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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.”

When Graham Onions chipped Ollie Rayner to midwicket, Middlesex were able to toast their first Championship victory at Lord’s this season

Tim Wigmore at Lord's15-Aug-2016
ScorecardOllie Rayner finished with nine wickets in the match•Getty Images

August 15 is late in summer for a first home victory. Yet not until Graham Onions chipped Ollie Rayner to midwicket had Middlesex been able to toast a triumph at Lord’s, their primary home, in the 2016 County Championship. Even allowing for a victory in their single home game away from HQ, it has been an exasperating wait.Five times Middlesex had played Championship matches at Lord’s; five times they had ended in draws. So they will be entitled to feel as if they have not merely defeated Durham, but also the pitch here. After a succession of slow pitches in previous home games, here Middlesex got a one with more pace, bounce and carry: a fine surface for Championship cricket.No one exploited it better than Rayner. If his limits – the absence of prodigious turn or anything resembling a doosra – are well-know, Rayner has made himself into an indispensable cricketer for Middlesex, and one of the finest spin bowlers in the county game.It has been a triumph for willpower, resolve and bloodymindedness. Rayner moved from Sussex, his home town club, in pursuit of more opportunities. He had to remodel his action after being called for throwing. He has honed his batting to make himself harder to drop, last year declaring: “When I see young kids around the grounds in county matches and their mums tell me that they bowl spin and do I have any tips for them, I say, yeah, learn to bat.” Never has Rayner shied from bowling when conditions are toughest.Last year, Jeetan Patel criticised English spinners for not spending enough time honing their art. “Without wishing to sound full of self-pity, it is not easy being an English spin bowler at this moment in time”, Rayner wrote for ESPNcricinfo in response. “I, like many other spinners around the country, bowl the majority of my overs on green pitches such as Lord’s where we are often being used in short bursts to pick up the over rate.”Those days are over. Rayner has moved from being a stock bowler to one entrusted to take wickets at crucial times. Indeed, when Durham’s openers had begun serenely on the first day, Rayner was tossed the ball at 12.12pm. He promptly took 4 for 17.Here, when Rayner punched the air in jubilation at the match-clinching wicket – he is never one to knowingly undercelebrate any wicket, prizing each as if it is his last – it was the latest proof of his growing importance to Middlesex. A few minutes later, Rayner doffed his caps to the MCC members, and had the honour of leading Middlesex off. How he had earned the right. Rayner had done what spinners are meant to, bowling Middlesex to victory in the second innings. Match figures of 9 for 102, and a haul of 35 Championship wickets at 22.51 this season, are a triumph for his thirst for self-improvement – and, perhaps, the ECB’s attempts to encourage spin bowling.”Ollie was still a good spinner last year but because his understanding of what he’s trying to do has improved, I think he’s really improved as a spin bowler,” James Franklin, Middlesex’s captain in this game, said. “The wickets have obviously helped: it helps when you see the ball grip as a spinner, so I think he’s taken huge confidence and encouragement from what he’s done this year.”Ollie is starting to understand his art, and the different paces that he needs to bowl on different wickets and to different batsmen and also the field’s he’s setting. He’s prepared to give the ball a bit of air this year, and long may that continue.”For Middlesex these three days could scarcely have gone better. Frolics from Toby Roland-Jones lifted their lead to 332 in the morning while, in between Rayner’s wickets in the afternoon, Harry Podmore showcased a strong repeatable action in a fine spell that included the scalp of Paul Collingwood, playing on to a ball that nipped back down the slope. It was the latest evidence of the depth of Middlesex’s squad; even the absence of Steve Finn, Eoin Morgan, Sam Robson and an overseas player for this game never looked like stymying them. “We don’t just back 12 or 13 players – we back the whole squad” Franklin said. “Guys like Stevie Eskinazi have come in and had an outstanding start to their careers. Harry Podmore’s another one.”But Durham could reflect with no pride on their performance in this game. Unbeaten until August, this was their second consecutive defeat inside three days. While at Taunton they had reason to grumble about the pitch, here they had no excuse: if the Lord’s track had bounce and turn on the third day, it only magnified Durham’s implosion on the first day, when 74 for 0 became 74 for 4 in 17 crushing deliveries.”It was a good toss to win but we didn’t take advantage of that,” Collingwood said. “We didn’t have the desire to get through hard periods and the desire to score good runs when we had the best of the conditions.” The weaknesses of his side’s batting are obvious, and will be exacerbated by the departure of Mark Stoneman to Surrey. A good thing, then, that Keaton Jennings has just signed on for another four years: when he thrashed Roland-Jones through the covers, Jennings became the first man this summer to 1000 Championship runs.Even his 45 could only briefly delay Middlesex’s waltz to victory. As Lord’s basked in blissful sunshine, and Middlesex’s players headed to the Lord’s Tavern for a well-earned post-match pint – they have the rare luxury of a 16-day wait until their next fixture in any competition – they could revel in having opened up a hearty gap at the summit of Division One. While onerous fixtures at Edgbaston, Trent Bridge and Old Trafford await, it would be remiss of Middlesex not to dream of lifting the County Championship crown when they next return to Lord’s, to play Yorkshire on September 20. “It would be immodest of me to say ‘no we’re not’,” Franklin smiled, a thoroughly contented stand-in skipper who will now hand the reins back to Adam Voges. “There’s an opportunity there.”

Tottenham will have to a £6 million compensation fee if they decide to appoint Feyenoord manager Arne Slot, according to journalist Sami Mokbel.

What's the latest Spurs manager news?

Overnight reports flooded in on Friday, detailing that former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann is no longer a candidate to succeed Antonio Conte at Spurs.

Arguably a surprising development, especially since he is readily-available and one of Europe's most exciting young managers, it is now back to the drawing board for chairman Daniel Levy in his hunt for a new manager.

Nagelsmann and former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, despite their credentials, will not be getting the Tottenham job going by recent reports as the latter coach also joins Chelsea.

Luckily for Levy, in terms of other managerial candidates, there is no shortage – with free agent and former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique linked alongside the likes of Graham Potter and Brendan Rodgers (90min).

Slot, who is leading the Eredivisie with Feyenoord, has attracted praise and even comparisons to Man City boss Pep Guardiola.

Tottenham have taken a keen interest, but according to The Mail and Mokbel, Spurs will have to pay a £6m compensation package to get him out of Feyenoord.

This is if they decide to go in the Dutchman's direction, with Slot also apparently seeking significant control and involvement in football directions, which he possesses at his current club.

What could Slot bring to Spurs?

Called a "maniac" manager by members of the press, the 44-year-old has also been called "Guardiola-like" by Football Oranje editor Michael Bell, who told i:

"His style is high-energy attacking football in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 with two deep lying midfielders and a reliance on wingers to create chances.“However, he also has the strongest defence in the Eredivisie this season. This is down to a relentless press to win the ball back. Slot is a Pep Guardiola-type more than a Jose Mourinho. He wants to entertain, he wants to attack."

Slot, according to Dutch journalist Marcel van der Kraan, would also apparently "love" to coach Tottenham, with the reporter explaining to talkSPORT last month (via Leeds United News):

“Leeds offered £5m to attract Slot. He was very keen; Feyenoord said no. There’s a clause in his contract next year. Palace are a serious option, he’d love to coach Tottenham – but clubs will have to pay a massive fee to get him.”

Chelsea return to Premier League action on Wednesday night as they take on Brentford at Stamford Bridge, and Frank Lampard should unleash Raheem Sterling in the hope that he can inspire the Blues to a rare win.

The west London outfit have lost all four games since Lampard returned as interim manager and with Mauricio Pochettino's appointment likely to be confirmed in the coming days, the Blues legend could soon find himself looking for another job after failing to turn Chelsea's fortunes around since taking over from Graham Potter.

Brentford pose a real threat of making it five defeats from five for Chelsea on Wednesday given their credentials under the impressive Thomas Frank, with a European finish still on the cards for the Bees if they can finish the season strongly.

However, the form book does not look good for Brentford either right now and Lampard could exploit their defensive vulnerabilities by unleashing Sterling on the left wing against 20-year-old right-back Aaron Hickey.

Should Sterling start for Chelsea against Brentford?

Sterling's move from Manchester City last summer has so far not paid off, as he boasts just four goals and two assists in 22 Premier League appearances for his new side, averaging a disappointing 6.65 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

However, only Kai Havertz has more goal contributions in the top flight than the England international and he is certainly not alone in struggling in the final third, as the Blues have mustered just 30 goals in the top flight so far this campaign; the fifth-worst in the division.

The experienced winger ranks fifth for shots, fifth for key passes and sixth for dribbles per game in Chelsea's squad so can certainly be relied upon to be a threat down the left-hand side, and perhaps the £325k-per-week ace just needs a run of consistent games in order to rediscover the sort of form he showed on a regular basis at City and Liverpool.

Last season saw him manage 13 goals and six assists under Pep Guardiola in City's title-winning campaign, and Chelsea just need to find a way of getting the best out of him at Stamford Bridge, as there is no doubt that he can be a world-class winger on his day, with Tony Cascarino singing his praises on talkSPORT last season.

He said: “Raheem Sterling has just been frightening. The year he has had since the Euros – he was brilliant then.

“This season, I thought, when they signed Jack Grealish I thought Raheem might be a bit part player in this City team but he’s become an absolute permanent fixture. Left or right, he is ripping people apart."

If Sterling is given space to run at Hickey, who has struggled in his first season at Brentford with a 6.44 average rating from WhoScored, then he could prove the difference in Chelsea picking up a positive result on Wednesday.

As such, Lampard must ensure that he gets the nod after starting on the bench against Real Madrid.

أكد البرازيلي باولو كامبوس، المدير الفني السابق لريال مدريد، أنه ينتظر مشاهدة كأس أمم إفريقيا، لكي يستمتع بالمباريات القوية في البطولة، مُشددًا على أن محمد صلاح يُعد من أفضل اللاعبين في العالم.

ويستعد منتخب مصر لخوض غمار منافسات بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا كوت ديفوار 2023، التي ستنطلق يوم 13 يناير الجاري، وتستمر حتى 11 فبراير المُقبل.

وقال كامبوس خلال فيديو اختص به برنامج “رقم 10″، على القناة الأولى المصرية: “أنا باولو كامبوس مدرب كرة قدم لدي خبرة كبيرة في أوروبا وأمريكا الجنوبية، بالإضافة إلى آسيا وإفريقيا؛ وذلك بعد 45 عامًا من العمل في مجال التدريب”.

وتابع: “دائمًا أشعر بالسعادة حينما أرى أداء الأهلي المصري في كأس العالم للأندية، إنه ممتع للغاية، أنا أعرف جيدًا كرة القدم المصرية منذ أن كنت مدربًا في قارة إفريقيا، الأهلي يستحق أن يكون صاحب المركز الثالث في كأس العالم للأندية خاصة مع فارق المستوى الذي يتمتع به مانشستر سيتي وفلومينينسي من ناحية الإمكانيات، تهانينا لكرة القدم المصرية، وعام بعد الآخر ستتطور الكرة هناك، تهانينا للمارد الأحمر على النجاح الدائم”.

طالع أيضًا | محمد صلاح يكشف سبب إهداره ركلة الجزاء أمام نيوكاسل.. ويصرح: سأذهب للتتويج بـ أمم إفريقيا

وأضاف: “الآن لا بد أن أذكركم بأننا سنبدأ كأس الأمم الإفريقية العظيمة، يا إلهي أمر رائع، لدي لحظات رائعة في مشاهدة البطولة والمشاركة بها أيضًا، شيء خيالي أن تُشاهد منتخبات عظيمة في إفريقيا على أعلى مستوى، يُمكن مقارنتها بمنتخبات أوروبا وأمريكا الجنوبية، وبأسلوب لاعبين عالميين”.

وأردف: “منتخبات مصر والسنغال والمغرب والجزائر وغانا وساحل العاج ونيجيريا، والعديد من المنتخبات الأخرى، جودة البطولة ستكون مُذهلة، سأتابعها من البرازيل، وسأستمتع بالمباريات المباشرة لأن كرة القدم في إفريقيا من الأفضل في العالم، وأتوقعها منافسة قوية”.

واستكمل: “أود أن أغتنم الفرصة وأوجه التهاني لـ محمد صلاح، فهو أحد أفضل اللاعبين في العالم، لاعب من مصر يلعب في ليفربول، ولا ننسى أنه كان هناك العديد من اللاعبين الرائعين من مصر لعبوا في أوروبا خلال السنوات الماضية، وأتوقع أن يلحق المزيد من اللاعبين الشباب بمحمد صلاح في المستقبل”.

واختتم: “أتذكر تريزيجيه والنني والعديد من اللاعبين العظماء، أتوقع أن يكون هناك المزيد من محمد صلاح في المستقبل، مبروك لكرة القدم المصرية أنتم من الأفضل على مستوى العالم”.

Leeds United may have changed their stance on the future of the 20-year-old centre-back Charlie Cresswell ahead of the summer transfer window.

Will Leeds keep Cresswell at Elland Road?

The young defender left the club over the summer in search of more regular first-team action and is expected to return from Millwall at the end of the season.

And despite his injury issues, Cresswell has been able to rack up 28 appearances in the Championship alone with 25 of those coming from the starting XI (via Transfermarkt).

In those games, the England U21 international has been able to provide an impressive return of five goals from his centre-back role.

However, injury may have curtailed his campaign with the youngster suffering a broken eye socket earlier this month against West Bromwich Albion.

This is a player who Leeds were believed to have been open to selling in the January transfer window had the right offer landed on Victor Orta's desk.

However, speaking on The Phil Hay Show, Creswell's agent, Hayden Evans, has suggested there may have been a transfer U-turn within Elland Road:

(17:10) "Yeah, I mean, at that time [January] there were no real objections from Leeds if the right price was found. I think that may have changed, though.

"It's obviously a new manager, you know, they tend to want everybody in pre-season so they can make their own assessments. And, you know, Charlie's form, he's doing what we know he's capable of. I mean, he is a top player and there's always room for a defender like him."

Does Cresswell have a future at Leeds?

The 20-year-old has made a handful of appearances for the Whites in the early stages of his career with five of his seven appearances coming in the Premier League (via Transfermarkt).

Journalist Lee Sobot has hailed Cresswell as "excellent" this season and it is no surprise when the centre-back has dominated in the air as he ranks inside the top percentile for ariel duels won (via Fbref).

It is not just defensively where the youngster has impressed with a return of five goals in the league seeing him also rank inside the top percentile for touches in the opposition's box.

But Leeds did provide reinforcement to their defence over the January window with the addition of Maximilian Wober who has played regularly since arriving.

The Austrian centre-back has already made 10 appearances for Leeds in the Premier League, but injury has also restricted his game time (via Transfermarkt).

Perhaps the future of Cresswell could depend on what lies ahead for the Whites as they battle relegation in the Premier League.

A potential return to the second tier for the Yorkshire side could see a number of exits which may force Leeds into relying further on some of their young prospects.

However, having spent a season playing regular first-team football, it will be interesting to see whether Cresswell could make a splash at Elland Road or whether he may have to leave to find consistent opportunities.

Manchester United need to find a new striker in the summer if they are to reach the next level under Erik ten Hag.

Do Manchester United need a striker?

The Red Devils have undoubtedly improved their squad unity since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo earlier in the season but have arguably failed to replace the goals that the legendary Portuguese forward would provide at Old Trafford.

Marcus Rashford has stepped up significantly since the World Cup but he is best when cutting in from the left wing, and Ten Hag will surely be looking to ease the pressure on the England international next season with another option through the middle.

Wout Weghorst has done an admirable job at times since signing on loan from Burnley but he cannot be considered a long-term option, while Anthony Martial’s injury issues have once again precluded him from living up to his potential.

Therefore, the Dutch manager should consider getting rid of the Frenchman for good in the summer, and replacing him with academy starlet Charlie McNeill.

Who is Charlie McNeill?

McNeill has caught the eye in United’s academy sides since swapping the blue of Manchester City for the red of United back in 2020, having scored more than 600 goals at youth level during his time with the Citizens.

His first season with the Red Devils saw him register a phenomenal 24 goals and six assists in just 21 appearances in the U18 Premier League, which saw him swiftly promoted to the Premier League 2 despite his age.

The teenage forward played a big part in United’s success in the FA Youth Cup last season, as he scored five goals and contributed two assists in just six appearances en route to glory.

McNeill, 19, started to emphasise what he could do against senior opposition this season as he hit three goals and one assist in five Papa Johns’ Trophy games, while he was also handed his debut for the first-team in the Europa League, so he is clearly a player on Ten Hag’s radar.

While a loan at Newport County in League Two has been less successful, with no goals in nine appearances, the experience of senior football will do him the world of good ahead of returning to United in pre-season.

He will certainly have chances to impress Ten Hag and could potentially step up to replace Martial, who looks certain to leave given he has managed just nine appearances in the top flight so far this campaign.

Former United right-back Paul Parker criticised Martial recently, saying: “He doesn’t deserve to play again for Man Utd. He hasn’t taken his chances and he is showing no consistency at all.”

McNeill has certainly shown enough in the academy to suggest he could be a hit in United’s first team and Ten Hag should make the bold decision to favour the young Englishman over the disappointing Martial next season.

Southampton are enduring the nadir of their tenure in the Premier League since last clinching promotion from the EFL Championship, and have churned through two permanent managers this season amid the turmoil that has left the once impressive squad facing relegation in the depths of the second tier.

What’s the latest in Southampton’s managerial pursuit?

Only last week, recently dismissed Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch was expected to take the reins at St. Mary’s, with the finalities over a deal being ironed over, but an irrevocable snag was hit concerning contract length, and the appointment unravelled.

Preceding that, Nathan Jones lasted only eight league matches in charge of the club, losing a miserable seven times and exacerbating the woes that have plummeted the club into the pit of relegation worry.

But with Ruben Selles, who has been second-in-command at the outfit since arriving in the summer, winning his first league outing as caretaker manager against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend, the pursuit of a new boss might sever the external search, opting for the internal option instead.

Is Selles the right man for the job?

There are some affiliated with the Premier League that might cast a rueful shake of the head at the notion of offering the platform to the inexperienced Selles in the midst of arguably the most crucial period of Saints’ tenure in the Premier League since landing promotion in 2011.

But such a brazen stand from Sport Republic, who acquired an 80% stake in the south coast club only last year, could well bear fruit for the squad, who are in need of solidity and cohesion to ensure that the new era at the club does not take a detrimental tumble.

According to The Athletic, the players and backroom staff are unanimous in their desire to keep Selles in the dugout over the imperative looming period of football.

Indeed, Southampton are in 20th place in the Premier League, but after the recent victory over Chelsea, are just one point adrift from Leeds United.

The aforementioned report from The Athletic reveals that the 24 fouls committed by Saints at Stamford Bridge was the most of any top-flight English outfit this term, which embodies the desire to get stuck in and perform for their energetic manager with a relentless attitude.

While some might frown upon the excessive physicality, it is this level of might that is required if a flagging team is to steer away from relegation; a dogfight will not be won by the meek.

And with the Whites awaiting in the forthcoming divisional encounter, Selles, who was described as a “ball of energy” by Charlie Gordon, has a golden opportunity to continue to dazzle and elevate the outfit from bottom spot, perhaps even out of the drop-zone in its entirety.

Not only did Saints look more fluid against Chelsea, but they looked galvanised into action, spurred like a storming steed in a joust, finally unearthing some semblance of the former vigour and vitality that had left them so sustained in their endeavours under Ralph Hasenhuttl, who was dismissed after five years earlier this term.

Considering Selles, who has built a concrete rapport with his peers both on the pitch and behind the lines at Southampton, declared that he does indeed desire the full-time role of manager in Hampshire, and after the tumultuous, fleeting, tenure of Jones, a different stratagem could prove successful.

With this in mind, Selles’ stay in Southampton could stretch to a more expansive field, and if Leeds are beaten in Yorkshire on Saturday, there is no question that disrupting the tenuous harmony, which is already showing signs of strengthening, would only occur with another managerial shift.

For now, however, the initial signs indicate that he could well keep them in the division; wouldn’t that be a story?

Tottenham Hotspur could seal a defensive upgrade this summer transfer window if recent reports are to be believed…

What’s the latest on Spurs’ interest in Fikayo Tomori?

Earlier this month, Italian outlet Calciomercatoweb.it revealed the north Londoners’ interest in AC Milan centre-back Fikayo Tomori, who appears to be a target for sporting director Fabio Paratici, regardless of whether Antonio Conte remains in the dugout or not.

It’s thought that Spurs could put forward an attractive swap deal involving right wing-back Emerson Royal in a bid to land the Englishman’s signature, though they would have to offer a sizeable fee alongside that too.

Whilst it remains to be seen how much the defending Serie A champions would command for their title-winning colossus, the former Chelsea graduate is currently valued at €40.1m (£35m) by FootballTransfers.

Is Tomori better than Eric Dier?

Perhaps uncharacteristically, Conte’s side are among the poorest teams defensively in the Premier League right now, with no other side in the top ten conceding more goals than Spurs.

For further context, fifth-placed Newcastle United have leaked 20 fewer goals, whilst both Fulham and Brentford have shut out the opposition more times this season.

Much of the Italian’s success as a manager has been built on solid defensive foundations, with both his Chelsea and Inter Milan title-winning sides renowned for their stubborn prowess at the back, but in north London, it’s been a completely different story.

His back three, and goalkeeper, have struggled for consistency and Tomori could be a sizeable upgrade to the underperforming unit.

During Milan’s run to the title last season, the England star was among Stefano Pioli’s top-five best-performing players and only goalkeeper Mike Maignan registered more minutes on the pitch, via WhoScored. He led the squad for tackles and interceptions, and was a solid ball-player too.

In fact, Tomori still ranks within the top 6% of his positional peers across Europe’s elite divisions for tackles per 90, via FBref, who have also likened his statistical profile to that of current Lilywhites colossus, Cristian Romero – he’s probably been the best of a bad bunch at Hotspur Way.

Whilst the Italian giants have struggled to replicate their form from last season, Tomori has still been a standout and subsequently, his form suggests that he could well be a mighty upgrade on Eric Dier.

He was recently described as being “nowhere near the required level” by journalist Ryan Taylor and it’s easy to see why, with Spurs struggling defensively and the England international playing the third-most minutes in the Premier League this campaign.

In terms of defensive attributes, Tomori leads Dier for key metrics such as tackles (2.59 vs 0.94), tackle success rate (64.7% vs 58.3%) and blocks (1.41 vs 1.12) per 90, whilst also losing fewer aerial duels (1.24 vs 1.43) per 90 too, via FBref.

It’s a similar case on the ball as well, with the Milan gem providing more progressive carries (0.92 vs 0.27) and progressive passes (3.73 vs 3.14) per 90, meaning he’s looking to advance the play forward rather than play the safer, sideways or backwards ball.

On that evidence alone, Tomori – who was once dubbed as a “huge talent” – would be a considerable upgrade to Conte’s backline, with Dier surely most at risk of losing his place with such an arrival.

Paratici, therefore, must look to bring the 25-year-old back to his home country this summer.

AND in other news, Paratici blundered on “extraordinary” 47 y/o, his team scores more than Conte’s Spurs…

Tottenham Hotspur’s proposed deal for the Sporting CP right wing-back, Pedro Porro, has hit the rocks with just hours before the transfer deadline.

What’s the latest?

On Saturday night, Fabrizio Romano reported the deal to bring Porro to north London had been agreed upon and the player would be heading for London following their game against Porto.

However, on Monday morning, David Ornstein broke the news that the proposed deal had hit an issue as Sporting reneged on the details of the deal.

The report suggests the player has been left distraught having been told by the club’s president he would be allowed to leave following their League Cup final on Saturday.

And speaking on Sunday night via his YouTube channel, journalist Alasdair Gold suggested if this deal was to hit the rocks – as it has done – it may take the player to cause an issue with Sporting to see it go through:

“Obviously, we know Porro wants to come and I do wonder if Sporting do make it difficult in the final stages whether he then has a problem with that because he does seem from everything I’ve heard to be quite keen to make the move.”

Late frustration

This is a deal which has been in the offing since the beginning of the January transfer window with the north London side having identified Porro as their main target.

Talks have proceeded since the early stages of the window with reports suggesting Sporting were intent on Spurs coughing up the player’s £39m release clause if they were to sign him.

Nevertheless, Spurs continued to negotiate and it was believed on Saturday night the two clubs had agreed on a deal which would see Spurs pay a fee close to the release clause.

And yet, with hours to go, it seems as if Sporting are now wanting more money for the deal with Gary Jacob suggesting the Portuguese side wants a further £2.6m out of Spurs.

With this in mind, we do wonder whether the player could be forced to kick up a stink in Portugal in an attempt to force through a move late on in the window.

This is a deal which Spurs have spent the entire month working on and it appears the player is desperate to make the move to north London.

We have already seen the likes of Leandro Trossard cause an issue over his future before making his move and although it is not always pretty, it can often be effective.