Bangladesh batsman says the team got fewer runs than they wanted, but they can still fight back with quick wickets
Umar Farooq in Rawalpindi07-Feb-2020Bangladesh’s fight in the middle order was bookended by wickets falling cheaply in the first Test against Pakistan, as they were bowled out for 233 on the opening day in Rawalpindi. Bowling first after winning the toss, Pakistan dismantled Bangladesh’s top order to leave them 2 for 3, before the middle order rallied somewhat. But although there were three stands that crossed fifty, none went beyond 59. Najmul Hossain Shanto, playing in just his third Test, rued that the Bangladesh batsmen didn’t capitalise on their partnerships.Shanto (44 off 110) had put on 59 for the third wicket with captain Mominul Haque, while the highest scorer of the innings, Mohammad Mithun, took part in stands of 54 and 53 for the sixth and seventh wickets. Shanto and Mominul were helped by Pakistan’s bowlers spraying the ball a little, perhaps becoming over-eager after the early strikes on a green top. However, the bowlers settled down and found a nagging length, and continued to strike regularly.Six of Bangladesh’s batsmen – from No.3 to No.8 – got starts, going past 20 but Mithun’s 63 was the only fifty-plus score, a fact that Shanto described as disappointing.”There was little bit of movement in the early few overs, but then later it turned into a good batting wicket,” Shanto said. “But I think we needed to be more patient. With early wickets there, we were under pressure but then the way Mominul batted it was good for us to go on. We needed to build on the partnership, have a stand of over 100 or something. Had we had a good partnership, it could have been different. I am disappointing that we didn’t capitalise.”The day belonged to Pakistan, but Bangladesh can take some positives, having batted the whole day against hostile fast bowling. Shanto was optimistic that Bangladesh were still in the match and could learn from their first-innings experience.”To me, the wicket was good for batting with not much seam movement after the first five to six overs,” Shanto said. “But Pakistan’s bowlers were patient kept on hitting the right line and maintained it. We, however, managed to get some runs on the board. We are still short of runs but if we get a few quick wickets then it will give us a chance. Whatever we have done is done, and we have to look ahead now and think about how well we can bowl. It’s challenging, but we obviously have to bowl well. I believe we can still get back in the game.”
A "very important" Celtic player is expected to be fit for his side's Scottish Premiership clash with Motherwell, manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed.
Celtic fall behind in Old Firm title race
The Hoops face another important clash in the title race this weekend, making the trip to Motherwell on Sunday lunchtime, with pressure building on them. It feels like a must-win game, following two draws in their last three league matches.
A below-par run of form by Celtic's usual high standards has allowed Rangers to go top of the table, and Rodgers will know that both he and his players will have to up their game in the coming months.
Celtic defenderCameron Carter-Vickers.
One thing that isn't helping the Hoops at the moment is injuries, with the Scottish giants having to make do without some key players around, including Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston, among others.
Those issues do appear to be easing, however, and an important update has now emerged regarding one player who has been absent of late.
Cameron Carter-Vickers boost for Celtic
Speaking to the media ahead of the Motherwell game [via 67hailhail], Rodgers was in good spirits as he confirmed that Carter-Vickers is back in the fold for Celtic after injury.
Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers.
"He’ll be available. I think with that level of player we’ve missed a lot over the course of the season, there’s no doubt about that. Him coming back at this stage is obviously very important for us. He brings an authority and an assurance to the game for us so hopefully he can stay injury-free now until the end of the season."
Having Carter-Vickers back available is a massive boost for Celtic, considering what a rock he has been at the heart of the defence down the years, starting 14 Scottish Premiership matches this season and averaging 3.8 aerial duel wins per game. Former Hoops man Moritz Jenz's comments show exactly what the former Spurs player brings to the side.
Appearances
14
Aerial duel wins per game
3.8
Clearances per game
3.1
Pass completion rate
92.1%
Tackles per game
0.7
Interceptions per game
0.6
Total minutes played
1094
Carter-Vickers' aerial dominance and experience are both going to be so key between now and the end of the season, among other key attributes, and having him available again acts as a huge a boost for Rodgers, in terms of having plenty of defensive options to choose from.
Celtic now racing to sign in-demand gem labelled a "prolific forward"
He’s been in truly devastating form over the past couple of years.
West Ham United could be handed the chance to replace head coach David Moyes with a "very underrated" manager who's won multiple league titles.
West Ham looking at Moyes alternatives
The Hammers boss is under-fire after a dismal start to 2024, with West Ham failing to win a single game in all competitions thus far.
West Ham have bizarrely ruled out hiring "serial winner" manager – insider
Tim Steidten is rumoured to be considering Moyes replacements.
ByEmilio Galantini Feb 14, 2024
Their poor run of form was further exacerbated by West Ham's 6-0 hammering at home to Arsenal last weekend. Supporters made their feelings known by fleeing the London Stadium in their thousands, and with Moyes' contract expiring this summer, many feel change is needed in the dugout.
West Ham started the season brightly after their Europa Conference League triumph in Prague last year, but this run has reminded some fans of the club's lacklustre 2022/2023 league campaign where they flirted with relegation.
The Irons hierarchy are thought to have postponed contract renewal talks with Moyes as they decide what to do next (Jason Burt), and while the tactician remaining beyond this season is still possible, technical director Tim Steidten will be looking at other options as well.
14th
22/23
6th
21/22
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20/21
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“A new deal for Moyes is not close,” said club insider ExWHUemployee this week (via West Ham Way).
“Results and performances have put any planned talks back, and the manager of course has been warned things must improve fast. The objective was to retain Moyes, and the club are known to want to stay loyal to the manager. However, we can confirm options are being assessed. Tim Steidten will be looking at alternatives as the club plan ahead, although that is to be expected.”
There have been a few names linked in the last week, including the likes of Lille boss Paulo Fonseca and free agent Graham Potter, but appears another name in former PSG manager Christophe Galtier could enter the frame.
West Ham could also be offered Galtier
The Frenchman would be a controversial one given his acquitted court case, but the two-time Ligue 1 winner may apparently be an option.
West Ham are set to be offered Galtier as a replacement for Moyes, according to Claret & Hugh writer and insider Sean Whetstone.
"The Hammers could also be offered Frenchman Christophe Galtier who is currently in charge of Qatar Stars League outfit Al-Duhail," wrote Whetstone on X.
"He had previously been at PSG in 2023 where he replaced Mauricio Pochettino parting ways with the club a year later. Earlier he had managed St Etienne, Nice and Lille."
The 57-year-old has also been called "very underrated" outside of France.
Arsenal are set to wear an unusual kit combination for their Champions League opener against Athletic Club. The Gunners are known for their iconic red and white jersey but they will have to tweak things for their clash in Spain on Tuesday.
Arsenal forced into kit tweaks for Champions League game
Mikel Arteta's side begin their Champions League campaign with a tough test against this dangerous La Liga outfit. Incidentally, according to Arsenal Shirt, the Gunners will wear the blue away kit with the silver alternate top and silver socks in a rare combination. But why aren't they wearing more conventional combinations?
AdvertisementThe Explanation
The reason behind this is that UEFA have reportedly brought in stricter regulations in regards to kit clashes, so this is a practical solution to avoid any confusion with Athletic Club's outfit. That means the Gunners won't have navy shorts and socks to go with their navy tops.
Arsenal face Athletic Club again
The north London side will be confident going into this match with their Spanish opponents, as they swept aside Ernesto Valverde's team in a 3-0 pre-season win at the Emirates last month. A tougher examination is expected this time, though.
AFPWhat next for Arsenal? Busy fixture period begins
After Arsenal's game against the Spanish team, they play Manchester City, Port Vale, Newcastle United, Olympiacos, and West Ham in the space of under three weeks. If Arteta's team can win all of those games, they will head into the international break feeling very content.
Australia’s coach sees no reason why Paine won’t remain Test captain until at least the end of this WTC cycle
Andrew McGlashan at the SCG01-Jan-2020Tim Paine has been backed to captain Australia until at least a possible World Test Championship final appearance in 2021 after leading the team from the fallout of the Newlands ball-tampering scandal to the brink of a clean sweep of this season’s Tests following the retention of the Ashes last year.Paine produced one of his most influence performances in Melbourne, scoring a momentum-seizing 79 in Australia’s first innings and then claiming eight dismissals in a faultless performance with the gloves including a superb stumping to remove Henry Nicholls.The Sydney Test which starts on Friday marks the last in which Steven Smith is not eligible to be Australia captain, with his leadership ban finishing at the end of March, although his has not been the only name associated with taking the armband when it does move on from Paine, with Pat Cummins’ credentials continuing to grow.Australia’s next Test assignment is a two-match series in Bangladesh in June before the 2020-21 season which includes the heavyweight four-match contest against India. Australia and India are currently strongly placed to be in the Test Championship final at Lord’s in mid-2021 with head coach Justin Langer seeing no reason why Paine – who he termed “almost our most important player” – can’t be the man in charge should that come to fruition.”Truthfully, I can’t see one reason why he wouldn’t,” Langer said. “His last game – you judge on his last performance – he was probably pushing to be Man of the Match. He had eight dismissals, 70-odd with the bat, and the way he played his innings was what was most exciting. The way he leads the group. I just literally can’t think of one reason at the moment, he’s so fit, as to why he wouldn’t keep playing for as long as he wants to or needs to.”Retaining the Ashes in England – something Australia had not done since 2001 – was a hugely significant achievement for a team that had been through huge turmoil in the preceding year. However, at the start of the home season, there was a sense of uncertainty about what would happen next year – partly due to Smith’s availability as captain from March 2020 and also a perception that Alex Carey is making a strong case to be part of the Test team – but any questions about the medium-term leadership now appear to have been put to bed.”The truth is there’s been conjecture from outside, there’s never been one millisecond of conjecture from within our team,” Langer said. “I said at the start of the summer, he’s almost our most important player, because he’s a very good leader, his captaincy is excellent, he’s the best wicketkeeper in the world, he’s as fit as anyone in the group and we knew that if he believed he could bat as well as we think we can then you’ll see results like we did in the last Test and at times during the Ashes.”There’s always a bit of conjecture, but certainly not within our camp. I hope he plays for as long as he possibly can because his leadership has been brilliant, working with the leadership group, I love working with him.”Tim Paine plants a kiss on the Ashes urn at The Oval•Getty ImagesLanger acknowledged the stark contrast between where the team sits now and a year ago when they entered the Sydney Test against India under huge scrutiny following defeat in Melbourne, and they would go on to be taken for over 600 across the first two days of the Test and be made to follow on before rain forced a draw.”The feeling in the camp is unbelievable but the trick is to maintain it,” Langer said. “The Australian cricket team in the past has been able to do [that], hopefully I can be sitting here in 12 months’ time again with a smile on my face… continue building this great momentum that’s happening in Australian cricket at the moment. It didn’t feel like it 12 months ago.”The immediate aim for Paine and Langer is to secure victory at the SCG, which would give Australia their first sweep of a home summer since 2013-14. The selection decision to be made is whether to find a place for the uncapped legspinner Mitchell Swepson on a surface that is expected to take turn, but two days out the likelier route was for an unchanged team with some additional workload for Marnus Labuschagne.”It’s certainly an option,” Langer said. “That’s how we have to look at it – we’re talking about finding another allrounder in Australian cricket – well it might give us an opportunity to bowl Marnus and Travis Head a few overs, to find those extra overs we’re looking for.”Every time Marnus gets the ball in his hand, it’s pretty exciting. He’s working hard on getting his lines right, so he makes them play a bit more, but he’s an exciting prospect, the way he spins the ball, and the more he can bowl in games that’s important.”It will be hard to make changes, that said I think it’s really important that we wait because we’ve seen it in the Shield games and the groundsman is telling us he’s expecting it to spin, so we have to respect that. We’ll wait and see over the next two days what the wicket looks like.”Josh Hazlewood was back bowling in the nets on Wednesday as he recovers from the hamstring injury he sustained in Perth but is set to return to action through the BBL before the one-day tour of India.
Vincent Kompany believes Nicolas Jackson to be "a perfect fit" for Bayern Munich as the striker prepares for his Bundesliga debut.
Chelsea loanee joins on €16.5m dealKompany expects speed and attacking driveSenegal star eager to learn from KaneFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Bayern unveiled Jackson as their latest signing after securing the Chelsea forward on a season-long loan in a deal that cost the Bundesliga champions €16.5m (£14m/$19m). The agreement also includes a conditional purchase clause worth €65m (£54m/$71m), though the conditions make it unlikely to be triggered. The 24-year-old Senegal international's arrival gives Kompany another attacking option to partner Harry Kane as they aim to defend their Bundesliga crown and compete for the Champions League title.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT KOMPANY SAID
"This first phase is very important for him because he didn't have a proper preparation at Chelsea," Kompany said at a press conference unveiling the striker. "He's a good athlete and it won't take long for him to get back to 100 percent. We have to wait and see when he can play from the start. What I've seen so far is very good. He's a young player with a lot of quality. He'll pose a great threat with his speed and attacking drive."
He added: "We're always very flexible up front, and I think that's a good thing. That's why Nicolas Jackson's profile makes him a perfect fit. That's why he'll play an important role next season."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
With Kane already established as the team’s leading striker, Kompany now has a versatile forward capable of playing alongside or around the England captain. Jackson recently said that he is looking ahead to playing with Kane, who is already top of the Bundesliga goal chart alongside Michael Olise with three goals from two matches.
Jackson said: "Kane is one of the best strikers in the world. I hope to learn from him, complement his game, and build a strong bond on the pitch. We are two strikers who complement each other very well on the pitch, and we will work hard to ensure the results live up to expectations."
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
Jackson is expected to make his debut in the Bundesliga clash against Hamburg, and Bayern will hope his integration is smooth, particularly with Champions League fixtures looming. Beyond his immediate adaptation, the loan will also be a test run to see whether Jackson fits Bayern’s long-term vision. If he impresses alongside Kane, the club may yet revisit a permanent deal in the future.
Danny Rohl might well have initially injected life back into proceedings when first arriving on the scene at Sheffield Wednesday, but the Owls were dished out a harsh reality check courtesy of Huddersfield Town last match in terms of beating the Championship drop.
With the game finely poised at 0-0 as the second half dragged on, the Wednesday defence then buckled in a 12-minute horror show that saw the Terriers race into an emphatic 4-0 lead.
Rohl now has the almighty task of picking up his downtrodden troops for the game against Coventry City away on Tuesday night in the FA Cup, with the German manager scrambling in his head as to what starting lineup could pull off an unlikely victory against Mark Robins' men.
Djeidi Gassama could well be just one Owls player amongst many that is sacrificed for the trip to the Sky Blues, with this predicted lineup seeing Wednesday make five changes…
1 GK – James Beadle
Rohl won't want to completely destroy James Beadle's confidence after a disastrous display against Huddersfield, sticking by the Brighton loanee despite the young goalkeeper leaking four goals.
In the game just before this collapse on the road, Beadle had shown himself to be a competent shot-stopper – keeping a clean sheet as the Owls drew 0-0 with Watford, making two saves in the process.
Moreover, the Wednesday boss won't be too confident about starting Cameron Dawson over Beadle owing to Dawson's recent fragilities when played. In his last match before Beadle took the reins, the Sheffield-born keeper conceded four himself versus Southampton.
2 RB – Pol Valentin
Rohl will also cast his eye back to the Watford stalemate when sticking by Pol Valentin at right-back, the Spanish defender excelling against the Hornets after a stop-start life adjusting to South Yorkshire prior.
Only losing one duel in that draw, on top of completing all two of his dribbles, Valentin will want to just brush his display versus the Terriers under the carpet and push on to get back to his best tomorrow night.
3 CB – Michael Ihiewke
Coming into the side to replace Akin Famewo against Huddersfield, Michael Ihiewke had some moments of promise on a bleak day for the Owls at the John Smith's Stadium.
Making nine clearances in total, alongside winning three of his five duels, the former Rotherham United centre-back was arguably let down by the likes of Di'Shon Bernard and new Wednesday recruit Kristian Pedersen in the humbling defeat.
The experienced defender could well have even scored when the game was still 0-0, only for a headed attempt to be cleared off the line.
4 CB – Akin Famewo
Bernard will most likely be the first casualty from the horror show at Huddersfield, with Akin Famewo coming back into the side at the heart of defence to partner Ihiewke.
The former Manchester United man was at fault for the Terriers' misery compiling fourth goal of the game, a shocking back-pass leaving Beadle and Ihiewke in no man's land for Josh Koroma to then slot home.
Rohl will know he can rely on Famewo to come in and shore up the defence away from Bernard, with previous manager Xisco Munoz even labelling the 25-year-old as an "animal" at the back.
5 LB – Reece James
Bernard wasn't alone in having an afternoon to forget, with Kristian Pedersen way off the pace on his Owls debut in the 4-0 demolition job.
Sorba Thomas and Josh Koroma had field days coming up against the Owls back four and Pedersen, seen in Huddersfield's third goal of the game with a long ball over the top catching Pedersen cold before Thomas confidently tucked the chance away.
Pedersen might well need time to bed into the Owls group and get back up to sharpness, with Reece James coming in for the nervy Danish defender as a result.
6 CDM – Liam Palmer
Liam Palmer walked off the pitch with his held high on a personal level away from the shocking loss as a collective, the seasoned Wednesday number two enjoying his new role at defensive midfield.
Plying his trade as a right-back usually, Rohl's ingenious tweak to play Palmer as a holding midfielder has worked wonders for the 32-year-old.
Palmer attempted to give the Owls steel before the four-goal collapse occurred, winning six of his eight ground duels on top of launching himself into four tackles.
7 CDM – Mohamed Diaby
Mohamed Diaby could well be afforded a rare start in the Wednesday first-team away at Coventry tomorrow night, the imposing 27-year-old midfielder only starting one game all season long after joining on loan from Portimonense in the summer.
That could well change for the trip to the Sky Blues however, Diaby impressing in a short but sweet cameo against the Terriers when replacing a tiring Barry Bannan.
Managing to make one key pass from just eight minutes on the pitch, alongside winning 100% of his duels, Diaby could form a dogged partnership with Palmer in defensive midfield to help out a leaky Owls back four.
8 RM – Ian Poveda
Leeds forward Ian Poveda.
Rohl could really shake things up in attack for the game at Coventry tomorrow evening, dropping Owls top-scorer Anthony Musaba to give Leeds loanee Ian Poveda his debut.
Musaba was snatching at chances away at Huddersfield and cut a frustrated figure at the end, with Poveda – who was once described as "crazy" by Daniel Farke in terms of his showboating skills – coming in to potentially take the Sky Blues by surprise for his new side.
9 CAM – Barry Bannan
Bannan has predominantly played in a holding midfield role this campaign, but with Diaby potentially being handed a rare start, Rohl could shoehorn his exciting Scotsman into an attacking midfield spot for the away trip to Coventry.
Managing to still make four key passes from deep last game in a match that saw Huddersfield cruise to a win, Bannan's immense creative powers could be heightened even more by being pushed forward.
10 LM – Mallik Wilks
Sheffield Wednesday forward Mallik Wilks.
Musaba isn't the only casualty from down the channels, with Djeidi Gassama axed from the Owls lineup alongside Musaba after a torrid display versus the Terriers.
Losing possession a grand total of 20 times in the game, one of those instances coming when Huddersfield broke away for their decisive second goal, Gassama could be dropped for Mallik Wilks to come in tomorrow night.
The ex-Hull City attacker impressed as the lone centre-forward from off the bench last match – successfully completing two out of three dribble attempts – but the skilful 25-year-old is far more adept at causing havoc playing as a gung-ho winger.
He will again team up with Matt Kuhnemann for defending champions Brisbane Heat
AAP14-Dec-2024Mitchell Swepson is eyeing the BBL as his last chance to push for a Test return in Sri Lanka, with Australia’s hopefuls left to make their case with the white ball.Swepson and Brisbane Heat team-mate Matt Kuhnemann are vying to be on the plane to Sri Lanka in January, with two Tests on the spin-friendly Galle wicket.Australia’s domestic schedule means that by the time of the next Sheffield Shield game, the second and final Test in Galle will have already started.Related
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While Nathan Lyon will be the first-choice spinner, Sixers spinner Todd Murphy is expected to join him as a second offspinner.Kuhnemann, Swepson and Melbourne Renegades’ Adam Zampa then loom as options if Australia play a third spinner, given their ability to turn the ball the other way.Melbourne Stars pair Glenn Maxwell and Beau Webster could also find themselves on the tour, given they can play as offspinning allrounders.Webster has been released from Australia’s Test camp to play in Sunday night’s BBL opener against Perth, while Maxwell is still out with a hamstring injury.”Playing for Australia is always the goal I am striving for and while I’m not sure how many spinners they are going to take on that tour I would love to be a part of it,” Swepson told AAP ahead of the Heat’s title defence. “All the Shield games are done now [until February] and the BBL is all we have in front of us.”I’m not sure they will pick blokes based on the BBL but bowling well in any format helps.”Swepson and Kuhnemann both have Test experience on the subcontinent, with Swepson playing previously in Sri Lanka and Pakistan in 2022. He didn’t play on Australia’s last trip to Asia in 2023, with Kuhnemann instead impressing in that year’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Swepson has 17 wickets in the Shield for Queensland this summer and Kuhnemann has 18 for Tasmania.Swepson, 31, said he was a better bowler now than when he played Test cricket in 2022.”I know when to attack, when to hold and defend and when to play a role the team requires,” he said. “This is my 10th year playing for Queensland and I think that experience has really helped me.”Both the Tests I played in Sri Lanka were in Galle and they both are again. I felt like I bowled pretty well and that might hold me in good stead.”Over in those sub-continent conditions they lean more towards the finger spinners so I know I have that up against me, but I think that as a legspinner I also get my accuracy as close to a finger spinner as possible.”Kuhnemann, 28, is now with Tasmania after leaving Queensland to get more overs in Shield cricket.”For me, the pinnacle is red-ball cricket. If my red-ball game is going well, then that looks after my white-ball cricket,” Kuhnemann said. White-ball cricket I am pumped at. I have been pretty good the past few years. Hopefully, I can add a few strings to my bow.”Whenever a subcontinent tour comes around, all the spinners around the country get excited and come out of the woodwork a bit.”
GOAL US unpacks the main weekend storylines from the Premier League, La Liga and other top competitions in The Euro XI
The European season is unfolding in style. Finally, pictures are starting to form. One game is a fluke, two games is perspective, three, though, is when shapes become clearer, lines are drawn. We now know, for example, that Arsenal aren't that much different from last year. We know, too, that Liverpool have a bit more bite to them than we thought.
It is clear, too, that Xabi Alonso might be a good manager, Barcelona lack depth, and Man City will be up-and-down and then end up finishing third. There's a lot to break down: storylines to follow, sketches to make sense of, goals to enjoy.
GOAL US presents The Euro XI, with 11 key observations from the weekend.
Getty Images Sport1Serves you right, Mikel
So Mikel Arteta decided to show up and play for a draw. Snooze. We've heard this story before. But this was a seriously painful way of playing football, when Arsenal showed up to Anfield with four centerbacks and three defensive midfielders, as well as a Victor Gyokeres up front.
What, exactly, are you supposed to do with that in an attacking sense? Well, Arsenal were very, very good defensively. But everything else was fiercely unwatchable. Seriously, did anything happen for most of that game? Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai delivered the right foot of karmic justice, absolutely one into the top corner from 35 yards to secure a 1-0 win. Good.
AdvertisementGetty Images Sport2Man City are so done
Right? The Cityzens looked like world beaters when they put four past Wolves to open the season. In Tijjani Reijnders they had Kevin De Bruyne 2.0. Erling Haaland was back scoring goals. Title on. Except it's very much not.
Since then, they have lost two in a row, including a 2-1 defeat to a wonderfully well-drilled Brighton team. James Milner, 39, scored the equalizer, which is admittedly funny. City will still probably finish third.
Getty Images Sport3The world is better when Jack Grealish is smiling
Is it possible to dislike Jack Grealish? If it is, no one seems to know how. He is football's perfect court jester – except he's like, really good at this sport. Grealish is an immense talent, a true maverick in an era of robots.
His role in the extended Premier League cinematic universe has always been that of the best player on a mid-table team, the undisputed main man that can convince a manager to make an exception to his system. And he was at it again for Everton, assisting two in a convincing win for the Toffees. Grealish is smiling. So are Everton fans. Somehow, everything just feels fine as a result.
Getty Images4Newcastle need a striker
Stop me if you've heard this one before: Newcastle could use a No. 9. Of course, the Alexander Isak saga has clouded their whole season so far. He was their undisputed superstar. He didn't want to play for them, and now he plays for Liverpool. It's all wonderful content. Now, though, they're left with a big German fella who has to score all of the goals. He didn't play at the weekend, but he will need to start banging 'em in to dispel the ghost of Swedish striker past.
Southampton are believed to be "slightly ahead" of their Championship rivals in the race to sign a "fantastic" player, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
Southampton transfer news
Russell Martin will be delighted with how his side are looking currently, with their form making them strong contenders to achieve automatic promotion this season. However, the Saints manager will also be aware that new signings could provide even more quality and depth within his squad, increasing their chances of making a speedy return to the Premier League.
Lots of different players have been linked with moves to St Mary's in recent weeks, with Juventus playmaker Matias Soule an audacious option with a hefty price tag. Another player who has emerged as a target is Liverpool's Calvin Ramsay, with the young right-back recently returning from a loan spell at Preston North End.
Burnley attacking midfielder Manuel Benson has been backed to join Southampton, too, with the 26-year-old struggling for playing time in the Premier League for the Clarets this season, starting only once in the competition. West Ham defender Ben Johnson has been another player eyed up and seen as a possible replacement for Kyle Walker-Peters, should the influential Saints right-back move on this month.
Southampton favourites to sign Manuel Benson
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jacobs claimed that Southampton could be edging the race to sign Burnley's Benson, with Leeds United providing stern competition.
Manuel Benson for Burnley.
"By Championship standards, he's obviously a top-quality player, very confident in the league and it's no real surprise therefore that both Leeds and Southampton are in the race. Some sources say Southampton are slightly ahead of Leeds, but I think with nothing done, we're just going to have to wait and see because it's two attractive offers on the table for the player."
Benson could be just what Southampton are looking for during the January transfer window, providing that extra sprinkling of attacking magic that could make all the difference when crunch matches arrive at the business end of the season.
Granted, he hasn't hit the ground running in the Premier League, but he knows the Championship well and played a big role in their title win last season, scoring 11 goals and registering three assists as Vincent Kompany's side cruised back into the top flight. His current manager thinks highly of him, saying last year:
"I can’t be handing solutions of how to deal with him, but it’s just the things he’s been doing since he was a kid. I’m still pushing him for tap-ins – I want tap-ins. In the end, it’s something he’s comfortable doing and he will get goals that way. What he’s done for us is fantastic and from our side, that’s all we want."
Southampton now want to sign "clever" club captain for Russell Martin
This could be a major coup.
ByTom Cunningham Jan 24, 2024
At 26, there is still so much more to come from Benson in his career, and he will surely jump at the chance to play more regularly this season. Should Southampton beat Leeds to his signature, it would be an added bonus, snapping him up from under the noses of their promotion rivals.