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Heung-min Son’s decade at Tottenham Hotspur will be coming to an end in the coming days, after he confirmed he will be departing the club this summer.

The South Korean international has registered a staggering 454 appearances for the club, scoring on 173 occasions, after joining from Bayer Leverkusen back in 2015.

However, ultimately, the time has come for a new challenge for the 33-year-old, looking set to move to the MLS and link up with former teammate Hugo Lloris at LAFC.

It appears to be the perfect time to leave the Lilywhites for the forward, departing after helping the side end their 17-year wait for a trophy by winning the Europa League at the end of May.

There’s no denying that the winger will go down as one of the best players to ever wear the shirt, but his pending departure now leaves Thomas Frank with a huge task to replace him before the end of the window.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Attackers have been the priority for Frank already this summer, as seen by Spurs’ move to sign Mohammed Kudus in a £55m deal from West Ham United.

However, other options are still being considered, with Arnaud Kalimuendo and Matias Soule also being considered before the September 1st transfer deadline.

The pair are just one of multiple options currently in their sights, with Real Madrid star Rodrygo another player they’ve considered, according to AS via Sport Witness.

Their report claims that the Lilywhites have already made contact with the Spanish giants over a move for the Brazilian, who’s been allowed to depart the club this summer.

It also states that it would take a pretty penny to agree a move for the 24-year-old, with Xabi Alonso’s side currently wanting a fee of over £80m to part ways with the attacker this window.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be the dream Son replacement

Replacing a player of Son’s quality will be extremely difficult for Spurs this summer, with the board needing to back Frank to land a suitable replacement.

The 33-year-old has undoubtedly made himself a fan favourite during his decade in North London, producing countless moments of magic during his spell at the club.

From his superb solo effort against Burnley to his outrageous long-range strike against Arsenal in 2020/21, he’s managed to get the supporters off their seats on a consistent basis.

However, there’s no denying that age has taken its toll in recent months, scoring just seven league goals, which has led to his pending departure from the club this window.

Whilst losing him this summer will be a big loss, a move for Rodrygo would massively soften the blow, with the Brazilian able to fill the void left by the South Korean international.

When delving into his stats last season, he showcased he is capable of thriving at the top level, which could see him be the perfect addition for the Lilywhites this summer.

Rodrygo, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, managed to register 24 combined goals or assists across all competitions last season – a tally higher than that of Son from 2024/25.

Games played

30

Goals & assists

11

Pass accuracy

91%

Progressive passes

5.1

Progressive carries

5.3

Successful take-ons

2.3

Shot on target accuracy

50%

Key passes made

1.6

He also managed to register 5.1 progressive passes and 5.3 progressive carries per 90, having the tools to constantly get the ball into forward areas and hand the side an added threat in the final third.

The Brazilian’s excellence within attacking areas is further highlighted by his tally of 2.3 successful take-ons per 90, with such numbers showcasing his ability to glide past the opposition – something which Son has demonstrated many times in North London.

Although Rodrygo would be an expensive signing this summer, it would be a deal that would allow Frank to fill the void vacated by the South Korean for many years to come.

It would be a phenomenal addition, especially considering his performance level at the pinnacle of European football, something which will be vital if the club are to be successful in the near future.

A bigger coup than Palhinha: Spurs make contact for "incredible" £50m star

Tottenham Hotspur appear to be making a move for another new signing after progress was made on a deal for João Palhinha.

1 ByEthan Lamb Aug 3, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Yuri Alberto quebrou o jejum de gols pelo Corinthians. O centroavante não marcava há nove jogos e vivia sua maior seca de gols pelo Timão, e saiu do banco para sacramentar o empate por 1 a 1 com o Fortaleza, pela 5ª rodada do Brasileirão.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansYuri Alberto quebra jejum, Corinthians busca empate com o Fortaleza e deixa o Z4 do BrasileirãoCorinthians08/05/2023CorinthiansLuxemburgo justifica Du Queiroz fora dos relacionados do Corinthians contra o Fortaleza: ‘Já está vendido’Corinthians08/05/2023BotafogoBotafogo divulga primeira parcial de ingressos emitidos para o confronto com o CorinthiansBotafogo08/05/2023

+ ATUAÇÕES: Yuri Alberto entra no segundo tempo e impede derrota do Corinthians para o Fortaleza

Após o jogo, o centroavante agradeceu a Deus, seus companheiros e a família por ter voltado a marcar.

– Gol muito importante. Primeiramente, quero agradecer a Deus. Fazia nove jogos que eu estava lutando, lutando para buscar esse gol, mas infelizmente não estava saindo. Só agradecer a Ele e a meu companheiros que têm me ajudado, além da minha família, que tem me dado esse suporte – iniciou o camisa 9 ao Premiere.

+ Todos os jogos do Brasileirão você encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!

Yuri admitiu que vinha desanimado durante o período sem gols, se mostrou contente com sua atuação na derrota por 2 a 1 diante do Independiente del Valle, disse não ter entendido a substituição de Luxa no jogo pela Libertadores e valorizou o ponto conquistado contra o Leão do Pici, que tirou o clube alvinegro do Z4 do Brasileirão.

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– Contra o Del Valle eu fiquei muito feliz comigo mesmo, minhas atitudes foram diferentes. Eu estava desanimado durante os jogos, recebendo poucas bolas, mas contra o Del Valle eu estava diferente. Infelizmente, saí no segundo tempo, no início, não entendi, mas a decisão é do professor. Hoje ele me colocou, pude ajudar a equipe, esse empate foi muito importante

Antes do duelo contra o Leão do Pici, o técnico Vanderlei Luxemburgo teve uma conversa individual com Yuri Alberto e decidiu deixá-lo no banco para tentar diminuir a pressão e recuperar a confiança do camisa 9.

continua após a publicidade

+ Veja tabela e a situação do Timão no Brasileirão

O centroavante pode ser opção no duelo de quinta-feira (11), contra o Botafogo, líder do Brasileirão.

Tudo sobre

CorinthiansYuri Alberto

كشف الإعلامي أحمد شوبير عن تفاصيل مهمة تخص انتخابات النادي الأهلي المُقبلة، مؤكدًا أن اجتماع مجلس الإدارة اليوم برئاسة الكابتن محمود الخطيب سيحسم الإعلان عن فتح باب الترشح، وسط مؤشرات قوية على نية الخطيب خوض الانتخابات مرة أخرى وإجراء تغييرات بارزة في قائمته، مع ترقب الجماهير لمفاجآت عديدة في الأسماء المرشحة.

وقال شوبير في تصريحات عبر برنامجه الإذاعي صباح اليوم الإثنين: “اليوم اجتماع مجلس إدارة النادي الأهلي برئاسة الكابتن محمود الخطيب، وحسب معلوماتي فهو إما عاد بالأمس من العمرة أو سيعود اليوم بسلامة الله، وعمرته مقبولة بإذن الله”.

وتابع: “في هذا الاجتماع سيُعلن عن فتح باب الانتخابات المقررة يوم 31 أكتوبر المقبل، ليصبح الأهلي أول نادٍ يفتح باب الانتخابات بعد التعديلات الجديدة في قانون الرياضة”.

وأضاف: “اليوم سيتم الإعلان عن فتح باب الترشح لانتخابات الأهلي، وهذه الانتخابات ستشهد مفاجآت بالجملة، هناك أسماء كبيرة ستخرج من القائمة، وأسماء جديدة ستنضم إليها، والأغلب أن الكابتن الخطيب سيعلن ترشحه، لكن كل شيء وارد في عالم الانتخابات، الأجواء الآن داخل الأهلي تشير إلى أن الخطيب سيترشح ويجدد قائمته، مع خروج بعض الأسماء التي ارتبط بها الجمهور”.

وشدد: “من أبرز الأسماء المرشحة لدخول القائمة السيد ياسين منصور كنائب للرئيس، وهذا لا يقلل أبداً من المهندس خالد مرتجي، فبعد وفاة العامري فاروق، أصبح مرتجي قائماً بأعمال نائب الرئيس، وكانت التوقعات أن يتولى المنصب في الدورة المقبلة، دخول ياسين منصور سيحدث تغييراً كبيراً، حيث يبدو أن الخطيب سيستمر رئيساً، وياسين منصور نائباً للرئيس، مع احتفاظ خالد مرتجي بمنصب أمين الصندوق”.

وواصل: “بالنسبة للعضويات، لا أستطيع أن أجزم بمن سيبقى ومن سيخرج، لكن أرفض بشدة حملات التشكيك التي تطال أسماء مثل محمد سراج، فهو شاب نشيط ومجتهد وأداؤه كان رائعاً طوال وجوده في المجلس، سواء استمر أو خرج، فهذا لا ينفي مجهوده وقيمته، في آخر جلسة قال بنفسه إنه لم يعد يملك نفس الشغف للاستمرار، لكن هذا لا يعني أنه مستبعد، فقد يراجع قراره”.

طالع أيضًا | ما هو منصب سيد عبد الحفيظ الجديد في الأهلي؟

وأردف: “المؤسف أن نسمع عن حملات تُدار ضد بعض الأعضاء، إذا كان هناك من داخل النادي من يشن مثل هذه الحملات، فهذه كارثة حقيقية، لا يجوز أبداً أن تصل الأمور إلى هذا الحد من السيطرة والتأثير على أعضاء مجلس الإدارة، أنا شخصياً لا أصدق أن هذا يحدث، لكن مجرد ترديد مثل هذه الأحاديث أمر صادم وغير مقبول”.

وواصل: “أشيد بأداء جميع أعضاء المجلس الحالي، ولا أريد أن أذكر أسماء بعينها حتى لا يُفهم أنني ألمّح إلى خروج أو بقاء أحد، لكن من المؤكد أن الفترة المقبلة ستشهد الكثير من الأسماء المرشحة، والباب مفتوح لكل من يريد الترشح سواء في قائمة الخطيب أو بشكل فردي أو حتى عبر قوائم أخرى”.

واستكمل: “يبقى السؤال: من يستطيع مواجهة قائمة الكابتن محمود الخطيب إذا أعلن ترشحه؟ الحقيقة أن الخطيب يملك شعبية هائلة داخل وخارج النادي، مثلما كان صالح سليم وحسن حمدي من قبله، وهو قادر على قيادة قائمته للفوز”.

وأكد: “الأسماء المتداولة حالياً تضم أحمد حسام عوض، أحمد أمين مسعود، ياسين منصور، وتردد أيضاً اسم حازم هلال، بالإضافة إلى طرح اسم محمد مرجان بقوة في الفترة الأخيرة، وهناك أيضاً أسماء أخرى قد تظهر مثل الكابتن طاهر أبو زيد أو المهندس محمود طاهر، رغم أنهم لم يحسموا موقفهم حتى الآن”.

واختتم: “الخلاصة أن الموقف داخل النادي الأهلي يشير إلى انتخابات قوية مليئة بالمفاجآت، والكل يترقب الخطوة الرسمية الأولى بفتح باب الترشح اليوم”.

انتقد ثيو والكوت، جناح نادي آرسنال السابق، مدرب الفريق اللندني ميكيل أرتيتا، وذلك عقب تعادل الجانرز مع مانشستر سيتي في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

آرسنال تعادل مع مانشستر سيتي بهدف لكل فريق يوم أمس الأحد، في قمة منافسات الجولة الخامسة من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، والتي احتضنها ملعب الإمارات.

وكان آرسنال على وشك الهزيمة في لقاء الأمس، حيث كان مانشستر سيتي متقدمًا بهدف دون رد، لكن جابرييل مارتينيلي أنقذ الجانرز وسجل هدف التعادل في الوقت بدل الضائع من عمر الشوط الثاني.

أقرأ أيضًا .. فيديو | جوارديولا يثير الحيرة بتصرفه الغريب قبل هدف آرسنال القاتل أمام مانشستر سيتي

ويرى والكوت في حديثه إلى شبكة بي بي سي سبورت، أن أرتيتا أخطأ أمام مانشستر سيتي في إدارته للمباراة وفي توقيت التبديلات.

ويعتقد والكوت، أن أرتيتا قد أجرى التبديلات في وقت متأخر للغاية، بالإضافة إلى عدم المبادرة بالهجوم من بداية اللقاء.

وقال والكوت: “سؤالي هو، لماذا انتظر أرسنال حتى الدقيقة 90 ليبدأ هجومه، ولماذا لم يبدأ منذ بداية المباراة واللعب بتلك الكيفية؟ لا أوجه انتقادا صريحا لأرتيتا ، لكنني أعتقد أنه أفلت من العقاب اليوم”.

وأتم والكوت في حديثه: “شعرت أنه اعترف بخطأه في إدارة اللقاء، وذلك في اختيار فريقه بإجراء التبديلين في الشوط الأول، بينما جاءت تبديلاته الأخرى في وقت متأخر جدًا”.

ودفع أرتيتا بكل من إيبيريشي إيزي بجانب بوكايو ساكا، بدلًا من نوني مادويكي وميكيل ميرينو بعد نهاية الشوط الأول، في حين حل جابرييل مارتينيلي بدلًا من يوريان تيمبر.

وسجل مارتينيلي هدفا رائعا لصالح آرسنال في الدقائق الأخيرة من اللقاء ، ليجنب الجانرز الهزيمة أمام مانشستر سيتي.

Player of the Match Bumrah lauds India’s bowlers for keeping calm even as conditions eased out for batting

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Jun-20243:15

Kirsten: ‘Pakistan made poor decisions at important phases’

Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten has put the team’s defeat down to poor decision-making, after they had “the game for 35 of 40 overs”, while Jasprit Bumrah commended the calmness shown by India’s bowling unit even though the conditions eased out for batting.”Disappointing loss, that’s for sure,” Kirsten said. “I knew 120 was not going to be an easy target. If India got only 120, it was always going to be not the easiest. But I think we had the game at 72 for 2 with six or seven overs left. Disappointing not to get across the line from the position we got ourselves into.”Kirsten was asked where the game slipped from their hands. “Decision-making,” he said. “Maybe not so great decision making. You have got the game on, run a ball, eight wickets in hand, decision making at that point. That’s the game. That’s international cricket for you. You make mistakes like that, you are going to pay. I thought we made some poor decisions at important phases of the game. I thought Rizwan played well for us. We knew it was going to be a tough wicket to bat on. We managed the chase very well but then just let it slip in the end.”Related

Kirsten's warning to Pakistan's senior pros: evolve or get left behind

Rohit on Bumrah: 'He's a genius with the ball'

Rohit, Bumrah and the art of defending

Old debate, simple answer: Pakistan's batting just not very good

India defend a record low as head-to-head reaches 7-1

Mohammad Rizwan scored 31 off 44 but fell trying to slog the first ball of a new Bumrah spell. Bumrah went on to win his second Player-of-the-Match award in two matches.”The biggest positive for us was the calmness because when we were batting in the morning, there was a lot more help,” Bumrah said. “And when we started bowling, the skies cleared up and the ball stopped seaming and there wasn’t a lot of lateral movement. So, we had to be more consistent and more accurate and we as a unit were very calm and very clear on what we wanted to do. So, we are very happy that as a unit we were able to contribute and created that pressure and then we were able to get the win.”Bumrah said taking the emotion out of his bowling helps him.”I was trying to focus on what is the best option over here on a wicket like this,” he said. “How do I make shot-making difficult? What are the best options for me? So that way, I try to stay in the present and focus on what I have to do. Because if I look at the outside noise, if I look at people and pressure and emotion takes over, then things don’t really work for me. So, I was trying to do that, trying to create my own bubble, and trying to focus on that and try to put my best foot forward.”Kirsten knows Pakistan’s chances of making it to the Super Eight now rely on other teams’ results, but he also knows they need to improve a lot to even rely on other teams to push them through.”It wasn’t a small total on that wicket,” Kirsten said. “It was a good total. We knew that. But we have still got a chance in this tournament. We are still hopeful that things can play into our hands. Obviously we have got to play a lot better cricket than we are playing. It just comes down to executing our skills together as batters and bowlers. We had that game for 35 of the 40 overs. We played good cricket, we did everything we needed to.”Kirsten said he needed some time to start getting the best out of the players. “Everyone’s responsible,” he said. “We accept the loss and we take the heat because the team has not done well. And we will do what we can to try and rectify it. I have been here for 12 days so it is a new journey for me understanding the players that are going to win games for Pakistan, which is what you are looking for.”

Rangers supporters surely can’t wait for this miserable season to finally end.

On Wednesday night, Barry Ferguson’s side fought back from a goal down win 3-1 at Ibrox, with Cyriel Dessers scoring twice, before Nicolas Raskin made the points secure for Rangers late on.

Having also smashed Aberdeen 4-0 on Sunday, the Gers have secured back-to-back home wins for the first time since 2 February; they were without a win in seven successive matches at Ibrox beforehand.

The Light Blues will conclude the campaign against in-form Hibernian at Easter Road on Saturday lunchtime, but most Rangers supporters are more preoccupied with wondering who their next manager will be.

Well, could we find out very soon?

The latest on Davide Ancelotti to Rangers

Earlier this week, a report by Madrid-based outlet AS claimed that Davide Ancelotti is one of the front-runners to become the new Rangers manager.

Anthony Evans of the Daily Record noted that it has ‘taken us all by surprise’ that Ancelotti is the ‘leading contender’, even if Spanish football expert Guillem Balague believes he is ‘one of the most sought-after’ coaches in world football.

On Monday, it was confirmed that his father Carlo, will become the new Brazil manager, with Davide now hoping to pursue his own managerial career.

Nevertheless, it would surely be a major risk at this juncture for the new 49ers ownership group to appoint a 35-year-old with no prior experience of being a head coach, so here’s who they should hire, or should we say re-hire, instead.

Who should be the new Rangers manager?

According to a report by Mick Brown of Football Insider, Rangers are ‘set to step up their efforts’ to re-hire Steven Gerrard as manager, adding that the board are eager to appoint a new manager ‘quickly’ ahead of the transfer window opening and then pre-season.

Mike McGrath of the Telegraph has previously documented that Gerrard is on the 49ers ‘longlist’ of candidates, but could he now be at the front of the queue to secure an Ibrox return?

The 44-year-old has been out of work since being sacked by Al-Ettifaq in January, with John Duerden of the Guardian describing his time in the Saudi Pro League as ‘mostly underwhelming’, winning just 19 of 55 matches in charge of the Dammam-based outfit.

However, the Liverpool legend was significantly more successful during three and a bit years as Rangers boss, as the table below outlines. His reputation became “amazing” in the words of former England defender Glen Johnson and it’s not hard to see why.

Rangers’ season-by-season review 2016-2021

Season

SPFL

Points

Scottish Cup

League Cup

Europe

Pre-Gerrard

2016/17

3rd

67

SF

SF

Did not qualify

2017/18

3rd

70

SF

SF

Qualifying round

Gerrard appointed

2018/19

2nd

78

QF

SF

Group stage

2019/20

2nd

67*

QF

F

Last 16

2020/21

1st

102

​​​​​​​QF

​​​​​​​QF

Last 16

2021/22

Gerrard departed after 13 Premiership games.

*season curtailed due to Covid

All stats courtesy of Transfermarkt

Indeed, Gerrard led Rangers to their only Premiership title since 2011, going the entire league campaign undefeated, winning 32 of 38 matches.

Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout describes Gerrard’s tenure as “impressive” considering he took on a “very difficult” job, while Ewan Murray of the Guardian documents how he was ‘adored’ by the Rangers support, despite requiring three attempts to ultimately topple Celtic, historically preventing ten-in-a-row in 2021.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Rangers legend Ally McCoist believes Gerrard “would be welcome back”, adding that a return could be best for all involved.

So, having proved he can deliver silverware in the past, Gerrard is surely the perfect candidate to be re-appointed.

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Posts ByDan Emery May 14, 2025

Sheffield United’s place in the Championship Play-Offs was confirmed on Easter Monday after their disappointing 2-1 defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor.

The Blades and Sunderland are the two teams confirmed to be in the four-team post-season tournament to compete for a place in the Premier League next season.

Chris Wilder’s side have lost four of their last five matches and have to find a way to rediscover their form ahead of the play-offs, to avoid their season ending in complete disappointment, which could include putting faith in Tom Cannon.

Why Sheffield United should keep starting Tom Cannon

The Ireland international, who joined from Leicester City in the January transfer window, scored his first goal for the club with a thumping finish in the 2-1 defeat to Burnley.

It was his first goal in 13 matches for the club in the Championship, after a return of nine goals during the first half of the campaign on loan at Stoke, and is hopefully a sign of things to come.

Cannon, who scored four goals in one game earlier this season, has scored 20 goals in 68 matches at Championship level, and should be given the nod over Tyrese Campbell.

The English striker has scored ten goals in 32 league games this term, but is currently on a run of zero goals and zero assists in his last five outings, whilst Cannon has hit form with a goal against Burnley.

Chalkboard

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

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Instead of unleashing Campbell in an attempt to turn the form around to win the Play-Offs, Wilder should bring Jesurun Rak-Sakyi off the bench to be a difference-maker.

Why Jesurun Rak-Sakyi should start for Sheffield United

The Crystal Palace loanee came off the bench in the defeat to Burnley and should, now, be brought into the starting line-up to replace Ben Brereton Diaz.

Sheffield United will need to be ruthless and effective at the top end of the pitch in their Play-Off outings if they want to earn promotion to the Premier League, which is why Rak-Sayki should be given the nod.

The 22-year-old star, once dubbed “remarkable” by Roy Hodgson, could come in to provide more quality than Brereton Diaz in the final third, based on their form in the division this term.

24/25 Championship

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi

Ben Brereton Diaz

Starts

22

13

xG

6.07

4.07

Goals

7

4

Key passes

31

14

xA

3.49

1.13

Assists

2

3

Dribbles completed per game

1.4

0.3

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Rak-Sakyi has been more effective as a finisher and racked up more than three times as much xA, despite only starting nine more games.

Brereton Diaz, who completed 56% of his passes and lost 100% of his duels against Burnley, does not carry as much of a threat from a wide position, which is why he should be dropped from the side in favour of the English winger.

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This change could, then, improve Sheffield United’s chances of winning the Play-Offs in the post-season, because they would have a more effective forward on the pitch by swapping Brereton Diaz for Rak-Sakyi.

With the end of the campaign in sight, the race for the Championship automatic promotion places and playoff slots is heating up, and excitement is starting to build over who will earn a shot at Premier League stardom.

Promotion hopefuls planning for top flight return

Sheffield United retain a two-point lead at this stage, but know that Leeds United and Burnley lurk directly below and will be on hand to deal a blow to their title aspirations at the first sign of complacency.

Evaluating wider competition, Sunderland, Coventry City, West Bromwich Albion, Middlesbrough and Bristol City are directly contesting each other for a place in the playoffs, creating a tense atmosphere across the division ahead of this weekend’s matches.

How the race looks with eight matches left

1. Sheffield United

83

2. Leeds United

81

3. Burnley

81

4. Sunderland

72

5. Coventry City

59

6. West Bromwich Albion

57

7. Middlesbrough

57

8. Bristol City

57

Undoubtedly, the pick of the round has to be West Brom’s home clash with Sunderland on Saturday lunchtime. The former are desperately clinging to sixth place after a run of only one win in five league games.

Tony Mowbray may even find his side knocked off their perch by Middlesbrough amid the latter’s kick-off against Blackburn Rovers on Friday evening. Either way, there is a lot of tension brewing between divisional rivals desperate for a shot at top-flight football.

On one end of the scale, Burnley would be devastated to miss out on an automatic return at the first time of asking. Meanwhile, clubs such as the Baggies and Boro have strong Premier League pedigree, even if they have spent a few years away from the dizzying heights of England’s most prestigious domestic environment.

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Intriguingly, the trio mentioned aren’t only battling on the pitch, they are also now fighting for the signature of an international player who could be available for free this summer.

West Brom, Middlesbrough and Burnley want to sign Tom Lawrence

According to The Daily Mail, West Brom are joined by Middlesbrough and Burnley in the hunt to sign Rangers midfielder Tom Lawrence, who is out of contract in Glasgow at the end of the campaign.

Competition is fierce for his signature, with Coventry City, Wrexham, PAOK, Olympiacos and Besiktas also in the mix to tempt the 23-cap Wales international elsewhere on a free transfer.

Having previously played in the Championship with Derby County, Wayne Rooney paid tribute to his “excellent” leadership skills while captain of the Rams under his stewardship.

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old’s injury struggles have limited him to just 25 appearances at Ibrox this term, during which time he registered six goals and two assists across all competitions.

No confirmation has emerged regarding Lawrence’s next steps, creating an opportunity for interested parties to present a vision that could tempt the Wrexham-born man to seek regular football in an alternative environment.

Who will win the race for his signature? It is too soon to say, but achieving promotion to the Premier League would certainly help West Brom, Middlesbrough and Burnley make a compelling case.

Apart from the opening game against England, whenever SA have been posed difficult questions, their players have made themselves count

Madushka Balasuriya17-Oct-20253:09

Review: SA one step closer to semis, SL further away

South Africa have one foot in the semi-finals, but of all the cricketing nations, they will be the least likely to get ahead of themselves. Though if anything were to prepare them for some unlikely hiccups it would be this World Cup campaign.Against England, their batting fell apart. Against New Zealand, this was rectified as the top order took charge of middling chase. But against India, the top-order once more struggled, before the lower-order and a magnificent Nadine de Klerk innings took them to a famous win. It was a similar story against Bangladesh as the lower order came to the rescue. But the common theme has been that at each time of asking, South Africa have been ready with the answers.Related

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• Wolvaardt, Brits fifties put SA closer to semi-final berth

“It’s been great. It’s sort of felt like the whole team has contributed in different parts of this tournament, which has been awesome,” South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt said after their 10-wicket win against Sri Lanka on Friday.”We definitely haven’t relied on one or two people. Whether it’s Nadine and Chloe [Tryon] getting us out of the hole, or, you know, me and Taz [Tazmin Brits] battling all today. The whole bowling unit has been amazing too, and I think our feeling has been pretty decent as well throughout the tournament. So, it’s just nice to see all those pieces of the puzzle sort of coming together.”Against Sri Lanka, Wolvaardt and her side had their hands full in finding the right puzzle pieces to navigate a heavily rain-curtailed game. There were five hours and 14 minutes between the the last ball of the first innings’ 11th over and the first ball of the 12th. In fact, the game was on the verge of being called off before the rains unexpectedly eased and a restart time was announced. In that moment, all previous strategies and plans went out the window.For Sri Lanka, it meant they had to switch gears instantly, from having 38 overs left in a 50-over game, to having eight left in a reduced 20-over affair. But with eight wickets in hand, it was a fairly straightforward equation in terms of what was required from them.

“I think we’re still searching for that perfect game as a team”Laura Wolvaardt

For South Africa however, it was trickier. For one, each bowler could now bowl only four overs each under the revised playing conditions. This meant that both Marizanne Kapp and Masabata Klaas, who had bowled five overs each prior to the rain interruption could not be used further.”That was a little bit tricky, especially because Kappy and Klaas are usually quite big for us in the death. So we had to sort of go to the left-arm spinners, which we don’t do too often, too late in the game. But I thought they bowled brilliantly.”Nonkululeko Mlaba finished with three wickets•Getty ImagesAdding to Wolvaardt and South Africa’s problems was that the amount of rain that fell meant that, even despite the entire ground being covered and the super sopper being used, the “ball was like a bar of soap.””Especially after that five hour break, I think we looked a bit nervy when we came back on the field, a couple of missed fields,” Wolvaardt said. “So I think we did a great job of sort of removing [that from our minds] and getting those wickets in the end.”Leading the way on this front was none other than Wolvaardt. On the seventh ball after the restart, a skier off a leading edge was dropped – a first hint at how difficult this wet ball would be to grip. But she ensured there would be no further stumbles with two otherwise straightforward catches held to dismiss both set batters at that point.While the catches in and of itself weren’t difficult, the message it sent across was clear – this is yet one more problem to be solved. Which meant that when Wolvaardt threw the ball to Nonkululeko Mlaba, and asked her to bowl four of the eight overs remaining, it was less a question and more of a challenge, to once more defy the odds.”Lefty [Mlaba] loves a challenge,” Wolvaardt said. “She was asked the other day what would be her favourite place to bowl and she said, ‘probably the death.'”She said she really likes it when the batter is coming at her, so it challenges her, and gets her into a very competitive zone. Yeah, I thought she bowled very well.”Mlaba’s figures at the end read 3 for 30 in four overs, but her final over brought three runs and three wickets. Along with de Klerk’s four-run penultimate over, it proved to the difference as the DLS-adjusted target was 121 and not closer to 150.Not that a higher target would have likely made a difference with how Wolvaardt and Brits approached their chase, ensuring minimal risks were taken as they knocked off the target with 31 deliveries left to spare.”It hasn’t been the best tournament for me overall, so very nice to hit a few,” Wolvaardt said. “Obviously a reduced game, so I just sort of thought of normal T20 plans. So Taz and I just went out as if it was a normal T20, and both got off to decent starts, and just kept going for the side.”Whisper it, but this was a display of potential champions. Sure, the juggernaut that is Australia awaits at some point, but South Africa, like their captain, just keep ticking along, and finding answers. For Wolvaardt though, the key is in ensuring that it all comes together at the right time.”I think we’re still searching for that perfect game as a team, where the top order fires and the middle order fires – which is exciting, because we’re still winning games even though certain things aren’t perfect,” she said. “Hopefully, if we do make those semifinals, it’ll all come together.”

They had wanted to practice on such pitches back home in the lead-up to the World Cup, but their complaints went unheard

Andrew Fidel Fernando15-Oct-20232:42

Maharoof: ‘Hope Mendis the captain remains the same batter’

Between June 4 and September 12 this year (both days inclusive) Sri Lanka played 14 ODIs, and bowled the opposition out in each one. The previous world record for bowling oppositions out in consecutive matches was 10, by the Australia side of the late aughts.If you are unaware of the caveats that attach themselves to this extraordinary wicket-taking run, here they are:

• Eight of these matches came in the World Cup Qualifier, and hence against a significantly worse quality of opposition than in the World Cup proper.
• Of the remaining six matches, five came at home.
• The one that didn’t come at home was against Afghanistan in Lahore, when they needed to chase 292 in a little over 37 overs, and almost succeeded.

But for all those caveats, 14 matches is a monster stretch for any attack. Right through that sequence – at the end of which even India were dismissed – Sri Lanka’s bowling had a dynamism to it. There were left and right-arm quicks getting new-ball swing (Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, and Kasun Rajitha), a legbreak bowler with a killer googly in Wanindu Hasaranga (who didn’t play in the Asia Cup, but topped the wicket charts in the Qualifier), a round-arm speed merchant (Matheesha Pathirana), and Maheesh Theekshana’s finger-flicked mystery. If we were being generous, there was even a pale shadow here of the variety that comprised Sri Lanka’s greatest white ball attack, circa 2007 to 2014 (Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Ajantha Mendis, a young Angelo Mathews – Muttiah Muralitharan is incomparable, of course).Related

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In the first two matches of this World Cup, however, Sri Lanka have conceded 773. Pathirana and Rajitha have both gone at more than nine an over, Dunith Wellalage and Madushanka at more than seven, and even Theekshana – in his one match – almost at a run-a-ball. How to explain this?Sri Lanka’s bowling is depleted severely by injury, of course – Hasaranga, in particular, has not made this squad. But he had not played in the Asia Cup either, and Sri Lanka had reached the final, largely bowling themselves there. Left-arm spinning allrounder Wellalage made his first mark on the international game with the ball, and Pathirana had a decent tournament.But that the attack impressed only on slower, turning decks than are often found in India has not been missed within the Sri Lanka camp. Long before this tournament, there had been complaints that the pitches seen in Colombo in particular were not flat enough – a complaint voiced most prominently by Hasaranga himself at the Lanka Premier League, as captain of the franchise side that would eventually win the tournament, and as a player preparing himself tenaciously for the World Cup.Dilshan Madushanka has been the leading wicket-taker for Sri Lanka thus far this World Cup•ICC via Getty ImagesWhile Sri Lankan decks are not low-scoring exactly, they are rarely the kind on which teams tend to chase down totals of over 300. There is often something to envenom the bowlers. If it is not swing with the new ball, there is zip off the surface under lights, or rapid turn as the match wears on, and failing all that the ball stops a fraction of a second in the surface.Perhaps, the difference between bowling teams out 14 times in a row, and conceding 428 for 5, then 345 for 4, is down to the pitches Sri Lanka’s attack plays on. This is at least the current line of thinking. Kusal Mendis said this before his first match as captain, following the injury to Dasun Shanaka.”If we talk about the first two matches, when you come to India you know you’re going to get good batting wickets,” he said. “We should know how to adjust to that. I have a lot of trust that the bowlers are looking to give their best, and even better attacks have been hot for 300 or 350.”As a captain what I’m hoping is that in practice they know what their roles are, and that I can adjust to that as well. We can’t make big changes suddenly. But I have to try and work with the way they’ve been bowling and try to improve on that.”There is a sense that Sri Lanka’s attack hunts collectively on a pitch that offers the bowlers something, but on the kinds of decks that require damage control and containment, they have not developed the skills or experience.Lucknow is something of an unknown. It used to be one of India’s lowest-scoring venues, which would have suited Sri Lanka beautifully. But following this year’s IPL, when it was again low-scoring, the square has been relaid.In the one ODI that has been played on the new square, South Africa made 311 for 7, taking the legspin of Adam Zampa apart in particular, before South Africa’s seamers dismantled the Australia top order, though the likes of Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi also had success.The theory is, that the longer this World Cup goes on, the older some squares will get, and the better for spinners in particular. It is not quite as simple as suggesting Sri Lanka are better off on turning tracks, because some of their quicks enjoy the humidity that allows them to move the ball laterally, too. But in the first two matches, neither has been on offer. And the attack has been taken apart.