All posts by h716a5.icu

Wolverhampton Wanderers are finally up and running under Bruno Lage as the Old Gold scored their first goals and points of the season last weekend.

It has been a long and arduous few weeks for Wolves but they finally have something to savour.

What’s the word?

The transfer window has only just ended but already we’re seeing rumours resurface about Adama Traore’s future at Molineux.

He was linked with a move away from the Midlands on a regular basis this summer but Lage eventually managed to keep him at Wolves.

Traore had attracted the interest of Spurs who lodged a loan bid before submitting an offer in the region of £30m.

That was ultimately knocked back by his club who wanted to keep their best players unless a seismic offer came in.

That said, reporter Dean Jones has delivered a potentially crushing blow in an interview with GIVEMESPORT.

Speaking about events behind the scenes, he said: “I think Traore himself certainly has certain expectations bigger than Wolves in his career.”

Crushing blow

It is natural for a player of Traore’s calibre to see himself at a large club; he did come through Barcelona’s famous La Masia after all.

The Premier League’s big six have already registered their appeal in the dazzling winger with Liverpool having an interest in the past and Jurgen Klopp calling him “unplayable.”

That quote explains in a nutshell why he’d be such a huge loss to the Wolves squad.

The Spain international struggles for goals – he netted just twice last term – but on his day he is an electric ball of fun, capable of tearing apart the sternest of defences.

He has registered a whopping 9.5 dribbles per game from his four top-flight outings this campaign, a number that no other player across Europe’s top five leagues can usurp.

Wolves have had issues in attack this term and it took Lage’s side until the fourth game in the league to finally find the back of the net.

Traore hasn’t beaten the goalkeeper himself but he’s played a crucial part in some vibrant performances in the early days of the new manager’s tenure and he can change a match instantly.

They do have Pedro Neto to return from injury in the coming months but it’s evident that for the time being, their human roadrunner is one of the first names on the team sheet.

Based on that, Wolves can’t afford to lose him in January or beyond. It is a huge blow if Traore really does see his future away from the Old Gold and Lage will have every right to feel gutted.

He is undeniably the Portuguese coach’s main man right now.

AND in other news, Lage could unearth Wolves’ next Joao Moutinho in “intelligent” rarely-seen 19 y/o…

Sky Sports journalist Michael Bridge has raised the prospect that full-back Borna Barisic may have a move away from Rangers lined up ahead of the transfer deadline on Tuesday.

The left-back has been heavily linked with a potential move to Italian club Roma in this transfer window.

Barisic has been heavily involved at the start of the season for the Scottish club and has played five times in all competitions.

He was also involved versus Celtic in the Old Firm derby at the weekend and provided an assist in the 1-0 win.

Bridge has pointed out the Croatia international lingered on the pitch after the final whistle and wonders if he may have been saying goodbye ahead of a potential exit from the club prior to Monday’s deadline.

Barisic has been with Rangers since 2018 and has a contract until 2024, making a total of 117 appearances and scoring seven goals, while providing 33 assists during his time in Scotland.

Bridge said: “There is one interesting one. The Sky cameras picked it up, the very last shot, he was the last player to leave the pitch, Croatian left-back, excellent left-back, called Borna Barisic.

“He kissed the ground and looked sort of quite tearful, so I don’t know if he’s lined up a move anywhere. He’s quite injury prone but when fit, he’s a really, really good left-back.

“I’d say he’s a Premier League top 10 left-back. I don’t know if anyone’s come in for him. Nothing’s come out today but it was a very interesting reaction for a player.

“I know they’d just beaten Celtic but even so, it was a bit of a strange reaction, kissing the ground.”

Ireland will play West Indies as part of their preparations for the ICC World Twenty20 in England next June

Cricinfo staff06-Mar-2009Ireland will play West Indies as part of their preparations for the ICC World Twenty20 in England next June. They will meet at The Oval on June 2 at 1.30pm.Ireland’s other warm-up game sees them face fellow Associates the Netherlands. That game will take place at Lord’s on Monday June 1 at 1.30pm.The two matches are followed by higher-profile clashes. At The Oval, India take on New Zealand at 5.30pm while the day before at Lord’s, New Zealand meet Australia.

Crystal Palace remain in the market for further acquisitions this summer and have been linked with a move for Celtic midfielder Callum McGregor.

What’s the story?

According to French outlet Homme du Match, the Eagles are preparing a £7m offer for the technically gifted 28-year-old, just weeks after he was named club captain of the Glasgow giants following Scott Brown’s departure.

McGregor’s current contract still have three years left to run, meaning new Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou will not be forced to part ways with his prized asset.

Parish must swoop

The Scotland international has established himself as one of the top players in his homeland after rising through Celtic’s ranks, bagging 54 goals and providing 64 assists in 332 appearances for the Hoops.

In that time, McGregor has become of the most decorated stars in the club’s history, winning six Scottish Premiership titles, three Scottish Cups and five League Cups, securing his place in Celtic’s illustrious history in the process.

His impressive displays in the centre of the park have earned many plaudits down the years, including former Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.

“He controls the tempo of the game,” said Rodgers. “He is a boy that takes the ball, so clever in his movements, and we ask him to go into certain area of the pitch to offer support. He has a dream of a touch that allows him to go forward.

“His feet are nice and soft, he doesn’t play backwards so much, and he has a great range of passes, and he has the personality now to play those passes, not just one that is secure to keep the ball, he can break a line with a pass and open up and split up the game for us.

“He has been absolutely exceptional in that role, but I say that everywhere he plays.”

With the departure of James McCarthy and Cheikhou Kouyate beginning the new season at centre-back once again, new Palace boss Patrick Vieira is keen to bolster his engine room options in the remaining weeks of the window.

Therefore, chairman Steve Parish must sanction a move for McGregor, supplying the Frenchman with a quality midfielder capable of controlling games and opening opposition defences up at will.

And, in other news…Crystal Palace suffer transfer blow in pursuit of £7m machine, Vieira will be gutted 

Crystal Palace are one of three Premier League sides reportedly keen to secure the services of Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie this summer.

What’s the story?

According to Italian outlet Tuttosport (as relayed by Sport Witness), the Eagles are ‘determined’ to land the highly-rated 22-year-old in the final few days of the current window, although they’re expected to face stiff competition from a couple of Premier League rivals.

Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are also credited with an interest in McKennie, and the report states that a swap deal with Spurs for midfielder Moussa Sissoko is an option for Juve.

The capital club are said to want the USA international, courtesy of new director of football Fabio Paratici, who took him to Turin on a permanent basis last year and remains a big fan of the box-to-box dynamo.

Juventus are thought to be open to a swap deal involving Sissoko as he would fit into Max Allegri’s side far more comfortably than the Texan, although Palace and Villa are closely monitoring the situation.

Fans would be delighted

Although McKennie is not believed to be particularly keen on a move to either Villa Park or Selhurst Park, Juventus are aware that the £22.5m-rated youngster can raise them significant funds, meaning an imminent exit could occur.

His arrival in south London is one that would surely delight the Palace supporters, given his potential and past endeavours for the Old Lady and Schalke.

During his time at the Bundesliga outfit, McKennie earned praise from several impressed onlookers following a string of mature performances despite his tender years, including forme manager David Wagner.

“He has embraced this role of taking on more responsibility on the pitch,” commented Wagner, reviewing McKennie’s endeavours in 2019/20 (as relayed by Bundesliga.com). “He is a leader.”

After arriving at the Allianz Arena in a shock move 12 months ago, the American scored six goals and provided two assists in 46 appearances for Juve as they limped to a third-place finish in Serie A.

However, new manager Allegri has reportedly deemed him surplus to requirements, and Palace could potentially be the team to benefit.

It’s not often the Eagles get the opportunity to pick up a talented prodigy from one of European football’s heavyweights, and therefore, chairman Steve Parish must swoop before one of their domestic rivals snaps McKennie up from under their noses.

And, in other news…Parish must sanction Crystal Palace move for £10.8m-rated gem, Vieira needs him 

Yuvraj Singh and Pragyan Ojha have been included in a 15-man squad for the two-Test series against England.

Cricinfo staff04-Dec-2008
Sourav Ganguly’s retirement opens up a place for Yuvraj Singh in India’s Test XI © Getty Images
Yuvraj Singh has been given one more chance to resurrect his stop-start Test career, after being selected in India’s 15-man squad for the two-Test series against England starting December 11. Yuvraj, who muscled his way back into contention with two successive one-day hundreds against England last month, is expected to take Sourav Ganguly’s place at No. 6.The selectors have also recalled Pragyan Ojha, the left-arm spinner, and have retained M Vijay and S Badrinath as reserve batsmen. Ojha, yet to make his Test debut, toured Sri Lanka earlier this year, but lost his place to Amit Mishra, who made a strong debut against Australia in New Delhi. Vijay, an opener, was handed a debut in Nagpur against Australia after Gautam Gambhir was banned for one Test.Yuvraj, a mainstay in India’s one-day line-up, has had an inconsistent run in Tests, with 1050 runs in 23 games since his debut five years ago, However, his recent form against England prompted the chairman of selectors, Kris Srikkanth, to state that he’s the frontrunner to take Ganguly’s slot in the Test XI. Besides his two match-winning hundreds (138 not out and 118) in the first two ODIs, Yuvraj also picked up four wickets in the second match in Indore.”I have got the opportunity,” Yuvraj told news channel CNN-IBN. “I’m not thinking that I am filling in after someone’s retirement. I always felt this is my place, and if I do well, I’ll surely be there for a long time.”Badrinath and Vijay, who both play for Tamil Nadu, have had contrasting fortunes in their last Ranji Trophy game, against Andhra: Badrinath scored 121 and M Vijay lasted just eight balls before getting out for a duck. Vijay’s splendid form this season, though, had earned him a last-minute call-up to the squad for the Nagpur Test against Australia.Badrinath, who scored a hundred in Tamil Nadu’s previous match against Uttar Pradesh, will be eager for a place in the starting XI for the first Test on his home ground in Chennai. He made his ODI debut during India’s tour of Sri Lanka in August and was part of the Test squad against Australia, but was surprisingly dropped for the subsequent one-day series against England.Left-arm fast bowler RP Singh, who had an indifferent ODI series against England, has been dropped. Ojha takes his place; he is expected to be the back-up spinner in the squad behind Harbhajan Singh and Amit Mishra – a tactic employed by India for the first three Tests in the previous series against Australia when they had the spin trio of Anil Kumble (now retired), Harbhajan and Mishra to choose from.India squad: Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt & wk), Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Munaf Patel, M Vijay, S Badrinath, Pragyan Ojha.

After a year when the words “wall”, “falling” and “crumbling” were never far from the headlines, Rahul Dravid could have been forgiven for thinking he had become Humpty Dumpty

S Aga20-Dec-2008
A 26th Test century, to break a poor run of form, was greeted with only a subdued reaction from Rahul Dravid © Getty Images
After a year when the words “wall”, “falling” and “crumbling” were never far from the headlines, Rahul Dravid could have been forgiven for thinking he had become Humpty Dumpty, instead of the most prolific No.3 batsman the world has ever seen. It really had been a wretched 2008, with 669 runs from 14 Tests before he arrived in Mohali. This, remember, was the man who made more than 600 runs in series in Australia and England when he was in his prime.There were no clenched fists or frenzied waves of the bat when he reached his century on Saturday, but the man who sat behind the microphones later in the day looked like someone who had finally seen the light after weeks of confinement in an underground cave. “There was no statement,” he said when asked about the muted celebrations for his 26th century. “I was just happy. I’m older and wiser now. I don’t jump around and get excited.”I’m relieved. It’s nice to be contributing again. It’s been a tough year, and it’s good to make an important contribution, especially with the conditions that we’ve had in this game.”The partnership with Gautam Gambhir was worth 314 runs in 107.5 overs, its significance evident when the next highest stand was 40 runs. “Hopefully, it will be a match-winning partnership,” Dravid said. “Gautam batted beautifully and took the pressure off me. He rotated the strike and was positive against both the pace bowlers and spinners. He’s having a phenomenal year.”England fought back spiritedly after breaking that partnership, but they should also be worried at how subsequent batsmen failed to make much headway on a pitch that’s sure to play a few tricks over the next three days. “At 300 for 1, we were looking around, wondering where we were going to get a wicket from,” said Graeme Swann, who along with the indefatigable Andrew Flintoff was the pick of the bowlers. “The way Dravid played, he hardly gave us any chance. He was exceptional.”Dravid himself couldn’t really pinpoint a reason for the turnaround. “This year, I’ve tried everything,” he said with a laugh, when asked if he’d gone back to videos or books to get out of the slump. “I watched a few old videos of me batting well to recreate some of those emotions and feelings.”But the last two series, I’ve just enjoyed each net session, trusted my instincts and watched the ball.”The way I judge if I’m batting well is by how I bat in the nets. Against Australia and even in this series, I felt like I was batting well, but there weren’t the runs to show for it.”The way I judge if I’m batting well is by how I bat in the nets. Against Australia and even in this series, I felt like I was batting well, but there weren’t the runs to show for itHe batted beautifully on day two, clipping the ball off the pads with his old fluency and also easing it through the off-side gaps when chances presented themselves. After taking 205 balls for 65 on the opening day, the next 71 runs took just 123 deliveries. “You grow comfortable, the more time you spend in the middle,” he said. “Your feet move better. You pick up the length better. They bowled a good testing spell with the new ball and we were lucky to get through.”He called it one of his “most significant innings”, and admitted it might not have been possible without the reservoir of goodwill from fans and experts alike. “There’s been lots of scrutiny and speculation because I haven’t played very well,” he said. “I haven’t got enough runs. It’s been tough personally.”So many people have been wishing me to do well. It’s at times like these that you realise how many want you to do well. They didn’t need to be, but they were so supportive – former players, and even those in the media. That’s all you can ask for.”What Mahendra Singh Dhoni will ask for from here is a repeat of the bowling excellence that humiliated Australia here two months ago. “They tested us right through,” said Dravid of the English bowling. “But we’ll aim to pitch the ball further up and get more swing, make them drive a bit more.”If the skies overhead continue to be overcast, that could well do the trick. As for Dravid, the overwhelming sense of grey has given way to a patch of blue sky. For some, like his three-year-old son Samit, though, life’s about far more than centuries and revivals. “He just wants me to come back home.”A match-winning century to go with so many others wouldn’t be a bad thing to take back.

Durham are hoping to complete the signing of Imad Wasim as an overseas player in the NatWest T20 Blast

George Dobell14-Jul-2017Durham are hoping to complete the signing of Imad Wasim as an overseas player in the NatWest T20 Blast. Imad, who is currently rated as the best T20 bowler in international cricket, will join for five matches before departing for the Caribbean Premier League.Imad, who was born in Swansea, made his international debut in 2015 and was recently a member of the Pakistan team that won the Champions Trophy, playing in every game at the tournament.He has impressed with his left-arm spin in the Pakistan Super League, as well as during stints at the CPL, and will bring something extra to a thin Durham squad, who have lost two from two in the competition so far. Tom Latham, their main overseas signing, is currently out of action with a foot injury.Imad’s signing is subject to him receiving a work permit.

Tottenham have now tabled an offer to sign a young star who has drawn comparisons to Lionel Messi as they look to hand Ange Postecoglou more firepower in 2025, it has been reported.

Tottenham looking for attacking midfielders

Dejan Kulusevski has emerged as a key man for Postecoglou in the early stages of the new Premier League season, but James Maddison has blown hot and cold in north London, while there is a lack of alternatives for Postecoglou to turn to.

Tottenham keen on 56-Premier League goal player in potential free transfer

Ange Postecoglou is keen to bolster his attacking options.

3 ByDominic Lund Dec 2, 2024

The Australian coach has experimented with his midfield, using Pape Sarr as a box-to-box option, but is yet to settle on a true first choice trio.

The club have been linked with the likes of Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White in recent windows, but they have managed to land neither and still look a creative midfielder light for Postecoglou’s attacking style of football, part of the reason that they have been unable to sustain any sort of form in the first quarter of the campaign.

Now, they could be set to try and change that by snapping up a young talent turning heads in the top flight.

Tottenham target teenage talent

That comes as a fresh report from Spain claims that Tottenham have tabled a £20m+ offer to sign impressive teenage talent Facundo Buonanotte from Brighton in 2025. The Argentine broke through at CA Rosario Central under the management of former Man City striker Carlos Tevez, and he revealed that the teenager reminded him of his one-time teammate Messi.

“I watch football and it’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone play who gives me as much pleasure as Buonanotte. When he brakes and accelerates, he reminds me of [Lionel] Messi. He is at a very high level.”

Bought by Brighton, he was sent on loan to Leicester City for the 2024-25 campaign and has already played a starring role for his new side, grabbing four goals and two assists in the first stage of the Premier League season.

Appearances

11

Goals

4

Assists

2

Minutes per goal/assist

133

% of club goals involved in

37.5%

His form has seen him dubbed a “magician” by Rising Stars XI on X, who claimed that the Argentine is “impressing everyone” by shining in a struggling Foxes side.

Still just 19-years-old, his form has turned heads and the report reveals that Tottenham have already made a big step towards trying to secure his signature. The Lilywhites have reportedly “put an offer of 25 million euros [£20.7m] on the table” plus potential add ons, though this is below Brighton’s asking price of 30m euros (£24m).

Any move would not take place until the summer given Buonanotte’s current loan spell in the Midlands, by which time his value could have soared yet further should he manage to reach double figures in either goals or assists for the Foxes, a possibility that doesn’t appear unreasonable given his current form.

As a result, Tottenham may want to get an agreement set sooner rather than later, while Brighton could find themselves better off holding out until the summer.

West Indies toil during unbroken 193-run second-wicket stand but rain cuts further time from the game

Valkerie Baynes11-Mar-2022Joe Root looked genuinely impressed by what he was seeing. As Zak Crawley drove Kemar Roach down the ground for a boundary – not exactly sweetly struck but with the momentum of his considerable levers behind it – the England captain met him in the middle of the pitch for a couple of fist-bumps and approving nods, chattering away in encouragement and eliciting a broad grin from his young charge.Given that it was boundary number eight of 16 and counting for Crawley, who was compiling the second Test century of his career, the exchange may not have been unusual but in the circumstances, it stood out.After a dirty day three when Root more commonly wore a look of anguish as his attack failed to capitalise on prior opportunity, not to mention a tumultuous start to the year, England turned the tables on West Indies with an unbroken second-wicket stand in Antigua worth 193, a century and fifty so far to its protagonists and a 153-run lead heading into the final day.Related

Zak Crawley makes his mark to begin his repayment of the faith

Wood's elbow injury casts spotlight on England bowling stocks

After ten-year wait, Nkrumah Bonner scripts a nine-hour epic

The hosts failed to make further inroads after Roach removed debutant opener Alex Lees, lbw in single figures for the second time in the match, to put the tourists at 24 for 1, still 40 runs in arrears.On a pitch that had admittedly offered nothing for the bowlers all match, the West Indies bowlers leaked runs, Veerasammy Permaul particularly expensive in conceding 51 off his 10 overs.Fellow left-arm spinner Jack Leach, meanwhile, had been one of the brighter lights for England, bowling 20 maidens – almost half his overs – as he took 2 for 79, including West Indies’ last wicket with the third ball of the day as the hosts took a 64-run first-innings lead.Quick Jayden Seales was the man dismissed, and he did not enjoy much more success with the ball, 12 wicketless overs costing 51 runs.But Roach, who was getting considerable swing with the new ball on the fourth morning, set Lees up with a series of deliveries that moved away from the left-hander before banging one in full and straight to beat the inside edge and slam into the front pad. Lees reviewed, perhaps in hope after seeing Crawley successfully overturn an lbw decision from umpire Gregory Brathwaite in the first over, only to have it confirmed that the ball was crashing into leg stump.Crawley was yet to score when he was reprieved the first time, with Hawk-Eye showing the ball was missing leg stump by some way. He had moved to 18 when West Indies burned a review shortly after Lees’ dismissal, Crawley adjudged not out to a Roach inswinger that hit him high on the back leg outside off stump.He had to wait out a 10-minute rain delay and Alzarri Joseph maidens either side of it on 49 before he regained the strike from Root and flipped Roach off his hip for a single to bring up his fifty off 100 balls. Crawley peeled off his next fifty from 81 balls as he and Root hit full flow and West Indies floundered for ideas despite trying seven different bowling options.Joe Root celebrates his half-century•Gareth Copley/AFP via Getty ImagesCaught behind off Seales for just 8 in the first innings, Crawley tightened up his defence but played expansively where it was warranted, pulling the short ball with authority, cutting anything wide and finding the boundary with the sweep and drive also.Root raised his half-century late in the afternoon session with a four off Permaul through third, and Crawley survived a hearty shout by West Indies, thinking he’d been caught at slip off the spinner, but for replays to show he had edged the ball into the pitch before it bobbed up to the fielder.Having scored 267 against Pakistan at Southampton in August 2020, his eighth Test, Crawley had made 12 single-figure scores – including two ducks – in 21 innings since.Called back into the side for the first time since the English summer for the last three Ashes Tests when England initially dropped Rory Burns and then Haseeb Hameed, Crawley scored a second-innings 77 in Sydney and survived the post-series clear-out, which also saw Lees called up to accompany him at the top of the order.Just like 19 months before, Crawley again lived up to the potential that put him there as he and Root gave England something to smile about before the intermittent rain that had punctuated play briefly a few times set in.