يستعد اتحاد الكرة المصري، لعقد اجتماع خلال الأيام المقبلة، من أجل حسم أكثر من ملف بخصوص منتخبي مصر الأول والثاني.
ويستعد منتخب مصر الأول، لمواجهة جيبوتي في المغرب، ضمن التصفيات المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم، بينما المنتخب الثاني سيخوض دورة ودية استعدادًا للمشاركة في كأس العرب.
وعلم بطولات من مصادر خاصة، أن اتحاد الكرة سيعقد اجتماعًا الأسبوع المقبل لمشاقشة واعتماد العديد من الأمور.
طالع.. “موقعة الحسم”.. موعد مباراة مصر وجيبوتي في تصفيات كأس العالم والملعب المستضيف
ومن المنتظر أن يتم تحديد رئيس بعثة منتخب مصر للمغرب، والقائمة التي سيتم إرسالها لوزارة الرياضة وكذلك نفس الأمر بخصوص منتخب مصر الثاني المتجه إلى المغرب لخوض دورة ودية.
وسيناقش اتحاد الكرة خلال هذا الاجتماع إقامة دورات ودية لمنتخبي 2007 و2009 واعتماد معسكر منتخب النسائية استعدادًا لمواجهة غانا.
ويلتقي منتخب مصر للكرة النسائية مع غانا ذهابًا أحد أيام 22 أو 23 أو 24 أكتوبر بينما الإياب أحد أيام 27 و28 و29 من نفس الشهر.
West Ham have spent some big money over the past few seasons, since earning a huge figure for their club captain (at the time), Declan Rice, who joined Arsenal in 2023 for a fee of around £105m. This enabled the Hammers to reinvest that money, looking to upgrade in multiple departments.
The 2023/24 season saw West Ham spend a total of €144.56m (£120.903m) bringing five new players to the club on permanent transfers, whilst the 2024/25 season was even busier, spending another €144.40m (£120.769m) on eight new signings, as well as a few loan deals with options to buy.
West Ham’s top ten highest earners
Player
Wage (£)
Jarrod Bowen
£150,000
Lucas Paqueta
£150,000
Danny Ings
£125,000
Alphonse Areola
£120,000
James Ward-Prowse
£115,000
Edson Alvarez
£100,000
Max Kilman
£100,000
Emerson
£95,000
Mohammed Kudus
£90,000
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
£90,000
Stats taken from Capology
Five of West Ham’s ten highest earners are from these two seasons of spending, with James Ward-Prowse, Edson Alvarez, Max Kilman, Mohammed Kudus, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka all being purchased in this timeframe. But their highest earner was bought back in 2020, which has proven to be excellent value for money signing over the years.
West Ham's highest earner
West Ham’s highest earner is clearly the benchmark here, after all, this article is all about the best signing since this man. Jarrod Bowen earns £150,000k per week, making him the joint highest earner at the club alongside Lucas Paqueta.
Bowen has made 229 appearances since joining the Hammers back in January 2020, scoring 68 goals for the club, providing 46 assists, and totaling 18,102 minutes played. The England international has shown his versatility playing as both a right-sided player and a striker, and is now West Ham’s club captain.
Jarrod Bowen celebrates for West Ham
Finding another player who can match this type of value of a signing, costing the club around £20m five years ago, is always going to be tough, but West Ham seem to have struck gold once more in those forward areas, with a signing they made in the 2023 summer window.
West Ham's game-changing signing
West Ham signed Mohammed Kudus from Ajax in August 2023, joining the club for a fee of around £38m. Since his arrival, the 24-year-old has made 72 appearances for the London club, netting 17 goals, providing eight assists, and totaling 5,634 minutes played.
The Ghana international was valued at €40m (£33.5m) when he first joined the club, according to Transfermarkt, but according to GIVEMESPORT, West Ham could be set to receive a huge bid of around £84m for their superstar, with Al-Nassr reportedly making him a key target.
Mohammed Kudus vs Jarrod Bowen comparison
Stats (per 90 mins)
Kudus
Bowen
Goals
0.13
0.34
Assists
0.09
0.19
xG
0.27
0.26
xAG
0.10
0.21
Progressive Carries
3.57
3.42
Progressive Passes
2.90
3.13
Shots Total
2.64
2.87
Key Passes
1.04
1.77
Shot-Creating Actions
3.67
3.79
Successful Take-Ons
3.17
1.56
Stats taken from FBref
Kudus hasn’t had the best 2024/25 campaign so far, struggling to find the same heights as his debut season for the Hammers, but as you can see from his underlying metrics, he still outperforms Bowen in select areas, producing more progressive carries and successful take-ons, which speak to his direct nature.
Analyst Ben Mattinson described Kudus as a “game-changer” back in May 2024, stating that the forward can be a brilliant cover for all five attacking positions, which is something we have already seen at West Ham, with Kudus playing off of both flanks and centrally under David Moyes, Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter.
Whilst Kudus may have cost a bit more than Bowen, but he is earning £60,000 less per week and is currently valued higher by Transfermarkt, making a good case for being their best signing since Bowen back in 2020 and showing that the Hammers hit the jackpot on the exciting forward.
West Ham once had Declan Rice 2.0, then Moyes sold him for just £500k
David Moyes made a huge mistake selling West Ham’s next Rice on the cheap
حقق فريق حرس الحدود فوزًا صعبًا على الجونة، في المباراة التي جمعتهما اليوم ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز، بهدفين مقابل هدف.
والتقى فريق الجونة مع حرس الحدود، ضمن منافسات الجولة السادسة من مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز على ملعب استاد المكس بالإسكندرية.
طالع|أحمد حسن عن تصريحات حسام غالي: علينا الالتزام بما قاله محمود الخطيب
وتقدم محمد حمدي زكي لحرس الحدود بالهدف الأول في الدقيقة الرابعة من عمر الشوط الأول، وتعادل الجونة في الدقيقة 36 عن طريق محمد السيد، لينتهي الشوط بالتعادل 1/1.
وفي الشوط الثاني، نجح فريق حرس الحدود في تسجيل الهدف الثاني عن طريق اللاعب محمد أدهم النجيلي، في الدقيقة 47، ليقود فريقه لثلاث نقاط مهمة.
ورفع حرس الحدود رصيده إلى 8 نقاط في المركز التاسع بجدول ترتيب الدوري المصري، بينما تجمد رصيد الجونة عند 6 نقاط في المركز الرابع عشر. أهداف مباراة حرس الحدود والجونة
Bruno Fernandes has revealed that conversations with his "supportive" wife Ana Pinho convinced him to reject Al-Hilal and stay at Manchester United.
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Fernandes on "supportive" wife conversationsTurned down lucrative Al-Hilal moveStays at Manchester United as captainFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The United captain had been offered £200m in salary over three years and the Saudi club were prepared to shell out a £100m transfer fee to land him, but he opted to stay put in the Premier League. He has since revealed that support from those closest to him was a big part of the decision.
AdvertisementAFPWHAT FERNANDES SAID
Fernandes said: "It was a very ambitious proposal. The president was a fantastic person. We never discussed the amount – with my agent, of course. Then I spoke to my wife and family and she asked me what my personal goals were in my career. She is someone who always supported me a lot. It was an easy move, even at a family level. I had Joao Cancelo there, my children are used to playing with him in the national team. We have a great friendship. But I want to maintain myself at the highest level, playing in the big competitions. And I feel capable of it."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Fernandes is set to feature alongside United's new signing Matheus Cunha at Old Trafford next season, after the Brazilian completed a £62.5m move from Wolves. Brentford attacker Bryan Mbeumo is expected to be the next through the door.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR FERNANDES?
Fernandes is set to feature for Portugal in Wednesday's Nations League semi-final tie against Germany, with a huge clash against either Spain or France on the cards in the final if they win.
In January, interim sporting director Jason Ayto had the opportunity to boost Arsenal’s title challenge by signing a new striker.
Alexander Isak was linked but that move was impossible over the winter and will likely still be impossible come the summer.
Benjamin Sesko continues to be touted with a move and it was reported that the Gunners at one stage had agreed personal terms with Wolves’ Matheus Cunha.
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskobefore taking a penalty
So, by the time the deadline surpassed at the beginning of February, no deals were done.
Mikel Arteta subsequently hailed Kai Havertz for his fitness and availability, only for the German to suffer a season-ending hamstring injury, joining Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines until next term.
Therefore, it’s hardly a surprise that their title challenge is derailing. Arteta’s side may have a game in hand on league leaders Liverpool but the Reds are 15 points clear. The league is a foregone conclusion.
It’s safe to say the interim solution hasn’t gone well and that was abundantly clear against Manchester United on Sunday.
Mikel Merino’s performance in numbers vs Man Utd
Mikel Merino has done an admirable job since being forced into a makeshift forward role.
With news of Havertz’s cruel injury blow during their warm weather camp in Dubai, the Spaniard was ultimately promoted against Leicester.
Introduced as a second half substitute, Arsenal were drawing 0-0 away at the Foxes until Merino came up with the goods, scoring twice.
Since then has found the net in the Champions League against PSV but a lot of his general play has left much to be desired.
It’s difficult to get frustrated at the player himself, he’s not a natural forward, but it’s criminal that the Arsenal hierarchy left the club in a position where they don’t have a proper striker.
Sadly, Merino saved his worst performance as a forward for their trip to Old Trafford on Sunday.
He had one chance of note, pulling an effort wide from the edge of the area early in the first half but didn’t pull up many trees that moment aside.
Somehow lasting the full 90 minutes, the former Real Sociedad man trudged from the pitch having completed just 71% of his passes and not registering a single effort on target.
So, the experiment has to end, but what will that mean the attacking positions look like?
Well, it either involves pushing Leandro Trossard into a central role or playing the returning Gabriel Martinelli as the focal point.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Yet, if Merino does remain up top as is expected, Trossard is the man who must be sacrificed for Martinelli.
Leandro Trossard’s performance in numbers vs Man Utd
Since signing for Arsenal in a bargain £27m deal, the Belgian has proven himself to be a valuable player.
Only Bukayo Saka scored more than Trossard’s haul of 17 last season but amid the Gunners’ teething problems in attack this time out, he has become a scapegoat.
The former Brighton man has still scored on six occasions and supplied a further seven assists but it’s not the Saka-like levels Arsenal require to get near a Liverpool team boasting Mo Salah.
Trossard is a fine player. He’s optimal as a sub or playing the best part of 60 minutes but in a demanding game like United, you need someone with a bit more life and a bit more vigour.
Unfortunately, that’s been left wanting throughout several of his recent appearances. He did find the net against PSV last time out but that was his first strike in nine games. The 30-year-old simply hasn’t been scoring the goals Arteta craves.
Like Merino, the winger’s performance this weekend was a concerning one. Handed a 4/10 match rating by GOAL, they stated that it was ‘one of those days where nothing really worked for him’. That just about sums up his recent form.
Minutes played
90
Touches
52
Accurate passes
29/35 (83%)
Shots on target
1
Shots off target
3
Successful dribbles
1/1
Big chances missed
1
Key passes
2
Accurate crosses
0/2
Duels won
4/8
Possession lost
12x
Fouls
2
Tackles
2
There were several key moments in the game when Trossard should have done better too. Chief among them was giving away a “silly foul” – in the words of Arsenal podcaster Jamie Kent – which led to the free-kick from which Bruno Fernandes netted the opener.
He also missed a cutback in the second half, one of three efforts that were off target.
With Martinelli back, Ethan Nwaneri firing and Saka potentially set to step up his recovery after the international break, Trossard should be looking at a situation where he’s not in the starting lineup anymore. He simply isn’t good enough to be a regular starter.
He lost the ball 19x: Arteta got it wrong giving Arsenal star the full 90
Arsenal looked toothless in attack again as they drew 1-1 with Manchester United.
يستقبل ريال مدريد ضيفه ريال مايوركا، مساء اليوم، في الجولة الثالثة ضمن منافسات الدوري الإسباني موسم 2025-2026.
ويستضيف ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” لقاء ريال مدريد ضد ريال مايوركا في إطار منافسات الجولة الثالثة من الليجا.
ويدخل ريال مدريد لقاء اليوم بعد أن جمع 6 نقاط من مباراتين متتاليتين، من الفوز على أوساسونا بهدف نظيف والفوز بثلاثية نظيفة على ريال أوفييدو في الدوري الاسباني.
أما ريال مايوركا يأتي بعد بعد خسارة ثلاث نقاط أمام برشلونة بالهزيمة 3-0، والتعادل مع سيلتا فيجو بهدف لمثله.
(محدث) تشكيل ريال مدريد أمام ريال مايوركا في الدوري الإسباني.. موقف فينيسيوس ورودريجو تشكيل ريال مدريد المتوقع أمام ريال مايوركا
في حراسة المرمى: تيبو كورتوا.
خط الدفاع: ألفارو كاريراس – دين هويسن – روديجر – داني كارفاخال.
خط الوسط: تشواميني – فيديريكو فالفيردي – أردا جولر.
خط الهجوم: فرانكو ماستانتونو – فينيسيوس جونيور – كيليان مبابي.
ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.
da heads bet： FSG are going to invest in Liverpool’s first-team squad this summer. It might feel like the Anfield side are allergic to transfer activity, but having held off from big acquisitions over the past three windows, the time for strengthening is nearly upon us.
da apostebet： What is the priority? Where should sporting director Richard Hughes centre his focus? Liverpool are approaching a critical juncture, not least because arguably the biggest three names at the club are just a few months away from their contracts expiring.
However, Liverpool are a prudent club and will have spent countless hours mapping out strategies going forward. While the future of right-sided forward Mohamed Salah remains a point of great contention for fans, who desperately want him to stay, there are one or two forwards whose sales would be met with less dismay and more acceptance.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah
Perhaps, in Luis Diaz’s case, such an eventuality would even be a warm thing.
Why Liverpool should cash in on Luis Diaz
Make no mistake: Diaz is one of the best wingers in all of the Premier League Europe. The Colombia international joined from Porto in January 2022, all tricks and athletics and energy. He cost an initial £37m and was billed as Sadio Mane’s successor.
Liverpool's Luis Diaz celebrates
He has succeeded Mane, winning the FA Cup and two Carabao Cups; and, whisper it quietly, he’s edging toward matching the Senegalese’s Premier League title tally.
But Diaz is also approaching a crossroads of his own, for he will be playing out the penultimate year of his Liverpool contract next year. By the time Diaz’s current deal expires, he will have turned 30.
There’s also the matter of his potency, averaging a goal contribution every 0.39 matches for Liverpool as opposed to the devastating Mane’s 0.60 per game.
With Cody Gakpo, 25, so high and mighty on the left wing, you feel that Diaz has been demoted to a second-fiddle sort of role, only playing with such regularity this term because of his makeshift centre-forward stint, largely facilitated by Darwin Nunez’s unreliability and Diogo Jota’s inconsistency on the fitness front.
Luis Diaz – Liverpool Stats by Position (24/25)
Apps
Goals
Assists
Left winger
21
5
3
Centre-forward
11
6
0
Right winger
1
1
0
Stats via Transfermarkt
It’s possible that Diaz will be sold this year. Barcelona and Saudi-based outfits have expressed an interest, with Liverpool fielding bids worth £67m.
He’d need replacing externally, to be sure, but Liverpool might find that they actually have a homegrown successor in their midst.
Liverpool may already have their next Luis Diaz
Gakpo has scored 16 goals already this season, matching his haul from last year having played about 1,000 fewer minutes. For sure, the Netherlands star has replaced Diaz as Liverpool’s star man on the left flank.
Diaz is still playing regularly though, but his blank against Everton last weekend now means that he has gone six top-flight fixtures without a goal contribution, starting as the ‘striker’ each game. In fact, the 28-year-old has only scored in seven of his 34 matches in all competitions, with 12 goals in total.
The South American’s football isn’t exclusively defined by his numbers, but he’s hardly irreplaceable for a sum such as £67m, especially when Liverpool have a prospect as exciting as Rio Ngumoha pushing against the first-team fencing.
Ngumoha, 17, has made waves within Liverpool’s academy this year, having been poached from Chelsea’s Cobham last summer in what has been regarded as a detrimental blow by senior Chelsea figures.
He’s the real deal. It’s a situation that has even been likened to the Blues’ former loss of Jamal Musiala, who joined Bayern Munich aged 16 and hasn’t looked back.
Ngumoha saw the success of ‘Klopp’s Kids’ last year and decided that Liverpool’s foundational fold would be the perfect hothouse for him to foster his ability and fight for a place in the first team.
Liverpool’s starlet is principally a left-sided forward but, as is commonplace at youth level, he’s played across a variety of roles. However, the right footer’s pace and natural power denote a place on the left wing.
Liverpool youngster Rio Ngumoha
Reporter Lewis Bower went as far as to say that his quality at such a young age is peerless at Kirkby academy: “I’ve probably never seen anything like it before. In terms of his ceiling, it’s frightening.”
All told, he’s rather good, with his FA Cup showing against Accrington Stanley this season showcasing the raw qualities that bespeak a future at the summit of the European game.
Rio Ngumoha – Stats vs Acc. Stanley
Match Stats
#
Minutes played
72
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots (on target)
2 (0)
Touches
30
Accurate passes
16/18 (89%)
Dribbles (completed)
7 (3)
Ground duels (won)
9 (3)
Stats via Sofascore
He was tenacious, with a bite and ball-carrying drive that certainly presents similarities to Diaz. With several years of hard graft ahead, Ngumoha could find himself occupying a nailed-down role in Slot’s squad, perhaps taking the long-term seat that will have been vacated by Liverpool’s Colombia international.
The Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle even handed Ngumoha a 7/10 match score on his professional debut, causing problems for the League Two side throughout and looking at home among his senior peers. The teenager’s propensity for good timing was noted, releasing balls at the right moment and knowing when to take on his man.
In The Pipeline
The caveat to all this is that should Diaz be sold this summer, it would be remiss to throw Ngumoha into the deep end before he has developed his football to the right level.
However, given that Slot has already handed the prodigy an opportunity, it’s fair to say that he can expect further chances over the coming months and years, with a goal toward taking the baton as Liverpool’s new talisman.
Sold for 1570% profit: Klopp hit the jackpot with Liverpool's superstar
This former Liverpool player made it all happen for Jurgen Klopp’s team.
Griffiths battles with 92, including century stand with Scrivens, before Gregory seals victory
ECB Reporters Network11-Jul-2023Tazmin Brits’ blistering 66-ball hundred headlined South East Stars’ 19-run win over Sunrisers at Beckenham.The South Africa international hit 10 fours and five sixes on her way to an unbeaten 112 off 72 deliveries as the Stars put up 290 for 9.Sunrisers looked well-positioned to chase down the target after an opening stand worth 143 between Cordelia Griffith and Grace Scrivens was followed by some fine hitting from captain Dane van Niekerk. With 10 overs left, 80 runs were required for victory with nine wickets still in tow.But leg-spinner Danielle Gregory, not introduced into the attack until the 37th over, took four wickets in the space of three overs to turn the tide and end the Stars’ three-match losing streak in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.Brits’ blast came after the Stars’ openers had established a fine base, with Alexa Stonehouse and Kira Chathli putting on 111 together.The 19-year-old Stonehouse had some fortune, surviving two dropped chances, but she was the first to fifty, which came off 65 deliveries.A fifty for Chathli arrived in the 23rd over, but Stonehouse departed for 51 from the very next delivery, smacking spinner Jodie Grewcock straight into the safe hands of van Niekerk at mid-off.Chathli impressed with her ball-striking down the ground to spin but saw Bryony Smith dismissed for 2 from the other end; attempting to clip Grewcock through the leg-side, the right-hander lobbed a simple catch to van Niekerk at mid-off.The Grewcock and van Niekerk combination struck again in the 29th over when Chathli also couldn’t beat mid-off, her knock ended on 71.Brits had already entered the fray by this stage and enjoyed some fortune, dropped on 1 by Florence Miller in the deep. She found her flow, though, a pair of boundaries in a Grewcock over followed by a six over long-on off Amu Surenkumar.She was given another reprieve on 44 off the final ball of the 35th over and went on to reach her half-century off 41 balls.The 32-year-old then went on to thump her compatriot van Niekerk for two sixes off consecutive legitimate deliveries, and her century arrived in the 48th over.Wickets tumbled from the other end as the innings came to a close, but Brits reverse-swept the final ball for four to finish with a flourish.Griffith and Scrivens then set about eclipsing the opening partnership that Stonehouse and Chathli had put together. The pair brought up 50 in the 13th over of the innings before two brief interruptions of rain followed, the second one taking two overs off the innings and revising the target to 282.Griffith was the more aggressive of the pair, her half-century taking 64 balls while Scrivens took 87 deliveries to get to her fifty. The latter seemed ready to up her rate, hitting Smith down the ground for four off the first ball of the 32nd over. But an attempted reverse-swat two balls later saw her bowled for 59.Van Niekerk was in next, showing her power down the ground and through cover with four boundaries off one Ryana MacDonald-Gay over.Gregory then arrived to made a crucial breakthrough; Griffith was adjudged lbw on 92 as she missed out on a flick off the pads. The leggie struck again in her next over, with Mady Villiers’ attempted cover drive resulting in a thick edge that lobbed up to Kalea Moore at third man. Grewcock was Gregory’s third, but the most vital delivery was the one to remove van Niekerk, the batter sweeping hard but into the hands of short fine leg for 44.Amara Carr hit a quickfire 29 but Gregory’s intervention was a match-winning one.
Liverpool are in the market for forwards this summer, and they’ve already agreed a £100m deal for Florian Wirtz (which could rise to a British-record £116m).
Wirtz, 22, is a “truly generational talent”, as per sports media professional Cristian Nyari, and he’s only going to get better, having led Bayer Leverkusen to the 2023/24 Bundesliga title (winning the division’s Player of the Year), and breathing life into his side whenever he collects the ball, gambolling his way into the danger area.
Florian Wirtz
Liverpool have got themselves a player, all right, and Arne Slot now has an elite-level playmaker in the attacking third of the field – all the more important with Trent Alexander-Arnold signing for Real Madrid.
Though FSG would like to turn their attention toward the front of the pitch, there’s little question that a replacement for Luis Diaz would need to be sourced, should he leave this summer.
It’s for this reason that rumours have gathered apace regarding Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon.
Why Liverpool want Anthony Gordon
Last summer, Liverpool were offered the chance to sign Gordon as Newcastle sweated over PSR; after failing to qualify for Europe, the Magpies were forced to stare at their jewels and decide which to sell.
Liverpool were curious, but Newcastle found other ways to offset their troubles, selling more outlying members of Eddie Howe’s squad.
Now, the Merseysiders are keen once again, and Newcastle might be open to selling if their £100m valuation is met.
Liverpool are hardly going to meet such exorbitant demands, but if Diaz does leave, with suitors in Barcelona and the Saudi Pro League, then Reds intrigue in their former academy member, who left and joined Everton when he was 11, could take a more solid shape.
Would Liverpool be getting bang for their buck by signing Gordon for such a figure? Would they really? What about an alternative, one who would arrive for a similar fee but pack a far meatier punch under Slot’s wing?
Liverpool leading race for Diaz heir
Liverpool could sign an even bigger talent than Gordon if they advance their long-standing interest in Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, with Spanish reports claiming that the Brazilian forward could be sold for €90m (£77m) this summer.
More to the point, the Anfield side are considered alongside Manchester City to be the favourites in the race for the talented winger, though further Premier League sides are keen. Arsenal, in previous reports, have been credited with an interest.
Coming off the back of a difficult year, both Slot and Pep Guardiola believe a poor Club World Cup campaign could leave Rodrygo isolated, and with his valuation slashed toward a more agreeable €75m (£64m) ballpark.
How Rodrygo would perform for Slot
Picture this: it’s a decade ago, and Liverpool have fallen by the wayside under Brendan Rodgers. The staple of Liverpool’s summer 2015 transfer window was the £32.5m acquisition of Christian Benteke from Aston Villa.
Ten years later and Liverpool are among the frontrunners for superstars like Rodrygo, having won two Premier League titles, the Champions League and plenty more across the intervening years.
Real Madrid's Rodrygo
It was over ten years ago that Liverpool released Gordon when he was a youngster, and though the England international is talented and a boyhood fan of the club, Rodrygo is the superior player, even if he only notched 14 goals and ten assists across 51 matches last season.
That’s not exactly a terrible haul, though the 24-year-old did only score six goals and six assists across the La Liga season, albeit missing just one big chance in front of goal, as per Sofascore, to emphasise his clinical ability.
The crux of Rodrygo’s Madrid malaise is that he’s routinely fielded out on the right, despite feeling the alternate flank as being his best position. Indeed, the right-footer has been far more prolific when playing as a left winger.
Rodrygo – Real Madrid Stats by Position (24/25)
Position
Apps
Goals
Assists
Right winger
29
7
4
Left winger
12
6
6
Centre-forward
8
0
0
Stats via Transfermarkt
The problem, however, is that Vinicius Junior holds down the fort in that area, with focal frontman Kylian Mbappe also preferring the left side to the right, as can be observed through his league season heatmap.
Given that Mohamed Salah is staying at Liverpool for the next two years, it hardly seems likely that Liverpool would make a marquee move and bring Rodrygo into the fold just for him to play second fiddle to the Egyptian.
Instead, he could replace Diaz, who, at 28, isn’t indispensable, and prove an upgrade on Gordon, with the 24-year-old also enduring something of a tough term in front of goal for the Toon, equal to Rodrygo in that he posted six goals and six assists in the Premier League.
As Liverpool plan to foray deep into next year’s Champions League knockout stage, putting themselves on a platform to claim number seven, Rodrygo would be the perfect fit, for his pedigree on the biggest stage speaks for itself.
Gordon failed to register a goal involvement across his six games in the 2023/24 Champions League, and while he’ll have the chance to rectify that over the coming year, Rodrygo is tried and tested, hailed as a “special striker” who can “play in all positions” by former Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti.
A fierce blend of speed, skills and strength, Rodrygo would be a statement signing for a Liverpool side who are undergoing a good amount of change this summer. While the Brazil star would be a new part, he’d arrive with a wealth of experience at the highest level, and Slot’s sharp tactics would surely whip him back into an elite standard.
Slot's own Mane: Liverpool enter race to sign "unbelievable" £51m star
Liverpool are presented with a unique market opportunity to sign a talented youngster.