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After being embarrassed 4-0 by Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park on Sunday, Aston Villa must bounce back ahead of their huge European clash against Ajax.

In the first leg, Unai Emery’s side held the Dutch hosts to a drab 0-0 draw, which puts the Villans in a great position to progress this evening.

The game saw just eight shots over 94 minutes of action, with both teams looking to not lose rather than win, but that won’t be the case this time around.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at who the Spaniard could bring into the side to boost Villa's chances of winning.

Ezri Konsa drops out

Last Thursday, Villa defender Ezri Konsa was having a steady game at right back, keeping Kenneth Taylor relatively quiet throughout the game, before moving into centre back for the second half.

The number four was particularly composed on the ball, completing all but one of his 49 passes, giving him a pass accuracy of 98%, and only losing possession on four occasions.

The centre-back by trade wasn’t dribbled past once, but he did only win two of his seven duels and commit four fouls.

Unfortunately, Konsa was booked just before the half-hour mark for a handball, and in the 83rd minute, he received his second yellow card of the game for a controversial foul that could have been a Villa free kick.

Emery benches Tielemans in Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Ajax

Aston Villa face Ajax in the second leg of their Conference League tie tomorrow

By
Ross Kilvington

Mar 13, 2024

Luckily, Emery has a like-for-like replacement who’s ready to step up and perform.

Why Matty Cash must start against Ajax

Matty Cash did actually feature last week despite not starting in the original lineup, as he replaced Pau Torres at half-time.

The Polish defender came straight in at right back, but he rarely had an opportunity to make an impact, with Ajax having 55% of the ball after the break and Cash making just nine passes.

However, the number two has displayed his ability to influence the game on multiple occasions this campaign, notably at home to Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this season.

Excluding the score line, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see tonight’s game follow a similar pattern to that game against the Seagulls, in terms of Villa remaining patient and looking to hurt Ajax on the break in between spells of possession for the visitors.

As you can see by the table, this approach certainly suits Cash’s profile, as the £80k-per-week defender excelled in the 6-1 win over Roberto De Zerbi’s team in September.

During the game, the “excellent” 26-year-old, as called by StatmanDave, showed his defensive stability mainly via his tackling and ground duel win rate.

Cash – who Emery views as a "perfect" player – also displayed how he can be a threat in the final third, picking up an assist for Ollie Watkins’ opener, and his capacity to drive forward on the counter, which will be vital against Ajax.

Overall, despite being the only replacement for Konsa, Cash has plenty of attributes that make him perfect for the game tonight, and he simply has to start.

MatériaMais Notícias

Jogando com a equipe reserva, o São Paulo perdeu para o Racing por 1 a 0, no Morumbi, nesta terça-feira (18), pela quinta rodada do Grupo E da Libertadores. Novillo marcou o gol dos argentinos, ainda na primeira etapa. Com o resultado, caiu a invencibilidade de 14 jogos do Tricolor na temporada.

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De quebra, o São Paulo foi para a segunda colocação da chave, com oito pontos conquistados.No entanto, caso o Rentistas não vença o Sporting Cristal, o Tricolor garante vaga nas oitavas. O time argentino, por sua vez, está classificado para a próxima fase da competição continental, sendo líder do grupo com 11 pontos.

Agora, o São Paulo enfrentará o Palmeiras no jogo de ida da final do Paulistão, nesta quinta-feira (20), às 22h, no Allianz Parque.

VEJA COMO ESTÁ A SITUAÇÃO DO SÃO PAULO NA LIBERTADORES!

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Jogo começa e São Paulo quase abre o placar
O primeiro tempo iniciou agitado, com o São Paulo chegando ao setor ofensivo e tendo mais posse de bola. A primeira chegada foi aos quatro minutos de jogo.Galeano recebeu em ótima condição dentro da área do Racing, mas a zaga tirou na hora certa.

Seis minutos depois, mais um lance perigoso do Tricolor. Após rápida troca de passes, Vitor Bueno cruzou, Igor Gomes se antecipou a defesa argentina e deu um toque de pé direito. Arias defendeu com o pé e salvou o Racing de sofrer o primeiro gol no Morumbi.

Racing assusta, e São Paulo responde
O jogo estava indo bem para o Tricolor, mas uma bobeada da defesa quase pôs tudo a perder. Diego Costa tocou errado para Rodrigo Freitas. Lovera pegou a bola na entrada da área, mas Rodrigo desarmou.

Com 23 minutos, foi a vez do São Paulo atacar.Wellington levantou a bola na área do Racing, Vitor Bueno disputou, mas Arias saiu do gol e tirou a bola de soco, afastando o perigo.

Tricolor vacila na defesa e Racing abre o placar
O jogo ia passando e o São Paulo demonstrava mais controle da partida. No entanto, uma desatenção custou caro. Aos 27 minutos,Lovera recebeu na esquerda, ajeitou e cruzou para o meio da área. Novillo se antecipou à zaga do São Paulo e desviou de cabeça para o gol, sem chances para Tiago Volpi.

Com 33 minutos, o São Paulo respondeu e quase empatou.Igor Gomes bateu o escanteio, Diego Costa desviou de cabeça, e a bola sobrou para Vitor Bueno, que dominou, girou, e bateu. Arias encaixou.

Equipes têm chances no fim do primeiro tempo
Na medida que a primeira etapa chegava ao final, o jogo ficava mais truncado. No entanto, não faltaram chances aos times. A primeira foi do Racing. Aos 49 minutos,Wellington afastou uma bola levantada na área. Novillo pegou o rebote e bateu forte, rasteiro. Volpi, bem colocado, encaixou no meio do gol.

O São Paulo teve chance de empatar dois minutos depois. Vitor Bueno foi derrubado na entrada área. Falta perigosa que Igor Gomes bateu, mas a bola foi por cima do gol da equipe argentina. No final, Bruno Alves cabeceou escanteio para fora, antes do intervalo.

Segundo tempo começa e Racing tem gol anulado
O começo do segundo tempo foi de um Racing que partiu para o ataque. Aos quatro minutos,Rojas levantou na área do São Paulo, e Orban mandou para o gol. O zagueiro, porém, estava impedido, o árbitro marcou e o gol foi anulado, para alívio da defesa são-paulina.

Pouco depois, com seis minutos, o São Paulo pediu pênalti.Galeano disputou a bola com Segovia dentro da área e caiu. Na sobra, Vitor Bueno também caiu após disputa com o mesmo Segovia. O árbitro mandou seguir, nos dois lances.

Igor Gomes quase empata e Crespo mexe no São Paulo
Com o o segundo tempo passando, o Tricolor não conseguia levar muito perigo ao go, do Racing. A primeira grande chance foi somente aos 14 minutos.Igor Gomes recebeu de Orejuela dentro da área, ajeitou e bateu forte, rasteiro. No entanto, a bola foi para fora, assustando o goleiro Arias.

Vendo o time não desempenhar um bom futebol, o técnico Hernán Crespo, aos 15 minutos, promoveu as entradas de Daniel Alves e Luciano para tentar melhorar a equipe. Shaylon também foi acionado, mostrando a ideia de ofensividade do Tricolor.

Luciano perde grande chance
E não demorou muito para as substituições de Crespo quase surtirem efeito. Aos 17 minutos,Daniel Alves pegou rebote do escanteio e acertou ótimo lançamento para Shaylon. Na linha de fundo, o meia cruzou para Luciano, que finalizou mal. Arias defendeu com tranquilidade.

Aos 22, mais uma jogada da dupla são-paulina. Daniel Alves cruzou bem para o meio da área, Luciano cabeceou entre os zagueiros, mas o goleiro Arias encaixou e salvou a equipe argentina.

Daniel Alves marca, mas gol é anulado por impedimento
O São Paulo tinha dificuldades para criar perigo ao gol do Racing, que se defendia e explorava os contra-ataques. Aos 34 minutos, quase o gol da torcida do Tricolor saiu da garganta.

Wellington cruzou para a área do Racing, Daniel Alves surgiu como centroavante e mandou para o gol, de cabeça. No entanto, a arbitragem anulou o tento por impedimento do camisa dez são-paulino.

São Paulo tenta, mas não consegue o empate
Nos últimos minutos, o São Paulo foi ao ataque, mas não era efetivo. Aos 47, Rodrigo Nestor bateu de fora da área, mas a bola foi para fora. Com 49 minutos, Hernanes cruzou, mas Arias afastou de soco.

Fim de jogo e término de invencibilidade do São Paulo, tanto na temporada, quanto na Libertadores.

SÃO PAULO 0 X 1 RACING
Local: Estádio do Morumbi, São Paulo (SP)
Data e horário: 18/05/2021 – 21h30
Árbitro: Jesus Valenzuela (VEN)
Assistentes: Tulio Moreno (VEN) e Lubin Torrealba (VEN)
Cartões amarelos: Welington, Rodrigo Freitas (SAO); Fabricio Domínguez, Copetti (RAC)
Gol:Novillo (27/1ºT) (0-1)

SÃO PAULO
Volpi; Diego Costa, Rodrigo Freitas e Bruno Alves; Orejuela (Daniel Alves, aos 15/2ºT), Rodrigo Nestor, William (Shaylon, aos 15/2ºT), Igor Gomes (Hernanes, aos 35/2ºT) e Welington; Vitor Bueno (Luciano, aos 15/2ºT) e Galeano (Joao Rojas, aos 24/2ºT). Técnico: Hernán Crespo.

RACING
Arias; Fabrício Domínguez, Segovia (Sigali, aos 19/2ºT), Novillo, Orbán e Galván (Mena, aos 12/2ºT); Moreno, Mauricio Martínez e Matías Rojas (Piatti, aos 12/2ºT); Godoy (Copetti, aos 26/2ºT) e Lovera (Leonel Miranda, aos 26/2ºT). Técnico: Juan Antonio Pizzi.

Tottenham Hotspur have been far more proactive under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou, with last season's struggle and discordancy under Antonio Conte firmly in the past.

Despite Harry Kane's 30-goal haul in the Premier League, Spurs slumped to an eighth-placed finish that ended 13 successive years of continental qualification, bereft of enterprise in their attacking play and reliant on individual brilliance and flashes of quality.

This lack of togetherness was the real locus of Tottenham's struggle but a backline bereft of confidence and strength created an environment that was always going to hinder the chance of success, in turn convincing Kane to finally draw the curtain on his career at the club.

And so the 30-year-old striker – described as "one of the best I've seen" by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola – completed an initial £86m transfer to German giants Bayern Munich last August after becoming Tottenham's all-time top scorer months before.

With one year remaining on his contract at the time, it came as no surprise that the rumours surrounding his departure coalesced into the plain truth that, yes, he had decided to take his leave after 432 appearances and 280 goals for Tottenham and status as a Premier League great.

Harry Kane's numbers after leaving Spurs

Make no mistake, Kane's absence at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is keenly felt. Sure, Heung-min Son has stepped up to the plate as the club's starring talisman and Richarlison has unlocked a rich vein of goalscoring form, with nine goals from his past ten league matches, but the Three Lions' captain is one of the finest centre-forwards of his generation.

Obviously, Tottenham are performing at a superior level this season, but Postecoglou's project would be in an even more promising position were Kane still plying his trade at the club, with his goals, leadership and intelligence the difference between fighting for top four and challenging for the Premier League title.

Interestingly, Kane's maiden year at the Allianz Arena has not gone to plan, with Thomas Tuchel's struggling side trailing high-flying Bayer Leverkusen by ten points in the title race, having won the past 11 Bundesliga titles.

Moreover, Bayern Munich lost the DFL-Supercup and were felled in the DFB Pokal second round by Saarbrucken, who compete in the third tier.

Kane's never-ending wait for silverware drags on, but on an individual level the Englishman is performing at staggering heights, having plundered 36 goals and 11 assists from 34 matches in all competitions including 30 goals from 25 league fixtures.

As per FBref, the £411k-per-week phenomenon ranks among the top 1% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 15% for assists and the top 8% for progressive passes per 90, highlighting his first-rate skill as a goalscorer but also his elite playmaking ability.

He's a generational talent and while it was sad to see him go, cashing in for a lucrative amount last summer was probably the best way for Tottenham, injecting funds to fuel a new era instead of eking out the last of his quality before seeing him depart on a free.

It would be impossible for Tottenham to sell a star for more money any time soon… right?

Tottenham's next big sale

Pedro Porro is the man who might just boast a market value to surpass that of Kane, with the Spanish right-back believed to be valued at a record figure by Tottenham this year following interest from Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola's outfit have already raided Spurs for a right-sided defender in the past and indeed plucked Kyle Walker for £53m back in 2017 – a world-record fee for a defender at the time.

According to Football Insider back in January, Manchester City have been hoping to re-sign Porro after letting him go during his younger years, but Tottenham quelled any immediate concerns by placing a £100m price tag on the 24-year-old.

Porro signed for Spurs on loan in January 2023 with an obligation to buy in the summer for £40m, now activated, and while he struggled to perform during his first months, he's now one of the Premier League's finest full-backs and will be in line for Tottenham's Player of the Season award, albeit with some fierce competition from the likes of Son.

Pedro Porro's season in numbers

Back in February 2023, Porro was "destroyed" on his Premier League debut against Leicester City, according to Tim Sherwood, failing to mesh the cogs together and leading pundit Jamie Carragher to remark that he "can't defend" after a 6-1 loss against Newcastle United several months later.

1.

Emerson Palmieri

West Ham United

78

2.

Tyrick Mitchell

Crystal Palace

77

3.

Antonee Robinson

Fulham

73

4.

Pedro Porro

Tottenham Hotspur

70

5.

Destiny Udogie

Tottenham Hotspur

63

Now, he's performing at the top of his game under Postecoglou's management and has been dubbed a "bulldog" by his teammate Dejan Kulusevski: immense defensively, influential in attack (Porro is Tottenham's second-highest assist maker) and difficult to contain as he charges up and down the right channel.

As per Sofascore, the £85k-per-week defender has chalked up seven assists from 24 Premier League appearances this term, completing 80% of his passes, succeeding with 59% of his dribbles and averaging 1.7 key passes, 2.9 tackles, 5.6 ball recoveries, 2.5 clearances and five successful duels per game.

Moreover, the 5 foot 9 ace ranks among the top 18% of full-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 4% for assists, the top 5% for shot-creating actions, the top 10% for tackles and the top 3% for blocks per 90.

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Dynamic and effective in a fluid Postecoglou system, Porro is part of a new wave of talent that looks set to take Tottenham to new heights, ensuring that Kane's sale does not prove to be detrimental.

And if the day does come that his departure must be discussed, Daniel Levy might just find that he can recoup a club-record fee. There is much to be excited about down N17.

Adelaide Strikers

Squad Darcie Brown, Tegan McPharlin, Alex Price, Annie O’Neil, Sarah Coyte, Katie Mack, Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, Bridget Patterson, Ellie Falconer, Megan Schutt, Tahlia McGrath, Stafanie Taylor, Lauren Winfield, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Tabatha Saville2018-19 statsWhat happened last season?They began with victory against eventual champions the Brisbane Heat, but struggled for consistency until the backend if the group stage where they secured three victories in a row – including a Super Over win against the Hobart Hurricanes – but it was too late to make the knockouts. That was despite having two of the five highest run-scorers in Sophie Devine and Suzie BatesPlayer to watchAllrounder Tahlia McGrath was part of Australia’s Test and ODI side but has not featured since 2017 although is a current member of the national performance squad. Last season she was the Strikers’ third-highest run-scorer behind Devine and Bates and if she can increase her output from the 276 runs made in 2018-19 it will help take the pressure off the New Zealand pair.

Brisbane Heat

Brisbane Heat became the first non-Sydney team to win the WBBL•Getty Images

Squad Kirby Short (capt), Haidee Birkett, Maddy Green, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Mikayla Hinkley, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Jess Jonassen, Amelia Kerr, Delissa Kimmince, Charli Knott, Lilly Mills, Beth Mooney, Georgia Prestwidge, Courtney Sippel2018-19 statsWhat happened last season?Ended the Sydney Sixers’ quest for a hat-trick of titles with a three-wicket win in the final where Beth Mooney battled the heat for a matchwinning 65 then they held their nerve amid a late wobble. Their semi-final win over the Sydney Thunder had been a thriller as well with Haidee Birkett holding a stunning catch to secure victory. Mooney had an excellent tournament with the bat, making 486 runs, while Delissa Kimmince was the leading wicket-taker with 22.Player to watchLast season Grace Harris smashed the fastest WBBL hundred off just 42 balls against the Melbourne Stars and overall she was the Heat’s second-highest scorer behind Mooney. Her strike-rate of 148.41 was the highest of the tournament. There were also 16 wickets at an economy rate of under six in a stellar tournament. And that’s before we even mention the times she is on the mic in the field.

Hobart Hurricanes

Heather Knight will be a key figure in the Hobart Hurricanes’ batting•Getty Images

Squad Nicola Carey, Stefanie Daffara, Erin Fazackerley, Katelyn Fryett, Maisy Gibson, Corinne Hall (capt), Brooke Hepburn, Heather Knight, Hayley Matthews, Sasha Moloney, Meg Phillips, Emily Smith, Chloe Tryon, Belinda Vakarewa, Tayla Vlaeminck, Fran Wilson2018-19 statsWhat happened last season?The Hurricanes made the semi-finals in the first two seasons of the WBBL but have been the competition anchors in the last two years. Last season they won just two matches and also lost two Super Overs. West Indies star Hayley Matthews only managed two games before being injured and India’s Smriti Mandhana managed just two half-centuries in 13 games. The Hurricanes did score more runs than any other team but they conceded more runs than any other side as well. They had real trouble containing opposition sides and they have made a concerted effort in the off-season to bolster the bowling stocks.Player to watch Tayla Vlaeminck has made the move to Tasmania alongside fellow Australia player Nicola Carey. Vlaeminck hasn’t shown her best form at WBBL level yet due to a multitude of injury issues but her performances for Australia recently suggest she could have a huge tournament. She has taken wickets in each of her last five international matches and has conceded under six runs an over. She will be the fastest bowler in the tournament and will give the Hurricanes some real strike-power upfront.

Melbourne Renegades

Sophie Molineux celebrates a wicket•Getty Images

Squad Tammy Beaumont, Makinley Blows, Maitlan Brown, Josie Dooley, Jess Duffin (capt), Erica Kershaw, Claire Koski, Carly Leeson, Sophie Molineux, Courtney Neale, Molly Strano, Lea Tahuhu, Georgia Wareham, Courtney Webb, Danni Wyatt2018-19 statsWhat happened last season?The Renegades fell agonisingly short of the final. Sophie Molineux firstly went within millimetres of finding the match-winning boundary off the last ball of the semi-final and then she was inches short of the winning third run after her full stretch dive was just beaten by Alyssa Healy’s direct hit. The Renegades did only just scrape into the semis, though, winning seven games for the season. Their attack was their biggest weapon last year with the spin trio of Molly Strano, Georgia Wareham, and Molineux complemented by the speed of Lea Tahuhu and the consistency of Maitlan Brown. But their batting was too heavily reliant on Molineux, who scored three of the Renegades’ six half-centuries for the season, including her brilliant innings in the semi-final.Player to watchAllrounder Sophie Molineux is again the Renegades key player and with the absence of Amy Satterthwaite her runs will be even more important. She will get more support at the top of the order with the signing of senior England batter Tammy Beaumont. Molineux will be pushing to be part of Australia’s T20 World Cup squad and runs and wickets will put her right in the frame.

Melbourne Stars

Lizelle Lee waits to swat one away on a way to a hundred•Getty Images

Squad Kristen Beams, Lucy Cripps, Mignon du Preez, Nicole Faltum, Holly Ferling, Tess Flintoff, Nicola Hancock, Emma Inglis, Alana King, Lizelle Lee, Katey Martin, Erin Osborne, Angela Reakes, Annabel Sutherland, Elyse Villani (capt)2018-19 statsWhat happened last season?The Stars started the season with a bang thanks to Lizelle Lee’s stunning century on the opening day, and they won their first two matches, but their batting really fell away badly as they struggled to make winning scores. The South African pair of Lee and Mignon du Preez reached 50 just once each which meant their relatively inexperienced attack didn’t have much to work with. Legspinner Kristen Beams, who has announced she will retire after this season, was only available for six games which made their task even harder and they only managed five wins for the season.Player to watchElyse Villani returning home to Melbourne after a stint in Perth is a huge boost for the Stars. She takes over as captain and is very highly regarded as a leader but her batting will be where she can make the biggest impact. She was the sixth leading runscorer in the WBBL last season and only played 11 games. She has also been out of favour at international level and will be looking to push her case for the T20 World Cup having not played a T20I since the 2018 World Cup final in the West Indies.

Perth Scorchers

Perth Scorchers will be able to call on Australia captain Meg Lanning•Getty Images

Squad Jemma Barsby, Samantha Betts, Nicole Bolton, Mathilda Carmichael, Piepa Cleary, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Kath Hempenstall, Amy Jones, Emma King, Meg Lanning (capt), Taneale Peschel, Chloe Piparo, Georgia Redmayne, Nat Sciver2018-19 statsWhat happened last season?The much-vaunted Scorchers were arguably the biggest disappointments of WBBL04. Despite the star power in the top-order, they were unable to make the finals for the first time. Meg Lanning, Elyse Villani and Nicole Bolton missed 13 games between them which did test the Scorchers’ depth from a batting perspective, but they really struggled with the ball. Heather Graham took 22 wickets in a season where she was named domestic player of the year but Bolton’s 12 wickets from 11 games with her part-time offspin was the next best contributor, and she was the only bowler with an economy rate under seven.Player to watchNicole Bolton will be important for the Scorchers. She has taken a step back from international cricket for the time being to focus on her mental health and she has enjoyed the domestic environment with Western Australia, scoring two WNCL half-centuries to start the season. Lanning will be the key wicket for opposition teams and that may allow Bolton to play with some freedom. Her offspin will be useful again, as she is particularly adept at bowling in the powerplay.

Sydney Sixers

Alyssa Healy’s maiden T20I century landed her a world record•Getty Images

Squad Sarah Aley, Alisha Bates, Erin Burns, Stella Campbell, Lauren Cheatle, Maddy Darke, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jodie Hicks, Emma Hughes, Marizanne Kapp, Ellyse Perry, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Dane van Niekerk, Lauren Smith2018-19 statsWhat happened last season?Pipped in the final by the Heat after the semi-final for the ages against the Renegades when the relay run out between Erin Burns, Sarah Aley and Alyssa Healy became one of the moments of the season. A stellar top order produced three individuals hundreds – two from Ellyse Perry and one for Healy – supplemented by further international class in Ashleigh Gardner, Erin Burns and Dane van Niekerk. Perry’s tally of 777 runs was a new WBBL record.Player to watchIt may seem obvious to pick out Ellyse Perry, but the strength of Australia’s top order means she hasn’t been needed much with the bat in recent times. Back on the domestic scene she can expect to be at the top of the order with the chance to set the tone for the innings. The Sixers aren’t short on bowling options, either, but Perry will be looking to increase on her return of 10 wickets in 16 matches at last year’s tournament.

Sydney Thunder

Nida Dar bowls•IDI/Getty Images

Squad Rachael Haynes, Sam Bates, Alex Blackwell, Nida Dar, Hannah Darlington, Rene Farrell, Lisa Griffith, Saskia Horley, Shabnim Ismail, Phoebe Litchfield, Rachel Priest, Kate Peterson, Naomi Stalenberg, Rachel Trenaman, Tahlia Wilson2018-19 statsWhat happened last season?Finished second in the league stage and when Nicole Carey connected with her swing into the leg side off the final ball of the semi-final against the Heat it looked as though they were destined for the final, only for Haidee Birkett to grab the brilliant catch on the boundary. Rachael Haynes led the batting impressively with 376 runs with Stafanie Taylor, who this season will play for the Strikers, taking 19 wickets and contributing 212 runs.Player to watchIt remains to be seen how often she makes the startling XI, but 16-year-old Phoebe Litchfield is an undoubted star of the future. Earlier this year a video posted by the NSW Breakers of her batting in the nets gained considerable attention and over the last 12 months she has scored her maiden first grade century, made her debut for the Breakers and been selected for Australia Under-19s and the Governor General’s XI.

Derby County would have breathed a major sigh of relief that Eiran Cashin stayed put this January at Pride Park, despite fervent interest from a number of higher up suitors trying to tempt the highly regarded Rams talent away.

Putting pen on paper to a new deal until 2027 to further show his commitment to the League One club, Cashin's main focus – alongside his fellow Derby teammates – will be now on clinching promotion come the end of the season back up to the second tier.

If Paul Warne's side aren't successful in achieving this goal, regardless of new contracts or not, they will again face an uphill battle to keep a firm grip on the 22-year-old defender.

Derby will lose Max Bird at the end of the season for sure to Bristol City, with a move confirmed to happen in the summer this January, but there's one midfielder already at the Robins that evokes regret from a Rams perspective with Warne's men offloading the player in question for what now feels like a cut-price fee.

The fee Derby County sold Jason Knight for

Coming through the youth ranks in Derbyshire around the same time as both Cashin and Bird were beginning to gain plaudits, Jason Knight could well have demanded a bigger fee to win his services in retrospect.

Making 166 appearances for his boyhood club before the Robins came calling, Knight's final season in Derby colours saw the now 22-year-old bag two goals and pick up three assists in League One.

Taken aback by the allure of playing in the division above, Knight would move to Ashton Gate for what now looks like a bargain price of £2m after the season had concluded.

Knight hasn't looked back since, coming on leaps and bounds at Bristol City with his importance to the Robins cause only being elevated under Liam Manning this season.

As a direct consequence, the versatile midfielder's transfer value has increased only to further pile on the misery from a Derby point of view.

Jason Knight's increased transfer value

As it stands, Knight's transfer value has increased by 200% since leaving Derby behind last year – the 22-year-old now boasting a boosted worth of €7.5m (£6.3m), according to Football Transfers.

This is down to Knight becoming a key first-teamer under Manning at Ashton Gate this campaign to date, netting six goals in all competitions for his new employers from 39 appearances.

Playing in a whole host of different positions – which has even included the ex-Derby man playing as a centre-forward from time to time – Knight has predominantly excelled in an attacking midfield spot where he's picked up three goals and three goals from 21 games.

Showcasing his class for Bristol over Derby's arch-rivals Nottingham Forest recently with a dinked goal, Knight will have his mind set on continuing to excel to try and help his side mount a serious charge for the playoff positions in the Championship.

It seems Wayne Rooney was justified when he waxed lyrical about Knight being "first class" when he was Rams manager, the former Derby youth product making the step-up to the second tier look effortless this campaign.

Bird will reconnect with Knight at Ashton Gate next season hoping he can copy what the 22-year-old has managed to accomplish, with Warne's side praying that Bristol City don't make Derby look foolish again for letting go of another top young talent for too little.

MatériaMais Notícias

Ao derrotar o Fluminense por 3 a 2, o Volta Redonda dormiu na liderança do Carioca, e torce por um tropeço do Flamengo diante do Boavista para se manter na ponta. Com 13 pontos, a equipe está na briga por uma vaga nas semifinais da competição e sonha com voos ainda mais altos. Em entrevista ao LANCE!, o goleiro Andrey disse que o time sonha em superar a campanha de 2020, quando terminou na terceira colocação geral, atrás apenas da dupla Fla-Flu.

> Confira a classificação do Campeonato Carioca

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– A sensação (de ser líder) é muito boa. De que o trabalho está sendo bem feito. Ano passado a gente fez uma campanha muito boa. Eu não estava aqui, mas foi uma campanha bastante comentada. O nosso objetivo era começar o Carioca bem para fazer uma campanha melhor ou igual a do ano passado. Chegar à liderança é difícil e mantê-la é mais difícil ainda. O grupo está focado, unido, em busca desse objetivo que é manter a liderança e quem sabe beliscar o título Estadual – disse Andrey, que retornou ao Voltaço nesta temporada.

Apesar de não ter chegado a final de um dos turnos em 2020, o Voltaço somou 22 pontos, com 7 vitórias, um empate e apenas 3 derrotas. Superar esta campanha pode significar a tão sonhada vaga na final do Estadual ou quem sabe um título inédito. Vale lembrar que o Esquadrão de Aço foi vice em 2005 a ser derrotado pelo Tricolor das Laranjeiras na final.

Além do Estadual, a equipe Sul Fluminense se planeja para disputar a Série C do Brasileirão. Em 2017, Andrey defendia as cores do Volta Redonda, que deixou escapar o acesso no último jogo diante do Sampaio Corrêa. Com seu retorno, o arqueiro disse estar motivado para conquistar títulos e tentar entrar de vez na história noEsquadrão de Aço.

> Confira mais notícias sobre o Futebol Brasileiro

– As expectativas são as melhores. Eu, particularmente, em 2017, cheguei aqui e batemos na trave, perdemos no jogo do acesso. Desde que voltei ao clube, o objetivo é conquistar o acesso. Acho que é o mais importante o primeiro passo para depois pensar no título. O clube está oferecendo toda estrutura necessária para que a gente possa fazer um excelente trabalho – relembrou o goleiro, que foi revelado pelo Botafogo, e acrescentou.

– Minha volta pra cá, eu fiquei muito feliz quando recebi o telefonema do Flávio (Vice-presidente do Voltaço). É um clube que eu conheço bem, tenho muitos amigos aqui, da parte interna do clube. É uma cidade tranquila, estou perto da minha família, bastante motivado. Eu ainda não tenho história no Volta Redonda. História vem com conquista e títulos e ainda não conquistei. Porém, voltei para isso e quero colocar minha foto nos quadros junto com meus companheiro – finalizou.

Manchester United are thought to be in talks to sign a new "monster" midfielder for Erik ten Hag, with just hours remaining of the January transfer window.

Man Utd transfer rumours

The Red Devils and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are yet to make a marque signing in 2024, with the focus this month being on sending a number of players out on loan. Donny van de Beek, Jadon Sancho and Hannibal Mejbri have left Old Trafford on temporary deals, joining Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla respectively.

All confirmed Premier League done deals: January transfer window 2024

With the January transfer window coming towards its conclusion, FFC has all the info for tracking your club’s winter transfer activity.

ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024

The club have lived up to their promise of being quiet in the January market, with Chief Operating Officer Collette Roche saying last month:

"We are not expecting it [the January transfer window] to be particularly busy. There will always be the possibility of deals around the edges of the squad, particularly in terms of finding opportunities for players who are not playing as much football as they would like.

"However, we have always been consistent in saying that we do not see January as the optimal time to do business and our recruitment strategy remains focused on summer windows.”

Despite these comments, it looks as if discussions are open over a possible big-money deal for a new midfielder, with time still left to pursue a late January transfer, as shown following rumours about a move for Espanyol striker Martin Braithwaite advancing.

Man Utd in Morten Hjulmand talks

According to reports from Record in Portugal, relayed by CaughtOffside, Man Utd are in talks over a move for Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand, who has a £68m release clause.

They claim that the Red Devils, and by extension Ratcliffe and INEOS, understand the conditions of a deal, however, Sporting are even thinking about making Hjulmand captain as they aim to persuade him to stay in Portugal.

Hjulmand, a Denmark international, can play as a defensive, central or attacking midfielder, so would offer plenty of versatility to Ten Hag’s options, should a move materialise either now or in the summer.

The 24-year-old came through the FC Copenhagen academy and has gone on to ply his trade in Austria and Italy with Admira Wacker and Lecce. He moved to Sporting in the summer and has gone from strength to strength, with his Transfermarkt valuation currently standing at a career-high €26m.

Journalist Zach Lowy called him a "monster" when it comes to recovering possession earlier in the season, saying he appears to be a perfect replacement for Manuel Ugarte, who left Portugal for Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.

Therefore, the Red Devils could see Hjulmand as a long-term replacement for Casmeiro, who will turn 32 next month, and by the looks of things, a deal is one to keep an eye on.

MatériaMais Notícias

No penúltimo treinamento antes do confronto diante do São Caetano, neste domingo (14), às 19h, pela quarta rodada do Campeonato Paulista, o elenco do Corinthians realizou uma atividade tática comandada pelo técnico Vagner Mancini na manhã desta sexta-feira (12).

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O elenco do Timão que teve mais duas baixas por Covid-19, Roni e André Luís, na última quinta-feira (11), conta com 16 desfalques até o momento para o confronto diante do Azulão, sendo 12 por contaminação ao novo coronavírus e quatro atletas entregues ao Departamento Médico.

Os números diagnosticados com a Covid era maiores, mas nesta semana o goleiro Cássio, o lateral-direito Fagner e os meias Gabriel e Vitinho terminaram os seus períodos de isolamento e voltaram a treinar. Outros jogadores podem retornar aos trabalhos neste sábado (13), mas pela proximidade com o duelo pelo Paulistão dificilmente deverão ser relacionados.

Além dos problemas no plantel, o surto de coronavírus também atingiu outros setores do clube, como a comissão técnica e diretoria, fazendo com que funcionários que não foram contaminados com a doença estejam acumulando funções nas últimas semanas, caso como do técnico Vagner Mancini. A ausência de alguns colaboradores tem aumentado a dificuldade do Corinthians na preparação dos últimos três jogos.

O Timão está invicto neste Campeonato Paulista, com dois empates e uma vitória, esta conquistada na última rodada, após vitória por 2 a 1, de virada, contra a Ponte Preta, na Neo Química Arena.

>> Confira a tabela do Campeonato Paulista e simule os próximos jogos

أعلن نادي الاتحاد السكندري، عن التعاقد مع عبدالله بكري، مدافع فريق زد لتدعيم صفوفه خلال فترة الانتقاالات الصيفية الجارية.

وتوصل الاتحاد السكندري، برئاسة محمد مصيلحي، إلى اتفاق مع نادي زد، للحصول على خدمات عبد الله بكري، على سبيل الإعارة بداية من الموسم الجديد.

طالع..المصري يضم لاعب الاتحاد السكندري لمدة موسمين

ووقع اللاعب على عقود الانضمام إلى صفوف زعيم الثغر، لمدة موسم واحد على سيبل الإعارة قابل للتجديد.

وكان الاتحاد السكندري، قد أنهى الموسم الماضي من مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز في المركز الحادي عشر برصيدد 41 نقطة حقق الفوز في 9 مباريات وتعادل في 14 لقاء وخسر 11. بيان الاتحاد السكندري بشأن ضم عبد الله بكري

أتم مجلس إدارة نادى الاتحاد السكندري برئاسة الأستاذ محمد مصيلحى إجراءات التعاقد مع مدافع نادى زد عبد الله بكرى ، و الذي سبق له اللعب لأندية سموحة وبيراميدز وفاركو ، و يعد أحد أفضل اللاعبين في الدوري المصرى فى هذا المركز.

ووقع اللاعب على عقود انضمامه لصفوف نادي الاتحاد السكندرى و التي تمتد لمدة موسم على سبيل الإعارة قابل للتجديد.

وجاء التعاقد مع اللاعب عقب ترشيح و موافقة لجنة الكرة و المدير الفني للفريق بابا فاسيليو و الكابتن إمام محمدين مدير قطاع كرة القدم بنادي الاتحاد السكندري كل التوفيق و الأمنيات الطيبة للاعبنا الجديد عبد الله بكرى مع زعيم الثغر

Manchester United are pressing ahead with their recruitment drive ahead of the January window opening for business and transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has now dropped a big update involving their proposed pursuit of one reported target.

Manchester United's form and transfer updates…

The Red Devils have taken 12 points from 15 available in their last five Premier League matches under Erik ten Hag and look to have found a way to grind out results despite being in the midst of a huge injury crisis at Old Trafford. This weekend, Manchester United travel to face Everton at Goodison Park in a tussle that has the potential for hostility due to their opponent's controversial points deduction, which will heighten the stakes on the terraces and provide a difficult environment for the Red Devils to compete in.

Nevertheless, Ten Hag will be solely focused on trying to move his side closer to the battle for Champions League qualification, something which he will hope to aid in January by making some key additions to his squad. According to 90min, Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic is said to be on the radar at Old Trafford, though his current employers hope that he will pen a contract extension at the Allianz Stadium.

Arsenal are also in the running to try and lure the Serbia international to English football and both clubs are believed to be monitoring his situation as negotiations over a new deal for the 23-year-old take place.

As per Football Insider, Manchester United are also big admirers of Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson, despite the Republic of Ireland international recently committing his future to the Seagulls on a long-term basis. Now, transfer guru Romano has given some new insight into another of Manchester United's reported targets to strengthen their options in the final third.

Fabrizio Romano drops Antoine Griezmann update

Taking to social media platform X, transfer insider Romano has given some detailed insight regarding the latest state of play surrounding Manchester United's pursuit of Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann.

Antoine Griezmann's excellent form in 2023/24 – all competitions (Transfermarkt)

Appearances

16

Goals

12

Assists

1

In somewhat of a twist from recent claims, Romano stated: "Understand there’s nothing into the recent reports about Antoine Griezmann and Manchester United. Griezmann already rejected Saudi huge bid in June as he only wants Atlético Madrid. No chance to move now. Antoine’s only focus is on Atléti."

Seemingly bringing the curtain down on any interest in Griezmann, Romano's words won't come as too much of a surprise to Manchester United fans. However, the prospect of bringing the France international to Old Trafford would've certainly been an exciting one to imagine.

Labelled "very creative" by France boss Didier Deschamps, Griezmann has definitely taken the mantle as one of Atletico Madrid's key offensive innovators this campaign, registering 2.1 shots and 1.6 key passes per fixture in La Liga across 2023/24 (Griezmann statistics – WhoScored).

Although Griezmann won't be moving to Old Trafford, Manchester United's supposed interest in his services could be a sign of things to come with regards to pursuing elite-level players in the January window and beyond.