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With just eight matches left to go in the Premier League, finishing in a Champions League spot is almost entirely beyond the reach of Manchester United.

This was all but confirmed on Thursday night, as the Red Devils suffered a dramatic 4-3 defeat to Chelsea, despite having the lead in the 99th minute.

Even though the Blues had 28 attempts – and ten on target – Erik ten Hag still seemed content with the way his side played, but in truth, a victory would have only masked another unconvincing performance.

However, there are certainly some positives that can be taken from the tie, with Alejandro Garnacho starring and one other player impressing even more than the Argentine.

Alejandro Garnacho’s performance against Chelsea

19-year-old Garnacho was yet again one of Man United’s most important players last night, and he so nearly became the match-winner.

In truth, the number 17 was rather quiet for his standards in spells, failing to retain the ball, as shown by his 71% pass accuracy and the fact he lost the ball 14 times.

That said, he came up with two important goals, two of which displayed different skills that the winger is slowly developing, with the first highlighting his anticipation and ability to press, and the second showing excellent movement and desire.

To further support the influence he had on the team, Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst handed Garnacho an 8/10 rating for his performance, but he still wasn’t the best on the field.

Man Utd star who earns more than Garnacho & Hojlund needs to be replaced

The United star has barely played over the last month.

ByTom Lever Mar 15, 2024 Antony’s stats against Chelsea

Since moving to United from Ajax for a whopping £86m last summer, Antony has received lots of criticism, particularly for his performances this campaign – previously dubbed "frustrating" by club legend Gary Neville.

The Brazilian has made 24 appearances in the Premier League this season, starting just his 12th time last night, when he finally ended his terrible drought in attack.

Against Mauricio Pochettino’s side, Antony put on a show of intent, and despite giving away a penalty in the first half, he certainly made up for his mistake throughout the rest of the game.

Just like Garnacho, Luckhurst gave the winger an 8/10 rating, stating that 'this was one of his best performances for United', which the table below also indicates.

Assists

1

Shots

3

Key passes

2

Pass accuracy

86%

Successful dribbles

6/6

Ground Duels won

9

Tackles

2

As you can see, Antony was incredible and impactful down the right, dominating Marc Cucurella from minute one, who was dribbled past on four occasions.

The 24-year-old showed signs of the player the United faithful thought they were signing, completing six out of six dribbles and playing with the freedom to express and entertain.

Nothing provides more evidence for that than his first goal contribution of the Premier League campaign, which was an absolutely beautiful outside-of-the-foot cross that landed on a plate for Garnacho to finish.

On top of that assist, the number 21 played a huge role in the first two goals, and it’s fair to say that he was United’s most threatening attacker on the evening.

Antony was also strong in his duels and put a shift in defensively in what was a complete performance from the winger, who needed just that to revive his United career.

After that showing, Ten Hag will find it extremely difficult to put the former Ajax ace on the bench, which may indicate that as long as he continues to perform, Antony could once again cement himself as the first-choice right winger.

Rohit praised Rahane for showing the ‘hunger’ and ‘strength’ that helped India recover after a shaky start

Karthik Krishnaswamy in Ranchi20-Oct-20194:47

Bangar: Rohit making the most of the faith shown by team management

Rohit Sharma had scored three double-hundreds in international cricket before this one in Ranchi, but this was a different experience. This was in a Test match, and when India reached the 50-over mark, he had only scored 107. He got to 200 with an utterly characteristic shot, a pulled six well in front of square off Lungi Ngidi, but he had had to wait a while to play that shot. He spent the entire lunch break on 199, and then had to see off a maiden after play resumed.”That’s the nature of the game,” Rohit said on the time he spent waiting for his 200th run, after the second day’s play. “You can’t do anything about it. I wouldn’t say it’s frustrating. It’s just the laws of the game. The time [a session] has to finish, it has to finish on that time.Watch cricket on ESPN+

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“From my side, I wasn’t thinking about that at all. Because I knew the time will come and whenever it’s supposed to happen, it will happen. I was just trying to be positive, think positive at that particular time. I know it can be frustrating at times but there’s nothing you can do about it. I just went back happy [at lunch], you know, 199 not out, I’d take that any day.”This was Rohit’s sixth Test hundred, and in the short, stop-start career he’s had so far in the format, he rated this one as his most challenging innings yet. “I haven’t played much, I have played only 30 Test matches. Yes, in terms of what was thrown at me in this particular Test match, I would definitely say that it was probably the most challenging one.”On the first morning, Rohit watched from one end as India slipped to 39 for 3, with Kagiso Rabada leading a testing South African effort with the new ball. He was then joined by Ajinkya Rahane, and the two resurrected India’s innings and put them in command with a fourth-wicket partnership of 267.ALSO READ: Stats – Rohit surpasses Bradman’s batting average at homeRohit singled out Rahane’s positive approach after lunch on the first day as a key factor in India regaining the momentum.”Our plan was very simple,” Rohit said. “When we knew there was something in the pitch for the bowler, we just wanted to respect that spell, and we knew the time will come for us to get those runs in the second session, so we just wanted to play the first session out cautiously, and then see where we stand [at] lunch.”Once we got out in the middle after lunch, it was Ajinkya who started taking that momentum, and it was he who actually got us the momentum. If I’m not wrong, he was batting on 40 off 43 balls just around the first drinks after lunch, which means we capitalised on the loose balls, we got those singles as well, so the rotation of strike was happening every now and then, which is always good for a batsman.”When you keep changing strike, it doesn’t allow the bowler to keep bowling there, because different batsmen, different style of play, the bowlers have to adjust their length as well, so I think we did that pretty well, particularly Ajinkya. He came out and started playing his shots, and from there he never looked back. The partnership after that kept growing.”Rohit Sharma and Ajinkyta Rahane share a lighter moment•BCCI

Rahane made his 11th Test hundred, and Rohit was all praise for his mate’s ability under pressure.”We’ve seen Ajinkya for so many years, the way his Test career has progressed, and whenever the team has been in a difficult situation, he’s come and rescued us,” Rohit said. “And this isn’t something he’s done just once or twice, he’s done it in many innings. This shows how strong he is, mentally, and how much hunger he has, to be able to steer the team out of bad situations.”We’ve seen it outside India, we’ve seen it in India as well, so Ajinkya’s Test graph, it’s climbing one step at a time, and there can’t be anything better for the team, because if your middle order is strong, whatever situation comes, you’re confident that one guy will always put his hand up and take the team forward.”The partnership Ajinkya built with me at that moment, it was very crucial from the team’s point of view. We’ve played together quite a bit, so we have a good understanding, which singles to steal, which runs we shouldn’t go for, we had quite a bit of communication going on those things, and I’m happy that he’s made a hundred, he was really looking forward to making a big score, and he’s done it now. There was no doubting his ability at any given stage, and again, carrying from where he left in the West Indies, he’s in great form and it just augurs well for the team.”Bad light ate away most of the post-tea session on day one, and India’s approach on day two was influenced by the knowledge that the same could happen again. It panned out exactly that way, and India, having declared at the stroke of tea, got just five overs to bowl to South Africa, in which they dismissed both openers.”In India, if you want to win the Test match, you’ve got to bat five sessions, get as many runs as possible, so that was the idea,” Rohit said. “[Rahane and I] wanted to bat long and see where we stand the next day, which is today, during lunch, and then we can take the game forward.”Considering the weather, after tea here it doesn’t look that great, so we wanted to press, and we wanted to get as many runs as possible, and the weather, also the bad light, it’s going to keep happening every day, I assume, so we wanted to get as many runs as quickly as possible today, and then give South Africa to bat little, and see what we can do. I’m happy that we got two wickets.”

وجه توماس بارتي، لاعب فريق آرسنال، تحذيرًا إلى خصمهم فريق ليفربول قبل مباراة الأحد المرتقبة في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ويستضيف ملعب “الإمارات” مباراة الفريقين في قمة منافسات الجولة التاسعة من الدوري الإنجليزي، يوم الأحد المقبل.

ويخوض آرسنال تلك المباراة بعدما خسر لقائه في الجولة الثامنة أمام بورنموث بهدفين دون رد.

وسيفقد آرسنال خدمات ويليام ساليبا في مباراة الأحد ضد ليفربول، بعدما طُرد خلال مواجهة بورنموث.

وقال بارتي، في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “مترو” الإنجليزية: “ساليبا لاعب كبير، سنفتقده، يجب على شخص ما أن يحل محله”.

وأضاف: “لدينا مدافعين جيدين والمدرب يعرف ما سيفعله لمساعدة الفريق وأيضًا، يجب على أي لاعب موجود أن يتدخل ويحاول تقديم أفضل ما لديه”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. لجنة التحكيم توضح حقيقة تدخل رئيسها في طرد ساليبا خلال مباراة آرسنال وبورنموث

وواصل: “علينا أولاً التركيز على مباراتنا في دوري أبطال أوروبا (ضد شاختار دونيتسك) ومحاولة الفوز، ثم الانتقال إلى المباراة التالية”.

وأردف: “لكن في الوقت الحالي يتعين علينا التعلم من الأخطاء، وعلينا أن نحاول البقاء مع 11 لاعبًا في الملعب”.

وأوضح: “نحن جيدون عندما يكون لدينا 11 لاعبًا في الملعب، ونحن جيدون أيضًا مع 10 لاعبين، لكن لا يمكننا البقاء في كل مباراة بـ 10 لاعبين”.

وأكد: “لذا يتعين علينا الاستمرار في العمل الجاد ومحاولة البقاء بـ 11 لاعبًا في الملعب، لدينا فريق جيد جدًا ونعلم أنه في كل مرة نبقى فيها بـ 11 لاعبًا في الملعب سنهيمن على المباراة، نفكر دائمًا في الفوز”.

وشدد: “نريد الفوز في كل مباراة ولكن في بعض الأحيان كما قلت، تحدث أشياء على أرض الملعب لا يمكنك السيطرة عليها”.

Harry Kane may struggle to match Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s longevity, but Emile Heskey sees him playing for England at 36 years of age.

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• Striker has 65 goals for Three Lions
• Approaching his 31st birthday
• Has years left alongside Bellingham & Co

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The prolific Bayern Munich striker, who is already his country’s all-time leading scorer on 65 goals, will turn 31 in late July. His game has never been about pace – with the ability to sniff out chances carrying him to the very top – and that suggests he could have several seasons left in him for club and country.

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  WHAT HESKEY SAID

  Ex-Three Lions striker Heskey – speaking in association with – has told GOAL when asked how long Kane can continue: “I played until I was 32. You can see him going past that. You are looking at Ronaldo, changing the way that he plays, and he’s 39. That is similar to what Harry kind of does. [Alan] Shearer was another, even though you get older, even though there is a change of pace, a change of mobility, he will still score you goals. That’s the key thing. I can see him playing for the national team until 36, depending on the manager. And depending on who is behind you. Who’s coming through to take his role? I’ve had a discussion with Robbie Fowler and he never played as much as he should have. Robbie was scoring 30 goals a season but he had Les Ferdinand, Shearer, Michael Owen, Ian Wright, Stan Collymore, Chris Sutton, Andy Cole! He had all that around him. Who is going to grab that role and take Harry Kane out?”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Kane has already become as important to England as Messi and Ronaldo are to Argentina and Portugal respectively, with Heskey adding on that standing: “I wouldn’t say Messi and Ronaldo-esque, but he is our go-to. There are certain players that you can’t take off, and he is one of them. Regardless of how he is actually playing, he is one of those players that you can’t take off because you know that he can get you a goal. You have this juggling act of, yes, you want something different but you know that he’s going to get you a goal and that he’s one of the few that can sniff out a chance and finish it. Look at the two goals that he’s got [at Euro 2024] – great finishes. People might snatch at those, but he is very composed when getting into that situation. He is what he is. Ronaldo and Messi-esque? Probably not, because they control games through what they do. I don’t think he controls games.”

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  With the history books being rewritten, Kane now stands alongside the modern day greats. Asked where he sits on a list that includes the likes of Shearer, Gary Lineker, Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney, Heskey added: “When you are talking about goals, he sits right at the very top – he is the one that you go to. When you are talking about all-round play and being involved and controlling games, then you talk about Rooney. Rooney, 04, 18-year-old Rooney, runs all over the pitch. But if you are talking about goal scoring, it’s about Harry Kane. Give him half-a-chance and he scores goals – plenty of them. But being involved in the play, that goes to Wayne Rooney.”

Update follows the Supreme Court of India asking the BCCI to reconsider the length of the ban in March this year

Nagraj Gollapudi20-Aug-2019Sreesanth, the one-time India fast bowler, can finally breathe a little easy after the BCCI ombudsman Justice (retd) DK Jain reduced his IPL 2013 spot-fixing ban to seven years, the sanction period now ending on September 13, 2020. This comes five months after the Supreme Court of India “set aside” the BCCI ban – originally for life – and asked the board to “reconsider” and “revisit” the length of any fresh ban, preferably within three months.The sanction has been imposed retrospectively from September 13, 2013, when Sreesanth was slapped with the life ban by the BCCI’s disciplinary committee. He was then found guilty of breaching the code of conduct for his alleged role in the IPL corruption and spot-fixing scandal that year.The BCCI’s decision had followed the arrest of Sreesanth and two other Rajasthan Royals players by Delhi Police for alleged promises made to bookmakers during the 2013 IPL. The charges against Sreesanth pertained to the match against Kings XI Punjab, played on May 9 in Mohali, that Royals won by eight wickets. The disciplinary committee charged Sreesanth guilty of corruption, betting, bringing the game into disrepute and not informing the board’s anti-corruption unit of being approached by bookies.However, the Supreme Court pointed out the three-member disciplinary committee – comprising then BCCI president N Srinivasan and two vice-presidents Arun Jaitley and Niranjan Shah – had not considered the relevant provisions of the code before arriving at the length of the ban which ranges from a minimum of five years to a maximum of a life ban. The court said the BCCI disciplinary committee did not “advert to the aggravating and mitigating factors” listed under its code.Consequently, the court asked the BCCI to set aside the life ban and review the “quantum of punishment/sanction” to be imposed on Sreesanth. That decision was left to the BCCI’s ombudsman in the absence of a disciplinary committee which can only be formed post the board’s elections.Before arriving at his decision, Justice Jain heard both Sreesanth and BCCI, both of whom were represented by their lawyers. Sreesanth’s legal counsel, Krishna Mohan K Menon, said that his client’s conduct was fair throughout the inquiry conducted by then BCCI Anti-Corruption Unit head Ravi Sawani with the bowler not contesting any offence alleged against him and cooperating fully.Menon said Sreesanth, who was 30 in 2013, had no knowledge of the “bookie nexus operating behind the scenes” during the IPL. Menon also said the alleged incident did not have any impact on the result of the IPL match which Royals, Sreesanth’s team, won “comfortably”. Menon added the spot-fixing scandal itself had no material or commercial impact on the tournament in 2013. According to him, Sreesanth had “maintained good conduct” throughout his playing career and was a committed family man and a philanthropist.Menon also told the BCCI ombudsman that while determining the sanctions, he ought not to consider Sreesanth’s “biological life” but his “sport life”. Menon explained that Sreesanth, who is currently 36, has “only 3 years of active sporting life” and hence the ombudsman should consider all these factors.”It was thus, pleaded by the Ld. Counsel that having regard to all these factors, Mr. Sreesanth has already suffered sufficient punishment for the alleged offences and therefore, he does not deserve further sanctions,” Justice Jain noted in his order.In response, the BCCI argued that a life ban was just for Sreesanth for the various aggravating factors. Among those listed were: the player showed no “remorse” at any point during the investigation process, that he had been “infamous for his uncontrolled presentation of negative temperament in the form of anger, frustration and scuffles on field” with other players, that he was mature enough to understand the consequences of his offence, that there was material evidence he had received a sum of INR 10 lakh “in lieu of the offence committed”.”The award of sentence, less than a life ban in a clear case of match fixing, can clearly impact public confidence in the game of cricket,” the BCCI is credited as saying in the order.The board argued that the disciplinary committee was “merely” required to determine, after considering all the relevant factors, whether they aggravated or mitigated the offence. The quantum of punishment, the BCCI said, was a matter of discretion of the panel.Justice Jain agreed with the BCCI’s zero-tolerance approach towards corruption and any offence committed under its code could not be “ignored” and “dealt with leniently.” However, he pointed out that the zero-tolerance approach “cannot dilute consideration of the relevant factors” while imposing sanctions.Justice Jain concluded that he had found a “few mitigating circumstances” under the BCCI’s code as pointed out by Sreesanth. “Although the BCCI has referred to his erratic behaviour, both on and off the field, with fellow players, but nothing has been brought on record by the BCCI to show that any sanction was imposed on him in the past. On the contrary, he was regularly participating in the national and international matches. In the report of the Commissioner there is no allegation that Mr. Sreesanth did not co-operate in the Inquiry.”Additionally, the BCCI has not been able to controvert the specific plea of Mr. Sreesanth that the offences allegedly committed by him did not substantially damage the commercial value of the IPL matches, or even the final result of the subject match. I am, therefore, convinced that mitigating circumstances are attracted in the instant case.”According to Justice Jain, Sreesanth’s “prime years,” especially as a fast bowler, were nearly over. He had already served six years of the ban, which has barred him from playing any form of cricket both in India and overseas.”Bearing in mind, all these factors, I am of the view that banning Mr. Sreesanth from participating in any kind of commercial Cricket or from associating with any activities of the BCCI or its affiliates, for a period of seven years with effect from 13.09.2013, i.e. the date from which, the period of ban imposed by the Disciplinary Committee had commenced, will meet the ends of justice.”

Liverpool are believed to be very confident about a "world-class" Anfield hero signing a new long-term deal in the near future, with his current contract expiring soon.

Liverpool contract news

The Reds have brought in some incredible players during Jurgen Klopp's spell as manager, with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson becoming true greats in the club's history. Klopp's shock exit at the end of the season has hit Liverpool supporters, in a decision that almost nobody saw coming, and it is now imperative that key players don't follow him out of Anfield in the summer.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Salah and Van Dijk are all out of contract in 2025, so there is some concern regarding their futures, considering they haven't yet extended their stay.

The trio are three of the first names on Klopp's team sheet when everyone is fit and firing, and while the latter pair are both now in their 30s, there is no reason why they can't continue to be huge figures at Anfield for a number of years to come. Now, a key update has emerged regarding the future of one Liverpool ace.

Liverpool very confident of new Trent Alexander-Arnold deal

According to a fresh update from Football Insider, Trent Alexander-Arnold could sign a new Liverpool deal in the coming months, with talks set to take place between him and the club and the Reds very confident of a deal materialising.

"Liverpool are planning to hold new contract talks with Trent Alexander-Arnold, sources have told Football Insider. The Reds expected an agreement to be struck with the 25-year-old following initial discussions last autumn but they did not get a deal completed.

"Sources say the Merseyside club are very confident that Alexander-Arnold will commit to a new long-term deal at Anfield."

This is huge news for Liverpool, considering tying down Alexander-Arnold is arguably more important than Salah and Van Dijk, due to the fact that he is still only 25 years of age.

The Englishman has gone up another gear this season, flourishing and being vice-captain – he has two goals and three assists in the Premier League this season – and there have been plenty of rumours over a new deal in the last six months. Legendary former Barcelona right-back Dani Alves has lauded him in the past, too, saying:

"I admire Trent Alexander-Arnold very much. He’s a fantastic footballer – this guy has got world-class skills. I also like to watch Reece James and Achraf Hakimi. They mix strength with technique and are also great players. The three of them obviously have different characteristics and styles – but they all know how to do the job."

Related The top 8 clashes between Arsenal and Liverpool

Arsenal and Liverpool often cause plenty of drama when they meet – FFC looks back at some of their best clashes.

Posts ByStephan Georgiou Feb 4, 2024

It would be a huge shock if Alexander-Arnold didn't sign an extension, given his love for Liverpool since he was a boy, and he can gradually become one of the greatest Reds players of all time over the next decade or so.

Southampton are reportedly considering tabling a huge bid for a young attacking midfielder with "excellent dribbling" ability, according to a fresh transfer update out of Italy.

Southampton transfer news

Saints are be red hot in the Championship promotion battle this season, with Saturday's 3-1 win away to Swansea City taking them into second place, where they will stay if Ipswich Town lose at Leicester City on Monday evening.

They continue to be linked with plenty of new signings to aid their quest to return to the Premier League, with Burnley's Manuel Benson one player who has been backed to move to St Mary's. He is thought to be seen as their alternative to Leeds United winger Crysencio Summerville.

Another rumoured target is West Ham defender Ben Johnson, who featured for the Hammers in their 2-2 draw away to Sheffield United on Sunday, but could look to seal a permanent move away from the London Stadium before the end of the month with his contract ticking towards its conclusion later this year.

There are some Southampton players who could leave the club during the January transfer window, however, with striker Che Adams continuing to be linked with a move away, with a switch to Premier League side Wolves mooted.

Southampton considering huge Matias Soule bid

According to Calciomercato [via Sport Witness], Southampton are "thinking of making a proposal" for Juventus ace Matias Soule.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder, who can also play on the wing, is currently on loan at fellow Serie A side Frosinone and has no interest in dropping down a tier, which does admittedly make a move to St Mary's feel unlikely. However, Sport Republic would reportedly "like to invest" in him, with the Italian media believing they are seriously considering a massive bid around €35 (£30m), either now or in the summer after earning promotion – which could then change the player's mind too.

Soule could be such an exciting signing by Southampton, even though the amount being mooted is likely to be out of their price range until promotion is secured, and it could such a statement of intent. Frosinone manager Eusebio Di Francesco has lauded him this season, saying "In certain aspects, he resembles Berardi, but he must learn to shoot on goal more often. He doesn’t lack qualities and has excellent dribbling, but in the game, he needs to be more lucid when making his choices. My thought is that his talent should not be limited; with time and experience, he will improve in many aspects."

It is encouraging to see Southampton being so ambitious in the transfer market, perhaps suggesting that they truly believe they will be back in the Premier League next season, and Soule's statistics so far this season highlight what a talent he is. He has scored nine goals in 19 Serie A appearances, also averaging 3.6 dribbles per game, while his key pass numbers suggest he deserves more assists than he actually has too.

Appearances 19 Goals 9 Assists 1 Dribbles per game 3.6 Key passes per game 2.5 Tackles per game 1.4 Pass completion rate 81.1% For now, it may have to be something of a long shot for Saints, but the idea of the young attacker suddenly sealing a move to St Mary's is a mouthwatering prospect.

Bayern Munich are all set to sign Vincent Kompany as head coach this summer and Julian Nagelsmann thinks that the signing will be good thing.

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Bayern part ways with Thomas TuchelBayern set to sign Kompany from BurnleyNagelsmann thinks signing will be positiveWHAT HAPPENED?

Nagelsmann was one among many potential options for Bayern coming into the summer after they parted ways with Thomas Tuchel. However, after going through many options, the Bavarians have finally landed on the Burnley boss to take over at Allianz Arena, and Nagelsmann thinks the Belgian is a perfect choice for Bayern.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NAGELSMANN SAID

Speaking to the media, Nagelsmann said [via Sky Germany]: "I've heard that he's a very good coach with outstanding prospects, and he has had many good coaches who trained him, so he'll do well.

"In the end, it's good for the club that they didn't win the championship this time. I don't think it's a bad situation for a young coach who can leave his mark. Who, I think, can change more than if they had won the championship again or been extremely successful."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Bayern Munich lost out on the Bundesliga title for the first time in 11 years this season as Bayer Leverkusen won the league title. Bayern also suffered a trophyless season for the first time since 2009 which caused the Bavarians to part ways with Tuchel and look to undergo a switch in management.

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WHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN?

The Bavarians will now prepare for a summer of change and preparations as they look to take on the challenge and take on Bayer Leverkusen next season for the Bundesliga.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney must be ruthless in pursuit of Premier League football, with it inevitable that more “stalwarts” will leave Wrexham.

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• Eight players released in 2024
• Work to do on and off the field
• Hollywood co-owners committed

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Red Dragons have already started that process, with eight players being released on the back of promotion out of League Two being secured. Cult heroes such as Ben Tozer and Luke Young are among those being moved on, freeing up funds and squad space for new recruits.

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  WHAT KER SAID

  A similar theme will play out if Wrexham continue to climb the EFL ladder, with executive director Humphrey Ker admitting as much. He has told on difficult decisions being taken and the need to take sentiment out of a results business: “We’ve had three seasons of unparalleled success. Everyone has got used to that. But the reality is — and maybe I’ll be proved wrong in the coming season — you can’t sustain that year after year after year. Manchester City don’t even manage that. There will be difficult patches along the way, not just on the pitch. Take this summer, when we are saying goodbye to some stalwarts. Men who have given an extraordinary chunk of their life to this club and played through the pain barrier. At times, taking up a position on the sidelines that they’re just not used to doing but still giving everything to help the boys over the line. We are bidding farewell to these guys and that hurts. A heartbreaking element of this is, as we go on, more and more of those figures will go. But that’s the nature of the club – it has to constantly evolve or it is in trouble.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Not all of that evolution will take place on the field, with Ker adding on the need for Reynolds and McElhenney to address as many issues off the pitch: “I’ve been very clear with Rob and Ryan, as much as I can be, over the need to say we need the infrastructure to catch up with the first team. The two of them were very big fish in a small pond as a National League club. They were still big fish in a small-to-medium-sized pond in League Two. We’re about to go into a league with clubs who can mix it with us. They are both aware of it. We need to get the training ground sorted, the Kop started. Our commercial operation has done a sensational job, as have all the departments, but they need support. They need more bodies, more office space. We need to expand our scouting network. We need to become more sophisticated in almost every area.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

  Wrexham are aware that rapid progress has left them playing catch-up in some departments, but every effort is being made to ensure that the club remains as competitive as possible – with life back in the third tier of English football for the first time in 20 years being fully embraced.

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Após passagem pelo CSA, clube que foi revelado, o atacante Victor Paraíba está de volta ao Atlético-GO, agremiação que defendeu em 2019 por empréstimo e conquistou o acesso para a Série A do Brasileirão. Feliz com o retorno, o jogador, comemorou a oportunidade de vestir a camisa do Dragão novamente.

É Mundial? Veja títulos mundiais que os clubes brasileiros poderiam reivindicar

– Estou muito feliz por esse retorno ao Atlético, clube que tive a oportunidade de conquistar o acesso para a primeira divisão. Vou trabalhar muito para construir a minha história no clube com títulos e boas atuações. Espero que os próximos anos sejam muito bons para todos aqui – disse o jogador.

VEJA TABELA ATUALIZADA E SIMULE O RESTANTE DO BRASILEIRÃO

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Segundo Paraíba, que só poderá atuar pelo clube em março, a meta é se preparar bem durante esse período.

– Vou trabalhar muito nas próximas semanas para estar voando baixo a partir do estadual. Estou muito focado nisso – revelou o atleta.