All posts by h716a5.icu

Glasgow Rangers will end the 2022/23 campaign later this month without winning a single major trophy for their efforts domestically and in Europe.

The Light Blues have four matches left to play in the Scottish Premiership but their position of second in the table has already been finalised.

Michael Beale has promised fans that there will be a squad "rebuild" in the upcoming transfer window and this could result in a number of departures and arrivals at Ibrox in the weeks and months to come.

One player who is on the chopping block heading into the summer is Scottish winger Scott Wright. It has been reported that he is set to depart the club ahead of next season and the Gers could finally bin him by securing a deal for target Luis Palma.

Rangers are reportedly interested in signing the Aris Thessaloniki forward and his arrival could open up the space for the club to part ways with Wright.

Who is Luis Palma?

The 23-year-old winger is an exciting forward who has caught the eye with his performances in Greece this season and is said to be valued at £4.5m.

He predominantly plays down the left flank but is also capable of operating through the middle or on the right and has showcased his quality as a goalscorer and a creator this term.

Palma has racked up 11 goals and four assists in 20 starts in the Greek Super League and averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.14 for Aris. The dynamo has only missed one 'big chance' in front of goal and created 1.4 chances per match for his teammates, which illustrates his clinical finishing and eye for a pass.

Wright, whose play was once described as "a bit loose" by ex-Gers man Mark Hateley during BBC coverage (via IbroxNews), has registered one assist and zero goals in 22 appearances for Rangers in the Premiership this season.

The forward has created 0.4 chances per game and averaged a dismal – in comparison to Palma's – Sofascore rating of 6.67.

These statistics show that the Scottish lightweight, who has lost 71% of his aerial duels in the top-flight, has struggled to make an impact for the Light Blues. He has not contributed with goals, assists, or key passes, on an even semi-regular basis and this summer could, therefore, be the right time to ditch him.

Palma's exceptional return in front of goal, along with his chance creation numbers, suggest that the Honduras international would come in as a major upgrade on Wright if the ace can adjust to playing in Scotland.

Therefore, Beale could bin off one of his current Rangers duds by securing a £4.5m swoop to sign the exciting Aris attacker in the coming weeks.

The number of bouncers bowled to Phillip Hughes in his final innings will be among the issues addressed by the New South Wales Coronial inquest into his death

Daniel Brettig13-Jun-2016The number of bouncers bowled to Phillip Hughes in his final innings will be among the issues addressed by the New South Wales Coronial inquest into his death, a directions hearing has confirmed.The NSW coroner Michael Barnes will pursue multiple avenues during an inquest to be held from October 10-14, as he examines the death of Hughes after he was struck by a short-pitched ball while playing for South Australia in a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG in November 2014.At a directions hearing in Sydney on Friday, the areas to be investigated were outlined, including the “nature of play” on the day Hughes was struck and whether it complied with the rules of the competition. The response times of ambulances, the possibility of whether additional head protection could have deflected the blow, the vast media coverage of Hughes’ collapse and subsequent death will be among other issues explored.Players on the field at the time, including Australia’s vice-captain David Warner and allrounder Sean Abbott, who was bowling when Hughes was struck, are expected to give evidence. Cricket Australia are to schedule the season-opening limited overs tournament in such a way that witness testimony does not clash with matches.A CA-commissioned review of events was completed last year and released to the public in May. Conducted by David Curtain QC, it concluded that neither greater head protection for Hughes nor swifter transport from the SCG to the nearest hospital would have prevented his death, while also recommending a raft of changes to head and heart-related safety precautions around the game.When releasing the report, CA’s chief executive James Sutherland expressed hope that the coronial inquest would not tear at the fabric of the game by calling for greater restrictions on the use of short-pitched bowling.”You’ll see in the brief terms of reference we gave David Curtain that we needed to draw a line about the laws of the game and to have some perspective around that,” Sutherland said. “You can make the game of cricket a lot safer by playing with a tennis ball, but that’s not how Test cricket has been played and it would obviously be a very different game.”We’re not wanting to go there, but we do need to find the right balance in the circumstances to not compromise the way the game’s played and not compromise the way in which the players are best equipped to show their skills.”The ICC’s cricket committee recently rejected a CA-driven call for mandatory concussion substitutes to be brought into first-class matches and potentially Tests.

Chelsea forgotten man could return to Stamford Bridge and be a key asset next season under Mauricio Pochettino, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest news involving Romelu Lukaku and Mauricio Pochettino?

As per The Telegraph, Lukaku could be offered a shock chance to revive his career at Stamford Bridge by Pochettino and will be involved in discussions with Chelsea at the end of this term to determine his next steps.

The Belgium international joined Chelsea for £97.5 million back in 2021 from Inter Milan; however, he endured an indifferent spell in front of goal in west London that yielded just 15 goals in 44 appearances, as per Transfermarkt, before completing a loan switch back to Inter Milan at the beginning of this campaign.

Football Italia via Football London report that Inter Milan CEO Guiseppi Marotta has stated that Lukaku will indeed return to Chelsea when his loan agreement at the San Siro comes to an end, stating: "Lukaku is in love with this club and city, so these are important elements to consider, but the player does not belong to us. He is on loan, he will return to Chelsea on June 30 and we will all evaluate the situation together. It is important to note that he is a great professional, he has a great sense of belonging and these are key elements that go alongside the technical and sporting considerations."

Rumoured incoming boss Pochettino could now have a decision to make if he does assume the managerial vacancy at Chelsea. The Argentinian coach is said to be in 'advanced talks' over taking over at the Blues, as per BBC Sport.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones reckons that Lukaku could be the man to guarantee a regular flow of goals for Chelsea next campaign under Pochettino, similar to the service Harry Kane provided the former Paris Saint-Germain manager when both were at Tottenham Hotspur.

Jones told FFC: "The only outfield player used more than Kane was Christian Eriksen but the Tottenham No.9 was far and away the most productive goal scorer as he hit the net 169 times in Poch’s time at the club.

"He has had two failed attempts at being Chelsea’s main striker and if that third and final chance is ever to come, the time is now. If not there is only one solution: Bid for Kane!"

Could Romelo Lukaku get an unexpected second chance at Chelsea?

Realistically, suppose Chelsea can't find a suitable permanent destination for Lukaku elsewhere. In that case, it may just be worth giving him a chance to show if he can be the focal point in attack desperately needed at Stamford Bridge.

In 2022/23, the Belgian has made 28 appearances for Inter Milan in all competitions, scoring nine goals and claiming five assists, as per Transfermarkt.

FBRef also note that Lukaku has successfully carried out 59 shot-creating actions this term, demonstrating his ability to lead the line effectively and provide regular opportunities due to his hold-up play.

Conversely, Chelsea may have designs on entering the transfer market to secure a new forward. 90min claim that Pochettino could target Tottenham talisman Kane to counter the Blues' lack of a natural striker, in a move that could grab worldwide attention if a deal were to materialise.

Leeds United confirmed the appointment of Sam Allardyce as their new manager until the end of the season today and the survival specialist will have to pull off something of a miracle if he is going to keep the Yorkshire outfit in the Premier League.

Why did Leeds hire Sam Allardyce?

The 4-1 defeat against Bournemouth last weekend was seemingly the final straw for Javi Gracia, who saw his side set a new Premier League record for the most goals conceded in a single month.

Their dreadful run of form has left them hovering dangerously over the relegation places with tough games to come against Manchester City, Newcastle United, West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur.

However, the arrival of Allardyce could just spark some hope among the Leeds fanbase and if he can reconstruct a Leeds defence that has fallen apart in recent weeks, it could just keep them in the top flight.

One man who could be key to that rebuild is captain Liam Cooper, as the centre-back has performed well when called upon this season and has the leadership qualities that could win over Allardyce at Elland Road.

How good has Liam Cooper been this season?

The 31-year-old's 6.66 average rating from WhoScored sees him ranked behind only Pascal Struijk and Max Wober as defenders in Leeds' squad, and yet it is Robin Koch who has been the most consistently called upon centre-back this season.

That said, the skipper is still a key figure behind the scenes, with former manager Jesse Marsch having been full of praise for the Scotland international and his leadership skills during his time at Elland Road.

The American said: “Liam is going to play a big role in the team no matter what. Diego and Robin have done well. I told Liam before yesterday he hasn’t trained much but when he does return from injury, he plays flawlessly.“In terms of mentality, a professional, a leader, he is the best I’ve ever seen. He will be used, he will be needed."

Injuries have meant that the experienced defender has featured just 17 times in the top flight so far this campaign but he impressively ranks first for interceptions, third for clearances and second for blocks per game in Leeds' squad, underlying his willingness to defend and put his body on the line for the club.

No-nonsense centre-backs such as Winston Reid, James Collins and James Tomkins have all featured heavily under Allardyce in his career thus far and Cooper could be the next to prosper under the experienced English manager, becoming that combative force in the backline.

If the captain, who earns £25k-per-week at Elland Road, can rediscover his best form in the final few Premier League games, it could just inspire Allardyce's men to the masterstroke of keeping Leeds in the division.

Everton are “pushing hard” to sign Inter Milan forward Joaquin Correa this summer, according to reports.

What's the latest on Correa to Everton?

The Argentine still has another two years remaining on his contract at the San Siro Stadium, but having made just eight starts in the Serie A this season, is significantly low down in Simone Inzaghi’s pecking order and could therefore be looking to seal an exit this summer.

Italian outlet Inter Live credited the Toffees, alongside Premier League rivals West Ham United and Aston Villa, with an initial interest in the 28-year-old, and they have already taken their admiration one step further.

TuttoMercatoWeb journalist Niccolo Ceccarini has revealed that Sean Dyche and his Merseyside outfit have made contact to discover what it would take to complete a deal during the upcoming window and the board appear to be willing to do whatever it takes.

According to Inter Live once again (via Sport Witness), Everton are “pushing hard” to secure the services of Correa ahead of their fellow competitors. The £110k-per-week attacker is the “main suspect” to be sold from his squad at the end of the season as a result of him being viewed as a “dead weight” due to his poor physical state, so his club are “happy” to sanction his sale.

The Toffees or any other potential suitors are yet to submit an official offer, but they are the ones currently showing the most interest in getting a deal over the line. The Italian giants’ price tag “would not be very low” due to his contract situation, so whether Farhad Moshiri – or a potential new owner – would be able to meet their financial demands yet remains to be seen.

Should Everton cash out on Correa?

Everton will be aware that Correa won’t be fully up to speed having not received regular game time this season, but he’s got so much potential to give so we feel it would be worth splashing the cash and taking a chance on him this summer.

The Adidas-sponsored forward has posted 103 goal contributions (64 goals and 39 assists) in 353 career appearances, so can be prolific in the final third when afforded the opportunity, and is additionally strong in his link-up play with his fellow teammates, ranking in the 99th percentile for pass completion by forwards in the top European leagues.

The 6 foot 2 colossus, who’s been hailed a “sharp” finisher by journalist Josh Bunting, further has the flexibility to play in six various positions across the field, including up top and out wide on both flanks, so he would be an excellent acquisition should he sign on the dotted line at Goodison Park.

West Ham United gave their survival hopes a big boost as they fought back from 2-0 down to earn a draw against league leaders Arsenal.

What happened in West Ham vs Arsenal?

Things could not have gotten off to a much worse start for the Hammers as they found themselves 1-0 down within six minutes when Ben White crossed for Gabriel Jesus to tap in, before Martin Odegaard made it 2-0 with less than ten minutes on the clock, volleying in Gabriel Martinelli's cross.

At that point, it seemed as if David Moyes' side could easily be overwhelmed by the Gunners but a mistake allowed the home side back into the game, with Said Benrahma converting a penalty after Lucas Paqueta was felled by Gabriel.

Bukayo Saka had a golden chance to restore Arsenal's two-goal lead when Michail Antonio handballed but he put his penalty well wide, and it was 2-2 minutes later thanks to Jarrod Bowen's well-taken volley.

The Jamaica international had a chance to make amends late on but headed Benrahma's superb cross against the crossbar, with both sides forced to settle for a point.

Who was West Ham's worst performer vs Arsenal?

Although fans may leave the London Stadium happy after a spirited second-half display, there were still a number of disappointing performances on Sunday afternoon.

As per Sofascore, Antonio was perhaps harshly the worst-rated West Ham player on the pitch with a shocking 6.2/10 rating, with only Thomas Partey (6.1) rated lower of every player to feature in the game.

Although his dogged determination often saw him get the better of Rob Holding, notably forcing the defender to bring him down for a free-kick on the edge of the box in the first half, there were several moments in which he nearly cost Moyes.

During his 87 minutes on the pitch, the experienced £85k-per-week forward managed just 30 touches and a disappointing eight passes, which was the fewest of any player to start the game, including Lukasz Fabianski, who managed nine.

Tomas Soucek has been the man who has been lamented recently for his lack of involvement from midfield and today the Czech Republic international managed just 21 touches and ten passes, which suggests that he deserves equal criticism for another almost anonymous display.

Despite seeing so little of the ball, the former Nottingham Forest man still managed to lose possession on ten occasions and gave away the penalty which could have easily cost West Ham a share of the points had Saka not fluffed his lines.

The 33-year-old perhaps should have ensured that the Hammers would take all three points when he headed against the bar from close range too, with the striker once again proving that he cannot be relied upon as a consistent option in the attack.

Antonio, who was dubbed "not good enough" by Glen Johnson earlier in the season, has managed just three Premier League goals so far this campaign, and was fortunate today that his poor performance didn't cost Moyes a point.

Newcastle United are believed to be looking at Leicester City's Harvey Barnes as a potential target for the summer transfer window.

Could Barnes leave Leicester in the summer?

The Foxes find themselves in a really tricky position going into the final games of the Premier League season with relegation a real threat.

They have recently parted ways with their manager, Brendan Rodgers, and hired Dean Smith until the end of the campaign as interim boss.

Regardless of whether Leicester manage to avoid the drop, this season may have put serious question marks over the future of players like Barnes.

In recent seasons, the Foxes have been fighting for Champions League football and lifting their first-ever FA Cup, yet they now find themselves just weeks away from potential relegation.

With this in mind, it will be interesting to see whether the £35k-per-week ace is a player who feels he may need a move in the summer to continue his development.

And it is believed an option for him could potentially be Newcastle with the Magpies flying high in the Premier League table as they battle for a spot inside the top four.

Indeed, speaking on his YouTube channel, insider Jacque Talbot has suggested Eddie Howe is a big fan of the 25-year-old with the summer window just weeks away:

(1:00) "Not really much of a surprise if you're a Newcastle fan, you know, Eddie Howe loves his Premier League players, English players, Harvey Barnes has got 10 goals already this season with a struggling side.

"Leicester could even be relegated, so obviously that's going to help tremendously in their pursuit of him. Can play in the middle and on left, I believe so yeah, that's what we heard."

Would Barnes upgrade Newcastle?

It would certainly be an interesting addition to the side given the options Howe currently has on the left wing in Allan Saint-Maximin and Anthony Gordon.

The latter has experienced injury issues over recent weeks which has allowed the Frenchman to make a solid run in the side where he has largely impressed.

And it is only a matter of months on from when the Toon parted with £45m for Gordon in the January transfer window.

However, it could definitely create a fierce battle for competition if Barnes was also to be added to the options at left wing ahead of next season.

But is it a headache which Howe would welcome?

Previously hailed as "special" by journalist Adam Bate, Barnes has actually returned the lowest number of shot-creating actions (2.01) in comparison to the two current Newcastle left-wingers (via Fbref).

However, his actual return in front of goal has been mightily impressive with 10 goals and one assist in the league which is more than the Newcastle pair combined.

It is apparent Barnes could provide Newcastle with a real attacking threat, but his arrival could certainly cause issues on Tyneside with the spot at left-wing at stake ahead of the new campaign.

Arsenal’s academy production has kicked into overdrive of late, with a wealth of talent currently propping up the first-team exploits that see them sitting atop the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta must also earn credit, as a coach capable of embedding such unproven assets into the senior squad with such ease that they are unburdened by the pressures that these steps up bring.

The likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli and more all came as relative unknowns, but their youth was no barrier to their emergence into the top division.

Such is this golden pathway that has since been paved, many of their current academy stars are also now pushing for their opportunity to shine.

One such name who continues to crop up amongst their top Hale End prodigies is Charles Sagoe Jr, with the dangerous winger posing a threat to all full-backs he faces at the U21 level.

As such, the teenager could be seen as the natural successor to Leandro Trossard, who has enjoyed a fine start to life in north London but is far older than many of his attacking teammates, giving credence to the suggestion that his spot will be available in a few years time.

Who is Charles Sagoe Jr?

Billed as a 'livewire attacking player' with immense versatility by Arsenal’s official website, the 18-year-old marvel has truly shone this season in Premier League 2.

Boasting five goals and two assists, his scintillating work in the youth team even led to his place on the bench in Arsenal’s first-leg Europa League clash with Sporting CP.

Journalist George Addo Jr had taken to Twitter only last month to outline how Sagoe Jr’s displays had caught widespread attention too, writing: “Charles Sagoe Jr has been in fine form for Arsenal U21s all season. He's now Arsenal's leading scorer in Premier League 2."

Whilst Trossard has just one goal since signing in January, the 28-year-old more than makes up for his lack of potency with a fine injection of much-needed creativity.

In just 12 league appearances for the Gunners, the Belgian already boasts seven assists and was named the club's player of the month for March. Not bad for someone who's only been in north London a matter of months.

He will now be the player in which the budding stars of Hale End look at in order to hone their impressive skills and Sagoe Jr should be no different.

Indeed, the fleet-footed youngster boasts similar qualities to the former Brighton ace, with an unpredictable nature capable of causing carnage among opposition defenders.

That was notably picked up on by another Hale End graduate in Reiss Nelson, who spoke directly to the winger, noting: “I’ve been watching you, I watch a lot of the U21 games and literally, I’m not just saying this because you’re here, you have everything to be an Arsenal winger.

“You’re unpredictable, you can move on your left, on your right, you can score, you can assist, you’ve got everything.”

With this huge praise, and the pathway in sight to eventually take over from the offensive exploits of Trossard, Sagoe Jr should feel confident that his time in the senior spotlight is just on the horizon.

Manchester City are one of a number of clubs interested in signing Benjamin Pavard during the summer transfer window, according to a new report.

Is Pavard off in the summer?

This summer is hopefully going to be another fruitful one for City in the transfer market as they look to make their squad even more formidable by adding fresh legs. Full-back could be an area of the pitch to strengthen with Kyle Walker now in his thirties and Joao Cancelo's future up in the air after joining Bayern Munich on loan.

One player who could potentially be on the move at the end of the season is Pavard, who is currently a key figure for Bayern. The France World Cup winner has started 20 Bundesliga matches this season, as well as appearing seven times in the Champions League.

The 27-year-old is out of contract in the summer of 2024, so this year could be the last opportunity to receive a decent amount of money for his signature, meaning he could move on to pastures new this summer. It looks as though there could be a scrap to sign Pavard in the upcoming window, following a fresh update.

Could Frenchman head to Man City?

According to 90min, City are in the hunt to sign Pavard from Bayern, although they are far from alone in expressing their interest. Manchester United and Real Madrid are the other top clubs who are believed in the conversation. All three clubs are keen on "bolstering" their right-back options and they see the France international as a strong option to bring in.

He may not be the most attack-minded full-back in the game – he has only registered one assist in the league this season – but he is a defensively astute player with a wealth of experience and a winning mentality, as highlighted by his World Cup triumph back in 2018.

With Uli Hoeness lauding him as "wonderful" in the past, Pavard could be seen as a strong option to rival Walker for minutes moving forward, easing the Englishman's workload as he gets older in the process and proving to be an intelligent signing who learns the City system quickly.

Having great squad depth can be key for a team like City who are battling on maximum fronts each year, and the Bayern defender could be someone who comes in and simply does a solid job – possibly even enjoying his best years of his career at the Etihad.

Pundit and former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer believes that Hillsborough could be a possible destination for Newcastle United’s Elliot Anderson next season.

The Lowdown: Previous interest

The Owls appeared to have their eye on Anderson earlier in the year during the January transfer window, with reports suggesting that the club were keen on a loan deal for the 20-year-old, who contributed to 13 goals in 21 League Two appearances on loan at Bristol Rovers last season.

As we know, a move for Anderson failed to materialise, with the midfielder remaining at St. James’ Park under Eddie Howe, but it looks as if a loan move could be on the cards ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The Latest: Palmer’s comments

Palmer, who contributes for the BBC, was talking to Football League World about Anderson, describing his display against Nottingham Forest as ‘brilliant’. The Pundit then name-checked Sheffield Wednesday as a potential destination for the midfielder next season, labelling him as a ‘very, very talented young player’.

“Elliot Anderson was brilliant for Newcastle the other night (against Nottingham Forest). He’s a very, very talented young player but all the noise coming out of Newcastle is that he could be loaned out to a Championship club, but it will be a Championship club that play football in the right manner.

“So yes, I think Sheffield Wednesday would be in the frame to get him and he would be a very, very good acquisition should they secure promotion.”

The Verdict: Wednesday to benefit?

A loan move to the second tier could be extremely beneficial for Anderson after playing just 179 minutes of Premier League action across 12 appearances. He caught the eye prior to the international break against Nottingham Forest, with Kieran Trippier hailing his display from the bench.

“He’s a young lad, with so much potential and I really mean that. It’s crazy really how good he is. He just has to be patient. Keep working hard as he has been doing. He was unbelievable when he came on (at Forest). He has a massive future ahead of him, like I said, he just has to keep being patient.”

He appears to be a star in the making, so Darren Moore’s side could benefit from having him upon their return to the Championship, should they get over the line and out of League One in the coming months.

The Owls have just one out-and-out attacking midfielder on the books in Josh Windass, so Anderson could be a shrewd signing to add strength in depth, although the club may face plenty of interest from possible second-tier rivals.