Leeds United will have been relieved that they started their 2024 off with a bang instead of succumbing to a third defeat in a row in the Championship, confidently getting the better of a now managerless Birmingham City 3-0 on New Year's Day.

That empathic win proved to be the final nail in the coffin for Wayne Rooney who was axed from his St Andrew's post after the crushing defeat, Daniel Farke's rampant Whites showing no mercy at Elland Road.

Still, to make up ground on Leicester City and Ipswich Town running away with the division in the automatic promotion places, Leeds could sense that this transfer window is a pivotal time to add positive reinforcements to the side and take the West Yorkshire outfit up a notch.

Farke's men could well be after this new addition if rumours are correct, the new face keeping Glen Kamara on his toes if a deal gets over the line.

Leeds transfer latest – Andrey Santos

As per journalist Ben Jacobs – speaking on the CaughtOffside Youtube channel – the second-tier promotion hopefuls are very much interested in the services of Chelsea youngster Andrey Santos, ironing out all the fine details to potentially land the Brazilian midfielder on a loan deal this month.

Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town are also actively interested in Santos, according to Jacobs, Leeds just one of many clubs taken aback by the South American's qualities and wanting to make a deal happen with the transfer window now open.

Returning to Stamford Bridge recently after an eye-opening loan switch to Nottingham Forest this season hadn't gone to plan – Santos only appearing once for Forest in a wasted move – Leeds will hope they can get the best out of the highly regarded midfielder when making the drop-down to the hustle and bustle of the Championship.

Santos could well even displace fixed first-team figure Kamara on his arrival to West Yorkshire, the 19-year-old eager to show what he's made of and ruffle a few feathers in the process.

Andrey Santos' style of play

Once referred to as a "war machine" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Santos could become a dangerous weapon for Farke to deploy to catch teams off-guard in the second tier.

A well-rounded holding midfielder, Santos' aggression and tenacity in tackling and disrupting play is matched by his willingness to join in with attacks and even find the back of the net on a regular basis.

Back in his native Brazil, the 19-year-old sensation would manage to net nine goals from 49 appearances playing for Vasco De Gama which would then alert the Blues to swoop in for the energetic midfielder and pick him up for a reported fee of £13m.

Kamara, on the contrary, has been understated in his play since joining Leeds from Rangers this summer.

The conservative holding midfielder has averaged just 0.20 shots per 90 minutes over the last year, according to FBRef, although his passing statistics per 90 coming in at a 92.2% average for accuracy is impressive.

Yet, Ampadu already excels in playing this role of being a reserved midfield presence away from the Finland international.

The ex-Chelsea man betters Kamara when it comes to statistics surrounding interceptions and blocks, Ampadu coming in with 1.54 interceptions and 1.69 blocks to his Finnish counterpart's lesser 1.29 interceptions and 0.82 blocks.

If Farke wants to freshen up his holding midfield positions, signing Santos on a loan deal this month could be the perfect move to make with the Brazilian teenager – who is valued at around €10m (£9m) according to CIES Football Observatory – offering more creativity and energy from deep than Kamara.

Santos' addition into the lineup could help Leeds overwhelm opposition defences and blow teams away, picking up more wins on the board subsequently in their pursuit of promotion.

Babar Azam’s 112 was in vain as Afghanistan restricted Pakistan to 262 in the first innings on the back of their spin bowlers

The Report by Danyal Rasool24-May-2019The positives in defeat Pakistan appeared so intent of drawing – following the series against England – have all but fizzled out in an embarrassing performance in Bristol, with Afghanistan wrapping up a comfortable three-wicket win against their neighbours.Bowled out for 262 in the first warm-up game of the World Cup, after the captain Sarfaraz Ahmed decided to bat, they came up against a sizzling Hazratullah Zazai, who scorched Pakistan with a 28-ball 49 in the first Powerplay. From that point on, the asking rate was always in control, and in Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan had a batsman with the temperament to see his side through, finishing unbeaten on 74, completely unperturbed by a strike rate of 72.It really is hard to overstate how much mental damage this would do to Pakistan. This may not be an official ODI, but in many ways is more important than the 10 they’ve lost on the trot. Against England, whatever happened, they could come away believing the hosts were of course on another level – which they are. Against Australia in the UAE, they were resting half their side. Against Afghanistan, a week before their World Cup starts, no explanation is likely to wash.Pakistan looked out of sorts almost from the first delivery. The partnership between Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq at the top only lasted because of Afghanistan’s generosity in the field, the pair were reprieved at least four times – three dropped catches and a stumping. When Hamid Hassan finally struck, it heralded a regular supply of wickets to the bowling side, with only Babar Azam putting up any sort of resistance that Mickey Arthur and his men will look back at fondly.Mohammad Nabi got rid of Zaman and Haris Sohail in the same over with beautifully flighted offspin, suggesting this tournament may not just be about how fast any team’s quick bowlers are. Aware this was a cracker of a pitch for batting, even the quicks took the pace of the ball, denying Pakistan the ability to use the pace and score behind the wicket, and no batsman other than Babar was able to rotate the strike successfully.The lower order’s failure to kick on in the final 15 overs only highlighted the importance of Asif Ali to the side, and cast under severe scrutiny the logic of leaving him out of the preliminary squad in April. Today, his unavailability owing to the death of his daughter meant Pakistan struggled to find a man able to fill his shoes, with the next-best alternative Imad Wasim never really hitting his straps. In the end, even Babar Azam holed out after reaching a hundred, and in the frantic scramble for a big finish, Pakistan forgot the golden rule of ODI cricket: bat out the overs. They were dismissed for 262 in a game they had specifically chosen to bat first in to showcase the aggression they possessed in that department.Afghanistan immediately seized momentum after Hazratullah Zazai took Shaheen Afridi to task, scorching five boundaries off one over from the teenager, and summarily dismissing him when he approached the batsman to coyly attempt a sledge. Even when his more celebrated partner, Mohammad Shahzad, retired hurt because of what looked like a cramp, Zazai continued to take the Pakistan quicks to task, focusing his attention on Wahab Riaz soon after; that particular over would yield 18.Hazratullah Zazai waves away Shaheen Afridi in the midst of crunching five boundaries in an over•Getty ImagesIt was Shadab Khan, not introduced till after the Powerplay that he would depart, lofting the spinner’s first ball to cow corner, where Shoaib Malik took a smart catch. They might have crumbled at that point, but this isn’t the Afghanistan side that used to be grateful merely to be allowed to compete; they’re here to win. Rehmat Shah and Samiullah Shenwari kept Shahidi company, but the last three-quarters of the innings was all about the left-hander. He has previous against Pakistan; he struck an unbeaten 97 against them at the Asia Cup, and here, too, Pakistan found no way of going through his defences.He understood the value of his wicket, and never panicked even when the balls began to close in on the runs required. The odd boundary always relieved the pressure, and when, three overs from the close,m Wahab Riaz came in to send the jitters through them and their fans, it was only Shahidi who kept Afghanistan from crumbling in the face of his sustained brilliance. Rashid Khan at the other end rode his luck and put Shahidi on strike with one run left, and appropriately, Shahidi was on hand to ease the ball to third man.With minimum fuss, Pakistan had been put away. Afghanistan can look ahead to a World Cup that brims with promise, while the soul-searching in Pakistan’s dressing room will intensify before the first competitive ball is even bowled.

Crystal Palace are yet to make a senior addition to their first-team squad but they could be in for a busy end to the January transfer window this week.

Latest Crystal Palace transfer news

The Eagles are reportedly closing in on a move to sign a right-back to compete with Joel Ward and Nathaniel Clyne before the deadline passes on Thursday. It was recently reported by The Daily Mail that the club are pushing to finalise an £8.5m deal for Genk right-back Daniel Munoz, who arrived to complete a medical last Friday.

The same outlet also claimed last week that Palace are weighing up a second offer to sign Adam Wharton from Championship side Blackburn Rovers, having already seen their £18.5m bid turned down by the Lancashire outfit. He is not the only second division midfielder on the club's radar ahead of the window slamming shut later this week, though, as Birmingham City's Jordan James is also a player of interest.

Jordan James transfer update

According to The Daily Mail, the Eagles have made an enquiry about a possible deal to sign the central midfielder from Tony Mowbray's side. The report claims that Premier League rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers have also made contact with Birmingham as they question the young gem's availability ahead of the deadline.

It states that the Championship team are looking for a fee of around £10m to part ways with the 19-year-old dynamo, who has caught the eye with his performances this season. Serie A side Atalanta had an offer of £3m rejected earlier this month as the Italian outfit failed to produce even half of what Birmingham are looking for.

However, it now remains to be seen whether or not Palace or Wolves are prepared to pay the £10m asking price for the teenage whiz to bolster their respective midfield options ahead of the second half of the 2023/24 campaign.

If Steve Parish can strike a deal to sign the midfielder, who shares an agency – Unique Sports Group – with current Eagles star Marc Guehi, then Roy Hodgson could land a much-needed goal threat in the middle of the park. The Wales international has found the back of the net six times in 26 Championship appearances so far this season, despite only being named as a starter in 13 of those matches.

Non-penalty goals (0.42)

Top 2%

Non-penalty xG (0.19)

Top 16%

Shots (1.60)

Top 29%

Touches in attacking penalty area (1.26)

Top 43%

He has only racked up 2.72 Expected Goals and, evidently, does not need many high-quality opportunities in front of goal to get his name on the scoresheet. Meanwhile, no Palace player has managed more than six Premier League goals this season and no defensive or central midfielder has produced more than one strike.

Last term, Jeffrey Schlupp (three) was the club's top-scoring central midfielder as Will Hughes scored one and Cheick Doucoure failed to find the back of the net.

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These statistics show that Hodgson does not have a reliable attacking threat from a number six or eight position, and James, who was described as "impressive" by journalist Josh Bunting, could provide that. The 19-year-old, who has plenty of time to grow and develop, has showcased his potential as a scorer from midfield this term and could, therefore, be a much-needed signing for Palace.

نجح فريق ريال مدريد في تسجيل هدفه الأول في شباك فريق شتوتجارت، في مباراتهما الجارية حاليًا، في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويستضيف ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” مباراة الفريقين في إطار منافسات الجولة الأولى من دوري أبطال أوروبا، موسم 2024/25 (لمتابعة اللقاء من هنا).

ونجح ريال مدريد في تسجيل الهدف الأول، في شباك شتوتجارت، في بداية الشوط الثاني، وتحديدًا في الدقيقة 46.

جاء هدف ريال مدريد عن طريق النجم كيليان مبابي، بعد تمريرة من رودريجو، حيث وصلت الكرة إلى الفرنسي الذي سددها في الشباك، معلنًا عن تقدم أصحاب الأرض. هدف مبابي في مباراة ريال مدريد وشتوتجارت

Real Madrid defender Nacho has teased a transfer that will see him join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, with a decision on his future already made.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Spain international leaving Bernabeu
• About to hit free agency
• Could join other La Liga icons in Florida

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 34-year-old is preparing to sever career-long ties with La Liga title holders at Santiago Bernabeu. He has taken in over 360 appearances for the Blancos – with one more set to see him chase down a sixth Champions League triumph when facing Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium on June 1.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Nacho is about to hit free agency and is seeing a switch to MLS speculated on. He is considered to be another player in David Beckham’s sights, as the former Real midfielder looks to assemble a trophy-winning cast around eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi – with the likes of Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets already on board.

• WHAT NACHO SAID

  Nacho admits that his next move is decided, telling the show on Onda Cero: “My future? I have decided what I am going to do when the season ends, but I am not going to say it now, it is not the day, it is not the moment. Nothing that happens is going to change my decision, even if we win the Champions League or the European Championship.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  The experienced centre-half has been included in Spain’s plans for Euro 2024, as he looks to add to a haul of 34 caps for his country, and it could be that he links up with Inter Miami in the middle of a campaign that already has them setting collective sights on MLS Cup glory.

Theirs is a special bond between the pair that has survived many highs, lows and a whole bunch of madness

The history between Mario Balotelli and Roberto Mancini is an erratic story that spans 17 years. It starts at Inter in 2006, intensifies at Manchester City, and fades out with the national team. A father-son love story that delivered success in two countries, turned sour – almost violent – but never truly ended in bitterness or hatred.

Respected coach Mancini thrust the troubled striker into the Inter first-team at the age of 17 and saw the world-class potential beyond the rebellious spirit. He took his beloved youngster to England, after the striker had burned too many bridges at San Siro, and put up with his outrageous behaviour before he was sent back to his homeland.

Still, Mancini never stopped loving Balotelli and refused to shut the door to another chance, even after the striker drifted into obscurity. To many, Balotelli is a meme before memes. The gif that keeps on gif-ing. To others, including Mancini and likely himself, he is a failed promise once capable of greatness. Here, GOAL takes a look at the odd relationship between the two:

GettyPerfect beginning

Born in Sicily to Ghanaian parents who could not meet his healthcare needs, Balotelli was placed into foster care and taken to the north of Italy, where his journey into football began at local team Lumezzane. At the age of 15, he made his professional debut in Italian football's third tier and impressed enough to convince Inter to snap him up.

Before long, Mancini brought Balotelli into the senior team at San Siro, trusting him to make his debut in a friendly against Sheffield United, where he scored two goals. A month later, Balotelli made his Serie A debut for the Nerazzurri, and three days after that, he scored twice to seal a 4-1 Coppa Italia win over Reggina. He truly caught attention in the next round of the competition, though, when he fired two past Juventus in a 3-2 victory that sent his team into the semi-finals.

By scoring three goals and setting up just as many in Serie A as Mancini's side finished top of the table, only three points above Roma, Balotelli truly announced himself as one of the country's most promising young players.

AdvertisementGettyGoodbye, Mancini; hello, Mourinho

Mancini departed at the end of Balotelli's debut season having delivered three straight Serie A titles. Jose Mourinho, clawing his way back into the game after being sacked by Chelsea, replaced the Italian and promised glory.

Balotelli helped deliver on those assurances. After scoring in the Supercoppa Italiana win against Roma, his stock rose even further when he became the team's youngest-ever scorer in the Champions League in what was an excellent display against Anorthosis Famagusta. Partnering Zlatan Ibrahimovic up front, Balotelli connected perfectly with the Swedish striker to fire in an early opening goal. Inter twice fell behind against the Cypriot side, but Balotelli helped rescue them each time, setting up two goals to seal a 3-3 draw that proved crucial in propelling the Italian club into the knockout stages as they finished just a point above Werder Bremen.

Mourinho didn't quite trust Balotelli to start every game in the beginning of the season, but the 18-year-old striker won him over and yet again scored vital goals in the run-in to the end of the season – a late winner against Bologna, two in a 3-3 draw with Roma, and goals in draws against Palermo, Juventus and Chievo – as Inter won another Scudetto.

GettyBad boy

That season wasn't all smooth sailing for Balotelli, though. Mourinho dropped him from the team for a lack of effort in training and he was often criticised for his behaviour on the field, receiving 10 yellow cards in all competitions. His conduct barely improved the following season, and his first sending off sparked a legendary story from Mourinho.

"We went to Kazan in the Champions League. In that match all my strikers were injured. No [Diego] Milito, no [Samuel] Eto'o, I was really in trouble and Mario was the only one," he said. "Mario gets a yellow card in minute 42, 43. So when I go to the dressing room at half-time, I spend 14 minutes of the 15 speaking only for Mario.

"'Mario, I cannot change you. I cannot make a change. I don't have a striker on the bench. Don't touch anybody. Play only with the ball. When we lose the ball, no reaction. If somebody provokes you, no reaction. If the referee makes a mistake, no reaction. Mario, please.' Minute 46, red card!"

It was actually the 60th minute Balotelli received his second yellow, but Mourinho's comedic point still stands. Balotelli, despite his talent, was unreliable and had frequent clashes with opponents, team-mates and his coach.

He helped Inter to three Serie A titles and the Champions League, but he was walking a tightrope due to his gift for creating controversy. When Manchester City came calling, Inter agreed to let him go for almost €30 million. A reunion with Mancini, it was hoped, would get him back on the right path.

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Getty ImagesBack together

After being sacked by Inter in 2008, Mancini spent over a year away from the game before City snapped him up to replace Mark Hughes as manager during the 2009-10 season. The Abu Dhabi-based owners were spending huge sums of money in an attempt to bring the club to the pinnacle of English and European football, and Mancini's success in Italy marked him as the ideal man to deliver on that promise.

After a promising first term, Mancini's side brought Balotelli to the Premier League and he got off to the perfect start when he scored in a 1-0 win against Timisoara in Europa League qualifying. But catastrophe then struck, as he was ruled out until late October with a knee injury.

It didn't take long for the best and worst of Balotelli to appear at City. In just his second Premier League start for the club, he scored two goals as they ran out 2-0 winners against West Brom. The striker did not get to see out the whole game, though, as he was sent off for violent conduct after a clash with Youssouf Mulumbu just an hour into the game. The suspension saw him ruled out of the derby match against Manchester United three days later.

Regardless, he went on to claim the Golden Boy award that year and score his first Premier League hat-trick against Aston Villa.

Everything was going smoothly as City booked a spot in the FA Cup final with a win against Manchester United, leading to Mancini and the City players going wild in their celebrations. But Balotelli just couldn't help himself, sparking a violent reaction from Rio Ferdinand on the field. The United players swarmed around him; they were furious. Balotelli, though, had a smile on his face and winked at Ferdinand, the ultimate wind-up merchant at it again. As always, Mancini was right there trying to keep his favourite boy calm.

In the final against Stoke City, Balotelli played a key role in the winning goal and was even named Man of the Match.

Liverpool have identified a "candidate" to take a big backroom role at the club this summer, according to an update from reliable journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

Klopp announces shock Liverpool exit

The Reds were rocked on Friday when Jurgen Klopp confirmed that he will be leaving Anfield at the end of the season, bringing an end to a legendary spell at the club. It was a piece of news that came from nowhere, even though the German had informed those high up of his decision back in November, and supporters have been left stunned.

The 56-year-old cited an increasing lack of energy as a key reason for deciding to move on this summer, at which point he will be approaching nine years in the role. It has been a period of huge success for Liverpool, including Champions League and Premier League glory, and Klopp will be leaving as one of the most iconic figures in Reds history.

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It isn't only the manager who will depart, however, with his coaching staff moving on as well, including highly rated assistant manager Pep Lijnders. Jorg Schmadtke is also leaving as sporting director as early as next month, with the German always only on a short-term contract.

Liverpool identify potential sporting director

According to Di Marzio on X, Liverpool see Bournemouth technical director Richard Hughes as a potential option to replace Schmadtke as sporting director this summer.

"Richard Hughes is a candidate at @LFC to replace Jorg Schmadtke as Sporting Director at the [start] of next season. He is currently working as Technical Director at @afcbournemouth."

The Klopp news is clearly going to dominate the headlines for some time given the vast influence he has and the fact that he is a huge name in the world of football, but nailing Schmadtke's replacement is also hugely important.

The role of a sporting director in the modern game is so important in terms of working with the manager on new signings – Michael Edwards and Klopp had a wonderful working relationship in the past, signing the likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson – so it is vital that Liverpool's next manager has the right person alongside them.

Not a huge amount will be known about Hughes by Reds fans, but if FSG believe he is the ideal figure to come in and even be an upgrade on Schmadtke, they have to be trusted. In fact, the Scot is a former player and once knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup, scoring the only goal of the game for Portsmouth in a fifth-round replay back in 2004.

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ByAngus Sinclair Jan 27, 2024

For all their faults as owners, FSG still managed to acquire Klopp's signature back in 2015, and other impressive appointments have also been made since then, including that of Edwards. This is a huge period that they must get right, however, or risk setting Liverpool back after making so much headway under their legendary current boss.

MatériaMais Notícias

Se naturalmente o clima dentro de campo e na expectativa dos torcedores para um clássico da dimensão de Santa Cruz e Sport é grande, o momento de baixa vivida pelos dois clubes entre o fim da temporada futebolística de 2020 e o início da temporada 2021 trazem uma responsabilidade extra ao confronto do próximo domingo (14).

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>Classificação atualizada do Pernambucano

Tanto a Cobra Coral como o Leão da Ilha não conseguem comemorar um resultado positivo desde o último mês de fevereiro. Curiosamente, ambos jogaram no mesmo dia (24 de fevereiro) e registraram seus últimos triunfos contra Vitória-PE (2 a 0) e Vera Cruz (3 a 1), ambos valendo pelo Campeonato Pernambucano.

De lá pra cá, o Tricolor disputou quatro partidas onde perdeu nas três primeiras rodadas da Copa do Nordeste (Vitória, ABC e Salgueiro) além do empate em 1 a 1 diante do Central mesmo tendo um jogador a mais.

No caso do Rubro-Negro, foram cinco jogos onde, além da derrota para o Athletico ainda pelo Brasileirão 2020, houveram as derrotas para Sampaio Corrêa e CRB nas primeiras rodadas do Nordestão, para o Salgueiro no estadual e a eliminação na Copa do Brasil no conturbado confronto com a Juazeirense.

O último encontro entre os rivais, aliás, também teve um tom de decisão mesmo ainda valendo pela primeira fase do estadual de 2020 no mês de julho do ano em questão.

Na época, enquanto o Santa já estava classificado diretamente para as semifinais, o Sport precisava ganhar para não precisar disputar o quadrangular do rebaixamento, algo que aconteceu pelo triunfo por 2 a 1 dos visitantes na Ilha do Retiro.

Since arriving in December, Nuno Espirito Santo has identified the striker role as a position to upgrade on at Nottingham Forest, but he is now also on the lookout for a new defender.

However, their search could be put on hold after the club has been charged with a breach of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules.

Nevertheless, let’s take a look at the defender who could become the perfect partner for Murillo.

Forest’s search for a centre-back

According to reports from TEAMtalk earlier this week, Forest are interested in signing Trevoh Chalobah this month.

The Chelsea defender rejected a move to the Tricky Trees in the summer, but it is believed he could make the switch due to his desire to remain in England.

The Blues will reportedly accept a bid of £25m for the defender, but Forest will face competition from a couple of Italian clubs, notably Napoli.

How Chalobah would fit in the Forest team

Since moving to Forest in the summer for around £15m, Murillo has been a rock at the heart of the backline. The left-footed star has featured as the left centre-back in 15 Premier League matches this season, and since entering the starting XI, he has yet to be displaced.

Nottingham Forest Location Nottingham, EnglandOwner Evangelos MarinakisStadium The City GroundEstablished 1865Manager Sean Dyche

Nottingham Forest FC is a professional football club based in Nottingham, England. Forest are one of six English clubs to win the European Cup (Champions League). Forest play matches in the Premier League, the top tier of the English Football league system.

Nottingham Forest Standings| Nottingham Forest on TV| Transfer News

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Furthermore, before this weekend, the Brazilian ranked first for the most clearances per ninety minutes (6) for players aged 21 or less throughout the entirety of Europe's top five leagues.

However, for the side to really develop into a top-half team, they must sign a right centre-back to partner Murillo, and Chalobah would be perfect for the role.

The Chelsea defender hasn’t played a single game of football all season, with the club’s never-ending recruitment and Chalobah’s need for minutes pushing him further down the pecking order. However, prior to the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino, the 24-year-old was a frequent starter for the Blues, playing 25 times in the Premier League last season.

Nonetheless, the table below shows a handful of Chalobah’s statistics from the last year across the top European leagues.

Chalobah: Compared to CBs in top 5 leagues

Stats (per 90)

Chalobah

Ranking in Europe

Tackles

2.05

Top 15%

Dribblers tackled

1.73

Top 1%

Touches

81.57

Top 14%

Passes completed

62.67

Top 16%

Successful take-ons

0.65

Top 6%

Passes into final third

4.65

Top 19%

Stats via FBref

Chalobah has been described as a “monster” by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig for his ability to dominate both with and without the ball, with the ex-Huddersfield loanee extremely comfortable dealing with attackers who are direct, due to his athletic frame That makes him dynamic, as shown by his impressive tackling numbers.

The Chelsea star’s biggest attribute is his ability on the ball and confidence to receive it under any circumstance, highlighted by his high touches, successful take-ons, and passes completed. However, he also has the bravery to progress the ball quickly, which is vital when playing for a side that operates on the break.

Therefore, Chalobah would add a nice balance next to Murillo, who tends to progress play via dribbling, as shown by the fact he is in the top 1% for successful take-ons in the Premier League, as per FBref.

Overall, Chalobah is an extremely talented defender who needs the right environment to flourish, and he could do just that next to Murillo at Forest.

Durham battled to 273 thanks to a partnership between captain Cameron Bancroft and 21-year-old Jack Burnham

Jon Culley at New Road14-May-2019

Jack Burnham flicks the ball to leg•Getty Images

As curators of the county circuit’s most aesthetically appealing backdrop, Worcestershire have an onerous responsibility. Having upset enough traditionalists by allowing a monstrous (to some critics) four-storey hotel to be built in one corner of the New Road ground, the decision to erect a new electronic scoreboard next to it cannot have been taken lightly.The one it replaces was so small as to be barely visible, particularly now that the banks of seats obscure half of it anyway. Make it too large, though, and there is danger of encroaching on The View. Happily, the chosen dimensions have avoided that, although the grey open metalwork surrounding it is not a masterstroke of urban minimalism: it just isn’t finished yet.The numbers on the scorecard showed both sides in the ascendancy at different times on a sunblessed day of the kind that shows off the cathedral at its best, set against a crisp blue backcloth, framed by vibrant spring green.Durham rejected the chance to bowl first and won the right to bat, which did not seem too smart as openers Alex Lees and Cameron Steel were being dismissed with just 10 on the board. Lees drove ambitiously at a ball from Charlie Morris and a thick inside edge clattered into his stumps, then Steel followed one outside off stump and Riki Wessels took a sharp low catch at first slip. It was a wicket for Joe Leach, the captain, significant because he had not played competitive senior cricket for 11 months after suffering a stress fracture in the back.Leach struck another blow in his next over as Gareth Harte was leg before and at 14 for 3 Durham were in a spot of early bother. Leach finished his opening spell with 2 for 12 from six overs.Once the shine began to wear off the new ball, however, the story began to change. Cameron Bancroft, the Durham captain, applied himself judiciously, as too did Jack Burnham, the former England Under-19 batsman. They negotiated a steady and for the most part untroubled path to lunch at 77 for 3.The day became a significant one for Burnham, too, as he seeks to rebuild his career after a year of enforced absence, the consequence of three failed tests for recreational drug use. There are some who advocate life bans for any form of drug abuse but 12 months is a long time for a 21-year-old for whom it must have once seemed he had the world at his feet.He took himself off to labour on a road gang for part of his time away, reacquainting himself with a world in which money is too sparse to throw away on the empty self-gratification that tempted him before. Durham, who need talented young players more than ever, will hope it is all in the past.When Burnham passed fifty off 109 balls it was his first since July 2017. He and Bancroft added 149 in 46 overs.But then the balance of the day shifted again as both fell in consecutive overs towards the end of the middle session. Josh Tongue, with the second ball of a new spell, removed Bancroft, trapped in front for 70 trying to work to leg, then Morris, who was to be the bowler of the day, had Burnham caught behind for 76. When Leach then bowled Liam Trevaskis, Durham had slipped from 163 for 3 to 177 for 6.More rebuilding followed as Ben Raine and Ned Eckersley, reprising old Leicestershire partnerships, added 60 for the seventh wicket, but then, with the new ball taken, it became a Morris dance through the tail, the right-arm seamer dismissing both in consecutive overs and taking the last four wickets in the space of five overs as Durham were out for 273.Morris spent much of last season away from the first team remodelling a once-suspect action. His 6 for 53 followed his 7 for 45 in Worcestershire’s opening win over Leicestershire, so whatever remedial work he undertook seems to have worked.Chris Rushworth’s action could hardly be better honed. As if to demonstrate that fact, as Worcestershire began their reply, the Durham stalwart struck with his second ball to remove Daryl Mitchell.