Rangers have been dealt a blow as an injury expert has warned not to expect one key man back in the squad for the Old Firm derby in what will come as a blow to Philippe Clement.
Ibrox showdown looms large
The Scottish Premiership is reaching its climax and either one of Rangers and Celtic could still scoop top spot come the end of the campaign. As it stands, Celtic sit top of the table, but only courtesy of Rangers' clash with Dundee being postponed. Clement's side have a game in hand on the Hoops and sit just a point adrift.
Scottish Premiership race
Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
Goal Difference
Points
Celtic
30
22
5
3
48
71
Rangers
29
23
1
5
48
70
One side boasts the best attack in the division while the other lays claim to the best defence, and the pair are the two best sides bar none in Scotland once again. It makes their meeting at Ibrox in a fortnight even more intriguing, with whoever wins the next Old Firm derby handed a massive boost in their pursuit of silverware come the end of the campaign.
Neither side are likely to be at full strength – Celtic have concerns over centre-back Liam Scales and midfielder Reo Hatate, but there are certainly more issues on the other side of Glasgow. As it stands, Rangers are sweating on the fitness of Todd Cantwell, Ross McCausland, Kieran Dowell, Danilo, Rabbi Matondo and Abdallah Sima.
Abdallah Sima injury update
Sima is certain to miss the upcoming clash with Hibs, and now looks unlikely to return in time for Celtic, as he will not have been in full training long enough to be match fit. Sima has been missing since the middle of January with a thigh injury, but remains the club's second top-goalscorer this season alongside Cyriel Dessers, having notched 14 goals and grabbed a further 2 assists.
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According to medical expert Dr Rajpal Brar, who weighed in on his injury situation, he would have had to returned to training by this point to have a serious chance of being in the mix for the debry.
“The key will be how he’s responding to first-team training but I would be surprised to see him not get bounce matches to build up fitness and rhythm considering how long he has been out", he explained to Ibrox News.
Rangers winger Abdallah Sima.
“It will take multiple games for him to tolerate 90 minutes. So I think he is unlikely not just to start but also to be available for that [Celtic] game. If he’s back in full training already then it’s a possibility but that does not seem to be the case."
The news will come as a major blow to Rangers, who would have loved to be able to call upon Sima's services for the clash, at least from the bench. However, his eventual return will be welcome in the aftermath of the tie as they look to pip Celtic to top spot.
أدلى المدير الفني لفريق مانشستر سيتي، بيب جوارديولا، بتصريحات صحفية بعد فوز فريقه على ساوثهامبتون في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
وفاز مانشستر سيتي على نظيره ساوثهامبتون بنتيجة 1/0، ضمن منافسات الجولة التاسعة من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، على ملعب “الاتحاد”.
وبهذه النتيجة، ارتفع رصيد مانشستر سيتي إلى النقطة 23 في صدارة ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي بشكل مؤقت، بينما تجمد رصيد ساوثهامبتون بنقطة واحدة في المركز الأخير.
اقرأ ايضاً.. فيديو | هالاند يقود مانشستر سيتي لتخطي ساوثهامبتون وتصدر الدوري الإنجليزي
وقال بيب جوارديولا في تصريحات لـ”MOTD”: “الطريقة التي لعب بها ساوثهامبتون تجعلهم متطلبين للغاية، إنهم يدافعون بالكرة، يمكنك الدفاع بالكرة وهم جيدون حقًا، هم أحد أفضل الفرق في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز”.
وأضاف جوارديولا: “ساوثهامبتون لم يخلقوا الكثير من الفرص، لكننا خلقنا الكثير ولكن لسوء الحظ لم نتمكن من تسجيل الهدف الثاني. لهم الفضل الكبير، لم يكن ذلك لأننا كنا غير موفقين، ليس لدي هذا الشعور، أعتقد أننا كنا هناك وأحيانًا يكونون جيدين، علينا أن نقبل ذلك”.
وعن إيرلينج هالاند: “الأمر ليس سهلاً بالنسبة له لأن كل عرضية هي ركلة جزاء لإيرلينج، الطريقة التي يسحبونه بها، لقد خلقنا المزيد من الفرص لكننا لم نتمكن من تسجيل الهدف الثاني، لكن هالاند هو الضمان لنا”.
عن سافينيو وماتيوس نونيس: “جيدان حقًا، سافينيو خلق كل الفرص من اليمين إلى اليسار، أستطيع أن أقول إنهما جيدان حقًا، وماتيوس ليس في مركز غير مركزه الطبيعي مرة أخرى، لذا فهو يقدم تمريرة حاسمة أخرى هجوميًا ودفاعيًا، لقد لعب بشكل جيد حقًا”.
وعن ماتيو كوفاسيتش: “إنه رجل ولاعب رائع، نفتقد رودري كثيرًا هذا الموسم، إنه لاعب مهم للغاية، وفي الوقت نفسه، يتعين علينا الاستمرار في ذلك”.
وعن إمكانية عودة أي لاعب مصاب أمام توتنهام: “لا أعتقد ذلك، سنرى ما سيحدث، في هذا التقويم، كأس كاراباو مخصصة فقط للعب مع اللاعبين الشباب، سنرى ما إذا كنا سنلعب مع لاعبي الأكاديمية أو نرى كيف سيعودون حديثًا من ذلك”.
Captain’s counterattack bags crucial bonus points in promotion tussle
ECB Reporters Network16-Sep-2019Durham 37 for 4 (Sanderson 3-20) trail Northamptonshire 217 (Rossington 82, Rushworth 5-68) by 180 runsAdam Rossington produced a murderous counterattack to revive Northamptonshire on the opening day of their crucial Specsavers County Championship promotion clash with Durham at Wantage Road.Asked to bat in bowling conditions that couldn’t have been better designed, Northants were listing at 150 for 8 after Chris Rushworth’s fourth five-wicket haul of the season before captain Rossington struck 60 in just 22 balls to rescue a batting point. He was last out for 82 but pushed his side to 217. Ben Sanderson then put Northants on top with three wickets as Durham slipped to 37 for 4 when bad curtailed the day.Rossington targeted the short leg-side boundary towards the Clark Road and shuffled across his stumps to slog sweep seven sixes – three of them in one over from Brydon Carse that went for 27 and four off Rushworth, including the biggest that brought up the batting point.It was the perfect time for a captain’s innings and gave Northants something to bowl at, which looked unlikely when Rushworth ran through them after lunch. Conditions were tailor-made for he and the Durham attack with a heavy grey cloud clinging over the ground and the floodlights the only reason play was possible. Ned Eckersley could have declined the toss from the changing room.But the visitors did not initially do justice to conditions and allowed Northants to reach 99 for 1 just after lunch. But Durham located a more consistent length and Rushworth’s first wicket began a severe slide of 7 for 51 in 21.1 overs.He found the breakthrough with a delivery that jagged back sharply off the seam to pluck out Alex Wakely’s off stump as he perfectly justifiably shouldered arms. Two balls later Rob Keogh edged an away-swinger to fall for a second-ball duck after a match-winning innings last week.Rushworth also nipped one through Ben Curran’s defences, who was rather caught on the crease in losing his off stump for a battling 36. After tea, Doug Bracewell was pinned by a nip-backer for 1 and the five-wicket haul was completed by one that bounced to take the shoulder of Brett Hutton’s bat to point.Ben Raine also went to 50 wickets in a season for the second time with his 3 for 57, having Rob Newton caught at slip for 26, Luke Procter caught behind first ball after tea for 8 and Gareth Berg bowled off his gloves as he tried to avoid another ball that bounced a little.But after Rossington’s brilliance gave his side a useful score, and momentum, the Northants bowlers made inroads much earlier then Durham managed.Sanderson got one to straighten on Cameron Steel who edged low to Hutton at third slip for 7 and lured Alex Lees, on 15, into flicking across a full delivery to provide Alex Wakely with a catch at first slip. A nip-backer then trapped Angus Robson lbw for 9.Gareth Berg also produced a big inswinger that won a leg before decision against Championship debutant BJ Watling. The New Zealander walked off for a third-ball duck as Northants ended the day much the stronger.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have a sporting GPS telling them “where to go” at Wrexham, but will their final destination be the Premier League?
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Hollywood co-owners arrived in 2021
Overseen back-to-back promotions
Intend to reach top-flight at some stage
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Red Dragons have returned to the third tier of English football for the first time in 20 years, with back-to-back promotions lifting them out of the non-league ranks and into League One. Hollywood co-owners in North Wales have made no secret of the fact that they want to reach the top-flight.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
More shrewd requirement and tactical nous will be required to get them there, with executive director Humphrey Ker telling of how the Wrexham board continue to lean on others for advice. He said: “There’s a GPS telling us where to go. We’re lucky we’re surrounded by lots of people who know what they’re doing, so they give us as much advice as possible. And ultimately, it’s up to Rob and Ryan what we do. We’ll plunge our way forward and see what happens.”
WHAT KER SAID
Wrexham have not hit too many bumps in the road so far – outside of play-off and Wembley final heartache in Reynolds and McElhenney’s first season at the helm – and they remain aware of the need to tread carefully when heading down a long and winding road. Ker added: “You look at the largest degree of the Premier League and Champions League teams, and then if you go down the football pyramid, the fans and teams get closer together. We’ve got to try and preserve that relationship as much as possible. If we start to move away from what we came here for — which was to create, promote and support a community club that plays for its town and plays for its fans — that’s when we might get in trouble.”
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WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?
Everybody continues to pull in the same direction for now, with the third series of Welcome to Wrexham covering the highs and lows of a League Two promotion-winning campaign in 2023-24. Efforts are being made to get bodies on board in another transfer window, with Reynolds and McElhenney having an important role to play there.
One Rangers player is reportedly looking to leave Ibrox at the end of the season and can actually secure his next move now.
Rangers January transfer window
Philippe Clement’s first transfer window as Rangers boss ended up being a productive one, with three new players being brought in on loan.
Glasgow Rangers managerPhilippe Clement.
Fabio Silva, Mohamed Diomande and Oscar Cortes joined from Wolves, Nordsjaelland and Lens respectively, whereas Sam Lammers, Jose Cifuentes and Adam Devine headed out on temporary deals until the end of the season. Talking about the club’s business last month, Clement seemed fairly happy, saying:
“Great and I'm happy that it's finished and we know what the squad is to go on for the next four months. It's almost going to be a sprint now in the next four months with a lot of games and we know what the squad is.
“We adjusted a few things to get balance in the squad, we added some young and talented players who can raise their game here and add value to the club and also, in the future, to bring more money into the club. It's not the main concern, the main concern is to get results but with a good business plan.”
As we know, Rangers are pushing rivals Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership, while also still being in the Europa League and Scottish Cup following their League Cup triumph.
It looks set to be a frantic final few months of the season, however, it seems as if one player already has his mind on a move away from Glasgow.
Borna Barisic transfer update
According to Football Insider in the last 48 hours, left-back Borna Barisic is on course to leave Ibrox for free at the end of the current campaign and already appears to have his eye on a “bigger deal” elsewhere.
“Rangers left-back Borna Barisic is ready to quit the club this summer when his contract comes to an end, sources have told Football Insider. The 31-year-old’s deal is up in May and he is now looking to take advantage of his free agent status in the off-season. Barisic is aware he can get a bigger deal elsewhere if he leaves Ibrox for free.”
Borna Barisic
Barisic has been at Rangers since 2018 and enjoyed plenty of success at Ibrox, but it looks as if his days in Scotland are now numbered.
Appearances
228
Goals
10
Assists
54
Scottish Premiership
1
Scottish Cup
1
Scottish League Cup
1
He’s previously come in for praise from former managers Steven Gerrard and Michael Beale, with Gerrard saying: "Borna was outstanding last night, he is the Croatian left-back and he is used to these high-pressure games. "He is very highly respected by the staff and in the dressing room."
Beale said last year: “I think Borna must have sensed he [Yilmaz] was getting fit because Borna has been consistently our strongest player over the last few weeks.”
The tables have turned and Ridvan Yilmaz is first choice under Clement, and with links to left-back Jefte not going away, losing Barisic might not be the end of the world for Rangers.
أشاد أحمد فتحي لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالأهلي وبيراميدز السابق، بمدافع القلعة الحمراء محمد عبد المنعم الذي انضم إلى صفوف نيس الفرنسي.
وأعلن أحمد فتحي، رسمياً اليوم اعتزاله كرة القدم، مكتفياً بما قدمة خلال مسيرته مع أندية بنها والإسماعيلي والأهلي وهال سيتي وشيفيلد يونايتد وكاظمة الكويتي وأم صلال الإنجليزي وبيراميدز.
وقال أحمد فتحي في تصريحات عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر”: “قلت لمحمد عبد المنعم عندما صعد للفريق الأول للأهلي أنت لاعب جيد ولكن مركزك لا يريد فلسفة، لو لم تفعل ذلك ستكون من أفضل اللاعبين بمصر”.
طالع أيضاً.. رسميًا | أحمد فتحي يعلن اعتزال كرة القدم
واختتم: “محمد عبد المنعم مدافع قوي وسريع، وقلت له اذهب لسيد عبد الحفيظ واطلب منه الخروج على سبيل الإعارة لمدة سنة، وقلت له (هما هيجبوك تاني)”.
Tottenham Hotspur's mini-revival unravelled on the south coast last night, with Ange Postecoglou's injury-hit side succumbing to Brighton & Hove Albion's unrelenting pressure and falling to a 4-2 defeat in the Premier League.
Spurs have been largely impressive this season but have found the medical room to sit at the crux of their problems, with key personnel falling like flies to preclude the sustainment of a credible title charge.
Tottenham remain within touching distance of the top four at the campaign's midpoint and will view the forthcoming transfer window as an apt time to strengthen the ranks, but, nonetheless, Postecoglou will be disappointed by the poor performances of several stars.
Dejan Kulusevski's game vs Brighton by numbers
Dejan Kulusevski has been sensational for the lion's share of the 2023/24 campaign, scoring five goals and supplying two assists in the English top-flight, but he flattered to deceive at the AMEX stadium on an occasion that called for leadership and inspiration.
As per Sofascore, the Swede took 59 touches and completed 87% of his passes on the night, but failed to harness the crispness and sharpness that has been at the heart of his individual success this year, wayward with all five of his attempted crosses and failing with both dribbles.
The 23-year-old also took just one off-target shot all evening, making one key pass but failing to assert himself in a crucial midfield battle and winning only two of his eight contested duels, also committing the foul for Joao Pedro's first penalty after carelessly tugging on Danny Welbeck's shirt.
Tottenham ace Dejan Kulusevski.
Branding him with a 5/10 match rating, football.london's Alasdair Gold was particularly scathing in his assessment, commenting: 'Gifted Brighton a penalty by grabbing Welbeck's shirt in the box and earned himself the fifth yellow card of the season that means he misses the match against Bournemouth. His tackle set up the play for Veliz's goal and the Swede took Dunk's studs to his ankle in the process.'
He was lively though and attempted to make things happen, indeed setting up one of Richarlison's offside goals and pressuring late on to spark the unsuccessful, if spirited, comeback into life.
Emerson Royal's performance vs Brighton
Postecoglou deserves plaudits for his ingenuity and inspiration in implementing his vision as he sees fit, discarding the buzzing disaccord of onlookers and maintaining that the cogs, as has already been the case, will click with constancy.
While, in many regards, this is the case, the defeat against Brighton was final confirmation that Emerson Royal must not be fielded as a centre-half again.
Cristian Romero is sidelined for five weeks and Micky van de Ven remains out after his own injury in November, but with Eric Dier and youngster Alfie Dorrington both languishing on the bench, one wonders whether this obstinate approach to field natural right-back Emerson as natural left-back Ben Davies' partner in the centre of the backline is going to work.
Emerson Royal
So far, it hasn't, and against the Seagulls, the Brazilian was left rather hot under the collar after struggling to stifle the hosts' – namely Joao Pedro's – threat.
Emerson did win eight of his 16 duels and completed 92% of his passes, though was dribbled past twice and failed to emit the kind of calmness and control that a centre-back should provide for an ambitious outfit such at Tottenham.
Gold gave him a 4/10 score but did acknowledge the fact that he is performing gallantly in an unnatural role, saying: 'Looked like a full-back trying to play at centre-back, which to be fair to him is exactly what he is. It just didn't work on this occasion as he struggled with Porro in dealing with Pedro.'
It didn't work, and while Spurs' preferred defensive axis is currently marooned on the periphery, the defeat against Brighton will have told Postecoglou that he might need to look for an alternative solution.
Zimbabwe have picked three uncapped players in a squad of 27 to train together in preparation for the home ODI series against the UAE, to be played next month. Star batsman Brendan Taylor, whose stint with Lahore Qalandars in the PSL was cut short by a calf injury, is also part of the squad, suggesting that he will have returned to full fitness ahead of the first ODI on April 10.Two of the uncapped players – left-arm spinner Ainsley Ndlovu and middle-order batsman Charles Kunje – play for Matabeleland Tuskers, while offspinner Tony Munyonga debuted for Rising Stars last season and has since moved to Eagles.
The 27-man training squad
Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor, Brian Chari, Solomon Mire, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Peter Moor, Sikandar Raza, Timycen Maruma, Regis Chakabva, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Richard Ngarava, Chris Mpofu, Donald Tiripano, Brandon Mavuta, AinsleyNdlovu, Richmond Mutumbami, Charles Kunje, Natsai M’shangwe, Ryan Burl, Elton Chigumbura, Tendai Chisoro, Roy Kaia, Carl Mumba, Tony Munyonga
Some familiar names from the fringes also returned to the mix: batsmen Roy Kaia and Timycen Maruma, wicketkeepers Richmond Mutumbami and Regis Chakabva, and legspinner Natsai M’shwangwe have all been recalled on the strength of their performances this season in franchise cricket.Kaia, Chakabva and Maruma all scored hundreds in the Pro50 tournament, while Maruma was also the leading runscorer in the Logan Cup, where he guided Mountaineers to the title with 409 runs at 81.80.Also returning to the national frame is fast bowler Carl Mumba. Mumba was on the sidelines for a year after seriously injuring his knee during Zimbabwe’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2017, but marked his return to professional cricket with 8 for 24 in a Logan Cup match at the beginning of the season, and could now force his way back into the national team.The experienced core of the national team is in place: captain Hamilton Masakadza, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Tendai Chatara, Kyle Jarvis, Elton Chigumbura and Craig Ervine, who will head into the training camp in red-hot limited overs form. Ervine stormed through the Pro50 and Domestic T20 competitions, averaging 211 at better than a run a ball as he topped the local fifty-over batting chart, and carried that form into the T20s, during which he was again leading run-scorer as he powered Tuskers to the title with 328 runs at a strike rate of 154.71.There were also a couple of notable absences from the squad, with hard-hitting opener Cephas Zhuwao overlooked and left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza unable to force his way in despite decent domestic limited-overs returns. Batsman Tarisai Musakanda has also fallen out of favour after an unspectacular season, while seamer Daniel Jakiel has not been called upon despite topping the Pro50 bowling table with 13 wickets at 11.84.The ODIs against UAE are scheduled for April 10, 12, 14 and 16, all at Harare Sports Club. Before the series gets underway, UAE will face Zimbabwe A in a 50-over warm-up match at Old Hararians Sports Club on April 8, two days after their arrival in the country.
The relentless Championship schedule is already starting to impact Leeds United and their performances as they have dropped points in the last two matches.
Daniel Farke's side were held to a 1-1 draw last time out against Coventry at Elland Road and that came off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Those two results have left the Whites a staggering ten points adrift of Ipswich Town in second and 13 points behind league-leaders Leicester City, who currently occupy the two automatic promotion places.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke.
Leeds are competing to make an instant return to the Premier League after they were relegated from the top-flight at the end of last season, but will have to do so via the play-offs unless they can oust one of the top two out of the way during the second half of the campaign.
The January transfer window is set to open for business next month and the Yorkshire-based outfit could dip into the market to provide their promotion push with a boost heading into the final few months of the season.
Leeds transfer news – Kerem Akturkoglu
A recent report from Turkish outlet Fanatik claimed that Leeds are one of the teams showing an interest in Galatasaray forward Kerem Akturkoglu.
It was stated that the Whites and Italian side Lazio are both eyeing up the talented whiz ahead of a possible swoop for his services in 2024.
Fanatik also reported that several clubs from England, Italy, and France have been in 'frequent' contact with the player's agents to determine how viable a transfer could be either in January or next summer.
However, it was also claimed that Galatasaray have decided, after an internal meeting to discuss their strategy, that they will not be cashing in on any of their star players and only those already on the transfer list will be allowed to depart.
This means that Leeds could have a tough job on their hands to convince the Turkish giants to part ways with Akturkoglu when the window opens.
Leeds forward Wilfried Gnonto.
However, the sale of one of their current forwards could provide them with the funds to make an attractive offer to Galatasaray, which is where Wilfried Gnonto could come in.
Football Insider recently reported that Leeds could accept an offer for the Italy international in January as the 20-year-old wants to play regular first-team football.
Premier League and Serie A sides are said to be keeping an eye on his situation and it was previously claimed by TEAMtalk that Everton, Roma, and Lazio are keen on the gem, who would cost a fee in the region of £25m.
Cashing in on Gnonto could allow Farke to invest in another forward and this could, therefore, open the door for a swoop for Akturkoglu, who could come in as the manager's new version of Crysencio Summerville.
Summerville's season in numbers
The Dutch forward has been in terrific form so far this season in the Championship and has proven to be a reliable attacking outlet for his side.
Summerville managed four goals and two assists in 28 Premier League appearances for Leeds during the 2022/23 campaign as they were relegated to the second tier.
The 22-year-old has been able to use that top-flight experience to become a superstar for the Whites with his electric performances this term.
Leeds duo Daniel Farke and Crysencio Summerville.
He has spearheaded Farke's attack on the left wing and has been one of the best players in the entire division, with his average Sofascore rating of 7.89 topping the league ahead of the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Gabriel Sara, and ex-Leeds forward Jack Clarke.
Summerville is currently third in the league for goals (ten), only behind Sammie Szmodics and Adam Armstrong, and is joint-fifth for assists (six), as it stands.
Summerville's 2023/24 statistics.
The impressive left-winger, who has created ten 'big chances' for his teammates, is also top of the Leeds squad for key passes (3.1) and dribbles completed (2.7) per game so far this season in the Championship.
These statistics show that the Dutch wizard has the quality to make a huge impact at the top end of the pitch week-in-week-out with his ability as both a scorer and a creator of goals.
He provides variety in his game that makes it difficult for defenders to stop him as Summerville can just as easily dribble on the outside to create a chance for a teammate as he can dribble inside to open up space for himself to score.
The statistics that show why Akturkoglu could be Summerville 2.0
Farke could now land his next version of the Leeds star by securing a deal ahead of Lazio to land Akturkoglu's signature before the end of next month.
The 25-year-old whiz, who can play out wide on either flank, has been in sublime form for Galatasaray since the start of last season and has the potential to offer similar qualities to Summerville in the final third.
He is a winger who has the ability to contribute with goals and assists at an impressive rate, which could make him a fantastic addition to the squad ahead of the second half of the season.
Galatasaray forward Kerem Akturkoglu.
Last term, Akturkoglu racked up nine goals, 11 assists, and 17 'big chances' created in 34 Turkish Super Lig outings for Galatasaray.
The exciting dynamo has followed that up with a return of four goals, five assists, and 11 'big chances' created in 13 Super Lig starts so far during the 2023/24 campaign.
This means that the Turkey international, who was once described as “unstoppable” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, has produced 13 goals, 16 assists, and created 28 'big chances' in his last 47 league outings, which highlights how productive he is at the top end of the pitch.
The Whites target is a right-footed winger, who can play on either side, and has the quality to score and assist goals at an eye-catching rate, just like Farke's current superstar on the left flank.
Akturkoglu has made 2.9 key passes per game for his teammates this season and only Summerville (3.1) has managed more than that within the Leeds squad.
These statistics all indicate that the 5 foot 8 Turkish sensation could be a phenomenal addition to the club if he is able to translate those performances over to English football, due to the impact he could have on matches with his attacking contributions.
“O Kelvin é uma aposta baratíssima. Se der certo, é um achado. Se der errado, é metade do preço do Fernando, lateral-direito. Então, não tem muito problema”: foi assim que Ricardo Rotenberg, membro do Comitê Executivo de Futebol do Botafogo, explicou, em um áudio vazado, a contratação do atacante ao Alvinegro. Na última quinta-feira, o Glorioso comunicou que o jogador não será mais relacionado até o fim do Campeonato Brasileiro por decisão do Departamento de Futebol.
Oferecido ao clube de General Severiano, o atacante teve o respaldo do dirigente para assinar com a equipe. O contrato tinha validade até o fim do Brasileirão, mas podia ter sido rescindido em dezembro sem custos, o que não foi feito por opção do Botafogo.
Kelvin deixa o Botafogo sem deixar saudades. Na curta passagem pelo Estádio Nilton Santos, foram sete jogos e nenhuma participação direta em gol. Das quatro partidas que começou como titular, não terminou nenhuma em campo. Com Eduardo Barroca, atual treinador, participou de dois duelos.
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Antes de fechar com o Glorioso, Kelvin havia sido dispensado do Avaí. Pela equipe catarinense, havia entrado em campo em nove oportunidades na temporada.
Vale ressaltar que o contrato de Kelvin não será rescindido. O Botafogo informou que o atacante apenas não será mais relacionado para as partidas e, consequentemente, está fora dos planos do departamento de futebol, saindo do radar para a próxima temporada.
Na 20ª colocação do Brasileirão, a equipe comandada por Eduardo Barroca volta aos gramados na próxima terça-feira, às 16h, para enfrentar o Palmeiras, no Allianz Parque, pela 33ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.