Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been told that a $475m (£352m) valuation of Wrexham is “bonkers” and reflects the “Disneyification” of the club.
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Hollywood stars bought club for £2mRecord-breaking run of three promotionsNow one step away from the Premier LeagueFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Hollywood stars Reynolds and McElhenney acquired the Red Dragons for just £2m when completing a stunning takeover in 2021. They have overseen a historic run of three successive promotions, which have lifted the Welsh club into the Championship.
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More money will be required in order to reach the Premier League Promised Land, with the door being left open for more investors to enjoy a remarkable sporting adventure – one that is being played out in front of the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary cameras.
DID YOU KNOW?
It has been suggested that Wrexham have now reached the £350m mark when it comes to market value, given the success that they have been enjoying on and off the pitch, but a sports finance expert is not convinced that Reynolds and McElhenney are at that point just yet.
Getty Images EntertainmentWHAT SPORTS FINANCE EXPERT SAID
Dr Rob Wilson has told : “It’s bonkers, it's just a massive valuation and reflects the Disneyification of Wrexham. So, it reflects their kind of a blend, let's say, of their asset base, their projected earnings, their projected media exposure based on what they've been able to get the kind of Disney Plus series, the global following, the kind of promotion boost that they will have achieved, really helps just amplify it.
“But that valuation is nuts. But then football as a product is nuts sometimes. If people want to be involved in that story then it's a great way of raising an additional bit of capital. It's a great way of accelerating your team progression. My eyebrows went up a couple of times and I keep seeing people commenting on the same posts that I see on social media and I'm like this is still nuts.
“But they are running a very smart business operation behind the scenes. Which is naturally amplified because of the ownership. I don't know what the ceiling is but a club valuation four times that of Sheffield United is really optimistic.”
There is no escaping from it: this season has been a complete disaster for Tottenham Hotspur.
Ange Postecoglou’s side are 14th in the Premier League, out of the FA Cup, and while they have a chance of winning the Europa League, it feels incredibly slim.
Moreover, while the Australian has had to deal with a mountain of injuries this year, he had what was almost a full-strength team on Sunday and still lost away to Fulham.
So, following their 19th loss in all competitions over the weekend, it wasn’t a massive surprise to see a whole host of managers linked with the Lilywhites’ job, including Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.
The Spaniard has done a marvellous job on the south coast, but what would his dream Spurs lineup look like if he was appointed in the summer and allowed to bring in some new signings?
Games (All Comps)
33
46
Wins
15
21
Draws
8
6
Losses
10
19
Points per Game
1.61
1.50
1 GK – Guglielmo Vicario
Perhaps a couple of months ago, just after Antonín Kinský’s impressive debut against Liverpool, this spot would have at least been up for debate.
However, as time went on, the young Czech shot-stopper made the sort of mistakes you’d expect a young goalkeeper to make, and since he returned from injury, Guglielmo Vicario has reminded everyone just how good he can be.
The Italian is a brilliant shot-stopper, and while he can sometimes make the odd mistake, he’s undoubtedly going to remain Spurs’ number one next season, regardless of who is in the dugout.
2 RB – Djed Spence
The first outfield player in the lineup is one of the few who can come out of this season with his head held high: Djed Spence.
Since he was given a proper chance to prove his worth in December, the “swashbuckling” right-back, as dubbed by Ian Wright, has been one of the Lilywhites’ best players.
Like Pedro Porro, the Englishman can be lethal in attack, but unlike the Spaniard, he can also be trusted to do the defensive side of the role and do it to a high standard as well.
3 CB – Marc Guéhi
Crystal Palace's MarcGuehiin action
Fans might not want to hear this, but based on recent reports, it looks like there is a real chance that Cristian Romero could be on his way to Real Madrid in the summer.
However, while the Argentine would certainly be a loss, Iraola could potentially replace him with the incredible Marc Guéhi, who was the subject of a £70m bid from Spurs in the winter window.
The Englishman might not quite have the pedigree of the World Cup winner, but despite being just 24 years old, the 6 foot titan has already amassed 206 first-team appearances across his career, with 145 of those coming for Palace, 59 with Swansea City and two with Chelsea.
Moreover, he was an integral part of the England side that reached the final of the European Championships in the summer, so he is clearly someone who thrives in high-pressure situations, which could be just what the Lilywhites need.
4 CB – Micky van de Ven
Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven
Alongside Guéhi will be the sensational Micky van de Ven, who, when fit, is undoubtedly one of Tottenham’s most important players.
The Dutch international, who respected talent scout Jacek Kulig described as “complete & dominant”, is the perfect defender for a team that want to play aggressive and expressive football, as his record-setting speed means he can get back to stop counter-attacks when other centre-backs simply can’t.
Now, there are still serious question marks over his ability to remain fit, but you’ve got to live in hope, right?
5 LB – Destiny Udogie
Destiny Udogie for Tottenham
Rounding out the defence is another player who has battled with injuries, Destiny Udogie.
It would be fair to say that the Italian international has not had the best of campaigns this season, but it should not be forgotten just how good he was in his first year at the club.
Appearances
58
Starts
55
Minutes
4691′
Goals
2
Assists
4
Points per Game
1.77
In 23/24, the Verona-born “monster,” as dubbed by journalist Travis Levison, made 30 appearances, in which he scored two goals, provided three assists and became the first Tottenham player ever to be nominated for the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season award.
Therefore, it would make sense for Iraola to give him another season to see how he fares in a new system, as the talent there is undeniable.
6 DM – Angel Gomes
Moving into the midfield, the second new face in the lineup is that of LOSC Lille star Angel Gomes.
The Englishman’s contract with the French side expires this summer, meaning he’ll be available for free, and Spurs have made no secret of their admiration for him.
It’s easy to understand why the North Londoners would want to sign the “special” 24-year-old, as dubbed by former manager Jocelyn Gourvennec, as not only can he help mop up opposition attacks at the base of midfield, but he can start his own thanks to his brilliant passing range and impressive ball control.
For example, FBref has placed him in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for expected assisted goals and penalty kicks won, the top 3% for goal-creating actions from take-ons, the top 5% for passes into the penalty area and the top 8% for key passes, all per 90.
7 CM – James Maddison
Slotting in just ahead of Gomes will be fellow Englishman James Maddison.
The former Leicester City star can be an incredibly frustrating player at times, someone who can fade out of games, but when he’s on song, the midfielder is undoubtedly one of the most creative and dangerous in the Premier League.
For example, in just 38 appearances this season, the Coventry-born star has scored 11 goals and provided seven assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.11 games.
8 CM – Dejan Kulusevski
Rounding out the midfield will be arguably Tottenham’s best player, Dejan Kulusevski.
Initially signed as a winger, the “world-class” Swede, as dubbed by Kulig, has been in scintillating form this season, much of which he has spent in the middle of the park.
Appearances
42
Minutes
3054′
Goals
10
Assists
10
Goal Involvements per Match
0.47
Minutes per Goal Involvement
152.7′
In all, the former Juventus star has scored ten goals and provided ten assists in 42 appearances for the Lilywhites this year, which comes out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 2.1 games.
9 RW – Antoine Semenyo
Starting at right-wing, it could be one of Iraola’s star men this season: Antoine Semenyo.
The “unplayable” Bournemouth winger, as dubbed by journalist Ed Aarons, has been in incredible form this season, racking up a tally of nine goals and five assists in just 32 appearances for the Cherries.
That means the 25-year-old, whom analyst Ben Mattinson described as possessing “powerful ambipedal ball striking,” is averaging a goal involvement every 2.28 games for a team outside the traditional ‘big six.’
10 ST – Dominic Solanke
Starting up top will be the club’s current record signing: Dominic Solanke.
While the former Bournemouth man has had to endure some time out due to injury this season, he’s looked great when he’s been on the pitch.
For example, in 33 appearances, the Basingstoke-born monster has scored 11 goals and provided eight assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.73 games and demonstrates that he’s more than just a goal threat.
The Red Devils are selling their most exciting prospect in a decade on the whim of the coach – but what if the Portuguese proves to be the wrong man?
The last time Manchester United achieved their worst Premier League points total, supporters looked to the club's youth academy for hope. They found it in Alejandro Garnacho, who fired the young Red Devils to FA Youth Cup glory with seven goals, including two in the final against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford. Two years later, Garnacho did it again, but this time in the senior FA Cup, scoring alongside his old academy team-mate Kobbie Mainoo to sink Manchester City at Wembley.
Garnacho and Mainoo had been the only positive stories of another wretched campaign in 2023-24, when United registered their worst league finish in 34 years, though Garnacho took more of the limelight thanks to his show-stopping moments, which included braces against West Ham Chelsea and Aston Villa as well as his sensational bicycle kick at Everton, which won the Premier League's Goal of the Season award.
But after another dismal season for United where they earned their lowest points total in Premier League history and posted their worst league finish since being relegated in 1974, Garnacho is no longer a source of hope. He has instead become the scapegoat for the team's problems and is being hounded out by Ruben Amorim.
Getty No going back
Amorim has his reasons for casting Garnacho aside, with the player's petulant remarks after not starting the Europa League final being the most serious in a line of missteps.
The coach did not approve of Garnacho'ss attitude to training less than one month after taking the United job, and dropped him for the derby at Manchester City in December along with Marcus Rashford. Amorim quickly reintegrated Garnacho – unlike Rashford – and praised him for showing an improved attitude and adapting to his style of play, only for the Portuguese to be embarrassed by the player storming down the tunnel after being substituted against Ipswich Town. It was an act which hit Garnacho in the pocket as he invited the team out to dinner to say sorry.
Now, though, there is no going back after Amorim informed Garnacho in front of his team-mates at training last Saturday that he would have to leave the club this summer. The player can have no real complaints. In the now infamous interview with Spanish media in the mixed zone at San Mames – in which the player had protested about not starting the final and criticised his side for "beating no one in the league" – he had suggested he was already considering his future. "I'm going to enjoy the summer and see what happens after," he said.
While neither Garnacho's representatives nor United have commented on Amorim's reported ultimatum, the winger's girlfriend sought to take control of the narrative by announcing on Instagram that the season-ending game against Aston Villa – which the winger was not included in the squad for – was her last. Garnacho's body language during the post-season tour of Asia, meanwhile, has also painted the picture of a player who does not have much of a future at United.
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Amorim reportedly told Garnacho "you better pray a club wants to sign you", but the truth is the player should have no issues finding any suitors. Napoli were keen on him in January, although their £40 million ($53m) bid was rejected by United. Chelsea were also interested, while in the aftermath of Saturday's showdown talks with Amorim it has been reported that Napoli have renewed their interest in Garnacho while AC Milan have also entered the race.
Garnacho's numbers in a badly-performing United team should also help his cause. He has contributed to 48 goals in 144 appearances for United, many of which were not starts. He is also a prolific chance-creator and has been playing in a team that is severely lacking in a proper presence inside the box. Data shows that Garnacho provides the third-most balls across the goal in Europe's top five leagues among players aged under 21, only trailing Lamine Yamal and Desire Doue.
Garnacho has also got an excellent fitness record. The only major absence in his three years with the first team at Old Trafford came after he suffered an unfortunate ankle injury against Southampton in March 2023, which led him to miss just under two months of action. Otherwise he is capable of playing twice a week and giving his all while doing so.
Described as "a showman" by United's head of academy Nick Cox – the man who signed him from Atletico Madrid in 2020 – Garnacho has a knack for generating excitement every time he picks the ball up. And let's not forget he does not turn 21 until July, meaning offers are sure to flood in when the transfer window opens. All Amorim has done is drive the price down as interested clubs will know that the coach has now staked his reputation on getting rid of of one of his most decisive attackers.
Getty ImagesLife is good beyond United
United have got rid of plenty of players in the last couple of years who they felt were not performing well enough, only to see them excel elsewhere. A whole host of flagging careers have been completely revitalised since leaving Old Trafford.
Rashford has played his way back into the England squad thanks to his performances on loan at Aston Villa, while fellow wide forward Antony has become an icon at Real Betis and earned a recall to the Brazil squad.
Scott McTominay has achieved legendary status at Napoli; David de Gea has rediscovered his love for the game after coming close to retirement following his acrimonious departure from the club; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, always seen as a one-v-one defending specialist, has turned into one of West Ham's best attackers; Anthony Elanga has helped propel Nottingham Forest back into Europe.
These players, who were regarded as anywhere between underwhelming and total flop status, have discovered that life beyond United can be far more enjoyable than within the walls of Old Trafford and Carrington. So as one of the best players United have had in the last couple of years, Garnacho has nothing to fear about taking his career in a new direction.
United, though, have a lot to lose.
Getty Images SportMassive talent & ambition
Garnacho has often resembled a young Cristiano Ronaldo in his first few years at United. Ronaldo, like Garnacho, came into the senior team as an 18-year-old and generated huge excitement with his debut display against Bolton Wanderers. But in those early years, he was also frustrating and often unproductive. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner scored only 18 times in his first three campaigns in the Premier League despite playing for a United team challenging for the title. In a team that finished eighth last year and 15th this season, Garnacho has a total of 16 league goals.
He became the first teenager to score in an FA Cup final for 20 years. The last to do so? Ronaldo. Garnacho's bicycle kick at Everton also drew comparisons with Ronaldo's goal for Real Madrid against Juventus in 2018, in addition to Wayne Rooney's famous strike against Manchester City in 2011. Both players pulled off their goals at the height of their careers, while Garnacho was in the infancy of his.
The forward's comments after the Europa League final game did smack of self-importance, but they also showed Garnacho's confidence. This is a player who has never lacked ambition, belief or drive. When Cox was trying to assess Garnacho's character when attempting to sign him in 2020, he recalled to GOAL: "He knew that he wanted to be the best footballer he could possibly be and would have gone to any length to do that. He had a hunger to play in the Premier League and he had a real appetite to play for Manchester United."
Liverpool are well down the line in their hunt for the Premier League title and could look to back up their impressive season by producing an exciting summer transfer window.
Liverpool's competitiveness on all fronts set to entice new arrivals
Liverpool managed to ride the storm against Paris Saint-Germain and performed a smash and grab late on to ensure they took a 1-0 lead over the Ligue 1 champions back to Anfield for the second-leg of their Champions League Round of 16 affair.
Harvey Elliott popped up late on to spark jubilant scenes in the away end – Arne Slot’s side showed a different side to their game in the French capital, which has bred optimism that they could go on to claim a sixth crown in Europe’s premier competition.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot
With the Premier League and Carabao Cup firmly in sight, the Reds are one of the most attractive destinations worldwide for potential new arrivals come the summer. Despite their immediate priority being silverware, plenty of work is going on behind the scenes as the Merseyside giants aim to build on their recent success.
Bournemouth star Milos Kerkez has recently emerged as a Liverpool target following his brilliant form on the south coast this season. If circumstances align, Kostas Tsimikas could depart to make way for the Hungary international.
Liverpool’s top scorers across all competitions
Mohamed Salah
30
Cody Gakpo
16
Luis Diaz
13
Diogo Jota
8
Dominik Szoboszlai
7
Furthermore, contact has been made with Alexander Isak’s representatives over a move to Anfield. Darwin Nunez has cut an unconvincing figure through the middle, heightening the need for attacking reinforcements.
Speculation surrounding incomings at Liverpool is starting to escalate as the season reaches its business end, and the Reds have now made contact over an energetic figure who could add extra steel in the engine room.
Liverpool make contact over Atalanta midfielder Ederson
According to CaughtOffside, Liverpool have registered their interest in Atalanta midfielder Ederson, making contact to find out his situation with the Europa League holders. The outlet state that the Brazil international remains a long-term priority target for Manchester City and specify that a fee in the region of £50 million may be enough to secure his signature this summer.
The end for Nunez: Liverpool in big-money talks to sign "the new Haaland"
Liverpool are gearing up to sign a first-class striker this summer.
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Manchester United may also enter the race to replenish their ageing midfield. Labelled “versatile” by Tim Vickery, Liverpool have previously scouted Ederson, who has registered four goals and two assists in 39 appearances this season for Atalanta.
Famed for his tenacity, the 25-year-old has won 132 duels and made 142 recoveries in Serie A across 2024/25. On the creativity front, he has also fashioned 23 chances alongside recording a pass accuracy rate of 87.8%.
Liverpool wants to establish themselves as the dominant force in English football for years to come, so it makes sense to try to pip their rivals where possible to ensure quality reinforcements arrive at Anfield ahead of next season.
Manchester City are safely through to the FA Cup quarter-finals thanks to a 3-1 win at home to Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle.
This game had the potential to be a tricky one to navigate for the Citizens given the Pilgrims knocked out Premier League leaders Liverpool in the previous round.
As it happened, the visitors took the lead at the Etihad Stadium. It was a poor goal to concede from City’s point of view, as Argyle centre-back Maksym Talovierov found himself unmarked from a corner and rose highest to head home.
However, City did not have to wait too long for their equaliser. Youngster Nico O’Reilly levelled the game back up in first-half stoppage-time and got himself a second to give City the lead with 15 minutes left.
Pep Guardiola’s men sealed their place in the next round thanks to a goal from Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian, who put in an impressive performance, ran onto a through ball from talismanic striker Erling Haaland and poked home from just inside the six-yard box.
It was a professional performance on the whole from the Citizens, although one player who struggled at times was youngster James McAtee.
James McAtee's stats v Plymouth
Make no mistake, McAtee’s performance was by no means a poor one. However, the City ace, who operated in the No 10 role against the Championship outfit, did not really have a big influence on the game.
Manchester City'sJamesMcAteecelebrates after the match
That said, this was not through lack of effort. The midfielder, who was substituted on the hour mark for Haaland, worked incredibly hard, but simply struggled to get into the game.
McAtee’s stats from the game on Sofascore show just how tough of a match it was for him. The 22-year-old had just 35 touches, although he did manage to create two chances in that time.
Joe Krishnan, a journalist for The Express, gave the attacking midfielder a post-match rating of 6/10 for his efforts. He explained that he “looked bright in the early stages” and was “recognised with a warm ovation” upon his substitution.
It was certainly a mixed night for McAtee, although the same cannot be said for another City academy star who didn’t just outclass the academy graduate but also the great De Bruyne.
The Man City player who thrived most vs Plymouth
It was an excellent evening for Nico O’Reilly. The youngster has now played nine times for the first team this season following his performance against the Pilgrims, and has impressed with his ability on the ball and versatility.
On Saturday night, the youngster started at left-back, but he has also played at centre-back, across the midfield and even as a No 9 this term, which is certainly handy for Guardiola to rely on.
His goals were impressive, too. Both were headers from set-pieces, with the first a glancing effort from a De Bruyne cross that the goalkeeper got a hand to, but nothing more. O’Reilly’s was teed up by Phil Foden for his second, scoring with a towering effort at the back post from a corner.
The youngster’s stats from the game showed how big his influence was. He had 90 touches and completed 89% of his passes. The City left-back also made one clearance and one interception.
Stat
Total
Touches
90
Pass accuracy
89%
Passes completed
65/73
Shots on target
2
Goals
2
Clearances
1
Interceptions
1
Krishnan highlighted that O’Reilly had to grow into the game, pointing out that he “initially struggled to make the same impact” as Josko Gvardiol in an attacking sense. However, he gave him an 8/10 for what was ultimately a decisive performance.
O’Reilly is certainly an exciting talent and really feels like the future feature of the Citizens team for the coming years.
His ability to play anywhere required of him on the pitch and his capability of finding the net is extremely useful.
Nico O'Reilly for Manchester City
The 19-year-old has certainly not done his future first-team chances any harm after Saturday’s showing. Perhaps City will get used to the sight of him donning that famous sky blue shirt with Haaland and co on a more regular basis.
Man City hit the jackpot on £76m ace who has genuine Ballon d'Or potential
Leroy Sane has been warned that Bayern Munich will not increase their salary offer following the winger's shock change in agent during negotiations.
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Sane and Bayern were close to agreementWinger made surprise agent changeWarned against raising salary demandsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Sane and Bayern have been in talks over a contract extension for the Germany international, who recently suggested progress was being made before suddenly swapping his representative to Pini Zahavi. The 29-year-old will be a free agent come the end of June should he fail to pen a new deal soon.
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The change has derailed the contract talks, as Sane was reportedly close to an agreement with the club over a deal that would see him accept a pay cut. Now, though, his new agent is said to be demanding a massive signing bonus similar to the €20 million (£17m/$23m) they agreed to pay Alphonso Davies for his recent extension.
WHAT EBERL SAID
Bayern sporting director Max Eberl has reiterated the club's desire to reach an agreement, but says it would be wrong of Sane to change the terms of the deal.
"Our wish would be to continue. If [the financial terms] were to be exceeded it would be very difficult," he said. "There's no bad blood on my part, not even with Leroy."
He added: "We thought we were already very far along. [Increasing the demands] would not be right, otherwise it would become fashionable."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR SANE?
The uncertainty around Sane's situation at Bayern could see him leave the club this summer, with Arsenal said to be interested in bringing the former Manchester City player back to the Premier League.
Understrength Glamorgan outgunned in one-sided encounter at Kia Oval
ECB Reporters Network20-Jun-2023Surrey made their highest T20 score at the Kia Oval as they crushed understrength Glamorgan by 81 runs to chalk up a fifth win in their last six Vitality Blast South Group games.Opener Will Jacks top scored with 69, his third fifty in this season’s competition, and there were cameos from Laurie Evans (40) and Sunil Narine (36) to lay the platform for a brutal assault by the Curran brothers in the closing overs.Sam cleared the ropes six times as he smashed 59 off 22 balls and Tom contributed 23 off 13 as they plundered 80 runs from the last 33 deliveries before Sam was bowled looking to ramp Jamie McIlroy off the final ball of the innings. Surrey’s 238 for 5 was also the third highest score in their T20 history.Glamorgan, whose injury issues meant they gave debuts to three players, also conceded their third highest score in the format. They made 157 for 8 in reply but despite this defeat still have a chance of reaching the knockout stages with four games to go.With the influential Colin Ingram injured, Glamorgan have brought in New Zealand batter Cam Fletcher, 30, on a short-term basis. Fletcher has been playing in the Bradford League for New Farnley while batter Will Smale and right-armer Andy Govin were also making their debuts for the county in T20.Gorvin was the only bowler whose economy rate was below ten an over as Surrey, put in on a green-tinged pitch, cruised along at 12 an over for most of their innings.Jacks and Evans had 64 up in the powerplay before Evans, who made 118 when the teams met in Cardiff earlier this month, was superbly caught by wicketkeeper Chris Cooke cutting leg-spinner Peter Hatzoglou in the seventh over just when he was starting to cut loose.Glamorgan briefly stemmed the flow in the middle of the innings by claiming three wickets in 11 balls. Jacks, who’d hit eight fours and two sixes, cut to backward point and Sunil Narine (36 off 18) holed out to long off to give Hatzoglou two wickets in five balls. Jamie Overton top-edged a pull but that brought the Curran brothers together and the fun began.McIlroy was hit for five sixes in his final two overs and Hatzoglou two with Sam Curran unveiling some eye-catching shots and clean hitting, the highlight the successive sixes off McIlroy down the ground in the final over as he passed fifty in the format for the 14th time. His was also Surrey’s joint-third quickest fifty (18 balls) in T20.Asked to score at 12.25 an over Glamorgan had little option but attack but no one could play the substantial innings – or do so quickly enough – to give them a chance.Kiran Carlson was caught on the square-leg boundary in Sam Curran’s first over; fellow opener Smale hit 27 off 16 balls only to drive Gus Atkinson’s slower ball to Tom Curran at long on; and debutant wicketkeeper Josh Blake took a brilliant one-handed catch to his right to remove Sam Northeast.Billy Root (31) added 48 for the fourth wicket with Cooke, who top scored with 49 off 28 balls before holing out off Chris Jordan. The Surrey skipper finished with 4 for 21 and Narine picked up 2 for 25.
Phoebe Franklin’s half-century in vain as Nadine de Klerk and Nat Sciver-Brunt claim five wickets between them
ECB Reporters Network20-May-2023Georgie Boyce hit a brilliant unbeaten 63 to steer The Blaze to a five-wicket victory over the South East Stars in the opening round of the Charlotte Edwards Cup at Beckenham.Boyce played a pivotal innings as the visitors recovered from a mid-innings wobble to win with four balls to spare, cashing in on a number of dropped chances to close on 161 for 5 in reply to the Stars’ 160 for 8.Phoebe Franklin was the Stars’ top scorer, hitting 53 from 32 balls and when she removed Tammy Beaumont for 48 it sparked a mini-collapse that had made the hosts look favourites until Boyce intervened.Nadine de Klerk had The Blaze’s best bowling figures with 3 for 21 while Nat Sciver-Brunt took 2 for 46.The Blaze won the toss and chose to bowl at a blustery, overcast New County Ground, a decision that looked questionable when Bryony Smith smacked 14 off Grace Ballinger’s first over, but her quickfire innings came to an end when Kirstie Gordon had her caught on the long on boundary by Marie Kelly for 18.Ballinger then trapped Tash Farrant for a three-ball duck and Paige Scholfield was out for four, driving Scivrer-Brunt’s second ball to Sarah Glenn at cover.Sophia Dunkley led an aggressive but short-lived counterattack until Sarah Glenn bowled her for 20 and it was left to Franklin and Kira Chathli to rebuild the innings with a partnership of 68.Chathli should have been out for 22 but Glenn dropped a dolly off her own bowling, though she fell soon after when she tried to scoop de Klerk and was bowled for 24.Franklin brought up her 50 when she pulled Gordon through midwicket for a single but she was finally out in the 19th over when she dragged a Sciver-Brunt delivery onto her stumps.Alice Davidson-Richards took the Stars past 150 with an elegant pull off Sciver-Brunt for four, but she was bowled by de Klerk in the final over, also for 24.De Klerk’s next delivery pinged back Kalea Moore’s leg stump and although Freya Davies blocked out the hat-trick ball, she couldn’t scramble any additional runs.It looked a challenging total but Beaumont made an electrifying start to the chase, which included a huge six over cow corner. Her opening stand of 30 with Kelly was broken when the latter was snared by Davidson-Richards off Scholfield for five.Beaumont was on 42 when she misjudged a Franklin delivery and although Davies couldn’t take a difficult chance, a cluster of wickets tilted the momentum back in the Stars’ favour.The Blaze were on 6 for 1 in the ninth over when Scholfield had Sciver-Brunt caught for 19 near the midwicket boundary by Farrant and in the tenth Ryana MacDonald-Gay claimed the key wicket of Beaumont, who fell to a brilliant diving catch by Smith.In the 11th Davidson-Richards had Kathryn Bryce caught behind and Glenn then holed to Franklin and was caught on the boundary by Davidson-Richards for four.At 91 for 5 the Blaze were in deep trouble, but Boyce then took centre stage, reaching her 50 with a drive off Davies that was nearly caught at deep cover but went for two.De Klerk played the anchor role at the other end and herself survived a tough chance for caught behind off Davidson-Richards.The Blaze needed just two from the final over and de Klerk hit the winning runs when she carved Davidson-Richards through the covers.
“I am definitely old, you can’t really shy away from that, but however long I play, it’s very important to enjoy the IPL”
Ekanth21-Apr-2023MS Dhoni is 41 years old and has been part of 240 IPL games, but he came into this season after close to a year-long gap following last year’s edition. He knows he’s at the twilight of his career, but believes that it will not stop him from cherishing every moment of a tournament he has won four times with Chennai Super Kings.”[I am] Definitely old, you know, you can’t really shy away from that. Whatever said and done, it’s [the] last phase of my career,” Dhoni said after leading Super Kings to victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Chepauk.But he put a positive spin on the situation by drawing upon the loyal and vigorous support of his fans in Chennai, who came out in droves and sent out a cheer so loud that Dhoni had to wait before he could speak.Related
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“However long I play, it’s very important to enjoy the IPL. After two years, it has been a case where they [the crowd] can come [and] enjoy the game. It’s a full house, they have the new stand, so it feels good to play here.”And I said at the start of the tournament, we haven’t played in Chennai a lot, we have only played like six seasons. So it feels good to be here. They have given a lot of love and affection, and they always stay back to hear me out.”This year, Dhoni has had to mentor a mostly young bowling line-up with limited experience. On Friday, it featured the likes of Akash Singh, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande and Matheesha Pathirana, who bowled 14 of the 20 overs. While Ravindra Jadeja did the bulk of the damage by taking three wickets, Dhoni trusted Akash and Deshpande with the new ball and used spin to tie down the batters in the middle overs. Super Kings conceded 60 runs and took two wickets between overs 6 and 16, including a 36-ball period where no boundaries were scored. When asked about his methods of guiding the youngsters, Dhoni said he offers the first say to the bowlers.”I always tell them that the first preference of field and whatever you want to bowl is with you. Yes, you can convey to me, I may say that, ‘no, I am looking for something like this.’ Other than that, from behind, if the batter is somebody who can play the scoop shot behind, then I try to tell them, ‘okay, we’ll keep the fielder behind then bring in some other fielder on the top.”With [Dwayne] Bravo it was difficult because he would never agree. But the good thing was he would keep an eye on the batters. But with these youngsters, you can tell them, and after that it is their call as to what field they want.”When asked about his wicketkeeping despite his age and lack of game time coming into the tournament, Dhoni let out his competitive spirit by half-jokingly complaining about not being awarded the best catch award for his take to dismiss Aiden Markram. Dhoni, standing up to the stumps, had little time to react and was wrong-footed, but managed to move his hands across and take a sharp catch.”Still they didn’t give the best catch [award], I was in such a wrong position,” Dhoni said. “Just because you wear gloves, people think it’s very easy but I felt that was a fantastic catch. Not because of your ability but at times you’re at the wrong place at the wrong time when you catch it.”
Barcelona could be set for another outing in last season's third kit due to La Liga's strict regulations.
Barca are likely to wear their 2024-25 third kit against LevanteLa Liga has ruled that all three of Barca's new kits clash with Levante's home stripThis is the second consecutive match they has faced this issueFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Barcelona are expected to wear their third kit from the 2024-25 season for their upcoming La Liga match against Levante, according to a report from Sport. The issue arises from La Liga's 'Kit Selector' process, which has determined that all three of Barcelona's new kits for the 2025-26 campaign clash with the home strip of their opponents. This follows Hansi Flick's side having to use the same lime-green strip in their opening day victory over Mallorca for the same reason.
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The situation means the reigning La Liga champions could play their first two matches of the new season without wearing any of their new kits. La Liga's regulations are designed to prevent chromatic clashes and ensure maximum visibility for television audiences and officials. Despite having a traditional home kit, an away strip, and a yet-to-be-released orange third kit, none have been deemed suitable for the fixture at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia.
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The lime-green kit Barcelona are being forced to re-use is the same one they wore during their Champions League semi-final defeat against Inter last season, a strip that holds some painful memories for the club's supporters.
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Flick's side travel to face Levante on Saturday evening, where they will likely take to the pitch in last season's colours. The club will be hoping the kit issue is resolved ahead of their third match of the season, an away trip to Rayo Vallecano. Barcelona were able to wear their home kit at Vallecas last season, suggesting they should finally be able to debut a new strip.