Tag Futebol

New head coach dismisses ‘inspire and entertain’ mantra, with focus on better fitness and more domestic cricket

Valkerie Baynes02-Apr-2025″It’s about winning.” With those three words, uttered 24 hours after being named England Women’s head coach, Charlotte Edwards set out her mission to turn an underperforming team into World Cup contenders within six months.Effectively dispensing with the ‘inspire and entertain’ mantra introduced two years ago by her predecessor, Jon Lewis, Edwards wasn’t afraid to tread into territory that makes some other coaches squeamish. Similarly, she was forthright about the need to hold players accountable for their fitness.”They’ve had this mantra of entertaining and inspiring over the last little bit, and I think it’s probably just changing their focus,” Edwards told reporters at Lord’s on Wednesday. “It’s bottling that entertaining and that aggressive approach, but for me, it’s about their game smarts and their game awareness about winning.”I’m under no illusions. I’ve come into this role, it’s about winning. I think coaches are sometimes too scared to say we want to win. That’s our job. My job is to win games of cricket, and I think it’s how we go and do that now.”That looks different on each given day and I just want to create some intelligent players who win games of cricket for England, and that’s going to be how I’ll go about stuff over the next few weeks, and try and instil that within the players.”Lewis lost his job following the 16-0 Ashes drubbing in Australia in January, which followed a shock group-stage exit at the T20 World Cup last October.Those results brought into question the fitness of some players in the squad, particularly when compared to the fiercely athletic Australian team.”My first week is actually profiling next week, so I’m going to judge for myself about where the team are with their fitness,” Edwards said. “I will make the players more accountable for fitness, so that’s something I’m going to do.”But there’s many aspects to this and I think the results from the winter, although 16-nil, I know that we are closer to that than what that scoreline suggested. I wouldn’t have taken on this role if I didn’t think that, in six months’ time, we could win a World Cup in India. I think we’ve got the playing group to do that.”We’ve got a lot of hard work and we’ve got a lot of honesty in that time before then, but I’m really confident that, given some time with this group, that we can turn things around very quickly.”England’s standards collapsed over the winter, particularly in the T20 World Cup in Dubai•ICC/Getty Images

The Ashes proved the final straw for Lewis and Heather Knight, who lost her job as captain, although she will remain available for selection as a player, following a sweeping review into the team’s performances.There had been a sense that Edwards would be reluctant to coach a team containing a core of players she had led as England captain until her retirement in 2016, but she welcomed the opportunity, feeling that enough time had passed.Edwards has stepped down from head coaching roles with Mumbai Indians, Sydney Sixers and Hampshire to fully focus on the England job, having won eight titles in five years at franchise and domestic level.”The great thing now is I’ve worked with them a lot in all the franchise competitions that I’ve worked in,” she said. “They’ve seen a very different person from Lottie the captain to Lottie the coach.”I think I’m a much better coach than I was captain, if I’m honest. There’s been enough time now between me playing with them all and I’m thoroughly looking forward to it. I’ve had some lovely messages from the players over the last 24 hours and I’m just super excited to get there on Monday.”Among Edwards first tasks’ will be to appoint a new captain, which she anticipated doing sooner rather than later after linking up with the team, saying she had a clear idea of her No.1 contender.Related

• Lauren Winfield-Hill joins Essex on loan from Yorkshire for Blast

• Lamb puts England credentials on show as Edwards looks on

• Charlotte Edwards offers ECB help with Ashes whitewash review

• Where it went wrong for Jon Lewis and where to now for England Women

• Knight's inglorious exit exposes limits of England women's evolution

In terms of the coaching role, Edwards was the standout candidate, with Clare Connor, Managing Director England Women’s Cricket, confirming that she was appointed without “the normal sort of open-recruitment process” that would be used for a coach at that level.That means the ECB ignored its own pledge to adhere to the Rooney Rule in recruiting head coaches. Under the rule, at least one applicant from black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds are to be interviewed.Connor also revealed that, as a result of the review, the ECB would set out in the coming days to recruit a national selector for the first time since the women’s game became professional in England and Wales. That would feed into a commitment to foster greater links and communication with domestic teams.Centrally contracted England players are expected to be available for the first seven rounds of the domestic 50-over competition, starting on April 19, with a strong emphasis on performance for selection in those games.Jon Lewis and Heather Knight paid the price for England’s poor showing this winter•PA Images via Getty Images

She also said players’ physical, mental and overall preparedness to compete at the highest level had been examined.”All of that professional standards, we’ve had some really good feedback on,” Connor said. “The domestic game we got feedback from, and from some notable figures in the world game as well.”Going back to our criteria and the appointment of Lottie, no one knows better what those professional standards need to be now. She’s seen it around the world. We’ve seen it for ourselves, obviously, during the Ashes in the starkest sense.”The pace of change in women’s cricket, it’s been fast and it’s been demanding. I think we’ve supported players well through those last few years. I think one of the things around the professionalisation is making sure that we’re challenging as well as being supportive.”That’s our role, to support players, but also challenge them and support them for successful times, and to perform under pressure.”Edwards believes that a focus on performance at domestic level as a benchmark for national selection will go some way to addressing the England team’s shortcomings in pressure situations, as laid bare in their error-strewn T20 World Cup defeat to West Indies and throughout the Ashes.With home series against West Indies and India this summer before the 50-over World Cup in India from late September and a home T20 World Cup next year, getting that aspect of the game right is crucial, with Edwards putting a strong emphasis on improving in the 50-over format.”We’ve got a lot of young players who, for me, haven’t played enough cricket, so I want them to experience playing more cricket, being put in those situations time and time again and earning your England cap,” Edwards said.”The door is not shut to anyone and that’s going to be a strong message coming out today, but hopefully starting with the county season, that’s going to be a really positive thing.”I’m not going to talk too much about the past. For me it’s all about the future and what I see is that we’ve got a really talented squad and I think we’ve got some of the best players in the world, some really talented high-potential young players, which I’m looking forward to working with.”

Earlier this week, Newcastle United's search for a new striker hit another obstacle after their transfer bid worth £50 million ($67.6m) for Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen was rejected. Wolves have maintained throughout the summer that Larsen won't be allowed to leave in this transfer window, irrespective of the offer as the player is an important part of their squad.

• Newcastle remain interested in Larsen
• Ready to improve a new bid
• Wolves rejected the earlier offer

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to , Newcastle remain keen on signing Larsen this summer, as they look for a replacement for wantaway forward Alexander Isak, who has made up his mind to join Premier League champions LIverpool. Accordingly, the Magpies have increased their bid value by £5m and remain hopeful that they will be able to sign the striker forward before the transfer window closes.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Newcastle have been in the transfer market in search of a new forward since Callum Wilson's departure from the club this summer. Isak's future also remains uncertain after the Swedish star's public outburst against the Magpies. 

• DID YOU KNOW?

  It has been a tough transfer window for Newcastle, who have missed out on multiple strikers despite showing strong interest. Negotiations with Brentford over the transfer of Yoane Wissa have been complicated all through the summer, while they missed out on signing Benjamin Sesko, who opted to move to Old Trafford.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR NEWCASTLE?

  After the heartbreaking loss against champions Liverpool, Frank's men will be back in action on Saturday, as they host Leeds United in the Premier League.

French star Giulian Biancone has expressed his delight at helping Olympiacos to exact revenge on “very arrogant” Argentine goalkeeper Emi Martinez.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Keeper has won World Cup & Copa AmericaCharacter can grate on some rivalsSaw Greek giants dash Villa's European dreamsFollow GOAL's official WhatsApp channel!Join nowGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

The Aston Villa shot-stopper has seen his stock soar in recent times, with his ability between the sticks having never been in question. He has forged a reputation as a penalty-saving specialist, with that skill set allowing him to play crucial roles in World Cup and Copa America triumphs for his country.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Martinez’s antics can, however, rub some up the wrong way. France, and Kylian Mbappe in particular, were on the receiving end at Qatar 2022, while many more domestic, continental and global rivals have found cause to pick fault with the 32-year-old’s behaviour.

WHAT BIANCONE SAID

Biancone did get one over on Martinez and Co last season, as his Olympiacos side dashed Villa’s Europa Conference League dreams at the semi-final stage, and he has told of wrestling bragging rights away from a player that divides opinion: “I find him very arrogant. What I didn’t like about Martínez’s behaviour was the lack of respect. The result made me happy because I made my French friends happy.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

WHAT NEXT?

Olympiacos went on to make history in 2023-24 when becoming the first Greek club to win a major European trophy. Martinez is still waiting on honours at Villa, with Unai Emery's side preparing to join the Champions League ranks in 2024-25.

Fifteen others from a training camp held in BKSP are symptomatic

Mohammad Isam21-Oct-2020

Three Bangladesh Under-19 cricketers have tested positive for Covid-19, while 15 others from a training camp held in BKSP are symptomatic, according to the BCB’s game development manager AEM Kawser. The training camp was being held to help the team prepare for the Under-19 Asia Cup, originally scheduled to be held in the UAE next month. The camp has now been closed and could be held again only next month after further tests.”According to our protocol, we have to isolate everyone who has come into contact with the symptomatic person,” Kawser told the Dhaka-based . “There were a few symptomatic cases so we had to isolate their room-mates, as well as those they did nets with. Our medical team told us that there are three who were found to be positive. We cannot reveal the names, but we have isolated them and those who came in contact with them.”Kawser said that since the Under-19 Asia Cup has been postponed, they are not in a hurry to restart the camp.”We are not running the camp since the Asia Cup has been postponed. In addition there is a bit of risk now, so we have closed the camp and will only start the camp when things improve in November,” he said.The camp had begun on October 1, featuring the 28 cricketers who were selected in the preliminary squad for the U-19 Asia Cup.

Acting chair Imran Khwaja can take the permanent role if he maintains current voting deadlock for another two rounds

Daniel Brettig and Osman Samiuddin19-Nov-2020Greg Barclay, New Zealand Cricket’s representative on the ICC board, is one vote away from becoming chair of the global governing body, with India’s imprimatur, but the acting chair Imran Khwaja will be able to take the permanent role if he can maintain the current voting deadlock for another two rounds.ESPNcricinfo has learned that Barclay, the NZC chairman, emerged with a 10-6 majority in the first round of voting held on Wednesday, one short of the 11 votes required for a two-thirds majority and the chair under the ICC constitution. The quirks of the system allow for the incumbent, in this case Singapore’s Khwaja, to hang onto the chair if three rounds of voting pass without a two-thirds majority being reached.While the voting takes place by secret ballot, Barclay was understood to have entered the process with the backing of the BCCI, Cricket Australia and the ECB – the “big three” bloc that took a controlling financial stake in world cricket’s affairs in 2014 before their changes were walked back somewhat under the chairmanship of Shashank Manohar from 2015 to June this year.ALSO READ: Three rounds of voting to select new ICC chairmanKhwaja, a long-term representative for the interests of the game’s smaller nations, served as Manohar’s deputy and was the first candidate to emerge in opposition to the ECB’s former chairman Colin Graves, who was forced to drop out of the race earlier this year once his earlier support from the BCCI evaporated due to Barclay’s candidacy and hesitance among other nations.Having joined the ICC as the NZC representative in 2014, Barclay has earned a reputation as an honest broker and won respect from numerous more seasoned cricket administrators in that time. Nevertheless, some doubts have remained about his ability to “carry the room” as an independent chair given the strong influences of the BCCI, ECB, and CA.Sourav Ganguly, the BCCI president, has been a notable force in the jockeying for votes, working the phones to discuss matters of the game’s governance with undecided board members. It is unclear which side of the voting divide the ICC’s independent board director, Indra Nooyi, has landed on.Unsurprisingly, the central conflict so far as votes are concerned has revolved largely around money, and the ability of two contrasting world views to deliver more cash over the next broadcast rights cycle to Member nations.Khwaja’s position, shared by the experienced PCB president Ehsan Mani and the ICC chief executive Manu Sawhney, is that the staging of as many ICC events as possible, packed up in a long-term broadcast deal, stands the best chance to offer a more significant portion of money to the nations that need it most – essentially all boards other than those of India, England, and Australia.The opposite view is that bilateral tours, buttressed by the additional context of the World Test Championship and the ODI league, can still provide vital cashflow to all nations involved, balanced out with still frequent but fewer ICC events. There was particular consternation when Sawhney proposed the re-introduction of a Champions Trophy-style event in years not already occupied by ODI or T20 World Cups. By way of a rebuttal, Ganguly has spoken of an annual tournament involving India, Australia, England and one other nation on a rotation basis.Another tension is that between the ICC board as the game’s peak decision-making body and the striving of ICC management to have a greater say as to cricket’s global direction. This much was made clear in the recent advertising of a new position, that of “vice-president – strategy”.Its position description includes the following summary: “The role will report to the ICC’s Chief Executive Officer and will be responsible to support in formulating and implementing the ICC’s strategy, with a focus on key critical projects, building the future of the sport, business development and best practices by working closely with key stakeholders.”This is the kind of modus operandi that the ICC’s Members have long deemed to be the territory of Member chairs in discussion at the board table, rather than a function of management. The ICC’s governance is also under review, in a process led by the CA chair Earl Eddings, after it was commissioned by Manohar shortly prior to his departure.

“I think we probably just felt that we were just going to get the runs easily,” says captain after 12-run defeat to Kings XI Punjab

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Oct-2020After a spectacular collapse in which Sunrisers Hyderabad went from needing 27 runs from 24 balls with seven wickets in hand to losing by 12 runs against Kings XI Punjab, David Warner said his batsmen had been “complacent” in the middle overs.The Sunrisers bowlers had restricted Kings XI to 126 for 7 on a slow, turning pitch in Dubai, and Warner himself provided a fast start in the chase, smashing 35 off 20. When he was the first wicket to fall after the powerplay, the Sunrisers needed 71 runs from 83 balls. But a middle-overs strangle meant they were eventually bowled out for 114 in 19.5 overs.”In regards to our batting, obviously very disappointed,” Warner said at the post-match press conference. “We didn’t get the job done. We were probably a bit complacent in the middle. We didn’t take the game on enough like we did the previous game (their victory against the Rajasthan Royals). I think we probably just felt that we were just going to get the runs easily, and then we sort of let the balls get ahead of the runs. That’s what happens in a game of cricket, if you give your opposition a sniff it can get taken away from you very fast.”Warner felt the batsmen should have assessed the conditions better and looked to play sensibly, especially with the required rate below six.He was fulsome in his praise for the bowlers, however, having pulled Kings XI back from their own brisk start.”I think our bowlers did an incredible job to bowl them out [restrict them] for under 130,” Warner said. “I felt that they did an exceptional job through the middle period to take wickets and to use the pitch to their advantage. I think in previous games we probably didn’t do that as well as we would have liked [with the ball], and today was a special day for them.”Warner himself adopted a changed approach while batting. In IPL 2020 so far, he had played more of an anchor role for the Sunrisers, averaging 37.22 before this game but at a strike rate of 124.07, well below his career strike rate. However, on Saturday he went hard at the bowling from the start, judging that it was the best time to score runs on this pitch.”Yeah, I was going back to my old-school days,” he said with a hint of a smile. “I was opening my front leg and just taking on the powerplay, something I haven’t done for a long time. It’s one of those things, where I felt that the best part of the powerplay was to try and go after it, go after their main bowler who swings the ball and is a very good bowler – [Mohammed] Shami. So I just tried to apply a little bit of pressure. And yeah, it’s fair to say that I’ve probably been quite reserved the last few years, so it was nice to open the front leg and show that I’ve still got that.”The Sunrisers have eight points with only three games in hand – and those are against the three teams currently at the top of the table: the Delhi Capitals, the Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Mumbai Indians. They will not only have to win those for a realistic shot at making the playoffs, but will also probably depend on net run rate to go through.”I would like to think that the team will do that, definitely,” Warner said. “We’ve got three challenging games coming up, one here and two in Sharjah. If you want to win the tournament, you’ve got to beat the top three teams and that’s what we face in our next assignment.”

Everton have hit a purple patch of form at the right time of the campaign in recent weeks, picking up three consecutive victories that has secured their ever-present Premier League status for another season.

Multiple players have stepped up their performance levels in the last few outings, with James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite regaining their solid partnership that has seen the Toffees boast the fourth-best defensive record in the division.

Despite his injury troubles, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has played a crucial role in Sean Dyche's success, with his aerial prowess causing a real problem and scoring from a set piece in the 2-0 win over local rivals Liverpool at Goodison Park.

However, the club haven't been able to rely on one other player in recent times, with his poor form on Merseyside resulting in a temporary stint away from the club.

Neal Maupay's stats at Everton

After joining the Toffees for £15m back in the summer of 2022, striker Neal Maupay had high hopes of being a success at Goodison Park, given his proven goalscoring record in the Premier League.

He had managed to score 26 goals in 102 appearances for Brighton and Hove Albion prior to his move, with the Frenchman seen as an alternative to main man, Calvert-Lewin.

However, his first – and so far, only – full campaign for the Toffees didn't go as expected, featuring 27 times in the Premier League, scoring on just one occasion in the 1-0 win over West Ham in September.

He failed to score in his remaining 25 league matches for the Toffees, subsequently joining former side Brentford on loan for the 2023/24 campaign, where he's so far managed six goals in his 28 appearances under Thomas Frank.

The deal also includes an option for the club to re-sign the forward on a permanent basis this summer, an option which Everton will be desperate for Frank's side to take up, given his hefty wages on Merseyside.

Neal Maupay's wages at Everton

According to Spotrac, the 27-year-old Frenchman currently earns a reported £50k-per-week with the Bees, the same as his earnings at Everton, which works out to be £2.6m a season – a huge chunk when looking at his lack of impact for the Toffees last term.

His weekly wage is two times higher than current Everton midfielder Dwight McNeil, who only earns a reported £25k-per-week despite his excellent form this season that has seen him walk away with nine goal contributions in the Premier League.

Ashley Young

£40k-p/w

James Garner

£30k-p/w

Nathan Patterson

£28k-p/w

Dwight McNeil

£25k-p/w

Jarrad Branthwaite

£15k-p/w

Given his current spell in London, there is a chance that Brentford could decide to sign him permanently, which would be excellent business for Everton, considering his hefty wage.

His huge salary has undoubtedly contributed to the club's current PSR issues, with offloading the striker – who has cost roughly £17.6m when totalling his £2.6m salary and £15m transfer fee – the best option for all parties.

It would allow the club to save valuable money in their battle to avoid further punishments, whilst Maupay can excel at a club where he's had his most successful stint in England.

Dyche must finally ditch Everton star who earns 6x more than Branthwaite

He only has one year left on his deal at Goodison Park.

ByEthan Lamb Apr 26, 2024

All was going well for Everton this season until their financial issues away from the pitch caught up to them to leave Sean Dyche's side to deal with a 10-point deduction, which was eventually reduced to six. Fighting to stay afloat in the Premier League ever since, the Toffees are reportedly set to finally receive some good news.

Everton takeover news

As things stand, Everton sit four points clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand on Burnley in the relegation zone, with Dyche deserving a lot of credit for keeping the Toffees on track even amid off-field issues. Of course, if it wasn't for the six-point deduction, then Everton would be comfortably mid-table and just seven points behind Fulham in 13th, eight points away from Chelsea.

Report: Everton join race to sign versatile “assist machine” this summer

He will be available for just £13m.

ByHenry Jackson Apr 1, 2024

It's a situation that those at Goodison Park will likely have to become familiar with too, according to finance expert Kieran Maguire, who told via Inews when quizzed about the likelihood of Everton being handed a second deduction that it's "pretty inevitable".

So, even if the Toffees avoid the drop this season, they are seemingly likely to have their backs instantly against the wall at the start of the next campaign. But there is still some good news among the negatives.

According to Inews, Everton's takeover by 777 Partners is set to be accepted by the Premier League in the next couple of weeks. This will end an incredibly long wait for the news many thought would come far sooner after Farhad Moshiri reached an agreement over the sale of the club all the way back in September. Now, seven months later, Everton are reportedly finally about to see the takeover given the green light.

The sudden news comes after 777 proved to the Premier League that they could pay back Everton's £150m loan from MSP Sports Capital and fund the finish of the Bramley-Moore Dock stadium.

Everton must still approach with caution

With another point deduction described as "pretty inevitable" by Maguire, Everton must still approach with caution in the summer transfer market. The last thing they need is to be walking a fine line with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules once again, especially considering that they're on course to maintain their top-flight status in the current campaign.

That said, it could be a summer of departures at Goodison Park. Amadou Onana has been the subject of reported interest from the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United in the last few months in a big-money deal that would ease some of Everton's FFP fears. Meanwhile, Jarrad Branthwaite has even attracted the interest of Real Madrid, according to reports.

Large sales would impact Dyche's side, there's no doubt about that, but it could be a case of needs must if Everton are to balance the books at last. If they then spend that money from the sales wisely, then 777 will be able to hand Dyche a squad capable of survival once again, even if Everton face another frustrating deduction. Either way, the takeover is at least on its way in what is surely the first big step in the right direction.

Aston Villa's season is threatening to fizzle out as they are struck by fixture congestion and injury woes, with Unai Emery's side now looking less than certain for Champions League football next season.

Villa hit by another defensive injury

The Villans were handed a major boost just last week when it emerged that Tyrone Mings was making good progress in returning from his knee injury suffered at the beginning of the campaign, though he is not expected to feature before the end of the Premier League season.

Versatile defender Ezri Konsa is also on the treatment table, and is facing at least another fortnight out, while Jhon Duran is another key piece of squad depth out of action through injury.

And now they have another problem at centre-back, with Diego Carlos suffering an injury during a training session. Emery later confirmed that it was a hamstring issue and that the Brazilian would be sidelined for between three and four weeks with the injury.

It is yet another issue for the midlands outfit to contend with, having lost Boubacar Kamara to a season-ending knee injury in their 2-1 defeat to Manchester United a fortnight ago and with Emiliano Buendia having missed the entire season to date with the same issue.

Aston Villa’s 7/10 star was the real hero over Watkins v Fulham

Aston Villa picked up an impressive win over Fulham yesterday.

By
Tom Lever

Feb 18, 2024

Now, Villa journalist and writer Ty Bracey has had his say on the fallout from Carlos' absence. Speaking to Aston Villa News, he revealed that though it is 'another blow' for Emery, there are alternatives within the squad.

Villa stuttering at crucial point

Injuries are not helping Villa's situation, and the return of European football could see them tested once more. Emery's side were clear favourites for a top 5 spot before Christmas, but have won just three games out of their last seven across all competitions since the turn of the year.

Defeat to Manchester United in the Premier League has seen the Red Devils close the gap in the race for European football, and as it stands, all of Villa, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are separated by just five points, though it remains the Midlands outfit leading the way.

They also await their fate in the last 16 of the Europa Conference League draw, which takes place on Friday, February 23rd, and which the Villans will feel that they have an excellent chance of winning with Emery at the helm.

However, with a smaller squad keeping everyone in peak condition for both competitions will become increasingly difficult, and with tricky Premier League games against Tottenham, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal all to come, it could ultimately prove a step too far for the injury-hit squad.

Of course, the season will still be considered a major success for Villa even if they miss out on Champions League football, with Emery having overseen a major change of fortunes at the club after taking over from Steven Gerrard 18 months ago. Should they add a European trophy too, it would be the best season in living memory for plenty of Villa fans.

Glasgow Rangers' activity in the transfer market over the previous few years has been very Jekyll and Hyde in nature.

On the one hand, duds such as Carlos Pena, Juninho Bacuna, Jordan Jones and George Edmundson, plus a handful of others, have all graced the Ibrox pitch since the Gers gained promotion in 2016, yet they failed to have a positive impact.

On the other hand, however, the Light Blues have made the occasional signing, which has paid off. The likes of Jack Butland, Alfredo Morelos, John Lundstram, and Todd Cantwell are all players who arrived at Ibrox for either nothing or a very small transfer fee and exceeded expectations.

While Michael Beale may have been sacked due to some horrendous results during the early part of the season, he did bring two of the above to Ibrox, while also securing winger Abdallah Sima on a season-long loan deal from Brighton and Hove Albion.

He was arguably one of the few bright sparks between August and October last year, scoring for fun despite Beale’s style of play being anything but.

Abdallah Sima’s current market value

The Senegal international enjoyed a productive spell at Slavia Prague between 2020 and 2022, scoring 16 goals and registering seven assists in just 39 matches, which sealed a move to Brighton.

Sima has yet to play a single game for the south coast side, spending a few spells out on loan, but it has been his stint in Glasgow which has been the most successful, showing that he has what it takes to make it for a top-flight club.

Across 33 games for the Glasgow side this term, the 22-year-old has found the back of the net on 15 occasions, chipping in with two assists too, making himself the undisputed number one on the left wing.

He was chosen to represent Senegal at the recent Africa Cup of Nations tournament, yet suffered a hamstring injury during training and was thus sent home in order to recover.

Philippe Clement said the injury would keep him out for at least two months, thus missing some crucial matches. The good news is, he should be back for the title run-in, with his presence in the starting XI key to any success the club go on to have between now and May.

Metric

Europa League

Premiership

Goals

3

10

Assists

0

2

Key passes per game

1

1

Successful dribbles per game

1.8

1.5

Shots on target per game

1.3

0.9

Not only does Sima rank third among his teammates for goals and assists in the Premiership this term (12), but he also ranks first for successful dribbles per game (1.5) and third for shots per game (three), showing how effective he is in front of goal.

At the time of writing, Sima is currently valued at €7.9m (£6.7m) according to Football Transfers and if he can bounce back from injury to enjoy a goal-laden run across the final few matches, this will certainly increase.

He is one of the highest valued players at the club just now, yet going by inflation, a player who represented the Gers between 2002 and 2004 was worth a lot more upon his departure to Spain in the summer of 2004 – Mikel Arteta.

How much Rangers paid for Mikel Arteta

Towards the end of the 2001/02 season, it was announced that Rangers had secured the signature of Mikel Arteta for a fee of £6m from Barcelona, with Alex McLeish lavishing praise on the Spaniard.

"Mikel is an excellent young player and I'm sure he is someone who will really excite the Rangers fans," said McLeish.

"I think the fans will see a class act when he pulls on a Rangers jersey next season. He is very comfortable on the ball and he has an excellent touch and the great thing is his best years are still ahead of him.”

Arteta enjoyed a wonderful debut campaign in Glasgow, playing 27 league matches, scoring four times as the club won their first title since 2000. During the final game of the season, the Gers received a penalty during the final minutes against Dunfermline, knowing that a goal would likely seal the league crown.

Up stepped Arteta. With 50,000 supporters behind him and the weight of expectations on his shoulders, the youngster slotted the ball into the net like he was playing at the local park, thus entering the history books as the club became the first side in the world to win their domestic league 50 times.

Nine goals in 30 games the following season meant he was one of their better performers in an otherwise shoddy campaign, but when Real Sociedad came calling in 2004, McLeish had no choice but to sell him.

Mikel Arteta’s value in 2024 money

With financial issues hampering the club, Rangers accepted an offer of £3.6m from the La Liga outfit ahead of the 2004/05 season, meaning they had lost money on the deal.

In 2024 money, however – with Totally Money adjusted for inflation over the years – Arteta would be worth £13m in the market today, showing that Rangers hit the jackpot by moving on the young Spaniard when they did.

This means he would also be worth nearly £6m more than Sima, who has been one of their best performers this season, showing just how valuable Arteta was 20 years ago.

What Mikel Arteta is doing now

Having retired in 2016, Arteta is now the manager of Arsenal, and he stands on the brink of history. Should the Gunners win the Premier League title this season, he will break the record for youngest manager to ever win the competition.

José Mourinho was 42 years and 94 days old when he led Chelsea to the 2005 league title, while Arteta will be 42 years and 54 days old on the final day of the current campaign.

He has certainly come a long way since playing against the likes of Partick Thistle and Motherwell during his stint at Ibrox between 2002 and 2004, but he will always be fondly remembered as the player who sealed league title number 50 for the Light Blues on that wonderful day in May 2003.

Rangers hit gold on £4m gem who's worth more than Osimhen in 2024 money

Rangers struck gold by selling a striker in 1995 for a big profit

ByRoss Kilvington Mar 26, 2024