Arsenal have completed their first piece of summer transfer business, as a long-standing full-back completes a €5m move to Serie A.
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Manchester City could be set to trigger the release clause for a £150,000-per-week midfielder in the summer transfer window.
Manchester City have been one of the most dominant Premier League teams in history over the last decade, with the Cityzens winning five of the last nine top flight campaigns.
Granted, their winning streaks have been interrupted by the likes of Liverpool and Leicester, however, across all competitions, Pep Guardiola's men have been the most feared in recent years, due in no small part to their ability to quickly recognise declining points in the squad and then upgrade them. For example, last summer, City sold the likes of Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez, but still have Jack Grealish and Phil Foden within their ranks, also adding Jeremy Doku.
Despite their dominance, key players such as Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne are all starting to enter the 'twilight' stages of their careers. De Bruyne is 32-years-old and has spent a large chunk of this season on the sidelines due the injuries.
This has resulted in Guardiola relying heavily on the likes of Bernardo Silva – who himself is often linked with a move away – while Matheus Nunes was brought in over the summer to fill the gaps which the departures of Ilkay Gundogan and Cole Palmer left upon their departures. However, the addition of the Portugal international hasn't quite worked out as well as City would've hoped.
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Matehus Nunes' season so far |
|
|
Games |
23 |
|
Goals |
0 |
|
Assists |
5 |
|
Data from Transfermarkt |
|
Although he has been involved in many games across the season, he has only started 13 games in all competitions. So, it comes as no surprise that Manchester City are reportedly looking at some midfield targets for the upcoming window.
Described as a "magician" by journalist, Robbie Mustoe, Lucas Paqueta has been on Guardiola's radar for some time now. Before eventually going for Nunes in the summer, Paqueta found himself as the number one target for Guardiola, with the club even going as far as making an offer for the midfielder. Now, City are 'ready' to make another bid for the West Ham star.
That is according to The Mail, via TEAMtalk, who state that the Brazil international has a '£86m release clause in his contract' which will become 'active' in the summer. The 26-year-old would be able to instantly provide cover for players such as De Bruyne, Mateo Kovacic and Nunes and would be desperate to gain a starting spot.
Indeed, the addition of Paqueta would be a stellar signing by Guardiola, and he would likely hope that he could become a sort of 'understudy' to star man De Bruyne in the coming years due to the versatility which he possesses.
Additionally, despite Silva playing an important role for the Cityzens this season by playing a total of 35 games and contributing to 13 goals, he has been linked with a move away from the club. So, if his departure does come to fruition, Paqueta could be an ideal replacement for Guardiola next season which makes the transfer seem even more sensible.
Barry O’Brien, former Glamorgan chairman, asked to head up panel looking into circumstances
George Dobell22-Apr-2020The ECB have asked Barry O’Brien, the former Glamorgan chairman, to lead a review into the circumstances around Ian Watmore’s appointment as chairman.The review comes after thereported that Watmore left his role as chief executive of the Football League following allegations of misconduct. Specifically, the paper suggests Watmore could have jeopardised the league’s broadcast deal with Sky – who are also the ECB’s key broadcast partner – by engaging in unauthorised talks about the possibility of a breakaway league.While O’Brien, currently a non-executive director on the ECB board, is respected for his career as a successful corporate lawyer, his appointment for this specific task is something of a surprise. He was on the ECB’s nominations committee which recommended Watmore’s appointment. As a result, O’Brien is, in the words of one county chairman, “marking his own homework”.If O’Brien’s review – the ECB are keen to avoid use of the word investigation – concludes that Watmore was less than forthcoming with necessary information during the recruitment process, or that his appointment could bring unnecessary baggage to the game, it could recommend the board reverse the appointment. At present, however, it seems the incident is seen more as one of the inevitable bruises sustained during a long career in the civil service and in sports administration.O’Brien is not a complete stranger to such slings and arrows himself. In 2007, he was fined by the Law Society for breaching his duty to a client and bringing his profession into disrepute. It emerged he had advised a consortium run by Philip Green over a proposed takeover of Marks & Spencer who had been a longstanding client of his employer, Freshfields. The episode did not prevent him becoming chair of Glamorgan CCC or joining the ECB board.Perhaps the crucial factor for O’Brien to resolve is when Watmore knew of any misconduct probe relating to his time at the Football League. It does not seem to be disputed that Watmore met representatives of football league clubs who advocated a breakaway, but it is far from certain that he was advocating such a move himself.ALSO READ: ECB to investigate claims of misconduct against Watmore“It sounds to me as if he walked into a divided situation at the Football League, sought to build consensus and reached a solution,” another county chair told ESPNcricinfo. “He sounds exactly the sort of person the ECB need.”It is understood the Football League have declined to provide the report to Watmore or the ECB. This has frustrated the ECB as extracts of it have been leaked to the . The review is unlikely to be completed ahead of the ECB board meeting on Thursday, but could be ready by the end of the month. Watmore, who denies any wrongdoing, has given no indication that he is considering standing aside.All things considered, it would be a surprise if the ECB’s decision to appointment Watmore was reversed. There is little evidence that either Sky, the key broadcast partner, or the counties, who are required to ratify Watmore’s appointment at the ECB’s AGM in May, are especially concerned by anything that has emerged so far. Crucially, there is little appetite among the counties for Colin Graves, the current ECB chair, to use the impasse to extend his tenure.There is a wider context to all this. As a maths graduate of Cambridge University and with a long career in the civil service behind him, Watmore is understood to be a calm, data-led pragmatist. And while the previous two chairs of the ECB have been entrepreneurs – self-starters with admirable levels of determination and self-assurance – Watmore has a reputation as a collaborative builder of consensus. After years of fairly robust leadership, many counties are crying out for such change.
Emi Martinez faces possible punishment from FIFA after slapping a camera operator to the floor at the end of Argentina’s defeat to Colombia.
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Glasgow Rangers are on a spectacular run right now which has seen them recently return to the summit of the Premiership table for the first time since August 2022.
While the players have been excellent, Philippe Clement is the catalyst behind such an impressive few months. The Belgian arrived last October with the Ibrox side engulfed in a crisis, but fast-forward five months, and he has the club in a title race, secured his first trophy while even setting up a Europa League last 16 clash against Benfica.
There will be bumps in the road, no doubt about it, but the transformation has shown that the club are ready to fight for every trophy.
One key element that the 49-year-old will be keen to develop at Ibrox is the establishment of a successful player trading model.
Previously, the Gers have paid money for players, only for their value to decrease or for them to run down their contracts and leave for free.
Over the previous decade, only three players have generated the club a major profit: Nathan Patterson, Calvin Bassey and Joe Aribo.
The former two are performing well for their new clubs, yet Aribo has largely struggled since leaving Glasgow, indicating that perhaps selling him in 2022 was the correct thing to do.
Following an underwhelming debut season in charge of Rangers, Steven Gerrard sought to bolster his side prior to the 2019/20 campaign.
The likes of Ryan Kent, Filip Helander and Greg Stewart joined the Light Blues, but it was the signing of Aribo which looked the most exciting.
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Rangers summer signings in 2019 |
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|---|---|
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Player |
Club signed from |
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Ryan Kent |
Liverpool |
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Filip Helander |
Bologna |
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George Edmundson |
Oldham |
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Joe Aribo |
Charlton |
|
Greg Stewart |
Birmingham |
|
Steven Davis |
Southampton |
|
Jake Hastie |
Motherwell |
|
Jordan Jones |
Kilmarnock |
|
Sheyi Ojo |
Liverpool |
|
Brandon Barker |
Manchester City |
|
Via Transfermarkt |
|
The attacking midfielder had shone for Charlton Athletic in the season prior, scoring ten times and grabbing five assists as he helped the side secure promotion back to the Championship.
He signed for the club on a four-year contract, costing the Gers just £300k because of cross-border transfer rules and Gerrard hailed his new arrival.
"We have a good midfield but currently we don’t have a player with Joe’s characteristics.
“He is tall, athletic and quick. He’s a box-to-box player and is not afraid to open the door when he gets around the box and he can unlock defences.”
High praise indeed for the youngster, and he was clearly ready to turn heads during his spell in Scotland, as it was evident Aribo was destined for bigger things in the future.
Aribo started off encouragingly at Rangers, scoring nine goals and chipping in with eight assists, although the club failed to lift any silverware during a season which was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
It was the 2020/21 campaign in which the former Charlton midfielder began to really showcase his talents, however, as the Light Blues steamrolled all opposition as they won their first title for a decade.
The Nigerian international registered 15 goal contributions – eight goals and seven assists – in all competitions and ranked sixth among his teammates for goals and assists (11) in the top flight, along with ranking fourth for big chances created (seven), fourth for key passes per game (1.2) and first for successful dribbles per game (1.9), displaying his full repertoire of skills during the season.
Aribo was fast becoming a crowd favourite at Ibrox due to his mesmerising displays and the 2021/22 season would be his most productive yet.
Nine goals were scored in all competitions, but it was his effort in the Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt which will be remembered most fondly, despite the club losing the game on penalties.
Aribo became just the fourth Rangers player to score in a major European final and the first since Willie Johnston in the 1972 Cup Winners' Cup final.
Where Are They Now
Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast's Where Are They Now series.
He won a Scottish Cup winners medal a few days later, but Giovanni van Bronckhorst accepted an offer of £6m from Premier League side Southampton for the midfielder during the 2022 summer transfer window.
It marked the end of a successful three-year stint north of the border and while the Gers did not want to lose a player of his quality, the offer was clearly too good to turn down.
Safe to say, the 27-year-old has not enjoyed the most fruitful of spells at Southampton since joining nearly two years ago.
There was no doubting Aribo’s Premier League credentials, as his spell at Rangers, especially with his displays in Europe, proved he could cut it in the English top flight.
He only started 13 league matches last season, however, scoring just two goals and his talents were wasted as the Saints suffered their first relegation from the top flight since 2005.
Despite their relegation to the second tier, Aribo has failed to secure a consistent run in the starting XI, making just eight starts in the Championship all season.
The former Gers star has netted just three times, and it looks as though his move down south has turned south, even if the Saints may secure promotion at the first time of asking.
Aribo currently ranks in a lowly 18th position among the squad for key passes per game (0.5) in the Championship, while also ranking 13th for successful dribbles per game (0.6) and these numbers are a fry cry for his displays at Rangers, especially in the season they won the league.
His recent struggles suggest the Light Blues made the correct call, cashing in on the player, even if it meant weakening the side, as he clearly wanted a dream move to the Premier League.
Scoring just five goals in 18 months since departing Scotland is not the form the Saints, or even Aribo himself anticipated, and he needs to work hard to earn more minutes between now and May.
Clement must know the right time to sell some of his prized assets, as the money generated could allow him to sign even more talented youngsters, who will then make the club a big profit.
It may well be the circle of life, but this model could help the Gers reestablish themselves as the best club in Scotland.
Tamim Iqbal also cracked a century as Bangladesh cruised to a 123-run victory and 3-0 series win
The Report by Liam Brickhill06-Mar-2020
Records tumbled in Sylhet as Bangladesh cruised to a 123-run victory and a 3-0 series win over Zimbabwe to give Mashrafe Mortaza a fitting send-off in his final match as captain. Liton Das and Tamim Iqbal cemented their side’s dominance with an opening partnership of 292, Bangladesh’s highest for any wicket in ODIs. Both men reached their second hundreds of the series, with Das soaring to 176 to break the record for the highest individual score for Bangladesh in an ODI. It was a record set by Iqbal in the previous match.Bangladesh’s batsmen hit an incredible 14 sixes, the most by them in an ODI, to reach 322 for 3, equalling the team record for highest score against Zimbabwe in an ODI. As a result of a rain delay in the evening, which knocked seven overs out of Bangladesh’s innings, Zimbabwe’s target was readjusted upwards to a mountainous 342. They never looked like getting close, Sikandar Raza’s fifty in his 100th ODI only delaying the inevitable as Mohammad Saifuddin lead the way with 4 for 41 to bowl the visitors out for 218 in the 38th over.While Iqbal mixed watchful accumulation with brutal striking, Das found his groove with a more silken touch even when he was lifting the ball over the boundary. Das also rode some very good luck: he might have been dismissed lbw when he had just 54 to his name, hadZimbabwe used the review available to them, and he was also dropped three times in the outfield. He made them pay for the errors.With Das ticking past fifty in the 16th over, the opening stand moved inexorably beyond 100. Iqbal raised a fifty of his own six overs later, and took it upon himself to deflate the pressure built by Zimbabwe after a spell of just 20 runs in 5.5 overs, steppingout to swat Wesley Madhevere over wide long-on for his second six off the spinner.Having tootled merrily beyond 150, the next milestone to tick off was that of Bangladesh’s highest opening stand in ODIs and that arrived courtesy Iqbal’s towering mow over deep midwicket off Williams in an over that leaked 17 runs.Das both raised his second hundred of the series (and third overall in ODIs) and moved past 1,000 runs in this format with an elegant late cut in the same over. Bangladesh’s openers were in sight of another record – their highest ODI stand for any wicket- when the weather closed in in the 34th over and the players were forced off the field shortly after 4pm.The crowd played its part in bidding Mashrafe Mortaza farewell in his last match as captain•Raton Gomes/BCB
After a delay of more than two-and-a-half hours, play was eventually able to get underway again but Zimbabwe’s discipline with the ball – they had bowled only one extra in the first 34 overs, and that too only a leg bye – seemed to have deserted them. Brendan Taylor immediately dropped a difficult chance at third man, Donald Tiripano let slip with a wide, and Carl Mumba then had Das caught at short fine leg off a high full toss that was called a no-ball.The break did nothing to temper Das’ timing, or Iqbal’s for that matter. They marched steadily onwards and it was sixes, rather than water, that came raining down in Sylhet with 142 runs flowing from the last nine-and-a-half overs. Zimbabwe struggled to come toterms with a wet ball and a damp outfield, and Das was dropped by Raza at long-on and then by Madhevere at deep midwicket as the runs kept flowing.Das raced through the 150s, making the Bangladesh individual score record his own with a pair of sixes off Raza. When Mumba was deposited over the ropes for back-to-back sixes, it seemed he might be able to threaten the double-hundred, but he was eventually caughtat long-on, aiming for a ninth six. With Iqbal smiting two more sixes and a four in the penultimate over of the innings, Zimbabwe were faced with the prospect of an immense DLS-adjusted target under lights.But, as has been the case throughout the series, their wobble in the chase began early. Tinashe Kamunhukamwe couldn’t get his feet moving, and edged a Mortaza outswinger in the very first over, while Taylor’s poor run of form continued as he flapped a length deliveryfrom Saifuddin to midwicket to fall for 14.Afif Hossain then struck with his second ball in ODIs, Sean Williams playing inside an offbreak to be bowled for 30 in the 14th over. The required rate had ballooned to more than nine by this point, and it only kept creeping upwards.The 19-year old Madhevere once again acquitted himself competently, scooting to a run-a ball-42 before he was caught at point off a ball from Saifuddin that got big on him. Raza did his best to keep the score moving and was briefly helped by Tiripano, whostruck two big sixes but could not repeat his heroics from Tuesday night.Raza reached his fifty in quick time, but the match remained firmly within Bangladesh’s grasp. He was out attempting to clear the boundary off Saifuddin, who followed up his slower bouncer to Raza with a quick yorker that skittled No. 11 Charlton Tshuma, wrapping up one final record for Bangladesh: 50 wins as captain for Mashrafe Mortaza, making him his country’s most successful leader in this format.With emotions running high, Mortaza’s team-mates hoisted him up on their shoulders as a packed stadium cheered a victorious end to his reign.
A "frustrated" Mason Mount has confirmed that he sustained a "minor muscle issue" against Brighton and will be out for four to five weeks.
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For Championship promotion-chasers Leeds United, the emergence of Archie Gray has without doubt been one of the stories of the season. Gray has started 30 out of 34 games under Daniel Farke in the league this season, including Friday's memorable comeback win over the leaders.
Only three Leeds players – Ethan Ampadu (3,060), Islan Meslier (2,843) and Georginio Rutter (2,788) – have played more second-tier minutes for the club than Gray's 2,707, and unsurprisingly, he leads the way for all teenagers in the division. His nearest challenger is Sunderland's Jobe Bellingham, and he's a considerable way back on 2,471.
While Gray broke through as a midfielder, he's mostly played as a right-back this season, lining up there 22 times in all competitions, including in the dramatic win against Leicester on Friday. Leeds had interestingly signed a potential competitor on the final day of the winter transfer window in the form of Burnley's Connor Roberts, who arrived on loan until the end of the season, and the Welshman announced himself in the best way possible against the Foxes, scoring off the bench after replacing Junior Firpo.
Now, some comments from Hay in the build-up to the match have emerged, and it looks like the 49ers ownership group – together with the manager – got their January decision making just about spot on.
Speaking on The Square Ball Podcast before Friday's mania, The Athletic's Phil Hay said that people at the club were conscious of ensuring that Gray's development wasn't obstructed by any January addition. Signing a versatile veteran who can support the teenager rather than compete with him was the objective, and based on what happened on Friday night, they pulled it off to perfection.
“It was one of those things when they were looking for a right-back in January, I remember somebody at the club saying this, they were very conscious of wanting a good right-back, and they got Connor Roberts who is very good, but not wanting that to immediately compromise Gray’s minutes, they still wanted Gray to be in the team and him to be playing.
“Actually if anything, he’s got better since Roberts came in and made it impossible for Farke, it would have to be a fitness thing, to get Roberts into the team.”
Farke proved the owners' decision to target experienced support for Gray was an act of genius with what he did on Friday, bringing on the fresh legs of Roberts for Firpo, who was struggling, and shifting Gray over to the other flank.
The two combined to flip the game on its head, and Gray, who also provided an assist in the 4-0 win over Swansea City, has been phenomenal since Roberts arrived, showing precision in possession, knowing when to take risks and winning the vast majority of his individual battles.
|
Archie Gray form since Connor Roberts signing (Championship) |
|
|---|---|
|
Goals |
1 |
|
Assists |
1 |
|
Touches |
350 |
|
Passes attempted |
228 |
|
Passes completed |
187 |
|
Pass completion |
82% |
|
Dribbles attempted |
10 |
|
Successful dribbles |
6 |
|
Dribble success rate (%) |
60% |
|
Tackles |
12 |
|
Ground duels contested |
28 |
|
Ground duels won |
19 |
|
Ground duel success rate (%) |
68% |
In the end, it may be looked back on as the transfer that pushed Leeds on to become genuine challengers to what previously looked like a stroll to the title for the Foxes. With Roberts now fit and firing, the manager is free to use Gray exactly if, when and how he chooses, rather than being forced to run him into the ground week in week out at right-back only.
Allrounder was injured while fielding against New Zealand and will miss the remainder of the tournament as well as Australia’s upcoming tour of South Africa
Alex Malcolm02-Mar-2020Australia’s star allrounder Ellyse Perry has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup after suffering a high-grade right hamstring injury while fielding during the win over New Zealand at Junction Oval.Perry fielded a ball at mid-off and threw in one motion, off-balance, trying to run out New Zealand captain Sophie Devine. She immediately crumpled to the ground clutching her right hamstring, and hobbled off with a significant limp and a concerned look on her face. She did not field for the remainder of the match.Perry had a scan in Melbourne on Monday night which revealed a high-grade tear that will not only rule her out of the rest of the tournament but also out of Australia’s upcoming tour of South Africa which follows the T20 World Cup.Australia won’t name a replacement in their 15-player squad.”Ellyse sustained a high-grade right hamstring injury that is expected to keep her out of the game for a significant period of time,” Australian team Doctor Pip Inge said. “We are currently exploring management options and will continue to support Ellyse through her recovery.”Australia coach Matthew Mott said the news was disappointing for both Perry and the team but he was confident the squad could cover her loss.”Ellyse is a key member of our squad and has been for a long period of time and on a personal level we’re disappointed that she won’t have the opportunity to finish the tournament,” Mott said. “She gives her absolute all every time she takes to the field for her country and that was evident again against New Zealand in the selfless manner in which she threw herself into her batting, bowling and fielding performances.”We’re confident that we have enough depth in the squad to cover her batting and bowling and know whoever gets an opportunity will make a strong contribution.”Perry came into the New Zealand game in doubt due to a hip complaint that restricted her training in the build-up and had to pass a fitness test on the morning of the game to be cleared to play.Perry made 21 from 15 with the bat but was not running with her usual fluency during the innings and was kept away from outfield duties in the field. She is normally posted at deep midwicket as one of Australia’s best fielders but spent the first 11 overs fielding in the ring, predominantly at mid-off.Perry’s absence will leave a huge hole in the Australian line-up given she is the No. 1 allrounder in the world alongside Devine. Her absence was felt even in the win over New Zealand as Ash Gardner was required to fill her last two overs. Gardner conceded 26 runs including 15 off the last over when New Zealand needed 20 to win.However, Australia captain Meg Lanning was adamant Australia had enough depth in the squad could to cover Perry’s absence. “She’s obviously been a massive part of our squad and our team for a long time,” Lanning said after the match on Monday. “You can’t replace her but we’ve got 15 players here who can do a job and you need a squad to win a World Cup. You can’t rely on one or two players and the same XI each game. We’re going to have to use the depth that we’ve got and we’ve said we’ve got a lot of depth. I believe that and we’re just going to have to use it and that’s just the reality of it.””Unfortunately, in elite sport you get injuries. Unfortunately, Ellyse has got an injury. I’ve got full confidence that any player who comes in can play a role and we’re just going to have to get through it and play maybe slightly differently but that’s fine. You’ve got to adapt.”As far as Devine, the New Zealand captain, was concerned, it would be a shame if Perry couldn’t get back on the field for the remainder of Australia’s engagements, though she said she was certain Perry would play against New Zealand, injury or not.”Anyone going down at any point in a world event is really hard to see. Especially someone like Ellyse,” she said. “We know what she brings to the women’s game and I know people were saying she might not play this game but I didn’t have any doubts that she was going to play.”She would have to have her leg amputated for her not to take the field and it looked like she nearly did snap her leg off. I really hope she has a speedy recovery, whatever injury she has sustained. It is a real blow for the women’s game. I know it definitely will be for Australia but the world loses out on a great player.”
Chelsea have sold Angelo Gabriel to Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr for £19 million just a year after signing the Brazilian teenager from Santos.
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