Kevin De Bruyne could opt to leave Manchester City in favour of joining a Saudi Pro League club next summer.
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Leeds United seem to be closing in on their second signing of the summer window, once again set to bolster a key area of weakness…
Is Karl Darlow joining Leeds?
That's according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, who suggests that Daniel Farke is seeking to aid Ethan Ampadu's pursuit to solve their defensive frailties by swooping for Newcastle United's Karl Darlow.
Taking to Twitter, the Italian journalist would suggest that AFC Bournemouth's alternative signing has had a domino effect in Yorkshire. He wrote: "Karl Darlow, now expected to join Leeds United from Newcastle as Bournemouth will go for Andrei Radu."
With just two years left on his £30k-per-week deal on Tyneside, and having seen chances limited since their signing of Nick Pope, now marks the perfect time for the 32-year-old to branch out and stake a claim elsewhere to be number one.
How good is Karl Darlow?
Such a fine injection of experience and athleticism will be a huge coup for the Whites, who have likely been desperate to replace Illan Meslier following his horror show last campaign.
The French shot-stopper posted a 6.65 average rating in the league, as a mainstay for a side that shipped the most goals in the entire division (78). He also made three separate errors that led to goals, as if to exacerbate his failures, via Sofascore.
News suggesting he would depart this summer worried few, and given his replacement already seems tied up, he is likely already long-forgotten.
Whilst play time has been limited for Darlow, a six-month loan spell at Hull City clearly helped put him in the shop window for this summer. Despite only featuring 12 times in the Championship for the Tigers, the ageing ace excelled.
Maintaining a 7.05 average rating, this was largely buoyed by his 2.9 saves per game, at a 71% success rate, via Sofascore. He managed to keep five clean sheets during that period too, conceding just 1.2 goals per game. For comparison, his potential predecessor shipped two goals per game last term in the top flight.
When linked with a switch to Middlesbrough, pundit Carlton Palmer had suggested: "This would be a shrewd bit of business. He spent the second half of the season on loan at Hull where he was outstanding." It now seems it will instead be the Elland Road outfit who are set to enjoy his exploits.
Having also made 52 Premier League appearances, placing this kind of experience behind fellow new signing Ampadu will surely help him take to his new surroundings well.
However, it is young Charlie Cresswell that will likely benefit more than anyone from his presence, finishing off what promises to be a formidable back three.
Standing at 6 foot 3, the 20-year-old titan enjoyed a fine loan spell of his own in the second tier, shining for the promotion-chasing Millwall last season.
Despite failing to attain a playoff spot, his 7.13 average rating in the league outlined a year of maturing for the young defender with the world at his feet. With 1.5 tackles, 3.1 clearances and 1.3 interceptions per game too (via Sofascore), he really did excel at this level and is set to do so again in the coming year.
Blending an experienced head with a youngster set to star for his parent club, such a deal could not only shore up their backline but provide the perfect foundation for Cresswell to build a successful career.
Chelsea are keen on tying centre-back Levi Colwill down to a new deal amid interest from Liverpool, according to renowned journalist Neil Jones.
How much does Levi Colwill earn?
The 20-year-old's future has been a big talking point this summer, having seen his stock rise hugely in the past 12 months after shining on loan at Brighton and recently won the European Championship with England's Under-21s.
Liverpool have been continually linked with a move for the £15,000-a-week-earning Colwill, with the Reds seeing him as their first-choice centre-back target, but Chelsea are understandably desperate to retain his services. His current deal expires in the summer of 2025, but the more that time goes on, the more the Blues risk losing him on the cheap.
It remains to be seen what will happen, but it seems clear that the situation is up in the air, with the player himself no doubt weighing up his next move.
What's the latest on Levi Colwill's Chelsea future?
Speaking to Caught Offside, Jones admitted that Colwill's head could be turned by a move to Liverpool, but says Chelsea want to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge:
"It’s no secret that Liverpool like Levi Colwill, as I reported back in March. Colwill is someone Liverpool really admire, and it’s hardly surprising as he was one of the best centre-backs in the league last season, he’s young, left-footed as well which is something Liverpool want, and I think he’s got a big future ahead of him.
"The question has always been what Chelsea will do with him. There’s no question that Liverpool and Brighton want him, but it remains a big question if Chelsea are willing to allow him to leave, and at what kind of price. I think there is a possibility that Colwill will look at the situation at Chelsea and says he wants to play regularly and pushes to do so elsewhere if he thinks it’s not going to happen for him at Stamford Bridge.
"I think Chelsea would like him to sign a new contract, but there’s some uncertainty if he’ll do that, but equally the new manager Mauricio Pochettino could put him into the team once he’s back, and then I’m sure everyone would forget about any prospect of him leaving."
The idea of Colwill leaving Chelsea at this point in his career is hugely concerning, considering he has the potential to be a future start for both the Blues and England, having been lauded as a "fantastic" player by Lewis O'Brien, whom he played with during their time together at Huddersfield Town.
The hope is that Mauricio Pochettino can persuade the youngster to stay put in west London, promising him regular playing time that will aid his chance of starting for England at Euro 2024, with Harry Maguire's place in the team potentially under threat.
The former Tottenham boss has often been an advocate of youth, building an exciting young team at Spurs when Harry Kane and Dele Alli were bursting onto the scene, and seeing Colwill develop in the same way and sign a new deal would be absolutely huge for the club.
Chelsea are reportedly interested in Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Rayan Cherki, in a move that could add significant firepower to Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
The Blues will be looking to right their wrongs from last season, after registering a disastrous 12th-place finish, 27 points away from the top four and miles from where the club is expected to be.
Pochettino is in for a busy summer at Stamford Bridge, as he gets to work on revamping the shell-shocked side he inherited from Frank Lampard, with changes to be made in and around the squad.
News emerging last week suggested that the Blues are eyeing Lyon’s teen sensation Cherki, with journalist Simon Phillips claiming that Chelsea are ‘exploring’ the idea of signing the Frenchman.
A separate report last month suggested that the French side would want a fee in the region of €50m (£43m) for the midfielder, making him a reasonably priced option for the west Londoners, who spent around £600m over last season’s windows.
Where could Rayan Cherki fit in at Chelsea?
Hailed as a “wonderkid” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the 19-year-old could prove to be a perfect asset for Pochettino to have on board at the Bridge.
A pivotal area that the Argentine is expected to get to work on is the attack, considering the Blues netted just 38 goals in 38 league games last campaign, highlighting a lack of clinical spirit and creativity in the final third.
There are plenty of areas for the former Tottenham boss to explore and manipulate, and lots of talent to both express and expel.
Criticised as being “so poor” by members of the media, Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher could see Pochettino secure an upgrade on his services in the middle of the park, should he opt to sign Cherki.
A product of Chelsea’s academy, Gallagher endured several loan spells before getting regular game time in the squad last season, however, the Englishman has failed to make an impact sufficient enough to aid the side’s woes in the final third.
At 19, Cherki could claim the 23-year-old’s place in Pochettino’s plans, with his numbers painting an exciting picture for the Blues to imagine their future to be in attack.
When comparing Gallagher and the Frenchman’s numbers over their respective 2022/23 league campaigns, it’s harsh viewing for the Epsom-born player who could face the reality of falling down the pecking order.
As per FBref comparisons, the teenager achieved a greater threat in his distribution, as highlighted through his average of 6.92 progressive passes per 90 to Gallagher’s 5.83, as well as averaging 3.17 key passes to his 1.17 per 90.
Another area of his game that Cherki could bolster Chelsea’s midfield with are his capabilities on the ball, topping the charts in Ligue 1 last season by registering 6.39 progressive carries per 90, scoring higher than Lionel Messi in this area, via FBref.
Gallagher managed an average of 2.22 progressive carries per 90 in the Premier League, suggesting the ways that the teenager could add to the Blues’ attack with his youthful and energetic spark in possession that could greatly benefit those around him.
Pochettino has a job on his hands this summer, however, the Argentine could get Chelsea back to familiar highs with a positive transfer window and a chance to craft his side.
Will Tavare and Graeme van Buuren registered half-centuries as Gloucestershire reached the close on 236 for 4 on the opening day of the Specsavers Championship
ECB Reporters Network14-Apr-2017
ScorecardFile photo – Will Tavaré held Gloucestershire together with an unbeaten 73•Getty Images
Will Tavare and Graeme van Buuren registered half-centuries as Gloucestershire reached the close on 236 for 4 on the opening day of the Specsavers Championship match against Leicestershire at the Brightside Ground, Bristol.The third-wicket pair batted throughout the afternoon session, adding 127 after Gloucestershire had been put in by opponents who failed to make best use of the new ball. But the Foxes fought back during the final session, removing allrounder van Buuren and George Hankins in quick succession and restricting the run rate thereafter to put themselves back in contention before bad light brought a premature conclusion at the end of the 88th over.Determined to make amends after being shot out for 61 in their second innings and crashing to a heavy defeat in their Division Two opener at Kent last week, Gloucestershire summoned a gutsy response in their first home game of the season. No one demonstrated powers of recovery more admirably than Tavare, whose stubborn innings of 73 not out, chiseled from 213 balls and spanning just under four hours, characterised Gloucestershire’s approach.While van Buuren and Australian batsman Cameron Bancroft, who dominated an opening stand of 52 with Chris Dent, were prepared to play their shots and entertain a sparse Bank Holiday crowd, Tavare dropped anchor to provide the innings with the kind of gravitas that had been missing at Canterbury last time out.Mustering concentration and defiance in equal measure, the Bristolian ensured Gloucestershire were able to bank their first batting bonus points of the season and assume the upper hand against a Leicestershire side following their mauling at the hands of Nottinghamshire.Having helped shore up the innings in conditions conducive to swing following the departure of Bancroft and Dent prior to lunch, Tavare happily played second fiddle to the dashing van Buuren as the pair held sway during what turned out to be an afternoon of toil for Leicestershire’s misfiring seam attack.Promoted up the order in the absence of the unwell Gareth Roderick, van Buuren survived a searching examination from Ben Raine to stamp his authority and change the complexion of the game, carving 50 from 65 balls as the home side seized the initiative. Within sight of what would have been his third first-class hundred for the county, the 26-year-old edged a length ball from Raine behind for 79, cutting short an enterprising innings that comprised 128 balls and included 12 fours.When Hankins chased a ball outside his off stump and was held at first slip off the bowling of Gavin Griffiths soon afterwards, Gloucestershire were 204 for 4 and in need of reassurance. It was provided by the dependable Tavare and veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Phil Mustard, who kept Leicestershire at bay until bad light hastened the end of proceedings.Leicestershire elected to bowl first and wasted the new ball as their frontline seamers struggled to muster line and length on a consistent basis.Griffiths claimed his maiden Championship wicket when bowling Bancroft for 32 with a superb inswinging yorker, while Richard Jones bowled Dent via an inside edge for 20. But Gloucestershire’s openers had done enough to take the shine off the ball.No doubt piqued at seeing four catches go down, Leicestershire captain Mark Cosgrove made a point when coming into the attack ahead of schedule in the 45th over. By that time, Gloucestershire had assumed a crucial foothold and van Buuren and Tavare were up and running.
Check out the best players from the Premier League on EA Sports FC 24!
EA Sports FC 24 fans are in for a huge treat this September with the worldwide launch of the latest edtion of the game.
Find the best EA Sports FC 24 deals on Amazon USPre-order nowFind the best EA Sports FC 24 deals on Amazon UKPre-order now
The fact that EA Sports have split up from FIFA does not take away anything from the experience and thrill on offer, along with the big names, be it in the Ultimate Team and classic Career Mode.
With the ratings for the best players in the new game unveiled, the first sight obviously falls on cover star Erling Haaland of Manchester City. What about the other top players in England?
Here, GOAL has what you need about the top men's football stars from England's Premier League that you can pick for your team.
Read more EA Sports FC 24 newsEA Sports FC 24: Release date, price & complete guideEA Sports FC 24 web app: How to get early start on Ultimate TeamList of teams, competitions & licences on EA Sports FC 24EA Sports FC 24: How standard & Ultimate editions compareHow to get Early Access to EA Sports FC 24GettyErling Haaland | Manchester City | 91
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The face of the new game, usually assumed to be the best of the lot, Erling Haaland has a rating of 91. That is a three-point rise from his rating in FIFA 23.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesKevin De Bruyne | Manchester City | 91
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Kevin De Bruyne retained his rating of 91 from FIFA 23 and is among the top three players on the first edition of EA Sports FC.
(C)Getty ImagesMohamed Salah | Liverpool | 89
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The best Liverpool player in the game, Mohamed Salah has, however, faced a drop from 90 in FIFA 23 to 89 in EA Sports FC 24.
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Getty ImagesRuben Dias | Manchester City | 89
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Ruben Dias is the best defender in EA Sports FC 24 with a rating of 89 in the game. The Portuguese center-back was instrumental in Manchester City's treble run last season.
Diana Edulji, the former India women’s captain, knew she was in the reckoning for the panel as Gopal Subramanium, the amicus curiae, had asked if she would be interested in such a role
Arun Venugopal30-Jan-2017In the afternoon, Diana Edulji had almost given up hope of anything definitive emerging from the Supreme Court hearing where a panel of administrators was due to be appointed. The former India women’s captain knew she was in the reckoning as Gopal Subramanium, the amicus curiae, had asked if she would be interested in such a role. But, while Edulji admitted to a tinge of expectation, the adjournment of last week’s hearing had made her “sceptical”. Now, she had seen no news of the hearing on television for nearly two hours and was going to turn it off when the phone rang.”I got a call from one of the channels congratulating me. I said, ‘There is no breaking news anywhere.’ Then suddenly, every channel started carrying the story one after the other,” Edulji told ESPNcricinfo. “Given the number of twists and turns this case has been taking, I was a little sceptical. This time also it [a decision] didn’t come up till 3.45 or 4pm. When the first time it didn’t happen [during the earlier hearing], I didn’t go deeper into it. I left it to God – if it is due for me, I will accept it. If it doesn’t come also, I am okay.”Edulji, who has played 20 Tests and 34 ODIs between 1976 and 1993, is the only cricketer on the four-member committee which also includes Vinod Rai, the former Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Ramachandra Guha, the historian and cricket writer, and Vikram Limaye, managing director and CEO of IDFC (Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation). She is also a part of the four-member steering committee, led by former union home secretary GK Pillai, that has been tasked with the responsibility of setting up a players’ association.Edulji felt her presence in the interim committee of administrators was symbolic of what the Lodha reforms aimed to achieve. “It is a very good thing because what I have wanted [to do], now I am in a position to implement it, if that is the role that is given to us,” she said. “I first thought it was the steering committee and the players’ association, but this is a bigger and more prestigious role given, that I am the only player in India to be nominated by the Supreme Court. I hope I will live up to the expectations.”Edulji hadn’t spoken with her colleagues yet – “I don’t even have their numbers” – and wasn’t sure about the nature of her role with the terms of reference of the panel yet to be issued. While she was aware it wouldn’t be an easy job, she was confident her experience as sports officer in the Western Railways would serve her well.”I was administrating 40 games and 40 teams there. Right from the recruitment to the promotions, to the practice sessions, to the departmental tournaments, everything was looked after,” she said. “It was a huge job but a very satisfying job. Tomorrow [January 31], I complete one year of my retirement – so this is my third innings, I would say.”Edulji also said she was prepared to handle the mudslinging – a possible occupational hazard of being an administrator, even if on a short-term basis – that might come her way. “I am quite used to it,” she said, adding that she would rather work “amicably” and hoped to be a bridge between the old administration and the new era.It helped that former board secretary Ajay Shirke and veteran administrator Niranjan Shah were among the first people to congratulate her. “In fact all MCA [Mumbai Cricket Association] office-bearers rang me up,” she said. “I immediately left for MCA. I wanted to be with them at this moment, because they have been so nice with me.”I got a message from the [BCCI] CEO, Mr Rahul Johri, congratulating me and looking forward to working with me. That was a good sign also. Because I am the only player, it may just work out in my favour, [everybody] may co-operate with me.”
India captain MS Dhoni blamed the absence of big partnerships for his team’s six-run defeat to New Zealand
Arun Venugopal20-Oct-20161:34
‘If anyone batted 15 minutes more, we would have won’
India captain MS Dhoni blamed the absence of big partnerships for his team’s six-run defeat to New Zealand on a Feroz Shah Kotla pitch that was slow and had variable bounce.After New Zealand had made 242, India stitched together sizeable partnerships in their chase but lost clumps of wickets on two occasions. First, Ajinkya Rahane and Manish Pandey departed in the space of four balls in the 19th over, and then Dhoni, Axar Patel and Amit Mishra fell in a nine-ball span during overs 40 and 41, with Martin Guptill accounting for the last two of those dismissals in his only over of the match.”If you see there were quite a few partnerships, but we kept losing wickets after every partnership,” Dhoni said. “When you are chasing a score like this it is important that you need to keep a few wickets because the runs were coming. Even if you need six or seven runs an over in the end it can easily be achieved but our problem was that we kept losing the wickets. In fact in the 41st over we lost two wickets.”It’s not about one batsman, I felt we lost wickets throughout. Any batsman could have said that had I contributed 10 percent more we would have won the game. So it was the responsibility of the whole batting unit. I felt the bowlers did well.”Dhoni said the pitch continued to slow down despite the dew, which generally ensured the ball came on to the bat better. “I felt it was best to bat in the day time as the game kept progressing the wicket got slightly slower and slower with a bit of variable bounce,” he said. “Also, if you lose one or two wickets that slows you down to an extent. Then, if you have that partnership and still lose a wicket again, again you have to start from scratch.”He defended the decision to bowl first and said 242 was a par score on the pitch. “If any of our batsman had batted 15 minutes more we would have won the game,” he said. “The bowlers did well to come back into the game. Initially it was difficult to contain their batsmen and they played some proper shots, not to forget we dropped two catches off [Kane] Williamson. That also has a bit of a bearing. Overall I was happy with 240-245, because that was very much something we could have achieved.”Dhoni also lauded Jasprit Bumrah’s ability to bowl inch-perfect yorkers, and said his consistency made him his go-to man, particularly at the death. After a tight spell up front, Bumrah returned to clean up New Zealand’s lower order with yorkers and slower deliveries and finished with figures of 3 for 35.”Right from the time he began his international career he has always been someone who can bowl yorkers at will, and that’s why he has been someone I can always bank upon,” Dhoni said. “A lot of times I had to see how every bowler is bowling and then decide who will bowl the last few but with Bumrah be it any condition or situation he has always been someone who gives me those last few overs. He practices that way, he has an awkward action. Still credit to him for consistently bowling those yorkers.”
Everton will host the highly-anticipated climax to the Premier League relegation battle at Goodison Park this afternoon in their clash with Bournemouth, and it will be a nail-biting 90 minutes for their loyal supporters.
The Toffees have their fate firmly in their hands with a victory today securing top-flight football for another season and will ultimately relegate their bottom-of-the-table rivals Leeds United and Leicester City.
Indeed, a draw could also keep them up if Leicester don’t take all three points from their clash with West Ham United, but Sean Dyche should not be willing to take the risk of sharing the spoils with Gary O'Neill's side and instead ensure his team can’t be caught with a win.
Since confirming their safety in the top flight, Bournemouth have lost their last three league outings so Everton will be hoping they can capitalise on their opponents' poor form to get the result they desperately need over the line.
The Everton boss has been dealt two major injury blows as Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Nathan Patterson will be unavailable for selection in the final fixture of the campaign, so it will be interesting to see how Dyche sets up his team, especially in the final third.
Having said that, Vitaliy Mykolenko is expected to be available for the clash after recovering from a thigh injury which will be a huge boost considering Ben Godfrey, Seamus Coleman and Patterson are all injured.
Will Vitaliy Mykolenko start vs Bournemouth?
The 23-year-old left-back has been a consistent feature in the starting eleven and his timely return could see him play a key role in keeping Everton up on the final day.
Over 34 Premier League appearances, the £58k-per-week gem – hailed “outstanding” by Frank Lampard – has averaged 49.4 touches, 1.4 interceptions, 1.7 tackles, 2.6 clearances and 3.4 duels won per game, proving that he is a strong defensive presence on the pitch.
Not only that, Everton have kept seven of their eight clean sheets this season when Mykolenko has been deployed in the left-back role, further demonstrating the positive impact the Ukrainian can provide in the back four.
A solid defensive performance will be just as important as a hungry attacking threat for Everton today and tallying up a ninth clean sheet against the Cherries would put the Merseyside club in a great position to survive relegation.
With that being said, it will be a no-brainer for Dyche to unleash Mykolenko in the starting eleven should he be ready to start this afternoon, as his dominance in his position could be integral in Everton’s survival.
Last year’s beaten finalists Surrey are up and running in the Royal London Cup after easing to a six-wicket victory over Sussex Sharks at Guildford
ECB Reporters Network14-Jun-2016
ScorecardLast year’s beaten finalists Surrey are up and running in the Royal London Cup after easing to a six-wicket victory over Sussex Sharks at Guildford.On a fast-scoring ground, a Duckworth-Lewis target of 235 in 43 overs always looked attainable, although Surrey briefly wobbled when they lost three wickets for six runs in 11 balls.But from 99 for 4 the innings was rebuilt by Rory Burns and Ben Foakes, who put on an unbroken 136 in 18.3 overs, although Burns rode his luck early in his innings when he was twice dropped by Ajmal Shahzad, once off his own bowling and then at mid-off, before he reached 30.Burns prospered thereafter and finished on 70 not out (59 balls) with five fours and two sixes, one of which landed in the road next to the ground. Foakes was undefeated on 61 from 60 deliveries (9 fours) as victory came in the 34th over.Sussex had been bowled out for 239 with nine balls unused after their innings was reduced to 45 overs following an hour-long stoppage because of morning rain.The Sharks, who had claimed their first win in the competition against Middlesex on Sunday, lost Chris Nash (0) to the third ball when he was squared up by Tom Curran and Ed Joyce (21), who was caught low down at second slip off Ravi Rampaul, having just hit the West Indian for successive fours and a six.Phil Salt (21) spooned a catch to mid-on in Stuart Meaker’s first over and Meaker struck again to end a promising innings by Harry Finch (31), who fatally chased width and was caught at slip.Sussex lost their fifth wicket in the 22nd over when Ben Brown (10) was smartly stumped by Foakes aiming to hit Zafar Ansari through leg, but from an unpromising 100 for 5 the innings revived thanks to two partnerships involving Chris Jordan.Both he and skipper Luke Wright struck the ball cleanly as they put on 69 in 11 overs before Wright was athletically held by the diving Jason Roy at point for 42. Jordan was then joined by South African David Wiese, who was making his competition debut as replacement overseas player for the injured Ross Taylor.Wiese is regarded as a bowler, but he struck the ball impressively while Jordan was moving to his maiden List A half-century. The England international hit six boundaries in his 55 from 60 balls only for his innings to end in a tame clip to midwicket off Matt Pillans.Kumar Sangakkara took a juggling catch on the midwicket boundary to remove Wiese for 41 off 31 balls (6 fours, 1 six) as Sussex’s last three wickets fell in 11 balls for the addition of just nine runs, Rampaul finishing with 4 for 47.Jason Roy and Steven Davies launched Surrey’s response with 65 in nine overs either side of a rain stoppage before Roy (32) was held on the mid-wicket boundary in George Garton’s first over.Shahzad bowled Kumar Sangakkara (20) off an inside edge and had Ansari caught behind for a duck the ball after Garton had picked up his second wicket when Davies (36) holed out to deep mid-wicket. But it was plain sailing for Surrey thereafter as Burns and Foakes posted a new fifth-wicket record against Sussex in List A games, beating the 89 between Graham Thorpe and Adam Hollioake at Horsham in 1995.