‘Refreshed’ allrounder looking to use CSK experience in England’s T20I series in India

Alan Gardner08-Mar-2021Sam Curran has described himself as “refreshed and raring to go” after rejoining England’s tour of India for the white-ball leg following a pre-arranged period of rest. Amid continued talk about player rotation, Curran backed the ECB’s policy as a way of combating potential burnout due to the effects of prolonged time in biosecure bubbles – though admitted he had not given much thought to the possibility of sitting out the Ashes in Australia next winter.Curran is one of several multi-format England players who have been given time off since January, flying home after playing two Tests in Sri Lanka. He had initially been due to return in time to be considered for the fourth Test against India, but encountered difficulties in making the journey alone due to considerations around social distancing and Covid-19.Instead, he arrived with the rest of the white-ball squad on February 26, to complete a period in quarantine ahead of five T20Is in Ahmedabad, starting on Friday. Curran has a Test central contract with the ECB, but is pushing for a more regular starting role in the T20I side ahead of the World Cup later this year.”There’s been a lot of stuff spoken about rotation,” he said. “I think as a player, I’ve found it beneficial. The bubbles are tough from a player’s perspective, being away for long periods. Coming back after my break, I do really refreshed and raring to go for this white-ball series. I think it is going to be a great series. Various players have had breaks so I’m sure guys might say similar things. Everyone reacts to the bubbles in very different ways so that’s why I think the ECB have been good to us as players to allow us to get out and come back. It’s about keeping us mentally and physically fresh. I certainly appreciate the break I was given.”Related

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England may extend rest and rotation policy into Ashes

England’s stated approach of rest and rotation has generated much debate at the start of a year that will feature 17 Test matches and a T20 World Cup, as well as the usual quota of bilateral white-ball series. That players such as Curran, Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow were allowed to miss Tests against India, despite being set to play a full IPL season from next month, drew criticism in some quarters.With the World Cup to be staged in India later this year, there is a clear rationale for giving Eoin Morgan a full-strength T20I squad to choose from, though Curran conceded it was a difficult balancing act for the selectors.”It’s a really strong side. [But] with so much cricket and all these bubbles, England have made it very clear they don’t want to burn out their players, they want to keep us fresh, mentally prepared and stop that burnout. It’s a World Cup year so it’s obviously going to be a priority, but then again the Ashes are straight after that. I think any team that plays is going to try to go out there and win, with places up for grabs, so it’s a really exciting time.”Curran has been one of a number of England player to seize their chance at the IPL in recent years, since the softening of the ECB’s stance towards the competition. His all-round contributions – which included briefly moving up to open the batting during a difficult campaign for Chennai Super Kings – won praise from MS Dhoni and Curran was positive about the effect the tournament has had on his game.Sam Curran is back in India ahead of the T20I series•Surjeet Yadav/Getty”I definitely felt I came back a much better player from the IPL last year in [the UAE],” he said. “I did various roles and got challenged in different ways, which I really enjoyed. I think it’s benefitted my game. It’s a fantastic tournament, us players love playing in it, great crowds, India’s an amazing place to play cricket and it’s the best T20 competition around so it’s great to playing in it, especially with that T20 World Cup in India. It’s going to be great preparation and great for us to keep developing in these conditions. I’m really looking forward to it.”Despite the difficulties with managing workloads and a schedule ruled by Covid bubbles of one form or another, Curran said that his goal remained “to play all three formats for England”. He was hopeful that increased take-up of vaccines would allow for fewer restrictions in the months ahead, and reluctant to consider the option of being rested during the 2021-22 Ashes – despite Chris Silverwood saying that England may have to consider flying players home from Australia.”I think it’s a very long time away and every players’ dream is to play in the Ashes,” Curran said. “Who knows where the world’s going to be whenever the Ashes are at the end of this year? I think England have made it very clear they’re trying to take it a series at a time and speak with players, speak with coaching staff and see how they are. I haven’t looked that far ahead but the pinnacle, I guess, is playing in an Ashes series Down Under… most of us players would dream of being on that plane.”

أعرب الكرواتي كرونسلاف يورتشيتش، المدير الفني لنادي بيراميدز، عن رضاه بعد الفوز الساحق لفريقه على دجوليبا المالي بستة أهداف دون رد، في ختام منافسات دور المجموعات بـ دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وأكد يورتشيتش خلال المؤتمر الصحفي، أن أداء اللاعبين كان مميزًا، حيث أظهروا روحًا قتالية ورد فعل قوي، ما أثمر عن انتصار كبير يضع بيراميدز في المركز الثاني بالمجموعة.

وأشار إلى أن الفريق خاض اللقاء بجدية كاملة دون استهانة بالمنافس، مما أسهم في تحقيق هذه النتيجة الكبيرة.

طالع.. المنافسون المحتملون لـ بيراميدز في دور الـ8 من دوري أبطال إفريقيا

وأضاف أن الخطوة التالية هي انتظار قرعة الدور ربع النهائي لتحديد الفريق الذي سيواجهه بيراميدز، مشددًا على أهمية الاستعداد لكل السيناريوهات الممكنة في هذه المرحلة الحاسمة من البطولة.

وعن تفضيله لمواجهة فريق بعينه في الدور المقبل، أوضح الكرواتي أن الوقت لا يزال مبكرًا للحديث عن ذلك، حيث تقام مباريات ربع النهائي في نهاية شهر مارس، وقد تحدث تغييرات تؤثر على جاهزية الفرق، مؤكداً أن الطموح للفوز بالبطولة يتطلب الاستعداد لمواجهة أي منافس والتفوق عليه.

وتطرق  مدرب بيراميدز إلى خططه الفنية خلال لقاء دجوليبا، حيث أجرى تغييرات تهدف لمنح بعض اللاعبين فرصة للمشاركة استعدادًا للمباريات المقبلة.

كما تطرق إلى الأداء المميز لعبد الرحمن مجدي ويوسف أوباما، اللذين سجلا هدفين في المباراة، معربًا عن ارتياحه للمردود الذي قدمه بقية اللاعبين.

وأكد أهمية إراحة بعض العناصر الأساسيين لتجنب الإرهاق، خاصة مع توالي المباريات محليًا وقاريًا، حيث يستعد الفريق لمواجهات صعبة ضد زد، الأهلي والزمالك في الفترة المقبلة.

MatériaMais Notícias

O São Paulo empatou com o Cuiabá por 0 a 0, na noite desta segunda-feira (11), na Arena Pantanal, em duelo da 25ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. Com o resultado, o Tricolor está na 13ª colocação, com 30 pontos, enquanto o Dourado ocupa a 12ª colocação, com 31 pontos conquistados.

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Agora, o São Paulo enfrenta o Ceará, na próxima quinta-feira (14), às 19h, no Morumbi, enquanto o Cuiabá pega o Sport, no mesmo dia e horário, novamente na Arena Pantanal.

+ATUAÇÕES: Em noite apática do meio e ataque, Volpi se destaca e garante o empate do São Paulo contra o Cuiabá

CUIABÁ COMEÇA PARTIDA EM CIMA DO SÃO PAULO
O jogo iniciou com o Cuiabá partindo para cima do São Paulo, muito por conta da torcida, que compareceu em bom número na Arena Pantanal. A primeira finalização aconteceu aos três minutos, quando Clayson arriscou de fora da área, mas a bola passou por cima da meta do Tricolor,

Seis minutos depois, mais Cuiabá. Após contra-ataque, Jenison recebeu com liberdade e achou Max, que tentou encobrir Tiago Volpi. A bola passou perto da trave direita do goleiro são-paulino.

VOLPI VACILA E ASSUSTA O SÃO PAULO
​Conforme o jogo acontecia, o São Paulo continuava com dificuldades e quase levou o gol em uma desatenção de Tiago Volpi. O goleiro foi pressionado e quase se complicou na saída de bola. A bola desviou em Jenison e passou em frente ao gol do São Paulo.

São Paulo que respondeu aos 23 minutos.Rodrigo Nestor achou Gabriel Sara, que ajeitou para o pé direito e chutou de fora da área. Walter, bem colocado, fez a defesa no canto esquerdo. Um minuto depois,Cuiabá chegou com perigo. Jenison recebeu e arriscou da entrada da área, mas Volpi defendeu.

RIGONI SAI LESIONADO ANTES DO INTERVALO
O jogo que não era bom para o São Paulo trouxe más notícias aos 40 minutos. Rigoni sentiu a coxa esquerda e precisou ser substituído para a entrada de Marquinhos.

Aos 46, o Tricolor ainda conseguiu chegar. Luciano fez o cruzamento e achou Calleri, que furou e desperdiçou boa chance de levar perigo.

VEJA A TABELA E SIMULE OS JOGOS DO CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO!
​
VOLPI SALVA O SÃO PAULO NO COMEÇO DO SEGUNDO TEMPO
A etapa final começou como Cuiabá no ataque. Logo aos dois minutos, Felipe Marques pegou sobra de cobrança de falta e arriscou de fora da área. Volpi fez boa defesa e espalmou para escanteio.

Um minuto depois, o goleiro do São Paulo apareceu novamente.Pepê recebeu de Jenilson e chutou de fora da área com perigo. Volpi espalmou e evitou o primeiro gol do Dourado na partida.

LUCIANO QUASE MARCA UM GOLAÇO DE BICICLETA
A primeira chegada do São Paulo na segunda etapa aconteceu aos 17 minutos.Léo cruzou para a área e achou Luciano, que bateu de bicicleta para boa defesa de Walter, que encaixou a bola e evitou o golaço do são-paulino.

VOLPI SALVA O SÃO PAULO DE LEVAR O GOL
O goleiro do São Paulo apareceu novamente aos 30 minutos.Jenison achou Felipe Marques, que invadiu a área, cortou Igor Gomes e bateu. Volpi saiu do gol e fez boa defesa cara a cara com o atacante do Cuiabá.

No minuto seguinte, o goleiro foi destaque de novo.Max cruzou na cabeça do zagueiro Paulão, que desviou forte de cabeça e exigiu excelente defesa do arqueiro são-paulino.

IGOR GOMES BATE FALTA PARA FORA NO ÚLTIMO LANCE
O São Paulo teve uma última oportunidade aos 49 minutos. Em falta na entrada da área, aos 49 minutos, Igor Gomes bateu por cima da meta de Walter.

Fim de jogo com um empate que não agradou nenhum dos dois lados.

CUIABÁ 0 X 0 SÃO PAULO
Local: Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá
Data e horário: 11 de outubro de 2021, às 20h
Árbitro: Anderson Daronco (RS)
Assistentes: Rafael da Silva Alves (RS) e Michael Stanislau (RS)
VAR: Heber Roberto Lopes(SC)
Gols:
Cartões amarelos: Jonathan Cafu e Auremir (CUI),Igor Gomes e Marquinhos (SAO)
Cartões vermelhos:

CUIABÁ
Walter; João Lucas, Alan Empereur, Paulão e Uendel; Auremir, Pepê (Rafael Gava, aos 21’/2ºT) e Camilo (Jonathan Cafu, aos 21’/2ºT); Clayson (Felipe Marques, Intervalo), Max e Jenison (Elton, aos 38’/2ºT). Técnico: Jorginho.

SÃO PAULO
Tiago Volpi; Igor Gomes, Miranda, Léo e Welington; Luan (Liziero, aos 18’/2ºT), Rodrigo Nestor (Benítez, aos 26’/2ºT) e Gabriel Sara (Rojas, aos 18’/2ºT); Luciano, Rigoni (Marquinhos, aos 40’/1ºT) e Calleri (Gabriel, aos 18’/2ºT). Técnico: Hernán Crespo.

Arsenal will kick off the upcoming season with one sole aim: finally ending their two-decade Premier League title drought.

Mikel Arteta's side have come painfully close to doing so for two seasons on the bounce now, and while Manchester City are likely to be as good as ever in 2024/25, there is a feeling around this Gunners team that it could be third time's lucky.

However, to ensure that's the case, Edu Gaspar and Co must provide the Spaniard with the right players to reinforce his squad this summer, and based on recent reports, it looks like they will.

For example, one of the latest names touted for a move to the Emirates is a vastly experienced international who could seriously challenge Gabriel Martinelli for a place in the team, either pushing him to get better or outright replacing him.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from the Italian publication TuttoJuve, Arsenal have been in talks with the agent of Federico Chiesa ahead of a potential move this summer.

However, the report claims that, in addition to the Gunners, the winger's agent has been in discussions with Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Manchester United as he looks for the perfect transfer for his client.

The report does not mention a potential price, but stories from late last month revealed that Juventus would accept offers in the region of €30m for the Italian international, which converts to about £25m.

In all, while several teams could be interested in him, Chiesa's quality and reasonable price tag make him an incredibly appealing option this summer. Therefore, Arsenal should do what they can to bring him to N5 – his potential rivalry with Martinelli could be good for both.

How Chiesa compares to Martinelli

So, the first thing to say is that while Chiesa can play on either the right or left wing, it seems incredibly unlikely that he would come in and seriously challenge Bukayo Saka for a regular place in the team, as the Hale End superstar is arguably the best player at the club and clearly the talisman of this Arsenal project.

Therefore, if the Juventus ace were to come to the Emirates with regular minutes in mind, he'd find them out on the left, which would put him up against a few players, including Martinelli. So, how do the pair compare?

Well, when we look at their pure output from last season, it's a closely fought affair, but the Euro 2020 winner just about comes out on top thanks to his goal and assists average.

For example, he scored ten goals and provided three assists in 37 appearances for the Old Lady, which equates to a reasonable average of a goal involvement every 2.84 games.

In comparison, the former Ituano gem scored eight goals and provided five assists to give him a tally of 13 goal involvements as well, but he did this in 44 appearances, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 3.3 games.

Okay, so how about their underlying numbers? Is it just as closely contested when we look at what's going on under the hood? Interestingly, while it is still relatively close, it's the former Fiorentina star who once again just about comes out on top.

For example, while the Gunners ace does better in metrics such as non-penalty expected goals plus assists, progressive carries, passing accuracy, goal-creating actions and successful take-ons per 90, that's about it.

Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists

0.49

0.56

Progressive Passes

2.87

2.70

Progressive Carries

4.55

5.68

Shots

2.85

2.40

Shots on Target

0.97

0.86

Passing Accuracy

69.9%

77.7%

Key Passes

2.21

1.98

Passes into the Penalty Area

1.84

1.40

Crosses into the Penalty Area

0.74

0.29

Shot-Creating Actions

4.79

3.92

Goal-Creating Actions

0.37

0.54

Successful Take-Ons

1.43

2.16

In comparison, the "world-class" Italian, as described by journalist Zach Lowy, comes out ahead in statistics like progressive passes, shots and shots on target, key passes, passes and crosses into the penalty area and shot-creating actions, all per 90.

Ultimately, Martinelli and Chiesa are incredibly talented wingers. Therefore, having both in the squad would elevate the left wing and mean that depending on which one started a game, the other could come off the bench and make a serious impact. So, while the competition could be fierce, signing the Juventus ace for £25m this summer is a no-brainer.

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ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 1, 2024

Paul Scholes believes Harry Kane is at the "beginning of the end" of his England career, after he was left out of Lee Carsley's side to face Greece.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Kane dropped in last international break
• Scholes believes end could be near
• Bayern Munich striker not planning to retire

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Former England star Scholes believes that Kane's time playing for his country is coming to an end after he was left out of Lee Carsley's side to face Greece in the Nations League. England won the game 3-0 and his replacement, Ollie Watkins, scored within seven minutes. Kane did play against the Republic of Ireland, scoring in the 5-0 win from the penalty spot, but Scholes believes he looked "out of place".

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Carsley picked a number of youthful players in his squad, and Scholes thinks that Thomas Tuchel, his replacement, may look to scale back the Bayern star's involvement internationally. Kane has said that he has no plans to retire after the 2026 World Cup in North America but Scholes believes the decision may be taken for him.

• WHAT SCHOLES SAID

  Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Scholes said: "It felt like the end of Harry Kane – the beginning of the end. He looked out of place in the team. When you get older you feel like everything happens a bit quicker around you and it looked a bit like that. But I don't know how we'd replace him."

  Roy Keane did present a counter-argument, insisting that Kane is only 31, but Scholes pointed out that was the exact age that Alan Shearer was when he retired from England duty.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Kane will next be in action when Bayern face Augsburg in the Bundesliga this weekend. He has scored 17 goals in 16 games in all competitions for the club this season.

South African players likely to miss start of season for white-ball series vs Pakistan

Nagraj Gollapudi and Gaurav Sundararaman16-Feb-2021

England’s leading multi-format cricketers, including Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler, could be forced to miss the two-Test series against New Zealand in June, due to a clash with the knock-out phases of this year’s IPL.The trio, all of whom play for Rajasthan Royals, are the most prominent IPL players in England’s Test set-up, although Chris Woakes (Delhi Capitals), Sam Curran (Chennai Super Kings) and Jonny Bairstow (Sunrisers Hyderabad) could also be affected if their respective franchises reach the final four of the competition.Mark Wood is another potential absentee, if he gets picked up in Thursday’s IPL player auction, as is Moeen Ali, who was released by Royal Challengers Bangalore at the end of last season, and whose absence from the final two Tests of the ongoing India tour is due, in part, to the prospect of two further months away from home if he is signed by another franchise.Currently, the IPL has yet to announce either the dates for this year’s tournament, or the venue, but it is likely to be held in India, starting around April 10 through to the first week of June.That would have implications for England’s build-up to their two-Test series against New Zealand, which is scheduled between June 2-14 and is not a part of the World Test Championship, having been added to the ECB’s summer schedule in mitigation for their likely absence from the WTC final, which is scheduled for June 18-22.Related

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On Tuesday, the IPL sent out an email to the franchises, seen by ESPNcricinfo, listing out the availability of players from top countries. Along with those from Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Ireland, England players were also listed to be fully available for the IPL, but with a caveat.”In the event of ECB Selectors wishing to select a player for the 1st Test v New Zealand whose franchise has made it through to the knockout stages of the Tournament, but who is not featuring in the starting XI, the relevant franchise is requested to release such player early so that they can participate in the Test Match,” the IPL email read.The ECB has adopted a more flexible attitude to the IPL in recent years, with the tournament’s high intensity and quality being credited as significant factors in England’s recent rise in white-ball standards, culminating in their World Cup victory in 2019.To date, no ECB centrally-contracted player has missed a Test match to take part in the IPL, despite frequent clashes with the English summer schedule in the early years of the tournament.However, the ECB’s rest-and-rotation policy for the ongoing tours of Sri Lanka and India has been designed to factor in the prospect of IPL involvement for their key players, particularly with the T20 World Cup due to be staged in India at the end of the year.Stokes and Archer both missed England’s two Tests in Sri Lanka in January, while Bairstow, Curran and Wood have been on leave in the UK during the Chennai leg of the India tour.South African players’ availability unclearSome of South Africa’s IPL players could also be impacted by the white-ball series against Pakistan at home in April. With the series scheduled between April 2-16, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, Delhi Capitals’ prominent pace partnership, are among those who are set to miss the opening few weeks of the tournament, along with Quinton de Kock (Mumbai Indians) and Faf du Plessis (Chennai Super Kings).Cricket South Africa is yet to confirm the window that South African players will be available for in the IPL. But that would not have an impact on the likes of allrounder Chris Morris, who is likely to be one of the players to ignite a bidding war once again. Morris was one of the most expensive buys at the 2020 auction, after being bought by the Royal Challengers for INR 10 crore ($1.4 million USD approximately), but does not hold a central contract with the national team.Lesser availability could impact Shakib, MustafizurThere are no such issues concerning Australia and New Zealand players. Cricket Australia has confirmed that it will issue No-Objection Certificates to all its players from April 1 for the entire IPL, including for those that would otherwise be playing in the Sheffield Shield, while New Zealand Cricket has also made its players available for the entire tournament.Players from South Africa, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, however, will not be fully available. While Sri Lanka Cricket are yet to confirm dates, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has said that “any players selected will be unavailable from May 19 or will leave before if any other series is scheduled during IPL window.”That could impact the prospects of the Bangladesh duo, Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman, who are understood to have attracted interest from a few franchises in the lead-up to the auction.

Zimbabwe also play Afghanistan in three T20Is in the UAE next month, with the tour starting on March 2

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Feb-2021Zimbabwe have named a 15-member squad for their two-Test series against Afghanistan starting on March 2 in Abu Dhabi. The squad, however, is missing the veteran pair of Brendan Taylor and Craig Ervine, who were absent from a Zimbabwe Cricket camp owing to illness, and were thus not considered for the tour. Meanwhile, Tarisai Musakanda – whose solitary Test so far came against Sri Lanka back in 2017 – has returned to the Test party.Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe

1st Test – March 2
2nd Test – March 10
1st T20I – March 17
2nd T20I – March 19
3rd T20I – March 20

Top-order batsman Musakanda recently slammed consecutive centuries for the Southerns in domestic cricket. He made 111 and 125 against the Northerns in a tournament the team management had seen as preparation for the Afghanistan Tests. Middle-order batsman Ryan Burl – who also bowls useful legspin – has made a comeback to the Test side, having himself played his only Test against South Africa in 2017.Apart from Taylor and Ervine, other notable absentees from the Test squad include Tendai Chatara, Chamu Chibhabha and Peter Moor, who are yet to recover from their right upper-arm, thigh muscle and hamstring injuries.Related

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But the Test side retains the experience of captain Sean Williams, wicketkeeper-batsman Regis Chakabva and allrounder Sikandar Raza, while also including the younger duo of pacer Blessing Muzarabani and allrounder Brandon Mavuta. Uncapped Wesley Madhevere, who had impressed with the bat on the limited-overs tour of Pakistan last November, has also earned a Test call.The trio of Milton Shumba, Faraz Akram and Tinashe Kamunhukamwe will be joining the squad later for the three-match T20I series, which is scheduled to begin after the Tests.The first Test starts on March 2, followed by the second from March 10. The series then moves on to the T20Is from March 17 onwards. All five matches will be held in Abu Dhabi.Zimbabwe Test Squad: Sean Williams (capt), Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva, Kevin Kasuza, Wessly Madhevere, Wellington Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Brandon Mavuta, Tarisai Musakanda, Richmond Mutumbami, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Donald Tiripano

MatériaMais Notícias

O Departamento Jurídico do Sport está seguro de que o clube não corre risco de perder pontos acerca do caso envolvendo o zagueiro Pedro Henrique e possíveis problemas em sua utilização.Quem afirmou de maneira categórica que “não existe qualquer irregularidade” na situação foi o Vice-Presidente Jurídico do clube, Rodrigo Guedes, em palavras que foram veiculadas pelo portal ‘JC’.

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>Querendo escapar do Z4: a tabela atualizada do Campeonato Brasileiro

Além de assegurar que não existiu qualquer problema envolvendo as quatro partidas em que o defensor atuou com a camisa do Leão da Ilha, Rodrigo explicou quais teriam de ser os procedimentos burocráticos para que existisse ao menos a possibilidade da perda de pontos:

– O Sport não foi denunciado. Para iniciar o processo no STJD, é preciso existir uma notícia de infração e pode partir de qualquer parte. Essa notícia de infração é emitida para a Procuradoria do STJD que avalia e encaminha para a CBF pedindo informações. A partir dessas informações, de acordo com o que a CBF afirmar, ou a Procuradoria arquiva a denúncia ou abre e, assim, remete ao clube denunciado. Até agora não existiu nada.

A principal figura jurídica do Sport ainda chegou a apontar que a possível mobilização de outras equipes para “pressionar” uma possível punição ao clube da Praça da Bandeira soa apenas como uma tentativa de ganharem vantagem na briga pela fuga do rebaixamento.

– O direito do Sport é muito bom. Não existe qualquer irregularidade. Como o Sport está crescendo na competição, o campeonato está muito parelho, ninguém quer cair, aí estão querendo arrumar mais um para o rebaixamento – concluiu Guedes.

Apesar de seguir dentro do Z4 com 23 pontos ganhos na 19ª colocação, a equipe vem de duas vitórias consecutivas (cortando para dois pontos a distância para o primeiro time fora da zona da degola, o Santos) e colocará sua boa fase a prova no próximo sábado (9). Na oportunidade, o Leão receberá o Corinthians, às 16h30 (de Brasília) na Arena Pernambuco.

Chelsea are readying a £43m bid to sign a new striker this summer, it has been claimed, as they look to hand Enzo Maresca a new option for his frontline ahead of the upcoming Premier League season.

Questions over Chelsea's frontline

Though there are several options already at Maresca's disposal, things are set to change at Stamford Bridge ahead of the transfer window slamming shut on August 30th. David Fofana is expected to leave the club on loan this summer, with Fabrizio Romano revealing that the striker's departure could include an obligation to buy the attacker.

Meanwhile, summer addition Marc Guiu may be another player set to leave on loan: “I still don’t know if I will go on loan… but I think I'm ready for the Premier League,” the Spanish striker revealed. “It was tough decision to leave Barça, for sure — but I always wanted to play in the Premier League”.

And striker Armando Broja is another expected to depart ahead of the end of the transfer window, with the Albanian likely to make a permanent departure if an offer comes in. He struggled on loan with Fulham in the second half of the 2023-24 campaign and there have been few suitors for his signature thus far, though Juventus are reportedly considering him.

That will leave only Romelu Lukaku, who is reportedly training alone as he looks to push through an exit amid interest from Napoli and a return to Serie A seemingly beckoning.

Should all that transpire, the Blues will have just Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson as options to lead the line. As a result, they are now in the market for another.

Chelsea preparing £43m bid for La Liga talent

Now, it is being reported that the Blues are once again chasing Atlético Madrid talent Samu Omorodion as they look to add more depth to their frontline, and are even readying a bid for his services.

Chelsea had already seen one bid turned down for the 20-year-old this summer, but have resumed negotiations and Sky journalist Gianluca di Marzio reports that the Blues are "pushing hard" for the Spaniard, who is currently at the Olympic Games with his nation.

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Now, he adds that talks are on to sign the 20-year-old in a deal worth 50m euros (£43m), with the two clubs also in talks over a deal for Conor Gallagher to join the Rojablanco in the coming days. Indeed, the two sides are in "continuous contacts" to complete both deals, which would see Chelsea finally land their no.1 summer target.

Yet to feature for the Atletico senior side, Omorodion spent last season on loan with Deportivo Alaves, where he scored eight times.

Omorodion's La Liga season 2023/24

Appearances

35

Starts

21

Goals

8

Assists

1

Shots on target per 90

1.13

As for style of play, he was dubbed "Haaland-esque" for one particular finish last season by Football analyst Ben Mattinson on X, who concluded that Atletico "have a star in their ranks". Now, it seems that Chelsea are set to add him to theirs instead.

There will be question marks from the get-go next season surrounding Steve Cooper being in the Leicester City hot-seat, considering the sour end he experienced with Nottingham Forest.

Only winning 11 of the 54 games he's overseen as manager in the Premier League also makes for some grim reading, but there is still positivity in the air at the King Power Stadium, owing to some developments in and out of the building.

Signings such as Caleb Okoli and Michael Golding joining the Foxes in recent days has raised spirits, alongside the fact it looks unlikely there will be another casualty in central midfield like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, as Wilfried Ndidi is now set to stay with the newly promoted side.

Leicester looking to sign Ndidi partner

With the Nigerian midfielder now performing a U-Turn to sign a new extended deal, according to football journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Leicester are on the hunt to sign the long-serving star a fresh partner in the middle of the park.

With both Golding and Harry Winks also offering depth in this area, Leicester will look to add Benfica gem Florentino Luis to their roster this off-season to really strengthen, ahead of their tricky voyage up to the Premier League.

According to Portuguese outlet Jornal De Noticias, the 24-year-old's future at his current employers hangs in the balance, with significant interest from the likes of Everton, Nottingham Forest and the Foxes emerging.

The Toffees have even previously fielded a bid in the region of £25m to try and tempt the in-demand Portuguese talent to Merseyside, with the same report also stating that Forest have had advances rejected in the past for Luis too, to move on to the City Ground.

Leicester might well have been eyeing up the 6 foot holding midfielder, fearful that Ndidi walking away would become a crushing reality, but they could now line up alongside each other next season in a swift change of events, if Luis chooses the King Power as his next onward destination.

What Luis can offer Leicester

Both Ndidi and Luis are comfortable playing in holding roles, but with Enzo Maresca operating with three central midfielders predominantly last campaign, the Leicester number 25 excelled in a more forward-focused role.

The long-standing Foxes servant would help himself to six goals and six assists in all competitions as his side stormed to the second-tier title, but Cooper will know that defensively sound performances will need to come next campaign as well, with Luis potentially adding more steel and grit to his new side centrally.

Comparing the two on Sofascore, Luis – who has been described by former Benfica coach Joao Tralhao as being a player "every coach would like" – would be able to shore up the Foxes ahead of their mission to comfortably survive in the top flight.

The Portuguese target doubled Ndidi's interceptions won total last season, on top of bettering him in other defensive aspects of their respective games.

Luis would also benefit from the group that he will have around him at Leicester, having never played one minute of Premier League action across his career to date, whilst Winks and Ndidi are seasoned heads at the level.

Combined, both Winks and Ndidi have made an astounding 320 appearances in the top flight, with that total growing even larger soon.

Cooper could have his work cut out for him if the Foxes do experience a slow start to the season, but he will be confident that his new group can thrive back in the elite league, especially if signings such as Luis enter the building.

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Kelan Sarson

Jul 10, 2024