نجح فريق شباب بلوزداد الجزائري، في تسجيل هدف التقدم أمام الأهلي، خلال المباراة الجارية حاليًا بينهما ضمن منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.
ويلتقي شباب بلوزداد مع نظيره الأهلي، على أرضية استاد 5 يوليه بالعاصمة الجزائرية، في الجولة الرابعة لدور المجموعات من المسابقة القارية.
وسجل خاسف نوفل محمد هدف التقدم لفريقه شباب بلوزداد في الدقيقة 90+1 بعد كرة عرضية قابلها محمد عزي بتسديدة من داخل منطقة الجزاء تصدى لها الشناوي ثم تابعها اللاعب مرة أخرى بتصويبة سكنت الشباك.
طالع أيضاً.. مباشر بالفيديو | مباراة الأهلي وشباب بلوزداد في دوري أبطال إفريقيا
ويتواجد فريقا الأهلي وشباب بلوزداد، في المجموعة الثالثة لبطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، مع أندية أورلاندو الجنوب إفريقي واستاد أبيدجان الإيفواري. هدف شباب بلوزداد الأول أمام الأهلي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا
A BBC pundit has described a potential exit rumour surrounding one West Brom hero as "crazy", with his Hawthorns future up in the air at the moment.
West Brom's January transfer plans
The Baggies may have lost 2-1 away to Southampton in their last Championship game, but they still find themselves in a good position to finish in the playoff places this season. Granted, they have just slipped out of those positions and into seventh place currently, but they are only behind Sunderland on goal difference, and look primed to continue their good run for the rest of the campaign.
When the January transfer window opens in the New Year, there will be a chance for West Brom to bring in some new faces, with Barnsley midfielder Callum Styles seen as a transfer target. On the flip side, Baggies midfielder Tom Fellows has been linked with a move away from the club in January, with his contract at the Hawthorns expiring next summer.
Tom Fellows West Brom exit claim
Speaking to Football League World, BBC pundit and former England international Carlton Palmer described talk of Fellows potentially leaving West Brom as "crazy".
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"Tom Fellows, West Brom's talented young forward, is attracting attention from elsewhere. West Brom are working hard to get Tom to commit to a new long-term contract and are hopeful of doing so.
"Tom's contract expires in the summer – I can't understand why West Brom have put themselves in such a difficult position before the January transfer window, it's just crazy. Before he commits to a new long-term contract, I'm sure Tom will want assurances about much-needed game-time.
"West Bromwich Albion need to do everything in their power to get him to sign a new contract – failing that they need to sell him in the January transfer window, which would be a huge blow for the club given he has come through the youth ranks and the academy and the money that's been invested in him.
"I really can't believe that clubs are still at this moment in time are not securing the services of talented young players on long contracts, and then putting themselves in the position that WBA have currently done."
Palmer is spot on in his assessment that West Brom have played the situation surrounding Fellows' future badly, with the 20-year-old now in a position where he could look for a new challenge and even leave for free at the end of the season, if he doesn't sign a new deal.
Appearances
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The Englishman has been hailed as "very quick" by Baggies manager Carlos Corberan, and still has so much to give the team, even if Fellows' statistics so far this season show that he has only made seven appearances in all competitions, all of which have been from the substitutes' bench.
While the youngster leaving in January wouldn't necessarily be the end of the world in the short-term for West Brom, they should be looking to keep hold of their best emerging talent, so losing him would have to be considered a blow, especially if it was to a rival.
The new CSA CEO outlined his immediate financial goals in his first press briefing after being confirmed in the role in a permanent capacity
Firdose Moonda17-Jul-2018Minimising losses in the 2019-2022 cycle, and delivering a successful domestic 20-over competition are top of the agenda for new Cricket South Africa CEO Thabang Moroe as he begins a three-year term. Moroe, who had been serving in an acting capacity since September last year, was confirmed in a permanent capacity on Monday evening. In a wide-ranging first press briefing that followed, he outlined the financial goals he needs to meet to ensure CSA’s success.”The one mandate was to make sure the next four-year cycle, which is [projected to be] in a loss-making cycle of R800 million (US$60.3 million), make sure I bring that to below R500 million (US$37.7 million). Luckily, through relationships I have built, we have managed to reduce that loss by over R400 million (US$30.15 million), so CSA is looking good,” Moroe said. “The personal target I have set myself is to totally scrap that loss. I think that is possible. I would like to leave CSA in a healthy financial situation.”CSA will make losses due to the tours they will host from the 2018-19 summer – Zimbabwe, Pakistan and Sri Lanka – and the fact that they will not host India, who always provide a profitable visit, until the 2022-2023 season. While Moroe is in the process of negotiating additional fixtures, he said it is “not going to be easy, given how the FTP is situated”.Instead, CSA will look inwards in its search for greater profits, and at their 20-over tournament, which was conceptualised as a way to allow the organisation to rely less on the FTP for financial security. To date, however, the tournament has only cost CSA.After an elaborate launch, subsequent postponement and player payouts, which amounted to USD 14.1 million, CSA now faces legal action from some of the franchise owners, who are demanding compensation for their costs. The bill could run into many more millions, but CSA have already embarked on a new competition, after signing an equity deal with satellite broadcaster SuperSport, who also bought the rights for the competition.”It has been a lot of hard work trying to revive the postponed T20 league,” Moreo admitted. “We are changing it [from privately-owned franchises] and we have signed an equity model with SuperSport. We have sold the broadcast right to SuperSport. We will announce all the other commercial deals as far as sponsorship of the league is concerned in due course.”Moroe is confident the league will be held this year and said CSA is “sticking to our timelines” as far as planning is concerned. He said expressions of interest for players will be sent out on July 30. Moroe could not confirm when CSA would meet with the aggrieved owners, but ESPNcricinfo understands that there are plans for a get-together in early August. And, as he has done before, Moroe did not close the door on their involvement, although he has now indicated that it may only come at a later stage.”There are issues of trust [with the owners]. You can pick that up in terms of what the previous owners have been saying. The only way to bridge that gap is to sit down and talk face-to-face,” Moroe said. “As far as them getting involved is concerned, our stance is pretty clear, together with SuperSport. We want to work this thing from the ground up, we want to build it up, build a certain level of value so that when the opportunity comes for equity – whether it be selling our own equity as far as ownership of the entire league is concerned, or equity in the form of purchasing teams – then we know what it is that we are selling and we know the right value and we know how people are going to make their monies back because these people are investing.”Because CSA and SuperSport have yet to iron out all those details themselves, it is unlikely the franchise owners will have the chance to be part of the league immediately, as Moroe hinted. “Until we get to the point of knowing how much it is going to cost to run a team here in South Africa, how much you are going to get from a sponsorship, what you should be paying from a stadium hosting point of view, what is it that you are going to give CSA in terms of a license, we can’t give that entire picture,” he said. “Should that opportunity arise, we will be looking to sell equity in teams and we will try and get owners involved. This is, after all, the necessary processes of vetting and due diligence.”Away from the profile of a T20 competition, Moroe also wants to concentrate on the existing domestic game, which will be expanded to eight franchises “probably” next season. “We need to go through a thorough and transparent exercise in terms of measuring who those teams will be awarded to,” Moroe said.
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is a popular guy.
Ohtani was set to speak with the media Monday afternoon in Arlington, Texas, ahead of Tuesday night's 2024 MLB All-Star Game at Globe Life Field. When it was announced Ohtani would be taking the microphone, a stampede of reporters, camera operators and other media members sprinted over to the area to get a good shot of the press conference.
Nobody draws a crowd like the 30-year-old two-way phenom.
Ohtani was voted as a starter in the National League's designated hitter slot in his fourth career All-Star Game. He'll bat second in NL manager Torey Lovullo's lineup behind Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte and ahead of Philadelphia Phillies slugger Trea Turner.
In 94 games for the Dodgers this season, Ohtani is batting .316/.400/.635 while leading the NL with 29 homers. Over his first three career All-Star Games while suiting up for the AL, Ohtani collected one hit and two walks in six plate appearances.
da poker： We may have only just about gotten over that penalty miss against France in Qatar, but the world of football waits for no man, and we are now just seven months away from the 2024 edition of the European Championships, which will be hosted in Germany.
da pixbet： With that in mind, we here at Football FanCast have decided to take a look at the XI the Independent thought would win us the World Cup last year.
They may have made these picks a decade ago, and as we all know, prediction is a fool's game, but blimey, some of these picks are, well, let's just say, interesting.
So, let's take a look.
12 Goalkeeper – Jack Butland Rangers – Nine Caps
Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland
Okay, so as predictions go, we reckon this was a pretty smart one, and the Independent certainly weren't the only ones tipping a young Jack Butland to achieve great things for both club and country.
In 2013, the Bristol-born shot-stopper earned himself an exciting move to Stoke City after impressing for Birmingham City in the Championship. However, some dodgy loan spells at Barnsley, Leeds United and Derby County damaged his reputation, and after spending seven injury-ridden years with the Potters, he finally moved to Crystal Palace.
Unfortunately, he fared no better in the capital.
After three years that saw him make just ten Premier League appearances for the Eagles and spend six months on loan at Manchester United, he again moved on to find more playing time.
In June 2023, he joined Scottish giants Rangers, and while the team have struggled somewhat this season, Butland has been one of their stand-out performers and looks to have finally found a massive team in which he can excel.
In terms of his international career, he has earned nine senior England caps, the last of which came in 2018 against Switzerland, and we reckon that'll likely be his final cap for the Three Lions as well.
Not a bad prediction, just one hampered by injuries and what could have been.
11 Left-back – Luke Shaw Manchester United – 31 Caps
Manchester United defender Luke Shaw.
Now, while there are primarily misses on this list, including Luke Shaw, a decade ago is an unequivocal hit.
Not only has the full-back become England's starting left-back, he has also become one of the first names on the team sheet at Manchester United.
Shaw was still playing for Southampton at the time of this prediction and would spend another year down on the south coast, so this really was a great shout.
Shaw picked up his first senior cap for the Three Lions in May 2014 in a friendly against Denmark, and were it not for a litany of injuries in the intervening nine years, he would undoubtedly have many more today.
He might not have helped us win the World Cup last year, but he still could one day, right?
10 Centre-back – Nathaniel Chalobah West Bromwich Albion – One Cap
The first of our two centre-backs now, and while there was certainly some logic to picking Nathaniel Chalobah at the time, given his vast experience in the youth setup, it's still a pretty big miss.
At the time, the young defender was still at Chelsea, but with it almost impossible for him to break through then, he opted to leave in search of regular minutes.
He would go on several loans in the next few years, spending time at Burnley, Reading and even Napoli, before finally leaving on a permanent deal when he joined Watford in 2017.
Four years with the Hornets was followed by two with Fulham before he then signed for his current team, West Bromwich Albion.
He has only made one senior appearance for the Three Lions, and worse still, it was for just a single minute in a 2018 Nations League game against Spain.
9 Centre-back – Phil Jones Without a club – 27 Caps
This, again, wasn't the worst of calls; if anything, Phil Jones would likely have many more senior caps were he not so injury-prone.
His England debut came in a European qualifier against Montenegro in 2011, and in the following seven years, he would pick up 26 more, with his final two coming in the 2018 World Cup.
Jones was playing for Manchester United at the time of the prediction and was still seen as someone with sky-high potential, so we'll let them off with this pick.
8 Right-back – Chris Smalling Roma – 31 Caps
We are onto their last defensive prediction here, and you know what? It's another that doesn't look as bad as it could have in retrospect.
That said, at right-back? Not sure about that.
At the time, Chris Smalling had only been at Manchester United for two seasons, and while he wasn't playing every minute of Premier League action, he certainly looked good.
Ultimately, though, he would never fulfil his potential at Old Trafford, and the last few years of his time there were rather bleak. Had we looked back at this prediction then, we might have been a little harsher.
However, a loan move to Roma in summer 2020 revitalised the former Fulham man, and following a stellar season, he moved there on a permanent deal the following year and has looked class ever since.
His first England cap came in 2011 against Bulgaria, and his last in 2017 against Scotland.
7 Left midfield – Wilfried Zaha Galatasaray – Two Caps
Okay then, here we are, the first objective, undeniable stinker on this list, and it's only made all the funnier by the fact that the player is a regular international now, just for the wrong country.
Is there a way to be more off the mark than that?
Now, to be fair to them, Wilfried Zaha was and is an incredibly talented footballer, and we can't fault the Independent for predicting a bright international future for him at the time, but come on, the fact that they were correct, just for the wrong country is very amusing.
Zaha is currently plying his trade for Turkish giants Galatasaray, and after a slow start, he is tearing it up for them both domestically and in the Champions League.
His only two caps for Three Lions came in 2012 and 2013, totalling a massive 20 minutes of game time – we can see why he chose the Ivory Coast, to be fair.
6 Central midfielder – Jack Wilshere Retired – 34 Caps
Okay, so we are back to pretty reasonable predictions now. There was a general expectation that Jack Wilshere would be at the heart of England's midfield for the foreseeable future back in 2013, as by that point, he was firmly established as one of Arsenal's best players.
He was a fantastically gifted footballer, but one that was seemingly made of glass.
The tenacious midfielder was blighted with injuries throughout his short career and missed a shocking 315 competitive games between 2009 and 2020, averaging out at around 28 a season, per Transfermarkt.
Jack Wilshere will always be one of the quintessential 'what if' players.
Oh, and he's been retired for over a year, which would make his inclusion in an England team somewhat challenging.
5 Central midfielder – Ross Barkley Luton Town – 33 Caps
Oh dear, we are firmly back in missterritory again with the inclusion of former Everton and Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley.
We have to be somewhat fair and grant that back in 2013, Barkley was looking like one of the best up-and-coming midfielders in the Premier League, but following his move to Chelsea in January 2018, he seemed to regress into half the player he was for the Toffees.
He would make just 100 appearances across all competitions for the Blues in the four-and-a-half years before joining OGC Nice last September. Unfortunately for the 29-year-old, that move also failed, and he joined Luton Town on a one-year deal this summer.
We reckon his most recent cap against Bulgaria in 2019 might be his last.
4 Right midfield – Jordan Ibe Ebbsfleet United FC – Four Caps
The misses keep coming, and this might be the biggest yet, former Liverpool and Bournemouth winger Jordan Ibe.
While we can see where they were coming from for a lot of these picks, we really can't wrap our heads around this one. At the time of publishing their article, Ibe had made just a single senior appearance for the Reds, and while he was highly thought of, there were other more obvious choices.
Since then, Ibe moved to the Cherries for four years before cycling through several clubs, including Derby County, Turkish second division side Adanaspor, and his current side, National League outfit Ebbsfleet United.
We hope he can rediscover his form of old and fight his way back up the pyramid, but another England cap might just be a step too far.
3 Striker – Daniel Sturridge Unattached – 26 Caps
This is another choice we can't really fault them for making at the time, as the 2013/14 season was probably Daniel Sturridge's peak as a player, and to give him credit, it was an impressive one.
In 29 Premier League appearances, he scored 22 goals and provided nine assists as he formed a deadly partnership with Luis Suárez that almost won Liverpool the league.
However, as with Wilshere, injuries got the best of him, and he never reached the same heights again. He was last playing for Australian side Perth Glory but had his contract terminated after six games that brought no goals, again in part due to injury.
His 26th cap, which came against Lithuania in 2017, will likely be his last as he is still without a club.
da leao： After faltering last season, Liverpool have come roaring back this time around to put themselves firmly in title contention alongside the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal, with Jurgen Klopp’s men currently just a point off the top with just one defeat in 12 Premier League outings thus far.
da doce： Such form is a far cry from the limp showings that saw the Merseysiders slip out of the top four last term, with a repeat scenario now looking increasingly unlikely, even with a competitive chasing pack that includes the likes of Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Manchester United.
With his side currently in a strong position in those coveted Champions League berths, Klopp certainly won’t be getting complacent, however, with fresh reinforcements perhaps needed in January to help maintain this impressive momentum.
With that in mind – and with transfer rumours already beginning to swirl with the winter window looming – here’s a look at how the Anfield outfit could line up come February, if a handful of key signings are to be made…
1 GK – Alisson
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.
It would take something frankly remarkable for Alisson not to still be the undisputed first-choice under Klopp in 2024, with the Brazilian colossus having deservedly cemented his place as the go-to man in the sticks ever since his arrival from Roma back in 2018.
Lauded as the “best in the world” by teammate Andy Robertson, the 31-year-old has conceded just ten goals in the league so far this season, helping his side to record the joint-best defensive record in the division – alongside the Gunners.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is another who has been a regular fixture in the side during a golden period under Klopp for Liverpool, having now chalked up 16 goals and a staggering 75 assists in 287 appearances for the club at senior level.
The academy graduate has yet again been an attacking outlet form his full-back berth this season with three assists in 14 games in all competitions, having also relished the opportunity to take on an inverted role at times in the middle of the park.
While an able deputy could well be needed – with usual centre-back Joe Gomez the only other senior option at right-back – any January addition is incredibly unlikely to dislodge the Englishman from his starting berth.
3 CB – Goncalo Inacio
The first new face in this hypothetical XI is Sporting CP and Portugal’s Goncalo Inacio, with both the Reds – and rivals Manchester United – said to be scouting the promising centre-back ahead of a possible future swoop.
With Ibrahima Konate regularly hampered by injury and with Joel Matip currently in the final year of his contract, a new addition in that department could be essential, even despite the club’s impressive defensive record of late.
In the 22-year-old Inacio, Klopp could find a long-term solution at the heart of the backline, with the in-demand ace particularly adept at playing out from the back, as he ranks in at least the top 2% for attempted passes, progressive passes and progressives carries per 90 among those in his position in leagues comparable to the Primeira Liga.
4 CB – Virgil van Dijk
The newly-appointed captain following the departure of Jordan Henderson over the summer, Virgil van Dijk remains a truly influential and imperious presence at centre-back.
Described by Ben Foster as the “best defender that has ever lived” when in his pomp, the towering Dutchman may have lost a “yard off pace” since his ACL injury back in 2020 – as per Foster – yet he is still integral in helping to marshal a watertight defence.
While currently sidelined with a shoulder injury, the expectation is that Robertson will be able to make an eagerly-awaited return in the new year, with Klopp currently having to rely on Kostas Tsimikas or Gomez to fill the void at left-back.
Like his colleague on the opposite side – Alexander-Arnold – the Scotland skipper is also a regular attacking outlet down the flanks, having notably averaged 2.6 key passes per game this season in the Premier League, more than any of his teammates.
6 CDM – Joao Palhinha
Having seen Fabinho depart for the riches of Saudi Arabia over the summer, the Reds are still seeking a quality solution at the base of the midfield, with 30-year-old summer signing, Wataru Endo, yet to truly convince after starting just two league games this term.
As such, with recent reports linking the club with a move for Fulham’s Joao Palhinha – who is valued at £70m – Klopp could well find that missing piece of the puzzle, with the Portuguese menace an undoubted “monster” in the centre of the park – as hailed by broadcaster Adrian Clarke.
Rumours are rife regarding Fluminense’s Andre, but Palhinha has already shown his class in English football, notably ranking at the top of the charts for the most tackles made in the division in 2023/24.
That addition could well spell bad news for Alexis Mac Allister, with the World Cup winner – who has lined up in that deeper role this season – seemingly not a natural fit as a midfield destroyer, with his average of 3.8 tackles and interceptions per game in the league this term simply dwarfed by Palhinha (6.9).
7 CM – Dominik Szoboszlai
tyler-morton-dominik-szoboszlai-liverpool-opinion
As the Hungarian has himself admitted, there is already talk that the former RB Leipzig man is the “new Steven Gerrard” following a blistering start to life at Anfield, the 23-year-old having scored twice and recorded two assists so far this season.
With the likes of Henderson, James Milner and Naby Keita having moved on to pastures new in the most recent window, the £60m man has provided a delightful, youthful exuberance in the centre of the park and looks like a figure to build the side around for years to come.
8 CM – Ryan Gravenberch
wataru-endo-ryan-gravenberch-liverpool-opinion
With so many options in central midfield – including the likes of Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott – it is a tricky ask trying to settle on a figure to round off this trio, yet Ryan Gravenberch could well get the nod.
The one-time Ajax man has had to bide his time for a regular role in the side, yet has begun to flourish in a Liverpool jersey, having even been likened to a certain Patrick Vieira by club legend, Jamie Carragher.
With the sturdy presence of Palhinha behind him, the Dutchman would be able to bomb forward at will – with such attacking quality having been seen by his two goals in three Europa League games this season.
9 RW – Mohamed Salah
Liverpool forward Mo Salah.
While the question remains as to whether Saudi interest will be renewed in Mohamed Salah in January, it would be a real shock if the Egyptian was allowed to depart midway through the campaign, particularly amid Liverpool’s strong league position.
In the event that the former Roma man does stay put, Klopp will be able to continue to rely on his main source of goals and creativity, with the 31-year-old already posting ten goals and four assists in 12 league outings to date.
10 ST – Darwin Nunez
Liverpool's Darwin Nunez.
There is no question that Liverpool still need more from Darwin Nunez – as he has already missed ten big chances in the top-flight this term – yet the Uruguayan does appear to be making impressive strides in his second season at Anfield, with seven goals and six assists in all competitions.
The former Benfica man does have competition from the likes of Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota, although he is the more natural centre-forward of the trio, with Klopp likely to continue to place faith in his club-record capture.
Tottenham Hotspur have been in fine fettle since the summer break and look to have drawn the curtain on an interminable period of instability preceding Ange Postecoglou's summer appointment.
The Australian gaffer was plucked from Scottish Premiership champions Celtic and has swiftly built the framework for lasting success in north London.
Last season, Tottenham finished eighth in the Premier League in what was the club's lowest final standing since 2009, having dismissed esteemed manager Antonio Conte in March and sold world-class talisman and club record scorer Harry Kane to Bayern Munich in August.
The sale of Kane was more than just a bitter pill to swallow, but if Postecoglou's preparations were dented by the situation then such has not been seen on the exterior, with Spurs barrelling into title contention and currently topping the league table after eight matches.
Several formerly struggling stars such as Heung-min Son (now club captain), Cristian Romero and Yves Bissouma have been transformed and very much look fit for purpose at the heart of a burgeoning squad, the latter man, in particular, having been the club's "best, most consistent player" this time around, according to pundit Micah Richards.
Equally, acquisitions of James Maddison, Micky van de Ven and Gugliemo Vicario – a list which is not exhaustive – are proving to be revelations, adding dimensions to create a new, exciting culture.
Another fresh face, Destiny Udogie, was actually signed from Italian side Udinese in 2022 for an initial £15m but spent the 2022/23 campaign back on loan in the Serie A.
However, having been described as a "beast" by Maddison for his stunning start to the present season, the 20-year-old looks to be the left-back addition that the club has been searching for since Danny Rose plied his trade several years ago, while he was at his best.
When did Tottenham sign Danny Rose?
In 2007, Tottenham signed 17-year-old prospect Rose from Leeds United, with the youngster having never featured for the Elland Road side's first-team but held in high regard as one of English football's most talented of his age group.
He made a truly emphatic entrance, rifling the most delightful and satisfying of debut goals against Arsenal on his Premier League debut in 2010.
It's all the more commendable considering the fact that the 5 foot 8 whiz has only scored ten times across the entirety of his professional club career, with that sole league appearance of the campaign resulting in a goal of the highest distinction.
How good was Danny Rose?
Immensely talented, Rose has suffered from incessant injury problems across the majority of his professional career, having never once played more than 30 Premier League matches in one term.
In total, he completed 213 appearances for Tottenham, scoring nine goals and supplying 29 assists, very much a stalwart having spent more than a decade within the first-team squad, particularly important during the golden days of Mauricio Pochettino's reign.
At his best, Rose was combative, enterprising and tenacious, a veritable hive of energy and integral to the fluidity of his squad, with journalist Ryan Rosenblatt once saying: "Whether he's at left back or midfield, or Spurs are comfortable or getting worked, Rose has thrown everything he has at every run, header, tackle and pass. He's a damn hero."
But, as stated, he never quite managed to unearth the formula to regularity on the pitch, instead hindered by his injuries, and with this in mind, it is poignant that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy failed to convince Manchester United to secure his services in 2018.
Should Tottenham have sold Danny Rose to Manchester United?
Rose had just enjoyed significant success across the 2016/17 Premier League season, recording an average of 1.4 key passes, 2.8 tackles and 2.9 clearances per game, succeeding with 58% of his frequent dribbles and 60% of his contested duels, as per Sofascore.
However, the late phase of the campaign saw the 29-cap England international confined to the sidelines, with a knee injury playing detriment to his progress on the pitch for much of 2017.
This did not stop Manchester United from registering a concrete interest, with manager Jose Mourinho unimpressed by Luke Shaw's injury issues and earmarking the Spurs full-back to cement his place as the starring left-back at Old Trafford.
According to the Sun, Manchester United were ready to pay £50m for the dynamo in 2017, and were considering advancing their intrigue in January 2018.
However, in June 2018, after another season of inconsistency on the fitness front, it was revealed that Mourinho was no longer enamoured with the prospect of securing Rose's signature, having instead signed dynamic defender Diogo Dalot from Porto for around £19m, with the 19-year-old Portuguese player deemed a more prudent long-term investment.
Well, it has to be said that this was probably the right move to have made, with the Red Devil transfer interest seemingly signalling the end to the former Spurs star's impressive feats on the pitch.
Injuries and a loss of form have been detrimental over the past few years, and, now aged 33, Rose is unemployed and last played professional football with Watford in the late days of 2021.
He only managed eight Premier League appearances during the 2020/21 season with the Hornets, having signed after the conclusion of his Tottenham contract, with December proving to be the final time he would grace the grass.
Previously branded "abysmal” by pundit Roy Keane, Rose's decline was a sad thing to see and, now unemployed having rejected interest from Greek side AEK Athens in 2022, now looks to have ended his career at the very highest level.
To think that Tottenham could have rinsed Man United for a staggering sum but ultimately lost Rose for absolutely nothing is indeed something that will rankle Levy.
And while Tottenham are flourishing at present, had this situation been conducted in a more diligent manner, the issues surrounding the left-back position could have been solved by the reinvestment from a £50m sale.
Daniel Farke is finally starting to find his feet at Leeds United, having initially got off to a difficult start. Now, as the international break comes to an end, the new boss will hope to see his side's recent momentum continue in the Championship as they square off against his former club, Norwich City. It would be some statement from the Whites if they were to beat the Canaries this weekend – three points would lay down a serious show of intent.
As the season goes on, and games come thick and fast, we may start to see Farke experiment to keep his squad fresh, and that could include trying one particular young player in a new role, handing him more game-time.
Leeds United team news
The Yorkshire club have been boosted by the fact that the international break didn't leave them with too much to worry about on the injury front, giving them every chance to kick on and cement themselves as promotion hopefuls in the Championship this season. Injuries could yet result in the emergence of a new star, however, or perhaps even a role change. And the latest Charlie Cresswell news suggests that could be the case for the central defender. Or, at least, that's what Graham Smyth believes.
Speaking on Inside Elland Road, Smyth said: “It will be a really interesting time in January. You don’t know if someone might pick up an injury. It almost feels to me like two need to pick up injuries for Cresswell to get a start right now because I think Farke plays Cooper, Struijk and Rodon before he plays Cresswell, that’s how it feels at the minute.
“But then who saw Archie Gray playing right-back? So Farke has maybe got a surprise up his sleeve, he’s maybe got a role for Cresswell or a game for Cresswell. But if the situation remains as it is, then he’s got a decision in January.”
How many games has Charlie Cresswell played this season?
Former Millwall loanee Charlie Cresswell.
Struggling for minutes, Cresswell has featured just six times for Leeds this season, starting just three times. At 21-years-old, the defender will be aware that his time will come, but for the sake of his development, Cresswell may need to adjust under Farke in order to receive a place in his starting side. After a successful loan spell at Millwall last season, the youngster's struggle at Leeds has come as a surprise, but last season shows that he is more than capable of taking his chance when it comes.
Cresswell earned plenty of praise at The Den, including from former Millwall boss Gary Rowett, who told South London Press: “Knowing his dad and the character he had, you can see that in the lad as well. He’s been brought up really well with a real hunger for work-rate. He’s an aggressive boy who wants to fight, I think that’s why Millwall was something they were very, very keen on even though they had some very good other options.
“A loan player wants to know they’ll get a fair chance and what you’re offering is actually what it says on the tin – not just to try and get the player into our club. He’s not going to be our player at the end of it, he’s going to be Leeds’ player, so we’ve got to do the best job we can along the way.”
Everton are back in Premier League action once again today, as they welcome Luton Town to Goodison Park for the first time since 2006.
Sean Dyche will be hoping to capitalise on the returning feel-good factor instigated by their back-to-back away victories, and claim a first of the season on home soil.
Who could start for Everton vs Luton Town?
For once, the former Burnley boss seems like he will enjoy a relatively clean bill of health for today's clash, which will not be as easy as the league table suggests.
The newly-promoted side sit 18th, having picked up their first and only point of the term last weekend against Wolverhampton Wanderers. However, as a solid and hard-working side, it will take some doing to unlock what will be a very defensive outfit.
31/10/07 – Luton Town vs Everton
1-0 W
24/10/06 – Everton vs Luton Town
4-0 W
14/03/1992 – Everton vs Luton Town
1-1 D
02/11/91 – Luton Town vs Everton
1-0 W
04/05/91 – Everton vs Luton Town
1-0 W
Jack Harrison impressed on his midweek debut at Villa Park, with a tireless display that also boasted two key passes, whilst Dominic Calvert-Lewin continued his return to form with a second goal in as many games to finish off the cup tie.
Meanwhile, the new 5-2-3 formation clearly paid dividends on the road, and poses a key tactical decision that Dyche will have to make going into this match.
However, one thing he certainly must do is recall Dwight McNeil, with the winger now well-rested and ready to provide the killer blow that could place another nail into the Hatters' coffin.
How good is Dwight McNeil?
Having suffered through an injury-hit start to the season, the 23-year-old returned to his old ways with a key assist last weekend as the travelling Toffees toppled Brentford.
It marked the first goal contribution of the term for the winger, who will seek to better his fine tally of seven goals and three assists in the league from last campaign, which made him the club's top scorer.
Given the firepower he is set to enjoy throughout the coming year, in which hopefully the club will have a fully fit Calvert-Lewin and the newly-acquired Beto to aim at, there is every chance of boosting those creative numbers.
Especially if Dyche is to deploy them both, which there have been murmurs about. In fact, the 52-year-old manager was asked about the possibility, and replied positively:
"I've always liked playing with two strikers when possible but it's got to suit the rest of the team as well".
Then, the former Blades marksman weighed in on such a notion:
"He’s [Beto] a physical presence and I’ve really enjoyed training with him. We’ve had a few conversations between ourselves about us being on the pitch at the same time and how that will look, and how we can make that work".
It seems they are gearing towards a potential strike partnership, with there no better time to trial such an attack-minded move than at home to a side completely bereft of confidence.
Beto scored ten goals last season in the Serie A and has already opened his Everton account with a fine finish against Doncaster Rovers in the cup.
His work rate and physicality promises to endear him to Evertonians with ease, and to see his 6 foot 4 frame lining up beside the 6 foot 2 Calvert-Lewin would be a frightening prospect for the opposition.
Especially given McNeil, who during the 2021/22 campaign ranked second for most successful dribbles (90) and third for most crosses (199), has form of firing in wicked deliveries which could cause havoc.
It should come as no surprise that the £20m maverick has been lauded as a "special player" in the past by journalist Andy Jones.
They will seldom get a better opportunity to trial a system that the fans would love to see, and so Beto must start alongside the tricky winger, both earning recalls.
Virdi, a 19-year-old offspinner, claimed Hashim Amla and James Vince in one over as Surrey pressed for victory at The Oval
Paul Edwards at Kia Oval22-Apr-20182:57
Defending champions Essex off the mark
ScorecardOn the first day of this game few things looked as unlikely as a declaration. Yet at 2.51pm on the third afternoon Surrey skipper Rory Burns beckoned Matt Dunn back to the pavilion thereby setting Hampshire 472 to win in something like 140 overs. Burns’ decision was prompted by the dismissal of 20-year-old Ollie Pope, whose 145 might have been the spectators’ chief memory of this day had not Amar Virdi, an even younger Surrey cricketer, complemented his achievement.As Pope walked off the Oval outfield he was given a warm ovation and the applause punctuated the sirenned air. By the close, however, Surrey supporters were also acclaiming Virdi, a 19-year-old offspinner from Chiswick, who had trapped both Hashim Amla and James Vince leg before in his fourth over. Those wickets have done much to ensure the likelihood of a Surrey victory; Hampshire were 116 for 4 when bad light trimmed 9.1 overs off the day. Moreover, Virdi’s success was engagingly celebrated by a joyous bowler who plainly respected the stature of his victims. Instead of crude send-offs, there was boyish delight. Thank you.There was nothing terribly fortuitous about the spinner’s success: Virdi bowls with a brave loop, a high arm and he spins the ball. The delivery which dismissed Amla kept low but that which removed Vince turned appreciably. The significance of the wickets was increased by the fact that both Hampshire batsmen were playing well. Vince, as ever, had produced cover drives to placate his sternest angels; Amla was settling in for the long haul and had already hit Virdi over mid-on, albeit not by much. But the spinner trusted his gifts and his gifts did not betray him. His wickets completed a fine Sunday for Surrey supporters whose team contains seven Academy graduates.Yet as early as the first session one did not need to look very hard to see the beauties of this London morning and Surrey’s batsmen enjoyed themselves on a pitch whose venoms had been drawn by three warm days. No one relished the conditions more than Pope, who reached his second first-class century just before lunch with a cover drive off Chris Wood, a bowler he had earlier cut backward of square and straight-driven to the boundary.Had they desired, members sitting on the top tier of the Oval’s mighty pavilion could have considered the city’s many traps for tourists or the sleeping palaces of profit which lie just outside this most urban of grounds. But most preferred to watch Pope moving confidently onto the front foot as he took the measure of Hampshire’s attack. Before long the sight of him scoring hundreds for Surrey may become as familiar as the London Eye.Wickets fell but they became little more than the acceptable costs of Surrey’s acceleration. True, Ben Foakes will have wanted to begin his season a century but he was bowled for 81 by Fidel Edwards’ first delivery with the new ball, an outswinger reminiscent of this game’s first two days. Edwards was to dismiss both Rikki Clarke and Jade Dernbach in the afternoon session, the latter with a savage bouncer, but the lack of celebration with which this normally effervescent bowler greeted his wickets indicated their significance. The heart of the game was elsewhere and Edwards knew it.Pope ploughed on and his desire to do so will surely have been noted by the Surrey coaches. He scored his maiden first-class century against Hampshire last year but that was at the Ageas Bowl and he made only 100 not out. On his home ground and at the beginning of a season still in its pram, he was allowed to do something even more substantial and he grabbed the chance. He had hit 18 fours and a six when a top-edged sweep gave Rilee Rossouw a catch and Liam Dawson his second wicket of the innings.