أثارت الصحفية الكولومبية باولا أريناس جدلًا واسعًا بعدما زعمت وقوع شجار عنيف في غرفة ملابس منتخب كولومبيا، عقب التعادل السلبي المخيب مع بيرو في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026.
وادعت أريناس أن جون دوران دخل إلى غرفة الملابس وهو يصرخ ويوجه الإهانات لزملائه، مشيرة إلى أن المدرب نستور لورينزو حاول تهدئة الموقف، لكن المهاجم الشاب أمسكه من ياقة قميصه وهزه بعنف.
وأضافت: “تدخل خاميس رودريجيز لاحتواء الشجار، فيما تدخل جيفرسون ليرما لإيقاف دوران، لقد كانت فوضى حقيقية بعد المباراة”.
وعقب تداول هذه الرواية المثيرة، أصدر الاتحاد الكولومبي لكرة القدم بيانًا غير مباشر على لسان قائد المنتخب خاميس رودريجيز، نفى فيه بشكل قاطع صحة هذه المزاعم.
اقرأ أيضًا.. رسميًا | رغم الرغبة في الاستقلال.. نجل أنشيلوتي ينضم للجهاز الفني بـ منتخب البرازيل
وقال خاميس: “كل ما يُقال عبر الإعلام غير صحيح على الإطلاق، نحن مجموعة متماسكة، والنتائج الأخيرة لن تفرقنا، نواجه هذه التحديات معًا وبروح الفريق الواحد”.
بدوره، خرج جون دوران عن صمته بعد المباراة، مهاجمًا بقوة ما وصفه بالشائعات الكاذبة، ونفى تمامًا وقوع أي شجار.
وصرح قائلًا: “قولوا لمن نشر هذه القصة أن يتحلى بالشجاعة ويعترف بأنها غير صحيحة”.
وأضاف متحديًا: “أروني فيديو يُثبت أن هناك جدالًا أو اشتباكًا، لا شيء من هذا حدث، لكن دائمًا في الأوقات الصعبة تظهر هذه الأكاذيب”.
وتابع: “هي أمور تؤذي روح الفريق، وتُشعرنا بالسوء، نعم، نمر بفترة صعبة، لكن لا يجب أن يُسمح بتحويل الأمر إلى أزمة داخلية من لا شيء”.
ويستعد منتخب كولومبيا لخوض مواجهة من العيار الثقيل أمام الأرجنتين، الثلاثاء المقبل، في ملعب “مونومنتال”، ضمن الجولة المقبلة من التصفيات، وسط رغبة جامحة في الرد على الشائعات داخل الملعب.
Yasir Ali has also found a place in the squad, while Mosaddek Hossain, Taijul Islam and Shoriful Islam have been left out
ESPNcricinfo staff24-Nov-2022
Shakib Al Hasan had missed Bangladesh’s most recent ODI series against Zimbabwe•AFP/Getty Images
Shakib Al Hasan is back in Bangladesh’s ODI squad for their upcoming three-match series against India, which begins in Dhaka on December 4. The allrounder had opted out of the white-ball tour of Zimbabwe in July-August, when the team last played ODI cricket.Yasir Ali has also found a place in the squad, in a like-for-like swap with the middle-order batter Mosaddek Hossain, while left-arm spinner Taijul Islam makes way for Shakib’s return. In the fast-bowling department, meanwhile, Shoriful Islam has been left out, with the pacy Ebadot Hossain – who replaced Shoriful and made his debut in the third ODI in Zimbabwe – preferred in his stead.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
Shoriful endured a difficult time in the first two ODIs, picking up just the one wicket while conceding 134 runs in 17.4 overs. Mosaddek only played one ODI on that tour, and didn’t get to bat, but has since gone through a lean patch in T20Is, culminating with four back-to-back single-digit scores at the recent T20 World Cup.The BCB release that announced the squad did not mention any reason for the changes, but it’s likely that Taijul – who picked up a maiden ODI five-wicket haul in his third-most-recent game in the format, against West Indies – was left out since the squad has no room for a third left-arm spinner apart from Nasum Ahmed and the returning Shakib.With the ODI series not counting towards the World Cup Super League, it’s also possible the selectors have left Taijul out to preserve him for the two Tests that follow.
Opener Travis Dean made 70 not out as Victoria batted for a draw against Tasmania after heavy rain and hail washed away large parts of the final day in Hobart
AAP01-Nov-2022
A freak hail storm showered Bellerive Oval•Getty Images
Two Hobart hailstorms and firm resistance from Victoria’s top order have combined to deny Tasmania back-to-back Sheffield Shield wins.After resuming at 44 for 1 on the final day and still needing another 140 to make Tasmania bat again, Victoria made clear their plan to bat through the day at Blundstone Arena.But they needed to face just 45.5 overs, as heavy rain and hail stopped play early in the middle session with Victoria 113 for 1.The rain eventually subsided as an early tea was called, but 12 minutes after the players returned more heavy hail hit with Victoria 122 for 1. The teams agreed to a draw.Opener Travis Dean offered the most resistance for Victoria, soaking up 200 balls for his 70 not out.His innings included a 50-over stand that netted 80 runs with Mitchell Perry, who was unbeaten on 31 from 159 balls.Victoria were in the box seat after the opening two days thanks to an unbeaten century from debutant Ashley Chandrasinghe that allowed them to declare at 7-351.But Jordan Silk’s quickfire 154 from 161 balls helped Tasmania take a mammoth 184-run first-innings lead.That gave the Tigers a shot at a second straight win after toppling South Australia a fortnight ago, but any hopes of a win were quickly extinguished on Tuesday.The result marks Victoria’s third straight draw to start the season after they were denied by Western Australia and South Australia in the opening rounds.
أعلن أحد لاعبي فريق تشيلسي، في بيان رسمي يوم الثلاثاء، رحيله عن صفوف الفريق وذلك قبل بطولة كأس العالم للأندية المزمع إقامتها في أمريكا هذا الشهر.
وتستضيف الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية فعاليات كأس العالم للأندية، بنظامها الجديد، في الفترة بين 14 يونيو و13 يوليو.
ويشارك تشيلسي في كأس العالم للأندية، حيث يتواجد في مجموعة تضم كل من الترجي التونسي، ليون وفلامينجو.
وعبر حسابه الشخصي، أعلن جادون سانشو انتهاء تجربته مع تشيلسي ومن ثم عودته مرة أخرى إلى مانشستر يونايتد، وسط غموض حول مستقبله مع الشياطين الحمر.
اقرأ أيضًا.. تشيلسي يكثف جهوده لضم صفقة قوية من الدوري الإيطالي
وقضى سانشو الموسم الماضي على سبيل الإعارة في صفوف تشيلسي، ولكن النادي اللندني قرر عدم شرائه بشكل دائم، ليعود إلى مانشستر يونايتد، قبل كأس العالم للأندية.
وكتب سانشو: “ممتن لهذه التجربة، أتقدم بخالص الحب لجميع أعضاء تشيلسي الذين جعلوني أشعر وكأنني في بيتي، زملائي في الفريق، والجهاز الفني، والجماهير”.
وأضاف: “أتمنى للنادي كل التوفيق في المستقبل، أنا ممتن حقًا، شكرًا لكم يا البلوز”.
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da esport bet： Liverpool are firing on all cylinders under Arne Slot this season and are regarded across the continent as Europe’s most in-form outfit.
da aposte e ganhe： Top of the Premier League, top of the Champions League, facing Southampton in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, things are going well for the Anfield side.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot
There’s a need to strengthen and shape the squad to a standard that would see it flourish for many years, however. While contract-related concerns form the most pressing issue that FSG and Richard Hughes need to sort out, they should learn from their past mistakes and approach other areas of the field more prudently.
It looks like left-back might be the first port of call.
Liverpool considering new left-back
Liverpool have two high-class left-backs in Kostas Tsimikas and Andrew Robertson, but the first has long been regarded as Anfield’s second choice in the position and the latter doesn’t quite have the same air about him as he once did.
As such, there might be something in rumours linking Milos Kerkez to Liverpool, with Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg revealing that the Merseysiders could be set to tussle with Manchester United for the Bournemouth man.
Kerkez, 21, is still in the fledgling phase of his professional career but has shown great promise on English soil, with properties that align with the requirements for a place in a high-performing outfit like Liverpool.
Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez
It’s understood that the Cherries would only consider bids over £40m, but in truth, it might be a sum some way higher to pull Kerkez from the Vitality Stadium, where he is contracted until
Why Milos Kerkez would be an upgrade on Andy Robertson
Given Man United’s fierce need for quality on the left flank, you’d think that FSG would need to start making moves with haste, lest their most noxious rivals claim a wonderful up-and-comer for themselves.
He wouldn’t come cheap, but Liverpool would be wise to swoop in and sign such a talent when he’s only just finding his feet in the Premier League.
The scope for growth is wide; just take a look at Dominik Szoboszlai’s Hungary teammate’s top-flight metrics this term when compared to Robertson’s in 2016/17 for Hull City, the year before he joined Liverpool in a shrewd £10m deal.
PL: Milos Kerkez (24/25) vs Andy Robertson (16/17 & 24/25)
Match Stats*
Kerkez
Robertson (16/17)
Robertson (24/25)
Matches (starts)
12 (12)
33 (31)
11 (10)
Goals
0
1
0
Assists
2
2
0
Touches*
51.1
59.1
69.5
Pass completion
84%
76%
88%
Key passes*
1.0
0.6
1.5
Ball recoveries*
4.3
n/a
4.0
Dribbles*
0.5 (86%)
0.8 (62%)
0.2 (40%)
Tackles + interceptions*
2.6
3.3
1.6
Ground duels (won)*
3.0 (65%)
2.7 (54%)
1.5 (50%)
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see from the detailed table above, Kerkez is already operating at quite the impressive level, having produced metrics this season that run closer to Robertson in his present iteration than that of his Tigers days, when he was but a prospect himself.
So crunchingly accurate in the duel and equally as creditable with his pass completion, Kerkez has something special about him for sure. As per FBref, he actually ranks among the top 6% of Premier League full-backs this term for progressive carries (3.13) per 90, which bears testament to his youthful athleticism.
Though Kerkez is young and inexperienced at the highest level, given that he’s showcasing qualities that draw close – or surpass – Robertson’s under Slot this season, you can only surmise that he would stand a fantastic chance of cementing himself as a regular starter at Liverpool.
Under Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth have furthered their establishment as a top-flight team and have moved away from the confines of pragmatic football and stepped toward a stylish ball-playing system. Kerkez has been crucial in achieving this.
Demonstrably flexible in his tactical implementation, Kerkez only completed 77% of his Premier League passes last year, averaging 0.6 key passes per game and won 53% of his duels. These are patent signs of growth and a switch to a team like Liverpool could see him bloom.
The managerial shift has borne dividends for the Vitality side, with Premier League victories already claimed this season over Arsenal and Manchester City.
Hailed for his “unique skill set” by former teammate Mat Ryan in the past, Kerkez has got the world at his feet and would be a credit to Liverpool’s high-flying team.
Andy Robertson in action for Liverpool
Whether Robertson would stay or go with Tsimikas in the team is another question entirely, but perhaps it would do the Hungarian good to slowly shift his way into the Reds’ way of life, jockeying for prominence with one (or even both) of the aforementioned left-backs.
Robertson whipped in the cross for Cody Gakpo’s goal to seal the deal against Real Madrid on Wednesday evening, but the Scotsman is not quite producing the awe-inspiring and tireless displays that Liverpool fans have been treated to over the past eight years.
It might be time for change.
As well as Nunez: Slot must now boldly drop 8/10 Liverpool star vs Man City
Liverpool defeated Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.
da pixbet： Após derrotar o Corinthians no último fim de semana, o Ceará quebrou o encanto como mandante no Campeonato Brasileiro.
– VEJA A TABELA DO BRASILEIRÃO
Na noite da última terça-feira, o time de Marquinhos Santos derrotou o Avaí por 1 a 0. O gol foi de Vina.
Com o resultado positivo, o Vozão emplacou a segunda vitória como mandante e aparece na metade de cima da tabela.
Agora, o Ceará surge com 24 pontos e na 10ª colocação do torneio nacional. O próximo jogo acontece no fim de semana, quando encara o Juventude, no Alfredo Jaconi.
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da pinnacle： O Palmeiras se prepara para o duelo com o São Paulo pelas oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil. Além da dificuldade imposta por um rival, o Verdão vai enfrentar uma situação incomum nesta Era Abel Ferreira, já que o time não está acostumado a ter de reverter uma desvantagem em mata-mata. Na única vez que precisou de uma virada, o desafio foi cumprido justamente diante do Tricolor.
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da 888casino： GALERIA > Confira os públicos do Palmeiras no Allianz Parque em 2022
TABELA > Veja classificação e simulador do Brasileirão-2022 clicando aqui
> Conheça o aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!
Desde que a comissão técnica portuguesa assumiu o comando do Alviverde, a equipe teve 17 confrontos eliminatórios de ida e volta, além do atual nas oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil, que é apenas o segundo em que sai atrás no primeiro duelo (perdeu por 1 a 0 no Morumbi).
Nos 15 demais confrontos eliminatórios em que o Verdão esteve envolvido desde novembro de 2020, em nove conseguiu uma vitória na primeira partida, e em seis estabeleceu um empate com o adversário. Sendo assim, na grande maioria dos casos, o comandante português teve uma situação “confortável” para decidir na volta.
O sucesso foi conquistado em 12 oportunidades nas quais o Alviverde venceu ou empatou na primeira partida do confronto. Em três, porém, acabou levando a pior: na Recopa de 2021, diante do Defensa y Justicia-ARG; na final do Paulistão-2021, diante do São Paulo; e na terceira fase da Copa do Brasil-2021 diante do CRB.
A primeira vez em que o Palmeiras ficou em desvantagem na ida de um mata-mata com Abel Ferreira aconteceu na final do Campeonato Paulista deste ano, quando o São Paulo venceu o jogo de ida por 3 a 1, também no Morumbi, e levou a vantagem de dois gols de diferença para o Allianz Parque. No entanto, o Palmeiras de Abel conseguiu a virada goleando o rival por 4 a 0 para garantir o título estadual.
Sendo assim, essa rara ocasião em que o Verdão de Abel perde o duelo de ida é apenas a segunda nesse universo de 17 confrontos eliminatórios desde a chegada da comissão técnica portuguesa. Pesa a favor dos palmeirenses o fato de já ter conseguido sair dessa situação numa oportunidade recente, justamente contra o mesmo adversário. Resta saber se desta vez o desfecho será igual.
Confira os 17 confrontos de ida em mata-matas do Palmeiras de Abel:
Copa do Brasil-2020 Palmeiras 3 x 0 Ceará – Mandante (classificado) Palmeiras 1 x 1 América-MG – Mandante (classificado) Grêmio 0 x 1 Palmeiras – Mandante (campeão)
Libertadores-2020 Delfín-EQU 1 x 3 Palmeiras – Visitante (classificado) Libertad-PAR 1 x 1 Palmeiras – Visitante (classificado) River Plate-ARG 0 x 3 Palmeiras – Visitante (classificado)
Paulistão-2021 Palmeiras 0 x 0 São Paulo – Mandante (vice-campeão)
Recopa-2021 Defensa y Justicia-ARG 1 x 2 Palmeiras – Visitante (vice-campeão)
Copa do Brasil-2021 CRB 0 x 1 Palmeiras – Visitante (eliminado)
Libertadores-2021 Universidad Católica-CHI 0 x 1 Palmeiras – Visitante (classificado) São Paulo 1 x 1 Palmeiras – Visitante (classificado) Palmeiras 0 x 0 Atlético-MG – Mandante (classificado)
Recopa-2022 Athletico-PR 2 x 2 Palmeiras – Visitante (campeão)
Paulistão-2022 São Paulo 3 x 1 Palmeiras – Visitante (campeão)
Libertadores-2022 Cerro Porteño-PAR 0 x 3 Palmeiras – Visitante (classificado)
Copa do Brasil-2022 Palmeiras 2 x 1 Juazeirense-BA – Mandante (classificado) São Paulo 1 x 0 Palmeiras – Visitante (a disputar)
في الفيلم الوثائقي “عودة القائد”، من إنتاج قناة “Barça One”، يروي مارك أندريه تير شتيجن تفاصيل تعافيه من التمزق الكامل في وتر الرضفة بركبته اليمنى، وهي إصابة تعرض لها أمام فياريال في سبتمبر الماضي.
وعاد تير شتيجن أخيرًا إلى مباريات برشلونة وشارك في عدد من المباريات ببطولة الدوري الإسباني قبل نهاية الموسم الماضي.
لكن إصابة تير شتيجن كانت قاسية، خاصة وأنها أجبرت اللاعب على الغياب الطويل، بجانب إجبار إدارة برشلونة للتعاقد مع حارس بديل وهو فويتشيك تشيزني.
اقرأ أيضًا | الأسرع في العالم.. برشلونة يحسم مستقبل أراوخو ويلمح إلى الراحل الاول في الصيف
وقال تير شتيجن عبر الفيلم الوثائقي: “كانت فترة صعبة للغاية على الصعيدين الاحترافي والشخصي”.
واستعاد الحارس الألماني لحظة الإصابة، وقال: “ممتن للطبيب كارليس ميانيو (توفى بشكل مفاجئ في بداية مارس الماضي)، الذي تعامل مع الموقف في الملعب وسط صرخاتي بسبب الألم”.
بعد الإصابة، خضع تير شتيجن لجراحة في برشلونة، بإشراف أطباء النادي، وبدأ بعدها رحلة طويلة من التأهيل، شملت تدريبات خاصة لاستعادة الحركة، التوازن، والتحكم الحركي.
وتابع: “كان هناك دعم هائل من مدرب الحراس خوسيه رامون دي لا فوينتي، ومدرب اللياقة أندريس مارتين، الذين وضعوا برنامجًا تأهيليًا دقيقًا من أجل عودتي للفريق”.
كما أثنى تير شتيجن على العلاقة القوية التي تجمعه بمدرب برشلونة، هانز فليك، قائلًا: “نثق ببعض جيدًا، أعرفه من قبل من منتخب ألمانيا، وكان وجوده بجانبي خلال فترة التعافي مهمًا جدًا، كنا نتحدث في أشياء كثيرة، وليس فقط كرة القدم”.
The wicketkeeper revealed Matt Renshaw’s return to opening was with an eye on Australia’s future needs
AAP09-Oct-2022
Jimmy Peirson will captain Queensland when Usman Khawaja is on Test duty•Getty Images
Chicago’s Bulls had Michael Jordan lifting the standard and Jimmy Peirson says there’s two men doing the same for Queensland’s Bulls.The in-form wicketkeeper has also revealed the strategic shift designed to catapult team-mate Matt Renshaw back into a baggy green as he continues his own push for a Test debut.Peirson powered to a fifth first-class century in the last two years as the Bulls beat Tasmania by an innings and 172 runs on Saturday to open the Sheffield Shield season.His bright innings on the tricky, newly-laid Allan Border Field square followed an unbeaten 128 for Australia A in a successful chase of 367 in Sri Lanka in June. He scored 67 not out in the first innings of that game, only called into the squad as a late replacement.The state’s youngest-ever Sheffield Shield winning captain when Queensland won the competition in 2018, Peirson is enjoying the presence of Test pair Marnus Labuschagne and regular captain Usman Khawaja to begin their season.Related
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“It’s great having Marnie [Labuschagne] around; you see the problem-solving that goes on while he’s batting, [it] is something I’ve learned from,” he said.Peirson reserved high praise for Test opener Khawaja and Australia’s No.3 Labuschagne, who scored 72 and 127 respectively in Brisbane last week.”It just sets good standards, you see how they go about their business and see that’s the level you need to be at to play Test cricket,” he said. “As team-mates we want to be rising to that level. I know when [Michael] Jordan played basketball he spoke about bringing guys along with him, and those guys do that for us.”While Peirson has been piling on the runs Alex Carey has been making the Test spot his own.”There’s a lot of keepers doing the job at the moment in Australia; all you can do is worry about your own backyard,” Peirson said of the fight for higher honours. “Kez [Carey] has done a really good job, especially in the subcontinent. He’s earned his position, but there’s no doubt everyone wants that position.”Peirson isn’t the only Queensland player pushing his case with former Test opener Renshaw and fast bowler Mark Steketee, who had a hat-trick ball dropped in the slips on Saturday, making claims.Khawaja had pushed long-term opener Renshaw into the middle order when the veteran forced his way back into the Test fold. Now cemented at the top of Australia’s order, Khawaja slid himself back down to No. 4 for Queensland’s season opener so Renshaw could face the new ball.”Matty has earned his way back up into the opening role with national selectors hopefully looking at him as a future opener for Australia,” Peirson said of the surprise move. “We’re fortunate [to have top-order depth] and Uz is at the point in his career where he scores runs wherever he bats.”
da bet7k： Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will surely be delighted with his team’s start to the 2024/25 campaign after they went into the last international break of the year in first place in the Scottish Premiership.
da betcris： A 2-0 win over Kilmarnock on Sunday ensured that the Hoops are top of the division on goal difference, after Aberdeen’s 4-1 win over Dundee on Saturday had put them in first initially.
Goals from Callum McGregor and Nicolas Kuhn extended the club’s record to ten wins and one draw, which came against the Dons, in 11 league matches this season.
The Scottish giants have also caught the eye with their performances in Europe, beating RB Leipzig and Slovan, and drawing with Atalanta, although they were beaten 7-1 by Borussia Dortmund.
Despite the club’s fantastic start to the season, the recruitment team and Rodgers will constantly be looking at players who could come in to improve the group.
The squad is constantly evolving and there will be players who move on in the January transfer window, or next summer, and that will open the door for fresh recruits to bolster the side.
In fact, Celtic are already reportedly looking at a star who could come in to give the squad and potentially Arne Engels a boost ahead of the second half of the 2024/25 campaign.
Arne Engels' form for Celtic this season
The Belgium international joined for a club-record fee from Bundesliga side Augsburg during the summer transfer window and has had mixed success so far.
He has racked up three goals and six assists in 14 appearances in all competitions for the Scottish giants so far, which is a more than respectable return for a 21-year-old adapting to life in a new country.
His most recent showing against Kilmarnock on Sunday was disappointing, though, as Football FanCast published an article outlining his struggles on the artificial pitch, with one ground duel won and 16 losses of possession without creating any chances.
24/25 Premiership
Arne Engels
Appearances
8
Goals
2
Big chances created
3
Assists
0
Tackles + interceptions per game
0.7
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Engels is unlucky to have not registered a single assist in the Premiership this season, with three ‘big chances’ created.
However, he has struggled to make an impact out of possession, as was the case against Kilmarnock, with less than one tackle and interception combined per match, and that is where this potential new signing could take some of the pressure off him.
Celtic interested in Premier League midfielder
According to CaughtOffside, Celtic are keen on Liverpool’s Wataru Endo and are far from the only team interested in signing the central midfielder.
The report claims that the Hoops are one of a number of sides eyeing up the former Stuttgart dynamo, with AC Milan, Fulham, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Ipswich Town also said to be lining up a move for the Reds outcast.
It states that all of those clubs, including Celtic, have ‘shown’ an interest in the Japan international and could swoop for him when the January transfer window opens for business.
Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo
CaughtOffside adds that Endo is open to completing a move away from Anfield after the turn of the year because of his lack of minutes on the pitch under Arne Slot, with zero starts and five substitute appearances – totalling 25 minutes of action – in the Premier League this season.
The outlet claims that Liverpool could accept a fee of up to €18m (£15m) for the former Bundesliga battler, but does not outright state that Slot wants to cash in on the rarely-seen midfielder.
A fee of £15m for a player who turns 32 this season, in February, does not seem like a viable move for Celtic, when you consider that their club-record is the £11m that they paid for Arne Engels this summer.
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However, the Hoops could possibly attempt to convince Liverpool to sanction a loan in the second half of the season, which could bolster Rodgers’ squad and provide Endo with a chance to shine and increase his value and number of suitors with strong performances.
The Japanese midfielder, if he can recapture his best form, could be a signing that would allow Engels to shine even brighter in the middle of the park.
Why Celtic should sign Endo
If the Hoops can secure a loan deal for the second half of the season, the Liverpool midfielder could provide a combative presence in the middle of the park to make up for Engels’ struggles in that department.
The Japanese gem has rarely got on the pitch this term but did play 29 times under Jurgen Klopp in the Premier League last season and averaged 2.4 tackles and interceptions per game, along with 2.9 ground duels won per game.
He also ranked within the top 33% of midfielders in the league for progressive passes per 90 (5.28), which shows that he can cut out opposition attacks and build forward moves for his own team when in possession by progressing the ball forward.
Endo, who was hailed as “exceptional” and a “machine” by Klopp, also showcased his quality out of possession during his time with Stuttgart in the Bundesliga, prior to his move to Liverpool in the summer of 2023.
22/23 Bundesliga
Wataru Endo
Appearances
33
Goals
5
Assists
4
Tackles + interceptions per game
2.9
Duel success rate
52%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the 31-year-old star provided quality on the ball, with nine goal contributions, but was also strong at winning the ball back for his side, cutting out opposition attacks with vital interventions.
His 2.9 tackles and interceptions per game are impressive when you consider that no Celtic midfielder has managed more than 2.6 per outing, and Paulo Bernardo (2.6) is the only midfielder with more than 1.7 per match.
Liverpool's Wataru Endo chases Julio Enciso
Endo has the defensive quality to be a stopper in the middle of the park and that could free up Engles, as well as the likes of Reo Hatate, Bernardo, and Luke McCowan to push on and not exert as much energy defensively.
Therefore, signing the Japanese whiz to compete with the captain for a spot at the base of the midfield could help the club’s record-signing, who has struggled off the ball.
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