With both sides having lost six of their nine games, a win will give their playoffs pursuit a push

Sruthi Ravindranath18-Oct-20207:04

Should Jadeja bat ahead of Dhoni? Could Tahir replace Bravo?

Big pictureThe Chennai Super Kings and the Rajasthan Royals are in a bit of crisis at this point in the tournament. Both sides have lost six of their nine games. Both lost their respective last matches, which were close contests, and desperately need their wicketkeeper-batsmen to click. But there were positives in their respective losses too – a few of their batsmen showed good hitting form, albeit a bit too late into the tournament. Or maybe not.ALSO READ: CSK vs RR Fantasy Pick – Take a risk, make Uthappa your captainThe chopping and changing of the line-up has not been fruitful, but the Royals’ batting looked in much better shape in the match against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, with a few drastic but much-needed changes in place. While Robin Uthappa’s promotion to the top of the order worked well, captain Steven Smith at his usual No. 4 position hit form with a half-century and gave them the required impetus in the middle order. Sanju Samson, however, has continued to struggle with the bat after a dream start to the tournament. In the end, an incredible AB de Villiers assault and the gamble of giving Jaydev Unadkat the penultimate over instead of Jofra Archer cost them two points.For the Super Kings, however, it was fielding slip-ups that proved costly in the game against the Delhi Capitals. Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis, although a bit slow to get off the blocks with the bat, laid out the foundation. Their middle order, which had lacked firepower up to that point, stepped up and plundered 57 runs off the last four overs against arguably the best death bowling attack in the tournament. Jadeja, coming in after MS Dhoni’s yet another low score, struck a 13-ball 33 not out as Ambati Rayudu helped from the other end with an unbeaten 25-ball 45.While both sides’ campaigns are nearing a point of no return, a win for either of these teams will give their playoffs pursuit a push.In the newsDwayne Bravo’s groin injury kept him off the field during the Capitals’ chase, which eventually prevented him from bowling the crucial final over of the match. Coach Stephen Fleming said Bravo would miss “a few days or a couple of weeks”. The Super Kings could look to bring back Josh Hazlewood or go for an extra spinner in Imran Tahir.Previous meetingA Samson special ensured a win for the Royals in their opening match of the season in Sharjah. Samson slammed a 32-ball 74 and took Royals to 216. In response, the Super Kings fell short by 16 runs even as du Plessis scored a 37-ball 72.Likely XIsChennai Super Kings: 1 Faf du Plessis, 2 Sam Curran, 3 Shane Watson, 4 Ambati Rayudu, 5 MS Dhoni (capt, wk), 6 Ravindra Jadeja, 7 Deepak Chahar, 8 Piyush Chawla, 9 Shardul Thakur, 10 Karn Sharma, 11 Josh Hazlewood/ Imran TahirRajasthan Royals: 1 Jos Buttler (wk), 2 Robin Uthappa, 3 Sanju Samson, 4 Steven Smith (capt), 5 Ben Stokes 6 Riyan Parag, 7 Rahul Tewatia, 8 Jofra Archer, 9 Shreyas Gopal/Mayank Markande, 10 Jaydev Unadkat, 11 Kartik TyagiStrategy Punt The Super Kings could use Sam Curran as a floater. Curran opened the innings in the last two games with contrasting returns: against the Sunrisers, he made a 21-ball 31 but was dismissed for a duck against the Capitals. He could be used in the middle overs to counter the Royals’ spinners as he averages over 50 and strikes at 241 against spin this season. Are the Royals missing a trick by pushing Jos Buttler down the order? Buttler has been at his best while opening the innings and is the only opener, apart from Chris Gayle, to average over 40 and strike at 150-plus in the IPL. Meanwhile, Stokes has not been particularly successful in his new role at the top. Will the Royals swap their positions? Will the Royals bring in Mayank Markande against the Super Kings? The Super Kings haven’t exactly been at their best against spin this year, with a scoring rate of only 7.7. This might prompt the Royals to bring in Markande and bowl him along with Shreyas Gopal and Rahul Tewatia, also considering the fact that their legspinners picked up four wickets during the reverse fixture earlier in the tournament.Stats that matter The Super Kings and the Royals were among the top spin units in 2019 but their spinners have been misfiring this season. While the Super Kings spinners have been the most expensive this season, with an economy of 9.1, the Royals’ have taken the least wickets (12). Jofra Archer has been the key for the Royals this season, both in the powerplay and at the death. Among fast bowlers who have bowled at least 20 overs this season, Archer has the best economy (7). Dhoni is set to be the first to 200 matches in the IPL. The Royals have lost the most wickets in the powerplay compared to other teams this season. They’ve lost 27 wickets in nine matches and on average, have lost a wicket almost every 16th ball. Rayudu is five short of 5000 T20 runs.

Celtic are "keen" on completing the signing of a young winger this summer, but other clubs are also believed to be in the race, according to journalist Charlie Gordon.

Celtic eyeing Bernardo and Idah deals

Brendan Rodgers is on the lookout for top-quality new signings ahead of the summer transfer window opening next month, and there are two key pieces of business that he could want to get over the line before next season gets underway.

The first of those is Paulo Bernardo, who joined Celtic on loan from Benfica in 2023/24, and ultimately played an important role in them pipping rivals Rangers to both Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup glory. The midfielder featured 22 times in the league overall, chipping in with six goal contributions (three goals and assists apiece), and he is believed to be interested in signing a long-term deal for the Hoops.

Meanwhile, another fellow loanee, Adam Idah, is also wanted on a permanent basis this summer, as he potentially looks to seal a move away from Norwich City for good.

The 23-year-old ended up playing a massive role in Celtic's success, arriving in the January transfer window and scoring eight goals in 15 Scottish Premiership games, of which only five were starts. He also scored the winning goal against Rangers in the cup final, firing home late in the day, and the board are "committed" to bringing him in.

Celtic "keen" on 21-year-old midfielder

Writing on X, Gordon said that Celtic are interested in signing FC Lausanne-Sport winger Alvyn Sanches, but aren't alone when it comes to being in contention to snap him up this summer:

"Celtic are keen on highly-rated Swiss midfielder Alvyn Sanches after extensive scouting in 2023/24. Stoke City and Coventry City are also admirers. Plenty of interest elsewhere in Europe. Lausanne want £4m."

In his report for The Express, Gordon goes on to add that "Celtic sent scouts to assess Sanches at various points in 2023/24", which has led to more serious interest for the summer.

Sanches won't necessarily be a household name to Celtic supporters, especially compared to the likes of Bernardo and Idah these days, but that's not to say that he couldn't be an excellent option for Rodgers next season.

At 21, the Swiss youngster still has the vast majority of his career ahead of him, and he has already racked up 84 appearances for his current side, scoring 14 goals and bagging seven assists in that time. He has also been capped by Switzerland at youth team level, making nine appearances for the Under-21s and Under-20s combined.

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Depth is so vital in any squad in the modern game, and that is no different at Celtic, as they look to fare better in the Champions League next season. Sanches could come in as a good squad player who matures as the years pass, hopefully becoming a key part of the first choice XI further down the line.

Kieran McKenna's precarious situation at Portman Road has, no doubt, added a lot of unnecessary distractions to proceedings in Suffolk when transfer targets should be the main priority.

Ipswich will just be praying that he stays put instead of heading out of the door to the likes of Brighton and Hove Albion or Manchester United, with a report from football journalist David Ornstein stating that he could sign a brand new deal very shortly to put an end to all this unwanted speculation.

If that is the case, Ipswich will soon look to press on with a number of deals, which includes this Tottenham Hotspur defender being reportedly on the agenda.

Ipswich looking at hijacking deal

Lilywhite Rose podcast contributor John Wenham has speculated that Ipswich are in for Spurs defender Japhet Tanganga this summer, stating that there was "some talk" involving the 25-year-old wanting to test himself in the Premier League, having starred on loan with Millwall last season in the division below.

This would see Ipswich hijack a potential deal between the Lions and Spurs, with the Mirror reporting earlier in the month that Tanganga was going to relocate to the Den permanently after being allowed to head for the exit door for good by his parent club.

How Tanganga compares to Tuanzebe

Excelling in the second-tier in patches with Millwall – scoring two goals when coming up from the back from 18 total games in the league – Ipswich might view the 6-foot defender as a smart purchase to add strength in depth to the defensive areas ahead of the major step-up.

The two-time England U21 international would also push Axel Tuanzebe all the way on his arrival too, with the wantaway Spurs man capable of playing either at right-back or in a centre-back spot much like the former Man United defender.

Similar in many aspects of their game when glancing at the table above, with Tanganga beating his Ipswich counterpart in some areas defensively with more duels won and more clearances registered per game this season just gone, the 25-year-old would be a good utility option to get into the building this summer.

Tanganga's addition to the Ipswich ranks could even begin to be the end of Tuanzebe in a Tractor Boys strip, with the ex-Red Devils man burning a significant hole in the Suffolk club's back pocket at £20k-per-week considering his in-and-out nature in the first-team.

With Tanganga pocketing a healthy £25k-per-week, Tuanzebe potentially exiting could finance a deal to take place for the Spurs defender to join.

The 26-year-old did start the last four Ipswich games of the season, performing to the best of his ability when the pressure was on with six duels won on the final day, but Tanganga could now be viewed as an upgrade on the high earner.

Once described as being an "outstanding" talent by Gabriel Agbonlahor when still aiming to make it at Spurs, with the defender amassing 50 first-team appearances across a number of seasons, Portman Road might now be his next permanent home where he might show off his Millwall best regularly even when making the leap up.

Able to offer Ipswich more depth in the centre-back spots as well, with more numbers arguably needed here as well to compete with the likes of George Edmundson and Cameron Burgess, Tanganga looks to tick a lot of boxes when it comes to summer buys coming in that are ready to battle away in the top-flight.

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“Will lead the preparation and development of the women’s team at least up until the end of 2022”

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Oct-2020

Courtney Walsh has been named head coach of West Indies’ women’s team and, according to a Cricket West Indies statement “will lead the preparation and development of the women’s team at least up until the end of 2022”.Walsh, who is West Indies’ leading wicket-taker in Test cricket with 519 scalps, had worked with the women’s team during the T20 World Cup held in Australia in February and March this year. He has also worked as assistant coach with Bangladesh’s men’s team. He has also served as a West Indies selector previously.Walsh said he takes up the role with a “very good understanding of what is required”.”I’ve always wanted to give back in any way I can and help with the development of the game in the West Indies,” he said. “The experience I have, my knowledge of the game, and my overall organisational skills will be key aspects as we try to develop a winning team culture.”I worked with the team at the Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year in Australia and in the series against India in the Caribbean last year, so I have a very good understanding of what is required.”The ability and the talent are there, we have some fantastic players in the West Indies, and it will be my duty and focus to help the women to develop their talents and achieve the goals we are going to be setting together.”Jimmy Adams, CWI’s director of cricket, expanded on Walsh’s role, saying: “He will be overseeing the programme initially until the end of the next two ICC Women’s World Cups in 2022, and he will be pivotal in working with CWI’s High Performance Team to move our whole women’s programme forward.”Walsh takes over the role from Gus Logie, following a recruitment process that was announced in May. Andre Coley was the team’s interim coach on the just-concluded tour of England, which marked the return of top-flight women’s cricket after the pandemic-enforced lockdown. West Indies lost the five-match T20I series against England 5-0.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are hoping to take Wrexham back into Europe, with the club admitting that is an “unashamedly financial measure”.

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Welsh League Cup discussionsEuropa Conference League opportunityHollywood co-owners excitedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Red Dragons have not graced continental competition since reaching the second round of the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1995-96, with Welsh sides competing in the English Football League currently prevented from entering Welsh Cup tournaments.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALTHE BIGGER PICTURE

That situation may be about to change – as the likes of Wrexham, Cardiff, Swansea and Newport are welcomed back into a restructured Welsh League Cup – with a potential route into the Europa Conference League opening up.

WHAT SHAUN HARVEY SAID

Said prospect has got many at SToK Racecourse excited, as another new adventure for Hollywood co-owners presents itself, and Wrexham director Shaun Harvey has told of ambitious plans: “We are interested because we have got an obligation to give the club the best chance of success. The club, like the other three clubs, is steeped in European history, albeit going back over a period of time. If those days can return to Wrexham at some stage in the future then it’s another step on a remarkable journey.

“It’s not creating something new because the club has been there before but it will give the new generation of fans the opportunity to share the same experiences that their predecessors had. Every so often opportunities like this present themselves and we have got an obligation to both ourselves and football in Wales to look at them. With things such as this, you are always conscious that it might not be universally popular and on that basis, it needs to be well thought out.

“Conversations started probably 18 months ago about the possibility of this. The new owners of Swansea City came to the fore and commissioned research work that categorically proved that if the four Welsh EFL clubs participated in European competitions, then it would be financially beneficial for the whole of football in Wales. There would be financial benefits for whichever club managed to win the Welsh League Cup but only one of the four could win it and it doesn’t mean the Cymru Premier clubs can’t win it either.”

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Harvey added on the benefits to all concerned, with it not only Wrexham that stand to bolster their coffers: “People ask why would the Cymru Premier clubs and the FAW support it. The answer is that they are satisfied that it would be in the best interests of football as a whole in Wales. Value is measured in many different ways but in this case, the measure is unashamedly financial.

“The more money that is available to develop and promote the game throughout Wales, the better it has to be for everybody. The FAW would hopefully receive significantly more funding as a result of improved performances to support the development of the women’s game and football below the Cymru Premier.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Vivendo situações opostas no Campeonato Brasileiro da Série B, Confiança e CRB duelaram na noite desta quarta-feira, pela 22ª rodada, na Arena Bastistão. E quem se deu melhor foram os visitantes. Após ficar em desvantagem no marcador, o Dragão chegou a descontar na segunda etapa, porém não foi o suficiente para tirar a vitória do Galo por 2 a 1.

Com o resultado, o time comandado por Allan Aal chegou aos 40 pontos, pulando para a liderança, porém terá que aguardar os jogos de Coritiba e Goiás, já que ambos tem a chance de assumir o primeiro lugar na rodada. Por outro lado, a equipe comandada por Luizinho Lopes, com mais um tropeço, acabou estacionando na 20ª colocação com seus 13 pontos.

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>Aplicativo de resultados do LANCE! está disponível na versão iOS

INÍCIO DE JOGO COM POUCAS FINALIZAÇÕES

Mesmo jogando em casa, a equipe do Confiança não imprimiu um ritmo forte logo nos primeiros minutos de jogo. Sendo assim, o CRB tentou arriscar-se em seu campo de ataque, porém acabou esbarrando na forte defesa adversária que levou a melhor em todas as oportunidades.

Com o passar do tempo, aos poucos, o Dragão foi equilibrando o confronto também criando jogadas ofensivas. Entretanto, assim como aconteceu com o Galo, praticamente nenhuma chegou a assustar o goleiro Diogo Silva, mantendo o placar sem alterações.

GALO ABRE A CONTAGEM

Passados os primeiros movimentos, o time alagoano, voltou a assustar mais. Com isso, em uma nova jogada, Júnior Brandão acionou Diego Torres com um bonito toque de letra, devolvendo a bola para o camisa 9 que mandou uma bomba e abriu o placar, sem chances para Michael.

Após o tento, a equipe do Confiança partiu pra cima na expectativa de encontrar, ao menos, o empate antes do término da etapa. Mesmo acionando seus atacantes na frente, o sistema defensivo da equipe comandada por Allan Aal não facilitou as coisas e conseguiu levar a vitória parcial para os vestiários.

CRB AMPLIA, MAS DRAGÃO CONSEGUE DESCONTAR

Já na etapa final, apenas o time do Confiança retornou com uma alteração, saindo Hernane e entrando Robinho em seu lugar. Entretanto, mesmo com a troca, foi o alvirrubro que conseguiu marcar mais uma vez. Após uma bonita jogada, Jajá balançou a rede rival, mas o árbitro anulou inicialmente o gol por conta de um possível impedimento no lance. Depois de consultar o VAR, o árbitro Leão Simão Holanda acabou confirmando o tento, fazendo com que o time visitante abrisse 2 a 0.

Vendo o adversário aumentar a vantagem, o Dragão tentou não desanimar. Com isso, aos 18, João Paulo levantou a bola na área e Tiago Reis, que havia entrado um minuto antes, subiu mais alto que a defesa do Galo, marcando o primeiro dos donos da casa no jogo.

RETA FINAL COM EMOÇÃO

Nos momentos finais de jogo, o técnico Allan Aal então visou gastar o tempo realizando algumas alterações. Com isso, mesmo com os 5 minutos de acréscimos, segurou a pressão por parte do Confiança que lançou-se ao seu campo de ataque na esperança de arrancar um empate, porém não conseguiu encontrar seu gol, dando a deixa para a arbitragem colocar um ponto final no duelo na Arena Bastistão.

FICHA TÉCNICA
CONFIANÇA 1×2 CRB

Data e horário:01/07/2021, às 19h (de Brasília)
​Local: Arena Batistão, em Aracaju (SE)
Árbitro: Leão Simão Holanda (CBF-CE)
Assistentes: Cleberson do Nascimento Leite (CBF-CE) e Renan Aguiar da Costa (CBF-CE)

Cartões Amarelos: Hernane, 32’/1ºT; Marthã, 9’/2ºT; Serginho, 28’/2ºT;Jhemerson, 45’/2ºT

Gols: Júnior Brandão, 22’/1ºT (1-0); Jajá, 6’/2ºT (2-0); Tiago Reis, 18’/2ºT (2-1)

CONFIANÇA:Michael; Jonathan Bocão (Rafael Vila, aos 12’/2ºT), Nirley, Nery Bareiro e João Paulo; Madison, Jhemerson e Álvaro (Ítalo, aos 27’/2ºT); Willians Santana (Tiago Reis, 17’/2ºT), Luidy (Lucas Sampaio, aos 13’/2ºT)e Hernane (Robinho, no intervalo).
(Técnico: Luizinho Lopes)

CRB: Diogo Silva; Reginaldo, Gum (Frazan, aos 15’/2ºT), Caetano e Guilherme Romão; Marthã (Claudinei, aos 38’/2ºT), Wesley e Diego Torres (Renan Bressan, aos 32’/2ºT); Pablo Dyego, Júnior Brandão (Emerson Negueba, aos 32’/2ºT)e Jajá (Alisson Farias, aos 38’/2ºT).
(Técnico: Allan Aal)

A Super Over loss against the Kolkata Knight Riders left David Warner having to “bite his tongue” to stop himself saying something overtly harsh, but the Sunrisers Hyderabad captain admitted to being disappointed with the result.”I don’t know what to say, I’ll probably have to bite my tongue a little bit,” Warner told the host broadcaster after the match. “We probably leaked a few too many, towards the middle overs and towards the back end. For us it’s about trying to finish games. We’ve come too close the last three games and we haven’t got across the line, so I’m quite disappointed.”The Knight Riders made a competitive 163 for 5 after being put in thanks to a strong finish, but Warner felt his decision to bowl first in Abu Dhabi was the right one. “I stick by my decision. Coming from Dubai I felt this wicket looks like a nice batting wicket and wasn’t going to change too much, and to be honest, it didn’t,” he said. “It held up a little in the middle of the wicket, but at the end of that day that is no excuse. I felt 165-170 was probably a par total. We lost wickets at crucial times again.”Dinesh Karthik, who batted at No. 6 for the Knight Riders and hit 29* off 14 in a frenetic stand with Eoin Morgan that brought 58 runs in the last five overs, felt his team had complicated matters in what should have been an easier win. “It was a game we could have won a bit comfortably,” Karthik said. “We made it tough for ourselves, but we kind of came back at the end and showed character.”That was thanks in large measure to Lockie Ferguson, as the New Zealand quick, playing his first game of the season, picked up 3 for 15 in regulation time and then bowled the Super Over in which he castled Warner first ball and Abdul Samad third ball. Understandably, Morgan was pleased.”For Lockie Ferguson to come in for his first game of his tournament so far and perform in both the 20-over game and the Super Over like he did was outstanding,” Morgan said. “The hunger and drive that he’s shown off the field, he’s been waiting for an opportunity.”6:22

Tom Moody: Can’t see Lockie Ferguson missing another game

Injury worries for both teams
Both the Knight Riders and the Sunrisers had to deal with injuries to key players during the game. In the first innings, Kane Williamson got an adductor injury when making a diving stop, and in the second, Andre Russell was off the field for a short while clutching his hamstring.Williamson’s injury meant he was pushed up the order to open with Jonny Bairstow, reducing the running between the wickets that middle-overs batting demands. He fell to the first ball after the powerplay, having hit 29 off 19 in a rapid 58-run opening stand. As a result, Warner had to drop down the order.”Yeah he obviously had to open the batting there, he’s got a slight niggle towards the top end of his adductor,” Warner said. “He’ll have to get some physio treatment the next couple of days and hopefully comes up.”Russell had already bowled one over before hobbling off, but came back to bowl the final over. Even though he bowled off a short run-up and ambled rather than ran in, he gave up only 17 runs in the last over to force a tie. This was after he had started with a no-ball and the equation came down to the Sunrisers needing two off the last ball with Warner on strike. However, Russell conceded only a leg-bye.”Dre went off the field, we thought he was injured. He came back on and said he could bowl,” Morgan said. “Obviously, (you) trust the player, and he came off a short run which he does every so often. Didn’t manage to execute as well as he would have liked. I thought he showed a lot of character to come back and get us to the Super Over after not starting as well as he’d like with a no-ball. He’s a superstar performer for us. He’s been such an integral part of the franchise for such a long time, so we need Andre Russell fit.”

Samu Omorodion has thanked divine intervention for blocking his Chelsea transfer after enjoying a superb start at FC Porto.

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• Omorodion swapped Atletico for Chelsea
• Striker joined FC Porto instead
• Spaniard thrilled Blues move didn't happen

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 20-year-old looked set to swap Atletico Madrid for Chelsea in August, with Conor Gallagher going the other way, only for the former's transfer to collapse. The 6ft 4in striker eventually joined Porto permanently and since then he has been on fire for the Portuguese outfit. Now, the Spain under-21 international has expressed his relief at not heading to Stamford Bridge.

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  WHAT SAMU OMORODION SAID

  He told RTVE: “I went through a very difficult period, because, after all, everyone knows that I was about to sign [for Chelsea], but the truth is that it didn’t happen. It was for one reason: God didn’t want it. I’m very happy, very content to be there. The truth is that things are going very well for me and, above all, I want to continue to show what I’m capable of.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Omorodion, who spent last season on loan at Alaves in La Liga and scored eight goals in 35 matches, has hit the ground running at Porto. The big forward has scored seven goals in just six matches in all competitions, including a brace against Manchester United in the Champions League. With so many players struggling to get game time at Chelsea, due to the sheer size of their expensively assembled squad, joining Porto may have been the best thing for his career.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  The former Atletico man, who didn't play a single game for the La Liga team following his move from Granada in 2023, is likely to feature for Porto in their Taca de Portugal third round clash away at Sintrense on October 20.

The summer transfer window officially opened for business earlier this month and Celtic are yet to complete their signing ahead of next season.

Brendan Rodgers won two trophies – the Scottish Premiership title and the SFA Cup – in his first campaign back at Parkhead and may now be targeting more silverware next term.

The Northern Irish head coach has already been linked with an interest in Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers, Coventry star Callum O’Hare, and Dundee dynamo Luke McCowan, among many others.

Instead of bringing in a fresh, new, player to bolster their squad, Celtic could go and bring back a former player to enjoy a second spell in Glasgow.

Celtic's potential chance to re-sign former star

The Daily Record recently reported that central defender Carl Starfelt has been ‘touted’ with a shock return to the club, as his new manager, Claudio Giraldez, does not see him as a key option ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

They cite a report from Spanish outlet La Voz Degalicia, which reveals that Celta Vigo are set to hand Jose Fontan, who had been out on loan this year, a chance to impress in pre-season.

This is said to push Starfelt further down the pecking order in Giraldez’s mind and could push him towards an exit from the LaLiga outfit, opening a door to a return to Parkhead.

However, it remains to be seen whether or not the Hoops have a genuine interest in bringing the Sweden international back to the club, or how much Celta Vigo would demand for his services.

If they could agree a deal to snap him back up, though, then Rodgers could land a perfect partner for Cameron Carter-Vickers at the back, based on their previous partnership.

Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt's brilliant partnership

The towering pairing played alongside each other for Ange Postecoglou in both the 2021/22 and 2022/23 campaigns as the first-choice partnership for the Scottish giants.

In their first season together, Celtic kept 18 clean sheets in Starfelt’s 34 starts and 17 shutouts in Carter-Vickers’ 33 starts in the Premiership.

This shows that they were both regular starters in the division and formed a solid defence that averaged more than one clean sheet every other game, to help the Hoops win the title.

22/23 Premiership

Carl Starfelt

Cameron Carter-Vickers

Appearances

28

29

Pass accuracy

92%

92%

Ground duel success rate

60%

59%

Aerial duel success rate

70%

74%

Clearances per game

4.2

2.9

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, they remained key players for the Bhoys during the 2022/23 campaign and proved themselves to be dominant performers in the top-flight.

Starfelt, who was hailed as “pivotal” by John Hartson, and Carter-Vickers both dominated opposition attackers by winning the majority of their duels on the deck and in the air, which illustrates how difficult they were for forwards to compete against.

These statistics suggest that the £18k-per-week star, who won 66% of his duels in LaLiga last season, would be the perfect partner to come in and play alongside the USA international next term, as they have already proven themselves to be a fantastic pairing for Celtic at that level.

Related Rodgers could land his next Tom Rogic in Celtic swoop for 10-goal star

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However, it remains to be seen how viable a move for the Swedish colossus is and it may not be one for the fans to get their hopes up on yet.

The 2023/24 campaign fizzled out like a disappointing firework at Molineux but Gary O'Neil and his Wolverhampton Wanderers squad have shown enough to suggest the upcoming term will bring promise and thrills.

Many supporters are left waiting for an unconscionable amount of time during the early phase of the summer transfer window but Wolves have already signalled a statement of intent by signing 20-year-old winger Rodrigo Gomes from Braga for a £13m fee.

He's pacy and nimble and willing to put in a shift, and if the £60m-rated Pedro Neto is to be sold this summer, prudent moves have been made to secure his services.

Wolves still hope to sign a centre-forward, however, and if Neto is indeed allowed to leave, O'Neil will have ample funds to bolster his frontline, with one long-term target appearing to be the perfect fit.

Wolves could sign new striker

Only a few weeks ago, it looked nailed-on that Che Adams would join Wolves upon the expiry of his contract with Southampton this month, but interest from a host of other suitors has since cast the deal into doubt.

Still, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Wolves will indeed sign a striker this summer, and with this in mind, Fosun could now act on interest in Salernitana striker Boulaye Dia.

According to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport earlier this week – via Sport Witness – Wolves' pursuit of Dia has hit a snag, with the Premier League side yet to meet Salernitana's price tag of €20m (£17m).

Why Boulaye Dia would be perfect for Wolves

Dia has suffered a series of disagreements with his Serie A team over the past year and this has inhibited his chances of building on an exemplary 2022/23 campaign.

Matches played

33

17

Matches started

27

12

Goals

16

4

Assists

6

0

Big chances missed

5

3

Pass completion

77%

84%

Shots per game

1.5

1.7

Key passes per game

1.1

0.6

Dribbles per game

1.1

0.8

Duels won per game

3.3

2.8

The 27-year-old has proven himself a high-level goalscorer and in new conditions at Wolves, he may be able to shift the currents that have disrupted his football of late.

Scoring 16 goals (in 2022/23) while only missing five big chances is a remarkably clinical ability; it's no wonder that journalist Jonas Adnan Giæver hailed him as a "beast" and an "absolute monster" back in 2021, a portent of success to come.

The Senegalese's creativity and dynamism are characteristics that make him much more than simply a goalscorer, with his ball-playing ability simply a further instrument to a wide-ranging array of qualities. As per FBref, the £42k-per-week ace actually ranks among the top 1% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion.

This level of technical ability would only serve to boost the recently-signed Gomes, whose dynamic wide role – on either flank – demands a clinical talisman who also offers connective play through crisp passing movements.

Target Scouting reporter Joe Pearce said that the Portuguese starlet "has rapid acceleration and the stamina to make real lung-bursting runs from deeper positions.

"When he spots space ahead, he attacks it and shows real intensity in wanting to break forward and anticipate second balls, attacking the back post and following up on shots looking for rebounds, and has scored and assisted from this type of situation."

Gomes is a young talent and will indeed need assistance in acclimatising to life in the Premier League, and while Molineux already boasts a top-class striker in Matheus Cunha, Dia could take his place in the team if need be.

With such a versatile approach to his attacking play, Dia could even be a feasible replacement for Cunha, should the Brazilian leave this summer.

Wolves hope to continue their 2023/24 top scorer, but with Manchester United in pursuit and Cunha admitting that he is flattered by the Red Devils' interest, saying "it’s a real honour to have your name linked to Manchester United. One of the biggest clubs in the world."

Cunha might have enjoyed a rich goalscoring season but that is merely one string to a vibrant bow, also ranking among the top 14% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 10% 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 17% for tackles per 90.

Dubbed "a complete player" by former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui, Cunha is a fantastic, influential player but Dia could certainly imitate his role in O'Neil's team, should push come to shove.

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ByAngus Sinclair Jun 9, 2024