All posts by h716a5.icu

New South Wales were wobbling early in their chase of 251 in Sydney, where Nathan Coulter-Nile picked up two wickets to leave the hosts at 2 for 31 by stumps on the third day

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Mar-2011
ScorecardTrent Copeland picked up 4 for 61•Getty ImagesNew South Wales were wobbling early in their chase of 251 in Sydney, where Nathan Coulter-Nile picked up two wickets to leave the hosts at 2 for 31 by stumps on the third day. Phillip Hughes was on 8 and the nightwatchman Peter Nevill was yet to score, as the Blues searched for a victory that would give them a chance of hosting the Sheffield Shield final against Tasmania.But Western Australia were doing their best to thwart the Blues, and an unbeaten 97 from Adam Voges pushed the Warriors to 190 in their second innings. Voges didn’t get much support – the next best score was 22 from the No. 10 Michael Hogan – but it was enough to set a competitive chase for New South Wales, who lost David Warner for 1 and Phil Jaques (21).Trent Copeland and Steve O’Keefe each collected four wickets after New South Wales declared their first innings at 9 for 322. They added 74 to their overnight total before Simon Katich called an end to the innings, keen to give them their best possible chance of an outright win. In order to host the final, the Blues need full points and for Tasmania to fail to beat South Australia.

West Ham United are interested in a deal to bring Armando Broja to the London Stadium this month.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by ExWHUemployee, who revealed on a recent episode of The West Ham Way Podcast that, following reports of West Ham’s interest in the on-loan Chelsea centre-forward, David Moyes and Rob Newman are indeed keen on a move for the 20-year-old this month.

The Hammers insider went on to state that Newman has personally visited St. Mary’s in order to keep an eye on the progress of the Albania international, although also suggested that a number of other Premier League clubs – including Arsenal and Southampton – are also looking at the striker.

Speaking yesterday about the club’s interest in Broja, Ex said: “The latest striker [West Ham are interested in] which has broken this morning is Armando Broja.

“West Ham are interested, why wouldn’t West Ham be interested in this player? He fits the age, he proved in England, he’s homegrown – which is an important factor. He’s kind of available because he’s been on loan.

“West Ham will probably enquire about him, I’m not denying that. Where the problems lie is that he is on loan at Southampton, and Southampton want to sign him on a permanent deal.

“Chelsea might be able to recall him, which I think they can. Chelsea will be looking at the player and thinking: ‘Do we want to let him go at this point? His value is only going to go up in the summer.’

“Rob Newman’s watched him. Rob Newman’s seen that he’s a decent player, but other clubs [are also interested]. I’ve heard that Arsenal are looking.”

Fans will be buzzing

Considering just how desperately West Ham require a new centre-forward this January, the news that the Irons are finally stepping up their interest in an attacking addition, particularly one as talented as Broja, is sure to have left Hammers fans buzzing.

Indeed, the £34m-rated centre-forward has been deadly in front of goal for practically every side he has played for, scoring 16 goals and registering five assists over 35 appearances for Chelsea U18s, bagging 11 goals and three assists over 34 outings while on loan at Vitesse Arnhem last season, and having already netted seven goals and provided one assist over his 21 fixtures for Southampton in the current campaign.

As such, while still just 20 years of age, the £8.5k-per-week Chelsea starlet would undoubtedly make a fantastic addition to Michail Antonio in the West Ham attack, with Broja undeniably possessing the potential to push the 31-year-old for his starting spot in Moyes XI in the second half of the season.

However, whether or not Newman will be able to pull a deal off the forward this winter looks very much up in the air at present, but, at least progress appears as if it is being made in the Hammers’ hunt for a new centre-forward this month.

In other news: GSB must sanction West Ham swoop for “unplayable” £5m gem, he’s Lanzini’s perfect heir

Newcastle United may resume their pursuit of Reims striker Hugo Ekitike when the summer transfer window opens, according to a joint report in The Athletic from Chris Waugh and George Caulkin. 

The lowdown

On the evening before Deadline Day, the Magpies returned with an improved offer in excess of £20m for Ekitike, which Reims accepted. However, the player opted against making a move in January, preferring to wait until the end of the season to make a decision on his future.

Newcastle had already signed a striker earlier in the transfer window, activating the £25m release clause in Chris Wood’s Burnley contract.

The latest

According to Waugh and Caulkin for The Athletic, Newcastle were apparently left disappointed that they couldn’t land an additional centre-forward.

Eddie Howe ‘had always wanted’ to recruit a ‘younger forward’ who could provide cover and competition for Callum Wilson. Ekitike fits that particular bill, and the report claimed that the Magpies ‘may return’ to the table for the Reims starlet ahead of the 2022/23 season.

The verdict

It’s easy to understand why Newcastle may not abandon the idea of signing Ekitike. The teenager has netted eight Ligue 1 goals this season despite only starting 11 top-flight games, and French football expert Julien Laurens believes that the 19-year-old possesses ‘amazing talent’.

He would also fill something a gap in the squad, for Howe must have recognised that all of Newcastle’s current centre-forwards are 29 or older, so they can’t really be described as long-term options.

Ekitike may find the move more appealing in the summer, when Newcastle will hope to have secured their Premier League status, something which currently hangs precariously in the balance. At least this report suggests that all hope is not lost when it comes to PIF potentially bringing the teenager to Tyneside.

In other news, Newcastle were offered the chance to sign this player on Monday

Tottenham Hotspur are the latest team to register an interest in promising Championship full-back Djed Spence…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas, who delivered a fresh update on the situation to Twitter.

“Exclusive: #Tottenham are interested in a deal to sign #Middlesbrough wing-back Djed Spence and could make a move before the deadine #THFC,” he said, before later adding:

“Full story: #Tottenham join #Arsenal and #Leeds in race for Djed Spence, who is impressing on loan at #NottmForest from #Boro.”

The 21-year-old is thought to be valued in the region of £10m, as per the Mirror.

Spurs’ next Walker?

It’s no secret that Spurs boss Antonio Conte is keen to bolster his playing squad with the addition of a new right wing-back and Spence is the latest name to be linked.

Adama Traore is one player heavily mooted with a switch to north London but it would seem as if negotiations over that deal are proving to be a little frustrating as there is no sign of that being completed anytime soon, with Spurs wanting a loan with an obligation to buy rather than £20m upfront.

The promising Nottingham Forest loanee could prove to be an intruging, and cheaper, alternative.

[snack-amp-story url = “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-news-transfer-gossip-rumours-conte-paratici-levy-premier-league” title=”Read the latest Spurs news, transfer updates and much, much more!”]

Last time the north Londoners poached a young full-back from the lower leagues was when they snatched Kyle Walker from Sheffield United. Look how that turned out. He’s among the best options in the Premier League, even if he’s now at Man City. Yet still, Spurs managed to get £45m for his signature.

Spence, who has been compared to some big names like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, could well become the Lilywhites’ new Walker.

“You look at one or two or the others now, Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool and Wan-Bissaka at Man United, they are all that type,” he claimed his former Boro boss Neil Warnock. “He has got enormous ability and when you have that ability it’s criminal if you don’t get to the very top.”

Indeed, we witnessed the 21-year-old prove his ability at the highest level during Forest’s shock FA Cup win over arch-rivals earlier this month – a performance that was dubbed as an  “incredible display.”

Spence is currently Steve Cooper’s fifth-best performer in the Championship, where he has mixed his defensive capabilities with plenty of attacking attributes – as per WhoScored, he’s averaged 1.8 dribbles, 1.6 tackles, 1.6 interceptions and 0.8 key passes per game.

He may not be as experienced as Traore but there’s certainly a young starlet with bags of potential in there and under a manager like Conte, he could really emerge as an exciting attack-minded wing-back in N17.

As such, Spurs could well stumble upon the next Walker, should they seal a bargain move for him this year.

AND in other news, “Tottenham are..”: Reliable journo drops exciting transfer claim, fans will be buzzing…

Aston Villa are very excited about young midfielder Taylor-Jay Hart, according to Gregg Evans.

The Lowdown: Hart profiled

Hart, a boyhood Villan, is 18 years of age and has been on the books with the club since the age of six. He is thought to be a midfielder likened to a young Steven Gerrard but has also been tried at centre-back at Bodymoor Heath.

Villa appear to be on the hunt for senior reinforcements in the middle of the pitch this summer, with links to Kalvin Phillips, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Yves Bissouma, however, it looks as if they have another talented midfielder coming through.

The Latest: Set to sign professional deal

Evans shared an in-depth story on The Athletic regarding four young Villa midfielders, one of which was Hart.

The reliable reporter admitted that there is growing excitement over Hart, who is expected to sign a professional contract following an offer from the club.

The Verdict: Good signs…

Villa have had plenty of success when it comes to midfielders breaking into the first team over the last 18 months.

Jacob Ramsey is the most obvious example, becoming a regular under Gerrard this season, with Carney Chukwuemeka also featuring 13 times for the first team.

Tim Iroegbunam only made the move to Bodymoor Heath in the summer but has already earned a new senior contract and is now a full-time member of Gerrard’s squad, and it looks as if Hart could be the next to breakthrough in years to come.

In other news: ‘I’m aware…’ – Sky Sports journalist drops big Villa news; Gerrard working on first summer deal. 

Leeds United have agreed on a deal to sign a new midfielder, according to reports…

What’s the word?

The Sunday Mirror (16th January, page 73) claim the Yorkshiremen are on the verge of sealing the 20-year-old’s signature in a £6m move from Belgian outfit Standard Liege.

It’s thought that the highly-rated Belgian U21 international has been brought in to provide cover for the injured Kalvin Phillips, who isn’t expected to return to action until March at the very earliest.

Bielsa will be buzzing

Well, it seems as if United have finally found that engine room enforcer they’ve been desperately looking for – and at just the right time.

Sunday’s game down at West Ham was another reminder of their mounting and persistent injury problems as Adam Forshaw – who has been playing in the Phillips role – went off during the first half with an injury.

It leaves Bielsa hugely light on options in the middle, so signing Raskin should leave him relieved, if not hugely excited about what lies ahead.

[snack-amp-story url = “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-transfer-rumours-and-news-2″ title=”Read the latest Leeds news, transfer updates and much, much more!”]

The young 5 foot 10 dynamo has excelled for Liege over the past 18 months. This season, he has provided two assists in 18 appearances from a deep-lying role, whilst also averaging a whopping 2.9 tackles per game.

That builds on last season’s performance, where the £4.5m-rated beast delivered three goals and five assists, and even featured in the Europa League, thus handing Bielsa some valuable experience that he perhaps lacks in his current squad.

“He is a box-to-box midfielder. He can play in every position in the middle of the park. He is technically gifted, but he is also a bit of a pitbull,” claimed Bob Faesen of Belgian newspaper Het Belang van Limburg to The Herald.

“He can run a lot, is powerful and has a good shot. He has been one of the big surprises in Belgium football this season and will be a key player for Liege who Rangers will need to be wary of.”

That sort of review will only make Bielsa even more buzzing to have landed him. Raskin certainly fits the atypical profile – hard-working, powerful and commanding at both ends of the pitch.

If reports are to be believed, then an announcement can’t be far away now. For £6m, it has to be considered an absolute bargain from Victor Orta and co.

AND in other news, Orta could sign his next Samu Saiz in Leeds swoop for “exciting” £10.8m-rated maestro…

Josh Hazlewood, the New South Wales fast bowler, feels ready to step up to Test level if he gets the chance this summer

Cricinfo staff07-Aug-2010Josh Hazlewood, the New South Wales fast bowler, feels ready to step up to Test level if he gets the chance this summer. Hazlewood is only 19 but has already made his one-day international debut, taking 1 for 41 against England in June, and has spent time with Craig McDermott at the Centre of Excellence during the off-season.With 17 wickets in six first-class games, there is still a lot for him to learn, but McDermott says he has “a truckload of ability”. Hazlewood, who is 196cm, is trying not to get too carried away, but can’t stop thinking about the Ashes.”The way fast bowling is, guys go down with injuries and you can jump up a few places pretty quickly,” Hazlewood said in the Sunday Telegraph. “I’ll get a few opportunities at the start of the Shield season to put my hand up. I’d definitely feel ready if I got a chance during the Ashes. I’ve worked hard in the off-season.”The Ashes is the top of international cricket, it’s in Australia this summer and to think you could be a part of it, it’s pretty exciting, but you try not to think about it too much. You try not to get carried away but you can’t ignore the chance might be there.”McDermott, who made his Test debut as a 19-year-old, has been impressed. “There’s a tremendous future for him, but he’s a big boy who has to take a lot of care with keeping his body fit,” he said. “I’m not going to comment on pecking orders or selections but bowling-wise, with that pace and bounce, it’s all there.”Before Hazlewood gets a chance to play for Australia he has to secure a regular spot at New South Wales, who have Brett Lee, Stuart Clark and Nathan Bracken available following their reduction in international game time. Doug Bollinger and Shane Watson will also be around for at least a couple of Sheffield Shield games early in the summer, and then there is the promising next rung of Mitchell Starc, Trent Copeland and Burt Cockley.Brad Haddin, the New South Wales wicketkeeper, sees a place for all of them in the various competitions. “New South Wales has some great bowlers at the back-end of their careers, but on the same scale we have some young bowlers just starting out,” he said in the Sun-Herald. “And what tends to happen with the younger guys is their bodies don’t quite stand up to the demands of Shield, one-dayers and the other forms of cricket they need to play.”So to have a Stuart Clark, a Brett Lee and Nathan Bracken around is great because they can feed off them for a year. They get enough information from their bowling coaches, so rather than talking to them it’s more a case of learning from watching how those blokes prepare.”

Manchester United have had many rumours circulating about potential incoming players, as well as many of their current players being linked away from the club, and Ralf Rangnick could be set to make the first signing of his tenure at the club.

What’s the word?

According to Catalan news outlet, Ara, a swap deal for Ousmane Dembele from Barcelona and Red Devils forward Anthony Martial could be on the table.

The La Liga giants are reportedly needing to trim their wages down before they register new signing Ferran Torres, and would be interested in offloading Dembele, who only has a few months left on his contract at the club.

Xavi is keen for the 24-year-old forward to “make an effort” in negotiations, as he claims he is “waiting for him” when discussing Dembele’s contract situation at the club in his pre-match press conference for the upcoming Copa Del Rey game against Linares Deportivo.

If he cannot reach a deal with the 26 time La Liga champions, then the Mirror have reported that the club will look to sell the player at a cut price to offload wages, as their financial woes continue and they move more cautiously in their transfer business.

Time to go

Rangnick should seize the opportunity if the rumours are true that Barcelona would be interested in a swap deal that could mutually benefit the clubs by axing Martial from the Manchester club.

The 26-year-old, who was ridiculed as “god awful” by Manchester Evening News editor, Mike Parrott,  has only one goal registered for the side after ten appearances this season, failing to make an impact in his position and falling out of favour when more prolific goal-scorers, Mason Greenwood, Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani, all of whom have outscored the centre forward this season.

Dembele has also struggled to get into form this season after suffering a serious injury during Euro 2020 that required an operation, and the £287k-per-week gem has suffered setbacks in his recovery since.

However, the Frenchman has rather remarkably been dubbed “better than Mbappe” by Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, and has been starting to come back into his own.

He bagged two assists in consecutive games at the end of December against Elche CF and Sevilla FC, offering clear potential to improve given the right guidance. With age on his side too, the 24-year-old still has plenty of time to grow and would be a cracking replacement on the flanks for Martial who’s time at Old Trafford has never lived up to expectation.

United suffered their first loss under Rangnick on Monday night against Wolves where the travelling team took a comfortable 1-0 win on the road, and from that performance alone it’s clear there is room for improvement in the squad,

Now the German coach has the opportunity to address those issues by making the right moves in the transfer window.

In other news: Journalist drops new transfer claim on Denis Zakaria

Round-up of the first day of the eighth round of Division Two of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Dec-2010A century partnership between Sajjad Ali and Khalid Usman allowed Abbottabad to recover from 58 for 6 against Hyderabad on the first day of their game at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. Ali may have been the senior partner, but it was No.8 Usman who took the fight to the bowlers, needing just 101 balls for his 81, and cracking 14 fours and six before becoming one of Kashif Perez’s four victims. Ali made a much more sedate 70 off 145 balls, as the two added 134 for the seventh wicket. In reply, Hyderabad were 56 for 1, having lost Sharjeel Kahn for 21.State Bank of Pakistan were in a commanding position at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, having piled up 333 for 4 against Lahore Shalimar. SBP got solid contributions from their top and middle orders, led by Naved Yasin’s unbeaten 83, which included 14 fours. Yasin and Afsar Nawar, who is batting on 50, have added 104 for the fifth wicket so far, to take the visitors past three hundred. The pair built on the momentum created by a 151-run opening stand between Faisal Athar, who made 69, and Kashif Siddiq, who made 49. The bowling side was especially undisciplined, conceding 48 extras, including 19 no-balls and 12 wides. SBL is currently top of the division points table, tied with Abbottabad.Ali Khan’s unbeaten half-century was the backbone of Khan Research Laboratories’ total of 240 for 8 against Lahore Ravi at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground. Khan’s unbeaten 78, with nine fours and two sixes, was the highest score of innings by far, with only Ali Naqvi, who made 59, going past 30. All four Lahore bowlers were among the wickets, with Shabbir Ahmed leading the pack with 3 for 56, while the two Asifs – Ashfaq and Raza – picked up two wickets each.Let by their openers, Pakistan Television amassed 331 for 4 against bottom team Quetta at the Khan Research Laboratory Ground in Rawalpindi. Raheel Majeed and Umair Khan put on 150 for the first wicket, before left-arm spinner Mohibullah had Majeed caught for 72. Khan was unlucky not to reach a hundred, being stumped off the same bowler seven short of the three-figure mark. Fayyaz Ahmed and Zohaib Ahmed then kept the innings ticking along, adding 105 for the fifth wicket.At the Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar, Akbar Badshah made his second first-class hundred, a career-best 143, to carry Peshawar to 366 for 9 against Karachi Whites. Badshah added 144 with No. 8 Riaz Afridi, who laced 69 from just 46 balls, with 6 fours. Badshah was no slouch either, smashing 22 fours and a six in his 171-ball knock, giving him a strike-rate of 83.62. Sohail Khan picked up three wickets, but they came at a high cost. The fast bowler conceding 112 runs from his 22 overs, at an average of over 5 an over.

Adam Jones has now shared some Everton injury news involving Ben Godfrey before they play Chelsea at home in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

The Lowdown: Injury pile-on

The 24-year-old was forced to withdraw from the starting line-up in the Toffees’ 2-0 defeat at Liverpool after picking up an injury in the warm-up, meaning that Michael Keane had to step in.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/everton-news-4/” title=”Everton news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

He now joins the long list of players on the sidelines at Finch Farm, which includes the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Andros Townsend and Donny van de Beek, while Richarlison may have also picked up a slight knock against the Reds.

The Latest: Godfrey update

Taking to Twitter, Liverpool Echo journalist Jones has now shared an update from Frank Lampard on Godfrey’s situation, claiming that it was ‘bad luck’ that the defender was forced off with a muscle injury.

However, the Everton manager hopes that it is a ‘minor’ issue, saying: “Bad luck, muscle injury. What I have to say is I think Michael Keane comes in 20 minutes before a game against Liverpool, it’s a real compliment to him. We hope it’s minor [for Godfrey].”

The Verdict: Big blow

It is certainly a big blow if Godfrey is to be ruled out for the majority of the season’s run-in. A muscle injury can take weeks to fully heal, while the Toffees only have six matches remaining in the 2021/22 top-flight campaign.

The defender currently ranks highly among his team-mates in terms of tackles, clearances and blocks per match in the Premier League (WhoScored), which suggests that Everton will no doubt need him if they are to have the best possible chance of staying up.

In other news, these were Everton’s three worst performers against Liverpool