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James Anderson has expressed his sadness at Trent Boult’s request to be released from his central contract to improve his availability to T20 leagues, and fears Test cricket will struggle in the changing landscape.Following conversations with New Zealand Cricket, Boult and the board agreed to a parting of ways that by no means ends the 33-year-old’s international career, but will see it significantly reduced. In lieu of regular appearances for the Blackcaps, his focus instead will be the franchise circuit, including two lucrative new additions in the UAE and South Africa.NZC chief executive David White told ESPNcricinfo he does not believe this will have a knock-on effect to others within the New Zealand set-up. However Anderson, who turned 40 last month and will pick up his 173rd cap in the first Test against South Africa on Wednesday, believes Boult’s decision is a seismic event given where cricket is headed. He expects more bowlers in particular to go down this path given the rewards on offer.Asked if he was saddened by Boult’s decision, Anderson admitted he was “because Test cricket will probably bear the brunt of it. The easiest thing to do for bowlers is bowl four overs or 20 balls. It takes nothing out of you. And if you’re getting paid just as well, it probably makes sense. It will tempt more people than not.”It is [a big deal that Boult made this choice] because he is such a high-profile international player and I can definitely see it happening more and more now, particularly with bowlers.”Boult’s citation of the schedule and spending more time to his family is something Anderson can appreciate. He knows his workload, significantly eased due to playing no white-ball cricket for England since the 2015 50-over World Cup, has contributed to his longevity. Likewise for his opening partner Stuart Broad, who last represented England in the limited-overs format in an ODI against South Africa in January 2016.”I think Broady will say the same: that we were fortunate our white-ball careers pretty much ended after that World Cup and we could focus on red-ball cricket. That worked out great for us. In the future, I can see it definitely being the other way round – with people picking and choosing their formats, tours, whatever it might be.”Already the most successful fast bowler in Test history, Anderson will become the first forty-plus wicket-taker for England since Graham Gooch during the 1994-95 Ashes, assuming he adds to his 657 dismissals at Lord’s. The previous out-and-out quick to do so as many years young was Leslie Jackson, again against Australia, in July 1961. It is apt that Anderson’s Test debut – against Zimbabwe at Lord’s in May 2003 – even came before the first round of matches in the inaugural Twenty20 Cup, which got underway on June 13 that summer.Related

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“I feel proud to have got to where I have,” Anderson said, reflecting on his feat of endurance. “I feel fortunate as well that I’ve still got the love for the game and the desire to get better and still do the training and the nets and whatever else that comes with it. Because with a lot of people that’s the first thing that goes, and that’s when you start slowing down and winding down. But for me, I feel like that passion is still there. So I feel fortunate for that. I feel fortunate that my body’s still functioning properly and allowing me to do the job that I love.”As for who will be the next player to join that age-bracket, Anderson suggested his long-term partner Broad, who is already 36. However, his follow-up of who else spoke of his view of the game at the moment – a time when the future feels far more relevant than the present:”Definitely not after that because no-one will be stupid enough. Everything that has gone in the world with franchise cricket, the Hundred, short forms of the game, I can’t see anyone wanting to play Test cricket for this long.”As for future-proofing Test cricket, while boards need to assume most of the responsibility for doing so – if they wish – Anderson believes the current players are the ones who must continue to do their bit. Since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes have taken over as head coach and captain of England’s Test side, much has been made of how their style of cricket is making the longest format more attractive.While most of that talk has been from English players, much to the derision of others, not least the Proteas who are motivated to burst the so-called “Bazball” bubble, the manner of four victories at the start of the summer against New Zealand and India has reignited the good feeling around the format. It is a responsibility Anderson feels should not be ignored.”Even if we didn’t play this way, I still think Test cricket is an amazing format. We’ve had some brilliant series and matches, not just involving us and between other teams around the world that have been brilliant to watch. So I hope people will see that and want to be a part of it, growing up wanting to play Test cricket.”But, yes, 100 percent our job and responsibility as Test cricketers is to promote the game and encourage as many people as possible to watch it and play it when they get older.”

Whither the 50-over format? Or should that be wither, as far as the World Champions are concerned. On a hot and humid afternoon at the Kia Oval, not even the reunion of England’s Class of 2019 top-order could resist the extraordinary skills of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, who inflicted on Jos Buttler – in his first official match as ODI captain – a truly humbling experience.By the time England had been routed by ten wickets in a grand total of 44 overs – yes, this is nominally 50 overs a side, even though the whole match lasted barely any longer than the three T20Is that preceded it – Bumrah had racked up the staggering figures of 6 for 19, beating Ashish Nehra’s 6 for 23 at the 2003 World Cup as India’s best against England. That haul included two for none in three balls in his first over of the match, en route to 4 for 6 in his first four (only one run of which came off the bat), and two for none in seven balls at the death, as a spirited but futile bout of slogging from England’s tail was sawn off in uncompromising fashion.Shami was more expensive but no less critical in routing England’s intentions after being asked to bat first, with the huge scalp of Ben Stokes for a first-ball duck in his second over, as well as that of Buttler, whose 30 from 32 was his team’s only meaningful source of resistance, but which ended with a top-edged pull to deep square leg, a sucker-punch one ball after he’d successfully picked off the last of his six fours in the same direction.From a nadir of 26 for 5 in the eighth over, England limped to 110 all out from 25.2, and their subsequent challenge lasted about as long as it took for Bairstow, at short midwicket, to make a hash of a gimme run-out off the first ball of India’s chase, as Shikhar Dhawan was called though for a non-existent single by his captain, Rohit Sharma.That let-off didn’t exactly ignite Dhawan’s somewhat ponderous knock of 31 not out from 54 balls – one in which he could also have been run-out on 1 had Willey’s fingertips deflected a Rohit drive into the non-striker’s stumps. But Rohit at the other end grew into his own innings with familiar authority. He brought up a 49-ball half-century with the third of his five emphatic sixes over backward square, and had pressed along to an unbeaten 76 from 58 by the time Dhawan sealed the deal with a carve for four through point.Coming in the wake of India’s 2-1 series win in the T20Is – a scoreline made all the more emphatic by their quashing of a pair of “timid” England displays in the first two games – this was another statement performance from a team that is coming together in ominous fashion ahead of two World Cups in quick succession, the T20 version in Australia in four months’ time, and a home 50-over campaign in the new year.Ben Stokes was one of four England batters to fall for a duck•Associated Press

England’s meltdown was telegraphed early – just as had been the case against South Africa at Lord’s in 2017 and against Australia in Adelaide the following winter, two previous occasions when their pedal-to-the-metal approach had come a spectacular cropper after being asked to bat first in helpful conditions and against a formidable seam attack.And with respect to Kagiso Rabada, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood et al, few are more formidable right now that Bumrah and Shami – and that’s without even mentioning the prodigious skills of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the main man of the T20I series, who remains sparingly used across the longer formats.Bumrah’s first over in particular had it all. After a first-ball sighter to Jason Roy, he bought his wicket courtesy of two wicked inswingers, the second hooping dramatically past a hard-handed drive and over the top of off stump. One ball later, sensing the likelihood that Roy would keep coming, he fired the ball out wider with a fraction less bend, and induced a flat-footed nick into the stumps as Roy trooped off for the tenth duck of his ODI career … and the first of a dramatic top-order implosion.Out strode Joe Root at No. 3, reunited with Jonny Bairstow – his partner in crime from that astonishing 378-run chase from last week’s Edgbaston Test. The pair had been inseparable for 269 runs spanning 54.3 overs in that memorable fourth innings. Now? Their stand lasted all of two balls, as Root was fatefully lured by the extra lift outside off, as he feathered the nick through to Rishabh Pant and mouthed “bounce” at his team-mate as he trooped off for a duck.At 6 for 2, England did at least have the mighty Stokes still to come – there’s no backwards step from teams that he’s a part of, after all. Shami, however, had other ideas. In his second over, he produced a pearler of an inswinger to the left-hander, shaping the ball back in from round the wicket to snag the inside edge, for Pant to leap with quick feet and a primed right glove. That was the first of his three catches behind the stumps – two of them blinders.Mohammed Shami wasn’t going to be completely overshadowed by Jasprit Bumrah•Getty Images

At 7 for 3, the scoreline was now rather similar to the collapses that have greeted Bairstow’s recent arrivals on the Test scene, but despite one bristling first-over four, he was for once powerless to resist. Bumrah’s three-card trick to extract England’s form batter was masterful – inswinger, outswinger, and a bulldozer on off stump, one that just kept coming on to a tentative each-way defensive push, as Pant again leapt smartly to his right to cling on in front of first slip.At 17 for 4, Liam Livingstone tried and failed to bide his time. Seven consecutive dot-balls piled up the pressure, and when he snapped for his eighth delivery – scampering down the track to intercept Bumrah’s movement – he was utterly confounded. Another pinpoint inswinger swung behind his legs into the base of his stumps, and suddenly England had lost four of their top six for ducks – a further emulation of their Adelaide catastrophe.At 26 for 5, Buttler and Moeen Ali attempted to regroup, and at the very least they managed to double the total in the next six overs as Hardik Pandya and Prasidh Krishna entered the attack. But having pumped the second of his two fours past Prasidh’s outstretched right hand, Moeen succumbed two balls later in similar fashion, as the lanky fast bowler stooped low in his followthrough to scoop up a return catch for 14. Rohit’s response, at 53 for 6, was to bring Shami back for the kill … and within three balls of his return, Buttler too was trooping back.There was at least a flicker of resistance from England’s tail. Craig Overton couldn’t emulate his brother Jamie’s 97 on debut in the Trent Bridge Test, but he did pick off two fours in three balls before Shami claimed his third, while Brydon Carse, David Willey and even the bona fide bunny, Reece Topley all outdid their top-order colleagues – the latter with a lump through the line off Yuzvendra Chahal as England’s No.11 managed the only six of their innings, a rarity on two counts for this hard-hitting line-up.But after having his peerless figures dented with two fours off Willey, Bumrah reverted to the full stump-rattling length that had started England’s slide, and that was the end of that. A day that had begun with speculation about Virat Kohli’s absence (groin injury) would be done and dusted long before the Oval floodlights had to get involved.

Glasgow Rangers dropped further behind their rivals in the race for the Scottish Premiership title after they were held to a 3-3 draw by Hibernian on Sunday.

The Gers dropped a 2-0 and 3-2 lead to walk away from Easter Road with just one point, which has left them 16 points behind Celtic in the top-flight table as it stands.

A hat-trick from Hamza Igamane was not enough to secure all three points for the Ibrox giants, who were let down by their goalkeeper for the third Hibs goal.

Liam Kelly came flying off his line from a corner and got nowhere near the ball, allowing Rocky Bushiri to, essentially, head the ball into an empty net, and the Gers have now been urged to sign a new goalkeeper.

Rangers told to sign Premier League stopper

English Football League pundit Don Goodman has told Rangers to consider a swoop for Wolverhampton Wanderers second-choice goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, who is currently behind Jose Sa in the pecking order under Vitor Pereira.

Jack Butland is currently out injured after suffering ‘significant’ internal bleeding in his leg and the Daily Record reports that it remains to be seen when he will be able to return to action, leaving Kelly as the first-choice for the time being.

Speaking to Plejmo, as relayed by the Daily Record, the pundit said: “Sam Johnstone moving to Rangers could be a move that suits all parties.”

Goodman then added: “Rangers have to consider their options in the transfer window after Jack Butland’s injury. A permanent move could be dependent on the price tag but a loan is likely to come down to whether Sam Johnstone would be interested in a move to Scotland.”

Transfer Focus

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

Johnstone joined the Old Gold for a reported fee of £10m in the summer but has only played seven times in the Premier League this season, and the Gers could offer him an escape to Ibrox to play regular football in Butland’s absence.

The England international could come in as a fantastic short-term addition for Philippe Clement if the club can convince Wolves to loan him to them for the rest of the campaign.

Why Rangers should sign Sam Johnstone

Kelly’s performance against Hibernian was a concern as he struggled to deal with the set-pieces and crosses into the box that the home side consistently delivered.

There was a moment not long before the goal where the Scottish dud came out to attempt to claw away a corner and missed the ball completely, but it did not result in a goal.

Appearances

3

Save success rate

63%

Pass accuracy

55%

Aerial duel success rate

50%

As you can see in the table above, he has lost 50% of his aerial duels across his three appearances in the Premiership so far this season, which illustrates his struggles dealing with balls into the box.

Johnstone, who was once hailed for an “unbelievable” save by Gary Lineker, has proven himself to be very reliable when it comes to dealing with those situations. He has won 100% of his aerial duels in the current Premier League campaign and has never won under 67% of his aerial battles in a single top-flight season in England.

These statistics suggest that the Wolves shot-stopper, who has also completed 63% of his attempted passes this season, could come in as a huge upgrade on Kelly in that area of the game, helping Rangers to consistently deal with set-pieces more effectively.

Johnstone could also, as shown by their respective pass completion rates, offer more composure on the ball to help Rangers play out from the back under pressure, which is another reason why the Gers should take Goodman’s advice and swoop for him as a big upgrade on Kelly.

Rangers could repeat Russell Martin disaster with move for £30k-p/w target

Rangers should avoid a deal for the centre-back who has been linked with a move to Ibrox.

ByDan Emery Jan 8, 2025

Arsenal have now turned their attentions to a low-cost Alexander Isak alternative in 2025, according to a fresh report, as they look to add more firepower to Mikel Arteta’s squad.

Arsenal hunting for a striker

It is no secret that Arsenal are keen to sign a striker in 2025. Mikel Arteta’s side explored the market in the most recent summer transfer window, but following Benjamin Sesko’s decision to extend his contract with RB Leipzig they opted to place their faith in Kai Havertz to lead the line for the 24/25 Premier League campaign.

The German has repaid that faith since being moved to the no.9 spot at the Emirates Stadium, but there is still a feeling that the Gunners require a more natural striker to provide competition for the former Chelsea man.

Kai Havertz as a striker at Arsenal (Premier League)
Appearances	25
Goals	13
Assists	8
Minutes per goal/assist	101

The chief transfer target seems to be Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, who Arsenal have had a longstanding interest in stemming from the Swede’s time at Real Sociedad, but he is under contract at St James’ Park until 2028 and would be a mammoth signing both in terms of wages and transfer fee.

Sesko remains an option, while they have also been credited with interest in Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, who they saw up close and personal as they thrashed his Sporting CP side 5-1 in the Champions League. Now though, a new potential option has emerged.

Arsenal in line for shock free agent signing

That comes according to a surprise report from Football Insider, who link Arsenal with a shock move to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin next summer. The Everton striker has previously been on Arteta’s radar during his time at Arsenal, but a mixture of form and fitness have seen him struggle at Everton in recent seasons.

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Nonetheless, the England international is a free agent come the end of the season as things stand, and will have his pick of interested clubs. Among those are Arsenal, the report claims, reporting that the north London side “have considered making a move” when his contract expires.

Any deal would likely see Calvert-Lewin require a major bump on his current £100,000 a week wages, with the report adding that “the 27-year-old may see a move as his last chance to land what would be a big contract”.

The 27-year-old scored seven goals last season to keep his side away from the relegation zone, and has managed two goals and an assist so far this campaign, though he was dropped by Sean Dyche in favour of Beto in their most recent game, where they went on to lose 4-0 against Manchester United, who Arsenal face next.

All in all, a deal seems highly improbable given the likely wage demands, Calvert-Lewin’s fitness concerns and Arsenal’s title ambitions. Should the Gunners opt for the cheap option when other, more reliable strikers are on the market, it would be a massive gamble from Arteta and co.

MatériaMais Notícias

O São Paulo vem mostrando a força dos jogadores revelados na base neste começo de temporada. Com o calendário apertado, nas disputas de Campeonato Paulista e Copa do Brasil, o Tricolor apostou nos garotos, que vêm dando conta do recado.

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VEJA A TABELA DO CAMPEONATO PAULISTA 2022!

Na vitória diante do São Bernardo, por 4 a 1, de virada, que garantiu a vaga nas semifinais do Campeonato Paulista, três gols foram marcados por jogadores revelados na base: Rodrigo Nestor, Pablo Maia e Marquinhos. Calleri fechou o placar já nos acréscimos. Mas não foi somente nessa partida que os #MadeInCotia apareceram.

Nesta temporada, dos seis jogadores com mais partidas no São Paulo, quatro são da base: Rodrigo Nestor (14), Marquinhos (12), Gabriel Sara (11) e Pablo Maia (11). Sara poderia até ter mais partidas, mas uma entorse no tornozelo fez com que ele fosse desfalque nos últimos quatro jogos.

Os garotos revelados na base têm tido bons números em gols: dos 23 gols marcados pelo São Paulo nesta temporada, oito são de ‘crias’ de Cotia: Marquinhos (2), Rodrigo Nestor (2), Toró (1), Gabriel Sara (1), Diego Costa (1) e Pablo Maia (1).

-Eles têm talento, eles tiveram maturidade. Eles tiveram calma para fazer as jogadas, com tabelas bem construídas. Mostra que eles são jovens, alguns com 18, 19 anos, mas estão dispostos. Gosto de gente que tem fome, que quer aprender, ganhar e ser campeão. Esses garotos têm fome de vitória. Vim da base e morei quatro anos embaixo da arquibancada. Não existia Cotia. Aqui, na hora da fome, tinha pão e margarina. Cotia tem tudo hoje. Os meninos são energia pura, força física – disse Rogério Ceni, na coletiva após a vitória sobre o São Bernardo.

Outro ponto positivo para o São Paulo ter os garotos jogando bem são possíveis vendas para outros clubes. Gabriel Sara, Nestor e Igor Gomes já foram alvos de sondagens europeias e americanas. A questão também foi levantada por Ceni ao falar sobre Igor Gomes.

-Pode ser que as vezes ele não vá bem, mas quanto custou o Igor Gomes? É um investimento de Cotia. Não vaiam, não façam isso, são esses garotos que podem tirar o São Paulo dessa situação, que se enterrou. Aplaudam o cara – disse o treinador.

O elenco do São Paulo folga nesta quarta-feira e só retorna na quinta, quando Rogério Ceni e comissão técnica iniciarão a preparação para a semifinal do estadual.

Sheffield United could now pull off an excellent signing in 2025, it has emerged, as they look for a new option at fullback.

Sheffield United on course for promotion

With a third of the season now played, Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United side are on course for an immediate return to the Premier League. Having conceded just nine goals all season, the Blades sit top of the Championship, ahead of Burnley by two points and a further point clear of Leeds United.

Though promotion is by no means guaranteed, they look in great shape to be in the reckoning come the end of the campaign.

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And Wilder has urged his players to embrace the promotion push, explaining: “They see Sky Sports, they see it pop up on the right-hand side of the screen, they see they are winning games – we have to embrace that pressure.

“Embrace that pressure of being a team that’s started the season very well and are deservedly in our position. When we weren’t expected to go up in 2019 I said embrace the position we’re in, enjoy it. Would you rather be here than halfway up?

“We’re 18 games in now, we’re coming up to the halfway mark of the season. We’ve played three quarters if not more of the teams and we know about the teams we haven’t played – where Plymouth are going to be pitched and Cardiff, Burnley and West Brom.”

One player who has been a key part of their success has been loanee Alfie Gilchrist, who has started 15 games so far on the right side of defence. But, with no certainty about his future beyond this season, it seems as though Sheffield United may well be looking at an alternative defender.

Sheffield United want "elite" defender back at Bramall Lane

That comes as TalkSport report that the Blades are interested in re-signing Kyle Walker this summer, something that would have increased chances of success if they can secure promotion. The defender was part of the youth setup at Bramall Lane, but was snapped up by Tottenham quickly and has since gone onto become a Premier League legend, lifting six Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy with Manchester City.

Walker was dubbed “elite” at the beginning of the most recent campaign by fellow right-back and England teammate Reece James, who added: “His all-round quality as a player and person is at an elite level. He’s been at the top for a number of years and he’s a great professional.”

Appearances

404

Goals

8

Assists

36

Clean sheets

130

Premier League titles

6

However, recent reports suggest that his time at the Etihad could be coming to an end, and should he be allowed to leave the club, he would trigger a scramble for his signature, with Walker “expected to receive lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia and the MLS” as well as interest from his hometown.

Despite the lucrative offers, the Blades are likely to have the advantage in the race for the England international, with Walker having already made clear his desire to see out his career in Sheffield.

“I’d like to finish at Sheffield United. That’s something that I would actually like to do”, he told Rio Ferdinand’s podcast back in March.

“I was there from such a young age until that until I went to Tottenham and I only played five [league] games before I went to Tottenham, and then went back on loan for half a season. So I think I’ve got like 35 games and I’d like to go for as long as possible, to give back or even pass on my experience to the younger players that are coming through or players that are there then. If I can do that, then I’d like to, yeah.”

Though he is no longer the star player he once was, the 34-year-old could help bring vital experience to a side that set a record for the most goals conceded in a single season last time they were in the Premier League.

حقق المنتخب الإنجليزي فوزه الثاني في تصفيات أوروبا المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2026، بثلاثية نظيفة أمام لاتفيا، تحت قيادة المدرب الألماني توماس توخيل.

والتقى منتخب إنجلترا مع لاتفيا، ضمن مباريات الجولة الثانية لتصفيات أوروبا المؤهلة لمونديال 2026.

وافتتح ريس جيمس التسجيل للمنتخب الإنجليزي بهدف في شباك لاتفيا من ركلة حرة، في الدقيقة 38 من عمر المباراة. هدف ريس جيمس في مباراة إنجلترا ولاتفيا

🔥🔥 رييس جيمس يفتتح التسجيل للمنتخب الإنجليزي بهدف رائع من ركلة حرة على حدود منطقة جزاء لاتفيا#تصفيات_كأس_العالم_2026 | #رمضان_مع_beIN#WorldCupQualifiers | #RamadanwithbeIN pic.twitter.com/RCKI0EdrX5 — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) March 24, 2025

ثم عزز هاري كين تقدم إنجلترا بهدف ثانٍ في الدقيقة 68، بتمريرة من ديكلان رايس. هدف هاري كين في مباراة إنجلترا ولاتفيا

🔥⚽️ هاري كاين يعزز تقدم إنجلترا بهدف رائع من عرضية مميزة من ديكلان رايس#تصفيات_كأس_العالم_2026 | #رمضان_مع_beIN#WorldCupQualifiers | #RamadanwithbeIN pic.twitter.com/CbkbJWYSlN — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) March 24, 2025

وبحلول الدقيقة 76، سجل إيبيريشي إيز الهدف الثالث للإنجليز بتمريرة من فيل فودين. هدف إيبيريشي إيز في مباراة إنجلترا ولاتفيا

🔥⚽️ إيبيريشي إيز يعزز النتيجة للمنتخب الإنجليزي بهدف ثالث في شباك لاتفيا#تصفيات_كأس_العالم_2026 | #رمضان_مع_beIN#WorldCupQualifiers | #RamadanwithbeIN pic.twitter.com/wrJvsgHCQB — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) March 24, 2025

حسمت المباراة بفوز إنجلترا بثلاثية دون مقابل أمام لاتفيا، لترفع رصيدها في المجموعة إلى 6 نقاط، من انتصارين.

وكانت إنجلترا حققت الفوز في الجولة الأولى على ألبانيا بهدفين دون مقابل، وبالتالي تنفرد بصدارة المجموعة.

يذكر أن إنجلترا تقع في مجموعة تضم منتخبات ألبانيا ولاتفيا وصربيا وأندروا.

It is fair to say that Manchester City have not had an ideal start to the season and that Pep Guardiola will be disappointed with the team’s results so far.

They went into the last international break of 2024 off the back of four successive defeats across all competitions and the Spanish head coach will be plotting ways to get his side back to their best when they return to action next weekend.

The Cityzens were, firstly, knocked out of the League Cup by Tottenham Hotspur and that is one trophy that they will not be lifting this season.

City also lost back-to-back games in the Premier League, against Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion, either side of being smashed 4-1 by Sporting in the Champions League.

It has been a rough few weeks for the Premier League champions and they currently find themselves five points adrift of Liverpool, who have won nine of their 11 matches, in the race for the title.

There are less than two months left to go before the January transfer window officially opens for business and Guardiola could look to dip into the winter market to improve his options across the pitch.

Manchester City eyeing Bundesliga star

According to Football Insider, Manchester City are considering a deal to sign Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen ahead of the second half of the season.

The report claims that the Cityzens are looking for long-term replacements for Kyle Walker in the right-back position and the Netherlands international has been identified as a possible target.

It states that the former Celtic man is viewed as an ideal option to come in and bolster the squad due to his pre-existing knowledge and familiarity with the club, having come up through the academy system in Manchester before leaving for the Hoops in 2019.

Football Insider adds that City are also keeping tabs on versatile Brentford defender Sepp van den Berg, who joined the Bees from Liverpool in the summer, as an alternative option to Frimpong.

The Daily Mail recently reported that Liverpool are also interested in the Leverkusen sensation, who reportedly has a release clause of around £35m, which shows that there could be serious competition for his signature in January, or next summer.

Frimpong, who was once hailed as a “cheat code” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, has proven his quality in the Bundesliga in recent seasons and could come in as an excellent addition for City, which would be bad news for Walker in the short-term.

Kyle Walker's declining performances

After turning 34 in May, the England international will know that he is now entering the final throes of his playing career and is not going to be the long-term right-back option for the Cityzens.

Transfer Focus

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

However, the signing of Frimpong in January would accelerate his regression to squad player status, which could potentially force him to consider his future at The Etihad, with a World Cup in 2026 to consider.

Walker has started five of his seven appearances in the Premier League so far this season but his performances on the pitch have left a bit to be desired, as his displays have declined in comparison to his form last term.

In the 2023/24 campaign, the veteran full-back started 30 of the club’s 38 top-flight matches and was only dribbled past 0.6 times per game on average, which shows that attackers found it difficult to get the better of him.

The former Tottenham Hotspur speedster also won 54% of his ground duels and 63% of his aerial contests, as he was able to dominate opposition forwards in physical battles.

Appearances

32

7

Key passes per game

0.8

0.9

Pass accuracy

90%

89%

Dribbled past per game

0.6x

0.9x

Ground duel success rate

54%

52%

Aerial duel success rate

63%

44%

As you can see in the table above, Walker is currently losing more of his duels and being dribbled past more often than he did last season in the Premier League.

This shows that his performances have been declining and that is another reason why this news of the interest in Frimpong is bad news for the right-back, as his time as a regular starter for the club could be coming to an end.

Why Jeremie Frimpong would be a good signing

The Dutch defender has already had experience with the Cityzens, having played 62 times for the club at U18 and U23 level, and this suggests that he would not need much time to settle in around the training ground, city, or country.

This suggests that he would be a perfect addition in the January transfer window because he could hit the ground running. Whereas, a player with no experience at City or in England coming in midway through a campaign could need weeks or months to adapt.

Frimpong’s performances in the Bundesliga in recent seasons, since his move to Leverkusen from Celtic, also suggest that the potential is there for him to be a quality addition to the squad and a fantastic long-term replacement for Walker.

The 23-year-old star, who is 11 years younger than the Englishman, has racked up an eye-catching 26 goals and 38 assists across 158 games in all competitions for the German side, which shows that he can make a big impact in the final third from a right-back or right wing-back role.

Appearances

31

32

Goals

9

0

Big chances created

9

7

Assists

7

4

Dribbled past per game

0.4x

0.6x

Error led to shot or goal

0

1

As you can see in the table above, Frimpong outperformed Walker as an attacking threat at league level, and attacking players did not beat him as frequently in dribbles.

The Dutchman, who has scored one goal and provided two assists in eight Bundesliga starts this season, can combine quality in possession with dynamism and defensive solidity, at least in the German top-flight.

These statistics suggest that Frimpong could come in as an upgrade on Walker, on current form, and be a fantastic long-term replacement, which is bad news for the Englishman and his prospects of starting regularly beyond the January window.

Double injury blow for Man City as £16m-a-year duo pulled from internationals

Pep Guardiola has suffered a nightmare start to the November international break.

ByBrett Worthington Nov 11, 2024

Australia captain Meg Lanning has conceded it will be a challenge to fill the void created by Georgia Wareham’s long-term injury which has seen her ruled out of cricket until well into next year.Wareham, the legspinning allrounder, suffered an ACL injury early in the WBBL and will require her second knee reconstruction meaning she will miss the Ashes, ODI World Cup, and Commonwealth Games during 2022.She had become an integral part of Australia’s white-ball sides over the last couple of years with a vital match-winning display in the crunch 2020 T20 World Cup match against New Zealand where she claimed 3 for 17 to ensure Australia made the semi-final.Wareham also recently made her Test debut against India and would have been in the frame for a second cap against England for the multi-format Ashes in January.”Firstly, obviously, it’s devastating news for Georgia, six months or so [out of the game], so really feeling for her and hope the recovery goes reasonably smoothly,” Lanning told reporters ahead of this weekend’s WBBL matches. “From a team perspective as well it’s not ideal. She’s been playing a massive role for us and think she would have done again over the next few months with some really big tournaments.Related

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“She’ll certainly be a loss, not only her bowling but also her batting and fielding is world class. She’ll certainly leave a bit of a hole but – and it’s something we’ve spoken about over the last few months in the India series – it does present an opportunity for someone else to step up and take it. Hopefully we can see that.”Australia had to manage with a number of key players missing during the multi-format series against India which they ended up winning 11-5 although they were pushed harder than that margin suggests. Jess Jonassen missed the entire series along with Megan Schutt, who was on maternity leave, while Rachael Haynes was ruled out after the ODI series with a hamstring injury.One of the key questions for Australia will be whether they seek a like-for-like replacement for Wareham, in which case Amanda-Jade Wellington, the Adelaide Strikers and South Australia legspinner, would be the frontrunner. Wellington has been capped across all three formats by Australia, playing the 2017-18 Ashes Test, but last appeared in early 2018 since when she has been overtaken by Wareham.”Think there’s some good options out there,” Lanning said. “Whether we go with another legspinner or we do have Jess Jonassen who missed that India series as someone who takes the ball away from the right handers, so we’ll keep our options open as much as we can. There’s a bit of cricket to be played in this WBBL and the WNCL to allow people to put their hands up. The great thing is we have some really good depth and some good young spin bowlers coming through.”Lanning’s immediate priority is to try and guide Melbourne Stars into the WBBL finals after finishing runners-up last season. They currently occupy the fifth position with three wins from eight matches ahead of a vital double-header weekend against Strikers and current leaders Melbourne Renegades.”They are very important games against two very good teams,” she said. “I feel like we’ve really started to get an understanding of the cricket we want to play and individually the roles people will play. It does take a little bit of time sometimes when you get such a new group together and quite a young squad as well.”I feel we are settling into the tournament really nicely now and it is make-or-break. Think it’s pretty similar for most teams, it’s a pretty even comp and after these couple of games we’ll know where we are at and whether we have the capacity to mix it with the best. I’m very confident that we do. We’ve shown glimpses but probably haven’t been as consistent as we’d have liked.”

Tottenham Hotspur have been told that manager Ange Postecoglou cannot afford the latest “big blow” coming his way, as one of his “mainstay” players faces a prolonged absence.

Postecoglou makes Spurs trophy promise in second season

Postecoglou caused a slight stir with his recent comments that he “always” wins silverware during his second season in charge of any club he has managed, with the Australian making a bold promise to deliver trophies this campaign as a result.

Pundit now urges Tottenham to bring "incredible" loanee back in January

He’s been praised for his form away from north London.

By
Emilio Galantini

Sep 25, 2024

Tottenham’s last honour came in 2008, when the north Londoners beat English capital rivals Chelsea to lift the Carling Cup, as it was then known. It’s been 16 years since, and Spurs have come close on a number of occasions, most notably their Champions League final against Liverpool in 2019.

“Usually in my second season I win things,” said Postecoglou on ending Spurs’ trophy drought, in an interview with Sky Sports.

“That’s the whole idea. First year is about establishing principles and creating a foundation. Hopefully the second year is going on to win things. Of course it’s easier said than done, particularly in the Premier League and the competition we’re in. That’s always the way I’ve looked at it, is that the second year you should be in a position where you can push on, depending on how the first year has gone.

Tottenham’s top goalscorers in all competitions – 2023/2024
Player	Goals scored
Son Heung-min	17
Richarlison	12
Dejan Kulusevski	8
Brennan Johnson	5
Cristian Romero	5
James Maddison	4

“Last year we had some really good moments, obviously we had some tough moments. I think we learnt as much from the tough moments as we did from the good stuff, and hopefully that means we’re in a good place. We’re definitely a better-prepared team than we were last year.”

Earlier this month, he doubled down on that pledge, by stating he “always” wins things in his second year rather than just “usually”. His confidence will at least be an encouraging sign for supporters, who have also watched Spurs sign a prolific goalscorer in Dominic Solanke to help them along.

Tottenham can't afford "big blow" as Bentancur faces 12-game ban

Unfortunately for Postecoglou, he has to entertain the possibility of being without £22 million midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur for a prolonged period. The Uruguayan was asked by a TV presenter in June for a Tottenham shirt, and he replied: “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.”

Of course, this unacceptable comment has caused a stir, and Bentancur now faces a 12-game ban by the FA pending the result of an investigation. While the recommendation is likely to be six games, the prospect of double that length is a very real one, and even six would still hurt Spurs’ short-term future.

Speaking to Tottenham News, Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson says Spurs can’t afford the “big blow” of Bentancur missing weeks of action.

“It’d be a big blow because he’s a mainstay in the midfield; it’s usually him and a teammate,” said Robinson.

“Postecoglou normally plays with two holding midfielders as a rule, and he’s one of them. I think the squad is unbalanced as it’s overladen by wide players and attacking midfielders, and light in other areas, and that’s potentially one of them. Without Bentancur, Pape Sarr or Archie Gray could play in there.

“It’s a big squad but I think it’s unbalanced, so it’s an area where they can’t really afford to lose a key player such as Bentancur.”