تحدث الدولي النرويجي، إيرلينج هالاند، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي مانشستر سيتي عن مباراة فريقه أمام بوروسيا دورتموند ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا.
ومن المقرر أن يواجه مانشستر سيتي نظيره بوروسيا دورتموند مساء غدٍ الأربعاء، ضمن منافسات الجولة الرابعة من مرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.
ويستضيف ملعب “الاتحاد” مباراة مانشستر سيتي وبوروسيا دورتموند غدًا في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة الحادية عشر بتوقيت مكة المكرمة.
وقال هالاند، في المؤتمر الصحفي الخاص بالمباراة في تصريحات نقلها الموقع الرسمي لنادي مانشستر سيتي: “لقد كنت الشخص نفسه تمامًا طوال حياتي، لم يتغير أي شيء”.
وأكمل: “ما زلت نفس الطفل في بعض المواقف، ما زلت نفس الطفل ولكن مع المزيد من الخبرة في الحياة، أنا أكثر خبرة بالطبع، لقد كنت ألعب في هذا المستوى الاحترافي منذ أن كان عمري 16 عامًا”.
وأضاف: “لدي خبرة أكبر بكثير في كرة القدم وفي الحياة، لقد عشت بمفردي لمدة تسع سنوات، وهو ما ساعدني كثيرًا كشخص أيضًا، لقد عشت في بلدان مختلفة، وتحدثت لغات مختلفة، أنا نفس إيرلينج ولكن مع المزيد من الخبرة”.
اقرأ أيضًا | قرار غير مسبوق من جوارديولا قبل مواجهة بوروسيا دورتموند في دوري أبطال أوروبا
وعن مقارنته بميسي ورونالدو استطرد: “لا أبدًا، أنا بعيد عنهما تمامًا، أنا رجل نرويجي ولا ينبغي أن أعتبر نفسي شيئًا مميزًا لمجرد تسجيلي للأهداف، الأمر بهذه البساطة، أنا فقط إيرلينج وهذا لن يتغير أبدًا”.
وعن احتفاله على طريقة روبوت بعد هدفه أمام بورنموث: “الناس يقولون إنني روبوت، لذلك قمت بتلك الاحتفالية في المباراة السابقة، لا أخطط لأي إحتفالات عند تسجيل الأهداف، سنرى ما هي الاحتفالات القادمة”.
واعترف هالاند بأن كونه أبًا ساعده ذلك في الحصول على نظرة أكثر شمولية للحياة بعيدًا عن ضغوط الملعب، قائلًا: “لقد غيّر حياتي بالتأكيد، بلا شك”.
وأتم: “فجأة هناك شخص يوقظك كل صباح، كان الأمر مختلفًا في السابق، لقد جعلني أكثر تركيزًا إذ أصبحتُ أكثر استرخاءً وهدوءً، أنت بحاجة إلى التوازن بين التركيز وعدم التركيز على الإطلاق”.
Skipper falls short of hundred as visitors finish opening day in ascendancy at Headingley
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay16-May-2025
Jonny Bairstow top-scored for Yorkshire•Getty Images
Captain Jonny Bairstow made a sparkling 89 and Adam Lyth passed fifty for the sixth time this season, but Yorkshire squandered a promising position on the first day against Surrey.For the 16th Rothesay County Championship game in a row at the Kia Oval the side who won the toss bowled first, but at 203 for five just before tea, with Bairstow at his attacking best, Yorkshire were in the ascendancy on a typically green-tinged pitch offering some seam movement and good carry.Matthew Revis had helped Bairstow put on 49 but former Yorkshire teammate Matt Fisher had Revis caught behind off the last ball before the interval and after tea Surrey took control.Bairstow was cruising towards a hundred when he top-edged a sweep and although Yorkshire’s tailenders did secure a batting point their last five wickets fell for 52 in a total of 255. In 13 overs before the close Surrey openers Rory Burns and Dom Sibley reached 46 without loss.Bairstow is expected to miss next week’s game against Nottinghamshire so he can join Mumbai Indians, and some of his shots would not have looked out of place in the IPL including a sumptuous straight drive off Nathan Smith – his tenth four – which brought up a 63-ball fifty in front of an appreciative crowd of more than 5,000.Three more boundaries followed and having passed 50 for the fourth time this season he looked odds-on to convert it into a hundred. Surrey turned to off-spinner Dan Lawrence and he made the breakthrough when Bairstow top-edged a sweep to deep backward square leg, an anti-climactic end to a fine innings.As the situation demanded, Lyth’s approach was more circumspect but his was still a crucial contribution in the first half of the day.The left-hander and opening partner Fin Bean were relatively untroubled as they put on 52 in 75 minutes before Bean, who’d been dropped at leg gully by Lawrence on eight, drove at Tom Lawes and Kurtis Patterson, the Australian batter making his Surrey debut, took a good catch at third slip.Lawes and Jordan Clark shared six wickets and were the pick of the Surrey attack. Clark’s extra bounce undid James Wharton while Lawes benefitted from Ben Foakes’ athleticism when Jonny Tattersall fended the ball off his hips and the Surrey keeper dived full length to his left to hold the catch.Lyth reached his fifty off 117 balls (5 fours) and it took an outstanding ball to remove him, a brutish lifter from New Zealander Smith which he gloved to Foakes.George Hill edged to second slip where Sibley held a juggling catch to give Clark his second wicket, but in the hour before tea Bairstow and Revis were caused few alarms.One they departed in the space of nine overs, however, Surrey made short work of Yorkshire’s lower order. Lawrence, diving to his right, took a fine return catch to dismiss Ben Coad while Jordan Thompson played well for his 30 before a top-edged pull, expertly held on the long-leg rope by Jason Roy, gave Lawes his third wicket. Clark needed only four deliveries with the second new ball to pin Jordan Buckingham on the boot and finish things off.
أشاد راؤول جونزاليز، أسطورة نادي ريال مدريد، بقدرات لاعب برشلونة، موضحًا أنه يفعل أشياء لا تصدق ولا يقدر عليها إلا لاعبون قليلون.
ويستعد عشاق الساحرة المستديرة لمواجهة مرتقبة بين ريال مدريد وبرشلونة، لحساب قمة الجولة العاشرة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو”.
ويسعى ريال مدريد إلى تحقيق الفوز على برشلونة من أجل تعزيز الفارق بينه وبين الفريق الكتالوني إلى 5 نقاط كاملة.
وفي تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو”، أشار راؤول إلى أن لامين يامال، نجم برشلونة، من أهم اللاعبين في صفوف الفريق الكتالوني ويفعل أشياءً مذهلة.
اقرأ أيضًا.. بيلينجهام: العام الماضي لم يكن سيئًا.. وانتظرت هدف يوفنتوس كثيرًا
وقال راؤول: “لامين يامال لاعب رائع ويكسر الكثير من الحواجز، وعلى أرض الملعب يقوم بأشياء لا يفعلها إلا قليلون، إنه شاب صغير وعليه الآن تعزيز كل ما يقدمه، أعتقد أنه لاعب مهمٌ للغاية لناديه حاليًا وللمنتخب الإسباني أيضًا”.
وعن الكلاسيكو بين ريال مدريد وبرشلونة: “أعتقد أن نهاية المباراة لا تهم حقًا فالمباراة الكلاسيكية دائمًا ما تكون مميزة، أعتقد أن ريال مدريد الذي يلعب على أرضه وأمام جماهيره، هو المرشح الأوفر حظًا لكنه سيواجه فريقًا رائعًا”.
المقارنة بين حارس مرمى ريال مدريد الحالي، تيبو كورتوا، والأسطورة إيكر كاسياس: “كاسياس هو كاسياس، إنه أسطورة ريال مدريد وكورتوا يبلي بلاءً حسنًا ويقدم أداءً رائعًا، والوقت كفيل بوضع كل منهما في مكانه الصحيح”.
AC Milan cruised into the Coppa Italia round of 16 with a 3-0 win over Lecce at San Siro, but the biggest cheer of the night was for Santiago Gimenez. The Mexican striker finally broke his goal drought with his first of the season, ending months of frustration following the rumours about his future at the Serie A club.
Gimenez ends drought in Lecce win
The 24-year-old opened the scoring in the first half, tapping in from close range after a Davide Bartesaghi assist. The goal came just two minutes after Lecce saw Jamil Siebert was sent off, leaving the visitors with 10 men. Milan took full advantage, with Christopher Nkunku and Christian Pulisic adding goals to complete a comfortable 3-0 win.
AdvertisementGettyGimenez’s Milan journey so far
Gimenez joined AC Milan from Feyenoord in a €37 million deal in January this year, making him one of the most expensive Mexican players ever. He burst onto the scene with quick goals in his first two games, but things soon got tougher as his form dipped and talk of an early exit started doing the rounds, with Roma, Brentford and Newcastle all linked. However, the 24-year-old rejected the move and made it clear that he wants to stay at San Siro and fight for his place. The Mexican international received backing from new manager Massimiliano Allegri, who praised his key contribution in the win over Bologna last week.
Mexican striker fully committed to Milan dream
Speaking to after Tuesday's game, Gimenez admitted the relief of finally finding the net, saying: “As a striker, you have to score goals. In the last few games, I’ve had chances, but the ball just wasn’t going in. The important thing is that one goes in so the others can follow.”
On speculation linking him with a move away in August, he was clear: "As a child, I dreamed of playing for AC Milan. I'm in my dream team, and I want to fulfill my dreams wearing this jersey. I never thought about leaving."
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Getty ImagesWhen do AC Milan play next?
The Rossoneri now have two big games ahead in Serie A, facing league leaders Napoli on Sunday before travelling to Juventus on October 5. Gimenez has seven goals in 25 appearances since joining Milan, and with his first of the season behind him, fans will hope he can rediscover the form that made him such a big signing.
After announcing the arrival of Mateus Fernandes, West Ham United are reportedly readying an offer to sign an attacking reinforcement who Graham Potter loves.
Fernandes "excited" by West Ham move
Following a disastrous start to the season, West Ham have welcomed a much-needed reinforcement in Fernandes. The midfielder has officially arrived from Southampton in a deal worth around £42m with add-ons and will now be looking to make his mark on Potter’s side as soon as possible.
Speaking for the first time since putting pen to paper, Fernandes told West Ham’s official website: “I’m very happy to be here. I’m very excited to play for West Ham. I think it’s a big step for me.
“It’s a big Club, a massive Club. The project, the stadium, the city, everything. I want to try to play football, enjoy football, not just run and try to score, but try to play good football. I think the most important thing is to try to give everything every day.”
After welcoming the midfield star, West Ham are not done there. Reports are also indicating that they’re on course to sign Soungoutou Magassa from AS Monaco to continue their late spending.
It should come as no surprise that those at the London Stadium are attempting a late spending spree. The Hammers have endured a nightmare start to the season, losing three from three, and are suddenly among the favourites to face the drop.
Potter will hope that recent additions finally turn his tenure around and he avoids yet another London sacking. What’s more, any pressure to turn things around will only increase if West Ham move for a winger that he reportedly loves before the transfer window slams shut.
West Ham readying Wimmer offer
As reported by BILD and relayed by Sport Witness, West Ham are now readying an offer to sign Patrick Wimmer from Wolfsburg this week. Potter is reportedly a fan of the winger and he has been dreaming of a Premier League move for some time.
Fernandes upgrade: West Ham to submit bid for another big-money midfielder
The experienced international would be an excellent signing for Graham Potter and West Ham.
1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 29, 2025
Whether Wimmer is the answer to their problems or a repeat of recent transfer flops such as Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug is the big question. One look at the numbers should spark concern for West Ham.
League stats 24/25
Wimmer
Summerville
Minutes
1.770
786
Goals
3
1
Assists
4
1
Key Passes
24
17
Former Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega reiterated that Wimmer still has work to do, but also had plenty of praise for his former Arminia Bielefeld teammate, telling reporters: “There’s something crazy and care-free about him; he’s got a youthful folly. If he sticks at it and works on getting some of the basics right, then he’ll be even more valuable.”
There’s no doubt that signing the 24-year-old would be a risk and at this stage, West Ham simply can’t afford to get things wrong in the transfer market.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has faced mounting criticism in the aftermath of their botched deal for Eberechi Eze, and talks for Man City winger Savinho haven’t exactly been plain sailing either.
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Eze ultimately chose a move to boyhood club Arsenal ahead of Spurs, despite agreeing personal terms with the latter, when Mikel Arteta’s side swooped in at the last second and offered him a chance of returning to N5.
Tottenham also had a verbal agreement with Palace over the finances of a deal for Eze, but as the old saying goes – a signing is never done until all the contracts are signed.
Arsenal’s dramatic late hijack leaves Thomas Frank still without a star number 10 to replace the injured James Maddison, nor does the Dane have an heir to club legend Son Heung-min out wide.
Just under two weeks ago, Tottenham entered talks for both Eze and Savinho in separate deals, prompting huge excitement among the fanbase, but there is the possibility that Frank ends up with neither.
Eze is completely off the table, but in Savinho’s case, the north Londoners are not giving up, despite City blocking the deal as things stand.
Reports from Brazil earlier this week claimed that Tottenham are vowing to go all out for Savinho behind-the-scenes after losing out on Eze, and his agents are in London right now attempting to facilitate a deal (Globo Esporte).
Spurs could even submit a club-record £69 million bid for the Brazil international, but Pep Guardiola has previously insisted that he wants him at Eastlands for “many years” amid Levy’s interest.
Savinho is out injured right now, funnily enough, but an alternative to the 21-year-old could be Real Madrid star Rodrygo – if Spurs can’t agree a deal for the City man.
Tottenham make approach for Rodrygo amid chance of Real Madrid loan deal
Frank and Guardiola are poised to come head-to-head this weekend, and it gives club officials a chance to hold further talks over Savinho, as widely reported elsewhere.
However, City appear to be making this very difficult, and Rodrygo’s pool of suitors is running low.
The 24-year-old Brazil star, who bagged 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last season, has struggled for starts under new manager Xabi Alonso, and Defensa Central have claimed that Real could sanction a loan-to-buy deal as Tottenham take note.
Now, Mundo Deportivo, relayed by Sport Witness, have an update on the story – reporting that Tottenham are the only side to have approached Real over signing Rodrygo – and his potential exit remains a ‘live’ possibility heading into the final stretch of this summer.
Jude Bellingham called the ex-Santos star their most “underrated” and “gifted” player this year, and if a deal is there to be had, it is certainly one worth considering.
Rodrygo would be the statement signing that Tottenham are crying out for after a very testing window, and one that could seriously lift spirits around N17.
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Interim head coach Marcus Trescothick has defended his young ODI squad after their crushing eight-wicket defeat to the West Indies, saying the result is not reflective of English white-ball cricket.England’s loss to the West Indies was a twelfth ODI defeat in 18 matches since the start of the 2023 World Cup and gave a brutal reality check to a new-look eleven that included four debutants.On a tacky surface, England were bowled out for 209, before putting on an encouraging, but ultimately fruitless display with the ball as Windies opener Evin Lewis let loose for 94 off 69 balls.”I think it’s certainly not where England cricket is at,” Trescothick said after the game. “Because for a long period of time now you’ve not had our main team in white-ball games. You don’t really know where white-ball cricket is.”I think with the system that we’ve had and the volume of cricket that we’ve been trying to play and still look after the players, I think you could put a team together tomorrow for a World Cup, and it would probably look different to what you had this series and some of the series that we played against Australia.”So I don’t think you can judge it to say, look where white-ball cricket is at the moment. It’s been a tough period of time, there’s no doubt about it, but that’s been challenges from numerous different things.”The current series is missing several players due to the tour being sandwiched by England’s Test tours of Pakistan and New Zealand. But the squad picked for the Australia series was close to full strength, with Joe Root and Gus Atkinson rested but other absences such as Jos Buttler and Mark Wood missing through injury. The same could be said of the previous group to tour the Caribbean last year, when the squad picked was meant to signal a new age, while the World Cup squad was certainly first string. All this alongside uncertainty over Ben Stokes’ white-ball future.The nature of the defeat has called into question England’s absolute policy on prioritising youth, with Jordan Cox, in just his fifth List A match, walking out on debut for England at No.3, with the 21-year-old Jacob Bethell at No.4. Of the top six, only Phil Salt and Will Jacks had batted in those positions for England more than once in their careersJohn Turner, Jordan Cox, Dan Mousley and Jamie Overton made their ODI debuts in Antigua•Getty Images
“It’s probably a better question for the selectors more than anything else. It’s not my decision who comes in,” Trescothick said.”But I think you can see from the plan of the England team in the last year, probably, and maybe a little bit further back, how much we want to invest in the next generation.”Playing people who have played before would probably be going against the mantra of what we’re trying to do at the moment.”England’s innings saw five of the top six caught in the 30-yard-circle, as the balance between defence and attack eluded them to be bowled out in 45.1 overs.”We’ve got to try and bat 50 overs first and foremost,” said Trescothick. “The real skill in white-ball cricket in particular is the tempo and the balance between aggression and batting for long periods of time.”We will always be a team that is going to try and be aggressive, the pitch made it quite tricky to do that.”This is Trescothick’s last tour at the helm of the white-ball team before Brendon McCullum takes over the job in January. Placed in charge of an exceptionally inexperienced group, one of the biggest challenges, according to Trescothick, has been finding the balance between emphasising the opportunity is a ‘free hit’ to England’s youngsters, while also instilling a win-first mentality.”I am trying to get the priority right at the moment. I want to win every game and we dictate that in the dressing room. But we also want to see a few players in the environment before the structure changes and Brendon takes over. So, why not give them the opportunity to thrive in this environment?”That’s very much how we’re framing it. The opportunities are there for the guys to come in. We’ve seen four debutants in this match, we’ve got a couple other young guys in the squad who may make their debut across the next two weeks. [With the opportunity] you’re going to be further up the ladder than you were six days ago. So go out there and show what you can do.”Trescothick’s own role in the white-ball set up beyond January is undecided.”I don’t know just yet,” he said. “We’ve got a bit of a plan behind the scenes, but nothing has been confirmed as such.”I am not going to say which way it’s all going to sit, because it would probably give it away too much, but obviously Brendon’s going to come in and take control of the full show and then he will dictate what and where we are going to be and how that’s going to look.”
أعلن الكرواتي كرونسلاف يورتشيتش المدير الفني لفريق بيراميدز، التشكيل الأساسي لمواجهة زد، ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري.
طالع.. حكم مباراة بيراميدز وزد في الدوري المصري
ويدخل بيراميدز، اللقاء بمعنويات مرتفعة بعد الفوز على الأهلي بهدفين نظيفين في آخر ظهور محلي، والانتصار على أوكلاند بثلاثية نظيفة في كأس القارات “إنتركونتينتتال”.
ويحتل بيراميدز المركز التاسع في جدول ترتيب مسابقة الدوري المصري برصيد 8 نقاط من فوزين وتعادلين وخسارة.
ويخوض بيراميدز مباراته أمام زد، اليوم الخميس في تمام الثامنة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية على أرضية استاد الدفاع الجوي في الجولة السابعة من بطولة الدوري. تشكيل بيراميدز أمام زد
حراسة المرمى: أحمد الشناوي
خط الدفاع: أحمد سامي – أسامة جلال – محمد الشيبي – محمد حمدي
خط الوسط: مهند لاشين – أحمد عاطف قطة – عبد الرحمن مجدي – إيفرتون داسيلفا – وليد الكرتي
خط الهجوم: مروان حمدي بدلاء بيراميدز اليوم أمام زدمحمود جاد – علي جبر – كريم حافظ – محمود دونجا – مصطفى زيكو – محمد رضا بوبو – محمود زلاكة – فيستون ماييلي – يوسف أوباما
Devon Conway and Finn Allen have become the latest New Zealand players to turn down central contracts, but Conway has signed a casual agreement similar to Kane Williamson and has made himself available for all internationals except for the Sri Lanka white-ball matches in January when he will take up an SA20 deal.ESPNcricinfo understands that Conway is set to play for Joburg Super Kings in what will be his first appearance in South Africa since leaving the country and moving to New Zealand in 2017.Allen, the hard-hitting white-ball opener, will pursue franchise opportunities and has not been offered the same agreement by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) although remains eligible for selection on a case-by-case basis. ESPNcricinfo understands that Allen is expected to sign for the BBL. Both Conway and Allen had been included in the contract list last month and will now be replaced.Related
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Conway, who has been named in the Test squad to face Afghanistan and Sri Lanka next month, is available for all of New Zealand’s nine upcoming Tests and has also committed to warm-up matches ahead of the Champions Trophy in February which include an ODI tri-series in Pakistan.”Firstly, I’d like to thank New Zealand Cricket for their support through this process,” Conway said. “The decision to move away from a central playing contract isn’t one I’ve taken lightly, but I believe it is the best for me and my family at this present time.”Playing for the Blackcaps is still the pinnacle for me and I’m hugely passionate about representing New Zealand and winning games of international cricket.”I’m excited to be part of the upcoming Test squads for an important period in the ICC World Test Championship cycle and am looking forward to being involved in the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan next February if selected.”NZC chief executive Scott Weenink reiterated that casual contracts were only an option for a select number of the leading players but believed it was a prudent way to manage the evolving landscape of franchise cricket.”We’re delighted with Devon’s decision to commit to the Blackcaps – he’s a quality player who’s made a strong contribution to the team over the past few years,” he said. “In the current environment it’s important to have flexibility in our system to navigate some of the challenges posed by franchise cricket – and this is another example of how we’re working hard to retain our best players.”Speaking last month, Test vice-captain Tom Latham said that New Zealand had to be flexible with their contracting system.Conway and Allen join Williamson, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson and Adam Milne in moving away from central contracts although Williamson, who will also play the SA20 in January, has not ruled out taking one in the future.Under the NZC system, to be eligible for a central contracts players need to make themselves available for the domestic Super Smash tournament when they aren’t playing international cricket.
Since taking the job at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has generally gotten it right when it comes to the transfer market.
For example, while he’s overseen the arrival of his fair share of duds like Willian, Raheem Sterling and Nuno Tavares, he’s also helped sign some special talents like Declan Rice, Gabriel Magahele, David Raya and Jurrien Timber.
However, there is one player who divides opinion perhaps more than any other: Kai Havertz.
To some, the German is an underrated lynchpin without which the attack falters, while others view him as an overpriced makeshift forward who can’t be trusted to finish his chances in the moments that matter.
Yet, it might not matter which side of the aisle you find yourself on next season, as recent reports have heavily linked the club with someone who’d likely be a massive upgrade.
Arsenal's striker search
Given Arsenal’s lacklustre form in front of goal this season, it’s hardly been a surprise to see the club linked with a host of talented strikers in recent weeks, from the well-known Benjamin Sesko to the more under-the-radar Nick Woltemade.
Transfer Focus
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The former has been heavily linked with a £67m move to the Emirates for some time now, and while that is a hefty outlay, there is a lot to like about the 6 foot 5 speedster, like his tally of 27 goal involvements in 45 games this season.
Woltemade, on the other hand, would only cost the club £42m this summer, and while he produced just 20 goal involvements this year, he did so in just 33 games across all competitions.
Stuttgart's Nick Woltemade
Yet, while both players would likely help the Gunners’ frontline next season, they both feel like players for the coming years, not someone who’d be an instant and sizable upgrade like Viktor Gyokeres.
Yes, according to a recent report from journalist Graeme Bailey, Arsenal are still very much in the race for the Sporting CP star.
Bailey revealed that not only are the Gunners still interested in the Swedish international, but they also held direct talks with his camp on Wednesday.
A price is not mentioned in the story, but other reports from this week have claimed that the former Coventry City striker could be available for around £67m.
Sporting CP's ViktorGyokereskisses the trophy as he celebrate after winning the Taca de Portugal
While that is undoubtedly a lot of money, this is a deal Arsenal should be going all out to complete, as Gyokeres would be a monumental upgrade on Havertz.
How Gyokeres compares to Havertz
So, if Arsenal are able to get Gyokeres this summer and, in turn, spend the sort of money it reportedly cost to do so, then it seems incredibly unlikely that he’d be coming in to sit on the bench.
Therefore, the Sporting star would be in competition with Havertz for a starting berth in the team, and based on how they stack up against one another, we think it’s a competition he’d win with ease.
For example, in 52 appearances this season, totalling 4248 minutes, the Stockholm-born “monster,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, scored a simply sensational 54 goals and provided 13 assists, which works out to an average of 1.28 goal involvements every game, or every 63.40 minutes.
In contrast, the Gunners’ number 29 scored 15 goals and provided five assists in 36 appearances, totalling 2809 minutes, which comes out to a decent but far less impressive average of a goal involvement every 1.8 games, or every 140.45 minutes.
Unfortunately for the former Chelsea ace, the comparison is just as one-sided when we take a look under the hood at their respective underlying numbers.
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.88
0.58
Non-Penalty Goals + Assists
1.17
0.61
Progressive Passes
2.11
2.95
Progressive Passes Received
10.5
5.79
Progressive Carries
4.27
1.44
Shots
4.11
2.80
Shot on Target
2.10
1.11
Key Passes
2.06
1.11
Passes into the Penalty Area
1.00
0.52
Shot-Creating Actions
4.75
2.25
Goal-Creating Actions
0.84
0.15
Successful Take-Ons
1.79
0.48
For example, the 27-year-old comes out way ahead in the vast majority of relevant metrics, including but not limited to expected and actual non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive carries, shots and shots on target, key passes and passes into the penalty area, shot and goal-creating actions, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.
Ultimately, Havertz is a great player and someone who’ll be an incredibly useful asset to the squad next season, but from every angle, it’s clear that Gyokeres is the vastly superior goalscoring number nine.
Sporting CP's ViktorGyokerescelebrates scoring their third goal to complete his hat-trick
Therefore, Arsenal should do all they can to sign him this summer.
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