Liverpool host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League this afternoon with sights firmly fixed on ending a depressing bout of form, with just one victory from five matches in the league, also crashing out of the Europa League against Atalanta in this timeframe.

The winds of change are blowing at Anfield, with Liverpool preparing for life under Jurgen Klopp after nearly nine years with the German at the helm, lifting the club back to its perch and winning a host of major honours.

Klopp's side have enjoyed a thrilling campaign for the most part, resurgent and triumphing in the Carabao Cup back in February despite mountainous injury problems in what seemed like a tone-setter for the final phase, with silverware up for grabs across every possible front.

That hasn't happened, but the third-place Premier League side have still come on leaps and bounds this season, having fallen off a proverbial cliff last year.

With just three matches left at the helm for the Merseysiders, Klopp will be determined to string together a first-class burst of form to close his illustrious tenure with a bang, though he will have to overcome a concerning injury blow against Spurs at Anfield this afternoon.

Liverpool team news

In his pre-match press conference, a free-speaking Klopp revealed that captain Virgil van Dijk is a doubt having not trained all week, though he was involved in parts of team training on Friday and might play a part.

Diogo Jota is still unavailable as he recovers from an issue but Conor Bradley is ready to make his return after spending the past several weeks recuperating from an ankle injury.

Veterans Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara (both out of contract this summer) and talented youngster Ben Doak all remain sidelined with long-term problems.

The potential absence of Van Dijk is hardly a nerve-settling piece of news, with the Netherlands star a pillar of strength and leadership in testing circumstances this season.

Virgil van Dijk's season in numbers

Van Dijk was knocked off-kilter last season as Liverpool flattered to deceive throughout a torrid campaign, but he's been back to his imperious best since earning the captain's armband last summer and has been one of the standout reasons behind his squad's revival.

As per Sofascore, the 32-year-old has completed 33 Premier League matches this season, scoring two goals and adding two assists, completing 91% of his passes, averaging 1.2 tackles, 4.8 ball recoveries and 3.9 clearances per game and winning a staggering 77% of his duels, utterly dominant in the air and calmly crunching in ground battles.

Aside from his supreme defensive strength and commanding leadership, Van Dijk is also one of the game's highest-quality distributors from the back, ranking among the top 10% of centre-halves across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 6% for passes attempted, the top 12% for assists, the top 3% for shot-creating actions and the top 9% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.

This is all a roundabout way of saying that he's not an easy man to replace, and given the error-strewn, unconvincing displays of Ibrahima Konate and Jarell Quansah these past few fixtures, it might be time for Klopp to try something different and throw Joe Gomez back into the starting mix.

Why Joe Gomez must replace Virgil van Dijk

The spirit of James Milner lives on at Liverpool, with Gomez thriving as the Reds' multi-dimensional utility man this season, playing across a range of roles and impressing while doing so, with writer Joel Rabinowitz acknowledging the recently-recalled England star's “renaissance”.

Right-back

23

1

5

Left-back

17

1

5

Centre-back

5

1

5

Defensive midfield

2

0

2

The 26-year-old is Liverpool's longest-serving first-team player after joining from Charlton Athletic as a teenager for a fee of £3.5m in 2015, having completed 222 appearances and won the whole gamut under Klopp's wing.

But all things come to an end and recent news has suggested that Gomez is now considering leaving the club alongside Klopp this summer, having given his all for nearly one decade and now seemingly wishes to search for pastures new.

Be that as it may, Gomez is an invaluable member of the side and by being placed into a central defensive role against Tottenham, he could produce the kind of showing that would leave Michael Edwards, Richard Hughes and co throwing the kitchen sink at convincing him to stay put.

Gomez ranks among the top 8% of full-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted, the top 19% for progressive passes, the top 20% for interceptions and the top 4% for aerial wins per 90 (FBref).

While these metrics have been collated against positional peers – wide defenders – Gomez has a wealth of experience as a central defender and he might prove to be the counterbalancing force to succeed alongside Konate later today.

Spurs are in dismal form themselves, losing three successive Premier League matches, but complacency will be the detriment to Liverpool's performance, with the likes of Heung-min Son, James Maddison and co more than capable of incisively bypassing a red rearguard that has shipped eight goals from as many matches in April.

The £85k-per-week Gomez has scarcely played at centre-back this season but the last time he did, during a 3-0 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League way back in September, he incredibly took 121 touches, completed 95% of his passes and won five of his seven contested duels.

This kind of proactive, crisp and all-rounded display is exactly what will be needed if Liverpool are to dispatch Tottenham and set the mood for a fitting send-off for esteemed Klopp.

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Gomez is multi-functional and has even been remarked to be "absolutely priceless" to Liverpool by pundit Steve McManaman given his dynamism and elite tactical flexibility.

This might prove to be the 6 foot 2 star's final chance at Liverpool, where he could make a big impact in a fresh role and perhaps convince Anfield bosses that he must remain at the club.

As its decision-makers scramble to plan for the potential impacts of coronavirus on next summer, the vast majority of Cricket Australia’s staff will be stood down on drastically reduced pay until the June 30 end of the financial year.Following on from decisions already announced by some of the state associations about pay cuts – with the South Australian Cricket Association forced to jettison 23 staff and contractors – CA staff will be asked to take an 80% pay cut or equivalent from April 27 until July.CA is believed to be planning for a 50% reduction in revenue for next summer, which was slated to feature the T20 World Cup and a lucrative tour by India, and is also understood to still be seeking clarification on whether it qualifies for the federal government’s JobKeeper wage subsidy scheme, which was flagged as being available to not for profit organisations.At its most recent AGM last October, CA reported that it had A$26 million (US$16 million approx.) in cash reserves plus another A$90 million (US$57 million approx.) in investments. Those investments are believed to have taken a serious hit due to the economic effects of coronavirus, reducing CA’s ability to weather the current storm without making pay reductions for staff.While an internal CA report from the governing body’s chief medical officer John Orchard recently expressed cautious optimism about the game returning to cricket grounds in time for next summer, there remains a wide range of potential scenarios. Among the more extreme would be the continuation of international travel restrictions, limiting CA to domestic cricket such as the Big Bash League and WBBL, with the potential to have New Zealand touring for matches played in empty stadiums.ALSO READ: Australia Women prepared for uncertain 50-over World Cup build-upHowever, CA is understandably working through every possible scenario to allow for India to tour Australia next summer, from assessing quarantine options and hotels to more agreeable tour dates for the BCCI, which this week postponed the IPL indefinitely due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the subcontinent.”Cricket Australia – like all sporting bodies – is planning for a return to training or play although no one is certain when this will be possible at this stage, and many scenarios are being considered,” a CA spokesperson said. “We are conscious of the impact this will have on Australian cricket and are working hard to manage that proactively.”We have made the decision during this period of isolation, where activity has naturally been reduced, to stand down our people on reduced pay (with the exception of a skeleton staff) effective 27 April for the remainder of the financial year.”We will continue to seek advice from medical experts and relevant government agencies to ensure the health and safety of our people, volunteers and communities, and to return to business as soon as possible.”CA had earlier announced a delay to its annual contracting for players, as the cricketers and their association accepted the likely need for retainers and match payments to be cut in line with any revenue drop. Under the MoU struck in 2017, male and female players share in around 26% of Australian cricket revenue.A scheduled Test tour of Bangladesh by the men’s team and of South Africa by the women’s team have already been postponed, while a planned men’s ODI tour of England looks highly doubtful. Organisers of the T20 World Cup are expected to have a clearer picture of what may happen to the event next month, after the ICC holds a regular round of meetings that was postponed in March.

MatériaMais Notícias

Em uma noite histórica em que o Vasco entrou em campo com um uniforme em homenagem à causa LGBTQIA+, a equipe derrotou o Brusque por 2 a 1 e se aproximou do G4 da Série B. No vídeo dos bastidores, divulgado pela VascoTV, o presidente Jorge Salgado e o diretor executivo de futebol Alexandre Pássaro apareceram no vestiário conversando e dando apoio aos jogadores.

> Confira e simule a tabela da Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro

RelacionadasVascoVasco reforça DNA de luta contra o preconceito. Veja momentos em que o clube defendeu as causas sociaisVasco29/06/2021VascoDe olho no G4, Vasco tem seis jogadores pendurados para o duelo contra o Goiás na quartaVasco28/06/2021VascoApós vitória diante do Brusque, Cabo enaltece ação do Vasco contra homofobia: ‘Respeito pela causa’Vasco28/06/2021

Dessa vez, as falas da preleção não foram divulgadas, apenas imagens da união dos jogadores antes da vitória. Foram mostradas também imagens de lances e gols da partida, com a emblemática comemoração de Germán Cano, e o gol salvador de Léo Matos no fim.

> ATUAÇÕES: Cano marca e é o melhor em campo na vitória suada do Vasco sobre o Brusque

Em um momento único, o argentino Cano balançou a rede, ao abrir o placar, e levantou a bandeirinha que estampava o arco-íris referente à causa LGBTQIA+. Mais uma vez, o clube carioca esteve à frente da defesa de causas sociais, algo que faz parte de sua história.

No final do vídeo, o lateral-direito Léo Matos explicou o lance que originou o seu gol e disse que a equipe confia no trabalho do treinador Marcelo Cabo. Segundo ele, o objetivo do grupo é dentro de duas rodadas entra no G4 e permanecer entre os quatro primeiros até o fim da competição. A ideia é garantir o acesso com muita entrega e mais tranquilidade no fim.

> Conheça o aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!

– Eu fui tentar pegar a bola no segundo pau e o Daniel falou comigo “Léo, vai para o meio da área que eu e o Castan iremos brigar aqui. Eles foram felizes, o Castan conseguiu colocar para dentro e eu consegui finalizar de perna esquerda. Algo que não é tão habitual assim,. mas hoje foi o que nos deu resultado, graças a Deus.E parabenizar meus companheiros pela entrega, porque nós fizemos um grande jogo. A gente precisava muito desse resultado, e confiamos muito nesse trabalho que temos realizado nesses três meses com o Marcelo. – analisou, e em seguida completou.

– Ele é um grande treinador, passa muita coisa para gente. É detalhista e vem ensinando muito para os jogadores jovens. Até para mim que já tenho certa idade, aprendo muito com ele E nós merecíamos esse resultado e ele também por se entregar a cada dia com a gente. E iremos para Goiânia (equipe chegou na noite desta segunda). Nosso objetivo é dentro de duas rodadas entrar no G4 e nunca mais sair – disse o lateral.

The Blues went down 2-0 at Stamford Bridge as they barely laid a glove on the defending champions following another tumultuous summer

Back in the summer of 2021, Chelsea beat Manchester City in the Champions League final. The Blues were back moving in the right direction as a team packed with homegrown stars won the club's second European Cup. City, on the other hand, were still waiting for their first taste of continental glory after another Pep Guardiola over-think in Porto.

Fast-forward just over three years, and the two teams couldn't be further apart after hurtling in opposite directions almost ever since. City have gone on to become an unstoppable force in the Premier League while getting over the line in Europe in 2023, while Chelsea have become the laughing stock of English football after a change in ownership that brought with it the biggest spending spree the world has ever seen, coupled with a cull of the Blues' beloved academy graduates to make room on the wage bill for countless big-money flops.

It was against that backdrop that Chelsea hosted City on Sunday in their opening game of the new campaign, and to no one's surprise, Guardiola's defending champions ran out easy winners as Enzo Maresca was left to pick over the bones of a disappointing 2-0 defeat following his debut in the Stamford Bridge dugout.

Goals from Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic cruised City to victory over a team they failed to beat last season, while drama surrounding the future of Raheem Sterling overshadowed Maresca's big day as his new boss Todd Boehly watched on from the stands at what was a muted stadium given the occasion.

Quite where Chelsea go from here is anyone's guess. The only certainty anyone was able to take away with them was that City will yet again take some beating.

GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Stamford Bridge…

• Getty Images
  

  WINNER: Pep Guardiola

  If there was a time to play City this season, it was the opening weekend. Four of the champions' biggest stars – Rodri, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and John Stones – were not in the XI at Stamford Bridge following their Euros heroics in reaching the final, and thus Guardiola was all but forced into the line up he selected.

  Despite that, his team barely had to get out of second gear all game as they eased to victory. Aside from initially having Jeremy Doku and Premier League debutant Savinho on the 'wrong' wings for the opening 15 minutes, Guardiola set his team up perfectly and clearly his squad doesn't lack for motivation despite all their success.

  If this is what City can do without some of their best players and with others still in pre-season mode following their own summer tournament travails, then imagine what they will be capable of once they get into a proper rhythm… The rest of the title-challengers will not have enjoyed what they saw in west London.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  LOSER: Enzo Maresca

  Given Maresca's previous life working under Guardiola, few managers will have been better prepared for their first meeting with City than the Italian. You wouldn't, however, have known it from the insipid display Chelsea served up on Maresca's competitive debut.

  Despite having an excited home crowd to entertain on the opening day, the Blues barely threatened, with Nicolas Jackson's propensity to drift offside ruining their best opportunities to cause the visitors problems in the first half. Maresca's side improved slightly after the break, but by the end they were chasing shadows as City toyed with them.

  Maresca has walked into an unenviable situation given the dysfunction that has enveloped Chelsea over the past two-and-a-half years, and though this wasn't the calamity of some of the Blues' pre-season showings, it did not inspire much confidence, either. Easier games are on the horizon, but the lack of atmosphere inside Stamford Bridge for much of the game told a story of a team that lacked any kind of fluidity.

• Getty Images
  

  WINNER: Erling Haaland

  This was Haaland's 100th appearance for City and marked the start of his third season with the club. Unfortunately for everyone else in the Premier League, he once again looks in the mood to dominate the goal-scoring charts.

  This was a typical Haaland display; though he wasn't too involved in general play, he proved a nuisance for the opposition centre-backs, and when the time came, he provided a combination of power and precision to put the ball in the net.

  The Norwegian's goal – his 91st in a City shirt – was a thing of beauty, and one the man himself deemed "perfect" after he finally got his revenge on Robert Sanchez for a save the Chelsea goalkeeper made from him last season. The Spanish shot-stopper did keep Haaland from making it three opening-weekend braces in succession, but the two-time Golden Boot winner knows there will be more opportunities to add to his tally, starting with Ipswich at the Etihad next week.

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• Getty Images
  

  LOSER: Enzo Fernandez

  Chelsea had a lot of players who underperformed in this game. Jackson was culpable on more than one occasion, Christopher Nkunku failed to back up a promising pre-season and Sanchez looked shaky with the ball at his feet before hopelessly flapping at Kovacic's shot as it nestled in the goal. But perhaps the most disappointing display came from Enzo Fernandez.

  Despite the off-field issues that plagued his pre-season, Fernandez was handed the captain's armband in Reece James' absence, but lead from the front he did not. His first touch was off, he pressed as an individual rather than as part of any team-wide structure, and he spent as much time remonstrating with others as he did making a positive impact on the game.

  The Argentina international will perhaps feel he should have had two penalties in the first half, but on both occasions he was guilty of throwing himself to the ground after losing possession inside the penalty area. Chelsea fans have been calling on the £107 million man to stand up on a consistent basis as he enters his second full season in west London, so this was not a good early sign of any improvements being made.

A £33,000-a-week player has rejected multiple new deal offers from his club as Leeds United eye a bargain move to bring him in this summer.

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Leeds need a huge favour from the soon-to-be relegated Huddersfield Town, who take on Ipswich Town this Saturday at the same time as Daniel Farke's side play host to Southampton.

The Terriers are all but confirmed to be playing League One football next season, but their manager Andre Breitenreiter is pushing his side to spoil the promotion party at Portman Road and cause a huge upset.

“We have to be professional for the last game and maybe decide the promotion battle," the German said after their draw with Birmingham.

Leeds United's last five Championship games

Date

QPR 4-0 Leeds

April 26th

Middlesbrough 3-4 Leeds

April 22nd

Leeds 0-1 Blackburn

April 13th

Leeds 0-0 Sunderland

April 9th

Coventry City 2-1 Leeds

April 6th

"It’s our task to do our job. We want to finish the season with a good result and after we have hold conversations about individuals and about the future. The whole analysis will take place after the season. It is difficult to win with 15 goals next weekend. But we weren’t relegated today.”

Ipswich currently lie above Leeds in second, and hold a three-point advantage, but Farke's men are still in with a shot of automatic promotion due to their superior goal difference. Nothing but a win for Huddersfield and Leeds will do on Saturday lunchtime, and it's the Yorkshire side who face a much tougher test on paper.

If that scenario fails to pass, Leeds will be battling in the Championship play-offs for a place in the English top flight next term, and they'll have to do it the hard way.

Failure to seal a Premier League spot next season will have a bearing on their summer transfer plans as well. Leeds are believed to be interested in signing a new defender for Farke, among other areas of the squad.

Leeds eyeing bargain Ben Johnson move as he rejects multiple contract offers

The Athletic claim West Ham United defender Ben Johnson, who looks set to leave when his contract expires this summer, is at the centre of interest from Elland Road.

Leeds are one of a few sides eyeing a bargain free swoop for Johnson, alongside the likes of Rangers and Crystal Palace, with the Englishman now having rejected multiple new contract offers to remain at the London Stadium.

On a reported £33,000-a-week, the full-back has been praised for his professionalism by former England star Stuart Pearce.

"He's a wonderful professional to deal with and work with," said Pearce. "We're very proud to have him out of our academy system as well, which is a real plus for us, especially with the connection to this club with the academy. I think he's just developing and getting better and better, and like with all young players, the more game time they have, the better they'll get, so I am delighted for the boy."

Arsenal appear to be eyeing up a move for a free agent, with the Gunners already having him at London Colney.

Arsenal transfer rumours

Mikel Arteta’s side have been in fine form in the Premier League in 2024, with the Gunners looking to pip both Liverpool and Manchester City to the title.

However, away from the pitch, sporting director Edu Gaspar already appears to be planning for the summer.

Arsenal have been linked with a number of players in recent months, including some high-profile names such as Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong and Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee.

However, the Gunners also appear to have their eyes on some young talent, looking to the future, with AC Milan starlet Franceso Camarda, Brazilian talent Douglas Mendes and Georgian teenager Vakhtang Salia all on the Emirates radar.

Another gem has now been linked with a move to north London, one who has already trained with Arsenal.

Free agent trains with Arsenal

According to reports from Denmark, relayed by Sport Witness, Arsenal have recently had highly-rated goalkeeper Lucas Martin Nygaard training with them.

The 17-year-old has been without a club since leaving FC Nordsjaelland earlier this year and has also trained with Paris Saint-Germain. The report claims that the two sides have brought him to their bases to take a good look and decide on any offer.

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No concrete offer has been made as of yet, but it looks as if Arsenal have their eye on Martin, who Denmark U18 manager Lasse Stensgaard recently called a “real winner”.

“He’s a real winner and he will do everything he can to win. He trains insanely well and gives it his all on the pitch, and that also means that he takes the lead in that part when we play the games. He sets a standard that we are here because we have to win and not just play the game.

“In the last couple of years, he has improved his saves so that he’s also a decisive player and can take some balls, so he’s not just primarily good with his feet, but also good at what is actually in the job description.”

A move to north London could be one to keep an eye on over the coming weeks or months, especially with Martin already visiting London Colney.

While there are still a couple of weeks to go and plenty of football to be played, it would be fair to say that Arsenal have enjoyed another brilliant season under Mikel Arteta, one that could still end in Premier League glory.

The Spaniard’s side went into the campaign with the sting of last year’s collapse fresh in the mind, but instead of wilting under the pressure, they have shown that they are worthy of challenging Manchester City for domestic dominance.

That said, while almost every player in the squad has looked better than they did last year, Gabriel Martinelli has been underwhelming and, as a result, has struggled to make it into the starting XI of late.

However, based on recent reports, the North Londoners could soon land the perfect player to revive the Brazilian’s fortunes on the left – oh, and he’s already rejected Tottenham Hotspur.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from Turkey (via TEAMtalk), Arsenal are keen on bringing Tottenham target and Fenerbahçe fullback Ferdi Kadioglu to the Emirates this summer.

The report has claimed that while the Lilywhites are interested in landing the 24-year-old’s signature, his agent has already met with Arsenal representatives and agreed to a ‘deal in principle.’

This means that for the Gunners to get the transfer over the line, they just need to agree a fee with Sarı Kanaryalar themselves, which, according to the report, could be as little as £26m.

Now, this would still represent a considerable investment from the Gunners in a player from a league outside of Europe’s traditional top five, but as he has the skills to revive Martinelli’s fortunes, it would likely be worth it.

How Kadioglu could revive Martinelli

On the whole, Arsenal have had a reasonably predictable lineup for the majority of the campaign thus far, with the same names generally starting week-in-week-out regardless of the opponent ahead of them, apart from on the left-hand side, that is.

Gabriel Martinelli

30

Oleksandr Zinchenko

24

Leandro Trossard

14

Jakub Kiwior

16

Gabriel Jesus

4

Takehiro Tomiyasu

8

So far this year, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Jakub Kiwior have all taken turns starting on the left of the back four. At the same time, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, and Martinelli have come in and out of the XI on the left of the attack.

This constant chopping and changing has clearly had an impact on the former Ituano ace, as last season, when he knew it would be Granit Xhaka and the Ukrainian behind him, he was fantastic, scoring 15 goals and providing six assists in 46 appearances. A stable lineup could reignite his devastating attacking threat.

This is where Kadioglu could come in, as in the opinion of respected data analyst Ben Mattinson, the Turkey international’s impressive “stamina, athleticism and speed” would allow him to make constant overlapping runs with the Brazilian, thus allowing him to “cut in and shoot more frequently.”

Moreover, Mattinson claims that the “electric” fullback can play on either side of the backline and invert when in the final third, becoming a “part of the attacking line” to further increase the Gunners’ myriad of attacking options and bring a new dimension to the team’s approach.

Appearances

48

Goals

3

Assists

5

Goal Involvements per Match

0.16

Ultimately, if Arteta wants to bring Martinelli back to his very best next season, then signing Kadıoğlu is a brilliant way to do that and a fantastic way to increase the team’s attacking threat overall.

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“A great opportunity to maybe bring a New Zealand team into the Big Bash or use New Zealand players as local players”

Andrew McGlashan05-May-2020Brendon McCullum has called for greater New Zealand involvement in the Big Bash League later this year if the availability of overseas players – and international cricket overall – remains restricted by the Covid-19 pandemic.There are positive signs that the Australian season could take shape somewhat as scheduled – there even remains hope that the men’s T20 World Cup could be played in October – with every effort being made to enable to the lucrative series against India to survive. Cricket Australia has started conversations with the federal government about what protocols would need to be in place to allow international teams to visit later in the year.While there remain plenty of hurdles to cross before full-fledged international sport can take place, there has already been progress in links between Australia and New Zealand resuming with the Warriors rugby team arriving in Tamworth, New South Wales at the weekend to prepare for the resumption of the NRL later this month and there are talks at the government level about a travel “bubble” between the two countries.”If there is a shortage of international cricket what an opportunity for the Big Bash, which if we are being honest has probably just tailed off a little bit of late, what a great opportunity to really morph that back into Australia sporting fans’ eyes,” McCullum, who had eight seasons with the Brisbane Heat, told . “And I think what a great opportunity to maybe bring a New Zealand team into the Big Bash or use New Zealand players as local players because there may be a distinct lack of overseas players.”A little bit of creative thinking. It may be just for one season but we have to prepare for the long-term if you are going to grow the game there may be some value.”However, if New Zealand’s international players are not playing in December and January – they are due to have a visit by Pakistan – NZC would likely see it as a chance to have them available for the T20 Super Smash, which usually runs concurrently with the first part of the Big Bash from mid-December.One of the contingency plans in place should next season be disrupted is the potential for Australia and New Zealand to play each other if movement between those two countries is more feasible than broader international travel. There are two ODIs left to play from the curtailed series in March plus three T20Is that were due to be hosted in New Zealand.The Big Bash will mark its tenth anniversary in the 2020-21 season and, before the pandemic, had commissioned a review by David Barham, the television executive who was central to the BBL’s rise while at Channel 10, into what could be done to revitalise the competition. The most intriguing suggestion out of the review was the prospect of four-innings T20 matches in an attempt to ensure contests are alive for longer.

Tottenham Hotspur central defender Micky van de Ven had a weekend to forget as he went viral for slipping for both of Newcastle's opening two goals on Saturday. The Netherlands international found himself slumped on the deck as Alexander Isak and then Anthony Gordon put the Magpies 2-0 up in quick succession in the Premier League at St. James' Park.

It has been a terrific campaign for the former Wolfsburg star, who has won 61% of his duels and completed 95% of his attempted passes in the division, since his summer move to Spurs, and he will be hoping to move swiftly on from his slip-ups against Newcastle.

At the moment, Ange Postecoglou does not have a natural left-footed centre-back available to rotate van de Ven with, as versatile left-back Ben Davies is his only other option in that position, and that could now be rectified in the summer.

Tottenham's interest in left-footed Serie A monster

According to TuttoMercatoWeb, via Sport Witness, Tottenham are one of the clubs lining up a deal to sign Bologna star Riccardo Calafiori ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. The report claims that the Premier League side are set to provide 'rich competition' for the talented central defender's signature in the upcoming summer transfer window.

A left-footed centre-back, Calafiori has emerged as a transfer target for both Spurs and Italian giants Juventus, who are both seemingly in the market to bolster their respective defensive options.

The outlet adds that the interest from Tottenham has left the Old Lady panicking, due to the finances the English team can put on the table in comparison to Juventus.

It was reported in March that Bologna could demand a fee of €25m (£21m) for their star performer at the back. However, it remains to be seen whether or not that price tag will change by the time the summer transfer window opens for business.

Riccardo Calafiori's impressive season in Bologna

The 21-year-old defender has been a regular fixture at the heart of the Bologna defence, with 26 outings this season, and has showcased his qualities in and out of possession. As you can see in the table below, Calafiori is a ball-playing centre-back who wants to progress his team up the pitch to build attacks out from the back.

Along with his impressive play in possession, the £21m-rated Spurs transfer target has also been a dominant defender with a duel success rate of 62% in the Serie A across 26 appearances this season. Analyst Ben Mattinson once described the 6 foot 2 colossus as an "aerial monster" and claimed that he "dominates" opposition strikers in the air when the ball is played high.

This is backed up by his fantastic aerial duel success rate of 74%, which is higher than van de Ven's 52% and Cristian Romero's 68% in the Premier League this term.

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Dan Emery

Apr 15, 2024

Tottenham's interest in his services has already left Juventus panicking and it is now down to Daniel Levy to get a deal over the line for the impressive performer this summer to bolster Postecoglou's options on the left side of his defence.

Tottenham are the frontrunners to sign a Serie A centre-back heading into the 2024 summer transfer window.

Tottenham want a centre-back

Tottenham have been one of the more entertaining sides to watch in the Premier League this season. Their free-flowing attack has led to plenty of high-scoring games involving the Lilywhites, with their shaky backline often making their fixtures a great watch for neutrals.

While Tottenham's goalscoring ability no doubt pleases Ange Postecoglou, especially after the departure of Harry Kane, their defensive woes – six clean sheets in 35 games – have been a cause for concern this season. In turn, the Australian tactician spoke at length earlier in 2023/24 about his desire to sign a centre-back:

"If you’re saying, ‘Is it an area we can strengthen?’, yes it’s an area we will probably look at,” said Postecoglou on Spurs signing another centre-back. "With all these things, it’s about trying to strengthen the group as much as anything else. If you think about when I first arrived, we had maybe six or seven centre-backs at the club.

"So it’s not just numbers. It’s more about the ability of those players to play the football we want and to fit into what we’re trying to build here. I think it is an area of the park we will look to strengthen, but I think we’ll look to strengthen all areas of the park come the end of the season. That is planning that’s already underway, and other people are in charge of it at the moment."

However, despite the wishes of Postecoglou, Tottenham have primarily been tipped to make moves for players further up the pitch this summer, with the likes of Ivan Toney and Eberechi Eze linked with moves from across London.

Now, however, the Lilywhites finally appear to have nailed down a target who can help plug their leaky defence.

Tottenham frontrunners for £34m star

As per Italian outlet Calciomercato, Tottenham are "above all" in the race to sign the Torino defender Alessandro Buongiorno. The report adds that the defender is valued at €40m, or around £34m.

The 24-year-old is a product of Torino's academy and has notched 107 appearances for their senior side, including 29 this season.

His impressive club form over the last year also earned him his first call-up to the Italian national team in 2023. He was then singled out for praise on his Italy debut by Roberto Mancini in June 2023. Buongiorno became the 78th Torino player to represent the Azzurri, starting the 3-2 victory over the Netherlands in Enschede that allowed them to take third place in the Nations League.

“It was not easy, especially as he is not used to this style of football, but Buongiorno was excellent and really applied himself well," Mancini said.

After his debut for Italy, Buongiorno spoke of his ability to play in a three or four-man backline, something Tottenham would no doubt find useful: “I can fit into a three-man defence or four, but my teammates were also very helpful with their advice. I thank them and am very happy.”