores. Se entrar Camacho ou Maycon, eu não mudo a ideia do 4-1-4-1. Hoje temos 21 dias de trabalho, era para estarmos em pré-temporada ainda. Amanhã (sábado) cedo defino a equipe. O Júnior Dutra reclamou de dores. Ele correu muito na quarta. A ideia era que ele não jogasse 90 minutos. Não tenho problema de falar quem vai jogar ou não, mas tenho que ouvir o departamento médico. O grupo já está sabendo disso, tivemos uma reunião – completou.

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Segundo Carille, entre os defensores que reclamaram de dores está toda a linha de zaga (Fagner, Balbuena, Pedro Henrique e Juninho Capixaba), além do volante Gabriel. Nenhum deles treinou nesta sexta-feira pela manhã, na última atividade antes do clássico, assim como Júnior Dutra.

Nesse cenário, Carille passou que cogita inclusive mudar o posicionamento de Jadson, que tem atuado por dentro no esquema 4-1-4-1. Ele voltaria a jogar aberto pela direita, no lugar de Romero, que seria sacado para a entrada de mais um jogador de marcação. Isso aconteceria se Júnior Dutra não pudesse jogar e ele tivesse de optar por Kazim no ataque, também condicionada à presença ou não de Gabriel. Sem o camisa 5, o time precisaria reforçar a marcação à frente da área, e teria de jogar com Maycon e Camacho, mais provavelmente.

O time que Carille pretendia mandar a campo em caso de todos estarem bem fisicamente era: Cássio, Fagner, Balbuena, Pedro Henrique e Juninho Capixaba; Gabriel; Romero, Jadson, Rodriguinho e Clayson; Júnior Dutra (Kazim). Caso se confirmem os problemas, teríamos uma formação bem fora do planejado com: Cássio, Mantuan, Léo Santos, Warian e Guilherme Romão; Maycon; Jadson, Camacho, Rodriguinho e Clayson; Kazim. No entanto, o próprio Carille na coletiva disse que não acredita que todos da defesa serão desfalques.

-Sim, o Fagner é dúvida. Os cinco de trás são. É claro que não vão ficar os cinco de fora. Eles e mais o Júnior Dutra são dúvida. Os que jogaram mais no último jogo, foram titulares, serão avaliados amanhã (sábado) cedo – contou o treinador.

Fato é que qualquer que seja a formação para o clássico ela não foi treinada na véspera. Nesta sexta, o grupo foi dividido em dois e praticou atividades de passes rápidos em campo reduzido. Nenhum titular contra a Ferroviária na última quarta-feira participou. Depois, alguns atletas praticaram cobranças de falta e pênaltis. Jadson e Clayson tiveram bom aproveitamento. O atacante, aliás, também pode ter seu posicionamento alterado, ainda segundo Carille.

-Posso tirar um de velocidade, posso mudar características trazendo Clayson ou Romero mais por dentro. A questão que está pegando mais é pensar em temporada, nos jogadores que estão reclamando de dores. Para que a gente não perca eles por 20 ou 30 dias por conta de lesão – disse o técnico.

-Se eu mudar uma peça no meio, afeta esse jogador de frente. Depende do casamento, da forma de jogar. Conforme for o meio de campo, preciso de mais retenção ou de profundidade. Se o Júnior Dutra acordar amanhã falando que tem dor, não dá para colocá-lo em campo. Vai depender muito. Se os dois jogadores (Kazim e Dutra) estiverem bem fisicamente, vai depender do meio de campo – completou.

Corinthians e São Paulo se enfrentam neste sábado às 17h no Pacaembu.

Tudo sobre

Corinthians

Tottenham Hotspur could seal one of their biggest signings in recent years, if emerging reports are to be believed…

What’s the word?

According to reports in Spain, the north London outfit are interested in a move for Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde but face stiff competition from Premier League rivals Manchester United and Chelsea.

The 23-year-old has a release clause of €80m (£66m) but it is expected that €70m (£58m) would be enough for the LaLiga outfit to sell.

Major coup

Kounde would be something of a statement from Spurs as they look to desperately bolster Antonio Conte’s playing squad with quality additions and starting in defence would be a good place to start after recent results.

The Italian’s outfit have lost three successive Premier League matches on the bounce and have leaked seven goals in that run. Only glaring issue has been the options available at his disposal.

In the absence of Eric Dier, Conte has had to turn to Davinson Sanchez, who is often error-prone, whilst full-back Ben Davies continues to take up a place amongst the back three.

After an impressive 2020/21 campaign, Kounde made Didier Deschamps’ Euro 2020 squad ahead of players like Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano and World Cup winner Samuel Umtiti.

The France international ended the season as Sevilla’s highest-rated player (7.01), as per WhoScored figures.

The 5 foot 10 star also averaged a squad-high three aerial duels won – displaying his dominating physical attributes despite his relatively short height – on top of 1.2 interceptions and a remarkable 90.1% passing accuracy, proving that he can play the ball out from the back to good effect.

It’s why the £54m-rated powerhouse has been lauded as “pretty special” by Spanish football expert Euan McTear. “He’s still so young, he’s got energy, great positioning too. All the centre-backs, not just in Spain I think, but if you look around Europe, he’s got to be one of the highest prospects.”

That season wasn’t a one-off as he continues to impress under Julen Lopetegui.

Therefore, sporting director Fabio Paratici must make Kounde amongst his top targets when the transfer window reopens in the summer. He could easily be the club’s biggest and best signing since Heung-min Son, given the need for a new centre-back and the potential on offer here.

AND in other news, “Those inside the club”: Journo drops Conte bombshell, Spurs fans will be worried…