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England Under-19s will be without Matt Fisher for their four-day series against India in Nagpur which starts on Monday as they take a protective attitude to a fast bowler in whom they have invested considerable expectations

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Feb-2017England Under-19s will be without Matt Fisher for their four-day series against India in Nagpur which starts on Monday as they take a protective attitude to a fast bowler in whom they have invested considerable expectations.The Yorkshire fast bowler is still struggling with the groin problem he picked up during the one-day series in Mumbai – although England privately stress that he has not suffered a recurrence of the hamstring problems that bedevilled him last seasonFisher will stay with the Under-19 squad for another week to make the most of his first sub-continental experience as a member of England’s leadership group, while continuing to receive treatment from the medical staff. He will then return to Yorkshire to join their pre-season preparations at Headingley.Max Holden, the Middlesex batsman who has been loaned out to Northants for the start of the season, will take over the captaincy as planned for the four-day series.

Daniel Vettori, the former New Zealand spinner, has joined Middlesex on a three-year contract to serve as the club’s head coach for the T20 Blast

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Dec-2016Daniel Vettori, the former New Zealand spinner, has joined Middlesex on a three-year contract to serve as the club’s head coach for the T20 Blast.Vettori, 37, is currently head coach of Brisbane Heat in Australia’s Big Bash, and occupies the same position with Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.He will be in charge of Middlesex T20 playing strategy and will work alongside Richard Scott, the club head coach, and Richard Johnson and David Houghton, the club’s two assistant coaches, to prepare the side for the Blast campaign.”I am very excited about the opportunity to be involved with Middlesex in their pursuit of a T20 title,” said Vettori. “Like all players I loved every opportunity to visit Lord’s and that won’t be any different as a coach but the main reason for my desire to be involved was the quality of the Middlesex playing squad. There is talent and experience in all facets of their game and I look forward to complementing their skills and all the fantastic work the current coaching staff has done.”Middlesex finished third in the South Group last season, before losing to the eventual winners, Northamptonshire, in their quarter-final at Wantage Road.”I am delighted Daniel has agreed to join us as T20 Coach and am very much looking forward to working closely with him and tapping in to his expertise,” said Scott. “At Middlesex we pride ourselves on giving all the players the best possible support to develop as cricketers and people, and this is further indication that everyone at the club is driven to back up this year’s Championship success by competing and winning on all fronts.”Angus Fraser, Middlesex CCC’s Managing Director of Cricket, said: “As a club we are always looking to improve and signing Daniel will only strengthen what is already an outstanding coaching unit. Cricket is becoming ever more specialised. The skills required by players in the different forms of the game are wide-ranging – why should coaching be any different?”We spoke to a number of people before signing Daniel and everyone was extremely positive about him not just as a coach, but as a person too. His values and outlook match those of Middlesex CCC and we are all looking forward to working with him.”

Chelsea bringing in Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen would be a statement signing this summer, presenter Terry Flewers has claimed.

What's the latest on Chelsea and Osimhen?

New manager Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly keen to add to Chelsea's strikeforce, after a nightmare of a season in which they scored just 38 times in 38 league games, and the Napoli hitman is of interest.

Osimhen has made himself a hero in Naples, helping his side win a historic Serie A title with 30 goals in 38 games across all competitions this season.

Speaking on The Football Terrace, Flewers highlighted that if Chelsea can sign the 24-year-old, it would be a statement signing for the club having missed out on European qualification in this dismal campaign.

"Chelsea are now ready to sign the Napoli forward Victor Osimhen. That would be a massive statement of intent," he stated.

"Victor Osimhen is the guy that they may chase. Of course, there's links to Harry Kane because of the Pochettino connection, but they're going to explore the option of Victor Osimhen."

Could Chelsea sign Osimhen?

It would be something of a surprise if Osimhen elects to depart Napoli for Chelsea this summer after the contrasting seasons both clubs have had.

Although manager Luciano Spalletti will depart the club, Napoli will be competing in the Champions League as the Italian champions, with Osimhen a key player who has written himself into club history.

Leaving this project to join Chelsea, who are out of Europe, and who are going through a transitional period off the pitch, may not be a move that appeals to the 24-year-old.

Given that Napoli spent a club record fee on Osimhen three years ago, it would take a hefty amount to convince them to part ways with their star player, and Chelsea currently have to sell players in order to meet financial fair play rules.

If Chelsea are able to sell enough players to fund a move for Osimhen, it still remains to be seen whether they can convince the Nigerian to join.

Although they may be able to offer a significantly higher salary than the £91k-per-week he earns in Naples, interest from the likes of Manchester United could be more appealing, and if Osimhen is settled in Italy, he may choose to reject any move this summer.

If he continues his incredible form in front of goal, a big move will still likely be on offer further down the line, and he could have his pick of Europe's biggest clubs. Leaving Napoli for Chelsea now, therefore, seems to be a big risk for the striker, and Chelsea may have to look elsewhere.

Watch more of The Football Terrace on YouTube now!

Newcastle United are plotting a move for Leeds United winger Crysencio Summerville, and are ready to make a move in the summer if Leeds United are relegated, according to a report from Football Insider.

What's the latest Newcastle transfer news?

Newcastle's need to bring in a new winger may be exacerbated by the recent news that Allan Saint-Maximin is planning to leave the club this summer, having grown concerned he will not receive a great deal of game time next season.

Not only are the Magpies looking to strengthen out wide, but they are running the rule over potential central midfield options, with Blackburn Rovers' Adam Wharton recently being linked, as well as Manchester United's Scott McTominay.

Despite boasting the best defensive record in the Premier League, Eddie Howe is also looking at new centre-backs, and a personal offer has recently been tabled to Torino defender Perr Schuurs, although he is not currently convinced by the move.

According to a report from Football Insider, Newcastle are ready to make a move for Summerville, should Leeds be relegated from the Premier League this season, having been impressed by his performances for the Whites this season.

Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund are also admirers of the winger, with several unnamed top sides said to be ready to launch bids this summer, so Leeds will find it difficult to hold on to him if they finish in the bottom three.

Should Newcastle sign Crysencio Summerville?

The Rotterdam-born winger has enjoyed a real breakthrough season with Leeds, although his attacking contributions have dried up in recent weeks, having recorded just one assist in his last 12 Premier League matches.

Earlier on in the campaign, the 21-year-old was particularly impressive in his side's shock 2-1 victory against Liverpool at Anfield, scoring a late winner and winning six duels, the joint-highest amount of any Leeds player.

Given his age, the £15k-per-week starlet has plenty of time to develop his game further, and his form earlier on in the campaign indicates he could go on to be a solid Premier League player, scoring in four games on the spin.

However, despite being hailed "really exciting" by members of the media, Summerville is unlikely to be a signing that will take Newcastle to the next level, and they should instead focus on signing James Maddison, having recently been linked with a move for the man with 15 goal contributions this season.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier was slammed during his side's 2-1 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League this afternoon.

What was the Tottenham vs Brighton result?

Tottenham defeated Brighton 2-1 this afternoon, with Heung-min Son and Harry Kane getting on the scoresheet once again, however it could have been a very different game, given that the visitors had two goals disallowed.

There were audible boos for Dier just six minutes into the game, having opted to play a backwards pass, and things went from bad to worse.

Indeed, the Englishman also nearly gifted Brighton one of their disallowed goals after giving away possession early in the first half – but luckily for Dier – the strike was ruled out through VAR.

Football writer Andrew Gaffney, commenting on the player's display, slammed Dier – saying: "It's sad to see but Eric Dier is terrible, man."

Should Tottenham consider signing a replacement in the summer?

The 29-year-old has impressed at times during this campaign, notably putting in a very solid performance against Chelsea in the 2-0 victory at the end of February, receiving the highest Sofascore rating of any player, after bagging an assist.

However, the England international has not performed at that level regularly enough, and it was another disappointing display overall this afternoon – having given the ball away in the build-up to a Brighton goal that was disallowed by the barest of margins.

That was not the only time the Spurs man was caught lacking in possession, giving the ball away nine times, more than any other centre-back that started the match. Dier also won just 33% of his overall duels and ranked among Tottenham's worst-performing starters.

As such, whoever the next Spurs manager is will undoubtedly need to look at strengthening his defensive options in the summer, with Napoli's Kim Min-jae being considered as a potential target, having been branded the "best defender in the world" earlier this season.

Manchester United playing in next season's Champions League is vital for summer spending – with or without the Glazers – according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

Will the Glazers sell Man Utd?

The ownership of the Red Devils is one of the biggest talking points in football at the moment, with the saga continuing to rumble on. Bids for the club have been tabled by Qatar's Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS Group, but the Glazers have rejected the first batch of offers.

Many United fans are desperate for the current owners to move on after an up-and-down era at Old Trafford, with many believing new owners could herald a new era, not least Gary Neville, who has spoken negatively about the Glazers, criticising their inability to redevelop Old Trafford, for example.

Tottenham's 1-1 draw away to Everton on Monday night has suddenly left United fifth in the Premier League, and while they are level with the north Londoners with two games in hand, there are now doubts over a top-four finish.

Will Red Devils secure a top-four finish?

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jacobs admitted that securing Champions League football is imperative in terms of summer spending, regardless of who the club's owners are moving forward:

"I think the most important thing for Manchester United is qualifying for the Champions League, regardless of who any new owner may be, because that will impact the budget.

"If the Glazers stay, it will be because they've decided to be invested in the football club. Although that won't be popular with the fan base, if Manchester United qualify for the Champions League, and they [the Glazers] remain, they will need to spend.

"If they depart, the Champions League will still impact the budget come summer."

There is no doubt over the importance of Champions League qualification, as despite United showing their capability of signing good players regardless of their situation in the past, they risk falling behind their rivals if they are able to offer an immediate pathway to that competition.

Thankfully, they have two routes to reach it, with Europa League glory also guaranteeing them a spot, but they should still be expected to finish fourth at worst in the league given their aforementioned games in hand on Spurs.

There may be worries that United are running out of steam a little following a long season, but there is clearly enough quality for the Carabao Cup winners to get over the line, and victory at home to Brentford on Wednesday evening would help get back on track.

Aston Villa have endured a tumultuous campaign thus far, but new boss Unai Emery's instant impact has led them to finally attaining some degree of comfort as they enter the run-in.

Swanning into a club in crisis, the Spaniard kept a cool head and comfortably guided the Midlands outfit to safety, with an 11-point gap separating them from the rest of the league battling it out for survival.

They too were once firmly entrenched in that relegation scrap, with Steven Gerrard's struggling side seemingly destined for a season of peril.

Whilst the short tenure of the Liverpool legend was largely disappointing, there were admittedly particular facets of his reign that could be deemed a success, particularly in the transfer window where he did add some talent to the squad.

However, last summer it was actually his work in retaining one of his prized assets that was most important, as he fought off numerous advances to retain Douglas Luiz.

Did Douglas Luiz nearly leave Aston Villa?

The Brazilian boasted many suitors throughout a summer of vast change at Villa Park, as Gerrard was backed wholeheartedly to lead the club into a brighter future.

It was clear that Luiz was to play a huge role in any future success though, yet Liverpool, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid all showed interest.

However, it was on deadline day that they endured the toughest battle, rejecting no less than three bids from Arsenal who sought to take the former Manchester City man to the Emirates. With just 12 months left on his contract at the time, this refusal to sell marked a huge show of faith, which the 24-year-old would repay by signing a new long-term deal, estimated at £75k-per-week, in October.

It arguably marked Gerrard's most impressive feat, and whilst he ultimately failed in his task to return Villa to the top he did lay the foundation for future success by retaining one of their most impressive performers.

He has since gone on to feature in all but one of their Premier League games this season, most recently opening the scoring in their 3-0 rout of AFC Bournemouth, and maintaining an average Sofascore rating of 7.05.

This campaign has already marked a creative best for Luiz too, as his three goals and five assists have surpassed any of his previous tallies in the league.

It seems that the midfielder is building upon his good form from around this time last year, where Gabby Agbonlahor praised his attacking impetus: "He’s flying forward and getting into the box. He’s been outstanding and transformed."

Emery has been quick to praise him too, as he recently hailed the silky enforcer: "I am very happy with Douglas Luiz. His skill, characteristic in the squad is very important. He’s important in terms of taking our time with our centre-backs and midfielders and his characteristic is necessary in this team.

“Saturday was the match, I think, overall, his performance was the best with us since I arrived here.”

It is clear that he is now a favourite of the new regime too, with his role playing a huge part in their new way of playing. Should their new boss seek to continue their blistering form and thrive in the future, he will hope to have this midfield magician at the core of it.

In the race to win the Premier League title once again, Arsenal are on course for yet another action-packed campaign under Mikel Arteta. This time around, as we approach Christmas, the Gunners are above champions Manchester City for a second consecutive season at this stage, having already achieved something they failed to do last time out in defeating the Citizens.

Given how tight things are at the top, the January transfer window could make all the difference. And that could see Arsenal welcome some extra firepower in the form of one particular forward, who has enjoyed an excellent campaign so far.

Arsenal transfer news

Perhaps aware that last season was no fluke under Arteta, Arsenal splashed the cash to improve the Spaniard's side even further during the summer, welcoming Declan Rice, David Raya, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, with the former particularly flourishing at The Emirates. Now, those in North London could look to repeat their transfer trick by adding more goals to their side in the winter window.

According to The Daily Star, Arteta could now push to sign Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke in January if the Gunners fail to land Ivan Toney from Brentford. Those around the Emirates have reportedly been impressed by the former Liverpool man, who has also attracted interest from West Ham United.

Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are also eyeing moves for Toney, so Solanke could be the perfect alternative for Arsenal, as they search for another goalscorer to lead the line. After excelling in the Premier League for Bournemouth so far this season, Solanke could now get his big move when the winter window swings open.

"Complete" Solanke could make surprise difference in title race

When Solanke left Liverpool on a permanent deal in 2019, it was uncertain whether he'd bounce back at Bournemouth. But almost five years later, it's clear that the forward always had plenty of talent. Current Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is certainly a big fan, praising the Chelsea academy graduate by saying:

“I think he’s really complete. He helps us without the ball, on the ball he can go, he’s good technically too. He can play well with his feet, he uses his body well, and if they leave him space at the back he can also exploit it. He had his chances, he scored, he hit the post, I think he was really dangerous and he helped his teammates a lot, so I’m really happy for him.”

Solanke's stats compared to Gabriel Jesus' numbers this season show that he could be the goalscoring forward that Arsenal are crying out for. The Bournemouth star has scored nine goals in all competitions – eight of which have been in the Premier League. Jesus, meanwhile, has scored just three of his seven goals in all competitions in England's top flight this season – proving the extra firepower that Solanke could bring to north London.

Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has launched a scathing critique of Real Madrid's hierarchy, accusing Florentino Perez of leaving Xabi Alonso "isolated" at the Bernabeu. The German club's chief claims the culture in the Spanish capital treats managers as a "necessary evil", contrasting it sharply with the support Alonso enjoyed at the BayArena.

Shaky run for Real Madrid

Alonso's tenure at Real Madrid, once viewed as the homecoming of a managerial prodigy, has quickly turned into a trial by fire. Back-to-back home defeats to Celta and Manchester City added fuel to reports that Alonso's future at the club is in doubt heading into the weekend clash against Deportivo Alaves, which they won 2-1. Amidst growing reports that the 44-year-old is facing the sack already, his former boss at Leverkusen has spoken out to defend the coach, pointing the finger squarely at the structural differences between the two clubs. Carro, the CEO of the Bundesliga side, believes that Alonso has been left exposed by a Madrid board that fails to protect its managers in times of crisis.

Alonso departed Leverkusen in the summer to take the reins at the Santiago Bernabeu, tasked with leading a new era for Los Blancos. However, results have been mixed, and the Spanish press has already begun to sharpen its knives. For Carro, who oversaw Alonso’s historic unbeaten domestic double in Germany, the issue lies not with the tactician’s ability, but with the ruthless and often lonely environment fostered by Madrid president Florentino Perez.

AdvertisementAFPCarrow pledges support to Alonso

Speaking to , Carro did not mince his words when comparing the supportive environment of Leverkusen with the cut-throat politics of Madrid. 

"We didn't advise him on anything," Carro said when asked if he had spoken to Alonso about his current predicament. "At the time we would have liked him to stay here, but we know he is a coach with enormous talent who, yes, finds himself in a different context in Madrid.

"If the president says that a coach is a necessary evil, if the coach is left alone and it is always he who receives the criticism, well then the situation is very different from the one he experienced in Leverkusen, where we all rowed in the same direction and did not leave the coach politically alone."

A bond that remains unbroken

Despite the tense situation surrounding Alonso’s future, Carro revealed that his personal relationship with the Basque coach remains incredibly strong. The two forged a close bond during Alonso’s three-year stint in Germany, a period that transformed Leverkusen from underachievers to history-makers.

Carro confirmed that he recently visited Alonso in the Spanish capital, emphasising that their connection transcends the professional sphere.

"During the international break I was in Madrid for a weekend, and the coaching staff and the family were at our house twice," Carro revealed. "We have a very good relationship; after all, during those three years we were like a family. I also know that they follow our matches and we follow theirs, we follow each other. We feel a lot of appreciation for each other and maintain very close contact."

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Getty Images SportThe pressure cooker of the Bernabeu

The contrast described by Carro serves as a warning to Madrid fans and pundits calling for Alonso’s head. However, pressure will only continue to build on the coach unless he brings consistency after a stunning start to his tenure. They started the season with 13 wins from their first 14 games under Alonso, including a victory against Barcelona, but a defeat to Liverpool sparked a dismal run that saw them drop four points behind in La Liga and in danger of falling out of the Champions League's top eight.

While Leverkusen soldier on without him, watching their former manager struggle under the weight of the "white house" expectations has evidently struck a nerve with the German club's hierarchy. Whether Perez heeds the subtle warning from his counterpart remains to be seen, but as the sack rumours intensify, the accusation that Alonso has been "left alone" will likely resonate with those who feel the manager is being made a scapegoat for wider structural issues.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino was delighted with the spirit his side showed in Saturday's draw with Manchester City but rued missed opportunities.

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Pochettino delighted with 'aggressive' first halfRegrets not scoring crucial second goalBlues head to Wembley with renewed optimism WHAT HAPPENED?

The Blues caused the champions all sorts of problems before going ahead just before half-time when Raheem Sterling finished off yet another threatening counter attack. City piled the pressure on during the second half, creating a host of chances but Chelsea had opportunities to double their lead before Rodri rescued a late point for the hosts. After the game, Pochettino reflected on a performance that he believes is another step forward in the development of his team.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT MAURICIO POCHETTINO SAID

"Very pleased," Pochettino told after the match. "I think that is the spirit that we want to show. We are working for that. I think today against the the best team in the world, to show this type of performance, we need to be feel very proud. I congratulated the players at the end of the game because we were so brave.

"First half was really good. I think we were very aggressive with the ball going forward and winning duels. In the second half I think they dominated and they forced us to defend deeper. But I think we sustained the effort and we created chances that we should score and win the game. I am so happy. It is a good draw for us and when you face this type of team I think it is important to be brave and to fight in every single aspect.

"Manchester City have the quality and capacity to create chances and they have amazing players. It is fantastic for us because we are a young team and we need these types of experiences to grow."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

It's less than two weeks since Chelsea's collapse at home to Wolves appeared to put Pochettino on borrowed time. But an FA Cup win at high-flying Aston Villa backed up by two strong league performances has suddenly changed the mood at Stamford Bridge with a young and haphazardly assembled squad finally showing some signs of cohesion. Chelsea fans can now head to Wembley dreaming rather than dreading the Carabao Cup final next Sunday.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

That first silverware of the season is on the line when the Blues make the short trip to Wembley Way next weekend. Pochettino has a free midweek to prepare his side, while injury-hit opponents Liverpool have to inspect their walking wounded as well as attending to league business against Luton Town on Wednesday.