Marcus Rashford may have enjoyed another encouraging evening but Barcelona were put firmly in their place by Paris Saint-Germain in their eagerly-awaited Champions League clash on Tuesday evening, with the titleholders coming from behind to claim a deserved 2-1 win at Montjuic.
Buoyed by an electrifying opening few minutes from Lamine Yamal on his return to the starting line-up, the Blaugrana broke the deadlock in the 19th minute when Ferran Torres slotted home a first-time pass from Rashford.
However, despite conceding so early, and being shorn of the services of their entire first-choice forward line, PSG gradually took control of the game and drew level seven minutes before the break through their 19-year-old striker Senny Mayulu, who finished emphatically after a terrific run and pass from Nuno Mendes.
Luis Enrique's men then bossed the second half and secured the winner their superiority warranted in the final minute of normal time, as the excellent Achraf Hakimi broke clear for the umpteenth time down the right wing before squaring for substitute Goncalo Ramos to slot home.
Below, GOAL rates all of the Barcelona players on show on a chastening night for the pretenders to PSG's European throne…
AFP
Goalkeeper & Defence
Wojciech Szczesny (6/10):
Did a good job filling in for the injured Joan Garcia, making a couple of decent stops and could do nothing about either PSG goal.
Jules Kounde (5/10):
Kept it nice and simple with his passes but offered nothing offensively, mainly because he was having so much trouble with Bradley Barcola, while the Frenchman was also missing in action when Nuno Mendes surged forward to create PSG's equaliser. On a night like this, it was clear to see that Kounde's just not on the same level as PSG's right-back Achraf Hakimi.
Eric Garcia (5/10):
Got the nod to start alongside Pau Cubarsi ahead of Ronald Araujo and justified his inclusion with a solid night's work.
Pau Cubarsi (5/10):
Still hard to believe he's only 18 because he's so composed on the ball but his inexperience was there for all to see when he over-committed himself by going to ground to try to intercept Nuno Mendes' assist for Mayulu.
Gerard Martin (6/10):
Had the odd hairy moment against Ibrahim Mbaye but he was probably Barca's best defender, winning loads of duels and passing the ball precisely.
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Midfield
Frenkie de Jong (6/10):
Never the most eye-catching of players but typically neat and tidy with his passing and also made a couple of key interceptions.
Pedri (7/10):
A total footballer, Pedri repeatedly won possession back for Barca with his tenacious tackling and intelligent reading of the play, while he also used the ball excellently – as usual. Ran out of steam in the second half, though, as PSG's aggressive approach to shutting him down began to take its toll and was replaced after Vitinha & Co. had taken complete control of the midfield.
Dani Olmo (4/10):
Fortunate that Raphinha wasn't fit to play. Olmo underwhelmed, as he so often does. Had just one shot on target, which he should have buried, and didn't create a single chance – which is awful for the No.10 in this Barca side. No surprise that he was hooked in the 70th minute.
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Attack
Lamine Yamal (5/10):
Started magnificently, beating three PSG players during one thrilling run down the right wing but he didn't actually get that much change out of Nuno Mendes. Yamal would obviously argue that the Portuguese should have been sent off for fouling him twice – but the truth of the matter is that the winger's pathetic pleas to have Mendes dismissed only underlined just how much he was struggling against the man of the match.
Ferran Torres (6/10):
Failed to make the most of one early opportunity but stuck away the second very well indeed. Pressed very well – which is why he got the nod ahead of the ageing Robert Lewandowski – but his influence waned the longer the game wore on.
Marcus Rashford (7/10):
Yet another assist for the on-loan Manchester United attacker, who is really starting to find his groove at Barca. Indeed, it was actually strange to see him come off because he looked a threat every time he picked up the ball and the highlight of his evening was arguably a sublime nutmeg on Warren Zaire-Emery.
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Subs & Manager
Alejandro Balde (5/10):
Brought on with just under 20 minutes remaining and took over from Gerard Martin at left-back. Found life just as difficult against Achraf Hakimi as the man he'd replaced.
Marc Casado (5/10):
Replaced the disappointing Olmo as Flick looked to regain control of the midfield – but didn't help in that regard.
Robert Lewandowski (5/10):
Came on for Rashford as part of Barca's treble-change in the 72nd minute but didn't get a single sight of goal.
Marc Bernal (N/A):
Saw just over 10 minutes of action as a sub for Pedri.
Hansi Flick (5/10):
The decision to start Ferran ahead of Lewandowski was just vindicated but Barca were pretty much second-best thereafter, with Flick failing to come up with any answers to PSG's dominance – despite the fact that the visitors were without so many star players.
كشفت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية، عن ملعب مباراة نهائي بطولة كأس فيناليسيما بين منتخبي الأرجنتين وإسبانيا.
وتقام كأس فيناليسيما بين الفائز ببطولة أمم أوروبا وبطل كوبا أمريكا، وهما منتخبي إسبانيا والأرجنتين.
وبحسب ما أفادت “ماركا” ستنظم قطر كأس فيناليسيما والذي سيقام بين إسبانيا والأرجنتين، يوم السبت 28 مارس المقبل.
دارت تكهنات حول البلد المستضيفة للبطولة بين ميامي في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية إلى الرياض في المملكة العربية السعودية، ولكن الخيار الأكثر رواجًا هو الدوحة، وتحديدًا ملعب لوسيل.
اقرأ أيضًا | فيفا يفرض عقوبة على لاعب الأرجنتين ويغيب عن أولى مباريات كأس العالم 2026
ويذكر التقرير أن الاستقرار على الدوحة جاء لعدة أسباب، كالمسافة بين البلدين، والمناخ الملائم، وكون العاصمة القطرية هي المقر الرئيسي لرئيس الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم (فيفا) جياني إنفانتينو.
قطر سبق ونظمت مونديال 2022 الذي فازت به الأرجنتين، واستضاف ملعب “لوسيل” المباراة النهائية حينها أمام فرنسا.
وسيدافع المنتخب الأرجنتيني عن لقبه والذي فاز به في عام 2022، بعد فوزه على إيطاليا 3-0 في ويمبلي.
تعد مباراة ستامفورد بريدج التي ستجمع بين ليفربول وتشيلسي على ملعب ستامفورد بريدج أبرز أحداث الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز هذا الأسبوع.
ويحتل تشيلسي حالياً المركز الثامن في جدول الترتيب بثماني نقاط خلال 6 مباريات، ورغم احتلال ليفربول صدارة الترتيب إلا أن بدايته لم تكن مبشرة على الإطلاق.
واضطر ليفربول في كثير من الأحيان للفوز عن طريق الأهداف المتأخرة بالمباريات ويبدو أن الفريق أكثر تشتتاً من الموسم الماضي مع استمرار اللاعبين الجدد في التأقلم مع الفريق.
وعلى مر السنوات قدم الفريقين مواجهات قوية، وكانت مباراة إياب نصف نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا 2008-2009 على ملعب ستامفورد بريدج والتي انتهت بالتعادل بأربعة أهداف لكل فريق خالدة في الذاكرة.
وقد ارتدى قميص الناديين معاً، ليفربول وتشيلسي، 14 لاعباً خلال هذا القرن ويعد أشهرهم فرناندو توريس الذي انتقل بشكل مثير للجدل إلى تشيلسي مقابل مبلغ قياسي.
أقرأ أيضاً.. إيكتيكي: محمد صلاح ليس كما نشاهده على التلفاز.. وأتعلم منه الكثير
وسلطت شبكة “ترانسفير ماركت” الضوء على النجوم ال13 الآخرين الذين مثلوا كلا الناديين منذ عام 2000.
وقد تم تصنيف الـ14 لاعباً بناء على إجمالي عدد المباريات التي خاضوها مع كلا الناديين مجتمعين، ويتصدر المصري محمد صلاح القائمة والذي لعب 19 مباراة مع البلوز قبل أن يتم السماح له بالرحيل، ولعب 410 مباريات مع ليفربول وأصبح هدافه التاريخي في الدوري الإنجليزي.
ويأتي جو كول في المركز الثاني الذي خاض 324 مباراة مع كلا الناديين مجتمعين، ثم فرناندو توريس ثالثا بـ314 مباراة ورابعا الظهير جلين جونسون والذي خاض 271 مباراة مع الفريقين أيضاً.
ويأتي المهاجم دانييل ستوريدج خامساً بـ210 مباريات، وكذلك الجناح رحيم سترلينج سادساً بـ210 مباريات، والمهاجم نيكولاس أنيلكا سابعاً بـ207 مباريات، وجاء أحد اللاعبين الآخرين سابعاً، ويأتي فيكتور موسيس وزيندين وراؤول ميراليس وفابيو بوريني وسولانكي في المراكز من التاسع للمركز الثالث عشر بـ150 و 106 و92 و46 و28 مباراة على التوالي.
He will play multiple roles in the franchise’s set-up, including that of a talent scout
Nagraj Gollapudi23-Oct-2024
Parthiv Patel has taken on his first coaching job in the IPL•GCA
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel is set to join the Gujarat Titans coaching staff. ESPNcricinfo has learned Parthiv will perform multiple roles including that of assistant coach in the support staff led by Ashish Nehra as well as being one of their talent scouts.This is the first coaching role in the IPL for Parthiv, who retired in 2020. Immediately after that he was a talent scout for Mumbai Indians for three seasons until 2023, and also the batting coach for MI Emirates in 2023, the inaugural season of ILT20. Incidentally, Parthiv is the second former India wicketkeeper, after Dinesh Karthik at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, to join an IPL team’s coaching staff ahead of the 2025 season.Parthiv, 39, played for six IPL franchises between 2008 and 2019, winning the title three times: in 2010 with Chennai Super Kings and twice with Mumbai in 2015 and 2017. In 139 matches, Parthiv, scored 2848 runs primarily as an opener at a strike rate of 120-plus.At Titans, who finished seventh in 2024 after winning the title in 2022 and were runners-up in 2023, Parthiv will play a key role in the think tank which includes Nehra (head coach), Vikram Solanki (director of cricket) and Aashish Kapoor (assistant coach). Former South Africa batter Gary Kirsten, who shared the coaching duties with Nehra at Titans between 2022-24, left after IPL 2024 to take over as Pakistan’s white-ball coach.
شهدت مباراة ريال مدريد وأتلتيكو مدريد، لقطة مثيرة للجدل من لاعب ريال مدريد، الذي شارك بديلاً في المباراة على ملعب واندا ميتروبوليتانو في الدوري الإسباني.
وكان أتلتيكو مدريد قد سحق ريال مدريد بخمسة أهداف لهدفين، خلال اللقاء الذي جمع بين الفريقين ضمن منافسات الجولة السابعة من الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم.
وتجمد رصيد ريال مدريد عند النقطة 18 في المركز الأول، وارتفع رصيد أتلتيكو مدريد للنقطة 12 في المركز الرابع.
اقرأ أيضاً.. “أرشيفو فار” تفجر مفاجأة عن هدف جوليان ألفاريز أمام ريال مدريد
ونشرت صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية أن الأرجنتيني فرانكو ماستانتونو نجم ريال مدريد، قد أخرج إحباطه من نتيجة المباراة بعد أن سدد كرة على جماهير أتلتيكو مدريد.
وقام فرانكو ماستانتونو نجم ريال مدريد بإثارة غضب جماهير ولاعبي أتلتيكو مدريد الذين ذهبوا لتوبيخ اللاعب الأرجنتيني على تصرفه.
وقد حضر لاعبو ريال مدريد أيضاً مما تسبب في شجار بسيط، وانتهى الأمر بعد أن قام جونزالو مهاجم الفريق الضيف بسحب الأرجنتيني بعيداً عن موقع الحادث وقد حصل بعد ذلك على بطاقة صفراء.
أعلن الاتحاد الدولي لكرة اليد، عن جدول مباريات الدور الأول لبطولة كأس العالم للأندية لكرة اليد 2025، والتي تشهد مشاركة الأهلي والزمالك.
وتقام بطولة كأس العالم للأندية لكرة اليد، في مصر، للمرة الثانية على التوالي، خلال الفترة من 26 سبتمبر حتى 2 أكتوبر المقبل، على صالة نادي النادي بالعاصمة الإدارية الجديدة.
وبحسب نظام البطولة، يتأهل إلى نصف النهائي متصدر كل مجموعة، إلى جانب أفضل فريق يحتل المركز الثاني، بينما تخوض الفرق الخمسة الأخرى مباريات لتحديد المراكز من الخامس إلى التاسع.
طالع| مواعيد مباريات الأهلي في كأس العالم للأندية لكرة اليد
وكان النادي الأهلي حسم التأهل إلى بطولة كأس العالم للأندية بالفوز بلقب كأس السوبر الإفريقي على حساب الترجي التونسي، بينما سيشارك الزمالك، بصفته الفريق المنظم لبطولة كأس العالم للأندية التي تقام في مصر. جدول مباريات الدور الأول لـ كأس العالم للأندية لكرة اليدالجمعة 26 سبتمبر 2025
الشارقة الإماراتي مع كاليفورنيا إيجلز.. الساعة 3:30 مساءً.
الزمالك مع توباتي البرازيلي.. الساعة 5:45 مساءً.
الأهلي مع سيدني الأسترالي.. الساعة 8:30 مساءً. السبت 27 سبتمبر 2025
ماجديبورج الألماني مع كاليفورنيا إيجلز الأمريكي.. الساعة 3:30 مساءً.
برشلونة الإسباني مع توباتي البرازيلي.. الساعة 5:45 مساءً.
فيزبريم المجري مع سيدني الأسترالي.. الساعة 8:00 مساءً. الأحد 28 سبتمبر 2025
الشارقة الإماراتي مع ماجديبورج الألماني.. الساعة 3:30 مساءً.
سلط نادي مانشستر سيتي الضوء على مشاركة النجم المصري، عمر مرموش، في مباراة المنتخب مساء يوم الجمعة ضد نظيره منتخب إثيوبيا، في فترة التوقف الدولي لشهر سبتمبر.
وخاض منتخب مصر مباراته في تصفيات قارة إفريقيا المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم 2026، الجولة السابعة، ضد نظيره إثيوبيا.
وتمكن منتخب مصر، بقيادة المدرب حسام حسن، من تخطي إثيوبيا بهدفين دون رد، بفضل محمد صلاح وعمر مرموش، ليصبح الفراعنة على بعد خطوة من التأهل إلى البطولة العالمية.
وقال نادي مانشستر سيتي، عبر موقعه الرسمي: “سجل عمر مرموش ركلة جزاء، ليقود مصر للفوز على إثيوبيا 2-0، في تصفيات كأس العالم على استاد القاهرة الدولي يوم الجمعة”.
وأضاف: “خاض لاعبنا، عمر مرموش، 63 دقيقة كجزء من وحدة خط وسط هجومية قوية لدعم المهاجم أسامة فيصل”.
وواصل: “افتتح محمد صلاح، لاعب ليفربول، التسجيل من ركلة جزاء في الدقيقة 41، قبل أن يُكرر مرموش ذلك من مسافة 12 ياردة قبل نهاية الشوط الأول”.
وأردف: “يتمتع منتخب مصر الآن بمركز الصدارة في المجموعة الأولى من التصفيات الإفريقية المؤهلة لكأس العالم، الصيف المقبل، حيث لديهم 19 نقطة من سبع مباريات، بفارق خمس نقاط عن بوركينا فاسو، صاحبة المركز الثاني، مع تبقي ثلاث مباريات”.
ويواجه منتخب مصر خصمه بوركينا فاسو، في ملعب الأخير، يوم الثلاثاء المقبل 9 سبتمبر، في مباراة الحسم للمنتخب الوطني من أجل التأهل إلى المونديال.
واختتم النادي تقريره، قائلًا: “سجل مرموش 8 أهداف في 27 مباراة منذ انضمامه إلى مانشستر سيتي في يناير، بينما لديه سبعة أهداف في 38 مباراة مع منتخب بلده”.
من جهة أخرى، أشاد الحساب الناطق باللغة العربية لـ مانشستر سيتي عبر “إكس” باللاعب صاحب الـ26 عامًا، بطريقته الخاصة المميزة.
البرنس عمر مرموش يسجل هدف ليساهم في فوز منتخب مصر على إثيوبيا بثنائية 🔥 pic.twitter.com/U3JcMtBwci — مانشستر سيتي (@Cityarabia) September 5, 2025
Celtic are said to have made an approach for a £2.5m-rated midfielder, as they look to beat a Premier League club to his signature, among others.
Rodgers pushing for "statement" Celtic signing
Brendan Rodgers doesn’t appear to be messing around this summer, during a transfer window in which he knows the importance of nailing his business.
In fact, the Celtic manager is even thought to be personally pushing to sign Brighton striker Evan Ferguson, according to former scout Mick Brown, with the Republic of Ireland striker linked with either a loan or permanent move to Parkhead this summer.
“Celtic can offer attractive opportunities to players like Ferguson. They’re going to be playing in the Champions League and competing for trophies, which would be valuable experience for a player of his age.
“He could go to Celtic as the main man up front, away from the pressure that comes with the Premier League, and prove what he can do. I think Brendan Rodgers will be pushing to get that done, he wants to be ambitious in the market. He expects to be backed and this would be a statement of intent, even if it’s on a loan deal.”
Evan Ferguson for Ireland.
On the flip side, Celtic will be at risk of losing certain key players, with Nicolas Kuhn falling into that category and reportedly wanted by RB Leipzig, having been in their academy earlier in his career.
Celtic make approach for £2.5m midfielder
According to Africa Foot [via Sport Witness], Celtic have made an approach for Yverdon Sport midfielder Moussa Baradji, in what looks to be a competitive battle for his signature.
Fiorentina, Parma, Torino, Basel and Galatasaray are all mentioned in the report, but it is Sunderland who are in transfer talks ahead of their return to the Premier League next season, looking to get ahead of others in the race. He is expected to cost £2.5m.
Brendan Rodgers
Baradji will be something of an unknown to plenty of Celtic supporters, with all due respect to him, considering he is yet to play for a team in Europe’s top five leagues.
That’s not to say that he wouldn’t be a good signing for the Hoops, however, and the level of interest in him suggests that he could be an effective addition to Rodgers’ squad, with analyst Maxime Schar calling him a player who is “at ease under pressure”.
At 24, Baradji is at a perfect age, possessing enough experience to hit the ground running immediately, but also still having a healthy chunk of his career ahead of him.
While at his best as a box-to-box midfielder, the Frenchman is also adept of playing in a deeper role, too, and even as a right winger, if needed.
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It looks as though Sunderland are pushing particularly hard to sign Baradji this summer, but Celtic can offer him Champions League football, which will hopefully prove to be a huge lure for him.
Arsenal’s recruitment drive is becoming more interesting by the day, with news coming to light on their attempts to sign a highly-rated forward for Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal targeting new striker and winger this summer
The Premier League title eluded Arteta by a seismic distance last term, and sporting director Andrea Berta is working to back the Spaniard with new signings to reinforce the squad ahead of a more hopeful challenge next season.
Arsenal talks could advance in "next few days" as Berta eyes £59m signing
The Gunners have been in contact this week.
ByEmilio Galantini Jun 5, 2025
The reasons behind Arsenal’s failed title bid come down to injuries and a lack of potency in the final third, with a plethora of key first-team players, including the likes of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz, all sidelined for extended periods throughout 2024/2025.
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
Gabriel Jesus’ ACL injury, sustained in an FA Cup defeat to Man United, also left Arteta without a senior natural striker for the majority of 2025. Mikel Merino was forced to play in an emergency striker role, and Berta will be determined to ensure Arsenal’s manager isn’t left so short of options next term.
Arsenal are currently working to discover the conditions of deals for both Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko, who are fresh off impressive campaigns at Sporting CP and RB Leipzig respectively (BBC).
Meanwhile, extensive groundwork is being laid when it comes to Arsenal’s pursuit of a new wide option, with Real Madrid sensation Rodrygo reported as a top target for Berta. However, talks have currently stalled due to salary demands, prompting the north Londoners to weigh up alternatives (Florian Plettenberg).
According to BBC reporter Sami Mokbel, one of those was Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo.
Brentford's BryanMbeumoreacts
The Cameroonian has enjoyed the season of his life under Thomas Frank, scoring 20 goals in all competitions, but it looks highly likely that Old Trafford will be his next destination.
Negotiations have now started between United and Brentford over Mbeumo, but there is still a glimmer of hope for Arteta.
Arsenal tried to sign Bryan Mbeumo before Man United decision
Mokbel reports that Arsenal had “big” interest in Mbeumo and tried to sign him, before the African gave priority to Ruben Amorim’s side. However, if a move falls through, the BBC reporter suggests Arsenal could be there to salvage a move.
“I think Bryan Mbeumo is probably going to be ending up at Man United. I think that probably will happen,” Mokbel told Highbury Squad on YouTube.
Brentford's BryanMbeumoreacts
“But I do know that Arsenal had a big interest in him and have tried. I think perhaps what Man United put on the table may be more favourable than Arsenal, and I think that perhaps that might be why he’s chosen to go to Man United.
“If the Mbeumo deal, for whatever reason, didn’t happen, I would not be surprised to see Arsenal be there or thereabouts to try to pick up the pieces of that deal.”
Reports suggest Man United have bid around £55 million for Mbeumo, but given Brentford’s valuation is actually around £60 million, there is still work to be done there.
While the 25-year-old only has a year left on his contract, Brentford possess the option to extend it by a further year, meaning they can charge a much higher fee than what you’d expect.
Liverpool have won back the Premier League from Manchester City, five years after they last stoop atop the mountainous English pyramid.
Pep Guardiola’s side have broken records to win four in a row since Jurgen Klopp put Liverpool back on their perch, but City have fallen by the wayside this season and Arsenal have never managed to build the requisite consistency to end their recent runner-up reputation.
But consistency has been Arne Slot’s middle name this year, his first since replacing Klopp in the Anfield dugout and putting the Reds back in the ascendency.
It bears testament to FSG’s business model that already sporting director Richard Hughes is liaising with Michel Edwards ahead of the summer transfer window, with signings needed in defence and attack to protect this exciting new position at the summit.
Ryan Gravenberch, a revelation
Gravenberch is a Premier League-winning midfielder. The Dutchman has started every single match as Liverpool have capered toward the title, deeply set in the midfield soil, no way of being uprooted.
Who saw it coming? Many of a Liverpool persuasion will no doubt admit they had reservations after a stop-start 2023/24 campaign, his first in England after Klopp completed his midfield rebuild by signing the Bayern Munich prospect for a £34m fee at the end of the 2023 summer transfer window.
The Netherlands international, 22, has recently spoken of the adversity he has had to overcome after playing so infrequently last year, and while he’s looked a little sapped at times recently, Gravenberch has been “first-class all season” in the eyes of pundit Peter Crouch.
Ryan Gravenberch in the Premier League
Stats (* per game)
23/24
24/25
Matches (starts)
26 (12)
34 (34)
Goals
1
0
Assists
0
4
Touches*
28.8
67.3
Pass completion
83%
89%
Key passes*
0.6
0.7
Dribbles*
0.9
1.0
Ball recoveries*
2.8
5.3
Tackles + interceptions*
1.5
3.6
Duels (won)*
2.8 (47%)
5.0 (58%)
Stats via Sofascore
He’s effectively improved across every metric, turning from a meandering midfield prospect into a deep-lying general of surpassing quality.
However, Gravenberch has indeed alluded to the fact that he’s been overworked, and it’s something Slot and Hughes have considered, for Liverpool seem to be getting ready to sign a midfield rival this summer.
Liverpool ready to sign Premier League midfielder
According to reports, via Caught Offside, Liverpool are interested in signing FA Cup hero Adam Wharton this summer and are preparing to lodge a £50m offer in the coming months.
Wharton, 21, has been a revelation at Crystal Palace and is not going to be short of suitors, with Arsenal and Manchester United also reported to be keen on doing a deal.
Though Liverpool’s title-winning midfield is probably the area of the pitch least in need of external assistance, Wharton might prove to complete the puzzle and maybe even leave Gravenberch sweating over the security of his starting berth.
Why Adam Wharton would be perfect for Liverpool
Crystal Palace produced a consummate performance against Aston Villa last weekend to set their place in next month’s FA Cup final. Wharton was among the standouts, with BBC pundit Shay Given even likening him to a rather well-respected midfielder of old.
Centre-midfielder Wharton left Blackburn Rovers in the Championship to sign for the Eagles for an initial £18m fee, leaving the club that had reared him.
He’s not going to have looked back, striking from the get-go a reputation for his slick passing and composed stride in the centre of the park.
His renown has burgeoned over the past 15 months, reaching its apotheosis (so far) after dismantling a Villa side at Wembley to move within touching distance of a first major trophy in Palace’s long history.
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton
As per FBref, Wharton ranks among the top 5% of Premier League midfielders this season for progressive passes, the top 9% for ball recoveries and the top 15% for shot-creating actions made per 90, perfectly illustrating his elite passing game, crisp as you like while being creative too. He’s also a thoroughbred athlete, covering so much ground.
It’s a similar profile to that of Gravenberch. Although the argument that he’s performing such metrics to a lesser standard is there. It’s recorded that the Dutchman ranks among the top 31% of said midfielders for progressive passes, but also among the bottom 36% for shot-creating actions per 90.
Given that both players operate in positionally similar zones, it’s easy to ascertain that Wharton is the better man in distribution. Moreover, he doesn’t shirk from his defensive duties either, winning 1.8 tackles per Premier League game this season, as per Sofascore.
There’s nothing to say that these two players couldn’t work in conjunction within Slot’s Liverpool set-up, but there’s little question that Gravenberch lacks the natural-born seamlessness in possession. Not to say it’s a tactical deficiency of his, but rather, a glowing endorsement of Wharton’s talent.
The fact is, Gravenberch has lulled, and while he has areas that eclipse that of Palace’s man, the semblance between the two, which still manages to contrast and show off distinctive qualities, suggests that Liverpool would hit the jackpot in forging ahead with a deal for Selhurst Park’s midfield star.
Slot’s finely-wrought system hasn’t seen too much tinkering this term, but Wharton would be able to ply his work effectively at number six, fitting in for Gravenberch and given the opportunity to make the role his own.
He’s demonstrated his capacity on the big occasion, with esteemed journalist Henry Winter describing Wharton as a “passing machine” and the “best player on the pitch” during the FA Cup semi-final.
You could even make the strong claim that the one-cap England international has the superior ball-playing game to Gravenberch and may well be a more fitting number six in Slot’s flowing system.
In any case, having both in the mix would hardly be a bad thing; indeed, this is exactly the type of move that Liverpool need to make so as to consolidate their position at the top of the Premier League.
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