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Vitinha is confident PSG will come out all guns blazing and turn around the Champions League tie when they take on Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday.

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• PSG faced Liverpool in UCL round of 16
• Reds won 1st leg 1-0 in Paris
• Vitinha confident of comeback at Anfield

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha isn't worried about the prospect of trailing Liverpool 1-0 ahead of the second leg of the Champions League round-of-16 tie, showcasing his confidence in his team by boldly claiming that they will win the game and knock the Reds out of the competition when they meet at Anfield on Tuesday.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  PSG welcomed Liverpool to the Parc des Princes on Wednesday evening in a highly-anticipated first-leg clash in the round of 16 of Europe's premier club competition. The hosts dominated the game, recording 71 per cent of the possession and registering a whopping 27 shots. Despite their dominance, PSG will head into the return leg with nothing to show for it, as Alisson’s heroics in goal and substitute Harvey Elliott’s 87th-minute winner handed Liverpool a crucial advantage and a clear path to the quarter-finals.

• WHAT VITINHA SAID

  Vitinha reflected on his team's gut-wrenching narrow defeat at home: “It’s tough to play a game like this, against a team like this, with one goalscoring opportunity, only one shot," the Portugal international told Canal+ after the game (h/t Get French Football News).

  Despite the defeat in the first leg, Vitinha asserted that PSG will mount an improbable comeback in the reverse fixture at Anfield, one of the toughest stadiums to visit for any team.

  “We will show the team that we are, we will show our character”, Vitinha added. “We’ll win there. With the match we played, the victory was more than deserved. Like at the start of the season, we had lots of opportunities, but we failed to score.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR VITINHA?

  The 25-year-old will be eager to help PSG extend their lead atop the Ligue 1 table on Saturday, March 8, when they travel to Roazhon Park to lock horns with 11th-placed Rennes. It's then on to Anfield on March 11 as Luis Enrique's men look to turn around the Champions League tie.

Amid their worst patch of form under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City have reportedly turned their attention towards the transfer market and a La Liga duo who would hand their midfield a much-needed boost.

Man City transfer news

Losing four games in a row for the first time in his managerial career, Guardiola finds himself in uncharted waters at the Etihad and five points behind Liverpool in the Premier League table. The international break, for once, was perfectly timed for the Citizens, who have been given the chance to gather their thoughts and perhaps finally begin to welcome a plethora of players back from the sidelines.

It’s a period of form that City cannot afford to dwell on after the international break, with the visit of bogey team Tottenham Hotspur to come before Feyenoord make the same trip, with Guardiola’s side making what is currently an ominous journey to Anfield a few days later. Three crucial games, it could be a make-or-break week for all involved.

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Increasingly in need of reinforcements, meanwhile, the Premier League champions have seemingly turned their attention towards La Liga. According to CaughtOffside, Manchester City are now monitoring both Williot Swedberg and Alberto Moleiro ahead of potentially joining the race to sign the midfield duo alongside Newcastle United and Liverpool.

Swedberg – Celta Vigo’s talented 21-year-old – can play at left-wing and in central midfield, in what would be crucial added depth for Guardiola’s injury-struck side. Meanwhile, Moleiro is an attacking midfielder who is continuing to play a vital part for Las Palmas at just 21 years old.

City could certainly do with a midfield boost amid Rodri’s season-ending injury and Kevin De Bruyne’s own fitness struggles in the middle of the park.

Man City need midfield refresh

Man City’s main focus in the January transfer window should centre around replacing Rodri. Without their defensive midfielder and recent Ballon d’Or winner, Guardiola’s side have been more vulnerable than ever before. Mateo Kovacic has attempted to fill that gap, but it’s been to no avail. Once the Citizens tick that task off their list, however, they should shift their focus towards replacing De Bruyne, whose contract comes to an end next summer.

That’s when Moleiro should come in. The Las Palmas star has impressed in the current campaign – scoring four goals in 13 appearances – and has been earning praise for some time in La Liga. In 2023, Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig dubbed the midfielder’s touch as “silky”.

Replacing De Bruyne is a near-impossible task, but at 21 years old, Moleiro has plenty of time to grow into the player that City may desperately need next summer.

In search of extending their current unbeaten run to six games, Everton may have to cope without one of their most in-form players against Southampton this weekend following Sky Sports’ latest update.

Everton transfer news

The Toffees have turned a corner under Sean Dyche in recent weeks just when an eventual place in the Premier League’s bottom three looked inevitable following a disastrous start. Now five games unbeaten, with two wins and three draws in that time, Everton sit five points clear of the dropzone and as many as eight points ahead of bottom side Southampton, who they face this weekend.

In another winnable game, Dyche could see his side move into the comforts of mid-table in a crucial step towards the level that the Toffees will be desperate to return to, especially when The Friedkin Group complete their takeover of the club.

Southampton, meanwhile, will be in a desperate mood of their own after failing to pick up a single victory in any of their opening nine league games. In pursuit of what would be a crucial three points, however, they’ve been handed a major boost courtesy of recent injury news coming out of Merseyside.

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According to Sky Sports’ James Savundra, Dwight McNeil is now a doubt to face Southampton after missing Thursday’s training session. The winger was forced to come off through injury against Fulham last time out and is seemingly still struggling to get back to full fitness in time for this weekend’s clash.

Savundra confirmed the news after McNeil was not spotted in Everton training by the on-watching cameras.

If he is to miss the Southampton game in the coming days, then those at Goodison Park will be hoping to see their in-form star return for their trip to face West Ham United next weekend.

"Terrific" McNeil hit form at the perfect time

Just as Everton were struggling in the early stages of the campaign, McNeil hit form at the perfect time before injury seemingly stopped him in his tracks. The Toffees’ talisman, with three goals and three assists in nine Premier League games so far this season, McNeil has become more important than ever under Dyche in Merseyside.

His recent form wouldn’t have come as a surprise to the Everton boss, however, who praised the £25,000-a-week winger at the end of last season. Dyche told reporters as relayed by the Liverpool Echo: “He’s been terrific since I’ve been back with him and I want him to keep enjoying his football but also taking it on. I thought at Brighton he took it on.

“He is a player who is still maturing in my view and he is grasping and grabbing it and taking things forward and making things happen and that is very pleasing for him and pleasing for us.”

GOAL grades every USMNT player who moved during the winter transfer window and, just as important, those who stayed

And … exhale. The transfer window is closed. The bulk of the business is concluded, and there was no shortage of transfer speculation, and some important consummation, involving current and future U.S. men's national team stars. For most USMNT players, the January window was just as much about the transfers that didn't happen as the ones that did.

For the majority of the month, discussion centered around the likes of Ricardo Pepi, Antonee Robinson and Gio Reyna. Ultimately, none were on the move. Pepi got a new deal to stay at PSV despite massive offers. Robinson continues to, and will continue to, light up the Premier League with Fulham, as he pursues assist records. Reyna, meanwhile, is nowhere near as comfortable as those two, as he now faces another fight – and, surprise, surprise – another new coach at Borussia Dortmund.

Still, there were some key transfers. Several MLS youngsters made big moves, whether to Europe or across MLS, while some USMNT rising stars relocated overseas. The pressure of the 2026 World Cup is clearly starting to hit players' shoulders and, with that in mind, every transfer decision is vital. The right move could make all the difference. The wrong one can, too.

What should we make of some of the big swings USMNT stars took this winter? What about the players who made leaps within MLS or to Europe? And what about those who stayed, opting to turn down opportunities to leave their current clubs to fight for a place?

GOAL answers those questions, grades every USMNT player who moved this winter and – just as important – those didn't.

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  Antonee Robinson: Fulham

  There were rumblings early in the month but, by mid-January, it became pretty clear that Fulham did not want to sell. They had good reason, too. At the moment, Fulham sits ninth in the Premier League with very real hopes of pushing for a European spot. The player most important to those hopes? Robinson.

  He has 11 assists, trailing only Mohammed Salah in the Premier League in that category. No amount of money could have made up for losing Robinson, who is arguably the Premier League's best at the position, halfway through the season. Maybe that changes in the summer. Big clubs will no doubt want to sign Robinson, who plays a position of need for several of the Premier League's best.

  Maybe Fulham can be convinced to cash out in the summer. Perhaps Robinson will be open to a new challenge but, also, maybe not. There's something to be said for comfort and, with the 2026 World Cup looming, Robinson is already playing an elite level where he is.

  Either way, this discussion will get revisited in the summer, and you can't blame anyone involved for pushing it forward a window, given how well this season is going.

  GRADE: A-

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  Luca de la Torre: San Diego FC

  On a personal level, this has to feel like a dream come true for the midfielder – and you have to take that into account here.

  De la Torre was born and raised in San Diego, and he'll now return home to be a key player for his hometown team's first season in MLS. That has be cool, a feeling that can't be replicated anywhere else other than MLS. Was it worth trading a European career for? Some would certainly say yes. There's no place like home, as they say.

  As for the USMNT picture, that's trickier. The midfield is more crowded than ever with performing well all over the world. De la Torre hasn't played nearly enough over the last year or so, this move to MLS may get him back on the field. Either way, national team or no national team, this has to feel good for De la Torre on a human level, and that's important.

  GRADE: A-

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  James Sands: St. Pauli

  We already have some significant data on this one, since Sands moved so early, and that data is positive. Sands has immediately become a key player for the Bundesliga side. He's already featured five times with three starts, with St. Pauli going unbeaten in those three starts. You can't begin your tenure with a new team much better than that, can you?

  St. Pauli has Sands playing in midfield, but he could also play centerback in their back three if the need arises. Because of that, this feels like a perfect fit. This is just a loan, and St. Pauli still aren't totally clear of the relegation zone. Still, after not quite making it at Rangers during his first stay in Europe, Sands is already showing that he's a new player who can play at a higher level than before.

  GRADE: A –

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  Taylor Booth: FC Twente

  In some ways, this is a lateral move from one decent Eredivisie team to another. It is also exactly the type of move Booth needs right now. Just two years ago, the American winger was being linked with Manchester United but this season, in particular, hasn't gone to plan. He hasn't been used enough by Utrecht, featuring just nine times for 254 minutes.

  At 23, these are key years and Booth has to play games. He's seemingly found a club that will let him do that without really taking a step down. Utrecht sit third in the Eredivisie. Twente sit sixth, seven points behind with a game in hand. Realistically, these two teams are in the same tier.

  By joining Twente, Booth will now get a chance to play more in a league he knows well and has proven himself in. Because of that, this all makes sense.

  GRADE: A-

Big picture

Despite being a league that boasts some of the best players in the world, no team in the IPL is immune from injuries or unavailability concerns. That has been the case for Rajasthan Royals, who have struggled for momentum in the UAE leg of the tournament in the absence of Jos Buttler, Andrew Tye and Jofra Archer. In the one match they’ve won out of three, they were helped by a stellar final over from Kartik Tyagi and nervy batting from Punjab Kings.Royal Challengers Bangalore have been similarly erratic in this leg of the competition. After a nine-wicket thrashing at the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders in Abu Dhabi, Royal Challengers simply did not match up well against Chennai Super Kings at Sharjah, failing to first properly counter spin while batting and then unable to use their slower bowlers to contain Super Kings’ batters.Related

• Glenn Maxwell's reverse-handed dominance makes the difference

• Harshal Patel hat-trick caps comprehensive Royal Challengers Bangalore win

• Samson needs support as Royals battle to stay in the playoff race

Promisingly, from a playoffs standpoint, Royal Challengers fixed those errors as quickly as two days later. Glenn Maxwell scored a match-winning 56 off 37 balls, using either switch or reverse shots to put Mumbai’s bowlers off their rhythm. Defending 165, the slower bowling of Yuzvendra Chahal, Maxwell and Harshal Patel combined to take nine wickets to spark an atypical Mumbai collapse.While Royal Challengers are well placed to make the playoffs, Royals are in a scrappy fight with three other teams for the final fourth spot. Their season could simply come down to whether they are able to adapt to changes quicker than their opponents.

In the news

Royals have continued to tinker with their overseas combination. In addition to the absence of Buttler and Stokes, Royals haven’t helped themselves by playing batters out of position. Liam Livingstone has batted at No. 4 in two of the three matches in the second half of this tournament. Most of his success, for Lancashire and England, has come while opening. Considering he has scored just 30 runs in three matches, it might make sense to either stick with him as an opener or bring in a specialist middle-order batter, like David Miller.Royal Challengers don’t have too many personnel concerns apart from finding their best combination.

Watch IPL on ESPN+ (US only)

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Likely XIs

Royal Challengers Bangalore (probable): 1 Virat Kohli (capt), 2 Devdutt Paddikal, 3 Srikar Bharat (wk), 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 AB de Villiers, 6 Dan Christian, 7 Shahbaz Ahmed, 8 Kyle Jamieson/Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Harshal Patel, 10 Yuzvendra Chahal, 11 Mohammed SirajRajasthan Royals (probable): 1 Evin Lewis, 2 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3 Sanju Samson (capt & wk), 4 David Miller/Liam Livingstone, 5 Mahipal Lomror, 6 Riyan Parag, 7 Rahul Tewatia, 8 Chris Morris, 9 Chetan Sakariya, 10 Kartik Tyagi/Jaydev Unadkat, 11 Mustafizur RahmanHarshal Patel is over the moon after completing a hat-trick, in the previous game against Mumbai Indians•BCCI

Strategy punt

Like many successful T20 teams, Royal Challengers have deployed a floater at No. 3. Srikar Bharat will usually come in at the fall of an early wicket or much later in the lower-middle order should the openers bat past the powerplay. His introduction at No. 3 results in AB de Villiers pushed to No. 5 and, as was the case against Mumbai, Daniel Christian to No. 6. While that worked in the India leg of this tournament, it has not in the UAE. In terms of optimising T20 batters of the ilk of de Villiers, Maxwell and Christian, Royal Challengers might want to be proactive and find their best positions.Harshal Patel has taken 23 wickets, the highest this IPL season. He has developed and mastered a slower ball that dips late, his most effective weapon this season. Of his 23 wickets, 15 have been taken with a slower ball. Seven of his 23 wickets have been taken while bowling a slower ball in the slot (between 2 meters and 6 meters from the stumps), which equates to one wicket every five deliveries. His economy rate is 6.8 while bowling a slower ball and 10.2 while using his stock ball. To counter that, Rajasthan could consider his slower ball as his stock ball and play for the dipping variation instead of his quicker-paced delivery. That will, in turn, negate Harshal’s most efficient delivery and force him away from his strength, just like Ravindra Jadeja did in Mumbai earlier this season.

Stats that matter

• Glenn Maxwell needs 18 more runs to complete 7000 T20 runs.
• Sanju Samson has been dismissed once every 38.1 balls this season, the second highest balls per dismissal after KL Rahul’s 42.4.
• AB de Villiers has taken Chris Morris for 86 runs in 44 balls in T20s at a strike rate of 195.4 and a boundary percentage of 72.1.

Derbyshire 201 for 9 (du Plooy 90, Bamber 4-37, Murtagh 4-60) trail Middlesex 282 (White 120, Andersson 53) by 81 runsEthan Bamber claimed four wickets for the first time this season as Middlesex got the upper hand on day two against Derbyshire at Lord’s.The Seaxes’ young seamer returned 4 for 37 and with skipper Tim Murtagh weighing in with 4 for 60 they reduced the visitors to 201 for 9, still 81 behind, a deficit which would have been far greater but for Leus du Plooy’s stylish 90.Earlier, Robbie White reached 120 in the host’s tally of 282, Sam Conners taking 3 for 65.The hosts began the day on 218 for 5 with centurion White still at the crease, but once John Simpson edged Anuj Dal to slip to end a stand of 79, a clatter of wickets began.Toby Roland-Jones hit his first competitive ball since April for four before Dal caught and bowled him and Bamber swept Matt Critchley into the hands of deep square.White’s long vigil ended when he nicked Conners to slip to give the paceman his third wicket and only a few lusty blows from Thilan Walallawita, including a straight six, lifted the hosts beyond 280.But Bamber had Derbyshire 22 for 2 by lunch, skipper Billy Godleman slashing loosely to slip, and Tom Wood castled by a peach of a ball which pitched on middle and hit off.The afternoon session was a microcosm of why both sides have struggled this season as Derbyshire’s top order largely got themselves out before Middlesex let them off the hook.Luis Reece swished loosely to be taken at slip and Critchley’s feet looked stuck in cement as he fell lbw, both to Murtagh who then had Alex Hughes caught from one that bounced off a length.When Brooke Guest flashed lazily at Martin Andersson the visitors were 76 for 6 and in danger of being ousted for less than 150 for the ninth time in 13 attempts.Du Plooy however stood firm and helped by a number of friendly offerings moved to 50 in only 57 balls with 10 fours. He found an ally in Dal (48) who made his highest score of a wretched season.The pair added 91 either side of the tea break, before Murtagh again made the breakthrough, ending du Plooy’s fine innings via an edge through to the diving Simpson.Bamber then returned to bowl Dal and have Alex Thomson caught behind before bad light ended play 20 overs early.

A £120,000-per-week Arsenal player is reportedly now a "top target" for one club outside the UK transfer window, with the player seen as their main priority to sign before they can no longer make new additions.

Players who left Arsenal in 2024 summer window

Manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar offloaded a host of assets during the summer window, which closed last Friday, including some pretty big names.

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1

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Emilio Galantini

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Emile Smith-Rowe was the biggest of them all, after the midfielder became Fulham's club-record signing for an initial £27 million, which could rise to £34 million with add-ons included.

The attacking midfielder has started all three of Fulham's opening Premier League matches, scoring his first goal for the club recently, and he'll be looking to eventually work his way back into the England set-up in time for the 2026 USA World Cup.

Alongside Smith-Rowe, Eddie Nketiah sealed a £30 million switch to Crystal Palace, where he'll have the exact same goal as his Smith-Rowe – eventual England contention.

Aaron Ramsdale, Mohamed Elneny, Cedric Soares, Fabio Vieira, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares, Reiss Nelson and Karl Hein also left the Emirates Stadium over the summer window, but there are a couple of players who couldn't seal an exit, despite repeated links.

Thomas Partey was regularly tipped to leave Arsenal, and Arteta will be thankful to have not given the green-light on a transfer away for the Ghanaian, as the Gunners are now very short in midfield for their looming north London derby trip to north London.

Theoretically, Partey could still depart with both the Turkish and Greek windows still open, but a suspension for Declan Rice and injury to summer signing Mikel Merino highlights just how crucial the 31-year-old will be for Arteta in the coming months.

Left-back Kieran Tierney was also regularly linked with an Arsenal exit, but he's now been named in their official Champions League squad, much to the surprise of many who believed he may not even be included in their final Premier League squad submission – with the deadline on September 14.

Tierney emerges as "top target" for Istanbul Basaksehir

Now, according to reports out of Spain, Tierney has emerged as a "top target" for Istanbul Basaksehir, with the Turkish window remaining open until the end of next week.

It is unclear what Arsenal's stance is on this, but if they were to entertain any Basaksehir bid for the Scotsman, they could have to replace him with another homegrown or locally trained player for their Champions League squad.

The £120,000-per-week defender spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad, and is unlikely to feature too often under Arteta this season, with his contract also set to expire in 2026 – giving Arsenal limited time to make a decent amount of money back off his £25 million transfer fee.

Big picture

They call it the seven-year itch, and after so long in the Test-match wilderness, India are ready for a change of scene that they and their opponents, England, hope will be anything but dull or scratchy. So rare are women’s Tests that there is a sense of pressure to provide excitement, not least to a live TV audience, as well as to fans who are just beginning to whet their appetites for witnessing the action in person as pandemic-enforced restrictions slowly ease.But more pressing for two professional sports teams is the will to win. England haven’t done so at home to India in eight completed Test matches while India are playing just their second Test since their last meeting in the format in 2014, having also played and beaten South Africa later the same year. In fact, India are on a three-match winning streak in Tests – if you can call it a streak given that that streak began in 2006 – and victory in Bristol would pull them clear of Australia to a women’s record number of Test victories on the trot.Related

• Emily Arlott stunned into silence by news of England selection

• Nat Sciver: England wary of 'fearless' India as they approach Test learning curve

• 'We may not have much practice, but mentally we're prepared' – Harmanpreet Kaur

• Kate Cross: 'We all get really excited when the whites come out'

Both sides boast Test-match experience, with eight members of India’s squad and 11 of England’s having played the format before. The home contingent’s recall may be better given that it hasn’t quite been two years since their last match, the 2019 Ashes affair at Taunton that became a bit of a talking point for petering out to a rather dull draw.News that this match will be played on a pitch used for the men’s T20 Blast last Friday may boost hopes of a result but it doesn’t exactly buy in to the hype surrounding this match, which has been considerable given that the men’s WTC final between India and New Zealand starts on Friday. At least an otherwise iffy weather forecast is clear for the first day of the Women’s Test, offering them a prime chance to turn heads and perhaps even seduce a wider audience.It also sets the stage for more to come with the Test forming the first part of a multi-format series incuding three ODIs and three T20Is.

In the spotlight

Lauren Winfield-Hillwas identified early on in England’s preparations to open the batting alongside Tammy Beaumont. While experienced in Tests – she has played three, including the last time these two sides met – it will be her first since the 2017 Ashes. It also marks a comeback of sorts to the England set-up after struggles with Crohn’s disease caused her to battle for game time over the past year. But with her illness under better control, she has found form in lead-up matches – practice and domestic – which could make her one to watch.Punam Raut made a breakthrough of sorts during India’s 4-1 ODI series loss to South Africa in March. A match-winning century partnership with Smriti Mandhana followed by two fifties and an unbeaten 104 off 123 balls finally showed she has more than one dimension. While her long-earned reputation as slow accumulator is suited to the Test format, showing an ability to step up the scoring rate when needed suggests an emerging adaptability that could prove useful depending on the match situation.

Team news

England have settled on their XI but captain Heather Knight wouldn’t reveal her side before all the players had been told. Knight has spoken glowingly of fast bowler Emily Arlott since before she earned her maiden England call-up to the squad and has been further impressed during practice by her pace and “handy” form with the bat, suggesting she could be in line for a debut that would mark a stellar rise. Knight could be tempted to roll over some of her offbreaks with two left-handers in India’s line-up and having overcome a recent back problem that forced her to put bowling on the backburner in training for a while. She could call up another offspinner in Mady Viliers but left-armer Sophie Ecclestone seems too good a weapon to leave out.England (possible): 1 Tammy Beaumont, 2 Lauren Winfield-Hill, 3 Heather Knight (capt), 4 Amy Jones, 5 Nat Sciver, 6 Sophia Dunkley, 7 Fran Wilson/Georgia Elwiss, 8 Katherine Brunt, 9 Anya Shrubsole, 10 Sophie Ecclestone, 11 Emily Arlott/Kate CrossIndia are expected to opt for three frontline pacers in Jhulan Goswami, Shikha Pandey, and either Arundhati Reddy or Pooja Vastrakar. Their main spin option will come down to a choice between Poonam Yadav and Ekta Bisht bowling alongside Deepti Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur. It’s most likely fans will have to wait at least until the ODIs starting next week to see the exciting 17-year-old batter Shafali Verma in action with India’s top order well-stocked with experienced campaigners.India (possible): 1 Smriti Mandhana, 2 Jemimah Rodrigues/Priya Punia, 3 Punam Raut, 4 Mithali Raj (capt), 5 Harmanpreet Kaur, 6 Deepti Sharma, 7 Taniya Bhatia (wk), 8 Jhulan Goswami, 9 Shikha Pandey, 10 Poonam Yadav/Ekta Bisht, 11 Arundhati Reddy/Pooja Vastrakar

Pitch and conditions

The match will be played on a pitch used for Gloucestershire’s T20 Blast match against Sussex last Friday, which Knight branded “not ideal” and tried in vain to have changed. The weather could well play a big part with warmth and bright sunshine forecast for the opening day, followed by a high chance of rain, particularly on Thursday and Saturday.Mithali Raj and Shikha Pandey seal victory for India in the 2014 Test•Getty Images

Stats and trivia

• England are seeking their first home Test win against India in eight completed matches
• The game will be Heather Knight’s 100th as England captain
• India will be playing their first Test in 2401 days
• If India win, they will break the record for most consecutive wins in women’s Tests pulling clear of Australia, with whom they are currently tied at three apiece.

Quotes

“You obviously want to be entertaining and want to put on a show, and show off the best of your skills and the best of women’s cricket, but our job first and foremost is to try and win and be successful. That’s at the forefront of our mind, and if we can do both at the same time, even better.”
“You ask any modern-day cricketer, they still want to play the longer format because they eventually know that the format tests the skill of a player.”

MatériaMais Notícias

O término do ano está próximo e com ele chegará também a temporada de especulações e possíveis negócios, com o Corinthians não será diferente e a Fiel torcida tem motivos de sobra para ficar ansiosa. Além de ficar mal acostumada com a agressividade do clube em 2021, ela vê dois ídolos livres no mercado como Paulinho e Dentinho. No entanto, se depender da atual diretoria, apenas um deles deverá vestir a camisa alvinegra em 2022.

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>Veja até quando vai o contrato de cada jogador do Corinthians

Embora os dirigentes do Timão e as pessoas próximas de Paulinho neguem o avanço das negociações, o volante tem encaminhada sua volta ao Parque São Jorge. Os termos já foram debatidos e são conhecidos de ambas as partes, mas ainda não foi assinado, nem oficializado, já que ele não poderá jogar neste ano e só será inscrito a partir da próxima temporada, quando receberá salários.

Segundo apurou o LANCE!, confirmando informação do GE, Paulinho já está usando as dependências do CT Joaquim Grava para seu condicionamento físico. Na última sexta-feira, Gil relatou a visita do meio-campista, que agora será diária, mas ainda sem vínculo, que deverá ser assinado em janeiro com duração de dois anos, com possibilidade de renovação para o terceiro.

O termo usado é “deve”, pois ainda não é possível cravar o acerto 100%. Uma das preocupações é garantir a vaga na Libertadores para ter mais segurança financeira para abrigar o elenco atual, com Paulinho e outros possíveis reforços pontuais que a comissão técnica venha a pedir para a próxima temporada.

E uma dessas possíveis contratações não deve ser a de Dentinho, que ficou livre de contrato com o Shakhtar Donetsk, da Ucrânia e pode assinar com outro clube. O atacante virá ao Brasil para analisar ofertas, mas ele não deverá encontrar uma com papel timbrado do Corinthians. Neste momento, o Timão não coloca o Filho do Terrão como alvo de seu interesse na janela de janeiro.

Depois de praticamente uma década fora do Brasil, Dentinho sempre foi um sonho da torcida corintiana e da própria diretoria do clube em alguns momentos. No entanto, nunca foi uma negociação fácil, que sempre esbarrou na dureza de postura do Shakhtar Donetsk, que nunca abriu mão do jogador.

Atualmente, o consenso é de que o elenco conta com jovens promissores na mesma posição e que podem perder espaço com a chegada de um jogador com o status de Dentinho. A ideia é focar na busca por peças para reforçar setores mais carentes, como um centroavante e um zagueiro, além de reposições que possam amenizar o desfalque de seus “medalhões”.

Dessa forma, Paulinho está mesmo muito próximo de retornar ao Corinthians, mas o mesmo não se pode dizer de Dentinho. Com ambos livres no mercado, o clube vai apostar suas fichas no meio-campista, fortalecendo ainda mais o setor, cada vez mais com nível de Seleção Brasileira. No entanto, essa confirmação ficará para os próximos meses. Não há pressa para definição.

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One of the biggest priorities at the moment for Tottenham is recruiting a new striker, someone capable of making up for the departure of Harry Kane a year ago. Yeah, no pressure.

Two of the names on supporters' lips at the moment are Bournemouth taliman Dominic Solanke and Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen.

That said, a winger could also be on the agenda for Ange Postecoglou and Co.

Tottenham's hunt for a new winger

One of the fiercest rumours in recent weeks has been to Italy international Federico Chiesa. The Juventus star was actually left out of the Turin outfit's squad over the week, fueling further speculation that he'll be on his way out in the forthcoming weeks.

However, it's unlikely to be to Tottenham. Journalist Tom Barclay confirmed a few days ago that the Italian is not a target for Spurs this summer.

A more concrete option could be Wolves' Pedro Neto. That's according to recent reports from Caught Offside this weekend who suggest that Arsenal and their north London rivals are going head to head to sign the £60m talent.

Another name who has been hotly tipped to move this summer is Eberechi Eze. Older reports suggests Spurs are in the hunt for him too.

How Eze compares to Chiesa and Neto

Valued at £60m, the idea of signing Eze for those at Spurs should be greatly appealing. After all, this is one of England's and the Premier League's most exciting talents.

Last season, the 26-year-old scored 11 goals and supplied six assists in all competitions on his way to being hailed as an "unbelievable" player by pundit Danny Murphy.

How do those base stats compare to Neto and Chiesa? Well, pretty well it turns out.

So, Eze is clearly the more clinical of the three in front of goal but Neto is a far more creative outlet. Vitally, the former stays fit on a far more regular basis though. The Wolves star missed a lot of football last term – 23 games in fact. The Crystal Palace man? He was only absent for five games with one muscle injury at the turn of the year.

What do the deeper numbers suggest about the trio? Let's take a look.

So, it's a very resounding win in most areas for the Eagles talisman, Eze. The England international scores more regularly, is more accurate with his passing and even more impressively on top of that is more of his passes are progressive in nature. He's even a dazzling dribbler, completing far more take-ons.

Neto is the better progressive carrier of the ball and supplies far more assists but considering Eze is reportedly available at the same price tag, there is only really one winner here.

If Johan Lange and Co can find a way to get a deal done then it would be a superb acquisition for Spurs.

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The Lilywhites already have a left-sided player worth a king’s ransom.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jul 25, 2024