أفادت تقارير صحفية إيطالية، أن الدولي المغربي أشرف حكيمي الظهير الأيمن لنادي إنتر ميلان الإيطالي، قد يلحق بمواجهة فريقه الأسبق ريال مدريد الإسباني.

ريال مدريد يتواجد مع إنتر ميلان في المجموعة الثانية، مع بوروسيا مونشنجلادباخ الألماني وشاختار دونستك الأوكراني.

وتعرض أشرف حكيمي للإصابة بـ فيروس كورونا أمس، بعدما أعلن النادي في بيان رسمي انتقال العدوى إلى اللاعب المغربي “طالع التفاصيل”.

صحيفة “لاجازيتا” الإيطالية، أكدت بأن حكيمي دخل في حجر صحي بداية من أمس 21 أكتوبر، ولمدة 10 أيام لحين تحوّل نتيجة مسحته من إيجابية إلى سلبية.

وبذلك، سيغيب حكيمي عن المباريات الثلاث المقبلة لـ إنتر ميلان، أمام جنوى 24 أكتوبر، و27 من الشهر ذاته ضد شاختار، ثم 31 في مواجهة بارما.

مواجهة ريال مدريد ستكون يوم 3 نوفمبر المقبل، مما يعني أن إمكانية لحاق حكيمي بالمباراة كبيرة، في حالة انتهت فترة الحجر الصحي خلال 10 أيام فقط.

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Alex Rae has picked two positions that Rangers must strengthen in order to challenge for the title next season.

Steven Gerrard has come under loads of fire recently, as the Gers are yet to win a game in the month of March.

Back to back 1-1 draws with Aberdeen and Hibernian were followed by the shocking cup defeat against the Dons, before a home draw against Kilmarnock handed the title to Celtic on a silver platter.

The boss deserves some flak for his tactics when struggling to break down deep defences. However, it is clear that the quality in the squad is not good enough, and Rae, who made 34 appearances for the Gers between 2004 and 2006, has had his say on the summer transfer plans.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

What has he said?

“I’m certain he is the right person to lead the challenge next season. He will be more prepared and will know what he wants to try to do. Steven will know now the players he wants to take Rangers forward,” Rae said, as reported by The Daily Record.

“Having listened to him in recent weeks, he’s talking about marquee players – players who are going to make a difference.

“Rangers need another quality centre-half. If you look at the last three games the goals they have lost have been extremely poor.

“And they need more quality in the offensive area because when they come up against teams who defend deep they find it very hard to break them down.”

Great news for Goldson

The latter part of Rae’s recommendation is clear for all to see – the Gers are simply incapable of breaking teams down when they sit deep.

A proper number ten, who can operate between the lines and support Alfredo Morelos, is an absolute necessity in the summer window.

While it may have flown slightly under the radar, the centre back issue might be even more important though.

With Joe Worrall expected to return to Nottingham Forest and Nikola Katic clearly not earning Gerrard’s trust, the boss needs a long-term partner for Connor Goldson.

This will be a huge relief to Goldson, who has gotten progressively worse throughout the season as he spends his time mopping up after whoever he is paired up with.

Goldson has all the technical, physical and leadership qualities needed to become a club legend if the right moves are made this summer. Gerrard must heed Rae’s calls and find an adequate partner for the ex-Brighton ace has he enters his prime.

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Sheffield Wednesday’s season has been shrouded with injuries and the latest man to join the treatment table is Newcastle loanee Rolando Aarons.

The winger was due to start for the club against Stoke last weekend but hobbled off in the warm-up and is now a major doubt for the Owls’ clash against Aston Villa on Saturday.

Reacting to the news on Twitter that he could miss another game, Wednesday fans were busy debating who may replace him.

Some supporters explored the option of playing Fernando Forestieri on the left, a role he has played previously in his career.

However, a few fans were keen to stress that they didn’t want George Boyd to play. The former Burnley man started for the Yorkshire club in place of Aarons last weekend but struggled to have the same sort of impact as his fellow teammate.

The 23-year-old arrived on loan from Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle in January and has helped transform the way Wednesday attack with his willing runs, making 1.6 dribbles per game. In nine matches he’s scored one goal and claimed one assist too.

Therefore, missing a player like him could be huge in terms of the club’s promotion hopes. Steve Bruce’s men face a massive seven days, taking on Villa, Nottingham Forest and Leeds in the space of a week.

Here’s the best of the reaction.

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Leeds fans on Twitter have laughed off speculation that Kalvin Phillips is reportedly a £20m summer target for Southampton.

Phillips has been immense for Leeds this season leading to him being nominated for the club’s Player of the Season award and landing himself a spot in the Championship Team of the Year.

The midfielder has been dubbed ‘the Yorkshire Pirlo’ due to his commanding performances in the centre of the park during the current campaign for the automatic promotion hopefuls.

His incredible form has caught the eye of Premier League clubs with The Sun (14/4 Page 61) reporting that Southampton are looking to secure his signature at the end of the season.

The move could be dependent on Leeds’ status next term as they are currently on course to go up as they lie second in the standings.

Watch the video below to see the most insane overhead kick you will see this week…

Phillips is certainly a Premier League standard player and he will likely be making the step up next season whether it is with Leeds or another team.

Fans on Twitter have been quick to react to the speculation though, with some claiming that Southampton would in fact be a step down for the midfielder if he were to leave Elland Road.

Another certainly seemed less confident that he would remain in Yorkshire however.

Here’s what Leeds fans have been saying on Twitter…

Miguel Almirón certainly had an interesting night when coming off the bench in Paraguay’s defeat to Mexico in California on Tuesday night, with what you could describe as a hot and cold few minutes.

The Newcastle record signing was brought into the action in the 57th minute. Just three minutes later he set up teammate Hernán Pérez to score and get his side back into the game, albeit still trailing 3-1.

But Almirón’s night took a bitter twist just four minutes later, with the speedster chasing Jose Juan Vazquez, he lunged at him from behind, catching the Mexican on the back of the calf in a nasty challenge.

The Paraguayan midfielder was rightly given his marching orders, and will now suffer a one-game suspension.

The suspension will only apply for Paraguay, however, meaning the player will still be eligible for Newcastle at Arsenal on Monday.

The show of frustration and temper from Almiron will be noted by Premier League rivals, who may now target him in future games against the Magpies, in the hope that he will do something similarly petulant and see red against them.

That said, it could also be seen to suggest that, despite his baby-faced looks and slight frame, he will be able to take care of himself and not be bullied by Premier League defenders, following a spate of poor challenges he has been on the receiving end of since moving to England.

As you might expect, Twitter lit up following his red card.

Does this challenge shock you, Newcastle fans? Or does it suggest to you that he has the ability to look after himself in the Premier League? Let us know your thoughts…

With the Old Firm game coming up straight after the international break, the last thing Celtic need is an injury scare to one of their key defenders.

Celtic know that victory over the Auld Enemy on Sunday lunchtime will see them have a 13 point gap to their rivals, and leave them just three wins away from retaining the title for the eighth successive season.

Seeing Mikael Lustig leave the field after just 24 minutes of Sweden’s game against Romania on Saturday will be a major concern for Neil Lennon, who already has Kieran Tierney doubtful.

Added to that is the mystery surrounding Dedryck Boyata, who the Daily Record report, suddenly withdrew from the Belgian squad for “personal reasons”.

Lustig, whose contract runs out at the end of May, played at centre back in the Bhoys’ last game, having played for most of the season in his preferred right-back position, and his versatility will be missed if he is not fit.

It remains to be seen what the official word is about Boyata, but with no indication that he has picked up a knock, Lennon will be hoping to have the Belgian in his squad this weekend.

There is little doubt that Celtic will go on to claim yet another league title, regardless of the result this weekend, but any game against Rangers is always hugely important, and defeat will not be an option.

It speaks volumes of Celtic’s dominance that — even with a spate of injuries — the Hoops would still be favourites to see off a Rangers side that sit second in the table, but a long way off the side that used to see the title race as a two-horse race until the end.

But until their hands are mathematically on the trophy, Lennon will want every senior player fit and at his disposal.

What are your thoughts ahead of the Old Firm clash this weekend Celtic fans? Are you concerned about Lustig’s injury? Let us know…

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According to Marca, Barcelona are considering a summer move for Everton attacker Richarlison.

The 21-year-old, who joined Everton from Watford last summer, has scored 13 times in 35 appearances for the Toffees this season.

According to Marca, Barca have been following Richarlison for a long period and see the Brazil international as a potential option in the upcoming transfer window.

The attacker has had some very good games in a blue shirt this season, but has also struggled for spells and it would be a surprise to see the Spanish champions come up with a big offer this summer.

Indeed, that is also the view of the Merseyside club’s fans, with a number feeling that Richarlison is not good enough to make the move to Camp Nou.

In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

Meanwhile, others have named the players that they would want from Barca in exchange for the South American.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

أكد مدافع فريق مارسيليا الفرنسي دويي كاليتا كار أنهم ينوون تقديم مباراة جيدة، غدًا، أمام فريق مانشستر سيتي في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويلتقي الفريقان، في فرنسا، في الجولة الثانية من دور مجموعات البطولة.

وقال دويي كاليتا كار، في تصريحات نشرها الموقع الرسمي للبطولة: “مانشستر سيتي يمتلك هجومًا جيدًا جدًا، لا أريد ترك أي مساحة أمامهم”.

وأضاف: “ولكن هذا الأمر ينطبق على مواجهة كل فريق، لا نريد ترك أي مساحة أمام الخصم، سنحتاج إلى أن اللعب بضغط وعدائية لمدة 90 دقيقة”.

وواصل: “كل شيء ممكن في كرة القدم، لدينا الكثير من الاحترام لـ مانشستر سيتي، إنه فريق جيد جدًا، لكننا أيضًا نأمل أن نلعب مباراة جيدة غدًا”.

وتابع: “لقد استعدنا بشكل جيد مع الجهاز الفني والمدرب، ونأمل أن نحصل على نقاطنا الأولى”.

وكان مارسيليا قد خسر الجولة الأولى أمام أولمبياكوس بهدف دون رد، بفضل المصري أحمد حسن كوكا الذي سجل هدف فوز الفريق اليوناني في الدقيقة 91.

بينما فاز مانشستر سيتي، في الجولة نفسها، على بورتو بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف.

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Southampton host Liverpool on Friday for yet another challenging clash and one that means a lot more to the fans than those less familiar with the history between the two clubs will realise.

The Reds are infamous for repeatedly returning to the south coast in the summer, but not for a beach day – they have swiped Sadio Mane, Adam Lallana and Virgil van Dijk, to name just a few, from Saints in recent years.

The reception for the aforementioned trio, as BBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson predicts, will be undoubtedly frosty, and the former Liverpool man has indicated that the south coast outfit will break the mould set by the Premier League outfits before them this weekend:

“I wonder what kind of reception Liverpool’s former Southampton players – Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane, Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana will get at St Mary’s? I don’t think they will get a very warm welcome, let’s put it that way.

“What might help the Reds is that I cannot see Southampton sitting back and playing for a draw. I think Hasenhuttl will want to have a bit of a go and that will open things up a bit.

“We definitely won’t see Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp resting players before their Champions League quarter-final first leg against FC Porto on Tuesday.”

Indeed, Ralph Hasenhuttl has rebranded Southampton since being appointed in place of Mark Hughes in December – the Austrian has brought more tactical, attacking football to a team who were relegation candidates when he arrived, but now look likely to evade the drop.

The likes of Yan Valery and James Ward-Prowse have flourished under the new boss, whose side show no fear regardless of who they are playing against – something evident in their near upset at Old Trafford and then their victory over Spurs soon after.

A Southampton fan shares his most gutting moment of the last 10 years supporting the Saints in the video below…

Lawrenson, though, thinks this approach could be their downfall against a side who are renowned for pressing high and attacking with pace.

What do you think, Southampton fans? Is this a game in which Hasenhuttl can’t afford to play the way he would like and instead sit back in numbers, as many others teams have done before them? Or is there nothing to be lost from a Saints point of view? Let us know in the comments below…

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West Ham are leading the queue of clubs to sign Liverpool right-back Nathaniel Clyne this summer, per Football Insider.

The defender is currently on loan at AFC Bournemouth and appears set to leave Anfield on a permanent basis this summer.

What’s the word?

Clyne made just four Premier League appearances for Liverpool prior to his loan move to the south coast.

Since then, he has made 11 appearances for the Cherries and, while Football Insider claim that they are hopeful of securing him on a permanent basis, West Ham are said to lead the chase.

Indeed, Clyne is reported to be keen to move to London after previously spending four years in the capital with Crystal Palace.

The report claims that West Ham have been given encouragement over a deal, with Liverpool keen to receive a fee for a player whose contract expires at the end of next season.

Plan B for Pellegrini

Swooping for Clyne gives Manuel Pellegrini the chance to change up his tactical playbook in east London. The Hammers usually play with a flat back four, with Pablo Zabaleta at right-back and either Aaron Cresswell or Arthur Masuaku on the left.

However, a move to sign Clyne allows the switch to a back three, employing wing-backs rather than full-backs. Masuaku showed how effective he can be in that role last season, but Zabaleta lacks the necessary legs and Ryan Fredericks just hasn’t done enough to prove he’s at West Ham’s level.

The England international, meanwhile, has the energy and dynamism to play in a more advanced capacity, as his performances for Bournemouth have shown this season, as well as in the traditional full-back slot.

West Ham also have some excellent central defenders – Angelo Ogbonna, Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena are all Premier League quality – and bringing Clyne in would facilitate for all three play together. Declan Rice, albeit a midfielder pretty much exclusively this season, could operate in a back three as well, as the centre-half who steps forward into the engine room.

It would represent a marked change for Pellegrini, who is yet to field a back three in the Premier League this season and has relied on back fours for most of his career. But if West Ham are to really push the division’s top clubs next season for some form of European qualification, that level of tactical flexibility is vital – especially in the encounters with the Big Six.