Change in leadership an opportunity for Australian cricket to refresh, says former captain

Daniel Brettig16-Jun-2018

Ed Cowan, Shane Watson and ACA President Greg Dyer at ACA’s golf day celebration in Sydney•Getty Images

Improving relationships between Cricket Australia (CA) and the Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) should be a priority for the governing body’s next chief executive, according to the former captain and CA Board director Mark Taylor.Speaking for the first time since James Sutherland’s resignation as CEO after a tenure of more than 17 years, Taylor said that the leadership change was an opportunity for CA to refresh, and pointed to a better and more productive relationship with the players and their association as critical to the future.Last year’s pay dispute between the ACA and CA, as it sought to end the fixed revenue percentage model at the core of all collective agreements between the parties since 1998, created distance between CA and the national team that proved unhelpful when the behaviour of Steven Smith’s team deteriorated on the tour of South Africa, culminating in the Newlands ball tampering scandal. That event took place a matter of weeks after Sutherland and CA had warned the team that higher standards of behaviour were expected than those seen in the first Test of the series at Durban.’Sutherland harshly judged’

Mark Taylor believes Australia’s Newlands ball tampering disgrace and last year’s pay dispute were two issues that should not be allowed to cloud the achievements of the the chief executive James Sutherland’s long stint at the top. “I think James’ tenure has been outstanding to be totally honest,” Taylor said. “Seventeen years as CEO and you think back to 2001 where cricket was then to where it is today, and people generally try to harp on negatives, but you look at the growth in the game both in numbers and where the game is at, the profile of the game I think James has done a great job.
“The disappointing thing is that James standing down is something that’s been in the pipeline for those of us within Cricket Australia for quite a while, over a year now. It’s very hard to get that timing absolutely right because issues come up all the time and often you get judged on the issue of the day, which is obviously what happened in Cape Town and reviews and all these sorts of things.
“That’s one incident that unfortunately mars what’s been a great era of Australian cricket and James has been at the helm of that. I look back at all the things he’s brought to cricket, the amount of people playing, women’s cricket, day/night cricket, Big Bash Leagues, a lot of things in the game have gone forward over 17 years of James’ tenure. Unfortunately a lot of people focus on a couple of issues that I don’t think James had a lot of say over in recent times.”

“I think that’s a fair comment,” Taylor told ESPNcricinfo when asked whether CA and the national team needed to form a stronger relationship. “I think you’ve only got to see the MoU stuff last year, which in the end I think has worked out well for both sides. But we got there with too much head-banging.”I think if there was a better relationship, full stop, we could have got to the same conclusion without a lot of angst. That’s one area that both sides can improve, Cricket Australia and the players and the Australian Cricketers Association. I think if we get that better, that’ll be good for cricket right throughout Australia.”Taylor’s words will provide food for thought to many, given that CA’s lead MoU negotiator Kevin Roberts is widely favoured to assume Sutherland’s post. Roberts was unsuccessful in pushing a hard line with the ACA, allowing the nation’s best players to fall out of contract and ultimately be sidelined from negotiations as Sutherland entered the fray to broker a compromise a matter of weeks before a Test tour of Bangladesh was threatened.At the same, time the chairman David Peever, who with Roberts was seen as a major driver of the Board’s adversarial industrial relations strategy, was endorsed to serve another three-year term, something Taylor said had been unavoidable due to the fact that Sutherland’s departure called for some measure of stability at the top.”David’s got the unanimous support of the Board, he had that when we made the decision a few months ago and he still has it today,” Taylor said. “There is a lot going on in the game of cricket at the moment, we’ve lost three players through an incident in Cape Town, they’ve lost a coach, we’re now losing a CEO, John Warn leaving Cricket NSW [chairmanship], there is a lot of change going on.”So it’s good to have some stability at the same time. I think David will bring that to CA and sometimes a change is as good as a holiday. There’ll be new people coming in, as we’ve seen with Justin Langer as coach, we’ll have a new CEO at some stage over the next year to bring in some different ideas, thinking and processes, and I think it’ll be a good refresh for the game.”That’ll be all post the reviews that are coming out in a couple of months’ time. So it is a turbulent time – an interesting time for the game but a refreshing time for the game. Sutherland standing down was something [that] those of us in the inner sanctum knew was going to happen last year, so we knew there was change afoot. But when you have an incident like we did in Cape Town, you can’t just say ‘oh well things will change in the future’, because people don’t believe you.”The dual reviews currently being undertaken – one into the whole of Cricket Australia, another more specifically the men’s national team – are set to provide the incoming chief executive with a roadmap for how to take the organisation forward. “We knew there was going to be a refresh of Australian cricket and I think in a way these reviews will certainly help us do that, focus our minds on how we refresh Australian cricket,” Taylor said. “I know there’s been a desire from some people to try to link James’ exit with what has gone on in the last three months, and really they’re not related.”A lot of the big deals have been done, and now I think whoever does come in, be it he or she, will also have an independent document or documents to help them work out where we need to improve. Cricket Australia have had their hand up for a while to say ‘let’s get a body in to work out where we can improve, what areas we need to work on’ and I think these will be great documents for he or she to have to start a new era of Australian cricket.”After the Nine Network lost the rights to broadcast cricket in Australia for the first time in 40 years, Taylor has re-signed for another three years with the broadcaster to continue working as a commentator and digital contributor. Nine retain the rights to next year’s Ashes tour and also ICC global tournaments, including the 2019 World Cup and the World Twenty20, hosted by Australia in 2020. On Saturday night, Taylor will sit alongside the banished David Warner in the studio for the second ODI between Australia and England.”As soon as we unfortunately lost the rights, they were very keen to grab hold of me and keep me because they want to keep some teeth in the game I think – contact with the game they’ve broadcast for 40 years,” he said. “I’m delighted they’ve offered me the job and I was more than happy to stay – I’ve been there for 20-odd years now and looking forward to the next three.”I’m sure David will have his opinions on how the team is going to go and what have you, but how much he talks about yesteryear and a few months ago will be up to David. I suspect it’ll be more looking forward to how the side’s going now and how David’s going to approach trying to get back into the side in a year’s time.”I’ve had lunch with Smithy [Steve Smith] in recent times as I’ve done for a few years. If I know David, he’ll obviously still be disappointed, saddened by what happened but he rebounds pretty quick, David, and I think he’ll be very much looking forward to next year. If I know David at all I’m sure he’ll be pretty perky and more so looking forward than looking back.”

After getting off to a blistering start in the Premier League this season, Aston Villa will be looking to cause plenty more shocks after the international break. Unai Emery's side currently sit fifth, just four points adrift of table-toppers Tottenham Hotspur. The greatest credit that can be given to Emery and his side, is that their start hasn't been a major surprise – it always seemed likely that we'd be talking about the Midlands club as ones to watch.

The Villans could yet get even better, too, whether that comes through the January transfer window, or next summer, when they could be in a stronger position than ever to land some key targets, including one particular Championship star.

What's the latest Aston Villa transfer news?

Much of the credit for Villa's strong start this season should go to their recruitment team, who once again worked wonders to help land the likes of Moussa Diaby and Pau Torres in the summer. By the end of the deadline, they had spent a reported €93m (£80m), and ever since then, they have not looked back, with their spending more than paying off.

Player

Price (via Transfermarkt)

Moussa Diaby

€55m (£48m)

Pau Torres

€33m (£29m)

Nicolo Zaniolo

€5m (£4m) – loan fee

Youri Tielemans

Free

Clement Lenglet

Loan

Now, Villa could be set to spend even more money, with the latest Jonathan Rowe transfer news reporting that the Premier League side are interested in the Norwich City wide player. According to TeamTalk, Villa, Brentford, Crystal Palace, Burnley, and Sheffield United are all interested in making a move for Rowe, who the Canaries are keen to secure on a long-term contract.

When the January transfer window comes around, as well as the summer window, Rowe will certainly be one to keep an eye on, especially if Norwich fail to secure promotion from the Championship, and Aston Villa come calling. Rowe's agent is also the same as Jacob Ramsey's, so the club could have a route into negotiations on the player's side too.

How has Jonathan Rowe performed this season?

To say that Rowe, who can play on either flank, has got off to an impressive start for Norwich this season would be an understatement. Rowe's goals and assists have stolen the headlines, as he has scored seven times and provided two more in 13 games in all competitions. Add in the fact that he's still just 20-years-old, and you begin to realise just how much potential he has to become a top player, whether that be at Norwich, or a club like Villa.

That form has seen him earn plenty of praise, too, including from Carlton Palmer, who told Football League World: "Norwich City sit joint-fourth in the Championship on 16 points, representing a very decent start to the season.

"One player making a lot of noise is Jonathan Rowe, Norwich's 20-year-old winger has scored five goals in nine appearances and was named EFL Young Player of the Month in August. Rowe is a product of Norwich's academy and his scintillating form has seen him earn a call-up to England's under-20 squad.

"If he can keep producing performances like he's doing then he's going to become a very hot commodity. He could be worth upwards of £20m, I'd definitely put him in the same category as Gnonto at Leeds United."

Tottenham Hotspur have played host to some immeasurable talent, with the likes of Gareth Bale and Luka Modric having kickstarted their glistening careers in N17.

The former would command a world-record fee upon his exit, whilst the latter would go on to lead his country to a World Cup final, winning it all with Real Madrid and eventually ending Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's monopoly over the Ballon d'Or to claim immortality in 2018.

Their recruitment is clearly impressive, with an academy even able to produce talent to go alongside that duo, as Harry Kane emerged nearly a decade ago and left over the summer for a whopping £100m fee.

However, there is perhaps a more underrated but equally impressive departure they instigated, which was made even more outstanding by the ease with which they had initially snagged Kyle Walker from Sheffield United, for what turned out to be a nominal fee.

Becoming a star in north London, and eventually a Premier League legend with Manchester City, it is fair to say that Harry Redknapp struck gold with his shrewd capture.

When did Spurs sign Kyle Walker?

Having worked his way up through the youth ranks at Bramall Lane, there were murmurs of a young full-back boasting raw blistering speed and a touch of class.

Having made himself the youngest Blades player to ever play at Wembley as they sought 2009 playoff glory, his consistent displays had caught Redknapp's eye despite their failure to secure promotion.

He would engineer a double swoop, bringing in both Kyle Naughton and Walker for a combined fee of around £10m. Whilst the former would fade into obscurity, instead becoming more of a cult hero with Swansea City, the now 34-year-old would continue his growth, establishing himself as a key asset under Mauricio Pochettino before his eventual sale.

That's not to suggest that this was an easy integration, with the defender having to bide his time before earning that first-team opportunity. He would return to Sheffield United initially on loan before two temporary spells at QPR and Aston Villa seemingly prepared him for the senior squad.

Ever since earning that opportunity, Walker has never looked back.

How good was Kyle Walker at Spurs?

Amassing an admirable 227 appearances during his time with the Lilywhites, his was a tenure littered with outstanding moments that underpinned his play style. Forever hard-working and physically immense, the ageing ace was also in possession of more than enough quality to shine at the apex of English football, although Spurs were largely far from it.

One such example of that talent came in 2011, as the £175k-per-week star lashed home a thunderous effort to deceive Wojciech Szczesny and win his side the north London derby.

Then, the year following would see him recognised for this ever-growing skillset, as Walker was named the PFA Young Player of the Year award, beating out the likes of Sergio Aguero, Danny Welbeck and teammate Bale.

Of all the excitement that such a stellar start to a career promised, the sole downside was the lack of silverware, as his side never really came close. That could have all changed in 2015 though, as they made their way to the EFL Cup final to face bitter rivals Chelsea. However, the right-back's return to Wembley unfortunately ended up the same way as his last, falling to defeat.

This would be the closest Walker would come to a trophy throughout his eight years with the Lilywhites, and his exit came in 2017, commanding a mouth-watering £53m fee. After all, the titan had just been named in the PFA Team of the Year for the second time, with good reason.

His 7.10 average rating for the Premier League that term marked an outstanding figure for a full-back who failed to score a single goal. Five assists outlined his creativity alongside 1.2 key passes per game, whilst his athleticism and defensive intelligence allowed him to record 1.2 interceptions, 2.2 tackles and 2.8 clearances per game, via Sofascore.

Pundit Kenny Cunningham would seek to outline the former attribute, branding City's number two a "phenomenal athlete" just last year.

Whilst many may have rushed to praise such a fine personal year, they likely had little knowledge of just how revolutionary Pep Guardiola would prove to be with the England international.

Why did Manchester City spend £53m on Kyle Walker?

It is a testament to Walker's ability to adapt to a new philosophy that he has remained such a mainstay under the ever-evolving Spanish tactician, who is forever seeking to find new ways to dominate football.

And, it must be said that, with each passing year the 52-year-old seems to succeed in such a venture. Since that 2017 departure, the 5 foot 10 stalwart has filled en entire trophy cabinet with untold silverware, playing a vital role in five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four EFL Cups and one Champions League, the latter of which capped off their unprecedented treble too.

In fact, such has been his longevity and success at the Etihad, his 263 games for the Citizens have actually surpassed the appearances earned with Spurs.

Although it could be debated which his standout year has been, given there have been so many, his current campaign is suggesting it could be the strongest yet despite having turned 33 back in May. After all, no defender in the squad has managed more than his 1.3 key passes a game in the league.

Guardiola even sought to laud his lucrative acquisition, highlighting the 78-cap ace's importance to their continued success: "The level Kyle has shown with us these four years has been fantastic. He’s another person who has his life calm and in order, he’s such an important player for us

“After 4 years there are moments when you can be down but last game he showed how important he is. He has to handle the best strikers in the world, and he can handle it, he can win the duels."

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Although Walker has gone on to reach impossible heights since leaving north London, few can fault his commitment before departing, and the results earned through earning such a move.

City are one of the greatest club sides ever seen, with Spurs having produced their starting right-back. The hope is that Ange Postecoglou can now forge a similar dynasty, retaining their star players to one day reach such a level.

Leeds United and the 49ers are looking to sign a “monster” new goalscorer in the summer transfer window, according to a recent report.

Leeds searching for new striker

The Whites look very much in control at the top of the Championship table and if it remains that way, then they will be back in the Premier League next season. That would see Leeds in the top flight for the first time since the 49ers took over, and it is expected that they would look to significantly invest in the squad as they try to stay in the Premier League for as long as possible.

Leeds now considering signing £5m Sunderland star and "interesting" striker

Leeds are beginning to put plans in place for next season and are keen on adding more firepower to their forward line.

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Daniel Farke will want to strengthen a few areas of his team, but probably none more so than the forward line, as they are currently low on options and are heavily reliant on Joel Piroe. Patrick Bamford could be coming to the end of his time at the club and, therefore, a new number nine is needed.

It was reported by TEAMtalk this week that Leeds are interested in signing Wilson Isidor from Sunderland, as he’s been added to their shortlist following an excellent Championship campaign with the Black Cats. As well as Isidor, Leeds are also interested in Evann Guessand from Nice, as he’s scored nine goals in Ligue 1 this season.

The Yorkshire side still have Southampton’s Cameron Archer as a top target for the summer, but even if he arrives, they could still look to add a more defined number nine, given Archer can play anywhere across the front line.

49ers looking to sign £90k-p/w “monster” for Leeds

So as well as looking at Isidor and Guessand, according to TBR Football, Leeds are interested in signing Tammy Abraham in the summer, but face strong competition.

Abraham is currently on loan at AC Milan from Roma, but the deal being made into a permanent switch looks unlikely, as the Italian giants have just signed Santiago Gimenez. Therefore, Abraham could be made available for a transfer this summer and has his eyes on a move back to the Premier League.

Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, Fulham, Everton, West Ham and Leeds are all keen on the forward, but obviously the Whites would need to make sure they secure promotion to have a chance of signing the striker. Roma paid Chelsea £34 million back in August 2021, but it is unclear how much they would want now, as he is under contract until 2027.

Tammy Abraham’s 24/25 Serie A stats
Apps	20
Starts	9
Minutes per game	44
Goals	2
Shots per game (On target)	1.1 (0.6)
Big chances missed	10
Chance conversion	10%
Assists	2
Big chances created	3
Key passes per game	0.4

The 27-year-old, who currently earns €110k a week (£90k), described himself as a “monster” back in 2021, as he believed José Mourinho had turned him into one. Abraham has struggled to be that monster in Milan this season, but given he has 26 goals in 89 games in the Premier League, Leeds would love to add that level of top flight quality to their squad in the summer.

An update has emerged on Leeds United and their interest in adding to Daniel Farke's first-team group in the upcoming January transfer window.

What's the latest on Noel Tornqvist to Leeds?

According to Fotboll Skanalen, the Whites are one of a number of clubs currently keeping tabs on Swedish goalkeeper Noel Tornqvist this season.

The report claims that the Championship outfit had scouts in attendance for Mjallby's recent 1-0 defeat to AIK Solna as they weigh up a possible swoop for the 6 foot 6 giant at the start of next year.

This comes after Football Insider reported last month that the club are open to offers for current number one Illan Meslier after they failed to cash in on the French shot-stopper during the summer transfer window.

Date

Illan Mesliers's market value (via FootballTransfers)

October 2022

£26.9m

January 2023

£25.4m

July 2023

£22.4m

October 2023

£19.7m

However, it remains to be seen how much Leeds would be able to rake in for the former Lorient prospect or if any teams are willing to splash the cash on him.

How good is Noel Tornqvist?

Farke must avoid a swoop for the Swedish titan in January as his form this season suggests that the German head coach would be signing a downgrade on Meslier between the sticks.

The current Leeds player was once described as a "massive liability" by journalist David Kent but that does not mean that any goalkeeper would improve the club.

In terms of shot-stopping, there is not much to separate Tornqvist and Meslier this season. The former has conceded 1.2 goals per game in 23 matches throughout 2023 in comparison to the latter's one per match in 11 Championship outings.

However, the Whites colossus appears to have the edge with his play in possession as he has completed 77% of his attempted passes and 95% of his passes within the Leeds half. Whereas, the Swedish youngster has a pass completion rate of 69% and that includes an 87% success rate within his own half.

Meslier is also more proactive in coming out to clear danger. The French gem has completed 0.5 run-outs per match to sweep up behind his defence, whilst Tornqvist has not made a single sweeping action all season.

This suggests that the Whites target would not suit the high line that has caused the ex-Lorient 'keeper to be called upon to come out and make clearances when the ball is played into the space between him and his back four.

Mjallby's number one has also been more of a liability than the Leeds stopper with the number of direct errors he has made throughout 2023. The 21-year-old prospect has made two mistakes that directly led to a shot or goal for the opposition and given away two penalties, as per Sofascore.

Meslier, on the other hand, has not made a single error that has led to a shot or goal for the other team and has not conceded any penalties in the Championship this term.

Overall, Tornqvist's statistics do not indicate that Leeds would be signing an upgrade on the French talent, who is only two years older than the Swedish ace, and that is why Farke must avoid a deal for the left-footed target.

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke enjoyed a busy transfer window ahead of his first season in charge of the club after his arrival earlier this year.

The German tactician was brought in after the Whites were relegated from the Premier League after three years at the top level and is tasked with helping them to return at the first time of asking.

Who did Leeds sign this summer?

He was backed by the board throughout the summer in an attempt to give him the best possible chance of a strong start to life in the Championship.

Jaidon Anthony, Joel Piroe, Joe Rodon, Karl Darlow, Glen Kamara, Djed Spence, Ilia Gruev, Ethan Ampadu, and Sam Byram all came in to bolster the squad.

These new signings have helped Leeds to fifth place in the division as it stands, after 11 matches, but there could be more business to come at the start of next year.

Leeds chief executive Angus Kinnear recently revealed that funds could be available to Farke to use in the upcoming January transfer window, with loan or permanent deals possibly on the cards for the German head coach if needed.

It was recently suggested by LeedsLive that the club could improve their squad by adding a natural number ten to complement their current options, as they stated that supporters were keen to see one brought in over the summer.

With this in mind, Farke must reignite his interest in Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill to bring him in as a dream alternative to Joel Piroe in that position.

Were Leeds interested in Josh Brownhill?

TEAMtalk reported over the summer that the Whites were keen on a deal to sign the former Bristol City star from the newly promoted club.

Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton, Leicester City, and Middlesbrough were also said to be interested in the English maestro after his impressive performances at Championship level last term.

Burnley were, ultimately, able to keep hold of the midfield ace but there could be an opportunity for Leeds, or one of the other clubs eyeing him up, to sign the gem in January.

His current contract at Turf Moor is due to expire at the end of the season and this means that clubs from outside of England will be able to negotiate a pre-contract deal with him at the start of next year.

Due to this, the Clarets could be forced to consider offers from the likes of Leeds, and others, in January in order to avoid the possibility of him leaving for nothing in the summer.

Burnley are also 18th in the Premier League as it stands and the prospect of joining a club that could be on the way up to the top-flight could be an attractive proposition for Brownhill, rather than facing a possible relegation back to the second tier with his current side.

How did Brownhill perform last season?

The £45k-per-week ace was an outstanding performer at Championship level last term as his performances resulted in him being named as a contender for the PFA Players' Player of the Year.

He was also included in the PFA Team of the Year for the second division, and these accolades suggest that the Leeds target was one of the best midfielders within the league throughout the 2022/23 campaign.

Brownhill made an impact at both ends of the pitch as he showcased his ability to be a difference-maker within the opposition's third whilst also being able to make vital contributions to cut out attacks for the other team.

Defensively, the 27-year-old whiz made 3.1 tackles and interceptions per game and won 50% of his duels over the course of his 41 league appearances.

Only Ethan Ampadu (2.3) has made more tackles per match (2.2) this season for Leeds out of Farke's current crop of midfielders than Brownhill did for the Clarets last term.

The English magician also caught the eye with seven goals and eight assists from an attacking midfield position as he displayed his quality in the final third on a regular basis.

In fact, he ranked within the top 15% of his Championship positional peers for non-penalty goals (0.18) and shot-creating actions (3.70) per 90 respectively. The talented gem also placed within the top 10% for assists (0.20) per 90, which speaks to the significant impact the Burnley star can make at this level.

How many goals has Piroe scored this season?

Piroe, who joined from league rivals Swansea during the summer transfer window, has been utilised as a number ten behind Georginio Rutter this season and has found the back of the net five times thus far.

The Dutch marksman has scored five goals in eight Championship matches for the Whites so far this season and has three more strikes than any of his teammates.

However, the former Swans star does not offer a regular threat as a creator for his fellow attackers. He has only produced 0.6 key passes per match and 11 other players within the squad have averaged more.

In fact, Rutter (2.4) is the only central-based player with more than one key pass per game for Farke's side this season and this suggests that Brownhill, who made 1.8 key passes per outing last term, would be a much-needed addition.

Should Leeds sign Brownhill?

Farke should, therefore, swoop to snap up the "fabulous" – as he was dubbed by Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie – midfielder in January.

Sofascore rating

7.00

Appearances

Seven

Goals

One

Key passes per game

1.3

Tackles per game

1.4

His contractual situation and the respective positions of the two clubs suggest that a move could be viable for the Whites if they decide to reignite their interest in his services.

It will, however, be down to Leeds to beat off competition from any other interested parties in order to secure a deal for his services for the second half of the campaign and beyond.

If they can do that then Farke would have a dream alternative to Piroe, as a creative number ten who could thrive in matches where the opposition deploy a low block and need to be carved open.

He could also be used in a central midfield role behind the Dutch forward and use his creativity to produce opportunities for the former Swansea ace and Rutter to find the back of the net.

Norwich forward Josh Sargent may be the “best striker in the league”, admits Jack Stacey, with the USMNT star inspiring a Championship promotion push.

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• Early injury issues overcome
• Recorded flurry of goals
• Taking aim at Premier League

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The United States international was a big miss for the Canaries early on in the campaign, as he sat out 20 games through injury. He has returned with a bang in 2024, registering seven goals through his last eight appearances to lead a play-off bid and spark talk of transfer interest from the Premier League.

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  WHAT STACEY SAID ABOUT SARGENT

  Carrow Road colleague Stacey has told the of Sargent’s many qualities: “I don't want to say he is the best striker in the league, but I cannot think of another one. He is deceptively quick so he gives us another dimension in terms of getting behind but in terms of his hold up play as well. It's hard to defend against him because he can go in behind or come to feet. He's underrated in the air so I know that if I can beat the first man with a cross then there is a chance for him or Ashley [Barnes] to get on the end of it. It's good to have those options.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Sargent has helped Norwich to go unbeaten through their last 10 home games, raising their points per game ratio from one to 2.31, and Stacey added on his value to the collective cause: “It's not a secret how our form went without him in the team. He is a great player. It's not just his goals but his hold-up play as well and how much we rely on him in our build-up to set the ball. I can't speak highly enough of him. A number nine is key to any team, especially one that is going to get you goals, involved in the build-up and is there to get the ball to. If any side lost their number nine for the majority of the season, then it's going to make a difference. To have him back now is a real positive.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR SARGENT?

  Norwich are up to seventh in the Championship table, one point adrift of the play-off places with 11 games left to take in. Sargent is up to 11 goals, two short of his personal best from last season, and will be hoping that club exploits allow him to figure in his country’s plans for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League finals and Copa America tournament.

Kevin De Bruyne has revealed he had the option to team up with Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund until Jose Mourinho demanded he stay at Chelsea.

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De Bruyne could have joined Klopp's DortmundEnded up staying at Chelsea under MourinhoLeft in permanent Wolfsburg move months laterWHAT HAPPENED?

De Bruyne returned to Chelsea after a loan spell at Werder Bremen and had the opportunity to return to the Bundesliga for another temporary spell. He says joining Dortmund, then coached by Klopp, was an option, but then-Blues manager Mourinho decided to keep him at Stamford Bridge.

AdvertisementGetty WHAT DE BRUYNE SAID

He told : "I signed for Chelsea knowing that I would be loaned out the first year and if I do really well we'll see what happens. I did the pre-season, went to Werder Bremen, had a really good year. In the summer it was a little bit of a toss-up, I could have went to Dortmund with Klopp at the time or stayed, and Jose wanted me to stay. It just didn't work out, I was maybe just a little bit impatient at the time also, but I just wanted to play football."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Despite Mourinho keeping him around, De Bruyne made just three Premier League appearances in the first half of the 2013-14 season and opted to leave to make a permanent move to Wolfsburg, where he became a star and earned a switch to Manchester City.

Asked if he felt he deserved to be in the Chelsea team before his departure, he said: "I had the confidence. I know there's a lot of good players there and that it was a top team. I understand how it also works for the young guys at every club when you get loaned out, come back, loaned out, come back, and I didn't want that situation anymore, so I just pushed a little bit to get sold and that will happen."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR DE BRUYNE?

De Bruyne continued his ascent to one of the best playmakers in world football at City, where he has played since 2015. The Belgian attacking midfielder will hope to help fire his team to the Champions League quarter-finals when they take on Copenhagen in the second leg of their last-16 tie on Wednesday – City already lead 3-1 from the reverse fixture.

Durham supporters arriving late for the third day were in for a nasty surprise as Sussex made a surge towards victory

Paul Edwards at Arundel22-Jun-2018
ScorecardDurham spectators arriving around an hour late at the Castle Ground on the third morning of this match would probably have been reassured to see Will Smith batting. They would also have been keen to see their side’s first-innings score. Sadly their initial assumption was mistaken and their consequent keenness was soon replaced by grisly despair.Rather than beginning again in the manner of centurions, Smith had been dismissed for his overnight 90 when sweeping at Danny Briggs’ fifth ball of the morning. And having walked off this glorious meadow at just after eleven o’clock Smith was now back again some 67 minutes later, less time than it takes the Duke of Norfolk’s under-butler to clean a piece of silver.For his departure had been followed by five more as Durham lost their last six wickets for nine runs in 11 overs of mayhem. Batsmen arrived and departed with a rapidity that would have done credit to a hard-pressed GP’s surgery. David Wiese took three wickets in seven balls and finished with 4 for 33; Briggs had Gareth Harte caught behind for 13 on a morning when double figures might have prompted a bat raised in irony.An already bad session soon degenerated into the worst day of a season in which Paul Collingwood’s side have offered occasional indications that they grappling their way out of their travails. By six o’clock Durham’s supporters were reflecting on the loss of 16 wickets for 286 runs and their side’s innings and 64-run defeat. Not even the view over the Arun valley could console the Gateshead loyalists. Only Stuart Poynter’s 84 in the evening session had offered them anything to cheer.That early clatter of wickets was an enormous bonus for Sussex. Having not needed his new-ball bowlers during the bedlam, skipper Ben Brown had no qualms about enforcing the follow-on. A disconcertingly frisky Jofra Archer then brought one sharply back off the pitch to bowl a strokeless Cameron Steel for 8 and Durham lunched in the bleak knowledge they had lost seven wickets for 65 runs.The afternoon session brought no relief as another five batsmen were dismissed while 95 runs were scored. Yet such collapses seem out of place at Arundel. Frenetic drama does not sit well in this absurdly idyllic setting. “Good morning, campers” said Mike Charman, the Sussex scorer and PA announcer, when welcoming the early arrivals. Such benevolence is entirely typical of a ground whose many perfections greet spectators and strain their belief.Charman is the sort of good-hearted bloke who does not broadcast an outgoing batsman’s score when he has made nought. It was a kindness he had to exercise on five occasions during Friday’s cricket. In the afternoon session, as cricket drifted into the heart of the day, Charman announced the winners of the raffle, advertised other games and wished Nicola a happy birthday.But there was little to buoy Durham’s travelling band until Poynter put on 79 for the eighth wicket with Nathan Rimmington. Long before that, Tom Latham had been bowled between bad and pad by Ollie Robinson and Smith had been brilliantly caught at what was effectively third slip by Harry Finch off Wiese. Two balls later Collingwood was leg before for nought when playing across the line and Briggs then picked up Harte and Graham Clark. As so often, batting errors had spurred the bowlers to excellence and that in turn had prompted further error. Poynter’s defiance ended when he was lbw swinging across the line to Briggs and Archer’s caught and bowled ended the match next over.Sussex supporters applauded it all. Their side is playing fine cricket and their only regret was that there will now be no cricket at this ground on Saturday.To that list in Emily Dickinson’s poem, supporters at Arundel, Tunbridge Wells and Scarborough would add the joys of watching cricket, albeit some of those joys appear, in the eyes of outsiders, extraneous to the game. Such folk circle the county festivals on the calendar in winter’s depths and they have gone out these Midsummer mornings confident that life will treat them well; they have not been disappointed.They reckon – when they count at all – cricketing days at the outgrounds: the high heat of June afternoons, Academy lads like Phil Salt and Tom Haines, smoke drifting from valley cottages, ash, sycamore and Douglas-fir trees, skylarks, and the soft light of perfect evenings.

Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta have been told that they're now reportedly targeting one of the most "underrated" players around.

Who will Arsenal sign in January?

Edu Gaspar and Emirates Stadium transfer chiefs are said to have a fair few targets in mind for 2024, if recent rumours are to be believed. Indeed, reports have suggested that the likes of Royal Antwerp midfielder Arthur Vermeeren and Club Brugge top scorer Andreas Skov Olsen are on Arsenal's radar heading into January, with other names like Galatasaray full-back Sacha Boey being mentioned in part too.

However, the real noise on Arsenal's activity has revolved around the signing of a new striker. Brentford star Ivan Toney, who was pivotal to the Bees before his gambling ban, is a player repeatedly linked with a switch to north London. The Englishman scored 20 league goals last season, but he's by no means Arsenal's only priority Premier League target. It's been claimed that Wolves winger Pedro Neto, who's enjoyed a blistering start to the new campaign, is another star generating serious interest.

This week, another target for Arteta has surfaced through the media as well, with some Douglas Luiz transfer news claiming the Spaniard is personally eager to bring him in. 90min reported on Monday that Arsenal are keen to sign Luiz, with both Arteta and Edu also huge admirers.

"Arsenal remain interested in trying to sign Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa following his excellent start to the 2023/24 season," wrote journalists Sean Walsh and Graeme Bailey.

"The Gunners would like to add another midfielder to their ranks during the January transfer window and are looking at options across both Europe and South America."

90min go on to make the claim on both Arteta and Edu's admiration, saying that Arsenal's manager wants to "reunite" with Luiz at his new club.

"Gunners boss Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar are both huge admirers of Luiz. Arteta has known of the midfielder since his days as an assistant at Manchester City, where Luiz spent two years under contract but could not play due to work permit issues.

"Since their career paths split, Arteta has kept a watchful eye over Luiz and would like to reunite with him at the Emirates Stadium."

Douglas Luiz praise

Luiz has started the new campaign excellenty at Villa Park; scoring five goals in nine league starts under Unai Emery while marking himself out as one of their key, key players. The former Man City star, during Villa's 4-1 hammering of West Ham on Sunday, was praised by an Arsenal legend and Sky Sports pundit.

Likes to shoot from distance

Plays the long ball

The ex-Gunner professsed his admiration for Luiz, who Arsenal are reportedly targeting. Taking to X, he even called the 25-year-old one of England's most underrated players right now. Paul Merson, thrilled by Luiz's performance against David Moyes's side, stated:

The South American, if he continues this fine form, could be a very hot commodity next year.