O Flamengo está pronto para enfrentar o Goiás, neste sábado, no Maracanã. Sob o comando de Paulo Sousa, o elenco treinou na manhã desta sexta, no Ninho do Urubu, e finalizou a preparação para a partida pela sétima rodada do Brasileirão. Entre as baixas do último jogo, apenas David Luiz retorna e está à disposição do Rubro-Negro. Portanto, o técnico tem oito desfalques para o jogo das 16h30.
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Paulo Sousa x Eric Faria na Justiça? Lembre os atritos que já rolaram entre técnicos e jornalistas
O zagueiro teve uma lesão muscular confirmada pelo clube no dia 16, véspera da vitória por 3 a 0 sobre a Católica, no Maracanã. Assim como na quinta, David Luiz trabalhou integralmente com o grupo nesta manhã, e acirra a briga pela titularidade. A tendência é de que Paulo Sousa o escale ao lado de Pablo e preserve Rodrigo Caio, que está readquirindo ritmo de jogo após cinco meses em recuperação.
OS SETE DESFALQUES
Por outro lado, sete jogadores seguem em recuperação junto ao DM e comissão técnica. Confira a situação de cada um deles abaixo!
Vitinho – O atacante teve lesão na região posterior da coxa direita informada no dia 31 de março. Atualmente, Vitinho está em transição.
Filipe Luís – O lateral esquerdo teve lesão na panturrilha esquerda informada no dia 10 de maio. Nesta sexta, trabalhou com os fisioterapeutas em campo.
Diego Alves – O goleiro teve pubalgia informada no dia 10 de maio. Está em fisioterapia e, nesta sexta, trabalhou na parte interna do CT.
Fabrício Bruno – Por conta de um trauma no pé esquerdo, está afastado dos jogos desde 31 de março. Passou por cirurgia no último domingo, e está em processo de cicatrização no local.
Matheus França – Sofreu fratura na fíbula em 17 de abril e está em trabalho de fisioterapia.
Santos – Sofreu lesão na coxa esquerda, informada em 7 de maio, e está realizando fisioterapia.
Gustavo Henrique – Sofreu lesão no quadríceps no dia 10 de abril e está em transição.
West Ham United are looking to bring in a striker before the transfer window closes tonight, and ExWHUEmployee has now dropped an update on who they could sign.
Hammers' Kroupi move hits the rocks
West Ham have found themselves light on options at striker, with Michail Antonio sidelined for the long-term future due to a car crash, while Niclas Fullkrug also finds himself on the treatment table due to a hamstring injury.
As such, the Hammers have been pursuing a striker over the past few days, and there has been some cause for optimism, winning the race to sign highly sought-after Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson on loan until the end of the season.
However, with two strikers currently absent, Graham Potter has been keen to bring in more than one forward before the close of play, setting his sights on FC Lorient’s Eli Junior Kroupi, but a deal may now have to wait until the summer.
The Irons had agreed a fee with the French side, but the deal has hit a snag, with Lorient now hoping to receive a higher fee for Kroupi’s services at the end of the campaign, having been unhappy with the terms of the deal.
The move for the 18-year-old breaking down does not necessarily mean David Sullivan’s pursuit of a striker is over, but ExWHUEmployee has revealed nothing is advanced in a recent update on X.
“At the moment no one is close. Cummings possibly if Celtic budge. Of course players being offered all the time it’s just whether one tempts us or not.”
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ByEmilio Galantini Feb 3, 2025 Daniel Cummings is one for the future
It seems unlikely that a deal for Daniel Cummings will be orchestrated prior to the deadline, but Ex indicates that it could still be possible, if Celtic soften their stance, and he could be a fantastic long-term addition to the squad.
The Celtic academy graduate has been prolific in front of goal at youth level, scoring 18 goals in as many games in the Lowland League this season, and earning himself a call-up to the senior squad in the Champions League.
Daniel Cummings for Celtic
Given Ferguson’s arrival, however, there is not an overwhelming need to sign a striker, especially considering Fullkrug is expected to return from injury in a few weeks.
Cummings is yet to establish himself as a first-team player at Parkhead, so that move can theoretically wait until the summer, but it will be interesting to see if there are any more developments on the transfer front before tonight’s deadline.
Tottenham Hotspur made an approach on Monday over the potential signing of a player who is certain to leave his club before February 3, as technical director Johan Lange and the recruitment team sense a January transfer opportunity.
Tottenham eyeing next January signing after Antonin Kinsky
Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou has already been backed with the addition of an astute new back-up keeper in Antonin Kinsky, who’s performed impressively since his £12.5 million move from Slavia Prague.
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3 ByEmilio Galantini Jan 11, 2025
Guglielmo Vicario’s injury and Fraser Forster’s poor form pushed the Lilywhites into finding a solution between the sticks, with Lange’s data-driven recruitment model reportedly landing them on top goalkeeping target Kinsky.
The Czech ace enjoyed a debut to remember against Liverpool in Tottenham’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg win over Arne Slot’s side, shutting out the Premier League title frontrunners and making a plethora of saves in what was a commanding display.
Arsenal (away)
January 15
Everton (away)
January 19
Leicester City (home)
January 26
Brentford (away)
February 2
Man United (home)
February 16
The 21-year-old, who’s yet to concede since putting pen to paper on his move to north London, also shut out English minnows Tamworth last weekend as Postecoglou’s men battled to a 3-0 victory.
The club’s talent spotting needs to be credited when it comes to Kinsky, who is surely only going to get better. However, the keeper is very unlikely to be their only January addition, as rumours continue to surround a possible move for PSG outcast Randal Kolo Muani.
There were reports last week that Tottenham hoped to finalise a deal for Kolo Muani by the weekend, and while this has proved not to be the case, reliable media outlets all claim that Spurs are firmly in the race to seal the Frenchman’s signature.
Tottenham make Monday contact over Randal Kolo Muani deal
As per Fabrizio Romano, writing via X, a fresh update has come to light on their pursuit of the £206,000-per-week forward.
Indeed, it is believed Tottenham contacted PSG again on Monday over a potential deal for Kolo Muani, alongside Serie A heavyweights Juventus, who are also attempting to prise him away from the Parc des Princes.
While PSG are insisting on their current conditions, the 26-year-old will “100%” leave this window, and Man United are only in the background of this race asking to be kept aware of the situation – so it appears Spurs and Juve are the two main contenders.
According to another credible journalist, David Ornstein, Tottenham regard Kolo Muani as one of the “best versatile attackers available” – explaining why they’re so keen to get him over the line before deadline day.
This also comes as N17 flop Timo Werner attracts interest from Napoli, so perhaps the under-fire German could make way for him.
In what would deal their rivals a frustrating blow, Manchester City are now reportedly plotting a shock hijack to sign a rising star who has a release clause worth £84m.
Man City transfer news
It’s been a hectic month for the Citizens, who entered the transfer window in desperate need of reinforcements for the first time since Pep Guardiola’s debut campaign.
Welcoming Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov, the Citizens have eased concerns over an ageing backline and signed a player at the peak of his powers who will share the goalscoring responsibility with Erling Haaland.
It’s a Man City squad that must get back to full strength sooner rather than later with a Champions League play-off tie against Real Madrid on its way in between a crucial run of games in their quest to finish inside the Premier League’s top four and salvage their season.
Before that mouth-watering tie arrives, those at The Etihad could once again turn their attention towards the transfer window ahead of Monday’s deadline.
According to CaughtOffside, Manchester City are now plotting a shock hijack to sign Geovany Quenda ahead of arch-rivals Manchester United, who are desperate for reinforcements of their own in the coming days.
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The deal may not come cheap – likely giving City the advantage over their rivals – with Quenda’s current Sporting CP release clause sitting at a hefty €100m (£84m).
Still just 17 years old, paying such a price would be a significant gamble for any club, no matter their riches. So whether those at the Etihad splash the cash one more time to skip ahead of the queue for Quenda remains to be seen.
"Talented" Quenda is a future star
For a young Sporting winger to be attracting this much attention, they have to be something special – just ask a certain Cristiano Ronaldo. At just 17 years old, comparing Quenda to the Portugal legend would, of course, be jumping the gun, but he may well be set to follow in his path towards Manchester, albeit across the divide.
A player who was described as “talented” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig earlier this season, Quenda would only accelerate towards his impressive potential by working under managerial great Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
Alongside Khusanov and Reis, the young winger could complete a trio of fresh future stars set to play a part for years to come at the Etihad and as the window nears its deadline, he remains a player to watch.
Wicketkeeper-batter embraces challenge against India after show of faith from Nat Sciver
Valkerie Baynes12-Sep-2022Amy Jones is the first to admit that captaincy doesn’t come naturally to her.So when she was thrust into the role on the international stage because Nat Sciver had chosen to step away for mental health reasons, it was Sciver who initially helped convince her she could do it.”It’s definitely not something I’ve been gunning for quietly for a while at all,” grinned Jones on the eve of Tuesday’s second T20I against India in Derby. “But when I was having chats with Nat, sort of getting an inkling that she might go home, we did have a conversation where we were like, ‘this could be you, Amy,’ and it was very daunting.”I’d say on the pitch, definitely not something that comes naturally to me. I like to lead off the pitch in my own way, how I go about things, but when it comes to being vocal and speaking in front of the group or management of the game, all of this is all pretty new to me.”But, after leading England to a resounding nine-wicket win in the first match on a damp evening in Durham on Saturday, Jones – the wicketkeeper-batter who is set to make her 150th appearance for England in Thursday’s third fixture in Bristol – admitted she rather enjoyed herself.”One of the most pleasing things about the other night was just how everyone came together,” she said. “They know it’s not natural for me, but everyone’s been really supportive and just helped whenever they can. So it was, yeah, I’d go as far to say I enjoyed it, actually.”England announced last Thursday that Sciver had withdrawn from both white-ball series with India and returned home from the team’s camp in Durham to focus on her mental health and wellbeing. Sciver, who had been standing in for injured regular captain Heather Knight since July, said that she was “very emotionally fatigued” after a busy nine months which included an Ashes tour of Australia, the World Cup in New Zealand, a home series with South Africa and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where the host nation finished a disappointing fourth.”She’s one of my closest friends as well as a team-mate,” Jones said. “The first couple of days in Durham, she obviously wasn’t herself.”So when she did, with the help of our support staff, decide that she shouldn’t be there, I think it was almost a relief for me as a friend to know that she was going to go back home and get herself right before she joins back up with us, so definitely the right decision for her and everyone’s right behind her.”Related
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Jones felt she had Sciver’s full support in taking on the captaincy, as well as that of Sciver’s wife, Katherine Brunt, who is being rested from the T20Is and subsequent three-match ODI series with India.”She was being really reassuring, she said I’d do a great job,” Jones said of Sciver. “And Katherine has also messaged me as well and they’ve been very supportive. It felt like they thought I was the right person, which definitely gave me a bit of confidence.”Jones captained Birmingham Phoenix through the inaugural season of the Hundred last year before the arrival of Sophie Devine, the New Zealand skipper, at the franchise this year.”For me, it was daunting, purely because I did a year at the Hundred obviously and nothing either side of that, so it’s just the unknown really,” Jones said. “That’s what I was stressing about the most leading up to the game.”It’s obviously a lot of responsibility and with a young side… I wasn’t sure if some of the bowlers would need more help than they did, but everyone just really stepped up, knew their game, and it was a lot simpler than I thought.”In the absence of three senior players, Jones was hugely impressed with her side’s performance on Saturday, particularly leg-spinner Sarah Glenn, who took a career-best 4 for 23, including three of India’s top four in Shafali Verma, Dayalan Hemalatha and Harmanpreet Kaur.”Leading into this, missing three key players for us, it would have been easy for us to sort of go into our shell in that first game with a bit less confidence,” Jones said. “It just really felt like everyone came together and stood up in a time where we could have gone the other way, so that was really pleasing.”It was definitely a challenge. I was very nervous. I think for the couple days leading up to it, it was a lot of thinking and it’s quite hard to switch off. But now, having played the first one, I can relax a bit more and know that we can get through a game and with the girls helping you it just made it so much easier.”Alice Davidson-Richards was called into the England squad for the remainder of the T20I series as cover for allrounder Sciver. The squad – and captain – for the ODIs starting on Sunday at Hove is yet to be named.”I’m not sure I’d be throwing my hat in the ring,” Jones said. “I think fifty overs is a whole other ball game. But, in saying that, obviously if they think I’m the right person for it then it’s something I would never turn down.”I’m happy just to focus on the T20s now. As always, I would never turned down an opportunity like that, but I’m definitely doing just a little stand-in.”
West Ham United are now ready to make a summer move for an £83m star who has “sky high potential”, according to a report.
Hammers eyeing a midfielder
The Hammers have set their sights on signing a new midfielder this summer, with Graham Potter identifying the need to strengthen the spine of his team if his side are going to compete for Europe once again.
Marco Verratti is the central midfielder most recently linked with a surprise move to the London Stadium, with a report revealing West Ham are considering a summer approach for the former Paris Saint-Germain man.
Netherlands' Mats Wieffer in action with Italy's MarcoVerratti
Lille’s Angel Gomes is another player on the Irons’ shortlist, with the 24-year-old’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, although they may have to compete for his signature with London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Gomes is not the only player the Hammers and Spurs have a shared interest in, with a report from Caught Offside revealing the Premier League duo are closely monitoring Palmeiras’ Richard Rios, alongside Nottingham Forest.
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Tottenham are said to be leading the charge for Rios, but West Ham are also ready to make a move in the summer, although he is unlikely to come cheap.
Palmeiras are said to be holding out for the Colombian’s full release clause of €100m (£83m), which none of the potential suitors are willing to pay, although it remains to be seen whether they soften their stance over the next few months.
If the Brazilian club are unwilling to lower their demands, other methods of getting a deal done could be utilised, potentially including players plus cash.
West Ham United’s upcoming Premier League fixtures
Dates
Brentford (h)
February 15th
Arsenal (a)
February 22nd
Leicester City (h)
February 27th
Newcastle United (h)
March 10th
Everton (a)
March 15th
Rios has "sky high potential"
Back in the summer, freelance scout Ben Mattinson indicated the central midfielder could be capable of making the step up to a big club one day, if he develops his game.
Since then, the Palmeiras star has certainly continued to impress, establishing himself as a key player for the Brazilian side and weighing in with three goals and four assists in the Brazilian Serie A’s 2024 season.
However, given that he is unproven outside of Brazil, Rios has not yet justified a £83m outlay, so West Ham should only consider pursuing a move if Palmeiras drop their asking price.
Allrounder Marcus Stoinis has been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against West Indies as he continues his recovery from a side strain he suffered in early September, leaving Australia’s selectors fewer chances to bed down their best side ahead of the World Cup.Stoinis has not travelled with Australia’s squad to the Gold Coast ahead of the first game of a two-match series against West Indies on Wednesday. He has instead remained in Perth where he will link up with the squad at the weekend.Following the second T20I against West Indies in Brisbane on Friday, Australia head to Perth for the first of three T20Is against England on Sunday as they continue their preparations for their opening T20 World Cup clash on October 22. They will play one more warm-up game against India before their tournament opener against New Zealand.Stoinis suffered the injury on September 8 during an ODI series against New Zealand in Cairns. He was ruled out of the third ODI of that series and also missed Australia’s whirlwind three-match T20I tour of India. He has continually suffered side strains on both sides of his body over the last three years after being significantly hampered with it during the 2019 ODI World Cup.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
He flew home early from the ODI tour of Sri Lanka in June after suffering another minor strain but was able to recover in under three weeks to play in the Hundred in England before returning to Australia for the ODIs and Zimbabwe and New Zealand.His latest injury has come at a time when Australia have a significant selection squeeze in their top seven thanks to the performances of Cameron Green and Tim David during the tour of India.Related
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David seamlessly slotted in to the No. 6 role, vacated by Stoinis, on his Australia debut in India forming a composed partnership with Matthew Wade in a stunning run chase in Mohali before scoring a sensational 54 off 27 balls in Hyderabad to lift Australia to a highly competitive total after the top order collapsed.Stoinis has been a mainstay of Australia’s T20I middle order over the last three years and played two pivotal innings in last year’s World Cup triumph. But David’s form and experience playing the exact same role in franchise cricket means that Australia’s selectors already had a decision to make in terms of their first-choice middle order in the World Cup. Stoinis’ injury may alleviate some of the pressure on Steven Smith who was moved up to No. 3 for the India series. Mitchell Marsh is set to return to that position although his troublesome ankle, which he has had surgery on in the past, has severely hindered his bowling preparation for the World Cup after missing the India series.2:48
Hodge: Green might go on to become one of the best Australia has produced
Australia’s selectors have also been looking for any excuse to get Green into their 15-man World Cup squad following his staggering performances in India. Green was added as cover for the series against West Indies after previously being set to play Sheffield Shield cricket this week, given he is currently not in the World Cup squad. Australia can add Green to the squad if Stoinis, or another player, is ruled out of the tournament with injury.How Green fits into a starting XI against West Indies remains to be seen given his success in India came while opening the batting. David Warner has returned to the squad after being rested for the India series and it is highly unlikely Australia would move either Warner or captain Aaron Finch down the order given their success and experience as an opening duo.Green did show his middle order and finishing skills in the ODIs against New Zealand but has limited T20 experience in those roles, although that is unlikely to faze the selectors as he had no opening experience in professional cricket prior to the India tour. His bowling would also give Australia another option, given their preference for seven batters and only four specialist bowlers in their XI with the fifth bowler to be made up by allrounders with Marsh, Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell providing those options at last year’s World Cup.Australia still has some overall fitness concerns ahead of the World Cup with depth players Ashton Agar and Kane Richardson unavailable for the West Indies series due to minor side strains both men suffered in India.
Dom Bess 79* in vain as Yorkshire Division One fate remains in balance
David Hopps28-Sep-2022The future has been confirmed: Shan Masood, the Pakistan batter shrewdly pilfered from Derbyshire, will captain Yorkshire in all formats in 2023. Masood brings hopes of a new beginning – and it needs to start as soon as possible. But, for the moment, the story at Headingley was of fear: fear of the present, fear of the future. And of a departing captain, much respected, who appeared to represent a bygone era.The majority of Yorkshire members who assembled in the Long Room before start of play at Headingley were of identical mind on the two great issues of the day: the Strauss Review should be consigned to the waste bin and Yorkshire had no chance of beating Gloucestershire to secure their place in Division One next season.Their view on the Strauss Review, which seeks a drastic reduction in the amount of county cricket, was voiced in no uncertain terms in a Members Forum as they gained assurances from the acting chief executive, Andy Dawson, that an EGM would be called as appropriate and that the vote would be binding. The members’ revolt around the country appears to be taking effect – although in Yorkshire’s case there may still be one or two complications ahead.They would be less thrilled that their pessimism about Yorkshire also proved well founded. Beaten by Gloucestershire by 18 runs after being dismissed late on the third day for 222, they have finished the season with six defeats in eight and will be relegated if Warwickshire, currently second bottom, fashion an unlikely victory against Hampshire at Edgbaston on the final day, so finishing above Yorkshire.For a while, though, as floodlights cut through thr early-evening gloom, a Yorkshire crowd surrendered to romance. By tradition, birthday flowers might still be hidden in shopping bags, or under overcoats, but invited to imagine that their 37-year-old former captain, Steven Patterson, would come in at No. 11 in the last innings of his career, and share in a match-winning last-wicket stand of 50, and they flirted with the notion with fluttering hearts.With every over blocked, poker faced, from the left-arm spinner, Zafar Gohar, they first applauded and then cheered. Patterson’s stumps were constantly imperilled, but the crowd was dancing to the fantasy. There were no whoops, to be fair, but this is Headingley after all. There is a place for whoops and it is several thousand miles west. Dom Bess, in perhaps his best innings for Yorkshire, picked off boundaries with some serene drives as the light began to fail. Surely, they would not have to come back in the morning?Then Gloucestershire removed Gohar from the attack and opted for pace at both ends. Patterson had nought from 26 balls, but his eyes lit up at a short, wide one from David Payne. He made good contact, but picked out Chris Dent at backward point. Bess was left stranded with an unbeaten 79 from 103 balls. Patterson had to make do with his third standing ovation of the day. Yorkshire had six defeats in eight, their only win coming against Gloucestershire in their opening game. This has been no summer for romance.Masood brings hope of success on the field and unity off it. It takes talent to heal breaches and the breaches could not be deeper.Ottis Gibson, the coach who dared to accept a hospital pass as Yorkshire began to rebuild after Azeem Rafiq’s racism allegations, knows the truth. “With one day to go, we hope things go our way in Birmingham, but you ask yourself the question, ‘Do we deserve that bit of luck from Birmingham?’ If we end up in the second division, it’s our own fault. We can’t blame any other factors.”The conversations we’ve had with Shan is that he is going to be club captain going forwards. The players know that. He will bring his own style of leadership.”Gloucestershire will still finish bottom, but they will find consolation over the winter that they have finished the season with back-to-back wins against the two counties who still fear they might be relegated alongside them.It was a difficult, but far from impossible Yorkshire chase, 241 on a sluggish surface allowing a degree of turn and seam, but Gloucestershire took a stranglehold from the moment Adam Lyth was sixth out at 119, deflecting to first slip off the shoulder of the bat after Pakistan left-arm spinner Gohar reared a delivery out of the rough. Gohar’s 4 for 69 gave him figures of 9 for 109 in the match.Lyth’s 49 was his second responsible innings of the match, and he watched most of his batting partners depart with the removal of his helmet and a crestfallen sweep of his hand over the most recognisable shiny pate in the game.Yorkshire would have been reasonably content at the way they polished off Gloucestershire’s last four wickets. They brought a further 29 runs, including Ollie Price, whose 68 ended when he chopped on against George Hill. Hill has been one of Yorkshire’s bright spots this season, arguably their Championship player of the year if you are minded to overlook Harry Brook’s excellent summer before England came a-calling. As for Patterson, an lbw decision against Gohar gave him his 489th and final first-class wicket.Yorkshire lost James Wharton to the fourth ball of the innings to a square drive off one knee against Tom Price’s inswinger, which he deflected onto his stumps. Lyth kept his helmet on for that one, and just rescratched his crease mournfully. Further damage against the new ball was averted and Yorkshire looked well set at 69 for 1, at which point Ajeet Singh Dale’s inswinger beat Hill’s drive.Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s Yorkshire farewell has been a skittish affair. His father, a dressing room attendant, walked out after the mass sacking of 14 employees in response to Rafiq’s racism allegations, and his departure for Somerset was confirmed in June. He did not appear to be overly restricted by fears of relegation: in the first innings, he holed out against Gohar’s first ball; this time he met the first five with diligent defence before slicing a lofted straight hit to long-off from the last ball of the over.Lyth’s helmet removal was accompanied by a Paddington stare. The crowd’s stony silence was meaningful enough, but somebody offered an opinion and Kohler-Cadmore was provoked into a reaction. He was fortunate that he wasn’t booed off. Unlike Patterson, his Yorkshire career had ended badly and one day he might even understand why.Payne added to Yorkshire’s plight, bowling both Jonny Tattersall and Harry Duke, the latter falling to an under-edge as he attempted a leave-alone. Jordan Thompson, who has allrounder status, made his first double-figure score in 12 innings, a run stretching back to mid-June before he turned Gohar to leg slip. The time had come for Bess to carry the fight and he did so in excellent fashion. But the Yorkshire dream never materialised and all eyes will be on Edgbaston on Thursday.
Head coach tells Hales he’s starting “with a blank canvas” upon England recall
Matt Roller17-Sep-2022
Alex Hales prepares to bat during an England nets session in Karachi•Getty Images
Alex Hales’ strained relationship with Ben Stokes will not throw England off course in their bid to win the T20 World Cup in Australia, according to Matthew Mott.Hales and Stokes were involved in the infamous brawl outside a Bristol nightclub in 2017 that saw Stokes charged with affray – he denied the charge and was found not guilty – and both players handed backdated bans and fines by the Cricket Disciplinary Commission.In his recently-released documentary, , Stokes refers to “my friend at the time, Alex” when addressing the incident and did not answer questions about Hales during interviews about the film.Stokes, who has been rested for England’s seven-match T20 international tour of Pakistan after a busy summer captaining the Test side, was tight-lipped when asked about his relationship with Hales and whether they had spoken recently earlier this month, saying only: “We’ve both got the same goal: to win World Cups.”Mott, England’s white-ball head coach, had not worked with Hales before his recall as an injury replacement for Jonny Bairstow for trips to Pakistan and Australia, and said that he had no concerns about the potential for friction within the squad.”They might not be best mates and that’s OK,” Mott said. “I’m sure you work with colleagues all the time who aren’t your best mate but you can work with them if you’ve got a common goal.”Ben’s come out and stated that as well. He wants to win World Cups. I’m sure Alex does as well and we all do, so we try and pick the best players and if they end up becoming good mates again that’s great; if not, as long as they’re going towards that goal of winning the World Cup together then that’s how teams function.”Related
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Hales himself did not specifically address his relationship with Stokes when speaking in Karachi on Friday but was keen to insist that he was “only looking to the future” rather than dwelling on the chain of events that led to his three-year exile from international cricket.Mott also revealed that he considered “the key phone call” involved in Hales’ recall to be one he made to Trevor Bayliss. Jos Buttler made several calls to senior players after Bairstow’s injury came to light but Mott decided he should also speak to the man who was England’s coach at the time of Hales’ last-minute omission from the 2019 50-over World Cup squad after news emerged of a second failed recreational drugs test.”I rang Trevor Bayliss around the time we were considering it and asked if he had any views,” Mott said. “Obviously he was coach at the time and has worked with him at Sydney Thunder. He said he’s had absolutely no problem with him at all, he’s made mistakes but he’s trying to get better.”For me, that’s it. Nobody’s perfect – I’m certainly not – but if he’s trying to get better and he’s the best player, then we can work around it.”Like Jos said, we asked the senior players whether they had an issue. It was well before my time, so one of the things I said was ‘mate, you start with a blank canvas’. He’s been contrite and has shown he’s trying to learn from his experiences.”
After a strong start to the season under new manager Enzo Maresca, Chelsea have seriously dropped off in recent months.
Since 22nd December, the Blues have won just two Premier League games, suffering losses to Ipswich Town, Fulham and Manchester City, while drawing with Everton, Crystal Palace, and Bournemouth.
This poor run of form has seen Maresca’s side slip from second in the league – just two points behind leaders Liverpool – to sixth place, with the possibility of European football next season now in serious doubt.
The cause of this decline is unclear, but from the outside, it seems to be a combination of factors: a squad filled mostly with young, inexperienced players, Maresca’s struggle to manage an over-inflated squad that has become harder to control as the weeks go by, and a lack of quality in key positions.
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In goal, for instance, Robert Sanchez has been the most error-prone ‘keeper in the Premier League this season, seemingly costing Chelsea points week after week.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch, Nicolas Jackson’s goals have dried up and Christopher Nkunku often looks aloof, with his mind seemingly elsewhere during his cameo appearances in the top flight.
While little business was done in January, Maresca will no doubt be hoping to use the summer to reassess his squad and bring in fresh talent capable of meeting his expectations and delivering for the Stamford Bridge faithful.
With that in mind, here are five players we believe Chelsea should target in the summer.
1 Alessandro Bastoni Inter
Inter Milan defenderAlessandro Bastoni.
Chelsea currently have no fewer than eight centre-backs in their squad, but aside from the injured Wesley Fofana, none has fully convinced this season.
To complement Fofana’s pace, power and relentless attitude, the Blues need to pair him with a composed, ball-playing defender who can help steady the ship. Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni is arguably the best example of such a player in Europe today.
A superb passer and astute dribbler, the Italian is as composed as they come when it comes to playing the ball out from the back. Standing at 6 foot 3, he’s also a physical presence, capable of winning the ball cleanly in the air and on the ground.
While he would be a dream and a sensible acquisition, Bastoni is currently tied to Inter until 2028, so he may require a big-money bid.
Chelsea certainly have the financial muscle to make such a splash, and with his fellow countryman Maresca at the helm, a connection with the manager could help persuade him to test his luck in a new league.
2 Johan Bakayoko PSV Eindhoven
PSV Eindhoven's JohanBakayokoin action
With the exception of the excellent Jadon Sancho, Chelsea’s wingers have been underwhelming this season. Pedro Neto has scored just twice in the Premier League, while despite netting seven goals, Noni Madueke has frustrated Maresca and Chelsea fans with lacklustre performances, selfishness in the final third and an inability to track back.
Mykhailo Mudryk, meanwhile, remains suspended after failing a drugs test.
To address their issues on the right wing, the Blues should target Madueke’s former PSV Eindhoven teammate, Johan Bakayoko.
The Dutchman scored 14 goals and registered 14 assists for PSV last season, earning multiple individual honours.
He’s continued his impressive form this season with nine goals and three assists, and has stood out with his tight control, footballing intelligence and ability to score with both feet – qualities he showcased in spectacular fashion when he netted against Liverpool in the Champions League.
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Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez
In addition to strengthening their options at centre-back and right-back, Chelsea also need more depth at left-back. Marc Cucurella has been solid so far this term, but he can’t be expected to play every match, while Malo Gusto is unable to operate on that flank.
Moreover, young Renato Veiga has now left for Juventus for the rest of the campaign, and Ben Chilwell has moved to Crystal Palace. Therefore, someone new may be being lined up for the summer.
A standout acquisition here, at least in our view, would be Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez. One of the standout defenders in the Premier League this season, the Hungarian has been defensively solid and dynamic going forward.
His all-around game was on full display during a man-of-the-match performance in a 2-1 victory over Manchester City in November. Kerkez contributed both assists for Bournemouth on the day, along with three clearances, two ball recoveries and an interception.
4 Diogo Costa Porto
Chelsea’s need for a new goalkeeper is perhaps their most pressing issue, with Robert Sanchez having already made five errors leading to goals in the Premier League this season.
Porto’s Diogo Costa would be a definite upgrade, and at 25 years old, he is a player who could be the Blues’ No 1 for many years to come.
Costa has been one of Europe’s most reliable goalkeepers in recent years, recording 78 clean sheets in 183 appearances for Porto, including 11 in 20 league games this season.
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Chelsea have long been searching for a successor to the legendary Didier Drogba, who tormented Premier League defences with his power, skill and an unrivalled ability to perform when it mattered most at Stamford Bridge.
While Nicolas Jackson’s link-up play might even surpass Drogba’s, his lack of clinical finishing is becoming a growing concern, with the Senegalese striker often costing the Blues valuable points.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface not only fits the Drogba mould – big, strong, dominant in the air, and surprisingly deft for his size – but he is also far more ruthless in front of goal than Jackson.
Since the start of last season, the Nigerian has scored 30 goals, averaging a goal every 103 minutes, while Jackson has found the net 26 times, with a goal every 204 minutes.