Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Tag: Casemiro

  • “Manchester United Leads Football’s Expense Chart: CIES Study”

    “Manchester United Leads Football’s Expense Chart: CIES Study”

    By  Milcah  Tanimu

    New research from the CIES Football Observatory has unveiled that Manchester United’s current squad is the most costly ever assembled among football clubs. The findings, released on Wednesday, indicate that United has invested a staggering €1.15 billion (£989 million) in their current squad, with a substantial portion of nearly £400 million spent on transfer fees since Erik ten Hag took over as manager in May of the previous year.

    Ten Hag’s tenure saw significant signings, including Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, and Tyrell Malacia, with a combined expenditure exceeding £120 million. The acquisition of Antony for £85 million also added to the list, making him the third-most expensive player in the club’s history, following Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku.

    This summer, United further bolstered their squad with the £72 million signing of Rasmus Hojlund and the acquisition of Mason Mount from Chelsea for a deal worth up to £60 million. Andre Onana was also secured from Inter Milan for £47 million.

    Chelsea closely trails Manchester United, having spent £975 million on players since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took over from Roman Abramovich 18 months ago. In recent months, Chelsea set a British record by signing Moises Caicedo from Brighton for £115 million, surpassing the £105 million record they had set in January when they signed Enzo Fernandez.

    Rounding out the top three is Manchester City, which has invested £900 million in assembling its squad. A significant portion of this sum was allocated to four summer signings, including Josko Gvardiol, Matheus Nunes, Jeremy Doku, and Mateo Kovacic. City’s investments have yielded impressive returns, with three consecutive Premier League titles and a historic treble in the previous season.

    Notably, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is the only non-Premier League club to secure a spot in the top five. The Ligue 1 champions boast a squad worth a combined £860 million, with a significant focus on investment in their attacking lineup, totaling £480 million on strikers.

  • Real Madrid close in on Mbappe, secure extension with Casemiro

    Real Madrid close in on Mbappe, secure extension with Casemiro

     Kylian Mbappe arrived at the training ground of French clubside Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Friday amid the expectation Real Madrid would push to complete his signing in the coming hours.

    Mbappe wore a white baseball cap and white T-shirt, and whether by accident or design that only fuelled anticipation of a blockbuster move to Los Blancos.

    One deal Real Madrid did complete on Friday was with midfielder Casemiro, who has signed a new contract that will keep him at the club until June 2025.

    The Brazilian’s original deal was set to expire at the conclusion of next season.

    According to reports in Spain, Real Madrid have offered 170 million euros (200 million dollars) plus 10 million euros in add-ons for Mbappe.

    Mbappe, 22, has entered the final year of his PSG contract and there has been no indication of a desire on his part to extend his stay.

    He would be able to leave on a free transfer at the end of the current season, were he not to agree new terms.

    PSG sporting director Leonardo was also pictured making his way into the training facility.

    Earlier this week, Leonardo expressed dissatisfaction as the saga unfolded, with PSG having heavily invested during the close season to assemble a formidable squad.

    They have brought in Lionel Messi from FC Barcelona in a staggering move, as well as acquiring the likes of Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Georginio Wijnaldum and Achraf Hakimi.

    Messi could make his debut against Reims, but that factor was being overshadowed by the prospect of PSG possibly losing Mbappe.

    The Frenchman is a player they hoped to build the team around for years to come.

    Leonardo said on Wednesday: “We cannot be happy with this situation, because we did something this summer.

    “We have created a dream, we will not let anyone destroy it or position themselves above the club.

    “Kylian is at the centre of the project but not above it. We created a positive atmosphere, a desire, an emotion. That was our plan.”

    Casemiro will now remain at the Santiago Bernabeu for a further two years after putting pen to paper on fresh terms.

    The 29-year-old is the latest player to extend his stay in the Spanish capital after Karim Benzema and Federico Valverde also committed their future in the past week.

    Casemiro has made 288 appearances for Real Madrid since arriving from Sao Paolo on an initial loan spell in January 2013, scoring 30 goals.

    He has enjoyed a trophy-laden spell with the club, winning four UEFA Champions League titles, three FIFA Club World Cups and Spanish La Liga on two occasions.

    The Brazil international was also part of the Selecao squad which won the 2019 Copa America.

  • ‘Ramos is writing his name into Real Madrid’s history books’ – Casemiro

    ‘Ramos is writing his name into Real Madrid’s history books’ – Casemiro

    Sergio Ramos is “writing his name in the history books” at Real Madrid, says Casemiro, with those working alongside an iconic defender delighted to have him on their team.

    A World Cup winner moved to Santiago Bernabeu from Sevilla back in 2005.

    Since then he has taken in 660 appearances for the Blancos, hitting 100 goals, and has played a leading role in five La Liga title wins and four Champions League triumphs.

    Many of his outings for Real have come as captain, with records tumbling around him as Ramos has also taken his collection of Spain caps to 178.

    It has been suggested that the clock is ticking on a legendary spell in the Spanish capital, with a contract running down towards free agency in 2021, but Casemiro is among those looking to make the most of every opportunity to learn from a modern-day great.

    The Brazilian midfielder told reporters of Ramos ahead of a European clash with Inter on Wednesday that the Blancos’ skipper will sit out through injury: “Sergio is a leader in the dressing room and on the field. It’s a pleasure to have shared all these years with him. What he’s doing now is writing his name in the club’s history books.

    “He’s a player who never gives up. He always wants to fight and he always wants to win. He pushes the team forward, and he’s a leader and a role model for us.”

    While Ramos is the undoubted on-field leader for Real, Casemiro is among the others filling vital roles.

    He said of the importance now placed on a holding midfield post: “I always say that a footballer, whatever his age, is going to learn something new every day, even if it’s small details.

    “The role of the defensive midfielder was quite common in the past, especially in Brazil.

    “We had a lot of players, like Mauro Silva, Gilberto Silva and Dunga, who felt comfortable playing that number five role, as we say in Brazil. That ceased to exist, but now it’s returning because formations themselves have changed.

    “Today we’ve returned to the old formation where the full-backs are coming up high and then backing away, and the defensive midfielder plays a vital role in this. He provides balance and must keep an eye on the other players and fill any gaps they leave.

    “The defensive midfielder is the centre of everything in the midfield and is essential for any team.”

    Casemiro will be looking to prove that point when Real take in a trip to San Siro, with Zinedine Zidane’s side having already claimed a dramatic 3-2 win over Inter in this season’s Champions League.

    “We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy game but mentally we were very strong and focused on victory. And then Rodrygo confirmed it with a goal,” Casemiro said of an eventful game at the Bernabeu on November 3.

    “The mental work and concentration that we maintained throughout the whole match were very important. We’re aware that there is still a long way to go, but that victory was very important.”