Category Uncategorized

After their Scottish Premiership triumph last season, Celtic are looking to solidify their position at the summit of Scottish football by bringing in a number of new players this summer.

Schmeichel just the start of Celtic's summer plans

The big news out of Parkhead is that Brendan Rodgers seems to have finally found the man to replace the retiring Joe Hart this summer. A report on the X account of Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Celtic are close to announcing the signing of Kasper Schmeichel with the free agent set to join the Glasgow outfit on a one-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.

Celtic struck gold with Ange signing who's worth more than Bernardo

The Hoops played a blinder when they brought the talented midfielder to Parkhead.

By
Dan Emery

Jul 14, 2024

At 37 years of age, the veteran keeper brings with him a wealth of both international and domestic experience, in particular his key role in Leicester City's Premier League winning campaign in 2015/16. The Danish shot-stopper will be a familiar face for the Hoops boss who managed the keeper for numerous seasons at Leicester.

Other recent rumours have linked Celtic with a move for Middlesbrough ace Riley McGree. A report this week claimed that Ange Postecoglou attempted to bring the Australian to Parkhead during his tenure at the club and that the Hoops will look to reignite this interest over the course of the summer transfer window.

The interest in McGree has likely come off the back of growing rumours linking Celtic star Matt O'Riley with a move away from the club this summer. Leicester appear to be the current front-runner for the Danish midfielder with a fee in the region of £25 million said to be enough to tempt O'Riley away from Parkhead this summer.

With Celtic showing no signs of slowing down this summer, it now appears that the club have set their sights on their next target with a signing set to be announced next week.

Celtic want backup option before pre-season starts

As first reported by Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke, Celtic are working on signing a second goalkeeper. The outlet claims that the Hoops are in talks for a second keeper who can act as a backup to new number one Schmeichel.

O'Rourke goes on to state that the club expects this second deal to be completed before Celtic depart for their pre-season tour of the United States next week. It is claimed that the club want the new second-choice shop-stopper to embed himself within the Hopps' squad before the start of the next campaign.

Whilst the name of this new signing is not yet known, the deal could be for one of the players previously linked with the club. Serbia keeper Martin Dubravka is one name that has done the rounds in Celtic circles in recent weeks, however, it is not known whether the 35-year-old would be interested in being a backup option.

Despite the identity of the player in question remaining unknown for the time being, Celtic fans may only have to wait a matter of days to find out who their latest signing is.

Aston Villa are making headway in the transfer market this summer, expertly circumventing the Premier League's PSR restrictions, sacrificing Douglas Luiz but engineering a series of incomings to counter the blow.

But it was a blow. The Brazilian midfielder was one of the centrepieces of Unai Emery's success over the past few years, but Juventus' proposal mitigated the financial issues considerably – along with a couple of sales of academy talents (Tim Iroegbunam and Omari Kellyman).

Now, though, Villa have shown their ambitious hand by agreeing with Everton a deal to sign Amadou Onana for £50m, as per David Ornstein. The tough-tackling Belgium international has been described as a "real midfield powerhouse" by journalist Antonio Mango and could prove to be a significant investment down the line.

Amadou Onana: Euro 2024 Stats

Statistics

#

Matches played

4

Pass completion

90%

Touches per game

69.3

Key passes per game

0.3

Tackles per game

2.0

Clearances per game

1.0

Ball recoveries per game

2.3

Duels won per game

5.3 (78%)

Stats via Sofascore

Now, though, on to the next. Villa aren't resting on their laurels this summer; Onana's transfer hasn't been finalised but already efforts are being made to secure an exciting new forward to provide competition for Ollie Watkins.

Aston Villa transfer news

Turkish journalist Ertan Suzgun has recently revealed that Villa have submitted a bid for Besiktas striker Semik Kılıçsoy, who is only 18.

The Midlands club offered cash plus left-back Alex Moreno for the fast-rising forward's services, with the Spaniard expendable after the £35m addition of Ian Maatsen from Chelsea – albeit with the proposal having been turned down.

Fulham are also known admirers of the teenage sensation, having tabled a €20m (£17m) bid themselves this summer. Emery and Co will hope that Champions League football sways the odds in their favour.

What Semik Kılıçsoy would bring to Aston Villa

Kılıçsoy is in the maiden period of his senior career but has blitzed his way into the ascendancy, scoring 12 goals and adding three assists across 35 matches in all competitions.

The prodigious talent was called up to the Turkish national team for the 2024 European Championship but only played one minute of action – against the Netherlands in the quarter-final. Still, this is a feat of development that makes a big comment on the regard the teenager is held in.

Principally a centre-forward – though competent performing on either flank – Kılıçsoy is an adept dribbler and a sharp finisher, silky on the ball and combative off it. To illustrate that point: as per Sofascore, he averaged 1.7 dribbles and won 4.7 duels per game in the Turkish Super Lig.

Semih Kılıçsoy: 23/24 Stats by Position

Position

Apps

Goals

Assists

Centre-forward

15

6

3

Left winger

13

5

0

Right winger

7

1

0

Stats via Transfermarkt

Adding to a youthful sheen at Villa Park, the Turkish talent could be the kind of dynamic sharpshooter to forge a strong partnership with Jaden Philogene, who is on the cusp of being re-signed from Hull City for £13m.

Philogene, 22, took the Championship by storm last season, scoring 12 goals and supplying six assists across 32 appearances and being praised for his "ridiculous" ability by then-Tigers manager Liam Rosenoir.

A versatile winger, Philogene is usually found on the left but has proven himself valuable on the alternate too, and this could play into Kılıçsoy's hands as he fights to create a fluent base at Villa, entering a state of flux with his would-be attacking partner.

The Englishman completed 83% of his passes in the second tier last season while averaging 1.6 key passes per game, as per Sofascore, which further suggests that he could provide the crisp support to ensure that Kılıçsoy is never left isolated, enjoying a steady flow of playmaking complement.

He also ranked among the top 8% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Championship last season for progressive carries, the top 7% for successful take-ons and the top 4% for tackles per 90, as per FBref. This suggests that he will stretch Premier League defences and chip in with tackles to enrich the all-round vigour of the side; Kılıçsoy would only benefit from this.

Emery must now return with a second bid for the talented striker, especially with Jhon Duran the subject of a transfer offer from West Ham United. The Villans were perhaps slightly overreliant on Watkins' goalscoring last season – with the England international bagging 27 goals across all competitions.

Duran's sale would definitely call for an apt replacement, and the Besiktas man could certainly stake a claim for the role of understudy, young enough not to bemoan a secondary role and talented enough to make a positive impact when called upon.

And with Watkins earning the Premier League's Playmaker of the Season last year after notching 13 assists, he's in good company indeed.

For that matter, so is Philogene. Aston Villa are fast on the rise and the club have navigated around potential stumbling blocks over these past few weeks with aplomb.

With Champions League nights to look forward to, there's every belief that Monchi and the powers that be have the wherewithal and tactical acumen to forge a path toward even more exciting heights.

The stones are being set for a lasting position of power at the forefront of English football. The 'big six', perhaps, might just be starting to splinter, shards flying as a new behemoth grows in size and status, ready to take its place at the head of the table.

Related Perfect for Watkins: The Athletic confirm Aston Villa could sign £18m star

Unai Emery is prioritising a move for this touted player.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Jul 11, 2024

“I thought both attacks have the ability to take quick wickets – I didn’t think they’d be coming that quick”

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Dec-2020

A jubilant Josh Hazlewood is congratulated by team-mates after his devastating strikes•Getty Images

Tim Paine was still trying to take stock of the dramatic third day when he gave his initial reaction to Australia’s eight-wicket victory at the Adelaide Oval which saw them bundle out India for 36, but in a warning to the visitors said his team was “well below what we’d expect” with the bat.At the start of the day, the Test was probably just in India’s favour after Australia were bowled out for 191 yesterday to concede a lead of 53. That performance included them slipping to 79 for 5 before Paine’s unbeaten 73 – which earned him the Player of the Match award – cut into India’s advantage.Still, it required an inspired bowling performance to turn the match on its head, as Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood combined to take nine wickets.Related

'Stunned' Josh Hazlewood lauds Pat Cummins, Australia's 'calmness' after Adelaide hurricane

Stats – India hit record low with 36 all out

Cummins, Hazlewood star in brutal morning session

India's lowest Test score – how Kohli & Co crumbled to 36

“At 5 for 79, if we lose another couple of quick ones then India are a long way ahead,” Paine said. “To hang in to give our bowlers a chance to have a little crack under lights last night, then to have Pat start the day like he did and Josh Hazlewood from his very first ball was just on. When you are as tall and quick as our boys and they get it right, it can be an absolute nightmare. Full credit to our bowling attack again.”[I’m] absolutely rapt with how we bowled in this Test, but we’ve still got a lot of work to do with our batting – our first innings was well below what we’d expect – so it’s a good thing to have a good win and not play anywhere near our best. It fills our team with confidence.”I said this morning that I thought both these attacks have the ability to take really quick wickets – I didn’t think they’d be coming that quick. We were expecting a real dogfight right to the end -late day four and maybe day five – but it shows the talent we’ve got the ball when our boys execute. If there’s anything in the wicket that’s what can happen.”The match was finished when Joe Burns top-edged a six that brought up his half-century after he had entered the Test on the back of just 62 runs in nine innings this season. Burns had been backed throughout by his captain, coach, selectors and team-mates, but it was still a significant show of faith, albeit in the absence of David Warner and Will Pucovski.”Burnsey is a really important part of our team, all cricketers know how hard it is when going through a run like that,” Paine said. “To come out in Test cricket and try and find your way out of it, it’s a very difficult place to be so we are thrilled for Burnsey. Fifty [51] not out will do his confidence a world of good.”Reflecting on his innings, Burns, who took a nasty blow on the arm early in his knock, was grateful for the show of support over the last few weeks.”It feels bloody nice,” he said moments after the winning hit. “In the build-up I didn’t get many runs, I just wanted to keep fighting hard and make people proud. Really nice moment to be walking off with a win for Australia.”I’ve been trying to keep it as simple as possible. I know if I do the basics well, I’ll make runs. JL [Justin Langer, the coach] has been fantastic, the selectors sticking with me as well helps. You get out here, get into the contest, you are opening the batting for Australia, [and] it’s very easy to get motivated and focus on the job in hand especially against such a good opposition.”

وصف فرينكي دي يونج، لاعب فريق برشلونة الإسباني، عام 2024 بأنه أصعب فترة في مسيرته الكروية حتى الآن، وتطرق للحديث عن إصابته.

ويؤكد دي يونج أن الأمور تتحسن مع كاحله، وأوضح تطورات حالته والإصابة التي عانى منها.

وقال دي يونج في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية: “في البداية كنت مشغولاً ليلاً ونهارًا بهذا الكاحل، وبمجرد أن استيقظت، شعرت به على الفور”.

مضيفًا: “هل تورم؟ هل استجاب؟ الآن فقدت هذا الشعور تقريبًا، ومع ذلك، أصبح الكاحل شيئاً يجب أن آخذه بعين الاعتبار”.

وأردف: “ما أعنيه هو أنه سيكون علي الاستمرار في منح الأمر انتباهاً إضافياً، على شكل رعاية، اللاعب يفعل ذلك في إصابة الركبة وأنا في الكاحل”.

وأشار: “بالنسبة لشخص يحب كرة القدم مثلي، بدا الأمر وكأنه أبدي، كانت حقاً أصعب فترة في مسيرتي، كنت أيضاً بعيداً عن أياكس لفترة، أعتقد أن ذلك كان في 2018، كنت على الهامش أثناء التدريب عندما حدث ذلك”.

اقرأ أيضًا | “باعوا الأصول والفوضى انتشرت”.. حملات معارضة تطالب لابورتا بالاستقالة من رئاسة برشلونة

وواصل: “حاولت إيقاف كرة وسقطت بشكل خاطئ، مما أدى إلى تمزق رباط الكاحل في القدم الأخرى، لكن لم يكن ذلك شيئاً مقارنةً بهذه الإصابة”.

تحدث دي يونج أيضًا عن وضعه التعاقدي مع برشلونة، حيث ينتهي عقده في يونيو 2026، وأشار إلى أنه لم يتخذ بعد قرارًا.

واستطرد: “تجديد عقدي هو موضوع للصحف هنا، ولكن بالنسبة لي ليس كذلك، أريد أن ألعب كرة القدم وبعدها سأرى ما الذي يريد النادي أن يفعله معي، ثم سأقرر ما أريد أن أفعله، مع وكيل أعمالي وعائلتي”.

وأوضح: “الناس يعتقدون أنني أريد البقاء في برشلونة إلى الأبد لأن الحياة خارج كرة القدم هنا جيدة، وهي فعلاً جيدة، لكن ما يحدث على الملعب يظل أهم، إذا شعرت أنني لا أستطيع أن أساهم بما فيه الكفاية، أو إذا لم يتمكن الفريق من المنافسة، سأغادر”.

وأتم: “يجب أن أعترف أنه عندما انتقلت إلى برشلونة، لم أتخيل أنني سأفوز بدوري واحد، وكأس ملك واحد، وكأس السوبر الإسباني واحد فقط بعد أربع سنوات، كنت أتوقع على الأقل ضعف ذلك، لذا فإن ذلك يخيب أملي، الأمور تحدث ولا يمكن التنبؤ بها”.

Zahir Khan and Javelle Glen masterminded a stunning 11-run win, as the Jamaica Tallawahs collapsed in the second half of an innings that looked like it would see them coast to the cushiest of wins against the St Lucia Zouks ahead of the semi-final stage. In the 12th over, Rovman Powell’s side sat pretty at 84 without having lost a wicket while chasing 146, masterfully pacing the innings in what shaped up to be one of the more clinical wins in a somewhat scrappy CPL season.But five overs of madness later, the Tallawahs found themselves in a Zouks-woven tangled web they knew not how to unweave. Glen and Khan applied the squeeze as even the more experienced players seemed to panic, giving their wickets away with low-percentage shots that were neither on nor necessary. They lost seven wickets in that time, and as 84 for 0 became 103 for 7, the Zouks knew they had asphyxiated the Tallawahs out of contention, and had secured enough of a margin of error to withstand a late cameo from Nicolas Kirton.The cameos There was no anchor to the Zouks’ innings, which seemed to be a problem at the halfway mark. Players got starts and got out, with their replacements struggling to get going immediately, wasting balls and stymieing the flow of the innings. Rakheem Cornwall and Mark Deyal didn’t nearly take as much advantage of the powerplay as the Zouks’ strategy depends on them doing, with Cornwall struggling for footwork and Deyal for rhythm. Fidel Edwards might be 38, but both his pace and slower balls continue to challenge batsmen across the CPL, and while he only picked up a wicket at the death, he conceded only at a run a ball in his four overs.What the Zouks lacked in a talisman they made up for in teamwork, with a number of players spending time at the crease, milking the field where possible, ensuring the lack of runs didn’t lead to a glut of wickets falling. Three batsmen scored between 32 and 35, and even if the 99 runs they combined for came off 90 balls, that still meant they were able to finish with a respectably high total in what has been the lowest-scoring CPL in history. Runs on the board build pressure, as the Tallawahs found out the best part of an hour later.The double blowIt wasn’t just the collapse, but a specific moment mid-collapse that turned the tide of the contest. At 91 for 2, Khan came on to bowl his third over and coaxed a faint outside edge off Powell’s bat. It was a half-chance at best, but the aging Daren Sammy dived to his left to pluck one out of nowhere inches before it hit the grass. It was special enough to change the mood of the occasion, even if the sight of Andre Russell marching out next dampened any rising spirits.So it was particularly handy Sammy stayed at slip because Khan’s magic was going to provide him another chance. Having endured a difficult day in the field, Russell failed to pick up a googly that ripped sharply off the surface, kissing the edge and landing – straightforwardly this time – into Sammy’s lap. Khan was on a hat-trick, and with the middle order gutted, the Zouks maintained the momentum long enough to put the game out of the Tallawahs’ reach. It might, in the larger context, mean nothing if they don’t win their semi-final, but these teams will know more than anyone that it’s handier to have momentum on your side.

Burnley and Alan Pace are reportedly eyeing up a move for a big-name new manager who actually played alongside Vincent Kompany.

Vincent Kompany to join Bayern Munich

The Clarets suffered relegation last season in their first year back in the Premier League, however, Kompany won’t be the man in charge at Turf Moor looking to take the club back to the top flight.

The Belgian is set to join Bayern Munich with an announcement planned on Wednesday, leaving Burnley on the search to find a suitable replacement ahead of the Championship season.

Already, there have been names mooted in the media, such as former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper, who has turned down the chance to pursue a move to Lancashire. Meanwhile, Kompany’s assistant at Burnley, Craig Bellamy, is very keen on the idea of stepping up into a senior managerial role, with chief executive Paul Fletcher wanting to appoint the Welshman who is set to remain at the club.

That’s according to Football Insider, who say that Burnley chiefs are at odds over who to bring in, with Pace's personal preference a big-name boss who brings eyes to the club in the same way Kompany did.

Burnley eyeing move for Lampard to replace Kompany

FI state that a big-name manager who could fit the bill for Pace is Frank Lampard. The Clarets appear to be eyeing a move for the former Chelsea and Everton manager, who began his career as a manager in the Championship with Derby County.

The 45-year-old, who plays an attacking 4-3-3 system, led the Rams to the Championship playoff final in 2019, losing to Aston Villa at Wembley before departing for Chelsea.

Frank Lampard stats as a manager

Games

196

Wins

83

Draws

40

Losses

73

Goals scored

326

Goals conceded

288

Points per game

1.47

Lampard also played alongside Kompany at Manchester City in the final years of his career, with Kompany hailing the Englishman during his time as a manager at Stamford Bridge.

"He is the man [for Chelsea], not only a great guy but someone who I learned so much from at a stage in my career. He was a bit older when he joined Man City and Frank was an incredible professional. What he brought at the time, he stepped the level up for everyone else.

"I know the impact of Frank Lampard on a team and I'm trying to have the same impact when I come as an older player for Anderlecht. He's up there with the most intelligent players so it's a natural match with Chelsea, I completely support him."

A move could therefore be one to watch, and you’d expect that Fletcher and Pace will want to bring in Kompany’s successor relatively quickly, giving the club plenty of time to prepare as they aim for an immediate return to the Premier League.

Following on from a solid, yet unspectacular fifth-place Premier League finish in 2023/24, attention at Tottenham Hotspur is already turning toward the upcoming transfer window, with Ange Postecoglou no doubt seeking fresh recruits to continue his overhaul of the squad.

With “several players” likely to be on their way – as journalist Fabrizio Romano has suggested – there will also be notable incomings at N17, with Postecoglou only recently admitting the “need to bulk up” the attack, in particular.

Goals (all comps) 2022/23

Goals (all comps) 2023/24

Harry Kane – 32

Heung-min Son – 17

Heung-min Son – 14

Richarlison – 12

Rodrigo Bentancur – 6

Dejan Kulusevski – 8

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 5

Cristian Romero – 5

Richarlison – 3

Brennan Johnson – 5

Having notably splashed out £47.5m on Brennan Johnson last summer, the Lilywhites could well have their eye on another sparkling young talent who can help the Wales international to reach even loftier heights.

Spurs eyeing Premier League sensation

Reports last week indicated that Spurs could return to Nottingham Forest in order to snap up Johnson’s former teammate, Morgan Gibbs-White, with the north Londoners likely to vie with Newcastle United for the Englishman’s signature.

Journalist Graeme Bailey revealed that Postecoglou’s side are keeping ‘close tabs’ on the 24-year-old, with a departure from the City Ground potentially in the offing – two years on from his £42.5m switch from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Football Insider had reported prior to that to suggest that Spurs had even held talks over a deal for the versatile playmaker, with the piece suggesting he could command a fee of around £60m.

Why Spurs should sign Gibbs-White

Despite not typically operating in the forward line, Gibbs-White would certainly enhance Postecoglou’s attack due to the impact he can have in the final third from his usual number ten berth, as well as the way in which he could help Johnson to thrive even further.

The latter man enjoyed a promising first season in the capital after registering 15 goals and assists in the league, with that actually bettering the return of 11 goal involvements that the winger racked up for Forest in the league in 2022/23.

37 games (35 starts)

5 goals

10 assists

16 ‘big chances’ created

2 key passes per game

77% pass accuracy rate

1 tackle per game

4.8 balls recovered per game

1.2 successful dribbles per game

That said, despite kicking on away from Gibbs-White and co, Johnson would seemingly benefit from the reunion at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with data analyst Ben Mattinson outlining how the pair “worked so well together” in the past.

That viewpoint was echoed by Forest legend Gary Birtles, who said of Gibbs-White early on last season – “he’s missing Brennan Johnson a little bit because the two of them did combine particularly well at times”.

A player who’s “got Tottenham written all over him” and “adds the chaos” that Postecoglou is looking for, according to Mattinson, Gibbs-White could look to replicate the impact that Johnson has made in Lilywhite, after dazzling for his current employers.

In 80 games for the Tricky Trees, the Stafford-born machine has racked up 29 goals and assists, notably matching his former colleagues record of 15 league goal involvements this season, despite operating in a relegation-threatened side.

With 16 ‘big chances’ created and two key passes averaged per game in 2023/24, the £80k-per-week ace could then help to supply quality to service to the likes of Johnson on the flanks, with even a certain James Maddison unable to match such numbers – the former Leicester City creating just 11 ‘big chances’ this season.

Adding a proven Premier League asset into the mix would surely work wonders as Postecoglou’s side seek to kick on again next term, with Johnson likely to be the biggest beneficiary amid the chance to turn into a true monster in a Spurs shirt.

Spurs could challenge Man Utd for "energetic" £50m Højbjerg upgrade

The midfield “machine” has caught the eye of several top sides.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 24, 2024

MatériaMais Notícias

O São Paulo manteve o 100% de aproveitamento no Campeonato Brasileiro sub-20 ao derrotar o Atlético-GO por 2 a 1, em Goiânia, pela quarta rodada da competição. Os gols do Tricolor foram marcados por Luizão e Vitinho.

GALERIA: Sportsbet.io é o novo patrocinador do São Paulo: lembre todos os patrocinadores máster do clube

O Tricolor começou melhor na partida, chegando com perigo nos primeiros minutos de jogo. Pedrinho e Vitinho tiveram boas oportunidades, mas chutaram para fora. Com o passar do tempo, o Atlético-GO obrigou o goleiro Felipe a fazer uma grande defesa.

CONFIRA A TABELA ATUALIZADA E SIMULE OS JOGOS DO BRASILEIRÃO DE 2021!

RelacionadasSão PauloBasquete: São Paulo contrata armador Henrique CoelhoSão Paulo10/07/2021São PauloFeminino: São Paulo vence o Grêmio e fica na liderança do Brasileiro sub-18São Paulo10/07/2021São PauloSão Paulo recebe o Bahia para seguir recuperação na tabela do BrasileirãoSão Paulo09/07/2021

Logo depois, o São Paulo abriu o placar. Aos 23, Luizão aproveitou rebote da defesa e colocou o Tricolor na frente. O primeiro tempo não foi mais de outras chances até o intervalo.

Na etapa final, o Tricolor quase fez o segundo logo no primeiro minuto. Vitinho acertou a trave. Aos 11, Pablo chegou a marcar o segundo, mas o árbitro deu impedimento. Até que aos 18, Belém fez boa jogada pela esquerda e cruzou para a área, onde Vitinho ganhou da defesa, encheu o pé e marcou o segundo gol são-paulino. Aos 28, o Dragão descontou, dando números finais ao jogo.

Com o resultado, o São Paulo se mantém na liderança e chega aos 12 pontos, após quatro rodadas disputadas. O próximo jogo é na próxima quarta-feira, para encarar o Corinthians, às 15h, em Cotia.

English women’s football chief Nikki Doucet has revealed plans to tap into the 'Taylor Swift' fanbase in a bid to grow the Women's Super League.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Plans underway to grow WSLHoping to tap into Taylor Swift-style fanbaseNew WSL season to kick-off in SeptemberWHAT HAPPENED?

The summer has brought significant changes to the women's game as a new company, Women's Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL), has taken over the Women's Super League and Championship and promised a "new era". Nikki Doucet is leading the charge to continue the growth of the women's game and has outlined some plans for the future.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Doucet told the Guardian that the aim is to "build the most distinctive, competitive and entertaining women’s football club competition in the world", which will require significant investment and an ability to understand the fanbase to grow it further. The new chief feels there are three distinct types of fans: hardcore supporters, those who regularly attend men's games but take their children to more "family friendly" women's matches and a third 'Swifties'-type demographic that remains untapped.

WHAT DOUCET SAID

Doucet said: "In the middle, you have a fan that’s come in through the Lionesses, untethered to the men’s game. They’re not tribal and they’re learning about us. They’re trying to find highlights, they love the players and that’s the biggest group that the football ecosystem doesn’t know enough about. That’s your ‘Taylor Swift fanbase’ for that particular analogy. And I don’t think anyone talks to them in the way that we need to. We have a responsibility to.”

The job is so far proving difficult, with Doucet highlighting the differences with the men's game. She added: “It’s harder than I thought. Because women’s football has to do more to prove the return on investment, so even though we have stats that are comparable to other sports, other challenger sports and other challenger brands, you’re constantly having to prove that there’s a market.

“It’s different to men’s football. It’s easy to sell men’s football today. So we have to invest and learn how to talk to a fanbase that we don’t talk to normally and we have to create different content.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty/ GOALWHAT NEXT FOR THE WSL?

Clubs are currently in pre-season and preparing for the start of the new 2024-25 WSL campaign. The season is due to kick off in September in style with a blockbuster clash between Arsenal and Manchester City. Meanwhile, defending champions Chelsea will begin life after Emma Hayes against Aston Villa.

علق مهند لاشين لاعب بيراميدز على المنافسة مع الأهلي ببطولة الدوري المصري في الموسم الماضي، موضحًا طبيعة علاقته مع لاعبي القلعة الحمراء.

وقال مهند لاشين في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة الأهلي: “بيراميدز قدم موسما كبيرا وكنا ننافس حتى آخر لحظة مع الأهلي على لقب الدوري المصري”.

وتابع: “الأهلي استطاع أن يحسم بطولة الدوري، ونحن نجحنا في الفوز بالكأس، وأنا حاولت أن أقدم موسما جيدا لأساعد زملائي”.

طالع | مروان عطية يوجه رسالة لـ جمهور الأهلي.. ويصرح: كل شيء بالقلعة الحمراء مختلف

وبسؤاله عن طبيعة علاقته بلاعبي الأهلي، أجاب: “علاقة طيبة جدا، وهذه هي الحالة التي أتمنى أن تُنقل للجمهور، والناس الذين يتعصبون للكرة، كلنا أصدقاء ونعرف بعض منذ الناشئين، وأتمنى حالة التعصب تقل في الفترة المقبلة”.

واختتم: “كل لاعب يتنافس من أجل حب النادي والفوز، لكن مستحيل أن تؤثر المنافسة على العلاقات خارج الملعب، أتمنى أن تُنقل للناس وإن شاء الله تكون رسالة لهم”.