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The England international's Old Trafford career has yet to take off, and it remains to be seen if he's mentally strong enough to silence his critics

Mason Mount and Manchester United felt like an awkward match right from the very beginning. The decision to invest £60 million ($75m) in a once-beloved Chelsea academy graduate coming off statistically his worst-ever season for the Blues raised more than a few eyebrows. It wasn't clear how he would slot into Erik ten Hag's line up either, and the Dutchman's vague attempt to explain his vision for the midfielder did little to ease concerns.

"When you're playing in midfield, you have to attack, but you also you have to defend," the United boss said after Mount's unveiling. "I'm sure he will bring dynamism into our game and that was one of our analysis conclusions we made after last season. We need [to be] more dynamic in the midfield department."

Suffice it to say, Mount did not have that desired impact. In fact, United's midfield became a laughing stock. The combination of a half-hearted high press and deep defensive line left a gaping hole in the middle of the pitch, which opposing teams were able to exploit with ease.

The Red Devils plummeted to eighth in the Premier League – their worst-ever finish – and not even the joy of an unlikely run to FA Cup glory could paper over the cracks. Mount was made one of the scapegoats, because United really should have spent that £60m on a top-class holding midfielder instead.

But he was not directly to blame for the unmitigated disaster that was United's 2023-24 campaign, as rotten luck led to Mount being reduced to little more than a spectator. Now, with preparations for the new season well underway, the 25-year-old is back in top physical condition, and he will get another chance. It will just be a question of whether Mount can prove he does fit into a team that still doesn't seem to require his services.

(C)GettyImagesPoor first impression

Mount made United's starting XI for their Premier League opener at home to Wolves last August, in a 4-1-4-1 system that just did not work. Ten Hag's men limped to a 1-0 victory, but could easily have lost had Wolves been more clinical, and Mount was completely ineffective before being substituted in the 68th minute.

United then slipped to a 2-0 loss away at Tottenham in their second game, with Mount once again unable to impose himself. You only get one chance to make a first impression, and the England international had certainly blown his.

To make matters worse, Mount picked up an unspecified injury against Spurs that saw him miss the Red Devils' next five fixtures in all competitions. He returned in time for a third-round Carabao Cup tie against Crystal Palace on September 24, and notched his first assist as United ran out comfortable 3-0 winners, but the Eagles would get their revenge at Old Trafford just four days later.

Mount was little more than a passenger during a dismal 1-0 defeat that confirmed United's worst start to a Premier League season in 34 years. Ten Hag did, however, see his team bounce back with a smash-and-grab victory against Brentford the following week, in spite of Mount's alarming lack of quality on the ball, which led to calls for him to be dropped.

"His creativity is nowhere to be seen," former United striker Louis Saha said to . "I didn’t see any positive runs from him against Brentford. His timing is off, too, and he can’t make chances by playing like this. I think Mount can be a lot better, but I’d say the fee was too much. I think Chelsea were playing a game with the fee."

AdvertisementGettyUnable to build bond with fans

Ten Hag recognised that Mount was failing to perform at the required level, and demoted him to the bench for United's subsequent Premier League matches against Sheffield United, Manchester City and Luton Town, though Mount saw 50 minutes of action in the 1-0 win over the Hatters on December 11, after coming on for the injured Christian Eriksen, producing an industrious performance that hinted he might just turn a corner.

But then disaster struck. Mount was initially ruled out for a month with a calf problem, but would not play again for United until March. The Red Devils enjoyed a brief upturn in form while Mount was on the sidelines, and his struggles to build up a bond with the fans were made worse when it was reported that he had not moved to Old Trafford 'for football reasons'.

His eventual return to full fitness felt inconsequential as a result; he hadn't been missed and no one outside the club seemed to care about his situation. Still, Mount was eased back into the fold with a 15-minute cameo in United's thrilling 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool, before being introduced as an 80th-minute substitute against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Deep into stoppage-time, Mount almost got his breakthrough moment. The former Chelsea man scored his first Premier League goal since December 2022, finishing calmly after being played in by Casemiro, and the away support went wild – thinking he'd sealed all three points for the Red Devils. Unfortunately, Kristoffer Ajer netted a deserved equaliser for Brentford moments later, denying Mount his hero status.

He would go on to start just one game across April and May – which just so happened to be the most humiliating of all United's 14 league defeats, a 4-0 hammering at Crystal Palace – as he was once again hampered by injuries. He finished the campaign with just two goal contributions to his name from 20 appearances across all competitions.

Getty Images'Multifunctional'

Mount's first 12 months at United were a massive disappointment, albeit not all that surprising. Chelsea would never have sold him to a direct rival if they didn't believe he'd already reached his ceiling, and regular injuries were also a theme of his final year at Stamford Bridge.

But the Red Devils' failure to do their proper due diligence is not Mount's fault. He's still under contract at Old Trafford until 2028, and is one of the few players in Ten Hag's squad who is not at risk of being sold this summer.

It has been reported that Mount is still being treated like a new signing, with Ten Hag in no doubt he can make a vital contribution going forward. "You can't judge his season, because he was injured. Don't judge him. But when he is fit he will be a very good player for us and we can use him, versatile," the United manager said last week. "You need certain types in the squad, team players, multifunctional players. Definitely, he is one of the players who can play in several positions, he will help the team."

At his peak, Mount was undoubtedly one of Chelsea's best players. He was vital to their Champions League success in 2020-21, and racked up 29 goal involvements the following season, which led John Terry to suggest he could be a future captain for club and country.

No one could have predicted how far Mount would fall in the space of two short years. But Ten Hag is ultimately spot on with his assessment; it is too early to judge him and he is versatile enough to be an asset for United in the upcoming campaign – provided his fitness troubles do not persist.

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Getty ImagesPositive signs

If United's first three pre-season games are anything to go by, Mount has that fire in his belly again. His high-energy display was the only real positive to come out of a 1-0 loss to Rosenborg, and he linked up well with Amad Diallo during the Red Devils' 2-0 win over Rangers.

Mount was rewarded with a seat on the plane for United's tour of the United States, which they opened with a 2-1 loss to Arsenal in a glamour friendly at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. It's always difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from friendlies, but it was more than just another fitness exercise for Mount as he carried United's attacking threat with his relentless pressing off the ball and ingenuity on it.

He created two chances, posted an impressive 88 percent pass completion rate and won five of his seven ground duels, helping United go toe-to-toe with the Gunners before Ten Hag rung the changes at the break. Many fans and pundits feel Mount is at his best in the No.10 position, and it was easy to see why on Saturday, as he looked far more comfortable in the centre and gave United a real sense of urgency in the transition.

It was a tantalising glimpse of the Mount who became one of England's most promising young talents. Mikel Arteta may also have been left wondering what might have been, given Mount was reportedly one of Arsenal's top targets before United swooped in to steal his signature.

There has never really been any question marks over Mount's ability, though. The main issue Mount is facing at United is that he is in direct competition for minutes with the man who has carried the entire squad on his back for the last four years.

Pair’s seventh-wicket stand of 157 comes on frustrating, rain-affected day for Derbyshire

ECB Reporters Network23-Aug-2020Paul Coughlin and Ned Eckersley shared a record-breaking stand for Durham on a frustrating rain-affected day for North Group leaders Derbyshire in the Bob Willis Trophy match at Emirates Riverside.The pair took their seventh-wicket stand to 157 in 49 overs, a Durham record against Derbyshire, before Matt Critchley bowled Coughlin for a career-best 90 from 146 balls.The leg-spinner then bowled Matty Potts two balls later but Eckersley was unbeaten on 78 with Durham 337 for 9 when rain arrived shortly after lunch, wiping out 57 overs from the day’s allocation.Derbyshire would have expected to restrict Durham to a lot less when the day began but their bowling lacked intensity and the second new ball failed to trouble Coughlin and Eckersley.Coughlin had set the tone by taking advantage of wide balls from Ben Aitchison to drive two fours, the second one taking him to his first 50 of the season and the eighth of his career from 75 balls.A lofted drive at Ed Barnes only just cleared a leaping Billy Godleman at mid off and Eckersley survived an lbw appeal on 40 when he played across the line at Sam Connors but there were few other alarms for the pair.Eckersley’s 50, his first of the summer, was a more sedate affair and contained only one four but it had helped shift the momentum Durham’s way after Derbyshire reduced them to 155 for 6 shortly after tea on day one.The previous highest seventh-wicket stand against Derbyshire of 130, which also featured Coughlin with Paul Collingwood three years ago, was comfortably passed and a century was beckoning for the all-rounder when Critchley was introduced two overs before lunch.His third ball tempted Coughlin into a cut but he played on and Potts went two balls later when Critchley turned one past his forward defensive push.Matthew Salisbury edged Barnes to first slip in the first over after lunch but Eckersley struck the seamer for two consecutive fours before the weather had the final say.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers knows that he will need to dip into the market during the summer transfer window to sign a new number one.

Former England international Joe Hart has already confirmed that the end of his contract later this year will signal his retirement from professional football.

The 36-year-old colossus, who turns 37 later this month, will have spent three full seasons with the Hoops and could land a third straight Scottish Premiership title if they win the division this term.

Celtic are already looking at players who could arrive in Glasgow to replace Hart ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, and a new target has seemingly been identified this week.

Celtic's interest in English titan

According to This is Anfield, the Scottish giants are one of a number of clubs interested in a possible summer deal to sign Sunderland star Anthony Patterson.

The report claims that Premier League giants Liverpool are keeping close tabs on the English titan as they look for a replacement for Adrian.

It also states that those at Anfield could face 'strong' competition for his signature from the likes of Celtic, Leeds United, Leicester City, and Arsenal, who are all keen on the talented youngster.

This is Anfield claims that the Hoops have sent scouts to watch Patterson in action regularly in the English Championship for the Black Cats this season.

It adds that a fee of at least £10m – and possibly up to £15m – could be needed to tempt Sunderland into cashing in on their number one in the summer transfer window.

However, it remains to be seen whether or not Celtic are prepared to go as high as that for the 6 foot 1 ace, as their current club-record transfer stands as the £9m they paid to sign Odsonne Edouard from Paris Saint-Germain in 2018.

Why Celtic may want to sign Anthony Patterson

Rodgers could be eyeing up the impressive talent to replace Hart as his form for the Black Cats in the Championship this season has been superb.

The £10m-rated star has showcased his shot-stopping quality throughout the campaign and could arrive as an upgrade to the English veteran this summer.

Appearances

42

31

Save success rate

69%

67%

Saves per game

2.7

1.6

Clean sheets

12

11

Ground duel success rate

60%

40%

As you can see in the table above, Patterson has been a better shot-stopper than Hart this season, based on their statistics in their respective leagues.

The 23-year-old colossus, whose "outstanding" reactions have been hailed by journalist Josh Bunting, has prevented an eye-catching 3.56 goals (xG) in the Championship, which shows that he has been an above-average performer when it comes to stopping high-quality shots.

That data is not available for Hart in the Premiership but the veteran has conceded 6.5 more goals than expected based on the post-shot xG of the shots against him across 19 European matches for Celtic since his move to the club in 2021.

These statistics suggest that Patterson, who is 13 years younger than his compatriot, has the potential to offer more quality shot-stopping between the sticks than Rodgers' current number one.

The tour, originally scheduled for July-August, was previously postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jul-2020Bangladesh men’s pending three-Test series against hosts Sri Lanka could be rescheduled to October, if talks between the BCB and SLC come to fruition. The tour, Bangladesh’s first three-match red-ball series in six years and part of the World Test Championship, was originally scheduled for July-August but had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.ESPNcricinfo understands that with the 2020 men’s T20 World Cup deferred by a year, both boards are keen on having the Test series squeezed into the earliest possible window. In addition, the BCB is also contemplating sending its High Performance team to Sri Lanka for a longer period as the group has not assembled for training in the last four months.BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury said that the ICC’s announcement of the three World Cups in the next three years has provided the window for Bangladesh to tweak their international calendar and slot in all previously postponed series in the coming months. The tour to Sri Lanka is first on that list.Chowdhury said that both boards are interested to host the Test series this year itself.”The ICC’s announcement of the three major tournaments has provided what window we can work with, as now that we know that the tournament dates are fixed, we can work around with our schedule,” Chowdhury told ESPNcricinfo. “Both boards are positive about the Test series going ahead later this year. We are in talks with SLC. Sri Lanka is in a better condition [in terms of Covid-19 caseload] than any of the other sub-continent countries at the moment, and since the situation is not favourable here, we are more keen on the away matches.”The BCB High Performance programme’s chairman Naimur Rahman said that the players in the High Performance mix, too, are looking forward to the tour of Sri Lanka.”We are first trying to figure out how we can start the training camp in Dhaka. We were supposed to start in March or April, and then tour Sri Lanka in July,” Rahman said. “But I think once we have the home training sorted, we will discuss the Sri Lanka tour, where we can stay a bit longer to have more training days.”Chowdhury also said that the board has its eyes on rescheduling the Ireland tour, as well as hosting Australia and New Zealand as soon as the pandemic situation improves in Bangladesh. “We will be in talks with Cricket Ireland as well, though the weather in Ireland is going to be a factor. We will also discuss in due time, when Australia and New Zealand can tour Bangladesh,” he said.He was also fairly positive about restarting the Dhaka Premier League (DPL), which was postponed after just one round of matches in March. “Our domestic cricket is also our priority. We are discussing with DPL clubs and Bangladesh Premier League franchises but we have to consider many factors including hotels and logistics before reaching a decision,” he said.

Mikel Arteta revealed that Riccardo Calafiori did not have to be convinced as the defender was "ready" to join Arsenal after the first meeting.

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Arsenal signed Calafiori from BolognaThe defender is already on the US for pre-seasonWas eager to join Gunners despite interest from other clubsWHAT HAPPENED?

The versatile 22-year-old defender has joined Arsenal from Bologna for a fee that could rise to £42 million with add-ons. Calafiori quickly integrated with his new team-mates after the young defender was formally introduced to the squad by Arteta during a team meeting in Philadelphia, where Arsenal are currently on their pre-season tour.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT ARTETA SAID

When Arteta was asked what has been the most impressive feature of Calafiori, the manager said: "It was great when I spoke to him one or two times and that was when I didn’t know if we could do it or not. He was adamant – 'Let me know when you are ready, my bags are ready and I just want to come to Arsenal'. Those were his words. When you have that feeling with a willingness and determination to make us better. We should be really proud of that."

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Despite his eagerness, Calafiori will not be thrown into the deep end in a friendly clash against Liverpool and instead might just get a "few minutes" to help him ease into his new role at Arsenal.

When asked about his potential debut, Arteta said: "I don’t know. He had a long flight yesterday and the medical. The last 48 hours have been busy for him. He hasn’t really done anything with the team. Let’s see how he is. If he’s available great, he might play a few minutes. But if he’s not ready, we’re not going to push him."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Calafiori revealed that he had been in discussions with Arteta and Arsenal's sporting director Edu for almost two months before a deal with Bologna was thrashed out.

"I spoke for almost two months with the coach and Edu. The negotiations were tough and took a while, but I was always convinced this was the right move for me," Calafiori said.

"I see Arsenal as the best project for me to develop as a player. There were other clubs but I don't care any more. I am here and I want to win trophies. This is the best project because the team is young and can win trophies. My mentality is to win. I can play in different positions, I don't care where but I just want to play. I was here in January to watch Arsenal versus Crystal Palace. As soon as I am really fit, I hope to help the team."

Reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has shared an update on Tottenham and their plans for the upcoming window.

Spurs transfer policy taking shape ahead of the summer

Chairman Daniel Levy, technical director Johan Lange and the wider Spurs recruitment team have been drawing up their shortlist of targets for later in the year, and it is widely believed that a new forward could be on the agenda.

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Tottenham apparently want a new winger this summer, with manager Ange Postecoglou also recently admitting that the north Londoners are pretty keen to bring in a new central defender as well.

If you’re saying, ‘Is it an area we can strengthen?’, yes it’s an area we will probably look at”, said Postecoglou on Spurs signing another centre-back.

“With all these things, it’s about trying to strengthen the group as much as anything else. If you think about when I first arrived, we had maybe six or seven centre-backs at the club. So it’s not just numbers. It’s more about the ability of those players to play the football we want and to fit in to what we’re trying to build here.

Son Heung-min

7.40

James Maddison

7.38

Pedro Porro

7.14

Cristian Romero

7.12

Dejan Kulusevski

7.05

“I think it is an area of the park we will look to strengthen, but I think we’ll look to strengthen all areas of the park come the end of the season. That is planning that’s already underway, and other people are in charge of it at the moment.

“We’re a squad that needs to develop, and we’re looking for that younger demographic. But at the same time you’re looking for guys that have played."

It could be an interesting next transfer window for the club, especially if they seal a place in the top four and a spot in next year's Champions League group stage.

Fabrizio Romano shares Spurs transfer "priority"

Now, speaking to JD Football, Romano has shared the "priority for Tottenham" when the transfer window reopens.

According to the renowned journalist, Lange, Levy and co want a "quality player" to chip in with both goals and assists – despite Postecoglou already possessing a fair few noteworthy players in the forward areas.

“Look, a player they appreciate for a long time is Raphinha from Barcelona. We know the financial situation at Barcelona is not easy, so he could be one of the names. They will look at that kind of player," said Romano.

"Another player they appreciate is Pedro Neto, but he has this issue with his injuries, so I’m not sure Liverpool, Tottenham or the other clubs following the player will be prepared to play big money for Pedro Neto this summer. That kind of player is the priority for Tottenham, I see them going for that kind of winger, a quality player to help with goals and assists."

Glamorgan thwarted by feisty partnership after dominant display with the ball

ECB Reporters Network01-Aug-2020Glamorgan 8 for 0 trail Somerset 296 (Davies 81, Brooks 72) by 198 runsSteven Davies and Jack Brooks transformed a modest Somerset total with a last-wicket stand of 107 on the opening day of the Bob Willis Trophy match against Glamorgan at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.The hosts had looked set to miss out on any batting points when crumbling to 149 for eight, Ruaidhri Smith claiming three of the wickets.But after Josh Davey had contributed 20 to help revive Somerset fortunes, last man Brooks came out to smash a 38-ball half century on his way to making 72, off 58 deliveries, with 9 fours and 2 sixes.Davies, who had been dropped twice, top-scored with 81 not out, off 108 balls, with 9 fours, as the menace went out of the Glamorgan seam attack. Somerset were finally bowled out for 296 before their opponents replied with 8 for no wicket.It was a day of mixed fortunes for Smith, who finished with three for 41, but was forced to hobble off injured in the closing session.Before play started there was a minute’s silence in recognition of those who have lost their lives to the coronavirus pandemic.The players also took the knee in support of improving diversity and inclusion in cricket and the community ahead of the opening ball being delivered.Somerset won the toss, but were soon being put under pressure in overcast conditions on a pitch offering pace and bounce.Young openers Tom Lammonby, making his first class debut, and Eddie Byrom did well to take the score to 38 against some testing pace bowling before being parted.Byrom was bowled off an inside edge by Graham Wagg (two for 59) for 22. Tom Abell, on three, had his stumps scattered by Marchant de Lange (two for 37), and James Hildreth was caught at point off Dan Douthwaite for 16.At lunch, the score was 92 for three and Glamorgan’s position would have been stronger had Charlie Hemphrey not dropped Lammonby on 14 at second slip off the impressive de Lange.The 20-year-old Devonian left-hander batted through the morning session to be unbeaten on 40 at the break. But in the fifth over off the afternoon Lammonby fell lbw to the accurate Michael Hogan for 41.Smith picked up three wickets in the session, sending back George Bartlett, who was worked over by the sharp de Lange before falling for a battling 23, Roelof van der Merwe and Jamie Overton.Douthwaite accounted for Craig Overton leg-before and Glamorgan were well on top as Davies survived a couple of chances to slip on his way to a 76-ball half-century.Davey began the recovery, helping Davies add 40 for the ninth wicket, but when he top-edged a steeply rising ball from de Lange to mid-on Somerset were still 11 runs short of a batting point.Brooks played positively from the start and had blazed his way to 45 with a succession of belligerent shots before being dropped off Wagg, a tough chance to Billy Root over his shoulder at mid-wicket.It was all the luck Brooks needed to register his first half-century for Somerset since joining them from Yorkshire. He bludgeoned a tiring attack and Davies lost little by comparison as the pair ensured a respectable total.When Brooks was eventually caught and bowled by Wagg, Glamorgan were left with seven overs to bat in the day. Nick Selman and Hemphrey found the new ball seaming around for Craig Overton and Davey.Overton conceded four byes with a bouncer that flew over wicketkeeper Davies’ head and the first six overs were completed without a run off the bat as the openers concentrated on survival.

Derby County will go into their Good Friday clash against Blackpool keeping their fingers crossed that another win in League One is forthcoming, even after falling to a crushing 1-0 defeat to Northampton Town last time out.

Sam Hoskins ruined the Rams' day out to Sixfields with an instinctive first-half strike, putting a dampener on proceedings after Paul Warne's men were full of confidence after overcoming automatic promotion rivals Bolton Wanderers in the game prior.

The likes of Curtis Nelson and Sonny Bradley didn't cover themselves in the glory in the narrow defeat to the Cobblers, with the latter of the two centre-backs receiving a late red card to add insult to injury from a Derby point of view.

Yet, Warne and Co wouldn't trade either of those underperforming faces in for this Rams flop in return who is now a forgotten figure at Pride Park after once being viewed as a statement purchase.

Raul Albentosa's time at Derby

Derby couldn't quite believe they managed to land Raul Albentosa's services in 2015, with a number of clubs interested in the Spanish defender after starring in his native country for SD Eibar before making the move to England.

Showing a "real desire" to join the ranks in Derbyshire according to then Rams manager Steve McClaren, it was a move that had plenty of intrigue and hype attached to it.

Albentosa would boast a reputation as being an imposing and goalscoring defender from his time with Eibar, bagging four goals over 50 games for the Spanish side alongside helping himself to an additional three assists.

That was never quite translated into his time donning a Rams shirt, however, with the move – which cost what now looks like an excessive £450k – undoubtedly going down as a major flop.

Only making nine appearances in total for his new English employers before jetting back off to sunnier surroundings in Spain once more, the former Derby number 36 would never really acclimatise to the demands or the cut and thrust of EFL football.

1. GK – Kelle Roos

2. RB – Cyrus Christie

3. CB – Raul Albentosa

4. CB – Jake Buxton

5. CB – Richard Keogh

6. LB – Craig Forsyth

7. CM – Will Hughes

8. CM – Omar Mascarell

9. CM – Jeff Hendrick

10. ST – Darren Bent

11. ST – Chris Martin

As can be seen above, Albentosa's full debut for the Rams wouldn't actually come about until December of his debut season owing to recurring hamstring issues plaguing the start of his doomed Derby stint.

Even when he was fully fit to face off against Chesterfield in the FA Cup, he would only be afforded a 45-minute run-out before being hauled off by McClaren who certainly must have felt the Rams weren't getting their money's worth whatsoever out of the ex-Eibar dud.

It would result in Derby offloading Albentosa to Malaga on loan just one season into his two-and-a-half-year contract at Pride Park, with the 6 foot 5 centre-back then leaving for Deportivo de La Coruña permanently after this loan was up.

In the list of all-time Rams' flops, Albentosa's name must be near the top of the pile with so much talk surrounding his capture focusing in on how many high-profile clubs Derby had beaten to get him into the building.

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Now, the one-time Rams man finds himself playing in Europe's 15th-ranked nation, 14 places below England – according to the UEFA coefficients – and he has managed to mend his broken career somewhat after the scathing experience of playing in England must have left some wounds on his ego.

Raul Albentosa's career after Derby

Albentosa has become a well-travelled individual after calling time on his unmemorable Derby stay, moving to far-away Romania and Bulgaria before finding a settled home recently in Denmark with Vejle Boldklub.

The now 35-year-old is captain of the Superliga club, amassing 69 appearances in total since joining in 2022 and firing in goals from the back to recapture his Eibar best even as his career gradually grinds to a halt.

Albentosa has managed to score eight goals for Vejle to prove his worth to his Danish employers, playing as a leader for the Scandinavian side after shirking away from the spotlight time after time at Pride Park.

The revitalised Vejle number six was crucial to his team beating Silkeborg in mid-February, making seven clearances and completing five interceptions to shut out their Superliga opponents whilst scoring late on to ensure his team would win 2-0 on the day.

It's been a great turnaround for a man lost to the Rams' history books, with many Derby fans just focusing on watching their current crop of heroes battle it out for promotion back up to the Championship than ever remembering names such as Albentosa's when recollecting on the past.

Derby will just be raring to go again when Blackpool come to town on Good Friday, with all those associated with the League One giants wanting to return to the Championship and fast.

Whilst the current camp at Derby could etch themselves into the hall-of-fame at Pride Park by finally breaking back through to the second tier, there'll be no bad blood now on the end of the Rams towards Albentosa and his wretched time in Derbyshire nearly ten years on.

Warne will just have to pray that if his Derby side do return to the division above, they don't get caught out with expensive blunders like Albentosa in the here and now.

Italian defender Riccado Calafiori has boarded a plane set for London as he travels to England to complete his move to Arsenal.

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Calafiori to join Arsenal from BolognaDefender becomes first Gunners summer signingArsenal set to face Man Utd on SaturdayWHAT HAPPENED?

Calafiori is set to end weeks of transfer speculation by finally completing his £42 million ($54m) move to the Gunners following an impressive season for Bologna and European Championship with Italy. The defender will complete medical tests before signing his contract to begin his new chapter in north London. Arsenal saw off competition from Juventus and Chelsea to agree terms with the Italian, who is capable of playing at both left-back and centre-half.

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Calafiori was been identified by Mikel Arteta as a key target this summer and central to his desire to "upgrade everything" as the Gunners dream of finally beating Manchester City to the Premier League crown. The defender was pivotal to helping Bologna qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 60 years and had been expected to reunite with Thiago Motta at Juventus before Arsenal pipped the Bianconeri to his services. Having secured their man, Calafiori travels to London and then will join the rest of Arteta's squad in the US.

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Despite playing in the middle of defence for both Bologna and Italy the past year, Arsenal may look to make the most of his qualities at full-back. Calafiori broke through at Roma as a left-back and, given that position was an Achilles' heel in Arsenal's side last season, he may provide an adequate antidote. Although, his versatility could mean he lines up alongside William Saliba at the heart of defence when Gabriel Magalhaes is not available.

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WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

Calafiori will not join the club in time for their clash against Manchester United on Saturday. The Gunners will look to offer a glimpse of what their season could look like as some of their key players return to training from international duty. Although both sides are far from full strength, Arteta and Erik ten Hag will not take this game lightly.

Fast-bowling depth to be tested if demanding international schedule goes ahead

Matt Roller13-May-2020England will consider handing international opportunities to fringe players and testing their fast-bowling depth to help them cope with a demanding revised summer schedule of behind-closed-doors cricket.The ECB have made extensive contingency plans in the hope of salvaging a home international season when it becomes safe to do so, with the current ambition of starting a Test series against West Indies on July 8. It is likely that as many as 30 players will be called up to any England squad in order to allow for intra-squad practice games, and the possibility of playing white-ball and red-ball series concurrently remains on the table.ALSO READ: ECB’s Test plans boosted by latest government strategyThat means that England’s depth will be put the test. Mo Bobat, the ECB’s performance director, has been in regular discussions with Chris Silverwood, England’s head coach, and Ed Smith, the national selector, over the past two months, and told ESPNcricinfo that there may be chances for players on the fringes of the national team to allow them to get through a “pretty brutal” fixture list.”We’ve got quite a broad talent pool – some guys that have done really well in the winter on the Lions programme, and plenty of guys knocking on the door, so we may have the opportunity to provide quite a few guys with some international exposure as and when we get to it,” Bobat said.”I get quite excited by that. If it means we’re going to provide international exposure to a new group of players, which we may have to, then I think that’s great. It’s probably common knowledge that we may have to explore things like playing concurrent squads, and that means our depth will get challenged, but I see that as an opportunity.”England’s fast-bowling depth will come under particular strain. Seamers will return to individualised training sessions at county grounds within the next two weeks to allow them as much lead-in time as possible before the planned start of the West Indies series, but with back-to-back Tests likely and players starting from a low base, rotation will be an inevitable feature of the summer.”For some of our fast bowlers, we know we want to get loads through their bodies and their bones need hardening again,” Bobat said. “It’s important to remember what we’re preparing for: we’re preparing for Test cricket, and a schedule that will involve back-to-back Tests. It’s a pretty brutal schedule: it’s not just preparing them to play one Test or a one-day game. It’s incumbent on us to make sure we give the players the best chance of making sure their bodies are in the right place to deal with that tough schedule.”While England have used as many as eight frontline seamers in Test cricket in the last 12 months, there are complications. Both Mark Wood and Jofra Archer were undergoing rehabilitation programmes following injuries when the UK went into lockdown, while Stuart Broad and James Anderson have suggested that returning from the training they are currently doing to international cricket may be harder for them given their age.England’s fast-bowling stocks will be tested this summer•Getty ImagesThat means opportunities for the three seamers handed pace-bowling development contracts by the ECB in January – Olly Stone, Saqib Mahmood and Craig Overton – may be forthcoming, while Ollie Robinson and Brydon Carse, who impressed on the Lions’ tour of Australia, will come into the conversation.The week before the UK went into lockdown, Bobat and Raphael Brandon, the ECB’s head of science and medicine, held meetings with the three seamers’ counties to discuss the outlines of programmes for the season ahead, and while those plans have been thrown off, all three will be considered for squads this year.ALSO READ: Pace-bowling development contracts for Mahmood, Stone, Overton”We know that we want variety in our pace attack, and across that variety we then want depth. It’s as simple as that,” Bobat said. “You can look at those three guys and know that they might have the capability to perform slightly different roles, and they represent depth beneath the guys who are currently in the England team.”The biggest attraction is simply that we think they are three high-quality bowlers. They’re at different stages: Craig has had experience of actually bowling some volume, [so] his needs are going to be different to Olly who’s returning from a couple of injury setbacks. We’re trying to make sure that they get the right amount of cricket to develop skills – as well as their bodies – moving forward.”I don’t think anyone is going to turn down a battery of 90mph fast bowlers, but that one attribute hasn’t been the key driver. If you add those three guys to the many fast bowlers we used this winter, it strengthens our depth. We want to get to our competitive series, like the [2021-22] Ashes as an example, with as many options to pick from as possible.”The ECB had been due to appoint a bowling coach in the early months of this season, but the recruitment process has been paused on account of the pandemic. Instead, England will continue to use short-term consultant coaches, with Richard Dawson, Jon Lewis and Jeetan Patel among those likely to be involved. Patel, Shane Bond and Darren Gough were among those used last winter, with players giving positive feedback about their experience working with them.”We deliberately didn’t rush into [appointments] over the winter in a number of coaching roles that I’d have been looking to fill,” Bobat said. “In the short term, we might use consultants. We’ve got an array of high-quality coaches within the game, and particularly if we’re losing cricket and guys are itching to get involved, it would be good to be able to lean on our county workforce if we need to.”