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Wicketkeeper-batter admits India “could have applied ourselves better” but refuses to dwell on toss

Sidharth Monga25-Aug-20211:57

Rishabh Pant: ‘We could have applied ourselves better’

On a day that India were bowled out for 78 before conceding 120 for no loss, India’s wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was in no mood to look back at the decision to bat first at the toss. It is not what you choose to do, but how you do it, according to Pant. And he would like “much better application” in that how.This was the first time Virat Kohli had won the toss in England in eight Tests, but he faced a tricky decision because the pitch looked brown although recent data at Headingley suggests batting keeps on getting easier there after a tough first day or so.England extracted more swing and seam with the new ball than they have done all series before the “tacky” pitch, according to Joe Root, settled down. Root said he was unsure what to do so he was happy to lose his first toss to Kohli at home.Related

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“Whatever decision we take, we take as a team,” Pant said. “So once we have decided we are going to bat first, we are going to back our decision. Yes we could have applied much better but we can’t keep on thinking too much about the toss.”It’s part and parcel of the game. Everyday the batting unit is giving its 100% but sometimes it doesn’t go well. In the morning, the wicket was slightly on the softer side and they bowled in good areas. We could have applied ourselves better. We can learn from it and only move on. That’s all we can do as cricketers. You learn from your mistakes and improve.”Pant said the conditions got much easier by the time India began to bowl. “They took the heavy roller, the wicket was much more settled down, and they batted nicely also,” he said. “But when we batted, the wicket was slightly soft, and they bowled in good areas, but we could have applied [ourselves] much better…”Rishabh Pant takes in some sun in the company of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul•Associated Press

India are making a highly enterprising selection by batting Pant at No. 6 in a batting line-up whose big guns have been struggling for runs. Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have been averaging in the 20s over the last two years, which means Pant has been called upon to perform the rescue act more often than a wicketkeeper-batter likes. Pant looks at it more as an opportunity than pressure.”As a cricketer, I don’t think in that manner.” Pant said. “Whatever be the situation, you think about the team first and what you can do in that situation… if the top-order collapses and you get an opportunity, I see it as an opportunity that if you can bail the team out of that situation, you are going to do wonders in your life, as a cricketer.”

The left-arm quick, who recently turned 35, says he still has ‘plenty left in the tank’ as a Test cricketer

Deivarayan Muthu26-Jun-20213:02

‘In your head… Kohli, Kohli’ – Neil Wagner sings Zombie cover

As a red-ball specialist who hasn’t played any white-ball cricket for New Zealand, Neil Wagner had never dreamed of being part of a world final. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo in the lead-up to the inaugural World Test Championship final, the left-arm quick had likened the match to a World Cup final. During a virtual media interaction on Saturday afternoon, Wagner said winning the WTC was the “pinnacle of the game” for him and that the team was overwhelmed by the support and reception from their supporters.”Never [dreamed of it],” Wagner said. “No, that (playing white-ball cricket for New Zealand) was sort of a dream and a ship that had sailed to be fair – thinking about the white-ball World Cup in some sort of a way. So, when the Test Championship came around and it was sort of explained to us a couple of years ago what it’s going to be like, I got quite excited by the idea. I thought it was quite special and I thought it was something that’s going to make Test cricket the way it is right now and make it quite exciting and add a bit more perspective to it.Related

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“So, finally, I guess, getting to an ICC event and with something as big as that… how hard Test cricket is and to be able to do that for a period of two years; every Test match is extremely hard to try and put a performance in and win it. There’s a lot of things that’s got to go your way and lot of hard work you got to do over five days.”To then get into a final, which was obviously rain-affected and still play our brand of cricket and be positive and to get there, personally for me, I can’t speak for everyone, this is the ultimate for me to win a Test Championship final though it’s the first one and probably hard to compare with others, it’s definitely the pinnacle of the game for me. And to win it against a quality team like India and the way we did and then to see what it has meant to everyone… The support back home and support that was around there – the text messages keep flowing in, phone keeps buzzing and to see what it has meant for Kiwi supporters and family and friends, it means a lot to us too. So, it’s definitely right up there.” Everyone wants a piece of the WTC mace that has now been nicknamed Michael Mason – including the customs officials who greeted the New Zealand players after they touched down in Auckland on Saturday morning.”I don’t think I have ever walked into customs and got greeted the way we did,” Wagner said. “Everyone was like straightaway: ‘Congratulations!’ Pretty happy, [they] grabbed our passports and all they wanted to ask was ‘Where’s the mace? Where’s the mace?’ Obviously, when they saw it, the smiles on their faces and what it brought to them, it sort of hit home pretty hard… What it meant to people back home and obviously getting across the line, winning a Test Championship final, and bringing that trophy back like that.”I remember watching as a kid a lot of other teams lifting that [mace] up after finishing a Test cycle being No.1 in the world and what it meant to them. So, to be able to win it in a one-off Test match like that is a pretty special feeling and we could see what it meant to other people once you got home.”Seeing even police officers stopping and wanting to have a photo from a distance with it. Like I said, it’s a pity that it’s Covid times and you can’t hug around these guys and pose for a photo and you know, obviously, give something back to them, too, but it was nice to see the smile on everyone’s faces and how jubilant they were to receive us and getting on the bus… There were cameras outside and people waving and yeah obviously just being very happy about what we were able to achieve. I think it definitely hit the boys hard what it has meant to everyone and around.”Neil Wagner has said he still feels ‘pretty young and the body feels really good’ and that he has ‘plenty left in the tank’ as a Test cricketer•Getty Images

Wagner recently turned 35 and is the oldest member of the New Zealand pace quartet, but he brushed aside talk of a potential retirement, stressing that he was still fit and motivated to deliver for the team. Returning from toe injuries, Wagner swung the Dukes ball in England in addition to unleashing his patented short-ball barrage over lengthy spells.’I’ve got plenty left in the tank,” Wagner said. “Age is just a number for me personally and I feel potentially I haven’t got the five-wicket bags or performances behind my name that I wanted to, but still feel I’m contributing and playing a role, doing what I’m doing and that is just my role. It’s not always going to have the glory numbers or the wickets or whatever it is, but I’ve got a role I can fulfill for the team and as long as I’m needed or called upon, or I guess asked to do a job, 100% I’ll be there to contribute.”I still feel pretty young and the body feels really good. I played those three Test matches [in England] and got through this pretty easily and felt really good that I could play even more. So that’s a good sign for me personally. As long as that motivation and desire is there to keep going to do the hard work at training and do the hard yards of going to the gym and do the tough running sessions and keep the body fresh and improving your game – as long as that’s still there, the rest is easy. Mentally, [I] still feel fresh.”If anything this [WTC title] has just urged me on to work harder and my game personally, but also on a fitness level and all those sort of things to keep playing and performing and doing my role to the best of my ability as much as I can and contribute to the team.”‘I remember when I started my career, it took about 11 Test matches before I got even a Test win. Kyle has played eight – he hasn’t lost one or drawn one yet’ – Wagner•Getty Images

Wagner also hailed Kyle Jamieson, who has emerged as a potent point of the difference in New Zealand’s attack with his ability to swing the ball both ways in addition to the bounce he generates from his 6’8” frame. After scorching the 2019-20 and 2020-21 home summers, Jamieson was front and centre of New Zealand’s victory over India in the WTC final, scooping up a match haul of seven wickets and the Player-of-the-Match award.”Just the way he has fit into the group and come in and play the way he’s done – to just do what he’s been doing in domestic cricket and do even better,” Wagner said of Jamieson. “Every game he’s getting better and better, his willingness to learn, how he’s been bowling with the team and the performances he has put in have put him a long way ahead of the cricketer he’s still yet to be and become. He’s been instrumental to us; yes it’s been amazing to do it with Tim [Southee] and Trent [Boult] as well with myself.”We keep building as a unit, we keep building in partnerships, we said from the start that we know one day might one person’s day and the other day might not be someone else’s day, but you still contribute and bowl for the guy at the other end and someone might reap the rewards for us. I remember when I started my career, it took about 11 Test matches before I got even a Test win. Kyle has played eight – he hasn’t lost one or drawn one yet [laughs]. That’s pretty amazing and he’s played a massive part in that [success] too. Good on him and hopefully he can continue and as a bowling unit, hopefully we can continue to learn and get better and obviously put more performances like this for New Zealand cricket.”

A high-earning Chelsea star is set for crunch talks with manager Enzo Maresca over his future this week, and he could still leave Stamford Bridge, despite the UK transfer window's closure last Friday.

Chelsea splash £271 million on 13 signings in busy transfer window

Once again, Todd Boehly and BlueCo showed they are definitely not afraid to splash cash, having spent around £271 million on 13 new additions, including a reported £51 million move for Brazilian starlet Estevao Willian.

Fabrizio Romano says Chelsea forward is expected to go after deadline day

The Blues could still see an exit for one of their senior attackers.

ByEmilio Galantini Sep 1, 2024

Joao Felix, Mike Penders, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Marc Guiu, Renato Veiga, Estevao, Filip Jorgensen, Tosin Adarabioyo, Aaron Anselmino, Caleb Wiley, Omari Kellyman, Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho all put pen to paper on moves to Stamford Bridge, and there could've been one more.

Chelsea were in high-profile talks over a deadline day move for Napoli star Victor Osimhen as well, who waiting for the Blues despite agreeing terms on a lucrative contract with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.

Appearances

25

Goals

15

Assists

3

Shots per 90

3.86

Key passes per 90

1.05

Successful take-ons per 90

0.73

WhoScored

However, both the Nigerian and Chelsea couldn't agree terms themselves, which has left Osimhen in limbo at Napoli, so he now must wait until January to finally get his big move away from Antonio Conte's side.

"The Al-Ahli offer to Osimhen is a €30m salary on a four-year deal," wrote reliable journalist Ben Jacobs on X.

"There are €40m in bonuses on top taking the total package to €160m. Al-Ahli also prepared to sanction a release clause. Osimhen has agreed to terms but is waiting to see whether Chelsea counter. Al-Ahli offer to Napoli has been accepted. It is €68m plus add-ons taking the total package close to €80m."

Despite the UK window being officially closed, with no more incomings possible, it is still possible that a few more Chelsea players depart in the coming days. The Belgian, Dutch, Saudi, Turkish and Portuguese windows are still open, meaning any interested sides from the aforementioned nations could still conduct business with the west Londoners.

David Datro Fofana is expected to leave Chelsea as one example, according to Fabrizio Romano, and uncertainty still surrounds the future of left-back Ben Chilwell.

Chilwell set for crunch talks with Maresca over Chelsea future

As per GiveMeSport, there is still a chance for the £200,000-per-week left-back to seal a departure in the coming days with a succession of windows still open across Europe.

The Englishman has been deemed surplus to requirements by Maresca lately, who seemingly prefers Marc Cucurella as his inverted left-back option for the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

GMS writes that Chilwell is set for crunch talks with Maresca over his Chelsea future this week, and while he is not pushing to leave at this moment, we cannot definitely rule out the 27-year-old's exit either.

Aston Villa’s start to the 2024/25 season has been something of a mixed bag for the Midlands club so far. They won their first game, securing all three points in a tough away trip to West Ham United, thanks to goals from Amadou Onana and Jhon Duran. However, their first home game of the campaign ended in a 2-0 defeat against Arsenal.

The Villans have a huge season ahead, with a return to the Champions League, and have already made eight signings as they look to improve their squad.

Aston Villa were targeting Serie A striker

The player in question here is AS Roma and England international striker Tammy Abraham.

According to a report from Football Insider, the Villans had been plotting ‘a formal move' to hijack Abraham’s proposed switch to AC Milan, if Jhon Duran departed Villa Park, suggesting that an offer could arrive for the Serie A-based marksman.

The Midlands club ‘believe the striker will choose them’ if they manage to agree terms for a deal with Roma to sign their former loanee, who is deemed to be at the top of their list to replace Duran.

Sadly, any such move will now not come to fruition with the player agreeing a move to Roma in the final hours before deadline day.

Why Abraham would have been a good signing

Unfortunately for the 26-year-old, he missed much of last season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, which he picked up at the start of the campaign. He did make it back to full fitness for the final few games of the season, playing eight Serie A games and getting a goal and an assist.

The season prior to his injury saw the England international in fairly good form. In 2022/23, Abraham managed to find the back of the net on eight occasions in 38 Serie A games, also registering four assists in that time.

As has been previously alluded to, the Roma centre-forward has had a spell at Villa Park before, on loan from Chelsea in 2018/19 when they were in the Championship. It is fair to say the striker was superb, playing 40 games, scoring 26 times and registering three assists. There are certainly good memories of the attacker for Villa fans during his first spell at the club.

Had he returned to the club this summer on a permanent deal, he could have formed a deadly partnership with Morgan Rogers. The enterprising attacker has had a superb start to the season. He put in a “phenomenal” performance against Arsenal last Saturday, as former England goalkeeper Ben Foster said on his YouTube channel, CyclingGK.

Rogers could have been a dream option in behind Abraham, who has a natural instinct in front of goal, as he showed the Villa Park faithful during his first spell at the club. Against the Gunners, the former Man City academy player played two key passes and created one big chance as per Sofascore.

Stat

Number

Touches

48

Passes completed

19/28

Ground duels won

8/10

Dribbles completed

5/7

Key passes

2

Big chances created

1

Getting Abraham – who has been dubbed "outstanding" by journalist Henry Winter – on some of the end of those chances would have been a recipe for success under Unai Emery.

He is a “superb centre-forward”, as football talent scout Jacek Kulig described him, and has elite movement off the last line and inside the penalty box. Given Rogers’ superb creativity in the final third and Abraham’s excellent goalscoring record in a Villa shirt, the pair no doubt would have linked up beautifully together.

Rogers ran the show against one of the best sides in the league, and pairing that up with the Roma striker could have helped them a great deal in their quest to reach the Champions League knockouts and finish in the top four once again.

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Crystal Palace have reportedly reignited their interest in a centre-back target as they look to provide cover in the event that Marc Guehi leaves the club this summer.

Guehi on the move?

Much of the speculation surrounding Oliver Glasner's side ahead of the new Premier League season has been in the wrong direction from their perspective, with a host of their stars linked with a move away from Selhurst Park.

Michael Olise has already left, while there remains interest in his magical partner in crime Eberechi Eze, who is thought to be attracting attention from Manchester City and Tottenham among others.

Also on the wishlist of top clubs is defender Guehi, who is down to the final two years of his contract in south London and is unlikely to pen a new deal with the Eagles. Newcastle United have begun negotiations to sign the EURO 2024 star, though it is reported that Palace "are adamant they will not be selling Guehi for less than £60m", with Chelsea having a 20% sell on clause (£12m should he leave for £60m).

Guehi is "open" to the idea of moving to Tyneside, but there is also thought to be interest from Liverpool in his services and that could complicate matters for the Magpies, playing into Palace's hands in the process as they push for the maximum value from their captain.

In the event that Guehi departs, Glasner's side will be in the market for a new centre-back to partner Joachim Andersen, and are ready to turn another former Glasner pupil to plug the gap.

Centre-back back on the radar for Crystal Palace

That comes as Football Transfers report that Palace have reignited their interest in signing Wolfsburg defender Maxence Lacroix, who has long been linked with a move away from the German club.

The Frenchman is down to the final 12 months of his £59,000-a-week deal in Germany and is unlikely to pen a new contract, meaning that he could be available this summer for just €20m (£17m).

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Connor Holden

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He has racked up over 100 Bundesliga appearances to date and was compared to Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand by the Bundesliga's official website when first breaking through in 2021.

"Lacroix has a certain grace on the ball that is reminiscent of former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand in his prime. Similarly able to glide out of defence and pick a forward pass to a teammate, his elegance masks a steely will to win and a healthy aggression," they wrote.

His career has not caught fire in the way many anticipated since though, and he endured a tough 2023-24 campaign in which he saw red on three occasions in just 28 appearances.

But that has not put Palace off, with Glasner having worked with the defender during the 2020-21 season, when he was considered a major talent. The now-Palace boss handed Lacroix 29 Bundesliga starts and knows him well from their time together, with the report adding that he would be "eager" to work with Lacroix once more in south London.

Any deal for the Wolfsburg man may hinge on Guehi, but should he depart the Eagles are "firmly looking" at Lacroix with "an ambition to secure his signature" before the transfer window closes.

USMNT star Christian Pulisic has warned AC Milan must improve in all areas after their unconvincing 3-2 win against Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Pulisic scored in AC Milan win
• Was critical of his team's performance
• USMNT star went off as a 'precaution'

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Pulisic opened the scoring as the Serie A side took the lead in the Champions League clash, only to see his goal quickly cancelled out before Rafael Leao and Tammy Abraham struck in the second-half. The hosts fought back with another goal, but had a player sent off late on as the Rossoneri left with the three points.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Despite the victory, United States international Pulisic was not entirely satisfied with the way his side played as he felt they gave too many chances to the Slovakian team.

• WHAT PULISIC SAID

  "It was a difficult match. We are happy for the three points which is the most important thing, but we had to play better," he told . "It’s not easy to play here, we took the lead, they had chances, we have to do better. We want to play better. Winning is important, but we have to improve."

  He continued to : “The most important thing is that we won. But it is clear that we want to play a little better… It’s everything. We have to score more goals and defend better, we have to improve."

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• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR MILAN?

  Pulisic was taken off after 74 minutes when his side were 3-1 up, but quashed injury fears as he said his substitution was "a precaution", meaning he will likely start again when AC Milan meet Empoli on Saturday.

MatériaMais Notícias

O São Paulo anunciou, na última quarta-feira (13), a contratação do treinador Rogério Ceni. Após chegar a um acordo para o término do vínculo com Crespo, o Tricolor acertou o retorno do técnico que é ídolo do clube como jogador. Ceni volta ao time que comandou em 2017, mas, desde então, a carreira do técnico mudou completamente.

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CONFIRA A TABELA ATUALIZADA E SIMULE OS JOGOS DO BRASILEIRÃO DE 2021!

Em julho de 2017, após eliminação contra o Corinthians no Paulistão, o São Paulo não fazia boa campanha no Brasileirão, ocupando a zona de rebaixamento. Assim, o clube decidiu terminar o vínculo com Rogério Ceni.

Pelo Tricolor, Rogério Ceni esteve à frente da equipe em 35 ocasiões, das quais venceu 14, empatou 11 e perdeu dez, tendo aproveitamento de 51,96%.

Sem clube, Rogério foi contratado, em novembro de 2017, pelo Fortaleza que disputava a Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro.

Em 2018, a consagração. No comando do Fortaleza, Ceni mostrou grande desempenho e conquistou o título da Série B, primeiro título nacional da história do clube. Naquela temporada, o time jogou 56 vezes sob o comando de Ceni, vencendo 33 jogos, empatando nove e perdendo 14, com um aproveitamento de 64,28%.

Como se não bastasse, o treinador conquistou a primeira Copa do Nordeste do time em 2019, entrando para a história do clube. Além disso, foi campeão do Campeonato Cearense daquele ano.

A passagem histórica, porém, teve alguns problemas ainda em 2019. Durante o Brasileirão, com a equipe na luta contra o rebaixamento, Rogério Ceni deixou o comando do Fortaleza e assumiu o Cruzeiro, que também brigava contra o Z4.

Seu tempo no Cruzeiro, porém, seria marcado de maneira negativa. Com apenas 46 dias de trabalho, Ceni esteve à frente da Raposa por somente oito jogos, ganhando apenas três, empatando dois e perdendo três, aproveitamento de 45,83%. Entre as partidas, o time foi eliminado da Copa do Brasil.

Com polêmicas envolvendo seu relacionamento com jogadores, o treinador saiu da equipe e retornou ao Fortaleza. A temporada terminou com o time nordestino se mantendo na Série A, enquanto o Cruzeiro foi rebaixado.

Em 2020, ainda no Fortaleza, conquistou mais um Campeonato Cearense, se tornando bicampeão. Ao todo, pelo time nordestino, Rogério Ceni esteve na beira do campo 153 vezes, conquistando 81 vitórias, 33 empates e 39 derrotas, um aproveitamento de 60,13%.

O ano de 2020 marcou o principal título de Rogério Ceni como treinador. Com a demissão de Domenéc Torrent, o ex-goleiro foi contratado para comandar o Flamengo. Pela equipe carioca, o técnico foi campeão do Brasileirão de 2020, em uma retomada no segundo turno que terminou apenas na última rodada, quando levantou a taça dentro do Morumbi, casa do São Paulo.

Mesmo com o troféu, sua passagem foi marcada por incertezas, problemas fora de campo e instabilidade. Mesmo sendo campeão carioca de 2021, Ceni foi demitido, deixando o clube após45 partidas, com 23 vitórias, 11 empates e 11 derrotas, aproveitamento de 59,26%.

Até esta quarta-feira, não planejava voltar a trabalhar até o final do ano. Entretanto, o chamado do São Paulo mudou os planos.

Após uma primeira passagem ruim pelo Tricolor, em seu primeiro trabalho como técnico de futebol, Ceni está de volta ao Morumbi. Mais experiente e vitorioso, com passagens campeãs e outras mais conturbadas, o ex-jogador promete desempenho completamente diferente na segunda passagem.

A reestreia do treinador será contra seu antigo rival da época de Fortaleza, o Ceará. O São Paulo enfrenta o Vozão nesta quinta-feira (14), no Morumbi, às 19h, pela 26ª rodada do Brasileirão.

Manchester United’s 2024 pre-season campaign got underway on Monday afternoon. It was not an ideal start results-wise for Erik ten Hag’s side, after suffering a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Norwegian side Rosenborg.

It was a game in which United played very few first-team players; Casemiro, Jonny Evans, Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount and Aaron Wan-Bissaka were the only prominent faces to feature all game.

Despite the defeat, it was a good learning curve for many academy players, and a good chance to build up match fitness. The Red Devils face Scottish giants Rangers next on Saturday afternoon at Murrayfield, before beginning their pre-season tour to the United States.

For their tour, more of United’s first-team players will join up with the squad, following extended breaks due to time away at this summer’s major international tournaments. It will give Ten Hag the opportunity to help new signings, such as Joshua Zirkzee, bed into the squad ahead of a huge season.

Zirkzee will likely not be United’s only signing of the summer window. They have been heavily linked with Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, as they look to strengthen in defence. They have recently been linked with another Bundesliga defender who could add further quality depth at the back for Ten Hag.

Man Utd target Bundesliga defender

The players in question here is Bayer Leverkusen and Germany international centre-back Jonathan Tah. The 28-year-old had a stellar season at the heart of Leverkusen’s defence as they went invincible under Xabi Alonso, and has since been linked with a move away from the club.

Highly reputable journalist for Sky Sports, Florian Plettenberg has “been told” that the Red Devils “have inquired” about the possibility of signing the Germany international during the summer transfer window.

However, United will not be the only side competing for Tah’s signature this summer. Bayern also want the player, and he could be a direct replacement for De Ligt, should the Dutchman get his move to Old Trafford over the summer. However, as Plettenberg explains, United know there is yet to be an agreement between the two German sides, which could open the door for a move for Tah.

A price for the defender was not confirmed by Plettenberg. However, according to Football Transfers, the German centre-back is valued at £27m, meaning this could be a ballpark figure for Tah this summer, especially given his contract expires in less than 12 months.

Why Tah would be a good signing

The 28-year-old was a pivotal member of Leverkusen’s extraordinary invincible campaign, in which they won two trophies and lost just one game; the Europe League final against Atalanta. He featured in 48 games in all competitions, missing just five games in total, chipping in with an impressive six goals.

He is clearly highly rated by his manager, Alonso. The Spaniard explained that “all teams need a player like Jonathan Tah”, highlighting just how crucial he was to the success of his side in the 2024/25 campaign.

Should the Red Devils bring Tah in, he could be an astute alternative to the Dutchman, with the Bundesliga website actually stating they play in a similar fashion.

This is backed up via stats from FBref suggest. To begin with, their defensive stats are very similar. The 28-year-old German averages more ball recoveries per 90 minutes, with 5.51, and a better aerial duel win rate, with 73.8%. Comparatively, the 24-year-old averages 4.74 ball recoveries and an aerial duel win rate of 59.4%.

However, De Ligt’s box defending really stands out in his game, and this is also reflected in the stats. The Bayern man averages 2.21 combined tackles and interceptions compared to just 1.44 from Tah, and 3.38 clearances, just slightly more than Tah’s 3.32 each game.

Tackles and interceptions

1.44

2.21

Blocks

0.96

0.91

Clearances

3.32

3.38

Aerial duels won

2.66

2.12

Aerial duel win %

73.8%

59.4%

Ball recoveries

5.51

4.47

Whilst the German possesses quality on the ball, it is statistically not as good as the former Ajax captain. The Leverkusen centre-back averages 4.55 progressive passes and 5.63 passes in the final third each 90 minutes, In contrast, De Ligt averages 6.36 progressive passes per game, and 7.08 passes into the final third, just edging it.

There is no doubt that Tah is a quality centre-back, which showed given the fact he started every game at Euro 2024, aside from the round of 16 clash against Denmark for which he was suspended.

The 28-year-old might not quite possess the same ability on the ball as De Ligt, but he is still quality when in possession, colossal in the air and is actually one of the quickest central defenders around.

For context, Tah was clocked at a top speed of 35.81kmph last season in the Bundesliga, making him the second-fastest centre-back in Germany. De Ligt, on the other hand, was clocked at 32.81kmph, even slower than Harry Kane. So, while they defend in a similar fashion, there is that obvious point of difference.

For a fee of around £27m, it could be a superb alternative signing to De Ligt, and add to United's impressive business so far this summer.

Man Utd want "outstanding" England ace who could be their own Rice

Manchester United are focusing on midfield recruits.

ByMatt Dawson Jul 16, 2024

أصدر نادي إيفرتون الإنجليزي بيانًا رسميًا اليوم الخميس، أعلن خلاله إقالة المدير الفني شون دايتش من منصبه.

وأوضح إيفرتون في بيانه، أنه تم إقالة دايتش وطاقمه الفني، إيان وان وستيف ستون ومارك هوارد وبيلي ميرسر.

وأفاد إيفرتون أن لايتون باينز وقائد النادي شيموس كولمان سيتوليان مسؤولية تدريب الفريق الأول بشكل مؤقت، لحين تعيين مدير فني جديد.

ويحتل إيفرتون المركز السادس عشر في ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، برصيد 17 نقطة.

وبمنافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز في الموسم الجاري، تعرض إيفرتون لـ8 هزائم، وحقق 8 تعادلات، وفاز في 3 مباريات.

وتعد تلك الإقالة الثانية خلال يومين في منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي، بعد إقالة جولين لوبيتيجي من تدريب وست هام أمس الأربعاء، وقد تولى جراهام بوتر تدريب الفريق خلفًا له.

أما في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز بصفة عامة هذا الموسم، إقالة دايتش هي الخامسة، حيث تم إقالة كل من، إريك تين هاج من مانشستر يونايتد وستيف كوبر من ليستر سيتي، جارى أونيل من ولفرهامبتون، بالإضافة إلى لوبيتيجي من وست هام.

James Foster set to replace long-standing coach on South Africa tour

George Dobell11-Nov-2020

Bruce French has stepped down from his role as national lead wicketkeeping coach at the ECB to spend more time with his family.French, a former England wicketkeeper himself, has earned an excellent reputation as a specialist coach and joined the ECB in 2009. In that time, he has played a significant role in helping a generation of players improve their keeping.While the outstanding talents of French’s time in the role may have been Ben Foakes and Sarah Taylor, it was perhaps his work with the less natural keepers which proved most significant. With England keen to ensure their keepers were also producing runs, the likes of Matt Prior, Craig Kieswetter, Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow were all entrusted with the gloves. All improved markedly under French’s expert tutelage, with Kieswetter playing a key role as England won the World T20 in 2010, Buttler completing a not entirely straightforward run-out to secure the World Cup title 2019 and Prior, perhaps the most improved of the lot, making a major contribution to the England side that rose to No. 1 in the Test rankings in 2011.There was an irony in French’s role in turning these batsmen into proficient keepers. His own international career was limited to 29 games (16 Tests and 13 ODIs) in large part due to his relatively modest ability with the bat. He was, however, a fine keeper who enjoyed a career spanning two decades with Nottinghamshire. French was also on hand to present his nephew, Jake Ball, with his Test cap when he made his debut in 2016.Jake Ball received his Test cap from uncle and former England wicketkeeper Bruce French•Getty Images

Another former England keeper, James Foster, will fulfil the role of wicketkeeping coach on England’s upcoming limited-overs tour of South Africa. Foster has not yet replaced French on a full-time basis but, like Marcus Trescothick, has been employed on a consultancy basis for this tour. It would be no surprise if he were to become a more regular member of England’s support staff, following roles in T20 leagues around the world, including with Kolkata Knight Riders in the recently-concluded IPL.French is the second long-standing member of England’s support staff to stand down in recent days following the departure of operations manager Phil Neale; a reflection, perhaps, of the demands of living and working in bio-secure bubbles. French will, however, remain on hand as a part-time consultant. Aged 61, he remains admirably lithe and athletic.ALSO READ: ‘The players know me as Uncle Phil, the operations man'”English cricket owes a huge debt of gratitude to Bruce for the fine work that he has done over a number of years,” Mo Bobat, England men’s performance director, said. “For some time, we have been able to select from an oversupply of excellent wicketkeepers and Bruce has played a significant role in developing those players.”There is much that Bruce should be proud of and this includes numerous memorable victories in both home and away series for England and of course, our historic World Cup win in 2019. Bruce has also ensured that his coaching insight has been effectively shared across the game through our coach development programmes. I wish Bruce every success in his future endeavours and have no doubt that he still has much to offer as a coach in the game.”Ashley Giles, England men’s managing director, also offered his thanks. “I would like to thank Bruce and those that are leaving the performance department for their contribution to the elite set-up over the past few years,” he said. “It has been a challenging time for all, but I am very proud of the efforts of every individual and the loyalty they have shown in maintaining England cricket at the forefront of international sport and competition.”I have worked alongside some talented people and the dedication and professionalism shown is renowned across the sport. Those that are leaving the ECB can look back on having made a significant positive impact that will be remembered for a long time. I wish everyone all the success in the next chapter of their personal lives and careers.”