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Raul Jimenez’s debut season in England has attracted a lot of attention after a number of excellent performances from the Mexican international.

The centre-forward arrived on a loan deal from Portuguese side Benfica back in the summer, and has since gone on to notch nine goals and record five assists in his 26 Premier League appearances. Whilst those numbers are decent, they aren’t up there with the league’s best, although the 27-year-old offers so much more than just finding the back of the net.

Wolves’ number nine uses his 6′ 2″ frame to great effect, winning the majority of his aerial duels and making clever, consistent runs into the channels to open up room for Diogo Jota to have a shot on goal.

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

His first touch is also exemplary, and he is proving to have all the attributes to shine as a lone striker in this division.

Against Newcastle on Monday night, last season’s Championship winners looked fairly lost and struggled to play their usually effective game against the Magpies, with Jimenez also finding it difficult against Rafa Benitez’s defensively rigid side.

On a night where only a very late Martin Dubravka error helped Wolves get a point, the 27-year-old appeared to be the only man trying to make something happen in front of goal for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men.

He had six shots, more than any of his teammates, but unfortunately for him and Wolves, only one of those was on target as he appeared to leave his shooting boots at home.

Whilst it wasn’t working for the Mexican up top, he showcased the many sides to his game with a number of attacking involvements that prove he is the focal point for Nuno. Jimenez embarked on five successful dribbles, and made an impressive three key passes – he was also fouled twice as Newcastle worked hard to nullify his impact going forward.

It was just one of those days for the newly-promoted side, and even then, they still managed to record a point which proves just how well they are doing at the moment; a lot of their good work can be put down to Jimenez and his relentless attacking play.

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Despite his natural position throughout his career being central midfield, Luke O’Nien has often been used as something of a utility player by Jack Ross following his summer move to Sunderland, but that needs to change for the visit of Accrington Stanley to the Stadium of Light on Friday night.

On the chalkboard

The Black Cats missed the chance to really put the pressure on second-placed Barnsley in League One when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Blackpool on Tuesday, and O’Nien was brought back into the starting XI at right-back for the clash against the Seasiders.

Most of the 24-year-old’s appearances for the Wearside outfit this term have come in that position, although his return to the side was slightly surprising given Adam Matthews had been preferred to him for the win against AFC Wimbledon and draw with Oxford United previously.

Given Ross has Matthews available and midfielders such as captain George Honeyman and Lynden Gooch are hardly in good form right now, Friday is the time to change things up in order to get a much-needed three points.

O’Nien back in midfield

Despite doing well enough in the position, the 24-year-old doesn’t really have the attributes needed to play the role of an attacking full-back, and he would be much better suited in the centre of the pitch.

The indoor football skills in the video below have to be seen to be believed…

Sunderland are in dire need of more creativity and goals right now given they are struggling to score more than once in a game and in general seem to be conceding – as they did against Blackpool and Oxford – and O’Nien could certainly help deliver seeing as he has four goals and two assists in 21 League One outings for them.

With Grant Leadbitter a sure-fire starter a place for him in midfield could depend on Ross changing formation or dropping one of skipper Honeyman or Gooch – none of which should be out of the question in the bid to win promotion.

تواصل البطلة المصرية في لعبة التنس الأرضي، ميار الشريف، المشاركة في منافسات بطولة رولان جاروس، وذلك بمواجهتها التشيكية كارولينا بيلسكوفا، في الدور الأول من عمر البطولة.

المواجهة المرتقبة والتاريخية، التي تخوضها ميار وهي محتلة التصنيف رقم 171 على العالم، تأتي أمام المصنفة الرابعة عالميًا صباح غدا الثلاثاء.

طالع | نجمة التنس ميار شريف: دعم محمد صلاح فاجأني

وكانت ميار شريف قد نجحت فى حجز مقعد بالدور الرئيسي للبطولة بفوزها على الإيطالية جوليانو جاتو فى الدور النهائى للتصفيات بمجموعتين نظيفتين.  موعد مباراة ميار الشريف أمام كارولينا بيلسكوفا في رولان جاروس

ومن المقرر أن تنطلق مباراة ميار الشريف أمام كارولينا بيلسكوفا في بطولة رولان جاروس للتنس في تمام الساعة الحادية عشر بتوقيت القاهرة من صباح غدا الثلاثاء. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة ميار الشريف أمام كارولينا بيلسكوفا في بطولة رولان جاروس للتنس

ومن المنتظر أن تذاع مباراة ميار الشريف أمام كارولينا بيلسكوفا في بطولة رولان جاروس للتنسعلى قنوات Eurosport، وبي إن سبورت 9، وبي إن سبورت 10.

وفازت البطلة المصرية ميار شريف في مباراة الدور التمهيدى ببطولة رولاند جاروس، على اللاعبة الكولومبية ماريا اوسوريو بنتيجة ٦/٤ ٦/٠، إذ تعتبر المصرية الأولى التي تحقق ذلك الانجاز.

وذلك قبل أن تحقق الفوز الثانى فى الدور التمهيدى على اللاعبة الأمريكية كاتى ماكنالى فى ثانى مبارياتها بالدورى التمهيدى، لتتمكن فى الفوز بآخر مباراة فى الدور التمهيدي أمام الإيطالية جوليا جاتو المصنفة 156 عالمياً بنتيجة 2-0 ( (6-1، 6-3) في الدور الأخير من تصفيات بطولة رولان جاروس للتنس.

What do Newcastle United need to do in order to get back among Premier League giants? Make big signings of course!

While the Magpies showed a lot of heart in their thrilling win over Everton recently, in which Rafa Benitez once again proved his ability to turn the Toon Army into a top-six side, heart isn’t enough. The need for quality is of paramount importance, Mr Mike Ashley.

Indeed, for the club to fight against those in the top positions, the Magpies need to sign top players themselves. They’re already looking to do so in the summer and according to reports (via ChronicleLive), United are scouting Roma’s wonderkid Nicolo Zaniolo.

The 19-year-old’s been their breakthrough star this season, dazzling everyone with his majestic ability out in the Italian capital and looks a cut above Newcastle United right now. Even the most ardent Geordie would struggle to disagree with that, though with the likes of Real Madrid also apparently interested, it’d be very hard to appeal to him.

Still, where’s the fun in that? Newcastle United need to be ambitious and, according to a report from the same source, the club are prepared to be in order to keep Benitez at the helm.

Zaniolo’s adapted himself to the brutal Serie A environment effortlessly, having scored three goals and assisted twice so far for Roma. An exciting young talent, Italy’s next great hope is an extremely skilful player full of surprises. His dribbling ability, tendency to score world-class goals and creativity can greatly add to Benitez’s side.

With big sides are on his tail, it’ll be a difficult task for Newcastle to sign him but Mike Ashley needs to show ambition in putting in a surmounting bid for the blooming Italian this summer and charge up his side with a future superstar.

Zaniolo can add swagger to the Magpies game, allowing them to play attacking football with a stunning rhythm. Not only can his link-up with Miguel Almiron and Ayoze Perez be a tantalising one, but a signing like Zaniolo’s can be a statement of intent detailing Newcastle’s future ambitions of getting back among the best.

Newcastle fans, do you think Zaniolo’s signing can be a profitable one? Join the discussion by commenting below. 

[ad_pod ]West Ham fans have taken to Twitter to react after it was revealed on the club’s official website that there may potentially be a few changes taking place at the London Stadium.Those Hammers fans who sit in the lower tier of the Sir Trevor Brooking stand and the Bobby Moore stand could find their section squared off to resemble a more traditional football stadium, whilst their seats may also be moved four metres closer to the pitch.The space between the stands and the field of play has been one of the main talking points since the Irons’ move into the stadium back in 2016, with some fans sitting further back perhaps needing binoculars to see what’s going on most of the time.The potential of making such changes is currently being explored, but fans of the east London-based club are excited by the news, and the fact that they are finally being listened to by the owners…

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Steven Gerrard took his side to Aberdeen on Sunday for the quarter-finals of the SFA Cup and they remain in the hat after clinching a 1-1 draw.

The Gers went 1-0 down in the early stages of the game at Pittodrie but Joe Worrall scored a second half equaliser to take the game to a replay.

Worrall’s strike arrived courtesy of a corner from Ryan Kent, who received gushing admiration from some supporters for his performance.

However, it was not only the quality of his showing that delighted supporters.

Indeed, the loanee from Liverpool was seen shushing the home crowd after providing the assist for Rangers’ equaliser, and his passionate celebration served to enhance his reputation amongst the enthused fan base.

Kent has grown into the season and established himself as a key player in Gerrard’s first-team plans, and his form has encouraged plenty of fans to call for a permanent deal.

If the 22-year-old continues to maintain the high standard he has set for himself since joining the club it’s likely that Rangers’ hierarchy will be forced to consider the possibility of securing a permanent deal.

Here’s what the Rangers fans had to say about Kent’s performance against Aberdeen:

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has sung the praises of Sadio Mane following the forward’s impressive recent form. 

What he said

Mane has been prolific for the Reds in recent weeks. The 26-year-old winger has scored in each of the club’s last four Premier League games. These strikes have been vital in maintaining the Reds’ title push.

In total this season, as per Transfermarkt’s stats, Mane has racked up twelve goals and one assist in 24 Premier League appearances – already bettering his league goal tally of last season.

Jurgen Klopp has gotten quite inventive with his excuses this season. FFC’s James Jones think he has no one but himself to blame for Liverpol’s poor form in the video below…

As quoted by the Liverpool Echo, Klopp has recognised the 58-cap Senegal international’s contribution: “He’s in an outstanding shape…It was obvious against West Ham that he was our best player and he was against Leicester the one who caused them the most problems.”

The German coach added: “Long may it continue.” However, he also noted that “if we used that half left space with him more often we could have had a lot more good situations.”

Clearly then Klopp still feels he can get more out of Mane and those around him.

What he meant

Whilst Klopp’s primary intention was to praise, he did include another message in his speech. The addendum that greater use of the left flank could lead to greater rewards ought not to go unnoticed by his squad.

If Liverpool are to land the title this season – which would be their first in the Premier League era – then Klopp’s side must be at their very best for the rest of the campaign. He needs his team to be as efficient as possible, and he clearly sees an opportunity to profit more from the area of the pitch that is Mane’s domain.

Klopp may be pleased with Mane’s recent work, but that hasn’t stopped him from demanding more from the former Southampton man and his teammates at Anfield. 

Unai Emery had a much quieter window in January than he did in the summer.

Emery was limited to just loan signings for Arsenal last month and Denis Suarez was the only incoming in that respect.

On the outgoing front, it was rather quiet too. Just Emiliano Martinez left on loan to Reading, with Emery clearly keen to take more of a look at some of his current players.

With that being said, here are two players who must surely be disappointed to not move on in the window…

Mesut Ozil

There were not any concrete rumours surrounding Ozil over January, despite only playing twice in all competitions in that month.

The situation from the outside seems rather confusing as other options are often preferred to the German, then the next game he can be captain, using the wins against Chelsea and Cardiff City as examples.

If he fails to get much game time between now and the end of the season, he must surely be disappointed to not move on in January.

Eddie Nketiah

This is more so from a loan perspective. Nketiah has now made five first-team appearances this season for Arsenal and, despite not scoring, he has looked bright and made troublesome runs in his opportunities.

The 19-year-old has now been on the bench on a dozen occasions now in the Premier League, amounting just one minute of League football in that time.

If the promising youngster does not make many more appearances before the end of the season, he could be frustrated that a loan opportunity did not arise in January.

Amid what can only be described as an underwhelming season by their standards, things could be about to get much worse for Chelsea.

Zinedine Zidane’s return to Real Madrid has only stoked the fire when it comes to Eden Hazard’s potential move to the Santiago Bernabeu, and the Belgian could possibly be joined by one of his current team-mates in what would be a huge blow for the Blues.

The Breakdown

The Evening Standard reports that, as well as Hazard, Real Madrid are also keen on world-class midfielder N’Golo Kante.

Unlike Hazard, though, Kante still has years to run on his current deal after extending his contract earlier on in the campaign.

That, however, should not stop the 27-year-old from at least trying to push for a move to the Bernabeu with now arguably a good time to leave the west London club from his perspective.

As harsh as it may sound with Maurizio Sarri having been at Stamford Bridge for less than a year, under the Italian, the Blues do not look to be going anywhere.

Real Madrid, of course, are not in a good moment either, though that could easily change with Zidane now at the helm and after a summer of spending.

With that in mind, if Kante wants to further his career just like Hazard, then a move to Real Madrid is probably in his best interest.

Chelsea fans, are the club about to lose both Hazard and Kante this summer? Join the discussion by commenting below.

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Following last week’s Special Episode with former Watford and Brentford goalkeeper Richard Lee, the Fixture In Focus Podcast returns to Premier League matters for the latest instalment.

James Jones returns to the host’s chair while the usual #FIFpod suspects Chris McMullan and Christy Malyan – guilty as charged – join him in the studio, quickly running the rule over Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Chelsea in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup on Monday night before delving into all matters Northwest Derby.

Indeed, title-chasing Liverpool head to Old Trafford this weekend, knowing the clash with their bitter, historic rivals could well have a decisive impact in the race for the English crown. Helping the Fixture In Focus team on all matters Reds is Owen Maers from Anfield Edition, who joined Christy for an exclusive chat.

This week’s agenda includes whether Chelsea’s boardroom culture is to blame for the fans turning on Maurizio Sarri too quickly, explaining Alexis Sanchez’s incredible downturn in form over the last 18 months and whether criticism of Sadio Mane after Liverpool’s draw with Bayern Munich has got out of hand.

If you love what we do and don’t want to miss another episode, don’t forget to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform by clicking here.

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