Tottenham Hotspur made up for their opening weekend blunder last Monday with an incredible display of attacking football against Everton at home on Saturday afternoon.
Ange Postecoglou's side were under plenty of pressure, but they rose to the occasion and reminded the rest of the league just how good they can be when at their free-flowing best.
What made it even more impressive was that they were without their new star striker, Dominic Solanke, who could be out until after the international break with an ankle injury.
It's not an ideal situation and highlights how light the club are in certain areas, although with the transfer window still open for another few days, Daniel Levy still has time to strengthen Postecoglou's attacking options.
The club wouldn't even have to look that hard, as they were linked with an ideal signing earlier this month, although the player in question would probably be bad news for Richarlison's game time.
Why Spurs signed Solanke
Now, for as wildly entertaining as Spurs were at points last season and as many goalscoring opportunities as they created through Postecoglou's attacking brand of football, they only scored the seventh most goals in the league.
Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke
Worse yet, according to Understat, they underperformed their open-play expected goals figure by a massive 5.55, a problem that needed attention if the team were going to take another step forward this season.
So, once the window opened a few months ago, Levy and Co went to work looking for a new number nine to help them make the most of the chances they create, eventually settling on Bournemouth's Solanke.
They eventually paid the Cherries a whopping £65m for the Englishman. While that is an enormous sum of money, it's probably justified, as in 42 appearances across all competitions last season, he found the back of the net on 21 occasions and provided four assists for good measure.
This would have made him the top goalscorer and the second most productive player overall in the Lilywhites squad last season, so it's easy to see why the North Londoners opted to break the bank to secure his services.
Appearances
42
36
31
34
Goals
21
17
12
5
Assists
4
10
4
10
Goal Involvements per Match
0.59
0.75
0.51
0.44
However, his minor ankle injury now means Postecoglou has to rely on his other attacking options, and that includes Richarlison; although, based on his performances for the club following his transfer two seasons ago, it could be time to move on from him, and the perfect upgrade has already been touted for a move to N17 this summer.
How David compares to Richarlison
Yes, the striker in question is LOSC Lille ace Jonathan David, who has been heavily linked with the Lilywhites all summer and was again linked in an article from football.london's Alasdair Gold late last week.
LOSC Lille striker Jonathan David
If Spurs did act on their interest in the Canadian international, it wouldn't require a huge sum of money either, as due to his contract expiring next summer, reports have claimed he could be available for as little as £20m.
With that said, how does he stack up to Richarlison? If he were to move to North London, it would likely be to replace the Brazilian as the backup striker, at least to start with anyway.
Unfortunately for the former Everton man, there isn't much competition at all when it comes to the pair's raw output.
For example, while the Nova Venécia-born forward was reasonably impressive last season, racking up 12 goals and four assists in 31 appearances, equating to a goal involvement every 1.93 games, he was outclassed by the Lille ace.
Appearances
47
31
Goals
26
12
Assists
9
4
Goal Involvements per Match
0.74
0.51
In his 47 appearances last season, the "mind-blowing" poacher, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, scored 26 goals and provided nine assists, meaning that despite playing more matches, he maintained a more impressive average of goal involvement every 1.34 games.
Moreover, like the former Watford ace, the Brooklyn-born goal machine can play in several positions from centre-forward to attacking midfield and even second-striker, suggesting that Postecoglou could supercharge his frontline by playing him alongside Solanke when he's fit again.
Canada's Jonathan David
Ultimately, Spurs undoubtedly improved their attack by signing the Bournemouth star this summer, but his recent injury has shed light on how thin the striker position is in the squad. Therefore, Levy and Co should go out and make one more signing before the window closes and bring David to North London.
Spurs could take Maddison to new heights with late move for £50m PL star
The incredible midfielder would perfectly balance Postecoglou’s team.
AC Milan are set to double the wages of Tijjani Reijnders, one of their best players this season, to keep him at the club until 2029.
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Reijnders to remain at MilanWill sign new deal until 2029Wages set to be doubledFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Central midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has reached an agreement with his employers AC Milan over a new deal that will not only see him remain at the club until 2029, but will also result in the doubling of his current wages, according to Calciomercato. Reijnders has been among the best midfielders in Serie A since arriving in Milan in 2023, and his dominating displays in the centre of the park have now been duly rewarded with a bumper new deal.
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Reijnders is among the most important players for Milan manager Paulo Fonseca, and his growing reputation and importance within the team has already attracted interest from Premier League outfits such as Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.
However, it was reported in November that the Rossoneri are extremely happy with the Dutchman and want to tie him down to a new contract. Now, the most recent report from Calciomercato further reinstates that claim, as Reijnders' current annual wage of €1.7 million will be doubled to €3.5 million plus bonuses, based on individual and team-based objectives. His current contract ends in 2028, but the new one will see him tied to the club until 2029.
DID YOU KNOW?
Reijnders is not the only one whose contractual situations are being worked on, though. In recent weeks, there has been a lot of development on the contract renewal front for players such as Christian Pulisic and Theo Hernandez. In fact, recently reported that Hernandez's agent had met Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani and had reached an agreement over a new deal. Calciomercato, in their latest report, also claimed that French goalkeeper Mike Maignan will also sign his renewal until 2029.
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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR TIJJANI REIJNDERS?
With his future seemingly resolved for the foreseeable future, Reijnders will be determined to act as a catalyst to turn around the fortunes of a misfiring Milan unit. The 2021-22 Serie A champions are reeling in eighth spot in the league and have registered only one win in their last five games in the top-flight. Their next fixture in Serie A is scheduled on Friday, December 20, when they will travel to Verona.
Debut century and keeper’s highest score put Sri Lanka in control of first Test in Antigua
Madushka Balasuriya24-Mar-2021
Pathum Nissanka is congratulated by Niroshan Dickwella after reaching his debut hundred•RANDY BROOKS/AFP/Getty Images
Pathum Nissanka’s century on debut – the fourth Sri Lankan to achieve the feat, the first since Thilan Samaraweera in 2001, and the first to do so overseas – and an equally vital 96 from Niroshan Dickwella, crowned a dominant day for Sri Lanka, in which they seized command of the first Test, and put themselves in prime position to secure a first win in the format in over a year.The pair’s 179-run stand for the sixth wicket, compiled over two sessions, helped set the West Indies a 375-run target, 34 of which the hosts had knocked off by stumps for the loss of just John Campbell. Kraigg Brathwaite and Nkrumah Bonner were at the crease on 8 and 15 respectively.The day though belonged unequivocally to Nissanka, whose low-risk, high-impact innings, together with an unusually measured effort from Dickwella, had taken Sri Lanka from a precarious position at the start of the day – following Alzari Joseph’s early removal of Dhananjaya de Silva – to one of complete control.That eventuality though would hardly have been at the forefront of the pair’s minds when they came together in the first over of the morning, with Sri Lanka’s lead still a fledgling 157. As the last two recognised batsmen, they would have known any misstep by either would expose a very long tail – the swiftness with which the innings folded following Nissanka’s dismissal more than justifying those concerns.But if patience and application was the need of the hour, the duo produced that in spades. Nissanka’s 103 came off 252 deliveries, more or less encapsulating the safety-first approach he had woven into the very fabric of his innings; in fact, less than a fifth of his runs came in boundaries, while West Indies must be sick of the sight of his unwavering forward defence.Indeed, rarely has a Test century contained such few noteworthy moments – though this is by no means a criticism. Sure, there was a fairly dismissive pull off Kyle Mayers, and then, earlier, a lovely punch through the covers off Kemar Roach, but for the most part this was an innings of dabs, prods, glides and drives (though none that reached the fence) – and crucially, almost no risk.But after a first-innings capitulation that had seen many of Sri Lanka’s batsman fall, as much down to a lack of application as it was to probing lines employed by the West Indian bowlers, Nissanka’s innings was a refreshing change of pace.At 22 years of age, and in foreign conditions, there is hardly likely to have been a more pleasing sight to Mickey Arthur and Grant Flower than the solidity showcased during his knock. In a way it was fitting that when he eventually did fall, it was on his own terms, going for a slog sweep in an attempt to up the scoring rate.Arguably even more pleasing to the Lankan coaches might have been Dickwella’s innings. While his dismissal four runs short of maiden Test century will have undoubtedly been a mood-killer, the maturity and control up until then was definitely a side many thought they might never see of the man.Now obviously his innings was not one without peril (what Dickwella innings is?) – he was dropped at gully, chopped the ball back onto his stumps without the bails being dislodged, and also survived a caught-behind appeal after West Indies had burned their reviews – but for the most part it was restrained.He would only truly free his arms once the lead had ballooned beyond 300, though his innings was cut short before he could to do too much more damage, edging a slower ball from Roach back onto his stumps. By that point though it was already likely too late.But the fact that the final five Sri Lankan wickets fell for just 38 runs will certainly leave the hosts wondering what might have been had a few pivotal moments gone their way. There’s also bound to be introspection surrounding the wisdom of some of their reviews – their last in particular, after Nissanka had got a clear edge on an lbw call, the most poorly conceived, and ultimately serving to reprieve Dickwella.If any of those had gone the way of the hosts, we would likely be looking at a very different equation, but as it stands staving off defeat on the final day will be West Indies’ primary concern.
Arsenal have lodged a "formal" opening bid to sign one "creative" player in the last few days, and Mikel Arteta's side have received a response to their advances.
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The Gunners are searching for a new forward.
1 ByEmilio Galantini Aug 14, 2024
Pep Guardiola's side have finished the season as champions of England in each of the last four campaigns, with only Liverpool getting the better of City in 2019/2020 most recently.
Arsenal did push the Sky Blues right to the wire last term, though, and Guardiola needed a final-day victory before his side were officially crowned yet again.
Team
Date
Wolves (home)
August 17
Aston Villa (away)
August 24
Brighton (home)
August 31
Tottenham (away)
September 15
Man City (away)
September 22
Next year, Arteta will be aiming to go that extra yard and leapfrog his old mentor for title glory, as Arsenal attempt to lift their first domestic crown in over two decades.
As the Gunners prepare to make a hopeful best possible start to the new campaign against Wolves at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, Arsenal's recruitment team, lead by sporting director Edu Gaspar, are attempting to reinforce key areas of Arteta's squad.
The summer transfer deadline day is just around the corner, with the window shutting on August 30, and Arsenal have officially confirmed just two new arrivals in goalkeeper David Raya on a permanent deal and Italy international defender Riccardo Calafiori.
Reports have claimed that Arsenal could make an eleventh-hour attempt to bring in a new forward, but their immediate priority appears to be sealing a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino.
The north Londoners have been in active ongoing talks with Sociedad for weeks, with Arsenal reaching an agreement on personal terms with Merino who is said to be very keen on the move.
The 28-year-old has entered the final 12 months of his Sociedad contract, meaning Arsenal could sign Merino for around £21 million, which is more than 50 per cent less than his rumoured release clause.
Arsenal make first "formal" bid to sign Merino as Sociedad respond
According to Spanish radio journalist Yon Cuezva, Arsenal have now made their "formal" opening bid for Merino, and it's been tabled within the last 48 hours.
However, Sociedad have responded with a no, meaning Edu and co will have to return to the plate with an improved offer as talks remain ongoing.
Called a "creative" player by IF Brommapojkarna performance analyst Marcus Bring, the former Newcastle midfielder also bagged eight goals and five assists across 45 appearances in all competitions last season.
Pochettino has already implemented tactical changes for the USMNT, with noticeable impact over just three games
Not so long ago, there was a man in the U.S. men's national team dugout that had fans divided. He seemed like a nice guy, wore cool Nike shoes, and his players liked him. He was, by most measures, a perfectly fine soccer coach. But when it came to tactics, the real minutia of setting up a team to win, that man fell short.
And so Gregg Berhalter was replaced by Mauricio Pochettino, one of the game's finest tacticians. Here was a groovy Argentine, with fresh ideas, and a player pool, he believed, could execute them in full. In three short games in charge of the USMNT, Pochettino is starting to be proven right in his summation. He hasn't reinvented this side as much as refined it, and implemented some rather basic, but simultaneously significant, changes. In effect, in the areas in which his predecessor fell just short, Pochettino excels.
Through three games – three games, it must be emphasized, friendlies against Panama and Mexico and a Nation's League quarterfinal against Jamaica – something is taking place tactically. The USMNT are starting to do smart things with and without the ball.
Build up structures are present. Players are moving at the right times, to the right spaces. Christian Pulisic, a virtuoso of an attacking player, is at the center of it all – but in a controlled way. In short, this is, in the smallest of sample sizes, looking like the kind of impact tactical setup that was promised. Following a 1-0 win against Jamaica in Kingston Thursday night – a game that was truly dire in the final minutes – one thing is clear: the USMNT have a system again. And it might just work.
Getty ImagesA recognizable build up structure
First, the technical bit.
None of the tactical ideas that Pochettino have instituted here are particularly novel, or overtly advanced. But they are the kind of basics that form the base of any successful soccer team. The way the USMNT set up in possession is the perfect example. When they have the ball, the U.S. play, roughly, in a 3-2-5 formation. One of the full backs – usually Joe Scally – drops deep alongside the two center backs to give the U.S. three men as a defensive base. Two midfielders – on Thursday night, Tanner Tessman and Johnny Cardoso – offer passing options in midfield.
Everyone else pushed up to the attacking line. This defies the kind of expectations associated with starting positions. Antonee Robinson, a left back, plays as a left winger. Pulisic occupies an inside left space. Ricardo Pepi stays central. Weston McKennie drifts into the inside right. Yunus Musah plays as a right winger.
Piece this all together, and the U.S. have a defined system through which to work the ball. If executed properly – spoiler, teams have systems to counter this thing – then every guy on the pitch should have at least two passing options. This is not a new thought in this sport. And it's constantly being tweaked. But it is, for this U.S. side, a standardized setup.
And it's also how everything gets a bit more fun after.
AdvertisementGettyEmpowering Pulisic
It is every manager's job to get the best out of his players. That seems obvious, but it's really not that simple. This is especially true in international management, as coaches cannot simply acquire players as they wish (Jurgen Klinsmann, famously, tried to challenge that accepted norm.) Pochettino, like any shrewd manager really should, has set up this team perfectly to let Christian Pulisic be Christian Pulisic. Pulisic is the best player on this USMNT in all of these areas:
RunningDribblingPassingCreatingFinishingBeating players out wideBeating players in the middleFinding space between the lines
Asking him to do all of those things at once would seem impossible. But Pochettino, rather shrewdly, has already tried. This team has been assembled around Pulisic, with the Milan man given license to roam. Despite starting as an attacking midfielder, at various points on Thursday night, Pulisic played as a touchline winger, No. 10, false nine and inside forward.
In other words, Pulisic is being told to go where he wants. This is only made possible, though, by the smarts and coordination with everyone around him. A look at the UMSNT's opening goal explains it all rather well.
Pulisic drops from the last man down into the space between the defensive and midfield lines. To allow for his movement, McKennie pushes out to the right. Scally, a typically defensive full back, stays high and wide. Pepi, noticing the space opening due to Pulisic's run, makes a beeline for goal.
And this is where Pulisic being good at football really helps. He receives a pass on the half turn, accelerates between two defenders, and rolls the ball into Pepi. All the striker has to do is finish (which he does wonderfully.) Or, as Pepi put it quite simply, "I saw Christian in between the lines and I started my run and I just finished it side net."
ImagnSpacing and how it works
Pepi's goal is a perfect example of how this can all be executed. But to understand it fully, it's worth noticing the way that the players move around each other. Possession-based teams aren't rigid these days. And when they have one virtuoso – in this case, the U.S. with Pulisic – everyone has to constantly move, and create passing options at all times.
In other words, this is where a structure becomes a guideline – not a rule. Players here are encouraged to interpret their roles in different ways, but simultaneously ensure that there is ample room for the ball to be moved. That's why Scally, a right back, spent periods of the second half in the right half space of the front line. It's why McKennie started as a No. 10, but moved into all sorts of areas (he is perhaps better used in a deeper role, but his movement high up the pitch was invaluable.)
Tessman, too, was valuable in that sense. The Lyon midfielder plugged holes when Antonee Robinson burst forward, dropping deep. His ball progression – an ability to pass forward – also helped at times. He wasn't a midfield maestro – none of the center mids Pochettino used were. But, in a different way, he was clever and aware.
Sometimes, of course, you end up with the wrong player, in the wrong spot, at the wrong time. Scally playing as a forward for brief spells is not really where he should be. Pochettino was probably thankful that a good chance didn't fall to his right foot. But his mere presence there ensures that everyone has an option. This is not Ajax's total football. But the echoes of it are here.
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GettyMusah, Musah, Musah
There are, outside of Pulisic, a couple of individuals worth highlighting here. The first is Musah. He has always been a versatile presence, able to play either as a center midfielder, wide midfielder, or full back. It was, in fact, his efforts at the Santiago Bernabeu for Milan in the Champions League that helped keep Vinicius Jr quiet.
Pochettino has embraced that versatility in every possible way. Against Panama, in Pochettino's first game in charge, Musah played as a right wing back, and scored his first USMNT goal by cleverly darting into the box (remember that whole bit about being able to switch positions?)
Musah admitted, after that game, that a wide midfield spot might be his best:
"I can see [Pochettino] knows a lot about my background. He knows about my academy days, playing at Valencia – everything," Musah said. "That's why today I played wide because he knows I used to play wide as well so it's nice that a coach knows about me, has a lot of faith in me."
Against Mexico, in an admittedly less successful endeavor, he played as a center midfielder. And against Jamaica, Thursday night, he was used as a right winger. His material contributions weren't quite there – he managed just 37 touches. But his movement was constant, and he showed that, once again, he can always fill a space.
O vigésimo oitavo de 38 capítulos. O “duelo dos embalados” marca a 28ª rodada da Série B do Brasileirão. Neste sábado, o Botafogo recebe o Avaí às 19h no Estádio Nilton Santos, em jogo que interessa diretamente ao destino das equipes na luta pelo G4.
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A equipe catarinense chega em boa fase. O time comandado por Claudinei Oliveira foi um dos que mais cresceu no Campeonato Brasileiro durante o mês de setembro e carrega uma sequência de três vitórias consecutivas. Não à toa, ocupa a 4ª colocação e ultrapassa o Botafogo caso vença a partida.
– Avaí chega com a confiança lá no alto. O time está com três vitórias seguidas pela primeira vez na competição. O time e a torcida estão muito confiantes por conta do sucesso dentro de campo, a equipe está inspirando confiança agora mais do que em outros momentos do campeonato – explicou Eduardo Fernandes, setorista do Avaí no “VEG Esportes”, ao LANCE!.
DESTAQUE A fortaleza do Avaí vem do sistema defensivo. Com 20 gols levados em 27 partidas disputadas, o Leão da Ilha é o segundo time menos vazado da Série B – atrás apenas do Coritiba, com 19.
A solidez defensiva do Avaí não é uma novidade, já que é algo trabalhado por Claudinei Oliveira desde o primeiro turno do Campeonato Brasileiro.O time conseguiu melhorar ainda mais neste quesito: defendendo com duas linhas de quatro jogadores, tem como ponto forte justamente essa parte de não deixar o adversário se criar.
– O time ficou em boa parte das partidas de forma retraída no seu campo e jogando de forma reativa. De um tempo pra cá, o Claudinei (Oliveira) conseguiu manter a defesa bem sólida e tem levado o time um pouco mais para o ataque, a equipe tem tido mais volume de jogo e posse de bola. O time sempre criou muitas chances durante o campeonato, mas não conseguia finalizar em gol. Isso mudou. É uma equipe sólida, com linhas bem compactadas, que traz dificuldade para o adversário jogar – analisou.
– O ponto fraco ainda é a falta de gols marcados. Apesar de ter melhorado o desempenho no ataque em relação ao primeiro turno, o time do Avaí faz pouco gols – completou Eduardo.
CONJUNTO FORTE Apesar da dificuldade para colocar bolas na rede, o Avaí é a equipe que mais finaliza na Série B, 11.3 chutes por jogo. Porém, apenas 4.3, em média, acertam a meta do goleiro adversário – um rendimento de 38%. Na criação, é o terceiro em posse de bola (52,1%) e passes certos (349) em média. Os dados são do portal “SofaScore”.
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Em campo, o Leão é uma equipe móvel. Getúlio, o jogador de referência no sistema ofensivo, é um atacante móvel que frequentemente aparece fora da área, abrindo espaços para as entradas dos pontas Copete e Vinícius Leite. O time como um todo é destacado pelo jornalista.
– O ponto forte do time é o grupo, o conjunto. O Avaí não tem ninguém que se destaque tanto, o time inteiro tem um entrosamento, entende a forma do outro jogar. A defesa sólida, uma das melhores da competição, também se destaca – afirmou.
– A principal mudança foi justamente esse passo à frente no campo de jogo. Hoje, o Avaí consegue incomodar mais os adversários, o time está bem mais sólido e sofre pouco. A equipe está mais estável em relação ao começo do campeonato – completou.
ROSTOS CONHECIDOS Apesar de não ter um jogador que “carregue o piano nas costas”, o Avaí tem dois atletas que lideram a equipe dentro de campo. Coincidentemente, os dois tiveram passagens pelo Botafogo e não saíram da melhor maneira do clube de General Severiano.
– O Botafogo precisa ficar de olho no Edilson, lateral-direito, é um jogador com experiência e tem muita importância no lado direito, foi o destaque nos últimos dois jogos do Avaí. O outro é o Bruno Silva, volante, que é o termômetro do time no meio-campo. Quando ele não está bem, ele acaba fazendo o time não ir bem também. Os outros jogadores são importantes, não tem ninguém que se destaque mais do que o outro – alertou.
Allrounder gets through 16.5 overs on second day in absence of Kasun Rajitha and Dhananjaya de Silva
Andrew Fidel Fernando27-Dec-2020Dasun Shanaka batted well with the tail to complete his first Test fifty on the second morning of the Centurion Test, and yet, his more significant contribution so far may have been with the ball. Shanaka is a batting allrounder but was required to deliver almost 17 overs after two Sri Lanka bowlers – a third of their serious bowling resources – were unavailable through injury.Sri Lanka are unwilling to elaborate on the extent of Kasun Rajitha’s groin injury, believing that hiding that information confers a competitive advantage – however miniscule. But the early signs are that Rajitha, one of Sri Lanka’s three frontline seamers, will bowl no more than the 13 deliveries he bowled in this Test. With Dhananjaya de Silva’s offspin also officially unavailable due to a grade two tear in his thigh, Shanaka may have a heavy bowling workload through the course of this game.”Kasun Rajitha’s injury is really going to affect us – we all know how well he bowled on the last tour here,” Shanaka said at the end of day two at Centurion. Rajitha, it is worth remembering, took nine wickets at 23.22 on Sri Lanka’s last tour in South Africa. “Dhananjaya de Silva also comes in and bowls when they are batting well, and he dries up the runs for us. He does that job. I think we will feel their absence,” Shanaka said.Related
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Both Rajitha and de Silva are understood to have been tasked with performing the holding role in this Test. Without them in the attack, South Africa scored at 4.4 runs an over through day two, getting within 80 runs of Sri Lanka’s 395, after 72 overs of batting. Sri Lanka’s remaining bowlers were somewhat indisciplined through parts of the day, but where captain Dimuth Karunaratne might normally replace a bowler after a bad over, he was forced to persist with them, due to the lack of resources.”There’s a big effect with the loss of those two,” Shanaka said. “We’ve only got four bowlers, but we’ll have to manage. We have to think of it as an opportunity. More than the number of overs we bowled today, we didn’t bowl in such a a way that we created a lot of chances today. I think that’s why they were able to score quickly.”It’s a big ask for the other bowlers. But we’ll have to come up with a different plan in the morning and get the job done. Tomorrow morning there will be a bit of freshness in the pitch, so I think the 70-odd run [lead] that we’ve got could be enough to get back in the game.”On a personal note, however, Shanaka has already impressed in his first Test in three years. He might not have played this match had Angelo Mathews been fit, but he added vital runs with the tail, hitting a six-laden 66 not out off 87. And in a similar circumstance, it is unlikely that Mathews would ever have been able to bowl 16.5 overs in a day, susceptible to injury as he is.Shanaka may, in fact, have been his team’s most consistent operator on day two. He claimed the wicket of Dean Elgar, and went at 3.32 runs per over – a better economy rate than any other Sri Lanka bowler.”I was really happy to be able to play a Test after three years,” he said. “I think I’ve got a lot more experience now, and I get a lot of support from the team as well. I was nervous but I was able to turn that around.”
The major sticking point may be the 14-day quarantine the Sri Lankan health ministry is likely to impose
Andrew Fidel Fernando and Annesha Ghosh05-Oct-2020
India have made it to the semi-finals without losing a single match in the Women’s T20 World Cup•Getty Images
India women are likely to tour Sri Lanka for eight limited-overs matches, starting late November, but substantial logistical hurdles must be surmounted before the fixtures can be confirmed.A Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) official confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that the boards were in talks over the tour, comprising five ODIs and three T20Is, and that both SLC and BCCI were committed to organising the bilateral series. Neither team has played any international cricket since the T20 World Cup, which ended in early March.But the major sticking point may be the 14-day quarantine the Sri Lankan health ministry is likely to impose once any visiting side enters the country. As per the terms of this strict quarantine, players may have to isolate in hotel rooms and might not be allowed to train. A quarantine requirement of that nature and length turned out to be a dealbreaker for the Bangladesh men’s team, whose tour of Sri Lanka – pencilled in for October-November – was postponed indefinitely. The major concern for the BCB was that a two-week confinement would be to the detriment of the touring team’s fitness (both physical and mental) and preparation.ALSO READ: Bangladesh tour of SL postponed again as disagreement over quarantine continuesSLC hoped Sri Lanka’s health authorities may yet relax quarantine rules. But news emerging over the weekend that community transmission of Covid-19 has begun again in parts of Sri Lanka – though in smaller scale than in many other nations – could cast further doubts over the viability of the tour.The Indian board has not made any official announcement on the tour yet, but ESPNcricinfo understands that if the tour goes ahead, the Indian squad may even travel to Sri Lanka directly from the UAE, following the conclusion of the Women’s T20 Challenge, set to take place from November 4-9 on the sidelines of the IPL playoffs. At least two Sri Lankan cricketers are also likely to take part in the domestic T20 competition.It is also understood that talks over India’s potential bilateral series against South Africa and West Indies are also a long way from coming to fruition. Earlier, in July, the Indian board withdrew from the tour of England despite reports the ECB were willing to make requisite travel and accommodation arrangements in line with standard Covid-19 safety protocols.Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, who were eliminated in the league stage of the T20 World Cup, were due to host the 2021 Women’s ODI World Cup Qualifiers in July, but the Covid-19 pandemic put paid to those plans. The postponement of the 2021 ODI World Cup subsequently thrust much of the future of top-level women’s international cricket for the rest of the year into uncertainty, outside of the recently concluded West Indies tour of England and the ongoing Australian home series against New Zealand.
West Bromwich Albion didn't mess around after exiting the Championship play-off semi-final stages, revealing their retained list five days after their 3-1 second-leg defeat to the Saints, with seven senior Baggies players released in the process.
Out of all those chucked to the scrapheap, Matt Phillips' exit would have stung the most, considering the experienced 33-year-old had accumulated 255 appearances for the Baggies in total across eight memorable seasons, before being greeted with this news after an injury-heavy 2023/24 campaign personally.
Still, the ageing attacker registered 26 appearances when fit for Carlos Corberan's men and played his part somewhat – picking up six goal contributions along the way – but will now find he's a free agent come the end of this month regardless.
This could mean West Brom are in the market for many a winger to fill gaps in the areas down the flanks at the Hawthorns, which is why the promotion nearly-men are looking at this potential capture to soften the blow of the 33-year-old leaving for nothing.
West Brom still in the hunt for "fantastic" forward
Fresh off the back of a "fantastic" season with Oxford United, as it was described by football pundit Carlton Palmer recently, Josh Murphy now has a major decision to make, with his contract situation at the Kassam Stadium unresolved.
The Sun reported back in April that the likes of West Bromwich Albion, Southampton, Queens Park Rangers and more were going after the electric winger's services, who bagged ten goals from 38 games in total for the U's on the way to promotion being sealed.
Two of those ten strikes came during his side's victorious play-off final win over Bolton Wanderers at Wembley, as Murphy's tricks and flicks down the left wing proved too much for the Trotters to handle on the day, who collapsed on the big stage for Des Buckingham's men to win 2-0 to pull off a shock promotion.
Still hopeful that their ex-Norwich City man could stay put in Oxfordshire for his side's exciting voyage up to the Championship, with contract talks currently underway, the Baggies will still have their fingers crossed they can tempt him to relocate to the West Midlands instead, to possess a player in a similar ilk to Phillips again.
Why Murphy would be a strong Phillips replacement
Despite being more of a natural left winger, which is a position that also needs filling in Corberan's camp with Mikey Johnston returning back to Celtic, Murphy can still be a Phillips replacement in terms of what he offers to West Brom even whilst operating on the left flank.
Both content with twisting and turning defences with slaloming runs when darting forward, as can be seen in the table below, Murphy's ten goal contributions just in the regular season – all of which came in 2024 – wasn't far off being eclipsed by Phillips' six either, despite the soon-to-be free agent playing two games less as a regular absentee to the Hawthorns treatment room.
Stat – per 90 mins
Phillips
Murphy
Games played
26
28
Goals scored
3
6
Assists
3
4
Big chances missed
4
6
Big chances created
3
7
Successful dribbles
0.7
1.0
Stats by Sofascore
Bettering Phillips on a number of their comparative attacking statistics, however, Murphy could be viewed as the perfect replacement for Phillips, as well as bolstering the left channel for Corberan's men, with Johnston also departing meaning the Baggies need a new hero there.
Corberan's immediate future in the Baggies hot-seat isn't even secure at the moment though, but they'll hope he stays put in the dug-out for next season, with Murphy shining brightly potentially for a side who could go one better and win promotion next campaign.
West Brom could seal a "very special" signing to transform Thomas-Asante
West Bromwich Albion will hope Brandon Thomas-Asante is back firing in the goals next season regularly alongside this new recruit.
Some of the most gifted and influential football players in history have come from Serbia. These players have made a lasting impression on the international scene, either with the Serbian national team as we know it today or during Yugoslavia’s heyday.
While Yugoslavia were two-time runners-up at the European Championship, the famous nation has never won a trophy since declaring independence in 2006, despite being blessed with a real array of talent.
Here is the list of who we believe are the ten greatest Serbian footballers, based on their overall impact at either club or international level during their careers…
Rank
Player
Career span
1
Dejan Stanković
1995-2013
2
Blagoje Marjanović
1920-1951
3
Dragan Stojković
1981-2001
4
Nemanja Vidić
2000-2016
5
Predrag Mijatović
1987-2003
6
Branislav Ivanović
2002-2021
7
Aleksandar Mitrović
2011-present
8
Rajko Mitić
1940-1958
9
Nemanja Matić
2006-present
10
Dušan Tadić
2006-present
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ByCharlie Smith Jun 9, 2024 10 Dušan Tadić 2006-present
Dušan Tadić has excelled at club and international level. When Tadić joined Southampton in 2014, his club career took a major turn, as his goalscoring and inventiveness immediately made an impression. He played in 162 games over his four seasons at Southampton, tallying 24 goals and dishing out 35 assists.
After moving to Ajax in 2018, he helped them win multiple Eredivisie titles and reach in the Champions League semi-finals in the 2018/19 season, only to be edged out by Tottenham Hotspur. His stats in Amsterdam were quite remarkable, having bagged 105 goals and 112 assists in just 241 appearances.
Tadić has also been a vital member of Serbia’s international team, winning 111 caps and captaining the side.
International caps
111
International goals
23
Clubs played for
Vojvodina, FC Groningen, FC Twente, Southampton, Ajax, Fenerbahce
9 Nemanja Matić 2006-present
Nemanja Matić has established himself as a formidable midfield player for his clubs and the Serbian national team. The 35-year-old, who is well-known for his strength, tactical acumen, and remarkable game-reading skills, has made a big impact on European football.
During his time playing for Chelsea in England, Matić experienced a great deal of success. His contributions to Chelsea becoming Premier League titles in 2014/15 and 2016/17 were crucial, becoming one of the league’s best defensive midfielders as a result.
He then moved to Manchester United in 2017, where he kept showcasing his midfield abilities and helped the Red Devils reach the Europa League final in 2021, as well as finish second in the 2017/18 Premier League season.
Matić had been a vital member of Serbia’s national team, featuring at the 2018 World Cup, which contributed towards his 48 caps, before his retirement from the international stage in 2019.
International caps
48
International goals
2
Clubs played for
Chelsea, Man Utd, Roma, Lyon, +5 others
8 Rajko Mitić 1940-1958
Rajko Mitić is a highly regarded figure in the history of football in Serbia and Yugoslavia. Prominent for his commitment, aptitude and guidance, Mitić’s professional life is mainly linked to Red Star Belgrade, where he made a lasting impression as a manager and player.
As a player, Mitić had an incredible career at Red Star Belgrade, winning multiple national cups and Yugoslav First League championships in the 1940s and 1950s. His efforts were crucial in making Red Star the undisputed power in Yugoslavian football.
Mitić was acknowledged for his leadership on the pitch when he was appointed as the first captain of the Yugoslavian national team, amassing 58 caps, scoring 32 goals and competing in two FIFA World Cups (1950 and 1954).
If that wasn’t enough, Red Star Belgrade opened the Rajko Mitić Stadium in his honour in 1963.
International caps
58
International goals
32
Clubs played for
BSK Beograd, Red Star
7 Aleksandar Mitrović 2011-present
Aleksandar Mitrović has made a name for himself as a strong striker who possesses aerial skill, physical strength and an innate talent to score goals.
Throughout his career, Mitrović has gone from being a potential talent at Partizan Belgrade to being an important player for clubs all across Europe and a crucial member of the Serbian national team.
The 29-year-old moved to Newcastle United in the Premier League after having a breakout season at Anderlecht, when he finished as the Belgian league’s top scorer. Although he had inconsistent results during his time in England, he proved that he was a strong forward with the ability to play at the highest level.
A move to Fulham triggered a completely new Mitrović, as he bagged 111 goals and assisted 21 during his time in west London, before securing a move to Saudi Arabia, in order to join Al-Hilal
He’s also been a vital member of Serbia’s international team, making big contributions in European Championship and World Cup qualifying, including scoring the goal that took them to the 2022 World Cup. This has led to him being the nation’s top scorer of all time with 59 goals to his name in 98 caps.
Branislav Ivanović’s career has been distinguished by notable successes with Serbia and Chelsea in the Premier League. After joining the Blues in January 2008, he developed into one of the league’s most dependable and well-respected defenders over the course of the following nine years.
His versatility as a centre-back and full-back allowed him to positively impact Chelsea’s offensive set-pieces and defensive stability, which helped the west London club win numerous Premier League crowns, FA Cups, the Champions League and the Europa League.
With 105 caps for Serbia, Ivanović is the second-most-capped player for his country. He was a real leader on the international stage, competing in the 2010 World Cup and multiple European Championship qualification campaigns.
International caps
105
International goals
13
Clubs played for
Srem, OFK Beograd, Lokomotiv Moscow, Chelsea, Zenit, West Brom
5 Predrag Mijatović 1987-2003
Predrag Mijatović gained widespread recognition for his ability as a forward, due to his substantial contributions for club and country. His time at club sides Valencia, Real Madrid and Fiorentina, together with his accomplishments with the national teams of Yugoslavia and Serbia & Montenegro, are particularly noteworthy.
The most memorable moment of Mijatović’s Real Madrid career was his game-winning goal against Juventus in the 1998 Champions League final, which sealed Real Madrid’s first European Cup in 32 years and cemented his place in the club’s history. This high point came from a career in which he was successful in both Italy’s Serie A and Spain’s La Liga, scoring 115 goals in total.
As a forward, Mijatović further cemented his position as one of the best in Europe by representing Yugoslavia in important international competitions such as the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. He was always a menace to defenders because of his technical prowess and penchant for being in the right place at the right time.
International caps
77
International goals
28
Clubs played for
Buducnost Titograd, Partizan, Valencia, Real Madrid, Fiorentina, Levante
4 Nemanja Vidić 2000-2016
There’s no doubting that Nemanja Vidić is regarded as one of the most formidable defenders of his time. His tenure at Manchester United, where he and Rio Ferdinand created a renowned defensive partnership, is what most defines his career.
Vidić joined Manchester United in January 2006, and his aerial skill, aggressive defending, and leadership abilities helped him become an instant mainstay. His talents were essential to Manchester United winning the Champions League in 2008 and several Premier League titles, notably three in a row from 2007 to 2009. Vidić’s excellence was acknowledged on an individual basis with other honours, such as being awarded the Premier League Player of the Season two times.
In the global arena, Vidić amassed 56 international caps, which included 19 for Serbia & Montenegro and a friendly appearance for Yugoslavia. He was a key member of his nation’s sides, as they qualified for two World Cups in 2006 and 2010.
International caps
56
International goals
2
Clubs played for
Red Star, Spartak Subotica, Spartak Moscow, Man Utd, Inter
3 Dragan Stojković 1981-2001
Dragan Stojković is considered one of the most gifted football players to come out of Yugoslavia and a key player in the history of Serbian football. Throughout his brilliant career, Stojković, who was renowned for his exceptional technical abilities, vision and inventiveness, flourished as a midfield player.
At Red Star Belgrade, where he won national championships and demonstrated his extraordinary potential, his club career took off, leading to a transfer to Europe’s more competitive leagues. His time at Marseille in France was especially noteworthy as he helped his side win the French league title and go to the UEFA Champions League final in 1991, ironically against Red Star.
He later secured a move to Japan, where he made 225 appearances for Nagoya Grampus, scoring 68 goals before retiring.
He played for Yugoslavia in a number of major international competitions, such as the World Cup in 1990, where he was a standout performer that helped his side advance to the quarter-finals.
International caps
84
International goals
15
Clubs played for
Radnicki Nis, Red Star, Marseille, Hellas Verona, Nagoya Grampus Eight
2 Blagoje Marjanović 1920-1951
Blagoje Marjanović was a notable Yugoslavian football player who was known for his extraordinary goalscoring ability. As one of the most productive forwards of his day in Yugoslavia and throughout Europe, he spent the majority of his career at BSK Belgrade (now OFK Belgrade).
BSK Belgrade won multiple Yugoslav First League titles while he was a member of the squad from 1926 to 1941, with Marjanović leading the league in scoring for multiple seasons. His goal total is still among the highest in the team’s and the league’s history, and it’s easy to understand why, as he played 566 matches for BSK, scoring 575 goals.
The striker was also one of the greatest goalscorers in Yugoslavia’s history, achieving 58 caps and scoring 37 goals. His participation in the 1928 Summer Olympics and the 1930 FIFA World Cup in Uruguay allowed him to demonstrate his talent away from home and solidified his reputation as one of the greatest football players of all time.
International caps
58
International goals
37
Clubs played for
SK Jugoslavija, SK Olimpija, BSK Beograd, Cukaricki, Dinamo Pancevo
1 Dejan Stanković 1995-2013
Dejan Stanković is regarded as one of the best midfield players of his time because of his variety, strength of shot, and outstanding leadership. Throughout his brilliant career, which saw him play in some of Europe’s top leagues, Stanković made a big impact for the Serbian national team, as well as the likes of Lazio and Inter.
He started his professional career at Red Star Belgrade, where he became a vital member of the squad and helped them win several domestic titles. His achievements in Serbia led to him joining Lazio in Serie A, where he continued to show off his skills, helping the team to win the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, Coppa Italia, and Italian Super Cup.
Still, it was at Inter that he solidified his legacy. He became a crucial part of Inter’s heyday after joining the team in 2004, helping his side win multiple league titles and domestic cups. His most notable accomplishment was in 2010, when he assisted Inter in winning the Champions League, the Coppa Italia, and the Serie A title.
On the international stage, he participated in three World Cups (1998, 2006, 2010), becoming noted for doing so for three different countries. Also a participant at Euro 2000, Stankovic earned over 100 caps across his glittering international career.