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حسم جوزيه جوميز، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، موقفه النهائي من التعاقد مع الإنجليزي أوفي إيجاريا.

ويخضع إيجاريا، في الوقت الحالي لفترة اختبار مع الزمالك، تمهيدًا للتعاقد معه في الموسم الجديد.

طالع..الزمالك يتخذ قرارًا بشأن أوفي إيجاريا قبل ودية بتروجيت

وأوضح مصدر خاص لـ”بطولات” تطورات ملف تعاقد الزمالك مع أوفي إيجاريا، قائلًا: “جوميز أخطر مسئولي الزمالك بأهمية التعاقد مع اللاعب، وتمسك المدير الفني بضمه”.

وتابع: “جوميز أخطر مسئولي الزمالك أن جماهير النادي ستقوم بشراء التذاكر لحضور المباريات خصيصًا لمشاهدة إيجاريا”.

ومن المنتظر أن يتم التعاقد بشكل رسمي بعد استكمال الإجراءات الطبية، حيث خضع اللاعب لجزء من الاختبارات خلال الساعات الماضية.

Just when Manchester United thought they were getting somewhere under Erik ten Hag last term, the classic case of 'second season' syndrome has set in this time around, with the Red Devils crashing out of both the League Cup and Champions League in limp fashion, as well as slipping firmly out of the race for the top four.

While injuries have arguably been a notable issue amid that stark decline, the former Ajax boss has largely been unable to get the best out of a group of players who thrived for much of 2022/23, having reached two cup finals and secured a third-place Premier League finish.

Among those to have endured a noticeable drop in form is last season's talisman, Marcus Rashford, with the England international having scored just four goals in all competitions so far this term – all of which have come in the top-flight.

Although the 26-year-old does have six assists to his name, such a return is still a far cry from his record of 30 goals and 11 assists across all fronts during Ten Hag's debut campaign at the helm, with the United academy graduate hardly justifying his bumper new deal.

Whether the £300k-per-week marksman is merely lacking motivation following that contract extension or is simply struggling in a floundering side, he simply hasn't hit the heights that were expected, having at times been "unstoppable" in 2023 – according to his manager.

Now enduring a campaign similar to that of 2021/22 – in which he also scored just four league goals – Rashford's inconsistency has become a frustrating problem for the club, hence the need to seek out potential world-class replacements on the left wing…

1

Vincius Jr.

Arguably the most standout candidate to usurp Rashford, Real Madrid's Vincius Jr has been mooted as a potential target for the Old Trafford outfit in recent times, with United said to be willing to fork out €150m (£130m) to sign the Brazilian – amid Madrid's possible need to cash in to fund the signing of Kylian Mbappe.

Lauded as a player who "puts fear into defenders" by former Bernabeu star, Guti, the 23-year-old could represent a stark upgrade on the left flank, having scored ten times and contributed four assists in all competitions in 2023/24.

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As for last season, the Champions League winner's tally of 44 goal involvements even surpassed what Rashford was able to achieve, notably recording 12 goals and assists in as many games in Europe's elite competition, en route to reaching the last four.

A clinical and creative presence in the final third, what also sets the former Flamengo man apart is his dribbling prowess, as he ranks in the top 1% among his fellow wingers in Europe's top five leagues for progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90 – with Rashford, by contrast, ranking in just the top 50% and the top 33% for those same two metrics, respectively.

Of course, such a deal would no doubt be an ambitious one for Ten Hag and for the new Sir Jim Ratcliffe regime, yet a club of United's size shouldn't certainly aim their sights high.

2

Rafael Leao

Reports in Italy back in October also suggested that the Red Devils were keeping an eye on AC Milan sensation, Rafael Leao, with the Portuguese starlet potentially able to leave the San Siro side for the 'right offer'.

Valued at €100m (£86m) – according to CIES Football Observatory – the 24-year-old has racked up six goals and six assists this season, having enjoyed a particularly impressive 2022/23 campaign, in which he registered 16 goals and 15 assists.

Described as a player with a "killer mentality" by journalist Zach Lowy, the former Lille star – like Vinicius and Rashford – can operate off the left or in a central role if required, with such versatility also likely appealing to Ten Hag and Co.

Having previously admitted that Rashford is someone he views as a role "model", Leao could be in line to take the Englishman's place sooner rather than later.

3

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Sticking with Serie A, Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also appears to be on the radar of those at United – as well as a handful of other European clubs – with 90min reporting late last year that the Red Devils had sent scouts to watch the Georgian in action in Naples.

Formerly something of an unknown quantity after beginning his career in his homeland and in Russia, the 22-year-old announced himself to the wider world after a dazzling debut season in Italy, helping to lead Luciano Spaletti's side to Scudetto glory last season.

That stellar campaign saw the Tbilisi native bag 14 goals and 17 assists from his left-wing berth, with journalist Rory Smith describing him as "untamed" and "really, really good fun" to watch.

A return of five goals and five assists this time around for the struggling Italian champions is hardly the most eye-catching, yet his performances last season certainly warrant the interest from Old Trafford.

4

Nico Williams

Ratcliffe could also look to Spain to find a youthful successor to Rashford, with Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams said to be an 'ideal option' for the summer window – as per an exclusive from UtdDistrict earlier this month.

Still just 21, the Pamplona-born menace has chalked up 16 goals and assists from the flanks for the Basque side this season, having made "incredible progress" in recent years, according to talent scout Jacek Kulig.

With a £43m release clause in his current deal with Bilbao, the 11-cap Spain international could represent a more affordable target for United this year – the youngster also ranking in the top 7% and the top 5% for progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90, respectively.

5

Kaoru Mitoma

There's no denying that the hype surrounding Kaoru Mitoma has somewhat faded this season, with the Japanese star – who has been the subject of interest from United in recent times – scoring only three goals and providing just six assists.

That being said, the 26-year-old enjoyed a truly breakout 2022/23 campaign for Brighton and Hove Albion, proving himself a truly "magic" talent – as described by The Athletic's Seb Stafford-Bloor – with his 18 goal involvements.

Pundit Tony Cascarino has even boldly claimed that the former Union Saint-Gilloise talent is "like watching Ryan Giggs at his very best", while the BBC's Garth Crooks has stated that Mitoma looks like a "United player".

If the £70m wizard can get anywhere close to emulating the success of fellow winger, Giggs – who won 13 league titles in a glittering stint at the Theatre of Dreams – then United would be in for a real treat.

Rashford, beware.

Brazil and Barcelona legend Ronaldinho has been mobbed by supporters after making a surprise appearance in London.

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• Fans thrilled by Ronaldinho appearance
• Brilliant Brazilian make surprise London visit
• Watches budding players show off their skills

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ronaldinho went down a storm after rocking up in a pink Rolls Royce in Shepherd's Bush. The Brazilian was in town to launch Nike's new 'Mad Brilliance' pack and delighted supporters who were thrilled to see the former Barcelona star in person. Ronaldinho was escorted through rowdy crowds and onto a five-a-side pitch where budding superstars then tried their very best to impress the 44-year-old.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ronaldinho announced his retirement from football in 2018 but remains a huge draw after a dazzling career where he wowed fans all over the world with his magical skills. The brilliant Brazilian won two La Liga titles and the Champions League with Barcelona, a Serie A crown with AC Milan and the World Cup in 2002. Ronaldinho also picked up the Balon d'Or in 2005 and is known for being one of the most flamboyant players ever to grace the game.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDINHO

  Fans will be able to see Ronaldinho back in action again soon. The Brazilian is due to take part in an Over-35s World Cup hosted in England this summer alongside other stars such as Thierry Henry and Francesco Totti.

Last time out in the Premier League, Liverpool's ferocious offensive proved too much for an out-of-sorts Newcastle United side, planting Jurgen Klopp's side back in top spot after 20 matches.

2023 was a whirlwind of a year at Anfield but one that weathered the early storm to emerge with renewed vigour and a rekindled glow that has arrived following the sweeping changes made in the summer transfer market, replacing the beaten-down midfield.

Liverpool may well be top but Manchester City and a host of other contenders are snapping at their heels and the pursuit of points must be unrelenting to prevail, and the January transfer window – which is now upon us – must be used to fortify the ranks.

Liverpool transfer news – Ko Itakura

If the unerring Fabrizio Romano reports it, there is little doubt that credence lies within the murmurings, with the journalist revealing that Liverpool – alongside Tottenham Hotspur – are interested in signing Borussia Monchengladbach's Ko Itakura.

Liverpool need a centre-back and Itakura would fit the bill, but given that his release clause is not valid until the summer, it might prove difficult to prise him away from Germany.

Nonetheless, a deal could be struck and technical director Jorg Schmadtke will be working feverishly to snap him up.

Ko Itakura's style of play

Itakura, aged 26, is a quick and enterprising defender with a broad range of passing and a composed approach to his defensive duties that ensures he does not lunge recklessly into challenges.

Once called "incredibly fast" by pundit Hans Kraay, the £32k-per-week titan has chalked up 33 appearances for Gladbach since departing Manchester City in 2022, having failed to break into the first-team, and impressed after completing 91% of his passes in the Bundesliga last term, averaging 3.8 clearances per game and winning 62% of his duels, as per Sofascore.

This season, an ankle injury has limited him to just seven outings, though he has scored twice and has demonstrated his energetic output with 4.4 ball recoveries per game.

Given that he would arrive from Germany, Klopp could replicate the deal to sign Joel Matip, with the veteran centre-half rupturing his ACL in December, now out for the season and with his contract expiring in June.

Matip is a keen dribbler and ranks among the top 4% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref – with Itakura's electric pace, this could be replicated.

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The Japan international's ability to play on the left side of the central defence also underscores the worth that he would bring, and Klopp could use him to fill in for imperious captain Virgil van Dijk, perhaps even allowing the Dutchman to play on his natural right side, something that has scarcely happened since he joined Liverpool from Southampton for £75m six years ago.

Van Dijk is widely regarded as one of the world's best centre-backs and has been godlike in the rearguard this term as his side targets major honours, having completed 91% of his passes in the Premier League, averaging five ball recoveries and 4.5 clearances per game and incredibly won 78% of his duels.

With defensive partners of similar robustness and athleticism, Liverpool could find the dream heir to take the baton from Matip, and Itakura would succeed in serving alongside a player of Van Dijk's distinction with success.

What will happen over the next few weeks at Liverpool is anyone's guess right now, with Jurgen Klopp's side firing on all cylinders but perhaps still in need of a fresh face or two.

Of course, it's rarely so simple in football and the Anfield side spent big in the summer, sweeping changes charging through the swinging door like a gale of blustering wind in a storm. Such tinkering has proved a resounding success and whether the transfer kitty can spare further lucrative outlay at the season's midpoint remains to be seen.

Of course, this doesn't change the fact that the defence probably needs a new addition, despite Jarell Quansah's rise, with Joel Matip's anterior cruciate ligament tear ending his campaign and possibly his Reds career.

Replacements have been lined up, though maybe refrain from anticipating such change before the summer.

Liverpool transfer news – Maxence Lacroix

According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool have comprised a list of candidates to join Virgil van Dijk's backline ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, with VFL Wolfsburg's Maxence Lacroix of interest.

The 23-year-old has impressed in Germany and previous reports suggest that a deal could be agreed for around £25m, with his current deal set to expire in 2025.

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ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024 Maxence Lacroix's style of play

Liverpool currently top the Premier League table after 20 matches and are currently competing across all three cup competitions, with silverware looking very much attainable this year.

It's unlikely that Lacroix – who came through the same Sochaux academy as Ibrahima Konate – will aid this fight but he could be the perfect option to boost the ranks come season's end, having been described as an "elite defender" by journalist Tobias Kröger.

Having now amassed 115 appearances for his German Bundesliga outfit, Lacroix has backed up such praise with some excellent performances, showcasing his ball-playing skills and defensive composure with regularity.

The 6 foot 3 titan is also powerful and progressive and evidences this through his ranking among the top 20% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for successful take-ons and the top 12% for clearances per 90, as per FBref.

Konate, in comparison, ranks among the top 15% for successful take-ons and the top 7% for tackles per 90 and it's clear to see those robust Sochaux roots embedded in the respective skill sets.

Passing

Discipline

Tackling

Aerial duels

*Sourced via WhoScored

Lacroix has also elevated his game to a new level this season, offering qualities that really would make a difference in Klopp's Liverpool side, completing 87% of his passes, averaging five ball recoveries and 4.6 clearances per game and winning 60% of his duels, as per Sofascore.

How Maxence Lacroix compares to Goncalo Inacio

The Daily Mail's report also lists Goncalo Inacio as a suitor, but then that will hardly come as a surprise to Liverpool supporters, with the Sporting Lisbon star a target throughout 2023.

However, with a €60m (£52m) release clause and a disinclination from his club to part ways, it will be hard to negotiate a deal.

The Portugal international is undoubtedly talented, however, having been dubbed a "sensation" by talent scout Jacek Kulig and completing 88% of his passes in Liga Portugal this term, also averaging 5.5 ball recoveries and 1.9 clearances per match.

However, he only comes out on top in 48% of his contested duels and this could pose a problem in the Premier League; his passing skills are first-rate but perhaps a more rounded style from someone like Lacroix would be fitting for the Reds.

Ultimately, the club has options and Klopp will be judicious in identifying the player that he wishes to sign, and if it isn't Inacio, Lacroix is the man to move for.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Flamengo seguiu a toada dos jogos mais recentes e ratificou estar de volta aos trilhos. A vitória sobre o Vasco na última quinta-feira, pela 34ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro, encurtou a distância para o líder, Internacional, aumentou o drama do Cruz-Maltino e, de quebra, acentuou a atual supremacia diante do arquirrival: chegou a 17 partidas sem ser derrotado.

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Ontem, no último clássico para ambos na temporada, o Fla venceu por 2 a 0, com gols de Gabigol e Bruno Henrique (assista-os acima). A última derrota do Rubro-Negro para o Vasco, portanto, permanece a de abril de 2016, pela semifinal do Carioca. De lá para cá, são 17jogos – oito vitórias e nove empates.

O mais recente triunfo sobre o Vasco também fez com que o Flamengo voltasse a depender apenas de si para sagrar-se campeão brasileiro – assim como o Inter, à frente por dois pontos. Ambos se reencontrarão pela penúltima rodada do Brasileirão. E Rogério Ceni garantiu a “cabeça mantida” nesta reta final.

– Manter a cabeça é fácil, são bons profissionais, bem assessorados pelo departamento médico, físico, por nós. Esses caras já viveram tudo. Eles sabem como é importante ser campeão, bicampeão brasileiro então… Seria um feito fantástico, pouca gente conseguiu isso. Tenho certeza que estão focados, eles querem, nós todos queremos brigar, mais próximo do que estamos do Inter, por esse título – disse o técnico rubro-negro.

O fato é que o Fla engrenou, conforme salientou Bruno Henrique, inclusive, com rendimento convincente e chegando a cinco vitórias nos últimos seis jogos. Agora, por exemplo, as chances de título do time de Ceni passam a ser de 30%, de acordo com o site especializado “Infobola”.

Veja a sequência derradeira do Flamengo abaixo e simule a tabela aqui.

OS ÚLTIMOS JOGOS DO FLA

7/2 – Red Bull Bragantino x Flamengo – Estádio Nabi Abi Chedid
14/2 – Flamengo x Corinthians – Maracanã
21/2 – Flamengo x Internacional – Maracanã
25/2 – São Paulo x Flamengo – Morumbi

Paul Mullin says there has been no talk of back-to-back-to-back promotions as Wrexham seek to deliver on Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s ambition.

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• Welsh outfit surged out of National League
• Bounced straight through League Two
• Hollywood owners intend to reach top-flight

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Hollywood co-owners at SToK Racecourse have made no secret of the fact that they want to guide the Red Dragons into the Premier League. Positive progress is being made down that path, with Wrexham bouncing out of the National League and straight through League Two.

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• WHAT MULLIN SAID

  They are back in the third tier for the first time in 20 years, but Mullin has told when asked if any thought has been given to a hat-trick of promotions: “No, it would be miles too soon for that. Back-to-back wasn’t mentioned until it was achieved. We never get ahead of ourselves, that is one thing about this group – anything can go on around us, anything can happen, but we will always remain humble and know that hard work is what is going to get us to the next level. Come the start of pre-season it will be straight at it, working as hard as we can to finish as high as we can. That is something we won’t talk about until it is achieved, if it is, because it’s going to be unbelievably difficult – more difficult than this year and the year before. That’s what happens when you go up the levels, but we’re willing to put up a fight to try and be as successful as we can.”

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  Mullin has played League One football before, while on the books at Tranmere, and is looking forward to testing him at that level again after passing 100 total goals for Wrexham in the current campaign. He added: “I’m looking forward to going back and playing in League One and hopefully finishing as high up the table as possible. We haven’t discussed next year yet, but I’m looking forward to it. I always want to challenge myself and I’m looking forward to trying to do what I’ve done this season and last season next year – keep taking it forward. The owners have said that their dream is to get to the Premier League – not something realistic to us at the moment, but the aim is to keep climbing the leagues, they’ve always outlined that to us and hopefully come the start of the season we will be in a position where we feel like we can challenge again.”

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• WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

  Wrexham are in the process of piecing together plans for the summer transfer window, as they look to further bolster Phil Parkinson’s squad. Another trip to Las Vegas is also on the cards, while a second pre-season tour of the Americas is being lined up that could pass through Reynolds’ home town of Vancouver.

Punia, the 22-year-old Delhi opener, earned her maiden India call-up, for the T20I squad

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Dec-2018India middle-order batsman Veda Krishnamurthy has been dropped from both limited-overs squads for the New Zealand tour in January 2019, following a long run that yielded below-par scores since a reasonably impressive South Africa tour in February. Batsman Mona Meshram has replaced her in the ODI squad, while quick-bowling allrounder Shikha Pandey has returned to the T20I squad after being left out for the World T20 last month.Priya Punia, the 22-year-old Delhi opener, meanwhile, has earned her maiden India call-up, for the T20I squad, on the back of two centuries in the ongoing Senior Women’s One-Day League domestic tournament.Krishnamurthy had five single-digit scores during the World T20, including two unbeaten innings, and despite an 80-run knock for Railways in the One-Day League, her lack of consistency has resulted in exclusion from both sides. That was the only change from the ODI squad that played against Sri Lanka women in September.Pandey returned to the T20I set-up as a like-for-like replacement for Pooja Vastrakar who underwent an ACL surgery last week following a knee injury she sustained during a warm-up game ahead of the World T20. Devika Vaidya, the top-order left-hand batsman who had replaced Vastrakar in the side, has been dropped owing to her poor form for Maharashtra in the ongoing domestic tournament.The squads were announced by chief selector Hemlata Kala, following a meeting in Delhi which also had ODI captain Mithali Raj in attendance, and T20I captain Harmanpreet Kaur joining in via Skype.Some of the players included in the two squads will be participating in the three-team senior women’s one-day Challenger Trophy in the first week of January, in Mulapadu. Pandey, Punam Raut and Mona Meshram have been named captains for the India Red, Blue and Green sides respectively.India are scheduled to play three ODIs, starting January 24, and as many T20Is in New Zealand. The ODIs are part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2017-2020, while the three T20Is will be double-headers along with the men’s T20Is in February.The tour will be the team’s first international assignment under newly appointed head coach WV Raman, who got the job in the aftermath of a mudslinging episode involving former interim head coach Ramesh Powar and Raj.ODI squad: Mithali Raj (capt), Harmanpreet Kaur (vice-capt), Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Punam Raut, Deepti Sharma, D Hemalatha, Taniya Bhatia (wk), Mona Meshram, Ekta Bisht, Poonam Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Jhulan Goswami, Mansi Joshi, Shikha PandeyT20I squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Smriti Mandhana (vice-capt), Mithali Raj, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Anuja Patil, D Hemalatha, Mansi Joshi, Shikha Pandey, Taniya Bhatia (wk), Poonam Yadav, Ekta Bisht, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Priya Punia

A club abroad are reportedly plotting to snatch away a Tottenham summer signing in the January transfer window.

Spurs players who could leave next year

While some Spurs squad members have absolutely thrived under the tutelage of Ange Postecoglou, other Lilywhites players are enduring real contrasting fortunes.

Before injuries to Micky van de Ven and James Maddison, the likes of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Eric Dier were barely getting a look-in and don't appear to be a part of Postecoglou's plans moving forward. Dier is out of contract at the end of this Premier League season and reports suggest he could even leave as soon as January, with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich apparently plotting a surprise move for him.

Meanwhile, despite the mounting injury issues for Postecoglou, it is believed Hojbjerg could still potentially leave in January as the likes of Atletico Madrid and Juventus take a real interest.

Richarlison has also been linked with a move away to Saudi Arabia in the new year, but it's been reported that Spurs aren't particularly keen on losing the Brazilian and want him to justify his £60 million price tag. Surprisingly, another player to be mentioned is summer signing Alejo Veliz.

Bologna "working" on Veliz move

According to a report by Italian news outlet Corriere di Bologna, the Serie A are side are "working" on a loan deal for Veliz with the obligation to buy him next summer. The Uruguayan has seen precious few opportunities since joining from Rosario Central, with Bologna now making him a top transfer target for the winter window.

Veliz is apparently the "hottest name" on their shopping list for 2024, with the South American seen as a player who can really bolster their attacking options for the second of this season. The notion they wish to attach a right to sign him permanently later in the year is an indication of just how highly they rate Veliz, but given he's only just joined, Spurs plan to take a very high ground in negotiations.

The 20-year-old has been tipped for more game time in the second half of the season, but it will be interesting to see if Spurs do let Veliz go out on loan and further his development. The striker's physical prowess and strength in the air could be useful in a league such as Serie A, with Veliz recently admitting that it is one of his main assets going forward.

"The first thing I'll be doing is to check in with them to help me to get established here and feel fully settled in," said Veliz upon signing for Spurs (via LiveScore).

"The good thing is I am a pretty open and friendly type of character and I always like to get on well with everyone, so I think I will settle in very well here.

"I run for everything and I never give up any pass as a lost cause. I'm going to give everything I can for this shirt."

With the World Cup as his ultimate goal, Dale Steyn is relishing the challenge to fight for his spot against South Africa’s young pacers

Liam Brickhill27-Sep-2018

A reinvigorated Dale Steyn is relishing the challenge of fighting his way back into contention for a spot in South Africa’s travelling party for next year’s World Cup. First, though, he’ll have to nail down his place in their starting XI in a summer of ODIs against Zimbabwe, Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.”I’m feeling really good,” said Steyn three days before the start of South Africa’s international summer. “Having played my last game only two weeks ago for Hampshire I feel like I’m going, I’m flying.”But white ball is a whole new challenge. I’ve been playing red ball in UK, so white ball is going to be a different challenge. All the skills, batters coming at you, the Powerplays all of that kind of stuff. And I haven’t played white ball international cricket for quite some time.”His coach Ottis Gibson holds that Steyn is still “one of the best two bowlers in the country”, but 35 is a stately age for an express quick, especially one without much white-ball bowling in his legs in the recent past. The new ball will be difficult to prise from Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi’s hands, “and that’s good”, reckons Steyn.”It’s good to have challenges. I think Lungi and KG would also appreciate the fact that I’m coming back into the side because they would also know that their positions are under threat. We all are. You can only take a handful of these fast bowlers to the World Cup and we’re all fighting for a spot.”The galvanising pressure and excitement of a chance to go to England next year will add a little vim to the efforts of the South Africans over the next few months, and Steyn is as motivated as any of them. In fact, he sees it as his job to draw the best out of his team-mates, even as they compete in a zero-sum joust for positions.”Everyone wants to go to the World Cup and I would love to go to the World Cup, but individually I would love nothing more than to see the Proteas win a World Cup,” Steyn said. “And if that means that I don’t go, then so be it. I did my job coming in here, pushing guys to perform at their best. Pushing KG, pushing Lungi, pushing Andile, all these guys. I’m just happy to be here, playing cricket, and challenging them.”In Steyn’s absence, Rabada has blossomed into one of the world’s best fast bowlers. He’s ranked eighth in the ICC’s ODI bowling rankings, and second in Tests (Steyn, meanwhile, has slipped to 22nd in Tests and doesn’t feature at all in the ODI top 100, having not played for so long). So quickly has Rabada established himself, so full is his mantle with awards already, that it is easy to forget that he is still only 23 and a relative newcomer. Ngidi is younger and greener still, and Steyn urged temperance in the expectations of the fans and the media.”KG is phenomenal,” he said. “Over the last few years, he’s won awards that I didn’t even know existed. He’s brilliant. Lungi is just feeding off that, and he’s also great. He’s special. He’s really young. And the only thing I can ask is that the media and the people of the country just understand that these are two very young men, and they’re doing their best to win games for South Africa and they’re extremely talented, but they also only have a handful of cricket games between the two of them. So let’s not look into it too deeply right now, let’s give them the freedom to play and the time to grow because they’re special talents.”Steyn would know a thing or two about the harm that undue pressure on the shoulders of a young cricketer can do, having borne plenty of his own early in his career. That is surely just one of many truths he must have learned over his last 14 years as an international cricketer, and while Steyn jokingly accepted the role of mentor that Ottis Gibson has envisioned for him, he’s the loquacious type and chatting to his team-mates from mid-off, at the top of his run, or in the nets is something that comes very easily.”If I’m going to be a mentor they should be paying me more!” said Steyn, with a chuckle. “But I’ve always been someone who stands at the top of my mark when I’m bowling and I’ll talk to the other bowlers. And Morne [Morkel] was also really good at that. Jacques Kalllis, these guys. So I learned from some of the best players in the world. It would be a sin not to pass on that knowledge that I learned from guys like Boucher. Even though he wasn’t a fast bowler, you know, we played catch. He was my keeper. If there’s anyone who knows my action even better than I know it myself, it would be Mark Boucher. And the conversations I had with him are the same conversations I hope I can share with all these young players coming through.”Steyn hasn’t bowled a white ball in an international since he took 0 for 56 from 9.2 against Australia at Newlands almost two years ago. If he has any bad memories from that night, when he also dropped Aaron Finch at third man, or that series (and he can’t have had too much fun, averaging 50+ and going at almost seven an over in the ODIs), he’s long since forgotten them. What he does remember is that South Africa won 5-0. “It’s so bloody long ago I can’t even remember it,” he said. “What I do remember is that we won five-nil. And it’s a team game. And that’s all that matters.”Dale Steyn wants to make an impact on his return•Getty Images

Rather more fresh in the memory – and the legs – will be Steyn’s time with Hampshire over the last two months. He insisted that he enjoyed his taste of the County treadmill, taking 18 wickets across two formats and managing to stay injury free. Almost.”It was good to go over and play there, be on the park consistently. You know when you’re playing four-day cricket there you play Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday you’ve got Friday, Saturday off and then you start another one on Sunday, with a bit of travelling in between. So you are constantly playing, non-stop. Which is great, because a lot of us play and when you get into good rhythm you actually don’t want to wait a week, or five days, before the next one, you just want to carry on going. So it was quite nice to constantly play.”And I was quite pleased with myself that I managed to get through all of that without really any issues. I had one little groin niggle, which flared up on quite a lot of news sites. The only problem was that it takes 7 or 8 days for one of those little groin niggles to heal, and because of the quick turnaround in terms of games I had to miss a game. But I followed it up again with no issues after that.”Steyn also played four T20s in England, so his mixed bag of limited-overs deliveries should be in good working order and there shouldn’t be too much rust to be blown off. All the same, he’ll spend the next few days honing his skills and, most importantly, getting his head in the right space.”In the nets I’ll just work on a couple of skills: yorker, a couple of slower balls, and all the skills a fast bowler has in their arsenal. But then it’s just mindset. You know, it’s getting used to the fact that there is a chance that you could go at eight an over, even 10 an over. A lot of us run in and we think that four and a half an over is perfect. Those days are gone! No bowler runs in and takes 3 for 40 anymore. Bowling in Powerplays is really difficult.”ODI bowling is really a mindset thing right now. And if you can get into the right mindset and be content with the fact that one day you might go for a 100 and the next day you might be the hero, then you’ll be fine. It’s just a mindset really when it comes to one day cricket.”That’s just the sort of advice he’ll be sharing in the nets, too.