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Chelsea have been heavily linked with a move for AS Roma forward Paulo Dybala this month, and Fabrizio Romano has now provided a new update on the situation.

Chelsea eyeing Dybala move

The Blues, Todd Boehly and Mauricio Pochettino are after a new striker as a top target this month and have been linked with a number of forwards.

Chelsea rumoured striker targets for January

Latest update

Claudio Echeverri

19th December

Santiago Gimenez

18th December

Dusan Vlahovic

10th January

Victor Osimhen

11th January

Viktor Gyokeres

12th December

Recently, it has been claimed that those at Stamford Bridge, alongside Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Newcastle, have made contact with the attacker’s agent ahead of a possible move. Noises from Italy suggested ‘that times are tense at AS Roma, because his €13m (£11.1m) release clause for foreign clubs will expire on January 15th’.

Chelsea will therefore have to act fast if they are to secure a possible bargain move for the Argentina international, however, it looks as if there is a transfer twist, with Romano sharing what he knows about Dybala’s immediate future.

Fabrizio Romano shares Dybala transfer latest

Talking to CaughtOffside in his Thursday Daily Briefing column, Romano said that despite rumours to Chelsea, he sees Dybala, who he called “top quality”, staying at Roma ahead of his release clause deadline, with “nothing happening as of now”.

“Despite rumours about Chelsea, I see Dybala staying at Roma as things stand. I have no updates, there’s nothing happening as of now and his release clause will expire in four days…so, it looks difficult and unlikely. I think Chelsea need a striker more than a top quality all-round attacking player like Dybala.”

Chelsea still have time to make a cut-price move for the 30-year-old, but as Romano claims, the Blues may be better off targeting more of a number nine instead of a versatile attacker like Dybala. The Roma man can play as a second striker, centre-forward, winger or attacking midfielder, so would provide plenty of versatility for Pochettino, whereas someone like Victor Osimhen could be a better option, albeit more expensive.

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The Napoli striker, who has a £100m release clause, is reportedly open to a move to Stamford Bridge and his entourage have had “positive” talks with Blues co-owner Behdad Eghbali.

An out-and-out striker, Osimhen enjoyed a career-best season in front of goal last year, and although over £90m more expensive than Dybala, Chelsea could be getting better value for money in the long run when it comes to the Nigeria international, who is still just 25 years of age.

A short-term deal for Dybala could still be one to watch, but by the looks of things following Romano’s latest claim, nothing is in the pipeline as of yet, leaving Chelsea unusually quiet in a transfer window at this moment in time.

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da cassino： Se depender do técnico Vagner Mancini, o Corinthians ainda estará forte na briga por vaga na Copa Libertadores. Apesar de admitir que as chances são remotas após a derrota por 1 a 0 para o Santos, na Vila Belmiro, nesta quarta-feira, o comandante garantiu que a equipe vai brigar por isso até o fim.

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da bet7： TABELA
> Veja classificação e simulador do Brasileirão clicando aqui

GALERIA
>Veja jogadores “sumidos” que seu time poderia tentar contratar para 2021

Em entrevista coletiva virtual após a partida, Mancini não jogou a toalha pela classificação corintiana e explicou o que será necessário fazer nos próximos jogos para chegar na 38ª rodada garantido na competição continental.

-Nós temos chances ainda, temos que fazer os seis pontos e torcer para Athletico e Santos não cheguem aos pontos desejáveis, dessa forma a gente chegaria obviamente a vaga, questão matemática – comentou o comandante corintiano, antes de completar:

– Assim como o Corinthians, o Santos e o Athletico-PR, têm jogos difíceis, e nessa fase todo mundo briga por alguma coisa, então é importante a gente manter o entusiasmo só pelo fato de você vestir essa camisa você tem obrigação de brigar por todos os pontos até o final da disputa- completou.

Embora cite as chances matemáticas como fator para acreditar na vaga, Mancini sabe que a possibilidade é bastante remota. Mesmo assim, ele garante que o elenco vai brigar pela classificação enquanto houver oportunidade e já projetou o duelo com o Vasco, que ainda luta contra o rebaixamento.

– Omais importante é que ainda temos chances, remotas, mas ainda temos, e a gente vai brigar muito por isso, todo time nessa situação no campeonato defende alguma coisa, o Vasco obviamente vai defender aquilo que lhe interessa, mas do lado de cá nós vamos em busca da vitória.

O Corinthians volta a campo no próximo domingo, às 16h, para enfrentar o Vasco, na Neo Química Arena, pela 37ª rodada do Brasileirão-2020. Atualmente, o Timão ocupa a 10ª posição na tabela, com 49 pontos, quatro atrás do Santos.

continua após a publicidade

Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham Hotspur have been very active in the first half of the January transfer window, and it seems they may not be done just yet. They kicked things off by signing Timo Werner on loan from RB Leipzig, with an option to buy for £15m, and then struck a £27m deal to sign centre-back Radu Dragusin from Genoa.

Having strengthened their backline and their attack, Spurs' focus is now seemingly switching to the middle of the park. It was recently reported that they were planning to "make an investment" in Wolves' Joao Gomes, "very soon", and there's now been a development on that front.

Tottenham feel the need to recruit another option in holding midfield, having lost Yves Bissouma (Mali) and Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal) to Africa Cup of Nations call-ups this month.

Spurs' Gomes bid now incoming

According to Gavea News, relayed by Sports Witness, Spurs are now preparing a "substantial" offer to sign Gomes. The 22-year-old has been attracting "significant interest" from North London, and Daniel Levy is now ready to step up the pursuit with a formal offer.

Significantly, it's said that Spurs look set to table a £30m proposal. Gomes' former club Flamengo are due 10% of the proceeds under the terms of his sale, so Gary O'Neil's side were always likely to drive a hard bargain, but the hope will be that an agreement can be reached fairly quickly.

"Pitbull" Gomes could give Postecoglou a headache

It's only been a year since Gomes arrived in English football, but he's clearly made a big impression on Spurs already. He would make 11 appearances in the second half of last season, seven from the start, and has now gone on to establish himself as a key player under Gary O'Neil this term with 17 starts from 20 league matches.

Gomes was nicknamed "all actioned packed midfielder" by scout Antonio Mango as a result of his aggressive style of play, and the numbers certainly bear that out. He's made the fourth-most tackles in the Premier League this year (57), and a whopping 10 of those came in a 4-1 win over Brentford in late December as he set a new season-high.

Every Premier League player at 2023 AFCON

Ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, which Premier League clubs could be affected most through missing players?

ByBrogan Clasper Jan 5, 2024

One criticism of Gomes may be that he takes things a little too far at times. He's already been booked 10 times during his time at Molineux, and he recently got himself sent off just nine minutes into an FA Cup third-round game at Brentford. The hope will be that this slight recklessness can be ironed out of his game as he gets older.

His promise is clear, but you could question whether signing him would be the wisest use of £30m. Yes, Spurs could be without Bissouma and Sarr until mid-February depending on their progress at AFCON, but when they return, Postecoglou will suddenly have a surplus of options all aged between 21 and 27 – a group that also includes Oliver Skipp, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – so that may create an issue in terms of ensuring each player gets enough minutes.

While things might not have ended as well as they could have, there are few figures more legendary in the history of The Arsenal than Arsène Wenger.

The Frenchman ushered in a period of immense success in the late 1990s and early 2000s that the club have not even come close to matching since.

However, with how things are going this season, that could soon be about to change.

Moreover, it would be fair to say that Mikel Arteta now has a star in his squad who’s undoubtedly the best player Arsenal have had since Wenger retired.

Arsenal's best players since Wenger retired

When looking at the best players signed by, or developed by, Arsenal since Wenger stepped away from management, there are more than a handful of names you could pick out.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

For example, for everything he did wrong, Unai Emery signed off on William Saliba’s move in the summer of 2019, and then just a year later, Arteta made his best defensive acquisition by bringing in Gabriel Magalhães from LOSC Lille.

Together, the centre-back pairing have been nothing short of exceptional over the last few years, and as things stand this season, have conceded just three goals in all competitions and should they win it, could go down as the best defensive partnership in Premier League history.

Moving into the middle of the park, and, in this conversation, it’s impossible to ignore club-record signing Declan Rice.

The former West Ham United captain made his way to the Emirates under a tremendous amount of pressure, but from his first game to today, he’s proven to be worth every penny.

From his ability to break up play, carry the ball from deep, score important goals and deliver the ball with pinpoint accuracy from set-pieces, he, without a shadow of a doubt, is a “world-class” midfielder.

Staying in midfield, and while he had a down season last year, and has had some terrible luck with injuries this term, Martin Odegaard deserves to be in this conversation.

The Norwegian international was made club captain in the summer of 2023, won back-to-back Player of the Season awards, and, at his best, can be utterly mesmerising to watch on the ball.

However, with all that said, when it comes to the club’s best player since Wenger left, there is one star who stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Arsenal's greatest player since Wenger retired

While fans will have their own favourite players, it would be hard to deny that, as things stand, Bukayo Saka is the best player Arsenal have had since Wenger retired.

The Hale End icon made his first team debut under Emery in a Europa League game away to Vorskla Poltava in November 2018, and then earned his first start at home against Qarabağ FK a month later.

However, it’s been under Arteta that the Englishman has transformed from a versatile utility player who often popped up at left-back, into one of the best right-wingers in world football.

Not only that, though, but the 24-year-old game-changer has become the club’s talisman and the face of its rejuvenation over the last few years.

It shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise then that, following his hamstring injury and surgery last season, the Gunners became far less potent in attack.

In his career to date, the North Londoners’ “legend in the making” as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has scored 74 goals and provided 72 assists in 274 first-team appearances, totalling 20713 minutes.

That comes out to a sensational average of a goal involvement every 1.87 games, or every 141.86 minutes, which is made all the more impressive by the fact he’s made 21 appearances at left-back.

As if his record at club level wasn’t enough, he has also won 46 senior caps for England, in which he’s scored 13 goals, provided nine assists and been named Player of the Year twice.

Ultimately, there is still much to come from Saka, but based on his already astounding record and the fact that he has become the club’s poster boy, it’s clear that he has been Arsenal’s best player since Wenger left the dugout.

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28 wins, 89 points – a record that would have seen Arsenal win the Premier League title in 15 previous seasons, as well as finish joint-top in a further five.

That is a reminder of the levels that Mikel Arteta's side reached in 2023/24, although that remarkable run will count for nothing if it is not built on next term, with quality recruitment needed to help bridge that minute gap with rampant champions, Manchester City.

Talk is already rife that the Gunners have their eyes fixed on a new centre-forward signing in the form of RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, although the Slovenian sensation may not be the only exciting, young attacker to arrive at the Emirates in the near future.

Arsenal in the race for Eredivisie star

According to Het Belang van Limburg – via Sport Witness – the north Londoners and rivals Liverpool are said to be among the clubs who have made an approach for PSV Eindhoven star, Johan Bakayoko, with German giants Bayern Munich also in the mix.

Having previously turned down the likes of Brentford and Burnley last year, the 21-year-old could finally be on his way to England if Arsenal get their way, with the Belgian having caught the eye since making his first-team debut in 2022.

As per the report, there have been claims that the wing wizard could be available for a fee of around €50m (£43m), representing a cheaper alternative to another reported Gunners target, in the form of Crystal Palace's £60m ace, Michael Olise.

How Bakayoko compares to Olise and Saka

The suggestion at present is that Arteta and co are keeping an eye on the in-demand Olise this summer, with the 22-year-old courting attention from a raft of top-flight clubs after contributing 16 goals and assists in just 19 games this season for the Eagles.

If the Emirates outfit do wish to consider a possible rival or alternative to the former Reading man, then they should look no further than Bakayoko, with the PSV dynamo also able to offer that creative, clinical spark from the right flank.

A left-footer like Olise, the youngster is a real "handful for defenders" – in the words of broadcaster Jack Collins – having bettered the Palace man's return with 12 goals and nine assists in the Eredivisie this season.

With 14 goals and 14 assists in all competitions in total, the wideman now boasts a haul of 40 goal involvements in just 85 games for his current side – remarkably similar to Olise's 41 goals and assists in 90 games at Selhurst Park.

A worthy option in place of Olise, the suggestion is that Bakayoko could also potentially even threaten Bukayo Saka's regular role on the right flank, with data analyst Ben Mattinson noting that he would represent "genuine competition for Saka" in that wide berth.

Also described as the right-winger with the "profile most similar" to the England international, in the words of Mattinson, Bakayoko compares favourably to Saka with regards to his ball retention, dribbling prowess and ability to beat a man – as indicated below.

Stat (per 90)

Saka

Bakayoko

Non-penalty goals

0.35

0.43

Assists

0.32

0.32

Shot-creating actions

5.52

5.20

Pass completion

75.7%

81.5%

Progressive passes

3.66

3.50

Progressive carries

4.85

7.11

Successful take-ons

1.46

3.29

Touches in attacking penalty area

7.86

6.35

Tackles

2.03

1.19

Interceptions

0.42

0.32

Of course, operating in the Premier League is a different kettle of fish to the Dutch top flight – as the likes of Antony have found out at Manchester United – yet it seemingly bodes well for the impact that the ten-cap Belgium international could make under Arteta.

With no real obvious competitor to Saka at present in the senior ranks, signing someone to keep the Hale End hero on his toes – and afford him the chance to be rested on occasion – could work a treat.

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CI chief welcomes ‘much-needed funding injection’ ahead of ‘uncertain 2021’ season

Matt Roller04-Nov-2020Cricket Ireland (CI) has been awarded a €1.5 million government grant as part of a rescue fund for Irish sport due to the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.Ireland’s entire home international summer was wiped out by the pandemic, with the men’s team only playing three ODIs in England since the lockdown in March and the women’s side yet to return to action.Warren Deutrom, CI’s chief executive, said that the “much-needed funding injection” was a recognition of the impact that Covid-19 has had on Irish cricket at all levels, from grassroots to international.”This funding goes some way to acknowledging the scale of loss of our growing commercial revenues as well as our commitment to compliance costs towards Covid preparedness for our 2020 season,” Deutrom said. “We are also reassured by the new funding package announced by the government in the recent budget, and we look forward to further support over coming months as we build towards a still uncertain 2021.”CI recently released its financial report for 2019, in which it reported only a small deficit of €9,797 despite the loss of $175,000 due to a cyber-crime incident, the loss of a broadcast partner immediately before the start of the home summer and disappointing attendance in the ODI against England.The financial report said that Ireland’s Test against England at Lord’s had attracted a higher TV audience than England home Tests against every opponent except India and Australia in the last decade, and revealed income of over €1m from the Euro T20 Slam – in which CI is a minority shareholder – despite the league’s failure to launch. It also served a reminder of the challenges faced by Ireland’s lack of a permanent home stadium, with a net loss of €2.2m from hosting home internationals in 2019. CI also reported an increase in revenue from ICC distributions, from €5m in 2018 to €6.1m in 2019.Ireland’s women are scheduled to play two 50-over matches and three T20Is against Scotland in Spain this month. Discussions are ongoing around the men’s team’s winter plans, with a multilateral T20 tournament in the UAE and involving Scotland understood to be on the table.

Old Trafford wore a soggy look at 10am on Friday. Overhead, it was grey. It wasn’t cold, but there was a light shower on.Fifteen minutes later, it was pouring. The pitch had been secured by the hover cover, while the rest of the square was covered by sheets. More sheets covered the outfield in front of the B and D stands. In one corner, in front of the B stand, there was also a mobile lighting rig, generally used to help grow and maintain a good grass cover when natural light is in short supply, typically for winter sports.These were ominous portents 48 hours before the contest that is being promoted as one that one that will bring India and Pakistan to a standstill. It might just too.Already, both teams have endured the frustration of missing out on a full game – and full points – because of the weather. For Pakistan, Sunday’s match will be their fifth. For India, it’s the fourth. Very middle of the tournament. Another washout can’t help.ALSO READ: World Cup – your guide to the soggy scenarioAs the shower in Manchester picked up in intensity, members of the groundstaff would likely have grown anxious, too. They had already walked up a few times to an area on the ground where the tournament sponsors’ logos need to embossed on the turf. This part, to the side of the pitch, outside the square, was exposed to the rain. The logo-painting can only happen once the turf dries.David Richardson takes a stroll around Old Trafford two days before the India v Pakistan game•Getty Images

But by 10.45am, the rain had receded. With every ticking minute, it became brighter. The Pakistan squad, which had arrived by then, went to the indoor training centre to practice. The Indians hadn’t left Nottingham yet. The groundstaff rolled their sleeves up and got to work.Incidentally, Old Trafford has not hosted a match since May 22, when Lancashire beat Worcestershire in a County Championship Division Two match. More recently, for the past week, it has rained every day, forcing the pitch to stay under covers for the most part. The sighter of the pitch showed no grass, although historical trend suggests swing bowlers could be in business.Taking World Cup Podcast: Making sense of the India v Pakistan rivalryOn to Sunday then, and the forecast is quite positive, at least till late afternoon when light showers are expected. Everyone, including the ICC and their outgoing chief executive David Richardson, who was at the ground, will have their fingers crossed on that.The World’s Greatest Cricket Celebration – that’s the legend emblazoned atop the Brian Statham End. With an unprecedented four washouts in the tournament so far, and travelling fans stressed about future games and refunds, the tournament organisers are likely to be a worried lot. The ICC has blamed the “extremely unseasonal weather” for their woes. They now desperately need Sunday to be dry enough to host a match, arguably the biggest of the competition.

Until Sydney Sixers’ dramatic collapse in the final group game this match looked to be heading to the SCG but now the Docklands pitch will be under the microscope again

Preview by Daniel Brettig14-Feb-2019

Big Picture

For much of Sunday afternoon it appeared that this match would be played at the SCG. That was until Glenn Maxwell detonated for Melbourne Stars, sending the Sixers hurtling from second down to third via a heavy defeat to break a run of four consecutive wins, and at the same time gifting a home semi-final to the Renegades, their first since 2013. The change of venue from Sydney to Melbourne caused some late switches in travel plans, while also delaying the digging up of the Docklands Stadium drop-in pitch ahead of the AFL season.But it remains to be seen whether playing at home helps the Renegades or hurts the Sixers, given that the two sides, each well stocked with spin and defensive pace bowling options, claimed sizeable victories on each other’s home turf this tournament. When the Sixers comfortably defended a paltry 132 at Docklands, questions about the venue’s tired pitch were as sharply directed as ever, before the Renegades turned the tide at the SCG by holding the Sixers to 115 and then sprinting past that tally in a mere 13 overs.Both sides are missing key players due to the vagaries of the international schedule, Tom Curran departing the Sixers and Mohammed Nabi absent for the Renegades. The Renegades captain Aaron Finch said that his men had taken note of the way that Maxwell dismantled the visitors on Sunday, principally by getting himself set and being primed at the finish to capitalise on errors in length that became more frequent from the Sixers the closer Maxwell got to the finish.

What happened in the group stage

December 29, Marvel Stadium:

Run to the finals

(last five matches, most recent first)Melbourne Renegades LWWWL
Sydney Sixers LWWWW

In the spotlight

For a bowler discarded by Queensland and then Tasmania, Cameron Boyce‘s leg breaks have been remarkably useful this tournament, aided by the slow nature of the Docklands pitch but also highly effective elsewhere. Having spoken about the fact he thinks he is in better position to bowl at a higher level than he was at the times he was earlier chosen for Australia, Boyce now has a major stage on which to demonstrate this. “Boycey’s been fantastic, he’s always had the ability to bowl really well and be a big spinner, of the ball, which as a legspinner is crucial,” his captain Aaron Finch said. “We’ve seen this wicket really suit him, but in saying that he’s bowled well everywhere he’s gone, his economy rate has been unbelievable for a legspinner, particularly an attacking one as well, so he’s been a real star for us this year.”Leading into this BBL, Steve O’Keefe had never claimed more than six wickets in a single tournament, nor played more than eight matches in one. He has blown away both elements of his T20 record this time around, nabbing 19 at 18.21 from 14 games while conceding just 6.65 per over despite often being used in the Powerplay. “Steve O’Keefe the season he’s had has been pretty outstanding, bowling some really tough overs in the Powerplay, it’s never easy,” Finch said of O’Keefe and his offsider Nathan Lyon. “So the way they both bowl, they complement each other really well, left-arm/right-arm, one looks to spin it a lot, one looks to not spin it a hell of a lot but still has the ability to. They’re going to be a real challenge on this wicket.”

Squads

Melbourne Renegades: Aaron Finch (capt), Cameron Boyce, Dan Christian, Tom Cooper, Harry Gurney, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Jon Holland, Cameron White, Kane Richardson, Chris Tremain, Jack WildermuthSydney Sixers: Sean Abbott, Justin Avendano, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mickey Edwards, Moises Henriques (capt), Dan Hughes, Nathan Lyon, Ben Manenti, Steve O’Keefe, Josh Philippe, Jordan Silk, James Vince

Stats and trivia

• Melbourne Renegades last hosted a semi-final in the second edition of the BBL in 2013, when they finished top of the table but failed to make the final
• Sydney Sixers won the inaugural BBL in 2012, but have been unable to regain the trophy in six further attempts since then

UAE’s players criticised inadequate ground facilities at the Southend Stadium in Karachi, after a brief spell of rain wiped out their chances of a semi-final spot

Umar Farooq10-Dec-2018UAE’s players, participating in the Emerging Teams Cup, have criticised ground facilities in Karachi, after a rain-enforced exit wiped out their hopes of a semi-final spot. The players took to Twitter to express their frustration after the abandoned match against Hong Kong on Sunday, but the tweets were later deleted and the team management refused to comment.UAE had restricted Hong Kong to 87 for 4 in 31 overs at the Southend Stadium in Karachi, before a spell of rain that lasted for about half an hour interrupted play. However, the venue had inadequate tarpaulin covers to protect the pitch, and water leaked on to the square. Despite several hours of using sponges, the groundstaff failed to dry the pitch. As a result, the match was abandoned, with both teams sharing a point. Officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board, in charge of international and domestic operations, were also present at the ground. The Southend Stadium in Karachi has hosted one Test, in 1993, but doesn’t currently hold first-class status and is largely used for recreational cricket, warm-up matches or women’s games.A win would have boosted UAE’s chances of a semi-final spot. As it turned out, however, Bangladesh beat Pakistan to leapfrog UAE and qualified for the semi-finals, along with the hosts. UAE had beaten Bangladesh by 97 runs before losing to Pakistan by nine wickets, in their earlier league matches.UAE captain Rohan Mustafa was direct in his criticism, tweeting “Might the organiser don’t know the pain of when you get out of the tournament like that .. i am really sorry to say but we are out because of poor facility at the ground”Left-arm spinner Ahmed Raza, who had bowled seven economical overs before play was called off wrote: “We @EmiratesCricket sat in the Sun for more than 4 hours waiting for the pitch to get dry because of the club level covers at the so called “Test” venue @therealPCB. 20 mins of rain ruined our chances of going through to the semi final #unfair #noreserveday #poorfacility”UAE middle-order batsman, Rameez Shahzad, who was born in Lahore, also wrote on Twitter: “Never mind the security but there are more reasons to why international cricket has overlooked this part of the world when it comes to international cricket .. @ICC @icc_assoicates such a shame honestly #embarassing the way @therealPCB have dealt with it.”UAE coach Dougie Brown described the day was frustrating.”It is incredibly frustrating and we are all pretty flat at the moment,” Brown told . “It was a flat wicket and we had bowled magnificently. We were in a fantastic position, then it rained heavily for half an hour. When they took the covers off, the water had leaked all over the square. It was incredibly disappointing.”To know the whole outcome of this, having played really good cricket to beat Bangladesh convincingly a few days ago, beating them by [nearly] 100 runs, and had chances against Pakistan, is frustrating. The most annoying thing is we spent the whole day watching the pitch drying in magnificent sunshine.”Pakistan hosted all Group B matches of the Emerging Players Cup, which featured the home side, Bangladesh, UAE and Hong Kong. The Group A matches – featuring India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Oman – are being played in Colombo, which will also host the semi-finals on December 13 and the final on December 15.

Liverpool target Roberto De Zerbi has revealed that he has no plans to sign a new contract at Brighton amid talk he could replace Jurgen Klopp.

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De Zerbi refuses to commit future to BrightonWants more clarity on the Seagulls projectTipped to take charge at AnfieldWHAT HAPPENED?

Amid speculation linking him to both Liverpool and Bayern Munich, De Zerbi's future at Brighton hangs in the balance, with talks with club owner Tony Bloom set to determine his next move. De Zerbi's impressive tenure at Brighton, which has seen the club qualify for European football for the first time, has attracted attention from top clubs across Europe, including Chelsea and Barcelona.

AdvertisementGOALWHAT DE ZERBI SAID

In response to questions about his future, De Zerbi emphasized the importance of aligning with the club's vision and targets.

"I have a different way to decide my future," he told Sky Sports. "I want to speak with my club, I have a contract but the problem is not the contract – the problem is to find the same plan, the same target, the same vision for the future. For me, I have not decided yet what is my future, because I have the contract, but anyway I want to speak with (owner) Tony (Bloom), my club, to understand their plan, to understand his plan, the Tony plan. Then we take the decision together, without problems.

"The future I want to keep my ambition, my motivation, I live for football 24 hours a day, I want to know what is the plan, what is the project, what is the future because if I don't feel comfortable, I don't feel the right motivation, I can't stay any longer."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

When De Zerbi was further pressed about whether he is considering signing an extension with the Seagulls, he replied: "At the moment, no. We didn't find the agreement. The contract is a part of the future. It's important for me, it's important for everyone but it's a small part, the big part is the plan. We have to speak with the club.

"My relationship with my players, my fans, I think it can't change depending on the future. What we did is history and we can't forget it."

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DID YOU KNOW?

It has been reported that Brighton could demand at least £12 million (€14m/$15m) from any potential suitor for De Zerbi as he has a contract with the club until 2026. It is worth noting that Brighton previously pocketed £21.5m (€25.1/$27.1m) in compensation from Chelsea for the transfer of former manager Graham Potter.