Four-match tour to Australia won’t go ahead due to NZ not being able to secure MIQ space

Alex Malcolm19-Jan-2022New Zealand’s upcoming limited-overs tour Australia has been postponed due to uncertainty over when the squad could return home due to the managed isolation and quarantine rules.The tour was scheduled to begin in Perth although that would have had to change due to Western Australia’s hard border. That trip included three ODIs, which were due to be part of Ross Taylor’s international farewell, and a one-off T20I in Canberra. New Zealand’s ODI series in Australia in early 2020 was abandoned when the pandemic first arrived and a series last season postponed.Travel into New Zealand is still capped due to Covid-19 and all travellers, including citizens, have to do 10 days of MIQ on arrival. Due to those rules, New Zealand were planning to send a squad to Australia without their Test players who would be preparing to face South Africa.New Zealand Cricket and Cricket Australia drew up a proposal for the tour to be lengthened to allow the team to return to do their MIQ at a manageable time but New Zealand’s government confirmed on Wednesday it had no capacity to meet the request. It’s understood they were also denied an exemption to undertake home quarantine.NZC chief executive David White said the tour was initially scheduled after the New Zealand government signalled its intention to relax MIQ restrictions relating to the Trans-Tasman border.”As we now know, the advent of Omicron prompted a change of strategy from the government, resulting in a hard 10-day mandatory isolation period being imposed on all incoming travellers,” White said.”NZC and CA had explored a proposal to expand the tour and to push out the date on which the squad might return to New Zealand, in the hope that might be more achievable for the government. But we received advice this morning that they could not provide certainty over this, either.”NZC and CA are set to begin discussions on when the tour can be rescheduled.”We are extremely disappointed that we won’t be able to play the scheduled matches against New Zealand as planned, however we will continue to work with New Zealand Cricket to reschedule the series.” CA CEO Nick Hockley said.”We thank NZC, who made every effort to make the series happen, however because they were unable to get certainty over return quarantine arrangements, it is simply just not possible at this time.Australia are still scheduled to head to New Zealand for three T20Is from March 17 to 20 although under the current regulations that would appear unlikely to take place. The upcoming tours to New Zealand that had MIQ already booked – South Africa, India’s Women, Netherlands and the Women’s World Cup – remain on track.

Joe Gomez is Liverpool's longest-serving senior player. The England international signed from Charlton Athletic for around £3.5m in 2015 when he was a teenager and has been a cardinal presence under Jurgen Klopp.

He's won it all. Still only 27, Gomez has mounted 224 appearances for the Anfielders, playing across the backline and being described as "absolutely priceless" by pundit Steve McManaman.

The thing is though, there's no such thing as priceless in football, with Gomez mooted for a departure at the start of the Arne Slot era. After nearly a decade of service, he's earned the right to search for pastures new, but Liverpool would need to sign a replacement.

Liverpool transfer news

Gomez was not included in Liverpool's matchday squad for the opening day of the Premier League campaign, where three points were struck through a 2-0 victory at Ipswich Town, goals by Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah.

Klopp used him across both defensive flanks last term but it's not out of the question that, should he stay, Slot would view him as an athletic central defender, having played 114 fixtures at centre-back throughout his career.

Aston Villa, Chelsea and Newcastle United have all been credited with an interest and it might be that he moves on; he'd likely play a bit-part role this year. As such, Liverpool should move quickly to ensure that they are in a position to sign the perfect replacement.

Enter Piero Hincapie. According to Studio Futbol earlier this week, Liverpool are set to tussle with Tottenham Hotspur for the signing of the Bayer Leverkusen centre-half, though Xabi Alonso does not want to part with his defensive invincible.

Hincapie is left-footed and thus would appear to be a natural successor to skipper Virgil van Dijk, who has long dominated from the left side of defence for the Reds.

Liverpool are the only side across Europe's top-seven leagues that have yet to make a senior signing this summer, so the funds are there for the £50m-rated star – it will take willpower and savvy negotiating to get this one done though.

Jarell Quansah's place in Slot's squad

Slot certainly doesn't mince his words. The former Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar boss made the bold call to take Quansah off at half-time at Portman Road, discontented by Liverpool's aggressiveness and sharpness throughout a stodgy opening half.

When quizzed on his substitution post-match, he responded tersely that his decision had indeed been tactical. Quansah, 21, received a big show of faith to get the nod over Ibrahima Konate for the opening fixture and looked angry and aggrieved as he slumped in his seat after half-time, watching his teammates run rampant.

Van Dijk is an unquestionable starter in the Liverpool rearguard but his partner is seemingly undetermined at this stage, and FSG could yet move to add another dimension through the signing of a player like Hincapie.

Such a signing would have to be studiously thought out, for Quansah and Konate both have flaws (the former inexperience and the latter a rash streak and a tendency to dip now and again).

Matches (starts)

22 (17)

17 (13)

Goals

0

2

Assists

0

0

Clean sheets

5

2

Touches*

75.5

76.5

Pass completion

88%

89%

Key passes*

0.4

0.2

Ball recoveries*

4.4

4.2

Tackles*

1.6

1.5

Total duels won*

6.0 (66%)

4.5 (64%)

Errors made

1

2

But, as the table above shows you, both are top-class defenders, highly skilled and suitable for the kind of passing game that Slot seeks to implement.

It sure would have to be an exciting player to join the fold and flourish.

Why Liverpool must sign Piero Hincapie

Hincapie, 22, has already been tipped to become “one of the world's best centre-backs” by journalist and U23 scout Antonio Mango, who has also dubbed him an "absolute beast".

Having won the domestic double last season as an invincible, the Ecuador international has started the 2024/25 campaign with a bang, playing a crucial role in Leverkusen's third slice of silverware in 2024, beating Stuttgart in the DFL-Supercup last weekend.

The sky is the limit, and Liverpool must throw the kitchen sink at the 22-year-old this summer, especially if Gomez is to be sold.

Quansah is a high-level defender with the trappings of something even greater, sure, but Hincapie could pip his English positional peer and cement a regular starting berth for Liverpool over the coming years.

Pass completion

88%

91%

Progressive passes

5.08

6.18

Shot-creating actions

0.98

1.39

Progressive carries

0.98

2.06

Ball recoveries

5.45

4.73

Tackles + interceptions

3.18

2.91

Errors

0.08

0.00

With a hulking frame and a sharp range of passing, Quansah's got what it takes to succeed on Merseyside, but his strengths in that regard are actually surpassed by Hincapie, who has the mark of an elite ball player.

The Ecuadorian ace's ability to play down the channels and create with constancy is something to behold, and he will only improve – like Quansah – with age.

Ultimately, comparing the two centre-backs has a semblance of splitting hairs, and there's no reason why they cannot form a formidable defensive bond under Slot's tutelage for many years to come.

Forget Zubimendi: Liverpool could sign an "elite" £51m alternative

Arne Slot needs a deep-lying midfielder to suit his system…

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 17, 2024

da betcris： Amid a hectic transfer window, Aston Villa are reportedly willing to pay £30m to end their summer by signing a backup for Ollie Watkins, who Unai Emery and Monchi love.

Aston Villa transfer news

da esoccer bet： The Villans are undoubtedly among the winners of the summer transfer window, welcoming the likes of Ian Maatsen, Amadou Onana and Jaden Philogene. The opening day of their Premier League campaign presented that success too, with Emery's side picking up a hard-fought 2-1 victory over West Ham United, in which Hammers target Jhon Duran netted a winning goal that was not short on irony at the London Stadium.

Even after picking up those three points to get their campaign underway courtesy of Duran, those in the Midlands look set to make their move to sign another backup for Watkins.

Related He's waiting for a move: Aston Villa keen on £21m Gomez upgrade

This would be a stunning finish to the transfer window at Villa Park…

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Aug 20, 2024

The England international enjoyed an excellent season last time out and took that form into Euro 2024 – becoming England's hero in their semi-final victory over the Netherlands – but can't take on the responsibility for Villa at all times. With both the Champions League and Premier League to balance, another backup wouldn't go amiss.

According to reports in Spain relayed by Sport Witness, Aston Villa are now willing to pay as much as €35m (£30m) to sign Samu Omorodion from Atletico Madrid in the final nine days of the transfer window. Omorodion was, of course, on his way to Chelsea at one stage before the move broke down and Atletico instead sold Joao Felix to the Blues as they welcomed Conor Gallagher.

Now, it's Villa who could take advantage. Monchi and Emery are reportedly fans of the forward and with a deal accelerating, Omoriodion could yet become a Premier League player.

"Powerful" Omorodion could complete Emery's attacking options

Having two high-standard forwards in Watkins and Duran hands Emery a major boost, but adding a third option could complete his attacking options once and for all. And Omorodion is a solid candidate to become that option. The Spaniard spent last season on loan at Alaves, where he showed just how much potential he has at just 20 years old.

League stats 23/24 (via FBref)

Samu Omorodion

Jhon Duran

Ollie Watkins

Goals

9

5

19

Assists

1

0

13

Expected Goals

11.5

2

16.8

Minutes

1,998

475

3,217

Although the Atletico Madrid man scored below what was expected last season, his numbers still make for positive reading with nine goals to his name last season. Of course, the clinical nature of Duran may create question marks over just where Omorodion would fall in the pecking order, but those questions and competition for places should be seen as a positive for Emery.

Praised as a "powerful finisher" by analyst Ben Mattinson, Omoriodion will be one to keep an eye on in the closing stages of the window. He came close to completing a move to Stamford Bridge, but may yet end the summer wearing the claret and blue of Aston Villa.

AC Milan striker Tammy Abraham was in complete awe of Rafael Leao after the Portuguese put on a splendid display in the Champions League.

Article continues below

Article continues below

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• Abraham heaped praise on Leao
• Duo helped their team beat Slovan Bratislava 3-2
• Winger scored Milan's second goal

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Tammy Abraham was full of praise for his AC Milan team-mate Rafael Leao following his exploits in the team's nervy 3-2 win over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League on Tuesday evening. Leao came on as a substitute and scored the goal that put the Rossoneri ahead in the game.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Leao had a sensational 45 minutes against Slovan Bratislava, coming on at half-time for Noah Okafor and scoring the goal that gave them a 2-1 lead in the 68th minute. Shortly after Leao's goal, Abraham made it 3-1 to give AC Milan some breathing space in their eventual 3-2 win.

  It was a performance that will surely boost the Portuguese winger's confidence, given that he has found himself falling in the pecking order lately under coach Paulo Fonseca. Abraham, though, believes that Leao has no idea how impactful and effective he can be for Milan.

• WHAT TAMMY ABRAHAM SAID

  Abraham spoke to Sky Sport following the game and heaped praise on Leao. “Leao is a very important player for us," Abraham claimed (h/t Calciomercato). "I don’t think he knows how good he is. He can win games on his own, on his day he is unstoppable. We have to fill him with confidence and bring him on our path.”

• DAZN
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR RAFAEL LEAO?

  Over the past few months, Leao's future at AC Milan has become increasingly uncertain, with reports emerging of the rift between the player and Fonseca widening. Therefore, the club is contemplating Leao's future at the club amid strong interest from Barcelona.

  Leao will hope to build on his performance in the Champions League in Milan's upcoming game, in which they welcome Empoli at the San Siro on Saturday, November 30.

Brendon McCullum, one of the most skilled batsmen in the shortest format, talks about its evolution and how its pressures are different from ODIs and Tests

Interview by Abhishek Purohit01-Oct-2012″It can be a bit of a hit or miss, but when it is your day, you have to still craft an innings and how you go about doing that, reading the situation very quickly and adapt accordingly”•AFP You have five hundreds (in all T20s) in the format. How much of it is down to being in the zone and it being your day and how much of it to planning and execution?
It has an element of being in the zone and having those days where the conditions suit you and you have a good read on the bowlers, and the circumstance allows you to put the foot down. You also look at the amount of starts you give yourself. You keep giving yourself lots of starts and look to turn those into hundreds, but for me, it is not about the hundreds. It is about the contributions you make. What is more pleasing for me is that those hundreds I have made, we have won each of those games. So, yes, there are elements of being in the zone, and there are elements of structuring your innings according to the situation.I think it has flowed on in ODI cricket as well – people’s ability to read a situation. In the last ten overs now, you can get any amount of runs, because of the introduction of T20.You spoke about getting starts. You have a higher proportion of 50-plus scores in T20Is compared to ODIs. Does this format free you up? Do you have a better chance of posting a big score once you get your eye in?
This format suits my style of play a bit more. I like to be pretty aggressive. In 20 overs, you have to continue to do so. It suits my temperament more – being able to make those quick decisions while you have got the bat in your hand. If you do keep giving yourself those starts, turning them into match-winning scores is that much easier. Also, in T20, when you give yourself a start, the bridge between a start and a match-winning score is not as great as it can be in the other forms. That is probably why the conversion rate is slightly high.T20 batting is one-dimensional in the sense that you have got to hit consistently. Is that a positive? Or can that get overwhelming at times – say, when you play out dot balls?
You are not always going to perform. There is the understanding that while you may have the right game plan or the right frame of mind when you go out to bat, it might not always work out. I think it is more than just hitting. The tactical sense of targeting short boundaries, targeting specific bowlers, looking to hit them in specific areas and expose certain areas of the field, as well as the balance between attacking early in the over as against late in the over. While on the surface it appears that you are just consistently trying to hit out at every ball, I think there is more depth to it than that.Guys like Eoin Morgan and Kevin Pietersen… Chris Gayle probably has the ability to hit out more than most, but the other guys, Suresh Raina and the like, have the ability to read the situation too. If you really dive into the depths of the game, the ability to read the situation and adapt their game accordingly is why they are successful. That is what you are constantly chasing. It does not always happen, but that is what you are chasing as a batsman in T20.As the highest run-getter in T20 internationals, how do you think batting in the format has evolved in the seven years you have played it?
It’s been a fairly quick evolution of the game and people have been very quick to adjust to it. During the first T20I [in 2005], it was about doing the dress-up and people growing beards and the like, and you were trying to swing at every ball. There is a lot more seriousness about it now. People’s understanding of how to play the game has definitely developed. Overall, it has been a very rapid development and one that has been great for the game.Can it be said that T20 batting has become some a separate art, or do players still perceive it as being mostly a hit-or-miss variety?
I think you need to have the mentality that you may miss every now and then. You are probably going to miss more often than you succeed in T20. It’s just the nature of having to be as aggressive as you need to be. With that high risk, you are going to come unstuck. There is an understanding that it can be a bit of a hit or miss, but when it is your day, there is also the understanding that you have to still craft an innings and how you go about doing that, reading the situation very quickly and adapting accordingly. I think some of the best players in T20 know that, and it is no mistake that they give performances more often than not.

“Dot balls are okay. Sometimes the situation is such that you just cannot afford to lose a wicket. So you’d rather take a dot than try to force the issue to pick up some runs”

A few days ago, Brad Hodge said T20 batting had evolved from wild slogging to cultured slogging. He spoke about the likes of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. He said there were two aspects – timing the ball into the gaps, and hitting it so hard that it beats, say midwicket, and long-on as well. What is your take on that?
I do agree with him. Those guys he has mentioned there – two of the world’s premier T20 players. I think they go about it differently compared to some of the other guys, especially those that bat at the top of the order. There is more cultured slogging or cultured hitting at times.There is a craft involved. When things are going good for you, you are able to put pressure on the bowler early in the over and that can lead to a big over. When things are not going so well for you, you still need to be able to pick up some boundaries. So you look at, maybe, accumulating through the first part of the over and pick up your boundaries at the end of the over to try and minimise your risk. Those are the things you try to work out during a game. Again, it does not always work.Everyone is going to have specific areas they are strong in. AB de Villiers is very strong with his reverse sweep, hitting over cover and long-on, his ability to lap as well. Virat Kohli is a bit more orthodox but plays shots all around the ground. Gayle is very strong hitting straight or over cow corner. David Warner is another one. You are always going to have areas where you are strong as a batsman and where you can try and target your boundary options. So I think there is a craft in it, being able to work out what is required of your game at that point of time.I was speaking to Saqlain Mushtaq a few days back. Only half in jest, he said bowling a maiden in a T20, for a spinner, is like taking a ten-for. It is that rare. From a batsman’s point of view, how much does playing out a maiden play on your mind? Even a dot ball, for that matter.
Dot balls are okay. You do try to minimise the number of dot balls you face in an innings. Sometimes the situation is such that you just cannot afford to lose a wicket. So you’d rather take a dot than try to force the issue to pick up some runs. If you are facing continuous dot balls or slow overs, it definitely plays on your mind. You need to get your team to a score which is competitive or above par.That is another skill that has come into the game – the ability of some bowlers, especially spinners, to identify when they are on top of the game and bowl very fast overs. The other night, Mohammad Hafeez bowled overs inside 45 seconds to a minute. That is a skill in itself – identifying when is the right time to go fast or slow. Same thing for a batsman.Speaking about strokes, during that century against Australia in 2010, you scooped Shaun Tait over short fine leg. How much courage does that take? How much of it is down to pure instinct?
To me, I had to play that shot because I didn’t believe I was capable of hitting them in front of square []. The pitch was very good, the boundaries reasonably short, and he was bowling pretty quick. We had to score in excess of 190 and had to hit their best bowlers for fours and sixes. I honestly did not believe it was possible to do so in front of the wicket. I had to take an educated risk and guessed that was the best way to do it. I could have been knocked over but those are the risks and gambles you have to take during a game, based on what is required. I was lucky those ones came off that day.On scooping Shaun Tait: “I had to play that shot because I didn’t believe I was capable of hitting them in front of square “•Martin Hunter/Getty ImagesAll the focus is on the fours and sixes in this format. How important do you think is the single?
Especially if there is a left-hand right-hand combination, singles are of huge importance. Again, it is about structuring the over when you need the singles. If you get a boundary and are able to follow it up with some sort of scoring next ball, it makes the over more sizeable. Rotating strike and running hard helps your ability to construct your innings. You can’t go out and make a huge score where it’s all boundaries. Otherwise it gives the bowlers an opportunity to wear you down.After your century against Bangladesh, you said that, having played the format so much, you had now developed a pattern in your mind. Do you think batsmen are learning more and more on how to build a T20 innings?
I am learning the pattern. I would not say I have developed the pattern. It is going to take a long time to learn. I definitely have more information now than I did seven years ago on how to play this game. You try to include that in your style of play and the need to play for your team at that point of time. A pattern does start to emerge in people’s games. I am sure Gayle has got his own pattern in mind. There are different players who have different patterns. From what suits my style of play and my role in this team, there is a pattern starting to emerge. Then you can prepare for that mentally and assess a situation and work out where that pattern needs to raise its risk or reduce its risk.Finally, a question about your batting style. You move around so much in the crease, you charge fast bowlers, yet you manage to retain a lot of control over your bat-swings. How do you do that?
I don’t know. [smiles] While you are moving a lot prior to the point of impact, you try and keep the key fundamentals of staying still at impact. As long as my head is still, my hands are back and ready to hit the ball, and my eyes are on the ball – the three fundamentals – what goes on before that is irrelevant. It is more to try and mess with the bowler’s head a little bit. Again, it does not always come off but sometimes, it is required.

Fifty on T20I debut as new boy embraces England’s winning mentality

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Jan-2022

Harry Brook, Phil Salt and George Garton were all making their T20I debuts in Barbados•Getty Images

Phil Salt says there was plenty for him to savour despite finishing on the wrong end of a high-scoring defeat in the third T20I in Barbados, after marking his debut in the format with a hard-hitting half-century, on the island where he spent six of his formative years.Salt’s 57 from 24 balls carried England’s challenge almost as deep as West Indies’ own run-chase had gone in their one-run defeat on Sunday, particularly when he struck consecutive sixes in Romario Shepherd’s final over, to briefly keep pace with a requirement that had spiralled to 36 runs from the six remaining deliveries.However, his efforts – coupled with Tom Banton’s earlier score of 73 from 39 balls – were unable to match Rovman Powell’s exceptional 51-ball hundred, after he and Nicholas Pooran (70 from 43) had added 122 for the third wicket to lift West Indies to an imposing 224 for 5, their highest total against England, and their third-highest of all time.Even so, having lived in Barbados for six years from the ages of nine to 15, and having watched a number of England’s matches at Bridgetown in that time – including their T20 World Cup final win over Australia in 2010 – he admitted the feeling of being the other side of the fence on this occasion had been a memorable one.”It was very cool to play here, it’s a ground that I’ve watched England play on so many times,” Salt said. “I’ve watched them win a World Cup here and I’ve seen almost every single series I could when they were over here. To make my debut on the ground is incredible.”I know it’s not capacity, but the atmosphere is always good in this part of the world,” Salt added, with 50% crowds at this series due to Covid protocols. “Bajans love their cricket and love supporting the West Indies. And the English are exactly the same, so that’s always going to make for a good atmosphere.”Salt made an emergency England debut in last summer’s ODI series against Pakistan, opening the batting under the captaincy of Ben Stokes after England’s original squad had been sidelined by a Covid outbreak. And there was similar upheaval in the ranks on this occasion, with Moeen Ali taking charge of an England team with five changes, including two other debutants in George Garton and Harry Brook, after Eoin Morgan and Sam Billings were both ruled out.”I knew [Wednesday] morning around midday that I was in,” Salt said, after Billings – who had completed a 15,000km, four-flight journey from Hobart to Bridgetown prior to the first match – was omitted. “I think Bilbo didn’t pull up the greatest, recovery-wise, after the last couple of games. So that’s when I knew.”Salt had an unfamiliar position in the side too, coming in at No. 6 instead of opening – the first time he had batted that low in a T20 game. But, given his reputation as a player who can go full-throttle from the first ball, Salt said he had not been daunted by the task at hand, adding that the can-do mentality of Eoin Morgan’s No.1-ranked squad had dictated his approach from the outset.Related

Phil Salt: From Barbados to England via T20 finishing school

Jason Holder calls for greater intent to counter England's spinners

Rovman Powell's 51-ball century powers West Indies back into series lead

Resilient Powell serves up lethal T20 cocktail to leave England feeling punch-drunk

Asked what was on his mind as he arrived at the crease at 107 for 4 in the 12th over, he said: “Winning the game. It’s very, very clear when you come into this group, the mentality you need to have. Winning the game was the only thing on my mind at the time.”The role I had is one I enjoy doing,” he added. “The game is always in front of you when you come in and are chasing, you know exactly what you need to do.”Salt had to wait nearly ten minutes to face his first delivery after arriving at the non-striker’s end, but nearly reached the boundary with his first shot through midwicket, and struck three fours and five sixes all told.”It’s a skill that not many guys have so if you can be good at that, it’s definitely a big weapon in your armoury,” he said of his hitting ability. “Sometimes you get tied up a bit up top when you open, when the field’s up, but with everyone back and the scoreboard looking the way it was, it was very clear what I needed to do.”

تمكن رودريجو مونيز لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي فولهام، من تسجيل هدف ثالث في شباك ليفربول خلال اللقاء الذي يجمعهما بمنافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ويواجه ليفربول نظيره فولهام، في منافسات الجولة الـ31 من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، على ملعب “كرافين كوتيج”.

اقرأ أيضاً.. تشكيل ليفربول أمام فولهام في الدوري الإنجليزي.. موقف محمد صلاح

ونجح مهاجم فولهام، رودريجو مونيز، في تسجيل الهدف اثالث لفريقه في اللقاء عند الدقيقة 37 من عمر المباراة.

هدف أصحاب الأرض جاء بعد أن فاز مونيز بصراع هوائي وبخطأ فادح من فان دايك، لينجح مهاجم فولهام بالإنطلاق نحو مرمى ليفربول ومن ثم التسديد بين قدمي حارس ليفربول كويمن كيليهر.

وفي حال هزيمة ليفربول في مواجهة اليوم سيتجمد رصيده عند 73 نقطة في صدارة جدول ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز. هدف فولهام الثالث أمام ليفربول بـ الدوري الإنجليزي

مونيز يتفوق على فان دايك بطريقة رائعة ويمنح فولهام الهدف الثالث! 🔥⚽️😮#الدوري_الإنجليزي #فولهام_ليفربول pic.twitter.com/MbTDvkLdII — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) April 6, 2025

West Bromwich Albion supporters will be very happy with how their early Championship fixtures have unfolded, with four points from a possible six picked up against tough opponents in the form of Queens Park Rangers and Leeds United.

Carlos Corberan's men stood firm against the Whites in the stalemate draw at the Hawthorns, as the Baggies ground out a share of the points, with ex-Leeds man Alex Mowatt at least attempting to create some rare openings through the middle of the park.

Notching up 99 touches against his former employers, the West Brom number 27 couldn't quite find that killer pass, despite dominating the ball.

He could be joined by a new midfield partner very shortly, away from the likes of Jayson Molumby who has been next to him in the holding positions recently, who he knows from his prior Barnsley days.

West Brom weighing up move for new midfielder

First reported by the Barnsley Chronicle, Tykes midfielder Callum Styles looks set to leave Oakwell for good this summer with a £2m price tag slapped on his head.

Further developments by journalist Alan Nixon indicate that this could well involve the South Yorkshire club gaining a West Brom player in exchange for the adopted Hungary international to jump ship to the Hawthorns, with Modou Faal rumoured to be the Baggies man that could move down to League One in a swap deal.

Not exactly setting the world alight on loan with Sunderland last season in the second tier, Corberan could be the manager to get the best out of the tricky 5 foot 8 gem again, who has shone at the level before with his current employers.

What Styles can offer West Brom

Still lacking depth in central midfield, with Okay Yokuslu no longer on the books, Styles' adaptability will also be a major strength the Spaniard admires from his many standout traits, with the 24-year-old capable of playing down the left as a winger or full-back.

At the Hawthorns, it's likely he will be lining up next to Mowatt in a central midfield capacity, however, with the one-time Millwall man already aware of his potential teammate's strengths from their time together in South Yorkshire.

Styles is well accustomed to the demands of Championship football, having made 136 career appearances in the tough division to date, with an impressive goal and assist haul of 16 combined.

His main standout season at the level was during the 20/21 season, with four goals and four assists registered from 42 games as the Tykes dared to dream about an unbelievable promotion up to the Premier League, with 37 of those clashes seeing him remarkably line up down the left channel, as opposed to filling a spot in the centre.

Games played

42

Goals

4

Assists

3

Shots*

1.0

Big chances created

5

Interceptions*

1.2

Tackles*

2.7

Total duels won*

5.8

The "excellent" West Brom target – as he was described by ex-Barnsley manager Neill Collins – could do a job next to Mowatt in Corberan's trusty 4-2-3-1 set-up though.

Glancing at his numbers from that particular season (above), there is a grit present in his skill-set that will make Yokuslu's absence feel less obvious.

Moreover, his well-rounded game means he would also be able to create chances aplenty – alongside Mowatt – whilst also chipping in with a strike of his own from time to time, with a sublime rocket, like the one below, up his sleeve.

Corberan will, no doubt, be encouraged by what he's seen of his side in the infancy of this new second-tier season, considering the likes of Conor Townsend and Brandon Thomas-Asante have also left the building, alongside Yokuslu.

Still, adding in some more quality and depth won't do the threadbare Baggies camp any harm, and Styles would be a worthwhile addition if everything slots into place for the move to go through.

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ByKelan Sarson Aug 18, 2024

David Ornstein's dulcet tones so often send supporters into rapture, and the Manchester United fanbase have recently been excited by The Athletic's chief correspondent's all-important transfer update: INEOS have submitted a double bid Bayern Munich's way.

Indeed, United are pushing to sign centre-back Matthijs De Ligt and wide defender Noussair Mazraoui, reinforcing Erik ten Hag's backline after already signing dynamic forward Joshua Zirkzee, who won the 2023/24 Serie A Young Player of the Year, for £36.5m from Bologna.

Leny Yoro has also been signed in a staggering move, rising to £59m, from LOSC Lille, an 18-year-old centre-half projected to become one of the world's best, though he has been stricken with a three-month layoff after injuring his ankle in the Red Devils' pre-season clash against Arsenal at the end of July.

Old Trafford's rear might be getting all the attention right now, but few would argue against the pressing need to strengthen the midfield, and once defensive issues have been dealt with, the transfer cannon is set to shift to the engine room.

Man United transfer news

According to journalist Duncan Castles, speaking on his Football Transfers podcast, Man United are poised to move for Burnley midfielder Sander Berge in a shock transfer, should they fail to sign Paris Saint-Germain's Manuel Ugarte.

The 26-year-old, who joined Burnley for £12m last summer, impressed throughout the concluded campaign but failed to stop his team from falling back into the Championship, with Castles suggesting he is a player who the club are "discussing as an option".

While fans might initially turn their nose at the unexpected transfer news, he might just come to surprise a few.

Why Sander Berge could succeed at Man United

Berge completed 37 appearances in the Premier League last season and was awarded Burnley's Player of the Year after charging the engine with gusto, guile and a strong approach.

Now though, he deservedly seeks a move away, hailed as "the main man" by The Athletic's Andy Jones and charging the fluent brand of football that Burnley attempted to produce in the top flight.

Standing at 6 foot 3, he's rock-solid and commanding, with a sharp technicality and a wealth of experience in testing conditions – now, he's ready to step up to the task at The Theatre of Dreams.

He might be considered as the perfect alternative to the tough-tackling Ugarte, but he harbours qualities more similar to that of Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi, with Catalan outlet El Nacional claiming last week that United had tabled a bid for the Spanish maestro.

How Berge compares to Martin Zubimendi

Berge has proved himself with the likes of Sheffield United and the Clarets and now appears ready to move to a top outfit, especially given that he is set to depart his beleaguered side.

As per FBref, Berge ranked among the top 15% of centre-midfielders in the Premier League last season for pass completion and the top 7% for aerial battles won per 90, speaking of his steely presence in the middle of the field and indeed his ball-playing skills.

Burnley sought to inculcate a ball-playing sheen to their football under Vincent Kompany last season, ranking 12th in the division for total passes (16,447) after their promotion.

Having suffered relegation, going out with a whimper, they were never able to perform at the level they desired but Berge showcased his skills and may well prove to flourish at a team such as United, especially as he fits the pass-efficient template that is coveted.

Indeed, FBref record Zubimendi as one of the Norwegian's most comparable players, and when comparing the respective 2023/24 league campaigns, it begins to become discernible that Burnley's man could be a shrewd signing for United.

23/24 League Stats: Sander Berge vs Martin Zubimendi
Statistics	Berge	Zubimendi
Matches played	37	31
Matches started	34	29
Goals	1	4
Assists	2	1
Pass completion	89%	86%
Big chances created	5	2
Touches per game	53.1	60.1
Key passes per game	0.8	0.5
Ball recoveries per game	5.5	5.5
Dribbles per game	0.5	0.4
Tackles per game	2.1	1.6
Duels won per game	4.8 (54%)	4.0 (55%)
Stats via Sofascore

The £48k-per-week talent has been hailed for his "world-class" quality by former loan teammate Kieran Tierney, but statistical analysis shows that United could benefit from opting for the astute road and signing Berge, who has been described as an "unbelieveable" player by former teammate John Egan.

Especially given that the 25-year-old is valued at €60m (£51m), and after Sociedad agreed a deal with Arsenal for the transfer of Mikel Merino, it's decidedly unlikely that their metronome in the middle will be allowed to wander off for pastures new too.

Berge's deep-lying ability, mixing his crisp passing with concrete defending, could even be perfect for the development of Kobbie Mainoo, who is the cream of United's academy crop right now and will hope to raise his ceiling after an impressive breakthrough campaign.

A gifted and intelligent player, Mainoo, 19, exudes a composure and combativeness in Ten Hag's midfield that will see him grow into a force to be reckoned with over the next decade, but he needs an anchor he can rely on beside him.

Casemiro was shambolic across stretches of the 2023/24 season, with Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp even commenting that he "looks like he's in Soccer Aid" during one struggling showing.

Mainoo needs stability, and a partner who can enrich Man United's verve. Berge, who is desperate for a shot at a higher level, could be the perfect man for the job.

Constant contact: Man Utd chase "insane" £42m star to solve Yoro problem

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1

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Aug 2, 2024

Hollywood actor Timothee Chalamet showed off his impressive football knowledge, while revealing the unexpected team he supports.

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Chalamet says which football team he supportsShows off impressive ball knowledgeReveals story about Ligue 1 team from his youthFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

In an interview, the 29-year-old spoke about a time when he pursued the Saint-Etienne team bus on his bike in the 2000s, when Bafetimbi Gomis and Dimitri Payet were playing for them. The American-French actor also opened up on his love for the Ligue 1 side.

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When asked if he chased Saint-Etienne up a hill to a hotel on his bike years ago, he replied: "Yeah, that's true. Chased the team up there. Bafetimbi Gomis, Dimitri Payet… it was that generation of Saint-Etienne players. [I'm a] big Saint-Etienne fan, probably the team I support most in the world; better than the New York Knicks (basketball)."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The Los Angeles resident, who inherited his passion for the club from his French father, will have been thrilled when Saint-Etienne were promoted back to Ligue 1 earlier this year. Currently, they are in danger of getting relegated but Chalamet will hope they can beat the drop.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

His beloved team, who sit 16th in Ligue 1, host Reims in their next league match on Saturday. Chalamet is currently promoting his new film, 'A Complete Unknown', in which he plays a young Bob Dylan.