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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Crystal Palace travel across London this Saturday to take on Tottenham, who have endured a mixed start to the campaign.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men have won just one of their opening four Premier League games so far, drawing two and losing one. They will have presumably been left disappointed by their last outing against rivals Arsenal, too, seeing as they were leading 2-0, although they have one player in their ranks who loves causing Palace problems…

Who is it?

Heung-min Son.

Since arriving on these shores from Bayer Leverkusen, the South Korean has developed a knack of finding the net against the Eagles.

He scored against Palace on his Premier League debut at White Hart Lane back in 2015, while also netting in a 1-0 win at Wembley.

Last season also saw Spurs play the first-ever league game in their new stadium, incidentally against the south Londoners, and guess what?

Son scored in a 1-0 win – Palace must keep an eye on the deadly forward.

Who must keep Son under wraps?

Palace right-back Joel Ward will have a real task on his hands this weekend, as he should be the one directly up against the 27-year-old.

Son technically started centrally behind Harry Kane last time out against Arsenal, but his heat-map proves that most of his activity came down the left flank – he won the penalty for Harry Kane’s goal by cutting in on his right foot from the left.

The 6 foot 2 defender records some pretty impressive defensive numbers – 2.8 tackles per game and 4.3 clearances isn’t bad at all – but just by watching him you can see how rigid and slow he is at times, whereas Son is almost the complete opposite.

The man with five goals in 222 appearances for the Eagles must win his battle against Son – who scored 12 league goals last term – if Palace want to have any chance of a result this weekend.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Adrian Durham has continued his assault against Tyrone Mings this week after the Aston Villa centre-back was announced in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for their upcoming qualifiers, having his say on the matter on talkSPORT, via Birmingham Mail.

What’s he said?

It appears that the former Bournemouth defender has been rewarded for his excellent form over the past eight months with a call-up to the England squad.

Mings was an instrumental figure in getting Villa promoted last season as his arrival on loan practically kick-started a historic ten game-winning run, which catapulted them into the playoffs.

The towering 6 foot 5 centre-back is now a fan-favourite at Villa Park.

Watch Aston Villa Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Earlier this month, the talkSPORT presenter claimed Mings was brilliant against Tottenham on the opening weekend, but there were signs that he would contribute towards a potential instant relegation.

Now Durham has given his verdict on the 26-year-old’s call-up by questioning whether he has done enough to warrant it, he said:

“He’s left-footed, which I think is a massive plus in his favour, but there are other centre-backs who have been overlooked.

“Ben Mee for example, [James] Tarkowski – both at Burnley. Conor Coady for a long time at Wolves has looked really good.

“I’ve no problem with Mings being in the squad, but if I was one of those three I’d be thinking what have I got to do to get into the England squad?

“He’s just waltzed in from the Championship, and after three games he’s just walked in. If I was one of them I’d feel a little bit aggrieved.”

Understandable points

Mings has been excellent alongside Bjorn Engels and we’ve previously covered how the imposing centre-back has been proving that he’s been worth every bit of that initial £20m price tag.

But the three names Durham mentions, and you could even throw Lewis Dunk in there too, will all feel a bit disheartened – especially as they have been playing regularly in the Premier League for the past year, if not longer.

Mings has featured in all three games this season, and if he continues at this rate, he’ll smash his previous season total in any one season for Bournemouth – he’s only played as little as seven total games in a given Premier League campaign.

As can be seen from the image above, courtesy of WhoScored’s comparison metric, all of the four other alternatives featured in 35 Premier League games or more last season, something Mings is yet to achieve in his career despite being of similar age at 26.

Questions over his call-up in relation to the others, therefore, are understandable from Durham.

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Loads of Manchester United fans have been discussing a behind-closed-doors game that took place this week, and they’re desperate to see Angel Gomes in the first-team.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer fielded a mixture of fringe players and youth in a friendly against Sheffield United on Tuesday, per Utdreport.

The likes of Sergio Romero, Chris Smalling, Diogo Dalot, Phil Jones and Alexis Sanchez all started, as they beat the Blades 3-1.

The forward line has really caught the eye though, with both Mason Greenwood and Gomes amongst the attacking ranks.

The goals came from Andreas Pereira, Greenwood and the 18 year-old Gomes, who fans now want in the senior side, with one even calling him “world class”.

The number ten position is a bit of a headache for Solskjaer with Jesse Lingard starting the campaign woefully, and Gomes has managed 25 goals and 15 assists for the various youth sides at the club.

He has appeared four times in the first-team, and was on the bench for last season’s crazy comeback at PSG.

Take a look at some of the best Twitter reactions down below, where fans are begging the gaffer to bring him in more often and use him in Lingard’s position…

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[ad_pod ]This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… Crystal Palace completed the signing of Victor Camarasa from Real Betis on Wednesday, but the announcement was preceded by a confusing tweet from BBC Sport journalist David Ornstein, who said that Eagles manager Roy Hodgson plans to use him out wide.

On the chalkboard

Out of the 145 games Transfermarkt have recorded the Spaniard’s position for during his career, only 11 of his appearances have come on either the left or right of the midfield, with the remaining 134 through the middle.

That said, of his 33 appearances in all competitions on loan at Cardiff City last season, seven of those came from the right-hand side as Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock obviously saw that he could do a job there when required.

By the sounds of it Hodgson plans to use him there far more regularly, however.

Given the Eagles currently have James McArthur, James McCarthy, Luka Milivojevic and Cheikhou Kouyate already battling for a spot in the middle, there doesn’t appear to be much space for another central player in Camarasa.

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A method in Hodgson’s madness

While four of his five goals and three of his four assists for the Welsh club in 2018/19 came from playing in a central position, the 25-year-old did also provide a goal and an assist from the right, too.

Camarasa may not be the most experienced in that role, but he does have some attributes that allow him to make an impact there.

For example, he successfully completed 1.1 dribbles per game for Cardiff in the Premier League last season according to WhoScored, as well as making 1.6 key passes.

Interestingly enough he also averaged 1.3 crosses per outing too, which is obviously one of the main traits required as a wide player.

It remains to be seen whether Camarasa would be used on the wing in all of Hodgson’s preferred 4-3-3, 4-2-2-2 and 4-4-2 formations he used last season, but he also faces some tough competition from the likes of Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha, providing the latter doesn’t move abroad in the next few weeks having failed to secure the exit he wanted to another English club.

It is by no means a plan that is guaranteed to be a success, but he the Spaniard can be trusted and it certainly gives Hodgson an interesting option on the eve of the 2019/20 campaign.

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كشف فرج عامر رئيس سموحة، عن قيام اتحاد الكرة بمطالبته بدفع مبلغ 3 ملايين جنيه، قيمة المسحات الطبية التي أجراها النادي خلال الفترة الماضية.

وتخضع أندية الدوري المصري لمسحات طبية، للكشف عن الإصابة بفيروس كورونا، قبل خوض مباريات المسابقة المحلية.

وقال فرج عامر عبر صفحته الشخصية بموقع التواصل الاجتماعي “فيس بوك”: “مفاجأة غير سارة، اتحاد كرة القدم كان قد أعلن أن جميع المسحات الطبيةً الخاصة بالفريق الأول لكرة القدم المشارك ببطولة الدوري مجانية”.

طالع | اتحاد الكرة: فوجئنا بشكوى ضد الزمالك بسبب “الإنتاج الحربي”.. واستشهدنا بـ الأهلي أمام فيفا!

وأكمل: “فوجئنا بفاتورة من اتحاد الكرة تطلب سداد 3 ملايين جنيه قيمة هذه المسحات، بدون أي اتفاق مسبق مع النادي، للأسف لن نتمكن من السداد لأن هذا القرار لم يناقشنا أحد فيه من قبل”.

مفاجإة غير سارة اتحاد كرة القدم بعد ان اعلن ان جميع المسحات الطبيةًالخاصة بالفريق الاول لكرة القدم المشارك بالدوري…

Posted by Farag Amer onMonday, February 15, 2021

تقدم مجدي أبو المجد، المدير الفني لمنتخب مصر لكرة اليد، باستقالته من استكمال مهمته مع الفراعنة عقب انتهاء مونديال العالم الذي أقيم في مصر مؤخرًا.

واحتل منتخب مصر لكرة اليد المركز السابع بمنافسات كأس العالم لكرة اليد، بعد الهزيمة أمام الدنمارك في ربع نهائي البطولة بركلات الترجيح 4\3، بعد التعادل في المباراة، وكذلك الأشواط الإضافية.   

أقرأ ايضًا.. رسميًا.. نادي يوروفارم المقدوني يُقدم كريم هنداوي

وعلم “بطولات” أن مجدي أبو المجد تقدم باستقالته من تدريب منتخب مصر لكرة اليد، بعد بطولة العالم الأخيرة بمصر، حيث يرغب في خوض تحد جديد بعد انتهاء كأس العالم.

ويسعى أبو المجد خلال الفترة المقبلة للنظر إلى عروض أخرى داخل أو خارج مصر

[ad_pod ]This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…According to journalist Phil McNulty on Twitter, Aston Villa are having a look at Ahmed Hegazi this summer.

What’s the word?

Aston Villa pulled off one of their biggest deals of the summer yet this week by confirming they’d signed Tyrone Mings from Bournemouth.

He’ll add to a defensive line that has already been bolstered by the additions of both Kortney Hause and Matt Targett already.

However, before that news was released, it was revealed that they were also considering West Brom’s Hegazi.

McNulty confirmed on Twitter that they’d been having a look at the 56-cap international when also watching Trezeguet in action for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Wouldn’t fit their philosophy

Villa’s signings this summer have all been below the age of 26. Mings has been their eldest signing whilst Targett, Hause and Wesley are all aged 23 and below.

It’s clear that the Villans are targeting young players to develop and this was one of the main messages that Christian Purslow laid down in May.

Speaking to the BBC he said: “On the recruitment side in particular, things have not been handled as I think they should be in the way our fans expect, which is for us to be a young exciting team and a team that over time establishes itself back in the Premier League.â€

Therefore, signing Hegazi, who is now 28 and doesn’t have much room for development, would go against his word.

Although the experience of the centre-back could prove useful, it would seem a particularly questionable signing after going out of their way to release 31-year-old Tommy Elphick.

Watch Aston Villa Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Villa made it a priority to get rid of players who were ageing at the end of the season so to bring in someone who could soon surpass their best would fail to make much sense, especially with James Chester, now 30, still on their books.

After all, this is a player who was relegated from the Premier League only two years ago with West Brom.

As a result, Villa would be better off chasing a younger central defender if they have desires of further adding to their backline.

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Manchester City signed Hajduk Split’s Ante Palaversa in January, but the 19-year-old spent the rest of the season at his boyhood club to continue his development. With the Citizens chasing a long-term replacement for Fernandinho this summer, could Pep Guardiola have already found his man?

Here’s everything you need to know about the Croatian midfielder…

Who is he?

The youngster was born in Split in the year 2000 and has grown up to play for his city in the top division of Croatian football.

He made his debut in a defeat against HNK Gorica and has been a regular presence in the first team ever since his promotion handed to him by manager Sinisa Orescanin.

Palaversa told the club’s website: “I can only say that this is my dream come true. As a kid, when I played “street football” like any child of the city, I dreamed of this happening, that I become a member of the first Hajduk team.”

How does he play?

Palaversa’s signing for Manchester City won’t surprise anyone once they’ve seen what this player has to offer. Of course, comparing performances in the HNL to those of players in the Premier League is perhaps a mismatch, but on first viewing his starring attributes certainly encapsulates everything Guardiola has wanted in his holding midfielders over his managerial career.

At 6 ft 1 he’s certainly got a physical presence, and isn’t slowed down one bit by his stature. He’s strong in recovery and will happily go to ground for a challenge, but his commitments to the defensive phases of the game have not hindered his progression in his distribution, boasting the ability to pass ball neatly and efficiently to ignite attacks for his side.

He drops from his midfield role to receive the ball from his defenders and possesses a wonderful range of passing – a responsibility Guardiola places high in priority, as seen in his use of Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso and Fernandinho over the years. Palaversa looks very comfortable contributing to all phases of play and this versatility will be crucial for any long-term project of Pep’s.

2018-19 in numbers

The City-bound midfielder has had a busy campaign, and he was certainly rewarded for his hard-work when Manchester came calling.

Palaversa was an important player for his club last season, making 30 appearances for the Croatian side including one in Europa League qualifying. The youngster has an almost impeccable disciplinary record considering his tenacious nature and ball-winning role he adopts in every game he plays. He’s only received one yellow card all season, and hasn’t been sent off at all.

Going forward he’s not been too efficient, scoring just two goals and getting one assist, though it’s not expected of him to be adding grand tallies to these particular statistics.

Palaversa’s career took a huge step towards the pinnacle of football when Man City came calling in January 2019, with a £7m deal agreed to bring the midfield starlet to the Etihad at the conclusion of the 2019/20 campaign.

Anyone else enjoyed a similar path?

Nikola Kalinic: He found his best form at Fiorentina, and has also played for AC Milan. Now currently at La Liga runners-up Atletico Madrid. Another to make his name initially at Split.

Nikola Vlasic: Came through the ranks in Split, signed for Everton and has just completed a successful loan spell with CSKA Moscow.

Nikica Jelavic: Went on to enjoy a career in British football after starting with Split, playing for Scottish giants Rangers before moving to Everton, Hull and then West Ham. Currently playing in China for Guizhou Zhicheng.

From 6-0 FA Cup final maulings to Mkhitaryan missing the the Europa League final, is football broken? Fans discuss in the video below…

When will we see him?

Unfortunately for Man City fans, the youngster is likely not to feature at all until the 2020-21 season, with the loan deal currently in place keeping him for another whole season in Split.

The wait could be cut short though, as City have planned ahead and managed to negotiate a recall clause that comes into effect in January 2020.

He will therefore contest the first round of the Europa League, which will be great experience for the youngster, as well as allowing him to play at the highest level of Croatian football once again.

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Ajax wonderkid Matthijs de Ligt’s next destination looks to be the main talking point this summer, and as many as six top European clubs are all reportedly vying for his signature.

Liverpool are amongst a pack of six teams including Manchester City and Manchester United, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, who are all keen on the Dutch international.

His potential arrival at Anfield could present at least two issues, however.

You can relive Liverpool’s Champions League celebrations in glorious 2D thanks to the guys at 442oons in the video below…

Firstly, with United offering the 19-year-old £236k-a-week to join them, and PSG £256k-a-week, the Reds would need to make De Ligt their top earner over £200k-a-week Mohamed Salah, which could cause issues.

Secondly, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez were both superb in the 2018/19 season, so putting De Ligt in the pecking order above them would be harsh.

How could Jurgen Klopp squeeze the Ajax man into his team if he does get his hands on him, though?

The teenager’s arrival will see two of the best young centre-backs in Europe be at Liverpool’s disposal, whilst they already have arguably the best in Virgil van Dijk.

Klopp could incorporate all of them into the same side and in doing so, push his exquisite full-backs on even further so they can cause more damage in the final third – the pair recorded 28 assists combined in the 2019/20 campaign from just playing in a back four.

Their more frequent presence in advanced areas could cause mayhem, whilst the rock solid trio of De Ligt, Gomez and Van Dijk would be more than formidable enough to counterbalance the lack of full-backs in defensive areas.

Ahead of them, a trusty midfield two of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson would offer Klopp a solid No.6 who isn’t likely to move away from being a screen for the back three, whilst in Henderson, there would be a box-to-box No.8 to offer a link to the front three.

It may feel slightly FIFA-esque, but this team on paper should at least be enough to leave Liverpool fans salivating.

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The Sun have come out with a story claiming Aston Villa are ready to bust into the transfer market with a huge £20m bid for Stoke City and England goalie Jack Butland. The Potters are adamant in their £23m estimation of their man in-between the sticks but Dean Smith is hopeful that this big money swoop will be a success since he wants a “top class keeper with Premier League experience” in his team.

But as much as Butland has seen success before and is definitely experienced, here are two main reasons why Villa are headed for a huge transfer blunder with this potential deal…

Buying Butland would greatly benefit Villa’s bitter rivals

Sometimes you simply have to consider all angles before making the final decision on such a big deal. Sure, on the face of it, buying a 26-year-old goalkeeper with some mileage already in his shoes seems like a good decision, but you have to ask yourself: is it worth it?

And in this specific case, the answer is no, it’s not. Not when you’re, first of all, overpaying if you meet Stoke’s £23m estimation. But that’s not even the worst thing here. Sure, going for Butland would fill the pockets of Stoke significantly but 20% of that sum would, the Sun warns, go to Villa’s rivals Birmingham. That’s £4m straight into the budget of their bitter enemies because of a deal that now, technically, has nothing to do with them.

Check out a fan’s outrageous call for England to take a leaf of out cricket and rugby’s book after a limp Nations League performance in the video below…

Can Villa really afford that, let alone accept it?

Butland is not that much of an upgrade

Aston Villa didn’t really have a true first-choice goalkeeper in their latest Championship campaign with that position jumping back and forth from the Norwegian Ørjan Nyland and the Englishman Jed Steer.

Sure, Butland’s pedigree and reputation certainly put him above the goalie duo Villa have at their disposal but seeing how they improved so much defensively during the last few months of the season, one could question if such a pricey acquisition is really necessary when they can probably make do with what they currently have. Steer was the hero of the playoff semi-final and has been completely transformed since his loan spell at Charlton.

Would Butland be an improvement on Steer? Probably, yes, but the price is too big to pay to find that out when there are other departments that require improvements this summer too. With Tammy Abraham’s future uncertain following his year-long loan, Villa’s priority should be signing a new goalscoring centre-forward rather than personnel at the other end of the pitch.