Category Uncategorized

India have been docked a point on the World Test Championship (WTC) points table for falling short of their required over rate during the Centurion Test against South Africa. They were deemed to be one over short of their target, after allowing for unavoidable delays. As per ICC rules, teams lose one point for each over they are short.The players were also fined 20% of their match fee. The sanctions were imposed by match referee Andy Pycroft. The umpires for the Test, Marais Erasmus, Adrian Holdstock, Allahudien Paleker and Bongani Jele, had levelled the charge and India captain Virat Kohli accepted the offence and sanction, so there was no formal hearing.India had also lost two WTC points in August 2021 for maintaining a slow over rate in the Nottingham Test. Losing points over over-rate offences could prove costly in the run to the WTC final, which will be in 2023.Australia had a taste of this in the inaugural WTC cycle, which ran from 2019-21 – they were docked four points for a slow over rate during the 2020 Melbourne Test against India, and eventually just missed out on making the final, with India and eventual champions New Zealand going through.The WTC finalists are decided by percentage of points won, and based on that criteria Australia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan currently sit above India on the 2021-23 table.The change in the points system from actual points won to the percentage of points won was forced by the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused various series to be postponed or cancelled, meaning participating teams would not all play an equal number of matches during the WTC cycle.

Jason Roy has been ruled out of the rest of England’s T20 World Cup campaign with a torn left calf. He has been replaced in the squad by James Vince, who was one of two remaining travelling reserves along with Liam Dawson, and approved by the ICC’s Event Technical Committee.Roy suffered the injury during England’s defeat in their final Super 12s game against South Africa, first holding the muscle while fielding before pulling up lame while running a single in the fifth over of their chase. He retired hurt on 20 off 15 balls and limped off the field with support from a physio and Tom Curran, one of England’s substitute fielders.Scans on Sunday confirmed the tear and it became clear that he would be unable to recover in time to play a part in the knockout stages.”I’m gutted to be ruled out of the World Cup,” Roy said. “It is a bitter pill to swallow. I will be staying on to support the boys and hopefully we can go all the way and lift that trophy. It has been an unbelievable journey so far and we have to continue expressing ourselves and concentrating on us.”The rehab has already started and even though I’ve torn my calf, I’m going to give myself the best chance of being ready for the T20 tour of the Caribbean at the start of next year.”England could replace Roy with Vince in a like-for-like swap but appear more likely to bring Sam Billings – an unused squad member – into their middle order, promoting either Jonny Bairstow or Dawid Malan to open. They will also consider bringing in a seam-bowling allrounder as Roy’s replacement – either David Willey or Tom Curran – to bat at No. 7 or 8.Roy’s loss will be hard felt by a side already missing four first-choice squad members through injury or unavailability in Ben Stokes, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer and Tymal Mills. Eoin Morgan, England’s captain, said after the game against South Africa that Roy was “unbelievably important” to the squad.”He’s a guy who epitomises everything that we are about in the changing room and the way we play,” Morgan said. “You see how commanding he is at the top of the order… he’s as close as we get to surmising how the changing room should play. We’re gutted for Jase but also half-hoping that he’s OK. For anyone to miss the latter stages of a tournament – particularly when it’s been too guys in two games – that does hurt the mood [in the dressing room].”You got through the names that either aren’t here through injury or other reasons: Archer, Stokes, Sam Curran, Tymal… You look back at the times that you’ve really explored and tried to build a squad, and I’m sitting here thankful that we have done that because we’re going to need those guys in the next game and possibly in the final.”Roy was the Player of the Match in England’s last men’s T20 World Cup semi-final, hitting 78 off 44 balls against New Zealand in 2016 to set up a convincing seven-wicket win, and his return from injury in the 50-over World Cup in 2019 was a major factor in their qualification for the knockout stages.

Aston Villa’s academy is arguably one of the most underrated English footballing academies. The Villans have produced some exceptional players over the course of the Premier League era, including the man who currently holds the record for the most appearances in the competition’s history, Gareth Barry.

Centre-back pair Ciaran Clark and Gary Cahill also came through the academy at Villa Park, although the Republic of Ireland international spent substantially longer at the club than the former Chelsea man. In the modern day, Jacob Ramsey is the man flying the flag.

The most notable Villa academy graduate, however, is surely England international Jack Grealish.

Grealish’s Villa career

Before his record-breaking £100m move to Manchester City in 2021, now 29-year-old attacker Grealish rose to footballing superstardom for his contributions in that famous Claret and Blue shirt.

A boyhood Villa fan, the former club captain played 213 games in both the Championship and the Premier League. He made his debut in 2013/14 but became a prominent first-team player the season after. He left the club with 32 goals and 41 assists to his name.

Grealish had three particularly memorable campaigns for the club he supported from a young age. The first of those three was in 2018/19 when the attacker helped the club win promotion to the Premier League. He helped himself to six goals and six assists in 32 Championship games, as they won the playoff final a year after losing at Wembley.

Then, in the two years that followed, the former Villa number 10 helped his club survive relegation from the top flight.

In 2019/20, the attacker registered 14 goal involvements in 36 games before grabbing 16 goal involvements in just 26 games the season after.

His contributions to the club in those two seasons were invaluable; after surviving the drop, Villa ultimately went from strength to strength and now find themselves in the Champions League. As for Grealish, he made the move to Manchester and ended up a three-time Premier League champion and a treble-winner.

Grealish is the Villans’ biggest sale of all time, although there is someone in the first-team squad who could well match that before long.

Aston Villa’s next big sale

The player in question here is attacker Morgan Rogers. The England U21 international has been a revelation for Unai Emery’s side this season and has two goals and two assists in nine games so far.

The former Man City academy player joined the club from Middlesbrough in February for £8m up front, in a deal that could rise to £16m.

He has started every game in the Premier League and Champions League so far this term and grabbed an assist in his first European outing in matchweek three against Bologna.

Former Villan Tony Cascarino has been very complimentary of the 22-year-old. Speaking on talkSPORT in September, he explained that Rogers has similarities to a certain Bayern Munich star.

Like the German, Villa’s number 27 is a dribbling master, able to weave in and out of defenders with ease. He is a powerful carrier over long distances and can cover lots of ground quickly and efficiently.

Indeed, the stats certainly back this theory up. As per FBref, the 22-year-old averages an impressive 3.16 progressive carries per 90 minutes, with the Bayern Munich ace averaging slightly less, with 2.79 each game.

Rogers & Musiala dribbling stats compared

Stat (per 90)

Rogers

Musiala

Progressive carries

3.16

2.79

Carries into final third

2.24

2.33

Carries into penalty area

1.05

0.70

Take-ons completed

1.97

3.26

Take-on completion rate

40.5%

50%

Stats from FBref

Not only is there a similarity in the pair’s playstyle, but there might well soon be a comparison to be made with their transfer value.

As per Transfermarkt, Germany international Musiala is currently worth £108m and with Tim Sherwood explaining earlier this season that he believes Rogers is now worth a whooping £80m, the attacking midfielder looks like he could be the next mega-money star out of Villa Park.

Related Sold under Sherwood: Aston Villa's "beast" is now outscoring Messi in MLS

Aston Villa sold a player in 2015 who is now scoring more than Lionel Messi…

Posts ByRoss Kilvington Oct 25, 2024

Nottingham Forest saw their five-game unbeaten run in the Premier League come to an end on Saturday afternoon, with the Tricky Trees slipping up at home to an-inform Fulham side at the City Ground

Nuno Espírito Santo’s side had previously won two, and drawn three of their first five games, the most impressive result being a 1-0 victory against Liverpool at Anfield.

Despite only averaging 40.2% possession – the third lowest in the division, and averaging 77.7% pass accuracy – the third worst in the division, Forest have managed to see out games, get points on the board and ensure that relegation scraps could be a distant memory this season.

Forest's current striking options

Forest’s two main striking options this season, are Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi. Wood has started the season strong, scoring three goals in six games, after netting 15 goals last season across 35 appearances.

Awoniyi made 22 appearances last term, scoring six times and providing three assists in 1,194 minutes played. The 27-year-old started the Premier League season in 2023 on fire by scoring three times in as many outings before suffering a groin injury in November that’s never really seen his recover his true form since.

Both strikers are brilliant options for Forest and clearly have goal-scoring capabilities in the Premier League.

However, this summer, Nuno was keen to bring another striker to the club, one who could fire them as far away from the relegation zone as possible.

When Forest missed out on Santiago Gimenez

In the summer, Forest made an attempt to sign Santiago Gimenez from Feyenoord, after the 23-year-old striker scored 26 goals in 41 appearances last campaign, also providing eight assists in 3,204 minutes played.

One that got away

The transfers that nearly happened but never did. This article is part of Football FanCast's One That Got Away series.

Gimenez has been labelled “incredible” by Jacek Kulig, scoring for fun in the Eredivisie, and that did not go unnoticed, with Forest making a move, and Tottenham also being a club interested in his services.

When comparing Gimenez to the two current Forest strikers, it is clear to see what he offers in addition to the goalscoring qualities they all possess.

The Feyenoord star is a strong carrier, averaging 1.69 progressive carries per 90, allowing him to not only create for himself, but also for others, by getting his side up the pitch.

He has a high shot volume – higher than both Forest men – generating 0.81 xG per 90, a huge positive in itself. This means the Mexican is not only finishing off chances with 0.83 goals per 90 minutes but also getting into great areas to score goals consistently.

Wood and Awoniyi could easily be enough for Forest to stay up, and they are already showing signs of this. However, the club’s summer target could have really taken them to the next level, adding more all round play, and even linking up with Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi, further improving their game too.

Forest may regret selling amazing star who's now worth way more than Aina

Forest may regret selling defensive star years ago

2

By
Connor Holden

Sep 15, 2024

West Ham United are on the hunt for attacking reinforcements and have identified one potential new face to add to Julen Lopetegui’s ranks in 2025, according to a report.

Goal-shy West Ham leave Lopetegui under early pressure

Six games into the Premier League season, West Ham have scored just six goals, the same number as 20th placed Wolves. After heavy spending over the summer, they have just one win to show for it, while Julen Lopetegui became the first West Ham boss in Premier League history to lose each of his first three home games.

None of his new signings have got their first goal in West Ham colours either, with Niclas Fullkrug, Crysencio Summerville and Carlos Soler all toiling without success.

It means that the Hammers are 14th in the Premier League with five points to their name, and will be hoping to see a large improvement in their next run of games, which include clashes with Ipswich Town, Nottingham Forest and Everton.

West Ham’s goalscorers 24/25

Player

Goals

Tomas Soucek

2

Jarrod Bowen

1

Lucas Paqueta

1

Danny Ings

1

Own Goal

1

Other

0

But clearly there is a problem at the top of the pitch, with Michail Antonio yet to open his account for the season and Danny Ings largely used from the substitutes bench, leaving the responsibility on Tomas Soucek to score the equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Brentford over the weekend.

At 31-years-old, £25m addition Fullkrug is not a long-term solution to their issues, and they remain on the hunt for a man to lead their line and finally take the mantle from Antonio, who has done so for the last decade but now looks well beyond his best. Now, they may have identified their man.

West Ham chasing Valencia star

That comes as Caught Offside claim that the Hammers are set to rival Aston Villa for the signature of highly-rated Valencia striker Hugo Duro in the upcoming transfer windows. The Spaniard, who has scored twice this season, is still just 24-years-old and is likely to improve in the years to come.

Related Lost the ball every 3.4 touches: Lopetegui must now drop 5/10 West Ham star

He lost the ball every 3.4 touches

Posts 1 ByJoe Nuttall Sep 29, 2024

And that has caught the attention of both Aston Villa and West Ham, with the report claiming that the pair are “in a fierce battle” for his signature. The striker still has four years left to run on his £67,000 a week deal in Spain but is thought to be available for between €25m and €30m (£20.8m and £25m).

It is added that “manager Julen Lopetegui sees Duro’s energy and goal-scoring ability as a major potential asset” for the Hammers, who have looked docile in the final third, while they “have been impressed by the Spanish striker’s talents” and “are keen” to “sign him in the near future”.

It remains to be seen whether a transfer ultimately materialises, but following their failure to land Jhon Duran from Aston Villa over the summer there is clearly work still to be done on the Hammers frontline, and early form suggests that it is an issue that will need to be remedied sooner rather than later.

Tottenham Hotspur are prioritising a late window move to sign a midfielder after selling Oliver Skipp for over £20 million, with Ange Postecoglou and co not quite done in the transfer market just yet.

Spurs offload Hojbjerg and Skipp with Postecoglou left short

Alongside Skipp, Denmark international midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg completed a season-long loan move to Marseille earlier in the summer, which includes a £17 million obligation to buy.

Ange desperate to sign Bentancur alternative as Tottenham eye £50m star

Postecoglou wants a new man for his midfield.

1

By
Emilio Galantini

Aug 22, 2024

This has left Spurs with just Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma as Postecoglou's senior first choice options in the middle of the park, while summer signing Archie Gray has come off the bench in both of their two Premier League games so far this campaign.

It is unclear whether Postecoglou plans to use Gray, who predominantly starred at right-back for Leeds United last season, in the middle throughout 2024/2025 – with some reliable media sources like Fabrizio Romano previously claiming Tottenham could swoop for another natural midfield option before the window closes.

"It is a possibility for Tottenham to bring in a new midfielder after Hojbjerg's exit," said Fabrizio Romano to GiveMeSport in late July.

"I still think that they want to do something in the offensive position."

More recent reports state that Postecoglou is desperate to sign an alternative to Bentancur for Spurs, with Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes among the names linked to joining them before the August 31st cut-off.

Tottenham have already sealed four major summer signings this window, including their season-long loan extension for Timo Werner, with Gray, striker Dominic Solanke and highly-rated young winger Wilson Odobert coming in to bolster key areas.

Postecoglou's side chalked up their first victory of 24/25 with their 4-0 home win over Everton last Saturday, and the Australian will be looking to build upon that impressive win over the Merseysiders as they seek to improve on last season's fifth-placed finish.

A strong end to the summer window, and potentially one last signing to bolster the squad, would hugely benefit them as they face a more congested fixture calendar with their involvement in the new Europa League format – starting next month.

Tottenham prioritising late move to sign midfielder for Postecoglou

According to Football Insider and journalist Pete O'Rourke, Tottenham are indeed still in the market for one last transfer in a new midfield option.

Indeed, it is believed Spurs are prioritising a late swoop for one new midfielder after selling Skipp for over £20 million, as the Englishman's transfer to Leicester City has both freed up space in the squad and bolstered their summer budget.

It is unclear exactly who they are planning to move for, with no specific targets named in the report, but perhaps supporters could expect some activity in the last few days of August.

Looking to find their next Jarrad Branthwaite, Everton reportedly believe that one young centre-back is on course to become a Goodison Park star by gaining experience out on loan this season.

Everton transfer news

If Everton are to ensure that their poor start doesn't spiral into a season-long disaster, then Branthwaite's return should prove to be the key. The England international stayed put as Amadou Onana headed for the exit door in the summer transfer window to hand Sean Dyche a major boost when he returns from injury.

Everton chiefs failed to land experienced international target for Dyche

The Toffees could have done with his expertise…

1 ByTom Cunningham Sep 4, 2024

The international break should hand the Toffees a welcome boost on that front, with their defender handed more time to recover once and for all from injury and perhaps even return to Everton's side in their first game back against Aston Villa and former star Onana at the end of September.

Even when out injured, however, the rumours regarding Branthwaite's future haven't stopped, with Liverpool – of all clubs – recently linked with a controversial move to sign the defender. As things stand though, he remains on the blue half of Merseyside and represents the importance of Everton's youth setup, which has seemingly provided another gem after his move from Carlisle as a teenager.

According to Football Insider, Everton believe they have another defensive prodigy in Reece Welch, who is set to seal a loan move to Belgian side KMSK Deinze before their transfer window closes on Friday. The 20-year-old centre-back spent last season on loan at Forest Green and is set to head out yet again in pursuit of minutes, before playing the part many believe him to be capable of at Goodison Park.

This time next year, given that he's rated so highly at the club, Welch may even be the man to step in for Branthwaite if he does secure an eventual departure away from Everton, with this move expected to be his own version of Branthwaite's time at PSV.

"Physical" Welch can follow Branthwaite path

Whilst Everton aren't in the position to spend the money that they once were, their youth pathway should be in position to reap the rewards, as highlighted by Branthwaite's rise to stardom. The defender arrived from Carlisle and quickly emerged from loan spells at Blackburn Rovers and then PSV to become arguably the Toffees' most important player.

Now, Welch – standing at 6 foot 4 – can follow the same path by impressing on loan in Belgium. The young centre-back already impressed on loan at Forest Green last time out, and has been nurtured as the Toffees' next big thing for years, with Blues coaches believing all the way back in 2020 that they had a top teenage talent in Welch, when he had just turned 17.

Former manager David Horseman told the club's official website when he arrived at Forest Green: “This is one we’re really excited about. A big thank you to Everton for making it sure got done. Reece is a really physical centre-back with good mobility. He’s a lovely footballer. He arrives with good pedigree, and he’s highly rated at Everton. He will help us a lot this season."

It's now up to Welch to enjoy another fruitful spell for a Deinze side gunning for promotion to the Belgium Pro League from the Challenger Pro League. They've already started well on that front too, taking seven from nine points available.

Yet to sign a replacement for Max Kilman, who swapped the Midlands for London and West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers are now reportedly confident that they'll beat Tottenham Hotspur to their defensive target.

Wolves transfer news

It's been a mixed window for Wolves, who have lost both Pedro Neto and Kilman but welcomed the likes of Jorgen Strand Larsen and young talents such as Pedro Lima and Rodrigo Gomes. With two weeks left until the window slams shut, however, Gary O'Neil will be well aware of the need to replace the star players who did decide to depart this summer.

Fabrizio Romano: Wolves make enquiry to sign £40,000-p/w Premier League ace

He’s a player with plenty of experience…

By
Tom Cunningham

Aug 14, 2024

On that front, those in the Midlands have already been linked with plenty of potential Neto heirs, from Brentford's Yoane Wissa all the way to Barcelona's Ansu Fati. Both options could be ideal contenders to fill the void left behind by the Portuguese winger, with Fati a particularly interesting target given his rise and subsequent fall courtesy of injuries at Barcelona.

Meanwhile, O'Neil's side also need to replace Kilman within their backline and could yet solve that problem by signing a player with plenty of potential. According to Graeme Bailey for HITC, Wolves are now confident of signing Bastien Meupiyou ahead of Tottenham Hotspur after submitting a second bid worth £4.3m.

Wolves have reportedly already seen one bid rejected by Nantes for their defender, which was worth £3.4m. Offering almost £1m more in their latest proposal, however, those at the Molineux will be hoping to have matched the French club's valuation.

At 18 years old, there's no doubt that Meupiyou is one for the future who would replace Kilman for years to come, rather than instantly this season. Given Spurs' reported interest, the teenager would be some coup if Wolves did manage to get a deal over the line in the next two weeks.

"Promising" Meupiyou is a long-term solution

If Wolves manage to agree a deal for Meupiyou, his role will be an interesting one to take note of, given his age and potential. O'Neil, with an eye on the future, may yet decide to accelerate his potential by throwing him in at the deep end of Premier League football and his squad when he sees fit.

Contrastingly, given that the teenager made just one Ligue 1 appearance last season, the former Bournemouth boss could also decide that Meupiyou has to impress in the academy setup before anything. Despite that one start, however, the Nantes man did enough to earn the praise of U23 scout Antonio Mango, who described the defender as "promising".

Having reportedly submitted a second bid, Wolves will be hoping to land a defensive reinforcement who can solve O'Neil's problem for years to come in the Midlands.

With just two weeks until the transfer window slams shut, West Ham United are reportedly battling to sign a midfield reinforcement up against Premier League rivals and Saturday evening's victors Aston Villa.

West Ham transfer news

It's quite fitting that the Hammers squared off against Aston Villa to open their Premier League campaign, given that they've been doing battle all summer in negotiations for Jhon Duran. The young forward posed with a Hammers sign on Instagram Live earlier in the window, only to score the winner on Saturday as the Villans took all three points from the London Stadium.

Since taking their battle to the pitch, the two clubs could now be set to run into each other in the transfer market once more before the window slams shut at the end of the month. The two busiest Premier League clubs on the transfer front, West Ham have more than played their part, signing the likes of Crysencio Summerville, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Max Kilman.

Their next race looks set to take them to Turkey. According to Takvim, West Ham are set to battle Aston Villa in the race to sign Ernest Muci, who Besiktas value at €14m (£12m). Earlier reports even suggested that Villa were negotiating a deal which would see Lucas Digne head to Besiktas in a player-plus-cash deal.

Now, however, West Ham's emergence could complicate things, with those at the London Stadium eyeing up the chance to win the race for the 23-year-old attacking midfielder.

West Ham could make Bowen unplayable with bid for £21m "goal machine"

This move would complete the Hammers’ summer spending with a flourish…

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 17, 2024

It's no real surprise that Muci has attracted such admirers, given how impressive he was at Legia Warsaw in the first half of the campaign and the glimpses of quality that he has shown since joining Besiktas in the winter transfer window.

"Superb" Muci would unleash Fullkrug

If West Ham want to help new arrival Niclas Fullkrug hit the ground running then signing an attacking midfielder in the form of Muci is certainly the way to do it. The 23-year-old, for both Legia Warsaw and Besiktas, managed 13 goals and a further two assists in an output that would naturally boost the Hammers' offensive numbers around him.

On his way to Besiktas, Muci earned plenty of praise, including from Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig, who described the start of his last campaign as "superb".

Of course, the added incentive of beating Aston Villa in the race for Muci's signature wouldn't go amiss, either. The Besiktas man is one to watch in the final two weeks of the summer transfer window, as two big spenders potentially go head-to-head in a battle to secure his arrival.

With Regis Le Bris now at the helm of Sunderland, the Black Cats are looking to provide their new manager with attacking reinforcements this summer.

Black Cats set to sign new players for Le Bris

With a new manager finally in the dugout, the big news out of the Stadium of Light now surrounds some of the names that could be making a move to the Wearside outfit this summer.

Sunderland hit gold on star who is now worth more than Ballard & Neil

Sunderland struck gold signing this star when they did.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jul 13, 2024

A recent report has linked Sunderland with a move for Burnely's Scott Twine, who spent last season on loan with Championship sides Hull City and Bristol City. Despite the previous interest from the Black Cats, it is claimed that no side has matched Burnley's valuation of the player.

Another name doing the rounds in Sunderland circles is that of free agent Oliver Norwood who left Sheffield United upon the expiration of his contract last month. The former Manchester United academy product has been linked with a move to Wearside ever since it became clear that he would not be renewing his terms at Bramall Lane.

If a deal for Norwood is to get over the line he would be joining Republic of Ireland international Alan Browne who joined the Black Cats in a free transfer from Preston North End earlier this month. With the Black Cats' rumour mill showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon, Sunderland are now reported to have made a bid for a new striker.

Sunderland submit first bid for new striker

As relayed by Sport Witness, the French press are claiming that Sunderland have made a move for SM Caen striker Alexandre Mendy. The outlet states that the Wearside outfit have made a first bid for the Guinea-Bissau forward as the Black Cats' new boss eyes attacking reinforcements this summer.

The 30-year-old has been left out of Caen's team for a recent friendly as well as their squad for their pre-season camp in Switzerland. This seems to suggest that the French outfit are resigned to the fact that Mendy will be leaving this summer, opening the door for Sunderland to strike a deal.

Despite potentially being shown the door at his current club, Mendy enjoyed a very successful campaign last season. The 30-year-old found the back of the net on 23 occasions last term, finishing as the top scorer in the French second division.

If the Black Cats are in the market for a more physical brand of striker during the transfer window, then they should look no further than Mendy. Standing at a little over 6 feet tall, the forward ranked in the 82nd percentile for aerial duels won last term, winning over four per ninety.

Despite Sunderland's clear interest in agreeing on a deal, the report by Sport Witness states that there is also interest from Saudi Arabia who could be able to better the Black Cats' offer in the salary department. Perhaps it could be Le Bris' links to the French game that helps his new side get this transfer over the line, making this one to watch.