Football
Mohamed Salah is the biggest name available for free transfers in 2023, but who are the best deals?
Numerous well-known athletes have recently switched teams on free transfers, but who might be the next on the list?
Gareth Bale (LAFC), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Niklas Sule (Borussia Dortmund), Ivan Perisic (Tottenham), and Lorenzo Insigne are already members of the class of 2022. (Toronto). The striker for Paris Saint-Germain, Kylian Mbappe, had the opportunity to become one of the most well-known free agents ever but instead decided to sign a new contract. However, there are some other talents who have yet to reach an agreement, either with a new club or on a new contract this summer.
Some of the biggest stars still up for grabs include Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele, Juventus forward Paulo Dybala, and Brentford midfielder Christian Eriksen. According to sources, Juventus has also agreed a deal to sign Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, and Barcelona is poised to sign both AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie and Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen once they can resolve their financial issues and register them.
And the anticipation level increases even more as you consider the year 2023 further in the future. Here are some of the biggest names and possible steals that clubs could grab because their contracts are currently less than a year old.
Forward Mohamed Salah, 30, of Liverpool
Similar to Lewandowski, Liverpool has struggled for months to figure out how to tactically handle a star player whose contract is about to expire. Although his output decreased near the conclusion of last season, Salah is one of the few genuine game-changers at the highest level of the sport. On the other hand, Liverpool impressively seem adamant to keep to their concept of trusting their own valuation when it comes to transfer costs and compensation. Salah is without a doubt one of the best strikers in the world, but due to his salary demands, he only has a very limited number of suitors to choose from. Liverpool might resist, but there’s a chance.
Robert Lewandowski, 33, centre-forward, Bayern Munich|
Lewandowski, who has arguably been the best pure No. 9 in world football in recent years, has faced a lot of uncertainty regarding his future this summer. According to sources who spoke to ESPN, Barcelona has made three approaches to sign the Polish international, and the 33-year-old has already stated that he wants to go even though Bayern Munich isn’t interested. Lewandowski’s age is catching up with him, but he’s still quite physically fit and hasn’t had many injuries, so he might even play at the highest level into his late 30s. He may be a great signing the next summer if Bayern Munich sticks with him.
27-year-old Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling
It is strange that Manchester City has allowed the winger’s contract to reach the awkward last year when Sterling is in his prime and has played effectively for the team in recent seasons. Although City have many of options in the wide areas of their attack, only an offer of about €60 million — with sources informing ESPN that Chelsea are keen — would be sufficient to convince Sterling’s representation that he should leave the Etihad.
centre midfielder Youri Tielemans, 25, of Leicester City
A fantastically rounded midfielder who, perhaps, lacks a little bit of speed to rank among the best No. 8s in the game. Even though he is still in his mid-20s and has only made over 300 league games, Tielemans is obviously being keenly scrutinised by the best clubs in Europe. His work ethic, top-notch shooting technique, and superb passing style — quick, accurate, and progressive with an eye on the goal — make him a player who consistently looks to have a positive impact on a game.
The bargains
Marcus Thuram, 24, Borussia Monchengladbach attacking midfielder/forward
Thuram’s growth over the previous 18 months appears to have stalled slightly due in part to injuries and poor form, while his younger brother Khephren is currently garnering attention at Nice. However, it might be a good time to sign the three-time France international. Thuram can provide an alternative through the middle or on the other side of the attack thanks to his impressive ball development, power, and aerial strength, even though he prefers to play as a winger on the left to cut in on his better right foot. He’s been mentioned in the past in connection with Sevilla, Arsenal, and Inter Milan.
24-year-old Lille centre midfielder Renato Sanches
The former Bayern Munich midfielder has grown and matured over the past year, even though he has yet to live up to the amazing promise he first displayed when he first broke through as a teenager at Benfica in 2016. Sanches, although not completely revived, is one of the finest ball carriers in the top European leagues and is one of the few players who can break lines from the middle by dribbling; he challenges opponents four times per game, winning approximately half of the time. His steady improvement has caught the attention of AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, who are reportedly discussing a potential €12 million transfer this summer.
24-year-old Stuttgart center-forward Sasa Kalajdzic
The Austrian international enjoyed a respectable run after returning in early January, scoring six goals in 15 appearances despite missing the opening part of the previous campaign. At 6-foot-7, Kalajdzic’s mobility is a little limited (though not for lack of running), but if he is fed from wide areas and finds a club willing to design the play around his talents (aerial game and goal poaching), he can be quite successful. The powerful frontman has already been mentioned as a potential Lewandowski replacement at Bayern, so there’s a good chance he’ll leave Stuttgart for a bigger team soon.
Defensive midfielder Konrad Laimer, 25, RB Leipzig
The Austrian international is a safe, dependable passer and one of the most diligent central midfielders at the top level of European football, despite his potential lack of inventiveness when in control. Laimer is very challenging to play against because of his remarkable ability to press — he averages more than 30 pressures every game. He always takes the initiative, is cognitively attentive, and has a keen spatial awareness that allows him to land exactly where the ball drops. Laimer, who can also fill in as a wide midfielder or at either fullback, is said to be on the shortlist of several elite clubs, including Bayern Munich and Manchester United, for about €25 million. He is specifically designed for modern, high-energy game.
Houssem Aouar, 24, attacking midfielder, Lyon
Given that his career at Lyon has taken a turn for the worst, the technically gifted, mobile, and press-resistant midfielder may not garner the same interest as he did a few years ago, but Aouar can still look back on a good Ligue 1 season. The 24-year-old is currently being pursued by teams like Roma and Nice after previously being linked with Arsenal and Barcelona. Aouar might have an impact like Bernardo Silva had at Manchester City if given the correct circumstances and a position on the team. The Lyon player is among the more trigger-happy midfielders at the top level of French football and, with a discounted transfer fee of roughly €20m, might prove to be a true steal. He also has good vision, a superb first touch, and a high football IQ.
18-year-old Lyon offensive midfielder Rayan Cherki
Cherki might not have experienced the advancement that was anticipated just a year ago, similar to Aouar. Despite having his season abruptly terminated by a significant foot injury in February, the France U21 international was never able to establish a regular spot in Lyon’s first team under Peter Bosz. Although there is room for development in his defensive play (he still favours individual actions over the decisive final ball, approximately five dribbles per game), his potential is undeniable once he develops a greater understanding of the value of collaboration. He might finally be able to exploit his flair more effectively with the right coach, as there aren’t many more eye-catching, inventive players in the final third.
Juventus beat Salernitana 3-0 in Serie A on Tuesday, with striker Dusan Vlahovic scoring two goals and setting up another to lift the visitors to 10th in the table.
Vlahovic, a Serb who has been injured a lot this season but played in the league for the first time since October, found his old form again in this match.
Hans Nicolussi gave Juventus a penalty kick when he sent Manuel Locatelli off in the 26th minute. Vlahovic converted the penalty.
Vlahovic almost scored a second goal in the 37th minute, but his shot from the edge of the box from an acute angle went just past the post.
At the end of the first half, Filip Kostic made it 2-0 when he tapped the ball in from close range after Vlahovic’s initial shot had bounced into his path.
In the last seconds before the halftime break, Locatelli ran into the penalty area unchallenged and gave Juventus a chance to score a third goal. However, Salernitana goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa reacted quickly to prevent Locatelli from lobbing the ball over him.
80 seconds into the second half, Vlahovic scored his second goal when he ran through the penalty area and shot the ball flat into the right corner.
In the 51st minute, Junior Zambia hit a cross that reached almost everyone in the box, but Salernitana striker Boulaye Dia could not stretch far enough to put the ball in the open net.
“The team responded well and we played a good first half. But after taking a 3-0 lead, we got a little too comfortable and allowed too many shots on goal. We did not move enough and stayed in the same places, and the players know we have to do better,” Allegri said.
“In the first 10 minutes we played the ball too often down the right side. We need to improve the passing game, become more supple and keep things simple.”
Angel Di Maria hit the crossbar after 53 minutes and Moise Kean hit the post just before the end of the game, preventing Juve from adding to their tally.
The win moved Juventus to 26 points after 21 games, while Salernitana dropped to 21 points and 16th place.
Vinicius Junior is a great winger for Real Madrid. He is young, talented, exciting and successful. Moreover, he is black and comes from Brazil. In my opinion, he is treated terribly in Spanish football and in some parts of the country. Partly because of the colour of his skin. What is happening is a disgrace, and people who are fair, decent, and honest should be outraged and protesting about it.
Last season, when he was still 21 years old, he was part of the best, most important and exciting duo in all of football. He and Karim Benzema combined to score and set up 100 goals and assists as Real Madrid won the Spanish and European titles simultaneously for the second time in 64 years. He played a huge part in this amazing achievement.
This season, Vinicius Jr was involved in 19 goals in 31 games (13 goals and 6 assists), in a team plagued by injuries. When Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema was out with an injury, Vinicius Jr had to take over Benzema’s duties. He’s doing a good job, even if Madrid is finding it difficult to play as consistently and strongly as they did last season.
At 22 years old, he is a winger, not a goalkeeper, not an organising midfielder, and not an experienced centre back. I say that because it’s important that you understand how important he’s become: he’s by far Madrid’s most used player this season and has played more minutes than anyone else. He has been in the starting eleven in 31 of Los Blancos’ 32 games and has played in all of them.
The European champion will play at least 25 more games this season, but could play up to 32 more. If all else remained the same, this young man with what Carlo Ancelotti calls “amazing, elite athleticism and robustness” would be in every single starting eleven XI of the Italian coach’s squad, which could be 64 games.
But if those who bully, provoke, insult and attack him here in Spain have their way, this rising star, who finished eighth in last year’s Ballon d’Or voting, will be injured or suspended for most of those games. That’s how bad people are who try to hurt Vinicius Junior .
In recent weeks, Vinicius has worked hard to play well even though almost everyone else on Ancelotti’s team has struggled for one reason or another. He’s had to watch a picture of him being hung from a bridge in Madrid, he’s had to deal with racist abuse from fans that LaLiga has confirmed in several games this season, and he’s had to deal with Valencia’s Gabriel Paulista trying to kick him in the air, which was an outrageous and unacceptable action. Vinicius is fouled more often than any other player in any of the top five European leagues. He also has to listen to or read a lot of stupid sayings from people who should know better that he, Vinicius Junior , is the problem.
If all this happened to a young, white Spaniard, I think there would be a huge outcry of horror, and everyone would agree on who is right and who is wrong. Even though I have no proof, this is my honest and firm opinion.
Mallorca isn’t the only villain in this situation, but they’re a good example of how Spain and Spanish football are letting Vinicius Junior down. Over the weekend, the winger was fouled 10 more times. In Madrid’s 1-0 defeat, opposing and home fans created a hostile environment, but not always. One of his attackers, Pablo Maffeo, tricked the referee into giving him a yellow card.
Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez, the referee, would have needed eyes in the back of his head and three or four assistants to keep track of all the tricks used to hurt, bully and annoy the young Brazilian star. Since Isco in 2013, no Madrid player has been fouled as many times every nine minutes as Vinicius at Son Moix. Ten years without such treatment.
The behaviour of most Mallorca players is sad and underhanded, because they started this growing grudge, turned it into strategic bullying, and proved that George Bernard Shaw was right when he said that wrestling with pigs is a bad idea. “Never wrestle with pigs. You’ll both get dirty, but the pigs will love it,” said the great Irish playwright.
In other words, there are some fights you shouldn’t get into, because even if you win, you always end up looking bad. That’s how it’s gone so far between Vinicius and Maffeo, Martin Valjent and Antonio Raillo, all playing for Mallorca.
This rivalry was evident in Madrid’s 3-0 win on the island in March. Referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez saw nothing wrong with Maffeo’s lunge with his legs outstretched and studs against Vinicius, which hit both of the winger’s legs, right shin and left knee. When Vinicius refused Maffeo’s offer to pick him up off the ground, a scuffle ensued. Valjent and Raillo both walked up to the Brazilian, poked him in the chest and told him to shut up. Maffeo grabbed Vinicius by the shirt and yelled at him for not shaking hands and complained to the referee. Vinicius was given a card for his protest, which meant that the one who had committed a nasty, deliberate flying tackle that should have resulted in a straight red card and a long suspension got off unpunished.
Since then, these and other players have been trying to make people believe that Vinicius is the problem.
The Brazilian player has begun to defend himself against the insults they and other thugs hurl at him. He calls them names, asks the referees to protect him, and makes angry and frustrated gestures to the sky. In Paulista’s case last week, Vinicius jumped up from the ground where he had fallen and ran toward his Brazilian colleague. He almost struck, but managed to stop himself just in time.
At this point, it’s clear that Vinicius isn’t without blame. He’s now stuck in the mud.
As G.B. Shaw warned, people who want to paint the Brazilian as a “bad guy” or a “problem” can now use his aggressive response to the attacks as false evidence of his guilt, thanks to their bad behaviour and the incredibly short attention span of some media and fans. Gaslighting is underhanded and cannot be tolerated. That’s just the way it’s.
The other day, Maffeo said: “When I was in school, my teachers said I wasn’t very good at following rules. My mother told me that the teachers can’t all have it in for me, so I must be doing something wrong. I think Vinicius feels the same way. We don’t all have it in for him, we just think there must be something.”
In the days leading up to the game, Raillo said, “If I ever had to show my kid two great Madrid players, it would be [Luka] Modric or [Toni] Kroos, but never Vinicius
Last month, when Madrid overturned a 2-0 deficit to beat Villarreal 3-2 in the Copa del Rey, Vinicius scored the first goal. After the game, a short-tempered journalist asked Ancelotti, “…but with Vinicius there are always some problems…” The Italian replied, “From what I saw, his opponents kicked him a lot today, as they always do.”
Ancelotti said Sunday afternoon, “Today the referee didn’t care about the many fouls. When fouls happen over and over again, the player should be sent off. Vinicius isn’t to blame for what is happening. He just wants to play football, but his opponents make it difficult for him because they foul him. In this case, the focus on the outside world has to change. Now it’s time to find out what happened to Vinicius today
During the night, when Paulista tried to pull Vinicius’ leg away from his body, the winger’s Madrid teammates reacted in a very important way. Previously, they often left him to himself and gave him the ball as soon as the game started again, so he could hurt the people who disturbed him.
Not this time. They also know that things will soon get completely out of control.
The Valencia defender was sought by Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Dani Ceballos and even an injured Eder Militao. It was a clear and threatening “all for one and one for all” moment that should send a message to all future rivals: If you come for him, we’ll come for you.
Nacho’s message after the defeat in Mallorca was more moderate, like Ancelotti’s. He said, “I think people are creating a bad environment for Vinicius, which doesn’t help anyone, least of all him. We all love football, so let’s stop being so stupid”
A wise theme that is both balanced and hopeful.
Worryingly, vengeful opponents have noticed that Vinicius is often prepared for four fights at the start of every game: against his teammate, against the other team, against the referee and against the fans. This is because he’s drawn into a well-planned and malicious campaign to “hunt Vinicius down and then gas him.” He’ll eventually be distracted from his main goal, which is to win games. In the end, he’ll take out his frustration and anger on himself and be sent away. Eventually, the circus will get even bigger.
Can’t Maffeo, Valjent, Raillo, Paulista and people like them realise that their actions give racists a reason to do things like call Vinicius racist names on Sunday and hang the effigy on a bridge before the Madrid derby last month?
The way Vinicius is being treated is a big, ugly and increasingly bad problem for Spanish football. It’s time for everyone who sees things as they really are to keep raising their voices until this brilliant artist can do his work without being treated badly because of who he’s or the colour of his skin.
Lionel Messi has expressed guilt for his actions during and after Argentina’s World Cup quarterfinal victory over the Netherlands in Qatar.
Messi and his teammates were chastised after winning on penalties after a 2-2 stalemate on December 9.
The Paris Saint-Germain star celebrated his 73rd-minute penalty goal by sprinting in front of Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal and cupping his ears.
Messi said Van Gaal “disrespected” Argentina in his “pregame statements” after the game.
In a Paris interview with Andy Kusnetzoff’s “Perros de la Calle,” Messi claimed, “I knew what Van Gaal had said but it [the goal celebration] happened on the spur of the moment.”
“I hated my actions and what followed. Nervous situations arise swiftly.”
At full-time, the Argentina captain argued with Van Gaal and Edgar Davids.
During a postgame interview, Messi supposedly shouted at Netherlands goalkeeper Wout Weghorst, “What are you checking fool out? Bring there back.”
In the interim, Messi expressed he wouldn’t have it differently, in spite of the huge delay to lift the World Cup.
Argentina won their first World Cup in quite a while on punishments against France in Qatar, Messi’s fifth World Cup.
“On the off chance that I needed to pick a second, I guess it would have been this one,” Messi expressed. “It’s close to the furthest limit of my vocation, finishing a circle.
“I achieved all that I had expected with the public group. Separately, I accomplished everything in my profession. It was a fitting finish to my vocation.
“I never envisioned any of this would happen to me when I began, and arriving at this point has been the best… I have no issues and can’t request much else.
“We won the Copa America [2021] and the World Cup; nothing else is left.”
Messi communicated lament that Diego Maradona couldn’t see Argentina’s most memorable World Cup triumph since the Napoli star helped his nation in lifting the prize in 1986.
Maradona, Messi’s mentor at the 2010 World Cup, passed on in December 2020.
“I wish Diego Maradona had given me the [World] Cup or in any event seen all of this,” Messi added.
“To have seen Argentina as title holders, considering the amount he looked for it and the amount he cherished the public group. I accept he from a position of great authority, as well as numerous others who care for me, invigorated me.”
De Zorzi now has a chance to become the star he has always wanted to be.
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