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تحدث وائل جمعة لاعب ومدافع النادي الأهلي الأسبق، عن مواجهة الأحمر القادمة أمام الترجي التونسي، التي ستجمع بينهما ببطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

ويلتقي الأهلي مع الترجي في مباراة نهائي المسابقة القارية، والتي تقام مساء السبت ‏القادم على أرضية استاد رادس في تونس.

وقال وائل جمعة في تصريحات عبر قناة “الأهلي”: “نهائي إفريقيا هي أهم مباراة لـ الأهلي هذا الموسم، فهي أصبحت بالنسبة لنا مثل لقب الدوري، كل موسم لو لم يتوج الأهلي بدوري أبطال إفريقيا تكون هناك مشكلة، ونعود ونحمس أنفسنا لكي نتوج به، الأهلي أصبح ماركة عالمية، بطولة مهمة للنادي وللاعبين والمدرب وكل من هو أهلاوي”.

وواصل: “وجود الأهلي بجوار الأندية الكبيرة في كل القارات، نتحدث عن كأس العالم للأندية توجد به أكبر أندية في العالم مشاركة في البطولة، آخر 4 أبطال لدوري أوروبا مشاركين في البطولة نتحدث عن ريال مدريد ومانشستر سيتي وتشيلسي وبرشلونة، فرق لها تاريخ كبير في كرة القدم، مجرد أنك تتواجد معهم فخر لنا كلنا كأهلاوية، واسم الأهلي وعلمه يكون مرفوعا في هذه البطولة”.

طالع أيضاً.. مران الأهلي | كولر يحاضر اللاعبين فنيًا.. وتدريبات بدنية استعداداً لمواجهة الترجي

ووجه الصخرة رسالة لخط دفاع الأهلي، قائلا: “كلهم لاعبين ممتازين، مجرد أنهم ارتدوا شعار الأهلي ولعب في النادي أكثر من سنة على التوالي، يطبع بطباع الأهلي، لديهم الخبرة في التعامل مع مباريات مثل مباراة الترجي التونسي، لا بد أن يعمل حساب للترجي 1000 مرة، الفريق التونسي تحسن مع المدرب البرتغالي بشكل مميز جدًا الفريق أصبح صلب دفاعيًا جدًا.”

وأكمل: “الترجي من طينة الأهلي، لديه الخبث الكروي والقدرة على حسم المباريات والتاريخ والإمكانيات، مع تدعيمات الفريق بالثنائي البرازيلي، لاعبين ممتازين جدًا وخطيرين جدًا ومن أقل فرص يسجلا الأهداف”.

واستكمل: “الترجي خلال البطولة صلب جدًا دفاعيًا وصعب جدًا أن تسجل في مرماه لكنه يسجل من أقل الفرص، ستكون مباراة كبيرة وصعبة وستحسمها تفاصيل صغيرة وأتمنى الأمور كلها تكون في صالح الأهلي”.

وعن صورة محمد الشناوي مع مصطفى شوبير، أفاد: “الشناوي كابتن النادي الأهلي وحصل على بطولات كثيرة في الفترة الماضية، وهو اللاعب الأهم في الجيل الحالي، الشناوي يجب أن يعطي مثلا للاعبين وللجماهير، بمعنى أنك تكون كابتن الأهلي، الصورة عجبتني جدًا، أهم واحد في الفريق يساند ويدعم الحارس الذي لعب مكانه وأخذ الفرصة منه، كل التوفيق للثنائي”.

وأردف: “الأهلي يحتاج إلى المنافسة في مركز حراسة المرمى، ومنافسة صحية للفريق، وأتمنى أن يحصل الأهلي على دوري أبطال إفريقيا، والزمالك يتوج بالكونفدرالية، ويلتقيا مع بعضهما في كأس السوبر الإفريقي”.

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke is known to 'appreciate' a Scottish Premiership midfielder and could look to bring him in before the end of the transfer window, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

What's the latest transfer news involving Leeds United?

Leeds United have slowly built their way into the transfer window and so far have wrapped up the additions of Karl Darlow, Ethan Ampadu, Sam Byram and Joe Rodon, as cited by Transfermarkt.

According to journalist Alan Nixon on Patreon, Everton striker Tom Cannon is a target for Leeds United as Farke looks to strengthen his forward line; however, he could cost in the region of £8 million to bring to Elland Road.

In conversation with Football League World, former England international Carlton Palmer has indicated that Leeds United are keen on Swansea City striker Joel Piroe and stated in an interview with the outlet: "Leeds have a genuine interest in Swansea striker Joel Piroe.

"They need to bring a striker in, but Swansea do not want to sell and with interest from other clubs, Swansea are asking for a £20 million price.

Football Insider back up the notion that Leeds United are indeed keen on Piroe, though Southampton and Leicester City are also monitoring the Dutch poacher.

Earlier this month, The Daily Mail revealed that Leeds United were weighing up an offer for out-of-favour Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara, who earns £21,000 per week north of the border, as speculation over the future of USA international Tyler Adams continues to grow in the latter stages of the window.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, transfer guru Romano has detailed that Leeds United boss Farke is known to 'appreciate' Kamara, who is "made of iron", though he doesn't expect negotiations between both parties to be straightforward.

Romano stated: “He's a player they appreciate for sure. This is true. It’s a name they have discussed internally at the club.

“So, let's see in terms of numbers with Rangers because it's never an easy negotiation when you want to sign important players. But it's true they have his name on the list.”

What now for Leeds United?

Leeds United will need to up their game in the Sky Bet Championship after taking just one point from six available in their opening two matches against Cardiff City and Birmingham City, as per Sky Sports.

Cited by The Yorkshire Evening Post, Whites manager Farke has urged calm with regard to their transfer activity in the window's closing stages, stating in a pre-match press conference before his side take on West Bromwich Albion at Elland Road: "It's a bit tricky, but I'm quite confident that we'll have some good solutions and you know the quote 'Save the best for last'. So sometimes it's even a good choice."

According to Football Insider, Leeds United, West Brom and Rangers are all vying for the signature of Millwall central defender Jake Cooper, who is in the final year of his contract at the Den and could be available for a cut-price fee.

Football Scotland have revealed that Leeds United sent scouts to watch Aberdeen forward Duk in action against Scottish champions Celtic last weekend.

Tim Paine will play his first Test match in more than seven years while Cameron Bancroft is set to replace Matt Renshaw and Shaun Marsh is in line for another comeback

Daniel Brettig16-Nov-2017

Tim Paine will play his first Test match in more than seven years as part of an extraordinary Australian Ashes team selection to face England at the Gabba.Cameron Bancroft’s rich vein of recent domestic form has eclipsed the worth of Matt Renshaw’s sturdy first 10 Tests, while the 34-year-old Shaun Marsh is set to make yet another return to the Australia batting order.On Thursday Paine was fielding minus gloves for Tasmania at the MCG in a Sheffield Shield match as the Test incumbent Matthew Wade stood behind the stumps. But by early evening word had circulated of the selectors’ decision to reinstate Paine in place of Wade for his first Test since Bengaluru in 2010.At the time he was touted as a future captain, before a horrid finger fracture in a Twenty20 exhibition match took Paine to the brink of retirement. His meritorious return to the game was recognised earlier this year with a recall as Australia’s T20 wicketkeeper, and ahead of the Ashes the selector Mark Waugh had revealed the 32-year-old was back in the Test mix despite being in the same state as Wade, who moved from Victoria to Tasmania in the off-season.”Matthew Wade did a pretty good job in the subcontinent, he’s had some tough places to keep on in Bangladesh and India, he’s done a pretty good job without scoring the runs,” Waugh said in October. “He’s disappointed with his scoring of runs since he’s been back in, because that was one of the reasons we brought him back, to get some runs out of that middle to lower order.”That hasn’t happened, so he hasn’t nailed that down, so that opens a spot up for conjecture. Peter Nevill’s definitely there or thereabouts, we’ve got a young guy in Alex Carey who’s making good inroads, and even someone like Tim Paine, his glovework’s been excellent when he’s been given the chance in the T20s, it’s just that he’s probably not going to be playing for Tasmania, so that makes it a bit difficult for him, but I think we’ve got the depth there.”Paine’s selection will not only displace Wade but also Peter Nevill, a more recent Test gloveman who was considered likely to resume in a team where Australia have moved from choosing an allrounder at No. 6 to picking the best six batsmen in deference to a strong visiting bowling attack.At the same time Renshaw’s omission and Marsh’s inclusion will raise eyebrows given the Cricket Australia Board’s instruction to the selectors last November to look for longer term, youthful options.Several players of similar age and with similar records to Marsh have either not entered selection calculations or not even been chosen for their states. Ed Cowan and Michael Klinger were dropped for New South Wales and Western Australia, while the Tasmanian pair of George Bailey and Alex Doolan have not figured in discussions.The selection changes have already caused a stir in the Australian cricket community, not unlike the changes made to the team on the eve of the 2010-11 Ashes series. In the words of Jamie Cox, a selector at that time, “You’re only right if you win.”Australia Ashes squad: (possible) Steven Smith (capt), David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird

Jonny Bairstow has indicated he would consider taking the matter of Australia’s sledging further if they “crossed the line” again later in the series

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Dec-2017Jonny Bairstow has said he wants to move on from the sledging episode that marred England’s defeat in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane, but added he would consider taking the matter further if Australia “crossed the line” again later in the series.Writing in his column, Bairstow denied that Australia’s players bringing up his “headbutt” greeting of Cameron Bancroft earlier in the tour had contributed to his dismissal in the second innings at the Gabba, when he was caught at third man trying to ramp Mitchell Starc. Saying he had been “stitched up” by the episode, he admitted to being unsettled by Australia’s verbal attack but said it was not the reason for the shot.He also added that “some other things” were said at the time, which would stay in the middle. That followed Matt Prior’s claims to BBC 5 Live earlier in the week that the England players were upset by what had gone on in Brisbane.The unspoken implication is that, however much Steve Smith’s Australians insist they do not “cross the line”, England have reason to think that they did.Bairstow did not want to “make an issue” of what else was said while he was batting, beyond suggesting that relations between the two sides had improved.”Some other things, apart from the ‘headbutt’ business, were said by Australia in the middle but what they were is staying there. We move on. Hopefully it’s gone now. I’m not making an issue of it. Only if they are said again would the matter go further. We just need to get on with trying to get back in this series.”The second Test was played in a good spirit, tough but fair. There were some verbals from both teams but this time nothing crossed the line. Clashes like we saw in Adelaide are part of sport.”England’s ten-wicket defeat in the first Test was overshadowed by claims made on the fourth evening that Bairstow had headbutted Bancroft, which brought a renewed focus on team socialising. While confirming there was nothing malicious in what Bairstow had done, Andrew Strauss said the players needed to be smarter on tour and instigated a midnight curfew – something which has been relaxed while the squad is in Perth.”Did I feel as if I had been stitched up? Yes I did in many ways, but at the same time I honestly never thought of it as anything to worry about,” Bairstow wrote. “I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong and, more importantly, the team and management knew that too.”Australia, as they have admitted, were trying to use it to get under my skin. Realising what they were doing was important. I never said a thing back to them … It did get to me a bit when they started sledging me because I didn’t know what they were talking about. But I can honestly say the shot I got out to in the second innings had nothing to do with it.”I played a bad shot. You have to take a few risks when you’re batting with the tail and the truth is I had forgotten they had a third man.”Jonny Bairstow wore a dejected look as England stuttered just before tea•Getty Images

Bairstow’s dismissal came as England lost their last four wickets for 10 runs, with Australia subsequently chasing down a target of 170 for no loss. They extended their lead to 2-0 in Adelaide, with a 120-run win.Ahead of the Adelaide Test, Steven Smith was asked if Australia’s players had crossed the line of what was acceptable at any stage and he replied, “I think everything was fine”. England’s coach, Trevor Bayliss, said he was uncomfortable with the level of sledging and would prefer that stumps microphones were turned down.However, Prior, the former England wicketkeeper, claimed in a radio interview during the second Test that Australia had gone too far and the full story had yet to come out.”There’s a lot that’s gone on that I think the England players are quite upset about – and rightfully from what I’ve heard,” he said. “There’s been a lot of chat on the pitch that hasn’t got anything to do with cricket and frankly shouldn’t be on a cricket pitch – stuff that hasn’t come out, for various reasons.”

تحدث مدافع فريق وست هام، فلاديمير كوفال، عن مواجهة مانشستر سيتي الحاسمة يوم الأحد المقبل، حيث اعترف أن لديه حافز إضافي من أجل منع حامل اللقب من التتويج بالبطولة هذا الموسم.

ويواجه مانشستر سيتي نظيره وست هام، في الجولة الأخيرة من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز على ملعب “الاتحاد”.

ويحتاج مانشستر سيتي إلى الفوز في تلك المباراة من أجل الحفاظ على لقب الدوري الإنجليزي للمرة الرابعة على التوالي، دون الأخذ في الاعتبار نتيجة مباراة آرسنال وإيفرتون.

وقال كوفال في تصريحاته لشبكة “سكاي سبورتس” العالمية: “لقد عُرضت عليّ قهوة مجانية لبقية حياتي! لدي العديد من مشجعي آرسنال من حولي، ابني يلعب كرة القدم، لذلك لدي مشجعين كبار لـ آرسنال هناك”.

وأضاف: “لقد تلقيت بعض الرسائل منهم مثل: هدفك الأول في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز قادم! وأشياء من هذا القبيل، سيكون أمرًا لطيفًا حقًا، لكننا سنرى”.

وواصل: “أعتقد أن ديكلان رايس كان على اتصال بالأولاد الإنجليز، لكنه لم يرسل لي رسالة نصية! إنه لاعب في آرسنال، لذا فهو يهتم بفريقه وبأدائهم”.

وأكد: “لم أتواصل مع أي شخص في آرسنال، لذلك لديهم معركتهم الخاصة ولنا معركتنا، أنا متحمس حقًا، لأكون صادقًا”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ديفيد مويس يرد على مساعدة رايس خلال مباراة مانشستر سيتي من أجل آرسنال

واستمر: “لا أستطيع الانتظار لرؤية كأس الدوري الإنجليزي للمرة الأولى، لذلك أنا متحمس حقًا، وآمل أن تكون مباراة جيدة جدًا”.

واعترف: “ليس هناك شيء أفضل من أن يكون لديك خيار لتحديد لقب الدوري الإنجليزي، نحن لا نفكر في اللقب، لكن يمكننا أن نقرره، لذلك هذا جيد”.

واستأنف: “ستكون قصة رائعة أن يتمكن وست هام من إلغاء سيطرة مانشستر سيتي، يمكن أن يكونوا أول فريق يفوز بها أربع مرات متتالية، لذلك سيكون من الجيد إيقاف ذلك”.

واختتم: “ربما تكون واحدة من أصعب الأماكن للعب، أعلم أنه ليس لدينا سجل جيد هناك، أود أن أقول سجل سيئ للغاية! لكن هذه السلسلة يجب أن تنتهي في بعض الأحيان، ولماذا لا تنتهي يوم الأحد؟”.

MatériaMais Notícias

O torcedor do Athletico está aliviado. Depois de sete jogos, o Furacão voltou a vencer no Campeonato Brasileiro e o fim da seca aconteceu em grande estilo, diante do Coritiba, na Arena da Baixada.

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Apesar do resultado, a equipe não apresentou um futebol de encher os olhos, mas entregou muita disposição dentro de campo, o que agradou o técnico Eduardo Barros.

‘Não tivemos a melhor atuação técnica dentre as últimas apresentações. Porém, o espírito que nós queremos ver de quem veste a camisa do Athletico podemos afirmar que esteve muito presente’, destacou antes de completar:

‘Foi um início de muita imposição. O Coritiba não conseguia jogar. Tivemos as primeiras oportunidades e fomos muito eficientes’.

Agora, o Athletico deixa o Brasileirão de lado e foca na Libertadores. No meio de semana, o adversário é o Jorge Wilstermann, fora de casa.

Liverpool's need for midfield reinforcements in no secret, even after they overcame the odds to defeat Newcastle United at St James' Park and extend their unbeaten run to start the season to three Premier League games.

The Reds were, of course, on their way to a fairly successful transfer window, with the arrival of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, but the departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi Arabia threw a spanner in the works.

Since then, they have welcomed Wataru Endo, but it could be argued that a more high-profile name is still needed.

With that said, though, the club have reportedly ruled out signing one particular midfielder.

What's the latest Liverpool transfer news?

As the summer transfer window edges closer and closer to slamming shut, Liverpool are scrambling for the extra reinforcements needed to ensure that Jurgen Klopp has a side capable of returning to the Premier League's top four, after missing out last season.

The name at the forefront of their current list of targets seems to be Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch, who the Bavarians could reportedly soften their stance on in the coming days.

As Gravenberch rises to the top of Liverpool's list, however, it is Sofyan Amrabat who has reportedly been ruled out altogether.

According to Manchester Evening News, who were reporting on Manchester United and Liverpool's interest in Amrabat, the Reds have clarified that they will not be making a move for the Fiorentina man this summer.

This news comes at a time when Amrabat has been frozen out at the Serie A club, with La Viola dropping the Morroco international from both first-team games, and training until his future is resolved, as per Fabrizio Romano.

Should Liverpool sign Sofyan Amrabat?

Liverpool's stance on Amrabat is a surprising one, given their need for midfielders, and Fiorentina's reported price-tag of just €30m (£25.6m) this summer.

Statistically speaking, too, the Moroccan would be an upgrade on the options that Klopp waved goodbye to this summer.

According to FBref, Amrabat outperformed Henderson in some key areas throughout the previous campaign.

Player

Progressive Carries Per 90

Blocks

Pass Completion Rate

Tackles Won

Sofyan Amrabat

1.62

23

88.8%

24

Jordan Henderson

1.61

21

83%

23

Meanwhile, the 27-year-old earned plenty of praise during the 2022 World Cup, as he helped Morroco to reach the semi-final stage, in the surprise of the tournament.

Alan Shearer praised the midfielder, saying on BBC's Match of The Day, via the Liverpool Echo: "He gets it and then he can feed the ball in, and you can see him go back there. He’ll be reluctant to get forward as he wants to protect, he’ll want to do that.

"He really enjoys that and he’s really good at that – ‘get off the ball, I’m having it’ – and he’s setting his team forward. He’s been key. He does that, he protects, he can get out there and help his full-backs, and that’s what he’s in that role to do – to stop, and be a spoiler – he’s excellent at it. Then he drives forward and they’re on their way. He’s been magnificent, he really has."

Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE…

Nonetheless, despite the praise and the stats, Liverpool reportedly remain unlikely to push ahead for Amrabat's signature this summer.

أعلن البرتغالي جورجي جيسوس، المدير الفني لنادي الهلال، عن التشكيل الرسمي لمواجهة اليوم أمام النصر، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري السعودي.

ويلتقي الهلال مع النصر، على أرضية ملعب الأول بارك في مدينة الرياض، وذلك في إطار مواجهات الجولة 32 لبطولة الدوري السعودي.

ويحتل الهلال صدارة ترتيب جدول الدوري السعودي برصيد 89 نقطة مبتعدًا عن منافسه النصر صاحب المركز الثاني بـ12 نقطة كاملة، ليحسم اللقب قبل نهاية المسابقة بشكل رسمي بـ3 جولات.

طالع أيضاً.. موعد والقنوات الناقلة لمباراة الهلال والنصر اليوم في الدوري السعودي.. والمعلق

على الجانب الآخر يتواجد النصر في المركز الثاني برصيد 77 نقطة، من الفوز في 25 مباراة والتعادل في مواجهتين وتلقى الهزيمة في 4 مباريات. تشكيل الهلال اليوم أمام النصر في الدوري السعودي

حراسة المرمى: ياسين بونو.

خط الدفاع: سعود عبد الحميد – تمبكتي – علي البليهي – البريك.

خط الوسط: روبن نيفيز – محمد كنو – سافيتش.

خط الهجوم: مالكوم – ميشائيل ديلجادو – ميتروفيتش.

Manchester United have started their 2023/24 Premier League campaign off rather meekly. They were lucky to escape with all three points against Wolverhampton Wanderers last week before going down 2-0 to Tottenham Hotspur on the weekend.

Three points from six and just one goal scored wasn’t the start Erik ten Hag was anticipating, and he will be even more concerned by some of the performances, particularly from new signing Mason Mount.

The £60m summer arrival from Chelsea was expected to improve the United midfield.

Against Spurs, however, he was almost non-existent, having completed only 15 accurate passes and taken as few as 27 touches – even Andre Onana recorded more passes and touches, signifying how poorly he played as a creative-minded midfielder that makes things happen in the engine room.

Could this perhaps give the Dutchman a licence to dive back into the transfer market and lure another midfielder to Old Trafford?

The club have recently been on a scouting mission to France…

Will Manchester United make more signings?

United have shown interest in a few players during the final weeks of the transfer window, most notably defenders.

Frenchman Jean Clair-Todibo has been linked with a move and the Red Devils even sent scouts to monitor his performance for OGC Nice a couple of weeks ago.

Read the latest Man United transfer news HERE…

This wasn’t the only player that United were keeping tabs on, however.

According to Get French Football News, OGC Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram was also being closely monitored in light of a potential move to England.

He wouldn’t break the bank either, with the Ligue 1 outfit valuing one of their prized assets at around €40m (£34m) and could Ten Hag act swiftly and bring him to Manchester in the coming days?

What could Khephren Thuram offer Manchester United?

With Rasmus Hojlund injured and Mount failing to showcase his true abilities so far, Ten Hag’s summer recruitment may soon come under criticism, with just Onana enjoying a solid start.

Thuram has enjoyed an impressive spell with Nice since joining in 2019, making 140 appearances and last season was his most productive yet, registering ten goal contributions – two goals and eight assists – across 50 appearances. This is made even better by the fact he typically operated as a defensive midfielder.

Mount was deployed in a deeper role against Spurs alongside Casemiro, yet it clearly didn’t work out and Thuram could certainly be an instant upgrade on the former Chelsea gem in this position.

Indeed, last season, the Frenchman registered more league goal contributions (six v five), a higher pass success rate (85.1% v 75.2%), tackles won (25 v 19) and interceptions (38 v eight), suggesting that he offers more across both attacking and defensive metrics.

Thuram even ranked in the top 4% when compared to positional peers for progressive carries per 90 (3.4) and the top 8% for successful take-ons per 90 (1.65).

Mount on the other hand failed to rank in the top 40% for successful take-ons per 90 (0.78) while ranking in the top 17% for progressive carries per 90 (2.24), indicating the difference between the two players.

Journalist Zach Lowy even dubbed him as an “elite ball carrier” amid Liverpool’s interest in the youngster earlier in the summer transfer window.

For a fee of just £34m, Ten Hag could sign a player who won't just be part of his future plans, but a talent that could force his way into the starting XI straight away and be an instant Mount upgrade in the process.

Nathan Lyon has suggested Matt Prior “wanted to fly home” during the 2013-14 Ashes because he was intimidated by Mitchell Johnson

George Dobell in Brisbane20-Nov-2017

Matt Prior has dismissed claims he wanted to fly home from the last Ashes tour because he was scared of Mitchell Johnson’s bowling as “laughable”.The claims were made by Nathan Lyon who suggested the entire England team were terrified of Johnson during the 2013-14 series and said he “nearly had to push a couple of the guys back towards the stumps” from his fielding position at leg slip.Lyon, the Australian offspinner, was particularly critical of Prior whom he accused of “wanting to fly home” ahead of the Perth Test. Lyon went on to say he hoped Australia would end the careers of more England players in this series.”Seeing Mitchell Johnson scare all the Poms was unbelievable,” Lyon said. “I was at leg slip and I nearly had to push a couple of the guys back towards the stumps. It was good fun.”Leading into Perth we knew that they were broken. We knew Matt Prior wanted to fly home before the game started and he was one of the senior players. He was scared.”Prior, who was dropped after the third Test, said Lyon’s comments were “completely ridiculous” and untrue.”If that was the case and I was scared, why didn’t I go home then?” Prior said. “I have no idea where this has come from. It’s completely ridiculous and all I can do is laugh. It is wholeheartedly untrue.”I stayed out there and what hurt me more was that I was dropped for the last two Tests because I wasn’t playing well.”I hope the first Test goes well for Nathan. I will be watching with interest to see how he goes. He has other things to worry about rather than thinking about me. I hope he lets his cricket do the talking now.”Lyon also stated that Australia’s current attack was better and quicker than the one that inflicted a 5-0 whitewash upon England in 2013-14.”They are quicker,” Lyon said of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. “In the nets, definitely. I saw Steve Smith land on his backside the other day. Johnson didn’t do that.”I’m not getting in the nets to face them because they are bowling way too quick for my liking. They are class bowlers.”But the best bowler in the world is Josh Hazlewood. He can swing the new ball in and out, he can seam it, he can bowl fast, he can bowl a nice bouncer, he can reverse an old ball. His consistency, the pace he bowls at and the way he controls the game is incredible. In my book he’s the No. 1 bowler in the world.”Lyon went on to raise a few more spectres from the 2013-14 series in Australia, when Kevin Pietersen and Graeme Swann were among the long-standing members of the England dressing room whose careers finished, while the coach, Andy Flower, also stepped down.”I know Joe Root got dropped last time when he was here, so it’d be good to get him dropped again,” Lyon said. “If we can start by opening up that crack, it’s pretty crucial. There’s a lot of scars for the English guys, especially coming over here, especially when we have two guys bowling 150kph and not just one now.”Could we end some careers? I hope so.”