Latest news with #FrenkiedeJong
Irish Examiner
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
How Casemiro has proved the Manchester United doubters wrong
Watching Manchester United's 4-0 loss to Brentford in August 2022, Casemiro reportedly messaged his agent: 'Tell them I'll fix this.' Having been heavily linked with a move for Frenkie de Jong, United ultimately turned their attention to Casemiro in Erik ten Hag's first summer at the Old Trafford helm. In dire need of a new central midfielder, the Brazilian's willingness to swap Madrid for Manchester was a welcome one. And Casemiro didn't disappoint in his debut season in the Premier League. Indeed, United finished third and won the League Cup. The Dutchman made a flying start to usher in a new era for the Premier League powerhouse. It proved to be a false dawn. An FA Cup triumph last year papered over the cracks in what was a dire season as United finished eighth. Even so, Ten Hag was given a stay of execution, and a full window with which to bring in his own players before his October dismissal. One of those to arrive was Uruguayan ball winner Manuel Ugarte, and this addition suggested that Casemiro was on his way out. As United faltered last season, so too did the Brazilian, who was restricted to just 24 league starts. A parting of ways seemed a foregone conclusion. Yet as Ruben Amorim took charge of United in November, Casemiro began to force his way back into the former Sporting CP boss' plans. Injury to Kobbie Mainoo, who nominally would have partnered Ugarte in his favoured 3-4-2-1 setup, proved a blessing for the 33-year-old. That's not to say that United's season took a turn for the better – Amorim has endured a very tough opening few months in the Old Trafford hotseat – but in a dreary domestic campaign, Casemiro has proven a rare ray of light in a grey Manchester sky. As United gear up for the Europa League final on Wednesday, Casemiro has a key role to play in the middle of the park. Ahead of another trip to Bilbao – their second in the space of a month – Casemiro has featured in all but two of United's 14 games in their unbeaten European campaign. There is an argument to suggest he's been one of United's most important players prior to their third major cup final in as many years. Indeed, he's maximised the wealth of experience he has garnered during his time at Real Madrid to play an influential role in United's progression to the final, with his best showings coming in the knockout stages of the competition. This is the Casemiro supporters had come to expect when he arrived from Los Blancos three years' ago. What's been key is that he's putting in the same defensively sound showings that established him as one of the best in his role. Of those to have registered at least 800 minutes of game time in the Europa League this season, Casemiro's return of 3.2 tackles per 90 ranks third. This hard work off the ball means United are conceding the seventh fewest shots per Europa League game (11.3) and as a team are being dribbled past just 5.9 times per match, that the fourth lowest. For a United side whose greatest weakness was the inability to prevent opposition chances, this defensive resolve has been welcomed with open arms. It's this renewed tenacity off the ball that means United should fancy their chances of lifting the Europa League trophy. Even before James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski pulled up with injuries earlier in the month, Tottenham would have found it difficult to get the better of Casemiro, and his ball-winning partner Ugarte. Their flourishing partnership, one not too dissimilar to defensive shield of Hidemasa Morita and Morten Hjulmand in Sporting's title triumph last season, allows the wing-backs to push forward to stretch the play and, crucially, grants creator-in-chief Bruno Fernandes the chance to pry apart defences. Fernandes does, after all, rank second for key passes (41) in the Europa League this season, and easing the defensive burden on the creative Portugal international means he can focus his efforts on hurting opponents. Seven goals and four assists in the competition shows how much of a benefit to United it is to having Ugarte and the rejuvenated Casemiro mopping up in midfield. And while the former may have been signed to take over the latter's midfield responsibilities, Casemiro has gone from disposable to indispensable for a United side looking to land a second Europa League.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
FC Barcelona News: 20 May 2025
INSIDE VIEW | Exclusive footage from the fiesta on Montjuïc - FC Barcelona A look back at the best moments from a magical evening at the Estadi Llúis Companys. Spanish Super Cup semi-finals decided - FC Barcelona With one game still remaining in the 2024/25 league season the top four places in La Liga are already decided. FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid and Athletic Club fill the top spots and that means all four clubs will compete in the Spanish Super Cup in January 2026. Advertisement Barça always a threat from outside the box - FC Barcelona The blaugranes are the highest goalscorers across the five major European leagues, and some of the goals account for a very significant stat – the number of goals scored from outside the box – totalling 23 in all competitions as it stands. Frenkie de Jong the Netherlands player with third most appearances for FC Barcelona - FC Barcelona That's now 258 competitive games with FC Barcelona for Frenkie de Jong after he played against Villarreal in the Liga matchday 37 fixture at the Estadi Olímpic. This means the blaugrana midfielder has surpassed Patrick Kluivert for the third most appearances by a Netherlands player for the Club. Flick's renewal will be made official on Wednesday - Mundo Deportivo After leaving everything agreed upon in the meeting following the Clásico on the 11th, the Barcelona club will announce the continuity of the coach until June 2027 through a statement. Joan Laporta is clear about how Lamine Yamal's contract renewal with Barcelona should go - Mundo Deportivo "The wages have to be in line with the player's importance within the team, regardless of his age," the president insisted. Advertisement "The Gamper Trophy is expected to be played at the Spotify Camp Nou" - Mundo Deportivo Laporta says on TV3 that the club is working on the idea of the summer friendly as a pilot test for their official return. Marc Bernal sets a date for his return - Mundo Deportivo The Barça midfielder believes he will return to action next August after spending the entire season out of action due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament and an associated injury to the external meniscus. The day Flick considered Pedri as his conductor even though he wasn't at Barça - Mundo Deportivo Ramon Planes, former Barça sporting director, confessed on El Carrusel that "after the 8-2 defeat in Lisbon, Pedri's agent called me because Flick's Bayern Munich wanted him." Dibu Martínez, in Barça's orbit - Mundo Deportivo While waiting to hear Wojciech Szczesny's decision, Barcelona have not ruled out going to the market to strengthen the goalkeeping position. The club is reportedly interested in Emiliano Martínez, who is aiming to leave Aston Villa and also has interest from Manchester United. Advertisement More from
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Barcelona ready to listen to offers for eight stars as De Jong decision made
Barcelona could offload a huge number of players this summer and want to retain Frenkie de Jong - but will consider his exit if they cannot agree a new deal with the Dutchman Barcelona are willing to listen to offers for eight players this summer as they lead a ruthless cull but Frenkie de Jong is not initial among those they're looking to offload. They are hoping to strike a new deal with the Dutchman. De Jong has been among those linked with the Barcelona exit door, Manchester United were particularly keen when Erik ten Hag was in charge, but the ex- Ajax man is on the list of players the Spanish giants want to retain. That stance could change though if there is no agreement found with De Jong. Sport reports that currently discussions are heading in the right direction, but the midfielder will be put on the market if they hit a roadblock in negotiations and a new contract cannot be agreed. Barcelona's other possible sales, which will be led by club chief and former player Deco, include Ansu Fati and Gavi. Both men were once highly-rated but have seen their development stall with the Spaniards ready to cash in. Inaki Pena, Ronald Araujo, Hector Fort, Fermin Lopez and Pau Victor are also potentially on the move this summer. Araujo has previously been linked with those on the red half of Manchester. Barcelona also need to submit a new deal for Raphinha, who is being tipped as a potential Ballon d'Or winner. He has a lucrative deal on the table from Saudi Arabia following the best season of his career, but it would be a shock were he to exit the club. It is also understood the stance in Barcelona is that 'nobody is essential beyond Lamine Yamal' with the teenage sensation now regarded as one of the world's best players. He's excelled on the Champions League stage and is the latest success story of their La Masia academy. Raphinha has helped form a fearsome frontline that also features Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski. Barcelona were recently knocked out of the Champions League but could still complete the domestic double in what is Hansi Flick's first season in charge. Barcelona need to toe the line financially to ensure they can continue to register their players. Spain's National Sports Council,the CSD, gave Barcelona permission to temporarily register Dani Olmo following an appeal in January. La Liga granted Barcelona temporary licences to register Olmo and Pau Victor last summer, but later revoked their registrations after claiming the club had failed to prove they were complying with the league's financial rules by the deadline of 31 December.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
WATCH: Distraught Frenkie de Jong reacts to Inter defeat – ‘An empty feeling'
Barcelona saw their dreams of the Champions League disintegrate in heartbreaking fashion in Milan. Having mounted an impressive comeback to go 3-2 ahead at the Giuseppe Meazza, Inter scored twice after the 90th minute to send the Blaugrana back to the Catalan capital empty-handed. Much of the conversation in Spain after the match was about the officiating, with no fewer than four Barcelona players upset with Szymon Marciniak. Hansi Flick was also baffled by some of his decisions, but noted that he was proud of his team, and said that his side would be 'fine by Thursday'. Disappointment amongst the Barcelona camp Left-back Gerard Martin was seen in floods of tears after the final whistle, and the waterworks were in action for both Fermin Lopez and Raphinha too. However perhaps the image of their sadness was Frenkie de Jong, as he spoke to CBS Sports. Advertisement 'It's just disappointment, a bit of an empty feeling. Just that.' 'I think we made a good comeback, like we have done many times this season. Then to concede like two minutes from time, like they did, and then they score again in extra time. It's difficult to take.' 'We dominated' – Frenkie de Jong De Jong was also asked about Flick's half-time team talk, and noted that the German manager made little in the way of changes. 'We just had to keep playing the way we played. I think in the first half also, we played well. Maybe we didn't score, but we played better than them. They are also very good at what they do. All the credit to them also. We just had to keep playing the way we did. We did that, we came back, we got in front, and then to concede in the last minute of added time, I don't know if it was the last minute, but it feels really bitter.' Image via Imago The Dutchman also confirmed that he would not be watching the game back, nor would be dreaming about it either. Advertisement 'No, in general, I don't watch the whole game back. Only my moments, and sometimes the highlights. But I think it will be too difficult.' 'I think I will not dream about this game anymore. Maybe about the future. It's just difficult to take.'
Business Upturn
06-05-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Is €40 million bid enough to lure Frenkie de Jong to this PL club?
The summer transfer window is approaching and again one name that always comes up, i.e. Frenkie de Jong has been talked about. By Ravi Kumar Jha Published on May 6, 2025, 09:35 IST The summer transfer window is approaching and one name that always comes up, i.e. Frenkie de Jong has been talked about. The midfielder was approached in each of the last three summer transfer windows by some top European clubs, but he chose none. Despite not getting much game time in Barca, De Jong remains loyal to the club. But there are reports incoming that Liverpool are eyeing a shock move for the midfielder and they are ready to pay €40 million for him. But the question remains, whether €40 million is enough to lure Frenkie de Jong to Liverpool? As the summer transfer window draws near, one familiar name is making headlines once again — Frenkie de Jong. The Dutch midfielder has been a hot topic during each of the last three summer windows, with top European clubs trying to tempt him away from Barcelona. Yet, despite limited game time and persistent rumours, De Jong has stayed loyal to the Catalan giants. However, things might change this summer. Reports suggest that Liverpool are plotting a surprise €40 million bid for the 26-year-old. With Jurgen Klopp's successor looking to reshape the midfield, De Jong's composure, passing range, and tactical intelligence make him an ideal target. Barca's financial struggles are no secret, and while they may consider a sale, De Jong's market value and importance suggest a higher price tag would be necessary. Moreover, the midfielder's deep commitment to the Blaugrana and his lifestyle in Spain might outweigh Liverpool's interest. Ravi kumar jha is an undergraduate student in Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia and Mass Communication. A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication and he also has a genuine interest in sports. Ravi is currently working as a journalist at
