Tag Futebol

The former USMNT striker has defended the head coach following the 2-1 loss, suggesting individual player errors were primarily responsible

• Gomez acknowledges need for culture change
• He highlights positive first-half performance despite a depleted lineup
• Former striker places blame on player execution

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT HAPPENED

  Following the USMNT’s defeat to Turkey in an international friendly, former U.S. striker and ESPN analyst Herculez Gomez offered a nuanced assessment that partially shielded head coach Mauricio Pochettino from growing criticism. The U.S. struck early, scoring inside the first minute, but conceded twice in quick succession, struggled to equalize, and ultimately fell 2–1.

  “I think he did do something about it,” Gomez said on when asked whether Pochettino addressed the team's issues at halftime. “At halftime, Tyler Adams comes on, Johnny Cardoso comes off, there’s a new center back, Mark Mackenzie, and Miles Robinson comes off. So the two players who essentially took part in the two goals, they come, and that’s a clear message, that’s a clear posture of we're gonna go about this a different way.

  While acknowledging that Pochettino needs to shift the mentality and culture of a team that tends to back down, Gomez stressed that individual mistakes played a major role in undermining the coach’s game plan.

  “Listen, I’m with you on the culture, as that’s [on] Mauricio Pochettino, you have to do something, change something, and I think his leniency with players…I think those things set the tone," Gomez explained. "I think when it’s OK to lose and you verbally say that, it sets a certain cultural tone. But this game, if you think about it and really look at how they weren’t better on the night to how they didn’t score, I think there’s some bad individual performances. More bad individual performances than there are good."

  Gomez added: “But Mauricio Pochettino, to what Ale [Moreno] was saying, he can’t say, ‘Come on migo, have some confidence here, don’t let your knees shake so much on this play, think that you can play this ball, put it over there to the forward.’ I think there’s some players that let themselves down and they let Mauricio Pochettino down.”

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• WHAT HERCULEZ GOMEZ SAID

  The USMNT took the lead early on in the game, with Jack McGlynn scoring 59 seconds after kick-off only to watch Turkiye score twice inside three minutes via Arder Guler and Kerem Akturkoglu. Yet despite that, Gomez admitted that he’s feeling a bit more positive and saw a lot of good things in that first half from the team.

  “Do you know, believe it or not, I’m feeling a bit more positive than I was before,” Gomez said. “I’m going to give Pochettino some credit here. There were realistically one starter on the field and that was Chris Richards, and the rest was a makeshift team that he got in a short time to play as a cohesive unit. And we saw a lot of interesting things, like the message and the identity.

  Gomez also touched upon the fact that Pochettino gave a few players a chance to shine but they failed to grab their chance when it arrived.

  “Maximilian Arfsten, a player who was given an opportunity. You have the opportunity to make a statement and [are] easily at fault for not putting the USMNT in a better position, at least one goal out of the two that he botches. And both of those, he should have made a better decision. Jack McGlynn, how many times did we see him get the ball? And he wants to shoot, instead of getting his head up.

  “Patrick Agyemang, this was a home game for him. His family literally walked to the stadium, and [he] didn’t take advantage of it. So here, I’m willing to give Pochettino somewhat of a pass, because I think he did set up some of these players in a position to shine, I just think a lot of those players let him down."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The USMNT continue to search for consistency and identity under Pochettino, with results falling short of expectations. This highlights the complex challenges facing a program attempting to build toward a home World Cup amid heightened expectations and limited preparation time.

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  WHAT’S NEXT?

  The USMNT face Switzerland in another international friendly on June 10 before the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup begins later this month.

Chelsea have now been told that a “world-class” striker “really wants” to move to Stamford Bridge, and a deal would be “pretty easy” to get done.

Blues identify several top strikers as summer targets

The Blues are one of many top Premier League sides with intentions of signing a top striker in the summer transfer window, and they have now started to identify a number of key targets.

There have been suggestions a stunning £151m move could be made for two Real Madrid stars, namely Endrick and Rodrygo, and there is a determination to get a deal over the line, although the Spanish side have no intention of letting either player leave.

Jonathan David has also emerged as a target for Enzo Maresca’s side, who have expressed a strong interest in the Canadian, and there is a feeling the striker could be set for an imminent move to the Premier League.

A development has occurred in the west Londoners’ pursuit of Inter Milan striker Marcus Thuram, as they have now leapfrogged Premier League rivals Liverpool in the race for the Frenchman’s signature.

Chelsea set to sign £25m Premier League forward Maresca called "fantastic"

BlueCo are now working on a move for a player Enzo Maresca rates very highly.

2 ByDominic Lund Mar 17, 2025

Other targets include the very highly-rated Alexander Isak and Victor Osimhen, with the latter player still thought to be a target, despite a late deal falling through last summer.

Although the move collapsed, Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel has now revealed Osimhen would still be keen on a move to Stamford Bridge, while also stating a deal could be relatively straightforward.

The Nigerian said: “We almost got the deal for Victor Osimhen done last summer. The club wanted him, he wanted to come as well. I know exactly where we stopped. If we have to pick it up again in the summer, it’s pretty easy to get it done. He really wants to come.”

"World-class" Osimhen in red-hot form for Galatasaray

After the move to Stamford Bridge fell through last summer, the Nigeria international opted to move to Galatasaray on loan, rather than remaining at Napoli, and he has been extremely impressive in front of goal throughout the campaign.

The 26-year-old is in red-hot form as of late, netting six goals in his last three Turkish Süper Lig games, while he has also impressed in the Europa League, picking up seven goal contributions in as many matches.

Turkish Süper Lig

22

20

4

Europa League

7

6

1

Football writer Matt Barlow has also lauded the Galatasaray star as “world-class”, indicating that he could be a real upgrade on the much-maligned Nicolas Jackson, who has received his fair share of criticism since arriving at Stamford Bridge.

Osimhen is set to be available for just £62m this summer, as a result of a release clause in his Napoli contract, and Chelsea cannot afford to pass up the opportunity to sign a top striker for a very affordable fee.

Newcastle United were beaten at Anfield as Eddie Howe’s side had to make do without star striker Alexander Isak, absent with a slight groin issue.

Liverpool’s victory means Newcastle have now been defeated in four of their past six Premier League fixtures. Frankly, they were second best throughout the evening, with Isak’s absence underscored by the failure to test Alisson even once.

There’s still plenty to play for this season, success possible through three competitions, but Howe will know his team need to be much better when they meet Liverpool at Wembley next month.

How Newcastle were beaten at Anfield

When Luis Diaz played the onrushing Dominik Szoboszlai in after 11 minutes, Nick Pope needed to make the save and settle the nerves for the travelling Toon.

Fabian Schar should have done better in snuffing out the cross but United’s goalkeeper will be frustrated after failing to get a hand to Szoboszlai’s somewhat tame strike.

This painful sequence underscored the crux of Newcastle’s current issues: in five of their past six Premier League matches, Newcastle have conceded the first goal, having scored first against Fulham at St. James’ Park but gone on to lose that one.

Isak’s absence was sorely felt, but Newcastle have a talented frontline beyond that of the Sweden striker, and Anthony Gordon will be disappointed that he failed to showcase his talent at Anfield, having looked a bit lost without his free-scoring pal.

Anthony Gordon looked lost without Isak

Newcastle’s Player of the Year for 2023/24, Gordon is a wonderful and dynamic forward, but he struggled on this return to Merseyside.

Fielded as a makeshift number ten to support Callum Wilson up front, he was well marshalled by Virgil van Dijk and co. Gordon might have fared better in a more conventional wide role, which was instead assumed by Joe Willock, who also flattered to deceive.

Minutes played

90′

Goals

0

Assists

0

Touches

44

Shots (on target)

1 (0)

Accurate passes

18/22 (82%)

Key passes

0

Possession lost

17x

Dribbles

1/4

Tackles

3

Duels won

5/13

The Chronicle Live’s Lee Ryder did praise Gordon for being a ‘willing runner’ at Anfield, though rebuked his lack of a clinical touch in the same breath, giving him a 5/10 match rating that illustrated a disappointing evening.

Having mustered just the one shot – blocked – and failed to find the sprightly Wilson with a single key pass, Gordon struggled for fluency against Liverpool’s redoubtable backline, though it would be remiss to question his commitment, making three tackles and winning five duels.

He did try to make things happen, but having ceded possession 17 times without making a meaningful creative contribution, it’s clear Gordon missed Isak’s world-class striking presence.

Ultimately, one to forget for Newcastle, who now need to rally ahead of the weekend’s FA Cup clash against Brighton & Hove Albion and a make-or-break run of fixtures in the Premier League and, indeed, a Carabao Cup final against none other than Liverpool.

Might revenge be on the cards?

Newcastle must rue selling world-class star who will be better than Gordon

Newcastle were forced to sell off two of their most prized assets in June to avoid a PSR breach, and one in particular is starring on the South Coast.

2 ByBen Gray Feb 24, 2025

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah may not win the Premier League Player of the Year award, with Virgil van Dijk tipped for glory instead.

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• Salah told Van Dijk should win POTY award
• Egyptian has broken records this season
• Club captain imperious in defence

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Salah, who has endured a terrific run of form in the 2024-25 campaign with the Reds, ended a mini goal drought in his team's 5-1 humiliation of Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday, which sealed the Merseyside club's 20th English top-flight title. He is also the frontrunner to win the Golden Boot this year with 28 strikes to his name in 34 league appearances. However, despite his heroics for Liverpool, ex-Manchester City star Richard Dunne believes that Van Dijk has been the most influential player in Arne Slot's team and the Dutch defender should be given the Player of the Year award.

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• WHAT RICHARD DUNNE SAID

  Speaking to , Dunne said: "The Player of the Season has to come from Liverpool, and I think you have three players to pick from. Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch are the players that immediately spring to mind. The way Gravenberch moves the ball from defence into attack, his fitness and his stature have been fantastic this season.

  "People will say Liverpool would be nowhere near the level they are without Salah’s goals and assists, but for me, it has to be Van Dijk. He brings a calmness and coolness to the club. Without him in the side, Liverpool don’t have the same calibre of leadership; he’s been a standout player for them week-in, week-out, which is the decider for Player of the Season."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Salah's goal against Spurs helped him become the outright highest foreign goalscorer in the Premier League, leapfrogging City icon Sergio Aguero in the race. With 185 goals to his name, he is now fifth on the list of all-time highest scorers in the Premier League, behind only Alan Shearer, Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney and Andy Cole.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

  Slot's men will next face Chelsea as the newly crowned English champions on Sunday in a Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.

It would be fair to say that, so far, this season has not gone to plan for Arsenal.

After coming painfully close to winning the Premier League in their two prior campaigns, Mikel Arteta’s side came into this year with the sole intention of going one step further, and when Rodri was ruled out in September, it looked like it might happen.

Unfortunately, in the months since, the Gunners have had to deal with a considerable number of injuries themselves, some questionable decisions from officials, and simply put, some lacklustre form from some of their star players.

Arsenal’s form this season

Competition

League

UCL

EFL Cup

FA Cup

Games

25

8

5

1

Wins

15

6

3

0

Draws

8

1

0

0

Losses

2

1

2

1

Goals For

51

16

11

0

Goals Against

22

3

7

0

All Stats via Transfermarkt

However, it’s not all doom and gloom for the men in red and white, as a few players have stepped up this season, including one already being compared to some highly valued stars.

Arsenal's top performers compared to last season

While there have been several players who have taken a step back for Arsenal in terms of their attacking output this season, it’s worth starting things on a positive – well, sort of – as, prior to his injury in December, Bukayo Saka was on track to have the best campaign of his career.

Last year, the Hale End icon was utterly sublime for the Gunners, racking up a haul of 20 goals and 14 assists in just 47 appearances, totalling 3865 minutes, which comes to an average of a goal involvement every 1.38 games, or every 113.67 minutes.

Yet, as incredible as that was, the 23-year-old was doing even better this year, racking up nine goals and 13 assists in 24 appearances, totalling 1828 minutes, which means he was averaging a goal involvement every 1.09 games, or every 83.09 minutes, which is frankly incredible.

Saka’s recent form

Season

23/24

24/25

Appearances

47

24

Minutes

3865′

1828′

Goals

20

9

Assists

14

13

Goal Involvements per Match

0.72

0.91

Minutes per Goal Involvement

113.67′

83.09′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Unfortunately, while the Ealin-born superstar stepped up this season, many of his teammates, like Leandro Trossard, did not.

The Belgian international was a force of nature at points last year and, in 46 first-team appearances, totalling 2263 minutes, produced a brilliant tally of 17 goals and two assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.42 games, or every 119.10 minutes.

However, so far this season, the former Brighton & Hove Albion star has only been able to score five goals and produce seven assists in 37 appearances, totalling 2190 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 3.08 games, or every 182.5 minutes.

The good news is that while some of the senior players have let the side down this year, another gem has broken into the first team and is now being compared to some highly valued attackers on the continent.

Market Movers

Expand Collapse The £85m Arsenal star in the making

When Saka injured his hamstring in December, and then Gabriel Jesus injured his ACL just a few weeks later, there was a genuine concern over who Arsenal would play off the right.

Fortunately, Ethan Nwaneri stepped up and, since returning from his own minor knock, has looked like a nailed-on starter.

The “incredible” 17-year-old phenomenon, as talent scout Jacek Kulig described him, was one of only a few bright sparks for the Gunners against Leicester City last week.

It was his cross that led to Mikel Merino’s opener, and on top of that, he hit the woodwork twice and was a constant threat throughout the encounter.

It was the sort of performance that shouldn’t come as a shock anymore because, as the campaign has progressed and Arteta has continued to give him more game time, the Hale Ender has continuously and increasingly impressed.

For example, in 24 appearances this season, totalling just 790 minutes, the Enfield-born wonderkid has scored seven goals and provided one assist, which means he’s currently averaging a goal involvement every three games, or more impressively, every 98.75 minutes.

On top of this, he has also been likened to Jamie Gittins by FBref, which compares players in similar positions across Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, then creates a list of the ten most comparable players for each one, and, in this instance, has concluded that the Borussia Dortmund star is the second most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the Arsenal dynamo.

Nwaneri & Gittens

Statistics per 90

Nwaneri

Gittens

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.33

0.31

Assists

0.24

0.18

Shots on Target

1.42

1.20

Passing Accuracy

78.9%

76.1%

Expected Assists

0.24

0.22

Crosses into the Penalty Area

0.24

0.18

Goal-Creating Actions

0.47

0.60

Clearances

0.24

0.24

Carries into the Final Third

2.62

2.87

All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Season

The best way to see where this comparison has come from is to look at the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, including, but not limited to, non-penalty expected goals plus assists, shots on target, expected assists, crosses into the penalty area, goal-creating actions and more, all per 90.

Now, being compared to one of the most exciting players in Germany with 15 goal involvements to his name this season is encouraging enough, but it also bodes well for the Arsenal ace’s future valuation.

For example, according to a recent report from the German publication Bild, as relayed by the BBC, Dortmund are demanding around £85m for their young star, so given their statistical similarities and the financial strength of the Gunners, who to say that the Hale End gem won’t be worth just as much in the near future.

Ultimately, things haven’t necessarily gone to plan for the North Londoners this season, but in Nwaneri, it looks like they have yet another superstar attacker in the making and one who could have a massive part to play for the rest of the campaign.

Related He's like Xhaka: Arteta must rue not signing Arsenal's loan "genius"

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Feb 20, 2025

Chelsea have made a recent amendment to Mykhailo Mudryk's contract at the club while the winger remains suspended after failing a drugs test.

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• Mudryk banned from football in December
• Has had contract at Chelsea amended
• Still waiting to discover what happens next

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Mudryk has not played for Chelsea since November 2024 after being provisionally suspended from all forms of football following a positive drugs test. However, the Ukraine star has since seen his contract at the club tweaked by the Blues, according to the . There's no detail regarding what has changed in Mudryk's terms, while mystery continues to surround the winger's ongoing suspension.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Mudryk has maintained he never knowingly took any barred substances and is still awaiting the results of a 'B' sample. The Chelsea star is facing a four-year ban if found guilty which will be a real problem for the Blues, given he was signed for a huge fee on an eight-year contract. Yet it's still unclear when a verdict will be reached on Mudryk's case, with no new updates having been offered since he was provisionally suspended in December.

• WHAT MUDRYK HAS SAID

  Mudryk reacted to news of his suspension in a statement on Instagram at the time: “I can confirm that I have been notified that a sample I provided to The FA contained a banned substance. This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules, and am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened. I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon. I cannot say any more now due to the confidentiality of the process, but I will as soon as I can.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MUDRYK

  Mudryk is unable to even train with Chelsea during his suspension as he waits to discover his fate but is said to have employed the same law firm Paul Pogba hired after he received a four-year ban. The Frenchman saw his suspension reduced to 18 months on appeal and is now eligible to play again.

أجرى جناح الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ليفربول، محمد صلاح، حوارًا مع مجلة “فرانس فوتبول” وصحيفة “ليكيب” الفرنسية عن رحلته الاستثنائية مع الريدز.

وحقق محمد صلاح مع ليفربول هذا الموسم لقب الدوري الإنجليزي الثاني له بعد عام 2020 ولكن هذه المرة مختلفة لأن هناك حضورًا جماهيريًا عكس ما حدث قبل 5 سنوات بسبب جائحة فيروس كورونا.

اقرأ أيضًا | سلوت: كلوب ترك إرثًا عظيمًا في ليفربول.. ولا أركز على نفسي كثيرًا

وقال صلاح عن تتويج ليفربول في عام 2020 بدون جماهير ببطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز: “كان الأمر معقدًا جدًا لأن النادي لم يفز بالبطولة منذ 30 عامًا، لا أعتقد أننا ندرك حجم ذلك، قدمنا موسمًا استثنائيًا في الدوري الإنجليزي (99 نقطة)، لكن الإغلاق حرمنا من الاحتفال الذي كانت المدينة تنتظره منذ ثلاثين عامًا”.

وتابع: “كان يجب أن نمنحهم فرصة أخرى للاستمتاع بتلك اللحظة، وهذه المرة مع إمكانية التواصل والاحتفال معًا، ثم كان الأمر تحديًا شخصيًا بالنسبة لي لأنه كان العام الأخير في عقدي مع ليفربول، وبالتالي قد يكون آخر موسم لي هنا، في ليفربول، ما يريده الجماهير أكثر من أي شيء آخر هو الفوز بلقب الدوري الإنجليزي”.

وأضاف: “هذا ما كنت أعلمه بالطبع، منذ توقيعي على العقد (في عام 2017)، لأن ذلك يرتبط بالصراع مع مانشستر يونايتد الذي يمتلك 20 لقبًا بينما ليفربول كان عالقًا عند 18 منذ عام 1990 (أصبح 20 الآن، بالتساوي مع الرقم القياسي)، كان الفوز بالدوري بمثابة تحدٍ كبير وضغط هائل لأننا كنا بحاجة لاستعادة عقلية الفوز التي كان النادي قد فقدها بعض الشيء”.

وأوضح صلاح أنه كان يعلم منذ انضمامه إلى ليفربول في 2017 مدى أهمية الفوز بالدوري بالنسبة لجماهير الفريق، قائلاً: “كنت أعلم قبل قدومي في 2017 مدى أهمية الأمر بالنسبة لليفربول، كنت أرى الشغف الكبير تجاه النادي”.

واستمر: “علاوة على ذلك، كان هناك العديد من الأشخاص الذين يمازحونني قائلين، جميع اللاعبين الجدد يقولون إنهم يريدون الفوز بالدوري الإنجليزي ولكن لا يحدث شيء، وكنت أرد عليهم حسنًا، سنرى إذا كنت سأتمكن من تحقيق ذلك أم لا، ويبدو أنني وفيت بوعدي، (ضاحكًا) أنا فخور بذلك لأن ليفربول وأنا متشابهين بدرجة كبيرة”.

اقرأ أيضًا | بعد أرنولد.. ريال مدريد يجهز لضربة جديدة في صفوف ليفربول

وأكد: “ليفربول معروف بقدرته على العودة المدهشة، وقلب الموازين، نحن لا نستسلم أبدًا، وهذا يتناسب مع طريقة تفكيري في تكريس كل شيء لكرة القدم، أحب أيضًا أن أقول إنني لا أعمل بجد فقط، بل أعمل بذكاء أيضًا، من المهم أن تضع لك هدفًا لتحقيقه”.

وتابع محمد صلاح عن إلهامه بـ “معجزة إسطنبول” في دوري أبطال أوروبا 2005: “لقد تأثرت بها كثيرًا، وكان لدى ليفربول أسلوب لعب سريع جدًا، مع لاعبين مثل جبريل سيسيه الذي كان يركض بسرعة كبيرة، وستيفن جيرارد الذي كان قادرًا على اجتياز الملعب بالكامل وتسديد كرة صاروخية من 30 مترًا، وغيرها من اللحظات الرائعة، لقد حظيت بفرصة لقاء معه في عدة مناسبات، وكان من المميز أن أتمكن من الحديث مع أحد أعظم أساطير النادي”.

وعن التزامه مع الفريق في هذا الموسم رغم التكهنات حول مستقبله، قال: “هذا الموسم، رغم كل الشكوك حول تمديد عقدي، شاهد الجمهور أنني قدمت كل شيء، بدون استهتار، دون حسابات، وهنا، ربما أكثر من أي مكان آخر، هذا هو ما يحترمونه أكثر”.

وحول ما إذا كان يعتبر نفسه أسطورة في النادي، أجاب مبتسمًا: “لا، أنا متأكد أنني أسطورة ليفربول، (ضاحكًا) بجدية، أنا الآن في قلب الحدث، أتدرب، أستعد، وألعب، وعندما أكون في المنزل، أركز كل انتباهي على عائلتي، لذلك، ليس لدي فعلاً الوقت للإحساس بذلك”.

تحدث صلاح أيضًا عن مستواه الرائع في الموسم الحالي قائلاً: “يبدو أن هذا كان في النهاية ميزة كبيرة (ضاحكًا)، لأنني حققت أفضل موسم من حيث الأرقام في حياتي (49 مباراة، 33 هدفًا، و23 تمريرة حاسمة في جميع المسابقات مع فريقي)، ربما كانت فكرة أن قد يكون آخر موسم لي هنا قد دفعتني للاستفادة القصوى منه، وأن أقدم كل شيء للفوز باللقب الذي وعدت به”.

وأشار صلاح إلى المفاوضات حول عقده و”هل فكر في الرحيل فعلًا” قائلاً: “كانت تلك احتمالية، نعم، وكان الأمر غريبًا بعض الشيء، كنا نحقق نتائج رائعة هذا الموسم ولكن المفاوضات لم تكن سهلة، وفي النهاية، كل شيء انتهى بشكل جيد نحن أبطال الدوري الإنجليزي، وأنا سأبقى لمدة موسمين إضافيين (مبتسمًا)”.

وبسؤاله عن تأثير آرني سلوت و”هل جعل الجميع ينسون يورجن كلوب؟”: “لا أنت كلاعب كرة قدم لديك طموح ورغبة في النجاح، النجومية محدودة في هذا الزمن، لا تدوم طويلاً، ربما 15 عامًا فقط، يمر الوقت بسرعة، وعندما يتوقف كل شيء، يبدأ الإنسان في التساؤل هل استفدت من كل لحظة؟ أم لا؟ أنا لا أريد أي ندم”.

اقرأ أيضًا | محمد صلاح يعترف: علاقتي كانت متوترة مع ماني في ليفربول.. ولكن الأرقام توضح الحقيقة

وأضاف محمد صلاح عن تلك النظرة للحياة: “لا تأتي من كرة القدم، (ضاحًكا) بل من قراءة الكثير من الكتب، ومشاهدة الوثائقيات حول الفلسفة، والتطوير الشخصي، أشياء من هذا القبيل، التي تساعد على أن تكون حاضرًا تمامًا في اللحظة، وتستمتع بكل لحظة دون أن تكون في حالة من الروتين الميكانيكي”.

وأوضح صلاح كيف ساعده التطوير الشخصي في أن يصبح أكثر توازنًا في حياته قائلاً: “أن تكون شخصًا أفضل أولاً وقبل كل شيء، ومن هنا، يصبح اللاعب أفضل، لأن هذه الطريقة في تغذية عقلي وتعلمي تساعدني على التماشي بشكل أفضل مع كرة القدم، ومع حياتي بشكل عام”.

وتابع: “على صعيد المعرفة، نكتسب الثقة، نفهم المواقف بشكل أفضل، ونتعلم أن نكون أكثر توازنًا تجاه بعض الأشياء، مع البقاء أكثر تركيزًا على ما نقوم به، وكلما تعلمنا أكثر، زادت رغبتنا في التعلم، شعرت أنني أتغير، أنني أصبح أكثر فهمًا وهدوءًا، وبالتالي، تحسن أدائي على أرض الملعب أيضًا”.

وحول سر نجاحه، أكد محمد صلاح: “شيء كان بداخلي لكن ربما ليس بهذا الشكل، ألا أستسلم أبدًا، هذا متأصل في جينات ليفربول لدرجة أنني حقًا قطعت شوطًا طويلًا في هذه النظرة للحياة”.

وأضاف صلاح: “أفعل ذلك لأنني أريده، لا أحد يطلب مني ذلك، وعندما أكون مع الأطفال، لا أحسب وقتي، يمكنني قضاء عدة ساعات معهم، أستمتع معهم وأقدم لهم النصائح أعتقد أنه من المهم بشكل عام ألا نعيش في فقاعة، وهذا مهم بشكل خاص في ليفربول حيث أن الناس هنا متصلون بشكل عميق بالنادي”.

وتحدث صلاح عن حياته في ليفربول قائلاً: “نعم، كان ذلك تغييرًا كبيرًا، أولًا، أنا أفضل درجات الحرارة الباردة جدًا، لا تسألني لماذا، نعم، أعلم، أنا من مصر، ليس لهذا أي منطق، ومع ذلك، أكره الحرارة”.

اقرأ أيضًا | بشكل مقتضب.. جوارديولا يرد على ارتباط دي بروين بإمكانية انتقاله إلى ليفربول

وعن نظرة الصحافة له عندما انتقل إلى ليفربول في عام 2017: “في ذلك الموسم في روما، أدركت أنه يمكنني تحقيق أكثر مما يظنه الناس، شعرت، على سبيل المثال، أنني يمكنني تسجيل الكثير من الأهداف، وقال لي وكيلي (رامي عباس) أنه إذا انتقلت إلى فريق آخر سأفوز بالكرة الذهبية، وبدأت أتساءل هل هو مجنون كيف يرى ذلك في وأنا لا أراه، ولكن عندما جئت إلى ليفربول، بدأت أقول لنفسي ربما يومًا ما أفوز بالكرة الذهبية وهذا من أجل الشعب المصري، هذا ما أتمناه حقًا”.

وعن فرصه في الفوز بها بعد الخروج من دوري أبطال أوروبا: “هذا ليس بيدي، لكن بالطبع، يومًا ما، أرغب في الفوز بها، عندما تأتي من قرية في مصر وأنت طفل، من الصعب أن تحلم بهذا لكن الأمر مختلف الآن خاصة مع ليفربول”.

وأشاد صلاح بتطور الفريق قائلًا: “كان ليفربول في طريقه لبناء فريق جيد، أنا في 2017 مع ساديو ماني لتشكيل ثلاثي الهجوم مع بوبي روبرتو فيرمينو، وكان الأمر ناجحًا للغاية واستمر الفريق في التطور حتى وصلنا إلى ما وصلنا إليه”.

وفي ختام حديثه، تحدث عن اللحظات المؤلمة قائلًا: “كان هناك إحباط، لكنني أتقبله لأنه أمر طبيعي في كرة القدم وعندما تدرك هذا، فإنه يساعد على عدم البقاء طويلًا في الإحباط والعودة للقتال”.

وأضاف: “في عام 2018، أصبت في كتفي بعد تدخل سيرجيو راموس وفي 2022، تصدى تيبو كورتوا لتسع فرص أمامي، لذلك لا يمكن أن أكون دائمًا في يومي، لكن من المهم ألا تبقى في تلك الحالة وتسعى للأفضل”.

وعن النجاح في أولى مواسم آرني سلوت: “لم أتوقع أن نفوز بالألقاب بهذه السرعة، لا أحد توقع ذلك، لكن في فترة الإعداد طلب مني سلوت أن أكون قدوة للآخرين، فأجبته بألا يقلق”.

Blackburn manager John Eustace has now confirmed that his team are interested in signing a “special” Leeds United player.

Leeds transfer news

Given the fact that the Whites sit at the top of the Championship table, it may not be a surprise to see that they are yet to do any transfer business this month. However, that doesn’t mean the club or Daniel Farke are not looking at players, as reports keep emerging of potential targets that they have in mind.

Related Leeds scouts watching "pacey" versatile wide player during transfer window

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A report has recently claimed that Leeds are looking to sign a new goalkeeper in this transfer window, given the mistakes that Illan Meslier has made throughout this campaign, even though Farke has publicly backed him. As well as looking for a new goalkeeper, Leeds scouts watched Bali Mumba in action for Plymouth Argyle this weekend, as they took a closer look at him.

The defender is known to Farke, as he is the one that gave him his Premier League debut with Norwich City, and given the German wants to improve his full-back options, they could be set for a reunion. Aside from potential arrivals, Leeds are set to see a player leave Elland Road, as Joe Gelhardt closes in on a move to Hull City. The forward is set to join the Tigers on a six-month loan deal as he searches for more football.

Eustace confirms January transfer interest in Leeds player

Gelhardt may not be the only player to leave Leeds, as when speaking to The Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn Rovers boss Eustace confirmed that Patrick Bamford is on a list of potential targets for this month.

Bamford, who was dubbed “special” by former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa, has been at Elland Road for seven seasons now after joining the club from Middlesbrough in 2018. The forward has been an important player for the club, but recent reports have suggested that his time at Leeds could be coming to an end, despite being under contract until 2026.

It was reported in December that the Whites could let the £70,000-a-week man leave this month, and it now seems that Blackburn are one side interested in his services.

Eustace has revealed that he believes Bamford is a good player and went on to admit that he is on their list of players they have looked at: “Patrick is a very good player. I played with him at Derby a long time ago when he started out.

Patrick Bamford’s Leeds stats

Apps

198

Goals

60

Assists

22

“He’s a consistent performer at this level; he plays for a huge club in Leeds. But there will be lots of names thrown towards me, and I’ll just say they’re good players. You’d have to ask the club. He’s a player on a long list that we have looked at, and we’ll have to see.”

An absence of jeopardy at either end of the Premier League table has left the race for Europe as wide open as it has ever been

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The title race is all but over and the Championship's three promoted teams are heading back whence they came with a whimper, but the final stretch of the 2024-25 Premier League season could still be among the most thrilling we've seen.

With England almost certain to bag a fifth Champions League spot from UEFA owing to the new coefficient rules, the fight for a place at Europe's top table could hardly be more heated. Manchester City, the reigning kings of the country, currently occupy fifth place and that final Champions League position, yet only four points separate them and feel-good story Bournemouth in 10th, while Nottingham Forest's fairy tale has them six points ahead of Pep Guardiola's side in third.

It feels increasingly likely that the Champions League will see at least one new English participant for 2025-26, but who's going to claim it? GOAL has crunched the numbers and broken down some predictions for the final nine gameweeks to find out which teams will be in Europe next term:

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportFulham

For people hoping any of the current bottom-half teams break into the top 10 before the end of the season, we've got some bad news to break to you – our data says it's just not going to happen, but we'll circle back to a couple of those infamous stories later.

Ordinarily, 56 points is a total that should get you a little closer to the European places, though in this simulation, it would only land Fulham 10th spot. If this is the case, it may take the shine off what has been an incredible job by Marco Silva at Craven Cottage, who has repaired his own reputation and consolidated the Whites' status as a top-flight club again.

Unfortunately for them, some tricky fixtures are peering over the horizon. They will take on Arsenal and Liverpool immediately upon returning to Premier League action, with a west London derby with Chelsea also coming up. Manchester City head to SW6 on the last day of the season, while only three of their remaining games come against bottom-half sides, and one of them is a trip to bitter neighbours Brentford. Sorry, Fulham fans, but the maths isn't maths-ing this year.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportBournemouth

Bournemouth booking a first-ever European adventure would cap off a remarkable season before their squad inevitably gets pillaged by richer and more glamorous teams. Alas, it appears the Cherries' passports will be staying in the drawer.

This may just be a case of recency bias skewing predictions – Bournemouth have won only one of their last six league games – or it could be a legitimate concern over Andoni Iraola's full-throttle style. You could make a case either way.

Clashes with Ipswich Town and West Ham ought to turn into two wins fresh from the international break and FA Cup sixth-round weekend, though this creeping inconsistency could make those tougher affairs than usual too. A run of four successive matches against Manchester United, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester City heading into the final day of the season may also throw a spanner in the works.

Nevertheless, this would still mark tremendous progress for a team who looked destined to be relegated at the start of last season. How they react and rebuild this summer when the likes of Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and even manager Iraola receive significant offers will determine how close they can go again in future.

Getty Images SportAston Villa

Dealing with the added intensity of a full Champions League schedule has wrecked havoc with Aston Villa's Premier League campaign. They have had to deal with various injuries, the sale of star striker Jhon Duran and the need to quickly reinvent themselves with Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio to keep up with the pack.

Unai Emery's side are the only top-half team currently boasting a negative goal difference, which tends to be a fair differential when splitting hairs. Villa are still going strong in the Champions League and have an exciting quarter-final with Paris Saint-Germain to look forward to, while Crystal Palace await them in the FA Cup semi-finals, so it's only natural their domestic form may suffer a little more.

As is the case with Fulham, Villa will take on six top-half teams before the season is out, and if they're looking leggy from their European and cup campaigns, then expect results to follow a similar trend. Eighth could be enough to secure a spot in the Conference League, however, allowing Villa to right the wrongs of 2023-24 and go all the way in the third-tier competition. But after tasting the highs of the Champions League, it'd be a bitter pill to swallow.

Getty Images SportBrighton & Hove Albion

After a harrowing 7-0 defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest on February 1, Brighton's divisive 32-year-old head coach Fabian Hurzeler is said to have literally set his tactical plans on fire in front of his players. Which, you know, in an age where managers usually stick rigidly to a philosophy for better or worse, is quite an admirable feat.

Since that thrashing, Brighton have taken 13 points from a possible 15 to propel themselves back into European contention, and six of their remaining fixtures come against bottom-half teams. The Seagulls' lips will be smacking at the thought of another continental excursion after last year's run to the last-16 of the Europa League, and a seventh-place finish should get them back into that same competition.

Chris Wood, who has been in red-hot form for Nottingham Forest this season, collected a bizarre booking while on international duty with New Zealand.

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• Has hit 18 Premier League goals this season
• Recorded another hat-trick for his country
• Cautioned for mingling with supporters

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 33-year-old frontman, with a career-best 18 Premier League goals to his name in 2024-25, is a talismanic presence for his country. Another three goals have been added to his record-breaking tally there, taking him to 44 through 81 appearances.

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• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Wood netted a hat-trick for New Zealand – all with his head – as they crushed Fiji 7-0 in a 2026 World Cup qualifier. Victory over New Caledonia on Monday, who are ranked 152nd by FIFA, will secure the All Whites tickets to next summer’s global showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Wood’s spirits were high after claiming another match ball, but he saw his mood sourced somewhat by a remarkable yellow card that was flashed in his direction for signing autographs in the crowd after being replaced midway through the second half of New Zealand’s latest win.

• Getty
  

  WHAT CHRIS WOOD SAID

  The experienced forward told reporters afterwards, with there nothing that could take the smile off his face: "If that's the rules, that's the rules. Just doing something nice and trying to sign for the fans." Wood was able to laugh off the incident as he faces no suspension threat.