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Tottenham Hotspur face Nottingham Forest tonight, looking to build on their tremendous victory in the Europa League against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday night.

Ange Postecoglou’s side booked their place in the semi-finals, setting up a clash with Norwegian outfit Bodo Glimt, with the majority of their attention on such a fixture.

However, the Lilywhites will look to end their Premier League campaign on a high, in what has been a hugely disappointing one by their usual high standards.

They have the opportunity to dent Forest’s ambitions of securing a Champions League place, led by former boss Nuno Espírito Santo, who was sacked in North London after just 17 games in all competitions.

If Ange’s side are to claim all three points this evening, he will have to drop one player who’s failed to deliver when handed the opportunity from the start in recent weeks.

Why Ange should drop Johnson against Nottingham Forest

Welsh winger Brennan Johnson has failed to match his early-season form, which saw him register a goal in six consecutive games across all competitions.

The 23-year-old has only found the back of the net twice since the end of February, with his showing against Frankfurt in midweek certainly one to forget despite the victory.

He featured for 85 minutes of the contest, completing just 69% of the passes he attempted, whilst winning just two of the six duels he entered – often being dominated in the final third.

His total of just 22 touches, an average of one every 3.8 minutes, showcased his lack of impact when on the ball, needing to be replaced as a result of his poor showing.

With little to nothing left to play for other than pride in the league, Ange could take the clash with the Reds to experiment with his first-team, potentially handing a rare start to one other first-team member.

The player who Ange must start against Nottingham Forest

Injuries have massively plagued Ange throughout the majority of this season, hugely preventing any chance of rising up the table – having to often utilise players out of position.

The likes of Archie Gray and Ben Davies have often had to fill the void at the heart of the defence, with numerous forwards missing, leaving Johnson with very little competition in the process.

Wilson Odobert is just one player who’s spent an extended period on the sidelines throughout 2024/25, restricting him from making an impact after his £25m move from Burnley last summer.

The Frenchman has only featured in 14 games across all competitions, most of which have come from the substitutes bench, but it hasn’t prevented him from making a huge impact.

In one of his most recent starts for the Lilywhites, he scored twice in the Europa League triumph over AZ Alkmaar – only making one start since his impressive showing nearly six weeks ago.

Whilst he was an unused substitute in the win on Thursday night, it could be an opportunity for Postecoglou to shuffle his pack and hand the 20-year-old just his sixth league start.

He’s completed 1.8 dribbles per 90 in the league to date, whilst also registering the same amount of efforts on goal, having the attacking threat to add to the front line.

Games played

10

Minutes played

448

Pass accuracy

86%

Successful dribbles

1.8

Shots taken

1.8

Duels won

4.3

Touches in opposition box

5.8

Odobert, who’s been labelled “unbelievable” by Jacob Horsfall, has the drive and threat with the ball at his feet that could cause the opposition backline no end of trouble tonight.

It’s the perfect opportunity for the youngster to impress, potentially staking his claim for a starting role in the Europa League, having a massive part to play in their quest for a first trophy since 2008.

Spurs have found their modern Mousa Dembele in Ange's "serious player"

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كشف الدولي الكولومبي لويس دياز، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي بايرن ميونخ الألماني، عن وجود مفاوضات مع أكثر من ناد، خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الماضية.

وكان دياز هدفًا رئيسيًا لأندية برشلونة وبايرن ميونخ من أجل تعزيز مركز الجناح استعدادًا للموسم الحالي 2025/2026 ولا سيما بعد الأداء المميز الذي قدمه مع ليفربول على مدار السنوات الماضية.

برشلونة دخل في مفاوضات قوية مع الإسباني نيكو ويليامز، جناح الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي أتلتيك بلباو لكن وبعد صراعات عديدة مع الجمهور والإدارة، نجح النادي في إقناع اللاعب بتجديد عقده حتى عام 2035.

الأمر الذي جعل النادي يطرق باب التعاقد مع لويس دياز من ليفربول لكن إدارة النادي الإنجليزي رفضت النقاش حول الصفقة طالما أن المبلغ المعروض أقل من 80 مليون يورو، إذ كان يرغب برشلونة في دفع 60 مليون يورو فقط كحد أقصى.

اقرأ أيضًا | لابورتا عن إصابة لامين يامال مع إسبانيا: فليك محق

بايرن ميونخ دخل في صراع المنافسة على التعاقد مع الجناح الكولومبي صاحب الـ 28 عامًا وحاول أن يقلل المبلغ المالي ولكن إدارة الريدز رفضت.

النادي الألماني كان في حاجة للتعاقد مع لاعب في مركز الجناح بعد رحيل ليروى ساني واحتياج لتدعيم الفريق في مركز الجناح.

ولعب بايرن ميونخ أمام نظيره تشيلسي مساء أمس الأربعاء، في مستهل مشوارهما في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا 2025/2026 واستطاع التغلب على النادي الإنجليزي بثلاثية مقابل هدف.

وقال دياز في تصريحات عبر “moviestar”: “أنا سعيد جدًا بوجودي في هذا النادي العظيم، جرت مفاوضات كما هو معتاد في سوق الانتقالات مع عدة فرق، منهم برشلونة، اتخذت قرارًا موضوعيًا بشأن مستقبلي والأهم من ذلك كله أنني قادم إلى نادٍ عظيم وتاريخي، لذلك سأبذل قصارى جهدي”.

وأتم تعليقًا على فوزه على تشيلسي: “أنا سعيد جدًا بالفوز، لقد كان على قدر توقعاتنا، بداية كهذه مهمة للفريق ليحافظ على هدوئه، الآن حان وقت الراحة”.

Afghanistan came surging back into the Test on day three, first polishing off the Sri Lanka tail quickly, before Ibrahim Zadran put up big stands with Noor Ali Zadran and Rahmat Shah, as he completed a valiant maiden Test century.Ibrahim and Shah remained unbeaten at the close, which means Afghanistan have nine wickets left as they seek to wipe out the 42 runs remaining in their deficit, and establish a lead that will test Sri Lanka. The surface had not yet begun to take ripping turn, and remained excellent for batting. But Afghanistan do have two spinners in their attack – albeit very inexperienced – who may be able to exploit what assistance there is.Sri Lanka will rue their missed chances. Ibrahim had been on 39 when he came down the pitch to smash a Prabath Jayasuriya delivery straight back to the bowler, who let it burst through his fingers and on to the boundary for four. The easier of the chances came to Nishan Madushka at short mid on when Ibrahim was on 63. This was again struck hard, but at a catchable height near his head. He got his hands up, but couldn’t quite wrap his fingers around the ball.Related

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Sri Lanka’s bowlers were largely disciplined, even if they could not coax life out of a pitch that had become good for batting. Asitha Fernando was the best of them, delivering some excellent bursts of short-pitched bowling, as well as some outstanding fuller deliveries, one of which yielded the only Afghanistan wicket to fall – that of Noor, for 47.But the day belonged to Ibrahim. He had his outside edge occasionally beaten with the new ball and was scoreless for 14 deliveries, but once he got moving, he kept a steady tempo. His first runs were via a glance to the fine leg boundary, but early in his innings he was mostly strong in the arc between cover and mid off. Between the boundaries, which came principally off full and slightly wide deliveries, there was a substantial diet of singles all around the wicket. Ibrahim took 84 balls to get into his 30s. During his 106-run partnership with Noor, the primary goal seemed to be to bat time.The half-century came off the last over before tea, and in the evening Ibrahim consolidated. He was hitting boundaries through long on and midwicket now. Sri Lanka attempted all sorts of catching men to try and lure a mistake, but aside from that dropped chance on 63, Ibrahim found ways to progress without taking risks. He was mostly only trying to hit fours off the bad deliveries – usually ones that were overpitched. He got to his hundred – the fourth ever for Afghanistan – off the last over of the day.Asitha Fernando removed Noor Ali Zadran•AFP/Getty Images

Noor’s innings, in contrast to Ibrahim’s was troubled, but he nevertheless stuck it out for 136 deliveries and fell only three runs short of what would have been a maiden fifty on debut. He was particularly uncomfortable against Asitha’s burst of bouncers soon after lunch, but he survived it narrowly, and it would only be in the third session that Asitha would get him out, pinging him in front of leg stump with a fast, full delivery. Noor made the majority of his runs behind the wicket – a reflection, partly, of how short Sri Lanka bowled to him.Rahmat, who got to 46 off 98 before stumps, and was part of a 93-run unbeaten partnership with Ibrahim, made all but 11 of his runs on the offside. He was strong down the ground, especially, finding thre of his five boundaries there.Sri Lanka’s attack was upset by a blow to Chamika Gunasekara, who in the morning was hit on the head, seemed to suffer the effects a few overs after he was hit, and was taken off the field and to further tests in hospital. Kasun Rajitha, who replaced him as concussion substitute, was the most expensive of Sri Lanka’s bowlers on Sunday, going at 4.30 across his 10 overs.The others were more disciplined, even if only Asitha seriously threatened to take wickets through much of the day. Jayasuriya will be especially disappointed he has nothing in the wickets column after delivering 32 overs, though nine of those were maidens.Early in the day, Afghanistan had claimed three wickets for 39 to close out Sri Lanka’s first innings at 439. The most important wicket of the morning was the first – that of Sri Lanka’s last recognised batter Sadeera Smarawickrama, who edged Naveed Zadran to gully.The two next wickets were not long in falling. Naveed hit the top of Jayasuriya’s off stump before, next over, Nijat Masood bowled Asitha Fernando first ball, with Asitha having come in after Gunasekara retired hurt.Naveed’s take for the innings was 4 for 83. Masood and Qais Ahmed claimed two wickets apiece.

In what is a frustrating blow for those at the Stadium of Light, one Sunderland star could now miss the rest of the season – including the play-offs – after already missing the Norwich City game.

Le Bris provides Sunderland injury update

Whilst the play-offs are already well within their grasp, Sunderland would have still been left frustrated by their 0-0 draw against Norwich City in midweek. The Black Cats are in the type of form that many expected to continue against the inconsistent Canaries, having lost just once in their last five Championship games. Nonetheless Regis Le Bris’ side were forced to settle for a frustrating point.

The Sunderland boss delivered his verdict on the 0-0 draw in his post-match press conference, telling reporters: “It was a tough first half. We defended well and we expected a strong team in possession with many threats. We did well without pressure, which was probably the main problem.

“The first half was a little bit too reserved. The tactical set-up was clear, so now it was a case of taking risks. It’s easier when you are on the bench, but after 30 minutes, it was a little bit better.

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“At half time, we spoke about the boldness we needed to have against a strong team. Things were better in the second half – we had good possession and the four subs helped. These games against West Brom and Norwich are really interesting because they are strong in possession with many threats. The fact that we can manage these games and keep a clean sheet says a lot about our efficiency.”

Le Bris was also able to provide an update on Jobe Bellingham’s injury, revealing that the midfielder missed the draw through a minor recurring ankle injury in what should see him make a swift return. The same can’t be said for another Sunderland star, however, following a recurrence of his own injury.

Romaine Mundle suffers injury blow

After the winger missed the Norwich game through injury, Le Bris revealed that Mundle could now be out for the rest of the season. The Sunderland boss told reporters: “Romaine has a hamstring injury, but we don’t yet know the timeline. We need to seek some further advice from some specialists and so we will have to wait a little bit.

“It’s possible [that his season could be over], we’ll have to make a decision about the situation. It’s not up to us really, we need specific advice before we can make a specific decision.”

The latest piece of bad news continues a frustrating campaign for Mundle, who already missed 16 Championship games through the same injury frustration earlier this season. Having scored five goals in all competitions despite the disruption, it’s clear that Sunderland will miss the winger if that is to be it for him this season.

Dubbed “brilliant” by captain Dan Neil in the past, Mundle will be desperate to put his struggles behind him as soon as possible and look forward towards a comeback which may have to wait until next season.

da pinnacle： As they look to deal their Premier League rivals a major blow and land a key reinforcement in the process, Aston Villa are now reportedly prepared to complete Unai Emery’s transfer request to hijack a major star from Tottenham.

Aston Villa ready to grant Emery's wish

da blaze casino： Having dragged them from the depths of relegation battles all the way to a Champions League quarter-final and a place in the last four of the FA Cup, to say that Emery is well-placed to make his own transfer requests at Villa Park would be an understatement. Together with sporting director Monchi, the Spaniard has earned the backing of those in the Midlands.

To Villa’s credit too, they’re often just as ambitious as their manager in the transfer market – welcoming both Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford on loan during the January window. And that ambition is only likely to increase if they qualify for the Champions League for a second-consecutive season – perhaps resulting in moves for the likes of Dusan Vlahovic.

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The Villans are reportedly leading the race to sign the out-of-favour Juventus striker and could land a deal for as little as £33m this summer. It’s not just the Serbian forward on their radar, however.

According to Football Transfers, Aston Villa are now preparing to grant Emery’s request and sign Cristian Romero from Tottenham Hotspur this summer. The Argentina defender is reportedly ready to move on from North London and will cost as much as £55m, with Villa ‘willing to offer Romero a five-year contract’.

A World Cup-winner and Champions League-level defender, Emery’s interest in Romero should come as little surprise. It represents how far Spurs have fallen at the same time as Villa’s rise that the two clubs have almost swapped in positions both on and off the pitch. It wouldn’t be absurd to suggest that, in 2025, a move to Villa Park is bigger than heading to Spurs.

"Strong" Romero would be impressive coup

Luring one of the most influential players at one of the so-called top six clubs to the Midlands would not only validate Villa’s place in the battle for European places, it would also send a damning statement of intent. Emery already knows all about Romero’s quality and whilst there may be some concerns over his recent injury history, there’s no doubt that he would instantly hand Aston Villa a defensive leader.

Ollie Watkins also knows all about the defender’s quality. As Spurs thrashed Aston Villa 4-1 earlier this season, the England international was limited to just three touches in the opposition box and lost as many as nine duels. Romero, meanwhile, made four interceptions and won four out of seven ground duels whilst maintaining a pass accuracy of 95%.

If that was his Aston Villa audition, then the Argentine passed with flying colours. It’s those types of performances that have seen Romero praised by the likes of teammate Micky van de Ven, who told reporters last season: “Amazing player, unbelievable player. Defensively so strong, with the ball so strong, keeps talking, for me an amazing player.”

da dobrowin： Given the state of the current Tottenham Hotspur team, languishing in 14th place and Ange Postecoglou biting back at the club’s supporters, it feels hard to believe that it wasn’t long ago they were in the final of a Champions League.

da heads bet： The year was 2019. The team was managed by Mauricio Pochettino. The likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Co were all in their pomp.

It was a magnificent side but even they couldn’t end Spurs’ trophy drought. Perhaps they really are cursed in that department?

Since that final, the team has been torn into several different pieces. Pochettino is the head coach of the USA, Harry Kane is still banging in the goals, but at Bayern Munich no less, and Dele is also on foreign soil.

We’ve heard enough about Kane in recent years so let’s get you up to speed on Dele’s career.

How Dele Alli is faring in 2025

A generational talent. An England star with the world at his feet. In 2019, that’s where Dele certainly was in his career.

This was a player with the swagger and arrogance of a Jude Bellingham. He was a PFA Young Player of the Year winner and someone who was surely on their way to earning 100 caps for their country.

In 2016/17, he scored 18 times in the Premier League, assisting eight goals in the process. The following campaign he followed that up with nine goals and ten assists. The Champions League final year wasn’t his best, netting five league goals and assisting three but he was still seen as an icon in the making at Tottenham.

So, what happened next? Well, Pochettino’s sacking is perhaps the catalyst. Dele didn’t exactly see eye to eye with a certain Jose Mourinho, scoring ten goals in 51 outings. It’s not a bad record but it’s not the draw-dropping numbers the England international was pumping out regularly under Poch.

Sadly, the now 28-year-old’s career has not lived up to the hype. We can excuse that, though, because Dele has endured a torrid time of it with both physical injury and his mental health.

A revealing interview with Gary Neville in 2023 saw him try to fight back the tears as he revealed how he contemplated retiring from the game amid a sleeping pill addiction.

Since that interview, the attacking midfielder has worked hard to return to playing. Injury at Everton meant he barely kicked a ball but now, in 2025, he’s been given a second chance.

Signed by none other than Cesc Fabregas, he’s now plying his trade in Serie A with Como. It’s not a bad place to play football.

He made his comeback last weekend, although was sent off in controversial circumstances on debut for a challenge on fellow countryman Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Despite Milan right-back Kyle Walker pleading with the referee to keep him on the pitch, Dele was given his marching orders.

So, while his career hasn’t gone in the direction he will have envisioned, we wish him all the very best. We also wish the best for Spurs’ new Dele. He’s a pretty mighty fine talent himself.

Spurs new Dele is breaking through under Ange

It’s safe to say that Tottenham Hotspur boast some of the finest young talents on the footballing scene right now, a statement substantiated by the fact that in GOAL’s prestigious NXGN 2025 list, they had five players ranked in the top 50.

Tottenham’s NXGN 2025 ranks

Player

Rank

Yang Min-hyeok

#43

Luka Vuskovic

#26

Mikey Moore

#22

Lucas Bergvall

#17

Archie Gray

#13

The player we want to focus on is a certain Archie Gray. The 19-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable rise, one that’s akin to Dele.

Like the former Tottenham Hotspur star, Gray learned his trade in the EFL, starring for Leeds after being handed his first-team debut at the age of 16.

He shone as the Whites nearly secured promotion in 2023/24, only missing two Championship games all season.

It was hardly a surprise to see him attract the attention of the Premier League’s elite, and he ultimately joined Spurs for a fee of £30m.

It was a much larger fee than the £5m price tag Dele moved from Milton Keynes Dons for, but it showed the benefit of moving for some of the Football League’s best talents.

Similarly to the former MK star, Gray hasn’t needed long to settle into his surroundings, despite a baptism of fire in north London.

Due to several first-team injuries, the midfielder – who played at right-back for Leeds last term – was forced to play at centre-back. In fact, 19 of his 38 Spurs appearances have come in the centre of defence.

It was evident it wasn’t his natural position, but he performed admirably in that role, nonetheless, with Postecoglou hailing his qualities: “He doesn’t shy away from it, he doesn’t hide. He just keeps going. We’ll get enormous growth out of him during this period, but right now he’s contributing to us, he’s helping us.”

Since the return of key players, Gray has now moved into his preferred position of central midfield. It’s the same position Dele made his own nearly ten years ago.

Said to be a “future England player” by data analyst Ben Mattinson, Thomas Tuchel and Postecoglou have a gem on their hands here, one they will hope can replicate Dele’s feats at international and club level in the years to come.

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The international break has come at the right time for Chelsea, with Enzo Maresca’s side needing a break to end their recent poor run in the Premier League as of late.

The Blues have lost three of the last five league outings, with their most recent coming at the weekend against Arsenal at the Emirates, with Mikel Merino’s goal the difference between the sides.

However, Maresca’s men still occupy a place in the top four with just nine league games remaining this season, looking to secure a Champions League place in his first campaign at the helm.

It would be a huge boost for the club after missing out on competing with Europe’s elite in the last couple of years, with their success potentially proving that the huge investment has been worthwhile.

Their spending has shown no signs of slowing down in recent months, with the Blues making yet another key addition in recent days – setting themselves up for future success.

Chelsea’s move to land Geovany Quenda

In recent days, Chelsea have made yet another addition after clinching a deal with Portuguese outfit Sporting CP for the signature of 17-year-old wide player Geovany Quenda.

The teenager, who can operate off either flank, has set the club back a fee in the region of £42.7m, taking the spending during the Todd Boehly era to over £1.3b.

However, Quenda is set to spend the 2025/26 season back on loan at the Liga Portugal outfit, before linking up with the Blues ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

He looks set to operate in wide areas, mainly off the left-hand side if recent reports are to be believed, and potentially able to feature in a wing-back role should the manager decide to utilise a back-five at Stamford Bridge.

Many must wish he was moving to West London this summer, especially after one first-team member’s display for his country on Thursday evening.

The Chelsea player who dropped a 4/10 for his country

Given the money spent over the last couple of years, it’s no surprise to see numerous players featuring for their respective nations during the international break.

Eight of Maresca’s key players were selected to represent their country, with many of them featuring in various matches across the globe last night.

Marc Cucurella started and featured for the entirety of the contest against the Netherlands in Rotterdam, but was unable to produce a performance to remember as they only managed to draw 2-2.

He received his 14th cap for his country, but it was one to forget, being run ragged by one player, which contributed to their inability to claim another victory.

The 26-year-old only managed to win four of the 12 duels he entered, whilst being dribbled past four times, including by Jeremie Frimpong, who spun the full-back, leading to the host’s second goal.

Cucurella also committed two fouls in the process, whilst only managing to complete 50% of his attempted crosses, failing to have a positive impact at either end of the pitch.

Minutes played

90

Touches

85

Duels won

4/12

Dribbled past

4x

Fouls committed

2

Crosses completed

1/2 (50%)

Dribbles completed

0

He also failed to complete any dribbles, with only two of his 62 attempted passes being key passes, unable to create any clear-cut opportunities within the final third.

As a result of his dismal showing for Spain, the left-back was handed a measly 4/10 match rating by GIVEMESPORT, showcasing how disappointing he was during the draw.

Given his disappointing outing last night, many supporters must wish that Quenda was moving to the Bridge this summer, offering another option in wide areas for Maresca.

However, Cucurella will remain the number one option for the next couple of years at least, with the Spaniard needing to return to his usual high standards ahead of the return to club action in a week’s time.

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Three wickets fall on truncated first day as relegation fight with Kent hots up

ECB Reporters Network26-Sep-2023Relegation-threatened Middlesex closed a truncated opening day of their LV= Insurance County Championship match against Nottinghamshire on 162 for three as they began the last round of the 2023 season with one eye on Kent’s progress against Lancashire in Canterbury.Middlesex have to better Kent’s result or match it with at least one more bonus point than their rivals if they are to avoid joining Northamptonshire in Division Two next season.Given that they have won only two batting bonus points all season, skipper Toby Roland-Jones might have taken a few by surprise with his decision to bat first, although he might argue that his players are at least close to the four-an-over run-rate required in the 42 overs possible after rain delayed the start until 2pm.Whether they turn that into a substantial hand of points is another matter, especially since they have also lost Stevie Eskinazi, at least for the moment. He was hit on the head by a ball from Lyndon James on 23 and was not deemed fit to continue.It looks vital that the partnership between Ryan Higgins (60) and John Simpson (26), currently worth 69, turns into something substantial on day two.The day had begun with Nottinghamshire announcing the pending departure from the club of Jake Ball, their 32-year-old former England fast bowler, who was integral to the county winning the T20 Blast in 2017 and 2020 but has made only a handful of Championship appearances in recent seasons because of recurrent injury problems.Thankfully fit currently, and with Nottinghamshire already assured of remaining in Division One next season, Ball was given the chance to say a proper goodbye, making his first outing in the red-ball side since July in place of the Sri Lankan Asitha Fernando.He took the new ball alongside Brett Hutton, who has been the mainstay of the Nottinghamshire attack this year with Olly Stone and Luke Fletcher also sidelined. Neither of them started particularly well but took wickets in consecutive overs to remove both Middlesex openers with 33 on the board.Ball struck first, drawing an edge from Sam Robson for his 204th first-class wicket for the county, before Hutton straightened one to dismiss Mark Stoneman leg before.Eskinazi had an escape on four, dropped by Joe Clarke at first slip with Ball about to celebrate a second wicket, but the introduction of Lyndon James as Hutton took a breather brought a divided immediately when the all-rounder’s first delivery, angled in to Max Holden, took out the left-hander’s middle stump.Middlesex were 93 for three when Eskinazi, struck a nasty blow on the side of the head attempting to pull James, had to leave the field. Ironically, Eskinazi’s last Championship appearance in a disappointing season, against Lancashire two weeks ago, was as a concussion substitute after Holden was hurt during the warm-ups on day two.A brief stoppage for a shower at 117 for three was followed by another interruption after Steven Mullaney landed heavily making a diving stop, the Nottinghamshire skipper becoming the second injury casualty of the day, although he was soon back on the field.It will be determined overnight whether Middlesex need a concussion sub for Eskinazi. In the meantime, Higgins is taking the lead role on the field, reaching his second consecutive fifty and his ninth of the season, from 63 balls with six fours.The three changes made by Middlesex included the omission of Tim Murtagh, who is retiring at the end of the season at the age of 42, which means that his appearance in the eight-wicket defeat to Warwickshire at Lord’s, in which he took six for 83 in the first innings and eight in the match, was his final farewell after 23 years as a player, first at Surrey, and at Middlesex since 2007.

كشفت تقارير صحفية إنجليزية تطورًا مثيرًا في ملف لاعب فريق نيوكاسل يونايتد، ألكسندر إيزاك، ورغبة ليفربول في الحصول على خدماته، خلال موسم الانتقالات الصيفي الحالي.

ومن المعروف أن ليفربول لديه رغبة قوية في التعاقد مع ألكسندر إيزاك من صفوف نيوكاسل، وهي رغبة مماثلة لدى اللاعب السويدي.

وتقدم ليفربول بعرض مالي، تصل قيمته إلى حوالي 110 ملايين جنيه إسترليني، قبل أيام، وهو ما قوبل بالرفض من جانب نيوكاسل يونايتد.

وتمسك إيزاك بفكرة الانتقال إلى ليفربول، لدرجة جعلته لم ينضم إلى الجولة التحضيرية للموسم الجديد رفقة نيوكاسل، وتدرب بمفرده في مرافق نادي ريال سوسيداد.

وحسبما ذكرت صحيفة “تليجراف” الإنجليزية، فإن مجلس إدارة نادي نيوكاسل يونايتد أبلغ ألكسندر إيزاك بأنه ليس للبيع هذا الصيف، ولن يُسمح له بالانتقال إلى صفوف ليفربول، في تحدي قوي من الملاك السعوديين.

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وأوضحت أن الموقف السالف ذكره تسبب في حالة من التوتر والاحتقان، حيث رفض إيزاك قبول ذلك القرار برحابة صدر.

وأشارت إلى إنه بناءً على ذلك، تلقى إيزاك أوامر من المدير الفني لفريق نيوكاسل يونايتد، إيدي هاو، بالتدرب بعيدًا عن المجموعة.

وأفادت أن مسؤولي نيوكاسل وجدوا أنه كي يتقبل إيزاك حقيقة أنه سيتم حرمانه من فرصة الانتقال خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الحالية، فلن يلعب مع الفريق.

وأكدت أنها خطوة ذات مخاطر كبرى من جانب مسؤولي نيوكاسل يونايتد، ولكنهم يتمسكون بموقفهم.

ولا ينوي ليفربول التقدم بعرض جديد لضم إيزاك إلا إذا غير نيوكاسل موقفه، وهو أمر مستبعد تمامًا، حسب مصادر للصحيفة نفسها، حتى لو تعاقد النادي مع مهاجم آخر.

وزعمت أن إيدي هاو كان على علم بموقف النادي الصارم منذ بعض الوقت، وسعى جاهدًا لتهدئة الأمر مع إيزاك، وهو ما تبين صعوبته في وقت لاحق.

Will Samson play this time? And how will the hosts respond to being knocked out for 114?

Deivarayan Muthu28-Jul-20234:32

Should India give Axar and Samson a go?

Big pictureThe first ODI in Barbados lasted all of 45.5 overs. What did we really learn from Thursday’s fixture? Nothing new. Despite the absence of a number of a senior seamers, India skittled West Indies for 114. They were so dominant that they didn’t need Virat Kohli with the bat. They barely needed Rohit Sharma with the bat. They could afford to demote Kohli to No.8 and bump Shardul Thakur up to No.6.As for West Indies, their freefall continues. On a track that had some juice for both seamers and spinners, their batters struggled. They continue to drop catches, something that cost them a spot in the 2023 ODI World Cup. They also have to contend with the unavailability of key players. Hours after West Indies were blasted out by India in Barbados, Nicholas Pooran led MI New York past Washington Freedom in Dallas in the MLC Eliminator. Left-arm fingerspinner Akeal Hosein was in action for Washington in the same match. Alzarri Joseph is available for West Indies selection, but the team management had opted to rest him in the first ODI and manage his workload.At the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, coach Daren Sammy insisted that he had inherited this squad. This is now his chance to leave an imprint. Sammy has successfully rehabilitated St Lucia Kings in the CPL, but it won’t be as easy doing the same with an international cricket team, especially in the middle of a series against India. In the absence of Pooran, it’s up to Shimron Hetmyer to step up and counter India’s left-arm spinners.For India, the second ODI is another opportunity to shake things up in the lead-up to the World Cup. Will Sanju Samson get a look in? Can Umran Malik slot into Prasidh Krishna’s role as the enforcer in the middle overs? Can India also fit Yuzvendra Chahal in their XI and reunite him with Kuldeep Yadav?Form guideWest Indies LLWLL (last five completed ODIs, most recent first)
India WLLWWIn the spotlightThere’s a lot to like about Alick Athanaze. He has a solid technique, can play some fluid drives, and is also sharp in the slip cordon. More runs against India, this time in ODIs, and in the following CPL, where he is set to make his debut for Barbados Royals, could potentially make him the new face of a West Indies side that is in transition.1:56

Hope: We need to focus on little things and results will turn around

India are also in transition and in the absence of Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar made his ODI debut and came away with the wicket of Athanaze. In the longest format, Mukesh can relentlessly probe away outside off, and can similarly test batters outside off in white-ball cricket. But that doesn’t mean he’s a one trick pony. He can nail yorkers with the old ball, something that was on display during his first IPL stint with Delhi Capitals earlier this year.Team newsWith Rovman Powell particularly vulnerable to wristspin – and spin in general – West Indies might consider bringing in Keacy Carty, who has innings construction – and reconstruction – skills in ODI cricket. With Joseph’s workload being managed and with Jayden Seales just making his way back from knee surgery, Oshane Thomas could get a game at some point in this series.West Indies (probable): 1 Brandon King, 2 Kyle Mayers, 3 Alick Athanaze, 4 Shai Hope (capt & wk), 5 Rovman Powell/Keacy Carty, 6 Shimron Hetmyer, 7 Romario Shepherd, 8 Dominic Drakes, 9 Yannic Cariah, 10 Gudakesh Motie, 11 Jayden Seales/Alzarri Joseph/Oshane ThomasSamson’s exclusion was the major talking point in the ODI series opener. It remains to be seen if India can find room for him in their XI and give him a decent run in the lead-up to the home World Cup.India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 Hardik Pandya, 6 Sanju Samson/Ishan Kishan (wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Shardul Thakur, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Umran Malik, 11 Mukesh KumarPitch and conditionsBoth Rohit and Shai Hope were surprised by how the Barbados pitch played on Thursday. The seamers got encouraging carry while the spinners extracted turn – even with the new ball. If the same pitch is rolled out on Saturday, both teams could consider playing an extra spinner. The weather didn’t interrupt the first match, but the forecast for the second is gloomier, with 50% chance of rain.Stats and trivia West Indies have lost their last five bilateral ODI series at home and are now on the verge of losing their sixth. Since his return to ODIs in January earlier this year, Kuldeep Yadav has picked up 19 wickets in nine games at an average of 17 and economy rate of 5.25. Among spinners from Full-Member nations, only Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana have more wickets than Kuldeep during this period in ODI cricket. Ravindra Jadeja is six wickets away from 200 strikes in ODI cricket. He will become the third Indian spinner to the landmark after Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. He is also three wickets away from surpassing Venkatesh Prasad’s tally of 196 wickets.