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Annerie Dercksen’s maiden ODI century – which came off the back of two successive 50-plus scores and is also the fastest by a South African in the format – headlined South Africa’s consolation win at the women’s tri-series in Colombo.With South Africa out of contention for Sunday’s final, they put together their most complete performance of the competition and posted their fifth highest score in all ODIs thanks to contributions from the lower order, which ultimately won them the game.Dercksen arrived at the crease with South Africa on 85 for 5 as offspinner Dewmi Vihanga ripped through their top and middle-order. She consolidated with Nondumiso Shangase before sharing a 112-run seventh-wicket stand off 88 balls with Chloe Tryon, a seventh-wicket record for South Africa, to put them in sight of a big score. Tryon smashed 74 off 51 balls and was part of a 66-run stand off 30 balls with Nadine de Klerk which pushed South Africa over 300 and asked Sri Lanka to complete their highest successful chase.Related

• Nilakshika Silva, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Sugandika Kumari give Sri Lanka rare win over India

• Centurion Rodrigues, all-round Deepti take India into tri-series final

Sri Lanka have already done that once before against South Africa – when they also chased down a 300-plus total – and were in a good position on 160 for 3 in the 30th over. But Ayabonga Khaka’s double-strike, which included the dismissal of Chamari Athapaththu for 52, and a career-best 5 for 34 for Tryon, including a hat-trick, ended their chances of another historic win.Instead, the records were all Dercksen’s after she became only the second batter to score a hundred at No.7 or lower in women’s ODIs and capped off a breakthrough series as a batter.Dercksen scored her first half-century just two matches ago, at this tournament, and finished as the leading run-scorer from the league stage. Her maturity and aggression rescued South Africa after a start which turned in the wrong direction and should see her bat higher up the order in future.Dewmi Vihanga picked up a five-for•SLC

Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits put on 68 for the first-wicket and were both batting well when Vihanga first struck. She drew Brits forward and took the edge and Hasini Perera took a good, low catch at slip to give Sri Lanka their first. In her next over, Vihanga beat Wolvaardt’s inside-edge and bowled her and in the over after that, had Miane Smit caught slog-sweeping at midwicket.Just when Vihanga may have thought things couldn’t go better, she plucked two more in her next over: Lara Goodall caught at slip and Sinalo Jafta, bowled while giving the charge. Vihanga, at 19 years old and playing in her third ODI, had her first five-for and is the second-highest wicket-taker of the series behind Sneh Rana.Sri Lanka had the opportunity to run through South Africa from there but Dercksen stood in their way. She hit the third ball she faced over Vihanga’s head for four and there was no looking back. Dercksen favoured the area down the ground, where three of her five sixes were scored, including the one that took her to the century.Dercksen’s innings was laced with cuts and pulls off the back foot and, unusually for her, a selection of sweeps including a reverse off Athapaththu. She dominated the partnership with Tryon, and scored 77 of the 112 runs they put on and it was only when she was dismissed, in the 44th over, that Tryon took over.She charged Sugandika Kumari and hit her for six, moved across the crease to send Manudia Nanayakkara over midwicket and then took three sixes off Athapaththu before missing one and being stumped. De Klerk finished unbeaten on 32 off 19 balls and South Africa would have been comfortable with the target they set Sri Lanka, who began well in pursuit.Chloe Tryon scored a half-century and took a five-for, which included a hat-trick•SLC

The opening pair of Hasini Perera and Vishmi Gunaratne put on 52 and it was Tryon’s introduction that separated them. Her second delivery was tossed up, Perera tried to drive and spooned a catch to Dercksen at cover. Four overs later. Tryon switched to around the wicket and had Gunaratne caught at backward point.Athapaththu was in at No. 4 and gave Tryon a taste of her own medicine when she took 10 runs off her fourth over, including her first six.Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarickrama’s third-wicket partnership grew to 52 and and they took Sri Lanka to the halfway stage on 124 for 2 but debutant legspinner Seshnie Naidu ended their stand. Samarawickrama tried to hit the first ball of Naidu’s fourth over out of the ground but was caught at mid-off.Athapaththu brought up a 17th career half-century and kept Sri Lanka in the hunt but Khaka was brought back at a crucial time. In the 30th over, with Sri Lanka needing 156 runs to win, Khaka returned and Athapaththu sliced her to cover to all but end Sri Lanka’s hopes. In her next over, Khaka bowled Nilakshika Silva with the slower ball.Sri Lanka continued to bat proactively even as the asking rate climbed and then they were snubbed out in the 42nd over, when Tryon took three in three.She had de Klerk to thank for the first after she ran in from deep backward square and took a diving catch to remove Vihanga. Off the next ball, Sugandika Kumari was caught at backward point and then Malki Madara got a faint edge to Jafta to complete Tryon’s hat-trick.Sri Lanka were bowled out for 239 in the 43rd over and lost by 76 runs.

The Champions League has only just undergone a major shakeup with the introduction of the 'league phase' in 2024, but UEFA wants to keep evolving the competition and the next set of format changes coming into force the season after next are expected to make even more of the action accessible to fans. A big part of that is copying a season-opening tradition used in American sports.

• New commercial strategy identifies need to evolve

  UC3, the joint venture between UEFA and European Football Clubs (EFC, formerly European Club Association), announced a new commercial strategy that will run for six years from the start of the 2027-28 season, through to the 2032-33 campaign.

  UC3 has been created as the exclusive rights management company for the Champions League and all of UEFA’s other club competitions, trusted as the "commercial steward of the world's premium international football club competitions".

  The plan is for UC3 to "imminently go to market with an innovative media, sponsorship and licensing rights strategy for the UEFA Men's Club Competitions cycle post 2027". In the changing media and entertainment landscape, a new strategy will seek to maximise opportunities and grow visibility.

  UC3 said: "At the heart of the strategy is the recognition that media markets are changing fast, with new global, digital-first entrants offering differentiated fan propositions, whilst established broadcast partners remain eager to ensure optimal visibility for the competitions across Europe and the world."

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Change to the Champions League format

  Barring occasional scheduling conflicts, men's Champions League football – up to the final – has long been a permanent fixture of Tuesday and Wednesday nights. But with UC3 trying to find ways to increase the visibility for all clubs when the competition gets going, Thursday is being introduced as an extra matchday to spread the opening games across more days.

  Part of that will see the first Tuesday become the exclusive domain of the holders, who will begin the entire league phase with at home with no other competing fixtures. All eyes will be on them – it means that, had it already been in place, the first game of this season's Champions League would have been Paris Saint-Germain welcoming an opponent to Parc des Princes. It is similar to how seasons begin in U.S. sports, for example in the NFL where the previous season's Super Bowl champion is always first up on a Thursday night, before the rest of the teams begin on the Sunday.

• New approaches to sponsorship and licensing

  Through UC3, UEFA and ECF want build up sponsorship and licensing that will again "expand the reach" of their competitions, primarily the Champions League.

  UC3 explained: "The approved commercial strategy also introduces new approaches to sponsorship and licensing packages that create stronger alignment between brands and media partners, opening up opportunities for new partnerships that will expand the reach of the competitions in key regions while preserving their premium nature. Details will be announced at a later date. UC3 and Relevent Football Partners will look to enhance and build on the already long-standing portfolio of partners for the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, UEFA Super Cup, UEFA Youth League and the UEFA Futsal Champions League."

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• AFP
  

  Champions League on Netflix?

  Champions League football is already no longer exclusively held by traditional broadcast media. That began to change when Amazon Prime Video secured the rights to show a Tuesday night game from each matchweek in the UK. Disney+ has also entered the space this season, taking over broadcast rights for the Women's Champions League across Europe.

  UEFA want to appeal to the streaming platforms as they look to drive up revenue from selling the rights, which could fetch $5.9 billion or more when the next cycle begins in 2027. It was reported last week that Netflix, which has been progressively expanding its own sporting portfolio, has been specifically sounded out to gauge interest in bidding for a Champions League rights package.

  Broadcast contracts have historically been three years at a time, but CBS managed to secure a six-year deal for the rights to broadcast the Champions League to an American audience and such longer deals could become more of the norm if it brings in the bigger bucks.

West Ham United manager Graham Potter has now approved the sale of three first-team players after the very disappointing opening day defeat against Sunderland, according to a report.

Potter left frustrated by opening day defeat at Sunderland

West Ham suffered a 3-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light in their opening Premier League game of the season, and Potter subsequently admitted his side’s performance wasn’t up to par.

The Hammers boss said: “The second half was not good from us in terms of the basics. First half was quite good, we controlled the crowd and were unfortunate not to score. The first goal was always going to be important. Basics of football we have to really improve.

“It is the first day, we know these things can happen as much as we don’t like it to happen. We have a big game on Friday, we have to react and do a lot better.”

Even though we are only one game into the new campaign, pressure is arguably already mounting on Potter, given that the 50-year-old was unable to oversee a major improvement last season either, having averaged just 1.0 points per match during his time at the London Stadium.

As such, the Englishman is now looking to reshuffle his squad before the transfer deadline, and there may be some drastic action, with the West Ham manager now willing to sanction the departure of three first-team players.

That is according to a report from the Sunday Mirror (via West Ham Zone), which states Potter has approved the sales of Edson Alvarez, Guido Rodriguez and Andy Irving, who will all now be allowed to leave for the right fee.

The midfield trio, who rake in a combined £180k-a-week, clearly haven’t done enough to impress the Solihull-born manager, and a number of new central midfielders have been identified as potential replacements.

Target	Current club	League G/A in 24/25
Aleix Garcia	Bayer Leverkusen	7
Eljif Elmas	RB Leipzig	4
Andrey Santos	Chelsea	14
Mateus Fernandes	Southampton	6

Potter needs to make major changes before transfer deadline

It is a good sign that Potter is willing to take radical action to improve his squad, given that there have been very few promising signs ever since the former Chelsea manager’s arrival at the London Stadium, amassing just 43 points last season.

Rodriguez failed to have any impact on the match against Sunderland, with the defensive midfielder not making a single defensive action, while he was also dribbled past on one occasion.

West Ham lodge major enquiry for "magic" £21m maestro who's keen on PL move

The Hammers have made an approach to sign a versatile midfielder.

By
Dominic Lund

Aug 18, 2025

Irving, on the other hand, came on as a late substitute, having failed to establish himself as a regular starter ever since his arrival, while Alvarez didn’t even make it off the bench, amid well-documented interest from Ajax and Monaco.

As such, West Ham fans are unlikely to be too disappointed to see any of the trio leave the club this summer, and some exciting potential replacements have been identified, with Chelsea’s Santos scoring ten league goals on loan at Strasbourg last term.

Lloyd Pope missed out on a hat-trick but played a crucial role as South Australia continued their quest for a drought-breaking Sheffield Shield title with an 87-run win over Tasmania.Set 381 runs for victory, Tasmania moved past 200 for the loss of three wickets as they sought to pull off an improbable run chase on Friday’s final day of play at Adelaide Oval.Related

• Doggett sparks South Australia fight back as 20 wickets tumble

• Morris turns up to the heat as WA thrash Queensland

• Bird joins 400 club to put NSW in mix for Shield final

• Rogers questions if attacking Konstas is the real Sam

But legspinner Pope claimed three of the last seven wickets to steer table-topping SA to their fifth win of the season from eight matches. SA now have one foot in the door of the final as they chase their first Shield title since 1996.Fighting half-centuries from Nivethan Radhakrishnan, Jake Doran and Test allrounder Beau Webster weren’t enough for Tasmania, who were bowled out for 293 before tea.Webster belted five fours and a six in his 59-ball innings but was the last man out when he skied a catch to Jake Lehman off Nathan McAndrew.Lehman had dropped a couple of catches earlier in the match and almost spilled the last chance, before grabbing it at the second attempt.It brought down the curtain on a remarkable match, after 20 wickets fell on day one. It was the first time SA have won a Shield match after batting first and posting fewer than 100 runs in the first innings.They were skittled for 93 but responded by knocking over Tasmania for 101 on Tuesday, thanks largely to 6 for 40 from player of the match Brendan Doggett.Ben Manenti made the crucial breakthrough on the final day when he removed Radhakrishnan, and was busy in the field with four catches.Radhakrishnan, an Indian-born 22-year-old who can bowl spinners with right and left arms, put on 79 runs for the fourth wicket with Doran as Tasmania briefly eyed victory.Pope was on a hat-trick when he removed tailenders Kieran Elliott and Gabe Bell – both out for ducks and caught by Manenti.

Mumbai captain Rahane said the return of Rohit and Jaiswal would add a lot of value in the dressing room too

PTI and ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jan-2025

Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane will reunite in the Mumbai dressing room•BCCI

Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane has backed his team-mate Rohit Sharma to “get a big one” as the India Test captain returns to the Ranji Trophy after low returns in his last eight Tests this season. In the three Tests in Australia and five at home before that, Rohit managed only 164 runs from 15 innings to average a dismal 10.93.Rohit now returns to the domestic cricket – although likely for one round before the ODIs against England – along with many other India Test players such as Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal and possibly Virat Kohli.”What is important is he is hungry, he is determined to do well,” Rahane said of Rohit on the eve of Mumbai’s next fixture starting on Thursday. “I am sure once he gets in, he will get a big one.Related

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“He batted really well yesterday [in] a couple of [net] sessions, so it’s part and parcel of a player’s career. I am really confident about Rohit.”Rohit has always been relaxed. Even playing at the international level, his character is similar. His attitude is pretty much relaxed. He knows his game really well so, no one has to tell him what he needs to do.”Once he gets in, I’m sure he will do well. He has never changed, which is a very good thing.”After the coming round in which Mumbai host Jammu & Kashmir at home, Rohit will captain India against England in a three-match ODI series starting on February 6 followed by the Champions Trophy.”I think he’s only playing this game; not sure about the next game,” Rahane said of Rohit’s availability. “His inputs in the next four days will be really important.”Mumbai also have Jaiswal for the upcoming round, although he was among India’s better batters on the tour of Australia, with a knock of 161 in Perth at the start of the series and twin half-centuries in Melbourne. Rahane said the return of Rohit and Jaiswal would add a lot of value in the dressing room too.”As a team, [and] individually, players are going up to them [and] asking questions, learning from them,” Rahane said. “Once they are on the field, I am sure the players will watch them and they’ll learn a lot of things from them.”Rohit and Jaiswal are expected to open together for a star-studded Mumbai line-up that will also see Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube and Shardul Thakur along with other domestic stars such as Shams Mulani, Siddhesh Lad and Tanush Kotian.

“I’m sure we’ll come up with a plan and find a way to take 20 wickets and hopefully score a few runs as well”

Deivarayan Muthu22-Oct-20242:11

Mitchell backs NZ to adapt on the fly

Pune is preparing to roll out a bald, low-bounce black-soil pitch to negate New Zealand’s seamers, who had set up their first Test win in India in 36 years in Bengaluru, but the visitors aren’t too fussed about it, according to Daryl Mitchell. After New Zealand finished their first practice session by noon on Tuesday, the groundstaff cut some amount of grass off the pitch and it might be shaved bare on the eve of the second Test.”One thing we can’t do is we can’t change the surface,” Mitchell said two days out of the Pune Test. “So for us, it’s reacting to what’s coming at us and adapting on the fly. We as Kiwis, that’s what we pride ourselves on, we get stuck into the moment, we stay where our feet are and we be as present as possible. We can’t change the wicket. What will be, will be. But I’m sure we’ll come up with a plan and find a way to take 20 wickets and hopefully score a few runs as well.”While Mitchell is often proactive against spin – he is adept at stepping out and also sweeping and reverse-sweeping – he has been searching for some form. Since scoring a century against Sri Lanka at his home ground in Christchurch in March last year, Mitchell has managed only 406 runs in 16 innings at an average of 27.06, which is almost 20 points below his overall average of 46.08 in Test cricket. Mitchell, however, isn’t reading too much into it.Related

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“Look, that’s the nature of the game that we play, especially Test cricket,” he said. “You know, you have little patches where you score a lot of runs and you have patches where I guess you get starts and you want to keep trying to convert. So, look, for me, I just love playing for New Zealand. It means a hell of a lot to pull on that baggy and play Test cricket. And I know that if I keep doing my job for the team, then personal milestones and things like that will take care of themselves.”With Kane Williamson unavailable for the second Test too, as he continues to recover from a groin strain, Will Young is set to keep his place at No.3. He forged an unbroken 75-run partnership with Rachin Ravindra in the fourth innings to settle New Zealand’s small chase of 107 after Jasprit Bumrah had taken out both Tom Latham and Devon Conway in another sensational burst. Mitchell’s Canterbury team-mate Will O’Rourke, who was playing his first Test in India, also made a serious impression by coming away with a match haul of seven wickets, including the first-innings scalp of Virat Kohli. Mitchell hailed their smooth transition from domestic to international cricket.Daryl Mitchell has managed only 406 runs in his last nine Tests•AFP/Getty Images

“Youngie and Rachin have been around our group for a long time even though they haven’t played a lot of cricket,” Mitchell said. “They’ve been able to see how the culture works and how we want to go about playing as Black Caps. And they’ve fitted seamlessly into their roles.”Will O’Rourke, he’s a young talent. He’s from my domestic team back home, so I’ve had to face him plenty of times in the nets and it’s not much fun. So look, he’s a great talent and I’m sure he’ll continue to do amazing thing for New Zealand in the future.”While O’Rourke’s 6’4″ frame – and high release point – has provided New Zealand’s attack a new cutting edge, he is also capable of locating a fuller length and moving the ball both ways at speeds north of 140kph. Mitchell, who has followed O’Rourke’s progress from close quarters, gave his take on why O’Rourke is an awkward bowler to face.”He’s a big unit first of all,” Mitchell said. “He’s tall, he bowls from a height but he also can get the balls to go both ways which is always a challenge especially in Christchurch at Hagley [Oval]. There’s a bit of bounce in those wickets, so as you can imagine it can be quite tough at times. “But yeah look, he’s first of all a great man as well. He doesn’t say a lot but when he does it’s pretty funny and yeah, he’s good to have around.”

Arsenal are now in club-to-club talks with a Premier League side over another transfer, as Mikel Arteta receives new sporting director Andrea Berta’s full support in his attempts to end the Gunners’ long wait for title glory.

Berta holds Wednesday talks to sign £100k-a-week star who wants Arsenal move

The Italian is working behind-closed-doors.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jul 9, 2025

Having already sealed confirmed deals for Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, with the latter set to be announced shortly after completing a medical (David Ornstein), Arteta’s side certainly aren’t slowing down.

Arsenal appear determined to bridge the gap between themselves and English champions Liverpool, who won the league by a seismic 10 points last season, and Berta will be mindful of the excellent business their rivals have already conducted themselves this summer.

Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)	Money on new signings
19/20 – winter	£0
20/21 – summer	£81.5m
20/21 – winter	£900k
21/22 – summer	£156.8m
21/22 – winter	£1.8m
22/23 – summer	£121.5m
22/23 – winter	£59m
23/24 – summer	£208m
23/24 – winter	£0
24/25 – summer	£101.5m
24/25 – winter	£0
25/26 – summer	£65m

With Man City and Chelsea also making splashes in the market, competition at the top of the table will be rife, and Arsenal are attempting not to be left behind.

Reports suggest that Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, and the Sweden international could well join them in time for their pre-season tour of Asia later this month.

Alongside the prolific 27-year-old, who netted an outstanding 54 goals in all competitions last season, Arsenal have held positive negotiations for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, who would join in a deal independent of the club’s chase for a new left-winger.

While Real Madrid’s Rodrygo has been mooted as Arsenal’s “dream” target in that area, Berta appears to be moving for Chelsea forward Noni Madueke as an alternative.

The England international has already agreed personal terms to join Arsenal, as widely reported, but there’s been a slight wait for them to make formal contact with Chelsea.

However, it now appears that the wait is now over.

Arsenal open talks with Chelsea over "surprise" Noni Madueke deal

As per talkSPORT and other reliable media sources, Arsenal have opened club-to-club talks with Chelsea over signing Madueke, with the broadcast giant saying he’s “emerged as a surprise candidate” to become their fourth signing of the window.

It is believed that Chelsea value their man at north of £50 million, with reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano also sharing a key piece of information from his own sources, via X.

An initial bid has apparently gone in for Madueke, which is worth £50m including add-ons, but as things stand, that still won’t be enough.

Chelsea want more than £50m as a fixed fee, not including add-ons, with the west Londoners referencing Anthony Elanga’s £55 million move to Newcastle, among other similar deals, as a yardstick for Madueke’s valuation.

Talks remain ongoing, and it appears there is still some ground to cover in negotiations before we can call this one a ‘done deal’.

In terms of the 23-year-old’s quality, he would be an excellent option, with Enzo Maresca even calling Madueke one of his “best players” from last season. It does plunge the futures of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard into serious doubt, though, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see at least one of the duo depart before deadline day if Madueke is signed.

Tottenham Hotspur appear to have lost out in the race for a highly-rated forward, as La Liga champions Barcelona agree terms to seal his signature before Thomas Frank’s side had the chance.

Tottenham preparing bid for £30m colossus wanted by Napoli, Milan and Inter

Spurs could scupper Antonio Conte in the race for his signature.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 21, 2025

Spurs are expected to back their new manager to the hilt this summer, especially after they qualified for the Champions League with their historic Europa League final win in Bilbao.

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

The Lilywhites are set for a significant financial windfall, which Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge described as “huge” in terms of their recruitment drive. Chairman Daniel Levy and technical director Johan Lange no longer have to operate under a sell-to-buy policy, with Spurs already agreeing a permanent deal for Mathys Tel as they continue to scour the market for new wingers.

With Son Heung-min’s future uncertain, amid links to Saudi Arabia, the likes of West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus, Man City outcast Jack Grealish, Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, Southampton sensation Tyler Dibling and Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo have all been linked within the past fortnight.

Tottenham face competition from Man United for Mbeumo, who’ve now submitted a fresh £60 million bid for the Cameroonian, while Bournemouth are expected to demand around £70 million for Semenyo (The Athletic).

Levy and Lange will need to either dig deep into the Tottenham coffers or get very creative in their pursuit of a high-profile winger, as all of their reported targets are likely to cost a premium.

The north Londoners did have their eyes on a bargain option, though, in the form of FC Copenhagen starlet Roony Bardghji.

Bardghji, dubbed the ‘Swedish Messi’ by some, burst on to the scene with a heroic performance against Man United in the Champions League nearly two years ago.

He bagged a stunning late winner against them at the end of an unlikely 4-3 group stage victory over the Red Devils in November 2023, with Bardghji set to leave Copenhagen on the cheap this summer as his contract expires in late December.

The 19-year-old, after coming back from a serious injury, is now on the verge of joining Barcelona – but Spurs did try their hand.

Barcelona hijack Tottenham talks for Roony Bardghji

Tottenham held talks with Bardghji and his representatives in a bid to tempt the winger to London, according to journalist Graeme Bailey and TBR Football, but Barça are now seemingly set to “win the race” for his signature.

That is according to TBR again in another update this week, with Bailey reporting that while Tottenham hoped to inspire a ‘Lucas Bergvall-type’ transfer by opening talks with Bardghji, Hansi Flick’s side have hijacked their move by closing in on a deal for the top talent.

This is echoed by reliable media sources like Fabrizio Romano, who believe that Bardghji’s move to the Camp Nou is merely a matter of time with terms agreed.

Levy has now missed out on a potential bargain forward who could’ve joined for the meagre price of just £1.7 million, not to mention a player who’s been likened to Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah.

“He has very similar characteristics to Mohamed Salah,” said Scandinavian journalist Nicklas Degn.

“When Copenhagen have to come up with something brilliant or unlock a team, it is Roony they look to. He has this unique talent.”

Five-wicket haul secures first-innings lead before home batters cement advantage

ECB Reporters Network25-Jun-2024Middlesex 433 and 302 (Robson 67, Higgins 67, du Plooy 59, Thomson 4-115) lead Derbyshire 339 (Reece 125, Donald 54, Roland-Jones 5-81) by 396 runsMiddlesex captain Toby Roland-Jones tore through Derbyshire’s tail with a five-wicket haul to put his side in control going into the final day of their Vitality County Championship clash with Derbyshire.Seamer Roland-Jones finished with 5 for 81 – including four wickets in 19 deliveries – as the visitors, who began day three on 308 for 4, were hustled out inside the opening hour at Lord’s for 339.Having top-scored with 163 in Middlesex’s first innings, Ryan Higgins played a supporting role with the ball, taking 3 for 60 before helping his side stretch their overall lead to 396 with a total of 302 second time around.Higgins and Sam Robson both scored 67, with former Derbyshire skipper Leus du Plooy contributing 59 – his second half-century of the match – ensuring the visitors will need to break their record fourth-innings total to secure victory.Trailing by just 125 with six wickets intact at the start of play, Derbyshire’s prospects of a first-innings lead looked fair – but those swiftly evaporated as their batting was blown away by Roland-Jones and Higgins.Luis Reece was first to depart for a season’s best 125, caught behind prodding outside off stump at Higgins and, once the new ball had been taken soon afterwards, wickets began to tumble.Aneurin Donald completed his second successive Championship half-century, advancing to 54 before Roland-Jones had him caught at short cover and the dismissal of Anuj Dal in the next over opened up the visitors’ tail. Roland-Jones made short work of Derbyshire’s last three, with Zak Chappell leg-before not playing a shot and Alex Thomson and Daryn Dupavillon both out to slip catches as the home side secured an advantage of 94.Chappell immediately responded with the ball, slanting his opening delivery across Mark Stoneman to have the left-hander caught in the slips, but Robson put his first-innings duck firmly behind him with a series of confident strokes on both sides of the wicket.The opener raced to his half-century before lunch, dominating a partnership of 85 with Max Holden, who was dropped on nought at second slip and took 25 minutes to get off the mark, but settled down to play a gritty knock.However, Chappell struck again when Robson clipped him into the hands of midwicket and that, along with Thomson’s consistent and prolonged spell of offspin from the Nursery End, helped Derbyshire to apply the brakes.With Middlesex restricted to less than two-and-a-half an over during a lacklustre afternoon session, Reece’s medium pace finally prised out Holden, who prodded to a close fielder five shy of his half-century. Reece also removed Nathan Fernandes, bowled having a swing soon after the tea interval and the home side seemed reluctant to commit to a change of gears as they trudged past 200.Du Plooy’s innings, which ended when he skied Thomson to deep midwicket, was watchful more than exuberant and, despite taking successive boundaries off the spinner, Higgins also looked unusually subdued.Despite that, the allrounder brought up his half-century by hammering Thomson over mid-on for six, just after Dal’s flying catch in the deep to remove Luke Hollman had provided him with a well-deserved second wicket. Thomson gained his third by having Roland-Jones caught at long-off, finishing the day with figures of 4 for 115 when Henry Brookes holed out in the final over.

Despite winning the Premier League in the 2024/25 campaign, Liverpool are incredibly active in the summer transfer window in an attempt to bolster their squad.

The window officially opened for business on Sunday and the club have already confirmed Netherlands international Jeremie Frimpong as their first signing of the year.

He has come through the door as the direct replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has completed a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid ahead of the Club World Cup.

Liverpool are also reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, as David Ornstein has claimed that the Germany international is keen to make the move to Anfield.

The 22-year-old star delivered 16 goals and 14 assists in all competitions for Leverkusen during the 2024/25 campaign, which suggests that the Reds could be bringing in an influential figure at the top end of the pitch.

These new signings coming in could provide added competition for the existing stars at Anfield, and one player who may need to be on his toes is Ibrahima Konate.

Why Ibrahima Konate could be concerned this summer

The France international started 30 of his 31 appearances in the Premier League during the 2024/25 season, as the main partner for Virgil van Dijk at the back.

However, it did not always look like that was going to be the case for the former RB Leipzig star. Last summer, Football Insider reported that Arne Slot was not convinced by the centre-back, due to his performances on the pitch and in training, as well as his injury record.

That was seemingly backed up by the Dutch head coach’s decision to go with Jarrel Quansah next to van Dijk ahead of Konate on the opening day against Ipswich Town. However, the English youngster endured a difficult half against Liam Delap and was replaced by the French titan at half-time.

Konate then went on to be a regular starter in the Premier League, despite those early concerns about his place in the side, but there were still moments that could throw his long-term future into doubt.

Appearances

31

Starts

30

Ground duel success rate

61%

Aerial duel success rate

71%

Error led to shot

2

Error led to goal

1

As you can see in the table above, the French colossus was largely dominant in duels on the deck and in the air, but was also no stranger to making a mistake at the back.

Errors crept into his performances, with three errors leading to shots or goals for the opposition, in the Premier League, and that is why the club’s reported interest in a new central defender could leave him concerned this summer.

Liverpool eyeing deal for new centre-back

According to Football Insider, the path has been cleared for Liverpool to pursue a deal to sign RB Leipzig central defender Castello Lukeba in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the German side’s seventh-placed finish in the Bundesliga, which means that they will not be playing European football next season, has cleared the path for the Reds to swoop in for the centre-back, making them one of the favourites to secure his signature.

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It states that the French star has a release clause of £74m in his contract with Leipzig, and that Liverpool are on high alert after his team failed to qualify for Europe.

The report adds, however, that the Premier League giants will attempt to use the situation to negotiate a lower fee for the 22-year-old titan, which means that they could sign him for less than the £74m release clause.

Konate could, now, be concerned by this news because another centre-back arriving at Anfield this summer could create competition for his place that could see him drop out of the starting XI on a regular basis.

If Liverpool can get a deal over the line for Lukeba in the coming weeks or months, Slot could have a centre-back on his hands who has the potential to be an upgrade on his current partner for van Dijk.

Why Castello Lukeba could replace Ibrahima Konate

Analyst Ben Mattinson described him as the “perfect” left centre-back slash left-back hybrid, which could mean that he could move over to the left side of the pairing with the captain on the right in order to replace Konate.

The Leipzig star’s reliability, first and foremost, is what may attract Slot to him. In 103 appearances in Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga for Lyon and Leipzig combined, the 22-year-old star has not made a single error that has directly led to a goal for the opposition.

On that evidence, it’s hardly a surprise that Mattinson has also referred to him as “one of the best defensive prospects in world football” and one of “the best U21 centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues.”

In comparison, Konate has made five errors leading to goals in just 82 appearances in the Premier League, which suggests that he is nowhere near as reliable as Lukeba in that sense.

This means that Slot could rely on the £74m-rated star more to deliver consistent performances without making critical mistakes that create chances for the opposition.

Appearances

31

23

Tackles + interceptions per game

1.8

2.0

Dribbled past per game

0.3x

0.3x

Ground duel success rate

61%

65%

Aerial duel success rate

71%

65%

Error led to shot

2

0

Error led to goal

1

0

As you can see in the table above, Lukeba also made slightly more tackles and interceptions per game on average at league level this season, whilst also winning a higher percentage of his ground duels.

Konate appears to have the edge over him when it comes to winning aerial duels, although the Leipzig star is not weak in that respect, but overall, the Liverpool defender comes out second-best.

These statistics indicate that the Reds number five should be concerned about his place in the starting XI if Lukeba walks through the door, because the young titan has the qualities to displace him next season.

Slot could improve his team by signing the French star to provide a more reliable presence at the heart of the defence in comparison to Konate, due to his lack of errors in the Bundesliga and Ligue 1, which is why this could be an excellent addition for the club.

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