Tag Futebol

Former NZ skipper replaces Andrew McDonald, who has been confirmed as Australia head coach

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Apr-2022Daniel Vettori will take over as Birmingham Phoenix men’s head coach for the Hundred following Andrew McDonald’s appointment as Australia men’s head coach.Vettori was previously assistant coach at Phoenix, but acted as interim head coach for the inaugural edition of the Hundred in 2021 when McDonald remained with the Australian side as an assistant amid travel and scheduling issues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Phoenix finished as runners-up in the competition, losing to Southern Brave in the final.Vettori, the former New Zealand captain, has also held coaching roles with CPL side Barbados Royals, Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash, Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL and Middlesex in the Vitality Blast. He was Bangladesh spin-bowling coach from 2019-21.Related

• Daniel Vettori and Andre Borovec appointed Australia men's assistant coaches

• Cautious draft picks expose confusion at heart of men's Hundred

• Tim David's walk-on role inspires Hundred regulation change

• Andrew McDonald appointed as full-time Australia men's coach

• Five key challenges for Andrew McDonald as Australia's new head coach

“I absolutely loved my time working with the Birmingham Phoenix squad as head coach last summer, so taking on the role on a permanent basis was a very easy decision,” Vettori said. “We made great strides in the first season and all coaches and players loved seeing the tournament develop, and we had such great support every time that we took to the field at Edgbaston.”However, we want to go one better. It’s a tough competition, but we’ve retained well and recruited some excellent players through the draft. We look an even stronger outfit than in 2021 and hopefully we can continue to entertain the Birmingham Phoenix fans who get behind us.”Vettori recently worked with McDonald for the limited-overs leg of Australia’s tour of Pakistan, acting as a spin-bowling consultant while McDonald was interim head coach.Birmingham Phoenix general manager Craig Flindall said Vettori had developed a wealth of coaching experience in leading short-form tournaments around the world.”We were very much aware that Andrew would be an outstanding candidate for the Australia role and we are grateful to Dan for supporting our plans to make an immediate appointment,” Flindall said. “Whilst we’re sorry that Andrew won’t coach during the Hundred, he has played an integral role in developing the make-up of our squad over the last two years and in shaping our style of play. He has also been a pleasure to work with and everyone within the Birmingham Phoenix family wishes him the very best in his new role.”The Hundred men’s competition begins on August 3, with Southern Brave hosting Welsh Fire. Phoenix will start their campaign away to Trent Rockets three days later and play their first home fixture against Brave at Edgbaston on August 10.

Need some perspective after a jaw-unhinging day at Newlands?

Andy Zaltzman25-Feb-2013In the 2015 previous Test matches that have adorned the history of the universe, few, if any, passages of play can have matched the barking-mad cricketing melodrama that unfolded in the 2016th in Cape Town on Wednesday. On a lively but scarcely fire-breathing wicket, mayhem reigned as the moving ball and the DRS ran amok like a porcelain-loving bull in a well-stocked china shop.Australia, from a position of total dominance, lost, in quick succession: a few early wickets; their marbles; and control of the game. Haddin, in particular, seemed to be spooked by the scoreboard (which read an admittedly alarming 18 for 5), and forget the match situation, which was, effectively, 206 for 5. Philander and Morkel took full advantage, and the game was not so much turned on its head as flipped into an impromptu quadruple somersault, before staggering groggily to its feet, muttering: “Who am I and what am I doing here?”Australia had history and an immortal entry in the annals of sporting ineptitude within their grasp – at 21 for 9 after 11.4 overs, they were within one more inept waft of registering the lowest-ever completed Test innings (New Zealand’s 26 against England in 1954-55), and the shortest-ever completed Test innings (South Africa’s 12.3 overs at Edgbaston in 1924). Siddle and Lyon stapled a small fig leaf of dignity to Australia’s obvious embarrassment with a last-wicket stand of 26, and History mopped its brow and toddled off. But it did not leave empty-handed. Here then, is a multiple-choice quiz about the unforgettable day two of the Newlands Test. Each question has multiple answers. Do not attempt if you are (a) an Australian batsman, or (b) an Australian of nervous disposition.1. What did Nathan Lyon do on Thursday that no other human being has ever done?(a) He walked out to bat in a Test match with his team at 21 for 9. The previous worst score facing a No. 11 was 25 for 9, when Lyon’s baggy green predecessor Tom McKibbin marched to the wicket at The Oval in 1896 thinking, “Oh dear. This is a disappointing score. I bet no other Australian will ever come to the wicket with a worse score than this on the board.” He smote a defiant 16 before being caught, taking Australia’s score up to 44 all out, leaving Hugh Trumble chuntering into his moustache at the non-striker’s end that he had taken 12 for 89 in the match and still been on the wrong end of a shoeing.(b) He broke the 300-mph barrier on a unicycle. Unicycling has been introduced to the Australian training regime by their new coaches, as a means of improving balance and self-confidence. Lyon took a morning pedal up to the top of Table Mountain, lost his balance whilst looking for a yeti, and careered down to Newlands at breakneck speed.(c) He became the eighth No. 11 to top-score in a Test innings.(d) He walked on the moon.ANSWERS: (a) and (c). (b) has not been ratified by the World Unicycling Federation, as it took place outside of official competition.2. What do WG Grace and Philip Hughes have in common?(a) Both men are no longer as effective as Test Match batsmen as they once were.(b) Both have been played by Hollywood actor Val Kilmer in films.(c) They have each taken part in one of the only two Tests ever played in which 23 batsmen have been dismissed in single figures in the first three innings of the match – Hughes at Newlands this week, Grace in the Lord’s Test of 1888.(d) Both have featured prominently in German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s dreams in the past week.ANSWERS: (a), (c) and (d).3. What has Australia as a nation experienced three times in the last 16 months?(a) An infestation of pterodactyls.(b) It has watched in gaping-mouthed astonishment as its once-mighty cricket team has been bowled out for under 100, on three separate occasions – 88 all out against Pakistan in Leeds in July 2010, the Boxing Day MCG abomination against England (98 all out), and now 47 at Newlands. Three times in 12 Tests. They had posted a two-figure score just once in their previous 277 Tests over 25 years. They had not been skittled for under 100 three times in two years since 1887 and 1888 – when they had to regroup and take the positives after eight different sub-100 totals. In six matches. It is fair to say that Australian batsmanship improved thereafter.(c) A creeping sensation that Silvio Berlusconi’s behaviour might not be entirely prime ministerial.(d) It has seen its cricket team win a Test match – in their previous four series, they won three, drew three and lost six. The previous time they won three or fewer games in a run of 12 Tests was between December 1987 and June 1989. At which point, they ground England into a fine pulp, kick-starting a decade and a half of unremitting Ashes dominance. Is this all part of Cricket Australia’s masterplan?ANSWERS: (b) and (d).4. Why might Vernon Philander and Shane Watson have spent Thursday night discussing plans for a massive 30-foot-high commemorative bronze statue of themselves to be erected on the concourse at Newlands?(a) Because they had just overheard Peter Siddle and Morne Morkel discussing erecting a 29-foot-high commemorative bronze statue of themselves on the concourse in Centurion.(b) Because they had just become the first pair of bowlers from opposite sides to take five-wicket hauls for fewer than 20 runs in the same Test.(c) Because 18 wickets had fallen in 23 overs of Test cricket, and they had been the principal agents of batting doom – both took five wickets in 20 balls. Eighteen wickets tumbled for 68 in 138 balls. Think about that. Have you thought about that? What do you think about that? This included 16 for 44 in 115, as South Africa lost their last seven wickets for 23 (their lowest such total since their first Test after readmission in 1991-92), and Australia lost their first nine for 21 (unprecedented at least since before the dinosaurs were still at the crease). Holy smokes. The apocalypse is coming. No doubt. Look at the Eurozone. Then look at the scorecard from Newlands. Then look at Alastair Cook’s Test average over the last 12 months. There is no other conclusion to draw.(d) Because, during the tea interval, they discovered a method of converting the noise of lbw appeals into electricity, thus solving all the world’s energy problems, and rightly believe that their breakthrough should be recognised in artistic form.ANSWERS: (b) and (c)5. Before the Newlands Test, what had happened only twice since the First World War?(a) Another World War.(b) Both teams had been dismissed for under 100 in the same Test. It happened when India and New Zealand went head-to-head in a loser-loses-all collapse-off in Hamilton in 2002-03, and when South Africa and Australia span each other silly in Durban in 1949-50, and it has happened in Cape Town this week.(c) A member of the Bush family had won a US Presidential election.(d) Australia had lost a Test Match after taking a first-innings lead of 188 – their Newlands lead after skittling South Africa for 96. Those two occasions are quite highly regarded matches – Headingley 1981 and Kolkata 2000-01. If Australia lose this match, it will be the eighth highest first-innings lead to have resulted in defeat (excluding the Hansie Cronje’s Magic Jacket match in 1999-2000, when the middle two innings were forfeited and England technically won after conceding a 248-run lead).(e) A Test team had lost eight wickets for 10 runs or fewer. Australia collapsed like a narcoleptic house of cards on a bobsled going down the Spanish Steps in Rome as they subsided from 11 for 1 to 21 for 9. Only twice before had eight wickets fallen for as few runs in a Test, and both times New Zealand were the untriumphant team involved – when Saqlain and Sami carved them up in Auckland in 2000-01 (121 for 2 became 131 all out); and when, on the first day of post-war Test cricket, in Wellington in 1945-46, the Kiwis celebrated the return of peace by slumping from 37 for 2 to 42 all out. They followed this up by losing 6 for 6 during their second innings, and Australia, so appalled that such ineptitude should be allowed on a cricket pitch, did not play another Test against New Zealand for almost three decades. Will they be hoist by their own petard?ANSWERS: (b), (d) and (e). And (c). And (a). If you count the international dispute over the UDRS as a World War. Which you should not.Here endeth the quiz.What a day. I think cricket needs a cup of tea and a sit-down. For mercifully different reasons than it needed a cup of tea and a sit-down last week after the spot-fixing trial. The third day may provide yet more twists, and after the excellent Test matches in Zimbabwe and India, these crazy Cape Town capers have been a further reminder that cricket is generally far more enjoyable when it is being played and watched on the pitch rather than in a courtroom.

West Ham continue to dip into the market, with the striker position being a real position of interest this summer, as the Hammers look to address their goal-scoring woes from the number nine position, ahead of their 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

Jarrod Bowen was the first West Ham player to score 20+ goals in a season, in 19 years, despite being played out of position (as a striker) at times, due to a lack of centre-forward options. The last time a West Ham player hit 20+ in a season was 2004/05, when Teddy Sheringham and Marlon Harewood both achieved it.

Last season, West Ham's only out-and-out strikers were Michail Antonio and Danny Ings, who only managed eight in 62 appearances between them, totalling 2,798 minutes. Antonio scored seven of the eight goals, whilst Ings only managed one all season.

West Ham transfer news

According to some reports on social media, West Ham had been in talks with Chelsea over a potential loan deal for striker, Samu Omorodion. This could have come down to Chelsea landing long-term target, and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen.

With Osimhen reportedly demanding to leave, being left out of the Napoli Coppa Italia squad at the weekend, and Chelsea still battling hard for his signature, it looked as though it could have opened the door for West Ham to strike a loan deal for the 20-year-old.

However, with his proposed move to Chelsea now 100% off according to brand new reports in the last 12 hours, reporter Fabrizio Romano has claimed that there is a chance he could join another team in the coming days.

Could that side be West Ham? There's already reported interest there so, speculatively, they could chance their arm before the window is done.

Omorodion made 36 appearances in all competitions for Alaves (and Atlético) last season, scoring nine goals, providing one assist, and totalling 2,096 minutes played.

Omorodion vs Fullkrug comparison

The 20-year-old Omorodion and the 31-year-old Fullkrug are at different stages of their careers, the latter producing a better output season in 2023/24, scoring 16 goals and providing ten assists for Dortmund.

However, Omorodion, who is described as a "monster in the making" by scout Jacek Kulig, missed the most big chances in La Liga last season, missing nine. Whilst this could be seen as a bad thing, the fact the 20-year-old is getting into these positions at such a high frequency shows his striking instincts and movement is at a top level already.

Goals

0.39

0.40

Assists

0.04

0.25

xG

0.52

0.48

Progressive Carries

1.35

0.76

Shots

3.02

2.34

Shots on Target

1.16

0.93

Shot-Creating Actions

1.49

2.52

Touches (Att Pen)

5.05

4.46

Successful Take-Ons

0.99

0.18

Aerials Won

2.75

3.49

Both strikers are big target men, who rank highly for aerials won per 90, Omorodion averaging 2.75, whilst Fullkrug averages 3.49. However, the way they go about using their physicality is slightly different.

Omorodion will often look to post up on a defender, use his body to back into the man, and win aerial duels off the spot, whereas Omorodion, whilst he can also use this "back down" technique, will often use clever movement, to then attack the ball and use his unbelievable physicality to win his duels.

The new Chelsea signing offers that slight bit of extra box presence, with 5.05 penalty area touches per 90, and also has a higher shot volume than Fullkrug. This allows him to produce slightly more xG per 90 (0.52 to Fullkrug's 0.48), which could lead to a bag full of goals if his composure and finishing goes up a level.

West Ham enquire about “special” star who could make Fullkrug unplayable

West Ham looking at winger to unlock Niclas Fullkrug

ByConnor Holden Aug 8, 2024

Just 12 days away from transfer deadline day, Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly preparing an offer to sign a defensive reinforcement who would be their sixth signing of the summer.

Tottenham transfer news

It looked for some time as though Spurs' transfer window was going to be one focused on the future rather than welcoming the marquee signing that they arguably so desperately needed. Dominic Solanke's arrival has since ticked that box, however, with the Lilywhites finally getting their replacement for Harry Kane a year on from his departure to Bayern Munich.

The north London club have since followed that up with another attacking arrival too, signing Wilson Odobert from Burnley, who stood out despite suffering relegation with Burnley last season.

The winger expressed his delight over the move, telling the club's official media channels via Football London: "First and foremost Tottenham is a big club and it's hugely ambitious too. I think the club and myself share the same ambitions, we're pretty much on the same wavelength.

"I've got a decent amount of pace. I like to take people on in one-on-one situations and dribble, I like to get on the ball and have plenty of touches. I like to bring other in, to entertain and at the same time enjoy my football too. I really feel I'll be part of a great project here which enjoys fantastic support and a superb stadium."

Tottenham make approach for "exciting" forward alongside £25m Odobert

Spurs announced the latter’s signing in very sudden fashion on Friday.

ByEmilio Galantini Aug 17, 2024

Now, having strengthened in attack, the Lilywhites have reportedly turned their attention towards their backline. According to journalist Bruno Andrade, Spurs are preparing an offer to sign Vanderson worth €32m (£27m) plus add-ons, with talks ongoing between themselves and AS Monaco.

The right-back would likely arrive to replace Emerson Royal, who recently left for AC Milan, in a move that could also give Spurs fans a hint that Archie Gray will be seen as a midfielder rather than a right-back under Ange Postecoglou.

"Obscene" Vanderson can provide backup for Porro

There's no doubt that the right-back spot is Pedro Porro's to lose in North London, but those in north London saw just how big a drop-off in quality their side suffered whenever the Spaniard was unavailable. By signing Vanderson, that problem could be solved. The Brazilian, still just 23 years old, has impressed during his time at Monaco.

Assists

1

7

Key Passes P90

1.04

1.49

Tackles Won P90

2.25

1.84

Ball Recoveries P90

6.92

5.80

Minutes

1,641

3,089

Whilst Vanderson struggled to produce the same impressive output as Porro, he excelled off the ball when winning back possession, which is a vital trait for a potential Postecoglou player to have in abundance.

Praised for his "obscene pace" by U23 scout Antonio Mango, the Monaco right-back could yet be on his way to the Premier League in the final two weeks of the transfer window. Replacing Royal with the 23-year-old would certainly be solid business in North London, particularly if Spurs can land Vanderson for a reported £27m this summer.

The BCCI, meanwhile, has named KL Rahul vice-captain for the Test series

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Dec-20212:47

Pujara: ‘This is the best opportunity to win our first Test series in South Africa’

Cheteshwar Pujara feels this could be India’s chance to win their maiden Test series in South Africa. For that, he backed India’s fast bowlers to be the point of difference and pick up “20 wickets in every Test” on the tour.”Our fast bowlers have been the difference between the two sides whenever we have played abroad,” Pujara said. “If you look at the Australia series, even if you look at the England series, we have done exceptionally well as a bowling unit and I am sure that will be the case even in South Africa. Our fast bowlers are our strength and I hope that they will be able to utilise these conditions and give us 20 wickets in every Test match.”KL Rahul named India’s vice-captain

KL Rahul has been named India’s vice-captain for the Test series after Rohit Sharma was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Rohit had originally replaced Rahane for the post but is currently doing his rehab at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.

Another thing that could work in India’s favour is many of their squad members have recently played red-ball cricket. India hosted New Zealand for a two-match Test series in late November and early December, while Hanuma Vihari and back-up opener Priyank Panchal were part of India A’s shadow tour to South Africa. The hosts, though, last played a Test in June, against West Indies in Gros Islet. While Pujara didn’t dwell too much on that advantage, he said it was nice that the players were together recently.”The good thing is we played a couple of Test matches in India,” Pujara said. “So most of the guys are in touch, and when it comes to preparation, the support staff has been excellent. They have been supporting us well and we have five or six days more before we head into the first Test. I am sure there is enough time for us to prepare and guys are looking forward to this series. This is the best opportunity for us to win our first series in South Africa. So all of us are looking forward to it.”The series will be played in a biosecure environment. CSA had originally put together slightly relaxed bio-bubble plans but these have now been modified following the emergence of Omicron, the latest Covid-19 variant. Pujara said while staying in bio-bubbles puts certain restrictions on you, it also gets players to spend more time together.Related

India look to breach another fortress as they take on transitioning South Africa

KL Rahul hints India may stick to five-bowler strategy for Boxing Day Test

Just how formidable are South Africa at home, really?

India for Boxing Day Test: Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, neither or both?

CSA revises bio-bubble norms for India tour

“Sometimes I feel bio-bubble helps the team environment where you end up spending more time with the team players, you are in the team room, you are having more team dinners together, so overall I feel sometimes it helps the team environment but yes, there are some challenges as well. You are not allowed to go out, you cannot explore the country. So there are restrictions as well but at the same time you are getting to play some cricket and that’s the most important thing being a cricketer. We want to play some cricket and we are able to play cricket even in a biosecure bubble, so that helps.”This is India’s eighth Test tour to South Africa. The series will start on December 26, with the boxing day Test in Centurion.

MatériaMais Notícias

da gbg bet： O Santos venceu o Salgueiro na noite desta quarta-feira por 3 a 0 e classificou-se para a 2ª fase da Copa do Brasil. A vitória chegou para amenizar a crise que o clube vem enfrentando nos últimos dias.

RelacionadasSantosATUAÇÕES: Ângelo é o melhor em campo na vitória do Santos contra o SalgueiroSantos23/02/2022SantosDestaque da classificação na Copa do Brasil, Ângelo diz que o Santos não fez mais que obrigaçãoSantos23/02/2022SantosSantos está por detalhes para anunciar Fabián Bustos como técnicoSantos23/02/2022

da luck： Após o triunfo, o técnico interino Marcelo Fernandes comentou sobre a classificação do Peixe.

– A ansiedade não era tanta, mas sabíamos que era uma final pelo calor do jogo, independente da fase ou não. Resultado ruim no clássico de domingo, não esperávamos. Trabalhamos muito, descanso dos jogadores, da cabeça. Sabíamos que teríamos um jogo difícil. A equipe do Salgueiro não é fácil de se vencer aqui – disse Marcelo, que completou:

– Seria um êxito o Salgueiro conseguir a classificação aqui em cima do Santos. Mas a equipe se comportou bem. Exploramos o que estudamos para conseguir nossa vitória.

Marcelo Fernandes também falou sobre a possibilidade da chegada do técnico Fábian Bustos. O clube e os representantes do treinador discutem agora os termos finais do contrato para a chegada do profissional no Brasil.

– Nós estamos fechados no jogo. Não tivemos contato com treinador. Não soubemos de nada se fechou. Mas assim, vamos deixar claro que sempre estamos de braços abertos para qualquer técnico. Não tive contato, é um assunto que ficou com a direção. O importante foi a vitória. O profissional que chegar vai ser bem recebido – falou Fernandes.

Chelsea hit the jackpot when they signed Cole Palmer from Manchester City in a £42.5m deal last summer. The attacking midfielder has gone from strength to Herculean strength since his advent, with many even viewing him as a genuine superstar of the Premier League.

The 22-year-old scored 25 goals and supplied 15 more for the Blues during his maiden campaign, thus called up to Gareth Southgate's Three Lions squad for Euro 2024, scoring and assisting for England in the semi-final and final.

1.

Cole Palmer

34

33

2.

Erling Haaland

31

32

2.

Ollie Watkins

37

32

4.

Mohamed Salah

32

28

5.

Phil Foden

35

27

5.

Heung-min Son

35

27

It's been a rocky ol' road for Chelsea these past few years, but Palmer is the shining light of a difficult era – and with optimism building with Enzo Maresca at the helm, Stamford Bridge now seems eager to repeat the feat.

Chelsea transfer news

According to Chelsea transfer insider Simon Phillips, Todd Boehly and Co are preparing to raid Manchester City for a top talent once again, with Oscar Bobb being considered for transfer.

Blues chief Joe Shields is understood to be a big fan of the Norwegian, who has played a bit-part role under Pep Guardiola these past few seasons and could now look to entice the player with a path successfully trodden by Palmer one year ago.

Why Chelsea should sign Oscar Bobb

Bobb is a dynamic and versatile player, with experience playing across the frontline and in a centre-midfielder role too.

Having only broken into City's first team last season after several years in the academy, the 21-year-old might hope for greater opportunity this year, but surely he'd be tempted to take a leaf from Palmer's book?

Chelsea's main man featured 14 times across the 2022/23 Premier League term for Man City and grew over the summer to start last season with a bang, bagging in the Community Shield and then again in the UEFA Super Cup as his side defeated Sevilla.

It was obvious, however, that he wasn't going to be handed a regular starting berth at the Etihad Stadium, and thus a move to Chelsea proved providential. Bobb – who has already been described as "electrifying" by journalist Antonio Mango – must emulate.

While he only played a small role in Man City's campaign, Bobb did showcase his skills to a great effect, completing 88% of his passes in the Premier League and succeeding with 65% of his dribbles, as per Sofascore.

Moreover, he ranks among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 1% for pass completion, the top 20% for progressive passes, the top 18% for successful take-ons and the top 7% for interceptions per 90, as per FBref.

Of course, such metrics are drawn from a limited amount of match action, but it does give a good indication of Bobb's ball-playing and carrying talents.

Palmer's meteoric rise might not be the same for every player to split from a club such as Manchester City in search of promising new land, but Bobb is an immense talent himself and he could explode under Maresca's management this year.

While the all-conquering Premier League champions have yet to name their price, the Blues should get this one done to increase their depth and dynamism and to enrich a staggering crop of up-and-coming prospects.

Maresca wants £25m signing who could ignite Mudryk's Chelsea career

He could play a huge role in allowing the Ukrainian to thrive.

ByEthan Lamb Jul 21, 2024

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is determined to add plenty of quality to his team ahead of the 2024/25 campaign starting in a few weeks.

There is pressure to repeat their fourth-place finish in the Premier League from last term, while plenty of challenges will come in the revised Champions League group stage.

The club have finally brought in Amadou Onana from Everton and in the attacking areas, have been linked with moves for the likes of Nico Williams, Viktor Tsygankov and Jesper Lindstrom recently.

Though, for their next move, could Emery turn closer to home again?

Aston Villa showing interest in Premier League star

According to Ben Jacobs last weekend – who was speaking to GIVEMESPORT – the Midlands side are interested in signing Morgan Gibbs-White this summer, with his arrival more likely than Williams.

The former Wolves starlet could cost around £50m should Emery go ahead and make a more concrete move to sign him in the coming weeks, which may prove to be a stumbling block depending on who else the Spaniard wants to sign.

There is no doubt that he would be a wonderful signing, taking no time to settle in due to his Premier League experience of recent seasons with Nottingham Forest.

Why Morgan Gibbs-White could be Villa’s next Watkins

Villa have signed their fair share of English players from Premier League and Championship sides in recent years, but Ollie Watkins has to go down as one of the finest.

Last season saw the striker score 27 goals in all competitions as he propelled Villa to fourth spot and a place in Europe’s premier club competition.

From a personal point of view, his goalscoring exploits saw the 28-year-old secure a spot in the England squad for Euro 2024, where he scored a wonderful winner against the Netherlands in the semi-final.

Gibbs-White may play slightly deeper as an attacking midfielder, but the Villans would be acquiring another homegrown talent from a fellow English club, as they did with Watkins.

He might not be as prolific as Watkins, but he does have a keen eye for goal, netting six goals while grabbing ten assists for Forest as they retained their top-flight status.

Among his teammates, not only did Gibbs-White record the best average Sofascore rating in the Premier League (7.26), but he also ranked second for goals and assists (15), first for big chances created (16), key passes per game (2) and second for shots per match (1.9), clearly impressing in the final third.

Goals

5

5

Assists

8

10

Big chances created

9

16

Key passes per game

1.9

2

Successful dribbles per game

1.4

1.2

U23 scout Antonio Mango previously hailed the Englishman as being “incredibly underrated” towards the end of 2023, and it is clear he is ready to make the step up to play for a team like Villa next season.

Splashing in excess of £50m for the current Forest sensation may seem like a lot at the moment, but if he joins and immediately hits the ground running, there is no doubt the Villa faithful will get right behind him.

His stats in the Premier League since the start of the 2022/23 season – ten goals and 18 assists – would certainly give Emery more goals from the midfield area, taking some pressure off of Watkins next season.

The next few weeks could see some more developments with this transfer.

Imagine him & Williams: Aston Villa could sign a "clinical" star for £0

Unai Emery is in the market to sign a striker this summer…

ByRoss Kilvington Jul 22, 2024

Former Australia quick is expected to link up with Afghanistan for the T20 World Cup in October-November

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Sep-2021

“Everyone talks about Afghanistan’s spinners, so one of the specifics of my role is to get people talking more about their fast bowlers”•Hindustan Times via Getty Images

Shaun Tait, the former Australia quick who recently signed a five-month deal to be bowling coach with the Afghanistan national team, has also been roped in as bowling coach of Puducherry in the Indian domestic circuit. Afghanistan remains a priority, though, and Tait will link up with Puducherry only when available.”I’m with [Puducherry] throughout the season based on availability from my commitments with the Afghanistan team,” Tait confirmed to ESPNcricinfo on Saturday. Puducherry have Dishant Yagnik as their head coach – both Tait and Yagnik have been players with Rajasthan Royals in the IPL in the past, and Yagnik has more recently been Royals’ fielding coach.”Tait has expressed his willingness to join the Puducherry team later this month. However, if he gets a call from Afghanistan he may join them and stay with the team before rejoining Puducherry for his duties,” a Cricket Association of Puducherry (CAP) official was quoted as saying by PTI, which said that Tait was expected to mentor the quick bowlers at the CAP academy in Puducherry too.Related

Women's cricket 'in peril' but fans rejoice as the game returns to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan

Afghanistan likely to host Australia and West Indies

India’s domestic calendar for 2021-22 will begin with the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy on November 4 this year, while the Ranji Trophy, the country’s premier first-class competition, starts on January 13, 2022. The 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy will get underway on December 8, with neutral venues being used for all tournaments.Tait’s appointment with Afghanistan was confirmed in early August, and his first assignment there was expected to be the three-match ODI series against Pakistan in Hambantota in early September. But that series was postponed indefinitely because of logistical concerns, and Tait will now link up with the team only prior to the T20 World Cup in late October. He was never expected to move to Kabul, and had said the agreement had been that he would join the team whenever they travelled.”There have been talks for a few months now about me possibly taking up the role,” 38-year-old Tait told ESPNcricinfo earlier about his Afghanistan gig. “It eventuated because head coach Lance Klusener wanted someone else to oversee the bowling side specifically.”Everyone talks about Afghanistan’s spinners, so one of the specifics of my role is to get people talking more about their fast bowlers. There is some improvement to be done and hopefully, I can add that side of things. With all the concentration on the spin, a couple of guys get picked to do the role at the death and they’re gonna need some guidance. That’s where I come in.”Tait is a level-two certified coach from Cricket Australia and has worked as a bowling coach with Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League and Bangla Tigers in the Abu Dhabi T10 league.

da brwin： It's been over three weeks since the transfer window swung open, and while there has been some movement here and there, it feels like clubs are waiting for the European Championships to end before really splashing the cash.

da apostebet： In the case of Arsenal, they have made two permanent signings thus far, welcoming 18-year-old Lucas Nygaard to the team and executing the option to buy in David Raya's loan deal from Brentford.

However, based on recent reports, Mikel Arteta looks set to welcome a player who has caught the footballing world's attention recently and shares many similarities with the Gunners' star right-back, Ben White.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal are edging closer to securing the services of Bologna's star defender Riccardo Calafiori after agreeing personal terms with the Italian.

The journalist revealed that the Gunners are now the clear favourites to land the player's signature, as there have been no talks with Paris Saint-Germain, Bayer Leverkusen, or Chelsea Football Club.

An earlier report from Romano revealed that the North Londoners have agreed to a five-year deal with the 22-year-old that will see him earn €4m-per-year, the equivalent of around £3.4m.

Reports over the last week or so claim that the transfer fee will cost Arsenal around £42m, and while it's a lot of money altogether, Calafiori looks like an incredibly exciting defender, and the fact he shares some similarities with White is undoubtedly reassuring.

The similarities between Calafiori and White

So, while Calafirori enjoyed an exceptional Serie A campaign with Bologna last season and helped them qualify for the Champions League, he really caught the eye of the wider footballing world thanks to his impressive displays for a lacklustre Italy team at the Euros this summer.

He started and starred in all three group games for the Azzurri in Germany and only missed the round of 16 match against Switzerland – the game that saw the team eliminated – due to picking up two yellow cards.

In the three games he did feature, he played as a centre-back, but across his career, he's started more games at full-back, in the first fundamental similarity he shares with White.

Calafiori & White's versatility

Position

Calafiori (Starts)

Position

White (Starts)

Left-Back

49

Centre-Back

207

Centre-Back

43

Right-Back

100

Left Midfield

9

Defensive Midfield

13

Right-Back

2

Left-Back

4

All Stats via Transfermarkt

All Stats via Transfermarkt

For example, in 129 appearances, he has started 49 games at left-back and two at right-back while starting 43 at centre-back. The Englishman, who is four years his senior, has now reached 100 starts at right-back, and with how his career has progressed in recent seasons, he seems destined to surpass his 200 starts at centre-back within a few years.

Alongside their positional versatility, the two stars are also progressive and forward-thinking defenders. For example, last season, the Italian "monster," as dubbed by data analyst Ben Mattinson, scored two goals and provided five assists in 33 appearances for the Rossoblu, equating to an impressive average of a goal involvement every 4.71 games.

Likewise, the former Brighton & Hove Albion gem scored four goals and provided five assists in 51 appearances for the Gunners, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 5.66 games for the Premier League runners-up.

Ultimately, if Arsenal are to go on and finally overtake Manchester City as the best team in England, they will need a squad bursting to the seams with talent. While they already had the best defence in the league last season, adding a player like Calafiori can only be a good thing, especially as he already seems to have a lot in common with the incredible White.

Related Arsenal struck gold on a star who's worth more than Calafiori & Gyokeres

The “phenomenal” talent has has been unreal for Arteta.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 7, 2024