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اختتم فريق الكرة بـ الأهلي استعداداته لخوض مباراة إنبي والتي تجمع بينهما ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري.

ويلتقي الأهلي مع إنبي غدًا الأربعاء، على أرضية استاد المقاولون العرب ضمن منافسات الجولة الـ33 للمسابقة المحلية.

وكان الأهلي قد حقق الفوز على زد بهدفين مقابل هدف في المباراة التي أقيمت بينهما على استاد القاهرة والمؤجلة من الجولة الـ25 لبطولة الدوري.

وأدى فريق الكرة بـ الأهلي مرانه اليوم على ملعب التتش، واشتمل على جزء بدني خفيف وتدريبات الكرة.

طالع.. خاص | الأهلي يحسم مصير خالد بيبو مع الفريق

وعقد سامي قمصان مدرب الفريق محاضرة مع اللاعبين قبل انطلاق المران للحديث في الجوانب الفنية والخططية.

ورفع الأهلي رصيده إلى 84 نقطة بعد الفوز على زد، فيما كان الفريق قد حسم الفوز ببطولة الدوري رسميا عقب مباراة سموحة التي أقيمت على استاد برج العرب وانتهت بفوز الأهلي.

Lancashire legspinner’s Big Bash stint in jeopardy after injury is revealed in routine scans

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Oct-2018

Matt Parkinson led a posse of Lancashire spinners•Getty Images

Matt Parkinson, the Lancashire legspinner, has been ruled out of the England Lions tour of the UAE after routine scans found a stress fracture in his back.Parkinson enjoyed a stellar season in all formats last summer, claiming 59 wickets all told, including 18 in the Royal London Cup, the most by any bowler, and a further 25 in the Vitality Blast.On the strength of those performances, he was earlier this month named as one of Melbourne Star’s signings for the 2018-19 Big Bash, an opportunity that could now be in jeopardy depending on the seriousness of his injury.”It’s a real shame for Matt that he’s forced to miss the tour,” said Andy Flower, the England Lions head coach. “He had a fine summer for Lancashire and his selection was just reward for the ability that he’s shown.”He’s been shut down from bowling and he’ll see a spinal specialist this week as we try to determine the full extent of his injury.”Parkinson will be replaced in the England Lions squad by Sussex slow left-armer Danny Briggs.It is the second time in as many winters that a young England legspinner has been diagnosed with a stress fracture, after Hampshire’s Mason Crane was ruled out of the tour of New Zealand, having made his Test debut at Sydney during the Ashes.Crane made a comeback to county cricket in the summer but was ruled out for the rest of the season after helping Hampshire win the Royal London Cup final against Kent in June.

Leeds United have learned of a fresh injury setback for a young talent at Elland Road, acting as a blow to their Championship promotion hopes this season.

Leeds injury news

The Whites didn't necessarily make an eye-catching start to the campaign, with Daniel Farke taking a little time to settle into his new surroundings, but his side have impressed the more the season has gone on so far. Leeds currently sit third in the Championship table, having won four of their last five league matches, and on Friday night they face a huge test away to current leaders Leicester City, who have only failed to win one league match in 2023/24.

Unfortunately for the Whites, they have not been without injury problems going into the game, with Joe Rodon, Sam Byram and Crysencio Summerville all doubts leading up to the clash, even though they may end up being available. A key update has now emerged over the fitness of another influential Leeds figure, however, and things don't look as positive with him.

Gelhardt suffers injury setback

According to a new update from Farke, Leeds attacker Joe Gelhardt has suffered a new injury setback, having fractured his hand during a training session:

"Sadly, some bad news was that Joe Gelhardt, who suffered a hand fracture yesterday in training and we will wait for some further assessment. He will definitely miss out the next couple of weeks, so we need further assessment, perhaps if he needs surgery if it rules him out even longer, but this will happen in the next days and he's definitely not a topic for this next game."

This is a massive blow for Leeds, with Gelhgardt such an exciting player who has made the step up from the academy to first-team level in recent years. Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp is certainly a fan of the Englishman, once saying of him in the past:

"You see him on the pitch, he made a real difference. I like him, he’s really exciting. He’s fast, he’s aggressive, he gets on the ball, takes people on. Once he gets into the box he loves it and where he can cause most of his damage."

Gelhardt's statistics show that he has failed to get going this season, though, with only five Championship appearances coming his way and no goals to date, and this latest injury will only cause more frustration.

Joe Gelhardt's Leeds stats Total

Appearances 48 Goals 3 Assists 7

The 21-year-old is someone who can play a really positive role in Leeds' promotion push as the season continues, however, possessing the tenacity and quality in the final third to cause defences huge problems on his day.

Granted, Gelhardt may not find it easy to be starting games every week upon his return, considering Farke has the likes of Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter to call upon, but he has scored some huge goals in the Premier League in the past, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him find the net in similarly dramatic fashion later in the campaign.

Virat Kohli is the best batsman in the world but he will have a point to prove when he tours Australia in November, according to former Australia captain Steve Waugh.”He’ll be putting a bit of pressure on himself, this [a win] will be the feather in the cap if he can pull this off,” Waugh told the Cricket Australia website. “Steve Smith had an incredible series [in India last year] and made three centuries and scored about 500 runs, and Virat hardly scored a run. So that would have been deflating for him, and he will look to square the ledger when he comes back to Australia.”India reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar trophy 2-1 but they did so without Kohli making much of a contribution. He scored only 46 runs in five innings as the Australian bowlers found a way to keep him quiet.One of them, Pat Cummins, who is currently recuperating from a back injury, was recently quoted as saying, “My brave, bold prediction; I’d say I think Virat Kohli is not going to get a hundred and we’re going to knock them off over here.” This threw back to the trend that was seen in the 2016-17 series, where tensions ran high among both teams.Cummins later clarified that his comments were mostly tongue-in-cheek. “I was almost trying to do the opposite to the way they were perceived. I was trying to pay him a huge compliment and say that my big wish list for the summer was he doesn’t score a hundred.”He’s obviously so important to the team and is such a gun batsman, so him not scoring runs would go a long way to helping us win. But I certainly didn’t mean to say he’s no good because I couldn’t hold him in higher regard.”Kohli is currently ranked the No. 1 batsman in Test cricket after a spellbinding century in tough conditions at Edgbaston last week. He was also instrumental in the Johannesburg Test in January, scoring 54 and 41 on a pitch that was characterised by spiteful variations in bounce, and has carried the Indian batting on their most recent overseas trips. Additionally, Kohli amassed 692 runs from four Tests on his previous tour of Australia in 2014-15.”He has got the game to survive anywhere, I think he’s got the best technique of anyone in world cricket,” Waugh said. “He and AB de Villiers have got the best techniques, and AB de Villiers is not playing Test cricket so that makes him (Kohli) the stand-out player.”I think Steve Smith is probably the hungriest batsman but he’s obviously not playing for 12 months, so Kohli really is the premier batsman in world cricket. And he likes the big occasion.”Like (Brian) Lara and Tendulkar and (Viv) Richards and Javed Miandad, and all the great batsmen, they want the big occasion and that brings out the best in their cricket.”As such, Waugh suggested it was up to the Australian batsmen to pile Kohli under scoreboard pressure.”I think the best way to control him is for our guys to play really positive cricket, to concentrate on executing the team plans and to score 300-plus runs in our first innings so we can put pressure on their batting line-up.”Our attack is as good as anyone’s and, in our conditions, he’ll have to be on his game and particularly if he’s chasing some big scores that Australia have put on the board. That will put pressure on his batting. I think the only thing Australia can do is really control how well we’re playing. If we play really good cricket, then it’s a bit like the last series in India where Steve Smith totally dominated him.”

Brighton and Hove Albion have been dealt another injury blow to a first-team favourite alongside Solly March, according to an update from Roberto De Zerbi.

What's the latest injury news at Brighton?

The Amex Stadium outfit have Pervis Estupinan, Tariq Lamptey, Julio Enciso and Jakub Moder all out on the sidelines with their own respective injuries, and over the weekend, they were joined in the treatment room by another regular feature on the south coast.

During Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League away defeat to Manchester City, Solly March left the pitch on a stretcher after a knee injury resulted in him experiencing severe pain and being unable to walk, but unfortunately for the boss, he wasn’t the only player to be forced off the field earlier than expected.

At the Etihad, Danny Welbeck also had to depart the grass after sustaining a muscle injury so was replaced by Evan Ferguson after just 16 minutes, which wasn’t great news for the manager, who had to watch his striker walk away from the action prematurely.

So far this season, England’s former international has started seven out of the opening nine fixtures in the top-flight (WhoScored – Welbeck statistics), which highlights how much of an integral member of the squad he is, but if the following update is to be believed, the 32-year-old may face a wait to stage his comeback.

Danny Welbeck injury update

Speaking during his post-match interview following the weekend's loss to Man City, De Zerbi delivered an injury update on Welbeck and March. As quoted by BBC Sport, he confirmed Welbeck will at the very least miss the Ajax match: "The worst thing today is I think we are losing March for a long time. I'm frustrated, we lost two important players.

"It's tough because we play against Ajax – a crucial game – without [Pervis] Estupinan, [Tariq] Lamptey, March and Welbeck.

"We need more players. We are not used to playing in European competition. We have to find a solution to play and compete in every competition."

How much does Danny Welbeck earn per week?

With the Seagulls, Welbeck currently pockets £55k-per-week (Brighton salaries) which he has more than earned during his time at the club, therefore, it will end up being a huge blow for De Zerbi should he lose the services of his centre-forward for the foreseeable future.

The Longsight-born talent has posted 30 contributions, 20 goals and ten assists, in 99 outings since putting pen to paper (Transfermarkt – Welbeck statistics), form which has previously seen him hailed an “important” first-team player by journalist Josh Bunting.

Furthermore, Welbeck, who is sponsored by Nike, is a versatile operator having been deployed in five different positions over the pitch since the start of his career, including everywhere across the frontline and even as an attacking midfielder, though this is another quality that the head coach will have to cope without having at his disposal should his star be facing a spell on the sidelines.

Raheem Sterling's early career is a story of determination, talent and rapid ascent.

Born on December 8, 1994, in Kingston, Jamaica, Sterling moved to London as a young boy and quickly caught the attention of scouts with his exceptional skills. He joined the youth academy of Queens Park Rangers before being signed by Liverpool's youth team in 2010 at the age of 15.

Sterling made his senior debut for Liverpool in March 2012, becoming the club's second-youngest player to appear in the Premier League. His speed, dribbling ability and versatility as a forward quickly earned him a prominent role in the team. In the 2013/2014 season, Sterling played a pivotal role as Liverpool narrowly missed out on the Premier League title. He scored 10 goals in the league and provided numerous assists, establishing himself as one of the most exciting young talents in English football.

In 2015, Sterling made a high-profile move to Manchester City for a then-British record transfer fee for a teenager. At City, he continued to thrive, winning numerous domestic titles. His performances earned him individual accolades, including the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year in 2019. He would then move to Chelsea in 2022.

During his early career, Raheem Sterling also made his mark on the international stage, representing England in various youth teams before becoming a key player for the senior national team. His early career set the stage for a remarkable journey in football, marked by records, milestones and a reputation as one of England's finest talents.

Raheem Sterling at Liverpool

Raheem Sterling's career at Liverpool was nothing short of remarkable, characterised by his explosive pace, technical prowess and exceptional versatility. The Jamaican-born winger, who moved to London as a young boy, joined Liverpool's youth academy in 2010 at the tender age of 15. It was the beginning of a journey that would see him rise through the ranks and become one of English football's brightest prospects.

Sterling's debut marked the start of a meteoric rise in his career. His electrifying performances on the field quickly caught the attention of fans and pundits alike. His pace and dribbling ability made him a constant threat to opposition defenders, and his football intelligence belied his age.

The 2013/2014 season was a breakthrough year for Sterling. He played a pivotal role in Liverpool's exhilarating Premier League campaign under the management of Brendan Rodgers. The Reds came agonizingly close to winning the title, with Sterling playing an instrumental part. He contributed with 10 goals in all competitions, and his partnership with Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, known as the "SAS," was particularly devastating for opposing teams.

One of the standout moments of Sterling's time at Liverpool came in April 2014 when he scored a crucial goal in a 3-2 victory over Manchester City, a game that had significant implications for the title race. His composure in front of goal belied his young age, and this goal remains etched in the memories of Liverpool fans.

Off the pitch, Sterling's maturity was equally impressive. He handled the pressures of playing for a top club and the scrutiny of the media with composure and professionalism. His commitment to his craft and continuous improvement endeared him to both the coaching staff and supporters.

In recognition of his stellar performances, Raheem Sterling was awarded the Golden Boy Award in 2014, which honours the best young player in Europe. This accolade further solidified his reputation as one of the brightest talents in the game.

However, Sterling's time at Liverpool was not without its challenges. Contract negotiations with the club became a subject of intense speculation, and he eventually moved to Manchester City in a high-profile transfer in the summer of 2015. His departure left a void in the Liverpool squad, and his contributions were sorely missed by the Anfield faithful.

During his time at Liverpool, Sterling made a total of 129 appearances and scored 23 goals for the Reds. While the team fell just short of winning the Premier League title in 2013/2014, his impact on Liverpool's attacking play and his ability to create moments of magic on the pitch left an indelible mark on the club's recent history.

In hindsight, Sterling's time at Liverpool served as a stepping stone to greater success in his career. He continued to evolve as a player at Manchester City, winning numerous domestic titles and establishing himself as one of the top wingers in the world.

Raheem Sterling at Manchester City

Raheem Sterling's career at Manchester City was nothing short of extraordinary, characterised by his growth into one of the world's premier football talents. Sterling joined Manchester City in the summer of 2015 from Liverpool in a high-profile transfer worth around £44m, with £5m of add-ons, that signalled City's ambition and his own desire to compete at the highest level. Over the course of seven seasons, he became an integral part of the team, contributing significantly to their domestic successes.

Upon his arrival at the Etihad Stadium, Sterling quickly adapted to his new surroundings under the management of Manuel Pellegrini. His transition from Liverpool to Manchester City was remarkably smooth, as he showcased his versatility, blistering pace and dribbling skills. Sterling's ability to operate on either flank or as an attacking midfielder made him a valuable asset for the team.

In his debut season with City, Sterling displayed his potential, scoring 11 goals in all competitions and contributing to the club's League Cup triumph. However, it was under the management of Pep Guardiola, who took charge in the 2016/2017 season, that Sterling truly blossomed.

Under Guardiola's guidance, Sterling's game evolved to new heights. He became more tactically astute, developing his off-the-ball movement and decision-making. This transformation resulted in a dramatic increase in his goal-scoring and assist statistics. The 2017/2018 season marked a turning point in Sterling's career, as he netted 23 goals in all competitions, making him City's top scorer that season.

His partnership with fellow attackers like Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne was a key factor in City's Premier League dominance. In the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 seasons, City secured back-to-back Premier League titles with Sterling playing a pivotal role. His combination of speed, skill and intelligence in the final third made him a constant threat to opposition defences, and his performances earned him widespread acclaim

Sterling's contribution to Manchester City's historic 2018/2019 campaign cannot be overstated. The team secured an unprecedented domestic treble, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup. The winger played a central role, scoring crucial goals and providing vital assists throughout the season. He ended the season with 25 goals in all competitions, firmly establishing himself as one of the Premier League's top talents.

In the 2019/2020 season, Sterling continued his impressive form, helping Manchester City secure another League Cup and finish second in the Premier League. He also played a key role in City's run to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. His consistency and ability to deliver in high-pressure situations made him an invaluable asset for the club. He ended that season with the best goal return of his career to date – 31 goals in 52 appearances in all competitions.

One of the standout moments of Sterling's career at Manchester City came during the 2019 FA Cup final against Watford. He scored a scintillating hat-trick, becoming the first player to achieve this feat in an FA Cup final since 1953, although one of his goals would be later attributed to Gabriel Jesus.

Off the pitch, Sterling's influence extended beyond football. He used his platform to address important social issues, such as racism and inequality in the sport, becoming an advocate for change. His courage in speaking out against discrimination earned him widespread respect and admiration.

After scoring 17 goals in the 2021/2022 season, it was decided by Manchester City that they would finally cash in on Sterling's talents, with Chelsea being his next destination. The winger ended his City career with 131 goals in 339 first-team appearances, putting him in the top ten highest scorers in Manchester City history.

Sterling's Honours at Manchester City

Title	Year(s)
Premier League (4)	2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2020/2021, 2021/2022
FA Cup (1)	2018/2019
EFL Cup (5)	2015/2016, 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021
FA Community Shield (1)	2019

Raheem Sterling at Chelsea

In July 2022, it was confirmed that Sterling had completed a £50m move to Chelsea, signalling his return to London for the first time since leaving QPR's academy for Liverpool as a young teenager.

His debut season with the Blues, though, was largely disappointing. The winger only managed nine goals in 38 appearances in all competitions, and Chelsea ultimately finished 12th in the Premier League.

Raheem Sterling with England

Raheem Sterling's career with the England national team has been marked by his emergence as one of the squad's most influential and dynamic players. Since making his senior debut in 2012, Sterling has played an essential role in England's international campaigns, showcasing his speed, creativity, and goal-scoring ability on the grandest stages of football.

Sterling's journey with the England national team began when he earned his first senior cap at the age of 17 in a friendly match against Sweden in November 2012.

But one of the most significant milestones in Sterling's international career came during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. He became the youngest player to represent England in a World Cup when he featured in the tournament. His performances in Brazil were promising, and it was clear that he had a bright future on the international stage.

Sterling's consistent improvement and maturity as a player were evident as he became a regular starter for England under various managers. His versatility allowed him to play in multiple attacking positions, and his partnership with fellow forwards, such as Harry Kane, became a key component of England's attack.

The UEFA European Championship (Euros) has been a significant stage for Sterling. He played a crucial role in England's run to the final of Euro 2020, scoring several crucial goals during the tournament. His performance in the competition earned him widespread praise and established him as one of England's leaders on the pitch.

To date, he has earned over 80 caps and scored 20 goals for the England national team.

Raheem Sterling's Personal Accolades & Records

Raheem Sterling's illustrious career has been studded with numerous personal records and awards, underscoring his status as one of the most accomplished footballers of his generation. Some of his notable achievements include winning the Golden Boy Award in 2014, and recognising him as the best young player in Europe. Sterling's prolific goal-scoring ability, particularly for a winger, has been a standout feature of his career. He has consistently recorded double-digit goal tallies in domestic and international competitions, earning him recognition as one of the Premier League's top scorers.

During his time with Manchester City, Sterling clinched several Premier League Player of the Month awards, reflecting his consistent excellence in the league. His performances played a pivotal role in City's back-to-back Premier League title wins in the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 seasons.

Internationally, Sterling's achievements include representing England in multiple major tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship. His standout moments in these competitions have included crucial goals and assists, contributing significantly to England's success.

Sterling's Personal Honours

Award	Year(s)
Liverpool Young Player of the Season (2)	2013/2014, 2014/2015
Golden Boy (1)	2014
UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season (2)	2018/2019, 2019/2020
PFA Premier League Team of the Year (1)	2018/2019
PFA Premier League Young Player of the Year (1)	2018/2019
UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament (1)	2020

After Arsenal well and truly demolished PSV in the Champions League on Wednesday evening it looked as though the Gunners were back in the silky groove that had seen them dominate so much last season.

Indeed, that looked true during the opening half an hour of the north London derby on Sunday afternoon too.

Mikel Arteta's men came flying at Spurs who were forced to play through a rampant pressing unit. To their credit, Ange Postecoglou's men did well to navigate proceedings in that regard.

It wasn't enough to prevent them from going a goal down, however, with Bukayo Saka finding the net via wicket deflection off Cristian Romero.

That went down as an own goal before Saka would score in his own right from the penalty spot in the second half. That, however, wasn't enough for a win as Heung-min Son scored twice to ensure proceedings ended 2-2.

Arsenal were far from their free-flowing best. Skipper Martin Odegaard, fresh from a majestic performance in the Champions League a few days ago only recorded 18 passes at a woeful 64% success rate, while Jorginho, a half-time substitute for the injured Declan Rice, was robbed of possession in shambolic circumstances by James Maddison for Tottenham's second.

That said, the usually tireless Eddie Nketiah was perhaps one of the biggest party poopers on Sunday.

How did Nketiah play against Spurs?

The young striker has been an astute deputy for Gabriel Jesus throughout 2023.

The Brazilian sustained an injury at the World Cup last winter, a problem that ultimately saw him miss a few months. At the time, it was a worry for the Gunners, but upstepped Nketiah who scored against West Ham and Brighton immediately after the break before bagging twice, including a late winner against Manchester United in late January.

He started the new campaign vibrantly too, netting versus Nottingham Forest and Fulham, but with Jesus now fit and firing again, his performances have dwindled.

Against Everton eight days ago he was hauled off just after the hour mark and probably shouldn't have been given much more time than that yesterday.

Whether he'd have played but for Leandro Trossard's training injury is an interesting trail of thought, as Jesus was moved to the left-hand side after his European exploits, with Nketiah leading the line again.

However, after a timid showing, it was Jesus who was taken off in the second half, with the academy graduate somehow lasting the whole 100 minutes that were played.

Perhaps the most frustrating moment of Nketiah's afternoon was in the first half. Destiny Udogie's backpass flew past Micky van de Ven which left the Arsenal number 14 with a tight chance to score from.

He ignored Fabio Vieira who was racing towards the penalty spot and instead stuck an effort straight at Guglielmo Vicaro in the Tottenham net.

The £100k-per-week earner is usually accustomed to doing the dirty work but was largely anonymous throughout, making a mere six passes in 100 minutes on the field, and also registering just 23 touches of the ball. For context, even the Gunners' stopper, David Raya, had more say with the ball at his feet, taking 42 touches in total.

Described as "average" by Man United personality Mark Goldbridge, this was certainly a game to forget for Nketiah who was decidedly toothless and inept in the final third.

Usually such a vibrant poacher, he lacked the instinct to be in the right place at the right time, with his small influence on the game summed up by Arsenal's apparent lack of desire to put the ball into the area throughout injury time.

To make matters worse, the 24-year-old was perhaps lucky not to be sent off for a late challenge on Vicario as he flew through the Spurs 'keeper when the ball had already gone.

It's not often in the last 12 months that you could say Arsenal need to sign a new striker. Jesus was so promising in the early stages of term but if they are to persist with Nketiah, trouble will only brew in the final third.

Whether or not Trossard and Martinelli are fit for this week's fixtures, Nketiah must be ditched from the starting XI. His position is surely now Jesus' for the taking.

Aston Villa has been the home for a host of talents over the years, with players that have provided precious memories in the Midlands throughout the club's rich history.

With a new wave of quality arriving through the doors of Villa Park this summer, the stage is set for a fresh set of stars to write their name in history.

Not many have been as influential in the Premier League era to the Villans as Jack Grealish, who was sold by the club for a blockbuster £100m back in 2021, making Villa a fortune after excelling through the academy ranks.

Another player who made the Midlands side a rather healthy amount of profit was the well-loved Christian Benteke, who was captured as an unknown and sold on as a prolific scorer in claret and blue.

How much did Aston Villa sign Christian Benteke for?

Signed for £7m back in 2012, Christian Benteke’s arrival at Aston Villa required a note of backing from manager at the time Paul Lambert, as his calibre was doubted at a time of need for quality.

Just 21 years old at the time, the Belgian arrived in Birmingham on the back of a ten-goal season in the Jupiler Pro League with Genk, and was purchased by the Villans to bring the goals to Villa Park.

The season prior, Villa had been subject to a relegation battle in the Premier League, finishing 16th in the 2011/12 campaign which led to Lambert’s arrival to replace Alex McLeish as boss.

Benteke’s arrival was at a difficult time, and a time when results had to come fast with little margin for error, which is exactly what the attacker delivered.

How many goals did Christian Benteke score for Aston Villa?

The £7m settlement for the former Genk starlet soon looked to be a bargain, as he adjusted to life in England with ease, as supported by his terrific numbers in his debut campaign.

It’s common for players to require an adaptation period when moving to the Premier League, however, the striker seemed to have found sanctuary at Villa Park, contributing to 30 goals in all competitions in his debut year.

A breakdown of 19 Premier League goals and four league assists, as well as netting four and assisting three in only five league cup games for his new club, rounded up a memorable first spell at Villa, via Transfermarkt.

Christian Benteke record in England:

101

49

12

177

37

12

42

10

6

Lambert had the last laugh when it came to his capture of Benteke, heralding his man as an “absolute steal” following his first taste of life in England. It was an emphatic way to silence any doubters.

A combative and towering figure to have in the front line, the 6 foot 3 target man was previously lauded as a “machine” by former teammate Fabian Delph, who also described the talisman’s talents as “explosive” at Villa Park.

101 appearances later and the forward had found the net a total of 49 times for the club, as well as recording 12 assists in all competitions to communicate the threat he added to the final third.

In an interview relayed by Villa’s official site, the Belgian recalled his time in the Midlands as being the “best time” of his career, where he truly established himself as a recognised marksman in world football.

What happened to Christian Benteke?

In his final campaign at Villa Park in 2014/15, the striker scored 13 goals in what was a worrying season for the club, as they finished 17th and narrowly missed the relegation zone after a dreary term.

Benteke’s contribution to Villa despite their struggles didn’t go unrecognised, and in the summer of 2015, his story in Birmingham came to a close as he headed for pastures new elsewhere in the Premier League.

A £7m arrival was turned into a £32.5m exit in a matter of three years, as Liverpool captured the then 24-year-old’s signature to join Brendan Rogers’ side. It marked phenomenal business by the Villans with the forward's price increasing by a margin of 364%.

The Belgian only lasted a single season at Anfield, scoring nine Premier League goals before being shipped away to London, where he signed for Crystal Palace just the summer after his arrival on Merseyside.

While a quiet spell in front of goal for his standards was less memorable at Liverpool than his time at Villa, the Belgian still produced loud moments, netting an overhead kick at Old Trafford that will remain in Premier League folklore.

Despite experiencing a lull with the Reds, Benteke rediscovered his form with the Eagles, netting 15 league goals in his debut campaign in 2016/17, going on to score a total of 37 goals for the club during his six-year stay.

Arriving a nobody and leaving the Premier League with 280 appearances and 86 goals registered the Belgian's legacy in England, with his journey beginning and proving most prolific in the Midlands.

Where is Christian Benteke now?

The striker called it quits on his time in England last summer, where he ventured to MLS to play for DC United.

Similar to his experiences during his debuts in the Premier League for all three clubs, the 32-year-old got off to a fast start in the United States, scoring ten goals in his 25 appearances so far in the 2023 campaign. He even found room to replicate that famous overhead kick.

With 45 international caps to his name, as well as 18 international goals, Benteke still represents Belgium when called upon, however was not selected to feature as part of his country’s World Cup squad.

A dip in form warranted the former Villa man’s exclusion from the side, however, the indications are there that Benteke is in the process of locating his quality once more in the States.

Earlier this week, the Belgian played a man-of-the-match performance against Chicago Fire, where he netted a brace and grabbed an assist to boost Wayne Rooney’s side’s hopes of being in the playoffs.

There’s plenty yet to come from Benteke, with his attention firmly on adding to his goal tally in the MLS, as well as having the potential to find a way back into the national team.

One thing for certain is the dynamic forward will never be forgotten at Villa Park, or at least the Premier League, where he has written himself into the headlines on countless occasions over the years.

أكد لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي مانشستر سيتي، فيل فودين، أنه لم يفكر إطلاقاً في الرحيل عن صفوف مانشستر سيتي في الفترة الماضية.

وحصل فيل فودين، لاعب فريق مانشستر سيتي، على جائزة أفضل لاعب في إنجلترا من قِبل رابطة كتاب كرة القدم، وذلك لعام 2024.

وشارك فودين هذا العام في 52 مباراة مع مانشستر سيتي في جميع المسابقات، حيث أحرز 27 هدفاً وقام بصناعة 10 أهداف طوال الموسم.

اقرأ ايضاً.. رسمياً.. مانشستر سيتي يمدد عقد لاعبه حتى عام 2025

وقال فيل فودين في تصريحات لشبكة “BBC SPORTS”: “لم يكن لدي أبدًا أي نية لمغادرة مانشستر سيتي، لقد صدقت ما كان يقوله المدرب، عندما لم أكن ألعب، كنت أعلم أن هناك لاعبين أفضل كنت أعرف كلما كبرت أكثر، وكلما مر وقت أطول، ستكون هناك فرصة”.

وواصل فودين: “لقد كنت هنا منذ فترة طويلة وأعمل الآن مع المدير الفني، أعتقد أن الوقت قد حان لكي أتقدم وأكون الرجل الذي سيسجل الأهداف، كنت أعرف ما كنت قادرًا على فعله هذا الموسم، ومن الجيد جدًا أن أقول إنني قدمت موسمًا جيدًا وأريد الاستمرار على ذلك”.

وأضاف فودين: “سيكون الأمر محزنًا حقًا عندما يغادر بيب جوارديولا مان سيتي، لم أعرف أي شيء آخر غيره، لذا سيكون الأمر غريبًا عندما يرحل، لا أريد أن أفكر كثيرًا في الأمر، أريد أن أستمتع بالأشياء التي نفعلها معه الآن”.

وأجاب فودين حول مركزه المفضل: “لقد قلت دائمًا إنني أحب خط الوسط، إنه أفضل موقف لي، لكنني أعتقد أنني أظهرت هذا العام أيضًا أنني أستطيع اللعب في أي مركز يضعني فيه المدرب، لقد لعبت على نطاق واسع من اليسار واليمين وما زلت أقوم بعمل جيد”.

The wicketkeeper batsman, filling in for Tom Latham, capped off an eventful year by taking three superb catches to add to a sparkling half-century

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Dec-2017New Zealand’s 47-run win in the first T20I in Nelson was studded with stellar individual performances, but the standout moment was Glenn Phillips’ outstanding catch behind the stumps to dismiss Chris Gayle.Running back from his wicketkeeping position, Phillips had passed the 30-yard circle when he dived forward at full length to complete the take. “I didn’t know where it went to start with,” Phillips said after the game. “I just started running back and then hoped that the two guys either side weren’t going to run into me. I just put out the big mitt and hoped that it stuck, and it did.”It’s an interesting situation because none of us actually called for it. When the sky is a bit blue like that, sometimes you don’t have anything to gauge it on. But the ball has a shimmer around it, so you just sort of hope you catch it, and thankfully I did today.”Getty ImagesThat dismissal sent West Indies into freefall in their chase, and Phillips played a big role in it. He went on to take two more catches – including a diving take to his right to intercept a thick edge from Rovman Powell – and effected a stumping.Playing in just his fourth T20I, Phillips was filling in for the rested Tom Latham behind the stumps. With a sparkling show with the bat too – he made a 40-ball 55 that set New Zealand up for a strong total – Phillips may have given New Zealand’s selectors the option of playing Latham as a specialist batsman in the limited-over formats.The first sign of Phillips being considered for the 50-over format came earlier in the season, when he was picked in the New Zealand A squad for the tour of India. He finished the series as New Zealand A’s highest run-getter, including a top score of 140 not out. That earned him a berth in the T20 international squad for the three matches in India. “The desire would definitely be to go into that one-day format, and then, if the Test stuff ever happens one day, then I’d definitely relish the challenge,” he said.Phillips comes with the reputation of being a destroyer of attacks in domestic cricket. He was the leading run-scorer in the 2016-17 Super Smash, New Zealand’s domestic T20 tournament, where he made 369 runs in 10 innings at an average of 46.12 and strike-rate of 143.02 in his first season.On Saturday, he showed not just brutal hitting abilities, but also tactical nous as he consolidated to ensure West Indies didn’t dominate. Phillips said that there were areas of his game he had to still work on. “I wouldn’t say me playing slowly early on was intentional. It was just that I wasn’t able to hit a boundary. But my finding ones needs to improve, that is what I want to try and improve at in the nets.”We would have been under a lot more pressure [if not for that final over off which Kesrick Williams conceded 25]. That could have made it 160 and that would have been a bit of an under-par total. We were aiming for 170 after we went through the first six overs, and we thought if we got 170, then anything over that would be good. If we had only got 160, then they would have been in with a bigger sniff.”