All posts by h716a5.icu

Manchester United have a 51-year-old manager under consideration as a possible replacement for Erik ten Hag, according to a new report. The Red Devils are beginning their search for a new manager after the dismissal of the Dutchman on Monday morning, after being beaten 2-1 by West Ham on Sunday afternoon.

Ten Hag sacked: Man Utd now considering 37 y/o "great coach" as replacement

INEOS have pulled the trigger and are already lining up a new coach.

ByBrett Worthington Oct 28, 2024 Man Utd manager latest

United find themselves looking for a new manager after the decision to end Ten Hag’s reign after two and a half years at the club. The decision was made on Monday morning, with a statement confirming the decision and United placing their thanks and good luck to Ten Hag on record.

The Red Devils have been linked with several managers for a few weeks now. Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim is one manager who has growing interest in his services. Meanwhile, Xavi has also emerged on the club’s radar in the last week, but it appears his chances of becoming the new manager are slim, as Xavi plans to wait until the summer before taking on his next job.

A new name that has come into the United hotseat is German national team manager Julian Nagelsmann. The German has been in charge of the national team since 2023, and now that the Red Devils are looking for a new manager, they could look to make a move for him.

But the options do not stop there for United, as they also have their eye on a former player of theirs as they weigh up the best move for them.

Former player under consideration for Man Utd return

According to Manchester Evening News’ Samuel Luckhurst, Manchester United have former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær under consideration for a return to the club. The 51-year-old joined the Red Devils as a player in 1996 and enjoyed great success with the club right up until he left in 2007.

Solskjaer returned to Old Trafford in 2018 as caretaker manager, and his return saw a positive swing in results, and that earned him the permanent role. He was appointed manager in March 2019 and kept the role until November 2021, managing 168 games in total.

Since leaving United, Solskjaer has been out of management and has been working as a UEFA analyst since January of last year. Last month, Solskjaer admitted that he would be “open” to an Old Trafford return, and if he was offered a way back, he would say “yes”.

Games

168

Won

92

Drawn

35

Lost

41

Now, according to this report, the Norwegian is under consideration for returning to the club, but it is unclear if he is viewed as a long-term replacement for Ten Hag or as a backroom staff member. Before taking over at Old Trafford, Solskjaer’s only other experience in management came at Molde, where he managed from 2011 to 2018 on and off, while he also had a spell as Cardiff City manager.

Tests where spinners took the most wickets

Siddarth Ravindran07-Nov-201537 – New Zealand break new groundIndia v New Zealand, Nagpur, 1969
This was one of New Zealand’s only two Test wins in India, and it came on a proper turner when the home side’s spin line-up was Erapalli Prasanna, Bishan Bedi and S Venkataraghavan. New Zealand’s spinners didn’t have as lofty a reputation, but some calculated batting helped the visitors reach 319 and gave the bowlers some runs to play with. Left-arm spinner Hedley Howarth then produced the stand-out performance of his career, part-timer Mark Burgess took four of his career’s six wickets and offspinner Vic Pollard chipped in with five strikes as New Zealand got their first Test win in the subcontinent.35 – No answer to BenaudIndia v Australia, Calcutta, 1956
India have traditionally depended on their slower bowlers, but this Eden Gardens track provided so much help to spinners that their lone medium-pacer Gulbarai Ramchand bowled only four overs across two innings. India’s original spin trio – offie Ghulam Ahmed, left-arm orthodox Vinoo Mankad and leggie Subhash Gupte – bowled out Australia for less than 200 in both innings, but that was still not enough as the great Richie Benaud ran through India’s batting twice to deliver a 94-run victory.35 – Sunny’s last standIndia v Pakistan, Bangalore, 1987
There were three all-time great quick bowlers in the game – Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Kapil Dev – but they could only prise out five wickets on a minefield in Bangalore. In the series decider, the move to bring in offspinner Tauseef Ahmed for an out-of-form Abdul Qadir proved the decisive one. Tauseef took nine, as did Iqbal Qasim, and though Sunil Gavaskar signed off from Test cricket with a masterful fourth-innings 96 (next highest score 26), Pakistan closed out a narrow victory.34 – Jadeja’s back in businessIndia v South Africa, Mohali, 2015
In a match that didn’t even reach stumps on the third day, Ravindra Jadeja made a triumphant comeback to Test cricket, taking eight wickets and scoring an important 38 in the first innings to take the Man-of-the-Match award. He was one of India’s three-pronged spin attack, each of which played a part – R Ashwin continued to be unplayable at home with eight scalps in the match, and Amit Mishra had the world’s most feared batsman, AB de Villiers, bowled twice.33 – Those two little pals of mineEngland v West Indies, Old Trafford, 1950
Test debuts for West Indies’ greatest spin pair – Sonny Ramadhin and Alf Valentine – as Lancashire’s decision to reduce watering the pitch led to a surface that was turning big. Valentine began brilliantly, taking the first eight wickets to fall in the game, but Godrey Evans and Trevor Bailey pushed England past 300. It was another debutant spinner, Bob Berry, whose performance made the difference, as he wrecked West Indies in the first innings to set up England’s only Test win of the summer. The next Test at Lord’s was where Ramdhin and Valentine got their famous nickname, and it also proved to be Berry’s final Test.

Make your way to the suburb of Kensington to see where the Don made his home for six decades

Aaron Owen07-Feb-2015Born August 27, 1908 in Cootamundra, New South Wales. Raised in Bowral. Hundred on first-class debut for NSW. Scores 18 and 1 on Australia Test match debut aged 20 at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground in 1928-29. Dropped. Reselected. Not dropped again. Plays 52 Tests; 80 innings, ten not-outs, 6996 runs, highest score 334 at Leeds in 1934, averaged 99.94 runs per innings… blah blah blah. Of course, I’m referring to Don Bradman.Bradman facts, stats and stories have so often been spouted, and are usually so well-worn, that now it might take bits of DGB trivia a little less-known to keep the interested cricket fan interested when it comes to the Don.For instance, did you know he took two Test wickets bowling neat legbreaks – both of which were snared at Adelaide Oval? And did you know that from the mid-1930s until his death in 2001, Bradman made that same city of Adelaide – South Australia’s capital – his home?And so cricketing pilgrims may well begin their Adelaide journey by heading along Sir Donald Bradman Drive from the airport to the city centre. And later, by travelling to the former Bradman residence at 2 Holden Street, Kensington Park.Wandering along the Parade soon reveals local Kensington Oval, which Bradman called his home ground while playing district cricket for Kensington Cricket Club (KCC). Man, what a blast to be able to go to a local Adelaide suburban ground, free of charge, and watch Bradman bat.The Bradman residence at Kensington Park•Aaron OwenAnd to think you’re now walking around streets and places where for so long the man described, in 1998 by then serving Australian Prime Minister John Howard (cricket tragic and awesome bowler), as “the greatest living Australian” lived.While he may well have found bowling conditions favoured him here, it wasn’t because of ripping, legspin-aiding turn in the pitch, or even for the runs he could make on batting-friendly Adelaide Oval strips that inspired him to move from big Sydney, and playing Sheffield Shield cricket for New South Wales, to Adelaide. It was for work.Today soccer players, for example, can command immense fees on transfer. So it’s remarkable to think that – even in the 1930s – an athlete of Bradman’s already proven freakish talent and massive fame could move to Adelaide without any trade (feeble though it could only have been) or without any financial compensation going New South Wales’ way. What a coup for the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA).It was well before Kerry Packer’s well-funded World Series Cricket and its overdue addressing of proper player remuneration, and also long ahead of abundant endorsement opportunities (ask Michael “KFC” Clarke). Bradman played in an amateur era, and as brilliant as he surely was on the field, he was able to be enticed over the border by the lure of being able to learn the stockbroking trade with the backing of local Adelaide businessman and Australian Cricket Board of Control committee member Harry Hodgetts of Hodgetts & Co stockbrokers.The Rex and Basil Sellers Stand•Aaron OwenIn 1934, Bradman and wife Jessie then made the move to South Australia, settling in the pleasant, shaded suburb of Kensington Park in Adelaide’s east. Local architect Philip Claridge designed the Bradmans’ new home. Claridge’s firm had long-term responsibility for maintenance work at Adelaide Oval and this connection led to his working on the Bradman house.For the architecturally minded, the building is considered neo-Georgian, not modernist. Either way, the two-storied but simple and humble – considering his fame – Bradman home of 65 years or so, is easily located and can be viewed without invading privacy.Claridge later designed a billiard room extension – perhaps (with tongue in cheek, I offer) an attempt of Bradman’s to practise for a challenge to contemporary Australian and also in a class all his own, world billiards champion – Walter Lindrum, after whom rules were changed in an effort to curb his dominance. Something akin to Douglas Jardine’s Bradman-restricting Bodyline tactics, perhaps.Even if Bradman wasn’t pursuing elite billiards, his move to Adelaide saw the previously talented junior tennis player take up squash in 1934. And by 1939 he was a South Australian champion. Maybe no Jahangir Khan, but not too shabby.Playing at nearby Kensington Oval with KCC, Bradman didn’t quite match his performances in bigger cricket – but really, would any recruiter today be sacked for snagging this: 3377 runs at 84 in the understandably paltry number of just 37 games between 1935-36 and 1948-49.And perhaps his “form drop” in district cricket can be best illustrated with reference to the average number of innings he took per century. He peeled them off at better than one hundred every three innings in Test cricket, compared to 14 tons in 46 (one every 3.2) district cricket innings. Perhaps he was an early example of the big-game player?Kensington Oval, originally known as Shipster’s Paddock, was once owned by a local private school, and for decades was used as an athletics track-and-field venue. It provides the viewer a choice of the quaint old-time sophistication of the Rex and Basil Sellers Stand, or perhaps the gentility of picnicking on the mounded and gum-tree-studded surrounds while spectating.The view through the gum trees•Aaron OwenKCC are known as “The Browns” (the name creatively derived from their brown caps). And the caps might possibly and unsurprisingly be referred to by the players as a ? Similar to every second Australian team of any age or ability who baggify their caps (without milliner approval, mind you). But I wouldn’t know about the coveted down under baggy experience – I’m a collar-up, long-shirt-donning, wide-brimmed-hat wearer, you see.KCC has been a club in its current form since the 1920s, and the delightful oval dates back even further to the 1870s – with a history of also hosting sports other than cricket, such as Australian Rules Football, soccer and high-level athletics.KCC representatives who have played Test cricket include late bloomer Clarrie Grimmett (another brilliant steal from over the border, this time from New Zealand via NSW and Victoria), Terry Jenner (yet another import, this time from the west), and finally a couple of locals of more recent times: Greg Blewett and Tim May.Coming to Adelaide can easily provide a Bradman-honouring discovery tour – from spying his residence (from a street view, albeit), to investigating Kensington Oval and its cricket club, and not forgetting the Bradman items on free display at both Adelaide Oval and the State Library. There’s enough for any Bradmaniac to get their teeth into in Adelaide.

A stats review of the third ODI between Australia and Pakistan in Abu Dhabi

Bishen Jeswant12-Oct-20143 Number of times Australia have whitewashed Pakistan in an ODI series of three or more matches. Australia have now won five such ODI series while Pakistan have only won two.1 Number of runs by which Australia won this game, their narrowest win against Pakistan. Australia have won six ODIs by this margin, India being the only team that they have beaten twice.6 The number of times, since the beginning of 2002, that no runs have been conceded in the 50th over of an ODI innings. Apart from Glenn Maxwell in this match, the others to have done it are Allan Donald against Bangladesh, Daryl Tuffey against Pakistan, Inzamam-ul-Haq against Bangladesh, Ryan ten Doeschate against Bermuda, and Narsingh Deonarine against Zimbabwe. Andrew Hall bowled a maiden too, but gave away a leg bye against Sri Lanka in 2006.20 In the last 20 years there have been only three instances of Australia scoring fewer than 231 runs after batting all 50 overs against Pakistan.5 Number of times Pakistan have bowled no wides or no-balls in an innings of 40-plus overs. They bowled one wide and one no-ball in this game. The five extras that they conceded are their fourth lowest for an innings of 40-plus overs.9 Number of runs Australia scored during the batting Powerplay, between the 36th and 40th overs. Since the latest Powerplay rule change in October 2012, this aggregate is the second lowest between the 36th and 40th overs of an innings (not necessarily the Powerplay). The fewest runs scored in this period is seven, by Kenya against Afghanistan in October 2013.3 Number of times in the last three years that Pakistan’s openers have posted back-to-back 50-plus stands against a top-eight team. All of these have been in the UAE.42 Number of innings Shahid Afridi needed to score his first 1000 runs in ODI cricket, at an average of 25.15. In his last 42 innings, Afridi has scored 666 runs at an average of 19.02.2 Number of times Pakistan have lost to Australia despite four of their top five batsmen making 25-plus scores. The last time they did this was in 2012, when also they lost.

Alex Carey and Cameron Green added 135 before Australia lost five wickets in a session

Tristan Lavalette22-Mar-2022
Abdullah Shafique and Azhar Ali chipped away at Australia’s first innings of 391 after quick Naseem Shah had earlier staged a spectacular fightback for Pakistan to leave the deciding third Test in the balance.Pakistan reached stumps on day two at 90 for 1 with in-form Shafique 45 not out and Azhar unbeaten on 30 as the hosts trail by 301 runs. Naseem’s brilliant 4 for 58 from 31 overs marked by reverse swing mastery helped restrict Australia and move this match forward with the series deadlocked after two draws in batting friendly conditions in Rawalpindi and Karachi.Naseem’s expertise with the old ball dashed Australia’s hopes of a massive first innings total on a slow surface in the first Test played in Lahore since 2009. Australia, however, still managed a decent score on a pitch offering some welcome assistance for weary bowlers, with cracks evident, but Pakistan started their first innings reasonably comfortably during a prolonged final session lasting 39 overs.Related

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Another Steven Smith fifty, another Steven Smith non-hundred

Naseem Shah: 'Had to bowl our hearts out' to get life out of Lahore pitch

After Naseem’s exploits provided a spark, Pakistan’s response started slowly and a stalemate ensued as Australia waited for signs of reverse swing. Their wish was granted in the 11th over bowled by Cameron Green prompting skipper Pat Cummins to bring himself back on and he struck immediately after removing Imam-ul-Haq lbw for 11. After twin centuries in Rawalpindi, left-hand opener Imam has thudded back to earth with three straight failures.Cummins could have had a second wicket after in-form Shafique edged between wicketkeeper Alex Carey and Steven Smith at first slip, who were both stationary. It was a frustrating missed opportunity for Australia and continued the struggles behind the stumps for Carey and Smith this series.Finally batting on his home ground in his 94th Test, Azhar started with a gorgeous drive to the boundary and then counterattacked spinner Nathan Lyon with a six over long-on. With stumps approaching, he shut up shop and defied a tantalising late burst from Cummins.After his tough debut, where he finished with the figures of 2 for 188 from 62.4 overs, legspinner Mitchell Swepson came on in the 22nd over and almost had Azhar stumped then produced deliveries that skidded low but turn was minimal.After Naseem’s reverse swing prowess, there was expectation that Mitchell Starc could replicate something similar but he struggled to find the type of rhythm that crashed through Pakistan’s first innings in the second Test.Cameron Green was cleaned up by some excellent bowling from Naseem Shah•AFP/Getty ImagesAfter winning a crucial toss, Australia’s first innings comprising 133.1 overs was a rollercoaster and dominated by two century partnerships. Usman Khawaja and Smith rescued them from 8 for 2 with a 138-partnership before Green and Carey produced a record 135-run partnership in the highest sixth-wicket stand for Australia in Pakistan.Having started the second day in a delicate position at 232 for 5, Carey and Green batted fluently through the first session to frustrate Pakistan and restore Australia’s control. But they both missed out on maiden Test centuries after falling early in the second session leaving Khawaja as Australia’s only centurion of the three-match series.Australia had appeared set for a commanding first innings total until they lost five wickets in the middle session, as they crumbled under a superb spell of reverse swing from Naseem who was rewarded for unwavering bowling through the innings.In a riveting contest between two of cricket’s brightest young talents, Naseem had the last laugh when he clean bowled Green with a gem of an inswinger to end the allrounder’s 163-ball knock. Green fell just short of his highest Test score of 84 but it was another impressive innings from the 22-year-old who showcased a mixture of strong defence, marked by an intent on getting his huge frame forward, and exquisite strokes on the off side.Carey, in his eighth Test, also produced an encouraging performance to help strengthen Australia’s middle-order after notching his second straight half-century. Having entered the series under some pressure after an inconsistent Ashes with bat and gloves, Carey’s 105-ball knock was marked by superb driving to thwart the quicks and perfectly executing reverse sweeps to fluster the spinners.Pakistan’s five-pronged attack toiled manfully amid oppressive conditions after appearing to be staring down the barrel of again conceding a massive first innings score. But they hung in and took full advantage of reverse swing after lunch through young guns Naseem and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who also claimed four wickets.Naseem’s scintillating burst late in the middle session was a rare sight of ball dominating bat in this series. In a more familiar sight, an arm wrestle ensued in the final session as little separated these teams after two days.

The Champions League format has changed and perhaps – whisper it quietly – this is a changed Celtic in European competition.

Of course, the trip to Dortmund may suggest otherwise, but it has been a rather solid start to this year’s edition for the Old Firm side, having picked up four points already from just three league outings.

That is as many points as the Hoops picked up from six group games in 2023/24, with Brendan Rodgers’ side no doubt beginning to dream of securing a place in the knockout rounds for the first time since the 2012/13 campaign.

The Premiership side’s latest outing away to Atalanta certainly wasn’t easy on the eye, but having rolled over on the road in the past, the Glasgow giants stood firm, repelling wave after wave of attacks from their rampant hosts.

In the thick of the action on the night for the visitors was summer signing Kasper Schmeichel, with the veteran Dane again proving just what an astute acquisition he has been for the Scottish champions.

Kasper's Schmeichel's start at Celtic

With former Manchester City colleague Joe Hart having called time on his lengthy career at the end of last season, Schmeichel appeared to be the obvious choice to succeed the Englishman, having previously worked under Rodgers at Leicester City.

Available on a free transfer amid his exit from Belgian side Anderlecht, the deal was, it must be said, a no-brainer, with the Premier League winner providing a wealth of experience to a relatively youthful Celtic side.

It is of course still early days, yet the 37-year-old has been simply masterful in between the sticks thus far, having already kept seven clean sheets in all competitions, while conceding just three goals in eight Premiership games.

The new addition was particularly impressive in Bergamo as he repeatedly thwarted the Europa League holders, notably denying Mario Pasalic’s driven effort with his feet, while also keeping out a bullet header from Mateo Retegui.

That “outstanding” performance – in the words of Hart – was vital in helping his side to claim a first Champions League clean sheet in seven years, with the decision to sign Schmeichel on a free having paid off handsomely.

The only concern will be, however, that at 37, the 109-cap Denmark international – who only joined on a one-year deal – is not a long-term solution, even if he could still have a few years left at the top level.

It is for that reason that the club’s biggest bargain of the summer perhaps came elsewhere…

Celtic's bargain summer deal

His impact has been fleeting so far, yet the measly £1m that was dished out on Dundee skipper, Luke McCowan already looks likely to be a particularly astute investment.

The boyhood Celtic fan has hit the ground running in his new surroundings, having notably chalked up his first goal for the club in the 2-0 win over Hearts back in September.

Competition in those midfield ranks is fierce following the other permanent captures of Paulo Bernardo and club-record signing, Arne Engels, yet on current evidence, it could be McCowan who is forcing his way into Rodgers’ starting lineup.

The 26-year-old was particularly impressive off the bench in last week’s 2-2 draw with surprise title rivals, Aberdeen, providing one key pass from just 14 touches as he looked to unpick the visiting defence, having also enjoyed a 90% pass accuracy in that late cameo.

The “tenacious” talent – as hailed by writer Kai Watson – is seemingly deserving of a chance to properly impress from the off in games, having previously contributed 15 goals and assists in the top-flight last season for his former employers.

8 games (3 starts)

3 goals

1 assist

0.9 key passes per game

2.2 tackles & interceptions per game

5.1 balls recovered per game

60% total duels won

63% ground duels won

9.3x possession lost per game

Hopes of the playmaker surpassing that £1m value can be boosted by his apparent likeness to one former Celtic star, with pundit Andy Walker likening him to Ryan Christie, prior to his move to Parkhead:

With Christie now valued at around £15m following his rise at Bournemouth, it showcases the kind of trajectory that McCowan could well follow – albeit hopefully at Celtic Park, rather than south of the border.

As such, while the recent window saw the Hoops splash out over £20m on the likes of Adam Idah and Engels, it could be the deals of Schmeichel and McCowan – in particular – who prove to be the biggest bargains.

Rodgers can repeat Liam Scales success with Celtic's "great athlete"

Celtic could replicate the rise of Liam Scales in 2025

ByRobbie Walls Oct 18, 2024

In the middle of comforting jade haven at the P Sara Oval, the Indian team returned to its first nets after the Galle loss, with some familiar talk about the team morale being upbeat

Sharda Ugra in Colombo18-Aug-20154:01

Sharda: Team balance a big question mark for India

The P Saravanamuttu Oval may belong to the eastern Colombo neighbourhood called Wanathmulla which can be described in many words except the one which, quixotically, fits the ground perfectly: boutique. A small, compact, old-fashioned ground, with a metal scoreboard covered in ivy and internal rust and architectural flourishes like cornices and even lamp stands on pillars that are anything but the English colonial.In the middle of comforting jade haven, the boutique branch of Indian cricket, the batsmen, returned to their first nets after the mind-bender of a defeat in Galle. Before training began, the batting unit was taken to one side for a long and what looked like impassioned talk. They turned up to bat in pairs at the nets, turning the strike and aiming to bring a ‘busyness’ to their simulated partnerships. M Vijay, recovering from a hamstring injury, batted in his rightful position as opener.He batted against pace and spin, then spent time in the pacemen’s slip cordon alongside KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma, with Ajinkya Rahane at gully. After the batsmen were done, the bowlers got their sustained batting stints at the nets as well, putting in a fairly long session in a similar fashion. R Ashwin with Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra and Harbhajan Singh and the newly-arrived Stuart Binny with Wriddhiman Saha. It is appearing more and more evident that Binny, looking streamlined and swinging the ball at the nets today, will not be here merely to make up the numbers.Alongside this bustle, the P Sara Oval was getting ready for the Sangakkara farewell, with new coats of paint, large hoardings and scaffolds being carried in. It is said cricketing heavyweights will be in attendance. The occasion is enormous for Sri Lanka but Indian first-timers must have wondered what to make of the P Sara’s mish-mash of stands with wooden chairs under whirring fans, old-fashioned dressing rooms and new-fangled glass-boxed areas.India could take some confidence from the fact that M Vijay, now a solid opener, and Ishant Sharma, the leader of the pace attack, played in India’s rare Test win at the P Sara Oval in 2010•AFPRenewal is perhaps the best place to start – whether they rewound back into the history of this ground or from there, fast forward to the last time India played a Test there. P Sara’s tumultuous history is marked by constant rejuvenation. The Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club, which owns the ground, had been ransacked with some property and archives destroyed during ethnic riots in 1983. A year before that, it had become Sri Lanka’s first Test venue, and two years after the riots became the place where Sri Lanka recorded their first-ever Test victory – over India in September 1985.India have written a far better story here: in their last series here, they snatched a rare Test win in these parts, chasing down 257 in the final Test of the 2010 series, leveling it 1-1.Three players from that Indian XI are poised to turn up again on Thursday. Vijay, who scored 14 and 27, but was a far less complete batsman than he is today; Ishant who got 3 for 72 and 0 for 54, bowling alongside Abhimanyu Mithun. Then there is legspinner Mishra, the comeback man, who has returned to Test cricket after four years. His performance in Galle – 2 for 20 off six overs and 3 for 61 in 17 – could be forgotten in the general debris left by Dinesh Chandimal. Mishra, though, bowled with zip and verve, the only bowler who kept Chandimal pegged (somewhat in the second innings, conceding 29 runs off 56 balls). He did get munched into by the unorthodox Jehan Mubarak, but in terms of the potency of his bowling, he came off ahead of more senior Harbhajan.Then Mishra’s performance with the bat in the second innings had his captain call him the “most positive batsman out there.” It was only 15 runs, but he batted alongside top-scorer Ajinkya Rahane for 45 minutes and was one of only four batsmen into double-figures. Mishra understands the importance of keeping himself relevant in modern-day cricket – or to use a popular phrase, to stay in the contest itself.In his time away from the Indian set up, Mishra, 32, has not turned into a tired ‘ageing warhorse’ but remains a committed cricketer, who spent eight years in the domestic circuit before landing a Test debut in 2008. He said he was “anxious” when he returned to India whites in Galle, but said he had worked on his bowling to have something to fall back on. In this age of T20, Mishra had worked on trying to counter the big criticism against his bowling – that he bowled far too slow – and said he had been upping his variations before returning to Test cricket and believing it is what works best in Sri Lanka.”The wickets here are slower for batting and I have worked on specially what pace I bowl at… the biggest weapon in bowling here [in Sri Lanka] is pace and what it should be because the batsmen are very good against spin,” Mishra said. “Maintaining a particular pace while bowling is important and I am trying to do that.” Mishra’s bowling settled down in the second innings, using his googlies and the bounce off the wicket judiciously.There was some familiar talk about the team morale being upbeat and to be fair, the team could only dust themselves off and say that they had seen everything unexpected they needed to see in Galle. It had left them with a basic understanding of what had worked against Sri Lanka and what had left them leaden-footed. Trying to suffocate run scoring through dynamic field positions, in case the opposition goes banzai on them, and batting more aggressively. Mishra himself could hand out a few tips to his younger team-mates about how to resuscitate and renew themselves.”I will work on the feedback I have got from the last match and hopefully in the second Test I will bowl better,” Mishra said. It may sound like a tired cliché from most, but to a man who has got stuck in to the thick again after four years out, it carries real meaning. His younger team-mates must know it is possible.

Tottenham Hotspur have been approached and offered the chance to sign a player who’s unsettled at his current club, with agents reaching out to Spurs as they work to find their client a new home.

Tottenham missing 10 first-team players for Liverpool clash

The Lilywhites take on Liverpool in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg tonight, and manager Ange Postecoglou is yet again forced to contend with very limited options.

Tottenham informed they can sign £134k-per-week ex-Man City ace in January

The Lilywhites have been alerted to a potential deal.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Jan 7, 2025

The 59-year-old is minus around 10 first-team players for their face-off against Arne Slot’s side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this evening, with Guglielmo Vicario, Wilson Odobert, Richarlison, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Ben Davies, Destiny Udogie, James Maddison and Pape Matar Sarr all unavailable through either injury or suspension.

Tottenham’s injury crisis has exposed Postecoglou’s lack of depth in recent months, seriously threatening their chances of a strong 2024/2025 Premier League campaign, and it has prompted the club to enter the January transfer market in search of reinforcements.

Arsenal (away)

January 15

Everton (away)

January 19

Leicester City (home)

January 26

Brentford (away)

February 2

Man United (home)

February 16

Spurs have already sealed a £12.5 million deal for goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who’s now took part in full first-team training, but the Czech won’t be their only new addition this month.

Tottenham are believed to be pursuing PSG forward Randal Kolo Muani, after the France international was deemed surplus by Luis Enrique and allowed to find a new club before deadline day on February 3.

There are also suggestions that Spurs could sign a new centre-back, given van de Ven, Romero and Davies’ absences have left Postecoglou with just Rady Dragusin as his only natural senior central defensive option right now.

“Look, we are still trying to help the squad and help the players,” said Postecoglou on January transfers at Spurs.

“We are still down significant numbers. We will have roughly 10 first team players missing tomorrow. That’s not easy so we are still looking to try to help the playing group. The club is working hard in a number of areas.”

According to some media sources, Tottenham could even bolster their midfield options before the clock runs out, and they’ve now been handed an opening to potentially negotiate a deal for one Serie A star.

Tottenham offered chance to sign Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi

According to The Boot Room and journalist Graeme Bailey, Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi is “frustrated” at the San Siro, and he could leave the Italian champions as early as January – despite only just joining on a permanent deal from Sassuolo in the summer.

The Italy international has made 22 appearances in all competitions, but the majority of his cameos have come from the bench. Frattesi appears dissatisfied with this, and his camp are scouring the market for a new club to join.

One of them could be Postecoglou’s side, as TBR report that Tottenham have been offered the chance to sign Frattesi by intermediaries after they made contact with the north Londoners.

His rumoured price tag stands at around £33 million, so this could be a doable deal for Spurs, and he is a player of real quality – even if the 25-year-old hasn’t exactly enjoyed the best time at Inter this season.

“He reminds me of Barella,” said renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano to Empire of the Kop.

“Liverpool had long-term interest in Nicolo Barella but he just extended his contract with Inter so it’s going to be more than complicated to sign him. Frattesi seems to be the next Barella. He’s this kind of player, super talented, very interesting, and Sassuolo are prepared to sell their players if top clubs pay.”

Real Madrid will have to pay a double-digit buyout fee in order to sign Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso as manager this summer.

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Alonso heavily tipped to join MadridLaLiga outfit likely to part ways with Carlo AncelottiLos Blancos must pay a buyout fee to sign AlonsoFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Alonso is the hot favourite to replace Carlo Ancelotti as the manager of Real Madrid, especially following the Spanish giants' humiliating 5-1 quarter-final defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League. However, BILD reports (h/t Football Espana) that Los Blancos will have to pay a double-digit figure to Bayer Leverkusen in order to sign Alonso before his current deal, valid until June 2026, expires.

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Alonso is believed to have an agreement with Leverkusen CEO Fernando Cerro to allow him to leave for Real Madrid, but the German club will demand at least €10 million as fees for his release. Los Merengues are likely to negotiate the cost down, given their historical reluctance to pay large fees for managers. The timing, with the Club World Cup approaching, adds urgency to the decision. Indeed, there is just a 24-day gap between Madrid's final LaLiga fixture and the start of the Club World Cup. Not just that, but a host of Madrid players are expected to be on national duty in between, giving Alonso little to no time to work with the squad.

DID YOU KNOW?

Speculation surrounding a potential managerial change at Madrid has intensified in recent days. According to reports from Cadena SER, an intermediary from the Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF) was spotted in the stands of the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, fueling rumours of a possible managerial shake-up. Additional reports have suggested that former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could be enticed by the prospect of returning to management with the 15-time European winners, should the opportunity arise.

AFPWHAT NEXT FOR XABI ALONSO?

Leverkusen's sporting director hinted last month that Alonso could remain at the BayArena for another season. "No, he's staying, that's it. He told me that there was nothing. He has a contract with us," said Rofles.

Alonso could lead Die Werkself to a second consecutive Bundesliga title, although with five games to go and with Leverkusen trailing Bayern Munich by six points, only a miracle could see them defend the league. They will take on St. Pauli in their upcoming clash, which will be played on Sunday, April 20.

Chelsea have been searching for a reliable goalscorer since the departure of Diego Costa, spending hundreds of millions on strikers, including £97.5m on Romelu Lukaku, which didn’t turn out as planned.

The Blues’ record goalscorer is, of course, Frank Lampard, arriving late in the box from midfield, but also playing in a team that had the box dominance of Didier Drogba, dragging defenders away and opening lanes for the midfielder to score.

Frank Lampard

211

Bobby Tambling

177

Didier Drogba

164

Peter Osgood

139

Jimmy Greaves

131

Roy Bentley

119

Kerry Dixon

114

Eden Hazard

110

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

87

Tommy Baldwin

87

Of Chelsea’s top ten all-time scorers, eight of them have hit 100+ goals, but could the Blues have finally found their next 100+ goal man, with Nicolas Jackson?

Nicolas Jackson at Chelsea

Jackson joined Chelsea in the summer transfer window of 2023, joining from Villarreal for a fee of around £32m. Since his arrival, the 23-year-old has made 60 appearances for the Blues in all competitions, scoring 26 goals, providing nine assists, and totalling 4,755 minutes played.

Early in his Chelsea career, Jackson had some big misses that were heavily scrutinised, but his perseverance and quality have shone through as the striker is now proving many wrong with his overall impact, but also his goal tally.

Jackson is brilliant in all phases, dropping deep to link play, working hard for the team off the ball, and making runs in behind to cause problems for the opposition defenders.

However, one area the Senegal international doesn’t exactly specialise in is box dominance, bullying defenders and winning aerial duels to finish from crosses, which is one attribute the Blues are still lacking in their squad.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Chelsea looking at new striker

According to reports from TEAMtalk, Chelsea have asked for ‘fresh details’ on Dušan Vlahović’s situation, as they monitor a potential move for the Juventus forward. Arsenal also remain interested, according to the report, with Atlético Madrid another possible destination for the £58m-rated striker.

Former Juventus striker, Roberto Boninsegna, labelled Vlahovic as “massive” and “strong”, stating that he is a point of reference for the Italian giants. So far this season, the 24-year-old Serbian has scored 11 goals in 19 appearances, also providing two assists in his 1,560 minutes played.

So, the main two questions are, how would he fit into this Chelsea side and how does the Juve sensation compare to current no.9, Jackson?

Goals

0.57

0.69

Assists

0.16

0.23

xG

0.68

0.65

Progressive Carries

0.92

2.14

Progressive Passes

1.33

1.22

Shots Total

3.59

3.13

Key Passes

0.75

1.07

Shot-Creating Actions

1.97

2.67

Aerial Duels Won

1.33

0.61

Well, when you compare the metrics of Vlahovic against those of Jackson, it is clear what you get from both strikers. The latter likes to be involved in all phases, has better progressive carry numbers, more key passes per 90, more shot-creating actions, and overall has a wider skillset.

However, Vlahovic brings that box presence Chelsea are lacking, standing at 6 foot 3, winning 1.33 aerial duels per 90, and even adding extra shot volume, being an excellent striker of the ball.

By acquiring Vlahovic, therefore, Enzo Maresca would be able to deploy different strikers for different gameplans, having a mixture of attributes and weapons to utilise over the course of a season, and expanding his attacking arsenal just that little bit more.

Chelsea have unearthed an "elite talent" who's a £100m star in the making

The young Chelsea forward has potential to develop into a big player for the club.

ByDan Emery Dec 16, 2024