Ex-USMNT ace Brad Friedel says a star in America's second tier was "better than Harry Kane", with caution being urged when it comes to Cavan Sullivan.
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Real Madrid star Arda Guler opened up on being compared to Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal as the young midfielder is preparing to take on Spain with Turkey in a 2026 World Cup qualifying game on Sunday. Twenty-year-old Guler, who joined Los Blancos in the summer of 2023, has finally established himself as a first-team starter under new manager Xabi Alonso.
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England’s new head coach might just have all tools he needs to make low-key success of highest profile role
Andrew Miller10-Oct-2019Chris Silverwood’s first reaction on hearing that he was England’s new head coach was a one-word exclamation: “Wow”. He was sitting in his lounge as Ashley Giles’ name flashed up on his phone, and recalls falling rather silent as the enormity of his new role washed over him. It was left to his wife Victoria to do the handstands on his behalf, after a silent fist-pump had conveyed everything she needed to know about the conversation – in the short term at least.”I was immensely proud, and very humbled to be given the opportunity, and very grateful that I will get to live the dream again in a coaching capacity,” said Silverwood. “But equally I am very, very, very excited about what can be achieved with two teams that can be very successful. For me to be able to play a part in that, and help guide that, is fantastic.”There is clearly a huge amount to like about Silverwood the man, let alone Silverwood the coach. As Giles pointed out in introducing him, he took an Essex team that had previously been a “rabble” and delivered not only promotion and the Championship in consecutive seasons in 2016 and 2017, but the framework for this season’s double as well.From stalwarts such as Alastair Cook to Ravi Bopara, to the young guns, Aaron Beard and Dan Lawrence, on whom the club’s future success will hinge, no-one at Essex has a bad word to say about “Spoons”, and the same is clearly true of an England camp that has just come through the most stringent acid test in recent memory. “He couldn’t have worked in a more pressurised environment this summer,” noted Giles, “whether as head coach or one of the assistant coaches.”All of which is hugely laudable. And yet, it’s not being unfair to suggest that the public reaction to Silverwood’s appointment has been somewhat underwhelming – more “meh” than “wow”, you might say, although, as any student of global politics would recognise in these troubled times, there is actually a blessed relief to be found in genuine, unequivocal indifference.Also read: Ashes win is top priority for SilverwoodSilverwood can therefore expect to be judged, for the time being, by what he is not. He is not a glamorous overseas appointment, with a proven international track record and a wealth of impressive contacts on speed-dial. He is not a man in high demand on the T20 franchise circuit and therefore constrained by availability (and affordability). He is, instead, a thoroughly good egg who can join a few dots between an England team which, as Giles admitted, has had a tendency to exist as an “island” in recent years, and the county system in which his career has been invested and upon whom England’s Test team will rely if it is to get back to the levels to which it aspires.”People are the centre of my coaching philosophy,” said Silverwood. “Seeing them do well with their dreams, and what they’re trying to do, makes me smile. That’s why I do it. I want to create self-thinking, self-sufficient cricketers that will be successful, and if we can do that, you know what, it’ll make me smile.”By any stretch of the imagination, Silverwood’s actual unveiling was an undeniably low-key event. For starters, it took place three days after the announcement itself, and in being staged in a cosy back-room at Lord’s, rather than the pavilion or one of the ground’s grander suites, it conveyed a sense of continuity rather than change. A desire to slip the new man into his role with as little splash as possible.Perhaps that’s understandable. After all, it’s not as if the structures that Trevor Bayliss put in place in his four-year tenure require purging – quite the opposite in fact. He delivered on his most fundamental promise in winning this summer’s World Cup and, in walking away with his stock as high as he could have hoped it to be, he is arguably the first England coach since the very first – Micky Stewart in 1992 – to leave the role on his own terms and at a time of his own choosing.But as Giles, England’s director of cricket, intimated in the final weeks of the interview process, there will be a necessary focus on Test cricket in the coming four-year cycle. For that is the format that suffered the most while England’s white-ball boy-racers were throwing caution to the wind in pursuit of their ultimate goal.And, now that an Ashes summer has ended, for the first time in 18 years, without the urn being retained or recaptured on home soil, that is the format that is going to matter above all others in the build-up to England’s return series in Australia in 2021-22. Therefore, in trusting the CV of a man with a brief, if proven, track record in first-class team-building, Giles is adamant he’s found his man for the moment, irrespective of whether the field of genuine contenders was restricted by the job’s specifications.New England Head Coach Chris Silverwood at Lord’s•Getty Images
There are obvious advantages to having a single head coach to oversee all three formats – ones that Giles himself knows only too well from his short and frustrating stint as one-day coach in 2012-14 – but as Bayliss demonstrated with his lackadaisical approach to the rigours of the Test role, the pitfalls are also plain.On that note, however, Silverwood will begin his active role in just over a week’s time when England set off for New Zealand for the T20 leg of their winter, with few expectations. He will, however, travel with an abundance of goodwill, and with a captain, Eoin Morgan, whose desire to carry on after nailing his ultimate achievement was influenced, in no small part, by his recognition of the need for continuity.He can expect, therefore, to have his hand held for the early weeks of his reign – which is no bad thing, given the apparent desire to use Silverwood’s insider status, both within the England squad and the wider England game, to foster links within the system.Tellingly, Giles suggested that “winning” was not even the most important aspect of his appointment. Of far greater importance, and in keeping with the tone of the ECB’s recent strategy document, “Inspiring Generations” was the need to create “the most respected team in the world”.What does that even look like? Silverwood had a stab at an answer: “Ultimately, you want to be successful, but it’s how you are successful as well,” he said. “So it’s winning in the right spirit of the game. Winning with a little bit of class, and respecting your opposition as well.”Respect is a big word. It’s very easy to talk about, but we’re going to make sure that we respect everything around us, everybody around us, and the game, and make sure that we carry that through with us.”It’s a huge task. And it’s a daunting one, not least given the fate of the last Englishman to coach England across all formats. Peter Moores, like Silverwood, was declared to be the “outstanding candidate” when he was pitched into the role (on the first occasion) in 2007 at the end of Duncan Fletcher’s historic but over-long tenure.The significant difference, however, was one of expectation. Moores was, to all intents and purposes, the only man for the job on that occasion, as the ECB felt obliged to reward the star graduate of their own fledgling academy. With Silverwood it is reassuringly different. He is a perfectly good candidate, without being held up as some sort of messiah. That in-built wriggle room, not to mention his existing relationships, may be exactly what he requires to make a low-key success of the highest profile role.
Manchester United are keeping close tabs on a new central talisman to replace Donny van de Beek in January, according to a reliable journalist.
The Red Devils have Christian Eriksen, Kobbie Mainoo and Van de Beek as their three natural options in central midfield as it stands, but there’s a strong possibility that the latter will be heading for the exit door in the coming weeks.
The Athletic has reported that Erik ten Hag’s star is set to join German Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt on a season-long loan until the end of the current campaign having already completed his medical, so should his move indeed be confirmed, the manager may have to enter the market to find a suitable replacement in that particular position.
Fabrizio Romano shares agreement to axe Man Utd player unhappy with Ten Hag
A January deal has already been rubber stamped.
By
David Comerford
Dec 21, 2023
Back in 2020, AS Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana put pen to paper from RC Strasbourg and he’s since gone on to become a regular feature of their first-team squad, making a total of 155 senior appearances to date (Transfermarkt – Fofana statistics).
The France international still has just under two years remaining on his deal with Adi Hutter’s side (AS Monaco contracts), but with his performances since the start of the term seemingly having impressed, the 24-year-old has been brought onto the radar at Old Trafford.
Taking to X, journalist Rudy Galetti revealed that Man United are keen on Fofana, with Monaco having decided on the price that needs to be met in order to let their prized asset move to the Premier League.
He wrote: “Man Utd are still monitoring with interest Youssouf Fofana and are ready to take concrete steps for him soon. AS Monaco ask for €30m to evaluate proposals for the CM, whose contract expires in 2025.”
Being a central midfielder, Fofana is naturally strong in both the defensive and offensive aspects of his game, with the former being proven this season by currently averaging 1.8 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game in Ligue 1 (WhoScored – Fofana statistics).
The Paris native is also capable of making a positive impact at the opposite end of the pitch, having posted 23 contributions (15 assists and eight goals) since the start of his career, showing how much of a well-rounded player he is.
Sponsored by Adidas, Ten Hag’s target even knows what it takes to compete and be successful at a high level having been crowned a French League Cup winner during his time at Strasbourg, so he will possess a winning mentality that will be another attractive attribute to the boss, as that is what would be required of him.
As described by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Fofana is a “magnificent” maestro considering how he can dictate the game from the centre of the park, so should the opportunity present itself, this is surely a no-brainer of a deal for the board to pursue in January.
The ACB has sanctioned him for breaching a code-of-conduct policy that requires players to seek the board’s permission before travelling abroad
ESPNcricinfo staff18-Aug-2019Mohammad Shahzad, the Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batsman, cannot play “any form of cricket” for a year. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), which had earlier suspended Shahzad indefinitely for breaching the board’s code of conduct, has fixed the term of his suspension.Shahzad’s suspension comes after he breached of a policy that requires players to seek the board’s permission before travelling out of the country. ESPNcricinfo understands that Shahzad is based in Peshawar, Pakistan, and was recently seen training there.”ACB has well-equipped training and practice facilities within the country and Afghan players do not require to travel abroad for such purposes,” the ACB said in a statement on Sunday.Last year, the ACB had fined Shahzad and asked him to relocate to Afghanistan permanently or risk having his contract terminated.Shahzad spent his early years in a refugee camp in Peshawar, but his parents are originally from Nangarhar, Afghanistan. Like many of his Afghanistan team-mates, Shahzad grew up near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border; he also got married in Peshawar. A significant number of Afghans, once refugees, now reside in Pakistan, mainly in Peshawar, registered in the country as temporary residents.Shahzad has been in the news a fair bit in recent times. He was sent back home from the World Cup because of a knee injury but told media in Kabul soon after that he was fit to play and hinted that the team just didn’t want him with them. “If they don’t want me to play, I will quit cricket,” he had said at the time.The senior cricketer, an integral part of Afghanistan’s rise up the ranks to Test status, had also served a retrospective one-year ban in 2017 for “inadvertently” consuming a banned substance.
Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Eintracht Frankfurt defender Evan Ndicka, according to journalist Fabrice Hawkins.
A product of the Auxerre academy, the Paris-born youngster joined the Europa League winners in 2018 and has rapidly developed a burgeoning reputation in the Bundesliga.
Since arriving in Germany, the 22-year-old has made 139 appearances for Frankfurt, directly contributing to an impressive 19 goals from a predominantly central defensive role.
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Fast approaching the final year of his contract (Transfermarkt), it appears inevitable that the next step in a blossoming career is on the horizon…
Taking to Twitter, French journalist Hawkins confirmed interest from the Red Devils, AS Monaco and Tottenham in acquiring the services of Ndicka.
He stated: “Evan Ndicka is very courted. Tottenham and Man Utd are tracking the Frankfurt defender, recent Europa League winner. In Monaco, his name comes up insistently if Benoît Badiashile is transferred. Ndicka does not rule out playing UCL with Frankfurt next season.”
Signing the 6 foot 3 20-times capped France youth international would be a hugely promising statement as Erik ten Hag begins his tenure at Old Trafford by attempting to freshen up the squad.
Described as the ‘complete package’ by German reporter Christopher Michel, this is a move that would make an abundance of sense, particularly as Eric Bailly has been linked with a departure in recent days.
So far this season, Ndicka has scored four times and provided another four assists in 44 appearances across all competitions and played 100 minutes in the European final success over Rangers to earn a 6.90 Sofascore rating for a monstrous performance containing a massive seven clearances and seven successful aerial duels.
Partnering a talent of this magnitude alongside either Harry Maguire or compatriot Raphael Varane would be a tantalising prospect that Ten Hag and John Murtough should be doing everything possible to make a reality.
In other news: Man Utd source: Sensational transfer twist as Erik ten Hag now hijacking move for ‘golden boy’.
WWE star Finn Balor posted a photo on Instagram with Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou and revealed he had goosebumps after the meeting.
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Previous alliances – and battles – put to one side for Ashes contest says England wicketkeeper
Melinda Farrell29-Jul-2019David Warner and Jonny Bairstow may have formed a blistering opening partnership in this year’s IPL, but Bairstow expects that will all be forgotten on the field once the pair line up on opposite sides for the first Ashes Test, which begins on Thursday at Edgbaston.The pair combined for an IPL opening partnership record when they smashed 185 runs in 16.2 overs for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of the World Cup. It was an eyebrow-raising combination, not just because of the brutal power-hitting on display but that it came after the 2017-18 Ashes series in Australia, during which rumours swirled about excessive sledging aimed at Bairstow by the Australian.”I’ve spoken about batting with Dave a few times,” Bairstow said before a training session with partially sighted cricketers in Birmingham on Monday. “It’s still England v Australia. Part and parcel of franchise cricket around the world – you’ll play with people, it’s something you get used to doing. He’ll be wanting to win for Australia, I want to win for England, but we’ll still shake hands off the field. Know what I mean?ALSO READ: England to prioritise Test cricket after World Cup focus – Giles“A lot of cricket, a lot of things have happened since Brisbane. It’s so long ago. They will be looking to target people, of course they will. They will be looking for areas in people’s games – like we analyse them. It is part of professional sport.”Earlier in the day, Ashley Giles spoke about England dealing with a World Cup “hangover” and Bairstow was one of several players who backed up from the Lord’s final by playing in the Test against Ireland and struggling with the bat, making a pair for the first time in Tests. But Bairstow said he had no qualms about playing in the match and was particularly eager to get back into the rhythm of wicketkeeping ahead of the Ashes.”I didn’t want to be going into the first Ashes Test having not kept – I wanted to get back keeping and the rhythm of my keeping and that was the main reason for playing in the Ireland Test,” he said.”Keeping in white ball is different to keeping in red ball – back into the rhythm, the shuffles, the moving, getting your angles with the fields – the general gist back into the swing of red-ball cricket again. Everyone was bedding back in – we haven’t played it for a few months.”Bairstow is relishing the challenge of being behind the stumps for the express pace of Jofra Archer at some stage during the series, having only briefly kept to the newest member of England’s bowling attack after subbing for the injured Jos Buttler against Bangladesh during the World Cup.”Jos was having a laugh about it, saying, ‘Good luck!’ I’ve not kept to him [much] yet but it’s exciting,” Bairstow said. “That’s another decision that has to be made – whether he starts. He’s put the body through a fair bit.”While the memories and euphoria of winning the World Cup are still fresh in the mind, Bairstow believes it’s important that England capitalise on the feel-good factor during the Ashes.”I don’t think that will be lost if we didn’t win the Ashes,” he said. “There have been series since the 2005 Ashes but everyone remembers it fondly, there have been World Cups since the rugby win in 2003 but the impact of it wasn’t lost. But it is important to keep the momentum going 100%. It could be the biggest summer in the history of English cricket if we win the Ashes and the World Cup.”Jonny Bairstow trained with the Birmingham Vision partially-sighted cricket team ahead of the Specsavers Ashes Series opener at Edgbaston
Carlo Ancelotti has claimed that “genetics” are responsible for Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham enjoying a meteoric rise to the top.
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Nottingham Forest have had a phenomenal season and will now have the opportunity to claim a place back in the Premier League for the first time in 23 years if they can take victory from the Championship play-offs.
Steve Cooper’s side will take on Sheffield United in the semi-final to hopefully gain a spot in the final at Wembley on the 29th of May, and if they could secure that promotion back into top-flight football they may find themselves in with the opportunity to attract players they have previously shown interest in but failed to sign in the past.
One player who has been speculated to be on Nottingham Forest’s transfer wish-list since the January transfer window is League One and MK Dons star Scott Twine, with the young midfielder attracting attention from many clubs this summer.
The 22-year-old has recently suffered heartbreak as his team crashed out of the League One play-off semi-finals losing their chance for promotion to the Championship next season and now Cooper can offer a solution for the youngster to join his promising side when the transfer window opens in a few weeks time.
Twine who was hailed “magic” by BBC Sport journalist Sanny Rudravajhala has been tearing it up in the third tier of the football league scoring 20 goals and contributing 13 assists to his team in his 47 league appearances this season, but it’s not just his goal contributions from the centre of the pitch that have caused great interest in the livewire.
The MK Dons star makes 3.3 shots, 2.4 key passes and 1.1 tackles on average per game, has created an impressive 17 big chances, wins the majority of his ground and aerial duels combined (55%) and is successful in the majority of his dribbles (55%), proving that he is a huge presence on the pitch for his team both offensively and defensively.
These impressive attributes could be a major asset to Forest, especially if he can form an attacking partnership with winger Brennan Johnson in Cooper’s team next season.
The young pair could become a real force when you combine their talents to complement each other and could be a deadly duo against their opponents whether that be in the Championship or the Premier League.
Cooper will have to offer something the player can’t refuse as he will need to compete with Burnley, Norwich City, Middlesbrough and West Brom for the hot prospect’s signature this summer, but with the progress the Forest manager has already made at the club their potential and determination to compete could win the player over.
AND in other news: Offer made: Forest plotting deal for “outstanding” 6ft1 “revelation”, he’s McKenna 2.0