Manchester United officials reportedly “sense” that Chelsea will launch a late swoop for Jadon Sancho before the summer transfer window closes.
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PCB chairman says a team will review the decision to split points for the India and Pakistan women’s championship series
Danyal Rasool17-Apr-2020PCB chairman Ehsan Mani expressed Pakistan’s disappointment with the ICC’s decision to split points for an ICC Women’s Championship series between India and Pakistan that went unplayed after the BCCI were unable to obtain permission from the Indian government to go ahead with the series. The decision meant India qualified for the 2021 Women’s World Cup, while Pakistan were consigned to playing the qualifiers, finishing on 19 points compared to India’s 23. The ruling is particularly significant for Pakistan because had the ICC awarded them all six points, as was the case in a similar scenario in 2016, Pakistan would have qualified for the playoffs automatically, while India would have had to go through the qualifiers for the Women’s World Cup.”We are of course disappointed with the decision, but our team (comprising the CEO, legal department, and other heads) is reviewing the matter. Once that’s done, we will be able to comment,” Mani told Sportstar.ESPNcricinfo understands the PCB has been in touch with the ICC, but there has been otherwise near total silence over the decision, which came on Wednesday. There is anticipation of a statement in the coming days once the PCB conducts a full review, but the prolonged delay after which a reaction may come suggests the statement could be more conciliatory than combative.The PCB had attempted to engage with their Indian counterparts about the series on the sidelines of the last couple of ICC meetings, a series they viewed as a bilateral issue rather than one that needed ICC engagement. It appears they did not receive a meaningful response from the BCCI, either in writing or verbally.In 2016, the ICC decided to give Pakistan full points when India failed to show up for a series, but there is one difference that looks to have secured a more desirable outcome for the BCCI. On that occasion, the BCCI offered no written explanation for the failure to proceed with the series, and the technical investigation committee found the BCCI had not been able to establish “acceptable reasons” for non-participation in the series.This time around, the BCCI engaged with the ICC early on, making its stand clear about why it could not play Pakistan in the ODI series scheduled in 2019. ESPNcricinfo understands the BCCI made extensive submissions as early as 2018 demonstrating that it could not get the relevant permission from the Indian government to play Pakistan. That helped the ICC’s technical committee to invoke the clause on this occasion.”With respect to the India v Pakistan series, the TC (technical committee) concluded that the series could not be played because of a Force Majeure event after the BCCI demonstrated that it was unable to obtain the necessary government clearances to allow India to participate in the bilateral series against Pakistan, which forms a part of the ICC Women’s Championship,” the ICC said in the media release on Wednesday.The technical committee comprises Geoff Allardice (ICC general manager of cricket), Chris Tetley (ICC head of events) and Jonathan Hall (ICC general counsel).
Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca has open up on the role he wants Joao Felix to play following his move from Atletico Madrid this week.
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Felix signed seven-year Chelsea dealMaresca revealed his tactical qualitiesAttacker could play against WolvesWHAT HAPPENED?
The Portugal international returned to Stamford Bridge, where he spent six months on loan in 2023, from Atletico in a deal worth a reported £45.5 million (€53m/$59m), signing a six-year contract that includes an option to extend for a further 12 months.
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After spending last season on loan at Barcelona, Felix appeared likely to join the Catalan club on a permanent basis, but was instead drafted in as Chelsea's 10th summer signing since Maresca took charge after the close of last season. The Italian manager is confident Felix will settle in well upon his return to London and explained what he expects from him.
WHAT MARESCA SAID
"For me, he can [play as a No.9] fantastically; dropping in and giving us an extra man when we need more passes, more possession," Maresca said at a press conference. "And then to find the right moment to attack, he can do that very well. He can play as an attacking midfielder, if we need he can play also outside. He can play in different positions."
He added: "Potential, he is a top player, no doubt. I have known Joao for many, many years. Now, working with him day-by-day, I will know him even better. It is a little bit like Misha [Mudryk]; we are going to help them to improve and see if they can give one step forward to reach that kind of level for those players."
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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR FELIX?
Maresca was asked if Felix will be part of the team for the weekend's Premier League match against Wolves. "If he is available, then for sure he can have a chance to play," he replied.
When asked if the attacker is ready to line up for the Blues, he added: "In terms of knowing the way we want to play, probably not yet. In terms of physicality, I think he is ready because he was already playing games there [at Atletico Madrid]. He needs more time to understand the way we want to play but overall I think he can play."
علق فلورنتينو بيريز، رئيس نادي ريال مدريد الإسباني، على فوز رودري بجائزة الكرة الذهبية، بدلًا من الدولي البرازيلي فينيسيوس جونيور نجم الملكي.
ريال مدريد قاطع حفل الكرة الذهبية الذي أقيم أكتوبر الماضي في العاصمة الفرنسية باريس، وذلك بعدما علموا بعدم فوز فينيسيوس بالجائزة.
طالع أيضًا.. تشكيل ريال مدريد المتوقع أمام ليجانيس اليوم في الدوري الإسباني
وقال فلورنتينو بيريز في مؤتمر صحفي اليوم: “لأول مرة في التاريخ، دخل الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم في تنظيم الجائزة”.
وأضاف: “قبل أن أتحدث في أي شيء، أريد أن أقول بأن رودري يستحق التقدير والمودة من ريال مدريد، لأنه دون أدنى شك يستحق الكرة الذهبية، ولكن ليس هذا العام، ربما كان العام الماضي، عندما فاز بكل شيء مع فريقه وسجل هدف الفوز ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا”.
الكرة الذهبية في العام الماضي حصل عليها ليونيل ميسي لاعب فريق كرة القدم الأول بنادي إنتر ميامي الأمريكي.
وشدد: “جائزة هذا العام كانت يجب أن تكون لـ فينيسيوس جونيور، وإذا لم يكن ذلك، كان يمكننا أن نرى كارفاخال هو الذي يحصل عليها أو حتى بيلينجهام، لكن هناك بعض الأشياء المدهشة”.
وأردف: “الاتحاد الأوروبي أشار إلى أنهم لم يتدخلوا في نظام التصويت، لكنهم قاموا بتغيير النظام من 5 لاعبين إلى 10، وعدد النقاط أصبحت من 6 إلى 15”.
وواصل: “من المثير للدهشة أن الصحفيين في البلدان التي يبلغ عدد سكانها نفس عدد سكان الهند لا يصوتون، وبلدان أخرى يقل عدد سكانها عن مليون نسمة يفعلون نفس الأمر، ولا أحد يعرفهم”.
وشدد: “بدون ناميبيا وأوغندا وألبانيا وفنلندا، كان فينيسيوس سيفوز بالكرة الذهبية، وفوق كل هذا، لم تعط هذه الدول أي أصوات لـ فيني (يضحك)، أنا أقدر ذلك تمامًا”.
واستكمل: “يجب أن تكون الكرة الذهبية مستقلة، ويتم التصويت عليها من قبل أشخاص معترف بهم، وفي ظل هذه الظروف رأينا أن الأنسب لنا عدم الحضور للحفل”.
واختتم: “عليكم سؤال المنظمة عن المعايير، وفرانس فوتبول وليكيب وما يدور بينهما وبين الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم”.
Arsenal have tabled a five-year contract offer to try and tempt a £69 million striker into joining them, and he actually shares the same agent as Gunners defender Cedric Soares.
Edu and Arteta targeting prolific new striker for Arsenal
It is perhaps one of the worst-kept secrets in football that Arsenal are keen on bringing in a new number nine when the transfer window reopens.
Arsenal really want to sign £214,000-per-week star, Mikel Arteta is a fan
The Spaniard is rumoured to be “attracted” to his style.
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Fabrizio Romano has backed that Arsenal wish to acquire an "important" striker for manager Mikel Arteta, as sporting director Edu sets his sights on the likes of Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres among other options.
"Arsenal will sign an important striker this summer, and one of the names on their list is Viktor Gyokeres," said Romano on one of his Daily Briefings recently.
They’ve been following the Sporting Lisbon striker during this remarkable season, but they’re not the only ones. Gyokeres is appreciated by Arsenal, but they still have to decide what they’re going to do, and remember that the Swedish striker has a €100m release clause, with Sporting insisting that they want something very close to this fee, not something like €50 or €60m as reported by some media outlets.
Arsenal's top scorers in the league this season
Goals
Bukayo Saka
14
Kai Havertz
11
Leandro Trossard
10
Martin Odegaard
8
Declan Rice
6
"Let’s see what happens with Arsenal, but they could have other options too."
In terms of the "other options" reportedly being targeted, there are many, with the likes of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and Brentford striker Ivan Toney linked in the last few months alone.
Arsenal have been one of the league's most imperious attacking sides this season, and are still firmly in the title race as they wait for a potential slip up from Man City and look to keep chase with Pep Guardiola's side.
Three Gunners stars in Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard boast double digits in terms of league goals scored, but that hasn't deterred Arsenal's transfer plans as they still look to add a goalscorer.
Arsenal table contract offer to sign Joshua Zirkzee
Another target who's been widely linked is Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee.
The £68 million Serie A star's netted 11 goals in 31 league games this season, and it is believed his playing style is an attraction for Arsenal. Now, according to Tuttosport in Italy, via Sport Witness, the north Londoners are ready to accelerate their pursuit of the striker.
Indeed, it is believed Arsenal have tabled a five-year contract offer for Zirkzee via his agent, Kia Joorabchian, who also manages the affairs of Soares (Transfermarkt). The salary offer comes in at around £98,000-per-week, according to this report.
“He’s a great player," said AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli on Zirkzee this season.
"I’ve followed him since his days at Bayern Munich and then at my Parma. A fantastic player, with physicality and quality. He has everything. He’s doing very well at Bologna."
Brighton & Hove Albion march on towards the end of the Premier League season looking to build on a mixed campaign thus far.
The Seagulls head into today's game after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Burnley. Despite this, Roberto De Zerbi's side look like they could beat anyone in the league on their day, but they'll face arguably the biggest challenge they could possibly face, as Manchester City are the opponents.
With a place in Europe a real possibility once again, the Italian will need to keep his squad injury-free – something he is struggling to do as things stand.
With that in mind, Football FanCast is here to keep you updated on all the latest injury news coming out of the Amex.
Brighton & Hove Albion have had a pretty lengthy injury list since the new year, with a number of long-term absentees.
The outlook of the squad for today's clash is similar, with potentially nine set to be out.
The likes of Solly March, Kaoru Mitoma, Billy Gilmour, James Milner, Pervis Estupinan, Evan Ferguson, Tariq Lamptey and Jack Hinshelwood all look set to miss the clash, while Julio Enciso faces a late test.
De Zerbi gave a very brief summary in his press conference:
"The [injury] situation is more or less the same as the last game. [Adam] Webster is available to play. We will see about Julio Enciso on Thursday. [Billy] Gilmour isn’t available, Tariq Lamptey no, James Milner no, Mitoma no, Ferguson no, Hinshelwood no, Pervis [Estupinan] no, his season is finished – it’s muscular, his calf."
|
Player Name |
Injury/Suspension |
Date Injured |
Expected Return Date |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Solly March |
Knee |
21st October |
Unknown |
|
Jack Hinshelwood |
Fractured foot |
Mid-February |
Out for the season |
|
Kaoru Mitoma |
Back injury |
Mid-February |
Out for the season |
|
James Milner |
Thigh injury |
31st January |
Soon |
|
Pervis Estupinan |
Calf |
April |
Out for the season |
|
Evan Ferguson |
Muscular |
March |
Out for the season |
|
Billy Gilmour |
Knee injury |
International break |
Soon |
|
Tariq Lamptey |
Unknown |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Julio Enciso |
Unknown |
N/A |
Potential v Man City |
Julio Enciso featured against Arsenal but missed the clash with Burnley, for reasons that haven't been specified.
And, he now looks set to face a late fitness test ahead of Manchester City.
Tariq Lamptey is another who is set to miss today's game.
Pervis Estupinan either picked up a calf or ankle injury last time out and is set to be out for the remainder of the season.
De Zerbi had this to say:
"Evan felt pain in the ankle a lot of times. He tried to move on and play with pain, but in the end he preferred to stop and think about next season."
Evan Ferguson is another struggling with a muscular injury, and like Estupinan, he's out for the remainder of the season.
Billy Gilmour sustained a knee injury while away on international duty, so he's set to miss another game.
However, it won't be long until he's back, as he's feeling better.
James Milner has been out for a prolonged period of time after suffering a thigh injury.
And, it looks as if he's finally going to return to action soon, but not yet.
Jack Hinshelwood is on the list after fracturing his foot.
He's undergone surgery already and was expected to be out for around three months at the time of the injury.
This will come as a huge blow for both the player and the club, as he's established himself as a regular at right wing-back, scoring three goals in 12 Premier League games.
Solly March was a late casualty in Brighton's Premier League game against Manchester City, as he appeared to bend his knee the wrong way in the dying embers of the game.
The severity of the injury was immediately apparent, and the 29-year-old had to be taken off the pitch with a stretcher.
After the match, De Zerbi delivered the news fans were dreading: "Solly unfortunately is a very, very tough injury, very important injury. We will lose him for a long time."
Some good news for Brighton fans is that De Zerbi said he is hopeful he can return before the end of the season.
Kaoru Mitoma could even be out for the remainder of the current campaign in a huge blow for Brighton.
De Zerbi had this to say in his press last week conference:
"I think we lost Mitoma until the end of the season."
Brighton don't have any suspensions to worry about.
With the club still without a replacement for Dan Ashworth, Newcastle United are reportedly in advanced talks to finally put an end to any speculation and seal their next sporting director.
Newcastle transfer news
Ashworth – on gardening leave since links with a move to Manchester United emerged – looks destined for Old Trafford. His departure is undoubtedly a large blow for Newcastle, who never really got the chance to see Ashworth in his true transfer element, having had so much success at Brighton & Hove Albion previously. One of the most highly-rated in his role, replacing Ashworth was never going to be an easy task.
With the summer transfer window fast approaching, however, the Magpies have seemingly made their move to land a replacement once and for all. According to Sky Sports, Newcastle have held advanced talks to sign Dougie Freedman from Crystal Palace. The sporting director has enjoyed an impressive spell on a budget at Selhurst Park, with his eye for talent clear.
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The frontrunner to now land the Newcastle role ahead of Johannes Spors, Freedman's first task will be to help those at St James' Park put an end to their squad depth troubles and take the side back into the Premier League's top four.
To sum up just how impressive Freedman has been at Palace, he was the man responsible for the arrivals of Eberechi Eze for £20m, Michael Olise for £8m and Marc Guehi for £18m. Worth a combined £46m when they first signed, Eze and Olise now reportedly have a price tag of £60m, whilst Guehi's sits at a reported £50m. From £46m, Freedman's signings could now be sold for a combined £170m.
It is the type of buisness that would see Newcastle avoid any issues with the Premier League's Financial Fair Play rules, whilst building Eddie Howe a young and exciting team.
"Brilliant" Freedman can fill Ashworth void
Ashworth initially earned plaudits at Brighton for his work on a budget to produce such an impressive squad which has come on even further leaps and bounds ever since. Now, Freedman has created a similar reputation and his history of landing bargain deals would go a long way when it comes to avoiding the sale of top stars at St James' Park.
There's no doubt that Crystal Palace owner Steve Parish will be disappointed if Freedman, however, having handed him significant praise earlier this season. Parish said via Sportskeeda: "[He’s been] really important. He’s a brilliant guy. He was the second manager I had at the club.
"He was instrumental in us getting promoted. He’s been instrumental, he saved the club [as a player] when we were about to get relegated from the Championship with a last-minute goal at Stockport. He got us promoted while playing for Wolves."
Dani Carvajal has declared himself open to a future MLS transfer, with Real Madrid set to be his last club in European football.
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Carvajal not thinking about retirementWill leave Europe after Real Madrid exitMLS, SPL and QSL emerge as optionsWHAT HAPPENED?
At 32, Carvajal remains a crucial figure for Los Blancos. The defender emerged as the unlikely hero at Wembley against Borussia Dortmund in May, as he found the back of the net with a 74th-minute header to put Real Madrid in the driving seat to lift their record-extending 15th Champions League title. Carvajal added another prestigious trophy to his collection in July, this time with Spain, after La Roja beat England 2-1 in a tense European Championship final at Berlin’s Olympiastadion.
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As Carvajal's current contract with Real Madrid runs until next summer, the question of where he will play next has naturally arisen. The defender is not ready to hang up his boots but has assured that he won't be joining another European club if he is forced to leave Real Madrid.
WHAT CARVAJAL SAID
Reflecting on his career and future, Carvajal said to : "When I decide not to be at Real Madrid, I’m not going to play in Europe and the alternatives are much reduced.”
When asked about the possibility of moving to the United States, Saudi Arabia or Qatar, he said: "It’s a possibility. Exactly, it would be one of those three options."
He added: "I have until next summer on my contract. I’m not considering retirement at the moment. I talk about it with my family: I want to enjoy every game, every training session. As the years go by, you realise you have to give more value to every moment and enjoy it. The relationship I have with the club is very transparent, very clear. If both parties agree to continue, I hope to stay here for many years.”
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DID YOU KNOW?
Carvajal joined Real's Castilla team when he was 10 and two years later he laid the first stone at Valdebebas, Real Madrid's current training and sports centre, alongside the late club legend Alfredo Di Stefano. Aside from a brief spell at Bayer Leverkusen in 2012-13, Carvajal has spent his entire career to date with Los Blancos.
Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke has suggested that Marcus Rashford does not have the "fire in his belly" to come out of his current "slump".
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The wheels may be coming off ever so slightly for Tottenham Hotspur at the moment, with four defeats on the bounce, but the overall feeling around the club is far more positive than it was just a year ago, thanks to Ange Postecoglou's progressive management.
The Australian manager has harkened back to the aesthetically pleasing style of football played under Mauricio Pochettino in N17 but pushed his players to be even more forward-thinking on the pitch.
The results haven't necessarily come, but considering how negative the team were under Antonio Conte just last season, it's impressive to see how much the 58-year-old has already changed them.
That said, the transition to a more dynamic style of football was made easier thanks to the club finally getting rid of several players, such as Davinson Sanchez, who had clearly been around too long.
Davinson Sánchez's time at Spurs
Sanchez joined Pochettino's Lilywhites in the summer of 2017 after an impressive year playing for Dutch giants Ajax, where he made 47 appearances, scored seven goals, provided two assists and made it to the Europa League final.
Upon arriving in the capital, there was an understandable level of excitement considering his previous displays in Amsterdam, so he made his full debut for the club in just the fourth Premier League game of the season – a 3-0 away win against Everton.
In his first year at the club, the Caloto-born centre-back would make 41 appearances across all competitions, but unlike his time in the Netherlands, he failed to score a goal or provide an assist.
Unfortunately for all involved, the following five seasons would get progressively worse for the 58-capped international as the club would go from genuinely challenging for major honours to languishing in midtable and conceding a whopping 63 goals in his final campaign.
While it certainly wasn't all Sanchez's fault, he received a lot of criticism for his less-than-stellar performances. At the start of last season, pundit and former professional Jamie O'Hara labelled him "one of the worst players I've ever seen", and by the end of the campaign, he was describing him as "deadwood" – tell us how you really feel, Jamie.
Appearances
207
Goals
5
Assists
1
Goal Involvements per Match
0.02
Overall, it was a move that failed on all accounts, and after making 207 appearances for the club, in which he scored five goals and provided one assist, he was finally sold to Galatasaray last summer after draining Spurs of millions of pounds.
The finances of Sanchez's Tottenham career
Due to his impressive displays for Ajax and the hype building around him at the time, Tottenham paid a staggering £42m to bring him to North London in 2017, making him the club's new record signing. To make matters worse, the then-21-year-old was handed a rather sizable wage of £65k-per-week.
What makes it all the more remarkable is the fact that recent centre-back signing Micky van de Ven, who has been winning plaudits all over thanks to his breakneck speed and defensive acumen, is currently earning £50k-per-week, or £15k less than the Colombian did, despite clearly being the better defender.
So, when adding his wages and transfer fee together, Sanchez ended up costing Spurs a whopping £62.4m, which breaks down to around £301k-per-appaearance, £12.4m-per-goal, or £62.4m-per-assist.
Transfer Fee
£42m
Wages (Total)
£65k (£20.4m)
Appearances
207
Cost per Appearance
£301k
Goals
5
Cost per Goal
£12.4m
Assists
1
Cost per Assist
£62.4m
Goal Involvements
6
Cost per Goal Involvement
£10.4m
At the end of the day, while he isn't the worst player to have played for Tottenham in recent years, Sanchez has to be considered among some of the worst transfers in the club's history due to the sheer amount of money that went to waste.
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ByAngus Sinclair May 3, 2024