Everton are seen as the Premier League frontrunners to sign a “humble” ex-Liverpool player in January, in what could be a controversial signing.

Everton manager & transfer news

It has been another underwhelming season at Goodison Park to date, with the Merseysiders sitting 16th in the table and playing some fairly forgettable football under Sean Dyche.

For now, the current Everton manager just about looks safe in his role, but a recent report has claimed that Dan Friedkin is eyeing a manager who plays a different style of football in the long-term future, suggesting that time isn’t on the current boss’ side.

New signings are needed for the Blues, in terms of adding squad depth and quality for Dyche, and young Ajax striker Brian Brobbey has been linked with a move to Goodison. The 22-year-old has three assists in as many Europa League appearances this season, as well as scoring once in the competition.

Meanwhile, Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante is also reportedly seen as a target for Everton, with the 29-year-old starting 10 Serie A games in 2024/25 to date and possessing a huge amount of experience in the middle of the park.

Everton leading Premier League race to sign "humble" midfielder

According to Tuttosport [via Sport Witness], Everton are well-positioned to complete the signing of Arther Melo from Juventus in the January transfer window.

The Blues are described in the report as the “most concrete possibility” among Premier League clubs currently, with his agents working hard on securing a move away from his current club. Marseille are also mentioned as suitors, with manager Roberto De Zerbi an admirer of the 28-year-old.

The signing of Arthur would immediately catch the eye at Everton because he spent a spell at rivals Liverpool recently, being drafted in to help deal with their injury problems during the 2022/23 season.

The Brazilian ended up making just one solitary appearance for them, however, and not playing once in the league, Despite this, he still received praise from former Reds youngster Charlie Hayes-Green, who said of him:

“He was really good, a proper professional. Before the game, it was a fantastic opportunity for me to be around players who have played in such big games. He’s obviously played for Juventus, Barcelona and huge teams with huge players, being around him and how he did things was so professional. He came down, was humble, spoke to all of us and helped us in the changing room and throughout the game so it was a good experience.”

This all points towards Arthur being an astute signing by Everton, and while some could be concerned about the manner in which his career has halted a little in recent years, he has proven pedigree.

Friedkin and Everton willing to spend £40m+ to sign new forward for Dyche

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ByBarney Lane Nov 21, 2024

The Juventus man has won 22 caps for Brazil, which is no mean feat, as well as playing for Barcelona in the past, and at 28, he is still far from an old player. The idea of regular time could appeal to him, so it may well be a match made in heaven.

Allrounder has represented South Africa in red and white-ball cricket

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Jan-2022

George Linde appeals•AFP/Getty Images

George Linde, the South African allrounder, will join Kent on a two-year deal.Linde, 30, has represented South Africa in all formats, taking four wickets on Test debut before recording his Test-best figures of 5-64 against Pakistan last February, the last of his three Test appearances.South Africa’s domestic four-day cricketer of the year for 2021, Linde took 23 wickets with his left-arm orthodox spin at 20.95, and scored 322 runs at 46.00 in five CSA four-day domestic series matches for Cape Cobras. He has also played 100 T20 matches in his career, scoring 904 runs at a strike rate of 138.43 and taking 105 wickets at 22.93, with an economy rate of 7.3.”This is an exciting opportunity for me to play county cricket for the first time in my career,” said Linde, who will be available to play all formats for Kent. “I’m really looking forward to wearing the Kent shirt with pride and to make my own mark on this club’s history.”Paul Downton, Kent’s Director of Cricket, said: “We are delighted to have signed a player of George’s calibre for the coming two seasons.”We have long identified the need for an experienced, high quality spin bowler to balance our side in all formats, and the fact that George is an accomplished left-handed middle-order batter makes his addition to the squad even more exciting.”His first-class record is excellent with 211 wickets at 24.00 and 2287 runs at 30.00 in 58 matches – his white ball performances have also been just as impressive. We believe that George will make us a more competitive side as we aim to compete on all fronts next season.”

No one foresaw this. Even the most optimistic of Liverpool supporters wouldn’t have dreamed up a world where Arne Slot basked in an eight-point lead in the Premier League heading into December.

December 1st marks quite the date: Liverpool host Manchester City in the league as Pep Guardiola seeks to stop the rot that has sent his season into a tailspin.

Early days. Early days. Liverpool are champions elect after climbing back to beat Southampton? More fool the fan who is subscribed to that notion.

There are plenty of twists and turns left as Liverpool move through this crooked season, and a Citizen victory by the River Mersey would change the narrative with the swiftness of a Redmen counter-attack.

Liverpool do look good though, it must be said. Even when the parts don’t combine to the most rip-roaring effect, Slot’s squad still find a way. Of course, with Mohamed Salah at the spearhead, such things are child’s play.

Mohamed Salah's talismanic season

Salah’s days on Merseyside might be numbered, but he’s not letting that affect his performances for Liverpool this season. In fact, the Egyptian sensation is supercharged by a sense of urgency that perhaps speaks of a man on borrowed time.

That’s a downcast thought that would be fit for the conditions that Slot’s side faced at the St. Mary’s Stadium. The thing is, though, this is a team with a moveless mindset. Salah’s brace turned the game on its head and Liverpool are now eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.

We’ve met too many false dawns to get excited yet – after all, Manchester City journey to Anfield next weekend. Salah said post-match that “hopefully we can beat City,” and he’s certain to be confident after his performance on the South Coast.

The 32-year-old’s two late goals negated Southampton’s fine work in turning the game on its head, with his effort now leaving him with ten goals and six assists across 12 Premier League matches. Salah’s consistency on English shores is frankly absurd and he is undisputedly one of the finest players to have graced the division.

Most PL Goal Involvements (Single Side)

Rank

Player

Club

G/A

1.

Wayne Rooney

Man United

276

2.

Ryan Giggs

Man United

271

3.

Harry Kane

Tottenham

259

4.

Thierry Henry

Arsenal

249

5.

Mohamed Salah

Liverpool

239

Stats via Squawka

Salah wasn’t the only one to produce an emphatic display though, with Dominik Szoboszlai opening the scoring and putting in a high-class performance that might just leave him undroppable going forward.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast's Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

Expand Collapse Why Dominik Szoboszlai is now undroppable

Admittedly, Szoboszlai can be frustrating to watch sometimes. Do more, we cry. Please, channel that energy and electricity into something prolific and potent and all the rest.

His “sublime” finish against Southampton, as Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher put it, proved that he can produce those moments of genuine quality to illuminate his name on the big board, but it’s perhaps important to dig deeper into the underlying data and understand that the attacking midfielder is quietly becoming one of Liverpool’s most important players.

Having been benched in two of the previous three top-flight outings, this was a welcome return to form and something that the Hungary captain will feel he can use as a springboard to more positive noise.

Journalist Bence Bocsak hailed the 23-year-old’s “brilliant performance” and rightly so. As per Sofascore, he notably completed 100% (2/2) of his dribbles, made three key passes and won six of his eight contested ground duels.

That duel success is particularly interesting, a step up from his campaign average of 2.2 per game. It’s the tactical dimension that would speak volumes to Slot, proving to him that Szoboszlai is deserving of an unmoving starting berth in Liverpool’s Premier League line-up.

He also made four tackles, four ball recoveries, and completed all four of his long balls, showcasing a technical range that indeed compelled Jurgen Klopp and Jorg Schmadtke to fork out £60m for the RB Leipzig talent’s transfer in the dog days of 2023.

The Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle awarded Szoboszlai with an 8/10 match score – the same as Salah – and wrote: ‘Led the Liverpool press, used ball well, had some shots and curled in a fine finish for the opening goal. Energy and work-rate made such a difference.’

It’s important to note that Szoboszlai’s athleticism could be a decisive factor against Guardiola’s beleaguered outfit next week, with Tottenham Hotspur’s Dejan Kulusevski – a player of similarly indefatigable energy and powerful dribbling – running roughshod over the Sky Blues’ defences on Saturday.

The Swede claimed an assist but more importantly, succeeded with all four of his dribbles and won each of his six contested ground duels, as per Sofascore, which pertains to Szoboszlai’s potential continuation of form next weekend given he has the quality, and demonstrated as such against Saints, to adopt that blueprint.

Szoboszlai’s ball-carrying and -playing skills have been discernible from the get-go at Anfield, but fluency in crucial moments has been choppy across the past 15 months.

To be sure, there’s more in the attacking midfielder’s locker, but if he performs as he did against Southampton going forward, there’s no way that Slot will want to demote him to the bench, for his energy and impact on the other forwards is so important.

Salah, for example, is an extraordinary forward, but his life is made easier by Szoboszlai’s movements and they will be called into play once again next.

Liverpool are flying, but there’s so much football still to be played. The quality of a player like Szoboszlai ensures that even when not flourishing, three points can still be secured.

Related Saved by Salah: Slot must drop 4/10 Liverpool star 'who did nothing'

Liverpool were made to work hard for their win over Southampton on Sunday afternoon.

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يخوض فريق الكرة بـ الأهلي مباراة قوية أمام منافسه الهلال السوادني، اليوم الثلاثاء، في المواجهة التي تجمع بينهما ضمن منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

طالع | الأهلي يخطف فوزًا صعبًا من الهلال السوداني في ذهاب ربع نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا (فيديو)

وتقام المباراة بين الأهلي ونظيره الهلال السوداني على أرضية استاد القاهرة، في إطار لقاءات دور ربع النهائي من دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

طالع | الأهلي يتقدم بطلب إلى اتحاد الكرة بشأن مباراته أمام بيراميدز في الدوري

والتقى الأهلي مع الهلال السوادني في 12 مباراة خلال 6 لقاءات في تاريخ مواجهتهما جمعيها في بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، فاز الأهلي في 5 مباريات وفاز الهلال في 3 مناسبات وتعادل الفريقان في 4 لقاءات، أحرز لاعبو الأهلي أحد عشر هدفاً وتلقت شباكه سبعة أهداف.

ويلتقي الفائز من مباراة الأهلي والهلال مع الفائز من لقاء صن داونز الجنوب إفريقي أمام الترجي التونسي في نصف النهائي بدوري أبطال إفريقيا. موعد مباراة الأهلي والهلال السوداني اليوم في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

وتنطلق مباراة الأهلي أمام الهلال السوداني، الثلاثاء 1 أبريل 2025، في تمام الساعة 9:00 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، 10:00 بتوقيت السعودية. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة الأهلي والهلال السوداني اليوم في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

وتنقل مباراة الأهلي أمام منافسه الهلال السوداني، في دوري أبطال إفريقيا عبر قناة beIN Sports 6، وقناة تايم سبورت الأرضية. معلق مباراة الأهلي والهلال في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

وقررت شبكة قنوات “بي ان سبورت” تعيين الجزائري حفيظ دراجي للتعليق على أحداث مباراة الأهلي والهلال السوداني في موقعة الذهاب.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

MatériaMais Notícias

O São Paulo empatou com a Inter de Limeira nesta quinta-feira (17), no Estádio do Morumbi, com um placar de 0 a 0. Ainda estabelecendo um rodízio de jogadores no elenco, Rogério Ceni ressaltou, durante coletiva pós-jogo, que seu foco segue sendo chegar as quartas de final do Campeonato Paulista 2022.

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O treinador do Tricolor Paulista falou novamente durante a entrevista coletiva que vai seguir adotando o sistema de rodízio de jogadores durante a temporada, buscando preservar a integridade do elenco e garantir com que não ocorra lesões por desgaste excessivo.

-Se eu colocar os onze jogadores que jogaram hoje e os mesmos onze jogarem no domingo, os mesmos que forem jogar na quinta-feira, você pode ter certeza que teremos lesões, jogadores que vão abaixar na questão do rendimento. As trocas não são feitas só por experiência. Lógico que eu sei que nós temos três laterais esquerdos e nós temos que escolher o jogador para cada jogo, eu escolho o jogador para podermos ter mais condicionamento físico, considerando que começamos a temporada a pouco tempo atrás e com um grande número de jogos – disse.

Rogério Ceni enfatizou que isso não é motivo para abdicar do Paulistão 2022. De acordo com falas do treinador, o São Paulo tem a obrigação de se classificar para a fase de mata-mata da competição, independente do elenco que estiver atuando.

– Independente de quem jogue, nós temos que ir para a próxima fase. Com todo o respeito aos nossos adversários do grupo, mas independente do time que a gente escolha, dos onze que a gente escolha para iniciar um jogo, o São Paulo tem condições de ir a próxima fase, deve ir a próxima fase. É uma obrigação a gente ir a próxima fase – disse.

+ Veja tabela do Paulistão 2022 e simule os próximos jogos

De acordo com Ceni, o Tricolor Paulista tem condição de avançar para as quartas finais e que esse deve ser o maior foco agora. Conforme sua fala, somente quando iniciarem os jogos de Copa do Brasil e Sul-Americana, poderá pensar em outros detalhes.

– Eu não vou abrir mão do Paulista, não vou abrir mão de classificar em detrimento a ter um time. Eu acho que nós temos obrigação e capacidade de levar o São Paulo as quartas de final, começar os jogos de mata-mata e assim tomar decisões, porque vem Copa do Brasil, começa a Sul-Americana, mas nós temos obrigação independente do time que for escalado – afirmou.

O São Paulo volta a campo no próximo domingo (20) contra o Santos, às 18h30, no Estádio da Vila Belmiro.

West Indies lost Chedean Nation and Stafanie Taylor to on-field injuries during the third ODI against South Africa, who won the fixture by 96 runs. The four-match series is level at 1-1, with one game to play.Nation was stretchered off the field in the 40th over of the South African innings after tumbling while trying to stop a Mignon du Preez boundary. She was at midwicket as du Preez swiped, Nation ran in, slipped and fell head over heels. She was unmoved as the ball crossed the boundary and required 12 minutes of on-field treatment before being taken off.Earlier, in the 36th over, Nation had jammed her shoulder into the ground as she attempted to stop the ball and though she appeared to recover quite quickly, it may have been the initial blow which forced her off the field. She was taken to hospital “out of an abundance of caution”, according to the West Indies media manager.A little more than 90 minutes later, Taylor copped a blow to the helmet off a Nadine de Klerk bouncer. That was at the end of the 13th over and by the first ball of the 14th, Taylor, at the non-striker’s end, stood hunched over with her hands on her knees, shaking her head. She faced another delivery, took a single and then decided she could not continue. She received on-field assistance but walked off the field, pointing to her neck. Taylor was found to be concussed, and eventually replaced for the remainder of the game by Aaliyah Alleyne.South Africa posted their highest total against West Indies in a bid to level the series. Laura Wolvaardt scored her third ODI century and first against a top-eight rated team and shared in a 141-run third-wicket stand with Sune Luus to set South Africa up for their highest total against West Indies.”I felt like I wasn’t getting great starts,” Wolvaardt told the television broadcast after her innings. Her previous three knocks have not progressed past 25. “We focused on building a partnership that took up a lot of time and faced a lot of overs. It’s very nice to see what we can do if we actually do what we are supposed to and get it right.”Luus contributed 56 but the innings’ impetus came from Chloe Tyron, who smashed a 24-ball 43 to put South Africa in touching distance of 300. With South Africa scoring at a shade under six an over, Shakera Selman’s return of 0 for 39 in 10 was the most miserly of the bowling. Shamilia Connell, who conceded only 54 runs in her 10, finished with four wickets.The South Africa innings ended a ball short due to an umpiring error, which denied them the opportunity to bring up only their third total over 300. Still, it was too much for West Indies who started the innings without Nation and lost soon Taylor. By then, the series’ leading wicket-taker, Ayabonga Khaka, had removed both openers in her first two overs, making use of swing through the air on a humid Johannesburg evening.Kycia Knight’s 69 kept West Indies in the hunt but she holed out to long-on to become offspinner Raisibe Ntozakhe’s first victim since making her ODI comeback in this match. Ntozakhe was cleared to bowl again in September last year after being reported for a suspect action in September 2018. She finished with 1 for 53.Shabnim Ismail took two wickets in two balls to leave West Indies 170 for 7 in the 37th over. Alleyne batted to the end but was left with too much to do. With Nation unable to bat, South Africa only needed nine wickets and took them before West Indies had faced their full quota of overs.The series finale will be played on Sunday at the same venue, the Wanderers. South Africa will wear an all-black kit to show their support for victims of gender-based violence and West Indies will wear black armbands for the same cause.

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea are currently two for two in the UEFA Conference League, having beaten Gent 4-2 in the opening fixture, and Panathinaikos 4-1 in the second fixture.

This leaves the Blues top of the Conference League table on six points, scoring eight goals and conceding three. Chelsea take on FC Noah in the third clash, who have won one and lost one, leaving them on three points in 18th place.

One man who is likely to start, and who has been playing well in this competition for the Blues so far, is Ukrainian superstar, Mykhailo Mudryk.

Mykhailo Mudryk's form

Mudryk joined Chelsea in the 2022/23 January transfer window, joining from Shakhtar Donetsk for a fee of around £88.5m, some of which is add-ons.

Since joining, the 23-year-old has made 70 appearances for the Blues, scoring eight goals, providing nine assists, and totalling 3,411 minutes played.

The Ukrainian speedster hasn’t lived up to the price tag and potential thus far, but under Maresca, the winger is starting to find himself in better positions to thrive and get the best of his skillset.

So far this season, Mudryk has made 12 appearances, scoring one goal, and providing five assists in 648 minutes played.

Being isolated in 1v1 scenarios out wide with opposition full-backs, having runners in the halfspaces for him to pick out with his clever passing, and having that extra coaching detail to attack the back post in the box, and get himself goals in this fashion, have all seen improvements for Mudryk.

But there is another change Maresca could make ahead of the Noah game in order to get the very best from the mega-money signing.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

How Chelsea can improve Mudryk further

Described as having “pure quality” by Jacek Kulig, Enzo Fernández could be unleashed in a deeper role against Noah, replacing Moises Caicedo and Roméo Lavia.

The 23-year-old thrives in this deeper role, being able to use his expansive passing range, pick out his teammates, and kickstart attacks from deep zones.

By putting Mudryk on the left, and continuing to add the extra coaching details for the Ukrainian to make runs in behind and attack the box, both players could benefit, allowing Fernandez the opportunity to play those longer balls in behind, and the Ukraine international the chance to stretch his legs and show off his electric pace.

The midfielder has made 75 appearances for the Blues since joining in that same 2022/23 January transfer window as Mudryk, scoring seven goals, providing six assists, and totalling 5,823 minutes played.

But in recent weeks, the Argentina international has found himself on the bench, with Caicedo and Lavia forming a more physical midfield duo, providing Chelsea with that little bit more defensive balance out of possession. Maresca even said the only reason Fernandez finds himself on the bench currently, is because he prefers the “physicality” of his other two battling midfielders. As a result, he’s been linked with a possible exit in the direction of Barcelona.

So what do Caicedo and Lavia bring to the team that Maresca values and what can Fernandez bring that is different to them?

Caicedo & Lavia compared to Fernandez

Caicedo joined the club for around £115m from Brighton in August 2023. Since then, the 23-year-old has made 60 appearances for the club, scoring two goals and posting six assists.

Lavia also joined the club in August 2023, signing for a fee of around £58m from Southampton. The 20-year-old had a tough first year in London, suffering from multiple big injuries, the biggest being a hamstring problem which kept him out for 28 games. Therefore, Lavia has only made seven appearances for the Blues.

Caicedo vs Lavia vs Fernandez
Stats (per 90 mins)	Caicedo	Lavia	Fernandez
Goals	0.10	0.00	0.00
Assists	0.20	0.33	0.00
xAG	0.16	0.17	0.15
Progressive Carries	0.92	0.67	1.10
Progressive Passes	5.10	3.33	5.21
Shots Total	0.61	0.00	0.84
Key Passes	0.92	1.00	1.51
Passes into Final Third	5.51	5.33	5.48
Shot-Creating Actions	2.14	1.33	2.74
Tackles	3.57	3.33	2.60
Blocks	1.33	1.33	1.23
Interceptions	1.73	2.33	0.36
Stats taken from FBref

Instantly, the defensive actions stand out when analysing the trio’s metrics so far this season, with Caicedo and Lavia making more tackles, more blocks, and more interceptions per 90. Part of the reasoning for this is the deeper positions they are placed in (holding midfield) compared to Fernandez, who has often had to push slightly higher to help the team.

However, it is obvious Caicedo and Lavia are more physically able, covering ground, winning duels and recovering at pace. Fernandez, whilst not bad at duelling and winning tackles moving from side to side, his ability to get up and down the pitch quickly isn’t as good as the other two.

The metrics tell us that the South American does bring a more creative spark to the team, leading the trio in progressive carries, progressive passes, key passes, and shot-creating actions per 90 minutes. His ability to find line-breaking balls, and get the team into advantageous positions purely through his passing ability is a huge positive when he is in the team.

Maresca is often finding himself making the decisions for his midfield based on what the opposition can offer, with all three of Caicedo, Lavia and Fernandez starting against Manchester City on the opening day, for that extra level of control and solidity.

Whilst having one of these three on the bench isn’t what they will want, having three midfielders of this calibre is only a positive for the Chelsea boss, and across the entirety of the season, it is likely having this midfield quality and depth will play into their hands, allowing Maresca to make tactical tweaks at his own peril.

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Ethan Lamb

Nov 6, 2024

Roberto De Zerbi has praised Mason Greenwood's father for his part in the ex-Manchester United forward's strong form at Marseille.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Greenwood's father praised by De Zerbi
• Marseille forward performing for club this season
• Has been linked with move away

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Italian coach has encouraged the English forward to continue to perform and improve even more as a footballer. His start to life in south France had been lauded and he has scored 14 goals in 23 matches this season, but Greenwood's form and influence in games has dipped in recent weeks. De Zerbi insists this is merely a blip in form and has backed the attacker to turn his form around, in part thanks to the influence of his father.

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  WHAT DE ZERBI SAID

  As per , De Zerbi said: "He’s doing a good job, he shouldn’t rest on his laurels but should be striving for more.

  “He has both technical and moral qualities, he’s a smart lad. I speak to him every other day so we can always try and get the best out of him. He has the luck of having a very present father. He knows it. I talk with his dad every other day and we try to really help him progress and reach another level.”

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Greenwood's form has caught the eye of a number of clubs across Europe and, despite only being his debut season with the club, is already being linked with a move away from Marseille. Liverpool have emerged as shock candidates for his signature as they consider strengthening their attacking options, although whether they choose to make an offer for a Manchester United exile remains to be seen. The likes of Juventus, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have tracked his availability previously.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR GREENWOOD?

  Marseille have reportedly slapped a mammoth €75 million (£62m) price tag on the forward in a bid to ward off any potential suitors. The French club play on Sunday against Nantes and will look to strengthen their position in the Champions League qualification spots.

Australia’s attack shared the wickets around with Alana King impressing on debut

Andrew McGlashan28-Jan-2022Heather Knight almost single-handedly kept England afloat in Canberra with a magnificent century which frustrated Australia’s attempts to secure a big lead in their bid to retain the Ashes.England were in danger of not saving the follow-on when they lost their eighth wicket with 19 runs still needed, but Sophie Ecclestone stayed with Knight as she brought up her second Test hundred and then carried her team past the initial target of 188. The 127 that Knight closed on equaled Smriti Mandhana as the highest innings by a visiting female batter in Australia.To emphasise the domination of Knight’s performance, the next highest score in England’s innings was Ecclestone’s vital, unbeaten 27 at No. 10. The pair took advantage of the extra hardness of the second new ball and some weary bowlers with 37 runs coming off the last seven overs of the day. The ninth-wicket stand extended to 65 and took them through to the close with the opportunity to further eat into Australia’s lead. After two days, Knight had been on the field for all but 2.1 overs of the match.With bowling again removed as an option for Australia, the onus may come onto what size of target they want to set England although the visitors will hope to apply pressure with the ball. The forecast is not good for Saturday which may cut into the time available and Australia do not have the same urgency to win the Test given they hold the points lead in the series.It was a wonderfully-constructed hundred from Knight, whose previous Test century came at Wormsley in 2013 when England were in a similarly difficult position. Initially the innings was studded with superb cover drives, one which took her to her fifty, then her full array of sweeps were on show against the spinners. She also struck her first Test six when she sent Ashleigh Gardner over deep midwicket.Australia’s bowling success was shared around with the seamers getting the ball rolling, including maiden Test wickets for Darcie Brown and Annabel Sutherland, before the spinners started to chip in which included a first scalp for Alana King who sent down a long spell of well-controlled legspin during the afternoon and evening.Meg Lanning had declared when Australia lost their ninth wicket with them adding just 10 runs to their overnight total. Katherine Brunt claimed the two wickets, including a fantastic delivery to take the top of Sutherland’s off stump, which completed the third five-wicket haul of her career.Brown soon provided the breakthrough with her first Test wicket when she lured Lauren Winfield-Hill into a drive which was neatly held by Beth Mooney at second slip.Ellyse Perry, during a seven-over opening spell, then found a way past Tammy Beaumont as the tactics of targeting the pads paid off when a delivery nipped back to beat the inside edge and take the back leg. Beaumont reviewed but it was three reds.However, despite the two wickets Australia could have bowled better overall before lunch with the batters not made to play often enough. Brown operated with good pace but was too wide either side of claiming her wicket while Tahlia McGrath didn’t settle from either end across two spells and also had no-ball problems, of which she was not alone among the pace bowlers.But Australia continued to take key top-order wickets against an England line-up that had gone in a batter light compared to their previous Test against India last year. Sutherland found the inside edge of Nat Sciver early in the second session with a delivery that nipped back sharply to claim her first Test wicket and when Sophia Dunkley chopped against Perry it was 79 for 4.Knight continued to stand out, peppering the off side with a series of well-timed drives, to extend a fine record at Manuka Oval but struggled for support. Amy Jones had briefly offered a counterattack in a period that brought England four boundaries in six balls, but she then got a top edge against a short-of-a-length delivery and Brown took a running catch from mid-on.King’s first Test wicket came when she beat Brunt with a delivery that skidded on and she also found significant turn with her leg-break which suggested a big role to play if Australia are to force victory.Debutant Charlie Dean hung around for 40 balls alongside Knight before picking out deep midwicket the delivery after Rachael Haynes had almost managed to kick the ball up and take a parried chance at short leg. Anya Shrubsole played a poor stroke against the lightly-bowled Jess Jonassen, but there was no shifting the England captain in one of the great Ashes displays.

Glasgow Rangers looked a lot more solid in the heart of the pitch with a trio of Nicolas Raskin, Connor Barron and Mohamed Diomande deployed together against Olympiacos.

The former two sat at the base of the midfield, while Diomande was unleashed in a more advanced role, something that certainly suits his attributes.

Going forward, this should be the trio that Philippe Clement uses on a regular basis. They might not give the side many goals, but their strength as a unit will be vital heading into the next few weeks.

It isn’t just this trio who have been impressive recently, as Nedim Bajrami and Vaclav Cerny have both shone on their respective flanks.

Cerny has scored five and registered three assists in his previous six matches, including setting up Cyriel Dessers for the Light Blues equaliser on Thursday evening.

The signing of Bajrami has arguably been one of Clement’s finest pieces of transfer business during the summer, adding some much-needed dynamism in his attack.

Nedim Bajrami’s stats for Rangers this season

The Albanian joined from Italian side Sassuolo for a fee in the region of £3.4m as the summer window was entering its dying embers.

He scored for Albania against Italy at Euro 2024, taking just 23 seconds to open the scoring for his country, although they did go on to lose the tie.

A tally of just three goals and two assists was hardly spellbinding, but the attacking midfielder offers more than just goal contributions, that’s for sure.

Indeed, in Serie A last term, Bajrami ranked in the top 9% for crosses per 90 (5.36) while also ranking in the top 20% for goal-creating actions per 90 (0.41). Considering the quality of players operating in the Italian top flight last season, Bajrami’s stats across these metrics were impressive.

It has been in Europe where the Albanian has shone the brightest for the Ibrox side. Across four Europa League matches, the 25-year-old has created an impressive five big chances, averaged 2.8 key passes per game and succeeded with 3.3 dribbles per game – a success rate of 72% – which proves just how effective he has been on the continent.

Although his favoured position is through the middle as the number ten, due to injuries, Clement has utilised the former Sassuolo gem on the left flank. This positional swap has obviously been working wonders.

Goals

1

Assists

0

Big chances created

3

Key passes per game

1.3

Successful dribbles per game

2

Total shots per game

2.2

The more he plays, the better Bajrami will get, especially as he gets used to the rough and tumble nature of Scottish football. There is no doubt he will be a key asset for the Light Blues over the next few years.

He is one of the best players at Clement’s disposal right now. During the summer of 2023, however, the club had the chance to sign someone who is even better than the current Gers maestro – Malik Tillman.

Malik Tillman's record at Rangers

Giovanni Van Bronckhorst announced the loan signing of American starlet Malik Tillman in the summer of 2022, and it wouldn’t take long for him to make his mark.

Against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League qualifiers, the youngster set up Antonio Colak to score the winner in Eindhoven, which sent the Light Blues through to the money-spinning group stages for the first time in 12 years.

Across 40 matches for Rangers, Tillman scored 12 goals while chipping in with five assists, not a bad tally for someone who was a player in his maiden campaign at senior level. At times, he was raw, but it was evident just how talented the American was.

John Lundstram even lavished praise on the youngster following a game against Aberdeen, saying: “Tell him how good he can be and how good he is. Because he’s phenomenal, his talent is up there with one of the best young talents I’ve seen. Stick with him, rather than saying he needs to be dropped if he has one bad game.”

As part of his loan contract, the Gers had an option to buy the player for around £5m following the end of the 2022/23 campaign, but this agreement was cancelled by the Bavarian giants amid his excellent season.

Perhaps the Gers could have activated this clause earlier on in the season rather than wait until the end. Bayern knew they would be able to generate a bigger price from elsewhere, hence why the deal was cancelled.

In the end, Tillman joined PSV that summer on an initial loan deal, before signing permanently for a £12m fee back in May, a figure that Rangers simply wouldn’t have been able to afford.

Malik Tillman’s value has skyrocketed since joining PSV

Failing to sign the American has proven to be a big mistake by the Light Blues as Tillman is finally fulfilling his wonderful potential.

Since moving to the Netherlands, he has scored 15 goals and grabbed 19 assists in all competitions. In their recent Champions League tie against Girona, Tillman scored once and registered two assists, showing he is comfortable at this level.

In Europe’s premier club competition, Tillman has averaged 2.8 key passes, created one big chance and succeeded with 70% of his dribble attempts. These statistics show just how effective he has been for PSV in Europe this term as they seek progression into the knockout stages.

These displays have seen his value skyrocket too. Indeed, according to Transfermarkt, Tillman is now valued at €25m (£20.7m) and this will certainly increase as time goes by if he maintains his level of performance.

Imagine if Rangers had bitten the bullet and splashed £5m on him a couple of years ago? While there are no guarantees in football, there was no doubt they could have made a substantial profit on him after just a couple of years.

The “dynamic” star – as hailed by analyst Ben Mattinson – is producing excellent numbers in the Netherlands, and he could find himself in a top five league sooner rather than later.

Rangers could regret selling a star who's now worth more than Bajrami

The former Glasgow Rangers attacker is worth more than what they sold him for.

ByDan Emery Nov 6, 2024