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The Strikers are looking to bounce back from a poor season and all eyes will be on AB de Villiers when he joins the Heat

Alex Malcolm and Andrew McGlashan13-Dec-2019

Adelaide Strikers

Captain: Travis HeadCoach: Jason GillespieOverseas players: Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), Phil Salt (England)Full squad: Wes Agar, Alex Carey, Travis Head, Rashid Khan, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Harry Nielsen, Liam O’Connor, Phil Salt, Matt Short, Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Cameron Valente, Jake Weatherald, Jonathan Wells, Cameron White, Nick Winter, Harry ConwayLast season: 7thThe Strikers went from champions to second from bottom in a campaign that never really got off the ground with a four-game losing streak mid-season ending their hopes of a successful title defence.What’s changed for the season?Gillespie has used his Sussex knowledge to bring in top-order batsman Salt, who briefly featured in the England T20I squad earlier this year. Ben Laughlin, a long-time part of the Strikers attack, has moved to the Brisbane Heat for family reasons, with Harry Conway coming into the squad. Cameron White, in what is likely to be the final fling of his career, brings winning experience from the Melbourne Renegades.Australia impactHead and possibly Michael Neser will be featuring in the Test side until early January, and Alex Carey will be lost to the ODI tour India mid-tournament. There is a chance that if Neser remains in the Test squad he could be released for BBL duty if not needed against New Zealand.Player to watchWes Agar has been bowling very well in Marsh Cup and Sheffield Shield cricket this season and, after just two matches for the Strikers last summer, could get greater opportunity in this campaign particularly with the departure of Laughlin and if Neser is on Australia duty.Key stat (Gaurav Sundararaman)Rashid Khan‘s form might have dipped in other T20s and ODIs in 2019 but his performance in the Big Bash is extraordinary. In the last two seasons, Rashid has taken 37 wickets at an economy rate of 5.93 and 45% of his deliveries are dots.AB de Villiers unleashes while down on one knee•Getty Images

Brisbane Heat

Captain: Chris LynnCoach: Darren LehmannOverseas players: Tom Banton (England – first eight games), AB de Villiers (South Africa – expected from January 9), Zahir Khan (Afghanistan), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afghanistan)Full squad: Tom Banton, Max Bryant, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, AB De Villiers (overseas replacement), Cameron Gannon, Sam Heazlett, Zahir Khan, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Ben Laughlin, Josh Lalor, Chris Lynn, James Pattinson, James Peirson, Jack Prestwidge, Matt Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson, Mujeeb Ur Rahman (overseas replacement)Last season: 5thThey had a lot of hype about them but failed to fire, missing the finals by a game. Their much-vaunted top order made a lot of bright starts but fizzled out quickly and the order was chopped and changed throughout the tournament. They saved their best work for the last two games with two magnificent chases but it was too little too late.What’s changed for the season?A new coach and a few new bash brothers. Darren Lehmann, who led the Heat to the title in BBL02, takes charge again after Daniel Vettori stepped down. The signing of AB de Villiers and Tom Banton made a huge stir. They will play half the tournament each with de Villiers available for the finals. The Heat have the best batting line-up in the BBL but historically the best bowling teams have won the tournament and they will need to bowl well. Laughlin’s return to Queensland from the Strikers having won a title in Adelaide is a nice addition.Australia impactJames Pattinson’s availability early in the tournament is subject to his Test duties but he could play more games than the Heat had planned for, given the form of Australia’s incumbent Test quicks. Joe Burns and Marnus Labuschagne will be unavailable in the early part of the tournament but both may even struggle to get a game for the Heat given the batting depth. It is unlikely many Heat players will head to India with the ODI team, although Labuschagne was named joint player of the Marsh Cup and Australia may want to look at him in a second format if they experiment with the side.Player to watchMax Bryant is the obvious choice. He has so much potential but capitalising on starts and finding consistency as a young player is his biggest challenge. He has had a lean season in 50-over cricket for Queensland but a couple of early scores in the BBL and he could go have a huge tournament.Key stat (Gaurav Sundararaman)Tom Banton comes into this competition with very high expectations. Out of the 41 players to have faced 200 balls in powerplays in 2019, Banton has the best strike rate of 160. He scores big and at a brisk pace. The Gabba pitch could be perfect for Banton to showcase his skills.

Tottenham Hotspur are said to be eyeing up their third signing of the January transfer window after deals for Timo Werner and Radu Dragusin…

Spurs' search for a new winger

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Lilywhites are pushing to secure a deal for Club Brugge forward Antonio Nusa to bolster their attack.

The reporter claims that a new round of talks between the two clubs has been scheduled as Spurs look to beat off competition from elsewhere to sign the young whiz.

However, Romano adds that the teenage dynamo would like to remain at the Belgian side until the end of the season, which means that Ange Postecoglou may not have him as part of the squad until the summer.

The Australian head coach could land Heung-min Son 2.0 by winning the race to sign the 18-year-old forward, who The Guardian previously claimed is valued at £25m by Brugge.

Heung-min Son's goal record at Spurs

Tottenham's captain has proven himself to be a lethal scorer for the club from a left wing position over the course of a number of seasons in England.

The South Korea international has plundered an exceptional 157 goals and 85 assists in 393 appearances in all competitions, including 115 goals in 288 Premier League matches.

This means that Son has averaged a goal or an assist every 1.62 games on average throughout his career with Spurs, which shows that he has been a consistently reliable attacking threat out wide as a scorer and a creator of goals.

However, he turns 32 in July, and Postecoglou may have one eye on the future and what life will look like after Son, with Nusa possibly coming in as the long-term successor to his position.

The stats that show why Nusa could be Son 2.0

The 18-year-old has showcased his potential for club and country this season with an impressive return at the top end of the pitch despite limited minutes on the pitch.

Nusa has only started six Pro League matches for Brugge but has chipped in with three goals and two assists, whilst he has also created five 'big chances' for his teammates and could argue that they have let him down in front of goal with their wasteful finishing.

The right-footed left winger, who U23 scout Antonio Mango claimed has "beautiful potential", has also completed 2.7 dribbles per game for his club in the league.

As you can see in the table above, the Brugge starlet has also caught the eye on the international stage with Norway this season with some impressively creative performances for his country.

Nusa has racked up three goals and five assists in seven starts across the Pro League and European Championship qualifiers for club and country this season, which is one goal contribution every 0.86 starts on average.

There is no guarantee that he would be able to remain as consistent as that over the course of an entire season of regular starts but the young gem also has plenty of time on his side to develop that consistency.

The Brugge wizard could learn from Son at Spurs before eventually taking over as his successor and Postecoglou's next version of the South Korean marksman further down the line if he can fulfill his potential, which is why this could be an excellent signing for Spurs.

Marseille capitalised on PSG's draw to move to the top of Ligue 1. Defending champions PSG were held to a 3-3 draw with Strasbourg in the capital on Friday night as they came from 3-1 down to rescue a point courtesy of second half strikes from Goncalo Ramos and Senny Mayulu. And L'OM will end the weekend top of the table after securing a fifth successive league win.

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  Marseille's impressive start

  Marseille have made an impressive start to the Ligue 1 season winning six of their opening eight matches, which includes a 1-0 home win over rivals PSG in Le Classique last month. And as Lyon fell to a 3-2 loss at Nice earlier on Saturday, Roberto De Zerbi's side will leapfrog the Parisian powerhouse and Strasbourg into first.

  The south coast side started their welcome of Le Havre on Saturday night poorly as Yassine Keechta fired Didier Digard's side ahead midway through the first half. However, any hopes of an upset were dashed in the 34th minute as Gautier Lloris received his marching orders. The centre-back was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area and was sent off to compound a disappointing passage of play for Lloris.

  Marseille were awarded a penalty as a result and the Le Havre floodgates opened. Mason Greenwood made no mistake from the spot in what proved a historic evening for the 24-year-old.

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• Greenwood makes history for Marseille

  While Le Havre managed to hold Marseille until the 67th minute, their resolve was well and truly broken as Greenwood scored his and Marseille's second midway through the second half. The former Manchester United completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute before adding a fourth four minutes later.

  Greenwood made history in an entertaining Velodrome clash as he became the first Marseille player to score four times in a single league game since Jean-Pierre Papin netted four in a resounding 7-0 win over Lyon back in 1991. The drama didn't end there either as Robinio Vaz added a fifth for Roberto De Zerbi's men in the 88th minute.

  Abdoulaye Toure added a 91st minute consolation for Le Havre, and there was still time for Amir Murillo to restore Marseille's four-goal lead a minute later in an eventual 6-2 win for L'OM. The result means Marseille have scored more goals (21) than any other team in Ligue 1 as they look to claim a first Ligue 1 title since 2010, and their 10th in their history.

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  'I have already threatened the players'

  Marseille have been in rampant form since their 2-1 loss to Real Madrid last month. Timothy Weah had fired the French side ahead at the Bernabeu but Real Madrid responded through Kylian Mbappe in the Champions League tie. Dani Carvajal was dismissed midway through the second half of the European clash but Los Blancos had enough to secure all the spoils as Mbappe scored his as Real Madrid's second to secure a matchday one win.

  De Zerbi's side did follow up the defeat with a 1-0 Classique win over PSG and the Italian issued a warning after that home triumph. "This victory should not give anything more to the team," the Italian said last month.

  "The defeat in Madrid brought us a lot, made us realise that we have strong players. The squad is strong, we know that, but Friday will be even more important than tonight's match.

  "I have already threatened the players, they know it. If we beat Paris and then tap dance against Strasbourg, it means we are not a great team."

  Marseille certainly heeded De Zerbi's advice as they followed up the win over PSG with a 2-1 victory at Strasbourg. Subsequent wins over Ajax, Metz and Le Havre means they have won five on the spin in all competitions since defeat in Madrid.

• What comes next?

  Marseille will look to make it six wins in succession when they resume their Champions League campaign next week. De Zerbi takes his squad to Lisbon where they take on defending Liga Portugal champions Sporting CP for the first time since a 2-0 win in the Portuguese capital back in 2022.

  Sporting currently find themselves three points behind league leaders FC Porto in Liga Portugal having been held to a 1-1 draw with Braga prior to the international break. Rui Borges' side, meanwhile, smashed Kairat Almaty in their opening Champions League clash but fell to a 2-1 loss at Napoli last month as a Rasmus Hojlund brace condemned Sporting to defeat in Italy.

Porterfield captained Ireland 253 times, spanning two 50-over World Cups and five World T20s

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Nov-2019William Porterfield has stepped down as Ireland’s captain after 11 years in the role. Andrew Balbirnie, the middle-order batsman, will replace him as Test and 50-over captain, while Gary Wilson will continue in the T20 job.Porterfield led Ireland in 253 games after taking over from Trent Johnston in 2008, captaining in two 50-over World Cups – which saw memorable wins over England and West Indies – and five World T20s, as well as their first-ever Test match, against Pakistan at Malahide in 2018. He intends to continue playing international cricket.”It has been an incredible journey, and a fantastic honour to have captained my country over the past 11-and-a-half years,” Porterfield said. “There have been many highs, along with a few lows along the way, but I can honestly say that it has been thoroughly enjoyable. To have been able to lead Ireland out at various World Cups, through to our first Test against Pakistan, and again at Lord’s in the summer, have been but a few of these highlights. I feel incredibly lucky and privileged to have done so.”I feel, and in consultation with Cricket Ireland, that now is the right time to hand over that mantle. With the ODI league starting in the summer it will allow ‘Balbo’ [Balbirnie] time to get into the swing of things. I feel that the selectors have made a great choice in appointing ‘Balbo’ and that it has come at a great time for him personally being on top of his game, and with more to come. Having spoken to him, I know how honoured and excited he is to get going. I’m looking forward to helping and supporting Balbo in any way I can, and seeing him lead Ireland forward.”Balbirnie, 28, becomes Ireland’s second Test captain and fifth ODI skipper. He has been capped 123 times since his debut in 2010, and has led the A team and Ireland Under-19s in the past.”To be asked to captain my country is an absolute honour and one that I am very excited about as we move into a busy new year,” Balbirnie said. “It’s a proud moment not just for me but also for my family and everyone who has been there on my cricket journey so far – especially my coaches, team-mates and friends at Pembroke Cricket Club.”Since 2008, William has been an amazing leader on and off the field, not just to me but anyone who has been lucky to represent Ireland. Taking over from our greatest captain will certainly be a hard act to follow but one I’m looking forward to getting into. William still has a huge role to play in this team going forward and I look forward to working with him over the next couple of years.”We are very lucky that we are entering arguably the most exciting period to be an Irish cricketer, so to be able to lead the guys into this will be a great honour and challenge, and one that I’m looking forward to immensely.”Andrew White, the chair of national men’s selectors, said: “William has been a remarkable captain, and we have been fortunate over such a long period to have his skills and experience to draw on. His leadership abilities on the field have been clear for all to see, but what is, and always has been, his greatest quality is his off-field leadership and support that has benefitted numerous coaches and players over a long period of time.”‘Porty’ has also been integral to the development of the national pathway system in Ireland, helping to shape and advise on what is now a comprehensive programme that is starting to bring through local talent and mould that next generation of Irish cricketer.””However, there comes a time when that baton is handed over, and in the Test and ODI formats we had identified the leadership potential in Andrew early on. Succession planning in international sport is so important these days, and Andrew has certainly developed and grown in confidence and stature over recent years. It is often said that the weight of captaincy can weigh heavy on some players, but we believe Andrew is someone who has the instincts and resolve to carry that weight and excel.”Over the past two years we have been on a process of transition, and with our new Test member status, entry into the Future Tours Programme, and combined with being on the cusp of entering the new ICC Cricket World Cup Super League in 2020, we believe this is a good time to for Andrew to begin his captaincy journey and we wish him well.”Balbirnie’s first outing as captain will come in the Caribbean, where Ireland play three ODIs and three T20Is at the start of next year.

Allrounder itching to get involved in series after sitting on sidelines for much of the Ashes

Andrew Miller18-Nov-20191:11

Buttler, Pope, Denly fifties shore up England

Sam Curran says that his objective during England’s Test series against New Zealand this month is to “stop being the one who is vulnerable”, after appearing to have kept his place in the side for Thursday’s first Test at Mount Maunganui ahead of his rival allrounder Chris Woakes.In a promising start to his Test career, Curran has averaged 30.05 with the bat and 29.00 with the ball in 11 Tests, and was named Man of the Series in his maiden summer against India in 2018 after a series of gutsy displays, particularly in the first Test at Edgbaston, where he set up a tight victory with four first-innings wickets and a vital 63.However, his twin roles of fourth seamer and No. 8 batsman offer little in the way of job security. Curran has been dropped on four occasions already in his career – including for the first four Tests of this summer’s Ashes – with his obvious aptitude for the cut-and-thrust of Test cricket unable to protect him on the occasions when England have needed to change their team balance.”There was [frustration],” he admitted, “but the team was in a good place going into the Ashes. I was in all the squads, so that was a confidence booster. At the same time you’d love to be playing, and as the series went on you’re itching to get out on the field.”But now, with James Anderson still missing from England’s ranks while he recovers from a long-term calf injury, Curran’s ability to swing the new ball, allied to his left-arm line, appears to have tipped the balance for the selectors, as they prepare to field a side containing three other right-arm seamers in Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes, alongside the left-arm spin of Jack Leach.”I think anyone looking at the balance of the side can see that is pretty obvious,” Curran said of his perceived battle with Woakes for the one remaining place in the side. “I think if I do get the chance, it is about nailing down my spot in the side and stop being the one that is vulnerable.Sam Curran won selection ahead of Chris Woakes but went wicketless•Getty Images

“That is my responsibility and whoever gets the spot, if it is me, has to take the opportunity by getting runs and taking wickets and contributing to the team. If I do get the nod, hopefully I can go well and contribute with both bat and ball.”As an allrounder I look up to someone like Stokesy and the way he contributes with the bat up the order and he takes wickets when he bowls and that is what I aspire to do. As long as I’m helping to win games for the team then I’m happy.”Curran had some limited success during a tough three-day warm-up against New Zealand A in Whangarai ahead of the first Test, claiming three second-innings wickets on a pitch which Archer described as “probably the flattest I’ve played on in my life”, to give England hope of forcing a win before a late-order rally shut up shop for the hosts.And while he has been in New Zealand for a month already during the T20I series, he said the chance to hone his technique with the red Kookaburra ball had been a useful exercise in spite of the hard yakka, especially given that his lack of pace was exposed in his last overseas Test, against West Indies in Antigua earlier this year.”Yeah, it was nice to get out there with a red ball in a first-class game with a bit more on it,” Curran said. “It was nice for the bowling group to be put under pressure against some of their good New Zealand batters and I thought they played well.”I think any bowler who bowls with a Kookaburra is going to say they prefer the Dukes but you’ve got to learn somehow,” he added. “If you look at the scores in New Zealand domestic cricket there are a lot of hundreds scored but you never know, in cloudy conditions the scores could get lower.ALSO READ: Sibley deserves his Test chance – Rory Burns“We can’t predict what the wicket is going to be like next week until we get up to the Mount and we’ll come up with plans. It is a great learning curve for me, but I’ve made some strides in this game and come up with a few different options so I’m pretty confident.One of those options will be to come round the wicket and create an angle into the many right-handers in New Zealand’s top order.”It’s not necessarily new to me, I do do it quite a bit in county cricket,” he said, “but probably more overseas where the ball doesn’t swing as much. Trying to get the batsmen to play a lot more coming by round the wicket, it is just about finding different ways.”It is a new thing for me to bowl with a red ball in New Zealand so I’m still learning, but I thought it came out better than it did in the first warm-up game so I’m feeling pretty confident going into next week.”Curran will have a number of familiar faces around him in the first Test, including his Surrey captain Rory Burns, now established at the top of the order, as well as his former Surrey academy team-mates Ollie Pope and Dom Sibley, who is set to make his Test debut.”I joined the Surrey academy at 14 and that is when I played against Cranleigh where Popey was, and Sibbers was at Whitgift,” Curran said, “so I played against them all the way through the academy days until we got into the first team at Surrey.”It is a nice little friendship we’ve got going and I know Popey and Sibbers’ parents are coming out as well so it will be special to see so many familiar faces.”I think it makes it a bit easier to be playing with guys you’ve grown up with. International cricket is international cricket but when you’re playing with your mates and you’re standing in the field with guys you’re familiar with, if things are going badly you can kind of laugh it off and stay positive because you’re playing with mates and that’s good fun.”

January is set to be a busy month for Aston Villa, more so off the field than on it.

Unai Emery is keen to strengthen his squad in the transfer window as they look to book themselves a place in Europe.

The priority position seems to be an attacker, where the side is slightly lacking in depth despite the exploits of Ollie Watkins, Moussa Diaby and Co.

The latest on Morgan Rogers to Aston Villa

This weekend, Fabrizio Romano took to X (formerly Twitter) to provide the latest on Aston Villa's hunt for Middlesbrough livewire Morgan Rogers.

The young forward is allegedly Emery’s main target, and the boss will hope to secure it his man this month. A move is likely to occur, with the Middlesbrough man eager to move to the Premier League side.

Speaking about the situation this weekend, Boro boss Michael Carrick stated: "Not really [much I can tell you]. It’s just that time of year where there is plenty of rumours and speculation. From my point of view, watching Morgan today, he played well. There is nothing to say really on that one.

"It’s all eyes on Tuesday and we expect him to be with us. From my point of view, it’s pure speculation. Nothing surprises me in football and I don’t get involved in that. I’m only interested in the players we’ve got here to choose from. I picked a team today to try and win the game and we just couldn’t quite pull it off."

The stats that prove Rogers would be a good signing

When Watkins joined Villa for £28m in 2020, the Villans faithful could only have dreamed of what the ex-Brentford striker has become.

Indeed, the 27-year-old has been arguably Villa’s most consistent performer since his arrival, scoring 57 goals in 145 appearances.

The Englishman has developed even further since Emery was appointed, as displayed by his 14 goals and ten assists in 27 games across all competitions this season.

However, Emery could sign Watkins 2.0 in the form of Rogers, who would be following the strikers' footsteps by taking the step up to the top flight from the Championship.

The former Man City star has improved massively under Carrick after moving to Middlesbrough in the summer, with his boss describing him as a “huge talent." Although the 21-year-old has only scored twice in the league, he has become vital to the way his side plays and the table below shows a selection of Rogers’ stats from this Championship season that prove he would be a good signing for Villa.

Rogers seemingly has the perfect profile for Emery’s second striker role in the 4-4-1-1 variant. This season, the former Lincoln City player has played in the number 10 role, displaying creativity and providing for those around him, as shown by his impressive shot-creating actions, key passes, and assists.

What makes Rogers unique is his immense technical ability, despite being 6 foot 3. His stature enables him to pick up second balls, and it would allow Villa to play much more direct, acting as Emery’s version of Kai Havertz to Mikel Arteta in a way. The Boro star would also help Villa overcome their Achilles heel, therefore, which has been teams that sit in and defend in numbers.

The artist is also extremely effective out of possession, winning tackles to retain the ball up the field and stop transitions, which suits Emery’s intense, fluid system. It's clear that this signing would be excellent, with Rogers ticking every box needed to succeed at Villa under Emery.

Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool future remains shrouded in uncertainty after a dramatic public outburst intensified his feud with manager Arne Slot, but the Egyptian has received unexpected support from his first-ever coach. Ivica Todorov has spoken out to defend Salah’s professionalism and commitment, urging observers not to rush to judgment as the transfer storm grows louder.

• Salah's deteriorating relationship with Liverpool

  Salah’s situation at Liverpool has deteriorated rapidly in recent weeks, with the Egyptian superstar finding himself at the centre of a major stand-off with manager Slot. A run of poor form, combined with tactical disagreements and his shock interview following the draw with Leeds United, has amplified speculation over whether he has already played his final game for the club. The matter escalated further when Salah was excluded from the squad for the Champions League clash with Inter Milan, a clear sign of ongoing tension behind the scenes at Anfield.

  The Liverpool hierarchy is now attempting to navigate a crisis involving one of the club’s greatest-ever players, who until recently had been indispensable to their attacking structure. While most figures around the club have supported Slot’s approach, Salah’s own camp has remained firm in their belief he has been unfairly targeted for the team’s struggles. The growing division has prompted major questions about his contract, his January availability, and whether the Saudi Pro League or MLS may attempt a swoop.

  Amid the noise, former coaches, pundits and former players have weighed in on Salah’s character, but few have taken his side until his first manager, Todorov, stepped forward. The Serbian-French coach who gave Salah his debut at El Mokawloon in Egypt has defended the forward’s integrity and work ethic.

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  Salah's first manager defends Egyptian's professionalism

  Speaking to Africa Foot, Todorov delivered an emphatic defence: “I know Mo Salah well. I don’t doubt for a moment his commitment, his work ethic, his lifestyle.”

  He continued with strong praise for the professionalism of the Liverpool icon: “He’s a great professional. But time passes, he’s 33 years old, he’s been at Liverpool for more than eight years. I get the impression that Arne Slot no longer really trusts him.”

  Todorov also questioned the club’s handling of the situation: “It’s going to be difficult for the two men to mend fences. Liverpool is struggling in the Premier League. I don’t understand why the coaching staff is depriving themselves of such an important player to try and get out of it.”

  He concluded by warning that only a few clubs could realistically match Salah’s value: “There aren’t many clubs in the world that can offer him a higher salary than he earns at Liverpool. The Saudis can, but does he want to play in a league that, while it has improved over the last three years, isn’t as competitive as those in England or Spain?”

• Salah linked with a January transfer away from Anfield

  Todorov’s comments arrive at a time when Salah’s relationship with Liverpool feels more strained than at any point since his arrival in 2017. The winger, who once dominated the Premier League and led the club to Champions League and Premier League glory, is enduring one of his least productive seasons, scoring only five goals so far. As the team’s struggles intensify, Slot appears to have made the bold choice to reshape Liverpool’s attack without its long-standing talisman. The fallout has shifted into the public sphere, something extremely rare for Salah, whose career has been defined by professionalism and discretion.

  Meanwhile, external pressure continues to mount, with the Saudi Pro League monitoring developments closely and MLS officials openly expressing interest. Salah remains under contract until 2027, but the longer the tension persists, the more likely Liverpool will need to make a definitive decision. For now, Todorov’s public support adds a rare positive voice for the Egyptian star during a turbulent chapter of his career.

• Saudi Pro League move on the cards for Salah?

  Liverpool now face a delicate balancing act as they attempt to stabilise their season while addressing the future of one of the club’s most influential players. Slot’s tactical rebuild appears incompatible with Salah’s current form and relationship with the manager, raising questions about whether a January exit may become inevitable. If Salah departs, Liverpool will be tasked with replacing not only his goals but his leadership, a challenge that could reshape the club’s trajectory.

  For Salah, the next few weeks could define the twilight of his career. A move to Saudi Arabia would provide financial magnitude, while remaining in Europe may offer the competitive edge he still craves. Alternatively, a shock move to MLS has entered the conversation, though a resolution between him and Slot remains the least disruptive scenario for Liverpool.

The best of Sunday’s action from the WBBL as the Adelaide Strikers sit top of the table

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Oct-2019Amelia Kerr played a gem of an innings to help the Brisbane Heat come through a tricky chase against the Hobart Hurricanes with one ball to spare at Allan Border Field. The Heat fell to 5 for 82 in the 15th over chasing 124 but Kerr hit 29 off 19 balls while the in-form Beth Mooney provided the anchor with an unbeaten 44. The key over came with the Heat needing 29 off 18 balls and Kerr took four boundaries off Belinda Vakarewa. The stuffing was knocked out of the Hurricanes’ innings when Jess Jonassen took three wickets in four balls in the 15th over but Heather Knight (61 not out) played a superb hand to nurse them to 123 which almost proved enough.Tahlia McGrath hit a dominant, unbeaten 65 off 46 balls to lead the Adelaide Strikers to a convincing seven-wicket victory over the Perth Scorchers. Chasing 116 after an impressive all-round bowling display, the Strikers were unsteady at 3 for 22 in the third over with Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates dismissed in the first seven balls of the innings. However, McGrath, who struck eight fours and two sixes, took charge and alongside Lauren Winfield the pair knocked off the runs with more than five overs to spare. Megan Schutt had set a superb tone with the ball when she started with consecutive maidens and the wicket of Amy Jones. Yesterday, Jones and Lanning added 129 for the first wicket against the Brisbane Heat but here they made just seven between them with Lanning bowled by Devine in her first over. Sarah Coyte backed up the early wickets with 3 for 18 off her four overs.The experienced Alex Blackwell guided the Sydney Thunder home in a thriller at Bankstown Oval to keep the Melbourne Stars winless. Blackwell made 45 not out from 36 balls and timed the chase to perfection. The Thunder had stumbled to 6 for 108 after Madeline Penna took 4 for 20 for the Stars. They needed 34 to win from the last 20 balls but Blackwell struck two fours and two sixes to get them home with two balls to spare with the support of Rene Farrell. The Stars have lost four from four to start the season despite Elyse Villani and Lizelle Lee both scoring half-centuries as they posted 5 for 141. Farrell was outstanding with the ball taking 1 for 18 from her four overs.

Aston Villa were brought back down to earth following a drab 0-0 draw against Everton over the weekend as they slipped down to third in the Premier League table.

With just over a couple of weeks left in the January transfer window, Unai Emery will be keen on bringing at least another one or two fresh faces to Villa Park in order to bolster his squad.

There have been plenty of names linked with a move to the Midlands, yet it is a talented 18-year-old who could be the most exciting link.

Aston Villa want to sign Champions League sensation

According to Graeme Bailey (via Total Villa on X), Villa are showing interest in teenage FC Copenhagen starlet Roony Bardghji this month ahead of making a potential move.

According to reports, Villa have even sent scouts to monitor the youngster recently, and it is clear that his performances have impressed Emery enough to consider luring him to the Premier League.

He could cost the club around £20m if any move goes ahead and while on the surface this sounds like a lot, the fee could turn out to be a bargain in the next couple of years if he lives up to his potential.

January transfer window: All the deadline day deals from England and Scotland

Stay on top of all the latest transfer deals across the Premier League, EFL and SPFL as the January window closes.

By
Charlie Smith

Feb 1, 2024

Chelsea and Manchester United are also keen on signing Bardghji and this suggests that Emery must act swiftly to bring him to Villa Park.

How Roony Bardghji compares to Jhon Duran

Jhon Duran only signed for Villa last January from Chicago Fire in a deal worth £18m, and it looked as though he could be the heir apparent to Ollie Watkins.

It hasn’t quite worked out for the Colombian sensation at Villa, however, as he has played 35 times for the club and scored just four goals during that time period.

Out of these 35 matches, only seven have been starts and Emery has yet to unleash him in the starting XI in the Premier League.

The arrival of Bardghji could spell the beginning of the end of Duran’s Villa career, especially considering how impressive he has been this season.

In 30 matches for Copenhagen, the youngster has already found the back of the net on 11 occasions, including a famous strike against Man Utd in the Champions League to send the Danish side through to the last 16 at their expense.

While this goal certainly caught the eye of a few teams, his consistent performances in the Danish top flight have shown that he is remarkably mature for his age.

Indeed, across the whole Copenhagen team, Bardghji ranks second for goals and assists (seven), while ranking third for successful dribbles per game (one) and second for goal frequency (a goal every 134 minutes), which clearly indicates just how impressive he has been during 2023/24.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig perhaps foresaw how good he would be at such a tender age, describing the Swede as an “unreal talent” back in 2022 and there is seemingly no limit to just how good he can become.

Duran has not enjoyed the most productive of seasons, and he can count himself unlucky that Watkins has been in such good form.

If Bardghji does join Villa, however, it could mean even fewer opportunities for Duran on the pitch as there will be a new teenage starlet in town ready to steal the plaudits.

The veteran defender has shared his perspective on potentially finishing his international career at the 2026 World Cup on home soil

• Ream views potential 2026 selection as poetic end to his career
• Emphasizes every national team call-up remains significant
• Entire squad recognizes unique once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of home World Cup

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  WHAT HAPPENED

  Charlotte FC star Tim Ream discussed the profound significance of potentially representing the United States at the 2026 World Cup on home soil. The veteran defender reflected on how participating would create a poetic symmetry in his soccer journey, connecting his earliest World Cup memories as a young fan during the 1994 tournament to potentially concluding his career in the 2026 edition.

  “I mean, for me, we go back to earliest memories, my earliest memories is 94, which we hosted,” Ream said on the U.S. Soccer podcast. “And now, my last involvement, potentially, would be one that we get to host, a poetic full circle. Crazy how that has kind of has kind of worked out, but for me, it's the same every time I get that email or that phone call.

  “It's like it means something to me, and it's going to be the biggest World Cup ever, and it's on our home soil, and I think we all understand and grasp how major it really is. And I think that's important for all of us, not just the older players who understand perspective and get it."

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• WHAT TIM REAM SAID

  Ream expressed confidence that the entire squad comprehends the magnitude of the upcoming tournament and believes that they need to embrace that going forward.

  “It's you know, more than likely none of the guys who are going to be on that squad next year will experience another home World Cup," Ream explained. "They really won't. And so, I think for us, it's, you know, I think we realize that the gravity of, of how big it is, and it's just about embracing it, you can't worry about whether, you know, there's more pressure, there's less pressure, who you're playing against, what you're doing.

  “It's just about embracing each and every game in each and every moment, and um, I'm excited for it…It would be the most exciting moment in my career. And the culmination of you know, well, it'll be 17 hard years professionally. And then everything before that all coming to uh, to the top.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The USMNT face the rare privilege and pressure of hosting the sport's biggest tournament. Ream highlighted that awareness of this unique opportunity extends beyond just the veteran players to include the entire player pool. At 38 years old in 2026, Ream would be among the oldest players to represent the United States at a World Cup if selected.

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  WHAT’S NEXT?

  Following their win over Japan, the USMNT will regroup to face Ecuador and Australia during the October international break.