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Newcastle United are reportedly now willing to pay big money in order to sign Ronald Araujo.

The Lowdown: Destined for greatness

Despite the trouble in which Barcelona have found themselves in recent times, having to let Lionel Messi go to Paris Saint-Germain and potentially not being able to qualify from their Champions League group, the emergence of Araujo is at least one shining light at Camp Nou.

Recently described as a ‘spectacular’ player by his new manager Xavi, the 22-year-old looks destined for great things, and his teammate Gerard Pique already thinks that he ‘has everything’ for a central defender despite his tender age.

One of the most notable qualities about Araujo is his physique, as he stands at 6 foot 2, and he is in ‘exuberant physical condition’ according to former Uruguay centre-back and fellow countryman Andres Scotti, making him a bit of a beast.

The Latest: Wanted

As per El Nacional, Newcastle now want Araujo and are ‘one of the most interested’ clubs from the Premier League in the race for his signature, along with Chelsea.

They would reportedly be ‘willing’ to put an offer of £60m on the table, comfortably surpassing the club-record £40m that they spent on Joelinton, as well as giving the 22-year-old a ‘big’ contract.

Ideally, Barcceloa do not want to sell, but the report claimed that they would ‘have to study’ a prospective offer of that magnitude.

The Verdict: Unrealistic

It does seem too unrealistic that a player of Araujo’s quality and promise would move to Newcastle this early in the project, especially as they are currently in a relegation scrap.

Eddie Howe’s preference for high possession and attacking football would certainly suit Araujo more than some of the other centre-half options in the Magpies’ squad, given that the Uruguay international has averaged more passes at a higher success rate per game than Ciaran Clark, Federico Fernandez and Jamaal Lascelles in their respective domestic leagues so far this season (WhoScored).

However, despite the kind of money that the Tynesiders now have at their disposal, it seems likely that Araujo would look elsewhere for now, perhaps to reigning Champions League holders Chelsea, until the long-term project at St James’ Park has developed further.

In other news, NUFC are also eyeing this ‘incredible’ beast

According to Spanish outlet Don Balon, European giants Real Madrid are planning to offer Liverpool £43m plus Marco Asensio for Roberto Firmino. 

The article does not specify when Los Blancos are planning to launch this bid, but it could be this month given the fact that they have still failed to replace Cristiano Ronaldo at the Santiago Bernabéu.

If this were launched in the summer, this would be an offer worth looking at. Asensio is just 22, and is highly thought of across Europe. What’s more is that he could fill the attacking midfielder or number ten position that The Reds seem to be lacking at the moment. The Spaniard could fill the hole left by Philippe Coutinho when he left last January.

Of course, the club would then need to replace Firmino, but they could do so with the extra funds they will be given. They could even make a move for 22-year-old Timo Werner, who is five years younger than the Brazilian. Therefore, Liverpool can get two of Europe’s most promising 22-year-olds for Firmino, which would be a tempting prospect.

However, in this season, in particular, Liverpool simply cannot risk a deal like this one. If the Champions League champions were wanting to bring the striker to Madrid this month, it could do some serious damage to Jürgen Klopp’s title challenge. There is no guarantee that Asensio would be an instant success, and while they sit at the apex of the Premier League, four points ahead of rivals Man City, this would be a terrible decision.

Charlotte Edwards, the England women’s captain, has said the return of Sarah Taylor and Claire Taylor to the squad is a huge boost in her team’s attempt to defend the World Twenty20 title

Cricinfo staff26-Apr-2010Charlotte Edwards, the England women’s captain, has said the return of Sarah Taylor and Claire Taylor to the squad is a huge boost in her team’s attempt to defend the World Twenty20 title. Both batsmen were among the top ten run-getters in the competition in 2009. England were beaten by West Indies in a Twenty20 series in November last year, and Edwards acknowledged that home advantage meant the hosts were strong contenders in this year’s tournament.”We have obviously really missed her [Claire Taylor’s] experience more than anything and we also missed Sarah Taylor as well,” Edwards said in an interview with the ICC. “They are two of our top four batters. If any side loses two of their top batters they would struggle. It would leave a hole and we are really looking forward to getting them back on board.”Edwards said the defeat to West Indies last year, in the context of the World Twenty20, had helped them prepare better than other teams for the competition. “We are really excited having been there in November as we saw what the conditions are going to be like and I think we actually want to be a step ahead of most of the teams,” she said. “I think I misread the conditions of the West Indies when we were there in November. They had quite slow wickets and actually at Warner Park the outfield is not that quick, so I guess it is going to be different strategy that we need to put in place now.”West Indies, Edwards said, have improved considerably and she tipped them to be the surprise team of the tournament. “I think it’s just going to be Australia, New Zealand and India but having seen the West Indies and how they played in St Kitts in November I think they are going to be real threat to all the teams,” she said. “They are on home soil as well and they have shown they can play some fantastic cricket. They are always improving year on year – they could be a surprise team for the tournament.”When asked to name the players she thought were the ones to watch out for, Edwards said: “Deandra Dottin is going to be a key player for the West Indies. I think she is an awesome talent. What I’ve seen of her with both bat and ball has been really exceptional and l have been really impressed by her. Having been in India recently, I think their young spinner Gouhar Sultana is likely to be a real threat. All the teams are playing really good cricket and the Australians have the likes of Shelley Nitschke in the form of her life.”The women’s World Twenty20 gets underway on May 5.

England have scored two major victories against Australia and Shane Warne believes they now have the mindset necessary to try and accomplish the hardest challenge in cricket – winning a Test series in Australia

Cricinfo staff18-May-2010England have scored two major victories against Australia in less than a year – the ICC World Twenty20 final and the Ashes in 2009 – and Shane Warne believes they now have the mindset and the team necessary to try and accomplish the hardest challenge in cricket – winning a Test series in Australia. In his column for the , Warne wrote that England took “a small psychological advantage” from beating Australia in Sunday’s final in Barbados and sent a message that “they [Australia] have to play very well to beat them [England] now in any form of the game”.”In the past, they [England] thought that if they played at their best they might nick a win. Now they think, “We can beat this lot”. That feeling of being scared of playing Australia has disappeared,” Warne wrote. “Australia were just starting to build a bit of momentum and find some consistency in the aftermath of losing last year’s Ashes. But the first time they came up against England in a final, they lost.”Warne, however, said the Ashes in Australia was the hardest series to win and England were whitewashed 5-0 on their last trip there in 2006-07. But this squad, Warne felt, had the “right tools” to succeed in Australia later this year. “In Graeme Swann they have a spinner who, when you examine every format of the game, is the best in the world right now,” Warne said. “In Kevin Pietersen, England also have, not the best, but the most destructive batsman.”Pietersen was the Player of the Tournament in the West Indies, having scored 248 runs at an average of 62. Warne said the IPL and the World Twenty20 helped Pietersen rediscover his touch which was vital because, apart from his contributions, Pietersen’s team-mates also fed off his form.”He [Pietersen] was struggling in the Test arena. When he gets into trouble he gets technical and reads too much into things. He is best when he plays on instinct and in Twenty20 there is not much time to think. You just have to go out there and hit the ball. For the last couple of months he has not had to worry about technique and building innings. He has just had to smack the ball and impose himself. To be the Player of the Tournament will be great for his ego.”It is also great for England because all the other players seem to walk a bit taller when KP is playing well. They feed off him. Also the opposition concentrates on getting KP out so much that it allows others to play with freedom.”Warne also called Swann the “most improved cricketer in the world.” “What has struck me most is that as an offspinner there are only certain ways you can get people out. But he [Swann] has more than that, he really changes his pace well. Normally when spinners bowl faster they lose their spin. But he can bowl quicker deliveries and still turn it. It is a very good gift and he can adapt it to all forms of the game. He is always trying to work out in his mind how to get wickets. That is what I like about him – he attacks.”

Sunday's showpiece is potentially must-win for Mauricio Pochettino, and the stars may just be aligning for his Chelsea side

In years gone by, the League Cup was a mere appetiser for trophy-gorging Chelsea; a first, less significant piece of silverware on the menu to get them in the mood for bigger and better things in the months to come. In 2024, though, winning the much-derided cup will almost certainly make or break their season.

Mauricio Pochettino's side face Liverpool at Wembley on Sunday, and while the Reds find themselves in the enviable position of still being in the hunt for four different pieces of silverware, the Carabao Cup represents Chelsea's most realistic chance of winning a first trophy since the Club World Cup in 2022.

A victory for the Blues would be priceless – both in terms of the feeling around the club and tangibly in the form of guaranteed European football in 2024-25. The game seems to be coming around at just the right time, and it is an opportunity they must seize with both hands.

Getty ImagesDepleted opponent

Chelsea have had more than their fair share of injury issues this season, and they are still without captain Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana, Thiago Silva and Marc Cucurella, among others, ahead of the final.

However, the tables may have turned in their favour ahead of Sunday's showdown. Liverpool have boasted a relatively clean bill of health throughout the season bar long-term absentees Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip, but their own injury problems have deepened significantly in recent weeks.

While Chelsea are already accustomed to doing without the likes of James, Fofana and Cucurella, Jurgen Klopp will be without a host of first-team players who have played key roles in their campaign to date; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai, Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones are all sidelined, as is No.1 goalkeeper Alisson. If that wasn't bad enough, there are also doubts over key attacking players Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez.

Of course, Liverpool still possess a wealth of quality, dispatching Brentford and Luton in consecutive 4-1 victories despite having all of those players missing, but the upheaval within the squad may just level the playing field at Wembley somewhat.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesFinally showing some form

Liverpool's fitness woes have certainly contributed to an inescapable sense that this game just might be arriving at the perfect interval for Chelsea. It would be wrong to say the west Londoners are 'in form', given they are far too inconsistent to pinpoint exactly what 'form' is for this iteration of the Blues, but in the past three games they have played some of their best football of the entire season – and there are signs that they are maybe, , capable of putting a run of results together in the remainder of the campaign to salvage something.

Chelsea sprung a surprise as they dominated from the first whistle to the last against high-flying Aston Villa in their FA Cup fourth-round replay, deservedly running out 3-1 winners. That was followed by a hard-earned comeback victory over Crystal Palace, showing some new-found mettle to snatch victory at the death.

They so nearly capped their resurgence with an admirable away win at title-chasing Manchester City, but they lost control of the game after a very solid 70 minutes and were instead forced to settle for a creditable draw.

All of this bodes well, and they must carry the same hunger into Sunday. Pochettino knows this. "In the last few weeks, we have learned a lot and stepped up," he said in his pre-final press conference. "We arrive in a very good moment and condition. After Wolves, [the wins that followed] provided the team with confidence and trust. It was a click to change to compete that we maybe missed."

Getty Images Guaranteed European football

Chelsea may well feel that they have more to play for, too. Liverpool are still fighting on four fronts – leading the Premier League, standing a very good chance of winning the Europa League, and facing a favourable FA Cup fifth-round tie at home to Southampton. The Carabao Cup, then, is arguably the lowest priority.

For Pochettino's men, this final now represents the most obvious route to securing European football for next season, with the winner gaining passage to the Conference League playoff round – although their participation could be thrown into doubt over potential financial breaches.

That won't be added motivation for Klopp's Reds, who are all-but guaranteed Champions League football, but should be for Chelsea, who are still mired in mid-table in the Premier League and face plenty of competition to win the FA Cup – which secures a place in the Europa League.

If the Blues can find some modicum of form over the next three months, the intention will surely be to push as far up the league table as possible. But if all else fails, the Conference League at least offers something of a safety net and a platform to build to better things.

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Getty Helping hand from broadcasters

The fixture schedulers may have also handed Chelsea a significant advantage. Having last played on Saturday, the Blues have had a week and a day to prepare for the final, while Liverpool found themselves in midweek action against Luton.

That game was rescheduled from Saturday during the 3pm blackout as a result of the Reds reaching the Carabao Cup final, but Chelsea have avoided the same fate despite originally being slated to play Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Friday, February 23.

Why? Because that game had already been selected for broadcast by Sky Sports, and therefore it could not be moved to clash with Champions League games being played in midweek and broadcast on TNT Sports, per an agreement between the two networks.

Klopp has often bemoaned broadcasters' influence on the congested fixture schedule, and Liverpool's injury list suggests he has good reason, so this rearrangement will leave him quietly seething. Luton provided his depleted team with a worthy test on Wednesday night, so he will hope they have enough in the tank on Sunday.

Peter Trego took four wickets on Marcus Trescothick’s return to the Somerset side, as Lancashire’s batsmen struggled again

Myles Hodgson at Aigburth01-Aug-2012
ScorecardPeter Trego made full use of the conditions to claim four wickets on day one•Getty ImagesIt seems to have escaped many people’s attention that, despite the loss of Marcus Trescothick for most of the season through injury, Somerset have remained one of the Division One title contenders. So it was fitting on his return that they continued that impressive form on a rain-hit opening day against Lancashire.As captain, leading batsman and outstanding slip fielder, Somerset have struggled to replace Trescothick while he has been sidelined for the last three months with ankle ligament damage, yet they have remained consistent enough to be well placed behind the leaders, Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire.During a day with enough rain around to dampen even the most enthusiastic of county cricketers, it became apparent why they have been so consistent, expertly exploiting bowler-friendly conditions to make major inroads into Lancashire’s batting line-up in the 52.2 overs possible.Perhaps inspired by Trescothick’s first Championship outing since April, his comeback was overshadowed by an outstanding display from Peter Trego, their combative allrounder, who took his wicket tally to 38 by claiming 4 for 34. Bowling exclusively from the River End and benefitting from a stiff breeze that aided swing bowling for most of the day, Trego continued Lancashire’s desperate form in the defence of their title.Trego bowled six successive maidens from the start of the day and it was 41 balls before Lancashire were even able to score a run off his bowling. Bowling wicket to wicket and allowing the conditions to do the work, he had already dismissed openers Paul Horton and Stephen Moore by the time Trescothick allowed him a rest shortly before lunch with figures of 10-7-12-2.By the time he returned for his second spell in the evening session – rain washed out most of the afternoon – he was required to break up a stubborn 79-run stand between Karl Brown and Ashwell Prince that threatened to turn the day in Lancashire’s favour. Brown had battled for over two hours for his 39 when he drove loosely at Trego off the front foot and lost his off-stump, which precipitated a late collapse of three wickets for 15 runs in only 34 balls.Steven Croft followed five overs later, edging Alfonso Thomas low to second slip to give Trescothick his second catch of the day, before Trego halted Prince’s defiance with the first ball of the next over when he was adjudged to have edged behind.Only four more overs were possible before rain curtailed play for the final time and Lancashire, whose batting unit have only passed 300 four times in the previous 11 completed Championship matches, look unlikely to improve on that dismal record. It should certainly be an interesting Championship debut for Andrea Agathangelou, a South-African born batsman with a Cypriot passport, who will resume tomorrow morning unbeaten on 0.Lancashire, as they have to be wavering just above the relegation zone, remain optimistic and Brown believes the swing generated by Trego should also help their own attack. “Trego got a bit of swing, and if that movement continues it will really help our bowlers because Glen Chapple and Kyle Hogg swing the ball more than most bowlers,” he said.”Hopefully we can make the most of the conditions as well. He tries to do different things when he’s bowling, he tries to get you out in different ways and he’s quite clever the way he goes about it. I enjoyed the battle out there, getting stuck in, it was good fun. We are in a tough position in the league and we are going to have to fight our way out of it.”

Newcastle United are reportedly now eyeing up a transfer move for Rayan Ait-Nouri.

The Lowdown: Lots of potential…

Ait-Nouri obviously impressed Wolves enough to sign him on a permanent deal following his loan spell there last season, during which he won 3.8 of his duels and averaged 1.4 tackles and 1.2 successful dribbles per game in the Premier League, scoring one goal and making one assist, emphasising both his attacking and defensive potential (SofaScore).

Upon signing him permanently, Molineux technical director Scott Sellars claimed that he is a ‘very talented’ player with ‘lots of potential’ and is ‘only going to get better’ (Wolves).

Nonetheless, at just 20 years of age, Ait-Nouri is certainly one for the future.

The Latest: Newcastle hovering

As per Jeunes Footeux, Ait-Nouri is now ‘of interest’ to the St. James’ Park faithful as well as Crystal Palace, who are both ‘closely following’ his situation at Molineux.

However, as he has a contract at WWFC until 2026, he will not be sold for anything less than €25-30m (£21.4-25.7m).

The Verdict: Ritchie upgrade

Ait-Nouri would certainly be an upgrade on Matt Ritchie at left wing-back, given that he is averaging more tackles, interceptions, shots, dribbles and passes than the Scotland international in the top flight so far this term (WhoScored).

The Frenchman has that extra attacking mindset that will be needed from January onwards, as the North East club look to create enough chances and score enough goals in order to escape the drop.

The Express & Star journalist Liam Keen claimed last month that Ait-Nouri is a player who ‘gets the crowd on their feet’, and his runs up and down the flank should give the Toon Army some excitement going into the second half of the campaign.

Nonetheless, he is someone that they and Eddie Howe can get behind straight away.

In other news, find out which former Magpie NUFC are now eyeing here!

The gold Adidas Predator boots worn by David Beckham when winning his 100th cap for England are expected to sell for £10,000 at auction.

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Iconic figure made 115 appearances for his countryCaptained the Three Lions on 59 occasionsNow working with Lionel Messi in MLSGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

The Manchester United legend, who now works with Lionel Messi in MLS as co-owner of Inter Miami, reached a century of outings for his country when taking in a friendly date with France in Paris on March 26, 2008.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Beckham, who would go on to earn 115 caps for the Three Lions, suffered a 1-0 defeat at Stade de France against the likes of Franck Ribery, Nicolas Anelka, William Gallas and Claude Makelele – with England having already failed to qualify for that summer’s European Championship.

GettyDID YOU KNOW?

The night was a memorable one, though, as he became only the fifth Englishman to reach 100 international appearances. Said occasion was marked by a pair of custom boots that featured St George’s Crosses and the names of the three children that he had at the time with pop star wife Victoria – Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz.

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WHAT THEY SAID

The boots in question are now set to go under the hammer, with a starting bid tabled of £4,600. David Convery, head of sporting memorabilia at Northamptonshire-based Graham Budd Auctions, has said of the lot: “David Beckham is not only an iconic player, but you could also argue that he started the 'style revolution' with this type of golden boot. These boots are already attracting attention on a global stage and we wouldn't be surprised if they reached or even went beyond their estimated price.”

Mikel Arteta has some big decisions to make when the Gunners host Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday

Premier League leaders Arsenal return to action against Brentford on Saturday looking to put their defeat at Everton behind them.

That 1-0 loss at Goodison Park was the first Mikel Arteta’s side have suffered in the league since they were beaten 3-1 at Manchester United in September.

But Manchester City’s defeat at Tottenham on Sunday ensured the Gunners maintained their five-point lead at the top of the table, an advantage they would stretch to eight points should they beat Brentford this weekend.

So how are things shaping up at Arsenal ahead of the game? GOAL takes a look.

GettyArsenal team news

Gabriel Jesus has returned to Arsenal’s training ground this week to step up his recovery plan following knee surgery, but the Brazil International is still some way off being able to return to action.

Emile Smith Rowe has missed Arsenal’s last two games due to a thigh problem and is not expected to be fit to face Brentford this weekend. Reiss Nelson is fully fit and available again after his hamstring issue, but Mohamed Elneny is sidelined for the season due to a knee problem.

Thomas Partey was replaced after an hour against Everton last weekend, but that substitution was not believed to be injury related.

AdvertisementKey man

Martin Odegaard: Arsenal’s captain had an off day by his high standards against Everton last weekend and the side suffered as a result.

When Odegaard plays well, Arsenal play well, so the Gunners will be looking to their skipper to inspire them to a much-improved performance to the one they produced at Goodison Park.

If Odegaard gets on the ball and finds space in the final third, it could be a long afternoon for the Brentford defence.

GettyTalking point

There is plenty of debate ahead of the game about whether Saturday is the time for Mikel Arteta to shake things up a bit.

The likes of Ben White and Gabriel Martinelli have been slightly off it in the past couple of weeks and could benefit from a rest, especially with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Leandro Trossard pushing hard for a place in the starting XI.

Arsenal have their huge clash with Manchester City on Wednesday night looming large so if Arteta is ever going to rotate his starting XI, Saturday seems like the moment he will do it.

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Getty ImagesWhat has Arteta said?

The Arsenal manager knew his side under-performed against Everton, but was quick to offer his players support ahead of this weekend’s crucial clash at the Emirates.

“This is the moment I love my players more,” he said. “Now we stick together. This journey is going to be difficult and challenging, and there’s going to be bigger stones in the middle that we’re going to have to overcome that. And now we’re going to prepare really well in the week to get to Saturday in the right emotional level and right spirit to be perfect.”

The final super squad has been released for FIFA 18, with players from Europe's big five leagues included after impressing for their clubs in 2017-18

EA Sports1Ciro Immobile – LazioST, 96AdvertisementEA Sports2Edinson Cavani – PSGST, 96EA Sports3Harry Kane – SpursST, 95ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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EA Sports4Luis Suarez – BarcelonaST, 97