A Manchester City star who Pep Guardiola recently called “incredible” now wants to leave in the January transfer window, and a Premier League club have emerged as potential suitors.

Man City could be rocked by multiple departures this winter

The January transfer window is now less than a month away, but Guardiola has insisted it is “too early” to start thinking about potential additions to the squad, with a busy month ahead, as his side look to keep the pressure on Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

With the north Londoners being held to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, following City’s 3-2 victory against Leeds United on Saturday, there is now a five-point gap, and the games are coming thick and fast, with Guardiola’s side set to play seven games this month, including a trip to Fulham tonight.

In truth, there are signs that some additions could be needed this winter, given that the Blues arguably aren’t the side they once were, having only managed to scrape past Leeds, after suffering back-to-back defeats against Newcastle United and Bayer Leverkusen.

However, Man City could also be rocked by a couple of departures, according to a report from The Daily Mail, which states James Trafford wants out just five months after moving to the Etihad Stadium, while fellow goalkeeper Stefan Ortega is also open to a move.

Trafford was originally told he would be joining as the new first-choice goalkeeper, but the former Burnley man has found game time hard to come by recently, with Gianluigi Donnarumma emerging as the preferred option between the sticks.

The 23-year-old’s chances of going to the World Cup with England are under threat, with Thomas Tuchel only willing to take players receiving regular minutes, which means a January move would make sense, and Newcastle United are expected to make an approach.

"Incredible" Trafford needs to be playing consistently

Guardiola recently made it clear he is a big fan of the Englishman, saying: “With Trafford, I see the training sessions and for a long time I haven’t seen a goalkeeper as good as James. We have two incredible keepers.”

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Having equalled the record for clean sheets in a single season in English football during 2024-25, it is little wonder the £50k-a-week shot-stopper is eager to be playing consistently, particularly considering his chances of going to the World Cup are in jeopardy.

Guardiola’s side are in safe hands, with Donnarumma making a solid start to life at City, keeping six clean sheets in all competitions, while also ranking highly across some key metrics for goalkeepers over the past year.

Gianluigi Donnarumma’s key statistics

Average per 90 (past year)

Goals against

0.89 (95th percentile)

Save %

50% (87th percentile)

Clean sheet percentage

35% (80th percentile)

Letting Trafford leave could be risky, given that the goalkeeper could be a quality back-up option for Donnarumma if the Italian were to get injured, but the Englishman is simply too good to play second fiddle, and City shouldn’t stand in his way this January.

If you were to ask Mikel Arteta what a perfect game looked like ahead of kick-off on Wednesday night, he would have described something close to the one Arsenal delivered.

Sure, there were a few moments in the first half where Club Brugge looked threatening, but that is to be expected when a team is so heavily rotated.

Moreover, the Gunners were comfortably the better side for much of the game and came away with their 100% record in the Champions League still intact.

There were impressive performances across the pitch from Arteta’s men, including from one international who, like Noni Madueke, had his best game in an Arsenal shirt so far.

Noni Madueke's performance vs Club Brugge

Wednesday night’s game against Club Brugge could have been a banana-skin fixture for Arsenal.

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After all, the North Londoners were coming off a devastating defeat in the Premier League, were beset by injuries, and had to rotate a significant portion of the side.

However, the Gunners showed why so many consider them to be one of Europe’s best teams and swept the Belgian outfit aside.

The likes of Martin Zubimendi, Gabriel Martinelli, Ben White and Piero Hincapie all looked excellent, but the star of the show was undoubtedly Madueke.

The former Chelsea man was the busiest of the attackers in the first half and opened the scoring with a truly sensational solo goal.

The Englishman had the ball by the halfway line, beat one player, rode the challenge of another and then rifled the ball into the top corner from well outside the area.

The dynamic game-changer then continued to be a serious threat throughout the rest of the half, before scoring his second early in the second half, thanks to a smart run and a pinpoint accurate cross from Zubimendi.

All in all, it was a performance that more than justified the man of the match award, and has to go down as his best in an Arsenal shirt thus far.

Fortunately, the same could be said about another starter.

Arsenal's other standout star

Now, there are other players who deserve praise for their performances against Brugge, but the only other starter who comfortably had his best game in an Arsenal shirt was Christian Nørgaard.

The Danish midfielder has been something of a forgotten man since his arrival in the summer, playing just 302 minutes of football before last night.

However, while he did finally get another start on Wednesday night, just his fourth all year, it wasn’t in the middle of the park; it was at centre-back.

Understandably, such a move left some in the fan base feeling a little nervous ahead of kick-off, but there was no need to be, as the 31-year-old was practically faultless for the entire match.

Yes, he did pick up a yellow card, but he also made a crucial interception in the penalty area in the first half, and as football.london’s Tom Canton put it, looked totally ‘unfazed by the unfamiliar position.’

That might sound a little hyperbolic, but the former Brentford captain’s statistics prove otherwise.

For example, in his 93 minutes of action, the £65k-per-week monster won 100% of his tackles, took 72 touches, won three of four ground duels, made clearances and two interceptions, recovered the ball twice, blocked a shot, completed 50 passes and even played two long balls.

Nørgaard’s game v Brugge
Minutes	93′
Tackles (Won)	3 (3)
Touches	72
Accurate Passes	50/54
Long Balls	2/3
Blocked Shots	1
Recoveries	2
Ground Duels (Won)	4 (3)
Interceptions	2
Clearances	4
All Stats via Sofascore

In fact, the København-born veteran looked so good at the back, both with and without the ball, that there might even need to be a conversation about him playing there against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

Ultimately, it was a great night at the office for Arsenal on Wednesday, and like Madueke, Nørgaard undoubtedly put in his best performance since his move in the summer.

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Manchester United are keen to strengthen their attacking ranks under Ruben Amorim and could now be set to raid South America for a bristling talent dubbed the next Neymar Jr.

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The Red Devils find themselves in the middle of the Premier League pack heading into a hectic run of fixtures between now and the New Year, which will offer Amorim some insight regarding where he needs to add steel to help his side continue their recent improvement.

Ultimately, setbacks are part of football, and Monday’s defeat against Everton will sting for the Manchester United support, especially given the difficulty their side had in breaking down the low block David Moyes deployed at Old Trafford.

Delivering an honest assessment of what needs to change going forward, Matthijs De Ligt urged his teammates to bounce back against Crystal Palace on Sunday and show improved urgency in South London.

He stated: “Overall, just a really bad performance. The next game, obviously, is really important now. We have to bounce back from this performance. We had some good performances over the last couple of weeks, and now we had a bad one.

“Now, it’s for us to come back, to stay together and to make clear what has to be better. We lacked maybe the urgency to score the goals, to create the chances – and then you know against a team like Everton, who drop back and are really strong in the air, it’s going to be quite difficult. That basically sums up the night.”

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Wolverhampton Wanderers pair Andre and Joao Gomes have been identified by Manchester United as January targets. Casemiro’s potential contract expiry has led Amorim down the path of searching for a midfielder, and it is clear he is making inroads on that front.

Conversely, the Red Devils are now said to be leading the race for a talent who could become one of South America’s brightest stars in the next few years.

Man Utd leading race to sign Santos star Robinho Jr

According to reports in Spain, Man Utd are leading the race to sign Santos prodigy Robinho Jr, and they have made contact with his entourage over bringing the 17-year-old winger to Old Trafford.

Compared to Neymar by peers in his homeland, he is a recognisable name as the son of former Manchester City and Real Madrid star Robinho, and he may be allowed to leave his current club due to their financial situation.

Robinho Jr’s statistics at Santos

Appearances

13

Goals

0

Assists

1

Santos are unlikely to let the winger go for a modest fee, albeit Manchester United have been tracking his progress for months and see a unique opportunity to develop his talent in England.

This is something that the Brazilian giants are willing to seriously evaluate as they look to bring funds into the club, especially given they are at risk of relegation, potentially creating a scenario where everyone is a winner.

Offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli bowled well for WA but there best result appears to be a draw

AAP24-Nov-2025

Jordan Buckingham took early wickets for South Australia•Getty Images

South Australia captain Nathan McSweeney top-scored to put his side in position to push for victory on the final day of the Sheffield Shield clash against Western Australia.McSweeney and Henry Hunt combined for an 88-run stand for the second wicket as the hosts chase a second consecutive Shield win.Related

Thornton, Manenti give South Australia early advantage

Chaudhary stars with maiden first-class hundred in Tasmania's 623

The defending Shield champions were bowled out for 333 at Adelaide Oval in the pink-ball day-night clash and at stumps on day three the visitors were 85 for 2, still trailing by 60 runs.South Australia paceman Jordan Buckingham was a menace under lights and took the key wicket of opener Cameron Bancroft for 41.Hunt continued an impressive season that has returned 385 runs at an average of 42. He was trapped in front by a ball that seamed in from Cameron Gannon who was rewarded for attacking the stumps.McSweeney, who scored a century against WA earlier in the season, was the rock who kept the innings together.Western Australia offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli continued the form that has him vying with Todd Murphy to be the next in line when Test star Nathan Lyon retires.Rocchiccioli has a penchant for breaking partnerships by dismissing the key men in the opposition and it was no different when he cleaned up McSweeney with a ripper. The South Australia captain went back to a vicious offspinner that also skidded through with added pace.Extra bounce and spin from Rocchiccioli had earlier accounted for Jason Sangha.He has 17 wickets for the summer after claiming 38 last season.It was that form which won Rocchiccioli a place in the Australia A side for the India A tour to Lucknow where he took six wickets in three innings in September.

Cardiff City have released a passionate and powerful statement in relation to the passing of Emiliano Sala. The 28-year-old lost his life when travelling to Wales to complete a transfer in January 2019. A seven-year legal battle is now drawing to a close, with the Bluebirds taking aim at Nantes and Sala’s representatives for the role that they played in “a tragedy that could and should have been avoided”.

Sala tragedy: Plan crashed when travelling to Wales

Argentine striker Sala died when the private plane carrying him from France to Cardiff crashed into the Channel. He was in the process of completing a £15 million switch from Ligue 1 side Nantes. He lost his life alongside pilot David Ibbotson, with the flight having been organised by agent Willie McKay and his son Mark. The journey was unlicensed and a legal dispute has dragged on for several years.

AdvertisementHow much are Cardiff seeking in damages?

Cardiff are seeking £105m ($140m) in damages. They were a Premier League side when agreeing a deal for Sala, but suffered relegation out of the top flight at the end of the 2018-19 campaign.

David Anderson, who helped to organise the flight in question, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for his role in the tragedy. On December 8, 2025, proceedings will begin at the Nantes Commercial Court as Cardiff state their case.

The presiding French judge will consider whether Nantes are liable for the financial losses being claimed by Cardiff. If the Bluebirds are successful, then a decision will be made on how much they are owed.

Cardiff City condemn Nantes & McKay in statement

The Welsh outfit have said in a strongly-worded statement: “Nantes' commercial court will finally hear the substance of Cardiff City Football Club's case against FC Nantes. We want FC Nantes to be held accountable for the faults committed by Willie McKay, FC Nantes' true agent. This tragedy, which began nearly seven years ago, cost Emiliano Sala his life.

“It is a tragedy that could and should have been avoided, had the people involved in the transfer on FC Nantes' side not relied on the services of a banned agent, who went on to organise illegal flights to get the deal done. On the eve of the hearing, however, there is hope.

“The hearing marks another step towards uncovering the truth and establishing more accountability in football. This case isn't about harming football: it's about protecting its integrity. This is about ensuring higher standards across our sport, especially surrounding transfers. Because Emiliano Sala deserved better. Because football deserves better.”

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Getty Images SportSala case: When is a verdict expected?

At the hearing in France, the judge will open proceedings – which get underway at 4pm UK time – by delivering an initial summary of the case. All documents submitted by both clubs have been reviewed. Legal teams from each party will then present their respective arguments.

While the matter is now in court, after almost seven years, a final verdict is not expected until the spring of 2026. That means full closure remains some way off, but an end to the lengthy saga is now in sight.

Sala’s body was found in the wreckage of the plane transporting him to the United Kingdom on January 21, 2019. The aircraft in question went down near the Channel Island of Guernsey. Ibbotson’s body was never recovered.

While they were a Premier League outfit at the time of the transfer for Sala being agreed, Cardiff now find themselves in the third tier of English football. They are top of the League One table through 17 fixtures in 2025-26.

The World Test Championship is likely to expand to 12 teams from 2027

Tristan Lavalette11-Nov-2025The next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle is likely to feature all 12 Full Members in one division after plans to split nations into two tiers failed to gain widespread support, while a resurrection for the short-lived ODI Super League is also on the cards.A working group, led by former New Zealand batter Roger Twose, tasked with addressing pressing issues over cricket’s three formats provided recommendations to the ICC board and Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) during last week’s quarterly meetings in Dubai.There had been a sense of urgency behind it with countries already having started conversations for bilateral series that will be part of the next WTC cycle (2027-29).A two-tier system, which has cropped up in talks periodically for over a decade, was again among topics discussed when the working group was formed at the ICC annual conference in July.But doubts over whether a funding model could be implemented contributed to scuppering the two-tier model. It had been mooted that India, England and Australia could support those in division two through a financial distribution, but those talks did not go far.Nations likely to occupy division two, such as West Indies, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, were opposed to the idea due to the likely lack of playing opportunities against the bigger nations.Promotion and relegation was also a thorny issue, the big three concerned about the financial impacts of relegation.”We wouldn’t want, as England, we may go through a fallow period, and that means, what, we fall into Division Two and we don’t play Australia and India?” ECB chief Richard Thompson told the BBC in August. “That couldn’t happen. There has to be a sense that common sense needs to play out here.”Instead the working group has proposed a 12-team WTC, with Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Ireland, potentially part of an expanded league for the next cycle, which begins in July 2027. The teams will be expected to play a minimum number of Tests – the exact number is not yet known – during the cycle. No extra funding is likely to be available for hosting Tests – which has been part of the struggle for members such as Ireland.”It guarantees that everyone is playing Test cricket,” a board director told ESPNcricinfo. “Those that really want to play the format now have opportunities and there is an incentive for other teams to play them.”There were also developments on the white-ball formats, with the ODI Super League possibly to be revived, having been scrapped following the 2023 World Cup.The 13-team league, which only began in July 2020, had been developed in a bid to create more context for the waning 50-over format. But it fell by the wayside amid an increasingly cramped calendar much to the chagrin of smaller Full Members and Associates.The proposal did not detail how many teams would be part of a new league, which can only return from 2028.”The Super League could help revitalise the 50-over format,” one administrator said. “Maybe the problem is not that the format is necessarily dead, it’s finding the proper structure.”There does not appear to be any push to increase the number of teams at 50-over World Cups, which will be a 14-team competition in 2027 after being limited to just ten in the previous two editions.The T20 World Cup is also set to remain at 20 teams even though there is a push from some administrators to incrementally increase it by four, with the aim ultimately of getting to 32 teams.Hall of Famers Matthew Hayden and Hashim Amla with the WTC mace•ICC via Getty

Associate members have also put forward a proposal into revamping the T20 World Cup qualifying format. In a similar concept to the men’s Olympic qualifying pathway, and commonly seen in other major sports, a global qualifier would determine the final spots and may feature not only Associates but Full Members who did not automatically qualify through rankings.A global qualifier is hoped to provide a revenue source for Associates, while appeasing some Asian nations who believe the current regional pathway limits their chances of qualifying for T20 World Cups.Associate administrators hope the global tournament can be part of the qualification process for the 2028 T20 World Cup.Despite having some influential support, with leagues popping up around the globe, the 90-minute T10 won’t be an official format.The board is expected to debate these issues at the next ICC meetings early next year.

Glasgow Rangers head coach Danny Rohl recently revealed that he needs players who “understand” what it means to play for the Ibrox giants.

With the January transfer window less than a month away, the German manager said that he has learned which of his players are up to the task of playing for the club.

Whilst he said that he knows which players need to improve, the window will provide him with a chance to replace those players instead of trying to help them improve.

Rangers lining up move for new midfielder

Despite sporting director Kevin Thelwell’s departure at the start of last week, there is already work going on in the background to bolster the former Sheffield Wednesday manager’s side.

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According to GIVEMESPORT, Glasgow Rangers are one of the clubs eyeing up a deal to sign exciting Tromso central midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl in the upcoming January transfer window.

The report claims that the Light Blues have sent scouts to watch the 20-year-old talent in action in recent weeks, as Rohl lines up a move to sign the midfield whiz.

It adds, though, that Premier League side Sunderland are also interested in Hjerto-Dahl, which means that there could be some stiff competition for his signature in January.

GIVEMESPORT also reports that the Norwegian youngster is not expected to cost a fortune, although no exact price tag has been mentioned.

Why Rangers should sign Hjerto-Dahl

Rangers should push to beat Sunderland to a deal for the 20-year-old central midfielder because he could be a Nicolas Raskin repeat for the Scottish Premiership giants.

The Gers signed the Belgian star from Standard Liege in January 2023 for a fairly modest fee of £1.7m, in a move that could be replicated by Hjerto-Dahl, who could sign in January for another modest fee, given that he is not expected to cost a fortune.

On top of the Tromso midfielder potentially joining in a similar transfer deal, the Norwegian gem could also offer similar qualities to Raskin in the middle of the park with his performances.

Hjerto-Dahl, who was described as a “unicorn” by Belgian scout Elijah Michiels, is another central midfielder who can make an impact at both ends of the pitch as a natural number eight.

The Rangers and Sunderland transfer target has been a regular for Tromso in the Eliteserien in the 2025 campaign, starting 28 of his 30 appearances, and has shown some promising signs with his displays.

Appearances

30

33

Goals

4

4

Assists

4

10

Successful dribbles per game

1.3

1.0

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.5

3.4

Possession won in final third

0.6

0.5

Duels won per game

5.1

6.6

As you can see in the table above, he has some fairly similar statistics in comparison to Raskin’s full season in the Premiership last term, with his work in and out of possession, which is why he is such an exciting prospect.

Given that Hjerto-Dahl is four years younger than the Belgium international, his statistics in comparison to the Rangers star’s are fairly impressive, as they show that he can impact games as a scorer and a creator of goals, without neglecting the defensive side of the game.

The Norway U21 international could arrive in January and use the first five months to adjust to Scottish football and life in Glasgow, as Raskin did in the second half of the 2022/23 campaign, before being ready to shine in the 2026/27 campaign.

Whilst supporters may not want to hear about long-term signings and preparing for next season, the reality of the situation is that the Gers are already nine points off first place in the league, have not won a game in the Europa League, and are already out of the League Cup.

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Instead of chasing short-term results and signings, Rangers need to ensure that they have a long-term strategy in place that will ensure that they are competitive in the long run, which Hjerto-Dahl will, hopefully, be a part of.

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O Palmeiras entra em campo na noite desta quinta-feira (23) no Estádio Santa Cruz, em Ribeirão Preto, para encarar o Botafogo-SP, no jogo que pode garantir o Verdão nas oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil de 2024.

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➡️ Siga o Lance! Palmeiras no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Verdão

Com o retorno de Aníbal Moreno, recuperado de um trauma no olho, Abel Ferreira deve contar com força máxima para jogar até pelo empate que já garante o Palmeiras na próxima fase.

Endrick, recuperado de um edema na coxa direita, ocorrido na semana passada no Allianz Parque, também está confirmado para fazer o seu penúltimo jogo com a camisa alviverde.

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A única dúvida de Abel Ferreira no time titular deve ser no ataque, onde Lázaro e Flaco López brigam por uma vaga ao lado de Endrick e Estevão.

➡️ O mata-mata da Copa do Brasil está pegando fogo! Abra a sua conta e faça já a sua aposta no Lance! Betting

O provável Palmeiras para encarar o Botafogo-SP é: Weverton, Mayke, Gómez, Murilo e Piquerez; Aníbal Moreno, Zé Rafael e Raphael Veiga; Endrick, Estevão e Lázaro (Flaco López).

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The Yankees have once again ended a season without winning a World Series as they had their year come to an end Wednesday night with a 5-2 loss at home to the Blue Jays in Game 4 of their American League Division Series.

The Yankees now enter the offseason with questions about the future of their manager, Aaron Boone, and questions about what roster moves they can make in order to try to win their first title since way back in 2009.

Yankees great Derek Jeter was on Fox's postgame show and during his breakdown of yet another disappointing finish for the franchise he spoke about what the roughest thing was for Yankees fans to stomach after falling short of a championship again.

"What's tough is for the Yankee fans, this is the second year in a row they've watched another team celebrate on their home field and you can feel the frustration," the Hall of Famer said.

Jeter also had a very honest statement about this year's Yankees team.

"Aaron [Boone] said it. They got beat. They got beat," Jeter said. "Last year you could sit back and talk about the World Series and Game 5 and that the Yankees beat themselves in that particular game. In this series the Toronto Blue Jays proved they are a better team. From top to bottom they are a better team."

Here are Jeter's full comments:

It will be interesting to see what the Yankees do moving forward and how different the team will look next season.

As for right now, it has to be a rough day for the team's fans because so much is expected from this club every season, which means every playoff exit stings even more. Especially when they have to see another team celebrating on their home field.

شن جيمي كاراجر، النجم السابق لنادي ليفربول، هجومًا شرسًا على المصري محمد صلاح بسبب التصريحات النارية التي أدلى بها ضد إدارة الفريق والمدرب آرني سلوت قبل يومين.

كان محمد صلاح قد أشعل أزمة قوية بعدما أدلى بتصريحات هجومية، مساء يوم السبت، حيث انتقد أسلوب تعادل إدارة ليفربول معه، وكذلك المدرب آرني سلوت، نتيجة تهميشه مؤخرًا في المباريات.

ولكن ما قاله محمد صلاح لم ينل إعجاب جيمي كاراجر، الذي استغل تواجده في برنامج “ليلة الإثنين لكرة القدم” عبر قناة “سكاي سبورتس” منذ قليل.

وقال كاراجر: “أرى أن ما فعله محمد صلاح بعد المباراة كان مخزيًا، وصفه البعض بأنه انفعال عاطفي، لكنني لا أعتقد ذلك، أعتقد أنه كلما توقف في المنطقة المختلطة للإعلام، وهو ما فعله أربع مرات خلال ثماني سنوات في ليفربول، فإن ذلك مُدبر بينه وبين وكيله لإحداث أقصى ضرر ممكن وتعزيز مكانته”.

وأضاف في تصريحاته التي نشرتها مجلة “فور فور تو” العالمية كاملة: “لقد فعل ذلك قبل 12 شهرًا، وقد انتقدته في هذا البرنامج، لقد لعب على أوتار قلوب جماهير ليفربول، كان الفريق في صدارة الدوري الإنجليزي آنذاك، وقد سجل هدف الفوز في ساوثهامبتون، كان ذلك هو الوقت المناسب للضغط على مالكي ليفربول (من أجل تجديد عقده)”.

وواصل: “لذلك رفعت جماهير ليفربول لبقية الموسم، لافتات كُتب عليها (اعطوا محمد صلاح ماله)، لقد اختار هذا الأسبوع للقيام بذلك الآن، انتظر نتيجة سيئة، فقد استقبلوا هدفًا في اللحظة الأخيرة (ضد ليدز يونايتد)، يشعر مشجعو ليفربول، والمدرب، والنادي بأكمله، أن الوضع في مأزق حاليًا، وقد اختار ذلك الوقت لمهاجمة المدرب وربما محاولة إقالته، هذا ما شعرت به حيال الأمر”.

وأردف: “أكثر ما لفت انتباهي فيما قاله محمد صلاح، عبارة (لقد تخلى النادي عني)، كان صلاح هو من تخلى عن النادي مرتين خلال الـ12 شهرًا الماضية في المواقف التي ذكرتها للتو، بعدما هاجم المُلاك في البداية، وهم المُلاك الذين يدفعون له مئات الآلاف من الجنيهات الإسترلينية منذ ست سنوات، اشتكى قبل عام لأنهم لم يمنحوه عقدًا جديدًا في سن الثانية والثلاثين، النادي مُحق تمامًا في فعل ذلك”.

وشدد: “مع المدرب الحالي، يجب على صلاح أن يبذل قصارى جهده من أجل مساعدة النادي على الخروج من أسوأ سلسلة نتائج مر بها منذ خمسينيات القرن الماضي، وهو لم يفعل ذلك، لكن عندما فكرت في الأمر خلال عطلة نهاية الأسبوع ووضعت نفسي مكان صلاح أو كيف كنت كلاعب، أدركت أنني لست محمد صلاح”.

واستأنف: “محمد صلاح لاعب مشهور عالميًا، فهل يجب معاملة هؤلاء اللاعبين بشكل مختلف؟ أعتقد أنه يجب ذلك، عندما تفكر في اللاعبين في هذه الفئة على مدار السنوات الثماني الماضية، ميسي ورونالدو ومبابي، لن أضع صلاح معهم، لكنه قريب جدًا منهم لما قدمه لـ ليفربول”.

وأوضح: “إنه شخصية أسطورية، وجميع هؤلاء اللاعبين يتمتعون بامتياز، تمامًا كما يتمتع محمد صلاح في ليفربول، فهو لا يضطر للدفاع، ولا يضطر للرجوع إلى الخلف (للمساندة على الصعيد الدفاعي)”.

وأكد: “هذا ما يفعله في ليفربول، ولكن عندما نتحدث عن خداع الآخرين، فقد خدع محمد صلاح ليفربول مرة أخرى لثماني سنوات، تخيلوا اللعب خلفه لثماني سنوات، لكننا نقبل ذلك لأنه نجم، وقد سجل 250 هدفًا، وقد منحني، كمشجع لليفربول، بعضًا من أروع ليالي حياتي وأنا أشاهده وأشاهد ما قدمه”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. سلوت عن تصريحات محمد صلاح: لست ضعيفًا.. وقررنا الرد على ما قاله بطريقتنا

ولم يكتفِ كاراجر بذلك، بل قال: “ولكن عندما تفكر في غرور هؤلاء اللاعبين، رونالدو، ميسي، مبابي، محمد صلاح، أعتقد أن لديهم شعورًا بأن نجاح أي فريق يعود إليهم، لا مشكلة لدي في ذلك لأنني أعتقد أن هذا يدفعهم لتسجيل المزيد من الأهداف وتحقيق المزيد من النجاح، وهذا يفيد ليفربول، ولكن عندما تكون في موقف كهذا، وعندما يتحدث محمد صلاح عن عدد الأهداف التي سجلها (أنا سجلت أهدافًا أكثر من أي لاعب آخر في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، كما فعلت الموسم الماضي) فهو دائمًا يتحدث عن نفسه”.

وواصل: “شيء واحد أريد فقط تذكير محمد صلاح، وربما وكيله، هل كان ذلك قبل انضمامه إلى ليفربول؟ كان معروفًا بأنه الرجل الذي فشل في تشيلسي، هذه حقيقة، لم يفز بأي لقب كبير قبل انضمامه إلى ليفربول، إنه أيضًا أعظم لاعب في تاريخ منتخب بلاده في مصر، هم أكثر المنتخبات نجاحًا في كأس أمم إفريقيا، ولكنه لم يفز بالبطولة قط، هذا لا يعني أنني أحاول التقليل من شأن محمد صلاح كلاعب، لقد قلت للتو إنه من أفضل لاعبي العالم في السنوات الثماني الماضية، وقليلون هم من يتفوقون عليه، لكن ما يمكن فهمه من هذا هو أن الأمر لا يتعلق بشخصية محمد صلاح، هو لم يكن نجمًا كبيرًا قبل انضمامه إلى ليفربول، لم يفز بأي شيء حقًا”.

وفي سياق ذلك أيضًا، قال: “مهما بلغت مهارتك كلاعب، فأنت بحاجة إلى مساعدة زملائك في الفريق، ومدربك، وجماهيرك، وأعتقد أنه من المهم جدًا أن يتذكر ذلك، وعندما يتحدث بعد المباراة، في خضمّ هذه الفوضى، يكون كل ما يهمه هو أنا، أنا، أنا!”.

وعن جملة محمد صلاح في تصريحاته بأن كاراجر سيخرج الصبح إلى وسائل الإعلام لمهاجمته، قال: “هل سبق لي أن انتقدت محمد صلاح في الملعب حسنًا، قبل أسبوعين قلت إن ساقيه يبدو قد تضررتا، هذا أمر يحدث لكل لاعب، هذا ليس انتقادًا له كلاعب، لم أنتقده قط لعدم رجوعه إلى الخلف، لم أنتقده قط عندما لعب مباريات دون تسجيل أي هدف، لم أنتقده قط عندما لم يمرر الكرة لأحد ما بينما كان يجب عليه التمرير للآخرين أحيانًا، لأنه أسطورة حقيقية في النادي، وبالنظر إلى ما تحصل عليه منه، فعليك أن تتحمل بعض الأمور”.

واعترف: “بعض الانتقادات الموجهة لمحمد صلاح هذا الموسم كانت مبالغًا فيها، لقد قلت ذلك علنًا، لكنني سأهاجمه عندما يحاول الإساءة لفريقي خارج الملعب ويفكر في نفسه فقط، لذا سأفعل ذلك بالتأكيد، ماذا كان يجب أن يفعل؟ فيما يتعلق بهذا الموسم، فيما يتعلق بكيفية سير الأمور، كما تعلم، فهو رجل يفتخر بنسه للغاية، كما تقول، لديه غرور كبير، لقد تُرك على مقاعد البدلاء لثلاث مباريات، حسنًا، دعنا نفهم أن الرقم واحد هو آرني سلوت، قبل ثلاث مباريات من هذه السلسلة من التهميش، استقبل الفريق 10 أهداف في ثلاث مباريات، إحداها ضد آيندهوفن. صلاح مُحرج من حيث الوضع الذي وُجد به، بعد ذلك جاءت مباراة وست هام حيث إنه فريق كبير في الكرات الثابتة، نحن بحاجة إلى الحفاظ على شباكنا نظيفة، هذا كل ما يهم سلوت، ما هو الشيء الوحيد الذي ستفعله كمدرب؟ ستطرد اللاعب الوحيد في فريقك الذي سمحت له بعدم الدفاع، حسنًا، هذا ما سيحدث”.

واستدرك: “ثم تلعب ضد سندرلاند على أرضك، كنت سأشركه، لكن من المفهوم أن تُبقي على نفس التشكيلة، حسنًا، ماذا يفعل؟ يُشركه بين الشوطين، لديك مباراة وست هام وليدز خارج ملعبك، لست في حاجة إلى هدف، لا تحتاج إلى استقبال هدف، إذا أشركت محمد صلاح فيهما، فأنت تدفع بلاعب لا يجيد الدفاع ضد الكرات الثابتة ولا يركض للخلف”.

وكرر: “لكن المرة الوحيدة التي أردت فيها أن أكون ناقدًا حقيقيًا وترددت هذا الموسم بشأن أداء محمد صلاح على أرض الملعب، كما قلت سابقًا، لم أنتقده قط على أرض الملعب، إنه أسطورة النادي، أليس كذلك؟ إرثه موجود، إذا لم يسجل هدفًا آخر أو يقدم تمريرة حاسمة أخرى لهذا النادي، فلا أُبالي، لقد كان رائعًا، لكن ما جعله يتراجع في نظري هذا الموسم كان في فرانكفورت ومباراة أخرى حيث يوجد لاعب مُنضم إلى ليفربول يحتاج إلى هدف أكثر من أي شخص آخر، وهو فلوريان فيرتز، بدلًا من أن تكون مجرد لاعب رائع للنادي، كن سفيرًا رائعًا له ومرّر الكرة إليه، لمسة سهلة ومررها، امنحه عناقًا وقبلة وقل له (كما تعلم، أنت الرجل الذي سيقود فريق ليفربول هذا إلى الأمام، لا أحتاج إلى المزيد من الأهداف)”.

وتابع: “لقد رأيت جون بارنز في النهاية، ورأيت إيان راش في النهاية، ورأيت ستيفن جيرارد في النهاية، هل تعتقد أنهم كانوا نفس اللاعبين في أوج تألقهم؟ بالطبع لم يكونوا كذلك، هل يختلف رأي الجماهير عنهم الآن عندما يرونهم؟ يقولون لا، أنتم أفضل خمسة أو ستة لاعبين لعبوا لـ ليفربول على الإطلاق، وسيُقال الشيء نفسه عن صلاح، لذلك فيما يتعلق بالأداء داخل الملعب، فإن الانتقاد الوحيد الذي لدي ضده هو مساعدة اللاعبين الآخرين، مساعدة فلوريان فيرتز، مساعدة إيزاك، لا تشغل نفسك بأرقامك الشخصية”.

واختتم: “كما قلت، فيما يتعلق بما فعله خارج الملعب، أعتقد أن النادي اتخذ القرار الصحيح بعدم سفره إلى مباراة إنتر ميلان، ولا أعرف ما إذا كان سيلعب مع ليفربول مرة أخرى، آمل أن يفعل ذلك لأنه أحد أعظم اللاعبين الذين لعبنا معهم على الإطلاق، ولكن إذا استمر الوضع على هذا المنوال وتصريحات كهذه، وإذا لم يلعب، كما قلت، فمن يهتم، من يدري؟”.