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Somerset Sabres, who are already doomed to the second division next season, give two young players their chance to shine when they play against Durham in the NUL National League at the Riverside Ground at Chester le Street tomorrow.Wes Durston and Arul Suppiah are brought into the team and will both be looking to continue the run of good form that they have been showing in recent second eleven matches.Durston, who is a former Millfield School pupil is twenty one years old and hails from Glastonbury is a middle order right handed batsman and an off break bowler. Suppiah is also a former Millfield pupil, and celebrated his nineteenth birthday last Friday. He is a top order right handed batsman and slow left armer, who is currently attending Exeter University.Ahead of tomorrow’s game Kevin Shine told me: "We are having to rest a few people at the moment to try to make sure that we get them right for the vital championship match against on Wednesday. We have got two players making their NUL debuts, Wes Durston and Arul Suppiah who have both performed well in the second eleven and also gave a good account of themselves against West Indies ‘A’ recently."The side will be captained by Marcus Trescothick who gets another outing for the county before playing for England in the final test match on Thursday.The full Somerset team is: Marcus Trescothick, Matt Wood, Pete Trego, Arul Suppiah, Ian Blackwell, Wes Durston, Rob Turner, Keith Dutch, Matt Bulbeck, Simon Francis, Steffan Jones.

Leeds United reportedly face Premier League competition in the battle to sign Maxwel Cornet this summer, with Watford showing an interest in snapping him up.

The Lowdown: Cornet linked with Leeds move

The Lyon left-back has been linked with a move to Elland Road in recent times, being seen as someone who could strengthen the Whites’ squad.

A move is yet to come to fruition, though, and Junior Firpo has since arrived from Barcelona.

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The Latest: Watford emerge as rivals

According to Foot Mercato [via Sport Witness], Watford are now also interested in signing Cornet, with Leeds also still mentioned as a suitor.

It is stated that the 24-year-old is ‘being followed by a few British teams’, but he will stay put with Lyon if the right offer doesn’t come along.

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The Verdict: Is there any need for him?

While the £10.8m-rated Cornet is a left-back of much attacking quality – he scored twice and registered five assists in Ligue 1 last season – Firpo has signed now and there doesn’t seem a need to bring in another left-back.

The hope is that Leif Davis continues to mature and will be able deputy for the Brazilian, meaning that funds can be spent on other parts of the squad.

Having both Firpo and Cornet battling for playing time may sound healthy, but both will be expecting to be first-choice and it may become a needlessly tricky situation for Marcelo Bielsa if he ends up needing to choose one over the other.

In other news, four players are expected to leave Leeds this summer – find out who they are here.

Writing on Twitter, reliable club insider ExWHUemployee has dropped an update on Felipe Anderson’s future, with the player reportedly seeking a move away from West Ham this summer.

The Lowdown: Anderson on the move?

Following a dismal 2020/21 season on loan at FC Porto, where he started just one Liga NOS game, the Brazilian winger has returned to Rush Green and is again at West Ham’s disposal.

However, he has been heavily linked with a potential move away from the Irons this summer, with recent claims emerging involving Anderson and his former club Lazio.

As per La Lazio Siamo Noi, the 28-year-old is ‘pressing’ for a return to the Stadio Olimpico and has already told his agents to facilitate negotiations between West Ham and the Serie A outfit.

The Latest: ExWHUemployee drops update…

Writing on Twitter, club insider ExWHUemployee has provided the latest on Anderson and his future at the London Stadium.

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He believes that no proposals have come forward for the winger despite the alleged interest from Italy, with Ex also refusing to rule out Anderson staying in the English capital for 2021/22.

“At the moment there has been no concrete moves for him,” Ex revealed on Twitter.

“So that would leave us with the option of seeing if he can have another good season (part of me wants us to do that).”

The Verdict: Keep or sell?

Anderson’s contract expires in 2022, so a decision must be made this summer if West Ham wish to make some money back off his signature.

He enjoyed a brilliant 2018/19 season at the London Stadium after being signed by former Irons manager Manuel Pellegrini, starting 36 Premier League games in his debut campaign in England whilst completing an impressive 2.1 dribbles per match (WhoScored).

Anderson also managed nine goals and four assists in the league alone that year, and if he does stay in east London, supporters will be hoping he can replicate that kind of form under David Moyes. He could prove a useful option as West Ham gear up for their involvement in the Europa League group stage next season.

However, amid difficult financial circumstances and the need to make new signings in key positions, West Ham face a big dilemma over whether to cash in and use that money to strengthen.

We believe that, if a suitable offer comes in, the club should definitely lean towards selling Anderson this summer, especially if he does wish to move on.

In other news: ‘Concerning West Ham’…Italian journalist makes transfer claim involving ‘amazing’ ace, find out more here.

England international cricketer Ben Hollioake has been killed in a car accident in Perth overnight

Lynn McConnell23-Mar-2002
BenHollioake
Photo Paul McGregor
England international cricketer Ben Hollioake has been killed in a car accident in Perth overnight.The English camp playing in the second Test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve had just resumed their first innings when news first came through and it has shocked the side.England’s team management will request that the England flag at the Basin Reserve be lowered to half-mast at lunch-time today and both teams will observe a minute’s silence before play tomorrow morning in tribute to Hollioake.New Zealand Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden said: “On behalf of NZC I would like extend our deepest sympathy to the family, friends and team-mates of Ben Hollioake following his tragic death this morning.”As well as being a talented cricketer, from all accounts Ben was a much loved member of the England squad whose contribution in all areas will be sorely missled.”Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ben’s family and friends at this very sad time.”According to reports, Hollioake was driving a Porsche which crashed on Mill Point Road in South Perth. The car spun out of control and hit a brick wall just after the Kwinana off ramp.A 22-year-old woman was also in the car and received head and chest injuries.West Australia police inspector Greg Medhurst said Hollioake had died at the scene of the accident while the female passenger was taken to Royal Perth Hospital.Another police spokesman, Constable Raphael Perez said Hollioake’s Porsche failed to negotiate a bend and hit a pylon which rolled the vehicle.He confirmed members of Hollioake’s family were following his vehicle and were on the scene immediately. He was identified straight away and the family were now receiving counselling and treatment for shock.Hollioake, who played for Surrey, had a 75-match first-class career and was a member of the England one-day squad which was recently beaten 3-2 in New Zealand but he did not play in the series due to a knee injury.He left the side at the end of the series when England embarked on the Test programme.Hollioake, born in Melbourne on November 11, 1977, made his Test debut in 1997 for England in the same game as his older brother Adam, in the fifth Test against Australia at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. It was the only occasion in the 20th Century that brothers made their Test debuts together.At 19 years, Hollioake was the youngest player to represent England since Brian Close in 1949.He only played two Tests and was regarded as more of a one-day specialist. He made his One-Day International debut in 1997 scoring 63 at Lord’s against Australia in the third match of the series.He was named the Young Cricketer of the Year by the Cricket Writers’ Club that season.In 20 ODIs he scored 309 runs at 20.60 and scored two 50s. His first game 63 remained his highest score.He played sparingly until last summer when he was recalled to the side for the triangular tournament against Pakistan and Australia, scoring 37 not out against Australia at Bristol and shared a 70-run stand with Owais Shah in 7.2 overs against Pakistan at Headingley.That saw him included in the squad selected to tour Zimbabwe, India and New Zealand as part of England’s build-up to next year’s World Cup.In his first-class career he scored 2794 runs at 25.87 and took 126 wickets at 33.45.

A number of clubs are reconsidering a move for Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football League World, who claimed that Liverpool, Aston Villa, Arsenal and Napoli are all concerned about the midfielder’s injury history ahead of a potential move for the 23-year-old in the summer transfer window.

It is reported that, with the Blades’ demanding a fee of £35m in order to part with the Norway international, the interested parties hold some reservations about spending such a large sum on a player who suffered a significant injury last season.

Fans should be buzzing

Considering just how impressive Berge has been since joining Sheffield United from KRC Genk back in January 2020, reports that the clubs interested in signing the midfielder are having doubts about making a move this summer should be music to the ears of Sheffield United fans.

With Slavisa Jokanovic hoping to secure an immediate return to the Premier League with the Blades next year, keeping hold of the £16.2m-rated gem would seem to significantly increase the Serbian’s chances of going on to achieve this feat, as it is not hard to imagine Berge thriving for United in the Championship.

Indeed, while last season saw the 23-year-old spend long spells on the sidelines due to his aforementioned injury, the £38,000-per-week Norwegian proved in his first few months at the club just how impressive a footballer he is.

The defensive midfielder made 14 Premier League appearances in the club’s 2019/20 campaign, in which he scored one goal, registered one assist and created one big chance for his teammates.

The former Genk man also averaged 0.7 interceptions and 1.6 tackles and won 5.5 duels per game that season, with his metrics culminating to earn him a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.90, ranking him as United’s seventh-best performer in the top flight.

As such, it is an easy argument to make that, all being well with his fitness, Berge should easily better these already impressive statistics after dropping down a division with Sheffield United, with the player whom Chris Wilder dubbed a “complete midfielder” very much having the potential to be a key man in a hopeful promotion push for the Blades next season.

In other news: Get it done: Jokanovic must sanction Sheff Utd swoop for 21 y/o with a “huge future”

Tottenham Hotspur’s likely new sporting director Fabio Paratici could bring a Juventus star with him to North London, according to reports in Italy…

What’s the word?

Tuttomercatoweb claim that veteran centre-back Leonardo Bonucci could be a target for Spurs, with the same outlet suggesting that the 48-year-old Paratici is just one step away from being hired by Daniel Levy.

It’s thought that the Lilywhites are keen to bolster their defence ahead of the new season, so the Italian defender’s links to the club should come as no surprise given Paratici’s history with him.

At the age of 34, it remains to be seen how much Bonucci would command, especially as he’s under contract until 2024, though CIES Football Observatory currently values him at around £13m.

Silva-esque impact?

A player of his calibre could be exactly what Spurs are needing to transform their struggling defence.

He has featured in over 390 matches in Serie A, made nearly 100 appearances across both European competitions and picked up 102 caps for his country.

Defensive mistakes and a serious lack of cohesion was the main Achilles heel throughout the 2020/21 campaign, with Jose Mourinho naming over 16 different combinations as he tried to battle their inconsistencies.

Truth be told, the likes of Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez just aren’t good enough – or at least are lacking a player like Bonucci.

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The 34-year-old colossus has earned plenty of plaudits in the past, including the ‘Special One,’ who described him as “amazing” after a strong performance against his Manchester United side in 2018.

Pep Guardiola has waxed lyrical about his qualities too, sensationally claiming that he was “one of my favourite ever players,” whilst former AC Milan teammate Hakan Calhanoglu once hailed the 6 foot 3 beast as a “great leader.”

That endorsement is perhaps the most appealing, given Alasdair Gold’s claims that Spurs are looking specifically for a leader at the back this summer as their utmost priority.

Despite his advancing years, the long-serving centre-back still played 35 times in all competitions and if no one in the Premier League should be put off by a player’s age anymore after witnessing the impact of Thiago Silva at Chelsea.

He’s just clinched another Champions League title at 36.

Bonucci, who has won nine league titles and nine domestic cups, evidently still has plenty in his locker and if Levy wants to fix Spurs’ biggest problem for whoever the next manager is, then he should get behind a swoop for the Italy international.

He could well give the Lilywhites their very own Silva.

AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano drops worrying Spurs managerial claim…

MatériaMais Notícias

Abel Braga ganhou um desfalque de última hora para a estreia do Fluminense em 2017. O lateral-direito Lucas, emprestado pelo Palmeiras, não teve o nome registrado no Boletim Informativo Diário (BID) da CBF, portanto, não apresenta condições legais de atuar por seu novo clube, que estreia, nesta terça-feira, diante do Criciúma em Juiz de Fora, pela primeira rodada da Primeira Liga.

A expectativa era que, assim como Junior Sornoza e Orejuela, Lucas tivesse o nome publicado no BID nesta segunda-feira. De acordo com o Fluminense, houve um acúmulo inscrições no BID e nem todas entraram no site da entidade neste dia. Para atuar, o atleta precisa ser registrado 24h antes do jogo.

Sem Lucas Abel Braga deve escalar Renato na lateral direita. O Fluminense deve ter z seguinte equipe: Cavalieri; Renato, Renato Chaves, Henrique e Léo; Douglas, Orejuela, Sornoza e Marcos Junior; Wellington e Henrique Dourado.

RelacionadasFluminenseNo BID! Regularizados, Orejuela e Sornoza podem estrear pelo FluFluminense23/01/2017FluminenseMichael tem melhora no nível de consciência e deixa o estado de comaFluminense23/01/2017FluminenseSistema defensivo do Flu começa 2017 bem diferente do ano passadoFluminense22/01/2017

Leeds United have been boosted in their efforts to sign Hertha Berlin star Matheus Cunha this summer, according to reports in Germany.

The Lowdown: Attacking signing needed

The Whites have been superb in their first season back in the Premier League, looking every bit a mid-table side and playing some of the best football in the division.

Marcelo Bielsa’s men have been too reliant on the goals of Patrick Bamford, however, with the 27-year-old the only player to reach double figures in the league.

For that reason, Bielsa could be eyeing up attacking reinforcements in the summer transfer window and Cunha has been linked with a move in the past.

The Latest: Leeds given Cunha boost

According to Kicker [via MOT Leeds News], the fact that the £27million-rated Brazilian has signed a new deal at Hertha makes no difference to the current situation.

It is believed that Leeds have upped their efforts to bring in Cunha at the end of the season, having scored seven goals and registered four assists in the Bundesliga in 2020/21.

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The Verdict: Snap him up, Marcelo

Cunha looks a player of enormous promise, already shining in a top league at the age of just 21, so Leeds should do all they can to bring him in, despite Hertha wanting around £30million for his services.

It would ease the burden on Bamford, especially if Rodrigo moves on this summer, and an average of 1.3 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game suggests he would suit Bielsa’s pressing from the front style, too.

Cunha’s versatility could also stand him in good stead, allowing him to thrive across the front-line and dovetail with those around him, and who could forget the outrageously skilful wonder-goal he scored back in 2019, winning the Bundesliga’s goal of the month with a sublime spin past a defender and audacious chip over the goalkeeper.

In other news, Leeds have been tipped to sign an exciting attacking player this summer – find out who it is here.

A number of Liverpool supporters have been reacting positively to news claiming Alisson is keen on extending his stay at Anfield.

The Reds’ season is over for another summer, with Jurgen Klopp and his players earning some well-deserved downtime.

Liverpool managed to qualify for next season’s Champions League after a superb end to the campaign, which saw them win eight and draw two of their last 10 matches.

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Someone who played a massive role in the Reds’ third-place finish was Alisson, with the Brazilian a huge presence between the sticks a number of times.

Of course, the 28-year-old also scored that last-gasp winner away to West Brom earlier in the month, which arguably kept Liverpool’s season alive – pundit Micah Richards hailed him as ‘incredible’.

Alisson is a hugely important player at Anfield, and according to journalist Fabrizio Romano [via Anfield Watch], he wants to sign a new and extended deal.

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Liverpool fans react to Alisson update

These Liverpool fans reacted to the news on Twitter.

“Give the man a contract to end his career here at Anfield”

Credit: @hotshotherambh

“Give it to him, whatever the numbers”

Credit: @CannonballBobby

“Give him whatever he wants”

Credit: @harkinlajar

“Alisson wants to extend his Liverpool contract. Great news”

Credit: @AnfieldAgenda

“This is fantastic news tying down a goalscoring goalkeeper”

Credit: @CityKop

“That helps strengthen and unite the squad more”

Credit: @MutuMyco

In other news, some Liverpool fans absolutely love footage of a former Reds player that has emerged. Watch it here.

According to The Telegraph, Daniel Levy could soon make a move for Zinedine Zidane as he continues the search for Tottenham’s new permanent manager.

The Lowdown: The search goes on

Jose Mourinho was sacked as Spurs boss over a month ago, but the north London outfit still remain without a permanent first-team manager.

In recent days, Mauricio Pochettino has been linked with a return to the club (The Guardian), while Antonio Conte has also popped up on Spurs’ radar after leaving Internazionale. Now, though, Levy may have another name up his sleeve.

The Latest: Spurs could move for Zidane

Zidane also recently left his post, departing Real Madrid following the end of the 2020/21 La Liga campaign.

As such, he could now emerge as a target for Spurs as they look to fill their vacancy as soon as possible, report The Telegraph.

The Verdict: Reaching for the stars

There are few, if any managers in European football who can match Zidane’s record. He has won the Champions League three times as a manager, adding to the one he picked up as a player, while he also led Madrid to the La Liga title on two separate occasions. Already a legendary footballer, he can also be classed the same as a boss.

Zidane’s salary was said to be €12m a year (£10.3m) at Real Madrid (wionews.com), which works at around £198,000 a week. It is unclear what sort of wages the Frenchman would be looking for, but anything in line with his previous pay packet would be a considerable sum for Tottenham. Still, to get quality, you must be prepared to pay top-level prices.

In other news, Tottenham plan to sell this man this summer.