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Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel says the club have no intention to recall Conor Gallagher from his loan at Crystal Palace in January. 

The lowdown

Gallagher has arguably been Palace’s standout player since he made the temporary move across London during the summer transfer window.

In 10 appearances, he’s scored a joint-team high four goals and provided two assists.

His average WhoScored rating of 7.5/10 is comfortably the highest in the Eagles’ ranks, with Christian Benteke the next best at 6.96.

His form hasn’t gone unnoticed at international level, with Gareth Southgate handing him a senior England debut in the 10-0 midweek rout of San Marino.

Pundits, like former Palace striker Ian Wright, have already begun to ponder his future at Stamford Bridge.

He says Chelsea simply ‘can’t ignore him’ on the back of his ‘unbelievable’ displays, while Joe Cole insists the Blues won’t make the ‘silly’ mistake of selling him.

The latest

Addressing the press ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Leicester City, Tuchel explained that remaining at Palace until the end of the season was best for Gallagher’s development.

And he also revealed that they’ll sit down with Gallagher in the summer to discuss his ‘goals’.

“I have not thought about bringing him back earlier, because it’s also important for him to be happy where he is, to stay in the moment and not change the next things,” he said, as quoted by The Independent.

“It’s important to be calm in his stage of the career. And I feel him happy there and I think everybody is happy and it’s good he has this kind of impact at Palace and now it’s about consistency.

“He had a game with the national team and we have to process all these things. Right now if you asked me today I don’t think it’s necessary to change everything for him again in the winter.

“And it’s too early to talk about next season and way too early to talk about it in public, and before we talk about it with Conor himself, what he wants and what his goals are.

“That will happen in the summer, because we all agreed to the decision that he wanted to join Crystal Palace and Patrick Vieira’s team.”

The verdict

If Gallagher keeps up this form, Palace will surely dream of keeping him beyond the end of the current season?

But will Chelsea agree to part with their £13.5million-rated asset? It seems increasingly unlikely, but the player himself is apparently having reservations over whether he will actually get a chance at Stamford Bridge.

With that in mind, the Eagles would surely be wise to at least test the Blues resolve with a bid. Either way, the fact Tuchel has no plans to recall the midfield maestro should be music to Vieira’s ears as far as this campaign is concerned.

In other news, fans react to these surprising transfer links.

According to a report by AS, sharing more news on Antonio Conte’s plans for Tottenham, it appears Steven Bergwijn is now on the chopping block.

The Lowdown: Conte era begins…

As the new Spurs boss comes through the doors at N17, taking charge of the Lilywhites, much has been made of who will both come in and depart the club.

Tottenham have been linked with a host of Serie A stars already, including the likes of Federico Chiesa, Stefan de Vrij, Dusan Vlahovic, Alessio Romagnoli and Matthijs de Ligt (Calciomercato.it).

Meanwhile, there have been rumours that Tanguy Ndombele could now depart in January as Spurs eye an overhaul for Conte.

As well as Ndombele, AS have now shared who else manager Conte is personally plotting to sell.

The Latest: Bergwijn up for sale…

According to their information, as Conte eyes his preferred transfer targets, there are four names he is personally planning to discard from Spurs.

Dele Alli, Lucas Moura, Giovani Lo Celso and Bergwijn are all said to be on the chopping block with the latter man coming as a particularly surprising name given his form at times under former boss Nuno Espirito Santo this season.

The Verdict: Go time?

The Dutchman attracted praise from the ex-Lilywhites boss for being a ‘unique’ and a ‘very talented’ member of the squad and was a fixture on Nuno’s team sheet when fit and available.

Conte has been widely tipped to use a three-at-the-back formation on a consistent basis for Spurs, most likely a 3-4-1-2, and it is debatable where Bergwijn fits into that system as a natural winger.

The same goes for Lucas, who has impressed for Spurs as well whilst completing more dribbles per 90 than any Lilywhites player in the Premier League (WhoScored).

Both men now find themselves in a completely different situation under Conte than Nuno and it remains to be seen whether Bergwijn can work his way into the Italian’s permanent team sheet and off his transfer exit list.

In other news: Conte now has one eye on ‘incredible’ player who Klinsmann likened to Kante, find out more here.

A round-up of the second day’s action at the Under-19 World Cup Qualifiers in Canada

Cricinfo staff03-Sep-2009A batting collapse in Toronto cost Hong Kong a match they ought to have won. Chasing 114 against Netherlands, they lost their last eight wickets for 21 runs to the spinners and eventually lost by 32 runs. Lucas Brouwers (4 for 13) and Vinoo Baldewpersad Tewarie (3 for 11) were the chief destroyers. Tewarie’s spell rounded off a fine all-round show, following his 46 that took Netherlands to a total their coach Roland Lefebvre felt was about 50 runs below par on a difficult wicket.”It was some kind of Houdini escape to win the game. We were quite a few runs short even though the outfield is quite slow and the wicket is not that easy. A score of 113 definitely wasn’t enough as we were looking for at least 160,” Lefebvre said.”When they were 50 for 2 we were certainly up against it but then the spinners came on and bowled superbly and took the last eight wickets for 30 runs.”Seamer Raymond Haoda starred in Papua New Guinea’s second consecutive win, taking three wickets to upstage the hosts Canada at the Maple Leaf South-West Ground. PNG, opting to bat, PNG posted 245 thanks to half-centuries from Heni Siaka and Sese Bau. Haoda’s opening burst then reduced Canada to 22 for 4, a position from which they never recovered. The lower order then resisted, batted out the 50 overs to finish on 193 for 9.John Reva, the PNG captain, was happy with his team’s all-round effort. “I thought we played very well with both bat and bat and we also did well with our fielding,” Reva said. “We want to qualify for the U-19 World Cup and get the experience of playing against some of the Test playing countries.”After losing their opening game, Uganda bounced back to beat Vanuatu by four wickets at the South-East Ground.Chasing 214, Uganda were driven by half-centuries by Deusdedit Muhumza and Andrew Ochan, the opening batsman. Ochan’s 57 led a strong opening stand of 118, but the innings suffered a hiccup. Four wickets fell for six runs, before Muhumza came to the rescue and he stuck on to guide his team through. Earlier, Vanuatu were lifted by Patrick Matautaava’s breezy 35-ball 52, batting at No. 7.”I am very happy as we were under pressure after losing out first game. I am happy with my boys and we are all confident we can now do well,” Ahmed Yakub, the Uganda captain, said.

A thrilled Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday described his inclusion in the”dream team” of cricket legend Sir Donald Bradman as the “greatestthing to happen”

22-Jul-2009A thrilled Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday described his inclusion in the”dream team” of cricket legend Sir Donald Bradman as the “greatestthing to happen”.”It is a great honour, the greatest thing to happen. It is importantwhen Sir Don speaks anything and especially when he selects me in histeam, there cannot be a better thing than that,” a beaming Tendulkarsaid in his first reaction after receiving the news of his inclusionin the team envisioned by Bradman.In an interview to Star News, the batting maestro said, “I am verythrilled about it and very excited. There are some great names missingand to see my name in it, I am more than thrilled. After Sir Don batsand before Gary Sobers. What else can you ask for. All I can say isthat it’s a great honour.”Tendulkar is the only cricketer still playing and the only one fromthe Indian sub-continent who has been able to find a place inBradman’s World XI – the all-time ideal team to beat the rest,according to a book, ‘Bradman’s Best’, chronicled by Roland Perry.On his missing out on the current tour of Sri Lanka due to a footinjury, Tendulkar said “it has been very difficult because in the last12 years, I have not missed a single Test match and now I have to stayaway like this. I never wanted this till the end of my carrier. It hasbeen difficult. Probably I am physically here but I am very much therewith the team and I have watched most of the games and my involvementis probably as much as the others,” he said.On a query whether there is still scope for improvement after beingpreferred over so many greats, Tendulkar said “there is always roomfor improvement. It is not that you are going to develop 15 shotsovernight but may be you have other avenues which could be used toreach your destination. I can only improve if I work hard. I amsetting goals but it should not go to the extent where you forgetabout your batting and just look it as what you want to do. If I goout there and play, I am sure I will reach there,” he said.Describing his absence from the Sri Lanka tour as a “forced break”,Tendulkar, however, said “it surely did lot to recharge my batteriesand gave me time to think what actually happened on the Zimbabwe tourand prior to that against Australia. It does give you time to thinkabout your game and analyse it and get better. I am sure it can help.But just being out there is a different feeling altogether and whenyou perform well it is a different feeling alltogether. You cannotcompare it to anything else.”On his reported strained relationship with Sourav Ganguly, he said, “Ithink people are going to talk one thing or the other but provided theunderstanding between me and Sourav is there, we don’t have anyproblem. It is a very transparent relationship. It has not affected usat all.”Congratulating Virender Sehwag for his magnificent innings during theone day international against New Zealand, Tendulkar said, “I think hebatted exceptionally well. Since the start of the Sri Lanka tour, Ikept talking to him over the phone. I was thrilled. I was notsurprised because I knew exactly what he was capable of.”On other budding cricketers, he said “we have some promisingcricketers. What we have to do is to stick together and play goodcricket.”Asked if he was worried about his future after the break, Tendulkarsaid, “I am not worried about my future. Yes, there is an eagerness toget back but I am not really worried about my career. Everyday I amlearning as a cricketer. I will keep it to myself and get better,” headded.

Batsman Mark Vermeulen makes a return to the international fold after being named in Zimbabwe’s one-day squad for the five-match series against Bangladesh at home next month

Cricinfo staff21-Jul-2009Mark Vermeulen is set to make a return to the international fold after being named in Zimbabwe’s one-day squad for the five-match series against Bangladesh at home next month. His selection comes just months after being acquitted of an arson attack which destroyed Zimbabwe’s cricket academy in 2006.The arson attack could have cost Vermeulen up to 25 years in prison. He admitted to starting the fire but was acquitted on the grounds that he had been suffering psychiatric problems, including partial complex epilepsy, ever since he suffered a head injury during an ODI against India in 2004. He made his first steps towards an international comeback when he was named in the A squad for the tour of Namibia in February. He last played an international match in 2004.Another player making a return to the 19-man squad is the wicketkeeper-batsman Charles Coventry, who last played for Zimbabwe in 2006. There was no place, however, for the former captain Tatenda Taibu, who has been suspended for ten games by the board, despite being acquitted of assaulting Esther Lupepe, Zimbabwe Cricket’s general finance manager. Another player dropped from the squad which faced Kenya earlier this year is Malcolm Waller.”An internal disciplinary team made up of three retired magistrates however found him [Taibu] guilty,” Zimbabwe Cricket spokesman Shingai Rhuhwaya told Associated Press. “He has therefore been suspended for 10 matches. He will however be eligible to play for his province.”The two new faces in the squad are the Mashonaland right-arm seamers Trevor Garwe and Admire Manyumwa. There are also recalls for batsman Chamu Chibhabha and offspinner Timycen Maruma.Bangladesh will play all five matches in Bulawayo from August 9 to 18.Zimbabwe Squad: Prosper Utseya (capt), Hamilton Masakadza, Ray Price, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Mark Vermeulen, Charles Coventry (wk), Vusi Sibanda, Sean Williams, Elton Chigumbura, Chamu Chibhabha, Forster Mutizwa, Keith Dabengwa, Timycen Maruma, Graeme Cremer, Chris Mpofu, Tawanda Mupariwa, Ed Rainsford, Admire Manyumwa, Trevor Garwe

MatériaMais Notícias

O grande nome do Grêmio no momento é Luan. Após ser convocado para a Seleção Brasileira por Tite e receber propostas para deixar o clube gaúcho, o atacante viu sua situação ganhar notoriedade nos últimos dias. Após a classificação para as quartas de final da Libertadores, na última quarta-feira, o jogador tinha afirmado que estava ciente das propostas e que tomaria uma decisão no dia seguinte. Porém, em entrevista coletiva realizada nesta quinta-feira, Luan mudou seu discurso. Afirmou não ter conhecimento de nenhuma proposta e disse que “tudo acontecerá no momento certo”.

– Por enquanto, não chegou nada. Os caras do Grêmio não me procuraram. Disseram que estava acertado entre Grêmio e Spartak. Ninguém ouviu o meu lado. Então, não tenho muito o que falar. Quero aproveitar esse momento. Não quero ficar falando sobre isso. Há pessoas responsáveis. Se for ficar ou sair, vai acontecer no momento certo – anunciou o atacante.

Sobre sua convocação por Tite, Luan afirmou que é mais um sonho que se tornou realidade em sua vida. O jogador se disse muito satisfeito no Grêmio e que espera aproveitar ao máximo a grande fase que vive no clube.

– Primeiramente, eu sonhava em ser jogador. Realizado esse sonho, a gente tem vontade de jogar na Europa. Mas só quero estar aqui no Grêmio, com outro sonho realizado, de poder ser convocado pela Seleção. Quero aproveitar bastante a minha fase aqui – completou.

As propostas que estão na mesa por Luan são da Sampdoria, da Itália, e do Spartak, da Rússia. Esta última é a que, ao que tudo indica, recebeu o “ok” do Grêmio. A oferta é de cerca de 20 milhões de euros (R$ 73 milhões), com o Tricolor tendo direito a 70% desse valor (14 milhões de euros, cerca de R$51 milhões). O que estaria segurando o negócio é a falta de vontade de Luan jogar no futebol russo.

O próximo compromisso do Grêmio será contra o Botafogo, neste domingo, às 19h, no Estádio Nilton Santos, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro. Com a novela “Luan” ainda sem desfecho, não se sabe se o craque fez ou não sua última partida com a camisa tricolor nesta última quarta-feira, contra o Godoy Cruz, pela Libertadores.

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According to Football Insider, a Tottenham Hotspur source has shared some news involving young defender Archie Chaplin.

The Lowdown: Spurs offering pre-winter scholarships…

As previously reported by Football Insider, it appears Tottenham and their recruitment staff are moving swiftly to tie down promising talents with scholarship deals this year.

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Samuel Amo-Ameyaw is one rising star who has turned enough heads at Hotspur Way to be offered this type of contract out of school already and become part of Spurs’ academy intake for next year.

Usually Tottenham do not table these kinds of offers for prospects until around February or March with the deals then taking affect from June 1.

The Latest: Tottenham table Chaplin contract…

As per an N17 source, speaking to FI, it appears Tottenham have now got their eyes on securing another exciting talent as they also table a scholarship deal for young defender Chaplin.

Only turning 16 later this month, he has been featuring regularly for Spurs’ Under-18s so far this season despite his young age – blowing  Spurs away with his ‘immense promise’.

Tottenham are apparently keen to tie him down with an ‘early offer’ as one of the club’s official academy members from next year – being mindful of possibly losing Chaplin to a rival club amid intense competition for talent.

The Verdict: Spurs making moves…

You only have to look at the prodigies to come out of Spurs in recent seasons to see that one eye is always set on the future.

The likes of Oliver Skipp and Dane Scarlett have wowed critics over this last year and Troy Parrott is also said to be held in high esteem by those at Tottenham.

In seasons to come, judging by their track record of developing youngsters, these school boys may well be ones to watch out for in future.

In other news: Spurs already have offer pencilled in to sign ‘world class’ player who Hoddle called outstanding, find out more here.

MatériaMais Notícias

Distantes do Corinthians, mas ainda com o sonho vivo de conquistarem o Campeonato Brasileiro, Flamengo e Palmeiras duelam na noite desta quarta-feira, às 21h45, na Ilha do Urubu, no Rio. Antes da competição começar, tais times – em virtude do grande investimento – eram apontados como favoritos para levantarem o caneco. Agora, eles precisam seguir na caça ao líder e, obviamente, fazem um jogo-chave. Um eventual perdedor pode ficar muito longe da taça se o Timão disparar ainda mais na ponta da tabela nesta décima quinta rodada.

Flamengo e Palmeiras foram dois dos protagonistas do Brasileirão do ano passado. O Verdão ficou com a taça, e o Rubro-Negro chegou perto da liderança em algumas ocasiões. Além disso, a dupla chama atenção também no que diz respeito a contratações e dinheiro em caixa. De acordo com um estudo divulgado recentemente pelo Itaú BBA, esses clubes vêm demonstrando superioridade nas movimentações financeiras nos últimos três anos no Brasil.

O levantamento apontou quea dupla é responsável por 36% de todo o dinheiro que os 27 maiores clubes de futebol do país têm para negociar atletas e pagar suas dívidas. Somente neste ano, o Flamengo contratou nove reforços, sendo alguns de peso, como Everton Ribeiro, Diego Alves, Geuvânio e Conca. Somadas todas as negociações, o Rubro-Negro investiu cerca de R$ 59 milhões nesta temporada. O Palmeiras, por sua vez, trouxe 14 jogadores para este ano e gastou incríveis R$ 116,2 milhões na aquisição de diretos econômicos de atletas. Grande parte desta quantia, porém, foi paga pela Crefisa.

Por causa do grande investimento, Flamengo e Palmeiras precisam dar respostas para suas torcidas. O Rubro-Negro foi campeão Carioca, mas caiu precocemente na Libertadores. O Verdão, por outro lado, ainda disputa o torneio sul-americano, mas viu o Corinthians ser campeão Paulista.

No campo e nas finanças, o duelo vale muito. O Flamengo é o quarto colocado do Brasileiro, com 24 pontos, enquanto o Palmeiras está logo atrás, em quinto, com 22. O empate pode ser um péssimo negócio para ambos.

Rivalidade aguçada nas redes sociais

Com Flamengo e Palmeiras disputando vários títulos e buscando contratações de peso, a rivalidade entre os torcedores dos clubes aumentou consideravelmente nas redes sociais. A brincadeira do “cheirinho de hepta”, que movimentou os rubro-negros no ano passado, bombou na internet.

O tema “estádio” também é muito badalado em conversas e discussões entre os rubro-negros e alviverdes. Nesta quarta, será a vez do Palmeiras visitar a Ilha do Urubu pela primeira vez. O Rubro-Negro tem bom retrospecto no local (quatro vitórias e uma derrota), mas caiu diante do Grêmio no último jogo em casa, por 1 a 0, com gol de Luan.

Para tentar evitar atos de vandalismo e brigas, a Polícia Militar e o Flamengo trabalharam juntos num forte esquema de segurança nesta partida. No campo, haverá aumento no número dos chamados stewards, que vão monitorar os torcedores. O Grupamento Especial de Policiamento em Estádios (Gepe) vai atuar com mais de 130 homens, além de contar com apoio de outros 130 PMs.

Num trabalho preventivo, o Gepe também vem monitorando redes sociais a fim de evitar confrontos organizados em locais longe do estádio.

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According to a West Ham United source who was speaking to Football Insider, the Irons have ‘laid the groundwork for a January signing’ after a club announcement involving Winston Reid.

The Lowdown: End of an era…

Earlier this week, West Ham dropped a big announcement met with plenty of heartfelt reaction as they confirmed that the club and their former defender mutually agreed to terminate his deal.

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The New Zealand international had two more years remaining on his Hammers contract, which was due to expire in 2023, but he and West Ham decided to cut it short and part company after a memorable 10-year spell in east London.

After this decision, a Rush Green source has now shared some more positive news.

The Latest: Source makes January swoop claim…

Speaking to Football Insider, a West Ham source has now claimed that Reid’s exit will lay the groundwork for a January signing after they paid off his deal for less than the value remaining on his contract.

Indeed, as per their information, GSB agreed a pay-off with the 33-year-old reaching around £5m, a lower figure than the estimated £7m in salary which was still to run on his deal.

West Ham’s decision not only saves the club around £2m, but also frees up wage budget and delivers an extra squad berth for manager David Moyes ahead of the January transfer window.

The Verdict: Silver lining…

Reid’s exit from east London, while emotional given his long-serving cult hero status, was arguably a necessity in the eyes of financiers at West Ham.

Moyes deemed the defender surplus to requirements, having loaned him out twice since the start of 2020, and keeping him on the books for a minute longer served no purpose for the club.

It was high time that West Ham agreed to cut Reid’s extended stay short and part ways – but the player will always be remembered for fine moments on the field like his winner at home to Millwall in 2012 and the last-ever goal at the Boleyn Ground.

In other news: ExWHUemployee lifts lid on behind-scenes West Ham development in overhaul plan, find out more here.

Events in the boardroom at Celtic are unclear; especially when you have a whole host of cooks overseeing the broth at Parkhead.

Dermot Desmond is the Hoops’ chief and ultimately has the final say on important matters regarding the Hoops.

His son, Ross, is now playing a more prominent role in proceedings too but just months after finding a new manager, Celtic will also need to find themselves a new chief executive officer for the second time in a year.

Peter Lawwell retired from the role at the end of last season and was replaced by Dominic McKay.

The former Scottish rugby chief had a ten-year plan to modernise Celtic and played a major hand in Ange Postecoglou’s appointment as manager.

However, he decided to step down last Friday, citing ‘personal reasons’ for his departure.

It has since been made apparent that he may have jumped before he was pushed after disagreements with Desmond over the future of the football club.

McKay has been replaced by Michael Nicholson on a temporary basis but it remains to be seen who becomes the permanent CEO in the next few months.

According to the Daily Record, one suitor for Celtic could be Susan Whelan. The 58-year-old is currently the CEO at Premier League club Leicester City where she has done a quite magnificent job.

Desmond has used his Irish connections to get people into Parkhead before and he could look to use them again here.

That being said, it will be difficult to lure Whelan away from such an attractive club that’s growing all the time.

She currently works with former Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers, someone who holds her in particularly high esteem. He once said: “From Top to Susan, in her role in terms of balancing everything between the financial side and the running of the actual business, to Jon on the football element, it’s been excellent.”

Having played a key role in finding Richard Scudamore’s replacement at the top of the Premier League hierarchy, she is a well-liked character throughout English football.

She had strong connections with Ed Woodward at Manchester United and as of 2019 she was one of the top 25 businesswomen in Ireland.

One Premier League CEO once told The Athletic: “From a business point of view, Susan is known as a good operator and a respected and effective contributor to Premier League shareholder meetings and the various debates we have.”

Pivotally, she also has a reputation for being honest and straightforward when it comes to transfer dealings.

This was one of the most difficult things for Celtic during the course of the summer.

Reporter Kieran Devlin wrote the following this week: “Sources have spoken of receiving mixed, contradictory messages from different club figures. One described Celtic as being “painfully slow” in some discussions and several mentioned not receiving replies to messages for days or sometimes weeks. When replies did come, they would sometimes be from a different club figure.”

Therefore, Whelan could significantly improve this aspect of the club if she replaces McKay at Parkhead.

She is fantastic at her job and all of her work so far has led to a remarkable Premier League title triumph for Leicester, a spell in the Champions League and also an FA Cup win last summer.

Whelan is a quiet voice within football but once her opinion is heard, people stand up and take notice. Celtic must take notice now.

AND in other news, Postecoglou must unleash Celtic’s “tricky” rarely-seen 19 y/o after big Hoops blow…