New Zealand battled their own nerves, and a domineering onslaught from West Indies’ Kyshona Knight, to claim a hard-earned victory in the first ODI in Lincoln
ESPNcricinfo staff04-Mar-2018 Scorecard0:43
Devine ton sets up NZ women’s one-run win
New Zealand battled their own nerves, and a domineering onslaught from West Indies’ Kyshona Knight , to claim a hard-earned, one-run victory in the first ODI in Lincoln.Sophie Devine’s century had given the hosts 278 to defend. But when offspinner Leigh Kasperek stepped up for the final over, there were only 10 runs in the bank. The action began with two nervy singles. Then came Tremayne Smartt’s dismissal which lifted New Zealand’s chances. Kyshona thrust West Indies ahead with a timely boundary. But she couldn’t haul in the remaining five runs that the visitors still needed off the final two deliveries.Until those final few moments, West Indies had been well placed, led by Stafanie Taylor’s 90 off 93 balls. She struck eight fours and a six and played a key role in two fifty-run partnerships that ushered the score to 152 for 3 in the 35th over.New Zealand hit back through 17-year old legspinner Amelia Kerr as she took a spectacular diving catch to dismiss the dangerous Deandra Dottin and bowled Britney Cooper in consecutive overs. When Taylor herself fell, West Indies were 215 for 6 in the 43rd over.Kyshona took charge of the chase subsequently as she plundered three fours and a six in her 44 off 31 balls. West Indies nudged ever closer to their target until Kerr and Kasperek conceded a combined nine runs off the 47th an 48th overs to bring the equation down to 22 off 12. A costly 11-run penultimate over from Sophie Devine, however, tipped the scales back in the visitors’ favour but not quite enough as it turned out.Earlier, West Indies’ decision to field backfired as three solid stands worth 76, 60 and 63 took New Zealand to 199 for 3 inside 35 overs. Devine was the major contributor as her third ODI century – which featured eight fours and two sixes – took New Zealand towards a comfortable position even though she was one of only two batsmen who could manage a score above 27.West Indies’ spinners Taylor (3 for 54), Afy Fletcher (3 for 55) and Hayley Matthews (2 for 68) picked up eight wickets between them. But in a game of small margins, an unbeaten tenth-wicket stand of 27 off 19 between Kasperek and Huddleston ensured New Zealand had just enough on the board.New Zealand now have a 1-0 lead in the three-match series which is part of the second cycle of the Women’s ODI championship.
da bet vitoria： Juventus are now reportedly plotting to sell another one of their players to Tottenham, amid the consistent links surrounding winger Samuel Iling-Junior.
Spurs favourites to sign Iling-Junior
da aviator aposta： According to reports in the last few weeks, Spurs are real favourites to seal a deal for Iling-Junior as the Englishman doesn't appear to feature in Juve boss Massimilano Allegri's plans.
"Very top" – Sky pundit excited as Spurs make "quick" defender a top target
Micah Richards thinks he’d be a top addition.
ByEmilio Galantini Dec 13, 2023
Playing just 114 Serie A minutes this season, with zero starts in that time, the former Chelsea academy ace looks likely to leave in January. As the 20-year-old's future seems far away from Turin, multiple sources have backed that Tottenham are in pole position for Iling-Junior as we approach the winter window. Reliable Evening Standard journalist Nizaar Kinsella, writing on X, recently claimed that Ange Postecoglou's side are "leading the race" for his signing.
This comes as the likes of Sky Sports report that Spurs are very keen to sign a left-winger in January, with Iling-Junior coming as a genuine transfer target alongside former Celtic star Jota.
Juventus "would like to sell" Soule to Tottenham
There is a rich history of transfer business between Juve and Spurs. Midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur and winger Dejan Kulusevski joined the Lilywhites on January deadline day in 2022, with both going on to be huge successes in parts.
Now, according to some information from journalist Fabio Santini, who spoke to TV Play this week (via Sport Witness), Juventus "would like to sell" Matias Soule to Spurs.
The Argentine, who's currently enjoying a very productive loan spell on loan at Frosinone in Serie A, has bagged six goals and an assist in 13 league starts.
Santini adds that a fee of around £22 million is desired by Juve, with Palace also looking likely to be offered out.
“Juventus are working hard on two important midfield profiles. They had already come very close to Koopmeiners in June with a €40m offer and in January it could go up to €45m with the sales of Iling-Junior and Yildiz. They have never let go of the track leading to Berardi and would like to sell Soulé for €20-25m to Crystal Palace or Tottenham," said Santini.
Matias Soule's attacking stats at Frosinone (via SofaScore)
Scoring frequency – every 188 minutes
Goals per game – 0.5
Big chances missed – 4
Goal conversion – 20%
Shots per game – 2.3
The 20-year-old attacking midfielder is looking like a very exciting prospect right now, with journalist Zach Lowy also branding Soule a "special talent" as he dazzles for Frosinone.
The Championship-winning Lancashire coach is always upbeat, full of ideas, forever analysing, in love with the nitty gritty of his job
Tanya Aldred09-May-2012It is May Day, and a bitterly cold wind chases through the Old Trafford building site. Peter Moores waits politely – zipped and fleeced from chin to ankle. He smiles, and for a moment looks disarmingly like Dolph Lundgren. He offers tea or coffee, and a choice of toast – white or brown – then disappears off to make them.Moores is entering his fourth season as Lancashire coach. Last year was the golden one – the long-cherished Championship-winning dream. This season has been more morose, after three defeats in four games Lancashire wallow around the bottom of the table: the archetypal difficult second novel.And things could be about to become even more interesting. Lancashire have just announced the signing of Ajmal Shahzad from over the Pennines. Shahzad is a maverick who has resisted Yorkshire’s straitjacket of bowling discipline. He is undeniably talented but believes he is at his best when allowed to become a freer thinker, to act on impulse and to innovate more. That he has chosen to come to Lancashire suggests that Moores has offered him more freedom. And that, in turn, suggests that Moores is not as two-dimensional and inflexible a coach as his detractors have claimed. What an irresistible challenge it must be to get Shahzad bowling back up to international standard.Moores know about challenges. He has filled up a tankard full of pressure in the 14 years since he swapped playing for coaching at Sussex. He coached them to their first Championship in 2003. He was put in charge of the England Academy after Rod Marsh left. And in April 2007, with Duncan Fletcher gone, he was appointed England coach, the pinnacle of his professional life. The results were mixed, and less than two years after being appointed he and captain Kevin Pietersen lost their jobs over an soap-opera of claims and leaks and an “irretrievable breakdown” in their relationship. Five weeks later, he was Lancashire’s new head coach.Coaching is what he loves: the nitty-gritty analysis, the planning, the constant thinking, the scritch scratch scritch of winkling out what makes people tick. You can see the cogs whirring as he gets going. “There are times when I have to get up at night and get something really important down,” he says, “though that doesn’t happen as much now. I’m not some kind of nutty professor with pieces of paper everywhere, but I do write down a lot.”It is often drivel but when I think something is really important, I write that in a journal. If you’re watching a Test and then you see a player who has played brilliantly in practice fail in the middle, you might write down, ‘The most important thing is being able to handle the pressure in the main arena, and the focus has to be to help players do that.’ The fact of writing down helps you remember.”I have always liked talking about the game. I came through during the old-fashioned era, when you went to the pub. Norman Gifford, my coach at Sussex, was great to talk cricket to. I learnt a great deal from Phil Carrick. I went on an MCC tour with him and we did laps of the boundary together. I’m an avid reader… if I’m asking players to grow and develop, it would be pretty hypocritical if I’m not doing it myself.”There must be a terrible temptation to process the family. Do the kids – Natalie and Thomas – object? “All the time. They say, ‘Dad, don’t say anything, I know.'”
“It probably helped that I got this job so soon afterwards. When something happens quick like that, you’re in and then you’re out. You look back and think, ‘Where’s that come from?'”Moores on losing the England coach’s job in 2009
Yet who lies beneath the coaching talk and the tracksuit? Moores is kind and courteous and far too clever to give much away. But every now and then the curtain lifts and there is a glimpse of the private man, the one singing along to U2 songs in his hotel room as he strums his acoustic guitar.Moores is the seventh of eight children, a scrapper fighting his corner with a brother just above and a brother just below, all brought up in a house near the big Catholic church on Chester Road in Macclesfield.”The whole big family thing definitely influenced me a lot, in that you have to learn to share,” he says. “The values that were in our family, I’ve carried through. My mum is absolutely straight and was always saying, ‘Be honest, be fair’, and that was how she operated. Those things help you a lot, because, are sports teams like families? Yeah, they are to a degree. They’re different because in a team you have a collective goal of winning something and in families, sometimes, the collective goal is to get through. But there are definitely times when you have to give a bit for the collective – that could be giving up the front room because your sister has got exams coming, or you want to go this way but the team wants to go the other.”Little Peter was always competitive – at primary school he was frog-marched into the debating society and at senior school he was a good rugby player as well as an outstanding cricketer. He was made of stern stuff – he was the first team wicketkeeper as an Under-14, and to the great amusement of the older boys, used to appeal in a squeaky voice that hadn’t broken yet. By the lower sixth, he was a leader of men.The family lives in a village outside Loughborough. When Moores got the Lancashire job, he and his wife, Karen, decided that they didn’t want to move the kids again, so they bought a place in Knutsford, where he stays when based at Old Trafford.In what little he has of spare time, he is teaching himself the guitar, “inspired by the legend that is Mark Chilton”. He takes it on away trips as a bit of a distraction, but never, ever, plays to the dressing room.”I was originally going to learn the year Natalie was born. I had a bit of a strum. She was born a month later, I put it in the corner and that was that. Last February Karen bought me another one. I sing along badly, quietly, in a dark room. Natalie loves singing, and if she hears me she slaughters me.”There is only one blot on his career – the England thing. But Moores is sanguine about the experience. “It has never consumed me – it probably helped that I got this job so soon afterwards. When something happens quick like that, you’re in and then you’re out. You look back and think, ‘Where’s that come from?'”He has had the satisfaction of seeing the men he brought in, Andy Flower, Mushtaq Ahmed, amongst others, succeed. “To see all that fit together has been nice. The changes we made have come through and have worked. We turned the academy into a performance centre.”You look back and think you’d have done that a bit different, but the intentions were right. Would you have jiggled things to maybe change how you got the message across? A bit, yeah, you probably would. I was trying to drive things on, but like most things, you need time. I’m disappointed, but you crack on. And in many ways I’m a bit of a fatalist. I’ve really loved my coaching here; it has been some of the most enjoyable I’ve had in all my time.”And then he is off, ideas charging wildly around his head. He’s determinedly upbeat, even as Lancashire falter. Never criticising, always analysing, fronting up for the press conferences that no one else wants to do.Moores was one of many men to find the England job a poisoned chalice, but he was the first to coach two different teams to the County Championship. If there is a lesson in that, he’ll have found it.
Transformer of the day
The National Stadium pitch finally answered the call. It could have something to do with the overcast conditions and the breeze today, because till now the bowlers have found that getting any assistance here is akin to milking stones. Today, though, Abdur Rauf and Rao Iftikhar Anjum got consistent sideways movement to go with the genuine bounce they got in the match against India. Even the spinners managed to surprise with the bounce they managed to extract.Shot of the day … followed by ball of the day
Dismissive to the core, Mohammad Ashraful stood still, and deposited a gentle length ball from Rauf to the midwicket fence with a violent slash. It was not the aesthetics, but the condescending attitude towards the ball that made the shot stand out. But the next ball was the Revenge of Rauf, a nasty lifter directed at Ashraful’s body. Ashraful tried to fend it off, but all he could do was edge it to point. Remember the saying – it takes only one good ball.Comeback of the day
After being hit for three boundaries in his first over by Alok Kapali, Anjum made the comeback of our times. His next nine overs featured six maidens, and went for just seven runs. Only Phil Simmons has bowled more maidens in a 10-over spell than Anjum’s six; Simmons’s figures in the legendary spell against Pakistan in Sydney were 10-8-3-4.
تحدث رونالد أراوخو مدافع برشلونة، بعد فوز فريقه على بارباسترو في بطولة كأس ملك إسبانيا لموسم 2024/25.
وحل برشلونة ضيفًا على بارباسترو، ضمن منافسات دور الـ32 من كأس ملك إسبانيا، وقد حقق الفوز برباعية دون رد.
وقال أراوخو: “سعداء بالفوز، وأيضًا على المستوى الشخصي لأنني عدت للعب 90 دقيقة، سعيد لأن الفريق قدم مباراة جيدة، المباريات الأولى دائمًا تكون صعبة، دخلنا المباراة بتركيز عالٍ وتمكنا من حسمها”.
وأضاف في تصريحاته التي نشرتها صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية: “المدرب كان يسألني إذا كنت أشعر بحالة جيدة، ومن المهم أن أضيف دقائق لعب”.
اقرأ أيضًا | أراوخو يوضح مستجدات محادثات تجديد عقده مع برشلونة
وواصل أراوخو: “كنا نعلم أن التوقف (أيام العطلة) سيكون مفيدًا لنا، الآن علينا الاستمرار في العمل”.
وعن زميله توني فرنانديز، أفاد: “توني لديه موهبة رائعة، ما تفعله أكاديمية لا ماسيا مذهل، وهو أمر مهم جدًا للنادي”.
وبشأن أزمة تسجيل زميليه داني أولمو وباو فيكتور، بعد رفض رابطة الليجا والاتحاد الإسباني، أتم: “شعور سيء من أجل زملائنا، نأمل أن يتمكن النادي من حل موضوع أولمو وباو فيكتور، نأمل أن يتمكنا من حل الأمر، بينما نحن نفكر الآن في كأس السوبر الإسباني”.
You can imagine the frustration Ruben Amorim has had to endure during his time as Manchester United manager, so far being unable to change the club’s fortunes in the Premier League.
However, there’s only so much the 40-year-old can change, especially given the lack of talent he’s had at his disposal in numerous key areas of the pitch at Old Trafford.
He’s gone from having Viktor Gyokeres as his main talisman to having to rely on Rasmus Hojlund, with the Dane scoring 44 fewer goals across all competitions in 2024/25.
Rasmus Hojlund
Undoubtedly, Amorim must wish he could rekindle such a partnership with the Swede this summer, but the 27-year-old has already expressed his desire to join fellow top-flight side Arsenal this window.
As a result, he’s had to turn his attention to other forwards to try and improve the situation, with numerous names on their radar between now and the end of the summer market.
The latest on United’s hunt for a new striker this summer
Moise Kean is a player who’s firmly been on their radar over the last couple of weeks, but United will have to act quickly to secure a deal with the Italian’s £44m release clause expiring on Tuesday.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is another talent who’s in their sights, after the Englishman was released at the end of his contract with Everton, leading to a pay-as-you-play contract with the Red Devils being mooted.
Everton's DominicCalvert-Lewincelebrates scoring their first goal
However, he’s not the only Premier League talisman on their shortlist this summer, with Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins a player they’re monitoring, according to CaughtOffside.
Their report claims that Amorim has made the 29-year-old his top target for the current window, after he registered 17 goals and 14 assists across all competitions in 2024/25.
It also states that Unai Emery’s side don’t want to part ways with their top goalscorer during the off-season, demanding a fee in the region of £60m if he were to depart the Villans.
Why United’s £60m target would be Amorim’s answer to Haaland
Striker Erling Haaland has been a player who has been a constant nuisance to countless backlines in the Premier League, undoubtedly being one of the most feared talents in the division.
The Norwegian has managed to find the net 85 times in his 97 league appearances in his three years across the city under Pep Guardiola’s guidance.
Such a record has seen him claim the Golden Boot award in two of his three years in England, with United supporters undoubtedly wishing they had their own version of the talisman.
However, talents such as Haaland are extremely hard to come by in the modern game, potentially costing a pretty penny in the process, with the club struggling to convince such talents to join given their recent decline.
That could be about to change this summer with a move for Watkins, with the Villa talent labelled as a similar player to the Manchester City talisman by FBref.
When comparing the pair’s stats from the most recent league campaign, the Villa star has outperformed Haaland in numerous key areas – showcasing the talent he possesses in forward areas.
Watkins, who’s been dubbed “world-class” by journalist John Townley, posted a better goal per shot on target rate, with such a record handing Amorim the clinical edge his side have hugely lacked in recent months.
Games played
38
31
Goals & assists
24
25
Goals per shot on target
0.4
0.3
Progressive passes
1.1
0.5
Pass accuracy
72%
66%
Progressive carries
1.9
0.7
Carries into final third
1.3
0.6
Aerials won
1.9
1.8
Fouls won
1.2
0.4
The England international also completed more passes whilst posting a higher tally of progressive passes per 90, having the skillset to provide the other forwards around him with added chances in front of goal.
His dominance over the Norwegian is further reflected by his tally of aerials won per 90 and carries into the opposition box, subsequently being an all-round threat that can cause problems in multiple different ways for the opposition.
£60m may appear to be a hefty sum for Watkins, but he’s showcased in recent times that he’s a readymade talent who can hand the Red Devils the goal threat they crave this summer.
If he can transfer his talents over with him to Old Trafford, it would be a sensational piece of business, handing the manager his very own version of Haaland in the process.
Amorim's answer to Kane: Man Utd in talks to sign "world-class" striker
Manchester United could finally end their pursuit of a new talisman with a move for one European star.
West Bromwich Albion haven't been blessed with the best luck when it comes to injuries in their squad this season, with significant players for the Baggies spending more time out of the side than in the team owing to various different knocks, scrapes and afflictions.
The likes of Matt Phillips, Daryl Dike and Josh Maja have been major injury casualties for the Championship promotion hopefuls in recent weeks, with Maja now expected to be out for four months with ankle ligament damage.
Carlos Corberan will pray that Jed Wallace isn't out for a similarly lengthy period, the ex-Millwall man leaving the field of play during the 1-0 win over Leeds in some discomfort on the 70th-minute mark after battling valiantly all afternoon.
It would be a major blow for the Baggies if Wallace was ruled out for the game away at Swansea City today, the experienced winger running his socks off against the Whites in another stellar individual display.
Jed Wallace's game vs Leeds United in numbers
The 29-year-old was key throughout West Brom's statement victory over Daniel Farke's flat Leeds side, Wallace causing havoc down the left-hand channel whilst his midfield partner Grady Diangana down the opposite flank was equally as lively.
The Baggies captain was unfortunate not to add another assist to his season tally against the lacklustre visitors from West Yorkshire, managing to make three key passes – as per Sofascore – in the contest.
Wallace also registered four successful crosses in the hard-fought 1-0 victory, wanting to tee up Brandon Thomas-Asante to score again to make the win more convincing and calm any nerves inside the Hawthorns as the game dragged on.
The EFL veteran couldn't quite muster up an audacious strike of his own in the game either akin to his stylish free-kick against Rotherham United, registering just one effort on Karl Darlow's goal that was blocked by a Leeds shirt.
Corberan will just be keeping everything crossed that Wallace can shake off his knock to start again versus the Swans today, the 29-year-old midfielder a key part of the West Brom jigsaw at this moment in time as a cool and composed head.
If Wallace was deemed unfit to start in Wales, the Spanish second-tier manager could resort to giving Adam Reach a start in his place – the ex-Sheffield Wednesday man an adaptable and flexible presence, the perfect utility option to rely upon when injuries begin to pile up.
Adam Reach's game vs Leeds in numbers
Adam Reach did competently fill in for the injury-stricken Wallace as the clock ticked down versus the Whites last match, the 30-year-old coming on with the sole aim of helping his side preserve their clean sheet over creating more openings.
The versatile number 20 won two of his three duels in the game, West Brom holding out in the end for a 1-0 win courtesy of Reach's solid cameo.
The former Owls midfielder also notched up one on-target effort to try and catch out a shaky Darlow late on, Reach certainly impressing off the bench which could see him start versus Swansea.
Birmingham Live journalist Joseph Chapman gave Reach a 7/10 rating for his efforts late on at the Hawthorns in his post-match musings, stating that the substitute was sent on to a 'defensive job' and completed his duties with flying colours.
In the past, Corberan has waxed lyrical about Reach – stating earlier in the season to the Express and Star that the 30-year-old is "perfect" for how he sets his Baggies team up as an expansive wing-back and cursed that he was out with an injury at the time.
Yet, for the clash at the Swansea.com Stadium today, Corberan could utilise his handy number 20 as a left winger with Wallace potentially deemed too vital to the promotion cause to be risked in Wales.
Manchester United just can’t seem to catch a break when it comes to injuries, with news of another blow to a "magic" player.
Man Utd injury updates
The Red Devils have had a frustrating season so far, although Erik ten Hag’s side are now one of the form teams in the Premier League. The Dutchman guided United to a 1-0 win over Luton Town prior to the international break, and after the game, which saw United pick up a fourth top-flight win in five games, Ten Hag said:
“We are also stepping up – even with the team we have, we often have to change. We are stepping up, with better football, better performances. In the last five league games, we won four and, as you know, it’s not easy to win games in the Premier League because every one is a battle. I’m pleased with that. It is a signal that we are in the right direction.”
However, United once again had to cope without a number of players due to injury. Defenders Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have been out with long-term issues, while Jonny Evans, Casemiro and Amad Diallo were also absent and right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka missed the game through illness.
In the win at Old Trafford, both Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund had to be replaced after suffering injuries of their own, and an update has been shared regarding their fitness status.
Relayed by Fabrizio Romano on X, United stated that Eriksen’s is the worse of the two, with his knee problem likely to keep him out of action for a month, whereas Hojlund could return before the end of the month.
“Injuries again at Man United. Club confirms Christian Eriksen is suffering from a knee injury that is expected to keep him out for around a month. Rasmus Hojlund is suffering from a strain as club hopes he will return before the end of November.”
Christian Eriksen
Man Utd’s next fixtures
With so many players sidelined, Ten Hag may be quietly concerned, especially as the games are set to come thick and fast before the New Year. We are about to enter one of the busiest months of the season, and with United still in the Champions League, some important games are coming their way.
Man Utd's upcoming fixtures
Competition
Date
Everton (A)
Premier League
26th November
Galatasaray (A)
Champions League
29th November
Newcastle United (A)
Premier League
2nd December
Chelsea (H)
Premier League
6th December
AFC Bournemouth (H)
Premier League
9th December
Bayern Munich (H)
Champions League
12th December
Liverpool (A)
Premier League
17th December
West Ham (A)
Premier League
23rd December
Aston Villa (H)
Premier League
26th December
Nottingham Forest (A)
Premier League
30th December
As can be seen, United have eight Premier League games as well as two crucial Champions League fixtures against Galatasaray and Bayern Munich. Hopefully, United will be able to call upon Hojlund and others for those games, whereas Eriksen, labelled as “magic” in the media, could miss both in what could be another blow for the Red Devils.
Glasgow Rangers ended a turbulent few weeks by finally replacing Michael Beale as the Ibrox side announced Philippe Clement as their new manager.
The Belgian arrives with a solid reputation having won three league titles in his homeland managing Genk and Club Brugge, while his latest spell saw him spend 18 months at AS Monaco, before being sacked a few months ago.
The Gers need some new ideas, and they need them fast if they have any ambitions of catching Celtic at the top of the Premiership table.
Clement will need to use all his tactical nous to get a tune out of the current crop of players, especially as confidence has hit an all-time low after winning just nine of their opening 16 matches of the 2023/24 campaign.
Beale failed to showcase any ready style of play or tactical identity and his summer signings failed to really hit the ground running, despite spending big money on the likes of Sam Lammers and Cyriel Dessers.
Clement has worked with some of the brightest young talent in Europe during his spell at Monaco, including Axel Disasi, Aurelien Tchouameni and Benoit Badiashile and this could give some of the academy stars at the Light Blues the confidence boost they need.
Indeed, several youngsters were given a chance by interim manager Steven Davis, most notably Zak Lovelace, Ross McCausland and Bailey Rice and these players could be future stars if they carry on their excellent progress.
It is perhaps another teenager who the Belgian may be most interested in, however, as Leon King remains one of the brightest products to emerge from the Gers youth system in the previous few years.
How much did Leon King cost Rangers?
The 19-year-old cost the club nothing having worked his way through the youth ranks at the Ibrox side, and he signed his first professional contract at the age of 16 back in March 2020.
Then sporting director Ross Wilson lavished praise on the teen, saying: “I am delighted we have an agreement with Leon King.
“Leon has been a priority for us and we are excited about his potential. He has been demonstrating that potential both for Rangers and Scotland and we are excited about his future.”
Glasgow Rangers defender Leon King.
Head of the academy Craig Mulholland even described King as “one of the UK’s most sought after young talents” once he signed his new deal, and it appeared as though the Gers had a stunning prospect.
How many appearances has Leon King made for Rangers?
Still only 16, King finally made his senior debut for the Gers as Steven Gerrard handed brought him on for James Tavernier with just 20 minutes to go against Falkirk in the League Cup back in November 2020.
His first Premiership appearances came during the end of the same season as the club cruised to their first league title in a decade and he finally made his first start against Dundee United towards the end of the season, while also even making the bench for the Europa League final and Scottish Cup final, claiming a winners medal in the latter competition.
Due to an injury crisis at the start of the 2022/23 season, King was given a chance to impress by Giovanni van Bronckhorst, and he featured 19 times until the winter break, gaining a wealth of experience in the process.
The youngster even ranked fourth for clearances per game (1.9) across the whole squad last term while also winning 58% of his total duels and averaging 48.4 touches per game, indicating that his physical presence was impressive, and he was always keen on getting on the ball.
Overall, King has made a grand total of 31 appearances for the Glasgow side and this should rise further this term.
These displays have seen his value skyrocket, and he has yet to turn 20.
How much is Leon King worth?
His impact in the first team last season led King to be valued as high as €4.2m (£3.6m) according to Football Transfers in March this year, and although this has dipped to a current valuation of €2.5m (£2.2m), it still represents a wonderful figure for someone so young.
Having emerged through the academy, thus being developed at the club, the Gers haven’t had to pay a fee for the defender, and he could well secure them a solid profit one day in the future.
Indeed, the centre-back has even been linked to clubs such as Manchester United and Newcastle United in the previous 12 months, with the two Premier League giants even sending scouts to watch him in action for the Light Blues.
This is a further indication of just how talented he is and that if he continues to be patient and work hard, he should soon get further opportunities under Clement, having failed to make an impression under Beale.
The £4k-per-week starlet was hailed by former Ibrox defender Alan Hutton before the start of the 2022/23 season, who said: “I think when I did watch him last season, he was like a big Rolls-Royce, very elegant on the ball. He came out, kept possession and looked very comfortable for someone of such a young age.
“With the likes of [Leon] Balogun leaving, Goldson signing a new contract, we know Souttar’s coming in, you need that competition for places to drive you on.
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“So I’d like to see him try and break through, stamp his authority in this team, in his own way. I think he’s got all the potential and he ticks all the boxes for a modern-day centre-back.“
He has certainly faced plenty of competition this season and has yet to make a single first-team appearance so far, but this could all change under Clement.
The former Brugge manager has placed his trust in youth before and will surely do so again, especially with the sheer volume of talent he has to work with at Ibrox.
King has bided his time well this campaign and could well be rewarded sooner rather than later, especially with Clement’s penchant for developing young talent at his previous clubs.
A new report has put Manchester United under the microscope when it comes to contract negotiations with Mary Earps and Alessia Russo's exit.
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Article continues below
Problems around Man Utd's women's team revealed
Includes reasons why club failed to keep Russo
And Earps' contract limbo as end of deal looms
WHAT HAPPENED?
Russo left the club last summer, joining Women's Super League rivals Arsenal on a free transfer, and there is a chance that Earps could follow suit in a few months' time as her current deal is set to expire at the end of the season. With Man Utd under-performing on the pitch as well as seeing key players leave, there is growing unrest among fans.
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WHAT HAS BEEN SAID
These problems have been detailed by , which claims that during January of last year, Man Utd "shook hands" on a new deal with Russo, only to "renege on several conditions", which led to it collapsing. The report also says that, in other contract negotiations, United have been "pushing hard bargains, made disrespectful lowball offers and tried to find ways to save nominal figures here and there".
Earps is one of several players out of contract at the club this summer, with negotiations for a new one having dragged on for over 18 months. writes: "Poor communication from those in charge regarding budget and strategy for contract renewals, signings and transfer fees are said to have delayed negotiations and led to United missing out on players."
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Man Utd drew at West Ham on Sunday, meaning they have now dropped points in eight of their 15 WSL outings this season. It leaves them a distant fourth in the table, nine points off the European spots and 12 behind pacesetters Chelsea with just seven games remaining.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Head coach Marc Skinner is another out of contract at the club this summer and new owners INEOS will need to decide whether he is the man to take the women's team forward.