All posts by h716a5.icu

Manchester United could still add Goncalo Ramos to their squad this summer, with reports from Portugal via Sport Witness stating that Benfica are looking at a replacement in attack with the player potentially on his way out.

What striker will Man United sign this summer?

One area that the Red Devils will be looking to bolster in the transfer window is in attack, with the side struggling to hit the back of the net on a regular basis in the Premier League. They've managed 51 in the top flight this campaign, the fewest of any side in the top seven, and take away the efforts of Marcus Rashford – who has 16 to his name – and no other player has managed double figures in the division for United.

Erik ten Hag has already set out his transfer plan, with a forward very much on the agenda for the club when the window does open for business. Harry Kane has been one name heavily linked with a switch to Old Trafford already this summer, but it's a man from Portugal that is reportedly still interesting those at Old Trafford according to the Portuguese media via Sport Witness.

This report states that Ramos is still on the radar of Man United heading into the summer and that whilst there are a few teams all keen to snap him up, it's the Red Devils that are at the "head" of the race to secure his signature and that Benfica are resigned to losing him at the end of the campaign.

In fact, it appears they are already making arrangements for his potential departure, with the side linked with a move of their own for Eres Inal. If they could wrap up that transfer themselves, then that could pave the way for Ramos to move – and it looks like the most likely landing spot is Old Trafford.

Are Man United signing Goncalo Ramos?

The Red Devils are in need of a goalscorer and Ramos certainly fits the bill in that respect, with his overall game impressing football talent scout Jacek Kulig, who called the 21-year-old "outstanding" after his performances for Benfica, most notably during a fixture against fellow title-challengers Porto.

The Portugal international has also managed a superb WhoScored rating of 7.30 in his domestic league this campaign, with five Player of the Match awards along the way. That's because he's produced 18 goals in just 28 games – not to mention two assists – and it's even earned him a more regular spot for his country too. When given that opportunity he's produced the goods as well, with a 6.98 WhoScored rating during his showings at the World Cup.

Ramos then is proven both domestically and on the bigger stages – and if he can bag as many goals at Old Trafford as he has in Portugal, then he would certainly solve their striker issue ahead of the next campaign.

On a somnolent summer’s day at Trent Bridge, Steven Mullaney’s concentration remained unimpaired from first ball to last

David Hopps17-Jul-2016
ScorecardSteven Mullaney recorded his career-best score (file photo)•Getty ImagesOn a somnolent summer’s day at Trent Bridge, Steven Mullaney’s concentration remained unimpaired from first ball to last. Quite how anybody can concentrate in these strange times, when according to media reports a Pokemon might be lurking just in front of square is a mystery, but he did just that and by the close had an unbeaten 161 to show for his admirable resolve.Somerset’s best chance of dislodging Mullaney on a benign surface would have been for a Pokemon hunter to wander across the pitch, mobile phone outstretched, entirely oblivious to the real world just as Jack Leach landed one on a length. A lad in a white t-shirt did cross promisingly on to the South Bank around lunchtime, but sadly turned down towards Nottingham Forest FC. Even Pokemon – and players of Pokemon Go – prefer to hang out at football it seems.It was an unremitting effort by Mullaney, an allrounder who has quietly demanded more respect with every passing season, a fact emphasised by the fact he has stood in as captain since late May while Chris Read has been absent injured. Read has returned and Mullaney put his thoughts to batting. His selectivity never wavered and the result was a career-best knock in the Championship which has put Nottinghamshire in control.According to the groundstaff, who presumably have a duty of care not to run over a Pokemon with the heavy roller, more’s the pity, some have been lurking at Trent Bridge in recent days: Pidgeys, Rattatas and the occasional Drowzee. “All the rubbish ones,” as an aficionado wisely remarked.Perhaps the ECB should sponsor Ditto to appear at a county match. Ditto, one of the most powerful Pokemon, apparently has the ability to transform its shape, which as the ECB hierarchy is fond of complaining is more than you can say for county cricket.The game is changing. A sizeable minority of county cricket spectators can go puce with rage at the thought that a day’s county cricket could involve imaginary creatures. But while Mullaney steeled himself for an entire day’s monumental concentration, a few within Trent Bridge’s walls sneakily took a look. Letters will be written to the committee asking for them to be banned forthwith. Or at last not allowed in the Members’ area.While the Millennial generation were getting off on blurring the lines between fantasy and reality, Mullaney gave we Kabutos – ancient fossils with no real power, for those not in the know – plenty of languorous pleasure with a big hundred that felt inevitable from an early hour. He was dismissive of Lewis Gregory, a change bowler charged with taking the new ball, from the outset, and also indicated his supremacy over Leach’s left-arm spin by rounding off an introductory over that cost 15 by thumping him over long-off for six.In sharing an opening stand of 196 in 60 overs, Mullaney and Jake Libby did not have to run until the 13th over, settling in instead with extras and boundaries. “We just said to each other let’s try and bat all day, let’s try and do something special,” said Libby. As they took control of the day, picking the gaps in what Pokemon included was an 8-3 field, it felt an achievable objective.Instead, Libby fell 10 runs short of what would have been his first Championship hundred of the season for Notts when he cut Tim Groenewald to gully – a deserved reward for the bowler if not the ball because he was the most demanding of Somerset’s quintet of right-arm seamers – but Mullaney had his bagged in the last over by tea, clearing the boundary against Leach, a shot that crashed into the advertising hoardings which such force that it virtually rebounded back into the bowler’s hands. When a bowler is launched for six it is always a consolation not to have to chase it.We are in the unsatisfying middle phase of the Championship when matches pop up on different days and interest turns to the main Test series of the summer, but this is an important round for all that with the bottom four in contention – not just Nottinghamshire v Somerset here, but Hampshire v Surrey at the Ageas Bowl.It is Somerset, fourth bottom with a game in hand, who are most favourably placed, but their attempt to end a soulless sequence of draws came unstuck last week when they narrowly lost to Middlesex on a Taunton greentop and the general assumption – as last season – is that it is Nottinghamshire who are in a false position. From the moment Read won the toss, nothing challenged that theory.Leach gained some consolation in the final session with a couple of wickets as Chris Rogers, Somerset’s captain, delayed taking the second new ball. Michael Lumb touched one that turned and bounced a little to wicketkeeper Ryan Davies and Brendon Taylor was caught at mid-on. Jim Allenby had Riki Wessels lbw. Wessels, born in South Africa and who controversially made use of an entrepreneur’s visa to play county cricket, now has his sights set on England after securing citizenship earlier this week,Mullaney’s only lapse came two balls after he had passed his previous best Championship score of 139, when Marcus Trescothick put him down off the bowling of Craig Overton. At such times, as Overton stalks off towards the boundary at the end of the over, one half expects him to leave the ground via the nearest exit but he stopped peacefully by the square leg umpire and wisely kept his own counsel. If England Lions are to show an interest, it is a good habit to get into.

Manchester City youngster Rico Lewis is set to sign a new contract at the Etihad, according to a fresh update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.

How has Lewis fared this season?

The 18-year-old has enjoyed something of a breakthrough season for City, playing his part in them winning yet another Premier League title. The £5,000-a-week youngster has started eight league games in 2022/23 to date, and made a further four substitutes appearances, as well as two in the Champions League and seven in the FA Cup and EFL Cup combined.

Lewis has not looked out of place, even though he has featured less during the business end of the campaign, and the hope is that his long-term future belongs at City. His current deal expires in the summer of 2024, so it is important that the club tie him down to a new contract, in order to avoid the risk of losing him to another club.

Could Lewis sign new Man City deal?

Taking to Twitter, Romano provided a positive update over Lewis' future, saying an extension is now close to being completed:

"Understand Manchester City are closing in on new long term deal for Rico Lewis — agreement set to be completed. Talks had already been advanced for months and now it’s about final details. Pep, big fan of Rico and his potential. He’s staying at City. Here we go."

This is great news for City, with Lewis someone who should very much be viewed as part of the club's future, having been described as "contagious" by Pep Guardiola, and his team's "little Philipp Lahm". At just 18, he is already such a mature footballer for his age, already making 21 first-team appearances.

Granted, he may have to bide his time to eventually become a regular, given the incredible depth at Guardiola's disposal – a loan move next season could be great for his development – but if he continues to develop, he could eventually make the right-back spot his own.

The three-cap England Under-19 international has displayed his ability to drift into a midfield role in that position, as well as shine in midfield in general full-time, and he could have such a massive future. The thought of losing him so early in his career doesn't bear thinking about, but it looks as though the Premier League champions have got their wish and tied down Lewis for many more years to come.

Leicestershire have announced the signing of Sharjeel Khan as an overseas player for the 2017 NatWest Blast season

George Dobell07-Sep-2016Leicestershire have announced the signing of Sharjeel Khan as an overseas player for the 2017 NatWest Blast season.Sharjeel, who is currently part of the Pakistan limited-overs squad in England, thrashed his maiden ODI century against Ireland recently (he reached his century in just 62 balls) and also made an impressive 58 from 30 balls against England at Trent Bridge.Leicestershire have previously announced that former Australia international Clint McKay will be their other overseas player in the NatWest Blast. They finished bottom of the North Group this season, with four wins, eight losses and two no-results from their 14 games. Sharjeel is expected to be available for the duration of the Blast campaign.”I am aware that there was keen interest from other counties, so I am delighted that we have managed to secure someone of Sharjeel’s ability for the duration of the 2017 NatWest T20 Blast campaign,” Leicestershire’s CEO Wasim Khan said: “He is a powerful hitter who will offer us another option as a T20 opener.””It has been an ambition of mine to play county cricket and I would like to thank Leicestershire for this great opportunity,” Sharjeel said. “A number of fine Pakistan batsmen have played for Leicestershire over the years including Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq and Umar Akmal, and I’m pleased to be following in their footsteps.”

As international cricket, particularly of the fifty-over format, seeks relevance in a changing sporting culture Imran Tahir still thinks ODIs have their place.

Firdose Moonda28-Sep-20162:59

‘People still like to watch one-day cricket’ – Tahir

As international cricket, particularly the fifty-over format, seeks relevance in a changing sporting culture at least one current South Africa player still thinks ODIs have their place.”I know there are T20 leagues everywhere but one-day cricket is still there and it’s not easy. People still like to watch one-day cricket. Fifty overs is a long time. It’s a good challenge and you have enough time to show your skills,” legspinner Imran Tahir said. “In T20, there’s a time shortage because you’ve got four overs. In one-day cricket, you relax and the game goes long and you only win the game in the last 10 or 15 overs.”Tahir, who will be in action for South Africa in the upcoming ODI series against Australia, which starts from September 30, believes the format has become compelling again because bowlers can play a bigger role in what is seen as a batsman’s game. Last June, playing conditions were altered to allow teams five fielders outside the circle in the last 10 overs of an ODI innings, in an effort to limit what had become a glut of runs in that period. As a result, Tahir said that even spinners could operate in the slog overs and, in so doing, hone their consistency.”This 5-4 field makes our life really hard but it’s nice to see they now allow five fielders outside the circle in the last 10 overs,” he said.”I have been bowling at the death, sometimes. You need to focus. You know if you miss your target, you will go for a boundary but it’s also good because it makes you a really good bowler. You practise hard and you try to bowl in one area most of the time.”Despite that, Tahir maintains that his main role is not limiting run-scoring but taking wickets. “I never look to contain. I always try and take wickets,” he said. And the numbers prove it.Last year, Tahir was the second-highest wicket-taker in ODI cricket with 37 scalps from 22 matches, behind Mitchell Starc. This year he is already the third-highest with 21 wickets from 11 scalps. In the upcoming series, he will come up against the two players ahead of him on that list, John Hastings and Adam Zampa, and has nothing but praise for the Australia legspinner.”Zampa is a very good bowler. He proved that over the last year, in the IPL and playing all over the world. I reckon he is a very good talent,” Tahir said.Despite the presence of Zampa and Tahir in the squads, the South Africa legspinner warned fans to not look forward to too much in terms of spin-bowling this weekend, during the first two ODIs of the five-match series. Tahir said he was not expecting much turn at Centurion and the Wanderers but hoped for more spin at the coastal venues later in the series.There is also pressure on Tahir to maintain his position as first-choice spinner after South Africa’s selectors packed the squad with other spin options in Aaron Phangiso and Tabraiz Shamsi.”The selectors and coaches and captain have showed trust in us spinners which is a good sign and it’s also becoming challenging for us as spinners against each other,” Tahir said. “I like that because I can never be relaxed. Thanks to these guys, I want to keep improving. I am happy to play with these guys and I hope to see them do well for South Africa in future.”

Manchester United are believed to have been given the chance to sign Christian Pulisic from rivals Chelsea this summer, with the United States international facing an uncertain future in west London.

What's the latest on Pulisic to Man United?

According to ESPN, the Red Devils are among a host of clubs who have seemingly been 'approached' about the prospect of signing the 24-year-old ahead of next season, having been notified as to what the winger's salary demands and asking price would be.

The report suggests that the former Borussia Dortmund ace – who was joined the Blues on a £58m deal back in 2019 – could be up for grabs for as little as £20m, with just 12 months left to run on his existing deal at Stamford Bridge.

While the piece does add that it is Serie A giants, Juventus who are currently the frontrunners in the race to sign the 58-cap dynamo, United have evidently held a long-standing interest in the player, having reportedly been contemplating a loan swoop last summer.

Should Man United sign Pulisic?

It is hard to deny that it has been a truly dismal season for Pulisic, with the £173k-per-week asset having scored just once and provided only two assists in 30 games in all competitions, albeit while making just ten starts in that time.

That being said, the Hershey-born magician did showcase his talents on a global stage at the World Cup last year, with the fleet-footed "leader" – as hailed by former USA boss, Jurgen Klinsmann – having provided three goal involvements in just four outings in Qatar.

That impact saw the wide man hailed as a "massive talent" by United legend, Gary Neville (ITV, 25/11/2022, 18:36), while another Old Trafford icon – Paul Scholes – has previously suggested that the American "looks the closest thing to Eden Hazard".

That glowing praise is an indication of the real diamond that Erik ten Hag could have on his hands if a deal is to be secured this summer, with such an addition potentially set to prove the final nail in the coffin for current Red Devils dud, Jadon Sancho.

While the Englishman has provided two goal involvements in his last two outings, it has largely been a tale of frustration since his £73m switch from Dortmund, with the 23-year-old bagging just 12 goals and six assists in 78 games across all fronts to date.

That lack of consistency has led to suggestions from treble winner Dwight Yorke that the London-born trickster is now on "borrowed time", with further reports claiming that the forward could be shown the door ahead of next term.

As such, turning to Pulisic – who has the benefit of having won the Champions League in 2021 – could allow Sancho to find pastures new, with the Chelsea man having racked up 47 goals and assists in 145 games for his current side.

One notable benefit that Pulisic would offer is his superior work ethic having averaged 1.25 tackles and 0.58 interceptions per 90 across the last 365 days, while the United man has averaged just 0.99 and 0.41 for those same two metrics, respectively.

That ability to put in the hard yards defensively on the flanks will likely be appealing to Ten Hag, hence the prospect of the Blues ace replacing Sancho in the squad next season.

Manchester United are internally discussing a move for Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos, as a potential alternative to Harry Kane, according to a report from The Daily Mail.

Which striker will Man United sign?

Erik ten Hag's biggest priority this summer is to bring in a new striker, and the manager has picked out a number of targets, including Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund, with "concrete talks" recently being opened with the 20-year-old forward.

However, Terry Flewers adds that Harry Kane is Man United's "number 1 target", while also claiming they could look at bringing in both players, rather than settling on Hojlund, who only has limited first-team experience.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims Kane signing Kane has become an "obsession" for the Red Devils, but it has recently emerged that Tottenham Hotspur may be unwilling to let him join a fellow Premier League club this summer.

According to a report from The Daily Mail, United have been told by Spurs that Kane is not for sale, so they have started to turn their attention to other targets, including the likes of Randal Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos.

Man United initially thought that £100m may be enough to tempt Tottenham into selling the England captain, however with that move now on the rocks, they are now discussing other targets, with Ramos re-emerging as an option.

How many goals has Goncalo Ramos scored?

The Benfica star registered 27 goals in all competitions last season, with his tally of 19 in the Liga Portugal ranking him second in the entire division, and he also impressed on the international stage.

All the pressure was on the 21-year-old to perform for Portugal against Switzerland at the World Cup, after getting the nod over Cristiano Ronaldo in the starting XI, and he more than delivered, netting a hat-trick, while also bagging an assist.

Gary Lineker described the youngster's performance as "remarkable", while football scout Jacek Kulig has also praised him for his displays at club level since returning from Qatar, which helped Benfica win the Liga Portugal title.

Of course, Man United will be gutted to have missed out on Kane, given that he is a proven goal-scorer at Premier League level, weighing in with an impressive 30 goals in the top flight last season.

However, Ramos has proven that he could be a viable alternative, and at 21-years-old, he still has plenty of time to develop further.

Leicestershire have turned to South Africa to bolster their batting strength, signing batsman Colin Ackermann on a two-year contract

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Oct-2016Leicestershire have turned to South Africa to bolster their batting strength, signing batsman Colin Ackermann on a two-year contract.The signing will encourage the belief that English counties are eager to raid South Africa for players who suspect their chances of progression may be limited in their own country because of stiffened transformation policies.Ackermann, a former South Africa U-19 international, will qualify as a non-overseas player. He has a first-class record approaching 40, the latest of seven hundreds coming for Warriors against Titans last week. He also has 10 half-centuries in the two limited-overs formats.Leicestershire’s head coach Pierre de Bruyn, a fellow South African, said: “Colin is a quality top order batsman who can also bowl some useful off-spin, and he will offer us a good option in all three formats of the game. He will provide us with further competition for places.”Ackermann does have previous knowledge of Leicestershire, having represented Kibworth in 2012. He also played a Second XI match for Leicestershire that year, top-scoring with 73 in a low-scoring match against Northants.Leicestershire have stabilised under the guidance of their chief executive Wasim Khan, a former chief executive of the Chance to Shine charity, which seeks to promote cricket in State schools. However, his specialist knowledge has – perhaps unsurprisingly considering the inevitable time lag – brought no overnight transformation in Leicestershire’s ability to produce players from a wider talent base.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in raiding Premier League rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer and procuring centre-back Max Kilman, according to reports.

It's the beginning of a new chapter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with manager Ange Postecoglou departing treble-winning Celtic to take the reins and lead Spurs back to brighter days after a dismal campaign that culminated in an eighth-place finish and failure to qualify for European competition next season.

Tottenham started the campaign brightly under the stewardship of the distinguished Antonio Conte but trickled further into the murky abyss as the season went on, ending another year without silverware.

The defensive efforts were shoddy and a large part behind the woes, and that's why Kilman could prove to be a shrewd acquisition to return some stability and grit to the N17 backline.

90min certainly think it could be a possibility, stating that the 26-year-old "has long had admirers" at the club and "remains a target", with The Athletic's Tim Spiers revealing this year that his signature could cost around £20m-£30m.

Should Tottenham sign Max Kilman?

Kilman, who is eligible to play internationally for both England and Ukraine, played 37 matches this season as Wolves finished 13th in the Premier League after looking like relegation favourites before Julen Lopetegui's appointment before the mid-season pause for the 2022 World Cup.

Praised as "immense" and a "monster" by Talking Wolves presenter Tom Parker, he recorded an average match rating of 6.85 this season, according to Sofascore, and caught the eye by keeping 11 clean sheets, making 4.4 clearances per game and winning 67% of his aerial duels.

His prowess is further illustrated by metrics provided by FBref, who suggest the distinguished Manchester United titan Raphael Varane is his most similar player.

Indeed, with the £15k-per-week Wolves star ranking among the top 12% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for successful take-ons, the top 28% for progressive carries and the top 5% for blocks per 90, his skill set does indeed draw similarities to Varane.

The £350k-per-week United phenom ranks himself among the top 25% of positional peers for progressive carries and the top 28% for successful take-ons per 90, having also averaged 3.7 clearances per match in the Premier League this term while winning 72% of his aerial duels.

Kilman could harness his skills to provide an iron-clad grip on the Spurs defence, potentially forging a solid partnership with the aggressive Cristian Romero and living up to the tag of "generational talent" – as he was dubbed by reporter Nathan Judah.

Varane is a player who has seen it all, the 30-year-old notably winning the 2018 World Cup with France and four Champions League trophies with Real Madrid, also ending Manchester United's trophy drought this year with a triumph in the Carabao Cup.

If Kilman can indeed channel his own talents, he could match his confrere in Varane and play a central role in Spurs' desired resurgence, perhaps even providing the sweeping stability at the back to end a 15-year wait for silverware at the club.

Afif Hossain became the youngest player to take a five-for in T20s as Rajshahi Kings eased past Chittagong Vikings in Mirpur

Mohammad Isam03-Dec-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsKesrick Williams and Afif Hossain picked up seven wickets between them for only 42 runs•BCBDebutant offspinner Afif Hossain became the youngest player to pick up a five-wicket haul in T20s as Rajshahi Kings swept past Chittagong Vikings in Mirpur. The six-wicket win helped Rajshahi draw level with Chittagong, Rangpur Riders, and Khulna Titans on the points table. Rajshahi, though, will have to hope for tomorrow’s results to go in their favour if they are to make the last four. Chittagong, on the other hand, are through to the playoffs.Afif did the star turn for Rajshahi, and also became the first Bangladesh to collect a five-wicket haul on T20 debut. He was brought into the attack in the fifth over, and Jahurul Islam welcomed him with back-to-back lofts over mid-off for fours. He then had Jahurul lbw off the next ball; given out by umpire Nadir Shah despite an inside edge onto the back pad. In his next over, Afif accounted for Chris Gayle with a very full delivery. He pressed on to remove Zakir Hasan – caught superbly by Sabbir Rahman running in from long-on – and Saqlain Sajib and Imran Khan to complete his five-wicket haul.Amid the damage, Shoaib Malik fought his way to an unbeaten 67 off 54 balls, including six fours and three sixes. He scored just more than 60% of Chittagong’s 111 for 9. West Indies fast bowler Kesrick Williams pitched in with two wickets, including that of Tamim Iqbal, who was bowled for a first-ball duck.Rajshahi lost Nurul Hasan and Mominul Haque early in the slim chase, but finished it off in 13.5 overs to lift their net-run-rate. New Zealand allrounder James Franklin led the way with the bat, making an unbeaten 63 off 27 balls, including five fours and four sixes.