Shah Rukh, Ambani, Jindal sign email asking league to reconsider proposed changes

Nagraj Gollapudi09-Mar-2020

Owners of all eight franchises have signed a letter that was sent to the IPL, asking the league to put on hold the proposed changes concerning the league standing money and the hosting fee payable to the state associations that house the venues. Among the owners that signed letter, which was sent last weekend, are Shah Rukh Khan (co-owner at Kolkata Knight Riders), Akash Ambani (Mumbai Indians), Kasi Viswanathan (CEO of Chennai Super Kings) and Parth Jindal (majority owner at Delhi Capitals).Recently the IPL told all eight franchises it was cutting the league standing money, earned by the four teams that makes the play-offs, from the existing INR 50 crore to half the amount. The league standing money, which is the same amount as the prize money, was introduced around the 2014 season when the BCCI decided to help out franchise owners who had requested funds.As per the existing system the IPL prize money is INR 50 crore. That is split among the four teams that make the play-offs with the winner pocketing INR 20 crore, the runner-up INR 12.5 crore and the third- and fourth-placed teams getting INR 8.25 crore each. The prize money goes exclusively to the players.However the league standing money is earned by the franchises. Going forward the IPL told franchises that although the IPL prize money pot would continue to be the same, the distribution of the league standing money would come down to INR 25 crore. As per the new distribution system for the league standing money, the franchise of the winning team would get INR 10 crore, the runner-up INR 6.25 crore and the third and fourth-placed teams would get around INR 4.12 crore approximately.In another proposed move, the IPL also told franchises that it was increasing the hosting fee per home match, payable to the respective state association, from INR 30 lakhs per match to INR 50 lakhs. That would mean each franchise will end up paying a minimum of INR 1.4 crore over an IPL season. A similar amount – INR 50 lakhs – will be paid by BCCI to the state association, thus increasing the staging fee from INR 60 lakh per match to INR 1 crore.The IPL reasoned that the hike in hosting fee was necessary to the state associations for the upkeep of the ground, stadium and other facilities.However, the franchises have called the IPL’s move “arbitrary”. They are also disgruntled because despite being the primary stakeholders, they were never consulted. In the email, the owners have asked the IPL Governing Council to consider putting on hold the two proposals until the various sponsorship deals, including the current media rights deal, expires in 2022.”We have to draw your attention to the changes which you have made with regards to the following: Increase fee by 66% payable by franchises to state associations. And reduce league standing fund which is reduced by 50% to franchises,” the email signed by the eight team owners, said. “We humbly request that the Governing Council defer the proposed changes till the end of the current media rights deal and thereafter enter into a consulting process with the various franchise owners to discuss any changes.”One of the owners at a franchise said that the IPL could have considered various factors including COVID-19, the epidemic that has disrupted life across the board globally and forced sporting contests or tournaments to be downright cancelled, postponed or played behind closed doors.”It should be a discussion. It shouldn’t be arbitrary,” the owner told ESPNcricinfo. “If you are going to make us pay more (to the state associations) and with the coronavirus, less people will be coming, so how are we supposed to make money? As it is we don’t make money through ticketing revenues. Secondly, why are being penalised?”A chief executive at one other franchise said the timing of the IPL’s decision had caught everyone by surprise. This CEO said that although the amount that the franchises stood to lose was not massive, it would still affect budgets which had been projected on a five-year model immediately after the IPL’s media rights deal in 2017. That deal had ensured every franchise stood to earn anywhere between INR 150 to upwards of 200 crore per season from the central revenue pool.”The budgets for this IPL has been frozen,” the franchise CEO said. “We all had made our projections based on the media rights for five years. It was based upon the money we would get from the central pool as well as the prize money. But all of a sudden now they are taking arbitrary decisions like increasing the hosting fee by two-thirds and reducing the prize money by 50%. That is not fair. That is the reason we are requesting them to continue with this existing arrangement till the end of the current media rights cycle in 2022. All the IPL deals including title sponsorships etc. are till 2022.”A senior BCCI official disagreed that the IPL decision was wrong. He said that the league standing fund was introduced to lend a helping arm to the franchises financially. Now that they are self-sufficient, that aid was being revoked. “There were certain concessions given when the franchises were bleeding, when they were not in a financially good state,” the BCCI official said. “Those concessions were not part of the IPL contract with franchises. In 2014, the BCCI had decided to grant those concessions. And now that they are financially sound and everything is fine, those concessions have been withdrawn.”

Ilkay Gundogan has officially announced his departure from Barcelona after just one season and has not kept the reason for his exit a secret.

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Gundogan leaves Barcelona after one seasonCites his departure will 'help the club financially'Rejoins Manchester City as a free agentWHAT HAPPENED?

Gundogan joined Barcelona last season as a free agent following his departure from Manchester City after captaining them to an iconic treble-winning season. However, just over a year after making the shift to sunny Catalonia, Gundogan has now been forced to leave the club due to Barcelona's unstable financial situation. The Catalan side have not been able to register their new €55 million (£46m) signing, Dani Olmo, and have parted ways with Gundogan to make space in their wage bill.

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Gundogan has now rejoined Manchester City and Pep Guardiola, who were very keen to bring back their star to the Etihad for free. Following the announcement of his departure from the Catalan side, Gundogan has now penned an emotional letter to Barcelona fans and expressed his sadness at having to leave the club so quickly but said that he accepted the move as it would 'help the club financially' and help them on their way back to being one of the world's best clubs.

WHAT GUNDOGAN SAID

In his farewell message to Barcelona fans, Gundogan said: "Dear culers, after just one year it’s already time to say goodbye. I came here to face a new, exciting challenge, and I was ready for it. I have given everything to fight for the team and the club in the best possible way in a difficult season and I was looking forward to helping my teammates in the new campaign.

"Now I am leaving in a difficult situation, but if my departure can help the club financially, it makes me a bit less sad.

"Nevertheless, it’s been a time with incredible experiences and ups and downs – I always wanted to play at Barça, and I am very grateful for a memory and experience that I will remember for my life. I wish you the best for the season and for the future. The fans deserve to get this big club back to the world’s best.

"Visca el Barca!

"Best wishes, Ilkay."

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WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA AND GUNDOGAN?

The German international has already returned to Manchester and could even be involved in Guardiola's squad on Saturday, August 24 when City take on Ipswich Town at home.

Barcelona's wage bill has now been slightly less burdened with the departure of Gundogan, however, they are still expected to be unable to register Olmo for this weekend's match against Athletic Club on Saturday.

Lendl Simmons, Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell made telling contributions with the bat

The Report by Andrew Fidel Fernando04-Mar-2020Lendl Simmons batted through the innings, while Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard clobbered Sri Lanka through the middle overs to propel West Indies to a commanding score in Pallekele. Despite a half-century from Kusal Perera, Sri Lanka couldn’t get close – they lost five wickets, all to Oshane Thomas inside the Powerplay. And although Perera and Wanindu Hasaranga did their best to revive the innings, Sri Lanka had lost too much ground against the new ball.Thomas blasts out the top fiveWest Indies had an intimidating score on the board, but still there was bowling to be done, and Oshane Thomas settled this match inside the first five overs. It wasn’t the most accurate spell. All up Thomas bowled seven wides. But it was fast and it was hostile, and even on a decent batting track, Sri Lanka’s batsmen (aside from Kusal Perera) could not counter him. Avishka Fernando was the first to be dismissed, by a 140kph bouncer that got big on him, and which he could only top edge to the wicketkeeper. Shehan Jayasuriya was out next ball, chasing a short wide one that he top-edged to third man. Later in that same over, Kusal Mendis would be dismissed as well, when he tried to shovel a leg-side bouncer over his shoulder and could only get glove to it.Next over, Angelo Mathews holed out trying to bash Thomas over the legside, and Dasun Shanaka went too far across and had his leg stump disturbed by a full delivery. Thomas wasn’t even required to bowl a fourth over. He’d done enough damage with the new ball to swing the game, picking up figures of 5 for 28.Russell and Pollard go bigAndre Russell was playing his first T20 international in 20 months. Pollard was playing his 500th T20 game. Together they turned what seemed like it was going to be a good total into a downright commanding one, Russell walloping 35 off 14 balls, before Pollard blasted 34 off 15. So good was the platform the openers had laid that Russell was sent in at No. 4, in the 13th over. He scored only one run off his first three balls, before his innings took off against Sri Lanka’s wristspinners. He smoked two sixes and a four off Lakshan Sandakan, and two sixes and a four off Wanindu Hasaranga in the next over, to seriously raise West Indies’ tempo. He was dismissed by an outstanding Lasith Malinga yorker, but Pollard came in immediately after to ensure no momentum was lost. Pollard was especially good against his Mumbai Indians teammate Malinga, whose last over he reaped three fours from. He hit two other sixes in his innings.Simmons ties the innings togetherBefore Dre Russ and Pollard could begin their bruising innings’, Lendl Simmons had laid the groundwork. He was imperious behind square on the offside early in his innings, lacing boundaries between point and third man, before in the final over of the Powerplay, he exploded against Isuru Udana, bludgeoning two sixes over square leg, and two fours through the off side, to reap 20 runs off the over. While Simmons got the innings cooking, Brandon King warmed up too, and joined him for a 74-run partnership off 50 balls, after which a big West Indies score always seemed likely. When the bigger hitters came in, Simmons wisely just strove to turn over the strike. He batted through the innings, but hit his last boundary in the 10th over. Only five of the balls he faced in the second half of the innings were dots, however.Kusal Perera and Wanindu Hasaranga give Sri Lanka mild hopePerera had just got married on Tuesday, but was in the saddle with the Sri Lanka team on Wednesday, producing their best innings. Having opened, he was the only Sri Lanka batsman who seemed to have the measure of Thomas in the early overs, and would hit confident boundaries square on either side of the pitch, to have Sri Lanka in touch with the required rate through the Powerplay.He eventually joined forces with Hasaranga, who hit sumptuous early boundaries square on the offside, and got settled into a smart innings. The pair’s partnership was worth 87 off 57 balls, but they were dismissed seven balls apart. Perera made 66 off 38 and Hasaranga 44 off 34. There was hope for Sri Lanka while they stayed together, but it unraveled quickly after they were parted.Powell locks up the middle oversPart of the reason why the Perera-Hasaranga stand couldn’t quite turn into a match-winning one was down to Rovman Powell, who bowled some cheap overs through the middle. He pitched full – often he didn’t pitch at all, delivering low full tosses. Although his bowling seemed innocuous Sri Lanka’s batsmen couldn’t get him away, his first three overs going for only 16 runs. This meant that although Sri Lanka had a fast start, they couldn’t quite maintain that tempo, despite set batsmen being in the middle. Powell would also pick up the wicket of Thisara Perera in his final over.

Just over five months ago, Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis made the unfortunate call to sack manager Steve Cooper after a run of six games without a win.

The Welshman captured the hearts of the Reds fanbase, taking over the side after they were rooted to the bottom of the Championship after picking up just one point from their opening seven matches in 2021/22.

However, the former Swansea City boss achieved the unthinkable, leading the club to the Premier League following a 1-0 win in the play-off final over Huddersfield Town at Wembley.

Cooper once again worked his magic during the club's first top-flight campaign in 23 years, securing survival despite a huge influx of new signings – providing him with the huge task of gelling a bunch of strangers into a side good enough for the Premier League.

A poor start to the 2023/24 season – which included a run of five defeats out of six at one stage leading up to Cooper's departure – would see him lose his job at the City Ground, with numerous names flying around to replace the fan-favourite in the dugout.

Forest had verbal agreement with high-profile boss

According to a recent report from The Guardian, the club were recommended by advisor George Syrianos, to appoint former Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner, with the Austrian being the perfect fit for the Reds' squad.

The report goes on to state the club had a verbal agreement with the 49-year-old to take over at the City Ground, before owner Marinakis caught wind of the deal and decided to pursue another option.

He instead decided to appoint Nuno Espírito Santo, mainly down to his agent – Jorge Mendes, a football super agent who has multiple high-profile clients, in a bid to tempt them to ply their trade in Nottingham.

Nuno enjoyed success at Wolves, with signings such as Ruben Neves and Diogo Jota making a huge impact in their Championship-winning campaign – scoring 23 goals between them that season.

However, with just three games to go Nuno's side sit just a point clear of the Premier League's relegation zone, with the Reds making a huge mistake in not hiring Glasner.

Why Glasner's system would've secured PL survival for Forest

The "incredible" Austrian, as described by Transfermarkt's Stefan Bienkowski, would subsequently join Crystal Palace in February, taking over from Roy Hodgson and making an instant impact at Selhurst Park.

He's already secured Premier League survival for the Eagles, despite being 15th and just a handful of points clear of the drop at the time of his arrival – with his 3-4-2-1 system working its magic in England.

His high-intensity system has allowed multiple players at Palace to thrive, with his tactics masterminding a stunning 1-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield a few weeks ago.

Glasner's formation depends on his three centre-backs being comfortable on the ball, with the central player out of the three often playing slightly more advanced in possession to allow for a third man in the middle of the pitch – subsequently creating an overload in midfield.

Jefferson Lerma has been one player who has hugely benefitted from his arrival at the club, with the Colombian midfielder slotting into a wide centre-back role in recent weeks – even claiming FotMob's Man of the Match award for his performance against Jürgen Klopp's side.

The two attacking players behind the central striker would have a crucial part to play in any success, with the two wing-backs often providing the width, allowing the number 10s to stay central.

Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze are arguably Palace's two most important players – hence their current £60m valuations – with Glasner able to utilise the duo in behind the striker, allowing them to get on the ball in some crucial areas, and further creating an overload alongside the two central midfielders and the centre-back who has pushed forward from the back.

However, he's had the greatest effect on striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, with the Frenchman thriving since Glasner's arrival at the club.

The Palace number 14 has scored eight goals in his last ten Premier League appearances, with Olise and Eze's creativity and the introduction of flying wing-backs aiding his tally.

Whilst Forest striker Chris Wood has registered 12 goals this season, Glasner's one-time potential arrival at the Reds would've allowed the New Zealand international to have further added to his tally.

Current boss Nuno has stuck to a 4-2-3-1 system throughout the majority of his time at the City Ground, with the emphasis on counter-attacking rather than dominating possession.

However, Glasner's time short time at Selhurst Park has quickly transformed the side into a dominant force, with the aim to dominate possession, create overloads and play with fluidity in attack – all traits that would've aided Wood's goalscoring record.

Five months on from the deal to bring Nuno to the East Midlands, the Forest hierarchy must wish they had listened to Syrianos, who could've appointed the perfect boss for the club. However, with three games left this season, the Tricky Trees are sweating over their top-flight status, with fans still unsure whether Nuno is the right man to lead the club forward.

Related Nottingham Forest dud who lost 100% duels was worse than Wood v City

The Reds fell to a second successive Premier League defeat yesterday.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Apr 29, 2024

Brentford boss Thomas Frank offered an update on Ivan Toney after leaving the striker out of his squad to face Crystal Palace.

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• Toney linked with a move away from Brentford
• Striker left out of squad to face Crystal Palace
• Frank offers honest update on situation

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Toney's future at Brentford has been the subject of speculation for some time, with the England striker reportedly having been offered a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia. Frank has now hinted that Toney could be on the move before the transfer window closes at the end of the month after explaining why he left his star striker out of his squad to face Crystal Palace in their Premier League opener.

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• WHAT FRANK SAID

  Frank told Sky Sports: "A lot of things are going on with Ivan, especially with transfers – there’s a lot of transfer interest. Because of all that, we’ve decided not to include him in the squad. I can’t give too much away the day before. Of course Ivan is a top player, we all know that. He has been fantastic for us for four years, but we showed last season we can cope without him.”

  The Brentford boss was then asked if Toney had already played his last game for the club and responded: "Who knows? There is interest, it’s not close.”

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Frank has previously been bullish about keeping hold of Toney but his shift in stance suggests a transfer could be on the cards. Toney has just one year left on his contract at Brentford and has reportedly been offered a lucrative deal by Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli. If he does opt to move on then his departure would surely be a blow to Brentford. Toney has scored 67 league goals in 128 games for Brentford since joining in 2020.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR TONEY

  Brentford are due to play Liverpool and Southampton in the Premier League and Colchester in the EFL Cup before the transfer window closes. It remains to be seen if Toney will return for any of those games of if he will instead seal a transfer away from the Bees.

The 2023/24 season has not been an easy time for Manchester United. Erik ten Hag’s side currently reside in sixth in the Premier League table, although are now mathematically out of the running for a Champions League qualification spot.

In this season's edition of the famous competition, the Red Devils crashed out at the group stages, managing a total of just four points, winning once, drawing once and losing four out of the six games, including home and away to Bayern Munich.

Domestically, United’s defence of their Carabao Cup title did not go to plan. They were eliminated from the competition in the fourth round against Newcastle United. However, they are in the FA Cup final, following two dramatic wins against Liverpool in extra time and Coventry on penalties, to set up an all-Manchester final for the second year running.

This season has been a tough campaign for many of United’s players too. The Red Devils’ squad has been hit with over 60 cases of injury or illness, and key men like Casemiro and Marcus Rashford have struggled for form.

But that is not all. There was a scandal at the beginning of the season, in which Jadon Sancho fell out with manager Ten Hag, meaning he was banished from the squad. The 24-year-old has since gone out on loan to former club Borussia Dortmund, where he has shone.

Jadon Sancho's stats vs PSG

Since returning to Dortmund in January, Sancho has scored three goals and assisted two in 17 games. He has put in some vintage performances and has looked much more like his former self. One performance, in particular, in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final has got the footballing world buzzing about the talented winger once more.

It was a simply dazzling performance from Sancho on Wednesday evening. According to Squawka, the 24-year-old completed the most dribbles ever in a Champions League game by an Englishman, with 12, which is also the most completed in a single Champions League game this season.

He has the most completed take-ons in the knockout stages of this year’s competition, with 21 as per Sqauwka, and the last time a player completed more dribbles in a Champions League semi-final was Lionel Messi 16 years ago, against Sancho’s parent club, United.

According to Sofascore, Sancho had 100 touches, which included his 12 successful dribbles, and completed 51/58 passes at a success rate of 88%. He also created three chances and one big chance. He was desperately unlucky to not leave with at least one assist. Off the ball, he was magnificent, winning 14/20 of his ground duels, and his only tackle.

He gave PSG left-back Nuno Mendes nightmares all game; the Portugal international was dribbled past six times in total. It was a vintage performance from the winger, who looked so confident, gliding with the ball at his feet and slaloming past opponents with such ease, and combining with the full-back and midfielder on Dortmund’s right-hand side.

He created two excellent second-half chances, the first a superb piece of play, where he beat Mendes and carried the ball to the byline, before driving into the penalty box and cutting the ball back for Niclas Fullkrug, who fired over from close range. The second was a wonderful pass between the defender's legs, which fell perfectly to Julian Brandt, but his shot was blocked well.

It was a mesmerising performance by the winger, who looked like his old self, and showed exactly why United spent so much money on him in the first place. Performances like this, plus question marks over Ten Hag’s future, could well open the door for a return to the fold at United next season.

However, if this does not materialise, there is an up-and-coming winger in United’s academy who could break into the first team soon and bring the same flair as Sancho to the Old Trafford pitch.

Man Utd’s next best prospect

The player in question here is 17-year-old Shea Lacey, who recently celebrated his birthday by signing a first professional contract. He is very highly rated by Manchester United supporters and was described by BBC Sport’s Alex Turk as a “very, very special player”.

Lacey is a left-footed winger, who tends to play on the right wing. Whilst he brings lots of Sancho’s flair to the pitch, he is stylistically most similar to Phil Foden, almost a carbon copy of the Manchester City number 47, in fact.

The way he moves with the ball at his feet is very reminiscent of Foden. Like the England international, he has a low centre of gravity and can ride tackles with surprising ease. His close control is superb, he rarely loses control of the ball, and he is a very good creative outlet in the final third of the pitch.

The above goal is a perfect example of what Lacey can do. He is swamped by several opposition defenders, but the quick change of direction, the way he shifts the ball between both feet and the Cruyff turn, all aided by his low centre of gravity, means he can dance between the defenders, find space to accelerate into and finish emphatically. Foden-esque, indeed.

Sadly, Lacey's season has been ruined by an injury, which also led to him missing the U17 World Cup in Indonesia last year. He already has three goals for England’s U17s, in just five caps so far.

Despite his injuries, Lacey has played well when he has not been sidelined. The 17-year-old has played just seven U18 Premier League games this season, yet has still contributed to five goals, scoring three and assisting two. He also grabbed an assist in the UEFA Youth League.

There is little doubt that Manchester United have an elite talent on their hands in Lacey. He has already trained with the first team on several occasions. His progress this season has stalled slightly because of his injury issues, yet Lacey’s talent, and similarity to Foden, are indisputable.

Sadly, he will miss the remainder of the season due to injury, so a potential first-team debut will have to wait until next season. With that being said, it does not seem long until United can unleash such an exciting prospect, and give him the first of many first-team opportunities.

What the Man Utd team could look like once Shea Lacey becomes a regular

A look at how the Red Devils could line up once teen sensation Shea Lacey breaks into the side…

ByRobbie Walls Apr 16, 2024

MatériaMais Notícias

O Juventude está completando 108 anos de história e para comemorar, preparou surpresas exclusivas para o torcedor Jaconero. O clube apresentou a nova camisa três para a disputa da Série A do Brasileirão. Desenvolvida pela 19Treze, marca própria do clube, a camisa batizada de ‘Alambrado’ traz consigo a tradição e a força do estádio Alfredo Jaconi.

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Em evento de inauguração Quiosque do Ju, que foi inaugurado nesta terça-feira (29), apesar do rigoroso frio na serra gaúcha, houve fila de torcedores no estabelecimento para o lançamento das novas peças. A torcida também teve a oportunidade de rever alguns jogadores do elenco que participaram da comemoração, como o atacante Roberson, que se recupera de lesão, e o atacante Sorriso, revelação do clube gaúcho.

Predominantemente verde, a nova camisa três conta com detalhes em branco nas mangas e na gola, além de uma listra verde em tom mais escuro nos ombros. A grande novidade está na parte frontal, onde detalhes ao longo da camisa, também em tom de verde mais escuro, representam o imponente alambrado do estádio Alfredo Jaconi, além dos calções únicos do uniforme.

A camisa de goleiro segue o mesmo layout, mas com a cor preta predominante e os detalhes do alambrado em verde. Assim como a camisa I e II, a ‘Alambrado’ terá suas versões com e sem patrocínio, nome e número.

A peça pode ser adquirida pelo site 19treze.com.br ou pela Papo Store. Além disso, o novo modelo pode ser encontrado no Quiosque do Ju, primeira loja do Juventude fora do estádio Alfredo Jaconi. No espaço, o torcedor pode encontrar toda linha de produtos oficiais, camisas, peças casuais e acessórios. O novo ponto de venda atenderá de domingo a domingo, das 10h às 22h, e os torcedores que ainda não são sócios poderão se associar no local.

Philippe Clement faces arguably his most important six games in charge of Glasgow Rangers as the Premiership season enters its post-split phase.

Five more league games followed by the Scottish Cup final could see Rangers either win a treble or finish the season having lifted only the League Cup.

Back in September – after just three wins in seven league games – being in this current position would have been classified as a success, but it feels as though the Light Blues have wasted their chance in recent weeks.

A dismal defeat to Ross County was sandwiched between draws against Celtic and Dundee which derailed the title challenge, giving their Old Firm rivals the advantage.

Ahead of the clash against St Mirren this afternoon, Clement may need to rejig his starting XI once again due to injury problems affecting his squad.

“Sima will be out, I hope to see him again this season he is very motivated for that,” said the manager during his press conference on Friday afternoon.

“Matondo got a bad tackle against Hearts and is doubtful for the weekend. Ridvan and Jack I expect back in training next week.”

Ultimately, it will be injuries which could cost the Gers another Premiership crown, as far foo many of their key players have been missing for important games.

Sima will be the hardest to replace, but here's a a look at three options that could be considered…

1 The obvious choice Ross McCausland

During the last few games Sima has featured, he has played on the right wing, which means Clement has a few options available to him who could potentially make his way into the starting XI.

McCausland would certainly be the most obvious choice, considering he is the most natural right-winger in the current squad.

Since making his breakthrough earlier this season, the 20-year-old has featured in 33 matches this season, scoring twice while notching three assists in all competitions.

Goals

1

Assists

2

Key passes per game

1.4

Big chances created

2

Successful dribbles per game

0.8

Clement has nurtured him well, however, taking him out of the firing line when things get heated, which has meant the winger dropped to the bench for the previous five matches.

There is no doubting his quality though. Among his teammates in the Premiership this season, McCausland currently ranks seventh for key passes per game (1.4) along with ranking ninth for successful dribbles per game (0.8), suggesting that he has taken no time at all integrating with the rest of the first team squad.

With six games left, the Northern Irishman could fill the void left by Sima’s injury and show Clement exactly how much he wants to become a regular starter in the first team ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Delivering an impressive performance against St Mirren could be the catalyst for this becoming a reality.

2 The tactical tweak Todd Cantwell

The Englishman has thrived since being used as a number ten under Clement, going on a run of scoring five league goals in seven games at the turn of the year, and it looked as though the Gers had an ideal creative talent looking to make things click.

He hasn’t scored since a 2-1 win over Aberdeen in February, however, missing a few games due to suffering a hamstring injury a couple of weeks later, which derailed the progress that he had made.

Hailed as a “catalyst” by journalist Josh Bunting following a wonderful spell towards the end of last season, it's fair to say that he hasn’t quite lived up to his billing at times this term.

Against Hearts in the Scottish Cup semi-final last weekend, the 26-year-old delivered arguably his finest performance in weeks, notching two assists as Cyriel Dessers netted twice to send the Gers back to Hampden next month for the final.

Moving him out wide to the right could allow Clement to unleash Lawrence through the middle – where he is usually best – but still have Cantwell present within the team.

The former Norwich City starlet scored against Sparta Prague from the right wing earlier this season and while it may not be his favoured role, due to Sima’s absence, it could potentially be an option for Clement against St Mirren.

3 The wildcard option Dujon Sterling

Recently, due to Yilmaz’s injury and Borna Barisic’s worrying loss of form, Sterling had been operating as a left-back to good effect.

Against Celtic, the 24-year-old won an impressive ten of his 12 ground duels contested during the contest, along with making one key pass, attempting two dribbles and making four tackles, showing that he can shine wherever Clement deploys him.

Indeed, this season alone, Sterling has played in six positions under the Belgian, including one game as a right-winger.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

That came against Benfica during the first league of the Europa League last 16 clash in Portugal. Not only was it his first start in the position, but Sterling scored his first-ever senior professional goal during what was an excellent performance.

A few weeks earlier, he came off the bench to replace Scott Wright on the flank and did well during the second half, even winning a penalty and making one key pass, showing the manager that he could contribute in an attacking sense too.

The likelihood is, Clement will start Sterling at left-back like he has done for the previous few matches as it is a position he has plenty of experience in.

Should the Belgian go with Barisic, however, this may open up a space for Sterling to be deployed elsewhere, with the right-wing being a realistic option should all else fail.

Whatever team the 50-year-old tactician puts out this afternoon, all he will be expecting is a solid performance and three points, which still gives the Light Blues a chance to win the Premiership.

The last few matches will all be like cup finals and Rangers will need Celtic to drop points, but it has happened before and it will happen again. It promises to be an exciting run-in, that’s for sure.

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West Ham technical director Tim Steidten has some crucial transfer decisions to make this summer, alongside pitching in over the future of manager David Moyes.

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A host of West Ham players will be out of contract, as well as the club's manager, by June 30 – giving the Hammers board and Steidten a number of futures to resolve as we slowly approach the transfer window.

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While West Ham are still in the conversation for Europe next season, sitting just two points behind Man United and Newcastle who hold the remaining Conference League places, some supporters have grown discontented with Moyes' brand of football and yearn for change.

The east Londoners have been difficult to watch at points, losing multiple games by five goals or more in all competitions this season, and have won just once in their last five Premier League games.

The prospect of another European run is also dwindling, as Moyes faces a mountain to climb after their 2-0 defeat to Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.

West Ham will make a decision on Moyes at the end of the season, according to reports, but there is also the matter of their squad members. Ben Johnson, Divin Mubama, Angelo Ogbonna and Aaron Cresswell are all out of contract at the end of this season with Moyes.

The latter has served West Ham well since joining from Ipswich Town last decade, but the time is now to replace him. As Steidten draws up his plans for the summer window, it is believed one left-back is attracting the German's attention.

West Ham keen on signing Juan Miranda

According to HITC, that man is Real Betis left-back Juan Miranda, formerly of Barcelona.

The Spaniard, managed by former West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini, has amassed 19 La Liga appearances this season and is still just 24 years old. He's been described as a "quick, agile and very attack-minded" full-back by the report, which will entice a large section of Hammers fans.

West Ham are one of the many clubs keen on signing Miranda as a free agent this summer, and scouts have even been to run the rule over him already. A La Masia academy graduate, Miranda has even earned praise from Lionel Messi.

"They have been training with us for a whole and you see they are different players," said Messi on Miranda and Riqui Puig.

"The club did well in bringing them up to train with us. They will grow more and that's good the club are using people from the youth academy because for a while nobody came. Going back to that model is important for the academy and the club."

Newcastle United host Sheffield United at St James' Park this afternoon, looking to return to winning ways after the defeat against Crystal Palace in midweek.

Jean-Philippe Mateta's double was enough to end the Magpies' four-game Premier League unbeaten run, with Eddie Howe's side needing to rectify their performance on Saturday if they are to stay in contention for European football next season.

During the defeat, Howe's side only registered two shots on target and over ten fewer attempts on goal than the hosts, with Oliver Glasner's side outclassing the Magpies at Selhurst Park.

The club have the opportunity to relegate Chris Wilder's side, with the Blades needing a rare away win to ensure they delay any potential relegation back to the Championship.

However, if Howe's side are to secure all three points, he must recall two first-team members to the starting lineup if he is to deploy the three centre-back system once again this afternoon.

Why Howe must recall Lewis Hall against Sheffield United

Elliot Anderson featured on the left-hand side of the Magpies' midfield, operating in a partial wing-back role to provide cover for Dan Burn at left centre-back.

The youngster lost possession 18 times during his display, whilst only winning 35% of his 17 duels and committing three fouls – as he struggled to make an impact on the encounter.

Given his poor display, the boss should replace the 21-year-old with Lewis Hall against the Premier League's bottom side, with the Chelsea loanee more suited to the wing-back role if Howe does decide to utilise a back three once more.

His energetic and aggressive playstyle would combat the Blades' five-at-the-back system, with the likes of Jayden Bogle and Ben Osborn liking to get forward and create opportunities, as demonstrated by Ben Brereton Diaz's goal against Manchester United a few days ago.

The youngster was brought on in the 65th minute during the Palace defeat, completing 70% of the passes he attempted – only managing 18 fewer passes than Anderson despite featuring for 63 minutes less than the Scotsman.

Howe must also recall "monster" talent vs Sheffield United

Jacob Murphy, like Anderson, started in a wing-back position after his solid display against Tottenham Hotspur the weekend prior to the Palace defeat.

He also suffered the same fortune as the midfielder, only managing 41 touches and 17 passes at a completion rate of just 55% – with goalkeeper Martin Dubravka managing to complete one more successful pass than the 29-year-old.

Murphy also lost 100% of the duels he contested, whilst also losing possession 17 times, evidence he's not cut out for a role in a wing-back position.

Howe should look to replace him with natural full-back Tino Livramento, who hasn't started a Premier League game since the dramatic comeback victory against West Ham United at the end of March.

Games played

23

Passes

414

Pass completion

86%

Successful dribbles

15

Duels won

65%

Interceptions

19

He's excelled with the ball this season, completing 86% of his passes and completing 15 dribbles, but has also made 19 interceptions and won 24 fouls – proving he's more than capable of doing the dirty work as well as providing opportunities for the attackers.

The "monster" talent, as described by talent scout Jacek Kulig, could be fit for this after, as stated by Howe in his pre-match press conference, and if he is, the 21-year-old must start.

Livramento is the perfect modern wing-back, with his relentless running and ability to create opportunities in the final third a huge bonus to the Magpies, and potentially allowing Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak to run riot against a poor Sheffield United side.

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