أعلن نادي الأهلي السعودي، عن تعيين أمير توفيق المدير التنفيذي السابق لـ النادي الأهلي المصري، في منصب جديد بالنادي السعودي.
وكان الأهلي قد أعلن قبول اعتذار أمير توفيق عن عدم الاستمرار في منصب المدير التنفيذي لشركة الكرة بالنادي الأهلي بوقت سابق.
وكشف الأهلي السعودي عن تعيين أمير توفيق بمنصب الرئيس التنفيذي للقطاع التجاري بالنادي السعودي، وذلك في إطار خطة استراتيجية تهدف إلى تعزيز الموارد وتنمية الشراكات الاستثمارية محليًا ودوليًا.
وسيتولى أمير توفيق الإشراف على جميع الملفات التجارية والاستثمارية للنادي، مع التركيز على زيادة الإيرادات وتوسيع قاعدة الرعاية، بما يعزز من مكانة الأهلي على المستويين المحلي والعالمي.
وأكد نادي الأهلي السعودي في بيانه، أن أمير توفيق يملك خبرة واسعة في إدارة الملفات التسويقية والرياضية، حيث تولى منصب مدير التسويق والتعاقدات بالأهلي بين 2018 و2023، ثم عمل كمدير تنفيذي لشركة الأهلي لكرة القدم بين 2023 و2025.
طالع | رياض محرز يتحدث عن خلافاته مع جوارديولا.. ويصرح: كان بارعًا في استخدامنا
كما أنه ساهم في تنظيم عدد من البطولات الكبرى، بينها البطولة العربية للأندية وكأس العالم للشباب بالسعودية، ويحمل دبلوم (FIFA/CIES) في الإدارة الرياضية، ويدرس حاليًا دبلوم فيفا في الإدارة التنفيذية.
وخلال مسيرته، أبرم توفيق العديد من عقود الرعاية الكبرى مع شركات مثل: صلة، برنتشين، المتحدة للخدمات الإعلامية، وكذلك شركات (Adidas، Panini، EY، Red Bull، وCoca-Cola).
كما أطلق أكاديميات الأهلي المصري الدولية في الإمارات، كندا، والولايات المتحدة، وشارك في التعاقد مع نخبة من اللاعبين الذين ساهموا في تتويج الأهلي ببطولات محلية وقارية بارزة.
تُعلن شركة نادي الأهلي عن تعيين الأستاذ أمير توفيق الرئيس التنفيذي للقطاع التجاري، في خطوة تهدف إلى تعزيز مسيرة النمو التجاري للنادي وتطوير الشراكات الاستراتيجية بما يواكب تطلعات الكيان وجماهيره.
متمنين له التوفيق في مهمته. pic.twitter.com/DzJwbR30Vd
— النادي الأهلي السعودي (@ALAHLI_FC) September 8, 2025
أعلن الاتحاد العربي لكرة القدم، عن اختيار دولة مصر، لاستضافة بطولتي كأس العرب للمنتخبات للشباب تحت 20 عامًا وللناشئين تحت 17 عامًا، في عام 2028.
ومن المقرر أن تقام بطولة كأس العرب للمنتخبات تحت 20 عامًا من الفترة 10 حتى 26 من شهر مايو 2028.
كما تستضيف مصر، بطولة كأس العرب للمنتخبات تحت 17 عامًا، خلال الفترة من 2 حتى 19 من شهر أغسطس 2028.
وكان الاتحاد العربي لكرة القدم أقام اليوم جمعية عمومية في السعودية، أسفرت عن فوز الأمير عبدالعزيز بن تركي الفيصل، رئيسًا للاتحاد العربي بالتزكية.
كما اعتمد نائبي سمو رئيس الاتحاد، النائب الأول المهندس هاني أبو ريدة والنائب الثاني الشيخ حمد بن خليفة بن أحمد آل ثاني.
طالع | رسميًا.. هاني أبو ريدة نائبًا أول لرئيس الاتحاد العربي لكرة القدم حتى 2029
وجاء الأعضاء على النحو التالي، الشيخ خليفة بن علي بن عيسى آل خليفة، فوزي لقجع، هاشم حيدر، عبدالله الجنيبي، أحمد يحيى والدكتور معتصم جعفر لعضوية مجلس الاتحاد، بالإضافة إلى عضوية دولة فلسطين، للفريق جبريل الرجوب، وعضوية المعقد النسائي لـ سمر نصار.
Leeds United appear to be turning their attention towards targets at the top end of the pitch after signing three defenders to bolster their options at the back.
Gabriel Gudmundsson, Jaka Bijol, and Sebastiaan Bornauw have arrived at Elland Road to improve Daniel Farke’s rearguard, whilst striker Lukas Nmecha has also joined on a free transfer.
The Whites are now ready to target players in the attacking areas of the pitch in order to build a team that is capable of avoiding an instant relegation from the Premier League.
Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Symth recently revealed that the Championship champions have made contact with the agents of Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao.
The reporter then added that the Whites are willing to pursue a deal for the Brazilian forward in spite of the fact that he is currently rehabbing from an injury.
What Igor Paixao could bring to Leeds
If Leeds can follow up on this interest by getting a deal over the line for the Feyenoord sensation before the end of the summer transfer window, Farke could have an exciting left winger at his disposal.
Igor Paixao for Feyenoord.
The 25-year-old flanker ended the 2024/25 campaign with an eye-catching haul of 18 goals and 19 assists in 47 appearances in all competitions for the Dutch side, which included 16 goals and 14 assists in the Eredivisie.
Paixao is a right-footed left winger who likes to cut inside from the left to deliver goals and assists on a regular basis, which he did to great effect in the Netherlands last season.
Leeds need a player who brings those qualities to the team after Manor Solomon returned to Tottenham Hotspur at the end of last season, after he spent the term on loan at Elland Road.
24/25 season
Paixao (Eredivisie)
Solomon (Championship)
Appearances
34
39
xG
10.56
8.15
Goals
16
10
Big chances created
12
21
Assists
10
12
Key passes per game
1.7
1.8
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Paixao has the potential to offer similar levels of quality to the Israel international as a scorer and a creator of goals, albeit he is more geared towards scoring than creating in comparison to the Spurs winger.
However, the Brazilian has not played in a European league outside of the Netherlands and there is no guarantee that his form will translate over to England, as Luis Sinisterra has produced eight goals and three assists in 51 games in the Premier League since his move from Feyenoord.
This is why the Whites could land an even better player for their attack amid their interest in a star who has already proven themselves in England.
Leeds hopeful of signing Premier League striker
According to LeedsUnitedNews, the club have made ‘progress’ in their pursuit of a deal for Fulham centre-forward Rodrigo Muniz ahead of next season.
The Whites are interested in adding the Brazilian marksman to their squad to lead the line for them in the Premier League, and are continuing to pursue a move for the Cottagers ace.
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This latest report claims that Leeds are ‘hopeful’ of concluding a deal for the 26-year-old number nine, who has indicated that he would be interested in a move to Elland Road.
It states that Muniz wants to be the main man if he moves to a new club, having played second fiddle to Raul Jimenez at Craven Cottage last season, and that could work to Farke’s advantage.
LeedsUnitedNews adds that the club are stepping up their efforts to sign the Fulham attacker, who has been valued at £50m this summer, and are ‘edging closer’ to a deal.
Why Muniz would be a better signing than Paixao for Leeds
Whilst Paixao would be an exciting signing for Leeds, because of the numbers he put up in the Netherlands last season, Muniz would be an even better signing for the club because he is a proven Premier League talent.
As aforementioned, there is no telling how the Feyenoord attacker will adapt to life in England. There is no guarantee that he will deliver 18 goals and 19 assists for Leeds, given Sinisterra’s struggles after making the same switch from Feyenoord to West Yorkshire a few years ago.
Fulham's RodrigoMunizcelebrates scoring their third goal
This means that he would be a risky signing for the club to make, but with the potential to be an excellent addition, whilst Muniz would be a fairly ‘safe’ move for the Whites to complete this summer.
The Fulham striker has been there and done it in the Premier League, proving that he can score goals against the standard of defenders in the English top-flight, which is why he would be such a crucial signing for Leeds.
Rodrigo Muniz (Premier League)
23/24
24/25
Appearances
26
31
Starts
18
8
xG
8.72
5.81
Goals
9
8
Minutes per goal
179
121
Big chances created
2
1
Assists
1
1
Duel success rate
39%
52%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Muniz has scored 17 goals in just 26 starts in the division since the start of the 2023/24 campaign, rotating with Jimenez at Craven Cottage.
Leeds could offer him the chance to be the main man, starting almost every game if fit and available, and that could provide him with the opportunities to hit double figures for goals, given his impressive output in limited minutes at Fulham.
These statistics show why Muniz is an even better player for Leeds to target this summer because he has a track record that suggests that he can hit the ground running and deliver quality on a regular basis in the Premier League.
Personal terms done: Leeds in talks to land bigger signing than Longstaff
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ByDan Emery Jul 17, 2025
Again, that is not to say that Paixao will be a bad signing, as they could both arrive and form a lethal partnership at the top end of the pitch, but there appears to be far less risk attached to a move for the Fulham striker.
The CPL could be the reason behind Heinrich Klaasen, Anrich Nortje, David Miller and Tabraiz Shamsi’s exclusion
Firdose Moonda14-Aug-2024
Kwena Maphaka took 21 wickets at an average of 9.71 in this year’s Under-19 World Cup•ICC/Getty Images
Fast bowler Kwena Maphaka, who was the Player of the Tournament at this year’s Under-19 World Cup, is in line for a senior international debut after being included in South Africa’s squad to play West Indies in three T20Is later this month.The call-up tops a stellar year for Maphaka, who helped South Africa U-19 to the semi-final of the World Cup, where he took 21 wickets at an average of 9.71. He also made his provincial debut for Lions just before that, and was picked by Mumbai Indians for IPL 2024, all in the space of three months.”Kwena has been identified as a player with significant potential, and this tour presents a great opportunity to include him in the Proteas environment, and gain valuable international experience,” South Africa’s white-ball coach Rob Walter said.Related
Build-up to 2026 begins for West Indies, South Africa – with some ghosts of 2024 still to bury
Bavuma: 'My focus is on Tests, and I'm going to play the best I can in that format'
Maphaka is making things happen, and things are happening for him
CPL 2024: Nortje, Shamsi to replace Thushara, Hasaranga at Patriots
In his short career so far, Maphaka has shown a remarkable level of maturity in balancing pace and control against some of the best young batters in the game. He is completing his final year at school, with matriculation examinations imminent, but will take some time away from the books to possibly make his international cricket bow.Jason Smith, a middle-order batter who was Dolphins’ top-scorer in the CSA T20 challenge in 2023-24, is the other new name in South Africa’s playing group.With T20I cricket taking a backseat after the recent World Cup, and with the next one two years away, South Africa’s squad contains a mix of old and new names, and is without several regulars. Quinton de Kock is perhaps the most notable absentee from the T20 World Cup squad – he has not confirmed his international retirement, although it has been widely speculated.De Kock had stepped away from Tests in 2021, from ODIs in 2023, and had indicated that the T20 World Cup in June this year would be his last international assignment. However, he has not made a definite announcement yet, and will be playing for Barbados Royals in the CPL, which starts on August 30, three days after the third and final T20I against West Indies.The CPL could also be the reason behind the exclusion of Heinrich Klaasen, Anrich Nortje, David Miller and Tabraiz Shamsi, although Tristan Stubbs, who has been signed by St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, has been included in the squad. Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj and Marco Jansen are being rested, while Nqaba Peter, the legspinner who made his T20I debut against West Indies in May, could not be considered as he continues rehabilitation after a shoulder injury.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
That will leave the main spin-bowling duties to Bjorn Fortuin, who was a reserve player at the T20 World Cup.Lungi Ngidi will lead the pace pack, with Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger and Lizaad Williams alongside, while Wiaan Mulder and Patrick Kruger will provide seam-bowling allrounder options. Rassie van der Dussen has been recalled after missing out on the T20 World Cup, but there is no room for Matthew Breetzke. Aiden Markram, meanwhile, will continue to captain the side.”This tour allows us to continue developing our player pool whilst maintaining the core of experienced players,” Walter said. “It will also expose our emerging talent to quality international opposition, similar to the last time we played against West Indies in May.”The three matches will all be played at the Brian Lara Stadium from August 23-27. South Africa had also toured the West Indies for three T20Is in May, just before the T20 World Cup, but lost that series 0-3.South Africa squad for T20I series in the West IndiesAiden Markram (capt), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, Kwena Maphaka, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams
Manchester United’s pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo feels as though it has been going on for months now, with no deal yet agreed for the Brentford star this summer.
The Cameroonian has been a key target for many months now, unsurprisingly so given his record of 20 Premier League goals for the Bees throughout 2024/25.
The Red Devils have so far had two separate offers rejected for the 25-year-old, with Ruben Amorim yet to get his hands on the player who could transform the club’s fortunes in attacking areas.
Keith Andrews’ side are said to be holding out for £65m to part ways with their star man during the current window, but the sides are yet to agree to such a figure, with United’s latest offer totalling £62.5m including add-ons.
It would be a huge disappointment to miss out on the forward, given the huge attempts made for his signature, but other targets have been drawn up over the last couple of weeks as a result of the delay.
The latest on United’s hunt for new signings this summer
Southampton forward Tyler Dibling was a name that was thrown into the mix last week over a potential move to join United, with his current employers demanding a fee in the region of £55m.
Other attackers such as Christopher Nkunku, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Benjamin Sesko have all been touted with moves to join the Red Devils this summer.
However, other areas of the pitch have also been subject to interest, with the hierarchy currently exploring a deal to sign Brighton star Pervis Estupiñán, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
He claims that the club have already held talks with the player and his representatives over a move to Old Trafford, after he made 30 league appearances last campaign.
Jacobs also states that the Seagulls will be open to allowing the 27-year-old to depart this summer, after securing the signing of Maxim De Cuyper, but doesn’t state the fee any deal would cost Amorim’s side.
Why United’s latest target would be perfect for Mbeumo
Despite the delay around a deal for Mbeumo in recent weeks, there’s still a strong feeling that the club will complete a deal for his services at some stage this window.
Brentford's BryanMbeumoreacts
It would be such a shame to miss out on the forward, especially considering the tiny difference of just £2.5m in valuation between the Red Devils and the Bees.
The player himself has previously expressed his desire to move to Old Trafford, which should only bolster their chances of landing the Cameroonian international in the coming weeks.
However, he will need to be aided in his attempt for success should he move to the club, with Mbeumo unable to transform the Red Devils’ fortunes all by himself.
The addition of fellow attacker Matheus Cunha will certainly help him in the final third, but Estupinan could also play a vital role in the Bees star’s hunt to be a success in the North West.
Despite being a full-back, the Ecuadorian international has showcased his talents higher up the pitch, potentially playing perfectly into the hands of Mbeumo as a result.
Estupinan, who’s been labelled “exceptional” by journalist Ryan Adsett, registered 4.9 progressive passes per 90 along with 3.9 passes into the final third – having the tools to provide Mbeumo with opportunities in attacking areas.
Pervis Estupinan’s stats for Brighton in the PL (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
30
Goals & assists
2
Progressive passes
4.9
Passes into final third
3.9
Take-ons attempted
56%
Carries into final third
2.3
Tackles won
1.6
Interceptions made
1.4
Stats via FBref
He also completed 56% of the take-ons he attempted, whilst making 2.3 carries into the final third, able to overlap the forwards and add a new dimension to Amorim’s attack.
However, despite his attacking capabilities, he’s also been just as impressive without the ball, making 1.6 tackles per 90 and 1.4 interceptions per 90, arguably being the perfect wing-back in United’s 3-4-2-1 system.
Whilst it’s unclear how much a deal for the full-back would cost this summer, it’s evident that he has all the tools needed to thrive on the left side of United’s system.
If he can form a partnership with Mbeumo at Old Trafford, it would further add to the quality of any addition, helping the side massively in their quest for success in the near future.
Amorim's own Pogba: Man Utd leading race to sign "sensational" £42m star
Manchester United could be about to make a move to land a key target in their plans for the 2025/26 campaign.
استقر يانيك فيريرا المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، على تشكيل فريقه في مباراة نظيره المصري اليوم السبت، ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز.
وتقام المباراة على استاد برج العرب بالإسكندرية، ضمن منافسات الجولة السادسة من الدوري المصري الممتاز موسم 2025-2026.
طالع.. خاص | سبب استبعاد شيكو بانزا من مباراة الزمالك والمصري
ويحتل المصري المركز الأول في جدول ترتيب الدوري برصيد 11 نقطة من 5 مباريات، بعدما حقق 3 انتصارات وتعادل مرتين
فيما يأتي الزمالك ثانيًا برصيد 10 نقاط، جمعها من الفوز في 3 مباريات والتعادل مرة والخسارة في أخرى.
تشكيل الزمالك أمام المصري في الدوري.. آدم كايد أساسيًا تشكيل الزمالك المتوقع أمام المصري
حراسة المرمى: محمد صبحي
خط الدفاع: محمود بنتايج وحسام عبد المجيد ومحمد إسماعيل أو صلاح مصدق، عمر جابر
خط الوسط: دونجا – ناصر ماهر – عبد الله السعيد
خط الهجوم: خوان بيزيرا – عدي الدباغ – عبد الحميد معالي.
Maharaj, Rabada’s heavy workloads could not force a result in a Test where 142 overs were lost across five days
Firdose Moonda11-Aug-2024
Alick Athanaze made a career-best 92 to help save the game•AFP/Getty Images
South Africa ran out of time, ideas and most importantly bowlers, as they fell five wickets short of winning the first Test against West Indies in Trinidad. The hosts weren’t too far from challenging for a win themselves: West Indies were 97 short of their target when the curtains came down.With 142 overs lost to rain over the five days, South Africa made a fist of the final day when they batted quickly, declared early and gave themselves a little over two sessions to bowl West Indies out. But, Alick Athanaze, playing in his eighth Test match, scored a career-best 92 and shared in half-century stands with Kavem Hodge and Jason Holder to deny South Africa and save the match. This was the first drawn Test worldwide in 28 matches, since July last year.Related
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Weather aside, questions will be asked of South Africa’s selection after they chose an extra batter at the expense of a fifth frontline-bowling option and were forced to rely heavily on two players. Keshav Maharaj bowled 66.2 overs and Kagiso Rabada 30 out of the 148.1 West Indies faced across both innings, while Lungi Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder contributed 30.5. In the absence of a second specialist spinner, Aiden Markram delivered 21 overs.There may also be some scrutiny on the Queen’s Park Oval pitch. It lacked pace and bounce and did not facilitate a free-flow of runs, ostensibly because the square has already been used extensively for club cricket this season. Whatever the reason, it made for an attritional style of play, emphasised by the amount of time lost, and both teams did well to turn most of the final day into a cat-and-mouse battle with all four results possible.Maharaj and Rabada bowled 96.2 overs between themselves in the Test•AFP/Getty Images
South Africa came out with clear intent on the fifth morning: to get runs and get them quickly. Tony de Zorzi and Markram scored 48 in the first 10.2 overs and the 13 they took off Jayden Seales’ third over best illustrated their approach. De Zorzi appeared to defend the first ball but somehow timed it well enough to get through mid-off and almost to the boundary and the pair ran three. Then Markram smashed a short ball through midwicket and drove a full one over mid-on for two fours. Timing, power and finesse all went into their 78-run opening stand.When Jomel Warrican was introduced in the 16th over, de Zorzi tried to be innovative and paddle him away fine but gloved a leg-stump delivery to Joshua Da Silva, ending his 60-ball stay. He fell five runs short of scoring successive half-centuries in this Test and has put a peg in the ground as an enterprising opening option.Tristan Stubbs was in at No.3 and edged the fourth ball he faced past the only slip to frustrate Holder, but Stubbs calmed his nerves with a sweep off Warrican in the next over. The sweep shot was profitable for him and Warrican was a clear target. Markram hit Warrican for six over long-on once but when he tried it a second time, he did not get enough behind the shot and was caught on the boundary by Holder.Tristan Stubbs celebrates his maiden Test fifty•Gallo Images/Getty Images
Temba Bavuma stayed in his No. 4 spot and provided a foil to Stubbs, who was given a licence to thrill. He reverse swept and advanced on Warrican to hit him over the leg side and scored 36 runs off the 25 balls he faced from him. In the process, he reached his first Test fifty, off 42 balls – the second-fastest maiden half-century by a South African after Dudley Nourse’s 40-ball fifty on debut. Stubbs also took on the senior seamer, Kemar Roach, and scored 13 runs off three balls from him before Roach took out his leg stump, and South Africa declared half an hour before lunch.They gave their bowlers 20 minutes in the first session but only had 15 before the rain came down. Maharaj opened the bowling and, with his third ball, had the usually sedate Kraigg Braithwaite attempting a big shot from a full ball and caught at sweeper cover. Stubbs judged his run from the boundary well to hold on to the catch.At the other end, Rabada tested Keacy Carty by beating his outside edge, almost having him played on, and thought he had him caught behind but didn’t. He then reviewed an lbw appeal that hit Carty’s front pad in line with off-stump. Ball-tracking showed it was clipping the top on umpire’s call and Carty survived but then rain arrived.Rain affected play in all five days of the Test•AFP/Getty Images
An hour was lost and when play resumed, Rabada returned with a plan. He set up Mikyle Louis with a series of full deliveries including a fabulous yorker that was well kept out and then bowled a short one. Louis got a top edge to midwicket where he found Stubbs, who held on to a second good catch.With Carty and Athanaze at the crease, South Africa would have hoped to exploit their inexperience but the young pair survived and then thrived. Athanaze became comfortable sweeping and Carty took 12 runs off Ngidi’s second over. The third-wicket stand grew to 46 before Carty hit Maharaj towards cover where Mulder dived forward to take a low catch.South Africa could not prise West Indies open in the second session and put down two chances. Hodge offered Markram a return catch when on 9 and survived again on the last ball before tea when, on 24, he gloved a Maharaj delivery in Bavuma’s direction at second slip. Bavuma went to his right but the ball evaded him. Hodge’s dance with danger ended in the first over after tea when Maharaj found turn and bounce and Hodge got the faintest of edges to Kyle Verreynne.But Athanaze was not easily moved and was excellent against the short ball. He scored quickly, reached 50 off 58 balls and took on South Africa’s main bowlers. He scored 18 runs off 19 balls he faced from Rabada and 47 off 62 from Maharaj and had three figures in his sights until he top-edged a sweep from Maharaj to Ryan Rickelton at deep-backward square leg. By then, West Indies were on safe ground and it was too late for South Africa to push for a result. The captains shook hands on a draw in fading light with 6.4 overs of play remaining.
Chelsea’s summer spending spree is showing no sign of slowing down.
So far, the Blues have made eight new signings this summer, including bringing in Liam Delap, João Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Estêvão Willian and others.
However, they’ve still got plenty to do in the transfer market.
Right now, by our count, the Blues have 46 senior players on their books, but one could be on the way out, making way for another exciting young talent to arrive in West London.
Chelsea set to bolster their attacking options
As already alluded to, Chelsea are seeking to offload at least a dozen high-profile players in the next month or so, with Mike McGrath of the Telegraph reporting that Raheem Sterling could be on his way to Fulham.
One player who is closer to the exit door is João Félix who, according to David Ornstein and Simon Johnson of the Athletic, is set to join Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr for around £26.2m, amid interest from boyhood club Benfica.
The Portuguese only joined Chelsea permanently from Atlético Madrid for £45m a year ago, but has scored just 11 goals in 40 appearances for the Blues across his two spells, spending the second half of last season on loan at AC Milan, thereby very much not in Enzo Maresca’s plans.
So, with Félix on his way out, Chelsea are on the cusp of bringing in a replacement, with journalist Ben Jacobs noting that they are “advancing talks” to sign Xavi Simons, with “terms now broadly in place” to bring him to England. Club-to-club talks are ongoing to find a full agreement over a fee.
James Olley of ESPN claims that the Blues are willing to spend around £50m, with Leipzig holding out for closer to £60m.
So, will he soon become the 15th Dutchman to call Stamford Bridge home, following in the footsteps of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Ruud Gullit, Arjen Robben and others?
How Xavi Simons will improve Chelsea
Simons is certainly a highly-rated player, with Sultan Babajide of Breaking the Lines asserting that he is ‘destined for the top’, noting how he is ‘brilliant between the lines’.
Meantime, Bart Vlietstra of the Guardian believes there has always been ‘something irresistible’ about a player he labels a ‘precocious’ talent, while Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout agrees, describing him as a ‘fascinating player’.
Simons’ career breakthrough came at PSV Eindhoven, scoring 22 goals and registering 11 assists in just 48 outings for the Dutch giants, while he has also racked up 21 goals and 23 assists in 76 appearances since making the move to RB Leipzig.
So how does he compare to the player he’s set to replace in the Chelsea squad Félix? Let’s find out.
Simons vs Félix season-by-season
Statistics
Simons
Félix
2024/25
Appearances
33
41
Goals
11
10
Assists
8
3
2023/24
Appearances
43
44
Goals
10
10
Assists
15
6
2022/23
Appearances
48
40
Goals
22
9
Assists
11
3
All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt
As the table outlines, ever since Simons became a regular first-team player at PSV, his statistics have been more impressive than those of Félix.
The Portuguese international’s £113m move to Atlético Madrid back in 2019, making him the fourth-most expensive player of all-time, has turned out to be one of football’s great what if moves, with Jack Lang of the Athletic noting that he is widely-regarded as having ‘wasted his talent’, never able to fit into the playing style or system at any of the clubs he’s featured for since Benfica.
Simons, in contrast, is a player on the way up, likely to get even better, so he could have an enormous impact at Chelsea, potentially elevating them to a level where they’re fighting for the Premier League title and Champions League supremacy once again.
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كشف آدم وطني وكيل إمام عاشور لاعب فريق الكرة بـ الأهلي، عن وجود عروض خارجية لموكله من أجل الرحيل عن القلعة الحمراء بالفترة المقبلة، موضحًا تفاصيل علاقته مع النادي بعد صدور قرار سابق بقطع التعامل معه.
وكان أحمد جاب الله، طبيب النادي الأهلي، قد أعلن أن نتائج التحاليل والفحوصات الطبية التي خضع لها إمام عاشور أثبتت تعرضه لعدوى فيروسية “فيروس A”، مما يؤثر على تواجده مع الفريق بالفترة المقبلة.
وقال هاني حتحوت عبر “أون سبورت إف إم”: “تواصلنا مع آدم وطني وكيل أعمال إمام عاشور، وقال (إمام عاشور هو أفضل لاعب في مصر وإفريقيا وهو يستحق أن يُحترم في هذا الإطار، ضعوا هذا في بالكم)”.
وأكمل: “إمام عاشور تم التعاقد معه من خلال واحدة من أفضل إدارات التعاقدات في أوروبا، ميتلاند، وعودة إمام إلى مصر كانت بسبب قراره بالعودة وليس بسبب فشله في أوروبا، والكثير من الأندية ترغب في ضمه، والفكرة هي ليست في استقدام 20 عرضًا للأهلي، ولكن لاختيار المشروع الأنسب للاعب لينتقل له من الأهلي”.
وواصل: “العملية أخذت وقتًا أطول بسبب إصابة إمام عاشور في كأس العالم للأندية، أنا لا أهتم بقرار الأهلي الخاص بمقاطعة العمل معي، أنا أمثل اللاعب، وقرار الأهلي بعدم التعامل معي هو يعتبر عدم احترام الأهلي للاعب نفسه، ولذلك إمام عاشور لا بد أن يُعامل بالاحترام الذي يستحقه”.
طالع| طبيب كبد يُحدد موعد تعافي إمام عاشور من فيروس A وجاهزيته لمباريات الأهلي
وزاد: “وطني قال أنا أحضرت للأهلي هذا العام 650 مليون جنيه دون أن أطلب جنيهًا واحدًا، أنا أحارب من أجل مصلحة اللاعبين الذين أعمل معهم، وطبعًا أحترم النادي، ولو استطعت إفادة الأهلي سأفعل ذلك، ولكن أنا بشر وبالتالي الاهتمام الأبرز بالنسبة لي هم اللاعبين الذين أمثلهم، ولو استطعت أن أستخدم قوتي لكي أقدم لهم حياة جيدة واحترافية وفرص إيجابية بالطبع سأفعل ذلك”.
وأضاف: “إذا كان الاختيار لأي لاعب منهم هو البقاء في الأهلي بالطبع سأفعل ذلك، أما إذا كان الأفضل عدم بقائهم في الاهلي، فعلى النادي أن يحترم رغبة اللاعبين في الانتقال للأندية الأخرى”.
وأتم: “الأندية الكبيرة (مش بتعمل بلوك للاعبيهم) ولا تمنعهم من تحقيق أحلامهم، مثلما حدث مع رونالدو عندما قرر الرحيل عن ريال مدريد، بيريز تركه يرحل وفتح الأبواب له، ومثلما حدث مع بنزيما أيضًا”.
ويستعد الأهلي لمواجهة سيراميكا كليوباترا يوم الجمعة 19 سبتمبر، ضمن منافسات الجولة السابعة من المسابقة المحلية.
The system was previously used in the Hundred and IPL 2024
ESPNcricinfo staff02-Oct-2024
The TV umpire will have the benefit of the Smart Replay system at the T20 World Cup•BCCI
The 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, starting October 3 in the UAE, will be the first ICC event to feature the Smart Replay System. The technology was previously used in the Hundred and IPL 2024.”The coverage will feature a minimum of 28 cameras at every game, and will be complemented by a variety of analytical and visual enhancements. The Decision Review System (DRS) will also be available at all matches, with a Hawk-Eye Smart Replay System in place that enables the TV umpire to instantly review synchronized multi-angle footage for accurate decision-making,” the ICC stated in a release.Related
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Under the Smart Replay System, the TV umpire will receive inputs directly from two Hawk-Eye operators who will be sitting in the same room as the umpire and provide her with images captured by Hawk-Eye’s eight hi-speed cameras across the ground. The TV broadcast director, who used to be a conduit between the third umpire and the Hawk-Eye operators until now, will no longer be involved under this system. This also allows the TV umpire to refer to more visuals than she previously had access to, including split-screen images.In case of a stumping referral under the Smart Replay System, the TV umpire can ask the Hawk-Eye operators for split-screen visuals. In case there is a visible gap when the ball passed bat, the TV umpire will not ask for the UltraEdge (to see if it was a caught behind) and instead directly proceed to check the side-on replay for the stumping. If the TV umpire doesn’t see a clear gap between bat and ball, only then will she refer to UltraEdge.For stumpings, the new system will show the TV umpire tri-vision – essentially footage from side-on cameras as well as from front-on in a single frame. The front-on camera angle is important because it gives an accurate picture of bails being removed. Previously the broadcaster would show the side-on angle from each side along with footage from Stump Cam. But Stump Cam records the action at a low speed of approximately 50 frames per second, as opposed to the Hawk-Eye cameras which record at approximately 300 frames per second, meaning there will now be more accurate footage for the umpires to base their decision on.Like it was at the T20 World Cup last year, this tournament will also have an all-female panel of umpires and match officials.