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Arsenal are now involved in a fierce transfer battle over an “incredible” Premier League player, according to a report.

Arsenal transfer news

The Gunners are clearly keen to strengthen in attacking areas in January and beyond, having been linked with moves for a number of players, including Barcelona youngster Arnau Pradas, who is most commonly deployed on the wing.

Although Kai Havertz has been in decent form in front of goal this season, Mikel Arteta may also be on the lookout for a new striker over the next few months, with Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha deemed to fit the bill.

Arsenal are engaged in early negotiations over a deal for the Wolves forward, but he is not their only option in that area of the pitch, with Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak on a shortlist that also includes Victor Osimhen and Dusan Vlahovic.

£50m star has already decided whether he'll join Arsenal in January

He’s believed to be a target for Arteta.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Dec 6, 2024

A number of Arteta’s targets are currently plying their trade in the Premier League, and they could also be set to look at one of the top flight’s other stars to strengthen his midfield – if the latest reports from Spain are to be believed.

According to Spanish sources, Arsenal are currently locked in a fierce battle for the signature of Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, with Manchester City also said to be keen.

The report states that the Gunners are looking to strengthen their squad with young players, and Wharton fits the bill, given that he has already managed to establish himself in the Premier League at just 20 years old.

There is also a belief that the youngster would fit perfectly into Arteta’s philosophy, making him a very attractive option, but it remains to be seen whether the Spaniard is able to prise him away from Crystal Palace.

The Eagles have already rejected big offers for their star player, and they are yet to show any signs of being willing to sanction his departure in the near future.

Wharton impressing for Palace

Despite his age, the maestro has become an integral part of the Palace first team, making eight appearances in the Premier League this season prior to being ruled out with a groin injury, which required surgery.

Palace and Arsenal alike will be hoping the injury does not stifle the Englishman’s development, having progressed quickly since making the switch to Selhurst Park last season, even managing to earn himself a call-up to England’s Euro 2024 squad in the summer.

Perhaps the starlet’s most impressive attribute is his tackling ability, averaging 3.1 tackles per 90 over the past year, which places him in the 89th percentile compared to his positional peers.

As such, Wharton could be a great option for Arteta in a holding midfield role, which is also indicated by the fact he has been lauded by Palace teammate Eberechi Eze, who said:

“He’s an incredible player to play with. Playing with him at Palace, I’ve got used to seeing the way he plays and understanding him. He’s very calm, composed, and a joy to play with.”

Wharton could be a fantastic signing for Arsenal, and Arteta will be hoping they are able to beat Man City to his signature if he becomes available.

The Paramount+ analyst joined Mic'd up to talk Man City, UCL and Club World Cup impact on the Premier League

Micah Richards has been forced to watch his beloved Manchester City crumble all season. This has been a campaign of false dawns for City, who dropped out of the Premier League title race early, and have been struggling to stay in the race for Champions League football ever since.

Richards, though, who is an ambassador for the club and still has close ties with the dressing room, sees this chaotic campaign as nothing more than an aberration.

"I think next season, with a transfer window, we'll see them getting back to somewhere we've seen over the last couple of seasons. They've still got a top manager," he tells GOAL.

It will take some work, though. City are old. Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan are all past their best. Rodri's season-ending ACL tear certainly hasn't helped. A new era may have to begin.

"But do I think they'll be challenging for the league next season?" Richards says. "100 percent. I really do. I don't think it's a massive fix. I just think we need some fresh faces going to the dressing room, couple of key players back fit."

Richards is more than just a City fan. He covers soccer for CBS Sports. His face is seen with every Champions League phase as part of the always-entertaining pre and post match content on Paramount+.

His chemistry with Jamie Carragher, Thierry Henry and Kate Scott has led to a litany of viral moments – some of which might pop up again as the quartet go pitchside for the EFL Cup Final on Sunday, with Newcastle United and Liverpool set to face off at London's Wembley Stadium (kickoff is 12:30 pm ET, streamed on Paramount+).

Richards knows how to have fun, but his analysis remains strong, and in a European season defined by its unpredictability, he insists that Real Madrid are going to win this thing. And that could be a problem as – yes – Madrid star Jude Bellingham owes him a celebration.

Richards spoke on Man City's struggles, the appeal of the EFL Cup, and why Real Madrid are still his Champions League favorites in the latest edition of Mic’d Up, a recurring feature in which GOAL US taps into the perspective of broadcasters, analysts, and other pundits on the state of soccer in the U.S. and abroad.

AFPON MAN CITY

GOAL: So, let's keep it simple, what's gone wrong with Man City this season?

RICHARDS: There's inevitably going to be a drop off at some point. It's coincided with injuries at times in key positions, you know, key players getting a little bit older, and then some of the players' loss of form and loss of confidence. It is strange for me to see because this group, and I know a lot of them, got a good relationship with all of them and they're all confident boys. What I mean by that is, leading in games and going to the Brentford game, the 2-2 draw, the Feyernood game, conceding three goals, and that's not what we used to see.

They've come to the end of the cycle in terms of that energy, and I still think they're all top players, but I just think in terms of what their bodies are allowing them to do. They've come to the end of that, but I think going forward, the signing of Marmoush, even Khusanov – who had a tough start with Chelsea, a couple of days training in him because of injuries. I think next season, with a transfer window, we'll see them getting back to somewhere we've seen over the last couple of seasons. They've still got a top manager.

GOAL: And Marmoush looks a proper player, too.

RICHARDS: Yeah, he's sharp – really sharp. What I like about him is that he runs in behind. How many times do we see players come to feet? No one wants to run in behind. But with the space that teams are creating now, I just think he's going to be a real hit for Man City.

GOAL: Is it fair to put a time on when City will be back at the top? Is it next season? Or a couple of years?

RICHARDS: Next season I think they will be back. They need a good preseason, but obviously they have got the Club World Cup, which is more games. Not just this season, there are pundits who have been talking about burnout for the players for a long time now. The number of games that Man City have played over the last four years, it's been ridiculous, really. And as long as they don't feel fatigued after the Club World Cup, I don't think this is going to be a two, three, four-year rebuild. I think it's going to be the next season.

Will we get to the heights of two, three seasons, or the season where Man City are getting 100 points in the Premier League? Probably not. Everything was working together so well at that time. But do I think they'll be challenging for the league next season? 100 percent. I really do. I don't think it's a massive fix. I just think we need some fresh faces going to the dressing room, couple of key players back fit… I think they're going to challenge next year.

AdvertisementFIFAON THE CLUB WORLD CUP

GOAL: I wanted to touch on the Club World Cup. It's massive in the States, but what do you think the European perspective is?

RICHARDS: I like to give everything a chance. Even the Champions League this year, before it changed, we thought, there's going to be more games, it's not going to be as exciting. Don't forget, just recently, they took away the away goals rule. So you change into the league format, and then a playoff. I actually think it's been a really good competition. I think it's been more enjoyable. I think teams look like they have more of a chance. Celtic, for example, going into the last minute before Alphonso Davies scored.

So, as for the Club World Cup. I don't want to write it off. The only thing I've got against it is that there are more games. I think if you're a fan, you're a journalist, you want to see the players at the best and at the peak of their powers, don't you? I think the Premier League has sort of suffered from that this this season. I think with Liverpool, they've been really good, but I still think they've got another gear to go.

And we're nearly at the end of the season – that sort of thing. Arsenal, they've had tough injuries, especially in forward areas, and the Man City have not been what they have been. So to add more games, I just worry the level of competition isn't going to be at the level that we all expect. Because when you see Haaland, or when you see all the greatest players, like Mbappe or Vinicius or whoever it may be… you want to see him at the highest level this season. Especially from Man City's point of view, I just think the games have really taken a toll on what they could provide in terms of output.

GettyON WHAT THE EFL CUP MEANS

GOAL: I wanted to ask about the League Cup. You're going to be pitchside. How important is the competition these days? Is it only relevant if you win it?

RICHARDS: You've still got the FA Cup, which is the oldest cup in history over here. You've obviously got the Premier League and the Champions League. The Premier League was always the highest in my opinion. If you win the league over 38 games, that's special. Then you've got the elite of the game playing in the Champions League, so a lot of people believe the Champions League is the top – Jamie Carragher is one of them!

But the league has always been my thing. The League Cup might not have the same influence as maybe an FA Cup or the Premier League, but I still think it's important. Nowadays it's so hard to win anything. I think teams are a lot more competitive. Does that mean it's the biggest one? No, I wouldn't put it on the same level as the Premier League. But it's still massive for confidence. If you look at Liverpool, they've gone out of the Champions League, if they were to lose the League Cup… I wouldn't say they won't care, but they still want to win. At the end of the day, when you finish your career, and you've got four or five League Cups, a couple of leagues, a Champions League, they all count.

It's going to be a beautiful day at Wembley, and to get to do it for CBS pitchside… I can't wait. It's still a big moment in a player's career. I was one of those players who didn't quite disrespect the League Cup, but I thought "Oh, it's not one of the big ones." But now, looking back, I wish I would have taken it a lot more seriously, because it's so hard to win a trophy. I can't wait to cover it. It's gonna be an absolutely brilliant game.

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AFPON LIVERPOOL LOSING IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

GOAL: So, Liverpool losing in the Champions League… that was interesting! What did you make of that game?

RICHARDS: I thought it was two teams playing brilliantly well. I thought, PSG, in the first leg, absolutely dominated it. I thought they should have scored four or five goals. Liverpool got away with one. Harvey Elliot got the goal. And then I thought, "OK, Anfield, let's see. Let's see what it's like. Let's see what's really happening." Liverpool started so well. They had so many chances.

But, PSG, now they're a good side. They're a good side. And I think then the better side over two legs, which I was very surprised with. When you lose a Neymar or lose a Messi or an Mbappe, you're always thinking, "OK, how can they replicate the same levels in terms of quality?" But now they're better . They're better on the counterattack, better in midfield, and better defensively.

I just thought it was a great advert for the Champions League – two top level teams. And I think Liverpool were a bit shell-shocked in how good PSG were, to be honest. I was doing all the press stuff before the game, PSG were confident going into the first leg the second leg. But they've got a great coach. Luis Enrique is top, he really is a top coach. He Knows exactly how he wants to play. He demands control at times as well. But for them to go to Anfield and play like that, they are, you know, real contenders of winning this Champions League. I think that's been the game of the whole Champions League so far.

GOAL: Yeah, PSG came out and played their game, regardless of where it was.

RICHARDS: I just thought they have really good players. You know, [Bradley] Barcola is a terrific young talent. [Ousmane] Dembele is playing the best football of his career. They bring in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who we've seen at Napoli. He's a real special talent. Vitinha in midfield, Nuno Mendes at left back, [Achraf] Hakimi, we know what he can do. He's been doing it for years now. And then [Gianluigi] Donnarruma in the penalties stepped up. He's the real deal. Now, if they can keep this squad together, they can do special things. The draw might not help them this year, but if they can keep the same core group together next year, they're only going to get stronger.

Joins owners of Mumbai Indians and Manchester United FC in owning teams in the upcoming tournament

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Feb-2022GMR Group, part-owners of the Delhi Capitals franchise in the IPL, have become the third group to acquire a team at the upcoming UAE T20 League, expected to start later this year, after Lancer Capital, the owners of Manchester United Football Club, and Reliance Strategic Business Ventures Limited, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited, the owners of Mumbai Indians.”Our team has 14-seasons’ experience in managing the franchise process, through our Delhi Capital team’s involvement in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and we will integrate the same elements of these processes into UAE T20 League and help establish it as a premier and an integral part of the global cricket ecosystem,” GM Rao, group chairman of the GMR Group, said in a statement on Wednesday.Kiran Kumar Grandhi, the corporate chairman of the group, said, “UAE has a world-class niche of cross-cultural individuals with a big cricket fan following and excellent cricket infrastructure. We, at GMR Group, based on our years of experience in the IPL will harness to create a thriving cricket environment to budding players which will infinitely excite cricket aficionados.Related

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KKR, Mumbai Indians set to become franchise owners in UAE-based Premier League T20

“From our solid supportive management, we will bring best practices, processes, top-notch coaches, players, and support staff to have an unparalleled professional team.”The six-team league has been sanctioned by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), and the plan originally was to host the first edition by the end of March this year. Though that isn’t likely at this stage, the ECB said in the statement that it “remains well on track to be played in 2022 where senior committee members are encouraged by the enormous interest shown from a number of high-profile individuals and well-established corporates from across the world”.Khalid Al Zarooni, the ECB vice-chairman, said, “The standing of this League, across the cricketing world, is vitally important to us, and we have aligned ourselves with partners that share the same values toward the game; holding its spirit, integrity and longevity to the highest regard.”The ECB is also hoping that the league, once it takes flight, helps improve the playing standards within the UAE as well. “At its heart, the UAE T20 League will provide this opportunity for players within the Associate structure to play alongside world-class internationals and be provided with a much-needed opportunity to showcase their skills to a wider audience,” ECB general secretary Mubashshir Usmani said.While the owners of Manchester United FC and Mumbai Indians are already team owners in the league, the owners of the Knight Riders franchise (Kolkata and Trinbago teams) are also understood to be interested in taking over one of the teams. The statement said that the “remaining franchise partnerships” would be announced shortly.

Super agent Jorge Mendes is trying to broker a deal for AC Milan star Rafael Leao amid interest from Chelsea and Barcelona.

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Leao could be sold in the summerPulisic to become AC Milan's main manChelsea and Barca showed interest in LeaoFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Leao is one of the key figures in the AC Milan dressing room and is the club's highest paid player in the current squad. The player, however, could be sold in the summer as his agent Jorge Mendes is keen on getting the Portuguese winger out of the Serie A club, according to . Despite Leao being one of the best players in the team, he has managed to start in just nine out of the 26 league appearances he has made thus far in the 2024/25 campaign.

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Amid rumours of the Portuguese star exiting the Rossoneri, European giants Chelsea and Barcelona have shown strong interest in the forward as both clubs are keen on bolstering their attacking line ahead of the 2025/26 season.

GettyDID YOU KNOW?

If Leao moves out of San Siro, Christian Pulisic will become the club's main man in the attack. The USMNT star has already scored 14 goals across all competitions and recently starred in the team's dramatic comeback win over Lecce last weekend.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR AC MILAN?

Sergio Conceicao's side will be back in action next Saturday as they take on Cesc Fabregas' Como in the Serie A.

Chelsea made it four out of four in the UEFA Conference League, beating Heidenheim 2-0 away from home, with goals coming from Christopher Nkunku and Mykhailo Mudryk on Thursday evening.

The Blues held 67% possession against the German outfit, taking 17 shots, creating five“big chances and generating 2.90 xG.

Unfortunately, the performance ended with Cesare Casadei being sent off, receiving a second yellow card, which means he will not be available to face Astana in their next Conference League game.

It was a game full of good performances though, and one of the best came from the goalkeeper, Filip Jorgensen, who is now breathing down Robert Sanchez’s neck for the number one spot.

Filip Jorgensen's performance in numbers

So far this season, Jorgensen has found himself as the back-up to Sanchez, with the youngster playing in cup competitions, whilst the latter starts in the Premier League. However, after the Swede’s performance against Heidenheim, Maresca could have a decision on his hands.

The 22-year-old was impeccable, making as many as 11 saves in the game. That meant he prevented a total of 2.18 xG while making seven saves inside the box, and completing 37/44 accurate passes (84% completion).

It’s safe to say that both his shot-stopping and composure on the ball were brilliant, the latter being a big deal for his Italian manager.

And Jorgensen isn’t the only one knocking on the door for a Premier League start, as another Chelsea man put in a brilliant display returning from injury, stating his case to start against Aston Villa this weekend.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast's Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

Jadon Sancho's performance in numbers

Jadon Sancho put in a brilliant display against the German club, where he had so much success with Borussia Dortmund in the past. The 24-year-old winger received a 9/10 match rating from The Express, playing a big part in both goals in Chelsea’s 2-0 victory.

Minutes

89

Assists

1

Touches

61

Accurate Passes

44/48

Key Passes

2

Long Balls

1/1

Successful Dribbles

3/6

Ground Duels Won

4/7

Tackles

1

But it wasn’t just his assist and part in both goals, Sancho also made two key passes, kept things simple at times to circulate play, making 44/48 accurate passes (94% completion).

He completed 50% of his dribble attempts, and also worked hard on the defensive end to make one tackle and win four ground duels.

Maresca has been playing with Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto on the wings in recent weeks, with João Félix the player who came in at the weekend in the absence of Neto, but after Sancho’s performance, he could be knocking on the door for a place in the starting XI against Aston Villa, on either the left or right wing.

The Italian boss has proven he isn’t afraid to make big decisions, and if tonight’s performance is anything to go by, both Jorgensen and Sancho could be called upon this weekend in an important Premier League fixture against the Villans.

Chelsea must sell £100k-p/w flop who Boehly thought was "hugely exciting"

The Chelsea flop has failed to live up to expectations since his move to the Bridge.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 27, 2024

Ipswich Town have now last back-to-back games in the Premier League by a single goal, as Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace just about got the better of the Tractor Boys on a cold winter’s night at Portman Road.

The 1-0 win was secured in Palace’s favour courtesy of a sumptuous Jean-Philippe Mateta strike, after the number 14 had somehow wriggled free of various Ipswich markers, before then delicately lifting the ball above Arijanet Muric.

Kieran McKenna was crying out for one of his players to come up trumps in a similar way, but in the end it was a drab defeat for his men to take, with a number of Ipswich shirts underwhelming.

Ipswich's underperformers vs Palace

Not even the likes of Liam Delap could spark into life for the Premier League strugglers in order to attempt to pull off a result, with all three of the former Manchester City striker’s shots unfortunately not finding the back of Dean Henderson’s net.

In truth, it was a poor overall showing from the Suffolk side in the forward areas, with Omari Hutchinson lackadaisical in the number ten role just behind a misfiring Delap, as the ex-Chelsea midfielder squandered possession a hefty total of 19 times.

There were some positives to cling onto defensively at least, with Jacob Greaves standing out as a powerful presence in the heart of defence by completing 12 successful duels, but that wouldn’t matter much considering Ipswich lacked end product up the other end.

On top of that, even for all of Greaves’ glowing numbers, Mateta still managed to waltz through and break Ipswich hearts with his solo strike, with the slim defeat sending McKenna’s men all the way down to 19th spot in the league standings.

The frustrated Tractor Boys boss could well need to be more cutthroat with his team selections moving forward to try and get more out of his up-and-down troops, therefore, with Wes Burns in danger of being axed after a poor showing versus the Eagles.

Burns' performance in numbers

Away from Delap regularly fluffing his lines and Hutchinson continually losing possession, Burns really struggled to get going against Glasner’s visitors too, which would act as a detriment to his side attempting to fashion an opening down the right wing.

Only managing one assist to date since making leap up to the Premier League, it could be that the Welshman isn’t cut out for the huge step-up in quality from the EFL, as the lacklustre Ipswich number seven failed to strike any sort of fear into the Palace defence whenever he roamed forward.

Stat

Burns

Minutes played

66

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Shots

1

Touches

33

Accurate passes

8/13 (62%)

Accurate crosses

1/8

Possession lost

15x

Total duels won

2/3

Looking at the table above, not a lot went right for Burns at Portman Road, with his 33 touches coming in at less than Muric’s 51, whilst the experienced attacker regularly failed to beat the first man when firing crosses into the box, resulting in just one accurate cross being tallied up from eight attempted.

Also giving up possession a costly 15 times, it wasn’t a great shock to see East Anglian Daily Times journalist Alex Jones dish out a 5/10 rating to the 30-year-old post-match, as he could now find his right wing spot is taken up by a new face for Ipswich’s next league encounter versus AFC Bournemouth.

Beloved in Suffolk for his heroics last season on the way to promotion being reached, with Burns helping himself to an impressive ten goal contributions in the Championship, it’s clear that the Premier League might just be a bridge too far for the out-of-sorts forward to handle.

Therefore, a fresher option could be thrown into the XI by McKenna next, who will want a reaction from his camp when the Cherries travel to Portman Road shortly.

Hutchinson 2.0: Ipswich could sign £100k-p/w "superstar in the making"

The incredible talent could provide Ipswich with what they need to stay up.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Dec 1, 2024

Independent body will be tasked with making recommendations in time for 2023 summer

Cameron Ponsonby14-Mar-2022The ECB is set to launch a high-performance review into English cricket with the ambition of making the England men’s team “the best in the world in all formats”, according to Interim managing director Andrew Strauss.Speaking in Barbados where the second Test is due to start on Wednesday, Strauss laid out the plans for the review, for which recommendations are due to be published in September with a view to potentially restructuring the English season from 2023. He also confirmed that England hope to have a new head coach in place for the first Test of the summer, against New Zealand at Lord’s in June.Addressing the Test team’s so-called “reset”, Strauss said: “The perception so far is that it’s all about red-ball cricket and that it’s all about the domestic game. But the way we’re approaching it, and I believe the only way you can approach these things is to start at the beginning, which is what is the scale of our ambition for the game in this country?”And I believe we’re looking very strongly at being the best in the world in all formats. I think the knock-on effects, right the way through the game if the shop window is functioning well, are enormous, so as a game we need to get alignment behind that ambition.Related

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Anderson-Broad absence a chance to grow leadership options

“If you take a longer-term perspective on these things you have to say, ‘How can the two teams run concurrently alongside each other?’ and ‘How do we best support our white- and red-ball specialists to allow that to happen?'”The review will be led by an independent body that is yet to be chosen and who will undertake the first two stages of the review before their recommendations are presented to the ECB board and the county chairs.”We need to look at how the game is evolving,” Strauss said. “All of us know that the rise of white-ball and T20 cricket has been hugely dynamic and happened very quickly. So we need to understand how that affects our game and on the one hand how can we leverage that and on the other how do we protect the relevance and importance of the game in our country. And then we need to do a lot of independent analysis on getting information from the game on what’s working well and what’s not working well currently. So a very big consultation piece needs to be done.”We want recommendations to be signed off in time for the 2023 domestic season so that really means by the end of September this year ideally. You could stretch it a bit but these projects can get very broad and you can get stuck. So it’s important to focus on people’s minds. If we’re going to do it we’ve got to do it for 2023.”The review is just one of many significant developments expected at the ECB over the coming months, with a number of senior management positions only filled in an interim capacity. As well as the head coach vacancy, applications opened on Monday for the full-time men’s team managing director role (which Strauss is currently performing).

“I think the reaction [to dropping Anderson and Broad] was entirely predictable. You don’t do these things worried about the reaction, you do it because you think it’s the right thing to do”Andrew Strauss

It has also been reported that England will revert to having a full-time selector, separate from the head coach, as was the case before Chris Silverwood’s job specification was expanded last year.Asked whether he considered himself a candidate to return to the managing director position full time, having held a similar position between 2015 and 2018, Strauss was non-committal.”I haven’t considered that really,” he said. “I’ve got unique personal circumstances that makes doing that role difficult and quite frankly there’s always value in getting a new perspective and new views. Nothing ever stays the same or goes backwards. I’m certain there’s going to be some good candidates for this role.”The ambition is certainly to have the Test coach in place by that first Test of the summer. With recruitments there are all sorts of moving pieces, including notice periods. I don’t think we can categorically say that, but it’s the ambition.On the question of splitting the head coach role between red ball and white ball, he said: “Ultimately, that will be the new director of cricket’s decision to make. My perspective is that it’s time to go down that route. We have unique schedules in this country. It is very hard to plan, prepare, play and review for one coach doing all formats. There are opportunities for us to make some performance gains in that respect. But again, that’ll be up to the new director of cricket.”England produced a battling performance in Antigua•Gareth Copley/Getty ImagesOn the field, England came away from Antigua with a creditable draw. But the failure of their seamers to take a wicket with the new ball across the Test match, with Chris Woakes and Craig Overton proving particularly expensive in the first innings, led some observers to bemoan the decision to leave James Anderson and Stuart Broad at home – a decision that had already provoked severe backlash from England’s fans.”I think the reaction was entirely predictable,” Strauss said. “You don’t do these things worried about what the reaction is, you do it because you think it’s the right thing to do. I think it’s great to see [Matt] Fisher and [Saqib] Mahmood as part of the England set up.”I think we’re learning about them all the time and they’re getting more and more comfortable in this group. And as we said right at the start it’s forced some of our senior players to have slightly different roles.”It’s early days but the feedback I’m getting from the dressing room is that they’re accepting the challenge as a group of not having those senior players involved and I thought in terms of attitude, the willingness to do the hard graft, the spirit and togetherness were there to see. We didn’t get the result we wanted in Antigua but there were a lot of positives coming out of it.”

Cycling legend Bradley Wiggins has taken a cheeky dig at former boss Dave Brailsford for his role in Manchester United's terrible season.

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Former cyclist criticises Man Utd directorRidicules plans to win 21st league title'No time for him', says WigginsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The 2012 Olympic road cycling champion and Tour de France winner did not wish to hide his feelings about his former boss at British Cycling and Team Sky, who has been working at United since Sir Jim Ratcliffe purchased a 28 percent stake in the Red Devils. Brailsford has been working on 'Mission 21', the plan to deliver United's 21st league title by 2028. But the plan is not exactly on track as United are on course for their worst league finish since being relegated in 1974. The club is also in disarray off the pitch amid the decision to make a further 200 staff redundant. Wiggins ridiculed his handling of the club while speaking at an event on Friday.

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"I’m not a fan of Dave Brailsford. I couldn’t even sit here and say, ‘I don’t like him, but I respect what he has done.’ I really haven’t got a lot of time for him, to be honest," Wiggins said, via . "Mission 21? More like Mission Championship."

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Wiggins fell out with Brailsford in the aftermath of the 'jiffy bag' scandal which tarnished his and Team Sky's achievements, as well as the revelation that Wiggins had gained therapeutic use exemptions to take a banned substance. In 2017 Wiggins dismissed Brailsford's 'marginal gains' theory, which he put forward as the secret to his success in cycling, as 'a load of rubbish'.

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United players were reported to be unimpressed when they met Brailsford. According to , Brailsford told the players that he lived on the most exclusive street in Monte Carlo, but that he was coming to Manchester because he was going to help make United better.
 The players left the room rolling their eyes and shaking their heads.

Chelsea have identified a new transfer target amid a recent blow in their ongoing pursuit of Victor Osimhen.

The Blues came close to signing the Nigeria striker in the summer, but the deal couldn’t be pushed over the line before the close of the transfer window.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Chelsea had agreed a fee with Napoli for the 25-year-old in August, but he wasn’t willing to take a pay cut to move to Stamford Bridge, with the west London club having offered him a deal worth £3.3 million a year.

Osimhen instead joined Turkish side Galatasaray on a season-long loan, where he’s since scored eight goals in nine games.

Recent reports have suggested that Chelsea remain keen on the Super Eagles star, who won’t be staying in Turkey next summer and will be available for £63 million, but the Blues now face competition from Napoli’s Serie A rivals Juventus amid doubts over the future of Dusan Vlahovic.

Chelsea identify Osimhen alternative

With Juventus hot on Osimhen’s trail, Chelsea have now earmarked Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap as a possible transfer target for next summer.

That is according to The i, which reports that Delap’s performances in the Premier League this season have caught the eye of the Blues.

The 21-year-old, who joined newly promoted Ipswich from Manchester City for an initial £15m in June, is the Tractor Boys’ top scorer this term, having scored 6 goals in 12 games.

The i reports that Delap has rated “exceptionally highly” on Chelsea’s advanced transfer metrics, and that the club believe the young Englishman “would fit more readily into their wage structure” than Osimhen.

The publication notes, however, that City have a buy-back clause worth around £20 million for Delap, and that he’s also attracting interest from other “top sides”.

Murray hails "exceptional" Delap

Delap has received plenty of plaudits for his displays this season, including from former Premier League striker Glenn Murray.

During an appearance on Match of the Day 2 in September, Murray, who scored 37 top-flight goals across spells with Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Brighton, heaped praise on the Ipswich frontman.

“I think one of the things that’s thrown at newly promoted clubs is a lack of goals and that worry. He’s been exceptional.

“He’s always lively, always on the move. What I like about him is that he’s never really marked, he’s always moving and finding that yard of space.

“If he keeps putting in performances like that, he might just be the difference between Ipswich being a Premier League team at the end of the season and not.”

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Prior to moving to Ipswich, Delap spent the last two seasons on loan in the Championship with Stoke City, Preston North End and Hull City, managing 12 goals in 70 appearances.

However, he’s taken his game to the next level since moving to Portman Road, impressing with his clinical finishing and powerful performances up top.

It’s easy to see why Chelsea would be interested, especially given that Christopher Nkunku could soon be leaving Stamford Bridge, although it’s unknown whether Delap would be able to compete with Nicolas Jackson as the Blues’ first-choice striker.

The Senegal forward has seven goals and three assists this term and has already surpassed Fernando Torres’ goalscoring record in the Premier League for the Blues, having found the net 21 times in 47 games.

Rajan Nayar pleads guilty to approaching Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer with intent to improperly influence the course of an international match

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Mar-20185:25

Graeme Cremer describes how he was approached to match-fix

Rajan Nayar, a domestic cricket official in Zimbabwe, has been suspended from all cricketing activities for 20 years by the ICC for attempting to improperly influence an international match.The incident had taken place in October last year when Nayar approached Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer and offered USD 30,000 to engage in corrupt activity. Cremer “immediately” reported to the approach to the ICC, which began an investigation into the matter.Nayar, serving as treasurer and marketing director of Harare Metropolitan Cricket Association (HMCA) at the time, accepted all the charges against him. The suspension will be backdated to the start of his provisional suspension on 16 January, 2018.Alex Marshall, general manager with the ICC”s Anti-Corruption Unit, said: “I welcome the result of the investigation and the substantial sanction imposed upon Mr. Nayer. It is important that the seriousness of his offences was reflected in the length of the ban.”I would like to place on record my thanks to Graeme Cremer, who has acted with the utmost professionalism throughout this process. Immediately after he received the approach from Mr. Nayar he reported it to the ICC and we were able to get an investigation underway swiftly. Graeme has been involved and updated throughout the investigation and has played a critical role in ensuring that corruption has no place in our sport.”Cremer himself expressed surprise that a well-known official had acted in such a manner. “I was appalled to be approached by someone so closely connected to the game and there was no doubt in my mind that I had to report it as soon as I could. We receive education around this which you never expect to have to use, but it certainly helped when it came to knowing what to do.”