Mohammad Hasnain cleared to bowl internationally again

Pakistan quick’s elbow extension has come down from the earlier flex of 17-24 degrees to 12-13 degrees

Umar Farooq09-Jun-2022

Mohammad Hasnain has sent down 5000 balls and practised shadow bowling in a bid to remodel his action•PCB

Mohammad Hasnain has been cleared to bowl internationally again. The verdict was based on an assessment of his action, where he bowled three overs under supervision, and it was revealed that his elbow extension has dropped within the permissible limit – it has come down from the earlier flex of 17-24 degrees to 12-13 degrees.Hasnain, reported for a faulty action in January this year during the BBL, where he represented Sydney Thunder, and suspended from bowling in international cricket the following month, is now eligible to resume his international career. During the suspension, Hasnain was eligible to bowl in Pakistan’s domestic circuit, but the PCB had decided against it. Instead, he had to focus on tweaking his action.After considering sending Hasnain to an independent consultant, the PCB decided to assign its high-performance coach, Umar Rasheed, to work with him at Lahore’s High-Performance Centre. His tests took place at Lahore University of Management Sciences, an ICC-accredited testing laboratory on January 21. The test report, which was reviewed and verified by Cricket Australia’s independent expert, found his bowling action to be illegal.Related

Hasnain replaces Shaheen in Pakistan's T20 squad for Asia Cup

Four teenagers, a 37-year-old giant, and Imran Khan

Hasnain undergoes bowling test in bid to revive career

An early assessment had found that Hasnain was rotating his arm to swing the ball. This process was inconsistent and caused a jerk. To bowl quicker deliveries, his landing was wild, making his alignment go off. It is understood that the structure of his new bowling action remains the same though his wrist, arm rotation and landing have been tweaked allowing him to bowl with consistent and repeatable action. Rasheed helped rework his alignment, for which Hasnain delivered over 5000 balls and practised shadow bowling.Before Hasnain was suspended, he had been in and around Pakistan’s white-ball squads and had a T20I hat-trick to his name. He had impressed in his short stint at the BBL after being recruited as a replacement for English quick Saqib Mahmood. He had a successful debut, taking 3 for 20 in Thunder’s 28-run win over Adelaide Strikers.Hasnain was among the few young fast bowlers the PCB had invested in after the international appearances for Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz went became less and less frequent. He was also among a select few in Pakistan who hit the 145kph mark consistently. Whether he is able to retain the pace after remedial work is to be seen.He hasn’t played competitive cricket since the suspension. However, Rasheed is certain that his action is repeatable and that he is stronger than ever.

Corinthians identifica torcedor que acendeu sinalizador no Majestoso e repudia cantos homofóbicos

MatériaMais Notícias

da fazobetai: O Corinthians se posicionou sobre duas situações envolvendo os seus torcedores no empate 1 a 1 contra o São Paulo, no último domingo (22), na Neo Química Arena, pelo Brasileirão. O árbitro Wilton Pereira Sampaio relatou que um sinalizador foi aceso no setor sul do estádio corintiano, bem como alguns cantos homofóbicos de torcedores corintianos.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansBoletim Médico: Fagner inicia transição, e Cássio não tem lesão constatada no CorinthiansCorinthians23/05/2022CorinthiansANÁLISE: Vítor corrige os próprios erros, mas atuação do Corinthians no Majestoso deixa o alerta ligadoCorinthians23/05/2022CorinthiansE o Róger Guedes? Relação do atacante com Vítor Pereira chega a ponto crítico no CorinthiansCorinthians23/05/2022

da bet7: > GALERIA – ATUAÇÕES: Cássio salva o Corinthians e é destaque contra o São Paulo

> TABELA – Confira e simule os jogos do Timão no Brasileirão

Em relação ao sinalizador, o Timão afirmou que o torcedor que acendeu foi identificado pelas câmeras de segurança da arena e conduzido pela Polícia Militar até a sala de policiamento instalada no estádio, ali teve os seus dados coletados para, segundo o clube, as providências cabíveis sejam tomadas.

O procedimento foi comunicado à arbitragem para que fosse adicionado à súmula.

Quanto aos cantos homofóbicos, o Timão repudiou o ocrrido e reforçou que comumente alerta a torcida para a ilegalidade do comportamento, no qual considera inaceitável. O clube alvinegro, através do seu departamento de comunicação, disse que essas ações vão de campanhas nas redes sociais até informes no sistema de som e telões da Neo Química Arena.

O Corinthians reforçou o pedido para que a Fiel não repita esses atos.

Aos cinco minutos do segundo tempo, o árbitro do Majestoso, Wilton Pereira Sampaio, parou a partida e comunicou ao quarto árbitro, Lucas Caneto Bellote, que tais cantos estavam sendo entoados.

continua após a publicidade

تتشاجر مع جيرانها.. الزمالك يرد على بكاء مستأجرة "المحل"

أصدر نادي الزمالك بيانًا من أجل توضيح الجدل المثار حول مستأجرة أحد المحلات داخل النادي، والتي تدعى سماح محمد، بعد مقطع الفيديو الأخير.

وشهدت الساعات الأخيرة تداول مقطع فيديو يخص إحدى السيدات المستأجرة لأحد المحلات داخل الزمالك، وهي تبكي وتدعي أنها تعرضت لظلم من مجلس إدارة القلعة البيضاء وتم منعها من دخول النادي والتحفظ على محتويات المحل.

وقال حسن موسى، المدير التنفيذي للنادي في تصريحات للمركز الإعلامي: “تلقينا استفسارات عديدة بخصوص السيدة سماح محمد، مستأجرة أحد المحلات بالنادي، بعد انتشار مقطع فيديو لها تدّعي فيه تعرضها لسوء معاملة من إدارة النادي، ومنعها من العمل داخل المحل، لكن الحقيقة مختلفة تمامًا عما ورد في الفيديو”.

طالع.. الزمالك يعلن تفاصيل إصابة الجفالي وموقفه من مباراة بيراميدز

وأضاف: “السيدة المذكورة دائمة الخلاف مع مستأجري المحلات المجاورة، إضافة إلى وجود مشكلات متكررة بينها وبين عمال وأفراد أمن النادي، وقد خضعت للتحقيق في أكثر من واقعة مخالفة، وتم اتخاذ الإجراءات العقابية بحقها بناءً على نتائج تلك التحقيقات”.

واستمر: “المكتب التنفيذي رفع توصية لمجلس الإدارة بإيقافها، وبالفعل تم منعها من دخول النادي منذ أربعة أيام تنفيذًا للعقوبة الصادرة بحقها”.

وتابع: “لدينا عشرات المحلات المؤجرة داخل النادي، ولم نواجه مثل هذه المشكلات مع أي من المستأجرين الآخرين، وبالتالي لا داعي لتضخيم حالة فردية تكررت منها المخالفات مرارًا، وتعاملنا معها برأفة أكثر من مرة، بل أن بعض أعضاء المجلس تدخّلوا لتخفيف العقوبات عنها حتى لا تتأثر مصادر دخلها من المحل”.

واختتم: “إدارة الزمالك حريصة على الحفاظ على مصالح جميع المستأجرين، لكن دون الإضرار بمصلحة النادي أو مخالفة اللوائح، نحن نعمل وفق آلية قانونية واضحة، تضمن الحقوق وتحافظ على النظام”.

Knight leads from the front as England take opening T20I

Opposite number Suzie Bates also shone with a half-century but didn’t have enough support

Andrew McGlashan19-Mar-2024

Heather Knight scored a brisk half-century•Getty Images

In a game of two captains’ innings, it was Heather Knight who came out victorious as England took the opening T20I of the five-match series in Dunedin by 27 runs.Knight, who opted out of the WPL to lead England from the start of this tour, put together a superbly-paced 63 off 39 balls to steer the visitors to 160 for 4 with handy contributions from Sophia Dunkley and Maia Bouchier.Related

Heather Knight: No regrets about missing RCB glory for England duty

Devine: 'There's not much depth coming through'

Suzie Bates, standing in for Sophie Devine as she returns from the WPL where she won the title with Royal Challengers Bangalore, did her best to carry the chase with 65 off 51 balls but a batting line-up without Devine and Amelia Kerr couldn’t provide enough support at a high enough tempo.New Zealand should be boosted by the return of the two stars for the next match in Nelson while England’s WPL players – Alice Capsey, Sophie Ecclestone, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Danni Wyatt – won’t enter the series until after the third game.Dunkley provides early impetusTammy Beaumont returned at the top of the order for her first T20I in more than two years and the 100th of her career. She was given an early life on 1 when Hannah Rowe couldn’t hold onto a chance above her head at mid-on and then there were some positive signs for Beaumont before she found mid-off against the left-arm spin of Fran Jonas.Either side of the powerplay ending, Dunkley hit her stride having initially reached 11 off 14 balls. She twice found the boundary in the sixth and seventh overs against Rowe and Rosemary Mair as 27 runs came to give England’s innings a shot in the arm. Dunkley was starting to motor when she picked up her sixth boundary, but Lea Tahuhu struck back the next ball with a short delivery that was top-edged behind.Knight goes through the gearsAt the midway point, England were 72 for 2 with Knight and Bouchier working to give themselves a platform. It took Knight a little time to get going and she was 8 off 10 balls before collecting her first boundary with a thumping straight drive off Jess Kerr. Then she was up and running.Suzie Bates carried New Zealand’s chase•Getty Images

The England captain needed just another 23 deliveries to bring up her half-century from 33 balls which included taking Tahuhu over wide long-on for six in the 18th over that cost 18 runs. At that point, 170 was well within sight for England but New Zealand clawed the innings back well in the last two overs, leaking just 11 runs.The third-wicket stand of 91 off 64 balls ended when Knight walked past a full delivery from Jess. Bouchier, who had been dropped on 26 and 37, the first a sitter by Maddy Green at mid-on, ended with a career-best in T20Is but, unlike Knight, couldn’t elevate her scoring rate in the same way.Too much left to BatesLauren Bell struck in the first over of the chase to have Izzy Gaze caught at cover second ball (she could have been run out off her first) but stand-in captain Bates ensured New Zealand remained level-pegging to what England have achieved in the powerplay – 44 for 1 compared to 41 for 1.Bates took on the opening over of debutant quick Lauren Filer with three boundaries – a strong clip, a big top edge to third and a bludgeon over the on side – to lay down the gauntlet. But England’s spinners, including Knight, proved harder work and there wasn’t the required scoring rate from the other batters.George Plimmer showed glimpses before skying Sarah Glenn to short fine leg then Green was becalmed early in her innings as the asking rate grew. Green’s stay was ended in somewhat unfortunate circumstances when Bates crunched a straight drive into Charlie Dean which ricocheted onto the non-striker’s stumps with Green well short.Bates just about kept New Zealand alive before picking out deep square leg for 65 off 51 balls at which point 52 were needed off the last three overs. The trio of Plimmer, Green and Brooke Halliday managed 56 off 61 balls between them.

Corinthians confirma retorno de atletas que estavam emprestados; saiba quem são

MatériaMais Notícias

da 888casino: O trio Ramiro, Mateus Vital e Léo Natel treinou nas dependências do Corinthians neste sábado (9).Os atletas estavam emprestados a outros clubes de fora do Brasil e não tiveram a compra exercida. Eles estão de volta após um período de férias no mês passado.

continua após a publicidade

da stake casino: +Veja chegadas e saída do Corinthians no mercado

Ramiro estava no Al-Wasl desde agosto de 2021. Na equipe dos Emirados Árabes, o atleta marcou dois gols, um deles na estreia, e deu seis assistências em 34 partidas.

Com o meia, a equipe árabe ficou somente na sexta colocação no campeonato nacional, foi vice-campeã da Taça da Liga dos Emirados Árabes e chegou até a semifinal da Copa do Presidente, competição continental.

+ Confira a tabela do Brasileirão e simule os próximos jogos

O Al-Wasl não exerceu a opção de compra de 4 milhões de dólares (R$ 21 mi, na cotação atual).

Já Vital fez 40 partidas pelo Panathinaikos, da Grécia, mas 16, menos da metade, como titular. Para piorar, a maioria das vezes que começou jogando foi em partidas no início da passagem dele pelo clube grego. No fim da passagem, Mateus acumulou jogos em que atuava menos de 30 minutos, além de situações em que não saiu do banco de reservas.

No total, o meia-atacante marcou três gols e deu uma assistência no período. Sendo que dois desses tentos foram marcados na mesma partida, uma vitória por 4 a 0 sobre o Anagennisi Karditsa, pelas quartas de final da Taça da Liga da Grécia.

Com Mateus Vital, o clube foi campeão da Taça da Liga, mas ficou somente na quarta colocação do Campeonato Grego. Ainda assim, time europeu não exerceu a opção de compra de 4 milhões de euros (R$ 21,4 mi, na cotação atual) por 50% dos direitos econômicos pelo atleta.

Já Léo Natel foi o que mais esteve perto de ser adquirido. O jogador foi emprestado ao Apoel, do Chipre, onde passou pela segunda vez – a primeira, também por empréstimo, havia sido entre 2018 e 2019, quando o atacante ainda pertencia ao São Paulo.

Querido na equipe, o atleta marcou seis gols em 29 jogos, mas não ficou no time cipriota por dois motivos: a queda do euro e a temporada ruim do Apoel, que ficou somente na terceira colocação do campeonato nacional e foi eliminado nas quartas de final na copa local.

A opção de compra do atacante era de 2,5 milhões de euros (R$ 13,3 mi, na cotação atual) por 50% dos direitos. Na negociação pela compra, o Timão sinalizou que aceitaria até 1,5 milhão de euros (R$ 8 mi, na cotação atual) pelo jogador. Mas, por fim, a equipe do Chipre não exerceu a compra.

Os três jogadores serão avaliados pela comissão técnica do treinador Vítor Pereira nos próximos dias, para saber se podem agregar o elenco do Timão no restante da temporada.

Enquanto isso, o departamento de futebol corintiano seguirá aberto para escutar possíveis interessados no trio de jogadores.

Arthur Sousa decide e Corinthians supera o Fluminense no Brasileirão Sub-20

MatériaMais Notícias

da marjack bet: Em duelo válido pela 4ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-20, oCorinthiansderrotou oFluminensepor 1 a 0 no Parque São Jorge. Arthur Sousa, aos cinco minutos do segundo tempo, marcou o único gol da partida. O atacante soma 12 gols em 12 jogos na temporada.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansCorinthians trabalha com possibilidade de ter João Victor contra o Boca, na ArgentinaCorinthians03/07/2022CorinthiansCorinthians informa como será venda de ingressos para o confronto contra o Flamengo no BrasileirãoCorinthians03/07/2022CorinthiansCorinthians inicia preparação para duelo decisivo contra o Boca na LibertadoresCorinthians03/07/2022

da brdice: + GALERIA – Yuri Alberto é o 14º! Relembre as contratações do Timão na ‘era Duílio’

Com o resultado, o Timão chega aos nove pontos e fica na vice-liderança do Grupo B, atrás do Vasco, que possui 10 pontos. Já o Tricolor das Laranjeiras ocupa o oitavo lugar, com cinco pontos.

No próximo sábado (9), o clube alvinegro enfrenta o Grêmio na competição Sub-20, no Rio Grande do Sul, às 15h. Já a equipe carioca recebe o Red Bull Bragantino no domingo (10).

+ TABELA – Confira e simule as partidas do Corinthians no Brasileirão

O JOGO

Sem poder contar com Léo Mana, Matheus Araújo, Robert Renan, Guilherme Biro, Matheus Araújo, Breno Bidon, Giovane e Wesley, que viajaram com o elenco principal para o Rio de Janeiro na derrota por 4 a 0 contra o Fluminense, o técnico Danilo escalou o Timãozinho com: Kauê; Caun, Tchoca, Murillo e Vítor Meer; José Vitor, Ryan Gustavo e Pedrinho; Léo Agostinho, Arthur Sousa e Kayke Ferrari.

Do lado carioca, o técnico Guilherme Torres escalou a equipe com:Cayo Fellipe; Erick, Felipe, Damaceno e Jefté; Alexsander, Abner, Arthur, Antony Kennedy e Mateus Alves; Miguel Vinícius.

O Tricolor das Laranjeiras adiantou suas linhas de marcação nos minutos iniciais, dificultando a saída de bola do Timão. No entanto, as melhores chances no primeiro tempo foram dos mandantes.

Aos 36 minutos, Pedrinho roubou a bola no meio-campo e conduziu o ataque. O meia tinha opções de passe, mas decidiu arriscar de longe. A bola desviou na zaga do Flu e passou ao lado do gol.

No escanteio, Ryan apareceu livre no segundo pau, mas não conseguiu acertar o cabeceio, e a bola subiu por cima do gol.

No início da etapa final, aos cinco minutos, a defesa do Fluminense não cortou passe de Kayke. O meia achou Pedrinho na marca do pênalti, que rolou para Arthur Sousa. O atacante cortou para o pé esquerdo e abriu o marcador.

Ao longo da segunda etapa, Danilo se tirou o autor do gol e o zagueiro Zé Vitor pelo desgaste físico. O Tricolor das Laranjeiras cresceu nos minutos finais, mas não conseguiu produzir chances e saiu do Parque São Jorge derrotado.

Corinthians encerra 1ª fase do Paulistão Sub-20 com vitória sobre o São Bernardo

MatériaMais Notícias

da apostebet: Na Fazendinha, o Corinthians encerrou a fase de grupos do Campeonato Paulista Sub-20 com vitória por 1 a 0 sobre o São Bernardo. Mindinho, aos 47 minutos do segundo tempo, fez o único gol da partida em cobrança de falta.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansDois torcedores do Boca detidos por gesto racista em jogo contra o Corinthians pagam fiança e conseguem liberaçãoCorinthians29/06/2022Fora de CampoNeto critica jogador do Corinthians e detona Roger Guedes: ‘Está parecendo que comeu uma feijoada’Fora de Campo29/06/2022CorinthiansTorcedores do Corinthians perdem ‘jogo da vida’ para um bem maior: combater o racismoCorinthians29/06/2022

da doce: + Semana de Libertadores! Saiba quais são os elencos mais valiosos das oitavas

Já classificado, o Timãozinho terminou na liderança do Grupo 9, com 25 pontos. O São Caetano terminou em segundo lugar.

A segunda fase do torneio é composta por nova fase de grupos. O clube alvinegro está no Grupo 13, ao lado de Mirassol,XV de Jaú e o oitavo melhor terceiro colocado da fase anterior.

O próximo desafio da equipe treinada por Danilo é no domingo (3), às 16h, contra o Fluminense, pela 4ª rodada do Brasileirão Sub-20.

+ Confira a tabela e simule as partidas da Conmebol Libertadores

O JOGO

Visando a partida contra os cariocas no Brasileirão, Danilo escalou uma equipe alternativa para a partida contra o São Bernardo: Bruno; Cauan, Cressi, Renato e Abimael; Thomas Argentino, Breno Bidon e Riquelme; Léo Agostinho, Wesley e Thalisson.

A primeira boa chance no jogo veio para os mandantes. Após inversão de Wesley para Léo Agostinho, o ponta acionou Cauan. O camisa 2 bateu com força, rasteiro, e Carlos Gabriel fez grande defesa.

Na volta para o segundo tempo, Danilo promoveu quatro alterações na equipe do Timão. O São Bernardo voltou melhor e pressionou os mandantes.

Após cruzamento na área, Bruno saiu mal do gol e viu João Guilherme marcar de cabeça. A arbitragem flagrou impedimento e o gol foi anulado.

Aos 47 minutos da etapa final, o Corinthians fez o gol da vitória. Na entrada da área, Mindinho cobrou falta por cima da barreira e garantiu a vitória para o Timãozinho.

فيديو | في وداع أنشيلوتي ومودريتش.. ريال مدريد يختتم الدوري الإسباني بثنائية نظيفة أمام ريال سوسيداد

تمكن ريال مدريد من الفوز على ضيفه ريال سوسيداد، بنتيجة 2/0، في إطار منافسات الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم “لاليجا”.

وواجه ريال مدريد نظيره ريال سوسيداد، ضمن منافسات الجولة 38 والأخيرة من الدوري الإسباني، على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو”.

وتُعد تلك المباراة هي الأخيرة للمدرب كارلو أنشيلوتي مع ريال مدريد، حيث سيتجه إلى تدريب منتخب البرازيل.

كما أن تلك المباراة هي الأخيرة لـ لوكاس فاسكيز وأسطورة الفريق، لوكا مودريتش مع ريال مدريد على ذلك الملعب، حيث أعلن رحيله عن النادي بمجرد انتهاء عقده في 30 يونيو المقبل، وسيشارك في كأس العالم للأندية حتى ذلك الحين.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإسباني بعد ثنائية مبابي أمام ريال سوسيداد

في الشوط الأول وعند الدقيقة السابعة، كاد كيليان مبابي أن يفتتح التسجيل لصالح ريال مدريد لولا تألق ريميرو حارس ريال سوسيداد.

التهديد الأول على مرمى ريال مدريد، جاء من خلال انفراد سيرجيو جوميز أمام لونين، لكن الحارس الأوكراني أنقذ الفريق الملكي من تلقي هدف أول بحلول الدقيقة التاسعة.

ومع الدقيقة 33، مرت تسديدة سوسيتش على مرمى ريال مدريد بسلام، بعد أن جائت تسديدة المهاجم الكرواتي بجوار مرمى لونين.

وأحرز كيليان مبابي الهدف الأول لصالح ريال مدريد بالدقيقة 38، حيث أهدر فرصة تسجيل الهدف من علامة الجزاء بعد تصدي ريميرو، لكن تابع الكرة وسددها بالشباك معلناً أول أهداف ريال مدريد في اللقاء.

في الشوط الثاني ومع الدقيقة 55، غادر إبراهيم دياز المباراة مصابًا، وحل فينيسيوس جونيور بدلاً منه.

وشهد أغلب فترات الشوط الثاني، سيطرة واضحة من أصحاب الأرض، في محاولة لإضافة ثاني أهداف الفريق الملكي.

ووقع كيليان مبابي على ثاني أهداف ريال مدريد بالدقيقة 83، بصناعة من فينيسيوس جونيور.

وغادر ثنائي ريال مدريد لوكاس فاسكيز ولوكا مودريتش اللقاء بالدقيقتين 77 و85 وسط تصفيق حار من جمهور ريال مدريد بسبب ظهورهم الأخير على ملعب سانتياجو برنابيو.

وبهذه النتيجة، ارتفع رصيد ريال مدريد إلى النقطة 84 في المركز الثاني في ترتيب الدوري الإسباني، بينما تجمد رصيد ريال سوسيداد عند النقطة 46 في المركز الحادي عشر. أهداف مباراة ريال مدريد وريال سوسيداد (2-0) في الدوري الاسباني

لحظة تبديل لوكاس فاسكيز في آخر مباراة له مع ريال مدريد على ملعب سانتياجو بيرنابيو لحظة تبديل مودريتش في آخر مباراة له مع ريال مدريد على ملعب سانتياجو بيرنابيو 

هو أم زيزو؟.. إمام عاشور يختار صفقة القرن وأفضل لاعب في مصر

علق إمام عاشور، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، على اقتراب أحمد سيد زيزو لاعب الزمالك من القلعة الحمراء عقب نهاية الموسم.

وقال عاشور في تصريحات عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر 2”: “انضمام زيزو إلى الأهلي سيكون صفقة القرن بعدي، ولم أتأثر بتصريحات دونجا التي قال فيها أنني (بتاع لقطة)”.

واستمر: “أتمنى أن أستمر في الأهلي طوال حياتي، وأن أعتزل كرة القدم داخل جدران النادي، لكنني سأترك القرار بالكامل للإدارة، ولم أطلب تعديل عقدي بعد الصفقات الجديدة، ولم يكن في حساباتي اللعب للأهلي، قبل الرحيل إلى ميتلاند”.

طالع.. إمام عاشور: الأهلي لديه لاعب أفضل من زيزو.. والجميع يعلمون من ألقى الزجاجات على كولر

وواصل: “أحب اللعب تحت ضغط، فأنا أعشق التحديات، هذا الموسم هو الأفضل في مسيرتي الكروية، والأهلي قادر على الوصول إلى دور الثمانية من كأس العالم للأندية، وإمام عاشور أفضل لاعب في مصر”.

واختتم: “كان من أحلامي وأمنياتي أن أتدرب تحت قيادة حسام حسن، وأفضل من ارتدى القميص رقم 10 هو أفشة، ثم عبد الله السعيد ثم محمد إبراهيم”.

Could be Ampadu 2.0: Leeds agree deal for "fantastic" free agent

da fazobetai: The international break has potentially come at a good time for Leeds United because it gives their injured contingent time to recover from their problems.

da betobet: Daniel James and Manor Solomon have been absent in recent weeks with short-to-mid-term injury issues and this two-week break will bring them closer to being available for selection.

However, it will not solve the club’s issues in the middle of the park, as Ilia Gruev and Ethan Ampadu are both expected to be out of action until after the turn of the year.

The former was taken off in the first half against Norwich City earlier this month and the latter was withdrawn in the first half away at Cardiff City in September, with Daniel Farke’s first-choice midfield now set to be unavailable for the next few months.

Leeds midfielder Ethan Ampadu.

This has left the Whites with Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell as the only senior central midfield options for the German head coach between now and the January transfer window, as it stands.

However, Leeds do still have the option to dip their hand into the free agent market to add another player to their midfield ranks, and they are reportedly looking at a former Premier League star.

Leeds eyeing up free agent midfielder

According to The Boot Room, the West Yorkshire-based outfit have agreed a deal to sign former Nottingham Forest defensive midfielder Chiekhou Kouyate on a free transfer.

After the injuries to Gruev and Ampadu, the Whites have assessed the free agent market and have decided to swoop for the ex-Premier League ace.

The report claims that the 34-year-old titan completed his medical in Yorkshire on Friday and will now put the finishing touches over a move this weekend.

This comes after Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth claimed that the Senegal international was one of a number of free agent midfielders under consideration.

Leeds have seemingly decided that he was the best option and have agreed a one-year contract, with the option of a further season, to bring him to the club.

Per Transfermarkt, Kouyate is the joint-seventh most expensive free agent holding midfielder available, at €1m (£800k), behind the likes of Francis Coquelin, Etienne Capoue, and Christoph Kramer.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

His vast experience in England and positional qualities, though, mean that he could be a very sensible short-term addition for the Whites, if this deal goes ahead as planned.

Chiekhou Kouyate's Premier League experience

The Senegal international first moved to England from Anderlecht to join West Ham United in the summer of 2014 and spent four years with the Hammers.

He racked up 15 goals and eight assists in 147 appearances in all competitions to help his side to avoid relegation in all four of those seasons, with at least 31 outings in the Premier League each term.

In the summer of 2018, Crystal Palace swooped to sign the experienced star, who had proven himself to be a capable performer by featuring regularly in the top flight for West Ham for years, for a reported fee of £9.5m to bolster Roy Hodgson’s options in midfield.

The now-34-year-old colossus spent four years with the Eagles and contributed with three goals and four assists in 141 appearances in all competitions.

Kouyate, who was dubbed a “fantastic character” by manager Steve Cooper, opted to move on from Selhurst Park and was snapped up by newly-promoted Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2022, helping the Tricky Trees to avoid promotion in his first season with the club.

22/23 Premier League

Chiekhou Kouyate

Appearances

21

Starts

10

Tackles + interceptions per game

1.9

Dribbles completed per game

0.2

Ground duel success rate

58%

Aerial duel success rate

69%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Kouyate did not feature week-in-week-out but did showcase his defensive strength when called upon, winning the vast majority of his duels in the air and most of his battles on the ground.

He then played just 12 games and started twice in the Premier League during the 2023/24 campaign, as he seemingly shifted to a bit-part role in the squad, before being released earlier this year.

Why Kouyate could be Ampadu 2.0

The 34-year-old, who turns 35 in December, is clearly not going to be a long-term solution to any of Leeds’ problems in midfield and may not even be a viable option week-in-week-out in the short-term, but he could provide vital cover as an Ampadu 2.0 for Farke.

Kouyate is adept at playing at centre-back and in defensive midfield, with 173 career club appearances in defence and 255 in central or defensive midfield. This means that the Whites could comfortably deploy him at the back or in the middle of the park.

Last season, Ampadu played 24 games at centre-back and 30 in a defensive midfield role, which shows that he is also a versatile star who can be used in several positions.

The Wales international, as aforementioned, is set to be out of action until the start of 2025 at the earliest and that means that Farke will miss the cover that he provides at centre-back and in midfield, particularly with Max Wober also missing through injury – leaving Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk as the only senior options in the middle of the backline.

24/25 Championship

Ethan Ampadu

Appearances

5

Sofascore rating

7.24

Tackles + interceptions per game

4.0

Ground duel success rate

68%

Aerial duel success rate

78%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Ampadu made a strong start to the current Championship season before his knee injury, winning the majority of his duels on the ground and in the air.

Kouyate, like the Welsh enforcer, is also dominant in the air, as shown by his aforementioned statistics for Forest in the 2022/23 Premier League season, and could provide a strong presence at the base of the midfield or at the heart of the defence for Leeds.

The Senegalese star is not the perfect solution to Farke’s midfield issues, given his lack of game time in recent seasons, but does appear to have the attributes and versatility to be a solid short-term option.

Leeds ace started over £84m-rated star for his country and was astonishing

The Whites star’s confidence will surely be boosted by his efforts for Spain.

ByDan Emery Oct 11, 2024

Hopefully, all goes well this weekend and Leeds can wrap up the deal and have him in training ahead of the team’s return to action against Sheffield United next week.

Game
Register
Service
Bonus