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حقق توتنهام فوزًا هامًا على نظيره برينتفورد بثلاثية مقابل هدف، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما ضمن الجولة السادسة من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز على ملعب توتنهام الجديد.

بدأت المباراة بهدف التقدم لـ برينتفورد في الدقيقة الأولى عن طريق براين مبيومو وتحديدًا في الثانية 26 بطريقة رائعة في شباك الحارس فيكاريو.

في الدقيقة الثامنة استغل ماديسون خطأ في التمرير من دفاع برينتفورد، ليحصل على الكرة ويسدد ولكن الحارس يتصدى لها ويتابعها سولانكي ويسجل في مرمى الضيوف.

طالع أيضًا.. ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإنجليزي بعد ثنائية لويس دياز أمام بورنموث

في الدقيقة 28 سجل براين جونسون الهدف الثاني بعد تمريرة سون هيونج مين، وأطلق صاروخية في مرمى برينتفورد.

انتهى الشوط الأول بتقدم توتنهام، وحاول برينتفورد في الشوط الثاني أن يسجل التعادل، وكاد مبويمو قبل ربع ساعة من النهاية أن يخطف التعادل، ولكن تألق الحارس فيكاريو منعه من ذلك.

أنهى جيمس ماديسون المباراة بهدف ثالث قاتل في الدقيقة 85، ليوجه الضربة القاضية لـ برينتفورد، ويحسم النقاط الثلاث لديوك لندن.

هذه النتيجة رفعت رصيد توتنهام إلى 7 نقاط في المركز العاشر، بينما برينتفورد توقف رصيده عند 6 نقاط في المركز الثاني عشر.

Half-centuries to James Vince and Rilee Rossouw take defending champions home in tough chase against Lancashire

Valkerie Baynes12-May-2019A five-wicket haul to Gareth Berg contained Lancashire and, while Hampshire had to toil in a modest chase, they won the right to defend their title in the Royal London Cup final against Somerset.Berg bowled superbly at the death to claim a career-best 5 for 26 off 6.4 overs as Lancashire were bowled out for 241 with 14 balls remaining. And it was Berg who was there at the finish, sharing a tidy cameo with James Fuller – who hit the winning runs as he drove Liam Livingstone down the ground for four after Berg had levelled the scores – for a four-wicket win and a berth in the decider at Lord’s on May 25.The match lacked the fireworks of England’s thrilling 12-run ODI victory over Pakistan, which yielded 734 runs on the same pitch the previous day, but there was plenty of drama at the Ageas Bowl.James Vince, who had sat on the sidelines a day earlier as part of the England squad when opener Jason Roy returned, and Rilee Rossouw had to steady the innings after a devastating opening spell from Saqib Mahmood had Hampshire reeling at 23 for 3.In the closing stages, James Anderson could not finish his spell when he was struck on the inside of his left knee when Fuller slapped the ball straight back to the bowler. Hit on the full, the England Test star fell in a heap on the ground and took time to get up and when he did, he was still in some discomfort.James Anderson lies on the ground after being struck on the knee with a ball hit by James Fuller•Getty ImagesMahmood claimed 3 for 11 in 17 balls to account for top-order batsmen Tom Alsop, Aneurin Donald and Sam Northeast cheaply.As Alex Hales was posting a half-century in Nottinghamshire’s losing cause against Somerset, the man vying to replace him in England’s World Cup squad set about rebuilding Hampshire’s prospects. Vince played a typically attractive knock for his 79 off 86 deliveries, including seven fours and an effortless six off Livingstone, which was followed immediately by a near-miss.When he and Rossouw appeared to hesitate while dashing off for a single, Vince would have been out had Rob Jones’ throw been on target. The pair chanced Jones’ arm again a short time later and this time it proved Vince’s downfall after he had been slow out of the blocks and Jones fired the ball in to catch him well shy of his ground.Vince was set to join the England one-day squad in Bristol in the evening but was unsure whether he would play in the third ODI against Pakistan on Tuesday.”There’s still three games left so hopefully I can play a part in the rest of the series,” Vince told Sky Sports. “I’m going to travel down tonight and train tomorrow.”With Rossouw and Liam Dawson looking settled, Hampshire needed just 43 runs of the last 10 overs. Dawson should have been out on 26 when he sent a Mahmood delivery sailing towards fine leg, where Matt Parkinson put the catch down. Parkinson made amends a short time later when bowling, however, when he had Dawson caught at backward point by Keaton Jennings for 28. Rossouw went on to reach 85 before he was bowled by Livingstone, leaving it to Berg and Fuller to negotiate the home stretch.Earlier in the day, Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow appeared to be enjoying some down time, taking in the action from the balcony of the hotel overlooking the ground where they had played the previous day.Mason Crane bowled superbly for his three wickets, while Dawson chimed in with one, as did Fidel Edwards, the 37-year-old former West Indies bowler who had originally signed a red-ball only contract but returned early from a break in the Caribbean to bolster the seamer’s ranks before Hampshire’s final group-stage game against Somerset last Sunday.Crane, who became England’s youngest legspinner in 2018 before a long stretch out of the game with back fractures, produced some clever bowling to claim 3 for 42 off his 10 overs, including the important wickets of Jennings, the discarded Test opener who reached 63 off 74 balls, and captain Dane Vilas for just 15.But the day belonged to Berg, the 38-year-old veteran who ensured Lancashire never really got going again once the two-pronged spin attack of Crane and Dawson had removed Jennings and Jake Lehmann, whose valiant attempt to steady things ended on 62 off 65 balls.Hampshire wicketkeeper Alsop took an excellent catch reaching high to his right to dismiss Steven Croft cheaply for Berg’s first wicket.Jones chewed through 62 deliveries for his 38 runs before he looked to take on a Crane slower ball that turned and was caught by Dawson at long-on.From there Berg went on a roll, claiming two wickets in an over when he pinned Josh Bohannon down with a gem of a yorker and enticed a poor shot from Graham Onions three balls later. Berg then foxed James Anderson with a slower ball that was right on target, crashing into the top of middle stump and finished the job when Mahmood swung wildly to be caught by Vince.Lancashire head coach Glen Chapple said Anderson would see the team physio again in the morning.”It is a nasty blow in a painful area,” Chapple said. “We don’t know but we think that it will be a nasty bruise that will settle down in the next few days.”It is a difficult area, as soon as there is any swelling in there it will restrict your movement and limit your strength. I imagine it will be painful for a few days.”

With the World Cup fast approaching, the question of whether Ravi Shastri and the rest of the Indian coaching staff will get an extension is becoming significant. The contracts of Shastri and his deputies, who were appointed in July 2017, will expire after the World Cup.ESPNcricinfo understands that the BCCI will advertise for the job soon, with the interview process likely to be conducted during the two-week window after the World Cup, which ends on July 14, and before India’s tour of West Indies which is scheduled to start late July.It is believed that based on the review of the pool of candidates, the BCCI will take a call on whether to appoint an interim coaching staff for the West Indies tour or whether to allow an extension to Shastri and his team comprising Sanjay Bangar (assistant coach), Bharat Arun (bowling coach) and R Sridhar (fielding coach).It is also understood that the BCCI will once again approach the three-man Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman to shortlist the candidates, carry out the interviews and make the final choice. It is likely that Shastri will be a direct entry into the final pool of candidates, assuming the BCCI follows the exact process put in place in 2017, when Anil Kumble’s one-year tenure as Indian coach came to an end.Back then, the Committee of Administrators (CoA), which has been overseeing the BCCI, stated that Kumble would be a “direct entry” into the final shortlist, but he still re-applied. The CAC said Kumble remained their preferred choice, but he resigned in controversial circumstances after being told by the BCCI that India’s captain Virat Kohli had “reservations” over his “style” and did not want him “to continue” as head coach.Shastri then entered into the fray and emerged as the winner from a five-man shortlist which also included former India batsman Virender Sehwag. Under his watch, Shastri has seen India climb to No. 1 in the Test rankings including winning an epic Test series in Australia recently, an achievement he considers to be greater than winning the 1983 World Cup. Kohli has credited Shastri for playing a significant role in his growth both as a batsman and as a captain.

Arsenal are open to offers for Gabriel Jesus in the summer, with the Brazilian forward now playing second fiddle to an in-form Kai Havertz.

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• Jesus has slipped down the pecking order
• Struggling with his fitness and form
• Arsenal ready to offload the striker

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Fans have witnessed glimpses of Jesus' brilliance, reminiscent of his performances from the previous season, but these moments have been sporadic at best in the current campaign. Hence, despite having a contract until 2027, Jesus' future at Arsenal is far from certain. According to the club is eyeing reinforcements in attack and could be open to offloading Jesus or Eddie Nketiah to facilitate incoming transfers. Although no concrete offers have surfaced yet, Arsenal's sporting director Edu Gaspar has initiated talks with potential suitors, suggesting that Jesus may have options elsewhere in Europe.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The emergence of Havertz has reshaped the team's dynamics, pushing Jesus down the pecking order. Since the end of January, Jesus has started just two league games, while on three occasions he remained an unused substitute – which is definitely an ominous sign for a striker of his calibre. Although data comparisons with Havertz reveal similar expected goals (0.4/90 minutes) and successful duel averages (6/game), a stark difference lies in their conversion rates and chance-taking abilities. While Havertz's shot conversion is at 21 per cent, Jesus is stuck at seven per cent. Meanwhile, Havertz has successfully converted 48 per cent of his big chances and Jesus has lacked that cutting edge with a mere 30 per cent conversion rate.

• WHAT JESUS SAID

  In April, Jesus admitted that he is still struggling with the knee issue that he picked up during the 2022 World Cup.

  “In my best moment, one of my best moments in my career, I went to a World Cup and ended up getting injured and today I still have these little problems with my knee,“ he said.

  "I honestly don’t know if my knee will be good enough to be available, but it’s still three months away, so we’ll see what happens. Even here at Arsenal, there are things that you have to hold on to: go train, play, train today, don’t train, play. In short, it’s difficult, but my desire is always to be available for both Arsenal and the national team.

  “It doesn’t matter if, at the end of the season, I have to open up my knee and correct what’s getting in the way and end up missing out on a chance to play in the Copa America. I’m just trying to get fit and help Arsenal as much as I can.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  While there remains a possibility of Jesus staying at Arsenal, the fact that the club is considering his sale reflects a significant shift in his status – as he was once regarded as untouchable. He was hailed as a poster boy for Arsenal's rejuvenation under Mikel Arteta but now finds himself on the periphery of the starting XI, and it remains to be seen whether he will still be at the Emirates for the start of the 2024-25 season in August.

Tottenham Hotspur return to action in the Premier League tomorrow afternoon with the knowledge that failure to defeat Newcastle United in London would result in a six-match winless run – having scored first in each fixture.

Ange Postecoglou had triumphed in rekindling the cohesion at the club after his summer appointment, but despite blitzing into the ascendancy with eight victories from the opening ten fixtures of the campaign, injuries and suspensions have been at the epicentre of the recent, ongoing demise.

But form is only temporary and Spurs have displayed their brilliance this season with some exemplary early showings, and their Australian manager will feel that a positive result against the Magpies could turn the tide on their faltering campaign.

Related 4/10 Spurs star was as bad as Destiny Udogie during West Ham defeat

Tottenham have now failed to win any of their past five Premier League matches, despite scoring first each time.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Dec 8, 2023

Interestingly, Postecoglou may well opt to keep the faith in the lion's share of the players that lost 2-1 to West Ham United on Thursday, with Football FanCast predicting that he will make just one alteration to the starting line-up.

1 GK – Guglielmo Vicario

Guglielmo Vicario signed for Tottenham from Italian side Empoli for an initial £17m in the summer and has been a veritable wall between the sticks.

While Spurs have endured some testing times over the past weeks, the 27-year-old has remained a confident and commanding figure, and he boasts the quality to ensure that Spurs defeat Newcastle tomorrow afternoon.

2 RB – Pedro Porro

Incredible. The best way to sum up Pedro Porro's performances over the opening months of the campaign, having provided four assists from 14 matches in the Premier League and earned praise for his "titanic" efforts by The Athleti's Charlie Eccleshare.

As per Sofascore, the Spaniard has completed 82% of his passes and averages 1.6 key passes, 3.1 tackles, 5.3 ball recoveries and 2.1 clearances per game – very much the all-encompassing force.

In fact, Porro's 43 tackles made in the English top-flight this season is bettered only by Fulham's Joao Palhinha (64) and Sheffield United's Vinicius Souza (46) – with the latter having played a match more.

3 CB – Cristian Romero

Cristian Romero returned to action in midweek after serving a three-match suspension, and while he galvanised his side into action after heading home to open the scoring against the Hammers, Spurs still withered as the game dragged on.

Nonetheless, he's a titan of a centre-back and his return comes at the perfect time; against Newcastle, his bold and tough-tacking presence will facilitate security for his teammates.

4 CB – Ben Davies

With £43m summer signing Micky van de Ven still out injured, Welshman, Ben Davies has performed well in central defence over the past several league matches.

He's not the perfect option, but alongside Romero a dynamic and unlikely partnership could take shape over the winter period.

5 LB – Destiny Udogie

Destiny Udogie's "disaster" – as was said by Eccleshare – of a backpass against West Ham allowed James Ward-Prowse to capitalise in the second half and give the away side an unlikely lead, which they held onto.

However, the young Italian has been immense this season and looks set for a prominent and successful Premier League career, and he will be eager to right his wrongs with a standout showing against the Toon.

6 CM – Yves Bissouma

Yves Bissouma enjoyed a resounding start to the campaign but took his foot off the gas across recent matches, though he did return to his best against West Ham despite defeat.

Taking a staggering 130 touches in that match, the Malian midfielder completed 94% of his passes and will be the combative and industrious figure in the centre to assert control in the crucial midfield battle.

7 CM – Giovani Lo Celso

Giovani Lo Celso has stepped up big time in the absence of James Maddison, who is sidelined until after the new year and has been unavailable for the past four fixtures.

A brilliant passer of the ball, Lo Celso ranks among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, passes attempted and progressive passes, and the top 6% for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref.

Such qualities will be important against Newcastle, who will pounce on any opening and will need to be nullified and worn out.

8 RW – Richarlison

The one predicted change to the starting line-up, Richarlison may well find a place on the right wing to accommodate a tactical tweak in seeing Dejan Kulusevski move back to the central attacking midfield role and seeing Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg return to the bench.

While he has largely flattered to deceive since signing for Tottenham from Everton for £60m in 2022, Richarlison's creativity has been a valuable asset this term and he has racked up three assists from just seven starts in the Premier League, described as a "nuisance" for defenders by Postecoglou.

9 AM – Dejan Kulusevski

As stated, Richarlison might be fielded on the right and, therefore, Spurs supporters could find Kulusevski serving as the "engine" – as was said by Sky Sports' Jamie Weir – in the middle, where he was so effective against Manchester City last weekend.

Posting a goal and an assist against the Treble winners in the thrilling 3-3 draw, the Swede also completed a key pass and took 48 touches, and against Newcastle, where the hosts will strive to dominate possession and the flow of the contest, he could be vital in pulling the strings.

10 LW – Brennan Johnson

Brennan Johnson has started to solidify a starring role in Postecoglou's Spurs side after fluctuating from a starting role over the opening months of the campaign, signing from Nottingham Forest for £47.5m in the summer.

Hailed as a player who can "cause so many problems" for the opposition by journalist Josh Bunting, Johnson's electric pace should mean he starts on the left, where he can compound Magpies star Kieran Trippier's woes after the 33-year-old's horror show against Everton in midweek, making two mistakes in a 3-0 defeat.

The West Indies allrounder lit up the first night of the Women’s World T20, but she isn’t close to being done

Melinda Farrell in Guyana10-Nov-2018Most players don’t like to reveal individual goals. It puts too much on the line, raises expectations and lays a marker; anything short of reaching it can too conveniently be deemed as ‘failure’.But Deandra Dottin is refreshingly upfront, if economical with words. So, still sporting the sweat that bore witness to her career- and tournament-best figures of 5 for 5 against Bangladesh, she chuckled and calmly revealed she plans to score two centuries during this tournament, to add to the brace already in her locker. Not one, but two.”I have two more coming for sure,” she told reporters. Two more coming for this tournament? “Yes, please.”Dottin was the first woman to score a T20 international century, against South Africa during the 2010 edition of the World T20. She did it in just 38 balls. It wasn’t just a lightbulb moment for the women’s game, it was a supernova: Oh guess what? Women can play a power game.And while many were – rightly – in raptures over Harmanpreet Kaur’s brilliant century in India’s opening match against New Zealand, it’s worth remembering that Dottin reached that milestone in 11 fewer balls.On a marathon first day of the WT20 that started with the blinding batting of Kaur, it was Dottin’s bowling that provided the fireworks at night to go with the drum beats that rumbled around Providence. In a way that reflected the conditions and the reality of playing three international T20s on one pitch, batting became progressively difficult during the day as the pitch wore and the humidity and lights became factors.Deandra Dottin’s juggling act after an impressive show with the ball•International Cricket CouncilBut Dottin’s performance was as much about using her natural abilities as it was about exploiting the conditions. After Bangladesh’s bowlers had restricted the defending champions to 106, there was little room for error in the West Indies bowling attack.Dottin had been promoted to open the batting – reflecting West Indies recent sluggishness in the Powerplay – but she became Jahanara Alam’s second victim when she misjudged a cut shot and was well caught by a diving Fahima Khatun. She decided to use that as motivation; if she could no longer win the match with the bat then she could still do it with the ball.The allrounder has a relatively short run-up that belies the power she generates; she was regularly touching 75 miles per hour on a pitch that was at its most sluggish.”We’ve been working a lot on sprinting and moving fast, running between the wickets and stuff, our turns and those quick steps,” Dottin said. “But for me, I’ve been putting in a lot of extra work, doing a lot of running and a lot more sprints.”I think it’s having a big input on my bowling, as well.”Dottin beat the Bangladesh batsmen for pace and fooled them with subtle movement; four of her five wickets came from the ball clattering into the stumps. The Bangladesh batsmen, sometimes lacking in foot movement and defensive technique, had no answers.She has two main expressions: one, a glowering frown of a glare, was evident when she was out for just eight runs. The other, a joyful and gleaming metallic grin burst through a little brighter with each of her wickets. When she took her fifth, she broke out into a dance with her team-mates, “Just a crazy dance that we all made up off of a song called ‘Level Up,’ she explained after the match.To what extent Dottin will continue to level up in this tournament remains to be seen. She has already bowled what she regards the best T20I spell of her extensive career (only two players in this competition – Jennie Gunn and Suzie Bates – have played more matches).”Well, I rate this one as one of the top performances I’ve had,” said Dottin. “Most of the performances I’ve had in the past were with the bat, but coming through with the ball is very tremendous.”And, if Dottin ticks off her goal of notching two centuries in the next couple of weeks, it won’t be just a level up but an unprecedented level unlocked.

The manager has many admirers for his work with underdogs in Spain and England and should be on INEOS' shortlist to succeed struggling Erik ten Hag

There is a revolution in European football, and it's being led by Basque coaches. The Basque Country has long had a rich footballing heritage but right now one province in particular, Gipuzkoa, is responsible for producing some of the best tacticians on the continent.

Xabi Alonso is on the brink of leading Bayer Leverkusen to a first-ever Bundesliga title, becoming the first team to break Bayern Munich's 11-year stranglehold on the German top flight all while remaining unbeaten. In England, Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are top of the Premier League and within striking distance of the Champions League semi-finals. And Aston Villa, under the guidance of Unai Emery, are close to qualifying for the Champions League for the first time ever.

Basque coaches are not just doing well abroad, they are flying the flag in their own region too. Imanol Alguacil has been working wonders with Real Sociedad for several years, winning the Copa del Rey in 2021 and taking them to the Champions League knockout stage this season. And in the neighbouring Basque province of Vizcaya, Ernesto Valverde has just guided Athletic Club to a cup win – their first trophy in 40 years.

As Manchester United look for candidates to succeed Erik ten Hag after a truly dismal season, they might want to look at the continent's hotbed of coaching talent. The time is ripe to join the Basque coaching revolution and Andoni Iraola, whose Bournemouth side take on the Red Devils on Saturday, would be a fascinating candidate to take charge at Old Trafford.

GettyAdmired by Guardiola, Klopp & Barca

The 41-year-old has got Bournemouth punching way above their weight and earlier this season he orchestrated United's joint-heaviest defeat of the season.

Iraola has not yet been properly linked with the Old Trafford hotseat but he has been put on the shortlist at another prestigious club on the lookout for a new manager, with Barcelona considering him as a successor to Xavi Hernandez. And United should also be looking at the man Jurgen Klopp, Eddie Howe and Pep Guardiola have all lavished praise on amid an outstanding debut season in England.

Iraola was under pressure from the start when he was appointed successor to Gary O'Neil, who was sacked last summer despite steering Bournemouth to safety. But the club's American owner Bill Foley wanted a more ambitious coach and made a bet on the former Athletic Club and New York City full-back.

Iraola had been previously approached by Leeds United and had worked miracles with the ramshackle Rayo Vallecano in Spain, including masterminding three wins over Barcelona and a victory against Real Madrid.

He had considerable teething problems as Bournemouth failed to win any of their opening nine games while losing six times, including being beaten by O'Neil's Wolves. But Iraola just needed a little more time before everything clicked, with Bournemouth winning seven of their next nine games to soar clear of the relegation zone.

AdvertisementGetty Laying siege to Old Trafford

And the most impressive win of all came at Old Trafford, when the Cherries destroyed United 3-0 in December, inflicting the joint-heaviest defeat on the Red Devils this season along with treble winners Manchester City. It would have been the biggest had Dango Ouattara's late goal not been harshly ruled out by VAR.

The knives were out for Ten Hag after the game and it could be argued that he would not have survived the debacle had the club not been in limbo at the time with its strategic review then still unresolved.

But Bournemouth deserved huge credit for the way they took United apart with a masterful gameplan devised by Iraola based on a high defensive line and targeted pressing. And that was when the Premier League's biggest names began to sit up and take notice.

"I didn't know much about him but I really had time to admire them and what he's doing there. They had a difficult start but they turned it around, wow, that's real coaching," Klopp said in January. "He found a way to set this team up they have a really good mix, they play football in a fine direction. They're really good, really compact. That's proper."

Guardiola described Bournemouth as "completely alive, aggressive, and well organised" before City's trip to the Vitality Stadium in February and after the champions came through a testing final 15 minutes to win 1-0, he called his players "supermen".

(C)GettyImagesOn INEOS' wavelength

Bournemouth have the fifth-lowest wage bill in the Premier League but under Iraola they sit in 12th, six places and eight points below United, who reportedly pay the highest wages in England. And that's why INEOS should be taking a look at the forward-thinking Basque coach.

Minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made it clear that he does not think the solution to United's many problems is to make more lavish signings, talking of the need to "walk to the right solution, not run to the wrong one". He has been plotting ways to save the club money and given United are teetering on the edge of the limits of the Premier League's Profitability and Sustainability Rules, especially as they are set to miss out on the Champions League, cutbacks will need to be made across the squad.

Iraola has a track record for achieving a lot with a little and he could help United thrive with fewer resources. He also fits the mould for the model INEOS want to build, which envisages the coach only focusing on working with the players on the pitch and leaving recruitment to incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox.

Iraola is a studious coach who loves to observe other teams and styles. He has developed a friendship with Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, who came to watch his Rayo side train while he was on a sabbatical. He is also immersed in modern coaching technologies. He loves using 'Media Coach', a match data analytics and visualisation platform designed by La Liga, and laments the lack of an equivalent programme in England.

He has always kept a close eye on Bournemouth's physical data and the fact he knew his players were in good shape and could cope with his style of play allowed him to persist with his tactics in the knowledge they would soon pay off.

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GettyMore impressive than Potter

Iraola's thirst for knowledge and self-improvement would also chime with INEOS' outlook. Director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford used data forensically while in charge of INEOS Grenadiers cycling team and its predecessor Team Sky and he and the other directors of Nice unearthed current coach Francesco Farioli after mining the data on his work in the Turkish Super Lig.

Brailsford is also reported to be a keen admirer of Graham Potter due to his scientific approach to coaching. Potter was a coach in the ascendancy until he took over at Chelsea, a club that in the last few years has proved just as unmanageable as United.

His ill-fated tenure at Stamford Bridge does not seem to have affected his standing at INEOS, and he is still in demand on the strength of his achievements with Brighton. But Iraola's record in less than a season with Bournemouth is even more impressive than Potter's work while on the south coast.

Brighton finished 15th in Potter's debut season after he succeeded Chris Hughton, then 16th, before coming ninth in his third. Bournemouth are already two points better off than they were at the end of last season and have seven games left. A top 10 finish is easily within reach, while a late push for European football cannot be ruled out. If INEOS are considering Potter for the Old Trafford dugout, then they should also be casting their eye over Iraola.

Aston Villa could be set to lose one of their first-team stars next year, with a fresh report revealing that he has been made a top target by one of his admirers.

Aston Villa transfer news – Dendoncker, Traore, Langlet

The Premier League outfit sanctioned the permanent sales of Cameron Archer, Jaden Philogene-Bidace, Marvelous Nakamba, Keinan Davis, Ashley Young and Wesley Moraes over the summer, whilst sending Philippe Coutinho, Morgan Sanson and Viljami Sinisalo on loan for the remainder of the season.

As per Football Insider, Unai Emery is open to offers for Leander Dendoncker and Bertrand Traore, whilst Barcelona could consider recalling Clement Lenglet in the new year because they are unhappy with his lack of game time, so those three could also be heading for the exit door in January.

However, Douglas Luiz is additionally one of those on the chopping block having recently attracted interest from La Liga side Atletico Madrid, not to mention the fact that the central midfielder has been a long-term target of top-flight rivals Arsenal.

The Brazil international has established himself as the manager’s best-performing offensive player so far this season (WhoScored – Aston Villa statistics), and the 25-year-old’s form has now brought him back onto the radar of Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal set sights on Douglas Luiz

According to Brazilian outlet UOL (via Sport Witness), Arsenal are plotting a swoop for Douglas Luiz in January. The Gunners have “turned their attention” towards the talisman and are now “more focused” on signing him than Fluminense’s Andre, who was previously a primary target.

The Emirates Stadium side are “particularly keen” on Aston Villa’s fan favourite, but it’s not stated what fee it would take to prise him away, and that’s if he was put on the market by NSWE and Monchi at all.

Being a central midfielder, Luiz is capable of making a positive impact at both ends of the pitch, starting with defensively where he’s currently averaging 2.4 tackles per game in the Premier League (WhoScored -Luiz statistics), highlighting his desire to get stuck into challenges and win back possession for his team.

The Rio De Janeiro native, though, has arguably been stronger offensively so far this season having clocked up six involvements, five goals and one assist, in 11 appearances in the top-flight (Transfermarkt – Luiz statistics).

Furthermore, Emery’s £75k-per-week earner (Aston Villa salaries), has the versatility to operate in defensive, central and attacking midfield, so his ability to provide cover in two other positions outside of his own makes him a very useful option for the boss to have in the building.

Therefore, Luiz being a “pivotal” member of the squad, as described by journalist Josh Bunting, means that Villa chiefs need to do everything they can to fend off interest and retain the services of their star man beyond the upcoming transfer window as well as next summer if possible.

Glasgow Rangers will be looking to continue their positive form since Philippe Clement took charge of the club a few weeks ago as a Premiership tie against Hearts awaits this afternoon.

A 4-0 win over Hibs last weekend was followed up with a well-deserved point against Sparta Prague in the Europa League in midweek, despite the Gers being the poorer side for much of the contest.

With the fixtures coming thick and fast for the Belgian, he could well make some changes ahead of the Hearts clash.

Rangers team news vs Hearts

The Belgian provided an update on the current injury situation surrounding the squad when talking with the media prior to the game today, saying: "Kemar [Roofe] will not be available for the weekend – next week we need to take a good look at how he is getting on and how we bring him back long-term.

"Borna [Barisic], we will see if he can train tomorrow or not."

The Belgian also opened up on other Ibrox stars who have been out of action for a period of time, including Jose Cifuentes, Tom Lawrence and Dujon Sterling.

"[Jose] Cifuentes will hopefully train tomorrow with the team – Tom Lawrence and Dujon Sterling will not be available."

With some vital players out, Clement must rely on several names who didn’t quite get a fair crack at the whip under Michael Beale, and Ridvan Yilmaz is someone who could be trusted to start.

Ridvan Yilmaz could start against Hearts

The Turkish left-back has shown glimpses of his impressive talents since joining the club last summer, yet he has failed to secure a regular run of matches.

He has missed 38 games due to a variety of injury issues during his brief Gers career thus far, as the £12k-per-week gem has only made 20 appearances in total, scoring once.

His goal came in a recent League Cup tie against Livingston, where he was offered a rare start under Beale, and he gave the Ibrox faithful an indication that he should be utilised more with a wonderful display.

The youngster scored an excellent solo goal that was praised by Rangers Review journalist Joshua Barrie, who said: “Brilliant play from Ridvan Yilmaz, that's the variation of options he gives you!

“Runs the full length of the Livingston half driving beyond two men before finishing from range. That's some goal from your left-back.”

Although he doesn’t get forward as often as Barisic, the Turk can clearly give Clement something totally different against Hearts compared to the Croatian defender, and Barrie was quick to praise his versatility following the showing against Livingston.

The journalist said: “Think Ridvan's forward running and combination play has made a big difference tonight. Just gives you more options, and the opposition a greater variety of problems.”

It makes no sense to start Barisic if he is struggling with a knock, whereas Yilmaz will be fresh considering he wasn’t part of the Europa League squad.

If he performs well against the Jambos, he could well send a message to Clement that he is ready for a sustained run in the first team.

The 17-year-old has emerged as a top-tier talent and one of a few bright spots in a miserable year for the Blaugrana

Rarely are footballers good enough to be fast-tracked into the Barcelona first team. Most rise through the ranks steadily, awaiting opportunities before emerging into the side in their early-20s. Barca, in fact, haven't had a top-tier centre-back emerge from La Masia in years.

That might just have changed with the arrival of Pau Cubarsi. The lanky centre-back has benefitted from the Blaugrana's injury crisis, and emerged as a potential world-class central defender, keeping himself in the XI with a series of impressive performances.

Indeed, this is a refined central defender with the '' and smarts who seems set to last at the top level for a long time. But who is Cubarsi, where is he from, and why could he be in line for a Spain call-up so soon after his 17th birthday? GOAL takes a look at La Masia's latest jewel…

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  Where it all began

  Like many in La Masia, Cubarsi has roots in Catalonia. Born in Girona, in 2007, 100 kilometres from Barcelona, the centre-back joined his local academy as a youngster.

  At four years old, he was snapped up by Girona, then a struggling Segunda Division side. It didn't take long for a bigger move to come, when Barcelona scouts brought him to La Masia at seven.

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• The big break

  His talent was clear from a young age, but with more eye-catching prospects emerging through the Blaugrana academy – and a strong centre-back corps – Cubarsi wasn't considered elite. Still, he captained youth sides at multiple levels, wearing the armband for Under-13, U-15 and U-17 teams.

  Cubarsi's first big moment came in the UEFA Youth League in 2022. He became the third-youngest Barca player to make an appearance when he saw the pitch against Viktoria Plzen in 2022.

  Six months later, Xavi started to take notice. Cubarsi began training with the Barca first team in 2023, looking to impress on the same pitches as fellow La Masia star Lamine Yamal.

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  How it's going

  Cubarsi's Barca debut felt like a matter of time. The Blaugrana back-line has had issues this season, with a series of first-team central options either injured or out of form. Cubarsi's chance eventually came in the Copa del Rey against Unionistas, when he played the entire second half, and helped shore up a rearguard that had conceded a sloppy goal.

  Since then, he has stayed in the senior squad, appearing in nine straight games, and starting six in a row. He has impressed throughout, looking a natural in the heart of the defence, and forming a steady partnership with Ronald Araujo.

  Xavi summed his performances up after his debut: "He's very well prepared. He doesn't seem 16 when you speak with him. He is a focused and responsible kid. I don't think he lost a single ball, either.

  "He's going to leave his mark on an era, the same as Lamine. We are continuing to build a team with young footballers. These are players who we must build the club's future with."

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• Biggest strengths

  There's a lot to like about Cubarsi's game. At 6'1'' – and still growing – he already has the kind of frame required to function as a top level defender. He might not ever be an imposing physical presence. But if he grows and adds muscle, he will certainly be an excellent all-round defender.

  His best, attribute, though, is his passing ability. Some of his disposition from deep is simply ridiculous. The teenager s the ideal modern ball-playing centre-back, who always looks for the forward pass. He can play the ball short or long, and is in the 88th percentile among all centre-backs in pass completion percentage, according to. His 4.49 passes into the final third per 90 minutes put him in the 81st percentile.

  It's something that Cubarsi's U-13 manager Albert Puig noticed.

  “Pau’s build-up is extremely clean. He can drive the ball up, thread passes to midfielders in the inside pockets but also send long balls to the opposite winger to provide the team with width and shake their opponents around," Puig told .