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Carlton Palmer believes selling Diego Llorente would not come as a major blow to Leeds United.

The central defender has attracted interest from fellow Premier League clubs despite seeing his first campaign in English football hampered by a string of injuries.

Llorente joined Leeds from Spanish side Real Sociedad for a fee believed to be in the region of £18million last September.

But groin and hamstring problems resulted in Llorente, who was a member of Spain’s Euro 2020 squad which reached the semi-finals, being limited to just 15 Premier League appearances.

With three years remaining on his £22,000-per-week contract, Leeds are not in a position where they are under pressure to sell the 27-year-old.

But former England international striker Palmer, who enjoyed a three-year stint with the Yorkshire club during his playing career, would understand Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa being open to Llorente departing within 12 months of switching to Elland Road.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Palmer said: “I think he’s a talented player but he has struggled with injury and he must have a decent-sized salary. You’ll miss quality players if they leave but they missed him already last season because of his injuries.

“You need players who are going to play 25-30 games a season. He’s undoubtedly got quality because he wouldn’t be a Spanish international if he didn’t.

“It’s a blow if he goes but it’s a blow anyhow because he’s not playing.”

Fine contributions from Muhammad Fayaz (67) and Amir Ishfaq (45) helped Pakistn beat India by 31 runs in a league match in the 2002 World Cup for the Blind, which was played at the CPT-India Pistons Ground, Chennai on Sunday

Staff Reporter08-Dec-2002Fine contributions from Muhammad Fayaz (67) and Amir Ishfaq (45) helped Pakistn beat India by 31 runs in a league match in the 2002 World Cup for the Blind, which was played at the CPT-India Pistons Ground, Chennai on Sunday.After being put in, Pakistan managed to post 258 thanks to Fayaz’s and Ishfaq’s contributions. Mohammad Nawaz (36) and M Ashraf Bhatti (30) also played a part in ensuring that their team set India a challenging victory target.When India replied, they struggled to maintain the tempo despite a 30 from opener Rajendra Verma, a 43 from Sushil Gourd and a 52 from Vishal Kumar. As many as six run outs saw the hosts dismissed for 227 in 35.4 overs.Fayaz was named Man of the Match for his efforts.Pakistan were rewarded with four points for their win.

Celtic are reportedly closing in on the signing of an out-of-contract attacker… 

What’s the talk?

According to Football Insider, Celtic are discussing personal terms with out-of-contract forward Kyle Edwards as they attempt to bolster their attacking options this summer.

The report claims that the Hoops are poised to make him a contract offer following his release from West Brom, whilst they will still need to pay a compensation fee to the Baggies for their part in developing him.

Fans will be buzzing

Celtic fans will be buzzing by this news as this appears to be a deal that is not a million miles away from getting over the line. He would arrive as a player with a decent amount of pedigree with Premier League and Championship experience under his belt in England, helping the Baggies secure promotion from the second tier and then playing a bit-part role as they were relegated the following campaign.

Edwards is an exciting young winger who could get supporters off their seats during games. WhoScored lists his biggest strength as dribbling, with a career average of 1.4 dribbles completed per game – although that is skewed by the fact the majority of his appearances have been as a substitute.

This shows that his style of play could lend itself to being loved by supporters, as long as he is able to pull it off effectively and add quality end product to score and create goals for the club.

One of his West Brom teammates, Romaine Sawyers, said last year that Edwards is an “unbelievable” talent and said that his old academy manager, Mark Harrison, compared him to Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.

He told The Athletic: “I remember Kyle when he was proper, proper small — he was an unbelievable player even then.

“Mark Harrison, our old academy manager, told my age group, ‘We’ve got this kid who is 10 years old and this is Messi'”. 

The 23-year-old gem also has plenty of room for development. He will not be arriving at Parkhead as the finished article and this means that he could be a project for Ange Postecoglou to work on in the short and long term for Celtic.

Therefore, he could be a smart addition next season – given his experience in the Premier League and his dazzling dribbling skills.

AND in other news, Ange must avoid Celtic blunder with “inspirational” £15m beast, fans would be livid…

The Super 4s competition will contain overseas players for the first time with Leah Poulton and Alex Blackwell signing up

Cricinfo staff29-May-2008It’s hardly going to cause an outcry about the influx of foreigners into an English competition, but the Super 4s tournament will contain overseas players for the first time.Two Australian internationals with play in the four-team competition which aims to strengthen England women by providing elite practice. Alex Blackwell hopes to shine for the Rubies, while Leah Poulton will add dazzle to the Sapphires.”All our players are excited about what they will bring to the competition,” said Clare Connor, head of England women’s cricket, noting that both have international centuries to their names. “With some of our England players regularly playing in Australia during our winters, this is also an important initiative in terms of fostering strong relations with Cricket Australia.”Blackwell will also play for Berkshire, while Poulton will represent Nottinghamshire in the county competition.Sapphires Alexia Walker (capt), Rosalie Birch, Kathryn Brunt, Katie Cross, Kathryn Doherty, Lauren Griffiths, Jenny Halstead, Danielle Hazell, Rochelle Petty, Leah Poulton, Dawn Prestidge, Laura Spragg, Claire Taylor.Diamonds Charlotte Edwards (capt), Lynsey Askew, Karen Baker, Sarah Bartlett, Tamsin Beaumont, Georgia Elwiss, Lydia Greenway, Izzy Westbury, Charlotte Horton, Beth Morgan, Ebony Rainford-Brent, Charlie Russell, Anna Stevenson.Emeralds Nicky Shaw (capt), Salliann Briggs, Kelly Evenson, Daisy Gardner, Jenny Gunn, Laura Joyce, Hannah Lloyd, Laura Marsh, Nicky Myers, Sarah Taylor, Jasmine Titmus, Jo Watts, Beth Wild, Danielle Wyatt.Rubies Gill Richards (capt), Caroline Atkins, Alex Blackwell, Hannah Burr, Holly Colvin, Steph Davies, Isa Guha, Natalie Lane, Sophie Le Marchand, Kate Oakenfold, Anya Shrubsole, Amanda Potgieter, Becky Williams.

Leeds United’s hopes of signing Cagliari midfielder Nahitan Nandez have been dealt a blow, with Inter Milan keen on making a move for him.

The Lowdown: Leeds keen on signing Nandez

Midfield could be an area of the pitch Marcelo Bielsa looks to improve in this summer, in order for Kalvin Phillips not to be relied upon too much.

Nandez is a player who has been continually linked with a move to Leeds, having impressed for Cagliari last season, starting 31 Serie A games and chipping in with two goals and assists apiece.

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The Latest: Nandez chase may be over

The Whites may have suffered a setback in their quest to sign the 41-time capped Uruguay international, however, with FC Inter News [via Sport Witness] claiming Inter say he is ‘more than welcome’ at the club.

It is also stated that Leeds’ interest in Nandez was ‘over in a short time’, suggesting he won’t be heading to Elland Road this summer.

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The Verdict: Competition too strong?

Missing out on Nandez would be an undoubted blow for Leeds, but competing with a club of Inter’s stature was always going to be difficult.

The lure of Marcelo Bielsa may be great, but the Nerazzurri are the reigning Serie A champions and arguably one of Europe’s most exciting propositions, of course with Champions League football to offer as well.

It may be that Leeds now need to turn their attention to a similar player, in order to add depth and quality in the middle of the park next season.

In other news, one Leeds player is reportedly close to leaving the club this summer. Find out who it is here.

Ian Harvey, the former Australia allrounder, is set to join Hampshire as their overseas player for the Twenty20, as a replacement for Shane Watson

Cricinfo staff09-Jun-2008
Ian Harvey in action during the ICL, a tournament that could have serious implications for many counties © Cricinfo Ltd
Ian Harvey, the former Australia allrounder, is set to join Hampshire as their overseas player for the Twenty20, as a replacement for Shane Watson.Harvey has been out of county action since his hopes of joining Derbyshire last year as a non-overseas player fell through. The Home Office turned down his application for British Citizenship because of a drink-driving conviction. That issue won’t matter this time, as Harvey will be joining as Hampshire’s one overseas player.However, a possible complication that will arise with Harvey’s signing is his links with the Indian Cricket League. He played for the Chennai Superstars and there have been warnings from Lalit Modi, the chairman of the IPL, that any team fielding ICL players will be disqualified from the lucrative Champions League, which was announced at the weekend.But with the Twenty20 Cup starting on Wednesday, and Cricket Australia still in the early stages of drawing up the regulations for the Champions League, counties have little option but to name full-strength teams and hope a compromise is found regarding ICL players.Harvey has an outstanding Twenty20 record with 993 runs in 32 matches and a strike-rate of 169.74. His top score is 109 and he has three centuries, alongside 33 wickets at 25.57 with his superb death bowling.Watson, Hampshire’s original signing for the Twenty20, was one of the stars of the IPL. His form has earned him a recall to the Australian one-day squad in West Indies after Matthew Hayden’s injury.

Luke Hatfield, from the Express and Star doesn’t think that Daniel Podence is good enough to play for Tottenham, playing down suggestions of a reunion with Nuno Espirito Santo.

talkSPORT’s Alex Crook revealed that reports in Portugal say that the Spurs boss could be interested in bringing the 25-year-old to north London summer.

Podence has been with Wolves for just over 18 months but has struggled to get to grips with the Premier League despite some moments of quality.

Muscle injuries restricted Podence to featuring in just over half of Wolves’ league fixtures last term, although he was a starter and in Santo’s best XI for the majority of those.

However, despite impressive goals against Tottenham’s London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal, Hatfield isn’t convinced the £25m-rated winger could make the step up.

He told The Transfer Tavern:

“I think they’ve just seen Nuno is at Spurs and thought, who did Nuno have at Wolves? What do Spurs need? And we’ll just link him.

“Podence is a strange one. A lot of Wolves fans initially liked him, but he struggled with injuries. I don’t think he’s a Spurs level player when you look at the players they’ve got there already.

“You’ve got Heung Min Son, Steven Bergwijn, Lucas Moura, so he doesn’t strike me as a player that are better than those, which isn’t a shot at Daniel Podence, but I don’t think he would get in Spurs’ XI, so it doesn’t seem like a goer.”

This appears a classic case of putting two and two together.

Whilst Santo is looking at adding to his squad this summer, he’ll want to bring in players that will improve his team, and with several better wingers already at his disposal, Podence wouldn’t offer that.

Middlesex and Kent have moved in the Twenty20 final and with it the chance of some major pay-days in the near future

The Bulletins by Will Luke and Andrew McGlashan26-Jul-2008
Scorecard
Tyron Henderson celebrates Middlesex’s victory after he smashed 59 off 21 balls © Getty Images
Tyron Henderson bludgeoned a ferocious 59 off 21 balls as Middlesex, the surprise package of the 2008 Twenty20 Cup, booked their place in the final, and opened a path to cricket riches, with a thumping eight-wicket victory against the international stars of Durham. On a surface getting slower by the innings, Middlesex’s spinners were outstanding in restricting a docile Durham to 138 and it didn’t prove a contest.For all Durham’s class on paper they were never in the match from the moment their openers fell early. The eight overs from Shaun Udal and Murali Kartik cost just 36 runs as the boundaries dried up. It left Middlesex with a very manageable rate, allowing Ed Joyce and Billy Godleman to begin with a measured opening stand.Gareth Breese and Paul Wiseman struck in consecutive overs to give Durham a chance, but they were oddly subdued in the field and never gave the impression of having any belief. Steve Harmison, the day he was recalled by England, was mauled by Henderson, who also took a liking to Wiseman with three sixes on an over.Henderson raced to his half-century off 19 balls and launched more sixes off his own bat than the other three team innings put together. It was a canter for Middlesex, who have developed an impressive strategy for this form of cricket after not making much of an impression previously.A key to their success this season has been the impact of their five-pronged balanced attack. Although Dirk Nannes had an off day, looking short of form after an injury lay-off, Tim Murtagh set the tone with an exemplary first over and the spinners kept the scoring rate down.Udal also bagged the key wicket of Paul Collingwood, chipping a catch to deep midwicket, when he was threatening a substantial innings. Udal and Kartik varied their pace and flight, making scoring hard work on a surface that continues to lose its pace.Durham never found any proper momentum with Shivnarine Chanderpaul using 47 balls for his 48. There appeared no real effort to accelerate as Chanderpaul and Will Smith batted a pace more akin to 50-over cricket than Twenty20. It meant the real striking power from the likes of Shaun Pollock and Liam Plunkett was given precious little time to shine, while the in-form Dale Benkenstein didn’t even get a bat. It’s going to be a long journey home.
Scorecard
Joe Denly sparked Essex’s innings with 36 off 27 balls © Getty Images
Twenty20 Finals Day has always been a pressurised day, but never before has so much rested on a 20-over semi-final. The tension told for Essex, and it was the nerveless fielding of the holders, Kent, and a fine allround performance from Azhar Mahmood, which has sealed their spot in the final of this year’s competition.Kent had to overcome a late burst from Ryan ten Doeschate, however, who threw everything at the spinners in a last-ditch attempt to chase down 174. Martin van Jaarsveld was flicked effortlessly over midwicket, followed by a crafty four that bisected the midwicket fielders as Essex needed 37 from 21. It appeared to spark James Foster briefly into life, too, but van Jaarsveld held a scorching drive at extra cover to remove Foster and again tip the balance in Kent’s favour.Kent excelled in the field, and they needed to. Earlier, Ravi Bopara and Mark Pettini, who crafted 54 from 47, were making the run-chase look facile. Bopara, in particular, batted with remarkable poise given the tension which enveloped the game, opting for orthodoxy over extravagance and flicking Ryan McLaren twice through midwicket, the second a flamingo-flick from the Kevin Pietersen manuel.Essex’s fifty was notched in the fifth over as McLaren and Simon Cook continued to leak runs, while Bopara guided a beautiful four straight out of Geraint Jones’ gloves for four more. As ever, the introduction of spin changed the course of the match, with James Tredwell mixing up his pace beautifully to dismiss Bopara for 29. All eyes were on Graham Napier, one of this year’s players of the tournament, but he fell to an outstanding running catch by Rob Key, sprinting – yes, sprinting – back from mid-off to hold onto a vital chance. It was a defining moment.Pettini was unfazed, however, and brought up a calm 50 from 39 balls, but Kent continued to dazzle in the field. Grant Flower threatened with two powerful fours, and attempted a fierce cut to find his third boundary in 12 balls when he found van Jaarsveld lurking at backward point. Swooping with his right hand, he threw down the stumps while still kneeling, and Flower was comfortably short. Essex needed 60 from 35, and the pressure was beginning to tell.”Yes, no…sorry” is the hapless call of many a club cricketer, but even on such grand stages as these, high-profile cricketers are left looking a little daft. Pettini drilled a full toss to mid-off as Foster came hurtling down the pitch, and he was run-out for 54. Tredwell completed his four overs, conceding just 26, and Essex were left with too much to do, falling 14 runs short.Essex might have had to chase in excess of 174 had Bopara not restricted them with 3 for 36. Joe Denly’s fine form continued, rasping 36 from 27 while Key played with typical selflessness in a bold 20 from 12. The introduction of Danish Kaneria removed Key and Yasir Arafat, but Kent fought back brilliantly with Azhar Mahmood’s 24 from 19 balls, picking up two elegant fours over midwicket. Crucially, he was dropped by Maurice Chambers at long-on early in his innings, typifying a poor fielding display from Essex which ultimately cost them their place in the biggest final of Twenty20’s history.

A worrying claim has emerged on the future of Declan Rice at West Ham United…

What’s the word?

At the start of the month, the Telegraph revealed that the 22-year-old midfielder had rejected two new contract offers from the club and they also claimed the England international would wait to see if interest from Manchester United and Chelsea is followed up this window.

Now, the ever-reliable ExWHUemployee has delivered a fresh update into the current situation – and it’s not good news for David Moyes or the fans.

In a recent Q&A on his Patreon page, the anonymous source said:

“Not so much our budget, but I think we promised good signings and that the club would build the [team] around him and so far that’s not happened.

“[He’s] not signed a new deal and probably won’t. If a big club like Chelsea or Man U meet the asking price I think we would struggle to hold onto him.”

Only a matter of time?

This is the last thing that those around the London Stadium will probably want to hear right now as it’s almost a double hammer blow heading into the new season.

That’s because the Irons are yet to make any moves in the transfer market and as a result, it could force Rice closer to an exit, which would be devastating for a club on the rise.

Indeed, the Hammers were saved from relegation with one game to spare and are now in the Europa League, all in the space of just one season. Rice played an integral role in that happening.

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As per WhoScored, he rated out as Moyes’ fourth-best player with an average rating of 7.01. No player made more interceptions (1.8) per game, whilst he wasn’t far behind for tackles (1.8) and passing accuracy (88%) either.

Moyes has previously warned that it would take an astronomical fee to prise his star man and future captain away from East London but his hand may well be forced after an update like this.

“Bank of England money would be required, and you might even need to add Bank of Scotland on to that as well because he has been so good,” claimed the 58-year-old last season, via Goal.

Either way, with no new signings on the horizon just yet and Rice seemingly waiting for activity – both from the club and his interested parties – it seems like it’s only a matter of time before the Hammers faithful know his fate.

It’s certainly going to cause some anxiety heading into next month’s transfer deadline. Ex’s suggestion that he won’t sign a new deal is one big hammer blow.

AND in other news, West Ham fans won’t like ExWHUemployee’s takeover claim…

South Australia have named Jamie Cox, the former Tasmania batsman, as their high performance manager

Cricinfo staff19-Jul-2008
South Australia will be looking to improved fortunes with the appointment of Jamie Cox as their high performance manager © Getty Images
South Australia have named Jamie Cox, the former Tasmania captain, as their high performance manager. Cox, also a national selector, will take up the assignment after his stint with the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, where he’s managing elite level coaches across a variety of sports in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics. He succeeds former Australia wicketkeeper Rod Marsh, who occupied the position for three years.”Jamie has been involved in elite level sport for almost two decades – with 16 years experience as a first-class cricketer and an additional four years experience in high performance administration/management”, Mike Deare, the South Australia Cricket Association (SACA) chief executive, said in a release.Cox, who’s played the most number of Sheffield Shield games, will be working alongside Mark Sorell, the team coach. “Jamie has worked closely with professionally contracted cricket players while at the Tasmanian Cricket Association and is well-equipped to support Mark Sorell during what is a key time,” Deare said.Cox’s responsibilities will range from the youth squads to the senior men’s and women’s teams, besides handling coaching staff and player recruitment and welfare.South Australia finished fifth in the Pura Cup – which is back to being called the Sheffield Shield – last season. They haven’t made it to a domestic first-class final since 1995-96 and only two limited-overs finals in the past 14 seasons.Cox, a middle-order batsman who later became an opener, remained on the fringes of the Australian team during his career for Tasmania. Cox scored 10,821 runs in the Sheffield Shield, only bettered by Darren Lehmann, who finished his career with South Australia last season.