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Chelsea are in talks to bring Joao Felix back to Stamford Bridge, as part of Conor Gallagher’s proposed transfer to Atletico Madrid.

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• Portuguese took in 2023 loan spell with Blues
• Rojiblancos looking to move him on again
• May head in opposite direction to England star

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Portugal international Felix took in a short loan spell with the Blues during the 2022-23 campaign – scoring four goals through 20 appearances. He spent last season with Barcelona, with the 24-year-old making it clear that the Blaugrana were his “dream” club.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Felix is expected to be on the move again this summer, with Atletico ready to cash in, and he could retrace his steps to England. That is because the Rojiblancos need somebody to counter their move for Chelsea midfielder Gallagher.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Samu Omorodion, fresh from winning Olympic gold with Spain, was supposed to be the man to tick that box. According to , though, he has failed to pass medical tests in west London – forcing him back to the Spanish capital as a €40 million (£34m/$44m) deal that would have covered the cost of acquiring Gallagher collapses.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  In a bid to keep that transfer alive, claims that Felix is back on the table. Discussions with his agent, Jorge Mendes, are said to have taken place in London. If the Portuguese forward agrees to head back to Chelsea, then Atletico can press ahead with efforts to bring Gallagher on board alongside Manchester City’s World Cup-winning striker Julian Alvarez.

Whether Liverpool succeed against the odds and overturn a three-goal deficit against Atalanta in the Europa League on Thursday night is one thing, but if Jurgen Klopp's side produced a languid, uninspiring performance then hopes of a resurrection will ebb away.

A campaign of great excitement is at risk of fizzing out quite disappointingly at the final phase of Klopp's reign on Merseyside, with the Reds losing twice at Anfield last week, 3-0 against Gien Piero Gasperini's men in the first leg of their quarter-final tie and again last weekend against Crystal Palace.

Hopes of European silverware now dangle by a thread, while Manchester City have leapfrogged Liverpool and Arsenal into pole position in the Premier League with just a smattering of fixtures left to play.

A confidence-lifting display is paramount, but Liverpool will have to contend with the absence of Conor Bradley, who has been ruled out for the rest of April. On the plus side, a host of stars have returned from layoffs of late.

With Liverpool travelling to Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday, Klopp might make five changes to the team that the Eagles grounded.

1 GK – Allison

While Caoimhin Kelleher could start this one after Alisson made his anticipated return and produced a valiant display despite defeat against Crystal Palace, the first-choice shot-stopper must get the nod.

Liverpool simply have to reignite their campaign and there is no one better than Alisson between the sticks. His inclusion is a must.

2 RB – Joe Gomez

Trent Alexander-Arnold might appear the obvious option to start at right-back after Bradley's injury but he was rushed back last time and look how that went.

With a clash against Fulham forthcoming, Joe Gomez should deputise, with the club's vice-captain introduced after the break.

3 CB – Ibrahima Konate

It's not been the best of weeks for Ibrahima Konate, who has been at fault in both of his side's recent defeats and is currently scraping for the last vestiges of his recent imperiousness.

Still, the France international has been a monstrous presence at the back this term and now he finds himself presented with the perfect chance to redeem himself.

4 CB – Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk has definitely not been at his best these past few weeks but he's still been performing with steel-enforced strength this season, and he will be confident that he can revive his formidability.

5 LB – Andy Robertson

Probably Liverpool's best player against Palace, Andy Robertson's energy and drive will certainly be on display in Italy.

He just needs to combine his core qualities with the highest degree of creativity and decision-making.

6 DM – Alexis Mac Allister

Wataru Endo looks off the boil and so Alexis Mac Allister must be unleashed in the anchoring position in midfield to steady Liverpool's ship and blend toughness with creativity from deep.

He's been sublime this season and if Liverpool are to enjoy success once again, he will surely be at the centre of the action.

7 CM – Dominik Szoboszlai

Dominik Szoboszlai hasn't quite fallen by the wayside in recent months but he's lost his balance down the meandering path of Liverpool's campaign, and has been guilty of some poor performances of late, notably making a horrible mistake in the build-up to Atalanta's third one week ago.

As per FBref, the Hungary international ranks among the top 8% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 3% for shot-creating actions, the top 13% for passes attempted, the top 18% for progressive passes, the top 4% for progressive carries and the top 7% for blocks per 90.

It's all in his locker. This would be the time for Szoboszlai to revive his early-season prowess.

8 CM – Harvey Elliott

Harvey Elliott has to start. With Mac Allister dropping deeper the 21-year-old will be vital in serving Liverpool's profligate forwards with enough chances to bypass the Atalanta net.

Matches played

9

Matches started

8

Assists

4

Pass completion

85%

Key passes per game

1.6

Tackles per game

1.4

Ball recoveries per game

4.1

Dribbles per game

1.1

Duels won per game

3.7

Having made quite the impression in Europe this season, Elliott could hold the key to ensuring Liverpool eradicate any complacency and start strong.

9 RW – Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah just hasn't been on the money since returning from injury – scoring just once in his last four games – with much having been left to be desired in regard to his overall performance.

Still, he's Salah. Klopp will unleash him from the outset on Thursday night because he's capable of wreaking devastation on the opposition and he just needs to lift himself back up. He's desperately needed ahead of the coming weeks.

10 LW – Cody Gakpo

One of the few bright sparks from a torrid period, Cody Gakpo was handed a 7/10 match rating against Crystal Palace by the Liverpool Echo's Ian Doyle.

Praised for his "special skill set" by assistant manager Pep Lijnders, the Dutchman also won 11 duels and created five key passes for his teammates against Atalanta one week ago.

Darwin Nunez has been influential this season but has recently regressed to last season's wasteful level. He's got to be ditched for this one.

A potential £43 million Tottenham bid for two players in one swoop could well be accepted this summer, according to reports this week.

Spurs set sights on new forward and rising stars of the future

A reoccurring theme of Spurs' transfer policy over the past 12 months is buying young, quality players with high ceilings.

Tottenham ready to offer "important sum" for Serie A star as price tag set

The north Londoners are prepared to spend.

ByEmilio Galantini Mar 28, 2024

Micky van de Ven, Brennan Johnson, Alejo Veliz and Ashley Phillips arrived last summer, with all players coming under the age of 23 at the time. Meanwhile, Spurs also sealed a deal for promising young defender Radu Dragusin from Genoa in January this year.

The Lilywhites continued in their quest to bring in Europe's most exciting talents by hijacking Barcelona's move for Swedish sensation Lucas Bergvall, who joined Ange Postecoglou's side on a buy-to-loan-back deal.

Currently back out on a temporary stint at Djurgardens IF before linking up with Spurs in the summer, things could've been very different if they won the race for Club Brugge winger Antonio Nusa.

Tottenham were competing for Nusa's signature before ultimately losing out to Brentford, who then pulled out of signing the 18-year-old after he failed a medical.

Now, it is believed Postecoglou is still interested in signing Nusa, as per a few reports in the press. The teenage forward is seen as one of real promise, and it appears Tottenham rate him highly, as they haven't given up on a potential deal.

Brugge 7-1 RWD Molenbeek

9.86

Westerlo 0-1 Brugge

8.29

Brugge 4-2 Sporting Charleroi

8.17

Cercles Brugge 1-1 Club Brugge

7.79

Bruggd 1-1 Union St. Gillosie

7.58

Nusa is now back at Brugge after his failed move to Brentford, where he boasts three goals and three assists in 20 Jupiler Pro League appearances. In an interesting bit of further information, it is believed that Tottenham also want his teammate, Andreas Skov Olsen.

The Dane is into double digits for league goals, scoring 10 and assisting four others in 28 outings, with Voetbalkrant now stating that a double-swoop from Tottenham is possible.

Skov Olsen and Nusa double signing possible at Tottenham

The news outlet claims that a £43 million bid from Tottenham for both Nusa and Skov Olsen is seen as "very realistic", and it's a figure that Brugge would be inclined to accept.

Spurs are apparently considering a double swoop for the duo, with talks already opened over a move for Nusa in particular. Arsenal captain and Norway international teammate, Martin Odegaard, is a huge fan of the forward.

“Fantastic! He is an incredibly exciting player," Odegaard told TV2 (via Sport Witness).

"You see it, everything he gets the ball, it’s exciting. He is still young and will get even better. It was cool to see him. He deserved to get the chance that he takes it to such an extent. Incredibly cool!"

Crystal Palace chiefs apparently believe they can agree a deal to sign a Premier League striker this summer, and the Eagles are in pole position for him.

Crystal Palace problems as Glasner era begins

The Oliver Glasner era is well and truly underway at Palace, with the Austrian taking over from Roy Hodgson last month.

Related Oliver Glasner eyeing Crystal Palace moves to sign two talents

The Austrian isn’t wasting any time.

Posts ByCharlie Smith Mar 8, 2024

It's been a mixed start to life at Selhurst Park, but the job was never easy.

“I am convinced we can win many games this year in the Premier League," said Glasner after taking the Palace hot seat. "We have the organisation on one side and the players on the other side where we can be successful together. If I didn’t have this conviction I wouldn’t be here.

"In many talks with the chairman and the sporting director and in many games I watched, I got this conviction. I was looking for a project that we can improve. I don’t think Crystal Palace is at the end [of its project].”

He got off to the dream start with a resounding 3-0 win over Burnley, but a late capitulation against Tottenham in their next match resulted in Glasner tasting his first Palace defeat soon afterwards.

Despite leading for the majority of the contest, Glasner was also made to fume when his side conceded a last-gasp equaliser at home to Luton Town in their last game.

Glasner's arrival hasn't fixed the glaring issues which have haunted Palace this season, not least their glaring lack of cutting edge at times. Only Everton, Sheffield United and Burnley have scored fewer league goals than the south Londoners over 2023/2024, and that's something Glasner will be very keen to address in the summer.

Palace apparently wish to sign a new forward for Glasner when the transfer window reopens, and one such option could be Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah.

Palace chiefs believe they can agree Nketiah deal

Reports have suggested that Arsenal are ready to green-light Nketiah's sale this summer, with their loss potentially becoming Palace's gain.

According to TEAMtalk, Palace chiefs believe they can agree a deal for Nketiah, and it is claimed that Selhurst is seen as the most likely destination for him.

Eddie Nketiah's best league performances for Arsenal this season

Match Rating (via WhoScored)

Arsenal 5-0 Sheffield United

9.86

Bournemouth 0-4 Arsenal

7.92

Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest

7.66

Crystal Palace 0-1 Arsenal

7.00

Arsenal 2-2 Fulham

6.96

The Eagles have apparently done more work on a move for Nketiah than any other club, which puts them in the ascedency after they had an approach rebuffed in the January window.

The Englishman has made 24 league appearances for Arsenal this season, scoring five goals and bagging two assists, but the vast majority of those cameos have been from the bench.

"What I’m seeing with Eddie, he’s working his socks off," said Gunners legend Ian Wright on Nketiah earlier this season. "No chances really made for him. The work off the ball, fantastic, same with Jesus."

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Melhor equipe e único invicto do Campeonato Mato-grossense, o Cuiabá decide sua vida na competição no próximo domingo, quando fará o segundo jogo de uma das semifinais com o Ação. Líder do elenco, o volante Auremir elogia a campanha do Dourado até aqui.

– Nossa trajetória é sólida. Vencemos 10 das 12 partidas que disputamos, nos classificamos na primeira posição e construímos uma vantagem razoável no confronto com o Ação. Temos bastante respeito pelo adversário, mas acreditamos no nosso potencial – declarou.

A vantagem a que se referiu Auremir foi construída no último domingo, quando o Cuiabá venceu o Ação por 2 a 0. O jogador ressalta a relevância de uma possível conquista estadual.

– O clube foi tricampeão mato-grossense duas vezes na última década e precisa recuperar a hegemonia estadual. Queremos demais esse troféu e lutaremos bastante por ele – concluiu.

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A "hugely important" Newcastle United player could start in his side's Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest, according to an update from reliable journalist Keith Downie.

Newcastle injury news

The Magpies are back in action on Saturday evening, making the trip to the City Ground for an important league fixture for both sides.

Eddie Howe's men will still have aspirations of finishing strongly in the European places this season despite a below-par campaign on the whole, and victory over Forest would be another big step in the right direction.

As has been the norm in 2023/24 to date, however, Newcastle have injury problems to contend with, with a number of key players out of Saturday's match. Joelinton is a long-term absentee, for example, while Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak are also missing, which acts as a big blow. Sandro Tonali is still serving his ten-month suspension for breaching betting rules.

It does look as though some positive injury news has now emerged for the Magpies, however, giving the supporters a real boost ahead of the trip to Nottingham.

Callum Wilson could start for Newcastle

Writing on X, Downie provided an update on several players and said that Callum Wilson could start for Newcastle against Forest, having only featured once since the turn of the year.

"Anthony Gordon & Alexander Isak both missing for Newcastle tomorrow. (neither injury are as serious as first feared). Callum Wilson is in line to come in and start through the middle. Hope is Joe Willock will be ready to return by the end of February."

This is fantastic news for Newcastle, especially with Isak ruled out, with Wilson someone who can provide match-winning quality in the final third. The Englishman's season has been disrupted by injury, which has been frustrating, but having him back for a sustained period could be such a boost to the Magpies' European hopes.

Howe himself has made it clear how highly he rates his striker, waxing lyrical over him during the 2022/23 season, saying:

"He’s a hugely important part of our team, a focal point. We rely not just on his goals but his movement, his work rate. His appearance in the team gave us confidence."

Wilson may only have managed seven Premier League starts this season, but he has also scored seven goals in that time, highlighting how prolific he remains. At 31, age isn't necessarily on his side when looking at the long-term picture, but he is going to be a vital figure between now and the end of the season as injuries continue to bite.

No Turner, “outstanding” gem starts in Forest's predicted XI v Newcastle

Nuno Espirito Santo will make plenty of changes this weekend.

ByTom Lever Feb 9, 2024

Newcastle could find Forest tough to break down on Saturday evening, so it may require a moment of magic or a ruthless finish to find the net. This is where Wilson is such an important player for the Magpies, and it would be just like him to score on his first start in months.

Former Glasgow Rangers manager Michael Beale did not enjoy the best of times in charge of the club before his departure in October of last year.

In just over ten months at Ibrox, the former Gers assistant failed to win a single trophy and was eventually dismissed and replaced by Philippe Clement earlier this season.

The English tactician was allowed to bring in nine new signings to bolster his squad throughout the summer transfer window and question marks remain over many of them.

Sam Lammers and Jose Cifuentes, both signed on permanent deals, have already been shifted on to FC Utrecht and Cruzerio respectively last month. Meanwhile, former Norwich City star Kieran Dowell has only featured in seven Scottish Premiership matches since his move.

Beale did, however, play a rare blinder with the signing of Jack Butland on a free transfer from Premier League side Crystal Palace ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Jack Butland's market value last summer

The former England international was technically valued at £0 last summer as the Eagles opted to release him for nothing at the end of last season.

This allowed Beale and the Gers to swoop in to sign him for nothing after he had spent the second half of last term on loan as a back-up with Manchester United.

Butland did not make a single appearance for the Red Devils, and did not play any matches for his parent club during the first half of the campaign.

It was, therefore, a gamble for Rangers to bring in a 30-year-old player who had not kicked (saved) a ball in anger for over a year, but it is one that has paid off big time for the Scottish giants.

Jack Butland's current value

Speaking to IbroxNews earlier this month, former Rangers star Derek Ferguson hailed Butland as "phenomenal" and stated that it would take around £20m for the club to even consider a sale.

That came shortly after the Light Blues reportedly knocked back an approach from Premier League side Nottingham Forest during the January transfer window.

Interestingly, the 30-year-old titan was once valued at a staggering £30m by Stoke City back in 2019, and this touted value of £20m suggests that the colossus is getting back to his best.

Scottish Premiership

Jack Butland – 23/24

Allan McGregor – 22/23

Appearances

24

24

Save success rate

79%

57%

Clean sheets

15

Eight

Sofascore rating

7.06

6.68

As you can see in the table above, Butland has been a huge upgrade on Allan McGregor this season with a significantly better save success rate and average performance level in the Premiership.

The English giant has racked up 20 clean sheets and conceded 29 goals in 39 appearances for the club in all competitions this term, which means that he is averaging less than one goal conceded per match.

These statistics show that Rangers improved their team and landed a terrific performer by securing Butland's services for £0 from Palace last summer.

Therefore, Beale played a rare transfer blinder with the former Stoke star, who is now being touted at £20m, whether a team would be willing to pay that or not, and one he should be praised for.

Middlesex bowlers toil for little reward as Derbyshire batsmen shine

Jon Culley in Derby30-Jun-2019Middlesex’s decision to forego the toss and bowl might have looked the logical route to follow given the colour of the pitch here. Instead, it exposed their bowlers to a day of mostly unrewarding toil on a slow surface that offered them little apart from the slightly unreal experience of watching Billy Godleman, once a Middlesex player, compile a 115-ball hundred.By his own confession, Godleman’s default approach in red-ball cricket, for the most part, in a career that had him tipped to play at the highest level in his formative years at Lord’s, has been based on survival first.This is the Godleman who went back to Lord’s in only his second match as a Derbyshire player in 2013, opened the batting on day one against his former employers and took 244 balls to reach fifty, the slowest in the history of the County Championship, allowing himself the liberty of just one boundary. He is not quite so conservative these days, yet still hardly a dasher.So it must have been quite an eye-opener for the likes of Steven Finn and Dawid Malan as Godleman took it upon himself to throw caution to the wind and attack the new ball in a way that had seasoned followers of the Derbyshire captain scratching their heads to recall anything quite like it.Wielding the bat in a way that suggested he had woken convinced that the day would be his, even the fact that his first boundary almost took out his stumps off an inside edge and the second flew over the slips did not alter his mood. At one point, to general consternation, he went down the pitch to Toby Roland-Jones and belted the ball over long-off for six.This time he reached his half-century in 35 deliveries, which a check through his career record confirmed was unprecedented, as everyone watching suspected.He should have then been out almost immediately, dropped at backward point by Steve Eskinazi without adding to the 51 he had scored up to that moment. It was the leg-spinner Nathan Sowter’s first over and the chance could not have been more straightforward.Now Godleman became a little more watchful. His next 12 runs took him seven balls longer to acquire than his first 51. Luis Reece began to catch him up, reaching his own half-century from 92 deliveries. Curiously, given that he had batted with a much more conservative approach than his partner, he should have been out twice, dropped by Max Holden at midwicket without scoring off Roland-Jones and again at slip by Sam Robson on 33, in the unlucky Sowter’s second over.They reached lunch on 113 without loss. The Middlesex bowlers may have bemoaned their luck but they had also offered too many relatively easy run hits, either by bowling too short or too wide.Godleman pushed on again in the second session, completing what was also the fastest hundred of his first-class career when he cut Sowter to the third-man boundary for his 16th four, raising his arms above his head in celebration and shouting something as he looked towards the heavens. Again, he offered a chance immediately after passing the milestone. This time it was taken, at slip, as Sowter’s luck improved as he found some turn and bounce to find the edge.Reece, joined by the splendidly-named Fynn Hudson-Prentice, who will never be troubled to remember his Championship debut for Derbyshire, was by now scoring runs with increasing confidence and a hundred seemed to be his for the taking too. It was no wonder, then, that he threw his head back in disbelief as he was dismissed on 96, wondering what had possessed him to meet a seemingly innocuous ball from seamer George Scott straight to Roland-Jones at mid-on.Yet if Reece could consider himself unlucky, it was nothing compared with the agony that would befall Hudson-Prentice, whose maiden Championship innings for the county was just one run from turning into a dream start.A 23-year-old all-rounder who was released by Sussex, his home county, at the end of the 2016 season, Hudson-Prentice has been given the chance to resurrect his county career after spending last season and the start of this one on the MCC Young Cricketers’ programme at Lord’s, where his progress will have been noted by Steve Kirby, the former MCC head coach who is now Derbyshire’s assistant coach.He made a good enough impression there to earn some Second XI cricket with Derbyshire this early summer, two hundreds in May convincing the county to offer him a contract until the end of 2021.So far, it looks a good decision. Well organised at the crease, he took on a high-quality attack with confidence and no little skill, numbering some crisp drives among his 13 fours and lofting Sowter for a towering six. Middlesex took the new ball and Tom Helm had him edging to second slip only to be called for over-stepping. It seemed destined to be a perfect day.Yet, on 99 and facing the same bowler, an attempt to pull away a short ball went just wrong enough for the ball to travel upwards rather than flat. He looked on from the crease, willing Middlesex’s bad day in the field to continue, before dropping his head in stricken resignation as square-leg Finn clasped the ball safely to his chest. Helm struck again in the same over, dismissing Alex Hughes with the best delivery of the day to claw back something for Middlesex.

Ravi Shastri expects the World Cup to come to India if the players perform to their potential

Vishal Dikshit in Mumbai21-May-20193:27

‘Most challenging World Cup due to the format’ – Kohli

India captain Virat Kohli believes handling the pressure “is the most important thing in the World Cup and not necessarily the conditions”. He said as much a day before the team’s departure for England, for the tournament beginning on May 30. Second on the ICC ODI rankings behind hosts England, Kohli said his team was “very balanced” and “very strong”.”White-ball cricket, playing in England, playing an ICC tournament, the conditions are not that different or that difficult I would say, compared to Test cricket,” Kohli said in Mumbai. “Pressure is the most important thing in the World Cup and not necessarily the conditions. From that point of view, it will be helpful. Secondly, all the bowlers that are in the squad, even during the IPL they were preparing themselves to be in the zone for 50-over cricket. And if you saw the guys bowling – no one looked tired or fatigued after bowling four overs. They were very fresh. The mindset or the ultimate goal is to be fit for the 50-over format and not let their fitness come down and that was communicated before the IPL started.”We go into the World Cup feeling very balanced very strong as a side. You saw in the IPL as well, all the players that are in the squad were in great form and played really well.”Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri spoke about the different challenges they will face because of the format of this World Cup in which all 10 teams play each other once and the top four qualify for the semi-finals. India’s first four matches will be against “tough” sides – South Africa, defending champions Australia, New Zealand and arch-rivals Pakistan.”It is probably the most challenging World Cup of all the three that I have been part of because of the format and looking at the strength of the all the sides as well,” Kohli said. “If we live up to our skill sets and our standards that we set for ourselves, we’ll be on the right side of the result more often. That is going to be key. Every game you have to play to the best of your potential because it’s not a group stage anymore, it’s playing everyone once.”The best thing is that we’ll have four tough games straight up and that will set the tone nicely for us. Everyone has to be at their best intensity from the first match onwards and we don’t have any room for complacency.”The format is the same as that of the 1992 event in which Shastri played. When asked how challenging the format is, he said: “Very challenging. If you look at 2015 and 2019, the gap is much closer now between teams. See what Afghanistan were in 2015 and see what they are now. See what Bangladesh were and what they are now. The good thing though is there are those nine games rather than just three-four games where you have to be on the ball from the outset.”The most important thing is to get out there and enjoy the World Cup and if you play to the potential the cup might be here.”In terms of form and fitness, India had two players in focus ahead of the tournament – Kuldeep Yadav and Kedar Jadhav. Kuldeep was dropped by Kolkata Knight Riders for five of their 14 matches in the IPL recently because of his economy rate of 8.66 – his worst in any IPL season since his debut in 2016 – and his tally of four wickets in 33 overs. Jadhav, on the other hand, had injured his left shoulder in Chennai Super Kings’ last league game earlier this month to give India a worry before the World Cup. Even before the injury, Jadhav put together only 162 runs this IPL in 14 innings, averaging 18, and didn’t bowl at all, something he is expected to do for India during the World Cup. He was, however, declared fit on Monday and Shastri confirmed he will fly with the team.India coach Ravi Shastri and captain Virat Kohli take questions from the media•Associated Press”Someone like Kuldeep who has had so much success, it’s important to see a period where things don’t go your way also,” Kohli said. “We are glad that it happened during the IPL, rather than during the World Cup. He has time to reflect, time to correct things and come into the World Cup even stronger. The kind of skill set he possesses, along with [Yuzvendra] Chahal, they are really two pillars of our bowling line-up.”Kedar also, we understand the kind of pitches they (Chennai Super Kings) got playing at home. We were not too worried looking at Kedar because he was looking in a good space. Yes, he couldn’t get runs, T20 is such a format where you don’t get a few and you can go on like that for a few days. We are not worried about anyone’s headspace.”A team that does well at the World Cup is a team that can handle pressure well and secondly try and be as normal as possible. Looking at the magnitude of those games, the team that stays more focused and more balanced can go on to win the tournament.”Both the captain and coach also reflected on the recent scores that were put up by England and Pakistan in the bilateral series that had both teams score at least 340 in three of the four completed matches. The conditions might be the same during the World Cup, but the scores might be a little different, Kohli said.”We expect high-scoring games, but a bilateral series compared to a World Cup is very different,” he said. “You might see a lot of, I won’t say low-scoring games, but 260-270 kind of games, teams getting those totals and defending it successfully because of the pressure factor. We expect all kinds of scenarios at the World Cup but yeah, there will be quite a few high-scoring games too.”India will be playing their matches across six venues in England, and Shastri said they will have to adapt according to the grounds.”Our mantra will be to be flexible according to the conditions,” he said. “It’s one country in the world where the pitches might be flat but if it’s overcast and conditions change, then you’ve got to be up with it because any other country in the world, overhead conditions don’t matter that much. In England they do, and it differs from venue to venue. In London it might not make that much of a difference whereas if you go up north, it does get overcast and you’ll see things happening. So you have to be ready for that, prepare for that.”India will play two warm-up matches, against New Zealand (May 25) and Bangladesh (May 28), before starting their main campaign on June 5 against South Africa.

Adam Armstrong's goal secured Southampton an immediate return to the Premier League with a 1-0 Championship play-off final win over Leeds United.

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Southampton beat Leeds 1-0 in play-off finalSaints make instant return to Premier LeagueArmstrong scores game's only goal at WembleyTELL ME MORE

Leeds, who ended up in the play-offs after losing four of their final six Championship games, began the brighter but fell behind in the 24th minute when Armstrong coolly slotted past Illan Meslier after Southampton capitalised on some woeful defending at the back. Leeds' French goalkeeper made a vital stop to deny Armstrong again as Saints deservedly went into the break one goal to the good. Daniel Farke's men were on the front foot after the interval but could not fashion any noteworthy chances against a well-organised Southampton side. Substitute Dan James rattled a strike against the bar late on and brought a good save out of Alex McCarthy but for all Leeds' huff and puff, they lacked quality in the Saints box and in the end Russell Martin's players earned their triumph at Wembley.

AdvertisementGettyTHE MVP

While West Ham loanee Flynn Downes ran the show in midfield, goals win matches and Adam Armstrong's well-taken strike – his 24th of the season – secured Southampton the victory. The forward was sharp in attack and Leeds always looked shaky when the 27-year-old was on the ball in the final third.

GettyTHE BIG LOSER

While he has had an excellent season for Leeds, Ethan Ampadu inexplicably stepped out of defence to try and close down Will Smallbone, leaving Armstrong unmarked, and the diminutive striker slotted home with aplomb. That defensive mistake ultimately settled the contest. Leeds, who briefly topped the Championship table before finishing behind Leicester City and Ipswich Town in the automatic promotion spots, have now lost all six play-off campaigns they have been in.

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GettyWHAT COMES NEXT?

Southampton finished bottom of the Premier League in 2022-23 – while Leeds finished in 19th – but will now prepare for life in the English top-flight once again, whereas Farke's team will have to play in the Championship next term.