Gareth Southgate is considering picking Trent Alexander-Arnold to play in midfield for England when they take on Serbia in their first Euro 2024 game.
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Alexander-Arnold may start in midfieldSouthgate mulling over midfield pairingEngland start Euro campaign on June 16GettyWHAT HAPPENED?
It is being reported by and that the Liverpool right-back may have a spot in the centre of the field when England take on Serbia for the European Championship opener. Kyle Walker would then continue at right-back, with Kieran Trippier likely to deputise at left-back while Luke Shaw works his way back to full fitness.
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The Three Lions' 1-0 loss to Iceland in their final warm-up match also saw Alexander-Arnold start in the middle of the field before he took over at right-back later in the game. Southgate has already revealed that he has not yet decided on who will partner Declan Rice in midfield as he will decide the same depending on the opposition. If Alexander-Arnold is to start in a midfield role, his competitors for the spot will be Kobbie Mainoo, Connor Gallagher and Adam Wharton.
Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?
The rumours had already started sparking over Alexander-Arnold's role in midfield after he was handed the No. 8 jersey by the Three Lions for the tournament, a number that is generally afforded to a starting midfielder. The shirt number has been worn by the likes of Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes.
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WHAT NEXT FOR ALEXANDER-ARNOLD?
It now seems likely that the Liverpool man will start in midfield when England take on Serbia in their Euro 2024 opener on Sunday, June 16 at Arena AufSchalke.
For the fourth season running, West Ham United are fighting for one of the Premier League's European places. Furthermore, the Hammers are currently still in the Europa League too, looking to win their second-consecutive trophy in Europe.
Nevertheless, if David Moyes is to keep the London outfit inside the top seven and on course for another European upset, the manager must strengthen his squad, particularly the left side of his attack.
West Ham United transfer news – Wilfried Gnonto
According to a report from SportsLens, West Ham have been keeping their eyes on Leeds United attacker Wilfried Gnonto ever since the summer transfer window and could make an approach for the Italy international before the winter market slams shut at the beginning of February.
Leeds forward Wilfried Gnonto.
Several clubs were said to be eyeing up a purchase of the winger in the previous transfer window after Gnonto handed in a transfer request at Elland Road, although no sale ever came to fruition as the Yorkshire club were reportedly holding out for £30m.
Gnonto's career may have stagnated slightly with the Peacocks as the attacker has struggled for game-time this season under head coach Daniel Farke. The Italian has become a mere squad player, playing just 884 minutes which has been spread across 22 appearances. Meanwhile, he has registered just one goal and one assist in all competitions.
As a result, Football Insider recently claimed that Leeds are now finally open to selling Gnonto, a change from their position six months ago, and West Ham could be waiting in the wings to capture his services.
Wilfried Gnonto stats comparison vs Said Benrahma
Compared to the rest of the sides inside the current top ten teams in the Premier League, only Manchester United have scored fewer goals than West Ham this season. The Hammers have bagged 33 goals in 20 league matches, or 1.5 goals per game on average. However, the Europa Conference League champions have conceded 1.36 goals per game on average, meaning their matches can easily go two ways, as per FBref.
Additionally, from West Ham's 33 goals in the Premier League this term, 17 have come from Mohammed Kudus and Jarred Bowen alone, which is over half. On top of that, only six players have scored more than one league goal for Moyes' side in the 2023/24 campaign.
In the team's midfield and forward line, with the exclusion of Bowen and Kudus, the Irons have several players who can get assists and create chances, such as James Ward-Prowse and Lucas Paqueta, but not enough players that can score goals.
One player who could help rectify this issue is Gnonto. It has been reported that Said Benrahma is on his way out of the London Stadium and Gnonto could be the perfect player to replace the Algerian. Benrahma has failed to score a single goal for the Irons in 21 appearances this season and currently boasts worse stats than the man who could take his spot in the team.
Per 90 Metrics
Wilfried Gnonto
Said Benrahma
Goals
0.1
0
Expected Goals
0.2
0.22
Assists
0.1
0.16
Expected Assists
0.19
0.15
Progressive Carries
6.2
4.76
Progressive Passes
3.54
3.79
Passes To Final 1/3
2.28
1.46
Passes To Penalty Area
1.77
1.36
Stats via FBref
Gnonto is young and will be hungry to prove his talent at a club like West Ham, having been described as a "real diamond" by football scout Jacek Kulig. In 27 appearances last season, the winger bagged five goals in total, showing he has what it takes to play at the top level and a manager like Moyes would potentially bring out the best in him.
As a dynamic asset who can feature on either flank or through the middle, the Leeds starlet could well be the perfect addition to help send Benrahma packing.
It's been a whirlwind of a start to the January transfer window for those of a Tottenham Hotspur persuasion, but the movement in the market looks to be setting up success for the business end of the campaign.
Ange Postecoglou was brought in after a disappointing 2022/23 season and has swiftly established himself as a first-class manager capable of leading Spurs to new heights.
The Premier League competitors have, however, been blighted by injuries and a certain fragility in the squad. With centre-back Radu Dragusin and forward Timo Werner joining the fold already, sights are now set on a midfielder.
The latest on Tottenham's hunt for a midfielder
According to the Independent, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will indeed set their sights on a centre-midfielder after tidying up the aforementioned areas of the field, with Conor Gallagher 'still top of the list'.
Gallagher, an all-action and commanding player, is considered the perfect profile and Chelsea are willing to sell, ensuring that they can strengthen their frontline.
Chelsea's Conor Gallagher
However, a deal will fall into the ballpark of £50m, and whether Spurs boast the financial means to make such a move bloom into fruition remains to be seen.
Conor Gallagher's style of play
The imminent African Cup of Nations has snatched Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr away from the Tottenham fold for the next month or so, but bolstering the engine room would not be carried out in haste.
Gallagher would be the perfect player to waltz in and make the centre of the park down the N17 his own, having supplied four assists across 19 appearances in the English top-flight this term, as per Sofascore, completing 91% of his passes, averaging 1.3 key passes, 2.7 tackles and 6.8 ball recoveries per game while succeeding with 77% of his dribbles.
Described as a "monster" both in and out of possession by one football content creator, Gallagher has been a shining light in another abject year at Stamford Bridge and the news of his possible departure has left a bitter taste in the mouths of supporters.
But with the Blues board seemingly intent on cashing in, Spurs are only too happy to take advantage of a star who ranks among the top 19% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries and successful take-ons, the top 17% for tackles and the top 2% for blocks per 90, as per FBref.
#1 Youssouf Fofana (Monaco)
#2 Konrad Laimer (Bayern)
#3 Hicham Boudaoui (Nice)
#4 Curtis Jones (Liverpool)
#5 Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
The stats-led site also links Curtis Jones as a similar player to his fellow Englishman, with Liverpool's unsung hero proving across recent months why a player of his skill set is pivotal for a team challenging for prominence.
How Gallagher compares to Curtis Jones
Jones has long been considered an exciting player after rising from the Anfield youth ranks but it is only before the summer that he truly came into his own, starting the final 11 Premier League fixtures as Liverpool enjoyed a resurgence.
Jones' blooming presence as a goal threat has been instrumental in his rise within Jurgen Klopp's ranks, and after scoring against Fulham in the Carabao Cup the 22-year-old has taken his seasonal tally to four goals from 14 starts, with three assists to boot.
Among the crispest midfielders in possession, he ranks among the top 2% of positional peers for pass completion and the top 10% for progressive carries, 15% for successful take-ons and 18% for tackles per 90, which highlights the all-action semblance in style with Gallagher.
Gallagher, while having not scored this term as he plays a more creative role, has proved his goalscoring prowess in the past and plundered eight strikes from 34 matches when he was on loan with Crystal Palace two years ago.
Curtis Jones.
He must be signed, offering the final piece of the puzzle to complete Tottenham's midfield and ensure Postecoglou's vision is realised in all its vibrant colours.
Arsenal begin their hunt for a record-extending 15th FA Cup victory as they prepare to face Liverpool this evening.
Mikel Arteta won't be resting on his laurels as he aims to secure his second trophy as manager of the club – four years after winning the same competition against Chelsea.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Over the previous few weeks, however, the Gunners have suffered two defeats in the Premier League, and they have only won one fixture since a 4-3 victory over Luton Town at the start of December.
This signifies that despite the club sitting fourth in the table and just five points behind the Anfield side, Arteta needs to bolster his squad in the January transfer window.
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They have naturally been linked with a few names so far, yet it is a potential swoop for a current Premier League midfielder which could be one of his most important moves.
Arsenal transfer news – Amadou Onana
It is no secret that Arteta is after some midfield reinforcements – either this month or in the summer – and according to a report from TEAMtalk earlier this week, Arsenal have shown interest in Everton gem Amadou Onana ahead of making a swoop for the player.
Indeed, the report indicates that the Gunners have in fact made an approach for the Belgian as they look to add some more talent into their midfield area.
Everton midfielder Amadou Onana.
The club have been linked with a move for Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz in recent months following his impressive start to the season for the Midlands outfit, scoring seven times as Unai Emery’s side have lit up the top flight.
It appears as though Arteta is looking to move on to other targets, with Onana now being targeted.
Any prospective move could come at a huge cost, however, as the Goodison Park outfit are reportedly valuing the midfielder between £70m-£90m and this could prove to be a big stumbling block for Arsenal.
Arsenal's previous five January signings
Year
Jakub Kiwior
2023
Jorginho
2023
Leandro Trossard
2023
Auston Trusty
2022
Martin Odegaard
2021
Via Transfermarkt
During the summer, the Spaniard splashed out a club record £105m transfer fee to lure Declan Rice from West Ham United and despite the lavish sum, he is certainly shown his worth.
This suggests that a move for Onana could perhaps allow Arteta to replicate his Rice masterclass and sign another midfielder from a fellow Premier League side and give them a platform to continue their development.
Declan Rice’s Arsenal statistics
The Englishman swiftly emerged as one of the most gifted midfielders in the country during his spell at West Ham, progressing from the academy to club captain within just a few years.
He eventually made 245 appearances for the Irons since making his debut during the 2016/17 campaign, and he departed as a hero, leading the club to their first major trophy since the 1980 FA Cup by winning the Europa Conference League in June 2023.
He had been admired by a host of clubs, yet it was a move across London to Arsenal which was the logical option, and he hasn’t disappointed during his first six months at the Emirates.
Indeed, the midfielder currently ranks second among the squad for accurate passes per game in the top flight (62.8) along with ranking second for tackles (2.1) and first for interceptions (1.5), indicating that he has been a positive influence in the Arsenal side, especially from a defensive viewpoint.
The 24-year-old can also contribute in an attacking sense too, as he has scored some vital goals this season.
His first goal for the Gunners came against Manchester United in a thrilling 3-1 victory in September, while the former West Ham starlet netted a wonderful last-minute header against Luton to claim all three points, and he has adapted well to Arteta’s methods and demands.
Onana is in a similar mould to the Arsenal midfielder and there is no doubt he could settle in well at the club should he make a move to the Gunners in the near future.
Amadou Onana’s season in numbers
Frank Lampard may have struggled in his role as Everton manager, but his signing of Onana was among one of his finest pieces of transfer business.
The 22-year-old cost the club £33m from French side Lille in August 2022 and he enjoyed a decent first season for the Toffees, making 35 appearances across all competitions and scoring once.
This has given him a platform to become one of Everton’s best performers this season under Sean Dyche.
His displays this term have seen him garner praise from a wide range of sources. Under 23 scout Antonio Mango was one such admirer, saying: “He’s such a physical specimen, he has all attributes to become a real Midfield Powerhouse.”
Talent scout Jacek Kulig went even further in his praise for the talented Belgian, claiming he was a “complete package” following another excellent performance for the Toffees last month.
Everton midfielder Amadou Onana.
Across the whole Everton squad in the top flight this season, Onana ranks first for accurate passes per game (32.7) while also ranking third for big chances created (four) and third for tackles per game (2.6) which demonstrates how effective he is in various performance metrics.
He is without doubt, one of Dyche’s most important players this season, and he could thrive at the heart of the Arsenal midfield, enabling the likes of Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz to utilise their attacking abilities.
The Belgian’s defensive acumen sees him rank in the top 5% in Europe’s big five leagues for aerial duels won per 90 (2.47) along with ranking in the top 25% for tackles won per 90 (2.47) and if there is one player Arteta should target this month, it must be Onana.
Amadou Onana
Much will depend on how much the Spaniard has to spend in the current transfer window, and he may have to move on some deadwood in order to raise the required funds to sign the Everton gem.
Rice has proved that £105m can go a long way and with the Toffees wanting around £90m for their star man, Arteta could repeat his stroke of genius by luring Onana to the Emirates in the summer.
The BBL title looked sure to be heading to the green side of Melbourne but in an extraordinary chain events it unraveled before the Stars’ eyes and here’s how…
ESPNcricinfo staff17-Feb-201912.6 Stoinis b Boyce 39 (53 needed off 42 balls) OUT, through him! Nice flight and dip on this from Boyce. Draws Stoinis in for a heave but gets it to land at a length and skid past the inside edge and hit leg stump. Lost his shape there13.3 Handscomb c Christian b Tremain 0 (52 needed off 39 balls) OUT, oh hello. Handscomb with his contribution to the make-this-final-close cause. Runs down the pitch, seemingly to lift this over mid-off. But he’s swishing with all the grace of a cow tied to a revolving door, because this ball’s gotten big on him from a length. Slices and mid-off runs to the left to hold on16.6 Maddinson c Finch b Gurney 6 (38 needed off 18 balls) OUT, and they get the wicket! Gurney goes around the wicket and bowls a slower ball that slants across from a length on middle and leg. He’s down early for the paddle/ramp, probably a good option, but he doesn’t account for the slower ball. Has to check the shot and he gets a top edge that lobs up harmlessly for finch at short fine17.1 Gotch c Harvey b Christian 2 (38 needed off 17 balls OUT, he’s picked out deep midwicket! Oh dear, oh dear! That makes it 6 for 15 in 26 balls! Offcutte,r full on leg stump. Leans into it and makes good connection on what is an intentional chip. But the boundary is big there and you need to get the angles absolutely right. He doesn’t17.5 Bravo c White b Christian 3 (34 needed off 13 balls OUT, White takes it at point! And he has no idea what sort of a celebration to pull out. Awkwardly lobs it up. Not sure anyone can comprehend this collapse right now. Bravo has managed to get a leading edge on a leg side full toss. That’s what pressure does. Could have tickled it fine, could have clubbed it over midwicket, but it’s a swish with the top hand coming off19.3 Christian to Bird, 1 run, full outside off, shuffles and slugs along the floor to long-on’s right. Crowd erupts. Mathematically, this is the title for Renegades19.6 Christian to Zampa, no run, inside edge onto toe and that is it for the Stars! Another loss in a final. Slower ball from Christian, swings across the line and can’t do more than get this pitch side
With Manchester United currently enduring what has been a rather dismal first few months of the campaign, supporters will likely already be looking ahead to the upcoming January transfer window in the hope of some fresh blood being brought in to bolster the ranks.
The Red Devils were notably particularly active during the winter window earlier this year after snapping up the likes of Marcel Sabitzer, Jack Butland and Wout Weghorst on short-term deals, albeit with the latter man, in particular, failing to fire amid a limp six-month stay at Old Trafford.
The Dutchman – who scored just twice for the club in total in 31 outings – had been brought in to plug the gap following Cristiano Ronaldo's departure, with a striking addition seemingly again required this time around, as Anthony Martial has just six months left to run on his existing contract.
Player
Goals
Scott McTominay
6
Bruno Fernandes
5
Rasmus Hojlund
5
Casemiro
4
Alejandro Garnacho
3
Marcus Rashford
2
Anthony Martial
2
Stats via BBC Sport
Amid that need for a genuine rival to young Rasmus Hojlund, recent reports have indicated that Stuttgart's Serhou Guirassy is of interest to United, even though the 27-year-old could well represent just another Weghorst as far as Erik ten Hag is concerned.
Man Utd transfer news – Serhou Guirassy
As reported by The Guardian's Ed Aarons last week, Ten Hag and co are believed to be interested in signing the Guinea striker and have even made contact with agents regarding a possible swoop in the New Year.
As per the piece, the former Ajax boss is chasing a suitable alternative to Hojlund with the Dane failing to score in the Premier League so far this season, while there is a potential for the club to try and 'find a buyer' for the floundering Martial.
Any deal for Guirassy is likely to be an attractive prospect due to his minimal release clause of just €17m (£15m), albeit with the Red Devils set to face competition from top-flight rivals Newcastle United, who also have the in-form marksman on their winter shortlist.
The stats to show why Man Utd shouldn't sign Serhou Guirassy
On the face of it, the 6 foot 2 brute looks like the perfect, bargain option to help ease United's attacking woes.
Available for as little as £15m, the former Stade Rennais man is among the top forwards in Europe at present with regard to his goalscoring form in 2023/24, having already netted 16 Bundesliga goals this season.
To put that into perspective, that figure is only bettered by former United target Harry Kane (18) in the German top-flight, while in the Premier League, Erling Haaland leads the way with 'just' 14 league goals.
Ruling out signing Guirassy may look rather foolish when the player is currently in such esteemed company, although as data analyst Ben Griffis has suggested, such a hot streak is a result of "xG over-performance" in front of goal.
According to Griffis, the forward's 'over-performance' is seemingly "very unsustainable", while he is also usually "wildly inconsistent" – hardly the words those at the Theatre of Dreams would like to hear.
While the one-time Lille man did net 11 goals in just 22 league games last season for Stuttgart, prior to that he had very much been a middling striker, never scoring more than ten league goals across his entire career in a single campaign.
Equally, as Ten Hag learned with Weghorst, success in the Bundesliga is not always a good judge of a player's talents, with the towering Dutchman, for instance, previously scoring 70 goals in just 144 games for Wolfsburg, prior to his woes at both United and Burnley – for whom he also scored just twice.
Having been stung by the frankly desperate signing of the current Hoffenheim man, the Red Devils must think again before repeating that mistake with regard to Guirassy, with it likely better to wait until the summer in order to land a target with a proven track record over a sustained period.
To describe Manchester United's season as a disappointment so far this year would be quite an understatement.
From finishing third, challenging the top two in moments and winning the League Cup last season to falling apart in the Champions League, looking abysmal in the Premier League and going out in the League Cup at the first opportunity- things haven't gone to plan this year.
Now, there are obviously a multitude of reasons for this total loss of form – more than we can go into – but one of the biggest reasons is simply their inability to put the ball in the back.
So far this season, Erik ten Hag's men have scored just 16 Premier League goals, which is more than just five sides in the league, and one man who is particularly guilty of this failing is Marcus Rashford.
However, could transfer target Khvicha Kvaratskhelia be the man to help bring back the Englishman's goalscoring form?
Manchester United News – Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
According to a report from 90min last month, Manchester United are one of several Premier League clubs interested in signing Napoli's and Georgia star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in 2024.
The publication revealed that United, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Manchester City all sent scouts to watch Georgia play Spain last month, and while some other players of interest were taking part, the Serie A winner was the centre of attention.
Napoli forwardKhvicha Kvaratskhelia.
The 22-year-old is currently contracted to the club until 2027 but is said to be negotiating a 12-month extension to his deal as the Neapolitan side look to ward off the European giants that have begun circling above.
When speaking about the dynamic winger's future earlier this year, club president Aurelio De Laurentiis seemed to downplay any potential departure, saying: "Do you want to stop it? He already signed for five years last summer."
However, the Napoli president has made a name for himself for being, shall we say, eccentric, and so everything he says should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Should the Red Devils opt to sign Kvaratskhelia, they can expect to pay a transfer fee in the region of €100m, or about £87m, and while that is undeniably expensive, he could prove to be worth every penny should he unlock the attacking threat of Rashford as well.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia could create space for Marcus Rashford
When it comes to United's attackers this season, none of them have covered themselves in glory. Alejandro Garnacho has found some form of late, scoring goals against Everton and Galatasaray, but overall, those entrusted to score the team's goals have not fulfilled their roles.
This problem is perhaps made all the more apparent by the fact that Scott McTominay is currently the club's joint-top scorer in the Premier League this season – that'll be a pub quiz question in years to come.
Marcos Leonardo
So, how does Kvaratskhelia compare to the competition at Old Trafford? Well, in essentially every attacking statistic that matters, the "Georgian Magician" is miles ahead.
He has scored as many goals as the rest have combined, registered three times as many assists, creates considerably more for his teammates and, most importantly, consistently and successfully takes on opposing defenders, creating space for his teammates to exploit.
Kvaratskhelia
4
3
7.7
1.25
5.18
3.08
Rashford
2
1
5.5
0.67
4.08
2.17
Martial
1
0
1.4
0.68
1.60
0.45
Garnacho
1
0
2.0
0.79
3.98
1.90
Antony
0
0
2.0
0.52
3.64
1.21
Hojlund
0
0
2.8
0.53
1.99
1.07
With his 3.08 successful take-ons per 90, he is taking on the opposing fullback more than twice as much as Antony, almost three times more than Rasmus Hojlund and six times more than Anthony Martial.
Were the "unstoppable" winger – as he was dubbed by scout Jacek Kulig – to take the starting spot on the left flank and Rashford keep his place on the right – where he has been starting in recent weeks – the space opened up by the 22-year-old dynamo could be easily and frequently exploited by Rashford, giving him the platform to rediscover his electrifying form of last year where he found the net 30 times.
This ability to create mayhem with his direct dribbling was noted by Jürgen Klopp last season before Liverpool played – and lost – against Napoli in the Champions League:
“When he has the advantage of the first movement then he is already gone. You have to try to be there in the moment when the ball arrives, but if you cannot do that then you need to be protected because he has speed, he is cheeky, he goes inside, he can go outside, that makes it always really difficult. A good player.”
It will be an expensive deal to complete, but should United have the opportunity to sign Kvaratskhelia, they should take it – for their own sake and Rashford's.
The allrounder has spoken of the challenges of switch between formats while always being under pressure to deliver
Daniel Brettig14-Nov-2018Glenn Maxwell has criticised the mixing and matching of formats faced by Australian players in the early part of the home summer, describing a schedule that has taken him from 50-over cricket to T20, then back to 50-overs and then T20 before getting to play any Sheffield Shield matches as “broken”.Having been omitted from the Australian Test squad for the UAE series against Pakistan and instead played in the domestic limited-overs tournament won by Victoria, Maxwell journeyed to Abu Dhabi and Dubai for a T20 series, then returned home for the ODI series with South Africa. Now, as other Test aspirants prepare for two Shield rounds ahead of the India Test series, Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis among others will now be playing four T20 matches against South Africa and India.While Maxwell was happy to admit that he had not been making the runs he needed to both demand a spot higher up Australia’s ODI batting order and also to press for Test selection at a time when Steven Smith and David Warner remain suspended, he said that the chopping and changing between formats and spots in the batting order made it very hard to find rhythm.”I think it’s a very broken sort of start to the season,” Maxwell told . “You’re getting flown here, there and everywhere and changing formats, and then as soon as these four T20s are done you’re back into Shield cricket and trying to put your name up for Test selection again. It’s been interesting. I’ve probably been working on different things to what I had been during the JLT Cup period. Having come straight into the T20s over in Dubai, working on a lot of power hitting and trying to clear the rope, and started to make some inroads there, then getting back into the one-day stuff I went back to technique stuff and was working on that.”Then all of a sudden we’re back in the T20 stuff. As you feel like you’re about to make breakthroughs and starting to work it out, you’re changing format again and change position in the team. So that can be very frustrating and opportunity and the game situation probably drives how you play as well. So it’s been a little bit frustrating, and not winning consistently is quite frustrating also.”I think it’s a lot harder as a lower middle-order batter when you’re not sure what situation you’re going to come out on during the game and you’re not really sure how to prepare for the game as well, there’s only so much technique stuff you can do when you go out there and you have to chase 12 an over against guys bowling good yorkers, high bouncers and different changeups. If all you’ve been working on is your cover drive and straight drive, it’s going to be difficult to get a positive result.”ESPNcricinfo LtdWhile Australia’s domestic schedule is now broken into a series of format-by-format blocks, the international programme is a far more complicated exercise, involving the preferences of Pakistan, South Africa and India and the demands of Cricket Australia’s strategic, events and broadcasting departments in addition to the preferences of medical and sports science personnel. Maxwell pointed to the long gap between the UAE Tests against Pakistan in October and the first home match against India in early December as an example of why continuity was difficult to find.”It’s a pretty good question,” he said when asked whether he’d prefer to be playing Shield matches at this time of year. “The opportunity to play Sheffield Shield cricket probably doesn’t come up that often for me, but to get the opportunity to play for Australia you’re never going to knock that back, you’re never going to miss that opportunity. They’ve always said that runs in any format count and that’s why I’ll be doing everything I can to make as many runs as I can in this series.”But it is difficult missing as much Shield cricket as we do, being white-ball players, but there’s two Shield games straight after it and I’ve got to make those count. It [Test cricket] is probably not at the forefront of my mind at the moment, I’m probably not penciling my name in for that first Test side and a lot is going to have to go right, opportunity-wise, batting in the middle order in T20s you’re basically just waiting on what happens above you to see what effect you can have on the game.”There’d be a few guys a little bit unsure of where they stand right now, and I think they’ll probably feel okay after the Dubai series, felt they gave a good enough account of themselves, but unfortunately there’s a long time between Tests where a lot can happen. You’ve only got to look at Shaun Marsh’s form. If you’d picked the Test squad the next day you might’ve left him out, but he’s gone back to Shield cricket, made 80 and 98, then made a beautiful hundred in Hobart and looked a million bucks. You can’t imagine that Test side without his name now, and a lot can happen between Tests.”As for the comments of the ODI captain Aaron Finch, who had indicated that Maxwell was not presently making enough runs to merit a spot any higher than No. 7 in the Australian order, he was happy to concede he had missed earlier opportunities to secure a higher spot, starting with the mid-year tour of England.”I need to be bowling, I need to be contributing to the team somehow,” Maxwell said. “You’re not always going to be gift wrapped positions in that top order with the numbers I have. I’ve just got to make sure whatever format I am playing in, whether it be this T20 series or Shield cricket when I go back, I’ve got to keep working and making big scores and making the most of any opportunity.”I know they’re not just going to hand it to me and hope I perform. It’s going to have to be earned and I’m hoping once this T20 series is done that I can go back and score heavily in the Shield and really show my batting is actually improving and all the work I have put in over the last few months is showing through.”I was disappointed that I missed some opportunities in the practice games over in England. Early on the preparation when we went over there was for me to bat at No. 4 in that one-day side and all the training around that was what we were working on, the two practice games I batted at No. 4 and I didn’t make the most of those opportunities, and then the first game you’re straight back down to Nos. 6 or 7 and then you’re always chasing your tail.”
Prestes a finalizar o ano, com a série C em andamento e com término previsto para 2021, o goleiro Zé Carlos analisa sua temporada com a camisa do Brusque até o momento e projeta o restante da competição nacional. A equipe catarinense é a segunda colocada do grupo C na segunda fase do torneio.
– Tenho para mim que mesmo diante de todas as dificuldades enfrentadas no futebol e no mundo todo devido a pandemia, eu sou grato pelos meus números dentro de campo e pelas boas atuações. Claro que a gente nunca está 100% satisfeito, perfeição não existe, mas trabalho duro, diariamente, para que a evolução seja constante em minha carreira – declara o arqueiro.
Dos quase três mil minutos em campo, Zé Carlos possui 80% de aproveitamento em suas defesas, 7% a mais que o ano de 2019 e 91% de efetividade nas saídas de bola, comprovando as suas habilidades com os pés.
– Eu sempre fui um goleiro que tive boas jogadas com os pés, até porque, antes de atuar no gol, eu joguei na linha também. Claro que as falhas existem, isso faz parte e a gente está sempre trabalhando para corrigi-las, mas ver esses números me deixa feliz, isso significa que continuo seguindo firme, focado e na humildade de sempre – garante.
Para o camisa 1 quadricolor, alguns jogos foram marcantes devido as dificuldades enfrentadas por ele no gol e pênaltis defendidos.
– Os jogos entre o Sport e Brasil de Pelotas foram bem difíceis e intensos, Copa do Brasil, jogos pegados e que queríamos muito ir mais longe na competição, os jogos em que fiz algumas defesas muito difíceis que nem mesmo eu acreditei (risos) e pênaltis que peguei, o que traz muita segurança e aceitação para um goleiro, marcaram este meu ano. Graças a Deus posso dizer que foram muitas e grandes defesas, que seria injusto comigo mesmo destacar apenas uma – diz Zé Carlos sobre seu desempenho.
Na segunda fase da série C, Zé Carlos se diz confiante para a classificação para a próxima etapa e sonha com acesso à série B.
– Nosso time é totalmente capacitado para passar pelos grandes que estão em nosso grupo, serão jogos difíceis, cada partida será uma final. Depois das falhas cometidas e dificuldades que enfrentamos para conquistarmos essa classificação, merecemos ir muito longe dentro da competição, inclusive, subir o Bruscão para a série B, e quem sabe, o título – finaliza.
O Brusque entra em campo na próxima segunda-feira (21), às 20h, em Itu, para enfrentar o Ituano, em partida válida pela 2ª rodada da segunda fase da Série C. Até o momento, o time de Santa Catarina é o vice-líder do grupo, com 1 ponto, enquanto o time de Itu é o líder, com 3.
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Chelsea boss Emma Hayes has been lauded by midfielder Erin Cuthbert ahead of her appointment as United States women's national team boss.
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Hayes to join USWNT in summer
Aiming to win WSL title again with Chelsea
Cuthbert says she has become a 'mini-Emma'
WHAT HAPPENED?
Hayes is set to leave Chelsea to become USWNT coach at the end of the season but remains in a pitched battle for the WSL title, as they sit level on points with Manchester City at the top of the table and three ahead of their next opponents, Arsenal. Chelsea can still win the quadruple this season, and Cuthbert has taken the time to credit Hayes' dedication, insisting that she is an inspiration.
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WHAT CUTHBERT SAID
Cuthbert told the : “Emma works tirelessly for what she wants to achieve. “She dedicates her life to it, but she makes sure that when she celebrates, she does it big, and I'm no different. So I think that's one thing that I've certainly learned from her: never [apologise] for wearing your heart on your sleeve, because it can reward you in weird and wonderful ways. A quadruple – wow, that's mad! We really want to do it for Emma. She'll love nothing more than leaving a legacy and a culture that's built on winning, and it's up to us to do it. The main message is: less talk, more action.”
She added: “Emma has done a lot for me. I feel like I behave more like Emma, like a mini-Emma. She is quite direct in her actions, likes to get things done, won't mess around, and I think I have become more like that. I see that when I go away to the national team [Scotland], that I start having behaviours like Emma. But you are a by-product of who you surround yourself with. Her and her staff have driven the whole culture in Chelsea to be one club, and for that I am eternally grateful.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Hayes has enjoyed an almost unprecedented level of success since joining Chelsea, winning six WSL titles, as well as five Women's FA Cups and two FA Women's League Cups. So impressive has her career been, she was awarded an MBE in 2022 for her services to association football.
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WHAT NEXT?
Before Hayes embarks on the challenge of international football, she will hope to sign off in style. Chelsea face Arsenal in a massive game on Friday evening and a win would go a long way to boosting their WSL title hopes.