All posts by h716a5.icu

Carlton Palmer believes Adam Reach will prove to be a shrewd piece of business and could help fire West Bromwich Albion to an immediate Premier League return.

Reach was among a host of players to be released by Sheffield Wednesday when his contract expired at the end of June.

Despite suffering relegation to League One with the Owls last season, promotion favourites West Brom acquired the winger’s services a matter of days before their Championship campaign got underway with a stalemate at Bournemouth.

The 28-year-old, who boasts 306 appearances in the second tier of English football, is yet to make his Baggies debut but will give new boss Valerien Ismael another wide option following Matheus Pereira’s exit for Saudi Arabian outfit Al Hilal.

Former West Brom and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Palmer believes Reach will thrive under the guidance of Ismael, who moved into the Hawthorns dugout as Sam Allardyce’s successor in June.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Palmer said: “I think Adam has a lot of potential.

“It’s very difficult when you’re in a struggling side which doesn’t have too much ambition or desire, but Adam is a very talented player.

“I could always see him going to somewhere like West Brom and being part of a promotion-chasing team.”

Sri Lanka could be forced to field a second-string side for their tour of England next May after the country’s sports minister, Gamini Lokuge, asked the board to release players for the Indian Premier League

Cricinfo staff09-Oct-2008Sri Lanka could be forced to field a second-string side for their tour of England next May after the country’s sports minister, Gamini Lokuge, asked the board to release players for the Indian Premier League.The tour is due to run from April 21-May 30, while the IPL is scheduled for April 10-May 25. Leading Sri Lanka players such as captain Mahela Jayawardene, Muttiah Muralitharan and Kumar Sangakkara are all contracted to the IPL.”I have asked the cricket board to release the players for IPL and find other suitable players for the England tour,” Lokuge told on Thursday.The players have argued that their IPL contracts were signed before the England tour was finalised and they stood to lose thousands of dollars if they did not take part in the tournament.”The England tour was a last-minute decision, taken after 13 cricketers had already committed to play in IPL next year,” Lokuge said. “So I have asked the board to release the IPL-contracted players.”The ECB arranged the tour of two Tests and three ODIs after a visit by Zimbabwe was cancelled following advice from the UK government.Last month, Arjuna Ranatunga, the interim committee chief of SLC, insisted the tour would go ahead. “We have a memorandum of understanding with the England and Wales Cricket Board for the tour and we must honour that,” he said.Sri Lanka’s one-day tour of Pakistan was cancelled in April-May this year because the dates clashed with the IPL’s inaugural tournament.

Get French Football News writer Adam White predicts that Eduardo Camavinga to Manchester United could happen late on in the window.

Camavinga is a name that has been linked with Old Trafford a lot this summer, with the Daily Mail reporting over the weekend that the Red Devils were looking to beat Paris Saint-Germain to the signature of the 18-year-old, with the French outfit heavily linked with a move for Lionel Messi.

The Rennes midfielder has less than one year left on his current deal and so the Ligue 1 club may look to cash in on him this summer, rather than risk losing him for free next year.

Camavinga started Rennes’ opening Ligue 1 fixture of the season against Lens over the weekend, with the game finishing 1-1. Whilst there has been plenty of interest in the midfielder, White believes if there is going to be a deal for Camavinga, it will happen late on in the window.

“Camavinga almost seems to be the sort of next option for both clubs to some extent, in that if PSG can’t sign Pogba, there may be an opportunity to sign Camavinga and maybe they wait for Pogba’s contract to expire, or maybe they play a bit of brinksmanship with Manchester United, I don’t know. 

“Similar sort of situation with United, perhaps they may need to sell Pogba before they bring in Camavinga. There’s a lot of moving parts to that deal, I can see it happening, but I think there’s other things that need to get sorted out and for all parties concerned there are probably higher priorities than strictly Camavinga to Man United, the players involved, the clubs involved, so it’s a complicated one.

“It may be one of those ones that happens late in the window I suppose just because of all those moving parts and things, you know, things need to be sorted before anything concrete happens.”

Manchester United have been active in the transfer window so far this summer signing two new players, with Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane expected to be announced as the club’s third signing of the summer soon.

With all the speculation surrounding Camavinga and interest in him, could he become the Red Devils’ fourth signing of the summer?

After being knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers by FC Midtjylland on Wednesday night, Celtic will be hoping to end the week on a high with a win on the opening day of the Scottish Premiership season against Hearts.

The Hoops were taken to extra time by the Danish side after taking the lead in the game and eventually lost 3-2 on aggregate. Ange Postecoglou’s team will now turn their attention to domestic football this weekend as they prepare to try and reclaim Scottish superiority, beginning their campaign by traveling to Tynecastle.

Whilst the defeat to Midtjylland was borne out of several underperforming players on the pitch, Ismaila Soro produced a particularly alarming display in midfield. The Ivorian struggled to compete technically and physically on Wednesday as he failed to grasp his opportunity to make a positive impression on the Australian head coach.

As per SofaScore, Soro lost 10 of the 14 duels in which he was involved on the pitch. He came out on top in just 20% of his ground duels and 50% of his aerial duels, winning two of each. This earned him a dreadful match score of 6.1, the lowest of any player on the pitch for either team on the night.

Tom Rogic replaced him in the 98th minute and managed to score a 6.5 in 22 minutes, which hints that he did more in his 22-minute cameo than Soro produced in more than 90 minutes.

The Scottish Sun’s David Friel gave Soro a player rating of five in his report on the game, critiquing his ability on the ball. He wrote: “Snapped into challenges and was unlucky with a few soft calls from the ref but needs to be more composed on the ball. The Ivorian is far too slack.”

Therefore, it could be time for Postecoglou to ruthlessly axe the £11k-per-week lightweight against Hearts and give another player a chance to catch the eye. Celtic will surely want to start the season on a high note and their chances of doing so could be hindered by starting Soro, with his recent poor performances suggesting that he could be a liability in midfield.

For example, Rogic could come into the side to take the Ivorian’s place, as he was able to provide a better showing than the 23-year-old during his time off the bench against Midtjylland. The Hoops boss will surely need to find a solution to the midfield problem against Hearts if he opts against picking Rogic, as Soro’s performance on Wednesday was far from the standard required for a club like Celtic.

Meanwhile, Celtic stance on beast once compared to George Best revealed, Ange will be frustrated…

Newcastle United will lose out on signing Nat Phillips, claims former Premier League striker Noel Whelan.

The Lowdown: Phillips eyed

According to The Athletic, the St. James’ Park faithful, in addition to West Ham United, Brighton and Hove Albion, Burnley and Bayer Leverkusen, are all eyeing up a potential move for Phillips in the summer transfer window.

Liverpool currently value the central defender at £15m, and it is not yet clear whether the North East club would be willing to pay that kind of money.

The Latest: Whelan prediction

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan, who played for the likes of Leeds United and Coventry City, has predicted that Phillips will sign for the Hammers, and so the Tyneside club would be set to lose out on his signature:

“I think Phillips would choose West Ham over the others, definitely.

“David Moyes has assembled a really strong side there.

“There is a focus on British based players, you can see what he is thinking. He has got rid of the players who did not give their all for the club. They have got a lot more honesty in that squad now and it shows because they have been much harder to beat over the past 12 to 18 months.

“They have great harmony in that dressing room and it comes from a great core group. Why wouldn’t you be interested in a move to West Ham if you’re Phillips?

“I think he’d be another great addition to West Ham’s squad as well.”

The Verdict: Would be a shame

It would certainly be a shame if Steve Bruce’s team were to miss out on the signing of Phillips, especially if he ends up joining a rival of theirs in the Premier League.

Described as a ‘monster’ by Jurgen Klopp after a match against RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League back in March, he is certainly capable of playing at the highest level, and his six-foot-two frame means that he could be a key threat for the Magpies in both boxes.

Phillips won no fewer than 7.5 0f his duels per match in the top flight in the 2020/21 season, in addition to averaging 4.8 clearances, 1.3 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game (Sofascore), covering the injuries suffered by Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez well.

The Toon would be getting a very good player on their hands if they were to win the race for his signature.

In other news, find out what Mike Ashley has recently told the takeover consortium here!

Mohammad Asif, the Pakistan fast bowler, has asked for his B sample test, which had been scheduled for July 28

Cricinfo staff19-Jul-2008
Mohammad Asif has asked for more time to prepare his case © Getty Images
Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif has asked for his B sample test, which had been scheduled for July 28, to be postponed. His lawyer, Shahid Karim, wants more time to prepare for the case and make travel arrangements.Karim said Asif has yet to receive the required documents from the Indian Premier League authorities relating to the A sample test, without which he could not prepare for the case.”From the IPL we certainly want the documents that relate to the procedures they adopted for the ‘A’ sample test and we are entitled to have them,” Karim told . “We also want certain documents from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that might be relevant to the case.”ICC anti-doping regulations provide players and/or their representative the right to be present when the B sample is opened and analysed. That means Asif and his lawyer will have to travel to Switzerland, where the testing will be done in a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited laboratory. “We will not be able to make all the travel arrangements to Switzerland by July 28,” Karim told Cricinfo. “The visas have to be processed and documents have to be obtained.”The IPL announced on Monday that Asif had tested positive for a banned substance, following which the Pakistan Cricket Board suspended him.

Liverpool appear to be progressing in their bid to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez this summer.

What’s the story?

According to Spanish newspaper Marca [via The Mirror], the Reds have been in contact with the 26-year-old’s representatives over a move to Anfield, with the Spain international deemed surplus to requirements at the Wanda Metropolitano.

The report claims that Atletico are set to demand around £43m for Saul, although Liverpool’s fierce rivals Manchester United are thought to be his most likely destination.

With fellow Premier League side Chelsea also credited with an interest in the box-to-box dynamo, Jurgen Klopp may have to move quickly in order to secure his transfer target.

Jurgen Klopp would absolutely love him

After progressing through the ranks at Atleti, Saul has established himself as a top-class central midfielder in recent years, winning one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey and two Europa Leagues with his boyhood club.

The technically gifted maestro has also scored 43 goals and provided a further 19 assists in 337 appearances for Los Rojiblancos, earning numerous plaudits with his impressive performances, including some from Rio Ferdinand.

As per TEAMtalk, the former England defender gushed: “What a player. I’ve been harping on about Saul Niguez for a few years now. I think he’s a major player. He’s composed, calm, great left foot, lovely conductor, he can score goals, tactically he’s very aware.

“You can see (Diego) Simeone, he gets his teams really well set up, and he’s in the middle orchestrating and dictating things.”

However, an imminent exit from the Spanish capital now appears to be inevitable. Saul fell down the Atleti pecking order last season thanks to the rise of Marcos Llorente and missed out on Luis Enrique’s 24-man squad for Euro 2020 as a result.

His potential arrival at Anfield would certainly be welcomed by Klopp. The German is thought to be in the market for a new central midfielder following Gini Wijnaldum’s exit, leading to several big names being linked with a move to the Reds.

However, Saul is surely someone who Klopp would surely love to sign. The Spaniard has a rare mix of technical ability and physical prowess, which should allow him to slot into the Liverpool manager’s pressing style with ease.

The German will be acutely aware of the 26-year-old’s prowess, too, with the midfielder scoring against the Reds in a Champions League victory for Atletico in February 2020.

It remains to be seen whether the Anfield hierarchy follow up their apparent interest with a solid offer, but Saul’s arrival would be a significant coup, and possible one capable of propelling the 19-time English champions back to the Premier League summit.

In other news… Klopp must ruthlessly axe “unprofessional” £10.8m-rated LFC flop, he’s not good enough 

David Norris has tipped teenage goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu to have a bright future after joining Portsmouth on a season-long loan from Manchester City.

Bazunu has made another temporary move away from the Premier League champions after impressing between the sticks for Rochdale last term.

Despite being just 19, the Republic of Ireland international has already set his sights on dislodging Ederson and becoming Manchester City’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Pompey boss Danny Cowley has also claimed Bazunu is one of the best young goalkeepers in Europe.

Cowley is looking to challenge for promotion to the Championship during his first full season at the Fratton Park helm, having succeeded Kenny Jackett in March.

After seeing a string of players depart the League One club, Cowley has strengthened his side with the additions of Bazunu, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Shaun Williams and Clark Robertson.

But Norris, who enjoyed a spell on the south coast with Portsmouth, is particularly keen to see how Bazunu fairs at Fratton Park.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said: “Saying he is one of the best young goalkeepers in Europe is massive.

“They’re earmarking him as having a massive future and, at only 19, if he can get some games under his belt and do a job, it looks like he has a good future ahead of him.

“Coming from City, you would expect him to have a decent pedigree and play with his feet, which fits in with the way the Cowley brothers want to play. There were a few Championship clubs in for him as well, so I think it will be a good signing.”

The case against Mohammad Asif, who was detained in Dubai on June 1 for suspected possession of an illegal substance, has been dropped by the Dubai public prosecutor

Cricinfo staff19-Jun-2008
Mohammad Asif will be deported from Dubai © Getty Images
The case against Mohammad Asif, who was detained in Dubai on June 1 for suspected possession of an illegal substance, has been dropped by the Dubai public prosecutor and the fast bowler will be deported soon, according to a report in the .The report quoted the public prosecutor, Mohammad Al Nuaimi, as saying the case was being dropped due to “insignificance”.The Pakistan board issued a press release to confirm the case against Asif had been dropped. “The drug tests conducted on Asif during the investigations in Dubai were clear and negative for any contraband substance.” However the board said it intended to conduct an enquiry in to the matter as soon as it received official records from the UAE authorities. Even if the PCB doesn’t take action against Asif, it is likely the ICC might. They have been monitoring the situation and it is possible that Asif will face penalties under the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA), of which the ICC is a signatory, once he is released.Aamir Bilal, media advisor to the PCB, told Cricinfo that Asif would be in Pakistan by midnight on June 20.”He [Asif] will be deported as soon as the police finalise the procedures,” Mohammad Al Nuaimi, the public prosecutor who handled Asif’s case, told . “It is definite that he committed the crime as he was caught red-handed … however in certain cases and for a faster litigation process the Public Prosecution drops a case due to insignificance and deports the suspect.”Pakistan’s ambassador to the UAE, Ahsanullah Khan, also confirmed to the BBC’s Urdu service that Asif would return to Pakistan, but refused to specify the legal position on the charges of possession of contraband. He also said that the PCB and the Pakistan embassy had played a significant role in this matter.Dave Richardson, the ICC’s acting chief executive, had said that they had asked the PCB to keep them updated on the Asif issue. “As far as we know he has not been charged as yet,” Richardson said. “But since the ICC is a signatory of WADA regulations if he is charged then he is liable to penalties under WADA code of conduct.”

After dew forced a delayed start to the 48-over-a-side match, Sourav Ganguly could not have been too disappointed at being asked to bat first on an easy-paced pitch

Samanth Subramanian09-Nov-2002After dew forced a delayed start to the 48-over-a-side match, Sourav Ganguly could not have been too disappointed at being asked to bat first on an easy-paced pitch. But at 20 for two, a few twinges of regret would not have gone amiss. First pocket-sized-firecracker Virender Sehwag pulled the first ball of the second over – short and on leg-stump – down Merv Dillon’s throat at fine-leg. Seventeen runs later, Ajit Agarkar, India’s new number three, drove a full Dillon delivery to Ramnaresh Sarwan at mid-on.But VVS Laxman and Ganguly set about rebuilding as only pure stylists can – with a minimum of effort and more than a few soupcons of grace. Pushing singles with ease and pouncing gleefully to punish even half-bad balls, Ganguly and Laxman steadily boosted India’s score, giving the crowd a few delectable shots along the way. En route, Ganguly went past 8,000 one-day runs, but the milestone, inexplicably, seemed to displease the crowd. The time lost in placating a paperand debris-spouting crowd resulted in another over being lopped off each innings.On 78 (99b, 9×4), and 128 runs into a fine partnership with Laxman, Ganguly tried the stroke that had been looming ever since leggie Mahendra Nagamootoo came on to bowl, but the intended heave over long-on only found Vasbert Drakes on the fence.Perhaps Ganguly was disoriented, or perhaps Harbhajan Singh just had his pads on faster than anybody else, for out came the turbaned off-spinner at number five! Even before commentators and spectators had a chance to fully thresh out the puzzlement of that move, Harbhajan had departed again, essaying a wild slog to Ricardo Powell running in from the long-on fence.Rahul Dravid then came into the middle, and class settled like a warm quilt on the VCA stadium as Laxman and Dravid proceeded to string together a stand for the fifth wicket. Laxman seems to get rejuvenated after every Eden Gardens century; last year he shone during the one-day series against Australia, and now the West Indians are bearing the brunt of his silken touch and wrists of steel. After his 47 at Jamshedpur, Laxman conjured up a gem of an innings here, finding the gaps with supreme felicity and getting singles off the good balls.As Kolkata 2001 proved, Dravid is the perfect partner for Laxman in such vein, and the Karnataka bat more than held his own, picking Chris Gayle for particular punishment, collaring the attack in general and ensuring that India motored around at more than seven per over during the partnership. The indisciplined West Indian bowling hardly helped their cause. Dravid got to his 50 off just 39 balls, and the Indians had not even started slogging.A hurried second to get VVS Laxman his century ran Dravid out for 51, and minutes later, Laxman played a lazy waft outside the off to Gayle to be agonisingly stumped for 99. Wickets tumbled; Yuvraj Singh was caught at cover off a skier, Javagal Srinath was called for a non-existent second, and Anil Kumble was castled by Drakes. When India finally reached 279 for nine, it was difficult to believe that with Laxman and Dravid unbeaten, they were at one point 260 for four.Chasing a score of 280-odd two games in a row is not easy, but the tourists were not about to let that particular supposition deter them. Wavell Hinds and Chris Gayle started off in characteristically aggressive fashion, and erratic bowling did not help. Javagal Srinath, in his comeback one-dayer, was mean and effective, but he found little support from the other end. Hinds’ wicket – caught by Agarkar at mid-off – was almost incidental, a mere blip in an otherwise relentless charge.Marlon Samuels and Gayle dug into the Indian bowling with abandon, the former taking 17 runs off Sehwag’s first over. A variety of back-foot punches and delicate glides followed, off just about every bowler who came on to ply his trade. Gayle reached his 50 off 51 balls in the 20th over, and as if that wasn’t rapid enough, launched himself into overdrive with a mighty six off Agarkar and two more off Kumble.Samuels pulled a rank long-hop from Sehwag to short midwicket just after reaching his 50 – ending a 134-run partnership – but Sarwan slipped neatly into the role of foil, and when Gayle reached his century off 111 balls, Sarwan was the one scampering the second run hard to seal the milestone.Srinath’s second spell saw Gayle bowled, playing across the line, for 103 (116b, 8×4, 3×6), but victory, it seemed, was not to be denied. Shivnarine Chanderpaul thwacked 39 (32b, 7×4) off the Indian bowlers, Sarwan ended on a responsible 39 (40b, 3×4) and hit the winning runs yet again. The Indians, consequently, were left to rue a loss that was principally precipitated by some very shoddy bowling – and some sensible West Indian batting that fully exploited the weakness.