Mesmo após o encerramento da atividade desta segunda-feira (8), no CT Joaquim Grava, alguns atletas do Corinthians permaneceram em campo para aprimorar alguns fundamentos.
O lateral-direito Fagner, o volante Gabriel, o meia Otero e os atacantes Gustavo Mosquito e Léo Natel permaneceram no gramado do CT Joaquim Grava após o encerramento do penúltimo treino antes do confronto diante do Athletico-PR, na Neo Química Arena, nesta quarta-feira (10), às 21h30, pela 35ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.
> Veja a classificação do Brasileirão e simule os próximos jogos
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansMancini comanda atividade tática e coletivo em treino do CorinthiansCorinthians08/02/2021CorinthiansEstádio do Corinthians inicia vacinação em drive-thru contra a Covid-19Corinthians08/02/2021CorinthiansEm processo de recuperação, trio marca presença em treino do CorinthiansCorinthians08/02/2021
Otero ficou treinando faltas, enquanto os demais intensificaram um trabalho de finalizações. Antes, o técnico Vagner Mancini comandou um trabalho tático e um coletivo em campo reduzido.
O Timão não entrou em campo neste fim de semana e tem no duelo diante do Furacão a primeira de cinco “decisões” por uma vaga na Libertadores via Campeonato Brasileiro.
O time de Parque São Jorge encerra a sua preparação para encarar o CAP nesta terça-feira (9) pela manhã e, após isso, o elenco corintiano já concentra para focar no compromisso.
Liverpool have made a significant decision over signing a "quick" trophy-winning ace in the January transfer window, according to a fresh report.
Andre linked with Liverpool move
The Reds completely rebuilt their midfield back in the summer, with Jurgen Klopp identifying it as the area of the pitch that needed the most changes made to it.
Out went the likes of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and James Milner, among others, while Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch all moved to Anfield.
While it has made a clear difference this season, with Liverpool finding themselves in the thick of a Premier League title battle with Manchester City and Arsenal, they have also constantly been linked with a move for Fluminense midfielder Andre.
The 22-year-old recently tasted Copa Libertadores glory with the Brazilian Serie A outfit – they also lost to City in the Club World Cup final – and he is seen as someone who could win plenty of caps for Brazil, making four appearances to date for his country.
Liverpool make big Andre decision
According to a new report from Football Insider, however, Liverpool have pulled out of a move for Andre, with Fulham now in pole position to sign him instead.
Fluminense's Andre
"Liverpool are set to end their interest in Fluminense midfielder Andre as he closes in on a move to Fulham.
"The Merseysiders, alongside Arsenal and Tottenham, held a strong interest in the 22-year-old Copa Libertadores winner. The Reds wanted to make the defensive midfielder part of their midfield rebuild – which saw the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch arrive at Anfield. But Fulham have now stolen a march on their Premier League rivals and look the firm favourites to land Andre when the January transfer window opens."
Liverpool's interest in Andre does appear to have been wavering a little in recent weeks, and it is disappointing to hear that they seemingly won't be pursuing a move for him. The young Brazilian looks like a top-quality player for many years to come, and he has been lauded by South America football expert Tim Vickery, who has said of him:
"So, he’s quick. He’s quick around the field, he’s quick running back. They also pass out from the back in an almost suicidal manner, which means he’s continually having to receive the ball close to his own goal under pressure. So these are really honed skills that are useful for a Jurgen Klopp side. That high defensive line, that space there to cover."
Andre's Serie A stats this season
Total
Appearances
31
Tackles per game
1.8
Dribbles per game
1.2
Pass completion rate
94.8%
Yellow cards
11
Andre was also hailed as a "leader" of the team amid the Brazilian outfit's triumph in the Copa Libertadores by talent scout Jacek Kulig.
At this point, it would be a surprise if Liverpool signed a new midfielder in January, with Klopp potentially content with the options he has judging by their start to the campaign, even though the lack of an elite defensive midfielder could potentially prove to be an issue as the season goes on.
Mac Allister has grown into the role, but still looks naturally happier as a No 8, while Endo is another who has improved, but is perhaps considered more of a squad player.
Ganesh Satish and Atharwa Taide play game-changing innings as Rest of India go down
The Report by Sreshth Shah in Nagpur16-Feb-2019
Vidarbha won the Irani Cup 2018-19•ESPNcricinfo Ltd
Hanuma Vihari may have struck two magnificent centuries in the Irani Cup tie, but it was overshadowed by Vidarbha’s collective effort, which helped them trump Rest of India and lift the trophy for the second season in a row.When the two teams shook hands with Vidarbha needing only 11 runs to win the match – they had five wickets in hand – they not only won the trophy on offer, but also completed the double of winning the Ranji Trophy and the Irani Cup for the second season in a row, much to the delight of a sizeable Saturday crowd at Nagpur’s VCA Stadium.Vidarbha started the day on 37 for one, still 243 runs adrift on a final-day pitch that wasn’t getting any easier to bat on. But in 18-year-old Atharva Taide – a late injury replacement for Wasim Jaffer – they found the right man to anchor the innings through the first session. His 72, together with R Sanjay’s 42, ensured Vidarbha stayed rock solid early on, and then under the baking sun that took a lot out of the RoI bowlers, they cashed in. Their 116-run stand for the second wicket wiped out a large chunk of the target.Taide carried on to score 72, and Ganesh Satish, the only professional in the side in Jaffer’s absence, then steered the chase to the end, falling for 87 with Vidarbha inches short of the target – the teams agreed to call off the game at that point – and walked off to raucous applause. Wicketkeeper-batsman Akshay Wadkar remained unbeaten when the contest ended.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
Earlier, Sanjay and Taide displayed patience as well as skill to help Vidarbha dominate proceedings. Taide struck two boundaries off fast bowler Ankit Rajpoot – one a measured tickle down to fine-leg, the other a tentative push through the slip cordon – to begin the day’s boundary count. Sanjay, at the other end, bunted whatever was aimed at the stumps, while happily leaving the ones that were not.The first six of the innings came just before the first drinks break, when Taide came down the track to play legspinner Rahul Chahar with the turn. After the break, Sanjay joined in, smacking left-arm pacer Tanveer-ul-Haq through the covers for four and then, when left-arm spinner Dharmendrasingh Jadeja was introduced, smashed one straight into the sightscreen.Ajinkya Rahane, the RoI captain, brought in an attacking field for the spinners thereafter, hoping, perhaps, for the batsmen to err in judgment and play a false shot, but that spell of play was carefully negated too. And in the 41st over of the innings, a single to long-off brought up Taide’s second first-class half-century.It was important for the young Taide not to lose his focus after reaching the landmark, and he didn’t, continuing to offer the straight bat to the full deliveries from the spinners, and padding away the ones that pitched outside leg stump. But Sanjay, the senior partner, couldn’t carry on as he was trapped lbw eight runs short of his half-century when a quicker one from Chahar slid into his pads.Taide and Satish then added 30 more runs before the youngster fell lbw to Chahar, and Satish proceeded to put up 83 more for the fourth wicket in the company of Mohit Kale in the afternoon. The two looked set to finish the session unseparated, but Kale was dismissed off the final ball before tea.After the break, Wadkar held up one end while Satish opened up, perhaps with an eye on a possible century. Two boundaries off Chahar brought the target down to only 11 but Satish fell trying to pull part-timer Vihari over the midwicket boundary, only to hole out to substitute fielder Sandeep Warrier in the deep. Though there was enough time left for Vidarbha to record an outright win, the two teams agreed to call it off.The chase wasn’t supposed to be easy. On the fourth evening, Vidarbha had lost their captain Faiz Fazal for a duck after Vihari – together with Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer – had helped get to a declaration on 374 for three – a lead of 279.That Vidarbha had nearly a 100-run advantage after the first-innings exchanges was thanks to allrounder Akshay Karnewar, later named the Man of the Match. He struck the team’s only century of the match to rescue Vidarbha after they were 168 for five in response to RoI’s first-innings score of 330. Wadkar, too, struck a crucial 73 while Sanjay chipped in with 65 to take them to 425, and Vidarbha were assured of victory if the game ended in a draw.RoI had to push for a result in their favour after that, but it wasn’t to be. In the absence of offspinner K Gowtham, who didn’t bowl after the second day because of a shoulder injury, their largely inexperienced attack could not find the purchase from the pitch they would have hoped for. Add to that some smart batting from Vidarbha’s top order on the final day, and only one result was possible.
It was only around 18 months ago that West Ham shelled out around £30m to sign centre-back Nayef Aguerd from French club Rennes, but already his future at the London Stadium is in serious doubt.
Aguerd enjoyed a successful first season with the Hammers, making the Europa Conference League team of the season after they tasted continental glory for the first time in their history, and he's been heavily involved this year with 16 starts from his side's first 20 Premier League games.
However, there's a feeling behind the scenes that Aguerd "hasn't kicked on in his second season", and as such West Ham are open to moving him on this year if the right offer arrives. There's already been interest from Italy and Saudi Arabia, but David Moyes will want a replacement lined up before he sanctions a sale, and his ideal candidate may have emerged.
Moyes wants Kilman to bolster defence
According to The Guardian, West Ham "will target" Wolves centre-back Max Kilman with the proceeds from Aguerd's potential sale. The Irons don't have a "huge budget" for this window, which means that departures will determine incomings, but Moyes remains hopeful of strengthening his back four.
West Ham recognise that they face a challenge in prising Kilman away from Wolves, with Gary O'Neil's side said to demand at least £40m in the hope of avoiding what could be a destabilising mid-season exit.
Max Kilman
Moyes does have alternative targets in mind, like Bayer Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah, Nottingham Forest's Joe Worrall and Peterborough's Ronnie Edwards, but there's a feeling that Kilman has the edge because he's proven in the Premier League.
Kilman offers comprehensive package for Moyes
Kilman has shown himself to be a dominant centre-half at the heart of the Wolves backline this season, ranking inside the Premier League's top 10 for percentage of dribblers tackled (77.8) and winning the ninth-most aerial duels (52). He's very difficult to beat either on the ground or in the air, and he relishes the ugly side of defending too, placing 10th for blocks (32) and third for clearances (94). That's not to say he's limited on the ball either – Kilman finished last season with the eighth-highest progressive carrying distance (4,615 yards), so he can serve as a playmaking instigator.
The table below shows how he compares with Aguerd this season. The duo are closely matched in many areas, but Kilman completes a higher volume of passes and does so with a greater accuracy, which may be part of what Moyes is trying to accomplish.
Stat (per game)
Kilman
Aguerd
Tackles
1.3
1.2
Interceptions
1.1
1
Clearances
4.6
4.1
Passes
58.4
53.3
Passing accuracy
83%
79.9%
Long balls
4.1
5.3
Journalist Josh Bunting has praised his "technique" and comfort in possession, adding that he's become a "proper leader" after taking the Wolves armband in the summer. Meanwhile, commentator Jacqui Oatley has argued that he's one of the most "underrated" players in the league and described him as "pure class".
Kilman only signed a new five-year deal at Molineux last year, so it's ambitious one for West Ham to pursue, but he certainly looks like he could have the desired impact in their defence.
Scans have shown there is no bone damage or fracture and Australia are ‘hopeful’ he won’t require surgery
Alex Malcolm28-Mar-2019
AFP
Australia fast bowler Jhye Richardson may still be fit for the World Cup after scans on his dislocated bowling shoulder cleared him of serious damage. Richardson dislocated his right shoulder diving in the field in Australia’s second ODI against Pakistan in Sharjah on March 24.Richardson was immediately flown home to Perth to have scans on Tuesday. Australia team doctor Richard Saw, who is in the UAE with the ODI side, liaised with the Western Australia’s medical staff in Perth and confirmed the outcome from the scans was the best Richardson could hope for.”The scans demonstrated the usual soft tissue damage we expect following a dislocation but fortunately has excluded any bone damage or fracture,” Saw said. “We are hopeful that Jhye will not require surgery but he will see a shoulder specialist early next week for a further opinion.”We will be able to provide an update in respect to next steps once we have all the information on the table.”Australia’s opening World Cup match is on June 1 against Afghanistan in Bristol.Richardson will need to be selected in the 15-man squad while still undergoing his shoulder rehabilitation, stabilising and strengthening if he is to play any part in the World Cup.Australia also have Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood recovering from injuries in the build-up. Starc is recovering from a pec injury while Hazlewood is recovering from stress fractures in his back.Richardson’s WA and Australia team-mate Nathan Coulter-Nile suffered a similar right shoulder dislocation in a BBL game on December 21 in 2015. He was able to return to bowl in less than two months, bowling 12 overs in a club fixture on February 20, 2016, before bowling 23 overs in a Sheffield Shield fixture on February 25. He was then selected for a short T20 International series in South Africa and the T20 World Cup in March of 2016, playing six Internationals without an issue.The Australian players not involved in the IPL will have a complete break in April following the series against Pakistan but will convene for a pre-World Cup camp in May in Brisbane which includes practice matches against New Zealand.
Quase duas décadas separam as conquistas de um mesmo Diego, um jovem revelado pelo Santos, em 2002 e 2004, e o experiente camisa 10 do Flamengo, que repetiu o feito e conquistou o bicampeonato brasileiro em 2019 e 2020. No intervalo, o meia acumulou conquistas e passagens de sucesso pela Seleção e clubes europeus, mas foi no Ninho, nas últimas duas temporadas, que precisou se reinventar, aos 35 anos, para marcar seu nome na história do time da Gávea.
-Há quase 20 anos, com o Santos, eu fui campeão nesse estádio com 17 anos. Hoje, em posição diferente, pelo Flamengo, volto a ser campeão de um jeito muito emocionante. O que significa é a constância e força para se reinventar. Mais um título na prateleira – disse, ainda no gramado do Morumbi, à TV Globo.
RelacionadasFlamengoFlamengo garante premiação milionária com o Bi do BrasileirãoFlamengo25/02/2021FlamengoConfira a festa do Flamengo com a taça do Campeonato Brasileiro 2020Flamengo25/02/2021FlamengoOs números dos principais nomes do Flamengo na campanha do Octa!Flamengo25/02/2021
Prestes a completar 36 anos, Diego é um dos atletas mais velhos do elenco principal do Flamengo. Ao lado de Willian Arão, é, também, quem tem mais tempo de casa, ambos contratados em 2016. Tecnicamente, Diego mostrou como poderia ser útil ao time logo de cara, tendo um bom início pelo clube.
Em 2017 e 2018, alguns problemas físicos e atuações discretas em grandes jogos, aliados aos resultados coletivos abaixo do esperado, tornaram Diego alvo de críticas e questionamentos por parte dos torcedores e da imprensa.
Nada disso impediu que o camisa 10 sempre se colocasse como um líder – dentro e fora de campo – e, a partir de 2019, os resultados vieram. São sete títulos em duas temporadas, alguns com participação decisiva de Diego, como na decisão da Copa Libertadores e na reta final deste Campeonato Brasileiro.
Com Jorge Jesus, em 2019, o meia superou uma grave lesão no joelho direito, e, saindo do banco, entrou para a história ao dar o lançamento para Gabriel Barbosa virar a decisão contra o River Plate, em Lima, já nos acréscimos. Em 2020/21, encarou o desafio de atuar em uma nova função na equipe, ao lado de Gerson, a partir da ida de Willian Arão para a zaga. A aposta de Ceni – arriscada, por sinal – deu resultado, e coincidiu com a arrancada rubro-negra.
Se já teve sua liderança e importância dentro do clube questionada, Diego, com os dois títulos do Campeonato Brasileiro e dois estaduais, da Recopa Sul-Americana, Supercopa do Brasil e da Libertadores, está, sem dúvidas, com o nome cravado na história do clube da Gávea – e de forma muito positiva.
أعلن نادي الزمالك، رسميًا عن وصول البطاقة الدولية للصفقة الثالثة للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالقلعة البيضاء.
ونجح الزمالك، في التوصل لاتفاق مع لاعب جديد، للانضمام إلى صفوف الفريق بداية من الموسم المقبل.
طالع.. سيدي نداي يوضح لـ “بطولات” تطورات انتقاله إلى الزمالك.. ويصرح: حلم اقترب من التحقق
وتلقى نادي الزمالك، إخطاراً من الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم بشأن وصول البطاقة الدولية للدولي الجابوني أرون بوبيندزا.
وأوضح الأبيض، أنه تم إرسال تذاكر الطيران إلى اللاعب من أجل حضوره إلى القاهرة للانضمام للفريق.
وكان الزمالك، قد نجح في حسم صفقتين خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الجارية بعدما نجح في حل أزمة إيقاف القيد.
وتعاقد الزمالك مع الفلسطيني الدولي عمر فرج، مهاجم فريق أيك السويدي لمدة أربعة مواسم والمغربي محمود بنتايج الظهير الأيسر لفريق سانت إتيان الفرنسي على سبيل الإعارة لمدة موسم مع وجود بند بأحقية شراء اللاعب.
Focus on debut series against Ireland and Pakistan, not the prospect of forcing way into World Cup squad
ESPNcricinfo staff17-Apr-2019Jofra Archer says that he has been “overwhelmed” by the speed of his elevation to England’s one-day squad, only weeks after becoming eligible to represent the country. His only focus, however, is on his debut series against Ireland and Pakistan next month, and says he is not looking to “step on any toes” in a bid for World Cup recognition.Archer was omitted from the preliminary 15-man World Cup squad that was named by Ed Smith, the national selector, at Lord’s today, but included in an expanded 17-man party for the five ODIs against Pakistan, alongside his Sussex team-mate Chris Jordan.He now looks set to make his England debut in the one-off ODI against Ireland in Dublin on May 3. And with Smith confirming that a strong showing from Archer could yet propel him into the final World Cup squad, which doesn’t have to be named until May 23, he knows the stage is his should he be ready to seize it.”I’m going to give it my best shot,” Archer said. “I’ve worked pretty much all my life for this moment and I just want to tackle it and put my best foot forward. It should be a good series. Hopefully I get a chance to play and do myself justice.”I’m not in the World Cup squad but it’s a great chance for me to show what I can do and anything can happen. If someone gets injured, I want to put myself in a position where I’m the first person they turn to.”His rise to prominence comes only months after the ECB relaxed their qualification period for foreign-born players from seven years to three, meaning that Archer – who was born in Barbados but holds a British passport – was suddenly in the World Cup running, having initially expected to have to wait to play for England until 2022-23.”It’s been an exciting three months but I’m surprised by how fast everything has happened,” he said. “I was fully prepared in my mind that it was going to be a seven-year job. When I found out I was qualified more quickly it was obviously a bit of a shock but also exciting.”But the goal has never changed, which has always been to become the best cricketer I can and hopefully play for England whenever I was eligible.”It’s always been about playing for England for me and I always made that very clear. I was prepared to wait but thankfully the chance has come sooner.”Archer’s availability has not been met with universal approval from his prospective England team-mates, with many of the fast bowlers who have helped the team rise to become the No.1 ODI team now fearing that they will be the ones to miss out on the eve of the World Cup.Jofra Archer sent back Chris Gayle•BCCI
And though Archer said that he could understand the reticence from the likes of David Willey and Mark Wood, he insisted he was not out to “step on anyone’s toes”.”This is a great England team that has been playing very well for a number of years leading into the World Cup,” he said.”I understand the situation and I’m very happy with everything. I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes, the squad selected for the World Cup deserve it and my job is to do my very best against Pakistan.”It’s already above and beyond my expectations and I’m just looking forward to meeting the team and playing cricket for England.”It’s not all about the World Cup for me right now, it’s about playing against Pakistan which is what I’ve been selected for. It will still be the highlight of my career to play for England in the series against Pakistan.”Of course I want to play in the World Cup, but if it doesn’t happen for me I’m not going to get upset. I’m just so excited to play against Pakistan and this is a position I didn’t imagine I would be in at this stage.”Archer learned of his call-up ahead of Rajasthan Royals’ IPL clash with Kings XI Punjab in Mohali on Tuesday, and celebrated the feat with a superb spell of 3 for 15 in four overs – a performance that augured well for the scrutiny to come.”It feels really overwhelming. I didn’t expect to ever be good enough to play for England until the last couple of years after I started doing well in T20 tournaments and it’s been a whirlwind period for me,” he said. “It’s really good to be acknowledged for what I’m doing, but it’s hard to put the feeling into words.”I honestly thought I would have to wait a couple more years before I would be in contention for the full squad, I thought I would have to play for the Lions or something like that. So when [Ed Smith] called I was honestly surprised and it was overwhelming for me. I had heard all the rumours and chatter but I was playing cricket and didn’t give myself too much time to think about it.”Cricket kept me distracted which was a good thing, because I didn’t’ really want to speak about it or get caught up in all the stuff around it.”Archer will link up with his England team-mates at the end of April, where he will have three very familiar faces around him – his Rajasthan team-mates, Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes (who last week described him as “the most naturally gifted bowler I’ve seen”) and Jordan, his fellow Sussex seamer who also comes from a Barbados background.”We didn’t speak about England that much,” Archer said of his time in Stokes’ and Buttler’s company. “That might change now I’ve been called up!”We’ve mainly been trying our best for Rajasthan Royals and get some points on the board which the team need. They are obviously great players and people and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to share a pitch with them for England. It will be relaxing to have some familiar faces around.”And on the subject of Jordan, who has also been given a late chance to press for World Cup inclusion, having not played an ODI since 2016, Archer was effusive.”He’s been a part of every major cricketing feat I’ve had. My debut at Sussex, my first franchise tournament in Bangladesh, he was there in the Big Bash… he’s always been there every time I’ve done something in cricket.”It would be a hugely proud moment to play with CJ for England, it’s definitely something we have talked about. We’ve done so much together, we’ve supported each other every step of the way and he deserves his call-up for the Pakistan series.”
Arsenal have tabled an offer to sign one club's "very important" player, as manager Mikel Arteta personally plans to overhaul a key area.
Edu transfer plans hit January speedbumps
After spending over £200 million on new signings last summer, recent reports state that Arsenal transfer chief Edu will have a slightly more limited January budget at his disposal (Miguel Delaney).
All confirmed Premier League done deals: January transfer window 2024
With the January transfer window coming towards its conclusion, FFC has all the info for tracking your club’s winter transfer activity.
ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024
The club will also have to be careful in regard to Financial Fair Play, as Everton's double-sanction this season proves, with Nottingham Forest also being charged for breaching profit and sustainability rules.
Arteta has been keen on bolstering a number of key positions in his Arsenal squad, with some previous reports suggesting that the Spaniard would ideally like to sign two new full-backs, a centre midfielder and a striker.
The forward area is a particular weakness which has grabbed more attention of late, and it was on full display during Arsenal's FA Cup defeat to Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium recently.
Arteta's side spurned a host of glorious chances to open the scoring against Liverpool, but their lack of cutting edge offered the Merseysiders an opportunity to nick a win and sail through to the next round.
Arsenal are also short in terms of full-back numbers due to a few injuries, namely to summer signing Jurrien Timber who ruptured his ACL on the opening day of the season. The Gunners are targeting a new right/left-back as a result, with reliable transfer source Fabrizio Romano claiming it is a "possibility" before January 31.
“A new full-back for Arsenal? Yes it is a possibility, it is a possibility for Arsenal to bring in a new full-back in January," said Romano earlier this month.
"They have to see what opportunity they can find, if it’s a loan deal, but Arsenal are exploring options in that position, they are in the full-backs market, I can confirm that, there is a possibility, there is a chance, we will have to see, but I think it’s a possibility."
This week, as per Football Transfers, it appears Arsenal are attempting to make headway in their pursuit of a new defender, with news emerging on Wolves star Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Arsenal table Rayan Ait-Nouri bid
According to the outlet, Arsenal have tabled a bid to sign Ait-Nouri this month, with Wolves giving a reply. The Molineux side have rebuffed their proposal, with Gary O'Neil and co holding out for around £50 million if he is to leave in January. Liverpool are also registering their interest in Ait-Nouri, who's starred for the Old Gold this season.
Wolves' Rayan Ait-Nouri against West Ham's Jarrod Bowen.
This comes as Arteta personally plans to have "four top-class inverted fullbacks" in his squad, with Arsenal preparing to overhaul their full-back area as a result.
Ait-Nouri would be a stellar option if Edu can come back in and strike a deal, with journalist Dean Jones claiming O'Neil sees the 22-year-old as a "very important" player (GiveMeSport).