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Antonio Conte revealed that Scott McTominay has "little problems" as Napoli continue their Serie A title push against a struggling Parma.

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• Napoli are leading the Serie A title race
• Have slender one-point lead over Inter
• McTominay may be unavailable due to injury

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Reports emerging from Italian outlets such as and suggest that McTominay’s early exit from training on Thursday sparked concern among the club’s medical team. Initial fears revolved around the possibility of a muscular injury, potentially derailing his availability for the upcoming fixtures in the final stretch of the season.

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  However, after medical examinations, it was revealed that there are no signs of muscle tears or more serious damage. The issue has been attributed to muscle fatigue, and although it was a scare, the player is expected to recover in time to feature in the matchday squad against Parma.

• WHAT CONTE SAID

  However, Conte remained upbeat despite the recent injury scare.

  “McTominay has had a few problems,” Conte told reporters. “But we will always find the solution, regardless."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Since arriving from Manchester United, the 28-year-old Scotland international has grown into one of the most reliable performers under Conte’s management. In his 32 Serie A appearances so far this season, McTominay has scored 11 goals and provided six assists, proving himself indispensable in Naples.

Tottenham Hotspur have now opened talks to sign an £8.5m “goalscorer” who previously starred at Spurs’ stadium.

Tottenham and Ange eye new signing before deadline

Things haven’t been going to plan for Ange Postecoglou and his side on the pitch, with Spurs now in real threat of finding themselves in a relegation battle following the latest loss at home to Leicester City.

Prior to that defeat, Postecoglou admitted that his injury-hit squad could do with bolstering before the deadline: “I have daily communication with Johan in particular and he’s trying everything he possibly can to get the help we need. I don’t think I’m stating anything other than the obvious and for me to come here and say something else would be disingenuous. This playing group needs help, there’s no doubt about that.

“We’re sort of playing with fire by not bringing anyone in, but the flip side of that is the club is trying to change that situation.”

So far, goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky is the only winter window addition in north London, but there have been rumours of another attacker arriving.

Tottenham exploring move for £80k-p/w ace they've wanted since Kane left

He could help them turn their season around if Spurs can land him for Postecoglou.

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By
Ben Browning

Jan 29, 2025

Names including Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel and Lyon‘s Rayan Cherki have been mooted as attacking targets, and the club are now in talks for a Premier League forward.

Tottenham open Yoane Wissa talks

As per journalist Santi Aouna, Tottenham have opened discussions to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford, who is seen as a concrete target for Spurs before the deadline.

Within his report for Foot Mercato, Aouna states that Tottenham have approached Brentford over a deal and have also been in contact with Wissa and his representatives to express their interest.

Recently, Bees manager Thomas Frank said: “There’s a lot of rumours. For me, he’s a Brentford player, and in my opinion, Wissa is not for sale.”

Frank also hailed Wissa as a “goalscorer” back in 2023 after a 3-0 win over Fulham. “It’s about enjoying the wins that we get. Great goal by Wissa. It’s not as easy as it looked.

“I think they are super players. Wissa, we knew, has always been a goalscorer. He scored seven goals in the first season and seven in the second in the Premier League, for a player that didn’t play much. It’s remarkable. I definitely think he is best as a 9. He’s got that nose for goals.”

The 28-year-old, who cost just £8.5m back in 2021, has been in impressive form this season, averaging a goal every other game in all competitions.

He has already matched last season’s tally of 12 goals in all competitions in 12 fewer games, so appears to be at the peak of his powers in England and even starred at Tottenham’s stadium back in 2023, scoring and providing an assist in a 3-1 win for Brentford.

It remains to be seen how likely a late January deal is for Wissa, but by the looks of things, it will be one to keep an eye on ahead of the deadline.

كشف كايو زيلر وكيل المدرب البرازيلي روجيرو ميكالي، حقيقة وجود مفاوضات مع نادي الزمالك خلال الفترة الحالية، لتولي تدريب القلعة البيضاء.

وكان الزمالك أعلن عن إقالة البرتغالي جوزيه بيسيرو، عقب الخروج من بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية، بالإضافة إلى سلسلة النتائج السلبية في بطولة الدوري المصري.

طالع | بيسيرو يتغزل في الأهلي ويصرح: الزمالك مثل الجريدة و4 لاعبين يستطيعون الاحتراف بإنجلترا

وأعلن نادي الزمالك، تولي المدرب أيمن الرمادي، تدريب الفريق، حتي نهاية بطولة كأس مصر للموسم الحالي 2024-2025.

وقال زيلر خلال تصريحات خاصة لـ بطولات: “شرف كبير لنا؛ ولكن لم تحدث مفاوضات من جانب نادي الزمالك”.

وأضاف: “ميكالي منفتح على فكرة تدريب الزمالك”.

وكان المدرب البرازيلي ميكالي تولي تدريب منتخب مصر الأولمبي، استطاع أن يحرز المركز الرابع في أولمبياد باريس الأخيرة، كما قاد منتخب مصر للشباب إلي التأهل إلي كأس أمم إفريقيا تحت 20 عامًا التي أقيمت في مصر.

Bayern Munich have been urged to sign a back-up to striker Harry Kane after their elimination from the Champions League.

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• Bayern suffered Champions League heartbreak against Inter
• Kane scored in second leg but couldn't prevent aggregate defeat
• German media blame lack of alternatives up front

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  German giants Bayern were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals by Inter on Wednesday evening. Kane put his side ahead on the night but goals from Lautaro Martinez and Benjamin Pavard sent the Italians through 4-3 on aggregate despite Eric Dier pulling one back late on.

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  While Kane looks set to finally end his trophy draught as Bayern close in on the Bundesliga title, his side were frequently chasing the tie against Inter and claims stronger back-up options are required throughout the squad.

• WHAT SKY GERMANY SAID

  Sky's Kerry Hau commented on the disappointment of Bayern's exit and, while falling short of questioning manager Vincent Kompany's role, he insisted reinforcements will be needed in the summer transfer window if the Bavarian outfit are to go further in the Champions League next season. He claimed a "true defensive leader" is needed after Kim Min-jae partnered Eric Dier at the back, while a reserve option to "long-time favourite" Kane is also required.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Bayern previously relied on Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting whenever they needed a goal but Kompany had no such alternative to Kane on Wednesday, instead turning to Raphael Guerreiro, Serge Gnabry, Aleksandar Pavloic and Kingsley Coman from the bench. They were also without the likes of Manuel Neuer, Alphonso Davies, Dayot Upamecano and Jamal Musiala due to injuries.

Bayer Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah has been told by Barcelona that they'll be able to sign him this summer despite a salary limit reduction by LaLiga.

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• Tah on Barca's radar
• Leverkusen defender out of contract this summer
• German centre-back told Barca can sign him despite financial woes

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to a report from SPORT, Barcelona have reassured defender Jonathan Tah that his signing will materialise this summer, despite recent salary cap restrictions imposed by La Liga. Through his agent, Pini Zahavi, the club confirmed they would be able to register new players from July and assured Tah of a spot in the squad with guaranteed playing time. The German international is in the final few months of his contract at Bayer Leverkusen and is poised to sign for another club for free when the season ends.

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  Highly valued by manager Hansi Flick for his aerial strength and tactical awareness, Tah is seen as a valuable addition to Barcelona’s defence, which already consists of Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia, and Andreas Christensen in the centre-back positions. The Catalans, however, are set to offload the Danish international this summer and plan to sign Tah, with whom he has been linked since months.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Barcelona aren't the only club interested in signing Tah, with claiming that he has received lucrative offers from Bayern Munich, Inter, and AC Milan.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR JONATHAN TAH?

  The 29-year-old will next be seen in Leverkusen colours when Xabi Alonso's men welcome Union Berlin in what promises to be a tricky Bundesliga encounter on Saturday, April 12. Die Werkself are currently six points behind league leaders Bayern with six games to go.

Bukayo Saka has been told he needs to decide whether to remain a one-club man or go and win silverware elsewhere.

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Saka's ambition questionedMay have to move to win trophiesContract is up in 2027Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Saka returned from a three-month hamstring injury with a goal against Fulham on Tuesday evening, but his side's title bid has stalled in his absence and the Champions League is their last chance to avoid another trophyless season. Former Manchester City winger and Premier League title-winner Shaun Wright-Phillips has questioned Saka's motivations, claiming he may have to leave to become a serial title-winner.

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Saka has won just one trophy since breaking into the Arsenal first team, an unused substitute for the 2020 FA Cup final. Kylian Mbappe signed for Real Madrid on a free transfer last summer with England team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold set to follow in the coming months – and Wright-Phillips suggests a move to Spain could pay off for Saka. Arsenal have been stung in previous circumstances before, when they were forced to sell star striker Robin van Persie to Manchester United with one year remaining on his deal in 2012.

WHAT WRIGHT-PHILLIPS SAID

Wright-Phillips told : "In Saka's position, does he want to be a one club man, or does he actually want to go and win silverware? I’m not saying Arsenal won’t win anything, but players know that if they sign for Real Madrid, they’re going to get a medal every season. That could be in their thought processes. From what I see, Saka and [William] Saliba love the club. So for them not to sign new contracts, that would catch me off guard."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR SAKA?

Saka is fully fit for the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid beginning next week, but is first back in action for the Gunners' trip to Everton on Saturday.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will be elated with the way that his team have started the 2024/25 Scottish Premiership campaign, with 14 wins from 15 matches.

The Hoops have been almost faultess in the top-flight and are on course to win the title for the second season in succession since the Northern Irish head coach returned to replace Ange Postecoglou last year.

Celtic’s board backed Rodgers throughout the recent summer transfer window, with the likes of Arne Engels, Paulo Bernardo, Kasper Schmeichel, Adam Idah, and Auston Trusty, among others, brought in.

The players the former Liverpool and Leicester City manager snapped up in his first summer transfer window at the club, however, have had mixed success.

Celtic's summer 2023 signings

Celtic brought in ten new players to bolster their squad after Rodgers entered the dugout for the second time; Nat Phillips, Hyun-jun Yang, Hyeok-kyu Kwon, Paulo Bernardo, Luis Palma, Maik Nawrocki, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Marco Tilio, Tomoki Iwata and Odin Thiago Holm.

Of those ten players, only Bernardo – who signed permanently this year after his loan last term, and Yang have featured in at least five Premiership matches this season.

Phillips returned to Liverpool in January and Kwon, Lagerbielke, and Tilio are all currently out on loan, whilst Iwata was sold to Birmingham in the summer.

Nawrocki was hailed as “very highly-rated” by Rodgers, who described him as a “great” signing, after his reported £4.3m move from Polish side Legia Warsaw.

The defender, as shown in the video above, was also excited to get going at Parkhead and believed that he would be a good fit in Glasgow.

With the January transfer window less than a month away, however, the Northern Irishm manager must finally cash in on the Hoops flop, who has failed to live up to the hype that his manager created with those comments last year.

Why Maik Nawrocki should be sold

The Polish central defender was signed for a relatively big fee, of £4.3m, and has ended up way down the pecking order at Parkhead, behind Cameron Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Liam Scales, and Stephen Welsh.

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast's 'First Impressions' series has everything you need.

For the money spent, including his reported £12k-per-week wages, Nawrocki has, simply, not offered enough on the pitch for the Hoops, as Rodgers has not deemed him to be above the other players in his position.

He has been an unused substitute on seven occasions and made one appearance, as a substitute in the League Cup against Falkirk, in all competitions so far this season.

As you can see in the table above, Nawrocki did feature in ten league games during the 2023/24 campaign but failed to nail down a regular starting spot.

The fact that he lost half of his aerial contests with opposition players may have played a part in that, as the 23-year-old flop was unable to dominate forwards in the air from set-pieces and open play.

Nawrocki has not made a single appearance in the Premiership this season and has not made a matchday squad in the division since October, despite being fit and available – as he has been on the bench for every Champions League game.

Imagine him & Kuhn: Celtic lining up "phenomenal" big-money transfer

Celtic are reportedly interested in a deal to sign the impressive marksman in January.

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By
Dan Emery

Dec 2, 2024

Therefore, Rodgers must ruthlessly cash in on the centre-back, who has not proven to be a ‘great’ signing as of yet, due to his lack of importance to the team for the money spent on him.

Zubayr Hamza has been banned from “all cricket-related activities” for nine months by the ICC after admitting to an anti-doping rule violation.The South Africa batter provided an out-of-competition sample on January 17 in Paarl which was found to contain Furosemide, a substance specified in Section S5 of the 2022 WADA Prohibited List. Hamza accepted the provisional suspension, which was backdated to March 22, meaning he will be eligible to return to cricket on December 22, 2022.In addition, all of the international cricket that Hamza played between January 17, when he provided the sample, and March 22, when he was banned, have been stripped from his stats. That’s essentially one Test match against New Zealand, where he scored 25 and 6.The ICC release made a point to mention that Hamza wasn’t significantly at fault for the substance found in his sample with Alex Marshal, the general manager – integrity unit, adding it was “a timely reminder to all international cricketers that they remain responsible for anything they put into their bodies, to know exactly what medication they are taking so as to ensure it does not contain a prohibited substance and does not result in an anti-doping rule violation”.”I have never intentionally taken a prohibited substance,” Hamza said in a statement issued by the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA), “And I am relieved that the ICC determination confirms this fact. The past few months have been difficult for me on a personal and professional level, and I have learnt lessons that I will share with my fellow players.””We are pleased that Zubayr will be back playing cricket at the end of this year,” SACA CEO Andrew Breetzke said. “SACA will continue to support Zubayr during the period of his suspension.”On March 23, CSA had issued a statement confirming that Hamza was “not disputing” the positive test and was “cooperating fully with the ICC” on the matter, and had agreed to voluntary suspension.Hamza made his Test debut against Pakistan in early 2019 when he became South Africa’s 100th Test player since readmission. He made his ODI debut against Netherlands in November last year, scoring 56 in a washout. He has played six Tests in all and had withdrawn from both Test and ODI series against Bangladesh earlier this year because of “personal reasons”.