All posts by h716a5.icu

Tottenham Hotspur could be a potential destination for Goncalo Guedes this summer…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Sphera Sports editor and RadioESport Valencia host Domingo Ortiz, who claimed on Twitter that if Nuno Espirito Santo were hired as Spurs’ next boss, the north London outfit may then emerge as contenders for the 24-year-old’s signature.

The 47-year-old has since been appointed, which makes this claim a little more intriguing, especially as it seems that the Valencia winger is a man in demand across Europe.

O Jogo suggested earlier in the year that Guedes could be on the chopping block this summer due to the La Liga outfit’s finances and since then, Nuno’s former club Wolves, fellow Premier League rivals West Ham and Everton, as well as Fiorentina, have all been linked with a move for him.

Bale replacement

Nuno certainly has a lot on his plate in north London and, with pre-season training just days away, he and the club’s decision-makers – namely Fabio Paratici and Daniel Levy – will need to get a move on.

There is, of course, the future of Harry Kane to resolve but the playing squad is in dire need of an overhaul right across the pitch, too.

It has been revealed recently that Spurs do not have a second-season option as part of their loan agreement with Real Madrid over Gareth Bale, which means the Welsh superstar is currently set to return to the Bernabeu to see out his contract.

That leaves a gigantic hole in the squad, as aside from Kane and Heung-min Son, the 31-year-old attacker proved to be a valuable source of goals, registering 11 goals and two assists in the league despite a comparative lack of playing time.

Guedes is an interesting candidate the fill that void, particularly as he’s able to play anywhere across the front three, so not only can he fill that gap on the right but also provide backup to Spurs’ other deadly duo.

Across 34 appearances in all competitions, the 23-cap Portugal international directly contributed to 14 goals, whilst in La Liga alone he ranked as Valencia’s third-best regular (6.83) and recorded an average of 2.1 dribbles, 1.6 shots and 1.1 key passes per game, which was either first or second in the whole team, as per WhoScored.

Spurs could win the race to secure him thanks to super-agent Jorge Mendes, who helped Nuno land many a top-quality player at Molineux. He’s someone with whom Levy has frequently worked, too, bringing Matt Doherty and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to the club as recently as last summer.

The £22.5m-rated Guedes has just been knocked out of Euro 2020 and in the past has earned praise from Portugal legend Luis Figo, who told Foot Mercato (via Tribal Football): “Guedes is a fast, irreverent and unpredictable player, who himself builds actions for his teammates and is also able to finish well.”

Guedes has even earned lofty comparisons to one of the greatest to ever play the game, Cristiano Ronaldo, whilst his old Benfica coach Rui Vitoria has also dubbed him a “quality player.”

Furthermore, the 5 foot 10 forward has been described as a “special talent” and a physical “animal” too, perhaps backing up that likeness to the Juventus star.

It remains to be seen how much the Portuguese winger would cost but, with Bale unlikely to return as of right now, you’d surely have to consider Guedes a viable target considering his ties to Gestifute.

AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano drops exciting Spurs transfer claim…

WESTERN Australia’s selectors today announced that three Western Warriors will make debuts in a Pura Cup match against Tasmania starting at the WACA Ground on Sunday.

Western Australia Cricket Association04-Dec-2002WESTERN Australia’s selectors today announced that three Western Warriors will make debuts in a Pura Cup match against Tasmania starting at the WACA Ground on Sunday.Wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi (21), left-arm spinner Beau Casson (19) and batsman Adam Voges (23) will all play their first games.It is the first time three WA players have debuted in the same match since batsman Mark Lavender and pacemen Martin McCague and Mark Wasley against Victoria in Melbourne in February 1991.The absence of seven senior players on international commitments has opened way for Warriors newcomers.Batsmen Scott Meuleman (22) and Geoff Cullen (25) have also been recalled to the Warriors side.Warriors Chairman of Selectors Mr Wayne Hill says the elevation of new players is a boost for WA cricket."Our aim is to produce cricketers to go to the highest level and we are pleased to have seven players representing Australia," said Mr Hill."This is an opportunity to test the strength of our talent depth."The players we have selected to play against Tasmania have all been in good form with their respective club sides and on the current Second XI tour of the eastern states."This is a further opportunity for young players to prove that they are capable of playing at a higher level than they have previously experienced."The Warriors team will be led by veteran pace bowler Jo Angel, who will play his first game as WA captain.Angel requires seven wickets to reach 400 at Pura Cup/Sheffield level. He is currently second on the all-time domestic competition wicket-takers list behind spin bowling great Clarrie Grimmett (513).The Warriors team has only four players who have played more than 20 Pura Cup/ Sheffield Shield games.Jo Angel … 96 matches.
Paul Wilson 36
Matthew Nicholson 31
Murray Goodwin 28
Marcus North 19
Chris Rogers 12
Scott Meuleman 10
Michael Clark 7
Geoff Cullen 1

The plays of the fourth day between England and New Zealand at Old Trafford

Andrew McGlashan at Old Trafford26-May-2008
Kevin Pietersen: not a man who likes to be tied down © Getty Images
Decision of the day
The most noticeable feature of the fourth day was how comparatively docile the pitch turned out to be. The odd ball still turned, and few also bounced, but nothing popped quite like yesterday. The main reason for that was England’s decision to use the heavy roller. It deadened the surface for long enough for Andrew Strauss and Michael Vaughan to give England a head start to their chase. It was a calculated gamble, but the hard nature of the surface meant the cracks were compacted rather than broken up. “We took a little bit of a punt by putting the heavy roller on it this morning, to try and deaden it,” said Vaughan, “and it seemed to work.”Shot of the day
England’s defensive mindset created their problems in the first innings, so they made a conscious effort in the run chase to be far more assertive. From the outset Strauss and Vaughan were looking for quick singles. But the shot that signified that England wouldn’t prod their way to the target came with a beautiful inside-out cover drive by Vaughan off Daniel Vettori. It was Vaughan at his best, elegant and graceful.Shot of the day II
Kevin Pietersen has been out of sorts this season. Perhaps his mind is wandering towards the IPL, but whatever the reason he has played a reserved game that doesn’t come naturally. Vettori has caused him no end of problems, dismissing him twice in contrasting fashion. He doesn’t like to be dominated by one bowler, so he took a chance to make a statement of his own, dancing down the pitch and launching him over long-on for six.Overthrows of the day
New Zealand looked jittery from the start of the play, with no-balls creeping into Vettori’s bowling and fumbles in the field to match England from the second morning. Strauss and Vaughan were running them ragged with quick singles, and when Strauss dropped the ball into the off side for a sharp run McCullum went off in pursuit. He collected the ball before hurling it at the non-striker’s stumps. It missed, and the man backing up couldn’t stop it as one turned into five. The momentum was with England.Frustration of the day
Jacob Oram, who injured his neck on Sunday, had recovered sufficiently to take the field today. His introduction into the attack was delayed, as Iain O’Brien was given the early into-the-gale role, and when he was finally handed the ball it was hard work for him to pull his large frame into the wind. After putting all that effort in, a bowler really doesn’t want to see chances fall short of fielders, but it happened twice in an over to Oram. Vaughan drove on the up, the ball falling a few feet in front of Jamie How at point, then three balls later a leading edge landed in more space on the off side. Oram had a few words to Vaughan, but they may have been carried off in the wind.Close call of the day
Pietersen is always a livewire at the crease and loves a short single. But trying to steal one to short leg is taking things to extremes. He jabbed a full ball from Vettori into the leg side, where James Marshall got a hand on it. Pietersen thought the ball had gone past and set off down the pitch, before quickly having to spin around and dive back in. A direct hit would have been close, and it brought back memories of when Ravi Bopara was run-out from slip, by Mahela Jayawardene, during the Galle Test against Sri Lanka last December. Pietersen was eventually caught short, but in more conventional style by a bullet-arm throw from Chris Martin.

West Ham defender Issa Diop appears to be a wanted man this summer…

What’s the word?

According to Pianetamilan.it, Serie A outfit AC Milan have been considering a move for the French centre-back this transfer window as a potential replacement for Alessio Romagnoli, who is out of contract in 12 months’ time.

The current club captain would like a pay rise at the San Siro but the Italian giants have no intention of gifting him that just yet, so they have begun to seek out alternatives in the market.

It’s thought that Milan could offer a loan deal with contains an option to buy, just like they did with Chelsea’s Fikayo Tomori last season, whilst Diop’s representatives are said to have spoken to the club already.

Cash in!

The 24-year-old has endured a tough time in the Premier League since his £22m move from Toulouse in summer 2018 and has now found himself down the pecking order under David Moyes.

He arrived under Manuel Pellegrini and was touted for big things by West Ham’s former director of football Mario Husillos – speaking to the club’s official website back in 2018, he said: “Issa is a player with fantastic potential who has already shown great quality at such a young age.”

However, in 95 appearances for the Hammers, the 6 foot 4 colossus has flattered to deceive and has been tipped to be an ideal player to raise some finances this summer by those around the club.

The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas told the ‘U Irons’ podcast back in late April: “I think from West Ham’s point of view, considering that we never have much money to spend, who does? And if we want to make some decent signings, we’re going to have to sell.

“To me, he’s a prime candidate because usually, we sell players who don’t have much value. So really, it’s just an exercise in getting them off of the wage bill. But you look at Diop’s age you sort of think he’s someone who can still fetch a reasonable fee for but he is not first choice.”

Diop was once valued at around £60m by the east Londoners but now his worth sits at just £16.2m (a huge decrease), as per Transfermarkt, highlighting his regression despite being nowhere near the peak of his career.

As his value continues to plummet, it would be wise for Moyes to cash in on him now before it’s too late.

Football Insider believe that the manager is looking for a top-level centre-back in this window, and that could only cause Diop to drop further down the pecking order ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

His likely transfer fee, along with getting his £61,000-per-week salary off the wage bill, could help substantially in the Hammers’ bid to bolster all areas of the playing squad ahead of their historic Europa League campaign.

Now is surely the time for the Irons to cash in on the Husillos flop.

AND in other news, Moyes must urge West Ham swoop for “magical” £26m-rated prodigy excelling at Euro 2020…

Leicester City have completed a deal to sign RB Salzburg striker Patson Daka and are now working to get moves for Boubakary Soumare and a new left-back across the line.

What’s the story?

That’s according to well-known journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who revealed that the paperwork and personal terms have been agreed with Daka. Romano also claimed that an announcement confirming the 22-year-old’s arrival at the King Power Stadium will be made soon, allowing Leicester to focus on their next transfer targets.

He tweeted: “Patson Daka to Leicester, done deal. Paperworks completed between #LCFC and RB Salzburg in the last hours. Personal terms already agreed. Just a matter of time then it’s gonna be announced soon.

“Soumaré will be joining Leicester too – new left back also in the list.”

Rudkin and Rodgers will be delighted

After prioritising a move for Daka over Celtic forward Odsonne Edouard, the Foxes’ director of football Jon Rudkin and manager Brendan Rodgers will surely be delighted to secure the signature of the Zambia international.

The pacey forward was in incredible form for Salzburg last season, bagging an incredible 34 goals in 42 appearances for Jesse Marsch’s men as they secured a domestic double.

Daka combines blistering natural pace with clever runs and movement before relying on his quality finishing to guide the ball into the opposition’s net.

His addition to the FA Cup holders’ squad should make them a daunting prospect for their Premier League rivals next term, and Rodgers will be hoping that the youngster can fire Leicester into the top four.

Daka looks set to be the first arrival at the King Power Stadium this summer, but he’s unlikely to be the last. Lille midfielder Soumare has long been linked with the Foxes and it seems that his arrival is also imminent.

After helping Les Dogues to the Ligue 1 title and ending Paris Saint-Germain’s three-year dominance of French football, the 22-year-old box-to-box dynamo looks set to cross the English Channel this summer.

Leicester’s transfer business won’t be done there, either. With James Justin set for an extended spell on the sidelines with a serious knee injury and Christian Fuchs departing on a free transfer, the full-back positions suddenly look rather bare.

Several names have been linked with a move to the 2016 Premier League champions in recent weeks, such as Robin Gosens, Nuno Mendes and Ryan Bertrand, although it remains to be seen who else Rodgers targets over the coming months.

In other news… Leicester must land “ferocious” £6.3m-rated gem with more key passes than Maddison 

Liverpool continue to be strongly linked with a summer move for Florian Neuhaus, with a journalist confirming the Reds’ interest.

The Lowdown: Neuhaus linked with Liverpool move

Gini Wijnaldum’s summer exit has highlighted the need for Jurgen Klopp to bring in a new midfielder this summer, given the Dutchman’s huge influence.

One player who has been linked with a move to Anfield is Neuhaus, who starred for Borussia Monchengladbach last season, scoring six goals and registering five assists in the Bundesliga.

The Latest: Journalist provides fresh update

Now, Sky Germany‘s Max Bielefeld has claimed that “there was definitely an exchange” between the German and Liverpool, although nothing too concrete has arrived yet.

Neuhaus is currently on Euro 2020 duty with Germany, meaning any possible transfer is unlikely to happen before his participation in the tournament is over.

The Verdict: Ideal Wijnaldum replacement?

Neuhaus is a classy footballer who could be a perfect replacement for Wijnaldum, possessing quality on the ball – he had an 84.4 percent pass completion rate in the league last season – but also a strong work ethic off it.

The 24-year-old averaged an impressive three tackles per game in the Champions League in 2020/21, highlighting his effectiveness defensively.

Neuhaus’ age also means he would represent a long-term addition, which is key, considering both Jordan Henderson and Thiago are both now in their 30s and Fabinho turns 28 later this year.

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been left fuming at an update regarding the Reds’ transfer business. Read more here. 

Georginio Wijnaldum could leave a huge hole in Liverpool’s midfield after leaving as a free agent this summer, but former Red Paul Stewart believes that Youri Tielemans would be a great addition to Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Tielemans has been a steady and consistent member of Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City side since he joined on loan from Monaco in 2019, but this season has seen him impose himself on games a lot more as he registered the most shot-creating actions at Leicester with 109, but also made the second most tackles with 77, only behind Wilfred Ndidi.

This proves that he is now comfortably an all-round midfielder and one of the best in the Premier League, which means it comes as no surprise to see clubs like Liverpool interested in the Belgian.

The 24-year old is likely going to be at the centre of many transfer rumours this summer so Liverpool may face stern competition from Manchester City, that’s according to Stewart, who spoke exclusively to Transfer Tavern:

“It would be a great signing for Liverpool if they won the race for him, but I can see him going to Manchester City. For me, he is one of the standout midfielders in the Premier League.”

A lot of people who weren’t aware of how good Tielemams was certainly found out in the FA Cup final with his outstanding winning goal and Man of the Match performance for the Foxes.

If Liverpool are looking for a proven Premier League midfielder that mirrors what Wijnaldum did for the club, they could do much worse than try and tempt Tielemans away from Leicester.

Victoria Sporting Club, on its hundredth year, clinched the GrameenPhone Premier League Trophy, defeating Biman Bangladesh by a huge margin of 93 runs in a low-scoring match held at BKSP today

Shahryar Khan17-May-2002Victoria Sporting Club, on its hundredth year, clinched the GrameenPhone Premier League Trophy, defeating Biman Bangladesh by a huge margin of 93 runs in a low-scoring match held at BKSP today. Victoria ran their winning streaks from the starting of the league and were presumably taken as the champions before they went for the Super Six rivalry.They won pretty convincingly today though batted first they managed only 194 all out in 49.2 overs – not a very challenging total at BKSP track. Openers Al-Sahariar (34) and Parvej Ahmed (35) made a good start for Victoria when they gathered up 51 runs in the opening wicket, but a brief collapse in the middle order hampered the proceeding.However, left-handed Enamul Haq (48 not out) and captain Khaled Masud (28) batted slowly and steadily. Enamul sent the ball 4 times to the fence in his 57-ball stay in the crease. Occasional off-break bowler Aminul Islam captured 3 wickets for 33.Biman started off horrendously, loosing their top six batsmen with the score on 43 in 16.4 overs. Khaled Mahmud tried to boost up the rest of the order with his cameo 22 off 28 balls and Ziaur Rashid made a sturdy 17 off 51 balls. Enamul Haq (man-of-the-match), with his best luck today, put a memorable show with the ball to when he took 4 wickets for 20 in his 8.3 over spell.The other match in the day ended up with an upset, as Young Pegasus, recognized giant killers got by with a 4-wicket victory over Abahani Ltd.Abahani managed a 243 for 7 from 50 overs with Akram Khan (72) and Alamgir (53) becoming their leading scorers. Off course Abahani were pretty sure of an easy win, but Hasanuzzaman Rozel of Pegasus had still cards in his sleeves to show. Rozel played a captain’s knock of 79 not out off 89 balls (Aided by Tanvir Alam’s 32 and Mustakim’s 31) and saw his team home in the 47th over.

Applications can only be made in person – telephone applications cannot beaccepted for this Final, although members residing out of the county maymake a postal application to the County Ground using the blue ticket voucherin their membership card

Essex CCC Media Release07-Jun-2002Benson and Hedges Cup Final at Lord’s
Saturday 22nd June 2002Tickets for the Benson and Hedges Cup Final at Lord’s will go on sale fromthe Club to members only as follows:09.00 am – 11.00 am Tuesday 11th June – Southend Cricket Club09.00 am – 11.00 am Tuesday 11th June – Colchester Cricket Club>From 10.00 am Tuesday 11th June – County Ground, Chelmsford>From 11.00 am Wednesday 12th June – Ilford Cricket ClubApplications can only be made in person – telephone applications cannot beaccepted for this Final, although members residing out of the county maymake a postal application to the County Ground using the blue ticket voucherin their membership card.Tickets are currently restricted to four per member and are priced at £22,£24 and £35 per ticket with seats currently available in the Edrich, Grand,and Mound Stands. Tickets for juniors under 16 can be purchased in anyavailable stand for £5.Non members may purchase tickets direct from the MCC ticket office bycontacting them on 020 7432 1066, although you are encouraged to use the MCCwebsite booking service at www.mcc.org.ukDavid East
Chief Executive

Thanks to the letdown by Australia, the Zimbabwe season of 2001/02 draws toa close this weekend

John Ward19-Apr-2002Thanks to the letdown by Australia, the Zimbabwe season of 2001/02 draws toa close this weekend. Mashonaland, having won all four of their matches,were aiming to complete a clean sweep of victories for the second successiveyear, but still needed to collect 16 points from this match to overtakeMidlands and retain the Logan Cup. By the close of the first day they werewell on their way, having dismissed the Academy for a rather spiritless 122and then scored 116 for three themselves.Gus Mackay, captaining Mashonaland, won the toss and put the Academy in tobat, proving once again that God is on the side of the big battalions.There had been a lot of rain during the previous week and the pitch hadtaken a soaking, although it did not give the bowlers as much help as hadbeen expected.Mashonaland opening bowlers Brighton Watambwa and Gus Mackay did not forcethe batsmen to play the ball often enough, and tended to pitch too shortduring their opening overs, allowing Charles Coventry and Neeten Chouhan tosurvive and gradually open out. They were beaten several times but thebowlers were unable to apply the consistent pressure required. Scoring wasnot easy on the heavy outfield, and as usual at Country Club there was noscoreboard worthy of the name.The opening pair scored a useful 37 together before Coventry (14) droveMackay into the covers and was smartly picked up off his toes by WaddingtonMwayenga, younger brother of Academy player Allan. This began a collapse:Innocent Chinyoka quickly followed, playing a ball from Mackay on to hisstumps via the inside edge. Stuart Matsikenyeri (5), returned from aprosperous club season in Australia, was lbw to an off-cutter from Mackayand captain Andre Hoffman (0) snicked Mwayenga to the keeper. Worse was tocome, as Conan Brewer (0) slashed the same bowler seemingly wide of gully,only for the giant Craig Evans to leap to his left and pluck a brilliantone-handed catch out of the air. The Academy were in deep trouble at 45 forfive.Opener Chouhan was still there, and Tom Benade settled in to partner himwith resolution until being caught at slip off the medium-pace of Evans for3. Piet Rinke looked calm and comfortable, and almost on the stroke oflunch leg-glanced Evans for the first boundary of the match.The return of Mackay after lunch soon ended Chouhan’s commendable vigil,trapped right in front of his stumps for 37. Barrett followed next ballwithout scoring, unlucky to be adjudged lbw after edging the ball on to hispads. This brought to an end a possibly unique record; he had hit at leastone six in each of his first six first-class innings.Rinke (19) quickly followed to a soft dismissal, caught in the covers off aleading edge, but the last pair, Sherezad Shah and Jordane Nicolle, showedup their seniors in the batting order with some sound batting. They needed12 to take the team total to three figures, and then added another 22 beforeNicolle was trapped lbw sweeping at Rogers.Nicolle scored 20 and Shah 14 not out, and the ease with which these twohandled the bowling put the entire innings into perspective. The pitch wasnot a serious problem, the bowling apart from Mackay at times not undulyhostile, but few of the batsmen had shown much fight.The Academy soon struck back, as Nicolle bowled a vicious leg-cutter to bowlLance Malloch-Brown for 2 in the first over. Then, just before tea, he hadTrevor Gripper (9) well caught low down by Matsikenyeri in the gully.After the interval, Rogers and Dion Ebrahim responded to the situation bydigging in deep, the runs slowing to a trickle. They added just 24 in thehour until drinks, after which Rogers began to open up until he ran himselfout for 42. Craig Evans hardly knows how to block, and he was soon takingheavy toll of the longitudinally challenged deliveries of the Academyspinners. By the close Ebrahim had scored an uncharacteristic 27 in morethan two hours, while Evans had 31.