All posts by h716a5.icu

As the transfer window continues to get into gear and teams start to really crank up their search for new additions ahead of next season, someone that David Norris would love to see at his former club Leeds United is Adama Traore.

Traore has long been linked with a move away from Wolves this summer and there have been fresh links suggesting that he could be available for just £20 million, and that may well tempt Leeds who have been credited with an interest in the winger previously.

A winger does not appear to be an area of weakness for Marcelo Bielsa’s side but with Rodrigo not hitting the heights expected last season and Raphinha picking up an injury towards the end of the campaign, Bielsa may want to add some more reinforcement to allow him greater options and flexibility.

Traore is one of the most explosive and dynamic players in the Premier League with his 214 attempted dribbles the most out of any payer in England’s top flight last season, so he would bring excitement and frustration to Elland Road, but Norris believes that the winger would prove to be a good signing, as he spoke about Traore exclusively to Transfer Tavern:

“He’s obviously got something to him and Leeds would have done their due diligence on him so if they sign him then you know, he’s a team player as well as a good player. I think if the price is right, then I’d love to see that happen.”

There may well be wholesale changes at Wolves this summer with new manager Bruno Lage set to take fresh ideas into Molineux which could see certain players fall from crucial players last season to surplus to requirements going forward.

Southampton are once again being linked with Atalanta full-back Joakim Maehle, who seriously impressed with his performances for Denmark at Euro 2020 this summer.

What’s the word?

Southampton were regularly linked with the defender during his time at KRC Genk but he eventually completed a move to Serie A side Atalanta in January in a deal worth €10m £8.6m.

However, after his excellent performances this summer, it would seem that Southampton have reignited their interest in the 24-year-old, with the Italian news outlet Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness) claiming that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side and Chelsea are both keen on signing him this summer.

They would need to pay €28m (£24.1m) if Atalanta are to let him go.

Would Maehle be a good signing for Southampton?

Unfortunately for Southampton, Hasenhuttl has suggested that the club will target players for £10m or less this summer, so it seems unlikely that they would spend more than double on that in order to sign Maehle from Atalanta.

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However, his performances for Denmark this summer certainly suggest that he would be a superb addition at St Mary’s. Two goals and one assist in six games for Kasper Hjulmand’s side saw them reach the semi-final at Wembley, with the full-back averaging a superb 7.38 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

Ian Wright was one of several pundits to sing his praises after an extraordinary outside-of-the-foot assist in Denmark’s 2-1 win against Czech Republic in the quarter-finals, saying:

“Maehle has been fantastic in this tournament.

“He has scored the last couple of games but that is probably one of the passes of the tournament so far for me.”

His ability to play on either side as a left-back or a right-back, as well as further forward, immediately marks him out as the sort of versatile player that Hasenhuttl would love to have in his squad. He could provide excellent competition for both Romain Perraud and Kyle Walker-Peters next season, something the Saints desperately lacked last season when they struggled with injuries.

Therefore, although he would be an expensive option for the Saints this summer, Martin Semmens should definitely try and bring him to St Mary’s if he can, as there seems little to suggest that he wouldn’t be a success in Hasenhuttl’s squad.

And, in other news… Hasenhuttl dealt huge blow with “outstanding” star, Saints fans will be fuming

England’s cricket authorities are being forced to walk a tightrope to avoid being sucked into a political storm over the World Cup match scheduled to be played in Harare against Zimbabwe on February 13th

Ralph Dellor29-Dec-2002England’s cricket authorities are being forced to walk a tightrope to avoid being sucked into a political storm over the World Cup match scheduled to be played in Harare against Zimbabwe on February 13th. Nevertheless, with senior government figures realising that once again sport can be used for political ends, the dangers for cricket become all too obvious.While there is growing international outrage at the policies and behaviour of Zimbabwe’s president, Robert Mugabe, no attempt was made to stop England playing a series of one-day internationals in the country as recently as last year. Now, however, politicians appreciate that an event with the profile of the World Cup offers a far more prominent stage on which to make a statement.Aware of the problems, the ICC sent a fact-finding delegation to Zimbabwe, including the countries that are scheduled to play World Cup matches there. The result was that they all signed up to continue with arrangements as they stood on the grounds of safety and security with the proviso that the ICC would monitor the situation in case of any deterioration.The chief executive of the ICC, Malcolm Speed, has reiterated that those circumstances remain, despite increased political activity in the UK."We’ve talked to the ECB about this," he said. "The decision is that if England doesn’t play because of political considerations, they will not receive any points from that match, in effect they will forfeit that match. If the situation deteriorated and it was unsafe for England to play, the points will be shared."I don’t see it so much as a moral dilemma. A decision has been taken by the ICC board that the only factor to take into account is safety. We’ve done that, we’ve assessed the situation in Zimbabwe with regards safety and we’ve resolved to move forward."There have been a number of comments from members of the British government. What we’ve said consistently is that it’s up to the politicians to make political decisions, we make our decisions based on sporting factors and we’ve done that."We’ve made our decision and the ECB have said, that from England’sperspective, they will abide by that decision, so hopefully we can move forward."We can only make our decision based on cricketing considerations and sporting considerations. We have 84 member countries that come under all sorts of political regimes. We’re aware of the political difficulties, we’re aware of the economic difficulties, but they’re factors that we don’t take into account."Speed’s comments come after Downing Street and the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, commented on remarks made by Clare Short, the International Development Secretary. She said that England should refuse to play in Harare, adding that a decision to go would be "deplorable and shocking.""An election has been stolen and people are being starved because they dared to vote freely," she said. "I think they should not go. It is like pretending everything is OK in Zimbabwe and it is not."A spokesman from Number 10 said: "We have no power to order a teamnot to go. It is up to them but our advice is that they should not go."A statement from the Foreign Office explained Mr Straw’s view. “While it is not for us to tell the International Cricket Council or the England and Wales Cricket Board what to do, it is Mr Straw’s personal view that it would be better if England didn’t go.”We ask the cricketing authorities to reflect on the humanitarian and political crisis that is happening in Zimbabwe and the fact that the situation could deteriorate over the coming weeks.”Interestingly, chairman of the England selectors, David Graveney, has stated that he would refuse to go if he was asked to play in Zimbabwe. This is even though he managed a rebel tour to South Africa during the apartheid years.The chief executive of the ECB, Tim Lamb, has made his stance quite clear. “We don’t believe it’s our position as a sporting body to make political judgements about the appropriateness of regimes in host countries for playing cricket.”Cricket is a soft target and is being treated differently to the 300 other businesses which continue to trade with Zimbabwe which ministers aren’t discouraging. There are some double standards here.”Writing on the subject in his Sunday Telegraph diary, England captain Nasser Hussain takes a line that would not disgrace professional politicians. “It must be right that the decision is made at a higher level than sport, by a government body."Even if it means that England will forfeit points by not playing inZimbabwe, that would be willingly done if the Government believes it right that England should not play."Cricket, and qualifying for the Super Six stage of the World Cup, comes a long way down the list of what is important, especially compared with people starving."Such a government body was needed last winter, it is needed now and it will be needed again as there are sure to be similar situations which come up in future."

A round-up of the latest contributions from Australian players in the counties

Cricinfo staff03-Jul-2008
Lancashire’s Stuart Law is still in the hunt for Twenty20 glory © Getty Images
There were broad smiles back in January when Victoria and Western Australia qualified for the Twenty20 Champions’ League as the thoughts of the $5million-cashpot beckoned. Now, although a pair of Australian players, Stuart Law and Michael Di Venuto, are theoretically one step closer to shooting for the target after reaching the English quarter-finals following this week – they still have no idea whether the counties will be allowed in.Theirs is not to question, however, theirs is just to do. They did – and Di Venuto will now fly the flag with Durham who have a home tie against Yorkshire after topping the North group. Law’s Lancashire will take on Middlesex meaning at least one Australian will feature on finals day. Dirk Nannes, who is in the Middlesex squad, is already through to the Champions’ League with Victoria.Law led well, while his batting contributions were mixed. Against Nottinghamshire, he made 6, one of Darren Pattinson’s two wickets when Lancashire came out the better at Old Trafford. He then needed only to support Lou Vincent’s magnificent hundred, with 19 not out in a nine-wicket stroll against Derbyshire also at Old Trafford.Di Venuto made 17 against Yorkshire in Durham’s eventual D-L win at Chester-le-Street. His duck, and that of his opening partner Phil Mustard didn’t end up costing Durham who snuck a 16-run win D-L win against Derbyshire at Derby.Nannes didn’t play in Middlesex’s past few games, including their final match against Surrey at The Oval, while Matthew Nicholson bowed out after taking part in only one match of his side’s gutless campaign.Ian Harvey and Sean Ervine missed out as Hampshire were pipped at the post. In their final game, Harvey made 17 and Ervine 15 as they slumped to 105 all out in reply to Essex’s 159 in Chelmsford. Ervine’s 28 was part of a tie with Essex at the Rose Bowl. Earlier, Harvey took a wicket and made 34 to beat a sorry Surrey at the Rose Bowl while Ervine managed 4.Justin Langer’s Somerset bowed out after a washout at Northampton ruined their last remaining hopes of qualification. They had to beat Northamptonshire to stand any chance, but when Langer fell to the first ball of the match, their hopes took an early setback. Neither was his 22-ball 44 enough for Somerset when they earlier lost to Warwickshire with two balls remaining at Edgbaston.Of the other state-qualified players, Adam Voges made 10 in the Lancashire match but struck an impressive 59 against Leicestershire, keeping his wicket as all round him were losing theirs, until falling with his side agonisingly close at Grace Road. In his last game, which could be his last until the Champions’ League, he top scored with 39 in a nine-wicket loss against Yorkshire at Trent Bridge.Marcus North timed an unbeaten 25 to hunt down the target of 131 against Glamorgan at Bristol, but his Western Australia team-mate Steve Magoffin captured him for 1 as Gloucestershire sank to 93 at Bristol.

Former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer has told The Transfer Tavern in an exclusive interview that Osaze Urhoghide was wise to leave the Owls for Celtic this summer.

The 21-year-old central defender joined the Scottish giants on a free transfer earlier this month after his contract expired, linking up with team-mate Liam Shaw once again.

Wednesday were desperate to keep hold of Urhoghide, with the Yorkshire club posting on their official website back in May that the Dutch youngster had been offered a new deal.

Urhoghide opted to sign for Celtic in the end, though, and Palmer believes it was the right decision.

Speaking exclusively to TT about the player’s move, the ex-Wednesday star said:

“It’s just indicative of what’s going on at Sheffield Wednesday. He’s not going to stay. I mean, listening to the articles, I think he had a lot of offers and some from the Premier League.

“He’s wise to go somewhere where he’s going to play and develop, you know. But they were never going to stay at Sheffield Wednesday once they got relegated if they’ve got down to the final year of the contract.”

As for incomings, Darren Moore has been able to strengthen the left-back position in the current transfer window.

The Owls confirmed earlier this week that they have signed Jaden Brown from Carabao Cup opponents Huddersfield Town.

Jerome Jayaratne, the former Sri Lanka Under-19 cricketer, has been appointed Sri Lanka Cricket’s (SLC) head of coaching by the board’s interim committee headed by Arjuna Ranatunga

Sa'adi Thawfeeq17-Jun-2008Jerome Jayaratne, the former Sri Lanka Under-19 cricketer, has been appointed Sri Lanka Cricket’s (SLC) head of coaching by the board’s interim committee headed by Arjuna Ranatunga. However, his role does not extend to the national team, which is coached by Trevor Bayliss.On his new role, Jayaratne, who has coaching certificates from Cricket Australia and the England Cricket Board, said: “There has been much work done in the area of coaching by SLC over the years. However, my attention and focus is to build on what has been built.”Any changes, whether it will be [to] a position held by someone at present or to the existing system will not be for the sake of a change. It will be purely for better productivity of the establishment.”Jayaratne, who previously held the posts of manager-coaching as well as coach of the SLC academy squad, detailed his plans. “Studying the existing system, I feel there is work to be done. There will be structural changes and new divisions will be set up within the coaching area. This will help have a better structure as a department. We also need to create a better environment for cricket training and coach education programs conducted by the coaching department.”He also stressed on the need for transparency. “I earnestly hope that through the Sri Lankan media, we will be able to reach out to the cricketing and coaching fraternity throughout the country.” He said the ‘New Coaching Structure’, as well as a work-plan document will be published shortly.During his stint as academy coach, Jayaratne unearthed five cricketers who went on to play for Sri Lanka: Upul Tharanga, Chamara Kapugedera, Dilruwan Perera, Chanaka Welagedera and Ajantha Mendis. His work main involved educating coaches and overseeing provincial and district coaches deployed around the country.

With Kristoffer Ajer nearing the Celtic exit door, it leaves Ange Postecoglou and co scrambling around to bolster the squad.

The Hoops have done so astutely in the window to date and they will hopefully replace the Norwegian quickly with the acquisition of Carl Starfelt.

On the chalkboard

Another situation the Bhoys will be eager to address is the future of Odsonne Edouard.

The Frenchman has been linked with an exit on a regular basis but after a move to Leicester fell through, Edouard has actually considered staying until the end of his contract.

The future of Leigh Griffiths also needs to be determined. He signed a new contract at the beginning of the month but has now been touted with a loan move to Sunderland.

Griffiths wasn’t expected to sign fresh terms so it was rather surprising when he put pen to paper on a one-year contract extension.

The solution

Celtic were linked with an eye-catching swoop for Divock Origi this week and if they do sign the Belgian, it will surely mean the end of Griffiths at Paradise.

After all, he’s now been leapfrogged in the pecking order by Albian Ajeti who has scored twice in pre-season and looks in impressive form.

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Reports from 90min suggest that Origi has a number of suitors with Old Firm rivals, Rangers, also interested in securing him. Southampton, West Ham, Crystal Palace and Newcastle are also attracted by the forward.

The Belgium international doesn’t have the greatest of records for Liverpool after signing for £10m, bagging 35 goals in 157 outings. However, it’s important to stress his lack of football.

During the last three campaigns, he’s only started 13 league matches. Therefore, it’s hard to really understand what the forward could offer.

Described as a “great talent” by Brendan Rodgers, the attacker is clearly well-liked wherever he’s travelled. Origi has also popped up with some vitally important goals.

He scored against Barcelona the year Jurgen Klopp’s men won the Champions League. He also found the net in the final and has a Merseyside derby winner to his name.

The 26-year-old has never been afforded anything more than a substitute’s role throughout his career but the potential is evidently there. Now in the prime of his career, Celtic could be the club to give Origi a new lease of life.

Having scored big goals in the Premier League and on the continental stage, he’d surely be a roaring success in Scottish football.

AND in other news, Celtic open talks to sign 44-goal gem who can “sprint like Mbappe”, he’s a big upgrade…

India’s one-day and Twenty20 captain becomes second cricketer after Tendulkar to receive country’s highest award for sportspersons

Cricinfo staff04-Aug-2008
Sharad Pawar: ‘He [Dhoni] is an ideal role model for millions of young Indians who want to make a mark in life’ © Getty Images
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India’s one-day and Twenty20 captain, has been chosen for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, the country’s highest honour for a sportsperson. He is the second cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar to receive the award. Dhoni led India to victory in the World Twenty20 in South Africa last year and the tri-series in Australia in 2008.”We are very happy. He has represented the country with distinction, and deserves the honour,” Sharad Pawar, the BCCI president, said. “His exemplary leadership and demeanour under pressure, especially in the Twenty20 World Cup and the tri-series in Australia, has made him an ideal role model for millions of young Indians who want to make a mark in life.”BCCI chief administrative officer Ratnakar Shetty said what impressed him most about Dhoni was the way he conducted himself. “What I like most about him, apart from his cricket, is the way he leads,” Shetty said. “He is a cool customer and never gets agitated. He displays clarity of thought and speaks his mind even if it may not be seen in the right sense.”An official announcement would follow after August 20.

Southampton’s hopes of signing Adam Armstrong this summer have taken a blow after Watford joined the race to sign the Blackburn Rovers forward.

What’s the word?

The Saints have been regularly linked with the 24-year-old throughout the summer and looked to be in pole position to bring him to St Mary’s, with recent reports suggesting that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side could make an offer of cash plus Michael Obafemi for the former Newcastle man.

However, The Sun have now claimed that Watford have registered an interest in Armstrong and could offer a similar deal to Southampton, with Andre Gray potentially heading to Ewood Park as part of the transfer.

It is is no surprise to see him attracting so much interest this summer, as he hit 28 goals in the Championship last season, while his contract at Ewood Park is set to expire next year, so it seems inevitable that he will earn a move to the Premier League.

Could Southampton lose out on Armstrong?

Given that Gray is a proven goalscorer in the Championship, with 46 goals in the second tier in his career so far, Tony Mowbray’s side may well prefer the experienced 30-year-old over Obafemi, given that the Southampton youngster has just five goals in his senior career.

Therefore, if the two Premier League clubs offer the same amount of cash and these players, it would not be a surprise to see Blackburn accept the bid from the Hornets ahead of Southampton, which may require the Saints to rethink their offer.

Although the south coast club hold the advantage of being a more established Premier League side than Watford, their wretched form in the second half of last season suggests that they could well find themselves in the same relegation battle as Xisco Munoz’s men during the 2021/22 campaign, so it could be a difficult choice for Armstrong to make.

The Saints have reportedly seen a bid for the “explosive” striker rejected, so with the news that Watford are also showing a keen interest in Armstrong, Southampton vice-chairman Martin Semmens must work quickly in order to bring the striker to St Mary’s.

In other news… Saints heading for transfer disaster with “outstanding” beast, fans will be fuming

Newcastle manager Steve Bruce is an admirer of Manchester United defender Phil Jones but would prefer to take him on a free transfer rather than a loan, according to 90min. 

The lowdown

Jones last played a Premier League match a full 18 months ago, having been sidelined for the entirety of the 2020/21 season with a knee injury, but he is a vastly experienced defender with exactly 200 top-flight games under his belt.

The Athletic’s Chris Waugh reported earlier in July that signing a centre-back was one of Newcastle’s priorities this summer, and the prospective signing of Raphael Varane may well push Jones further down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

The latest

According to 90min, Manchester United are said to be ‘particularly eager’ to find a new club for Jones this summer, so they could waive their right to a transfer fee. Newcastle are one of ‘a number of clubs’ interested in the 29-year-old, with Bruce ‘convinced’ that the player can still deliver at the highest level.

The Toon would be reluctant to allocate one of their two domestic loan slots to Jones, and even if the 20-time champions are indeed ‘prepared to let… [him] leave on a free transfer’ the Red Devils may have to pay a portion of his £110,000-a-week wages.

The verdict

To what extent would this deal be viewed as a risk? On the one hand, Newcastle may end up investing relatively little money in Jones.

On the other, if he is their only addition at centre-back, it’s a clear gamble. He will need to build back up to full match fitness, and even then there will be question marks over whether he can recapture his pre-injury levels given his record in that regard during his career.

The Magpies would be better off pursuing Jones’ team-mate Axel Tuanzebe, who Newcastle also like, if the money involved is reasonable.

In other news, this defensive midfielder wants to join Newcastle.