SA Country Districts take an easy win off India 'A'

The India ‘A’ tour of South Africa took another backwards step in Pietersburg when they were easily beaten by 4 wickets by a very enthusiastic South Africa Country Districts XI

Keith Lane16-Apr-2002The India ‘A’ tour of South Africa took another backwards step in Pietersburg when they were easily beaten by 4 wickets by a very enthusiastic South Africa Country Districts XI.Batting first the Indians could only muster 180 before being bowled out in the 49 th over. The only batsman to perform was Abhijit Kale opening the innings and ending on a well deserved 71.The bowling honours were shared by the Country District bowlers with J Krynauw from Boland ending with the best figures of 3/25 from his nine overs. The bowlers were well assisted by some great fielding with all players prepared to throw themselves at anything to save a run. A fielding lesson from the District players a lot of the more fancied teams could have learnt from.Country Districts were cruising to an easy win when Mohammad Kaif came on late in the innings to take 3/14 in four overs. At that point the stage for the win had been set by a solid partnership between A Galloway (68) and JP Michua (73). The winning runs coming in the 40 th over.

Spurs can forget keeping Kane if Nuno hired

The latest name linked in Tottenham Hotspur’s managerial search will surely have Harry Kane worried…

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, the North London outfit’s newly-appointed sporting director, Fabio Paratici, is pushing hard to secure former Wolves boss Nuno Santo in what has been described as a “major coup” for the club.

It’s thought that the Italian is the driving force behind Spurs’ sudden U-turn on the 47-year-old, who was quickly ruled out following the sacking of Jose Mourinho in mid-April.

Everton and Crystal Palace have been interested in appointing him but the Portuguese remains out of work heading into pre-season.

Bye-bye Kane!

Nuno has plenty of credentials to be considered for the role, having guided Wolves into the Europa League in their very first season back in the big time but he’s simply not the right fit for Spurs’ ‘DNA’ or needs.

And this will surely push Kane ever so much closer to the exit door after reports suggested that he has reiterated his desire to leave the club during the current transfer window, as per Sky Sports.

It is widely believed that chairman Daniel Levy is after an attack-minded head coach who can commit to the development of its young prospects, with the likes of Oliver Skipp, Jack Clarke and Ryan Sessegnon on the fringes of the first-team.

Well, Nuno’s final season at Molineux provides some insight as to why he might be a very disastrous choice for Paratici.

His Wolves side bagged only 36 goals from their 38 league matches, some 15 fewer than a season earlier and the lowest of any team sitting 16th or above. Even relegated West Brom were only one behind their final total, which is damning.

Of course, some of that can be attributed to the absence of Raul Jimenez but his replacement, Fabio Silva, only found the net four times in 32 appearances and that should concern Spurs’ leading talisman greatly.

Indeed, it’s thought that this perceived negative brand of football was one of the reasons behind Fosun’s amicable split with the former goalkeeper, with it being confirmed two days before the final day that he was going to leave by mutual consent.

Wolves have since replaced him with a manager that registered a 103-goal season at his former club, so that tells you all you need to know.

Something that has since backed this up is a claim from BirminghamLive reporter Alex Dicken, who told football.london: “It wasn’t always pretty to watch and some coaches, namely Maurizio Sarri, criticised their lack of intent in games, but during those first three seasons it worked.

“It was frustrating how slowly Wolves started games and there are some damning statistics about their lack of goals in the first half of matches under Nuno. That could have just been a coincidence, but more likely it was down to the way Nuno set his team up.

“This is why I would be so surprised if Spurs appointed him. The style of football wouldn’t be dissimilar to Jose Mourinho’s, but Nuno boasts nothing like his compatriot’s trophy record.”

Overall, the Midlands side managed a measly 1.18 goals per game in the Premier League under Nuno, which is a drastic decrease from Mourinho’s 2.01 goals per game record at Spurs – and he’s said to have “sucked the culture out of the club.”

Furthermore, ex-Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinso has revealed another concerning reason over the club potentially appointing the Portuguese, he told Football Insider:

“I heard from my sources that he wants 15 or 20 backroom staff members coming with him but I cannot see that happening at Spurs because Daniel will not want to do that because it will be very expensive.”

On the above evidence, it’s hard to see Spurs suddenly winning the sort of silverware that Kane is desperately craving and it’s not like he’s certain to thrive in what seems like such a negative system.

He may well want to leave even more if Nuno is hired.

AND in other news, Forget Nuno: Paratici can revive Spurs by hiring “wonderful” 57 y/o with 67% win rate…

India must play two spinners at Jamaica

The flat track at the Antigua Recreation Ground meant that the fourthTest was always going to yield a high-scoring draw

Erapalli Prasanna15-May-2002The flat track at the Antigua Recreation Ground meant that the fourthTest was always going to yield a high-scoring draw. The home team hadwon the previous Test in Barbados and leveled the series 1-1. Clearlythe momentum was with the West Indies, and one expected them to buildon it. It was then shocking to see a dry and docile track bereft ofgrass laid out for the Test match; a very negative move by the WestIndies authorities who denied their team a chance of gaining the leadin the series.
© CricInfoIt is apparent that both teams misread the track and relied on pace inthis Test match. So much so that India decided to leave out HarbhajanSingh to bring in Anil Kumble. I have always maintained that theIndian team should play to its strength spin. Anil Kumble andHarbhajan Singh are world-class spinners and even if their recordwhile playing abroad is not very good, they would have proved a deadlyduo on this track.The toss didn’t make any great difference; I reckon that India wouldhave opted to bat first anyhow. So it was up to the Indians to cash inon Hooper’s generosity.The Indian innings though did not get off to the best of starts. ShivSunder Das is having a wretched time against the short-risingdeliveries. I feel sorry for the lad; he has to work on improving histechnique. His partner Wasim Jaffer looks to be a sound openingbatsman. He has the right technique and most importantly he alwayslooks to get behind the line of the ball.I was also delighted to see Ajay Ratra show a lot of application onhis way to his maiden Test hundred. It was an innings that put an endto the loose talk by some of the pundits. The game of cricket is easywhen played from a distance. The fact that some of these pundits werenicknamed `strokeless wonders’ in their playing days is something thatwe would do well to remember.Ganguly’s decision to prolong the innings after Ratra got to hishundred baffled me a lot. By doing so, the Indian skipper denied hisbowlers the chance of bowling a few extra overs that evening, whichmight have seen them grabbing a few more wickets. Remember, the WestIndies were under tremendous pressure that evening after Brian Larafell for a low score to Anil Kumble. Talking about Kumble, it washeartening to see him come out and bowl with a broken jaw. He bowledreally well, maintaining a good line and length, which is the key forsuccess on such docile tracks.With Kumble being injured, Tendulkar, who had to suffer themortification of being out for a gloden duck, was the one genuine spinoption India had. I was then surprised to see Tendulkar show a greaterinkling to bowl off-spin than leg-spin. I felt his leg-breaks woulddefinitely have proved more effective.I am sure that India really missed the services of Harbhajan Singh.The off-spinner would have been able to exploit the rough outside theoff-stump of the left-handed batsmen. Remember, the West Indies teamwas packed with five left-handed batsmen.The cricket from both the teams was defensive from the outset and itcontinued to be so, all through the five days. Never did I find anysense of urgency or purpose from either side. Such game-plans are notin the best interest of the game and are better forgotten.
© CricInfoAs for India, the sight of Srinath struggling to generate pace must bea worrying. The senior fast bowler looked jaded and it is about timethe think-tank had a close look at their game-plan. I would still backIndia to win if they were to play two spinners rather than placeabsolute faith in pace.The West Indies bowlers will be going after the Indian batsmen atSabina Park. Our think-tank has to realise that it is no good tosettle for a draw. The boys should go out with a positive frame ofmind to win the Test match. This is indeed their last chance to returnhome wreathed in glory.

Havant youngsters take both Indoor titles

Double Hampshire junior indoor cricket champions

Mike Vimpany08-Apr-2002Double Hampshire junior indoor cricket champions. That’s Havant, who proudly show off their medals after winning both the Hampshire Under-13 and Under-16 Indoor Cups at Winchester’s River Park Leisure Centre.Stuart Ransley, Chris Morgan and Simon Hodgson sparkled as Havant saw off plucky St Cross Symondians and near neighbours Waterlooville to lift the Under-13 crown.The Under-16s comfortably beat Sarisbury Athletic in the final, after scraping a one-run semi-final win over Hursley Park.Matt Palmer cracked a superb 71 as Hursley were dismissed for 141, chasing Havant’s 142-5.Results – Under-13 Semi-finals
Waterlooville 195-5 (Shephard 61, Burnett 34, Robson 28, Hillman 26)
Hook & Newnham Basics 44Havant 153-2 (Morgan 39, Ransley 28, Hodgson 27, Hardacre 22)
St Cross Symondians 132-4 (Bayliss 26, Jenkins 25, Porter 25, Lovett 20, Walker 2-26)Final:
Havant 143-4 (Ransley 50, Morgan 37, Hodgson 24)
Waterlooville 116-3 (Hillman 35, Robson 28, Hudson 23)Under-16 Semi-finalsBasingstoke & North Hants 88-2 (Davies 26, James 23)
Sarisbury Athletic 90-0 (Journeaux 28, Evans 26, Ingram 24)Havant 142-5 (Wade 44, Molyneaux 33)
Hursley Park 141 (Palmer 71, van der Merwe 28)Final:
Havant 136 (Wade 57, Molyneaux 32)
Sarisbury Athletic 87 (Evans 43, Molyneaux 2-24).

BCCSL announce 15-man squad for England tour

The Board of Control for cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) announced a 15-mansquad for Sri Lanka’s forthcoming three-Test tour of England on Tuesdaynight

CricInfo02-Apr-2002The Board of Control for cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) announced a 15-mansquad for Sri Lanka’s forthcoming three-Test tour of England on Tuesdaynight.As revealed by CricInfo at the weekend, Aravinda de Silva, 36, has beenrecalled for the tour starting 26 April at Canterbury, Kent – his home fortwo seasons in the mid-1990s.Otherwise, the only surprise is the omission of Romesh Kaluwitharana,veteran of 40 Tests and 170 ODIs, casting serious doubt over his Testfuture.Kauwitharana has been replaced by Prasanna Jayawardene, 22, who is widelyregarded as the best wicket-keeper in the country, although a less naturallytalented batsman.However, Jayawardene will only be traveling as replacement wicket-keeper, asKumar Sangakkara remains the first choice gloveman.The selectors will pick a further pace bowler shortly to increase the squadto 16, probably in Sharjah when they a have seen how Pulasthi Gunaratnereacts to the pressures of international cricket.Dilhara Fernando, potentially Sri Lanka’s most destructive fast bowler, hasbeen selected for the tour but he first needs to recover from a bank injury.No replacements have been named.The selectors will make changes to the squad for the Natwest one-day seriesthat follows the Test matches and are expected to announce those changesafter Sharjah.

Falamos com vice de futebol do Fla: 'O cheirinho vai continuar ano que vem'

MatériaMais Notícias

Crise no primeiro semestre por conta de maus resultados, saída de técnico com problemas de saúde, aposta em um jovem treinador, negociação complicada por um craque, briga pelo título brasileiro… Esses foram alguns dos momentos vividos por Flávio Godinho em seu primeiro ano como vice-presidente de futebol do Flamengo. Em entrevista exclusiva ao LANCE!, o dirigente avalia o ano rubro-negro e mostra confiança na conquista de títulos em 2017.

Godinho também conta sobre a busca do Flamengo por reforços. Ele diz que o clube está atrás de contratações pontuais, mas destaca que também está ligado em boas oportunidades no mercado.

Qual o balanço que você faz da temporada do Flamengo?
O Flamengo terminou o ano melhor do que começou. Eu acho que os resultados do primeiro semestre deixaram a desejar e de uma certa forma, vamos dizer assim, a gente teve habilidade para consertar o avião no voo com três contratações pontuais, que foram Réver e Rafael Vaz, que eram reservas em seus respectivos clubes, e coroada pelo Diego. Eles vieram a
qualificar o elenco. E a gente fez o Campeonato Brasileiro, cujo a meta era a classificação para a fase de grupos da Libertadores. Nós tivemos a mesma pontuação do segundo colocado, perdemos no critério de desempate, chegamos a disputar o título. A lição que fica é que a gente tem que aproveitar essa base, dar continuidade no trabalho. E se a gente tiver a mesma felicidade de fazer três contratações pontuais, como aconteceu no meio da temporada, que venha qualificar o elenco ainda mais, com a manutenção da comissão técnica, com a inauguração do novo módulo do Ninho do Urubu, a gente tem tudo para conquistar títulos.

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Você acha que o time tem condições de ganhar tudo ano que vem, inclusive o bi da Libertadores e do Mundial?
Não é porque terminou o ano bem, que a gente tem a obrigação de ganhar a Libertadores. O Flamengo tem sempre a obrigação de disputar títulos e como dirigente a minha obrigação é seguir qualificando o elenco para isso. A Libertadores, se você passa a disputá-la com frequência, chega uma hora que você acaba campeão. Então, o que eu estou muito confiante é que o Flamengo será campeão de alguma das competições que disputará em 2017, tomara que seja a Libertadores, mas não temos como dar a garantia disso. Até porque teremos as equipes mais qualificadas do continente com a mesma intenção.

O perfume do Flamengo é francês, de melhor qualidade, e esse cheirinho vai durar até 2017.

No Flamengo sempre existe pressão por títulos, mas o time já está há dois anos sem conquistas. Você acha que esse fato aumenta essa pressão e pode atrapalhar?
Acho que a pressão tem que existir, ela é saudável. Não dá para se reocupar só com essa pressão da torcida, porque ela às vezes gosta de eleger culpados. Terminamos ano passado, quando eu assumi, sob o assunto do ‘Bonde da Stella’. Hoje em dia o CT é blindado, você não ouve falar de um caso de indisciplina, os jogadores são muito profissionais. Tiveram que enfrentar um Campeonato Brasileiro muito difícil, sem casa, o prognóstico era sombrio. O Flamengo encarou as viagens, o elenco arregaçou as mangas para trabalhar sem nenhuma reclamação. E o time passou muito perto de ganhar, a própria torcida abraçou o Flamengo com campanha de cheirinho, levando para embarque e desembarque ao aeroporto. Eu acho que o perfume do Flamengo é francês, de melhor qualidade, e esse cheirinho vai durar até 2017. Esse cheirinho não acabou e a gente vai com tudo para o ano que vem.

O Flamengo pode trazer para a próxima temporada outro reforço de parar aeroporto?
O Flamengo tem os alvos pré-definidos e muitas vezes tem dois jogadores por posição, porque nem sempre você consegue a primeira. Vou dar um exemplo. O Vitinho que foi muito falado aí, ele é um jogador que o CSKA levou de volta. E o clube pagou 10 milhões de euros para o Botafogo, mudou de técnico, que quer contar com ele lá. Não há clube brasileiro, em princípio, que tenha condições de competir com uma proposta de 10 milhões de euros. Então você considera um jogador, ele não está disponível e você parte para o plano B ou C. À parte disso, você tem que ficar como aquele porco caçador de trufa cheirando o mercado. Vou dar outro exemplo. Eu estava de olho no Oscar (do Chelsea), que estava sendo contratado por um clube chinês. Existia a possibilidade de o Oscar voltar para o Brasil. Se isso fosse materializado, seria uma contratação de fechar aeroporto. O Próprio Diego não estava nos planos de ninguém. Surgiu a oportunidade no meio da temporada, de trazer o jogador, em meio a uma tentativa de golpe na Turquia. A nossa missão é ficar atento para quando surgir uma oportunidade. Eu não tenho dinheiro para fazer um checão, mas às vezes, com criatividade, dá para conseguir um grande jogador. Em princípio, isso aí tem que ser tratado como uma exceção. Nós estamos indo passo a passo para qualificar o elenco e claro que, se surgir uma oportunidade, não vamos desperdiçar.

Qual o prazo para conseguir finalizar as contratações?
Eu acho que anúncio de contratação, salvo uma exceção ou outra, deve ficar para janeiro. E o ideal é que todos se apresentassem com o elenco no próximo dia 11 para a pré-temporada. Mas como já falei, às vezes estamos numa negociação e ela falha. Não vai ser por isso que deixaremos de fazer, então pode ser finalizada já para o fim do mês que vem.

Hoje em dia a administração do Flamengo é 100% profissional. A gente faz as coisas com mais sintonia.

Qual avaliação você faz do seu primeiro ano como vice de futebol, quais suas principais contribuições ?
Eu não gosto muito de falar do eu. A gente trabalha lá muito em grupo. Eu primeiro tenho que agradecer meus companheiros de diretoria, que me deram autonomia e deixaram eu trabalhar. Eu diria que uma das minhas decisões acertadas foi a manutenção do Rodrigo Caetano. No auge da crise do primeiro semestre todo mundo queria a cabeça dele. Fizemos uma blindagem no CT, que a partir daí parece uma cidade do interior, onde todo mundo tem a maior tranquilidade para trabalhar. Você não vê nenhuma intercorrência, a paz reina, não tem nenhum palpite de fora. Acho que outra contribuição importante foi a escolha pelo Zé Ricardo. Ele era um técnico que eu já tinha observado na Copinha. A possibilidade de trazer o Diego, que foi uma negociação complicada. Tive que negociar com quatro dirigentes turcos, em inglês, tinha o problema de língua, tinha pendências com o jogador. Então, foram coisas importantes. O crucial para terminar bem o ano foi o natural entrosamento entre comissão técnica e o dirigente. Porque hoje em dia a administração do Flamengo é 100% profissional. A gente já faz as coisas com mais sintonia.

Como é o seu estilo no dia a dia no departamento de futebol, seu contato com os jogadores?
Como a administração do futebol do Flamengo é profissional, eu deixo o dia a dia com o Rodrigo Caetano, que é o diretor executivo. Eu procuro aparecer nas horas ruins. Eu acho que você tem que aparecer quando o bicho está pegando. E o jogador de futebol precisa ganhar a confiança. A gente vive uma época em que os jogadores são estrelas, mas eles são muito profissionais. Então, não precisa dar bronca. Eles são os que mais querem ganhar, são os que mais sentem quando perdem, às vezes não podem sair de casa para comer uma pizza. O grupo do Flamengo é muito seleto, não tem que ficar dando bronca. É claro que eles sabem que sempre que tiverem qualquer problema, podem recorrer a mim. Mas procuro sempre respeitar a administração profissional, até porque ninguém pode passar por cima de ninguém. Trabalhamos em grupo.

Acha que o time fazendo a pré-temporada no Ninho, que teve o módulo profissional inaugurado, é uma forma de mostrar o valor do CT?
Essa administração teve muito investimento em tecnologia e infraestrutura, e está na hora de colocar isso em prática. A maioria dos jogadores mora por ali e vai ter uma vantagem. Vão ter treinamento integral com toda a estrutura do Ninho e eventualmente vão dormir em casa. Todo mundo tem a chance de ver a família e, quem sabe, fique um pouco menos desgastante. Então, vamos ver aí o que vai ser dessa pré-temporada no Rio, se ela vai dar ou não resultados melhores no decorrer do ano.

Qual avaliação sobre o trabalho do Zé Ricardo? Acha que ele está pronto para comandar o time em um ano tão importante?

O Zé é um técnico muito estudioso, muito dedicado. Eu costumo brincar dizendo que ele em casa descansa carregando pedra. Ele está sempre estudando, inclusive está fazendo um curso de qualificação na CBF. A ideia é
que ele faça alguns intercâmbios, mandar ele para o exterior, investir na
qualificação dele. Agora, o que mais encoraja a diretoria a dar continuidade
é que, primeiro, a experiência indica que a continuidade é um dos segredos
para você formar um time vencedor. Segundo porque ele tem uma análise
crítica do que foi acerto, do que foi erro, do que precisa melhorar. E ele é
um profissional aberto ao diálogo.

A gente realmente só recebeu o atestado liberatório do Diego aos 45 do segundo tempo. Só no último dia a operação foi concluída.

Você foi um dos principais responsáveis pela contratação do Diego, como foi a negociação?
Foi uma operação passo a passo. Você começa, acredita, sabe que é muito difícil. A primeira etapa foi convencer o próprio atleta que o Flamengo hoje em dia tem uma estrutura profissional, responsável, que paga em dia, respeita o atleta. O pai dele era o representante, então todas as tratativas começaram com ele. Posteriormente, na medida que a gente recebeu um sinal verde do jogador que achava que estava na hora de voltar ao Brasil, começamos as tratativas com os dirigentes turcos. Mas na verdade, com a tentativa de golpe de estado lá, parece brincadeira, mas a gente realmente só recebeu o atestado liberatório aos 45 do segundo tempo. Então, efetivamente só no último dia da janela é que a operação conseguiu ser concluída.

O Flamengo pretende vender algum destaque da equipe?
Faz parte na vida de qualquer clube vender jogador. Às vezes chega uma
proposta considerada irrecusável, você tem que aproveitar e depois tem
que ter o talento para repor aquela determinada posição. Sem falar que o
futebol hoje é extremamente profissional. Cada jogador desse tem uma multa contratual. E se aparecer algum clube que pague essa multa, não há o que reclamar. Mas no nosso elenco atual, não temos proposta para nenhum jogador que é titular. Muito se fala em Guerrero, Jorge, mas não chegou proposta.

Qual a política de investimento em reforços do Flamengo para a próxima temporada?
Cabe ao vice de futebol usar a criatividade para com um orçamento limitado fazer certas contratações. Muitas vezes você faz a prazo. E se excepcionalmente surgir uma contratação que extrapole isso, tem de pedir autorização dos órgãos competentes dentro do clube. Se eles acharem que tem mérito aquela empreitada, vão aprovar.

Everton fans react to Romano tweet

Norwich City’s Max Aarons is a possible right-back target for Everton in the summer transfer window.

However, according to a transfer update from Fabrizio Romano, he is ‘not close’ to sealing a move to Goodison Park any time soon, with the journalist claiming that ‘other clubs are joining the race’ for the 21-year-old.

The right-back has previously been linked with Barcelona and Manchester United, and according to The Times, it will cost £30m to prise away from Norwich, who have just been promoted as winners of the Championship.

Everton want to dip back into Carrow Road talent pool

It seems as if Everton are in the market for a long-term successor to veteran skipper Seamus Coleman, as the Republic of Ireland international will turn 33 this year.

Aarons has provided two goals and two assists from right-back this season, with match averages of 1.4 successful dribbles and 1.4 key passes per game highlighting his attacking prowess (WhoScored). Coleman has provided three assists in 2020/21 but not found the net himself, while his averages for the other two metrics are 0.8 respectively (WhoScored).

The Blues and the Canaries did mutual business last summer, with Ben Godfrey making a £24.75m switch from East Anglia to Merseyside. Attacking midfielder Kieran Dowell went the other way for a fee of £1.98m.

This year’s transfer window is set to open on June 9.

Everton fans fret over concerning Aarons update

Here’s how Everton fans reacted to Romano’s update on Sunday night, with despair the order of the day from many of the Goodison Park faithful.

“Pain”

Credit: @SP0RTSEDITS

“Please no”

Credit: @TashanCockburn3

“Oh no no no”

Credit: @Efc_sai

“I’m gonna be heartbroken seeing him go to someone else”

Credit: @efccarlo

“Got the budget of a pack of quavers probably if we don’t get Europe, wouldn’t be surprised”

Credit: @ElliotB1878

“Pure pain”

Credit: @iiCeDEFC

“Brands out”

Credit: @gowens1878

In other news, some Everton fans were much more positive about this transfer update.

Southampton handed Svanberg transfer boost

Southampton have been handed a potential boost in their hopes of signing Swedish midfielder Matthias Svanberg from Bologna this summer, as recent reports have suggested that the Serie A side will have to sell their top talents due to financial difficulties.

Bologna manager Sinisa Mihajlovic recently admitted that the Italian side will have to cash in on some players this summer when asked about their transfer strategies, saying:

“We have to sell by force of circumstances, then we’ll see who: it depends on the market, not on us.”

Southampton, Leicester City and AC Milan have all been linked with Svanberg since January, with rumours re-emerging as we approach the summer transfer window.

The 22-year-old has established himself as a regular with I Rossoblù since joining from Malmo in 2018, as he has now made 82 appearances for the Serie A side, contributing six goals and five assists.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/southampton-saints-ralph-hasenhuttl-martin-semmens-st-marys” title=”Latest Southampton news, transfer rumours and more”]

This season has been something of a breakthrough for the midfielder in terms of attacking returns, as he has managed five goals and two assists in 30 league appearances, so it is easy to see why he is attracting interest from the Saints.

Svanberg, who is currently rated at £8.1m by Transfermarkt, would seemingly fit in well with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s transfer policy at Southampton this summer, with the Austrian suggesting recently that the South Coast club will almost exclusively target players who will cost £10m or less this summer.

Given that the Swedish international has featured in a number of positions in his career thus far, you could certainly argue that his versatility would be a big boost for the Saints next season if he were to make the move to St Mary’s, as their lack of depth, particularly in central-midfield, has certainly been exposed at times this season.

[freshpress-quiz id=“594431″]

Therefore, after the news that Bologna may be forced to cash in on Svanberg this summer, Southampton CEO Martin Semmens should do everything he can to sign the 22-year-old for Hasenhuttl’s side before another club gets a deal done.

And, in other news… Better than Stephens: Semmens could amend key Hasenhuttl issue by signing 6 ft 4 beast

West Ham: Fans call for Odubeko inclusion

Many fans of West Ham United have been reacting to a post on Twitter in which the Hammers relayed the news that Ademipo Odubeko scored a brace for the club’s under-23 side.

So far this season, Odubeko has impressed over his nine fixtures for West Ham’s youth teams, with the 18-year-old scoring eight goals and providing one assist over six appearances in the Premier League 2, as well as bagging two goals and one assist over two FA Youth Cup fixtures and netting two goals in one game in the EFL Trophy.

In a recent under-23 fixture against Everton, the Republic of Ireland under-21 international was once again in top form, scoring two second half goals to secure all three points for Dmitri Halajko’s side in the Premier League 2 clash.

After news of the striker’s brace was relayed on Twitter by West Ham, numerous fans of the club flocked to have their say on the matter, with many urging David Moyes – who currently has no fit centre-forwards in his first team squad – to field the “untouchable” teenager in the Hammers’ upcoming clash against Chelsea this Saturday.

So, what did these West Ham fans have to say in reaction to Ademipo Odubeko’s goals for the under-23s?

“He deserves to get a couple of substitutions atm. Having a blinder this year.”

@joelitt78828048

“Honestly put him in the squad this week against Chelsea (if it goes ahead). He’s been smashing at this level and it’s time for the step up.”

@whujoe18

“The man is elite.”

@gvomikez17

“FIRST TEAM NOW.”

@Kai_WHU

“What a player.”

@danwhu_

“Baller.”

@haydenrush91

“This guy is actually a joke.”

@IronsUnited2

“This geezer is untouchable at the moment.”

@GeorgeJoseph97

“Start Odubeko against London Blues.”

@BigBrexitGoat

“Give this guy a chance.”

@TWHU77

In other news: ‘What a day’, ‘My club is massive’ – Many WHU fans gush as club in line to seal £21.5m signing – find out more here!

Aston Villa should look at Saint-Maximin

Speaking exclusively to Transfer Tavern, former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has urged his old side to move for Allan Saint-Maximin this summer if Newcastle United end up getting relegated.

Firmly caught up in a relegation battle this season, the Magpies could find themselves playing in the Championship next term. Such a scenario could easily see some of their star players push for a move, with Saint-Maximin falling into that category.

The 24-year-old French winger is the best dribbler at the club, averaging the most dribbles per league game (3.2, per WhoScored), and Hendrie believes that sort of flair out wide is something Villa severely lack.

“He is one that I would certainly take,” the ex-Villa player told TT when discussing Saint-Maximin in an exclusive interview. “He’s got that Premier League credibility. We’ve seen what he can do.”

Hendrie later went on to add:

“He’s got that attack rate, he’s got flair, you know, all sorts. He could be a key addition to a Villa side that I feel… that’s where they’ve really lacked, in wide areas.

“Touched on Trezeguet before, I think he’d certainly come into the side, he reminds me in certain elements of [Bertrand] Traore, but he’s possibly got that little bit more element of pace going forward and he’s very direct, so he’d be someone I’d certainly be looking at.”

Trezeguet and Traore both looked sharp in Villa’s recent 3-1 win over Fulham. The former managed to grab two goals on the day, while the latter was able to muster up an assist.

Next up for the attacking duo is the visit of Liverpool, while Saint-Maximin and Newcastle take on Burnley.

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