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Glasgow Rangers suffered another pre-season defeat over the weekend, losing 2-0 at Murrayfield.

While pre-season results aren’t exactly important, the fact that several players who looked like they could depart Ibrox this summer managed to find a place in the Rangers starting XI was rather worrying.

Philippe Clement desperately needs to sign another few players ahead of the Gers' Premiership opener against Hearts. Could he be set to raid the Championship in the coming days?

Rangers eye move for Championship winger

According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Rangers are “readying a new move” to sign Morgan Whittaker from Plymouth Argyle this summer.

In January 2023, Michael Beale had an offer rejected by Swansea City, then his parent club, for the English winger, but it now looks as though interest has been reignited.

The Light Blues are screaming out for some quality on the flanks and there is no doubt that Whittaker – who has an asking price of £15m – would give Clement something extra out wide.

It wouldn’t be the first time the club have signed someone from the Championship. Could they repeat their Todd Cantwell masterclass?

Why Morgan Whittaker could be Todd Cantwell 2.0

Beale may have endured a torrid ten-month spell in the Ibrox hot seat, but he did make a few decent signings, Cantwell among them.

Since arriving in Scotland 18 months ago, the former Norwich City gem has made 64 appearances for the club, scoring 14 goals and grabbing 12 assists in the process.

When fit and firing, the former Norwich man is a wonderful option to have, yet he was inconsistent at times during the 2023/24 campaign due to occasionally playing out wide on the right in an unfamiliar position.

Whittaker could offer something that the club struggled with last term – goals from the wide areas.

Last season for Plymouth, Whittaker scored a remarkable 20 times for the club in all competitions. Add in a further nine assists, and it is clear he poses a dangerous threat on the right flank.

Goals

2

3

19

Assists

0

4

8

Big chances created

1

3

10

Key passes per game

0.6

1.4

1.4

Successful dribbles per game

0.4

0.9

1.2

Shots per game

1.1

1

3.6

Total duels won per game

1.9

2.4

3.8

Goal conversion rate

8%

10%

11%

When compared to his positional peers in leagues similar to the English Championship, the spritely winger ranked in the top 7% for non-penalty goals (0.43) and the top 2% for total shots (3.78) per 90, more evidence of how effective he is in the final third.

Former Plymouth manager Steven Schumacher hailed the youngster upon signing a permanent deal with the Pilgrims last summer, claiming he was “one of the most exciting prospects in the EFL” and, given how impressive a season the winger went on to have, this was certainly backed up.

Taking out Abdallah Sima’s goal tally of 16 from last term, the highest-scoring winger was Rabbi Matondo with six goals. This clearly isn’t good enough heading into the new season.

Whittaker has proven that he has what it takes to make an impression in the English second tier. A move to Ibrox from the EFL – like Cantwell – wouldn’t faze him in the slightest and the chance to perform at a higher level could see him take his game to the next level.

Rangers could land "impressive" signing who's a dream Cantwell replacement

The Light Blues are reportedly keen on a deal to sign the talented teenage maestro.

ByDan Emery Jul 16, 2024

As they look to comply with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules, Nottingham Forest have reportedly been offered a Champions League-winning defender in a swap deal for current star Murillo.

Nottingham Forest transfer news

The Midlands club are among the sides who must sell players this summer to comply with FFP, with players such as Orel Mangala and Moussa Niakhate reportedly heading for the exit door at the City Ground. And whilst those sales will undoubtedly go a long way towards avoiding any punishment from the Premier League this summer, Forest could still be left bidding farewell to Murillo in the coming months.

The central defender enjoyed an excellent campaign last time out and was one of the biggest standouts in the Midlands. Still just 21 years old, the interest of some of Europe's biggest clubs is far from surprising, but one offer could yet benefit Forest this summer.

Nottingham Forest now eyeing "Rolls Royce" who just outscored Gibbs-White

He’s still just 19 years old…

By
Tom Cunningham

Jun 27, 2024

According to The Guardian, Chelsea are set to offer Trevoh Chalobah plus cash to sign Murillo, who Nottingham Forest value at a hefty £70m this summer. The Chelsea academy graduate won the Champions League with the Blues in 2021 when they defeated Manchester City, but now finds his place in doubt at Stamford Bridge.

The recent arrival of Tosin Adarabioyo has only sparked more questions over Chalobah's Chelsea future, potentially allowing Forest to land an instant replacement for Murillo. A central defender with plenty of experience at 24 years old, Chalobah would be an ideal arrival for Nuno Espirito Santo this summer.

"Fantastic" Chalobah can replace Murillo

At his best, Chalobah is a Champions League level defender, and if Forest lose Murillo this summer, he makes perfect sense when it comes to finding a replacement. Given Chelsea's admiration for Murillo too, Forest could land a simple swap deal to bring them out the other side of their PSR threat with a ready made replacement and cash in their pockets.

The numbers certainly show that Chalobah would be capable of stepping into the potential void left behind by Murillo, whilst also highlighting just how much he struggled for minutes at Chelsea last season.

It's quite the turn of events, given the praise of former manager Thomas Tuchel at the start of Chalobah's Chelsea career, saying via Football365: “Fantastic. He gets all the praise and it’s well deserved. Two excellent matches. He played against Arsenal and Tottenham in friendlies, then 120 minutes on Wednesday, then 90 today and scores. It’s fantastic these things happen in sports. A perfect day for him."

From that initial game time, the academy graduate has fallen down the pecking order and is arguably in desperate need of a summer exit.

The 2024/25 campaign is a crucial one for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United side as they aim to close in on a return to Champions League football.

The Magpies were desperately unlucky to miss out on all forms of European football after Manchester United beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final, clinching the final Europa League spot.

As a result, Howe desperately wants to bolster his Magpies side to improve their chances of a top-four finish in the Premier League this season, but the financial difficulties have made it a struggle, relying on outgoings before incomings.

Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson both departed St James’ Park in recent weeks to Brighton and Nottingham Forest respectively, generating the club £68m but losing themselves two of their most promising talents in the process.

The funds generated certainly have boosted the club's precarious PSR and FFP positions, also allowing them to invest in some new talents who can push them back in the direction the Saudi PIF want the club to go in.

Newcastle battling PL rivals to sign £76m ace

According to one Spanish outlet, Newcastle are battling Manchester City and Manchester United for the signature of Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo this summer.

The Uruguayan, who’s currently representing his nation at the Copa América, has previously also attracted interest from Chelsea.

The 25-year-old has huge interest from the Magpies, with the report stating that their financial backing from the Saudi PIF could see the club splash a big sum to recruit the defender this summer. It's even stated they are ready to trigger the player's asking price of £76m.

He’s excelled in La Liga since his first-team debut back in 2018, making 150 appearances for the club, but he may have made his last appearance amid the Premier League interest.

Should he make the big-money move to Tyneside, he would have a huge impact on Howe’s squad, potentially allowing one player to reach the next level despite his already impressive career at St James’ Park.

Why Araujo would be perfect for Bruno Guimaraes

Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has certainly been a huge fan-favourite at Newcastle since his £40m move to the club from Lyon back in January 2022.

He’s since been linked with a staggering £100m move to the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal, with Howe desperately wanting to keep hold of his star midfielder beyond this summer.

Despite Araujo being a defender, he can take Guimaraes to the next level, with his excellent passing game allowing the 26-year-old to reach the next level with his excellent ability on the ball.

The “exceptional” defender, as dubbed by scout Antonio Mango, completed an average of 70 passes per game in La Liga last season, at a completion rate of 88%.

Games

25

Passes

70

Pass completion

88%

Progressive passes

4.3

Progressive carries

0.9

Tackles

1.3

Aerials won

2.5

He also averaged 4.3 progressive passes per 90, demonstrating his ability to play the ball forward into the likes of Guimaraes, handing the Brazilian more opportunities to create opportunities – building on his impressive tally from 2023/24.

Guimaraes managed 15 goal contributions in his 37 appearances – an average of 0.4 per game – with his tally of 3.8 shot-creating actions within the top 10% of all midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues last season.

If Newcastle are to return to Champions League football in the near future, defensive solidity is a must, with Araujo potentially providing that with his average of 1.3 tackles per game.

His ability on the ball can unlock Guimaraes’ full potential, allowing him to have more opportunities in attacking areas, further boosting their already impressive attacking output.

Araujo may cost the club a pretty penny, but he would undoubtedly improve Howe’s defence and provide a long-term solution at the heart of Newcastle’s defence.

Newcastle hit gold on titan who's worth more than Gibbs-White & Madueke

The talent has excelled since his move to St James’ Park.

ByEthan Lamb Jul 6, 2024

Manchester City have reportedly agreed a deal to sign a "talented" teenager who has recently left Tottenham.

Man City looking to the future with academy signings

The Citizens have enjoyed a hugely successful period in the club’s history under Pep Guardiola during the last eight years, and the Spaniard could be preparing for his final season in charge at the Etihad.

Guardiola’s contract is up at the end of the 2024/25 campaign and there has been speculation he will depart Manchester in 2025. He could look to make some senior signings in what could be his final summer window with the Sky Blues, but the club have taken it upon themselves to continue to add to their academy ranks as they plan for what life would look like without their current manager.

In the last 12 months, City have secured deals for a number of teenage talents, including winger Timeo Whisker from Cardiff City and attacking midfielder Finlay Gorman from Leeds United. There is a long-term strategy to sign several top talents, with left-back Jayden Lienou also arriving from Everton back in March.

City aren’t just looking in the UK, though, with a deal already thought to be in place for 14-year-old Cavan Sullivan when he turns 18 years of age. Sullivan is thought to be one of the best young prospects in the world and will be with Philadelphia Union over the coming years.

Now, it looks as if another impressive teenager is heading to Manchester after leaving Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Man City to sign teenage midfielder

According to Fabrizio Romano, Man City have agreed a deal to bring “talented” midfielder Han Willhoft-King to the club. Aged 18, Willhoft-King looks set to go into the U19 side and is due to undergo a medical with City after departing Spurs.

Transfermarkt states that Willhoft-King is primarily a defensive midfielder who can also play in a more box-to-box role as a central midfielder and has made 41 youth appearances for Spurs, scoring four goals.

Back in 2022, The Guardian named him among 20 of the best talents at Premier League clubs, a list which included Archie Gray, now of Tottenham, Ben Doak, who has appeared in the first-team for Liverpool, and Newcastle United’s Lewis Miley. City will be hoping that Willhoft-King can live up to those expectations from The Guardian, who said he was the ‘standout talent of his year group at Spurs’ and is a player ‘smooth on the ball’ with an impressive passing range.

It really was a campaign of ups and downs for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League last season.

Ange Postecoglou managed to secure Europa League football for the Lilywhites, but at one point, the team looked nailed on for a Champions League spot.

So, it's unsurprising that the club are heavily linked with several star names, such as Eberechi Eze, ahead of a long transfer window.

That said, the latest ace touted for a move to N17 could spell trouble for James Maddison and be the ideal partner for Eze.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news

According to a recent report from Ben Jacobs via GIVEMESPORT, Tottenham are one of several sides interested in Fenerbahçe star Sebastian Szymanski this summer.

Alongside the Lilywhites, Jacobs names Lazio and Marseille as some of the other interested parties in the Polish international, whom new boss José Mourinho is keen to keep in Istanbul.

Jacobs does not mention a potential price, but a report from Turkish outlet Aksam earlier this year claimed he would be sold for around €35m, which converts to about £30m.

It might not be a name that excites people in England, but given his impressive performances in Turkey, signing Szymanski would be a fantastic idea, and if he were to play alongside Eze, Postecoglou should be able to get the team back into the top four – although it could be bad news for Maddison.

How Szymanski compares to Maddison and why he'd work well with Eze

If Spurs were to get their man and bring Szymanski in this summer alongside Eze, he'd be in direct competition with Maddison for a starting role as the team's most attacking midfielder, as while he has started games deeper and out wide before, he's started the vast majority of games in attacking midfield.

So, if it's going to be a battle between the two of them going forward, who looks to be the better option?

Well, from a pure output perspective, the Polish international comes out on top and by quite some margin.

In 55 games for Sarı Kanaryalar last season, the "exceptional" talent, as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, scored 13 goals and provided 19 assists, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 1.71 games.

In contrast, the former Foxes star scored four goals and provided nine assists in 30 games, equating to a goal involvement every 2.3 games.

Szymanski vs Maddison

Player

Szymanski

Maddison

Appearances

55

30

Goals

13

4

Assists

19

9

Goal Involvements per Match

0.58

0.43

All Stats via Transfermarkt

This incredible rate of return would also make the former Feyenoord ace the perfect partner for the Crystal Palace star at Tottenham, as he'd be able to take advantage of the chances created by the Englishman and provide him with chances himself.

Moreover, the Greenwich-born dynamo's incredible versatility could see him start alongside the Fenerbahçe star in midfield as an offensively-minded eight or out wide when club captain Son Heung-min needs a rest.

Ultimately, Szymanski might not be an overly familiar name to fans of English football, but his unreal performances last season more than justify Spurs' pursuit of him.

His potential partnership with Eze could be a thing of footballing beauty, although perhaps not for Maddison.

Related Talks planned: Spurs eyeing record-breaking transfer who Son would love

The “beautiful” talent could propel the Lilywhites into the Champions League places next season.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 20, 2024

Arne Slot has left Feyenoord to take charge at Liverpool next season, for what will be the first time he has managed outside of The Netherlands.

He leaves the Dutch side with a very respectable record, when taking both trophies and results into consideration and it is an exciting appointment as Liverpool take their first steps into the post-Klopp era.

In three seasons as manager of the Rotterdam club, Slot brought them an Eredivisie title in his second season at the club. Not only that, he helped his side to a third-place and second-place finish in his first and last season respectively. He also won the Dutch Cup in his most recent, and final, season in charge.

His record as Feyenoord boss is exemplary. In 148 games as manager, Slot won a total of 97, recording 27 draws in that time, and suffering just 24 defeats. His team scored plenty of goals too, 346 to be exact, and conceded just 156 times during his tenure.

As the Dutchman prepares to make the move to Anfield, there is a strong rumour circulating that he will look to bring one of his star men from Feyenoord with him, a player who was pivotal to the success Slot achieved in Rotterdam.

Liverpool target Feyenoord defender

The player in question here is Feynoord’s versatile Dutch defender Lutsharel Geertruida, who has been a key player for Slot during his tenure at Feyenoord. Now, as the summer transfer window draws near, it is thought that Geertruida could be a target for Liverpool.

At least, that is according to Dutch news outlet De Telegraaf. It's suggested that the Reds have joined the competition to sign Geertruida this summer, although they could face North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham in the race to sign the 23-year-old.

This is the second consecutive summer that the versatile defender has been wanted by a top club in Europe’s major leagues. According to reputable journalist Fabrizio Romano, Geertruida was wanted by German outfit RB Leipzig last year, and a deal had been all but sealed. However, German outlet Bild broke the news that Leipzig cancelled the deal because the clubs could not agree on a price.

The fee Liverpool would have to pay for Geertruida is currently not clear. However, he has just 12 months left on his current contract, and it could be less than the £25.2m plus £1.6m add-ons Leipzig offered last season, and certainly less than the £30m Feyenoord wanted.

How Geertruida compares to Georginio Wijnaldum

Football analyst Ben Mattinson noted just how crucial Geertruida was under Slot, describing him as a “pivotal player”, with one Dutch journalist describing him as “Arne Slot’s favourite” in an interview with The Anfield Wrap.

Indeed, his importance was reflected in the amount of games he played last season. Geertruida featured 34 times in the Eredivisie, chipping in with eight strikes and five assists. Whilst he featured mainly from right-back, 35 times to be exact, he also played nine times at centre-back and three times at left-back, emphasising why Mattinson called him “so versatile”.

There is something of a similarity between Geertruida’s move to the Premier League, with that of iconic midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum.

The former Liverpool midfielder also began life in the Feyenoord academy, where he won the Dutch Cup as a first-team player in 2007/08. He played 135 games for the Rotterdam club, scoring 25 goals and notching up 11 assists.

Wijnaldum left Feynoord in 2011 after several successful years, to join PSV and then for the Premier League with Newcastle, before signing for Liverpool, and later PSG. This is somewhat similar to Geertruida, who also won silverware at Feyenoord, specifically four trophies, including two under Slot, the cup and the league.

Wijnaldum’s move to the Premier League sparked great success for him and thus, Liverpool will hope the same rings true for their latest Dutch target. The midfielder spent one successful season at St James’ Park in 2015/16, scoring 11 goals and registering five assists in 38 Premier League games. He got a big move to Liverpool off the back of that and never looked back.

In 237 games for the Merseyside club, Wijnaldum scored 22 times and assisted 16. However, it was the trophies he helped to win, which left such an impact on the club. He won four titles as a Liverpool player, including the club’s first Premier League, before moving to Paris and helping PSG win Ligue 1 in 2021/22.

Champions League

2018/19

UEFA Super Cup

2019/20

Premier League

2019/20

Club World Cup

2020

There is no doubt that Geertruida will be hoping to become a serial winner at Liverpool, just as Wijnaldum was. Should the deal go through, he will be hoping to replicate the success of the past at Anfield and bring the likes of a Premier League back to the club.

Liverpool could sign their own Anthony Gordon in £60m “superstar”

Arne Slot would strengthen Liverpool’s frontline considerably with this signing.

ByAngus Sinclair Jun 12, 2024

Moeen Ali’s 33-ball 61 in vain as England fall short in last-ball finish

Danyal Rasool01-Sep-2020Pakistan 190 for 4 (Hafeez 86*, Haider 54, Jordan 2-29) beat England 185 for 8 (Moeen 61, Riaz 2-26) by five runsA 100-run partnership between two men two decades apart in age saw Pakistan eke out their first win of the tour on the day before they are due to return home. It denied England a sixth consecutive T20I series win, while Pakistan pick up a first away win in any format since the ODI World Cup last year. The 39-year old Mohammad Hafeez was the standout star of the win, caressing an unbeaten 52-ball 86 to power his side to 190, while a valiant fightback, spearheaded by Moeen Ali’s 33-ball 61, fell just five shy of powering England to a stunning win.It was a series that came down to the final ball, quite literally, and when Tom Curran lifted Haris Rauf for a gorgeous six over extra cover off the penultimate delivery, England needed one more such blow to seal a series win. Babar Azam panicked, while a swarm of fielders rushed to pester the fast bowler with all kinds of advice. He blocked it all out and sent down an unplayable yorker at 90mph to secure the win, the final two balls a microcosm of Pakistan on tour, and Pakistan in general. One minute down, next minute up.It was Hafeez, perhaps unfairly lumped in with Shoaib Malik as an example of the visitors’ failure to adopt modern T20 practices, who provided the ballast to get the innings back on track after a faltering start. With Moeen having removed Fakhar Zaman early, and Curran knocking Babar’s stumps back soon after, England were enjoying the perfect Powerplay. Hafeez stablised the innings while Haider Ali, with the impudence of youth, went hell for leather, but once he lofted Adil Rashid for a six over midwicket, he roared straight into top gear. Helped, at times, by England bowling to his strengths and missing their lengths, Hafeez plundered 69 off the next 34 balls to spearhead the innings, taking them to within touching distance of the total that proved just short on Sunday.Pakistan began this tour two months ago in a protective bubble, but when, on the final day, they removed the bubble-wrap off their youngest squad member, they discovered quite the player residing within. Haider began his T20I career looking like a man who knew how this format needed to be played, clearing his front leg off the second ball he faced, depositing it over cow corner. Time and again, when England appeared to set a field willing to yield a single to him in that area, he declined the deal, opting to go over the top instead. Having sat out and watched England ease to a target of 195 two days ago, he didn’t need complex statistical information to recognise a boundary would be handier than a single. Within no time, he had become the first Pakistani to score a half-century on debut, one that came in just 28 balls.Wahab Riaz gets a hug•AFPPakistan decided to leave out Mohammad Rizwan, so often sensational behind the stumps, in favour of Sarfaraz Ahmed, for a greater perceived ability with the bat. But while he didn’t feature in the first innings, but when a key moment arose, Sarfaraz froze. Quite literally, and somewhat inexplicably, when Shadab fooled the out-of-form Moeen to leave him stranded outside his crease, Sarfaraz failed to gather properly. Time stood still as Moeen looked back and watched helplessly, waiting to see the bails whipped off, while Sarfaraz appeared to cradle the ball, unable to get it to his hands, and then to the stumps. With England so far behind in the game, it seemed like a comedic footnote. When Moeen stormed to a half-century half an hour later, no one in green was grinning.While the defeat might sting, Moeen’s return to form may yet prove the biggest positive for England. When, in the 16th over, he hit three sixes in four balls off Shadab, expending less energy than it presumably takes most people to butter bread, the idea this was a man out of form and bereft of confidence stretched credulity. When he displayed his T20 smarts with a couple of sneakily stolen boundaries off Shaheen Afridi in the 18th, to bring England within touching distance of victory, he seemed indispensable. Now, he may well be.England’s first ten overs with the bat, though, was perhaps what cost them most dearly. With the game being played on a fresh pitch and a very short boundary on one side, the hosts would have fancied a chase of 191, but that became significantly more challenging when Afridi bowled Jonny Bairstow with a perfect outswinging yorker that took the base of the off stump with it. Dawid Malan fell trying to clear the square leg boundary, only for Fakhar Zaman to pluck it out of the air on tiptoe, but Tom Banton kept the momentum going. With his captain Eoin Morgan, he struck up the sort of partnership that might have put them back on track, notably never letting the normally economical Imad Wasim settle, spanking four fours off his first seven balls.It would all end horribly, though, with Morgan, in the form of his career, dismissed in the worst possible way. Brilliant work in the circle saw Azam cut off what should have been a boundary, and Morgan, cantering towards the other end, found himself stranded mid-pitch. It put even more pressure on Banton to ensure he went deep, but he fell five balls later to Haris Rauf, trapped in front and ruled lbw on review. It meant asking a shade too much of the lower order, even if, on a tour where social distancing dominated the conversation, England got uncomfortably close.

Stuart Broad is currently bowling as well as at any time in his career, according to former England captain, Andrew Strauss.Broad will go into the final day of the Test series against West Indies requiring one more wicket to become just the seventh man – and fourth seamer – in history to claim 500 Test wickets.But while Broad is now aged 34 and has been omitted from the team several times in recent months, Strauss believes his competitive spirit has pushed him to new heights over the last year or two. Determined to prove he is still worth his place in England’s first-choice team, Broad has produced several incisive spells, including a burst of 3 for 1 in the second Test that revived a game that appeared to be heading towards a draw, then eight wickets so far in the third – featuring a run of six in seven overs across two innings – which has given England an opportunity to win the series.”I honestly don’t believe Stuart Broad has bowled much better than this,” Strauss said from Emirates Old Trafford on Monday, where rain washed out the fourth day’s play. “There were a couple of years where perhaps he lost his wrist a bit and it was hard work for him bowling to right-handers. But in this series he seems to be equally potent against left- and right-handers.”But when we look at all of his attributes. you can talk about his height and pace; it’s actually his competitiveness and we have seen this year. He is at his best when he has something to prove. He’s had the bit between his teeth in these last two Test matches and that has served him particularly well over the course of his career.”ALSO READ: Openers prove old virtues can work for new EnglandStrauss’s words are largely supported by the statistics. Not only is Broad England’s leading wicket-taker in this series – he’s taken his 14 wickets at a cost of just 10.50 apiece – but he was also his side’s leading wicket-taker in the Ashes and the series against South Africa. Over the last 12 months, his 62 Test wickets have cost 20.58 each.While Strauss, who is currently chair of the ECB’s cricket committee, admits he didn’t predict quite such success when he first saw Broad, he was confident he had the qualities to enjoy a “long-term England career.””I remember the first time I played with him was in an England Lions game,” Strauss said. “He was very young at the time. Probably 20 years of age and fast making a reputation for himself in the county game.”And I remember a T20 finals day where he bowled brilliantly at Ronnie Irani. There was obvious talent and he was comfortable on the big stage and delivering under pressure.”When I saw him it was clear he had most of the assets you needed as a fast bowler: quick enough at 80-85 mph, obviously a lot of height and an ability to swing ball away from right-hander. He also had real knack of getting wickets with not great balls which was a good knack to have.”But there have been so many bowlers whose star has shone for a year or two then either they have been worked out or their confidence has deserted them and they’ve been cast aside.”I don’t think anyone could have predicted he would take 500 Test wickets, but I do think people thought he had the potential to have a long-term England career.”Although Strauss welcomes the emergence of other viable bowling options for England, he suggested it would be an error to move on from either Broad or James Anderson prematurely.”We write them off at our peril,” Strauss said. “So let’s not be in a hurry to pension them off, because they have both got a lot more to offer England. We need to savour and appreciate and enjoy every time that those two bowl together in an England shirt.”At the same time, it’s really healthy there’s competition for places and some of these young guys are putting their hands up and showing they are ready to play international cricket. From a selector’s points of view, it is a great position to be in.”Meanwhile, the Ruth Strauss Foundation announced that donations during the game had surpassed £650,000. The foundation was set up by Strauss in memory of his wife who died from a rare form of cancer. Strauss thanked the “entire cricket family” for its support and said he was “blown away” by the amount of money raised in such a challenging economic environment.Anyone wanting to donate should visit: www.ruthstraussfoundation.com

تحدث أيمن يونس نجم الزمالك الأسبق والمحلل الفني الحالي، عن أداء فريق النادي الأهلي في مباراة البنك الأهلي، التي أقيمت مساء اليوم وانتهت بالتعادل السلبي.

طالع.. فيديو | الأهلي يسقط في فخ التعادل أمام البنك الأهلي بـ الدوري المصري

وقال يونس في تصريحات تلفزيونية بفضائية “أون سبورت” عقب اللقاء: “أداء مصطفى شوبير يعبر عن سير المباراة، يُظهر تألقه سوء مستوى الأهلي، مصطفى شوبير عقليته رائعة وموهبة رائعة”.

وأضاف: “مارسيل كولر سرق نصف الملعب في الشوط الثاني من طارق مصطفى بسبب عمرو السولية، هو الذي أعاد شخصية الأهلي”.

وأردف: “ولكن خط هجوم الأهلي لم يكن في أفضل حالاته رغم الهبوط المفاجئ لأداء البنك الأهلي، ولا بد أن يعمل طارق مصطفى على إيجاد حل لهذا الأمر”.

موعد مباراة الأهلي القادمة بعد التعادل مع البنك الأهلي

وتابع متسائلًا: “كيف لا يبدأ عمر كمال عبد الواحد في المباريات أساسيًا؟ وكيف لا يحصل رضا سليم على فرصة؟ رضا سليم لاعب رائع ومميز وسريع ويجيد اللعب بكلتا قدميه”.

وأتم: “هل كولر يعرف كيف يختار التشكيل الصحيح للمباراة؟ أم لم يجيد التعامل معها، لأن طارق مصطفى كان يمكن أن يتفوق لولا سوء توفيق ياو أنور”.

Jesse Lingard scored his first goal since overcoming a recent hamstring as Seoul claimed a vital in K League 1.

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Lingard scores after injurySeoul FC beat K League 1 leadersTitle challenge within reachWHAT HAPPENED?

Lingard provided the finishing touch with his left foot, firing the ball low across Gangwon goalkeeper Lee Kwang-yeon, who ought to have done better after getting hands on the shot. The former Manchester United talent proceeded to run over to the Seoul fans and engaged in what appeared to be a choreographed celebration with 17-year-old team-mate Kang Ju-hyeon.

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That was Seoul's second goal of the game and was the killer moment in the 2-0 victory. A fifth-consecutive win, it also further blew the K League 1 title race wide open, with Gangwon actually leading the standings. But the result brought Seoul back to within five points of the top, despite being in fifth place. Only six points separate the entire top six. For Lingard, captaining the side once more, it was a third goal in 16 league appearances this season. He had only returned from a month-long absence due to a hamstring injury in the previous game.

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AFPWHAT NEXT?

With Seoul looking up the table rather than down, a title charge feels within reach if they can continue to harness the momentum. The capital club were last champions in 2016. Their next three games against Jeonbuk, Daejeon Hana and Daegu are all favourable bottom four opponents.