Tag Futebol

تغنت الصحافة البريطانية بتألق مهاجم منتخب مصر، عمر مرموش، بعد أداءه المميز أمام نيوكاسل يونايتد في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي.

ونجح مرموش في قيادة مانشستر سيتي لفوز بنتيجة 4-0 في ملعب “الاتحاد” يوم أمس، السبت، حيث سجل هاتريك في الشوط الأول وأضاف جيمس ميكاتي الرابع بالشوط الثاني.

اقرأ أيضًا | مدرب نيوكاسل: هدف مرموش الأول كان صعبًا علينا.. وسنتذكر الأهداف بإحباط

ولكن أداء مرموش فاق كل التوقعات في ثالث مباريات مع مانشستر سيتي في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز بعدما لم يحالفه الحظ ضد تشيلسي وآرسنال رغم أداءه الجيد.

بالأمس، كان الحظ يبتسم لأقدام مرموش الذي ظل يبحث عن هدفه الأول فكانت البداية بهاتريك يتحدث عنه الكثير في الصحافة البريطانية والعالم. أصداء الصحافة البريطانية بعد تألق عمر مرموش في مباراة نيوكاسل

ديلي ميرور: “هاتريك رائع من مرموش الذي سرق الأضواء في بتسجيله ثلاثية في الشوط الأول أمام نيوكاسل يونايتد”.

ذا صن: “أحرز مرموش هاتريك لصالح مانشستر سيتي في 14 دقيقة فقط ليسقط نيوكاسل في الدوري الإنجليزي مع إشادة قوية من جوارديولا”.

ديلي ميل: “عمر مرموش يسجل ثلاثية ليعيد مانشستر سيتي من جديد إلى المربع الذهبي في الدوري الإنجليزي”.

ديلي تيليجراف: “سحر مرموش يظهر مع مانشستر سيتي بعد تسجيله هاتريك في 14 دقيقة فقط أمام نيوكاسل يونايتد”.

Confusion over elbow injury leaves Sussex captain Ben Brown shorn of options

Paul Edwards15-May-2021

We had to wait for our cricket on this third evening at Hove but one suspects we will remember it. Heavy showers delayed the start of play until five o’clock, by which time only 24 overs could be bowled. What we then saw and what we did not witness will interest the supporters of both teams and concern the England hierarchy as it prepares for a very hard year of international cricket.Chief among the delights was the batting of Zak Crawley and Jack Leaning, whose 130-run fourth-wicket partnership should help Kent avoid defeat in this match, especially if tomorrow’s weather is as poor as has been forecast. Taking the gong for best supporting actor was the Sussex off-spinner, Jack Carson, who took Crawley’s wicket and whose engaging enthusiasm for his work was plain.But, rather like the non-activity of the dog in the night-time, the studied quiescence of Jofra Archer standing at mid-on or deep midwicket with his hands in his pockets also commanded our attention. Archer did nothing except field a few balls today. On an evening when his team-mates were pulling their tripes out to take the wickets that might secure a much-needed win for Sussex, he effectively did nothing, although it was later disclosed by the Sussex coach Ian Salisbury that Archer’s sore elbow had prevented him adding to the five overs he had bowled on Friday evening.Initially it was astonishing that Archer did not add to the brief spell he had bowled on Friday evening, especially as this is a game in which he is supposed to proving his match fitness in advance of an absurdly busy year. More disturbingly for Sussex supporters, it appeared that Archer’s county captain, Ben Brown, wanted his spearhead to deliver the second of the day’s 24 overs and had the briefest of discussions with him after Ollie Robinson had opened the bowling from the Cromwell Road End.At the end of the chat Brown seemed to gesticulate towards Archer and called up George Garton from the slips. Sussex coach Ian Salisbury later disclosed that Archer’s long-standing elbow injury had prevented him bowling.”I think there was some confusion over the state of his elbow,” said Salisbury. “Ben thought he was going to bowl but his elbow’s sore and so he couldn’t bowl. Regarding any other information about his elbow, it’s the ECB’s job to answer that. If he’s sore today, he’s not going to bowl tomorrow.”Nevertheless, two further questions remain: if Archer had a sore elbow, why did the ECB allow him to field and risk further injury? And secondly, given that Archer has bowled a mere 18 overs in this game, how can he be risked in a five-day Test until he has proved his fitness, probably by taking a full part in a four-day county match?When asked why Archer was on the field if he was not fit, Salisbury replied that both Archer and Brown “were desperate to win games for Sussex. Ben’s disappointment stems from the fact that one of his premier bowlers wasn’t available and we’re desperate to win this game against our local rivals”.Related

Jofra Archer ruled out of New Zealand Tests due to elbow concerns

Jofra Archer set for County Championship return as injury comeback steps up

Jofra Archer goes wicketless on low-key return to the day job for Sussex seconds

England considering 'new faces' for New Zealand Tests – Ashley Giles

James Anderson to miss Lancashire's match at Sussex to manage minor calf injury

And it would certainly be a shame if discussions regarding Archer detracted completely from what was a short and well-contested session. For nearly an hour it looked as though Crawley would make the century he had failed to collect against Yorkshire just over a week ago. But, rather as he did at Headingley, the England batsman gave it away when an attempted reverse-sweep only inside-edged a catch to the diving Aaron Thomason at short leg.Crawley had made 85 and had wasted his second successive opportunity to make the sort of contribution for which he admits he is searching. Such an opportunity was not passed up by Leaning, who collected his second half-century of the match and batted with great assurance, albeit he had to survive a supremely confident appeal for a catch behind the wicket off Robinson, who also had his namesake dropped on 8 by Thomason at first slip.Our day ended in glorious sunshine and we can only hope for the best tomorrow. Carson, Garton and Delray Rawlins all bowled a single spell this evening. Having bowled the first over of the session, Robinson also bowled the last. His figures encompassing two spells today read 9-1-31-0. They did not do him an atom of justice. He, at least, should be playing Test cricket before long.

The star of India’s ten-wicket win over South Africa in the one-off-Test accepts that she needs to work hard to get back to the white-ball sides

Nikhil Sharma05-Jul-2024In a match where India became the first team to top 600 in a women’s Test cricket and Shafali Verma hit the fastest double-century in the format, Sneh Rana took back the Player-of-the-Match award. It was her 10 for 188 for the match, after all, that led India to their ten-wicket win – their third Test-match in a row. A good time for her to put in her bid for a women’s Test championship along the lines of the men’s event.”Of course women should have a Test championship,” she told ESPNcricinfo in the gap between the end of the one-off Test and the start of the T20I series between India and South Africa in Chennai. “We have started playing red-ball cricket in the domestic circuit too [from earlier this year], and we are playing more Test matches now, and getting good results. I think a championship will come as a big boost to women’s cricket.”Late last year, in December, India played England and Australia at home, and both series had one-off Test matches slotted in. India won both, beating England by 347 runs and then Australia by eight wickets – Rana was the Player of the Match against Australia too. Three Tests scattered across just over six months, after India had played just 13 Tests since the turn of the millennium, stop and start at that. Only four teams – Australia, England, India and South Africa – currently play Test cricket.Related

She gets knocked down but she gets up again: Sneh Rana's journey

Chennai's hard grind leaves India and SA wanting more Tests

Stats – India's hat-trick, records for Shafali and Wolvaardt

Wolvaardt: 'Incorporate red-ball into domestic cricket or we must leave it'

Muzumdar: 'Not a bad idea to have Test Championships for women'

That has made the victories, especially the ones against England and Australia, who play Test cricket most regularly among women’s teams, worth savouring.”It’s about the mindset, we have shown patience,” Rana said. “The challenges are the same, it’s just for longer. The tricks and strategies are the same, but we need to focus on fitness and those things. India are now doing well in all three formats. India have been doing well in ODIs and T20Is, we have been reaching the semi-finals and finals of the World Cups. And now we have won three Tests in a row. It’s a great feeling to win a hat-trick of Tests.”As such, it’s all the same. Just the colour of the ball is different.”Rana might say it’s all the same, but she hasn’t been able to make an impression in white-ball cricket quite the same way as she has in Tests. Her numbers aren’t bat in ODIs and T20Is – especially in the latter, where she has 24 wickets from 25 games at an average of 21.75 and an economy rate of 6.21 – but she hasn’t been a regular in the national team. She was left out of both squads in the ongoing series against South Africa too.

“He knows how to get the best out of each of us. That’s his biggest strength. One of the things I like most about him is that he motivates us a lot, before and during games”Sneh Rana on Amol Muzumdar

“This can happen – you are in the team sometimes and you are out at other times,” Rana said. “My best wishes to whoever is picked for the T20 World Cup [in Bangladesh in October this year] – I’ll want India to win and support them. I want to return to the T20I team, of course, and I’m working hard for it, and will continue to. Selection isn’t in my hands.”That said, it’s true that she doesn’t have the sort of variations some of the more successful white-ball spinners do. She accepts it, too.”Variations… I have one that goes on straight, and I vary the pace, and that’s what I am working on,” she said. “What are my strengths – everything I do is my strength. But yes, I trust my stock delivery the most, that’s my biggest strength. It’s helped me all these years. You would have seen that most of my deliveries are my stock offspin. I flight it, and it loops in the air, and it lands on the seam. That sometimes gets me extra bounce. It’s worked for me against most batters.”Sneh Rana hasn’t been able to hold down a place in India’s white-ball sides•Getty ImagesBack to the Test set-up, and the appointment of Amol Muzumdar as head coach for all formats, Rana said, has had a big impact. “He has changed our mindset and approach. He knows how to get the best out of each of us. That’s his biggest strength. One of the things I like most about him is that he motivates us a lot, before and during games.”All of this has come at an exciting time for women’s cricket in India. The Women’s Premier League, though much delayed, has come as a boon, and has thrown up promising new faces – Saika Ishaque, Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana among them – and there is the domestic red-ball competition Rana alluded to.”Change has come,” Rana said. “Girls are choosing cricket [as a profession]. Competition has gone up, lots of girls are doing well, some of them have played international cricket too. This will help us.”Along with that, our match fees are at par with the male cricketers. We are getting more support and facilities. It’s all very positive right now.”

Led by Jadeja’s four-for, India reduced South Africa to effectively 63 for 7 with three days to go in the game

Sidharth Monga15-Nov-20252:14

What to make of the Eden Gardens surface?

India started the second day 122 runs behind in the first innings with nine wickets in hand. Less than six dramatic hours of cricket later, they were sensing a win, having reduced South Africa to effectively 63 for 7 in their second innings. Fifteen wickets fell on the day, Shubman Gill retired with a neck spasm, 39 remained the top score in the Test, and 57 the top partnership. This was the lowest top score in the first two innings of a Test in India, and the lowest in any Test since Durban 2010-11 between the same sides.Absolutely nobody predicted the pitch would turn out to be so difficult to bat on. It looked like a normal Indian track, good for batting for first two days, but the top surface began to come off in the second half of the first day. On the second day, it became near unplayable. Even the fast bowlers drew generous help to take 11 of the 26 wickets to fall.The pitch might seem at odds with India’s public utterances after the series loss to New Zealand last year that they want to play on more balanced surfaces, but commentator Dinesh Karthik said on air that it was not watered on the day before the Test, which comes across as unusual.Related

Gill hospitalised after suffering neck spasm

From struggle to skill, Harmer demonstrates decade-long evolution

Shubman Gill retires hurt with neck injury

What wasn’t unusual was that the best player on this moving day was Ravindra Jadeja, who scored 27 largely trouble-free runs before his old-fashioned technique of hiding the bat behind the pad got him out lbw to Simon Harmer.Harmer himself showed all the hype was real, that he is now a vastly improved bowler to the one that showed up in India 10 years ago, taking 4 for 30 to keep South Africa in arrears of only 30 after being bowled out for 159 on the first day. Jadeja, though, showed 30 was plenty with an unerring unbroken spell of 13-3-29-4 as South Africa ended the day on 93 for 7.When the day began, and indeed even after the wicketless first hour, it looked like India were setting themselves up for a decisive first-innings lead. KL Rahul, the top-scorer in the match, and India’s new No. 3 Washington Sundar put together the joint-highest partnership of the match. Introduced only in the second hour of the day, Harmer produced immediate results, turning one past Washington’s edge and the next onto the edge.KL Rahul was the top-scorer of the match after the second day•AFP/Getty ImagesAt 75 for 2, India were 84 behind South Africa, still a comfortable position to be in. Gill, whose neck seemed to be in some discomfort in the morning warm-ups, then went into a spasm as soon as he swept Harmer for four.While Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Jadeja – 39, 27 and 27 – looked good in their own individual ways, the eventual wicket-taking delivery was always around the corner. Rahul made the mistake of following Keshav Maharaj’s extravagant turn, Jadeja was done in by the natural variation, and Pant fell to extra bounce for Corbin Bosch.Maharaj will be disappointed he went at over four an over, but the combination of Harmer and Marco Jansen made light of India’s batting depth, which generally is the case on such pitches. In Kagiso Rabada’s absence, Jansen’s analysis of 15-4-35-3 kept South Africa alive in the Test. India lost their last four wickets for 36.By the time India started bowling for the second time, with a little over half an hour to tea on day two, it made complete sense to open with spin. Jasprit Bumrah, who got a five-for in the first innings, did open the bowling, and from the end where bowlers had generated uneven bounce, but it wasn’t long before South Africa were facing spin from both ends with little breathing time or space.Kuldeep Yadav took the wicket of Ryan Rickelton with what turned out to be the last ball of the middle session, one that didn’t turn and also had the batter playing back when he should have been forward.Ravindra Jadeja spun a web around South Africa•AFP/Getty ImagesPant, captaining in Gill’s absence, immediately brought on Jadeja, the fingerspinner who could accurately bowl at high pace, on at this end. As it often happens on such difficult pitches, the wicket-taking deliveries don’t look that threatening but the ones around them scramble batters’ brains. And so it looked like Aiden Markram should not have checked his sweep, but he did because this ball from Jadeja stopped on him. Tony de Zorzi reverse-swept the first ball he played but the next one jumped on him, making for an easy bat-pad catch.Wiaan Mulder tested Jadeja’s patience, but Jadeja eventually produced the edge with the big-turning delivery. Tristan Stubbs was worked over with subtle changes in the angle, with Jadeja finally going wide on the crease, angling the ball in, and then turning it away past the edge to take the off stump.Kyle Verreynne copped flak for trying to slog-sweep Axar Patel, but there weren’t many scoring opportunities on that pitch with in-out fields. A similar attacking strategy came off for Jansen for a while as he scored 13 but even he get a feather on a sweep off Kuldeep.The catching of both sides remained sensational with Rahul capping the day off with a low slip catch off a deflection of the keeper Pant. Temba Bavuma defended well and threw in the occasional sweep to end the day unbeaten on 29 off 78, but it seemed he still had a lot to do with the bat to give South Africa a shot at a win.

Ashley Giles, England’s director of cricket, said long-term fitness of the fast bowler was the priority as he also has further treatment on his elbow

Andrew Miller30-Mar-2021Jofra Archer’s participation in this year’s IPL will be decided later this week, following a bizarre incident prior to England’s tour of India, in which he dropped a tropical fish tank in his bath and suffered a cut middle finger on his right hand.The incident occurred at Archer’s flat in Hove in January, and although the finger healed sufficiently for him to take part in both the Test and T20I legs of the tour, the England management decided it would be prudent to investigate the wound properly after he flew home ahead of last week’s ODIs to undergo treatment on a long-term elbow injury.Ashley Giles, England’s director of cricket, told the BBC’s Tuffers and Vaughan show that Archer had undergone a successful operation on Monday, and confirmed that the reports about the nature of the injury were true.”This is going to sound like an awful conspiracy and I can see what’s going happen on Twitter as soon as I say this,” Giles said. “But, yeah, he was cleaning at home. He’s got a fish tank. He dropped the fish tank, cut his hand, and he’s been in surgery today.Related

• Jofra Archer tests his levers for Sussex second XI as return from elbow injury begins

• Morgan backs Archer after doubts raised about Test commitment

• Silverwood: Archer's decision to miss ODIs and part of IPL 'mutual', 'sensible'

• Dan Christian has unfinished IPL business

• Archer to undergo surgery on hand, IPL participation uncertain

“He’s come out of it well. It was managed through India, he was treated when he arrived and it wasn’t an open wound on that finger. It didn’t stop him playing, but given he came home for an injection on his elbow, he went to a specialist because the finger was still a bit stiff.”They’ve operated and I think they found a small fragment of glass still in attendance. It obviously healed but there was part of the fish tank still in his finger. So, it was the right thing to do. We’ve got a clear window to do it as well. We wish him the best for his recovery but it’s true, it’s not a conspiracy.”Archer, who has a £800,000 contract with Rajasthan Royals, was named MVP at the most recent tournament in November, but was already due to miss the start of this year’s event, which gets underway on April 9, because of his elbow complaint.Jofra Archer managed both an elbow and finger injury in India•BCCI

The issue, which is not believed to be directly related to the elbow fracture he sustained on last year’s tour of South Africa, caused Archer to miss the second and fourth Tests of England’s 3-1 series defeat. Though he played in all five T20Is of their subsequent 3-2 loss, he required a cortisone injection to make it through the series, and underwent another round of treatment on his return to London.”At the front of our minds is making sure that Jofra’s fit and available to do what he does best, which is bowl quick and enjoy his bowling,” Giles said. “His elbow injury certainly stopped him from doing that, and through the T20 series, that condition worsened and he couldn’t play without some form of pain relief.”You have to manage these things carefully, because it’s a bit like his finger actually, it seems like a small thing, but his middle finger on his right hand is pretty important when you’re a fast bowler.”With a busy England schedule looming, the ECB and the Royals are expected to make a swift decision over Archer’s availability for the IPL. England’s itinerary includes five Tests against India and an Ashes tour of Australia next winter, as well as the T20 World Cup in India, for which Archer will be an integral part of their plans.”We need to manage the elbow carefully,” Giles said. “We’ve got a really good medical team. We don’t know what’s going to happen yet in this next couple of months. But our priority is to get both of these things right and get him back on the field.”Clearly, with what he does, there’s a lot of energy that goes through that area,” Giles added. “We need to try and manage it as conservatively as possible, because this is a really important area of the body for Jof.”We need to look after him first and foremost, but I’m pretty confident that he’ll be fine, he’ll be back as soon as he can.”

Ireland lost five wickets for 98 in reply to 476 to put Bangladesh in a strong position on the second day of the Dhaka Test. The day started with Mushfiqur Rahim reaching his century in his 100th Test, before the Bangladesh spinners got into their groove.Hasan Murad took two wickets, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam picked up one each so far. Ireland’s debutant Stephen Doheny and Lorcan Tucker were the unbeaten batters, on 2 and 11 respectively.When Ireland bowled earlier in the day, Andy McBrine completed his second six-wicket haul in Tests, both having come at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. Matthew Humphreys and Gavin Hoey took two wickets each, making it the first instance of Ireland’s spinners taking all ten wickets in a Test innings.Mehidy Hasan Miraz celebrates after getting rid of Cade Carmichael•BCB

Paul Stirling’s string of boundaries, including a slog-swept six off Taiju lslam, got Ireland off to a positive start. But he fell lbw to Khaled Ahmed for 27. Captain Andy Balbirnie was next to go, when Murad had him caught at slip for 21. Cade Carmichael became Miraz’s first victim when he fell lbw, camping on his backfoot to play the shot.Murad then bowled the ball of the day, his arm-ball sneaking past Curtis Campher’s defensive push. Taijul Islam then got into the act with Harry Tector’s wicket, as the batter went back to a slightly good length delivery, only to be trapped lbw for 14.Bangladesh’s 476 was built around centuries from Mushfiqur and Litton Das. Mushfiqur became the eleventh batter to score a century in his 100th Test. He completed his 13th century when he took a single off the ninth ball of the second day after being unbeaten on 99 overnight.Mushfiqur though lasted for a short while longer before Humphreys had him caught at second slip for 106. Litton too got to his century later in the first session, taking an adventurous route with a six and a four through the nineties. He added 123 runs for the sixth wicket, making it three century stands in a row.McBrine rounded off the Bangladesh innings after trapping Khaled Ahmed lbw, with 30 minutes remaining in the second session.

The new TV rights deal and the status of bilateral matches against Afghanistan will be on the agenda across two days of meetings

AAP11-Oct-2022David Warner could learn this week if he stands any chance of overturning his leadership ban as two days of meetings between cricket’s powerbrokers loom.Warner’s ban is likely to be discussed at Thursday’s annual general meeting with the states, and is again expected to be a talking point at a Cricket Australia (CA) board meeting on Friday.His leadership status will be one of several talking points, in tandem with Australia’s next men’s ODI captain following Aaron Finch’s retirement.TV rights negotiations are also likely to be on the agenda, with the current deal up after the 2023-24 summer, while a new pay deal for players is also due next year.In addition, officials must determine whether Australia will play Afghanistan in three ODIs next March, after CA last year made their concerns clear about facing the nation while it remains under Taliban rule.Related

Finch sees no barriers for Smith or Warner captaincy

Warner open to having 'honest conversation' with CA to get captaincy ban overturned

Marsh on one-day captaincy: 'Probably not…I'm out of the race'

Two vacancies must also be filled on the CA board. Cricket Victoria chairman David Maddocks is favoured to replace the outgoing Mel Jones, while Michelle Tredenick has also resigned.But it is the status of Warner and his lifetime leadership ban that will draw the most attention out of the high-powered Hobart meetings.Warner has repeatedly stated this year that he wants to talk with CA over the matter, after he was handed the ban in the wake of the 2018 ball-tampering affair.Only one director, John Harnden, remains from that time. He is up for re-election this week.Finch and Test captain Pat Cummins have voiced their opinion that Warner should be able to hold a leadership position again, while his case will also be helped by his return to the Big Bash with Sydney Thunder.Players have said Warner remains an informal leader in the national set-up, with Mitchell Marsh declaring as much earlier this week.”I love Davey, certainly batting with him over the last 18 months, spending a lot of time with him, we’ve become great mates off the field,” Marsh said on Tuesday. “He’s certainly got a lot of energy around our team, brings everyone together, books golf for everyone.”He’s actually our team manager, people probably don’t know that. He’s a great leader among our group. As far as all the [Cricket Australia] decisions go, I certainly steer clear of all those conversations. But he’s a great man to have in the squad.”Warner would shape as a potential option for the one-day captaincy or vice-captaincy if his ban is lifted, but the process would not be straightforward before the next game in the format against England on November 17.If CA’s board do opt to consider going down that path, they will need to rewrite their own code of conduct which does not allow for a player to appeal a punishment once it has been handed down.Consultation would also be required with newly appointed ethics commissioner Dr Simon Longstaff, who led the cultural review into CA following the sandpaper-gate scandal.

Kylian Mbappe has overtaken Brazilian icon Ronaldo for his goal tally in his debut Real Madrid season following his brace against Villarreal.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Real Madrid win 2-1 at Villarreal
• Mbappe scores brace in La Liga victory
• Overtakes Ronaldo for debut season tally

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Frenchman scored both of Madrid's goals as they came from behind to beat Villarreal 2-1 on Saturday. That was his 20th La Liga goal of the season and took his overall tally for the campaign in all competitions to 31 – one better than all-time great Ronaldo managed in 2002-03.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Mbappe swapped Paris Saint-Germain for Madrid last summer and initially, he was heavily criticised for his performances. So to pass the legendary Ronaldo for goals scored in his first season at the club is some feat. The result on Saturday also sent Los Blancos three points clear at the top of La Liga.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Mbappe may have his sights set on having the best-ever debut season at Madrid; a record that is held by Ivan Zamorano, who scored 37 back in 1992-93. Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy were tied at 33 in second.

• (C)Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Mbappe, who also became the first French player in history to reach the 30-goal mark in six consecutive seasons with a club in Europe's big five leagues, will now head off on international duty for his country.

Newcastle United have built their modern reputation not just on financial clout but on shrewdly identifying opportunities that balance ambition with strategy.

Their recruitment since the change of ownership has been measured, targeted and often brave.

The signing of Sandro Tonali in 2023 epitomised that approach.

In making the AC Milan midfielder the most expensive Italian player in history, Newcastle showed their willingness to gamble on a player who combined proven Serie A quality with enormous potential upside.

Despite his 10-month suspension for breaching betting regulations, Tonali has since returned to play a central role in Eddie Howe’s side.

He was instrumental in Newcastle’s Carabao Cup triumph – their first domestic silverware in 70 years – and now forms part of a midfield three with Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton that ranks among the most complete in Europe.

That calculated risk has paid off.

It has also demonstrated to Newcastle’s hierarchy that Italian football remains fertile ground for elite talent that can be persuaded to make the move to the Premier League.

Newcastle make contact over Inter star

They have already dipped back into Serie A this summer, recruiting Malick Thiaw from AC Milan, further evidence of a strategy built on trusted relationships and a willingness to invest in players who can adapt quickly to Howe’s aggressive, high-pressing football.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Against that backdrop, it is no surprise that Newcastle are once again monitoring the Italian market.

According to reports in Italy, via Sport Witness, Newcastle have made initial contact with Inter Milan regarding midfielder Davide Frattesi.

While discussions have not moved beyond a preliminary stage, the very fact the club have opened a dialogue underlines their intent to explore whether another Serie A talent could be lured to Tyneside.

Frattesi, 25, has long been viewed as one of Italy’s brightest midfielders.

He joined Inter in 2023 from Sassuolo, and since then, he has grown into an important option for Inter.

Christian Chivu, Inter’s new head coach, considers him a key part of the squad, but with the likes of Nicolo Barella, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Piotr Zieliński and Luis Henrique all competing for central roles, a departure cannot be entirely ruled out.

Still, Inter’s position is firm: any suitor must meet their €40m (£35m) valuation.

That figure is not insignificant, particularly for Newcastle, who have already invested heavily this summer.

Jacob Ramsey’s arrival from Aston Villa strengthened their midfield department, making a further signing in that area less of a priority.

Yet Frattesi’s profile fits with Howe’s long-term vision of building a squad capable of competing both domestically and in Europe.

Lessons From Tonali and the Italian Connection

Frattesi’s numbers underline his threat.

He scored five times and registered two assists in 28 Serie A appearances last season, while also making an impact on the European stage with two goals in 13 Champions League outings, including a decisive strike in Inter’s semi-final victory over Barcelona.

Internationally, he already has 29 caps for Italy and an impressive return of eight goals.

Beyond raw output, his underlying metrics stand out. According to FBref, he ranks in the 99th percentile among midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty expected goals per 90 (0.37), the 95th percentile for total shots per 90 (1.91) and the 93rd percentile for touches inside the attacking penalty area per 90 (3.08).

Few central midfielders in Europe consistently arrive in advanced areas with such effect.

The parallels with Newcastle’s pursuit of Tonali are obvious. In both cases, the club identified a player who, while not surplus to requirements, could potentially be prised away from one of Serie A’s giants for different reasons.

In Tonali’s case, although he was a key player in Milan’s 2021/22 Scudetto-winning side, the club’s difficult financial situation forced his transfer.

By contrast, Frattesi’s place in Inter’s starting lineup is far from guaranteed.

This situation could play into Newcastle’s hands, particularly if the player desires a more consistent role ahead of a potential World Cup campaign with Italy.

At 25, he has room to grow further, and his skillset – high pressing, ball-carrying, late penalty-box entries – aligns with Howe’s blueprint.

The challenge is financial. Inter, flush with midfield depth but also mindful of squad harmony, are under no pressure to sell unless their €40m (£35m) price tag is met.

Newcastle, mindful of PSR Regulations, may be wary, having already spent significantly on Ramsey, Anthony Elanga and Thiaw this summer.

That said, Newcastle’s Serie A ventures are rarely speculative.

Their recruitment team has cultivated strong networks in Italy, and the arrivals of Tonali and Thiaw underline the willingness of Italian clubs to engage with them when the price is right.

Whether or not a deal for Frattesi materialises, the broader point is that Newcastle are doubling down on a transfer strategy that has already brought success.

Tonali’s rehabilitation from suspension into a central figure was a vindication of Newcastle’s faith in Serie A talent.

Frattesi, with his goalscoring instincts and ability to operate at both ends of the pitch, could be the next step in that evolution.

For Newcastle, the Serie A experiment has already paid off once – a repeat, even if not immediately, seems only a matter of time.

Their answer to Guehi: Newcastle weigh up late move to sign £30m "monster"

Newcastle aren’t just looking at forwards as the transfer window enters the final stretch.

By
Angus Sinclair

Aug 24, 2025

Leeds United are in the market for reinforcements at the top end of the field and now know how much they will need to pay for a talented forward who can operate across the front three, according to reports.

Leeds United look for further additions after Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Adding some Premier League pedigree to their forward line, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is now a Leeds player after completing a free transfer to Elland Road upon the expiration of his contract at Everton.

Speaking after his arrival, Daniel Farke has claimed bringing in the England international is a risk worth taking as he stocks up on forwards capable of handling the pressure of top-flight football.

He said in his most recent press conference: “Let’s be open about it. It’s always a bit risky to sign players who’ve had difficult years with a few injuries. There are always question marks and doubts.

“But the second part of the truth is that if he had his prime season last season he wouldn’t be on the market for us. He wouldn’t be a free agent and affordable for a newly promoted side, so you have to think about the balance of risk and reward.”

Seeking creativity as well as goalscoring prowess, Leeds have been linked with both Gustavo Hamer and Bilal El Khannouss, though it remains to be seen if either player pitches up at Elland Road.

Bad news for Byram: Leeds closing in on deal to sign "adventurous" star

Leeds United are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign a star, and it is bad news for Sam Byram.

By
Dan Emery

Aug 16, 2025

Everton striker Beto is also on the Whites’ radar and a bid is expected to be submitted for the Guinea-Bissau international. However, that may now be on the backburner if recent reports are anything to go by.

Leeds United close in on Noah Okafor deal

Reports have claimed Leeds will need to pay between £13 million and £17 million for AC Milan star Noah Okafor, and Fabrizio Romano reports on Monday that a deal is now close after the Whites submitted a formal offer around that figure.

Capable of featuring through the middle of on the left-hand side of attack, the Switzerland international has netted 50 career goals in total for club and country. He has featured once this term off the bench for the Rossoneri against Bari in the Coppa Italia.

Labelled “incredibly prolific” by Jacek Kulig back in 2023, Okafor has been on Leeds’ radar across the window and may be someone Farke also feels is worth the gamble in his quest for offensive prowess.

Admittedly, he is at a career crossroads, but the chance of being able to play Premier League football at Leeds may be too good to turn down after a difficult period on Italian soil that also included a loan spell at Napoli.