Manchester United have been linked with a huge double deal, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe thought to be pushing for a major club overhaul on and off the pitch this summer.

What Ratcliffe says goes at Old Trafford

Since his arrival in December 2023, Ratcliffe has been laying down the law at Old Trafford. He has been responsible for the arrival of new CEO Omar Berrada, poached from major rivals and Premier League champions Manchester City.

He has also begun proceedings to sign a further two backroom staff members, though neither deal has yet been completed. Dan Ashworth, ex-Brighton transfer guru, is on gardening leave with Newcastle United after being approached by the Red Devils, and is expected to leave the Magpies in favour of Manchester United sooner rather than later, though a major stumbling block remains the £20m compensation that Eddie Howe's side are demanding.

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Ratcliffe is also believed to be readying an approach for Crystal Palace Sporting Director Dougie Freedman, who would arrive at Old Trafford as the head of transfers ahead of the summer. Freedman is understood to be open to the move and Sir Alex Ferguson is also lending his weight to the deal, which could begin to move in earnest soon.

With those in the pipeline, attention has turned to the pitch, with the new United chief already plotting squad changes.

Major rebuild to start with Serie A swoop

After a disappointing campaign, Manchester United are in need of a rebuild. The club look set to miss out on Champions League football for next season, and will likely be playing in the Europa League barring a drastic change in fortunes in the final ten games of the season.

As per the Manchester Evening News, as many as 21 players could depart in some capacity as the club look to trim their wage bill and get rid of players that are falling below the required standard.

That will, of course, require new signings to counterbalance departures, with a centre-back and central midfielder two of the key areas to fill before the new season.

Manchester United's defensive options

Player

Contract Expires

Raphael Varane

2024

Harry Maguire

2025

Lisandro Martinez

2027

Jonny Evans

2024

Willy Kambwala

2025

Victor Lindelof

2025

Previously, the club have been linked to a double signing from Everton this summer, but now new links suggest that they could have turned their attention elsewhere.

As per Sport Witness, United sent scouts to watch the clash between Atalanta and Bologna recently with two players firmly on the radar. The first of those is midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, who followed up his performance against Bologna with two goals against Juventus and has been wowing fans this season.

He wasn't the only Atalanta star who was under the microscope though, with defender Giorgio Scalvini also very much on their radar. Neither player would come cheap though. Reports in Italy have previously priced Koopmeiners at 60m euros and Scalvini at 50m euros.

With both positions in desperate need of being filled at Old Trafford, those prices suggest that a deal to bring the pair to the northwest of England would cost around £94m. It is added that the club are 'watching their performances closely' as they look to plot a 'rebuild' led by Ratcliffe this summer.

Given Tottenham's impressive Serie A signings in recent summers (Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie and Dejan Kulusevski to name but three), United may see the Italian top flight as a more cost-effective way to bring talent to Old Trafford rather than paying the extortionate prices their fellow Premier League clubs demand.

They won't be alone thinking that though, with Tottenham likely to continue plundering from the Italian top flight and Juventus always lurking in the background.

Offspinner withdrawn from Thunder squad, is ineligible to bowl for at least 90 days in Cricket Australia-run competitions

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Jan-2020Offspinner Chris Green has been suspended from bowling due to an illegal action, Cricket Australia announced on Wednesday.Green was withdrawn from the Sydney Thunder squad for their Big Bash League match against the Melbourne Stars, scheduled for later in the day. Thunder are fourth on the points table, while the Stars are at the top.He was reported by umpires Nathan Johnstone, Mike Graham-Smith and third umpire Paul Wilson, after the match between the Thunder and Stars at the Sydney Showground Stadium on January 2.Green will be unable to for a minimum of 90 days in CA-run competitions, effective immediately. After the 90-day suspension has elapsed, Green will be eligible to undergo testing once again with a view to returning to bowling. He will be permitted to play as a batsman should the Thunder or Cricket NSW desire and can also play premier cricket (including bowl) under the supervision and with the consent of Cricket NSW during his suspension.So far, Green had played in each of the Thunder’s seven matches in BBL 2019-20, and had the second best economy rate among Thunder’s bowlers, with 7.55. He picked up only three wickets, but his miserly economy rate has been among his chief strengths.In December, he had the best economy rate of any bowler in T20 cricket in the past year, giving up runs at just 6.57 per over.Green had been picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders at his base price of INR 20 lakh in the IPL auction on December 19, and in November last year, he had signed the longest deal in BBL history, with Thunder snapping him up for six seasons.Once he was reported, Green underwent testing at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane on January 5 under the guidance of Dr Luke Kelly. Results from the test were made available to Cricket Australia on Wednesday, which showed Green to have an illegal bowling action.Peter Roach, CA’s head of cricket operations, praised the bowler and the franchise for their cooperation in the matter, and how they had handled it.”We’d like to commend Chris and the Thunder for the way they have approached this process with complete cooperation and respect,” he said. “Chris undertook testing at the earliest possible time and satisfactorily replicated his bowling action in the controlled environment. We look forward to working with Chris in the coming months and conducting further testing once the suspension period has elapsed.””Gutted I couldn’t be out there with my Thunder team-mates tonight,” Green tweeted. “Whilst the news surrounding my action is disappointing, I respect the process and the results of the test. Perspective is a powerful thing with what is currently happening in our country.”Through the help of my coaches, I will be doing everything I can to get back to doing what I love with ball in hand. I would like to thank everyone for their messages, I am very fortunate to have the best people and fans around to support me. Work starts tomorrow.”

The tall offspinner has a strong chance of playing in the third Test, at the ground where it all began for him

Andrew McGlashan01-Jan-2020Will Somerville has recalled being in tears in the SCG car park when he was awarded a New South Wales contract in 2014 as he prepares for the chance of making a Test appearance on the ground six years later.Williamson, Nicholls unwell

Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls sat out New Zealand’s training on New Year’s Day after reporting flu-like symptoms but it is not thought that they will be in doubt for the Sydney Test.
Both players came to the ground in the morning before it was decided they would return to the team hotel to rest.
“They’re fine, just not feeling really good today,” Shane Jurgensen said. “They had some flu symptoms and I’m sure they’ll be back training tomorrow. They’re pretty tough so just take a rest today. It’s been a big last two Tests and a good opportunity for them to have a day off and they’ll be here tomorrow.”

Somerville, the tall offspinner with three Test caps, who was a chartered accountant before a crack at professional cricket the age of 30, was a late addition to the New Zealand squad following the injury to Trent Boult. He admitted he had long had his eye on the fixture list following his return across the Tasman – lured by the prospect of more first-class cricket with Auckland – after a five-year stint with New South Wales.”It was a dream to get there [a cricket career] at 30 and I’ll never forget when Nathan Lyon had his second daughter that was my third Shield game which upgraded me to a full-time contract in 2014. I was just in tears in the car park, realising I was going to be a cricketer.”I did look at the schedule 12 months ago after I made my Test debut and I was pretty excited at the prospect. I was hoping to go on the tour and two days ago I got the call when I was playing T20 cricket for Auckland. I’m pinching myself that I’m here in front of the Members [Stand] talking to you guys.”It’s pretty special to be back where my kids were born. My mother and father in law live down the road in Coogee and the kids are staying there for the week. Very special, for sure.”He has helped bowl New Zealand to two victories (in Abu Dhabi and Colombo) in his three Tests, and in five first-class matches at the SCG took 23 wickets at 20.69. He is now a strong chance of coming into the New Zealand side for the final Test as they aim to try and avoid a whitewash, either as the lone spinner in place of the struggling Mitchell Santner, or as part of a twin-spin attack with Santner or legspinner Todd Astle, on a surface that is expected to turn.”I’ll see how things unfold in 48 hours, assessing the wicket and what the balance is going to look like. I’m hopeful for sure,” he said. “I’ll just draw on the group around me, the Black Caps and their experience more than anything. I’ve played here before so it’s familiar surroundings, [but] it’s Test cricket, a different kettle of fish and it’s going to be tough.”His nickname in the squad is ‘Dad’ on account of being one of the older members and his jovial spirit will be a boost to a team that has been heavily beaten twice in a series where it was hoped they would compete strongly.”He’s a great guy to have in the camp, he’s so positive,” Shane Jurgensen, the New Zealand bowling coach, said. “I’ll never forget when he got his first cap in Abu Dhabi to see the look on his face and the emotion. He just brings so much to the team, experience and he’s very calm and a lovely person, and a pretty good bowler.”During his time at New South Wales, Somerville bowled extensively with Steve O’Keefe and tried to learn all he could from Lyon when he wasn’t on international duty.”I spent a lot of time training as I didn’t play that many games in four years,” he said. “I bowled a lot with Steve, Beau Casson was our bowling coach and I always chatted to Nathan when he was around and tried to feed off the GOAT of offspin bowling. He’s got a very pure action and it’s nice to watch. I learned from those guys. I also spent a bit of time with Greg Matthews who gives a different perspective on things. A few really good words stick in my mind.”However, despite his time in Australian first-class cricket – and a 2016-17 season where he was New South Wales’ leading wicket-taker – there was only ever one team he wanted to play for internationally. “I always wanted to play for New Zealand, in the back of my mind growing up in Wellington, and I’ve always been an All Blacks fan.”

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O volante Juliano, ex-Goiás, Internacional, Fortaleza e Figueirense e hoje com a camisa do Brusque, pediu intensidade da equipe na sequência da temporada. Segundo o jogador, a meta é fazer um grande segundo semestre em 2021.

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– O elenco é forte e tem potencial. Vamos lutar muito para fazer um grande segundo semestre nos próximos meses. O elenco vem se dedicando ao máximo para crescer de produção na temporada – afirmou o volante.

Juliano ainda falou sobre a fase positiva que vive no clube catarinense e quer seguir crescendo dentro de campo.

– Estou vivendo um ótimo momento e isso me deixa feliz. Tenho trabalhado para continuar crescendo e melhorando meu desempenho em campo.

Jurgen Klopp will step down from his duties as Liverpool manager at the end of the season. Everyone knows this by now, but the poignancy remains.

Liverpool are fighting with zest and zeal to secure a fitting finale for their illustrious boss, having already clinched the Carabao Cup in February, fighting for the Europa League and perched in first place in the Premier League, though only marginally ahead of Arsenal and Manchester City.

While it's terribly sad that this remarkable man will relinquish control of the manager's spot at Anfield, having lifted Liverpool back to the forefront of English and European football after many interminable years of mediocrity, the squad is in a good place to continue his legacy and fight for silverware in the years to come.

It's certainly better placed than this time last year, with a sapped and sagging midfield in dire need of a revamp. Jordan Henderson was an elite captain throughout these halcyon days, Fabinho steely and strong in the holding role. Both sold.

James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all departed at the end of their contracts and the replacements in the centre have created this newfound fluency that has already bred trophies.

But all these players enjoyed success on Merseyside, to varying degrees. The bottom of the barrel is surely a dud who was never even on the permanent books at the club in Arthur Melo. Truly staggering in his failed stint under Klopp's wing.

Why Liverpool signed Arthur

Arthur joined Liverpool from Juventus on a season-long loan on summer transfer deadline day in 2022, with the whole deal screaming panic for an outfit that needed reinforcing in the centre but had run out of time and options.

Aurelian Tchouameni was the top target, of a vested interest in 2023 before completing his €100m (£85m) move from Monaco to Real Madrid, and when Liverpool lost out on the France international it did feel a touch like the club were loathe to look elsewhere, with efforts instead invested in signing Darwin Nunez for a club-record £85m fee.

But it was clear that fresh mettle was needed with the aforementioned host of midfielders headed for the exit. It's just a bit perplexing that the answer emerged in the form of Arthur, known for his crisp, intelligent passing but also infamous for his fitness issues and injury record.

The Brazilian's previous campaign in Turin had been marred by setbacks and he only managed to start 11 times in Serie A, albeit impressing with a 90% success rate, winning 64% of his duels and succeeding with 91% of his dribbles, as per Sofascore.

Okay okay. In theory it was a half-decent move, if rushed, if panicked, but a permanent move should have been agreed for a player more suitable to Klopp's project much earlier.

What ensued was only misery for player and club both.

Arthur's 22/23 season in numbers

Arthur made his Liverpool debut on September 7th 2023, entering for the final 13 minutes of play in Naples as Klopp's flagging side were defeated against high-flying Napoli in the Champions League group stage.

That was the extent of his competitive Liverpool career, ruled out soon after with a thigh injury and returning to training in February, also competing in U21 fixtures.

While Arthur made the bench for five further top-flight fixtures, he was not granted a single minute of football and can only look back at his year on Merseyside with profound ruefulness, with detrimental issues ravaging what would initially have been a joyous endeavour.

Matches played

1

Minutes played

13'

Goals

0

Assists

0

Shots

1

Touches

21

Accurate passes

11/13 (85%)

Key passes

0

Tackles

1

Duels won

2/4

Arthur's loan move had the option inserted to tie up for good for a fee of around £32m – it's safe to say that little discussion would have been held concerning activating such a clause following what was a dismal and luckless year on English shores.

How much Arthur cost Liverpool

While Liverpool opted – rightly – against securing Arthur's services (or lack of) on a permanent deal, a £4m loan fee was still an outlay too large for a player who endured such a torrid time.

Moreover, Arthur earned a healthy salary of £110k-per-week during his time at Anfield, taking his total cost to around £10m. Considering that Arthur played just one fixture, all the funds parted with for the 27-year-old's place in the senior squad went toward that single, measly appearance.

Journalist Pete O'Rourke, speaking to Football FanCast, perhaps summed it up best, saying toward the end of Arthur's England sojourn: "I think it's pretty fair to say it's been an unmitigated disaster, he has only played a few minutes as a sub against Napoli."

He was once described as an “extraordinary” technician by Old Lady manager Maximiliano Allegri and indeed has some glowing qualities that make him a good fit for a top side. He's played for Juventus and Barcelona, after all.

This season, now plying his trade for Fiorentina, Arthur has enjoyed far brighter fortunes, completing 27 Serie A matches thus far, succeeding with 92% of his passes, averaging 1.0 key passes, 1.4 tackles and 4.5 ball recoveries per game while winning 66% of his ground duels.

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However, his attempt in England truly was a woeful move for all involved and the success of stars such as Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo at present illuminate just how shoddy a deal it was.

Had a bit more prudence and endeavour been on display in 2022, Liverpool might have avoided a calamitous year entirely.

Tottenham Hotspur's 1-1 draw against West Ham United on Tuesday evening presented Ange Postecoglou with a quandary heading into the final stretch of the campaign: his side has lost that stunning attacking verve that charged the early-season success.

Still fifth in the Premier League and currently holding a nine-point buffer over Manchester United below, Tottenham know that the real goal is pipping Aston Villa to that fourth-place spot and confirming a place in next season's Champions League.

Europe's elite club competition attracts the biggest names and offers a chance to win the biggest prize, and should Spurs succeed in securing a place, they would take a big step in their pursuit of a new centre-forward.

Spurs' lining up new striker

While Tottenham have been linked with a wealth of names for the front of the ship following Harry Kane's sale to Bayern Munich last summer, the latest rumour might be the most exciting yet.

According to The Sun, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is prepared to go head-to-head with London rivals Arsenal for Newcastle United star Alexander Isak this summer, with the Swede touted at £100m by his outfit.

Isak is a treasure in Tyneside but the Magpies might be forced to give up their glinted silver to comply with financial fair play rules, especially if they fail to qualify for Europe – United are currently eighth, one point behind the Hammers.

Why Spurs are interested in Alexander Isak

Newcastle made Isak their club-record signing in August 2022 after making remarkable progress under Eddie Howe's stewardship, welcoming the striker from Real Sociedad for £63m.

The 24-year-old showed plenty of promise throughout his maiden campaign in England but found injuries inhibited him from hitting full bloom. Still, he scored ten goals and added two assists from just 17 starting appearances in the Premier League last season.

Standing at 6 foot 3, Isak is a rangy and athletic centre-forward with a fleet-footedness that sets him apart from the lion's share of strikers throughout Europe. He has been hailed for his "fearless" performances at St. James' Park by The Times' Henry Winter.

This season, as per Sofascore, Isak has posted 15 goals from just 19 starts in the English top flight, 13 of which have come with his deadly right foot.

If the Lilywhites crave a prolific new frontman to spearhead a promising new era, on the market (if rather expensive), then look no further. Isak is the man Tottenham must invest resources into signing, over the likes of Ivan Toney, brilliant as he may be.

How Isak compares to Ivan Toney

The gnawing inconsistency that has marred many interminable silverware-pursuing seasons really feels like it might come to an end under Postecoglou's leadership, with the recruitment thus far landing the right stars to flavour the brewing success.

Toney is a fine centre-forward, having scored 24 goals and provided five assists from 44 Premier League matches since the start of last season, even praised for his dynamic qualities by Three Lions teammate Declan Rice, who said he's "like Harry Kane."

Tottenham are said to be "lurking in the background" for the 28-year-old by transfer reporter Dean Jones, though Manchester United and West Ham United appear to be current frontrunners.

Toney is clinical and helps his teammates immensely through his creativity, sharp intelligence and positive movements, but Isak arguably offers a better skill set as a pure striker, a natural finisher.

Premier League 23/24: Top Scorers

#

Player

Apps

Goals

Goals per 90

1.

Erling Haaland

24

18

0.80

2.

Mohamed Salah

23

16

0.75

2.

Ollie Watkins

30

16

0.55

2.

Dominic Solanke

30

16

0.54

5.

Alexander Isak

22

15

0.85

5.

Heung-min Son

27

15

0.60

5.

Jarrod Bowen

30

15

0.50

68.

Ivan Toney

11

4

0.36

Stats via Premier League

As the table shows above, Isak is actually performing at the most clinical rate of any top goalscorer in the Premier League this season, bagging at a superior rate even to top dogs Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah.

Moreover, when taking his seasonal tally across all competitions into consideration – 19 goals from 32 matches – it can be observed that Isak has even outscored Heung-min Son this term, having matched his 15 Premier League goals at a superior rate. Son has not scored outside the top flight in 2023/24.

It's for this reason, the matter of Isak's staggering prolificness, Tottenham have been credited with an interest in Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez in recent months, with a report from Caught Offside in March even going as far as to claim that the Mexican is Postecoglou's top target.

That's not to say that Isak isn't a high-class, complete centre-forward, with the one-time Borussia Dortmund youngster ranking among the top 13% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion and progressive carries, the top 12% for progressive passes and the top 10% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

Isak has also been described as a "unicorn for his mixture of size & technical ability" by reporter Kev Lawson, speaking of the elite-level attributes that have already earned him much individual success on Tyneside.

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Aged 24, Isak is likely to be a major player at Europe's forefront for years to come and while Toney is a proven star in the Premier League, he is several years Isak's senior and arguably doesn't offer the same progressive, penetrative traits, albeit more creative and superior in his link-up play.

Still, Tottenham have creativity in abundance through Son, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and co, and Isak might just be the final piece of the puzzle to take Tottenham to another level next season.

Liverpool fielded a strong line-up against Sparta Prague on Thursday night, with a few eyebrows raised given Jurgen Klopp's side headed into the contest with a sizeable advantage after winning 5-1 in the first leg in the Czech Republic.

Still, a 6-1 drubbing over the hapless visitors issued an ominous statement of intent for Liverpool's Europa League opponents, with the Reds the clear bookmakers' favourites to secure the one major trophy that has evaded Klopp's tenure.

A dominant showing saw two goals from Cody Gakpo and more from Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Bobby Clark ending infinitesimal Czech hopes of a comeback with an unrelenting opening.

Liverpool now prepare for a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the FA Cup on Sunday, and while many supporters would have wished for greater rotation, further starts for the teenage talents that have been so impressive in recent weeks, this exercise in sharpness and fluency was clearly performed with sights set on prevailing against Erik ten Hag's side.

Some almost certain to start at the weekend were left out, with Virgil van Dijk introduced for the final half-hour and Luis Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister unused substitutes.

Mac Allister will partner up with Wataru Endo and Dominik Szoboszlai in the engine room in what means Clark must return to the bench, but what a breakthrough the dynamic midfielder has forged over recent fixtures.

Bobby Clark's game vs Sparta Prague in numbers

Liverpool's injury-hit squad has called upon the teenage ranks of late and they have certainly stepped up to the plate. Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley were the seasonal trailblazers but Clark has since followed and cemented himself at the forefront of the academy hopefuls.

On Thursday night, the 19-year-old bagged a goal – his first as a professional – and assist apiece and received praise from reporter Keifer MacDonald for his "flawless" display, demonstrating his value in Klopp's first team once again.

The performance now takes Clark up to 11 senior appearances for the Reds in 2023/24 and there's more than a slight sense that there is so much still to come from this talented teenager, who joined from Newcastle United as a 16-year-old back in 2021.

Bobby Clark: Stats vs Sparta Prague
Stat	#
Minutes played	73'
Goals	1
Assists	1
Touches	64
Accurate passes	49/53 (92%)
Key passes	1
Duels won	4/5
Stats via Sofascore

While Clark grows with each passing game, a poor performance on Thursday night would have done little to dissuade Liverpool in their plan for the player, fashioned into an all-action midfielder after spending his early years further forward, out wide or as the ten.

More important was Gakpo's game, with the Dutch attacker struggling to perform across recent weeks as Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, conversely, have achieved their finest form of the season.

Cody Gakpo's performance vs Sparta Prague

Gakpo started on the left wing against Sparta Prague but he roamed around the field and impressed with his dynamism and crispness, complementing his brace with 43 accurate passes from 46 attempts, making one key pass and taking 64 touches in total, as per Sofascore.

He did win just one of his nine contested duels on the evening, but this does not negate a promising performance and a return to goalscoring form, taking his 2023/24 tally to 13 goals from 41 appearances, with five assists too.

Writing in his post-match player ratings, the Liverpool Echo's Ian Doyle handed Gakpo an 8/10 score after his striking success, stating: 'Confidence-boosting showing down the left flank and did well to tuck away the fourth goal and clever flick for the sixth. Denied hat-trick by one wayward finish and a good save.'

Nunez opened the scoring in what has been a remarkable polishing, sharpening, of raw qualities over recent months and with Salah, who bagged a goal and supplied a hat-trick of assists, immovable in Klopp's frontline, Gakpo faces a fight to cement a regular starting berth.

Nonetheless, he has been good this season and it's easy to forget that he has been a victim of his own versatility, playing six or more fixtures across four different positions, including central midfield.

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He remains a valuable member of the squad but there's no question that he was in need of a boost, and his two-goal haul over Železná Sparta has proved that he is capable of overcoming bumps in the road.

Cody Gakpo's season in numbers

Gakpo, aged 24, joined Liverpool in testing condition over 14 months ago, signing from PSV Eindhoven for £35m in January 2023 after an impressive World Cup with the Netherlands, though he arrived at an Anfield side in crisis and struggled to make an impact initially.

That said, he's looked far more promising during his first full campaign and has been utilised across a wealth of different positions to plug gaps and aid Liverpool's fight for silverware across every front – a conquest yet to unravel across any one competition.

Cody Gakpo 23/24: Stats per Competition
Competition	Apps	Starts	Goals	Assists
Premier League	26	12	5	3
Europa League	6	5	4	2
Carabao Cup	6	5	4	0
FA Cup	3	3	0	0
Sourced via Transfermarkt

His total return is decent but his Premier League term is slightly modest, though just 12 of his 26 fixtures in the top-flight have come from the outset, regularly featuring in different roles.

He's played up front with the greatest regularity, and as per FBref, the £120k-per-week ace ranks among the top 20% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 9% for pass completion, the top 5% for progressive passes, the top 17% for shot-creating actions, progressive carries and successful take-ons, the top 4% for tackles and the top 9% for interceptions per 90.

This noteworthy spread of metrics highlights Gakpo's protean footballing ability and also the elite technical skills that make him such an underrated member of the squad.

Admittedly, he hasn't been perfect this season but perhaps his influence goes under the radar sometimes; perhaps his skill set brings the best out of his teammates, making intelligent runs and flicking clever touches and crafting impactful passes.

Gakpo will hold himself accountable for some questionable recent form but he stepped up with a starring display against Sparta Prague and has reaffirmed his importance for Klopp as he chases down further silverware in his final season at Liverpool.

West Indies’ coach is pleased with the fast bowler’s consistency during the ODI series against Ireland

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jan-2020

Alzarri Joseph jumps in his delivery stride•CWI Media

West Indies won the first two matches of their ODI series against Ireland in contrasting fashion, cruising to victory with 100 balls to spare in the first game, and sneaking home in a last-gasp, last-wicket, penultimate-ball finish in the second. Across those two wildly different performances, one thing remained a constant, literally: in both games, Alzarri Joseph finished with figures of 4 for 32.Joseph’s emergence as a middle-overs enforcer has been a pleasing development for West Indies in recent months. Since his return from a shoulder dislocation suffered during last year’s IPL, Joseph has taken the new ball only once in eight ODIs, with West Indies instead using his pace and height to unsettle teams and take wickets in the 11th-to-40th-over period.In those eight ODIs, Joseph has taken 14 wickets at an average of 25.21, an improvement from his average of 34.08 across his first 16 games. His economy rate, too, has dropped from 6.48 before his injury to 5.34 since his comeback.Ten of Joseph’s 14 wickets since his return have come in the middle overs, at an average of 25.50, and he’s maintained an economy rate of 4.81 in this phase of the innings.West Indies coach Phil Simmons is pleased with how Joseph has been going about his game.”Not just on the pitch, but the way he prepares and the way he talks about cricket and about bowling,” Simmons told CWI. “He seems to be maturing very quickly and it showed in the two games, in the way he bowled.”He picked out Joseph’s consistency as the most pleasing aspect of his bowling against Ireland. “I think he’s hit the areas he’s wanted to hit more often than the other bowlers in the team, and he’s come out with success.”Simmons was less impressed with West Indies’ top-order displays against Ireland. They lost five wickets while chasing 181 in the first ODI, and slipped to 148 for 7 in the second before the lower order came to their rescue in a chase of 238. Simmons felt the batsmen needed to go back to how they were approaching innings during the recent tour of India.”The batsmen need to go back to what we were doing in India and how we were putting scores together,” he said. “We were putting proper partnerships up at the top and creating a platform for the big hitters down at the bottom, and we need to make sure we do that in this coming game.”Simmons was, however, delighted with the lower order’s efforts in the second ODI, where Khary Pierre, Joseph and Sheldon Cottrell batted around Hayden Walsh, who made an unbeaten 46, to haul West Indies home.”I think it’s good to see them taking their time and batting and not coming in and looking to win the game with sixes, and they thought about how to get that 80 runs from the lower order,” Simmons said. “It was great for me to sit and watch and take heart in the fact that they understand what they need to do for this team too. It was great to see.”West Indies play their final ODI against Ireland on Sunday night in Grenada. They have retained the same squad of 14 that played the first two ODIs in Barbados.West Indies squad for third ODI: Kieron Pollard (capt), Sunil Ambris, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Keemo Paul, Khary Pierre, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh

One Rangers star has left his national team boss sweating on his fitness over the upcoming international break, with question marks placed over his position in the squad for EURO 2024.

Rangers stars heading on international duty

Six of Rangers' squad are heading off on International duty this March – Rabbi Matondo (Wales), Ross McCausland (Northern Ireland), John Souttar (Scotland), Cryriel Dessers (Nigeria) and Mohamed Diomande (Ghana) will be representing their senior sides, while Leon King has also been called up for Scotland's U21s.

"Money talks" – Journalist shares news on James Tavernier's Rangers future

Rangers might be in a spot of bother if this comes to fruition.

ByBen Browning Mar 20, 2024

It means that Gers boss Philippe Clement will have the majority of his squad at Ibrox as he looks to continue their push for the Scottish Premiership title, knowing that should they win their game in hand against Dundee they will move back above Celtic into top spot, while they also have to welcome their arch rivals to Ibrox before the end of the campaign.

One man who hasn't headed away is regular absentee Ryan Jack, who has already missed large chunks of the season through injury for his club and continues to struggle with fitness problems.

Decision made on Ryan Jack

Despite these problems, Steve Clarke has decided to consider him for the Scotland squad this summer, providing he can prove his fitness before the squad is announced, which is perhaps good news for Gers fans hoping to see him back before the end of the domestic season.

The 32-year-old has managed just 11 Scottish Premiership appearances this campaign, and though he returned to the substitutes bench in their most recent outing (a 2-1 defeat to Motherwell) he has seen just 13 minutes of action since the beginning of February.

Rangers boss Clement has hardly been forthcoming about his situation either. Speaking ahead of his side's clash with Hibs, Clement explained that: "We lost Ryan Jack for a short time. He picked up a small injury in the trip to Lisbon so that's a big disappointment because I was planning to start with him today, so we had to change our plans."

That has not changed Clarke's stance though. According to The Scottish Daily Mail, Jack will be handed the chance to 'prove his fitness' to the Scotland boss, though in exchange Clarke will demand 'honesty and transparency' from his midfielder.

Though the midfielder is set to miss the upcoming friendlies against the Netherlands and Northern Ireland, he is hoping to be back fit after the international break and will aim to remain so heading into EURO 2024 this summer. Should he be able to 'prove his fitness, his ability, and whether he can play consistent minutes', he will have an 'excellent chance' at remaining in the Scotland squad for the tournament, which implies we should see him play a part in the title run-in.

Scotland's midfield options for March internationals

Player

Age

Scott McTominay

27

John McGinn

29

Billy Gilmour

22

Ryan Christie

29

Lewis Ferguson

24

His future beyond this summer is unclear though, with his contract up at Rangers come the end of the campaign and without a new deal in the works as things stand. For now though, his full focus will be on heading to the EUROs with Scotland in three months time.

Aston Villa's Jhon Duran has risked the wrath of the Villan's faithful after crossing his arms in the West Ham symbol for 'the Irons'.

Article continues below

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• Duran linked with move to West Ham
• Most recent approach was turned down
• Villa want Joao Felix

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Duran has been linked with a switch from the Midlands to east London and, with this video, appears determined to join West Ham. The Colombian striker had been linked with Chelsea earlier in the window, but now appears set on a move to their London rivals. The Hammers recently had a bid of £32 million ($41m), as well as Lewis Orford heading the other way and a sell-on clause, turned down. They are not giving up yet though.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Duran shone for Villa in moments last season and caught the eye with his powerful ball striking and physical presence. Still only 20, he was signed by Villa just two seasons ago but has struggled for minutes with Ollie Watkins in the form of his life. Meanwhile, West Ham have been searching for a reliable goal-scorer for a number of seasons and new boss Julien Lopetegui has identified Duran as a potential answer.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Duran won Aston Villa's goal of the season award last campaign for his strike against Crystal Palace. The hitman took a cross down on his chest before lashing a half-volley past Sam Johnstone in the Eagles' net. The goal marked the pick of the bunch in his total of five goals for the Villans in the Premier League.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ASTON VILLA?

  After this bit of disrespect Duran showed to the club, it is likely he will be granted his move to West Ham. Villa will be quick to move on, however, and having already been busy in the transfer market, will look to move again. They have been linked with Atletico Madrid's castaway forward Joao Felix.