Mauricio Pochettino’s principled approach towards the team spirit of his Tottenham squad has seen Toby Alderweireld marginalised almost completely this season, despite being arguably the most talented centre-half in the Premier League.
Losing out in big matches such as the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United with a top, experienced defender on the bench must be galling for some Spurs fans and they need a signing this summer to make a clear move on from the Belgian international.
One man who has been linked with North London to ease the situation is Matthijs de Ligt, the Dutch international centre-half who currently turns out for Alderweireld’s old club Ajax – where Davinson Sanchez, Christian Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen all also emerged from.
So; we’re asking you whether the man valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt is a good fit for Pochettino’s men? Let us know by voting in the poll below and keep your eyes peeled for the results in the coming days…
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Manchester United target Ilkay Gundogan has denied claims he has agreed a deal with the Red Devils, and insists his future will be decided following Germany’s clash with Gibraltar, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The Borussia Dortmund star is expected to feature in Saturday’s Euro 2016 qualifier, and only then will contemplate his future having been linked with a move to both United and Barcelona.
The 24-year-old has just one year left on his current contract with the Bundesliga outfit, and the club have already confirmed he will leave this summer for a fee.
WANT MORE? >> Man United transfer news | Latest transfer news
However, the midfielder has quashed rumours that claim a deal is already in place with Manchester United and insisted he has yet to determine where he will spend next season.
“Normally I do not address media reports, especially not on Facebook. I want to this time to explain some things and give you a better insight,” said Gundogan on his Facebook page.
“In recent weeks, I, like you, read again and again that where I was signing was already agreed.
“Today I am in contract negotiations here, tomorrow I’m having a medical check there. At first I could still smile about it, but when there was talk of “contract poker” and “rip-off”, that painted me in a bad light.
“Yesterday an ominous number [regarding wage demands] appeared in the media and so I have now decided to say something about it.
“The 2014/15 season strictly speaking only ends on June 30 2015. Although so far there have hardly been any transfers completed in Europe, rumour to rumour I was supposed to have demanded more and more, putting off making a final decision.
“Forgotten was this: I have one more year on my contract with BVB. What is important to me is that I’m not gambling financially or using delaying tactics.
“What’s next for me personally, I will reveal as soon as possible. But only after the season and our important game for the European Championship qualifier with the national team will I decide.”
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Gundogan has spent four years at Dortmund and was a key part of the club’s double winning side of 2012 and also played a pivotal role in their path to the Champions League final in 2013 where he scored in a narrow 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich.
He returned from a back injury earlier this season that had kept him out of action for a year, but was unable to help Dortmund reach the Champions League after a somewhat disappointing campaign for the Bundesliga outfit.
Arsenal will reportedly turn to Hamburg goalkeeper Rene Adler in the summer to help solve their ongoing problems between the sticks, according to the Mirror.
The Gunners have struggled to secure a dominant custodian since the departure of Jens Lehmann back in 2008, with Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski sharing the keeping duties this season.
Both players can be brilliant on their day but are inconsistent and prone to lapses in concentration that lead to errors.
Boss Arsene Wenger relied on David Seamen for years but has been unable to find another keeper to match the former England star, but reports in the English press claim he will now turn to the former Bayer Leverkusen shot-stopper to try and solve the problem.
Adler has won 11 Germany caps and reports claim he would cost in the region of £10million but, with another trophyless season at the Emirates Stadium, it might be money well spent.
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Arsenal forward Gervinho is “totally convinced” new signing Oliver Giroud will score enough goals to make Arsenal fans forget about Robin Van Persie, according to the Mirror.
Arsenal are yet to score a goal or record a victory this season, having being held to goalless draws by both Sunderland and Stoke since the sale of their captain to Manchester United.
It is clear Giroud – a £10 million signing from Montpellier – along with fellow new boy Lukas Podolski, have a massive task on their hands replacing the former Arsenal talisman. However, Gervinho is certain that with a little patience the goals will come.
The Ivory Coast international explained: “I hope the fans show patience towards Giroud and also look at his overall contribution to the team.
“We must all support him, because there’s big pressure.
“But there’s no doubt in my mind that the goals will come. I am totally convinced.
“To substitute a player like van Persie who scored nearly 40 goals in a season is not easy.
“Giroud couldn’t score goals in the opening games but that’s to be expected because it will take him time to adapt in the system and style.”
Gervinho is speaking through experience, having taken a while to settle into English football since his move from Lille last summer. He continued:
“It took me a long time to adjust so I know what it is like.
“But Wenger will give Giroud confidence because he believes in his ability and quality.
“A squad like Arsenal’s needs quality players at this level and they must be allowed to succeed without pressure.
“I talk every day with Olivier and he’s not been worried by the absence of goals in his first matches. It’s just a matter of time.”
Arsenal’s quest for a first goal of the season does not get much easier, as they travel to Anfield on Sunday. Last season’s fixture saw the Gunners come away with a 2-1 win courtesy of two strikes from Robin Van Persie. Gervinho admits he wishes the Dutchman had not left the Emirates, but insists Arsenal are capable of moving on without him.
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He told French radio station RMC Sports:
“Personally, I wouldn’t have wanted for him to leave for Manchester United. But our world doesn’t end with Robin.
“We are players with a lot to develop and we can have a good season by which time van Persie will be forgotten. That is the truth.”
It was the second-biggest successful chase in Vijay Hazare Trophy history
ESPNcricinfo staff21-Dec-2024Playing only his third List A game, K Shrijith struck an unbeaten 101-ball 150 to lead Karnataka home in the second-highest successful chase in Vijay Hazare Trophy history, as they hauled down a target of 383 with 3.4 overs to spare at the Narendra Modi Stadium’s B ground.Andhra’s successful chase of 384 against Goa in the 2011-12 season continues to hold the tournament record.Related
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Anmolpreet hits third-fastest List A century off just 35 balls
Shrijith’s effort meant that Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 114 off just 55 balls went in vain for Mumbai. Iyer hit five fours and as many as ten sixes as he hurried Mumbai to a formidable total following a relatively sedate start. When Iyer walked out, Mumbai were 148 for 2 in the 30th over, following a 141-run second-wicket stand, off 160 balls, between Hardik Tamore (84 off 94) and Ayush Mhatre (78 off 82).Mumbai proceeded to up their scoring rate as Iyer added 30 off 22 with Tamore and 56 off 34 with Suryakumar Yadav (20 off 16). That set the stage for a frenetic finish, as Iyer and Shivam Dube proceeded to put on an unbroken 148 off the last 65 balls of Mumbai’s innings. While Dube scored an unbeaten 63 off 36 (5×4, 5×6), Iyer from the other end smashed 74 off the last 29 balls of his innings.Amid the carnage of Mumbai’s innings, new-ball operator Vasuki Koushik finished with the impressive figures of 0 for 45 from his ten overs.In contrast with Mumbai’s gradual build-up of steam, Karnataka kept pace with the required rate almost throughout their chase. They were 106 for 2 in the 15th over, with openers Nikin Jose (21 off 13) and Mayank Agarwal (47 off 48) having both departed, when Shrijith walked to the crease.The wicketkeeper-batter took charge of the innings thereafter, first putting on 94 with No. 3 KV Aneesh, who made a 66-ball 82 on his List A debut, and then dominating an unbroken stand of 183 off just 119 balls with the legspinning allrounder Praveen Dubey.While Dubey contributed 65 off 50 balls to the partnership, Shrijith smashed 107 off 69, as Karnataka charged towards their target. Mumbai’s bowlers came in for heavy punishment, none worse than Shardul Thakur who went for 72 in six wicketless overs.
Minister Group Dhaka needed nine to win off the last over, with set batter Tamim Iqbal in the middle, but eventually lost by three runs
Mohammad Isam08-Feb-2022How the match played outMrittunjoy Chowdhury brought back Chattogram Challengers out of the dead with a superb final over that helped clinch a three-run win over Minister Group Dhaka. It was the first thriller of the BPL this season, particularly after several one-sided games in the competition in the past week.To defend eight runs in the last over, the left-arm quick Mrittunjoy first removed Qais Ahmed off the first ball. He then bowled two dot balls to Mohammad Naim, before the batter got off strike. Tamim Iqbal, who was the set batter at the other end, could only muster a bye next ball, finishing on an unbeaten 73 and leaving Naim to hit a six off the last ball.Mrittunjoy bowled a high full-toss this time, which Naim hit back to him. But it was a no-ball, which handed Dhaka another chance. But Naim, struggling throughout the tournament, couldn’t do much in the final ball. Mrittunjoy bowled another fast full delivery, which only returned a single down the ground.The win brought Chattogram back in contention for the playoffs spots as they replaced Dhaka in fourth place with eight points. Chattogram, who got into the game with their third captain in Afif Hossain, banked on the 57 runs they added in the last five overs to get them to 148 for 6 in 20 overs.Related
Mehidy Hasan Miraz captaincy row – 'Both player and franchise admit they acted unreasonably'
Big hitShamim Hossain made his maiden BPL fifty, getting most of his runs on the on-side, including a six over midwicket off Ebadot Hossain. He also struck five fours in his 37-ball knock. He added 58 runs for the sixth wicket with Benny Howell, who struck two sixes in his unbeaten 19-ball 24.The Shamim-Howell combination also accounted for Mahmudullah’s catch in the 15th over of Dhaka’s chase. Mahmudullah slog-swept Mehidy Hasan Miraz, only for Shamim to intercept the ball in the deep-midwicket boundary. Realising that he would lose his balance and fall over the rope, he flicked the ball to Howell who completed the catch.The catch broke the 71-run fourth wicket stand between Tamim and Mahmudullah, after Dhaka had slipped to 21 for 3 in the fifth over. Mahmudullah played the support act as Tamim struck the ball cleanly over the covers, hitting Jacks for a six and Miraz for two fours through the region.Tamim kept the Dhaka chase on track even after Mahmudullah got out, adding 43 runs in 4.1 overs with Shuvagata Hom. Tamim struck his sixth four off the last ball of Shoriful Islam’s 19th over, which left Qais on strike, but with nine to win, Dhaka couldn’t finish the game they way they desired.Mrittunjoy, meanwhile, crossed another milestone in this ever-improving BPL campaign. He started the tournament with a hat-trick against Sylhet Sunrisers before taking a four-wicket haul against Fortune Barishal.Big missA big worry would be Naim’s form throughout this BPL season. This short innings of two runs off five balls may not reflect his overall form but he has truly struggled, resulting in him being sent to bat at No. 8 in this game. He has so far scored just 43 runs at an average of 8.60. It must be a cause of concern for the Bangladesh selectors going into the Afghanistan series later this month.
The team will be led by Prithvi Shaw and will open its campaign against Maharashtra on January 13
ESPNcricinfo staff29-Dec-2021Arjun Tendulkar, the son of former India batter Sachin Tendulkar, has been included in the Mumbai Ranji Trophy squad. The team will be led by Prithvi Shaw, whom chief selector Salil Ankola termed as a “brilliant captain and fantabulous opening batsman”.Shaw was India’s captain when they won the Under-19 World Cup in 2018. Last season, he had led Mumbai to the Vijay Hazare title. However, it will be the first time he will captain a side in first-class cricket.Arjun, the 22-year-old fast bowler, had broken into Mumbai’s squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last year, and made his senior debut against Haryana, returning figures of 1 for 34 from three overs. He played one more game for Mumbai, turning out in their defeat against Puducherry. Arjun, batting at No. 11, was dismissed for 3 as Mumbai folded for 94; with the ball, he finished with 1 for 33 from four overs.Earlier this year, Arjun landed his first IPL contract with Mumbai Indians signing him for INR 20 lakhs at the auction. However, he did not play a single game during the season.Allrounder Shivam Dube, who has played one ODI and 13 T20Is, is also in the squad, as are Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Arman Jaffer and Aditya Tare. Dhawal Kulkarni will lead the pace attack.Mumbai, the 41-time Ranji Trophy champions, are placed in Elite Group C and will open their campaign against Maharashtra on January 13, before facing Delhi on January 20.Squad: Prithvi Shaw (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Aakarshit Gomel, Armaan Jaffer, Sarfaraz Khan, Sachin Yadav, Aditya Tare (wicketkeeper), Hardik Tamore (wicketkeeper), Shivam Dube, Aman Khan, Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Prashant Solanki, Shashank Attarde, Dhawal Kulkarni, Mohit Avasthi, Prince Badiani, Siddharth Raut, Royston Dias, Arjun Tendulkar
Needing 286 in their second innings to make Victoria bat again, New South Wales crumbled under the relentless pressure of Boland
Alex Malcolm27-Oct-2018Getty Images
A sublime unbeaten 250 from Marcus Harris and five wickets from Scott Boland have put Victoria on the verge of a crushing innings victory over New South Wales at the MCG. Needing 286 in their second innings to make Victoria bat again, New South Wales crumbled under the relentless pressure of Boland.He forced a mistake from Daniel Hughes early in the innings before Nick Larkin and Kurtis Patterson put up some resistance. Larkin made a well-compiled 53 before he was bowled leaving a ball from Andrew Fekete that snaked back off the seam from well wide of off stump. Moises Henriques was trapped plumb in front by Boland and Jack Edwards was castled by a devilish inswinger from Tremain.The Blues slumped from 4 for 167 to 9 for 175 in the space of 12 overs. Patterson reached his second half-century of the match but again fell to a right-arm quick angling in and seaming away from around the wicket. In the first innings it was Chris Tremain who found his outside edge, in the second it was Boland.Boland also knocked over Daniel Sams and Daniel Fallins for his fourth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket after Fawad Ahmed accounted for Peter Nevill and Jason Sangha.The Blues’ last wicket pair of Mickey Edwards and Trent Copeland survived for 60 balls on the third evening to ensure the game went into a fourth day.Earlier, Harris pushed on from his overnight total of 210 to make an even 250. He faced 403 balls and struck 22 fours and a six in his remarkable innings to put his name up in lights ahead of the Test series against India.Harris got incredible support from Fawad, who posted his highest score in first-class cricket. He made 34 from 90 balls with four fours and a six to rub salt into the Blues wounds. Harris and Andrew Fekete also added an unbeaten 54 for the 10th wicket before Peter Handscomb declared.
A round-up of the second day of Group A matches in the fourth round of the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy
ESPNcricinfo staff28-Oct-2016
Group A
Deepak Hooda converted his third successive century into a mammoth 293 not out, his best score in first-class cricket, to flatten Punjab at Feroz Shah Kotla. The 21-year old Baroda captain’s maiden double-century included 25 fours and six sixes. He had resumed on 190 on the second day and batted through the rest of the innings to finish with a strike-rate of 82.76.Hooda could well have had his first triple-century – and the fourth of this season, there have only been four rounds – but Munaf Patel, having hung in for 57 minutes and 29 balls, contributing one run to the final-wicket stand of 31, fell on the last ball of the 140th over from Shubek Gill. Hooda’s 293 was the second-highest score in Baroda’s history.Baroda were dismissed for 529, with Sandeep Sharma taking 4 for 101. Punjab had 35 overs to last until stumps. They lost Jiwanjot Singh in the 10th over, but the other opener Manan Vohra ensured there were no further losses with an unbeaten 67.A first-innings lead of 100 became extremely handy for Bengal as 15 wickets fell on the second day in Dharamsala. Railways, who resumed their first innings on 37 for 4, were bowled out for 105 as seamer Ashok Dinda picked up 5 for 45 bowling 14 out of the 27.3 overs in the innings. It was his 19th five-for and second in as many matches. Seven of the Railways batsmen suffered single-digit scores and had it not been for their captain Karn Sharma’s 40 off 26 balls, they may not even have got a total above hundred.Bengal’s batsmen were a lot more sturdy with Wriddhiman Saha and captain Manoj Tiwary making 44 and 48 respectively to help build the lead to a considerable 308 by stumps. They only have one wicket standing though thanks to the Railways seamers Deepak Bansal and Karan Thakur, who picked up 3 for 40 and 3 for 39.N Jagadeesan became the first player from Tamil Nadu to score a century on debut in eight years as his team continued their run-scoring spree in Cuttack. He was unbeaten on 118 having faced 196 balls, with eight fours and two sixes. Madhya Pradesh had been flogged for 547 runs over the course of 174 overs with only seven wickets as compensation. This after they had dismissed both Tamil Nadu openers for ducks on the first day.The revival was led by Kaushik Gandhi, who having been on 71 overnight, completed his maiden first-class century. He finished with 157 off 368 balls with 24 fours. B Indrajith was one of only three wickets MP were able to take on the second day, but not before he had scored his third fifty-plus score in three innings.Proceedings were rather slow in the other match in Delhi, where Uttar Pradesh ground out 147 runs at a run-rate of 2.19 against Gujarat. One of the overnight batsmen Mohammad Saif scored 4 off 51 balls. The bulk of their runs came from the openers – Tanmay Srivastava made 45 off 148 balls while his partner Samarth Singh got to 50 off 101 balls to go with his 187 in his last innings. UP still trail by 200 runs. Gujarat’s batsmen deserve credit for that, not least their resilient 10th wicket pair. Chirag Gandhi (87) and Ishwar Chaudhary (13) got together when the score was 284 for 9 to took it to 347. UP fast bowler Imtiaz Ahmed picked up 5 for 73.
The in-form Nasir Jamshed showed his promise as the touring Pakistanis had their first run on South African surfaces ahead of the three-Test series that starts next Friday
Firdose Moonda25-Jan-2013Pakistanis 178 for 6 (Jamshed 68, Hafeez 55, Hendricks 2-39) v SA Invitation XI Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsFile photo: Nasir Jamshed led the Pakistani batting, constructing a century stand with Mohammad Hafeez•AFP
The in-form Nasir Jamshed showed his promise as the touring Pakistanis had their first run on South African surfaces ahead of the three-Test series that starts next Friday. Jamshed opened the batting with Mohammad Hafeez and they were the only two batsmen to profit on a day interrupted by rain and bad light.South Africa’s backup bowling talent impressed with Kyle Abbott, Beuran Hendricks and Simon Harmer taking two wickets each, while Wayne Parnell made a return from his wrist injury with an economical outing. The South African Invitation XI benched Ayabulela Gqamane despite his consistently good showings this summer.With adjustment to South African conditions being the major challenge facing touring batsmen, Pakistan’s top two seemed to have few problems. Hafeez and Jamshed, playing in place of regular opener Taufeeq Umar, put on a century stand and seemed to handle the pace and Harmer’s offspin with ease.When Hafeez was caught off Abbott’s bowling, the slide began and none of Pakistan’s middle order was able to stop it. Azhar Ali managed only two singles off the 29 balls he faced before falling to Harmer. Younis Khan also showed patience but his 25-ball 5 ended when he was caught behind off Hendricks.Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq followed in the next four overs. Each only scored four and dealt with the pace far more awkwardly than the batsmen who preceded them. Jamshed stood firm through the collapse but, after a rain delay, he too fell.The Pakistanis’ six wickets fell for 40 runs, which will be of some concern to them ahead of the main event. With only the tail to follow Sarfraz Ahmed, their focus will be on bowling on the second day. Mastering the slightly shorter length that will lead to success in South Africa will no doubt be on the agenda.