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Leeds United could be set to take another huge step towards a Championship promotion, if Daniel Farke is to secure the final star to complete his defensive overhaul.

Who are Leeds United signing this summer?

With Ethan Ampadu their first summer signing, and Karl Darlow set to be the next, it seems that bolstering the backline has been the new manager's priority since his announcement earlier this month.

However, these subsequent deals, and even his appointment, was all prefaced by the Whites' reported interest in Liverpool defender Nat Phillips.

Clearly boasting plenty of suitors within the Yorkshire club, the 26-year-old centre-back will likely remain a target of theirs, with just a £10m price tag certainly affordable given they unloaded £7m to get the Welshman from Chelsea.

Although his actual game time has been limited of late, he would still enter Elland Road with experience beyond most in the changing room, and most importantly, pedigree when it comes to earning promotion from the Championship.

How many games has Nat Phillips played for Liverpool?

Despite coming up through the Reds' academy, Phillips has only featured 29 times for his boyhood club, which was only spurred on due to an injury crisis.

Few expected much from the hulking defender of whom few had heard much about, yet his displays on the biggest stage actually impressed many.

He clearly earned the approval of Jurgen Klopp, who was keen to praise the 6 foot 4 titan back after his 2020 debut:

"He's a brilliant guy, smart guy, intelligent, everything. He's not easy on the eye, he's not Messi but who cares?

"In the air, he's a monster! He was incredible. For the first game, I think everyone can imagine how nervy that must be after a long wait."

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp would echo that sentiment a year later, claiming:

"The second goal really helps and Nat Phillips has had an unbelievable time, he's full of confidence. He's a throwback defender. He wants to make blocks, he wants to make tackles, he's got great anticipation. He knows his limitations. Right now he must think he's in dreamland."

Across 17 Premier League games in that 2020/21 campaign, Phillips miraculously maintained a 7.19 average rating, buoyed by his 84% pass accuracy, 1.2 interceptions, 1.3 tackles and 4.8 clearances per game, via Sofascore.

He would then translate these starring qualities into the Championship, as he spent six months of the 2021/22 season on loan at Bournemouth, cementing their promotion push with another 7.04 average rating and a further 4.1 clearances per game, via Sofascore.

That latter statistic would have ranked him joint-first among Leeds' squad last season, with his rating higher than any within that squad too.

To acquire the stalwart on a permanent basis would be to welcome an experienced star into Farke's fold, who is sure to offer further reinforcements to that fragile backline that is being targeted for improvement. The homegrown colossus even boasts five appearances in the Champions League too, as if his CV needed expanding.

Darlow and Ampadu's additions mark two huge strides in the right direction, with Phillips set to add that final starring piece.

Provided they continue to showcase such proactivity in the market and continue to bolster elsewhere, namely finding a key striker to spearhead their promotion charge, this could all culminate in an instant return to the top flight.

Australian star Ellyse Perry hit an unbeaten 78 and took two wickets to take Loughborough Lightning to their first Kia Super League win of 2017

ECB Reporters Network20-Aug-2017Ellyse Perry hit an unbeaten 78 and added a couple of wickets for good measure•Getty ImagesAustralian star Ellyse Perry hit an unbeaten 78 and took two wickets to take Loughborough Lightning to their first Kia Super League win of 2017 with an emphatic 50-run victory over Lancashire Thunder.It keeps alive the Lightning’s hopes of making Finals Day on September 1. It was a third successive defeat for the Thunder and eliminates them from the competition after another collapse when chasing left them well short of the required 141-run target.Their chase got off to a bad start, as Perry removed both opener Emma Lamb and the key wicket of England star Sarah Taylor, both for just four runs in her first two overs.The Thunder needed someone to play the Perry innings in their ranks and New Zealander Amy Satterthwaite looked like she could take on the role.But Satterthwaite was beaten by Lucy Higham and stumped by Abigail Freeborn for 21 and that triggered a major Thunder collapse for the second consecutive match.They lost six wickets in 33 balls for 27 runs to leave the score at 71 for 8 with another 70 runs needed from 31 balls.A late cameo of 18 from Ellie Threlkeld, only the third to make double figures, dragged the total up but two quick wickets ended the innings with Lancashire all out for 90 and the Lightning winning with 2.4 overs to spare.Beth Langston finished with the pick of the figures, taking 3 for 14 from her two overs.Perry at the crease after just five balls of the Loughborough innings when her international teammate Elyse Villani was dismissed by Kate Cross for six. She struck a boundary from her first ball and began to build a partnership with 18-year-old opener Sarah Glenn.Spin was to be Lancashire’s key weapon once again. Danielle Hazell finished with the pick of the figures with 2 for 16 from her four overs and she removed Glenn for 22 – a second catch for Lamb.Perry would find partners hard to come by. England international Georgia Elwiss came and went for 5 before Sonia Odedra was on her way for one from 10 balls, bowled by Ecclestone.That left Loughborough 81 for 4 in the 13th but Perry carried on relentlessly, bringing up her half-century from 41 balls with two boundaries off Cross.Lancashire would rue Sarah Taylor’s missed stumping of Perry in the 16th over as she went on to share an unbroken stand of 39 with Freeborn, hitting the last two balls of the innings from Sophie Ecclestone for four to post a total of 140 for 5 which was well out of reach of the Thunder.Loughborough face Surrey Stars at The Oval next Saturday.

West Indies were aided by rain after putting up a strong batting display against Pakistan which saw Deandra Dottin reach her maiden ODI hundred, supported by Stafanie Taylor’s 90

The report by Varun Shetty11-Jul-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Deandra Dottin launched an attack in the back end of the innings to push West Indies to 285•ICC/GettyDeandra Dottin’s first ODI century lifted West Indies to 285 and did half the job against Pakistan, a team that hadn’t made more than 150 for four innings in a row. And although Pakistan put up a solid response, a combination of rain and quick wickets meant their innings was cut short on 117 for 3 – 19 short of the DLS par score in 24 overs. It was their 13th successive loss in a World Cup match.Pakistan’s revised target was 245 in 38 overs and Javeria Khan was unbeaten on 58 when rain interrupted the game for a third time. She added 80 with opener Nahida Khan before offspinner Anisa Mohammed dismissed the opener for 40. Thirteen balls later, Iram Javed, promoted ahead of Nain Abidi, holed out to extra cover off what turned out to be the last ball of the match.It meant that the fluent stand between Javeria and Nahida, that kept Pakistan close to the DLS par score, went in vain. Pakistan captain Sana Mir admitted to a “lapse” in planning after the match, with the side preferring not to take the batting Powerplay when the drizzle started getting heavy.Earlier, rain had delayed the start of the game by an hour. Stafanie Taylor, who had lost the toss, found herself out in the middle after the end of the first over. Having hustled the openers by utilising the overcast conditions with a couple of swinging deliveries, seamer Asmavia Iqbal floated up an offcutter and had Hayley Matthews chipping a return catch.The left-handed Kycia Knight then threatened to monopolise the cover boundary, striking four dominant boundaries through the off-side belt. But Asmavia was back with another cutter, this one climbing away from Knight whose aimless prod outside off resulted in a outside edge that was smartly taken by Sidra Nawaz low to her left. Asmavia even ventured up the pitch to make the wicket a memorable one – shouting out a clear send-off to the perplexed batsman. By the time Pakistan captain Mir offered her an apologetic pat, she was an amused batsman. But one who was out, nonetheless.Chedean Nation joined her captain in the fifth over. West Indies continued to find the boundary regularly – at one point, 48 of the 63 runs had come in fours – to offset an otherwise tight bowling display from Pakistan. Taylor channeled Knight and was particularly punishing through the off side. She made most of the 87 runs the pair put on for the third wicket before Nation, who has faced some criticism for throwing away starts this tournament, walked across and exposed her middle stump in a bid to sweep. She would be Nashra Sandhu’s only wicket.When Taylor brought up her fifty, it was West Indies’ first of the tournament. There wasn’t a deliberate attempt to accelerate after she reached the landmark. The priority, it seemed, was to build a long innings and take an otherwise fragile batting line-up as deep into the innings as possible. Her own innings pushed into the 40th over, before an attempted drill past Diana Baig was caught by the bowler in her follow through. She missed out on a sixth ODI hundred by ten runs.The acceleration came from Dottin who, in the mid-innings break, acknowledged that she had looked to play straighter. With five fours and a six, she brought up her fifty off 49 balls in the 42nd over. And from there began West Indies’ acceleration. Seventy-four runs came off the last seven overs; 54 of those were pummeled from Dottin’s bat in just 27 balls, including a six that came from a launch over long-on to bring up a 71-ball hundred. She celebrated by flinging her bat to square leg – like someone who should have had a first hundred long before her 99th ODI innings.

Everton and Atalanta continue to battle it out over the signing of Almeria forward El Bilal Toure during the summer transfer window, according to a key update from renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Are Everton signing El Bilal Toure?

The Blues have been linked with various players since the end of last season, as they look to avoid yet another disappointing Premier League campaign in 2023/24, following back-to-back relegation battles.

In seems clear that Everton simply must bring in more quality in attack, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin hard to depend upon because of fitness issues these days, and the likes of Neal Maupay doing nowhere enough to justify being a regular starter moving forward.

Toure is the player who appears to have become the Blues' primary transfer target in the final third, with numerous recent reports claiming that a move to Goodison Park is on the cards this summer.

Now, another report has emerged that further suggests that Everton are pushing hard to sign the Almeria ace, but they are not alone in expressing an interest.

What has Fabrizio Romano said about Everton?

Writing on Twitter, Romano provided an update on the latest situation regarding Toure's future, saying that negotiations will continue with Everton this week:

"Understand Everton are still pushing to sign El Bilal Toure while Atalanta are on it too. Both clubs are in the race, fighting to sign Almeria striker. Negotiations will continue next week to get it done."

This is another positive update when it comes to Everton trying to acquire Toure's signature, and it ultimately looks like a straight choice between themselves and Atalanta, who have become a force in Serie A in recent years and will, therefore, provide stiff competition.

The lure of the Premier League is always great for any player, however, and if Sean Dyche can sell the Blues to Toure as a club, promising him a key role leading the line, it could sway his thinking.

While more than one attacking signing is probably needed at Goodison Park this summer, in terms of Dyche having enough squad depth at his disposal, the Almeria man could be a perfect place to start, coming in as a long-term signing who should only improve year upon year, considering he is still only 21 years of age.

A tally of seven goals in 22 appearances for his current club is a good start there, considering he is playing in one of Europe's top leagues, while five in 15 caps for Mali also shows that he is already making his mark on the international stage.

Toure has been compared to Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, in terms of his extremely physical style up front, which should certainly excite Everton supporters and Dyche – if he has anywhere close to the impact the Ivorian did in England, then the Blues could have an absolute gem on their hands.

It looks almost nailed-on that the Malian with leave Almeria before the new season gets underway, and it looks all set to come down to either Everton or Atalanta, with the two clubs looking to outdo one another and show why Toure should choose them.

Joe Clarke sealed back-to-back centuries as he and Daryl Mitchell powered Worcestershire to the victory that lifts them into the Specsavers County Championship Division Two promotion places

ECB Reporters Network22-Jun-2017
ScorecardJoe Clarke sealed back-to-back centuries as he and Daryl Mitchell powered Worcestershire to the victory that lifts them into the Specsavers County Championship Division Two promotion places as they overcame Kent by four wickets at New Road.Mitchell scored his fourth century in the last five Championship matches as Worcestershire galloped to their 399 target and achieved the third-highest run-chase in their history with 19.1 overs to spare.Mitchell, the former captain, is enjoying a purple patch as he followed his 120 against Derbyshire, 161 against Northamptonshire and 121 against Sussex with another superb contribution.He employed the cut shot to deadly effect and was seldom troubled in helping Worcestershire to chalk up their fifth win in seven Championship games this season.He was given excellent support by Moeen Ali and then Clarke who, in this game, has recaptured his form with a vengeance in scoring two centuries in a Championship match for the first time in his blossoming career.It was just the tonic the home side needed after the acrimonious departure of Tom Kohler-Cadmore to Yorkshire, two successive Championship defeats and a Royal London One-Day Cup semi-final setback.The game was another excellent advert for Championship cricket and see-sawed both ways before Mitchell and his team-mates tipped the balance in Worcestershire’s favour after largely negating the threat of Pakistan wrist spinner Yasir Shah.It was Shah who finally sent Mitchell on his way for 142 from 243 balls with 20 boundaries after a stand of 175 in 38.2 overs with Clarke.He departed to a standing ovation all around New Road after another invaluable knock, before Clarke ensured victory with 110 not out.Worcestershire had resumed on 16 for 0 and openers Brett D’Oliveira and Mitchell extended their partnership to 52 before D’Oliveira on 27 was bowled by a fine delivery from Darren Stevens which nipped back.The occasional ball misbehaved off a length from the Diglish End but Mitchell and Moeen were able to score freely during a stand of 112 in 22 overs.An under-hit pull had led to Moeen’s downfall in the first innings but he profited from the stroke in reaching his half-century off 47 balls.The pair looked so much in control that it was a surprise when Moeen (63) aimed to work Shah on the leg side and was lbw to the last ball before lunch.Clarke then joined forces with Mitchell and maintained the required tempo throughout the afternoon session.The England Lions player had gone into this game without a Championship half-century to his name this season but all his rich promise and potential returned with a vengeance.After Mitchell’s departure, there was a slight concern for the home side as Shah struck twice more in dismissing George Rhodes and Ben Cox, both for 2.But Clarke kept his nerve, passing three figures off 115 balls with 14 fours and a six, and some typically aggressive shots from Ross Whiteley – including two sixes – effectively sealed the win before he became Shah’s fifth victim with two runs needed.

With Manchester United having secured the signing of Mason Mount and agreed a fee for Inter Milan's Andre Onana, it looks as if Erik ten Hag could be nearing the completion of another high profile summer deal, following an update regarding the club's pursuit of Atalanta hitman, Rasmus Hojlund…

What's the latest on Hojlund to Man United?

According to the Independent's Miguel Delaney, the Red Devils are edging closer to the signing of the Danish sensation having been in 'advanced talks' regarding a deal for the 20-year-old.

The report suggests that while discussions continue over the nature of potential add-ons in the deal, there is said to be a growing 'confidence' that the move will be wrapped up sooner rather than later, with the youngster believed to be 'excited' about the prospect of making the move to Old Trafford.

As per the piece, where there had been previous fears that the Serie A outfit could be looking to demand a fee of nearly £80m, the belief is that an agreement can be reached for closer to £60m, as United look to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.

How good is Rasmus Hojlund?

It is no real surprise that Ten Hag has seemingly been prioritising a move for a new centre-forward throughout the summer so far, with the Carabao Cup winners currently left with Anthony Martial – who missed 27 games through injury last term – as their sole, senior option through the middle.

The mercurial Frenchman scored just nine goals in all competitions last term as a result of his time on the treatment table, while January loan arrival Wout Weghorst was also unable to catch fire, after bagging just two goals in 31 outings in the second-half of last season.

With a more reliable attacking presence needed to lead the line, it remains to be seen if Hojlund is the man who can make an immediate impact next season, with the former Sturm Graz speedster having netted just nine league goals last term in Italy – hardly eye-catching numbers.

For all those possible concerns regarding the Dane's short-term influence, in the long-term the hope will be that the 6 foot 3 "machine" – as described by one-time opponent Raffael Behounek – can emerge as United's main man, with excitement over his talent brewing due to comparisons to a certain, Erling Haaland.

Over the next two or three years, Ten Hag could then have a truly exciting spine to his side that involves Hojlund and the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, with the midfield maestro looking set to be the next big breakout star from the academy ranks.

Part of the side that claimed FA Youth Cup glory back in 2022, the 18-year-old went on to make three senior, competitive appearances last season, having ultimately been named the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year as a result of his standout displays across the age groups.

Dubbed an "exceptional prospect" by Manchester Evening News journalist, Steven Railston, the promising starlet is set to remain part of the first-team squad for the 2023/24 campaign, with Ten Hag not looking to send him out on loan this summer.

With the likes of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro now into their thirties, it may not be too long before Mainoo is installed as the main man in the midfield, with the likelihood being that it will be Hojlund deployed as the leading number nine ahead of him.

That is a mouthwatering prospect, indeed, with the Atalanta ace seemingly a player with "above-average football intelligence" – according to Graz boss Christian Ilzer – while Mainoo has a "really good footballing brain", according to youth coach Travis Binnion, with Ten Hag likely to relish the chance to nuture two such clever, emerging gems who are yet to reach their full potential.

Within 21 minutes of Tottenham Hotspur's trip to St James' Park, they found themselves 5-0 down.

Within 15 minutes of their visit to Anfield, they were 3-0 down. That paints the picture that this Spurs side are in desperate need of improving their defence this summer.

The arrival of Ange Postecoglou should help but given the quality of defenders available to him, he will not be able to weave his magic without a bit of added investment.

Fortunately for supporters, it does look as though efforts are being made to bolster the backline. Negotiations are ongoing over a move for Micky van de Ven and Edmond Tapsoba remains a top priority for the Lilywhites.

Pairing the two together in light of Spurs' defensive record last term would improve them considerably. Van de Ven is one of the quickest centre halves around while Tapsoba is one of the most progressive, notably ranking in the top 6% of centre-backs in Europe for successful take-ons.

However, there is a risk-free option Daniel Levy and Co could take in order to ensure a smooth transition for either Van de Ven or Tapsoba; Max Kilman.

Is Max Kilman leaving Wolves?

The former futsal player has risen to prominence in recent years, so much so that one of Europe's heavyweights are now chasing a move.

Serie A winners Napoli have already had a bid of £30m rejected by Wolves with a fee of £35m thought to be more appropriate for the Midlands outfit.

That transfer saga has seemingly alerted Tottenham to his potential availability with The Telegraph reporting earlier this week that they are admirers of the 26-year-old.

How good is Max Kilman?

Despite their impressive skill sets, pairing Tapsoba and Van de Ven together would be a risk for Postecoglou.

The fact of the matter is that both are young, and both have never played a game in the Premier League.

Of course, top-flight experience doesn't count for everything. Richarlison excelled for Everton at this level but it took him until 30th April to find the net for the first time in the league for Spurs.

However, in Kilman, they would be signing an accomplished defender, one capable of ensuring someone of Tapsoba's ilk settles into English football with ease.

Playing alongside someone with knowledge of the division will certainly help, and indeed it would be beneficial if that wasn't Eric Dier or Davinson Sanchez, two of the club's underperformers in recent years.

Whether you agree with it or not, so poor has Sanchez been in Tottenham colours that he was even booed off the pitch by his own supporters towards the back end of last season.

Kilman, on the other hand, is a steady pair of hands. In fact, he has even been lauded as a "monster" for his displays by Talking Wolves presenter Tom Parker.

That is praise well-earned for a defender who is similarly progressive as Tapsoba. Indeed, the Wolves man ranks inside the best 12% of centre-backs in Europe's top five leagues for successful take-ons.

That said, he is a top-class defender first and foremost, ranking in the top 17% for percentage of aerial duels won, the top 6% for shots blocked and the best 15% for passes blocked, via FBref.

This isn't a player who makes many tackles, far from it in fact. Kilman is in the worst 11% in that regard, but it's clear from the above that as well as being technically efficient, the 6 foot 4 defender is willing to put his body on the line.

Such an array of skills could well see him as the perfect partner for any other incoming centre-backs Postecoglou should welcome to N17.

ESPNcricinfo previews Yorkshire’s prospects for the 2017 season

David Hopps05-Apr-2017Last season:
In: Azeem Rafiq
Out: Andrew Gale
Overseas: Peter Handscomb (Aus), Travis Head (Aus, T20)2016 in a nutshell
For much of the season, Yorkshire were in contention not just for a third successive Championship, but also a coveted treble in all three formats. Instead, they ended up with nothing. As well as their defeat to Middlesex on the last day of the season with the Championship at stake, they lost in the semi-finals on NatWest Blast finals day when only Adam Lyth made much of a fist of a target of 157 and went out at the same stage in the Royal London Cup as Steve Davies’ hundred spearheaded Surrey’s victory. In the Championship, Lyth and Alex Lees were strong up top, but the middle-order failed repeatedly. Jack Brooks’ 60 wickets was a tally unmatched by Division One pace bowlers and Ryan Sidebottom strove as valiantly as ever, while Tim Bresnan had a redoubtable summer with bat and ball, all concluded with his unavailing 142 against Middlesex at Lord’s, to underline his popularity within the county.2017 prospects
Yorkshire should challenge strongly again in all competitions, but they do have vulnerabilities. They have immediately been exposed in the Championship by Brooks’ absence from the first month because of a calf injury. That puts the onus elsewhere. Sidebottom will want a final hurrah in his last season, but Liam Plunkett and David Willey had a joint tally of only 19 Championship wickets in 12 matches last season, and Willey, whose much-trumpeted arrival at Yorkshire has so far been a bit of a dud, is recovering from a shoulder operation. Matt Fisher has huge potential but hamstring and groin injuries demand he is used conservatively until his resilience is proven. England’s withdrawal of Jonny Bairstow from early games (even though he was free to enter the IPL auction – work out the logic in that) will ask also questions of the middle order, although the prospect of Australian Peter Handscomb at No. 3, followed by Gary Ballance, means the pressing issues are at No 5. Travis Head will expect to make a bigger impact as he returns for the NatWest Blast.In charge
Andrew Gale steps up from captain to first-team coach as Yorkshire put faith in their own, a similar decision to that over the Pennines with Lancashire handing the coach’s role to Glen Chapple. It will be intriguing to see how Gale’s passionate and demanding leadership style translates, but his retirement was judiciously timed and, like Chapple, he has the advantage of being highly respected within the county. Ballance, Gale’s choice as captain, still harbours hopes of an England return, but as long as he commits himself fully to the role it can prove to be a good decision. All overseen by the wise counsel of director of cricket Martyn Moxon, who may keep a closer eye on first-team affairs until the new team bed in.Key player
Much will rest with Ballance as Yorkshire seek to rid themselves of last summer’s disappointment. A prolific season with the bat would offset Yorkshire’s middle-order issues in the Championship and, with a few injury concerns around, he will need to manage his pace-bowling resources shrewdly. Man-management skills will involve getting the best out of Lees, who he replaces as captain in the limited-overs formats after only one season, and Adil Rashid, whose eyes will be on Champions Trophy success and whose relationship with Gale had its ups and downs.Bright young thing
Most eyes will be on Fisher, with good reason, but Matthew Waite’s appetite for the fray, whether with bat and ball, created an excellent impression during two high-pressure limited-overs matches in 2016 – a quarter-final victory against Glamorgan in the NatWest Blast and in the Royal London Cup semi-final defeat against Surrey at Headingley. Such are the advantages, the Yorkshire dressing room will testify, of learning how to put his contact lenses in the right way round. Waite, a former Yorkshire Academy captain, is a combative seamer and lower-middle order batsman and should make further progress over 20 and 50 overs this summer.ESPNcricinfo verdict
Yorkshire look bound for a top-three finish in the Championship, but a third title in four years will depend on finding a winning blend in a pace attack that is heavily stocked with over-30s. With a new £32m stand to fund – negotiations, although delicate, seem to be reaching fruition – they also need the sort of NatWest Blast season that pulls in big crowds for more than just the Roses match.Bet365 odds: Specsavers Championship Div 1 11-5; NatWest Blast 9-1; Royal London Cup 13-2

Everton are yet to sign any new additions over the summer transfer window which will be a major concern for the Goodison Park faithful considering the situation that the club found themselves in last season.

The Toffees finished just two points clear of being relegated to the Championship after Abdoulaye Doucoure's strike against Bournemouth on the final day saved them from their first-ever relegation since the Premier League began back in 1992.

Indeed, there is no doubt that Sean Dyche and his recruitment team will be working hard to identify players who can improve the performances of the squad and the former Burnley boss will surely be keen to make his own mark on the squad by adding new players who fit his tactical philosophy.

However, Everton have not only had their struggles on the pitch but behind the scenes too with financial troubles, looming FFP investigations and talk of a potential take-over affecting the club hierarchy's ability to focus solely on the football, which could ultimately result in their downfall if the club doesn't act fast.

One avenue that Dyche and Kevin Thelwell have reportedly been exploring is the acquirement of a number of recently relegated Leeds United players, with Jack Harrison, Rodrigo and Wilfried Gnonto all being linked with a move to Goodison Park.

It was reported this week by Italian news outlet Calciomercato that the Merseyside club currently have the upper hand in their negotiations to sign the Italian winger, Gnonto, and are considered front-runners for his signature despite interest from other clubs like Aston Villa and Fiorentina.

Will Everton sign Wilfried Gnonto this summer?

There is no doubt that attacking reinforcements should be the top priority for the Toffees this summer after failing to replace Anthony Gordon and Richarlison's presence in the final third.

Dyche is definitely short of options on the wider flanks of his attacking threat with just Dwight McNeil and Demarai Gray to lean on last season, so there is a real opportunity to strengthen those positions ahead of next season to significantly improve the creativity and goal contributions offered.

As a result, the signing of Gnonto would be a no-brainer for Everton this summer as the youthful talent is not only Premier League proven but bears a semblance to Gerard Deulofeu.

Deulofeu quickly became an incredibly well-liked member of the team when he joined from Barcelona back in 2013 and was one of the most exciting young prospects in European football at just 19 years old. Coincidentally, Gnonto happens to be the exact same age.

The talented Spaniard tallied up eight goals and registered 19 assists over his 75 appearances with the Blues, predominantly playing on the right wing and contributing heavily to creating opportunities for his strike partner to convert, before being snatched back by Barcelona when they activated their buy-back clause in 2017.

That eye for goal and creative spark is something Everton could now regain through the signing of Gnonto as the Italian youngster – dubbed a "pocket rocket" and "tremendous by Tam McManus – is a consistent contributor from the channels – with experience on both the right and the left flank.

Over his short career so far, the Leeds prodigy – who has a reported valuation of £18m – has scored 34 goals and registered 21 assists in 150 appearances so far, with a goal contribution every 133 minutes so far, which is an impressive output that would be highly valued for Everton next season.

With that being said, a potential move for Gnonto will definitely be one to watch and should Dyche be able to continue the young player's promising development it could set up Everton's threat in front of goal for years to come.

An in-house media unit and game-development staff, major infrastructure investment, a 150% rise in women’s pay, and a virtual freeze of domestic men’s pay levels are on Cricket Australia’s pay proposal to the Australian Cricketers Association

Daniel Brettig06-Apr-2017An in-house media unit and game-development staff to rival the Australian Football League, major infrastructure investment, a 150% rise in women’s pay, and a virtual freeze of domestic men’s pay levels. These are among the key items on Cricket Australia’s (CA) wish-list under its pay proposal to the Australian Cricketers Association (ACA), in exchange for breaking up the fixed-revenue percentage model that has remained in place for the past 20 years – the most prosperous two decades in Australian cricket’s history.Affirmative action fuels women’s pay rise

Massive pay rises for women under Cricket Australia’s pay offer to the Australian Cricketers Association are described as a form of affirmative action to compensate for past neglect and as “fundamental to cricket maintaining its social licence to operate in the eyes of the community”.
Members of the Australia national women’s team stands to earn pay rises of around 166% on their 2016-17 levels, while domestic players stand to gain almost as much, rising 150% on this season’s remuneration. CA states that it will commit as much as A$33 million to pay domestic players over the next five years.
International women, meanwhile, stand to gain a portion of surpluses from international matches, with a figure capped at A$20 million to be split 80-20 between the men’s and women’s teams. CA’s proposal states that this is in order to redress past imbalances: “Independent experts have highlighted that the historical disproportionate investment in international men’s cricket relative to international women’s cricket has contributed to the value differential between the two. Consequently, CA is proposing a 20% allocation of the surplus share to international women as a special measure that begins to reduce the value differential versus international men’s cricket.”

As MOU negotiations continue ahead of the June 30 deadline, ESPNcricinfo has seen the full pay offer put to the players by the board, which outlines the landscape that CA wishes to create by radically altering its existing partnership with the ACA. The board’s rivalry with the AFL for players and supporters is writ large across much of the 29-page proposal, with the league currently embroiled in a parallel pay dispute as footballers chase their own fixed-percentage model.Though CA has publicly pushed the vast increase in pay for female cricketers as the keynote of its offer – backed up by a series of supportive statements from state associations – its full proposal spends a great deal of time outlining realms the board claims it cannot fund due to the fixed-revenue share model. While the ACA has contended that the board currently gets 80 cents in the dollar to spend on “whatever it likes”, the areas in which CA have effectively “cried poor” include:- Further growth of CA’s in-house media unit, which expanded vastly over the past four years via a AUD 60 million (USD 45mn approx) digital component of the board’s current television rights deal, plus around AUD 15 million (USD 11mn approx) tipped in by the telecommunications company Optus in 2015. AFL Media, housed across town from CA’s Jolimont headquarters, employs more than 100 staff, far in advance of CA’s digital arm.The document states: “CA is currently precluded from considering increased in-house media production, because the current revenue-share model would see a share of any increased media revenue allocated to the PPP [player payment pool] without offsetting any of the additional investment that was required.”- Increasing the number of game-development staff around Australia from 170 to 290, again closing the gap with the AFL’s network of more than 450 employed in equivalent roles. CA estimates that this expansion would cost in the order of AUD 17 (USD 13mn approx) million annually.- Addressing issues being raised by the first national audit of Australian cricket infrastructure, a process in its final stages of assessing around 6,000 facilities. While the full audit is yet to be released, CA’s offer states that “early indications suggest perhaps 75% of facilities do not yet have female-appropriate amenities”. In all, CA has estimated up to AUD 76 million (USD 57mn approx) in funds could be reallocated to “grassroots” investment under its proposal.- Removing CA’s requirement to pass on percentages of revenue drawn from areas such as state sponsorship deals and also providing a cash equivalent to the players for “contra”, the practice of providing free television advertising for cricket on the Nine and Ten networks rather than the networks paying the full amount of any broadcast rights deal.- The pursuing of other commercial “growth initiatives with returns that would be attractive to other organisations” that the board claims it cannot currently undertake because the break-even margin is too high after the players’ percentage is taken out.As first flagged in its initial submission to the players last December, CA’s offer contends that while the wages of female cricketers and also international men deserve to rise significantly, those of domestic male players – in both the Sheffield Shield and Matador Cup competitions plus the Big Bash League – have been growing at unsustainable pace.ESPNcricinfo LtdHaving outlined how average state retainer contracts have grown from AUD 50,000 (USD 38,000 approx) in 2011-12 to AUD 87,000 (USD 66,000 approx) in 2016-17, CA proposes to offer only another AUD 1,000 (USD 750 approx) to these contracts next summer, and just AUD 6,000 (USD 4500 approx) overall across the five years covered by the proposed MOU period. Average match fee totals would go from AUD 58,000 (USD 44,000 approx) per player in 2016-17 to AUD 62,000 (USD 47,000 approx) in 2021-22. Similarly, BBL contracts would creep from an average of AUD 78,000 (USD 59,000 approx) in 2016-17 to AUD 104,000 (USD 79,000 approx) by the conclusion of the agreement.By combining state and BBL figures, CA claims that its domestic wages are now “higher than the NRL [National Rugby League] and growing towards the level of the AFL in 2016” – average AFL salaries were calculated at AUD 300,000 (USD 200,000 approx) and NRL AUD 244,000 (USD 185,000 approx) last year. However not every state player has a BBL contract: for instance neither this season’s highest Sheffield Shield run-maker Ed Cowan, nor the highest wicket-taker Chadd Sayers, played any part.This dramatic slowing of domestic player wage growth is justified by CA’s statement that “domestic cricket (i.e. men’s and women’s BBL and state cricket) is not expected to deliver any significant financial surplus in the next MOU period”. The offer goes on to state domestic wages will be “effectively funded by sharing the international cricket financial surplus with domestic players”.It is a forecast that contrasts wildly with common estimates of the extra money expected to be pulled in by the standout success of the BBL on free-to-air television over the past four years. The Ten Network paid AUD 20 million (USD 15mn approx) a season up to AUD 100 million (USD 75mn approx) over five years for the tournament, a deal that will expire in 2018, one year into the proposed MOU period.Estimates of the figure likely to be fetched by CA for the next domestic BBL rights deal have risen as high as AUD 60 million (USD 45mn approx) a season for a total of AUD 300 million (USD 227mn approx). This is without mentioning the domestic and overseas rights deals to be negotiated around the same period. Nine paid just under AUD 500 million (USD 379mn approx) for international cricket in 2013.While talks between CA and the ACA have resumed after a public breakdown in negotiations last December, the players have appeared unmoved in their opposition to the current proposal. The ACA’s chief executive, Alistair Nicholson, said as much last week.”We’ve spent a lot of time with the players talking about what’s coming,” he told the . “And now what’s been coming has come, I’m confident that the players have a good understanding of the issues and are determined not to settle for anything other than what has given the game success over 20 years.”