West Ham have reportedly enquired about the availability of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ahead of the summer…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Football Insider, who claim the Irons are in the transfer market for attacking midfield reinforcements and the Liverpool star is amongst the targets after slipping down the pecking order at Anfield.

A source has told the website that the East London outfit have made contact over potentially signing the 27-year-old before the start of next season.

It is thought that the 2019/20 champions will listen to offers for Oxlade-Chamberlain and with three years still to run on his current £120k-per-week deal, they value him around £22m.

Wilshere 2.0

A move for the 35-time England international could be a case of serious deja vu at the London Stadium and David Moyes must approach with caution.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is undoubtedly a top-quality player as he’s made over 200 appearances in the top-flight, and has a Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup in his trophy cabinet.

His former manager Arsene Wenger even once likened him to Wayne Rooney and Cesc Fabregas. He told the Guardian in 2012:

“I feel that is always a brand of top players. They just play. When you saw [Wayne] Rooney start he played like it was natural, the same with [Cesc] Fabregas. They are happy on the football pitch and comfortable.”

Whilst upon signing for the Reds, data analyst and Anfield Index Pro podcaster Dan Kennett described the versatile dynamo as a “physical monster” with “pace, power and endurance.”

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However, his career in recent seasons has been seriously hampered by injury. For instance, this year alone, he has played only 244 minutes in the Premier League, adding to his total of just 1,490 minutes in their title-winning campaign, via Transfermarkt.

Since arriving in Merseyside in 2017, Oxlade-Chamberlain has missed more games than he has played and it was an injury that ruled him out of the 2018 World Cup, too.

When he has been on the pitch this season, The Athletic’s James Pearce has described the 27-year-old as a “passenger,” highlighting his form as real concern.

A £22m investment and wages that would see him top their payroll is certainly a big gamble to make when you factor in his dire injury record.

It bears plenty of similarities to Manuel Pellegrini’s mistake of bringing Jack Wilshere to the club, albeit on a free transfer.

On his day, when fit, the former Gunners star was amongst the very best on the ball in the Premier League but the Irons saw him on the pitch just 19 times across two seasons.

You’d have to worry that the same could happen here with Oxlade-Chamberlain, even more so considering the finances involved this time.

Moyes should probably steer clear of the £18m-rated midfielder as he’s dealt with more than enough injury problems this season, he shouldn’t want to add to those woes with a campaign in Europe on the horizon.

AND in other news, West Ham set for huge boost as major Rush Green news emerges, fans will be buzzing…

West Ham United’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League were dealt a devastating blow on Saturday evening as David Moyes’ side struggled to pick up all three points on their travels.

And several members of the Irons squad badly let the 58-year-old down, leaving the East Londoners in sixth place, some five points adrift of the top four. They could well drop to seventh by the end of Sunday, too.

Moyes was able to welcome back Declan Rice for the first time in seven matches, whilst there was also a recall for Jarrod Bowen, who certainly needed to make a statement having been snubbed from the starting XI in their previous two outings.

However, after offering the Scotsman absolutely nothing when entering the pitch early against Everton last time out, the 24-year-old winger was found wanting once again as the Hammers came from behind to snatch a draw at Brighton.

The Seagulls not only had nothing to play for but they were also contending with plenty of injuries, meaning it really should have been a game where West Ham picked up the win.

Bowen was ineffective and weak once again on the right flank.

As per SofaScore, he managed only 27 touches throughout the 64 minutes he was on the pitch – by comparison, even Lukasz Fabianski, who was graded their worst player, was more involved in the game, touching the ball 32 times.

Similarly, the Polish goalkeeper also recorded more passes (13) than Bowen (ten), which further shows just how little he was involved on the night.

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Furthermore, the former Hull City dynamo failed to register a single shot, with the Irons managing just three on target all game, and also did not register a successful dribble.

Bowen was wasteful with the ball, losing possession every 2.7 touches and he did not manage to provide Michail Antonio with an accurate cross from two attempts either.

He won just two of five duels (40%) to round off a disastrous night on the south coast.

On social media, Manchester United loan star Jesse Lingard copped a lot of flak for appearing to be a disappointment for another game but the figures would suggest he had a decent game, managing two key passes, making 100% of his three dribbles and managing a whopping 82 touches of the ball, via SofaScore.

Indeed, even football.london’s ratings column graded the attacking midfielder higher than Bowen, who was described as “pretty anonymous” whilst the Evening Standard’s Jack Rosser claimed he “lacked a cutting edge.”

All in all, the £27m-rated attacker, who earns a reported £60k-per-week at the London Stadium, certainly failed to justify his return to the line-up and as result, let his manager and the side down with a pathetic showing.

With absolutely crucial matches against West Brom and Southampton on the horizon, Moyes may want to think again about selecting Bowen.

AND in other news, Get rid: Moyes must axe £13.5m-rated West Ham disaster, he’s cost GSB £4.3m per goal…

Tottenham Hotspur remain interested in signing Marcel Sabitzer this summer, despite the departure of Jose Mourinho last month…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Thursday’s print edition of Italian newspaper La Gazetta dello Sport (27th May, page 14), which claimed that Spurs are still a ‘dangerous competitor’ in the race to land the 27-year-old attacking midfielder.

Mourinho, who is now in charge of AS Roma, is also still keen on the RB Leipzig skipper but his former north London outfit ‘remain at the window,’ as per the report.

Meanwhile, Sport Bild believe the Bundesliga club are willing to sell their star playmaker for around €42m (£36m).

Lo Celso upgrade

Tottenham have been crying out for a goal presence and creative source from midfield all season and that is exactly what Sabitzer would provide.

This campaign alone, the Austria international has directly contributed to 16 goals in 39 appearances in all competitions, meaning he has averaged a goal or an assist once every 185 minutes, via Transfermarkt. That’s merely another impressive return from Sabitzer, who provided 16 goals and 11 assists in 2019/20.

It means he has delivered a total of 25 goals and 18 assists across the past two seasons, a stark contrast to Spurs’ options in the same role and, in particular, Giovani Lo Celso.

The Argentine was seemingly signed as a replacement for Christian Eriksen, initially joining on loan from Real Betis in the summer of 2019 before the north Londoners made the move permanent in a club record-equalling £55m deal.

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In the same timeframe as Sabitzer’s lucrative run, Lo Celso has only given Spurs seven goals and four assists in return at an average of one goal contribution every 334 minutes, as per Transfermarkt.

That’s nearly double the Leipzig star’s ratio by comparison. It’s a massive difference.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old isn’t even among Spurs’ most creative players, managing only 0.8 key passes and 0.4 dribbles per game during the 2020/21 season, whilst Sabitzer has managed 1.1 key passes and 0.6 dribbles per match in the Bundesliga this term.

He’s evidently everything that Lo Celso should’ve been for Spurs. It’s also no wonder why he’s earned many a glowing endorsement in recent times – his former boss Ralf Rangnick described him as “remarkable” and current head coach Julian Nagelsmann has previously dubbed him a “goal threat”.

Get German Football News editor-in-chief Daniel Pinder has even likened the attacking maestro to the Lilywhites’ former playmaker.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said: “I think he’d bring a lot to Tottenham. He’s very similar to Eriksen, he’s that sort of player that Spurs have been missing in midfield.”

Even in the absence of a new manager, chairman Daniel Levy must ensure that it is Spurs who win the race for the £26m-rated dynamo this summer.

He would be a clear upgrade in a vital area of the pitch for whoever is appointed as the club’s next manager.

AND in other news, NO Kane? Skriniar SIGNED? How Spurs’ XI could look under Antonio Conte…

يواجه منتخب الجزائر منافسه الكاميرون اليوم الثلاثاء في التصفيات الإفريقية المؤهلة لنهائيات كأس العالم قطر 2022، لخوض مباراة الإياب بالدور الحاسم.

وتقام مباراة الجزائر اليوم على ملعب مصطفى تشاكر، الذي سيشهد حضورًا جماهيريًا ضخمًا لمساندة محاربي الصحراء أمام الكاميرون.

طالع | خطوة واحدة.. مصر تواجه السنغال في موقعة داكار لحسم التأهل لكأس العالم

واستطاع رياض محرز ورفاقه من تحقيق الفوز في لقاء الذهاب بهدفٍ دون رد سجله إسلام سليماني، في اللقاء الذي احتضنه ملعب جابوما بدوالا في الكاميرون. موعد مباراة الجزائر والكاميرون اليوم

تبدأ مباراة الجزائر والكاميرون في تمام الساعة 09:30 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، 10:30 بتوقيت مكة المكرمة و08:30 بتوقيت الجزائر. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة الجزائر والكاميرون في تصفيات كأس العالم 2022

تُعرض مباراة الجزائر والكاميرون على قناتي الجزائرية Algerian TV وSSC SPORTS HD5. معلق مباراة الجزائر والكاميرون اليوم

أسندت قناة SSC SPORTS HD5 مهام التعليق على المباراة للمعلق سمير المعيرفي.

يمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنا.

John Buchanan’s role as national coach will be scrutinised when he meets with Australian CricketBoard chief executive Malcolm Speed on Wednesday.It is believed the board wants to clearly define the coaching role for the first time after Buchanan encountered controversyduring the recent Indian tour.The successful Queenslander was criticised for an outspoken criticism of Shane Warne’s fitness leading into the deciding Test ofthe Indian series.It was a rare slice of controversy for Buchanan but it has led to claims from an English newspaper that he could lose his role asa tour selector for the upcoming Ashes defence.Buchanan said he was surprised at the article and said he had no idea whether his automatic role as joint tour selector would bereviewed by the ACB’s board of directors.But it is believed there is tension between Buchanan and the ACB, which is still expected to renew his contract during theAshes series.The crux of the issue remains whether the coach should be a behind-the-scenes mentor or a spokesman for the team.Buchanan’s wings could be clipped by the ACB despite his outstanding record as national coach – 15 wins from 17 Tests.The Queenslander said he would be disappointed to lose his role as tour selector but admitted it could be seen ascontradictory.Former English coach David Lloyd decided against selecting teams because it could stand in the way of his dealings withplayers.”It depends on what the role of the coach is on tour and at home and that’s why it’s an important issue,” Buchanan said.”Being a selector on tour hasn’t necessarily jeopardised that role at the moment but, if it was seen to be, I would probably seethere isn’t a role as a selector.”Australian coaches have taken on varied roles since Bob Simpson pioneered the position in the 1980s.Simpson had different roles under captains Allan Border and Mark Taylor while incumbent leader Steve Waugh has a firm sayon the current team.Buchanan hasn’t always seen eye-to-eye with his players, most notably Stuart Law in Queensland and Middlesex pair MarkRamprakash and Mike Gatting.But his success and support from most players have been unquestioned, leading to his appointment to the Australian position inNovember 1999 following the retirement of Geoff Marsh.Buchanan was not afforded much credit during Australia’s record-breaking streak, but his role came under question in Indiawhen Australia lost its first series in more than 18 months.The article in England’s Sunday Telegraph, said Buchanan could become “invisible” if Australia was unable to defend the Ashes.It likened him to a “control freak” and “Rasputin in white”, questioning his coaching claims because of his limited experience as aplayer.It could be the first of several attempts to unhinge the Australian squad before the opening Test in July as England tries to regainthe Ashes for the first time in more than a decade.

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.

Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce could sign his club’s new Papiss Cisse in Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have already suggested that the Magpies won’t have too much money to spend in the transfer window, and The Shields Gazette’s Liam Kennedy has delivered an update on who the Premier League club might look to target this summer.

In a Q&A, he said: “I think United will choose to keep what they have and box clever in the market, looking for loan deals, free transfers and squeezing as much value as they can out of their reduced summer budget. Players like Kristoffer Ajer are on the list. While deals for the likes of Josh King, Hamza Choudhury, Rob Dickie, Ross Barkley and Eddie Nketiah may also be explored.”

Newcastle’s new Cisse

In a truly electric spell at St James’ Park, Cisse arrived on Tyneside to partner Demba Ba, and the two proved crucial in the Magpies finishing in fifth place in the 2011/2012 Premier League season.

The Senegalese hot-shot bagged 13 goals in his first 14 top-flight games for the club, and of course, will be remembered for that iconic swerving strike at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea.

But that goal wasn’t really typical of what Cisse actually did best for Newcastle.

The centre-forward was a predator inside the box, and his instinctive finishes and superb movement, particularly coming onto the near post, made him a superb foil for Ba and someone who could ease the goal-scoring burden on his strike partner – as per Understat, all 14 of Cisse’s last goals for the Magpies in the league came inside the box, while five came within the width of the six-yard area.

And in Nketiah, they could get someone incredibly similar.

Former Leeds striker Noel Whelan has waxed lyrical about Nketiah, claiming that his style of play is very much reminiscent of Jermain Defoe. He said: “He reminds me of another Jermaine Defoe and look at how well he did at West Ham. He’s very much that similar sort of player. He plays off the shoulder, very dangerous in the box. He’s a player you can’t take your eyes off because his movement’s so good.”

His boss at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, has also raved about the kind of impact he has made at the Emirates, saying after a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City: “I want him to keep doing what he’s doing. The way he played last night against those players, in those difficult conditions, for me is extraordinary at his age.

“He has an immense personality to play, confidence, he’s powerful and is developing in every area I think. I have a lot of faith in him.”

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The £17m-rated Nketiah would offer Bruce that real poacher who does his best work inside the box, and either give the Newcastle boss a rotation option with Callum Wilson or perhaps even someone for the former Bournemouth man to play alongside.

Meanwhile, Steve Bruce is eyeing a move for this 6 ft 4 powerhouse…

Both Tottenham and Everton are keen on landing Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha this summer, according to Goal.

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

Goal claim that both Spurs and the Toffees will look to pursue a deal in the summer window, with a feeling that a transfer could be agreed at £40m.

Palace will reportedly look to keep hold of Zaha, who has just over two years left on his Selhurst Park deal.

The Ivory Coast international recently admitted that he would be open to a move away from the Eagles, as he wants to win trophies. He’s made just under 400 appearances for Palace, and it seems as if he’ll be a man in demand once again this summer.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared the news on Zaha on Twitter on Tuesday lunchtime.

These Palace fans were quick to poke fun at both Tottenham and Everton in regards to Zaha’s willingness to win trophies.

“Lol”Credit: @cpfc_sean”Obviously decided he doesn’t want to win anything”Credit: @Ukhilal1957″Also, £40 million…Am I missing something!?”Credit: @ststove”But I thought he wanted to go somewhere where he can win things”Credit: @NoContextHumour”Thought he wanted to win trophies?”Credit: @cpfcjadey”He wants trophies why would he go to any of these clubs”Credit: @CPFCH10

In other news: Many CPFC fans unimpressed with specific Matt Woosnam post, find out more here. 

Manchester United must swoop for Villarreal defender Pau Torres this summer as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to build a title-winning squad.

What’s the story?

The 24-year-old caught the eye with a string of outstanding displays last season, reportedly attracting the attention of a host of the continent’s top teams.

According to The Athletic, United have joined Spanish giants Real Madrid in the race for his signature as they look to sign a new partner for Harry Maguire.

Solskjaer needs him

Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly have failed to convince alongside the Old Trafford outfit’s club captain for quite some time now, and the search for a long-term solution at centre-back appears to be drawing to a close.

Madrid’s Raphael Varane and Sevilla’s Jules Kounde are also thought to be potential transfer targets for Solskjaer, although Torres arguably offers the most promise. While Varane and Kounde are both right-footed, the Villarreal defender favours his left and would therefore allow Maguire to switch to his natural side, providing a more balanced look to the United backline.

The Spain international also ticks all the boxes required for a modern-day defender. His pass completion rate of 89.4% has the youngster in the 78th percentile of player in his position over the last 12 months, while his 0.66 dribbles completed per game has Torres in the 93rd percentile.

However, despite standing at 6 ft 3, the £45m-rated beast is surprisingly poor in the air. His aerial duel win percentage of just 60.6% is considerably worse than Lindelof’s 65.7% and may be something of a concern to the United recruitment team.

Javi Calleja, a former Villarreal midfielder who coached Torres at various levels as they moved up through the age group ranks, may offer some insight into why this is the case. The coach revealed: “He has gone step by step, improving along the way. When you spoke about him, most people told you he was really good on the ball, although a bit soft when defending.

“When he was small you could see he had an extraordinary talent to construct the play, I even played him for a few games in midfield, but he told me he was more comfortable at the back. Bit by bit he picked up more intensity, more strength, becoming more physical, and he kept developing.”

Luckily for Torres and United, dominating in the air is an area where Maguire naturally excels. Therefore, the pair’s skillsets appear to marry up perfectly, and the duo could form the base of the Red Devils’ defence for many years to come.

It’s clear that Solskjaer needs a new centre-back to compete for major honours next season, and Torres could be the ideal candidate.

In other news… MUFC heading for transfer mistake on “sensational” £19.8m-rated beast, Ole must avoid 

North West won the toss and amassed 304 for seven on the first day of theirfour-day Supersport Series match again Eastern Province in Port Elizabeth onThursday

Craig Ray01-Feb-2001North West won the toss and amassed 304 for seven on the first day of theirfour-day Supersport Series match again Eastern Province in Port Elizabeth onThursday.This is the first match in the second round of the competition, the Super Eight phase, with both these teams qualifying from the bottom of their respective groups in the first phase.North West opener Riaan Niewoudt, playing in only his second first-class match, scored a fluid 98, falling agonisingly short of what would have been a maiden first-class century.His innings ended when he was trapped leg before by off-spinner Shafiek Abrahams having faced only 174 balls which included 16 boundaries in a littleunder four hours.He was well supported by Andrew Lawson who added 61 before falling to the same bowler just 14 overs from the close, when he was bowled.There were minor contributions down the order from Mark Lavine (21) and Morne Strydom (24) that kept the innings progressing in a positive way.Only the bowling of Abrahams, who claimed four for 31 in 16 overs posed any problems for the batsmen. Former South African fast bowler Mornatau Haywardbowled 14 overs without success, costing him 46 runs, but the no-ball columnnext to his name read 16.It is a worrying factor for Hayward who has always battled with a no-ball problem, which seemingly becomes worse.North West will resume on Friday with Ezra Poole (15) and Alphonso Thomas(6) at the crease.