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Dan Christian sealed Karachi Kings’ chase, as Ravi Bopara’s 58 for Peshawar Zalmi went in vain

Sreshth Shah03-Mar-2021Early into the second innings, it finally seemed like a side batting first would win a game in PSL 2021. However, it wasn’t to be, as frequent dropped catches from the Peshawar Zalmi fielders combined with individual fifties for Babar Azam (77*) and Mohammad Nabi (67) secured the Karachi Kings’ comfortable victory at the National Stadium. The win briefly takes the Kings from fourth to first on the PSL 2021 points table. It also makes the streak of chasing sides winning to 13 in as many games.When Nabi joined Azam in the seventh over of the chase, the Kings were struggling at 43 for 3 in pursuit of 189. But they made full use of the chances offered by the Zalmi fielders to add 118 runs in less than ten overs. After Nabi’s dismissal in the 17th over, Dan Christian played an unbeaten cameo of 16 en route to hitting the winning runs, thereby completing a redemption arc for the Australian, having conceded 32 – the most expensive over in PSL history – in the last over of the first innings. It was a fitting end to the contest that a misfield for four brought an end to the game.There were some positives for the Zalmi, though, who were playing without regular captain Wahab Riaz, who was out due to a back niggle, and also Imam Ul Haq and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. At one stage in the first innings, they too were struggling at 69 for 4, and that they reached 188 for 5 was courtesy a 40-ball 58 from Ravi Bopara – who came into the XI for this match – and a 32-ball 46 from Sherfane Rutherford.Abbas Afridi gives Kings early boost
With Imam dropped from the XI, Zalmi had a new opening pair of Kamran Akmal and Tom Kohler-Cadmore. Together they got off to a positive start, adding 30 for the first wicket. But in the fifth over, PSL debutant Abbas Afridi – who was Pakistan’s highest wicket-taker at the last U-19 World Cup – got the breakthrough. Having troubled Akmal consistently in his first over, Abbas – nephew of former Pakistan quick Umar Gul – bowled a short ball that the batsman hit straight to third man. Four balls later, Abbas removed the struggling Kohler-Cadmore for 10 when the Englishman mistimed a flick to Sharjeel Khan at midwicket.Youngster Mohammad Ilyas then struck with the first ball of his match in the next over when stand-in captain Shoaib Malik was trapped lbw. That reduced the Zalmi to 34 for 3, after which Bopara and Haider Ali looked to cobble together a partnership. Although Abbas kept them quiet, the duo took on Imad Wasim for a 16-run eighth over. But the stand was broken when Christian got Ali in the tenth over, caught deep behind square on the leg side.Ravi Bopara and Sherfane Rutherford added 82 for the fifth wicket•Pakistan Super League

Bopara, Rutherford sizzle for Zalmi
At 69 for 4, the Zalmi were in big trouble, but their two overseas players Bopara and Rutherford changed the innings’ complexion. While Bopara started off slowly, Rutherford hit top gear from the beginning. He hit Arshad Iqbal for a six and four in the 11th over, after which both batsmen creamed Christian for another double-digit haul in the 12th.Soon after, the Zalmi were past three digits and the pair’s fifty partnership was reached in 40 balls. The fireworks then took place, as the Zalmi hit 79 off the last five overs. Rutherford’s back-to-back sixes off Ilyas bookended the 17th over. Bopara then reached his fifty off 38 balls in the 18th with a boundary. And when Rutherford fell for 46 next over, Zalmi had gone past 150, a fairly respectable score considering where they were in the powerplay.However, a score of 150-odd got a major boost in the final over when incoming batsman Amad Butt smacked 27 in a 32-run over. The hard-hitting allrounder hit three fours off the first three legal deliveries, then hit a six, and after Christian had to re-bowl the final delivery due to five wides, Butt smacked a six to end the over, taking his personal tally to 27 off seven and Zalmi’s score to 188 for 5.A top-order collapse for the Kings
The momentum of a positive end to the first innings had rubbed off on the Zalmi, and when the second innings started they struck first ball with the wicket of Sharjeel. Looking to pull Mohammad Imran, Sharjeel found Mohammad Irfan at short fine leg. Irfan then got among the wickets when he got a length ball to Joe Clarke to angle across, only for Clarke to poke a catch to the wicketkeeper.The quick two wickets, though, did not deter Azam from playing his shots. He punished loose balls from Irfan for back-to-back fours and then hit Saqib Mahmood for a four down the ground to keep the scoreboard ticking. However, he saw a third batting partner walk back when the out-of-form Colin Ingram mistimed a pull for a catch on the leg side. At that point, Kings were 43 for 3 and in a real bother.Nabi, Azam make full use of chances
Zalmi had already dropped a catch early when Ingram was given a reprieve early into his innings when Mahmood dropped a catch at mid-off. However, Ingram did not maximise that opportunity. But when the same was given to Nabi and Azam, then made full use.Nabi had shown early signs of being in pristine touch with the bat with a boundary off Butt and a six off Umaid Asif to start aggressively. In the 11th over, with his personal score at 20, he was dropped by Butt at deep midwicket. Not only did that dropped chance go for four, but Nabi also hit the next ball for six to move to 30 in the space of two deliveries and took the run-tally in the over to 21.Having dropped Nabi at the boundary, Butt then faced the full brunt of his mistake when he took the ball in the 14th. Nabi hit him for consecutive fours and a six in the space of three balls to bring up his 28-ball fifty and ended the over with another four to take 18 off the over. Midway through the 15th over, Azam picked Asif’s slower ball nice and early and deposited it into the crowd. The mid-overs assault from the two brought the equation down to a gettable 63 off five overs.Butt’s nightmare in the second innings, though, was far from over. He gave away five wides in the 16th with a slower ball gone wrong when the pressure began to shift from the Kings to the Zalmi. Azam then smoked him over deep midwicket to reach his fifty with a six. He then found the gap at midwicket to bring the hundred partnership up. And after that, he collected another six thanks to a drop by substitute fielder Imam when he failed to hold on to a catch after backpedalling near the boundary. Butt’s four overs went for 56, the most expensive spell by a Zalmi bowler, and that 25-over final over delivered by him brought the required run rate to under 10 with four overs to go.By then, the Zalmi shoulders had dropped and the Kings were rampaging towards victory. Although Nabi fell for his 35-ball 67 in the 17th, there was no pressure on the defending champions. The set Azam kept finding the boundaries and Christian had the opportunity to redeem himself for the 32 runs he had conceded in the first innings of the 20th with a short burst with the bat. And though Azam top-scored with 77, the Player-of-the-Match award went to Nabi.

Leeds United are back in action once again in the Championship as they travel to Loftus Road to take on Queens Park Rangers this evening.

The Whites can move four points clear of Ipswich Town, who are currently third, with a win against the London-based outfit, although their rivals would then have two games in hand to potentially overtake them.

Daniel Farke's side come into his match off the back of a dramatic 4-3 win over Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium last time out in the second tier, and then host Southampton at Elland Road in the final game of the regular season next weekend.

The German head coach may hope for a more comfortable evening against QPR, who are fighting to avoid relegation from the Championship, when they take to the field tonight.

Farke could be without one of his starters from the win over Boro on Monday night, though, as Patrick Bamford is doubtful to be fit enough to feature at Loftus Road.

Leeds United's "major" fitness doubt

Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth described the former England international as a "major doubt" for the game, after the manager revealed that the forward has a big bruise on his knee.

Farke, who also stated that the striker is a "major doubt", now looks set to be without the ex-Middlesbrough marksman for this clash with QPR, unless he can make a surprise recovery to make himself available for selection this evening.

Bamford scored the first goal for Leeds against Boro, which was an equaliser after Isaiah Jones' opening strike, as he bundled Junior Firpo's cross into the back of the net.

As you can see in the table above, however, the 30-year-old attacker did not offer much outside of that goal, with a 33% duel success rate, zero key passes, and a 'big chance' missed after his finish.

His finishing has left a bit to be desired at times this season. He has scored eight goals from an xG (Expected Goals) of 11.11 in the Championship, which shows that Bamford has not made the most of the chances that his teammates have created for him.

The experienced striker had failed to score in six games prior to the win over Boro, and missed a whopping five 'big chances' in those six outings.

This means that, including the last match at the Riverside, the Leeds ace has scored one goal and missed six 'big chances' in his last seven league appearances for the Yorkshire-based outfit.

Bamford has also lost 60% of his duels in the division throughout his 33 games this term, which shows that opposition defenders have found it too easy to get the better of him in physical contests at times.

He has also struggled to create for his teammates in the league. One assist and one 'big chance' created in 33 matches does not suggest that the forward is a regular source of creativity for the Whites.

These statistics show that, whilst losing him is still a blow, Bamford has not been a faultless performer. His potential absence tonight does, however, provide Farke with an opportunity to finally unleash Mateo Joseph.

Why Leeds should start Mateo Joseph

The 20-year-old starlet is yet to make his full Championship debut for the Whites, with his only appearances coming as a substitute so far, and the manager must now hand him an opportunity to shine to ease the major doubt over Bamford.

Whilst this may come across as a huge risk at this crucial stage of the season, the talented academy graduate has showcased his potential at first-team level and has the attributes required to make the step up.

Joseph was selected to start a big game in the FA Cup earlier this year as Leeds travelled away to face Premier League giants Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and the Spain U21 international put on a show.

As you can see in the table above, the 5 foot 11 whiz scored twice and created two chances for his teammates against top-flight opposition, which shows that he can handle pressure on the big stage and has the ability to find the back of the net against quality opponents.

Joseph, who U23 scout Antonio Mango hailed as a "deadly" forward who is "dynamite" in the box, has made 18 appearances as a substitute in the Championship and scored once.

His cameos have not allowed him to showcase the best of his abilities and that is why Farke must now ease the blow of possibly losing Bamford tonight by unleashing the Spanish marksman from the start to lead the line.

Why Joel Piroe should not start

Joel Piroe would be the obvious, given his experience, option to replace the English forward from the start this evening, particularly given that he started against Blackburn Rovers recently.

However, the former Swansea star has been in poor form at the top end of the pitch throughout 2024 and should be left on the bench against QPR.

Piroe put in a poor display in his last start against Blackburn that earned him a lowly match-rating of 3/10 from LeedsLive reporter Beren Cross, which was a fair score based on his statistics from the game.

As you can see in the table above, the Dutch attacker did not offer anything in the final third for Leeds, with zero shots and zero 'big chances' created, and lost the majority of his duels.

In 22 appearances in all competitions this year, Piroe has scored two open-play goals, three if you include penalties, and provided his teammates with two assists.

These statistics show that the left-footed forward has not been a reliable contributor in the final third, as illustrated in his shocker against Blackburn, and that is why Farke must pick Joseph, instead, to replace Bamford against QPR.

Everyone involved in the World Cup final cannot escape the passing thought about how everything that they have done till now – picking up a bat or a ball, their first century, their first five-for – has telescoped into these hours

Sharda Ugra in Mumbai01-Apr-2011. Across India and Sri Lanka, separated by a stretch of water and a well-concealed rivalry, the word carries with it the forceful belief of possibility, shared between men and women, board room and assembly line, students and teachers, cops and crooks. The players, in their hotel rooms next to the Gateway of India, tussle against the idea of tomorrow, constantly reminding themselves to keep everything light: food, conversation, thoughts.In a long, corkscrewing, exhausting World Cup, this suddenly becomes the best of times. Everyone involved in the World Cup final cannot escape the passing thought about how everything that they have done till now – picking up a bat or a ball, their first century, their first five-for – has telescoped into these hours. When it’s done late on Saturday night, the champion will be swept away by adrenaline, the loser by regret.Today, though, before it all begins, they will all feel like winners.Just around noon on Friday, MS Dhoni and Kumar Sangakkara descended from staircases, on either side of the sightscreen at the pavilion end of the Wankhede Stadium, to come together for an official photograph. They will walk down the same staircases for the toss on Saturday, knotted inside, their sang-froid a mere mask. On Friday, though, they were at ease; relaxed; Sri Lankan and Indian, lean and brawny, joking during the photo shoot, together hanging on to an 11kg silver and gold trophy that only one of them will be entitled to lift tomorrow. Maybe even the trophy was relieved; there were rumours it had been detained by Mumbai customs upon arrival.Sangakkara spoke of a state of “controlled excitement” in the Sri Lankan dressing room, but he could have been speaking for everyone. Dhoni, usually glib, and often on auto-pilot with his media-conference replies, did have his Captain Cool cape on, but even he seemed a bit respectful of where he finds himself, “20 or 14 hours before the start of the game.” Like he has always done, he will stay away from the bowlers meeting on Friday night, saying it helps him formulate his own alternative plans, if the bowling begins to fray on the field the next day.He is happy that India have had a short and sharp two-day gap between the semi-finals and the final, saying it “helps you to not think too much.” In the packed media conference room where both captains’ press conferences were held, Dhoni and Sangakkara accepted that the contest had a greater meaning than the cliched “normal match”. No matter what the price of the final tickets or how small the stadium, Dhoni said he knew every Indian would be watching. Sangakkara said victory would bring joy to a troubled nation, remembering those “who had down their lives for our country.”Dhoni reminded a foreign reporter of the truths of Indian cricket, telling him he had been swapping channels and saw footage of celebrations outside his house after the semi-final. “Not to forget that was the very house where in 2007 a few other things also happened, but that’s what happens in India, so it’s better to be at your best,” he said alluding to the attack on his house after India’s last World Cup campaign ended in disappointment.India’s best in this World Cup has slowly gained strength in the knockout rounds in contrast to how comfortably the Sri Lankans have gone. The lack of anxiety en route to the finals has not made Sangakkara anxious though. “It is hard to say which one of them is better for us [winning comfortably or through tough games]. We are happy that we are here. We have had to win games; we didn’t get any walkovers in our journey here. We are pretty confident of the fact that we have been one of the best sides of the tournament.”The rivalry between India and Sri Lanka is neither as old as England-Australia, nor as fervent as India-Pakistan. Its ferocity lies not in its history, nor in the actual contest, but among its fans and the growing animosity among its diaspora. In the past three years, the India v Sri Lanka fixture has been repeated so often that it can leave the most diligent of watchers wondering, in jest, about what on earth could make this an occasion.It was Sangakkara who spelt it out, saying the subcontinent, and the teams that represent it, is the “best place” to play cricket. “No other place can match the buzz, the hype, the excitement around the game. When you play a tournament of this magnitude here, it kind of lifts the entire occasion, makes that occasion a lot more glorious.”ICC chief Haroon Lorgat, in his enthusiasm, may have over-anticipated the moment of possibility, when before India’s quarter-final on March 24, he asked a dumbstruck press corps, “How about this scenario of Sachin Tendulkar scoring his 100th century at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in the final?” The Sri Lankans will not be amused, but they may be happy to be seen as invisible. When Mahela Jayawardene ran into an acquaintance at the ICC awards six months ago, he was told that his team were one of the strongest contenders for the trophy. He held up his hands and laughed, “Keep it quiet, keep it quiet.”It can be kept quiet no longer. In reply to a question in Sinhala, Sangakkara reminded his countryman that since 1992, the World Cup final had always featured one Asian team. Now there are two, and the comfort in home conditions has played a big role in them getting there. At the same time, India and Sri Lanka deserve credit for their admirable endurance of the public expectation they move around with; something other teams didn’t have to face.South Asia’s World Cup has been everything for everyone. It has dimmed the horrors and failures of 2007, reinvigorated the 50-over game, and kept a six-week marathon around three countries and 13 venues alive. The cricket has been entertaining, the sub-continent has struck one back for the bowlers so much so that an event mournfully advertised as the “batsman’s” World Cup with “par scores above 300” has actually been a gritty contest between bat and ball. Only three times have there been 300-plus first innings scores in games featuring two Test playing nations in this tournament. The Cup’s top ten wicket-takers are equally split between the spinners and the fast bowlers. Still there have so far been 254 sixes and 1850 fours in the tournament.On Friday evening, the sun went into the sea on the west, and Mumbai’s famous local commuter trains clattered away every few minutes to the east of the Wankhede, carrying thousands home to a night of dreaming. Out in the centre, a machine called the Toro Greensmaster rumbled, trimming the outfield to make it faster, and a man carrying a vat full of chemicals hosed over it to prevent the onset of dew.Advertising hoardings were being painted and swept by a broom. In this new-look, newfangled ground, men were still needed to clamber over a 25-foot high bamboo framework that made up the temporary sightscreen for net practice. Of all Indian grounds at the World Cup, it was only in Mumbai that the players could train on either side of the centre wicket.While waiting for their to turn to bat or bowl, both India and Sri Lanka’s players would have looked over at the strip – bare, brown, like a piece of land close to cracking with drought – and thought about their tomorrows. The batsmen on both sides went skyward during practice, trying to marry elevation with distance. They hit the boundary boards, scattered balls into the stands like stones, and looped them over the sightscreens. The bowlers tossed the ball up, lips curling into disdain when the batsman was entrapped into hurrying, miscuing or mistiming the ball into areas that are expected to be manned. If Toro Greensmaster has his way, fielding is not going to be the happiest part of the warm-ups on Saturday.The World Cup doesn’t do those lovely photographs any more, of all the participating teams lined up behind their captains and looking at a photographer high in the sky, be it at Lord’s or Eden Gardens, in front of Sydney Opera House or on a South African ice-breaking naval ship. It is the only time the cricket world can actually stand together, but it doesn’t happen anymore. Tomorrow, symbolically, again they will have a chance.So, when the two umpires shake hands with each other and walk out, they will represent the rest of the cricketing world who have returned home, all defeated, some disappointed, some optimistic. It will be Australian Simon Taufel’s first chance to stand in a World Cup final. His partner Pakistani Aleem Dar will look up to the sky and make a familiar gesture: touch his heart and then the ground. He does this in memory of the daughter he lost when officiating in the 2003 World Cup, a reminder that man comes from and returns to the earth. It is both a remembrance and a reminder that in the manic few hours before a World Cup final, it will help everyone in cricket – those on the field and those watching outside – to always stay grounded.At 9pm, the trains rattled and the floodlights at the Wankhede shut down, one tower at a time. They won’t come on until sunset on Saturday.Tomorrow, then.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has called up a Spurs teenager to first-team training this week, and he has a glowing reputation despite not yet making his senior debut.

Postecoglou's academy plan as he sets ambitious Tottenham goal

The N17 production line has produced some excellent talents over the last decade, including all-time Spurs and England top scorer Harry Kane.

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By
Emilio Galantini

Apr 17, 2024

Far more recently, Aflie Dorrington and Jamie Donley have attracted praise, with Postecoglou handing the latter his senior debut and multiple appearances for the first team over 2023/2024.

However, Tottenham's head coach isn't fully satisfied with the club's academy set-up as things stand, and suggests that there is still plenty of work to be done in that regard.

"I think we've got a lot of work to do in our academy and Simon Davies is certainly one that is putting a lot of emphasis and priority there," said Postecoglou on Tottenham's academy.

"I don't think we have the production line other top clubs have, certainly not. Even currently that’s why we’re investing in some younger players, even for the first team. For us as a football club that's definitely the way forward.

"My brief at the moment is still very much around the first team and building a first team and you can do that while giving opportunities to young players. If anything I think for sustainable success it's the best way to go because the team grows together when it's guys of similar ages as long as you've got good experience around them."

Tottenham have also set their sights on recruiting young talent from elsewhere, most recently sealing a deal for exciting young Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall who chose to join Postecoglou's side over La Liga heavyweights Barcelona in January.

Bergvall has been promised first-team football by Postecoglou, if he proves himself behind the scenes. The 18-year-old will fully link up with Spurs' squad in the summer, once he returns from his half-season loan spell at Djurgardens IF.

Closer to home, another teenage sensation who is garnering quite a reputation is 16-year-old forward Mikey Moore.

The Englishman has bagged a brilliant 16 goals and nine assists in 14 appearances across all competitions for Tottenham's Under-18s, and was included in The Guardian's yearly prestigious "Next Generation" piece in 2023.

Moore is a player who effortlessly glides past opponents, according to journalist Dave Hytner, and this hasn't gone unnoticed by Postecoglou.

Postecoglou calls Mikey Moore to first-team Spurs training

As per John Wenham, who regularly breaks academy news on his Lilywhite Rose social media channels, Postecoglou called Moore to first-team Tottenham training this week.

The numbers and praise from outside Spurs suggest he is a real one to watch, and it wouldn't be surprising in the slightest if Postecoglou hands him a first-team debut on the pitch fairly soon.

Neser followed a five-wicket haul with a century while Agar backed up a hundred with a five-wicket bag

Andrew McGlashan12-Oct-2020Within the space of about an hour on adjacent grounds in Adelaide, Michael Neser and Ashton Agar completed a feat that had not been achieved in the Sheffield Shield for 10 years by scoring a century and taking five-wickets in an innings during the same match.Neser, the Queensland seam-bowling allrounder, was the first to the landmark at Gladys Elphick Park when he brought up his maiden first-class century with consecutive boundaries thrashed through the leg side off Riley Meredith. It followed his opening-day figures of 5 for 32 to help bowl out Tasmania for 250.On the next-door ground at Karen Rolton Oval, Agar was working his way through the Western Australia lower-order and completed his five-wicket haul when he claimed a return catch offered by his brother, Wes. That haul followed Agar’s century which he completed yesterday as part of a 266-run stand with Josh Inglis.Before today, the last player to complete this double in the Sheffield Shield was Mitchell Johnson when he scored 121 not out and claimed 5 for 35 against Victoria at the MCG in November 2010. Before that, Steven Smith bagged the doubled when he made 100 against South Australia then took 7 for 64.Overall, they were the 33rd and 34th occasions of the double happening in Sheffield Shield cricket. Garry Sobers did it four times during the 1960s.Neser is still waiting to earn a Test debut having been a regular part of Australia’s Test squad over the last 18 months while Agar, an established part of the limited-overs squad, played the most recent of his four Tests – which included the famous 98 on debut against England – in 2017.

While the ODI series has not matched the three Tests in terms of quality of cricket, the fact that it has gone down to a decider provides a fitting end to a closely-contested tour

Sidharth Monga in Centurion22-Jan-2011Can somebody separate these two teams please? The Test series went into its final day with all three results possible, and ended level. The same scenario awaits the finale of the ODI series, for the forecast for rain on Sunday, which follows a week full of rainy days in Centurion, makes a drawn series a probable result too. To determine a winner, we go back to where it all started what seems like an eternity ago – in reality it has only been a month and a week since the tour began – the stunningly beautiful SuperSport Park.The weather back then was similar too, with rain in the air, the pitch under the covers, and India got off to a typically slow start to the tour, on a damp surface. They have surprised many with the fight they have shown since, especially in the one-dayers, in which they have fielded a side with much less experience than the Test one.MS Dhoni is eager to get back to Centurion. “I don’t mind a damp wicket again,” he said. “I don’t think it will really happen. And I am hopeful there won’t be any Duckworth-Lewis involved in the match.”It doesn’t get any better than this: the best teams in the world playing against each other, and once again the series has gone down to the last match. That’s an ideal set-up for the end of the tour. I am just hoping it will be a perfect day for cricket, and may the best team win.”In terms of skill-levels and the quality of cricket on display, the one-dayers haven’t quite lived up to the lofty standards that the Test series set, but it is not exactly a bad thing for the Tests to maintain that primacy, not in some corporate talk from the administrators but out on the field.The series has left South Africa captain Graeme Smith drained. “I am looking forward to the two weeks off,” he said. “With two top teams playing, it’s competitive, and there was also the matter of selecting the World Cup squad. So it can be quite heavy on players, and especially captains. We’d love to finish the series strong on Sunday and freshen up for the World Cup, during which we have to be at our best for six whole weeks.”The tour has, indeed, taken its toll on minds and bodies. India had to send three players home after the Test series – Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir – while South Africa lost Jacques Kallis, who is always considered more than just one player because he contributes with both bat and ball.Tempers have flared, respect has been earned, records have been broken, we have celebrated the presence of people of Indian origin in South Africa, we have seen a South African support team help India excel, and going into the last day of a tour that has lasted close to two months, we don’t have a winner.After having seen fortunes swing this way and that over the tour, Smith, who will be captaining South Africa for the last time in a home ODI, is not even thinking of making brave statements going into the decider. “At the moment no one holds the advantage,” he said. “It’s about who performs better on the day. Obviously sitting here, I would love to say that I back us to do well, but you have got to be realistic. You have to go out on Sunday and do the same things well, keep staying positive about the way we play, sum up the conditions there and just perform. Centurion normally has a slightly better batting wicket than we have played on in the series so far. So we may need to adapt to that.”For one final day, before the cricketers from these two teams go spend time with their families and then go into their respective World Cup camps, they will put in one big effort to keep the level of competitiveness and quality up to the standards that have been maintained through the entire tour. For one final day, it will be about this tour, and not about the No. 1 ranking or the World Cup. And as Dhoni said, may the best team win.

Tottenham reportedly made another bid for Morgan Gibbs-White after Nottingham Forest threatened legal action against their Premier League rivals.

• Tottenham missed out on Gibbs-White 
• Spurs bid again after Forest's legal threat
• Player called manager Frank to apologise

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Tottenham thought they had activated Gibbs-White's £60 million ($80m) release clause in July, only for Forest to deny this and threaten them with legal action over an unsolicited approach. The England international hastily signed a new Forest contract to cap off a bizarre transfer saga. Now, more details about this episode have come to light.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  states that Europa League winners Tottenham returned with a second, higher bid for Gibbs-White but Forest maintained their position and were angry that Spurs knew about the confidential clause. The England international was reportedly keen on the move but after the deal broke down, he phoned Tottenham boss Frank to apologise.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Forest reportedly believed that Tottenham's offer did not trigger aspects of the release clause beyond the £60m fee. Moreover, a 30-minute meeting with owner Evangelos Marinakis in Portugal is said to have helped Gibbs-White change his mind about leaving City Ground.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  If the move had gone through, Gibbs-White could have lined up for Tottenham at home to Burnley on Saturday in their Premier League opener. Instead, he will likely feature for Forest for the visit of Brentford a day later. Spurs, meanwhile, are now targeting Eberechi Eze as an attacking midfield signing.

Eddie Howe says Alexander Isak's future at Newcastle United isn't "irretrievable" but admits the club are looking at replacements.

• Isak wants to leave Newcastle for Liverpool
• Howe doesn't rule out striker stay
• But admits they're looking at replacements

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Newcastle were rocked by the news that star striker Isak expressed his desire to leave the club and join Premier League champions Liverpool instead. Despite the 25-year-old refusing to play for the Magpies again, manager Howe has suggested there is a way back for the Swede. However, after Callum Wilson's summer exit and the ongoing Isak situation, the former Bournemouth boss says the Toon "need a bit more" in attack.

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  WHAT HOWE SAID

  He told : "The word ‘irretrievable’ isn’t really in my dictionary. Communication is going to be the key and at some stage we might be able to change things. At the moment we are in a position where that’s not possible, but I like to think that we will be able to reassess as we go. That he will always recognise that this is a very special team and a very special club. It’s been a tough period because a lot of the media attention has been negative, which is difficult on the players. The narrative spreads. We are trying to challenge that and to say to the squad, ‘We are OK.’ Yes, we are currently minus one massive player, but we don’t yet know how that situation will change. Everyone here is fully committed and that is great."

  On new signings, he added: "We have a bit of time. The issue we have is that we didn’t just lose Alex [Isak] but also Callum Wilson from last season so we are definitely looking to buy. We have a really good recruitment team, but as you know we are missing a few key appointments [the absence of a chief executive and director of football] so it’s been a challenge. Our recruitment at the club has so far been really strong. But we need a bit more."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Despite Howe appearing to offer Isak an olive branch, the former Real Sociedad man has reportedly gone on strike in a bid to sign for Liverpool. Many Newcastle fans are appalled at his actions, as is Arsenal legend Ian Wright, but whether or not his agitation tactics secure that Anfield switch is up in the air. Incidentally, Newcastle are targeting Brentford's Yoane Wissa but also want another forward for the new season.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  It remains to be seen if Isak, who still has three years left on his contract at St James' Park, will stay at Newcastle when the transfer window closes in just over two weeks or if Liverpool will submit a huge offer to prise him away from the north east outfit.

Everton's bid for Premier League survival took yet another twist on Monday afternoon after the club found out they would be deducted another two points for their PSR breaches.

The commission found that the Toffees had breached the allowed £105m losses over three years, by £16.6m, with the club hit with a second deduction in a single season, taking their tally to eight points this campaign.

The club's financial situation has been a concern for several months now, with Sean Dyche's side suffering as a result of multiple off-the-field issues – which has undone the majority of their hard work.

Despite all the troubles, the Toffees still sit two points clear of the dreaded relegation zone with a game in hand, with their Premier League future still in their own hands.

After multiple points deductions, you would expect the club to operate in a normal manner given the punishments they've received.

However, Dyche's side may be forced to sell one or two key assets to prevent the club from any further potential PSR breaches, with outgoings expected to be the priority this summer.

That being said, here's a look at three players Everton may have to sell to ease any PSR worries this summer…

1

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has had a difficult season for the Toffees this campaign despite his recent form in front of goal.

The former Sheffield United forward, who joined Everton back in the summer of 2016, has managed five goals in 27 appearances in the Premier League this campaign, with two of his five coming in his last two outings against Burnley and Newcastle United.

He's looked like a shadow of his former self in recent months, with the 27-year-old failing to replicate his form from the 2020/21 season where he found the net on 16 separate occasions.

Calvert-Lewin has also struggled with injuries during his time at Goodison Park, with the forward missing over 180 days of action since the start of the 2022/23 campaign.

However, despite his injury problems and his lack of goals under Dyche in recent seasons, the club have slapped a £40m price tag on the striker's head should any club be interested in the forward.

The 27-year-old's contract expires in June next year, with the £40m ludicrous given his goalscoring and injury records coupled with his contract length.

Undoubtedly, the club should look to move the striker on, given the fact he's also earning around £100k-per-week, as per Capology. His wages alone would see the club save £5.2m next year, with any fee received for the striker a bonus, as the club will definitely make a profit on their £1.5m investment from eight years ago.

2

Amadou Onana

A player who has had numerous links away from Goodison Park since his arrival is talented young midfielder Amadou Onana.

The Belgian joined the Toffees from French side Lille for a fee in the region of £33m back in August 2022 as the club fended off keen interest from fellow Premier League side West Ham United for his signature.

However, nearly two years on from his arrival at Goodison Park, Onana has gone on to make 66 appearances for the club in all competitions, with the 22-year-old cementing himself as a first-team regular under Dyche.

In the Premier League this season, he's featured 24 times, with the Belgian a key figure as the club fight to maintain their ever-present top-flight status despite the various points deductions.

Onana's form for Everton hasn't gone unnoticed this campaign, with Football Insider confirming the youngster is "likely" to depart Goodison Park this summer, with the club keen to make a profit on the fee they paid for the midfielder.

The Toffees are set to demand between £50-60m to lure the youngster away from the club, with the likes of West Ham and Arsenal potentially set to reignite their interest after previous attempts to sign the Belgian.

3

Jarrad Branthwaite

The final player the club may have to sell to ease PSR worries is talented centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite. The 21-year-old has impressed at the club this season, earning a first call-up to the England senior squad under Gareth Southgate for the recent international friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.

After joining the Toffees for £1m from Carlisle United back in 2020, young Branthwaite has excelled under Dyche during his first campaign as a regular starter.

The "magnificent" talent, as described by Alan Shearer, has featured 28 times for Everton in the Premier League this season, scoring his second and third goals for the club in the encounters against Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton and Hove Albion.

It's no surprise that his brilliant form for the strugglers has caught the attention of some of the biggest clubs in England and Europe.

Erik ten Hag's Manchester United side have been the side most strongly linked with a move for the 20-year-old, with Everton demanding a fee of at least £75m to part ways with Branthwaite.

However, despite the rumoured interest, the youngster has pledged his future to the club, admitting that he's fully focused on his long-term future with the Toffees.

Speaking after the 1-0 victory over Burnley at the weekend, he said: “You have just got to block it all out. I think if you focus on the outside stuff, you get distracted from what you need to do on the pitch.

“For me now, until the end of the season, I am just focused on winning games for Everton Football Club.”

The club undoubtedly have to sell players this summer to comply with the Premier League's strict PSR and FFP rules to avoid any potential further punishments.

Out of the three, the club must try their best to keep hold of Onana and Branthwaite and prioritise a move for Calvert-Lewin, given the fact the 27-year-old only has one year left on his current deal at the club.

It will be an anxious summer for all Evertonians, with the club still yet to secure their Premier League status and potentially facing the prospect of losing their talented youngsters whilst playing in the Championship.

Everton were bled dry by the "worst signing of the Moshiri era" for 4 years

He only featured a handful of times for the Toffees.

By
Ethan Lamb

Apr 7, 2024

Alexi Lalas adds that move to Olympique Marseille under Roberto De Zerbi will be pivotal career moment for the U.S. international

• Gomez questions player-coach dynamic
• Notes the manager's disciplinarian approach
• Lalas says Weah could play in 2026 World Cup

• AFP
  

  WHAT HAPPENED

  Analyzing Timothy Weah's transfer to Marseille, former USMNT star Herculez Gomez questioned whether the U.S. international can thrive under coach Roberto De Zerbi's management style.

  “I'll tell you where he won't be comfortable and that's with Roberto de Zerbi,” Gomez said on the Futbol Americas podcast. “Now, this is a very stern, very firm coach… He's going to be a firm hand, but I actually think that serves Timothy Weah some good right now. This is Timothy Weah, who goes to Juventus and was a wing back – and all through those moments you would see ‘Wow, pretty good assist. Wow, very good play. Wow, pretty good goal’. 

  "So, he doesn't have a lot of mileage in those legs. In the last couple years, since Qatar, at the club level, Timothy Weah has been non-existent… Do what it takes day in day out, and training field to earn your spot. Every single weekend, be an impact player with Marseille. This is going to be one of the defining moments in Timothy Weah’s career. He's in a place that, because of his father, the limelight will be on him. He's in a place right now because of the World Cup where it's do or die for this player – and he still has much to prove to Mauricio Pochettino."

  Gomez said the move could be career-defining, especially since the USMNT has a new manager with new expectations.

  “We can no longer keep that same stance or that same bar with these players, because Mauricio Pochettino has proven, he doesn't care," he said of past performances. "He's proven that he'll go with MLS player, go with the player who proves it to him in that training session. So, if I'm Timothy Weah, this has to work out because there are a lot of players right now. If the biggest player in USMNT pool, in their orbit, Christian Pulisic, is in doubt… what do players, like, Timothy Weah, have to look forward if they're not on? What do they have to look forward if they're not playing well?”

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  WHAT ALEXI LALAS SAID

  Former USMNT star Alexi Lalas also offered his assessment of the move to Marseille, and remained optimistic that Weah's place in the starting lineup still holds.

  “So yes, he's versatile,” Lalas said on his State of the Union podcast. “I still will argue that he, over the last cycle, was the most consistent and most dangerous and uniquely dangerous player from an attacking perspective over there on that right hand side. And that's kind of where I want to see him now. The fact that we still haven't found somebody up top, who knows, maybe Pochettino gets creative?

  "But ultimately, if Tim Weah is playing on that right hand side and doing good things, I think it's going to be hard for a Diego Luna or anybody else to come in and take that spot."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Weah has signed for Marseille on loan from Juventus, with the move set to be made permanent at the end of the 2025-26 season. The American spent two years at Juventus, making 78 appearances for the Old Lady, contributing to 14 goals.

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• WHAT’S NEXT?

  Upcoming friendlies against Korea and Japan will provide Pochettino an opportunity to evaluate all attacking options.