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A Quaid-e-Azam Trophy triumph and a heartening return surely merited some kind of reward for Mohammad Sami?•Getty Images

Why not Mohammad Sami?
Mohammad Sami hasn’t covered himself in any kind of glory over the length of his career and his sudden call-up to the Australia tour was as unexpected as it could’ve been unpleasant. It wasn’t, as an apparently refreshed Sami rattled Australia on the very first morning of the Sydney Test in a frighteningly quick first spell that all but fetched him a hat-trick. And it have set up a rare Test win for Pakistan.Additionally, as captain, he led Karachi to triumph in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, rattling a strong Habib Bank side in the final, just as he left for Australia. Thirty-eight wickets in the QEA are not earth-shattering, but a trophy triumph and such a heartening return surely merited some kind of reward? Not a top contract, admittedly, but to not even consider him for a stipend, especially when you consider below.Why Wahab Riaz?
The last time Wahab Riaz played for Pakistan was nearly two years ago. This season he took 14 wickets at over 40 in the QEA. He was nowhere in RBS ODI cup or the Pentangular. He took a few wickets for Pakistan A on their UAE tour in games against the England Lions.In plain words, how on earth does he qualify for a category C contract, over men such as Sami? Or how about Mohammad Irfan, the left-arm fast bowler who at near seven feet tall at least provides a different threat altogether, and was in many ways the story of this domestic season? Or even below.Why not Rao Iftikhar Anjum?Probably because you will not hear him make a noise about it, or hear him canvassing for selection, nobody will be much fussed about the exclusion of Rao Iftikhar Anjum. Honest workhorses are rarely celebrated or rewarded in Pakistan.But Rao’s performance for Pakistan over the last three, pretty terrible years – mostly as a thankless, white-ball first change – have warranted more than this sacking: with over 53 ODI wickets in 34 ODIs he is among the country’s leading wicket-takers in that period. He has been an effective and uncomplaining foil to bigger fast bowling names, with added nous than when he first came in.Maybe he doesn’t warrant a starting place in an ODI line-up if Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamer and Umar Gul are in (and Gul’s form is currently poor enough to require cover) but central contracts are not about the first XI only: they are about building a pool and rewarding consistent performers, reliable and committed players and Rao is nothing if not that.Abdul Razzaq in category A?Abdul Razzaq has been a fine player for Pakistan over the years. He could and should have been the latest in a line of supremely accomplished allrounders this country has produced but that he didn’t fulfill that is for another day. To find him in category A in this year’s list is to suspect the PCB and selectors still believe the hype and potential of the late 90s, when he first made his name.Razzaq is no longer a candidate in Tests and he seems to have ruled himself out of that format. In ODIs he has been fitful since his return from the ICL and he has batted as if he left behind his skills in the ICL. In the shortest format of the game, of course, he has been vital and was one of the main men behind Pakistan’s world triumph last year.To find Abdul Razzaq in category A in this year’s list is to suspect the PCB and selectors still believe the hype and potential of the late 90s•AFP

Unquestionably he should be in the pool, but category A? In any case that category seems to say more perhaps about who is not there than who is.The curious category CThe two men who have long been touted – and selected – as solutions to Pakistan’s most vexing problem over the years find themselves on monthly stipends. Khalid Latif has not set the world alight admittedly, but has not disgraced himself in the 50-over game. And he is in Pakistan’s squad for the World Twenty20.Khurram Manzoor, meanwhile, for all his technical quirks has toughed it out for three fifties against solid opposition (two away from home). His last international innings, against Australia in Hobart, yielded a disciplined, brave 77 from one-down.Why they find themselves below Abdul Rehman and Mohammad Hafeez who are both in category C only those who selected the pool know. Rehman has had a spectacular domestic season and Hafeez a solid one, but the former hasn’t played for Pakistan – or been in serious contention after the arrival of Saeed Ajmal – since December 2007. Hafeez last turned out in a Pakistan shirt in October 2007 and is only now a member of the World Twenty20 squad.Yet the pair are in the same category as Fawad Alam, who is pushing for a starting spot in all three formats, and who, in the shadow of Umar Akmal and Mohammad Aamer, had a quiet breakout year last year of his own.And finally…A point to ponder: the expected annual salary that Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal will earn from their annual contracts – Rs 30 lakh for Afridi and Kamran and Rs 21 lakh for Umar – work out almost exactly to the fines levied on them by the board last week. In effect, the trio will play for Pakistan for no money over the next year.

Celtic appear to be plotting a move for Barnsley man Callum Styles, according to The Sun’s Alan Nixon, as relayed by The 72.

The Lowdown: Styles profiled

The 21-year-old is primarily a left midfielder who can also play as a central or attacking midfielder. The 5 foot 4 speedster is valued at £2.7m and is approaching 100 Barnsley appearances after joining from Bury back in 2018.

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The Englishman extended his Oakwell stay last year and was linked with a move to Leeds United earlier this year, and it seems as if the Hoops are now keen on his services.

The Latest: Nixon’s claim

According to Nixon in The Sun on Sunday (19.12.21, pg. 69), as relayed by The 72, the Hoops are checking on Styles ahead of the January window. This comes on the day of Celtic’s League Cup final triumph against Hibernian, with interim CEO Michael Nicholson seemingly busy on the transfer front.

A Celtic fan asked the reliable journalist on Twitter if the transfer was a ‘goer’, to which he responded: “Watching… closely… talented player…very attack minded”

Nixon described Styles as a player with ‘great feet’, adding that he would ‘very much’ suit Ange Postecoglou’s style of play.

The Verdict: With or without Hatate?

Celtic have reportedly reached an agreement with Kawasaki Frontale for Reo Hatate, who can also play on the left and in midfield, so the Hoops may well be checking in on Styles as a possible alternative, or even another January signing alongside the Japanese ace.

He appears to be a player with great potential following the links with a Premier League club in the summer, so if the Hoops can bring Styles to Glasgow in the New Year, he would provide Postecoglou with another option in multiple positions as the 56-year-old looks to continue his Parkhead rebuild.

In other news: Postecoglou wants 49-cap colossus at the peak of his powers to cap Celtic’s January business 

Speaking live on talkSPORT radio (January 6), via Read West Ham, reporter Alex Crook shared what he knows on the Jesse Lingard transfer saga.

The Lowdown: West Ham chasing Lingard…

As well known, West Ham and manager David Moyes are eager to reunite with Lingard on a permanent deal this month with the irons earmarking him as a top transfer target.

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Club insider ExWHUemployee believes the club are certain to move for Manchester United’s forward whilst reliable journalist Jack Rosser of The Evening Standard backs their interest.

Talks over a new deal for Lingard at Old Trafford recently broke down, with his current deal set to expire at the end of this season, prompting club to take note of his situation – with West Ham among the suitors for his signatures (ESPN).

Sharing what he knows, Crook has now made a live radio claim on talkSPORT.

The Latest: Crook makes Lingard to West Ham claim…

Speaking to the broadcaster (via Read West Ham), the journalist believes a West Ham bid for England’s attacker is ‘inevitable’ as the club believe they can secure him for a ‘fraction’ of what he would have cost in the summer window.

“West Ham United are looking for reinforcements,” he explained.

“One name mentioned to me that won’t come as a big surprise to fans is Jesse Lingard.

“Clearly not happy at Manchester United, out of contract in the summer. West Ham believe they could sign him for a fraction of the fee quoted in the summer.

“I think it’s inevitable that West Ham will try again. He really needs to leave Old Trafford – that would seem a no-brainer to me.”

The Verdict: A must move?

Homegrown and a proven player under Moyes, having bagged a brilliant nine goals and four assists over 16 top flight outings on loan at West Ham last season (WhoScored), signing Lingard would come as a major boost for West Ham mid-season.

Reports have suggested that the Three Lions ace could be available for as little as £10 million this month given his precarious contract situation (The Sun) – a fee certainly affordable and representing good value for money.

Former Tottenham and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson recently claimed he would be a ‘massive signing’ who could gift the Hammers ‘another dimension’ amid their chase for a top four Premier League finish (Football Insider).

Given his numbers over the second half of 2020/2021, with talkSPORT pundit Adrian Durham also calling him the best player in terms of league form at one point last year, we strongly advise West Ham to push the boat out for his capture.

In other news: ‘Tears in my eyes’, ‘Finally’…Many West Ham fans flock to ‘very exciting’ transfer development, find out more here.

أعلن نادي نانت المنافس في بطولة الدوري الفرنسي عن فوز مهاجم الفريق الأول لكرة القدم، مصطفى محمد، بجائزة أفضل لاعب في شهر سبتمبر الحالي.

ولعب مصطفى محمد مع نانت في الشهر الحالي 5 مباريات ما بين الدوري الفرنسي والدوري الأوروبي وسجل هدفًا وحيدًا تحت قيادة المدير الفني، أنطوان كومباريه.

اقرأ أيضًا | مجدي عبد الغني: كولر يُعبر عن غضبه لـ إدارة الأهلي.. ويحسم مصير الجبهة اليمنى للفريق

🇪🇬🏹 @mmostafa_11 est votre Canari du mois de septembre by @ILIANE_INFO.

Félicitations Mostafa. pic.twitter.com/AXNvPCp12N — FC Nantes (@FCNantes) September 27, 2022

ولكن أداء الفرعون المصري مع نانت خلال الشهر الحالي كان جيدًا خاصة في مباراة أولمبياكوس في بطولة الدوري الأوروبي والتي سجل فيها هدفًا.

ويلعب مصطفى محمد مع نانت منذ بداية الموسم الحالي بعد انتقاله على سبيل الإعارة من جالطة سراي حتى 30 يونيو 2023.

ويمتلك نانت شرط أحقية شراء مصطفى محمد من جالطة سراي مقابل 5 ملايين و750 ألف يورو، بجانب 250 ألف يورو هي ثمن الإعارة بالموسم الحالي.

عقد المكتب التنفيذي للنادي الأهلي، برئاسة العامري فاروق نائب الرئيس، اجتماعًا مطولًا أمس بفرع مدينة نصر، في حضور كل من المهندس خالد مرتجي أمين الصندوق، ومحمد شوقي عضو مجلس الإدارة، وسعد شلبي المدير التنفيذي وأمين سر الجلسة.

وناقش المكتب التنفيذي العديد من الأمور الخاصة بقطاعات النادي المختلفة، وأوصى بعدد من التوصيات على النحو التالي:

مران الأهلي | كولر يحاضر اللاعبين فنيًا.. وراحة لـ سافيو من التدريبات قرارات اجتماع المكتب التنفيذي للأهلي

– الموافقة على طلب جهاز السباحة باستمرار عمل المدارس بالمنطقة الترفيهية بفرع النادي بمدينة نصر، والبدء في عملية تدفئة المياه في ضوء الدراسة المقدمة من مدير المنطقة.

– شراء برجي كرة سلة بالصالة المغطاة.

– الموافقة على إقامة الحفل السنوي السادس لأكاديمية الباليه والذي سيقام بدار الأوبرا المصرية واعتماد الميزانية المخصصة للحفل.

– الموافقة على تكليف المكتب الاستشاري الهندسي «صبور» بعمل المواصفات الفنية لتغيير أرضية ملاعب كرة اليد بمقر النادي بالجزيرة.

– الموافقة على الممارسة الخاصة بشراء الأدوات المطلوبة من جهاز الكرة الطائرة رجال وسيدات.

– الموافقة على سفر مدربة السباحة عزيزة محمود محمد إلى كندا لحضور الدورة التدريبية للاتحاد الدولي للسباحة.

– الموافقة على أعمال تغيير كابلات الإنترنت بالصالات الجديدة بفرع النادي بالشيخ زايد.

Leeds are thought to be considering a move for Middlesbrough’s Marcus Tavernier in January, according to TEAMtalk.

The Lowdown: Tavernier profiled

Tavernier, who was born in Leeds, is 22 years of age and currently holds a career-high Transfermarkt valuation of £2.7m.

He has made 15 appearances for Middlesbrough this season in six different areas of the pitch, highlighting his versatility and bringing his total showings for Boro to 122.

Primarily a left midfielder, most of Tavernier’s appearances during the current campaign have come as a right-winger, and it seems this ability to add depth in multiple positions is catching the eye at Elland Road.

The Latest: Whites considering January move

TEAMtalk shared a report on Tuesday lunchtime, suggesting the Whites are considering a winter window move for Tavernier, with Victor Orta a confirmed fan of the player labelled as ‘special’ by Neil Warnock.

Brighton, Burnley and Southampton have been watching the Englishman for some time, but it seems as if Leeds are now in the race for Tavernier’s services.

The Verdict: Dallas 2.0?

Should Leeds secure Tavernier’s services in the New Year, they could have another Stuart Dallas on their hands.

The Northern Ireland international has turned out in nine different positions during his career – the same number as Tavernier who is still in the early stages of his career.

Marcelo Bielsa also likes to run with a small squad, so bringing in a player as versatile as Dallas could be of interest to the Argentine, who could then look to coach Tavernier in multiple positions.

In other news: ‘Someone Bielsa quietly admires’ – Phil Hay hints at Leeds move for ‘fantastic’ player. 

Celtic are closing in on a deal to bring Reo Hatate to Parkhead in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Daily Record, who claim that Ange Postecoglou’s side are doing all they can to tie up a deal for the Kawasaki Frontale left-back ahead of the opening of the winter market, with the Bhoys believed to be attempting to fast-track the 24-year-old’s switch to Parkhead.

The report goes on to state that the Hoops have all but agreed terms with both the J League side and the defender, and are confident that Kawasaki Frontale will not stand in the way of the Japan international making a move to Glasgow prior to the expiry of his contract at the end of January.

Finally, it is said that Celtic are hoping to have Hatate’s work permit application and the surrounding paperwork completed before January 1, and are hoping that the left-back can make his debut in the Old Firm clash on the second of the month.

Postecoglou will be buzzing

Considering just how much of a problem position left-back has been for Postecoglou so far in his time at Celtic, should the Bhoys indeed manage to get a deal tied up for Hatate in the coming weeks, it would undoubtedly be an outcome that will leave the 56-year-old buzzing.

Indeed, the 24-year-old has highly impressed over his 29 J League appearances this season, scoring five goals, registering two assists and creating three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of two shots and making 1.1 key passes per game.

The £720k-rated defender has also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 1.4 interceptions, 1.3 tackles, 52.4 passes and winning 5.3 duels per fixture.

These returns have seen the Japan international average a SofaScore match rating of 7.16, ranking him as Kawasaki Frontale’s fifth-best performer in the league, as well as the joint 15th-best player in the entire division.

As such, considering the fact that Greg Taylor has been sidelined for the vast majority of the current campaign due to injury, while Boli Bolingoli’s two appearances in all competitions this season prove that he is clearly not a player in Postecoglou’s first-team plans, the signing of a new left-back in the January window – particularly one as exciting as Hatate – will undoubtedly come as a major boost to the 56-year-old’s chances of going on to reclaim Celtic’s Scottish Premiership crown come next May.

In other news: “I’m sure..”: Celtic figure drops promising transfer claim that’ll delight Bhoys fans

With an impressive 43 goals scored across all competitions so far this season, it’s safe to say Liverpool have not had any issues in front of goal in recent weeks.

Especially given how they have the likes of Mohamed Salah in their squad at the moment who has managed to rack up 15 goals in 12 games so far in his latest campaign with the Merseyside club.

Having said that, it seems as though the Reds could already have their next version of Salah in the youth squad with 20-year-old right-winger Jack Bearne.

Bearne signed to Liverpool’s youth side back in April 2017 from Notts County for a fee of £153k according to Transfermarkt.

Since then, Bearne has gone on to make 25 appearances for Liverpool’s U18 side, scoring four goals and providing one assist as well as making 29 appearances for their U23 side, scoring four goals and providing three assists along the way, proving himself to be a real attacking threat with a lot of potential.

Bearne, who has been previously described as a “hero” by Reds journalist James Pearce after the winger scored a late winner in a youth match against Everton back in 2018, has only made one senior appearance for the Reds which came during their 5-0 defeat against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup back in December 2019.

Back in 2019, the club’s official website revealed that Bearne had put pen to paper on his first professional contract with the Reds.

So far this season, Bearne has made ten appearances for Liverpool’s U23 side in which he has managed to score one goal and provide one assist, whilst trying his hand at playing in the central-midfield and attacking-midfield positions as well as right-wing, showing his versatility at such a young age.

Moving forward, we feel that if Bearne can keep playing regularly for Liverpool’s U23 side and add some more goals and assists under his belt on a consistent basis, we think that he has what it takes to break into Jurgen Klopp’s side and become a star in the future based on the talent and attacking prowess he’s already shown in their youth teams.

However, taking into account the inspiring form Salah is in at the moment, it seems as though Bearne, or any other right winger across the Merseyside club, would have a hard time overtaking the Egyptian.

In other news: FSG could land LFC’s next Henderson in 18 y/o “huge talent”, fans should be excited – opinion

With their 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town now behind them, Sunderland must focus on their next League One clash against Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday evening.

On the chalkboard

In terms of who Black Cats manager Lee Johnson could pick to be in his starting XI in midweek, one player that featured in the win against Ipswich that should not be in the team for this upcoming match against Shrewsbury is winger Lynden Gooch.

In the game against Ipswich, Gooch didn’t have any sort of attacking presence in the team by failing to register even one shot at goal.

Furthermore, he failed to make one key pass or cross, won just three out of the ten duels he was involved in and lost possession a whopping 15 times. All of that ultimately earned him a disappointing overall match rating of 6.1/10, making him the lowest-rated Sunderland player on the day according to SofaScore.

The 25-year-old, who has been described as a “versatile” player in the past by Johnson, also managed to get dribbled past on two occasions and pick up a yellow card, his fifth of the season across all competitions, showing that he was a bit of a liability on this occasion.

Looking at the season as a whole, despite making a total of 13 appearances across all competitions, the £5k-per-week earner has not registered a goal and has only provided one assist, showing that he has not been much of a threat for the team.

To make sure the winger doesn’t continue to become a liability for the team and put in another uninspiring performance, it might well be Johnson’s best option to take Gooch out of the team for the match against Shrewsbury. After all, they may well have a better chance of picking up another win to keep them in the race for a promotion place.

With Aiden McGeady managing to score Sunderland’s late penalty at the weekend after coming off the substitutes bench to seal the three points, perhaps it could be time to get him back in the starting XI for this game to see if he can have more of an attacking impact than Gooch did against Ipswich.

In other news: Forget Dajaku: Johnson must unleash “terrific” SAFC beast, he could terrify Ipswich – opinion

Everton have received a potential injury boost ahead of their Premier League encounter with West Ham United on Sunday after Richarlison provided an update on hit fitness.

What’s the word?

The 24-year-old was injured after a heavy challenge from James Tarkowski in the Toffees’ 3-1 victory over Burnley on September 13, picking up a knee issue that has kept him on the sidelines ever since.

After the injury also kept the Brazilian out of action during the recent international break, Richarlison has continued to work on his fitness at Finch Farm, and he’s recently posted a short video online updating supporters on his progress.

The versatile forward can be seen taking part in an individual drill at Everton’s training complex, where he’s tasked with returning passes before running to a different cone.

Richarlison’s update will give the club’s supporters hope that he can make his comeback against the Hammers over the weekend, providing a significant boost to Rafa Benitez’s in-form side.

Rafa Benitez will be buzzing

The South American star was one of a number of key players the Goodison Park outfit had to cope without in the weeks leading up to the international break due to injury, although their form didn’t suffer as a result.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Seamus Coleman and Alex Iwobi were amongst the first-team players to miss out against Manchester United last time out, meaning Richarlison’s prospective return will have Benitez buzzing.

In his four Premier League appearances this season, the former Watford ace has bagged one goal and provided an assist, carrying on his solid form from the previous campaign.

During the 2020/21 season, Richarlison notched up 13 goals in all competitions, and he’ll be hoping to better that tally this time around, adding to his existing total against West Ham at the London Stadium.

With that kind of goal tally and influence in mind, Benitez will be understandably be pleased at having him available this weekend.

And, in other news…Signed for £20m, released for £0: Everton endured transfer nightmare over 32 y/o dud