Wolves are looking to add reinforcements to their ranks in the final days of the transfer window, and have tabled an offer for a Premier League ace in recent days, it has been revealed.

Wolves on a tight budget

So far, business has not been pretty at Molineux ahead of the new Premier League season, and that was reflected in a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on the opening day of the campaign for Gary O'Neil's side.

To date, the Old Gold have added three new faces and also made the loan of Tommy Doyle permanent, reaching a total outlay of £25m.

On the flip side, they have taken close to £100m from the sales of key duo Max Kilman and Pedro Neto to West Ham United and Chelsea respectively. And O'Neil sent a warning to those above him about just that when quizzed on potential additions in the final stages of the transfer window.

“No real update on names linked, it’s a ruthless league and we have an opportunity to be really clever and get some stuff done, the next 2 weeks is big for us…you take £100m last summer, you take £100m this summer, you can’t stand still,” he explained.

But he is set to be disappointed, with the reliable John Percy revealing that the "budget for remainder of the transfer window will be around £20m" despite their big sales, with Wolves "determined to safeguard their financial position".

As a result, the Old Gold will have to get creative with their transfer-making in the coming days, and they appear to have begun doing just that already.

Wolves discuss "difficult deal" for England international

That comes as David Ornstein reports that O'Neil's side are looking to pull off an ambitious move to sign Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale this summer.

The Arsenal no.2 seems set to leave in search of first-team football after starting just two Premier League games after the arrival of David Raya last summer, both of which Raya was ineligible for.

With just two years left on his £120,000-a-week deal at the Emirates Stadium, the Gunners are keen to sell the goalkeeper this summer while his value remains high, and have reportedly placed a £30m price tag on his head.

Of course, that £30m fee is more than Wolves' reported remaining budget, but Ornstein reports that they have made an offer which consists of an "initial loan + buy option", in a move that could see the Midlands side cover the majority of his wages for the season.

Wolves now readying bid to sign £30k-p/w Max Kilman replacement for O'Neil

He could be available for less than £20m this summer.

1

By
Ben Browning

Aug 19, 2024

Despite the offer, it is added that Wolves are aware that it is a "difficult" deal, but that talks continue as they try to find a breakthrough and potentially upgrade on Jose Sa this summer.

Whether Arsenal will face more enticing interest from clubs around England who are perhaps willing to pay a fee this summer is likely to determine the success of the move for Wolves.

تحدث سام ألارديس مدرب إنجلترا السابق، عن المصري عمر مرموش بعد أدائه في مباراة الفريق أمام نيوكاسل.

وقاد مرموش فريقه مانشستر سيتي للفوز على نيوكاسل مساء السبت برباعية دون رد، حيث سجل ثلاثة أهداف خلال اللقاء، ضمن منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وقال ألارديس في تصريحات نشرها موقع مانشستر سيتي الرسمي عن عمر مرموش: “لا أعتقد أنني رأيت شخصًا يأتي في فترة انتقالات يناير ويحدث مثل هذا التأثير في مباراة واحدة في وقت مبكر جدًا”.

وأضاف: “صدقني، لقد كان لدي الكثير من اللاعبين الذين جاءوا في هذا الوقت من العام والذين واجهوا صعوبة بالغة في التكيف مع الصفات واللياقة البدنية ومتطلبات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز واستغرق الأمر منهم حتى الموسم التالي لإظهار أفضل ما لديهم”.

اقرأ أيضًا | تروي ديني: عمر مرموش سيكون لاعبًا استثنائيًا مثل ثنائي مانشستر سيتي

وأتم: “لذا فإن القيام بذلك بهذه السرعة وإظهار مثل هذه الموهبة الرائعة والرغبة في الركض أمر رائع، هناك تواصل فوري مع إيرلينج هالاند، حيث يأتي ويمرر الكرة إليه، مرموش سجل هاتريك رائع وذلك رائع للاعب نفسه”.

وانضم مرموش إلى مانشستر سيتي قادمًا من آينتراخت فرانكفورت خلال سوق الانتقالات الشتوي في يناير.

وشارك مرموش أساسيًا بثلاث مباريات في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، أولها الفوز أمام تشيلسي (3-1)، ثم الهزيمة أمام آرسنال (5-1)، والفوز أمام نيوكاسل (4-0).

The rip-roaring Jurgen Klopp era at Liverpool is very much over by this point, with Arne Slot’s side not quite firing on all cylinders but definitely proving that they can craft a successful campaign.

Last weekend’s Anfield defeat against Nottingham Forest was a reality check, however. The former Feyenoord boss has tactical nous in abundance and has inherited a squad of elite class. But Liverpool were imperfect last year and flaws have not been eradicated with the spinning of the wheel.

Three successive victories in the Premier League – with not one goal conceded and Manchester United left nursing grievous injuries – cast an air of invincibility about Slot’s Liverpool, but now we can see that there is much work to do if those at the summit of English football are to be toppled.

Bournemouth turn up at Anfield today, looking to avenge a loss against Chelsea last week that they will feel hard done by. Liverpool must put them away.

Liverpool team news

Alisson Becker is a fitness doubt for this afternoon’s clash, having picked up a muscular injury in training. Most Liverpool fans would tell you that the Brazilian is the best in the world, but he has missed 40 games due to injury or illness since 2019/20, more than any other Premier League goalkeeper.

He joins Harvey Elliott on the sidelines, who is still out for at least one month after fracturing his foot with England U21s. Slot did not reveal any further bad news, though did suggest that he will ring one or two changes after the victory in midweek.

He sang the praises of Diogo Jota, claiming that he “has done really well in the last games”, but given that the Portuguese forward has started every fixture this season, he might want to rotate him out for this one.

Why Slot should consider dropping Diogo Jota

Jota has long suffered from a poor fitness record. Signing for Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020, the 27-year-old has since scored 57 goals and added 20 assists across 150 matches, winning the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup twice.

He ranks among the top 2% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for non-penalty goals scored, the top 20% for assists and the top 19% for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref, with a high work rate and dynamic approach to his craft that has clearly won Slot over.

But he hasn’t scored since the opening day, with the goal a relatively easy one to convert too. The versatile forward, moreover, has missed three big chances across his past three matches and is struggling to showcase underlying metrics that suggest his position at the spearhead of Liverpool’s starting line-up is immovable – having particularly struggled against Man United, as indicated below…

There is Cody Gakpo to consider. The Dutchman ripped AC Milan to shreds earlier in the week and will be hoping to earn his first Premier League start of the season, but he is at his most effective on the left wing, so should he receive the nod, it must come at the expense of Luis Diaz.

That leaves that man. We all know who. He’s ready to announce himself after a summer of sweeping change. Darwin Nunez deserves to start.

Slot must unleash Liverpool's Darwin Nunez

Nunez has made a comedy of ball-striking errors since completing a move to Liverpool in a deal rising to a club-record £85m fee in 2022.

Frustrating? Yes. Mercurial? Yes. Brilliant? Oh yes. Nunez crackles with electric energy and brings a kind of protean skillset that allows him to earn unceasing goalscoring opportunities while keeping defenders guessing with sharp, snappy movements and deft passing into space.

But he does come with his sticking points. Nunez, still only 25, has one of the most promising attacking styles in the Premier League but he still hasn’t pieced it all together. As the table below highlights, there is plenty still to be desired.

Matches played

29 (19)

36 (22)

Goals

9

11

Assists

3

8

Big chances missed

20

27

Pass completion

67%

72%

Big chances created

11

11

Key passes*

1.0

0.9

Dribbles*

0.6 (49%)

0.4 (43%)

Duels won*

2.8 (38%)

2.4 (38%)

He’s made a bit of a name for himself as Liverpool’s “agent of chaos”, a moniker that doesn’t always play to his strengths, in truth. Nunez is erratic and lacks the composed temperament that is requisite for success if one is to become a high-class European striker.

Erling Haaland, for instance, bears all the semblance of a slab of ice when placed into shooting range. Klopp once called Nunez “unstoppable” when at his best, but that level needs to be sustained to some degree similar to that of the iceman down the M60.

Nunez does deserve to be unleashed, though; we haven’t had a real taste of the Uruguay international’s skills since Klopp left. On the note of his nationality, Marcelo Bielsa implements a 4-3-2-1 system with Uruguay and Nunez has thrived as the focal frontman.

Klopp, conversely, operated with a deeper-sitting, machine-like midfield that worked industriously to facilitate the roaming of Mohamed Salah and, historically, Sadio Mane in the frontline, with Roberto Firmino, for example, deployed as a sort of playmaking striker to knit it all together.

Sound convoluted? It was a bit of a byzantine way of pulling toward power at the top of the footballing pyramid, but Slot prefers a more controlled and cultured method, one that has seen Dominik Szoboszlai move away from the heart of the engine room and back into his favoured number ten position.

This creates a triangular shape to Liverpool’s centre, and allows Nunez to press higher up and run run run. The £140k-per-week talent ranks among the top 17% of strikers for progressive carries, the top 10% for assists, the top 13% for shot-creating actions and the top 17% for tackles won per 90.

Theoretically, then, he could seamlessly play the role of Jota, with a fluid approach to his attacking play and a defensive willingness, off the ball effort, that Liverpool’s new tactical chief demands from his players.

Oh, start him Slot, go on. Bournemouth are an aggressive and front-footed type of team and they will fall into the Redmen’s maw if they are not careful, pushing ahead and being carved open by lightning-snap breaks – mixed into Slot’s more control-focused style, of course.

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ByAngus Sinclair Sep 19, 2024

Nunez is perfect for such a task, and with the games coming thick and fast from domestic and continental angles, surely it’s time to take him off the leash.

Newcastle United could reportedly decide to get rid of a high-profile 43-year-old figure at the club, according to an intriguing new claim.

Tensions on show at Newcastle

The Magpies may have had the chance to go top of the Premier League table on Saturday afternoon, but that’s not to say that everything is going swimmingly at St James’ Park currently.

In the end, Newcastle blew that opportunity, losing 3-1 away to Fulham after an underwhelming performance at Craven Cottage, and there are thought to be ongoing issues surrounding those high up at the club, in terms of how they are getting along.

The relationship between Eddie Howe and new sporting director Paul Mitchell is said to be strained currently, with the pair struggling to see eye to eye after an underwhelming summer in the transfer market.

While Newcastle’s results this season have been largely good up until Saturday’s woeful outing, there is an ongoing feeling of unrest at the club, and now a big update has emerged regarding potential sackings in the near future.

Newcastle could now axe 43-year-old

According to a fresh report from Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke, Newcastle could choose to axe Mitchell before Howe, should their relationship continue to be problematic, with tensions growing in recent times between the two.

The update states that “there are no other managers being lined up” to replace the current Magpies manager, who is believed to be “pretty safe” in his job. It goes on to add that “there has been talk at the club that Mitchell would be the first casualty rather than Howe if there was going to be a significant change.”

To see Mitchell lose his job this early in his time at St James’ would not be a good look for anyone involved, considering he arrived at the club with a huge reputation in the summer, having excelled during his time at Ligue 1 side Monaco.

If the relationship between manager and sporting director is suffering, though, eventually push has to come to shove and somebody may need to be relieved of their duties. Howe hasn’t exactly dispelled the rumour about there being an issue, playing down the claims earlier this week but not openly praising his colleague:

“I don’t think it’s right for me to make individual comments in reply to Paul’s press conference. I don’t think that will help our current situation. It’s best for me to focus on the future. I’ve had no contact from Paul (since the interview) but I don’t think that’s unusual. We’ve got different jobs to do. I’m focusing on the football and the team, and he’s obviously focusing on his role.”

The hope is that the situation blows over in the coming weeks and months, allowing both Howe and Mitchell to enjoy a strong working relationship, which can only be beneficial to Newcastle.

16x possession lost: 4/10 Newcastle man was worse than Trippier vs Fulham

Eddie Howe’s men suffered their first league defeat of the season

ByRoss Kilvington Sep 21, 2024

That being said, more bad results like the one at Fulham could only see tensions rise further, at which point a decision may have to be made by those high up at the club.

BCB cricket operations chairman says CA “didn’t agree to Mushfiq entering quarantine two days after it began”

Mohammad Isam22-Jul-2021Mushfiqur Rahim will miss Bangladesh’s T20I series against Australia next month after he was unable to join the rest of the team in time for a ten-day quarantine in Dhaka.The quarantine was originally set to begin on July 22. Later it was brought up to July 20. Neither team would have been able to arrive in Dhaka by that date because Bangladesh were on tour in Zimbabwe and Australia were on tour in the West Indies. So the BCB and CA agreed that so long as their players remained inside a secure bio-bubble – Bangladesh in Harare and Australia in Gros Islet and Bridgetown – it could count towards their quarantine time in Dhaka.Related

Bangladesh unhappy as Australia's Covid-19 demands force Mushfiqur Rahim to miss home T20Is

BCB prepared for delayed start to home T20I series against Australia

Australia set to tour Bangladesh for five T20Is in August

Rahim to miss remainder of Zimbabwe tour

Rahim's break in doubt due to Australia series quarantine rules

As a result, the BCB contacted Rahim and asked him to stay back in Zimbabwe for the entire duration of the tour. Initially, he he was meant to return home after the end of the ODI leg. But, complications arose when Rahim’s parents fell sick and he had to fly home early. In the end, he was unable to make the quarantine deadline due to family commitments and when he did report in, on July 22, he was told it won’t work.”Mushfiqur (Rahim) wanted to play the series,” Akram Khan, BCB’s cricket operations chairman, said, “But he missed the quarantine by a couple of days. His parents are sick, so he had to leave the Zimbabwe tour. But the [10-day] quarantine is part of our agreement with Cricket Australia, so we couldn’t include him. They didn’t agree to Mushfiqur entering quarantine two days after it began. It is disappointing but one can’t do much about these things.”The rest of the Bangladesh players, upon arrival in Dhaka from Harare on July 27, will go straight from the airport to the hotel. Match officials, liaison officers, hotel staff and drivers are among those who have already gone into mandatory hotel quarantine. Bangladesh and Australia will play five T20Is from August 3 to 9. The hosts are already without Tamim Iqbal, who is nursing a knee injury and is out of competitive cricket for at least eight weeks.

MatériaMais Notícias

Com 40.442 mil pagantes no Morumbi na noite da última segunda-feira, o São Paulo venceu o Juventude por 3 a 1 e livrou o risco de rebaixamento à Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro, que ainda ameaçava o time depois da derrota por 3 a 0 para o Grêmio, sofrida na última quinta, em Porto Alegre. Após o triunfo no estádio do Tricolor, o técnico Rogério Ceni admitiu o sentimento de alívio e exaltou a importância do torcedor para a equipe permanecer na elite nacional.

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> Veja classificação e simulador do Brasileirão-2021 clicando aqui

E o comandante destacou que o apoio continuou sendo grande mesmo depois da goleada por 4 a 0 sofrida diante do Flamengo, no dia 14 de novembro, pela 32ª rodada do Brasileirão, justamente no confronto em que o clube registrou o seu recorde de público nesta edição do torneio, com47.855 pagantes.

– A torcida foi o combustível desse time no Morumbi. De 12 jogos, vencemos cinco, quatro com eles aqui, dois empates e a derrota para o Flamengo, que lamentamos muito. Apesar desse vexame que passamos, o torcedor não desistiu do clube, pela história e paixão. Somos muito gratos pelos torcedores que vieram nos apoiar, foram nosso combustível para manter os ânimos altos – enfatizou Ceni, em entrevista coletiva depois da vitória sobre o Juventude.

Com o público contabilizado nesta segunda-feira, o time são-paulino fechará a sua campanha no Brasileirão com uma média de quase 42 mil torcedores (41.841,7) nas quatro partidas em que a equipe contou com 100% do seu estádio liberado ao público, o que só ocorreu a partir de novembro.

Antes disso, com limitações de capacidade exigidas pelo Governo do Estado de São Paulo em outubro por causa do cronograma de liberação gradativa devido ao combate e prevenção à Covid-19, o Tricolor disputou outros quatro jogos no Morumbi. E se forem somados os públicos dos oito confrontos com torcedores no estádio após a reabertura dos portões do estádio, o clube somou um total de 225.908 pagantes, uma média geral de 28.238,5 torcedores por partida.

E o comandante são-paulino exaltou que a torcida apoiou o time durante todo o confronto desta segunda-feira e encarou com naturalidade o fato de que a atual direção tricolor foi alvo de protestos ao final do duelo com o Juventude. Foi um reflexo claro do descontentamento com um desempenho que foi bem abaixo da expectativa neste Brasileirão depois de o clube ter conquistado o Campeonato Paulista, encerrando um jejum de 16 anos sem títulos estaduais.

– Eles cantaram o tempo todo, só deixaram para o último minuto para passar a perspectiva do que acham. É direito de expressão. A visão que eles têm deve ser respeitada, mas é de se ressaltar que em todos os jogos, ganhando ou perdendo, cantaram até o fim. Meu agradecimento sincero ao torcedor que carregou um time que não entregou o que ele esperava durante o ano – reconheceu Ceni, que depois procurou valorizar o desempenho que ele obteve após comandar a equipe em 12 partidas após assumi-la no dia 13 de outubro.

‘TORCEDOR PODE SONHAR COM TUDO’

Após ter sido contratado como substituto do argentino Hernán Crespo, que também teve a sua demissão anunciada em 13 de outubro, o treinador lembrou de seu retrospecto (de cinco vitórias, três empates e quatro derrotas) ao ser questionado, na entrevista coletiva desta segunda-feira, sobre “com o que” o torcedor do São Paulo poderá sonhar na próxima temporada.

– Torcedor pode sonhar com tudo. A gente vive de sonhos. Voltar para o São Paulo em um momento de dificuldade e poder retribuir, de alguma maneira, o que vivi durante 25 anos. Eu sei que, talvez, não achem muito o que foi feito, mas sei como a equipe se encontrava quando chegamos (ele e sua comissão técnica) aqui. Era obrigação não deixar essa equipe cair. Vencemos cinco jogos de 12, onde a equipe havia jogado 25 e vencido seis, então foi importante para ajudar de alguma maneira – ressaltou o ex-goleiro do Tricolor, para depois reforçar a importância de o clube assegurar sua permanência na elite.

– Sou grato por esse convite, voltar para minha casa e, de alguma maneira, retribuir ajudando a não passar uma vergonha que seria gigantesca, pela primeira vez na história não estar disputando a Série A – reforçou o treinador.

‘TRISTEZA É A PALAVRA QUE DEFINE ESSE MOMENTO’

Já ao ser questionado sobre qual é o seu sentimento atual ao ter vindo ajudar o São Paulo a se livrar do rebaixamento, Ceni lembrou que correu o risco de amargar um fracasso histórico com a possível queda para a Série B ao aceitar o convite para dirigir a equipe, mas ao mesmo tempo ele destacou que não poderia dizer não à direção são-paulina neste momento complicado, tendo em vista a própria gratidão que tem pelo clube no qual se consagrou como ídolo.

– Tem muito são-paulino que quer ver o bem desse clube, tem muito são-paulino que tem condição de ajudar de alguma maneira o clube, e é pelo qual eu torço. A minha parte eu tentei fazer. Sabia do tamanho do risco que corria vindo para cá, mas não tinha como recusar. Por isso sofri tanto esses dias, foram noites e noites sem dormir. Não era só um rebaixamento. Quando você vê gente que trabalhou com você a vida toda sofrendo, é muito triste. Tristeza é a palavra que define esse momento – reconheceu o comandante.

Confira os públicos do São Paulo após a volta da torcida ao Morumbi:

7/10/2021 – São Paulo 1 x 1 Santos
Público: 5.529 pagantes.

14/10/2021 – São Paulo 1 x 1 Ceará
Público: 9.271 pagantes.

18/10/2021 – São Paulo 1 x 0 Corinthians
Público: 23.874 pagantes.

31/10/2021 – São Paulo 1 x 0 Internacional
Público: 19.867 pagantes.

14/11/2021 – São Paulo 0 x 4 Flamengo
Público: 47.855 pagantes.

24/11/2021 – São Paulo 0 x 0 Athletico-PR
Público: 43.391 pagantes.

27/11/2021 – São Paulo 2 x 0 Sport
Público: 35.679 pagantes.

6/12/2021 – São Paulo 3 x 1 Juventude
Público:40.442 pagantes.

Total somado nos oito jogos com torcedores no Morumbi:
Público: 225.908 pagantes.

The Poland international bagged a brace as Hansi Flick's side cruised to a comfortable victory against the minnows

Hansi Flick’s Barcelona avoided a potential upset at fourth tier side Barbastro on Saturday as goals from Eric Garcia and Robert Lewandowski secured safe passage into the fourth round of the Copa del Rey.

There was no Dani Olmo or Pau Victor for the Catalans, as the club's registration problems continued, but the Catalans took control from the off and opened the scoring when Frenkie de Jong’s cross was headed back across goal by the returning Ronald Araujo for Eric Garcia to flick home.

Ten minutes later, Barcelona made it 2-0 through Lewandowski. This time it was young midfielder Pablo Torre with a fine delivery that was nodded home at the far post by the Poland international.

The two players combined again straight after half-time for Barca's third. A neat touch from Torre sent Lewandowski through on goal to fire a low shot past goalkeeper Arnau Fabregas.

Barcelona's fourth then duly arrived and was gift wrapped by Fabregas. The stopper passed the ball straight to Torre who had the simple task of smashing it high into the roof of the net from close range to complete the scoring and secure safe passage into the next round.

GOAL rates Barcelona's players from the Estadio Municipal de Barbastro…

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Wojciech Szczesny (6/10):

  Made his debut for the club and could not really have asked for an easier evening. Had virtually nothing to do, although was nearly embarrassed late on but got away with it.

  Jules Kounde (7/10):

  Had to put up with some hefty challenges but constantly looked to attack down the right.

  Ronald Araujo (7/10):

  First appearance of the season after injury and looked rusty at times but grabbed an assist for the first goal.

  Inigo Martinez (6/10):

  Comfortable at the back and was not really tested.

  Gerard Martin (6/10):

  Has had his critics this season but put in a decent showing at left-back as Alejandro Balde was given the night off.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Midfield

  Eric Garcia (7/10):

  Has been linked with a move away in January but showed he can be a useful squad option by heading home the opener.

  Frenkie de Jong (7/10):

  Still not at at his most influential but pinged in a lovely ball for Garcia to score.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Attack

  Fermin Lopez (5/10):

  Not really his night. Was lively enough down the left but looks to be lacking in confidence.

  Pedri (7/10):

  Played a superb 45 minutes and was then taken off and wrapped up in cotton wool by Flick.

  Pablo Torre (8/10)

  Doesn't get many chances but impressed once again with two assists and a goal. Is such a threat with his delivery from set-pieces.

  Robert Lewandowski (8/10):

  Ended a mini-goal drought by bagging a brace. Headed home to make it 2-0 and then produced a low finish for Barca's third.

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• AFP
  

  Subs & Manager

  Gavi (7/10):

  Took over from Pedri and put in a typically committed performance.

  Pau Cubarsi (6/10):

  Gave Martinez a rest for the last 30 minutes.

  Ansu Fati (5/10):

  Handed the last half an hour but could not impress. Looked hesitant and wasted two decent chances to score.

  Sergi Dominguez (5/10)

  Few shaky moment after coming on. Didn't really convince.

  Toni Fernandez (N/A)

  A late sub but a first-team debut for the exciting youngster.

  Hansi Flick (8/10):

  After a turbulent few days for the club due to the Olmo saga he will have been relieved to get back to work on the pitch. Made changes to his team and saw his Barca side completely dominate on a tricky away ground and book safe passage to the next round with no fresh injuries. Job done.

Record-breaking captain backs Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues to find form

Annesha Ghosh03-Jul-2021Mithali Raj has identified Sneh Rana as a key allrounder for India’s future after Rana completed a memorable comeback to the longer formats with a stunning Test debut last month and impressive returns in India’s thrilling win in the third ODI on Saturday.Rana’s cameo of 24 from 22 balls at No. 7 in Worcester was pivotal to her 50-run sixth-wicket stand with Raj as the duo helped India seal a four-wicket win in the final match of the three-game ODI leg of the multi-format series. Earlier in the day, Rana had also made an imprint with the ball, returning figures of 7-0-31-1, having opener Lauren Winfield-Hill caught for 36 to break a 67-run second-wicket partnership. She had picked up 1 for 43 in the second ODI.”Definitely, yes,” Raj said when asked about Rana, 27, emerging as a formidable choice as allrounder upon her return to international cricket after a five-year gap. “That’s a slot we’ve always looked for somebody who has the shots to clear the field – strong shots all round. And it helps to have a player there who can also bowl. So it’s good to have her in the side.”She’s definitely shown that she does have the character in her to be built into a good player. In the current era, in modern cricket, allrounders play a very important role in the composition of the team. I’m sure that she has a bigger role playing for India in the coming years.”Related

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Ramesh Powar: Players like Sneh Rana are 'what we need right now'

Mithali Raj: 'I don't seek validation from people'

The love, loss and comeback of Sneh Rana

While Rana’s form was one of the bright spots for India in their 1-2 loss in the ODI segment of the seven-match series, ODI vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s underwhelming batting form on the tour so far hasn’t been ideal for the visitors. Kaur made 16, 19, and 1 in the three ODIs and 4 and 8 in the drawn Test in Bristol last month.Raj, however, backed Kaur to regain form as the tour enters its T20I leg, the first of the three matches on July 9 in Northampton.”It does happen with any player,” Raj said of Kaur’s lean patch. “Sometimes you’re just not in form. But as a team and as a unit we back players who have been match-winners. We also know that single-handedly she has won games for us with her innings. This time around she needs the support of the team to back her.”It’s just a matter of one innings for a batter like her to get [back] her rhythm and timing.I’m sure with the T20 format, a format that suits her game, I really hope she will be back among the runs.”That India are far from settled as far as their No. 3 goes was borne out in them giving Jemimah Rodrigues a go in that position in the second and third ODIs after Punam Raut’s slow scoring in the first ODI played a part in parching India of urgency. Rodrigues, however, laboured to just 8 and 4 in the two innings.”A young player – obviously, she (Rodrigues) will take some time,” Raj said. “It’s just matter of experience and exposure for players like her. When a player goes through bad form, as [fellow] players, seniors, and team management we can give her the confidence and the backing, but it boils down to the player herself to have that belief to come out of the [bad] form. Again, for a batter, it’s just a matter of one innings to get the timing right and hope that as a young player she should get back in form.”As far as the composition, right now we are going with five bowlers but something we are looking at is to have another allrounder in the side. But, then again, it cuts down a purist – whether a batter or a bowler. We are throwing some ideas. By the next series, we should see what sort of a pool of players we look at and get into the team.”Sneh Rana celebrates a wicket•Getty Images

Raj revealed that aside from Raut and Rodrigues, other batters were also in contention to be tried in the No. 3 slot.”Now the series is over, but we do have a few names and players in our mind,” Raj said. “Again, it’s important that we need to see how they fit into the team. Purists are very few in the modern era of cricket. We need to look at the allrounders also and how the composition of the team will come is very crucial. But that’s also an area we are looking at, No. 3 and even No. 6 and No. 7.”Though Raj retired from T20I cricket in 2019, India’s performance in the third ODI, she said, would boost the confidence of the Kaur-led T20I team on whom the onus rests to add to India’s four points gained so far in the multi-format series as opposed to England’s six.”Yes, it is [a confidence-booster],” Raj said, “because that’s what I told the girls, I said – we’re still in the series. Winning a game like this puts pressure on them. Getting into the T20s, the entire unit should be confident. If they go on to win the first two games and then the last would be a decider and clearly the series will be excitedly placed. Yes, I’m sure that the girls will do well in the T20 format.”

Chelsea chiefs have told an in-form star that he now faces being sold and is battling for his Stamford Bridge future, regardless of his impressive start to 2024/2025.

Players who could leave Chelsea in 2025

The Blues could let a host of players leave in 2025, despite already agreeing on plenty of outgoings in the summer window.

Related Free transfer: Chelsea in race to sign £48,000-p/w star over Bayern Munich

The Blues could land a bargain deal…

Posts 1 ByTom Cunningham Sep 22, 2024

Enzo Maresca and Todd Boehly led a mass clearout with Ian Maatsen, Conor Gallagher, Lewis Hall, Romelu Lukaku, Omari Hutchinson, Angelo Gabriel, Diego Moreira, Hakim Ziyech, Malang Sarr, Tino Anjorin, Thiago Silva, Raheem Sterling, Lesley Ugochukwu, Armando Broja, Djordje Petrovic, Trevoh Chalobah, Kepa Arrizabalaga, David Datro Fofana, Aflie Gilchrist and Basir Humphreys all departing west London, either on loan or permanently, and bringing in around £165 million in the process.

However, the rebuild is continuing behind the scenes amid Chelsea’s very impressive start to the Premier League campaign. Maresca’s side have won three out of their opening five top-flight matches, and only Man City have scored more than them so far.

Chelsea’s next Premier League fixtures

Date

Brighton (home)

September 28

Nottingham Forest (home)

October 6

Liverpool (away)

October 20

Newcastle (home)

October 27

Man United (away)

November 3

The west Londoners most recently dominated West Ham with a 3-0 victory at the London Stadium, but £89 million winger Mykhailo Mudryk didn’t play a part. The Ukrainian was on the bench but didn’t manage to earn Maresca’s call, with Chelsea believed open to selling Mudryk in January, according to some reports.

Meanwhile, other players who’ve been linked with Chelsea exits come in the form of defenders Benoit Badiahshile and Axel Disasi. Chelsea are ready to part company with Badiashile, who is yet to play a Premier League minute this season, while Disasi could be offloaded in January too.

Unlike Mudryk and Badiashile, one player who did feature against West Ham, and started their impressive victory, was winger Noni Madueke. The former PSV Eindhoven starlet is their joint-top scorer in all competitions, scoring four goals alongside Nicolas Jackson, but he isn’t immune from Maresca’s axe.

Noni Madueke told he's in danger of being sold by Chelsea

According to The Boot Room, Madueke has been told he’s fighting for his Chelsea future, alongside both Christopher Nkunku and Mudryk, as Maresca currently has an abundance of wingers at his disposal.

The 22-year-old’s impressive form this season, which in cludes a hat-trick against Wolves, resulted in his first cap for England earlier this month, even managing to assist Harry Kane in his 100th Three Lions game against Finland.

“Noni has carried on where he left off at Chelsea,” said interim England boss Lee Carsley.

“He is very attacking, very sharp. Different to what we have got, a different kind of wide player. Competition for places is very high and I think you will see some movement. It’s important that we keep freshening it up.”

England already have Phil Foden, Jarrod Bowen, Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka who can play in Madueke’s position, but it now appears that the young attacker isn’t just playing for his international future.

Rodrigo Bentancur has confirmed he is "all good" after worryingly collapsing to the ground unchallenged during Tottenham's win over Liverpool.

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Bentancur stretchered off in Spurs vs LiverpoolFell to ground in sickening fashionStretchered off with oxygen but now consciousFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

In the opening minutes of Tottenham's 1-0 victory against Liverpool in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, Bentancur fell to the turf in worrisome fashion. He had gone up to meet a Spurs corner with a diving header, but missed the ball completely and collapsed to the floor with no one around him. Medical staff were quickly called onto the pitch, with the Uruguayan receiving oxygen through a mask before being stretchered off after eight minutes of treatment.

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Tottenham confirmed at half-time that Bentancur was on his way to hospital for further examination, while he was also conscious and talking in a positive update on his condition.

Instagram (@rodrigo_bentancur)WHAT BENTANCUR SAID

Taking to Instagram in the early hours of Thursday morning, Bentancur posted a story to confirm he was feeling better and on the mend.

"All good, guys!" he wrote. "Thank you for the messages!!! Congratulations [for] the victory boys!!!"

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DID YOU KNOW?

In the absence of Bentancur, Ange Postecoglou's side went on to secure a fine win against top opposition, with Wednesday's 1-0 triumph a far better showing against Arne Slot's Reds than last month's harrowing 6-3 defeat. Lucas Bergvall scored the game's only goal, sweeping home at the end of a fine team move only minutes after the visitors wanted him sent off for a second bookable offence.