What are CA’s numbers, how much is being saved and will there be another pay dispute?

Andrew McGlashan and Dan Brettig23-Apr-2020What’s the latest situation at Cricket Australia?The majority of staff, approximately 200, will be stood down next week on 20% of their salary or the equivalent of the Australian government’s JobKeeper payment of A$1500 per fortnight, which was introduced to help companies during the pandemic, until the end of the financial year on June 30. CA employees are not eligible for the actual JobKeeper payment because the board’s revenue hasn’t fallen enough. The executive team (led by CEO Kevin Roberts) and a skeleton staff to maintain basic operations will continue on 80% of their salaries for the same period.What are the overall numbers CA are talking about?Without getting too deep into books and balance sheets, CA had $97 million in mid-March which, under normal circumstances, had been budgeted to drop to $40 million by September before rebounding to $100 million by the time India visited in December. However, updated calculations have shown they would be down to $20 million – and only if there were no more major hits over the next few months. There is dispute among CA, the states and the ACA whether these figures are correct, with some estimates putting the likely September figure closer to $60 million. CA gets its regular broadcast rights installments – believed to be about $70 million each time – from Fox Sports and Seven every March and September.How much money is being saved?Roberts said that A$20 million has been shaved off by cost-cutting measures in recent weeks although the staff stand down only equates to about A$3 million of that – executive salaries alone were revealed to be more than A$6.5 million in the most recent annual report. There are already suggestions that the temporary stand downs may become redundancies later in the year.A few weeks ago they appeared confident of weathering the pandemic. What has changed?The potential length of the pandemic, Cricket Australia’s exposure to the stock market where investments have taken a significant hit and numerous unpaid fees from debtors. Not everyone is convinced by the arguments, however. While only the tail-end of the recent season was effected – the ODI series against New Zealand and the final rounds of the Sheffield Shield – if next summer is disrupted, especially the visit by India, it would be a huge financial blow. Even if the India Test series does go ahead it is appearing increasingly likely it will have to be behind closed doors and Roberts has said that alone could have an A$50 million dollar hit to CA income. If the series doesn’t go ahead at all, the losses could be in the “hundreds of millions of dollars” according to Roberts, probably in the order of A$300 million.Kevin Roberts said that CA had been left with little choice but to make major cost savings•Getty Images

How are CA running low on money, don’t they have a billion-dollar TV deal?They do, and there is still a lack of clarity over CA’s exact cash position after Roberts’ earlier pronouncements. If the pandemic hadn’t hit, CA would have been eating into their cash reserves during this period and it highlights how the game lives on the marquee series involving England and India although few would ever have envisaged the situation the world is now in. One of CA’s concerns is whether companies such as sponsors and TV who are due to make payments over the coming months will be able to due to their own financial stresses. However, there is disquiet over whether the drastic level of cuts are needed and whether the impact on such a large number of staff is worth the relatively small saving made. This has been proven by the state associations arguing successfully against a 45% cut in their annual grants, a figure now likely to land somewhere between 20% and 25%.How could this impact the players?This is one of big issues now facing CA. The deadline for naming the 2020-21 player central contracts is April 30. Australia’s contracted players have a revenue share model which was at the center of the bitter pay battle in 2017 – it basically means that the value of contracts are linked to the financial success or otherwise of CA. “We’ve ridden the highs, now is the time to ride the lows a little bit,” Josh Hazlewood said. However, there is a suggestion that players will be asked to take additional pay cuts beyond what would be impacted by a fall in CA revenue. Of course, central contracts only cover the top level of players – the majority of Australian cricketers are employed by their states and they will be nervously waiting to see the impact of any reduction in funding.Could this turn into another ugly pay dispute?The relationship between CA and the ACA has improved over the last three years from the low point of the 2017 experience. However, players have admitted their surprise at how quickly what appeared a manageable situation has escalated into a near crisis and they want CA to be transparent with all their numbers. There is an understanding that every walk of life – not just cricket or sport – has been thrown into an unprecedented situation by coronavirus but there have already been some tough conversations, not only between CA and the ACA, but also between CA and the states.

Wolverhampton Wanderers return to Premier League action this afternoon, taking on Crystal Palace at Molineux in what is their final home game of the season.

If the Old Gold win their final two games, they could snatch a top-half finish, yet it could depend on other teams' results whether this happens.

Regardless, Gary O’Neil has enjoyed a solid debut campaign in the Midlands as he will be aiming to take six points from six in the next two games, albeit while facing the frustration of having to pick a side without the likes of Pedro Neto and Craig Dawson due to injury.

Could there be a change or two in the starting XI? As several players performed poorly against Manchester City last weekend – including Boubacar Traore.

Why Boubacar Traore could be dropped against Crystal Palace

The promising starlet started the game in the heart of the midfield three, alongside Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes, yet failed to really assert his influence throughout the clash.

Indeed, he may have finished the game with a 92% pass success rate, yet the youngster failed to deliver a key pass or create a big chance when he did have the ball.

Additionally, Traore also lost possession four times, succeeded with just one dribble and was dribbled past once in what was a fairly underwhelming showing.

Boubacar Traore's stats against Man City before coming off

Accurate passes

35 (38)

Total duels (won)

7 (4)

Key passes

0

Dribble attempts (successful)

2 (1)

Possession lost

4

Via Sofascore

He was even given a match rating of just 4/10 in 90min for his display, and it looks as though he could drop back to the bench for the clash against Palace today.

Thankfully, O’Neil has the perfect replacement – Tommy Doyle.

Tommy Doyle’s statistics for Wolves this season

The youngster wasn’t in the squad for the 5-1 defeat to City due to being on loan from the Champions, but the Old Gold have made his move permanent ahead of next season, activating the option in his loan contract.

The Englishman has certainly enjoyed a fruitful loan spell in the Midlands, making 30 appearances across all competitions, scoring once during an FA Cup tie against Brentford.

Hailed as “fantastic” alongside Cole Palmer and Liam Delap by talent scout Jacek Kulig in 2021, Doyle failed to really make the grade at City, playing only seven times for the senior side.

A move to Wolves has certainly reinvigorated the midfielder, and he could turn out to be a shrewd investment, especially as they could cash in on him a few years down the line should Doyle utilise his talents.

Among his teammates, Doyle currently ranks seventh for accurate passes per game (32.3) in the top flight, along with ranking third for accurate long balls per game (3.1) and eighth for interceptions per game (0.5), showing his talents off across a range of metrics.

He is still only 22, which means the midfielder will continue to get better and better the more he plays in the Premier League.

City’s loss is Wolves’ gain as the £10k-per-week ace could turn out to be a superb piece of transfer business. The youngster will be well rested ahead of the Palace tie and this could see O’Neil unleash him in the starting XI in place of Traore.

Palace have been in solid form of late, securing a stunning 4-0 win over Manchester United in midweek. If Wolves want all three points, they will have to perform at their very best.

Related O'Neil could ditch Semedo to unleash "sensational" Wolves gem in 24/25

Wolves had a perfect replacement for Nelson Semedo who has shone out on loan

Posts ByRoss Kilvington May 10, 2024

سجل نجم فريق ليفربول، محمد صلاح، هدفًا في مباراة قمة منافسات الجولة الثالثة عشر من الدوري الإنجليزي أمام مانشستر سيتي.

وحصل ليفربول على ضربة جزاء في الدقيقة 77، حيث تمكن محمد صلاح من تنفيذها بنجاح، وحولها إلى هدف ثاني.

وارتفع رصيد محمد صلاح من الأهداف إلى 11 هدفًا، في المركز الثاني في قائمة الهدافين، بفارق هدف وحيد عن نجم مانشستر سيتي إيرلينج هالاند.

ونجح نيكولاس جاكسون وكول بالمر في تسجيل هدفاً لـ تشيلسي أمام أستون فيلا، خلال المباراة التي جمعت بين الفريقين على ملعب “ستامفورد بريدج”. ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإنجليزي

1 إيرلينج هالاند، مانشستر سيتي، 12 هدفًا.

2 محمد صلاح، ليفربول، 11 هدفًا.

3 كريس وود، نوتينجهام فورست، 9 أهداف.

4 نيكولاس جاكسون، تشيلسي، 8 أهداف.

5 بريان مبيمومو، برينتفورد، 8 أهداف.

6 يوان ويسا، برينتفورد، 8 أهداف.

7 كول بالمر، تشيلسي، 8 أهداف.

8 ماتيوس كونيا، ولفرهامبتون، 7 أهداف.

9 أولي واتكينز، أستون فيلا، 6 أهداف.

10 داني ويلبيك، برايتون، 6 أهداف.

ويمكن متابعة ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، موسم 2024/25، محدث بشكل مستمر من هنا

It's been an undeniably disappointing season of football for Manchester United this year, with the Red Devils crashing out of the League Cup and the Champions League early, constantly stumbling in the Premier League.

However, while Erik ten Hag's second season in charge has gone badly wrong, there have been a few bright sparks, with Bruno Fernandes being one of them.

The captain has managed to score 15 goals and provide 11 assists in spite of the performances of those around him.

The 29-year-old is one of few players earning their wage this season, although that's not something that can be said of a former United flop who used to earn the same amount at the Theatre of Dreams.

Bruno Fernandes' salary at Manchester United

United completed the £47m signing of Fernandes in January 2020 under the stewardship of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and to say he has repaid that initial investment since then would be an understatement.

The Portuguese dynamo hasn't been able to bring much success to the club in the way of trophies in the four years he's been there, but his performances have generally been spectacular.

In his first half-season at Old Trafford, he scored 12 goals and provided eight assists, meaning he entered an entirely new league, joined arguably the biggest club in the world, and immediately started averaging a goal involvement every 1.1 games – talk about an instant impact.

Appearances

230

Goals

79

Assists

64

Goal Involvements per Match

0.62

Since then, he has scored 79 goals and provided 64 assists in 230 games, and he also picked up the captain's armband under Ten Hag.

In all, it would be fair to say that he has probably earned his £240k-per-week contract, which isn't something that can be said about a former United midfielder who joined the club as a legend of the sport.

Bastian Schweinsteiger's salary at Manchester United

The player in question is Germany and Bayern Munich legend Bastian Schweinsteiger, who joined Louis van Gaal's United side for £14.5m in the summer of 2015.

The veteran midfielder was 30 at the time, so while there wasn't an expectation that he would come in and revolutionise the team, there was a belief that he would make a difference and help the club push on under the Dutch coach, which is why they handed him a whopping £240k-per-week deal, the same amount Bruno is on today.

Unfortunately, the German's first season at Old Trafford was an underwhelming one. In his 31 appearances – ten of which were off the bench – he scored one goal, provided one assist, and was unable to prevent the club from finishing fifth, which saw Van Gaal get the sack.

The following season was José Mourinho's first in Manchester, and his arrival marked the beginning of the end of the 39-year-old's time at the club. The 121-capped international revealed on an episode of The Overlap earlier this month that he was banned from the first team dressing room and training with the first team "for no reason."

With it clear that his time with the Red Devils was over, the former Bayern ace agreed to sign for MLS side Chicago Fire in January 2017 and, with around £21.1m in wages he had earned over the previous 88 weeks, he left. Overall, the veteran midfielder left with 35 appearances, two goals and two assists to his name.

Transfer Fee

£14.5m

Wages (Total)

£240k (£21.1m)

Appearances

25

Cost per Appearance

£1m

Goals

2

Cost per Goal

£17.8m

Assists

2

Cost per Assist

£17.8m

Goal Involvements

4

Cost per Goal Involvement

£8.9m

So, when adding his transfer fee and total salary together, the Kolbermoor-born maestro cost United around £35.6m, which breaks down to £1m-per-appearance, £17.8m-per-goal, or £17.8m-per-assist, which, while not entirely his fault, can hardly be described as value for money.

Ultimately, while Schweinsteiger is a football icon, he was never going to be worth £240k-per-week to Manchester United.

Shock as £240k-p/w Man Utd star not on Ratcliffe's untouchable players list

This would be a massive surprise.

ByHenry Jackson May 1, 2024

He will stay on in England; on track to recover in time for the T20I series

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Jul-2020

Khushdil Shah smashed 70 not out in 29 balls•PCB

Pakistan all-rounder Khushdil Shah is certain to miss the first Test against England due to a thumb fracture. The PCB announced the injury that occurred while batting in the nets on Saturday will need three weeks to heal. “As the nail is intact and there is no injury to nail bed, the orthopaedic surgeon, team physician and team physiotherapist expect Khushdil to resume physical training by the end of the next week,” the press release said.It rules him out of all the lead-up games to the England series; he isn’t playing the current intra-squad game and will not take part in the second four-day game from July 24-27. Khushdil was mostly selected for his ability to have an impact in the T20 series and, at best, had just an outside chance of being selected for the Tests. If his current prognosis is accurate, he should be fit well before the the T20I series commences on August 28 at Old Trafford.Khushdil has so far played one international, a T20I against Australia last year. He was one of the bright lights of the unfinished Pakistan Super League earlier this year, his 29-ball 70 for Multan Sultans against Lahore Qalandars being his most notable knock. It helped Multan top the group stage table.It wasn’t the best day on the injury front as far as Pakistan were concerned, with the visitors given a scare when Abid Ali, considered one of Pakistan’s first choice openers in Test cricket, was felled by a blow to the helmet while fielding at short leg. The opener was struck at pace by a shot from Haider Ali, causing him to collapse to his knees and roll over onto his back. Concern at one point was significant enough for an ambulance to be brought out to the field, but after on-field treatment, he was able to sit unaided on a stretcher before being led out. ESPNcricinfo understands he does not need to be taken to hospital.The first Test between England and Pakistan begins on 5 August at Old Trafford, before the two sides move to Southampton for the remainder of the Test series.

Just a few months into the Premier League season Tottenham were a machine seemingly incapable of dropping many points.

Ange Postecoglou had engineered quite the turnaround. It took until November, their 11th match of the campaign, to finally be defeated. Just weeks before they were being billed as title challengers. What happened to that, mate? Mate…mate? Yeah, we're not quite sure.

Fast forward to May and the Lilywhites' hard work is all being undone. Spurs have now lost four on the bounce with a wretched end to the season seeing no signs of slowing down.

They have faced north London rivals Arsenal, fellow capital rivals Chelsea and title contenders Liverpool all in the space of the week, only to lose by an aggregate scoreline of 9-4.

If that doesn't rather sum up Spurs' season, nothing will. While they have been threatening in the final third, their inability to keep the opposition out has been a constant problem. Against an out-of-sorts Liverpool side they should have been in the contest but that never really looked the case.

Postecoglou's side had gone 4-0 down before signs of life – Richarlison and Heung-min Son finding the net – showed the steely resilience of the Aussie's team.

By that point, however, it was too little too late. Their ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League next term have been washed away in an instant. Spurs just need the end of the season now you feel, but they still have to face Manchester City. Gulp.

What may help is bringing Richarlison back into the starting fold. Poor against Chelsea in midweek, he scored a well-taken finish at Anfield and should be restored to the lineup. Who will come out? It should be Dejan Kulusevski.

Dejan Kulusevski's performance in numbers

Against Arsenal a week ago, the Swede was one of few players to come away with any credit from the game. Handed a 6/10 rating by Football.London's Alasdair Gold for his exploits in the derby defeat, the reporter noted that he was 'Spurs' brightest attacker' on the day.

That was about as far from the case as possible in Merseyside this Sunday, ultimately hauled off just after the hour mark following a laboured display.

Football.London's Rob Guest gave the right-winger a dismal 4/10 match rating, lamenting the fact that he 'did very little in the final third'. That's putting it politely.

Kulusevski was a ghost at Anfield this weekend, with his numbers from the clash only going to support why Postecoglou brought him off so early.

The former Juventus man couldn't muster a single shot on goal, nor did he supply a key pass. Usually so fleet-footed, so marvellous with the ball at his feet, the Sweden international didn't even complete a single dribble up against the experienced Andy Robertson.

Kulusevski vs Liverpool
Minutes played	61
Touches	29
Accurate passes	17/19 (89%)
Shots	0
Key passes	0
Crosses	0
Dribbles	0/2
Duels won	3/7
Possession lost	9x
Stats via Sofascore.

This was certainly an afternoon to forget for the attacker who also had fewer touches (29) than goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario's 47.

Tottenham's number 21 has flattered to deceive this term. He can be so tricky to deal with on his day but his seasonal tally of just six goals and three assists simply isn't good enough for a team looking to kick on.

A performance like this won't question his long-term future at the club but the Spurs boss has a decision to make over whether he continues to start this season. After all, it was Brennan Johnson who supplied Richarlison's goal from Kulusevski's favoured right-hand side. Some definite food for thought for Ange and Co.

Spurs plotting move for £45m "powerhouse" who'd send Bissouma packing

This Premier League star would prove a massive upgrade on Tottenham’s midfield.

By
Angus Sinclair

May 4, 2024

A European club is working on a deal to sign one £14.5 million player from Leeds United in the summer transfer window, coming after his exceptional campaign.

Farke preparing for Championship play-off final with Leeds

The Whites face off against Southampton at Wembley today in a season-defining clash, and one which will determine whether manager Daniel Farke can guide Leeds back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Related Leeds United in pole position to sign 25 y/o international

Leeds are already eyeing key squad improvements in the transfer window.

Posts ByJosh Barker Apr 27, 2024

The Championship promotion hopefuls will be contending with Russell Martin for that same prize, with both the Saints and Leeds relegated to England's second tier in 2023 and narrowly missing out on an automatic spot.

It's one of the most tense, entertaining games football has to offer – and Farke is determined to reign triumphant as he eyes a return to Europe's most competitive, prestigious division.

"Nobody is more motivated than me," said Farke on the Championship play-off final.

"I wouldn’t sign a contract for any other club on this level. I don’t judge my time at Norwich as unfinished business, we were in the Premier League, last year I was in the Bundesliga, my aim is to work on the Premier League level. This is my big motivation, to work there again with an exciting club, it’s very special in different ways. If it was easy then it’s not my job. I always like challenges, where you can create something special.

Leeds United's last five results under Daniel Farke

Leeds 4-0 Norwich

Norwich 0-0 Leeds

Leeds 1-2 Southampton

QPR 4-0 Leeds

Middlesbrough 3-4 Leeds

"If possible to create a bit of a legacy. There are coaching legends here at Leeds, we all know their names, hopefully in a few years when we can bring the club back, I can be proud I played a little part in the history of this club. First step is to return back to the Premier League.

"Play-off final is always special because it’s a do-or-die game, you can’t repair mistakes. You can repair over 46 games with some other good results. Cup games you have to be spot on, the focus is pretty special and the concentration level is very high."

The result of his hugely anticipated encounter will also have a real bearing on their transfer plans. Leeds want to sign Joe Rodon permanently, for example, with player sales also key to bolstering their summer kitty.

Max Wober has enjoyed an excellent temporary stint at Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany, so he could be a candidate to bring in funds.

Gladbach working on deal to sign Wober from Leeds

As per Kronen Zeitung, as relayed by Sport Witness, Gladbach want to sign Wober from Leeds permanently and are working on a deal. The versatile "leader", as dubbed by Jesse Marsch, bagged two goals and three assists across 25 Bundesliga appearances last season.

Wober is tipped for stardom with Austria under Ralf Rangnick at the Euros by Kronen Zeitung following his excellent campaign, but other reports suggest Leeds will be demanding around £14.5 million to let him go for good.

Four-wicket haul for back-up spinner hands Hampshire modest target in fourth innings

ECB Reporters Network10-Aug-2020Felix Organ stepped into the breach to bowl injury-hit Hampshire into a winning position with a four-wicket haul against Middlesex at Radlett.Organ was called on to send down 13 overs of offbreaks during Middlesex’s second innings after a second freak injury in as many days, to seamer Ryan Stevenson, deprived the visitors of two frontline bowlers. But the 21-year-old responded with figures of 4 for 42 – his second-best return in red-ball cricket – as the home side were dismissed for 201 to leave Hampshire chasing a victory target of 158.Although they lost two wickets – and will probably have just nine fit batsmen – Sam Northeast’s side advanced to 60 for 2 at stumps and go into the final day as clear favourites to clinch their first victory in the Bob Willis Trophy.The visitors had resumed their first innings in the morning with a 27-run advantage – which they extended by another 17 before Tim Murtagh claimed the last two wickets inside the first half-hour.Middlesex quickly wiped out their 44-run deficit, with Max Holden playing some attacking shots before Keith Barker had him caught behind. But play was held up soon afterwards when Stevenson, chasing Sam Robson’s leg-side drive to the boundary, skidded into a pitchside marquee and gashed his shin on one of the supporting poles.Even without both Stevenson and spinner Liam Dawson – who had sustained an Achilles tendon injury while batting the previous day – Hampshire’s remaining bowlers were able to peg their hosts back.Ian Holland picked up the wicket of Robson just before lunch, but Nick Gubbins and Middlesex captain Stephen Eskinazi threatened to seize control of the game as they put together a partnership of 54. Gubbins was progressing nicely, with 46 from 65 deliveries, until he was given out leg before to former team-mate James Fuller – although it appeared the ball might have taken the left-hander’s inside edge before hitting the pad.However, his dismissal prompted a clatter of wickets, with Eskinazi top-edging a sweep into the hands of deep square leg in Organ’s next over and Martin Andersson neatly yorked by Fuller.A blinding catch at cover by substitute Brad Wheal removed Nathan Sowter to reward Holland for his tidy spell, while Organ also trapped John Simpson lbw for 23 before returning to take two more wickets post-tea. Murtagh registered a couple of boundaries off Barker to lift the Middlesex total above 200 before edging the left-armer to second slip, leaving Hampshire to face 26 overs ahead of stumps.Organ and Joe Weatherley – who top scored with 98 in Hampshire’s first innings – made steady progress until James Harris produced the breakthrough in his first over, tempting Organ to prod at an outswinger.Left-arm spinner Thilan Wallalawita matched that feat by having Tom Alsop, who had just survived a sharp chance to short leg, caught at first slip with his fifth delivery to leave Hampshire 48 for 2. But Weatherley and Northeast batted sensibly until the close, bringing the target down to just 98 going into day four.

The Champions League final is the creme de la creme. It’s the big one. The pinnacle fixture of club football. But the Europa League has a prestige of its own, and is sometimes capable of stealing the global spotlight.

Europe’s second-tier continental tournament can often be just as exciting, with unfancied teams occasionally going deep into the latter stages, and with a place in the Champions League on offer, it’s an opportunity for those sides to create history.

No matter the competition, finals don’t always live up to the hype. But sometimes, the Europa League and its UEFA Cup predecessor has conjured up a true classic.

Here is our list of the best Europa League and UEFA Cup finals ever contested.

#

Season

Match

Venue

2000/01

Liverpool 5-4 Alaves (aet)

Westfalenstadion, Dortmund

2006/07

Espanyol 2-2 Sevilla (1-3 pens)

Hampden Park, Glasgow

2002/03

Celtic 2-3 FC Porto (aet)

Estadio Olimpico de Sevilla, Seville

1987/88

Espanyol 3-3 Bayer Leverkusen (2-3 pens)

BayArena/Estadi de Sarrià

1971/72

Wolves 2-3 Tottenham Hotspur (agg.)

Molineux/White Hart Lane

2012/13

Benfica 1-2 Chelsea

Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam

2020/21

Villarreal 1-1 Man Utd (11-10 pens)

Stadion Gdansk, Gdansk

2015/16

Liverpool 1-3 Sevilla

St Jakob-Park, Basel

2018/19

Chelsea 4-1 Arsenal

Olympic Stadium, Baku

2009/10

Atletico Madrid 2-1 Fulham (aet)

Volksparkstadion, Hamburg

10 2010: Atletico Madrid 2-1 Fulham (aet) Fulham's continental conquest ended by Forlan's final touch

Fulham’s Europa League campaign of 2009/10 was a thing to behold. After finishing second in Group E behind AS Roma, Roy Hodgson’s Cottagers defeated Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus, Wolfsburg and Hamburg en route to the final, with their victory over the Old Lady particularly special, overturning a 3-1 defeat in the first leg to win 4-1 against their nine-man opposition.

Atletico Madrid had battled tooth and nail toward the final themselves, winning on away goals on two occasions before winning in extra time against Liverpool in the semi-finals.

Atleti boasted the European pedigree, and sadly for the Craven Cottage faithful, that prevailed in Hamburg at the Volksparkstadion, with Diego Forlan finishing coolly either side of Simon Davies’ strike, the latter of which came in the 116th minute, with the tie appearing destined for penalties.

Forlan, tormentor of Liverpool in the semis, had previously failed to impress on English shores with Manchester United but proved his elite attacking sharpness on the biggest night in Fulham’s 21st-century history.

9 2019: Chelsea 4-1 Arsenal Hazard inspires Chelsea to stylish second-half romp over the Gunners

Chelsea’s Europa League triumph over London rivals Arsenal in an ominously empty Olympic Stadium in Baku proved to be a watershed moment for one Eden Hazard, who scored a brilliant brace before completing a transfer to Real Madrid for a fee rising to £150m.

The now-retired Belgian fell heavily by the wayside in Spain’s capital, but he engineered yet more trophy-laden success for Stamford Bridge on his final appearance, with Olivier Giroud and Pedro also getting involved in the second-half goalfest.

To bolster what proved to be a highly entertaining final after a lacklustre opening, Alex Iwobi scored one of the finest consolation strikes you will ever see, launching a terrific ranged strike beyond Kepa Arrizabalaga’s goal.

Ranking Eden Hazard's 10 best career performances & moments

The former Chelsea and Belgium star enjoyed a fabulous career before retiring at the age of 32.

ByFreddie Taylor Oct 13, 2023 8 2016: Liverpool 1-3 Sevilla Sturridge wonder goal fails to prevent brutal second-half collapse against Sevilla

Jurgen Klopp’s illustrious Liverpool tenure has seen the biggest prizes in football restore the club’s status as one of the major players in Europe, but the Europa League is the one accolade that has evaded the German.

Daniel Sturridge’s wonder goal handed the Premier League outfit a slender lead heading into the break, but Kevin Gameiro turned in a whipped delivery moments after action resumed to level the play before Coke’s double condemned Liverpool and Klopp to agony.

Klopp’s Merseyside project might have been in its fledgling phases, but he won six of his other eight finals, and Sevilla’s remarkable powers of recovery bespeak the Andalusian club’s perennial status in the Europa League.

Jurgen Klopp's record in major cup finals with Liverpool and Dortmund

Klopp and Liverpool added another trophy to their collection at the weekend.

ByDavid Comerford Feb 27, 2024 7 2021: Villarreal 1-1 Man Utd (11-10 pens) De Gea misses as Villarreal win marathon penalty battle to clinch first-ever major trophy

Unai Emery loves a Europa League final: he’s won a record four titles. The architect of Sevilla’s three-peat, the current Aston Villa manager triumphed with his previous outfit, Villarreal, defeating Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s Manchester United in a frenetic penalty shootout.

The match itself wasn’t exactly a barnstormer, with three shots on target shared out between the finalists across 120 minutes, before all 21 players hit the back of the net in the shootout until Red Devils goalkeeper David de Gea was unable to breach Geronimo Rulli’s goal – the Yellow Submarines shot-stopper had just converted himself to secure heroic status in Castellón​​​​.

Moreover, Villarreal had never won a major trophy before that fateful day – further evidence of Emery’s Midas touch on the biggest stage.

6 2013: Benfica 1-2 Chelsea Ivanovic rises highest to send Blues into injury-time ecstasy

Chelsea just know how to win. Sure, the west London giants are languishing below their best at the moment, but before you know it, they will be back competing for honours at the highest level of European competition.

This was a frenzied affair that saw Fernando Torres open the scoring on the hour mark before Oscar Cardozo evened things up with a penalty ten minutes later. Branislav Ivanovic scored in the final minute of stoppage time after meeting Juan Mata’s cross, enriching Chelsea’s European pedigree in the most dramatic of circumstances.

Petr Cech had made a stunning save before Frank Lampard leathered the crossbar with a near-perfect shot, but it was indeed Chelsea who prevailed to win their first-ever Europa League title, a year on from winning the Champions League.

5 1972: Wolves 2-3 Tottenham Hotspur (agg.) Spurs defeat Old Gold in the inaugural UEFA Cup final

This one deserves a place on the list, with Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers meeting in the UEFA Cup’s inaugural final to produce an exciting two-legged clash.

England forward Martin Chivers bagged an emphatic brace in the first leg to hand the Lilywhites a 2-1 advantage heading into the return fixture at White Hart Lane.

Drawing 1-1, Tottenham were crowned the first winners of a tournament that continues to dazzle all these years later.

4 1988: Espanyol 3-3 Bayer Leverkusen (2-3 pens) Leverkusen fashion epic European comeback in two-legged showdown

Bayer Leverkusen are the team of the term. At present, Xabi Alonso’s indomitable machine has shredded through German Bundesliga opposition to record a stunning invincible title triumph, ending over a decade of Bayern Munich dominance.

Still hoping to complete an unprecedented unbeaten treble with victory in the DFB-Pokal and this year’s Europa League final, Die Werkself also have previous in the continental competition.

In 1988, Espanyol had stormed into a commanding 3-0 lead after the first leg in Spain, and while Leverkusen took almost an hour to find the back of the net on home turf once Tita turned home, a blitzing half-hour swung the pendulum and saw Erich Ribbeck’s team win their first major European trophy.

3 2003: Celtic 2-3 Porto (aet) The Special One shines as Porto crush Celtic's European dream

We couldn’t possibly compile a list of the greatest Europa League and UEFA Cup finals without paying homage to Jose Mourinho’s triumph with Porto.

Celtic fought with drive and determination against an oiled Porto side and restored parity on two occasions but ultimately succumbed in extra time as Derlei scored his second of the game after 115 minutes to become the first Portuguese side to win the UEFA Cup.

Mourinho clearly liked the taste of continental triumph, for the Dragões would assuredly defeat Monaco 3-0 in the Champions League final one year later.

2 2007: Espanyol 2-2 Sevilla (1-3 pens) Espanyol fail to exorcise demons as Sevilla set the tone

Espanyol were back in the final, 19 years on from letting a three-goal lead slip, and had the trophy in sight.

But Sevilla were about to become the unrivalled wrecking ball of the competition, and this ingrained belief they have mustered on the continent started as Juande Ramos’ side’s ability to hold their nerve against Espanyol braided this present sense of inevitability.

The Europa League kings prevailed in a shootout after throwing away their lead twice to win successive trophies – something only Real Madrid had achieved before.

1 2001 – Liverpool 5-4 Alaves (aet) Gerard Houllier's Reds edge underdogs in crazy nine-goal thriller

Liverpool on a historic European night? Never them. Gerard Houllier won three trophies during an incredible 2000/01 campaign but outpunching Deportivo Alavés in Germany tops the lot.

But the match itself simply cannot be topped, with a nine-goal thriller settled by a golden goal, with two red cards, a trophy-deciding own goal and a comeback all prominent on a stunning night.

The Redmen took an early two-goal lead courtesy of a lively Markus Babbel and a certain Steven Gerrard, with the Anfield stars finding themselves 3-1 up at half-time only to ship twice right after the break. Robbie Fowler fired Liverpool into the lead after 72 minutes but Jordi Cruyff salvaged parity in the dying embers of normal time.

Spanish right-back Delfí Geli’s luckless headed clearance after 116 minutes sent Houllier and his men into rapture to drape the curtain on a breathtaking, matchless finale.

أبدى هاني رمزي مدير إدارة “الاسكاوتنج” في النادي الأهلي، رأيه في حاجة المارد الأحمر، إلى لاعبين جدد قبل خوض منافسات بطولة كأس العالم للأندية 2025.

وتقام النسخة الأولى من كأس العالم للأندية خلال الفترة من 15 يونيو حتى 13 يوليو من العام القادم 2025، بمشاركة 32 فريقًا من مختلف القارات بنظام المجموعات.

وقال هاني رمزي في تصريحات عبر قناة “الأهلي”: “لا يوجد شك، النادي الأهلي دائمًا يعمل في ملف التعاقدات واللاعبين ونضع خطة للسنوات المقبلة وليس لكأس العالم للأندية ونعمل على ذلك، إن شاء الله قادر أن يذهب إلى المونديال بقائمة جيدة”.

طالع أيضاً.. مباشر بالفيديو | قرعة كأس العالم للأندية 2025.. الأهلي يصطدم بـ ميسي

وأتم: “الناس يجب أن تعرف فترة الانتقالات الشتوية تكون أصعب كثيرًا جدًا من الصيفية بسبب قلة المعروض واللاعب المميز صعب ناديه يتركه، بالتالي الخيارات تكون قليلة، مصممين أن النادي الأهلي يتعاقد مع لاعبين جيدين قريبًا من أجل المشاركة في كأس العالم للأندية”.