It truly was an incredible season for Liverpool, wasn’t it? Finishing second in the Premier League with 97 points and just one defeat was, of course, a bitter pill to swallow but a phenomenal achievement none the less.

After all, who could forget a memorable sixth Champions League victory that truly cemented Jurgen Klopp as one of the world’s best? Truly amazing stuff, as we’re sure you’ll agree.

Yet, it’s only going to get harder from here. Getting to the top is one thing and staying there is another but that’s what is needed from the best teams in the world. Indeed, replicating their form will be hard both collectively and individually, perhaps for none more so than Georginio Wijnaldum.

Clearly, the Dutchman was mightily impressive this season, truly making that attacking midfielder role his own. Making 35 appearances in the Premier League, also playing in 12 Champions League games, he managed five goals in that time. Not the greatest return, right? Well, the goals he did score were hugely important. You just look back to his two goals against Barcelona that were absolutely vital in making it to Madrid.

Of the 13 goals Wijnaldum has scored for Liverpool, the only goal not against a team you wouldn’t consider on the highest level came against Middlesbrough in the last game of the 2016-2017 season. Frankly, even that was a truly vital contribution, being the opener that eventually secured Champions League football for the following campaign.

Essentially, the midfielder can be counted on as a big game player.

So why is it going to get more difficult for the former Newcastle man? Well, primarily due to the increased competition he will face. Sky Sports have reported Liverpool are close to agreeing a contract extension with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, a figure largely on the periphery as it stands.

The Englishman made just two Premier League appearances this season and failed to play in the Champions League after suffering damage to cruciate and medial ligaments as well as the tendons to his hamstring last season. After reports initially suggested he would miss the whole season, he actually returned earlier than expected and, despite not making a significant impact, it will certainly be a big season ahead for the midfielder.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was a key figure in the Liverpool midfield up until his injury. He made 32 league appearances, scoring three and assisting seven, as well as racking up more key passes (1.1 per 90 mins to 0.7) and dribbles (1.3 to 0.8) in the Premier League last term than Wijnaldum did this time around.

Obviously, how he will return remains to be seen, but should he be the player he was previously, it spells problems for Wijnaldum.

A further problem arrives in the shape of Naby Keita. The £48m signing showed glimpses of promise in his 25 league games this season, but ultimately failed to make a huge impact after such a long wait to bring him to Anfield. Still, it was his first season in the Premier League and it’s never easy to adapt.

After all, just look at Kevin de Bruyne at Chelsea or Bernardo Silva at Manchester City, neither were even close to the standard they are at now in their first season.

With Oxlade-Chamberlain, Keita and even Jordan Henderson enjoying an advanced role in the engine room towards the end of the season, there is serious competition for places here. As a result, it could get very difficult for Wijnaldum.

Liverpool fans, who do you think will start in midfield next season? Will Gini be given a starting role or will he have to settle for the bench? Comment below. 

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Dean Smith has already been one of the busiest Premier League managers during this summer transfer window, signing four players, and he is unlikely to stop there.

Today’s Aston Villa transfer roundup includes interest in a rival top-tier striker, talks to sign an English full-back and the pursuit of a Ligue 1 midfielder.

Villa eye Austin

Football Insider is reporting that Villa are interested in taking Charlie Austin to Villa Park. And the same report even says that preliminary contact has been made by the Villains about the possibility of bringing Austin to the Midlands. Sheffield United are also interested.

Talks have started for Targett

According to Sky Sports, Villa are also in talks with Southampton in regards to left-back Matt Targett. The former England U21 international is 23 years old and has made 61 appearances so far for the Saints.

Interest in Santamaria

Journalist Manu Lonjon is reporting that Villa are interested in taking Angers’ Baptiste Santamaria to England. The 24-year-old midfielder played in every single one of his side’s Ligue 1 games last season, scoring one goal throughout.

حقق المنتخب الإسبانى لكرة اليد فوزًا مثيرًا أمام ألمانيا بنتيجة 32-28، فى أولى جولات المنتخبين بالمجموعة الأولى على الصالة الرياضية بالعاصمة الإدارية، ضمن منافسات الدور الرئيسي لفاعليات كأس العالم لكرة اليد رجال مصر 2021.

وتستضيف مصر بطولة كأس العالم لكرة اليد في نسختها الـ27، والتي ستنتهي يوم 31 يناير الجاري.

اقرأ أيضًا.. بطولات يكشف موقف أحمد الأحمر من مباراة منتخب مصر أمام بيلاروسيا

وتعطلت الماكينات الألمانية أمام الماتادور الإسباني الذى اتسم أدائه بالسرعات العالية وقوة التصويبات والدفاع المنظم، وفشلت الخبرة الألمانية فى التعامل مع المهارات الخاصة الإسبانية، خاصة فى الشوط الأول الذي انتهى بنتيجة 16-13 لإسبانيا.

وعادت ألمانيا لتكشر عن أنيابها من جديد في الشوط الثاني، وكان لها الغلبة والتقدم حتى الدقيقة 45، واستغل لاعبوها خبراتهم الكبيرة فى غلق المساحات أمام السرعات الفائقة للمنتخب الإسباني، حتى انتفض الأخير وعاد للمباراة سريعًا ليحسمها لصالحه.

بهذه النتيجة ارتفع رصيد اسبانيا إلى 5 نقاط فى المركز الثاني خلف المجر المتصدر بـ6 نقاط، بينما تجمد رصيد ألمانيا عند نقطتين.

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According to BBC Sport, Aston Villa are eyeing up a £10m deal for Egyptian winger Trezeguet.

Per the report, manager Dean Smith and Jesus Garcia Pitarch have both been in Egypt to explore a potential deal whilst the 24-year-old has been playing in the Africa Cup of Nations.

His team were knocked out by South Africa but he claimed a goal and an assist along the way, featuring in four matches.

And responding to the transfer speculation on Twitter, Villa fans appeared to be buzzing that a potential deal could take place.

One supporter urged the Midlands outfit to get him in whilst another fan suggested that it would be a bargain.

A further individual appeared to relish the idea of him and Anwar El Ghazi featuring on opposing flanks. One commented that his name would dazzle Premier League full-backs into submission.

Trezeguet was in fine form in the Turkish Super Lig last season, netting nine times in total for Kasimpasa. As well as being a force in front of goal, averaging four shots per game, he laid on nine assists for his teammates too.

Here’s the best of the reaction.

That was some Premier League debut by Mark Travers between the sticks against Tottenham last month.

The 20-year-old put in a Man of the Match display as Bournemouth went on to defeat Mauricio Pochettino’s side 1-0 and really staked a claim to be the south coast club’s No.1 this upcoming season.

However, Travers has since been linked with a move to newly-promoted Norwich City (as per The Sun) despite stating prior that he was keen to remain at the Vitality Stadium.

“I want to play for this club [Bournemouth] and hopefully I can do that,” Travers told the Daily Echo. “I just want to try to have good pre-season and get in the manager’s thoughts,” he later added.

All things considered, though, a temporary move away from the south coast now looks to be in his best interest.

Bournemouth are rumoured to be looking at a host of new goalkeepers, with Joe Hart and Jack Butland said to be just two of them (also via The Sun). The arrival of either is almost certain to limit Travers’ game time in the upcoming campaign.

And if that Tottenham game was anything to go by, the Republic of Ireland youth international is too good to be sitting on the bench.

Furthermore, Eddie Howe should seriously consider loaning out his young and talented shot-stopper if he goes through with buying a new No.1 this summer.

Bournemouth fans, should Travers be sent out on loan? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!

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The Premier League transfer window continues to hot up as several clubs ramp up their plans ahead of the new season. Today’s Premier League transfer roundup includes updates on Newcastle’s Rafa Benitez, Manchester United’s pursuit of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Arsenal’s interest in Wilfried Zaha.

Benitez leaves Newcastle

It had been on the cards for a while with the Spaniard’s contract due to run out at the end of this month, but it has now finally been confirmed by the club: Rafa Benitez will not be at Newcastle next season. The Toon and the former Chelsea manager were unable to complete a deal to keep Benitez in the North-East any longer. Mike Ashley offered the 59-year-old £6m-a-year contract, but the former Valencia man had run out of patience with the Newcastle owner.

Wan-Bissaka to complete United medical

According to Goal.com, Crystal Palace defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka will head to Manchester this week to have a medical as he completes a transfer to the Old Trafford outfit. Wan-Bissaka is currently at the U21 European Championship on England duty, but with the Three Lions due to exit the tournament after their final group stage game against Croatia tonight, the 21-year-old will head to United’s Carrington training centre to take the medical.

Emery wants Zaha

Unai Emery has a small transfer budget to work with at Arsenal this summer as he completes an overhaul of the Gunners’ squad. However, it appears that the Spaniard wants to go above that sum and will ask the Arsenal board to break the bank and go after Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha. The Ivory Coast international is a boyhood fan of the Emirates outfit, and will reportedly cost somewhere in the region £55m, meaning that Arsenal could be forced to sell players in order to raise funds.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Tottenham Hotspur have made a €25m (£22.4m) bid for Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Dani Olmo, per Mundo Deportivo.

What’s the word?

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

The report states that Spurs are set to make significant additions to their squad this summer, having already acquired Tanguy Ndombele from Lyon and Jack Clarke from Leeds United.

The club have made an offer for Olmo, the report claims, as well as a €68m (£60.9m) bid for Giovani Lo Celso, the Real Betis attacking midfielder.

Olmo, who helped Spain win the European Under-21 Championships this summer, is said to be close to a move to north London, with negotiations between Spurs, Dinamo and the player’s representatives accelerating over the past few days.

Mundo Deportivo claim that, once the 21-year-old is signed, Spurs will focus on bringing in Lo Celso.

Bolt from the blue

This is a turn-up for the books.

Spurs have not been heavily linked with Olmo but the report claims that negotiations are already at an advanced stage.

The youngster has already made over 100 appearances for Dinamo, scoring 26 goals and providing 21 assists, and is capable of playing in attacking midfield and on both flanks.

He has won 10 caps for Spain’s Under-21 side and would be a versatile, promising option for Mauricio Pochettino.

Spurs, it seems, are keen to rejuvenate their attacking options and moves for both Olmo and Lo Celso would leave them well-stocked as they look to add more firepower, with Harry Kane the club’s only trusted senior striker after the departure of Fernando Llorente.

Vincent Janssen, of course, played in just three Premier League games last season.

Bringing in Olmo, who can provide depth and quality in several attacking positions, appears to make all the sense in the world.

[ad_pod ]England may have lost to France at the U21 European Championships on Tuesday night, but one man whose stock rose throughout that match was Dean Henderson.For many spectators, it will have made for exciting viewing as England’s potential future number one put in an incredible performance, but for Sheffield United, it may hamper their chances of signing him.The Manchester United goalie had a breakout season last term for the Blades he kept more clean sheets than any other keeper in the Championship.His form at Bramall Lane has had the Yorkshire club clamouring to bring him back for for next season, but Tuesday’s match may have affected their hopes.The 22-year-old was a shining light on a disappointing night and he made an incredible number of saves while also keeping out a penalty from Lyon’s Moussa Dembele.

Henderson certainly showed the world what he is capable of in front of a massive audience, and his showing put himself in the shop window for any side looking for a new goalkeeper.

It may also put Manchester United on alert. David De Gea’s future at the club is far from decided, and it is not too implausible that they would give Henderson a chance next season.

Of course, the Spaniard is amongst the best stoppers in the world, but his form last season wasn’t up to his usual standards, and there have been rumours that he could leave.

It’s no secret that Henderson wants to be a part of the squad at Old Trafford after saying last week that he would give his right leg to play for the Red Devils.

Watch Sheffield United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

The Blades still have a good chance of landing their target given they could make him a number one in the Premier League, but they shouldn’t be surprised if they face an increased amount of competition for his signature as his impressive performance on the international stage may have put some clubs on alert.

حجز منتخب السويد مكانه في المباراة النهائية لكأس العالم لكرة اليد بعد الفوز على فرنسا، بنتيجة 32-26، في مباراة نصف النهائي بالصالة المغطاة باستاد القاهرة.

وتسيد لاعبو منتخب السويد، شوطي المباراة وبدا الفارق واضحا في الإمكانيات والقدرات المهارية، حيث تلاشى وجود المنتخب الفرنسي، تمامًا في معظم فترات المباراة، في الوقت الذي تلاعب فيه مهاجمو المنتخب السويدي بشباكهم.

وأنهى منتخب السويد الشوط الأول بتفوقه بنتيجة 16-13، وسط تفوق ملحوظ للاعبي منتخب السويد، خاصة لاعبي الأجناب، الذي كان لهم دور كبير في خلخلة دفاع المنافس، وحاول لاعبي المنتخب الفرنسي في العودة خلال النصف الثاني من الشوط، وقلصوا النتيجة ولكن فشلوا في التعديل، وفي الشوط الثاني واصل المنتخب السويدي السيطرة والتألق وحقق الفوز.

واستطاع منتخب فرنسا الوصول لنصف النهائي بعد تغلبه على منتخب المجر بنتيجة 35-32، أما منتخب السويد فتغلب على قطر بنتيجة 35-23.

وشهدت المباراة حضور الدكتور أشرف صبحي وزير الشباب والرياضة والمهندس حسن مصطفي رئيس الاتحاد الدولي لكرة اليد، والسفير بيير اكسل فريلنجسدورف السفير السويدي بمصر، وفرانسوا بوجو القنصل الفرنسي بمصر، وفريدريك راب رئيس الاتحاد السويدي لكرة القدم، وعندان درجال وزير الشباب والرياضة العراقي، وهشام نصر رئيس الاتحاد المصري لكرة اليد ورئيس اللجنة المنظمة، والكابتن حسين لبيب مدير البطولة.

واحتل منتخب مصر المركز السابع في بطولة العالم بعد أن قدم مباراة أكثر من رائعة أمام بطل العالم “الدنمارك” وخسر برميات الجزاء بعد انتهاء المباراة والأشواط الإضافية بالتعادل.

يذكر، أن منتخب السويد ينتظر الفائز من مباراة إسبانيا والدنمارك لملاقاته في نهائي مونديال اليد والمقرر إقامته مساء الأحد المقبل.

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Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid this summer, per AS.

The Spain international struggled for minutes in 2018/19, making just 13 starts in La Liga.

And AS claim that manager Zinedine Zidane is willing to cash in on the midfielder this summer should a suitable offer be tabled.

However, the report claims that his situation is “complex”, with president Florentino Perez holding the 22-year-old in high esteem at the Santiago Bernabeu.

As such, an asking price of €50m (£44.7m) has been placed upon Ceballos’ head, with negotiations not set to begin until such a bid is tabled. Were Spurs to make such an offer, he would become the club’s record signing, eclipsing the £42m paid for Davinson Sanchez in 2017.

Spurs, of course, have been linked with a number of midfielders this summer, including Lyon’s Tanguy Ndombele and Real Betis’ Giovani Lo Celso.

Should they make a move for Ceballos, then, as they bid to reinforce a squad that finished in the Premier League’s top four and also reached the Champions League final?

Football FanCast’s writers give their verdicts below!

Ben Goodwin

“I don’t think Spurs should spend a huge sum on Ceballos as they’ve already gone through the process of building a well-balanced squad of young, developing players. What they need now is a couple of ready-made world-class signings with experience to push them over the edge to being legitimate title and trophy contenders, namely at full-back and in the centre of midfield. Ceballos is a quality player, but he will not improve Spurs immediately and therefore should not be the subject of a move that would break the club’s transfer record.”

Matt Dawson

“The price reported for Ceballos seems hefty but Spurs would be crazy not to pursue him. I must admit that I really like the look of the Spaniard and if his performances at the Under-21 European Championships are anything to go by, they’d have a fine player on their hands. By the time the group stages had finished, he’d already scored twice and assisted two more. It’s clear, therefore, that he thrives on regular game time, something he hasn’t been afforded too much at Real. Under a progressive coach like Mauricio Pochettino, he could really progress and it would be fascinating to see just how far he could take him if he makes the switch. This would be superb business from Tottenham.”

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Charles Jones

“I’m not sure that Spurs should think about breaking their transfer record for someone who is only a bit part player at Real Madrid. The Spaniard started just 13 games for Los Blancos last term, and a return of three goals and zero assists in La Liga isn’t fantastic for a creative midfielder. Indeed, he has been lighting up the Under-21 Euros, contributing to four goals in three games, but we’ve all seen how deceiving that tournament can be. He is just 22, so Ceballos may well become an excellent player, but for a team so stringent with their spending, a €50m fee for such an unproven quantity at the top level is a bit too much. The London club should be looking elsewhere this summer.”