Category Uncategorized

After saying goodbye to one of Leeds United’s most popular and impactful stars of the past decade, Marcelo Bielsa will be wondering where he might find the club’s new Pablo Hernandez.

At his best, the Spaniard was creative and exciting to watch, with his nimble footwork and eye for goal being a huge part of the Whites’ resurgence in the last couple of years.

As per Whoscored, in the 2018/2019 campaign in which he scored 12 and set up another 12, he averaged a whopping three key passes and 2.7 shots per game in the Championship.

In 175 games for the club, the veteran netted 36 goals and provided another 41 assists, a remarkable feat given that Hernandez was well into his 30s when he joined up at Elland Road.

And while those massive shoes are hard to fill, one academy sensation who may be hoping of bringing that same bit of Hernandez magic to Elland Road, is Stuart McKinstry.

The 18-year-old is similarly versatile in that while he can play as the number ten behind the striker, he can also play slightly deeper in central midfield as well as out wide too.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay is a big fan of the teenager, even going so far as to saying that he’s close to the first-team picture at the club on an episode of The Next Big Thing podcast, saying: “It’s development for him at the moment, but you’ll be noticing that quite a few younger players are starting to go out of Leeds on loan now.

“McKinstry’s still in the building and I think is most likely to stay in the building for now, and those that (Marcelo) Bielsa feels are closest to the first-team picture are the ones that he wants to stick around.”

And, in a separate article for The Athletic, Hay’s analysis of the starlet during the Whites’ U23s clash against Manchester United last season raises some serious comparisons between McKinstry and Hernandez in their style of play.

He said: “Leeds lost 1-0 after Henri Kumwenda’s red card in the second half but McKinstry shone while the game was 11-vs-11, cutting the opposition open with his speed of thought and balance, and showing a willingness to carry the ball.

“Those attacks demonstrated an ability to work in tight spaces and fashion chances from difficult positions — the wing play Bielsa looks for at first-team level.”

Hay added: “McKinstry is very much in the pack, a player Leeds always reference when you ask who might make the step up next.”

Standing at 5 foot 10, McKinstry is only a couple of inches taller than Hernandez, but that ability to “work in tight spaces”, and carry the ball before delivering an intelligent final pass is exactly what the former Leeds hero was especially good at.

At just 18, the young Scot has got all the time in the world to develop under Bielsa’s tutelage, and given all the struggles that Rodrigo has endured at Elland Road when playing in that role just behind Patrick Bamford, there is a real opening for a Thorp Arch academy star like McKinstry to take advantage.

McKinstry is more than a decade younger than the disappointing Rodrigo, and as Hay himself says, he’s in that bracket of players who “might make the step up next”.

The teenager could develop into the Whites’ long-term successor for Hernandez, and at the same time, overtake Rodrigo in the process over the years to come.

Meanwhile, Leeds may already have their next Kalvin Phillips in this star…

Alan Hutton has given his reaction as Glasgow Rangers managed to keep hold of their best players in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Players linked with moves

A number of players were linked with moves away from the Light Blues during the window.

The Daily Mail had reported that Everton had made a late £8m bid to try and sign Nathan Patterson, while Marcelo Bielsa wanted to sign Ryan Kent for Leeds United and Alfredo Morelos apparently agreed personal terms with Porto at one point.

The Latest: Hutton on transfers

Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton, who is now a pundit after playing as a right-back for the Gers, has been left applauding Steven Gerrard’s team for managing to keep their best players at Ibrox after the window shut:

“I am surprised.

“I think Steven Gerrard will sleep a lot easier tonight knowing he’s kept hold of all his big-name players.

“If you sell two or three of those players to balance the books for the Champions League situation, you’re making it more difficult to retain the title. You’re getting rid of your big stars.

“As we sat here today and he’s kept them all, it’s absolutely brilliant. All Rangers fans will be breathing a sigh of relief after that.

“It’s good to see they’re heading in the right direction of the people. The people they have brought in have done well, along with the people that are already there which is excellent.

“The one main thing I’m happy about is Nathan Patterson staying.

“When that was really ramping up and the bids were coming in, I thought it might be enough for Rangers to sell.

“I’m glad to see him stay and hopefully he can kick on now.”

The Verdict: Great news

It is certainly great news that the Gers were able to keep hold of the likes of Patterson and Kent among a number of their best players.

When clubs from the Premier League come calling especially, it can be difficult for Scottish Premiership sides to turn down their advances, as Celtic have found out recently by selling Odsonne Edouard to Crystal Palace.

However, Gerrard will now have the best possible chance to win the title once more with the current squad, and also have a good crack at the UEFA Europa League, potentially increasing the values of the aforementioned players if they do eventually move on.

In other news, find out whose wages were a problem in him not leaving Rangers here!

أعرب لاعب كرة اليد المصري علي زين، الذي احترف في صفوف فريق برشلونة الإسباني وانتقل مؤخرًا إلى دينامو بوخارست، عن إحباطه بسبب تجاهله في مطار القاهرة عند عودته اليوم.

وكان علي زين قد توج مؤخرًا ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا رفقة برشلونة، بعد الفوز على كيلسي البولندي برميات الترجيح لتنتهي المباراة بنتيجة 37-35.

اقرأ أيضًا | برشلونة يُعلن انسحاب روما من كأس خوان جامبر.. ويدرس الإجراءات القانونية

علي زين نجح كذلك في الفوز مع برشلونة بلقب الدوري الإسباني كما فاز الفريق بلقب كأس ملك إسبانيا شهر مارس الماضي، ليحقق الثلاثية هذا الموسم.

ورغم ذلك، لم يجد علي زين استقبالًا يليق به في مطار القاهرة اليوم، حيث كتب عبر حسابه الشخصي بموقع “تويتر”: “من المحبط أن يتم إبلاغك باستقبالك في المطار كونك بطل مصري فائز بدوري أبطال أوروبا (بقى وكده) ويتم تجاهلك تجاهل تام و(متلاقيش أي حد بيستقبلك في المطار وده برغم استفسار وزارة الشباب من الاتحاد لمعرفة موعد وصولي لاستقبالي)”.

وأضاف بعد ذلك في رسالة أخرى: “وشكرًا لمصر الطيران على حاجتي اللي اتكسرت”.

من المحبط أن يتم ابلاغك باستقبالك في المطار كونك بطل مصري فائز بدوري أبطال أوروبا بقى وكدة ويتم تجاهلك تجاهل تام ومتلاقيش أي حد بيستقبلك في المطار (و ده برغم استفسار وزارة الشباب من الاتحاد لمعرفة موعد وصولي لاستقبالي) — Ali Zein (@AliZein) June 27, 2022

ScorecardRichard Levi’s 72 of 88 balls helped the South Africa Academy beat the Bangladesh Cricket Board Academy by 18 runs in the first of three one-dayers played on Wednesday. Levi’s knock, which comprised eight fours and two sixes, helped to steer South Africa to 211 for 9 in 45 overs, which proved enough as the visitors managed only 193 for 8.Batting first, the South Africa Academy had a shaky start, losing opener Rushdi Jappie for five in the sixth over, with the score on 31, and No. 3 Roelof van der Merwe for 0. However, a 56-run stand for the fourth wicket between Levi and Reeza Hendricks saw the team recover to 120 for 4.With Levi getting run out and Hendricks falling for 31 soon after, it was up to Stiaan van Zyl and David Wiese to make a useful contributions. A 54-run sixth wicket stand between the two ensured South Africa Academy reached a competitive total. Delwar Hossain, playing his first game of the tour, bagged 3 for 46 in his nine overs and Ziaur Rahman took 2 for 27.Needing 212 to win, Bangladesh lost their openers early and were in serious trouble at 55 for 5 in the 17th over. However a 120-run sixth-wicket stand between Marshall Ayub (69) and Farhad Hossain (64) gave the visitors some hope, but it did not trouble the home team in the end.David Wiese was the pick of the South Africa Academy bowlers with 3 for 31 from his nine overs. Mthokozisi Shezi ended up with 2 for 46 in nine overs, while Mondli Mahlombe and Roelof van der Merwe finished with one scalp each.The next match is at the LC de Villiers Oval in Pretoria on Friday.

Osian Roberts has stepped down as the Moroccan Football Federation’s technical director to become Patrick Vieira’s assistant manager at Crystal Palace, according to Training Ground Guru.

And, as to be expected, a number of Eagles supporters have been sharing their thoughts to the news on social media.

Roberts, who was described as ‘the most influential man in Welsh football’, appeared to be pictured alongside Shaun Derry at Palace’s pre-season friendly with Reading on Saturday.

The Eagles defeated the Royals 3-1 on Saturday, and it seems as if Roberts, who admitted last year that he often speaks to Vieira, is set to become the Frenchman’s No.2.

Vieira has already brought in Kristian Wilson as first-team coach and Said Aigoun as development coach, and it appears as if the Welshman will be the next addition by the Palace boss.

Palace fans react

@cpfc_xtra shared Training Ground Guru’s report on Roberts on Twitter on Saturday afternoon.

This is what these Palace fans had to say in reply, with one describing it as ‘exciting’.

“Honestly this was my final reservation, with him as assistant I reckon we could actually get top 10 with this rebuild”Credit: @bazbrown123″Get innn we’re actually building something amazing”Credit: @bazbrown123″This is huge for us, his experience will be vital for Vieira. Exciting times”Credit: @Eagles71987″What’s so special about this guy”Credit: @robertmeilak”Has done a lot of development with Welsh youth over the years”Credit: @littlecaesar007″I’ve never heard of him”Credit: @JoelGray_

In other news: ‘What’s happening?’, ‘Perfect’ – Many CPFC fans buzz at Sky Sports transfer news. 

“Its not going to be this easy next Thursday, Dale!” chided a spectator with a digicam as Dale Steyn walked by with his training kit. “Hah,” was the fast bowler’s reply. “It may just be easier.” Ashwell Prince wasn’t as forthcoming of his assessment of the South Africans’ dominant position at the end of day one against Middlesex at Uxbridge – and of their easy adjustment to England so far – but it was hard not to see the confidence of the touring team. South Africa are buoyant with less than a week before the first Test at Lord’s, make no mistake, despite the fact that their captain is the only one without any real form going into the first of four games this summer.”We’re confident heading to Lord’s next week, because most of the top order has got runs so far,” said Prince, whose unbeaten 104 was a crucial role in the South Africans’ total of 339 for 4 on another day of flat-track domination. “We’ve played well there before and we’re confident it will come together again.You need to grab whatever opportunity presents itself and Hashim [Amla] and myself did that today.”That they did. Both batsmen smoothed over the cracks created by the double loss of Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis just after lunch, and their 190-run partnership was a South African touring record against Middlesex.Prince said he didn’t have major issues with the track – evident by the manner in which he fluently clipped the spinners and pushed the quicker bowlers into the off-side gaps. “It seemed like it was going around a bit early on with the new ball,” said Prince.”But it’s quite a good pitch, and in the afternoon it was a little bit easier – and we took advantage.”South Africa have won their last three Tests at Lord’s and Smith would have fond memories of batting there – his 259 set up an innings-and-92-run win in 2003. Smith’s first innings of the tour – he didn’t play in Taunton as he was recovering from a torn hamstring – was a plucky 35, but even if it his only one before Lord’s Prince felt it was satisfactory. “He [Smith] batted for more than two hours out there, and the ball did go around a little bit this morning,” he said. “He hasn’t batted for a while. But those two hours – and some more in the second innings, we hope – I’m sure that will be enough time in terms of preparation for the Test.”It’s much better to get time in the middle than in the nets – and I’m sure he’d like to have another go in the second innings.”The only cricket Smith has played recent times has been in the Indian Premier League, and Prince felt it was understandable that he wasn’t off the blocks immediately. “He conscientiously took his time … He probably could have been a bit more aggressive,” he said. “But I think he probably opted to play the way he did, because he hasn’t had much time in the middle – and the last time he was batting it was in Twenty20. He wanted time at the crease and to get used to playing cricket with a red ball, the IPL being the last time he batted.”Smith may not be in the runs yet, but the rest of the South African outfit has cashed in on their pre-Test practice.

Tottenham Hotspur must beat their arch-rivals to the signature of Houssem Aouar this summer…

What’s the word?

French journalist Julien Laurens, who has appeared on ESPN and BT Sport, has claimed that Spurs have entered the race to sign the long-time Arsenal target.

He tweeted: “Being told that Tottenham have now also entered the race for Houssem Aouar. Arsenal are still keen on the Lyon playmaker but Spurs are in the conversation too now.”

Back in September 2020, the Gunners had a bid rejected by Lyon for their star midfielder, as per The Guardian, and evidently they have retained their interest in him this transfer window.

Get it done!

If the Lilywhites can beat their arch-rivals to the 23-year-old, then sporting director Fabio Paratici deserves a lot of praise as he’ll be signing someone capable of getting the club rocking again.

Spurs suffered one of their poorest seasons in recent times, slipping down to seventh in the table and missing out on a place in either the Champions or Europa League for the first time in over a decade.

Several midfield options also appear to be on the chopping block, including Moussa Sissoko and Harry Winks, so there could certainly be a spot for Aouar to fill ahead of next season.

Valued at €30m (£26m), the French dynamo has been a regular source of goals and creativity from a deeper role, having provided 24 goals and 25 assists since the start of the 2018/19 campaign.

The impressive numbers don’t stop there as, throughout his entire career, Aouar has averaged 2.1 dribbles, 1.8 shots, 1.4 tackles and 1.2 key passes per game, via WhoScored.

It’s no wonder the Lyon maestro has been compared to Andres Iniesta – a player capable of pulling the strings from the no.8 role – as well as being dubbed “an exceptional talent” and lauded for his “special” qualities.

“I’ve often likened him to Andres Iniesta, which is obviously a big shout because, for me, he is one of the greatest players of all-time,” claimed Get French Football News journalist Adam White to Football FanCast.

“I don’t necessarily mean in quality but in style. He has silky movement and drifts in midfield to pick passes. At his best, he is absolutely brilliant to watch and he can play anywhere in midfield. He’s great on the ball and technically outstanding. His vision is brilliant. He’s a huge talent.”

On the above evidence, Aouar could be a mouthwatering prospect in Spurs’ current engine room and as such, he could be the sort of signing to get fans excited after a dismal and negative 12 to 18 months.

Paratici must do all he can to secure the 5 foot 9 gem.

AND in other news, Paratici could secure Spurs’ best signing since Son with £34m-rated “absolute beast”…

Surrey’s plans to redevelop The Oval in time for next summer’s Ashes have been dealt a blow with the news that a public inquiry is to be held over the safety of the gas holders next to the ground

Cricinfo staff19-May-2008
The gas holders, which have been in use since Victorian times, are the cause of a public inquiry over their safety © Getty Images
Surrey’s plans to redevelop The Oval in time for next summer’s Ashes have been dealt a blow with the news that a public inquiry is to be held over the safety of the gas holders next to the ground.The Oval had hoped to build a hotel, along with 2000 additional seats, and an agreement with Lambeth Council had been reached, but a Health and Safety executive has deemed the ancient gas holders – which are still in daily use – a potential hazard to nearby spectators.According to , Surrey are contemplating decommissioning the gas holders. “This would take years but might be the answer,” Paul Sheldon, the chief executive, told the newspaper. “We convinced Lambeth Council, who were very vigilant, that this would be a safe project. They were convinced there was no risk and were swayed by the area’s regeneration and the employment that the hotel would bring.”This will be a severe test case as there are gas holders in Stratford which will have implications for the Olympics in London. We are fortunate that Arora Hotels are not abandoning us, but building inflation is running at 10 per cent a year.”The inquiry has been called by Hazel Blears, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Glamorgan Dragons’ fire proved too much for Yorkshire Phoenix at Cardiff in their Norwich Union League Division One encounter

George Dobell11-Aug-2002Glamorgan Dragons’ fire proved too much for Yorkshire Phoenix at Cardiff in their Norwich Union League Division One encounter.Both teams were level on 26 points at the start of play and retained legitimate hopes of winning the trophy. But it is the Dragons – who still have a game in hand over many of their competitors – that now find themselves only two points away from the top of the table, while Phoenix are left as outsiders in what is proving to be a frustrating season for them.It was the spin bowling of Robert Croft (3-27) and Dean Cosker (4-17) that turned the game in favour of the home team after Phoenix had looked to be cruising to victory in a rain-affected contest.Set 175 runs in win (by the Duckworth/Lewis method), Phoenix were well set at 86-1 in just the 10th over when Croft started their slide with the wicket of Matt Wood. Chris Silverwood followed just eight runs later, for an excellent 55 in 39 balls as pinch-hitter, while Richard Dawson and Anthony McGrath both followed before the 100 was posted.Michael Lumb and Gary Fellows regrouped for a while, but the introduction of Dean Cosker’s left-arm spin into the attack hastened the end and Phoenix fell away to be dismissed for 153, 21 runs short of their target.Earlier the Dragons made a decent start after electing to bat. Robert Croft began a good all-round performance with a brisk 37 (in 45 balls with seven fours), putting on 84 for the first wicket with Ian Thomas (40).But after Ryan Sidebottom claimed Croft’s wicket, more rain caused more delays and the game was further reduced to 22 over a side.Upon the resumption four wickets fell for 12 runs. Again it was spin that caused the problems, Andy Gray striking in his first over, having Ian Thomas – who had looked so good before the rain came – stumped. Fellow off-spinner Richard Dawson then took two in two balls, bowling Michael Powell for 12 before having Dragons’ skipper Steve James lbw first ball. Gray – who finished with 3-23 – then dismissed the dangerous Maynard before Darren Thomas provided some acceleration with three quick boundaries in a nine-ball cameo of 19.But Gray struck once again, dismissing Thomas before Adrian Dale and Mark Wallace took the total to 149 from their 22 overs.Duckworth/Lewis saw the target rise to 175, but despite the continued form of Silverwood as pinch-hitter this season, Croft and Cosker’s spin proved too much and the run chase ended in failure.

16-year-old Everton defender Thierry Small failed to report for the first week of pre-season training, The Athletic’s Greg O’Keeffe has revealed.

Small is apparently looking to force a way out of Goodison Park, concerned that older full-backs Lucas Digne and Niels Nkounkou are blocking his path to first-team football.

Could Small be lured away from Everton?

Everton have a ‘bumper’ professional deal ready for Small’s 17th birthday on August 1, but ‘several’ European clubs are also admirers.

The list includes Manchester United and Arsenal domestically, as well as German giants Bayern Munich.

Small, who has recently taken on a new agent, was apparently in contact with the club on Monday.

He’s made 13 appearances for Everton at Under-23 level and earned his senior debut in an FA Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday in January.

The five-minute run-out officially made the Englishman Everton’s youngest-ever player.

Fan feed The Toffee Blues relayed The Athletic’s revelations, and here’s what supporters made of them.

Everton fans fume at Small strike

“Let him go, already having contract trouble for a kid that hasn’t played.. c ya mate hope league one suits you”

Credit: @Tomwalk62023010

“If the reports are accurate and he is treating the club in this manner as a 16 year old a) the club need to show him the door regardless of his potential and b) he needs a new agent.”

Credit: @1matthewburgess

“Any other job in the world you don’t turn up, you get sacked, at Everton, don’t turn up “ooooo let’s give him more money!”

Credit: @justdezza87

“If that’s his attitude at 16 what will it be like in a few years”

Credit: @irishevertonian

“Get the little wet wipe gone, attitude at that age won’t get anywhere”

Credit: @LukeC692

“Get rid then, real lack of professionalism that”

Credit: @lewissefc

“And he’s done what exactly to act like a superstar primadona? Get shut”

Credit: @Gillsta1878

In other news, there’s fresh interest in this forward.