Leading run-scorer and wicket-taker in this year’s Big Bash League will be plying their trade in England this summer
ESPNcricinfo staff08-Mar-2019D’Arcy Short and Kane Richardson, the leading run-scorer and wicket-taker in this year’s Big Bash League, will be plying their trade in the Vitality Blast this summer after signing T20 deals with Durham and Derbyshire respectively.Short, 28, who made his ODI debut against England at Cardiff last year, has featured prominently in Australia’s recent white-ball campaigns, including an innings of 76 from 44 balls to help his side to the highest T20I run-chase of 244 against New Zealand last year.He was named Player of the Tournament in the BBL for the second year running, after amassing 637 runs for Hobart Hurricanes, including six half centuries and a top score of 96 not out. He also chipped in with 10 wickets with his legspin.Richardson, meanwhile, contributed 24 wickets at an average of 17.70 and a strike rate of 13.70, to help Melbourne Renegades to the BBL title, beating their city rivals, Stars, in the final.He has also seen success in the Indian Premier League, taking 18 wickets across three campaigns, at a combined average of 24.60.”I’ve been lucky to play in T20 tournaments around the world, but this will be my first experience of the Vitality Blast and I’m looking forward to getting going,” said Richardson.”It’s a competitive tournament and I know a few of the guys who we’ll be facing and they all say how great the crowds are under the lights on the T20 nights in England.”Derbyshire are an ambitious club who have been progressing well in the last few seasons, so hopefully I can contribute towards some wins and get Derbyshire towards the knockout stages.”Up at the Riverside, Short will link up with his fellow Australian Cameron Bancroft, who has agreed a deal to join Durham for the entire 2019 season after serving a nine-month ban for ball-tampering last year.”I can’t wait to get over to Durham and play some cricket; playing in England is something that I have wanted to do for a while and I’m very excited to get started,” Short said.”It’s very much a new experience for me and a challenge to play on some different grounds, wickets, pitches and against some new bowlers.”It’s nice to have Bangers [Cameron Bancroft] who I already know from the Australia set-up and Northy [Marcus North] at Durham, as it’s always a help to have some extra support when you arrive at a new place. Both of them were a big factor in me choosing to join up with Durham Cricket this summer.”It didn’t take too much persuasion for me to decide to spend my summer in the North East and I’m looking forward to meeting the lads.”North, Durham Cricket’s Director of Cricket, added: “It’s exciting for everyone here at Durham to announce the arrival of D’Arcy Short for Vitality Blast this season.”He’s a great player to have around the dressing room and it offers the younger players a great opportunity to observe one of the finest T20 batsmen in world cricket.”
Bastian Schweinsteiger says he always had a good relationship with Jose Mourinho at Manchester United, despite being frozen out of the first-team.
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Mourinho apologised to midfielderGerman wanted to play alongside Zlatan and PogbaGrateful to Man Utd supportersWHAT HAPPENED?
The German midfielder arrived from Bayern Munich in July 2015 but saw his debut season under Louis van Gaal curtailed by a serious knee injury. When Mourinho arrived, Schweinsteiger had already been banned from first-team training, which he believes may be down to his decision to have treatment in Germany rather than Manchester – despite being given permission by Van Gaal.
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Due to the fact Schweinsteiger played under Mourinho's rival Pep Guardiola at Bayern, there were suggestions the Portuguese boss did not trust the veteran midfielder because of the managers' contrasting playing styles. However, the 2014 World Cup winner believes Mourinho played little to no part in his United struggles and says the pair enjoyed a good relationship in Manchester.
Getty ImagesWHAT SCHWEINSTEIGER SAID
Schweinsteiger told FourFourTwo: “I must say, I always had a pretty good relationship with Jose Mourinho. When we spoke, it was very respectful. I really liked his character. He [Mourinho] apologised to me later. I gave him a handshake and said: ‘All good, don’t worry’. I would’ve liked to have played more, definitely, and with Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, because with those two players I think we could have achieved much more. But I’m grateful to the supporters for the way they welcomed me when I had the chance to play. My dream was to play at Old Trafford again and it happened after a while, after training on my own, or with the under-19s or under-17s. Playing at Old Trafford again really meant a lot to me.”
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DID YOU KNOW?
Schweinsteiger made just 35 appearances for United across all competitions, scoring three goals and earning himself an FA Cup winner's medal in 2015-16. The German then departed Manchester in March 2017 to join Major League Soccer franchise Chicago Fire, and he guided them to the playoffs the same year after a five-year drought. He then called time on his playing career in October 2019 and took up a role in punditry.
David Moyes’ long-term future at West Ham appears to be in the balance, and there has now been a new update shared by one reporter.
Latest David Moyes update at West Ham
The Hammers are currently in the top half of the Premier League and have also qualified for the last 16 of the Europa League this season following a historic Europa Conference League triumph back in May. However, there are still doubts over whether Moyes will be in charge of the club next season, with his contract set to expire at the end of the current campaign. Journalist Toby Cudworth addressed Moyes’ contract situation last month, saying:
“Our understanding is that West Ham have been looking at future replacements for him. He won the Conference League in June, has one year left on his contract, but there’s been no engagement over a new contract. One thing we can say with near-certainty, David Moyes is not going to be signing an extension at West Ham barring a miracle.”
West Ham manager David Moyes
Now, Football Insider reporter Wayne Veysey shared a new development regarding Moyes and what he has told those close to him over his West Ham future. He said in the last 48 hours:
“David Moyes has told friends he does not expect to be manager of West Ham next season, sources have told Football Insider. The Scotsman’s contract expires at the end of the current campaign and he has not held talks with the club regarding a new deal.
“It is believed that he has told his camp that he “won’t be at West Ham next year” as he has had no signals from club chiefs they want him long-term.”
West Ham manager rumours
Moyes has enjoyed plenty of success during his second stint in charge, most notably in Europe, but the club may feel that 2024 is the perfect chance to freshen things up.
David Moyes first stint at West Ham
Days in charge
190
Matches
31
Wins
9
Draws
10
Losses
12
David Moyes second stint at West Ham
Days in charge
1460*
Matches
204
Wins
97
Draws
34
Losses
73
Trophies
1
If these claims prove accurate, it appears as if the Hammers could be on the search for a new manager in 2024, and there has already been a candidate backed to take over from the Scot at the London Stadium. Former Wolves and Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui is one name floating around in the media, with The Daily Mail journalist Kieran Gil saying earlier this month:
“The only name that’s been mentioned to me is Julen Lopetegui, who we know wants to return to the Premier League. But that picture could totally change closer to the end of the season.”
As Gil claims, a lot can change between now and May, but with Moyes seemingly resigned to his fate of exiting West Ham come the end of the season, you’d expect Hammers officials will be working behind the scenes over the coming months in regards to his successor.
Phil Parkinson has explained how the Welcome to Wrexham documentary series impacts transfer decisions for himself, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
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Red Dragons have bounced up into League OneBusy readying themselves for the third tierNeed recruits that can handle life in the spotlightGetty/GOALWHAT HAPPENED?
The Red Dragons are operating under the brightest of spotlights despite only hauling themselves back onto the third rung of the English Football League ladder in 2024. Back-to-back promotions have lifted them to that point, with Hollywood co-owners helping to make dreams come true in North Wales.
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Wrexham do, however, find themselves in a rather unique situation – with there so much to be taken into account when joining the club – and Parkinson has told of the issues that he has to address when bringing in new players: “There are a couple of situations in play at Wrexham. One is learning to deal with all the extra exposure in terms of the documentary and profile of the club. Two is not getting carried away with that and affecting the performance level and the professionalism during the week and on a Saturday. I think that’s key to identifying the players who are going to embrace that and say ‘Yes, I want to be a part of that’ but equally understand Wrexham is a working class town and that’s what we represent. I’m very pleased over the last few years you can really count the performances on one hand where you could say we didn’t turn up. Normally when the lads pull on the Wrexham shirts there’s a full out, committed performance from us. That’s the balance we’ve got to strike in the new players. You’ve got to have a certain courage to play in front of a full house every week and going away from home everywhere is a full house, shoulders back ‘Yeah I’m a good player, I want to be part of this’ but equally remaining humble at the same time.”
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Parkinson has grown accustomed to working in front of the cameras at Wrexham, while his vast experience means that pressure does not hit as hard as it may do for some of his coaching rivals. He added on working at SToK Racecourse: “Expectation? Since I’ve been at Wrexham I just think you deal with that by having good people with you, a great relationship with the people that own the club. Rob and Ryan, Shaun Harvey and people like that who are great and people who work with me as well. We’re a team – we work as a team. The strength of that helps you through difficult periods.”
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WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?
The third series of Welcome to Wrexham is currently in the process of being rolled out, as the Red Dragons booked return tickets to League One for the first time in 20 years, and there promises to be more drama to come as the most ambitious of outfits takes aim at an ultimate Premier League end goal.
Aston Villa are believed to be eyeing a move for an exciting attacking player, with club owners NSWE potentially getting him for as little as £13m.
Aston Villa transfer news
The Villans have done some superb transfer business in recent times, playing a major part in Unai Emery excelling so much as manager, guiding them to third place in the Premier League table currently. The likes of Pau Torres, Youri Tielemans, Nicolo Zaniolo and Moussa Diaby all arrived during the summer transfer window, with the quartet having a positive impact to date, adding quality and depth to Villa's squad, leading to wins against the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal.
That's not to say that further signings wouldn't be met with resounding positivity, however, ensuring that Emery's side continue to go from strength to strength, rather than rest on their laurels and risk not kicking on.
Villa have been linked with various players in recent weeks, with Atletico Madrid right-back Nahuel Molina seen as a potential target. Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos is another who has been seen as a possible target in the last few months, among others, should Emery feel that further reinforcements are required in the middle of the park, with two new forwards also wanted at the club in 2024.
Aston Villa eyeing Cyril Ngonge move
According to TuttoMercatoWeb, Aston Villa are eyeing up a move for Cyril Ngonge from Hellas Verona, with the player's valuation around about €15m (£13m).
The Villans are thought to have sent scouts to watch the 23-year-old attacker in action, and he has done well for his current side this season, scoring five goals in 14 Serie A starts, also chipping in with two assists.
It doesn't appear to specify whether a January or summer move to Villa could come to fruition, but the fact that his valuation is low could act as a bonus, making it less of a risk at the same time. Ngonge could be a shrewd signing by the Villans, adding the options in attacking areas that Emery arguably lacks currently, in terms of having strong backup choices, and he could provide competition for Diaby, with the Hellas Verona most commonly used in a right-sided attacking role this season.
Villa have built a genuinely formidable strongest starting lineup, but if they are to go up another level and eventually even become a Premier League title challenger, they arguably need to have top-quality squad players who can fit in seamlessly and help Emery maintain a freshness within his group of players.
Reporter shares new £55m update he’s heard from Aston Villa
Unai Emery could be given a major boost at Villa Park…
BySean Markus Clifford Dec 28, 2023
Ngonge is a six-time capped Belgium Under-19 international, scoring once for his country in that time, and while he is yet to make an appearance at senior international level, a move to Villa, where he could be surrounded by superior players than at Hellas Verona, could raise his profile, and by the looks of things, it is one to watch in the New Year.
England’s all-time leading run-scorer is content to be preparing for a season on the county circuit. But that won’t stop people asking the question
Alan Gardner02-Apr-2019Here’s a fun game to occupy the coming months. Which is likely to happen sooner (if at all)? Parliament will gather round, agree on a course of action, and complete the first stage of Brexit. Or the England selectors will gather around, agree on a course of action, and put in a phone call to Alastair Cook.If you thought Theresa May’s attempts to get a different answer to the same question on her EU withdrawal bill were becoming monotonous, just imagine how Cook must feel every time he is confronted with a microphone as England’s search for a Test opener (or two) continues. All it took was a bread-and-butter hundred against the students of Cambridge MCCU last week for the murmurs to strike up – although this time Cook had his Essex captain, Ryan ten Doeschate, to thank for fuelling the speculation.Every time Cook raises his bat during ten rounds of the Championship that will precede the Ashes later this summer, someone is liable to ask: could England’s all-time leading run-scorer be tempted out of retirement? In terms of occupying your time on Twitter, it surely has to beat discussions of backstops and customs unions.ALSO READ: I’d love to bat at No. 3 for England – FoakesThere is something in the stubbornness of May (a proclaimed Geoffrey Boycott fan) that surely chimes with Cook. He clung on for so long with England that there seemed an element of relief when he let it all go – his departing force channelled into one last valedictory Test hundred at The Oval in September. Now he seems equally set on enjoying the last few years of his career with Essex. “I’ve played my last game for England,” he says early in the piece during the club’s media day at Chelmsford.Although, that said… For a man who has given so much for the cause, that definitive full stop is hard to contemplate. In his maiden stint as a radio commentator for the BBC during England’s tour of the Caribbean, Cook let slip a tantalising “never say never”, and although he is happy to make the case for others to take up his mantle, the sense of possibility will linger for as long as he continues harvest runs in the shires.Leaving centre stage is understandably hard. After winning his fourth rowing gold medal at the 1996 Olympics, Steve Redgrave, another sporting knight, said: “Anybody who sees me in a boat has my permission to shoot me.” Four years later, he was wearing a fifth gold around his neck in Sydney.Harmer named T20 captain
Simon Harmer, Essex’s former South Africa offspinner, has been made captain of the T20 Blast side, taking over from Ryan ten Doeschate, who will continue to lead in the Championship and 50-over competition. While Essex won the Championship under ten Doeschate in 2017, their limited-overs form has been less impressive in recent seasons, and last year they managed just two wins in the Vitality Blast South Group. “It’s an exciting challenge,” Harmer said. “I think there’s going to be a lot of expectation going forward as we haven’t performed to the levels we know we’re capable of, but it’s a challenge that I wanted and I’m really looking forward to leading the team in the right direction.”
Cook was never quite so given to melodramatic pronouncements, but he is sticking to the script for now. “I was asked a very interesting question on a panel show, with about 18 different circumstances, and I said ‘you can never say never’. But look, I’ve played my last game for England. There’s always that one thing, if there’s an absolute emergency or something… But I’m nowhere near that mindset. I saw Tendo say something the other day, but I’ve had 12 amazing years of playing for England, it’s time for the next generation of players – certainly top-order players – to try to make their mark.”In terms of pulling on that cap and playing cricket – in one way it’s a sad thing it’s never going to happen again, but I’ve had my time. I had an amazing journey, I’ve loved it, but towards the end I wasn’t the player I was and things had to move on… They won’t be making the phone call to me anyway, and no matter what happens I’ve got the summer with Essex and I’m looking forward to spending it with the Eagles.”The Eagles certainly won’t mind having Cook around as he attempts to quietly unwind after more than a decade on the treadmill with England. Adjusting to the more mundane rhythms of a county season was not the sort of challenge that enthused his predecessors as England captain, Andrew Strauss and Michael Vaughan, but Cook has always played the game at his own tempo. As well as the challenge of winning a few more trophies with Essex – he played his part in their memorable 2017 Championship title – there is the simple pleasure of taking to the field with your mates.”It’s going to be different, it’s the first time I’ve ever played a game without the lure of England selection there, and that’s probably going to take a little bit of time to get used to,” he said.”It was important for me to have something to look forward to. The transition period, I spoke to a couple of people about retiring, and they were very clear that you’ve got to have something to do. I’m not saying I’m just here ‘to do something’ but I needed a date in my diary, and in my mind, that I could have the winter [to myself] and then come back to it.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever played a game without the lure of England selection there, and that’s probably going to take a little bit of time to get used to”
“I didn’t know what else to do, in one sense, but also I’ve spent a lot of time playing cricket here at Essex. I know a lot of the guys here really well, people like Ryan and Ravi [Bopara]. Ravi I played against at Under-11s, the next year I was playing in an Essex team with him. That’s a lot of time and I wanted to carry on playing cricket with people like that – Nick Browne, Tom Westley, people I get on really well with, I want to share a dressing room with.”On who might finally lay an irrefutable claim to his spot in the Test side, as with Brexit, there are no easy answers. Cook is circumspect – “you’ll have to read my column,” he joked – but he more than anyone knows the value of seizing an opportunity when the spotlight is on you. An Ashes summer without Cook to face down the new ball seems a disconcerting prospect; but it is up to his would-be successors to quell talk of a return.”Places are up for grabs, I think everyone who’s played has showed glimpses of good stuff, to be in the side for a long period. It’s certainly not an easy place to bat, and it’s a challenge, but whoever they pick’s got a great summer to go in with, an Ashes summer, always a very exciting time. It’s a great opportunity to do something special. You score a hundred in an Ashes Test match at the top of the order, then you get remembered.”
The 2023/24 Premier League season has been a relatively indifferent one for Crystal Palace so far. Despite sitting in 14th place, relegation looks rather unlikely, given the quality of the teams below them.
Still, in spite of some impressive results here and there, such as the draw with Manchester City and the win away to Manchester United, the Eagles do not look like they'll challenge those above them either.
Roy Hodgson has got his team to a place of temporary safety in the league, but if he wants to take them to the next level, the club will have to dip into the transfer market this month, which is precisely what they look primed to do.
Conor Gallagher
The latest player touted for a move to Selhurst Park is a loan signing who, if all goes well, could have a similar impact on the side that Conor Gallagher had when he joined on a temporary deal from Chelsea in 2021.
Palace look to repeat Gallagher coup
According to Sky Sports, Crystal Palace are among several top-flight teams 'interested in Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.'
The former Leeds United captain has been placed on the market by the treble-winners after Pep Guardiola admitted last month: "I visualise some things and visualise the team and things – and I struggle to see him."
While the Cityzens' desire to offload Phillips is undoubtedly good news for Palace, their preference to sell him rather than loan him is not, although Sky Sports does explain that if a loan move ends up as the most suitable option, then they won't stop it so long as a fee of around £5m is paid.
Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
Ultimately, beating clubs such as Newcastle United, Everton and Juventus to the Englishman's signature will be challenging, but the impact he could have on the midfield would surely be worth it.
Kalvin Phillips could have a similar impact to Conor Gallagher
Now, the first thing to note is that while both players are midfielders – and brilliant ones at that – they are there to do very different things. For example, Gallagher is a central midfielder who, during his time with the Eagles, was played in both a central role and an attacking role slightly further up the pitch, scoring eight times in the process.
In contrast, Phillips is very much a defensively-minded midfielder, and during his last season at Leeds – which is also the last season in which he played with any kind of regularity – he was deployed primarily as a six, even starting two games as a centre-back.
During his stint in south London, the Chelsea man was an incredibly dynamic force and while he was useful for a number of things, it was his goalscoring that understandably grabbed the headlines.
However, this just isn't what Hodgson will get with the City "monster" as described by former Palace winger Yannick Bolasie, and his underlying numbers from his last season of regular football at Elland Road show this.
Progressive Passes
5.25
Tackles
3.05
Blocks
2.09
Interceptions
1.36
Clearances
1.02
Errors leading to goals
0.00
Ball Recoveries
10.2
All Stats via FBref for the 2021/22 Premier League Season
Described as "the best modern midfielder I have seen" by legendary Italian manager Fabio Capello, Phillips' defensive metrics from his time at Leeds are genuinely impressive. He averaged 10.2 ball recoveries per 90 alongside making 3.05 tackles, 2.09 blocks, 1.36 interceptions and 1.02 clearances per 90, all while never making a single error that led to a goal.
That is the sort of defensive midfielder that could help turn Palace's midfield from one destined for lower mid-table mediocrity to one that could push up the league, similar to what Gallager did for the club's attacking output two years ago.
Crystal Palace open talks to sign free-scoring full-back
Palace’s latest target has been producing standout numbers this season.
ByDavid Comerford Jan 15, 2024
Ultimately, the chance to sign a player of Phillips' quality does not come around that often, and therefore, Palace should be doing all they can to get this deal over the line.
Nick Gubbins adds 90 to set up Middlesex’s third-highest 50-over total
ECB Reporters Network01-May-2019Sam Robson recorded his maiden white-ball century as Middlesex crushed Somerset by 118 runs at Radlett to reignite their Royal London One-Day Cup prospects.Robson, making his first appearance in the competition since he limped off with a hamstring injury against Hampshire almost exactly two years ago, top scored with 106 from as many balls.He shared an opening partnership of 138 with Max Holden (45) and, supported by a fluent knock of 90 from Nick Gubbins, set up Middlesex’s third-highest 50-over total of 364 for 6 after they had been put in to bat.Somerset, who have now lost twice after winning their first four South Group fixtures, were unable to build any significant partnerships and were bowled out for 246 in 43.4 overs.Holden was the more aggressive of Middlesex’s opening pair as they made a solid start, but Robson gradually eased into his stride, picking the gaps and hitting Josh Davey for successive leg-side fours.Robson particularly relished the introduction of Tim Groenewald, heaving the Somerset seamer over the top for four and six in successive deliveries and following that up with 14 off his next over.It was part-time bowler Azhar Ali who finally made the breakthrough, with Holden – who had earlier survived a chance to Tom Abell at midwicket – driving the leg-spinner into the hands of long on.Gubbins moved up the order to three and made his attacking intent clear, looking particularly strong on the leg side, while Robson offered just one chance at 90, with Azhar unable to cling on to a return catch.But the Middlesex opener motored on to reach his ton from 99 deliveries, taking advantage of a misfield to run two before eventually pulling the first ball of Craig Overton’s second spell to Roelof van der Merwe at mid-wicket.Gubbins looked well-placed to follow Robson into three figures, but his innings of 90 from 59 balls came to an end when he swung van der Merwe into the hands of Lewis Gregory on the boundary.Middlesex maintained their momentum during the later overs, with John Simpson (32) and Stevie Eskinazi (30) adding 60 before some powerful blows from George Scott (20*) and Toby Roland-Jones (22*) hauled them beyond 350.Two sharp catches, from Nathan Sowter and Robson respectively, enabled the home side to make early inroads when Somerset replied, with Tom Banton (3) and Peter Trego (12) back in the pavilion before the end of the Powerplay.James Hildreth briefly threatened to make a significant impact, hitting 18 from 19 balls before he played on to James Harris, while Abell (8) was run out at the non-striker’s end when Scott deflected Azhar’s drive onto the stumps.Sowter claimed 3 for 50, striking with his second delivery by persuading George Bartlett (17) to sweep to backward square leg before Azhar – who had batted tidily for 46 – was caught behind swishing at Tom Helm.Van der Merwe threw the bat for a swift 38 and, although Groenewald (28) and Davey (23*) delayed Middlesex with a last-wicket stand of 50, Roland-Jones wrapped up victory when the former scooped him to mid-wicket.
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi made a bizarre argument while trying to prevent Kylian Mbappe from leaving for free.
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Al-Khelaifi's argument to try and stop MbappeFrench star confirmed PSG exit this monthWill play his last game in Coupe de France finalWHAT HAPPENED?
The France captain is on his way out of PSG as he is all set to complete a free transfer to Real Madrid in the summer. Earlier this month, Mbappe officially confirmed his exit from the French club by sharing a video where he was seen bidding goodbye to his teammates, the club's coaching staff and the fans.
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However, claims that Al-Khelaifi tried his best to convince the star attacker to sign a new deal with the club as he did not want him to leave for free. Al-Khelaifi reportedly came up with peculiar arguments as he tried to make the 25-year-old feel guilty about heading to Los Blancos.
WHAT HAS BEEN SAID
According to , Al-Khelaifi wrote a letter to Mbappe, saying: "You cannot harm PSG. You can't go free and strengthen our biggest rivals. All the big players, [Jude] Bellingham, [Harry] Kane, leave leaving money for their clubs. You will legitimise the Super League."
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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR KYLIAN MBAPPE?
Mbappe will don Les Parisiens shirt one last time on Saturday as Luis Enrique's side take on Lyon in the Coupe de France final.
It's well known that Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou is hoping to add another player to his ranks this winter, and after welcoming centre-back Radu Dragusin and versatile forward Timo Werner, this will likely be a midfielder.
Indeed, recent reports confirm this, with Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher seemingly the top target for transfer before the close of the January transfer window; Wolverhampton Wanderers' Joao Gomes has also been touted.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou.
But Spurs definitely don't have a myopic attitude toward their spending, with chairman Daniel Levy seemingly earmarking several exciting players for a summer transfer, when the money flows more freely.
Despite the capture of Werner and the deals struck last summer, Harry Kane was sold to Bayern Munich in August and there is still room for another forward-placed player, which could be a key theme upon the conclusion of the 2023/24 campaign.
Spurs transfer targets – forwards
While Spurs have been sniffing around for an out-and-out centre-forward – Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke and Dutch Eredivisie champion Santiago Gimenez are both on the radar – the search for summer reinforcements is not exclusive to one position.
Tottenham now eyeing £34m Brazilian as well as Conor Gallagher – Sky Sports
He’s having a very good season.
ByEmilio Galantini Jan 18, 2024
For this reason, there may well be truth behind a recent report from journalist Graeme Bailey claiming that Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise is "set to leave" Selhurst Park in the summer, with all of the Premier League's top outfits interested and Tottenham understood to have made an enquiry.
Chelsea fought and failed to sign the Frenchman last summer but Steve Parish is expected to allow his star to leave this year, though he does now have a rumoured £60m release clause in his contract.
Michael Olise's season in numbers
Olise has been regarded as an exciting talent for several years now, earning the 2020/21 Championship's Young Player of the Season award before completing an £8m transfer to south London in July 2021.
Last season, he showcased his creative brilliance and racked up 11 assists from 31 starting appearances in the Premier League, leading talent scout Jacek Kulig to name him as “one of the best wide playmakers in Europe."
Since the summer, however, the 22-year-old has flipped the switch and started heaping emphasis on his shooting skills, which, it has to be said, has proved to be an undisputed success during his time on the pitch.
As per Sofascore, he has posted five goals and one assist across just seven starts and complemented this prolific return with 2.2 key passes and 3.8 ball recoveries per game, completing 81% of his passes, succeeding with 77% of his dribbles and winning 60% of his contested ground duels.
Olise only made his seasonal debut in November after an extended period of convalescence following a hamstring injury, and his resounding return to action was then paused earlier this month, with Roy Hodgson confirming that he is likely to miss the remainder of January action with another muscular issue.
Michael Olise
Nonetheless, the £100k-per-week star – who can play across the frontline but is finding a permanent home on the right flank – has demonstrated by so many outfits are eager to add him to the ranks, with Postecoglou's project only reaching new heights with his deployment.
How Michael Olise compares to Heung-min Son
Given Olise's newfound ability to wreak havoc on opposing defences with his own striking, the early signs are there that he could be the successor to Heung-min Son's spot at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Once dubbed "world-class" by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, Son has scored 157 goals and provided 85 assists across 393 appearances for Tottenham since signing from Bayer Leverkusen for £22m way back in 2015.
He's considered one of the finest Premier League forwards of his generation and replacing him is certainly not an easy task, but should Olise make the cross-London move, the club could indeed land the dream heir.
9
20
0.67
0.64
0.13
0.27
3.47
2.71
5.87
3.83
71%
81%
4.53
4.47
3.87
3.03
3.20
1.17
1.07
0.43
0.67
0.37
0.93
0.21
4.53
2.45
0.40
0.16
It is… astounding. Looking at the table above, the sublime form Olise has been in this season really is illuminated, trumping Tottenham's talisman across nearly every single facet.
Now, the respective players have played a vastly differing amount of football this term, Son playing just over 1000 minutes more in the English top-flight, but this does not diminish the incredible feats achieved by Olise during his time on the pitch.
Moreover, the fact that he has featured so irregularly as he battles against injuries only enhances the argument that he has been performing at a level to rival any star this season.
For example, Son has plundered 12 goals and five assists across 20 Premier League fixtures so far and has looked equally devastating across both centre-forward and wide roles, also creating 11 big chances for his teammates – a tally bettered only by Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The South Korean star might be trumped across the lion's share of metrics but he is easily one of the finest forwards in the Premier League and his prowess may actually be the gold standard for a rising phenom such as Olise to mould his game to.
Indeed, Olise has unearthed a rich vein of goalscoring form recently but Son's consistency throughout many years of service in north London is more than admirable, with the £190k-per-week machine actually ranking among the top 4% of positional peers for goals scored per 90, underpinning his prolific might.
Michael-Olise
Olise, too, only scored twice across 40 appearances in all competitions last campaign and there is not yet enough evidence to suggest that he can maintain his shooting success and rival the cutting edge of a player like Son.
But, from the snippet received over the past few months, there is an undoubted level of talent to propel Olise right to the forefront of the European game, with his recent feats the first times of latent world-class talent stirring.
Son is now 31 years old and there are still years in the tank for the Spurs skipper, but his influence will not last forever and for this reason, Olise's signature must be prioritised to ensure Tottenham's offensive fluency is preserved over the coming years.