All posts by h716a5.icu

Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti is concerned about losing centre-back Kim Min-jae to Chelsea this summer, so much so he has called a crisis meeting with club president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

Who Is Kim Min-jae?

The South Korean has enjoyed a magnificent season for Napoli, playing a massive role in them winning a first Serie A title since 1990. He has been a rock at the heart of his team's defence, averaging 3.6 clearances per game in the competition, as well as exactly the same tally in the Champions League.

Kim has also shone on the ball, enjoying a 90.8% pass completion rate in the league, excelling in Napoli's system and showing what a great ball-playing centre-back he is.

Unsurprisingly, there has been a huge amount of interest in the 26-year-old recently, considering he is arguably one of the world's best players in his position. Chelsea have been linked with signing him in this summer, as have Manchester City and Manchester United, so a move to the Premier League could be on the cards.

The Blues' interest doesn't seem to be going away and there appears to be concern from Napoli regarding his future.

Are Chelsea signing Kim min-Jae?

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Kim's release clause could be triggered this summer, leaving Napoli in the perilous position where they can't really say no, potentially acting as a boost to Chelsea and others. Spalletti is worried that he could lose one of his most important players for a release clause set too low at the time they signed the player from Fenerbahce.

The boss is so concerned that he has called a meeting with De Laurentiis to ask if the South Korea international will depart or renew his contract, in what looks like a sticky situation for a man trying to challenge the dominance Juventus have held over Italian football in recent years.

Chelsea signing Kim could be one of their most inspired pieces of transfer business in some time, should they be able to entice him to Stamford Bridge this summer. The Blues haven't looked convincing at centre-back all season long, and with both Thiago Silva and Kalidou Koulibaly ageing, they need a new leader to come in.

Kim could be exactly that, having been hailed as "extraordinary" by compatriot and former United midfielder Park Ji-Sung, and the best years of his career could still be to come. Chelsea's lack of European football is certainly a problem, though, and is something that their Premier League rivals can promise, so they are arguably outsiders to snap him up at this point.

Chelsea are ready to bid for Kim Min-Jae, with Napoli reportedly shopping to replace the centre-back. The Scudetto winners are being targeted in the transfer market after their stunning domestic campaign.

What's the latest Kim Min-Jae transfer news?

Italian publication Il Mattino, via Sport Witness, reports that there is doubt surrounding whether Kim will remain at Napoli, although the expectation is that he will leave. His contract contains a release clause which is set somewhere between €50m and €60m – the media aren't sure on the specifics, but depending on the location of the suitor, Napoli will quote a different price.

Chelsea are "ready to offer" whatever it will take to sign Kim this summer. He has earned rave reviews with his dominant and simple defending, giving the likes of Victor Osimhen and Kvicha Kvaratshkelia a basis upon which to attack from.

Napoli appear to already be shopping for the South Korean's replacement, with Atalanta's Giorgio Scalvini their main target.

Could Kim Min-Jae revolutionise Chelsea's backline?

Min-Jae is a "monster" of a defender – it's a nickname the player says sums his game up and it's a hint of what Chelsea could get for a very low price.

Whether it's €50m (£43m) or €60m (£52m), the Blues could be about to seal a significant bargain. Not only is the defender 6 foot 2, he is aggressive but measured, strong but agile on the ball and above all else, he offers a calm approach to playing out from the back.

In the Premier League, being able to build out from the back without panicking is a vital skill. The South Korean ranks in the 96th percentile for 'Progressive Passing Dstance' which means only four percent of centre-backs cover more distance with their passes forward.

This includes long balls but it primarily covers short passes from centre-backs to midfielders, fullbacks or wingers.

He ranks in the 99th percentile for the percentage of 'Dribblers Tackled' and 'Challenges Lost'. In short, he's a ball-winning animal and would safeguard Chelsea's defence for years to come if they can complete a deal to sign him this summer.

Mark Davis has spoken about Sussex’s frustration in having to wait for Mustafizur Rahman, one of the club’s overseas signings, to arrive

Mohammad Isam20-Jun-2016Mark Davis has spoken about Sussex’s frustration in having to wait for Mustafizur Rahman, one of the club’s overseas signings, to arrive. Mustafizur has been working to regain fitness after the IPL and his stint in England remains uncertain.Davis, Sussex’s head coach, said the club was struggling to find another replacement for Mustafizur, after South Africa allrounder David Wiese departed for the CPL. Wiese was initially signed as cover for two games at the start of June but ended up making four NatWest T20 Blast appearances. Ahead of their game against Gloucestershire on Sunday, Sussex will also be without Chris Jordan who is away on England duty.”We have a couple of people but it is very late in the day so it is very hard to get replacements,” Davis told the Brighton-based . “The top players in the world have been signed, or are playing CPL, or their countries aren’t allowing them to play. That’s the frustration because we have chosen Mustafizur as probably the No. 1 bowler in the world in that format.”On June 9, the Bangladesh physio Bayjidul Islam had said that Mustafizur would take at least two weeks to be ready but last week, trainer Mario Villavarayan said he would require another month to recover from his injuries.Sussex had earlier said they would be happy to wait for Mustafizur, at least until June 10, but that time has now passed. Davis said he had only been able to get advice from Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha but he was confident that Mustafizur would show up for his side.”I spoke to the Bangladesh head coach and he said he would be assessed after two weeks, which is now,” Davis said. “It hasn’t been easy to nail Bangladesh down. Their coach has been the one I have got most direction from. But we are also dealing with physios and trainers who are putting things on the internet. I am sure we will get it nailed down.”

Tottenham are willing to invest in the signing of Paris-Saint Germain star Marco Verratti, which could help convince Julian Nagelsmann to join.

What's the latest Spurs transfer news?

Spurs and chairman Daniel Levy are currently on the search for Antonio Conte's replacement and have apparently completed the due-diligence stage, with the north Londoners now set to step up talks with candidates (Evening Standard).

Of the managers attracting interest, it is believed negotiations have already been held with the likes of Nagelmann and former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique. Sporting Lisbon's Ruben Amorim and Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso are also reportedly on the agenda.

Amid this all-important task to hire the perfect new manager for next season, Tottenham must also think about squad reinforcements for next season.

It is believed that Leicester City star James Maddison is still a prime target in this regard, with Spurs apparently pushing to get a deal done. They could apparently sign the Englishman for £60 million, but he isn't the only player being targeted by Tottenham, with central defensive reinforcements also of real important to Levy.

The Lilywhites have been linked to the likes of Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi among others, yet according to a recent report, Verratti is now also attracting real interest.

As per news out of Spain, Tottenham are one of the sides interested in making a move for the 30-year-old, alongside Premier League rivals Man United and Italian giants Juventus.

Spurs are apparently "willing to make a million-dollar investment" for Verrati's capture, and perhaps most interestingly, it is claimed that this acquisition "could be key" in helping to convince Nagelsmann to make a move to N17.

Verratti still has three years to run down on his contract, which expires in 2026, but the midfielder is thinking of leaving Christophe Galtier's side. He apparently holds reservations over the project at PSG and has also taken issue with criticism from supporters in recent days.

What could Verratti bring to Spurs?

Called an "exceptional player" by Man City boss Pep Guardiola, the former Pescara star is a real all-rounder and could seriously upgrade Tottenham's midfield options.

As per WhoScored, Verratti has averaged more successful tackles per 90 than any of his teammates over 25 Ligue 1 appearances.

He can also contribute effectively in the final third, having made PSG's fourth-highest rate of key passes per 90 in France's top flight (WhoScored).

The caveats to this potential move may well be his contract length, which could mean Levy has to invest significantly more to capture him, and the fact he is now 30 will also be a factor.

Lydia Greenway, the England batsman, has announced her retirement from international cricket

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Jun-2016Lydia Greenway, the England batsman, has announced her retirement from international cricket. Greenway, who was 17 when she made her England debut in the first Women’s Ashes Test in Brisbane in 2003, played 14 Tests, 126 ODIs and 85 T20Is.Batting mostly in the middle order, Greenway scored 362 Test runs at an average of 15.73, 2554 ODI runs at 30.04, including a hundred and 12 fifties, and 1192 T20 runs at a strike rate of 96.12. She was also a brilliant fielder, known for pulling off spectacular catches in the deep.She was part of four Women’s Ashes-winning teams, playing a key role in clinching the multi-format 2013 edition with a match-winning 64-ball 80 in the second T20I at the Rose Bowl. She was also part of England’s title-winning squads at the Women’s World Cup and Women’s World T20 in 2009.Her retirement follows that of former captain Charlotte Edwards, meaning England have lost two of their most experienced players within a matter of weeks, as coach Mark Robinson continues to overhaul the side ahead of the 2017 World Cup. Sarah Taylor has also decided to take a break from the game. Like Edwards, Greenway will still take part in the inaugural Women’s Super League later this summer.”During recent discussions with Mark Robinson about his focus on developing new players against Pakistan this summer, it became clear that my involvement with the England team might be limited moving forwards,” Greenway said. “Whilst in the past I have been in a similar position and have fought for my place, I now feel that at this stage in my life, it’s time to take a step back and retire from international cricket with immediate effect, allowing the next generation of players to develop on the world stage.”I feel extremely privileged to have represented England for 13 years, and I am very proud of what I have personally achieved during this time. However, the success of the team and the people I have played with is what will make the memories so special. The double World Cup victories in 2009 was an amazing period for the team, and I will be right behind the girls as they pursue another World Cup win on home soil next year.”I’d like to thank the ECB for getting the women’s game to where it is now, all the coaches I have worked with, my team mates, and most importantly my family and friends for their unconditional support throughout my international career.”

Arsenal are reportedly keen to sign Mason Mount this off-season…

Arsenal transfer news – could they sign Mason Mount?

According to GOAL, the Gunners are monitoring the Chelsea midfielder's situation at Stamford Bridge as they look to mould their transfer plans ahead of the summer window.

It's thought that Mount is expected to leave the Blues in the summer, having rejected a new contract, and Arsenal could rival Liverpool for his signature with the club eyeing top-quality additions to bolster their position in both the Premier League and Champions League.

The Athletic's David Ornstein has also spoken on the situation.

“ I don’t think it was a key priority position [defence] and maybe it still isn’t because of the need in the midfield. The holding position at six and maybe even an eight. There have been some links with Mason Mount and he is a player that Arsenal, along with some others, Manchester United, Liverpool and Bayern Munich, like," he told the Handbrake Off podcast.

Is Mount a perfect fit in north London?

Given that Mikel Arteta has the likes of Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira available to play in attacking midfield, a move for Mount would be surprising but that said, it's not one they should ignore.

The 24-year-old has been one of the most exciting young talents to grace the Premier League in recent years, with his career-best returns coming during the 2021/22 campaign where he scored 11 goals and laid on ten assists, via WhoScored.

What makes those figures even more remarkable is the fact that only two current Arsenal stars have matched it this season, despite the side running Manchester City close for the title – Bukayo Saka (13 goals and 11 assists) and Gabriel Martinelli (15 goals and five assists).

Mount would be right at home alongside the aforementioned England international and other Three Lions colleagues such as Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale, Eddie Nketiah and perhaps even his best mate, Declan Rice, who remains the Gunners' top target for the no.6 role.

Even though the £65m-rated dynamo has struggled for form and for minutes this term, he still ranks among the top 8% for progressive passes per 90 and the top 11% for tackles per 90 when compared to his positional peers in Europe's 'big five' leagues, via FBref, who also liken his ability to Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes and Martin Odegaard in terms of statistical profile.

It's perhaps why the versatile midfielder has been lauded as "a special talent" by Alan Shearer, as well as "generational" by Daily Mirror journalist Benjamin Lynch earlier in the campaign.

Mount could fulfil a number of roles under Arteta, whether that be as a marauding no.8, cover for Odegaard in the 10 or even on the flanks and given his vast experience for club and country already at such a young age, and his homegrown status, he would surely be a perfect fit for the Spaniard heading into next seaso

Tottenham Hotspur should let Davinson Sanchez and Clement Lenglet leave the club this summer, but it would make sense to offer Eric Dier fresh terms, according to talkSPORT pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor.

What's the latest news involving Lenglet and Sanchez?

It appears as though Tottenham are keen on signing Lenglet on a permanent deal this summer, with Sport reporting they have entered negotiations with Barcelona, over a potential deal that could end up being worth €20m (£18m).

Sanchez will have one year left on his contract this summer, however it would not be a surprise if the defender left the club, as he is now open to an exit, having recently been booed by Spurs fans after being substituted in the 3-2 defeat against Bournemouth.

With it recently emerging the Lilywhites are set to offer Dier a new three-year contract, Alan Hutton indicated that fans will not be happy with the club's decision, however Agbonlahor believes he may be worth keeping, at least as a back-up option.

In an interview with Football Insider, the pundit said: “It’s a tough decision because he has some good games, but he is also capable of some really poor performances.

“It’s easy to see why Spurs fans want Dier, Sanchez and Lenglet out of the club. You can understand the frustration.

“But the club might not have the budget for two new centre-backs, so it might make sense to keep Dier on a new contract.

“But if you look at Arsenal with Gabriel and Saliba, and other teams with reliable centre-backs – you understand that frustration.

“He’s better than Sanchez and Lenglet, so you might look to keep Dier as a squad player and get rid of them – but they’ve got to sort out some new blood in defence this summer.”

Should Tottenham let Sanchez and Lenglet leave?

Tottenham have struggled considerably in a defensive sense this season, having conceded a total of 45 goals, so it is evident they will need to bring in some new options this summer, which means Sanchez and Lenglet should be allowed to leave.

It is strange that Spurs are in talks with Barcelona about Lenglet, as the Frenchman has been very unimpressive since arriving on loan, with Jamie O'Hara describing him as an "imposter" back in February.

Sanchez has also been way below par, which is indicated by the fact he has mainly been utilised as a substitute this season, despite the Lilywhites' issues in defence, making a total of just 15 Premier League appearances.

Although Dier has been criticised at times, he has averaged a 6.95 match rating in the top flight this term, which ties him with Cristian Romero as the joint-best performing defender at the club, and he should be kept as a back-up option next season.

Mauricio Pochettino looks set to be confirmed as the new Chelsea manager in the coming days and the Argentine will perhaps already be thinking about how to solve the Blues' problems in front of goal.

Why do Chelsea need a new striker under Pochettino?

Chelsea have mustered just 30 goals in the Premier League so far this season, with only relegation-threatened Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton scoring fewer, so it is obvious what Pochettino has to improve upon if he is going to transform his new side back into top-four contenders.

Unfortunately, while he is certainly not lacking in terms of attacking options at the club, few seem to be of the necessary quality to fire the Blues back up the table, with experienced summer signings Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang both struggling to replicate their previous Premier League displays, with just five goals and two assists between them in the top flight.

The 51-year-old manager has been blessed with some world-class strikers in his last two jobs at PSG and Tottenham Hotspur, with Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane crashing in 236 goals between them under his management, with both strikers cultivating their reputations as two of the best in the world during Pochettino's time at the club.

Kane, in particular, was thrust into the role of star man under Pochettino having graduated from Spurs' academy and has gone on to become a legend with the north London club, breaking Jimmy Greaves' long-standing goalscoring record earlier this year.

The former Southampton boss may well turn to Chelsea's academy as he searches for his next Kane with the Stamford Bridge outfit, and he could find him in 19-year-old star, Mason Burstow.

Who is Mason Burstow?

Chelsea would sign Burstow from Charlton Athletic in February 2022, as he became the final signing of the Roman Abramovich era ahead of Todd Boehly's takeover at Stamford Bridge.

The teenage forward had been catching the eye in League One with the Addicks, contributing an impressive six goals and three assists in 23 appearances for the club, having returned on loan for the remainder of the 2021/22 season after moving to Chelsea on a permanent deal.

Former manager Johnnie Jackson was full of praise for the youngster after he made his first league appearance for the club in 2021.

He said: “He is a great kid. He is so confident I had no qualms [about bringing him on against Plymouth]. It was a big game to come on, a big crowd – there was quite a lot of weight on his shoulders. I was happy to fling him in because I think he can handle that.

“I’ve got confidence in him and he’s got confidence in himself. He is a good player.

“I’m absolutely delighted for him. It is great for the young lads to get their debuts and he deserves it. He has been there training with us every day. He holds his own and doesn’t look out of place. He warrants his place and he’ll be travelling with us.”

Unsurprisingly, Burstow's experience in senior football has meant that Premier League 2 football this season has been comfortable for him, as he boasts ten goals and four assists in 24 appearances at that level.

He also scored an unbelievable 40-yard strike in the EFL Trophy win against Oxford United, with his technique when striking the ball certainly reminiscent of a top striker such as Kane.

He is yet to make his senior debut at Chelsea but given there is essentially nothing to play for in the Blues' final seven Premier League games, perhaps we could see him given a chance by either Frank Lampard or Pochettino, depending on how soon the Argentine actually takes over at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea's record of bringing through talented academy players has certainly improved in recent years, with the likes of Reece James, Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher all first-team regulars this season, and while Burstow didn't start life at Cobham, his impressive displays there this season must not go unnoticed when Pochettino takes over as manager.

Finding a consistent goalscorer is surely key for the 51-year-old manager if he is to be a success with the Blues and if Boehly isn't keen to spend millions on another big name, Burstow could be the man to step up for Chelsea.

If the youngster is able to develop in the same way that Kane did under Pochettino at Spurs, then the Blues could soon have their own version of the England captain at Stamford Bridge. Wouldn't that be a treat?

Manchester United impressively shook off a plethora of injury concerns to overpower Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday afternoon, with Erik ten Hag’s men notably looking rather solid despite deploying something of a makeshift backline.

With the likes of Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez – who is out for the season – all absent for the clash with the relegation strugglers, the former Ajax boss saw his squad resources well and truly tested, as Diogo Dalot was notably forced to slot in at left-back.

There is no denying that the latter man has endured a tough time of it since returning from World Cup duty, with the 24-year-old having “regressed in quality” in recent months, according to writer Casey Evans, after looking “a bit off it” since turning out for his country in Qatar – as per The Mirror’s Colin Millar.

Having previously started the opening 15 Premier League games of the season in his usual right-back berth, the resurgence of teammate Aaron Wan-Bissaka – as well as his own injury woes – has seen the former Porto man flit in and out of the side, having memorably been hooked at half-time in the Carabao Cup final triumph over Newcastle United after being given a “torrid” time – as per beIN reporter Andy Kerr.

That recent, underwhelming run had ensured that it was a big call for Ten Hag to trust the £25k-per-week machine in something of an unnatural position against Steve Cooper’s side, although Dalot appeared to pass that big test with flying colours.

How did Dalot perform against Forest?

Having been tasked as the man to fill in for the stricken duo of Shaw and Malacia, the 6-foot sensation was simply “superb” in Sunday’s commanding victory, in the words of former Manchester Evening News writer Hesham Bilal-Hafiz, having hardly looked like a mere makeshift option.

The full-back’s quality was particularly evident as he registered two key passes from his 74 touches on the day, while also proving an effective performer in a defensive sense after winning four of his six total duels.

While there was one notable mishap as an errant touch from the 11-cap defender gifted an opening to opposition striker Taiwo Awoniyi, it was an otherwise serene outing for Dalot, as he recorded a standout 7.9 match rating, as per Sofascore.

The one-time AC Milan loanee’s most telling contribution in that fine outing came late on as he latched onto Antony’s threaded pass before cooly slotting the ball past the impressive Keylor Navas, with that a fine reward for having been ‘incisive and ambitious in attack’, as per GOAL’s Richard Martin.

As was perhaps evident by the array of celebrations that Dalot was keen to produce in the aftermath of that composed finish, it was only the Portuguese’s first Premier League goal for the club – just under five years on from arriving at Old Trafford.

That rare effort capped what was a respectable performance from the £27m-rated man in what could have been a potentially awkward starting berth, as he proved to everybody, most notably Ten Hag, that he’s someone they can certainly rely on moving forward.

Manchester United's recent win over relegation strugglers, Everton saw summer signing Antony produce an encouraging display at Old Trafford, with the Brazil international having been a constant menace down the right flank on the day.

The former Ajax man was simply "tormenting" Toffees defender Ben Godfrey after repeatedly getting in behind, as per journalist Joe Thomas, with it having arguably been the forward's "best game" since joining on an £86m deal back in August, according to club legend Paul Scholes.

Despite that lively showing, however, the 23-year-old can still be "frustrating" – in the words of talkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor – having notably spurned a handful of chances against the Merseysiders after firing straight at an impressive Jordan Pickford.

That inability to make United's dominance count was perhaps a factor in the wide man's withdrawal on the 60-minute mark, with more seemingly needed from a player who has scored just three Premier League goals this season.

Antony is, however, a player with a penchant for the spectacular – showcased by the fact that he has won the club's Goal of the Month award on four occasions this season – with supporters likely to have to accept that the mercurial talent may be a player who performs in moments, rather than on a consistent basis.

It looks as if the former Sao Paolo man could be both a figure who can change a game in an instant or leave both fans and teammates scratching their heads, ensuring that he could follow in the footsteps of another previously infuriating, yet magical United man – Nani.

How good was Nani at Man United?

The likeness between the pair was previously noted by The Athletic's Carl Anka back in September, with the respected journalist stating that "Manchester United haven't had a player like Antony since Nani", upon the Brazilian's arrival at the club.

As Anka said of Antony at the time, he is a player who "can look like a world-beater one day, but will need to work on consistency", hence the obvious comparisons to that man Nani, with the former Red Devils man having also had that ability to blow hot and cold.

That was laid bare by the Portuguese's ex-teammate, Rio Ferdinand, who revealed that the winger was a "ridiculous player" who would do things in training that "would blow your mind", albeit while remaining deeply "frustrating" due to the 'inconsistency with his end product".

Much like Antony – who already has impressive strikes to his name against the likes of Barcelona and Manchester City this season – Nani also struck notable, memorable efforts throughout his time in Manchester, having joined the club from Sporting Lisbon back in 2007.

The now-veteran – who currently plies his trade for A-League side Melbourne Victory – was capable of true moments of genius, be it his delightful, delicate dink away at Arsenal in 2010, or his thumping effort at home to Tottenham Hotspur a few years earlier.

Hailed as a "proper player" by Ferdinand, the 36-year-old would ultimately leave United in 2015 after having scored 41 goals and provided 71 assists in 230 games across all fronts, helping the club to win a plethora of major honours in that time.

While, as Ferdinand alluded to, the 112-cap ace perhaps failed to be a truly reliable asset throughout his eight-year stay at the Theatre of Dreams, the 5 foot 10 genius is still fondly remembered for those standout moments of magic that he was able to produce on his day.

It does appear that both Erik ten Hag and Red Devils supporters may have to also get used the inconsistency of Antony over the coming years, although, like Nani, the £200k-per-week man could also be a "difference maker" at times for the club, as per writer Muhammad Butt.