Despite Pakistan overcoming Zimbabwe to secure their place in the tri-series final, their captain Sarfraz Ahmed was vocal in the criticism of his bowling attack. “The bowling was not up to the mark,” he said shortly after guiding his side to a seven-wicket win. “They have to work hard.”Sarfraz had been a loud and, at times, stroppy presence behind the stumps during Zimbabwe’s innings. The very first ball of the day seemed to set the tone, as Sarfraz let rip with a fearful ear-bashing at Fakhar Zaman when he was slow off the mark from midwicket, allowing Zimbabwe opener Cephas Zhuwao to get off the mark. There wasn’t much let up thereafter.But Zaman shrugged off Sarfraz’s histrionics, suggesting that the team are comfortable under their captain and that, perhaps, a bit of sound and fury was what was needed to sharpen them up on a particularly cold winter’s day in Harare. “Yeah, he’s the kind of person who does that sometimes,” said Zaman. “But he’s very good at getting us up on the field. We’re used to it and he’s our captain. And well, it works for us and it worked today.”Sarfraz also had some fiery words for his bowlers, ticking Shadab Khan off during an over when Solomon Mire hit him for two big sixes. Mire took the attack to Pakistan’s bowlers, and Zaman admitted that Zimbabwe had scored 20 to 30 more runs than they thought was par on this pitch.”We were expecting 130 to 140 on this pitch, but Mire played a very good innings,” Zaman said. “We knew that we have a very deep batting lineup – we have Shadab at no. 9 – so we were confident we could chase it.”As it turned out, Pakistan’s lower order wasn’t needed as Zaman and Hussain Talat cracked forties before Sarfraz finished things off with an ice-cold, unbeaten 38. While his tongue-lashing geed them up, Sarfraz’s batting was the picture of limited-overs sangfroid and provided a different sort of a lesson to his team. Zaman said that spending time under Sarfraz had helped him improve his own game, particularly in T20 cricket.”In the start in T20 I was hitting every ball in my striking zone, and after playing eight to 10 games I sat with some senior players like Shoaib Malik and Sarfraz Ahmed, and spoke about my gameplans with them,” Zaman said. “I realised that I could play proper cricket shots and be successful, and that’s what I’ve been doing recently.”Pakistan’s win means they are assured of a place in Sunday’s final, though they have a dead rubber against Australia tomorrow. Bucking their recent trend in short-format cricket, Australia have won two in two in this tournament and they were buoyed by an opening victory against Pakistan which included Billy Stanlake’s 4 for 8.”We’ll just keep it very simple [against Australia],” Zaman said. “[Stanlake] bowled really well in the last match but every day is a new day. We’ll play him well.”
Erik ten Hag will look to bolster his attacking options at Manchester United by acquiring a £36m-rated ex-Chelsea forward in January.
As per reporter Florian Plettenberg, the Red Devils have enquired about 27-year-old, Timo Werner, however negotiations are yet to take place.
The likelihood is that Werner will remain at his current club until the summer, but the move could develop over the next few weeks.
Why Man United want Werner
Following an impressive debut campaign as manager of Manchester United, Ten Hag has been dealt an unfair hand this season, due to the sheer number of players that have been unavailable, with the current list tallying up to ten.
This was on show at Goodison Park at the weekend, with the only attackers on the Red Devils bench being Facundo Pellistri and youngster, Joe Hugill.
Rasmus Hojlund was one of the players who endured time out, which left an injury-prone Anthony Martial as the main striker versus Everton. Unreliable is the most appropriate term to describe the French attacker and Ten Hag will want to ensure that his side isn’t without a true number nine like last season.
Rasmus Hojlund
Availability is key and Werner’s injury record whilst he was at Chelsea wasn’t an issue, only missing nine matches throughout his time in London due to injury.
The RB Leipzig forward is known for his electric pace, movement beyond the opponent and being a natural goal scorer, who is lethal when confidence is high. Werner also recognises himself as a player who can perform in numerous roles and four years ago, he stated “I’ve become more versatile”.
Buying individuals who can cover a handful of positions will be beneficial to United, especially going into the second half of the campaign. Werner can feature off Hojlund, as a lone striker or as a left-sided forward, but Rafael van der Vaart isn’t convinced by the attacker, labelling him as a "blind horse".
The Bundesliga transfer curse
Manchester United have signed a handful of players from the Bundesliga in the past, with the majority of those individuals failing to live up to the high standards set by the United faithful.
Jadon Sancho, Shinji Kagawa and Henrikh Mkhitaryan all made the switch from Borussia Dortmund, yet despite having small spells of quality, a lack of consistency has been the driving force behind a shortened career at Old Trafford.
Jadon Sancho
Sancho has been the notable Bundesliga nightmare, now alienated from the squad by Ten Hag after some less-than-favourable numbers. Indeed, the former Dortmund man has only registered 12 goals in 82 outings for the Red Devils.
Unlike the three aforementioned, Werner has played in the English top-flight prior and Premier League fans are more informed of his ability. During his first campaign at Chelsea, Werner played an important role in the UEFA Champions League triumph, whilst also scoring 12 goals and accumulating 15 assists in 52 appearances across all competitions.
However, the signing of Romelu Lukaku in the 2021/22 season affected the German and he later claimed that he “didn’t feel honoured enough”.
RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner celebrates scoring a goal.
It is reasonable to presume that if Ten Hag had his full squad available, including Werner, then the rapid forward would not make it into his best starting XI ahead of Marcus Rashford or Hojlund.
Given the quote just mentioned and the fact that the boss doesn’t rotate often, dressing room unrest may occur like at Chelsea, which raises question marks on whether this would be a smart signing.
West Ham United are admirers of an exciting young coach should they decide to sack David Moyes, according to a reliable journalist.
West Ham's up and down season continues
The Irons have made an extremely mixed start to the new campaign having won five, drawn two and lost five of their opening 12 games, meaning that they currently find themselves ninth in the top-flight table heading into the international break.
Following Sunday’s 3-2 Premier League victory over Nottingham Forest, which just about epitomised their campaign, Moyes’ side will have gained some confidence that they are able to go on a positive run of form upon their return to domestic action, but regardless, there have been some questions asked about the manager’s position in the dugout.
According to 90min, David Sullivan is happy for the Scotsman to see out his contract until the end of the season unless a candidate that fits the profile of what he’s looking for was to become available between now and then, but it’s not the first time that chiefs have assessed their options in the market.
The London Stadium outfit have previously been credited with an interest in Feyenoord’s Arne Slot and Lille’s Paulo Fonseca, as per the same report, and they have now set their sights on an alternative who has experience playing in the Premier League.
West Ham chiefs considering Michael Carrick
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Dean Jones revealed that Michael Carrick is of interest to West Ham and admitted that he has the attributes to match what the board are searching for.
“My expectation would be that they look to be forward-thinking. Unless West Ham suddenly find themselves in crisis and need crisis management, that's the only time I could see them going for somebody with huge experience as their next appointment.
“I would expect them though to go for somebody who's younger, more forward-thinking and is more in tune with the way that the game is heading in the next 10 years, rather than how it's been for the last 10 years. That's what I would be thinking. Carrick is a really interesting one, but we have to see which direction his career goes in right now. But he's definitely somebody who is on West Ham's radar.”
Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick.
Michael Carrick's record at Middlesbrough
Since being appointed at Middlesbrough, Carrick has won 29, drawn eight and lost 16 of his 53 games in charge, taking a total of 95 points from a possible 159 whilst averaging 1.79 points per match (Transfermarkt – Carrick statistics), so he’s really settled into life at the helm at the Riverside Stadium.
The Wallsend-born coach, who is 42 years of age, was also named last week’s Championship Manager of the Week for successfully beating Leicester City, so he’s proven that he’s capable of overcoming a squad of mostly Premier League players.
Furthermore, Carrick, who is “perfect” at bringing out the best in his stars and developing younger talents, according to journalist Josh Bunting, led the northeast outfit to the second tier playoffs at the end of last season, so for a manager who already knows what it takes to compete and be successful under big pressure, he could be the ideal candidate for West Ham.
Arjun Tendulkar, the son of Sachin Tendulkar, has been picked in the India Under-19 squad for two four-day matches in Sri Lanka in July.A left-arm quick, Arjun, had been picked in the Mumbai Under-19 one-day side for the JY Lele invitational tournament in September last year. He also bowled in the nets in the lead-up to the Lord’s Test between England and South Africa in 2017, sending Jonny Bairstow off with an injury scare when he struck him on the toe with a yorker. Arjun also bowled in the India nets during the home series against New Zealand last year.However, he did not find a place in the one-day squad that will play five games against Sri Lanka. The four-day squad will be captained by 18-year-old Delhi wicketkeeper-batsman Anuj Rawat, who had scored two half-centuries, including one on debut, in as many matches for Delhi during the 2017-18 Ranji Trophy.”We are happy on Arjun being selected in Indian under-19 team. It is an important milestone in his cricketing life. Anjali and I will always support Arjun in his choices and pray for his success,” Sachin told The one-day squad will be led by 16-year-old Uttar Pradesh wicketkeeper-batsman Aryan Juyal, who had played two matches in the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy earlier this year and was part of the Under-19 World Cup winning team in January.Seventeen-year old left-arm spinner from Gujarat Siddharth Desai was picked in both squads. He also made his first-class debut in the 2017-18 season and was named the Man of the Match in his first two matches, taking nine and eight wickets against Kerala and Haryana respectively. He currently has 29 wickets from five first-class matches and three scalps from as many one-day matches.Atharwa Taide, also picked in both squads, was the captain of the Vidarbha Under-19 team that won the Cooch Behar Trophy earlier this year. He led them to their maiden title with a marathon knock of 320 off 483 balls in the final against Madhya Pradesh.
Tottenham Hotspur ended a run of three successive defeats in the Premier League with a hard-fought draw against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon, but will now need to return to winning ways to fight for a top-four spot.
Ange Postecoglou has worked wonders in north London since leaving Celtic for the Premier League in the summer. Still, while Spurs blitzed into form in the early stages of the season, the squad's thinness has unravelled the progress across recent weeks.
The injury-ravaged side is still only two points off fourth-placed Aston Villa and will have been galvanised by the point claimed at the Etihad Stadium.
However, the January transfer window must be utilised, and while the backline requires the most urgent attention, Postecoglou will be eager to strengthen his attacking options too.
Tottenham transfer news – Wilfried Gnonto
According to a piece from Football.London at the end of last month, Tottenham have shown an interest in signing Leeds United's Italian forward, Wilfried Gnonto.
Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto.
According to Calciomercato, Leeds would look to recuperate €30m (£26m) for the 20-year-old, and whether Spurs would agree to such an outlay remains to be seen, despite the youngster's undoubted talent.
Gnonto handed in a transfer request in August as Everton pursued his signature for £25m and presented four official offers, and while efforts were rejected, there is now a clear sense that the Whites would grant his departure if their valuation was met.
Wilfried Gnonto's style of play
Gnonto was one of the bright sparks at Elland Road last season as Leeds crashed out of the Premier League, with the dynamic forward hailed for his "electric pace" and knack for being an "absolute nightmare for defenders" by talent scout Jacek Kulig.
Signing for Leeds from Swiss side FC Zurich for £4m in 2022, Gnonto only bagged four goals and assists apiece in his maiden term in England but succeeded in convincing a host of outfits of his quality, leading to a frenzy of activity for his signature this year.
The 13-cap Italy starlet ultimately remained in Yorkshire, however he has not been handed a regular starting berth under Daniel Farke's leadership and has started just six Championship matches, scoring one goal and supplying one assist.
Nonetheless, he is a tremendous talent and would be a fantastic addition to Spurs' budding dynasty, with Postecoglou perhaps initiating the next wave of attacking might down the N17 by completing a transfer.
Spurs' attacking segment is probably more secure than several other areas of the field, with the backline particularly flimsy and in need of reinforcements, but Gnonto would offer a special slice of quality to be moulded into something spectacular over the coming years.
And with Heung-min Son, aged 31, now shifted into the role of focal frontman – to great effect, by the way, scoring nine goals and providing two assists from 11 games in the English top-flight up top – there is space for such a player to make the move and earn a place against the likes of Brennan Johnson.
Why Tottenham should sign Wilfried Gnonto
Gnonto boasts pace and power and, principally placed on the left wing, could prove to be the perfect heir to Son's position in the team in the future, especially with Richarlison still flattering to deceive.
As per FBref, he ranks among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers across divisions similar to the Championship over the past year, showcasing his aptitude as a "pocket rocket" – as has been claimed by pundit Tam McManus – barrelling into the danger area with attacking abandon.
His even spread of goals and assists for the Whites further evidences the protean ability that could replicate Son's prowess, with the South Korean machine posting 154 goals and 82 assists across his Spurs career.
jude-soonsup-bell-alejo-veliz-tottenham-opinion
With someone of Alejo Veliz's calibre awaiting a breakthrough to the starring centre-forward spot in the future too, Spurs really could hit the jackpot here.
Veliz, also aged 20, signed from Argentinan club Rosario Central for £13m in the summer and has been touted as the "complete" striker by Kulig, which could lead him to succeed Harry Kane as Spurs' talisman in the long-term.
Kane has been praised as a "phenomenon" by Bayern Munich sports director Christoph Freund after destroying German football since moving from Tottenham in the summer and ranks among the top 1% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 13% for assists and the top 19% for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref.
Competition
Apps
Goals
Assists
Bundesliga
12
18
5
Champions League
5
4
2
DFL-Supercup
1
0
0
*Stats sourced via Transfermarkt
This evidences the 'complete' skill set that has cemented him as one of the finest players of his generation, and while they are big boots to fill, Veliz is viewed as a prospect with the potential to emulate the Lilywhites' record scorer, having been purchased as he departed.
For his part, the Argentinan ace ranks among the top 15% of forwards for goals, the top 1% for clearances and the top 12% for aerial wins per 90, which really does underscore the multi-functionality that became such an effective trademark of Kane's brilliant career at Tottenham.
With Veliz's natural ease in the striking role and Gnonto's marauding brilliance, Spurs really could unearth a strikeforce of immense quality for years to come.
With Son still plying his trade at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and capable of offering his guidance and skills to the respective pair, this could be a prudent investment that would pay off handsomely.
Conte's "special" £25m Spurs signing is now worth more than Son
This dynamic Lilywhite is a truly thrilling talent.
ByAngus Sinclair Dec 1, 2023
Postecoglou and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will now need to juggle the club's needs and decide whether £26m could be spared for a player such as Gnonto this winter – or indeed if negotiations could whittle down the price, with Rodon used as a bargaining chip – but certainly, it might be a brilliant move that could be lauded down the line.
Enzo Maresca's Leicester City have enjoyed an unbelievable start to the Championship this season, sitting top of the tree in the second tier at the time of writing with 13 wins from 16 matches – at one stage, the Foxes had won nine games in a row before Leeds United spoiled the feel-good factor and defeated the formidable Foxes.
That defeat to the Whites was then followed up with another narrow 1-0 defeat on the road at Middlesbrough, Michael Carrick's men getting the better of Leicester at the Riverside Stadium.
Showing chinks in their collective armour, Maresca will look to January as a time where he can bolster his squad with a couple of new additions especially if the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall leave the building.
Here's what a predicted Leicester XI could look like come the end of the January window…
1 GK – Mads Hermansen
Brondby goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.
Only missing one game under his Spanish manager this season since joining from Brøndby IF this summer, the young Dane has been fantastic in goal this Championship campaign for the Foxes.
The 23-year-old has only conceded ten goals from 16 second-tier matches to date, Hermansen solving the issue of Leicester not being able to successfully replace Kasper Schmeichel by giving the club another terrific Scandinavian shot-stopper.
2 RB – Ricardo Pereira
The Portuguese right-back is a given to retain his spot in Maresca's starting eleven regardless of January incomings or outgoings, the 30-year-old reliable in defence whilst remaining attack-minded when needed.
Pereira this campaign so far has shone even when the Foxes have a rare off-day, winning five of his six ground duels last time out in the 1-0 loss to Middlesbrough per Sofascore.
3 CB – Jannik Vestergaard
Leicester defender Jannik Vestergaard.
Hailing from Denmark much like his goalkeeper, Vestergaard is also a key component to Leicester's steely defence this campaign alongside Hermansen.
Averaging a 7.38 Sofascore rating this season in the second tier, Vestergaard has stood out in terms of his tireless work at the back with Leicester's number 23 recovering the ball an average of 5.4 times per game so far this season.
4 CB – Wout Faes
Leicester City' defender WoutFaes.
A regular first-team figure in the Premier League for the relegated Foxes, Faes has only cemented his spot in the team further since Leicester suffered the drop with the Belgian centre-back excellent at thwarting Championship strikers.
His display in Leicester's 3-0 triumph over Preston North End at the start of October exemplified Faes' overall game – winning two of his three ground duels, whilst accurately picking out teammates with six of his nine attempted long balls as per Sofascore.
5 LB – James Justin
Heralded as the next best thing in English football after signing a deal to join Leicester back in 2019, Justin is one of the first names on Maresca's team sheet currently with his contributions at full-back key.
Much like Vestergaard alongside him in the back four, Justin very rarely has a poor game. This was apparent in the away loss at the Riverside suffered last weekend, the Foxes number two winning four successful tackles across the 90 minutes per Sofascore unfortunately to no avail for his side.
6 CM – Hamza Choudhury
Former Watford loanee Hamza Choudhury.
At Leicester since 2005, working his way up the ranks with plenty of loans away from the King Power Stadium, Choudhury is now in and around the first team centrally and will remain in the midfield trio under Maresca even if other individuals are potentially pinched.
With Wilfred Ndidi and the aforementioned Dewsbury-Hall both rumoured to be out of the door, Choudhury will be even more crucial to Maresca's plans if Premier League suitors swoop in for his top talents.
7 CM – Harry Winks
Leicester's Harry Winks and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
An experienced presence in the centre of the park for the Foxes, notching up over 200 appearances for Tottenham in the first team, Harry Winks has only missed seven minutes of Championship football to date this campaign since leaving Spurs behind.
He's even scored a screamer for his new employers in league action, hitting a thunderous strike into the back of net versus QPR to the rapturous adoration of the die-hard Leicester away fans packed into the Loftus Road away end.
8 CM – Lewis Fiorini
Lewis Fiorini
Maresca does look to be facing a losing battle to keep Dewsbury-Hall at the King Power past this January, with interest in his wanted man intensifying in recent weeks from the likes of Fulham wanting to add the talented midfielder to their ranks.
Maresca could well flex his previous Manchester City connections by replacing Dewsbury-Hall with current City man Lewis Fiorini, the Scottish 21-year-old a hit out on loan in the Eredivisie at NAC Breda and also lower down the EFL pyramid with Lincoln City.
Scoring 16 goals from central midfield in his career to date, Fiorini's next destination simply has to be Leicester to replace an expected departee in Dewsbury-Hall.
9 RW – Jhon Arias
Jhon Arias
Linked with Leeds United on top of other interested parties, the Foxes could break hearts at Elland Road by signing Jhon Arias from under the noses of Daniel Farke's men.
Lacking a fixed right winger option at this moment in time – with Pereira played further forward in the loss at Middlesbrough to accommodate – current Fluminese man Arias would be the perfect, explosive attacker signing Maresca would want to take his Foxes team to another level altogether.
The South American forward has managed nine goals and 14 assists from his year to date out in Brazil, ready to be unleashed onto the Championship if signed.
10 ST – Ben Brereton Diaz
Villarreal forward Ben Brereton Diaz.
Ben Brereton Diaz is being lined up for a return to Championship football just months after departing Blackburn Rovers for Villarreal, the Chile international yet to score for the La Liga side with the Spanish club impatient and unsatisfied with the striker's impotency.
Leicester City could offer the ex-Blackburn man a lifeline, leading the line for the Foxes to cruise home to an automatic promotion spot and return to the Premier League again.
Netting 22 goals during the peak of his Rovers powers during the 2021-22 season, Maresca would be overjoyed with his addition to the group.
Last season, depth was not a word used when discussing Liverpool's midfield, at least not in a positive light.
Jurgen Klopp's side failed in their seasonal goals and finished fifth in the Premier League, missing out on Champions League, with the sapped and stuttering midfield at the core of the issue.
This season, there is optimism anew with a fresh crop of players restoring the Anfield centre, but the younger stars remain beneath the new additions.
Harvey Elliott is one such player, with his recent performance for England U21s showing that he can perform in the role that £60m summer signing Dominik Szoboszlai plays so astoundingly in the midfield.
How good is Dominik Szoboszlai?
Not has there arguably been a more transformative signing at Liverpool since Virgil van Dijk joined from Southampton for £75m, transcending the defence's past performance.
The Hungary captain arrived from RB Leipzig having earned acclaim for his prowess as a “magician” by the likes of talent scout Jacek Kulig, posting ten goals and 13 assists and winning this second successive DFB Pokal.
Since arriving on Merseyside, the 22-year-old has been sensational, starting all eight of Liverpool's Premier League matches thus far, completing 87% of his passes, making 2.1 key passes, 1.6 tackles and 7.4 ball recoveries per game and, perhaps most importantly, bringing energy and intelligence to turbo-charge the engine.
Described as "a young Steven Gerrard" for his playing style by former England striker Natasha Dowie, the £120k-per-week gem currently ranks among the top 12% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 10% for assists, the top 1% for shot-creating actions, the top 15% for successful carries, the top 7% for successful take-ons and the top 8% for blocks per 90, as per FBref.
He's simply untouchable in the starting squad, but given that he can't be expected to start every match, Klopp will be delighted with Elliott's stunning display against Serbia for his nation this week.
How good is Harvey Elliott?
It's easy to forget that Elliott is still only 20 years old, having been a member of Klopp's squad for several years now after joining from Fulham aged just 16 in 2019.
A Premier League champion, Elliott has already made 75 appearances for the Reds and been hailed as a "special" talent by Fabrizio Romano, and while Liverpool struggled last term, he was entrusted with a prominent role – playing 46 times.
The dynamic midfielder still has strides to make in his defensive game but will continue to improve and boasts the technical prowess to serve as Szoboszlai's understudy.
Indeed, he ranks among the top 8% of midfielders for total shots, the top 15% for shot-creating actions, the top 12% for progressive passes, the top 9% for progressive carries and the top 3% for blocks per 90.
Such metrics evidence his creative skills and energy and enthusiasm on the pitch, and with a little bit more work he really could knock on Klopp's door for a regular starting berth.
The £40k-per-week ace was simply sensational for England U21s as they trounced Serbia 9-1, performing at the very heart of the game and excelling with his all-consuming performance.
Scoring two goals and registering an assist, the 5 foot 6 talent complemented his direct return with an 86% passing accuracy, five key passes, success in five of his eight duels, also taking 94 touches and winning both of his dribbles, as per Sofascore.
Such a display led Paul Dalglish to dub him an “incredible talent”, and while Elliott is undoubtedly not the finished article, his potential is boundless and he is edging closer and closer toward the level Klopp knows he can reach.
If the German coach is looking for a dream understudy to Szoboszlai, then the youngster is arguably that man.
The France forward made headlines after refusing to sit with his team-mates after being replaced against Monaco, but he can have no complaints
There were only four Paris Saint-Germain fans holding up the banner, but its message was clear. The quartet of ultras stood before the industrial brick of the Parc des Princes on Sunday, proudly displaying a piece of fabric with the block text "KM: Vivement LE 30/06." Or, in English, "KM, looking forward to 30/06."
And so has begun another turn in the Kylian Mbappe story, perhaps the sour beginning of what could be a turbulent final chapter, after the Parisian star revealed his intent to leave the club at the end of the season. Mbappe, for his part, has insisted that he will try his utmost to win trophies before his departure, and has always asserted his desire to fight on all fronts as long as he is still clad in the flashy Air Jordan strip of PSG.
That goodwill might not be mutual, though. Since it became clear that Mbappe will not be PSG player next season, his relationships with manager Luis Enrique and sections of the club's fanbase have deteriorated, the early signs of reluctant acceptance steadily fading. Instead, we now have the Parisian poster boy falling out of favour at his hometown club.
And in this messy organisation – one that Mbappe has had de-facto control of for years now – he should know more than anyone that ruthlessness is embedded within the club. He is now, ironically, suffering from the consequences of an environment that he helped cultivate. Luis Enrique, the relentless authoritarian, has every right to phase his soon-to-depart star out of the line-up – and bench him whenever he wants.
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The inevitable confirmed
At first, this all seemed rather civil. The news of Mbappe's pending departure broke inconspicuously, a Thursday mashing of keyboards at laptops all around the world breaking up an already busy news cycle. But there was nothing insidious about the timing. This was not a Wayne-Rooney-esque announcement on the day of a Champions League clash.
And there seemed to be an acceptance from everyone involved. Mbappe behaved normally on social media and in interviews. Nasser Al-Khelaifi didn't look happy – how could he be? – but he didn't seem despondent, either. Luis Enrique, characteristically, snapped at a question or two, but that was nothing out of the ordinary. No boos rang down from the Parisian ultras; no insulting comments made the rounds on the internet. Even Mbappe's team-mates resisted the urge to express any ill-will.
The early vibes were good. Him leaving was inevitable, and everyone seemed to know it.
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Mbappe benched
The good times only lasted for about 48 hours, though. On February 17, just two days Mbappe's pending Parisian departure was confirmed, he started on the bench for the Parisians' 2-0 win over Nantes. The official club line was that Mbappe needed a day off after playing all 90 minutes in a taxing Champions League clash with Real Sociedad.
But Mbappe had failed to start in only one previous game for PSG all season, when he played just 40 minutes against Toulouse after working his way back into the side in the wake of a turbulent summer. Back then, Mbappe was forcing his way back into Luis Enrique's good graces after trying to force his way to Madrid a year earlier than the club had planned. He was unable to play the whole game, largely because he was short of full fitness after sitting out a chunk of pre-season.
So, February 17 felt more like a warning shot. Mbappe, inevitably, came on and scored – burying an effort to finish off a comfortable victory. Since then, he has started both of PSG's subsequent matches, but lasted just over an hour against Rennes, while against Monaco on Friday, he was replaced at half-time. Mbappe reacted by opting not to sit on the bench with the rest of his team-mates for the second half. Instead, he ascended into the Stade Louis II stands, and took in the rest of the game alongside his mother, Fayza Lamari – making time for a few selfies on his walk up.
Everything looked calm, but Mbappe is clearly not untouchable anymore.
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Concerning performances
Mbappe may feel hard-done by here, and he has every right to. No top-level athlete likes to sit on the bench. However, there still is a nagging feeling that the forward hasn't quite been at his best of late. He has scored just once in last three outings, and that came via a late penalty against Nantes in a game that PSG were already leading.
His most recent showing against Monaco, in particular, was of some concern. In 45 minutes, Mbappe managed just 29 touches, completed only one dribble, and took one shot – which went off target. His work rate in that contest, too, was lacking, and PSG looked better without him after the break.
This is, admittedly, a small sample size. Zoom out, and Mbappe is still one of the best in the world. He has scored 31 goals and added seven assists for the Parisians this season. Only Harry Kane and Lautaro Martinez have found the net more in domestic competitions. If this were a normal season – and if Mbappe was to play every minute – he could quite comfortably score 50.
This, then, may be a short-term stumble in his form. Mbappe, under most circumstances, is too good to bench.
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Luis Enrique doesn't take any sh*t
And in a way, Luis Enrique has been awaiting this opportunity. His appointment was an inadvertent stroke of luck for the Parisians. It is unclear how far exactly he was down Al-Khelaifi's long-list for the job, but he was certainly not the man they originally wanted. Luis Enrique is supposed to be too strong-willed for a club like PSG.
But in the nine months since his hiring, the Spaniard has casually taken on more power. First, he showed Neymar the door. Then, he let Marco Verratti walk. And when Mbappe played a high-profile game of brinksmanship over a Saudi Pro League move, it was Mbappe, not Luis Enrique, who blinked first.
It's the kind of challenge the Spaniard has publicly relished in the past. He had no problems letting Xavi go at Barcelona, and showed little hesitation in challenging both Neymar and Lionel Messi at Camp Nou when needed.
Mbappe's departure, then, is the change he has been looking for to implement his Parisian vision. The manager oversaw a busy summer of 12 incomings, pushing for the signature of a glut of emerging young talents. And with Mbappe being fazed out, his new post-galactico PSG wave has crashed into the side. Bradley Barcola, Goncalo Ramos and Lee Kang-In have all been offered more minutes.
Luis Enrique hinted at it last month: "Sooner or later, we have to that we get used to playing without him. It’s my philosophy to think about what's best for the team. I don’t want to argue. It’s my decision.”
The PCB said ICC rules prevented the player from being named until the chemical report was confirmed by the government’s anti-doping agency
ESPNcricinfo staff20-Jun-2018A prominent Pakistani cricketer has tested positive for a prohibited substance. This was confirmed by the PCB on Twitter when it said ICC rules prevented the player from being named until the chemical report was confirmed by the government’s anti-doping agency.
While the dope test has come back positive, the report from the laboratory that tested the player’s blood sample has yet to be confirmed by Pakistan’s anti-doping department. The PCB is awaiting the results of that test, saying it would be available in the next day or so. The test is understood to have taken place during the recent domestic 50-over tournament in Faisalabad.Depending on the nature of the prohibited substance, the player could face up to a two-year ban. The last Pakistan international to suffer that fate was Raza Hasan, who tested positive for cocaine in 2015, and was banned till 2017. In the last few years, Pakistan spinners Yasir Shah and Abdur Rehman were also banned for minor doping offences, each serving three-month bans.
“It’s a special feeling, especially because I am the world record holder for the most [wickets off] no-balls,” Morkel joked afterwards
Firdose Moonda in Cape Town23-Mar-2018Before Morne Morkel celebrates a wicket, he looks up at the big screen to double check that he has not overstepped. Before he celebrated his 300th Test wicket, he may have double checked with a little more trepidation.But when Morkel saw that his foot was behind the line and Shaun Marsh had nicked off, he celebrated with more gusto than usual. Animated air punches and screams of delight were followed by a group hug with his team-mates and some personal time to acknowledge the crowd.He had done it. Morkel had reached 300.”It’s a special feeling, especially because I am the world record holder for the most [wickets off] no-balls,” Morkel joked afterwards. “When I got the first one, I had to turn around and see if it was a legal delivery. And then second one and third one. To reach it is something I have worked hard on for a long time and to get it at this amazing venue made it even better. It meant quite a lot to get that wicket. I have really worked hard. I wasn’t blessed with natural talent to run up and hit a length. For me, over the 12 years it’s been a lot of hard work. To get that was an achievement, I was proud of myself to get that milestone.”Morkel could have had 315 Test wickets to his name to date, but the 14 missing from his record were taken off no-balls and he has now found a way to laugh them off. But only now that he has reached the 300 mark in what is his penultimate Test.Before this series began, Morkel announced his retirement at its end and by midway through the contest, he may have thought his career was over already. He was left out of the second Test at St George’s Park after a relatively indifferent performance in the first match at Kingsmead. His replacement, Lungi Ngidi, bowled well and was set to play at Newlands before a toe niggle kept him out and gave Morkel the chance for what could be a final hurrah.”You think about those sorts of things, especially with Lungi and the guys bowling so well. Luckily for me, I got an opportunity with Lungi picking up a small niggle and I knew it was my Test match to do it,” Morkel said. “I put in a lot of hard work over the week, especially in PE. I sat down for hours and analysed my Durban spells and things I needed to improve on and worked hard.”Morne Morkel removed Steven Smith in the third over after lunch•AFP
Morkel’s challenge has always been to get his lengths right because he tends to err on the shorter side, given his height. At Newlands, where he found extra bounce from the Wynberg End, that length worked and for once, Morkel could just be himself. “Of late, the Newlands wicket, there is a little bit of extra bounce.There was a little bit of extra bounce on a fifth stump line. It was my game plan to run in and hit an area quite hard and trying to get some extra bounce and there were one or two cracks as well,” he said.That bounce and those cracks have led Morkel to believe that the strip will become more difficult to bat on as the match goes on and that with a lead of around 60, South Africa can look to apply pressure on Australia. But first they need one more wicket and though Morkel has 301 to celebrate, it’s the scalp he still needs to get that he is most concerned about.”The main thing for me is to stay in the moment. There’s still a second innings, a Test match to be won and still one more in Jo’burg and that’s my focus. I want to be part of this team to beat Australia for the first time in South Africa. That’s my goal,” he said.And it is his last goal as an international cricketer. Winning a World Cup is not something Morkel has given himself the opportunity to experience, because he is leaving the stage before then. Winning a Test Championship is also not something he will do, though his recent form and fitness suggest he could keep playing. “My body is still feeling great. Mentally I am still feeling fantastic. I am still feeling good. I can still play for a coupe of years. But it was a family decision. I’ve made that call, once you’ve made your mind up, you can’t really turn back on your decision. I’d rather go out on a high now than having a few average games and the love is gone.”Right now, the appreciation for Morkel is everywhere, especially on the big screen.On day one, it regularly showed images of Morkel’s long-time team-mate Dale Steyn sitting at Newlands, wearing Morkel’s one-day shirt with the number 65 on it, supporting it. “That’s very special. To see a team-mate that has been beside me for so long supporting me was amazing,” Morkel said.On day two, it showed Morkel’s wife, Roz Kelly, and their two-year old son, Arias, applauding his achievements.For the next three days, it will show many others, sending Morkel off with warm hearts. And it will also show some replays of Morkel and the line, which he will keep double checking if he thinks he can add to his tally.