Leeds United centre-forward Mateo Joseph is a good example of how difficult it is to translate regular goalscoring from academy level to the first team.

The 21-year-old ace, who joined from Espanyol at the start of 2022, scored an eye-catching 19 goals in 33 games for the Whites at U21 level.

However, the Spain U21 international has only found the back of the net five times in 47 appearances for the club since his rise to the first-team, with two goals in 15 Championship games this season.

He has made the step to the senior team, though, and has time on his hands to fulfil his potential, which was not the case for one former Leeds youngster who initially arrived with plenty of hype around him.

Leeds' mini Luis Suarez

Leeds swooped to sign a teenage centre-forward from Barcelona in the summer of 2017 after he had scored 30 goals in 30 league games for the Spanish giants at academy level in the 2016/17 campaign.

If you haven’t guessed already, that player was none other than Kun Temenuzhkov.

The Guardian named him as one of the 60 best young talents in world football in 2017 and wrote that the striker had ‘the same predator’s instinct’ as former Barcelona and Liverpool sensation Luis Suarez, who was idolised by the youngster and scored 195 goals in 283 games for the LaLiga outfit.

It is not hard to understand why that comparison was made after such an incredible year of goalscoring for the Spanish side in the previous season.

After playing for the Leeds’ U18 side for 18 months, Temenuzhkov made his first-team debut for Leeds against Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup in January 2019, with an 11-minute cameo off the bench under Marcelo Bielsa.

Given his extraordinary goal record for Barcelona’s youth teams, his comparison to Suarez, and his senior bow under Bielsa, you could forgive the Whites for thinking that they had their own version of the Uruguayan hero on their hands.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast's Where Are They Now series.

Unfortunately, though, after loan spells with CF La Nucía and Real Union during the 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns, the Bulgarian centre-forward was released by the Whites in the summer of 2022, having failed to live up to the hype.

How Kun Temenuzhkov is performing in 2024

The young marksman made the move to join Navalcarnero in the fourth tier of Spanish football and scored eight goals in 29 league games during the 2023/24 campaign.

He then spent six months with Zamora CF, scoring just one goal in ten games, before moving to Lincoln FC in Gibraltar at the start of 2023.

Temenuzhkov produced six goals and three assists in 15 appearances for Lincoln during the second half of last season, before a free transfer to Moscardó in the summer transfer window earlier this year.

It was the fourth free transfer since the start of 2022 for the 24-year-old attacker, who has been unable to enjoy more than one season with a club since his exit from Leeds.

Moscardó currently play in the fourth tier of Spanish football and the ex-Whites and Barcelona man has had a difficult start to the campaign, with zero goals and one assist in eight league matches.

Temenuzhkov is yet to replicate his sensational goalscoring output at academy level in his first-team career and Leeds will now be hoping that Joseph, who has already played 46 more times for Leeds than the Bulgarian forward did, fares better in his development over the coming years.

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Leeds United are reportedly interested in a deal to sign the Championship star.

ByDan Emery Nov 11, 2024

The January transfer window is looming for Arsenal, and it’ll be their first without influential sporting director Edu Gaspar, as interim director Jason Ayto is tasked with overseeing the club’s activity.

Arsenal players in danger of leaving in 2025

Ayto will lead Arsenal’s recruitment charge, if he is indeed still in the post by January, but it will also be his duty to find new homes for potential wantaway players.

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Posts 1 ByEmilio Galantini Nov 13, 2024

A few players are very likely to leave in 2025 as things stand, with left-back Kieran Tierney being chief among the cast outs and appearing destined to seek new surroundings once we reach the turn of the year.

Arsenal’s next five Premier League games

Date

Nottingham Forest (home)

November 23

West Ham United (away)

November 30

Man United (home)

December 4

Fulham (away)

December 8

Everton (home)

December 14

Tierney is not in Mikel Arteta’s plans anymore, and hasn’t played a single competitive match for the club since their Community Shield win over Man City in 2023. The Scotland international, who’s been sidelined since Euro 2024 after picking up a serious hamstring injury, spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad – and Arsenal are eager to find Tierney a new club once he recovers.

Luckily for the Gunners, Arteta shared an injury update on Tierney at the end of last month, where the Spaniard said he’s “pretty close” and looking “sharp” behind-closed-doors at London Colney. Unfortunately for Tierney, he didn’t quite recover in time for his country’s Nations League ties against Croatia and Poland.

“I think he’s quite close,” said Arteta on Tierney.

“He’s looking really good. I think he’s over the period where he was still struggling, so he looks really sharp out there. He hasn’t trained with the team yet but hopefully he can do that in the next week or two.”

Meanwhile, as well as Tierney, there have been suggestions that Arsenal could decide to offload Takehiro Tomiyasu in January, with the versatile defender playing just six minutes all season due to a reoccurring knee problem.

Arteta outcast Jakub Kiwior, who is believed to be attracting interest from Serie A, his old stomping ground at Spezia, is a firm candidate for the Emirates exit door. Napoli are reportedly planning a loan bid for Kiwior, according to reports in Italy, with journalist Pete O’Rourke sharing an update on the Poland international’s future to Football Insider.

Kiwior could push to quit Arsenal in January

Indeed, Kiwior could push to leave Arsenal in January amid the growing clamor for his services abroad – just two years after Arsenal signed the 24-year-old.

Kiwior is currently behind Riccardo Calafiori and others in the pecking order, and there were suggestions in the summer that the latter’s arrival could spell danger over the defender’s future.

It is impossible to keep a whole squad of stars happy, and it isn’t at all surprising that we’re seeing reports of a possible exit for Kiwior considering his lack of game time, so perhaps it is best for all parties that Ayto finds a new club for a player of his “really intelligent” quality.

Ipswich Town have been on an incredible journey over the last few seasons.

Kieran McKenna has led the Tractor Boys from League One up to the Premier League in a matter of years, and now the club are able to splash the cash on exciting young players like Liam Delap and Jack Clarke, who could be the ones to keep them up.

However, while permanent signings might be the order of business today, the Suffolk side are no strangers to the loan market and, over the last ten to 15 years, have welcomed their fair share of talented players to Portman Road for a temporary stay.

That said, these deals aren’t always a roaring success, even if the player in question has the talent, as demonstrated by someone signed under Roy Keane’s tenure and is now struggling in the Turkish Süper Lig.

Ipswich's loan stars

So before we get to the individual in question, let’s look at a couple of loanees who did excel during their time with Ipswich, starting with a recent one, Omari Hutchinson.

The Tractor Boys signed the then-19-year-old on a season-long deal from Chelsea last summer, and despite being so young, the incredibly talented Englishman took his chance with both hands and made a real name for himself in East Anglia.

For example, in his 50 appearances across all competitions, the Redhill-born dynamo racked up a seriously impressive haul of 11 goals and six assists, equating to an average of a goal involvement every 2.94 games and clearly impressing the powers that be as the club then paid £20m for him in the summer.

Turning the clock back a little further now, another Chelsea youngster who was outstanding while on loan at Portman Road was Trevoh Chalobah, who joined for a season in June 2018.

Throughout the 18/19 campaign, the then 18-year-old made 44 appearances for the team and was so impressive that he came third in the fans’ Player of the Year vote that April.

However, not every loan is as fruitful, even if the loanee has the skills to make it so.

Ipswich's loanee struggling in Turkey

So, the player in question is none other than Andros Townsend, who joined Keane’s Ipswich on what was supposed to be a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur in August 2010.

He wouldn’t even last until the new year, as Harry Redknapp instructed the Lilywhites to recall the then-19-year-old in December of the same year over concerns that he was not getting enough game time under the Irishman’s management.

However, while the former Spurs boss was right that his young player wasn’t getting much game time, it was because he wasn’t performing well enough in the chances he was given.

For example, during his 16 appearances for the Blues, totalling 954 minutes, the Leytonstone-born winger scored once and provided two assists, meaning he averaged a goal involvement just once every 5.33 games, or every 318 minutes, which is hardly the sort of form that demands more game time.

Fortunately, this middling loan didn’t have a detrimental impact on the 33-year-old’s future career.

Crystal Palace

185

16

24

Tottenham Hotspur

93

11

13

Luton Town

32

1

3

Everton

27

7

4

Leyton Orient

26

2

1

Birmingham City

16

0

4

Ipswich Town

16

1

2

Newcastle United

13

4

2

Queens Park Rangers

12

2

2

Millwall

11

2

2

Yeovil Town

10

1

0

MK Dons

9

2

2

Antalyaspor

7

0

0

Leeds United

7

1

1

Watford

3

0

1

Over the following 14 years, he would go on to play for a whole host of major clubs, make 291 Premier League appearances and win 13 senior caps for England.

However, after being relegated with Luton Town last season, the experienced attacker made an unexpected and rather drawn-out transfer to Turkish side Antalyaspor.

While it’s admirable to see a player take risks like this in the latter years of their career, it doesn’t look like it’s working out for the former Spurs man, as in seven appearances, he has lost four times, drawn twice and failed to score or assist a goal.

Ultimately, it’s too early to say whether Townsend has made a mistake in moving to Turkey, but one thing is certain: he’s not playing to the best of his ability.

Ipswich loan star has seen his value soar 598% since leaving

The incredible forward didn’t have the best of times with Ipswich.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 7, 2024

One-time Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is relishing the chance to get current boss Erik ten Hag sacked after it emerged that he could have a massive role to play, according to a report.

Ten Hag secures much-needed Man Utd win vs Brentford

It appeared that Manchester United were ready to sack Ten Hag before the international break as a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham the week before compounded what had been a torrid start to the Premier League season.

However, draws against Porto in the Europa League and against Aston Villa at Villa Park saw the Dutchman keep hold of his job, while highly-touted replacement Thomas Tuchel found work elsewhere as he was appointed the new manager of the England national team, handing Ten Hag a lifeline.

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Man Utd helped to lift the doom and gloom against Brentford

By
Joe Nuttall

Oct 19, 2024

He strengthened his grip on his job with another three points immediately after the international break as goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund helped the Red Devils come from behind to beat Brentford, moving them up to 11th in the process, six points outside the top four.

However, Ten Hag was wary of calling it a turning point, instead suggesting that it was the start of a process of building confidence in the squad.

“This team has the capacity to score very good goals. Today the two goals we scored were high quality and when you score and win you add confidence.

“At the start of the season we had some good performances but didn’t score enough, then everyone is negative. This result can help us, but it is only one win and we must build on it.”

Now, a new report has revealed that Mourinho could well have something to say about the man now occupying the technical area he once stood in.

Ten Hag still possibly on the brink at Man Utd

That is according to Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke, who claims that Mourinho could have a major impact on Ten Hag’s Man Utd future. That comes as Manchester United face Fenerbahce in their next outing, now managed by Mourinho and home to former Manchester United midfielder Fred and Sofyan Amrabat.

And though he picked up three points against Brentford, it is claimed that defeat in Turkey on Thursday could spell the “‘end of the road” for Ten Hag and that the game is “understood to be pivotal” for the United boss’ future.

In true Mourinho fashion, it is added that the ex-Man Utd boss is “relishing the opportunity to compound the misery” on his fellow manager, who is still yet to beat Mourinho’s best points tally with the Red Devils.

In fact, Ten Hag trails the Portuguese manager on win percentage and goals scored, while he has also seen his side concede more goals per game than his predecessor.

Jose Mourinho vs Erik ten Hag’s PL records at Man Utd
	Erik ten Hag	Jose Mourinho
Games managed	84	93
Wins	44	50
Points per game	1.74	1.89
Win %	52.4%	54%
Goals scored per game	1.45	1.63
Goals conceded per game	1.31	0.92

Could the 61-year-old be the man to put the final nail in Ten Hag’s coffin at Old Trafford?

استبعد منتخب البرازيل جناحه فينيسيوس جونيور، من التدريبات الجماعية قبل مواجهة الأرجنتين في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026، حيث لم يشارك في الحصة الأولى التي أجراها الفريق يوم السبت استعدادًا للسوبر كلاسيكو.

وأدى فينيسيوس تدريبات منفردة وجرى حول الملعب خلال الدقائق المفتوحة للصحافة، بينما تدرب زملاؤه على خطط تكتيكية، مما أثار الشكوك حول جاهزيته لخوض اللقاء الحاسم.

وتجنب فينيسيوس ارتداء حذاءه، واكتفى بالجري بصحبة أحد أعضاء الجهاز الفني، مما زاد من الغموض حول حالته البدنية، بحسب ما نشرت صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الكتالونية.

اقرأ أيضًا.. رومانو يوضح موقف أليسون بيكر من المشاركة مع ليفربول بعد الإصابة

ورفض مدرب البرازيل دوريفال جونيور، تقديم تفسير لقرار إبعاد فينيسيوس عن التدريبات الجماعية، لكن مساعديه أشاروا إلى أن ذلك جاء كإجراء احترازي لمراقبة حالته البدنية.

وكان منتخب البرازيل قد استدعى عدة بدلاء لتعويض غياب اللاعبين المصابين والموقوفين، مثل جابرييل ماجالهايس وبرونو جيماريش بسبب الإيقاف، وجيرسون وأليسون للإصابة.

ويلتقي منتخبا الأرجنتين والبرازيل في بوينس آيرس صباح الأربعاء المقبل بملعب “مومينتال” بتمام الساعة الثانية بتوقيت “القاهرة”.

Mohammad Hafeez has announced his retirement from international cricket, ending a Pakistan career spanning more than 18 years.”Today I want to officially retire from the beautiful journey I started 18 years ago with Pakistan cricket,” Hafeez said while announcing his retirement at a press conference in Lahore. “I represented Pakistan with great pride, and whatever I have played throughout my 18 years, I played with dignity. And whether it’s on the field or off the field, I tried to raise Pakistan’s flag high. I am very happy and satisfied with my career and achievements, which were all for Pakistan. So this is it for me.”

Hafeez’s ‘biggest disappointment’

While announcing his international retirement, Hafeez reiterated that his greatest disappointment as a cricketer was that players found guilty of corruption were allowed to return to the national team.
“To me, the biggest disappointment and hurt of my career was when Azhar Ali and I took a principled stand on this issue, but we were told by the board chairman that if we don’t want to play, fine, but the concerned player will play,” he said.

Hafeez, 41, recently signed with Lahore Qalandars for the upcoming edition of the PSL and confirmed that he would continue to be available for franchise teams around the world “as long as I am fit and can contribute with performances”.Hafeez retired from Test cricket in December 2018, with the selectors later deciding to look past him in ODIs after the 2019 World Cup, where he played his last match of the format – against Bangladesh at Lord’s.But, after being dropped from the T20I side in 2018, he was recalled in 2020 for the home series against Bangladesh, and ended the year with a remarkable run: he was the leading run-getter in the format that year, scoring at an average of 83 and a strike rate of 152. He also ended the year as the overall sixth-highest run-scorer across all T20s, with the third-highest average and the third-best strike rate.While he had initially announced that the 2020 T20 World Cup would be his final assignment for Pakistan, the tournament was pushed to 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and Hafeez ended up extending his time with Pakistan.”When you have a professional career as long as mine, you’re bound to have your share of highs and lows, and it was no different for me,” he said. “Results apart, I can say with conviction that I had more highs than lows, since I had the privilege of playing with and against some of the finest exponents of the bat and the ball of my era.”While cricket has been a great learning school for me, this great sport has provided me opportunities to visit various countries, explore their cultures and make friends. These are lifelong memories, which I will cherish every day. I want to thank my fans for standing beside me understanding my lean patch, cherishing my success.”Ramiz Raja, the PCB chairman, was one of the people who had asked Hafeez and Malik to “retire gracefully”.Asked if his decision was dictated by the PCB, Hafeez said, “The decision is what my heart told me and not driven by any critics. For me, my critics had already started [criticising] since 2003 and people thought I wasn’t a good player. I do respect their opinion and I have always respected them. I by no means wanted to turn my beautiful, positive journey into a negative one, that’s why I am here, at the PCB [office, at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium], where I started my international cricket. And [am] ending it here.”Mohammad Hafeez has missed just one T20 World Cup – the one Pakistan ended up winning•PCB

Last year, Hafeez was on a collision course with the PCB because of his central contact. He rejected a Category C contract, stating he was unhappy at being offered the lowest grade. He has since played domestic cricket without a contract as he wanted to stay on as a freelancer.Hafeez’s international debut came in an ODI against Zimbabwe in 2003, with his last match turning out to be Pakistan’s defeat against Australia in the T20 World Cup semi-final last November.He played 55 Tests, 218 ODIs and 119 T20Is, amassing 12,780 runs across formats, and finished with 32 Player-of-the-Match awards, the fourth-highest among Pakistan players in all international cricket, with only Shahid Afridi (43), Wasim Akram (39) and Inzamam-ul-Haq (33) above him. Hafeez also earned nine Player-of-the-Series awards across formats.He is the only Pakistan player to have played in all but one T20 World Cup so far – incidentally, the one they ended up winning in 2009 – and holds the Pakistan record for most T20 World Cup appearances. As captain, Hafeez led Pakistan to the 2012 World T20 semi-final, but was also the captain when they crashed out in the group stage in the 2014 edition, the first time until then that they had failed to progress to the semi-finals of the tournament. Hafeez’s overall T20I record as captain stands at 18 wins – one via a one-over eliminator – and 11 losses from 29 matches.

Ben McDermott smashed 110 not-out from just 60 balls in a 176 chase as the revived Hobart Hurricanes notched consecutive wins

Tristan Lavalette27-Dec-2021

Ben McDermott celebrates his century•Getty Images

Ben McDermott continued to relish his elevation up the order with a blistering century as Hobart Hurricanes overcame struggling Adelaide Strikers at Blundstone Arena.The recently promoted opener, who had started the season slowly at No. 4, thwarted Strikers’ star spin tandem of Rashid Khan and Fawad Ahmed to lead Hurricanes’ overhaul of the 176 target with nine balls to spare.McDermott smashed 110 not-out from just 60 balls as the revived Hurricanes notched consecutive wins, while Strikers are falling off the pace.McDermott is relishing his new role
McDermott’s recent elevation to partner Matthew Wade has been a master stroke for Hurricanes. He took the aerial route in the powerplay to get Hurricanes off to a fast start even though they lost Wade for just six.Much of Strikers’ strength is their spin duo of Rashid and Fawad, who once again bowled in tandem after the powerplay. But McDermott targeted Fawad down the ground and smoked him for three consecutive boundaries as he combined with D’Arcy Short in a strong partnership of 81.Short has started to show a liking to No. 3 as he slowly rediscovers his best form underlined by smashing a pull shot out of the ground. Just when the pair were taking control, Short fell to a superb yorker from Perter Siddle although the batter felt aggrieved with the lbw decision.McDermott, however, remained unruffled and continued to toy with Fawad as he once again smashed the spinner to his sweet spot down the ground. The 16th over loomed as defining, with Rashid bowling his final over but McDermott continued his merry way with a six although the Afghan star claimed the wicket of Harry Brook.McDermott never gave Strikers a sniff and he effectively sealed the game when he clubbed three boundaries off Siddle in the 18th over. He then reached a deserved century with a six in the penultimate over as he became the first player with two centuries in BBL chases.Wounded Strikers have no answers
Strikers had to guts it out with quicks Siddle and Wes Agar both injuring their fingers while bowling. With Fawad nullified by McDermott, the burden fell on Rashid who also could not weave his magic against the rampaging batter.Strikers have a strong bowling attack although will be sweating on the fitness of Agar, who suffered a dislocated finger, and the indefatigable Siddle, who looked in anguish throughout after dropping a tough return chance off Short.With teams being cautious against Rashid, Strikers need other bowlers to step up, otherwise their season will be quickly a lost cause.Meredith is Hurricanes’ bowling talisman
Hurricanes did a serviceable job to restrict Strikers’ batters on a belter of a pitch. Their attack has looked far more potent with the inclusion of speedster Riley Meredith.After returning from a hamstring injury and bowling just one over in his season debut against Perth Scorchers, Meredith claimed three wickets in Hurricanes’ win over Melbourne Stars and backed that up with another trio of scalps against Strikers.The 25-year-old, who has played five T20Is for Australia this year, bowled with trademark fire but mixed things up nicely by taking the pace off the ball – a skill he has sharpened this season.Amid a strong attack, Meredith looms as its talisman as he proved with the key scalps of Jake Weatherald and Matthew Renshaw in a momentum-shifting 15th over.He was occasionally wayward and predictable but Meredith’s impact has already been pronounced.Renshaw and Weatherald provide silver linings
Strikers are in a rut but Weatherald’s return to form and the belligerence of Renshaw, who had looked one-paced in his previous two games, are desperately needed tonics.Renshaw mixed orthodox shots with inventiveness in the most commanding knock by a Strikers batter this season. His fluency seemed to spark Weatherald, who had only mustered 53 runs from his previous five innings. The pair combined in a century stand as Strikers laid their best platform of the season until their departures triggered fears of another collapse.But impressive youngster Thomas Kelly continued his breakout season with an 18-ball 28 as Strikers conjured their highest total of the season, though it ultimately proved insufficient.Strikers appear short of firepower underlined by hitting just one six on the small Blundstone Arena and they are running out of time to resurrect their season.

Manchester City have identified Ederson's replacement as they look to rebuild their squad in the summer.

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Man City want to replace Ederson Have identified Diogo Costa as Brazilian's replacementCity looking to rebuild their squad in the summerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

City have endured a nightmare outing in the 2024/25 campaign as they find themselves fourth in the Premier League after 26 matches, 20 points adrift league leaders Liverpool. The reigning English champions are unlikely to defend their title this season and have already crashed out of the Carabao Cup and Champions League.

AdvertisementGetty THE BIGGER PICTURE

The terrible campaign has prompted the team management and manager Pep Guardiola to rebuild their squad ahead of the 2025/26 season and a part of their squad rebuilding process started in the January transfer window when they splashed big money to sign players like Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov.

(C)Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?

Now Guardiola has reportedly turned his attention to the goalkeeping position where 31-year-old Ederson has failed to replicate his form from the previous seasons. On many occasions in the 2024/25 campaign, the Brazilian's performance has been below and this has forced Guardiola to raid the transfer market in the summer. According to , the Cityzens have identified Portugal and FC Porto custodian Diogo Costa as their primary target and have initiated preliminary talks to sign him.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER CITY?

After a 2-0 defeat at home at the hands of the Reds last weekend, Guardiola's side will aim to get back to winning ways on Wednesday as they take on Tottenham Hotspur in a difficult Premier League away fixture.

Juventus are ready to cash in on talented teenager Kenan Yildiz, with a handful of Premier League clubs interested in the Turkish winger's services.

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• Juve could part ways with Yildiz
• Premier League clubs keeping tabs on Turkish player
• Yildiz keen on staying in Turin

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  With a potential finish outside the top four looming, Juventus are ready to offset the financial loss from missing out on Champions League qualification by cashing in on star player Kenan Yildiz. Juventus football director Cristiano Giuntoli is prepared to make sacrifices in order to ensure they remain financially stable during the 2025-26 season.

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• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  That comes from a report from La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Il Bianconero), who state that Juventus are set to leverage Yildiz's development into one of the best young players in the world and sell him for a figure close to €80-90 million.

  The 19-year-old recently signed an extension with the Bianconeri, which will see him remain in Turin until 2029. Yildiz is eager to remain with the Old Lady to follow in the footsteps of Alessandro Del Piero, his idol. However, Juve are strategically positioning themselves to generate funds, fully aware that Yildiz is their most valuable asset.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Jorge Mendes' recent trip to Turin, including meetings with Giuntoli and Yildiz's parents, has raised eyebrows. Although no offers have been made — given that he is not the Turk's official agent — Mendes has informed Giuntoli about interest in Yildiz from Premier League clubs like Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR KENAN YILDIZ?

  Following Juventus' elimination from the pre-Round of 16 Champions League knockouts at the hands of PSV, Yildiz and his team-mates will be fully focused on ensuring they help Thiago Motta secure a top-four finish in Serie A. They have won four of their last five league games and are currently positioned in fourth place, 10 points behind league leaders Napoli.

MatériaMais Notícias

Na noite da última quarta-feira, o Brasil de Pelotas quebrou um tabu de quase três décadas ao conseguir o resultado de 1 a 1 e, consequentemente, pontuar diante do Internacional em partidas disputadas no estádio do Beira-Rio.

Ex-Corinthians e titular do time de Pelotas no Gauchão, o defensor Rafael Castro comemorou a partida que a equipe fez na capital:

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>O conteúdo produzido pelo LANCE! também está no TikTok

– Foi uma partida de guerreiros, na raça e na força da vontade. Tivemos o “espírito Xavante”. Sabemos da dificuldade que é o Campeonato Gaúcho e ainda mais quando se enfrenta Inter e Grêmio jogando com o mando de ambos. Fomos até a capital e soubemos segurar a pressão do adversário. Agora o objetivo é manter essa pegada e colocar o Brasil na zona de classificação para a próxima fase – disse o defensor.

Rafael Castro chegou ao Rubro-Negro pelotense e assumiu a titularidade da defesa do Xavante nas últimas três rodadas (São José, Novo Hamburgo e Internacional). Com ele em campo, a equipe ainda não perdeu e tomou apenas dois gols sendo que, contra o Novo Hamburgo, ele também fez seu primeiro gol vestindo as cores do rubro-negro.

Esta é a segunda passagem do defensor pelo futebol gaúcho. Antes disso, Rafael Castro teve passagem pelo São José onde disputou seis jogos da Copa FGF de 2020, marcando três gols nas quartas de final, semifinal e final da competição onde ficou com o vice.

A próxima oportunidade que Rafael Castro e o Brasil de Pelotas terão de somar três pontos será no domingo (20), diante do Ypiranga, atual quarto colocado no estadual.