Delhi ODI to be pushed back to October 20

The second match of India’s upcoming ODI series against New Zealand is likely to be pushed back by a day. According to the original schedule released by the BCCI, the day-night match was to be played on October 19 at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi. But it is now set to be played on October 20, with the BCCI having approved a request from the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) to not have it clash with the North Indian festival of .”It is a big festival in Delhi,” a senior BCCI official said. “We realised having a day-night match during the festival might be disruptive.”The selectors, meanwhile, will meet in Delhi on September 12 to choose India’s squad for the three-match Test series against New Zealand, which begins on September 22 at Green Park in Kanpur. The first Test is set to be India’s 500th Test match.New Zealand’s tour will begin with a three-day warm-up match against Mumbai from September 16 to 18. They will then play three Tests in Kanpur, Kolkata and Indore, and five ODIs in Dharamsala, Delhi, Mohali, Ranchi and Visakhapatnam.

Journo Talks Up Rangers Signings After £7,500k-A-Week Addition

The signing of Kieran Dowell from Norwich City could just be the start for Rangers in the summer transfer window, according to a promising update from journalist Dean Jones.

Has Dowell joined Rangers?

Michael Beale will be well aware of the importance of the upcoming window, in terms of narrowing the gap between his Gers side and bitter adversaries Celtic. The Gers have battled hard all season long, in various completions, but have ended up coming up short in all of them.

For that reason, numerous new faces need to come in and enhance both the starting lineup and squad depth at Beale's disposal, making them a more fearsome proposition in the process.

Rangers have already made inroads in the transfer market, completing the signing of Dowell from Norwich earlier this week, with the midfielder enjoying a good 2022/23 campaign for the Canaries. The £7,500-a-week former Everton man scored five goals and chipped in with three assists in the Championship, proving to be an important squad figure.

The 25-year-old is someone who could make a big difference in the middle of the park, and his human qualities have been highlighted in the past, with Sheffield United fans describing his work with a terminally-ill young Blades supporter as "amazing" during his time at the club.

Could Dowell be the first of many signings?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, transfer expert Jones talked up Rangers' chances of snapping up more signings this summer after the arrival of Dowell:

"We know Beale has big plans for the summer. We could see five or six signings, so maybe this is one of the first."

While Dowell looks like a shrewd signing by Rangers this summer, it is also clear that more additions are required, if they are to get back to being Scottish Premiership champions, as was the case back in 2020/2021.

Depth all over the pitch is needed, with youngster Archie Brown a rumoured new target at left-back, for example, and as Jones alludes to, five or six new faces would aid Beale's ambitions and enhance their chances of future glories.

Dowell is certainly a good start, however, with the Englishman someone who has won 16 caps for both England's Under-21s and Under-20s sides, not to mention making five appearances for Everton during his time as a youngster, and appearing 21 times in the Premier League in total, showing that he can perform at the top level.

Fans Think £40k-p/w Arsenal Man Is Signing New Deal

Arsenal fans have reacted online with excitement as they think an image of William Saliba suggests he’ll be signing a new contract.

What’s the latest contract news for Arsenal and William Saliba?

With the Gunners pushing for a Premier League title, their hopes have been severely dented by the Frenchman’s absence in recent weeks. Indeed, he started every league game of the season – dropping points in just six of 27 games – before picking up a back injury.

In the following seven games without Saliba since then, however, Arsenal have dropped from first to second; drawing three times and losing one match as well.

There is still hope he can play before the season comes to an end, but there is no guarantee that this will happen with manager Mikel Arteta wary about the player’s fitness.

The Spaniard recently told the press: “We are not yet [ruling him out for the season], because we are always hopeful and players are always pushing to play but if that is the case then we will announce that. Hopefully that will not be the case.”

With all that in mind, it’s clear just how important the £40k-p/w defender is to the team. Worryingly then for Arsenal, the 22-year-old is yet to commit to a new contract with his current deal set to expire in 2024 and some reports suggesting negotiations have reached an “impasse”.

However, a recent image appeared online and it shows that the player is making improvements to his north London home by installing a brand new gym.

After seeing the images, it’s safe to say the fanbase jumped to some excited conclusions as they assumed this proves the young centre-back is ready to settle down at the club for a while longer.

To be fair, ESPN have now reported Saliba is indeed on the verge of agreeing to an extension. But these supporters didn’t need that information to convince them, as the images of the player’s new gym seem to have been more than enough evidence.

Here are some of the best reactions…

It’s no doubt, these Arsenal fans were delighted.

Mauricio Pochettino To Talk With £290k-p/w Chelsea Man

Journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Mauricio Pochettino will be "involved" as Chelsea look to keep hold of N'Golo Kante.

What's the latest on Chelsea and N'Golo Kante?

It seems all but confirmed that the 51-year-old Argentine will be the Blues' next manager and will take over when the Premier League ends.

With that being the case, Pochettino will have a big job in working out who he wants to keep around at Stamford Bridge after this past season of mediocrity.

Kante is one notable player who will see his £290k-p/w contract expire at the end of the current campaign but it sounds as though Chelsea want to offer the midfielder new terms.

While speaking about the Frenchman on his YouTube channel, however, Romano explained how Pochettino will also play a role in the decision

He said (09:12): "For N'Golo Kante, on the club's side, the idea is to continue together with Kante, but now Pochettino will be involved also in this conversion."

Who else wants to sign Kante?

It's certainly interesting that Chelsea seem keen to keep Kante at Stamford Bridge as this might not have been a certainty seeing as he earns so much, is now 32 years of age, and has struggled with injury issues this season – limiting him to just seven league appearances this term.

However, seeing as he's won so much over the course of his career – such as the Premier League, Champions League and World Cup – it makes sense to keep a proven winner around.

What's more, seeing as rival London club Arsenal have been linked by reports in France with the midfielder in recent weeks, it might not be wise to discard him just yet.

However, while Romano notes that Pochettino will also be involved in the conversations with the player, that doesn't necessarily mean the Argentine will want to offer him a new deal.

Of course, he may be more than happy to keep Kante but perhaps he'll want to have younger options in his squad.

After all, journalist Paul Brown recently explained to GIVEMESPORT how the new manager may prefer a youthful project in west London.

He said: "With Pochettino, I think he works best when he has a squad full of young, hungry, talented players who will work for him, listen and play to the system. I think that's possible at Chelsea. It's just that they have a lot of older, more experienced players with slightly bigger egos who have been around and won stuff as well.

"But I think you will see Pochettino use a lot of the younger players because they're the ones who he can work with and mould and really build a system around. So I think that could be quite exciting for Chelsea."

Tottenham: "Unbelievable" Manager Rejects Spurs Job

Tottenham Hotspur manager target Vincent Kompany reportedly wants to stay at Burnley for the next Premier League season, according to Pete O'Rourke.

What's the latest on Kompany to Spurs?

The 37-year-old has been very regularly mentioned as a candidate for the Spurs job in recent weeks, with reports even claiming he is chairman Daniel Levy's top choice to replace Antonio Conte.

Lilywhites chiefs have apparently been impressed by Kompany's work in the Championship this season, leading to Levy considering a move for him more seriously.

It's also been rumoured that the Belgian is happy to speak with Spurs over their vacant managerial role, coming amid links to former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique and ex-Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann as well.

Vincent Kompany returns to Manchester City as his Burnley side visit in the FA Cup.

There is apparently division within Spurs over who should take the reins next campaign, with members of the squad calling for Mauricio Pochettino's sensational return whilst Levy favours Kompany (The Daily Mail).

It's set to be a very interesting few weeks in the Tottenham manager chase, especially as London rivals Chelsea reportedly target a move for the likes of Enrique who is also wanted at N17.

Going back to the 'unbelievable' (Jonny Bentley) Kompany, reporter O'Rourke has shared an update on Tottenham's chances of hiring the Man City legend, and it isn't good news.

Writing in a column for Football Insider, the journalist claims Burnley's boss is flattered by links to Spurs, but he is insistent on remaining at Turf Moor to help maintain their top flight status next season.

O'Rourke wrote:

"The future of Kompany is also a big talking point amid reported interest from Tottenham and Chelsea. I’m told the interest is flattering for the Clarets boss, but he wants to give it a crack with Burnley in the Premier League after his work to return them to the top tier. Despite the extensive links and speculation, it is unlikely that Kompany will take another job in the off-season."

Where should Spurs look now?

We believe the answer is staring Levy in the face – Pochettino. The Argentine is not only readily-available and free to hire, but also possesses the necessary Premier League experience and already has relationships with certain Spurs players.

The transition would be a far smoother one than that of other candidates as a result, with Pochettino's brand of open, expansive attacking football also coming as a big draw.

Supporters are regularly singing his name as they yearn for a potential return, a wish Levy must surely grant.

Chelsea now interested in Meslier transfer

Chelsea are now interested in signing Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier, according to a report from Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Chelsea eyeing goalkeeper

With goalkeeper Edouard Mendy currently ‘not looking’ to sign a contract extension at Stamford Bridge, the Blues are eyeing a new option between the sticks, recently being linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel.

On a more long-term basis, Chelsea have been looking at a number of options with proven Premier League experience, including Brighton & Hove Albion shot-stopper Robert Sanchez, who at one point was deemed to be ‘high up on the list.’

At one stage, the west London club were said to have made contact with David Raya about a move across the capital, while Everton’s Jordan Pickford was also a target, but the Englishman has recently signed a new contract.

The Latest: Meslier targeted

As per a report from Football Insider, Chelsea have now joined the race to sign Meslier in the summer transfer window, amid interest in the £30m-rated goalkeeper from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

Graham Potter is said to have informed owner Todd Boehly that he would like a new goalkeeper in the summer, and the club believe they could sign the Leeds United star for a bargain fee if they are relegated from the Premier League.

Despite the high level of interest in the 23-year-old, the Blues are willing to outbid their rivals to secure his signature.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Lauded as ‘unbelievable’ by members of the media, the Frenchman is at the right age to be a long-term success at Stamford Bridge, and he has been one of Leeds’ most consistent performers in the Premier League so far this season.

With an average Sofascore mating of 6.89, the former Lorient man is the sixth-best performing player in the squad, most recently impressing by making a total of six saves from inside the box in his side’s vital 4-2 win away at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That said, it is unclear whether the 6 foot 4 colossus would be an upgrade on Kepa Arrizabalaga, ranking far lower than the Spaniard in terms of average save percentage per 90 over the course of the past year.

Given that Kepa has been putting in some very good performances in recent weeks, recently making five saves, including three from inside the box in the 3-1 victory at Leicester City, Chelsea should continue to monitor the performances of their current goalkeeper before deciding if a summer replacement is really necessary.

Newcastle inquire over Leeds’ Robin Koch

Newcastle United have reportedly made an inquiry over the possibility of signing Robin Koch from Leeds United this summer.

The Lowdown: Standout performer

In what has proven to be a difficult season for Leeds so far, with the sacking of Jesse Marsch coupled up with them being just outside of the relegation zone in the Premier League, Koch has been one of their standout performers.

No other player in the Leeds side is averaging more clearances per game in the division than he is, while he also ranks highly among his team-mates for a number of other metrics (WhoScored).

The Latest: Newcastle inquiry

As per German news outlet Sport1, Newcastle ‘above all’ are ‘interested’ in signing Koch this summer, but he has also received ‘inquiries’ from the Bundesliga.

His contract at Elland Road is up in 2024, putting Leeds under pressure to cash in at the risk of him leaving as a free agent at the end of next season.

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The Verdict: Shrewd addition

Koch would certainly be a shrewd addition at St. James’ Park, given that he already boasts plenty of Premier League experience.

The six-foot-three colossus is also capable of playing in a number of defensive and even midfield positions, and so his extra versatility would be very useful in the squad.

At 26 years of age, the Magpies would be signing a player about to enter his prime, and so this seems like a smart deal to do if Eddie Howe really fancies the player.

Rangers transfer news on Nikola Krstovic

Glasgow Rangers are reportedly eyeing up a potential ‘huge’ deal to bring Nikola Krstovic to Ibrox this summer.

The Lowdown: Krstovic profiled

The striker is enjoying an impressive season at Dunajska Streda in Slovakia, where he has scored 19 goals and supplied a further four assists in just 26 games across all competitions so far (Transfermarkt).

He has also been capped five times by Montenegro by the age of 22, providing one assist for his country (Transfermarkt), and he could attract plenty of interest this summer, with his club turning down enquiries for him in the January transfer window.

The Latest: Would take a ‘huge outlay’

As per Football Insider, Rangers will ‘struggle’ to sign Krstovic this summer, as it would take a ‘huge outlay’ to sign him, while also involving selling one of the Light Blues’ current options.

His club are looking for a fee of between £4m and £5m to sell him, with his contract not set to expire until 2025, and they are expected to knock back further bids for him in the summer transfer window.

Krstovic is seen as a potential replacement at Ibrox for Alfredo Morelos, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

The Verdict: Worth the risk?

Signing Krstovic for up to £5m would certainly feel like a risk for Rangers, as he would rank highly among their record signings over the years.

However, signing a striker is imperative should Morelos leave Ibrox, as his goals (121 for the club) will not be easy to replace.

Krstovic has already shown this season that he knows where the back of the net is, but there may be question marks over whether he can replicate that form in the Premiership.

Nonetheless, the 6 foot 1 forward is only 22, so he should have the potential to improve drastically under Michael Beale, should the Light Blues decide to splash the cash on him.

Leeds: Andoni Iraola is a Corberan upgrade

Leeds United must hire a progressive new boss to take them into the future…

What’s the latest?

Pete O’Rourke issued a claim on the Whites’ managerial search that has been ongoing since Jesse Marsch’s dismissal earlier this week.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the journalist offered a glowing endorsement for one of the names mentioned as his successor. He claimed:

“If he [Radrizzani, Leeds owner] sees Andoni [Iraola] as being the right man to take Leeds forward, he looks like an exciting young coach who has huge potential and obviously, it’s a gamble; he’s never managed in English football before.“

Having seemingly been snubbed by Carlos Corberan, who recently extended his contract at West Bromwich Albion, appointing Iraola could actually represent an upgrade on the young Spaniard due to his far greater experience at the top level.

That said, a deal might be tricky to negotiate with Fabrizio Romano claiming that he could in fact be set to stay at his current club, Rayo Vallecano.

He’s better than Corberan

Although the Baggies boss did seem like the natural fit to take the Elland Road hot seat, he must be admired for his commitment to finish what he has started in the Midlands.

Having taken over a side languishing in the relegation zone, he has quickly whipped them into promotion contenders with plenty of the Championship season to go.

Leeds are in need of a similar kickstart, but with no experience managing in any of Europe’s top five leagues, it could represent a large risk.

As a devout follower of Marcelo Bielsa, the closest he has come to such a job was assisting the Argentine in the Premier League before leaving for Huddersfield Town.

Now Victor Orta could turn his sights to another of his disciples, with Iraola boasting plenty of the same philosophies that made the 67-year-old so revered due to his time playing underneath him.

When discussing his journey into coaching, he mentioned the former Leeds boss by noting him as: “a coach, by the way, who I was lucky enough to work with at Athletic. And I say lucky because it was incredible to be with him.”

The Rayo Vallecano man employs an aggressive system which focuses heavily on using speed to counterattack with frightening precision.

But it is his unique pressing style that allows him to stand out, with his team offering a form of organised chaos that perhaps offers more defensive security than Bielsa had done.

Across his 118 games in management for the Spanish outfit, he boasts a 1.53 points per match average, which is remarkable for a team batting way above their average.

For comparison, although he has experienced relative success thus far in the Championship, Corberan can only muster 1.44 points per game from his 152 games in various jobs.

Despite having been around for slightly longer, this, partnered with the fact he is yet to manage in a league of note, suggests he might not have been as perfect as first thought.

It seems that the 40-year-old offers that little bit of extra experience, whilst his philosophy remains far more defined and amicable for the Leeds fans. As such, they must appoint Iraola.

Everton: Journalist shares Pickford ‘worry’

Journalist Paul Brown has said that it is a ‘worry’ that Jordan Pickford has not yet signed a new contract at Everton, and that there may be a ‘problem’ in the background.

The Lowdown: Contract not signed

It was reported in December that the 28-year-old’s future at Goodison Park is in doubt, despite agreeing a new five-year contract before heading off to the World Cup in Qatar with England.

The likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Chelsea are thought to be interested in signing him, with his current deal set to expire in 2024.

The Latest: Pickford ‘worry’

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Brown has suggested that there may be a ‘problem’ going on in the background with regards to Pickford’s contract situation, and it is a ‘worry’ in terms of his future at Everton going forward.

The journalist stated: “The Pickford situation is a bit strange because there was a lot of noise around him pre-World Cup that his contract was basically done, all agreed, it just needed signing off and, for whatever reason, that hasn’t happened.

“Sometimes clubs get players signed and they just don’t announce it for a few months for whatever reason, but I do think, in this case, there is some kind of problem that we haven’t been fully informed of yet, which is a bit of a worry.”

The Verdict: Depends on relegation

Whether Pickford stays or leaves is likely to depend on whether or not Everton get relegated from the Premier League at the end of the season.

They were given a major lift on Saturday as they beat league leaders Arsenal 1-0 in Sean Dyche’s first game in charge, meaning that they are only in the relegation zone on goal difference.

Pickford played his part in keeping a clean sheet and has been vital for the Toffees all season, making the third-most (75) number of saves of all goalkeepers in the top flight so far.

Saturday’s inspiring performance and result would have galvanised the group for the rest of the season, and if Everton manage to stay up, then it could persuade all parties to put pen to paper on a new deal for the 28-year-old.

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