All posts by h716a5.icu

Even though Aston Villa currently have a strike duo of Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings, who have scored a combined total of nine Premier League goals so far this season prior to today’s clash at Everton, it hasn’t stopped the Midlands club from keeping an eye on other potential attacking transfer targets.

In a recent report for The Athletic by Gregg Evans, Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah has been “considered” for a potential move to Villa Park during the January transfer window.

With this in mind, Villa manager Steven Gerrard has the chance to turn the 22-year-old, who is currently picking up £17k-per-week according to Salary Sport, into the club’s next version of former loan star Tammy Abraham.

Villa signed the latter on loan from Chelsea in 2018 when they were still in the Championship.

During his spell at Villa Park, the striker racked up 26 goals and three assists in 40 appearances under Dean Smith, helping them to secure promotion back to the Premier League before he returned to Chelsea.

As a young English attacker from one of the top Premier League clubs in London, Nketiah could follow in the footsteps of Abraham by making a move to Villa and testing his talents there given that regular game-time in Mikel Arteta’s side has been hard to come by this season.  The 22-year-old has just eight appearances under his belt across all competitions despite scoring 69 goals in his career at senior and youth levels.

While he might not be a regular starter every week for Villa if he were to make the move this month or even in the summer, when his current deal at Arsenal expires, he would have a better chance of getting more minutes competing against the likes of Watkins and Ings than he is enjoying at Arsenal.

Labelled a “goalscoring machine” in the past by Arsenal youth development figure David Court, Nketiah has the ability and time ahead of him to fight for a regular starting place in Villa’s side in the near future, making a potential transfer swoop for him worth a shot, especially if they can get him as a free agent in the summer.

In other news – “Not happening..”: Preece drops crushing Villa transfer update, Gerrard will be fuming

The PCB are expected to meet on Friday to decide on a successor to Shahid Afridi as Test captain for the series against England

Osman Samiuddin16-Jul-2010The PCB are expected to meet on Friday to decide on a successor to Shahid Afridi as Test captain for the series against England. Salman Butt is the tour vice-captain and would normally be in line to take over, but that will not, according the the PCB chairman, happen “automatically.”Afridi caught everyone, including the PCB, off-guard by announcing his retirement from Test cricket immediately after his first Test as captain – and first Test in four years – which Pakistan lost to Australia by 150 runs at Lord’s. He cited a side strain and temperamental incompatibility to the demands of the five-day game as factors behind the decision. The second Test at Leeds -fitness permitting – will be his last.Yawar Saeed, the team manager, told Cricinfo that the vice-captain should take over, as per procedure and Waqar Younis, the coach, also suggested that Butt would take over but it is not inked in stone yet. “Shahid has officially informed me of the decision and we will meet tonight to discuss who will take over,” Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman, told Cricinfo.”Salman Butt is the vice-captain but that does not automatically entitle him to take over just yet. A decision will be made soon.” The meeting will include inputs from Waqar and Yawar and given Afridi’s side strain, it could be that the new man takes over from the Headingley Test.Options are not exactly bulging at the moment. The last two Test captains Pakistan have had – Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf – are both out of national reckoning; Yousuf has retired, though that is an impermanent state in Pakistan and though Younis’s ban has been lifted, the PCB is still not keen to bring him back into the squad.Media speculation in Pakistan suggested that Yousuf had been contacted by the board and asked to come to England, though it was unclear whether as a player or possible captain. But Butt said no contact had been made with Yousuf or Younis , who is currently playing for Surrey, though when asked about the possibility of them appearing at some stage of the tour, he refused to rule it out or in. “It is only one Test so far and I have not contacted either of them. I don’t want to comment on it anymore. We will have a meeting and decisions will be made in that,” Butt saidShoaib Malik, who was captain until February 2009, is in England with the side but was not even picked for the Lord’s Test. From the playing XI, only Kamran Akmal and Butt have the kind of experience which might begin to form the basis of a credible alternative. It seems inconceivable that they will appoint someone from beyond that trio.Ijaz Butt had appointed Afridi as recently as the end of May, uniting the captaincy of Pakistan in all formats under one man again. “We must respect his decision,” Butt said. “He came to me and told me categorically that he feels he is not suited to Test cricket and that he has taken the decision himself. It is very honest of him and we must respect that decision.”Afridi is keen to continue his career in ODI and Twenty20 cricket and though he has not clarifiied whether he would do so as captain, Butt hoped that he would.

Hampshire, led by Jimmy Adams’ second successive century, are making Lancashire fight hard to wrap up a County Championship victory at Liverpool

02-Sep-2010
ScorecardHampshire, led by Jimmy Adams’ second successive century, are making Lancashire fight hard to wrap up a County Championship victory at Liverpool. Adams, 29, battled for the whole of day three to back up his seven-hour 196 against Yorkshire at Scarborough last week with 109 not out off 283 balls as he wiped out a first-innings deficit of 238. The visitors closed on 275 for five from 103 overs and lead by 37.Left-handed Adams and Michael Carberry resumed this morning on 15 for none but partnerships of 73 inside 31 overs between Adams and Neil McKenzie for the third wicket and 78 inside 24 for the fifth with Sean Ervine held the hosts up. Carberry was first to go when he fell trying to pull Kyle Hogg. He could only get a top edge which looped to wicketkeeper Gareth Cross to leave his side at 45 for 1 in the 22nd over of the innings.Phil Hughes – called into the Australian squad for next month’s tour of India this morning – looked uncomfortable at the crease for the second time in the match as he made only 12 before he was caught at first slip off the bowling of Gary Keedy. Hughes made room outside leg stump to try to cut the left-arm spinner but was undone by a turning delivery which he could only edge into his pads. Paul Horton did the rest.Adams played solidly – as the situation dictated – but was strong against the short ball as he hit 12 boundaries. McKenzie was also patient but he was one of two wickets to fall in theafternoon session to Tom Smith (3 for 56 from 23 overs). Having offered a half chance to Mark Chilton at point on 21, McKenzie edged Smith behind for 31 off 111 balls. And when James Vince saw his off stump travel five balls later, Hampshire were 140 for 4 in the 61st over.Ervine, perhaps not surprisingly, played the most attacking innings of the day. He hit six boundaries in his 48 off 70 balls and survived a massive caught behind shout off the bowling off Smith just two balls before he was ousted. He hit a disdainful four through midwicket the ball after the appeal but then immediately edged Smith to Horton at first slip to leave the scoreboard reading 218 for 5 in the 85th over.While Lancashire were a bowler light due to Glen Chapple’s calf strain, there was also less in the pitch for the bowlers. Adams, who passed 1,000 four-day runs for the season in the first innings, reached three figures off 273 balls after he had taken his side into the lead. It took him 91 balls to get through the eighties and nineties.Wicketkeeper Michael Bates will join him at the crease in the morning on 27 not out.

Crystal Palace have had a quiet January transfer window so far, but with four days left to go, there could be a chance that Patrick Vieira will add one player into his squad this month.

What’s the word?

Popular transfer insider, Fabrizio Romano, has revealed an exciting transfer update on Crystal Palace, with a potential loan deal for Manchester United’s Donny Van de Beek ongoing.

Romano tweeted:

“Talks ongoing for Donny van de Beek to Crystal Palace on straight loan. Salary coverage now discussed with Man United. Negotiations in progress.”

“Patrick Vieira is pushing to have Donny as new midfielder, as revealed yesterday.”

Vieira will be delighted

If Romano’s tweet is to be believed, Vieira is keen to sign the Dutch midfielder over the next four days and will be delighted that a loan deal could be progressing to bring him in at Selhurst Park.

Van de Beek has been out of favour for a starting place at Manchester United ever since he joined the side 18 months ago, picking up only four Premier League starts, and is clearly keen to gain some first-team football before the World Cup in Qatar this winter.

Thus, a loan move to Crystal Palace is a great opportunity for the 25-year-old to show his worth in the Premier League.

There is likely to be a new manager appointed in the summer at Manchester United and with Erik ten Hag high on the list of potential managers, the move to Selhurst Park could give the former Ajax star a chance to impress and if he does well, it could really change his position in the team when he returns to Old Trafford in the summer.

This desire to prove his worth could be a huge benefit for the Eagles, with the midfielder keen to impress it could make a huge impact on Palace’s pursuit for a comfortable top-half finish this season, something Vieira will be hoping to achieve in his first season in charge at the club.

The Eagles have already seen the benefit of signing someone on loan with a point to prove in Conor Gallagher who has registered ten goal involvements this term in the top-flight.

Crystal Palace will need to work fast to secure the loan deal with only a few days left in the window, and Vieira will surely be hoping he can unleash Van de Beek’s potential in his side and develop the player alongside his young team, whilst securing more points in the last few months of the season.

In other news: Vieira could make a last minute move for Nketiah

As per TUTTOmercatoWEB, West Ham United boss David Moyes is ‘ready’ to offload another one of his players this summer – but on one condition.

The Lowdown: West Ham exits take shape?

Recent reports out of West Ham suggest that Moyes and co have made their decisions on certain squad members as summer exits begin to shape before July.

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As per Claret & Hugh, defender Ryan Fredericks, whose contract expires at the end of 2021/2022, is almost certain to leave the club as is fellow soon-to-be free agent Andriy Yarmolenko.

GSB are unlikely to offer the latter man fresh terms despite his Aston Villa and Sevilla heroics recently and it appears Moyes could be ready to axe another in loanee midfielder Alex Kral.

The Latest: West Ham open to Kral deal…

Currently on a temporary deal from Spartak Moscow, which contains an option to buy, it is believed that the Czech Republic international ‘could land in Italy this summer’ (TMW).

While West Ham consider Kral a ‘precious’ asset, Moyes and co are ‘ready’ to offload him if they receive an ‘excellent proposal’.

This comes as pre-summer ‘contacts’ emerge with both Bologna and Atalanta reaching out to the Irons.

The Verdict: Time to go?

Unable to get a look-in past Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek, who have been mainstays in the middle of the park under Moyes, it may be time to let Kral leave the London Stadium in search of more game time.

Coming to east London with a fair bit of promise, it clearly hasn’t worked out for the 23-year-old and a move away may be best for both parties.

Perhaps the only scenario which would allow Kral more chances is the departure of Rice, but that is the last thing supporters want to see.

In other news: Sky Sports say West Ham could sign £21.6m-rated star who’s set to leave this summer! Find out more here.

Ian Bell’s masterful, captain’s hundred carried Warwickshire to the Clydesdale Bank 40 title in a three-wicket victory at Lord’s that condemned Somerset to second prize for the third time this season

The Bulletin by Sahil Dutta at Lord's18-Sep-2010
ScorecardIan Bell sealed his side the title with 107 off 95 balls•Getty ImagesIan Bell’s masterful, captain’s hundred carried Warwickshire to the Clydesdale Bank 40 title in a three-wicket victory at Lord’s that condemned Somerset to second prize for the third time this season.Leading the side ahead of regular captain Ian Westwood, Bell steadied Warwickshire’s chase after three early wickets with one of the finest hundreds seen in a domestic one-day final to ensure that Imran Tahir’s remarkable spell 5 for 14, which instigated a dramatic Somerset collapse – from 176 for 3 to 199 all out – did not go in vain.Bell’s stature has grown in his injury-enforced absence from the Pakistan series but his form since returning for Warwickshire has lived up to the heightened billing. Starting with pair of fifties against Nottinghamshire and then Yorkshire in the semi-final of this competition, he then collected a Championship century against Hampshire.He was always going to be pivotal in Warwickshire’s chase and his unflustered dominance ensured no slip-ups in the evening dew as he resisted a fiery Somerset attack, desperate to salvage some silverware after missing with the last ball in the Twenty20 final and a dramatic finish to the County Championship on Thursday.Defending a below-par 199 after Tahir’s heroics, Somerset leapt out of the blocks, fielding electrically and bowling with a passion that seemed to add a yard of pace to the new-ball pairing Ben Phillips and Alfonso Thomas.Neil Carter fell slicing a cut to third man and Keith Barker was unsettled by a fearful clatter to the helmet off a Thomas bouncer before falling to the same bowler two overs later. When Jonathan Trott was caught behind off a ball that bounced and jagged away it looked Somerset might burst through.Instead Bell serenely progressed through the gears, picking off deft singles and flowing boundaries to bring up a fifty from 53 balls. He found willing support in Jim Troughton and together the pair looked to be steering Warwickshire to a comfortable win before Thomas, the competition’s leading wicket-taker, returned to remove Troughton and end a stand of 79.As the target neared Warwickshire’s nerves frayed but Bell launched a calculated assault on the helpless Mark Turner during the batting Powerplay, taking 20 off the 38th over to reach his hundred and all but seal the result. He began by flicking an upper-cut past the short third-man, before skipping down the wicket and driving over mid-off. Two balls later he pulled gloriously to the fine-leg boundary before, with four more needed, celebrating prematurely when his drive down the ground was fielded on the ropes. Visibly riding on the adrenaline he marked each of the three boundaries in the over with a passionate roar and fist-pump which hammered home, a touch endearingly, his new-found reputation for revelling on the big stage.Under lights Lord’s was a spectacle for everyone bar the fans who turned up to the ground. Huddled under blankets, hats and jumpers the conditions were every bit as chilly as an early April morning, but they were treated to a close encounter with two teams desperate to perform on the domestic game’s biggest stage. It was a pity that Lord’s was barely half full but perhaps that will be enough to persuade the administrators to rethink the scheduling for next year.When Somerset reflect on yet another missed opportunity they may well come back to one point. James Hildreth and Nick Compton were cruising at 172 for 3 with 10 overs remaining in a 95-run stand when Compton called through a suicidal single to Trott at backward point that left Hildreth with no chance. It opened a chink which Tahir burst through dramatically.Returning for a second spell after an anonymous opening four overs, Tahir trapped Jos Buttler, who had been cheered warmly to the crease after a memorable debut season, lbw second ball with a top-spinner. Two overs later he lured Arul Suppiah down the pitch and spun the ball past his outside edge to clip off stump before removing Compton lbw three balls later to cue wild celebrations. The procession continued when Phillips punched straight to Bell at short cover and Tahir collected his fifth thanks to a sharp leg-side stumping by Richard Johnson.It will probably be Tahir’s last game for the county. With Warwickshire his 14th first-class team, Tahir is the very definition of a journeyman and returns to Hampshire next season after spending this year in the Midlands on loan. Born in Pakistan he almost made a Test debut for South Africa against England last winter before he was hastily disposed of when it emerged he hadn’t yet qualified to play.Traditionally, the Lord’s final is a platform for domestic English players to showcase their international credentials but on this evidence, and after a season that has brought 56 scalps at 24.57 in the Championship, Tahir could well nudge the South African selectors ahead of the World Cup. But for one more night he was a Warwickshire man.

Victoria will on Friday begin their quest for the one title that has escaped them in recent seasons, as they kick off their Ryobi Cup campaign in Perth

Brydon Coverdale07-Oct-2010Victoria will on Friday begin their quest for the one title that has escaped them in recent seasons, as they kick off their Ryobi Cup campaign in Perth. However, they will be without their star opener Chris Rogers, who returned from the county season with a knee-cartilage injury and will be rested for at least the first game.The Bushrangers have won the past two Sheffield Shields and four out of five Big Bash titles, but have made the past four one-day finals only to lose every time. The new split-innings format made its debut at the Gabba on Wednesday, and Victoria’s captain Cameron White is keen to master the concept as early as possible.”It’s the one that’s eluded us over the last couple of years,” White said of the limited-overs competition. “It’s an exciting new format, with some good little changes in there. It’s something to look forward to – a bit more innovation and tactics, a game within itself, almost.”The Victorians have named two potential one-day debutants to take on Western Australia, with their backup wicketkeeper Ryan Carters included as a specialist batsman. The promising allrounder Will Sheridan has also been selected in a group that boasts plenty of experience at the top of the order.But their Sheffield Shield batting line-up could look a little different this season, following the mid-season retirement of Brad Hodge from first-class cricket last summer. The veteran opener Nick Jewell might still be in the mix despite giving up his state contract, and the Bushrangers are hoping that Aaron Finch will step up as a first-class performer.”Finch has played half a dozen games now, so we’re looking to him to take over that pivotal No. 3 role,” David Hussey told ESPNcricinfo. “Hopefully he’s got a big future ahead, not only with Victoria but with Australian cricket as well. It’s a bit of a transition, if Nick doesn’t play and without Brad Hodge. We’ve got experience with a new blend of youth.”For the Ryobi Cup match, the Warriors have named the fast bowler Brett Dorey, who had been under an injury cloud leading in to the season after a long lay-off due to an Achilles tendon problem. Their squad also includes the uncapped batsman Tom Beaton and the spinner Michael Beer, who moved from Victoria during the off-season and could debut against his former state.Victoria squad Brad Hodge, Aaron Finch, David Hussey, Cameron White (capt), Andrew McDonald, Ryan Carters, Matthew Wade (wk), John Hastings, Will Sheridan, Clint McKay, Peter Siddle, Shane Harwood, Bryce McGain.Western Australia squad Shaun Marsh, Liam Davis, Wes Robinson, Adam Voges (capt), Luke Pomersbach, Tom Beaton, Mitchell Marsh, Luke Ronchi (wk), Ashley Noffke, Aaron Heal, Michael Beer, Brett Dorey, Michael Hogan.

Mohamed Salah has picked up a knock ahead of the FA Cup semi-final clash with Manchester City, with Jurgen Klopp admitting he was unaware of the issue.

The lowdown: Jota picks up injury

Despite making seven changes for the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg meeting with Benfica, the Reds haven’t avoided injury concern after the 3-3 draw at Anfield.

Diogo Jota was withdrawn and is now a doubt for the FA Cup clash with Manchester City.

Jurgen Klopp made four substitutions during the match, including introducing Mohamed Salah from a star-studded bench.

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Now it appears that the Egyptian may have also suffered an issue as a consequence of playing the final 33 minutes, though it is not believed to be serious at this stage.

The latest: Klopp in the dark

Taking to Twitter, injury expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries website, shared a post-game update from Anfield:

“Klopp confirms Van Dijk was NOT injured, the decision to rest him last night was tactical. However, Diogo Jota and Mo Salah did pick up knocks although neither appears to be serious.”

Dinnery then shared a direct comment from the manager, who admitted nobody told him about the issue with Salah: “I don’t know really, nobody told me yet. So, for the moment everybody should be fine.”

Following up with more news today, Klopp has still not given any specific details, but Dinnery reports it ‘looks like’ the Egypt superstar will be okay.

The verdict: Fingers crossed

With 35 Premier League goals between them so far this season (WhoScored), the Liverpool faithful will be desperate for positive news ahead of the Wembley showdown.

However, assuming both Jota and Salah are indeed fine, the decision to rest key players whilst still reaching the Champions League semi-final could prove to be a masterstroke from Klopp.

As the important fixtures come thick and fast, the Reds will need the entire squad firing on all cylinders and this positive result was further proof of the strength in depth now in situ at Anfield.

Although injuries decimated the 2020/21 campaign, so far this term Liverpool have been relatively unscathed by issues with the only current problems suffered being these fresh minor concerns over Jota and Salah.

In other news, pundit lavishes praise on Liverpool ‘beast’ following UCL victory. Read more here.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has shared news involving Manchester United chief scout Jim Lawlor on Twitter.

The Lowdown: Ten Hag announced

It looks set to be a summer of change at Old Trafford, with Erik ten Hag now confirmed as Ralf Rangnick’s replacement at the end of the season.

Romano revealed in the early hours of Thursday morning that ‘contracts and paperworks’ were ready for the Dutchman following a full agreement last week, with Ten Hag now penning terms until June 2025.

The 52-year-old previously demanded to be 100% involved in new signings, outgoings and fresh contracts, and he’ll be working with a new scouting team in England.

The Latest: Lawlor to leave

News emerged on Wednesday regarding Lawlor, who has been on the books at Old Trafford for 16 years. He is set to leave the club over the summer, while head of global scouting Marcel Bout is also departing.

Romano took to Twitter on Wednesday morning to drop the key exit news on social media, saying:

“Manchester United revolution begins as chief scout Jim Lawlor leaves the club.”

The Verdict: Revolution needed?

Lawlor and Bout worked together for seven years and made a number of high-profile signings, which you could say largely haven’t worked out.

They’ve spent over £1.1bn on 37 players since 2014/15, with Paul Pogba the most expensive of those, who now looks set to leave for nothing this summer.

Hopefully, Ten Hag will be heavily involved when it comes to incomings and outgoings with a new scouting setup, in what could be an extremely busy first summer on charge.

In other news: Big news: Man Utd now eyeing signing of ‘absolute beast’ for Ten Hag in potential £100m+ deal. 

A round-up of the fourth day of the third round of matches in Division One of the Quaid-E-Azam Trophy

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Nov-2010Left-arm spinner Mohammad Aslam spun Habib Bank Limited to an eight-wicket win over Kararchi Blues at the Southend Club Cricket Stadium in Karachi. There had been no play on the third day as a mark of respect for the funeral of politician Imran Farooq, but the loss of a full day was not enough to save Karachi. Aslam sparked a top-order collapse after the openers had added 56, when he had Rameez Raja caught for 24. He then combined with Shahid Nazir to take the next six wickets as Karachi slumped from 56 for no loss to 90 for 7. At that point, Karachi still trailed by 30 runs and an innings defeat looked to be on the cards. A defiant 41 from Barbar Rehman forced HBL to bat again, and though they lost two wickets, they were always going to chase down the 24 they needed for the win. Aslam finished with 6 for 48 from 19 overs, while Nazir took 3 for 30 from nine.Faisalabad and Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited drew their game at the Sports Stadium in Sargodha. ZTBL led by 58 after the first innings and declared their second on 220 for 5 in the hope of forcing a result, but Faisalabad had no trouble playing out the remaining 31 overs, racing to 141 for the loss of Atif Hussain (77). Farrukh Shehzad made an unbeaten 62, and put on 136 with Hussain, to ensure there would be no nervy moments. Inam-ul-Haq top scored for ZTBL with 67.Pakistan International Airlines crawled to 250 for 6 on the final day at at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium to ensure a draw against Rawalpindi. Starting the day on 54 for 3, still 55 runs behind, Karachi lost Fahad Iqbal for 30 but Kamran Sajid and Shoiab Khan Snr added 107 for the fourth wicket to make the game safe for the visitors. Sajid’s 60 was an exhibition of patient blocking – he faced 221 balls and batted for five hours and six minutes. Shoaib was somewhat quicker in making 55, taking 157 balls and batting for only three hours and twenty minutes.Sialkot dismissed Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited for 422 on the final day to take a first innings lead of 43 and ensure three points at the Jinnah stadium in Sialkot. SNGPL started the day needing 107 to overhaul Sialkot with three wickets in hand, but could only manage 54. Legspinner Mansoor Ajmad took all three wickets to finish with 5 for 92, his seventh five-wicket haul in first class cricket. With no result possible, Kamran Younis took the opportunity to loosen his shoulders, smashing 17 fours and three sixes, as he raced to 137 from 109 balls, his third first-class hundred. Mohammad Ayub chipped in with 54 not out as Sialkot ended the day on 278 for 4.