Tottenham Hotspur's manager upheaval over recent years has unsurprisingly seen them linked with a host of managers, yet the three chosen to succeed Mauricio Pochettino have all come under the same mould.

One crucial characteristic that at least two of them shared was the fact that they were winners, and the hope was that they could bring such a mentality to north London at last.

However, with the dugout once again devoid of a permanent boss and no silverware to show for it, it seems this was yet another failed venture to add to the ever-growing list.

With a new man now needed to take over from caretaker Ryan Mason come this season's conclusion, it seems that chairman Daniel Levy could be set to right the potential wrongs of his former sporting director Fabio Paratici, who pulled the plug on a move to appoint Paulo Fonseca back in 2021.

He has re-emerged as part of a long list of candidates, having excelled lately with LOSC Lille.

However, one negative attribute hovers over the Portuguese tactician that might worry fans. Some might suggest he boasts the club's DNA within him, as across a fine career, the 50-year-old has struggled on the big occasions.

How does Paulo Fonseca play?

Having overseen many philosophical shifts across his various jobs, French football has seemingly seen him revert to predominantly a 3-4-3, with the 3-4-2-1 as a supplementary ideal.

With a play style that demands possession but prefers solidity over a high press, there are shades of Antonio Conte in his current practices in Lille. Despite this, his desire to play through the middle is something which will benefit the style of Harry Kane, should he stick around long enough to reap the rewards.

Journalist and renowned transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, back before the deal fell through in 2021, offered his verdict on how Fonseca might work out at Spurs. Despite the exciting upsides, there remained plenty of downsides that could worry fans.

He claimed:

"He is perfect in the dressing room and perfect in his relationship with the players.

"He had a problem here in Italy with the top matches playing against Juventus, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Napoli and never winning a top match and it was something that was criticised by football journalists in Italy."

Despite this, European football expert Andy Brassell remained confident: "He’s a really good coach, there’s no doubt about that. He’s got a strong philosophy and likes to play attacking football."

With beautiful football on show but a soft underbelly that might still remain, it seems Fonseca could be the perfect fit to comply with Spurs' DNA, but not to change it as fans would likely desire.

Newcastle United could now land Brazilian sensation Angelo Gabriel this summer, with reports in Brazil (via Sport Witness) revealing that his club, Santos, are in desperate need of cash.

What is the latest on Angelo Gabriel to Newcastle?

The Premier League outfit have had an incredible campaign this year, surprising plenty with how competitive they've been and with their staying power at the top end of the division. The club are currently sat in third place with just five games to go and are eyeing a first season in Europe since 2012/13, when they featured in the Europa League.

It comes down to a combination of new owners PIF and manager Eddie Howe. Newcastle's new owners have already splashed the cash with the Toon and are even considering rivalling Man City by branching out into the ownership of other clubs, with KV Oostende in Belgium the latest side rumored to be on their radar.

Howe too has shone, managing his best ever win-rate as a boss with 54%. Being given a platform to work with, the former Bournemouth boss is flourishing and will be looking to add more strength to his side's ranks this window in order to keep his team improving.

One name that could make the move to England this summer is Angelo Gabriel, with Brazilian media via Sport Witness reporting that Santos are prepared to sell the winger. The report states that the South American club need money, as they are struggling financially, and are willing to part ways with Gabriel to boost their funds. Newcastle are prepared to capitalise on that situation and could launch a fresh bid to sign him then at the end of the campaign.

Who is Angelo Gabriel?

Gabriel is the latest Brazilian youngster to be impressing in his native country, with clubs now lining up to sign him according to previous reports from Italy.

The winger has impressed despite his youth, breaking records before he has even hit his twenties. He is already the youngest player to ever score in the Copa Libertadores and his former coach Ariel Holan admitted that the player has a "huge future" in the game.

His efforts in Brazil so far would certainly back that up – he's played in 116 games for Santos already and has 13 goal contributions to his name, with the 18-year-old proving he has a penchant for teeing up his teammates via his ten assists.

Whilst a move to Newcastle – or any club for that matter – at this age would be a tough prospect for most players, Gabriel has already achieved plenty despite his tender age and his potential is clear to see. The Toon would do well to have him in their squad.

Last year’s beaten finalists Surrey are up and running in the Royal London Cup after easing to a six-wicket victory over Sussex Sharks at Guildford

ECB Reporters Network14-Jun-2016
ScorecardLast year’s beaten finalists Surrey are up and running in the Royal London Cup after easing to a six-wicket victory over Sussex Sharks at Guildford.On a fast-scoring ground, a Duckworth-Lewis target of 235 in 43 overs always looked attainable, although Surrey briefly wobbled when they lost three wickets for six runs in 11 balls.But from 99 for 4 the innings was rebuilt by Rory Burns and Ben Foakes, who put on an unbroken 136 in 18.3 overs, although Burns rode his luck early in his innings when he was twice dropped by Ajmal Shahzad, once off his own bowling and then at mid-off, before he reached 30.Burns prospered thereafter and finished on 70 not out (59 balls) with five fours and two sixes, one of which landed in the road next to the ground. Foakes was undefeated on 61 from 60 deliveries (9 fours) as victory came in the 34th over.Sussex had been bowled out for 239 with nine balls unused after their innings was reduced to 45 overs following an hour-long stoppage because of morning rain.The Sharks, who had claimed their first win in the competition against Middlesex on Sunday, lost Chris Nash (0) to the third ball when he was squared up by Tom Curran and Ed Joyce (21), who was caught low down at second slip off Ravi Rampaul, having just hit the West Indian for successive fours and a six.Phil Salt (21) spooned a catch to mid-on in Stuart Meaker’s first over and Meaker struck again to end a promising innings by Harry Finch (31), who fatally chased width and was caught at slip.Sussex lost their fifth wicket in the 22nd over when Ben Brown (10) was smartly stumped by Foakes aiming to hit Zafar Ansari through leg, but from an unpromising 100 for 5 the innings revived thanks to two partnerships involving Chris Jordan.Both he and skipper Luke Wright struck the ball cleanly as they put on 69 in 11 overs before Wright was athletically held by the diving Jason Roy at point for 42. Jordan was then joined by South African David Wiese, who was making his competition debut as replacement overseas player for the injured Ross Taylor.Wiese is regarded as a bowler, but he struck the ball impressively while Jordan was moving to his maiden List A half-century. The England international hit six boundaries in his 55 from 60 balls only for his innings to end in a tame clip to midwicket off Matt Pillans.Kumar Sangakkara took a juggling catch on the midwicket boundary to remove Wiese for 41 off 31 balls (6 fours, 1 six) as Sussex’s last three wickets fell in 11 balls for the addition of just nine runs, Rampaul finishing with 4 for 47.Jason Roy and Steven Davies launched Surrey’s response with 65 in nine overs either side of a rain stoppage before Roy (32) was held on the mid-wicket boundary in George Garton’s first over.Shahzad bowled Kumar Sangakkara (20) off an inside edge and had Ansari caught behind for a duck the ball after Garton had picked up his second wicket when Davies (36) holed out to deep mid-wicket. But it was plain sailing for Surrey thereafter as Burns and Foakes posted a new fifth-wicket record against Sussex in List A games, beating the 89 between Graham Thorpe and Adam Hollioake at Horsham in 1995.

BCB president Nazmul Hassan has said that Bangladesh was the only country to oppose the proposed two-tier Test structure when it was discussed in the chief executive’s committee (CEC) meeting last week during the ICC’s annual conference in Edinburgh. He said a decision on the matter was likely to come down to a vote by the Full Members, adding that it wouldn’t be “easy” to have it passed in the ICC.”Bangladesh was the only country to oppose this idea in the [CEC] meeting, where we explained our position,” Hassan said. “But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who has opposed it and who hasn’t. The decision will be taken through a vote, so if one or two do not vote, it doesn’t really matter. But I don’t think it will be easy get this passed at the ICC. The issue isn’t so [simple]. It is a tough process.”BCB vice-president Mahbubul Anam, and directors Ahmed Sajjadul Alam and Tanjil Chowdhury, had said last month that they were against such a system being implemented in Test cricket. Should it be implemented, Bangladesh, who are ranked ninth, are likely to slip into Division Two of Test cricket.According to the ICC’s press release at the end of the annual conference, members were updated on the progress being made on the two-tier idea during the CEC meeting. It was proposed that a workshop be scheduled in early September in Dubai, to facilitate discussion between members on this project and to work through some of the details.ICC chief executive David Richardson said that the new structure would make the game more competitive. “This is an unprecedented opportunity for our sport to introduce … structures which are merit and performance based, have context, enhance the value of bilateral cricket, and create a highly competitive environment for cricketers.”This is a complex issue on many levels, but I am heartened by the progress that has been made to date and during these meetings.”

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag appears to be intent on raiding his former club Ajax once again this summer, amid reports that the Dutchman is eyeing a reunion with Mexican maestro, Edson Alvarez.

What's the latest on Alvarez to Man United?

As per a recent report from Spain, the 25-year-old appears to be a top target for the Red Devils ahead of the summer transfer window, with the piece suggesting that the former Club America man is viewed as Ten Hag's 'favourite' option to bolster the midfield ranks.

The report goes on to add that the Old Trafford outfit would be willing to fork out around €50m (£43m) in order prise the 6 foot 2 ace from the Eredivisie giants, with a new midfield recruit seemingly a top priority for the Premier League side ahead of next season.

Ten Hag has, of course, already utiltised his Amsterdam connections to bring in both Antony and Lisandro Martinez from his previous employers last summer, with it looking as if the 53-year-old will again try and tempt one of his former assets into making the move to England.

How could Alvarez's arrival impact Man United?

As a defensive midfielder by trade – as well as a potential centre-back option – Alvarez would likely prove to be a useful alternative to Casemiro in front of the back four, as well as representing a possible partner for the influential Brazilian in the starting lineup.

The signing of the highly-rated "monster", as hailed by The Athletic's Felipe Cardenas, could well then prove to be bad news for current United man, Scott McTominay, with the Scotland international having typically been the figure to step in for Casemiro on occasion this season.

With rumours already rife that the 26-year-old could be on his way this summer, the addition of the Ajax ace could prove the final nail in the coffin for the academy graduate's Old Trafford career, having previously been described as "not good enough" by club legend, Roy Keane.

The differing quality between both Alvarez and McTominay is shown by their contrasting fortunes so far this season, with the latter man having recorded an underwhelming average match rating of just 6.72, as per Sofascore, from only ten top-flight starts, while the former has a standout average match rating of 7.27 from 28 league starts.

In that time, the Mexico international has illustrated his superior ball-winning quality after averaging 2.3 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game, while McTominay, by contrast, has averaged just 1.5 and 0.6 for the same two metrics, respectively.

It is also Alvarez who appears to possess the greater ability in possession having averaged 7.78 progressive passes and 2.54 progressive carries per 90 across the last 365 days, as per FBref, while the Red Devils dud has averaged just 2.66 progressive passes and only 1.33 progressive carries in that time.

Equally, the 62-cap titan also appears to provide a superior threat in an attacking sense having contributed three goals and three assists in the league this season, while McTominay has just one goal involvement in the Premier League thus far.

With suitors already lining up for the latter man – including both Newcastle United and West Ham United – the arrival of Alvarez could well help to hasten his exit from the Theatre of Dreams.

Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek is a "top target" for AC Milan this summer, according to an update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Is Loftus-Cheek set to leave Chelsea?

The Blues have had an awful season in the Premier League and are now guaranteed to finish in the bottom half, which seemed unthinkable back in August when pre-season predictions were made. They have had three different managers throughout the campaign, with performances and results nowhere near good enough.

Too many players have also slipped well below their usual level and one player who has struggled to play a pivotal role is Loftus-Cheek, who has found regular minutes difficult to come by. He has only started 18 of Chelsea's league games and it has become increasingly clear that his future could lie away from Stamford Bridge.

The £120,000-a-week midfielder's current deal expires at the end of next season, meaning the 27-year-old would be able to leave the Blues on a free transfer in 2024. That is something the club likely won't want to happen and would rather receive a fee for him in the coming months.

Could Loftus-Cheek join Milan?

Taking to Twitter, Romano offered the latest update on his future, revealing that Milan are working hard on a deal to sign Loftus-Cheek this summer, seeing him as a "top target":

"Talks continue behind the scenes for Ruben Loftus-Cheek to AC Milan. He’s top target for Milan, as revealed last week. Chelsea and Milan are discussing about the fee for permanent deal, no way for loan. RLC, keen on Serie A move."

This feels like the right time for Loftus-Cheek to move on, and Milan could be ideal for him, with a move allowing him to test himself in a different league. It has worked out well for Fikayo Tomori, who left Chelsea permanently to join the Serie A giants, which is something the 10-cap England international could take inspiration from.

With Mauricio Pochettino coming in, he is sure to want to bring in his own players and get rid of the deadwood, and unless he sees Loftus-Cheek as a key figure all of a sudden, offering him an extension on his current contract makes little sense.

He has been a solid servant for Chelsea and was previously called "fantastic" by Rio Ferdinand, but now is the time for him to test himself elsewhere, with a move away from west London making sense for all parties.

David Warner has emphasised the need to be patient in order to be successful in slow and low subcontinent conditions

Daniel Brettig in Pallekele24-Jul-2016

David Warner, patient? In Sri Lanka, he knows he needs to be. Almost two years since his last Test hundred overseas, Warner is emphasising long innings and strike rotation as the keys to Australia’s success in Sri Lanka, and also in India next year.Not since a century in the first Test against Pakistan in Dubai in October 2014 has Warner topped three figures away from home ports, scoring minimally in the West Indies last year and then squandering plenty of starts in the Ashes as he tried to adapt his game. While conscious of not losing his natural attacking instincts, Warner said there would need to be more nuance to the way the Australia’s top order confronts Sri Lanka’s spin bowlers in particular.”The challenge for us is about batting long periods of time,” Warner said in Pallekele. “We know that’s what wins games in these conditions. You’ve got to be able to bat well into the next day and that’s the focus for us. It’s about adapting to these conditions, adapting to the things that are thrown at us and we have to take those challenges. It’s not about challenging specific bowlers. There are times in games when you might need to apply some pressure.”You’ve got to be patient enough. You’ve got to rotate the strike. Your patience comes with hitting your four-balls, your boundary balls. They’re the ones you’ve got to really wait on. That’s what we’re talking about with patience in this game, especially over here. You’ve got to bite the bullet.”[Rotating the strike] is the key, especially with a right-hand, left-hand combination, to try to mix it up a bit with the bowlers. These days a lot of teams either have a left-arm orthodox [spinner] or a right-arm offie. You’ve always got to try to rotate the strike and that’s the most important thing when it comes to playing spin or playing fast bowlers as well. Try to put the bowlers off a little bit.”Asked about his lack of hundreds away from home in recent times, Warner said he would be trying to balance attack and defence. “I always try my best,” he said. “If I have to bat for a day or a day-and-a-half, I go out there and I try to do that. But the element of my game is to try to score runs. I try to apply pressure on the bowlers and that has always been my game plan. That’s what I always set out to do and I probably won’t change that. It has been a while since I’ve scored a hundred outside the country. We’ve got to start well, bat long periods of time.”Tactically, Warner is expecting the series to be fought on an attritional basis at times, as the Australians try to adapt to a slower Asian Test match tempo while Sri Lanka set defensive fields and seek to prey on the visitors’ patience. “You’re going to have to be prepared for some boring fields. Both teams are going to use that,” he said. “You’re going to have your sweepers out there, especially for the spinners. You are going to have your fielders in the deep, so you have to be prepared to get your runs in ones and twos.”Whoever is the fittest team will probably win the games. It can be like that in these conditions. Unless you’re going to blast them out of the park with the bat or your quicks somehow manage to go through them on low tracks, it is going to be a big grind. It is going to be a big grind. That’s where the spinners play a big role.”Warner believes the IPL experience has helped him approach spin better•BCCI

Warner excelled as a captain earlier this year when he led Sunrisers Hyderabad to their first IPL title. As deputy to Steven Smith for Australia, he is looking to provide an example to players further down the order, making use of the Indian experience he has gleaned over the past decade. Tellingly, he said that practice pitches were often more useful than the strips used for matches.”Times have changed. It’s a bit different,” Warner said of how his methods against spin had evolved. “That’s the fortunate thing for us to go over and play IPL. I’ve been over for eight years, nine years in a row now. It’s the experience you gain from training on the wickets there, you can actually use that to your advantage. Yes it’s a white ball, but still the conditions and the surfaces, once they deteriorate, get quite challenging.”In that form of the game, you have to try to score. So it gives you a bit of an advantage to actually, one, look to score but then improvise as well when you play Test cricket. The game’s about moving forward and we try to get on with the game and try to score. It gives you an advantage to look for those scoring options rather than just trying to survive. But then again, it does suit you in certain areas to get back in your crease and use your feet to survive as well.”Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe have trained with near-new balls in the nets at Pallakele, and Warner said there would be times when both sides throw the ball to the spinners early on. “A lot of teams have done that in the past in subcontinent conditions – we also saw that with Pakistan in the UAE,” he said.”I think the harder the ball, the more inconsistency with spin and variation and that’s probably the main thing that skippers like to use. Plus the bounce. I think you’ll see that more in the second innings of the game; in the first innings, you probably won’t see it too much unless we’re trying to dry up one end for both teams.”Warner is entering the series with a fractured finger in the final stages of healing after he broke it during the ODI series in the West Indies. This is added to the thumb he has broken more than once, meaning he needs special reinforcement in his gloves and can expect to be dealing with pain when he bats and also, at times, in the field. Usman Khawaja has been practising to field in the slips, but Warner will be closer to the bat for the spinners, either at leg slip or second slip.”It’s going well at the moment. A couple of times when I’ve hit on the toe [of the bat] it’s been a bit painful,” Warner said. “I’ve experienced that before with the thumb but just with the game moving forward I’ll do the same thing I did with the thumb – put a guard over the top that’s underneath the glove and has a bit of silicon feel to it and stops a bit of vibration. But I should be ready to go.”

Liverpool are keen on completing a deal to bring Paris Saint-Germain defender El Chadaille Bitshiabu to the Premier League, according to reports.

Who is El Chadaille Bitshiabu?

The Frenchman is an academy graduate at the Parc des Princes having worked his way up through the various youth ranks to eventually get promoted to the first-team last summer, and he’s already made 16 senior appearances so far this season.

However, the 17-year-old’s contract is set to expire at the end of next season meaning that the upcoming window will be Christophe Galtier’s side’s final big opportunity to cash in should they not want to extend his stay further.

Top-flight rivals Leeds United and Fulham have both already been credited with an interest in the centre-back, but the teenager has since caught the eye of two more potential suitors in the division, including Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.

According to Le10 Sport (via Empire Of The Kop), Liverpool are “interested” in securing the services of Bitshiabu ahead of the 2023/24 term. The Merseyside outfit, alongside Manchester United, have also now joined the race, with the duo individually expressing a “strong” admiration in “recent days”.

Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly yet made “no decision” regarding his future in Ligue 1, but the fact that he’s recently changed his agent to Jorge Mendes and Gestifute could give the Reds an advantage with Fabinho, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez also represented by the same company.

Where would Bitshiabu fit in at Liverpool?

Football Insider have reported that Liverpool are open to offers for Joel Matip and Nat Phillips this summer so should one or both of the pair depart, Klopp will need backline reinforcements before the new season kicks off, and that's exactly where Bitshiabu would slot in.

The 6 foot 5 colossus has won 70 per cent of his tackles so far this campaign and has a 91.6% league pass success rate so is extremely comfortable and composed both on the ball and off it, but can also use his height to his advantage at the opposite end of the pitch.

Bitshiabu, who has the versatility to operate at left-back alongside his natural centre-back position, has been hailed a "huge talent" by football scout Jacek Kulig and he wouldn't be a massive earner to have on the books as he only currently pockets £8.9k-per-week, so he would be a relatively cheap and exciting prospect for the long-term future at Anfield.

Burnley want to sign thrilling forward Nathan Tella on a permanent deal following his explosive loan stay.

Tella has been one of the most entertaining players in the Championship this season, scoring 19 goals for Vincent Kompany's side.

The 23-year-old has been a crucial part of the side that has booked its place in the 2023/24 Premier League and Burnley now want to hold onto him.

What's the latest Nathan Tella transfer update?

According to talkSPORT, Burnley want to sign Tella permanently following his succesful loan spell. He spent this season on loan with the Clarets but with Burnley heading for the Premier League, they will now look at signing him full-time.

Tella shares the same agency, CAA Stellar, as Josh Cullen and Johann Gudmundsson, which could make negotiating a bit more straightforward for Kompany's side.

Is Tella ready for the Premier League?

Described by Kompany as a "raw diamond", Tella may not yet be the finished product but the forward has all the tools needed to become one of the Premier League's most exciting players.

Kompany said: "I still call him a raw diamond. As you can see, he is still progressing. He has been doing really well and before anything else, I must mention his effort. It's so important to point that out.

"He has goalscoring ability but many with that ability don't put the work in for the team but he does. He has all the tools and helps us in so many ways, not just goalscoring."

Burnley will return to the top flight next season and will be hoping to translate their exciting free-flowing football to the Premier League. In the Championship this season, Burnley have scored 87 goals despite conceding just 35.

Tella scored 17 of those himself but his goalscoring is not what will make him thrive in the top flight but rather his pace, direct style of play and inventive dribbling should see him become a huge problem for defenders.

Work ethic is also a huge part of his game and is very often what sets forwards apart from others. With the modern game becoming evermore tactical, the small margins that players can create by outrunning others can be decisive.

The likes of Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool are examples of how important hard-working players are to managers at the top level.

Tom Poynton, the Derbyshire wicketkeeper, has announced his retirement from the game aged 26

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Jul-2016Tom Poynton, the Derbyshire wicketkeeper, has announced his retirement from the game aged 26. Poynton was involved in a car crash in 2014 – in which his father was killed – and the ankle injury he sustained has continued to cause problems, prompting his decision to quit.Until last month, Poynton had been involved in every game for Derbyshire this season. However, the ankle flared up again and is expected to require further surgery, with Poynton deciding it will no longer hold up to the rigours of playing professionally.”It’s been a really difficult decision to retire from the game I love, but the medical diagnosis and advice means I know that it’s the right decision,” Poynton said. “I’m grateful to everyone in the Derbyshire cricket family and further afield who have helped me during my career, both on and off the field.”I’ve loved playing for Derbyshire, a club I’ve been associated with for over 10 years, and I’m sad to leave. I now need to focus on the next stage of my life after cricket. There’s a few opportunities that I’m going to pursue and I’m excited about what lies ahead.”Poynton came through Derbyshire’s academy, representing England Under-19s and going on to play more than 100 matches for the county. He made his Derbyshire debut aged 17 and in 2012 was involved in the third-highest ninth-wicket partnership in first-class history, putting on 261 with Wayne Madsen and scoring his maiden hundred.In all, Poynton scored 1155 runs in first-class cricket, to go with 107 catches and 10 stumpings. While recovering from his injuries during the 2014 season, he worked in the club’s marketing department.Derbyshire’s chief executive, Simon Storey, said: “Tom is a model professional and leaves the club with a gap to fill on and off the field. He is a natural leader and fine cricketer who has overcome great personal tragedy in the process of representing his home county.”He has shown huge commitment and courage to get back playing first-class cricket at Derbyshire and on behalf of the whole club – members, sponsors, supporters and staff – we all wish Tom every success in the future.”