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Paddy Kenny has made an enticing Newcastle United claim involving former manager Rafa Benitez.

The Lowdown: Benitez to Everton?

As per The Times, Benitez has held further talks with Everton over the vacant manager’s job left by Carlo Ancelotti, and remains in pole position to become their next coach.

However, Liam Kennedy, who has been following the Magpies takeover saga closely, has also claimed that Benitez is wanted by the potential owners-in-waiting to return to St. James’ Park, as he helped bring them to the table in the first place.

The Latest: Kenny on Benitez

Speaking to Football Insider, Kenny, who is now a pundit after a fine career in English football as a goalkeeper, has claimed that Benitez should be holding out for a job in the North East instead of the Toffees, assuming that the proposed takeover deal between Mike Ashley and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group can be pushed through:

“It wouldn’t be the right choice at all, for me.

“It makes more sense to hold out and go to Newcastle over Everton.

“If they do get a takeover, that club will go places because it’s a massive club with passionate fans.

“I’m sure he’d do well at Newcastle again and there wouldn’t be all this hoo-ha about the fans protesting.

“Why have that cloud over you when you’ve got the chance to go to somewhere like Newcastle?”

The Verdict: Hire Benitez

If the takeover bid does eventually go through, then there would be no better man to hire on Tyneside than Benitez.

Many members of the Toon Army have previously called for the Spaniard to come back, and so he would certainly be a popular appointment, and a man that they can rally and get behind.

Benitez also has a vast amount of experience in managing in the Premier League, with both Liverpool and Chelsea in addition to NUFC, and so he should have no problems in handling a likely dramatically increased transfer budget if the takeover was successful.

Nonetheless, if a deal with Everton does fall through, then the 61-year-old will still be available for Newcastle to hire.

In other news, find out what transfer boost Newcastle have been given in pursuit of this Premier League target here!

Celtic have flagged up their interest in St Johnstone midfielder Ali McCann, according to the Daily Record.

The Lowdown: Hoops’ previous scouting trips

Celtic have been keeping a close eye on McCann over the last six months.

Reports back in November claimed that Hoops scout Tosh McKinlay watched the midfielder in action, whereas John Kennedy admitted earlier this month the Hoops are aware of the midfielder.

McCann can play as a defensive, central and attacking midfielder and is under contract with St Johnstone until 2023.

The Latest: Celtic flag up interest

The Daily Record dropped a line on McCann in a piece mainly on Celtic’s pursuit of Manchester City man Fergal Harkin as their director of football.

They suggested that McCann has been flagged up at Celtic Park as a potential addition, as well as Hibernian striker Kevin Nisbet.

McCann, who has two caps for Northern Ireland, made 43 appearances for St Johnstone in the 2020/21 campaign, scoring twice and registering two assists.

The Verdict: A solid long-term addition?

The majority of McCann’s displays this season came as a central midfielder, an area of the pitch where it seems the Hoops need to strengthen.

Scott Brown will be an Aberdeen player next season, whereas reports have hinted that the Hoops will terminate Olivier Ntcham’s deal next month.

That could leave Celtic with Ismaila Soro, Callum McGregor and David Turnbull as central midfielders, so bringing in McCann could prove a shrewd move in the long run.

He’s made over 60 appearances in the Scottish Premiership at just 21 years of age and was described as ‘impressive’ by Kennedy, so a deal could be one worth pursuing.

In other news: Celtic linked with move for Spanish defender, find out more here. 

Both Crystal Palace and Tottenham are thought to be interested in bringing Borussia Dortmund coach Edin Terzic to England.

And, as to be expected, the latest managerial link has had a number of Eagles fans talking on social media.

According to BILD, both Palace and Spurs are keen on the 38-year-old, who has been in charge of Borussia Dortmund since December.

Terzic, who favours a 4-2-3-1 system, took over after Lucien Favre was sacked by the Bundesliga giants. He’s averaged 1.97 points per game in his 31 matches in charge, and it seems as if he has caught the eye at Selhurst Park.

Palace are on the search for a new manager after it was announced that Roy Hodgson will leave the club at the end of the season.

Terzic was the assistant to Slaven Bilic at West Ham between 2015 and 2017, and it seems as if a return to London could well be on the cards.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared the news on Thursday afternoon. This is what these Palace fans had to say in reply…

“Oh my Please can we”Credit: @Kobycollingwood”If I were him. I’d come palace. Spurs in a shocking state”Credit: @Mark_CPFC”do it”Credit: @RRcpfc”This is gonna be a fun summer”Credit: @cpfcjj89″loool imagine”Credit: @localpla15tic”Were linked with everyone”Credit: @MarkDre44138040

In other news: Many Palace fans buzz as club close in on £9.9m-ratd ace, find out more here. 

It is not often that a No 11 batsman gets a hundred in first class cricket. And in 67 years of the Ranji Trophy competition, no player going in last had reached the three figure mark – until Sunday. The record score had been held by S Mubarak Ali who scored 90 for Nawanagar against Bengal way back in 1936-37. In the process, he and Yadvendrasinhji added 138 runs, a record in the national competition that stood for 47 years. On Sunday, at the picturesque IIT-Chemplastground in Chennai, Vidyuth Sivaramakrishnan created Ranji history by scoring 115 in the Ranji Trophy pre quarterfinal against Delhi.When the second day started under clear blue skies and a burning sun, Delhi would undoubtedly have hoped for early wickets to wind up the Tamil Nadu first innings. So they did, enjoying a period of fortune and some good cricket to restrict Tamil Nadu, who resumed at 287/3, to 434/9 in the 127th over. A score in the region of 450 is not insurmountable in Indian domestic cricket. Indeed, Robin Singh must have been kicking himself for playing the delicate cut stroke, which he missed and was bowled after making an impressive 63. The Tamil Naduinnings went on a tailspin after the skipper’s dismissal.At the fall of the ninth wicket, Vidyuth, the junior India left-arm spinner, walked out to join the young MR Shrinivas. Delhi captain Vijay Dahiya persisted with spin to get the last wicket. What followed was history. The left handed Vidyuth made 115 off just 122 balls, striking 17 boundaries and three huge sixes out of the ground. In one over from Virendra Shewag, he smashed three fours and a six, as the Delhi players hung their heads in disbelief. By the time the fast bowlers were called in to the attack, Vidyuth was in full flow,pulling and hooking the short stuff bowled at him. He got to his hundred with a hook shot to long leg, where Amit Suman dropped the easy catch to give away two runs.While Vidyuth had his moment of glory, the unsung hero at the other end was Shrinivas who played with a lot of responsibility to make an unbeaten 42 off 141 balls with four strokes past the ropes. It was his assuring knock that helped Vidyuth to go on the rampage. By the time, the reliable Delhi seamer, Robin Singh Jr, bowled Vidyuth, the two batsmen had added 158 runs for the last wicket to take Tamil Nadu to an imposing 592 runs. The only higher last wicket stand in the national competition is 233 between Ajay Sharma and Maninder Singh for Delhi against Bombay in 1991-92.Earlier, JR Madanagopal raced to his fifty but was then brilliantly run out by Amit Bhandari. Madanagopal made 54 in the score of 297/4, hitting five boundaries and a six.Hemanth Kumar carried on in his good form and added just 13 more runs to his overnight score. He was caught by Bhandari off the bowling of Shewag for 121, the fifth wicket falling at 336. S Mahesh (6) was the next batsman to be dismissed at 357, caught behind by Pradeep Chawla off Amit Suman’s bowling. Mahesh might have been a shade unlucky to be given out as he walked back to the pavilion dejected.Reuben Paul and Robin Singh added 60 runs for the sixth wicket in double quick time. Robin struck nine boundaries and a massive straight six in his knock. Paul was more adventurous, striking the ball clean and sweet. He played a hook shot that easily cleared the ground and sent the ball sailing into the woods. Paul was dismissed to the ball which followed Robin Singh’s dismissal, Mithun Minhas taking a stunning catch at gully off a powerful square cut. Paul made 35 off just 32 balls. Ashish Kapoor (12) was the ninth wicket to fall at 434bowled by Robin Singh Jr. who finished with 3/96 in 33.5 overs.Delhi had spent almost two full days in the scorching sun. They were left with the uncomfortable prospect of batting for ten overs in the evening, as the shadows grew longer. Shrinivas who showed amazing skills with the bat, bowled a fiery spell, hurrying and beating the batsmen with sheer pace. This enabled the other medium pacer Mahesh to bowl Akash Chopra (11). At close of play Delhi were 32/1 with Gautham Ghambir on 17 and Rahul Sanghvi on four.

عبر المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، بيتسو موسيماني، عن سعادته الشديدة بعد تجديد عقده مع المارد الأحمر في الساعات القليلة الماضية لمدة موسمين.

وأعلن الأهلي عن تجديد عقد موسيماني بعد ساعات قليلة من الفوز على بيراميدز في بطولة الدوري المصري بنتيجة 3-0 وتصدره جدول الترتيب.

اقرأ أيضًا | الخليفي يتهجم على الحكام بعد توديع باريس سان جيرمان لـ دوري أبطال أوروبا.. والشرطة تتدخل

وتحدث موسيماني عن هذا الأمر في تصريحات لشبكة “iDiski Times” الجنوب إفريقية، وقال: “لقد وقعت على العقد في الساعات الأولى من صباح ذاك اليوم، لذلك كان أمرًا جيدًا، سنبقى هنا لمدة عامين ونصف العام”.

وتابع: “لكن كما تعلم، العقود هي عقود، مدة العقد لا تقول إنك ستبقى حتى ذلك الحين، إذا واصلت الفوز، بالطبع ستبقى، لكن إذا لم تفز، فإن الأمر مختلف”.

وأضاف: “في العقد يكون ذلك جيدًا في حالة الخلافات وفسخ التعاقد، نعود إلى بنود العقد وتنفيذ ما فيه ولكن استمراريته تكون فقط طبقًا لما يحدث على أرض الملعب في جميع المباريات”.

وواصل تصريحاته: “لقد كانت هناك مفاوضات كثيرة، الجميع يعرف ذلك، لكن في النهاية النادي سعيد بما نحققه، وكذلك أنا، هذا هو الأهم، اعتقد أنكم تقدرون جيدًا فرصة تدريب فريق مثل الأهلي”.

وأتم: “هذا ليس مجرد عقد، هذا عقد لفريق ينافس على جميع البطولات في القارة ولا يكل ولا يمل، إذا إلى أين تريد أن تذهب أبعد من ذلك؟ إذا لم تبقى هنا في الأهلي من أجل إفريقيا، ربما تتخطى حدود القارة”.

A number of Liverpool fans have been calling for the Reds to sign Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic following more brilliance over the weekend.

Jurgen Klopp’s men had an excruciating day at the office on Saturday, drawing 1-1 at home to Newcastle United. Mohamed Salah’s superb early strike suggested that it could be a comfortable afternoon for the Premier League champions, but poor finishing again proved fatal.

[freshpress-quiz id=“350790”]

Joe Willock’s stoppage time effort saw Liverpool drop two more vital points in the top-four battle, with Champions League football now looking unlikely at Anfield next season.

The profligacy on show from the Reds suggested that a new striker needs to arrive this summer, with Vlahovic one of those who has been linked with a move.

The 21-year-old scored a Panenka-style penalty in his side’s 1-1 draw with Juventus on Sunday, taking his tally for the season to 17 Serie A goals in 29 starts.

Liverpool fans wants Reds to sign Vlahovic

These Liverpool supporters took to Twitter to call for Vlahovic to be a summer signing.

“Vlahovic up against Chiellini, De Ligt and Bonucci on his own for Fiorentina . Impressing me more and more every time I see him. Tentative links to LFC from some. Would be something completely different to any of our current attack. A powerful target man with a ferocious shot”

Credit: @GrizzKhan

“Seen him playing for the last 3 years. Delicious attacker. Would be a great addition for Liverpool”

Credit: @lies_the_rub

“We need that kind of a player and a natural goal scorer”

Credit: @61Zaqir

“He’s class and needs signing up”

Credit: @lfc_ik4

“Very well taken, would love to see him do this in red”

Credit: @empireofthekop

“Vlahovic or Kaladjzic should be our No.9 targets”

Credit: @MoThiagoA6_

In other news, some Liverpool have been left fuming after a key development at the club. Read more here.

After all the drama that came out of the training ground bust-up between Matt Ritchie and Steve Bruce a few weeks ago, it’s fair to say that things have worked out fairly well since then for Newcastle.

Reports back in early March suggested that the two were involved in a heated confrontation, with the Scotland international even going as far as calling the Magpies manager a “coward”.

Fast forward a couple of months later, and things on the pitch are going far more swimmingly, with Ritchie instrumental in a superb 4-2 win over Leicester in the Premier League on Friday night.

The left wing-back was his usual snarling self, bombing up and down the flank and not being afraid to dish it out either to his teammates or the opposition.

As per Sofascore, Ritchie completed two of his three attempted dribbles on the night, which was a number only bettered by Allan Saint-Maximin (five). He also had the most touches and crosses of any Newcastle player – that’s not to mention the absolutely superb delivery from the corner which Paul Dummett headed the visitors’ second goal.

The vocal leadership was also something which was clear to see, with the Magpie 24/7 fan channel tweeting that he “didn’t stop shouting all night” and that “the difference he’s made to this team since that Brighton defeat isn’t commended enough.”

Writing in his post-match player ratings for the Shields Gazette, Liam Kennedy gave him an eight, saying: “A typical all-action display down the left. And, for a change, didn’t look open defensively. Two more assists to add to his tally for the campaign.”

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While many of the plaudits will naturally go towards the goalscorers on the night, Ritchie deserves plenty of credit for the way he set the tone with his intensity and energy.

He may not have been wearing the captain’s armband, but the £45,000-a-week machine was the leader the Magpies needed, and arguably Bruce’s real hero on the night.

رد أحمد مرتضى منصور عضو مجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك، على المكالمة المسربة التي جمعته بأخيه أمير مرتضى المشرف العام على قطاع الكرة بالقلعة البيضاء.

وقال أحمد مرتضى في تصريحات تلفزيونية بفضائية “الحدث اليوم”: “تسلمنا تركة ثقيلة، ولا يهمني النجاح في الانتخابات بقدر نجاح الفرق الرياضية، والقادم أفضل، وخلال الفترة المقبلة سيتم تدعيم كل الفرق، كما تم تسديد جزء كبير من المستحقات”.

طالع | جمال عبد الحميد: أحمد مرتضى منصور متحدثًا رسميًا باسم الزمالك

وأضاف: “أما عن التسريبات فأريد أن أقول شيء مهم جدًا، العملية الانتخابية انتهت والزمالك يحتاج إلى كل أبنائه، الناجح والخاسر، ولا يمكن لمجلس إدارة أن ينجح ونظل لمدة 4 سنوات في أزمات مع أشخاص يسعون لهدم النادي، مرتضى منصور وكل أفراد المجلس لن يظلوا طوال عمرهم في الزمالك، نحن أجيال نكمل بعضنا البعض”.

وواصل: “بصرف النظر عن المكالمة المسربة، كامل الاحترام لـ أيمن يونس الذي يعد رمزًا من رموز النادي، واعتبره زميلي السابق في مجلس كمال درويش وتعلمت منه الكثير جدًا وله كل الاحترام والتقدير، لا استطيع أن أتحدث عنه أكثر من ذلك، وأحمد جلال إبراهيم زميلي وبمثابة أخي، ووالده قيمة كبيرة جدًا في تاريخ النادي، وساندني في الانتخابات ويهمه مصلحة الزمالك على مر العصور”.

واستكمل: “خالد لطيف وجده أبناء النادي، الانتخابات انتهت، ونحتاج أحمد جلال إبراهيم في النادي لأنه قيمة، بجانب شخص مثل أيمن يونس، نحتاج لنلم بعضنا البعض ولا نتفرق، هذه مبادرة مني”.

واستطرد: “أريد أن يعلن الكبار أشرف صبحي ومرتضى منصور وكمال دوريش عن مبادرة للم شمل نادي الزمالك، ونتجاوز خلافاتنا كلها، أنا وأمير مرتضى منصور جيل صاعد في نادي الزمالك، نريد العمل ولا مجال للخلافات، لدينا مهمة ثقيلة”.

وأتم: “نحتاج إلى مناخ جيد واستقرار، أطلب من كبار نادي الزمالك والدولة ومرتضى منصور عمل مبادرة للم الشمل، بدلًا من التفرغ للخلافات وفبركة المكالمات الهاتفية”.

With all the success that Leeds’ senior side have enjoyed this season in the Premier League, the under-23s made sure to get in on the act too after they clinched the Premier League 2 Division 2 title on Friday night.

Goals from Sam Greenwood and Jack Jenkins clinched a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa and ensured that all the hard work and academy improvements that Marcelo Bielsa and the Whites have made over the past few years paid off.

Of course, the ultimate success of any academy side is how many of those players from the youth system actually end up playing for the first team, and while Joe Gelhardt has been one of the most talked-about talents, it’s Greenwood who Bielsa must now surely unleash.

In his post-match player ratings for Leeds Live, Beren Cross gave him an eight, saying: “Another fantastic free-kick to add to his collection. Did not stop running, hassling or carrying all night. Could have had more goals on the night too. If Joe Gelhardt doesn’t get you, Greenwood often does.”

Capable of striking the ball off both feet, the 19-year-old has predominantly played up top for the under-23s but has played as a number ten and even enjoyed a brief stint much deeper in central midfield, too.

In 16 games at Premier League 2 level, he bagged nine goals, including a hat-trick against his former employers Sunderland much earlier in the season.

Since arriving from fellow Premier League side Arsenal last summer, The Athletic’s Phil Hay revealed that Greenwood has enjoyed an impressive start to life behind the scenes at Elland Road.

The journalist said: “He’s started really well at Leeds and he was very well thought of at Arsenal, and they weren’t rushing to get him out (of) the door this summer. From what we’ve seen of him so far, his movement and his finishing and everything else, he looks like a very natural striker.”

Meanwhile, Leeds Live’s Joe Donnohue said: “He may have hit the ground running at Thorp Arch, but he has only been here for a matter of months. His start may have been excellent, so imagine how much better he could be with consistent football.”

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Given the success of the under-23s, Bielsa must surely look to reward some of Leeds’ brightest academy talents by giving them a chance to shine in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, this Leeds target dominated Man Utd on Thursday night…

Liverpool loanee Harry Wilson sent Jurgen Klopp a message with another brilliant performance for Wales against Belgium on Wednesday evening.

Despite Wales eventually falling to defeat thanks to goals from Kevin de Bruyne, Thorgan Hazard and Romelu Lukaku, it was another productive evening for the 24-year-old, who opened the scoring as he polished off a fantastic team move in just the 10th minute of the game.

It was an impressive showing from the Reds’ midfielder to add to his eye-catching numbers for adoptive employers Cardiff City throughout the season – form that should see him be awarded a place in the Liverpool first-team set-up.

In 32 appearances in the Welsh capital so far after joining on-loan in the summer, Wilson has managed to score four times and provided 10 assists in all competitions. Only striker Kieffer Moore has contributed more for the Bluebirds this season – emphasising Wilson’s importance to the team this season.

Ironically, these numbers are only slightly worse than fellow Reds’ loanee Harvey Elliott, who too is earning rave reviews for his displays in the second tier for Blackburn Rovers.

Wilson’s campaign though is the latest in a long line of impressive seasons away from Anfield though.

He previously had eye-catching spells with Hull City and Derby County in the Championship, scoring 25 goals over a season-and-a-half in all competitions – a remarkable count for a wide player.

He then carried that form into his next loan move with Bournemouth in the Premier League.

Wilson scored seven goals in his first-ever top-flight campaign and despite the Cherries suffering relegation, suitably impressed.

It was expected upon his return to Anfield that he was going to stake a claim in the first team. He made just one Carabao Cup appearance though before departing for Cardiff.

Wilson, who is now valued at £14.4m, will hope that both of his form for the Bluebirds and on the international stage is enough for Klopp to sit up, take notice and finally give him an opportunity that he is certainly deserving of.

Elliott has been getting a lot of buzz for his performances at Blackburn, but Wilson is proving himself to be just as capable, if not more, than the teenager.

AND in more news, Reds’ fans have been discussing the prospect of signing Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland…