BCCI defends decision to hold India-SA Test in Delhi in November

The pollution issue doesn’t happen every year, says Devajit Saikia

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Apr-2025

The Sri Lankan players took the field wearing masks during the Delhi Test in 2017•BCCI

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has stood by the board’s decision to schedule an India-South Africa Test in Delhi between November 14 to 18, a time of year when people in the capital city have struggled with high air-pollution levels in recent years.”We have considered all factors and have gone by the rotation policy after discussing it with everyone. The pollution issue doesn’t happen every year,” Saikia was quoted as saying by the .On the Air Quality Index (AQI), a reading of over 300 is considered “very poor” and over 400 “severe”. On November 18 last year, the AQI in Delhi was measured at 999. IQAir, a Swiss company that measures air quality, measured Delhi’s AQI on that day at 1600, according to the New York Times. It resulted in lockdown-like conditions. People were advised to leave home only in emergency. Schools were shut and outdoor activity barred even when they reopened.Related

Do we need to remind the BCCI that a Test in Delhi in November is a bad idea?

India to host West Indies and South Africa; Guwahati gets its first Test match

In recent years, poor air quality in Delhi has impacted cricket matches. In November 2016, two Ranji Trophy matches were cancelled, with players suffering headaches and burning sensation in the eyes. In December 2017, some Sri Lankan players wore masks on the field during a Test match in Delhi, which had interruptions due to the air pollution. In November 2019, two Bangladesh players vomited on the field during an ODI, and four years later there were serious concerns ahead of the Bangladesh-Sri Lanka fixture in the 2023 ODI World Cup, with Bangladesh cancelling training sessions in the lead-up to the game because of air pollution.Ashok Sharma, the Delhi and Districts Cricket Association secretary, said they would take “take all measures possible to ensure players are comfortable when they play the Test match”.”Also, the Arun Jaitley Stadium is located in a relatively open area with more green area around. So the air quality is better than in most other areas. Delhi had not been allotted a Test match for a while. The BCCI allotted us the game, so we have to go by the calendar. In November, the pollution, if at all, is less compared to December.”The men’s international season at home begins with India hosting West Indies for two Tests, in Ahmedabad from October 2 to 6 and in Kolkata from October 10 to 14. The home series against South Africa begins a month later. The first Test in Delhi is from November 14 to 18 and the second in Guwahati.India and South Africa then play three ODIs in Ranchi (November 30), Raipur (December 3) and Visakhapatnam (December 6), followed by five T20Is in Cuttack (December 9), Mullanpur ( December 11), Dharamsala (December 14), Lucknow (December 17) and Ahmedabad (December 19).

Renan Bressan comemora gol marcado contra seu time de infância

MatériaMais Notícias

da wazamba: Mais uma vez decisivo para o CRB na disputa da Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro, o meia Renan Bressan deixou o banco de reservas para, com um golaço, garantir o empate em 1 a 1 diante do Vasco. Mas não foi um simples gol.

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da pinup bet: >Aplicativo de resultados do LANCE! está disponível na versão iOS

Além de ter garantido mais um ponto na luta da equipe alagoana pelo acesso à Série A, foi um gol contra seu time de infância. Aliás, a equipe carioca é também o clube de seus familiares e dos seus amigos que residem em Tubarão, cidade do interior de Santa Catarina distante 140 quilômetros de Florianópolis.

– Foi um gosto especial porque o Vasco era meu clube de infância. Minha família toda é vascaína. Não ficaram muito contentes comigo não e até brincaram antes do jogo para eu não fazer gol, mas aconteceu. Teve sim um gosto especial por isso e por ser um clube gigante, meu time de infância e de praticamente toda a minha família – admitiu Bressan, que comentou ainda sobre as ligações e mensagens que recebeu após o jogo:

– Meus amigos de Tubarão que torcem para o Vasco me mandaram mensagens dando parabéns e ao mesmo tempo me xingando. Teve um gosto diferente para mim, o mesmo que teve marcar contra o Brasil (pela seleção da Bielorússia). Então, não tem problema nenhum. O Vasco era meu time de infância, hoje defendo o CRB, mas tive que conseguir uma camisa para o meu pai, que é vascaíno. Claro que estava torcendo para mim, mas pediu uma camisa.

Renan Bressan chegou ao seu terceiro gol anotado pelo CRB nesta Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro, mas admitiu a atuação abaixo da média dele e da equipe no duelo contra o Vasco, no Rei Pelé. No entanto, o jogador elogiou a luta do time que lutou até o final para garantir mais um ponto na competição nacional.

– O diferencial do time, mesmo não fazendo um grande jogo tecnicamente, foi se manter bem postado taticamente e bem postado o jogo. Mantivemos nossa postura. Erramos bastante, mas consertamos em seguida. Valeu a força de vontade e, no último minuto, empatamos e quase conseguimos a virada. Nunca desistimos, nunca viramos a cara para a luta e esse foi o diferencial para conquistar esse ponto – reforçou Bressan.

O meia comentou ainda sobre seu poder de decisão ao sair do banco para marcar o tento importante. Apesar disso, o jogador admitiu que, junto com todo o time, não conseguiu fazer um bom jogo, com exceção na finalização do lance que garantiu o empate nos acréscimos.

– Uma coisa que o Allan (Aal) sempre fala e eu concordo é que o jogador que entra tem a mesma responsabilidade do que está sendo titular ou até mais, porque precisa entrar e fazer algo diferente. Acredito que não entrei tão bem, nosso time não fez um grande jogo, mas no lance, na tabela, a qualidade apareceu na finalização e conseguimos empatar com muita raça – concluiu.

موعد والقنوات الناقلة لمباراة نيس وموناكو اليوم في الدوري الفرنسي

يستضيف فريق نيس، مساء يوم الأحد، نظيره موناكو، في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الفرنسي، موسم 2024/26.

تأتي تلك المباراة في إطار لقاءات الجولة التاسعة من الدوري الفرنسي، على ملعب “أليانز ريفييرا”.

ويحتل موناكو حاليًا المركز الثاني في جدول الدوري الفرنسي، برصيد 20 نقطة، في حين أن نيس لديه 10 نقاط في المركز العاشر.

ويقدم المحترف المصري محمد عبد المنعم أداءً رائعًا رفقة نيس في الفترة الأخيرة، حيث شارك في 5 مباريات في مختلف المسابقات. موعد مباراة نيس وموناكو اليوم في الدوري الفرنسي

تنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة السابعة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة نيس وموناكو اليوم في الدوري الفرنسي

تُذاع المباراة عبر:

قناة beIN Sports 1 FR.

قناة beIN SPORTS XTRA 2.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنـــا.

Sneh Rana replaces injured Shreyanka Patil at RCB

Rana played for Gujarat Giants in the first two seasons and went unsold in the auction last December

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Feb-2025

Sneh Rana was the Gujarat Giants captain in the first season•BCCI

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) offspinner Shreyanka Patil has been ruled out from WPL 2025 due to injury. Spin-bowling allrounder Sneh Rana has replaced her in the squad. The details of Patil’s injury are not known.Rana had previously played for Gujarat Giants (GG) and also captained the team in the first season when Beth Mooney was sidelined by injury after the first game. Surprisingly, Rana went unsold in the auction held last December. She has now joined RCB for INR 30 lakh. She represented Giants 12 times and took six wickets with an economy of 9.02 for them in the WPL. Last month, she also led India C in the senior women’s one-day Challenger Trophy and was the third highest wicket-taker in the tournament with nine wickets in five matches.Rana has also featured in 52 white-ball matches for India and picked up 53 wickets. She is currently not in India’s scheme of things in limited-overs cricket, but she played in the one-off Test against South Africa in Chennai in June last year.

Patil was one of the standout performers for RCB in their title-winning run last year and finished the tournament as the highest wicket-taker with 13 scalps in eight matches, with an economy of 7.30. Overall, she has played 15 matches for RCB and has taken 19 wickets.RCB had lost key players like Sophie Devine (unavailable), Kate Cross, Asha Sobhana and Sophie Molineux (all injured) ahead of the season. However, they kicked off this WPL with a pulsating six-wicket win over Giants in Vadodara on Friday.

Chelsea eyeing “the best 9 in the world” to finally replace Drogba

da 888casino: If you were to ask the Chelsea faithful who the best Premier League striker of the last 20 years was, Didier Drogba would be the most popular answer.

da imperador bet: The Ivory Coast international will forever be regarded as a Blues legend for his famous goal in the 2012 Champions League final.

However, Chelsea haven’t had a striker quite as influential since the days of the number nine, despite Diego Costa – who scored 59 goals in 120 games for the Blues – having a strong attempt.

Yet, this summer, Todd Boehly is incredibly keen to sign a true goal scorer who can have a similar impact on Chelsea as Drogba once had.

Chelsea’s search for a new centre forward

As per reports from Spain, Chelsea are interested in signing Lautaro Martinez from Inter Milan.

It’s said that Todd Boehly’s keen to sign a 'world-class' striker to compete with Nicolas Jackson, with Paris Saint-Germain also in the race.

Reports from Italy, via OneFootball, recently said that Chelsea would have to pay around £94m to secure the signature of the centre forward.

Lautaro Martinez could be Chelsea’s best striker since Drogba

There’s no two ways about it: Martinez has been absolutely fantastic since joining Inter in 2018, becoming one of the best players in Italy.

This season, the number ten played a huge role in Inter winning their second Serie A title with Martinez in the squad, netting an insane 24 goals in 31 starts.

Inter Milan'sLautaroMartinezreacts

Yet, the Argentine hasn’t only cemented himself as one of the best goal-scorers in Europe; he’s also developed into a true leader, wearing the captain’s armband.

The above sounds very like Drogba, who was known to win games by himself due to his excellent finishing and leadership from the front – the Ivorian netting 164 goals and registering 88 assists in 381 games for the west Londoners.

Martinez Goals Last 5 Seasons vs Drogba Goals Last 5 Seasons At Chelsea

Season

Martinez

Drogba

23/24 – 11/12

27

21

22/23 – 10/11

28

13

21/22 – 09/10

25

37

20/21 – 08/09

19

14

19/20 – 07/08

21

15

Via Transfermarkt

However, as you can see, what’s the most impressive aspect of the Serie A star’s game is just how consistent he’s been over the years.

This proves that Martinez is a reliable source of goals, which could really help take Enzo Maresca's Chelsea to the next level next season, as he’s been regarded as “the best 9 in the world” by football podcaster Angelo Gomes.

The former Racing Club youth gem even boasts a better record than Drogba during his last five campaigns at Stamford Bridge, excluding his return season, which highlights just how incredible a signing he truly could be.

Furthermore, when compared to Jackson, Chelsea’s current first-choice number nine, it’s clear that Maresca would be getting a huge upgrade in the striker department.

Martinez vs Jackson 23/24 League Stats

Stats

Martinez

Jackson

Starts

31

31

Goals

24

14

xG

17.64

18.64

Assists

3

5

Big chances created

7

8

Big chances missed

13

24

Shots (per game)

3.3

2.3

Via Sofascore

Unlike the number 15, who's been rather wasteful in front of goal this season – as evidenced by the number of missed chances – Martinez is the definition of a composed, clinical finisher who tends to stick the ball in the back of the net if given even half a chance, which is often the difference between good strikers and the elite.

Overall, it’s quite clear just how world-class Martinez is, and if Chelsea can acquire the Argentine, the fanbase should be extremely excited about the future of the club.

Maresca's dream signing: Chelsea eyeing "monster" Colwill upgrade

The Chelsea target can be bought for as little as £19m.

ByTom Lever May 31, 2024

Por causa de lesões, Flamengo chega ao fim do intervalo sem jogos com mais problemas do que soluções

MatériaMais Notícias

da mrbet: O intervalo do Flamengo sem jogos chega ao fim da maneira como o clube não esperava. Isso porque as duas semanas cheias para trabalhar serviriam para descansar, treinar e preparar o elencopara as partidas dos últimos meses do ano. No entanto, a realidade é que o Rubro-Negro convive com pelo menos oito baixas e dúvidas para a partida contra o Palmeiras, neste domingo.

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da esport bet: A primeira baixa veio com Bruno Henrique, que teve uma lesão na coxa direita ainda na partida contra o Grêmio, válida pelo jogo de ida das quartas de final da Copa do Brasil. O camisa 27está em recuperação de lesão muscular no CT, massegue como desfalque para o time de Renato Gaúcho.

> Entendacomo o Flamengo teve um final feliz com David Luiz

Rodrigo Caio também não estará à disposição de Renato Gaúcho, conforme informou inicialmente o site “ge”. O zagueiro, vale lembrar, realizou primeiro treino completo junto ao elenco do Flamengo na última quarta-feira.

No entanto, a comissão técnica que a volta do jogador, que se recupera de uma lesão no joelho, quando ele estiver 100%.Sem atuar desde 25 de julho, Rodrigo Caio chegou a realizar, segundo o clube, um trabalho de reequilíbrio biomecânico e muscular após uma série de lesões.

> Veja a tabela do Brasileirão

Na última quinta-feira, Filipe Luísrealizou exames que constataram lesão na panturrilha esquerda.As dores no local, inclusive, fizeram com que o lateral-esquerdo trabalhasse à parte do grupo ao longo da última semana.

No dia seguinte, o Flamengo informou que Diego estácom um edema na panturrilha direita. Assim, o Rubro-Negro perdeu mais um jogador para a partida contra o Palmeiras.

Já no último sábado mais uma baixa surgiu.Gabigol se reapresentou no Ninho do Urubu com dores musculares e, assim, sequer viajou com o grupo para São Paulo, conforme informou primeiramente o UOL.

Kenedy ainda segue de fora. O atacante já foi apresentado e teve o nome publicado no BID (Boletim Informativo Diário) da CBF, mas cumpre etapas para o recondicionamento físico. Ainda vale lembrar que o jogador chegou a testar positivo para Covid-19 antes de ser liberado para viajar ao Brasil.

Já o lateral-esquerdo Renê segue em recondicionamento após uma lesão muscular e, também, por ter testado positivo para o novo coronavírus. Dessa forma, a tendência é de que o jovem Ramon ganhe a titularidade diante do Palmeiras, neste domingo.

Outra baixa é Piris da Motta. O paraguaio ainda está no processo de recondicionamento físico após problema no tendão de Aquiles. Segundo o UOL, ele antecipou a volta da seleção paraguaia e também está vetado para o jogo contra o Alviverde.

Vale destacar que outros problemas ainda podem aparecer.Arrascaeta e Isla, que defenderam as seleções do Uruguai e do Chile, respectivamente vão direto para São Paulo e lá serão avaliados. A dupla é considerada como dúvida para a partida.

Dessa forma, com oito baixas confirmadas e com duas dúvidas, o Flamengo chega para enfrentar o Palmeiras, às 16h, no Allianz Parque. A partida, que será válida pela 20ª rodada do Brasileirão, terá transmissão em tempo real do L!.

Hendricks, Markram propel South Africa as Ireland again fall short in close finish

Lorcan Tucker and George Dockrell gave Ireland hope with 86-run stand but couldn’t prevent seventh consecutive T20I defeat

Firdose Moonda03-Aug-2022

Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks put up 112 runs for the third wicket•AFP/Getty Images

Ireland have run India, New Zealand and now South Africa close, but not close enough, as they slumped to their seventh successive defeat in T20Is. This time, they were asked to complete their highest successful chase and fell 21 runs short, though they were closer than that margin would suggest for much of their innings.On a ground with short straight and square boundaries, bowlers across both sides had expensive outings. South Africa posted their highest score against Ireland, though they may have wanted it to be higher still. After slipping to 45 for 2, a 112-run third-wicket stand between Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram put them in a position to push for a score of 220-plus.Gareth Delany removed the pair in successive deliveries, and Ireland had the chance to pull South Africa back. But Tristan Stubbs’ 24 off 11 balls and Dwaine Pretorius’ 21 off seven deliveries helped South Africa post 53 runs off the last four overs.South Africa were helped by an indisciplined effort from Ireland with the ball. They bowled 13 wides – and more than two extra overs as a result – and only three of their seven-bowler attack conceded at under ten runs an over.South Africa’s spinners were the only ones who did not travel, and in the absence of the injured Kagiso Rabada and the rested Anrich Nortje, will be reasonably pleased with their effort. Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi took 4 for 66 in their combined eight overs and were complemented by clever use of slower balls from Lungi Ngidi, and yorkers by Dwaine Pretorius and Wayne Parnell.Ireland were in the chase until the 17th over when Lorcan Tucker was dismissed. He put on 86 runs with George Dockrell for the sixth wicket and built on a strong powerplay while brushing aside the loss of 3 for 12 between the eighth and the tenth over.De Kock’s curious run
Apart from a blazing undefeated 92 in the washed-out third ODI against England in Leeds, it has been a quiet tour for Quinton de Kock, especially in T20Is. He has scored just 24 runs in four innings, and hasn’t looked like his usual destructive self. He had a busy but unremarkable start against Ireland too, with ones or twos scored mostly on the leg side.That is when he tried to force things, and set off for a quick single after bunting Mark Adair down the ground. Harry Tector sensed an opportunity for an intervention, ran in from mid-off, and his direct hit found the stumps at the non-striker’s end, with de Kock short of his crease. The decision was confirmed on review, and South Africa were in early trouble on 23 for 1.Hendricks in the runs again
Here is one for your next sports quiz: what do Hendricks, Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum, Gustav Mckeon and Rayyankhan Pathan have in common? They are the only five batters in the game to have scored four T20I fifties in succession, with Hendricks joining the list on the day.He topped up on his three against England with an easy-as-you-like-it 74 on Wednesday. Hendricks looked in control from the moment he lofted Josh Little over the covers for six, with what seemed minimal effort. He showed his power game with the pull and the cut, as also the smooth strokeplay he has built his reputation on with silken cover drives.Hendricks’ fifty came up off 32 balls, and he went on to equal his career-best of 74 from 53 deliveries.Going big on Little
Markam had come back into the XI for the third T20I against England after missing the first two games. He immediately scored a fifty in that match as well as this one. He took 13 balls to find his feet and then charged Gareth Delany and Barry McCarthy before taking on left-arm quick Josh Little.In four deliveries, Markram took 20 runs off Little, including two sixes over deep square leg, four over mid-on and four through midwicket. Markram went on to score his third successive T20I fifty, with a chance to join Hendricks in elite company if he manages as many in the next match.Lorcan Tucker swings for the leg side during an attacking 78•AFP/Getty Images

Punching in the powerplay
Ireland made as strong a statement as they could with a powerplay led by Tucker that put them much further ahead than where South Africa were at the same stage of their innings. Captain Andy Balbirnie set the tone with a four in each of the first three overs before he top-edged Wayne Parnell to Pretorius at mid-on.But despite the early loss, Tucker and Paul Stirling sent Lungi Ngidi’s second over for 17. Tucker went on to hit Parnell over mid-off for four, and over long-off for six, before taking on Pretorius’ slower ball. Tucker had scored 26 runs off the eight balls he faced in the powerplay as Ireland racked up 67, 20 more than South Africa’s total at that stage.Soon after, Tucker went on to his third T20I half-century off 25 balls and put Ireland in a position to provide South Africa with a serious challenge.Shamsi seals it
Tabraiz Shamsi went wicketless at this venue a week ago but had a much better outing today, and dismissed Ireland’s most dangerous player at a crucial moment. Tucker was Ireland’s best hope of scoring the 64 runs they needed in the last five overs and identified Shamsi as the bowler to target.He slogged a full delivery over long-on for six, and then pulled a shorter one between long-on and midwicket for four. But when he tried to slog-sweep a fuller ball, he top-edged towards short fine leg. De Kock had to make some ground but took a comfortable catch to leave Ireland’s lower order with too much to do.

محمود عاشور يوضح سبب سرعة اتخاذه قرار إلغاء هدف بيراميدز أمام الزمالك

أكد الحكم محمود عاشور، أن مصر من أول الدول في القارة الإفريقية، التي استخدمت تقنية الفيديو، مشيرًا إلى أنه يمتلك قدرا من الخبرة بسبب مشاركته في مستويات كبيرة تابعة لـ الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم “فيفا”.

وقال عاشور خلال تصريحات عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورت”: “البعض لا يمتلك وعي أو دراية بقوانين الفار لذلك ينتقد، لكن نحن في الفار قدر الخطأ يكون صفر، كل القرارات التي تصدر من الفار الطبيعي لا يكون فيها جدال، وإذا كانت هناك ألعاب تأخذ وقتا طويلا حتى يتم الحسم فيها، الموضوع يعود للتصوير والأجهزة التي نعمل عليها”.

محمود عاشور كان حكم تفنية الفيديو، في مباراة الزمالك وبيراميدز الأخيرة في دور نصف نهائي كأس السوبر المصري، وألغى هدفا لـ بيراميدز في الدقيقة الأخيرة لوجود يوسف أوباما لاعب بيراميدز في حالة تسلل قبل احراز الهدف.

وعن قرار إلغاء هدف بيراميدز في 20 ثانية، أوضح: “هناك عوامل مساعدة قد تجعلك تتخذ القرار سريعًا وهي التصوير والأجهزة، وأيضًا الألعاب الثابتة تكون أسهل في وضع نقاط التسلل”.

وتابع: “أيضًا كان في مباراة للنادي الأهلي موديست أحرز هدفا واحتسب تسللا ولكن كنت على الفار واتخذت القرار سريعًا باحتساب الهدف صحيحا وإلغاء التسلل”.

وواصل: “الألعاب على خط واحد تكون صعبة، لكن طالما التصوير جيد تستطيع وضع النقاط ويكون لديك ثقة في القرارات، وتُصبح كل الألعاب سهلة”.

طالع | أول تحرك رسمي من الزمالك بعد أزمة ثلاثي الفريق ومسؤول أمن مباراة بيراميدز

وأكمل: “هناك خطوات الحكم يفعلها في الفار، أولًا تحدد لحظة لمس الكرة لوضع النقطة، ويكون هناك ترابط بين الكاميرات ثم تضع نقطة على آخر مدافع، وهناك أمور تكنيكال خاصة بالفار نفسه، والفار يُظهر التسلل بالمليمترات وليس بالسنتيميترات”.

واستمر: “إبراهيم نور الدين جريء ولديه شغف وطموح، وهو مكسب للحكام، أنا أكبر منه، لكننا سعداء بما يفعله وبالشغف والجراءة التي لديه، ونتمنى أن يستمر على ذلك، وكل الحكام تدعمه ومتمسكة به ويريدونه أن يكون مسؤلًا عن التطوير وإن شاء الله ينجح”.

وأستكمل: “أبلغت إبراهيم نور الدين من قبل، إني برغم اختلافي مع كلاتنيبرج (رئيس لجنة الحكام السابق) لكنه كان يفعل أمرا جيدا جدًا وهو أنه كان يُحلل الحالات ويذيع التواصل بين غرفة الفار وحكم الساحة، وقلت له لو هذا فعلناه الآن سيكون أفضل لنا”.

وأتم: “في بداية الموسم سيكون هناك تغيير في الأداء وإذا حدثت أخطاء سيتم الاعتذار عنها”.

Chelsea in talks for “incredible” Poch heir who’d make Enzo world-class

da realsbet: This week has been somewhat of a whirlwind at Chelsea football club, with Mauricio Pochettino’s exit kickstarting the mayhem.

da aposte e ganhe: After finishing sixth in the Premier League and losing in the EFL Cup final, the Argentine failed to impress Todd Boehly.

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino.

The Blues are now in a position where they will look to appoint a new boss rather swiftly, with over ten managers already linked with the club.

However, it seems that they’ve now finally decreased their shortlist as they look to sign a boss who could make Enzo Fernandes world-class.

Chelsea’s search for a Pochettino replacement

The list of potential Chelsea managers seems to be getting longer as the days pass, but there are clearly two targets who have been mentioned the most.

Kieran McKenna of Ipswich Town is one of them, and he’s set to be at the centre of a three-way battle between Manchester United, the Blues, and Brighton & Hove Albion.

But it’s the boss who went unbeaten against him this season – the teams drawing twice – and pipped him to the Championship title that’s emerging as the favourite, Enzo Maresca.

According to The Guardian, Chelsea are currently in talks to begin contact with the Italian, who has an £8.5m release clause and is interested in the role at Stamford Bridge.

How Maresca could transform Enzo Fernandez

Leicester City’s return to the Premier League was a fantastic achievement after losing plenty of key players, but to do it in the fashion that they did is simply unbelievable.

The players deserve plenty of credit for their role in the success, but the majority of the plaudits must go to Maresca, who truly transformed the club and has been dubbed as "incredible" by midfielder Harry Winks.

To put into perspective just how dominant the Foxes were, they scored the second most goals in the division, conceded the fewest, and boasted an average possession of 62%.

Leicester vs Chelsea 23/24 League Stats

Stats

Leicester

Chelsea

Wins

31

18

Defeats

11

11

Goals scored

89

77

Goals conceded

41

63

Clean sheets

15

8

Possession

62%

58.9%

Via Sofascore

Each individual flourished in the Italian’s setup, but one player who truly starred was Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, the driving force in the middle of the park.

The England international excelled as the left-sided central midfielder, scoring 12 goals and providing 14 assists, and Boehly will hope that Maresca can inspire Fernandez to follow a similar trajectory.

The Argentine joined Chelsea for a huge £107m fee in January last year, and unfortunately, he’s not really lived up to expectations this season.

Fernandez started 26 matches during the campaign, scoring three goals and providing two assists, but in a new role that promises attacking freedom, he could finally reach his potential.

The former Benfica ace is the definition of a technical ace, boasting 1.1 key passes, 79.2 touches, and 55.7 passes per game, while he’s also a threat in the final third, taking 1.7 shots per match.

Those statistics indicate that he would be best suited to a role similar to Dewsbury-Hall's; their profile is rather alike in regards to the fact that they can influence the game at both ends of the field. The clip below shows the kind of position that Fernandez would find himself in far more often under the Foxes coach.

Additionally, Maresca's extreme possession-based style would highlight Fernandez's strengths while also hiding his weaknesses, which is a sign of a top manager.

Overall, the Italian would be a great choice as the next Chelsea boss, and if he can transform the Blues players like he did at Leicester, he could quickly become a favourite amongst the fans and the squad.

Chelsea offered "incredible" manager who'd transform Caicedo

Former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel isn’t a fan of the manager target.

ByTom Lever May 24, 2024

Ben Cutting leaves Brisbane Heat for Sydney Thunder: 'We probably didn't see eye to eye on a few things'

The allrounder has signed a two-year deal with his new club after being an original Heat player

Andrew McGlashan24-Sep-2020

Ben Cutting goes big•Getty Images

Differences of opinion on various issues with the Brisbane Heat was one of the reasons for allrounder Ben Cutting ending a nine-year association with the BBL club to move to the Sydney Thunder on a two-year deal.Although the Heat kept themselves in the hunt towards the end of the 2019-2020 regular season their campaign was studded with a number of poor batting displays, notably consecutive matches against the Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Renegades when they were bundled out for 100 and 120 – the latter when they had been 0 for 84 after the Powerplay.Cutting said he had been told he would open the batting throughout the season but that did not occur, instead he did it on just two occasions, so coupled with the desire to to spend more time with partner Erin Holland, the TV presenter, who works a lot in Sydney he took it upon himself to seek a new challenge*. Cutting suggested his departure may not be the last significant change to the Heat’s list, although insisted there was no bitterness to his original BBL club.”There’s probably a couple of reasons [for the move], we probably didn’t see eye to eye on a few things,” he said. “It’s a tough one to comment on because there’s been a lot of loyalty both ways for a number of years, but from my end I was told I was opening the batting every single game – that was one of things among a few others. I understand where they are coming from as well, it’s been a couple of lean years so they are looking to make a few changes and I’m sure I’m not the only one.”

The move to the Thunder will enable him to play alongside his best man Usman Khawaja – although his wedding has now been moved three times due to the challenges thrown up this year – and brings him back together with coach Shane Bond who he has previously worked with at the Heat and Mumbai Indians.”It’s playing alongside good people, most of the guys I’ve come across and played a lot of cricket against or with around the world,” he said. “Guys like Callum Ferguson, Chris Green, Usman Khawaja, one of my best mates, then not having to face the Daniel Sams’ slower ball so happy to be on the same team as him.””Shane Bond was a very big factor in my move,” he added. “I know him really well and he knows me – and my game – really well. He knows how to get the best out of me. He’s very diligent, which is what I like, very professional and very diligent but he’s someone who has a lot of fun in coaching as well which is what the Big Bash is all about.”Bond said the all-round skills that Cutting brings – a batting average of 22.16 with a strike-rate of 149.37, plus his pace bowling that has claimed 123 wickets – ticked a lot of boxes for the Thunder.”We were looking to bring in some experience. If you want to be there at the business end you need those experienced players, and we were also looking for players that can bring a unique skillset.”There aren’t too many players in the Big Bash who can come in at six and strike the ball and score as fast as Ben can. He’s the best in the competition at doing that, I think. To have him come across to us to fill that role is massive.””His bowling on our wicket at Sydney Showground Stadium and his fielding is a bonus. He’s just a pro. He always looks after himself and is always prepared. We’ve got a really strong relationship and I think he’ll fit in brilliantly at our club. He’s going to fill a vital role for us.”*4.00pm AEST, September 24: The story was amended to reflect Ben Cutting was referring to last season

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