شهدت الأجواء داخل نادي الزمالك حالة من التوتر والترقب خلال الساعات الأخيرة، وذلك على خلفية الأنباء المتداولة حول رحيل المدير الفني البرتغالي جوزيه جوميز.
وتلقى جوميز عرضًا مغريًا من أحد الأندية السعودية، وهو ما دفعه للتفكير جدياً في الرحيل عن الزمالك.
تُشير المصادر إلى أن جوميز لم يجد الاستجابة الكاملة من إدارة النادي لطلباته الفنية، الأمر الذي زاد من رغبته في الرحيل، حيث إنه قرر دفع الشرط الجزائي المقدر براتب 3 أشهر، ومن ثم الرحيل نهائيًا.
تجدر الإشارة إلى أن جوميز لديه مستحقات متأخرة “راتب شهرين”، وبالتالي فإنه سيدفع المدرب قيمة راتب شهر واحد فقط من جيبه الخاص، ويتنازل عن راتب الشهرين ويفسخ العقد.
طالع أيضًا | تقارير تكشف الوجهة القادمة لـ جوميز بعد طلبه الرحيل عن الزمالك
وفي هذا السياق، علم “بطولات”، أن النجم أحمد حسام ميدو، ظهر في تدريبات الفريق اليوم، في خطوة اعتبرها البعض بمثابة رسالة دعم للاعبين في ظل هذه الظروف الصعبة.
واجتمع ميدو مع قادة الفريق شيكابالا وعمر جابر وزيزو وعبدالله السعيد وفتوح، من أجل حثهم على ضرورة لم شمل الفريق في الفترة الحالية بعد رحيل جوميز.
الجدير بالذكر، أن تواجد ميدو ليس له علاقة بتولي تدريب الفريق خلفا لجوميز، بعد استقرار الإدارة على بقاء أحمد مجدي مؤقتا لحين تعيين جهاز فني جديد.
ويستعد الزمالك في الفترة الحالية لخوض مواجهة المصري، في إطار الجولة الثالثة من عمر منافسات بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية.
The striker found the corner with a fine finish to give Monaco breathing room against Le Havre
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Folarin Balogun curled shot into the corner
Started after impressing in the Champions League
Monaco top of Ligue 1 after five matches
WHAT HAPPENED?
After weeks of waiting, USMNT forward Folarin Balogun is finally off the mark for Monaco. In the 70th minute, the he received the ball at the top of the box, and stroked a tidy effort past a wrong-footed goalkeeper to give his side a comfortable 3-1 lead. It was his first goal contribution of the campaign.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Balogun has struggled at points this season. The departure of long-time striker Wissam Ben Yedder seemed set to offer the USMNT man more chances, but he has failed to capitalize of late. He will hope that it kicks off a good run of form, with new U.S. men's national team manager Mauricio Pochettino sure to be watching ahead of the October camp.
DID YOU KNOW?
Balogun's goal might have come at the right time for his national team prospects, as USMNT teammates Josh Sargent, Haji Wright and Ricardo Pepi were all held scoreless this weekend.
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WHAT NEXT FOR BALOGUN?
The No. 9 will hope to make another start as the Ligue 1 leaders take on last-placed Montpellier in the league next Saturday. After that, attention turns to Champions League matchday two, where Balogun could make his second ever appearance in the competition.
A £50 million Chelsea player is said to be eyeing a move to Saudi Arabia amid Enzo Maresca's arrival at the club, with the Italian's appointment confirmed on Monday.
Maresca announced as new Chelsea head coach this week
A new era at Stamford Bridge has officially begun, as Maresca puts pen to paper on a five-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.
Enzo Maresca excited to work with £60,000-per-week Chelsea ace, really rates him
The Blues officially announced Maresca’s arrival on Monday.
ByEmilio Galantini Jun 4, 2024
Pretty much immediately after securing Premier League promotion with Leicester City, and winning the Championship title last season, Maresca has made the switch to west London as he makes plans behind the scenes.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Maresca cannot wait to work with Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez as one squad member he really rates. There have been other reports that Maresca plans to make Cole Palmer the focal point of his Chelsea side as well, and the ex-Parma boss is also very much looking forward to working with Chelsea's younger crop of players.
Cole Palmer
7.48
Conor Gallagher
7.13
Nicolas Jackson
7.07
Moises Caicedo
6.85
Noni Madueke
6.84
“Maresca believes in the Chelsea project around young players with a big future, he thinks it is a really exciting project," said reliable journalist Romano to CaughtOffside on why Maresca joined Chelsea.
"Meanwhile, Chelsea are convinced he’s a super talented coach and that’s why he’s a name appreciated by both directors and owners, all convinced he can be the man for present and future. Maresca’s obsession with ball possession, quality football, dominating the game, his knowledge of elite football despite being a young manager – all of this made the difference for Chelsea to pick him.”
While certain squad members are set to hugely benefit after Maresca's switch to Stamford Bridge, the same cannot be said for some players. Chelsea are set to try and sell Romelu Lukaku for around £38 million, while Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth writes that Borussia Dortmund are in talks to sign Ian Maatsen on a permanent deal.
Another player who could be sold under Maresca is striker Armando Broja, who was valued at around £50 million earlier this year.
After a poor loan spell at Fulham, clubs could be unlikely to pay a figure close to that amount, with journalist Ben Jacobs sharing an update on his future for GiveMeSport.
Broja open to leaving Chelsea for Saudi side
He writes that Broja is open to leaving Chelsea for Saudi Arabia this summer, but clubs in the Middle East are only likely to pay up to £20 million for him – under half of what Chelsea valued him a few months ago.
The Albania international's sale would count as pure profit in the eyes of PSR, considering he came through the Cobham academy, and it's perhaps more important to just get him off the books to raise funds.
Broja did enjoy a fantastic loan spell at Southampton a couple of seasons ago, with Saints legend Francis Benali calling him a "sensational" player.
The agent of a Manchester United target described as a "monster" was "in attendance" to watch the defeat to Arsenal over the weekend, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Man Utd transfer news
The Red Devils were beaten 1-0 at home to the Gunners on Sunday afternoon, with a woeful season at Old Trafford now thankfully having just one game remaining in it. Huge changes are needed within the squad during the summer transfer window, and it could even be that Erik ten Hag's days are numbered, too.
Many players are being linked with summer moves to United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly keen on acquiring the services of Manchester City defender Yan Couto, which could be controversial, given the rivalry between the two clubs. The 21-year-old has been on loan at high-flying Girona this season, bagging eight assists in 33 appearances in La Liga and helping them to second place in the table.
Yan Couto for Girona.
If Ten Hag does stay on as manager, he could target some former players, and it is believed that he is "crazy" about the idea of snapping up Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong. The pair worked together effectively as Ajax, coming within seconds of reaching the 2019 Champions League final.
Benfica ace Joao Neves has been linked with United a number of times throughout this season, arguably being considered one of Europe's most exciting young midfielders – he has a £100m release clause in his current deal.
Man Utd target's agent spotted at Old Trafford
Taking to X, Romano claimed that Manchester United target Benjamin Sesko's agent was at Old Trafford to watch the weekend loss against Arsenal: "Benjamin Sesko’s agent was in attendance at Old Trafford for Manchester United-Arsenal. Here’s Elvis Basanovic posting from the stadium ahead of summer transfer window."
This is further evidence to suggest that Sesko is a genuine target ahead of the summer window, with the RB Leipzig star a young striker with an enormous amount of potential. Various reports have suggested that United could sign him at the end of the season, and his agent being present at Old Trafford will only add to the rumours.
Still only 20 years of age, he has already achieved so much in the game, scoring 11 goals in 27 caps for Slovenia, and also a combined 46 times for RB Salzburg and Leipzig. Journalist Sripad has even compared him to Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to sign “superb” £35m Man City player for Man Utd
This could be a controversial move…
ByTom Cunningham May 13, 2024
In Rasmus Hojlund, United already have an excellent young centre forward of whom big things are expected, but Sesko could come in and provide competition and ease the burden on the Norwegian. To have two exciting attacking options to lead the line would increase both depth and quality in the squad, with the Leipzig star coming in as a direct replacement for Anthony Martial.
Leeds United went into the Championship play-off final having to start a goal-shy Joel Piroe up top, with Patrick Bamford sidelined through yet another injury.
Piroe barely left a lasting impression on the Leeds masses nervously watching on at Wembley, failing to have a single shot on Alex McCarthy's net as the Southampton defenders contained the Dutchman with ease all afternoon.
It's not as if Bamford would have done any better when you look at the barren sequence of games he had endured before injury troubles got the better of him again, only managing to ripple an opponent's goal with one strike in his last seven clashes before the treatment room inevitably beckoned.
The focus, therefore, could be on getting a new lethal striker in through the door in West Yorkshire this summer, as Leeds eye up a promising attacker who has had difficulties in the treatment room himself as of late.
Leeds looking at in-demand youngster
Still only 20 years of age, it does, however, feel like a lifetime ago since Daniel Jebbison was first making waves at Sheffield United across in neighbouring South Yorkshire.
Bumped up to the senior mix after six goals from six in the U18 ranks, Jebbison has had his struggles since with the entirety of this season – minus the final game – curtailed owing to a serious blood clot.
Yet, that hasn't stopped a number of suitors from beginning to sniff around for the unlucky young striker this summer, with Leeds notably interested according to journalist Graeme Bailey.
The likes of Everton, Brighton and Hove Albion and Leicester City are all further credited with being keen on the attacker, who could leave the Blades on a free in the off-season, as his contract begins to run out at Bramall Lane even after such a promising start to his career at the club.
Player
Age when they scored
1. Regan Slater
17 years, 1 month, 29 days
2. Simon Stainrod
17 years, 2 months, 2 days
3. Daniel Jebbison
17 years, 10 months, 5 days
4. Mick Jones
18 years
5. Jonathan Forte
18 years, 1 month, 24 days
Sourced by Transfermarkt
Third in the esteemed list above, after instinctively scoring for United away at Goodison Park, Leeds will hope they can turn back the clock and get this Jebbison back if he signs, finally ditching Bamford in the process.
What this move could mean for Bamford
Although Bamford did have moments of magic last campaign for the Whites, with that first-time screamer against Peterborough United in the FA Cup etched into every Leeds' fans brain, he also very visibly struggled to keep up with the pace at points.
His final full outing at Elland Road before a knee injury struck saw Leeds frustratingly draw 0-0 with Sunderland, with Bamford only managing a meagre 31 touches and one off-target effort to try and win his lacklustre team all three points.
In the grand scheme of things, results like that one at home and a further 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers after this killed Daniel Farke's men and their hopes of gatecrashing the top two in the division.
Patrick Bamford
Therefore, injecting the squad with a fresher option in Jebbison wouldn't be the most out-there shout, considering the former teenage starlet for the Blades only needed two men's appearances before bagging away in Merseyside.
Described as being "fantastic" when it came to his physical strength by then Sheffield United coach Jack Lester, even when United had dropped down a division and he struggled for fitness once more, Jebbison would be able to give the likes of Mateo Joseph and Joe Gelhardt a run for their money to add spice to the competition for places up top.
It would, no doubt, be risky swapping out the injury-prone Bamford for a man who missed nearly all of last season, but a risk worth taking if Leeds can get the former England U20 international back up to speed quickly and firing on all cylinders again.
Leeds hit gold with in-demand star who could leave for more than Phillips
Leeds United could be set to cash in a hefty amount on this unbelievable star.
Real Madrid's clash with Atletico Madrid was paused because of chaos in the stands, as multiple items were thrown onto the pitch
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Madrid derby suspended 20 minutes
Fans react after Real take lead
Atletico players appeal for calm
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The referee paused the Madrid derby midway through the second half after Atletico fans began throwing items onto the pitch. Real took the lead through Eder Militao in the 64th minute, and items were thrown from behind Thibaut Courtois' goal, before Atletico players, including captain Koke, and manager Diego Simeone appealed for calm.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Real's players were seemingly happy to keep playing, but the referee, in line with La Liga's protocols, decided to take the players off. Blancos goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was seen clearing items from his area, including a lighter that he handed to officials.
DID YOU KNOW?
Both Simeone and Koke tried to calm their fans down, heading behind Courtois' goal to speak with them directly. After a break in play of around 20 minutes, the game was finally resumed.
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WHAT NEXT?
Real are next in action against LOSC in the Champions League on Wednesday. Atletico play Benfica on the same night, in the same competition.
The difficulty of travelling at the moment was a key reason behind the pace bowler’s decision
ESPNcricinfo staff03-Sep-20200:38
Matthew Hayden – RCB too reliant on Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers
Kane Richardson hopes he gets another chance to appear in the IPL in the future but said he could not risk missing the birth of his first child following his withdrawal from the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad for this year’s tournament.The limitations around global travel amid the Covid-19 pandemic was one of the key factors in Richardson’s decision, knowing that it would be difficult to jump on a plane from the UAE to get home to Australia at short notice. He has been replaced at RCB by Australia team-mate Adam Zampa.He will return home after the limited-overs tour of England and undertake the mandatory two-week quarantine before heading back to South Australia.ALSO READ: Key to Australia’s T20I success: Spin twins, and return of David Warner, Steven Smith”It’s always difficult to withdraw from a competition like the IPL, it’s the pinnacle domestic competition in the world but when I really sat down and thought about it’s definitely the right one with all that’s going on in the world at the moment,” he said.”Just the challenge around getting home on time for something as unpredictable as the birth of a child, I couldn’t risk missing that. It’s disappointing to miss the IPL but hopefully there are opportunities ahead for that and don’t think I’d ever be able to live with missing the birth of my first kid.”We’ve had five months of but hopefully cricket will always be there. The main thing for me is to support my wife, as cricketers we are away for a lot of things but there comes a time when you prioritise your family over anything else and at the moment in the world a lot of people are doing that.”Over the next couple of weeks Richardson’s focus is a return to international cricket for the first time in five months. He has been an integral part of Australia’s T20I side, forming the pace attack alongside Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, as they have climbed to No. 1 in the world and hopes to retain that role.Kane Richardson is his delivery stride•Getty Images
“Coming off five months of doing nothing you don’t really know until you start, but if look back over the last 12 months I’ve feel I’ve done the job so it’s been a really nice period for the T20 team,” he said. “You never feel 100% comfortable behind those guys but hopefully my name is called on Friday night.”Given the enlarged nature of the squad for this tour inside a biosecure bubble, Richardson is one of a host of pace-bowling options available including the uncapped Riley Meredith and Daniel Sams.”Everyone brings a little bit of variety and their individual strengths, think that’s what you want in a bowling attack. I feel like we have all bases covered,” Richardson said.Most of Australia’s batsmen have enjoyed time in the middle over the four intersquad warm-up matches played at the Ageas Bowl and Richardson picked out Marnus Labuschagne’s 50-ball century as the standout performance although he will find it tough to break into the T20 side.”T20 probably hasn’t been his format so to get the opportunity in that last game he showed a few people what he could do and probably some surprise in the field with the shots he was playing, was almost batting like a mini AB de Villiers someone said. That’s a fair endorsement.”
أدلى مهاجم فريق مانشستر سيتي، إيرلينج هالاند، بتصريحات صحفية بعد هزيمة فريقه أمام أستون فيلا في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
وخسر مانشستر سيتي أمام خصمه أستون فيلا بهدفين مقابل هدف، ضمن منافسات الجولة السابعة عشر من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، على ملعب “فيلا بارك”.
وبهذه النتيجة، ارتفع رصيد أستون فيلا إلى النقطة 28 في المركز الخامس في ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، بينما تجمد رصيد مانشستر سيتي عند النقطة 27 في المركز السادس.
اقرأ أيضاً.. صورة | جوارديولا يقبل رأس لاعبي مانشستر سيتي بعد الهزيمة أمام أستون فيلا
وقال هالاند في تصريحات لـ”TNT SPORTS”: “بالطبع نشعر بخيبة أمل، هذا ليس جيدًا بما فيه الكفاية مني”.
وعن أستون فيلا: “إنهم لاعبون جيدون، من الصعب القدوم إلى هنا، لكننا مانشستر سيتي ويجب أن نكون هناك، يتعين علينا الاستمرار، ويتعين علينا أن نؤمن بقدراتنا وأن نواصل العمل الجاد”.
وأضاف: “علينا أن نستمر، أولاً، أنظر إلى نفسي، لم أكن أؤدي بشكل جيد بما فيه الكفاية، لم أستغل الفرص التي أتيحت لي، علي أن أتحسن، لم أكن جيدًا بما فيه الكفاية”.
وتابع: “عن مستويات الثقة، بالطبع ليست الأفضل، نحن نعلم مدى أهمية الثقة ويمكنك أن ترى أنها تؤثر على كل إنسان، هكذا هو الحال، علينا أن نستمر ونبقى إيجابيين حتى لو كان الأمر صعبًا”.
وعن بيب جوارديولا: “لقد فاز بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز ست مرات في سبع سنوات، لذلك لن ننسى ذلك أبدًا، سيجد الحلول، لقد كان يفعل ذلك كل عام، ما زلنا نؤمن به، وعلينا أن نعمل بجدية أكبر من أي وقت مضى”.
وبشأن ما قاله له جوارديولا في النفق: “إنها تفاصيل صغيرة، لا أتذكرها الآن، أعتقد أننا خسرنا للتو مباراة أخرى، لا أتذكر ولكن ربما كانت بعض التعليمات الصغيرة للقيام بالأمور بشكل أفضل”.
Unai Emery is using Aston Villa’s Champions League stature in a bid to lure high-quality players to the Midlands this summer.
Conor Gallagher has been linked perennially, while Everton midfielder Amadou Onana has been targeted recently, as both players look to play in Europe’s premier club competition.
Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher
There has been a recent update on a player who Emery is targeting, and he has had plenty of experience in the Champions League over the previous few seasons for both Manchester City and Barcelona…
Aston Villa in race to sign Barcelona forward
According to a report from the Sunday Express (page 66) – via Sports View – Emery is keen on bringing current Barcelona star Ferran Torres to the Midlands this summer.
Competition is expected to come from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and West Ham United, but Villa have one thing those teams do not – Champions League football to look forward to next term.
This could be a major incentive for the Spaniard, who featured for his nation during their 3-0 win over Croatia at Euro 2024, and he may well be joining a new club once the tournament is over.
It is claimed that a transfer fee of around £30m should be enough to tempt the Catalan giants into selling, especially as they are looking to seal a permanent deal to sign João Cancelo from Man City.
Player
Year joined
Games
Pau Torres
2023
39
Alex Moreno
2023
48
Jota Peleteiro
2019
16
Pepe Reina
2020
12
Borja Baston
2020
2
Adama Traore
2015
12
Jose Crespo
2015
2
Carlos Gil
2015
34
Antonio Luna
2013
18
Carlos Cuellar
2008
121
No stranger to the Premier League, Torres could add that extra bit of quality Emery is seeking ahead of the 2024/25 season, which could make all the difference in Europe.
Ferran Torres’ season in numbers
It is hard to believe that Torres is still only 24. The winger has won two Premier League titles, a La Liga title and a Copa del Rey during his career, yet it feels as though he has been around far longer than just the previous six or so campaigns.
The 2023/24 season was his most productive in front of goal since he made his senior bow for Valencia during 2017/18. Not only did he score 11 times for Barcelona across all competitions, but the winger grabbed four assists, yet the club finished the season without a major trophy to show for it.
Barcelona forward Ferran Torres.
Among his teammates, Torres ranked sixth for goals and assists (nine) in the top flight last season, while also ranking sixth for shots on target per game (0.5), ninth for key passes per game (0.9) and fourth for scoring frequency (a goal every 173 minutes), solid if unspectacular.
It was a different story in the Champions League, however, as Torres ranked in the top three for goals and assists (four) and scoring frequency (a goal every 125 minutes), clearly demonstrating his talents on the biggest stage of all.
The Spaniard could thrive in this Villa team under Emery, potentiall making Ollie Watkins better than he was throughout last season.
How Ferran Torres could benefit Ollie Watkins
Last season, Moussa Diaby and Leon Bailey tended to be Emery’s two options on the right wing. The duo scored 24 goals and grabbed 23 assists between them across all competitions.
This success on the right flank was not matched by players on the opposite wing. The likes of Nicolo Zaniolo, John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey operated there during the season, but it wasn’t until Morgan Rogers arrived in January that Emery had a natural left-winger available.
Aston Villa forward Leon Bailey.
Torres can play across the front three with ease, which means he would be an ideal option for the manager on the left wing, registering 27 goal contributions from that position in his career to date.
According to WhoScored, Torres’ main strengths are finishing, crossing and key passes, which suggests he could create a plethora of chances for Watkins to slot away next season.
The Englishman found the back of the net on 27 occasions for Villa last season, emerging as one of the finest forwards in the Premier League in the process.
Emery could perhaps unlock that extra 10% from the former Brentford hitman by signing a player such as Torres, who could use his ability to cut inside wonderfully to provide Watkins with chances to score.
Combining this with the likes of Diaby and Bailey getting in on the act again, it's clear that someone of his quality could be an excellent investment, especially with his previous experience in the English top flight.
Ferran Torres’ statistics in the Premier League
The left-winger joined City from Valencia in the summer of 2020 for a fee in the region of £20.8m, yet his spell in Manchester failed to really hit the heights that were predicted of the youngster upon his arrival.
Overall, Torres scored 16 goals and registered four assists in 43 games under Pep Guardiola, which isn’t to be sniffed at, but it was clear that if a big money offer arrived, City were going to take it.
Nine of these goals came in the Premier League, and he was predominately deployed as a centre-forward, showing his positional versatility, yet Emery would clearly find a space for him on the left wing.
After his first season at City, Torres was hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, who said: “Prolific goalscorer already at the youth level. Very good finishing skills, movement, and instinct.”
If Emery is looking for someone who has knowledge of the league, is performing at the highest level and can play in a multitude of positions, then Torres is his man.
He may have to sell a player or two first before making a move for the 24-year-old in order to remain within financial fair play regulations, but it looks as though Douglas Luiz is on his way out of Villa, closing in on a move to Juventus.
This could give the club funds to complete a deal for Torres in the coming weeks, although much will depend on how well he performs at the Euros for Spain.
This summer could be the most important in the club’s recent history. If they can sign genuine quality and improve, there is no reason why they cannot replicate what they did last term, especially under the guidance of a wily Spaniard.
What Aston Villa’s starting XI could look like after £105m spending spree
Aston Villa will be looking to build on their momentous 23/24 campaign, having qualified for the Champions League.
Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards used Google Translate to interview Aston Villa's Jhon Duran in Spanish on CBS Sports Golazo.
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Duran the star as Aston Villa beat Bayern MunichCarragher and Richards attempt to interview strikerHilariously use Google Translate to speak SpanishFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Aston Villa recorded a historic victory over German giants Bayern Munich as Duran came off the bench to score the only goal of the game. Following the match at Villa Park, CBS Sports interviewed Duran, and pundits Carragher and Richards hilariously tried to interact with the Colombian in Spanish by utilising Google Translate on their smartphones.
AdvertisementWATCH THE CLIPWHAT THE DUO SAID TO DURAN
Carragher started by attempting to tell Duran: "You are my favourite striker in Europe." Richards arrived next, asking Duran, "How much does your hair cut cost?". In answer, Duran laughed and remarked in English, "I don't know."
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WHAT NEXT FOR DURAN?
The Colombian has mostly been utilised by Unai Emery as a second-half substitute for Ollie Watkins, however, the striker has greatly impressed in those appearances and will now hope to be a starter when Aston Villa take on Manchester United at Villa Park on Sunday, October 6.