West Ham United fans would’ve thought that losing the talismanic Declan Rice to Arsenal for £105m would be the most damaging outgoing for the club this summer.
However, a new – almost equally devastating – storyline has since emerged, with Manchester City keenly pursuing a deal for attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta.
Fabrizio Romano revealed that the Brazilian is keen to join the reigning Premier League and European Champions, who had an initial verbal approach of £70m rejected. A fresh offer is expected, with the Italian journalist indicating that players could be included in the deal.
This has led to suggestions that Cole Palmer could be on his way to the London Stadium.
What’s the latest on Cole Palmer to West Ham?
According to the ever-reliable ExWHUEmployee, the 21-year-old is attracting serious interest from the Hammers.
The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg has echoed this view, stating that West Ham are eyeing a loan deal for the youngster.
Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…
Pep Guardiola has communicated his impression of the situation, saying:
“We have lot of confidence in Cole. I know he wanted to play last season, and didn't much. The agent, himself, we have to talk.
“If he wants to stay, we're more than pleased. If he wants to leave, we'll find a solution because he's a top player.”
Would Cole Palmer be a good signing for West Ham?
The 6-foot academy gem has been at Manchester City since 2010, rising through various academy sides.
In 61 appearances for the U18 and U21 teams, he has recorded 61 goal involvements – a frightening level of productivity to emphatically demonstrate that he is more than ready for regular senior football.
As a result, he has become partially integrated into the first team, making 39 appearances in the last 3 years, including five goals.
Internationally, the playmaker has also performed admirably – at England’s U21 European Championship winning campaign, Palmer played five matches, scored once, registered three assists, and completed 88% of his passes and 56% of his dribbles, as per Sofascore.
Nevertheless, last season he only notched seven starts in all competitions and a loan at a fellow top-flight side could be the perfect platform to further ignite his limitless potential.
Moreover, his hypnotic dribbling and magical technique could make him the new jewel of West Ham’s crown as he ranks within the best 1% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for progressive carries, successful take-ons and touches in the attacking penalty area per 90.
The joyous technician, who netted in the Community Shield final against Arsenal, possesses the profile and skill to soften the blow of Paqueta’s possible exit.
The former Lyon maestro has only been at West Ham for one year but has quickly established himself as one of the club’s most talented and influential assets.
Lucas Paqueta
Described as “simply sensational” by CBS Sports' James Benge, the South American ranks within the top 6% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for progressive passes per 90, and his repertoire of flair and exuberance means he looks destined to compete at the highest level.
Nevertheless, Palmer is also a ridiculous talent, and with a year of consistent game-time, could further flourish into one of the division’s most sought-after forces.
Also hailed as “outstanding” by Paul Dickov, the 21-year-old starlet to West Ham would be an extremely smart piece of business for all parties, given the evidence above.
Since the opening match of the Champions Trophy against India, where they conceded 319, the highest total they have conceded is 236
ESPNcricinfo staff21-Oct-2017A 4-0 series scoreline against Sri Lanka and consistent performances since the 2017 Champions Trophy are testimony to the fact that the Pakistan bowling attack has grown into one of the best in the world, according to their captain Sarfraz Ahmed.Speaking to the media after his side completed a seven-wicket drubbing of Sri Lanka on Friday, Sarfraz credited the success to the contributions of bowlers like Hasan Ali, who is now ranked No. 1 by the ICC, and a settled core of players for limited-overs cricket.Pakistan’s recent performances attest to the potency of their attack. Since the opening match of the Champions Trophy against India, where they conceded 319, the highest total they have conceded is 236. Their opponents in this period have included South Africa, England, India and Sri Lanka, and they have beaten them all.In the ongoing series, apart from Hasan, legspinner Shadab Khan and fast bowler Rumman Raees have also impressed in the opportunities they have been given, with Shadab even contributing a crucial half-century in the second ODI. In the matches before his bowling action was reported as suspect, Mohammad Hafeez was miserly, bowling at an economy rate of 3.30.”Yes, you can say that,” Sarfraz said, when asked if he considered his bowling attack the best in the world. “The way the bowlers have been performing since the Champions Trophy, we have bowled teams out for 240-230 and then chased them down well. Here, too, we are bowling well and chasing well. We should praise the bowlers, especially Hasan Ali, who is improving day by day. He is now the world No. 1 so I wish he keeps that and does well to win us matches. Shadab is doing well and so have Usman Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Rumman Raees and Junaid Khan. The bowlers are doing well and importantly our bench is getting strong.”Hasan’s growth as a bowler this year has provided an immense boost. The 23-year-old is currently the highest wicket-taker of 2017, has the most five-fors in the year so far (3) and was the Player of the Series at the Champions Trophy with 13 dismissals. In four matches against Sri Lanka, he has taken 12 wickets and Sarfraz lauded the bowler’s mindset and his commitment to self-improvement.”The best thing is that he bowls in an attacking manner, he tries to take wickets, tries learn with Azhar Mahmood [Pakistan’s bowling coach] and does his homework, asks other players how to bowl,” he said. “He asks me and my target is to get wickets through him. He attacks, and with every wicket, he is getting better and better.”Sarfraz felt the team atmosphere was well-balanced, with the selectors picking good players and the team management aiming to lift the confidence of the newcomers.”I will first give selectors the credit, they chose good players and our effort is that, whoever we play, we should give them confidence and tell them to play like they do in domestic matches. The best thing is that they are playing with confidence and whoever plays gives an impact. As far as seniors are concerned, they play their roles. We have two seniors and they are doing their roles and whenever they get a chance they motivate the players and contribute in performance.”
Liverpool need to act swiftly to solve their midfield conundrum, with the Anfield side reportedly set to miss out on their two biggest targets of late in Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, both to Chelsea.
After signing Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboslai earlier this summer, Jurgen Klopp looked to have commenced a much-needed rebuild effectively, but the sales of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to Saudi Arabian clubs have left the Reds light on their feet.
The need for a new defensive midfielder is paramount, and Liverpool must now consider revisiting interest in Fulham star Joao Palhinha, who excelled in the Premier League last season.
Are Liverpool signing a new midfielder?
Liverpool and West Ham United have held an interest in Palhinha this summer, with the latter now ostensibly ruled out after completing the transfer of Edson Alvarez from Ajax for roughly £35m.
Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE…
Fulham believe that the Portuguese midfielder, who was sensational last season in his maiden season in England, should command a fee of at least €60m (£52m), and Liverpool must quickly decide whether to meet the Cottagers' terms.
How good is Joao Palhinha?
One thing's for certain, Palhinha offers something Liverpool do not have in midfield.
Since signing for Fulham from Sporting Lisbon for £20m last summer, the 28-year-old has cemented himself as one of the toughest-tackling, most indefatigable midfielders on English soil, having completed 40 matches for Marco Silva's side across all competitions, scoring four goals, and being heralded as a "tackling machine" by teammate Harrison Reed.
Indeed, no other player made more than his 147 tackles in the entire Premier League last season. Caicedo, for context, happened to be second in the charts but only with 100.
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The 21-cap Portugal star recorded an average Sofascore rating of 7.00 in the Premier League, completing 83% of his passes, winning 59% of his duels and making an incredible 4.2 tackles per game.
For reference, Lavia forged 2.1 tackles per match while the aforementioned Caicedo, who is widely regarded as one of the most prodigious midfield talents in Europe, averaged 2.7 per outing.
As per FBref, Palhinha even ranks among the top 1% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for tackles, the top 11% for clearances and the top 8% for aerials won per 90, illustrating the command he has on his midfield; a true general in the centre, the titan is a wrecking ball and exactly what Liverpool need.
He would bring instantaneous results, and while Lavia is unquestionably one of the most precocious talents in English football, putting the weight of Liverpool's expectations and goals entirely on his shoulders at just 19-years-old is a heavy burden to shoulder.
Palhinha is robust, tenacious, experienced in the thick of intense action, and he could well provide Klopp with exactly what he craves to rectify the wrongs at Anfield, with Liverpool preparing for a Europa League campaign that serves as a constant reminder of the woes of last season.
Lavia is a tremendous teenager, and already ranks among the top 4% of midfielders for blocks per 90 – highlighting his energy and accuracy in the tackle – and there's no telling how formidable he will become over the next several years.
But Palhinha is established; he is "Casemiro-esque" – as has been claimed by journalist Zach Lowy, and Klopp must now make his move and put an end to the malaise and trepidation that Liverpool is embroiled in at present.
Only Claude Henderson, the spin bowling consultant and Greg King, the fitness trainer have been retained from Russell Domingo’s technical team while Prasanna Agoram remains in place as the analyst
Firdose Moonda16-Nov-2017Warriors’ coach Malibongwe Maketa has been appointed Ottis Gibson’s assistant, pipping Lions’ coach Geoffrey Toyana to the post in a shake-up of South Africa’s support staff. Former Natal and Durham batsman Dale Benkenstein will take over as batting coach from Neil McKenzie while Justin Ontong, the Cobras’ senior statesman, has been appointed fielding coach.Only Claude Henderson, the spin bowling consultant and Greg King, the fitness trainer have been retained from Russell Domingo’s technical team while Prasanna Agoram remains in place as the analyst. Physiotherapist Brandon Jackson has been replaced by Craig Govender. Team manager and doctor Mohammed Moosajee’s contract has been extended until April 2018 – the end of the South African summer – after which CSA’s board will appoint two successors, one in a managerial role and one in a medical role. That will increase the number of backroom staff to 12, from its current 11.Full list of staff appointments
Gibson, who was appointed in September, worked with Domingo’s support staff for his first assignment, a home series against Bangladesh. On its successful completion, Gibson said he had spoken to CSA about his choices for a backroom staff and had given them a list of name, “some from overseas, some local,” and would wait on the board to make the appointments. Who he had nominated from abroad is not known but only local candidates have made the cut, in what appears to be an exercise in cost-cutting.While Gibson had previously said he would perform the bowling coach duties himself, meaning one fewer member of his support staff, the batting coach Benkenstein is going to be shared with a local school. Benkenstein, who left Hampshire in July last year to return home for family reasons, has been working at Hilton College, a prestigious school in the Kwa-Zulu Natal Midlands and will continue there while also working with the national team. CSA have made an agreement with the school that Benkenstein will accompany the national team on tours and will be around the camp when they play home matches but will also work for Hilton College.Maketa, the new assistant and Ontong, both come from within the current system and would not have been as expensive to hire as a foreigner. CSA’s financial position has been weakened following the postponement of the T20 Global League, on which they had spent millions organising, marketing and on upgrading stadiums, and their situation may worsen once a player-payout has been agreed. The South African Cricketers’ Association and CSA will undergo mediation to determine how to resolve the contractual fallout from the T20 Global League.In the meanwhile, attention will turn to Gibson’s sidekicks.Maketa has been with the Warriors since February 2015. He took over mid-season when Piet Botha stepped down and though he has not won any trophies, Maketa has had to work without many national players in his ranks and at a franchise without a sponsor. He has led the Warriors to two limited-overs finals – the one-day and twenty-over tournament last season – and has also worked with the national academy and the South African A side. Maketa was preferred over Toyana, who has won four trophies in five seasons with the Lions and was thought to be the favourite for the head coach’s role, will remain with the Warriors for the current Ram Slam before linking up with Gibson. It is not yet known who will succeed Maketa at the Warriors.Ontong will have a similar time-frame. He is still an active player for the Cobras and played in all five of their first-class fixtures this summer (and scored a century and three fifties) but a CSA spokesperson said he “will have to,” retire in order to take up his coaching duties.This will be his first coaching role and he will become South Africa’s first fielding coach since Rob Walter left the post after the Champions Trophy in 2013. Though South Africa have a reputation as a top-fielding side, standards have slipped on occasion in the recent past and it must have been something Gibson noted when compiling his staff.”My first six weeks as head coach gave me a good indication of the areas and resources needed for me to take the team forward,” Gibson said. “I’m confident with the coaching support staff we have put together and believe we share the same vision and understanding required to achieve success in our environment.”The coaches are experienced experts in their respective fields and will add value and energy to an already high-performing environment. The Proteas have a well-run and professional setup and I have no doubt that these additions will further enhance that element during my tenure.”South Africa’s players are currently engaged in the Ram Slam domestic tournament, which will run until December 16. Ten days later, they will begin the first of eight home Tests, a four-day, day-night fixture against Zimbabwe. South Africa host India for three Tests, six ODIs and three T20s and Australia for four Tests in March in their busiest home season to date.
Rangpur Riders fell short by 11 runs in their chase of 167, despite having clawed their way back into the game with a terrific end-overs display with the ball
The Report by Mohammad Isam08-Nov-2017 Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsTaskin Ahmed bowled an over in which three wickets fell•Raton Gomes/BCBTaskin Ahmed bowled Chittagong Vikings to their first win of the season, helping restrict Rangpur Riders to 155 for 8 in their chase of 167. He took three wickets, including two in succession in the 13th over, and ran out Ravi Bopara off the next ball with his boot to suck the life out of Rangpur’s chase. Luke Ronchi had given Chittagong a blistering start with the third-fastest BPL fifty.Rangpur eventually fell 11 runs short with some of their batsmen getting set but not converting. Left-arm medium-pacer Luis Reece took two for 26 in his four overs.Ronchi made 78 off only 35 balls, hammering seven sixes. But after his dismissal, Chittagong slowed down, adding only 54 runs in the last 10 overs.Ronchi’s belligerence A whip of his wrist gave Ronchi his first six, off the third ball of the match. He hit another six in the same over, off Mashrafe Mortaza, before he struck three fours in the second over, bowled by Sohag Gazi. Ronchi, in the next over, struck Nazmul Islam over mid-on and cover for consecutive sixes before cutting past point for a four. That over finished with a six over long-off, as Ronchi lifted Chittagong to 50 runs in the first three overs, a BPL record.When Mashrafe claimed Soumya Sarkar’s wicket in the fifth over, he had faced only seven deliveries out of the 28 in the opening partnership. Ronchi struck two more sixes during his 40-run, second wicket stand with Dilshan Munaweera.One boundary in 10 oversWhen Bopara had Ronchi caught at long-on, Chittagong were 99 for 2 in the ninth over. Ronchi had made 78 of those runs, having struck seven fours and seven sixes.Munaweera struck Samiullah Shenwari for a six over midwicket at the end of the 10th over, but there was no boundary for 50 balls from that point.Munaweera fell in the 11th over after which Misbah and Luis Reece added 19 runs in the five overs of their fourth-wicket stand. Anamul Haque could only manage 17 off 14 balls. The only boundary in the last 10 overs came from Misbah, who was unbeaten on 31 off 32 balls.Setting up the chaseRangpur lost Johnson Charles in the third ball of their chase, before Ziaur Rahman was dismissed after hitting a six and a four. Mohammad Mithun was the third wicket to fall in the Powerplay, undone by Reece for a 15-ball 23.Shahriar Nafees and Bopara tried to keep up with the required run-rate, adding 49 runs in the following 6.4 overs, putting Rangpur in control.Taskin rips through RangpurIn the 13th over, Nafees was knocked over by an accurate yorker from Taskin, having made 26 off 23 balls. He then removed Shenwari next ball after he clipped a catch to Misbah at midwicket. Off the next ball, Taskin’s boot came in the way of a Thisara Perera drive, which caught Bopara short at the non-striker’s end.Taskin then took his third wicket by having Perera caught at deep midwicket, reducing Rangpur to 119 for 7 in the 15th over.Subashis takes on Mashrafe With the match entering its decisive stages, emotions got the better of Mashrafe and Subashis Roy. Mashrafe dug out a yorker, and gestured to the bowler to get back. Subashis charged at Mashrafe, with Sikandar Raza running in to separate the pair. Subashis later apologised to Mashrafe.
Leeds United have lost a number of their key players this summer but haven't been as active in the transfer market as expected, however, a new update has now emerged on the club's pursuit of a target.
What's the latest Leeds transfer news?
According to Yorkshire Evening Post's Graham Smyth, Leeds remain interested in signing Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara this summer.
As per the report, Smyth claims that the Whites are yet again exploring the possibility of snapping up the services of Kamara, which has been prompted by Bournemouth's trigger of Tyler Adams' release clause.
The future of Adams has been a huge talking point over the last week with Chelsea initially triggering the USMNT star's £20m buy-out clause, but backing out of the deal when their opportunity to snap up the services of Moises Caicedo was put into doubt due to a record-breaking bid from Liverpool.
Now it has been revealed by Italian journalist and transfer insider Fabrizio Romano that the Cherries have triggered the release clause instead.
It still remains to be seen whether Adams will agree personal terms and if he will pass his medical with the south coast side, however, it is looking more and more likely that he will depart to return to the Premier League without Leeds.
Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…
How good is Glen Kamara?
As a result, the opportunity to sign Kamara could not come at a better time for Daniel Farke, as the German coach will have a huge role to fill in the centre of the pitch for the Championship campaign ahead.
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Over 22 Scottish Premiership appearances last season, the 27-year-old scored one goal and tallied up an 89% pass completion rate, as well as averaging one key pass and winning 2.2 duels per game, as per SofaScore.
Not only that, Kamara has been an incredible presence in Finland's Euros qualifiers recently where he was a huge contributor in both meetings with San Marino and Slovenia this summer.
Over two appearances, the Gers gem scored once, successfully completed 75% of his dribble attempts and tallied up an 88% pass completion, proving that he is a huge presence both on the domestic and international stage.
The Finland international has been the recipient of high praise over his career so far, with Dundee coach Neil McCann waxing lyrical about Kamara's strengths in an interview with The Athletic:
"He’s a special talent. He makes things look easy and sometimes the easy thing is not as simple as it looks.
"He’s lightning-quick, but he doesn’t show it. He’s a player who takes instruction well. Look at how he plays with Finland and there is clearly a different dynamic as he plays more like a No 8 where he can go forward and burst towards the box, whereas at Rangers he is playing a different style."
With that being said, it would be a no-brainer for Leeds to snap up the services of Kamara – who has a reported £5m price tag – as he could definitely ease the blow of losing Adams and provide Farke with an experienced midfielder to deploy in the middle third.
Everton are hoping to make more changes before finalising their squad ahead of the close of the transfer window, with Sean Dyche targeting one name in particular according to reports.
The Blues suffered a relegation-threatened season last term, with form seemingly carrying into the 2023/24 campaign, as the Toffees continue to hunt for their first points after two matches played.
One area that Dyche is aiming to bolster is his attack, with a host of names said to be of interest at Goodison Park.
Who could Everton sign this summer?
Troyes striker Mama Balde has been revealed as a player Everton could make a swoop for this window, with talkSPORT relaying the news of a potential battle for the £7m forward with Burnley and Sheffield United.
Read the latest Everton transfer news HERE…
The ongoing speculation regarding Leeds United wantaway Wilfried Gnonto looks to be nearing a solution, with journalist Paul Brown telling GIVEMESPORT that the player “clearly” wants a move to Goodison, though a deal has not yet been struck.
A more direct approach has been reported by renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano, who documented the Blues’ “formal bid” for Udinese talisman Beto.
It’s said that talks are “underway” for the 25-year-old, with a proposal of €30m (£26m) on the table. However, the Italian side are believed to want a fee in the region of €35m (£30m) for the striker, which could be met through add-ons.
What is Beto’s style of play?
Identified as a forward capable of providing ‘rapid surges’ while being able to ‘dominate in the air’ by scouting site Breaking the Lines, the 6 foot 4 marksman could be a valuable asset to Dyche’s side.
Hailed as “strong” and “prolific” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the Serie A whiz signed for Udinese from Portuguese side Portimonense in 2021, and has since netted 21 goals in the Italian top tier.
Last season, the striker scored 10 times in the league for his club, capturing the eye of those at Goodison as the shining light for the Bianconeri.
Udinese striker Beto.
For Everton, welcoming the impressive goalscorer could come at a perfect time, with current line-leader Dominic Calvert-Lewin continuing to battle injuries and form as he searches to rediscover the levels he previously hit with the Toffees.
One thing that’s necessary in a striker is reliability, and while Calvert-Lewin’s injury history has been harsh, the fact remains that the Englishman is slipping away from being a consistent source of threat for the Blues.
Over the 2019/20 and 2020/21 campaigns, the 26-year-old netted 29 Premier League goals, with him scoring a total of seven in the two seasons since, finding the net just twice last term, via Transfermarkt.
Injury has played a huge part in his downfall, which makes a move for Beto logical, in a player that could fill the void of the Englishman and compete with him to raise his level of performance when fit.
The Sheffield-born ace has been phenomenal at times for Everton, however, with the club needing to be fired away from another relegation battle, Beto could be the perfect saviour to bring the goals back to Goodison.
Having struck the joint-fastest T20I hundred, Rohit Sharma was pleased that despite a high percentage of boundaries, his innings centred on conventional cricketing shots
ESPNcricinfo staff23-Dec-2017Rohit Sharma’s record 118 against Sri Lanka in Indore on Friday – the joint-fastest T20I hundred – included 10 sixes, the most by an India batsman in a T20I game. That took his tally of sixes across formats in 2017 to 64, the highest by a batsman in any calendar year. While a look at the numbers alone may suggest Rohit is a six-clobbering automaton, the reality is that the big hits aren’t so much a product of brute force as they are of stunning timing, one example being the six that he clipped over midwicket off Dushmantha Chameera in the 13th over.Rohit admitted after the match that his game wasn’t a power-dominated one, and he instead relied on timing and picking gaps. In Indore, he was also focused on relentlessly targeting the short square boundaries.”I definitely don’t have so much power. I rely a lot on timing the ball more than anything else,” he said. “I know my strengths and my weakness. I try and play with the field a lot. When the field is spread after six overs, I try and see where I can find my boundary options. I want to score all around the park and not just one area. It’s important that I try and explore the fielding the opposition keeps for me.”In all formats, I try and do that. You can’t just hit in one area. You become predictable then. It’s always important to score runs all over the field and that’s my strength.”Rohit’s second T20I hundred was largely made up of conventional strokes. His 43-ball 118 had 108 runs come off boundaries, giving him a boundary-percentage of 91.52, the highest for any T20I innings of 30 balls or more.”I didn’t play any of those flamboyant shots. I was just trying to hit the balls in the areas that I was looking to hit,” he said. “All the shots which I played pleased me because it takes a lot of effort to pull it off. Even when you defend it, you should like it as well. It’s not only about hitting boundaries and sixes. The ball that you hit in the gap should also make you happy.”I was thinking of scoring runs, not any particular target. In all the formats, I don’t look to get to a particular milestone. My job is to go out there and score as many as possible. Not just 100s or 200s or 300s. I go out there to make sure I get my team into a good position. My job is to do that. There are times when you don’t get runs. There are times when you get runs. Never do I ever walk out thinking that I want to score a century or a double-century. I just want to give my best and get the team a victory.”BCCIIn his first full series as stand-in captain, Rohit led from the front with a double-hundred in Mohali as India went on to win the ODI series 2-1. With the T20I series, too, already in the bag, he was asked if his batting had remained immune to the pressures of captaincy. He disagreed, and said the defeat in the first ODI in Dharamsala, where India collapsed to 112 batting first, had put him under a lot of pressure.”In Dharamsala, we were in a position where the team could have folded for the lowest score possible,” he said. “After that game, I was thinking quite a bit about my captaincy and my team. I was thinking that I was leading for the first time and I had been put in such a difficult situation.”There’s a lot of pressure on you always. Wherever you play, or any opposition you play, there’s always pressure. We’ve won the series but each and every match is important. It’s crucial to use each and every opportunity. When you captain for the first time, there is obviously pressure. I don’t know when I’ll lead India again so, for me, every match, every series and every moment on the field is important.”Rohit felt India’s successful showing against Sri Lanka would help the team’s momentum ahead of the South Africa tour.”When you travel overseas, the last series does have an impact,” he said. “The momentum you create, the winning rhythm of the team does give a lot of confidence. But once you go there, how you adapt yourself – technically and to their conditions – remains important. Even their fast bowlers will be much different than Sri Lanka’s.”When you travel overseas, the skills and mindset need to be changed, nothing else. You can carry the confidence you have generated from the recent success in the Test, ODI and T20 series, so as a team we are on a high and the confidence will help us in South Africa.”
With India possessing in-form openers, a healthy mix of allrounders and an injury-free squad, Australia have more questions to answer ahead of the big final
The Preview by Shashank Kishore in Mount Maunganui02-Feb-20182:50
India’s history at the U-19 World Cup final
Big PictureYou don’t need a New Zealand visa if you’re an Australian. There are also separate immigration queues at the airports for Australian passport holders. Both countries have a union jack on their flags.You don’t need a local sim card, because Australian telecom providers offer flexible pay-per-use deals owing to proximity. The hiking trails, sporting culture and the weather patterns mean Australia are at a home away from home.Yet, when they take on India in the Under-19 World Cup final in Mount Manganui, they will feel like an away team playing in Mohali. Tauranga’s Punjabi community of 4000 people, the biggest in New Zealand, will have their and drums ready to add colour to a festive Saturday afternoon. The ground can hold 8000 people, and the organisers are hoping to have the venue more than half-full.Outside Australia’s travelling group of parents, there is unlikely to be too much fan support for the 11 players, who will look to challenge untested India in their bid for their first Under-19 World Cup since Mitchell Marsh led them to the title in 2010. Prior to that, they had won in 1988 and 2002. India, too, are three-time winners, and last won in 2012 under Unmukt Chand. Two years ago in Bangladesh, they lost to West Indies in the final after dominating the group stages.The similarities between the two, however, go beyond just the number of titles won. Both have a star-studded support cast: Chris Rogers and Ryan Harris for Australia; Rahul Dravid for India. Both captains – Jason Sangha and Prithvi Shaw – have set age-related first-class records. It is when you dig into team specifics that the similarities become hard to find.India’s openers are in form; Australia are sweating over the poor form of one of their gun openers – Max Bryant. India have two allrounders in Anukul Roy and Kamlesh Nagarkoti, as opposed to Australia, who just have Will Sutherland. Barring Ishan Porel, India haven’t had too many injury concerns, while Australia have been forced to mix and match. Jason Ralston was ruled out, and now Aaron Hardie, his replacement, has also joined him on the sidelines with a groin injury. In their absence, Zak Evans and Ryan Hadley will form their new-ball attack.This is a clash between a highly skilled side that has prepared in every condition possible, against a side that has the best sporting system and has produced match-winners by truckloads. That Australia are here is because Lloyd Pope gatecrashed an England party that was ready to take off. They would have to play out of their skins to repeat that against India on Saturday.Form guideIndia WWWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first) Australia WWWWLPrithvi Shaw and Jason Sangha pose with the trophy•IDI via Getty ImagesIn the spotlightRahul Dravid generally doesn’t talk up individuals, at least not during a tournament such as the World Cup, which is why it was surprising to see him effusively praise 16-year old Riyan Parag, the top-order batsman who bowls handy offspin. “He was in phenomenal form, hitting it so beautifully in the build-up,” Dravid said. “It’s just unfortunate he got injured and then has taken a while to come into his batting groove. He’ll come good.”Parag didn’t start the tournament because of a finger injury, and made the XI only for the final group game against Zimbabwe. Since returning, he has had two low scores but has consistently chipped in with the ball. The final may not be a bad time to repay the coach’s faith with the bat.Jack Edwards has been talked up as one of the best players of spin in this Australian set-up. He’ll potentially be up against four spinners in the final. He made 73 in the opening game against India, and then trailed off until he hit a crucial, counter-attacking 72 in the semi-final against Afghanistan. Can he continue to surge in the final?Team newsIndia are unlikely to tinker with their XI, despite the middle order not having played to full potential yet. Parag is yet to come into his own, while Harvik Desai has just one half-century from a low-pressure chase against Zimbabwe. Barring any last-minute injuries, all players pick themselves.India (likely): 1 Prithvi Shaw (capt), 2 Manjot Kalra, 3 Shubman Gill, 4 Harvik Desai, 5 Riyan Parag, 6 Abhishek Sharma, 7 Anukul Roy, 8 Kamlesh Nagarkoti, 9 Shivam Mavi, 10 Ishan Porel, 11 Shiva SinghNathan McSweeney’s only impactful knock – 156 against Papua New Guinea – came as an opener. With Max Bryant having scored just 93 runs in five innings, there’s perhaps a case for Australia to make a swap.Australia (likely): 1 Jack Edwards, 2 Max Bryant, 3 Jason Sangha (capt), 4 Param Uppal, 5 Nathan McSweeney, 6 Jonathan Merlo, 7 Will Sutherland, 8 Baxter Holt, 9 Zak Evans, 10 Ryan Hadley, 11 Lloyd PopePitch and conditionsIt has been stormy in Mount Manganui. For two successive days, the pitch was under covers. Bright sunshine on match-eve has allowed the curators to add final touches to their preparation. In its short history, The Bay Oval has hosted a number of high-scoring matches. Since it does not have Test status yet, pitches have generally been tailored for short-form cricket. India made 328 when these two sides played in their opening game three weeks ago. Expect Saturday to be no different.Stats and trivia Australia do not have a single batsman among the top-10 scorers in the tournament. Shubman Gill is India’s only centurion in the tournament. He will go into the final on the back of a record six successive 50-plus scores in Youth ODIs. Lloyd Pope’s 8 for 35 shaded Jason Ralston’s 7 for 15 as the best figures in the tournament’s history. Ralston’s record lasted all of four days.Quotes”Our fast bowlers have been doing well right from the first match. They have provided breakthroughs whenever the team has needed one. They are ready whenever I ask them to bowl. All of them – Kamlesh (Nagarkoti), (Shivam) Mavi and (Ishan) Porel have shown good intensity and fitness. It helps us all have a good attitude in the field. We’re all really pumped up when our fast bowlers do well.” “Their fast bowlers don’t bother us one bit. Sure, they have all done well, but we know we are capable of playing anyone. This is a final and the pressure will be equally on them as it will be on us.”
Liverpool have started off the 2023/24 Premier League campaign impressively, drawing away to Chelsea in the season-opener before successive victories against Bournemouth and Newcastle United.
The latter – a snatch-and-grab victory courtesy of Darwin Nunez's incisiveness at St. James' Park, despite going a goal and man down in the opening half-hour – typified the mentality and belief Jurgen Klopp hopes to instil in his team, a mentality that dissipated as the Reds foundered last term.
A fifth-placed finish was a result of a dreadful run of form for the Anfield side, with a midfield sapped of vitality and a defence devoid of confidence meaning the club ended their illustrious seven-year streak in the Champions League, reaching three finals and winning one.
After such a dismal term, the winds of change were always going to shriek through Merseyside, with Klopp completely revamping the midfield.
Who did Liverpool sign this summer?
The 2023 summer transfer window was always going to be busy for Liverpool, with long-serving midfielders James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all leaving in June upon the expiry of their contracts.
While such exits were expected, the exodus was exacerbated by Saudi Arabian interest in holding midfielder Fabinho and captain Jordan Henderson, with the pair leaving for a combined £52m.
Creative gems Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai has already been purchased from Brighton & Hove Albion and RB Leipzig respectively, but Klopp's side needed a new No. 6, and they needed one badly.
Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia were both pursued in a high-profile transfer battle with Chelsea, but the affluent London side prevailed on both accounts, leaving the din of the alarm bells echoing around Anfield.
The astute option to sign 30-year-old defensive midfielder Wataru Endo for £16m from Stuttgart was exercised, filling the void, and Liverpool finished up their business by completing a £34m move for dynamic ace Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich, a long-standing midfield target.
Should Liverpool have signed Ryan Gravenberch?
Gravenberch's late acquisition was an imperative move; the failure to effectively buttress the existing ranks with a versatile, multi-functional midfielder would have left Liverpool in short supply in the central department.
Indeed, the ace joined the Bundesliga champions in a €24m (£20m) deal from Ajax last summer, with Die Roten sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic describing him as "one of the biggest talents in Europe" at the time.
European football expert Andy Brassell has also claimed that "the potential there is huge", despite a lacklustre season in Germany that resulted in just three league starts all season.
Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel confirmed that the player simply didn't fit the system at the Allianz Arena, and there is now an excellent opportunity for the ace to rise to prominence on English shores, playing a pivotal role in Liverpool's resurgence after a testing term.
Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.
While he doesn't fit the mould of specialist No. 6 – a natural defensive midfielder – Gravenberch does boast an all-encompassing midfield skill set that Klopp, who has dubbed the 6 foot 3 machine as an "exceptional talent", will now hope to mould to his own creation.
To emphasise this, FBref ranks the 11-cap international among the top 4% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues for shot-creating actions, and within the top 20% for total shots taken, progressive passes, successful take-ons and tackles per 90.
However, his travails with Bayern evidence a lack of trust across multiple managers, with Julien Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel both loathe to offer him a regular role in the team, despite the club's struggles last term.
There are numerous reasons to back up the managers' decision to keep him on the fringe; Nagelsmann was allegedly disgruntled with Gravenberch's lack of defensive application, while Tuchel, despite acknowledging his stunning "qualities", swiftly concluded that the ace was not fit for a defensive role at the base of the midfield.
While Liverpool have secured an exciting prospect, once hailed as the Netherlands' "greatest talent" by ex-Ajax ace Wim Kieft, Gravenberch was perhaps not the best fit Klopp's squad needed ahead of a crucial campaign, with former top target Matheus Nunes potentially the custom-made star to revamp the central engine.
How would Nunes have played at Liverpool?
While Liverpool might have failed to sign a high-profile specialist six, there will be optimism that the acquisitions made across the past few months will be enough to reform a side that fell by the wayside last term, exposing frailties and issues across the board.
Klopp will be hoping that the newly-signed quartet can make a marked improvement both in offensive fluidity and – more importantly – the protection of the backline, something that was arguably non-existent last year as 49 league goals were conceded – 23 more than the year prior.
Because of this, Nunes, who has recently completed a £53m transfer from Wolverhampton Wanderers to Premier League champions Manchester City, would have been exactly what the Merseyside outfit needs to close the gap on the Citizens, who won the treble last season and are now vying for an unprecedented fourth successive league title.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matheus Nunes
Despite the Old Gold's struggles last season, Nunes impressed in his energetic role and was central to the squad's fluidity, completing 82% of his passes, averaging two tackles per game and winning 61% of his attempted dribbles.
As per FBref, he also ranks among the top 15% of midfielders for progressive carries, the top 3% for successful take-ons and the top 12% for progressive passes received per 90, underscoring a box-crashing mentality that would have benefitted Liverpool's high-intensity system immensely.
Described a "special" talent by his former coach Ruben Franco, it's perhaps telling that the £82k-per-week maestro was of a vested interest to Liverpool last summer, having agreed a £44m deal with Sporting CP for the Portuguese gem before withdrawing their bid, allowing Wolves to waltz in and snap up their man.
Klopp rekindled his intrigue in January and was also believed to be plotting an approach this summer, but didn't make any further advancements on a player Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola once hailed as "one of the best players in the world", over one year before sealing his signature.
In the 2023/24 season opener against Manchester United, Nunes showcased his skills superlatively in his penultimate appearance for his Molineux outfit, recording a match rating of 7.4 – as per Sofascore – creating two key passes, making three tackles and five interceptions and winning an incredible 14 of his 24 contested duels at Old Trafford.
It is this tenacity and rounded style that would have been a brilliant asset for Klopp and co, and while Gravenberch could blossom into one of Europe's foremost midfielders over the next few years, the club might rue the failure to sign Nunes in the future.