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Exclusive: Man Utd told to sell Alejandro Garnacho by ex-Red Devil as Argentina winger torn apart for being 'more concerned with celebrations than scoring'

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Manchester United have been urged to sell Alejandro Garnacho as he has no end product and is more focused on his celebrations than scoring.

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Parker criticises winger's lack of end productHe claims he cares more about celebrating than scoringArgentine urged to stop imitating Cristiano RonaldoFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Ruben Amorim told Garnacho to find a new club after the winger and his brother spoke out against the coach following the Europa League final. And the player has also told United he wants to leave, along with Marcus Rashford, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia. No concrete offers have arrived for the Argentina international but former United defender Paul Parker has told the club to do what it takes for him to leave.

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Parker, speaking exclusively to GOAL via , the home of odds, said: "Sell the boy. He needs to move on, needs to understand what football is about. Not a game of golf, and you need players around you. He needs to look at his game and what he is rather than what he wants to be – he should want to be Garnacho, not the former United winger that plays for Portugal… and have a bit of humanity."

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Garnacho scored six Premier League goals last season but missed his fair share of chances, most memorably against Tottenham and West Ham. And Parker criticised his shooting and final ball. He said: "I’d say I have better end product than him. He’s more concerned about trying to score and what he’s going to do after to celebrate than actually scoring a goal. His end product is terrible, absolutely terrible."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Garnacho's bicycle kick against Everton in 2023-24 was named Goal of the Season but Parker believes the winger has not kicked on from that moment and he is still not convinced by his talents. He added: "Living off shinning an overhead kick into the top corner against Everton. I wonder what kind of player he is. Not full of tricks, not that quick. I’m trying to figure out what his game is, I really don’t know what his strengths are."

One last chance for Smith and Labuschagne to turn around their lean 2023

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Both have not had the impact their high standards demand, and now find themselves at the MCG – a ground that comes with its own challenges for the pair. But could you really bet against them?

Andrew McGlashan22-Dec-20230:31

Could David Warner reverse retirement plans?

Steven Smith had a few words to say about his second-innings lbw as he walked off at Optus Stadium, while the evening before Marnus Labuschagne had needed a trip to hospital to get his hand checked after a vicious blow on an increasingly spiteful surface.Neither moment proved significant for Australia; they won by 360 runs and Labuschagne hadn’t suffered any damage to his hand, although he admitted being “nervous” for a little while. But on an individual basis for two of Australia’s finest-ever players it continued what can probably be described as a frustrating 2023 where neither have quite been able to hit their previous prolific heights.Related

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It’s worth saying that it’s far from a crisis. Smith is averaging 42.65 for the year with three centuries and Labuschagne’s figure is 35.04 with what proved a match-saving hundred at Old Trafford. Still, it’s well below what we have become accustomed to. It is comfortably Labuschagne’s leanest year since he cracked Test cricket in 2019, and in a year where Smith has played at least five Tests it’s his lowest average since 2013.Overall, Australia’s Test batting returns for the year are set to only finish around mid-table among their rivals. Leading into the Boxing Day Test, their overall batting average is 33.77 albeit they have played significantly more matches than anyone else. Conditions in India played a part in that, although only the Indore surface was really a lottery for batters.

Usman Khawaja has led the way followed by Travis Head, who has made crucial contributions when they have really mattered, which is as important as the sheer volume of his runs. Mitchell Marsh is the surprise entrant among Australia’s leading batters this year, taking a 2023 average of 67.16 into Boxing Day.Smith admitted before the Perth Test that he hadn’t quite been at his best. For much of the time he was in the middle he looked sharp but was given a bit of a working over debutant Khurram Shahzad before fishing at a reasonably wide delivery in the first innings then getting the borderline lbw in the second. Unfortunately, Shahzad won’t have the chance to add to those successes with his tour ended by injury.Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne: the search for big runs continues•AFPPrior to that, two of Smith’s three centuries – against India at The Oval and England at Lord’s – had set up victories that won the World Test Championship final and gave Australia a 2-0 Ashes lead which ultimately proved crucial. In England he also made a rare admission that the fuss around his 100th Test at Headingley had affected his focus and was then hampered by a wrist injury at the back end of the tour (although still managed twin fifties in the last Test).It is Labuschagne who is the more interesting case having had the trickiest year of his Test career to date, albeit he had set very high standards. He was not alone in being troubled by Ravindra Jadeja in India, although managed to reach double figures in all but one of his eight innings. He was then done by Stuart Broad’s outswinger (which Broad was happy to say was designed especially for him) in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston. There was also the uncharacteristic slog sweep at a crucial moment of the Headingley Test when Australia were a probably a couple of hours away from setting up a 3-0 lead.

As the best players do, he found a way to still make a telling contribution at Old Trafford – without his scores of 51 and 110 the rain may not have been enough for Australia – but at The Oval he was extraordinarily becalmed in the first innings to get to 9 off 81 balls in nearly two hours before edging to slip against Mark Wood the ball after Broad switched the bails.Through the year, Labuschagne has only failed to reach double figures – what can loosely be termed “a start” – in four of his 23 innings. For someone with such an insatiable hunger for runs, and a love of batting, you would suspect that will add to the angst as much as anything.When asked if his net session against reserve quicks Lance Morris and Scott Boland on the fourth morning in Perth was to test out his hand, he replied: “It was to bat…something I didn’t do enough of in this game.” You pity Australia’s coaches with the wanger in the couple of days leading into Boxing Day.

2023 is comfortably Labuschagne’s leanest year since he cracked Test cricket in 2019, and in a year where Smith has played at least five Tests it’s his lowest average since 2013.

Labuschagne and Smith will be vital for Australia in the next year or so as a transition phase begins. As a sign of the mature make-up of the team, Labuschagne was the youngest member of the XI in Perth – one of only two players under 30, alongside Head who turns 30 during the second Test. David Warner will be the first to depart in two Tests’ time and the selectors will hope that Smith and Khawaja do not end too close together.Smith has an outstanding record at the MCG where he averages 84.75. He hasn’t scored a Boxing Day Test century since 2017 but has twice fallen close with 85. Labuschagne on the other hand averages 28.83 there, his lowest for a home venue with more than one Test.However, it is not insignificant that both Smith’s wait to add to his MCG hundreds and Labuschagne’s relative struggles at the ground have come since more life was injected back into the pitch following the moribund 2017-18 Ashes Test. The groundsman, Matt Page, has promised there will be assistance for the bowlers again this year. There could be some hard work ahead if they want to finish the year on a personal high, but few would be surprised if they find a way to do it.

Revealed: Chelsea lay down Joao Felix demands to Benfica as Premier League side prepared to compromise after low-ball offer from Portuguese side

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Chelsea have outlined strict conditions to Benfica over Joao Felix’s transfer, seeking future guarantees as a partial sale agreement edges closer.

Benfica want Joao Felix back from Chelsea€20m bid for 50 per cent of rights nears agreementThe Blues initially asked for €30m in first phaseFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to , Chelsea and Benfica are nearing a deal that would see Felix return to the Estadio da Luz. The Eagles have offered around €20 million (£17m/$23m) for 50 per cent of the forward’s rights, a figure the Blues are now open to accepting despite initially requesting €30m (£25m/$34m). However, the English club are demanding that Benfica also commit to buying the remaining half in the coming years to ensure they recoup a bigger chunk of their €52m (£44m/$59m) investment.

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The Portuguese has struggled to find consistency in recent years, with underwhelming spells at Barcelona, Chelsea, and most recently AC Milan. Still just 25, he sees Benfica, where he first made his name, as the ideal environment to reignite his career. Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca, have no plans to integrate him into their squad and are pushing to finalise a financially viable exit.

DID YOU KNOW?

The report adds that Felix has agreed to reduce his annual salary to around €3m (£2.5m/$3.4m) net, in line with Benfica’s highest earners like Nicolas Otamendi. Performance bonuses are also included in his contract. He played 21 matches and scored three goals last season, a figure seen as underwhelming for a player of his talent.

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Talks are ongoing to finalise legal terms and long-term guarantees. Felix is currently training away from Chelsea’s first team and is awaiting clearance to travel to Portugal and reunite with his former team-mates. The deal is expected to conclude swiftly if Benfica agree to the Blues' future clause demands.

Ashwin rejoins Indian team in Rajkot

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Ashwin took the field at the start of the third session of play on the fourth day

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Feb-2024Offspinner R Ashwin has rejoined the Indian team in Rajkot on the fourth day of the ongoing third Test against England. He had left the city after play on the second day because of personal reasons and missed the third day’s play entirely.He returned to the field at the start of the third session, with England 18 for 2 in their chase of 557.The day had begun with positive news for India, with the BCCI announcing Ashwin was on his way back to Rajkot. “The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is pleased to announce the return of R Ashwin to the squad after a brief absence due to a family emergency,” it said in a statement. “Both R Ashwin and the team management are pleased to confirm that he will be back in action on Day 4 and will continue to contribute towards the team’s cause in the ongoing Test match. Ashwin and his family kindly request privacy as they navigate through these challenging times.”Ashwin was available to bowl as soon as he took despite having spent an entire day off the field. The umpires can waive the requirement of penalty time if they feel the player was off the field for “other wholly acceptable reasons, which shall not include illness or internal injury” according to the playing conditions.Ashwin had taken his 500th wicket in Test cricket on the second day of the Rajkot Test and attended the press conference after play. It was only at 11pm IST that the news of Ashwin having left the team became public via a statement from the BCCI.The third day’s play had begun with England on 207 for 2 in 35 overs in response to India’s first-innings total of 445, with opener Ben Duckett batting on a hundred 133 at more than a run a ball. India, however, fought back despite Ashwin’s absence, taking eight wickets for 112 runs on the third day to secure a first-innings lead of 126.India’s batters had extended that to 322 for the loss of only two second-innings wickets by stumps on the third day, with Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring 104 before retiring hurt with a back niggle and Shubman Gill unbeaten on 65. India further strengthened their grip on the Test by taking their lead to 556 before declaring during the second session of play.

Aitana Bonmati always finds a way! Spain superstar scores sublime late winner to down Germany & book Euro 2025 final place as Ann-Katrin Berger goes from hero to zero

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Aitana Bonmati's extra-time goal gave Spain a timely first-ever win over Germany in the Euro 2025 semi-finals, to set up a showdown against England.

Spain to play in Sunday's finalBonmati scored winner from acute angleGermany eliminated Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportTELL ME MORE

Within the first 10 minutes, Germany spurned a gilt-edged chance; a long ball forward from goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger found Klara Buhl but, after bursting into the box, she could only flash a shot wide.

Berger was heroic for Germany in the quarter-final, making a world-class save to keep her side in the competition, and she was called upon repeatedly throughout the first half, making two excellent stops on the stroke of the interval, one from Esther Gonzalez, and one from Claudia Pina, keeping her sheet clean.

In the second period, the game descended into something of a midfield battle, but Die Nationalel had the best chance after the hour mark, as Buhl was once again set free of the Spanish backline, but her effort was well saved by Catalina Coll.

Buhl completed a hat-trick of near-misses with six minutes to go, as her free-kick from the edge of the box whistled just past Coll's post as she scrambled to get across. In injury-time, the Spanish 'keeper made a truly superb double save to keep Spain in the game, first clearing a looping effort off her line from underneath the crossbar, before denying Carlotta Wamser from close-range.

Like England's clash with Italy on Tuesday, the game went to extra time as the two exhausted teams struggled for fluency, but Spain found the breakthrough in the 112th minute, as Bonmati, the Ballon d'Or winner, beat Berger at her near post with a clever, powerful finish from an acute angle. The goalkeeper, for all of her heroics, had to do better.

Spain will now face England in Sunday's final.

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While England were not involved in this semi-final, it's hard to look beyond them as the big winner of the tie. They will hardly be running scared of Spain after a tight, tense affair that was both low on quality and attacking incident, and which went the distance of 120 minutes. It evens the playing field this weekend, what with Sarina Wiegman's side also playing into extra time against Italy. Revenge will be on the Lionesses' mind after the World Cup final two years ago.

THE BIG LOSER

Germany are out and one has to say that Buhl has to take her fair share of blame for it. She had two huge gilt-edged chances, and could not turn them into anything of substance. When you miss one chance in a semi-final, it's going to live with you for some time; missing two is going to take some getting over.

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WHAT COMES NEXT?

The final on Sunday. England await Spain as they aim to retain the trophy they won in 2022. Spain have got there by beating Germany for the first time ever, and will now compete in their first-ever European Championship showpiece.

Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out of IPL 2024

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Sri Lankan legspinner withdraws because of chronic heel pain in left foot

Nagraj Gollapudi06-Apr-2024Sunrisers Hyderabad legspinner Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of IPL 2024 because of chronic heel pain in his left foot. Hasaranga had not yet joined the Sunrisers squad and ESPNcricinfo has learned that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) informed BCCI of his unavailability for the season.There’s been no confirmation on a replacement for Hasaranga but it is understood Sunrisers are on the lookout.Hasaranaga, who last played during Sri Lanka’s limited-overs series in Bangladesh in March, was treated by SLC medical staff who suspected the pain in his left heel was because of wear and tear of the musculo-skeletal apparatus. He was meant to travel overseas for specialist consultation before getting clearance from SLC to play in the IPL. Sunrisers head coach Daniel Vettori said on Thursday that Hasaranga had consulted a specialist in Dubai, following which the news of his withdrawal emerged.Hasaranga was bought by Sunrisers at his base price of INR 1.5 crore (approx USD $181,000) at the 2024 IPL auction in December last year. He was previously with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who paid INR 10.75 crore for him at the 2022 IPL auction. He had a superb season in 2022, taking 26 wickets with an economy of 7.54, but in 2023 he played only eight games and took nine wickets with an economy of 8.9.Hasaranga will be a key player for Sri Lanka at the T20 World Cup, which starts on June 1 in the USA and the Caribbean, if he recovers in time for the tournament.Earlier this month, Hasaranga was suspended from playing Sri Lanka’s ongoing Tests against Bangladesh, after racking up eight demerit points for breaching article 2.8 of the players’ code of conduct during the third ODI against Bangladesh. Had Hasaranga, who had just come out of Test retirement prior to the ban, been unavailable for the red-ball games, he would have missed the initial matches of the T20 World Cup.SLC, however, dismissed claims that Hasaranga’s return from retirement was a ploy to make sure he was available for the T20 World Cup, stating that he had informed them in an email on March 16 of his desire to be considered for Test cricket selection going forward, citing his improved fitness levels.

Tim Weah 'can't choose' his next team as Juventus director tells Marseille to make the 'right offer' if they want to sign USMNT star

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Juventus general manager Damien Comolli says the club will not accept an offer from Marseille for Timothy Weah unless it matches their asking price.

Juventus say Marseille haven't made offer for WeahClubs will have to match their asking priceComolli asserts USMNT man can't force a moveFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Comolli has taken a stern stance on players who want to leave the club this summer. When asked about the situation surrounding Weah, the Juventus director clarified that the American striker wants to move to France. However, he asserted that players can't dictate the transfer window and the club will only allow a transfer if the price offered is right.

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Weah and Samuel Mbangula were offered to Nottingham Forest for a combined fee of €22 million (£19m/$25m). This offer was rejected by Weah, but Juve, in a bid to force a move, benched him for the Club World Cup semi-final clash against Manchester City. This did not sit well with the player's agent, who called the tactic a 'disgrace'. Now, with Marseille's offer on the table, the club are reportedly playing hardball. Weah's agent accuses the club of raising his asking price to cause problems for the player. Comolli further added that the striker also runs the risk of spending time on the sidelines.

WHAT COMOLLI SAID

Comolli, in his interview with Sky Sport, said: "He wants to go to Marseille, but in football you can't choose a team, because if the right offer doesn't come, you're left on the sidelines. And the offer hasn't arrived yet."

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Marseille have reportedly bid around €15m (£13m/$17m) plus add-ons for Weah but Comolli reportedly wants the French club to up their bid to €20m (£17m/$23m). The Serie A club want to sign Randal Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain, and for that, they can look to generate funds by parting ways with Weah.

Patel, Currie form Leicestershire roadblock with Gloucestershire eyeing victory

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Home side made to follow on despite hundred from opener, career-best from nightwatcher

ECB Reporters Network19-May-2024Opener Rishi Patel, with his first century of the season, and nightwatcher Scott Currie, led the fightback as Leicestershire’s batters fought to save the game on the third day of the Vitality County Championship match against Gloucestershire at the UptonSteel County Ground, Grace Road.The two batted throughout the morning without being parted, and although Patel was bowled shortly after lunch, Currie remained unbeaten in the afternoon session, reaching a maiden first-class half century.Currie was finally dismissed shortly after tea, one of four wickets to fall as Gloucestershire maintained their hopes of enforcing victory on the final day. But they will need all ten wickets in Leicestershire’s second innings as Patel, in company with Marcus Harris, saw the home side through to the close without being parted after the visitors enforced the follow on.Patel demonstrated a determination to be positive from the off after Leicestershire resumed on 133 for 5 on a cloudless morning in the East Midlands. Having made a painstaking 51 from 136 deliveries the previous evening, the 25-year-old played a series of glorious straight drives in adding 24 to his score from the first 16 balls he faced before settling back into his innings – at least until he was on 86, whereupon he hit the legspin of Ed Middleton for four, four and six off consecutive deliveries, the century coming off 203 deliveries and including 13 fours and two maximums.Only once had there been a real rush of blood, a mighty swing and miss against Middleton. Bracey took off the bails and appealed, but Patel’s back foot had – just – remained in his crease.At the other end, Currie was unmoveable, the only time he looked at all likely to get out coming when he twice tried to cut Middleton through the off side, missing on both occasions. Solid and impressively determined defence saw him go to lunch unbeaten on 19, made from 119 deliveries.Having delayed taking the new ball for a couple of overs after the break, Gloucestershire had almost immediate joy when they did so, Matt Taylor producing a peach of a delivery to remove Patel’s off stump.That was the only moment of celebration in the session for the visitors, however, as Ben Cox picked up where Patel had left off, scoring at a run a ball, while Currie did nothing different, defending his wicket against all-comers and just occasionally unfurling a classy attacking shot. Having passed his previous first class best of 44, he went to his 50 off 182 balls, having hit five fours, and continued to play in exactly the same exemplary manner until tea.Gloucestershire needed a quick breakthrough after the interval and it came first ball, Cox leg before to Middleton after missing a sweep. Currie too was given leg before on the back foot to Taylor soon afterwards, and Ben Mike missed a slog at an Ollie Price delivery which turned a touch and hit off stump. Price only needed two more deliveries to dismiss last man Josh Hull, leg before on the back foot.

'Still more to do' – Cristiano Ronaldo sends message to Al-Nassr after scoring hat-trick in pre-season friendly win over Rio Ave

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Cristiano Ronaldo has pointed out that there is "still more to do" after adding another hat-trick to his stunning goal tally at Al-Nassr.

Portuguese GOAT preparing for 2025-26 campaignHas committed to a new two-year contractOne competitive goal away from 100 for Al-NassrFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Portuguese’s latest treble came in a pre-season friendly date with Rio Ave. He helped Al-Nassr to a convincing 4-0 victory there, with CR7 lining up alongside international team-mate Joao Felix.

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There is the promise of more transfer business in the summer window from Al-Nassr, with Ronaldo urging them to bring in proven performers that will allow him to end a barren run on the trophy front at club level.

DID YOU KNOW?

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will be doing all he can to get back on the trophy trail – having recently captained his country to another UEFA Nations League triumph – with a record-breaking two-year contract extension being committed to in the Middle East.

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WHAT RONALDO SAID

As he moves through the gears ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, Ronaldo – who remains determined to reach 1,000 career goals before giving any thought to retirement – has posted on social media: "Keep pushing, there’s more to do."

Harry Redknapp insists Tottenham were right to sack Ange Postecoglou after 'disgraceful' 2024-25 season & downplays Europa League achievement

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Tottenham made the right decision to sack Ange Postecologu after a "disgraceful" Premier League season, according to Harry Redknapp.

Postecoglou sacked despite Europa League winRedknapp says it was the right decisionAdds Premier League campaign was "disgraceful"Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Postecoglou was sacked after ending Tottenham's long wait for a trophy with victory in the Europa League final over Manchester United. However, he also oversaw a disastrous Premier League campaign that saw the team finish down in 17th place, having suffered 22 defeats from 38 games. 

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Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has since said it was a "collective decision" to sack Postecoglou just 16 days after their Europa League triumph and insisted it was the "right" move for the club. Former Spurs boss Redknapp also thinks the north Londoners were correct to part ways with Postecoglou and has also downplayed the importance of their Europa League win.

WHAT REDKNAPP SAID

Speaking exclusively with BetVictor Casino, Redknapp said: "Finishing fourth from bottom is disgraceful really, wasn't it? I lost my job after finishing fourth. So, he had every chance of going. We got to the end of the season and suddenly I was gone, okay he won the cup and I won’t disrespect it, but the two English teams in the final were two of the worst teams in the Premier League.

"It's a cup competition that an English team should win every year when you look at the quality that's in it. I wouldn't compare that to [Mauricio] Pochettino's achievements in getting to the Champions League final. Okay he didn’t win it and last year they won a trophy. But Pochettino taking the team to a final in the Champions League for me as a manager would still be a greater achievement. It was harder to get to the Champions League final for sure than it is to win that trophy. I'm pleased to have the trophy but it isn’t the Champions League that's for sure.”

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TELL ME MORE…

Redknapp also gave his verdict on new Tottenham manager Thomas Frank and admitted he's a fan. He added: "I like Thomas Frank, he needs good players and they've got a lot of good players. I think Tottenham will do okay this year. I think Tottenham could finish in the top six. I like the look of them. They look decent and have made a couple of signings. Keeping everybody fit is the key this year for them.

"I know they've lost James Maddison, which is an early blow, but they brought in Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich so I think they'll do fine. I think they'll be strong this year Tottenham, they'll do well in the league and maybe win the Carabao Cup or whatever might be on the agenda for them. It's a great club, a big club and I think they'll have a good season."

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