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Since the arrival of new manager Enzo Maresca, Chelsea have worked quickly in the transfer market.

Tosin Adarabioyo became the first signing of the Italian’s era, and it looks set that a striker will be the next priority target, with Marc Guiu up next.

Plenty of household names have been linked with a move to the Blues, but there are some players who are ready to depart.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at a current Chelsea player who could head for the departure lounge this summer.

Omari Hutchinson could leave this summer

According to a report from Football.London, Omari Hutchinson could be on his way out of Stanford Bridge before next season.

It’s said that Ipswich Town are ready to make an offer for last season’s loanee, which is expected to be around £20m.

The Blues will demand a higher fee than that, potentially around the £30m mark, and for Hutchinson, a move away is a ‘serious option.’

However, what may concern the Chelsea faithful is that he has previously hinted that he's keen to depart and permanently stay with the Tractor Boys.

Hutchinson could be Chelsea’s own Cole Palmer disaster

While spending the 2023/24 season at Portman Road, Hutchinson developed into one of the finest attackers in the entire Championship.

Despite only starting 20 league games, the Jamaican played a huge role in helping Kieran McKenna’s side earn promotion, particularly towards the end of the campaign.

Overall, the winger made 44 appearances, and across these matches, he scored an impressive ten goals, including three in the final three matches of the season.

On top of that, Hutchinson provided five assists, and he finished the campaign as the club’s fourth-highest goal contributor, despite his fewer minutes.

Goals

0.41

0.43

0.29

Assists

0.16

0.17

0.11

Shot-creating actions

3.81

4.36

3.43

Successful take-ons

2.05

3.16

2.23

Progressive carries

5.99

6.50

5.25

Tackles

2.21

1.37

1.20

As you can see from the table above, Hutchinson proved to be just as influential for his side as Mykhalo Mudryk and Noni Madueke, who’ve operated on the flanks for Chelsea.

The 21-year-old was the catalyst for plenty of attacking scenarios for Ipswich, whether that was by using his elite vision, weaving past defenders, or simply having intensity off the ball.

This is why football scout Antonio Mango labelled him an “outstanding” talent, yet it also makes him similar to Cole Palmer, in regards to his ability to win a game on his own.

Last season, Palmer joined Chelsea for £40m from Manchester City in search of game time, and his development under Mauricio Pochettino was sublime.

The versatile attacker scored 22 goals and registered 11 assists in the Premier League while also picking up the Premier League Young Player of the Season Award, and the sale of a homegrown product looks to have been a huge mistake by Pep Guardiola.

Now, given the quality of Hutchinson, Chelsea are at risk of repeating City’s woes if they do sell the creative gem, especially off the back of a season where he progressed brilliantly.

Although the competition in the Chelsea attack is extremely strong, Hutchinson has more than enough talent to have a future at the club, but if he does leave, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see his departure become a Blues howler in the future.

No Jackson, £226m trio sign: Enzo Maresca's dream lineup at Chelsea

Chelsea are set for a busy summer with plenty of signings expected.

ByTom Lever May 29, 2024

Over the years, there is something romantic about Manchester United signing players from within the Premier League. It has often been a match made in heaven, with the Red Devils recruiting proven players from top-flight rivals, who have so often gone on to make a big difference in a title race.

Perhaps the best example is Wayne Rooney, who joined United from Everton in 2004, as an 18-year-old. Rooney is now the club’s record goalscorer, and won countless tiles both domestically and continentally with United, signing for a deal worth up to £27m.

Rio Ferdinand is another player who United brought in from a fellow Premier League side, this time bitter rivals Leeds United. Ferdinand cost the Red Devils £30m, a record fee at the time, and the defender became a pivotal member of the side, helping to create the same dynasty Rooney built.

Legendary striking duo Dwight Yorke who signed from Aston Villa, and Andy Cole who signed from Newcastle United, were also brought in from top-flight rivals. Cole arrived a few years before Yorke, but both were pivotal in United’s treble success of 1998/99 – contributing 53 goals between them.

Now, United could look to repeat the feat this summer and sign one of the best strikers of the 2023/24 season to strengthen their attacking options.

Man Utd looking to sign Premier League striker

The player in question here is Aston Villa and England striker Ollie Watkins, who has had a stellar season at Villa Park, helping his side into the Champions League. He has now been attracting interest from several clubs this summer, including Manchester United.

At least, that is according to Graeme Bailey, who claims that Watkins is well-liked by the Old Trafford club, 'who want a striker to ease the burden' on 21-year-old Rasmus Hojlund.

However, United are not the only Premier League side who are interested in signing 28-year-old Watkins from the Villans. Bailey explains that the England international also has 'admirers' from Arsenal, United’s arch-rivals Liverpool, and Chelsea.

With that being said, it would be a tough deal to do, despite all four clubs believing Watkins could be signed at the right price. According to Bailey, Unai Emery’s side 'insist they have no plans to sell' their star man, especially given the fact they have Champions League football to look forward to at Villa Park next season.

How Watkins could replicate Yorke at Man Utd

There are several striking similarities between Yorke’s move to United and Watkins’ potential transfer to the 13-time Premier League champions. The main thing is, of course, they are both coming from Villa.

Yorke joined United for a fee of £17.3m in 1998, off the back of an impressive season at Villa Park, in which he scored 12 goals and registered four assists. In today’s money, he would have cost the Red Devils £75.6m, worked out using the conversion tool on The Transfer Index.

Watkins himself is going into the summer following a superb campaign. The 28-year-old scored 19 goals and registered 13 assists in 37 Premier League games this season. As per Football Observatory, he is currently valued at £52m but could cost upwards of £75m, a similar fee to what Yorke would cost in 2024.

Stat

Watkins (2023/24)

Yorke (1997/98)

Games

37

30

Goals

19

12

Assists

13

4

Watkins could certainly have a similar impact at United to that of Yorke. The Trinidad and Tobago international was more than just a goalscorer for the Red Devils, providing 32 assists to go along with his 66 goals. Watkins is also a provider of goals as well as a scorer, as he has shown this season. His 13 assists were bettered by no one else, and he won the playmaker award.

Watkins was described as a “nightmare to play against” by Leicester City defender Conor Coady last April, and this is certainly something that is reflected in his stats from this season. As per Fbref, Watkins averages 0.36 assists per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, which ranks him in the top 1%. He is a wonderful creator.

Not only that, but he has the uncanny ability to make something out of nothing in front of goal, the mark of all good strikers. He averages 0.73 goal-creating actions per 90 minutes, which places him in the top 7%.

Like Yorke, Watkins would join United as a proven Premier League footballer in the prime of his career. Whilst he would have to sacrifice Champions League football this season, he has the chance to help take the Red Devils back to the top and go down in the history of the club.

It remains to be seen whether a deal for the Englishman will be struck, yet it might be one that could help spur United on and help them fight on all fronts for trophies again.

Man Utd eye dream Branthwaite alternative who's "similar" to Ferdinand

The Red Devils could be looking to secure a long-term centre-back addition…

ByRobbie Walls May 28, 2024

MatériaMais Notícias

Na noite de estreia do técnico Lisca, o Vasco derrotou o Guarani por 4 a 1 e se aproximou do G4 da Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro. Com isso, Vanderlei, Bruno Gomes, Marquinhos Gabriel, Léo Jabá e o próprio Lisca foram escolhidos para a seleção da galera na página oficial da competição no Twitter através de votação popular.

+ Confira e simule a tabela da Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro

RelacionadasVasco‘SeleVasco’: Richarlison, Matheus Cunha e crias do Vasco vestem uniforme do time em TóquioVasco26/07/2021VascoNa estreia, Lisca incentiva atletas do Vasco no vestiário: ‘Tem necessidade, tem amor e tem sangue’Vasco26/07/2021VascoLéo Jabá, do Vasco, exalta volta por cima na carreira: ‘Eles disseram que estava acabado. Eu disse não’Vasco26/07/2021

Apesar da goleada, depois de abrir o placar, o Gigante da Colina tomou alguns sustos. O Guarani levou perigo, mas o goleiro Vanderlei se destacou com boas defesas e uma atuação segura. Além dele, Marquinhos Gabriel voltou a estufar a rede, pelo segundo jogo consecutivo. Vale lembrar que ele marcou contra o CSA, no dia de seu aniversário, na quarta.

+’SeleVasco’: Richarlison, Matheus Cunha e crias do Vasco vestem uniforme do time em Tóquio

Para completar os integrantes do Vasco na seleção da 14ª rodada, dois jogadores que mostraram superação e voltaram a ter bom rendimento em campo. O volante Bruno Gomes, que destacou depois de ter sido expulso duas vezes seguidas (contra Cruzeiro e Goiás), e o atacante Léo Jabá. O camisa 7 atuou em 90 minutos pela primeira vez na carreira depois de dois anos (ele teve uma séria lesão quando defendia o PAOK, da Grécia).

+Lucão e Graça na lista…Confira os jogadores que já representaram o Vasco pela Seleção Brasileira em Jogos Olímpicos

Em sua estreia, Lisca mudou a forma do Cruz-Maltino jogar, e a equipe foi mais letal e vibrante em campo. Com pouco tempo de trabalho, a estreia foi a melhor possível, mas o time tem um longo percurso pela frente para entrar no G4 e garantir no final do ano a volta à elite do futebol brasileiro. Pelo resultado e atuação, Lisca foi escolhido como o treinador da rodada.

A seleção da galera da décima quarta rodada da Série B é composta por: Vanderlei (Vasco), Celsinho (CRB), Lucão (CSA), Éverton Alemão (Brusque), Rafinha (Náutico); Bruno Gomes (Vasco), Romildo (Botafogo), Marquinhos Gabriel (Vasco), Gabriel Terra (Brasil de Pelotas; Léo Jabá (Vasco) e Jajá (CRB) Técnico: Lisca (Vasco).

Vocês votaram e aí tá a mais uma #SeleçãoDaGaleraBet!

O time ideal da 14ª rodada vem com sete times diferentes e um domínio do @VascodaGama, que colocou nada menos do que CINCO representantes, com direito ao estreante Lisca!@galerabet pic.twitter.com/wghFFxnrLs

— Brasileirão Série B (@BrasileiraoB) July 26, 2021

أعلن الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم، عن الفائز بجائزة رجل مباراة ليفربول وريال مدريد، في المباراة التي جمعت بين الفريقين في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وفاز ليفربول بنتيجة 0/2 على خصمه ريال مدريد، ضمن منافسات الجولة الخامسة من دوري أبطال أوروبا على ملعب “أنفيلد”.

طالع.. فيديو | في مباراة مثيرة.. ليفربول يكسر عقدة ريال مدريد بثنائية في دوري أبطال أوروبا

وحصل لاعب ليفربول، أليكسيس ماك أليستر، على جائزة رجل مباراة، ليفربول وريال مدريد حسبما أعلنت لجنة المراقبة الفنية التابعة للاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم.

ونجح ماك أليستر في تسجيل هدف ليفربول الأول أمام ريال مدريد بحلول الدقيقة 52، بعدما تلقى تمريرة حاسمة من كونور برادلي.

بهذه النتيجة، تمكن ليفربول من حصد 15 نقطة في مرحلة الدوري بمنافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا، ليتواجد في المركز الأول بالعلامة الكاملة.

ويستعد ليفربول لمواجهة نظيره مانشستر سيتي في الجولة القادمة من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي يوم الأحد المقبل، من أجل تعزيز صدارته لجدول ترتيب البطولة.

Former allrounder and Rohit Sharma discuss the importance of guiding youngsters properly

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Apr-2020

Yuvraj Singh and Rohit Sharma walk back after India’s win•Associated Press

Former India allrounder Yuvraj Singh believes the big difference between players of his generation and the ones today is how they dealt with seniors in the team, specifically in the “sense of respect towards seniors” and appreciating their work.”The youngsters say anything to anyone now,” Singh told Rohit Sharma, India’s white-ball vice-captain, during an Instagram chat hosted by the latter on Tuesday.According to Singh, the other key difference between the two generations is that the current India team has a very small group of seniors – captain Virat Kohli and Sharma in the main – so the youngsters “have very less guys to look up to”.Singh opened up on the subject after Sharma asked him for an appraisal of the current Indian team, not as a player but as someone watching from the outside. “Can you tell us what you find that we are doing good, what we are doing bad, where we can improve as a team,” Sharma asked.Singh, who retired last June, was blunt in his assessment: “See, I will tell you the difference what I felt in this generation and our generation. I felt that our seniors were very disciplined. Obviously, at the time there was no social media, so there were very few distractions. There was a certain behaviour that we boys had to carry watching our seniors – how they play, how they work hard, and how they actually talk to people, how they talk to the media. Because they were great ambassadors of India.”So I learned a lot that way. And that’s what we tried to do and that is what we told you guys that if you have to play for next ten years, after playing for India you have to be more careful about your image.”But I feel in this generation, I feel the seniors that are there are only you and Virat Kohli are there, who are playing three formats. I just feel there are very less guys to look up to. And I feel that the sense of respect towards seniors to say something or that respect of how these players have become great, like it has become a thin line now, (the youngsters say anything to anyone now).”As a consequence, Singh said, incidents like the one that led to Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul being suspended in 2018 took place, because there were not enough seniors to guide the younger players. “Because of social media and party scenes and the incident that happened with KL and Hardik, these kind of things during our time we could not even imagine of such things happening during our time because we respected the seniors a lot. We knew that if we did some mistake our seniors would tell us ‘, don’t do these things, this is not nice’. I feel the atmosphere is not the same. The boys (juniors) do what they want to now.”Singh, however, didn’t want to blame the youngsters entirely, saying that they did not know how to “handle” the fame and money that came on the back of big IPL contracts. During his time, seniors like Sachin Tendulkar were in his ear, to caution him at the right time, something that might not be case right now.”Even after a little bit of success, it’s not their fault also because at a young age you get distracted (and) because IPL contracts are so big,” Singh said. “[It’s the] starting of their careers, they are not even playing for India they are getting such big contracts. So they don’t know how to handle the money so they’re easily distracted.””So you need seniors, you need coaches, you guys (seniors) have to talk to the youngsters and explain to them what is important to them – playing for the country and working hard on the field and then all these things follow. Tendulkar always told me that, ‘if you perform on the field, everything will follow’.’They don’t want to play Test cricket’Singh suggested that some of the younger lot were too keen on the limited-overs formats, and not interested in long-form cricket at all. “I was at the National Cricket Academy (in Bengaluru) recently. I was observing (some) boys there don’t want to play Test cricket,” Singh said. “They don’t want to play four-day cricket for their own state. They are happy playing one-day cricket because of IPL.”Except you guys, I don’t think the second generation really wants to play Test cricket. And Test cricket is the real test of a cricketer. So I want the next generation to tell them these things.”Sharma agreed with Singh, recollecting his early years with the Indian team when barring a few youngsters like Suresh Raina and Piyush Chawla, the dressing room was full of seniors. He did, however, point out that he was doing his bit to help the newbies, and presented a recent example of putting an arm around young Rishabh Pant’s shoulders after the youngster came under intense scrutiny for his performances in front of and behind the stumps since the 2019 World Cup.Rishabh Pant exchanges notes with Rohit Sharma in the nets•Getty Images

“I keep trying to talk to the guys as much as I can. I talk a lot to Rishabh Pant,” Sharma said. “He came under a lot of scrutiny recently. He’s just 20 and he became really worried. Apart from Pant, there are five-six people I regularly talk to about these things. This (criticism) will be there as long as you’re playing, it’s not going to go anywhere.”‘Every innings should be the like the last of your career’The two players also spoke about how they developed the mindset to dominate opposition for longer periods of time, to convert their starts into big scores and play in the zone where they stood out for their excellence. Sharma wanted to know from Singh, the Player of the Tournament at the 2011 World Cup, how he developed that mindset.”To come into that zone, you need to go through a lot of experience in games. You need that experience,” Singh said. “Rishabh Pant, Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill, [Shreyas] Iyer and whoever comes as soon as they come we expect them to play like we did, because we have learnt early. That won’t happen. It has to be over time when they play certain amount of games. Then they fail, they play domestic cricket and they come back and they play a number of games and with that experience when they have a few knocks like that they get into that zone where they know how to make a big score. Like you and Virat probably know how to convert 60s into hundreds. It will not happen with a lot of younger guys because they don’t have that experience.”Whenever they are not playing international cricket they should be playing domestic cricket or they should be playing any form of cricket where they keep on getting experience of playing a lot of games getting into different kind of situations on different wickets.”Singh called Sharma a good example for the youngsters to follow: “When you were playing in the middle-order, you had some exceptional innings of 70, 80, 90 not out, 65 not out. People were saying, ‘wah, Rohit was very good’. But after now that you are opening you have made 200 not out, 260, 200 and 150… so you have taken your game to the next level. That has happened after you playing seven-eight years of international cricket.”Although he agreed with Singh, Sharma stressed that he didn’t want the young players to “lose those seven-eight years, and, which is why I keep talking to them and make them understand that you should start learning these things now itself. I make them understand to try and make sure that every innings you play should be the like the last one of your career.”

حاول رئيس الاتحاد البلجيكي لكرة القدم بيتر ويليمز إقناع حارس مرمى ريال مدريد، تيبو كورتوا، للعودة للعب للمنتخب البلجيكي.

كورتوا وقع في خلاف كبير مع مدربه دومينيكو تيديسكو في يونيو من العام الماضي، بعد تجريده من شارة القيادة.

وجرد تيديسكو في يونيو الماضي كورتوا من شارة قيادة بلجيكا لمباراتي النمسا وإستونيا.

وأفاد كورتوا الذي خاض 102 مباراة دولية أنه لم يتم إخباره بالسبب وراء تجريده من شارة القيادة وأن تيديسكو لم يقدره.

وكشف كورتوا أنه لن يلعب لبلجيكا مرة أخرى خاصة مع استمرار تيديسكو في منصبه كمدير فني.

وذكرت صحيفة “ذا صن” البريطانية أن رئيس الاتحاد البلجيكي لكرة القدم بيتر ويليمز يحاول إقناع كورتوا بإعادة النظر وأجرى معه محادثات.

اقرأ أيضًا | كارلو أنشيلوتي يتلقى أنباءً سارة قبل مباراتي ريال مدريد أمام ليجانيس وليفربول

وقال تيديسكو عن ذلك الأمر: “أبلغني بيتر قبل بضعة أسابيع عن الأمر، لذا كنت أعرف ذلك”.

مضيفًا: “سألني ما رأيك في الأمر؟ بالنسبة لي، أولاً وقبل كل شيء، لديه كل الحقوق للقيام بذلك بصفته الرئيس التنفيذي، بالطبع”.

وأتم: “وثانيًا، كنت دائمًا وما زلت منفتحًا تمامًا على الأمر، أعتقد أنه تم مناقشة كل شيء في هذا الموضوع”.

وذكرت صحيفة “ذا أثلتيك” أن كورتوا متمسك بموقفه رافضًا العودة للمنتخب تحت قيادة المدرب الحالي تيديسكو.

ويخوض منتخب بلجيكا مباراة غدًا أمام إيطاليا في دوري الأمم الأوروبية خلال فترة التوقف الدولي الحالية.

After a decade-plus of mediocre squads and disappointing campaigns, Arsenal are finally back among the big boys in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta's side came close to winning the title last season and are firmly in the hunt again this year.

The Spaniard has built an imposing squad over the last few years, and a flurry of contract extensions over the last 12 months means they're likely to compete for the foreseeable future.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is the most recent star to commit his future to the club, and while this is great news for him, it could be terrible news for one of his teammates.

Takehiro Tomiyasu's new contract

Arsenal completed the £20m signing of Tomiyasu from Serie A side Bologna in September 2021 to replace the outgoing Hector Bellerin and provide some extra cover at centre-back to boot.

Takehiro Tomiyasu's Arsenal career
Position	Appearances
Right-back	46
Left-Back	17
Centre-Back	1
All stats via Transfermarkt

It was clear what Arteta had in mind for the then-22-year-old, as when speaking to the media after his signing, he described him as "a versatile defender with great defensive qualities, high technical ability and composure on the ball."

In his first season with the club, the Japanese defender made 22 appearances, 19 of which came at right-back and the other two at left-back. Had he not suffered a calf injury in February, he would have certainly made more.

The 2022/23 campaign saw the 6 foot 2 titan make 31 appearances, five of them at left-back. This season, the 25-year-old has made 20 appearances, ten of them on the left side of defence.

The Fukuoka-born star might not be the first name on Arsenal's teamsheet, but his versatility, stature, and defensive nous have made him a vital cog in Arteta's machine.

To reflect his importance to the squad, he was rewarded with a new deal earlier this week that'll see him remain in N5 until summer 2026,

Speaking about his extended terms, the full-back stated: "I’m playing for Arsenal and this means I’m playing for Arsenal’s supporters. So that’s why I dedicate my life for this club, and for the supporters. I want to give them something back.”

The Arsenal player who will suffer after Tomiyasu's new deal

As fans celebrate the extension to Tomiyasu's deal – and they should – it might be easy to forget that Arsenal still have another full-back out on loan in Kieran Tierney, who's arguably the only dedicated, out-and-out left-back at the club.

The Scotland international joined the Gunners for around £25m in August 2019 and, over the course of the next four seasons, made 124 appearances, in which he scored five goals and provided 14 assists, playing as a traditional full-back, bombing up and down the byline and whipping in pinpoint crosses.

Despite generally performing well for the club, the Douglas-born ace was incredibly unlucky with injuries and missed 51 games in those four campaigns. However, by last season, he had lost his place in the starting XI to Oleksandr Zinchenko, who better fit Arteta's playing philosophy.

With just 15 starts to his name in 2022/23, the 39-capped international joined La Liga side Real Sociedad on loan this year for more regular football.

Kieran Tierney's Arsenal career
Season	Club	Games (Starts)	Games Missed Via Injury	Goal Involvements
2019/20	Arsenal	24 (20)	19	5
2020/21	Arsenal	38 (32)	19	7
2021/22	Arsenal	25 (24)	13	5
2022/23	Arsenal	36 (15)	0	3
2023/24	Sociedad	20 (14)	15	2
All Stats via Transfermarkt

However, as things stand, he has started just 14 games for the Basque outfit and has spent two periods on the sidelines with two hamstring problems, missing 15 games, suggesting his injury-riddled days are not yet behind him.

There is a chance the 26-year-old could be reintroduced back into the squad next season. However, with Zinchenko still at the club, Jurrien Timber's arrival in the summer, Jakub Kiwior's fine form, and Tomiyasu's recent contract extension, he would likely come in as fifth choice, which would be absurd for a player on £110k-per-week.

Arsenal should hand a big pay rise to their "monster" star after Ben White

Arsenal announced a contract renewal for Ben White in the week.

By
Matt Dawson

Mar 17, 2024

Therefore, while he has been a popular player for much of his time at the club thanks to his no-nonsense style of play, Arsenal should be looking to move him on in the summer, even if they can only fetch the €10m – £9m – that the CIES Football Observatory values him at. Sadly, it looks as if the Scot has donned the famous red and white for the final time.

This is what Test cricket used to be like, and probably the best approach they could take

George Dobell in Mount Maunganui21-Nov-2019It took 2,000 years to build the Great Wall of China and 1,600 years to build Stonehenge. The Sagrada Familia – started in 1882 – is still not complete. And let’s not even mention Brexit.The point? Sometimes it takes time to build something worthwhile (which is very much not a political statement about Brexit). And sometimes, during that process, you have to be patient.Certainly spectators at the Bay Oval were obliged to be patient on the first day of the series between New Zealand and England. While there were moments during the tenure of Trevor Bayliss when England were accused of reacting to every adversity by playing ever more aggressively – like speeding through fog to get past it – there were moments here when their caution was like deciding to park the car and walk. Joe Root and Joe Denly took 21 balls to get off the mark. Ben Stokes took 15.England spectators, in particular, have probably been spoiled in recent times. Many of their Test wins have been almost impossibly unlikely and, as a consequence, entertaining. Take the victory against Ireland that was achieved despite being bowled out by lunch on the first day. Or the victory against Australia at Leeds that came despite having been bowled out for 67 in their first innings. Even when they are bad – and they were pretty bad in Barbados – they are entertaining. And all those games were just this year.But this is what Test cricket used to be like. And, on a slow wicket, against a disciplined attack this was probably the best approach they could take. So while there were moments – and by moments, think of several hours – with bowlers aiming wide of off stump in the hope of tempting the batsmen and England simply letting the ball sail through, when it seemed the game was in something approaching stalemate, England eventually started to pull away from New Zealand in a final session that realised 120 runs. There had only been 121 in the first two combined.You do wonder what Bayliss, no doubt keeping an eye on scores from his hotel room in the UAE, would have made of it, though. He used to reason that the dangers of such a cautious approach were that it only took a couple of wicket-taking balls and all that work was wasted with little to show for it. And maybe, had Stokes been held at slip on 63, or Rory Burns taken in the slips on 37, Bayliss would have been proved right. But they weren’t and, with Stokes starting to wrestle the initiative away from New Zealand, the day finished with England perhaps slightly the better placed of the two teams.That’s not just a reflection of the scores, either. It’s a reflection of the amount of work invested by both sides. The New Zealand bowlers, despite their obvious stamina, are human. And there is a quick turnaround – just three days – between games. The miles put in their legs here could yet turn out to be crucial in the coming days. There is every chance they will be pulling their boots on for a fifth session here.Maybe there were times on day one when we witnessed an over-correction from England. Times when it became apparent that they were learning a new approach and times when they got it slightly wrong. Take Root’s innings: he is masterful at rotating the strike; as adept at anyone of nudging and deflecting and picking up singles. Yet here, perhaps wanting to provide an example to his team, he became almost stroke-less and was eventually persuaded into a loose shot.Such moments are inevitable. It doesn’t mean the approach is wrong. It just means England have to get better at the way they execute such plans. Because despite all their patience, three of the wickets that did fall in the day – Burns’, Root’s and Joe Denly’s – all owed a little to frustration. But it’s worth remembering that England tried the Bayliss approach for the best part of five years. It gave them great days and some decent success. But they are the No. 3 side in the Test rankings and, if they want to rise higher, they probably have to show a more sophisticated approach. What we saw here was the start of a new era for England cricket. Nobody should mistake them for the finished article.Several batsmen can feel satisfied with their day’s work. Denly, in particular, may well have done enough to secure his trip to South Africa. This was his fourth half-century in six Test innings and was, perhaps, as assured as any of them. His six off Mitchell Santner, a bit of a luxury player at this stage, was the shot of the day: a perfectly timed lofted drive that he bore plenty of beauty and no brawn.And while Denly and Burns, in particular, may feel they failed to capitalise on the foundations they had built, they can console themselves with the knowledge that they resisted a fine attack and built a strong platform for their team. There’s a lot of work left to do – 400 might be considered par in such conditions – but with Stokes set and more batting to come, England could be quietly satisfied with their first day of Test cricket under Chris Silverwood.

The men’s team is set to play 11 Test matches – all part of the WTC – 20 ODIs and 36 T20Is at home

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Oct-2019The West Indies men’s team is set to play 11 Test matches – all part of the World Test Championship – 20 ODIs and 36 T20Is at home over the next three years. It all begins with Ireland’s arrival in January 2020, and continues with tours by New Zealand and South Africa.The women’s team, meanwhile, will focus on one-day cricket next year, playing 15 matches at home and away to prepare for the next 50-over World Cup in 2021.On Friday, Cricket West Indies announced their home fixtures for the next three years, starting from January 2020 to August 2022. That period will feature the return of Windsor Park, the ground in Dominica that was damaged during Hurricane Maria – New Zealand are scheduled to play an ODI and a T20I there in July.Pending ICC approval, the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad is set to become the region’s newest international venue having hosted several Caribbean Premier League matches including the final earlier this month. Sri Lanka are set to play a T20I there in March 2021.Arnos Vale in St Vincent also gets a look in having last hosted West Indies in 2014. Australia are penciled in to play back-to-back T20Is in June 2021 while the Trelawney multi-purpose facility in Jamaica is set to welcome Pakistan in July 2021.The South Africa series next July features five T20Is in the lead up to the World Cup in Australia in October. Two of those matches will take place in Florida.CWI said a more comprehensive schedule would be released at a later date but that their focus was on taking cricket to as many places as possible. “Not only does this provide a full calendar of international fixtures which allows us to better plan and schedule our cricket, but it allows everyone who supports and loves cricket to know when the next big game or tournament is coming,” said Johnny Grave, the board’s CEO.West Indies Men’s schedule for 2020Ireland in West IndiesJanuary 4: 50-over warm-up match – Three Ws Oval, Barbados
January 7: 1st ODI – Kensington Oval, Barbados
January 9: 2nd ODI – Kensington Oval, Barbados
January 12: 3rd ODI – Grenada National Stadium, Grenada
January 15: 1st T20I – Grenada National Stadium, Grenada
January 18: 2nd T20I – Warner Park, St Kitts
January 19: 3rd T20I – Warner Park, St Kitts
West Indies in England (Wisden Trophy)June 4-8: 1st Test – The Oval, London
June 12-16: 2nd Test – Edgbaston, Birmingham
June 25-29: 3rd Test – Lords, London
New Zealand in West IndiesJuly 8: 1st ODI – Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua
July 10: 2nd ODI – Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua
July 13: 3rd ODI – Windsor Park, Dominica
July 15: 1st T20I – Windsor Park, Dominica
July 18: 2nd T20I – Guyana National Stadium, Guyana
July 19: 3rd T20I – Guyana National Stadium, Guyana
South Africa in West IndiesJuly 15-19: Warm-up match – Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad
July 23-27: 1st Test – Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad
July 31 to August 4: 2nd Test – Daren Sammy Stadium, St Lucia
August 8: 1st T20I – Broward County Stadium, USA
August 9: 2nd T20I – Broward County Stadium, USA
August 12: 3rd T20I – Sabina Park, Jamaica
August 15: 4th T20I – Sabina Park, Jamaica
August 16: 5th T20I – Sabina Park, Jamaica

With the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe as part owner meaning that the chequebook will likely be open this summer, Manchester United have already started scouting a player to fix a problem area at Old Trafford.

Man United's search for a midfielder

Owing to a mix of injuries and poor performances, Erik ten Hag has been forced to deploy a rotating cast of players to occupy the middle of the park during the Premier League season.

Decision made with £250,000-a-week Man United set to leave Old Trafford

He may not play for the club again.

ByHenry Jackson Feb 25, 2024

With Bruno Fernandes taking up a position further up the pitch, the two holding midfield spots have yet to be claimed by one particular player. Scott McTominay has featured the most in this position in regard to minutes played. However, it is clear that the Scotsman is not Ten Hag's first choice in this area.

Scott McTominay

12

1293

Casemiro

13

997

Kobbie Mainoo

12

947

Sofyan Amrabat

7

619

Christian Eriksen

9

887

The most impressive of the midfield crop has been 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo. With thirteen starts already this season, the youngster has clearly impressed however, the club will be weary of putting too much pressure on someone just starting their career.

With this in mind, there is no wonder why United have already started scouting for the man they think can be the future of the midfield at Old Trafford.

United scout Belgian youngster

According to Het Nieuwsblad (as per Sport Witness), Man United are interested in 21-year-old midfielder Mandela Keita. Currently on loan at Belgian outfit Royal Antwerp, it is suggested that the Manchester club have scouted him "several times" in recent months, and even contacted the player's agent for information.

Keita was on the radar of multiple English clubs in January with both West Ham and Aston Villa showing an interest in the player. With neither side striking a deal during the window, it appears that United have now seen it as their opportunity to secure the services of the player.

Since joining Antwerp on loan last January, Keita has shone as a tough tackling midfielder who is able to pass the ball and progress play. Standing at 5'10, the defensive midfielder combines agility and strength to offer a flexible presence at the base of midfield.

Passes Attempted

62.54

93

Pass Completion Percentage

89.3%

99

Successful Take-ons

1.17

78

Progressive Passes

5.90

72

Tackles

2.89

80

Interceptions

2.03

92

As the table shows, Keita is a defensive powerhouse with a progressive streak in his play. Whilst rarely on the scoresheet, the Belgian cannot be ruled out on the attacking front with his goals coming from powerful runs from the midfield.

It was his versatility that saw the 21-year-old given his first Belgium call up in October 2023. Head coach Domenico Tedesco said of Keita's inclusion: “We need some physicality in the centre for these two opponents, therefore we have decided for Mandela”.

With United's frailties in midfield well documented, bringing Keita to Old Trafford would give Ten Hag a player who can make an instant impact whilst still having a bright future ahead of him.