Former England fast bowler honoured for services to cricket and charity
ESPNcricinfo staff10-Oct-2020Darren Gough, the former England fast bowler, has been awarded an MBE for services to cricket and charity in the Queen’s birthday honours list.Gough, 50, took 229 wickets in 58 Tests for England between 1994 and 2003, as well as playing 159 ODIs and two T20Is. He represented Yorkshire and Essex in county cricket, before retiring in 2008 and moving into a career in broadcasting. He currently hosts a radio show on talkSPORT.A Level 3 qualified coach, Gough was used as a bowling consultant by England on their tour of New Zealand last year, and was credited with helping the likes of Chris Woakes make better use of the Kookaburra ball.He has also dedicated much of his time to raising money for charity, in particular wildlife and conservation efforts. Earlier this year, he donated memorabilia to an auction for the Centre for Disaster Philanthropy in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.The Queen’s birthday honours are usually announced in June, but this year were held back in order to recognise the efforts of those helping to deal with the coronavirus.
Crystal Palace feel like they are on the precipice of something great with Oliver Glasner at the helm.
The Austrian has extracted so much more from his squad over the last few months, and with the right additions this summer, the club could take a real leap forward in the Premier League next season.
However, the incredible football the South Londoners played in the last few weeks of the season has only increased the number of outside parties looking to sign their best players, including Michale Olise, who has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea recently.
Crystal Palace star Michael Olise.
It's an unfortunate side effect of playing great football, and while it would obviously be a setback to lose the Frenchman, it looks like Steve Parish and Co have already identified the perfect replacement.
Crystal Palace transfer news
According to a report from The Palace Way earlier this month, Crystal Palace are interested in bringing Norwegian wonderkid Antonio Nusa to England this summer.
Antonio Nusa in Norway training.
The report revealed that the Eagles can expect to pay a fee similar to the one Brentford agreed for the youngster in January before their deal collapsed, around £32m.
It might be an expensive transfer for someone so young, but based on his performances in Belgium this season and the way he is spoken about by people in the know, Nusa looks like a player worth spending big on.
Why Nusa would be a good Olise replacement
Now, before getting into why the Club Brugge gem would be a great signing to replace Olise, there are a couple of things to mention.
The first is that while Nusa has primarily played on the left this season, he has started ten club games on the right in the last couple of years and in Glasners 3-4-2-1 system, he'd likely be asked to play one of the hybrid attacking midfield roles anyway, like the former Reading ace.
The second is that while he's an incredibly exciting prospect and a player who could turn into a real world-beater in time, he can't be expected to immediately perform in the same vein as the Frenchman.
However, comparing his underlying numbers to those of the 22-year-old when he was 19 shows just how good he already is.
Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists
0.50
0.32
Progressive Carries
6.70
3.36
Progressive Passes
3.75
5.89
Progressive Passes Received
12.7
4.83
Shots
3.03
1.91
Shots on Target
1.16
0.64
Passing Accuracy
72.9%
74.0%
Shot-Creating Actions
5.26
4.60
Goal Creating Actions
0.89
0.50
Successful Take-Ons
4.38
1.58
For example, while the "electric" dynamo, as dubbed by data analyst Ben Mattinson, produces fewer progressive passes and has a lower passing accuracy than the Palace ace had at the same age, he produces a far higher non-penalty expected goal and assists figure, takes more shots and shots on target, receives more progressive passes, produces more shot and goal-creating actions, produces more progressive carries and completes far more successful take-ons, all per 90.
Moreover, the 4.38 successful take-ons the Langhus-born prospect completed per 90 this season is actually substantially higher than the 2.82 the Palace gem managed, lending credence to Mattinson's description of him as a "1v1 specialist."
Ultimately, while Nusa isn't the finished article today, he's shown more than enough in Belgium to suggest that he could thrive in Glasner's exciting and progressive set-up.
Therefore, if Palace do lose Olise to Chelsea in the coming weeks, they should go all out for the youngster that talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed "the future of Norwegian football."
Crystal Palace are about to do something that may make Wharton even better
The Eagles look set to sign a “dangerous” star who’d help the Englishman get better and better.
Barcelona are set to gain financially due to Gavi's long-term injury that he suffered last year while on international duty.
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Barcelona set to receive huge amount for Gavi's injury
Spanish midfielder could return to action next weekend
Barcelona set to face Sevilla on October 20
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The young midfielder has remained sidelined since November 2023 with an anterior cruciate ligament injury that he suffered during a Euro 2024 qualifying game against Georgia. He missed the remainder of the 2023-24 season and also failed to make it to La Roja squad for the European Championship which was held this summer. The player finally reported back to training during pre-season and Mundo Deportivo now reports that Gavi could be included in Barcelona's matchday squad for the Sevilla clash on October 20.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
The report also claims that with the 20-year-old all set to take the field after exactly 335 days, the Catalan giants will gain financially. As part of the club protection program, FIFA will pay the Blaugrana more than €6m (£5m). The amount was calculated based on the number of days the player remained out of action starting December 16, 2023, after he spent 28 consecutive days with the injury. However, it has to be noted that €4.6m has already been settled for 226 days of the player's injury until June 30, 2024, and has been reflected in the club's account books for the last financial year. The remaining €1.6m, starting July 1 will be settled in due course and will be reflected in their books for the 2024-25 financial year.
DID YOU KNOW?
Earlier this summer, Paris Saint-Germain were plotting a move to sign Gavi, however, Barcelona outright rejected the offer as they were not interested in selling one of their prized assets whose contract runs until 2026 and has a €1 billion (£858m/$1.1bn) release clause.
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WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?
Gavi's return will come as a huge boost for La Liga leaders. After facing Sevilla next Sunday, they will be back in action in the Champions League as they take on Bayern Munich in a mega-European clash on October 23.
Shaw coached England women’s team from 2013 to 2015
ESPNcricinfo staff03-Nov-2020
Paul Shaw was England women’s head of performance from 2013 to 2015•Getty Images
Paul Shaw has been appointed head coach of Manchester Originals women in the Hundred.Shaw, 48, coached the Thunder in the inaugural Rachael Heyhoe Flint trophy this summer on an interim basis, and has now been awarded that role, plus the Lancashire and Manchester Originals jobs, permanently. He has previously worked in a number of different roles at the ECB, including as head of England women’s performance – effectively head coach – from 2013 to 2015.With a level of collaboration and interaction between the eight new regional hubs and teams in the women’s Hundred, the recruitment process was carried out by Lancashire.The Originals will play their games at Emirates Old Trafford and Sedbergh School in the Hundred’s inaugural season, with Kate Cross their only confirmed player to date.”I am really pleased to have been offered the opportunity to continue the project which was started this summer,” Shaw said in a media release. “It was a really productive, albeit short, summer of cricket and as a side we had some excellent days and some tough days, but I believe that all of our players made huge strides forward.”I am also looking forward to coaching the Manchester Originals side in the Hundred which will involve working with some of the world’s best, while continuing the progression of our own North West crop of players.”
Leeds United have been credited with an interest in a former Championship winner as they look to do just that next season after a mini overhaul in this summer's transfer window.
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After missing out on Championship promotion last season, Daniel Farke's side could look very different come the opening weekend of the new season.
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Financial issues mean that they are likely to lose the likes of Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto, while they are likely only to be able to strengthen their squad via loan deals and free transfers.
With that in mind, they have targetted Chelsea defender Alfie Gilchrist, while they are also keen to re-sign Joe Rodon. And he might not be the only Spurs man making the move to Yorkshire.
Leeds target loan addition
Now, it has emerged that Leeds may line up a move for midfield man Oliver Skipp this summer. Farke has worked with the Tottenham man before, with the pair spending a season together at Norwich City, where Skipp was virtually ever-present in Norwich's title winning side.
And Farke has made his feelings on the Englishman crystal clear, admitting that his actions speak louder than words.
“I am quite careful in praising them too much but actions are more important than any words and when you look at Oliver’s season you can realise that he has played more or less every second in the league for us, for a side that has lots of competition in the squad.
“This says a lot about how much I rate him and how much I value him, I don’t want to praise him too much in public, it’s more like each and every day I keep on criticising him."
In the years since, Skipp has struggled to nail down a regular spot at Tottenham, appearing 21 times in Ange Postecoglou's maiden Premier League season but managing just five starts, while Spurs are thought to be keen to strengthen in midfield this summer, which could leave the 23-year-old further down the pecking order.
Indeed, across his three seasons in north London, he has still managed fewer league minutes than he did across his single season in the Championship.
Skipp's career in numbers
Season
Club
Appearances
2023-24
Tottenham
24
2022-23
Tottenham
31
2021-22
Tottenham
28
2020-21
Norwich City
47
Despite his rare outings, he has drawn praise from Ex-Tottenham icon Glen Hoddle, who hailed one particularly "fabulous" piece of defending in a defeat to Brentford.
“It’s a fabulous bit of defensive work as well. The little ball goes in, Toney’s offside, it’s true he doesn’t attempt to play the ball. He leaves it. But Skipp, his awareness defensively to get that is amazing. He covered the ground, it’s excellent defending.”
But his opportunities to showcase his ability look to be reducing further in north London.
Farke may be ready to offer him a way out, with The Athletic [via Football League World] revealing that Leeds have taken an interest in the 23-year-old as a potential replacement for either Archie Gray or Ilia Gruev, both of whom have been linked with departures this summer.
Any move would be a loan deal, with Skipp still having three years left to run on his £40,000 a week deal with the Lilywhites. The club already have a strong relationship with Tottenham, having taken Joe Rodon on loan last season and hoping to keep him permanently should they be able to afford it.
In Skipp, they could find a ready-made Farke player who can help them go one better next season after heartbreak this time around, and the move could offer Skipp a much-needed career lifeline under a coach that knows him inside out.
Amid their high-profile chase and talks to sign Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal believe a £17 million forward could come in to alternate with Bukayo Saka as they eye a potential summer move.
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The 22-year-old was pivotal for Bologna last season and helped the Serie A side qualify for next season's Champions League. His talents were also evident on the international stage at Euro 2024 – standing out as one of Italy's best-performing players during the tournament before they went out to Switzerland in the last 16.
Calafiori could cost as much as £42 million to prise away from Bologna this summer, but that hasn't deterred Gunners sporting director Edu, with Arsenal expected to make a formal bid for the ex-FC Basel starlet.
Statistics
Calafiori
Gabriel
Games
29
34
Goals & assists
7
4
Progressive carries
28
13
Pass accuracy
90%
89%
Tackles won
37
28
Interceptions
56
31
Aerials won
71%
55%
Indeed, Edu could be about to make an offer to sign Calafiori after already getting the defender's green-light in regard to personal terms. Romano, taking to X this week, stated that formal club-to-club negotiations are now underway.
The defender can operate as both a centre-back and left-back, which could make him appealing to Arteta as Calafiori would come in and reinforce multiple positions in the Spaniard's squad.
If they manage to get a deal over the line, amid stiff competition from Chelsea, attention will then turn to which attackers they could bring through the door. Arsenal are widely reported to be targeting a winger and striker, with both Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams and Napoli star Victor Osimhen on Edu's radar.
Saka dazzled with 20 goals and 14 assists in all competitions for Arsenal last season, but Arteta is apparently seeking an alternative back-up.
Arsenal eyeing Edon Zhegrova to alternate with Saka
According to Football Transfers, Lille winger Edon Zhegrova is in Arsenal's thinking when it comes to new additions who could provide a different option on that side.
The Kosovo international scored 12 goals and racked up 10 assists over 47 appearances in all competitions last campaign, and it is believed Arsenal view Zhegrova as potential cover for Saka on the right wing.
While there are no formal talks ongoing with Lille, it is believed the 25-year-old is looking to leave the club, which could work in Arteta's favour. Other reports have claimed that Zhegrova could cost around £17 million, which is affordable from Arsenal's perspective.
After last season saw Tottenham Hotspur rely heavily on Son Heung-min for goals, the club have now made contact to bring in a highly-rated attacker this summer.
Ange wants attacking signings this summer
Whilst the arrival of Ange Postecoglou looks to have brought fresh life to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, it is clear that the club need to bring in new signings this summer to support his style of play.
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Most important to this will be the arrival of more attacking players to reduce Spurs' reliance on their star men. Throughout last season's Premier League campaign only two of the Lilywhites' squad scored more than ten goals with the aforementioned Son's 17 joined by Richarlion's 11.
In an attempt to rectify this issue Spurs have entered the market for a number of fresh faces. Recent reports are suggesting that Spurs are in the front row to sign Icelandic talisman Albert Gudmundsson. The Genoa striker has long been linked with a move to N17 with a fee in the region of £30 million cited.
Albert Gudmundsson for Genoa.
Whilst one eye at Spurs looks for a striker, the club are also entering the market for a new wide player as they take initial steps to sign a Champions League winner.
Spurs make move for Real Madrid man
As first reported by Sport Witness, the Spanish press are claiming that Spurs have made an initial approach to sign Real Madrid’s Brahim Díaz.
The 24-year-old is set to face fierce competition in the Los Blancos attack with the impending arrivals of Kylian Mbappe and Endrick likely to force Diaz out of Carlo Ancelotti's side. With this in mind, it appears that Madrid outfit are looking to let the Morocco international leave during the summer window.
Sport Witness goes on to state that both Spurs and Roma have made offers for Diaz but they’ve been turned down by the Spanish champions. The report claims that the deal could be for a temporary loan with Ancelotti reportedly not eager to lose the player premanently this summer.
Diaz's current deal at the Bernebau runs until the summer of 2027 with the winger pocketing a reported £119,000 weekly wage as per capology. With the attacker tied down in Madrid for the foreseeable future, it is unlikely that he will be desperate for a permanent move away during this window.
The 24-year-old enjoyed a succesful season during his most recent campaign with Madrid, contributing 12 goals and 9 assists as Los Blancos sweeped up both domestic and continental trophies.
Diaz caught the eye of the wider footballing world during this season's Champions League. Whilst Real Madird went on to win the competition, the Morroccan's personal highlight came in the round of sixteen when the winger scored the only in his side's first leg win over RB Leipzig.
Speaking on Diaz's goal, Owen Hargreaves sang Diaz's praises, with the two-time Champions League winner telling TNT Sports: "It was Messi-esque. Because of the way he can dribble and his low centre of gravity, it was just breathtaking. One of the best goals you’ll see all season. The quality of this goal is really astonishing.”
With Postecoglou's love for attacking football well known there would be few better additions to his side than Diaz, even if it is only for a season.
Everton will want to build on their 15th-placed finish in the Premier League next season, with the club needing to dip into the market to improve Sean Dyche’s squad.
The Toffees produced a great end to the campaign, winning five of the last eight matches to secure another season of top-flight football, despite receiving a total of eight points deducted during the 2023/24 campaign.
However, the club’s biggest issue on the field was highlighted, with the lack of goals evident during the 38 outings in the Premier League.
Dyche’s side only managed to score two or more goals in a game on ten occasions, accumulating a tally of just 40 goals – an average of just 1.05 goals per game, the second-lowest in the division narrowly ahead of relegated Sheffield United.
Only two players within the squad managed to score more than five goals, with £25m signing Beto failing to reach such heights following his big-money move to Goodison from Udinese last summer.
However, the Merseysiders are already targeting attacking alternatives ahead of the summer window, including one player who could prove to be excellent value for money following his impressive stint in England during 2023/24.
Everton interested in signing £8m talent this summer
According to Sport BILD via Sport Witness, Everton are one of a number of Premier League clubs interested in signing TSG Hoffenheim forward Jacob Braun Larsen this summer.
The Danish talent scored six times during his loan spell at Burnley last season, finishing as the Clarets’ top scorer in a campaign where they suffered an immediate return to the Championship.
The Toffees aren’t alone in the pursuit of the 25-year-old, with Julen Lopetegui’s side also interested in bringing Bruun Larsen back to England ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Unlike his move to Turf Moor, a deal for the former Borussia Dortmund man is likely to be a permanent one, with the report claiming he’s on the German club’s ’cut list’ and could be available for as little as €10m (£8m).
He would certainly be a shrewd addition to Dyche’s side, transforming his attacking and finally allowing the Toffees’ boss to forget about one player who failed to shine on Merseyside.
Why Bruun Larsen would be an upgrade on Jack Harrison
Jack Harrison spent the previous campaign on loan at Goodison from Leeds United after the Whites dropped back into England’s second tier after three years back in the top flight.
The 27-year-old Englishman featured 29 times for the Toffees in the Premier League, scoring just three goals in an all-round disappointing season for the forward.
However, after Daniel Farke’s side failed to claim promotion in the play-off final a couple of weeks ago, it was reported that the Toffees would look to re-sign the wideman on loan for next season.
Given his lack of impact and the availability of Bruun Larsen, Dyche’s side simply must forget about a reunion, with the Danish attacker producing high tallies in the vast majority of areas last term, proving why his former Borussia Dortmund boss Lucien Favre claimed that he "has the nose [for scoring opportunities]".
How Bruun Larsen and Harrison compare in 23/24
Statistics
Bruun Larsen
Harrison
Games
32
29
Goals + Assists
6
6
Shots per 90
3.1
1.4
Percentage of shots on target
33%
27%
Pass accuracy
72%
65%
Goals per 90
0.4
0.1
Stats via FBref
When comparing the duo on FBref, they both have produced the same amount of goals and assists combined, but the former Burnley loanee has a higher goal per 90 average – a real key for Dyche’s side given their recent lack of goals.
Bruun Larsen also averages more shots per 90, whilst putting 6% more of his efforts on target, potentially having the ability to transform the Toffees’ dire record in front of goal.
The “superb” forward, as dubbed by ScoutedFTBL, has impressed in the Premier League and with the quality in the Everton ranks, he could be able to thrive once more, with the £8m fee touted a bargain for a player of his talent.
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A Nação já levantou nas redes sociais a hashtag #DavidLuizNoMengo e fez campanha pela contratação do jogador, mas o futuro do atleta segue indefinido. Sem clubes desde junho, quando deixou o Arsenal (ING), o zagueiro tem o nome ligado ao Rubro-Negro, que, apesar da discrição, tem interesse em contratá-lo. Contudo, o prazo está chegando ao fim. Faltam três semanas para o fim das inscrições no Brasileirão.
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Em todo este perÃodo, a diretoria do Flamengo, por meio de Marcos Braz e Bruno Spindel, classificou a negociação como inexistente ou pouco provável.
De concreto, o clube oficializou o interesse aos representantes do zagueiro, mas não fez proposta oficial. O Flamengo não tem como prática entrar em leilão por reforços, por isso a cautela e discrição da direção nas tratativas.
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Das três alterações possÃveis, duas já estão definidas. Serão as entradas do meia Andreas Pereira, que já estreou com gol pelo Flamengo, e o atacante Kenedy, que já está treinando no Ninho do Urubu e, a partir desta segunda-feira, passa a integrar os trabalhos do grupo principal de forma completa.
The WBBL will get its first prime time conclusion with the semis and final being played under lights at North Sydney Oval in late November.The two semi-finals will be played on November 25 and 26 with the final on November 28 – the day between the opening two ODIs between Australia and India – with all matches to begin at 7.10pm local time.The WBBL finals have previously been played in afternoon time slots, including last season when it was a standalone tournament for the first time.”The move to a full prime time Finals series is another major leap in the evolution of the rebel WBBL,” Alistair Dobson, the head of the Big Bash, said.”As we pass the half way mark of our second standalone season, we’re delighted to confirm that the pinnacle events of our season will be taken live into homes around the country at a family friendly time.”This announcement is a testament to the outstanding work of our Clubs and the League who have delivered a safe and successful tournament thus far. We thank the NSW Government for recognising this and rewarding our loyal fans in Sydney.”The tournament has just passed the halfway mark with the group stage finishing on November 22.