Celtic will be on the search for a new goalkeeper during the summer transfer window after Joe Hart confirmed that he is going to retire at the end of the season.
The 36-year-old shot-stopper was signed by Ange Postecoglou on a permanent deal from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2021, and has been a fantastic servant for the club.
Hart started 72 of the club's 76 Scottish Premiership matches between the 2021/22 and 2022/23 campaigns as the Hoops won the title in both seasons.
Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart.
Celtic had much less success, however, with the big flop the former England international replaced at Parkhead just under three years ago – Vasilis Barkas.
How much Celtic paid to sign Vasilis Barkas
In the summer of 2020, former Hoops manager Neil Lennon swooped to sign the shot-stopper from Greek side AEK Athens for a reported fee of £4.5m, along with £1m-per-year in wages.
The move did not go to plan for any of the parties involved, though, as Barkas failed to nail down a regular spot in the starting XI for the Scottish giants.
He started nine of the club's first ten Premiership matches but then went on to spend 16 games on the bench and only played five more times.
Former Celtic goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas.
Scott Bain emerged as the first-choice option for Lennon between the sticks, as the Scottish goalkeeper saved 69% of the shots on his goal across 18 league outings during the 2020/21 campaign.
Whereas, Barkas, who was described as "awful" by pundit Frank McAvennie, only saved 60% of the efforts on his goal across 15 appearances in the Premiership, which suggests that he was not good enough to start over Bain.
Hart was then signed ahead of the 2021/22 campaign and the Greek goalkeeper went on to play just one league match, in which he conceded one goal and made zero saves, for Celtic that season.
How much Barkas cost Celtic in total
The Hoops sent him out on loan to Dutch side FC Utrecht for the 2022/23 term, and it remains unknown as to how much they contributed to his wages.
If they paid his wage in full, Celtic saved £1m last season but still paid £2m in salary to the left-footed flop for his first two years in Glasgow, on top of the £4.5m fee they paid AEK to sign him in 2020.
The Scottish giants then terminated his contract one year early, having initially signed a deal until 2024, in the summer of 2023 to allow him to sign for Utrecht on a free transfer.
Appearances
32
Save success rate
68%
Pass success rate
69%
Clean sheets
Ten
This means that Celtic did not recoup any money for Barkas when they parted ways with him on a permanent basis at the end of the 2022/23 campaign, as the Dutch side did not have to pay a penny to sign him.
Therefore, Lennon had a nightmare with that signing as the Greek giant rinsed the Hoops dry of a minimum of £6.5m – in transfer fees and wages combined – and failed to prove his worth on the pitch before having his contract terminated early.
Cricket Australia has moved to avoid a repeat of the controversial World Cup final in the BBL and WBBL by adjusting the playing regulations to ensure that further Super Overs take place, instead of a boundary countback, in the event of a tied game and a tied Super Over.England’s win in the World Cup on a boundary countback when scores were level after both 100 overs and the Super Over against New Zealand caused a lot of discussion and debate in the aftermath.Cricket Australia explored all options of how to resolve such a scenario if it were to happen in a BBL or WBBL final. It has occurred twice in the WBBL where tied Super Overs have resulted in games being decided by the boundary count.CA decided in the event of a tied Super Over, playing further Super Overs was the logical solution. This will apply to all finals in the BBL and WBBL. In the event of tied games and then tied Super Overs in home and away fixtures in both competitions the points are split.One of the issues CA had to deal with was some grounds around Australia, like the SCG, have a curfew on when the lights must be turned off, which in the event of multiple Super Overs of a night fixture could cause the game to remain uncompleted. The WBBL also has some double-headers which could cause time constraints for further Super Overs to be completed if the next game needs to start.Cricket Australia added a provision to the playing conditions that states, “In circumstances where Cricket Australia has unavoidable time restraints, such as, but not limited to, double-header semi-finals, it shall limit the number of possible super overs and advise teams either pre-match, or prior to the final super over. In the case of a tied super over under (such) circumstances then, the higher placed team will be declared the winner.”CA’s head of Big Bash Leagues, Alistair Dobson, said multiple Super Overs was the best way to resolve a tie. “We hope that allowing for multiple Super Overs in WBBL and BBL Finals will provide our teams and fans with the best possible experience,” he said. We look forward to another competitive season for both leagues and believe we have a strong system in place should a nail-biting knockout match arise.”
Crystal Palace are widely reported to be searching for a new manager as they aim to sack the under-pressure Roy Hodgson, but heavily-linked former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper isn't their only option.
Palace make decision on Hodgson's future
According to various media sources, Palace chairman Steve Parish wants to fire the Eagles' current head coach after a disappointing first half of 2023/2024.
How Crystal Palace could be without Michael Olise for even longer
The Englishman is already facing two months out.
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Parish is apparently on lookout for Hodgson's replacement, with the south Londoners currently just four points above the Premier League relegation zone. They've also scored fewer goals than every other top-flight side, apart from lowly Burnley and Sheffield United, so fortunes must take a turn for the better before Palace find themselves in deep trouble.
Their dismal 4-1 loss away to rivals Brighton last weekend only intensified calls for Palace to make a change in the dugout, and they aren't exactly helped by long-term injuries to key players like Michael Olise.
Crystal Palace's worst-performing players with over 10 Premier League appearances this season
Match Rating per 90 (via WhoScored)
Nathaniel Clyne
6.37
Chris Richards
6.41
Sam Johnstone
6.44
Will Hughes
6.47
Joel Ward
6.48
With Hodgson's future looking precarious at best, there are suggestions that former Nottingham Forest boss Cooper has emerged as the lead contender to take over, should the former be handed his P45.
The Welshman guided Forest to safety last term and was praised for doing one of the best jobs in England's top flight by Sam Allardyce, but some reports also suggest that Cooper would rather wait to take his next job in the summer (Wayne Veysey, Football Insider).
TalkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, speaking to GiveMeSport this week, has his own update on Palace's managerial saga – involving Europa League-winning boss Julen Lopetegui.
Crook thinks Lopetegui has "pushed himself forward" for Palace contention
While Cooper is seen as the favourite, Crook thinks Lopetegui has also pushed himself forward as a candidate for the Palace job due to his availability and eagerness to make a Premier League return.
"The Julen Lopetegui link is interesting because I think he has pushed himself forward," said Crook.
Julen Lopetegui.
"He is keen to get back into Premier League management and has turned down offers from Saudi Arabia, so don't rule him out. But I think that Steve Cooper has always been the favourite. They were close to appointing him before they gave the job to Patrick Vieira. I'm told that he is very keen to get back to work, and he doesn't want a long sabbatical."
The Spaniard parted company with Wolves last year after a rumoured fall-out with the hierarchy. Wolves owner Jeff Shi, before opting to terminate Lopetegui's employment, did hold the 57-year-old in pretty high esteem beforehand.
"He has a lot of experience in elite football and his track record is proven. We know we are in a difficult moment as a team right now, so we especially need a strong leader, with a strong personality, more than any other time I have been here. It is because of this that Julen was always our preferred choice."
Leeds United remain in the race to secure automatic promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking following their relegation from the top-flight at the end of last season.
The Whites are currently seven points behind Ipswich Town in second place and will need to overtake the Tractor Boys and Southampton, unless Leicester City drop below them, to secure a top two finish.
As you can see in the table above, it is tight from second to third place and Leeds could use the January transfer window to provide themselves with a boost ahead of the second half of the campaign.
The Yorkshire-based side have been credited with an interest in a proven Championship attacker who could be a fantastic signing for Daniel Farke's side this month.
Leeds United's search for a new attacker
It was recently reported by the printed edition of The Mirror, as relayed by TEAMtalk, that the Whites are interested in a deal to sign Amad Diallo from the Premier League outfit Manchester United.
The outlet claimed that Middlesbrough, Sunderland, and Southampton are also eyeing up a swoop for the Ivory Coast international, who spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan at the Stadium of Light.
This suggests that Leeds face serious competition to land his signature and could need to fight hard to convince the forward that a move to Elland Road is in his best interests.
They could also need to convince Manchester United to part ways with him as The Daily Mail recently claimed that they could keep hold of him for the rest of the season.
Manchester United forward Amad Diallo.
He is said to have impressed Erik ten Hag in training since returning from an injury that was sustained in pre-season last year and is now being viewed as cover for the club's first-choice attackers.
Therefore, this is not a straightforward deal for Leeds to complete as there are many different factors at play and issues to resolve before they could snap him up.
However, if United do decide to send him out on loan and Farke is able to win the race for his signature then the German tactician could secure his own version of Raphinha.
The Brazilian forward was the last left-footed right winger to light up Elland Road on a regular basis with his majestic performances on the pitch, which is what Amad could do at Championship level over the next five months.
Raphinha's record at Leeds
Marcelo Bielsa and Victor Orta snapped the impressive forward up from Ligue 1 side Rennes ahead of the 2020/21 campaign and he went on to enjoy two fantastic seasons with the club.
Raphinha hit the ground running in the Premier League for the Argentine head coach with an excellent return of six goals and nine assists in 30 appearances.
He was one of the top performers among his positional peers in the division in a host of key attracting metrics, as you can see in the table below.
Raphinha vs 20/21 Premier League midfielders (via FBref)
Statistic (per 90)
Percentile rank
Non-penalty goals (0.23)
Top 9%
Assists (0.34)
Top 1%
Expected Assisted Goals (0.30)
Top 1%
Shot-creating actions (4.58)
Top 3%
Progressive carries (3.89)
Top 5%
These statistics show that Raphinha was a terrific option for Leeds that term in the top-flight due to his immense creativity and ability to find the back of the net on a regular basis.
He followed that up with 11 goals and three assists in 35 Premier League appearances throughout the 2021/22 campaign, which included a change of manager with Jesse Marsch coming in for Bielsa.
The Brazil international improved his output in front of goal as a scorer but his assist rate dropped. However, the sublime whiz did create ten 'big chances' for his teammates and could argue that his teammates did not make enough of the opportunities that he created for them.
Overall, Raphinha provided consistent quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals as a left-footed wizard on the right wing throughout his two seasons at Elland Road, before his move to Spanish giants Barcelona in the summer of 2022 – one year before Leeds were relegated to the Championship.
The stats that show why Amad could be Raphinha 2.0
Farke could now land his own version of the 27-year-old sensation by signing Amad, who showcased similar qualities in the second tier for Sunderland last season.
He spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan on Wearside and made a huge impact as Tony Mowbray's side made it into the play-offs. The on-loan star produced 14 goals and three assists in 29 league starts for the Black Cats in total.
Amad arrived at Sunderland after a fantastic career at youth level and a smattering of first-team appearances, and finally made his breakthrough as a consistent contributor in a senior environment.
Amad Diallo at academy level (via Transfermarkt)
Atlanta U17
Atlanta U19
Atlanta YL
Manchester United U23
Appearances
41
46
Six
Five
Goals
23
13
One
Six
Assists
Six
15
Three
Four
The left-footed wizard, who was hailed as a "joy to watch" by journalist Josh Bunting, produced three goals in 13 outings on loan at Rangers during the second half of the 2021/22 campaign.
Last season, Amad ranked within the top 14% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Championship for non-penalty goals (0.35) per 90 as he provided a regular goal threat on the flank.
The £29k-per-week maestro also ranked within the top 15% or higher for progressive passes (5.12), progressive carries (3.72), and successful take-ons (2.16) per 90 respectively, which shows that the young gem excelled at progressing his team up the pitch in a variety of ways.
This means that the United prospect has the quality to be an excellent option for Leeds in deep build-up, as he can carry and pass the ball into dangerous areas, whilst also having the quality to be a difference-maker with goals and assists in the final third.
Therefore, Farke could have his own version of Raphinha if Amad can replicate or improve upon his Sunderland form at Elland Road this year.
With just three days to dust themselves off before taking on India in their opening game, captain needs answers – fast
Andrew Miller02-Jun-2019Faf du Plessis, South Africa’s captain, says that his team will have to cobble together a new strategy to stay alive in the World Cup, after a disastrous defeat to Bangladesh at The Oval was compounded by a hamstring strain for Lungi Ngidi that will keep one of their premier strike bowlers out of action for up to ten days.With Dale Steyn, their iconic attack leader, still inching his way back to fitness following a shoulder problem, du Plessis admitted that “Plan A is gone”, having come into the World Cup with hopes of deploying those two men alongside Kagiso Rabada to form one of the most formidable pace attacks in world cricket.And now, with just three days to dust themselves off before taking on India in their opening World Cup fixture in Southampton on Wednesday, du Plessis said that he was still searching for answers as to why South Africa’s campaign has got off to such a poor start.”I have to believe that we can still win the World Cup,” du Plessis said. “I won’t be South African if I said no.”I’ll go back and try and see how we can lift the spirits in the team. We’re playing a strong team in India in their first game, and our third game, so as a team, we know. We know we’re not good enough at the moment and we have to turn it around.”It’s not like international cricket [is] ‘there you go, there’s a win for you’. The World Cup is set up with strong teams, and we have to win. We have no other choice. We won’t be going back and just falling over, I can promise you that.”Faf Du Plessis of South Africa addresses the media during the Group Stage match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019•Getty Images
South Africa’s performance was fatally undermined when Ngidi left the field after bowling just four expensive overs in Bangladesh’s record ODI total of 330 for 6. He did not reappear, even to bat, and Dr Mohammad Moosajee, the team doctor, confirmed he would be sent for scans after experiencing “sharp discomfort in his left hamstring”.”Look, it didn’t go according to plan,” said du Plessis. “We spoke a lot before the game about trying to be aggressive, but obviously then Lungi got injured and that changed completely.”Now all of a sudden, as captain, I have to bowl 15 to 20 overs of medium to slow or spin or bowling, so then you need to bowl the team out in order to make sure that you don’t have to chase a big score.”But the nature of subcontinent teams is that they do get a big score on the board, they can squeeze you when they have runs on the board, and that’s exactly what happened.”Options for South Africa are thin on the ground going into the India fixture. Dwaine Pretorius is waiting in the wings as a seam-bowling allrounder, and Tabraiz Shamsi could conceivably link up with Imran Tahir in a twin-spin attack. But their ideal scenario, of fast and hostile bowling to cow their opponents into submission, is now to all intents and purposes over.Plan A is gone,” said du Plessis. “It’s gone because Plan A was those bowlers playing together. They haven’t played a game together on this tour.”Initially Plan B was Anrich Nortje, an extra pace bowler that we had lined up for if we had an injury, to have another X-factor bowler that can bowl 145 plus. He got injured, as well.”So now you’re moving into your all-rounder territory. You have two medium pace all-rounders and then you have Chris Morris that like sits in between your fast bowlers and your medium pace bowlers.”So, now, we have to really look at what we can do to try to be effective; is it playing all-rounders together, do we play two spinners. Now it’s reshuffling all our cards and see how best we can deal with it.”Steyn is at least making progress towards his long-awaited return. He practised in the middle after the match, and should be close to consideration for the India game. However, having not played competitively since the IPL in April, and with a possible six must-win matches still to come in the group stages, his realistic return may be deferred until the West Indies match on June 9.”Any captain would say that it’s not easy [managing injuries], but I mean, I can’t complain about it,” said du Plessis. “That’s not going to change anything. I have to find a way. The coaching staff, the team, has to find a way. It’s not going for us from an injuries point of view.”For now, du Plessis’ task is to motivate a dispirited dressing room, and he warned that – whereas there was comfort to be taken in the manner of their opening defeat against India – the Bangladesh loss was a different matter altogether.”From my style of captaincy, has always been there’s a line, and if you don’t perform to that line, then there’s a lot of harsh words,” he said. “I’m certainly not Mr. Nice Guy. There’s times for strictness and there’s times that you see a dressing room needs you to be strong and to motivate them, and that was the previous game when we lost to England the way that we did.”But now, today was not good enough. There’s absolutely no excuses from me. So if the guys think they can make excuses for a performance like today, then they will be challenged. That’s a fact.”At the moment, it’s a skill thing. Our skill is not where it needs to be. It’s got absolutely nothing to do with injuries. You can make excuses, as many as you want. But every single player in our dressing room is not playing to their full potential, and that’s why we’re not putting the performance on. It’s just about making sure you look at yourself in the mirror and see how you can find that answer.”
So far, West Ham United's 2023/24 season is shaping up to be even better than last year.
David Moyes has led them to sixth in the Premier League, through to the knockout stages of the Europa League, and while they have to replay their FA Cup third-round tie against Bristol City, they are still in the competition and have every chance of going far.
That said, fans can't have everything now, can they?
West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta
The recent loss of Lucas Paqueta in the game against Bristol over the weekend is a massive concern, although the latest player touted for a move to the London Stadium would undoubtedly help to ease the blow: Leeds United's Wilfried Gnonto.
West Ham United transfer news – Wilfried Gnonto
According to Sports Lens, West Ham are looking to strengthen their attacking options in 2024, and one of the players they are 'keeping tabs on' is Leeds' Italian wideman, Gnonto.
The report reveals that the Hammers were interested in the young winger in the summer, but when it was clear that the Peacocks weren't open to selling him, they moved on.
Wilfried Gnonto for Leeds United.
Sports Lens also named Fulham as one of the other Premier League sides interested in Gnonto, meaning that a bidding war could develop if the Irons don't strike quickly enough.
Unfortunately for the Eastenders, it probably won't be a cheap deal to complete, as reports over the summer indicated that the Championship side value their player at around £30m. However, with the injury to Paqueta, that might prove to be a price worth paying.
Wilfried Gnonto could ease the blow of Lucas Paqueta's injury
Now, if fans are expecting Gnonto to come into the side and immediately replicate the sort of performances that Paqueta has been putting in this season, then they might be sorely disappointed.
The Brazilian has been characteristically brilliant this year, with FBref placing him in the upper echelons of attacking midfielders in Europe's top five leagues.
Tackles
Top 1%
Progressive Passes
Top 5%
Passes Attempted
Top 9%
Aerial Duels Won
Top 9%
Blocks
Top 13%
Clearances
Top 13%
Interceptions
Top 15%
Stats are based on players in the same position across Europe's top five leagues
However, the Leeds youngster should undoubtedly be able to come in and be an improvement upon Said Benrahma, who could be deployed on that left-hand side while Paqueta is sidelined for six to eight weeks, as per Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.
This becomes clear when comparing the pair's underlying numbers, as even though neither one has been able to nail down a consistent starting spot in their respective teams, Gnonto's numbers are still more impressive.
The "absolute nightmare for defenders", as talent scout Jacek Kulig described him, registers more goals and assists, produces more shot and goal-creating actions and succeeds in more of his take-ons per 90.
Stats per 90
Gnonto
Benrahma
Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists
0.26
0.33
Goals + Assists
0.25
0.14
Goals per Shot on Target
0.25
0.00
Passing Accuracy
79.9%
75.1%
Shot-Creating Actions
3.78
3.77
Goal-Creating Actions
0.25
0.15
Successful Take-Ons
2.41
2.03
All Stats via FBref for the 2023/24 Domestic Season
The only notable metric in which the Algerian comes out on top is his non-penalty expected goals and assists figure. However, his lack of actual goals just highlights his wasteful nature in front of goal.
Ultimately, the loss of Paqueta, even though it might just be for a couple of months, is a massive blow, and though Gnonto won't be able to come in and replicate his performances on the wing, he would likely do a better job than the options currently available to Moyes.
Leeds United will have been relieved that they started their 2024 off with a bang instead of succumbing to a third defeat in a row in the Championship, confidently getting the better of a now managerless Birmingham City 3-0 on New Year's Day.
That empathic win proved to be the final nail in the coffin for Wayne Rooney who was axed from his St Andrew's post after the crushing defeat, Daniel Farke's rampant Whites showing no mercy at Elland Road.
Still, to make up ground on Leicester City and Ipswich Town running away with the division in the automatic promotion places, Leeds could sense that this transfer window is a pivotal time to add positive reinforcements to the side and take the West Yorkshire outfit up a notch.
Farke's men could well be after this new addition if rumours are correct, the new face keeping Glen Kamara on his toes if a deal gets over the line.
Leeds transfer latest – Andrey Santos
As per journalist Ben Jacobs – speaking on the CaughtOffside Youtube channel – the second-tier promotion hopefuls are very much interested in the services of Chelsea youngster Andrey Santos, ironing out all the fine details to potentially land the Brazilian midfielder on a loan deal this month.
Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town are also actively interested in Santos, according to Jacobs, Leeds just one of many clubs taken aback by the South American's qualities and wanting to make a deal happen with the transfer window now open.
Returning to Stamford Bridge recently after an eye-opening loan switch to Nottingham Forest this season hadn't gone to plan – Santos only appearing once for Forest in a wasted move – Leeds will hope they can get the best out of the highly regarded midfielder when making the drop-down to the hustle and bustle of the Championship.
Santos could well even displace fixed first-team figure Kamara on his arrival to West Yorkshire, the 19-year-old eager to show what he's made of and ruffle a few feathers in the process.
Andrey Santos' style of play
Once referred to as a "war machine" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Santos could become a dangerous weapon for Farke to deploy to catch teams off-guard in the second tier.
A well-rounded holding midfielder, Santos' aggression and tenacity in tackling and disrupting play is matched by his willingness to join in with attacks and even find the back of the net on a regular basis.
Back in his native Brazil, the 19-year-old sensation would manage to net nine goals from 49 appearances playing for Vasco De Gama which would then alert the Blues to swoop in for the energetic midfielder and pick him up for a reported fee of £13m.
Kamara, on the contrary, has been understated in his play since joining Leeds from Rangers this summer.
The conservative holding midfielder has averaged just 0.20 shots per 90 minutes over the last year, according to FBRef, although his passing statistics per 90 coming in at a 92.2% average for accuracy is impressive.
Yet, Ampadu already excels in playing this role of being a reserved midfield presence away from the Finland international.
The ex-Chelsea man betters Kamara when it comes to statistics surrounding interceptions and blocks, Ampadu coming in with 1.54 interceptions and 1.69 blocks to his Finnish counterpart's lesser 1.29 interceptions and 0.82 blocks.
Finland international Glen Kamara.
If Farke wants to freshen up his holding midfield positions, signing Santos on a loan deal this month could be the perfect move to make with the Brazilian teenager – who is valued at around €10m (£9m) according to CIES Football Observatory – offering more creativity and energy from deep than Kamara.
Santos' addition into the lineup could help Leeds overwhelm opposition defences and blow teams away, picking up more wins on the board subsequently in their pursuit of promotion.
The last time Pakistan failed to win any game in a three-match T20I series was against England in the UAE in November 2015
The Preview by Danyal Rasool05-Feb-2019
Miller led South Africa to a narrow win in his first game in charge•Getty Images
Big PictureThere are few series that go off quite so perfectly as this one has for South Africa.A narrow victory in the second T20I – that ended with the hosts’ reserve bowlers holding their nerve to stave off the No.1 T20I side – guaranteed that trophies across all formats would remain in South Africa. The Test side bounced back superbly after a disappointing away loss to Sri Lanka, experimentation with the ODI team didn’t prevent a 3-2 series win in a World Cup year, and, as the icing on the cake, they even put their hard-to-beat T20I opponents to the sword.This game will do precisely nothing to alter the narrative of the tour. South Africa will be attracted by the possibility of bookending the tour with 3-0 clean sweeps even if, in truth, T20Is mean little this year – at least until after the World Cup is done. Lutho Sipamla enjoyed a magnificent opening match, while Chris Morris reintroduction to the side has seen him put in strong bowling performances, in particular at the back end. With further experimentation likely, this is as relaxed an environment in which to induct a new arrival.Pakistan’s fans have perhaps already moved their attention towards the upcoming PSL. This tour has little context left and both fans and players will be happy to leave its whiffs of controversy behind. It began – forever ago it seems – with the leak from the dressing room about Mickey Arthur’s anger at batsmen’s poor shot selection, and the last few days have seen a media circus surrounding Sarfaraz Ahmed’s ban and Pakistan’s medium-term captaincy.Shoaib Malik has hardly set the world alight in the four games so far, losing three on the bounce after an encouraging start in Johannesburg. The PCB has now announced Sarfaraz will be captain at the World Cup, presumably negating its own statement under a week ago that captains would be appointed on as series-by-series basis. But having lost everything – the Test series, the ODI series, the T20I series, as well as their unbeaten T20I series record – Pakistan have little more to lose. Should they play like it in Centurion, they might come away with a consolation win in what, on a personal note, could be Malik’s last ever match as Pakistan captain.Form guideSouth Africa (completed matches, most recent first) WWWWW Pakistan LLWWW In the spotlightRassie van der Dussen and Reeza Hendricks weren’t front and centre in South Africa’s World Cup plans two weeks ago, but sensational form in the past fortnight has seen that change rapidly. With an average over 120 in the ODI series, van der Dussen put the failure of the first T20 quickly behind him with a 27-ball 45 that allowed South Africa to set up the platform from which David Miller struck the knockout blow. Hendricks enjoyed a prolific ODI series himself, and may perhaps have won the Man-of-the-Match award in the first T20I for his intelligently destructive 41-ball 74 but for David Miller’s masterclass in the field. With the ability to bat anywhere in the top six, Hendricks grows in importance with each game, and is a major reason Pakistan have been denied silverware in the coloured clothing on tour.Fakhar Zaman has endured a wretched tour, even by the generally miserable standards of the Pakistan team as a whole. He has scored 215 runs in 11 innings scoring just one half-century, and even that came after he was dropped very early on in Cape Town. While the Tests were always expected to be a challenge, his limited-overs struggles will cause real alarm to Pakistan in a World Cup year. The goodwill he continues to carry thanks to that match-winning hundred in the Champions Trophy final has arguably allowed him a far longer run than normal. But there’s no mistaking the pressure on him by now, with him looking out-of-sorts even in T20I cricket. With the PSL approaching, he needs to change his fortunes, and in South Africa he will have one last, no-strings-attached opportunity.Mohammad Amir winces and tugs at his left shoulder after taking a wicket•Peter Della Penna
Team newsSouth Africa had promised every squad member would get a game in the series, and Wiaan Mulder is the only one not to have played. His inclusion could be one of any number of changes as the hosts play around with their combinations.South Africa XI (likely) 1 Reeza Hendricks, 2 Gihahn Cloete (wk), 3 Rassie van der Dussen, 4 David Miller (capt), 5 Jaaneman Malan, 6 Heinrich Klaasen, 7 Wiaan Mulder, 8 Chris Morris, 9 Lutho Sipamla, 10 Beuran Hendricks, 11 Tabraiz ShamsiPakistan’s off-colour bowling continues to present a problem. It could open the door for Mohammad Amir to get another game, which would likeliest come at the expense of Usman Shinwari, who conceded 29 in the final over in Johannesburg. There are also doubts over Mohammad Hafeez’s fitness.Pakistan XI (likely) 1 Babar Azam, 2 Fakhar Zaman 3 Sahibzada Farhan, 4 Hussain Talat 5 Shoaib Malik (capt) 6 Asif Ali 7 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 8 Faheem Ashraf 9 Imad Wasim/Shadb Khan, 10 Mohammad Amir, 11 Hasan AliPitch and conditionsThe series should close out with another high-scoring match on another dry pitch. This one is a day-night game, and unlike Johannesburg, weather is unlikely to play a part.Stats and trivia South Africa’s joint-heaviest margin of defeat in T20Is came at Supersport Park in 2013. That game was also against Pakistan, where, chasing 196, the hosts were bowled out for 100. The last time Pakistan failed to win any game in a three-match T20I series was against England in the UAE in November 2015. Pakistan lost the first two games outright, before losing the third via a Super Over.
Insiders at a rival club are believed to be "convinced" that Tottenham are "lining up a bid" to sign one of their top transfer targets.
Lange at work behind the scenes
After arriving from Aston Villa on 1st November, new sporting director Johan Lange has officially got to work on identifying Spurs transfer targets for the winter window.
As now confirmed by manager Ange Postecoglou in a press conference on Friday (via football.london), plans are "well away" ahead of January and Lange is personally leading the charge for new Spurs signings.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou.
"I guess the challenge for us was they all came at once as it hasn't been staggered," said Postecoglou on Tottenham's injury problems, going on to share an update on their transfer plans.
"In terms of January, the planning is well away with that. Johan [Lange] has come in and he's leading that in terms of all the background work.
"My involvement and my own sort of ramp up to it as we get closer to January and understanding exactly what our requirements are at the moment, although work has been done in the background with Johan leading it and he's brought in some people to help him in that area. We'll work with him when the time is right."
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The north Londoners were already linked to signing a new left-sided centre-back long before Lange, with Tottenham especially eager to bolster that area of the squad after Micky van de Ven's injury.
Spurs are targeting Lloyd Kelly of Bournemouth as one example, while the agent of Genoa star Radu Dragusin revealed Tottenham talks over signing the defender this week.
“I have been in London for some time and have almost weekly meetings with important teams," said Dragusin's representative Florin Manea to Fanatik.
Genoa defender Radu Dragusin.
"We are getting closer. I spoke with Newcastle, with Arsenal, with Tottenham. I also have the messages with them, conversations. There are teams that ask."
Meanwhile, there have been murmurs of Spurs eyeing a new winger and, potentially, a striker to replace Harry Kane further down the line in 2024.
Club insiders expect Spurs bid for Toney
Brentford star Ivan Toney is one of the linked options, coming after he scored 20 goals in the Premier League alone last season.
According to The Sun, Chelsea insiders are "convinced" Spurs will move for Toney, though Postecoglou's side deny this themselves.
Ivan Toney
Indeed, the west Londoners have a real belief that Tottenham are "lining up a bid" for the 27-year-old, who is actually one of Chelsea's top targets to solve their own striker woes.
Stamford Bridge chiefs are apparently braced for a three-way battle for Toney's services, with Arsenal also among the contenders.
Aerial duels
Direct free-kicks
Through balls
Finishing
The Brentford star, called "underrated" by Football Analyst Statman Dave, is set to return from a ban for alleged gambling breaches midway through January.
O calendário do futebol brasileiro é alvo de críticas dos jogadores, treinadores e imprensa há muito tempo. No entanto, com a pandemia de coronavírus, uma verdadeira confusão foi instaurada nos calendários do futebol pelo mundo.
No Brasil, as rodadas finais do Campeonato Brasileiro podem atrapalhar os semifinalistas da Libertadores, Santos e o Palmeiras.
Enquanto o Palmeiras venceu o River Plate por 3 a 0, o Santos ficou no 0 a 0 com o Boca Juniors, ambos na Argentina. Agora, as partidas de volta acontecem no Allianz Parque, na próxima terça-feira (12), e na Vila Belmiro, na quarta (13), respectivamente.
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Quem conseguir a classificação para a final do torneio irá jogar no Maracanã, dia 30 de janeiro, pela taça. Porém, há uma divergência de datas, já que o Palmeiras terá que enfrentar o Botafogo, e o Santos terá o clássico contra o Corinthians, no dia seguinte, domingo (31), pela 33ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.
A situação pode ficar ainda mais complicada se algum dos brasileiros for campeão continental. Isso acontece porque as datas do Mundial de Clubes foram definidas para fevereiro. A equipe que vence a Libertadores entra na fase semifinal do torneio, marcada para o dia 7 de fevereiro, mesma data de São Paulo x Palmeiras e Grêmio x Santos, pelo Brasileirão.
CONFIRA A TABELA ATUALIZADA DA SÉRIE A DO CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO
Também classificado para a final da Copa do Brasil, o Palmeiras encara o Grêmio nos dias 03 e 10 de fevereiro. No entanto, caso o time seja campeão da Libertadores e avance para a final do Mundial, haverá uma incongruência de datas, já que a Fifa marcou a decisão do torneio para 11 de fevereiro, no Catar.