Lancashire have bolstered their spin-bowling options by signing South Africa slow left-armer Keshav Maharaj for the final weeks of the Championship season

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Aug-2018

Lancashire have bolstered their spin-bowling options by signing South Africa slow left-armer Keshav Maharaj for the final weeks of the Championship season.Currently bottom of Division One, having played 10 of 14 games, Lancashire have work to do avoid relegation. Maharaj will be available for the crunch home fixture against second-bottom Worcestershire, starting at Southport on Wednesday, as well as trips to Somerset, Yorkshire and Hampshire.”We’re really pleased that Keshav has joined the club,” Lancashire’s head coach, Glen Chapple, said. “He’s a world-class spinner and will strengthen our bowling attack for the final four Championship games. He is an international bowler with experience of bowling in English conditions and we’re looking forward to welcoming him to Emirates Old Trafford.”Maharaj last month claimed 9 for 129 against Sri Lanka in Colombo – the second-best figures in a Test innings for South Africa. Overall, in 22 Tests, Maharaj has taken 90 wickets at 27.65He replaces Australian Joe Mennie as Lancashire’s overseas signing and could form a spin combination with young leggie Matt Parkinson, should pitches turn in the final few weeks of the season. As well as last year’s tour of England, he has experience of playing league cricket in Sussex.Maharaj said: “I’m thrilled to be signing for Lancashire for the remainder of the season. Having previously played in England with South Africa, it’s been an ambition of mine to return and play county cricket. I’m very much looking forward to joining up with the squad and hopefully I can make a significant contribution to help the team during my time here.”

Chelsea's resurgence in recent weeks has provided supporters with a flavour of what to expect under Mauricio Pochettino and their 2-2 draw against Arsenal is a strong marker of their improvement.

With confidence in their squad growing rapidly and recent results doing wonders to help that, Pochettino will be content with his side's performances, but the Argentine knows that their current crop isn't the finished article.

The Blues have desperately lacked a cutting edge in the final third with only 13 goals scored in the Premier League end could look to fix that by flexing their financial muscles on more attacking talent in the transfer window.

Are Chelsea interested in signing Nicolas Gonzalez?

Chelsea bolstered their forward line with several additions across the summer, including Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer, and Nicolas Jackson, but, as recently reported by CalcioMercato, the latest repair on their frontline could be in the works.

The West London outfit are interested in striking a deal for Fiorentina star Nicolas Gonzalez, and while the Italian giants are desperate to hold onto their most valuable asset, they could demand up to €60m (£52m) for the 25-year-old whiz.

Chelsea are not the only club wanting to lure him away from Viola Park. In the summer, Brentford had a €43m (£37m) bid swatted away and now Liverpool have joined the race to land the talented Argentine.

On the evidence of his rapid rise to Serie A stardom, Gonzalez could be a big upgrade on Raheem Sterling, offering more goals and electricity to Pochettino's frontline.

How does Nicolas Gonzalez compare to Raheem Sterling?

If Chelsea are looking for a demon in the final, who can gobble up opportunities at an impressive rate and improve their fortunes in front of goal, they should look no further than Nicolas Gonzalez.

The talented whiz has showcased a clinical edge that the Blues have been lacking. In 11 appearances across all competitions this season, he has scored seven goals and supplied two assists, having posted 14 goals and five assists throughout the 2023/24 campaign.

Consistently wreaking havoc through his piercing runs and predatory instincts in and around the opposition box, Gonzalez possesses exceptional guile and unequivocal finishing that elevates him above the likes of Sterling.

While the Englishman is one of Pochettino's biggest threats, he has been unable to replicate the deadly and instinctive finishing that saw the 28-cap Argentine star get dubbed by OptaPaolo as "magic".

This is particularly demonstrated by Sterling's output in a Chelsea shirt having scored 12 and supplied five assists in 48 appearances, but also an array of other technical and physical attributes.

According to FBref, Gonzalez ranks among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues in the past year for total shots, top 4% for goals, top 1% for aerials won, and top 19% for progressive passes.

This demonstrates that he offers the dynamism to impress in a Pochettino system while trumping the impact that Sterling has made for the club.

Since leaving Manchester City for pastures new, the 28-year-old dud has seen his powers in the final third decline across the last 12 months, producing less progressive passes per 90 than Gonzalez (4.96/3/30), shots (3.68/1.92), non-penalty goals (0.45/0.33) and fouls drawn (3.23/1.76), as per FBref.

While Sterling beats Gonzalez for his exceptional ball-carrying abilities, averaging more progressive carries, successful take-ons, and touches in the attacking penalty box, Chelsea's need for a precise finisher is pressing, and the Fiorentina star would provide that quality in abundance, which is why he could be a big upgrade for Pochettino.

Liverpool's recent Premier League draw at Luton Town served as a timely reminder of just how much progress is still to come in Jurgen Klopp's latest Anfield chapter. The German did well to rebuild his midfield during the summer transfer window, welcoming Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch, and so far, the quartet of arrivals have all enjoyed solid starts to their Liverpool careers.

Whilst the focus was firmly fixed on solving Klopp's midfield problem during the summer, the Reds failed to address their defensive depth, and that's where their attention must turn in January, with a Newcastle United target now in mind.

Liverpool transfer news

We've seen in the past just how much damage injuries to key defenders can do at Anfield, as Klopp once played half a season with Fabinho at the heart of the backline, as well as occasionally asking Jordan Henderson to step in alongside youngsters like Rhys Williams. The sight of midfielders forced to play centre-back is one that the Liverpool boss will not want to see ever again, and the January transfer window can ensure that's the case.

As things stand, the Reds have Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate and the young Jarell Quansah to call on. Given the injury history of Matip and Gomez, however, those in Merseyside could do with one more option, which could come in the form of a Bundesliga defender. According to Sport1 in Germany, Liverpool could make a move for Willian Pacho from Eintracht Frankfurt, despite their desperation to keep hold of the 22-year-old.

Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krosche told Sport1: "Certainly he is making a good development. But our plan is for him to stay with us longer. After the big upheaval last summer, the young players are expected to develop gradually: Pacho has immediately become a top performer. But he still has issues he can work on."

Pacho's contract doesn't run out until 2028, but Sport1 claim that it would be no shock to the Reds, alongside Newcastle United and Manchester United, make their move for the centre-back in 2024.

Liverpool should move for "world class" Pacho

A 22-year-old centre-back who is impressing in one of Europe's top leagues, Pacho ticks every box for Liverpool, who could avoid a potential defensive crisis by moving for the Frankfurt man in January. Of course, a deal would be a difficult one to negotiate given the words of Krosche, but the Reds would be doing no harm by testing the waters with an offer in January. Pacho's stats certainly show that he can keep up with the current Liverpool backline too, giving Klopp plenty to think about.

Player

Progressive Carries

Progressive Passes

Tackles Won

Interceptions

Willian Pacho

4

38

15

16

Joel Matip

5

24

4

8

Ibrahima Konate

8

34

4

3

It's no real surprise after looking at the numbers that the Ecuador international has been at the centre of praise during his time at Frankfurt, including from current manager Dino Toppmoller, who told Bild Sport via Sport1: "His (defending) is absolutely world-class."

West Ham United have finally rediscovered some stability in the Premier League after an inconsistent campaign left them all too close to the relegation zone last season. David Moyes' side have used their Europa Conference League win as a springboard for further success, maintaining that form in domestic action, as well as enjoying a successful start in the Europa League, winning both of their group games so far.

From here, the only way has to be up – the London club can't afford to take their foot off the gas when things are going well like they have done in the past. Instead, they have the opportunity to kick on and improve even further, something that one particular star could help with next summer.

West Ham transfer news

The Hammers spent well in the summer transfer window, welcoming the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse, who have all hit the ground running at the London Stadium. The credit deserves to go to the recruitment team for improving away from the pitch, allowing for the arrival of upgrades on the pitch.

They won't want to stop there, either, with both January and next summer representing a chance for West Ham to go up another level or two. The latest Manuel Locatelli transfer news suggests that he could be one of those upgrades, too. According to Calciomercato, if Tomas Soucek leaves West Ham next summer, then they could move for the Juventus midfielder, who is valued at €40m (£35m).

Given that Soucek just signed a new deal at the London Stadium, extending his contract until 2028, a move now seems more unlikely for the Czech Republic international. But, if Locatelli becomes available, it wouldn't exactly be a bad move for West Ham to pursue the Italian as an upgrade next summer.

Manuel Locatelli is a "dominator" in midfield

Locatelli has been enjoying his football at Juventus this season, starting in all nine Serie A games, and even netting the winning goal in his side's most recent victory over AC Milan. With Juventus just two points adrift of Inter Milan at the top of the league, too, there's every chance that the Italian could play an important part in a title race this season.

Locatelli's stats, compared to Soucek, are certainly impressive, too, as per FBref, with the Juventus man outperforming the Czech in most areas.

Player

Progressive Carries

Progressive Passes

Pass Completion Rate

Manuel Locatelli

6

54

84.9%

Tomas Soucek

3

15

71.2%

His performances have earned deserved praise, including from Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig, who posted on X: "Fantastic performance by Manu Locatelli. A real dominator in midfield."

With that said, Locatelli would be an ideal arrival for West Ham next summer if Soucek leaves. The Italian is still only 25-years-old, and a move to the Premier League would only turn him into an even better player, such is the level that England's top flight currently operates at. It's still early days, however, and the summer transfer window is currently a long way off, so fans may simply be keen to keep an eye on the Italy international from afar for now.

Bayern Munich could reportedly rehire Julian Nagelsmann within 12 months of sacking him as they seek a replacement for Thomas Tuchel.

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• Bayern in touch with Nagelsmann
• Tactician will hit free agency after Euro 2024
• Max Eberl pulling the strings of the operation

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Bavarians axed Nagelsmann in March 2023, to replace him with Thomas Tuchel, after they were knocked off the top of the table by Borussia Dortmund. Although Tuchel rallied them to the 2023 Bundesliga title quite dramatically on the final matchday, the team currently finds itself 10 points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen and it has already been confirmed that the current head coach will be departing this summer.

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  A return for Nagelsmann, though, is now being considered. According to Max Eberl, Head of Sport at Bayern, has already got in touch with Nagelsmann to gauge his interest in a potential return ahead of what could be a shocking U-turn.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Bayern had initially wanted Xabi Alonso to take over but the Spaniard announced that he would be continuing in the Bay Arena. Then former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane was sensationally linked with them but those rumours have also been struck down.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Apart from Nagelsmann, Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly also in the running. Whereas, former Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick's name has also cropped up in some sections of the press. It remains to be seen who gets the final nod to train Harry Kane & Co. in the next season.

Replacement named after incumbent is ruled out of series with a quad strain

Andrew Fidel Fernando17-Oct-2018

Kusal Mendis has been called into the Sri Lanka ODI squad for the remainder of the series against England, as a replacement for Kusal Perera, who suffered a quad strain in the second ODI and has consequently been ruled out of the series.Sri Lanka had initially hoped Perera could recover before the series concluded, but scans have revealed the injury is more serious than was originally thought. There is still a possibility that he will be available for the one-off T20 on the 27th in Colombo, however.Mendis had been a regular member of Sri Lanka’s ODI XI this year, but had been dropped for this series owing to a modest stretch of returns in the format. He had gone 21 innings without a half-century and had especially struggled in last month’s Asia Cup, where he collected two ducks in as many matches.Sri Lanka already have a spare batsman in the squad, in Sadeera Samarawickrama. But if Mendis does get to play, it may serve as an opportunity to gain some batting form ahead of the Test series, in which he will likely bat at No. 3 or 4 for Sri Lanka. His most recent innings in competitive cricket yielded 22 off 28 balls, in the one-day tour match against the visitors.

أعلن طارق السكتيوي المدير الفني لمنتخب المغرب الأولمبي، تشكيل اللاعبين لمباراة أوكرانيا في منافسات أولمبياد باريس 2024.

ويواجه منتخب المغرب نظيره الأوكراني، في إطار منافسات الجولة الثانية من دور المجموعات بأولمبياد باريس، على ملعب “جيوفروي جويتشارد”.

اقرأ Hيضاً.. تشكيل منتخب مصر أمام أوزبكستان في أولمبياد باريس 2024

وتمكن منتخب المغرب من تحقيق الفوز في المباراة الأولى أمام الأرجنتين بنتيجة 2/1.

بينما خسر المنتخب الأوكراني أمام منتخب العراق بنتيجة 2/1 في الجولة الماضية. تشكيل المغرب اليوم أمام أوكرانيا في أولمبياد باريس 2024

حراسة المرمى: منير المحمدي.

خط الدفاع: أشرف حكيمي، أسامة العزوزي ، المهدي بوكامير، زكريا الوحيدي.

خط الوسط: عبدالصمد الزلزولي، أسامة ترجلين، ريتشاردسون، إليس بن صغير.

خط الهجوم: بلال الخانوس، سفيان رحيمي.

تشكيلة المنتخب الوطني الأولمبي أمام أوكرانيا
📋 𝙎𝙏𝘼𝙍𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙓𝙄 to face Ukraine pic.twitter.com/1cvEm75xiV — Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) July 27, 2024

England have taken an unassailable 2-0 series lead, and now have a rare win in Asia in their sights

The Preview by Andrew Miller19-Oct-2018Big pictureA fortnight into England’s tour of Sri Lanka, and a pattern has settled over the cricket that has so far been possible. Invitingly clear skies in the mornings have invariably given way to torrential afternoon downpours and if, in between whiles, there’s been enough opportunity to get a contest underway, then the players have slotted into whatever windows present themselves.It’s not exactly ideal, but for England – 2-0 up after three truncated contests and with a share of the series secured – they are at least passing their first significant test in this, the final approach to their 2019 World Cup campaign. For Sri Lanka, ill-balanced in the absence of Angelo Mathews and over-reliant on rare moments of individual brilliance, their only realistic target is respectability.Plenty has been said about the timing of this tour, not least by the ECB themselves, who felt obliged to defend its scheduling in a post on social media during Wednesday’s six-hour rain delay.But somehow, in spite of everything, we’ve been treated to a pair of entertaining contests so far – with England having to withstand a renaissance performance from Lasith Malinga in the opening contest in Dambulla, before outsmarting their opponents in a 21-over thrash at Pallekele on Wednesday.Who knows what bearing any of this will have on England’s sterner tests to come in the new year, but they’ve given off the sense of a side with more gears to power through if required. Neither Jos Buttler nor Moeen Ali needed to bat during the run-chase in the third ODI, while Eoin Morgan, the captain, referred to the “good frustrations” in the England dressing-room after that same game, given that players of the calibre of Alex Hales, Sam Curran and Mark Wood can’t even get into the team at present. That said, there is a concern that Jonny Bairstow may have damaged his ankle playing football, which may present Hales with a chance to reclaim his opening berth.Sri Lanka, for their part, need a measure of consistency above all else. Their implosion in the third match was a case in point – 55 for 0 after five overs, 95 for 9 in their remaining 15, with Niroshan Dickwella’s blazing intro proving insufficient to ignite a competitive total. Then there’s the hot and cold performance of Malinga to consider. He was stunning in adversity in Dambulla, his five wickets showcasing all the old tricks that many feared he could no longer deliver. And yet four days later, his powder-puff display in Pallekele later seemed to deflate the entire attack.Anything can happen in the course of a one-day international, particularly when Messrs Duckworth, Lewis and Stern get involved in the permutations. But it is hard to see how the narrative of this leg of the tour can be changed in a hurry. England look to have too much in reserve, Sri Lanka already seem to be stretched beyond their limits. A rare win in Asian conditions is very much on the cards, but it’s as much a reflection on Sri Lanka’s struggles as England’s excellence that, should it come to pass, it is unlikely to feel like a seismic triumph.Form guideSri Lanka LLLLW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
England WWWWLDinesh Chandimal prepares to play the reverse-sweep•AFPIn the spotlightHe spent much of the summer in the shadow of his younger brother, as Sam Curran cut a dash during the India Test series. But after taking advantage of Liam Dawson’s misfortune, Tom Curran stepped into the vacancy to serve a reminder of the uncanny confidence he exudes whenever he’s armed with a white ball. His four overs in Wednesday’s 21-over thrash were masterfully delivered – his full repertoire of variations helped to check Sri Lanka’s rampant early progress before he returned at the death to pick off the lower order for figures of 3 for 17. It was a reminder of how valuable it can be to have a bowler in your ranks who wants to be the hero, and if he’s not yet inked into England’s first-choice World Cup XI, he’s rapidly making a case for the final 15.There wasn’t a lot for Amila Aponso to write home about after his solitary outing during the Asia Cup – it was his first ODI in more than a year, and only his seventh all told, and his figures of 1 for 55 in nine overs proved incapable of slowing Bangladesh’s progress towards a 137-run win. But at Pallekele on Wednesday, no-one did more than him to give Sri Lanka a grain of hope in their defence of a sub-par 150. After opening the bowling, ostensibly to target the frailty of Jason Roy against left-arm spin, he bagged Jonny Bairstow straightaway, then bowled Joe Root through the gate one over later. He was powerless to prevent England surging past their target when he returned for his final over, but there was a confidence to his bowling which may manifest itself better over 10 overs rather than four – if the weather gives him a chance to settle into a longer spell.Team newsKusal Mendis stepped into the vacancy created by Kusal Perera’s quad strain, but his first-ball duck made it three blobs in a row since his Asia Cup meltdown, and suggested that his place in the team is once again in peril. Upul Tharanga, who made way for the 21-over match, is likely to slot back into the side, though possibly at No.3, with Sadeera Samarawickrama expected to be given the chance to build on his 34-ball 35. Dinesh Chandimal, who missed the post-match presentations on Wednesday after suffering a bout of dizziness, is expected to be fit to lead the side once more.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 2 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 3 Upul Tharanga, 4 Dinesh Chandimal (capt), 5 Dhananjaya de Silva, 6 Dasun Shanaka, 7 Thisara Perera, 8 Akila Dananjaya, 9 Amila Aponso, 10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Nuwan PradeepBairstow did not appear for the rest of training after appearing to turn his ankle during a warm-up game of football. Hales is on standby to take over at the top of the order. Liam Plunkett has arrived in Sri Lanka and is ready to resume his deck-hitting mid-innings role after emerging unscathed from his wedding last week. But with Olly Stone impressing in his first outing of the tour, there’s no guarantee that he’ll be reclaiming his place straightaway.England (probable): 1 Jason Roy, 2 Jonny Bairstow/Alex Hales, 3 Joe Root, 4 Eoin Morgan (capt), 5 Ben Stokes, 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Moeen Ali, 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Tom Curran, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Olly StonePitch and conditionsShockingly, it didn’t rain in Kandy on Thursday, and Friday has dawned rather pleasant as well. Which, inevitably, means that the weather on match-day is forecast to be torrential. Nevertheless, after some heroic work from the Pallekele groundstaff, mostly involving the judicious positioning of several acres of blue tarpaulins, the actual pitch for the third ODI proved to be dry and true, with good carry for the seamers and a bit of purchase for the spinners – as Adil Rashid demonstrated with a pinpoint googly.Stats and trivia Sri Lanka have won just one of their last six ODIs at Pallekele. That came against South Africa, by 3 runs, in August. To find an innings in which Dinesh Chandimal has hit a half-century at or better than a run a ball, you have to go back to June 2016. He has played 26 innings since then. After making headlines earlier in the tour by admitting he would consider dropping himself for the World Cup if his form didn’t merit selection, Eoin Morgan has racked up four fifties in his last five ODI innings, scoring 305 runs at 152.50 in that period. Quotes”Hopefully we’ll be able to capitalise on good starts through our middle order in the coming games. We’ve talked about that and formulated a plan about batting in the middle now.””We have to keep winning as a unit. People have come in and it’s about confidence that you can beat anyone in any condition. People say you never win away from home in the past, you struggle when you travel and when it’s spinning, but we’ve shown now we can win in any conditions..”

MatériaMais Notícias

O Botafogo pode contar com dois reforços caseiros para a sequência do Campeonato Brasileiro. Com problemas físicos, Kelvin e Iván Angulo iniciam um trabalho de transição e apareceram no campo anexo do Estádio Nilton Santos durante o treinamento desta quarta-feira para realizarem atividades mais leves em relação a grupo.

A dupla trabalha em separado para recuperar o ritmo de jogo e, ao mesmo tempo, realiza trabalhos internos com o departamento médico do clube, focados na fisioterapia.

Kelvin, com um problema na coxa, não entra em campo desde a partida contra o Bahia, no dia 8 de novembro. Desde então, o atacante tinha sido trabalhado apenas internamente, aparecendo no gramado do campo anexo pela primeira vez desde a lesão nesta semana.

O colombiano, por sua vez, não joga desde o empate sem gols com o Cuiabá, que culminou na eliminação do Botafogo na Copa do Brasil, no dia 3 de novembro. O atacante de 21 anos também apareceu para realizar atividades no campo anexo pela primeira vez desde a lesão.

Pelo tempo de recuperação, é pouco provável que os dois estejam à disposição para a partida contra o Coritiba, no próximo sábado, pela 25ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. A dupla pode retornar contra o Corinthians, no último jogo do Botafogo em 2020.

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After Jude Bellingham returned to the action against Athletic Club after serving his suspension, Real Madrid fans welcomed him with a special banner.

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Bellingham returns after suspension Was suspended for X-rated rant at referee Madrid fans welcome him back with special banner WHAT HAPPENED?

The English midfielder made his long-awaited return to league action with Real Madrid after the 20-year-old was sent off against Valencia for his X-rated rant at the referee almost a month ago. He was then given a two-match ban which meant he missed the wins against Celta Vigo and Osasuna.

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Bellingham has quickly become a fan favourite at Santiago Bernabeu following his €103m (£88m/$110m) move last summer from Borussia Dortmund. The midfielder has surprisingly become the spearhead of Real Madrid's attack with Carlo Ancelotti deploying the youngster in a very advanced role due to their lack of a starting quality striker.

(C)GettyImagesDID YOU KNOW?

The former Birmingham City man has scored 20 goals and provided nine assists for Los Blancos this season having played a total of 31 games. The goals have dried up for the Englishman towards the latter part of the season with Ancelotti slowly incorporating him into an outright midfielder, however, he remains an integral part of Madrid's set-up.

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WHAT NEXT FOR BELLINGHAM?

Bellingham will look to run through the paces in Ancelotti's setup as the club prepares for one of the toughest matches of their season when they take on Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-final on April 9 at the Bernabeu and April 17 at the Etihad Stadium.