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Leeds United are looking to finish the transfer window in strong fashion, but not everyone is convinced about the latest name who is set for a move to Elland Road.

Leeds United agree deal to sign James Justin from Leicester City

With their Premier League comeback now underway, Mike McGrath has confirmed that Leeds are set to sign James Justin for £10 million as he enters the final year of his contract at Leicester City.

He stated on X: “Leicester have agreed a deal worth £10m with Leeds for James Justin. The England-capped full-back, 27, having medical at LUFC.”

Earning an instant return after the Foxes’ relegation last season, Justin registered four goals and two assists in 36 appearances across all competitions in 2024/25, though couldn’t help his side reverse the tide under Ruud van Nistelrooy.

More recently, he has featured in two of Leicester’s three opening fixtures, starring in their win against Sheffield Wednesday and 2-1 loss to Preston North End. Still, not everyone is convinced by his arrival at Elland Road.

News UK journalist Charlie Carmichael has claimed the Foxes have done an “unbelievable” job to take in £10 million given his contract situation and recent form at the King Power Stadium, believing he was “miles off” top flight level.

Putting that to the test, there are plenty of conflicting opinions on Leeds’ latest capture as they look to stay in the top-flight for the foreseeable future.

Should Leeds United be bringing Justin to Elland Road?

After a 5-0 defeat to Arsenal that exposed Leeds’ defensive frailties, news that Justin is on his way hasn’t pleased the Yorkshire giants’ support in their entirety, it is fair to say. First of all, his £10 million price-tag is steep, in context, considering he would’ve been available for free next summer.

Albeit, the Whites have spent £91.3 million and he would come in as their joint-sixth most expensive addition of the window alongside Gabriel Gudmunsson. Still, shelling out a reasonable fee for someone out of form is hardly inspiring, especially in a world where adhering to PSR regulations is becoming pivotal to clubs that can establish themselves in the Premier League.

Last term, Fotmob calculate that Justin was dribbled past 23 times and lost the ball 15 times in the top-flight, picking up six yellow cards in the process, with his defensive frailties highlighted by a video circulating on social media. Of course, plying his trade for a side who were nailed-on relegation candidates from the start didn’t help, but he also delivered a dribble success rate of 40.9%, which is hardly ideal when it comes to structuring build-up play efficiently.

Despite possessing significant talent, Justin lost almost 45% of his aerial duels in the same timeframe, emphasising that he still has much to improve on at the elite level if he wants to become a success at Elland Road.

Availability is the greatest ability, according to some, though the fact he has missed 100 matches since 2020/21 due to Achilles issues and a cruciate ligament tear leaves alot to be desired ahead of his involvement at Leeds.

Ultimately, Farke will know Justin has strong traits as a full-back due to his speed and ability to intercept oncoming attacks, though his deficiencies could outweigh his strenghs in the Premier League if recent indications are anything to go by.

MatériaMais Notícias

O resultado de empate no último sábado (3) entre Santos e Internacional, em 1 a 1, parece ter agradado o técnico Mano Menezes. Ao menos, foi essa a linha de raciocínio estabelecida na entrevista coletiva dada logo depois do compromisso na Vila Belmiro.

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Para Mano, fazendo uma análise do trabalho que vem sendo desenvolvido em 2023, os únicos resultados que podem ser efetivamente questionados foram os reveses por 2 a 0, em sequência, diante de São Paulo, Athletico-PR, Atlético-MG e América-MG.

O treinador do Internacional chegou a falar, também, que enxerga as apresentações da equipe em caráter de evolução, indicando que o time apresentar viés de crescimento para melhorar a sequência:

– Tirando as derrotas por 2 a 0, uma exceção, todo o resto está dentro do normal. Até os gols sofridos, menos de um gol por jogo, é o que as equipes de ponta levam, mas queremos ser mais equilibrados. Sempre acreditei nisso. O equilíbrio passa por sofrer um pouco menos do que sofremos. Já voltamos a marcar. Foi uma dificuldade que passamos. Acho que estamos no caminho para encontrar as soluções.

Mano Menezes também apresentou certo incômodo com as avaliações sobre o desempenho de sua equipe. Chegando a apontar, até mesmo, a existência de certo preconceito.

>Não perca nenhum lance do Inter na Liberta. Assine o Star+ por apenas R$40,90 por mês e torça onde quiser!

– Às vezes, acho que se discute um pouco com preconceito com certas equipes e treinadores. Vejo propostas de todas as maneiras, às vezes sem fazer gol ou chutar a gol. Sabe que o time mais ofensivo do Brasil não faz gol há cinco partidas? Vocês viram Cruzeiro x Atlético-MG? Dois times ofensivos, com muita dificuldade de fazer gol. O gol que saiu foi no meio do campo. No fim do jogo, quem queria atacar, só conseguia botar a bola na área e o outro time com quatro zagueiros. É do jogo. Você precisa ver o jogo como é – apontou o treinador.

O próximo jogo do Inter será na próxima quarta-feira (7), diante do Nacional, às 19h (de Brasília), pela Libertadores.

Mitchell Owen put his name up in lights with an astonishing display in the BBL final

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff28-Jan-2025

Mitchell Owen celebrates a stunning century•Getty Images

A day before the BBL started, Mitch Owen said he wasn’t sure where he’d be batting – or at all – for Hobart Hurricanes this season.After a record-breaking knock to win the competition for his home-town side, Owen, also the top run-scorer for the league, can start to lift his sights higher. The 23-year-old is set to earn life-changing amounts of money in franchise cricket, potentially starting with a replacement deal at the Indian Premier League.Related

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Owen’s manager confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that he is available as a replacement player for the IPL, having registered for the auction longlist late last year before failing to make the shortlist. The Pakistan Super League, which virtually runs concurrently with the IPL in April and May, could be another option for him.Owen’s mighty knock of 108 off just 42 balls – the equal-fastest ton in competition history off 39 deliveries – had the sellout crowd chanting his name and won Hobart their first BBL title.”I feel a bit awkward in these situations. I don’t really know how to take it,” Owen said of the adoration. “It’s super special… the most special thing is hearing everyone in the crowd enjoying it. And I’m so grateful, I’m so proud that we could bring this trophy to Tassie.”Owen had played just six matches in the previous two seasons for Hurricanes, for a total of 42 runs. Previously a middle-order hitter, Owen said a decision that he would be batting in the top order came “probably one day, to be honest” out from their tournament opener.Ricky Ponting, Hurricanes’ head of strategy, said he was “amongst that” decision. Declining to elaborate on his role in that move, the Test great happily talked up Owen’s future, saying discussion of him representing Australia in next year’s World Cup was “inevitable”.Mitchell Owen made the equal fastest century in BBL history off 39 balls•Getty Images

“There’s not many players in the world that can do that,” he told AAP of Owen’s heroics in the final. “He’s done it pretty consistently through the tournament… some of his 30s and 40s that he’s got have actually won and set up games for the Hurricanes. And then he ended up getting a hundred in 30-odd balls and the game’s over.”Hurricanes team-mate and 2021 T20 World Cup winner Matthew Wade agreed Owen “would be there or thereabouts” when it came to squad selection for the 2026 tournament.”He can be anything… no stage really worries him too much. It was phenomenal,” Wade told AAP.Owen said he “absolutely” wanted to work towards the squad for the India-Sri Lanka-hosted tournament, which begins in February 2026.However, David Warner suggested such talk was premature. The losing Thunder captain said the Australian team didn’t need a shake-up.”No, no. You’ve got the guys that are there at the moment,” he said. “You can earn your stripes… we can’t be just picking blokes and chopping and changing when the guys that are there have won World Cups.”It will be difficult top order to break into, with Travis Head, Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk and T20 captain Mitch Marsh having claims on those spots.Steven Smith, left out of last year’s underwhelming T20 World Cup campaign, also has to be considered after starring for the Sydney Sixers in the past two seasons when he has played as an opener in between international duties.But Warner was certainly happy to credit Owen with a “phenomenal knock” that meant his side came up short after posting 97 without loss after 10 overs.”We got beat by one player tonight, plain and simple,” he said.0815 GMT – This story was updated to reflect Owen’s availability as an IPL replacement player.

A truly disastrous night for Celtic, one that could have enormous ramifications.

On Tuesday, or the early hours of Wednesday local time, the Hoops were dumped out of the Champions League in the play-off round by Kazakh champions Kairat.

Both legs, as well as extra time, finished goalless, before the Scottish Premiership champions were ignominiously defeated on penalties; Adam Idah, Luke McCowan and Daizen Maeda all seeing attempts saved by Temirlan Anarbekov.

The board gambled on making signings after Champions League qualification was secured, but that has backfired spectacularly.

Thus, Brendan Rodgers’ team will now take their place in Friday’s Europa League draw, but desperately need new recruits if they’re even to be competitive at that level, so could a new winger soon be on his way to Parkhead?

Celtic's need for attacking reinforcements

Across more than three and a half hours against Kairat, Celtic rarely looked like scoring.

Over the two legs, the Celts mustered just six shots on target, creating only three Opta-defined big chances, clearly lacking any sort of cutting edge.

In Almaty on Tuesday, James Forrest, Maeda and Yang Hyun-Jun was the front three deployed by Rodgers, a far cry from an attack containing Kyōgo Furuhashi and Nicolas Kühn, both of whom have been sold this year.

Thus, according to a report by Sky Sports News, Celtic are ‘in talks’ with Swedish side Hammarby​​​​​​​ as they attempt to sign winger Sebastian Tounekti.

They add that the Hoops have seen an opening bid of £2.6m rejected, with the Stockholm-based side holding out for closer to £5m, noting that ‘negotiations are ongoing’.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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Hammarby are currently attempting to win the Allsvenskan title for the first time in 24 years, sat second with nine games to go, but may be under pressure to sell, having been dumped out of Conference League qualifying by Nordic rivals Rosenborg earlier this month.

So, could Tounekti soon swap Stockholm for Celtic?

What Celtic supporters should expect from Sebastian Tounekti

Despite the fact he’s just 23 years old, Tounekti is quite accustomed to changing clubs.

After beginning his senior career at Tromsdalen in the Norwegian lower leagues, he’s since represented Bodø/Glimt​​​​​​​, Groningen​​​​​​​, Haugesund and Ranheim, before joining Hammarby earlier this year.

In 26 appearances for the Swedish side, he has scored two goals and registered five assists, starting all four of their European ties against Royal Charleroi and Rosenborg, very much a key figure, as the table below documents.

The statistics very much crystallise Tounekti’s strengths, namely chance creation and dribbling, given that, among his current teammates, he ranks first for assists, big chances created and successful dribbles per match this year, while also in the top five when it comes to goals and shots.

Tounekti Hammarby’s stats

Stat

Tounekti

Hammarby rank

Minutes

1,522

8th

Starts

19

5th

Goals

2

5th

Assists

5

1st

Big chances created

8

1st

Shots

36

3rd

Big chances missed

4

3rd

Successful dribbles per 90

2.1

1st

Average Sofascore rating

7.09

8th

via FBref.com & Sofascore

Celtic analyst DataBhoys outlines how his strengths are getting to the byline and producing cut-backs, rather than drifting inside and looking to create centrally.

Despite being born in Tromsø​​​​​​​, Tounekti is a full Tunisian international, winning just his second cap during a friendly against Morocco in June, four years after his debut, so he’ll surely be motivated to play at the highest possible level, with an Africa Cup of Nations to come in December, followed by the World Cup next summer.

So, why would he improve Rodgers’ current attacking options?

Well, most Celtic supporters would agree that Yang is not a starting-level player, given that he has scored just nine goals in 71 appearances for Celtic, only a regular due to Jota’s injury and Kühn’s sale to Como.

In fact, it has been reported that big-spending EFL Championship side Birmingham City have made an approach in an attempt to sign Yang, with the South Korean international outlining his desire to explore a new challenge earlier this summer.

With Birmingham splashing the cash, Celtic could probably secure a pretty decent fee for Yang, who arrived for just £2m from Gangwon FC two summers ago.

Thus, most supporters would be content if that money was reinvested in signing Tounekti, who certainly has the potential to be a clear upgrade.

Related Awful news for Adam Idah: "Proven goalscorer" now open to joining Celtic

Adam Idah’s place in the squad may be in danger as a striker is keen on a move to Celtic.

Posts 3 ByDan Emery Aug 28, 2025

Jansen and Mulder shared six wickets before van der Dussen and Klaasen hit fifties in the paltry chase

Firdose Moonda01-Mar-20251:39

Do South Africa have the best attack in the tournament?

South Africa confirmed their spot in the Champions Trophy semi-finals with a commanding victory over a hapless England, who ended the tournament winless, captain-less, and on a seven-match losing streak.After choosing to bat first in Karachi, the most run-laden venue of the event, England played like a side that would rather not. They were bowled out for the lowest total of this Champions Trophy and gifted South Africa wickets in a display of carefree and sometimes careless strokeplay. South Africa were hit by both illness and injury-enforced absences and were not always at their best, but they caught particularly well in the field, paced their chase perfectly, and have plenty of positives to take into the knockouts.From a bowling perspective, the form of Marco Jansen, who picked up the first three wickets, continues on an upward curve while Keshav Maharaj was effective through the middle overs and Wiaan Mulder cleaned up the tail. South Africa’s batting line-up was without regular openers Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi (both unwell), and Aiden Markram (hamstring injury in the field). Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen both scored half-centuries in a match-winning third-wicket stand of 127. If anything, it gives South Africa a good selection problem going forward while England just have problems.Lungi Ngidi covered good ground to pull off a diving catch•Associated Press

Having already exited the tournament after their defeat to Afghanistan and with Jos Buttler announcing he would step down as captain, England had nothing to lose and were expected to play with freedom. They showed their intent early when Phil Salt cracked Jansen’s second ball over backward point and smashed the fourth one over midwicket to open the scoring with fours. But, instead of closing out the opening over quietly, he tried to pull the final ball – a short one – also but top-edged it to van der Dussen at midwicket to end his tournament with a total of 30 runs from 25 balls.Ben Duckett picked up from where Salt left off and scored two boundaries in three balls off Lungi Ngidi but Jamie Smith repeated Salt’s mistake and tamely pulled Jansen to Markram at mid-on. Duckett settled as he was fed balls on the pads but when he tried to clip Jansen fine, he got a leading edge back to South Africa’s destroyer-in-chief. England were 37 for 3 in the seventh over.That could have become 38 for 4 when Joe Root cut Kagiso Rabada to backward point and though Mulder got both hands to it, he could not hold on. Root went on to nail the drive and the pull and formed a 62-run stand with a confident-looking Harry Brook and England were building solidly. But they could not keep Jansen out of the game. When Brook belted Maharaj over midwicket, Jansen ran to his right from long-on and slid on his knees to take a wonder catch. Four balls later, Root was bowled when he missed a leg-side flick off Mulder and the ball hit his back pad on its way on to the stumps.At that stage, Buttler, playing his last innings as England captain, had only faced a ball and had a big job on his hands. He received little help from Liam Livingstone, who charged down the track to meet a Maharaj ball but South Africa’s left-arm spinner saw him coming, tossed it up and had him stumped. Livingstone has only made more than 20 runs once in his last seven innings.By then, England’s effort looked mostly a case of marking time while South Africa stayed focused on searching for wickets. Rabada was brought back at the halfway stage. He beat Jamie Overton first up, then kept him in check by forcing a defensive shot, and then had him caught at mid-on as the batter tried to attack. He looked to whip Rabada over the leg side but chipped the ball towards mid-on where Ngidi ran back and took a one-handed stunner as he hit the ground.Heinrich Klaasen was in fine hitting form•Associated Press

South Africa continued to catch well: Jansen took a low catch at midwicket to see the end of Jofra Archer and Maharaj made a tumbling grab at mid-off to end Buttler’s innings on 21 and give Ngidi his 100th ODI wicket. England were bowled out in the 39th over, and took South Africa’s concerns about a slow over rate with them.At that stage, South Africa’s semi-final qualification was assured because even if they lost the match, their net run-rate could not dip below Afghanistan’s. That took pressure off the chase but not necessarily off South Africa’s batters, who all wanted runs ahead of an important week. Tristan Stubbs, playing his ninth ODI and first in an ICC event, didn’t get any as he tried to play an Archer ball late but deflected it on to his stumps.Though his first over lasted ten balls as he struggled to find his line, Archer quickly improved and delivered the rest of his opening spell with good pace and better accuracy. He was rewarded with a second wicket, too, when Ryan Rickelton, who looked confident in his 25-ball 27, was bowled by a delivery that nipped back into him and smashed into middle stump.From there, it was all South Africa. While van der Dussen appeared at times frustrated by his slower scoring rate than Klaasen’s, the pair complemented each other well. Van der Dussen scored largely through the leg side while six of Klaasen’s 11 fours came through the covers. Klaasen reached his fifty with one of those shots off the 41st ball he faced. It was his fifth successive half-century in the format, which is the joint-highest for South Africa. Van der Dussen’s came off 72 balls as he rocked back to send Adil Rashid through square leg and bring up a second fifty in the competition. Klaasen departed when he tried to smash Rashid over fine leg but outside-edged to short third. David Miller hit the winning runs off the second ball he faced when he smoked Livingstone over the sightscreen for six.This is the third successive tournament for which South Africa have qualified for the knockouts, after the 2023 ODI World Cup and 2024 T20 World Cup. Their semi-final opposition and venue will only be confirmed after the match between India and New Zealand on Sunday. They will play the loser of that match either in Dubai on Tuesday (if it’s India) or Lahore on Wednesday (if it’s New Zealand).

كشفت تقارير صحفية إسبانية تطورات جديدة بشأن الحارس الألماني الدولي مارك تير شتيجن وتعافيه من الإصابة حيث يواصل تدريباته حالياً.

ووفقاً لصحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية فإن شتيجن والذي خضع لعملية جراحية لآلام أسفل الظهر في يوليو، بدأ التدريب في صالة الألعاب الرياضية حيث يمارس تمارين ركوب الدراجات لتقوية ركبته اليمنى.

ويعيش حارس مرمى وقائد برشلونة كابوساً كبيراً منذ تعرضه لإصابة قوية ضد فياريال في سبتمبر 2024 والتي أبعدته عن الملاعب طوال الموسم تقريباً.

ولم يتمكن تير شتيجن سوى من اللعب في مباراتين ضد بلد الوليد وفياريال بعد تعافيه من الإصابة الأولى، وتمكن من اللحاق بمباريات منتخب بلاده في نصف النهائي ومباراة تحديد المركزين الثالث والرابع في دوري الأمم الأوروبية.

أقرأ أيضاً.. لاعب برشلونة مدافعًا عن دي يونج: ما يقال عنه “كذب”.. وفاجأني في التدريبات

ورغم اختفاء آلام الركبة فإن مارك تير شتيجن يواصل أداء التمارين البدنية في صالة الألعاب الرياضية لتقوية نفسه بعد فترة طويلة من الانقطاع وعدم قيامه بأنشطة.

ولا يزال مستقبل شتيجن في برشلونة غامضاً ومن المرجح أن تجبره الإصابات وتعاقد البلوجرانا مع خوان جارسيا على جلوسه على دكة البدلاء بعد تعافيه.

ومع ذلك لن يستسلم تير شتيجن ويريد البقاء في النادي والقتال لاستعادة المركز الذي سيضمن له مكاناً كحارس مرمى لمنتخب ألمانيا في كأس العالم 2026.

ويحظى تير شتيجن بثقة مدرب منتخب ألمانيا جوليان ناجيلسمان حيث قال: “إذا كان شتيجن يتمتع بصحة جيدة فإنه سيكون الحارس الأول لدينا”.

MatériaMais Notícias

Bruno Melo foi procurado pelo Goiás, no início da temporada, para reforçar o elenco do Esmeraldino. E o hoje zagueiro de 30 anos, porém lateral-esquerdo de origem, vem acumulando bons números em sua passagem por empréstimo do Fortaleza apesar da campanha ruim da equipe no Campeonato Brasileiro.

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Titular absoluto, o zagueiro disputou nove partidas no Brasileirão, atuando durante os noventa minutos em todos os compromissos. Ao lado de Lucas Halter, o defensor forma a dupla de zaga integralmente por empréstimo, já que Lucas também está cedido ao clube por parte do Athletico-PR.

A alta minutagem é resultado dos bons números individuais do defensor que se destaca pela participação na saída de bola da equipe, tendo 32 passes no setor defensivo por jogo e com uma precisão de 95%. Bruno é um dos pilares do Alviverde na hora de iniciar suas jogadas, sendo uma das opções do goleiro Tadeu para armar o time.

Entretanto, quando pressionado, a equipe aposta na velocidade de seu ataque e, com isso, Bruno também utiliza de lançamentos e bolas longas. Com 54% de precisão nas jogadas com bola esticada, o zagueiro costuma efetuar quatro tentativas corretas por jogo. Por outro lado, nos lançamentos, são dois corretos por jogo.

Com a experiência conquistada durante a carreira, o zagueiro também se destaca pelo bom posicionamento em campo, conseguindo assim antecipar jogadas do oponente. Em média, são três cortes do defensor por jogo. Além disso, o bom posicionamento evita com que Bruno precise cometer faltas, tendo em média menos de uma falta por jogo no Campeonato Brasileiro.

A próxima oportunidade que as boas estatísticas de Bruno Melo serão colocadas à prova ocorrerá na próxima quinta-feira (22). Jogando fora de casa, o clube do Centro-Oeste visita o Vasco, às 20h (de Brasília), pela rodada 11 do Brasileirão. O duelo em questão coloca, frente a frente, dois times que brigam para sair da zona de rebaixamento, já que o Goiás está em 17° lugar, com oito pontos, enquanto a representação carioca está duas posições abaixo, tendo seis unidades conquistadas.

MatériaMais Notícias

Vai começar aCopa do Mundo Feminina 2023. Abaixo, oLANCE!apresenta todos os estádios do torneio, com informações como nome, cidade e capacidade de público. Ao todo, serão dez estádios divididos entre Austrália e Nova Zelândia.

AUSTRÁLIA

Estádio Olímpico de Sydney – Capacidade para 42.500 pessoas, receberá partidas da fase de grupos e oitavas de final

Suncorp Stadium – Capacidade para 52.000 pessoas, terá partidas da fase de grupos, oitavas, quartas e terceiro lugar. O Brasil jogará neste estádio contra a França.

AAMI Park (Melbourne Stadium) – Capacidade para 30.000 pessoas, receberá duelos da fase de grupos e oitavas de final. O Brasil enfrentará a Jamaica no local.

Perth Oval (HBF Park) – Capacidade para 20.500 pessoas, receberá jogos da fase de grupos.

Hindmarsh Stadium – Capacidade para 18.000 pessoas, irá receber partidas de fase de grupos e oitavas de final. É o menor estádio da Copa do Mundo e terá o duelo entre Brasil x Panamá, na estreia da Seleção.

Stadium Australia (ACCOR Stadium) – Capacidade para 82.500 pessoas, receberá jogos da fase de grupos, oitavas, quartas, semifinal e final.

NOVA ZELÂNDIA

SKY Stadium – Capacidade para 34.500 pessoas, terá duelos da fase de grupos, oitavas e quartas de final

Eden Park – Capacidade para 50 mil pessoas, receberá jogos da fase de grupos, oitavas, quartas e semifinal. Será a sede do duelo de abertura da Copa do Mundo Feminina, entre Nova Zelândia e Noruega.

Forsyth Barr – Capacidade para 30.748 pessoas e terá duelos da fase de grupos

Waikato Stadium – Capacidade para 30.748 pessoas e receberá duelos da fase de grupos.

Kuhnemann took 5 for 49 as Tasmania ended NSW’s hopes of appearing in the Sheffield Shield final

AAP18-Mar-2025

Matthew Kuhnemann took 5 for 49•Getty Images

New South Wales’ dreams of securing a spot in the Sheffield Shield final have been crushed by a superb five wicket haul from Tasmania spinner Matthew Kuhnemann.The Blues began day four in Hobart at 71 for 0, chasing 529 for an unlikely victory and a spot in next week’s decider against South Australia at Karen Rolton Oval and that total soon swelled to 112 for 0 thanks to half-centuries from Sam Konstas and Blake Nikitaras.But seamer Gabe Bell struck twice in the same over around an hour after the resumption to break the promising opening partnership and then dispatch the in-form Kurtis Patterson without scoring.NSW’s innings never got going again after that, with the visitors all out for 202 just after 6.30pm local in the day-night fixture, 327 runs short of their target.Test spinner Kuhnemann was chief destroyer after Bell’s early efforts, removing of his fellow Sri Lanka tourist Konstas to begin his eighth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.Konstas (68) did his best to provide resistance with a second half-century since being overlooked for game time on the Test tour of Sri Lanka. The teenager showed off his creative side, reverse-scooping Bell to the boundary for four but was out only three overs later.Sam Konstas played a reverse ramp on his way to scoring 68•Getty Images

Bell was again at the centre of the action to remove Konstas, having earlier enticed Nikitaras into edging to flying wicketkeeper Jake Doran. Konstas holed out to Bell on the boundary rope at deep mid-wicket trying to slog sweep Kuhnemann, but still finished as the innings’ top scorer.Bowling allrounder Sean Abbott was the only batter to provide any resistance after that as Kuhnemann wreaked havoc.Kuhnemann decimated the NSW middle-order, clean bowling Josh Philippe through the gate before Ollie Davies skied him to Tim Ward.NSW skipper Jack Edwards played through knee soreness and came in at No.10, though added only one run before offering a return catch to Kuhnemann, who completed his five-wicket haul.

Manchester United are now racing Chelsea for the signature of an attacking midfielder, who has been compared to former midfielder Thiago Alcântara.

Sesko tipped to struggle after Man Utd fail to sign playmaker

Former Man United man Louis Saha has suggested Benjamin Sesko has the talent to be a success at Old Trafford if given the right service, but could struggle in the short-term given that Ruben Amorim failed to bring in a playmaker during the summer transfer window.

Saha said: “I think he’s capable if the manager managed to get that link between midfield and striker,

“Unfortunately we didn’t get the midfielder we wanted. So we’re still very weak in that department. And this is why I think Sesko will struggle maybe a little bit until we get that sorted.

“He’s got the quality because he’s tall, he’s going to score goals in the air, and he’s very technical as well.”

United did manage to sign two Premier League-proven forwards in the form of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who should be able to provide more goals this season, with the latter player opening his account against Burnley last time out.

However, Amorim’s side have also now entered the race for a different attacking midfielder, according to a report from Spain, which states Man United are looking to sign Barcelona’s Dro Fernandez, who has started to attract widespread interest.

Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea are among the clubs set to battle it out for Fernandez’s services, having impressed in youth competitions, while the 17-year-old’s versatility also makes signing him an attractive proposition.

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That said, it could be difficult to tempt the La Liga champions into a sale, given that they are thought to be reluctant to sanction the highly-rated youngster’s departure.

Fernandez could be the new Thiago

The teenager’s former coaches, Javi Roxo and Luis Perez, believe he could be destined for the very top, having compared him to former Barcelona midfielder Thiago, saying: “Dro is a talent of Thiago’s level, I have not seen anyone as technical as Thiago but Dro’s vision of the game is even superior.

“If he relieves himself of pressure and plays freely, he is capable of anything, his talent is infinite.”

The young Spaniard, who is capable of playing in attacking midfield and on the left-wing, is yet to make a senior appearance for Barca, but he has started to make an impact at youth level, scoring two goals in seven UEFA Youth League games last season.

That said, while Fernandez may be capable of being a future star, Man United’s main focus in January should be bringing in an established central midfielder, having missed out in the summer, with Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba among the most exciting targets.