All posts by h716a5.icu

While Jack Grealish’s departure from Aston Villa may have stung somewhat, there’s no questioning that the Midlands club have got a number of youngsters coming through the academy at Bodymoor Heath to leave fans excited.

Chief among those is Cameron Archer, who manager Dean Smith is slowly but surely easing him into action in the Premier League, including bringing him on a fixture of the magnitude of Manchester United away at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.

A profile piece by The Birmingham Mail back in the summer of 2019 described Archer as “one of Villa’s most highly thought of youngsters alongside Jacob Ramsey”, and that he’s a “livewire forward with excellent footwork and the ability to find the back of the net”.

And, The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece added: “Genuine pace. That’s Cameron Archer in a nutshell. He’s short, stocky and jet-heeled. Blink and you’ll miss him.

“Cam, as he’s known, is a natural striker who plays off the shoulder of a defender but, in recent weeks, has been deployed on the right of a three-pronged forward line, such is his ability to beat his man one-on-one. Delaney and Smith could see his long-term future as an electrifying winger.”

Archer’s similar blend of speed, skill and finishing is something that has already gotten everybody’s attentions behind the scenes at Villa Park, with assistant head coach Craig Shakespeare noting he made a big impression earlier this summer.

He said: “We went on a pre-season training camp and he came down and did really well – caught everyone’s eye with his enthusiasm and goal scoring ability.”

His former manager at Solihull Moors, Jimmy Shan, who had had him on loan there, raved: “He’s a centre-forward. His movement is excellent but it’s his pace that makes him such a threat. He was rapid, let me tell you. He doesn’t look quick but he just pulls away from defenders with ease. He’s a bright and intelligent guy and very inquisitive.”

That pace makes him a completely different striking option to what Smith currently has at his disposal with the likes of Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings, and it’s what marks him out as a potential game-changer off the bench.

Whether he’s ready to start games is another question, but Archer clearly has all the ingredients to become a big success at Villa Park, and it’s up to Smith to harness that.

Meanwhile, Villa found a “ridiculous bargain” in this star…

Sachin Tendulkar will miss the fourth one-day international against New Zealand in Hamilton on Wedensday because of an abdomen injury

Cricinfo staff10-Mar-2009Sachin Tendulkar will miss the fourth one-day international against New Zealand in Hamilton on Wednesday because of an abdomen injury. The Indian team management will monitor Tendulkar’s fitness and he has not been ruled out of the final ODI on March 14 as yet.Tendulkar sustained the injury when he was hit on the stomach by Iain O’Brien during the second match in Wellington. He played the third game but aggravated the injury during his innings of 163 off 133 balls; he had to retire hurt at the end of the 45th over. Scans have revealed that Tendulkar has suffered swelling and bruising.The news is a blow to India since Tendulkar has been solid at the top of the order with scores of 20, 61 and 163 in the series. With him missing, Gautam Gambhir will open with Virender Sehwag and Rohit Sharma is likely to make a comeback.

Chris Gayle, the West Indies captain, has hit out at Kevin Pietersen for making critical comments about Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Cricinfo staff29-Mar-2009Chris Gayle, the West Indies captain, has hit out at Kevin Pietersen for making critical comments about Shivnarine Chanderpaul.”Every time he [Chanderpaul] gets runs he never fields,” Pietersen told the . “There’s always an injury or something. That has really got on my nerves here. It leads me to think he plays for himself.”Gayle said Pietersen had “no right” to make such comments. “I did talk to him and told him, ‘You don’t need to stoop to that level’. He didn’t actually apologise and if he could apologise that would be nice,” Gayle told .”We’re all big men. There’s no need to go to that level and try and degrade other players. No-one wants to be degraded in this manner. We’re all human beings and everybody is playing this sport to enjoy the game but to take it to that level is very disappointing.”Whatever issues he had, he should have kept to himself. I’ve played with Shiv for years and, as a captain, I get tremendous support from him both on and off the field. His batting in both forms of the game has been brilliant and to hear these sorts of comments out in public has been very disappointing.”Pietersen, however, had praised Gayle. “I’ve loved playing against Chris Gayle,” he said. “He’s funny and relaxed but he’s a real competitor. He’s a comedian with a heart of gold and this series has been played in a real good spirit.”

A record opening stand and a fine display by their spinners helped Australia record a must-win triumph over New Zealand in the third match of the Rose Bowl series in Hamilton

Cricinfo staff06-Feb-2009Australia 258 for 6 (Nitschke 73, Blackwell 59, Browne 2-51 ) beat New Zealand 154 (Mason 34, Bates 33, Osborne 3-32, Sthalekar 3-16) by 104 runs
ScorecardA record opening stand and a fine display by their spinners helped Australia record a must-win triumph over New Zealand in the third match of the Rose Bowl series in Hamilton. With Australia trailing 2-0 in the five-match series, the openers Alex Blackwell and Shelley Nitschke put on a record 148 for the first wicket to set up the foundation for a total of 8 for 258, and New Zealand collapsed to 154 to hand the visitors a comprehensive 104-run win.Asked to bat, Australia got off to the ideal start with Blackwell and Nitschke scoring half-centuries.However, Blackwell was dismissed for 59 in the 27th over, and Nitschke fell for 73 an over later when she was caught by Katey Martin off Lucy Doolan. Barring a 57-run fourth-wicket stand of 58 between Lisa Sthalekar and Lauren Ebsary, there was little resistance from the middle and lower orders. Australia eventually struggled to 258 for 6 – after their openers had scored close to six-an-over – with fast bowler Nicola Browne taking 2 for 51.However, in the end, that target proved daunting. New Zealand’s reply was poor. Australia’s offspinners Erin Osborne and Sthalekar took three wickets each, and New Zealand lost their last seven wickets for 29 after their top-order failed to consolidate on starts. Aimee Mason, Suzie Bates and captain Haidee Tiffen were all dismissed after scoring 30’s, and the middle order then succumbed to spin in pursuit of Australia’s challenging 258.A resounding win after two closely fought defeats will provide Australia the confidence they badly needed in order to keep the series alive.

Tottenham Hotspur could look to sign another defender in the next transfer window…

What’s the word?

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes.net, Spurs want to sign Inter Milan colossus Stefan de Vrij in 2022 and view him as a leader that could partner recent summer signing Cristian Romero at the back.

Back in June, the north London outfit were first linked with a move for the 29-year-old Dutch international, per Football Insider, who then claimed that he was valued in the region of £45m following a title-winning campaign at the San Siro.

It remains to be seen exactly how much de Vrij would command, especially as he’ll be in the final year of his contract this time next year. Transfermarkt also value him at £45m.

Imagine him and Romero

Spurs sporting director Fabio Paratici could well create a formidable defensive partnership for the next few years with a move for the 49-time international.

At 29, he would offer some solid experience in the backline and could be the perfect influence on Romero, who at just 23, has several years to go until he reaches his peak.

Throughout the summer transfer window, it was thought that Spurs were looking for two centre-backs and that’s something that they haven’t yet been able to accomplish, so a move for de Vrij would make a lot of sense when business reopens at the turn of the year.

The 6 foot 2 powerhouse played a crucial role in Inter’s title win as Antonio Conte’s side recorded the best defensive record of anyone in the Serie A in 2020/21.

In 32 league appearances, he averaged an impressive 93.8% passing accuracy, which displayed his incredible ball-playing ability and shows exactly why he’d be a fit in Spurs’ new system under Nuno, who likes to play out from the back.

Furthermore, the Dutchman averaged two aerial duels won and 1.3 interceptions per outing, too, and that goes to show that he’s not afraid to use his physicality, whilst he also has intelligence in being able to read the game, as per WhoScored.

De Vrij’s former Lazio teammate Mauricio waxed lyrical about his centre-back partner back in 2018. He told ESPN (via Football Italia): “Stefan is a great defender and deserves to be at a big club. He’s very tall, he’s strong and fast, he runs a lot – he’s a monster!” before later adding: “He’s a calm defender who never gets agitated.”

It’s that sort of presence that Romero could need in north London over the next few seasons.

A player like Eric Dier may have started the 2021/22 campaign in red-hot form, recording three successive clean sheets on Spurs’ way to the top spot and being nominated for the ‘Player of the Month’ award but last season’s mistakes are still fresh in the memory and the club should not pass up on the opportunity to sign an instant upgrade.

So forget what Nuno already has at his disposal, Paratici and co must launch a bid for de Vrij in the next window. On the above evidence, he and Romero would be a scary duo that would cause many a Premier League attack problems.

AND in other news, Spurs receive huge transfer boost over £34m-rated “complete player”, Nuno will be buzzing…

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is working hard to win over the supporters at Parkhead after a difficult start to the 2021/22 campaign.

In their first three competitive games of the season, the Hoops were knocked out of the Champions League and lost their opening Scottish Premiership match to Hearts. This meant that the Australian coach started on the back foot and has had to work hard to regain momentum.

Recent results suggest that they are now on the up, with four straight wins in all competitions. Celtic have beaten Jablonec twice, scoring seven goals, Hearts and Dundee in their last four matches. They scored 16 goals in total in that period, bringing attacking football back to Celtic Park.

However, a tough test against Eredivisie outfit AZ Alkmaar awaits them tonight as they bid to progress through to the group stages of the Europa League.

Will Postecoglou switch it up from the 3-2 win over Hearts? Here is our predicted XI for the match…

We are predicting that he will make two changes to his starting XI, with Liel Abada and Ismaila Soro coming into the team for James Forrest and Tom Rogic.

Starting with Soro, this was a tough call to make but one that could be needed. Rogic was subbed off after 75 minutes against Hearts and after 74 minutes against Jablonec in the second-leg. This suggests that the midfielder has been tiring in games, which indicates that Celtic could benefit from bringing in some fresh legs in midfield who will be able to see out the 90 minutes without breaking down.

James McCarthy made his Celtic debut against Hearts in the League Cup with a 15-minute cameo, whilst Soro has racked up 386 competitive minutes across six games this season. Therefore, he could be fresher than the £16k-per-week Australian international whilst also being more match-fit than the ex-Everton man.

The second and final change we are predicting is Abada for Forrest. We published an article urging Postecoglou to unleash the teenage attacker against Alkmaar, given his recent form for Celtic and the amount of game time Forrest has had in recent weeks.

Abada has two goals and two assists in five appearances for the Hoops this season, proving that he can provide quality at this level. Forrest, 30, meanwhile has already played 446 minutes and could benefit from a game on the sidelines. Start the youngster and allow him to strut his stuff, before potentially bringing the Scotland international on for the final 20 minutes or so to run at a tiring defence.

We are predicting the rest of the team to stay the same, as it does not make much sense to make wholesale changes to a winning side.

AND in other news, “Decision to make”: Manager’s update on 23 y/o gem will potentially excite Celtic fans…

Many Everton fans have been left fuming as a transfer update emerged on Nathangelo Markelo.

According to the official website of the Merseyside club, the U23 player has completed a permanent move to PSV and will now link up with their U23 team, managed by Manchester United and Premier League legend Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Markelo played in a total of 59 games for the Blues’ U23’s over all competitions, scoring two goals and making a further four assists, but never made a senior appearance at Goodison Park (Transfermarkt).

Still, with the departure of promising youngster Thierry Small to Southampton this week as well, the anger of some Toffees supporters that they keep on losing players from the Academy without looking like replacing them is understandable, as they represent the future of the club.

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Everton fans on Markelo transfer update

These Blues were left fuming as the exit news was confirmed by the club on their Twitter page:

“The pathway from the U23’s to the first team has all but vanished in the last 6-7 years.”

Credit: @JamesBrownEFC

“Did you get a fee? Suspect not. Are you not looking across other youth set ups who flog players produced for £ or actually make the first team and wondering what you are doing wrong? You should be. Rhino was a great servant but come on wake up to the abject failure”

Credit: @toffee5000

“Getting rid of our youngsters again why why why?”

Credit: @garrybutter

“Another brilliant signing that done absolutely nothing, that’s my club”

Credit: @DC_1878_

“Another failed youngster by Unsworth. Get him out!!”

Credit: @PaulKershaw0555

“Loyalty to Unsworth in the U23s is just pathetic. Nothing is coming out of this group”Credit: @CJ27__In other news, find out who else’s exit has Evertonians talking here!

A number of Liverpool supporters are unhappy about Jurgen Klopp’s comments regarding the Reds’ pursuit of a central midfielder.

It has been a quiet summer in the transfer market for the Reds, with centre-back Ibrahima Konate still the only signing made to date.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

Meanwhile, Gini Wijnaldum has departed for Paris Saint-Germain, leaving a potential void in the middle of the park at Anfield.

The Dutchman may not have always provided goals and assists from midfield, but there is no doubting his impact during his time at Anfield, racking up 237 appearances and rarely ever missing time through injury.

Speaking in his pre-Norwich press conference on Friday [via journalist Paul Gorst on Twitter], a spiky Klopp played down the need to sign a new midfielder, rattling off the options at his disposal.

The Liverpool manager’s comments suggest the Reds won’t be bringing in anyone to replace Wijnaldum, which may not go down well with many.

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Liverpool fans unhappy with Klopp’s remarks

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to show their unhappiness at Klopp’s comments, suggesting a new midfielder should be arriving.

“He’s gone mad somebody stop him”

Credit: @JCJlfc

“Bold of him to assume Naby can stay fit for two weeks”

Credit: @rebekkarnold

“Yep he’s finished”

Credit: @lfcJxn

“REPLACE YOUR MOST USED MIDFIELDER LAST SEASON”

Credit: @Alfieoclfc

“He’s just winding us up at this point”

Credit:@Maahir_J

“No, more depth you plank”

Credit: @ftblmichael

In other news, a journalist has provided an update on Leeds’ attempts to sign one player. Find out who it is here.

An England XI will take on Warwickshire to provide vital first-class match practice fo the team ahead of the first Ashes Test against Australia

Cricinfo staff18-Dec-2008Preparation is the key to England’s Ashes campaign, according to chairman of selectors Geoff Miller. The ECB has announced its fixtures list for the 2009 season and, with the Ashes understandably taking the top billing, a three-day warm-up match has been slotted in between an England XI and Warwickshire immediately before the first Test against Australia in Cardiff.”We put a relevance on everything we can arrange to our advantage, and the best possible preparation is a very big part of that,” Miller said. “Pete [Peter Moores, the England coach] and Kevin [Pietersen] are very hot on the best preparation. It is down to how we think we can be sure we do it as well as possible.”The warm-up match at Edgbaston represents vital first-class match practice for England, many of whose players will have spent much of the preceding five weeks playing Twenty20 cricket – either for their county’s Twenty20 campaign or in the World Twenty20 which England are hosting. Moores could have opted to send the players back to the provinces – a decision which would have favoured the counties – but instead has decided to keep the team in one place.”There are County Championship games,” Miller acknowledged. “Pete makes that decision, and we felt that having everyone together – playing with one another and being with one another – would make it easier to control the preparation and create the right atmosphere in the squad.”There is a big difference between Twenty20 and five-day cricket – and, of course, we want to be sure everyone is ready to do his best.”While England will take on Warwickshire, there will be an even greater contest close to Edgbaston: the England Lions against Australia at New Road, a match that Miller said broadens the selection pool.”The Lions are very much part of our playing strength in depth,” he said. “It is not just a Test unit. Whoever is picked against Australia [for the Lions at Worcester] will know they are very much part of it.”Of course they could get in [the squad for the first Test in Cardiff]. You never know what might happen – and form, at that time of year specifically, is going to be very relevant.”

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke was dealt yet another injury blow in the build-up to the 0-0 draw with Bristol City in the Championship on Saturday.

Largie Ramazani suffered an ankle injury in the win over Watford and is now set for a spell on the sidelines, joining Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, and Max Wober.

The Whites head coach opted to go with Wilfried Gnonto and Dan James on the wing against the Robins, and both missed a ‘big chance’ in the goalless draw.

Manor Solomon was brought off the bench in the second half of the game in an attempt to make a difference but the Tottenham Hotspur loanee struggled to make an impact.

Manor Solomon's recent struggles for Leeds

Since registering an assist on his debut for the Whites against Hull City, the Israel international has failed to record a goal or an assist in four appearances.

In 19 minutes off the bench against Bristol City, Solomon failed his only dribble attempt, did not register a shot on goal, and failed to create any chances for his teammates.

In his last four Championship outings for the West Yorkshire outfit, the Spurs loanee has scored zero goals and not created a single ‘big chance’ for his teammates.

Farke could move on from the struggling flop, however, by unleashing one of his other stars in a new role. Junior Firpo has thrived in an attacking role for his country and could be deployed further up the pitch, to make an impact on the wing ahead of Solomon in the pecking order.

Why Junior Firpo should be unleashed in a new role

Firstly, Sam Byram came in for the suspended Firpo against Bristol City and put in a fantastic performance at left-back in his place for Leeds.

Chalkboard

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

The English ace won 100% (7/7) of his duels in the game, making five tackles in total, and showcased his creative quality with two ‘big chances’ created, which shows that he can more than do a job in that position when needed.

Byram’s quality at left-back would allow Firpo to push up into a left wing position, where he has shown plenty of quality in the final third for the Dominican Republic.

Appearances

4

Goals

3

Assists

1

Key passes

15

Big chances created

2

As you can see in the table above, the former Barcelona man has produced four goal involvements in four appearances as a winger for his country in the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League this season.

Firpo has also racked up ten assists and created 16 ‘big chances’ in 30 starts as a left-back in the Championship since the start of last season, which shows that he does have the attacking quality to make an impact for Leeds at league level.

The £30k-per-week star, who was once dubbed “immense” by content creator Conor McGilligan, has shown that he can play as a forward at international level and Farke must now unleash him in a new role – in terms of his Leeds career – to move on from the struggling Solomon.

After Guilavogui: Leeds could sign an even bigger prospect than Joseph

Leeds United have been linked with the impressive teenager attacker ahead of January.

ByDan Emery Oct 23, 2024