تحدث محمد بركات، نجم الأهلي ومنتخب مصر السابق، عن الأسابيع الأولى من مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز، بعد مرور 7 جولات.
وقال محمد بركات، عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر 2”: “بعد 7 أسابيع ممكن أعطي المستوى 5 من 10 لا أكثر”.
وتابع بخصوص رأيه في التحكيم: “أنا دائمًا حريص على أن أؤكد أن الحكام في مصر في منتهى النزاهة، ولكن عندنا حكام قليلي الخبرة، أو شخصيتهم تهبط مع الضغط والثقة هاربة، مع أنهم كانت لديهم فرصة جيدة طوال السنوات التي كان يُلعب فيها الدوري بدون جمهور”.
طالع.. طلب عاجل من الأهلي إلى اتحاد الكرة بشأن حكم الفار في مباراة سيراميكا كليوباترا
وأضاف: “عندنا مشكلة كبيرة أن كل حكم له وجهة نظره في لعبة، لكن في أوقات كثيرة نجد أن الحكم نفسه تتغير وجهة نظره في نفس اللعبة خلال نفس المباراة”
وتابع: “مثلما حدث في مباراة أمس في لعبة طاهر ولعبة إسلام عيسى، الحكم لم تكن له وجهة نظر مختلفة في اللعبتين، ولكن حكم الفار هو الذي كان له وجهتا نظر”.
وأكمل: “لذلك أنا مع الأهلي في بيانه الذي صدر اليوم بشأن طلب التحقيق مع حكم تقنية الفيديو، الميزان لا بد أن يكون واحدًا، هذه الأمور هي التي تثير التعصب عند الجماهير”.
Chelsea secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup following an extra-time victory over Benfica at the weekend.
Reece James looked like he had powered the Blues into the next round, but a penalty from Ángel Di María sent the clash into an extra 30 minutes.
The game was suspended for a couple of hours, just minutes from the final whistle, due to a storm threat, but Chelsea finally won the clash 4-1.
It may have taken 4 hours and 39 minutes, but Enzo Maresca’s side now face off against PSG for a spot in the semi-final.
Despite the focus being on the tournament and progressing as far as possible, the manager is still keen on bolstering his squad via the transfer market.
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Reports coming from the Athletic claim that the Blues have reached an agreement with Brighton and Hove Albion regarding a move for Joao Pedro.
Brighton forward Joao Pedro
The proposed deal looks set to be in excess of £50m and the Brazilian has agreed personal terms with the club.
With a medical booked in early for next week, it appears as though Maresca is closing in on signing another key target. Just what will Pedro offer the Blues?
Why Chelsea want to sign Joao Pedro
Maresca is looking to sell both Christopher Nkunku and João Félix this summer, with both players struggling for regular gametime last season.
Nkunku may have scored against Benfica, but with clubs such as Manchester United showing some interest in the Frenchman, it looks as though he might be sold.
Felix played just 20 times for Maresca last season, scoring seven times, but the Portuguese star spent the second half of the campaign out on loan at AC Milan.
Pedro’s arrival suggests one, or perhaps both, will soon be departing Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The Brighton star is versatile, being able to operate as a centre-forward, second striker or even out wide on the left flank.
Last term, he typically operated in an advanced role centrally, scoring ten goals for the Seagulls and registering seven assists, proving he is adept in front of goal and at creating opportunities for his teammates.
Such were his performances, the 23-year-old ranks highly among his positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues.
Indeed, not only does the forward rank in the top 12% for assists (0.28) per 90, but he also ranks in the top 10% for shot-creating actions (3.33) and successful take-ons (1.34) per 90.
Brighton striker Joao Pedro
Furthermore, Pedro’s ability to get the ball into dangerous areas is evidenced by the fact he ranks in the top 4% for progressive passes (3.6) and in the top 3% for progressive carries (3.05) per 90, indicating that he will offer a lot of attacking qualities for the Blues next term.
It won’t be the only area of the squad that the Italian will be keen on strengthening, however, especially with the added demands of Champions League football next term.
As such, it’s certainly worth Chelsea bringing in a defender or two this summer.
Chelsea's search for a defender
Last season, the club conceded a total of 59 goals across all competitions from 57 matches, and this record will be something Maresca aims to improve next term.
Over the same period, Chelsea scored 120 goals. This suggests that bolstering the defence is surely a bigger priority than adding to the forward line, notably Joao Pedro.
It looks as though the Blues are keen on a defender who played against them just last weekend – Antonio Silva.
Antonio Silva for Benfica.
Journalist Simon Phillips stated via his Substack that the Blues have been impressed with the youngster, saying:
“Chelsea have tried and made approaches and checks on a number of potential new centre back names this summer so far and still have more to look at and in to. Chelsea have been scouting Antonio Silva of Benfica all season and already have him added to our transfer shortlist alongside his team mate, Tomas Araujo.
“But Chelsea are looking for an out and out centre back and attentions have again turned to the 21-year-old Portuguese international who has just two-years remaining on his contract.”
The centre-back is valued at €32m (£27m) according to Transfermarkt, but Benfica will be looking for a much higher fee than that to sanction a sale considering his release clause stands at around £87m.
Given their defensive issues last term, Silva would be a better signing than Pedro, that’s for sure.
Why Chelsea must sign Antonio Silva
The 21-year-old played over 40 times last season, including all four games at the Club World Cup for Benfica.
At the tournament, Silva averaged a 92% pass success rate, while winning a staggering 80% of his total duels contested, made 2.3 tackles per game and lost possession just 4.3 times per match in the States.
These performances have attracted plenty of attention, and there is no doubt that Silva is only going to get better and better.
Silva’s Liga Portugal statistics last season (Per 90)
Accurate passes
52.3
Tackles
1.5
Total duels won
4.5
Possession lost
7.7
Clearances
4.3
Balls recovered
4
Via Sofascore
After he burst onto the scene as an 18-year-old with a goal against Juventus in the Champions League back in 2022, Jamie Carragher claimed the defender was “going to be a superstar” and his upwards trajectory certainly suggests so.
When compared to his peers in the Champions League last season, Silva ranked in the top 1% for clearances (7.7) per 90, while also ranking in the top 16% for aerials won (2.36) and in the top 9% for touches in the defensive penalty area (12.91) per 90.
An impressive array of statistics indeed, and considering his ceiling is extraordinarily high, Maresca must make signing Silva a key priority this summer.
Pedro will certainly add plenty of dynamism to the club’s attacking department, but it is at the heart of the defence where the real improvements are required given the problems Maresca’s men suffered last term.
As such, spending whatever it takes to bring Silva from Benfica to the Premier League must be the next move BlueCo are planning.
If he lands his signature, Silva will almost certainly be a better signing than Pedro.
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Bangladesh ended their ten-match losing streak in T20Is and collected their first points in Women’s Asia Cup 2024. They bounced back from the opening game defeat to Sri Lanka with a convincing seven-wicket victory over Thailand in Dambulla to keep their hopes for a semi-final spot alive.Legspinner Rabeya Khan’s four-wicket haul and seam-bowling allrounder Ritu Moni’s two scalps helped Bangladesh restrict Thailand to a below-par 96 for 9 on a spin-friendly surface. Nattaya Boochatham top-scored for Thailand with a 41-ball 40. In reply, Murshida Khatun, after missing the previous game, scored 50 off 55 balls to take Bangladesh home in 17.3 overs.
Suwanchonrathi, from No. 11 to opener
Aphisara Suwanchonrathi, who had batted at No. 11 in her last two innings, was promoted to open with Boochatham. But the move backfired as Suwanchonrathi struggled to get going. She took 12 deliveries to get off the mark and eventually fell for a 20-ball 6 in the seventh over. Thailand could only post 25 for 0 in the powerplay.
Rabeya, Moni strangle Thailand
Rabeya struck twice in her first over, the seventh of the innings, to remove Suwanchonrathi and Nannapat Koncharoenkai. Koncharoenkai, who had top-scored with 40 in the last match, fell for a duck this time. Bangladesh understood early in the game that Thailand found it difficult to score against full balls. Their spinners deceived the Malaysia batters with drift, turn and bounce.At the halfway stage, Nigar Sultana threw the ball to Moni, and she struck immediately. She hit the hard length and got the ball to swing in to remove Phannita Maya to leave Thailand 38 for 3. In her next over, Moni bowled Chanida Sutthiruang with a slower ball, for a ten-ball 8.Rabeya returned in the 14th over and castled Suwanan Khiaoto with a wrong’un. She did not let Boochatham take off either and cleaned her up in the 17th over.Debutant left-arm spinner Sabikun Nahar Jesmin, after conceding 23 in her first three overs, scalped two off two deliveries in her final over to sink Thailand further.Murshida Khatun anchored Bangladesh’s chase with 50 off 55 balls•ACC
Murshida among the runs
Bangladesh’s last T20I win before Monday came against South Africa in December 2023 when Murshida top-scored with an unbeaten 62. But in the next seven months, the team struggled with the bat, often collapsing around Sultana. In the last three series before this tournament, they used seven players in the top three, trying to find the winning combination.Even on Monday, Bangladesh made three changes to their XI. One of them was Murshida and she made it count. She took ten deliveries to get off the mark but after that, she kept the scoreboard ticking. There was a mix-up between her and Dilara Akter in the fifth over, which resulted in the latter being run out. But Murshida kept Bangladesh on the right track. She hit eight fours in her innings and brought up her fourth T20I half-century. Along with Ishma Tanjim, she added 60 off 58 balls for the second wicket.Bangladesh lost two wickets late in the game but, for a change, they didn’t need Sultana to rescue them.
Tottenham Hotspur could soon find themselves on the hunt for a new head coach, with chairman Daniel Levy set to communicate his all-important managerial decision to Ange Postecoglou “this week”.
Ange Postecoglou set to learn Tottenham fate imminently
Reliable club insider Paul O’Keefe has claimed that Levy has already decided whether he’s going to stick or twist with Postecoglou after a very mixed campaign, and the Australian is apparently set to learn his fate imminently.
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Sky Sports report that Postecoglou’s future will be resolved “this week”, with critics and supporters alike set to find out the result of what must have been a very tough call behind the scenes at Hotspur Way.
The former Celtic boss made history by guiding Spurs to their first European trophy since 1984 and first piece of silverware generally since 2008 by beating Man United 1-0 in the Europa League final, which also gifted the club a spot in next season’s Champions League draw.
Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025
Average match rating
Son Heung-min
7.00
James Maddison
6.98
Pedro Porro
6.95
Dominic Solanke
6.84
Dejan Kulusevski
6.83
via WhoScored
However, Tottenham’s domestic form across 2024/2025 was quite simply unacceptable, with Postecoglou’s side breaking the record for most league defeats recorded by Spurs in a single Premier League season (22).
If they hadn’t secured a narrow victory against Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils in Bilbao, there would be no debate about sacking the tactician, but the raw emotion that comes with ending Tottenham’s trophy-winning hoodoo has given Levy plenty to ponder.
Players have also spoken out in support of Postecoglou – including the likes of Pedro Porro, James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray – making the decision even harder.
If Levy does opt to hand the 59-year-old his P45, £4.5 million-per-year Brentford boss Thomas Frank is tipped as a prime contender for the job.
Brentford managerThomasFrankbefore the matc
Tottenham are said to have held “multiple meetings” with Frank over the role, with journalist Pete O’Rourke now claiming that the Dane has entered pole position to succeed Postecoglou.
Thomas Frank "emerging" as top Tottenham target to replace Postecoglou
Writing for Football Insider, the reporter states Frank is “emerging” as Tottenham’s “number one” managerial target to replace Postecoglou.
The Lilywhites are apparently “increasingly convinced” of the 51-year-old’s credentials to do a job at Spurs and lead them into the Champions League next term, following his excellent job at Brentford on a shoe-string budget compared to more elite Premier League sides.
Frank has just guided the Bees to a solid mid-table finish, despite losing star striker Ivan Toney to Al-Ahli last summer, with the Dane also steering his injury-ravaged Brentford squad clear of relegation in 2023/2024.
Brentford have also registered a net-spend of just £96 million over the last five years, with Frank’s side holding their own in Europe’s most competitive division without having to splash that much on recruitment.
This will undoubtedly be attractive to Levy, and Man City boss Pep Guardiola is on record stating that Frank is “one of the best” managers around.
His appeal is clear, but it is still just a hypothesis as we await the result of Levy’s crunch Postecoglou call.
Heading into May, Wolverhampton Wanderers will look to see out their up-and-down Premier League season with even more of a bang.
Vitor Pereira has amazingly guided the Old Gold to six straight wins in the unforgiving division leading into the final month of the campaign, with the Portuguese boss very much a popular figure at the Molineux helm, considering his side are now looking up at the mid-table spots away from past relegation worries.
Wolverhampton Wanderers managerVitorPereiracelebrates after the match
Still, there is the sticky situation involving Matheus Cunha’s future at the club to resolve. But, the rejuvenated West Midlands outfit are already looking at adding in some new attackers to the building as per fresh reports.
Wolves keeping tabs on "instinctive" striker
Reports in recent days have revealed there is interest in Premier League veteran Jamie Vardy. The Foxes legend is set to depart Leicester City at the conclusion of his contract at the King Power and as a result, would be available on a free transfer.
Yet, he’s not the only forward the Old Gold are interested in acquiring over the summer transfer window.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Indeed, according to Football Insider, Pereira’s men are also keeping tabs on breakout Holstein Kiel star Phil Harres ahead of the transfer window reopening.
Indeed, the “instinctive” finisher – as he’s been lauded for in the past on social media – has been a goalscoring revelation for the Bundesliga minnows this season, leading to both Wolves and Crystal Palace taking a keen interest in the standout German.
The 23-year-old wouldn’t cost a bomb to obtain either, with his valuation coming in at around the £8.5m mark according to Football Insider.
How Harres could be their next Jimenez
Wolves snapping up the services of the Kiel number 19 could see them land their next version of Raul Jimenez, with both strikers in question imposing forward players joining from Europe ready to impress in a new daunting environment.
Jimenez would, of course, take to the pressures of English football like a duck to water during his early Old Gold days, with the strong 6 foot 3 striker going on to bag an impressive 13 league goals for his fresh employers across his debut 2018/19 season.
In total, the former Benfica man would amass 57 goals and 23 assists from 166 appearances in the West Midlands, with the now 33-year-old seen as a modern icon in Wolverhampton.
Harres will hope he can follow in the footsteps of the esteemed striker if a move to England gets off the ground.
Like Jimenez in his formative days, Harres has enjoyed a “remarkable rise” in the words of scout Jacek Kulig, considering he has already stepped up to the German top-flight with flying colours this season. That was never more evident than his powerful header and cool assist back in January to help Kiel clinch a shock 4-2 success over Borussia Dortmund (video above).
In total, the towering 6 foot 4 attacker – which isn’t far off Jimenez’s own intimidating frame – has an electric ten goals and three assists next to his name this campaign from 31 outings, leaving him perhaps wanting a change in environment to test himself further.
Kiel
24
8
1
Kiel II
7
2
2
FC 08 Homburg
43
28
3
Viktoria Berlin
34
12
3
SSV Ulm 1846
41
17
1
Dynamo Dresden
3
0
0
After all, Harres has been a journeyman up and down the German leagues for some time now, with every spell he’s had across the various different divisions resulting in goals aplenty, minus a frustrating stint at Dresden.
Jimenez had a similar goalscoring reputation for the likes of Benfica and Club America before a switch to England materialised, even with a one-goal stay at Atletico Madrid having the potential to derail him.
Therefore, everything could be in place for Harres to be Jimenez 2.0 at Molineux, with Wolves fans hopeful that another centre-forward gem can be unearthed to help boost their already potent attack.
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Today is the day that Leeds United could officially secure their promotion back to the Premier League at the second time of asking in the Championship.
The Whites play host to Stoke City at Elland Road in a 3 pm kick-off this afternoon, knowing that if they win and Sheffield United fail to beat Burnley in their 5:30 pm kick-off, they will be promoted.
Despite beating Oxford United 1-0 last time out in the Championship, Daniel Farke could look to make some changes to his starting line-up to keep the team fresh, after only two days of recovery, and Dan James is a star who should come back in.
Why Dan James should start for Leeds
The Wales international missed the 2-1 win over Preston North End with an injury and returned to play a part off the bench in the clash with Oxford on Friday.
After his cameo at the Kassam, James should now be put back into the starting line-up against Stoke this afternoon, just days after he was named as one of the finalists in the race to win the Championship Player of the Season award.
The former Manchester United winger has scored 12 goals, created 16 ‘big chances’, and delivered nine assists in 30 starts in the second tier this term, which shows that he has made a big impact in the final third on a regular basis.
Leeds know that today could be the day that they seal promotion, if they beat Stoke, and they need their best players on the pitch in order to have the best chance of success.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
With this in mind, Farke must bring the influential star back into the team by ruthlessly ditching Brenden Aaronson from the side that started on Friday.
Why Brenden Aaronson should be dropped
The USA international played 89 minutes against Oxford and failed to offer much in front of goal, as he missed one ‘big chance’, lost possession 15 times, and failed to create any ‘big chances’ for his teammates.
Aaronson was described as “anonymous” by reporter James Marshment back in February, and that assessment still rings true, as it was his 12th game without a goal or an assist in his last 13 appearances in all competitions.
The £45k-per-week flop has produced two goals and zero assists in 19 matches in 2025, with one of those goals coming in the 7-0 win over Cardiff, which illustrates how ineffective he has been in the final third.
Appearances (starts)
43 (40)
40 (23)
xG
10.24
5.50
Goals
9
6
Minutes per goal
368
345
Big chances created
8
9
Assists
2
5
As you can see in the table above, Wilfried Gnonto has been more effective as a finisher whilst also providing more creativity despite starting 17 fewer games than the American dud.
This suggests that Farke should keep the Italy U21 international in the team, moving him into the number ten role, and drop Aaronson from the side in order to start James on the right wing.
Imagine him & Ampadu: Leeds chase star with more PL goals than Raphinha
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ByDan Emery Apr 17, 2025
This would mean that Leeds would have an attacking midfield trident of James, Gnonto, and Manor Solomon behind either Joel Piroe or Patrick Bamford in the centre-forward position.
ECB decline to comment on alleged incident at a pub in south-west London in May
ESPNcricinfo staff12-Sep-2025
A man in his 40s was questioned under caution by Scotland Yard in June•Getty Images
A well-known figure within English cricket is being investigated by police over allegations of spiking the drinks of two women and sexually assaulting one of them.The reported on Friday that the man, in his 40s, was questioned under caution by Scotland Yard in June after a complaint at a pub in south-west London, in the SW6 area which covers Fulham and Parsons Green. The ECB declined to comment on the allegations.”We are currently investigating allegations of spiking and sexual assault against two women that took place on Thursday, 22 May at a pub in the SW6 area,” the Metropolitan Police told ESPNcricinfo in a statement.”Two women are believed to have been spiked with one also allegedly sexually assaulted. A man in his 40s was interviewed under caution on Thursday, 5 June. Enquiries remain ongoing and no arrests have been made at this stage.”Chris Haward, the managing director of the Cricket Regulator – the independent body responsible for handling disciplinary cases within English cricket – said last month: “Removing sexual misconduct from the game is a priority.”The Regulator has twice charged individuals following instances of sexual misconduct in the last year.A coach was suspended for up to nine months in August after being dismissed by his county for “sexualised and inappropriate” pictures to junior female members of staff. Last November, another coach was suspended for up to six months for “inappropriate sexual behaviour” on a county pre-season tour.
Arsenal chief Andrea Berta is continuing his mission to tie down Mikel Arteta’s most crucial stars with brand-new deals, and the Gunners are now prepared to do something they’ve never done in their history.
Arsenal favourites for Premier League title after near-impenetrable start
Right now, Arsenal aren’t just Premier League title contenders — they’re the team to beat.
Arteta’s side sit pretty atop the table, and it’s no surprise given how they’ve combined defensive solidity with set-piece menace to frustrate opponents week after week so far.
Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 1-1 Man City
Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal
Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Opposition sides have found it near-impossible to carve out clear chances against an Arsenal side who’ve leaked just three goals in all competitions this season, the best record of any team in Europe right now.
Surprise Serie A title contenders Roma have also conceded just three in the league so far, but unlike Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, Arsenal are just as unbreakable in Europe as they are domestically.
Arsenal’s threat from dead balls has also been a nightmare for teams to deal with.
Time and again, they’ve capitalised on corners and free-kicks, with Gabriel already racking up four goal contributions as a direct result from set pieces this term.
The arrival of Gabriel Heinze to Arteta’s coaching staff has been pinpointed as a key reason why Arsenal have built themselves into even more of a rock-solid force at the back, and if they continue in this fashion, a first league title in 22 years looks pretty inevitable.
While their guerrilla tactics from dead balls and long-throws aren’t exactly easy on the eye, with pundit Jamie O’Hara boldly claiming that Arsenal are ‘killing the Premier League’ with this style of play, Arteta won’t be caring in the slightest right now.
Excitement around the Emirates Stadium is brewing, and the future is looking very bright as Berta looks to convince Arsenal’s star men to commit their futures at N5.
The Italian, who led a near-£270 million spend on summer transfers in the last window, has already managed to tie down the likes of Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Gabriel and William Saliba in the last few months alone.
Berta also rewarded the likes of David Raya and Leandro Trossard with pay rises, showcasing a determination to acknowledge certain members of the squad for their fine form, while it is believed that talks have been held over fresh terms with Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber as well.
However, their most vital contract discussions have centered around star winger Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal poised to hand Bukayo Saka record-breaking pay rise
The England international is back to his best and playing week in, week out after hamstring problems, with Saka causing Atlético Madrid nightmares in the Champions League this time last week.
While Saka is yet to register his first assist of the campaign, he’s already netted crucial goals against the likes of West Ham and Olympiacos to put those games beyond doubt, and the 24-year-old is vital to the way Arteta likes to play.
The Hale End academy superstar’s current deal expires in 2027, and it is imperative that Berta seals his extension sooner rather than later.
Reports suggest that Arsenal are optimistic Saka will pen an extension by Christmas, and according to journalist Wayne Veysey, the club could break a record by doing so.
Writing for Football Insider, Veysey reports that Arsenal could make Saka the club’s first-ever £300,000-per-week player, with talks ongoing over a new deal that will likely make the winger their new highest-paid star above Kai Havertz, who is on £280,000-per-week.
Over a potential five-year contract, Saka is apparently in line to earn over £75 million, which doesn’t even take into account performance-related bonuses or other add-ons.
Negotiations are said to be progressing well, and Saka is likely to sign in the “upcoming period”.
Shubman Gill will be back playing for India at the start of the T20Is against South Africa on Tuesday with head coach Gautam Gambhir confirming that he is “fit and fine, hungry to go.”Gill suffered a neck injury last month – understood to involve a pinched nerve – while batting during the Kolkata Test match. He had moved to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to recover – the initial timeline that the BCCI had drawn up for him involved five weeks of rest before resuming training.After completing a 2-1 victory over South Africa in the ODIs on Saturday, Gambhir addressed the press saying, “yes, Shubman is ready to start. That’s why he has been selected. And obviously he is fit and fine, hungry to go.”In the absence of Gill, Rishabh Pant had stepped in as captain in the second Test in Guwahati, where India suffered their biggest Test defeat, in terms of runs. In the following ODI series, Yashasvi Jaiswal opened the batting, in place of Gill, along with Rohit Sharma and helped India win the decider in Vizag with his maiden ODI hundred. Gill is now set to return to the top in T20Is and reunite with his good friend Abhishek Sharma.India have been bolstered further by the return of allrounder Hardik Pandya after an injury had layoff kept him out of action for over two months.The five T20Is against South Africa will be played on December 9, 11, 14, 17 and 19 in Cuttack, New Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Lucknow and Ahmedabad respectively. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side while Gill will be his deputy.
Former Crystal Palace chief John Textor has revealed an interesting partnership with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis that allows the pair to 'adjust' transfer fees in deals between clubs. Textor previously owned a 43 per cent stake in Crystal Palace, which he sold in June this year for £190million. Textor considers Marinakis to be a close aide and a 'partner' in the world of football.
Textor shares close bond with Marinakis
Former Palace chief Textor, who exited the Premier League club in June by selling his 43 per cent stake, recently opened up about his special bond with Forest owner Marinakis. The two club owners reportedly 'adjusted' transfer fees as part of their understanding while dealing in player transfers between their clubs.
Marinakis currently owns Nottingham Forest, while Textor sold his stake in Palace for £190million in June. They also have a portfolio of clubs worldwide; The Forest boss also owns Olympiacos in Greece and Rio Ave in Portugal, while Textor, through Eagle Football Holdings, has Lyon in France and Brazilian giants Botafogo.
AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'He has really become the partner that we wanted to have'
Speaking to , Textor said: "The relationship is, though we do not own Nottingham Forest, and Marinakis does not own any piece of Eagle Football, he has really become the partner that we wanted to have with Crystal Palace. It’s important, I believe, to have a strong Brazilian club, to have a strong European club, to have a strong United Kingdom club. I would like a partner in Portugal. I might even prefer a partner in Spain more than a partner in France, but Marinakis has effectively become that partner because he has clubs in Portugal, clubs in Greece, and a club in the UK, and he, more than any other owner I’ve met in the world of football, believes in Brazilian talent.
"That’s my first explanation. The second part of the question is, you have to understand that you do your best to allocate the transfer price on an athlete-by-athlete basis. But you also understand that if you have a large relationship and you’ve been trading players in Brazil and elsewhere because he’s sending players to us in France, we sent some younger players to him in Portugal, right?"
Were transfer fees adjusted between Marinakis and Textor?
When asked adjusting fees while dealing transfers between their clubs, Textor added: "You feel really stupid when suddenly Igor Jesus (who Botafogo sold to Forest for £16.5m this summer) is the best player against Liverpool and you’re sure you should have gotten paid more money for him. But the fact is his injury history was the greatest reason we didn’t get paid more for him. A lot of those numbers will bounce around and sometimes you’ll look stupid and sometimes they’ll make sense. And sometimes it’s part of making an adjustment because you trade with that particular friend in a lot of situations."
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'Every deal is a negotiation'
Further speaking to , Textor said: "A team owner can say, 'Give me a break on this new one; you know I overpaid for the last one, based on performance.' Every deal is a negotiation, and if you desire to continue trading with a particular owner, you sometimes agree to another owner’s perception of value, sometimes forfeiting your own perception of value. These negotiations swing both ways.
"If you adjust the negotiation of a transfer fee, that’s not the same thing as adjusting a transfer fee.' But won't fans feel aggrieved if a player they like was sold for a specific fee just to keep a 'partner' happy? 'It’s my money, right?' Textor snapped back. 'But you’re ignoring the rest of the conversation about that same answer. 'And what I object to is people saying there’s some sinister relationship between me and Marinakis, and because people are going after him."
He added: "What if I have a strategy where I’m creating a pathway; a regular pathway from Brazil into the Premier League? You can watch a Premier League game between Leeds United and Nottingham Forest and see Botafogo players on both sides of the pitch. And that’s never happened before."