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Interim Southampton manager Simon Rusk would have been pleased with his team’s efforts in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night, even as Arne Slot’s Liverpool picked up a victory on the South Coast.

It wasn’t a complete stroll for the Reds when travelling to St. Mary’s, in a game they might have been expecting to cruise by in after Southampton’s recent 5-0 loss on their own patch to Tottenham Hotspur, but the table-topping side in the Premier League had to make do with a slim 2-1 win instead.

In particular, Rusk’s Saints will latch onto their second-half display for many a positive, with Cameron Archer scoring his side’s only goal of the night to boost his confidence.

Standout Saints performers vs Liverpool

Archer would gift the hosts some hope that they could get back into the EFL Cup contest, after Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott had combined for a quickfire first-half double.

That is the former Aston Villa’s man fifth strike in all competitions for his lowly side, and this is very much the pick of the bunch, as the Southampton number 19 was gifted time to take on various different Liverpool shirts before curling a fine effort home.

Away from the 23-year-old making Liverpool worry slightly, the likes of recently capped England senior international Taylor Harwood-Bellis also stood out, with the young centre-back winning 100% of his duels even when facing off against the aforementioned menace that is Nunez.

Rusk would have also been pleased by a second-half cameo from Yukinara Sugawara too, who completed three key passes from just 29 minutes of action, but another star shone bright for the Saints even with the level of opposition they were up against.

Fernandes' performance in numbers

Mateus Fernandes is one individual the new Saints manager – whenever Rusk steps down – will surely want to keep around the first team picture, after putting in another encouraging display for his new club.

Deployed down the left channel for this mid-week clash, the Portuguese midfielder was energetic and brave for his team when going in for duels and tackles in an intense second-half showing, whilst also being a threat when launching forward on occasion.

Stat

Fernandes

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

53

Accurate passes

18/29 (62%)

Key passes

2

Big chances created

1

Interceptions

2

Tackles

4

Total duels won

8/10

In keeping with his team’s lively second-half display, Fernandes would win eight duels and complete four tackles, whilst also proving himself to be a competent performer in attack when his passes weren’t wayward, with two key passes tallied up. It is no surprise that analyst Ben Mattinson previously lauded his “exceptional ability to play perfectly weighted through balls”.

The wide-eyed 20-year-old would also be involved in a major moment of controversy near the close of the EFL Cup clash, as he raced through on goal to try and equalise, only for Jarell Quansah to bring him down in what looked to be an obvious foul.

On another night, the Liverpool number 78 could have been sent off for his recklessness, but referee Simon Hooper would give nothing to the bemusement of the disgruntled home crowd and the agitated Southampton players.

As much as that would sour proceedings, Fernandes would have still been pleased with his efforts come full-time, with Daily Echo journalist George Rees-Julian gifting the former Sporting man a high 7/10 rating after the game, conceding that he was ‘robbed’ of a great chance at the end across a spirited outing.

He will hope he can stake a claim for more first-team opportunities moving forward, therefore, having already picked up 13 starts back in the Premier League under ex-boss Russell Martin.

Based off his display on Wednesday night against one of the top-flight’s most intimidating outfits, he should be given plenty more games in the division under the next regime.

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Southampton could look to appoint this bold fresh face as Russell Martin’s replacement.

ByKelan Sarson Dec 17, 2024

Mason Greenwood has been set a deadline in which to save his Marseille career, with the ex-Manchester United forward being dropped to the bench.

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Moved to France in the summer of 2024Has registered 15 goals in Ligue 1Generating transfer talk ahead of next windowFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

On the back of a 2024 transfer to Stade Velodrome, Greenwood enjoyed a bright start to his spell in French football. He remains Marseille’s leading scorer this season, with 15 goals recorded through 26 Ligue 1 appearances.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Greenwood has, however, slipped down the pecking under Roberto De Zerbi. His demanding coach has said of the 23-year-old’s recent efforts, which have led to him being removed from starting XIs: “I expect more from him. He has to do more, because what he is currently showing is not enough.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Marseille included Greenwood among their substitutes for defeats to Lens and Paris Saint-Germain heading into the March international break. They will be back in action against Reims on Saturday, with Greenwood making an early return to training ahead of that contest – which has pleased his boss.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MASON GREENWOOD?

are, however, reporting that Greenwood only has until the end of the season in which to earn the trust of the manager. If he fails to do so, and with exit talk already raging, then the one-cap England international – who is switching allegiance to Jamaica – will be moved on in the summer transfer window.

تمكن منتخب السنغال من تحقيق الفوز على مضيفه منتخب إنجلترا بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف وحيد، في لقاء ودي جمع بين المنتخبين.

وواجه السنغال خصمه المنتخب الإنجليزي، على ملعب “سيتي جراوند”، بمدينة نوتينجهام الإنجليزية.

اقرأ ايضاً.. هولندا تكتسح مالطا بـ 8 أهداف نظيفة في تصفيات كأس العالم

افتتح هاري كين التسجيل لصالح منتخب الأسود الثلاثة بالدقيقة السابعة من عمر الشوط الأول.

ونحج إسماعيلا سار في تسجيل هدف التعادل لصالح منتخب السنغال بالدقيقة 40، مستغلاً تمريرة حاسمة من نيكولاس جاكسون.

في الشوط الثاني ومع الدقيقة 62، أضاف حبيب ديارا ثاني أهداف أسود التيرانجا، بصناعة من كوليبالي.

واختتم شيخ سابالي أهداف الضيوف مع الدقيقة الثالثة من الوقت المحتسب بدل من ضائع عن نهاية المباراة، بعدما تلقى تمريرة حاسمة من لامين كامارا. اهداف مباراة انجلترا والسنغال (1-3) مباراة ودية 

The fact that Bangladesh batters didn’t score any hundreds and Zimbabwe had four made “a huge difference,” he says

Mohammad Isam11-Aug-2022Bangladesh’s ODI side has to address a number of areas for improvement, according to captain Tamim Iqbal. Their streak of five consecutive series wins was broken by Zimbabwe, who chased down two challenging totals – 291 and 304 – in the first two ODIs, before petering out in a 105-run loss in the third game on Wednesday.Tamim, who has been in charge of the side since January last year, said that a loss against a lower-ranked side would sting a bit more and hoped that this would ram home the message for improvement in the side.”Talking about improvement is often boring, and it usually comes up when we have lost a match or a series,” Tamim said. “If we had lost to Australia or India, say [Virat] Kohli or [Steven] Smith had played such knocks against us, we wouldn’t have really taken it to heart. They are top players. They are top teams. We didn’t have much to do. I am not belittling them. [Sikandar] Raza, [Regis] Chakabva and [Innocent] Kaia played unbelievably well, but it proved that we have a lot to improve in our ODI side.Related

Mustafizur four-for, fifties from Anamul and Afif give Bangladesh consolation win

“Ireland, whom we are playing at home and away next year, are also capable of doing similar things. But it doesn’t change the fact that we are a serious ODI team. We are a fantastic ODI team. We had a great run but the graph usually comes down. I am not going to blame the batters or the bowlers separately. We didn’t do well as a unit, which includes planning and execution. There are a lot of areas to work on to reach the top.”Tamim said that four centuries from Zimbabwe’s batters and none from Bangladesh put the two teams apart. Zimbabwe were led by Raza’s twin centuries, with Kaia and Chakabva also hitting hundreds in the big chases. Tamim also praised Zimbabwe for winning the series despite playing with a depleted side.”We couldn’t utilise our chances, they utlilised their opportunity,” he said. “They didn’t have the best possible team. Two of their main fast bowlers were injured, and two batters didn’t play. Credit goes to Zimbabwe. Two individuals took the game away in the first two matches. We didn’t have hundreds, they had four. It was a huge difference.”Tamim said that he wasn’t pleased with his own performance too, despite being one of the few batters showing an intention to score a big one quickly. He struck two half-centuries and was run-out for 19 in the third game.”Though I scored some runs, I am not at all happy,” he said. “It is such a good wicket. You just have to tackle the first ten overs. So getting a 60 and a 50-odd wasn’t enough. It was the difference between the two teams. They had four hundred and we had none.”Tamim believes that unless Bangladesh start scoring big like some of the better teams, they will struggle even on good batting pitches like Harare. “It is one of our team goals to score 350, something that we have not done before. The par score will be 300 in the World Cup in India. Apart from Mirpur and some venues in India where you can win games scoring 260-270, most of the venues are 290-310. This is what’s happening now. Soon you will see us try to reach what others are reaching.”Bangladesh won the third ODI thanks mainly to Afif Hossain’s unbeaten 85 off 81 for which he batted with the tail in the death overs. But Tamim warned that the media shouldn’t start labeling him one way or the other, which might affect his rhythm.”Don’t give any names to him yet. It is too early for him,” Tamim said. “He has a unique quality of taking the game away under pressure. He will do the same thing and sometimes get out, and then we will question him.”But I don’t want him to lose this quality, which is to want to dominate with the way he bats. It is a fantastic quality to have. It is still very early days for him, and I am pretty sure he will have a fantastic career, but it is too early to give him names.”

Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s spell managing Glasgow Rangers evokes mixed feelings among the Ibrox faithful.

On one hand, he was the man who led the club to the Europa League final in 2022, losing to Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties in Seville before winning the Scottish Cup just days later.

Domestically, however, his team were often poor to watch, losing three times to Celtic, including 3-0 and 4–0 defeats at Parkhead.

His transfer record was a mixed bag too, featuring some decent signings combined with a few howlers.

Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s transfer record at Rangers

In terms of arrivals, the Dutchman signed the likes of Ridvan Yilmaz, Ben Davies, Antonio Colak and Rabbi Matondo, players who either failed to live up to the transfer fee or are struggling with injuries constantly.

A loan move for Aaron Ramsey in January 2022 also didn’t work out as expected, especially as the Welshman missed the decisive penalty in the Europa League final defeat.

Player

Club signed from

John Souttar

Hearts

Ben Davies

Liverpool

Rabbi Matondo

FC Schalke

Ridvan Yilmaz

Besiktas

Malik Tillman

Bayern Munich (loan)

Antonio Colak

PAOK

Tom Lawrence

Derby

Amad Diallo

Man United (loan)

Aaron Ramsey

Juventus (loan)

James Sands

New York City (loan)

Matuesz Zukowski

Lech Poznan

Compare this to the players he sold, however, and it is like night and day. Indeed, the former Gers boss moved on Calvin Bassey for £23m and Joe Aribo for £10m in the summer of 2022, securing substantial profits on both.

Perhaps his finest sale – albeit not at the time – was that of Nathan Patterson. Touted as one of the highest-rated talents at the club, since leaving, his value has plummeted.

How much Rangers sold Nathan Patterson for

Dubbed by former Ibrox defender Alan Hutton as “very highly rated”, Patterson was meant to be the heir to James Tavernier’s throne at right back.

Despite his obvious talent, the youngster struggled to force his way into the starting XI, making just 27 appearances for the Light Blues during his spell in Glasgow.

Everton came calling in January 2022 and a fee of £16m was far too good for Van Bronckhorst to turn down.

A couple of years later, it may have turned out to be a wise move by the Ibrox side…

Nathan Patterson’s current market value at Everton

Since moving to the Premier League nearly three years ago, a series of injuries have restricted Patterson’s appearances for the Toffees to 48 appearances in all competitions.

The Scot has yet to play for the senior side this year, suffering from a thigh injury. He has made the matchday squad on just three occasions.

This lack of consistency has impacted not only his performances, but also his market value.

According to Football Transfers, Patterson is currently valued at €3.5m (£2.9m), which represents a massive £13m drop from the £16m that the Merseyside outfit paid to sign him.

Of course, injuries have not exactly helped his cause, but if he recovers and forces his way back into the starting XI, his value should increase.

There is no doubting his talent, but the main thing for Patterson now is to stay fit. It is clear that Rangers played a blinder on the defender considering his low value.

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ByRoss Kilvington Nov 8, 2024

أشارت تقارير صحفية إلى أن مستقبل أحد لاعبي فريق ريال مدريد الإسباني، بات غامضًا بعد تعيين تشابي ألونسو كمدير فني.

وأعلن ريال مدريد تعاقده مع تشابي ألونسو لتولي تدريب الفريق، خلفًا للإيطالي كارلو أنشيلوتي الذي تم تعيينه مدربًا لمنتخب البرازيل.

وخرج ريال مدريد بموسم صفري، بتوديع دوري أبطال أوروبا، وخسارة ألقاب الدوري الإسباني وكأس ملك إسبانيا وكأس السوبر الإسباني.

وتذكر صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية، أن هناك غموض حول مستقبل فيرلاند ميندي، ظهير ريال مدريد.

يوضح التقرير أن ألونسو يُفضل اللعب بثلاثة مدافعين، ولاعبين في مركز الظهير، يتميزون بالقوة الدفاعية والقدرة على المساهمة بانتظام في الهجوم وبناء اللعب.

مخطط تشابي ألونسو لا يتماشى مع قدرات ميندي، مع احتياج المدرب للاعبين لديهم قدرة عالية على الحركة والإبداع والتنوع.

اقرأ أيضًا | مبابي يتوج بلاعب الموسم في ريال مدريد ويؤكد: الجميع ينتظرنا أبطالًا في كأس العالم للأندية

وبالنظر لقدرات ميندي الهجومية المحدودة، سينظر إليه كخيار على مقاعد البدلاء أكثر من كونه لاعبًا في التشكيل الأساسي لريال مدريد تحت قيادة ألونسو، وسيكون فران جارسيا أكثر ملائمة لمتطلبات المدرب.

توضح الصحيفة أيضًا أن ريال مدريد يبحث إمكانية التعاقد مع ألفارو كاريراس، لاعب بنفيكا البالغ من العمر 22 عامًا.

كاريراس يناسب تطلعات ألونسو، ويرغب ريال مدريد في إبرام التعاقد قبل منافسات كأس العالم للأندية التي تنطلق يوم 14 يونيو الجاري.

وستكون الأسابيع القادمة حاسمة لميندي ليتخذ قرارًا بشأن مستقبله مع ريال مدريد، ودراسة الخيارات المتاحة أمامه.

da supremo： Ruud van Nistelrooy has done a good job as Manchester United’s interim manager so far. Although the football has not been the most inspiring, he is getting results on the board, something Erik ten Hag simply failed to do for many months across the past two seasons.

da cassino： So far, he has two wins and a draw, beating Leicester City in the Carabao Cup and Greek side PAOK in the Europa League, and drawing against Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea. It has been a very respectable stint at the helm for the Red Devils legend.

The Dutchman has managed to get some players firing, amid the impending arrival of Ruben Amorim, with young winger Amad the star of the show against PAOK. However, a few players have continued to struggle, including Manuel Ugarte, who has had a tough start to life at United.

Ugarte’s United career

It was an expensive deal when the 13-time Premier League champions brought Uruguay international Ugarte to the club in the summer. They paid former club Paris Saint-Germain £42m up front, with the deal potentially rising as high as £50.5m.

It has certainly not been an easy start to the season for the 23-year-old. He has played just ten times so far for the Red Devils and struggled to get any kind of chance under former boss Ten Hag. In total, the midfielder has played 587 minutes across all competitions and has been an unused substitute three times.

It is certainly an odd start to life in that famous Red shirt for the Uruguayan. His stats on Sofascore from the Premier League so far show just how disappointing Ugarte has been. In five games, which included two starts, he has won just 1.8 tackles and 2.8 ground duels per game.

Ugarte stats in PL 2024/25

Stat (per game)

Number

Starts

2

Passes completed

14.8

Pass accuracy

88%

Ball recoveries

2.6

Tackles won

1.8

Ground duels won

2.8

Ground duel success rate

45%

Stats from Sofascore

So far, it remains up in the air as to whether Ugarte was a good signing for the Red Devils. He has not imposed himself as of yet, and it feels like there is a lot to be desired with the 23-year-old still.

With that in mind, Van Nistelrooy could decide to shake things up in his final interim game and drop the midfielder from the starting lineup. To replace Ugarte, the Dutchman could turn to someone else who has had a tough time of things at Old Trafford so far.

The Man Utd star who could replace Ugarte

The player in question here is Red Devils number seven Mason Mount. The England international has become something of a forgotten man at United and has sadly seen his career at the English giants plagued by injuries.

The 25-year-old midfielder has played just 26 games for the Old Trafford club, despite joining in the summer of 2023. He has had several injuries, including a calf issue last season and a hamstring injury in 2024/25, which has simply hampered his progress.

He has scored just once, a late goal against Brentford last season that was seconds away from being a winner.

Sadly for Mount, it has been a tough season once again. The aforementioned hamstring issue has kept him out for much of this term, and he has managed just six appearances in all competitions, notching up 224 minutes.

However, he got a few minutes under his belt against PAOK on Thursday, as United look to build up his fitness. Van Nistelrooy may well decide to take a gamble and start him against Leicester on Sunday ahead of Ugarte.

Not only would the Chelsea academy graduate bring quality on the ball into the midfield, but he brings great value out of possession.

Described as a “pressing monster” by football statistician Statman Dave, the midfielder is a relentless runner and is quite tenacious in the middle of the park, looking to constantly win the ball back off opponents by harrying them.

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It is for such attributes that it is believed Mount is among those who could enjoy something of a revival under new boss Amorim, with GIVEMESPORT suggesting that there is hope the Englishman – and others – can ‘[profit] from his fresh demands’.

That belief is also unsurprisingly given that the struggling star has previously thrived in a 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 system during his time under Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge, notably operating off the striker in one of those two attacking berths, en route to the Blues’ Champions League triumph in 2021.

It is a shame that Mount has seen his United career tarnished by injuries so far – missing a catalogue of games since 2022 – because he has shown plenty of times in the past for Chelsea just how good he can be, having memorably ended the 2021/22 campaign with 29 goals and assists to his name.

Should he get the start against Leicester, he will be hoping that his injury issues are behind him and he can kickstart his Red Devils career, with the incoming Amorim no doubt set to be keenly observing.

Related Saved by Amad: Ruud must instantly axe 4/10 Man Utd star after PAOK

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Posts ByEthan Lamb Nov 8, 2024

As heartbreaking as a World Cup final defeat to Australia was for England Women, and as draining as their path was to get there, Charlie Dean drew an immense amount of confidence from the whole experience.Dean, a key find of the 2021 English summer with her offspin, stood tall at the tournament, where she finished with 11 wickets at an average of 18.00 and economy rate of 4.18, including 4 for 23 in a player-of-the-match performance against India, England’s first win of a stunning run of five in a row to turn around their final hopes after losing their first three games.She also showed her ability with the bat in the final, scoring 21 off 24 balls in a 65-run ninth-wicket partnership with centurion Nat Sciver as England attempted to chase down a mammoth target of 357, eventually losing by 71 runs.At just 21 and with 13 ODIs, one Test and one T20I to her name since making her international debut in the home series against New Zealand last year, Dean has a bright future ahead and, as such, “moved on quite quickly” from that defeat.”From playing in the Ashes, I don’t think I expected to play as much as I have,” Dean told ESPNcricinfo. “We were pretty disappointed not to get a win in the Ashes and our World Cup campaign didn’t quite start the way that we wanted it to but there’s plenty of positives to take from the three-month trip away.”Playing in a World Cup is definitely an experience that I’m not going to forget – especially the game against India when I took a four-for, which was quite unexpected. I don’t think I set out thinking that I was going to pick up many wickets at all and to have a key part in that game really cemented the fact that I could play on an international scale and I really enjoy playing cricket out there with the girls. It’s something I’ve taken a lot of confidence from.”After a week off to overcome jetlag, Dean was straight back into training at Southern Vipers, direct qualifiers for Saturday’s Charlotte Edwards Cup final on the strength of their undefeated season.Related

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Dean is second on the leading wicket-takers’ chart for the competition named after the Vipers’ head coach with 10 from four games but, for all the confidence and enthusiasm she brought into the domestic season, she admits to grappling with a self-imposed weight of expectation early on.”Initially, I had quite a few nerves playing the first Charlotte Edwards Cup game as an international player,” Dean said. “At a regional level we’re kind of expected to perform and do well, so I was pretty nervous.”But I think once I got through the first game and I bowled alright, I took a lot of confidence from that and I think I’m in a decent rhythm now because I’ve been playing the game since January, which I wouldn’t normally have experienced coming into the English season. I have a lot of overs under my belt and that’s definitely brought me a lot of confidence.”There’s definitely no-one over me telling me that I need to perform take wickets and do well. I think that’s definitely an internal thing. Cricket is one of those sports where a lot of the game is played inside your own head, so overcoming that and just focusing on what’s in front of me is one of the biggest, tests.”Dean credits a supportive system at the Vipers, including Edwards, and working with England team psychologist Dr Phoebe Sanders for helping her overcome those initial doubts.”For me, living in the moment is something that really helps, being present when I’m on the pitch.” Dean said. “Essentially, playing the game of cricket with my mates is all it is, really.”It’s not the first time Dean has had to overcome self-doubt. With just five ODIs against New Zealand the sum total of her international experience before she was selected for the multi-format Ashes in Australia, she admits it took time for her to find her feet. She took 2 for 24 in Australia’s second innings of the drawn Test and went wicketless in the two ODIs she played.”I sort of struggled to see myself as an important player in the team pre-World Cup,” she said. “I didn’t quite feel really in it.”After playing a bit more consistently, I do feel more part of the team and like I can really make a difference and that’s something that I’m excited to, hopefully, depending on the selection of course and form, replicate and play for England for as long as I can.”Charlie Dean celebrates her first Test wicket•Getty Images

Dean enjoyed her sole Test experience and is hoping to feature in the longest format again when England play South Africa in Taunton later this month.”The longer-format cricket is the most pure form of the game, I guess, and as a self-confessed cricket badger, I just love it, so if I can bowl more overs, the more the better,” she said.But, before that, it’s all about helping Vipers achieve a burning desire to add the Charlotte Edwards Cup to their 2021 Rachael Heyhoe Flint trophy after exiting in the semi-finals last season.This year, they have Anya Shrubsole in their ranks as a player-coach following her international retirement at the end of the World Cup, and 17-year-old left-arm seamer Freya Kemp, whom Dean described as “fearless” in taking eight wickets from six matches.Alongside them is the vastly experienced Danni Wyatt, who has carried some impressive World Cup form into the domestic season and is the Cup’s third-highest run-scorer with 201 from five games. Ahead of her are England team-mate Amy Jones with 245 runs and Aylish Cranstone on 235, the pair set to go head-to-head in the semi-final for Central Sparks and South East Stars respectively earlier on Saturday.”We’d love to take that cup home, that would be quite poetic,” Dean said. “One thing we discussed was trying to improve our T20 game alongside maintaining our 50-over performances and definitely with the cup being named after Lottie, it would be would be lovely to bring that home.”

Rajasthan’s fast bowler Pankaj Singh on the desperation to represent India, and the pain of being ignored by national selectors despite consistently strong performances

Nagraj Gollapudi02-Jan-2014With 39 scalps, Pankaj Singh is the leading wicket-taker in the top tiers of the Ranji Trophy this season•ESPNcricinfo LtdOn Wednesday, immediately after the day’s play, you walked into the box where Roger Binny, the national selector, was watching the match from. Why did you do that and, though Binny had already left, was it the first time you had done something like that?It was the first time I had wanted to go and talk directly to a selector. I knew this was Rajasthan’s last match of our Ranji season, and so I knew we would not be able to meet anywhere else. I wanted to know what are the things I should do (to get picked for the national squad), what is going wrong with me. That was because I wanted to get an answer as to what else I could do to get there because I want to be there (in the Indian team).How tough is it to keep performing and yet not get to know what exactly the selectors are thinking?Ultimately I want to play for the country, a dream, a goal virtually every domestic player aspires to at some point. Now steadily as my age is increasing, I have started to doubt whether I would be able to reach that dream. Also the criteria which are needed to make the India team, which I have been achieving in domestic cricket in the last four years, and still if the selection is not happening then I would obviously like to know what more I should do.The other option is to keep silent and continue playing which I have been doing. But my intention was to understand exactly why I am being sidelined or if they have given up on me. Then if that is the case I do not need to fight within myself or with people/things, then I can just calm down and plan my future. And if the selectors say that we have seen enough of you and we are not going to select you then I don’t need to put myself under pressure each time hoping my name would be included every time a selection meeting happens.I know that every year I cannot perform the way I have in the last four years. I am going to turn 29 so the age is going to soon turn against me. I know I can still play for four to five more years. And if I am just left to play domestic cricket, then my goals would not be that strong. And without goals I would not be able to put in this kind of effort, hard work and perform.But in 2010-11, when Rajasthan won their first Ranji Trophy I was 26. I had taken 53 wickets that first-class season. I had many expectations considering India were going to tour many places like West Indies and England. So many other fast bowlers were picked and replaced others who were injured or unfit. But I never was included. So now I have reached a stage where I have started to think: (if not now then maybe never). If it is (end) then maybe I could even leave playing cricket possibly in two years. So these were the questions I wanted to ask.Was it a mix of fear and anger that drove you to take that call to meet the selector?Possibly. The Indian selection system has predominantly never given chances to a bowler over 30. Since four years I have waited (My chance would come. It has not come). So even if I speak to someone it might not come and the selector might even get angry, or someone might inform me the areas I am falling short of. At least this way I could improve or at least I would tell myself that I did my best and only then I left.Were you optimistic about a call-up for the New Zealand tour?Definitely. Not just this time, but last year when we were playing in Kolkata against Bengal in our Ranji season opener, I picked nine wickets. A national selector, who was present, walked upto me and said I had bowled really well. I was expecting a call-up for the home Test series against England but I did not get included. Till now I have no idea where I fell short. Even the selector appreciated my performance. Then in Mohali, against Punjab, the same selector said I was doing well. Even this season I started slow but started to get wickets steadily. At the start of this season I did not believe my name would be discussed. I knew I was not being counted in the top 10 fast bowlers in the country considering I had not been called for any A tour or Emerging Trophy series or even a national camp for fast bowlers.But the selector might have just said that to encourage you?I know that is not bad. But if a selector is encouraging me, I am doing well, and I am (still) nowhere. These are the people who are going to pick you in the team, make your career. Even this season, in Chennai against Tamil Nadu I took a five-for, all top-order wickets. Sandeep Patil (national selection panel chairman) while taking a walk said, “very well bowled. Good bowling.” I did not say anything. As a player I can only perform and that I am doing from the last four years.

“Why would I like to continue to play if I am not going to play for India. I am not going to play just for money. I have earned enough and invested in the right places. Every player has a reason to continue playing”

Say if a selector calls up and informs you that you are not part of our plans. What will you do?I will play maximum of one or two years then. Simple. Why would I like to continue to play if I am not going to play for India. I am not going to play just for money. I have earned enough and invested in the right places. Every player has a reason to continue playing. A good player does not hang in just to earn money. The main thing is dedication towards the job. Say if I had been picked and not performed then I would be angry to prove myself and play for another four or five years.Can you talk about the challenges a player like you goes through when not part from the Indian set-up?The biggest challenge is you are unable to decide what you should. You doubt whether your state association is weaker and not promoting you. Then sometimes you doubt if selectors are backing a player(s) from a particular zone. No player wants to think such questions. When you are performing you do not want to raise such doubts in your head. But if the same questions keep repeating in my mind then I am bound to doubt the system.So how do you motivate yourself?It because of the meeting my dream, the (stubbornness). Having come from a small place, Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, to this place where I am now, I do not want to give up.What are the things you have worked on in the interim?Many times I heard I was not quick, so I worked on my pace. But importantly started first by working on my fitness and strengthening to make sure I was bowling at lively pace. In the last two years even I felt I was bowling quick – consistently 135kph. Barring Umesh Yadav, show me one fast bowler in India who has bowled consistently over 140kph. I have tried to tick every checkbox a selector thinks with regard to a fast bowler.There is a feeling that your age was a factor, as you could not be picked for an A team where opportunities need to be given to youth primarily. But is it not unfair on you considering you are almost the same age as some players who have been on A tours in recent years?Yes. But right from when I was 26, I have never been considered or included. There are other players like Vinay Kumar and RP Singh, Dhawal Kulkarni who are around my age and still have played or been included in the squad. I am not nitpicking. Some of these guys have played more cricket than me, but my numbers show I am doing much better than many other fast bowlers.

Mohamed Salah reached a remarkable milestone in the Premier League, scoring his 100th goal at Anfield during a dominant 4-1 victory over Ipswich Town.

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Salah starred in Liverpool's win over IpswichSet a unique Anfield record by scoring his 176th PL goalLeapfrogged Arsenal icon Henry in the all-time scorers' listFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Salah’s landmark goal came as Liverpool continued their relentless charge at the top of the Premier League table under manager Arne Slot. The forward’s strike marked his 19th league goal of the season and his 176th overall in the competition, which saw the Egyptian surpass Arsenal legend Thierry Henry to claim the seventh place on the league’s all-time scorers chart.

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Liverpool’s dominance was evident throughout the match, with Ipswich struggling to contain the home side’s attacking firepower. Szoboszlai opened the scoring early, setting the tone for a commanding performance. Salah’s milestone goal quickly followed while Gakpo’s header added a third before halftime. After the break, Gakpo struck again, netting Liverpool’s fourth goal just past the hour mark.

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A breakdown of the overseas scoring leaders now places Salah behind only Sergio Agüero, who remains the record-holder among non-English players with 184 strikes. The Egyptian's next target is Frank Lampard (177), who sits just one goal ahead on the all-time leaderboard.

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Liverpool’s triumph over Ipswich solidified their position at the top of the Premier League table, further highlighting their title credentials under Slot. With momentum on their side, the Reds are set to face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday, followed by a domestic trip to Bournemouth on February 1.