'Best is yet to come' – Serie A title winner Scott McTominay gets 'world-class' billing as Man Utd are left to rue £25m transfer mistake

Manchester United continue to count the cost of letting Scott McTominay go, with Napoli’s Serie A title-winning hero getting a "world-class" billing.

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  • Left Old Trafford in summer of 2024
  • Enjoyed dream debut campaign in Italy
  • Can take his game to even greater heights
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    The Red Devils deemed Scotland international McTominay to be surplus to requirements at Old Trafford during the summer of 2024. A £25 million ($34m) transfer was sanctioned that took the 28-year-old midfielder to Italy.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    McTominay enjoyed a dream debut campaign at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, posting a career-best return of 13 goals before soaking up the wild celebrations in Naples that accompanied a dramatic title triumph.

  • WHAT SCOTT MCTOMINAY'S FIRST COACH SAID

    McTominay was named Serie A's MVP, with his first coach claiming that his game can be taken to even greater heights. Charlie Jackson, the founder of Matrix Soccer Academy, has told : “The best is yet to come for him. I don’t think you’ve seen anything yet.

    “I used to say to his dad Frank, ‘He’ll never be looked at as world class and it’s a shame but he should be because he is’. He had success with Man United but to go and do what he’s now done … and there is much, much more to come. That’s the biggest thing that I can say about him – it’s just the tip of the iceberg, honestly.”

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    DID YOU KNOW?

    McTominay made his breakthrough at United in 2017 under Jose Mourinho, but was allowed to leave Manchester by Erik ten Hag. Jackson added: “Jose was just fantastic for him. Gave him his debut, looked after him.

    “Scott always works off confidence and a pat on the back. If you believe in him, he’ll run over coals for you. [Antonio] Conte’s done that. Mourinho did that as well.”

Best signing since Davis: Ipswich struck gold with "wrecking ball" star

Things might not be going too well for Ipswich Town at the moment, but their journey over the last few years has been nothing short of incredible.

Kieran McKenna has taken the Tractor Boys from a middling League One side back up to the Premier League for the first time in over two decades, and while it’s slight, there’s still a chance the club could be in the top flight this time next year.

Moreover, while the board have backed him considerably across the last two transfer windows, the Northern Irishman is still relying on some of the players who helped the team out of the third tier.

One of those stars is the brilliant Leif Davis, and while the full-back remains an essential part of the team, Ipswich made just as good a signing in the summer.

Leif Davis' Ipswich career

Ipswich paid Leeds United just £1m for Davis’ services in the summer of 2022, and with how well he’s played in the years since, it might just be one of the club’s best-ever purchases.

In his first campaign with the Tractor Boys, the Englishman made 46 appearances across all competitions, in which he mostly played at left-back and managed to rack up a sensational haul of three goals and 14 assists, was named in the PFA Team of the Year and helped the club win promotion to the Championship.

Despite the big jump in quality, the following season saw the former Leeds ace do even better.

For example, in 44 appearances, which all came at left-back this time, the 25-year-old “animal”, as former manager Scott Parker dubbed him, scored two goals, provided 21 assists, was nominated for the PFA Championship Player of the Year and won the club’s own Men’s Players’ Player of the Year award.

Understandably, this season has been a little more challenging for the Newcastle-born maestro, and in 28 Premier League games, he has been able to amass a reasonable enough tally of one goal and three assists.

Appearances

46

44

28

Goals

3

2

1

Assists

14

21

3

Goal Involvements per Match

0.36

0.52

0.14

Moreover, thanks to his impressive form in prior campaigns and the fact he’s managed to hold his own in the top-flight, Davis’ valuation has risen to €25m according to Transfermarkt, which works out to about £21m.

In all, the unreal full-back has to be considered one of Ipswich’s best signings in recent history, which could be said about another star McKenna recruited in the summer.

Ipswich's best signing since Davis

While Ipswich have picked up a number of very talented players in the years since signing Davis, when it comes down to their best acquisition, it can only be one man: Liam Delap.

Ipswich Town'sLiamDelapapplauds fans after the match

The Tractor Boys paid Manchester City around £20m for the Englishman last summer, and while there were some questions over how he’d fare leading the line for a Premier League side, he quickly showed he’s got what it takes to be a star.

For example, while it took him a few games to get up and running, the 22-year-old now has a brilliant tally of ten goals and two assists in just 28 league games this season, totalling 2196 minutes.

Appearances

28

Starts

27

Minutes

2196

Goals

10

Assists

2

Goal Involvements per Match

0.42

Minutes per Goal Involvement

183′

That means the tremendously exciting “wrecking ball,” as dubbed by Sky Sports’ Lewis Jones, has been averaging a goal involvement every 2.33 games, or every 183 minutes, in the toughest league in world football for a team that are more than likely going to get relegated.

Moreover, it’s not just the former City prospect’s output that makes him such a useful player in the starting lineup, but also how he holds up the ball for others and occupies opposing defenders to free up more space for his teammates.

Finally, if the Suffolk side are relegated at the end of this season, then there are two possibilities for Delap’s future.

The first is that he remains with the club and takes the Championship by storm next year, in turn helping McKenna and Co come back up, hopefully at the first time of asking.

Or, the other possibility is that he does leave in the summer but, in doing so, brings in a massive fee, with some reports from earlier this year claiming he could go for as much as £40m.

Ultimately, both Davis and Delap have to be considered among Ipswich’s best signings in recent years, and if the team do beat the drop come May, then they’ll have certainly played their part.

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Tammy Beaumont rides luck to realise her 2005 dream with Ashes Test ton

England opener survived a non-review on 61 to finish second day unbeaten on 100

Valkerie Baynes23-Jun-2023″Just pump your legs fast… and if you have to dive, dive.” That’s all Tammy Beaumont told herself as she sprinted for a second run that would take her to a maiden Test century in the penultimate over of a tough but hugely rewarding day.She had spent a day-and-a-half fielding, mostly at close quarters, as Australia reached a massive first-innings 473 before becoming only the second woman behind Heather Knight, her captain and batting partner for a large part of her knock, to score a hundred in all three international formats.Unbeaten on 100 at the close, Beaumont also had the satisfaction of keeping her side in an Ashes Test that looked to be headed firmly Australia’s way earlier on the second day. And she said she was no stranger to close encounters when big milestones presented themselves.”I think I should have been run out in my first ODI hundred,” Beaumont said. “I should have been run out on 99 hitting it straight to a fielder and running. For me, there was an opportunity there and it was probably the fastest one I ran in the day but hey, who cares? I’m in.”I knew I could get there. I knew it was going to go my end and I had a good chance of getting there. If I don’t dive in then you know I don’t think I’m close. I’m pretty much an idiot, always got grazes on my elbows because I’m always on the floor, but if it’s not tight I don’t dive.”Tammy Beaumont scored her maiden Test century•Getty ImagesBeaumont’s innings, which included a century stand with Knight and an unbroken 67-run partnership for the third wicket with Nat Sciver-Brunt, helped England to 218 for 2 on a batting friendly surface at Trent Bridge with their opener in fine touch, having scored 201 not out in last week’s warm-up match.England still trail by 255 and Beaumont said the end result would ultimately determine where this innings ranked in her international career, which began in 2009 and now spans 210 matches across formats.”It feels pretty good,” said Beaumont, who a year ago lost her place in England’s T20 side for the Commonwealth Games and T20 World Cup. “There were probably moments where I thought I wasn’t going to face enough balls to get there tonight it’s put the team in a good position going into tomorrow so hopefully we can bat long tomorrow and that’s what it’s all about at the minute.”For me, it’s all about whether I contribute to the team so if we win this Test match and we go on to win, I think it will be right up there. Let’s wait and see. It’s great to tick it off and yes, as a kid, I dreamt of scoring an Ashes Test hundred. Pretty much since 2005, that probably has been my goal but as I’ve gone on, for me, it’s about contributing to the team.”

She enjoyed a stroke of luck on 61 when she hit legspinner Alana King into her boot and the ball hooped to Phoebe Litchfield at short leg, but the catch wasn’t awarded and Australia didn’t review.”I knew I hit it, I knew it hit my foot, I didn’t know if it hit the floor as well,” Beaumont said. “But not my decision to make and not mine to overturn or anything like that. I think it’s hard to tell when it hits your foot whether it’s also hit the ground at the same time. So I guess I got lucky with one. But then again, I’ve probably had a couple of unlucky decisions in the last month or so in regional cricket, so I guess the luck came at the right time.”Knight admitted Beaumont “had got away with one” but was impressed with her opener’s performance, which she described as “really powerful”.”I thought, ‘Oh, that’s close.’ I chatted to Tammy in the middle and she was like, ‘Yeah, I was out,'” Knight told Sky Sports. “She’s got tiny feet as well, I don’t know how she’s managed to hit that up. But yeah, obviously they didn’t review it and Tammy got away with one there.”I’m pretty sure she was desperate to get it [her hundred] before the end of play… really proud of her. It’s hard work being out in the field for so long but I think the concentration and the skill level that she showed was outstanding.”Related

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Annabel Sutherland, who scored an unbeaten 137 for Australia off the back of another century in a warm-up against England A, made a case for promotion from No.8, although she was happy to slot in wherever required as part of “a pretty solid lineup”.”It’s pretty special,” Sutherland said. “I’m not sure it’s quite sunk in yet. “It’s something you dream of growing up, just to pull on the Baggy Green, but to do that job for the team yesterday and today it was pretty cool and I had great support at the other end. The main thing was just getting in there and spending time out there, that was what was required for the team and I was just happy to play my part.”Tammy and Nat in particular batted exceptionally well but in saying that we created seven or eight chances, so I think given we’re 260 ahead, still well and truly ahead in the game. If we can we can start well tomorrow morning then that’ll put us in good stead and hopefully we can sharpen up a little bit in the field so we can take those chances. You never know, there’s still three days to go and lots of time in the game.”

Chelsea constantly watching £66m "generational talent" who's at London club

Chelsea have constantly been watching a “generational talent” who plays for a fellow London club, but there may be competition for his signature from their Premier League rivals, according to a report.

Blues eyeing a midfielder

Enzo Maresca’s side have been linked with moves for players in a range of positions ahead of the summer transfer window, but they seem to have particularly stepped up their interest in a central midfielder as of late.

The Blues are reportedly planning to submit a £50m bid for Barcelona’s Gavi, who is now considered one of their key targets, with the Spaniard’s future at the Camp Nou in doubt due to a lack of game time.

Gavi is not the only Barca midfielder who could have the chance to move to Stamford Bridge in the summer, however, as the agents of Frenkie de Jong have offered the Dutchman to the west Londoners, whose potential availability for a relatively low fee could make him an attractive option.

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However, according to a report from The Boot Room, Chelsea may also have an option from much closer to home, with it being revealed they have constantly been watching Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton since his arrival at Selhurst Park.

Palace are determined to keep hold of the midfielder, but doing so could prove to be a difficult task, given that a number of Premier League clubs are interested, with Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa also being named as potential suitors.

Crystal Palace's AdamWhartonin action with Ipswich Town's Julio Enciso

The Eagles are said to be willing to offer Wharton a lucrative new contract, in a bid to ward off the interest from elsewhere, but it remains to be seen whether he is willing to commit to fresh terms.

Reports from elsewhere have indicated Palace could hold out for around £66m this summer, so he will certainly not come cheap.

Wharton impressing since injury comeback

The 21-year-old’s fantastic first season at Palace was rounded off with a call-up to England’s Euro 2024 squad, but his development has been hindered somewhat this season, having missed large parts of the campaign due to a groin injury.

Since returning from injury, however, the maestro has picked up from where he left off, most recently putting in a top performance in Palace’s 1-0 victory against Ipswich Town, receiving a 8.1 SofaScore match rating after creating two big chances.

Having also been lauded as a “generational talent” by members of the media, there are plenty of signs the England international could be a fantastic long-term signing for the Blues.

However, Palace should remain in a strong negotiating position for the time being, given that Wharton is contracted until the summer of 2029, meaning there is no pressing need for them to cash-in in the near future.

Celtic are now worried that their most valuable player will exit in 2025

Celtic are now fearful that a “very strong” player will leave the club in the summer transfer window, as clamour look to retain his services moving forward.

Celtic preparing for Rangers clash

The Hoops have had all week to prepare for the visit of rivals Rangers in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday lunchtime, as they look to edge one step closer to winning yet another league crown under Brendan Rodgers.

Victory for Celtic would put them 19 points clear at the top of the table, and the fact that their opponents went through a gruelling 120 minutes against Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday evening can only play into their hands, in terms of having more energy.

Celtic managerBrendanRodgerscelebrates after winning the League Cup

Away from the weekend action, the Hoops continue to be linked with moves for summer signings, with Mathias Kvistgaarden still seen as a transfer target. The Brondby forward has been mentioned as a target in the recent past, and it looks like their interest hasn’t gone away.

On the flip side, Celtic could be at risk of losing certain players in the summer, with Cameron Carter-Vickers seen as a potential option for Everton, with manager David Moyes eyeing him up as a good option. Now, a fresh update has dropped over his future.

Celtic worried "very strong" Carter-Vickers will leave

According to a new update from Football Insider‘s Pete O’Rourke, Celtic are increasingly “concerned” that Carter-Vickers will leave the club at the end of the season.

He states that the Hoops will be “demanding big money” if he does decide he wants a fresh challenge, and there is worry among fanbase that “losing him would weaken the team” despite what fee they get for their most valuable player.

Carter-Vickers has been a defensive rock for Celtic down the years, both on loan and after signing permanently from Tottenham, so to lose him at the peak of his powers would be a big blow for Rodgers. Still only 27, the USA international can continue to be at his best for at least the next three or four years, with former Hoops teammate Carl Starfelt once saying of him: “Cameron is a really good player.

“I’ve enjoyed playing with him since he came. I feel like we have a good chemistry on and off the pitch. We see many situations the same way. He’s a very strong player. You always know what you will get from him. He’s easy to play with.”

On the plus side for Celtic, if Carter-Vickers does say he wants to leave this summer, he is contracted at the club until 2029, putting them in an extremely strong bargaining position.

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It would allow the Hoops to demand big money for one of their most important players, rather than losing him on the cheap, but ultimately, retaining his services beyond this year still takes precedence.

'Many things he didn't understand' – Luis Enrique's 'significant confrontation' with Ousmane Dembele revealed as ex-Barcelona chief reveals 'mistakes' with PSG superstar

A former Barcelona chief has explained the reasons for Ousmane Dembele's failure at Barcelona and what has changed for the Paris Saint-Germain star.

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  • Ex-Barca chief explains why Dembele failed with Catalan side
  • Acknowledged La Liga giants handled the Frenchman poorly
  • Credited Luis Enrique for bringing the best out of PSG star
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Former sporting director Robert Fernandez, who was key in helping the Catalans sign Dembele from Borussia Dortmund in 2017, recently admitted that Barca made many mistakes in the handling of the Frenchman. Fernandez also explained the key difference between Barcelona and PSG boss Luis Enrique's approach with Dembele, highlighting how he unlocked his potential to the maximum at Parc des Princes.

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  • WHAT ROBERT FERNANDEZ SAID

    Speaking to Fernandez explained why Dembele has thrived at PSG, acknowledging that Barca as a club didn't figure out the best way to deal with him.

    "Ousmane came to Barcelona too young and, as soon as he arrived, he suffered a misfortune at Getafe, a hamstring injury that really hurt him. Being so young, there were many things he didn't understand, and we also made mistakes by not knowing how to rectify that situation," he said.

    “Barcelona are a club with many interests and many different views among the press and fans. Ousmane was a good player who needed to be given time because he had two injuries. Many things were said at Barcelona that weren't true, like that he went out a lot at night. Then he was often accused of being late to training, but many players arrive late. They are protected. Dembele was very vulnerable at Barcelona; they always waited for him to be seen.”

    “Luis Enrique, who deserves all the good things he's getting as a coach, had a significant confrontation a few months ago (with Dembele) because he understood that he could have given him much more than he was, and look at what he's doing now."

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Dembele arrived at Barca in a sensational €148 million move from Dortmund in the summer of 2017. However, his time at Camp Nou was constantly hampered by fitness issues, lack of consistency, and rumours of off-field distractions. The 28-year-old didn't justify his outrageous price tag, and his time in Barcelona ended unceremoniously in 2023. PSG signed him that year, and his first season at Parc des Princes was not much different from his previous six in Spain. However, Luis Enrique showcased immense patience and faith, changing his position on the pitch — from a winger to a false nine — which has brought the best out of Dembele and also worked wonders on a collective level, with PSG sweeping all trophies on offer in the 2024-25 season. Now, the attacker is in pole position to be awarded this year's Ballon d'Or.

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    WHAT NEXT FOR DEMBELE?

    The in-form forward will look to carry his impressive PSG form onto the international stage, as France prepare for a crucial Nations League semi-final clash against Spain on Thursday evening. Following his national team duties, he will head to the United States with PSG for the inaugural edition of the revamped Club World Cup, which kicks off on June 14.

Em alta, Igor Vinícius renova contrato com o São Paulo

MatériaMais Notícias

O São Paulo renovou nesta terça-feira (16) o contrato de Igor Vinícius. O vínculo – que terminava em dezembro deste ano – agora vai até o final de 2025. O novo contrato do lateral-direito terá uma multa rescisória de50 milhões de euros.

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> Veja tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro e simule os próximos jogos

O lateral-direito se tornou uma peça importante para Rogério Ceni nesta temporada – além de ter superado todos os seus números de 2021.

Nos últimos dois jogos do Tricolor, contra o Ceará e o Red Bull Bragantino, o camisa 2 marcou gols. No confronto com o Vozão, ajudou a equipe a se garantir nas semifinais da Copa Sul-Americana.

Ao lado de Reinaldo, faz parte da dupla de laterais com mais participações em gols na temporada.

Neste ano, em 35 jogos foram 22 participações. Igor Vinícius já somouquatro gols e seis assistências. Além disso, foram 34 passes decisivos e uma taxa de acerto em cruzamentos de 28%. Também foram 9 chutes no gol.

No último ano,deu cinco assistências, em 40 partidas, com dois gols.

O jogador falou sobre sua renovação de vínculo com a equipe. Para ele, era um objetivo que já tinha em mente e destacou confiança concedida pela torcida.

-Estou muito feliz, era um objetivo que eu tinha. Estar ganhando essa confiança da torcida, da diretoria e do Rogério é muito importante. Agradeço a todo o pessoal da diretoria, da comissão técnica e ao carinho dos torcedores. Isso me deixa muito mais motivado para continuar evoluindo e crescendo aqui dentro – disse.

O presidente Julio Casares também falou sobre a renovação. De acordo com suas palavras, muito se deve ao desempenho do lateral.

-Desde quando assumimos, notamos muito potencial no Igor Vinícius, além de uma excelente postura no dia a dia: discreto e trabalhador. A ampliação do contrato vem para premiar isso e, principalmente, o excelente rendimento dele dentro do campo. Além da busca por bons valores no mercado, nosso planejamento passa muito pela valorização das peças que já estão conosco – destacou.

Carlos Belmonte, diretor de futebol do Tricolor, também comentou sobre. Belmonte afirmou que o foco de Igor Vinícius é nítido tanto nos treinamentos quanto nos jogos.

-O Igor Vinícius chama a nossa atenção pela entrega demonstrada a cada treino, pelo desejo de evoluir e pelo amadurecimento constante. Com a renovação do contrato, conseguimos manter uma peça importante do nosso elenco pensando no presente e também no futuro, pois acreditamos que essa evolução não para por aqui – disse o diretor.

Igor Vinícius chegou ao São Paulo em 2019.Desde então, o lateral disputou 139 partidas e marcou sete gols. Antes de defender o São Paulo, o jogador teve passagem por Santos, Ituano e Ponte Preta.

Chelsea thought they had their own Kane, but Tuchel sold him for just £25m

Over the last couple of years, Chelsea have struggled to match the levels produced by Thomas Tuchel, with the German being a monster hit with the supporters as a result of his success.

He was appointed as manager back in January 2021, taking over from Frank Lampard, going on to achieve the unthinkable just a couple of months after moving to Stamford Bridge.

The former PSG boss would mastermind the Blues to a 1-0 win over fellow Premier League side Manchester City in the Champions League final – claiming just their second European Cup triumph in Portugal.

Such an achievement will always make him a fan favourite in West London, with many arguing he was unfairly dismissed by the hierarchy back in September 2022.

Current boss Enzo Maresca is yet to match the heights set by the German, but he will need time to work his magic given the influx of additions – something which Tuchel missed after his dismissal.

Chelsea’s hunt to land a number nine in 2025

Nicolas Jackson has been Chelsea’s number-one striking option over the last couple of years, notching a total of 26 goals in his 68 outings for the Blues.

However, his injury, coupled with the lack of depth, has seen the hierarchy constantly linked with various attackers all over Europe – as they try to push the club closer to the top of the division.

Chelsea'sNicolasJacksonreacts after sustaining an injury

The likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen and Jonathan David have all been linked with a move to the Bridge in recent weeks, showcasing the potential quality the club could attract this summer.

The window doesn’t open yet for another couple of months, with qualification for the Champions League only boosting their chances of landing a top-level talent to take the side forward.

Many supporters must wish they had their own version of one world-class star, with one player previously predicted to emulate his success before his eventual departure.

The player who was tipped to be Chelsea’s own Harry Kane

Striker Harry Kane is a player who’s always been associated with goals, understandably so given his goalscoring exploits wherever he’s played throughout his career.

The 31-year-old is Tottenham Hotspur’s and England’s record scorers, notching a total of 280 and 71 goals respectively – even carrying on his superb form with Bayern Munich.

He joined the Bundesliga giants in 2023 and has scored 77 times in just 83 appearances across all competitions, highlighting the clinical nature he possesses in the final third.

However, the Blues could’ve had their very own version of the talisman in the form of Timo Werner, who was sold for £25m by Tuchel in the summer of 2022, returning to former side RB Leipzig.

The 29-year-old has high hopes of being a success in the capital, costing £45m just two years prior – taking the Premier League by storm in his first year, notching 14 combined goal contributions.

2022/23

RB Leipzig

40

16

5

2023/24

RB Leipzig

14

2

1

2023/24

Spurs (loan)

14

2

3

2024/25

Spurs (loan)

27

1

3

Total:

95

21

12

Such a run of form would lead to teammate Ben Chilwell comparing him to Kane and that he had the potential to be world-class during his time at the Bridge.

It’s safe to say the striker had divided opinion during his time as a Blue, with the club certainly making the right call in offloading him given his lack of form over the last couple of seasons.

He’s spent the last two years on loan at city rivals Spurs, scoring just three times in his last 41 outings – looking wasteful and past the level required of a player in England’s top flight.

There’s no denying he failed to live up to expectations during his time at the Bridge, struggling to prove Chilwell right in his claim and ultimately unable to live up to the hype.

Whilst they lost money at the time of selling him back to his former employers, it was certainly the right call, with his value likely to plummet further given his recent unsuccessful stint in North London.

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1 ByEthan Lamb Apr 1, 2025

Steven Croft century drives Lancashire to emphatic win

Steven Croft smashed his maiden T20 century to power Lancashire Lightning to an imposing 204 for seven and set up a 35-run victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks at Wantage Road.Croft took the attack to the Steelbacks attack, blasting seven sixes and five fours in his 101 and shared a 146-run partnership in 12 overs with Daryl Mitchell (48). The pair had led a belligerent fightback after Ben Sanderson (2 for 29) had raised home fans’ hopes by removing England power hitters Jos Buttler (0) and Phil Salt (12) in his first two overs.With Luke Wood (3 for 39) taking three wickets in an over in the powerplay, the hosts’ hopes rested once more on Australian big hitter Chris Lynn but when he fell for 21, it was left to all-rounders Tom Taylor (40) and AJ Tye (35) to entertain the crowds in a lively stand of 58 in five overs as the Steelbacks fell to their sixth defeat of the campaign. Lightning now have five wins from nine games, keeping them firmly in contention for a playoff spot.The Steelbacks’ evening had started promisingly when they restricted Lightning to just 39 for three off the powerplay. Sanderson trapped Buttler leg before in his first over and removed Salt in his second thanks to keeper Lewis McManus who took a diving legside catch. Wells became the third wicket to fall when he holed out off Taylor with Willey taking a well-judged catch.That though brought Mitchell and Croft together who were quick to go on the attack. Mitchell hit his first delivery for four and later dispatched Tye high over extra cover.Croft hit the first six of the game over long on off Sanderson and greeted Freddie Heldreich by sweeping him over square leg for two sixes and a four in his first over. He pulled Taylor over deep square for six and then hit the next two balls he faced, both from Heldreich, for two further maximums.Mitchell was also clearing the ropes, smashing two sixes down the ground off Zaib’s only over. He offered the bowler a sharp return chance though, but the bowler could not hold on.Justin Broad, playing his maiden first-team game for Northamptonshire finally made the breakthrough in his only over, accounting for Mitchell who was caught by Lynn off an attempted scoop.Croft fell soon after reaching his century thanks to Zaib who held onto a steepling chance at deep backward square off Tye, who also removed Tom Hartley in the final over.Liam Livingstone (25) played some big shots, clubbing England teammate Willey down the ground for six before he was run out off the final ball of the innings.Northamptonshire’s new opening pair Ricardo Vasconelos (15) and Emilio Gay (13) took 22 off the first two overs. Gay hit three consecutive boundaries off Jack Blatherwick before he was caught off the leading edge off the first ball of a highly eventful over from Wood.Vasconcelos pulled a free hit from Wood for six but departed to the next delivery when the bowler took a sharp low return catch. Wood then accounted for Willey next ball, caught by Salt, before Zaib safely survived the hattrick ball.Zaib hit Blatherwick into the top of the Turner Stand but was caught behind by Buttler off the next delivery to leave the Steelbacks in real trouble on 47 for four.Broad (14) looked unfazed on the big occasion, reverse sweeping Hartley for four and crunching Wells through extra cover before he was put down at long-on. Wells soon had his man though when Broad was caught by Mitchell at long-off.Lynn needed to play another powerhouse innings for the Steelbacks and had a stroke of luck when he was put down on the boundary off Hartley with the ball running away for four. But Hartley struck soon afterwards when he had Lynn caught off a top edge attempting to hook. Three overs later Wells picked up his second wicket when he bowled Lewis McManus (11).Tye and Taylor were determined to go down all guns blazing and took on the bowlers to give the home fans something to cheer. Tye dispatched Livingstone over the ropes and hit Blatherwick for an even bigger six over deep square leg. The fun ended when the Australian tried to uppercut Mitchell over the infield on one leg and was caught by Blatherwick for 35 (two sixes, three fours). Mitchell then had Sanderson caught and bowled two balls later.Taylor continued to blaze away, ending the game with an enormous six over deep midwicket to finish unbeaten on 40 (one six, two fours).

آرسنال يخطط للتعاقد مع صفقة هجومية من الدوري الإنجليزي

كشفت وسائل إعلامية إنجليزية أن نادي آرسنال يسعى إلى التعاقد مع أحد نجوم الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز وذلك خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الحالية.

ويسعى مدرب آرسنال ميكيل أرتيتا، إلى إجراء تعزيزات في صفوف فريقه استعدادًا للموسم المقبل، من أجل المنافسة على لقبي دوري أبطال أوروبا والدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

اقرأ ايضاً.. لاعب ليفربول السابق عن كوناتي: إذا لم يلتزم فليرحل.. إنه ليس محمد صلاح

وأشارت صحيفة ميرور الإنجليزية إلى أن نادي آرسنال قد أجرى محادثات بشأن التعاقد مع لاعب منتخب إنجلترا وكريستال بالاس، إيبيريشي إيزي، هذا الصيف.

وأضافت الصحيفة أن آرسنال سيواجه منافسة شرسة للتعاقد مع اللاعب الإنجليزي، وذلك في ظل اهتمام جاره اللندني توتنهام هوتسبير بالتعاقد معه.

ويمتلك إيزي شرطاً جزائياً في عقده مع كريستال بالاس بقيمة 68 مليون جنية إسترليني، حيث سينتهي عقده في صيف 2027.

وشارك إيزي في 43 مباراة بجميع المسابقات مع كريستال بالاس في الموسم الماضي، وأحرز 15 هدفاً وقام بصناعة 11 هدفاً.

وتمكن اللاعب أيضاً من قيادة فريقه للفوز بمنافسات كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي للمرة الأولى في تاريخ كريستال بالاس بـ العام الماضي على حساب مانشستر سيتي.

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