All posts by h79snht.top

A Barcelona mainstay under Xavi last season could well leave the Nou Camp this summer, and it is believed Arsenal have now made an approach to sign him.

Edu and Arteta targeting new defenders for Arsenal

Manager Mikel Arteta is keen to bolster his backline ahead of another potential Premier League title challenge with Man City next season.

Related 24-year-old now reaches agreement to leave Arsenal for La Liga giants

The Spaniards are now looking to shake hands on a deal with Edu.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Jun 28, 2024

While both Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba have been crucial components of Arsenal's success since the beginning of 2022/2023, with the pair forming an excellent partnership at the heart of Arteta's backline, there is a case to be made that the Spaniard is lacking quality alternatives.

Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White and Jakub Kiwior can all play at centre-back, but have all been used in more makeshift full-back roles more often than not lately. Sporting director Edu Gaspar therefore has his eyes on potential new central defensive options, and a few interesting names have been linked recently.

Arsenal are apparently considering talks to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, while the north Londoners are also in contention for Nottingham Forest stalwart Murillo and Man United target Jean-Clair Todibo.

“A name was mentioned to me a few weeks ago and that was Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice,” said journalist Chris Wheatley earlier this month.

“He’s, again, really sought-after, Man United have been the main name linked with him. But interestingly, I heard that he was above other players on Arsenal’s shortlist.

Arsenal's best-performing untouchables in the Premier League last season

Average match rating (WhoScored)

Bukayo Saka

7.67

Declan Rice

7.38

Martin Odegaard

7.37

Kai Havertz

7.16

Gabriel Magalhaes

6.99

"The Nottingham Forest defender Murillo – he’s attracted a lot of interest, of course, he had an amazing first season at Forest. Plucked from Corinthians and he’s really caught a lot of interest from teams across the Premier League. Tottenham, as well, really like him.

“I think it’s more Edu at Arsenal who really likes Murillo than Arteta. But Todibo, he’s the one that was mentioned to me. It will be interesting to see exactly what happens to him this summer.”

It's clear that a centre-back is on Edu and Arteta's agenda for the coming weeks, and it is now believed that Barcelona defender Jules Kounde is attracting their admiration.

The France international, who is currently representing Les Bleus at Euro 2024, made 35 La Liga appearances for the Catalans last season and was near-undroppable under ex-coach Xavi. However, according to broadcaster Jijantes (via Sport), this may not be the case under Hansi Flick next season.

Kounde could leave Barcelona as Arsenal open discussions

The Spanish news outlet claims Arsenal have opened initial discussions over signing Kounde by making contact with Barcelona. Despite the £220,000-per-week star's importance last season, Kounde could still leave Barca as the La Liga heavyweights are open to suitable offers for half of their squad.

The club's financial issues have been well documented over the last few seasons, with the Gunners now interested in stealing away Kounde, amid other reports he could cost as little as £43 million.

From the losing side, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi make gains

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Dec-2020

Tim Seifert was the leading run-getter in New Zealand’s T20I series against Pakistan•Getty Images

Tim Seifert and Tim Southee have both achieved career-best positions in the ICC T20I rankings following New Zealand’s 2-1 win over Pakistan at home. While Seifert has jumped 24 spots to No. 9 among batsmen, Southee gained six places to the seventh spot in the bowlers’ list.Seifert, who opened for New Zealand in all three games, top-scored in the series with 176 runs, including a series-clinching 84 not out in the second match in Hamilton. The previous best for Seifert, who also took the Player of the Series award, was No. 32, achieved in August this year.Related

Seifert breaks out of the 360-degree prison

Rizwan: From being an outlier to Pakistan's main man

Hazlewood in top five, Kohli narrows gap with Smith

Southee was the leading wicket-taker in the series – despite playing just two games – with six strikes at an economy rate of only 5.75. His haul of 4 for 21 in Hamilton restricted Pakistan to 163, which New Zealand chased down with nine wickets in hand. He slotted in at No. 7 in the latest update.Though they lost the series, Pakistan had their good performers, and there was reason to cheer for them. All of Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf moved up in the rankings’ tables.Hafeez, who was the highest scorer for Pakistan with 140 runs – including a career-best 99 not out in the second game – reached No. 33 after gaining 14 places. And Rizwan’s 128 runs – 89 of which came in a consolation win in the third T20I in Napier – gave him a massive push of 152 spots to reach No. 158.The bowlers had more to show, with Ashraf jumping 22 places to No. 13, Afridi rising 11 spots to No. 16 and Rauf – Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker with five strikes – climbing 42 steps to No. 67.Dawid Malan, Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi continued to lead the charts for batsmen, bowlers and allrounders, respectively, in the shortest format.

انتهت مواجهات الجولة الرابعة من مباريات المجموعة الرابعة لبطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية، التي تضم أندية الزمالك والمصري من مصر، وإنيمبا النيجيري وبلاك بولز الموزمبيقي.

وتواجه الزمالك مع المصري، اليوم الأحد، على ملعب برج العرب بالإسكندرية، حسم التعادل السلبي بدون أهداف نتيجة المباراة.

وبهذه النتيجة، يصل فريق الزمالك إلى النقطة الثامنة، محافظًا على صدارة ترتيب المجموعة، من بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية.

بينما فريق المصري، يحتل المركز الثاني، في ترتيب المجموعة، برصيد 5 نقاط.

طالع | الزمالك يتعادل مع المصري سلبيًا ويحافظ على صدارة مجموعته في الكونفدرالية

وفي المباراة الثانية بين بلاك بولز وإنيمبا، حقق فريق إنيمبا النيجيري، الفوز بنتيجة 4-1، خلال المواجهة التي أقيمت اليوم أيضًا بنيجيريا.

وبذلك، يتواجد فريقا إنيمبا وبلاك بولز، في المركزين الثالث والرابع على الترتيب برصيد 4 نقاط لكل منهما. ترتيب المجموعة الرابعة في كأس الكونفدرالية بعد تعادل الزمالك مع المصري

1- الزمالك – 8 نقاط.

2- المصري – 5 نقاط.

3- إنيمبا النيجيري – 4 نقاط.

4- بلاك بولز الموزمبيقي – 4 نقاط.

يمكنكم متابعة ترتيب مجموعات كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية بشكل محدث باستمرار.. من هنا

Celtic kick off their 2024/25 campaign in less than a month as they prepare to welcome Kilmarnock to Parkhead on the opening day of the Scottish Premiership season.

The summer transfer window officially opened for business last month and the Hoops are yet to dip into the market to make their first signing, ahead of the first league game of the term.

However, they are reportedly closing in on the arrival of Kasper Schmeichel on a free transfer to finally replace Joe Hart as the number one in Glasgow.

The Daily Mail reports that the club are in advanced talks over a two-year deal to sign the Denmark international, who previously worked with Brendan Rodgers during their time together at Leicester City.

However, Schmeichel may not be the only player on his way to link up with the squad ahead of the tour of America in pre-season as they are reportedly eyeing a move for one of their loan players from last season.

Celtic submit bid for midfield maestro

According to the Daily Mail, the Scottish Premiership champions have officially submitted a bid to sign Paulo Bernardo on a permanent deal from Benfica.

The report claims that the Bhoys have put an offer of £3.5m on the table in an attempt to secure the Portugal U21 international's signature ahead of next season.

Bernardo spent the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Parkhead from the Portuguese side and helped the team to a domestic double, lifting the Premiership title and the SFA Cup.

Celtic had an option to make the deal instantly permanent for a pre-agreed price of £6m but have decided to haggle with Benfica, in an attempt to almost half that fee – to £3.5m.

The Daily Mail claims that the Hoops are hoping that add-ons on top of the £3.5m offer and a sell-on percentage included in the deal will convince the Liga Portugal side to cash in on Bernardo.

It adds that they are hoping to also iron out personal terms with the 22-year-old central midfielder to ensure that he remains at Paradise heading into next season.

23/24 Premiership

Paulo Bernardo

Appearances

22

Starts

11

Goals

3

Assists

3

Big chances created

4

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Bernardo was not a regular starter in the middle of the park but he did showcase his attacking quality in the few starts that Rodgers did award him with.

The Portuguese youngster could now come in as a long-term option for the manager to have at his disposal, with the 22-year-old having plenty of time on his hands to develop and improve.

Celtic do, though, already have a similar player on their books who the Benfica gem will have to push past in order to become a regular starter – Reo Hatate.

The Hoops have struck gold with the Japan international, who was signed by Ange Postecoglou, as his value has soared in recent years, to a point where he is currently worth more than Bernardo.

How much Celtic paid for Reo Hatate

In the January transfer window at the start of 2022, the former Bhoys head coach swooped to sign the midfielder from J-League champions Kawasaki Frontale for a reported fee of £1.4m.

Hatate did not take long to make an impression in Glasgow as he started 15 of his 17 appearances in the second half of the 2021/22 campaign in the Premiership.

The right-footed midfielder immediately showcased his attacking quality with a return of four goals, two assists, and four 'big chances' created in those 15 outings.

He followed that up with an impressive year in his first full Premiership campaign with the Scottish giants under Postecoglou's management during the 2022/23 season.

22/23 Premiership

Reo Hatate

Appearances

32

Goals

6

Assists

8

Big chances created

10

Ground duel success rate

56%

Aerial duel success rate

59%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Hatate was directly involved in 14 goals in 32 appearances from a central midfield position, and more than held his own in physical duels.

The 26-year-old star won the majority of his battles on the deck and in the air against opposition players in the Premiership, which shows that he offered plenty of quality to Celtic in and out of possession.

Reo Hatate's soaring value

Former Aberdeen chief Keith Wyness recently told Football Insider that Hatate is worth around £15m and even claimed that he is worth "more" than that to Celtic.

Meanwhile, at the time of writing (14/07/24), Transfermarkt has the central midfielder's current market valuation at €10m (£8.6m), a bit less than Wyness' valuation.

Irrespective of whether you decide to go with the £15m or £8.6m value, it is clear to see that the Japan international's stock has soared over the past two-and-a-half years at Parkhead.

Celtic and Postecoglou struck gold by bringing him to Scotland for just £1.4m as he has become a key player on the pitch and his value has skyrocketed, to a point where he is currently worth significantly more than the £3.5m the club have offered for Bernardo.

Hatate, unfortunately, missed 40 matches for club and country with a hamstring issue and two calf injuries last season, which limited his involvement in the Premiership.

However, he did show glimpses of his quality when fit with his ability to make a big impact when bursting forward from midfield to make things happen at the top end of the pitch.

23/24 Premiership

Reo Hatate

Appearances

16

Starts

12

Goals

3

Assists

4

Big chances created

3

Key passes per game

1.1

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the 26-year-old star was directly involved in seven goals in just 12 starts, more than one every other start on average.

His aforementioned statistics in the Premiership show that he is a proven performer who can provide goals and assists from a number eight position for the Scottish giants.

Related Tom Rogic 2.0: Rodgers keen on Celtic swoop for "terrific" £9.4k-p/w star

The Hoops have been linked with an interest in the attack-minded midfielder.

Posts ByDan Emery Jul 13, 2024

This is why Bernardo will have to prove himself to be a better option than Hatate, if the club get a deal over the line for him, as the Japanese dynamo, whose value has soared in recent years, is an established star who will need to be pushed out of the XI.

MatériaMais Notícias

A luta por se aproximar do pelotão da frente do Campeonato Brasileiro marca o confronto entre Cuiabá e Fluminense. Nesta segunda-feira (20), às 20h (de Brasília), as duas equipes se enfrentarão pela 21ª rodadada competição nacional.

As duas equipes estão muito próximas na classificação do Brasileirão. O Tricolor das Laranjeiras está atualmente com 28 pontos. Já os auriverdes têm 27.

+ Confira a classificação e faça a simulação dos próximos jogos da competição!

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O técnico Jorginho lida com desfalques para definir o Cuiabá no confronto desta noite. Pepê se recuperou de Covid-19, mas, por não ter recuperado seu condicionamento físico a tempo do confronto, deve ficar no banco. Rafael Gava entrará em seu lugar.

Terceira opção para o setor ofensivo, Rafael Papagaio ganhará uma chance devido à suspensão do titular Elton e do seu reserva imediato, Jenison. Osman e Cabrera disputam a vaga deixada por Clayson.

O Fluminense, por sua vez, tenta manter a sequência invicta de cinco jogos (com três vitórias e dois empates) no Brasileirão. Contudo, a equipe terá as baixas do meio-campista André e do atacante Fred. De volta aos treinos após duas partidas, Martinelli será lançado como titular pelo técnico Marcão. Já Bobadilla tem a missão de balançar a rede para a equipe tricolor.

O Tricolor das Laranjeiras segue com os desfalques do zagueiro Manoel e dos meio-campistas Hudson e Ganso.

FICHA TÉCNICA

CUIABÁ x FLUMINENSE

Data-Hora: 20-09-21 – 20h (de Brasília)
Estádio: Arena Pantanal, em Cuiabá (MT)
Árbitro:Ramon Abatti Abel (SC)
Assistentes:Henrique Neu Ribeiro (SC) eÉder Alexandre (SC)
VAR:Rodrigo Dalonso Ferreira (Fifa/SC)
Onde assistir: SporTV e Premiere

CUIABÁ:Walter; Lucas Ramon, Marllon, Paulão e Uendel; Auremir, Camilo e Rafael Gava; Jonathan Cafú, Osman (Cabrera) e Rafael Papagaio. Técnico: Jorginho

Suspensos:Clayson (vermelho após o 2º amarelo), Elton, Yuri e Jenison (pelo 3º amarelo)
Pendurados:Camilo, Clayson, Rafael Elias, Paulão, Osman e Marllon
​Lesionado: João Lucas

FLUMINENSE:Marcos Felipe, Samuel Xavier, Nino, Luccas Claro e Danilo Barcelos; Martinelli, Nonato e Yago; Caio Paulista, Luiz Henrique e Bobadilla. Técnico: Marcão

Suspensos:André e Fred (pelo 3º amarelo)
Pendurados:Luccas Claro, Nino e Martinelli
Lesionados:Ganso (cirurgia no braço direito), Hudson (cirurgia no joelho direito) e Manoel (dores no joelho direito).

MatériaMais Notícias

Convivendo com problemas para administrar até mesmo sua folha salarial, a Ponte Preta conseguiu um importante acordo para melhorar sua situação a curto e médio prazo ao acertar o patrocínio da empresa de apostas esportivas Pixbet.

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

O acordo com validade até o fim do ano de 2022 foi comentado pelo diretor de Marketing da Ponte Preta, Moacir Pereira. E o dirigente antecipou que, apesar de não poder dar detalhes de valores pela confidencialidade do acerto, revelou que existe a previsão de um bônus caso a Ponte consiga uma reação capaz de lhe dar o acesso a elite:

-Esta é a maior parceria que a Ponte fechou, em termos de patrocínio, nos últimos anos, e com uma empresa que já nasceu gigante no segmento de apostas online.A Pixbet não patrocinava até o momento nenhuma equipe paulista e estamos tendo a primazia de inaugurar essa parceria no estado. Fomos escolhidos pela tradição de nossa camisa e pela paixão da nossa torcida. É com muito orgulho que recebemos nossos novos parceiros.

Quem também celebrou a parceria e vislumbra bons frutos para ambos os lados na relação é Tadeu Dantas, diretor Executivo da Pixbet:

-É com enorme satisfação que fechamos essa parceria com a Ponte Preta, um Clube pelo qual temos total admiração e muito respeito pela história no esporte. Como patrocinadores oficiais, acreditamos no crescimento da Macaca e esperamos que seja uma trajetória de conquistas e realizações, proporcionando muito orgulho à Nação Ponte Preta.

A primeira vez que a marca da empresa de apostas online aparecerá no uniforme da equipe será justamente no Dérbi 201 da próxima sexta-feira (17), às 21h30 (de Brasília), no Moisés Lucarelli, pela Série B do Brasileirão.

حافظ فريق اتحاد العاصمة الجزائري، على صدارة ترتيب المجموعة الثالثة من بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية بعدما تعادل مع نظيره أسيك أبيدجان الإيفواري اليوم الأحد.

وتضم المجموعة الثالثة من بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية للموسم الحالي 2024-2025، أندية اتحاد العاصمة وأسيك أبيدجان وجاراف السنغالي وأورابا يونايتد البوتسواني.

وأقيمت اليوم الأحد، مواجهات الجولة الرابعة من منافسات المجموعة، حيث تواجه اتحاد العاصمة مع أسيك الإيفواري، جاراف السنغالي التقى مع أورابا يونايتد البوتسواني. 

وانتهت مباراة اتحاد العاصمة مع أسيك الإيفواري بنتيجة التعادل الإيجابي 1-1، ليواصل صدارته للمجموعة برصيد 8 نقاط.

وفي المباراة الثانية لنفس المجموعة، فاز فريق جاراف السنغالي على نظيره أورابا يونايتد البوتسواني، بهدف دون رد، ليحتل المركز الثالث في ترتيب المجموعة برصيد 5 نقاط.

طالع.. ترتيب مجموعة الزمالك في الكونفدرالية بعد التعادل مع المصري

ويتواجد فريق أسيك الإيفواري في المركز الثاني برصيد 5 نقاط، ويتذيل ترتيب المجموعة فريق أورابا البوتسواني برصيد نقطتين. ترتيب المجموعة الثالثة في كأس الكونفدرالية بعد نهاية الجولة الرابعة

1- اتحاد العاصمة الجزائري – 8 نقاط.

2- أسيك أبيدجان الإيفواري – 5 نقاط.

3- جاراف السنغالي – 5 نقاط.

4- أورابا يونايتد البوتسواني نقطتين.

يمكنكم متابعة ترتيب مجموعات كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية بشكل محدث باستمرار.. من هنا

The senior batsman has been given a detailed training programme for his 14 days of quarantine in Sydney

Varun Shetty12-Dec-2020

Rohit Sharma will leave Mumbai for Sydney, via Dubai, on Sunday•BCCI

Rohit Sharma has been declared “clinically fit” by the medical team at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru after his three-week rehabilitation stint for a hamstring injury.On Saturday, the BCCI issued a statement clarifying that Sharma had been assessed for his batting, fielding, and running between the wickets, and that the NCA medical staff had found his physical fitness “satisfactory”.As reported by ESPNcricinfo on Friday, Sharma has cleared the NCA’s assessment and is expected to fly to Sydney from Mumbai via Dubai on Sunday to begin a 14-day hard quarantine outside of India’s current bio-secure bubble. The statement also said that Sharma would have to, nonetheless, continue to work on his endurance during his hard quarantine in Sydney – his participation in the final two Tests will depend on the assessment of his “fitness status” by the Indian team’s medical staff.Related

Virat Kohli on Rohit Sharma's injury: 'Lot of uncertainty and lack of clarity'

Rohit Sharma clears assessment, to fly to Australia on December 13

Sharma has also been given a detailed training programme for the period of quarantine.If all goes well, Sharma will be available for India’s last two Tests – of the four-match series – in Australia in January.While there is the question on whether Sharma will come out match ready after the 14-day quarantine, the eight-day gap between the second and third Tests – which begins on January 7 – is understood to have encouraged the management to have the senior batsman in the mix.This official communication from the BCCI potentially ends a weeks-long saga about Sharma’s fitness and availability for the Australia tour, a subject that had left even India captain Virat Kohli confused last month.Sharma had initially been left out of the tour because of the hamstring injury he picked up during the IPL, with the BCCI saying he would be “monitored”. Sharma sat out four matches for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL at the time, but returned – after being left out of the squads for the Australia tour – to lead his team to the title. At the time, on November 9, the BCCI had sad that the selectors had decided to “rest” Sharma from the white-ball leg in Australia in order for him to get more focused rehabilitation at the NCA and be in contention for the Tests. He was subsequently named in the squad for the last two Tests, subject to how his rehabilitation went.Sharma was the incumbent opener before missing India’s last Test series, in New Zealand earlier this year, also because of injury. India currently have a number of opening options with the squad as they prepare for the start of the Tests, but Sharma is expected to bolster the line-up, particularly after Kohli goes on paternity leave after the first Test in Adelaide.

Aston Villa are enjoying a transfer window fitting for a team taking its first steps onto Europe's elite stage – and that's despite being forced to weave around the Premier League's PSR restrictions.

Having watched Newcastle United buck the division's 'big six' during the 2022/23 campaign, Villa decided they wanted a slice of the pie, with Unai Emery assembling a fantastic team that is still going from strength to strength.

This product is not complete – not by half. The Midlands club have done anything but rest on their laurels this summer, with a flurry of activity in the market making a telling comment on the direction that Aston Villa bosses are determined to drive toward.

Aston Villa: Summer Transfer Dealings

Incomings

Outgoings

Ian Maatsen (£35m)

Douglas Luiz (£42.5m)

Samuel Iling-Junior (£12.5m)

Tim Iroegbunam (£9m)

Lewis Dobbin (£10m)

Morgan Sanson (£3m)

Enzo Barrenechea (£7m)

Philippe Coutinho (loan)

Ross Barkley (£5m)

Calum Chambers (released)

Cameron Archer (£0m)

Sourced via Transfermarkt

Further signings are in the pipeline; a £13m deal has been agreed to re-sign Jaden Philogene from Hull City, for example. But perhaps more tantalising is the news that a £50m fee has been agreed with Everton for the transfer of tough-tackling midfielder Amadou Onana, whose prospective deal has been all but cinched with personal terms already agreed.

The 22-year-old Belgian was described as a "monster duel winner" by analyst Raj Chohan and may well be the perfect Douglas Luiz replacement, more grounded in his style but joining a crop of midfielders boasting myriad strengths when viewed as a collective.

There's no hiding from the fact that it's another big outlay, and, as such, there may yet be further departures at Villa Park before the close of the window in September, with Moussa Diaby moving toward a surprising exit.

Saudi interest in Moussa Diaby

As per journalist Gianluigi Longari, Al-Ittihad have agreed personal terms to sign Diaby this summer, with the Saudi Pro League side willing to pay €60m (£51m) to sign the Frenchman.

A strange deal. No disrespect to the Gulf's football project it's overall quality isn't of the same standard as the Premier League, and with Villa qualifying for the Champions League, the 25-year-old has the chance to put his name on the map.

Moreover, the Lions signed Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen just one year ago, and for a club-record £52m fee at that. It might be a questionable career move but selling Diaby, who is earning a healthy £130k per week, might not actually be the worst idea.

Why Villa should cash in on Moussa Diaby

Firstly, Diaby enjoyed a comparatively successful debut season in England but he certainly didn't set the world alight, posting ten goals and nine assists over 54 matches in all competitions.

The right-sided forward notched 14 goal contributions from 38 Premier League matches but he was only entrusted with 25 starting berths, with his underlying numbers leaving plenty to be desired. Indeed, as per Sofascore, Diaby averaged only 0.8 dribbles, 1.6 ball recoveries and 1.5 successful duels per game.

To put that in perspective, Philogene averaged 2.7 dribbles, 4.2 recoveries and 7.2 successful duels per Championship match last term.

Diaby ranked among the top 13% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists per 90, as per FBref, but that's about the extent of his eye-catching metrics.

Given that the likes of Samuel Iling-Junior, Lewis Dobbin and Philogene have been welcomed to the flanks, augmenting the existing ranks consisting of Leon Bailey, Morgan Rogers, Jacob Ramsey and Co, cashing in for a lucrative figure and further placating PSR, in the long run, might be a prudent move.

Emery will probably not want to wave goodbye to the talented winger, who has been hailed for his "deadly" offensive quality in the past by talent scout Jacek Kulig, but, alas.

While NSWE would not be making a profit on Diaby, his sale would still fetch a pretty penny – marginally more than Onana's £50m signing.

This could be crucial in maintaining a sense of balance on the books and ensuring that the Villans continue their meteoric rise but do so with the piercing gaze of PSR diverted.

It might be a bit of a blow but it certainly wouldn't be detrimental – this might actually be a sacrifice worth making; Aston Villa will continue to go from strength to strength.

Related Alongside Philogene: Villa could land instant Diaby replacement for £21m

Unai Emery is eyeing a move for an exciting winger this summer…

Posts 1 ByRoss Kilvington Jul 13, 2024

Weatherald’s fastest half-century in the BBL from the middle order helped the Adelaide Strikers return to form

Alex Malcolm05-Jan-2021

Jake Weatherald made a half-century•Getty Images

Jake Weatherald’s fastest half-century in the BBL from the middle order helped the Adelaide Strikers return to form, as the Melbourne Renegades season went from bad to worse with another epic collapse leading to their seventh straight loss.Batting outside the top 3 for just the second time in his T20 career Weatherald thumped 51 off 25 balls in a rollicking 96-run partnership with Ryan Gibson to take the Strikers from a precarious position at 4 for 72 and post a competitive 5 for 171. Gibson made 43 not out from 31 and was awarded Player of the Match despite being outscored by his partner.The Renegades spinners had put the Strikers in a huge hole with Imad Wasim claiming 2 for 13 but he strangely only bowled three overs as skipper Aaron Finch got his calculations wrong.Finch’s night was capped by a first-ball duck at the start of the chase but the Renegades were in control of the chase at one stage thanks to a 67-run stand from Mackenzie Harvey and Sam Harper. However, they suffered another trademark collapse to be all out for 111.Danny Briggs (2-17) and Rashid Khan (1-21) started the squeeze before Wes Agar and peter Siddle finished the job picking three wickets each.Renegades recruits come goodThe Renegades recruited specifically to make spin their biggest weapon but their big spin guns had barely fired a shot in the tournament to date. In the first 11 overs Imad Wasim, Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmad delivered seven overs between them claiming 3 for 46. They squeezed Matt Renshaw and Alex Carey before the pair relented at the wrong time having set themselves to get to the Power Surge unscathed. Renshaw holed out trying to slog-sweep Nabi for the second ball in a row. Then Jon Wells and Carey holed out off Imad in the 11th over trying to avoid the run-rate dipping below 7. Imad’s had figures of 2 for 13 from 3 overs and the rate fell to 6.54.<bWeatherald fires from the middleWeatherald struggled to get going as he did against the Sydney Sixers, taking five balls to get off the mark and scoring two singles from his first eight balls. A short ball from Nabi ignited him as he pulled it over the short boundary. He had a good ally in Gibson, who also got a gift from Noor Ahmad. Gibson was failing to pick the wristspinner in his first three balls but Noor overstepped and the free hit allowed Gibson to get off the mark with a six. The pair delayed the Power Surge until the 17th over and exploded.Finch was going to use Imad's fourth over but changed his mind, giving the ball to Josh Lalor. The last four overs cost 62 runs. Lalor conceded four boundaries and two sixes as he got his length horribly wrong to Weatherald who made his fastest ever BBL half-century off just 24 balls. Gibson played an excellent hand making 43 not out off 31 balls. Rashid Khan did not face a ball in the innings for the second straight game. Finch bizarrely elected not to bowl out Imad or Noor. Both delivered just three overs while Lalor's four cost 51.Frustrated FinchThe skipper's horror run continued with a first-ball duck. Having been run out at the non-striker's end in the last game via a well-struck straight drive from teammate Shaun Marsh, he added a strangle down the leg side first ball from Harry Conway to his run of outs. He tossed his helmet down the race in frustration. With Marsh and Rilee Rossouw absent the Renegades turned to the future with Harvey and Harper combining for a 67-run stand. They took 34 off the powerplay climbing into the Strikers quicks with powerful strikes square of the wicket. They looked set to claim the Bash Boost point and set up the chase.Danny Briggs is congratulated by his team-mates•Getty Images

Strangled by spinTheir good work was undone against the Strikers spin duo. Rashid Khan and Danny Briggs delivered four overs for just 16 runs in the first 10 overs of the chase. Harvey was dropped at deep midwicket by Renshaw in the 8th over trying to find a rare boundary. Harper fell in the second ball of the 10th, bowled behind his legs having exposed leg stump to Briggs trying to sweep fine. The Renegades needed just four runs for the Bash Boost point at that moment and they couldn’t get them. It sparked another panicked collapse. Harvey skied another ball and Carey held it beautifully running back with the flight to give Agar his first scalp. He would pick up two more as the Renegades lost 9 for 44 in another dismal display.