Manchester United have received a huge offer for a “sensational” player, who has now agreed personal terms over a deal, according to a report.
Amorim looking to reshape his squad
Ruben Amorim is looking to put his own stamp on the Man United squad, which means there could be a number of departures in the January transfer window, with three forwards potentially set for exits.
Marcus Rashford has made it clear that he wants to leave his boyhood club, with Barcelona among the clubs interested in the Englishman, who has found game time hard to come by since Amorim’s arrival.
The Red Devils are also open to letting Antony leave this month should they receive a suitable offer, with the Brazilian winger flattering to deceive ever since arriving from Ajax.
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Alejandro Garnacho has featured regularly in the Premier League this season, but there is now major doubt over the winger’s future at Old Trafford, with Chelsea becoming the latest club to hold talks over a deal.
There is also interest from Italy, with reports from earlier this week detailing that Napoli are ready to increase their offer for the 20-year-old, who is valued at £59m by United.
According to a new report from Tuttosport (via Sport Witness), the deal is now advancing, with Napoli submitting a €55m (£46m) offer for Garnacho, having generated the funds for a deal by selling Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Paris Saint-Germain.
Manchester United's AlejandroGarnachoapplauds fans
The Argentina international is said to have agreed contract terms with the Serie A side, indicating that he is keen on the move, but an improved bid may need to be submitted to get a deal over the line.
Man United are maintaining a €70m (£59m) asking price for the youngster, so the two clubs are still some way apart.
Man Utd should sell Garnacho
It is always a shame to see a player who has progressed through the youth ranks move on to pastures new, but if Garnacho wants to leave, Amorim shouldn’t stand in his way.
The Argentinian has shown some promising signs in a United shirt, receiving praise for his “sensational” performance against Aston Villa from reporter Michael Plant just over a year ago.
The left-winger has scored three Premier League goals this season, but he has been unable to cement his place in the starting XI, often being utilised as a substitute, having failed to really kick on since last season.
As such, Man United should look to cash in on Garnacho this month, and raising £59m from his sale would potentially allow them to bring in a top-quality replacement that fits more into Amorim’s plans.
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Ruben Amorim will be keen to move some players out of Manchester United as he gets to grips with his new team.
Everton are reportedly planning talks with a club over the signing of a creative “revelation”, with a loan move in the January transfer window mooted.
Everton pushing for January signings
The Blues still look horribly short of attacking quality this season, with Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa in the Premier League once again outlining their lack of threat in the final third. For that reason, it is essential that extra firepower is looked at before the end of the month.
It certainly looks like that is the case, with Everton continuing to be linked with new attacking signings, including young Leicester City striker Tom Cannon, who is wanted by a host of clubs this month.
Willian is a player who the Blues have come up against many times down the years, during stints with the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Fulham, and the Brazilian is another rumoured target for them. He is a free agent currently, meaning David Moyes could bring him in on a free transfer in January.
On the flip side, Armando Broja may see his loan deal at Everton terminate this month because of injury, with Moyes admitting as much, saying: “We think he’s going to be out for somewhere between 10-12 weeks. It’s his ankle ligaments. It’ll probably mean there’s a possibility that he will have to go back to Chelsea.”
Everton planning talks over signing "revelation"
According to a fresh claim from Caught Offside, Everton are “preparing to hold talks” with Chelsea over the signing of Kieran Dewsbury-Hall.
The midfielder has been a peripheral figure for the Blues since moving to Stamford Bridge from Leicester last summer, and the possible exit of Broja means the Merseysiders could be afforded the chance to sign him. Ben Chilwell is also mentioned as a loan target – Broja’s exit would only make room for one of them under the league’s loan rules however.
Chelsea's KiernanDewsbury-Hallin action with Southampton's Kamaldeen Sulemana
Dewsbury-Hall is exactly the type of player that Everton have been missing this season – someone who can weave creative magic in midfield and attacking areas. The £80,000-a-week Englishman has had a tough season at Chelsea, not starting a single Premier League game and featuring for only 56 minutes in the competition, highlighting why a move away would surely appeal to him.
While Dewsbury-Hall’s stock has fallen after a brilliant 2023/24 campaign with Leicester in the Championship – he got 12 goals and 14 assists in the league last term – he could still be a brilliant addition for Everton, with Brendan Rodgers hailing him back in 2022.
“He’s been a revelation for us. He is a young man that is very determined. He has great human qualities as well. His humbleness, his vision of where he wants to go is very clear and he knows that is just about work. It is staying calm, staying focused and improving yourself every game.”
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Dewsbury-Hall would provide Everton with guile and a strong work ethic in the middle of the park, and he will be desperate to prove himself in the Premier League. It’s a move that makes sense for everyone involved.
What a tough season it has been so far for Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Old Gold find themselves 19th in the Premier League, which might be a shock to many including Phil McNulty, the chief football writer for BBC Sport. He said “I think Wolves can avoid danger” at the start of the season, but so far it is not working out like that.
It will be all change in the next few weeks too, after Gary O’Neil’s recent sacking. Portuguese coach Vitor Pereira is officially the new manager, and he has a lot of work to do to salvage the season.
With that in mind, here’s a look at Wolves’ dream lineup using Pereira’s favoured 3-4-3, with some potential January signings, too.
1 GK – Sam Johnstone
It has been a lean season so far for Wolves, conceding 40 goals, the most in the Premier League. Sam Johnstone and Jose Sa have battled it out for the gloves, with Sa being O’Neil’s preferred choice.
With that being said, Johnstone has conceded 17 goals in seven games in the top flight, which is made to seem far worse given he let in five in one game against Brentford. He averages fewer goals conceded per game than Sa, with 2.42 compared to 2.55. He could well get the nod.
2 RWB – Nelson Semedo
Newly appointed Wolves captain Nelson Semedo will surely be a key player under Pereira. It seems unlikely that his countryman will rock the boat further by removing the Portugal right-back’s captaincy.
From a defensive standpoint this term, the former Barcelona defender has been crucial. As per FBref, he has made the most clearances amongst Wolves players with 59, and the fourth most tackles and interceptions with 39. He is a crucial player.
3 CB – Craig Dawson
Experienced centre-back Craig Dawson had a moment to forget a few weeks ago during the clash against Everton. His two own goals contributed to half of the goals they conceded in a 4-0 win at Goodison Park.
His poor form meant O’Neil dropped him for his final two games in charge, but that did not make much of a difference for the Midlands club. It could be that Pereira could reinstate him, looking to lean on his experience.
4 CB – Ben Godfrey
The first of the two new potential signings in this hypothetical XI is former Everton man Ben Godfrey. According to the Daily Mail, the Old Gold are ‘understood to be among the clubs keen’ to sign him on loan, alongside the likes of Nottingham Forest.
The defender has been a bit-part player for an incredibly successful Atalanta side this season, who he joined in the summer from the Toffees. He would bring experience to the backline at Molineux, given he has played 112 times in the Premier League, exactly the sort of addition that could help keep them up.
5 CB – Toti Gomes
Wolverhampton Wanderers centre-back Toti Gomes.
25-year-old Portuguese international Toti Gomes has been another important player for the Old Gold in 2024/25, despite their defensive frailties. He has made 14 Premier League appearances this term.
One thing the Wolves number 24 can bring to their defence is progression on the ball. This season, he has played 31 progressive passes, more than any other centre-back, with Dawson the second-highest on 19. Not only is he a solid defender, but a big asset if Pereira wishes to play out from the back.
6 LWB – Rayan Ait-Nouri
Ait-Nouri
Rayan Ait-Nouri has been one of the only players who have performed to a high level for the Old Gold this term. He is yet to miss a top-flight game, although will be banned for their next outing in the Premier League.
The Algerian left wing-back has been flying up and down the flank for O’Neil this season, and his three goals and three assists so far show what kind of impact he can have. There are question marks over his future at the club, with Manchester United linked with a £60m move as per GiveMeSport. However, Pereira would be no doubt desperate to keep him at the club.
7 CM – Andre
It has been a tough start to life in the Midlands for summer signing Andre. He has played 12 times in the top flight but has not been a first choice in the middle of the park, featuring for just 733 minutes in total.
However, it seems like Pereira might back him given the new manager’s experience in the midfielder’s native Brazil. Having managed Corinthians and Flamengo, he will have faced the former Fluminense man before and will know the quality he has to offer.
8 CM – Joao Gomes
Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes vs Arsenal
Andre’s midfield partner could well be another Brazilian, Joao Gomes. He was a mainstay in the Old Gold midfield this campaign until the most recent game against Ipswich Town, playing in 15 from 16 games.
Gomes’ ability in the middle of the park to win the ball back is vital for the Molineux side. He has made 80 ball recoveries this season, more than any of his teammates, and has also completed 60 tackles and interceptions so far. His work rate without the ball will be crucial for Pereira.
9 AM – Miguel Almiron
The second of the potential new signings for the Old Gold in January is Miguel Almiron. According to The Sun, the Newcastle United winger is of interest to Wolves on loan, with Leicester City and Crystal Palace also keen.
The attacker, who earns £60k-per-week at St James’ Park, could slot into the side as a number 10 or a false winger, replacing former club captain Mario Lemina in the side.
He hasn’t played much this season, but is a proven goalscorer in the Premier League, scoring 11 times in the 2022/23 season.
10 AM – Matheus Cunha
Matheus Cunha
People are running out of superlatives for Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha. He has been sublime for the Midlands club again this term, with eight goals and three assists. That includes two goals and one assist in Wolves’ second win of the season against Fulham.
Everything good that has happened for the Old Gold has more than likely been because of Cunha. He makes things happen and has the highest number of shot-creating actions per 90 minutes amongst teammates who average five full games or more, with 3.91.
Sunrisers’ head coach also says that the team “lost a little bit of confidence” after injuries to Washington Sundar and T Natarajan
Deivarayan Muthu14-May-20225:42
Kane Williamson the T20 batter – yay or nay?
Kane Williamson’s 17-ball 9 against Kolkata Knight Riders added to his – and Sunrisers Hyderabad’s – struggles in a crucial game for them on Friday. All told, Williamson has scored 208 runs at a strike rate of 92.85 – the worst among batters with a minimum of 100 runs this season.Sunrisers have other opening options in their ranks, including Rahul Tripathi and Aiden Markram, to partner Abhishek Sharma, but head coach Tom Moody said the team management was against meddling with the middle order that had been doing the job for them.Related
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“Rahul Tripathi has batted exceptionally well at No. 3 and Markram has been one of the leading batters in the tournament at No. 4,” Moody said at the post-match press conference. “So, we felt why change something that’s working for something that’s not working.”We have trusted Kane with his quality, there’s no question of his world-class quality. So, that’s why we haven’t made that move because as we have seen throughout the tournament where the batting has been functioning really well. That is Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order, Tripathi at 3, Markram 4 and Pooran 5.”In a chase of 178 on a Pune pitch where some balls pitched on back of a length held up, Williamson kept finding the infielders, soaking up as many as 11 dots in the powerplay. He was ultimately bowled in the final over of the powerplay, trying to manufacture a scoop.”There’s some consistency to it [my struggles],” Williamson told host broadcaster Star Sports at the post-match presentation. “Hit four or five [balls to] fielders and then try a bit harder and end up walking off. So, you know it’s one of those things. The game just forever teaches us lessons. So, there’s a bit of learning for me there.”ESPNcricinfo’s experts Ian Bishop and Sanjay Manjrekar insisted that Sunrisers need to push Williamson down the order and try out other options, with time running out for them.It was another disappointment for Kane Williamson, who only managed a 17-ball 9•BCCI
“I’ve been singing this song for maybe four-five games now,” Bishop said on T20 Time:Out. “I’m a Tripathi man because Tripathi has been [good] at No. 3 but when he comes in under pressure, he has gone slow and then a wicket falls. So, that’s neither here nor there but you can’t go with Kane at the top again for the next game or two because it’s not giving the team any impetus.”Manjrekar suggested a more left-field top-order option: Washington Sundar. The 22-year-old had originally started his career as an opening batter for his state team Tamil Nadu before reinventing himself as an offspin-bowling allrounder in white-ball cricket.”I think the time has come now,” Manjrekar said. “One more innings and we see nothing happening with Kane Williamson. One wicket down, you might think it’s Kane Williamson, it’s not a big setback. But one wicket down, you see Brian Lara [Sunrisers’ batting coach] as well put his head down. That sort of deflates a team and Tripathi comes in and he’s slightly worried.”Instead of that, have young players coming in. Washington Sundar could be a nice opener to have. Try somebody else and make Kane Williamson the captain because you want to put trust in him as captain but as a batsman, I keep saying make him a bit redundant because of his form.”Moody: ‘We’ve struggled for rhythm since injuries to Washington, Natarajan’ While Washington and T Natarajan returned from injury layoffs on Saturday, Moody said that their absence coincided with Sunrisers enduring a long losing streak. After winning five games on the bounce, Sunrisers have now lost five in a row and are on the brink of falling out of the race for the playoffs.”We did get on a nice winning roll, started to play some good cricket and had everyone available for selection and then we missed a game that we should’ve won to make it six in a row,” Moody said. “Then we had injuries to Washington and Natarajan. Every team has their injuries, but they play pretty key roles for us in the side and that’s where I think we lost a little bit of confidence and also as a bowling unit a bit of rhythm to our game and method to our defence of 120 balls.”We’ve struggled to recapture our rhythm since. I thought we were a lot better with the ball [today]. Apart from the back end, there were a few that got away but when you got a world-class hitter like Andre Russell at the crease, he’s always going to be a threat. He has done it year in and year out. So, I thought generally any total around the 170 mark was a pretty good bowling performance.”
Glasgow Rangers underwent something of a rebuild during the summer transfer window as Philippe Clement allowed several first-team stars to depart Ibrox while bringing in quite a few new players.
Out went the likes of Connor Goldson, Todd Cantwell, Sam Lammers, Scott Wright and Robby McCrorie as the Belgian sought to stamp his authority on his squad.
Rangers defender Connor Goldson.
Not much was known about the transfer fees that the Light Blues brought in for these five players, but recently, chief financial officer James Taylor confirmed at the AGM that the figure was £800k.
Not just for one player, but for all five. An incredible revelation and proves just how poorly the club has been run in recent years.
Lammers is a prime example. He cost around £3m from Atalanta in the summer of 2023 as Michael Beale was looking to bolster his team.
Former Rangers boss Michael Beale.
He left after just a year, but it is evident given Taylor’s comments that the club lost a massive amount of money on the Dutchman.
Sam Lammers' statistics at Rangers
Given that Lammers had scored a grand total of six goals across the previous three seasons for four different clubs, it was hardly the form of a player who was meant to spearhead a title challenge.
Between August and January, Lammers played 31 times for the Light Blues, yet managed to get on the scoresheet just twice, while adding two assists. It became clear that Beale had wasted millions on a player who lacked the physical nature to shine in Scottish football.
Sam Lammers
In the Premiership, Lammers created only one big chance in 17 matches, also averaging 0.3 key passes and succeeding with 1.1 dribbles per game. Beale preferred to utilise the Dutchman in an attacking midfield slot, believing that his technical ability could cut through defences.
Unfortunately, this tactical blueprint didn’t quite work out, and he was loaned to FC Utrecht in January.
Whatever was lacking in Scotland finally emerged during his spell in the Eredivisie, as he scored 11 goals and provided four assists in just 20 matches for the club in what was a stunning turnaround in form during the second half of the season.
Any notion that he might make it at Ibrox was quelled when Clement sold him to Twente during the summer. This allowed the manager to get high wages off the bill while giving him space to bring in another player.
Sam Lammers’ Rangers stats – 2023/24
Metric
Europa League
Premiership
Goals
0
2
Assists
0
1
Big chances created
0
1
Total shots per 90
1.2
2.5
Key passes per 90
1
0.3
Via Sofascore
So far, however, the 27-year-old has been in the form of his life back in his homeland, emerging as one of the finest players in the Dutch top flight.
Sam Lammers' form after leaving Rangers behind
The attacker is certainly continuing the form he displayed last year into the current campaign for his new side.
While he may not have led them into the Champions League group stages, Twente are currently taking part in the Europa League, where the forward has scored twice in five games.
Domestically, however, is where Lammers is showcasing his finest form, that’s for sure.
In 15 matches for Twente, the former Rangers player has netted six times along with chipping in with two assists, propelling the club to fifth place in the league table at the time of writing.
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Not only does he rank second in the squad for goals and assists in the top flight, but Lammers also ranks second for shots (2.8), ninth for key passes (0.8) and fifth for successful dribbles per game (0.5) along with ranking second for big chances created (four), indicating just how impressive a signing he has been.
Rangers forward Sam Lammers.
Journalist Jonny McFarlane dubbed the move that brought Lammers to Scotland in 2023 as a “baffling deal” recently amid his form in the Netherlands.
Of course, Lammers wasn’t anywhere at the level required to perform for a club the size of Rangers, but perhaps his attributes simply weren’t suited to Scottish football.
As he has proven since the start of the year, the striker is not a bad player, far from it, but his move to the Light Blues was certainly a case of the wrong player at the wrong time.
His displays after leaving mean that the forward is now similar to a player who made a big-money move in the summer and was even touted for a £35m move to Chelsea; Samu Omorodion.
The youngster didn’t end up moving to London, joining Porto instead in a deal worth around £12.7m, which appears to be a stunning bargain given his current form and potential to get even better.
Now boasting an £85m release clause, the Spaniard has been good value for that price tag having scored 14 goals across 17 games, along with grabbing one assist in what has been an impressive start to life in Portugal.
According to FBref, Omorodion is the fifth-most comparable player to Lammers in the Europa League this term.
The pair have also registered similar statistics with regard to various performance metrics in the Champions League’s sister competition, such as goals and assists (2 vs 4), shots per 90 (2.68 vs 2.57), shot-creating actions per 90 (2.68 vs 3.42), goal-creating actions (2 vs 1) and touches in the attacking penalty area (24 vs 25).
These statistics prove that if the ex-Rangers man can continue performing well at this level, he could increase his market value substantially and finally realise his vast potential.
Although the forward didn’t live up to expectations during his spell in Scotland, Lammers is now proving plenty of people wrong back in his homeland.
Who knows, these displays this term might just see him secure another move to a top-five European league next summer. At 27, there is still plenty of life left in him yet.
Rangers eyeing £5m January signing who excels "physically and tactically"
Everton felt the effects of a manager bounce in the Premier League this afternoon. Sadly, it was Manchester United who enjoyed the fruits of a new head coach, blowing the Toffees away 4-0 at Old Trafford.
The ice is rapidly thinning beneath Sean Dyche’s feet, with honking defensive errors and a total disjointedness sending the visitors tail-spinning back to Merseyside.
Everton manager Sean Dyche
December has arrived, and so too has a forbidding run of fixtures that could prove too much for Dyche’s slipping grip on the manager’s seat.
There’s little to be positive about, candidly, albeit with some promising attacking efforts on show in the first half. At the back, however – misery.
Everton's defenders toil
The Theatre of Dreams served up a nightmare for Everton, whose absence of confidence and cohesion was evident through the battering handed out by United’s regenerated frontline.
Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite
Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski formed one of the steeliest defensive axes in the English top flight last term, but such solidity has melted away since the summer, and shortcomings were brutally highlighted against a United attack that demonstrated a hitherto unseen clinical edge.
Neither centre-back did themselves justice, shipping four and both at fault for goals. Branthwaite looked like a titanic star worthy of the £75m price tag that dissuaded Man United from signing him in the summer, but he was pickpocketed by Amad Diallo to make it 2-0.
Minutes played
90′
82′
Touches
57
62
Accurate passes
47/50 (94%)
48/50 (96%)
Key passes
0
0
Dribbles (completed)
1 (1)
0 (0)
Tackles
2
4
Interceptions
0
1
Clearances
1
3
Total duels (won)
5 (4)
7 (6)
Errors leading to goal
1
1
Tarkowski, conversely, struggled throughout. The screech of the final whistle proved to be a blessing for the 33-year-old, making two errors and being lambasted for his “embarrassing” efforts by journalist Dave Downie.
Everton defenders look dejected
Both centre-halves flattered to deceive, but neither was actually the poorest defender of the afternoon – after all, contrary to plausibility, they won ten out of 12 contested duels between them.
The weakest link would be Vitalii Mykolenko.
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Vitalii Mykolenko might have cost Dyche his job
Mykolenko has started 11 Premier League matches this season, but he’s struggling to lay down his marker for the left-back berth in the coming years.
If Dyche’s days are indeed numbered, the Ukrainian’s might be too.
Voting him as the worst performer of the day, The Liverpool ECHO branded Mykolenko with a dismal 3/10 match rating, with correspondent Chris Beesley brutally claiming that he was ‘hopelessly out of position on far too many occasions,’ also criticising his ‘personal nightmare on a day of collective woes.’
Wandering into lands uncharted and leaving acres of space for orchestrator Bruno Fernandes to exploit, it was a terrible showing from the full-back, whose inability to stand firm in the duel – losing four of five battles, as per Sofascore – exacerbated his struggles and then some.
It’s pouring for the Toffees alright. With such a tough run of fixtures up ahead, Everton might find their manager hoisted from his seat in short time, with the horror shows of players such as Mykolenko rendering his tactical ideas negligible, and closing the door, perhaps, on a bleak era.
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Sean Dyche’s position at Everton looks more tenuous by the matchweek.
Liverpool are one of a number of clubs keen on signing a talented teenager who Roberto Martinez says is abnormally good for his age.
Liverpool transfer news
Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra has emerged as a rumoured transfer target for the Reds, with the 21-year-old a talented young player who draws comparisons with former Anfield hero Xabi Alonso. Arne Slot may have strong options in the middle of the park, but he could see the Spaniard as a slightly more defensive option than the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister.
Left-back is an area of the pitch that Liverpool need to focus on soon, given Andy Robertson’s advancing years, and Fulham ace Antonee Robinson is reportedly an option there, with Manchester United also showing an interest.
Fulham full-back Antonee Robinson
In fact, it has even been claimed that Kostas Tsimikas could head to Craven Cottage as part of a swap deal involving the USA international, leaving him to battle with Robertson for a starting berth at Anfield.
In terms of other possible outgoings at Liverpool, Federico Chiesa has been linked with a return to former club Fiorentina, following a frustrating start to life at Anfield. It would arguably be a surprise if they were willing to part ways so soon after signing him, however, as they continue to work on his fitness after a short pre-season.
Liverpool keen on 17-year-old starlet
According to Caught Offside, Liverpool are battling seven other clubs for the signing of Sporting CP starlet Geovany Quenda, with the 17-year-old a highly-rated forward with a huge future in the game. The Reds’ rumoured competition is being provided by Newcastle United, Arsenal, Manchester City, Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, Juventus and Chelsea.
Geovany Quenda for Sporting vs Manchester City.
Quenda is already making waves at senior level despite his age, notching four goal contributions in his first 18 appearances for Sporting. For the Under-23s, he registered an impressive tally of 16 (nine goals and seven assists) in just 24 matches.
The teenage attacker has every chance of enjoying a bright future for Portugal at international level, too, and current boss Roberto Martinez has waxed lyrical over him, saying his quality is “not normal” for someone his age.
Quenda has reported £84m release clause in his current Sporting deal, showing how much he is valued by his club, and Liverpool could view him as a long-term member of their attack, being seen as a future replacement for the likes of Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo out wide.
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He’s yet to make an impact for the Reds.
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The teenager can shine on both the right and left flank, with such versatility likely to appeal to Slot, so the Reds should do all they can to make him a hugely exciting addition, whether that be in January or next summer.
Marco Jansen at the South Africa nets•Gallo Images/Getty Images
With key fast bowler Anrich Nortje still missing with a hip injury, South Africa have bolstered their seam attack for the upcoming three-match ODI series against India by calling up Marco Jansen. The 21-year-old left-armer made his international debut at the Boxing Day Test in Centurion, where he picked up five wickets across the two innings, making good use of his 6’8″ frame on a pitch that offered quite a bit of uneven bounce.South Africa ODI squad
Batters: Temba Bavuma (capt), Quinton de Kock (wk), Zubayr Hamza, Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne
Allrounders: Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius
Fast bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Wayne Parnell, Sisanda Magala
In: Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Kagiso Rabada
Out: Junior Dala, Daryn Dupavillon, Reeza Hendricks, Ryan Rickleton and Khaya Zondo
Quinton de Kock, who is currently on paternity leave, will be back in time for the first ODI of the series on January 19. The South Africa wicketkeeper has retired from Test cricket to spend more time with his family but he remains committed to the team’s cause in the limited-overs arena.Temba Bavuma captains a squad of 17 members which includes Wayne Parnell, who made his comeback to international cricket in November after a spell in England where he was a Kolpak player. Opener Zubayr Hamza, who scored a half-century on debut during the aborted series against Netherlands, has also been retained. But Junior Dala, Daryn Dupavillon, Reeza Hendricks, Ryan Rickleton and Khaya Zondo were all left out as South Africa brought back several first-choice picks who were rested last time around.Related
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“For many of our players, it does not get bigger than playing against this powerhouse Indian team and this will be the biggest series of their young lives so far,” CSA convenor of selectors Victor Mpitsang said. “We are looking forward to seeing what they bring to the table and wish Temba (Bavuma) and Mark (Boucher) all the best for the series.”
Leeds United are currently competing to secure promotion back to the Premier League at the second time of asking in the Championship this season.
The Whites have only lost one of their opening nine matches in the division but are sat outside of the top two, having drawn four of the other eight outings.
Daniel Farke has never gone two successive seasons in the second tier without winning promotion, with two titles in three seasons in the league during his time with Norwich City.
The German head coach came ever so close to securing promotion in his first year in West Yorkshire, as his side lost 1-0 to Southampton at Wembley in the play-off final.
Leeds finished third in the Championship in the regular season but could not get the job done in the play-offs, losing to the Saints after beating Norwich over two legs.
The ex-Canaries head coach was brought in during the summer of 2023 after the Whites had been relegated under Sam Allardyce, who had been appointed as a firefighter after Javi Gracia and Jesse Marsch had both been sacked that season.
Leeds fell out of the Premier League a year after they cashed in on their star forward, Raphinha, who had been a huge success at Elland Road.
Raphinha's Leeds career in numbers
In the summer of 2020, Victor Orta and Marcelo Bielsa swooped to sign the Brazilian winger from Ligue 1 side Rennes for a reported fee of £17m to bolster the club’s attacking options.
Leeds had just been promoted from the Championship under the Argentine head coach and needed a bit of star power to avoid an instant relegation back down to the second tier.
Raphinha provided that with a return of six goals and nine assists in 30 appearances on the right flank in the Premier League, averaging a goal contribution every other game. He also could have had more assists as the gem created 12 ‘big chances’ for his teammates in total.
The left-footed magician then showcased his quality at the top end of the pitch once again in the 2021/22 campaign to keep Marsch’s side in the league, with a return of 11 goals and three assists in 35 games.
Appearances
35
Goals
11
Big chances created
10
Key passes
67
Assists
3
Dribbles completed
63
As you can see in the table above, Raphinha was let down by poor finishing from his teammates as they only scored three times from the 67 key passes and ten ‘big chances’ he created for them.
Barcelona then swooped to sign the Brazil international from Leeds for a reported fee of £55m at the end of the 2021/22 campaign, which left Marsch in need of a replacement for him on the flank.
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The American boss then made the move to sign Luis Sinisterra from Feyenoord ahead of the 2022/23 season in an attempt to replace the former Leeds superstar.
How much Leeds paid for Luis Sinisterra
The Whites reportedly splashed out a fee of £21m, more than they paid Rennes for Raphinha in 2020, and he was described as a replacement for the Brazilian whiz by The Athletic.
Whilst he was not a like-for-like replacement, as a right-footed left winger as opposed to a left-footed right winger, Leeds may have felt as though the Colombia international could replace the impact that the ex-Rennes star had on the pitch.
In the 2021/22 campaign, Sinisterra caught the eye with his outstanding performances for Feyenoord, with a return of 23 goals and 14 assists in 49 appearances in all competitions.
Journalist Josh Bunting claimed that Leeds had pulled off a “master stroke” by signing the winger, who he described as a “frightening” forward, and it is not hard to see why when you consider his incredible record for the Dutch side.
Appearances
30
Goals
12
Key passes
60
Big chances created
9
Assists
7
As you can see in the table above, Sinisterra had proven himself to be a fantastic scorer and creator of goals in the Dutch top-flight, as Raphinha had in the Premier League for the Whites.
Unfortunately, though, things did not quite work out for the former Eredivisie superstar during his relatively short time at Elland Road after attempting to replace the Brazilian sensation.
Luis Sinisterra's time with Leeds in numbers
The 25-year-old endured an injury-riddled season with the Whites under Marsch, Gracia, and Allardyce, as he suffered three separate injury issues that kept him out of action for a combined 16 competitive matches.
Those fitness problems restricted his involvement on the pitch and meant that he was unable to do enough to prevent Leeds from being relegated back down to the Championship, after they had survived in both of Raphinha’s seasons at the club.
Sinisterra did score five goals in his 19 appearances in the Premier League, which is not a dreadful return given it was in a struggling time, but he did not do enough to create for others.
The Colombian flop did not create a single ‘big chance’ for his teammates and ended the season with zero assists in 19 matches, with 0.5 key passes per game on average, which shows that he could not replace the immense creativity that Raphinha provided.
After Leeds were relegated from the top-flight, the forward decided that he did not want to commit to a full season in the second tier and joined Bournemouth on loan for the 2023/24 campaign.
Appearances
20
Starts
7
Goals
2
Assists
2
Big chances created
2
As you can see in the table above, Sinisterra’s injury problems restricted his involvement once again, as he only made 20 appearances and started just seven times.
Despite his lack of availability and his sporadic contributions in the final third, Bournemouth decided to sign him permanently earlier this year for a reported fee of £20m.
This meant that Leeds sold Sinisterra less than two years on from their swoop to sign him from Feyenoord, and he only spent one year at Elland Road after initially joining as a ‘frightening’ replacement for Raphinha.
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The 10 teams, vying for the three World Cup spots, will also include West Indies, Sri Lanka and Ireland
ESPNcricinfo staff03-Nov-2021The opening day of the Women’s ODI World Cup Qualifier 2021 in Harare will witness eight of the 10 teams in action, with Pakistan taking on Bangladesh, the West Indies meeting Papua New Guinea, Thailand facing Zimbabwe and Ireland up against the Netherlands. The tournament will be played between November 21 and December 5, with three spots up for grabs for the ODI World Cup scheduled for next March-April in New Zealand.There is no knockout stage in the competition, with the preliminary league, consisting of 10 teams in five each of two groups, followed by a Super Six stage to decide the final positions at the end of 29 matches. Group A consists of the West Indies, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Papua New Guinea and the Netherlands while Group B will have teams from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Zimbabwe and the USA. The Super Six stage begins on December 1.Along with the three qualifiers, the next two teams from the competition will also secure their places in the following ICC Women’s Championship, with the tournament expanding from eight teams to ten in the next cycle. The other five spots will be taken by the automatic qualifiers of the ODI World Cup – Australia, England, India, South Africa and New Zealand – on the back of their top-five finish in the previous ICC Women’s Championship.The tournament commences with a set of warm-up matches on November 19. Overall, four venues will be used for the group stage, with four matches held every day.The qualifiers were originally meant to be hosted by Sri Lanka in July 2020, but the Covid-19 pandemic forced the postponement of the tournament, as well as the main event in New Zealand.Group A: West Indies, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Netherlands Group B: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Zimbabwe, USA