ESPNcricinfo understands that the ECB’s security team is expected to arrive in Pakistan later this month to assess arrangements

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Jul-2022Lahore and Karachi are likely to host seven T20Is between Pakistan and England from September 15 to October 2, PCB chairman Ramiz Raja has confirmed. ESPNcricinfo understands the ECB’s three-member security team is expected to arrive in Pakistan later this month to assess arrangements.Though Pakistan have Multan and Rawalpindi as other venues to consider, Ramiz said that the schedule is “very tight and we can’t go elsewhere”. PCB is yet to announce the fixtures for the series, which will be the first instance of England touring Pakistan in 16 years. Following this series, Pakistan will depart for New Zealand on October 4 to participate in a T20I tri-series (also involving Bangladesh) in Christchurch from October 7 to 14. England, meanwhile, will return to Pakistan following the 2022 T20 World Cup for a three-Test series in November as a part of the World Test Championship.The pitches have been relaid in Karachi and Lahore and are expected to be ready ahead of the series. The tour was originally scheduled to be played in Rawalpindi last October but England had called off their visit following New Zealand’s doing the same at the last minute over security issues.England’s new white-ball captain Jos Buttler had said last week that he does not expect to have his best team available for the series due to fixture congestion. England’s red-ball players are unlikely to be available at the start of the limited-overs series in Pakistan, with England’s third Test against South Africa due to finish on September 12.The upcoming series carries significance as England have not toured Pakistan since 2005 and two of Pakistan’s home series in 2012 and 2016 were forced to be played in UAE. After England decided to withdraw their men’s and women’s teams’ tours to Pakistan last year, Ramiz hit out at cricket’s “western bloc”. The ECB cited bubble fatigue and “increasing concerns about travelling to the region” to pull out of the series.

Rohit Sharma isn’t too worried yet, but does think the form of India’s top-order batters is “something we need to look into”.Shikhar Dhawan finished with scores of 1, 9 and 31* in the three ODIs in England, while Virat Kohli aggregated just 46 runs in those games, along with the 11 and 1 he made in two T20Is. Rohit himself made scores of 0 and 17 after opening the ODI series with an unbeaten 76 in a ten-wicket win.Related

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“Not really,” he said if it was a concern. “But we do understand that it is something we need to look into. To be honest, the wicket [at Old Trafford] didn’t have much. We played some not-so-good shots and that’s what cost us wickets. But I still back those guys to come out good because they have done it for a long time. I’ve got nothing more to say since I understand the quality they bring to the team.”Despite the lack of runs at the top, India won the series 2-1.After the canter in the first ODI, India were 29 for 3 in pursuit of 247 in the second. In the series decider, they slipped to 38 for 3 by the ninth over in their chase of 260. While Dhawan was out driving to point on Sunday, Rohit nicked to slip and Kohli was caught behind, in near-identical fashion to his dismissal in the second ODI at Lord’s.On Sunday, a 133-run stand for the fifth wicket, at better than a run-a-ball, between Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant helped India overcome that stutter to win by five wickets. While Hardik made 71, Pant was unbeaten on 125 – his maiden ODI century – when the winning runs were hit.”[We were] quite pleased chasing 260 – it was a good pitch, but we knew it won’t be easy if we lost wickets early,” Rohit said. “We didn’t want it to happen, but if you look at the positive side, a lot of these guys haven’t batted a long period in the middle overs, and we got to see that from Rishabh and Hardik. Both of them were clinical with the bat – at no point did we feel they were panicking. They backed themselves, played great cricketing shots, which was good to see.”It meant a second straight series win for Rohit as full-time ODI captain since being elevated to the role last November.”Very pleased,” Rohit said of the series outcome. “We came here wanting to achieve something as a group in white-ball cricket, and I thought we achieved a fair bit. Obviously, moving forward there are a lot of things we need to improve as a group, but quite pleased with the effort from the boys in the entire white-ball leg.”We were here last time, and we were beaten, I remember that. It is not an easy place to come and win games, but the way we played the entire white-ball leg was fantastic. It’s something we wanted to do for a long period of time, to finally come and achieve was a great effort from the entire unit.”Yuzvendra Chahal had an excellent tour, picking up seven wickets in the ODIs at an economy rate of 5.35•Getty Images

Rohit was effusive in his praise for Hardik, who returned as an allrounder to the ODI set-up after more than a year. He finished with six wickets in three matches, including a career-best of 4 for 24 at Old Trafford on Sunday, to go with his contributions with the bat: 29 in 44 balls and 71 in 55 balls.There were also good words for Yuzvendra Chahal, who underlined his significance to India’s white-ball plans again, after being left out of last year’s T20 World Cup. He finished the ODI series with seven wickets in three games, at an economy rate of just 5.35.”He is a critical member for us,” Rohit said. “He has got so much experience, bowling in all sorts of white-ball formats. It was very unfortunate that he missed the last T20 World Cup, but I’m pleased with how he has come back after the World Cup and gone from strength to strength.”Hardik as well, he used the dimensions of the ground pretty well. One side of the boundary was pretty long, he kept bowling those bouncers and got the rewards for it as well. I’m very pleased for him.”

Chelsea are willing to make a big-money bid, and offer out winger Mykhailo Mudryk, in exchange for a highly-rated attacking player they want – as Enzo Maresca’s side plot feasible ways to bring him to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea transfer chiefs targeting new striker for 2025

It has been reliably reported that the west Londoners are keen to bring in a prolific new target man at some point next year, despite the fine form of current number nine Nicolas Jackson, and there are a few interesting names on their shortlist.

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The talkSPORT pundit suggests a deal is entirely possible.

1

By
Emilio Galantini

Dec 24, 2024

Indeed, reputable Chelsea journalist Simon Phillips backs reports of a distinct possibility that co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley will move to sign a prolific striker, coming after they missed out on both Benjamin Sesko and Victor Osimhen last summer.

Chelsea made a proposal to Sesko in an attempt to lure him away from RB Leipzig, but the Slovenia international snubbed Marsesca, Arsenal and Man United in favour of signing a contract extension.

Chelsea’s next Premier League fixtures	Date
Fulham (home)	December 26
Ipswich Town (away)	December 30
Crystal Palace (away)	January 4
Bournemouth (home)	January 14
Wolverhampton Wanderers (home)	January 20

However, the 21-year-old is believed to have a “gentlemen’s agreement” that he can leave in 2025 or 2026, so he could re-emerge as an option for Chelsea.

Chelsea did make a last-minute summer attempt to sign Victor Osimhen as well, alongside Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli, but neither side could complete a deal for the Nigerian who later joined Galatasaray on a season-long loan.

Osimhen, Sesko, Victor Boniface, Liam Delap and Viktor Gyokeres are the strikers reportedly being considered by Chelsea as we head into next year (Simon Phillips), and reports from Italy now suggest that Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez is also firmly on their radar.

The Argentine only signed a new five-year deal in August, so it would make him an expensive option, though Chelsea are apparently ready to push the boat out.

Chelsea prepared to offer big money and three players for Lautaro Martinez

Calciomercato, citing Argentine sources, report that Chelsea are prepared to offer “a lot of money” and three players for Martinez, and one of the trio of players they’re ready to float towards the San Siro is suspended winger Mudryk.

The 23-year-old tested positive for meldonium in a recent drugs test (The Times), which has resulted in his provisional suspension from football, and it appears Chelsea could attempt to find him a new home at Inter as they pursue Martinez.

Benoit Badiashile and Carney Chukwuemeka are other players who could allegedly be offered in exchange for the £262,000-per-week striker, as Chelsea evaluate the possibility of making a move for him.

Martinez has bagged six goals and four assists in all competitions so far, but the Nerazzurri captain did bag a prolific 27 strikes in total last season.

Prolific Vince scores 65 as Fuller chimes in with bat and ball to trump Sussex cameos

ECB Reporters Network03-Jul-2022

James Fuller played his part with bat and ball•Getty Images

Hampshire warmed up for the Vitality Blast quarter-finals with their ninth victory in ten matches when they beat the Sussex Sharks by five wickets at Hove. For Sussex, it was their eighth defeat in their last nine games.The only surprise was that Sussex took the game to the final over. Hampshire looked on course for a more comfortable victory when their prolific captain James Vince and Ben McDermott put on 86 for the first wicket, striking at ten runs an over.But Hampshire’s batting faltered after Vince skied Delray Rawlins to the keeper for a 42-ball 65. After the powerplay some tight bowling from Rashid Khan and Ravi Bopara and a flurry of middle-order wickets left them needing 43 off the final five overs and then 39 off the last three.When that boiled down to 19 off two Sussex were still in the game. But when George Garton was called up to bowl the penultimate over Ross Whiteley and James Fuller thumped it for 15. That meant that leg-spinner Will Beer was on a hiding to nothing when he was called up to bowl the last over, in his last game for the club, with just four runs needed. Fuller cracked the first delivery over midwicket for four.The match was something of a dead rubber as Hampshire had already qualified for the quarter-finals, while Sussex were out of the competition. For that reason Tom Alsop, originally signed on loan from Hampshire – but recently signed on a permanent basis – was given special permission to play, though ultimately illness meant he was not available.The Sussex innings was full of cameos. They lost powerplay wickets and after five overs had scored only 28 runs for 2. In the second over the recently prolific Ali Orr skied Brad Wheal to Vince at mid-on. Then Josh Philippe lost his middle stump playing on to Chris Wood, who swung the ball in unpromising conditions.Sussex red-ball captain Tom Haines, playing his first T20 game of the season, and Harrison Ward, took 21 off the sixth over, but then Ward lofted Tom Prest to long on and Haines was stumped charging a googly from Mason Crane. Rawlins swatted two sixes in a 22-ball 29 and Bopara made 35 off 25.The most entertaining batting came at the end. Garton top-scored with 37 off just 17 deliveries, with three fours and three sixes, one a vast one over long-on. And Rashid scored a typically unorthodox 25 off a dozen balls. Somehow, Sussex had scrambled together a competitive score.

If you could write a one week script detailing the trials and tribulations of Tottenham Hotspur it would go very much like this week.

A few days ago, Spurs were defeating Arne Slot’s rampant Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-finals. So, the confidence should have been there after a rather sticky patch in the Premier League.

No better game than an FA Cup tie against non-league Tamworth then, surely? Think again.

Remarkably, the National League side held Ange Postecoglou’s men, taking them all the way to extra time. To put it bluntly, the top-flight side were not good enough.

Tamworth went toe to toe with the Lilywhites and more than deserved the 0-0 scoreline at the end of the 90 minutes, even if things did go on to finish 3-0 after extra time.

After an embarrassing time of it on Sunday, it only highlights the need for new recruits in the January transfer window.

Tottenham's January transfer window plans

One of the names on the lips of supporters at the moment is PSG forward Randal Kolo Muani. There have been a number of reports suggesting that Spurs could sign the Frenchman on loan this summer and there has been a fresh update from the Daily Mail’s Chris Wheeler.

He reported this weekend that ‘Spurs and Juventus lead the way’ for the 26-year-old this winter. That’s because Manchester United’s interest in the attacker has allegedly cooled.

Speaking of United, it’s a Red Devil who Postecogou’s side are also interested in with Wheeler revealing that there is interest in Marcus Rashford.

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It’s stated that Dortmund, Milan, Juve and Barcelona have the England international on their radar.

How Marcus Rashford compares to Randal Kolo Muani

It’s thought that initially, both players would be available on loan deals. So, it becomes clear immediately who Spurs should look at pursuing more strongly this month.

While Kolo Muani has scored as many as 23 goals in the 2022/23 season for Eintracht Frankfurt, he’s not exactly set the world alight at PSG, playing just ten times and scoring twice in Ligue 1 this term.

Crucially, he’s not got experience of the Premier League yet which if you’re bringing in someone for just a six-month loan spell, wouldn’t be advantageous.

Rashford, on the other hand, would not need a huge period of adaptation, thus meaning he’s likely the more sensible option if a deal can be done.

While the United forward has only found the net on seven occasions this term, that would make him Tottenham’s joint-third top-scorer alongside club captain, Heung-min Son.

A look at the stats over the last two campaigns also tells us why Rashford – who was “unstoppable” in the words of Erik ten Hag on the way to 39 goal involvements in all competitions throughout 2022/23 – would be a better acquisition.

Rashford vs Kolo Muani: 2023/24 to 2024/25

Stat (* = per 90 mins)

Rashford

Kolo Muani

Matches played

48

38

Goals scored

11

9

Assists

3

6

Progressive passes *

2.38

2.53

Key passes *

1.05

1.57

Passes into final 3rd *

1.30

1.26

Shot-creating actions *

3.21

2.23

Carries into final 3rd

1.94

1.31

Progressive carries *

3.19

2.53

Stats via FBRef.

While Kolo Muani certainly looks like the more creative outlet here, Rashford has a regular habit of scoring goals in English football and certainly over the last 18 months or so, he’s been a more progressive carrier of the ball and a more efficient carrier at that too.

Of course, you can look at the England international’s work rate as a cause for concern but if Postecoglou wants something short-term then the out-of-favour United man is probably the player to go for here.

Related Maddison upgrade: Spurs could land "world-class" January signing for £50m

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Jan 12, 2025

High-class bowling from Oliver Hannon-Dalby put Warwickshire in charge before Kent hit back on a wicket-strewn opening day in the LV=Insurance County Championship at Edgbaston.In a crucial game, with both teams struggling this season, Warwickshire prepared a green wicket to expedite a result. They then won the toss and their seamers exploited the conditions to bowl Kent out for 165. Only Jordan Cox passed 40 as Hannon-Dalby took 6 for 40 and Henry Brookes 3 for 56.Warwickshire struggled in turn and closed on 155 for 6, having leaned squarely on Sam Hain. Navdeep Saini, the Indian seamer, had an eventful first bowl for Kent, his spell of 10-2-59-3 including some seriously quick away-cutters and 13 no-balls.Hannon-Dalby was magnificent. As leader of a severely-depleted seam attack – Nathan McAndrew the latest withdrawal after he went down with illness – the pressure was firmly on the Yorkshireman to exploit the conditions. He rose to the challenge with an opening spell of 7-4-15-5.Related

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On potentially the hottest day ever in England, Warwickshire’s decision to bat drew an incredulous reaction from their fans on social media -but those fans hadn’t seen the pitch. Hannon-Dalby struck third ball when Ben Compton nicked to wicketkeeper Michael Burgess and, after Kent advanced to 28 for 1, added two more wickets in four balls: Daniel Bell-Drummond fell lbw and Joe Denly sliced a loose drive to second slip.Hannon-Dalby won two more lbws: Jack Leaning and Zak Crawley who eked out 17 in 53 minutes then fell, hit on the back leg, offering no shot. Cox and Sam Billings added 72 in 20 overs before Hannon-Dalby returned to have the former caught behind.After Billings edged Brookes, Matt Henry plumped for a spot of gung-ho. He socked three fours and three sixes in a merry 34 off 23 balls before slogging Brookes to deep midwicket where sub fielder Kobe Herft took a superb catch.Saini steered Brookes to second slip and Matt Quinn joined the list of Kent batsmen whose quixotic aggression contributed to their downfall when he chipped Danny Briggs to mid-off.Kent hit back hard with three wickets in the first ten overs as Dom Sibley, Alex Davies and Chris Benjamin edged into the cordon off Matt Milnes, Henry and Saini respectively.Hain moved fluently to a 64-ball half-century and added 90 in 28 overs with Will Rhodes before Kent struck three times in 17 balls. Rhodes lifted Milnes to point and Dan Mousley and Burgess edged Saini behind before Hain and Briggs gritted through the last 13 overs to leave their side ascendant – just.

Tottenham Hotspur are just one game away from reaching the League Cup final, having defeated Liverpool 1-0 in the first leg of their semi-final clash.

A win or draw in the return leg at Anfield will ensure the club plays in a first cup final since the 2020/21 campaign, when they reached the final of the EFL Cup, only to lose to Manchester City.

Ange Postecoglou has come in for plenty of criticism this term, especially with the club languishing 12th in the Premier League table at the time of writing.

But could winning a first trophy since 2008 be the catalyst for improvement? The jury is still out on the Australian, but he could become the first manager to lead Spurs to a major trophy since Juande Ramos 17 years ago.

5 managers who could replace Ange Postecoglou at Spurs

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2 ByDominic Lund Jan 6, 2025

Since the Spaniard was sacked after a horror start to the 2008/09 season, the north Londoners have employed eight permanent managers. We have ranked these managers by their attempts to end Tottenham’s trophy drought.

Manager

Year appointed

Points per game

Harry Redknapp

2008

1.73

André Villas-Boas

2012

1.91

Tim Sherwood

2013

1.65

Mauricio Pochettino

2014

1.84

José Mourinho

2019

1.77

Nuno Espírito Santo

2021

1.65

Antonio Conte

2021

1.78

Ange Postecoglou

2023

1.63

8 Mauricio Pochettino July 2014 – November 2019

In hindsight, sacking Mauricio Pochettino in November 2019 was a massive mistake. Of course, the start of that season hadn’t quite gone exactly to plan, but this was a man who had led the club to the Champions League final just a few months before.

The lowest that Spurs finished in the Premier League under the Argentinian was fifth during his maiden season, qualifying for the Champions League across the next four campaigns.

In the top flight, he averaged 1.89 points per match, finishing runners-up during 2016/17, and the likes of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min developed into world-class players.

Competition

Best finish (Year)

Premier League

2nd (2016/17)

FA Cup

Semi-finals (16/17, 17/18)

EFL Cup

Final (2014/15)

Champions League

Final (2018/19)

Europa League

Round of 16 (2015/16)

7 Harry Redknapp October 2008 – June 2012

While Pochettino established Spurs as a top-four side, it was Harry Redknapp who achieved the feat first.

Taking over from Juande Ramos wasn’t easy, but the veteran manager began to slowly turn things around, going on to finish fourth during his first full season in charge, which qualified Spurs for the Champions League.

A run to the quarter-finals in the following season was mightily impressive, and while Redknapp couldn’t lead them to a trophy, the standards he set in place gave Pochettino a platform to build upon when he took over in 2014.

6 Ange Postecoglou July 2023 – present

If – and it is a big if – Postecoglou can lead Spurs to the League Cup, it may prove to be a huge turning point for the former Celtic manager.

At times, the football on show is sublime, with wins over Manchester City and Manchester United the highlights. Sticking to his attacking philosophy when some games require a more pragmatic approach may be seen as tactical naivety, but the Australian sticks to what he is good at.

Injuries haven’t helped Spurs this season, and if given time, Postecoglou could be a successful manager for the club.

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ByDominic Lund Jan 17, 2025 5 Andre Villas-Boas July 2012 – December 2013

Sacked after eight months as Chelsea manager didn’t deter André Villas-Boas from trying again in the Premier League, this time with Spurs.

During the 2012/13 season, he led the club to a fifth-place finish, perhaps over-relying on Gareth Bale’s brilliance at times, but the football on show was superb.

They scored 70 goals that term in the Premier League – the fifth-best attacking side in the division – but this wouldn’t save Villas-Boas.

Indeed, he was sacked in December 2013 after a 5-0 defeat to Liverpool, ending his 18 months back in England.

4 Antonio Conte November 2021 – March 2023

Antonio Conte took over the club in November 2021 following the sacking of Nuno Espírito Santo and led the club to fourth place, losing just six games in the process.

Despite this, Spurs failed to make it past the last 16 in the Champions League during 2022/23, while Conte lasted until March 2023 before being sacked after a run of one win in his previous five matches.

3 Tim Sherwood December 2013 – June 2014

Tim Sherwood lasted just 26 matches in charge of Spurs, but he did have a 59% win percentage in the Premier League.

While the football wasn’t the greatest under the Englishman, his commitment to giving youth talent a chance has to be recognised.

Indeed, it was Sherwood who gave Kane his first-ever start in the Premier League. 435 appearances and 280 goals later, unleashing him was one of Sherwood’s better moments.

His first game saw Spurs knocked out of the League Cup, before being handed the permanent role a few days later. Unfortunately, losses to Arsenal (twice) combined with heavy defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City during his spell meant he only lasted until the end of the 2013/14 season.

His replacement was Pochettino, who enjoyed a much more productive time in charge of the club.

2 José Mourinho November 2019 – April 2021

Following the surprise sacking of Mauricio Pochettino, it was evident that Spurs would need a manager who could take the club to the next level – winning trophies.

On that note, José Mourinho sounded like the ideal candidate. His most recent spell at Manchester United had seen him win two major trophies in his debut season, although things soon turned sour.

The Portuguese manager lasted just 86 games in charge, leading the club to a sixth-place finish in the 2019/20 campaign. Indeed, it was Mourinho who last led the club to a major final, securing their place in the League Cup finale against Manchester City.

By the time the game rolled around, the former Chelsea boss had been sacked, lasting just 17 months in north London. Given the promise his appointment had, Mourinho’s time at Spurs was hugely underwhelming.

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ByRoss Kilvington Dec 10, 2024 1 Nuno Espírito Santo July 2021 – November 2021

It is perhaps no surprise to see Nuno Espírito Santo ranked as the worst manager the club have had since 2008, as his spell at the club was nothing short of dismal.

He did work wonders with Wolverhampton Wanderers, guiding them from the Championship to consecutive seventh-place finishes in the top flight, but at Spurs, he struggled majorly.

Overall, he managed the club for just 17 games, winning nine, but the football on show was largely forgettable. Losses to Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Crystal Palace in the top flight didn’t exactly help his cause and he was sacked in November 2021.

West Ham United are ready to offer a prolific striker the chance to join them, with new manager Graham Potter “clear” that he wants the forward behind-closed-doors.

West Ham's forward targets for Graham Potter

There are a few options on the table for Potter, as West Ham look to fill the gaping void left by Michail Antonio and Niclas Fullkrug’s injuries up front.

£40m striker open to West Ham move as Sullivan eyes double forward swoop

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ByEmilio Galantini Jan 17, 2025

West Ham have been in talks over signing Taiwo Awoniyi from Nottingham Forest, as reliably reported by Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, while it is believed that Brighton starlet Evan Ferguson could be signed Hammers technical director Tim Steidten on loan.

Crystal Palace (home)

January 18

Aston Villa (away)

January 26

Chelsea (away)

February 3

Brentford (home)

February 15

Arsenal (away)

February 22

Awoniyi is no longer Forest’s first-choice striker, despite flashes of brilliance in 2023/2024, with the Premier League’s fifth-top scorer Chris Wood currently far ahead of the Nigerian in Nuno Espirito Santo’s pecking order and loving life right now.

This could potentially free up the possibility of a move for Awoniyi, but at the same time, Nuno most likely won’t be keen on losing a capable back-up striker mid-season. Ferguson, meanwhile, is facing an uncertain future at Brighton and Fabian Hurzeler has admitted that he could depart on a temporary deal.

“We will negotiate what is important for him, what is important for his development, where he can improve the best, and then we will make the decision together,” said Hurzeler on Ferguson’s future.

“This decision should be what is best for the player and for the club. We sent (Facundo) Buonanotte, for example, to Leicester.

“We know that the Premier League is a very good league to improve, because it’s tough, it’s intense, especially for young players. It’s the perfect environment to adapt.”

RB Leipzig hitman Andre Silva is attracting serious interest from West Ham as well, according to reports in Germany, so there are plenty of targets who the east Londoners are considering right now, as Steidten and co-chair David Sullivan seek to provide Potter with a goalscorer.

Graham Potter "clear" he wants Jonathan David at West Ham

According to a new report by The Boot Room and journalist Graeme Bailey, Lille star Jonathan David is firmly on the West Ham boss’ personal radar.

David, who’s scored a brilliant 17 goals and registered six assists so far this campaign, has bagged a career total of 169 for club and country combined at just 25-years-old.

To make matters even more attractive for the Irons, he’s also out of contract at the end of this season – meaning he could leave for a cut-price January fee, agree a pre-contract overseas or decide on his next club at zero cost in the summer.

The Canada international’s pending availability makes him a very attractive option, and potentially one of the bargains of 2025. Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Man United are all considering an approach to David, as are West Ham.

As per TBR’s information, West Ham are ready to make an offer to David, and Potter has made it “clear” to the club that he wants them to compete for the Brooklyn native’s services.

David is quickly growing his reputation as a “world-class” centre-forward, and arguably what West Ham need. However, they’ll have to wait until later in the year to seal his signature for nothing.

New captain has underwhelmed with the bat since his appointment and must lead post-Morgan revival

Firdose Moonda21-Jul-2022Big pictureThe post-Ben Stokes era is upon England and although ODI cricket is not their top priority this year, they will want to start crafting a style of play that can sustain them through to their defence of the World Cup in India next year. On the evidence of the series opener, that has to involve an injection of energy after it was found lacking with both bat and ball on Tuesday. Being asked to field first on a day of record temperatures means they can be cut some slack but they won’t want to use it as an excuse to keep their form in this format middling.That makes this match a must-win for Matthew Mott’s charges. England are a loss away from a second successive ODI series defeat at home, hardly the way Mott would have wanted to start his term in charge. He will be looking to his senior players to set the tone, as Joe Root did in the first ODI, while Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid will have to take responsibility to control South Africa’s innings through the middle overs alongside a relatively inexperienced pace attack.What England have on their side is time. Even if they don’t pull things back, another series loss would not be a cause for major concern just yet. Instead, their main worries remain over the schedule, which has been particularly brutal for them in the pandemic era and will be in the spotlight at next week’s ICC AGM.South Africa are yet to fully feel the effects of that and won’t read too much into these results: they swept India 3-0 at the beginning of the year only to lose their World Cup Super League series against Bangladesh. But this series gives them the opportunity to build consistency around a top six who are in good form, and a varied attack that give them plenty of options.The three-seamer, two-spinner combination – with a sixth-bowler in Aiden Markram – is working well and Keshav Maharaj’s use of them was particularly impressive in Durham. Although he is only doing the job in a stand-in capacity, replacing the injured Temba Bavuma, Maharaj’s tactical acumen has already earned him much praise.Form guide(last five completed matches, most recent first)
England: LLWLW
South Africa: WLWLWIn the spotlightThis is Jos Buttler’s team to take forward now, and the best way for him to do that will be with the bat. He followed a remarkable IPL season with innings of 162 and 86 – both unbeaten – in the Netherlands but has struggled in his seven innings since he was appointed captain on a full-time basis, passing 30 only once. His dismissal on Tuesday came in the midst of England losing 5 for 57 and falling so far behind the required run-rate that even a late burst was unlikely to have been enough. He has all the shots and the temperament to provide the tonic for the rest of England’s line-up to follow suit.Lungi Ngidi impressed in the first ODI•AFP/Getty ImagesLungi Ngidi is slowly working his way back to his best after injury and a long period on the bench. He made his comeback in the T20Is against India, where he appeared noticeably fitter than before. He can still reach speeds in excess of 87mph/140kph, and was preferred over Anrich Nortje with the new ball (presumably to make use of early swing) and has also introduced more variations to his game. His slower ball appears early in his spell in an attempt to stifle any momentum upfront and he finished the first ODI as South Africa’s most economical seamer.Team newsEngland have lost two left-handers from their ODI middle order in the last month in Stokes and Eoin Morgan, and may look to promote Moeen Ali to address that problem. Phil Salt, the spare batter in the squad for the first ODI, is the likely beneficiary from Stokes’ retirement and may be given a chance as a finisher, as he has been in T20Is. Reece Topley looks set to return after being rested while Matthew Potts is likely to miss out after suffering in the heat on debut.England: (possible) 1 Jason Roy, 2 Jonny Bairstow, 3 Joe Root, 4 Moeen Ali, 5 Jos Buttler (capt/wk), 6 Phil Salt, 7 Liam Livingstone, 8 Sam Curran, 9 Craig Overton, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Reece TopleyDespite his good form in the warm-up matches, Andile Phehlukwayo will miss the rest of the series after showing symptoms of concussion following a collision with Maharaj in the field in the first ODI. “”Following his concussion, Andile has been monitored closely and has shown signs of improvement,” South Africa’s team doctor, Dr Hashendra Ramjee, said. “He will now commence his concussion return to play rehabilitation program.” Dwaine Pretorius was brought in as a like-for-like replacement in Durham and should retain his spot in an otherwise-unchanged side.South Africa: (possible) 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Janneman Malan, 3 Rassie van der Dussen, 4 Aiden Markram, 5 Heinrich Klaasen, 6 David Miller, 7 Dwaine Pretorius, 8 Keshav Maharaj (capt), 9 Anrich Nortje, 10 Lungi Ngidi, 11 Tabraiz ShamsiRelated

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Pitch and conditionsAfter the scorcher earlier in the week, we won’t be talking much about the weather – unless it severely interrupts the match. There was rain on Thursday and more is forecast on Friday morning, but it should clear as the day goes on. In the last ODI played at Emirates Old Trafford, on Sunday, India restricted England to 259 and chased it down inside 43 overs. The ground’s dimensions are among the biggest in the country and the pitch generally offers something for spinners.Stats and trivia South Africa have not won a bilateral men’s series in England in any format since the 2012 Test series. Their last white-ball series win in England came in the Texaco Trophy of 1998. There have been 10 ODIs at Old Trafford since the start of the 2019 World Cup, eight of which have been won by the team batting first. The average first-innings score in that time has been 294. Jason Roy needs another 60 runs for 4,000 in ODIs. He would be the 12th England men’s player to reach that landmark. Even ducks in both remaining games in this series would not be enough to take the tag of the highest ODI average of all time (minimum 20 innings) away from Rassie van der Dussen. Rehan Ahmed, the 17-year-old Leicestershire legspinner who played for England Lions last week, trained with England in Manchester on Thursday.Quotes”It’s very obvious at the minute that whenever you get an opportunity to play for England – we’re world champions in this format – you have to take it with both hands. And that’s about how complicated it gets in my mind.”
Phil Salt keeps it simple ahead of a likely chance in the middle order.“I’m sure they will be looking for someone who can be quite attacking and aggressive. I think they’ll stick to what they have been trying to produce over the last few years which is to be quite aggressive.”

An attacking coach is now a leading candidate to succeed Carlos Corberan at West Bromwich Albion, according to reports.

West Brom latest news

West Brom are now on the hunt for a new manager after it was confirmed earlier this week that Corberan had left the Championship club after just over two years in charge.

“Albion have reached an agreement in principle for Carlos Corberan to depart the club to pursue a new opportunity with La Liga side Valencia,” the club said in a statement. “The 41-year-old is set to return to his homeland with the club’s gratitude and best wishes following a two-year tenure at The Hawthorns.”

Chris Brunt, Damia Abella and Boaz Myhill will oversee first-team duties until Corberan’s replacement is found, said the club, starting with the Boxing Day defeat at Derby County.

In an open letter to Baggies fans, Corberan said that he “cannot begin to express” how he feels about West Brom. “In my more than two years here I have only felt LOVE from this community and the decision to leave has been the hardest of my life. There will ALWAYS be a place in my heart for this special club and I hope one day I can return to thank you all for your incredible support.”

Heitinga a leading contender to replace Corberan at West Brom

West Brom’s Sporting Director Andrew Nestor is to lead the search for Corberan’s replacement, and according to Football Insider, he may have already found his man.

The publication reported on Boxing Day that Liverpool first-team coach Johnny Heitinga is a leading contender to be the new West Brom manager.

According to Football Insider, the Baggies are interested in the former Everton and Ajax defender because of his “experience learning in the Premier League under two top managers.”

Before working under Slot at Anfield, Heitinga served as an assistant to David Moyes at West Ham United between September 2023 and May 2024. Prior to that, the 41-year-old had a spell as the interim first-team coach of his boyhood club Ajax, winning 11 of his 16 games in charge and playing an attacking 4-3-3 formation.

Despite West Brom’s interest, Slot will be keen not to lose Heitinga, whom he heaped praise on after he stood in for him on the touchline during Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Southampton in the EFL Cup earlier this month.

“John Heitinga is here with me for the first half of the season and I couldn’t have wished for more,” said Slot of his countryman, per Football Insider. “A very, if I say talented I don’t rate him high enough because he’s more than that.

“He’s been a head coach before, still young but grew into our staff from the start in a good manner and has the same idea about football – that’s why I chose him.”

It does look as if a move to The Hawthorns could be one to watch for Heitinga, who beat West Brom four times as a player during his time with Everton.