An update has emerged on Schalke beast Matthew Hoppe, regarding Everton’s plans to bid for his services.

What’s the talk?

According to Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur, Everton are preparing to make a £2m offer for Schalke attacker Matthew Hoppe this month.

He claims that Toffees officials met with the German side to discuss a potential deal and learn their demands for his services.

Benitez would love him

Everton must get a deal over the line for Hoppe as he could be a fine addition to the squad in the short, mid and long-term future. He is a talented young player with potential who could come in and provide solid back-up to the frontline options whilst having the scope to take on a more prominent role further down the line.

The 20-year-old was relegated from the Bundesliga with Schalke last season, but posted some impressive statistics in spite of his team’s struggles. He managed six goals and one assist in 15 starts, whilst taking 0.9 shots per game – showing an efficiency in front of goal.

This suggests that his tally could increase with better service from the players around him, as he was already able to plunder six goals in 15 starts without taking a high number of shots. Having the likes of Richarlison, Andros Townsend, James Rodriguez, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Demarai Gray around him to create chances could increase his output in the final third.

The forward’s former academy director, Sean McCafferty, once said that the young talent is ‘of the highest level’.

He said: “In the Southwest Division you’ve got LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake, two of the best academies in the country, and we were able to win the division. We’ve had tremendous consistency throughout the year, and we have the top goal scorer in the country in Matthew Hoppe. He’s of the highest level.”

This highlights the 6 foot 3  youngster’s potential, with McCafferty explaining how highly Hoppe was regarded as a young player in the USA. At the age of 20, Rafa Benitez would have the opportunity to coach him into becoming a better footballer, one ready to take the Premier League by storm.

Hoppe has also impressed former Spurs boss Christian Gross, who waxed lyrical about the striker, saying: “He’s a boy who’s unbelievably ambitious, has tremendous commitment and only thinks about Schalke. He wants to do whatever it takes to get us out of this situation. He really is a model professional. Even though he’s still very young, he doesn’t shy away from working extremely hard. Of course, he’s still very young and still has lots to learn in order to become a top-rate finisher, but we’re working on that.”

The ex-Newcastle boss could love moulding the American into the perfect player for his system, whilst also allowing him to learn from Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison. This is why this could be a shrewd piece of business for the Toffees. If Marcel Brands is able to bring him to Goodison Park for £2m then they could have one happy head coach in the building.

AND in other news, Forget Richarlison: £120k-pw Everton beast who won 11 duels had Goodison rocking again…

MatériaMais Notícias

Na vitória do Flamengo sobre a Católica, Trauco foi um dos destaques com gol e falou sobre atuação. Camisa 13 reconheceu atuação abaixo do esperado, mas celebrou o gol. Lateral ainda revelou estar com um pouco de dores no pé direito.

– Muito especial. Sabia que era minha única chance para poder marcar e quis aproveitar. Sei que não foi minha melhor partida, mas com o gol da para fazer a torcida esquecer um pouco do mau momento que tive dentro de campo. Estava com dor no pé, passei mal do estômago, mas graças a Deus marquei.

Visando a final do Campeonato Carioca contra o Fluminense, Trauco falou sobre a recuperação com descanso, alimentação e auxílio dos profissionais do CEP FLA.

– Vamos descansar bem, tem muita alimentação. O Flamengo tem bons doutores e fisioterapeutas para nos recuperarmos rápido. Temos uma boa logística para essa final, estamos tranquilo e vamos pensar nessa final e queremos ganhar.

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Southampton have been dealt a blow in their hopes of keeping Jannik Vestergaard this summer, with reports claiming that the Danish centre-back remains an option for Tottenham Hotspur.

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Mail, the former Borussia Monchengladbach man could still be targeted by Nuno Espirito Santo’s side this summer if moves for other defensive options fall through.

Fortunately for Southampton, the North London club are in for Cristian Romero from Atalanta and also have the likes of Takehiro Tomiyasu and Nikola Milenkovic on their shortlist, but Saints fans will undoubtedly still be worried that the 28-year-old could leave the south coast at the last minute.

Will Vestergaard leave?

Vestergaard has now entered the final year of his contract at St Mary’s, and with no new deal on the horizon, it has been no surprise to see several clubs across Europe being linked with him so far this summer.

He enjoyed an excellent 2020/21 season with Southampton, contributing three goals in 28 Premier League appearances and averaging a solid 6.89 rating from WhoScored for his efforts, which was enough to rank him as the third-best performer in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side. It also led to him being dubbed “outstanding” by former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood back in January.

He was also a key part of Denmark’s success in the European Championship this summer, as he helped Kasper Hjulmand’s side to the semi-finals before they were knocked out by England in extra time at Wembley, and his performances there will also surely have caught the eye of some top clubs.

Therefore, Saints fans would surely be gutted to see him leave, especially if he were to follow former captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to Spurs, so they will be keeping a close eye on how potential Tottenham deals for Romero and Tomiyasu progress in the next few weeks.

[freshpress-quiz id=“594431”]

However, even if the Danish defender doesn’t sign for Tottenham this summer, Southampton should be concerned that he could potentially leave for a free next season. If he doesn’t show any willingness to sign a new deal, perhaps those on the St Mary’s board should consider cashing in on Vestergaard so the blow of his departure could at least be cushioned by the receipt of a transfer fee.

In other news… Semmens heading for Saints transfer disaster with £17m shocker, fans will be fuming

Sri Lanka have made changes to their squad for the five-ODI series against India, bringing in left-hand batsmen Jehan Mubarak and Malinda Warnapura

Sa'adi Thawfeeq12-Aug-2008
Malinda Warnapura’s impressive showings in the Tests has earned him a berth in the one-day squad © AFP
Sri Lanka have made changes to their squad for the five-ODI series against India, bringing in left-hand batsmen Jehan Mubarak and Malinda Warnapura. The 15-member squad does not include allrounder Kaushalya Weeraratne, who was selected in the original list of 14.Warnapura and Mubarak will also feature in a Sri Lankan XI that will take on the Indians in a warm-up match at the P Saranvanamuttu Stadium in Colombo on Friday. Chamara Kapugedera has been named captain of that side, which includes Mahela Udawatte, Chamara Silva, Weeraratne, Dilhara Fernando and Thilan Thushara. Kaushal Silva, the former Under-19 player, was chosen as wicketkeeper while legspinner Malinda Bandara provides the slow-bowling option.Mubarak had not been selected in Sri Lanka’s initial 14-member squad for the India ODIs but was in the 15 chosen for the Champions Trophy. He was to tour with the Sri Lanka A team to South Africa but will now stay back with the senior team. Kanchana Gunawardene, the Nondescripts Cricket Club opening batsman, replaces him in the A team.Warnapura, 29, has only played one ODI, against Pakistan last year. He was in impressive form in the Test series against India, which Sri Lanka won 2-1. He scored 243 runs at 60.75, with a hundred in the first Test at the SSC, and two fifties.Sri Lankan XI (from):
Chamara Kapugedera (captain), Upul Tharanga, Mahela Udawatte, Malinda Warnapura, Jehan Mubarak, Chamara Silva, Kaushal Silva (wk), Malinga Bandara, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Dilhara Fernando, Thilan Thushara,Chanaka Welegedara.

Scotland will travel to Bermuda and Canada next month without several front-line players who are being rested for other matches later in the summer

Cricinfo staff25-Jun-2008Scotland will travel to Bermuda and Canada next month without several front-line players who are being rested for other matches later in the summer.Scotland captain Ryan Watson, along with Gavin Hamilton, Craig Wright, Glenn Rogers and John Blain, have not been included in the 13-man squad which will play Intercontinental Cup matches in Bermuda (July 10-13) and Canada (July 16-19).But, after discussions with the selectors, they will leave behind a group of experienced players who are being ‘rested’ in preparation for other major matches later in July and August.”Although Scotland cannot now hope to win the Cup itself, we will certainly take these matches seriously, and the players know that they represent an excellent platform for their talents,” Peter Steindl, Scotland’s coach, said. “For our own ranking in the global game, we aim to win both matches.”Roddy Smith, Cricket Scotland’s chief executive, added: “It is vital that we build strength in depth among our international squads – particularly with next year’s World Cup qualifying tournament in mind.”Scotland squad Fraser Watts (capt), Richie Berrington, Dewald Nel, Sean Weeraratna, Gordon Drummond, Gordon Goudie, Dougie Lockhart, Majid Haq, Ross Lyons, Qasim Sheikh, Neil McCallum, Gregor Maiden, Colin Smith (wkt).

Ange Postecoglou’s early reign at Celtic has thrown up its fair share of surprises.

The Hoops have had a mixed start to the season but in doing so, the likes of Anthony Ralston and Ryan Christie have become genuine stars.

If you told supporters that would be the case when Postecoglou initially walked through the door, they’d have laughed.

What’s the word?

The future of Christie has been a puzzling one. The Bhoys attacker has been linked with the exit door on several occasions with his contract expiring in January.

He looked destined to take his leave but it would appear that fresh contract talks have occurred between him and the club.

With all that said, interest in the 26-year-old looks as though it’s dwindling. That’s according to Alan Nixon who delivered the following ten-word update this week.

He was responding to whether Burnley would sign the player: “I keep being told no … but he’s a total steal.”

Amazing news

If this genuinely is the case then Celtic supporters should be absolutely enthralled. After all, the Premier League has tempted many a Bhoy in the past with the most recent departure being Kristoffer Ajer to Brentford.

Christie was in diabolical form last term and would have been one of the first names through the exit door before Postecoglou arrived.

The Scot only found the net twice in his last 24 Premiership games during the 2020/21 campaign, a run that stretched back to November.

He may have only scored once this season but his overall performances have been superb. The 26-year-old put in a promising performance against Midtjylland in the Champions League and since then, he’s become an important part of the furniture again.

Christie found the net with an excellent header when Celtic beat Jablonec last week and then put in a creative masterclass against Dundee.

This was one of his best performances in the green and white to date, supplying three goals all with genius moments of individual play.

He struck up a wonderful relationship with the club’s new star striker, Kyogo Furuhashi, and fans will surely be lusting for more of that as the campaign goes on.

Bizarrely enough, Christie has suddenly become irreplaceable.

AND in other news, Celtic lead race to sign £3.4m gem who was too “strong” for Messi, Ange needs him…

عقدت قمة ظهر اليوم الأربعاء بين إدارة نادي إنتر ميلان ووكيل النجم الأرجنتيني باولو ديبالا، بحضور المدير بيبي ماروتا وأوسيليو ونائب الرئيس زانيتي.

وبحسب “توتو ميركاتو” الإيطالي، قدم إنتر اقتراحه المادي والمشاريع إلى وكيل ديبالا، الذين سيقدم تقريرًا للاعب يوفنتوس، ليستقر على وجهته المقبلة.

ويشير التقرير إلى أن هناك تفاؤلًا حيال ذلك والشعور أن الاجتماع كانت نقطة انطلاق مهمة لإيجاد اتفاق لينضم ديبالا لإنتر ميلان. 

وتفيد “سكاي سبورت إيطاليا” أن إنتر قدم عرضًا رسميًا لباولو ديبالا بعد لقاء مع وكلائه اليوم، واقتراح بعقد لـ 4 سنوات بقيمة 6 ملايين يورو في الموسم بالإضافة إلى المكافآت.

وصفت المصادر الاجتماع بأنه إيجابي، لكن لم يتم الاتفاق عليه بالكامل بعد، ولا يزال يتعين مناقشته حول تفاصيل الراتب.

الطلب من ديبالا ووكلائه هو راتب قدره 8 ملايين يورو بالإضافة إلى المكافآت، لكن كلا الطرفين مستعدان لاتخاذ خطوة أخرى تجاه بعضهما البعض والتوصل إلى اتفاق.

اقرأ أيضًا | ديبالا يثير التكهنات حول وجهته المقبلة بعد الرحيل عن يوفنتوس

لطالما كان النيراتزوري مهتمًا باللاعب الأرجنتيني الدولي، وهو وكيل حر بعد رحيله عن يوفنتوس هذا الصيف.

هذا يؤكد أن إنتر ميلان هو المرشح الأوفر حظًا لديبالا، متقدمًا على بدائل مثل روما أو آرسنال أو مانشستر يونايتد أو توتنهام.

ومن المتوقع عقد مزيد من الاجتماعات خلال الأيام القليلة المقبلة، لكن عملية إحضار ديبالا إلى إنتر كوكيل حر تجري بالفعل على قدم وساق.

العقد الذي اتفق عليه يوفنتوس في الأصل مع ديبالا قبل أن يسحبه فجأة كان أكثر من 10 ملايين يورو في الموسم الواحد.

وظهر ديبالا في مبارته الأخيرة مع يوفنتوس لموسم 2021-2022 متأثرًا وانفجر في البكاء وهو يودع اللاعبين والجماهير وصرّح بأنه كان يتوقع البقاء لمدة أطول في صفوف النادي، بعد 7 سنوات قضاها بقيمص البيانكونيري وحمل شارة قيادته. 

🔴🔴🔴 Agente #Dybala arrivato in sede #Inter: "Ottimista? Sì…"
👉 @ivanfcardia pic.twitter.com/6KMCI85Txs

— TUTTOmercatoWEB (@TuttoMercatoWeb) June 8, 2022

Peter Chingoka, the chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket, has criticised Ray Mali, the ICC’s outgoing president, for tabling a motion to discuss the future of Zimbabwe when the ICC meets in Dubai this week.In two letters that followed Mali’s announcement, Chingoka reminded him that the ICC had already discussed the matter. “You will recall that last year in London, a decision was taken and well-supported by you and other members that sport and politics, like oil and water, do not mix.”Quoting the ICC’s own rules, Chingoka insisted Zimbabwe’s status could be discussed only at next year’s annual conference as such a motion needed to be tabled by December 31 of the preceding year. Ironically, a change to the rules was proposed two years ago to allow more immediate action to be taken. Chingoka opposed it at the time and the move was defeated after India indicated they would not support it.The letters also pointed to a possible breakdown in relations between Chingoka and Mali, hitherto seen as close allies. Less than a year ago, Mali was effusive in his praise for the ZC administration following a six-day fact-finding visit. But last week he told Chingoka that he had acted because he “owed it to the cricket community to feel all is normal.”Chingoka, playing the race card, warned Mali of “setting double standards and discriminatory levels that go against the ICC anti-racism code”.He went on to accuse Mali of making Zimbabwe “a scapegoat” for the decision to stand down Malcolm Speed as the ICC’s chief executive in April and called the latest announcement of the discussion on Zimbabwe “unethical”, adding it was an “agenda item infested with political connotations”. He concluded by asking: “Whose political gallery are these antics supposed to appease?””There are over 100 ICC member countries with differing political environments,” he continued. “Without venturing to mention names as it is apparent, it is clear that certain worse conditions exist in those other member countries. It has not warranted the ICC putting them on its agenda as it is doing with Zimbabwe right now.”

West Ham would be a good fit for Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard, says Get French Football News’ Adam White.

Edouard continues to be linked with a move to the Premier League, with Brighton the latest club said to be interested in the 23-year-old.

Meanwhile, West Ham are reportedly chasing Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham, though he is currently thought to be set on a move to another London team in Arsenal.

So if the Hammers do end up missing out on Abraham and are forced to turn elsewhere, White believes Edouard could be a good option for them. The GFFN writer told TT:

“West Ham would be a good fit. He’d get a lot of support from players like [Pablo] Fornals and [Jarrod] Bowen.

“There’s a lot of moving parts in that West Ham attack at the moment under [David] Moyes, so I think he’d be a nice fit.”

Edouard has been so prolific for Celtic, scoring 22 goals in all competitions for the Glasgow club last season.

Of course, the quality of the opposition he has faced can be questioned. But if Moyes really needs a new striker and someone like Abraham is off the table, then the Frenchman, who is still so young and has time to develop, looks worth a shot.

Kevin Pietersen, the England batsman, has urged the ECB to take a decision on sending a team to Pakistan instead of leaving the choice with the players

Cricinfo staff25-Jul-2008
Kevin Pietersen: “I’ve definitely got reservations – 100% – about going to Pakistan. I don’t think pressure should be put on any individual, especially when you realise your life could be at risk” © Getty Images
Kevin Pietersen, the England batsman, has asked the ECB to take the call on sending a team to Pakistan instead of leaving the players to decide on touring the country in September for the Champions Trophy.”The ECB are coming together on August 3 or 4, having spoken to [chief executive] David Collier this morning, and he reassured me that the decision will probably be taken out of the players’ hands, which is great,” Pietersen told . “I really hope the players don’t have to take the lead, to be totally honest. But I don’t know, we’ll see the outcome of that meeting, whatever the decision is.”While stating his concerns, Pietersen believes players shouldn’t be forced to travel to Pakistan. “I’ve definitely got reservations – 100% – about going to Pakistan,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “I don’t think pressure should be put on any individual, especially when you realise your life could be at risk.”Meanwhile, responding to suggestions that players and even teams may pull out of the tournament, Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, said, “We cannot force players to attend. All we can do is make them confident about the measures taken in regard to safety and security and on that basis hope they participate.” Lorgat said this was the reason why the ICC was “putting together a task team inviting all the main stakeholders including FICA [Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations], so the process is inclusive”.”We won’t speculate on teams not taking part or any action if that did occur. There was no indication that would happen during the telephone hook-up of ICC directors on Thursday.” The boards of Australia, England and New Zealand were believed to be against holding the tournament in the country, and player representatives from Australia and New Zealand have criticised the move to go ahead with the tournament in Pakistan. The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) echoed the sentiments of their counterparts.We cannot force players to attend. All we can do is make them confident about the measures taken in regard to safety and security and on that basis hope they participateHaroon Lorgat, ICC chief executive”We’ve still got some very serious concerns, despite the fact that the Pakistan Cricket Board have made every effort they can to try to make it as safe as possible,” Sean Morris, the PCA chief executive, said. “But, unfortunately, in that part of the world there are some matters that are beyond anyone’s control.”I think one thing the ECB has said – and something we are very well aligned on – is the one thing you are never going to compromise on is security,” he said. “You may find a world-class event doesn’t feature a large number of world-class players. That would be a real shame for cricket.”David Collier, the ECB chief executive, said they were in touch with the PCA and that a decision would be taken after consulting the players. “It’s a very fluid situation in Pakistan at the moment,” he said. “It’s primarily the external environment we’re looking at and which we have raised some concerns over. We will be monitoring that very closely.”Clearly, other boards around the world are in the same position. The safety and security of our players is paramount and we won’t compromise on that.”Cricinfo understands that Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman, told the ICC that he had spoken to the players and he warned the executive that they had told him they were not prepared to go to Pakistan.