Stoke City midfielder Charlie Adam has claimed that Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah is not good enough to represent either Real Madrid or Barcelona.
Salah has scored 37 times in 42 appearances in all competitions during a remarkable 2017-18 campaign at Liverpool.
The Egypt international’s form has led to suggestions that La Liga’s two giants want to bring him to Spain in this summer’s transfer window.
[ad_pod ]
However, Adam, who represented Liverpool for one season following a move from Blackpool in 2011, has claimed that Salah would not get a game at Real Madrid or Barcelona.
Adam told talkSPORT:
“Where’s he going to go? It’s difficult for him, where does he go? Will he get a game at Real Madrid? Will he get a game at Barcelona? I don’t think he would. I think he will stay there.”
Salah, who is valued at £72m by transfermarkt.co.uk, struggled to make his mark in the Premier League whilst representing Chelsea, but a successful spell at Roma saw the attacker given another crack at the English game.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The 25-year-old has managed 29 goals in 31 league matches for Liverpool this season, and will be looking to make an impression in the club’s upcoming Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City.
Upon becoming West Brom’s marquee signing this summer, Nigerian front-man Brown Ideye has simply failed to live up to the expectations at the Hawthorns. Alongside the likes of on-loan Porto forward Silvestre Valera, the former Dynimo Kiev man was part of a carefully selected attacking line-up by the former Baggies boss, Alan Irvine.
Unfortunately though, things just haven’t turned out that way for the club or their ever passionate fans. Valera himself has moved on to the Seire A and Brown Ideye has looked nowhere near the player he was first touted to be. Despite costing the midlands team in the region of £10 million according to The Daily Mail – a price that incidentally happens to be West Brom’s club record transfer fee – the faith shown in the Nigerian has simply not been matched by his output in the Premier League.
As Brown Ideye has successfully notched two goals in his last two appearances for West Brom however, is the tide finally starting to turn for the pricey striker, or will the unpredictable 26-year-old seemingly never reach his full potential at the Hawthorns?
Before arriving in England, Ideye was commonly known as a burley centre-forward who was not easily knocked off the ball. He brought with him a potential ability to play out wide when required, and although the former Kiev man may have lacked that bit of pace and mobility needed to survive in that position, his instinctual deadliness in front of goal often gave him enough flexibility to make it. Despite not being considered worthy of a World Cup place in Brazil this summer, West Brom fans would nevertheless have been excited by the potential on offer from their new man up top.
However, three Premier League goals for the newly acquired striker has simply not been good enough from the Nigerian this season. Yes, playing for a side such as West Brom, who are seemingly constantly on the brink of relegation, would not be an easy task for even the most promising forwards in European football. But as 21-year-old Saido Berahino has already proved that it can be done, the signs just don’t look too good for Brown Ideye.
As he only amassed a mere five Premier Liga goals last campaign, and even Shola Ameobi made the cut for the Nigerian national squad in Brazil, perhaps the warning signs should have been clear for the Baggies long before they went through with the signing.
Whilst the sensation and gossip surrounding Brown Ideye’s faltering Hawthorns career has got some sections of the footballing community talking this season, it important not to get too carried away with the whole affair. West Brom look somewhat more comfortable under Tony Pulis, and whilst relegation fears will still be rife among many Baggies fans, the situation could be a lot worse for them this season.
In light of such context, Ideye’s recent – albeit brief – goalscoring exploits may just show enough light at the end of the tunnel for the 26-year-old to justify his place in the Premier League. After all, this is his first season in England. Strikers in particular tend to need one full term of Premier League football to ‘bed in’, so it may be a tad premature to give up Ideye completely.
The Nigerian’s reputation doesn’t come completely unwarranted. He seemingly has got it in him to do the business in front of goal, and whilst progress may be slow for the marquee man right now, it is important to give him the time and trust that his record breaking fee deserves.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Ultimately though, Brown Ideye has not been able to give West Brom an immediate impact upon signing for the club in the summer. He has needed quite a while to settle into his new surroundings, and if the Baggies were just a little bit closer to the relegation zone at this current stage, Ideye’s bedding-in time could have proved too much of a sacrifice for Tony Pulis and his determined side. As the Nigerian seems to be slowly pulling his socks up however, the jury is still out on whether or not Brown Ideye can finally reach his full potential with his new team.
You either love tattoos or hate them, but among the football fraternity it is seemingly a must have for footballers who clearly have too much money and time on their hands and who therefore see the need to decorate their bodies in all different types patterns and designs. Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger are arguably the most prolific in the Premier League, with the latter being a trained tattooist.
It is not only by players on the pitch, but those supporters off it who choose to cement their allegiance by getting their clubs crest and name emblazoned on certain body parts.
It is fair to say some of the body artwork is good, bad and in cases some damn right ugly. This list is a celebration of the best tattoos that have featured on Liverpool fans in the past few years.
Click on the tattoo below to unveil gallery
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
According to reports in The Irish Sun, Fulham defender Ryan Fredericks could join Everton a free transfer this summer.
The 25-year-old has been one of the Championship club’s most consistent performers at right-back this season and the Cottagers currently lie in third position in the table as they look to win promotion to the Premier League under Slavisa Jokanovic.
The Irish Sun reports achieving that means they could hold of highly-rated 17-year-old Ryan Sessegnon, but Fredericks could be on his way out whatever happens given his contract is due to run out at the end of the season and with no sign yet that he is going to extend his stay.
The former England U19 international would likely provide competition for Seamus Coleman and Jonjoe Kenny at Goodison Park, as he looks to forge a top flight career for himself.
Meanwhile, their Premier League rivals Newcastle United can move a step closer to ensuring they stay up when they host Huddersfield Town at St James’ Park on March 31, with a win taking them to 35 points and a step closer to safety.
Manager Rafa Benitez will already be thinking about how he can strengthen his squad this summer if they remain in the top flight, and if he is looking to add more competition for places within his team then Fredericks should certainly be on his radar.
Here are three reasons the Magpies must hijack Everton’s bid to sign the right-back…
While Yedlin has established himself as the Magpies’ first-choice right-back in recent months and impressed the fans with some of his displays, he perhaps doesn’t have the required competition in the squad that Rafa Benitez would like him to have.
They do have Jesus Gamez and Javier Manquillo that can play there, but the former has featured for just 217 minutes for the Toon this season and his contract is due to expire this summer, while the latter has largely featured at left-back when he has played, and is now providing back-up to both Yedlin and Paul Dummett.
Adding Fredericks to the Newcastle squad would certainly give the American more competition and push him to perform at a higher level, and that can only be a positive thing with the former England U19 international also being determined to make a name for himself in the top flight.
Fredericks has been one of Fulham’s most impressive players in their push for promotion this season, and he has provided nine assists from right-back in 36 Championship appearances – as per Transfermarkt.
According to WhoScored.com, the 25-year-old’s main strengths are his dribbling and his passing, and he has successfully completed 57 of the 87 dribbles he has attempted in the league this term, as well as making 35 key passes for Slavisa Jokanovic’s attacking team.
He has also shown his defensive abilities too though, making 95 clearances and winning 58 of the 75 tackles he has attempted.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Fredericks is yet to sign a new contract at Fulham with his current deal set to run out at the end of the season, and while it is unlikely to happen if the Cottagers don’t win promotion this term, it may not even happen if they do go up if the player has ambitions to move on.
Whatever does happen, if Newcastle can bring him to St James’ Park on a free transfer this summer it would have to be a no-brainer decision, given Benitez likely won’t have a huge budget to spend.
The pendulum of Manchester City’s European fate swung back and forth this evening, but eventually the Sky Blues came out on top to secure a priceless win against Bayern Munich. Despite it being their first victory in the competition this season, City can now guarantee qualification in their last game by beating Roma in Rome, as long as CSKA Moscow don’t get a victory against Bayern in Germany. Madness.
Is the dream alive once again? Maybe… and here are THREE reasons why.
[ffc-gallery]
CLICK ON AGUERO TO REVEAL THE THREE
[/ffc-gallery]
[ad_pod id=’ricco’ align=’center’]
AGUEROOOO
Well, what can you say about the Argentine? He’s simply wonderful to watch, staggeringly strong and deadly in front of goal. The complete centre-forward. And tonight he proved why he’s so highly rated once again with a lovely hat-trick. The first from the penalty spot was a routine, but the last double strike to seal the win showed his range of talents.
Bayern are pretty handy at home….
Bayern Munich are yet to lose at home this season… So the odds would suggest that CSKA Moscow won’t get the victory at the Allianz Arena they need to prevent City from going through… so long as they win in Rome!
Toure will be back in Rome
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
A suspension kept the big Ivorian out against Bayern, but he will be back in time to face Roma, barring injury. Criticised for lethargy in big games sometimes, there’s no doubting that the 31-year-old’s presence will be a boost, as he is capable of moments of magic.
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has criticised referee Anthony Taylor for sending off striker Carlton Cole and changing the game at Upton Park.
Cole had earlier put the Hammers in front with a superb low effort before Everton slowly worked their way back into the game and brought the game level just after half time.
The former England striker was then sent off for a ‘high foot’ with the score at 1-1 in a decision that seemed to change the game in the visitors’ favour and infuriate the West Ham bench, players and supporters.
Everton went on to win the game, but Allardyce piled the criticism on the official and claimed his consistency had ruined the game.
West Ham have confirmed that they will appeal the red card, but that is no conciliation for Allardyce who admitted he was bitterly disappointed with the lack of consistency shown by the referee.
“The sending off has changed the game dramatically,” Allardyce told talkSPORT.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
“After 32 minutes Victor Anichebe has done exactly the same thing on James Collins as Carlton has done on Leighton and one is shown nothing and the other is a straight red.
“That for me is the inconsistency we have had and that makes me bitterly disappointed with the decision of the referee to send Carlton off.”
Ecclestone’s 33 off 19 helped UPW tie the scores by smashing 41 runs off the last 17 balls before delivering a stunning Super Over
Shashank Kishore24-Feb-2025 Super Over An extraordinary night of drama delivered a thriller, with UP Warriorz sending a crowd in excess of 28,000 into stunned silence after RCB failed to knock off the nine runs they needed in the Super Over.In a game that seemed to be headed RCB’s way until the last two overs in regulation time, Sophie Ecclestone’s incredible final-over hitting against Renuka Singh, which went for 17, forced the game into a Super Over. But the showstopper for the night was a sensational final over Ecclestone delivered to deny Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh as Warriorz sprung their campaign back to life with a second straight win.Related
Ecclestone carries UP Warriorz with her big-game mentality
Stats – Perry overtakes Lanning, WPL gets its first ever Super Over
The high-octane end
Forty-two needed off 18, with two wickets in hand. Ecclestone had pottered to 3 off eight balls, and had no option but to go for broke, especially with Chinelle Henry, seemingly the last hope for Warriorz, gone.Ecclestone got stuck into Georgia Wareham by muscling two sixes in a 13-run over. But when Saima Thakor was run out a ball after swinging one out of the ground in the 19th over, it was all on Ecclestone to knock off much of the 18 runs they needed off the last six.She hit 17 in an extraordinary sequence of 6, 6, 4, 1, taking Renuka to the cleaners as she repeatedly missed her lengths. But Ecclestone’s single off the fifth ball that left Warriorz needing one off the last ball, brought rookie Kranti Goud on strike.When Goud missed and the batters ran, Richa Ghosh did an MS Dhoni, choosing to sprint to the stumps and knock the bails off rather than risk an underarm throw. And just like that, the WPL had its first Super Over.Sophie Ecclestone’s sixes took the game into a Super Over•BCCI
Ecclestone’s dream night continues
When Kim Garth bowled Henry, who had muscled an incredible eight sixes in her 23-ball 62 against Delhi Capitals, with a slower delivery with Warriorz needing 47 off 22, she wouldn’t have envisaged having to bowl the Super Over.Yet, when she did, and conceded just 8 while dismissing Henry again, she wouldn’t have imagined finishing on the wrong side of the result. But, five minutes later, she watched in agony as Mandhana and Ghosh failed to find their hitting range on the face of some nerveless bowling from Ecclestone.It was a performance straight out of fantasy for the world’s No. 1 T20I and ODI bowler, who had also quite extraordinarily just conceded six runs off the final over in RCB’s innings. Three of those deliveries were pinpoint yorkers that denied Ellyse Perry a final charge towards what would have been an extraordinary century.
Perry, Wyatt-Hodge set RCB up
Perry offset Mandhana’s early loss – against offspin for the 11th time in the WPL – by welcoming Ecclestone with back-to-back fours, her step-out to bisect cover and mid-off being the standout. Perry’s intent-laden approach brought her a first six when she launched Thakor down the ground. At 42 for 1 at the end of the powerplay, RCB had a base.All through her innings, Perry was bubbling with flair. She became the first player to hit the 200-run mark in each of the first three WPLs. She also overtook Meg Lanning to become the highest run-getter in the tournament’s short history, during the course of a 94-run second-wicket stand with Danni Wyatt-Hodge.The five-over period between seven and 11 brought RCB just 33, but the pair was able to flick the switch. Goud, who hustled Wyatt-Hodge with an excellent bumper early on, was picked away for three back-to-back fours in the 13th.In doing so, Wyatt-Hodge exhibited her range of shots – a cut when offered width, a swat back past the bowler when it was dug in short, and a pummel over extra cover when the bowler went full. Wyatt-Hodge brought up her maiden WPL half-century off 36 balls against the side that had traded her out. But her dismissal brought Warriorz two more wickets – of Ghosh and Kanika Ahuja.Ellyse Perry brought out her glorious drives from the start•BCCI
But Perry didn’t pass up an opportunity to go all out in the death overs. She took a liking for Deepti Sharma’s predictable lengths and bowling into the surface by picking her for a sequence of 4, 6, 4, 2 in the penultimate over – hitting the ball to different areas, from deep cover to long-on to deep midwicket.Perry’s use of angles to try and get inside the line and sweep the bowlers off their lengths was particularly noteworthy. She finished unbeaten on 90 off 56, with RCB hitting 105 off the last nine overs.
Navgire sparks life into chase
With Chamari Athapaththu again on the bench, Warriorz needed some firepower up top, and when Kiran Navgire smashed a 27-ball 51 four nights ago against Capitals, it seemed like they had found an answer.Navgire tantalised yet again, her uncomplicated stand-and-deliver mantra bringing her 24 off just 12 balls, as she swung at anything remotely in her zone before she was bowled attempting to hoick Renuka. Vrinda Dinesh’s run of low scores stretched into a fourth game as she picked out mid-off for 14 as Warriorz lost two early.
Warriorz rise after slide
An injury to Shreyanka Patil opened up a spot for Sneh Rana as a replacement, and she inflicted more agony for Warriorz when she struck twice in two overs. This put Warriorz in freefall mode, even though Shweta Sehrawat sparked life into the innings with a sprightly 31. But at 125 for 7 in 15, only a freak Henry innings would have silenced the crowd. But when she chopped on to Garth in the 17th, Warriorz needed a miracle, and Ecclestone scripted one.
CA are also focused on the changing nature of the global game and working with T20 franchises
Andrew McGlashan27-Oct-20231:59
Where are all the last-over thrillers?
The bosses of Cricket Australia believe ODIs can continue to play a key part in the men’s international game but have stressed the importance of having context around bilateral fixtures.There has been heightened debate around the 50-over format amid the ongoing World Cup which has seen some disappointing crowds and a lack of close games, although the tournament has produced a number of eye-catching results with Afghanistan beating England and Pakistan while Netherlands overturned a powerful South Africa.But amid an increasingly packed calendar, now becoming ever-more dominated by T20 franchise leagues, there is a growing suggestion that it is ODI cricket that will be squeezed particularly at bilateral level with discussions set to take place when the ICC meets next month in India.Related
Smith will do 'what's best for the team' – Cummins
Dear World Cup, please be more exciting, please?
ECB made an offer, and most players couldn't refuse
Liam Dawson could turn down England Test recall in favour of lucrative SA20 deal
Pakistan men's players to get landmark central contracts
The 2027 ODI World Cup is locked in to be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia and 2031 is to be staged by India and Bangladesh, with a returning Champions Trophy due to be held in Pakistan in 2025.Direct qualification for the current World Cup in India was decided by the ODI Super League which meant bilateral series had added importance but that has been disbanded after one cycle.”It’s really important that there’s context for those bilateral series,” CA chief executive Nick Hockley said after the board’s AGM. “We’ve seen with the introduction of the World Test Championship how that works, we’ve seen with the qualification through to this World Cup with major nations [like] West Indies missing out, Netherlands coming through.”So really creating jeopardy in those bilateral series. That’s something we’ll be discussing when we are in India towards the end of the tournament with the ICC.”Bilateral T20I series could be given greater context in the future with Olympic qualification likely to be based on the rankings.Australia have three men’s ODIs in their upcoming summer – crammed into five days against West Indies in early February – which according to the Future Tours Programme (FTP) is the likely figure for most future seasons. They are then not scheduled to play the format again until September when they tour England for a five-match series, with three ODIs against Ireland also marked on the FTP before that.Australia’s men will play three home ODIs this season•AFP/Getty Images
Mike Baird, the CA chair, suggested that performances such as the 40-ball century by Glenn Maxwell against Netherlands show how the T20 game can help keep the one-day format relevant.”We certainly see a role for all three formats,” he said. “To see a T20 century, Glenn Maxwell came in in the 39th over, so the spectacular impact of that in an ODI it adds a whole other dimension than just a T20.”It’s an important format, we certainly think there’s a role. What is important is context, [not] just having matches without connecting them into qualifiers for a World Cup as an example – so those are the things, how do you give more context.”
Central contracts vs franchise cricket
Linked to the changing nature of the men’s international game, particularly around white-ball cricketers, is how players are contracted to their national boards. newspapers reported that CA has put a group of their leading players on multi-year deals and the ECB has recently done the same. also reported this week that there is now a mechanism within contracts where players can be docked a percentage of their earnings if they opt to play in overseas tournaments during the home season.”It is designed so that if a situation does not clearly warrant a player being given a [No Objection Certificate], the answer doesn’t have to be only ‘no, you can’t go and play’. It is ‘let’s have a conversation and see if we can negotiate a mutually satisfactory outcome’,” Todd Greenberg, the Australia Cricketers’ Association CEO, said. “That keeps the relationship strong and the player in our Australian system for longer.”CA acknowledged the rapidly changing landscape and how all sides need to work together.”We are conscious of the increased opportunity for players and to show some level of flexibility to pursue opportunities, certainly in the IPL and some of the other leagues around the world, is something we’ll need to support going forward,” Hockley said.”To go forward into the future, there are changes that are here, there are changes that are coming,” Baird added. “The fundamental thing we need is trust and that relationship with the players and we’ve certainly established that.”
CA makes a loss, but confidence for years to come
Meanwhile, CA reported a loss of nearly AUD$17 million for the last financial year but that was a stronger performance than expectations aided by AUD$42 million coming from hosting the men’s T20 World Cup.The upcoming year, which sees the men’s team host Pakistan and West Indies at home, is expected to also be loss-making before two big-earning seasons with India and England touring for five-match Test series in 2024-25 and 2025-26.”It’s part of the cycle … these [past] 12 months is the difficult period,” Baird said. “But we’re certainly very confident on where we’re going … over the next two or three years, the forecasts are really strong.”
The first 14 matches of the tournament will take place in Colombo before the action moves to Hambantota on August 13
Madushka Balasuriya12-Jul-2022Reigning champions Jaffna Kings will take on Galle Gladiators in the curtain raiser for the third edition of the LPL, set to begin on August 1 in Colombo. The final will take place on August 21 in Hambantota.SLC, in a media release, revealed that the first 14 matches – a majority of the first round games – would take place at the RPICS, Colombo before the action moves to Hambantota on August 13 for the last set of first-round games, as well as the eliminator, qualifiers and final.”In total, 24 matches will be played during the tournament, with 20 first-round games, and 4 final round games, including the finals,” SLC said.Barring the days for second qualifier and the final, each match day will see two games take place, with day matches beginning at 3pm and night games at 7.30pm local time.Like previous seasons, this year will see five teams compete – Jaffna Kings, Galle Gladiators, Dambulla Giants, Colombo Stars and Kandy Falcons. Kings won the two previous editions of the tournament, with Gladiators runners-up in both finals.Much like the first two seasons, this year has also seen a refresh among the foreign players set to compete, however the LPL player draft held last week shook up several of the squads in terms of local talent, with high-profile names such Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Dhananjaya de Silva and Bhanuka Rajapaksa moving franchises.This year’s LPL comes amidst a packed schedule for Sri Lanka’s cricketers, as it immediately follows the home series against Australia and Pakistan – the second Test against Pakistan is set to end on 28 July – and will precede the Asia Cup set to be hosted in Sri Lanka in September. All of this will lead to the T20 World Cup the following month in Australia.
Player was using one of four training hubs, but had been in close contact with players using other hubs
ESPNcricinfo staff12-Apr-2021Ireland has temporarily suspended elite men’s training sessions after a player registered a positive test for Covid-19.Cricket Ireland said that the player, who was not named, had only been using one of four training hubs, but he had been in close contact with players using other training hubs and sessions had been halted across the country as a precaution in line with Covid-19 protocols.Richard Holdsworth, Cricket Ireland’s High Performance Director, said the action was taken as soon as the governing body was notified of the result and the player would be re-tested to ensure it was not a false positive.”While the player was only using one of our four training hubs, he had been a close contact with players using other training hubs – so out of an abundance of caution we have stopped training for a few days across all hubs while tests are undertaken” Holdsworth said in a statement.”We have a busy period of cricket in May, and World Cup Super League matches set for early June, so it’s vital that we provide our senior players with as much time outdoors training as we can. However, this will not come at the risk to their health and safety, and that of their families or close contacts. We will provide an update on the player’s condition and training status in due course.”Ireland’s next international fixtures are scheduled for early June with three ODIs in the Netherlands before hosting South Africa for three ODIs and three T20Is in July.