كشفت تقارير صحفية إسبانية، أن سيرجيو راموس، لاعب فريق كرة القدم الأول بنادي إشبيلية، عاد على رادار الدوري السعودي في الصيف المقبل.
راموس كان لديه عروض من الدوري السعودي في الصيف الماضي بعد نهاية عقده مع باريس سان جيرمان، لكنه فضل العودة إلى ناديه الأسبق إشبيلية.
صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية، أفادت بأن سيرجيو راموس عاد من جديد على رادار الدوري السعودي، خاصة مع بقاء 3 أشهر على نهاية عقده مع إشبيلية، وحتى الآن موقفه غير واضح من التجديد.
طالع أيضًا.. نافاس يشكك في صحة هدف مودريتش ويؤكد: راموس طلب شارة القيادة أمام ريال مدريد
اتحاد جدة كان النادي الأكثر اهتمامًا بـ راموس في الصيف الماضي، لكنه في النهاية تعاقد مع لويس فيليبي من لاتسيو، قبل أن يتعرض الأخير لإصابة بقطع في الرباط الصليبي.
ومع مشاكل إشبيلية المالية، سيكون من الصعب تمديد عقد راموس بالراتب الذي يرغب فيه اللاعب الإسباني، خاصة وأنه تقبل تخفيض راتبه عندما عاد للنادي الأندلسي في الصيف الماضي.
بالإضافة إلى الدوري السعودي، هناك اهتمام كبير من إنتر ميامي الأمريكي بضم راموس، ولكن حتى الآن لم يتم التواصل بشكل رسمي مع اللاعب لمرافقة ليونيل ميسي مجددًا بعد تجربة باريس سان جيرمان.
The 14-member squad will be playing in the Women’s World Cup qualifier matches in Colombo scheduled from February 7 to February 21
ESPNcricinfo staff03-Jan-2017Allrounder Mona Meshram lost her spot in India’s 14-member squad for the upcoming Women’s World Cup Qualifier matches, which will be played in Colombo from February 3. She was the only player who missed out from the 15-member squad that played West Indies in November 2016, India’s previous ODI assignment. Sukanya Parida and Devika Vaidya, who made their debut in India’s last ODI, retained their place in the squad.India squad for WC qualifiers
Meshram, who was out on 2 and didn’t bowl in the first ODI against West Indies, was overlooked for the next two matches. After making her debut in June 2012, she managed to score 47 runs in the eight ODIs she played in, with a top score of 22 and a solitary wicket to her name.India, who blanked West Indies 3-0, are in the middle of a seven-match unbeaten streak that started from the last ODI against Australia in Hobart. Since then, they beat Sri Lanka 3-0 at home before completing a whitewashing of the touring West Indies team.India start their qualification campaign with a practice match against South Africa on February 5 before their first game of the tournament against Sri Lanka on February 7. The tournament also includes Pakistan, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Scotland, Thailand and Papua New Guinea. The top four teams qualify for the Women’s World Cup, joining Australia, England, New Zealand and West Indies who automatically qualified through the ICC Women’s Championship. World Cup 2017 will be held from 26 June to 23 July in England.
Steven Naismith has a big job as Heart of Midlothian manager this summer, not only to bring a few more players to the club but to prevent the good ones he has at his disposal from leaving.
Winger Josh Ginnelly was one of their bright sparks last term, registering 20 goal contributions – 13 goals and seven assists – across all competitions has been offered a new contract by the Tynecastle outfit, however, they are waiting on a response.
Three Championship clubs have reportedly offered him a contract and Maccabi Haifa also hold an interest in the player.
Keeping him could prove decisive to their chances of qualifying for the Europa Conference League group stages, which would give the club a monetary boost.
Naismith will also be aiming to rejuvenate some of the players already at Hearts, with defender Craig Halkett hoping to recover soon from his agonising anterior cruciate ligament injury that he suffered midway through last season, and he isn’t planned to return until the autumn.
Getting him back to full fitness will be the key priority for Naismtih, especially due to his importance to the club.
Could Craig Halkett be a key player for Hearts next season?
Former Tynecastle defender Andy Webster certainly thinks so, saying: “I think they definitely miss Craig Halkett when he doesn't play. I think he's a big player for Hearts.”
Despite missing the vast majority of the campaign due to injury, in the eight matches that he played, Hearts were unbeaten in seven of them, clearly showing how important he is to their defence.
Since joining Hearts from Livingston in 2019, he has played over 100 times while also netting ten goals from centre-back, a solid total and he enjoyed his finest campaign for the club during 2021/22 as they reached the Scottish Cup final and finished third in the Premiership.
Across 28 games, the £3.4k-per-week titan helped his side keep eight clean sheets while winning 6.9 total duels per game – a success rate of 67% – and making 1.1 tackles and 4.5 clearances per game, showcasing his abilities at the heart of their defence.
Steven Naismith
Indeed, Halkett ranked fourth in the squad for overall rating that season (7.14/10) while also ranking first for accurate passes per game (51.1) and clearances per match, while finishing sixth for tackles made each outing, further indicating just how important he was to the team.
There is no doubt Hearts missed the centre-back during his injury woes as they finished fourth in the league and the onus will be on Naismith to revive him ahead of a crucial campaign and get him back fighting fit.
ScorecardFile photo – Suryakumar Yadav’s 73 helped Mumbai bounce back after the early wicket of Prithvi Shaw•PTI
For three-fourths of the day, Tamil Nadu were run ragged and faced the risk of being dispirited, but a burst of energy in the early part of the final session, led by Vijay Shankar and Aushik Srinivas, produced three wickets to leave Mumbai on 171 for 4 at stumps. Tamil Nadu have at best achieved only a semblance of parity considering they haven’t posted a big total themselves – they added only 44 runs to their overnight score of 261 for 6.However, with Suryakumar Yadav (73) and Praful Waghela (48) counter-punching their way to 121 runs after the fall of debutant opener Prithvi Shaw in the first over, it’s an outcome Tamil Nadu won’t mind.That Mumbai didn’t slip any further was thanks to an unbroken 41-run partnership between captain Aditya Tare and Shreyas Iyer, who came into bat at the fall of the fourth wicket instead of his customary position at No.3. But before their sensible approach and the team’s wobble, it was Suryakumar and Waghela who ensured Tamil Nadu couldn’t exploit the advantage of the early wicket.Both batsmen were unforgiving when the seamers bowled full, and Suryakumar, in particular, wasn’t afraid of hitting the ball in the air. When Aswin Crist banged one in short, Suryakumar simply swivelled around and swatted it over fine leg for six. Mumbai hit high gear and stayed there – they were 39 for 1 in 10 overs, 60 for 1 in 15 and 81 for 1 after 20 – but not once did they attempt to over-reach. Suryakumar, though, had a lucky break in the ninth over when B Indrajith couldn’t time his jump well to pluck a forceful slash at first slip off Crist’s bowling. He then survived a close shout for lbw off the next ball. Suryakumar had volunteered to bat at No.3 and realised the need for him to dominate the bowling.”I told the coach I would take responsibility at No.3 and play the way he does rather than just look to stay out there,” he said. “That’s what I did because runs were important. I didn’t do anything extra, but got an opportunity to bat at No.3 so I had to try to emulate him.”Tamil Nadu’s seamers were being carted around, which prompted R Ashwin to tweet that the “seam on the ball is not standing up, the wrist position or the ball is surely not right.” Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu had introduced left-arm spinner Aushik Srinivas in the 19th over, and it proved to be a defining change. He bowled eight overs for 11 runs in an uninterrupted spell before tea before switching ends after the break when Shankar was given the ball.Suddenly there was a conspicuous buzz in the field, especially with Shankar was getting the ball to reverse, like how Mumbai’s seamers had done in the final session on Sunday. This time Ashwin tweeted that the “seam is sitting up when Vijay Shankar is bowling and things are happening.” With runs being dried up – only 14 runs had come in eight overs after tea – something had to give and Suryakumar went for an expansive drive outside off and was caught behind. In the next over, Waghle responded to Tare’s call for a run, but despite a dive and a mediocre throw from Abhinav Mukund, he found himself short by inches. Two balls later, Siddesh Lad drove Aushik uppishly only for Abhinav to complete the catch at short extra cover.Suryakumar rued his shot selection, but credited Tamil Nadu’s disciplined bowling. “They were planning to bowl on one side and I had to play out that half-an-hour period,” he said. “Vijay Shankar was bowling well at that time. He was bowling around 120-125. On such wickets, bowlers who move the ball at that pace trouble the batsmen.We were trying the same thing yesterday and they were probably trying the same thing. During that 40-45-minute period they showed very good energy and intensity after my wicket.”Much of the energy Suryakumar referred to came through some colourful chatter from Dinesh Karthik which was almost exclusively in Tamil. When someone bowled at a good pace, for instance, he would refrain from saying as much in English and instead use “azhagana vegam (that’s the right pace), a phrase that is hardly used in casual conversation. Shankar admitted that sometimes the team stuck to Tamil to ensure the opposition didn’t understand what they were discussing. “It is mostly just to get everyone together,” he said. “Most of the time we speak in Tamil. It’s a great opportunity for everyone playing semifinals, so we just want to enjoy it.”Shankar played a key role with the bat as well in the morning, but he was out chasing a ball outside off soon after his fifty. His dismissal led to the lower order unravelling quickly. “I was really disappointed with the way I got out,” he said. “My intention as to build partnerships with the tail-enders and it was my mistake. Maybe I played a bad shot.”
MCA and TNCA believe the rescheduling of two Group A fixtures to after the final round of matches would be unfair on the other teams, and have expressed their displeasure to the BCCI
Arun Venugopal27-Nov-2016
Bengal and Gujarat are in contention for a quarter-final berth•PTI
Mumbai Cricket Association and Tamil Nadu Cricket Association have opposed BCCI’s decision to reschedule two postponed Delhi fixtures (due to pollution and smog) to after the completion of the ninth and final round of matches in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season.The Group A clash between Gujarat and Bengal and the Group C fixture between Hyderabad and Tripura will now be played four days after the completion of the final round, from December 15 to 18, in Visakhapatnam and Kolkata respectively.The MCA has already lodged an official protest against the rescheduling of the Group A clash, and the TNCA is expected to follow suit on Monday. Mumbai are currently group toppers with 26 points, while Gujarat, with 21 points, are two points behind second-placed Tamil Nadu.While Tamil Nadu and Mumbai only have one and two games respectively, Gujarat have three by virtue of the rescheduling. According to , MCA joint-secretary Unmesh Khanvilkar had stated in his letter to the BCCI the rescheduling was unfair to the other teams.”The rescheduling of the said match after the completion of all matches gives unfair advantage to the participating teams with respect to their qualification the knockout phase,” Khanvilkar wrote. “This would be unfair for the rest of the teams who would have finished all the matches by then.”TNCA secretary Kasi Viswanathan said the matches in question shouldn’t be rescheduled, and that the points should be shared retrospectively. “In a league stage you cannot do this; it will be a disadvantage to the other teams. It is an act of God, and you should have only shared points,” he told ESPNcricinfo. “Last year we lost almost four days due to rain against Gujarat; so many matches have been affected by fog, nothing was done then.”We are saying the matches should not be rescheduled and that points should be shared like in any match that is washed out. We have orally conveyed [our displeasure] to the BCCI. We will have a meeting with our president and office bearers, and then we will file an official protest tomorrow mostly.”Viswanathan said they should have waited till the fourth day before calling the games off in Delhi. “After all, only two days of play had elapsed; they could have still completed the game on the third and the fourth day,” he said. “It has happened in so many games in the past; it is not something new.”He also contended the technical committee wasn’t empowered to reschedule the games. “The BCCI press release says that the two matches were called off by the technical committee,” he said. “I would like to point out that the technical committee has no jurisdiction over it. Only the senior tournament committee has the powers to decide this.”In Group C, the top-three teams are separated by only three points. While table-topper Andhra and third-placed Haryana have two more matches remaining, Hyderabad, who trail Andhra by only two points, have an extra game against Tripura, who are in the bottom half. Andhra coach Sanath Kumar admitted Hyderabad would have the advantage of knowing what they need to do in the last match, but said there was no point worrying about it.”All we have to do is our two games we have to focus and have to do our best. If we win one of the games and take the first-innings lead in the other we are anyway through,” he said. “These things we can’t do anything about. It is not intentionally done or something like that. Definitely it is an advantage, but you can’t avoid it; you can’t do anything else.”The BCCI had also pushed back the knockout matches to accommodate the two games. The quarter-finals, initially scheduled to begin on December 17, will now be held from December 24 to 28. The semi-finals were moved from December 27 to January 3, while the final, originally set to be played from January 7, will now take place from January 12 to 16.
Christian Pulisic has dropped a potential big hint on Instagram which suggests he could be moving to AC Milan this summer amid reports that he will leave Chelsea.
What's the latest on Christian Pulisic and AC Milan?
The USMNT star didn't really enjoy a particularly good season last campaign as he started just five Premier League matches across the entire campaign – scoring only one goal.
What's more, the Blues will be looking to offload a number of stars this summer with new boss Mauricio Pochettino reportedly set to press ahead with a major clearout. Indeed, 12 players could be sold in order to keep in line with Financial Fair Play rules.
As per the Evening Standard, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Edouard Mendy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Hakim Ziyech, Mateo Kovacic, Marc Cucurella and Kai Havertz have all been touted as potential departures.
Alongside them, Pulisic is also expected to leave with Relevo's Matteo Moretto recently noting AC Milan could be his next destination.
Amid all this speculation, the 24-year-old has perhaps toyed with his fans when sharing a recent Instagram post. The winger is away with the USMNT and notably opted to include red and black dots in his wordless Instagram caption.
When does the 2023 summer transfer window open?
Of course, you can argue that these colours do match the training kit that he's wearing in the photo – which is predominantly black with the USA badge and Nike sponsor in red.
But the emojis posted aren't the usual red, white and blue you would associate with that country and their football team, so he may well have been dropping a bit of a hint about the next step in his career.
If that was indeed a deliberate post, then it does suggest he could be set for an imminent departure, already knowing what club he'll be joining despite the summer transfer window not actually opening until June 14.
His current contract runs until 2024 and so now would be the best time to move on if Chelsea want to bring in some funds with a sale, while also getting his £150k-p/w salary off their wage bill.
All in all, it really does feel as though the American attacker could be on his way to Serie A with AC Milan very soon.
Leeds United could possibly "restructure" their recruitment approach under 49ers Enterprises, according to a key update from reliable journalist Phil Hay.
Who is replacing Victor Orta?
It's all change off the pitch at Elland Road currently, with 49ers' takeover completed earlier this month, ahead of what is hopefully a positive future for the club.
The hope is that Leeds will become a greater financial force, both in terms of bringing in new signings and developing the stadium and training facilities, although relegation from the Premier League certainly hasn't come at a good time.
Not only are Leeds searching for a new manager this summer, but they are in need of a sporting director, too, following the departure of Victor Orta after a lengthy and generally successful spell with the Whites.
It looks as though Leeds could potentially be closing in on the capture of highly-rated Norwich City sporting director Stuart Webber, although it remains to be seen how long he could be brought in for. A new update has shed some light on the current situation, however, as the new owners look to make their influence felt.
Could Whites change their recruitment approach?
Taking to Twitter, The Athletic's Hay and Michael Bailey claimed that 49ers could make a short-term appointment as sport director, as they look to tackle a crucial summer at the club:
"There’s a temptation to restructure recruitment completely and while 49ers Enterprises wants a long-term project, it might go for a shorter-term appointment initially to manage this summer."
In the article, Hay goes on to add that Leeds could opt for a "like-for-like swap by finding another sporting director with overarching responsibility for the football side of the club, and transfers in particular", or someone who can fill in during the summer, allowing 49ers "time to implement a more concerted long-term strategy".
This is an intriguing update, and in truth, it is tough to predict which decision would make the most sense for Leeds. A short-team deal is unconventional, but one could look at Liverpool as a high-profile club taking this same tact, having brought in transfer guru Jorg Schmadtke for this summer only.
In terms of the future stability of the Whites, it would arguably be nice to have a set sporting director in place, rather than know that a short-term appointment will be leaving in the near future, but equally, if the owners think the second option is better for the club's success and their own plans moving forward, they have to be trusted.
Kane Williamson and Neil Broom put on a 179-run stand to deflate Bangladesh and hand the hosts a 3-0 series win
The Report by Mohammad Isam30-Dec-2016 Scorecard and ball-by-ball details1:20
Isam: Broom made all the difference
Ninety-somethings from Kane Williamson and Neil Broom ensured New Zealand whitewashed Bangladesh with a crushing eight-wicket victory in the third ODI in Nelson. Their fluent 179-run stand, which came after Martill Guptill had retired hurt on 6 because of a hamstring strain, helped the hosts ace their chase of 237 with 52 balls to spare.New Zealand were also aided by poor shot selection from Bangladesh, who suffered a collapse of 7 for 77 after opting to bat on a slow surface. After Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes put on 102 for the first wicket, their middle and lower order fell away. That the visitors lasted 50 overs and reached 236 for 9 was down to rookie Nurul Hasan’s cameo of 44 off 39 balls.Mustafizur Rahman then trapped Tom Latham in front in his first over, and Bangladesh might have sensed an opening when Guptill retired hurt for 6 at the start of the third over in the chase.Imrul Kayes, an iffy choice at slip, then dropped a dolly and reprieved Broom on 0. Broom and Williamson combined to slam the doors on Bangladesh. After playing out a few quiet overs, Williamson kick-started the chase when he struck Shakib Al Hasan for back-to-back fours through point in the 10th over. Four overs later, the New Zealand captain lofted Shakib for a straight six.Taskin Ahmed wasn’t spared either and was taken for back-to-back fours. Williamson moved to his fifty off 56 balls and continued to pepper the point boundary.Broom, meanwhile, reached his fifty off 66 balls. He profited from pulls, drives, and sweeps and raced towards a second successive century. He moved into the nineties with a pulled four, but fell three short of a century when he was caught by Mashrafe at gully off Mustafizur in the 35th over.With him needing six to reach his ninth ODI hundred and the team three for the series sweep, Williamson took a single off the first ball of the 42nd over before Jimmy Neesham completed the win with a four over mid-on.Broom had sparkled on the field earlier in the day. He ran back from short third man and pulled off a stunning one-handed catch to send Imrul Kayes back for 44 off 62 balls. Luke Ronchi, the wicketkeeper, took a good catch and effected a crucial run out of Shakib, while Jeetan Patel, playing his first ODI after more than seven years, also made his presence felt with a fine running catch at long-off.Kane Williamson and Neil Broom put on a 179-run stand to deflate Bangladesh•Getty Images
Sabbir Rahman had an eventful 14-ball stay in which he struck four boundaries, copped a blow on the chest, and then got strangled down the leg side. Two overs later, Mahmudullah pulled Southee to short midwicket to finish the series with only four runs, rounding off the worst ODI series of his career.Tamim was next to go in the 31st over when Broom ran back from point and tracked a top-edged slog. The shot encapsulated his frustration; he had not scored a boundary in ten overs leading up to the dismissal. The wickets of Shakib, Mosaddek Hossain and Tanbir Hayder then hastened the collapse.Mashrafe and Nurul negotiated the next 6.3 overs for the addition of 33 runs. The stand ended when Mashrafe holed out to long-off. Nurul, however, boosted his team with sensible batting before opening up in the slog overs. He moved Matt Henry over midwicket at the start of the last over of Bangladesh’s innings, then hooked him over square leg. He fell to an excellent return off the next ball, but proved a bright spot for Bangladesh amid the gloom in New Zealand.
Leeds United will be well aware of the dire ramifications their relegation will bring, with their finances set to plummet, their stature likely to fall even lower, and therefore the allure of the famous Elland Road to go amiss until they can mastermind a return to the Premier League.
It will be of paramount importance for the 49ers to ensure that their Championship stay is short-lived, so shrewd transfer investments must mirror the appropriate appointment.
With the latter sure to be wrapped up soon, the former is yet to really kick into gear, likely stuttered due to the longevity of their manager search.
However, that has not stopped the rumours of those who might depart Yorkshire, with Wilfried Gnonto high up on that list. The Italian teenager truly made a name for himself last season, starring for a lacklustre Leeds team on that left flank.
His trickery and dynamism made him an instant fan favourite, and therefore their demotion has attracted suitors. Juventus are one such club, although the likes of Everton and Chelsea have also been thrown into the conversation too.
For all the heartache his exit would induce, should Saturday night's reports detailing their interest in Manchester United's Amad Diallo be true, they could secure an instant replacement for the Italy international, who already boasts the experience of challenging for promotion at this level.
Is Amad Diallo as good as Wilfried Gnonto?
Despite his splendid theatrics and physical assets, a return of eight goal contributions across all senior English competitions from the 19-year-old is hardly irreplaceable.
Especially given the Ivory Coast wide man notched 13 goals and a further three assists in the Championship last term for Tony Mowbray's Sunderland side, spearheading their run to the playoffs.
Such blistering form unsurprisingly led to some inspiring individual actions too, with Sky Sports commentator Gary Weaver remarking of his ability to produce a "moment of magic",
The £28k-per-week loanee added tangible figures to a similarly silky campaign, arguably making him an upgrade on Gnonto, although he would only be a temporary one.
That could be all that is needed though, to guide them back to where they will feel they belong with immediacy.
wilfried-gnonto-leeds-united-1
With Diallo's 1.1 key passes and 1.7 successful dribbles per game too, numbers that better Gnonto's one key pass and 0.9 dribbles per match, he would add that creativity and flair that might go amiss, should their star youngster actually depart. It is no mean feat to find such a capable stand-in for someone branded a "pocket rocket" by pundit Tam McManus.
To swap one young, exciting winger for another, whilst likely gaining a big financial boost too, could be the necessary evil in order to give their new boss the best possible chance of bouncing straight back into the Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur are among the contenders for the touted Netherlands prospect Xavi Simons, who is expected to leave Dutch Eredivisie outfit PSV this summer.
What's the latest on Xavi Simons to Tottenham?
That's according to esteemed transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, who claims that while PSG have the option to exercise a €6m (£5m) buyback clause for the dynamic midfielder next month, Spurs are also firmly in the mix.
Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion, Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are all considering a move too, but Tottenham will fight hard to secure the signature of a precocious talent who could assume a driving role in Ange Postecoglou's rebuilding job.
Just 20-years-old, Simons is in the maiden phase of his career but has already caught the eye with his stellar showings, and if Tottenham prevail in their bid, it would represent a major coup.
Should Tottenham sign Xavi Simons?
The Lilywhites' framework needs some tinkering over the next few months if the demons of the past season are to be exorcised, and while the appointment of Postecoglou from Scottish champions Celtic is both astute and befitting, the transfer market must be utilised aptly after a dismal year that yielded no European football.
Indeed, Spurs finished eighth and stretched their barren trophy run to 15 years, with the acrimonious dismissal of Antonio Conte in March the fourth in as many years by chairman Daniel Levy.
The time for rejuvenation is now and Simons would fortify this framework with a steely foundation, with the Dutch talent having been in sensational and prolific form for Der Boeren this year, plundering 22 goals and assisting 12 more from 48 matches across all competitions, dubbed a "magic" ace by talent scout Jacek Kulig.
Typically utilised as a No. 10, Simons has also found fruit from the flanks and in a more centrally-placed striking deployment, and this level of versatility could provide Tottenham with an invaluable and "unprecedented" new option – as Simons' skill set has been described by Ruud van Nistelrooy.
PSV attacker Xavi Simons.
Given his aptitude at both scoring and creating goals, he could be the dream heir for beloved former Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen, who also plied his trade in the Eredivisie, with Ajax, before making the £11.5m switch to north London in 2013.
Now a phenom with Manchester United, the Danish star would forge 305 appearances for the N17 side, scoring 69 goals and supplying 90 assists, and was heralded by former teammate Kyle Walker for his innate ability to salvage results, with the right-back saying you would "put your house on him".
Also heralded as a "world-class player" by Craig Bellamy, the 31-year-old has revelled in an excellent career as a reliable conduit between the central and final third, capable of devastating defences with his multi-faceted tool kit.
Praised as a gem who "has the X-factor” by journalist Antonio Mango, Simons perhaps offers more of a direct threat than his creative peer, but given Eriksen was of a similar age when he joined Tottenham and both boast a superlative talent as attacking midfielders, joining the fold at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium could be a stunning partnership and a rebirth of a first-rate player at the club.