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O São Paulo conseguiu uma grande vitória neste domingo (25), diante do Ituano, fora de casa, pelo Paulistão. Com o time reserva, o Tricolor venceu por 3 a 0, dominando o jogo e se classificando para a próxima fase do torneio. Após o jogo, o treinador Hernán Crespo comentou sobre o desempenho da equipe.

RelacionadasSão PauloGaleano fala sobre primeiro gol como profissional: ‘É um sonho para mim’São Paulo26/04/2021São PauloATUAÇÕES: Garotos da base brilham em vitória do São Paulo sobre o ItuanoSão Paulo26/04/2021São PauloCom reservas, São Paulo faz grande partida e vence o Ituano fora de casaSão Paulo25/04/2021

CONFIRA A TABELA ATUALIZADA DO CAMPEONATO PAULISTA DE 2021!

Ao falar sobre os bons resultados conquistados pela equipe, tanto com os titulares como com os reservas, o argentino fez questão de exaltar o trabalho feito pelo clube.

– Nós pensamos absolutamente em trabalhar, em fazer tudo isso da maneira melhor. Os atletas estão fazendo o trabalho que fazem todos os dias, em treinos, com seriedade, vontade, com gana. Depois, mostram em campo tudo isso – comentou Hernán Crespo.

O treinador venceu nove das suas onze partidas no comando do São Paulo desde que assumiu a equipe e vem em uma sequência de sete vitórias consecutivas.

Mostrando a força de seu elenco e de seu trabalho, o São Paulo se classificou com antecedência para a fase de quartas de final do Paulistão e está jogando um futebol de chamar a atenção.

A equipe é líder geral do campeonato, além de ter o melhor ataque de toda a competição, com 25 gols marcados em 10 jogos.

O São Paulo volta aos gramados na quinta-feira (29), para enfrentar o Rentistas, do Uruguai, pela segunda rodada da fase de grupos da Libertadores. A bola rola a partir das 21h, no Morumbi.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras venceu o Guarani por 2 a 1, na noite desta sexta-feira (23), no Estádio Brinco de Ouro da Princesa, em Campinas. No confronto válido pela sétima rodada do Campeonato Paulista, a vitória deu sobrevida ao clube, que busca a classificação para as quartas de final.

Vivendo a maior sequência de partidas desde o retorno do futebol, o Palmeiras iniciou recentemente uma maratona de 18 jogos em 41 dias, tendo em média um compromisso a cada 52 horas. Em vista disso, a comissão técnica de Abel Ferreira optou por utilizar o Campeonato Paulista como um laboratório aos mais jovens e tempo de descanso para aqueles que tem atuado mais frequentemente.

Fruto dessa filosofia, na noite desta sexta o zagueiro Henri, de 19 anos, foi mais uma cara nova ao Palmeiras. Promovido ainda com Vanderlei Luxemburgo ao elenco profissional, a Cria da Academia conviveu com uma lesão no joelho, e ficou fora de combate por mais de 12 meses. No departamento médico, sua ausência abriu vaga para Renan subir e posteriormente ser efetivado no grupo principal.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasAbel elogia base e defende Henri após vitória do Palmeiras: ‘Muito potencial’Palmeiras23/04/2021PalmeirasWillian Bigode exalta vitória de virada do Palmeiras e destaca ‘conquista coletiva’Palmeiras23/04/2021PalmeirasPalmeiras fecha Lista A do Paulista e não pode mais inscrever reforços na primeira fasePalmeiras23/04/2021

​Atuando na eliminação do Palmeiras para o Goiás, na Copa São Paulo, no dia 14 de janeiro de 2020, o jovem só retornou aos gramados no dia 14 de março de 2021, na goleada sobre o Presidente Médici, por 8 a 0, na primeira fase da Copa do Brasil Sub-20. Realizando apenas trabalhos de transição física, o jogador havia sido relacionado para jogos do profissional, porém, nunca tinha entrado em campo.

​Titular diante do Guarani ao lado de Renan e Danilo Barbosa, o zagueiro permaneceu por 45 minutos nas quatro linhas, atuando somente no primeiro tempo. Estatisticamente, somou dois cortes, um desarme, 92% de aproveitamento nos passes, 75% de aproveitamento em bolas longas, além de um erro capital, que culminou em um lance de perigo da equipe adversária.

​No Palmeiras desde 2015, o camisa 44 foi titular e capitão da Seleção Brasileira Sub-17, na conquista da Copa do Mundo, em 2019. Capitão também na base alviverde, foi bicampeão do Mundial de Clubes Sub-17 (2018 e 2019), campeão paulista Sub-17 (2018), campeão da Copa do Brasil Sub-17 (2019), campeão da Supercopa do Brasil Sub-17 (2019) e bicampeão paulista Sub-15 (2016 e 2017) pelo Verdão, entre outros títulos de menor expressão.

​Dentro de campo, o jovem se destaca na defesa pela velocidade e ótimo jogo aéreo. Além dos fundamentos, atleta também colecionou boas estatísticas na última edição da Copa do Mundo Sub-17. Ofensivamente, foram duas assistências. Já defensivamente, ninguém teve mais rebatidas do que o jovem palmeirense em todo o torneio – foram 34, segundo números da Opta Sports.

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​Visto como um jogador de alto potencial dentro do clube, o contrato de Henri é válido até o final de 2025. Além disso, o Palmeiras tem 100% dos direitos econômicos do atleta.

What difference one game can make, hey? Just last week, there was talk of Arsenal crashing out of the Premier League title race if they lost against Liverpool on Sunday.

Yet, in the aftermath of the Gunners' dominating performance, talk has again shifted to include them in the title race with Manchester City and the Reds.

Mikel Arteta's side looks to have put their festive period slump well and truly behind them with three wins on the bounce, yet there is still a feeling that they could be hamstrung by a lack of quality finishers in the squad.

According to Understat, the north Londoners are underperforming their open-play expected goals figure by 7.02, which is a serious problem considering the Citizens and Liverpool are overperforming theirs by 2.60 and 1.76, respectively.

What makes this situation all the more frustrating for fans, though, is that it looked as if Arsenal were primed to sign a new number nine last month, a number nine who took the league by storm last season.

Arsenal's search for a goalscorer

The Gunners have long been admirers of Brentford's prolific frontman Ivan Toney and were first linked with signing him all the way back in January 2021, when the former Newcastle United striker was still plying his trade in the Championship with the Bees.

That said, the supposed interest and subsequent rumours have seriously intensified over the last 12 months, reaching a crescendo in December and January, with reports suggesting a move mid-way through the season was a distinct possibility.

However, the price that the west Londoners wanted for their star striker – £80m – proved to be much higher than Arsenal were willing to go at this time in the year, so a deal ultimately failed to materialise.

While there is undoubtedly a solid argument to be made that the club made the right decision not to push things given the situation with PSR in the league at the moment, if poor finishing costs Arteta the chance to end Arsenal's two-decade title drought, questions might be asked.

How Ivan Toney compares to Jesus

So, had the Englishman joined Arsenal last month, who would lose out?

Well, unfortunately for Gabriel Jesus, it's pretty apparent that his position in the starting XI would be the most under threat by the arrival of the "unplayable" Toney, as once dubbed by Alan Shearer – something made abundantly clear with their recent goal records.

For example, in the 38 games Toney has played since the start of the 2022/23 season, he has scored 23 goals and provided five assists, meaning he averages 0.73 goal involvements per match, whereas Jesus' 19 goals and 13 assists in 56 appearances give him an average of 0.57 goal involvements per match.

Toney

Jesus

38

56

23

19

5

13

0.73

0.57

Now, the argument for the much-sought-after striker was a little harder to make just a month ago as he hadn't so much as trained with the Brentford squad for eight months following his footballing ban for betting offences, but since then, he has shown that he's as sharp as ever.

The fact that the 27-year-old "monster", as described by writer Billy Grant, has been able to pick up exactly where he left off in the toughest football league in the world should now probably count as another argument in his favour.

Likewise, the fact that, according to Understat, in his three years of Premier League football, he has only underperformed his overall expected goals figure by 1.46, scoring 34 of the 35.46 goals he would be expected to score.

In contrast, Arsenal's dynamic Brazilian has underperformed by a staggering 25.21 across his eight seasons in English football, scoring just 73 goals from an expected 98.21.

Arsenal must regret selling £4m star who outscored Saka last season

The 28-year-old is one of the best attackers in Europe.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Feb 8, 2024

Ultimately, opting not to sign Toney might have been a necessity due to financial constraints, but if it turns out that it wasn't, failing to secure his signature might be the very reason they fail to lift the title in May.

Aston Villa are back in the Premier League, which will doubtless have raised a cheer or two in the Warwickshire dressing room. There have not been too many so far this season. As things stand, relegation may be their fate. By the time Villa reacquaint themselves with life at the top in early August, we will have a pretty good idea whether they can come up with an alternative ending.There is hope. Three defeats in three matches does not read well but they gave leaders Somerset a decent fight in the last round and they could not be accused of lacking backbone on the opening day against the defending champions. And, of course, they need finish ahead of only one county to stay up.Surrey, with a raft of injuries and three of their squad away with England, have yet to register a win themselves but still present formidable opposition. At times, their seam bowlers were a little erratic after Rory Burns had decided to forego the toss and test Warwickshire’s mettle against Morne Morkel and company, but until the last hour, when profit came from an unlikely source for the home side, there was never a point at which any batsman could feel quite at ease.Warwickshire supporters will not have been unhappy, then, with the application shown by Dom Sibley and Will Rhodes in trying to set down a solid foundation, or by Sam Hain and Adam Hose, who gritted their way through 25 overs in the afternoon. Rob Yates, playing in only his third first-class match at the age of 19, showed he could get his head down too.Yet on a slow pitch the one thing that was missing was momentum. Hain’s 47 took 138 minutes; Hose spent 117 minutes over his 38. Which meant that when Surrey’s bowlers found some momentum of their own in an extended final session following earlier rain, it felt like Warwickshire’s hard work had amounted to not very much.But then Surrey, unexpectedly, let a strong position slip from their grasp. From 186 for 8, Warwickshire closed on 275 for 8, thanks largely to the positive aggression of Liam Norwell and Henry Brookes, who had plainly decided they may as well chance their arm and see where it might take them.In the event, it took Warwickshire into a much healthier position than had earlier looked likely. Norwell, who moved to Edgbaston from Gloucestershire in the winter but missed the start of the season through injury, followed his nine wickets on debut last week with the third half-century of his career.Brookes, meanwhile, gave the full treatment to a couple of very inviting balls from Dean Elgar’s left-arm spin and thereafter confidently advanced to a pleasantly accomplished 35 not out. They have added 89 so far.It all rather took the shine off what was shaping up as the story of the day, a triumphant return to the Championship side for Matt Dunn.The 27-year-old quick was Surrey’s leading wicket-taker in 2014 but thereafter became rather lost amid the simultaneous emergence of so much young talent at The Oval, not least the two Currans. Last season, he barely got a look-in. Indeed, this was his first appearance in 13 months.In his afternoon spell, he served a reminder that he can still land a few punches, dismissing Hain, Hose and Tim Ambrose in the space of 21 balls. In tandem with Ryan Patel, one of the aforementioned golden generation, he reduced Warwickshire from 164 for 3 to 186 for 8 and the day seemed to belong to Surrey. Patel, who made his maiden hundred earlier this season, produced a pearl of a delivery to dismiss Liam Banks, which was then matched by the slip catch Rikki Clarke held to help him remove his namesake, Jeetan.I doubt if Norwell is a Villa supporter. Solihull-born Brookes, on the other hand, might well be. Either way, between them they caught the mood.

Newcastle United travel to Anfield on New Year's Day to take on Premier League leaders Liverpool, hoping to avoid a seventh loss in eight games.

The Geordie outfit have been ravaged by injuries to some key players throughout the campaign which has caused the Magpies to free-fall in the table, even lower than Manchester United, who have suffered their worst start to a season since the competition commenced in 1992.

If Eddie Howe is to avoid yet another defeat on Monday, the manager will need to pick the right starting lineup to ensure that the side isn’t carved through, so a couple of changes could be on the horizon.

1

GK – Martin Dubravka

Newcastle have desperately missed Nick Pope since the team’s number ‘1’ picked up a nasty shoulder injury at the beginning of December which is set to keep him out of action until March at the earliest.

Martin Dubravka has been in goal in each of the side’s last six defeats and hasn’t always covered himself in glory, but Howe will likely persevere with his backup option in Pope’s absence.

2

RB – Kieran Trippier

It was a mixed-bag performance from Kieran Trippier on Boxing Day. The England international created two chances for Newcastle, whipped 19 crosses into the box and played the ball into the final third 15 times throughout proceedings, eventually ending the game as a centre-back. However, he was also dribbled past three times and lost 64% of his total duels, as per FotMob.

Nevertheless, while the fullback has struggled in recent weeks, Howe should stick with Trippier and play him through this sticky run of form.

3

CB – Fabian Schar

Like the rest of the backline, Fabian Schar struggled to cope with Nottingham Forest’s attack on Tuesday, particularly hat-trick hero and former teammate Chris Wood. The Swiss centre-half won merely 43% of his aerial duels during the game and committed two fouls.

Regardless, Howe has limited options at centre-back right now and it's unlikely that will Schar find himself out of the team.

4

CB – Sven Botman

Sven Botman was superb for the Magpies right up until he picked up a knee injury in September which kept him sidelined until two weeks ago. Having initially been eased back into the side, Howe has been forced to throw the Dutchman into the deep end as Jamaal Lascelles is not expected to return until mid-January.

The £35m man didn’t look fully match fit on Boxing Day against Forest and struggled to deal with Wood and Anthony Elanga running off of him while failing to win a single tackle or ground duel throughout the match before being substituted in the 79th minute.

Nonetheless, Howe may have no other choice but to keep Botman in the lineup at Anfield due to a lack of depth in defence.

5

LB – Tino Livramento

The first and arguably most important change Howe could make to his starting eleven is dropping Dan Burn for Tino Livramento. Burn looked lost against the pace of Elanga on Tuesday and was skinned by Wood for Forest’s second goal, earning a 3/10 match rating by Chronicle Live for his display.

Tasked with going one-versus-one against Mohamed Salah, keeping Burn in the team could be a recipe for disaster, hence why Livramento should start.

Having been described this season as a “Rolls Royce” player by club legend Malcolm Macdonald, the £50k-per-week star's pace, combined with his right-footedness will be important in stopping Salah from getting in behind and cutting inside on his left.

6

DM – Bruno Guimaraes

It wasn’t a vintage performance by Bruno Guimaraes on Boxing Day, the type that Newcastle supporters have come to expect from him. The Brazil international lost possession 17 times and made merely two passes into the final third throughout the match.

However, the 26-year-old has been a key player during Howe’s reign at St. James’ Park and is possibly Newcastle’s most technically gifted midfielder, meaning there’s very little chance he finds himself on the bench.

7

LCM – Joelinton

Boyhood Mags fan Sean Longstaff capped off a string of poor performances with another dismal display in Newcastle’s last outing at home to Forest. The midfielder failed to create a single chance, was dribbled past twice and didn’t win a single tackle or duel in his 71 minutes on the field.

Joelinton has been Howe’s first-choice this term, having started 13 of the side’s 19 Premier League matches in this position and will likely take his rightful place in the middle of the park once more at Anfield.

8

RCM – Lewis Miley

Lewis Miley has been a pair of goggles in a blistering sandstorm for Newcastle United in recent weeks. Even on Tuesday, the 17-year-old created one chance, had five shots, played a helping hand in his side being awarded a penalty for their only goal of the game and even boasted a 95% passing accuracy throughout the match, as per FotMob.

A start at Anfield would be a true test of his guile and one he could pass with flying colours.

9

RW – Miguel Almiron

In 19 Premier League appearances this season, Miguel Almiron has merely three goals and one assist. The Paraguay international struggled once more last week against Forest and came off in just the 55th minute, having recorded a measly xG of 0.06.

Nevertheless, the 29-year-old’s consistent run of games over the past month is a product of Newcastle’s lack of depth due to injuries and this trip to Anfield won’t be any different.

10

LW – Anthony Gordon

Despite the Magpies boasting 62% of the ball, Gordon didn’t create a single opportunity for his teammates on Boxing Day and failed to complete one cross. Furthermore, he lost 75% of his attacking duels, according to FotMob, and looked well off the pace.

Regardless, like Almiron, Howe has no other choice but to stick with his £45m January signing, unless Matt Ritchie comes back into the fold.

The openers made light work of a stiff target by knocking down 110 within the first ten overs

The Report by Andrew Fidel Fernando29-Mar-20191:45

Five reasons why Sunrisers beat Royals

Rajasthan Royals may wonder how they lost this one. Their No. 3 Sanju Samson struck a sublime 102 not out off 55 balls. During the course of that knock, he had also shared a 119-run partnership off 75 balls, with captain Ajinkya Rahane. With the ball, legspinner Shreyas Gopal even took 3 for 27 – by a distance the best figures of the match. And yet, despite having had the best innings of the game, the biggest partnership, and the best bowler, Royals lost by a distance – Sunrisers Hyderabad having an entire over and five wickets to spare when the winning runs were hit.Where Royals had star individual performances, Sunrisers made better use of their resources across the board. Royals only had four batsmen take strike, but Sunrisers were better able to use their depth, because their top order batsmen took more chances. David Warner, for instance, had bludgeoned 67 off 36 balls and had motored his team to a position where they were well ahead of the required rate, and yet, continued to take chances, perhaps knowing there was plenty of firepower to come. He caught on the fine leg boundary off the 37th ball he faced.Jonny Bairstow, who was involved in a 110-run opening stand off 58 deliveries with Warner, and Vijay Shankar – who made 35 off 15 – were similarly adventurous, despite having propelled their team to positions of strength. They trusted the batsmen below them.Royals, meanwhile, had slow-ish periods of their innings. The Powerplay brought them only 35 runs, perhaps a consequence of Jos Buttler having lost his wicket in that period. Even the next three overs yielded modest returns – Royals sitting at 62 for 1 after 9 overs.Sunrisers still had to orchestrate their highest successful chase ever, beating the 188 they had made against Delhi Daredevils last year, but had Royals taken more risks at the top of their innings, Sunrisers may have had to chase even more than 199.Key innings for SunrisersWarner set the tone for the chase, hitting the first ball of the innings for four past fine leg, and the fourth ball for six over midwicket. In fact, each of the first eight boundaries of the innings – seven fours and that six – came off Warner’s bat. Opening partner Bairstow did soon find his own rhythm as well, and even though the two were dismissed in successive overs – the 10th and 11th of the innings – they had put Sunrisers on track.Vijay Shankar, coming in at No. 4 ensured they stayed on that track, hitting three sixes and a four in his 15-ball stay, in which he made 35.Even a serious middle-overs stutter, during which three Sunrisers batsmen were out for three runs, could not derail the good work these batsmen had done.Rashid Khan watchArguably the best T20 cricketer on the planet made sure to impose himself on this game as well. First, he bowled the imperious Jos Buttler behind his legs in the fourth over. He then completed an outstanding spell, conceding only a run-a-ball.When Sunrisers had their middle-order batting stutter, Rashid showed he could hold his nerve with the bat as well. Coming in at No. 7, Rashid struck vital boundaries to kill the game. With eight runs needed off eight deliveries, Rashid drilled an attempted Jofra Archer yorker for four through cover, then struck him high into the stands beyond deep square leg to seal the match. Rashid made 15 off 8 balls with the bat.Sanju Samson pulls powerfully•BCCI

The batting highlightWrists. Every batsman has them. Almost no one weaponises them to the extent that Sanju Samson did in the most spectacular over of the match – the 18th of Royals’ innings, bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The serenely-struck six over long off first ball was glorious enough, but it was Samson’s four fours square on the offside that were the gems that studded his innings. Bhuvneshwar didn’t do a lot wrong, really. All four of those deliveries were very nearly yorker length, and they weren’t too far wide of off stump. Samson, though, kept getting low and carving them majestically, either side of point. So graceful was he, the shots brought to mind the artistry of a VVS Laxman or Mahela Jayawardene.The fours came two at a time during a stretch of five deliveries. With a legside two breaking up that sequence, Samson reaped 24 from the over, and although Royals seemed destined for a score of about 180 for the majority of their innings, that over put something closer to 200 in their sights.Samson was outstanding, striking at over 185. Perhaps it was Rahane, who made 70 off 49 (a strike rate of 143), who needed to take more risks earlier on.

Wiese’s last-ball six helped Lahore Qalandars clinch the second-highest successful chase in PSL history

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Feb-2019How the match played out
Lahore Qalandars – the whipping boys of the PSL no more. Or so their fans would hope, and the manner of victory on Friday must have raised their hopes. At one stage, it looked like familiar sorry tale would play out. Qalandars looked set to concede in excess of 220. Drooped shoulders and worried faces within the team, nails chipping sharply off the owner’s finger – it wasn’t where they wanted to be. Then they found a magic wand through the fingers of an 18-year-old from Nepal.Sandeep Lamichhane, fast becoming a global T20 citizen, struck three vital blows to stymie Multan Sultans as they finished on 200 for 6. Buoyed but by no means guaranteed victory, Qalandars started superbly courtesy a bruising Fakhar Zaman half-century before panicking. Sweetly-timed strokes replaced by mistimed hoicks, shrieks of desperation and eventually three wickets in the space of nine deliveries. The onus was on AB de Villiers, still quite the crowd favourite even if he is now nearly a year into international retirement.On a smallish Sharjah ground, he set himself in, saw the asking rate spiral to 14 with five overs left. Then left with little option but to go for broke, he launched a sensational assault, bringing up his half-century off just 26 balls courtesy three fours and three sixes, including a sensational reverse scoop over third man after having set himself up originally for a ramp over fine leg.He was helped in no small part by fellow South African David Wiese, who muscled five sixes, including one off the final delivery with Qalandars needing three to win. The outpour of emotions in the aftermath, and the ‘dancing in the isles’ – made famous by Tony Greig’s on-air commentary frenzy – by men wearing light-green t-shirts told you a story. This was one of Qalandar’s most special PSL memory yet.This was the second-highest successful chase in PSL history, only behind Quetta Gladiators’ chase of 201 against Qalandars in 2016.Turning points After a blistering half-century from Zaman, Junaid Khan tilted the game firmly in Sultans’ favour with a three-wicket burst in just seven deliveries. Qalandars, flying high and happy, encountered turbulence. Was a crash landing on the cards? Brendan Taylor’s experience may have been invaluable. His presence along with de Villiers after the clutch of wickets could’ve given Qalandars the stability before the final kick, but he hobbled off after facing just one delivery. A pulled calf-muscle could yet put his PSL campaign on the rocks as he had to be helped off by two of his team-mates and the physio. The biggest moment, however, was the drop in the 18th over of the chase. With Qalandars needing 33 off 14, Wiese top-edged a wild heave to be caught superbly by Malik running in from cover. Then, he saw the umpire signal no-ball, they ran a single and de Villiers tonked the free-hit for a six. The pressure was off, the game back in Qalandar’s control.Star of the dayMultan’s opening pair of James Vince and Umar Siddiq added 135 in just 11.5 overs. Vince accounted for 84 of those, 64 coming in boundaries. Such was the flurry of sixes that the fourth umpire, who would’ve loved to sit inside the cosy air-conditioned box, had to run in a number of times with a box of used balls. Siddiq played the perfect foil in the partnership, allowing the more-established Vince to play his way. It was the perfect combination of fire and ice, before Lamichhane, another ice-cool teenager, kept tossing the ball up in the hope of a wicket.Lamichhane was welcomed with a biff from Vince that sailed into the crowd at deep midwicket, pummeled over the same region four balls later. The over went for 18 – it wasn’t the PSL welcome he was looking for, but hey, he wasn’t done. In his second over, the 12th of the innings, he continued to be brave. Denied once after a miscue landing short of long-on, he had Vince holing out to long-on off a skiddy delivery that rushed through to come off the bottom of the bat.In his next over, Lamichhane was launched for two huge sixes but had the last laugh when Shoaib Malik, looking to sustain momentum, was caught at long-off looking for a third six in the over. His third strike, in the 16th over, was the biggest of the lot. Andre Russell, among the most-feared hitters in world cricket, had just been dropped three balls earlier, and carted Lamichanne out of the ground. But he deceived him in the air, and had him top-edge a slog for a smart return catch. This played a key role in Sultans finishing with a total much lower than they looked set to get at one stage.Where they standQalandars lifted themselves off the bottom to be placed third after four games. Sultans are a spot below, with a solitary win in the same number of matches.

Tottenham Hotspur had been exceptional in the Premier League this season before recent losses against Chelsea, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa halted the resurgence under Ange Postecoglou, but there is still plenty of reason to be optimistic.

It's important to remember that prior to the triad of defeats, where injuries and suspension shaped the narrative, Spurs were perched at the top of the table and looked as formidable as any outfit in the division.

With a new era still in its maiden stage and Postecoglou's charisma and vision hinting at a successful future, the recent setbacks must be taken with sanguine confidence that a return to form is on the horizon.

That being said, Spurs' squad is currently bordering on threadbare and Postecoglou, chairman Daniel Levy and the club's transfer team will have their work cut out in January, bolstering the ranks across different departments and ensuring that Champions League qualification remains attainable.

Another Spurs star now set to miss rest of 2023 alongside Bentancur

He was expected back sooner.

ByEmilio Galantini Nov 30, 2023

It's understood that strengthening the defence will take precedence, and while the midfield will also need attention, it might be the perfect opportunity for Spurs to make good use of their talented academy players, with Rio Kyerematen among the most talented that English football has to offer.

Rio Kyerematen's youth statistics

Kyerematen, aged 18, has posted 13 goals and 11 assists from just 55 appearances for Tottenham's various youth outfits, with his natural inclination for sniffing out direct offensive contributions certainly swaying the odds in his favour when Postecoglou looks to pluck the best talents from Wayne Burnett's development side.

The centre-midfielder has made ten appearances across all competitions this term and given his versatile skills in the engine room, could be the perfect youthful addition to fortify Tottenham's squad.

The "big talent" – as he has been called by Tottenham podcaster Chris Miller – might not be quite at the level to wedge his way into a fully-fit Spurs first-team, but given that Rodrigo Bentancur has suffered an agonising injury blow against Unai Emery's Villa, hands may well be forced.

Rodrigo Bentancur's season in numbers

Bentancur scored five goals and supplied two assists from 18 Premier League starts last season before disaster struck and he sustained an ACL injury in February during a 4-1 defeat against Leicester City.

The £75k-per-week midfield star only returned to action last month and managed to earn three substitute appearances before receiving a starting berth against Aston Villa, but Matty Cash's lunging challenge wrecked his afternoon and any chance of building form over the coming months.

The 56-cap international offers a rounded game and would have perfectly complemented Spurs' existing options, potentially proving to be the difference-maker over the forthcoming period.

He's even been described as a "Rolls-Royce" by football writer Tom Robinson, and after starting so brightly against the Lions on Sunday – completing 86% of his passes and winning all three ground duels in little over 30 minutes of action, as per Sofascore – his loss comes as a major blow for an already depleted outfit.

Why Kyerematen could replace Bentancur

Were Bentancur to be the only unavailable star throughout the winter period, it's unlikely that Kyerematen's name would be considered, but circumstances spin a different narrative.

The African Cup of Nations is only one month away and will ensure that both Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr will be absent for January and potentially early February.

The duo had formed a cohesive bond over the opening months of the campaign and looked the real deal in the centre, working overtime to ensure that Postecoglou's vision was implemented on the pitch.

Player

Club

Casemiro

Manchester United

Declan Rice

Arsenal

Moises Caicedo

Chelsea

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

Tottenham

Sandro Tonali

Newcastle

*Sourced via Football Transfers

But with the pair set to be unavailable to compound the problem, Kyerematen may well get the nod, with James Maddison also out until the new year.

Profiling the midfielder last year, club insider superhotspur underscored the dynamism and talent that would set Kyerematen in good stead for a rise to prominence among the seniors in the near future.

He wrote: 'Always looking to make decisive forward passes, Rio is a very good passer of a football, and he has a good range of passing. In addition, he is also very reliable on the ball, is very good at dribbling with the ball and at turning with it, and he uses the ball really well.'

The observer also noted that he is 'tenacious and good at winning the ball in midfield, on the occasions that he has played in that position. A clinical finisher with the ball on the edge of the penalty area, Rio Kyerematen can strike a football really well, and it resulted in him finishing last season as the third highest top scorer for the Spurs Under 18 side in 2021/22.'

Bentancur is a bit of an all-action midfielder; he's ambitious and tenacious in striving for goals and assists, he is a sterling passer of the ball, and his technique mirrors the elegance and grace of a pirouetting dancer, putting not a foot wrong.

He's been hindered over the past year; detrimentally. The Uruguayan has been unable to build on his excellent start to life in London and now looks set to sit back on the sidelines until February, which is a hammer blow for Postecoglou's side ahead of the gruelling winter period.

Unleashing Kyerematen could also provide Postecoglou with an upgrade on Oliver Skipp, who is industrious and useful as a squad option but, now aged 23, has not started in the Premier League since the opening day against Brentford and is unlikely to secure a prominent role going forward.

Should Kyerematen find himself in contention for a first-team debut over the coming months, he may well be partnering Skipp on occasion, especially when the likes of Bissouma and Sarr deepening the woes during AFCON.

But such a promotion to the senior set-up could conjure a window from which this exciting teen talent could step through, announcing himself as one of English football's most talented prospects.

The majority of the BPL franchises were not in favour of Smith’s inclusion from outside the players’ draft list as a replacement player

Mohammad Isam20-Dec-2018The BCB has upheld the BPL governing council’s decision to not allow Steven Smith from playing in this season’s BPL. The BPL has written to Comilla Victorians, for whom Smith had signed, saying that the majority of the franchises were “not in favour of” including Smith from outside the players’ draft list as a replacement player. Smith had been signed by Comilla as Asela Gunaratne’s replacement.Smith’s exclusion comes in the wake of his tarnished image after the ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town earlier this year, which led to him being banned from international and Australian domestic cricket for a year. He was barred from playing in the IPL but participated in the Global T20 Canada league and the Caribbean Premier League in July-August and also led his grade side, Sutherland, to the New South Wales Premier T20 title at the SCG last week.ALSO READ: Steven Smith returns to commercial fold wth BBL ad campaignESPNcricinfo obtained the letter written by the BCB to Comilla Victorians that says that after the franchises did not agree with Smith’s inclusion during the December 11 meeting held at the BCB’s Mirpur headquarters, the decision was referred to the BCB who upheld the earlier pronouncement.The letter said: “Given that the Players’ Draft Rules does not allow any franchisee to replace any directly signed player from outside the players’ Draft list and in view of the decisions taken by majority of the Franchisees on 11.12.2018, the Board has upheld the decision of BPL Governing Council to withdraw the inclusion of Mr. Steve Smith in Comilla Victorians for upcoming 6th edition of BPL T20 tournament 2019. In view of the above, Mr. Smith will not be eligible to register for Comilla Victorians for the 6th edition of BPL T20 tournament 2019.”ESPNcricinfo understands that Comilla wanted Smith as replacement for Shoaib Malik, who was unavailable for much of the BPL. When other franchises objected to this replacement, Comilla signed Smith as a replacement for Gunaratne, who was then playing the Emerging Nations Cup. The franchises then apparently pointed that out to the BCB as well with an objection.Comilla Victorians have not made a comment on the issue yet.

Containing Virat Kohli in the first 15 deliveries and attacking Rohit straight up will be key to New Zealand gaining advantage over India, when the teams contest in a five-match ODI series in February next year, according to former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson.India’s top-order has shown superiority in the shorter formats, and they proved it again during the recently-concluded home series against West Indies. Kohli and Rohit in particular have been instrumental in setting up and chasing down big targets over the last few years, especially at home.However, Hesson felt both batsmen could be challenged in swinging conditions in New Zealand, although the host bowlers will have to work hard, especially against Kohli. “The key thing is if you can contain Virat Kohli in the first 10-15 balls where he has to take some risks to get his innings underway then that will provide opportunities,” Hesson told ESPNcricinfo. “How you do that is dependent on the surface. But, if we found a magic formula, I’m sure it would be circulated all around the world very quickly.”Hesson also warned that New Zealand would need to have plans for Rohit. “Rohit Sharma is in incredibly good form at the moment and has been for a long time. The thing with Rohit is that once he is in, once he gets himself set, he generally dictates the outcome of the game. It’s making sure that the new-ball bowlers can attack Rohit early on whether it’ll be with swing or with some other variations wide outside the crease or whatever.”New Zealand had blanked out India 4-0 at home in 2014 in an ODI series, which also featured a tie in Auckland. Hesson, the then coach, predicted a 3-2 series score in favour of the home team for the upcoming series. “I think it was 4-0 last time with a tie. I think it’ll be 3-2 [this time]… it’s going to be tight… I think Black Caps 3-2.”New Zealand are currently the third-ranked ODI side, one behind India, but Hesson pointed out that Kane Williamson’s men would need to quickly sort out a couple of key issues for them to arrive at next year’s World Cup as favourites.”I think there are a couple pieces of the puzzle the Black Caps would be keen to find out before the World Cup. Who is the allrounder? Who provides that balance? A lot of options there. From a bowling point of view, who’s going to take wickets in the middle overs when it’s flat? I think if they can get that sorted then the side’s looking very good.”