Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney is eyeing a dream investment opportunity without Ryan Reynolds by his side, with an NFL door swinging open.
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Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 Blast with Birmingham Bears after fracturing his ankle during warm-ups on Sunday and faces a tight schedule to be fit for the start of the Australia season.Agar, who plays for Western Australia and Perth Scorchers, picked up the injury ahead of the match against Yorkshire and it was subsequently found that he suffered a small fracture to his right ankle along with ligament damage.The Australian men’s domestic season starts on September 21 when Western Australia host Victoria in a Marsh One-Day Cup match at the WACA which leaves Agar six weeks to recover.Paul Farbrace, Warwickshire’s sport director, said: “We’re obviously very disappointed to lose Ash after he made such a great impression on and off the field. He will soon return to Australia to start his rehabilitation programme and we all wish him the very best.”Before joining Birmingham he had been part of the Australia A squad for the one-day leg of their tour and bowled with the World Cup squad to help them to prepare to face Shakib Al Hasan.He took six wickets in four matches for Australia A before collecting three in his first four T20 Blast matches where he also produced some handy performances with the bat from the middle order.Agar last played for Australia during last year’s T20I series against Pakistan in the UAE although was part of the one-day squad for the South Africa one-day series last November without getting a game.When he was dropped for the next one-day series, against India in January, he took a swipe at the selectors for a lack of communication. “I got told pretty much just keep trying to get better,” he said. “That’s what I was told. I guess I mustn’t have run the drinks well enough last time, because I didn’t really get a crack at that before.”He then suffered an injury mid-way through the Big Bash which ended his season and he lost his Cricket Australia contract in April but selection for the A squad showed he remained in the selectors’ thoughts.
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O atacante Walter, que rescindiu o seu contrato com o Vitória nesta terça-feira (13), menos de dois meses após a sua chegada ao Leão,alegando questões pessoais, pode pintar na Série A1 do Campeonato Paulista. O nome do jogador é ventilado no São Caetano, que conversa com o estafe do atleta através de um intermediário.
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A iniciativa começou pouco tempo após a saída do jogador ser oficializada pelo clube baiano. Rodrigo Sodré, que é agente de atletas e próximo da diretoria do Azulão, fez a intermediação, e o nome foi levado a Comissão Técnica do clube.
Conforme apurado pelo LANCE!, tanto Walter, quanto o técnico do São Caetano, Wilson Júnior, se animaram com a possibilidade de contratação.
Ainda assim, a equipe do ABC Paulista ainda não oficializou o interesse no atacante com passagens por grandes equipes como Fluminense, Internacional, Athletico-PR, Goiás, Cruzeiro, Porto (POR), entre outras, algo que pode acontecer ainda essa semana.
A chegada de Walter pode ser um grande estímulo de recuperação para o Azulão, que em cinco jogos ainda não venceu neste Paulistão, com quatro derrotas e um empate. No último sábado (10), a equipe foi goleada por 5 a 1 para o São Paulo, no Morumbi, em jogo adiado da 11ª rodada do Estadual.
>> Confira a tabela do Paulistão e simule os próximos jogos
Manchester United's season has been full of ups and downs, with promising performances often followed by disappointment.
However, over the last few weeks, Erik ten Hag's side has finally started to get a run of results under their belt, now winning three games in a row.
The Red Devils' lack of goals was costing the team, but they have finally found their shooting boots, netting 11 times during those games.
That said, they could use another midfielder to provide an attacking threat, and they may have let the perfect profile leave in 2018.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan's time at Man United
In 2016, Jose Mourinho's Man United signed Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund for around £26m, after he scored 11 goals and registered 15 assists in 31 Bundesliga appearances the previous season.
The Armenian's first campaign at the club saw him score just four goals and provide one assist in 15 Premier League starts, with Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, and Wayne Rooney often being preferred over the midfielder.
However, the number 22 became a United cult hero for his performances in the UEFA Europa League. The former BVB ace was the Red Devils' top-scorer in the competition with six goals, with four of them coming in the knockout stage. Mkhitaryan also netted the second goal in the final, which ultimately handed United the trophy.
The maestro also started the 2017/18 Premier League campaign with a bang, picking up five assists in his first three games, but the flop would end up moving to Arsenal that January in a straight swap deal for Alexis Sanchez.
Mkhitaryan's career since leaving Man United
Since leaving Old Trafford, Mkhitaryan has seemingly gotten better with age, as he is still thriving at the age of 35. The Armenian has made Italy his home, where he has starred for Roma and now Inter Milan.
His record in the final third has been impressive, picking up 96 goal contributions since post-United, but it is his development into a slightly more defensive-minded box-to-box eight at Inter that is more spectacular. Over this same spell, Scott McTominay has registered 31 goal contributions, but that is pretty much all that he offers to United.
Goals
0.10
0.45
Assists
0.30
0.08
Shot-creating actions
3.58
1.21
Passes completed
43.51
25.90
Progressive passes
6.00
3.25
Carries into final third
2.62
0.76
As you can see by the table, Mkhitaryan wipes the floor with the United midfielder in every metric but goals. The two have completely different profiles, with the Scotland star relying on physicality and the Inter ace being a technical wizard.
The ex-Roma player's ability to create, control a game, and progress the play would be much appreciated by Ten Hag, as when McTominay is in the team, he cannot provide any of the above, as displayed by his passes completed, progressive passes, and shot-creating actions ranking in the bottom 88%, 76%, and 90% compared to his Premier League positional peers, as per FBref.
Overall, it is not just output in the final third that Mkhitaryan outperforms McTominay on, and maybe the 35-year-old would still be bossing the midfield under the lights at Old Trafford if he never left in 2018.
He was a flop for Mourinho in the Premier League for United, as the former Dortmund star never nailed down a regular starting spot before being moved on, but his form since suggests that another manager could have made him a success in a different environment.
England boss Gareth Southgate pointed out two key areas where the Three Lions are lacking at Euro 2024.
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Southgate points out areas where England are lackingRemain unbeaten at Euro 2024The Three Lions next face SloveniaWHAT HAPPENED?
England started their campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Serbia, however, in their second group game, they struggled to pick up a point against Denmark. While the Three Lions remain on course to make it to the knockout stage of the Euros, their underwhelming performance against the Danes has led to severe criticism.
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Now manager Southgate has opened up about his team's struggles in Euro 2024 as he claimed that Harry Kane and Co are lacking physically which is preventing them from coping with his tactics. He also urged his players to have more control of the ball to dictate games.
WHAT GARETH SOUTHGATE SAID
Speaking to reporters, the 53-year-old said, "We are not pressing well enough, with enough intensity. We have limitations in how we can do that with the physical condition. We can’t press as high up the pitch as we might have done in the qualifiers, for example. And we are not keeping the ball well enough. We have to keep the ball better and build with more control."
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GETTYWHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?
The Three Lions will be back in action on Tuesday as they are all set to take on Slovenia in their final group game of Euro 2024.
Both India and West Indies have new faces, a result of injury and absences, and this series may be the one where they start putting the pieces together for next year’s T20 World Cup
The Preview by Saurabh Somani02-Aug-20195:11
Dasgupta: A toss-up between Rahul and Pandey at No. 4
Big PictureOne of the things Virat Kohli spoke about in his press conference before leaving India was the opportunity the cricket calendar – with three forms of the game – afforded in getting over defeats that sting. India have had almost a month to lick their wounds after the loss against New Zealand in the World Cup 2019 semi-final. Now, with the World Test Championship getting underway and the T20 World Cup in 14 months, there are already fresh challenges to prepare for.Their tour of the Caribbean begins with the three-match T20I series, with the first two matches in Lauderhill. The last time these teams played at Lauderhill, one match was rained out, and the other ended in a thrilling manner, with West Indies winning by just one run. Three years on, the current series forms an interesting clash of cricketing ethos. While India have often brought an ODI approach to 20-overs cricket, West Indies played large tracts of the World Cup as if in T20 mode.These games could be the first ones in which each team begins putting together pieces for the T20 World Cup next year. India have an influx of younger players, with some changes enforced by absence and injury. West Indies are without Chris Gayle, whose international future even in the medium term seems uncertain at best. That could be a blessing, because it will allows West Indies to try out a replacement, keeping the T20 World Cup in mind.Form guideIndia LLLWL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
West Indies LLLWLIn the spotlightYou could argue that there is never a moment when Virat Kohli is under the spotlight, but there are a couple of factors that could intensify the focus on him. The rumblings about a rift with vice-captain Rohit Sharma had kept swirling, until Kohli emphatically denied them. Whether there is a rift or not, or a bromance, or a normal disagreement between colleagues that is commonplace and transient – there will be extra meaning attached every time Kohli and Rohit come within each other’s radius. India are without MS Dhoni for this tour. Ever since Kohli became the full-time limited-overs captain in early 2017, he has played just four T20Is and three ODIs without Dhoni in the team. But with Dhoni’s future uncertain, the Indian think-tank might need to get used to life without the senior pro, and that puts greater onus on Kohli, the captain.The last time Sunil Narine played for West Indies was back in September 2017. Since then Narine has been part of various T20 leagues – the Indian Premier League, Pakistan Super League, the Bangladesh Premier League and the Caribbean Premier League – but hasn’t played an international match. He’s even played List A matches in the Super50 Cup in the Caribbean. He opted out of selection for the World Cup, citing concerns about his fitness to last 50 overs and bowl his full quota of 10, but he’s back in national colours for his favourite format. Narine has also evolved as a potent batting force, though he’s unlikely to get to bat in the Powerplay, where his hitting has been at its most effective.AFPTeam newsIndia have some new faces in the squad, but there’s still an abundance of options who are most at home batting in the top three. Regular openers Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan are back together with Dhawan having recovered from his broken finger, and there’s Kohli. In addition, they have KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Manish Pandey. At least two of those three seem certain to bat out of position, which can be a distinct contrast in a 20-overs game. The wristspinning duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have been rested, which should give the team management the option to try a number of exciting options.India XI (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Virat Kohli (capt), 4 KL Rahul, 5 Manish Pandey/Shreyas Iyer, 6 Rishabh Pant (wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Deepak Chahar/Navdeep Saini, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Khaleel Ahmed, 11 Rahul ChaharAndre Russell was expected to be one of the players igniting West Indies’ World Cup campaign, but the only things that flared up were his knees. He has since had surgery and was named in the T20I squad, subject to a fitness test. On the eve of the first T20I, Cricket West Indies said the allrounder experienced some discomfort during the GLT20 Canada, and has been replaced by Jason Mohammed. Even without Russell, captain Carlos Brathwaite has plenty of power – hitting and bowling – at his disposal.West Indies XI (probable): 1 John Campbell, 2 Evin Lewis, 3 Nicholas Pooran (wk), 4 Shimron Hetmyer, 5 Kieron Pollard, 6 Rovman Powell, 7 Carlos Brathwaite (capt), 8 Sunil Narine, 9 Khary Pierre, 10 Sheldon Cottrell, 11 Keemo Paul/Oshane ThomasPitch and conditionsOvernight rain meant the covers had been on all through the morning on the eve of the match, forcing India to cancel their practice session. They did train on Thursday even though they couldn’t on Friday. There is a general threat of rain, but thunderstorms in south Florida usually come nearer the late afternoon or evening, and both T20Is here are scheduled for 10.30 am. The pitch is expected to be one where batsmen prosper, with the ball coming on to the bat nicely.Stats and trivia In three T20Is against India, Evin Lewis has hit two hundreds. One of them came at this very venue, in 2016. Lewis hasn’t hit a T20I hundred against any other opposition. Rohit Sharma became India’s leading six-hitter in ODIs during the World Cup. He now has the chance to become the world’s top six-hitting batsman in T20Is. Rohit has hit 102 sixes in T20Is, easily the most for India, and is just three shy of Chris Gayle’s mark of 105, which is the current record.Quotes”Dhoni’s experience has always been a crucial factor. But having said that, it’s a great opportunity for Rishabh Pant to really unleash his potential.” –
It's been a dramatic 24 hours for West Ham United on the transfer front, with their focus firmly fixed on potential departures rather than further incomings whilst holding Bournemouth to a 1-1 draw in the Premier League.
West Ham transfer news
The Hammers ended the window having welcomed just one fresh face in the form of Kalvin Phillips on loan from Manchester City. The midfielder had a debut to forget, however, after giving the ball away for Dominic Solanke's early Bournemouth opener.
Meanwhile, away from the pitch, there was even more drama as IT issues stood in the way of Pablo Fornals' move to Real Betis, but the Hammers have since confirmed the Spaniard has left the club.
Meanwhile, as confirmed in a statement by the French club, Said Benrahma's move to Lyon collapsed late on after West Ham failed to register the agreements on FIFA's system due to the same IT problems they faced with Fornals. Left angered by the "incomprehensible behaviour", Lyon's statement read:
"Olympique Lyonnais were delighted to welcome Saïd Benrahma to Lyon on Thursday to finalise his transfer from West Ham. The two clubs had signed a temporary transfer agreement, and Olympique Lyonnais had obtained approval from the DNCG to allow the transfer to proceed smoothly and transparently.
"However, at the beginning of the evening, while Olympique Lyonnais had entered all the administrative data on FIFA's dedicated platform (FIFA TMS), West Ham had never launched any technical procedure on its part, despite repeated reminders from OL and continuous mutual telephone communication.
"In the absence of this reciprocal action on the part of the English club and following this incomprehensible behaviour, which raises questions, the international transfer certificate could not be requested before the closing time."
FIFA then launched an investigation into the situation, and within a matter of hours it was revealed that the former Brentford trickster will indeed be allowed to follow Fornals in leaving outside the usual parameters of the window, with the TMS now signed at both ends and Benrahma already in France. The deal has been confirmed in the last few moments on Lyon's official media channels.
Should the Hammers have kept Benrahma?
In a bizarre transfer saga, West Ham may have been lucky had they kept hold of Benrahma, who Frank McAvennie called a "wonderful talent", especially after Fornals' departure went through. The Spaniard's exit leaves a gaping hole that a player of Benrahma's calibre would fill, in what could be an ideal scenario for Moyes, who failed to bring in any attacking additions of his own.
Goals
24
Assists
19
Appearances
155
Whether those at the London Stadium face consequences for their reported IT failures remains to be seen, but the back and forth deal certainly provided an unexpected transfer twist in the dying hours of the January window.
كشف أنطوان كومباري، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي نانت، عن تشكيل اللاعبين الذين سيخوضون مباراة ليون في إطار منافسات الدوري الفرنسي.
ويلاقي نانت نظيره ليون على ملعب “جروباما ستاديوم”، في إطار الجولة السابعة من بطولة الدوري الفرنسي، في تمام الساعة الرابعة مساءً بتوقيت “القاهرة”.
اقرأ أيضًا.. سبورت: برشلونة قد يدخل في صراع شرس مع ليفربول على بديل محمد صلاح
ويحتل نانت المركز السابع في ترتيب الدوري الفرنسي برصيد 9 نقاط، بينما يأتي ليون في المركز الحادي عشر برصيد 7 نقاط.
تشكيل نانت الفرنسي شهد تواجد الدولي المصري مصطفى محمد على مقاعد البدلاء في مواجهة اليوم. تشكيل نانت اليوم أمام ليون في الدوري الفرنسي
حراسة المرمى: ألبان لافونت.
خط الدفاع: اميان، نيكولا بالوا، ناثان زيز، كوزا.
وسط الملعب: شيريفيلا، دوجلاس أوجستو، جان جبامين.
خط الهجوم: سيمون، ماتيس أبلين، توماس. بدلاء نانت اليوم أمام ليون في الدوري الفرنسي
كارلجرين، أكاباندي، أسوماني، ليروكس، مولات، كبين جاناجو، مصطفى محمد، جاناجو، تابيبو، دوكوريه.
📋 Le XI de départ face à Lyon !#OnEstNantes pic.twitter.com/5XmURVWMVO — FC Nantes (@FCNantes) October 6, 2024
Harry Kane has been urged to abandon his “playmaker” role with England, but Alan Shearer is “not worried” about the 63-goal striker.
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Tottenham Hotspur, as the action continues on the pitch, with Ange Postecoglou's side still vying for a place in the Premier League's top four come May, have reportedly continued their pursuit of summer targets.
According to reports, the Lilywhites are now in pole position to land a player who's been compared to Mohamed Salah.
Tottenham transfer news
After signing Timo Werner on loan and sealing permanent deals for Radu Dragusin and Lucas Bergvall, who will join up with the squad in the summer, Daniel Levy is seemingly still on the hunt for reinforcements. Ahead of the summer window, Spurs have already been linked with Ivan Toney once again, alongside the likes of Girona defender Miguel Gutierrez and Barcelona winger Raphinha, as the North London club look to hand Postecoglou all the tools to succeed.
As things stand, Postecoglou has Spurs in fourth, one point above Aston Villa, who have a game in hand. The Lilywhites haven't exactly done things easy under the Australian, either, as highlighted in their latest victory – a last-gasp win over Brighton & Hove Albion courtesy of Brennan Johnson's goal.
An attack already firing home dramatic winners could yet get another addition in the summer too. According to Calciomercato via Sport Witness, Spurs are now in pole position to sign Albert Gudmundsson from Genoa this summer, having previously sent scouts to watch the winger, who can also play as a second striker.
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Spurs, of course, already have a close and recent relationship with Genoa, with Dragusin arriving in London and Djed Spence going in the opposite direction during the January transfer window. Now, as the Italian club seek a reported €30m (£25m) for their attacker this summer, that relationship could be used once again.
"Devastating" Gudmundsson is "like Salah"
It's fair to say that Gudmundsson has earned high praise in Italy, with former AS Roma man Kevin Strootman telling Il Secolo XIX newspaper via Football Italia:
“If he keeps improving, he won’t stay at Genoa for long. He reminds me of Salah when he was at Roma, in that every now and then he disappears. Much like Salah then, he would have four or five chances per match and only score at most one.
“They used to say that if Salah was more clinical, he would be playing for Liverpool, and that is exactly what happened. All joking aside, Gudmundsson is a devastating player and also an exemplary professional.”
Spurs will hope that the Salah comparisons ring true and Gudmundsson becomes a star of similar calibre if they decide to pursue a deal this summer. Gudmundsson's stats show plenty of promise already, having scored 11 goals and assisted a further three in all competitions this season. At 26 years of age, now could be the perfect time to step into the Premier League and into a side who are already more than capable of flying forward in clinical fashion.