The T20Is will be played just before WPL, and act as preparation for the T20 World Cup next year
ESPNcricinfo staff28-Nov-2025
The last time the two teams had met in any format was at the ODI World Cup on September 30•ICC/Getty Images
India and Sri Lanka are set to play a five-match T20I series in the second half of December in India, just before the start of the WPL in January 2026. The series will be played from December 21 to 30, with the first two games in Visakhapatnam and the last three in Thiruvananthapuram.The WPL will then start from January 9 in Navi Mumbai before moving to Vadodara for the second half, even though no Sri Lanka player is in any of the five WPL squads.The schedule of this bilateral series comes soon after the white-ball series between India and Bangladesh that was to happen in India in December got postponed earlier this month. That series was to feature three ODIs and three T20Is.The five T20Is between India and Sri Lanka will act as preparation for the T20 World Cup next year that will be played from June 12 in England. The last time the two teams had met in any format was at the ODI World Cup opener on September 30, while the previous T20I between them had come at the T20 World Cup in October 2024.India’s next series after the WPL will be an all-format tour of Australia in February-March.
The Premier League is back, and it’s a massive weekend for Arsenal.
On the one hand, title rivals Manchester City have to play away to Newcastle United; on the other, they host bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Moreover, while Mikel Arteta has usually gotten the better of the Lilywhites, he’ll have to make do with defensive stalwart Gabriel Magalhaes.
With that said, the Gunners should still come out with all three points, especially if Arteta drops Eberechi Eze for one of his most important players.
Why Eze should be dropped
So, the first thing to make clear is that Eze is an outrageously talented footballer who will undoubtedly play a large part in Arsenal’s season as the year goes on.
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However, it would be fair to say that what is equally true is that he’s yet to show his full breathtaking ability in red and white, and therefore, should probably drop to the bench in this vital game.
After all, while he has racked up two goals and three assists for the team, he has just one goal involvement in the last six league games, and can, at times, go missing.
Now, if this were last season, there would be a solid argument for moving him out to the left, but Leandro Trossard has rolled back the years and is, frankly, undroppable.
So far, the Belgian has racked up eight goal involvements for the North Londoners, of which three have come in the last four league games.
Therefore, the former Crystal Palace star might be best served coming off the bench late into the game, as his ability to produce moments of magic is second to none.
Then, in his place, Arteta should bring one of the club’s best players back into the lineup, someone who has been compared to Dennis Bergkamp.
The Arsenal star who should replace Eze
While it would be a surprising move, Arteta should look to play Martin Odegaard instead of Eze tomorrow afternoon.
Now, before the pitchforks and torches come out, this is predicated on the Norwegian being fit enough to start.
However, considering he was training with the first team earlier in the week and the manager was rather vague about his status, it feels like he might be.
Moreover, it’s not as if the Spaniard doesn’t have a track record of suddenly bringing players straight back into the side.
With all that said, why should the 26-year-old come back into the side for this game?
Well, beyond him being the captain and this being a heated derby, he adds an element of control and metronomic understanding to the midfield that Eze doesn’t.
Moreover, on top of leading the press, the former Real Madrid wonderkid can play a sensationally weighted pass in behind a defence, which is what he was starting to do again before his recent injury.
It’s this ability to see a chance before most other players and act on it that led former Arsenal star Ray Parlour to describe the Drammen-born ace as “very similar” to the legendary Bergkamp.
The 67-capped Norwegian obviously isn’t on the same level as the Invincible, but that is something he shares with him.
Appearances
205
Starts
177
Minutes
15595′
Goals
41
Assists
40
Goal Involvements per Match
0.39
Minutes per Goal Involvement
192.53′
Finally, even though he had a poor campaign last season, the former dynamic difference-maker still has an excellent record, producing 81 goal involvements in 205 appearances.
Ultimately, so long as he’s fit enough to start, Arteta should replace Eze with Odegaard for Arsenal’s game on Sunday.
Arsenal handed another injury doubt for Tottenham clash after twist and Gabriel blow
Chelsea have opened talks with the representatives of a big-name player after their triumph over Barcelona in the Champions League, according to a fresh update on Wednesday morning.
Chelsea seal statement win over Barcelona on dream European night
Enzo Maresca’s side put in a scintillating performance at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, dismantling Barça 3-0 in a European encounter that underlined their credentials as genuine contenders for silverware this season.
Chelsea dominated from start to finish, displaying an intensity and quality that left the five-time European champions thoroughly outclassed.
The Blues flew out of the blocks with relentless energy, pressing Barcelona high and refusing to allow the Spanish side any time on the ball. Their attacking intent was evident throughout a pulsating first half that saw Chelsea create numerous opportunities, though they endured frustration as two goals were chalked off for offside and handball before finally breaking through.
The first goal arrived when Marc Cucurella’s dangerous cross deflected off Jules Koundé, giving Chelsea a deserved advantage after 27 minutes of intense pressure.
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It got from bad to worse for Barça, with captain Ronald Araujo receiving a second yellow card for his reckless challenge on Cucurella near the touchline. The sending-off proved catastrophic for Hansi Flick’s side, allowing Chelsea to seize complete control after the restart.
The second half belonged to 18-year-old sensation Estevao, who produced a moment of individual brilliance that will be remembered for years in west London.
Collecting the ball wide on the right, the Brazilian winger embarked on a mesmeric dribble, gliding past Pau Cubarsí before cutting across Alejandro Balde and unleashing an unstoppable finish into the roof of the net. The stunning strike showcased his exceptional technical ability and composure, stealing the show in a much-anticipated head-to-head with Barcelona’s own teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal.
Liam Delap then rounded off a superb Chelsea display with his first Champions League goal for the club after initially seeing it chalked off, with Cucurella getting a lot of plaudits too for his exceptional display against Yamal.
Marc Cucurella’s game v Barça
Minutes
93′
Expected Assists
0.59
Tackles (Won)
5 (4)
Interceptions
1
Clearances
2
Blocked Shots
1
Recoveries
4
Aerial Duels (Won)
1 (1)
Key Passes
1
Passes
55/63
Touches
97
All Stats via Sofascore
It was a statement win for Chelsea, who now go into their mouth-watering Premier League tie against Arsenal this weekend in very high spirits.
Now, according to Sky Switzerland reporter Sacha Tavolieri, supporters could have more reason to get excited.
Chelsea reopen talks with Mike Maignan who's "very keen" to join
AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan has long been a target for Chelsea amid their hunt for an elite-level keeper, with his contract expiring at the end of this season and potentially up for grabs at zero cost.
As per Tavolieri, Chelsea have reignited negotiations with Maignan and his camp, as the French international edges closer to departing the San Siro.
BlueCo are seizing on a developing contract standoff that could see the 30-year-old leave Italy as a free agent next summer, with Maignan reportedly informing Milan that he will not sign a new deal despite the club offering improved terms that would double his current salary.
The France number one can begin formal discussions with foreign clubs from January onwards, positioning Chelsea favourably in the race for his signature.
Maresca apparently views the experienced shot-stopper as a potential solution to Chelsea’s ongoing goalkeeping concerns. While Robert Sanchez has featured regularly this season, Filip Jorgensen could leave in January, and neither have fully convinced Chelsea’s manager.
Maignan is also “very keen” on the idea of joining them, so this could be one to watch closely as we fast approach the winter window.
The former Lille star is widely regarded as one of Europe’s top shot-stoppers, with Liverpool’s Alisson describing him as a world-class keeper at a truly elite level.
Arsenal are now open to January offers for one Gunners star, with it being revealed Mikel Arteta will need to offload players and free up space in the squad.
The Gunners are well-stocked in the striker department, with Viktor Gyokeres adapting to life in the Premier League very well since making the move from Sporting CP in the summer transfer window, receiving high praise from Arteta after bagging a brace against Atletico Madrid.
The Spaniard said: “All of us [appreciate Gyokeres] because he makes us a much better team. I think we’ve become much more unpredictable,”
“He’s so physical, opens the spaces for everyone. The way he presses the ball, holds the ball, it’s just phenomenal.”
The 27-year-old, who bagged his fourth Premier League goal of the season against Burnley earlier this month, has certainly started well, while Kai Havertz is now closing in on a return from injury, having not been involved since the 1-0 win against Manchester United back in August.
Consequently, there may be little game time available for Arteta’s other striker, Garbiel Jesus, and there has now been a major update on his future at the Emirates Stadium…
Arsenal now open to January offers for Gabriel Jesus
According to a report from Spain, Arsenal are now open to offers for Jesus in the January transfer window, as they need to offload players and free up space in the squad, and the Brazilian is no longer a part of Arteta’s plans.
Persistent injuries have meant the 28-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium, and a return to Palmeiras could now be on the cards, with the Brazilian club willing to bring him back, potentially on a loan-to-buy deal.
The 64-time Brazil international has received high praise from Arteta in the past, with the manager saying back in September 2023: “He is a tremendous player, a really important player for us. He changed our world last season. You could all see that.”
That said, it is probably the correct decision to offload the centre-forward, given that he has been unable to put his injury problem in the rearview mirror, missing a number of games for club and country over the past few seasons.
Gabriel Jesus’ injury record by season
Games missed
2022-23
17
2023-24
17
2024-25 onwards
56
It has recently emerged that the £13.7m-a-year striker has returned to training after an extended period of time on the sidelines, which could be a boost for Arteta, given that the manager has been left light on options at times this season, with Gyokeres and Havertz suffering setbacks.
With Arsenal looking to compete on all fronts, faring well in the Champions League and through to the EFL Cup quarter-final, Jesus may still have a role to play in the short-term, but it would not be the end of the world if Arsenal sanction a January departure.
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Arsenal are enjoying a brilliant start to the Premier League season and could now be set to make their mark in the January window after sending scouts to watch two stars face off in the same game.
Arsenal enter international break at top of Premier League table
Mikel Arteta marked his 300th match in charge of Arsenal last weekend against West Ham United with a victory and his side have entered the international break at the top of the Premier League standings.
Despite the disappointment that Martin Odegaard could miss up to six weeks through injury after he was withdrawn from the Gunners’ comfortable triumph, there is plenty to be optimistic about at the Emirates as Liverpool continue to falter.
Addressing his concern, he stated: “He had a clash, knee to knee. Immediately, he was uncomfortable. He’s not positive about it. He has a brace on it. Hopefully it’s not that bad. We haven’t had him since the start of the season for one reason or the other. The shoulder twice and then this injury. We have to wait and see the extent of that injury.
“We will find solutions, but obviously, he’s our captain, he’s a player that gives us a completely different dimension with the things that he can do, especially in attacking.”
Declan Rice continues to put in imperious midfield performances for Arsenal and will be an obvious candidate to replace the skipper during his absence. The challenge now for the Gunners will be to maintain their form ahead of a favourable run of fixtures.
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The Arsenal star suffered another problem…
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The lure of a first Premier League title since 2004 is something that every Gunners supporter will dream of, and they could be about to take a step closer to achieving that feat in January if recent developments begin to evolve.
Arsenal scout Kenan Yildiz and Davide Bartesaghi
According to Tuttosport, Arsenal sent scouts to watch Kenan Yildiz and Davide Bartesaghi in action against each other as Juventus and AC Milan shared a goalless draw on Sunday night.
Turkish international Yildiz has been offered a new deal with Juve until 2030, albeit the Gunners aren’t giving up in their bid to land the sensation, who has registered two goals and four assists in eight matches this term.
Kenan Yildiz vs AC Milan
Davide Bartesaghi vs Juventus
Match rating – 6.3
Match rating – 6.7
Touches – 43
Touches – 49
Shots – 1
Accurate passes – 28/35
Accurate crosses – 1
Passes into final third – 4
All statistics courtesy of Fotmob
Bartesaghi probably had the better performance on the day on a frustrating day for Juventus, featuring in a left wing-back role, playing for the entire 90 minutes.
Tempting either player away from their surroundings in mid-season will be difficult for Arsenal. Still, they are in the ascendancy when looking at the Premier League table, which may work wonders once the January transfer window opens for business.
Newcastle United fell to their third Premier League defeat of the season this afternoon, with Danny Welbeck’s double securing a 2-1 win for Brighton & Hove Albion.
Eddie Howe’s side must have thought they secured a point after Nick Woltemade netted his fourth goal in just five league outings after his summer arrival from Stuttgart.
However, it wasn’t meant to be, as the aforementioned star’s effort was in vain after Welbeck’s goal secured Fabian Hurzeler’s side all three points at the AMEX.
The Magpies now sit in the bottom half of the table at present, with just two wins to their name – needing a huge reaction in the coming games to get their campaign back on track.
Such a result will likely leave the manager bitterly disappointed, but more so, the failure to impress of numerous players who were handed chances to impress from the off.
Newcastle’s disappointing performers against Brighton
Despite being under fire for his lack of impact of late, Howe decided to stick with Brazilian international Joelinton as part of his three-man midfield.
However, his showing against the Seagulls was a hugely disappointing one, with the 29-year-old subsequently being withdrawn from the contest at the break.
He failed to create any chances for his teammates despite completing 21 passes, whilst also losing 100% of the aerial battles that he entered on the South Coast.
Joelinton wasn’t alone in failing to deliver against Hurzeler’s men, with full-back Dan Burn unable to help the Magpies secure all three points against his former employers.
The 33-year-old only managed to win four of the 14 duels he entered during his 90-minute performance, subsequently being dribbled past twice by former Newcastle star Yankuba Minteh.
Despite the showings from the aforementioned duo, one other first-team member produced an afternoon to forget, with Howe desperately needing to take action.
The Newcastle star who needs to be dropped after Brighton
After the sale of Alexander Isak during the summer window, it was vital Newcastle invested well into the squad to avoid a drop off in the Premier League standings.
As previously mentioned, Woltemade has hit the ground running for the Magpies, already looking like the club’s most threatening option within the final third.
The opposite end of the pitch also received hefty investment, with Malick Thiaw joining in a £40m deal from AC Milan – subsequently cementing his place in the starting eleven in recent weeks.
However, fellow summer addition Anthony Elanga has struggled to produce the type of displays that saw the hierarchy fork out a fee in the region of £55m for his services.
The Swede has failed to score or assist in any of his ten outings across all competitions, with his showing against the Seagulls highlighting his lack of impact to date.
He was named in the starting eleven for the clash against Hurzeler’s men this afternoon, but once again failed to match the faith shown in him by his manager, Howe.
Like Joelinton, Elanga was hooked at half-time due to his lack of impact, with his underlying figures showcasing how dismal he was during the Magpies’ latest defeat.
Minutes played
45
Touches
20
Passes completed
12
Crosses completed
0
Dribbles completed
0
Duels won
50%
Dribbled past
1
Match rating
4/10
He failed to complete any of the dribbles or crosses that he attempted, with only one of his attempted passes being made into the final third of the pitch.
Elanga also came out on top in just 50% of all the duels he contested, even being unable to create any chances for his teammates during his 45-minute outing.
To further highlight his lack of impact, he only achieved a total of 20 touches, a tally lower than that of goalkeeper Nick Pope, who achieved a total of 40.
As a result of his performance, Elanga was handed a measly 4/10 match rating by Newcastle World journalist Jordan Cronin – further showcasing his lack of impact.
Given his display, Howe desperately needs to get the winger firing, which should see the 23-year-old being dropped to the substitutes’ bench in the coming matches.
His mammoth price tag has certainly increased the pressure on his shoulders, but time needs to be handed his way to allow the attacker to adapt to the demands in the North East.
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David Moyes knows his stuff. This was a well-known fact across the blue streets of Merseyside and merely underscored upon the Scots’ return to Everton in January.
He lifted Everton away from the relegation zone, up and up to the security of a mid-table Premier League finish. Positivity was restored as Goodison Park said farewell to the Toffees’ men’s team, and the summer that has since passed has welcomed exciting signings capable of lifting the club higher still.
Would a challenge for some form of European football be too ambitious? Certainly not. The Blues are playing with confidence and quality, even if the focal strikers are leaving plenty to be desired.
What Everton could do with is an academy star to emerge and contribute effectively over the coming months. Moyes has welcomed his share of top talents, and the production line has remained strong in the many years between the 63-year-old’s two tenures.
Everton's best academy talents
The staple of Everton’s modern academy success would, of course, be that man Wayne Rooney, who dazzled when breaking through under Moyes’ wing in 2002, scoring a sumptuous strike against Arsenal and playing with true quality before earning a record-breaking £27m move to Manchester United, aged 18.
He might be the Finch Farm showpiece, but Everton continued to strike gold at academy level after Rooney and then, years later, Moyes left the club, both headed toward Old Trafford.
Ross Barkley was actually forced to downplay “natural” Rooney comparisons as he emerged over a decade later, a powerful and commanding attacking midfielder whose start to life at his boyhood club was a truly remarkable thing.
But Barkley tapered off when completing a £15m move to Chelsea, and now it’s Anthony Gordon who has proved the top youth talent to have surfaced from Everton in recent years.
Gordon completed 78 first-team appearances for Everton before forcing his way out and joining Newcastle for £45m in January 2023. Worth more now, Farhad Moshiri likely felt he had received bang for his buck, given the prospect had only scored seven times.
He’s gone from strength to strength at Newcastle and now stands as a fully-fledged England international and the first-choice option for Thomas Tuchel, it would appear, as we edge ever closer to the 2026 World Cup.
But he could have been so much more on Merseyside, and would have been brilliant under Moyes’ wing. Instead, every mishap suffered when facing his former club is celebrated by the supporters.
The new conditions Moyes and the Friedkin Group have created at the Hill Dickinson Stadium suggest up-and-coming hopefuls may think twice about jumping ship.
And it’s a good thing too, for Everton might actually have an even bigger talent than Gordon on their hands.
Everton may have a bigger talent than Gordon
Gordon is a testament to tenacity and a focus on ironing out the creases in a player’s game. Now he is one of the most prominent English forwards in the country.
Likewise, if Braiden Graham maintains his impressive start to life in Liverpool, he could soon be knocking on Michael O’Neill’s door as he looks to wedge his way into the Northern Ireland set-up.
Graham, 17, might just be the cream of Everton’s academy crop, having been hailed by U21 boss Paul Tait for being a “cool finisher” with all the attributes needed to succeed at the highest level in the Premier League.
Joining Everton from Linfield, based in south Belfast, in 2024, the teenage forward has been an absolute credit thus far, featuring 31 times for the respective Toffees development teams and posting 15 goals and five assists.
With the mark of a natural goalscorer, it’s surely only a matter of time before the teenager, yet to even turn 18, starts knocking on Moyes’ door. While many tests lie ahead regarding the young striker’s technical and physical growth, the progress made already has told of his potential. Indeed, Graham has already made his senior bow, featuring 14 times for Linfield’s men’s team and scoring twice.
Yet to discover his best position, the Northern Irishman has been shuffled across the park, but he’s scored twice from six appearances in the Premier League 2 this term despite featuring in four different positions. His pace and potency in the final third lend themselves to a future as a frontman or an inswinging left winger.
Braiden Graham: Everton Stats by Position
Position
Apps
Goals (assists)
Centre-forward
11
5 (2)
Attacking midfield
9
8 (1)
Left winger
4
3 (1)
Right winger
2
1 (0)
Centre-midfield
3
0 (0)
Stats via Transfermarkt
The right-footed talent might even prove to be a bigger talent than Gordon, who was 18 years and ten months old when Carlo Ancelotti handed him his senior debut in the Premier League against West Ham United in January 2020.
It would not appear out of the question that Graham might be handed his senior bow at some stage in the next 12 months, especially if Everton land a favourable opponent in the FA Cup third round.
Graham’s movement is what sets him apart from those of a similar age bracket, and his multi-positionality is something Gordon has embraced within his own game at Newcastle, often deployed as a stand-in central striker by Eddie Howe.
Graham’s link-up play and intelligence marry up with a natural ease on the ball and an eye for goal, and there’s every chance that, within a new era at Everton, he might earn a promotion and decide to stay and foster his skills under Moyes’ wing, becoming not just a debutant for Everton but a mainstay down the line for a team that continues to show signs of getting better and better.
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كسر فينيسيوس جونيور، نجم نادي ريال مدريد، صمته بعد الأحداث التي شهدتها مواجهة الكلاسيكو بين فريقه وبرشلونة، ووجه رسالة كذلك إلى جماهير الفريق الملكي.
ريال مدريد حسم قمة الجولة العاشرة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى وحقق الانتصار على حساب نظيره برشلونة بهدفين مقابل هدف واحد يوم أمس الأحد.
وجعل هذا الانتصار ريال مدريد يعزز صدارته في ترتيب الدوري الإسباني وبفارق خمس نقاط عن برشلونة صاحب المركز الثاني.
لكن فينيسيوس أثار الجدل عقب اعتراضه على استبداله في شوط المباراة الثاني، حيث حل محله رودريجو جوس.
اقرأ أيضًا .. ريال مدريد يدرس قرارًا هامًا بشأن لاعبه بعد أحداث الكلاسيكو
ولم يقم فينيسيوس بمصافحة مدرب ريال مدريد، تشابي ألونسو، وذهب على الفور إلى خارج الملعب قبل أن يعود بعدها ببضع دقائق إلى مقاعد البدلاء.
وقال فينيسيوس في تصريحات نقلها ”bolavip” : “رسالة إلى جميع المدريديستا، وخاصةً من حضروا إلى البرنابيو وساندونا بحماس، هكذا هو الكلاسيكو، هناك الكثير من الأحداث داخل الملعب وخارجه”.
وأضاف فينيسيوس في حديثه: ”نحاول الحفاظ على التوازن لكن هذا ليس ممكنًا دائمًا. لا نريد أن نسيء إلى أحد، لا اللاعبين الشباب ولا الجماهير، نعلم أنه عندما ندخل الملعب علينا أن نؤدي دورنا، وهذا ما كان عليه الحال اليوم. هلا مدريد”.
وعن الفوز على برشلونة اختتم فينيسيوس: ”قدمنا مباراة رائعة حقًا، الفوز بالكلاسيكو دائمًا ما يكون مميزًا وكنا نتطلع للعب هذه المباراة ، المشجعون كذلك قدموا كل شئ من أجل أن نحقق الفوز اليوم”.
Celtic are now in talks to sign a versatile defender who has been compared to Hoops star Alistair Johnston.
Celtic on course to sign Balikwisha
It could be a busy last week of the transfer window for those at Parkhead, with Hoops supporters voicing their frustrations at the lack of signings in the club’s 0-0 Champions League qualifier against Kairat Almaty.
Boost for Rodgers: The new signing Celtic want to make alongside Balikwisha
This is music to the ears of Hoops supporters.
By
Henry Jackson
Aug 22, 2025
So far this summer, Celtic have spent just under £4m on seven new players, whereas they received an initial £16.5m by selling Nicolas Kuhn to Como. Brendan Rodgers admitted after the draw in midweek that Celtic “need” more signings before the September 1 deadline.
“We need to improve the squad. There was clarity around that for a long time. So we see that. I think supporters see that. We certainly do in football. We need to improve. This is a performance club. This is a club that has to perform. And that starts on the field. You do that with getting the very best players you possibly can to allow you to perform.”
The Hoops have been heavily linked with Royal Antwerp forward Michel-Ange Balikwisha and now look set to sign the Belgian. Taking to X on Saturday, Sacha Tavolieri said:
It isn’t just Balikwisha who the Hoops are after, though, with defensive additions also on the agenda.
Celtic also in talks to sign full-back Marcelo Saracchi
According to journalist Cesar Luis Merlo, Celtic are interested in signing Boca Juniors full-back Marcelo Saracchi. It is claimed that the Hoops have “opened negotiations” for Saracchi, with a potential loan-to-buy option on the cards.
The 27-year-old is primarily a left-back but can also play as a right-back or left midfielder when required so would offer plenty of versatility to Rodgers’s squad.
A Uruguay international, Saracchi has previous experience in Europe, playing in the Champions League for RB Leipzig. He has also turned out for Turkish side Galatasaray and Spanish outfit Levante before moving to Boca Juniors in 2023.
Since then, Saracchi has made more than 50 appearances for his current employers, scoring four goals and registering five assists.
Full-backs similar to Marcelo Saracchi
Club
Alex Telles
Botafogo
Alistair Johnston
Celtic
Valentin Barco
Strasbourg
Renan Lodi
Al-Hilal
Ridvan Yilmaz
Besiktas
As can be seen, Saracchi has also been compared to Johnston among other impressive full-backs, so he could be the competition Rodgers is after for the Canadian and Kieran Tierney, possibly filling in for the right-back who will be out for three months with a hamstring injury.
تحدث المهندس سميح ساويرس، مؤسس نادي الجونة، عن وضع نادي الزمالك في الفترة الحالية، مؤكدًا أن النادي يشهد تحسنًا إداريًا ملحوظًا، لكنه ما زال يعاني من ضعف الإمكانيات المالية مقارنة بالنادي الأهلي.
وقال ساويرس في تصريحات لبرنامج “الصورة” على قناة النهار: “الزمالك بدأ يتحسن بالفعل في الفترة الأخيرة بفضل الإدارة الجديدة، لكن إمكانياته المالية لا تُقارن بالأهلي، على سبيل المثال، النادي كان يواجه أزمة في تمويل مشروع أرض 6 أكتوبر الخاصة به، وكاد يفقدها بسبب نقص الموارد”.
وعن إمكانية دعمه للنادي الأبيض ماديًا، أوضح ساويرس: “في الفترة الماضية لم يكن الوقت مناسبًا لأي دعم، لأن الأوضاع داخل الزمالك كانت مضطربة، سواء على مستوى الإدارة أو حتى بسبب ظروف الدولة في تلك المرحلة، أنا من الأشخاص الذين لا يندفعون، بل أفضل الانتظار حتى تتضح الصورة”.
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وتابع حول انتقال أحمد سيد زيزو إلى الأهلي: “بصراحة، حزنت للزمالك لأنه لم يمتلك القدرة المالية الكافية للحفاظ على لاعبه، لكن بالنسبة لي، لا يمكن أن أشارك في أي دعم إلا عندما أرى منظومة متكاملة وسليمة، فيها إدارة واضحة ورقابة ومحاسبة”.
وختم ساويرس حديثه مؤكدًا: “مجلس إدارة الزمالك الحالي لم يُكمل عامين بعد، ويحتاج بعض الوقت لإثبات الاستقرار، أي مؤسسة يجب أن يكون لديها نظام ممتد من القمة إلى القاعدة، وليس مجرد أشخاص مميزين في مواقع معينة، بل منظومة كاملة تعمل بتناغم”.