India cricket superstar Virat Kohli has been urged to take inspiration from Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane when it comes to transfers.
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Football superstars always on the moveDetermined to land major honoursSimilar advice offered on different fieldWHAT HAPPENED?
Despite being a generational talent and hero to millions in his homeland, Kohli is finding it impossible to land one of the grandest prizes in his chosen profession. Having remained loyal to Royal Challengers Bengaluru throughout his IPL career to date, the mercurial batsman is yet to savour success in that iconic T20 competition.
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Another quest for ultimate glory has come to an end in 2024, after suffering an Eliminator defeat to the Rajasthan Royals, and questions are being asked of whether Kohli should seek a change of scenery in order to enjoy a reversal in fortune.
WHAT PIETERSEN SAID
With legendary figures from the world of football being used to hammer home that point, ex-England captain Kevin Pietersen has told : “I have said it before and I will say it again – the greats of the game in other sports, have left teams to go and seek glory somewhere else. When he has tried and tried so hard – won the Orange Cap yet again and done so much yet again and the franchise fails again. I understand for the brand of the team and the commercial value he brings to the team… But Virat Kohli deserves a trophy. He deserves to play in a team that could help him to get that trophy. I think it's about time Virat thought long and hard. [David] Beckham left, Ronaldo left, Messi left, Harry Kane just left Spurs and went to Bayern Munich.”
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Former England skipper Beckham spent time with Manchester United, Real Madrid, the LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain in his playing days. Prolific frontman Kane has severed career-long ties with Tottenham to chase down elusive silverware in Germany, while Messi has graced the books at Inter Miami and PSG since leaving Barcelona and Ronaldo finds himself in the Middle East with Al-Nassr after winning countless honours at United, Madrid and Juventus.
Manish Pandey’s last-ball six took Sunrisers to the Super Over, but Mumbai cruised to a win after keeping them to 8 in the tie-breaker
The Report by Mohammad Isam02-May-2019
Mumbai Indians beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Super Over after the teams had tied with 162 each, with a Hardik Pandya six helping them chase the required nine runs with three balls to spare. The win put Mumbai in the playoffs alongside Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings.Manish Pandey and Mohammad Nabi, whose partnership had brought back the Sunrisers into the game, could only last four balls in the Super Over. Pandey was run out first ball before Nabi, having struck Jasprit Bumrah for a top-edged six, was clean bowled.The match ended in the Super Over after Manish Pandey slammed a six off the last ball of the match in regulation time. With 17 needed off the final over, Mohammad Nabi hit Hardik for a six over long-on, off the third ball, before falling off the next ball. Pandey then ran hard for two runs off the fifth ball, before sending Pandya over wide long-on for a last-ball six to level the scores.Earlier, Mumbai had reached 162 for 5 on the back of Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten 69 that came off 58 balls, containing six fours and two sixes. None of the other Mumbai batsmen could take cues from de Kock, as they struggled against Sunrisers’ accurate bowling.Khaleel’s timely blowsLeft-arm quick Khaleel Ahmed ensured Mumbai didn’t stretch their fast scoring for too long, on three crucial ocassions. After Rohit Sharma got Mumbai off to a sound start with five fours, Khaleel’s slower ball duped him into slicing one to mid-on. It cut short the opening stand to 36 runs.Khaleel then removed Suryakumar Yadav after he had added 54 runs for the second wicket with de Kock, as the two batsmen looked primed to taking Mumbai to a bigger score. Then Khaleel began the final over by forcing Kieron Pollard to top edge a slower length ball, to be caught at square-leg. Khaleel was helped by good catching from the Sunrisers’ outfielders, but it was an assured performance from the youngster.Mumbai rely on de KockDe Kock remained unbeaten on 69, although with more support he could have put Mumbai onto a bigger score. Much of it was expected when he was batting with Suryakumar, but Mumbai have two of the best big-hitters in the business. However, de Kock had to take over the hitting in the last five overs as both Hardik and Pollard had fallen cheaply.Krunal and Bumrah cut down Sunrisers’ scoringMartin Guptill, who replaced David Warner, and Wriddhiman Saha sprung to a fast start but the latter fell to Jasprit Bumrah’s slower delivery in the fourth over, caught at point, just as the Sunrisers were gaining momentum. Bumrah then removed Guptill in his next over, and although the New Zealander reviewed the lbw decision, replays showed that the ball was hitting leg stump. Although the Sunrisers’ 59 for 2 was better than Mumbai’s score at the end of the Powerplay, Bumrah’s removal of the openers chipped away at their run-rate.Krunal Pandya then had Williamson, after reviewing successfully for an lbw in the eighth over, before Vijay Shankar was caught at long-on to reduce the Sunrisers to 98 for 4 in the 14th over.Pandey keeps Sunrisers aliveEverything rested on Manish Pandey, who had been the Sunrisers’ set batsman at the crease. After Abhishek Sharma was caught behind off Hardik, Mumbai held back the Sunrisers for the following 15 balls, conceding just 17 runs. Finally at the end of the 18th over, Mohammad Nabi swung Lasith Malinga for a six over point.Bumrah bowled four good balls in the penultimate over before Pandey struck him for two fours to bring down the required runs to 17 off the last over. Pandey took the Sunrisers into the Super Over but couldn’t quite do the job a second time.
Bangladesh coach reflects on his attempts to give younger players greater responsibility after a year in the job
Mohammad Isam in Taunton13-Jun-2019A year on from joining as Bangladesh’s head coach, Steve Rhodes has made quiet contributions to the team’s progress. He has now overseen 15 wins in 25 ODIs, as well as a Test series win over West Indies. Now well into their World Cup campaign, Bangladesh are a team rated as one of the more dangerous sides in the tournament.The BCB chose Rhodes after Paul Farbrace, Andy Flower, Tom Moody and a host of other coaches had said no to the Bangladesh job between November 2017 and May 2018. Rhodes had a tough mandate to not just follow up on Chandika Hathurusingha’s success, but also to chaperone the side through a World Cup in his home country.Bangladesh have made progress on the back of consistency from their top five players – Shakib Al Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim – but in the World Cup’s lead-up, the refreshing factor has been the performance of someone like Soumya Sarkar who has looked in good form.Rhodes said that in the past 12 months, he has tried to give Bangladesh’s newer crop of players like Soumya, who made his debut in 2014, more liberty, along with responsibilities so that they develop the strength of character to take decisions for themselves. He said that Soumya, Mehidy Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman and Mohammad Saifuddin had earned their places in the playing XI through not just performance, but improved consistency.”It is my plan as a coach to try and give these guys some responsibilities on the field and in training,” Rhodes told ESPNcricinfo. “So that they can make some decisions for themselves and grow and learn. It is a little bit different to the way it has been run, but I think that’s the way we get the younger players performing. Everyone then says it is a better squad.”Soumya is finding his feet. Liton [Das] is in good form, although he is not playing. Sabbir [Rahman] with that hundred in New Zealand, and [Mehidy Hasan] Miraz has been bowling in the last two or three years. Nobody mentions [Mustafizur Rahman] Fizz, and Saifuddin has come through. So I do think we are starting to get a little bit more depth.”Rhodes said that some of these players had improved enough to ensure that Bangladesh’s squad has a bit more depth than before.Their World Cup campaign so far has seen them beat South Africa, go close against New Zealand but then fizzle out against England. They would have also expected to beat Sri Lanka if not for the washout in Bristol, while they have beaten West Indies, their next opponent, quite regularly in the past 12 months. Rhodes said that Bangladesh should consider themselves as a major competitor against bigger teams.”I think if you look at all the teams in this competition, we have a right to be on those fields competing against some of these big teams. But we are still well short of the depth and quality of some of these teams as well. But I’d say that we do have some wholehearted, trying cricketers. We also have some great ability. Shakib has been absolutely amazing. We are starting to get a little bit more depth in the players that, you might say, are less experienced.”At the time of Rhodes took over in June last year, Bangladesh were going through a bit of a confidence crisis, following heavy losses in South Africa and at home against Sri Lanka, as well as getting blanked by Afghanistan in a T20 series. The confidence, at least in ODIs, was regained when they beat West Indies 2-1 away, before getting one back at them in the Test series at home in November.Rhodes was also expected to deal with BCB chief Nazmul Hassan regularly and quite directly, and so far those exchanges have hardly made the news – which is a good thing. There is however a lot left for Rhodes to do, when it comes to the Test side that was battered by New Zealand earlier this year, as well as a better plan for the T20 side.Seen as a positive presence in the dressing room, Rhodes has understood how and where not to coach certain cricketers, and areas where he has to put his foot down. Albeit quietly.
The January transfer window is set to slam shut on Thursday and Celtic could be in for a busy few days of business before the deadline passes.
Brendan Rodgers watched on as his side scraped a 1-0 win over Ross County in their Scottish Premiership return on Saturday, thanks to a goal from Alistair Johnston in the first minute.
The Hoops had 70% of the ball and took 17 shots at the opposition's goal but failed to find the back of the net after that stunning start to the game, with Luis Palma's missed penalty in the 28th minute contributing to that failure.
Nicolas Kuhn, who was signed from Rapid Wien earlier this month, came off the bench to make his debut for the Bhoys but he may not be the last attacking addition to the squad before the window slams shut.
Minutes played
26
Key passes
Zero
Dribbles completed
One
Pass accuracy
69%
Football Insider previously reported that Rodgers would like to bring in another number nine to bolster his squad, along with a left-back and a goalkeeper.
Celtic's search for a striker
Celtic's search for a striker appears to be nearing a conclusion as they have identified the son of one of their former centre-forwards – Pierre van Hooijdonk – as a target.
Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph claims that Sydney van Hooijdonk is looking to move on from Serie A side Bologna before the end of the window.
The journalist adds that the Hoops have been keeping tabs on the Dutch youngster for 'some time' and that the club are in the market to bring in another striker.
Brendan Rodgers.
However, he did state that the Scottish giants have not made contact with Bologna over a deal to sign the 23-year-old marksman at this stage.
Meanwhile, TNT commentator Paul Dempsey claimed on Saturday evening, as relayed by the Daily Record, that a move to Parkhead is "on the cards" for the young attacker.
He was on duty for Bologna's Serie A clash with AC Milan and noted that van Hooijdonk was absent from the matchday squad for the Italian side, as an apparent switch to Scotland could be on.
However, it remains to be seen how close a deal is or how much the Bhoys would be willing to pay for his services, and if it is enough to tempt the Serie A team into cashing in on him.
If Rodgers does secure a swoop for van Hooijdonk before the deadline passes on Thursday then the Northern Irish head coach could land an exciting partner for Kyogo Furuhashi, as well as competition for the Japan international, at the top end of the pitch.
Kyogo's drop-off in form under Rodgers
The 29-year-old attacker enjoyed a sensational 2022/23 campaign under Ange Postecoglou to cement himself as a star for the Scottish giants.
Kyogo racked up a staggering 27 goals and two assists in 36 Premiership appearances for the club, in 31 starts, as he showcased his goalscoring quality on a regular basis.
His sensational form in front of goal earned him the PFA Scotland Men's Player of the Year award, which shows that the striker's peers recognised and respected his quality.
Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi.
He produced an eye-catching 34 goals and five assists in 50 matches in all competitions for Celtic, which is a goal every 1.47 outings on average, as they won a domestic treble under the Australian head coach.
Postecoglou moved on from Parkhead last summer and was replaced by Rodgers, for his second spell, in the dugout and that change appears to have had a negative impact on Kyogo.
The Japan international has produced 11 goals and three assists in 31 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops so far this season, which is a return of one strike every 2.82 games on average.
That is a staggering decline in form for the experienced centre-forward, who has not been able to replicate or kick on from his goalscoring exploits last term.
Appearances
36
23
Goals
27
Eight
Big chances missed
16
12
Minutes per goal
86
201
As you can see in the table above, the Hoops striker has struggled badly in comparison to his incredible performances during the 2022/23 campaign.
The signing of van Hooijdonk could help Kyogo by providing him with serious competition for his place, to drive his motivation up, and possibly a fantastic partner for him in the final third.
The stats that show why Celtic should sign van Hooijdonk
The 23-year-old whiz has struggled to make his mark in Italy this season, with one goal in 11 matches for Bologna, but has previously showcased his quality in the Netherlands.
Van Hooijdonk, who was once hailed as "prolific" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, spent 18 months on loan with Heerenveen in the Eredivisie from January 2022 through to the summer of 2023 and caught the eye in front of goal.
The Dutch finisher racked up six goals, and only missed three 'big chances', in 13 top-flight appearances during the second half of the 2021/22 campaign.
Appearances
41
16
70
Goals
35
Seven
23
Assists
Two
Zero
Four
He followed that first five months on loan up with a superb return of 16 goals, with only ten 'big chances' missed, in 30 Eredivisie starts for Heereveen over the subsequent 12 months.
Overall, van Hooijdonk produced 22 goals and only missed 13 'big chances' in 43 league starts on loan with the Dutch side, which is a return of one strike every 1.95 starts on average.
This suggests that the Celtic target has the potential to offer more in front of goal than Kyogo has so far this season, as his form for Heerenveen over that 18-month spell was more impressive than what the current Hoops ace has mustered up in the Premiership.
Van Hooijdonk could also be a fantastic partner for the Japanese dynamo as he excels where the 29-year-old struggles – in aerial contests with defenders.
Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi.
He won 2.0 aerial duels per game in the Eredivisie last season, with a success rate of 45%, whilst Kyogo has won 0.2 per game, with a success rate of 20%, in the league this term.
The £7.6k-per-week striker could, therefore, provide a physical outlet at the top end of the pitch that would allow the current Celtic marksman to play off and around him without needing to worry about engaging in physical duels with towering Scottish defenders, which could free him up to focus on improving his output in front of goal.
This could make them an exciting pairing for Rodgers in the final third as well as excellent competition for each other to drive up the standards in training and on matchdays.
Jose Mourinho put the blame on Erik ten Hag for his failure to "get the best out of" Jadon Sancho at Manchester United.
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Sancho had a public fallout with Ten HagShipped out on loan to Borussia DortmundMourinho took aim at Man Utd bossWHAT HAPPENED?
The tension between Sancho and Ten Hag became evident after the Dutch manager publicly criticised Sancho’s training efforts. Following these remarks, Sancho took to social media to refute his manager’s claims, an act that further soured their relationship. The fallout resulted in Sancho being frozen out of the first-team setup in September after he refused to apologise for his public outburst – before being ultimately shipped out on loan to Borussia Dortmund in January.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT MOURINHO SAID
Mourinho, a seasoned manager with a wealth of experience, including a tenure at Manchester United, sympathized with Sancho’s situation. In a chat with , Mourinho stated: "As a player, we know his talent. We saw what he could do, there are no doubts about it. What happened at Man United…if I look at my own history, sometimes I failed with players. Sometimes I couldn't create the right empathy, I couldn't understand the player's DNA and I couldn't help players grow up in the right direction. The majority of times, yes, I did it but on some occasions, I couldn't.
"I think sometimes we have to learn with experiences, which I tried always to do, to try to understand the nature of the player. Sometimes they have the talent but don't have the mindset you want from a player. For sure, the kid [Sancho] made mistakes, that's for sure, but for sure his manager was not able to get the best out of him."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
When questioned about whether Sancho was let down by United as a whole, Mourinho highlighted that such situations are typically influenced by multiple factors. “Normally, it's multi-factorial. Normally, it's not the manager, the player, the family, the agent, the club,” he noted, suggesting that the blame cannot rest solely on one party.
However, Mourinho reiterated that experienced coaches bear significant responsibility in guiding young players. “But looking at myself as a coach, I did many times get the best out of young players and helped them to be what they were in the future. Other times I failed. For sure, even if it's multi-factorial, we are part of it. For us coaches with more experience and many situations of déjà vu as we get older, we try to help the players in the right direction. I think in this case, they look at it and for sure they try to analyse what happened at Man United and what happened and what he found in Dortmund."
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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
Sancho has undoubtedly redeemed himself at Dortmund and has been a crucial figure in the Black and Yellow's run to the Champions League final. However, it remains to be seen if the German outfit can hold on to him for another season or the forward heads back to Old Trafford at the end of his loan term.
Aston Villa are on course to sign Unai Emery’s top target, Morgan Rogers, before the deadline, but it looks as if talks are now open for another attacking addition.
Aston Villa's January signings
It emerged on Tuesday that Villa have finally reached an agreement with Middlesbrough to sign Rogers following three offers. A medical looks set to take place today, and all being well, the winger will be a Villa player before tomorrow evening’s deadline.
Rogers is on course to become Villa’s second winter window signing after right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic, who joined from Red Star Belgrade before heading back to the club on loan for the remainder of the season.
There have also been rumours about a new goalkeeper arriving to serve as back up to Emiliano Martinez, that man being Adelaide United’s Joe Gauci, with an agreement reached.
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Meanwhile, another attacking addition appears to be of interest, and this one could be the club’s biggest signing of the month, should Villa match the asking club's valuation.
Aston Villa in Broja talks
According to TEAMtalk, Aston Villa are in talks to sign Armando Broja from Chelsea. Fulham and Wolves are also in discussions, with the Blues valuing the striker at £35m.
The report adds that Villa ‘could use Chelsea’s interest in striker Jhon Duran to their advantage in negotiations’, with Mauricio Pochettino a fan of the Colombian, believing he could become a world-class forward. Chelsea could also sanction a loan deal for Broja, although they would want an obligation to buy included in the deal.
Chelsea striker Armando Broja.
The 22-year-old, labelled an “animal” by reporter Jacob Tanswell, hasn’t exactly nailed down a starting spot at Stamford Bridge during the current campaign, featuring on just six occasions in Pochettino’s starting XI in the Premier League.
He’s also been missing with ligament and knee issues in the early stages of the campaign, and as the stats show, as per FBref, Broja has a similar record to Duran.
Jhon Duran
Armando Broja
Matches played
98
88
Minutes
4,287
4,594
Goals
19
18
Expected goals
9.8
16.1
Assists
7
2
Expected assists
1.9
3.4
Therefore, with Duran not exactly making a mark in the Midlands, leaving Ollie Watkins as the main man in attack, perhaps Villa wouldn’t be getting a huge upgrade on Druan in Broja, but it looks as if it is one to watch in the final hours of the window.
Thrilling 13-run victory breaks Worcestershire’s hearts as County Championship showcases its true glories
Paul Edwards24-Jul-2019 They will be waltzing in Montpellier Gardens tonight. Even the public reading of will have to be postponed. There may even be a knees-up at the Bowls Club and raucous chanting in the Pittville Pump Room. Until the 2019 Cheltenham Festival this classiest of English towns was, with the exception of its racecourse, not comfortable with mayhem Then Gareth Roderick’s six took care of Leicestershire last week and this evening David Payne’s bouncer to Adam Finch, Worcestershire’s last man, was deflected via edge or glove to second slip where the substitute fielder, George Hankins, scooped up the catch.Gloucestershire had won by 13 runs. At once Payne set off a manic lap of honour in which he was pursued by team-mates including James Bracey, the substitute wicketkeeper, who had taken four fine catches during the day. Also sprinting like a madman escaping the asylum was Ryan Higgins whose four wickets had brought his total in the match to seven in addition to his 112 runs. And there was Ethan Bamber, who was loaned to Gloucestershire for the festival and, given his thespian connections, knows a fine stage when he sees it. Two weeks repertory in Cheltenham probably suited him fine. Bamber’s dismissal of Ben Cox, caught by Higgins at mid-on for 42, began a collapse which saw Worcestershire lose their last six wickets for 61 runs and finish three good hits short of their target, which was 246.But Payne and his mates were not alone. On the balcony of this great old pavilion, the coaches hugged and down below in the stands and bars supporters who really should have known better did little dances of delight. No doubt their health insurance will cover any mishaps. One player, though, remained motionless on his haunches for some time. Joe Leach, the Worcestershire captain, knows this result all but ends his team’s chances of promotion. So there was stillness and movement. There was silence and noise. And to think that nine hours earlier the biggest event taking place on the College Ground was the watering of the hanging baskets.Ah yes, the early morning. Let us rewind to the time before Gloucestershire had collected the 23 points which takes them up to joint-second in Division Two with Glamorgan. In the first 45 minutes of the day’s play Gloucestershire’s last two wickets had added a further 35 runs in 12 overs, five of which were sent down by the legspinner, Brett D’Oliveira in preference to Leach, his team’s best bowler. Who, one asked, would Bamber have preferred to face? The decision seemed barely explicable at the time, and those runs, which seemed important then, were to look absolutely priceless seven or so hours later.Anyway, Worcestershire needed 246 and one of the most vital innings in their season had the worst possible start when Daryl Mitchell nicked David Payne’s first ball to Bracey. But Chris Dent, whose captaincy was masterly on this final day, had to rotate his attack carefully because Matt Taylor’s side strain prevented him bowling. Perhaps realising this, Riki Wessels carried the attack to Gloucestershire, driving both new-ball bowlers for fours and clouting Payne over long on for six with a shot borrowed from short-form cricket. When Higgins came on, Wessels moved into overdrive, taking 17 runs off his first two overs and forcing Dent to bowl Tom Smith from the Chapel End just before lunch. A calming over, we thought – perhaps Dent did, too – but Wessels’ attempt to cut the left-arm spinner’s third delivery only nicked the ball to Bracey. Having made 42 off 44 balls Wessels ambled off to have lunch, perhaps reflecting, unduly harshly, that he had brought his downfall on himself.
Down below in the stands and bars supporters who really should have known better did little dances of delight. No doubt their health insurance will cover any mishaps
The afternoon’s cricket contrived to be both tense and, in its way, rather tranquil. Higgins returned to his usual tight-fisted ways, conceding eight runs in seven overs and claiming the wickets of Ed Barnard and Ross Whiteley. That left Worcestershire on 100 for 4 but further decline was resisted by the gentle class of Ferguson and the obduracy of Cox during the twenty overs until tea. Ferguson cut both spinners and seamers alike when possible and reached his fifty after three hours’ concentration a few balls before the break.Ferguson, you see, does not do flash. Even in T20 cricket his shots have a trace of orthodox classicism about them. So imagine, if you will, the gentle grace with which he batted this afternoon at Cheltenham and the concern it aroused among home supporters sitting under the giant red and white gazebos which Gloucestershire had considerately erected for supporters seeking to avoid the heat. A silence settled on the ground and remained there for many overs. This was one of those days when the detailed plans of the coaches are bound tightly to the simple hopes of supporters.Worcestershire took tea on 146 for 4 and one imagines that a few in the crowd enjoyed patum peperium. Cox and Ferguson added a further 36 runs after the resumption only for Bamber to make the breakthrough. Three overs later, Benny Howell took the vital wicket of Ferguson when a rather tired cut-cum-force off the back foot edged a catch to Bracey. Ten minutes later, D’Oliveira had gone too, caught by Hankins at slip off the underappreciated Howell. Worcestershire were 198 for 7. Can it be, asked the spectators, and tried to keep a tight grip on their wits.Leach and Wayne Parnell added 31 runs and the balance of the game shifted. Worcestershire supporters, whose presence so enriched this game, began to nurture their own hopes. Then Higgins trimmed Parnell’s off bail and knocked back Dillon Pennington’s middle stump, all in the space of three balls. Finch came in and three overs later Payne rain in to bowl to him. Half an hour later there was a curious spike in sales of sal volatile in the Cheltenham chemists’ shops.Glamorgan and Gloucestershire now lead a group of six counties covered by 20 points. They will effectively be fighting over two promotion places when the Championship returns next month. Any readers with a clear idea of which of these fine teams will win promotion in September are encouraged to write in.But none of that bothered Dent’s players as they went over to the marquee and drank a well-earned beer or two. They returned over the outfield they have adorned so nobly this fortnight and must now prepare for T20 games. But they will remember the matches against Leicestershire and Worcestershire for as long as they play cricket. Indeed, days like this are why they play the game.And there was even a reminder that Cheltenham College is, after all, a school when a page torn from an exercise book drifted onto the pavilion balcony. It read as follows: “Senior School Punishment Ledger: Note to Graves (C) Upper Sixth: Write out 200 times: The County Championship is the greatest glory in English domestic cricket. We do not need The Hundred.”The paper blew away before anybody could grab it. But maybe everyone had seen enough.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr have reportedly opened talks with Juventus to sign goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
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Szczesny been at Juventus since 2017Old Lady set to sign new keeper Di GregorioRonaldo's Al-Nassr open talks to sign PoleWHAT HAPPENED?
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Saudi Pro League side have begun talks to sign the Poland international. He adds the Italian outfit are prepared to sell the 34-year-old, with Monza's Michele Di Gregorio seemingly set to join for £15.3 million ($19.4m). Moreover, a new contract is likely to come the way of backup stopper Mattia Perin, opening the door for a Szczesny exit.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Szczesny is out of contract at Juventus in 2025, so selling him this summer for a fee makes financial sense. He has played 252 times for the Serie A team and has been a successful signing since leaving Arsenal seven years ago. But it seems a new chapter in his career is approaching.
Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?
During his time with the Old Lady, the Pole has won three Serie A titles, the Coppa Italia three times, and two Italian Super Cups. In that time, he has continued to rack up caps for his country, with the veteran currently sitting at 81 to date.
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WHAT NEXT?
While the former Roma and Brentford loanee deliberates on his future, he is set to represent Poland in Euro 2024, with his country facing the Netherlands, Austria and France in the group stages.
The quick bowler is eager to get back into the Test side for Lord’s where he expects there to be a bit more life in the surface
Daniel Brettig in Worcester09-Aug-2019Josh Hazlewood has effectively dared England to prepare green, seaming pitches for the remaining four Ashes Tests, arguing that the balance of the visiting 2019 squad – featuring Pat Cummins, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle, Michael Neser and himself – is far better than the combination chosen four years ago.In 2015, Hazlewood was part of a squad that toured England with a surfeit of fast men, featuring Mitchell Johnson, Starc and Cummins in addition to himself, following the forced retirement of Ryan Harris. But the bombing raid approach only worked for one of the five Tests at Lord’s, as slower, seam-and-swing friendly surfaces did not suit the attack elsewhere, leading finally to a belated recall for Siddle.Having taken 3 for 34 against Worcestershire at New Road, Hazlewood indicated that the bowlers were both content to be used as a flexible squad and confident the right combinations would be found irrespective of what surfaces are prepared at Lord’s, Headingley, Old Trafford and The Oval. The success of Siddle, Cummins and Pattinson in Birmingham, on a pitch that started out as seam-friendly but swiftly dried out into a haven for Nathan Lyon, will force England to look at other options for their pitches.”We’ve got three guys with proper air speed and we’ve got three guys who seam and swing it a little bit, so I think that’s what they’ve got six quicks for, to have all bases covered. And I guess it’s just who’s bowling the best at that particular time and who gets the nod,” Hazlewood said when asked if the balance of bowlers meant England would not be able to prepare pitches unsuited to the Australian bowlers this time around. “I think every quick really feels the pressure of the other five or vice versa, and it’s great competition to have within the squad.”It depends on what the wicket dishes up. If it’s a dry wicket that reverse swing might come into play [on] or very flat, then someone like Mitch Starc can come in to play. If it’s nice and green and seaming around, then it’s myself and Sidds. It just depends on what conditions are, to be honest. They’ve definitely gone a different way to 2015 and I think that’s because of how tight [together] the Tests are, that’s why we’ve got six here, and anyone can do a different job on a different day. It’s getting that balance in the attack.”I think there’ll be a little bit more in it [at Lord’s], but in saying that, probably their best exponent, Jimmy [James Anderson], is not going to play. So that might weigh up different options, but I think there’ll be more in it, maybe just to try to get [Steven] Smithy out. But him batting on those sort of tracks is very hard work. I think it suits us as much as them if there is more in the wicket, so we’ll weigh it up.”At Edgbaston, Hazlewood and Starc had the unusual experience of being left out of a Test match in which both would have been fit to play, something the former admitted he had not experienced since a combination of niggling injuries and declining performance saw him replaced by Siddle for the aforementioned Oval Test in 2015.”Yeah it would be, especially for a Test match – probably last time here I think at The Oval, maybe four years ago. So a while ago,” Hazlewood said. “Coming back from a pretty serious back injury, back-to-back stress fractures, it can take a while to get back in the swing of things, and I feel I’m getting better and better each bowl and last night and today felt really good, so if I can keep improving there and keep putting my hand up every time I get the chance then that’s all you can do.”Sidds has obviously been playing a lot of cricket and I think the other guys picked themselves. Jimmy [Pattinson] has been bowling fantastic for Nottinghamshire and on the Australia A tour and in Southampton as well bowled incredibly. So it’s pretty stiff competition at the moment, and we’ve got Mitch Starc and Michael Neser as well. It’s a great group of guys, we all want everyone else to do really well as a group, and try and win the Ashes as a group of six not just us and them playing.”Lord’s four years ago was arguably Hazlewood’s best match of the series, as he found better control with the Dukes ball and claimed key wickets in each innings in concert with Starc, Johnson and Mitchell Marsh. He is understandably eager for a recall at the home of the game.”I’ve just played the one Test there but thought I got used to the slope pretty quickly and felt pretty comfortable there,” he said. “I think the conditions have been quite bowler friendly there the last few Test matches, so I’d love an opportunity. Obviously I was quite young or inexperienced the first time I played there in a Test match, and it probably passed me by pretty quickly, but just playing at Lord’s in an Ashes Test it doesn’t get much better to be honest and I’m looking forward.”
Tottenham have made it clear that they will bid for a £150,000-per-week "class act" this summer, according to a rival club insider.
Postecoglou keen on new midfielder at Spurs
Much has been made about manager Ange Postecoglou's desire to bring in a new midfield running man, with reports in January stating that the Australian wants a new running man who can alternate with James Maddison (Miguel Delaney).
Spurs make contract offer to sign star who nearly joined Pochettino in 2018
He publicly admitted to considering a Tottenham move.
ByEmilio Galantini Feb 15, 2024
The most standout name to be regularly linked with a potential move to Spurs is Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, but the club have alternatives to the Englishman in case he puts pen to paper on a new deal at Stamford Bridge.
Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey is one, with a report by David Ornstein in The Athletic claiming last month that Tottenham are big fans of the 22-year-old.
The homegrown ace can play further forward and in the middle of the park, with another appealing aspect being the fact Ramsey is also homegrown. Tottenham are said to be compiling a shortlist of summer targets already, and it appears a new midfielder may well be something to watch out for.
Jacob Ramsey for Aston Villa
Rodrigo Bentancur arguably hasn't rediscovered his very best form since returning from a serious ACL injury, while Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's future at Spurs has been up in the air for quite a while amid a consistent lack of starting opportunities for the Dane.
Both Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr have been mainstays under Postecoglou while impressing, but their trips to AFCON last month highlight just how much Spurs could do with quality alternatives to the duo.
Sharing news on another midfield star who Tottenham could well move for this summer, West Ham insider Claret & Hugh have a very interesting bit of detail on Spurs' plans for Lucas Paqueta.
Tottenham "clear" they will bid for Paqueta
According to C&H, Tottenham have made it clear they will bid for Paqueta alongside the likes of Arsenal, Aston Villa, Man United and Man City.
This will be once his investigation surrounding gambling breaches is cleared up, and while this could be a tricky deal to pull off given both West Ham and Spurs' rivalry, there is little denying the Brazilian's obvious quality.
West Ham 3-0 Wolves
8.88
West Ham 3-2 Nottingham Forest
8.20
Luton Town 2-3 West Ham
8.02
Burnley 1-2 West Ham
7.86
Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham
7.79
Paqueta has bagged five goals and five assists across all competitions for David Moyes' side this season, with WhoScored listing him as their best-performing player by average match rating in the league.
Former Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has also branded the £150,000-per-week star a "class act".
"Lucas Paqueta has been a class act for West Ham recently," said Redknapp to BetVictor last year (via football.london).
"West Ham are playing their best football of the season right now and the pairing of him and [Declan] Rice in the midfield is a big reason why."