Barcelona are determined to bolster their midfield options for next season and are targeting Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich.
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Olly Stone has been ruled out of England’s tour of the Caribbean after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left lower back.Stone, the fastest bowler in the England squad which has just started its Caribbean tour, was sent for a scan after reporting the problem shortly after arriving in Barbados, having flown from Australia a few days previously.He took a limited part in the first training session of the tour, but was not considered for selection for the first two-day warm-up game. He will now return to the UK to recuperate, with England set to name a replacement in due course. Jamie Overton would be the leading candidate as a like-for-like quick-bowling replacement, with Essex’s Jamie Porter also in the reckoning.Stone’s chances of breaking into the Test side on this tour were limited. But the England management were impressed by his pace and his attitude in Sri Lanka last year, where he claimed a wicket with his seventh ball in international cricket: a bouncer that took the gloves of Niroshan Dickwella as he fended the ball away from his face. He is seen as the sort of bowler who could learn from being in the environment and one day make a difference on an Ashes tour.England’s bowlers enjoyed a good morning on the second day of their warm-up game in Barbados. Sam Curran, given the new ball ahead of Stuart Broad with a view to maximising the swing available, and James Anderson both struck twice in their opening spells with the President’s XI subsiding to 13 for 4 within the first eight overs.Jack Leach also claimed a wicket before lunch, with the President’s XI batsmen paying the price for some loose strokes.
The team’s plan for their main threat is from out of the box: an article that suggested Kohli is susceptible to deliveries pitched on a full length and seaming into him
Melinda Farrell in Adelaide03-Dec-20182:31
How can Australia tackle the Kohli threat?
Australia are exploring a data-driven, high-risk, high-reward tactic to negate Virat Kohli in the upcoming four-Test series that begins in Adelaide on Thursday.The India captain’s peerless form heading into the series and the challenge of breaking through his formidable defence makes him the most valuable scalp in the visiting side and data produced by Cricviz may have unearthed the most likely method for capturing his wicket.A recent article by Cricviz writer Ben Jones, which analysed Kohli’s batting, caught the eye of some members of the Australian camp, including Justin Langer. The head coach distributed the article among his players before they arrived in Adelaide and ESPNcricinfo understands it has been discussed in a team meeting to establish bowling plans to each Indian batsman.Teams and coaching staff typically use a range of analytics resources and video along with personal experiences and observations to formulate their plans and, while Australia’s final plans for Kohli will ultimately be decided over the next few days – and adapted as the Test and series unfolds – the fact that such an article has even been thrown into the mix shows they are willing to search far and wide while considering ideas from outside the established brains trust.The basic premise of the theory put forward by Jones is that Kohli is most vulnerable to fuller deliveries that deviate in towards the right-hander off the seam. In the eight Tests Kohli has played away from home this year, in South Africa and England, he has been dismissed significantly more often when bowlers have pitched the ball up. Cricviz figures show Kohli averages 46.28 against full deliveries compared to 66.33 against good length balls and 69.33 when facing short-pitched bowling.Virat Kohli strikes a pose during a photo session before the Test series against Australia•Getty Images
The caveat to the approach of bowling full – and it is a significant one – is that it leaves Australia’s bowlers open to the risk of leaking runs; Kohli is brutal in punishing balls that stray a fraction onto his pads.A theory is, of course, only as good as its execution and if Australia do adopt this tactic to the India captain it may be a question of the bowlers holding their collective nerve, particularly if he starts scoring freely. Speaking in Adelaide, Josh Hazlewood acknowledged there was a balancing act in containing Kohli while trying to remove him.”It’s a good point,” said Hazlewood. “He’s one of those guys who can score pretty freely, a number of the guys can in this Indian side, but sometimes those risks bring the most rewards as well. It’s just about weighing that up and assessing how long we stay at each plan for. Wemight stay at it for 20 balls or 80 balls, depending on how we feel, and it’s about adapting once we’re on the field.”Kohli’s wicket also falls more often to deliveries that deviate more due to seam rather than swing. This factor could play to the strengths of Australia’s fast bowlers using the Kookaburra ball more than it did to England’s bowlers, who tend to exploit the more swing-friendly elements of the Dukes ball.Kohli has often countered the threat of the moving ball by batting outside his crease, even against those as quick as Mitchell Starc. In the 2014-15 series, when he made 692 runs in eight innings, including four centuries, ESPNcricinfo data logged him facing 142 deliveries that were of a full length. He was dismissed only twice.Bounce is a key factor in Australia as well, although former Australia players Ian Chappell and Jason Gillespie have warned the current set not to overdo the short-ball tactic.So, if Australia’s seamers do find success using full-length in-nippers to arguably the world’s most dangerous Test batsmen, it could go some way to swinging (or seaming) the series in their favour.
Sri Lanka’s former coach, now England assistant, recalls the impact of their retiring spinner
Andrew Fidel Fernando and George Dobell05-Nov-2018The retiring Rangana Herath is as good in home conditions as the greatest Asian spinners, Muttiah Muralitharan and Anil Kumble, according to former Sri Lanka coach Paul Farbrace.Currently the England assistant coach, Farbrace worked with Herath in two separate stints with the Sri Lanka team. The first came as Sri Lanka’s assistant coach, between 2007 and 2010. The second was in 2014, when he was briefly the head coach.”In subcontinental conditions, Rangana’s up there with Murali, Kumble and the greats,” said Farbrace. “In these conditions, he knows how to get the most out of them. Where others might have up-and-down days, he stays on exactly the same path the whole time. He deserves the wickets he has got, because he’s absolutely fantastic.Farbrace, now tasked with helping prepare this England team for facing Herath, had been in the Sri Lanka dressing room when Herath was recalled to the Test side in 2009. At the time, Herath was in England, playing league cricket in Staffordshire, and did not have a stable place in the Sri Lanka side.He made the most of that recall, however, taking 4 for 15 in the second innings of that game to bowl Sri Lanka to victory against Pakistan, in Galle. He has more or less been a fixture at the Test level since.”He’s such a phlegmatic, calm, relaxed guy – there’s nothing excitable about him. He’s Mr Dependable. Even with the bat he’s got Sri Lanka out of trouble plenty of times. You look at him and you say he’s like a club cricketer, but the bloke’s mental strength is unbelievable. As mentally strong as any player I’ve come across.”When he got called back in 2009, it wasn’t like, ‘Oh how unlucky am I? Poor me.’ He didn’t feel sorry for himself. He did what he wanted to do. He put people under pressure, and he changed the game here against Pakistan on the last morning.”His weapon is his mental strength, coupled with the fact that he’s so accurate. There’s no mystery to him. What you see is what you get. But don’t underestimate him – he’ll be all over you. Even if you think you’re playing him nicely, he is relentless with his lines and lengths. In Sri Lanka, he is a master of exploiting his own conditions.”Farbrace recalled with particular relish Herath’s outstanding figures of 5 for 3 in what was effectively a quarter-final against New Zealand at the 2014 World T20, a tournament which Sri Lanka would go on to win.”Rangana gave us the turning point of that T20 World Cup,” said Farbrace. “We batted first and got 119, and we thought we were done for. The chat in the dressing room was about us knowing they would come hard at our spinners, but if they gave us one chance, we’d have to be all over them.”Rangana, playing his first game in the tournament, just came on and bowled unbelievably well. Every ball he bowled looked like it could get a wicket. He had McCullum stumped. He had Ross Taylor lbw. Rod Tucker was umpiring at that end, and he said he felt every single ball Rangana was in the game.”The spell literally turned the game upside-down. We ended up winning the game comfortably, and it just set us on our way to end up winning the tournament. That’s the sort of thing that Rangana is capable of. He can turn a game. He looks innocuous, and the people who treat him as innocuous have done so at their own peril. In the subcontinent he’s a genius.”
Disgraced former Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales claims he is facing prison time for kissing Jenni Hermoso “because he's a man”.
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Controversy sparked at 2023 World CupFaces charges of sexual assaultAlso at the centre of corruption investigationWHAT HAPPENED?
The 46-year-old sparked controversy at the 2023 Women’s World Cup final when planting a kiss onto the lips of ex-Barcelona star Hermoso as Spain celebrated capturing a global crown. He faces charges of sexual assault as a result of the non consensual clinch, while he is also being accused of coercion following supposed attempts to get Hermoso to speak out in his defence.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT RUBIALES SAID
Rubiales has told of ‘kissgate’ and why he feels unfairly singled out: “I have a clear conscience. Things have become crazy. A small thing has gone on to devour a person. I wanted to be calm and get out of the spotlight. False feminism? What I said is said. I defend egalitarianism. Feminism advocates supporting women to achieve equality. For me there is no crime. It's my opinion. I asked her the question [over the kiss] and she said: 'Okay'. You can't question Hermoso. I can. Is it because I'm a man? They want to curtail freedom of thought.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Rubiales went on to say: “I cannot understand that anyone could think this was a sexual assault.” He responded to the allegations of coercion by adding that he “only spoke 10 or 15 seconds with Miss Hermoso”.
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Rubiales is also at the centre of an unrelated corruption investigation, which led to his arrest when returning to Spain from a visit to the Dominican Republic. He is said to have had his phone and laptop confiscated as part of an investigation by officers from the Civil Guard's Central Operative Unit. Rubiales stands accused of diverting at least £3.24million from the Spanish FA to a construction firm that saw him earn kickbacks through a company owned by a close friend.
With added investment from new super-rich owners originating from the Middle East – new Saudi owners buying the club for a reported £300m after the disastrous reign of Mike Ashley as chairman was over – Newcastle have started to compete with the best of the best both in terms of league performance but also with transfers into St James' Park.
Sandro Tonali especially was a statement purchase for the Magpies, swapping Milan for Newcastle in the last transfer window with the Italian giants demanding a hefty £55m transfer fee to win the midfielder's services.
Unfortunate news around an impending ban for Tonali – alleged betting activity on the Italian's part could lead to him being sidelined – has come at the worst possible time for Eddie Howe's men – the 23-year-old performing well for the Magpies since leaving Serie A football behind.
How is Sandro Tonali performing?
Tonali has made a big impression on the Magpies faithful from only 11 appearances for Howe's side to date, scoring on his debut versus Aston Villa in a blistering introduction to Premier League life.
Newcastle would win 5-1 in this contest, overwhelming Unai Emery's sub-par Villa away team on the day. Tonali's sixth minute strike set the tone for the rest of the afternoon, the 23-year-old's movement into the area top class with Anthony Gordon's cross into the box inch perfect for the former Milan man to power home.
The central midfielder was also solid when Newcastle faced off against AC Milan in the Champions League group stages, the first time the Magpies had featured in this elite competition since back in the 2002/03 season.
He helped contribute to an effective shut-out of his former club, an excellent point on their travels at the San Siro backed up by an unbelievable 4-1 demolition job of PSG on home turf.
Newcastle will be rueing their luck therefore that Tonali has found himself embroiled in a betting scandal so early into his career with the club, but they could well have an ace up their sleeve from their academy to call upon to ease the blow in Lewis Miley.
Who is Lewis Miley?
Joining the Newcastle United Academy ranks at just seven years of age, Miley is highly thought of at the Magpies as a major talent for the future.
He would make his first ever appearance in the starting XI for the senior side in a pre-season friendly match against Al-Hilal in 2022, a reward for his development within the youth set-up.
In total, he's made 46 appearances for both the Newcastle United U18s and U21s – helping himself to seven goals along the way, alongside tallying up eight assists.
It's led to Howe giving him more first-team chances away from that solitary run-out in pre-season, making his first team debut for his hometown team at the end of last campaign – afforded 14 minutes at Stamford Bridge in May this year, holding himself well against Chelsea in a 1-1 draw.
Miley would even hit the crossbar with a speculative effort versus Chelsea, a sign that the youngster wasn't fazed by the bright lights of Premier League football.
The 17-year-old was delighted with his impactful cameo off the bench, stating "I have dreamt about that since I was a little boy" when questioned about the emotions racing through his head pulling on a Newcastle jersey.
The future certainly looks bright for this homegrown talent, and with Tonali expected to be handed a lengthy ban, Howe could well look to Miley as a bold, raw option through the centre.
تقدم فريق بيراميدز بالهدف الثالث أمام منافسه الاتحاد السكندري في المباراة التي تجمع بينهما الآن ضمن منافسات الدوري المصري.
ويلتقي الاتحاد السكندري أمام بيراميدز على أرضية استاد الإسكندرية في إطار مواجهات الجولة 30 من عمر المسابقة المحلية.
وكان فخري لاكاي قد أحرز الهدف الأول لنادي بيراميدز بالدقيقة 30 من عمر اللقاء، بعدما استلم تمريرة سحرية داخل منطقة الجزاء ليحولها داخل المرمى.
طالع.. فيديو | فخري لاكاي يسجل هدف بيراميدز الأول أمام الاتحاد السكندري
وجاء الهدف الثاني لـ بيراميدز بالدقيقة 50، بعد تسديدة من محمد حمدي بعد تلقيه تمريرة وليد الكرتي لترتطم الكرة بـ مهدي سليمان حارس الاتحاد السكندري وتسكن المرمى.
بينما أحرز فيستون مايلي الهدف الثالث في الدقيقة 58، بعد تبادل للتمريرات مع بلاتي توريه وينفرد مايلي بالمرمى ويصوب الكرة أرضية مرت أسفل المهدي سليمان وسكنت الشباك. هدف بيراميدز الثالث أمام الاتحاد السكندري في الدوري
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Aos poucos a Seleção Brasileira vai recebendo todos os jogadores para a disputa das Eliminatórias e nesta segunda-feira o técnico Tite comandou o primeiro treino da semana. Ainda sem o elenco completo, o comandante teve apenas 12 atletas disponíveis para a atividade na Granja Comary.
Na próxima sexta-feira, a Seleção recebe a Venezuela, no Morumbi, às 21h30 (de Brasília). O jogo é válido pela terceira rodada das Eliminatórias e o Brasil, até o momento, lidera a competição.
+ VEJA A TABELA DAS ELIMINATÓRIAS
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Na tarde desta segunda, apenas cinco dos 12 jogadores que já chegaram a Teresópolis treinaram: o goleiro Weverton, o zagueiro Felipe, os laterais Alex Telles e Renan Lodi e o atacante Richarlison.Luiz Henrique e Metinho, do Fluminense, completaram o trabalho. A comissão técnica fez atividades detécnicas de passe, cruzamento, finalização, controle de bola e marcação.
Os outros sete atletas que já se apresentaram (os zagueiros Diego Carlos, Marquinhos e Thiago Silva, o lateral Gabriel Menino, o volante Allan, o meia Everton Ribeiro e o atacante Pedro) apenas correram em volta do gramado da Granja Comary.
Tite só terá o grupo será completo na terça-feira. Ainda faltam as chegadas dos goleiros Alisson e Éderson, do lateral Danilo, dos volantes Arthur, Bruno Guimarães e Douglas Luiz, do meia Lucas Paquetá e dos atacantes Gabriel Jesus, Vini Jr., Éverton Cebolinha e Roberto Firmino.
Principal jogador da Seleção Brasileira, Neymar também se apresentou ao centro de treinamentos, mas faz trabalho com o departamento médico. O jogador do PSG se machucou no dia 28 de outubro, na Liga dos Campeões, e tem chances de entrar em campo no duelo contra o Uruguai, no dia 17.
As West Ham United edged League One outfit Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup third round, David Moyes reaffirmed the role entrusted to the youth, having placed six academy graduates on the bench.
The Hammers have been on the rise for a number of years now and won the Europa Conference League final last term to cherry-top the progress made under their Scottish manager's tutelage.
Declan Rice was the embodiment of the Premier League club, having ascended from the youth ranks to play a starring role before departing for Arsenal for a staggering fee of £105m in the summer.
What did Declan Rice achieve at West Ham?
Rice has been heralded as a Hammers “legend” by Ray Parlour, such is the influence of his 245-match career in east London, where he has been an arrowhead in a charge to European exploits, indeed winning European silverware on his final game.
The 45-cap international, who has also been described as a "force of nature" by journalist Rob Blanchette, the 23-year-old is one of the most tenacious, crisp and all-conquering midfielders in Europe, and had he not risen from the youth ranks, the Irons would almost certainly have failed to glean the same level of success.
As per FBref, he ranks among the top 6% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for interceptions, the top 16% for pass completion, the top 19% for progressive passes, the top 17% for progressive carries and the top 22% for goals scored per 90.
Now thriving with the Gunners, the £240k-per-week phenom is a generational talent and one West Ham will cherish eternally, and while replicating his rise would be a fruitless task, there might in fact be a prospect capable of cementing a big position in Moyes' first-team plans, included in the matchday squad against the Imps on Wednesday night. Step forward Dan Chesters.
Who is Dan Chesters?
Chesters has been on West Ham's books since adolescence and is establishing himself under Moyes' stewardship, and after clinching a place on the bench against Lincoln, will now hope for a maiden appearance on the pitch of the campaign.
Now 21-years-old, the creative midfielder will be hoping to add to his two senior Hammers appearances this season, having cemented his position as a distinguished member of the academy, completing 99 appearances, scoring three goals and providing 20 assists. Different to Rice, yes, but he is shining just as bright in the youth team ranks.
Praised for his "marvellous" early displays by journalist Jack Elderton, he could be the perfect starlet to wedge his way into Moyes' plans, and while Divin Mubama is the star of the show in that regard right now, Chesters' talents could be aptly placed for inclusion over the coming months.
Mubama has been sensational at youth level and has scored a goal and an assist apiece from seven outings for the United first-team, both coming in last season's victorious Conference League campaign.
With Chesters' creativity from the centre and, in addition, the right flank, Mubama and indeed the likes of Michail Antonio, Danny Ings and Mohammed Kudus could have the perfect homegrown supplementation for years to come.
While a player of a different distinction to Rice, Chesters could yet prove to be a talent capable of thriving at the highest level, and this might indeed be a big year for the rising star.
Liverpool are in the running to sign an exciting new forward next summer, but a fresh report has revealed the other clubs also in the race to secure his services.
What's the latest transfer news at Liverpool?
Alongside West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen and Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie, Jurgen Klopp’s side were recently linked with Liverpool Montevideo’s former midfielder Fabricio Diaz having held talks over the summer, though they missed out on his signature having eventually joined Qatari side Al-Gharafa.
In terms of potential exits, Mohamed Salah continues to be associated with a switch to the Saudi Pro League, in particular Al-Ittihad, whilst Joel Matip has also hinted during an interview with Sky Sports Germany that he could be heading for the exit door in the near future.
With FSG likely already assessing their options ahead of 2024, a name to have entered the fold is Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix, who despite having been at the club for four years, he’s had two loan spells out on the road, the first at Premier League rivals Chelsea and the second at Barcelona where he currently is now, via Transfermarkt.
The Portugal international, who is naturally a second striker, was previously the subject of rumours suggesting that Reds chiefs wanted him in a swap deal involving Darwin Nunez going the other way, but after these claims were firmly shut down, it all went quiet.
Are Liverpool signing Joao Felix?
According to Spanish reports (via The Liverpool Echo), however, Liverpool, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain are all “in the equation” to sign Felix in the summer of 2024. The Atletico attacker is currently excelling for Barcelona, and as a result, Xavi’s side are hoping to make his move permanent.
Diego Simeone’s outfit will have a decision to make regarding their prized asset’s future, though as it stands, they are “expected to cash in”, which will no doubt have his four potential suitors on high alert.
Is Joao Felix a good player?
According to football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Felix is a “nightmare for defenders” to play against and he’s already shown that at the start of this season since joining Barcelona, so there’s no doubt that he’s a fantastic forward and one that could flourish at Liverpool.
The Viseu native, who earns just £6.5k-per-week after taking a "staggering pay cut" to join Barca, has already posted four goal contributions (three goals and one assist) in three outings at the Camp Nou, whilst ranking in the 99th percentile for shots, highlighting both his desire and ability to hit the back of the net.
Sponsored by Adidas, the 23-year-old also has a great record when playing against Klopp’s side having recorded two assists when part of the opposition team, so if he’s capable of performing to that level when he’s on the other side, imagine what he could do at Anfield.
Finally, Felix shares the same agent, Gestifute, as both Nunez and Diogo Jota, so this existing connection that his representative already has to the club could give the board a small advantage over their competitors should they decide to pursue a deal next summer.