European giants now make contact to sign £8k-p/w Rangers ace Clement loves

Rangers have been dealt a blow as it has now emerged that a member of Europe’s elite have now made contact to sign a member of Philippe Clement’s squad as they look to bolster their own ranks in the coming months.

Rangers improving too late

Rangers have seen an upturn in form recently, but remain well off the pace in the hunt for the Scottish Premiership title. Though they beat Celtic 3-0 in the last meeting between the two sides, they remain 10 points behind Brendan Rodgers’ side, who also boast a game in hand on their rivals.

Rangers’ next five SPL fixtures

Ross County (Home)

Hearts (Away)

St Mirren (Home)

Kilmarnock (Away)

Motherwell (Home)

Well clear of anyone else and sitting in second place, it is threatening to be another trophyless season for Clement’s side. Meanwhile, a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in the Europa League has left Rangers’ chances of automatic qualification into the next round of the competition hanging by a thread.

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By
Ben Gray

Jan 28, 2025

Instead, they will need to get a result against Belgian side Union Saint Gilloise to ensure that they make it into a qualification spot for the knockout rounds despite having what many would deem a strong campaign in Europe’s secondary competition.

While the breakthrough of Hamza Igamane has been a joy for Rangers fans, it has otherwise been a tricky season to date and there are still reservations over whether Clement is the right man to take them forwards in the long term.

Rangers rocked by Chelsea's Jefte interest

Now, a fresh report has claimed that Chelsea are now plotting a potential summer move to sign exciting fullback Jefte, and have already contacted his representatives over a Stamford Bridge switch.

The Brazilian has been one of the club’s standout performances so far this season, impressing plenty at Ibrox since his arrival from Brazilian side Fluminense in the summer.

Jefte

Still just 21-years-old, he has caught the attention of clubs around Europe and as per the report, Chelsea “have made initial contact with Jefte’s representatives” as they look to find an understudy for Marc Cucurella in west London.

It is added that there is also “other interest from a handful of clubs on the continent” in what could turn into a scramble for the signature of the Rangers youngster, who is believed to have penned an £8,000 a week deal at Ibrox until 2028.

Clement is understandably a big fan of Jefte, dubbing him “very talented” months after his arrival at Ibrox, but that talent may well see him depart Scotland sooner than most Rangers fans would like.

He is not the only Rangers man in the spotlight either, with teammate Igamane attracting Premier League interest too in the form of Tottenham and Everton. With that in mind, it could prove challenging for Clement and co. to hold onto their star men this summer.

بيب جوارديولا يوجه رسالة للاعبيه: لن نسير على السجادة الحمراء

وجه بيب جوارديولا مدرب مانشستر سيتي بعض الرسائل للاعبيه بشأن الموسم الجديد، ويعتقد الإسباني أن فريقه جاهز للمرحلة القادمة بشكل جيد.

ويواجه فريق بيب جوارديولا فريق وولفرهامبتون في اللقاء الافتتاحي في البريميرليج ويسعى مانشستر سيتي لاستعادة لقب الدوري من ليفربول وإنهاء الموسم في صدارة البريميرليج للمرة الخامسة في ستة مواسم.

أقرأ أيضاً.. الركوع مرتين.. قرار مهم من لاعبي الدوري الإنجليزي قبل انطلاق الموسم

وكان مانشستر سيتي قد عزز صفوفه بالتعاقد مع لاعبين مثل تيجاني رايندرز وريان شرقي وريان آيت نوري مما يضيف عمق للفريق.

وسئل بيب جوارديولا عن أفكاره بشأن الموسم الجديد قبل لقاء وولفرهامبتون خلال تدريبات مانشستر سيتي المفتوحة في اكاديمية النادي:” كل موسم هو نفسه ولكن في الوقت نفسه هو مجرد استمرار لما فعلناه على مدار العقد الماضي”.

وأضاف: “بالطبع نريد أن نحاول تقديم أداء أفضل من الموسم الماضي وخاصة التركيز على الاستمرارية ولن نجد أمامنا السجادة الحمراء”.

وواصل: “كما تعلمون، في كل مرة نبدأ فيها الموسم لا نفكر في عدد الإنجازات التي سنحققها، بل نحاول أسبوع بعد أسبوع وشهر بعد شهر أن نكون أفضل ونطور أدائنا الكروي لأن البداية دائماً ما تكون صعبة”.

وتابع: “لكن إذا كنا في نفس الأجواء والروح التي بدأنا في خلقها في أمريكا خلال كأس العالم للأندية نأمل أن يكون جمهورنا فخور بنا”.

وحول غرفة الملابس في مانشستر سيتي أتم بيب تصريحاته: “الإيجابية موجودة، أنا متأكد تماماً من أنها ستكون جيدة لكنها لن تكون موسم سهل بل ستكون هناك دائماً مشاكل، المهم هو كيفية التغلب على هذه المواقف”.

وأكمل: “أود أن أقول إن هذا النادي نضج في آخر 15 أو 20 عاماً وهو الآن في صدارة كل بطولة نشارك فيها، فلنواصل ذلك والموسم القادم يعتمد على كيفية لعبنا وأدائنا”.

وختم: “في النهاية عندما يبذل الناس روح طيبة ويقاتلون ويركضون ويقدمون أفضل ما لديهم وبعد أن يكون الخصوم دائماً مشاركين، في بعض الأحيان يمكنك أن تفعل أفضل ما لديك ويكون الخصوم أفضل،الأمر يعتمد علينا وهذا ما علينا فعله، نتحدى أنفسنا وهذا هو هدفنا لهذا الموسم”.

Pré-convocados do Corinthians estão fora da Copa, mas crias são chamadas por Tite

MatériaMais Notícias

da dobrowin: Ainda que estivessem na lista de 55 nomes pré-convocados para a Copa do Mundo do Qatar pela Seleção Brasileira, o Corinthians não servirá o Brasil neste Mundial. Como já era esperado, o goleiro Cássio e o meia Renato Augusto estão fora dos 26 selecionados. No entanto, o Timão teve três crias na lista definitiva: o goleiro Weverton, o zagueiro Marquinhos e o atacante Gabriel Martinelli.

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da doce
+Seleção Brasileira convocada! Veja os escolhidos de Tite para a Copa do Mundo

Do trio, apenas Martinelli não se profissionalizou no clube alvinegro, mas passou pela base corintiana entre os 11 e 13 anos. Weverton e Marquinhos deixaram o clube de forma precoce e poderiam ter rendido muitos mais frutos para o time do Parque São Jorge.

WEVERTON

Atualmente defendendo o Palmeiras, arquirrival corintiano, o goleiro se profissionalizou no Corinthians, mas nunca teve chance na equipe principal. Chegou a ser relacionado para alguns jogos, mas não entrou em campo uma vez sequer. No período foi emprestado para Oeste e América de Natal e quando o seu contrato com o Timão terminou, no fim de 2009, ele não foi renovado, com o atleta saindo de graça do clube alvinegro.

De lá para cá, Weverton passou por Botafogo-SP, Portuguesa e Athletico-PR até chegar ao Palmeiras, em 2018. Antes, em 2016, quando ainda defendia o Furacão, foi convocado e titular da Amarelinha para a disputa dos Jogos Olímpicos, no Rio de Janeiro, que terminou com a conquista da medalha de ouro inédita do Brasil no futebol.

MARQUINHOS

Desde a sua formação ele já era tratado como uma jóia no Corinthians, tanto que foi promovido ao time principal logo após ser um dos protagonistas do clube alvinegro na conquista da Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, em 2012. Inclusive, esteve no elenco campeão da Libertadores pelo Timão, no mesmo ano.

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Antes da disputa do do Mundial de Clubes, no fim daquela temporada, o defensor foi negociado com o Roma, da Itália, inicialmente por empréstimo, o que rendeu aos corintianos algo em torno de 1,5 milhão de euros (R$ 3,7 mi, à época). Em caso de venda em definitivo, a equipe da capital italiana teria que pagar ao Corinthians mais 5 milhões de euros (R$ 12,4, à época).

+ Confira a tabela da Copa do Mundo e faça as suas simulações

Marquinhos ficou menos de um ano no Roma, foi comprado e depois negociado com o Paris Saint-Germain, da França, que pagou 35 milhões de euros (aproximadamente R$ 100 milhões, na época). Como o Timão tinha direito a 5% dos direitos do atleta, além dos 3% referentes ao mecanismo de solidariedade, colocou no bolso mais 3 milhões de euros (R$ 8,7 mi, à época) aproximadamente.

No total, o zagueiro que foi convocado para a sua segunda Copa do Mundo representou ao Corinthians, em valores financeiros, algo próximo a R$ 25 milhões.

ÉVERTON RIBEIRO

Hoje meia do Flamengo, o jogador iniciou a carreira no Corinthians como lateral-esquerdo, disputando, inclusive, a Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior de 2007 pelo Timão nesta posição. Foi promovido ao elenco profissional também como lateral, onde fez parte do time rebaixado para a segunda divisão naquele ano.

Éverton atuou com a camisa corintiana também no segundo semestre de 2008, quando foi emprestado ao São Caetano. No Azulão, virou meio-campista. Teve o seu empréstimo renovado com a equipe do ABC no ano seguinte e voltou ao Corinthians somente em 2011, quando foi dispensado pelo técnico Tite, que 11 anos mais tarde o convocou para a Copa do Mundo. Na época, o Coritiba se mostrou interessado em Éverton e pagou ao Timão R$ 1 milhão pelo atleta.

Depois do Coxa, o meia deslanchou. Em 2013 foi para o Cruzeiro, onde foi bicampeão brasileiro, em 2013 e 2014. Posteriormente passou pelos Emirados Árabes, onde defendeu o Alh Ahli por duas temporadas. Retornou ao Brasil em 2017, negociado com o Flamengo. Na equipe rubro-negra até hoje, Ribeiro já foi campeão da Libertadores duas vezes (2019 e 2022), além de ter conquistado três vezes o Carioca (2019, 2020 e 2021), duas vezes o Brasileirão (2019 e 2020), uma vez a Copa do Brasil (2022) e duas vezes a Supercopa do Brasil (2020 e 2021).

GABRIEL MARTINELLI

Ainda que tenha se profissionalizado no Ituano, o jogador passou pela base corintiana entre os 11 e 13 anos de idade. E já naquela época despertava atenção ao seu futuro. Com o manto alvinegro, foram 139 jogos pelas categorias de formação, com 73 gols marcados.

No entanto, a família de Martinelli precisou se mudar para Itu, e essa decisão fez com que o garoto se mudasse de cidade e, consequentemente, de time. Foi no Ituano que Gabriel apareceu para o futebol, em 2018, e no meio do ano seguinte foi negociado com o Arsenal, da Inglaterra, por cerca de R$ 30 milhões. O Timão conseguiu lucrar R$ 150 mil com essa venda, por conta do mecanismo de solidariedade.

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Khawaja fifty ends last ball before rain washes out play

Usman Khawaja’s half-century provided the highlight of a rain-affected second day in the Sheffield Shield clash between Queensland and New South Wales at Cricket Central in Sydney.Test opener Khawaja appeared immune to the form struggles plaguing those vying to partner him at the top for the Border-Gavaskar trophy, helping Queensland make headway in reply to NSW’s 239.Wet weather meant only one delivery was bowled across the final two sessions, with Queensland posting 96 for 2 by the time play was abandoned late on Saturday.Khawaja brought up his second first-class half-century for the summer with the second of his two sixes: a slog over long off from Tanveer Sangha.But his innings was not without controversy. NSW’s Ryan Hadley thought he’d caught Khawaja at fine leg from Sangha’s bowling about an hour into play, only for him to remain at the crease following consultation between the umpires. Khawaja, on 29 at the time, had earlier survived an lbw shout from Josh Hazlewood’s bowling.Hazlewood and Jack Edwards combined for six consecutive maiden overs to start the day before Matt Renshaw finally got Queensland running with a thick edge to the boundary.But out-of-favour Renshaw failed in his bid to reassert his Test credentials, trapped lbw by Sangha on 25 later in the first session.The wet conditions meant only one ball was bowled in a delayed second session but it could hardly have been a more crucial one for NSW.Khawaja edged Edwards to Ollie Davies in the slips as rain continued to fall, with the teams back in the pavilion before another delivery could be bowled.

RCB's Impact Player strategy allows du Plessis and Harshal to flourish

Both players were carrying injuries that might have ruled them out in normal circumstances

Matt Roller23-Apr-2023Abdul Basith walked to the middle at Bengaluru’s imposing Chinnaswamy Stadium needing to hit 10 runs off his first two balls in IPL cricket to clinch a victory for Rajasthan Royals against Royal Challengers Bangalore.He looked around briefly to scope out his boundary options, then limbered up as Harshal Patel ran in to bowl. He shaped to power him over the leg side, lining up the stands at deep midwicket, but was foxed by Harshal’s slower ball. The ball dribbled away for a single, and the game was RCB’s.Related

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How much impact has the Impact Player rule had on IPL 2023?

Maxwell and du Plessis set RCB up for tight victory

This was a moment that exposed the difference in utility that these two teams had extracted from the Impact Player rule, a rule which has fundamentally altered the nature of selection in T20 cricket. IPL games can – and often do – turn in a single ball; off the penultimate one of the game, RCB’s substitute got the better of Royals’ and clinched the points.Faf du Plessis is having a phenomenal IPL. Nearly halfway through the league stage, he is the Orange Cap holder, has scored five half-centuries in seven innings, and is striking at 165.30. Most top T20 batters are either destructive or dependable; this version of du Plessis falls into a rare category that are both.This stellar run of form has come at 38, an age where most cricketers are long retired and working in coaching or broadcasting. Remarkably, du Plessis has done it despite suffering a grade-one intercostal strain, which would have ruled him out of his team’s last two games in any other franchise league.But the Impact Player rule has enabled him to play despite his injury. Against Punjab Kings on Thursday, he made 84 off 56 as a specialist batter, before he was replaced at the innings break. Back in Bengaluru on Sunday afternoon, he set up a second consecutive win against Royals with 62 off 39 before again being replaced at the interval.Faf du Plessis has been carrying a grade-one intercostal strain•BCCIRCB have twice made late decisions over du Plessis’ participation as a fielder. He may be able to return to his role as captain – and boundary-rider – in their game against Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday, but for now he can console himself with the knowledge that he has made major contributions in games he would not otherwise have played.During their win over Kings, du Plessis admitted his inclusion “probably wouldn’t have been possible” but for the Impact rule. “I saw some of the boys were trying to do this new rule now where they bat and they don’t field, so I thought I’d try it out,” he joked to the host broadcaster.The injury has clearly caused him discomfort. Thirteen overs into Sunday’s game, at the second strategic time-out, du Plessis ran straight to the dugout after batting for over an hour in the afternoon sun; two balls later, he was run out, the first time in three IPL seasons he has been dismissed by that method.Harshal, his replacement on Sunday, provided further evidence of RCB maximising the new rule. He suffered an injury while fielding during their victory over Kings; like du Plessis, he might well have missed the game but for the Impact Player rule allowing him to feature in one innings only.He arrived at the Chinnaswamy with the little finger on his left hand heavily strapped, limiting his ability to grip the bat; he later suggested that he hopes it will heal “in a week or two”. As a result, he was used exclusively as a bowler, replacing du Plessis at the innings break and bowling his four overs in the run chase.After a slow start to the IPL, Harshal put in his best performance of the season, taking three vital wickets as Royals fell just short in their run chase: Yashasvi Jaiswal, mistiming a full toss to long-on; Sanju Samson, fencing an effort ball to short third; and R Ashwin, dragging a slower ball to deep midwicket after giving RCB a scare.The injured little finger in Harshal Patel’s left hand would have limited his ability to bat, if he had been required to do so•BCCI”The way we’ve been able to use Faf as a batter and myself as a bowler in this game has been really good for us,” Harshal said. “Both of us are carrying injuries which don’t allow us to execute one of our skills: for him, it’s fielding; for me, it’s batting. The Impact [Player] rule allows us to just go out and take care of our primary skills.”RCB were even able to find another loophole which they happily exploited. When Harshal briefly went off the field at the start of the fourth over, after fielding a ball at deep third, the fact that du Plessis was off the field enabled them to use an overseas player – Finn Allen – as a fielding substitute for two overs, since they otherwise only had three overseas players on the field.But while most teams have used the rule in a similar fashion to one another this season – effectively picking a 12-man team, and replacing a specialist batter with a specialist bowler – Royals have differed, as their captain Samson suggested at the toss. “We’re starting with the same XI [either way],” he said. “We might add, or we might not add.”Royals have generally selected the same balance regardless of whether they have batted or bowled first this year, featuring six batters and five frontline bowlers. They have often delayed a decision on their substitution until midway through the second innings; some calls have worked well – bringing on Adam Zampa at Chepauk, for example – but others have not.Sunday’s game appeared to expose the issues with their method. In limiting themselves to five bowling options, Royals did not have much flexibility with the ball, with no choice but to use Sandeep Sharma at the death despite his off-day. And in the absence of Riyan Parag, who did not travel to Bengaluru, they found themselves bringing in an IPL debutant at No. 8 – leaving Jason Holder unused with the bat for the fourth time in his six appearances this season.Royals’ results this season have been significantly better when batting first (played three, won three) than chasing (playing four, lost three), and perhaps their use of the Impact rule is a reason behind that. As the conclusion to Sunday’s game confirmed, the rule has suited some teams much better than others.

WBBL all you need to know: overseas stars, squads, new rules, players to watch

Adelaide Strikers are aiming for a hat-trick of titles but it looks a very even playing field among the squads

Tristan Lavalette26-Oct-2024When does it take place?The WBBL begins on Sunday with a triple header starting with back-to-back games at the Adelaide Oval. Reigning champions Adelaide Strikers, who are aiming for a hat-trick of titles, and Brisbane Heat square off in a repeat of last season’s classic final before Melbourne Renegades takes on Sydney Sixers. Perth Scorchers plays Melbourne Stars at the WACA in the later fixture.The regular season finishes on November 24 before a week of finals concludes with the decider on December 1.What is the tournament structure?This season’s WBBL has been reduced to 40 games plus finals to bring it in line with the BBL and fit within a burgeoning women’s cricket calendar. Each club will play 10 games – down from 14 last season – during the regular season.Related

Third umpire for every WBBL match, increase in DRS

Ten moments that have made the WBBL

Phoebe Litchfield named Sydney Thunder captain

The three-game finals format used since 2021 remains in place with the top four teams from the regular season to qualify.The team that finishes top after the regular season will host the final. The third and fourth placed teams will meet in the Knockout on November 27 with the winner to travel and face the team that finished second on the ladder two days later for a place in the final.The Knockout final will be hosted by the third-placed team in a tweak from previous years where the second-ranked team hosted both elimination games on consecutive days.How the overseas draft played outAdelaide Strikers: Laura Wolvaardt, Smriti Mandhana (pre-sign), Orla Prendergast
Brisbane Heat: Jemimah Rodrigues, Shikha Pandey, Nadine de Klerk (pre-sign)
Hobart Hurricanes: Danni Wyatt, Chloe Tryon, Lizelle Lee (pre-sign)
Melbourne Renegades: Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews (pre-sign), Alice Capsey
Melbourne Stars: Deepti Sharma, Marizanne Kapp (pre-sign), Yastika Bhatia
Perth Scorchers: Sophie Devine (pre-sign), Amy Jones, D Hemalatha
Sydney Sixers: Sophie Ecclestone, Amelia Kerr (pre-sign), Hollie Armitage
Sydney Thunder: Heather Knight, Shabnim Ismail, Chamari Athapaththu (pre-sign), Georgia AdamsWhat about their availability?There’s a bit of a crunch at the start and end. The India and New Zealand players will arrive late due to their ongoing ODI series then England, and some South Africa players, will miss the closing stages, including finals, due to their bilateral series.The squads*Subject to further updatesAdelaide Strikers: Jemma Barsby, Darcie Brown, Maggie Clark, Ellie Johnston, Katie Mack, Eleanor Larosa, Smriti Mandhana, Anesu Mushangwe, Tahlia McGrath, Bridget Patterson, Madeline Penna, Orla Prendergast, Megan Schutt, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Laura WolvaardtBrisbane Heat: Nadine de Klerk, Sianna Ginger, Lucy Hamilton, Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Jess Jonassen, Charli Knott, Shikha Pandey, Grace Parsons, Georgia Redmayne, Jemimah Rodrigues, Ruby Strange, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Mikayla WrigleyHobart Hurricanes: Suzie Bates, Kathryn Bryce (Associate Rookie), Nicola Carey, Zoe Cooke, Heather Graham, Ruth Johnston, Lizelle Lee, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Tabatha Saville, Amy Smith, Lauren Smith, Molly Strano, Rachel Trenaman, Chloe Tryon, Elyse Villani, Callie Wilson, Danni WyattMelbourne Renegades: Emma de Broughe, Alice Capsey, Sarah Coyte, Josie Dooley, Deandra Dottin, Nicole Faltum, Ella Hayward, Milly Illingworth, Hayley Matthews, Sophie Molineux, Tara Norris (Associate Rookie), Georgia Prestwidge, Naomi Stalenberg, Linsey Smith, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham, Courtney WebbMelbourne Stars: Yastika Bhatia, Sophie Day, Tess Flintoff, Kim Garth, Maisy Gibson, Hasrat Gill, Liv Henry, Marizanne Kapp, Meg Lanning, Rhys McKenna, Sasha Moloney, Sophie Reid, Deepti Sharma, Annabel SutherlandPerth Scorchers: Sophie Devine, Chloe Ainsworth, Stella Campbell, Maddy Darke, Hemalatha Dayalan, Amy Edgar, Mikayla Hinkley, Ebony Hoskin, Amy Jones, Alana King, Carly Leeson, Lilly Mills, Beth Mooney, Chloe Piparo, Ni Made Putri Suwandewi (Associate Rookie)Sydney Sixers: Hollie Armitage, Caoimhe Bray, Maitlan Brown, Sarah Bryce (Associate Rookie), Erin Burns, Mathilda Carmichael, Lauren Cheatle, Sophie Ecclestone, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Amelia Kerr, Isabella Malgioglio, Kate Pelle, Ellyse Perry, Kate Peterson, Courtney Sippel, Elsa Hunter (local replacement), Frankie Nicklin (local replacement)Sydney Thunder: Georgia Adams, Chamari Athapaththu, Sam Bates, Ella Briscoe, Hannah Darlington, Sienna Eve, Saskia Horley, Shabnim Ismail, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Heather Knight, Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Claire Moore, Taneale Peschel, Georgia Voll, Tahlia WilsonThere from the start: a group of players launch the WBBL season•Getty ImagesIs there anything else new about the season?A third umpire will be available in every game for the first time, while there is an increase in matches with the full DRS. In all, 33 of the 43 matches will have DRS while for the 10 games without it the TV umpire will be able to rule on line decisions such as stumpings and run outs.There will also be an innings timer in operation for the tournament to mirror the BBL with 73 minutes available to be ready to bowl the first ball of the 20th over, otherwise a fielding penalty is implemented which requires one extra fielder inside the circle.Who are the players to watch?Phoebe Litchfield: Foreshadowing what may lie ahead in national colours, the 21-year-old has been named Sydney Thunder captain for the upcoming WBBL season. She will be the youngest full-time captain in WBBL history. It’s been a rapid rise for Litchfield, who made her Thunder debut aged 16 but went up a level last season making 309 runs at a strike-rate of 130.37. There was a feeling that her prodigious batting talents were wasted down the order at the T20 World Cup, where she was mostly used at No.6. But the left-handed Litchfield is the star of the future for Australian cricket – the country’s most dynamic and inventive batter. She’s primed for a major WBBL in her captaincy debut.Annabel Sutherland: Much like Litchfield, Sutherland probably should have batted higher up the order during the T20 World Cup. Also like Litchfield, she has been named captain of Melbourne Stars. There were eyebrows raised over Sutherland coming in at No.8 especially after her Player-of-the-Tournament display in the Hundred for Northern Superchargers, where she scored 212 runs at a strike rate of 137.66 batting in the top four. She should be utilised in a similar role for Melbourne Stars and will be a key with the ball having starred in the UAE. After their World Cup disappointment, Australia may transition and build their team around Sutherland’s brilliant allround skills.Amelia Kerr will be one of the World Cup stars on show•ICC via Getty ImagesAmelia Kerr: It’s been quite the whirlwind for Kerr. She was Player-of-the-World Cup after inspiring New Zealand to a drought-breaking title. Kerr also went viral in the aftermath after showcasing her talents with the guitar to lead her team’s emotional rendition of a Maori ballad. There won’t be much time for a breather with Kerr fronting up this season in new colours for Sydney Sixers having crossed over from Brisbane Heat. Powerhouse Sixers surprisingly missed finals last season, but the recruitment of Kerr might just lift them back to title contention.Deandra Dottin: Back in the WBBL, Dottin arrives in stupendous form after a brilliant T20 World Cup. Having reversed her international retirement, she led West Indies on a semi-final run after unfurling a succession of mighty blows. Dottin had an incredible strike-rate of 162.16 and smashed nine sixes in the tournament – no other batter had more than three. She was selected as a platinum pick for Melbourne Renegades, who are desperate for a spark having finished in bottom place last season. Having also bowled with fire during the World Cup, Dottin looms as the key for a Renegades revival.

2023 MLB American League MVP Future Odds: Tough to Bet Against Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani (+200) is the favorite to win AL MVP at SI Sportsbook.

Ohtani is the rightful favorite to take home his second MVP award in 2023. The league’s only two-way player pitched to a 2.33 ERA (sixth in MLB) with 15 wins (T-4th) while also smashing 34 home runs (T-8th) and batting .270 in 2022. That’s awfully hard to top. It took Aaron Judge (+500) 62 home runs and putting the Yankees on his back to make it to the postseason to edge out Ohtani in 2022. That scenario seems unlikely to repeat itself, and Ohtani looks like a good bet even at 2-to-1 odds. Quite simply: No one can do what he can do.

Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports

Ohtani’s teammate, Mike Trout, comes in with the third-best odds at +650. Trout still has the power, but he has a chronic back injury that will potentially cost him playing time. It would take the Angels making it to the postseason for Trout to have a real shot, but the three-time AL MVP should never be discounted.

Julio Rodriguez at +800 has the chance to take a step forward in 2023. Now on a long-term deal with the Mariners, the young outfielder who hit 25 home runs and stole 28 bases in 2023 will be looking to lead the Mariners to another postseason berth. Rodriguez set a record last season when he hit the most home runs by a rookie (32) in the Home Run Derby, and he’s only 22 years old.

Yordan Alvarez (+1100) is good value for a player that has all the skills of Aaron Judge – and he plays in a better lineup, so he should be more protected. He also could benefit this year from the ban on the shift alongside lefty teammate Kyle Tucker (+2000), who is in a contract year. Both young outfielders for Houston could be worth a flier.

Should the Texas Rangers make it to the postseason, Corey Seager (+3000) will likely be a big part of that. The team has certainly invested in success, adding starting pitcher Jacob deGrom this offseason season, and Seager is another player that could benefit greatly from the new bans on the shift.

There are plenty of fantastic players including Jose Ramirez (+1100), Jose Altuve (+5000) and Jose Abreu (+6600) that offer nice payouts, but the trick will be getting in front of the modern-day Babe Ruth, Shohei Ohtani.

Here are the current AL MVP odds at SI Sportsbook:

Shohei Ohtani +200
Aaron Judge +500
MIke Trout +650
Julio Rodriguez +800
Yordan Alvarez +1100
Jose Ramirez +1600
Kyle Tucker +2000
Byron Buxton +3000
Rafael Devers +3000
Corey Seager +3000
Adley Rutschman +3500
Carlos Correa +3500
Wander Franco +3500
Bo Bichette +4000
Alex Bregman +4000
Luis Robert +4000
Giancarlo Stanton +5000
Jose Altuve +5000
George Springer +5000
Marcus Semien +6600
Jose Abreu +6600

فيديو | متحديًا فريقه القديم.. مبابي يحتفل بهدف شقيقه في مرمى باريس سان جيرمان

سقط باريس سان جيرمان في فخ التعادل خارج ملعبه ضد ليل، في إطار منافسات الجولة السابعة من الدوري الفرنسي لكرة القدم.

وأحرز نونو مينديز هدف باريس سان جيرمان الأول ضد ليل في الدقيقة 66، ليتعادل إيثان مبابي لصالح ليل في الدقيقة 85 قبل نهاية أحداث الشوط الثاني والمباراة.

بهذه النتيجة، أصبح باريس سان جيرمان في المركز الأول بـ16 نقطة بفارق نقطة واحدة عن مارسيليا، صاحب المركز الثاني بـ15 نقطة.

ووفقًا لصحيفة “ليكيب” الفرنسية، فقد تواجد كيليان مبابي مهاجم ريال مدريد، في مدرجات ملعب بيير موروا مساء الأحد، لمشاهدة مباراة ليل وباريس سان جيرمان في الجولة السابعة من الدوري الفرنسي.

اقرأ أيضًا.. موندو ديبورتيفو توضح موقف مبابي وماستانتونو من المشاركة في التوقف الدولي

وقد احتفل كيليان مبابي بهدف شقيقه إيثان الذي دخل بديلاً وسجل في مرمى فريقه السابق، حيث بدت عليه ملامح السعادة الطاغية.

ومن المقرر أن ينضم كيليان مبابي لمعسكر منتخب فرنسا غدًا الإثنين، لكنه كان حريصًا على مشاهدة مباراة ليل وباريس سان جيرمان في اليوم التالي لفوز ريال مدريد ضد فياريال بثلاث أهداف لهدف واحد، حيث سجل هدفًا وصنع آخر لزميله البرازيلي فينيسيوس جونيور.

وتابع مبابي صاحب الـ26 عاماً المباراة مع والده ويلفريد ودخل شقيقه الأصغر إيثان صاحب الـ18 عامًا والذي يلعب مع ليل منذ عام 2024 منذ انتقاله من باريس سان جيرمان، وقد دخل بديلاً لماتيا فرنانديز باردو في الدقيقة 82.

وعادل إيثان مبابي النتيجة بتسديدة يسارية من على حافة منطقة الجزاء في الدقيقة 85، وسكنت شباك زميله السابق لوكاس شوفالييه، وقد احتفل كيليان بشكل كبير بهدف شقيقه الأصغر والذي يعد الهدف الثاني في الدوري الفرنسي بعد هدفه ضد تولوز يوم 14 سبتمبر.

Dwayne Bravo: '40 is the new 30'

‘Myth to say T20 cricket is for youngsters’

Nagraj Gollapudi27-Aug-20202:47

Dwayne Bravo: ‘Feels like I’m turning 27’

Dwayne Bravo believes “40 is the new 30”. Bravo, who became the first bowler to 500 wickets in T20 cricket this week, also stressed that it was a “myth” to believe T20 cricket was meant only for the youth, saying a player should be judged by performances and not age.”Yeah, 40 is the new 30,” Bravo told ESPNcricinfo this week. “Anyone who challenges or questions our age – I don’t think anyone of us, our performance has dipped or dropped because of our age. As a matter of fact, most of us even perform just as good or even better. Age is just a number. Don’t judge a player by his age, but judge him by his performance and his ability to continue to play.”Bravo, 36, is part of the band of senior players that have not only been part of teams that are serial title winners, but has also been among the most valuable players across both global tournaments as well as domestic T20 franchise leagues.The “us” he refers to above includes the likes of MS Dhoni (39), Chris Gayle (40), Shane Watson (39), Imran Tahir (41), Shoaib Malik (38) and Lasith Malinga who turns 38 on Friday. Along with Bravo all these men continue to be match-winners and magnets for young players to seek guidance.ALSO READ – Bravo @ 500: A T20 bowling phenomSome of these players might not turn up for every match, but they remain a potential threat for the opposition as Malinga proved in the 2019 IPL final, which Mumbai Indians won against Chennai Super Kings, the franchise that Bravo plays for. Incidentally, Bravo’s IPL team-mate Tahir, at 40, was the highest wicket-taker last season, winning the purple cap.”It’s a myth, yes,” Bravo said when asked if the widely held belief that T20 cricket is meant for youngsters was not correct. “You can’t beat experience. And the knowledge that we have for the game – I was the part of the every single T20 tournament around the world and I contribute to my team. Apart from being the leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket, along with [Kieron] Pollard, Andre Russell, myself – we also win most titles as well.”Dwayne Bravo is one of the most sought-after T20 players in the world•SBOTOPIn January, while playing in the Bangladesh Premier League, Gayle said he would like to play as long as possible and did not rule out turning up when he would be 45. That there is substance in Bravo’s comments was proven by 48-year old Mumbai legspinner Pravin Tambe who made headlines on Wednesday by becoming the first Indian to play in the CPL. Tambe is part of the Trinbago Knight Riders side, which also includes Bravo.Bravo will turn 37 this October. Last December, he had revoked his retirement to play T20Is for West Indies after the current team management, led by head coach Phil Simmons and Kieron Pollard asked him to mentor young bowlers. Pre-pandemic Bravo would have been optimistic about playing in the T20 World Cup, which was originally scheduled for October-November in Australia, but that tournament has now been postponed to the same window in 2021 in India.Bravo still remained hopeful and confident because of one reason. “I always pride myself on being fit, cricket-fit especially,” he said. “As people say, I am ageing well. I am turning 37 but it is like I am turning 27. I am still feeling good about myself and my body. Let’s see how the rest of the year pans out and hopefully 2021 is a better year worldwide for everybody and things can get back to normal and then [I will] take the decision.”After playing in the CPL, Bravo will travel to the UAE in September to join the Super Kings in IPL, which will be played between September 19 and November 10. Bravo has won the IPL twice with the Super Kings and remains one of their most important bowlers, especially in the middle and death overs.Bravo is also one of the only two bowlers to have won the purple cap twice in the IPL along with Bhuvnewshar Kumar who won it back-to-back in 2016 and 2017. Bravo had won it in 2013 and 2015. In 2014, when he missed major chunk of IPL due to injury, Super Kings’ captain Dhoni said Bravo’s absence hurt the balance of the team and eventually their title chances.More recently in the 2019 IPL, Bravo picked up 11 wickets in 12 matches at an economy rate of 8 01 and strike rate of 22. Asked if wining the Most Valuable Player award in IPL, a feat he has not achieved, was a desire, Bravo said he had different goals.”I am not interested [in] the Most Valuable Player [award] in the IPL. I am interested in being able to contribute to my team Chennai Super Kings’ success. Being as someone who bat at No. 7 and bowl near the death [and] back-end of the innings, it is hard to be the MVP. These are things I don’t set up myself to t be. I want to be a player that contributes with bat and ball and in the field for his team to win cricket games. I’ve been fortunate to be one of the two-time purple cap winner. And that’s good enough.”

Sisanda Magala is eating right, staying fit, dreaming big

The Cape Town Blitz fast bowler is keeping up with his food and exercise regimen during the lockdown while dreaming of an international debut

Firdose Moonda13-Apr-2020When fast bowler Sisanda Magala was included in South Africa’s ODI squad in January this year, the call-up was conditional on him passing the fitness test. He failed the test ahead of all three ODIs.Over the course of 12 white-ball internationals, six each against England and Australia, squad updates continued to include the caveat that Magala would only be capped if he met fitness requirements, and team sheets confirmed that he did not.Having such an intensely personal battle made public every few days would have affected most people. Not Magala.”Processes were discussed behind closed doors and I knew what I needed to do,” the 29-year-old said. “I saw it as having an opportunity to learn from guys.”The processes were part of a Cricket South Africa conditioning camp that Magala attended in January with three others with question marks over their fitness – Jon-Jon Smuts, Tabraiz Shamsi and Lungi Ngidi.Smuts, who lives with diabetes, was withdrawn from the T20 leg of South Africa’s tour to India in September for fitness reasons; Ngidi spent a month injured after hurting his hamstring in the Mzansi Super League (MSL); and Shamsi needed more intense training ahead of a season where he would replace Imran Tahir as the front-line limited-overs spinner.Shamsi described the camp as an “awareness exercise and not a boot camp”, but even so, the emphasis was clear: if the four wanted to play for South Africa, they had to shape up. They each had individual guidelines, and Magala’s zoomed in on his diet.”There was a big focus on food portions, on what and when to eat, and also on recovery and sleep. I’ve cut out a lot of sugar and processed carbs. Luckily I don’t have much of a sweet tooth. It’s more about acids, so things like Coke,” he said. “I eat a lot of veggies, some meat, like chicken or fish, and drink a lot of water. As simple as it sounds, that’s a big thing.”Even under ordinary circumstances, such a strict eating plan would be difficult to follow, but it’s tougher in these unusual times, where the Covid-19 pandemic has confined millions of people to their homes.Magala and the rest of South Africa are currently in the middle of a 21-day nationwide lockdown. Outdoor exercise is forbidden and Magala, who lives in Port Elizabeth, does not have a home gym like some of his team-mates, but he’s making do.

“I’ve cut out a lot of sugar and processed carbs. And I eat a lot of veggies, some meat, like chicken or fish, and drink a lot of water”

“I’ve got bar bells, and I do body weight exercises and shuttles in the yard,” he said. “It’s not easy, but I’ve got the right mindset. It’s all up to me. It’s my responsibility to stick to it.”My goals were set in January and I am weighing myself every week. I go through a few phases of running very well some days and then not so well on others, so I am working on the consistency. But I am almost there.”When he gets there, he wants to aim for the T20 World Cup, which he says has been on his mind since last year. It’s a lofty but entirely achieveable goal for Magala, who has been steadily making his name as a death-bowling specialist.”Three years ago Colin Ingram told me he wanted me to bowl death at the Warriors. He wanted me to have ownership of the pressure, so I watched a lot of videos of Charl Langeveldt and Alfonso Thomas and tried to mimic what they do. And I am very specific in my skills, so when I do a lot of practice and bowling on my own, I try to put myself under pressure.”It paid off. He took 14 wickets in the 2018-19 One-Day Cup and 13 in 2019-20.In the most recent MSL tournament, Magala finished sixth on the bowling charts, winning games for the Cape Town Blitz by defending 20 off the last over against Durban Heat and 21 against the Tshwane Spartans.Magala also started to take a somewhat philosophical approach to this role. “When you are bowling at the back end, you can either win or lose the match. It’s your strength against the batsman’s and you have to back yourself and have confidence in your skill. It is a great opportunity to win the game and a bitter pill to swallow if you lose. I’ve probably won more games than I have lost, but the ones I have lost have been a great learning opportunity.”Magala grew up in Uitenhage, a town in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, also home to fellow fast bowler Anrich Nortje, his Cape Town Blitz team-mate. The two went to two of the area’s best known schools, Nortje to Brandwag and Magala to Muir College, where he also played rugby. When, in Grade 10, he tore ligaments in his ankle while playing rugby, Magala decided to concentrate solely on cricket.At the MSL, Magala also played alongside Dale Steyn, with whom he has “developed a great relationship”. “Just being on the same field as Dale Steyn pumps me up,” Magala said. “He also offered great advice and always told me to be calm and clever.”Steyn was also among the first to celebrate Magala’s call-up on Twitter, and Magala hopes the senior bowler will soon be celebrating his international debut as well, although he won’t be taking any diet advice from Steyn, who is notorious for his love of burgers and Coca-Cola. “Definitely not,” Magala said. “But we talk about all the other things.”Things like maybe the T20 World Cup, which Steyn is available for, and where Magala could make his first big impact. “South Africa have a very good attack with lots of variety. Everyone is different and I think I could play a role there.”I’ve already seen the intensity of international cricket is higher and I am going to be ready.”

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