Wolverhampton Wanderers have a lot to sort out over the next few months. Gary O'Neil deserves all the plaudits for his work at Molineux but a successful campaign fizzled out in the late stages and now it is imperative to move for signings capable of taking the team further next year.

Talks have already been held regarding the signing of Southampton's Che Adams, who is out of contract in one month, while Manchester City and Newcastle United are leading the charge to sign Wolves star Pedro Neto, who is valued at £60m.

Much to do, but O'Neil has proved his credentials and given that the club are already lining up replacements for Neto, should he leave, there's plenty of cause for optimism.

Wolves lining up Neto replacement

According to Spanish outlets AS and Grada1 – via Sport Witness – Wolves are set to tussle with Aston Villa and West Ham United for the signing of Viktor Tsygankov, who has been a key part of Girona's stunning season, qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in their 94-year history (awaiting UEFA clearance due to shared ownership with Manchester City).

The Ukrainian is understood to have a market price of €28m (£24m) and is calmly evaluating his options ahead of the official opening of the transfer window.

How Viktor Tsygankov would fit in at Wolves

Tsykangov, who is 26 years old, has enjoyed something of a nomadic career but has showcased his quality throughout, with analyst Ben Mattinson calling him “seriously talented” at the start of the season and questioning how he is still performing under the radar.

23/24

Girona

29

25

6

6

22/23

Girona

19

17

3

6

22/23

Dynamo Kyiv

13

13

6

5

21/22

Dynamo Kyiv

18

17

11

3

20/21

Dynamo Kyiv

20

15

12

8

19/20

Dynamo Kyiv

27

21

14

5

The in-demand talent has been effective wherever he has played over the past five years, and while he has not been as potent in front of goal for Girona, he's hardly flattering to deceive with his performances, key to the top-four finish in La Liga and hailed for his "outrageous" skills by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Indeed, as per Sofascore, the right winger has created 11 big chances and completed 83% of his passes in the Spanish top flight this season, averaging one tackle and 3.5 ball recoveries per outing.

Neto, in comparison, chalked up nine assists and created seven big chances in the Premier League, only starting 18 matches during his injury-disrupted season, though it's easy to see that Tsygankov has the core qualities that could make him an excellent replacement.

As per FBref, Tsygankov ranks among the top 19% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists and the top 9% for clearances per 90, denoting his impressive mix of creative and industrious defensive attributes.

The £23k-per-week ace would be a worthy successor to a dynamic winger like Neto in this regard, who has been praised for his "absolutely incredible" technical ability by his manager but has also averaged four ball recoveries and 3.5 successful duels per game in the Premier League this term, highlighting his energy and tenacity.

Wolves may already have a perfect Kilman heir in "versatile" academy gem

Gary O’Neil’s star defender is attracting interest from a Premier League rival.

ByAngus Sinclair May 24, 2024

If O'Neil's Portuguese maverick is sold, Wolves will have a bit of a war chest to bolster the squad across a number of areas, and Tsygankov would be the perfect man to take his place on the flank.

Michael Carrick is arguably one of the most underrated players to have ever graced the Premier League, let alone Manchester United.

The artist playing in the defensive midfield role made 464 appearances for the Red Devils before leaving in 2018.

For context of just how unbelievably talented he truly was, even Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said, “He’s one of the best holding midfielders I’ve ever seen in my life.”

So, have they replaced him? Arguably not. Let's take a look at a defensive midfield target who could fill the void left by Carrick, a player who has has plenty of similarities to a certain Declan Rice.

Man Utd’s quest to find a defensive midfielder

According to a report from journalist Shaun Connolly, Man Utd are interested in signing Ben Sheaf from Coventry City.

The midfielder joined the Championship club permanently in 2021 after coming through the ranks at Arsenal.

It’s mentioned that the Englishman “impressed” all season, as well as against the Red Devils at Wembley in the FA Cup.

Sheaf wouldn’t exactly break the bank, as a fee of £21m would secure his services this summer, which is an indication of the type of signing Ratcliffe will look to make.

How Sheaf compares to Carrick and Rice

Six years on from his exit, Man United still haven’t been able to acquire a midfielder of a similar class and standard to Carrick.

Even The Athletic produced an article on the absence of a replacement for the former United icon, saying that a whole host of attributes have been missing since his departure.

Those were listed as: “Passing ability, vision, controlling of the tempo, understanding of the game, and positioning in and out of possession.”

It’s quite clear that almost every attribute mentioned above is key for a number six, and Sheaf could just serve as the solution to United’s Carrick dilemma.

As you can see below, Sheaf has plenty of characteristics that mirror those of the current Middlesbrough manager.

Sheaf & Rice 23/24 League Stats vs Carrick 15/16 PL Stats

Stats

Sheaf

Rice

Carrick

Touches

76.5

71.8

64.7

Passes completed

49.9

53.1

48.4

Pass accuracy

85%

91%

86%

Passes completed (Opp half)

28.3

31.2

29

Tackles

3.4

2.2

1.5

Interceptions

1.4

1.2

1.6

Duels won

6.4

4.1

2.9

Via Sofascore

Firstly, they are both extremely technical players who are able to dictate the tempo of play and control a game with ease, whether that’s using one-touch passes or baiting a press with touches.

The duo also retain the ball brilliantly, as shown by their pass accuracy, and they’re not afraid to step further forward to make their team more dominant and even serve as a threat from range, as shown by their completed passes in the opposition half and the clip below.

On the other hand, Sheaf and Carrick also provide plenty of defensive security, not only because of their ability to execute defensive actions but also because of their reading of the game.

Another vital aspect of the Coventry midfielder's game is that he is a “monster” when it comes to winning the ball back, as per football writer Raj Chohan.

He also said that Sheaf is “Rice-esque” in terms of his ability to cover ground with ease, and the statistics further highlight their similarities, in terms of defensive dominance and technical class.

This in particular has been a huge issue at United this season, with Casemiro lacking the athleticism to match the speed of the Premier League, as shown by the fact he was dribbled past 2.2 times per game last season.

Overall, Sheaf would be a fantastic signing, and he has everything that a Premier League side would want in a defensive midfielder. Could he just become the new Carrick and United's very own Rice?

Related Man Utd eyeing Casemiro replacement who’d be a "monster" next to Mainoo

The Man Utd target is now a “priority.”

Posts ByTom Lever Jun 5, 2024

Newcastle United's dealings in the transfer market under Mike Ashley were questionable, to say the least, with the club either not spending any money at all or wasting it on players who weren't up to the level required.

The Magpies spent nearly £100m during the 2015/16 season, in an attempt to be competitive in the Premier League, with Ashley finally showing signings of splashing the cash.

Players such as Georginio Wijnaldum and Jonjo Shelvey proved to be quality additions, but they were a rarity with the vast majority of additions failing to provide any sort of value for their hefty fees.

Florian Thauvin and Henri Saivet both arrived on Tyneside during the same summer, but only managed a combined 24 appearances during their respective spells at St James' Park.

The club's erratic spending saw the Magpies needing to offload players the following summer to balance the books, with one player departing Newcastle for a huge fee – in a deal that proved to be excellent business by owner Ashley.

Moussa Sissoko's stats at Newcastle United

During the January transfer window of 2013, Newcastle signed midfielder Moussa Sissoko from French side Toulouse for a fee in the region of just £2.2m.

He would make an immediate impact on Tyneside, scoring three times in his first 13 Premier League appearances during the second half of the 2012/13 season.

Sissoko would be a key player in Newcastle's midfield over the next couple of seasons, featuring 69 times in the league over the next two seasons, scoring seven times as he helped maintain the club's Premier League status.

Sissoko's PL stats at Newcastle
Season	Games	Goals
2012/13	12	3
2013/14	35	3
2014/15	34	4
2015/16	37	1
Stats via Transfermarkt

However, his consistent performances during the 2015/16 season would catch the eye of multiple other Premier League sides, with the Frenchman in line for a big-money move.

He also featured for his nation at Euro 2016, with his call-up for the host nation only further driving his price tag up ahead of the transfer window.

Tottenham Hotspur and Everton battled out for his signature, with the London club winning the race, paying £30m to take Sissoko to White Hart Lane.

The midfielder's move saw the club make a 1264% profit on the initial £2.2m they spent to sign him in 2013 – a brilliant deal for all parties.

Moussa Sissoko's market value in 2024

Eight years on from his departure from St James' Park, the "unbelievable" midfielder, as described by journalist Ricky Sacks, is still playing, featuring 24 times for FC Nantes in Ligue 1 during the 2023/24 season.

However, the 34-year-old's market value has rapidly decreased, with the Frenchman only valued at £1m, as per Transfermarkt.

His subsequent value is now lower than current Newcastle full-back Matt Targett, who is still valued at £8.6m, despite not featuring for Eddie Howe since the start of October.

Although Sissoko was a hit at St James', he's failed to replicate his form elsewhere, only managing to find the net on two occasions during his latest stint in his homeland.

His £30m deal certainly helped the club during their tough years off the pitch, with the club able to receive the highest fee possible whilst his value was at its peak before rapidly declining since his transfer in 2016.

The USMNT boss offered insight into his conversations with Matt Crocker and U.S. Soccer

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Pochettino reveals 2026 World Cup goal for USMNTSpeaks on podcast Reveals key people who influenced decision to join U.S. SoccerWHAT HAPPENED?

Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that both he and U.S. Soccer have set specific targets over the next two years in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament will be played in Mexico, Canada and the U.S., and the new coach is beginning preparations and outlining the approach.

Speaking with Gary Neville, Rebecca Lowe and Jamie Carragher on – a podcast featuring all three media personalities – the USMNT boss discussed expectations, while also offering insight into who helped influence him to take the U.S. job.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT POCHETTINO SAID

The new U.S. manager said that in conversations with the U.S. Soccer Federation and sporting director Matt Crocker, they targeted – at minimum – advancing to the quarterfinals for the USMNT.

"The truth? It's a quarterfinal, it's the target, no? They were very clear and I am very honest to you," Pochettino said to Neville. "I think that was the idea, the challenge, they know that it is going to be difficult, but I am a person, we are people that really believe we can. We think this talented group can perform better. So we accept the challenge."

Pochettino also said that there were two key people that helped influence him to take the USMNT job – USWNT boss Emma Hayes and Inter Miami boss Tata Martino.

"Of course Emma, the first," he said, "and then Gerardo Tata Martino that is in Miami, because he was my captain when I was at Newell's Old Boys."

Pochettino played for the Argentine club from 1989-1994, while Martino repped the club's badge for a decade from 1980-1990. Before accepting the USMNT job, Pochettino's last managerial role was with Premier League side Chelsea – where at the time – Hayes was the manager of the Blues' women's side before taking over the USWNT.

DID YOU KNOW?

Pochettino said that he did not speak with Lionel Messi ahead of his move to the USMNT, despite the duo working together at PSG from 2001-2003. However, in conversations with Martino, the Inter Miami boss – who now coaches Messi – helped convince him this was the right move for his career path.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR POCHETTINO

Pochettino will take to the touchline with the USMNT for the first time in October in a pair of international friendlies against Mexico and Panama. Until then, he'll be working with U.S. Soccer to implement his coaching styles and techniques ahead of the fall camp.

Pakistan look to preserve unbeaten series record against England stretching back to 2010

The Preview by Danyal Rasool20-Aug-2020Big pictureWhinging about the weather might well be a ubiquitous part of English cricketing culture, but even allowing for that, the extent to which it dominated the agenda last week in Southampton was somewhat tedious. Only a day and a half’s worth of play was possible during the second Test, where rain, wet outfields and poor light all contributed to the delays, and talk of early starts, pink balls and stronger floodlights went into overdrive. Such was the strength of the discontent that one of the changes proposed will come into effect for the third Test, with the option for play to begin half an hour early. For cricket, especially English cricket, to make that change with such urgency is especially striking; one might have thought there would be rounds of debates, votes and then some dithering for good measure before such a change was actually implemented.What’s perhaps been missed in the furore is how intriguingly the series stands poised going into the final Test of the summer. Having won the first Test, England have the security of knowing they cannot lose the series, but they will have loftier aspirations than that. Joe Root’s streak of six consecutive Test wins as captain might have been broken last week, but he will hardly want to end the summer with a loss.Pakistan, meanwhile, saw an undesirable streak of their own mercifully snapped with that draw; they had lost seven away Tests on the trot until then. Victory for Azhar Ali’s side would mean they extend to five the number of series they have played against England since they last lost one, on that doomed tour in 2010. With World Test Championship points on the line, the wider context won’t be lost on either side.With the third Test also taking place at the Ageas Bowl, one might have thought patterns from the second Test could serve as a guide to how this one might pan out. But with virtually no cricket of significance, the two sides will begin the third with something of a fresh slate. Unless pitch and weather conditions make an overwhelmingly compelling case, team changes may be scarce. England may feel their bowlers did their jobs in restricting Pakistan to 236, while Mohammad Rizwan, sensational behind the stumps, found form with the bat, further cementing his position as first-choice wicketkeeper. In what little play was possible on day five, England No. 3 Zak Crawley ‘s swashbuckling half-century will have provided a handy shot of confidence, while wickets for Mohammad Abbas, Yasir Shah and Shaheen Afridi reminded everyone of the threat of Pakistan’s well-rounded bowling attack.There was little to split the teams in the first Test, and the second was evenly poised when weather called time on it. If the heavens are more accommodating, they look set to make it worth everyone’s while.Joe Root and Stuart Broad head to net practice•Getty Images for ECB

Form guide(last five completed matches, most recent first)England DWWWL
Pakistan DLWWDIn the spotlightEngland might feel they are getting less use out of their lead spinner than Pakistan are from Yasir Shah, with Dom Bess not having turned his arm over since the first Test. The pitch and weather conditions may have rendered him superfluous, but it you’d think both player and team would have wished he had a few more overs – and likely a few more wickets – under his belt going into the decider. A fresh pitch will be used for the third Test, which doesn’t bode brilliantly for Bess’s chances, but any decisions around the final XI will have to take into account its effect on the team combination. The truncated second Test meant the balance of England’s side in the absence of Ben Stokes was never truly tested, and a fresh, green surface might test their commitment to Bess.Pakistan have problems of their own. Struggles at the top of the order have put them under pressure each of the three times they’ve batted, with Azhar Ali’s slump showing no signs of abating and Abid Ali’s failure to get going on the tour. The pressure to hold the innings together falls disproportionately on Shan Masood, and it will not have gone unnoticed Pakistan’s innings capitulated somewhat on both occasions Masood missed out. Even more worryingly, the manner of his dismissal at James Anderson’s hands in the second Test was uncomfortably reminiscent of the problems he’d faced against the fast bowler in 2016. With Pakistan relying on his runs far more now than they did then, the pressure on him to return to the near-technical perfection he demonstrated in the first innings at Old Trafford is high.Team newsEngland have announced an unchanged 14-man squad for this Test. If Jofra Archer does come back into the side after being rested for the second Test, one of Sam Curran or Bess is probably the most likely to sit out.England: (possible) 1 Dom Sibley, 2 Rory Burns, 3 Zak Crawley, 4 Joe Root (capt), 5 Ollie Pope, 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Chris Woakes, 8 Sam Curran/Dom Bess, 9 Jofra Archer, 10 Stuart Broad, 11 James AndersonQuestions around team combination trouble Pakistan too, with head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and captain Azhar having openly admitted to wrestling with conflicted ideas of whether to play the extra batsman in Fawad Alam, or a bowling allrounder like Shadab Khan. That appears to be the only selectorial quandary heading into the third Test for Misbah, with the fast bowlers needing no rest, having bowled just 29 overs in the last Test.Pakistan (possible): 1 Shan Masood, 2 Abid Ali, 3 Azhar Ali (capt), 4 Babar Azam, 5 Asad Shafiq, 6 Fawad Alam, 7 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 8 Yasir Shah, 9 Shaheen Afridi, 10 Mohammad Abbas, 11 Naseem ShahPitch and conditionsHead groundsman Simon Lee has produced a different strip to the one the second Test was played on; decent weather on Thursday appears to have made using a new surface more viable. That might hamper the spinners’ hopes of forcing their way into the game earlier. The option for early starts means bad light should be less of a factor towards the end of the day, and while some rain is around, the weather forecast appears much more accommodating than it did a few days earlier.Stats and trivia Pakistan are unbeaten in their last four series against England. Pakistan won the two they played at “home” in the UAE, and drew two in England. Should they fail to win the third Test, it will be Pakistan’s first series loss since the tour of 2010, when England triumphed 3-1. Babar Azam needs 29 runs to get to 2000 in Tests. Presuming that happens this Test, he will have got to the landmark quicker than either Virat Kohli or Kane Williamson, but four innings later than Steve Smith, and eight later than Joe Root. James Anderson needs seven wickets to become the first fast bowler to 600 Test scalps. He has taken seven wickets at the Ageas Bowl once before in a Test, against India in 2014.Quotes”My message to the guys today was quite simple really. We don’t know when the next time is that we’ll play Test cricket so let’s make sure we throw everything into this week, make sure we leave no stones unturned and we give everything to each other and the badge going into this last game.”
Joe Root gees up his players for one last time this summer“”I’m lucky to have such a nice bunch of guys who are putting everything in for Pakistan. They have gelled really nicely which makes the job very easy for me so I focus on all the strategies.”
Azhar Ali appears not to have found quarantine life in England particularly challenging

Wolverhampton Wanderers are still sweating over Pedro Neto's future at the club but last summer's exodus has placed Molineux in a good position in regard to profit and sustainability.

This season, Gary O'Neil triumphed in instilling his philosophy in testing circumstances and tearing through the upper echelon of the Premier League to avoid relegation comfortably.

But much hinges on the owners and their investment plans this summer, with Neto and perhaps one or two others likely to sit at the heartland of transfer speculation. Moreover, compounding the problem, Old Gold supporters were left disconcerted by a steep hike in ticket pricing. A burst of positivity, it could be argued, is paramount.

Luckily, O'Neil is committed to improving his first team this summer and is pushing Wolves to fight rivals for an exciting Premier League star.

Wolves eyeing Premier League star

According to reports relayed by Yorkshire Post, Wolves are one of four top-flight teams set to make bids for Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah, with Fulham – who would be willing to pay £30m for the centre-forward – Wolves and Crystal Palace also in the mix.

Arsenal are fighting to secure the signature of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko in a £55m deal, which would surely see the Englishman's intermittent opportunities limited further.

Mikel Arteta is a big fan of the 25-year-old but will reluctantly let him leave, and with O'Neil searching for firepower up front, this might just be the perfect move to make, though Wolves would need to match Fulham's prospective offer.

Eddie Nketiah's style of play

Once described as a "monster" by journalist Aaron Catterson-Reid, Nketiah has completed 168 appearances, scoring 38 goals, for Arsenal after graduating from the youth academy, enjoying a successful but fleeting loan spell with Leeds United and even earning his first international cap for England.

This season, however, despite netting a brilliant hat-trick against Sheffield United in October in the Premier League, the 5 foot 9 striker was restricted to just six substitute displays onward from February, clearly not included at the heart of Arteta's ambitious plans.

Nketiah had also netted in two of Arsenal's opening three top-flight fixtures but as Kai Havertz went from strength to strength so too did the Nketiah's match action suffer diminishment. With Sesko fiercely pursued and Gabriel Jesus vying for a place at No. 9, Wolves' target is clearly heading toward the exit in north London.

But Wolves want his signature for a reason. As per FBref, Nketiah ranks among the top 9% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 and the top 12% for pass completion, highlighting his strength as a frontal focal point and his ball-playing skill.

The £100k-per-week star is blessed with natural athletic prowess and all the tools to succeed as the leading man at a Premier League team, and while Wolves have been widely reported to be closing in on a move for Southampton's Che Adams, who is out of contract at St. Mary's this month, signing a player of Nketiah's ilk would be a major win.

Nketiah could lead the line for years to come at Molineux, providing O'Neil with a reliable goal threat to avoid the dreaded drop zone and instead tear through the division and toward the upper end.

Why Wolves are interested in Eddie Nketiah

There's perhaps a tacit outward air at Molineux that suggests Neto is going to leave this summer. The Portugal winger still has three years on his current deal but £60m is no small sum and sharp strategic transfer moves could make such an influx of cash worthwhile.

But of course, Nketiah is not a winger, and thus would not be a direct replacement for Neto, should he leave. Instead, the Gunners ace could find himself taking Matheus Cunha's role in the Old Gold first team, with the Brazilian attracting attention after his resounding 2023/24 campaign.

As per The Mirror, Manchester United are hot on the £60m-rated Cunha's trail and are even prepared to double his £60k-per-week salary. It's early days but if Sir Jim Ratcliffe's nosing-around turns into concrete interest, it might be hard for Wolves to turn the lucrative suitor away.

And there is no point denying that it would feel like a detrimental blow. Cunha has been positively magnificent this season, raising his game considerably and now ranking among the top 10% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 12% for progressive passes, the top 5% for progressive carries, the top 3% for successful take-ons and the top 14% for tackles per 90.

Matches played

17

32

Matches started

12

29

Goals

2

12

Assists

0

7

G/A rate

0.12

0.59

Pass completion

76%

82%

Big chances created

1

7

Shots per game

1.5

2.3

Key passes per game

0.4

0.9

Dribbles per game

1.5 (76%)

2.0 (51%)

Duels won per game

3.6 (41%)

5.0 (43%)

He's been pretty good, and while there are myriad benefits to partnering Nketiah with the Brazilian, O'Neil's transfer target is technically proficient and is mutable in his playing style, capable of adopting a dynamic role that, yes, focusses on his goalscoring but also incorporates creativity and enhances team synergy.

Praised for his "incredible impact" and as a "beast" by his Arsenal manager, Nketiah is of course aware of his bit-part place in the Emirates machine, and given that he is now entering the prime of his career, surely he should prioritise playing time. His hat-trick this season emphasises the importance of finding a place to properly showcase his skills.

Wolves eye move for "exciting" Ait-Nouri replacement

Wolves may need to sign a replacement for Rayan Ait-Nouri this summer

ByRoss Kilvington Jun 3, 2024

At Wolves, he would not only find a platform to impress but a launchpad to rise to a position of prominence in the Premier League. If Cunha leaves, he will be a worthy successor.

Belinda Clark, Cricket Australia’s chief of community cricket, was given reassurance that Queensland Cricket and its chair Chris Simpson were not seeking to tear up the national system of support for the game’s grassroots after he questioned the “centralised model” of the governing body earlier this year.Ahead of a vital meeting of the Australian Cricket Council, comprising the chairs of CA, the state associations and the Australian Cricketers Association on Thursday, Clark stated that the hot rhetoric from Simpson, delivered to an ordinary general meeting of QC in late June, had reflected a desire for states to be heard and empowered but not to dismantle the growth of a national network to encourage the game’s junior and community tiers.”I’ve had those conversations and have followed up with the CEO there, Terry Svenson, and the message coming out is that both Chris Simpson and our ambition around supporting the community is absolutely aligned,” Clark said. “I think what’s important to recognise is that the state associations play a really important role in nurturing their affiliates and their club system and providing support to those people that are playing inside their state.ALSO READ: Belinda Clark: ‘There’s still plenty of money in cricket’“What we’ve been able to do from a national perspective is work very closely with each of the states and territories. So, we run national programs. We design them with the states. The states implement them and all the clubs implement them and the benefits of those flow through the entire system. I’m comfortable that we’re all aligned in terms of what we’re trying to do.”There may be some differences in opinion in how we go about doing that, but it’s a very connected system and we are meeting with our counterparts weekly to ensure that that’s the case.”Simpson’s words had been delivered in the midst of a dispute between CA and the states over the matter of annual grants, one of the key issues for the ACC to unpick this week as the CA chair Earl Eddings seeks to find common ground with the governing body’s owners. Cricket New South Wales, chaired by John Knox, has also blocked CA’s proposed reductions in annual grants, while wider questions of the game’s governance model – a nine-member independent board – have run parallel to the annual nominations committee process for new directors.”The centralised model or the behemoth that CA has morphed into has consumed all aspects of cricket, assumed the role of the master of all matters cricket,” Simpson had said. “The states take offence to this – as we live and breathe grassroots and the day to day running of cricket. The states are resourcing and supporting the volunteers, the lifeblood of the game and cricket’s most valuable asset. In my view, the states have lost control of cricket. We are told from Jolimont Street how to run cricket and we do not believe in many of these ‘systems and processes’.”If CA is a master of all, then the board must comprise of some masters of volunteerism and grassroots cricket as it is our primary function at state level to provide services, support and resources to volunteers far and wide who deliver cricket so wonderfully…it is nonsensical to think that centralisation is good for grassroots cricket. Cricket administration of yesteryear gave regional communities a voice; cricket administration of today is not a collaborative model, rather a top down ‘we know best’ beast.”Cricket Australia is seeking a solution to their ongoing negotiations with the states•Getty Images

CA’s push for cost savings in the time of Covid-19, initially through staff cuts at the organisation, reduced distributions to states and also a shrink in player payments, raised a host of discontents in terms of relationships between CA, the states and the ACA. This led ultimately to the exit of the CA chief executive Kevin Roberts and senior executives including his chief operating officer Scott Grant. At the same time, all states other than NSW made their own piecemeal cuts, amounting to more than 150 staff being shown the door including a huge swathe cut through community cricket roles in Victoria.”If you just think about the number of people we still have in the field, it’ll be the envy of many sports to still have that,” Clark said. “What’s difficult is if there’s something there and if it’s taken away, and people react to that. Look, there’s no doubt that we are getting great results from having more people involved, more support going to the clubs. But we have to adapt and we can’t walk away from that.”The clubs are adapting to what’s in front of them with Covid-19. We need to adapt with less field staff in some areas, it’s not in all areas but in some. And the community is adapting as well. At the end of the day, our job is to make sure that those people feel supported and there’s opportunities for people to play the game.”Clark, who stepped away from community cricket temporarily in 2018-19 to run elite performance areas before the appointments of Ben Oliver and Drew Ginn to oversee the game’s top end, said that the difficulties of Covid-19 meant that communication and co-operation across the game were more vital than ever before.”It’s obviously been difficult for every sport to deal with the situation that Covid’s played in our lives at the moment,” Clark said. “There’s the health and safety, the economic impact as well and sports are all dealing with that and cricket associations are all dealing with that as they see fit. What I can say is that as community teams across all of the states and territories and Cricket Australia, we’re absolutely committed to providing that support to volunteers. And what we’ve had to do in some areas, in some instances, is just be creative about how we do that.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Após duas vitórias seguidas, Enderson Moreira terá, até aqui, o maior desafio no comando do Botafogo: neste sábado, enfrenta o Vasco às 21h, no Estádio Nilton Santos, pela 15ª rodada da Série B do Brasileirão.

+ Tentativa de pressão alta, fragilidade na bola aérea e Cano: como o Vasco chega para enfrentar o Botafogo

O time, com 100% de aproveitamento sob o comando do novo treinador, tem um confronto direto pelo G4. Atualmente, vale lembrar, a diferença para a zona dos quatro primeiros colocados é de cinco pontos. Dito isto, o LANCE! enumera cinco coisas para ficar de olho pelo lado do Alvinegro no clássico.

Meio-campo: talvez o setor de menos destaque desde a chegada de Enderson, o meio-campo ainda não se conectou. Muito disto tem impacto na ausência de Luís Oyama, fora das últimas partidas por conta de uma lesão. Com o camisa 5 de volta diante do Vasco, a tendência é que o time consiga rodar a bola com mais qualidade.

Sequência sem levar gols: o Botafogo não sabe o que é ficar três jogos seguidos sem ser vazado nesta Série B, o que pode acontecer caso Diego Loureiro não tenha que pegar a bola no fundo das próprias redes contra o Cruz-Maltino. A consistência defensiva será colocada à prova.

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Saída de bola: como o Botafogo vai se comportar no campo de defesa diante de uma equipe que pressiona alto? Até aqui, Enderson tem colocado o lateral Daniel Borges ao lado dos zagueiros e espetado Guilherme Santos, lateral oposto, quase como um ponta. A ver se o posicionamento vai mudar diante do contexto.

+ Veja a tabela da Série B

Chay: a marcação alta do Vasco, citada anteriormente, ainda tem várias falhas e o time dá muito espaço no entrelinhas – nas costas dos volantes e na frente dos zagueiros. O camisa 14, com liberdade para dominar a bola, pode causar estrago. Tudo depende de como Enderson vá explorar esta deficiência.

Jogo grande: o Botafogo é o time que mais desperdiça chances claras na Série B. São 19 em 14 partidas – uma média de 1,35 por jogo. Diante de um rival tão parelha técnica e taticamente, qualquer meia-oportunidade deve ser aproveitada. A pontaria do Alvinegro não está calibrada.

يشهد اليوم الثلاثاء الموافق 10-12-2024، مباريات هامة وقوية بل ومثيرة ينتظرها عشاق الساحرة المستديرة في العالم أجمع، في منافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا.

تُلعب عدة مواجهات من العيار الثقيل ضمن منافسات الجولة السادسة، أبرزها عندما يلتقي ليفربول مع خصمه جيرونا على ملعب “مونتيليفي”.

ويحتل ليفربول صدارة دوري أبطال أوروبا برصيد 15 نقطة، العلامة الكاملة، في حين أن جيرونا لديه 3 نقاط فقط في المركز الثلاثين.

ويحل ريال مدريد ضيفًا على أتالانتا في مواجهة يمكن أن تكون عنق زجاجة بالنسبة للنادي الملكي، الذي يحتل المركز الـ24.

ريال مدريد على بعد مركز من توديع دوري أبطال أوروبا، ويحتاج للفوز على أتالانتا حتى يحافظ على آماله في التأهل لدور الـ16.

ويصطدم باير ليفركوزن بنظيره إنتر ميلان، ويحل بايرس سان جيرمان ضيفًا على سالزبورج، ويلتقي شاختار دونيتسك مع بايرن ميونخ.

طالع أيضًا | مدرب أتالانتا: أنشيلوتي الأفضل في العالم.. ولا أحد مرشح أمام ريال مدريد مواعيد مباريات اليوم الثلاثاء 10-12-2024 والقنوات الناقلةمواعيد مباريات دوري أبطال أوروبا اليوم

دينامو زغرب ضد سيلتيك، الساعة 7:45 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 8:45 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports HD 2”.

جيرونا ضد ليفربول، الساعة 7:45 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 8:45 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة ” beIN Sports HD 1″.

أتالانتا ضد ريال مدريد، الساعة 10 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 11 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports HD 1”.

باير ليفركوزن ضد إنتر ميلان، الساعة 10 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 11 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports HD 3”.

بريست ضد ايندهوفن، الساعة 10 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 11 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports HD 7”.

كلوب بروج ضد سبورتينج لشبونة، الساعة 10 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 11 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports HD 6”.

سالزبورج ضد باريس سان جيرمان، الساعة 10 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 11 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports HD 2”.

لايبزيج ضد أستون فيلا، الساعة 10 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 11 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports HD 5”.

شاختار دونيتسك ضد بايرن ميونخ، الساعة 10 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 11 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports HD 4”.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنـــــا

Man City star Rodri's suggestions that players could strike due to fixture congestion have been dismissed by a Premier League insider.

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• Rodri hinted at player strike
• Premier League source dismisses idea
• Fixture congestion a growing concern

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Man City midfielder Rodri made headlines recently for suggesting that players could go on strike in protest at the number of games they are currently playing each season. But according to an anonymous source at a Premier League club, there's no real risk that this will happen.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Player concerns surrounding fixture congestion – which have repeatedly been backed up by high-profile coaches in the media – appear to be reaching new heights. It has been suggested that stars could snub international duty but continue playing for their clubs amid the ongoing threat of strikes over fixture scheduling.

• WHAT THEY SAID

  According to the Daily Mail, the reaction of a leading figure at a Premier League club was firm when asked if player strikes were genuinely on the cards. "Absolutely not. I've never heard such nonsense," they said. When asked why, the insider said: "Money."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR RODRI?

  City face a huge test against Arsenal on Sunday, and we can expect Rodri to be at the heart of Pep Guardiola's midfield once again.