Former Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy’s exit is having a huge ripple effect, with his departure now leaving a previous agreement to potentially collapse.
Levy resigned as Spurs chair after 24 years, leaving his long-term hands-on role at the club as the Lewis Family and ENIC attempt to usher in what they describe as a new era.
During his tenure, Levy was a polarising Tottenham figure who attracted huge criticism and disdain from sections of the fanbase — specifically over their lack of success on the pitch with just two major trophies since 2001.
In that time, Spurs were often chastised for not spending anywhere near as much as their Premier League rivals on transfers, with Levy also overseeing some disastrous decisions like certain managerial appointments.
Off the field, Levy did work wonders — transforming the Lilywhites into a revenue-generating powerhouse and overseeing the move to their brand-new state-of-the-art stadium.
Real Madrid
£1.2 billion
Man City
£727 million
PSG
£700 million
Man United
£668 million
Bayern Munich
£664 million
FC Barcelona
£659.5 million
Arsenal
£621.5 million
Liverpool
£620 million
Tottenham Hotspur
£533 million
Chelsea
£474 million
via Deloitte Money League
There is no doubt that Spurs’ commercial appeal increased ten-fold during Levy’s stay, but the focus for ENIC, and particularly Vivienne Lewis (the daughter of Joe Lewis), is now to deliver more silverware.
Reports claim that Levy was pushed out by Tottenham and didn’t find out about his resignation until hours before it was announced (The Times), with the news leaving influential footballing figures “stunned” (Miguel Delaney).
Levy’s exit is also having an effect on Tottenham’s potential re-appointment of popular ex-managing director Fabio Paratici.
Tottenham U-turn over Fabio Paratici agreement with return now in limbo
The Italian has now served his worldwide ban from football and acted as an unofficial advisor to the club as recently as the last transfer window.
Paratici had reached an agreement to return to Tottenham in his previous managing director role from the start of next month, according to talkSPORT, but now the 53-year-old is being left in “limbo”.
As per the outlet and journalist Alex Crook, Levy’s ally may not be returning to Spurs after all, as the move to bring him back was largely driven by the club’s now-former chair.
Paratici’s appointment at Tottenham is now in serious doubt, which will come as upsetting for some supporters who were fans of the director famed for his incredible work ethic.
The former Juventus chief played a key role in the signings of Cristian Romero, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pedro Porro and Djed Spence, among others, with Levy previously hailing Paratici as a man who “lives and breathes” football.
da dobrowin： Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has admitted that one of his “idols” is guilty of making one of the worst decisions in the club’s history.
Shearer's legacy at Newcastle unmatched
da spicy bet： When it comes to genuine St James’ Park icons, Shearer’s name rightly appears at the top of the list when supporters are asked who the best footballer in Magpies history is.
No Newcastle player has scored more goals for the club than the former England international, who is also still leading the way in the Premier League overall, netting 260 times in total in the competition.
While Shearer forever missed out on winning major trophies at Newcastle, he lived out his childhood dream of representing his boyhood club and scoring endless goals in front of the Gallowgate End.
The legendary striker played under numerous managers at St James’, from Kenny Dalglish to Bobby Robson, but even great figures such as those mentioned weren’t immune from making errors during their time in charge.
Shearer reveals huge error Dalglish made at Newcastle
Speaking in 2024, with quotes provided by Give Me Sport, Shearer claimed that Dalglish’s decision to sell Les Ferdinand in 1997 was among the worst calls in Newcastle’s history.
Shearer is spot on in his assessment regarding Ferdinand, and while he clearly still sees Dalglish as a hero of his own, there is no question that selling his former attacking teammate was a bad call looking back.
Ferdinand and Shearer were devastating together, with both scoring in the iconic 5-0 win at home to Manchester United in the Premier League in 1996, and the former still had plenty of years left in him.
Granted, the Englishman was 30 years of age when Newcastle opted to move him on to Tottenham, but he showed over a six-year spell in north London that he could have continued scoring goals for the Magpies.
Newcastle signing Nick Woltemade names Arsenal star as his favourite player
He dropped a surprising name…
ByTom Cunningham Sep 6, 2025
Dalgilsh’s playing and managerial careers are legendary ones, with the Scot considered by many as the greatest player in Liverpool’s history, but it never worked out for him as Newcastle boss, which was a huge shame, especially for Shearer.
West Indies recovered from the most terrible of starts; Sri Lanka collapsed spectacularly when they had batted so well on this pitch two days ago
Sambit Bal in Colombo07-Oct-2012On the night the Caribbean dream survived the worst imaginable beginning, the Sri Lankans relived their most dreaded nightmare. Over 30,000 fans watched in stunned silence as 30-odd West Indians produced the merriest celebratory waltz to cap one of the most bizarre nights of cricket.West Indies cricket has endured such misery in the last two decades that it is impossible to grudge them their joy and certainly no other bunch of cricketers can express it with such panache and style. They had little support in the stands throughout the evening but a group of Sri Lanka fans stayed back long enough salute them on their victory parade. They were still waving Sri Lankans flags but the beat was all calypso – unmistakably, emphatically.And at the same time it was impossible not to feel the grief and lament of a cricket-crazy nation that had prepared itself for the grandest of parties. It will be a breeze to the hotel from the cricket ground tonight, but the silence will feel eerie and the air of deflation will be palpable. The dancing on the streets on the day of Sri Lanka’s semi-final win had felt premature, but perhaps those out revelling that night took their chance when they had it. Heartbreaks in cricket finals are now a recurring theme for the Sri Lankan fan.How, though, does one make sense of the night? How could a team that blasted three sixes in the first six overs two days ago, crawl to 14 runs in six overs tonight? And how could a team that scored 32 runs in their first ten overs, its lowest-ever Twenty20 mid-innings tally, go on to win by 36?Take this too. Two Sri Lankans bowlers gave away 23 runs from eight overs, claiming five wickets between them, and one leaked 54 for none in four. There were 101 dot balls in the match, and yet 62 runs came in three overs. Fifteen batsmen struggled to hit the ball off the square, and one man batted as if the night belonged him, hitting six sixes while the rest managed two between them. It was said after the first semi-final that Mahela Jayawardene’s innings was on a different plane; tonight Marlon Samuels batted as if he was from another planet.The World Twenty20 is a young tournament but four have already been played in five years (it took 12 years to get to the fourth 50-over World Cup). And it can be safely said that Samuels has played the finest innings in a championship final. Only Michael Hussey’s 24-ball 60 in the 2010 semi-final bears comparison but, given the history of his team’s wretchedness and for what it ultimately achieved, this was an innings of far deeper resonance. First, he dragged his team out of the abyss and then, in course of three stunning overs, lifted it to a place where a fight remained within its grasp.The irony that the West Indian innings contained was unmistakable. It was their over-reliance on boundary hitting that got them into the hole in the first place. Sri Lanka’s new-ball bowlers hit an impeccable length on a pitch that was slow yet bouncy, and, though not as good as the one on which West Indies had belted Australia, by no means, as poor as the one on which Sri Lanka beat Pakistan. The sign that the West Indians were not getting their way came early, when Chris Gayle gave Nuwan Kulasekara the charge and missed. That has not been his way. He clubs them standing, head still, arms swinging. But for 16 balls, nothing came in his zone, and they couldn’t, or perhaps couldn’t bring themselves to, find singles. The innings ground to a halt, Gayle’s ended in a whimper, beaten on his forward defence.And yet their ability to produce sixes made the difference in the final reckoning. Lasith Malinga has been carted around in the recent past, but on each occasion it has taken some special batsmanship from truly skillful players. Samuels’ first six off him, a full-length ball dug out from deep within the crease, was executed magnificently, a combination of anticipation and perfect execution. It changed and set the tenor for the rest of the innings.It can be argued that Jayawerdene, not for the first time in recent history, erred in trusting Malinga with his full quota when he had other options. Akila Dananjaya conceded less than six runs an over yet ended an over short – as did Kulasekara, who had been so splendid in his opening spell. On another day, Malinga might have repaid his captain’s faith but Samuels caned him mercilessly tonight: 39 off 11 balls is some hammering; in a low-scoring game it was decisive.But despite this sensational revival – 105 came off the last ten overs – it was the Sri Lankans who came out as the favorites after the interval. They had scored a couple of runs more on a far more difficult pitch against a much superior bowling attack a few nights earlier. Even after Tillakaratne Dilshan went in the second over, they remained on course until the 10th over, with Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara building the base.But perhaps the nerves did them in. Sangakkara started struggling to score singles and holed out in the deep; Angelo Mathews was bowled trying a lap sweep, Jayawardene fell to a reverse sweep – a shot he had executed expertly the other night – and two other batsmen ran themselves out in desperation. West Indies had appeared frozen and fazed in the first six overs but, luckily for them, they lost only two wickets. Sri Lanka had a meltdown in their worst five overs, losing 6 for 21. From 69 for 7, there was no coming back.As the rest of the world rejoices in a rare moment of glory for West Indies – they are after all every non-West Indian’s second-favourite team – Sri Lanka will spend the night and coming days in bitter reflection. Of all the finals that have slipped away, their grip had looked the firmest on this one. They beat themselves as much as their opponents did. This must hurt.
da pixbet： The Thomas Frank era got off to an agonising start as Tottenham Hotspur fell short against Paris Saint-Germain on penalties, but there was much to admire from a spirited and, for the most part, organised north London outfit.
da doce： There was a lot to like, but Spurs fell short against the continent’s finest outfit, who clambered back from a two-goal deficit in the late stages. Lots to like, but work to be done, with the need for an attacking midfielder accentuated by the loss.
James Maddison’s injury is a tough one to take. Certainly, the Three Lions playmaker has been left stricken given the promising nature of Tottenham’s season ahead, with the World Cup then on the horizon across the pond.
Looking at the situation through a pragmatic lens, Spurs’ need for an attacking midfielder has been heightened. Dejan Kulusevski is still recovering from a patella injury, and the controversial failed bid for Morgan Gibbs-White preceded Maddison’s return to the infirmary.
With Heung-min Son having completed a £20m transfer to LAFC in the United States, signing Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze feels like something of a no-brainer, with that deal in the works. Well, insofar as Tottenham must remain apace with Arsenal in the battle.
But though Frank’s side showed great promise against PSG on Wednesday night, it’s clear that the club are calling out for more than just the arrival of a Maddison replacement, with a deal for Manchester City’s Savinho being chased too.
The latest on Savinho to Spurs
With Son gone and Eze operating frequently from the middle, thrusting forward with electric strides, completing a deal for Savinho feels important.
The Brazilian, 21, joined Pep Guardiola’s side from French club Troyes for around £31m last summer, and he registered 13 assists across 48 matches last term, albeit only scoring three times.
But there’s a lot to like, and Tottenham have opened talks for the rising talent as City pursue a deal for Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.
Savinho’s lack of bite in the final third is equalised by his snappy physicality and natural creativity. The goals will come, especially if he heads down N17 to work under Frank’s tutelage.
Savinho, who can play across both flanks, would be a fantastic addition, but with Man City holding out for a £67m fee, Daniel Levy and his coterie appear to have earmarked an exciting alternative.
Spurs have made bid for new winger
As per Spanish sources, Tottenham have seen an offer rejected for Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo, worth somewhere in the region of €40m (equating to £34m).
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The sought-after Japan international believes Sociedad’s ambitions do not match his own, with Spurs hoping to entice him over to London, offering the promise of Champions League.
Daniel Levy will be keenly aware of rival English interest: Bournemouth, Everton, and West Ham have all placed bids of their own, and AC Milan are now emerging as suitors too.
With such thick competition for Spurs’ Savinho alternative, Kubo’s outfit want his €60m (£51m) release clause paid in full.
What Takefusa Kubo would bring to Spurs
Savinho has proven that he has what it takes to impress in the Premier League, with Manchester City expert Steven McInerney remarking that he’s “on the precipice of being a world-class footballer.”
However, £67m is a tall order for a young winger who only scored one league goal for one of the most dangerous attacking outfits in the world last season, and Kubo could be an exciting alternative who might even prove the better pick.
Takefusa Kubo for Real Sociedad.
A high-speed and nimble winger, Kubo is typically housed on the right flank, though like Savinho, his dynamism lends itself to roles across the frontline.
And his desire to leave Real Sociedad bespeaks his ambition. Despite maintaining a steady creative presence for the Basque side last year, he was let down by his teammates, finishing 11th in the league and creating only 42.5 xG (expected goals), via FBref.
In spite of this, Kubo, who has been described as a “special talent” by journalist John Bunting, enjoyed a promising individual campaign.
League Stats 24/25 – Kubo vs Savinho
Stats (*per game)
Kubo
Savinho
Matches (starts)
36 (27)
29 (21)
Goals
5
1
Assists
0
8
Shots (on target)
1.2 (0.4)
1.9 (0.7)
Big chances missed
2
6
Accurate passes
18.4 (77%)
23.0 (87%)
Big chances created
9
11
Key passes*
1.3
1.6
Dribbles*
2.1
1.8
Tackles + interceptions*
1.4
1.0
Duels (won)*
5.3
3.6
Data via Sofascore
Like Savinho, Kubo hasn’t established himself as a free-scoring wide forward yet, but there’s no question that he’s the more clinical of the two.
The Japanese’s flaw in the final third is that he doesn’t work himself into space with enough regularity, instead hugging the touchline and creating for his teammates.
Savinho does this too, of course, and it’s worth drawing attention to the fact that Kubo failed to register even one assist in La Liga last year. However, his underlying playmaking numbers suggest that he has what it takes to enrich Tottenham’s attacking fluency and build-up play.
Ultimately, Frank’s proven record with wingers, taking talented players and fashioning them into stars, suggests that both Savinho and Kubo could go from strength to strength under his leadership.
But, in all likelihood, Tottenham can only sign one. And if that is indeed the case, Kubo has the skill set and the hunger to prove himself at the highest level, having only featured eight times in the Champions League and having yet to reach the potential that was recognised from an early age.
Spurs’ initial offer suggests their interest is genuine, and if Man City stand unwavering on their £67m valuation, he is the winger to go for.
Dream Maddison replacement: Spurs chasing incredible £30m Eze alternative
Tottenham Hotspur appear to be eyeing up another Premier League star instead of Eberechi Eze.
Manchester United played out a 2-2 draw with Everton in Atlanta, Georgia, at the weekend, as Ruben Amorim’s side won the Premier League Summer Series over in the United States.
Football is encapsulated by peaks and troughs, and so too was this closing pre-season fixture over the pond defined by some good and some bad for the Red Devils, who are desperate to find themselves once again after finishing 15th in last season’s Premier League and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.
Change was always going to be necessary, and INEOS have indeed acted with intent to reshape the frontline, signing Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo from divisional rivals.
However, more is still needed. United require another central midfielder, and remain interested in replacing Andre Onana between the sticks.
But there’s no question that the most pressing, and most prominent, concern remains finding a new out-and-out central striker.
Man Utd's attacking transfer plans
Rasmus Hojlund, 22, has been vocal in his desire to stay at Manchester United next season and fight for his place at number nine, but the rumour mill suggests technical director Jason Wilcox has transfer-listed him for £30m.
The Danish striker flattered to deceive last season. Sure, he was let down by a dearth of creativity behind him, but lacked control and confidence, and scored only four times across 32 appearances in the Premier League.
And Amorim is focused on signing an upgrade, and the chosen target is RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, who has emerged at the centre of the transfer tussle also involving Newcastle United.
Benjamin Sesko
The Magpies made a £70m bid on Saturday, which was rejected. Man United haven’t, although INEOS know they can sign the Slovenian without having to sell first (whereas Newcastle must first cash in the Alexander Isak cheque).
But could the Old Trafford side yet have an even bigger deal in the pipeline?
Man Utd lining up British-record bid
According to Spanish sources, Manchester United are ready to shatter the transfer market by launching a bid for Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior.
Real Madrid'sViniciusJunior
The 24-year-old is one of the best players in the world, and no mistake. However, he has been the subject of persistent transfer speculation concerning the Saudi Pro League in recent years, owing largely to a new Los Blancos contract that remains unpenned.
Man United want to take advantage and remind the world that they are a superpower. A package worth €200m (£174m) is being put together, and that would make the Brazilian the most expensive player in British football history.
Why Man Utd want Vinicius Jr.
Vinicius Jr, 25, is one of football’s true superstars, having joined Real Madrid from Flamengo for a £39m fee as a teenager in 2018.
Madrid president Florentino Perez said: “He’s a player who is already considered one of the great hopes of Brazilian and world football.”
Though Sesko is a centre-forward, and Vinicius Jr is more of goalscoring winger, this would be an opportunity too good to pass up, and there’s no question that the South American is the target INEOS must prioritise.
Indeed, it’s not like he doesn’t have the skills to serve as a goalscoring sensation at the club. As per FBref, the Real gem ranked among the top 10% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues last season for goals scored, the top 13% for shot-creating actions, the top 2% for progressive carries and the top 3% for successful take-ons per 90.
Perhaps he’s coming off the back of a campaign that left something to be desired, but the man still notched 22 goals and 19 assists across all competitions. In fact, he’s now surpassed 35 goal involvements for four seasons in succession.
Vinicius Junior.
Sesko, conversely, has yet to prove he has what it takes to take a seat at the elite table, having scored 13 goals from 33 Bundesliga fixtures in 2024/25.
The potential is there, and, of course, Sesko may well shape into one of the finest goalscorers in the business if he signs for Man United this summer, but in Vinicius Jr, Amorim would land a tailor-made figurehead with an absurd amount of technical quality. He’s the real deal.
Of course, the Brazil international is typically found coming off the left flank, and that’s an area that Cunha will be expected to play in, but the Madrid man’s compatriot started up front for Amorim’s team against Everton the other day, and Vinicius Jr, too, could be interchangeable positionally.
Left winger
284
86
73
Centre-forward
60
29
15
Right winger
14
3
2
Attacking midfield
2
1
0
If the talk of his shooting ability wasn’t enough, the 25-year-old also averaged two key passes per game in La Liga last season, as per Sofascore, also averaging 2.7 dribbles and a whopping 5.8 duels per match. Earning £349k per week, you’d expect him to bring such a degree of completeness to the table.
Further, he’s one of the most recognisable faces currently competing in the Champions League, scoring in the 2018 final against Liverpool and the 2023 final versus Borussia Dortmund, triumphant on both occasions.
Vinicius Junior Graphic (timeless)
That’s the kind of pedigree Man United need if they are to restore themselves, rekindle that fire that once burned so bright at the height of the global game.
Described as a “legend in the making” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Vinicius Jr has already left an indelible mark at Real Madrid, and could take his development to the next level by becoming a talisman at Old Trafford.
Sure, Sesko is a talented young striker with plenty of power and much determination besides, but we’re talking about a star on a different scale here, and if there truly is a chance to bring Vini over to the Premier League, the Red Devils must pounce as they march back to the top of the European scene.
Amorim's very own Ibrahimovic: Man Utd to make bid for "phenomenal" talent
Manchester United are making moves for a player who could replicate Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
حقق الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، فوزًا صعبًا على سموحة اليوم الجمعة، ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز، بهدفين مقابل لا شيء.
الزمالك التقى مع سموحة، ضمن مواجهات الجولة الثانية من المرحلة الأولى لبطولة الدوري الممتاز، على ملعب الجيش ببرج العرب في الإسكندرية.
طالع..فيديو | مصطفى شلبي يسجل هدف الزمالك الثاني أمام سموحة
الهدف الأول جاء في الدقيقة الثانية بعد خطأ فادح من الهاني سليمان حارس سموحة في محاولة لمراوغة ناصر منسي داخل منطقة الجزاء، لينجح مهاجم الزمالك في خطف الكرة ووضعها في الشباك.
بينما الهدف الثاني للزمالك، جاء عن طريق مصطفى شلبي في الدقيقة 86 بعدما وصلته الكرة من رأسية حمزة المثلوثي أمام المرمى.
وواصل الزمالك انتصاراته في الدوري بعدما حقق الفوز بالجولة الأولى على البنك الأهلي بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدفين. موعد مباراة الزمالك والمصري في الدوري
ويواجه الزمالك، نظيره المصري البورسعيدي في الجولة المقبلة من مسابقة الدوري يوم 23 نوفمبر في تمام الثامنة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والتاسعة بتوقيت مكة المكرمة.
After another frustrating season in the Premier League, Manchester United have once again been left in desperate need of a revamp, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe already eyeing some statement-making moves.
Man Utd transfer news
The Red Devils have endured a disastrous campaign, in which any initial progress made under Erik ten Hag has become undone to leave the Dutchman's future in doubt. So much so that the likes of Graham Potter and Gareth Southgate have been linked with a move to Old Trafford to succeed the former Ajax man in what would be some move from Racliffe.
Ratcliffe pressing ahead with move for £60m Antony upgrade at Man Utd
Manchester United will be urgently going after this Antony upgrade in the summer.
By
Kelan Sarson
Apr 28, 2024
Meanwhile, there's a busy summer on the cards when it comes to those on the pitch, according to Fabrizio Romano, with "a lot of movement" set to take place, be that through departures or in the form of fresh faces. There's no doubt that United need that movement too if Ten Hag or, indeed, another manager is to take them back into the top four and potentially even beyond that.
What's more, the headlines have already started regarding those changes, with Raphael Varane's future still in doubt and the need to sign another centre-back a clear priority this summer, which could see one star arrive.
Manchester United's Raphael Varane.
According to top Spanish outlet Sport, Manchester United are preparing to outbid Bayern Munich to sign Ronald Araujo from Barcelona this summer. The Bavarians are reportedly willing to bid €80m (£68m) to sign the central defender, but those at Old Trafford are prepared to exceed that in one of the deals of the summer to improve their backline once and for all.
A target of two years, United could finally get their man this summer and land the ultimate replacement for Varane to kickstart the Ratcliffe era in style. The Red Devils would be making a statement by signing the Barcelona star.
"Spectacular" Araujo is better than Varane
If this is to be the end of Varane's Manchester United career, then he will leave having been a disappointment. When the defender arrived, he was a World Cup and Champions League winner seen as a top piece of business. Now, having failed to take United back to the heights they once found themselves, Varane will bow out with injuries and inconsistency controlling the narrarive of his time in England – something Araujo would look to avoid.
League stats 23/24 (via FBref)
Ronald Araujo
Raphael Varane
Progressive Carries
23
16
Progressive Passes
92
58
Tackles Won
20
11
Aerial Duels Won
52
21
Ball Recoveries
88
66
Described as "spectacular" by Barcelona manager Xavi, Araujo's arrival would go a long way in ending United's defensive woes, whether that's under Ten Hag or another managerial option next season.
That said, without the lure of Champions League football, it remains to be seen whether the central defender would make the jump from La Liga to the Premier League, especially with Bayern Munich also interested this summer. When the summer transfer window arrives, he is certainly a player United should be targeting nonetheless in a positive sign of things to come under Ratcliffe.
As Liverpool move closer and closer to bidding a final farewell to Jurgen Klopp, Michael Edwards has turned his attention to the future and potentially landing a fresh new face for Arne Slot.
Liverpool transfer news
It's the end of an era at Anfield, with a new manager set to enter Anfield for the first time in almost a decade. Reports indicate that it's almost certain to be Slot at this stage, with the Feyenoord boss tasked with filling quite the void in Merseyside and writing a new chapter full of even greater success. And the transfer window should help the Dutchman as he looks to make his mark.
With that said, the likes of Crysencio Summerville and Real Madrid's Rodrygo have already started to steal the headlines, as the Reds gear up for a potential summer to remember in which Edwards welcomes some statement signings. Reports also suggest that he's got one eye on the future, however.
FSG are right to ditch Liverpool flop who earns more than Trent
Liverpool’s third-highest earner is set to never play for the club again.
ByJoe Nuttall May 16, 2024
According to Caught Offside, Liverpool are eyeing a move to sign Malick Junior Yalcouye alongside Gent, Ajax, Brentford, and PSV Eindhoven. The IFK Goteborg central midfielder already has first-team experience to his name at just 18 years old and could now earn a deserved move to one of Europe's top leagues in the coming months.
Given that Yalcouye only moved to Gothenburg in February, negotiating an exit may prove difficult, but a club of Liverpool's stature could tempt all parties into sealing a summer switch to hand Slot a future star
"Energetic" Yalcouye can follow Elliott path
If Slot picks up where Klopp has left off, then utilising young players will play a crucial part in any success that the Dutchman enjoys. In Klopp's final season, Anfield has seen the likes of Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley and Jayden Danns, among others, all receive opportunities in what could be a sign of things to come even as the German departs.
Now, Yalcouye could follow that path and the one set by Harvey Elliott, who has become a key figure at the heart of Liverpool's midfield. Positions may be up for grabs more than they have been for almost a decade too, given that there's a new manager to impress and new system to slot into in the coming months. And the Goteborg midfielder is certainly rated enough to earn a place, with Bence Bocsak describing the young Ivorian as "energetic".
Whilst the race may be busy for Yalcouye's signature, Liverpool's place in the Premier League and Champions League should leave them in good stead to land the teenager this summer.
The Australia captain hopes that a return to the cricket field will help focus minds ahead of the home summer
Daniel Brettig03-Sep-2020Australia’s T20 captain Aaron Finch has stated his frank belief that the Big Bash grew too quickly in size when it leapt from a 10 to 14 match regular season either side of the most recent broadcast rights deal currently being disputed by the free-to-air rights holder Seven in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.Desperate for a discount in their share of the A$1.2 billion rights deal struck in 2018 due to a worsening financial outlook for the network, Seven and its outspoken chief executive James Warburton have repeatedly asked Cricket Australia for fee reductions. First they did so on the basis of content being reduced due to Covid-19 and more recently on the flimsier premise that quality will be affected by Australian players going into quarantine hubs for international fixtures against India.In truth, the BBL has always been part of delicate scheduling dance between formats and competitions for CA, and the major jump in the length of the tournament in 2018 has made it still less likely that the likes of David Warner, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, plus any number of high-profile overseas names, would be involved.ALSO READ: Tim Paine urges Cricket Australia and broadcasters to ‘work together’ for benefit of the gameFinch, who led the Melbourne Renegades to their first title in 2019, said that while players would have varying views depending on how well or otherwise they were playing, he felt the jump to 14 games, to help bump up the broadcast asking price two years ago, was too much, too soon.”All in all, I think going from 10 to 14 was probably a little bit too drastic a jump straight away, maybe if there was a middle ground there for 12 and trial that for a little period, but it’s still a great product and something that we’re proud of. I think that’s all a bit subjective to how you’re playing as a person at the time – I think if you’re flying as a batter you want to keep playing as much as you can, but I know there’s been some stats around potentially cutting it back and what that looks like for fans.”We want to play as much cricket as we can and I’m not sure exactly what that right number is. I think as long as the quality stays there, I know it’s going to be a little bit different this year with Covid-19 and the potential for some hubs that will change the outlook.”Finch’s words were not dissimilar to the earlier suggestion of the former Seven and Ten executive David Barham, instrumental in building the BBL’s rights value between 2013 and 2018, that bigger was not always better as far as audiences were concerned.”It’s so easy for sporting administrators to think we need more money, let’s play more, let’s do more,” he told SEN Radio earlier this year. “It’s not necessarily the best answer; the NFL rights have been going through the roof and they haven’t changed the number of rounds ever as far as I can tell.Aaron Finch would be needed to captain Australia in white-ball cricket•Getty Images
“It depends on your ratings…35 games to 61 is a massive increase that is way out of proportion. That’s really tested everybody, and it was a school holidays sport that was doing a million people a night on Channel Ten averaging more than what AFL and NRL did on a per-game basis. So you go from a million people a night, and I think they’ve dropped 40% in ratings by expanding. You’ve got to look and think carefully before you think that the answer is just putting on more games.”Having been a part of the BBL since its conception, Finch admitted he had become concerned by the amount of speculation surrounding the competition as CA, Seven and Fox Sports wrestled with how to stage it this summer. For his part, Finch was hopeful that the return of the national team to play after a lengthier break than planned due to coronavirus would help shift focus from the game’s finances and politics to cricket itself.”I think it’s a great product, and yes it’d be nice if Australian players were available more, but I think just in the current climate with the scheduling there has to be a little bit of give and take from everywhere,” he said. “I know CA are working really hard to try and work around it as best they can and come up with some really positive solutions.”Whenever there’s no content being played it gives people a lot of time to sit around and come up with a lot of theories. The fact we’re back tomorrow is really exciting and hopefully we can let the cricket do the talking from a lot of different aspects. I think that one thing that’s been really pleasing is coming over here and letting go of everything else and really digging into training and focusing on the game coming up.”It’s going to be a quick series and then on the back of that, there’s domestic cricket around the world and at home. Guys are excited but really looking forward to trying to put some positive headlines out there.”CA’s chief executive Nick Hockley had scheduled meetings with the chief executives of Foxtel and Seven on Thursday and Friday this week.
Dane Vilas leads the way in fine fielding effort but Leicestershire escape with point
ECB Reporters Network29-Aug-2020Rain forced the match to be abandoned with the points shared after Lancashire had restricted Leicestershire to 150-9 in the North Group Vitality Blast match at Grace Road.It was particularly frustrating for the visitors, who played some fine out-cricket after captain Dane Vilas won the toss and put the Foxes in.Vilas himself led the way with a hat-trick of catches, including a brilliant one-handed effort leaping backwards to dismiss Leicestershire danger man Arron Lilley, and a diving two-handed take after a sprint along along the boundary from long-off to end Ben Mike’s innings and secure Lightning seamer Tom Bailey his best T20 return of 5-17. Lancashire had arrived at Grace Road with confidence taken from the manner in which they beat Durham by a comfortable 27 runs on Thursday. Understandably, they made no changes to the side which started at the Emirates Riverside, 22-year-old left-arm spinner Tom Hartley retaining his place, while Leicestershire gave T20 county debuts to Tom Taylor, George Rhodes and Ireland international Gareth Delany, signed at short notice last week after it was confirmed South African batsman Janneman Malan would be unable to travel due to pandemic restrictions.Delany, opening the innings, did not last long, losing his off stump to Bailey in the second over, but Lilley hit both Hartley and Liam Hurt for straight sixes in going to 26 before Vilas’ athletic leap as he tried to chip a Danny Lamb full-toss over mid-on brought his downfall.It set a pattern for the innings. In the 12th over Bailey took an equally brilliant catch, one-handed low to his left at extra cover, to catch Rhodes off Hurt, and wickets continued to fall as Leicestershire tried to pick up the scoring rate, though Mike hit Lamb for consecutive sixes in the penultimate over.The rain had already begun to fall, however, and after 90 minutes umpires Nick Cook and Rob White decided there was no prospect of play resuming.”I’ve not played white ball cricket in three years, and I didn’t think I was going to play this year either, so it’s nice to have an opportunity and I’ve taken it with both hands,” Bailey said. “We’re such a strong white ball side it’s always going to be tough to get in and I’ve had to wait in the wings.”We were good in the field in our first game but we fielded so well today as a group. My catch was an absolute worldie – I’ll never take one like that again. It was the highlight of my day, better than taking five wickets. And for a 35-year-old [Vilas] to throw himself around the field like that, it’s great to see.”Leicestershire captain Colin Ackermann said: “You want to get on a roll in this format, especially when there’s only ten games, so to lose the first two to the weather is frustrating. Saying that, I thought we were about 15 runs short. They were exceptional in the field and took four outstanding catches and saved 20 runs.”It’s our first chance to bat in the comp, we’ll learn from that display and come back strong against Durham at Headingley on Monday.”