da heads bet： Chelsea moved to within two points of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table with a 2-1 win over Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

da brwin： The Reds still have a game in hand over them but it does show that the Blues are right up there and are in the title race as it stands, thanks to their fantastic form this season.

Enzo Maresca, who joined from Leicester City in the summer, has only lost two of his 16 Premier League matches with the London giants to date.

Chelsea are also four points ahead of Arsenal in third place and seven points ahead of reigning champions Manchester City in fifth, which speaks to how consistent the West London side have been.

Whilst winning the Premier League title would be the ultimate dream for this season for the Blues, achieving a Champions League place would also be a success, as they are currently competing in the Conference League – two steps down from the premier European competition.

A 2-1 win against Brentford at the weekend furthered their cause, and there were a number of strong performers on the pitch for Maresca against the Bees.

Chelsea's top performers against Brentford

Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was crucial to the three points with three saves from four shots on his goal, preventing 0.73 xG despite Bryan Mbuemo’s late goal.

Malo Gusto, who continues to shine in the absence of Reece James, put in a fantastic performance at right-back. The French whiz created two chances, made three tackles and interceptions combined, and made one block – showing quality in and out of possession.

Tosin Adarabioyo stepped up in place of the injured Wesley Fofana and provided a dominant presence at the back. He won nine of his ten duels, including all seven of his aerial contests, to dominate the Brentford attackers, and was unlucky not to stop Mbuemo in the 90th minute.

There was also a fourth Premier League assist of the season for Enzo Fernandez, who provided the through ball to set Nicolas Jackson away to score the second, and ultimately winning, goal.

The Argentina international has now produced three goals and seven assists in his last seven appearances for the Blues in all competitions, which shows that he has been in fantastic, influential, form at the top end of the pitch.

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Another player who caught the eye with a strong display in the final third for Maresca’s side was right winger Noni Madueke, who thrived against the Bees.

Noni Madueke's performance against Brentford

The England international came in for the suspended Pedro Neto and grasped his opportunity with both hands, putting in an excellent performance on the flank.

In a hard-fought first-half from both sides, it was the left-footed wizard’s sumptuous cross that found the head of Marc Cucurella to open the scoring just before the break. He shifted the ball to his left foot on the right wing and whipped in a teasing delivery that was perfect for the full-back to guide into the bottom corner.

Madueke, who played the full 90 minutes, completed 94% of his attempted passes in total and created two chances for his teammates, recording one assist.

The former PSV star failed to get himself on the scoresheet but was a constant threat at the top end of the pitch, with seven shots on goal, two of which were on target.

Madueke was one of the stars of the show for Chelsea in the win over Brentford, and his form in the Premier League this season shows that he is capable of stepping up when they need him.

24/25 Premier League

Noni Madueke

Appearances

15

Goals

5

Big chances created

3

Assists

3

Completed dribbles per game

1.4

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the English maestro has averaged roughly a goal or an assist every other match, which speaks to his quality in the final third.

He has not consistently provided a threat as a goalscorer, or as a creator, but has consistently chipped in with a goal or an assist to help the team out, and has plenty of time to develop further over the months and years to come.

Noni Madueke is similar to £100m Premier League star

Maresca could hit the jackpot with Madueke by helping him to fulfill his potential, as his performances have already led to comparisons with Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.

Per FBref, the Egypt international is one of the most similar players to the Chelsea whiz from a statistical perspective this season, alongside the likes of Bukayo Saka and Mohammed Kudus.

As you can see in the chart above, Madueke and Salah thrive in similar areas of the game and both excel, statistically, at generating non-penalty xG and Expected Assisted Goals per 90, which shows that they are both constant threats in the final third.

However, the Liverpool star’s return of 13 goals and nine assists shows that the 32-year-old has the ruthless efficiency in his final action that the 22-year-old Chelsea gem is still searching for.

Salah, who was reportedly valued at £100m by the Reds in the summer, is the joint-top scorer in the Premier League and only Saka (ten) has more assists, which shows that he has been one of the best forwards in the division this season.

Madueke, who was once dubbed an “elite talent” by scout Jacek Kulig, is also a left-footed right winger who looks to make things happen by cutting inside onto his stronger foot to make things happen in the final third, but needs to find consistency in his end product.

A return of five goals and three assists in 15 Premier League matches so far is a decent, but not outstanding, showing from the England international, and there could be more to come from him when you consider his underlying numbers are not a million miles away from Salah’s.

Therefore, Maresca could hit gold for the Blues if he can work with Madueke on the training pitch to add that consistency and decision-making to his game to take the forward to the next level to be a Salah-esque £100m talent.

Related Big Sanchez upgrade: Chelsea lining up move for £144k-p/w star

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Posts ByDan Emery Dec 14, 2024

Storm Darragh has soured Merseyside’s collective mood, but Liverpool will still sit at the top of the Premier League table by the end of the weekend.

Such is the strength of Arne Slot’s side, such is the brilliant start to the campaign that has seen Liverpool cede ground in just three of their 14 fixtures thus far.

The table-toppers will now rest and recover ahead of more gruelling action, but there’s an undeniable sense of frustration that the Reds have been prevented from righting the wrongs of midweek, enduring defensive issues in a 3-3 draw at St. James’ Park.

The Merseyside derby will have to wait and perhaps it’s for the best, in some ways. Ryan Gravenberch has been indomitable in the engine room this season but suffered from burnout against Newcastle United.

Matches (starts)

26 (12)

14 (14)

Goals

1

0

Assists

0

1

Touches*

28.8

73.8

Pass completion

83%

89%

Key passes*

0.6

0.6

Dribbles completed*

0.9

0.9

Ball recoveries*

2.8

5.4

Tackles + interceptions*

1.5

3.9

Total duels (won)*

2.8 (47%)

5.5 (63%)

He’s started every Premier League and Champions League match this season and is widely regarded as one of the highest-performing midfielders in Europe.

It’s no wonder that Real Madrid have caught his scent.

Real Madrid's interest in Ryan Gravenberch

As reported earlier this week, Real Madrid are interested in Gravenberch after the Netherlands midfielder’s stunning start to the season, making major headway since the middling results of 2023/24.

Reports of Madrid’s interest in Gravenberch serve to heighten the concerns around Liverpool’s midfield depth, and though it’s unlikely that FSG would allow the high-flying Dutchman to leave for anything other than a staggering sum, it highlights such fears all the same.

Even so, Liverpool could do with another deep-sitting option in the centre of the park, and might have found the perfect candidate to complete a robust mix of talent.

Liverpool want a new midfielder

According to Spanish sources, Liverpool are interested in signing Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, with the intrigue arising from Los Blancos’ desire to sign Gravenberch in a mammoth deal.

This season, De Jong has been on the fringe due to an injury and consequent complications, but he has a proven record across a span of years and could certainly add a dimension to Slot’s ball-playing system.

A long-time Manchester United target, Gravenberch’s countryman would be a welcome asset to Liverpool’s first team, though whether FSG would agree to the £51m outlay is another matter.

What Frenkie De Jong would bring to Liverpool

There’s no denying that Liverpool looked a bit leggy against a roaring Newcastle side on Wednesday, and Gravenberch’s struggles really did emphasise the need for a foil.

Wataru Endo, 32, has played a bit-part role this term, and though he’s effective in late moments, combative and tough, the Japan star leaves plenty to be desired on the ball. Elsewhere, the young Tyler Morton is a part of the first-team squad but scarcely used. Gravenberch needs support.

And he could find it in compatriot De Jong, who has struggled for fitness and form this season but is known to have one of the richest passing ranges across the continent.

As per FBref, the 27-year-old ranks among the top 1% of central midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 4% for progressive passes, the top 7% for passes attempted and progressive carries and the top 20% for tackles per 90. Quite the dynamic player.

Waxing lyrical about the star’s qualities, former Barca boss Xavi said last season that he’s “one of the best players in the world.”

When fit and firing, this is true. And, moreover, De Jong would be able to assume the role that Gravenberch is playing for Liverpool. The Liverpool sensation ranks among the top 10% of Premier League midfielders this season for passes attempted per 90 and the top 19% for pass completion.

Gravenberch, like De Jong, is an adept driver, penetrating through the centre and influencing attacking transitions with slick and purposeful passing. This is crucial for Slot’s tactical set-up, allowing for sturdy and controlled central play but also providing a switch from which forward transition can be initiated with rapidity.

He’s gone from strength to strength under Slot’s wing and it’s hard to imagine that De Jong wouldn’t at least showcase some impressive qualities within the Anfield brood.

Though he’s struggled for fitness this term, starting just one La Liga fixture, De Jong has completed 224 appearances in total for the Catalan giants, notably lifting one league title and one Copa del Rey trophy.

And last season, across 20 league matches, De Jong not only completed 94% of his passes but averaged 1.1 key passes per game and came out on top in 59% of his duels, as per Sofascore.

Patently, there’s a world-class player in there who could make a real difference to Liverpool’s exploits under Slot’s management going forward.

Of course, as alluded to earlier, there’s no reason why FSG shouldn’t engineer a deal with Barcelona for the midfield maestro even if Gravenberch stays put, as will probably, hopefully, surely, be the case.

Liverpool have a demonstrable title-winning quality about them, having raced into such a commanding lead across the opening months of the campaign.

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But Gravenberch’s perceived burnout against Newcastle calls for further talent to rotate with him and allow for greater depth. Liverpool should make their move in 2025.

Ignored by Klopp: £32m Liverpool flop is now outscoring Salah in 2024

Klopp sold a star at the beginning of his Liverpool era, and now that very flop is outscoring Mohamed Salah in 2024.

ByAngus Sinclair Dec 6, 2024

Our pick of the best World T20 batting performances is heavy on semi-finals and finals performances

Kanishkaa Balachandran25-Feb-2016Marlon Samuels, 78 off 56 balls, West Indies v Sri Lanka, final, Colombo, 2012
West Indies, batting first, were crawling along at 32 for 2 after ten overs. Enter Samuels, who played the innings of his life, biffing Sri Lanka’s best bowler, Lasith Malinga, for three sixes in the 13th over and for a further 18 runs when Malinga returned for a new spell. West Indies posted a seemingly modest 137, thanks to Samuels’ onslaught, but it was a winning total.Alex Hales, 116 not off 64 balls, England v Sri Lanka, Chittagong, 2014
The target was a steep 190 and England were reeling at 0 for 2 at the end of the first over. A full-strength Sri Lanka attack wasn’t good enough to silence Hales, who bludgeoned 11 fours and six sixes. Three of those sixes came off one over from Ajantha Mendis that cost 25, decisively swinging the match away from Sri Lanka. It was England’s first T20 hundred and guided them home by six wickets.Michael Hussey, 60 not out off 24 balls, Australia v Pakistan, semi-final, Gros Islet, 2010
Chasing 192 for a place in the final, Australia looked out of it when they needed 34 off the last two overs. Their hopes rested on a set Hussey, batting on 24 off 14 at that point. He proceeded to take charge against Mohammad Amir, haring 16 off the penultimate over, and then launching a brutal onslaught on Saeed Ajmal in the 20th, smacking three sixes to clinch the unlikeliest of victories.Yuvraj Singh, 70 off 30 balls, India v Australia, semi-final, Durban, 2007
Yuvraj was in red-hot form coming into the semi-final, having hit Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over in the previous game. He tonked another five against Australia, including one off Brett Lee over square leg that proved to be the biggest hit of the tournament. India surged in the middle overs thanks largely to Yuvraj’s 21-ball fifty. It eventually took them to 188, and a 15-run win.Shahid Afridi, 51 off 34 balls, Pakistan v South Africa, semi-final, Trent Bridge, 2009
A refreshingly mature innings from Afridi: aggressive yet methodical, featuring eight fours and no sixes. South Africa pulled things back after the Powerplay, but Afridi didn’t let the pressure build on Pakistan, finding the gaps and pushing twos. He then tore into Johan Botha, hitting four fours in an over. He put Pakistan on course for a competitive 149 and later tormented South Africa with the ball, capping a fine day for him.

Liverpool have had a world-class strikeforce for the best part of a decade, but a common theme throughout has been the absence of an out-and-out midfield playmaker.

Oh sure, Phil Coutinho made a mockery of the Premier League during that snapshot period in 2017 when he sat behind Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Bobby Firmino, but then he forced his way out to Barcelona for a staggering £142m fee at that season’s midpoint, proving to be a watershed moment.

Matches (starts)

14 (13)

Goals

7

Assists

6

Pass completion

79%

Key passes*

2.9

Dribbles*

2.8

Tackles*

1.2

Total duels won*

5.6

Presently, Harvey Elliott pushes for a greater role in Slot’s squad, while the tireless Dominik Szoboszlai starts most weeks, but then he’s not really a playmaker, in the truest sense of the word.

Jurgen Klopp’s long reign was charged by a workhorse midfield, with the full-backs overlapping to create from wide and the aforementioned front three working in a beautiful tandem to dismantle defences.

But Slot is not Klopp, and while his system bears a certain semblance to his predecessor, some differences speak of the inclusion of a skilful playmaker from the middle, tasked with the express purpose of creating and influencing in the centre, adding a dimension to this already many-layered Liverpool side.

Liverpool eyeing another forward

This talk of a new dynamic ten is all down to surfacing reports that Liverpool have a vested interest in Lyon’s Rayan Cherki, who has been in dazzling form for the Ligue 1 side this season.

It feels very FSG to be pushing to add another talented forward to Liverpool’s chock-full ranks when other areas of the field clearly demand attention, but then who can blame them when Cherki is available for such a nominal fee?

As per French outlet Foot Mercato, Liverpool are pushing to sign Cherki, 21, in a stunning January transfer. The talented Frenchman is contracted until June 2026 and thus could be available for just €30m (£25m).

Paris Saint-Germain are also interested and there might be a certain allure to staying in your homeland with the division’s dominant outfit, but Liverpool are one of the best teams in Europe right now and playing within such a thriving attack could hold sway.

Sky Germany have previously revealed that a winter transfer cannot be ruled out, and so Liverpool may now be impelled to act on their intrigue and prevent any rivals from claiming one of the great young playmakers of the generation.

What Rayan Cherki would bring to Liverpool

Liverpool’s attack is chock-full indeed, and there’s a sold ring of truth behind arguments that transfer energy is better directed elsewhere, with the sole signing of the summer being the £12.5m arrival of Federico Chiesa from Juventus, whose impact has been minimal.

Mohamed Salah

23 (21)

16

13

Luis Diaz

22 (14)

9

3

Cody Gakpo

24 (13)

9

3

Diogo Jota

12 (9)

5

2

Darwin Nunez

21 (12)

4

3

Federico Chiesa

4 (1)

0

1

But Cherki wouldn’t quite fit into this bracket, instead veiled by a roving occupation that would see him work between the lines, flitting between attacking midfield and the wide area typically covered by Salah. He is not, however, the same as the Egyptian.

Lyon haven’t been brilliant this term but Cherki has been in fine fettle, posting five goals and seven assists across 17 matches in all competitions. However, it’s not really his output that earns him his stripes, but rather his quick-footed, skilful flair.

In fact, ex-Chelsea star Frank Lebouef has already hailed the prospect as “one of the best players already on earth” when talking about the player’s tricks and skills, and given that he’s stylistically similar to Cole Palmer, there’s perhaps something in that comment.

Palmer is a playmaker at his core, but then the Chelsea superstar has been transcendental in his performances and can’t really be defined through his positioning.

Only 22, Palmer is widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s best players and has notched 57 goal contributions from 63 matches since leaving Manchester City for Chelsea in a £42.5m move.

An attacking midfielder with the artistic license to do what he wants, something those select few world-beaters are granted across the globe, Palmer is the Premier League’s poster boy, and Liverpool could now secure their own version in Cherki, with data-driven site FBref recording the pairing as statistically comparable players.

Goals

0.80

0.31

Assists

0.56

0.62

Shot-creating actions

5.91

7.28

Progressive passes

6.44

8.67

Progressive carries

3.86

4.80

Successful take-ons

1.66

4.39

Ball recoveries

3.27

5.37

It bears testament to Cherki’s athleticism and constancy in regard to his ball-playing output that he outstrips Palmer across a range of relevant metrics. Of course, he doesn’t have the same impudent disregard for goalkeepers quite yet, but keep working, keep working.

It bodes well for Cherki’s chances of succeeding in Slot’s Liverpool team though, for the Dutch tactician demands hard work and commitment to the cause, and the French ace is demonstrating qualities that seem tailor-made for that style.

Whether the midfielder slash right winger would be fit for purpose as Salah’s long-term successor is open to question at this point, but Liverpool would be wise to forge ahead and clinch his signature before other suitors steal ahead.

Who knows, perhaps Slot will fashion his own Palmer-type sensation from the mercurial talent.

He plays like Saka: Liverpool want to sign "monster" £57m Nunez upgrade

Liverpool might need to strengthen their frontline in 2025.

ByAngus Sinclair Dec 19, 2024

The wicketkeeper-batter was struck on the left foot by a Shaheen Shah Afridi yorker during the warm-up game

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Oct-2022Rahmanullah Gurbaz is expected to be fit to play in Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup opener against England in Perth on Saturday after scans cleared him of a fracture.Gurbaz, 20, was struck on the left foot by Shaheen Shah Afridi’s inswinging yorker during Afghanistan’s warm-up match against Pakistan on Wednesday at the Gabba, which ended as a no-result because of rain.He was carried off the pitch after medical attention and was later pictured wearing a protective boot on his left foot. He was sent to the hospital for scans, and the Afghanistan Cricket Board said in a statement that he had been cleared of a serious injury.”Team doctor stated that the results are clear with no bone fracture,” the ACB said. “He will be assessed in the next two days and is expected to be available for our England fixture on Saturday.”Gurbaz had struggled at the previous T20 World Cup, in 2021, making 85 runs across his five innings. He has since been promoted to open the batting on a regular basis and his availability will be a significant boost for Afghanistan ahead of their first game.

Virgil van Dijk has claimed that there has been no progress in contract talks with Liverpool as the Dutch defender edges closer to free agency.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Van Dijk provided update on his contract situation
• 'No idea' if he'll still be at the club next season
• Dutchman focused on winning Carabao Cup and Premier League

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Van Dijk might have played his final Champions League game for Liverpool on Tuesday as they crashed out after losing 4-1 on penalties against Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their round of 16 fixture. After the loss at Anfield, the Dutch defender was asked about his future at the Merseyside club, to which he replied that contract talks have stalled with the Reds at the moment.

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• WHAT VIRGIL VAN DIJK SAID

  Speaking to reporters, the Dutchman said: "I have no idea. I still have no idea at the moment. Genuinely. I have no idea at the moment. It is not on hold. Nothing on hold. There’s just… I keep saying the same thing. Listen, there are ten games to go, and that is my full focus. If there is news, you guys will know it.

  "I don’t even know myself. Everyone knows there are some conversations behind the scenes, but that is about it. At the moment, I don’t even know what will happen next year. If anyone says they do know, they are lying to your face."

• (C)Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  After the loss against the French champions, Van Dijk sent Liverpool fans into a panic as he was spotted speaking with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and sporting director Luis Campos. Liverpool have also yet to finalise new contracts for Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

  The Reds will now aim to bag their first trophy of the season on Sunday as they gear up to face Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

The New Zealander will join the team on their ongoing tour of Australia

Umar Farooq10-Jan-2023

Mark Coles previously served as Pakistan’s head coach from 2017 to 2019•ICC via Getty Images

Mark Coles is back as head coach of the Pakistan women’s team, and will join the squad on their ongoing tour of Australia. The New Zealander takes over the responsibility from interim head coach Saleem Jaffar, who was originally working as the team’s bowling coach with fellow former Pakistan men’s international Taufeeq Umar as batting coach.The PCB, under a new management committee headed by Najam Sethi, has roped Coles in on a one-year contract. He previously served as head coach from 2017 to 2019, when he resigned from the role citing family commitments.Related

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“I have worked with Mark and he is a perfect coach for a women’s team – gentle but firm, friendly but strict,” Sethi, told ESPNcricinfo. “He is a well-respected coach and in his previous stint with Pakistan he worked incredibly hard for the team’s progress. Players only had good words to say about him, hence we have decided to bring him back and he will be joining the team in Australia with immediate effect.”The PCB has been functioning under Sethi ever since the government removed ex-chair Ramiz Raja and his board by revoking the 2019 constitution the PCB was operating under and giving the Sethi-led 14-member committee full executive powers to work on reviving the constitution of 2014.Pakistan are presently in Australia for a series of three ODIs starting January 16, which are part of the 2022-25 Women’s Championship. It will be followed by a series of three T20Is, following which the team will travel to South Africa for the Women’s T20 World Cup – where Pakistan are in Group 2 along with England, India, Ireland and West Indies. Pakistan play their opening game against India on February 12 in Cape Town. Pakistan have never gone past the group stage of the T20 World Cup; in the 2020 edition, they won only one game, against West Indies, and lost to England and South Africa; their fixture against Thailand was washed out.Coles was first appointed in 2017, on a trial basis, ahead of a series against New Zealand in the UAE, as part of the PCB’s efforts to revamp women’s cricket and bring in a professional structure. Until then, the PCB had brought in coaches on a series-by-series basis and had even gone into their previous 50-over World Cup, earlier that year, with Sabih Azhar only a few weeks into his job. Coles was offered a long-term contract but Sethi resigned in 2018, and a year later Coles resigned to focus on his family responsibilities.Months later he joined the Japan Cricket Association as a high-performance manager in 2020, and he has since worked with the Vanuatu Cricket Association and been a high-performance manager with the women’s teams of Western Australia and Wellington. He won a domestic T20 title in 2013 with Wellington Blaze. His last coaching job was with the Scotland women’s team, from February 2021 to February 2022.In his term with Pakistan, Coles led the women’s team to seven wins in 16 ODIs, including a first-ever series victory over West Indies in 2019, and 12 wins in 30 T20Is. Between Coles’ resignation and return, the core of the team hasn’t changed drastically, with captain Bismah Maroof set to welcome back her former coach.Pakistan have already named their squads for the Australia tour and the Women World Cup, with fast bowler Diana Baig leading Pakistan’s bowling pack in both ODIs and T20Is. Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal, who emerged during Coles’ previous term, has developed to become an automatic choice in both formats. Pakistan reached the semi-finals of the T20 Asia Cup in Bangladesh this October, and beat their arch-rivals India in a thriller after they lost to Thailand earlier in the tournament.

Captain Meg Lanning said “we all support Ash and her feelings around the day”

AAP23-Jan-2023Meg Lanning has declared the Australian women’s team are united in support of indigenous star Ashleigh Gardner and her criticism of the side playing on January 26.Gardner made her views clear on the subject on Sunday, when she said the day was a “day of hurt and a day of mourning” for indigenous Australians.The reigning Belinda Clark Award holder will line up in the T20 against Pakistan but has said playing on that date did not sit well with her.The second T20 against Pakistan was initially scheduled for January 27 in Canberra but was moved to the 26th in Hobart when South Africa abandoned their men’s ODI series, which had included a scheduled game in the southern city.In a move driven by players, Australia will wear an indigenous jersey, wristbands and socks with indigenous colours for the match in Hobart.The issue is understood to have been first raised months ago by players, who were keen to lead an education space on the issue once being told they would be scheduled to play on January 26.”It’s something that we can’t control in terms of the scheduling and playing on that day,” Lanning said. “But something we would like to do is acknowledge the sadness and grief that day brings for First Nations people.”We’re going to try to use the opportunity we have to educate ourselves and try to create a better understanding of what it means and their culture. It’s a really united front in the group and we all support Ash and her feelings around the day.”Lanning said Gardner was doing “pretty well” after receiving online abuse following her statement, and labelled the allrounder’s action as brave. Gardner was with the Australian team at training on Monday, amid a throng of media focusing on the issue.The subject of January 26 has been a constant challenge for Cricket Australia in recent years, and a subject about which the governing body takes regular input from its indigenous advisory committee.The organisation dropped the term “Australia Day” from all marketing two years ago, which was met with criticism by then Prime Minister Scott Morrison.Indigenous elements will also become part of all Big Bash League uniforms from next season, with the women’s team to wear a First Nations jersey throughout next month’s T20 World Cup.”It’s something that we’ve been working on as a group for a number years,” Lanning said. “We’ve been trying to use every opportunity that we get to educate ourselves and try to celebrate the culture of First Nations people as well and try to make a point of that.”We’re doing a cultural tour the day before [January 26)] to learn a little bit more. It’s something as a group that we’ve spoken about for the past few years, it hasn’t just come up now. We’ll continue to do that because we think it’s important.”The advisory committee’s co-chairman and former CEO of Reconciliation Australia Justin Mohamed told AAP he understood a busy schedule meant games would be played on January 26, and stressed his personal view was that the tone of the event was crucial.”I can only reflect on Anzac Day and the [AFL] fixture with Collingwood and Essendon. The respect they show to Anzac Day only enhances and educates,” Mohamed said.”People who go to that game know this is a significant time, and there have been losses. [January 26] is a day of mourning, but also there is a day of survival. Where Aboriginal culture and language and history have survived all this.”The 26th will always be the 26th. Even if we change the date to celebrate Australia Day on, the 26th is a date all Australians should know and shouldn’t be lost.”Mohamed said the team had been proactive in their response to the scheduling.”Straight away they said, ‘This day has a strong significance for First Nations people, we need to learn more about this’,” he said.

Newcastle United’s success has been wonderful. Supporters could never have dreamt of Champions League nights and consistent attacks toward the uppermost echelon of the Premier League table while languishing under Mike Ashley’s rule.

But the tycoon has been gone from Tyneside for several years now, and the pointers suggest that the Magpies are going to enjoy lofty heights for many years to come.

Eddie Howe has fashioned an outfit that it greater than the sum of its parts. St. James’ Park is home to some top-class players, of course, but the crop has grown as one through these exciting seasons of growth.

Newcastle have burgeoned, and while he’s not the… flashiest player in the squad, Joelinton embodies the development of his side, for he too has reached a level unseen after the dreary early days of his United career.

Joelinton's Newcastle resurgence

You’d have to credit Steve Bruce with the creation of this hybrid form of Joelinton, who was a flop, the floppiest of flops, in the seasons following his club-record £40m transfer from Hoffenheim.

Well-known manager Julian Nagelsmann had heralded the Brazilian as a “beast who is a nightmare to defend against” back in his German days, but he fell by the wayside in the Premier League, unable to adapt to the pace and intensity of the English game.

The striker-turned-roving-number-eight has been a fundamental part of Newcastle’s football under Howe’s wing, bringing a monstrous and unyielding style to charge the midfield and serve as a counterpoint of sorts to the music that Bruno Guimaraes creates with his technical command.

An effective Premier League striker he was not, but the 28-year-old has now completed 107 appearances under his manager across a four-year period, and is patently a midfielder of real importance within the Toon set-up.

His influence is emphasised through the data revealed by FBref. Over the past year, Joelinton ranks among the top 17% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues for goals scored, the top 16% for progressive carries, the top 17% for successful take-ons and the top 19% for tackles per 90.

Effective in front of goal now that it’s not his chief responsibility and capable of bull-like penetrations into the danger area, Joelinton has been hailed for his reshaping by journalist Antonio Mango, who said: “the way he’s transformed himself is extraordinary.”

He’s also a key defensive component, for he has averaged 2.5 tackles and 5.9 successful duels per Premier League match, as per Sofascore, this season.

The complete midfielder? It certainly feels like he has it all in his locker when he’s on his a-game in black and white, and Howe must be chomping at the bit to repeat the club’s feat in sculpting such a player from raw parts.

Though he’s hardly struggling in his current deployment, Lewis Hall could be the next Magpie to bloom into a fresh role down the line.

Lewis Hall could be Howe's own Joelinton

Hall is doing quite the job at left-back for Newcastle, with Alan Shearer even claiming that he was “blown away” by the 20-year-old during his negation of Bukayo Saka’s quality during the 1-0 victory over Arsenal just shy of a month ago.

Sources close to Newcastle suggest that Hall has been told that his immediate Newcastle future will remain at left-back, despite the ace having plied most of his youth trade in central midfield. But he can thrive in the engine room again; it’s something that Howe should consider.

He’s showing that, like Joelinton, he can make the requisite tweaks to become a polished player capable of operating in the centre of the field, with analyst Raj Chohan already noting that the dynamo’s “defensive level is rapidly improving.”

Assists

0.10

Top 32%

Shot-creating actions

2.67

Top 18%

Passes attempted

71.71

Top 8%

Progressive passes

5.96

Top 13%

Progressive carries

1.85

Top 42%

Ball recoveries

5.55

Top 11%

Tackles + interceptions

3.60

Top 35%

Blocks

1.85

Top 4%

Clearances

3.29

Top 25%

Aerial duels won

1.64

Top 13%

His statistical data, pulled from Premier League performances this season, show that Hall is turning into a robust and reliable option down the left channel, not the most active ball carrier but not shy of wading into the deep end when called upon.

The nuts and bolts of his skill set stem from technical quality and creativity, mixed against an ever-improving defensive spread that makes a telling comment on his faculty for success in midfield.

​​

Hall, hailed for his “sensational” showings by content creator Pete Davey, might spend some time on the defensive left flank over the coming campaigns, but he’s still so young and has all the properties required to become a superstar in the centre.

Newcastle’s decision to sign him from Chelsea, who he cut his teeth with as a youth, for a £28m fee in August after he spent the 2023/24 season on loan at St. James’ Park is proving to be a brilliant one, even if it was met with scepticism initially.

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Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

With nine top-flight starts to his name already this term, averaging 1.3 key passes and 4.5 ball recoveries per game, Hall is becoming one of Newcastle’s most important members.

Who’s to say that he couldn’t emulate Joelinton though, and step into midfield down the line to help propel Newcastle even further forward?

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ByAngus Sinclair Nov 27, 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.

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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.”

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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.