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In today’s Tottenham Hotspur roundup, we take a look at what new has been doing the rounds for the Lilywhites. Alan Shearer says ‘Spurs have a softness about them’, Harry Kane makes the top 10 at the FIFA Football Best Awards, and Paul Merson questions Mauricio Pochettino after five years at the club.

Spurs ‘soft’ says Shearer

Report: All-time top Premier League scorer Alan Shearer has hit out at ‘soft’ Spurs after once again dropping points from a winning position over the weekend. Shearer said: “Tottenham have led by a goal at half-time in their past three away matches – against Arsenal, Olympiakos and now the Foxes – but failed to win any of them, which tells you they have a softness about them that they do not seem able to put right.

“They had a brilliant season last time out, reaching the Champions League final and making the top four of the Premier League for a fourth successive year under Pochettino – but they still seem a long way from reaching the next level and mounting a serious title challenge.”

Verdict: Spurs currently sit seventh in the table, having won just twice in the seven games they have played this season. Truthfully, the only convincing game so far was the 4-0 victory over Crystal Palace, as even on the opening day Spurs had to fight back late on against newly-promoted Aston Villa.

In reality, Spurs have only conceded one goal more this season in their opening seven games with 10, than they did in the first seven of last year, where they let in nine. Although, as Shearer states, Spurs have yet to make any sort of progress from reaching the Champions League final and are still way off competing for a title, as Liverpool and Manchester City continue to get better.

‘Something has to change at Tottenham’, says Merson

Report: In his Sky Sports column, ex-Arsenal man Paul Merson believes change has to come if Spurs are to progress under Pochettino. He said: “I watched Spurs beat Crystal Palace the other week. They were like the Harlem Globetrotters. They made Palace look pathetic.

“They were the last team to win at Manchester United, Arsenal and Man City – they know how to win in big games. But then Spurs go to Leicester and get beat, having been to Olympiakos where they threw away two goals. I’m not saying get rid of the manager, but everything’s getting a bit monotonous now.

“Do I think Pochettino will be there next season? No. The only thing with that is that he will start to lose his credibility if they don’t stay where they are. They’re the third-best team in the league, in my opinion, still.”

Verdict: Pochettino has now been at Spurs for five years, and although he will forever be credited for helping raise Harry Kane and for signing the likes of Dele Alli, considering him a success over these years would be slightly unjustified. As Merson stated, Spurs have got a magnificent team and boast of some of Europe’s best around in their respective positions, such as Kane, Christian Eriksen, and Toby Alderweireld. Yet, everything just seems to have plateaued within the last year, and the team has not been able to kick on form the positives of last term.

Is this because of Pochettino? It would be harsh to say so considering Spurs were just about making the Europa League before he arrived, now, they’ve been to a Champions League final.

However, reaching the final is not a success and neither is finishing second as they did in 2016-17. And although this is indeed progress, we are yet to see this progression become victorious, and perhaps now questions need to be asked of the Argentine.

Kane finishes 10th at Best Awards

Report: Harry Kane finished 10th in the FIFA Football Best Awards on Monday in the men’s category. The Spurs man was joined by Premier League stars Mohamed Salah, Virgil Van Dijk and Sadio Mane, who all cracked the top five.

Verdict: In theory, Kane was the only recognised out-and-out no.9 in the top 10, with the likes of Luis Suarez, Robert Lewandowski, and Antoine Griezmann all missing out, whilst it’s fair to say the other top scorers on the list are were all wingers. The Englishman was also the third youngest inside the top ten, with Frenkie De Jong, Kylian Mbappe and Matthijs De Ligt all a few years younger than the 26-year-old.

Kane made his way into the top 10 after scoring 17 goals in 27 Premier League games last season, whilst also playing a hand in England’s route to finishing third in the inaugural Nations League tournament, playing five games and scoring once. The striker also netted five times in nine Champions League fixtures as Spurs made it to the final last season.

For a while now, it has been a debate as to who is better amongst the top strikers around. But perhaps considering Kane surpassed them in the FIFA men’s award, maybe now he can call himself the best striker in the game.

أحرز الدولي الإسباني، ماركو أسينسيو، جناح فريق ريال مدريد، الهدف الثالث لفريقه في مرمى سليتا فيجو بالليجا.

ريال مدريد يحل ضيفًا على سليتا فيجو، على ملعب “بالايدوس”، ضمن لقاءات الجولة الثامنة والعشرين من الدوري الإسباني.. (طالع المباراة مباشرةٍ لحظة بلحظة).

هدف أسينسيو جاء مع صافرة النهاية في الوقت المُحتسب بدل من الضائع بالدقيقة 90+4، بعد عرضية من الفرنسي كريم بنزيما وصلت لـ أسينسيو سددها مباشرةٍ في المرمى من منطقة الجزاء. شاهد هدف اسينسيو فى مرمي سيلتا فيجو

ريال مدريد كان قد تقدم في النتيجة بثنائية عبر كريم بنزيما، الأول سجّله في الدقيقة 20، وبالدقيقة 30 تمكن من تسجّيل الهدف الثاني (شاهد ثنائية كريم بنزيما)، ثم قلص سانتي مينا النتيجة لـ سيلتا فيجو (شاهد الهدف).

يخطط الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم لإقامة مباراة نهائي الموسم الحالي من دوري أبطال أوروبا وسط تواجد جماهيري، على الرغم من استمرار تفشي فيروس كورونا.

ومن المقرر أن تُقام المباراة النهائية يوم 29 مايو المقبل، في ملعب أتاتورك الأولمبي في تركيا.

وذكرت صحيفة “ديلي ميل” الإنجليزية أن الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم يخطط لجذب المشجعين لحضور نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا في إسطنبول.

وأوضحت أن يويفا أخبر المتسابقين الثمانية في دور ربع النهائي بأنه يمكن أن يتواجد 9000 متفرج على الأقل في الملعب، مع تقسيم توزيع التذاكر بين الأندية.

وستتخذ الحكومة التركية القرارات النهائية بشأن سعة الملعب وعدد الزوار في وقت لاحق، لكن الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم متفائل بشكل متزايد.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ريفالدو: مانشستر سيتي المرشح الأقوى للفوز بدوري أبطال أوروبا

وأشارت إلى أن يويفا ابتكر نظامًا ذكيًا يتضمن بيع التذاكر للجماهير عبر الهواتف المحمولة، والذي من المأمول أن يحد من خطر انتشار فيروس كورونا.

وتبلغ سعة ملعب أتاتورك 75415 متفرجًا، ويعتقد يويفا أنه يمكن وصول العدد النهائي من المشاهدين في الاستاذ نحو 30 أو 50 % من الرقم المذكور سلفًا.

وكان من المقرر أن يستضيف الملعب المذكور نهائي النسخة الماضية من البطولة، ولكن تفشي فيروس كورونا أدى إلى إعادة التفكير حيث نُقل اللقاء إلى لشبونة.

يُذكر أن بايرن ميونخ هو حامل لقب النسخة الماضية من دوري أبطال أوروبا، بعد فوزه في النهائي على باريس سان جيرمان بهدف نظيف.

Sheffield Wednesday will look to return to winning ways as they host Wigan on Saturday, and Garry Monk could make a subtle tweak to his side in order to get back on track.

The former Birmingham boss has experimented with his choice of formations so far but mostly trusted the same personnel, and therefore there may not be too many changes despite defeat to Hull last time out.

Wednesday started brightly under Lee Bullen before tailing off slightly and much of their success has been due to their defence, conceding only nine goals in 10 Championship games.

Watch Sheffield Wednesday Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Even Tom Lees hasn’t been missed much so far, with new signing Julian Borner proving that Steve Bruce was right to bring him in over the summer.

The attack has been a slightly different story for the Owls, though, with Steven Fletcher the only striker currently scoring on a consistent basis.

For that reason, Monk could decide to use the Scot as the lone forward up-front, and line-up like this.

It is a formation change which works for two main reasons – it provides Wednesday with cover in midfield whilst allowing Kadeem Harris and Adam Reach free reign to attack.

That could be particularly effective for the latter, as it will allow him to hug the touchline or cut inside onto his stronger left foot.

Wigan have been particularly weak at defending through the middle this season, with 66% of the shots they have conceded coming via that avenue, and with Reach often enjoying success from long range – as evidenced by his four goals from outside the box in the last campaign – that could be a way to breach the visitors’ defence.

A return to the starting line-up for Joey Pelupessy could also be on the cards, as the Dutchman is yet to feature under his new boss despite offering defensive cover in midfield.

Last season he averaged 1.9 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game and so could marshall the space in front of the back four with great effect, and in doing so reduce the defensive responsibility on Barry Bannan.

Since Monk’s arrival two players who have seen their roles increase are Sam Winnall and Atdhe Nuhiu, but the strikers have offered just two goals between them and may be better suited acting as an impact sub, with Nuhiu’s height offering an attacking alternative – as evidenced by his  average of 5.5 aerial duels won per game this season.

كشف عماد عبد العزيز رئيس نادي الزمالك، أسباب رحيل البرتغالي جايمي باتشيكو، والتعاقد مع الفرنسي باتريس كارتيرون.

وقال عبد العزيز خلال تصريحات عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورتس”: “لعبنا 3 مباريات في بطولة إفريقيا حصلنا على نقطتين فقط، وهذا غير مقبول”.

وأضاف: “وفي الدوري تعادلنا مبارتين وخسرنا من غزل المحلة، الكرة يوجد بها مكسب وخسارة، ولكن شعرنا أن هذا ليس فريق الزمالك”.

طالع | رئيس الزمالك: ثلاثي الفريق تنازلوا عن المستحقات من أجل الآخرين.. ويكشف تطورات تجديد فرجاني ساسي

وتابع: “الجماهير لا تعلم ماذا يدور في الكواليس، هو فقط الأزمة في السيطرة على غرفة الملابس، وهناك أمور ممكن نقولها وأمور أخرى لا يصح أن نذكرها، بالإضافة إلى أنه كنا نواجه سوء توفيق كبير جدً”.

وعن التعاقد مع كارتيرون، أوضح: “كنا في وقت صعب جدًا، وهناك قرار تم اتخاذه بالاستغناء عن باتشيكو، وكارتيرون مدرب يعرف اللاعبين كلهم”.

وأكمل: “لا نريد أن نتطرق إلى مسألة هروبه، نحن نتحدث فنيًا، هو أجدر مدرب يحفظ اللاعبين، وتكفي أول كلمة قالها بعد عودته أن هذا ليس الفريق الذي تركه، قال إن الفريق سيىء بدنيًا وفنيًا، ليس عيبًا في اللاعبين، ولا نريد أن نتحدث عن المدرب السابق”.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha has spoken to BBC Africa about his failed attempt to leave the club back in the summer.

The Ivory Coast international was the subject of interest from Arsenal and Everton, and was said to be ‘devastated’ after no such move materialised – Zaha had even handed in a transfer request.

Since then, the former Manchester United man has appeared in all eight of the Eagles’ Premier League games – Zaha hasn’t found the back of the net, but has registered one assist.

What did he say?

Speaking to BBC Africa after picking up an award for ‘Philanthropic Endeavour’, Zaha said: “I had to put my head down and play my football.

“I would have been hindering my own progress by moaning and not wanting to perform properly.

“I have too much respect for my manager, the fans and my team-mates to treat them that way. It was a thing where ‘OK, this hasn’t happened but I’ve got to get on with it’.

“I had to nail down and just get on with it because the team deserved that.”

Oozes maturity and understanding

Any Palace fan who was annoyed with the forward’s antics in the summer simply cannot maintain that ill-feeling after reading Zaha’s comments.

It is evident that he respects Crystal Palace and those at the club, a place where he has risen from an academy graduate into arguably one of the greatest players to have ever pulled on the shirt.

Zaha is spot on. If he had downed tools and moaned, his chances of getting a move away would’ve become even slimmer, so it is in his best interests to knuckle down and get on with things.

The 26-year-old wants to better himself and perform in the Champions League – that much is evident in this interview with the player.

That isn’t a problem.

Causing a stir amongst the squad because he didn’t get his wish would be a problem, and while Zaha may have been entitled to throw a tantrum given the fact that it appears he was misled by Steve Parish and the board, the attacker has handled things with great maturity and understanding.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

West Brom currently occupy top spot in the Championship with Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest hot on their heels behind them in second, only by goal difference.

Slaven Bilic’s men were at one stage the only unbeaten side in the Championship before Leeds put pay to that with a narrow 1-0 victory up at Elland Road.

The Baggies responded with a 4-2 victory over Cardiff City at the Hawthorns just a few days later to leave their first defeat of the season fully in the past.

Watch West Bromwich Albion Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Their win just before the international break also signalled a momentous occasion for two members of the Albion squad as both Charlie Austin and Romaine Sawyers netted their first goals for the club.

The introduction of the latter has undoubtedly played a role in their fortunes so far this campaign, but Jake Livermore may be seeing the biggest rewards from that.

On the Chalkboard

Football FanCast have previously outlined why the club should have moved on from Livermore earlier in the year, but his performances this season under Slaven Bilic have started to prove otherwise.

In the squad last season, the 29-year-old was potentially being asked to do too much as he was without a suitable midfield partner – alongside Gareth Barry and Chris Brunt, that’s quite an ageing duo, so Livermore would have had to do the bulk of the groundwork.

But now with Sawyers alongside him, he’s able to sit a little deeper and play to his strengths.

So far this season, Livermore has contributed to the defensive game substantially by averaging 1.9 tackles per game, which has allowed Sawyers to advance forward to provide those key passes as the former Brentford captain is averaging 1.3 per match, via WhoScored.

The 27-year-old has even stated how he listens to everything Livermore says in a recent interview: “When Jake talks, I listen. He has been different class on and off the pitch.”

He also claimed the following: “We complement each other without strangling each other and he gives me so much confidence.”

But this is something that Livermore wouldn’t have been able to achieve without Bilic bringing Sawyers back to the club.

He’s clearly starting to flourish in a leadership role, especially with the previous mentioned experienced duo of Brunt and Barry both departing the club at the end of last season.

It seems as if having someone to nurture like Sawyers is something he’s relished. There’s certainly been an added layer of maturity to his game.

أثار يورجن كلوب مدرب فريق ليفربول التكهنات بعد نهاية مباراة اليوم أمام آرسنال، في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

واستضاف ملعب الإمارات مباراة الفريقين في الجولة الثلاثين، حيث فاز ليفربول بثلاثة أهداف دون رد.

وبعد إطلاق صافرة النهاية، شوهد يورجن كلوب وهو يتحدث مع لاعب فريق آرسنال مارتن أوديجارد.

وسلطت الكاميرات الضوء على الحديث السري الدائر بين كلوب وأوديجارد في الملعب عقب النهاية.

Jurgen Klopp & Martin Odegaard speaking at full-time 👀 pic.twitter.com/wunBH4hG7K — Football Daily (@footballdaily) April 3, 2021

وكانت تقارير صحفية قد ذكرت في اليومين الماضيين أن ليفربول يتطلع إلى الحصول على خدمات أوديجارد من ريال مدريد، بعد انتهاء فترة إعارته مع آرسنال.

وستنتهي إعارة أوديجارد مع آرسنال في الصيف القادم، حيث يرغب مايكل أرتيتا في شرائه.

علق وائل جمعة، مدافع الأهلي السابق، على تعادل الأحمر اليوم مع المريخ، في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات الجولة الخامسة من دور المجموعات لبطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وانتهت المباراة بالتعادل الإيجابي بهدفين لمثلهما، ليضمن الأهلي التأهل إلى دور ربع النهائي رفقة سيمبا التنزاني المتصدر للمجموعة الأولى. (طالع ترتيب المجموعة من هنــا)

وقال وائل جمعة عبر قناة “بي إن سبورتس”: “تعادل يحفظ كرامة الأهلي ولكن أداء كارثي من اللاعبين”.

وتابع: “تعامل سيئ من اللاعبين مع المباراة، كنا نحتاج الفوز من أجل حسم الصدارة، ولكن الأهلي يدخل نفسه في حسابات غريبة”.

وأضاف: “تعادل غير عادل، لأن المريخ كان يستحق الفوز لضياعه فرص كثيرة”.

وواصل: “أسوأ أداء لـ بدر بانون اليوم أمام المريخ، أخطأ 3 مرات وتسبب في هدفين، لم تكن هناك رقابة في الهدف الأول”.

واستكمل: “مباراة للتعلم، ما زالت هناك أخطاء تحدث، ويجب أن نتعلم منها لأن الأدوار التالية لن يكون فيها وقت لتصحيح الأخطاء”.

واختتم: “أليو ديانج قدم مباراة سيئة جدًا، ومن الأمور الجيدة تغييره ونزول وليد سليمان ووالتر بواليا للزيادة الهجومية”. اهداف مباراة الاهلي والمريخ (2-2) دوري ابطال افريقيا

Lionel Messi has had a number of masterclass performances throughout his career.

In fact, it is probably easier to name the games in which he didn’t really perform up to his usual brilliant standards than the ones he did.

For that reason, Barcelona fans are very much used to him tearing their opposition to shreds practically every time he steps onto the pitch.

Watch Spanish Football Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

But for one reason or the other, Messi is not as famous for his stints with Argentina as he is for the Blaugrana.

Still, even with moderate success with his national team, the little footballing magician still managed to drop quite a few memorable performances throughout his rich career.

One such game happened a couple of years ago when Argentina needed a victory in their qualification round in order to even make it to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Needless to say, Messi stepped up, took the stage by storm and decided the game by himself, taking his team to Russia and sending fans into a frenzy as he scored three times.

Now, they have taken to Twitter to once again revisit that moment.

You can see some of their replies down in the tweets below: