Carlo Ancelotti has hinted that Real Madrid may not need to sign Kylian Mbappe, amid frenzied links with the Paris Saint-Germain superstar.
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The England striker needs to continue his electric form if he is to have any hope of finally ending his wait for the first trophy of his career
England fans will remember the scene all too well. Harry Kane went about his penalty routine in the usual way, as he adjusted his socks, repositioned the ball on the edge of the spot and took seven steps back before first looking into the the eyes of France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, and then at the ball. There following his trademark staccato run-up, the slight crouch, the opened hips, and a clean strike.
But instead of nestling in the net, the ball soared off his foot, clipping the top of the crossbar before sailing into the stands behind the goal. The Three Lions went on to lose 2-1, and fell out of the 2022 World Cup at the quarter-final stage when many thought this might just be their time.
And so continued the curse of Kane. The England captain, for all of his brilliance, is yet to win a trophy in his career. He has come close – heartbreakingly so – on several occasions for club and country, but that elusive winners' medal has not yet been placed around his neck.
Having joined Bayern Munich last summer, many believed it was a foregone conclusion that Kane's curse would be broken in 2024. But it hasn't been that simple. The Bavarians sit second in the Bundesliga table, are out of the DFB-Pokal and face an uphill task to win Champions League if their recent performance-level doesn't improve.
Not much of that can be pinned on Kane, who is on pace to break the Bundesliga single-season record for goals scored while enjoying the most prolific campaign of his career. On Saturday, he will get another chance to add to his tally when Bayern travel to face unbeaten league-leaders Bayer Leverkusen in a fixture that will go a long way to deciding who wins the German title.
The top-of-the-table encounter offers Kane another opportunity to exorcise his big-game demons – and take a huge step towards finally having a team trophy to place alongside all the individual awards in his trophy cabinet.
The 27-year-old fast bowler had only just overcome a knee problem to play the recently concluded series against West Indies
ESPNcricinfo staff04-Jan-2018Doug Bracewell has been ruled out of New Zealand’s first two ODIs against Pakistan with a hamstring problem. The 27-year-old fast bowler had only just returned from a hiatus of nearly a year in the recently concluded series against West Indies, playing five out of six limited-overs matches to pick up six wickets. On Wednesday, though, he hurt his right leg in the field and will now undergo medical assessment to determine his recovery.New Zealand ODI squad
Kane Williamson (capt), Todd Astle, George Worker, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.
Opening batsman George Worker has been called up as replacement. He struck back-to-back ODI fifties against West Indies and has also played well for the Central Stags in the ongoing Super Smash T20 tournament. Having hit 75 off only 38 balls, and coupling that with a wicket as well, the 28-year-old will join the national squad in Wellington on Friday.New Zealand coach Mike Hesson sympathised with Bracewell, considering the fast bowler had battled a difficult knee-injury over the previous season. “Doug’s worked really hard to make it back into the side after a pretty serious injury last year and he’s impressed in the opportunities he’s had. We know he’s a hard trainer and back him to rehab well and be available for selection in the not too distant future.”Colin de Grandhomme, who took time off after the death of his father, is expected to be back in action for Auckland from Sunday. Hesson hoped the 31-year old allrounder would then be available for the final three ODIs of the Pakistan series, the squad for which is yet to be picked. The first out of five ODIs will be played on January 6 at the Basin Reserve.
“To bat with pretty minimal intent on day one when you get the best of conditions, to say you’re trying to win the Test is not in my realms of thinking,” said Australia’s coach
Daniel Brettig13-Nov-2017
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Australia’s coach Matthew Mott has criticised England’s approach to the inaugural day-night women’s Test match, questioning whether the visitors ever had genuine intentions of trying to win after they showed little willingness to take the game on after opting to bat first on a pristine North Sydney Oval pitch.In a result that left the multi-format Ashes series open leading into the final Twenty20 leg – England must win all three matches to prevail – Australia were unable to force victory on the final day after Ellyse Perry’s epic double century had built up a big first-innings lead. However, Mott was dubious about England’s first-innings approach, soaking up 116 overs to make 280 before the hosts tallied 448 from only another 50 overs.”I think both teams have got to be honest about whether they were trying to win the Test match,” Mott said in Sydney. “To bat with pretty minimal intent on day one when you get the best of the conditions, I think if you’re going to sit back and say you’re trying to win the Test is not in my realms of thinking.”We certainly would’ve been disappointed with that scoring rate on day one. That slowed the whole Test match up and made it difficult to get 20 wickets for both teams. I thought it was a monumental effort for us to bowl them out for 280 given they won the toss and batted first on that wicket.”We were really pleased with that, but I suppose that backed us into a bit of a corner with the game taking a slow path, that we had to bat big in that first innings and get right ahead and roll the dice that we could get 10 wickets and not have to bat again. It certainly wasn’t the way we wanted to play the Test but I’m pretty sure if there was maybe a bit more grass on day one and two, got the first innings through a bit quicker, that we might have seen that result.”England’s coach Mark Robinson argued the issue was more to do with the type of pitch prepared for the match, which lacked the grass to be exploited by the seamers early in the match and then dried out into a slow and low surface where sharp spin was about the only assistance on offer.”Ultimately we want to play on better wickets … the biggest disappointment is it wasn’t a fresh wicket, which I don’t get for this one-off Test, pink ball and we haven’t got a fresh wicket,” he said. “You’ve got a young leg spinner [Amanda Wellington], she needs bounce. You’ve got Perry, [Katherine] Brunt, I take my hat off to [Megan] Schutt, all of them, they run in hard and then sometimes you want them to deserve better.”I sat on the edge [of my seat] yesterday unfortunately having to watch Ellyse Perry relentlessly go on in her quest of excellence, which it was, and I actually felt like I was in something special again and it reminded me of the day at Lord’s [the World Cup final]. It was a special day to have nearly 4000 there for a pink-ball Test match to watch a player relentlessly go on.”Yes we’ll talk about the wicket and we should play on better wickets but hopefully that’ll show the ICC and a lot of other people that there is an appetite for Test match cricket. We’ve got to understand our product don’t we, we’ve got to entertain people. We want all of these 12,000 to come back.”
Sachin Tendulkar’s son, Arjun, a left-arm quick, moves a step closer towards professional cricket
ESPNcricinfo staff11-Sep-20171:15
Tendulkar’s son bowls at England in the nets
Arjun Tendulkar, son of Sachin Tendulkar, has been selected for the Mumbai Under-19 one-day side for the JY Lele invitational tournament to be played in Baroda from September 16 to 23. Arjun, who has also represented Mumbai in Under-16 cricket in 2015-16, will turn 18 on September 24. Although not a BCCI tournament, the team will represent the Mumbai Cricket Association, which could be a step closer to selection for official U-19 cricket.A left-arm quick, Arjun recently bowled in the nets in the lead-up to the Lord’s Test between England and South Africa, sending Jonny Bairstow off with an injury scare when he hit him on the toe with a yorker. He has also bowled in India nets previously.A day after his selection on Saturday, Arjun played an important part in helping Parel CC draw their Kanga League B division match at Shivaji Park. He batted an hour for 15 runs, and returned figures of 1 for 14 in five overs. One of the opposition batsmen was former Mumbai wicketkeeper-batsman and coach Sulakshan Kulkarni.”I faced Arjun, and it seems he is an aggressive bowler,” Kulkarni told “The more he bowls the better he will get.”Arjun’s father, Sachin Tendulkar has in the past asked to spare his son any comparisons.”I am not interfering in his career because I think it is not fair,” Sachin told in April 2016. “He has to have freedom to express himself. I can guide him. Not on a regular basis, but when I feel that he needs to be told something, then I do. I don’t take his class every evening when he comes back home. I do not want to lecture, but let him enjoy the game and fall in love with cricket, which he is (doing). I have told him things about hard work like any father would.”Unfortunately, he has the excess baggage of his surname and I know that is going to be there. It is not easy for him. For me, it was different as my father was a writer and nobody questioned me on cricket. I feel that my son should not be compared to me and should be judged for who he is.”
Newcastle United have already completed the signing of Sandro Tonali this summer and now a new update has emerged on the club's next move on a long-standing transfer target.
What's the latest on Newcastle's interest in Kieran Tierney?
According to Football Insider, Newcastle are reigniting a move for Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney following sit-down talks.
As per the report, the Magpies have moved on after missing out on Fulham's Antonee Robinson and are now exploring a move for Tierney instead.
It is claimed that the player is the top target for Eddie Howe in his shortlist of left-back options and the club are now in pole position to secure his signature.
How good is Kieran Tierney?
Whilst the interest in Tierney appeared to have cooled due to making the signing of Robinson their priority, the young in-demand Fulham star has now signed a new long-term deal to remain at Craven Cottage, ensuring Newcastle can now focus on agreeing a deal with Arsenal for their out of favour full-back.
Howe is looking to bolster key areas of his squad to ensure his already impressive team can continue to develop and compete for trophies next season, as well as putting together a good run in their long-awaited return to the Champions League.
The left-back role is one that could definitely be strengthened with centre-back Dan Burn playing out of position the entire campaign to maintain quality across the back-line, whilst Matt Targett doesn't appear to be a trusted option which reflects in his limited game-time at St James' Park last season – having started just six league games in 2022/23.
Indeed, Burn – who has made a "ridiculous impact" according to pundit Frank McAvennie – has done a fantastic job in his adapted role and played a key part in Newcastle's League Cup journey alongside qualification for Champions League football, however, it would be advantageous to bolster the position with an experienced left-back who is a natural in the role too.
As a result, the signing of Tierney could be a great piece of business for the Tyneside outfit ahead of next season, despite his lack of minutes at the Emirates in recent times due to a variety of injury issues and the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko last summer.
The 26-year-old – who also started just six league games last term – ranks in the top 20% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues for shots on goal, progressive carries and progressive passes, demonstrating his clear attacking-minded style of play from his position of the left-flank, as per FBref.
In contrast to the aforementioned Robinson, the former Celtic ace – who has a reported £30m price tag – has won more tackles per 90 (1.84 v 1.81), delivered the same number of shot-creating actions per 90 (1.69 v 1.69) and provided more progressive passes per 90 (5.15 v 3.76), showcasing that the failure to land the Fulham man could prove to be a blessing in disguise, such is Tierney's all-round quality.
The Scotland star has drawn high praise over his career so far, with former Arsenal full-back Ashley Cole complimenting Tierney's impact on the Gunners when fit:
"When he’s in the team, they are a different team, he’s willing to defend, he’s that kind of leader and warrior they need in this team."
With that being said, if Newcastle can strike up a good deal for Tierney he would certainly provide the left-back position with a fresh perspective ahead of next season and will undoubtedly push Burn for the first-team role if he can be a difference-maker for Howe in the future.
Callum Hudson-Odoi has still got breakout potential in the Premier League, journalist Dean Jones told FootballFanCast.
The forward, who spent last season on loan with Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen has recently been linked with a summer switch to Nottingham Forest.
What is the latest transfer news regarding Callum Hudson-Odoi?
According to a report from the Athletic, the Chelsea wide-man has decided to leave the club this summer.
The 22-year-old has been with the club for 14 years, having joined the club at the age of eight. However, the player understands that at this point in his career, he has to be playing regular first-team football, and he most likely will not be doing that at Stamford Bridge next season.
There are a number of clubs interested in the former England youth international, with Forest and Fulham offering potential Premier League football. Another shock move could be the reunite with former Chelsea youth products Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Fikayo Tomori at AC Milan this summer.
Whilst the London club have not yet decided on the fee they want for Hudson-Odoi, the forward only has one year remaining on his deal, so this summer represents the final chance for the club to make some money off of the forward who has a €15.00m (£12.8m) market value according to Transfermarkt.
Another report states that the club may sensationally ask the player to halve his wages in order to terminate his contract and leave him free to join any club as a free agent. New manager Mauricio Pochettino doesn't see the winger being good enough to have an impact at Chelsea next season.
Journalist Jones has said that we are still yet to see the full version of Hudson-Odoi yet.
What does Dean Jones think about Callum Hudson-Odoi?
When asked about whether Hudson-Odoi to Nottingham Forest would be a good signing, Jones was full of praise for the winger, citing the potential that he has.
The transfer insider told FootballFanCast: "I still think Hudson-Odoi has got breakout potential in this league. I mean, we've obviously seen him before, but I don't think we've seen the full version of him over a long enough period to know exactly what he would be capable of.
He's still so young, this is a player that should really be playing Champions League football right now. If he had fulfilled his potential and not had injuries."
Should Hudson-Odoi head to Nottingham Forest?
A move to Nottingham Forest could be the perfect move for Hudson-Odoi to get his career back on track.
The Premier League side finished 16th last campaign, but received many plaudits for their front-footed style of play, with players like Morgan Gibbs-White, Brennan Johnson, and Taiwo Awoniyi thriving under manager Steve Cooper.
The winger has previously worked under Cooper on the international level with the England Under 17's, where Hudson-Odoi won the under-17 World Cup in the summer of 2017, featuring as part of a squad that included names such as Marc Guehi, Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho, Angel Gomes, Emile Smith-Rowe, and current Forest star Gibbs-White.
The 22-year-old was set for stardom after breaking onto the scene under Maurizio Sarri in the 2018/19 campaign. The forward was so impressive early on in his career that German giants Bayern Munich submitted a loan offer that included the option to buy the Englishman for £70m which Chelsea rejected. However, since rupturing his Achilles Tendon, the forward has struggled to reach those heights again.
A loan move to Leverkusen was tried last season, however, one goal and one assist across 21 appearances was a very disappointing return. The forward still gave some statistical glimpses into his quality though, with his 4.71 progressive carries and 2.02 successful take-ons per 90 still impressive numbers when compared to wingers across Europe's top five leagues. There clearly is still an incredible player there, he's just waiting for the right manager and situation to showcase it.
Forest could lose Johnson to Brentford this summer according to reports, and Hudson-Odoi could be a risk worth taking to fill that void, as if he can begin to realise his potential at the City Ground, then the club may have a potential world-class player on their hands.
Erling Haaland’s agent has refused to reveal the release clause in the striker’s contract, saying the Manchester City star is “master of his destiny”.
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Norwegian striker starring in EnglandCould he be on the move in 2024?La Liga giants said to be keenWHAT HAS HAPPENED?
The prolific Norwegian frontman plundered 52 goals across all competitions last season – breaking countless records along the way – as he helped City to a historic Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League Treble. He has continued to star this season, leading to further speculation regarding supposed interest from La Liga giants Real Madrid.
AdvertisementGettyDOES HAALAND HAVE A RELEASE CLAUSE?
There is said to be a clause in Haaland’s deal that could be triggered by teams outside of England in the summer of 2024, but Rafaela Pimenta has told when asked what it would take for a deal to be done: "Erling's contract is known to Manchester City, his father, himself and me.”
COULD HAALAND LEAVE MAN CITY?
She went on to say of the transfer rumours that continue to rage: “Erling is the master of his destiny. Not just now but his entire life and 100%. What I mean is that you have to use balance. Us, club and player. We are all in the same boat. Things have to be talked about, treated, in such a way that everyone is okay. Comfortable and satisfied with the experience they live together. I think it is not necessary to say that Erling does what he wants. Is not true. Erling is always going to do what is good for him and for his club, Manchester City. When everyone is willing to make a change, it will be done. He's not the type of player who's going to say ‘I'm leaving, bye, I don't want to know anything’. It is not like this. And it's not going to happen because respect comes before everything. If they give it to him, he will give it too.”
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GettyHOW MUCH IS HAALAND WORTH?
Pimenta has suggested in the past that Haaland could be worth as much as €1 billion (£875m/$1bn) in the transfer market, and he has expanded on that comment by saying: “When I talk about 1 billion, I talked about a pack in which I include the years of career, the sales potential, tickets, t-shirts, sponsors, digital and everything that is coming that does not yet exist. It is impossible to say how much each thing costs. You are actually asking me how much the transfer costs and you don't have to ask me this. The market says so.”
Manchester United are in pursuit of Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount and their advances are 'slowly creeping along' with the possibility of a deal being completed before an official takeover of the club is finalized not being out of the question, according to journalist Dean Jones.
What's the latest transfer news involving Mason Mount?
According to Sky Sports, Manchester United are set to approach Chelsea with a formal bid for Mount before too long; however, a gap in valuation between the two clubs is still in play.
The report states that discussions are continuing over the England international between Manchester United and Chelsea, with the Red Devils keen to avoid paying over the odds to land Mount.
90min understand that Chelsea are holding out for around £70 million before they will consider parting ways with the 24-year-old, who is set to enter the final 12 months of his £80k-a-week contract at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are still willing to try and convince Mount to sign an extension and Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino is believed to be keen to work with the Portsmouth-born playmaker next term.
As per The Mirror, the ownership of Manchester United could be about to change hands in the coming weeks, as both Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani's Nine Two Foundation and Sir Jim Ratcliffe's petrochemicals firm INEOS are vying to assume control at Old Trafford.
Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones hasn't ruled out the possibility of Mount joining Manchester United before a takeover of the Red Devils is officially completed.
Jones told FFC: "I don't think this one is especially dependent on a takeover. I'm not sure they could do a Harry Kane style deal before a takeover is confirmed, but Mount's been moving forward slowly, creeping along over the past week."
What would Mason Mount bring to Manchester United?
Mount would bring quality, a high work ethic and further composure to Manchester United's midfield and would be a smart acquisition by Erik Ten Hag despite his inconsistent campaign at Chelsea that has just gone.
All in, the 24-year-old made 35 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions across 2022/23 and managed to register three goals and six assists, as per Transfermarkt.
FBRef also take into account that Mount has excelled in comparison to his positional peers across Europe's top five divisions regarding progressive passes, having made around 5.95 per 90 minutes on the field across the past 365 days, putting him in the top 10% of midfielders in big leagues on the continent for this metric.
As per WhoScored, Mount also carried a keen goal threat during the season, amassing 1.4 shots on goal per fixture in the Premier League.
Manchester United are a side that are slowly embracing an upward trajectory and bringing Mount to Old Trafford would help them to move closer to becoming title challengers in the English top flight.
Arsenal have been linked with a host of players ahead of the transfer window, as Mikel Arteta aims to bolster his squad this summer.
The Spaniard fired the Gunners back into the Champions League as well as posing as serious title contenders for the majority of the season, and will look to take his side one step further next campaign.
The latest talent linked with a move to the Emirates is one of the most exciting wingers in Europe, and a gem that could add more than just depth to north London.
What’s the latest on Moussa Diaby to Arsenal?
As reported by the Mail Online last month, Arsenal are one of the clubs interested in Bayer Leverkusen forward Moussa Diaby.
A separate report from Evening Standard said that the Bundesliga club are expected to price their star at £65m, a fee that has derailed fellow Premier League interest from Newcastle United, via The Athletic.
It has since been suggested that the Gunners remain interested in the winger, with Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor telling GIVEMESPORT that Diaby could ‘reach a new level’ at the club.
"He ticks that under-25 box and is a player that can reach a new level at Arsenal," he said.
What could Moussa Diaby offer to Arsenal?
Having been lauded as “electrifying” by journalist Aaron Stokes, the 23-year-old dynamo could elevate Arsenal’s attack with his deadly ability in the final third.
Being primarily deployed as a right-winger for Leverkusen, the Frenchman contributed to 17 goals in the Bundesliga this season, scoring nine and assisting eight in 33 appearances, via FBref.
While the Gunners have their own monstrous wide man in Bukayo Saka, the north London outfit could show their commitment to competing with the best of the best by signing Diaby as a player that could compete with the 21-year-old.
Saka’s place in Arsenal’s line-up is unchallengeable, predominantly because there isn’t an individual that could apply pressure on the Englishman to perform consistently well.
As per FBref, the Frenchman averaged 4.04 progressive carries per 90, placing in the top 20% of wingers in Europe in that area showing his ability to progress with the ball, Saka was marginally ahead of the 23-year-old with 5.04.
The Paris-born whiz could challenge Saka in a position that, at present, is comfortably his, in an area of depth that Arsenal must introduce to challenge against the best.
With a statement contract freshly signed, it’s integral for the club to not allow the Englishman to grow comfortable in his surroundings, as was seen prior in the drop-off of Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang’s form after extending his stay.
The Gabon international’s place was safe in the squad, and when performance dipped there were no repercussions to his role other than the negative influence it had on the club’s results.
Signing Diaby could present Saka with a competitive partner in his position, as well as someone that could influence Arteta’s attack, bringing rotation into the equation, something that could be key with Champions League football on the horizon.
As per Sofascore, the Leverkusen gem averaged 1.1 shots on target per game in the Bundesliga, with the Arsenal star averaging 0.8 in an area that highlights the added threat the transfer target could offer the Gunners.
With Paris Saint-Germain also said to be monitoring the movements of Diaby, Arsenal must act fast this summer if they are to snatch the £50m-rated target's signature.