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Sledging directed at Phillip Hughes and his batting partner Tom Cooper “in no way exacerbated the incident” in which Hughes was fatally injured, the inquest into the batsman’s death has been told

Daniel Brettig12-Oct-2016

Sledging directed at Phillip Hughes and his batting partner Tom Cooper “in no way exacerbated the incident” in which Hughes was fatally injured, the inquest into the batsman’s death has been told.The conclusion by Kristina Stern SC, the counsel assisting the New South Wales Coroner at the inquest, was made after the submission of a new statement by Matthew Day, the former Tasmania batsman and a Sydney club teammate of Hughes’ brother Jason Hughes at Mosman. Day, 29, was also a pallbearer at Hughes’ funeral in Macksville.Day’s statement corroborated allegations that the fast bowler Doug Bollinger had directed the words “I’m going to kill you” at Hughes and Cooper, highlighting divisions between the Hughes family and the cricket community.Bollinger and Cooper had both denied these words were uttered, moving Day to make the statement on Tuesday. In it he described events at a wake for Hughes, which occurred at the SCG on November 28, the evening after he died at St Vincent’s Hospital.”Whilst I was at the gathering at the Sydney Cricket Ground, I was with a group of players sitting where the players’ seats are in the home dressing room,” Day said in the statement, dated October 11, 2016. “There were six or seven players in the group. I can’t remember all of the players but Doug Bollinger was one of the group. There was general discussion regarding the circumstances of the match.”At one stage Doug Bollinger said words to the effect of: ‘One of my sledges was ‘I am going to kill you’. I can’t believe I said that. I’ve said things like that in the past but I am never going to say it again’.”Day went on to say that when he saw Jason Hughes later in the evening he relayed this words, to which he replied that “Tom Cooper told me the same thing”.The submission of Day’s statement caused a flurry of activity in the courtroom on Wednesday, before Stern offered the following words in mitigation. “One of the issues identified in my opening statement was the nature of the play that afternoon and if that in any way exacerbated the injury to Phillip Hughes,” she said. “My submission is … that there is no evidence that any comment or sledging or whatever description you wish to use, exacerbated the injury.”Day’s statement also conflicted accounts offered by the NSW captain on the day Brad Haddin, David Warner, Sean Abbott and Doug Bollinger that there were no specific plans to bowl short at Hughes. In it he alleged that Trent Johnston, then the NSW assistant coach and now the state’s head coach, had offered a different view.”I shared a taxi with Trent Johnston [who] said words to the effect of ‘I am struggling with the fact that I was a big part of the plan that New South Wales adopted, that was to bowl short to Phil, and that eventually ended with him being struck’.”In response to the new allegations, Cricket Australia outlined the process by which witness statements and testimony had been taken.”Counsel assisting the Coroner, Kristina Stern SC, in association with legal representatives retained by Cricket Australia interviewed player and umpire witnesses appearing at the coronial enquiry,” a spokesperson said.”Each person was interviewed in this process independently. These interviews were held at the request of counsel assisting in which each of the players and umpires voluntarily participated. Statements were then drafted recording these interviews and these draft statements were reviewed by both cricket’s legal representatives and counsel assisting.”Following this review, players were then sent the resulting draft statements and were asked to check the accuracy of the draft and make any amendments or additions they wished to have included before returning them.”As witnesses who have appeared at the coronial hearing have testified, these statements were finalised without talking to any other witness. We are comfortable that this process has allowed the players and umpires to provide accurate, independent and truthful evidence to the enquiry.”It has been agreed that Day will not be cross-examined following his statement. The inquest continues until Friday.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details0:58

New Zealand’s highest in a Test innings against Zimbabwe

Another day of Test cricket in Bulawayo belonged to New Zealand as they piled on the runs on Zimbabwe with three batsmen scoring centuries and two notching half-centuries in their first-innings total of 582 for 4. New Zealand batted for two entire sessions before declaring during the tea break in a bid to take a few wickets in the last session but Zimbabwe’s opening stand stood unbroken after 30 overs.Tino Mawoyo and Chamu Chibhabha saw through the new ball, a short-ball barrage and 11 overs of spin to end the day on a respectable 55 for 0. While Mawoyo, who came in for Brian Chari, was more resolute, Chibhabha offered a few more shots to finish the day on 31 off 89 balls, compared to Mawoyo’s 20 off 91 balls. Once New Zealand saw there was no swing on offer for the first five overs, which were all maidens, the slip cordon was trimmed and the leg-side field was packed as Tim Southee and Trent Boult switched to a short-ball strategy. When that did not work either, Kane Williamson brought on the spinners and Neil Wagner but the openers’ tactics did not waver to head towards the half-century stand.

Nice to beat Crowe – Taylor

While Kane Williamson became the first New Zealander to score a Test century against all nine other Test nations, Ross Taylor overtook his mentor Martin Crowe’s tally of 5444 runs and is now his country’s third-highest run-scorer. Although New Zealand’s focus was on winning the second Test, the records meant something to the two batsmen.
“I did an interview for a newspaper back home before this Test so I knew I was close,” Taylor said. “I don’t usually look at the score when I am batting but I heard some applause, so I knew I must have got there. It was nice to beat Hogan. He was my mentor for many years. When I first met him he said he wanted me to at least beat his records; so it was nice to achieve one of the goals he set for me.”
In turn, Taylor has set a goal for Williamson. “Not many people have got centuries against every Test playing country home and away and I am sure he would like to do that in his career,” he said.
Taylor praised Williamson’s century for its consistency and class. “It just shows that he can do it against all opposition in all conditions,” but admitted he did not know it could have been the captain’s early birthday present to himself. “Is it his birthday? He has kept that pretty quiet,” Taylor asked. “He’s an old 26 year old isn’t he? He’s a pretty quiet lad. He was just born to bat. And captain.”

Earlier, Ross Taylor became the third centurion of the innings after Tom Latham on day one and Williamson early on day two as New Zealand showed no mercy to Zimbabwe’s wearing attack. Taylor and Latham have scored centuries in both matches of this series but it may be the other hundred that grabs the headlines.The New Zealand captain became the first from his country, the 13th overall and only the second after Younis Khan among the current crop of internationals to score a century against all nine other Test nations. Continuing from 95 overnight, he whipped the eighth ball he faced this morning to the square-leg boundary to bring up the landmark.He did not hang around for long though, giving Zimbabwe a rare moment of celebration when he edged Michael Chinouya to gully but their joy was shortlived. After Williamson’s dismissal, Taylor continued the grind and surpassed his mentor Martin Crowe’s tally of 5444 runs to become the third-highest run-scorer in New Zealand’s Test history.All that meant Zimbabwe were subjected to more toil on a surface that offered no assistance. The only indication the bowlers would make any impression on New Zealand’s batsmen came early in the day with the second new ball when Chinouya and Donald Tiripano, the pace duo, found some movement. Chinouya beat Taylor twice, but with the pace in upper 120s and no slips in place, they had to work within their limitations.The quicks bowled seven-over spells each before Graeme Cremer brought himself on and immediately found the drift that was lacking on the first day. He struck off his fifth ball when Henry Nicholls was trapped in front while attempting a sweep. With two wickets for 20 runs, Zimbabwe may have seen an opportunity to claw their way back in, but Taylor and BJ Watling shut them out.Cremer and offspinner John Nyumbu tried everything to stem the run flow, switching angles from over to around the wicket, and keeping fielders close in but nothing worked. In fact, Craig Ervine, who was stationed under the helmet at short leg, was hit three times by the batsmen as they whipped Cremer away.Watling’s footwork and Taylor’s deft touches were a slow burn on Zimbabwe’s energy reserves and Cremer turned to the part-timers to buy time. Sean Williams was punished but Prince Masvaure produced the only chance of the afternoon session when he tempted Taylor into reaching for a short and wide ball but debutant wicketkeeper Peter Moor could not hold on to the edge. Six balls later, Taylor drove Williams to long-off to bring up his hundred.Zimbabwe’s disciplines deserted them as the tea break approached and they offered the New Zealand pair several short deliveries which were put away. Almost without trying, the Taylor-Watling stand grew to 193 and the score approached 600 before tea was called and New Zealand decided to declare.

تحدث مدرب مانشستر يونايتد، إريك تين هاج، عن إمكانية توقيع عقد جديد مع النادي الإنجليزي، حيث ينتهي عقده الحالي في عام 2025.

ووقع تين هاج عقدًا مع مانشستر يونايتد يمتد لثلاث سنوات، حين انضم للنادي قادمًا من أياكس في عام 2022.

وقال تين هاج في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “مترو” البريطانية: “نحن نتحدث عن العديد من المواضيع ولكن لا يمكنني الخوض في التفاصيل، خاصة عندما يكون الأمر شخصيًا للغاية”.

وأضاف: “أولاً، الشيء الأكثر أهمية هو النادي، الأمر يتعلق بالنادي والفريق وكيف يتعين علينا العمل وفقًا لمعايير عالية لتحقيق أهدافنا، الأمر لا يتعلق بأي فرد”.

اقرأ أيضًا | تغيير موعد مباراة مانشستر سيتي ومانشستر يونايتد في الدوري الإنجليزي

ومن المقرر أن يتم التصديق على حصة السير جيم راتكليف في مانشستر يونايتد من قبل الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز خلال الأسبوعين المقبلين وقد قاموا بالفعل بتعيين رئيس تنفيذي جديد.

وسيتم اتخاذ قرار بشأن مستقبل تين هاج في نهاية الموسم الجاري، ويعد ما تبقى من الموسم اختبارًا للمدرب الهولندي.

Newcastle United are interested in making a move for Paris-Saint Germain superstar Neymar in the summer window, journalist Graeme Bailey has claimed.

What's going on with Neymar?

The 31-year-old looks set to depart PSG this summer, following fan protests outside his house calling for him to leave the club, and the Premier League could be a viable destination.

PSG are believed to be willing to listen to offers for the Brazilian superstar, who cost the club a world-record £200m back in 2017.

Neymar has two years left on his contract, but it appears his time in the French capital will come to an end, with both sides seemingly keen to move on.

Speaking on the Talking Transfers Podcast (3.50), Bailey revealed that Newcastle's owners, PIF, are interested in signing Neymar as the club prepares to potentially return to the Champions League.

"It's our understanding, sources have told us that Newcastle United's majority shareholders, PIF, have a real interest in bringing Neymar to the Premier League," he stated.

"This is a real thing. Newcastle, I think it is an ideal fit for him in some ways. They do want a left-sided forward. They want a marquee signing, they love Brazilians.

"It wouldn't be a cheap deal, we're being told PSG would want around £75m, maybe a bit more."

Should Newcastle move for Neymar?

Newcastle have already made incredible progress since PIF came in and hired Eddie Howe, and the signings they have made have helped take them from a relegation battle to European football.

The likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak arrived for big fees, but as signings who can be around for the long-term.

Neymar – hailed an "artist" by Christophe Galtier – would be a move away from this strategy, but given that Newcastle are returning to Europe for the first time in around ten years, he could provide an instant injection of quality which could help them compete at the top level.

The former Barcelona star has only made 29 appearances in what has been another injury-hit campaign, but his quality has often shone through, scoring 18 and assisting 17 times in all competitions.

Neymar would arguably be the biggest signing in Newcastle's history in terms of status, arriving as a Champions League winner and Brazil's talisman, and the club could even benefit commercially from such a huge transfer.

An attacker such as Allan Saint-Maximin could potentially leave in order to make space for Neymar, but despite his age and injury record, he could be the statement signing to help take Newcastle to the next level.

Tottenham Hotspur’s collapse yesterday marked one of the darkest days in what has already been a pitch-black period for the club.

Daniel Levy has come under intense scrutiny for his questionable leadership, which took them from comfortable top-four finishes under the attractive football of Mauricio Pochettino, to missing out on those spots to Newcastle United with a squad full of weak-minded players.

The mentality at this north London outfit leaves a lot to be desired and is made even worse by the shift of their rivals down the road into title challengers. Yesterday’s showing only exacerbated this woeful mindset that runs throughout the dressing room.

Having failed to rise to the challenges of title-winning managers like Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, with both having been sacked before they could compete for a trophy, this should stand as startling proof of where the fault currently lies.

This summer marks a crossroads, and an opportunity for a fresh manager to come in with a clean slate. However, Levy cannot wait for this new man to make up his mind about this squad.

Without being particularly well-versed in footballing decisions, it would not take a genius to weed out the worst characters who have outstayed their welcome.

In this category of player, few would argue that anyone other than Eric Dier should headline such a list.

How did Eric Dier play vs Newcastle?

Few draw scorn like the 29-year-old defender, who has now spent nearly nine years at Spurs with little to show for it. As a staple of one of the most barren periods in the club’s history, the former Everton academy ace has almost become a microcosm of everything that’s wrong with the club.

Pundit Frank McAvennie had foreseen a future with little success with the £85k-per-week dud as a starter, as he predicted in 2021: “Tottenham fans are wondering why their team keeps losing. It’s because players like Dier are still there. He’s not good enough, it’s that simple.

“He’s nowhere near. Tottenham will not succeed with Dier in the team. He’s awful. It’s plain to see he’s not good enough. I really don’t understand how he gets a game.”

In the two years following that claim little has changed, with his showing yesterday only exacerbating worries.

At the heart of a defence that shipped six goals, Dier earned an abysmal 5.9 Sofascore rating in what was an anonymous showing. One goal, in particular, showcased everything that was wrong with the 6 foot 2 flop, as he completely forgot to mark Alexander Isak who stole in behind to score the Magpies’ fourth.

Positionally unaware and defensively uninspired, the 29-year-old continues to let his side down on too many occasions. With a new contract reportedly having been in the works too, Levy must surely listen to calls from the fans to purge the club of such mediocrity in order to allow the new manager to completely reset their toxic mentality.

When Aston Villa sold Jack Grealish to Manchester City in 2021 for the staggering fee of £100m, it was looked upon as a wonderful piece of business for the club.

Of course, in an ideal world, Dean Smith would have wanted to keep him for longer but having emerged as one of the club’s finest ever talents, it was evident he was going to move on at some stage or another and securing a British record transfer for the midfielder was only ever going to be a massive bonus.

They haven’t quite managed to replace him yet, however, there are a few youngsters coming through the youth ranks which could push into the Villa first team and stake a claim over the coming years.

One such player is Rory Wilson, who has been scoring for fun since joining from Glasgow Rangers last summer for just £350k.

Who is Rory Wilson?

The striker completed a move south of the border during the summer having netted 49 goals for the Gers and Scotland youth groups in what was a wonderful season for the 17-year-old.

The teenage prodigy has been described as being “obsessed with becoming the best” by Scotland coach James Grady and his relentless nature in front of goal could take him all the way to the Villa first team in the next couple of years.

Wilson hasn’t let the move to England faze him in the slightest, already making his mark in the U18 and U21 sides this term.

Four goals in the younger age category is impressive enough, but to make the step-up to the Premier League 2 and FA Youth Cup – scoring four and three goals in the respective competitions – takes some talent, and he could find himself on Unai Emery’s mind sooner rather than later.

Grealish also starred for the U21s during his formative years at the club, scoring five goals and grabbing six assists and Wilson has already usurped these totals having been at Villa for less than a year.

The striker also has experience at national level for Scotland, playing for the U17 team on 16 occasions and netting an impressive 15 goals, including a hat0trick against Switzerland just last month.

He doesn’t appear to be resting on his laurels either, having made his U21 debut, aged just 16, in September last year with his future looking extraordinarily bright.

Who knows, in time he could well end up being sold for millions just like Grealish in 2021. Indeed, his current goal-scoring spree dictates that he is arguably the biggest talent since the boyhood hero departed the Midlands. Exciting times.

Barcelona are reportedly considering a Bosman move for Spanish midfielder Aleix Garcia in the summer window to bolster their squad options.

What's the latest on Barcelona's transfers?

Barcelona's financial situation means that they will have to reduce their wage bill massively before making any signings, with midfielder Gavi recently deregistered from their La Liga squad.

Should they make room to bring players in, Xavi is reportedly eyeing up a midfielder who can compete with Pedri and provide depth in attacking midfield.

They have now been linked with Girona midfielder Aleix Garcia, who is out of contract at the end of the season. The 25-year-old has even been described as the best midfielder in the division amid some impressive displays this campaign.

The former Manchester City youngster was once referred to as "special" by Pep Guardiola, and it seems that the Spaniard is living up to his promise.

Reports from media in Spain have indicated that Barcelona, as well as Atletico Madrid and Valencia, are all eyeing up Garcia for a free transfer in what could be one of the bargain deals of the summer.

A move for Garcia has been described as a "great opportunity," and it could prove to be shrewd business for the Blaugrana, although given that Girona have an option to extend his contract for another year, they may be forced to wait.

What would Garcia bring to Barcelona?

The midfielder ranks in the top 2% for shot-creating actions amongst his peers as per FBref, which highlights the level of attacking creativity he could bring to Xavi's side.

He would be able to start in place of Pedri should the 20-year-old be absent. Pedri has already made 104 appearances for the club despite his young age, and having a strong rotational option could help Barcelona compete on all fronts next season.

Given that he is on a contract of just £2.5k-per-week, Garcia would likely not add an extraordinary amount to an already inflated wage bill, and if Sergio Busquets departs, he could even step into his role as a deeper midfielder.

Garcia has provided six assists this season, and he would join as a player with a lot of pedigree in Spanish football under his belt, as he has made over 130 appearances for Girona, Eibar and Villarreal over the years.

He could prove to be a solid long-term option who is also capable of making an immediate impact on the team, at a low cost. If Barcelona can manage to complete a deal, it could be a smart one.

Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Manchester United are interested in Jeremie Frimpong but are not in “active” discussions over a transfer.

What are the latest Frimpong rumours to Man Utd?

It seems as though the Bayer Leverkusen right-back has been a target for the club for some time as a possible move was rumoured in the January transfer market window.

What’s more, Bundesliga insider Christian Falk recently told CaughtOffside that the Red Devils are “getting closer and closer” with talks likely having already taken place.

However, it sounds as though United aren’t quite that far down the line as of yet. Indeed, while talking on his YouTube channel, Romano explained that there is “no contact” between the two clubs yet despite genuine interest.

He said (2:33): “In the last few hours, we heard some stories about Jeremie Frimpong linked to Manchester United move for the summer.

“What we can say is that we say October, November. Man United are following the player they have constantly their scouts keeping an eye on Jeremie Frimpong.

“He is one of many right-backs they’re following but at the moment, from what I understand, there is no contact at all between Man United and Bayern Leverkusen.

“No negotiation,  no concrete or active discussion and so at the moment it is just following the player and nothing else and this is important to clarify.

“Because, let me remind you, the priority and the focus of Man United in that position is to extend the contract of Diogo Dalot as soon as possible.”

Why do Man Utd want Frimpong?

As Romano makes clear, United seem to be keen on keeping Dalot at the club, having actually triggered a contract extension for him earlier this season.

Still, that just adds 12 months to his deal and so his long-term future remains somewhat in doubt. What’s more, Aaron Wan-Bissaka has long been linked with a move out of the club and so an alternative right-back may be needed soon enough.

Frimpong certainly has impressed this season, becoming a regular starter for Bayer Leverkusen with plenty of attacking threat too. Indeed, he has five goals and seven assists in 30 outings across all competitions.

On top of that obvious quality, having come through the Manchester City academy he counts as a homegrown player and so this could make him an even more tantalising prospect tin the market.

Still, it sounds as though a deal isn’t close to being agreed just yet.

As the deadline grew closer in the summer transfer window of 2021, Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles only grew in frustration with his role at the club.

A lack of game time meant that he wanted a move away and he wanted it now, taking to Instragram to admit: “All I wanna do is go where I’m wanted and where I’m gonna play.”

It was thought that Everton were interested in a move but ultimately a move fell through and the now 25-year-old was forced to stay in north London until January having featured on just 11 occasions.

A temporary switch was finally forthcoming for Maitland-Niles at the beginning of 2022, joining none other than Jose Mourinho at Roma.

He failed to impress, however, starting just six times in Serie A, while he didn’t even make it off the bench in ten matches.

That left the Gunners man at a crossroads and now in the final year of his deal, joined Southampton on a season-long loan for 2022/23 where he has endured yet another mixed stint.

Does Maitland-Niles have a future at Arsenal?

The short answer to that question is a short one; no. It feels incredibly likely that the 5 foot 10 ace will be handed a new deal by Mikel Arteta, particularly after his outburst 18 months ago.

He did feature in pre-season for the Islington outfit but it would not be a surprise if those were his last appearances in the famous red and white of Arsenal. After all, his attitude and desire to play in midfield has ultimately seen him cast aside.

The Saints loanee has always lusted after playing in the centre of the park but ultimately, he hasn’t been good enough for that role.

50 of his career matches have seen him feature in the middle, as opposed to 44 as a right back and 87 as a right midfielder/right-wing back.

That was where Arteta saw a role for him and that is the position he is now thriving in for Southampton.

Why, you dare ask, does Maitland-Niles want to play in the middle, then? It’s a tricky question, because right now he’d be perfect in Arsenal’s system.

Their Spanish manager is now renowned for operating with inverted wing-backs, particularly on the left-hand side of his defence where Oleksandr Zinchenko will play down the left out of possession but will come inside when Arsenal have the ball.

Such is his influence that against Manchester United, the vast majority of his play (heat map via Sofascore below) saw him operate as an extra number 10 beside skipper Martin Odegaard and Granit Xhaka.

A player of a similar variety is missing on the right. Ben White is known for overlapping while Bukayo Saka cuts inside.

However, the Gunners have been targeting Ivan Fresneda of Real Valladolid, a right-back who could be the ‘next Zinchenko’ such is his ability to play inside.

That said, Edu and co could save millions by looking towards Maitland-Niles to fulfil that role in the future.

He will have to improve his performances and ultimately earn a new deal but his display against Chelsea last Saturday was a good starting point.

How did Maitland-Niles perform against Chelsea?

In what was described as his ‘best performance in a Southampton shirt’ by Hampshire Live’s Mark Wyatt, the full-back first bullied Joao Felix and Mason Mount before then completely bullying long-term Arsenal target Mykhaylo Mudryk too.

The ex-West Brom loanee was vital in helping Saints earn a rare win and an ever-rarer clean sheet, acting as a colossus on the right-hand side of defence.

He made a whopping six tackles to stop Chelsea’s attack in their tracks, proving himself to be a phenomenal one-on-one defender.

Maitland-Niles won a further nine ground duels and won 100% of his aerial battles while also succeeding with three of his four dribbles and completing his one and only cross.

It was the complete performance from a man who now just needs to show a bit of consistency. Once dubbed a “Rolls-Royce” by Martin Keown, he lived up to that billing at the weekend, with Mount, Raheem Sterling and Mudryk who all occupied spaces on the left during the game completing just two of the nine dribbles they attempted between them.

The latter was introduced in the second half but was constantly met with a stern ‘you shalt not pass’ policy, stepping in to intervene and stop the Ukrainian speedster in his tracks.

It was a superb performance and one that should have Arteta taking notice. If only he could do it on a regular basis.

Chelsea have been working hard to secure a deal for Enzo Fernandez over the last few days and now in the dying hours of Deadline Day, a new update has emerged from a reliable source.

 What’s the latest?

According to The Daily Telegraph journalist Matt Law, Chelsea have not reached an agreement to sign the Benfica midfielder as of yet.

Law tweeted: “Told Chelsea and Benfica have come closer to each other re a structure and agreement for Fernandez deal and Chelsea still trying hard but no agreement yet. Remains hope it will be done in time for deadline but if not could also be agreed for the summer.”

Steven Gerrard repeat

The news that a deal has still not been agreed upon will be worrying for the Stamford Bridge faithful as the transfer deadline at 11pm fast approaches and Todd Boehly must now do everything to make sure that a deal gets over the line otherwise he could’ve effectively weakened the already light Chelsea midfield.

Jorginho moved to Arsenal today, so the fact that the club has allowed one of their only fit midfielders to leave when a replacement may not be feasible until the summer could be a huge blow.

As such, the club could well be heading for a Steven Gerrard repeat by missing out on their top midfield target this evening.

Indeed, the former Liverpool captain famously rejected a move to west London after a lot of deliberation back in 2005 – even supposedly handing in a transfer request before a deal fell through.

He was a young midfielder who could’ve transformed the Blues and become a key component in Jose Mourinho’s success, just like Fernandez could be under Graham Potter. However, despite the player’s desires, a move may not be possible in January.

The 22-year-old World Cup winner only made the move to Benfica last summer but has proven already that he is one of the hottest prospects in European football ranking in the top 10% of his positional peers for progressive passes, shot-creating actions, passes attempted, assists and shots in total.

With that in mind, it’s not just the transfer saga that seemingly echoes Gerrard, with his attacking intricacies mirroring the former Liverpool star too.

It’s evident the signing of Fernandez would be a huge coup in Potter’s project to reignite Chelsea’s season with the side currently ten points adrift from a Champions League qualifying spot inside the top four.

With that being said, it will be interesting to see how far Chelsea will go to get this deal done in the final hours, however, if they don’t it will be a huge disappointment for the club who have put all of their eggs into Benfica’s basket in their final opportunity to strengthen the centre of the pitch.