A former teammate of Jurgen Klopp has identified RB Leipzig boss Julian Naglesmann as the Liverpool manager’s ideal successor.
Guido Schafer played alongside Klopp at Main and now covers Leipzig for a local paper, Leipzig Volkszuitung.
Klopp has been a huge success on Merseyside, winning the Champions League last season and on his way to securing Liverpool’s first league title for 30 years.
Nagelsmann, meanwhile, has drawn no end of praise for his stint as Leipzig boss and is one of the hottest young managerial prospects in European football.
FEATURE: Klopp might be facing his biggest Liverpool challenge yet
Speaking to the Blood Red podcast, Schafer said: “Nagelsmann is someone who wants [his team to have] the ball. It’s pressing but not all over the pitch and for Liverpool also it’s only in some areas.
“The idea is quite similar [to what Klopp demands] and the players have to be very intelligent to show the coach they are intelligent enough.
“It’s not easy to work under these coaches – they want all of you every day. But then you get a better player.”
Kepa Arrizabalaga reportedly has nine games to prove his worth to Chelsea boss Frank Lampard.
The Spain international was dropped midway through the season after a number of costly mistakes, with Willy Caballero filling in.
Kepa showed an upturn in form on his return to the team before the coronavirus crisis, but The Telegraph claim he has nine games to save his Chelsea career.
The report mentions Burnley keeper Nick Pope and Ajax stopper Andre Onana as realistic targets Chelsea could pursue as his replacement.
The £27million-rated Nigerian is also on Paris Saint-Germain’s radar after particularly fine performances in the Champions League for the Dutch giants.
Pope currently leads the Premier League in terms of clean sheets, with 11, and has firmly established himself as one of the most consistent performers in the division.
Kepa become the most expensive goalkeeper in history after completing a £72million move from Atletico Madrid in 2018.
These next nine games could be the most important of his career so far.
Jordan Henderson has praised “special player” Jadon Sancho after it emerged that Liverpool ‘hold the rope’ to sign him.
Sancho is thought to be the priority transfer target for Manchester United, with Real Madrid also interested.
Liverpool captain Henderson understands why his England teammate is the subject of such rumours.
“A lot of people are speaking about him,” Henderson told The Locker Room.
“He is a top player, a special player, that in training he has got something different and he’s sharp and able to get past players with ease.
“Also he’s got a good head on his shoulders, he loves football, wants to improve, listen and learn so if he just continues on that path the sky’s the limit for him really.
“He just needs to keep working hard and listening to the people around him and keep doing what he’s doing.
“He’s been brilliant for Dortmund and England, so he just needs to carry on.”
Le10Sport claim that ‘neither’ United nor Real ‘finds itself in the best position’ for Sancho, as Liverpool ‘hold the rope’ for his transfer.
The Reds are ‘the best placed team’ to sign the winger and are said to be willing to fund an £80m move if Jurgen Klopp pushes for a deal.
Sancho has been ‘identified’ as a possible replacement for Sadio Mane and Liverpool are not ‘scared by the prospect of an XXL transfer’. They are, in fact, ‘perfectly positioned’ to sign him after deciding a move for Kylian Mbappe would be too expensive.
The Anfield club have also been linked with £110m Wolves pair Ruben Neves and Adama Traore.
Klopp is said to be ‘losing patience’ with midfielder Naby Keita and is eager to ‘freshen up’ his midfield by bringing in Neves for £50m, while Traore ‘remains very much on Klopp’s radar’ as a £60m signing.
Sur le point de mettre en scène “Argo”, Ben Affleck pourrait enchaîner avec “Line of Sight”, thriller d’action filmé à la première personne dans lequel il serait à la fois devant et derrière la caméra.
Avec Gone Baby Gone et The Town, Ben Affleck a prouvé qu’être derrière la caméra lui réussissait bien, au même titre que le thriller, et que les scènes d’action n’étaient pas un problème pour lui. Et ça, ça tombe plutôt bien, puisque Line Of Sight va lui permettre d’embrasser pleinement le genre, en suivant un commando d’élite qui doit faire face à une menace planétaire. Produit par Joel Silver, le long métrage devrait même offrir à Ben Affleck (qui évoluerait devant et derrière la caméra) la possibilité de réaliser un tour de force, puisque le tout serait filmé suivant le point de vue d’un des personnages, à la façon d’un jeu de tir à la première personne. Plutôt alléchant, Line Of Sight devra pourtant attendre un peu avant de voir le jour, puisque Ben Affleck doit d’abord s’atteler à Argo, un autre thriller.
European Commission Vice President Věra Jourová | Pool photo by Francisco Seco/EPA
Hungary faces ‘moment of truth’ over rule by decree, Jourová says
European Commission VP also hopes for new dialogue with Poland after election.
Hungary faces a “moment of truth” with its pledge to revoke emergency rule later this month, European Commission Vice President Věra Jourová said.
Jourová made the remarks during an interview with POLITICO’s EU Confidential podcast, in which she cited concerns about the rule of law in both Hungary and Poland.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government has been widely criticized for taking on emergency powers that include rule by decree without a set time limit as part of its response to the coronavirus crisis.
The government has defended the emergency regime as necessary for dealing with an unprecedented crisis. Justice Minister Judit Varga announced last month that it would come to an end on June 20 as the coronavirus has receded.
But human rights activists have warned that the government plans legal changes that would make it easier to assume emergency powers in future.
POLITICO’s EU Confidential · Ep 156: VP Věra Jourová on disinformation — US troop pullout — China strategy
Jourová, whose job as vice president for values and transparency includes responsibility for the rule of law, said it would be problematic if Hungary does not return to its previous legal order when emergency rule ends.
“This will be the moment of truth, [as to] whether the situation and the legal order and the balance of powers in Hungary will come back to the old normal … or there will be some remainders of the emergency regime, which we would see as a problem from the EU law point of view,” she said.
Jourová also expressed concern about the detention of two people in Hungary for Facebook posts critical of the government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis.
Both men were released after some hours and the cases against them were dropped. But Jourová, who was once placed in pre-trial detention over false accusations of fraud, said she knew first hand that such an experience can do great damage.
“I was really very unpleasantly surprised,” Jourová said of the detentions. “I myself experienced such a situation, and the detention and the police investigation — it’s a big blow to everybody, to his or her family, or to his or her professional career.”
She said the detentions could deter others from criticism, producing a “chilling effect,” not only on journalists but on the general public.
Jourová said the Commission could not take action in those cases as they were not “systemic.” But she said the Commission is still analyzing decrees issued by the government during emergency rule.
EU institutions have triggered so-called Article 7 censure proceedings against both Hungary and Poland, accusing them of putting the bloc’s core values at risk. Budapest and Warsaw have in turn accused the EU of unwarranted meddling in their domestic affairs.
In Poland’s case, the Commission’s concerns center on reforms to the judicial system that Brussels and many legal experts say undermine its independence.
Jourová said the Commission would continue with legal action against Poland over the changes. But she also held out the prospect of renewed dialogue with Warsaw after a presidential election, the first round of which is scheduled for June 28.
“We have to start a new chapter of the dialogue after the Polish presidential elections. I do believe there will be a space and hopefully also goodwill from the Polish side to sit around the table,” she said.
“I would really like to hear that they recognize that there are things which the Commission has to address — that the Polish judges are also European judges.”
The League One season is set to conclude on July 13 after the English Football League announced the dates for the play-offs.
Third-tier clubs voted to curtail the regular season in a vote on Tuesday, leaving four clubs to fight it out for the final promotion place to the Championship.
Portsmouth will take on Oxford in a semi-final first leg on Friday, July 3, in a match kicking off at 5.30pm. Later that evening, Fleetwood host Wycombe in a 7.30pm kick-off.
Why regionalised football will kill the lower leagues…
The return legs will be played on Monday, July 6, with the final scheduled for a week later at Wembley.
The decision to curtail the League One season was less clear cut than in the division below, with Peterborough owner Darragh MacAnthony expressing his unhappiness about the decision.
“Every letter from the EFL stated that we wanted to finish the season and we went along with that,” MacAnthony said on Sky Sports’ ‘The Football Show’ earlier this week.
“I spoke to Rick Parry, the chairman, in May and I said to him, ‘What are we doing? Things seem to be improving’ and he said, ‘We want to finish the season, there’s no reason not to finish the season’ so again we went along with that.
“We voted for football. We will always vote for football. I understand the health concerns but we’ve now been told football is back – the Premier League is back, the Championship is back. The EFL is 71 clubs and we’ve been told we can’t play football so it’s devastation and disappointment.”
The points-per-game calculation used to decide the final standings left Peterborough out of the top six.
Oxford’s play-off preparations have been hit by their announcement that two individuals involved in the club have tested positive for the virus.
In a brief statement, the club did not stipulate if those affected were players or other members of staff, and said they will now self-isolate.
The statement added: “Neither had symptoms and can exercise independently within the current guidelines while they are away from the club.
“The medical team will be in contact with them on a day-to-day basis and all players will still be completing their daily medical questionnaire and temperature checks, with regular testing continuing.”
Barring any health emergencies, the game is scheduled to take place on Saturday June 20.
What time does West Ham v Wolves kick-off?
The game is part of a bumper four-match live bonanza on June 20. West Ham v Wolves is the third of four matches and kicks off at 5.30pm.
What is at stake?
A lot. Wolves are in contention for European qualification, and still harbour hopes of representing England in the Champions League next season.
Things are considerably bleaker for West Ham, but the game no less important. David Moyes’ men are perched perilously above the relegation zone and have plenty of work to do between now and the end of the campaign if they are to secure their safety.
Where can I watch West Ham v Wolves?
Sky Sports are broadcasting this one, so look for it on their Main Event and Premier League channels.
Is West Ham v Wolves free-to-air?
It is the only one of the four live games on June 20 that is on Sky Sports, so they have decided against making if free-to-air. Therefore, you’ll need a subscription or NowTV day-pass to view.
What is the team news?
Wolves report no real injury woes ahead of the big restart as Adama Traore has used the lockdown to nurse his troublesome shoulder complaint.
West Ham, however, may be without key centre-back Angelo Ogbonna, who is reportedly suffering with a knee injury.
What happened in the reverse match?
Wolves won the reverse fixture 2-0 with relative comfort in December. However, West Ham got some revenge by dumping Wolves out of the FA Cup in January.
What are the odds?
Wolves are strong favourites at 5/4 with most bookies. West Ham can be backed at 21/10 with the draw priced at around 12/5.
Barring any health emergencies, the game is scheduled to take place on Saturday June 20.
What time does Bournemouth v Crystal Palace kick-off?
The game is part of a bumper four-match live bonanza on June 20. Bournemouth v Crystal Palace is the last of four matches and kicks off at 7.45pm.
What is at stake?
Crystal Palace have the luxury of going into the game without any real pressure. The Eagles are currently sat safe in mid-table and not in any danger of being sucked into the relegation dogfight.
It is a very different story for Bournemouth, though. Eddie Howe’s side are languishing in the relegation zone on goal difference and will have earmarked this game as one of their best chances to push themselves up the table.
Where can I watch Bournemouth v Crystal Palace?
Bournemouth and Crystal Palace are sharing in a slice of history for this fixture, as it will be the first ever Premier League game to be broadcast live on the BBC.
Is Bournemouth v Crystal Palace free-to-air?
Yes. Expect to be able to watch this one both online and on terrestrial television.
What is the team news?
Bournemouth may have to digest a bitter bow with Ryan Fraser refusing to sign new short-term contract that would allow him to help the Cherries’ survival bid. The winger Is worried about picking up an injury that may scupper a summer move to Arsenal, so should that situation not be resolved he will play no further part in Bournemouth’s season.
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, report a clean bill of health.
What happened in the reverse match?
Crystal Palace overcame a first-half red card to Mamadou Sakho to secure a battling 1-0 win over Bournemouth back in December Jeffrey Schlupp bagged the only goal.
What are the odds?
Despite their respective league positions, Bournemouth are the 7/5 favourites with most bookies for this. Those odds are likely driven by need rather than the league table though. Crystal Palace are priced at 15/8, and the draw can be backed at 23/10.
Chelsea have been given a boost in their pursuit of Ben Chilwell.
Frank Lampard is a long-term admirer of the Leicester full-back, but the asking price – thought to be nearly £85million – meant the Blues may have looked elsewhere.
But the Evening Standard claims Chilwell is pushing through a move to Stamford Bridge, which could lead Leicester to drop their valuation.
The report suggests the Foxes may now accept a bid in the region of £50million for the 23-year-old, with Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand being lined up as his replacement.
Chelsea have already signed Hakim Ziyech and have all-but agreed a deal for the £53million transfer of RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner.
They are also thought to be near the front of the queue to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz, in what could be a summer of transfer business akin to the early Roman Abramovich days.
Lampard is reportedly willing to sell four Chelsea players to drum up the transfer fund for Chilwell.
Le tournage de la suite de “Taken” devrait débuter à l’automne.
Quand c’est le patron qui le dit… Luc Besson, en pleine promo de Colombiana outre-Atlantique, a expliqué à nos confrères de ComingSoon qu’Olivier Megaton (réalisateur de Colombiana et du futur Taken 2) était en train de mettre à profit son séjour à Los Angeles pour faire des repérages en vue du film, qui s’y déroulera en partie. Le début du tournage serait quant à lui prévu pour octobre, avec le retour de toute la fine équipe, Liam Neeson en tête bien sûr, sa fifille (dans le film) Maggie Grace et même son “ex” Famke Janssen.
Au passage, Luc Besson a également confirmé que parmi les deux ou trois scripts écrits par Robert Mark Kamen et lui depuis la fin du tournage de The Lady (pas perdu de temps…), figurait celui de sa prochaine réalisation, laquelle doit signer son retour à la SF (voir l’article)… même si le patron d’EuropaCorp précise qu’il ne s’agit « pas d’un vrai film de SF, plutôt de quelque chose d’épique ».