All posts by h716a5.icu

West Ham have been linked with a move to replace David Moyes with Marco Silva after a disappointing season.

The Hammers are just above the relegation zone and while they are likely to remain in the Premier League next season, the board may still choose to replace him.

Who could replace David Moyes as West Ham manager?

According to the Daily Mail, West Ham are now considering a move for Fulham manager Marco Silva after a very impressive season. The Cottagers have been defensively rugged and tactically astute under Silva.

The 45-year-old has a £6million release clause in his contract which West Ham will need to pay if they are to replace Moyes with Silva. The two managers are at opposite ends of their careers in coaching and signing Silva could be what the London outfit needs to move into another gear and create a long-term vision.

Moyes has been a fantastic manager for West Ham and if the board is planning on replacing him at the end of the season, winning the Europa Conference League would be that much sweeter.

Would Marco Silva be the right appointment for West Ham?

Speaking to Football Insider, Sky Sports pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor said he believes Silva is the right man for West Ham to hire.

He said: "I think bringing Silva in would be the right decision. David Moyes has been outstanding for the club, but I think it’s time to bring in a younger manager with new ideas.

"Silva has done brilliantly with Fulham and the way they play football, the authority he has – I think he’d be a great appointment for West Ham.

"It wouldn’t even be a sacking for Moyes. It’d be a thank you for your service – but the club has to move forward now. I think it will happen."

Hopefully leaving West Ham wouldn't spell the end of Moyes' career as a manager. Only Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have managed more games in the Premier League than the Scotsman. In total, he has taken charge of 647 games and counting.

West Ham have three Premier League games left as well as their semi-final second leg against AZ Alkmaar. Should they win that, they will have the final to contend with as well.

Chelsea see Napoli striker Victor Osimhen as their "main" target in the summer transfer window, according to an update from journalist Rudy Galetti.

How many goals has Osimhen scored?

The 24-year-old has arguably been one of the standout players in Europe this season, producing some scintillating performances for Napoli. He has been one of the key reasons for his side's Serie A title success – their first since 1990 – ensuring that he will forever have legendary status in Naples.

Osimhen has scored 23 goals in just 27 league starts, but he also shone in the Champions League when Napoli were still in the competition, netting five times in six appearances. His displays have made him a wanted man, with a move to the Premier League not out of the question this summer.

It appears as though Chelsea and Manchester United are the two clubs showing the most interest from England, with the Blues desperately in need of signing an elite centre forward before the start of next season.

Do Chelsea still want to sign Osimhen?

Taking to Twitter, Galetti, singled out Osimhen as Chelsea's No.1 target, but did also throw another couple of names into the hat:

"Chelsea are looking for a new striker this summer: Victor Osimhen is the main target. Understand that CFC – to convince Napoli – could offer more than €100M (£87m) for the player. The Blues have Dusan #Vlahovic and Randal #KoloMuani in their list as well."

Osimhen should be viewed as the dream signing for Chelsea this summer, having the potential to come in and have a Didier Drogba-esque impact at Stamford Bridge. He possesses similar attributes to the legendary former Blues striker, whether it be his brute strength or relentless goalscoring ability.

While the Blues may be able to handle the financial side of a move for the £93,000-a-week star, their lack of European football next season has the potential to work against them hugely. Osimhen will surely want to be playing in the Champions League, so Mauricio Pochettino may have to sell Chelsea to him perfectly, should they wish to snap him up.

The 15-goal Nigeria international is a massive talent who the Blues should go all in for, though – Gianfranco Zola has described him as a "devastating" player – and someone who could be a game-changer of signing, transforming the attack and helping get the best out of the likes of Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling.

A computerised rankings system has gone where the selectors have been reluctant to tread, by offering Kent’s troubled allrounder, Matt Coles, an opportunity to make his case for England’s one-day squad

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Aug-2016A computerised rankings system has gone where the selectors have been reluctant to tread, by offering Kent’s troubled allrounder, Matt Coles, an opportunity to make his case for England’s one-day squad when the inaugural North v South series takes place in the UAE next March.Coles, who was left out of Kent’s County Championship fixture against Derbyshire in June following a drink-related incident, was suspended by the ECB for two further Championship matches after being found guilty of throwing the ball in a dangerous manner during their victory against Glamorgan in May. In 2013, Coles was also sent home from an England Lions tour of Australia due to excessive drinking (the same punishment also handed to Ben Stokes).However, his recent one-day form has been impressive. He claimed figures of 6 for 56 against Hampshire, his former county, last week, and 4 for 39, with an economy rate of 4.33, against Sussex yesterday, to finish third in the Professional Cricketers’ Association MVP Rankings for the Royal London Cup, the system by which eight of the squad members for the North v South series have been selected.Tim Bresnan, Harry Gurney and Liam Dawson are three previously capped England players to have made the MVP cut, with the England Lions batsman Ben Duckett, the Northamptonshire left-arm spinner Graeme White, and the Somerset pair of Lewis Gregory and Tim Groenewald also in the mix.Duckett has been in prolific form of late, both for Northamptonshire and the Lions, making unbeaten scores of 163 and 220 in the recent triangular series with Sri Lanka A and Pakistan A although it is purely his Royal London Cup form that has earned this selection.”I had been following the MVP for the last few games when I realised I was in the mix and it put a bit more on the games we had left,” said Groenewald, who was born and raised in South Africa but who has lived in England for 12 years. “I’m really happy to be involved in something like this particularly with it being the first one and it should be a really good tournament.The PCA and the ECB’s National Cricket Performance Centre at Loughborough have worked closely to enhance the PCA MVP formula, which was first introduced in 2007.The rankings system identifies the match-winners and key influencers of matches, using a formula that measures each player’s total contribution by taking into account conditions, quality of opposition, captaincy and strike rates, as well as runs scored and wickets taken.The remaining players in the North v South series will be chosen by the England selectors, who will have not only the 2019 World Cup in their thoughts, but also the 2017 Champions Trophy, which will be hosted in England in June, three months after the UAE series.”It’s brilliant how the system has worked giving an incentive from guys outside the England set-up to work for,” said Groenewald. “I am sure there will be some really good players out there, players who will be playing in the next World Cup so it’s brilliant to be involved in this tournament.””The North v South series is something that there has been a lot of banter about in the dressing room since the start of the competition and as we got close to the end of the group stage I knew that I was there or thereabouts,” said Gurney, who made his last international appearance in December 2014.”It’s a good opportunity for someone like me just to remind the selectors that I can still do it and that I believe that I have still got an awful lot to offer the international game. It’s up to me now to persuade them that’s still the case.”

Four wickets for Jofra Archer continued an impressive start to his first-class career at Sussex and helped to justify Luke Wright’s decision to bowl first in Cardiff

ECB Reporters Network23-Aug-2016
ScorecardLuke Wright still senses a promotion chance [file picture]•Getty ImagesLuke Wright’s decision to insert Glamorgan paid dividends as they fell for a below par 252 in 60.1 overs, before Chris Nash and Ed Joyce compiled an opening partnership of 111 that kept Sussex’s hopes of a late promotion challenge simmering. Sussex trailed by 142 at the end of the first day and are well placed to gain a substantial lead on first innings.Not for the first time this season Glamorgan relied on their middle and late order batsmen to get them out of trouble, slumping to 56 for 5 before lunch. The last five wickets added 196 runs with Graham Wagg and Mark Wallace scoring half centuries and Owen Morgan, who last week scored an undefeated 103 as night watchman against Worcestershire, again impressing with 32 not out.Jofra Archer, a former West Indies U-19 player whose breakthrough in all three formats in the past month has won a contract until the end of next season, achieved career-best championship figures of 4 for 91, but he will bowl better than this and be less rewarded.Nick Selman, who three weeks ago carried his bat against Northants, scoring 122 not out, was out to the fifth ball of the innings, and has now failed to score in four successive innings. He was quickly followed by Jacques Rudolph, whose miserable season continued when he gloved an innocuous delivery from Archer down the leg side to the wicketkeeper.The Sussex seamers continued to take wickets, but Glamorgan’s batsmen contributed to their downfall with some poor shot selection – Will Bragg following one from Steve Magoffin and David Lloyd, who struck his first ball for six, nudging to slip.Wagg and Aneurin Donald began Glamorgan’s revival with a partnership of 50, before Donald played on to Archer, and although Craig Meschede was out soon afterwards, Wagg went on to score 57 with ten boundaries before giving David Wiese a return catch.Wallace top scored with 61 from 59 balls, putting on 44 with Wagg and 62 with Morgan who surely deserves promotion in the batting order from No. 9. He shared a stand of 33 for the last wicket with Michael Hogan that enabled Glamorgan to gain two batting points.The green pitch was soon put into perspective by Nash and Joyce, who were soon into their stride, striking nine boundaries from the opening 12 overs, as Glamorgan’s opening bowlers Craig Meschede and Timm Van Der Gugten failed to make any impact.Nash reached his fifty from 89 balls, but Joyce nibbled at one from Meschede three overs before the close, having completed his thousand runs for the season.

Aston Villa see Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes as a primary transfer target during the summer transfer window, according to a new report.

Is Barnes likely to leave Leicester?

The Foxes have had a hugely disappointing season by their recent standards, considering they only won the FA Cup two years ago, and were also pushing for a top-four finish at the same time. They look highly likely to be relegated from the Premier League this weekend, with only victory at home to West Ham, coupled with Everton failing to win against Bournemouth at Goodison Park, preventing that.

Should Leicester head back down to the Championship, there is likely to be an exodus of high-profile players, with the likes of James Maddison and Youri Tielemans both almost certain to move on. Barnes is another who would be expected to leave, with the £40,000-a-week attacker scoring 12 goals in 33 league appearances this season.

The 25-year-old's current deal at the King Power Stadium expires in the summer of 2025, but he surely won't be happy heading to the Championship at this point in his career. Villa have been linked with a move for him recently and now a new claim has emerged.

Is Barnes a summer target for Villa?

According to The Express & Star, Barnes is "one of Villa’s top winger targets heading into the summer transfer window". He is "admired by sporting director Johan Lange and a deal could become particularly attractive should the Foxes be relegated from the Premier League". Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams is also mentioned as a potential option.

The Englishman could be a really astute signing by the Villans in the coming weeks and months, having been hailed as "unbelievable" by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in the past. He is now a proven Premier League player, racking up 34 goals and 25 assists in the competition, and he is also someone with one cap to his name for England.

Barnes, who shares the same agency as Tyrone Mings, could provide extra direct running and end product in wide areas at Villa next season, challenging the likes of Emiliano Buendia and Leon Bailey for playing time.

Granted, he may not be able to join on the cheap, given his current contract situation, but he could excel under Unai Emery and his prime years could still be ahead of him, meaning his top level may well be displayed at Villa Park in the future.

Shaun Marsh and Ashton Agar have been named in Western Australia’s squad for next month’s Matador Cup, despite both carrying injuries that will likely prevent them from being available for the start of the tournament

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Sep-2016Shaun Marsh and Ashton Agar have been named in Western Australia’s squad for next month’s Matador Cup, despite both carrying injuries that will likely prevent them from being available for the start of the tournament. Fast bowler Jason Behrendorff has also been included and will make his return from a lengthy lay-off, having not played since the BBL in January due to a stress fracture of the lower back.Western Australia have named a near full-strength group for the one-day tournament, with only Mitchell Marsh unavailable due to Australian duties and Nathan Coulter-Nile injured. However, Shaun Marsh’s broken finger and Agar’s shoulder injury will likely mean they are unavailable until later in the tournament, in which case WA can apply to Cricket Australia for injury replacement players.”It’s great to see Jason [Behrendorff] back in the squad after a long time out,” coach Justin Langer said. “He’s a consummate professional with his rehab and has been diligent throughout so we’re confident he can return to his best during the Matador Cup.”It’s great to have Adam Voges here to lead the side, while we’ve got good experience with players like Michael Klinger and Nathan Rimmington around him.”Western Australia squad Adam Voges (capt), Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright, Michael Klinger, Shaun Marsh, David Moody, Joel Paris, Nathan Rimmington, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Jonathan Wells, Sam Whiteman.

Liverpool youngster Fabio Carvalho is wanted by Burnley on a permanent deal in the summer transfer window, according to a new update.

How has Carvalho fared at Liverpool?

The 20-year-old joined the Reds from Fulham last year, being seen as an exciting young signing who could have a similar trajectory to Harvey Elliott, who also arrived from the Cottagers.

While Carvalho was seen as a long-term acquisition, the hope was still that he would play a positive role from the off, acting as a strong squad player, but he has had a tough first season on Merseyside. While his winning goal at home to Newcastle United back in August was a high point, he has only scored three times in all competitions, failing to register an assist along the way.

He hasn't played a full 90 minutes since the 7-1 win away to Rangers in the Champions League in October, further highlighting how far down the pecking order he has been. While time is still very much on Carvalho's side, it could be that Liverpool already don't see a future for him, following a fresh claim.

Could Carvalho leave Reds this summer?

According to Football Insider, "Burnley are keen on signing" Carvalho this summer, eyeing him up on a permanent basis. A loan moving is also in the offing, however, which could be the Reds' preference, allowing him to gain more experience and playing time elsewhere.

The Clarets enjoyed a memorable season in the Championship, cruising to the title glory under Vincent Kompany, and Carvalho could view Turf Moor as a good place to go in the coming months.

In truth, a loan move may still be the best option for the attacking midfielder this summer, with the idea of selling him permanently something that feels too knee-jerk at this point in his career. He is still so young, and has been part of a struggling Liverpool team this season, so cutting all ties with him could be risky.

Carvalho is still raw and has plenty of learning to do, but the ingredients are still there to make it at a high level, having been lauded as "unbelievable" by Jurgen Klopp, also scoring 10 goals and registering eight assists for Fulham last season, helping them gain promotion to the Premier League in the process.

All parties could benefit from a loan move coming to fruition, so that may well be the best outcome, with Carvalho possibly returning to Liverpool a more rounded player this time next year.

International cricket is headed for a major financial shift as Australia, England and South Africa lead a push to sell overseas television rights in a collective bundle overseen by a new, independent administrative body

Daniel Brettig09-Sep-20161:17

Could all cricket be sold as one TV package?

International cricket is headed for a major financial shift as Australia, England and South Africa lead a push to sell overseas television rights in a collective bundle overseen by a new, independent administrative body.While the BCCI has expressed reservations about the concept, ESPNcricinfo understands that Cricket Australia, the ECB and CSA are adamant that a more collaborative approach to selling bilateral rights is the only way to minimise potential damage to revenue levels due to a shrinking of the Indian television market.Their push for a new way to sell bilateral rights was a key part of discussions at a workshop convened by the ICC in Dubai this week. These meetings effectively signalled the death knell for the concept of two-tier Test cricket, but prospects are brighter for a Test Championship playoff, and formalised league structures for ODIs and international Twenty20 matches.The recent acquisition of Ten Sports by Sony has cut the number of major Indian television rights bidders by a third, and both CA and the ECB are aware their current rich deals with Star Sports – worth up to US$8 million per international match – are unlikely to be matched next time around.Overseas rights contracts for both nations are soon to expire, adding urgency to the boards’ desire for another approach that will mean lesscompetition between nations and a better overall return.”All countries are worried about the downturn in the Indian market and they feel a linked-together approach will be better,” a source toldESPNcricinfo. “Otherwise they’re out there on their own, two Indian broadcasters and 10 countries all with rights deals to sell – broadcasters can pick and choose.”If you’ve got one rights package to sell with content they want included somewhere in it then you’re in a much better position.”So eager are Australian, English and South African administrators to try the collective approach that they are unlikely to wait forconsensus before pulling the trigger. The pooled bid could feature as few as three nations or as many as 10, depending on who responds positively between now and the next round of official ICC meetings in October.Given that the deal would be for bilateral series only, there is no requirement for the pooled option to pass a vote of the ICC executive board. Instead CA, the ECB and CSA will need to convince other nations that the new deal is in their best financial interests, and also to formulate an independent body to oversee proceedings in a manner that would remove any doubts about the rich seeking a bilateral cash-grab at the expense of the rest.”The decision to pool rights could be made by three, five, 10 countries, however many agree,” the source said. “It isn’t all in or none in – it will take place regardless of how many sign up.”While the ICC has a department tasked with selling commercial rights to global tournaments, it has no authority to sell bilateral series. “Independence in decision-making in that group and also independence in terms of how the money is divided up is going to be really important,” the source said. “If big countries are seen to be muscling little countries then the concept weakens.”But it’s got [to have] independent management and potentially governance that will position it as a genuine media player, rather than countries pursuing their own individual interests.”The BCCI’s hesitance to get involved in the pooled deal thus far is driven in part by the differing television rights priorities for each nation. Indian cricket has generated massive revenue from the IPL, dwarfing the still-strong returns derived from international series and ICC events.By contrast, all other boards including Australia, England and South Africa rely far more heavily on the television rights from bilateral series sold into the Indian market and ICC tournaments. While T20 began in England and has found a successful outlet in Australia’s BBL, neither competition is anywhere near as lucrative as the IPL – likewise the tournaments run by other nations.”In the end the boards are competing against themselves and pulling in three directions,” the source said. “They’re the beneficiaries of ICC events, they’re the rights holders for bilateral cricket and they own domestic T20 competitions. It does come back to where they want to prioritise their energies and what balance of those three things they see their business running on in the future.”

Glasgow Rangers target Jose Cifuentes is set to fly in to complete a medical ahead of a move to the Scottish Premiership, according to reports.

Who is LAFC's Jose Cifuentes?

The Los Angeles FC midfielder first arrived in the Major League Soccer back in 2020 and has since gone on to make a total of 113 appearances for Steve Cherundolo’s side, but with his contract set to expire at the end of the year, he’s likely to be available for a cut-price fee this summer.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Fabrizio Romano credited the Light Blues with a strong interest in the 24-year-old and claimed that initial conversations are “going well” after Michael Beale and Co offered him an “interesting project”.

The Ecuador international also recently sparked excitement among supporters after he was spotted liking social media comments from fans welcoming him to the club despite a deal having not yet even been completed, though it sounds as if a move is pretty imminent.

Are Rangers signing Cifuentes?

According to The Herald, Cifuentes is “poised to quit” Los Angeles FC in the MLS and is “expected to jet in for a medical sooner rather than later” to finalise his switch to Rangers. Beale now “closes in” on securing his next new signing and one that will add “further strength” to the centre of the park, with all of the fresh faces set to join up with the rest of the squad in next month’s pre-season training camp over in Germany.

Could Cifuentes be a strong addition for Beale?

Rangers recently confirmed the signing of Crystal Palace goalkeeper Jack Butland so Beale will now be focusing on what other targets he can bring in next, and having been described as a “physical” central midfielder by Ecuador specialist Benedikt Duda, Cifuentes would be a fantastic addition at Ibrox.

The World Cup participant, who pockets £5k-per-week, is naturally stronger in the attacking aspect of his game, ranking in the 98th percentile for successful take-ons and turning his dribbling skills into results having posted five goal contributions (four assists and one goal) in 18 appearances across all competitions this season.

Cifuentes, however, is also good at getting stuck in defensively having won 15 of his 19 tackles made since the start of the term so loves to dispossess the opposition and win the ball back for his side. For someone who has a positive impact at both ends of the pitch, this seems like a no-brainer of a deal to complete.

South Africa couldn’t have asked for a better start to their summer. After having achieved their initial objective – a series win – they are in a position to inflict a whitewash against the top-ranked ODI side

The Preview by Firdose Moonda11-Oct-2016Match factsOctober 12, 2016
Start time 1330 local (1130 GMT)South Africa have an opportunity to inflict the first whitewash of Australia in a five-match series•AFPBig PictureSouth Africa couldn’t have asked for a better start to their summer. After having achieved their initial objective – a series win – they are in a position to inflict a whitewash against the top-ranked ODI side.The margins of victory reflect how South Africa have been dominant in every aspect. Two of the wins have come with more than 10 overs to spare, another by more than 140 runs. In the only match Australia threatened to come close, in Kingsmead, a freak performance by an out-of-form David Miller sealed the series.Miller apart, South Africa have been helped with contributions from Rilee Rossouw, Andile Phehlukwayo and Kyle Abbott, all of whom were considered fringe players coming into the series. That has meant South Africa are spoilt for choice, something Australia will covet.That Australian haven’t bowled South Africa out even once in the series reiterates the inexperience in their attack. But that doesn’t mean there are no other headaches. Australia have crossed 300 just once and have been bowled out for under 220 twice. Their over-reliance on big names hasn’t helped their cause. But they have the added motivation of trying to avoid being blanked.That they will have to do that at one of South Africa’s favourite grounds, in front of a sell-out crowd, will be a challenge. Newlands had earlier raised concerns about the match being scheduled on the same day as a religious holiday, , but it seems the enthusiasm is hardly affected by that.Form guideSouth Africa: WWWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Australia: LLLLW
In the spotlightWith seven wickets in four matches, Andile Phehlukwayo has underlined the difference between both sides so far. Phehlukwayo is not part of the national squad in any other formats yet, but his ability to change pace and his maturity in accepting the responsibility of bowling at the death could change that. He has proved himself handy with the bat too, and can further boost his claim to be an allrounder.Steven Smith and David Warner are the only two Australians to have scored a hundred so far. Smith, the captain, doesn’t seem to bring as much out of his men as Warner did when he led them to an ODI series win in Sri Lanka. Before the series, Smith said he hoped to continue riding the wave Warner had created, but now may be left wondering if his one-day leadership credentials could be measured against Warner’s.Team newsSouth Africa are looking at bringing back their big bowling guns in search of a clean sweep. That means Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada may force one of Kyle Abbott or Phehlukwayo out of the XI. They may continue with two spinners, with Imran Tahir likely to be brought back in place of Tabraiz Shamsi, the left-arm wrist spinner. With the Tests looming, there’s merit in giving Shamsi a breather and allowing him to fully recover from a quad niggle. Others walking wounded include Rossouw, who hurt his finger, and Farhaan Behardien, who tweaked a hamstring. Both passed fitness Tests, but Temba Bavuma has been at training as cover, while Miller has made sufficient progress from his groin strain.South Africa (possible): 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Hashim Amla, 3 Faf du Plessis (capt), 4 Rilee Rossouw, 5 JP Duminy, 6 Farhaan Behardien/David Miller, 7 Dwaine Pretorius, 8 and 9 Andile Phehlukwayo/Kyle Abbott/Dale Steyn/Kagiso Rabada, 10 Aaron Phangiso, 11 Imran TahirHaving tried all their bowling combinations in vain, Australia could make their young attack draw straws to decide which of Chris Tremain, Daniel Worrall, Joe Mennie or Scott Boland has to play the final ODI. Usman Khawaja has not been used at all and may be brought in to add depth to the batting.Australia (possible): 1 David Warner, 2 Aaron Finch/Usman Khawaja, 3 Steve Smith (capt), 4 George Bailey, 5 Mitchell Marsh, 6 Travis Head, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 John Hastings, 9 Adam Zampa, 10 and 11 Chris Tremain/Scott Boland/Daniel Worrall/Joe MenniePitch and conditionsA cold front early in the week brought rain to Cape Town on Tuesday, but Newlands has a new drainage system which should keep the outfield dry should the rain stay away. Groundsman Evan Flint does not predict a run-fest, instead aiming for a surface that will offer the bowlers something as well. The weather is expected to be mild with temperatures in the teens, with a light breeze.Stats and triviaAustralia have never lost all of the matches in a five-game ODI series. The last time they lost all the matches played in an ODI series was in 2006-07 when they were beaten 3-0 by New Zealand. The only other time they were blanked 3-0 was by England, in 1997 South Africa have beaten Australia 4-1 before, in a series in Australia in 2009Quotes”If you play against Australia, every little mental thing you can get on your side does play a role. It’s important for everyone to be in good touch. The one-percenters play a big role.”