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Hosts sitting on 1-0 lead with another poor forecast for pink ODI in Johannesburg

The Preview by Alan Gardner08-Feb-2020

Quinton de Kock is bowled by Joe Root•Getty Images

Big pictureAfter the dampest of squibs in Durban, the three-match series concludes at the Wanderers, a ground known for its fireworks. But with another poor forecast for Sunday’s pink ODI – normally a vibrant affair in support of breast cancer awareness – there is unfortunately every chance of this contest fizzling out to an unsatisfactory end.The Kingsmead washout left South Africa sitting on the 1-0 lead they carved out in Cape Town, and means that Quinton de Kock will start his tenure as ODI captain with either a win or a draw against Eoin Morgan’s world champions. England haven’t been beaten in a multi-match bilateral series since the India tour of 2016-17, so the tourists will be hopeful of getting a game in between the thunder-showers up on the Highveld.That said, Morgan stressed after the abandonment on Friday that this series is “not about immediate results” for England, with priority given to handing experience to the young players in their party. Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid have sat on the sidelines so far, with Matt Parkinson entrusted as the frontline spinner, while up-and-comers such as Tom Banton, Sam Curran and, ahem, Joe Denly push their cases for middle-order/allrounder spots.The T20 World Cup in Australia later this year looms as the white-ball focal point for 2020, and that places greater emphasis on the three T20Is to come next week. For that reason alone, Morgan said, Moeen and Rashid could come into the XI in order to give them game time (both last played competitively at the Abu Dhabi T10 in November).After defeat in the Test, not to mention the disappointment of last year’s World Cup, holding off England in the ODIs would provide a timely lift for South Africa. They have Dale Steyn back for the T20Is, when de Kock will continue as Faf du Plessis’ stand-in as captain, and will hope for more encouraging signs from the likes of Temba Bavuma, Jon-Jon Smuts and Tabraiz Shamsi in Johannesburg. So long as the weather plays ball.Form guide(last five completed matches, most recent first)South Africa WWWLL
England LT*WWWIn the spotlightHe looked good in between the showers in the second ODI, and Reeza Hendricks would doubtless love another chance to impress his credentials as the heir apparent to Hashim Amla at the top of the order. A century on ODI debut against Sri Lanka in 2018 was followed by a stop-start run of form and omission from the World Cup squad. With Bavuma and the uncapped Janneman Malan also options at opener, and the potential for du Plessis to return at some point, Hendricks will be hoping to nail down his spot alongside de Kock.With England having moved on from Liam Plunkett after the World Cup, they are in need of a middle-overs partnership-breaker. Could Tom Curran be that man? He has most often been used at first or second change during his 19-ODI career, but the majority of his wickets have come during the death overs, when his variations (and chutzpah) come to the fore. A canny competitor, in good form after his time with Sydney Sixers at the Big Bash, he is a good bet to make his mark at some stage in South Africa.Team newsLungi Ngidi sat out the Durban “game” as he continued a staged comeback from recent injury – although his replacement, Bjorn Fortuin, didn’t see much more action himself on debut. Ngidi reclaiming his place at the Wanderers is perhaps the only likely change.South Africa (possible): 1 Quinton de Kock (capt, wk), 2 Reeza Hendricks, 3 Temba Bavuma, 4 Rassie van der Dussen, 5 Jon-Jon Smuts, 6 David Miller, 7 Andile Phehlukwayo, 8 Beuran Hendricks, 9 Lutho Sipamla, 10 Tabraiz Shamsi, 11 Lungi NgidiGiven the stated aims for this series, England must weigh up the benefits of bringing back a couple of senior players ahead of the T20Is. Tom Banton has only had one opportunity with the bat so far, and isn’t part of the T20I squad, so seems likely to keep his place, while in the spirit of fact-finding there could be a debut for Saqib Mahmood. Moeen, Rashid and Dawid Malan all wait in the wings.England (possible): 1 Jason Roy, 2 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 3 Joe Root, 4 Eoin Morgan, 5 Joe Denly/Moeen Ali, 6 Tom Banton, 7 Sam Curran, 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Tom Curran, 10 Saqib Mahmood, 11 Matt Parkinson/Adil Rashid.Pitch and conditionsThe ball flies at the Bullring, venue for the highest-scoring ODI in history, and this game has been sold out since the Test there a couple of weeks ago. However, the weather looks pretty ordinary, with a high chance of rain throughout the day, as well as the usual Highveld thunderstorms. Expect Duckworth-Lewis-Stern charts to be at the ready.Stats and trivia Five of the last six ODIs at the Wanderers have been won by the chasing team, including South Africa’s one-wicket win over England in 2015-16. No South African has scored more than de Kock’s three ODI hundreds against England. If Rashid is included, he will win his 100th ODI cap. England, who share a kit manufacturer with South Africa, will also sport pink in Johannesburg, with their World Cup jerseys given a fuchsia refit.Quotes”It’s a big day for the team. It’s one of the days we look forward to at this time of the year. Obviously, we are representing quite a big thing and we’re excited to get out there and do our bit. Everybody is going to dress up in pink, guys bat stickers are going to be pink and it’s going to be an awesome day.”
“Yes, we want to win, but we also want to know a lot more about other guys come the end of the tour, with a longer-term plan in place.”

Since their takeover in 2008, Manchester City have spent millions of pounds to reach the highest point in European football. Their investment has been rewarded in success, capped off by winning their first treble last season.

Whilst their dream of a double treble this term was ended thanks to defeat in the Champions League quarter-final on penalties against Real Madrid, they are still at the top of the Premier League table and have an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea on Saturday afternoon.

Along the road to their success, many players have come and gone from the Etihad. Some have had success with the club, and some haven’t. Under Pep Guardiola alone, they have purchased 52 players, some who have become integral, others who left without making an appearance for the club.

However, there is one player in particular whom City fans and neutrals alike might be confused about as to how it did not quite work out at the Etihad. With the player seemingly set to leave in the summer, the end to his time at the club may be one of the more frustrating in the last decade or so for City.

Joao Cancelo's transfer value at Barcelona

The man in question here is Portugal international Joao Cancelo. The left-back, who was generally superb during his time at the club, left Manchester City due to a rumoured argument with his manager Guardiola.

Cancelo left the Etihad on loan in the January transfer window in 2023, to join Bayern Munich, before returning to City at the end of the season. Last summer, Cancelo joined Barcelona on a season-long loan for 2023/24.

Since joining Barcelona on loan, Cancelo’s transfer value has plummeted. City bought the Portugal international in 2019 for £60m, which also included a swap deal for Brazilian defender Danilo.

However, 29-year-old Cancelo has since seen his value drop by a great distance. According to Football Transfers, the Barcelona defender is now worth less than half of what City paid for him, £28m to be exact. That certainly might frustrate City, who would now have to take the hit and lose money should they wish to move Cancelo on next summer.

Joao Cancelo’s season in numbers

It has been a frustrating season for Barcelona as a whole. They are eight points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid and seem unlikely to catch their rivals and trump them to the league title. They also got eliminated from the Champions League on Tuesday, after PSG overturned a first-leg deficit to beat Barca in their own backyard.

On a personal note for Cancelo, he has had a strong season. So far, the 29-year-old has contributed from both left-back and right-back, playing 35 games, scoring four goals and registering four assists along the way.

Whilst he is outscoring City’s full-backs, it is hard to see how Cancelo fits in again at City should he return next season. Despite the Portugal international’s ability to invert into midfield, Guardiola tends to prefer his full-backs to sit alongside Rodri in midfield and give licence to the more creative players in attack.

When John Stones is fit, Guardiola tends to ask both full-backs to tuck in and make a back three, with Stones acting as a libero and stepping up into midfield. Neither role suits Cancelo’s game, who is a more attacking defender and enjoys getting into the final third, as his goal output from this season shows.

With that and his rumoured argument with Guardiola in mind, it may well be the case that City decide to cut their losses and sell Cancelo, meaning the Portuguese is unlikely to play for the club again. Dispute the fact that he is valued at half the price they bought him for, they will be able to recoup at least some of that fee and reinvest it into the squad elsewhere.

Should the 29-year-old leave there were rumours a few months ago that City are interested in swapping him for Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde. Only time will tell if City decide to move Cancelo on and replace him with the exciting young talent that is Balde.

MatériaMais Notícias

Em ano de redução de despesas e de controle do endividamento, o Corinthians tem mostrado resultados positivos nos quatro primeiros meses de 2021. Um dos fatores dessa melhora foi a quitação de débitos em relação a direitos de imagem de jogadores do elenco atual ou que já deixaram o clube. Entre março e abril, o Alvinegro reduziu cerca de R$ 30,1 milhões dessa dívida.

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TABELA
> Veja classificação e simulador do Brasileirão-2021 clicando aqui

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GALERIA
>Jemerson e Otero dão adeus! Veja quem já deixou o clube nesta temporada

Em 31 de dezembro de 2020, os valores devidos em relação a direitos de imagem estavam na casa de R$ 121,442 milhões, que acabou aumentando nos dois primeiros meses de 2021 para R$ 124,157 milhões. A quantia chamou a atenção, principalmente pelo crescimento dela na comparação com o fim de 2019, que indicava R$ 48,452 milhões, ou seja, o montante quase triplicou.

Acontece que esse endividamento tem dado sinais de redução, pelo menos foi o que mostrou o balancete do clube em março e abril de 2021. Segundo o documento, R$ 111,901 milhões era o valor o que o Timão estava devendo em 31 de março por conta de atraso no pagamento de direitos de imagem, já em 30 de abril, esse valor caiu para R$ 81,755 milhões. São R$ 30,146 milhões a menos no período de um mês, quantia significativa para o clube.

Isso não muda o status da dívida, que ainda é alta e se soma a outros débitos que o clube acumulou ao longo dos últimos anos, como pagamento a fornecedores, que aumentou de R$ 192,666 milhões em março para R$ 214,047 milhões em abril, além de encargos e obrigações sociais (aumento de R$ 160,552 milhões para R$ 170,266 milhões), ambos endividamentos de curto prazo, ou seja, que precisam ser pagos em ate um ano. Sem contar os empréstimos bancários, que também aumentaram em um mês.

Dívidas a serem pagas em até um ano (balanço do primeiro quadrimestre):

Empréstimos e Financiamentos – R$ 64,579 milhões em abril e R$ 57,614 milhões em março
Fornecedores – R$ 214,979 milhões em abril e R$ 192,666 milhões em março
Direitos de imagem – R$ 81,755 milhões em abril e R$ 111,901 milhões em março
Obrigações e Encargos Sociais – R$ 170,266 milhões em abril e R$ 160,552 milhões em março
Obrigações tributárias – R$ 7,522 milhões em abril e R$ 7,495 milhões em março
Tributos – R$ 21,492 milhões em abril e R$ 22,147 milhões em março
TOTAL – R$ 562,226 milhões em abril e R$ 554,008 milhões em março

Tottenham Hotspur’s focus should be on their remaining six matches in the Premier League as they fight to qualify for the Champions League next season.

Ange Postecoglou’s side are fifth in the division, as it stands, and six points behind Aston Villa, although they have two games in hand to catch up with Unai Emery’s men.

This means that there is still plenty for the Lilywhites to play for throughout the rest of the season, as they have a big goal to aim towards.

However, Daniel Levy and his team will already have one eye on the upcoming summer transfer window. They will be able to bolster Postecoglou’s squad with more signings ahead of next season, and a number nine appears to be on the agenda for Spurs.

The club are reportedly in the market to add a new striker to the group to compete with Richarlison for a starting spot in the lineup moving forward.

Tottenham's interest in Eredivisie star

According to Medio Tiempo, via Sport Witness, Spurs are one of a number of clubs showing an interest in impressive Feyenoord centre-forward Santiago Gimenez ahead of next season.

The report claims that the Lilywhites have made an approach to speak with the player’s representatives, who have flown to Europe to speak with clubs, in order to sign the stunning finisher this summer.

However, it does not reveal whether or not the club have spoken with Feyenoord to discuss how much it would cost to snap him up from the Eredivisie outfit, whom he has been a crucial player for this term.

Tottenham are seemingly on the hunt for more firepower to bolster their options in the final third, but they are not the only side looking to the Netherlands to solve their problems.

Premier League rivals Arsenal are also said to be interested in the Mexico international, and could provide fierce competition to land the attacker’s signature.

Spurs are fifth in the Premier League table, with the Gunners sat top of the division, and this means that their neighbours could offer Champions League football to the striker, which could give them the edge in any race.

Juventus, RB Leipzig, and AC Milan are also said to be eyeing up the lethal marksman ahead of the summer transfer window, which means that the two English sides will also face competition from teams in Europe.

Earlier this month, 90Min claimed that it would take a fee of around £87m – an Eredivisie record – to sign the finisher, and it remains to be seen whether or not Spurs are prepared to go that high to land him.

Tottenham could now land a lethal partner for Heung-min Son by securing a deal to sign Gimenez from Feyenoord ahead of their rivals later this year, as the forward could strike up an exciting relationship with the South Korea international.

Heung-min Son's Premier League season in numbers

The experienced forward has been deployed through the middle as a centre-forward and in his more natural position off the left throughout the season.

He has been in sensational form as both a scorer and a creator of Spurs in the Premier League, with an almost constant stream of goals and assists.

Whilst the bulk of the focus will be on his sublime level of production in the final third, Son’s work in the build-up to make Postecoglou’s system tick should not go unnoticed.

The 31-year-old star currently ranks within the top 3% of forwards in the Premier League for progressive passes (4.21) per 90, the top 15% for progressive carries (3.12) per 90, and the top 6% for pass success rate (81.7%).

This shows that he has been one of the best attackers in the division in build-up, as he has the quality to effectively and efficiently progress play through his forward-thinking passing and ball-carrying, to get himself and his teammates into dangerous positions at the top end of the pitch.

23/24 Premier League

Heung-min Son

Appearances

29

Goals

15

xG

9.32

Assists

9

Big chances created

17

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Son has also been effective in the final third with 24 direct goal contributions in 29 appearances for Tottenham.

His return of 15 goals from 9.32 xG also speaks to his exceptional finishing quality, as he has significantly outperformed his expected tally, whilst his teammates have not made the most of the ‘big chances’ that the South Korean dynamo has created for them.

Postecoglou could now bring in a lethal centre-forward to profit from Son’s creativity by winning the race to sign Gimenez from Feyenoord this summer.

Why Spurs should sign Santiago Gimenez

The 23-year-old Spurs target has been in fantastic form in front of goal throughout the 2023/24 campaign and could provide the team with another reliable source of goals.

He has racked up 24 goals and seven assists in all competitions for the Dutch side this term, after a return of 28 goals in 50 matches last season for Feyenoord and Cruz Azul combined.

Gimenez, who was hailed as “unstoppable” by talent scout Jacek Kulig earlier this term, has showcased his goalscoring quality on a regular basis in the Eredivisie, as you can see in the table below.

23/24 Eredivisie

Santiago Gimenez

Appearances

29

Goals

21

Sofascore rating

7.26

Assists

5

Big chances created

7

Stats via Sofascore

His return of 21 league goals for Feyenoord means that he has plundered at least six more goals than any Tottenham player has managed in the Premier League, as Son is the team’s top scorer with 15.

The left-footed star, who scored two goals in four Champions League games earlier this season, is more than just a goalscorer for the Eredivisie side.

He currently ranks within the top 33% of forwards in the division for Expected Assisted Goals (0.15) per 90, the top 34% for assists (0.19), and the top 30% for progressive carries (1.73) per 90.

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These statistics show that the striker, who assisted the winning goal in the KNVB Becker final last weekend, is also an above-average creator who can carry the ball forward and play incisive passes for his teammates.

Therefore, Son and Gimenez have the potential to be a lethal pairing at the top end of the pitch for Spurs with their respective qualities as scorers and creators, which is why the club must push to win the race for the Mexican star’s signature.

طالب النرويجي إيرلينج هالاند بالهدوء، مشيرًا إلى أن الناس يتصرفون وكأن مانشستر سيتي قد هبط في ظل سلسلة الهزائم التي استمرت لأربع مباريات.

مانشستر سيتي تحت قيادة بيب جوارديولا خسر أربع مباريات متتالية، ويستعد لمواجهة توتنهام اليوم بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ويتخلف مانشستر سيتي عن المتصدر ليفربول بفارق 5 نقاط في ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وقال هالاند لشبكة “سكاي سبورتس” قبل مباراة السبت ضد توتنهام: “نعم، خسرنا أربع مباريات متتالية، هذا ليس طبيعيًا في نادٍ مثل هذا، إنه مؤلم، وهذا واضح”.

وأضاف: “لكن الحافز الآن أكبر من أي وقت مضى للذهاب يوم السبت والفوز بالمباراة والعودة إلى المسار الصحيح”.

اقرأ أيضًا | جوارديولا يحذر توتنهام من انتفاضة مانشستر سيتي ويقدم وعدًا بشأن مستقبله حال “عقوبة الهبوط”

واصل النرويجي: “أعتقد أنه كان جيدًا للجميع أن يذهبوا إلى بلادهم والمنتخبات الوطنية لإعادة شحن طاقاتهم قليلًا”.

واستطرد: “خسرنا أربع مباريات متتالية، لكن كم هو سيء؟ ليس بهذا السوء، لم نهبط إلى الدرجة الأدنى! نحن لا زلنا في المركز الثاني، ولا زال أمامنا العديد من المباريات”.

وتابع هالاند: “أعتقد أنه في النهاية يتعلق الأمر بالتجربة، عندما تفوز، تكتسب المزيد من الخبرة، لكن أعتقد أنه في النهاية يجب أن تبقى هادئًا، يجب أن تركز على ما يمكنك تغييره”.

وأردف: “هل من المفيد التحدث عن المباريات التي خسرناها؟ لا، ليس كذلك، الأهم هو محاولة جعل الفريق يفوز في المباراة القادمة، هذا هو تركيزي الرئيسي”.

ولا يزال هالاند يتصدر قائمة الهدافين برصيد 12 هدفًا في أول 11 مباراة له هذا الموسم.

“I was very happy with Vidarbha but it’s time for a new challenge,” says decorated domestic coach

Saurabh Somani25-Mar-2020

Vidarbha players hoist their head coach Chandrakant Pandit on their shoulders•PTI

Chandrakant Pandit, the former India player and one of the most successful coaches in Indian domestic cricket, has decided to move from Vidarbha to Madhya Pradesh for the 2020-21 season. Pandit had coached Vidarbha to back-to-back triumphs in the Ranji Trophy and Irani Trophy in 2017-18 and 2018-19, having earlier achieved Ranji Trophy success with Mumbai too.Pandit, who has also been in charge of Maharashtra and Kerala in the past, said he would always have fond memories of his time with Vidarbha and the support he received from the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA), but it was time for him to embrace a new challenge.”I have coached Vidarbha for three years. Normally I always do my coaching stints for two years or three years. The idea is to always move forward. It’s good to take a new challenge,” Pandit told ESPNcricinfo. “There is no doubt I was very happy with Vidarbha – the way the team has played, the way I got support from the association. From Prashant Vaidya (VCA vice-president and chairman of the cricket development committee) and Anand Jaiswal (VCA president). So it is not anything else, but just to move forward and take a new challenge. I was very happy with Vidarbha. I respect the support I received, and that will always be part of my life.”I had played for MP for six years in the past. So when they contacted, I accepted. Because I was not going to continue with Vidarbha. It was purely my call, nothing untoward (had happened).”This year, MP were coached by Abbas Ali – the grandson of Mushtaq Ali – with Devendra Bundela being the batting coach and Harvinder Singh Sodhi, who has been the coach of the team previously, doubling up as bowling coach and manager.An official with the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association said that it was too early to take a call on whether any of last season’s coaches would continue to be with the team, but confirmed that Pandit had been given a letter of intent to be the MP coach from next season. Due to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown in India, Pandit has not been able to sign the contract formally yet.ALSO READ: Chandrakant Pandit: Less of a general, more of a 12th man”We’ll have to wait till things improve definitely,” Pandit acknowledged. “Ultimately it’s for the good of everyone (staying indoors for now). We have to take care of that. I’ll definitely be contacting players and drawing up plans. It’s like people who are working from home, I’ll have to do that for now till things get better. I’ll have to start planning for the MP team. Though I may not be able to get in touch with the players personally, but definitely, communication with the association, the secretary is there. I can put forward my plans so they can be ready with that. I’ve been talking to them and they have already told me that let things get better and then we’ll start. At the same time I’ll be trying to figure out what are the things I can do.”Pandit’s departure from Vidarbha comes on the heels of Wasim Jaffer also announcing his retirement, leaving a bit of a void in terms of experience in the Vidarbha think-tank. Pandit, however, was confident that the processes put in place would hold the team in good stead.”See whatever we have done in the last three years, we have developed a good, young team,” he said. “There was very healthy competition created. So I hope they maintain that and continue it. I’m sure the young boys coming through – the Under-23 side has won the CK Nayudu Trophy – they will be able to take it forward with whoever takes charge.Vidarbha had come into this Ranji Trophy season as double defending champions, but although they began well, they faltered midway through, and ended up finishing seventh on the combined Groups A and B table, where only the top five teams make it to the quarter-finals. A loss against Delhi in the middle of the season hurt them particularly. Vidarbha declared on 330 for 3, with the lead being 347, to set Delhi a steep chase. It was a declaration made with the intent of going for full points rather than playing safe and getting only first-innings lead points, but Delhi had an inspired fourth-innings chase led by Nitish Rana’s 105* off 68 balls and they hunted down the target.

تقدم فريق برشلونة بهدف في مباراته الجارية حاليًا أمام بريست، في إطار منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، موسم 2024/25.

ويستضيف ملعب “مونتجويك” مباراة الفريقين في إطار منافسات الجولة الخامسة من دوري أبطال أوروبا، مرحلة الدوري.. (لمتابعة اللقاء من هنا).

وتحصل برشلونة على ضربة جزاء في الدقيقة التاسعة من عمر الشوط الأول، بعد تدخل من حارس مرمى بريست ضد روبرت ليفاندوفسكي.

ودخل ليفاندوفسكي لتنفيذ ضربة الجزاء، حيث نجح في ذلك وحولها إلى هدف أول، بعدما سدد الكرة على يسار حارس الخصم. هدف ليفاندوفسكي في مباراة برشلونة وبريست

ووصل ليفاندوفسكي بذلك إلى هدفه رقم 100 في دوري أبطال أوروبا، وهو ثالث لاعب يستطيع تحقيق ذلك الإنجاز.

وسبق ليفاندوفسكي في ذلك الإنجاز، النجمان كريستيانو رونالدو وليونيل ميسي، حيث سجلا 140 و129 هدفًا.

MatériaMais Notícias

Chegou a hora da final da Copa América. Dentro de instantes, Brasil e Argentina se enfrentam pela grande decisão do torneio de seleções sul-americanas, no Maracanã, no Rio de Janeiro. As duas equipes já estão escaladas por seus técnicos par a partida. Veja a seguir.

+ Veja a tabela, os jogos e o chaveamento da Copa América

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BRASIL
O técnico Tite manteve o mesmo time que bateu o Peru nas semifinais para a decisão. Sem Gabriel Jesus, suspenso após ser expulso nas quartas de final, contra o Chile, Everton Cebolinha segue como titular. Renan Lodi também foi mantido na lateral-esquerda, uma vez que Alex Sandro ainda não está 100%.

Escalação: Ederson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva e Renan Lodi; Casemiro, Fred e Lucas Paquetá; Neymar, Richarlison e Everton Cebolinha.

ARGENTINA
​Na seleção argentina, o técnico Lionel Scaloni promoveu cinco alterações em relação ao time que venceu a Colômbia nas semifinais. Na defesa, Montiel, Romero e Tagliafico entram nos lugares de Molina, Pezzella e Acuña, respectivamente. No meio-campo, Paredes e Di María substituem Guido Rodríguez e Nico González.

Escalação: Emiliano Martínez; Montiel, Romero, Otamendi e Tagliafico; Paredes, De Paul e Lo Celso; Di María, Messi e Lautaro Martínez.

It's been a rough Premier League season for Manchester United this year, with every small semblance of recovery quickly extinguished by another disappointing defeat or draw.

Erik ten Hag hasn't been able to build upon his impressive first season, and following the shocking result against Crystal Palace on Monday night, it feels like just a matter of time before he is handed his P45.

That said, for all of his mistakes in the dugout, he has been let down by a number of his players, especially at Selhurst Park, where the likes of Andre Onana, Casemiro, and Christian Eriksen put in hall-of-shame performances, although based on recent reports, the club might already have an upgrade lined up for the latter, and he's been compared to a young Paul Pogba in the past.

Manchester United transfer news

According to a report from journalist Graeme Bailey earlier this week, Manchester United sent a team of scouts to watch OGC Nice's Ligue 1 clash with Strasbourg over the weekend to keep an eye on midfield ace Kephren Thuram, who they were reported to be interested in last month.

The report has claimed that Nice are 'gearing up to lose at least one big name this summer', and while Chelsea were also said to have scouts in attendance on the weekend, INEOS' links to the French side can only bode well for future negotiations.

No potential price has been reliably reported in recent weeks, but when Premier League rivals Liverpool were said to be interested in the Frenchman last year, Italian publication Tutto Juve (via Football365) claimed that it would cost around £45m to secure his services.

It certainly won't be a cheap deal to complete, but nor is it likely to be unreasonably expensive in the current market. Moreover, with the comparisons to a "young Pogba" and the cratering form of Eriksen this year, it seems like a deal United can't afford to miss out on.

How Thuram compares to Eriksen

The comparison to United's previous French midfielder may seem outrageous at first, but it comes from respected data analyst Ben Mattinson, and there is some merit in it.

He hasn't claimed that the 23-year-old talent is as good as the World Cup winner in his pomp – few players are – but that he has undeniable similarities to a younger version of the divisive midfielder.

For example, Mattinson has argued that while the Nice ace has slightly less flair than his older compatriot, he shares his attacking ability while also possessing a defensive astuteness that could see him play as a defensive midfielder, as some believed Pogba would be in his younger days.

Aside from his similarities to past stars, United should be going all out to sign Thuram because he would represent a massive upgrade on Eriksen in every department, as shown when comparing the pair's underlying numbers.

For example, while the Dane produces slightly more progressive passes per 90 than his potential competition does, he comes out second best in every metric relevant to a central midfielder and by quite some way in a few, such as progressive carries, shots, tackles, successful take-ons and aerial duels won.

Thuram vs Eriksen

Stats per 90

Thuram

Eriksen

Non-Penalty Goals + Assists

0.28

0.24

Progressive Carries

3.07

1.53

Progressive Passes

4.49

5.40

Progressive Passes Received

2.63

1.77

Shots

1.66

1.04

Shots on Target

0.54

0.32

Passing Accuracy

85.9%

80.8%

Shot-Creating Actions

3.61

3.46

Goal-Creating Actions

0.19

0.16

Tackles

1.90

1.37

Tackles Won

1.32

1.05

Interceptions

0.83

0.32

Clearances

1.51

0.97

Successful Take-Ons

1.61

0.24

Aerial Duels Won

0.73

0.08

All Stats via FBref for the 23/24 League Season

Moreover, at 32 years old, it seems doubtful that the former Tottenham ace will improve over the summer, whereas at just 23, the Frenchman still has another two years until he's likely to hit his peak, per The Athletic.

Ultimately, while Eriksen has been a brilliant player for much of his career and even put in a good shift for the Red Devils last season, his decline has been steep and with Thuram seemingly attainable this summer, United should do all they can to bring him in as an upgrade.

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes May 4, 2024

England captain confident Tests can be played this season

Matt Roller07-May-2020

Joe Root looks on in training•Getty Images

England captain Joe Root has said that no cricket should be played this summer if “the game itself, how it’s played and the intensity it’s played at” is compromised in any way.The ECB have drawn up extensive contingency plans to play cricket behind closed doors in a ‘bio-secure’ environment, with the intention of fulfilling scheduled Test series against West Indies and Pakistan.Root said he was “confident” that it would be possible for England to play international cricket at some point this summer, but stressed that the health and wellbeing of players and staff was “paramount”.ALSO READ: England players face ‘long stint’ away from home as part of Test planning”It’ll all come down to what the government decide we’re allowed to do,” Root told Sky Sports. “We’re obviously tied by their decision-making and all we can do is to try and plan as much as possible, and make sure that guys are fit and ready to go if and when we’re given the chance.”I think if the game is compromised then it shouldn’t be going ahead. I don’t think the game itself, how it’s played, the intensity it’s played at… I personally feel that if you can’t play Test cricket at its absolute best, then we shouldn’t be playing it because it’s not a fair reflection on the sport.”There’s been talking about changing the ball, and it’ll be interesting to see things that you could potentially change… [but] from a personal point of view I’d like to think that the product itself and the standard of Test cricket would not be compromised to play those games.”Root’s own situation is complicated by the fact that his wife, Carrie, is expecting a baby at some point this summer, and raised questions as to whether he would be able to attend the birth and then return back to a bio-secure “bubble” in time to play soon after.”It will be a challenge from that side, and there will be other guys involved that have similar problems,” Root said. “I suppose we’ve got to be quite flexible in these times. You’ve got to move with what’s happening. Within seven to eight weeks, things could drastically change and we could be in a very different position.”We’ve got to look at safe ways of getting guys in and out of the bubble. If that was a possibility, would I be able to get to the birth? Would I then be in isolation for two weeks? Would I be able to be tested coming back into a bubble? Who knows exactly how that would look right now. Those are discussions that will have to happen in the coming weeks.”As for the environment itself, Root said that things would look “very different” to a typical Test match week for players and backroom staff, but that “it’s probably manageable”. Games would have to be played at the Ageas Bowl and Emirates Old Trafford – the two major grounds with on-site hotels with a significant number of rooms – with parts sectioned off to minimise outside interactions.”You’d all be together throughout – you wouldn’t be interacting with the opposition, with broadcasting crews, with media, officials. It would just be trying to keep that as tight as possible.”Within the grounds it would be very similar: going into separate lunch rooms, how the changing room would look still depends on a few things. It would be a very different look and feel to how a normal Test week would go and the environment we normally work in, but I do think it’s probably manageable.”