At least four allrounders, including the 14-year-old Shahzad, feature in the 15-man squad
ESPNcricinfo staff06-Dec-2019
Naseem Shah sends down his first delivery in international cricket•Getty Images
Pakistan have named at least four allrounders, including the 14-year-old Mohammad Shahzad, in their 15-man squad for the Under-19 World Cup in South Africa early next year. The in-form Rohail Nazir will continue to led the side, while 16-year-old quick Naseem Shah, who recently made his Test debut in Australia, also featured in the squad.The squad
Rohail Nazir (capt), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Haider Ali, Mohammad Shahzad, Mohammad Harris, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Abbas Afridi, Fahad Munir, Qasim Akram, Amir Ali, Arish Ali Khan, Amir Khan, Naseem Shah, and Tahir Hussain
“We have planned extensively and tried our best to form a fine team,” Saleem Jaffar, the Pakistan junior team head coach, said at a press conference in Lahore. “Probables selected for the World Cup will give both coach and captain full options to form a balanced side. I hope this team will go good. But whoever is left out shouldn’t be disheartened because they are on a path that will take them to the professional cricket and this isn’t the end of world.”Shahzad, a batting allrounder from Southern Punjab, caught the selectors’ eye at the ongoing Under-16 domestic tournament, where he scored 175 runs in two games and picked up six wickets.”Shahzad is a good package; [he can] bat in the opening slot and bowl at medium pace, so we are also eyeing to tap someone who can be a good prospect in future like [Abdul] Razzaq,” Jaffar said. “This is the cricket that actually take players forward. He is young on the Under-16 circuit and has done really well recently. For us, winning is equally important but at the same time we are also giving them an international feel. This Under-19 circuit is an exciting cricket and such players are the future.”Team management
Ijaz Ahmed (head coach and manager), Rao Iftikhar Anjum (bowling coach), Abdul Majeed (assistant coach), Saboor Ahmad (trainer), Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rasul (physiotherapist), Usman Hashmi (analyst), Emmad Ahmed Hameed (media manager) and Col (retd) Usman Riffat Ansari (security manager)
Aside from Shahzad, the allrounders’ contingent comprises Abbas Afridi, Fahad Munir and Qasim Akram, who made it to the squad on the back of his impressive returns of 296 runs and three wickets and 260 runs and 15 wickets in the PCB Under-19 one-day and three-day tournaments respectively. Akram also made a mark at the recent Emerging Under-19 Asia Cup, and the tours of South Africa and Sri Lanka, where he scored 77 and 124 runs respectively.Three out of the 28 probables – Ammad Butt Jr, Akhtar Shah and Saim Ayub – were not considered for selection because of injuries.The 2020 Under-19 World Cup will be held from January 17, in South Africa. Pakistan, the 2004 and 2006 champions and three-time runners-up, are slotted in Group C along with Bangladesh, Scotland and Zimbabwe in the 16-team competition. They will kick off their campaign against Scotland on January 19 in Potchefstroom.
Manchester United are going through something of a purple patch of form of late, with the Red Devils having a total of eight wins from their last 11 games.
In their most recent game against Nottingham Forest in the fifth round of the FA Cup, the Red Devils left it until the 89th minute to break the deadlock.
It was then that Casemiro met a peach of a ball from Bruno Fernandes with his head and managed to nod the ball into the back of the net.
Statistically, Erik ten Hag's men dominated the game but just couldn't seem to finish. As per Sofascore, United had a total of 20 shots with seven on target and ended up with 60% of the possession come the end of the game.
The Red Devils are likely to face a far tougher test tomorrow up against rivals Manchester City, however, with the Etihad side in menacing mood after hitting Luton Town for six in midweek in their own FA Cup outing.
With that in mind, let's have a look at the potential team that United could start with during Sunday's Manchester derby.
1 GK – Andre Onana
Despite not having the best of seasons since joining the club in the summer for a fee worth £47.2m, Andre Onana has been Ten Hag's undoubted first-choice this season.
Throughout the season thus far, the Cameroon international has played a total of 36 games and has conceded a total of 54 goals.
This means that he has only amassed a total of 11 clean sheets during his first season with the Red Devils, with improvement certainly needed from the marquee addition.
2 RB – Diogo Dalot
Diogo Dalot
Dalot has been a fairly consistent first-team player since his return to the club from AC Milan in June 2021 after a season-long loan spell.
He started in United's game against Forest on Wednesday and managed to garner the joint-second-highest rating of any player on the pitch (8.0).
Whilst average ratings can't be taken as gospel, the fact that the Portugal international won 60% of the duels which he attempted in midweek showcases how well he played.
3 CB – Raphael Varane
Manchester United's Raphael Varane.
There won't be any changes in the centre-back department for the Manchester derby, as the pair were both solid in regard to keeping Forest out on Wednesday.
Additionally, a vast majority of the Red Devils' defenders will be absent from the squad due to injury – including Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez. Against Forest, Ten Hag only had one senior defender on the bench in Jonny Evans, so, there is little to no wiggle room in the defensive department.
4 CB – Victor Lindelof
Despite the fact that the Sweden international is more or less starting week-in and week-out due to necessity, he was solid in the FA Cup, as the 6 foot 1 anchor managed to win half of his duels and had a 91% pass accuracy come the end of the game.
Despite having typically battled it out with Maguire for a regular role this season, starting just 16 games in all competitions compared to the England internationals 19, he and Varane have managed to form a strong defensive pairing of late, including picking up a clean sheet last time out.
5 LB – Sofyan Amrabat
Despite his natural position being in the centre of midfield, thanks to the defensive injuries which Ten Hag's men have suffered, Sofyan Amrabat has become the only real option at left-back.
So often that, in five of his appearances this season, he has been in this unnatural position. Although, in the majority (12), the Morocco international has been used in defensive-midfield, it seems like full-back could be his place within the side for the foreseeable future.
6 CDM – Casemiro
After becoming Manchester United's hero thanks to his 89th-minute winner on Wednesday, it's hard to see the Brazil international being dropped in what is one of United's biggest games of the season.
Barring injury, the former Real Madrid man has been a constant in Ten Hag's line-ups this season as he has played a total of 19 games and has contributed to a total of seven goals and assists across the campaign.
7 CDM – Kobbie Mainoo
Manchester United midfielder Mainoo.
One of the positive stories to come out of the United squad this season is that of Kobbie Mainoo. Despite being just 18 years old, he has played 20 games and contributed to four goals and assists in his first term with the senior squad.
He has been one of the Red Devils' most in-form players and, he was even rested on Wednesday in preparation for this Sunday's clash against Pep Guardiola's men.
8 RM – Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes.
Despite the right-hand side of midfield not being his natural position, across his entire career, United's captain has played on either wing a total of 31 times.
Throughout the 2023/24 campaign, the Portugal international has contributed to 15 goals in 35 games and has been one of the club's most consistent players, and as tomorrow's clash is against their arch-rivals, it would be a surprise not to see their captain starting.
That tactical shake-up would then see Antony make away, the Brazilian still at his frustrating worst at the City Ground, with pundit Alan Shearer criticising him for not doing "anywhere near enough".
9 CAM – Scott McTominay
Scott McTominay
Scott McTominay has been in stellar form this season. The Scotland international has been pivotal in getting his club to sixth in the Premier League table as he has scored a total of eight goals thus far.
With Fernandes shifted out to the right, the towering 'goal machine' could feature in a more attack-minded role in a side that features five central midfielders by trade (Amrabat, Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes and McTominay).
10 LM – Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho is yet another Man United youngster who has had a sudden rise to fame. He made his debut during the 2021/22 season and has since made himself a regular in the club's first-team.
Across the entirety of his tenure with United, the Argentina international has played a total of 71 games and has managed to contribute to 20 goals and assists – half of which have come this season.
The winger is having the most prolific form of his career thus far and has made himself almost irreplaceable within Ten Hag's squad.
Palmeiras sensation Estevao Willian scored a stunning equaliser as his team drew 2-2 with Gremio in Serie A this week.
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Estevao netted gorgeous goal
Pulled out Cole Palmer celebration
Youngster set to join Chelsea
WHAT HAPPENED?
After combining with team-mate Jhon Jhon outside the Gremio box, the 17-year-old beat a defender before he unleashed a long-range effort that sailed into the top corner. His 77-minute goal secured a point for his side in their Serie A clash.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Estevao then recreated Cole Palmer's famous 'cold' celebration – and not for the first time. The teenager's celebration is a nod at his imminent transfer to Chelsea. The Brazil Under 17 star has agreed to join Chelsea, though the transfer will not go through until the summer of 2025, when he will be 18.
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WHAT NEXT?
Estevao will hope to keep shining with Palmeiras over the next year as he looks to develop enough to secure a place in Chelsea's first-team when he eventually meets up with his team-mates in London a year from now.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have been handed a pair of massive boosts on the team news front ahead of their clash with Brentford this Saturday, with the feel-good factor continuing to echo around Molineux this season.
O'Neil defying expectations
Heading into the campaign, expectations were low for the Midlands outfit if truth be told. Former boss Julen Lopetegui departed the club just three days before the new Premier League season after a protracted dispute over transfers, and the club appointed former Bournemouth boss Gary O'Neil on short notice.
With the club sailing close to the wind with financial fair play and desperate to avoid the fate that has since befallen Everton, money was tight at Molineux even with the departure of club captain Ruben Neves, especially given that they had already committed to the permanent signing of Matheus Cunha from Atletico Madrid.
Matheus Cunha
As a result, plenty expected them to be stuck in a relegation dog-fight, and four defeats in their opening five games did little to change that. However, they have since turned their fortunes around and a comprehensive win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in their most recent Premier League outing saw them leapfrog the Blues and head into the top half of the table, 13 points clear of the drop zone and almost certain to be playing Premier League football once more next season.
Indeed, a win in their next game could see them move yet further up the Premier League and onto the cusp of European football should results go their way, with seventh placed West Ham just four points ahead of O'Neil's side.
Now, they host a Brentford side far less certain of its place in next season's top flight, with the Bees struggling for form even with the return of talisman Ivan Toney from a gambling ban. Thomas Frank's side have picked up just 22 points from 22 games and sit three points above the drop zone, albeit with Nottingham Forest and Luton Town between them and 18th placed Everton.
Wolves team news brings double boost
To that end, Wolves have confirmed a major boost as a pair of stars are set to return from international duty in time for the clash, with O'Neil said to be very pleased. Both Boubacar Traore and Hwang Hee-Chan have missed the last three games for their club side after representing Mali and South Korea in the Africa Cup of Nations and Asian Cup respectively.
However, their runs in those competitions have since come to an end, with Hwang's side knocked out at the semi-final stage by Jordan in a shock result. Traore, meanwhile, suffered quarter-final heartbreak against the Ivory Coast, as the Elephants scored in the 90th minute to force extra time, before netting in stoppage time at the end of the added time to send Mali home.
It is good news for Wolves though, with Hwang the club's joint top goalscorer as things stand and now ready to be unleashed on Brentford, while the return of Traore means that O'Neil has more depth in the centre of the park.
Wolves top scorers
Goals
Hwang Hee Chan
11
Matheus Cunha
11
Mario Lemina
4
Pedro Neto
3
Matt Doherty
3
It remains to be seen whether O'Neil restores either to the starting lineup after impressive performances from both Pedro Neto and Matheus Cunha in the last game, but the pair could well be game-changers from the substitutes bench against the tired legs of the Bees.
In a season which has seen Manchester United already turfed out of the Champions League and League Cup, alongside slipping firmly out of the mix for the top four, it has been hard to pinpoint the major issue that has inhibited Erik ten Hag's side.
Much attention has, of course, been centred on an attack which has netted just 24 times in 21 Premier League games so far in 2023/24 – the fourth-worst record in the division – while defensively, the Red Devils have remained rather shaky, notably shipping eight goals in just their last four league outings.
For all those woes at opposite ends of the pitch, the midfield has also come under intense scrutiny ever since the narrow opening weekend win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, with club legend Gary Neville stating that the pairing of Mason Mount and Casemiro were "torn to shreds" in that nervy 1-0 triumph.
While that duo have since been hamstrung by injury in recent months, those who have replaced them have also been particularly underwhelming, with Scott McTominay – who ranks in just the bottom 8% among his European peers for progressive passes per 90 – hardly the most comfortable on the ball, while summer signing Sofyan Amrabat has "disappointed" thus far, in the words of journalist Dean Jones.
A shining light has undoubtedly been the mature displays of 18-year-old sensation, Kobbie Mainoo – who has been dubbed an "unreal" talent by ex-teammate Anthony Elanga – although his experienced colleague Christian Eriksen has been put firmly under the microscope alongside him, notably being hooked before the hour mark against Tottenham Hotspur last time out.
With the 31-year-old Dane also recording the lowest success rate for duels won among all Premier League midfielders, the time may have come to find a more youthful, long-term solution in the centre of the park – something Ten Hag and co may have already turned their attention to.
Man Utd eyeing Eriksen upgrade
According to a report from Football Transfers, United are said to have 'moved a step closer' to sealing the signing of Benfica sensation, Joao Neves, having already struck a deal that will see Alvaro Fernandez head in the opposite direction on an initial loan deal.
The suggestion is that the Old Trafford side are hopeful that such an agreement can help to build positive relations with the Lisbon outfit amid their bid to sign Neves, with the 19-year-old said to be the club's 'leading midfield target'.
Benfica midfielder Joao Neves.
The report reveals that the Portuguese starlet does have a €120m (£103m) release clause in his existing contract that can be activated, although United are seemingly keen to 'enter talks' in the hope of avoiding paying that hefty sum.
While there is no suggestion that a deal can be struck this month, the hope will be that the Red Devils can get their man ahead of next season, helping to rejuvenate a somewhat ageing midfield department.
Joao Neves' style of play
Despite being a rather slight figure at just 5 foot 9, Neves has proven himself to be a fierce operator in the centre of the park for Benfica of late, with data analyst Ben Mattinson describing him as a player who has a "lot of aggression in duels" and is "hard to win the ball off".
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That is evidenced by the fact that the teenager ranks in the top 7% among his peers in leagues comparable with the Primeira Liga for tackles won per 90, as well as in the top 2% for blocks made, indicating that willingness to put his body on the line.
Interestingly, even with his diminutive stature, the in-demand youngster also ranks in the top 11% for aerial duels won, further proof of the battling presence that he can provide to Ten Hag's ranks.
It is on the ball, however, where Neves appears to thrive, with Mattinson stating that the three-cap Portugal international reminds him of "[Paul] Scholes in some ways", having been described as someone who would bring "tenacity and technical ability" to this floundering United side.
That likeness to the United icon – who is also just 5 foot 6 – is certainly high praise indeed, with Scholes arguably having been the "best midfielder of his generation", according to Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola.
Much like Mattinson's prior assessment of Neves, the Englishman was also a tough yet silky operator when in his pomp, with current Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez previously stating:
“Scholes is a spectacular player who has everything. He can play the final pass, he can score, he is strong, he never gets knocked off the ball and he doesn’t give possession away."
Trying to emulate the success of a player who won a plethora of major honours in a glittering spell at the Theatre of Dreams is a tough task, although such a comparison merely demonstrates the young diamond that United could have on their hands.
How Joao Neves compares to Christian Eriksen
As stated previously, a key issue with Eriksen of late has been his lack of athleticism and fragility in the centre of the pitch, with the former Spurs man winning just 32% of his total duels this season in the Premier League, including winning just 29% of his aerial duels.
Neves, meanwhile, is far more robust having won 58% of his total duels and 57% of his aerial duels in the Portuguese top flight, ensuring he could offer a more natural defensive presence than the current United man, if a deal was to be agreed.
Joao Neves' season by numbers (Primeira Liga)
17 games (15 starts)
1 goal
1 assist
3 'big chances' created
0.6 key passes per game
3.4 tackles & interceptions per game
6.7 balls recovered per game
58% total duels won
90% pass accuracy rate
1.4 successful dribbles per game
7.51 avg. match rating
Stats via Sofascore
On the ball too, Neves also seemingly has the edge in certain metrics, notably possessing the ability to drive forward from deep as he averages 1.4 successful dribbles per game from his 17 appearances, while Eriksen averages just 0.2 in that regard from 15 league outings.
The pair both have one goal and one assist apiece, yet Neves edges his veteran counterpart with regard to chances created (three v one), while surprisingly, it is also the Portuguese gem who appears to be more composed in possession with a pass accuracy rate of 90% – far ahead of the Dane (83%).
Despite his relative youth, all the signs point to the Benfica teen being a potential upgrade on Eriksen if a deal is to be struck this summer, with United having potentially found the figure who can partner Mainoo for the foreseeable future in Manchester.
While that reported £103m fee is rather eye-watering for one so young, Neves' current form – and apparent likeness to Scholes – explains why he is such a worthwhile target.
In recent years, Everton’s greatest transfer successes haven’t been from splashing big money on star signings, but instead from buying relatively cheap young players who will be worth several times what was spent on them within a few years.
The likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Seamus Coleman and Jarrad Branthwaite are great examples of this in the first-team.
The Toffees’ boss Sean Dyche is reportedly keen to follow a similar transfer model this month and is eyeing up one of the Championship’s most talented youngsters.
Everton transfer news – Tom Fellows
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Everton are monitoring West Bromwich Albion’s attacking starlet Tom Fellows, who is out of contract in June. Romano is claiming that the prospective owner, 777 Partners, like the player and will look to make a move for his services before sending him back out on loan.
Tom Fellows celebrates for West Brom.
West Brom head coach Carlos Corberan handed the 20-year-old back-to-back starts in the Baggies’ last two matches for the first time this season and the youngster rewarded his manager’s faith by scoring his first goal of the season on Sunday as the Midlands club ran riot over non-league Aldershot Town.
Everton boss Dyche seems keen to add quality to his flanks this season, particularly over on the right, where Fellows prefers to play. The Merseyside outfit have also been linked with a move for Leeds United star Wilfried Gnonto, although the Italian attacker reportedly has a price tag of £30m on his head, while Fellows has a market value of just £516k – as per Transfermarkt.
Tom Fellows' stats this season
Incidentally, in a recent interview, former Baggies boss Steve Bruce predicted Fellows' rise at The Hawthorns, describing him as someone with "so much ability" and claiming that he would be a regular in the starting lineup by the end of the campaign.
Overall, Fellows has made 17 appearances for the Baggies this season, but has played just 502 minutes overall which comes to 29.5 minutes per game. Nevertheless, two starts from two could be a sign that Corberan believes Fellows can be more than a squad player.
Fellows is a right-winger, or right-midfielder depending on the formation. However, the ex-Crawley Town loanee has played in ten different positions throughout his career so far, dating back to the 2018/19 campaign with West Brom's U18s side.
Position
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Right Midfield
27
10
6
Right Wing
19
1
2
Left Midfield
8
0
2
Left Wing
6
1
3
Left-Back
5
1
0
Right-Back
5
0
1
Attacking Midfield
3
0
0
Centre-Forward
2
0
0
Central Midfield
1
0
0
Defensive Midfield
1
0
0
Stats via Transfermarkt
Furthermore, the West Brom academy product has been slightly more prolific this season than Gnonto. The Leeds star has the same number of goals and assists as Fellows, with one apiece, but has played 884 minutes in total and has made 22 appearances in all competitions, which is far more than his counterpart.
Fellows would suit the Premier League club much more than Gnonto based on the team's performances this season. Gnonto is primarily a left-winger or a centre-forward, while Fellows' preferred position is on the right – which is a weak area for the Toffees. Fellows has also been outperforming Gnonto statistically this season.
Goals
0.19
0.1
Expected Goals
0.01
0.05
Assists
0.19
0.1
Expected Assists
0.3
0.19
Progressive Carries
7.25
6.2
Crosses
6.15
4.02
Crosses To Penalty Area
1.75
0.38
Key Passes
1.75
0.76
Passes To Penalty Area
2.5
1.77
Stats via FBref
As of now, Everton's right flank could be up for grabs. Jack Harrison and Arnaut Danjuma have rotated the right-wing spot in the 2023/24 campaign, but the duo have managed to score just four goals and record merely three assists between them.
Additionally, both Danjuma and Harrison are only at Goodison Park on a loan basis, meaning they will be heading back to their parent clubs this summer. If Everton sign Fellows and send him back out on loan, the Englishman could be ready to return in six months and stake his claim to be Dyche's new right winger.
Sunday's draw against Sheffield United in the Premier League was characterised by a dearth of control, but the crux of West Ham United's season remains the need for a gleaming new centre-forward.
Danny Ings started at Bramall Lane and was lively in a deeper-lying role, making four key passes and providing a consistent outlet, but the 31-year-old is yet to score this term and has just three goals from 42 appearances for the Irons.
The other established frontman, Michail Antonio, 34 in three months, has been sidelined for over two months and is ostensibly declining. Edson Alvarez's absence in Sheffield proved decisive in the failure to win, but for the long-term fluency of a remarkable side, signing a striker must be David Moyes' priority.
West Ham's striker search
According to the Sun, West Ham are ready to smash their transfer record to sign Bayer Leverkusen talisman Victor Boniface, who has been in fine fettle for Xabi Alonso's Bundesliga-topping team this season.
Chelsea and Newcastle United are both interested but Moyes will hope that the promise of a leading role could tempt the Nigerian to move to east London this summer, with a winter transfer unlikely but being pushed by Hammers’ technical director Tim Steidten.
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ByCharlie Smith Feb 1, 2024 How Victor Boniface compares to Darwin Nunez
Valued at £52m by CIES Football Observatory and contracted to the BayArena until 2028, it's safe to say that Leverkusen are in no haste to cash in.
The 23-year-old has scored 16 goals and supplied eight assists across 23 matches in all competitions this season, earning praise for his "monster" presence in the frontline by Molde assistant coach Trond Strande, signing him from Union Saint-Gilloise for €20m (£17m) plus add ons last summer.
Invariably menacing in the final third, the four-cap Nigeria international ranks among the top 7% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 1% for assists, the top 12% for shot-creating actions, the top 5% for progressive carries and the top 3% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.
With a hunger for goals and assists in their hordes, a fleet-footed gait and a tendency to drift in from the left, West Ham could finally land a striker of Darwin Nunez's mould, with the Liverpool star considered the 6 foot 2 Boniface's most comparable player of FBref.
Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez
In January 2022, six months before the Uruguayan signed for Liverpool in a club-record £85m deal, Moyes fought to land Nunez before the transfer deadline, sadly coming up fruitless after seeing a €45m (£37m) bid rejected.
Nunez has been a polarising figure in the Premier League, and while detractors cherish the wayward finishes and scorn the lapses of focus, the 24-year-old is one of the most dynamic and devastating players around.
Scoring twice against Bournemouth just hours after West Ham's contest against Sheffield United finished 2-2, Nunez has now taken his seasonal tally up to ten goals and ten assists apiece across the board, despite starting just 18 times.
The £140k-per-week phenom also ranks among the top 18% of forwards for goals, the top 5% for assists, the top 14% for shot-creating actions and the top 12% for progressive carries per 90.
Boniface, similarly, might cause frustration among Irons ranks at times, ranking among the top 1% of positional peers for shots taken per 90, but he offers something brilliant, intangible, in the attacking surges.
Goals, assists, disruption, despondency. Boniface unleashes mayhem as Nunez does and pocks the opposition goal with craters after barrage upon barrage of fire, also intelligent and selfless enough to know when to place a pass and provide for his teammates.
Nunez, too, boasts such qualities, more composed and economical in his overall play this season. West Ham might have failed to bring the Anfield talisman to the London Stadium but they could now find the missing piece to complete Moyes' team, with Boniface tailor-made to cause a stir in the Premier League.
Casemiro and Richarlison have both been dropped from Brazil's squad for the upcoming Copa America while wonderkid Endrick makes the cut.
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Brazil reveal Copa America squad
Big Premier League names dropped after poor campaign
Tournament to take place in USA this summer
WHAT HAPPENED?
Brazil announced their squad for the upcoming Copa America tournament and two household names from the Premier League were left out. Casemiro has 75 caps for his country while Richarlison was the hero during the World Cup in 2022 after scoring a famous bicycle kick against Serbia. Gabriel Jesus and Matheus Cunha were also dropped while Real Madrid-bound Endrick was handed a call-up after scoring against England earlier in the year.
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FULL BRAZIL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Ederson, Bento
Defenders: Beraldo, Eder Militao, Gabriel, Marquinhos, Danilo, Yan Couto, Guilherme Aranal, Wendell
Midfielders: Andreas Pereira, Bruno Guimaraes, Douglas Luiz, Joao Gomes, Lucas Paqueta
Attackers: Endrick, Evanlison, Gabriel Martinelli, Raphinha, Rodrygo, Savinho, Vinicius Junior
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Head coach Dorival Junior has an abundance of talent to choose from when finalising his squad and he is opting to bed in a new generation of talent rather than stick with the country's reliable figures from past years. Endrick, Savinho and Beraldo are all under the age of 21 and only a select few are 30 or above, suggesting a new era is on the horizon for the South American side.
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WHAT NEXT FOR BRAZIL?
Brazil are looking to win the Copa America for the 10th time and the first time since 2019. They were runners-up in 2021, losing to Argentina 1-0 but have dominated the tournament since 1997, winning on five of the last 10 occasions. The final is set to take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida on 14 July.
أصدر نادي برشلونة الإسباني بياناً رسمياً حول إصابة لاعبه، مارك بيرنال، خلال مواجهة رايو فاليكانو في منافسات الدوري الإسباني.
وتعرض بيرنال لإصابة قوية في الدقائق الأخيرة من مباراة رايو فاليكانو أمس في اللقاء الذي انتهى بنتيجة 2/1 للفريق الكتالوني.
اقرأ ايضاً.. رقم “13”.. برشلونة يُعلن رسميًا عن رحيل لاعب جديد
وأكد نادي برشلونة في بيان رسمي أنه يعاني مارك بيرنال من تمزق في الرباط الصليبي الأمامي في ركبته اليسرى وإصابة مرتبطة بالغضروف المفصلي الخارجي.
وأضاف النادي الكتالوني في البيان الرسمي له أنه في الأيام المقبلة سيخضع بيرنال للعلاج الجراحي.
وبحسب ما ورد في الصحف الإسبانية فإن مدة غياب بيرنال عن برشلونة ستكون ما بين 10-12 شهر بسبب الإصابة.
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ℹ Marc Bernal té una ruptura del lligament encreuat anterior del genoll esquerre i una lesió associada al menisc extern. Els propers dies se sotmetrà a tractament quirúrgic pic.twitter.com/4zv0B4jCs9 — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_cat) August 28, 2024
Ireland’s series against Afghanistan has been pulled forward so that it wouldn’t clash with the IPL. Originally set to end on March 23 – which is the start date of the IPL – both boards have agreed to a slight change in schedule and now the tour, which includes three T20Is, five ODIs and the first Test between the two countries, will start on February 21 and end on March 19.
Fixtures
T20Is: February 21, 23 and 24 ODIs: February 28, March 2, 5, 8 and 10 Only Test: March 15-19
Three of Afghanistan’s biggest match-winners are involved in the IPL – Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. And the tournament was forced to start sooner this year so that there would be some breathing room for the players before the World Cup starts in May 2019. The Afghanistan Cricket Board – who are hosting the series in the North Indian city of Dehradun – made the request to draw the matches forward and Cricket Ireland agreed.”Initially, we planned to conclude the series on 23rd March,” ACB CEO Shafiqullah Stanikzai said, “But keeping in mind the dates of the Indian Premier League, in which three of Afghanistan’s main players will be participating, the dates were slightly adjusted and I would like to thank Cricket Ireland for honoring our request. The series will be important for Afghanistan as we are in the preparation stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 and we are certain that both sides will play competitive cricket.”Warren Deutrom, the CEO of Cricket Ireland, echoed similar views. “The importance of this series to both nations cannot be understated, so it was important that we could ensure the fans did not miss out on a clash that will see best v best in terms of players available. We hope this slight amendment to playing days does not impact too much on the travel bookings of any fans attending the series. We look forward to a great series – which will include Ireland’s first overseas Test match.”Ireland’s first and only foray in the longest format came at home, against Pakistan in May last year, while Afghanistan played their inaugural Test against India a month later in Bengaluru. For the forthcoming tour, the Irish side is scheduled to arrive in India on February 18. All matches will be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, where Afghanistan played hosts to Bangladesh for a three-match T20I series in June 2018.