Masood carries Yorkshire hopes after du Plooy 170 gives Derbyshire a glimmer

Captain unbeaten with visitors six down and needing another 65 to complete victory

ECB Reporters Network13-Jun-2023Shan Masood holds the key for Yorkshire with the LV=Insurance County Championship match against Derbyshire in the balance after a pulsating third day at Chesterfield. The Yorkshire captain was unbeaten on 68 but his team lost late wickets chasing 212 and closed on 147 for 6 with 65 more runs needed.Derbyshire skipper Leus du Plooy made a superb 170 and shared a fifth wicket stand of 277 with Haider Ali who scored 146 as the home side made 453 to set up a thrilling finale.Matthew Fisher and Dom Bess both took three wickets before Derbyshire’s innings ended when Suranga Lakmal was hit by a short ball and replaced by concussion substitute Zak Chappell.Yorkshire seemed to be cruising on 140 for 3 but spinners Mark Watt and Alex Thomson took three wickets in four overs to raise Derbyshire’s hopes of pulling off a remarkable victory.The visitors prospects of chasing a less-demanding target quickly evaporated on another hot morning at Queen’s Park. Although they bowled a lot better than on the second day, there were few problems for du Plooy and Haider after they negotiated the opening burst from Ben Coad and Fisher.Fisher made du Plooy work for his hundred, opening with a maiden to the Derbyshire skipper, before a short ball was pulled to the midwicket boundary.The stand had become the second-highest by Derbyshire at Chesterfield when Haider moved across his stumps to work George Hill to leg and was lbw although the ball looked to be going down. It had been an outstanding innings from Haider, who scored 100 of his runs in boundaries and with du Plooy had given his team a chance of pulling off a memorable victory.If Yorkshire thought his departure would open the door, they were disappointed as du Plooy and Brooke Guest survived against the new ball to go in at lunch with a lead of 97.Du Plooy reached his 150 from 272 balls and the stand with Guest was worth 67 when a ball change did the trick for Yorkshire. Guest scooped a catch to short midwicket when Bess got one to grip but there was more frustration for the visitors when du Plooy came down the pitch and Jonny Tattersall failed to complete a difficult stumping.Bess was hoisted for six by Alex Thomson but in his next over, du Plooy’s superb innings ended when he edged a big drive and was caught at slip. The England spinner had bowled a lot better after a chastening second day and Watt’s attempt to reverse sweep him ended in Tattersall’s gloves.Ben Aitchison drove Fisher low to cover and after Thomson pulled Bess out of the ground, Lakmal was hit on the back of the neck after ducking into a short ball from Fisher.He was able to walk off the field but could not continue and was retired out with Chappell replacing him and opening the bowling with Yorkshire facing a much bigger target than they would have anticipated when Derbyshire were 17 for 4 on day two.Adam Lyth and Finlay Bean reduced the target by 38 before Bean drove Thomson low to cover and the spinner almost had Masood first ball when an edge just evaded Wayne Madsen at slipLyth and Masood took the score to 63 but the return of Watt at the Lake End brought an immediate reward when Lyth was lbw going back and across to a quicker ball. With Dawid Malan unable to come in until the fall of the fifth wicket after being off the field with a groin problem. Hill joined Masood but was run out when he failed to beat Aitchison’s throw from point.Masood and Tattersall were steering Yorkshire home but Tattersall was lbw to one that kept low from Thomson before Watt removed Fisher and Matthew Revis to give the game another twist.

Palmeiras anuncia 23,7 mil ingressos vendidos para 'jogo do título' na quarta

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da betcris: O Palmeiras abriu na manhã do último sábado a venda geral de ingressos para a partida contra o Fortaleza, que acontece no próximo dia 2, e pode ser o jogo do título do Brasileirão. Com preços acima do normal e redução da capacidade do Allianz Parque por conta de shows, além da mudança de horário da tarde para a noite no feriado, o clube anunciou apenas 23,7 mil entradas vendidas até o início desta tarde.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasCom dúvida no ataque, Palmeiras segue preparação para pegar o Fortaleza; veja provável timePalmeiras31/10/2022Fora de Campo‘Palmeiras é bem melhor do que o Flamengo’, diz Júnior sobre coletivo das equipesFora de Campo31/10/2022PalmeirasPiquerez pode assumir posição importante na história do Palmeiras: ‘Expectativa grande’Palmeiras31/10/2022

da bet vitoria: >20 dias para Copa: redação do LANCE! aponta maiores favoritos ao título

As entradas começaram a ser negociadas na última quinta-feira, às 10h, com exclusividade para os sócios-torcedores do Avanti. Esse privilégio terminou no último sábado, também às 10h, quando teve início a venda para o público geral. O ingresso mais barato custa R$ 220.

Por conta dos shows do cantor Michael Bublé, marcados para os dias 5 e 6, a montagem das estruturas do palco terão início no sábado e tudo tem de ser entregue até o dia 3 (quinta-feira). Assim, isso tomará parte do setor Gol Norte, que sofrerá uma adaptação ao setor Central Leste. A capacidade do estádio foi reduzida em até 25%, segundo o clube.

A expectativa de público é de cerca de pouco mais de 30 mil torcedores, diferentemente dos 40 mil que tem se tornado rotina na arena.

> Simule todos os resultados da reta final do Brasileirão!

Caso ainda haja disponibilidade de ingressos, a venda física no Allianz Parque acontecerá nos dias 31 de outubro e 1 de novembro, das 12h às 19h, nas bilheterias do Portão B (Avenida Francisco Matarazzo). Já no dia 2, data do jogo, os palmeirenses poderão adquirir os seus ingressos nas bilheterias dos portões A (Rua Palestra Italia) e B, das 12h até o intervalo da partida.

A comercialização de entradas para associados e donos de cadeiras cativas acontecerá a partir deste sábado, às 10h, até a próxima segunda, às 10h, somente pelo site www.ingressospalmeiras.com.br. O setor de cobrança, localizado no primeiro andar do prédio administrativo do clube social, não realizará mais a venda de ingressos físicos.

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Confira os valores dos ingressos para o duelo:

Gol Norte – R$ 220 (83% mais caro)
Superior Sul – R$ 300 (100% mais caro)
Superior Norte – Indisponível
Superior Leste e Oeste – R$ 320 (80% mais caro)
Gol Sul – R$ 330 (50% mais caro)
Central Leste – R$ 400 (60% mais caro)
Central Oeste – R$ 430 (43% mais caro)

Rishabh Pant's replacement: Delhi Capitals set to sign Abishek Porel

Delhi Capitals are set to sign Bengal’s Abishek Porel as a replacement for the injured Rishabh Pant ahead of IPL 2023. Porel’s signing, which is yet to be announced officially, comes following a series of practice games at a week-long preparatory camp in New Delhi.Porel and three other uncapped wicketkeepers – Sheldon Jackson, Luvnith Sisodia and Vivek Singh – had been put through a series of match simulation exercises, apart from being monitored by the Capitals coaching group, headed by director of cricket Sourav Ganguly and head coach Ricky Ponting, over the past week.Capitals’ punt on Porel comes on the back of his first full season with Bengal in domestic cricket, where he impressed with his glove work but failed to make big scores across formats.Related

  • Ponting wants Pant to be around Capitals team during IPL

  • David Warner to lead Delhi Capitals in IPL 2023

  • Delhi Capitals have firepower despite Pant's absence, but who will keep wicket?

His three outings in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy brought him 22 runs, with one of those knocks being an unbeaten 20. He has slightly better returns in first-class cricket, having managed six half-centuries across 26 innings with a best of 73.

Sarfaraz Khan still Delhi Capitals’ front-runner?

Porel could yet be a back-up wicketkeeping option with the franchise keen on trialling Sarfaraz Khan in the role. Sarfaraz has been in prime form with the bat over the past three domestic seasons. In fact, he’s one of only two players to have scored over 900 runs in two consecutive Ranji Trophy seasons (2019-20 and 2021-22). This time around, he managed 556 runs in six innings.Sarfaraz, who played a clutch knock to deliver Mumbai the title in the Syed Mushtaq Ali final last November, was picked up for his base price of INR 20 lakh last year. He featured in six games in IPL 2022, batting in the lower middle order for 91 runs with a best of 36 not out.With Pant unavailable – he’s recovering from injuries sustained in a serious car crash in December – the team management had sounded out Sarfaraz as early as January to be ready for the wicketkeeper’s role. It’s a role he’d carried out for Mumbai at the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s.

Phil Salt also in the running

The only other wicketkeeping option Capitals had was England’s Phil Salt, who was signed for his base price of INR 2 crore at this year’s auction. Salt is coming off a “frustrating time” in Bangladesh during the white-ball series. However, he comes with the experience of having played 180 T20s that have brought him 4118 runs at a strike rate of 149.79, much of it in the top order.With Capitals’ top-three set to be David Warner, Prithvi Shaw and Mitchell Marsh, it’s likely they may find it hard to fit Salt in in his preferred position (11 of his 15 T20I innings have come at Nos. 1-3), and this could play to Sarfaraz’s advantage.Capitals begin their campaign on April 1 in an away fixture against Lucknow Super Giants.

USA's Kyle Phillip suspended for illegal action

Match officials reported his action after USA’s opening game against West Indies

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Jun-2023

Kyle Phillip has featured in two of USA’s three games at the World Cup Qualifier•ICC via Getty Images

Kyle Phillip, the USA fast bowler, has been suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect, after the ICC’s event panel found his bowling action to be illegal.The match officials reported Phillip’s action after USA’s opening game of the World Cup Qualifier, against West Indies in Harare on June 18. Phillip finished with figures of 3 for 56 in USA’s 39-run defeat. He also played in USA’s match against Nepal on January 20 but did not feature against Netherlands on Thursday – USA’s spearhead Ali Khan returned for that match, having served a two-match suspension for an ICC code-of-conduct breach.Having reviewed footage of Phillip’s action, the event panel concluded it was illegal, and have suspended him in accordance with Article 6.7 of the ICC’s regulations for the review of suspect bowling actions.Phillip’s suspension will remain in place until he submits to a reassessment of his action and gets it cleared.The 26-year-old Phillip has played five ODIs for USA, taking six wickets at an average of 40.83 and an economy rate of 6.04.

The CPL hand in Dutta's Barisal sojourn

The story of how a Kuwait-born Canadian cricketer of Indian origin made heads turn after scything through Kevin Pietersen’s defense in the CPL

Mohammad Isam in Chittagong28-Nov-2015The distance young Nikhil Dutta has travelled both literally – from Canada to Bangladesh via the Caribbean – and figuratively is reason enough to believe that while globalisation in cricket may be a dying concept, the spread of the game remains far and wide.Barisal Bulls picking him in their squad for the 2015 Bangladesh Premier League is an advertisement for the T20 too, as the format is now becoming an accepted medium for talented players in cricketing backwaters to dream big.Dutta, who considers Sunil Narine a hero, has an action that is similar to the Trinidadian. He comes from a longish run-up and points the ball up in the air with his right hand before quickly getting into the pivot and tossing up deliveries that are manipulated with his supple fingers. See his action from mid-off and the similarities to Narine are unmistakable.”I really like Sunil Narine’s bowling,” Dutta told ESPNcricinfo. “He has a lot of variation, and is someone who gives away 20 runs in four overs in T20 cricket, so he should be considered a great bowler. It is very tough to do that, but he does it consistently. I have met him at the CPL. He has been really helpful by giving me tips. He is a really nice guy and very generous and humble.”I picked up his bowling from TV actually and found that his action helps him as a bowler. He can deceive with his variation. It is tough for batsmen to pick, though he has played for a long time. People say you should copy the good things out of every player. I watch Youtube clips of lot of offspin bowlers and I try to pick up all the good things from them.”So far, he hasn’t shot to limelight or set fields on fire. He turned 21 in October, and is still learning his craft. Even within the tumultuous BPL, he is picking up pointers from his Barisal teammates. To his credit, he has remained unflustered by the lack of opportunity. But with seven matches still remaining, there is still a chance of him featuring at some stage.”I was picked after the draft by Barisal Bulls,” Dutta said. “It is a great experience for me to play alongside some big cricketers, practicing with them and learning from them. It is a good opportunity for Canada in general by getting experience in the BPL. “[Not playing yet] is not frustrating at all. Just being with these players and practicing with them is a plus point for me. I want to gain a lot of experience and be ready for any situation.”Born in Kuwait City and raised in Toronto, Dutta, whose parents are from Kolkata, is of Bengali origin. His cricket-loving father Mihir, a software graduate who played league cricket in the city before moving to the Middle East in 1989, saw the nine-year-old Nikhil get excited watching the 2003 Cricket World Cup. Mihir would also move to Kenya before finally settling in Canada in 1999.Mihir enrolled his cricket-loving son at indoor facilities in Toronto. Within five years, he saw him graduate to America’s Under-15 team in the CLICOS International Under-15 Cricket Championships in Barbados. Dutta rose through the age-levels and in 2013, Dutta made his ODI debut for Canada.So how did Barisal get wind of him?In June this year, Dutta scythed one big-spinning off-break through Kevin Pietersen’s driving bat and pad, on his CPL debut for the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. He could play only three games but it was enough to attract attention of those who are in the loop to connect such talent to the T20 leagues.”It was a great feeling to get Kevin Pietersen out,” Dutta reminisced. “It was a great opportunity given to me by my CPL team St Kitts & Nevis Patriots. I feel my bowling is better for T20. I would like to expand to the longer format, which we don’t have in Canada. We play 50-over and T20s there.”I have variations which is very important in T20s. In longer format it is important to bowl with line and length. You never want the batsmen to be settled in T20s, so you always want the batsmen to think so it is good to have more option as a bowler,” said Dutta.Dutta has played almost all his cricket so far for the Ontario Cricket Academy where he first learned his trade. He said that the weekend leagues are competitive enough, especially due to the induction of overseas players. He feels that by being in the BPL, he is letting others back home dream of a future in cricket.If he does play in the BPL, he won’t be the first Canada player to do so. In the 2012 edition, Rizwan Cheema played one game for Duronto Rajshahi. But there will be a feeling of nostalgia among Bangladeshis to see someone who has similar roots take a big step in his bourgeoning career through the BPL. “I can’t speak but I understand Bengali. My parents are from Calcutta,” he said, before switching to Kolkata later in the interview.Since the BPL is still exclusively for the professionals from Bangladesh’s domestic scene and devoid of unfamiliar faces, the Bengali kid from Canada will now be looked upon to provide the tournament with the romance of the unknown talent.

He’d help to revive Son: Spurs plotting move for "explosive" £42m star

It would be fair to say that things have not exactly gone to plan for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League this season.

As things stand, Ange Postecoglou’s side currently find themselves in 12th place and closer to the relegation zone than the Champions League places.

That said, with a 1-0 lead over Liverpool in their League Cup semi-final and a laboured but ultimately successful 3-0 win over Tamworth in the FA Cup, there is a real chance the Australian could lead the club to a trophy this season.

However, for that to happen, Spurs’ most important players will need to be at their best, including club captain Son Heung-min, whose form has been very hit-and-miss this year, as exemplified by the fact he hasn’t scored or assisted a goal in his last five league games.

Fortunately, the transfer window is now open, and recent reports have linked the club to an incredibly exciting talent who could help revive the South Korean superstar for the second half of the season.

Tottenham Hotspur target Serie A star

According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Tottenham are one of several teams interested in Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu.

Alongside the Lilywhites, the report has revealed that Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool are also keen on the young talent, while the likes of Manchester City, Juventus, AC Milan, Napoli, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig are all ‘aware’ of him.

On top of dealing with the enormous competition, Daniel Levy and Co will also have to dig deep into their pockets to sign the Danish ace as, according to the story, the Serie A side value him at around €50m, which is about £42m.

In all, it’ll likely be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Dorgu’s immense ability and potential, it’s one worth pursuing, especially as he could help revive Son.

How Dorgu could revive Son at Spurs

So, to get straight to the point, the way Dorgu could help get the best back out of Son is obviously not through his defensive work at left-back but through his sensational attacking abilities.

Patrick Dorgu for Lecce

For example, in just 21 appearances this season, totalling 1820 minutes, the 20-year-old phenom has already scored three goals and provided one assist for Lecce, which means he is currently averaging a goal involvement every 5.25 games, or every 455 minutes.

Granted, he has spent some of the campaign as a right-winger, but if anything, that only shows how accomplished and comfortable he already is in attacking scenarios.

Away from his pure output, we can further see how effective the “explosive” prospect, as U23 scout Antonio Mango described him, is as an attacking full-back when we look at his underlying numbers compared to other full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League across the last 365 days.

According to FBref, he sits in the top 2% for non-penalty expected goals, the top 3% for actual non-penalty goals, the top 4% for total shots, the top 6% for aerial duels won, the top 7% for carries into the penalty area, the top 8% for non-penalty expected goals plus assists, the top 10% for touches in the opposition’s penalty area and the top 11% for shot-creating actions from successful take-ons, all per 90.

Non-Penalty Expected Goals

0.18

Top 2%

Actual Non-Penalty Goals

0.18

Top 3%

Total Shots

1.70

Top 4%

Aerial Duels Won

1.70

Top 6%

Carries into the Penalty Area

0.78

Top 7%

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.26

Top 8%

Touches in Opposition’s Box

2.48

Top 10%

Shot-Creating Actions via Take-Ons

0.21

Top 11%

Now, while most of those metrics would help get more out of the Lilywhites’ captain, perhaps the most important are the last two, as his dynamism in getting up and down the flank and into the opposition’s box should take some of the physical demands off of Son, who can focus more on getting into dangerous positions vacated by defenders tracking the Dane, or playing balls into the marauding full-back.

Ultimately, the South Korean icon is an incredibly gifted player, but at 32 years old, he needs players around him who can do more of the non-stop running required in a Postecoglou system, and in Dorgu Spurs could have that and more in a prospect respected analyst Ben Mattinson claims “oozes calmness and composure”.

Therefore, while it may require a significant investment, Daniel Levy and Co should do what they can to bring the Lecce ace to N17 before one of their rivals gets to him first.

Their own Odegaard: Spurs chasing "quality" England star available for free

The incredible talent could be a game-changer for Spurs.

2 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jan 10, 2025

‘Everyone protected’ Lionel Messi in Barcelona training as Ronaldinho turned team-mates into ‘laughing stock’ with nutmeg antics

Former Barcelona star Yaya Toure revealed how they used to protect Lionel Messi as he recalled Ronaldinho turning team-mates into 'laughing stock'.

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  • Toure revealed Barca players protected Messi
  • Ronaldinho turned his team-mates into laughing stock
  • Spent three years at Camp Nou
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
  • Getty Images Sport

    WHAT HAPPENED?

    Manchester City legend Toure spent three years at Camp Nou, where he played alongside legends like Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi. The former Ivory Coast international won seven titles during his brief stay which includes two La Liga and a Champions League title.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Reminiscing his time at the Catalan club, Toure recalled sharing a dressing room with Messi as he claimed that every Barcelona player protected the young Argentine at that time. He also recalled how Ronaldinho turned his teammates into a 'laughing stock' by nutmegging them in training.

  • WHAT YAYA TOURE SAID

    Speaking on the podcast, the 41-year-old said: "Everyone protected him because we knew he was a talented player and we recognized how good he was. That was very beneficial for the club. We were happy when opponents pressed us high. Because we simply, without thinking, would try to pass the ball to him immediately."

    He added: "In my early days with Barcelona during training, Ronaldinho seemed ordinary. But one day he came to me and said, 'Be careful, Yaya, if you get close to me, I’ll make you a laughing stock.' I thought he was just joking, but every time I got near him, he’d nutmeg me."

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    WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

    The Blaugrana will be back in action next week in the Champions League as they take on Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their quarter-final fixture at home.

Revealed: Special release clause names Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd, Arsenal & Chelsea among clubs that could sign Borussia Dortmund hitman Serhou Guirassy – but Real Madrid and Barcelona also in the running

Top La Liga and Premier League clubs will be eligible to trigger a special release clause in Borussia Dortmund star Serhou Guirassy's contract.

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Top clubs could trigger a special release clauseWill be active after Club World CupGuirassy committed to Borussia DortmundFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Per in Germany, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Premier League clubs like Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal will be able to trigger a release clause in Guirassy's contract after the Club World Cup this summer.

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However, the report claims that Guirassy does not plan on leaving the Bundesliga side as he feels at home at Dortmund and is grateful to the club for signing him last summer despite his knee injury. Following his stunning record at Stuttgart, they made him one of the top earners when they lured him from their domestic rivals.

DID YOU KNOW?

That does not mean he is certain to stay, though, as the report adds he could consider changing his mind is if Dortmund miss out on any kind of European football. Niko Kovac's side are currently seventh in the Bundesliga table with 45 points from 30 matches.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR BORUSSIA DORTMUND?

The German giants will be back in action in the Bundesliga on Saturday as they take on Hoffenheim in a crucial away fixture.

Better than Chalobah: Chelsea confident they will sign £70m star

Chelsea battled hard to secure a 3-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Monday night to move up to fourth in the division.

The Blues are fighting to land a place in the Champions League for the 2025/26 campaign and took another step towards achieving that goal with their victory over Wolves.

Away from the goalscorers, centre-back Trevoh Chalobah caught the eye with a strong performance on his return to the club after a loan spell with Crystal Palace in the first-half of the season.

The academy graduate won six of his eight duels and made three interceptions on the night, but Chelsea are now reportedly eyeing a player in his position who could be even better for Enzo Maresca.

Chelsea confident of signing new centre-back

According to GIVEMESPORT, the Premier League giants are confident that they will get a deal over the line for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi.

The report claims that the Blues are ‘adamant’ that they will eventually win the race to sign the England international, even if they have to wait until the summer to do it because Palace are unwilling to cash in on him midseason.

It states that the Eagles value the central defender at around £70m and that Chelsea believe Guehi is interested in returning to Stamford Bridge for a second spell at the club.

GIVEMESPORT adds that the player’s interest in making the move could give the Blues an advantage in the race to sign him, which may be why they are so confident that a deal will be done.

If Chelsea do eventually win the race for Guehi’s signature then it could be a fantastic piece of business for Maresca, as he could come in as an instant upgrade on Chalobah.

Why Guehi could be an upgrade on Chalobah

The two centre-backs, of course, spent the first half of this season playing in the same defensive unit for Palace and it was the England international who caught the eye with his impressive performances.

It is worth noting that Guehi has already been capped 22 times by England at international level, whilst Chalobah is yet to make his senior bow, which suggests that Gareth Southgate viewed the former as the better option out of the two in recent years.

Their respective performances in the Premier League for Palace this season back up that opinion, as the Eagles captain has been far more dominant from a defensive perspective.

Appearances

21

13

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.3

3.2

Dribbled past per game

0.4x

0.8x

Ground duel success rate

66%

58%

Aerial duel success rate

63%

57%

As you can see in the table above, Chalobah has made more defensive interventions per game but that has opened him up to being dribbled past twice as often, whilst losing more of his duels on the ground and in the air.

These statistics suggest that Guehi, once dubbed “exceptional” by Southgate, is harder for opposition players to beat, in dribbles and in duels, and that could make him even more solid at the back for Chelsea in comparison to his former teammate.

Chelsea closing in on £17m signing of "physically imposing" 6 ft 4 teenager

An agreement has been reached with the player in question.

ByHenry Jackson Jan 21, 2025

Therefore, Maresca should be delighted that the Blues are confident of getting a deal over the line for the Palace star, because he could come in and immediately improve the team with his dominant defensive play.

Arsenal "impressed" by prolific striker who Arteta could get for just £25m

Arsenal chiefs are becoming real fans of a prolific striker, and it is believed the Gunners have been told by intermediaries that they can sign him for a relatively cheap transfer fee.

Arsenal targeting fresh attacking additions for Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta’s side have struggled to score from open play in the Premier League lately, often against sides deploying a resolute low-block, but encouraging cup wins over the likes of AS Monaco and Crystal Palace recently show that they just need to be more clinical.

£20m Leeds United mainstay could join Arsenal in January – journalist

The Gunners are looking at bringing him in next month.

By
Emilio Galantini

Dec 19, 2024

On their best day, Arsenal are imperious going forward, but can sometimes lack that ruthless cutting edge to put certain teams away.

Gabriel Jesus has been criticised a lot over the first half of 2024/2025, with the Brazil international sealing a much-needed confidence boost by sealing a ruthless hat-trick in Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Palace on Wednesday.

Arsenal’s next five Premier League games

Date

Crystal Palace (away)

December 21

Ipswich Town (home)

December 27

Brentford (away)

January 1

Brighton (away)

January 4

Tottenham (home)

January 15

Arsenal have been linked with an array of top strikers in recent weeks, most notably Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic, with Jesus bagging just four goals in all competitions this season.

Interim sporting director Jason Ayto and managing director Richard Garlick, following Edu’s resignation last month, are reportedly in the market for a potential new number nine following a barren 24/25 overall for Jesus.

Arsenal have held talks with Vlahovic’s representatives ahead of a potential winter swoop, according to some reports, but it is also claimed that the north Londoners have their sights set on a new winger as well.

Gabriel Martinelli’s performances have failed to hit their previous heights so far this campaign, while Leandro Trossard also hasn’t replicated his stellar 2023/2024 return.

This has led Arsenal to consider a January move for West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus, as per reliable media sources like talkSPORT, but the Hammers won’t be letting their star player go on the cheap mid-season.

Mohammed Kudus celebrates for West Ham

There is a belief that West Ham could demand as much as £100 million to sell next month, with his £85 million release clause not active until the next summer window.

January is always an extremely tricky window to navigate, and star players often come at a premium. However, Arsenal could now have the chance to bring in a very in-form forward at a pretty reasonable price.

Arsenal told they can sign Manfred Ugalde for just £25 million

Indeed, due to a release clause in his contract, Spartak Moscow striker Manfred Ugalde is available for just £25 million – with Arsenal informed of this by agents who are reaching out to potential suitors.

The Costa Rica international is on an excellent run of form right now, scoring 16 goals in all competitions already, and this has attracted interest from the Emirates Stadium.

That is according to The Boot Room and journalist Graeme Bailey, who also says Arsenal have been “impressed” by Ugalde and his excellent performances in Russia. However, they are by no means the only Premier League giants keeping an eye on the South American, with both Man City and Chelsea also taking a liking to the 22-year-old.

It is unclear whether Arsenal are set to move forward with any attempt for Ugalde right now, but it could represent a serious opportunity for Arteta and co.

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