Tag: Manchester City

Manchester City track Saman Ghoddos who was voted best striker in Sweden for 2017

By Steve Goodman
The Sun Newspaper – UK
31st July 2018, 8:24 pm

Ostersunds’ attacking midfielder can also play up front and caught the eye in their Europa League run last term

Manchester City are tracking Iran World Cup star Saman Ghoddos.

The attacking midfielder helped Swedish club Ostersunds to the Europa League last 32 and was voted Sweden’s top striker in 2017.  Team Melli star Ghoddos, 24, came off the bench in all three of Iran’s games in Russia last month and is also comfortable playing up front or out wide.

Reports in Sweden say Etihad boss Pep Guardiola had the Malmo-born ace watched last Saturday as he helped Ostersunds beat Elfsborg 1-0. Ostersunds chairman Daniel Kindberg confirmed City’s presence – but was coy about the Premier League champions’ interest in his prize asset.

He said: “Maybe City are watching many players in Europe.

Chinese clubs have made big-money offers to Ostersunds and Iran star Saman Ghoddos but he says he is too young to go there at the moment “Have they contacted us about Ghoddos? You never know.”

Chinese clubs have already made huge contract offers to Ghoddos.

He said: “It is sick money, but I’m not really thinking about going there right now. “I am far too young to move to China just yet.”

Ghoddos has hit ten goals in 20 games for Ostersunds so far this season.

He won two caps for Sweden in friendlies before switching to his parents’ home country last year. The former Syrianska star has since won 11 caps for Carlos Queiroz’s Iran side. Despite a brilliant season , Ghoddos fell victim of Queiroz tight defense game plan and had never been afforded the chance in the World Cup to prove his worth. However, he has attracted much attention throughout Europe for a big club move.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh has already signed for Brighton and Hove Albion and so far is the only Team Melli player in the Premeier League

Saman Ghoddos could soon be celebrating a move to the Premier League

Portugal announce FIFA World Cup 2018 Russia preliminary squad

18 May 2018

Portugal coach Fernando Santos released the preliminary 23-man squad ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and has excluded no less than 10 players involved in their triumphant Euro 2016 campaign.

Led by Real Madrid captain Cristiano Ronaldo, Santos has made a few big calls ahead of the global showpiece in Russia next month.

Former Manchester United winger Nani and FC Barcelona’s Nelson Semedo are among the high-profile names excluded, while the goalscoring hero of Euro 2016, Eder, failed to make the cut.

Another Barcelona player Andre Gomes and 2016 European Golden Boy award winner Renato Sanches are notable absentees.

 

Portugal squad:

Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Beto (Goztepe), Rui Patricio (Sporting CP).

Defenders: Bruno Alves (Rangers), Cedric Soares (Southampton), Jose Fonte (Dalian Yifang), Mario Rui (Napoli), Pepe (Besiktas), Raphael Guerreiro (Dortmund), Ricardo Pereira (FC Porto), Ruben Dias (Benfica).

Midfielders: Adrien Silva (Leicester City), Bruno Fernandes (Sporting CP), Joao Mario (West Ham), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Manuel Fernandes (Lokomotiv), William Carvalho (Sporting CP).

Forwards: Andre Silva (Milan), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Gelson Martins (Sporting CP), Goncalo Guedes (Valencia), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas).