تسود حالة من الغموض حول موقف اللاعب هيثم حسن، نجم نادي ريال أوفييدو الإسباني، بشأن انضمامه إلى صفوف منتخب مصر الأول خلال الفترة المقبلة، في ظل رغبة اتحاد الكرة في حسم هذا الملف بشكل نهائي.
وأكدت مصادر داخل الاتحاد لـ بطولات، أن اللاعب لم يبدِ حتى الآن موقفاً واضحاً من تمثيل المنتخب المصري، رغم التواصل المستمر معه من قبل مسؤولي الاتحاد خلال الأيام الماضية.
ويُنتظر أن هيثم حسن سيحسم قراره خلال الفترة القريبة القادمة، سواء بالموافقة على تمثيل مصر أو الاعتذار بشكل رسمي.
طلع أيضًا | أشرف صبحي: منتخب مصر قادر على التأهل لـ كأس العالم.. ونسعى لعدم تكرار خطأ تصفيات 2022
من جانبه، أبدى المدير الفني للمنتخب الوطني حسام حسن رغبة قوية في استدعاء هيثم حسن ضمن قائمة معسكر نوفمبر المقبل، بعد متابعة مستوياته المميزة مع فريقه في الدوري الإسباني الدرجة الثانية، حيث يرى فيه إضافة فنية مميزة للمنتخب خلال المرحلة الجديدة.
وطالب اتحاد الكرة اللاعب بسرعة إرسال الأوراق والمستندات الرسمية التي تثبت جنسيته المصرية، من أجل إتمام الإجراءات القانونية اللازمة لتسجيله كلاعب دولي مصري، تمهيداً لضمه إلى المعسكر المقبل حال موافقته النهائية.
ويأتي اهتمام حسام حسن بضم لاعبين شباب مثل هيثم حسن في إطار خطته لخفض معدل أعمار المنتخب الوطني وتجديد دمائه بعناصر واعدة، استعداداً للاستحقاقات القارية المقبلة وعلى رأسها التصفيات المؤهلة لكأس العالم وكأس الأمم الإفريقية.
Pep Guardiola has been brutally told that he does not have another Premier League title in him, with a new contract signed to “shut people up”.
Catalan coach arrived at the Etihad in 2016Approaching a decade of loyal serviceMay choose to walk if trophies prove elusiveFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
After much speculation regarding his future, Catalan coach Guardiola agreed an extension at Manchester City last season that is due to keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2027. He did, however, fail to land major silverware in the 2024-25 campaign.
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Questions have been asked, with City dropping points early on this term, of whether Guardiola is struggling to get his message across and maintain the highest of standards after nine years in Manchester. It may be that he bows out after completing a decade of loyal service.
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WHAT HAMANN SAID
Quizzed on whether Guardiola could walk away next summer, former City midfielder Dietmar Hamann – speaking in association with – told GOAL: “Yeah. But I said that last year and I’m surprised he’s still there now, because everything comes to an end.
“They’ve changed in the last couple of years, they’ve brought quite a few players in and there’s some players who’ve been there for a few years. You need to galvanise them and light a fire within them, the team, the fans. He’s been there such a long time and I’m just not sure he’s still got it in him.
“I said in the summer I’d be surprised if he wins another big title. I don’t think he will. I don’t think he wins the Premier League or the Champions League. There’s always a chance to win five or six games and win a League Cup or an FA Cup. The big two trophies, I can’t see him winning.
“I think his contract was extended last year just to smooth things down, to keep people quiet, probably to shut people up who said, ‘It’s about time for him to go’. I don’t think they will sack him, but I’d be surprised if he’s still there in two years’ time.”
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Having broken all kinds of records across stints with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City, Hamann added when asked if Guardiola’s next role could see him move into international management: “It’s probably the most likely. I can’t see him working for another club in England. Is he going to come back to Germany? Bayern Munich’s probably the only one, I can’t really see that.
“I think international football, as he’s in his early-to-mid 50s now, is probably the port of call. But I think he’ll have a break first. If you do that job for 10 years, it’s not only the pressure of having success, it’s also the rest that comes with it. Media stuff you have to do. It’s a 24/7 job and you can very rarely switch off.
“[Jurgen] Klopp after eight or nine years said, ‘I need a break now’. He’s been doing it longer than him. He’s probably even more intense than Klopp. So, he’ll probably have a break, and then I’m sure there are a lot of countries who wouldn’t mind his services.”
Arsenal have been blessed with some incredible attacking players over the years.
In Mikel Arteta’s team today, you have the talismanic Bukayo Saka, who over time could become one of the greatest players the club has ever had.
Go back a couple of decades, and you reach the man with the current title in Thierry Henry, but you go back even further than that, and you hit the record-breaking Ian Wright.
The iconic forward was a force to be reckoned with during his time in North London, and while he was a unique player and character, it looks like Arsenal could be about to sign someone who could be a modern version of the Englishman.
Arsenal target attacking superstar
It’s been a brilliant summer of transfer business for Arsenal so far, with the stand-out acquisition undoubtedly being Viktor Gyokeres for around £63.5m including add-ons.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The Swedish international racked up an astounding 54 goals and 13 assists in just 52 games last season, and therefore could be the key to turning the defensively solid Gunners into an attacking tour de force next season.
On top of the former Coventry City star, Andrea Berta and Co have also added the likes of Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga to the side.
However, even though the club have been jam-packed in the market, they don’t appear done just yet, as they now appear keen on an international who could be their new Wright.
At least that is according to transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, who has revealed that Arsenal are still incredibly interested in Eberechi Eze.
The Italian journalist claims that the Crystal Palace star is now their “top target” and that they have been in talks with the player’s camp.
However, it could be a financially complicated transfer to get over the line, as reports from earlier this week claimed that the South Londoners want buying clubs to pay the Englishman’s £67.5m release clause, and that the first payment has to be a lump sum of around £30m.
While that is a lot of money to spend, it would be worth it for Eze, as he’s more than proven his ability over the years and could even be Arsenal’s new Wright.
Why Eze could be the new Wright
So, the first thing to say is that, yes, Eze plays in a very different position to the one Wright played in during his career, but this comparison is not really about that.
Instead, there are several other easy comparisons to make between the two players, with the first being that, should this deal go ahead, it would be another example of the Gunners going back to Crystal Palace and signing their most important attacking outlet.
Moreover, while he’s not an old player, like Gyokeres, the former QPR gem is older than other players the Gunners have tended to target in recent years, coming in at 27 years old, and when the former Arsenal striker moved to Highbury in 1991, he did so at 28 years old.
The next similarity is that the midfield “superstar,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, is also a dangerous player in front of goal.
While he’s never going to have the goalscoring numbers of the former England international, due to his position, he’s still a genuine threat, much like the Gunners great, as over the last two campaigns for the Eagles, he’s been able to amass a seriously impressive tally of 25 goals and provided 17 assists in 79 appearances, totalling 5588 minutes.
Appearances
36
43
Minutes
2285′
3303′
Goals
11
14
Assists
6
11
Goal Involvements per Match
0.47
0.58
Minutes per Goal Involvement
134.41′
132.12′
In other words, the Greenwich-born “magician,” as dubbed by pundit Micah Richards, has averaged a goal involvement every 1.88 games, or every 133.04 minutes across two years for a team that is mid-table at best.
On top of that, the former Hale Ender has shown an ability to take games by the scruff of the neck like Wright used to, scoring in the quarter-final, semi-final and final of the FA Cup to deliver Palace their first ever major trophy.
Finally, while it was some time ago now, the 61-year-old goal machine was also a tremendously entertaining player to watch when he was in red and white, and while he has a different style of play due to his primary position, you can say the same thing about the Eagles star.
Ultimately, while it won’t be an easy deal to get over the line, Arsenal should be doing all they can to sign Eze this summer, as he has the potential to follow in Wright’s footsteps and help guide the club back to the glory days.
Arteta's new Saka: Berta working to sign "incredible" £86m star for Arsenal
The sensational winger could be a real game-changer for Arsenal.
Prasidh Krishna beat India C’s defiance with three quick wickets to secure the win
Shashank Kishore22-Sep-2024
India A celebrate winning Duleep Trophy 2024•BCCI
With 4.1 overs left and the light fading slowly, Prasidh Krishna beat India C’s defiance with three quick wickets to seal India A’s title triumph at the season-opening 2024-25 Duleep Trophy in Anantapur. Prasidh, playing his second straight first-class game after a long injury layoff, dismissed centurion B Sai Sudharsan, Baba Indrajith and Anshul Kamboj to secure victory.Sai Sudharsan, who had battled hard and defied the bowlers to make his fifth first-class century, fell for 111 when he was out attempting a scoop. In Prasidh’s next over, the 80th, he had the injured B Indrajith, who came out to bat only because a draw had seemed a possibility.But in trying to defend a short ball aimed at the ribs, Prasidh had Indrajith caught at leg slip, who had been specifically brought in for the short ball. And then, with a brand new ball taken at the first available opportunity in the 81st over, Prasidh bowled full and straight to dismiss Kamboj lbw to close out the game.Related
Arshdeep Singh's career-best of 6 for 40 gives India D consolation win
While Prasidh did the late demolition job, it was young Uttar Pradesh seamer Aaqib Khan who did the early damage, nicking off Ruturaj Gaikwad with a superb outswinger, and then having Rajat Patidar bowled.Once those breakthroughs were achieved, Agarwal summoned his spinners on a final-day surface, which had begun to take turn, but not to the extent that made stroke-making impossible. Offspinner Tanush Kotian removed Ishan Kishan and first innings top-scorer Abhishek Porel, while his Mumbai team-mate Shams Mulani dismissed Manav Suthar to open up the possibility of victory.Until that point, it didn’t seem like India B would have the services of Indrajith, who had retired hurt on 34 in the first innings because of a hamstring injury. But with the possibility of a draw looming, he walked out to a packed close-in ring, but only lasted two deliveries. That strike turned a hopeful bunch boisterous as Prasidh and India A then picked up the final wicket after a tense few deliveries of playing and missing to seal the match.That India A were in a position to win outright was largely down to a superb back-to-the-wall century from Baroda’s Shashwat Rawat, who made 124 in the first innings to set up the game on the face of a batting collapse. Then in the second, he struck a half-century along with Riyan Parag to set up a declaration, which eventually helped them build scoreboard pressure on the final day.
Having already welcomed both Danny Batth and Andreas Weimann this week, Derby County have now reportedly reached an agreement to sign an impressive international forward.
Derby confirm Batth and Weimann arrivals
The Rams are wasting no time ahead of their second season back in the Championship. After kicking their summer transfer window off by signing Carlton Morris from Luton Town and Richard O’Donnell from Blackpool, those at Pride Park have since stepped things up even more by welcoming both Weimann and Batth on free transfers from Blackburn Rovers.
After putting pen to paper to join the club, Batth told Derby’s official website: “When I got the call, I was excited [by the opportunity] and I’m glad to be here now and ready to get down to work.
“I just think it was a great opportunity for me to come and help the team and the club. I’ve played against Derby over the years. I know what an occasion it is when you play at the stadium and the support the club gets.
“I just wanted to be part of that. It’s a real project, and I think the foundations were set last year. The club is now looking to move forward, so I want to be a big part of that.”
Offer submitted: Derby make £5m+ bid to sign "great" new player for Eustace
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Weimann shared that same excitement after rejoining the club for the first time since leaving for Bristol City in 2017. The forward particularly singled manager John Eustace out for praise, saying: “I think there are a couple of factors, to be honest.
“Obviously, one is the manager. I loved working with him last year, I have known him for a long time and played with him at Watford when I was a teenager.”
Derby County manager JohnEustace
Now that Weimann and Batth are official, however, Derby have reportedly turned their attention towards the likes of Callum Brittain as well as finalising another impressive deal.
Derby reach agreement to sign Agyemang
According to GiveMeSport’s Tom Bogert, Derby have now reached an agreement to sign Patrick Agyemang from Charlotte FC in a package worth a total of $10m (£7M) this summer.
The American international, who has scored five goals in just nine appearances for his country, represents an exciting arrival for Derby and arguably their best yet this summer.
The 24-year-old has unsurprisingly been at the centre of praise whenever he has starred for his country, including from USA manager Mauricio Pochettino. The former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea boss told reporters last month after victory over Haiti: “Patrick is doing a fantastic job for the team.
“All that he gave to the team today and the previous games also, he’s a fantastic striker. Still room to improve, but we are so happy with him.”
Lancashire have routed Kent by an innings and 83 runs in their Vitality County Championship showdown at Canterbury.The visitors bowled Kent out for 222 in their second innings, Will Williams taking three for 26 and Tom Bailey three for 36. Charlie Stobo hit his highest first-class score of 64 but the hosts were all out after 30.2 overs on day four.The result, against the only side who were below them in Division One before this round of fixtures, drastically increases Lancashire’s chances of avoiding the drop, while Kent remain anchored to the foot of the table.It was an outcome that had looked almost inevitable ever since Kent lost a cluster of wickets midway through day one. The hosts were a shadow of the side who won convincingly at Old Trafford earlier this season, with six of the players who pulled off what remains their only red ball win of the season injured or unavailable.They resumed on 143 for six and with a deficit of 162 not many observers were expecting them to take the game deep into the fourth day.Beyers Swanepoel, batting with Tawanda Muyeye as his runner, was the first man to fall, cutting Bailey to Jack Blatherwick for 26 in the fourth over of the morning, but Stobo and Matt Parkinson responded with an obdurate stand that took out 18.3 overs.The sparse crowd meant the on-field chatter was amplified, especially, it seemed, when George Balderson bowled. During one over Lancashire’s fielders shouted: “Go on Baldie!” or variations thereof, a staggering 37 times, including 10 after a single delivery. No other bowler received this level of encouragement: Nathan Lyon’s next over was greeted with near silence.The partnership broke when Parkinson, who’d joked on Tuesday night that he planned to block for 96 overs, abandoned his previous discipline. He tried an ill-advised pull shot against Lyon and although that was spilled by Bailey at backward square leg, he was out to the next ball he faced.Stobo brought up his second first-class fifty in the next over when he drove Luke Wells for four, but after taking a single Parkinson was left with the strike and Wells pinned him lbw for seven.Wells then had George Garrett caught at first slip by Keaton Jennings at first slip for five and the victory was sealed when Williams used the new ball to send Stobo’s off stump cartwheeling.
Fresh from their play-off comeback victory, Sunderland have reportedly registered their interest in signing an EFL star who could become one of Regis Le Bris’ first Premier League signings.
Watson magic seals Sunderland victory
If there was ever a way for Tommy Watson to get fans back onside after choosing to join Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of the season, then it was always going to come through a special visit to Wembley.
Level at 1-1 following Eliezer Mayenda’s excellent equaliser, Watson came from the bench and showed all the composure in the world to play his effort beyond the outstretched Michael Cooper in the 95th minute. A player some booed in recent weeks to a boyhood Sunderland star now forever cemented as a hero in the Wearside history books, Watson couldn’t have asked for a better ending.
The man of the hour shared his joy following Sunderland’s victory, telling reporters: “After the last few weeks, I’ve been dreaming of that moment. I’m really happy that it’s going to end positively and this monster of a club is back where it belongs. It’s been tough, but I’ve learned so much from it. I knew something like that could happen. So I’m just buzzing.”
Although likely forgiven, the Black Cats will still need to replace Watson in the coming months ahead of their Premier League return. The talented 19-year-old, meanwhile, looks destined to become an impressive star at The Amex.
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With plenty of work to do in the summer transfer window, just who Sunderland welcome on the incomings front remains to be seen, but rumours over their potential targets have already been coming thick and fast.
Sunderland register interest in Kwame Poku
According to GiveMeSport, Sunderland have registered their interest in signing Kwame Poku from Peterborough this summer, so have made their approach. The Black Cats have reportedly joined the likes of Birmingham, Sheffield United and a staggering number of other interested parties in the race to secure the winger’s signature.
Revealing the sheer amount of interest in Poku, Peterborough director of football Barry Fry recently told reporters: “The last time I heard, there were 26 clubs in for him. I’m not surprised.
“The kid has what it takes to reach the Premier League. We have developed him over the past four years to the point where he is ready to take the next step in his career.”
The interest in Poku should come as little surprise, however. The 23-year-old enjoyed an excellent season in League One, scoring 12 goals and assisting another 11 to earn the high praise of manager Darren Ferguson, who told reporters in November: “Kwame is just unplayable at the moment. I would hate to play against him. He needs to give someone else a chance of winning player of the month. They’ll have to rename it the Kwame Poku Trophy!”
Though he may have plenty of suitors, Sunderland’s place in the Premier League could leave them with a major advantage in the race to sign Poku.
Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital bought Chelsea in 2022 after a much-publicised process. The sense then was that the Blues would need to brace themselves for a very different era compared to under Roman Abramovich.
Under Abramovich, Chelsea had spent unbelievable amounts of money to put themselves at football’s top table. There was no expectation that anything like that could follow without his wealth.
And yet, if anything, things have been even crazier. Chelsea have broken the English transfer record on multiple occasions, racking up record spending and completely changing their squad. And that’s despite Premier League finishes of 12th and 6th under Boehly.
So what exactly have they done? Football FanCast has detailed every Chelsea transfer since Todd Boehly’s consortium set foot in west London.
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Zakaria is Chelsea’s cheapest signing to date – though, he wasn’t a permanent one. The Blues brought him in on a season-long loan from Juventus but he never really became a regular.
The Athletic claims it cost them around £2.5m upfront and while there was an option to buy, Chelsea never looked like using it.
2 Gabriel Slonina – £8m
Chelsea signed teenage goalkeeper Slonina for £8m, per The Athletic, and immediately loaned him back to the MLS side. He did finally join up with the Blues in January but is yet to play a senior game for them. He’ll now spend this season on loan with Belgian club Eupen. Still only 19, there’s a long way to go with Slonina.
3 Joao Felix – £8.8m (loan)
Joao Felix scores for Chelsea
The second, and final, loan deal on this list. Chelsea moved to sign Felix last January, paying £8.8m (The Guardian) to have him for only five months.
It was a surprising deal on the face of it but then, it wasn’t long ago that the Portuguese playmaker was considered one of the best young players on the planet. He was decent enough at Chelsea, but not to a point where they’d fight to keep him permanently.
4 David Datro Fofana – £10m
Fofana arrived at a time when Chelsea desperately needed goals. He barely featured after joining, however, starting only one Premier League match and playing a total of 68 minutes in the top flight.
The Blues just didn’t seem to rate him after the £10m transfer (BBC). He’s now off on loan in Germany with Union Berlin where he’ll hope to get back on track.
5 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – £10m
Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Aubameyang arrived from Barcelona to be the striker who scored the goals for Chelsea last season. However, it did not work out that way.
The former Arsenal star made only 15 Premier League appearances and scored just once – so no one was shocked when he left on a free this summer.
It was a strange deal to sign him, too, with Chelsea paying £10m plus full-back Marcos Alonso, says Sky Sports. Just one that didn’t work at all.
6 Angelo – £12.95m
Angelo has had some hype around him for a while – and certain numbers show why. He’s the youngest player in the history of Brazil’s top flight, having debuted at 15, while he boasts well over 100 senior appearances at only 18.
Chelsea have an exciting one here, and it’s no wonder they paid £12.95m to get him (The Athletic).
7 Djordje Petrovic – £14m
With Edouard Mendy in Saudi Arabia and Kepa Arrizabalaga in Madrid, Chelsea have turned to twice-capped Serbian international Djordje Petrovic to come in and challenge Robert Sanchez for the number one spot at Stamford Bridge.
The 23 year old has been impressing in the USA for MLS side New England Revolution for a couple of years, making 43 appearances for The Revs in the league.
It was obviously enough to impress the higher-ups at Chelsea as the club spent £14m to secure his signature, tying him down to a seven year deal (BBC Sport).
8 Deivid Washington – £17m
Santos strikerDeivid Washington.
At just 18 years old, Deivid Washington joins the ever-growing list of exciting young Brazilians who have opted to join Chelsea this summer as they make their way to Europe to further their footballing careers.
That said, Washington isn’t just here to make up the numbers, as despite making just nine Serie A appearances for Santos, Chelsea had seen enough to convince them that a £17m (Sky Sports News) offer would be money well spent on the youngster.
With just hours left of the transfer window, it would appear that the former Santos youngster will be staying in West London this season, potentially allowing him to show the league just what he can do.
9 Andrey Santos – £18m
Andrey Santos Chelsea
Santos is very highly rated in Brazil, having shone for Vasco as a teenager. It was enough that Chelsea paid £18m (BBC) to sign him in January – despite the fact he couldn’t get a work permit.
Instead, the midfielder went back on loan to Vasco in March until rejoining the Blues this summer. Hopefully, we’ll see what all the fuss is about soon.
10 Diego Moreira – Free
As of the end of the 2024/25 season, Diego Moreira has only made one senior Chelsea appearance, coming early in Mauricio Pochettino’s reign during an EFL Cup win over AFC Wimbledon in August 2023.
Since then, the Belgium-born Portugal U21 international has been on loan at Lyon and Strasbourg, being a regular starter in Liam Rosenior’s impressive outfit, who may yet find themselves in a Champions League qualification place.
As for Moreira’s Chelsea future, it remains to be seen whether his progress in the French top flight will be enough for Enzo Maresca to want him hanging around the first team.
Celtic returned to action in the Scottish Premiership last weekend with an emphatic 3-0 win over Hearts to retain their 13-point lead at the top of the table.
The Hoops secured all three points against the Jam Tarts thanks to a brace from Daizen Maeda, either side of a close-range finish from Jota, as they bounced back from their 3-2 defeat to Rangers before the international break.
Brendan Rodgers is closing in on his second Premiership title in as many seasons since his return to Parkhead in the summer of 2023, having already won the League Cup earlier this term.
The Northern Irish head coach has a domestic treble in his sights between now and the end of the campaign, with a healthy lead at the top of the league and a semi-final against St. Johnstone in the SFA Cup booked in.
Celtic managerBrendanRodgerscelebrates after winning the League Cup
Rodgers may, however, have one eye on the upcoming summer transfer window and how he can make moves to improve his squad to perform even better next term, with the Champions League in mind.
The former Leicester City and Liverpool head coach already knows that he has a situation to deal with at left-back, after revealing that Greg Taylor is likely to move on from Parkhead.
The latest on Greg Taylor's Celtic future
Speaking after the win over Hearts, Rodgers claimed that it is more likely that the Scotland international will leave when his contract expires this summer, rather than signing a new deal to remain in Glasgow.
He told BBC Sport: “I’ve been in this position so many times and I can read situations. It’s probably more likely now that Greg will move on than stay, which is a big shame for me because I love him as a person – and I love his game because it’s suited to how we work.”
The Celtic head coach added: “It’s not financial, but I respect his position because he wants to feel he’ll play every week. Whoever is in next year with Kieran will still play a lot of games, but my feeling is that Greg may well move on.”
The former Kilmarnock man has been an unused substitute in five of the last six matches in all competitions, and was withdrawn at half-time against Hibernian in the only start during that run.
Greg Taylor’s Premiership career with Celtic
Season
Appearances
Starts
24/25
22
19
23/24
35
35
22/23
31
28
21/22
24
22
20/21
26
23
19/20
13
12
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Taylor has been a regular starter, when available, throughout the majority of his time in the Premiership at Parkhead, since his move to Glasgow in the summer of 2019.
But his lack of minutes in recent weeks, as aforementioned, may be a driving factor in his likeliness to leave on a free transfer this summer, at the same time that Kieran Tierney is due to return to Celtic.
Why Kieran Tierney is a gamble for Celtic
It has already been confirmed that the Scotland international will be a part of the squad next season after his contract with Arsenal expires at the end of the current campaign.
As you can see in the table above, the former Celtic star enjoyed a terrific first spell at Parkhead after coming up through the academy system, as he won five titles and made 170 first-team appearances.
His terrific form for the Scottish giants over the years earned him a £25m move to Arsenal in the summer of 2019, which remains one of the biggest sales in the club’s history.
Despite all of this, signing Tierney this summer is set to be a gamble by the Hoops because of his worrying injury record that could cause Rodgers problems moving forward.
The 2022/23 campaign is the only season that the left-back has not missed 17 or more matches through injury since the summer of 2018, whilst he has been absent for 39 games through injury since the start of last term.
Celtic are, therefore, gambling on his fitness as he will not be too much use on the pitch if consistent injury problems keep him away from it, which is why it is important for the club to have another capable left-back in line to play.
So, rather than viewing Tierney as the replacement for Taylor, is it Ghana international Jeffrey Schlupp who should be signed permanently as a replacement for the Scottish full-back.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Why Celtic should sign Jeffrey Schlupp permanently
The experienced defender joined the Hoops on loan from Crystal Palace in the January transfer window and has hit the ground running at Parkhead in the second half of this season.
Schlupp, who Rodgers claimed has “incredible pace and power”, is out of contract at Selhurst Park at the end of June, which suggests that Celtic have the chance to snap him up on a free transfer this summer.
That could make him the dream replacement for Taylor, who is also due to depart for nothing, as the Hoops would not have to spend a penny on transfer fees, whilst they would also be bringing in a player who has already proven that he can perform in the current team.
Schlupp has also not missed a single game through injury since the start of the 2021/22 campaign, which suggests that he would also come in as a reliable figure who could cover when Tierney is unavailable.
24/25 Premiership
Jeffrey Schlupp
Appearances
7
Goals
1
Assists
1
Tackles + interceptions per game
1.8
Duels won per game
4.6
Ground duel success rate
52%
Aerial duel success rate
60%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the Palace loanee has provided defensive strength in his short time at Parkhead to date, winning the majority of his duels on the deck and in the air.
His performance against Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League play-off, winning eight of his ten duels and making a staggering 11 tackles and interceptions combined, also showed that he has the quality to step up in big games against huge European teams.
Jeffrey Schlupp
This suggests that Schlupp could be a great signing for Celtic with their European hopes in mind, because the 32-year-old ace has proven that he can perform on the biggest stage.
Therefore, signing the loanee on a permanent deal could result in the Hoops having their dream replacement for Taylor, as he is not as injury-prone as Tierney and the defender has already proven his quality on the pitch for Rodgers in recent months.
It is now down to the manager and the recruitment staff to complete a free transfer for the full-back, should he not sign a new deal at Palace, to bolster the squad in the summer transfer window.
Celtic ace left for £600k, now he's similar to a future Ballon d'Or winner
The player Celtic lost for just £600k is now similar to a star who has been tipped to win the Ballon d’Or.
With his double-ton in the Duleep Trophy, the 21-year-old Vidarbha batter has nine fifty-plus scores in 16 innings
Himanshu Agrawal29-Aug-2025Danish Malewar is soft-spoken. So his bat does the talking for him. For a 21-year-old who is just ten first-class matches into his career, there is immense clarity and versatility. And runs too. Big runs. He hit a double-century in the Duleep Trophy quarter-final for Central Zone and the North EastMalewar loves hitting boundaries but knows the importance of the defensive game as well. He feels his strength is playing off the front foot, but one look at his batting would tell us how solid he is with the punch and the pull shots off the back foot as well.All of that and more were on display at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Malewar amassed 198 runs on the opening day of the domestic season, and duly went on to complete his maiden double-century in first-class cricket on Friday morning. The landmark came up with an assured cut shot for four through cover. Malewar’s words after the second day’s play, when he retired out on 203 after walking out to bat in the third over of the match, spoke of a young man who knows his stuff.”There was some moisture on the pitch when I started batting. I just saw the new ball through, and the wicket had started to settle after lunch [on day one],” he told ESPNcricinfo. “I was confident enough given the practice I had had.”Danish Malewar scored his maiden first class double-century on Friday•Himanshu Agrawal/ESPNcricinfo LtdMalewar made his first-class debut for Vidarbha in last season’s Ranji Trophy, and averages 61.62 after 16 innings. Nine times he has passed fifty, and three of those, he has converted into hundreds. Malewar thumped 150 runs in boundaries during his career-best knock, albeit against an inexperienced North East attack, and batted at a strike rate of 91.44.With 783 runs in nine matches, he was Vidarbha’s third-highest run-getter in their title-winning Ranji season. Malewar looks up to and admires the work ethic of Yash Rathod, one of the two team-mates who got more runs than him in 2024-25.Related
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“I’ve been watching and following Yash for a long time,” he said. “I’ve learnt from him how to defend a ball right at the stumps. I also practice with him at the nets, and watch how he leaves the deliveries outside off stump as well as how he drives at the ball. I think we have a similar batting style too.”Karun Nair, the other batter who scored more than Malewar, returned to Karnataka ahead of this domestic season. So there is a bit of slack that needs picking up at Vidarbha.”I did well last year,” Malewar said. “I think I fit well at No. 3. [Nair’s absence] does mean more responsibility, and as a top-order batter, I need to lay a solid base for those coming in to bat after me. It’s my job to see off the new ball, and to bat for as long as possible.”No wonder then that he has faced a hundred or more deliveries in eight of his 16 innings so far. Malewar wants to develop his own style of batting, and says he likes to play all the shots in the book – the drive, the flick, and the sweep. He has three idols, and, like his batting, is sorted about what to ask whom.”Sachin [Tendulkar] sir, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul are my favourites. I’ve seen Sachin sir from a distance, but have never got the chance to meet him. I know what I’m going to ask the three batters whenever I get to have a chat with them: I’m going to ask Sachin sir about how to play the drive well, KL Rahul about my overall batting, and Virat about mental toughness. I’m going to prepare well before going to meet them!”Talk about clarity, clear-headedness and goals. Talk about young Danish Malewar.