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ESPNcricinfo staff09-Jun-2019
Canterbury in the sunshine•Getty Images
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The January transfer window is officially open for business and Manchester United could use this month to bolster their squad after a worrying start to the campaign.
They have already lost nine of their opening 20 Premier League matches and have been knocked out of Europe after they finished bottom of their Champions League group.
It was recently reported by AS that United and Liverpool are both interested in a possible swoop to sign Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich.
His contract with the German giants is due to expire at the end of next season and the uncertainty around his future in Bavaria has led to interest from a host of European clubs.
Erik ten Hag must now push to complete a deal for Kimmich, whether that is this month or in the summer, as he would be a big upgrade on current number six Sofyan Amrabat.
Amrabat's season in numbers
United signed the Morocco international on loan from Serie A side Fiorentina during the summer transfer window and he has failed to hit the ground running in England.
The 27-year-old enforcer has made ten Premier League appearances for the Red Devils so far this term and averaged 2.5 tackles and interceptions combined and four ball recoveries per match.
He has not contributed with a single goal or assist and is currently averaging 0.4 key passes per match for his side, which shows that the midfielder does not produce much quality in possession to help United's attack.
However, Amrabat does rank within the top 13% of top-flight midfielders for progressive passes (7.34) per 90 and this means that he is not completely ineffective on the ball as the summer signing is able to break lines to find teammates further up the pitch.
The statistics that show why Kimmich would be an upgrade on Amrabat
Kimmich, however, is an exceptional progressive passer who can also provide more quality in the final third whilst also being a reliable defensive presence in front of the back four.
The £322k-per-week ace, who was once hailed as "phenomenal" by Jose Mourinho, has started 11 Bundesliga matches for Bayern so far this season.
23/24 Champions League
Joshua Kimmich (via Sofascore)
Appearances
Six
Sofascore rating
7.63
Big chances created
Five
Tackles per game
2.2
Interceptions per game
1.3
In that time, the 28-year-old star has made 2.8 tackles and interceptions combined and 6.3 ball recoveries per game to win possession back for his team.
He has also scored one goal, provided one assist, and made an eye-catching 2.7 key passes per game. These statistics show that Kimmich has the quality to make a greater impact than Amrabat with his quality in and out of possession – by winning the ball back more often and creating 2.3 more chances per game for his teammates.
The Bayern magician currently ranks within the top 3% of Bundesliga midfielders for progressive passes (10.51) per 90 this season, whilst he also ranks within the top 3% for shot-creating actions (5.78) per 90.
This shows that Kimmich can offer more than Amrabat defensively, offensively, and as a progressive passer from a number six position, which is why he would be a big upgrade on the Morocco international.
Frizzell County Championship Division One
TableNottinghamshire 376 for 9 dec & 319 for 8 dec beat Lancashire 219 and 243 by 233 runs at Trent Bridge
Scorecard
Nottinghamshire finished a depressing season on a positive note with a comprehensive win over runners-up Lancashire, a result which gives them the consolation of not finishing bottom. The morning was uneventful, the only wicket to fall that of Mark Chilton, caught by Chris Read off Stuart MacGill. After the break Paul Franks, who made his maiden championship century yesterday, took three wickets for no runs in six deliveries. He trapped Mal Loye leg-before for 28, bowled Iain Sutcliffe off his pads for 65, and then removed Carl Hooper first ball lbw with a yorker. Shortly after Franks bowled Stuart Law for 3. When MacGill dismissed Glen Chapple for 0, Lancashire had lost five wickets for 35 in nine overs. Kyle Hogg made a breezy 53 as the tail twitched, even if it didn’t quite wag, but Nottinghamshire wrapped up their victory over a weary Lancashire side shortly after tea.Frizzell County Championship Division Two
TableYorkshire 476 and 121 for 7 dec drew with Gloucestershire 344 and 93 for 5 at Headingley
Scorecard
The last issue of the season was settled at a damp Headingley when rain thwarted Yorkshire’s bid to bowl out Gloucestershire and in doing so pip them to the final Division Two promotion spot. Yorkshire resumed on 29 for 2 and set about the bowling immediately, sacrificing wickets to put runs on the board. Their declaration left Gloucestershire needing to make 254 to win in 81 overs, and they were struggling as they slipped from 63 for 2 to 92 for 5. But with 40 overs still to bowl, bad light and drizzle intervened and Gloucestershire secured promotion. “This is a great way for me to sign off and it is a fine achievement for the club,” said John Bracewell, the outgoing Gloucestershire coach. “We had hoped to get promotion last season but this puts us only one season behind our overall five-year plan to take the club forward.”Derbyshire 317 and 289 lost to Hampshire 580 and 28 for 0 by 10 wickets at Derby
Scorecard
Derbyshire’s miserable season ended in a defeat which confirmed that they finished bottom of the division. The damage was done after lunch when Hampshire’s James Tomlinson, a 21-year-old left-arm seamer, took 5 for 9 in 37 balls as Derbyshire collapsed from 260 for 5 to 289 all out. Dominic Cork, in his last innings for the county, cut a forlorn figure, batting with a runner because of a hamstring injury – he finished 1 not out. Derek Kenway and Jimmy Adams knocked offthe runs in 4.2 overs to inflict Derbyshire’s 11th championship defeat of the season. New coach David Houghton has his work cut out.Yesterday’s Championship review
Jose Mourinho has outlined what he requires from his next job in management, with the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss waiting on offers.
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MatériaMais Notícias
A noite de sábado será repleta de drama no Couto Pereira, onde Coritiba e Athletico entram em campo, a partir das 19h (Horário de Brasília), pela 29ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.
+ TABELA DE CLASSIFICAÇÃO DO CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO
Com apenas 21 pontos, o Coritiba não pode mais perder pontos. Para ficar na elite do futebol nacional, o Coxa precisa ter um desempenho impecável. A grande novidade para o jogo é o técnico Gustavo Morínigo.
Embalado por três vitórias consecutivas, o Athletico deu um grande salto na classificação e sonha com remotas chances de Libertadores. Além do ânimo para brigar pelo torneio continental, o Furacão espera afundar de vez o Coxa na classificação.
FICHA TÉCNICA
Data e horário: 09/01/2021, às 19h
Local: Couto Pereira, em Curitiba (PR)
Árbitro: Ricardo Marques Ribeiro (MG)
Assistentes: Guilherme Dias Camilo (MG) e Marcos Vinicius Gomes (MG)
VAR: Wagner Rewey (PB)
Onde ver: TNT e Premiere
Coritiba (Gustavo Morínigo)
Wilson, Maílton, Rhodolfo, Sabino e Jonathan; Hugo Moura, Nathan Silva e Matheus Bueno; Rafinha (Ricardo Oliveira), Robson e Neilton.
Desfalques: Matheus Galdezani (lesionado), Matheus Sales (lesionado) e Mattheus Oliveira (lesionado).
Athletico (Paulo Autuori)
Santos; Jonathan, Pedro Henrique, Thiago Heleno e Abner; Richard, Christian, Léo Cittadini e Fernando Canesin (Reinaldo); Carlos Eduardo e Bissoli (Walter).
Desfalques: Renato Kayzer (Suspenso) e Nikão (Suspenso).
RelacionadasCoritibaApesar da lanterna do BR-20, Gustavo Morinígo vê qualidade no CoritibaCoritiba08/01/2021Athletico ParanaensePaulo Autuori não terá dois jogadores para encarar o CoritibaAthletico Paranaense08/01/2021VaivémSon estaria na mira do Real Madrid, Agüero é procurado por gigante francês… Veja o Dia do MercadoVaivém08/01/2021
MatériaMais Notícias
O lateral-esquerdo Sanchez não permanecerá no Figueirense. O contrato do atleta com o clube se encerrou no dia 30 de dezembro e ambas as partes não chegaram a um acordo financeiro. Após se recuperar 100% de lesão e estar à disposição de Jorginho, o atleta teve sua inscrição retirada da Série B no início de dezembro por parte do clube.
+TABELA DE CLASSIFICAÇÃO DA SÉRIE B
‘Até então não terá renovação mesmo e isso que aconteceu influenciou muito em uma extensão ou não. Mesmo que eu não tivesse acertado a questão da renovação antes de tirar a inscrição, depois que tirou ficou algo ainda mais distante de acontecer. Só distanciou. Mas fico feliz que consegui jogar no tempo que estive lá e agradar ao pessoal e à torcida’, disse o atleta.
Sanchez realizou 17 partidas em 2020 com a camisa do Figueirense, sendo 16 como titular. O atleta afirma que fica agora na torcida pelo clube e pelos companheiros na Série B.
‘Para mim ter entrado e ter saído pela porta da frente do Figueira já é um ótimo sinal por que é um grande clube em que todo mundo quer jogar. Fico feliz de ter participado do elenco de 2020. Agora fico na torcida pelos meus companheiros para que possam seguir na batalha em que estávamos na Série B’, finalizou o lateral-esquerdo.
+Quem vem por aí: as 27 promessas que podem aparecer nos clubes brasileiros
Após o caso, Sanchez voltou para sua sua cidade natal, Fortaleza-CE, para passar as festas de fim de ano com a família. O lateral-esquerdo de 25 anos segue realizando treinamentos particulares com preparadores físicos para manter o condicionamento visando a temporada 2021.
RelacionadasChapecoenseChapecoense anuncia mudanças nas categorias de baseChapecoense06/01/2021AvaíGlédson confia no acesso do Avaí na Série BAvaí06/01/2021FortalezaEntre Covid-19 e lesionados, Fortaleza acumula 12 desfalques para enfrentar o SportFortaleza06/01/2021
Newcastle United have had a strong start to the 2023/24 season, currently sitting sixth in the Premier League table and are still fighting for qualification out of the group stage in the UEFA Champions League despite losing last week to German outfit Borussia Dortmund.
However, the Magpies suffered a crushing blow during the 1-0 loss to Dortmund in Europe a week ago as star striker Alexander Isak was taken off early into proceedings and is expected to miss the next few weeks with a groin injury.
Callum Wilson is now Eddie Howe's only fit striker, with some big games on the horizon, but there is one man set to return to action soon after a lengthy absence that many Newcastle fans may have loved to see take Isak's place in the team.
Ivan Toney set to return
Ivan Toney's career kickstarted in League Two with Northampton Town eleven years ago this month. The 6 foot 1 striker bagged 11 goals in 60 appearances for the Cobblers before Newcastle came calling.
Although Toney recently revealed that a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers collapsed as the club discovered scoliosis in his back, the Magpies capitalised on the situation, signing the frontman for a reported £250k in 2015.
Unfortunately, Toney made merely four appearances for Newcastle and was sold three years later to Peterborough United in League One for £650k. Eventually, the striker's impressive goalscoring form for Posh earned him a transfer to Brentford who were pushing for their first-ever promotion to the Premier League under Thomas Frank. The London club gave Peterborough £10m to secure his services.
At Brentford, Toney has gone from strength to strength, becoming the club's all-time top goalscorer with 68 goals and even being labelled as "remarkable" by head coach Frank. The 27-year-old was handed an eight-month ban back in May for breaching the FA's betting rules, although he is set to return to action this coming January.
The two clubs play each other once more on the final day of the Premier League season and Toney will certainly want to make his former club regret selling him, especially now that he is worth 47 times what Newcastle sold him for five years ago.
Toney's stats comparison
Last season, Toney scored more goals than both Newcastle strikers Isak and Wilson, bagging 20 and registering four assists in 33 Premier League appearances. In 31 games, Wilson scored 18 times while Isak finished with 11 goals in his debut campaign in the top flight from 24 matches. However, Wilson's goals per 90 record of 0.86 was far better than Isak's 0.59 and Toney's 0.61, according to FBref.
That being said, Toney was more prolific when it came to scoring chances that arose as the England international was having fewer opportunities per game than the duo up north. The Brentford talisman averaged 2.65 shots per 90. Newcastle's Swedish sensation boasted 2.8 shots per 90 while Wilson averaged the highest number of shots per 90 with 3.35.
The main reason for this was because Brentford had the fifth-lowest share of possession in the Premier League last term with 43.8% compared to the Magpies holding the seventh-highest with 52.3%.
In addition, Toney's xG per 90 average during the 2022/23 league campaign was 0.57 while Wilson maintained a 0.84 xG per 90 rate. The former scored more goals despite having fewer quality opportunities.
There is no doubt that Isak and Wilson are fine frontmen and have served Newcastle well during their respective stints at St. James' Park. However, the stats show that Toney would outperform the double-act if he still played for Newcastle, a sale that may still haunt the previous ownership.
Sri Lanka pulled the series scoreline to 3-2 with a 178-run win in the fifth and final ODI
The Report by Firdose Moonda12-Aug-2018Akila Dananjaya lets out a roar•Associated Press
A dominant all-round performance from Sri Lanka took them to a second consolation win in the series against a South African side whose depth proved shallower than comfortable. Angelo Mathews’ run-a-ball 97 propelled Sri Lanka to 299 on a slow surface before Akila Dananjaya’s career-best figures of 6 for 29 had South Africa’s line-up in a spin, again. They were dismissed inside 25 overs for their lowest total in, and against, Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka’s innings had its foundation rooted in four fifty partnerships and its fireworks in the last ten overs. Mathews, with help from Thisara Perera and Dasun Shanaka, ensured Sri Lanka plundered 93 runs between overs 40 and 50 to ask South Africa to pull off the highest successful chase at the Premadasa Stadium and they did not even get close. Quinton de Kock’s second half-century of the series saved some blushes but no other batsman made more than 20.At the other end, South Africa’s bowling effort was an unusual mix of attack and leak with Keshav Maharaj their standout performer. Maharaj put in the most economical performance of his short ODI career as he found turn and proved difficult to get away. Kagiso Rabada, brought into the XI in place of the leading wicket-taker in the series Lungi Ngidi, was the best of the quicks while Junior Dala, Wiaan Mulder and Andile Phehlukwayo shared five wickets between them. Their inexperience, however, reflected in their inconsistency.Rabada and Dala started with five boundary-free overs to put early pressure on the hosts. As though to make up for lost opportunity, Niroshan Dickwella took three fours off Dala’s third over as he lost his lengths. Dala did have something to celebrate in his second ODI. He claimed his maiden wicket in the format when he held his length back and Upul Tharanga edged to de Kock. The short ball also brought Mulder a wicket, when Kusal Perera slashed at one and sent a catch to cover.Still, the wickets did not slow the runs and Sri Lanka’s 100 was scored in 99 balls. It was up to Maharaj to pull things back and he did. He was introduced in the 18th over and treated with respect from Mathews, who knew runs would come at the other end. Mathews drove a Phehlukwayo slower ball through mid-on, a Rabada length ball through mid-off and another in the ‘v,’ to establish his authority.Maharaj was rewarded for his persistence when he drew Kusal Mendis forward to play away from his body and found the edge. The fall of that wicket sent Mathews into a shell and another five boundary-free overs were bowled. Sri Lanka scored 48 runs in the 11 overs between 26 and 37 while Maharaj bowled out, conceding his only boundary when Dhananjaya de Silva pulled a long-hop over midwicket. But once Maharaj completed his quota, Sri Lanka could free their arms.De Silva was too hasty and tried to smack a Mulder slower ball down the ground, and gave Reeza Hendricks at mid-off a high catch but Mathews finished the over by flat-batting Mulder for four to make it clear who was controlling the proceedings.At the end of the 40th over, Mathews brought up his fifty with a single off 66 balls. His next 47 runs came in 31 balls and included delights such as a sweep for six off Duminy, a cut off Phehlukwayo, and an array of pull shots as the young quicks over-relied on the short ball. Thisara Perera didn’t really get going and sliced a cut to Hashim Amla at backward point but Dasun Shanaka’s 15-ball 21 came in handy. Shanaka was dismissed in the final over, when Mathews needed six runs for a century but only managed three singles, finishing three runs short of a first hundred in Sri Lanka and against South Africa. He won’t mind too much because his bowlers skittled out the opposition in half the time they had at their disposal.South Africa’s chase started on the back foot when Amla was bowled for a duck. A beauty from Suranga Lakmal pitched on middle and seamed away to remove the off-stump bail.Aiden Markram, who was included after missing the last two matches, looked determined to better his record on this tour. He took three successive boundaries off Lakmal before failing to read an Akila googly and popping up a simple return catch. Hendricks was bowled the next ball, by another googly. In the next over, Heinrich Klaasen, too, didn’t pick the Akila wrong’un and was struck below the knee roll in front of middle, leaving South Africa 39 for 4.De Kock and JP Duminy’s partnership was South Africa’s best chance of staying in the game, and they put on 46 together before Duminy danced down to a de Silva length ball and only got a leading edge to offer a return catch. De Kock brought up 50 off 53 balls in the same over but would have known it was only a matter of time.Mulder was out lbw to Lahiru Kumara and, in the next over, de Kock was bowled by an Akila ball that turned past his outside edge. Akila’s fifth came with a stroke of mastery. He pushed Phehlukwayo back with a quicker one and then drew him forward with a slower one and took the edge. His sixth was Maharaj, who threw his bat at a legbreak and was caught at mid-off which allowed Akila to leapfrog Lungi Ngidi as the leading wicket-taker in the series.The 3-2 series scoreline will suggest it was a tight contest. It wasn’t. The result of this match is a more accurate reflection of the tour as a whole. It was one-sided but for the fourth ODI and only showed both sides there is plenty to be done before the 2019 World Cup.
كشف جوهر العذار، المتحدث الرسمي لنادي الصفاقسي التونسي، حقيقة التفاوض مع النادي الأهلي، لضم اللاعب التونسي محمد الضاوي كريستو في الفترة الحالية.
وكان محمد الضاوي كريستو انضم إلى صفوف الأهلي في انتقالات يناير 2023، قادمًا من فريق النجم الساحلي التونسي، بعقد مدته 4 سنوات ونصف.
وقال العذار خلال تصريحات عبر قناة “mbc مصر 2” في برنامج “الكورة مع فايق”: “يوجد اهتمام من نادي الصفاقسي بـ محمد الضاوي كريستو لاعب الأهلي، وتمت اتصالات لكن الأمور لم تتطور أكثر من ذلك، لم نصل لاتفاق أو إبرام عقود”.
طالع | رئيس الرجاء لـ “بطولات”: اتفقنا مع الأهلي وننتظر وصول كريستو إلى المغرب
وواصل: “لا يوجد اتصال سوى باللاعب فقط، لكن توجد خطوات قانونية معروفة، اللاعب اهتمامه شيء ولكنه هو على ذمة الأهلي هذا شيء آخر”.
وأكمل: “لا بد أن يتم الأمر بشكل رسمي، ونحن مازلنا في اتصالات مع اللاعب أولًا”.
There will be those pondering just where it all went wrong for Leeds United, with the Yorkshire giants now plying their trade in the Championship once again following a relatively brief return to life in the top tier.
It was not too long ago that the Whites appeared to be flying under the guidance of enigmatic coach, Marcelo Bielsa, with the Argentine maverick having guided the club to promotion at the second attempt in 2019/20 – ending a 16-year wait for Premier League football.
Not content with merely scrapping for survival in the following campaign, the current Uruguay boss then led his eye-catching, attack-minded side to a respectable ninth-place finish, with the club at the time having been harbouring future ambitions of potentially challenging for European qualification.
Such lofty dreams now appear a long way off following the turbulence that has followed over the past two years or so, with Bielsa having subsequently been shown the door in February 2022 following a dismal run of form.
With Jesse Marsch going on to steer the Elland Road outfit to safety on the final day of the season, there were to be further high-profile departures that summer, with Raphinha joining Barcelona on a £55m deal, while academy graduate Kalvin Phillips moved on to Manchester City for a reported fee of £45m.
The loss of those two first-team stars was undoubtedly a "huge blow" – as per pundit Kevin Campbell – with Phillips, in particular, having cemented himself as a crucial figure at the club after rising up through the youth ranks.
How good was Kalvin Phillips at Leeds?
Having been handed his first-team debut back in 2015, the midfield maestro went on to emerge as something of a local hero over the next seven years, racking up 234 appearances in all competitions, while scoring 13 goals and registering 14 assists.
GK
Marco Silvestri
RB
Scott Wootton
CB
Sol Bamba
CB
Liam Cooper
LB
Gaetano Berardi
CDM
Luke Murphy
RM
Sam Byram
CM
Alex Mowatt
CM
Kalvin Phillips
LM
Charlie Taylor
ST
Mirco Antenucci
A crucial cog in Bielsa's promotion-winning machine, Phillips was the man holding things together in his deep-lying midfield berth, with ex-England boss Steve McLaren hailing him as a "screener" and a "destroyer", such was his effective presence in front of the back four.
Not just adept at winning back possession for his side, the Yorkshireman also possessed that gift for being able to dictate the tempo and pick out his teammates with ease, having been lauded for his "fantastic range of passing" by former Whites boss, Neil Redfearn.
Such quality was also on show for his country at the European Championship in 2021, with the 5 foot 10 ace starting all seven games in the Three Lions' surge to the final, even been dubbed the "best modern midfielder" by coaching legend, Fabio Capello.
To have been able to produce such a talent is a testament to the work done in the academy ranks at Elland Road, with Phillips having joined the likes of Alan Smith and James Milner in rising up from the youth set-up, before becoming first-team heroes.
Have Leeds replaced Kalvin Phillips?
With the 27-year-old now on the books at the Etihad – where he has played a peripheral role to date after starting just two Premier League games since the beginning of last season – the club have somewhat plugged the gap in his absence.
The signing of Tyler Adams last summer seemingly allowed Marsch to find a dream replacement as the American "stepped right into [Phillips'] shoes" – according to pundit Noel Whelan – albeit with the 24-year-old swiftly departing in the recent window after an injury-plagued end to last season.
In his place, £7m man Ethan Ampadu has enjoyed a promising start to life in his new surroundings, although while the Wales international has arguably already replaced Adams, attempting to emulate the legacy of Phillips is another matter entirely.
Current boss Daniel Farke has also handed a prominent role to 17-year-old Archie Gray of late – who has been dubbed "phenomenal" by club legend Jermaine Beckford – yet there may be another who could represent a more well-suited successor to the Man City man.
If Farke is to find a long-term heir to that man Phillips then he should perhaps look no further than academy sensation, Cian Coleman, with the 19-year-old seemingly having all the tools to follow in the footsteps of Bielsa's former lynchpin.
Who is Cian Coleman?
The teenage midfielder is an "exciting" and "talented" prospect who is catching the eye at youth level – as per analyst Mark Broomy – having already scored once in four Premier League 2 appearances this season from his defensive-minded berth.
The England-born, Republic of Ireland youth international had previously racked up five goals and ten assists in 52 outings for the club's U18 side, with such form warranting a first professional contract earlier this year.
Despite his relative youth, the emerging gem has been a player to watch out for over the last few years, having even been included in the Guardian's Next Gen list back in 2021, placing him alongside the 20 best young talents in the Premier League.
As journalist Louis Taylor wrote at the time, Coleman is 'extremely highly rated' by those at Elland Road and had even been given the chance to train with the first-team during Bielsa's time at the helm.
Even more interestingly, however, is the fact that the versatile asset was also noted as potentially being the "new Kalvin Phillips" – as relayed by Taylor – after also previously lining up for the U21's at the age of just 15.
A chance to impress in the senior ranks has yet to emerge for the promising dynamo, although on current evidence an opportunity under Farke may not be too far away, with pundit Ben Parker having praised the "big impact" that the teen had made last term, despite slotting in at right-back on occasion.
The hope will be that Leeds could have a future midfield pairing of the aforementioned Gray and Coleman, representing the strength of the club's remarkable academy production line.