All posts by h716a5.icu

Matthew Wade scored his second consecutive century and strung a 152-run partnership with Ben McDermott as Tasmania and New South Wales shared a point each at the SCG

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Feb-2018
ScorecardNew South Wales and Tasmania shared a point each in a rain-affected draw but not before Matthew Wade scored his second consecutive century on the final day at the SCG.The Tigers started the day 209 runs behind on the first innings and both sides would have needed to make bold declarations in order to set up a result.Jake Doran fell agonisingly short of a hundred, caught behind off Steve O’Keefe for 97. Beau Webster’s 354-ball epic ended when he fell to Gurinder Sandhu. The big quick had reverted to bowling off spin and had Webster caught at leg slip for 136.Wade and Ben McDermott then put together an unbroken 152-run partnership in just 34.1 overs. Wade reached his hundred with a six off the part-time offerings of Nic Maddinson. McDermott cruised to 75 not out before the game ended with Tasmania’s declaration. Webster was named man of the match.The result means both sides remain in the hunt for a berth in the final with two rounds remaining.

While Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou was unable to shift the likes of Eric Dier and Hugo Lloris during the recent transfer window, it otherwise proved a rather substantial summer clearout for the Lilywhites as a host of first-team assets were shown the door.

The north London outfit notably sent Tanguy Ndombele and Davinson Sanchez packing – the pair having been snapped up by Galatasaray on respective loan and permanent deals – while the likes of Japhet Tanganga, Joe Rodon and Djed Spence also departed on a temporary basis as the ex-Celtic boss aimed to his put his stamp on proceedings after succeeding Antonio Conte in the dugout.

Another of those to have left N17 late in the day was former Real Madrid man, Sergio Reguilon, with the Spaniard's last-gasp loan switch to rivals Manchester United an indication of his fall from grace at Spurs in recent times – as his plummeting market valuation can also attest to.

How much did Tottenham pay for Reguilon?

The attacking left-back was signed during Jose Mourinho's first summer in charge back in 2020, with the promising defender arriving from Madrid after having claimed Europa League glory the year prior while on loan at Sevilla.

That impressive role in the La Liga side's European adventure – as the 5 foot 10 ace notably scored against AS Roma in the last-16 – saw Daniel Levy sanction the £28m capture of the defender, with the club seeking a successor to Danny Rose in that left-sided berth.

Despite making 52 Premier League appearances across his first two campaigns in England, while registering six assists, that rather sizeable investment now appears to have been something of a mistake as far as Levy is concerned.

How much is Reguilon worth now?

The fact that Spurs have sanctioned the 26-year-old's temporary move to Old Trafford – amid the Red Devils' desperate need to find cover for the injured Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia – is perhaps a testament to his woes of late, with there seemingly little concern at handing the Madrid native to one of their top-flight rivals.

That comes after the £53k-per-week asset was shipped off to La Liga outfit Atletico Madrid last term after falling down the pecking order under Conte, with that frustrating, injury-disrupted campaign seeing the full-back make just 12 appearances in all competitions.

As club insider John Wenham stated last year, perhaps the six-cap international is simply "just not that good", with the respected source offering an even more biting assessment after stating that Reguilon is "so average it's untrue".

Described as someone who "lets himself down" defensively, according to ex-Spurs man Alan Hutton, the Los Blancos academy graduate has undoubtedly failed to have the desired impact in English football thus far, with it yet to be seen if his fortunes will change in Manchester.

The true nature of the Mourinho signing's decline can be illustrated by the fact that he is now valued at just €5m (£4m), according to CIES Football Observatory, with that figure £24m less than what Levy originally paid for him just three years ago.

In truth, such a dismal piece of business could only become worse if Reguilon does go on to thrive under Erik ten Hag this season…

The Australia U-19 captain played a bit of basketball and soccer in school and college, and was only convinced of cricket as a career option when he made it to the Australia Under-16 side five seasons ago

Shashank Kishore in Tauranga13-Jan-2018As Australia arrive at training ahead of their Under-19 World Cup opener against India in Mount Maunganui, a familiar stance, backlift and fidgety movements catch the eye as one gazes towards the dressing room. Jason Sangha is being filmed as he imitates Steven Smith. “Not as good as Maxi, but I’m getting there,” he laughs. Then he goes on to twirl his bat and play that whip off his hip.Back at the Australia nets, there’s energy bursting at the seams. The Under-19 group is set to play together for the first time in over two months. The entire squad, barring Will Sutherland, who missed the domestic Under-19 championships in Hobart, was rested for the bilateral series against Pakistan last month to gear up for the tournament. But Sangha couldn’t get cricket out of his mind. A couple of times, he was spotted on the road imitating a bowling action or practising a cover drive. “So much, excitement,” he says. “Indian roots. How could I not be mad about cricket?”As a 16-year old, Sangha was picked to play for Australia at the previous Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh, but the team pulled out because of security concerns. Now, he’s been given the additional responsibility of also being captain.

Most of the guys were quite emotional about it, they knew how much it meant to actually not play that World Cup. From there, I had the extra desire and hunger to be a part of this World CupJason Sangha on missing out on the 2016 edition due to security reasons

“For a young guy, it was a new experience. It was the first major thing I’d accomplished in my cricket career, something I’ve cherished since. For me, it was difficult. I would’ve loved to be in Bangladesh, but I knew I had another World Cup coming up,” Sangha says of the disappointment from 2016. “Most of the guys were quite emotional about it, they knew how much it meant to actually not play that World Cup. From there, I had the extra desire and hunger to be a part of this World Cup.”Sangha has already led Australia Under-19s in a bilateral series against Sri Lanka at home in April. He made news in November when he became the youngest first-class centurion in the country since Ricky Ponting in 1992-93. It was a pre-Ashes warm-up fixture and Sangha was facing an attack that included Chris Woakes, Craig Overton and Moeen Ali. He held firm to bring up a superb century, one he says gave him oodles of belief.”It was still quite a competitive game, they wanted to win but so did we,” he says. “It was a great experience. You don’t really get to play those oppositions that often. Especially as a young kid it’s awesome to get the opportunity to play against an international attack. To get that hundred against England absolutely meant the world to me, a lot of preparation went into that. I’m just glad it happened.”His form leading into the game helped too. Playing for the Randwick Petersham Cricket Club in Sydney, which gave David Warner and Usman Khawaja to Australia, he smashed two big hundreds in the New South Wales Premier Cup. He looks back on these knocks fondly and though he is happy with where his game is at, he is eager for more success.”For me, I don’t feel I’m there in cricket yet,” he says when asked about having to choose between cricket and university. “Obviously signing with the New South Wales and Sydney Thunder is good, but I always think I can always get better. So I feel I still haven’t quite made it yet into where I want to be in cricket. The Under-19 World Cup is obviously a massive pathway for me to showcase my skills for the future.”Jason Sangha celebrates his century•AFPSangha loved netting three-pointers and slam dunks as he grew up. He also played a bit of soccer, but was only convinced of cricket as a career option when he made it to the Australia Under-16 side five seasons ago. “That was probably my first major milestone and that’s when I thought I’ll try and pursue cricket a fair bit,” he says. “The best thing about Australia is that there are so many different sports that we play.”I’m one to always love playing not just cricket, but also basketball, baseball and soccer. Those sports are some which everyone in Australia love. You see someone like Will Sutherland, he was pretty much giving it in his AFL career and ended up choosing the right one, which is cricket. So it’s good for us. That’s the best thing about our team as well, we have guys who not just love cricket but also other sports as well. We’re lucky to be in a country like Australia, where you can pursue a career in whichever direction you want to go.”Sangha and co have come through the system that has carefully been streamlined by Greg Chappell, who heads Cricket Australia’s national talent management wing, and are now under the care of two players who were, only four years ago, celebrating a 5-0 Ashes triumph.”We have someone like Ryan Harris [head coach] and Chris Rogers [batting coach] who just came out of the Australian system and they know what it’s like to be an Australian cricketer, the messages they have been taking from the actual Australian team, they’ve tried to implement here,” Sangha says. “In these competitions sometimes you can get too confused. When you’re in high pressure moments, you need to have a bit of clarity. In those high pressure moments, need to be a bit relaxed and have a simple mindset. That’s where they have helped.”Australia’s route to the Under-19 World Cup has taken shape over a two-year period in which the selectors have persisted with a core group that they identified at Under-15 level. “It hasn’t been a six-month planning. It’s honestly been for about two-three years, knowing this batch of age-group cricketers was going to be ready for the World Cup in 2018,” Sangha says. “It started with the Under-15s tournament. It’s been about consistent training, having a squad going to the NCC up in Brisbane and train there during the winters and the season. It’s honestly been a long process, but I believe this is the best squad we’ve got and I’m confident we can go all the way.”

Tottenham Hotspur's bid to bolster their forward line following the departure of former talisman Harry Kane has taken something of an unexpected turn, with Ange Postecoglou seemingly eyeing up a late, marquee move for an exciting young forward…

Who will Tottenham sign before Deadline Day?

Having lost the England skipper to German giants Bayern Munich on a £100m deal earlier this month, the Lilywhites have thus far only brought in free transfer arrival Manor Solomon and Argentine teenager Alejo Veliz to help strengthen the attack, albeit while also ensuring Dejan Kulusevski is set for a permanent stay at N17.

With fresh faces still seemingly needed before the close of the window later this week, various reports have indicated that Postecoglou has his eyes set on Nottingham Forest speedster, Brennan Johnson, with the Wales international valued at around £50m by his current side.

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

Amid that interest in the 22-year-old, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has also since reported that Spurs are in talks regarding an exciting move to bring Barcelona starlet Ansu Fati to England on a temporary deal, with the respected insider revealing on Twitter:

"Understand Tottenham are now in contact with Barça to negotiate for Ansu Fati deal on loan until June 2024. Discussions about conditions of the deal but Barça want 100% of the salary covered. Ansu, also presented to Chelsea as opportunity but no former approach yet."

How good is Ansu Fati?

With all the talk having been about the aforementioned Johnson of late, this apparent interest in the 20-year-old Spaniard has come somewhat out of the blue, with it yet to be seen if a deal can be wrapped up before Friday's deadline.

While there is still a chance that Fati could be brought in alongside the Forest ace, if a decision has to be made between which player would prove a better fit, it should well be the Barca sensation who gets the nod.

Much like Johnson, the highly-rated talent – who has been valued at around €80m (£69m) by CIES Football Observatory – has the ability to feature on either flank or in a central role if required, with such flexibility likely to be appealing as far as Postecoglou is concerned.

Although Johnson did enjoy a promising first season in top-flight football last time out – having scored eight goals and provided three assists for Steve Cooper's side in the league – young Fati was also impressive in La Liga, with seven goals and four assists under his belt.

That latter record came despite the "magic" ace – as described by teammate Eric Garcia – only being restricted to just 12 league starts for the Catalan outfit, while the Forest man started 33 times in the Premier League by contrast, thus indicating that a more prominent role for Fati in a new home could see him truly explode.

It is also clear to see the superior attacking threat that the latter man is able to pose in the final third as he ranks in the top 1% among his European peers for progressive passes received per 90 and in the top 8% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, while Johnson, meanwhile, ranks in just the bottom 13% and the bottom 38% for those same two metrics, respectively.

Equally, the younger man also appears to be able to retain possession more successfully and provide a truly composed presence on the ball as he ranks in the top 6% for pass completion, with that again far superior to the Nottingham native – who ranks in just the bottom 2% in that regard.

Despite his relative youth, Fati – who inherited Lionel Messi's number ten shirt at Camp Nou – has already racked up 39 goals and assists in 112 games in all competitions for his current side, proving that he can handle the pressure of performing for such an elite club.

The hope will be that such displays can be replicated on a more consistent basis if a move to Tottenham is to occur in the coming days for the 5 foot 10 menace…

Australian cricket has been embarrassed by the ICC rating the MCG drop-in pitch for the Boxing Day Ashes Test as “poor” following a dull draw in which only 24 wickets were taken over five days

Daniel Brettig02-Jan-2018Australian cricket has been embarrassed by the ICC rating the MCG drop-in pitch for the Boxing Day Ashes Test as “poor” following a dull draw in which only 24 wickets were taken over five days.It is the first time an Australian international pitch has been rated poor and it has come soon after the drop-in surface for the women’s Ashes Test at North Sydney Oval in November was labelled “below average” for also failing to provide conditions conducive to playing attractive cricket. Cricket Australia has 14 days in which to provide a response to the ICC.”We were disappointed that the traditional characteristics of the MCG pitch did not come to the fore during the Boxing Day Test,” CA chief executive James Sutherland said. “We work closely with all our venues to encourage the best possible international cricket playing environment.”We are looking for the right balance between bat and ball, and pitch and ground conditions in keeping with the venue’s traditional characteristics. Such a rating is extremely disappointing for all involved. We’ll be taking on board advice from the ICC, players and relevant experts to work with the Melbourne Cricket Club to ensure this rating is not repeated.”While the Melbourne Cricket Club has already indicated its intention to review the process by which the MCG strip turned out to provide such little assistance for both batsmen and bowlers, the match referee Ranjan Madugalle did not shrink from calling them out for producing a substandard pitch for on which to play arguably the highest profile Test match of the year.”The bounce of the MCG pitch was medium, but slow in pace and got slower as the match progressed,” Madugalle said. “The nature of the pitch did not change over the five days and there was no natural deterioration. As such, the pitch did not allow an even contest between the bat and the ball as it neither favoured the batsmen too much nor it gave the bowlers sufficient opportunity to take wickets.”Melbourne Tests have been played on drop-in pitches since the dawn of the 21st century, and have typically needed to start with dampness under the surface to ensure early assistance for bowlers before the drying process offers up enough variable pace and bounce to challenge batsmen – they are commonly best for batsmen late in the game.However, this pitch was prepared against a backdrop of change, with the former curator David Sandurski moving north to Brisbane before his replacement Matthew Page was due to arrive. That left preparation in the hands of the arena operations manager Michael Salvatore, who erred on the side of caution in terms of the amount of grass left on the pitch and also in the rolling of it. Following the conclusion of the Test, the MCC chief executive Stuart Fox said all elements of the event would be reviewed.”While this Test pitch did produce a good contest, it has not contained the bounce and pace that we expected. As the game progressed, the surface did not deteriorate nor bring the level of unpredictability that was anticipated,” Fox said. “We review all elements of our performance at the conclusion of every event, and the quality of the pitch is no exception.”We will take on board feedback from the players, umpires and cricket bodies, as well as our own observations. Our new head curator, Matthew Page, will take on pitch preparation duties in the coming weeks and we look forward to his input. Overall, we remain confident and determined to produce portable wickets that generate entertaining Test cricket. Portable pitches have been used at the MCG for more than 20 years and drawn Tests have been a rarity in that time.”Getty ImagesThe pitch was criticised by players and coaches on both sides virtually before the Test had begun. Australian captain Steven Smith said on match eve that it had looked ready to play on “three days ago”. After day one, England swing bowler James Anderson remarked: “You’d think that the 90,000 that turned up today don’t want to see 244 for 3. I know it wasn’t exciting to watch, it wasn’t exciting to play in when it’s that attritional cricket, but there’s not a lot we can do about it. That’s the pitch that we’ve got for the next five days and we have to deal with it.”At the end of the game, Smith spoke for players on both sides in remarking on how featureless the pitch had been. “It’s got to find a way to have some pace and bounce or take some spin or do something,” he said. “We saw some reverse swing but the ball just gets so soft so quickly because the surface is quite hard. It gets soft, doesn’t carry through and it’s really difficult to get people out. I just don’t think it’s good for anyone.”James Sutherland, the CA chief executive, has said that the character of pitches is vital to the health of Test cricket in particular, while the team performance manager Pat Howard has been glimpsed in lengthy conversation with both the incoming MCG curator Page after the Melbourne Test ended and with the SCG groundstaff ahead of the New Year’s Test in Sydney. “Pitches are incredibly important to the future of Test cricket,” Sutherland had told . “We need to provide an entertaining contest, we need to provide a balance between bat and ball.”The SCG’s pitch is part of a natural wicket block rather than a drop-in surface, and the Cricket New South Wales chairman John Warn spoke out strongly against any possibility of the ground being modified in that way this week. “I’m here to represent our players. We’re here to produce Australian players and that job is made harder if they’re playing on pitches like you saw in Melbourne,” Warn told the . “We would never want to see that in Sydney. It’s not good for Test cricket. I’ve made it very clear to the [SCG] Trust and to the government that we do not want to ever see a drop-in pitch at the SCG.”We want it to be a pitch that has its own character, which historically has been spin. We’ve seen one or two spinners in every Australian team and touring team and we want to see that continue. We think it would be a sad blight on NSW and Australian cricket if the SCG, the Trust and the government, contemplated moving down this path in the future.”The longtime SCG curator Tom Parker retired at the start of the season and the Trust has restructured management of the turf. Justin Groves, formerly employed at Adelaide Oval, is the new ground manager, while Adam Lewis has been appointed as the SCG curator reporting in to him.

The summer transfer window is due to slam shut at the start of next month and Aston Villa have made four additions to their playing squad to date.

Who have Aston Villa signed?

Unai Emery has bolstered his defence and midfield with the signings of Pau Torres, Youri Tielemans, Moussa Diaby, and – most recently – Nicolo Zaniolo on loan from Galatasaray.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the Villans are also interested in signing Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto to add to their attacking options.

Fellow Premier League side Everton are also interested in the Italy international, who is currently not for sale but a loan move could be on the cards before the deadline.

He has handed in a transfer request at Elland Road and made himself unavailable for their matches. However, the Whites have maintained their position that the talented teenager will not be sold.

How good is Wilfried Gnonto?

The 19-year-old whiz is still learning his trade and developing but his performances for Leeds last term suggest that the potential is there for him to be an exciting player for Unai Emery.

Gnonto could be a dream partner for Diaby as either the starting number nine ahead of him or as a supporting striker or attacking midfielder to link-up with him in the build-up phase, due to his immense versatility across the frontline.

The Leeds forward, who was once described as "pure gold" by scout Jacek Kulig, racked up two goals and four assists in 14 Premier League starts last season.

He also ranked within the top 13% of his positional peers for progressive carries per 90 (4.39) and in the top 19% for assists per 90 (0.27) during the 2022/23 top-flight campaign.

These statistics show that the £20k-per-week wizard was well above average for players in his role for progressing his team up the pitch with the ball as well as being able to create good enough opportunities for his teammates to score.

The Villa head coach could also look to unearth the Italian dynamo's goalscoring potential as he did strike 13 goals in 22 games for Inter at U16 and U17 level combined before finding the back of the net 12 times in 74 matches for Zurich's first team.

If he can build on that and use his experience with Leeds to kick on and develop then Gnonto could be a lethal partner for Diaby in the final third, as the France international is a player who has proven himself to be a terrific player at the top end of the pitch.

The French magician, who has scored one goal in two Premier League games for Villa, racked up 22 goals and 20 assists across 65 Bundesliga outings during his final two seasons with Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.

These statistics show that the summer signing has the ability to deliver goals and assists on a regular basis from out wide and having another attacker who can drive forward to create chances for him could help the talented ace to thrive in England.

Therefore, Gnonto, who the aforementioned Kulig also hailed as a "nightmare" for defenders, could form an exciting relationship with Diaby in the final third if Emery and Monchi are able to snap him up this summer.

James Sutherland said the growing viewership numbers made women’s cricket in the country the “single most significant growth opportunity” for Cricket Australia

Daniel Brettig06-Nov-2017More than half a million viewers tuned in to watch the third women’s Ashes ODI on television, in the strongest sign yet of what Cricket Australia’s chief executive James Sutherland has called the game’s “single most significant growth opportunity”.The audience for the third ODI, won by England at Coffs Harbour on Sunday October 29, peaked at a national audience of 512,568 on the Nine network’s main channel during the afternoon session, with an average of 312,787, after programmers chose to move the match from the digital channel 9Gem, where the first match of the series attracted a peak afternoon audience of 281,394.In a telling reminder of the importance of free-to-air deals to expand cricket’s audience, the peak figure was greater than the 467,000 viewers recorded nationally across Britain for Sky’s coverage of the final day of the first men’s Ashes Test in Cardiff in 2015.At the same time, it provided further evidence for CA to press ahead with plans to make October a month for standalone women’s fixtures, such as the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in 2020 and also the Women’s Big Bash League, which is under consideration for movement to a separate time slot from the men’s tournament that takes place in December and January.”Cricket is an incredibly popular sport – but the sports and entertainment market is extremely competitive and changing all the time. To ensure cricket’s sustainable future as a mainstream sport, we can’t afford to take anything for granted,” Sutherland told ESPNcricinfo. “We strongly believe that growing cricket as a sport of choice for women and girls is our game’s single most significant growth opportunity. It is an extremely important initiative within our recently adopted five-year strategic plan.”In recent seasons we have seen the WBBL played in front of large crowds and drawing strong TV audiences on Network Ten. The competition is the best women’s league in the world. For us domestically, it not only provides clarity on the pathway to our national team, but exposes the tremendous depth of female talent in this country. We will continue to explore our scheduling to enable our women’s matches to attract the highest possible levels of fan support.”Earlier this year, the ICC approved our request to separate the Women’s World T20 event from the men’s – and so the women’s event to be played in February-March 2020 will precede the men’s event which will be in October-November. Just as we have with the World T20, we are looking to find discreet windows in the calendar where we can promote the women’s game so as to attract ever higher audiences at match and on TV.”Entering into CA’s next round of domestic broadcast rights negotiations, the television pulling-power of the women’s game is a significant change in the value of any prospective deals, much as the creation of the BBL in 2011 impacted on the 2013 contracts signed with Nine and Ten.The purchase of the BBL rights by Ten in 2013 for about A$20 million a season over five years was considered a gamble at the time, but the tournament’s consistently strong broadcast audiences have now raised estimates of the tournaments rights value to as much as three times that amount. Just as CA was able to convince broadcasters that domestic cricket could be a viable option for free-to-air television, the governing body is now hopeful of doing likewise with the women’s game.”Following on from the hugely successful World Cup in England, we are seeing women’s cricket continue grow in popularity and we are delighted to see cricket fans’ appreciation of the women’s game reflected in ever increasing crowds and TV audiences,” Sutherland said. “The Nine Network’s broadcast of the ODI series has been outstanding, and to see the final ODI match televised on the main channel attracting a very significant audience was further indication of the growing appetite for the women’s game.”It is especially pleasing to see our Australian team attracting the support they have during this women’s Ashes series. This public support has been reflected in the exceptional media coverage including the outstanding access through the free-to-air broadcast on Nine.”At the same time, strong television audiences are likely to aid CA in another goal – that of growing female participation numbers of in the game. “In the short term for the rest of this summer, we’re all about providing the platform to ensure we keep pushing the fantastic story of this squad and their performances in the Ashes,” Sutherland said.”There is no doubt that their feats and growing profile is inspiring the next generation of girls to play and love cricket. Female participation numbers will be up strongly again this year, with huge growth expected in the number of girls teams at school and club level.”

Erling Haaland, the Norwegian goal machine, has rapidly risen to prominence in the early stages of his career, captivating fans worldwide with his remarkable talent and goal-scoring prowess.

Born on July 21, 2000, Haaland made his professional debut with Norwegian side Bryne FK in 2016. He began to show just how prolific he was in front of goal during two seasons with Modle in Norway. However, it was his move to Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg in January 2019 that truly marked the start of his meteoric rise.

During his time at Salzburg, Haaland shattered records and etched his name in football history. In the 2019-2020 UEFA Champions League campaign, he became the first player to score in his first five consecutive appearances. His exceptional form earned him a move to German giants Borussia Dortmund in January 2020, where he continued his goalscoring exploits.

Haaland's combination of speed, strength and clinical finishing has resulted in astonishing statistics. His tally of goals in his late teens and early twenties is unparalleled, even drawing comparisons to some of the game's greatest legends. The striker's ability to find the net consistently has propelled him to multiple awards, including the 2020 Golden Boy Award.

Erling Haaland at Molde

Haaland's football journey took a significant step forward during his time at Molde FK in Norway. Joining the club's youth ranks in 2017, he quickly made his mark on the senior team. In his debut season in 2017, he showcased his potential with four goals in his first three appearances.

However, it was in the 2018/2019 season that Haaland truly made waves, finishing as the top scorer in the Norwegian top-flight league, Eliteserien, with 12 goals in 25 appearances. His exceptional performances earned him a move to Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg in January 2019.

Haaland's time at Molde was instrumental in his development as a goalscoring phenomenon, and his achievements there laid the foundation for his subsequent successes.

Erling Haaland at RB Salzburg

Haaland's tenure at RB Salzburg from January 2019 to January 2020 saw him get better and better. The young Norwegian striker made an immediate impact, showcasing his extraordinary talent on the European stage.

In the 2019-2020 UEFA Champions League campaign, Haaland's remarkable feat of scoring eight goals in his first six group stage matches garnered attention worldwide. His blistering pace, physicality and clinical finishing left opponents stunned. This accomplishment, coupled with his earlier achievements, earned him the prestigious Golden Boy award in 2020.

Beyond the Champions League, Haaland's domestic performances were equally impressive. During his time at Salzburg, he scored a total of 29 goals in just 27 appearances in the Austrian Bundesliga. This incredible scoring rate emphasized his prolific nature and established him as one of the hottest young prospects in world football.

One of the most memorable moments of his time at Salzburg came when he scored a hat-trick against Genk in the Champions League, becoming the third-youngest player to achieve this feat in the history of the competition. His time with the Austrian club served as a springboard for his subsequent move to Borussia Dortmund in Germany.

Haaland's Honours at RB Salzburg

Austrian Bundesliga (1)

2018/2019

Austrian Cup (1)

2018/2019

Erling Haaland at Borussia Dortmund

Erling Haaland's arrival at Borussia Dortmund in January 2020 marked the beginning of a new chapter in his burgeoning football career, and the Norwegian sensation continued to build on his already impressive reputation.

Haaland's debut for Borussia Dortmund was nothing short of spectacular, as he scored a hat-trick against FC Augsburg just 23 minutes after coming on as a substitute. This stunning introduction set the tone for his time at the club, as he consistently found the back of the net with astonishing regularity.

In the second half of the 2019-2020 season, Haaland scored an impressive 16 goals in just 18 Bundesliga appearances. His combination of physical strength, lightning-fast pace and clinical finishing made him a nightmare for defenders. He continued to shine in the UEFA Champions League as well, finishing the season with a total of 10 goals in the competition.

The 2020-2021 season saw Haaland's star continue to rise. He maintained his exceptional goal-scoring form, netting 27 goals in 28 Bundesliga matches and 10 goals in the Champions League. His performance against Sevilla in the Round of 16, where he scored both goals in a 2-2 draw, showcased his ability to thrive in high-pressure situations. He ended that season with 41 goals in as many first-team appearances. The following season, he continued his outstanding rate of scoring with 29 goals in just 30 appearances in all competitions.

Haaland's achievements at Borussia Dortmund are highlighted not only by his goal-scoring prowess but also by the numerous records he set during his time in Germany. He became the youngest player in Bundesliga history to reach 25 goals and the quickest to score 20 goals in the competition. His consistency and impact on the team's success earned him the nickname "The Terminator" among fans.

Apart from his individual accomplishments, Haaland's presence and contributions helped Borussia Dortmund secure top-four finishes in the Bundesliga and make notable progress in European competitions. Despite his individual successes, though, he was only able to help Dortmund to one DFB-Pokal trophy during his time at the club.

As one of the most sought-after talents in world football, Haaland's time at Borussia Dortmund was a pivotal phase in his career, so it was no surprise when it was announced he would be joining legendary manager Pep Guardiola at Premier League giants Manchester City in the summer of 2022. He ended his Dortmund career with an astonishing 86 goals in 89 first-team appearances.

Haalands Honours at Borussia Dortmund

DFB-Pokal (1)

2020/2021

Erling Haaland at Manchester City

Haaland joined Man City in July 2022 after the Premier League champions activated his £51.2m release clause.

On his Premier League debut in August, the Norway international scored both goals in a 2-0 win over West Ham and by the end of the month, he already had two hat-tricks to his name after bagging trebles against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest. By then, it was clear the Premier League had a goalscoring phenomenon on their hands.

Haaland then scored a brace on his Champions League debut for Manchester City, before becoming the first Premier League player in history to score a hat-trick in three successive home games. In doing so, he also set the record for the fastest player to three Premier League hat-tricks, which he achieved in just eight games. The previous record was held by Michael Owen, who reached that milestone in 48 games. By the end of 2022, Haaland already had 20 goals in just 14 Premier League games.

In March 2023, the explosive striker scored five goals in a Champions League clash against RB Leipzig, becoming only the third player to do so after Lionel Messi and Adriano. It was a haul that also took him to 39 goals in all competitions, which broke Man City's club record for most goals scored in a single season, which had been held by Tommy Johnson since 1928/1929.

By the end of his first season in England, Haaland had more records under his belt. His 36 Premier League goals set a record for the most goals scored in a single season, while he also broke the record for most goal contributions (goals & assists) in a single season, previously held by Thierry Henry. On top of all that, the striker won the European Golden Shoe and the Premier League golden boot.

It would prove to be the dream first season for Haaland in England as, on top of all of his personal records, milestones and a record of 52 goals in 53 games, Man City went on to win a historic treble – the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

At the beginning of his second season at Man City, Haaland netted a brace against Burnley on the opening day of the new Premier League season before Manchester City beat Sevilla on penalties to win their first UEFA Super Cup title, taking Haaland's trophy count to four since his signed for the club 13 months earlier.

To-date, his career record at the age of just 23 is an astonishing 209 goals in 256 first-team club appearances.

Haaland's Honours at Man City

Premier League (1)

2022/2023

FA Cup (1)

2022/2023

UEFA Champions League (1)

2022/2023

UEFA Super Cup (1)

2023

Erling Haaland with Norway

Erling Haaland's international career with the Norwegian national team has been characterized by his prolific scoring and potential to become a footballing icon for his country.

Making his debut on September 5, 2019, he swiftly asserted his impact by becoming Norway's youngest-ever scorer in a European Championship qualifier against Sweden.

Haaland's scoring prowess continued to shine as he netted crucial goals during the UEFA Nations League and World Cup qualifiers. His remarkable record includes becoming the first teenager to score in five consecutive UEFA European Championship qualifiers.

Since his 2019 debut, Haaland has netted 24 goals in just 25 appearances for Norway.

Erling Haaland's Personal Accolades & Records

Erling Haaland's remarkable football journey is punctuated by a slew of personal records and prestigious awards that underscore his extraordinary goalscoring talent.

His rapid ascent began with becoming the youngest player to score a hat-trick on his Bundesliga debut in January 2020, a feat achieved within just 23 minutes for Borussia Dortmund.

In the 2019-2020 UEFA Champions League, Haaland set a new record by becoming the fastest player to reach 10 goals in the competition, a milestone accomplished in just seven appearances. This astonishing form led to his inclusion in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season.

The coveted Golden Boy Award, bestowed upon him in 2020, marked his status as the best young footballer in Europe. His prolific goal-scoring continued, with records like being the youngest player to score 20 goals in Bundesliga history.

Haaland's legacy also extends to his national team, where he became the youngest player to score for Norway in a European Championship qualifier. These records and accolades are a testament to his immense talent and his potential to shape the footballing landscape for years to come.

Haaland's Personal Honours

European Golden Shoe (1)

2022/2023

Austrian Footballer of the Year (1)

2019

Bundesliga Player of the Season (1)

2020/2021

Bundesliga Team of the Season (2)

2020/2021, 2021/2022

FWA Football of the Year (1)

2022/2023

Premier League Player of the Season (1)

2022/2023

Premier League Young Player of the Season (1)

2022/2023

Premier League Golden Boot (1)

2022/2023

Golden Boy

2020

Norwegian Sportsperson of the Year (1)

2020

UEFA Champions League Team of the Season (2)

2020/2021, 2022/2023

UEFA Champions League Top Scorer (2)

2020/2021, 2022/2023

UEFA Nations League Top Scorer (2)

2020/2021, 2022/2023

FIFA FIFPRO World XI (2)

2021, 2022

Manchester City Player of the Season (1)

2022/2023

The South Australia pace bowler gave Australia captain Steven Smith a thorough working-over in the Shield fixture last week, and is focused on staying fit and pitching in good performances to stay in contention

Daniel Brettig01-Nov-2017Not many job candidates get the chance to duel face-to-face with their prospective boss, but that’s more or less exactly the scenario that confronted fast bowler Chadd Sayers in Adelaide when bowling to the Australia captain Steven Smith in a Sheffield Shield match last week.Sayers now believes a striking spell to defeat Smith should hold him in good stead for selection discussions during an Ashes summer in which there is only a slim chance of the hosts’ pace-bowling line-up remaining unchanged throughout the five Tests.On day one of the floodlit Shield fixture between South Australia and New South Wales, Sayers gave Smith a thorough working over, squaring him up repeatedly with deliveries moving away from the bat and then pinning him lbw in the first innings by running one back the other way towards middle stump. Smith’s anger at his dismissal was plain to see, but Sayers hopes the episode will be looked kindly upon in coming weeks by Smith and the national coach and selector Darren Lehmann, who was also in attendance at Adelaide Oval.”It was nice to get a couple decent wickets, especially Steven Smith to show him the stuff I have to offer I guess,” Sayers said in Adelaide. “You’ve got to play hard against him and show him what you’ve got. To get him out like I did was good for my prospects of playing Test cricket. He’s only the captain, not a selector, so it was nothing personal, he’s a great bloke and I get along with him well.”Sayers has been close to Australian selection twice before: first, he was a part of the Test squad that went to New Zealand in February 2016, and then when he was 12th man in the day-night Test against South Africa in Adelaide late last year. In both cases it was the tightest of calls between Sayers and Jackson Bird, but the Redbacks’ crafty spearhead is optimistic that this time things could fall his way in the event of injuries during the Test summer.”I want to play at the highest level I can, and the next level up is Australia,” Sayers said. “I’ve just got to keep putting my best foot forward and putting performances on the board for South Australia and trying to win games.”I know the big three quicks are going to get the first crack at it. I’m just going to keep putting performances on the board, help South Australia win and be fit and firing if the opportunity comes. I’d like to think that I’d be in the mix of one or two [next in line].”Less forthcoming was the West Australian Nathan Coulter-Nile, who also bowled well in the opening Shield round, as part of the Warriors attack which razed Tasmania for 63, and added some more than handy lower-order runs as well. Despite his strong displays on the recent limited-overs tour of India, Coulter-Nile was adamant that Bird remained ahead of him in the queue.”Absolutely not, unless something drastic happens to the three big quicks,” Coulter-Nile said in Perth when asked whether he thought he would play in the Ashes. “Also Birdy [Jackson Bird]. We saw Birdy bowl out here and he was unbelievable. I hadn’t seen him bowl in a while, he was difficult to face all game. Those four have probably got the first crack at it but five Tests in a row is hard work so hopefully I can be there or thereabouts when the time comes.”Another potential Test aspirant is Daniel Hughes, the New South Wales left-hander thrust onto centre stage when Smith chose to drop last season’s leading Shield runmaker, Ed Cowan, to make room for the 28-year-old. In Adelaide, Hughes vindicated the decision by making an important 57 at No. 6 to ensure the Blues built a match-winning first-innings advantage, and indicated that the whole episode had given him pause as to his international readiness.”It’s a long list of guys for that no. 6 spot in the first Test, isn’t it, so it’ll be interesting to see who they go with,” Hughes said. “I’m ready. I’m 28 now, I’ve been playing professional cricket for six years. I’m more mature now, I’m ready to go – I’ve never been more ready for an opportunity if I get it.”It was a bit surprise when I heard [Smith] him say that [Hughes had Test potential]. The whole Ed Cowan thing was a surprise to me as well; he played extremely well last year and he’s played well for a number of years now. Ed’s scored lots of runs, and I’m in good form so it was nice to get the nod from the captain. I actually got a text off him [Cowan] before the game. He said, I know it’s been a bit of a circus the last week but I want you to know that I wish you all the best and I hope that you do go out there and score a 100 and put your name in lights.”

Leeds United may have been dealt a recent transfer hammer blow, but Daniel Farke could react quickly given the plethora of alternative options that have revealed themselves throughout the window…

Is Tyler Adams leaving Leeds United?

Naturally, the news that Chelsea had triggered Tyler Adams' release clause came as a huge disappointment to the fanbase, who will now likely see one of their key stars depart for pastures new.

However, the £20m gained is a huge fee for reinvestment at this level, given how big of a hit Ethan Ampadu has already proven to be having joined for just an £7m fee.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

So, in an effort to immediately replace the energy and defensive rigidity that the United States international offered, perhaps the Whites could seek to reignite their interest in West Bromwich Albion midfielder Jayson Molumby.

The 24-year-old has just two years left on his £17k-per-week deal, and therefore Football Transfers value him at €4.6m (£4m).

Is Jayson Molumby any good?

Before delving into what the Republic of Ireland international would offer, it is first worth noting exactly what Elland Road will be losing with the exit of Adams.

Having signed for £20m from RB Leipzig, the 24-year-old brought a wealth of experience at a level far beyond the one they were currently at. Given his youth, his acquisition was also expected to provide a foundation for years of success, with his tough-tackling and all-action midfield style at the core.

However, last campaign went completely awry, and as three managers passed in and out of Elland Road within just one year, they eventually fell to the drop.

That's not to suggest the midfield ace was in any way to blame though, as he was, according to Sofascore, the best-performing player from within that squad, of those that featured in five or more league games.

His 6.98 average rating was more than admirable, with his one key pass and 3.7 tackles per game a stellar return for such a poor outfit, via Sofascore.

However, such excellence does not make him irreplaceable, and in fact, the money his sale is set to bring in could easily bolster numerous positions, with his direct replacement the cheapest of the lot.

Molumby's potential move would offer vast experience of a different kind, given he boasts 126 Championship appearances despite his youth.

He is young, hungry and tireless in the engine room, offering the perfect template to emulate Adams.

Not only this, but his figures from last season's push for the play-off spots also showcase similarities with the outbound star, given his 6.81 average rating fed into his eight goal contributions, 86% pass accuracy and 1.4 tackles per game, via Sofascore.

He is certainly a work in progress, but it is clear that he too shares that defensive steel alongside creativity that could allow him to reach the levels of his predecessor.

His boss Carlos Corberan sought to emphasise his work rate too, noting: "It’s important for every player to go on to the pitch when they’re in the first XI with the mentality to compete, this is what Molumby is doing. He is working as an animal and that’s what football demands of you."

With a skillset tailored to star in English football, but a touch of class that will set him apart from most others in his role, Molumby has the talent and the youth to mark an instant, cut-price replacement for the outbound Adams.