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The elections in South Africa on April 22, four days after the IPL starts in the country, the crime rate in cities like Johannesburg and the limited time available are some of the key challenges facing the league’s security managers, according to Nicholls Steyn & Associates, who are handling the tournament’s security.Nicholls admitted that moving the tournament to South Africa was a good option from the security point of view because the situation in India had made it “very difficult ” to host the event there. Besides, Nicholls said they were not able to conduct a final assessment of the situation in India for the IPL because of the delays in final decisions.”We were waiting for the feedback from the Indian government about what resources could be made available,” Nicholls told Cricinfo. “There were a lot of delays caused in getting a decision, but we believe that it is a positive sign that those delays were caused because of the desire to keep security first. We were very aware of the fact the security measures that were provided had to be of the highest standards and there were many discussions to see if those required standards could be provided with the other things that were going in India at time.”The IPL’s security template in South Africa will borrow significantly from the World Twenty20 model and the plan during India’s tour of South Africa in 2006 as well as other international tours and events. The South African agency has enormous expertise in providing security to teams and players and is also the ICC’s security consultant. They were roped in by the IPL last year as their central player-security managers.”From the cricketing perspective, it is obviously disappointing [to shift the IPL] because everyone would’ve liked the event to happen in India,” Nicholls said. “But the situation and timing make it impossible to host it there, so from our perspective if it is not going to be in India then we believe that South Africa is a good choice.”Asked whether the firm was confident of providing security in India without central security forces, as the IPL had claimed in a letter to the Indian government, Nicholls said, “It is a difficult question to answer because while we may be told that we do not have central forces, we needed to assess what forces are then actually going to be available. We knew what had to be done and everyone at the IPL agreed that player security was an absolute priority but obviously we didn’t know exactly what the situation was until the decision came from the government.”In South Africa, though, time is the major challenge, Nicholls said. “There is not much time to put everything together. The good thing is South Africa hosted the Twenty20 World Cup in the recent past as well as other large tournaments so there is good history of doing that. We would have certainly liked longer duration for planning but that is just the way it is – we have an X amount of time to do it and we have got to get things in place in the time available. Fortunately we have an experienced team who know what has to be done and have done it before.”Nicholls declined to reveal numbers, in terms of security personnel employed, but confirmed that he would be working together with the South African government. Bangalore Challengers take on Deccan Chargers in Cape Town on April 22, election-day in South Africa, and Nicholls said that he understood that the matter of holding the game on that particular day had been discussed at the “highest” level.”That was something which has been discussed at a very high level,” Nicholls said. “It was a concern, but from my understanding it has been discussed with the South African government and their input was taken into account in planning the schedule.”The crime rate in cities like Johannesburg, which hosts eight IPL matches, Nicholls admitted, was something that would be taken into consideration. “Some countries have a higher terrorism threat and a low crime rate and in others it is reverse where the crime rate is higher,” he said. “Certainly the crime rate is something that has to be taken in consideration for any major event that happens in South Africa.”

According to reliable reporter Sam Lee of The Athletic, West Ham have been keeping tabs on Manchester City attacker James McAtee.

The Lowdown: West Ham look to future…

As Rob Newman comes in as the club’s new recruitment chief, his West Ham transfer mission may stretch far beyond simply signing first team stars for the present.

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The Athletic relayed manager David Moyes’ personal desire to bring in promising, young players with re-sale value to the club in a bid to plan for West Ham’s future.

As such, news has now come to light involving the Hammers and interest in a very exciting talent.

The Latest: West Ham now eyeing McAtee…

As per Lee of The Athletic, West Ham are now keeping tabs on the dazzling 18-year-old who recently made his senior debut for The Sky Blues in a 6-1 Carabao Cup victory over Wycombe Wanderers last month.

As well as the Irons, Crystal Palace and Brighton are interested with the latter club even having an £8 million bid rejected for his services.

The teenage talent is apparently ‘not for sale at any price’ with City believing he has a real future at Eastlands.

The Verdict: Difficult move…

McAtee’s potential is vast enough to even draw comparisons with Premier League and City legend David Silva (Goal).

Pep Guardiola lauded the attacking midfielder as one of the ‘special’ crop of youngsters coming through at Eastlands after he featured against Wycombe and it’s clear he may be one to watch for the future.

However, with all these tags, it is clear to see why City won’t sell at any price – so this may be a difficult move for West Ham to pull off.

In other news: Newman gifted boost in race to sign ‘outstanding’ star who is ‘very keen’ to join West Ham, find out more here.

Most franchises agree that this year’s smartest pick will be JP Duminy, the South African batsman

Cricinfo staff05-Feb-2009
Duminy is now being tagged by the franchises as “a favourite and one of the top three picks” © Getty Images
The IPL franchises are expected to splurge over US$3 million on Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff, two of the biggest stars in world cricket, at the player auction in Goa on Friday. But after the pullout of Michael Clarke, the other star player who could have got well over a million dollars, most franchises agree that this year’s smartest pick will be JP Duminy, the South African batsman.Duminy, who is also a brilliant fielder, played a key role in South Africa’s success in Australia and is now being tagged by the franchises as “a favourite and one of the top three picks” for the season.The franchises concede the big money will be spent on Pietersen (base price: $1.35 million) and Flintoff ($950,000), especially after Clarke’s withdrawal. “Now if you are thinking long-term, current form and availability, then Duminy is your man,” a franchise official said.Duminy’s base price is $300,000 but what has made him a particularly attractive purchase, according to franchise officials, is that he will be available for most of this tournament, which starts on April 10 – the South African players are free after the home ODI series against Australia ends on April 17. In contrast, England players will be available only for the first three weeks of the IPL while the Australians will be free towards the end after they play Pakistan in an ODI series after the South Africa tour.”Duminy is also a natural strokeplayer, a great fielder, and at 24, your player for the future,” the official said. “You can expect vigorous bidding in his case.”The auction, which is scheduled to start at 10 am, is expected to be short and intense affair and IPL officials have confirmed that 17 slots would be available for purchase from a revised list of 50 players after the withdrawal of Pakistani cricketers.Last year, the inaugural IPL auction had featured over 75 top cricketers, including the entire Indian team, and the auction spilled over well into the evening. “This time, all the action will be foucused on a handful of cricketers,” a franchise official said. “After Pietersen, Flintoff, Duminy and possibly Shaun Tait, there are not many left to bid big for.”But of course, the big buzz is all about Pietersen and Flintoff. The Bangalore franchise, owned by industrialist Vijay Mallya, is expected to go the distance for Pietersen, while Punjab and Mumbai will bid hard for Andrew Flintoff. Chennai had originally targetted Clarke, but are now likely to join the race for Duminy while Rajasthan, the IPL champion, hasn’t ruled out the possibility of going after one of the top players. Incidentally, Graeme Smith, Duminy’s national captain, is a key member of the Rajasthan team.In fact, questions have already been asked whether Pietersen’s price would touch the $2m mark, which is the maximum a team can spend at this auction. And IPL officials are happy to let the price tag float around – it is great publicity, an official said.However, $2m for Pietersen is highly unlikely, going by IPL rules. “Each franchise will have the sum of US$ 2mn to spend on 2009 player fees for players who are acquired either: in the auction, through signing uncapped “new” players, through re-signing any 2008 temporary replacements,” the IPL rules state. Chennai is the only franchise that has the full amount at its disposal as the team has not yet signed on an uncapped player or resigned a temporary player from last year.Then, there are teams with specific needs. Delhi wants a specialist batsman; Kolkata, which has been hit by the absence of Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul, needs a fast bowler, possibly Shaun Tait; Mumbai would like to purchase an allrounder. “It has been generally accepted that multi-skilled players will be in demand, but most of the teams will enter the auction room with a clear, short list,” a franchise official said.The missing Pakistani players have also left the teams with a delicate balancing act to perform at the auction. According to IPL rules, teams can pick one-year replacements for the Pakistani players at the auction but will have to stay within the US$ 2 million cap. However, if the teams go for a replacement after the auction, they can spend the equivalent of the amount they would have paid the Pakistani player this year – this replacement will have to be from the original IPL list of 111 players released last week

The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece has delivered a huge blow to Aston Villa after confirming Morgan Sanson’s hamstring injury in the Carabao Cup clash against Chelsea on Wednesday night.

What’s the story?

The Frenchman has yet to play in the Premier League this season due to injury, and after looking like he’d finally made his comeback against the Blues in midweek, he went down with what looked like a hamstring problem.

And, writing on Twitter, Preece said: “Gutted for Sanson, he’s upset as he clutches his hamstring as the Frenchman gestures to Dean Smith that he may not be able to continue. Chukwuemeka now getting warmed up; MacPhee stops him beforehand to talk the 17-year-old through his set-piece positions.

Then, in a follow-up tweet, he added: “Devastating for Sanson, that. He screamed in pure frustration just prior to coming off. He started really well in there and looked confident. Looks like a hamstring injury. 17-year-old Carney Chukwuemeka’s on to play against Kante and Saul now.”

Dean Smith will be guttedHaving seen him arrive back in the January transfer window, it’s unbelievable that to this day, Sanson has still only played ten times for Villa since his move from Ligue 1 side Marseille.The fact he only just made his return from injury to take the field against Chelsea in mid-week, is a real indication of just how badly he has struggled for form and fitness at Villa Park.With Smith’s side failing to sign a new central midfielder in the summer transfer window – the club were of course linked with a move for Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse – Sanson would surely have seen this season as the one to really make his mark.Instead, just when he probably thought he could force his way back into Smith’s plans and really find his match fitness again, he’s been hit with a major injury again.It’s sure to leave the Villa boss gutted at once again being without one of his marquee signings from this year.Meanwhile, Aston Villa have another exciting academy starlet in this teenager…

Despite his side’s poor year, on and off the field, Bermuda’s coach Gus Logie is nevertheless encouraged by the proposed groupings for next year’s World Cup qualifiers and remains optimistic that Bermuda can qualify for the 2011 tournament

Cricinfo staff21-Dec-2008Despite his side’s poor year, on and off the field, Bermuda’s coach Gus Logie is nevertheless encouraged by the proposed groupings for next year’s World Cup qualifiers and remains optimistic that Bermuda can qualify for the 2011 tournament.Bermuda made their debut in the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean and are alongside top Kenya, Netherlands, Denmark, and the UAE for next April’s qualifiers.”We feel comfortable being in the group that we are in,” Logie told the The top four countries advance to the 2011 World Cup while the top six are each awarded full ODI status.”We haven’t discussed the World Cup qualifying groupings as a team. But I amcertain that our players will feel comfortable as well in the knowledge thatwe have already beaten some of those teams in our group.”And I think that if we can play to our full potential we can beat themagain.”Bermuda were roundly thrashed in last year’s World Cup, beaten comprehensively by Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. 2008 has been a difficult year, too, with allegations of drug misuse and they finished bottom of the ICC Intercontinental Cup which was won by Ireland.

Singapore 190 (Janik 55) and 230 for 9 dec (Sivanandan 98, Rahim 4-52) drew with Malaysia 106 (Mulewa 5-30) and 60 for 4Singapore have retained the Saudara Cup after a draw against Malaysia at the Kallang Cricket Club. Malaysia could have few complaints, and but for rain which washed out much of the third and final day, they would almost certainly have been beaten, as there was little chance of them batting out time.Singapore managed a disappointing 190 in their first innings, but they still gained a decent lead after Malaysia were dismissed for 106, Darmichand Mulewa doing the damage with 5 for 30.Second time round, Singapore’s batsmen did better, closing the second day on 221 for 7. Nerves got to Sajith Sivanandan, unbeaten on 98 overnight, as he perished without addition on the third morning to a rather undignified swish, at which point Singapore declared, leaving Malaysia almost the whole day to score 315.They lost four wickets in the morning session and at 60 for 4 were odds-on to be on the receiving end of a heavy loss before the rain came.

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is closing in on signing Legia Warsaw’s Josip Juranovic, according to The Daily Record.

The Lowdown: Juranovic’s 2021/22 season

Juranovic has already made eight appearances this season, six of which have come as a starter.

In all six games, the Croatia international has started, he has played as a right midfielder.

The 25-year-old, on £317,200-a-year with Legia Warsaw, is thought to be keen on a move to Parkhead, and it seems as if a Scotland switch is edging closer.

The Latest: Daily Record report

The Daily Record shared a Celtic-related story on Wednesday evening regarding Juranovic and Thomas Henry.

They claimed that Postecoglou is closing in on signing Juranovic in a deal worth £3m.

Postecoglou has reportedly turned his attention to Juranovic after struggling in attempts to sign Aurelio Buta and George Baldock.

The Verdict: Shrewd move

Juranovic has started this season as a right-midfielder, but you’d expect he’ll rival Anthony Ralston to be first-choice right-back, should a move to Celtic get over the line as expected by The Daily Record.

Postecoglou only has Ralston and Lee O’Connor as right-back options at this moment in time, so a £3m deal for Juranovic appears to be a smart move at first glance as he has made over 100 appearances in that area.

It’s good to see that Juranovic will be capable of playing further forward if required, as he has shown in recent weeks, and it appears as if he’ll become Celtic’s eighth summer signing.

In other news: ‘Celtic have started official talks’ for versatile £10,000-p/w ace; he’s ‘incredibly fast’. 

Celtic’s options from an offensive point of view at the beginning of the season are healthy.

Kyogo Furuhashi has signed and hit the ground running in red-hot fashion, scoring four times in his opening three matches.

Liel Abada and Ryan Christie are also on the right track with eight goal involvements between the pair of them.

However, one player who has endured a topsy-turvy start to the new campaign is Odsonne Edouard.

So often Celtic’s go-to man in a crisis, he only has one goal to his name this term which happens to be a penalty against Dundee last weekend.

The Frenchman has been named among the substitutes in successive games but in a match where he may start, the striker is now a doubt.

The Hoops face Jablonec in the second leg of their third-round Europa League qualifying tie on Thursday but they now may well be without his services.

That’s according to The Scottish Sun who claims Edouard picked up an injury after Dundee last weekend.

Those named on the bench and not in the matchday squad played a 5-a-side game together post-match but he limped away with an ankle problem.

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With Furuhashi in such good form, this is not the biggest of blows. After all, if this eventuality had occurred in 2020/21, Celtic would have been in huge bother.

It’s still a concern for Postecoglou, though, who may have turned to him so he could rest the club’s new Japanese star ahead of their League Cup clash against Hearts this weekend.

Edouard is still one of the club’s leading lights, having found the net on 22 occasions over the last 12 months so to not have him in the squad will be a frustrating occurrence.

Celtic have a 4-2 lead heading into tonight’s clash so rest and rotation could be the order of the day. However, with Edouard potentially having to sit on the sidelines, Furuhashi will probably start upfront.

It’s unlikely Postecoglou would trust Albian Ajeti in a European clash after he scored just six times in all competitions last term.

AND in other news, Celtic open talks to sign 6ft1 gem who’s “one of the very best”, he could be Kyogo 2.0…

Several departures are expected at Tottenham this summer, but Paul Stewart exclusively told Football FanCast that he doesn’t believe Giovani Lo Celso should be on that list.

Following two disappointing league finishes in the last two seasons, Nuno Espirito Santo, along with director of football Fabio Paratici, are currently dealing with the “painful rebuild” that Mauricio Pochettino said was necessary in 2019.

Juan Foyth was the first through the exit door and has been joined by Erik Lamela going to Sevilla, with Toby Alderweireld are expected to leave for Qatari outfit Al-Duhail.

However, those three won’t be the last to be moved on, with plenty of interest in Santo’s squad.

One of those is Argentine Lo Celso, who’s on Barcelona’s radar having failed to settle in north London since signing from Real Betis on loan and then permanently four months later.

Lo Celso has shown glimpses, but his role at Tottenham has never quite been apparent despite making 65 appearances since moving from Spain.

However, Stewart has seen enough to suggest that Lo Celso could still make the grade in N17.

He told Football FanCast:

“I’d keep him because I think he could come good. It takes time to settle sometimes.

“He’s shown enough when I’ve seen him on the pitch to suggest he could become a really good player for Spurs, so I would be looking at keeping him for at least another season.”

Brighton and Hove Albion are set to make a bid for Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard, but not until after the Hoops complete their Champions League second round qualifying tie against Midtjylland on Wednesday night, according to the Daily Mail.

The Lowdown: Celtic gear up for 2021/22

Facing the prospect of major transition at Parkhead, new manager Ange Postecoglou will surely be eager to recruit top talent in tandem with offloading those already at the club who see their future elsewhere.

With only one year left on his deal at Parkhead, the Celts may be forced into selling star striker Edouard following recent developments.

The Latest: Brighton to bid for Edouard after Champions League qualifiers

Brighton are believed to be readying an offer for the Frenchman in the aftermath of Celtic’s midweek European assignment, which if they win will guarantee them some form of continental football until Christmas [Daily Mail].

The 23-year-old is rated at around £20m by the Seagulls, whilst Postecoglou has previously stated his desire to sell players who are not interested in his vision. Crystal Palace are also rumoured to be interested in Edouard as their summer recruitment drive intensifies [Daily Mail].

The Verdict: Selling Edouard makes business sense for the Bhoys

To receive a prospective sum of £20m for the former Paris Saint-Germain striker would be excellent business by the Bhoys. With Edouard having told friends of his desire to leave Glasgow in this transfer window, cutting their losses may be the most agreeable move for both player and club at this moment in time.

The forward was in sparkling form in 2020/21, registering 28 goal contributions in 40 appearances with 22 goals and six assists [Transfermarkt]. Proving a constant menace in attack, Edouard also averaged 3.5 shots per game for the Hoops in the Premiership last term [WhoScored].

Once labelled ‘excellent’ by Celtic captain Callum McGregor [celticfc.com], the Celts should use the fee from the Frenchman’s prospective sale to bring in a replacement who would seem capable of instantly shouldering the goalscoring burden that Edouard would leave behind.

In other news, many Celtic fans react to an astonishing transfer rumour.