All posts by h716a5.icu

Top-order batter has averaged 73.75 in 2021 with a century and two fifties

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Jan-2022Experienced top-order batter Punam Raut has expressed her disappointment at not making India’s squad for the Women’s ODI World Cup, saying “it is very disheartening to be continuously left out.”On Thursday, the BCCI named an 18-player contingent for the upcoming global event in New Zealand in March-April, where Jemimah Rodrigues and Shikha Pandey were also among the notable absentees. The release that carried the squad announcement, however, did not explain the exclusions.Related

Goswami: New Zealand ODIs will help us 'fix our errors' before World Cup

Rodrigues, Pandey left out of India's World Cup squad

Once slow and unsteady, Punam Raut turns a corner

Raut, 32, was part of the ODI squads for the England and Australia tours last year and also featured in the previous edition of the World Cup when India finished runners-up. In the six ODIs that she played in 2021, Raut accumulated 295 runs, including a hundred, at an average of 73.75.”Having being considered amongst the experienced batsmen and a consistent run scorer for India, I am extremely disappointed at not being a part of the World Cup squad,” Raut wrote on Twitter.”In 2021, I averaged 73.75, scoring 295 runs which included a hundred and two half centuries in the six ODI games that I played. It is very disheartening to be continuously left out even after performing. Having said that, I would like to extend my best wishes to all the players who will be representing India.”Raut has scored 2299 runs in 73 ODIs at an average of 34.83 and has been part of three ODI World Cups and four T20I World Cups. It is not the first time that the right-hander was outperformed by younger, aggressive batters. Even in 2018, she was overlooked for a place in the ODI squad when the team management began grooming the teenaged Rodrigues.Though Raut has often been criticised for being slow, she improved her strike rate to 68.92 in 2021. Her career strike rate was 56.96 before the start of 2021.”I don’t think too much about strike rate. I focus on my contribution to the team,” Raut had said during ODI series against South Africa in March last year. “As for making comebacks [as I have in the past], it is important to stay mentally strong. There are people who tell me that my strike rate is low, but I don’t let it worry me. I keep working on my game.”In 2021, Raut was also promoted from Grade C to B in BCCI’s central contracts that are handed out for India Women, after a successful limited-overs series against South Africa at home.

The 17-year-old got just four minutes off the bench against Tottenham, but he deserves more opportunities to shake up the flat Red Devils

Ruben Amorim is not usually shy about making substitutions during a game, be it hauling off Joshua Zirkzee after 33 minutes against Newcastle or the nine changes he has made at half-time in his 21 games in charge of Manchester United. And yet as he watched his side toil to the eighth defeat of his tenure at Tottenham on Sunday, the coach did not look to his bench until the 89th minute, when he decided to hand 17-year-old Chido Obi his debut.

There was a good reason for the Portuguese's inaction: United's sudden injury crisis mean that eight of his nine substitutes had no senior experience with the club. The only player who did was Victor Lindelof, who was returning from a long lay-off from injury and was not exactly the player United needed as they searched for an equaliser.

Obi had less than four minutes to make an impact against Spurs and, perhaps unsurprisingly, he did not touch the ball. His debut merely served as an opportunity to get him in the record books as United's third-youngest debutant in the Premier League and to get a taste, however brief, of playing in front of 60,000 people and millions more on television.

But the fact that Amorim turned to Obi shows just how much potential the teenager has and how much faith the club has in him. So with United so shorn of hope in any form, the time has come for Amorim to unleash the prolific teenager to give the team the shake-up it needs…

Getty/GOALFerocious scoring record

There has been a huge online clamour to see more of Obi in the first team from United supporters due to his incredible feats at youth level. Those began when he was still at Arsenal, when he scored seven goals in a single game last season against Norwich City Under-18s. It was not the highest amount of goals he had scored in one game, however; that was his logic-defying 10-goal haul in an U16s game against Liverpool.

The Danish striker, who moved to England when he was 13, has continued to set pulses racing since leaving Arsenal – where he scored 32 goals in 18 U18s appearances last season – for United in the summer of 2024. He scored a hat-trick in the space of 15 minutes on his full debut for United's U18s against Nottingham Forest and soon became the all-time top scorer in the U18 Premier League.

He has also set United's FA Youth Cup campaign alight, bagging doubles against Coventry and Preston before banging in a treble in the 5-1 routing of Chelsea last week.

AdvertisementGettyThrowing caution to the wind

Obi had begun training with the first team the same week as his hat-trick against Chelsea, although Amorim was keen to emphasise that it was due to the squad's injury problems. There was little indication that the youngster would be making his debut against Tottenham when the coach said: "I don’t want to say names, we have to be careful on that. We have problems this week, we called some young players to be in our training. He is one of them."

Amorim had also been cautious when asked about the teenager before the recent FA Cup tie with Leicester City, simply responding: "He's doing his job. He's improving and playing in the youth teams. We will see at the end of the season."

The Portuguese evidently changed his mind when he turned to the towering striker against Tottenham, hoping that his quick reactions in the box would help United grab an equaliser. "If you see Chido playing, he is clever with every ball lost in the box, so I wanted one more player," Amorim explained. "But I felt the team was good during the game and I didn't need to change. Chido was that one player who could, with one long ball, make the difference."

GettyNothing to lose

Coming off the bench for less than four minutes away from home for a desperate team bereft of confidence was certainly a big ask for Obi, but there are plenty more opportunities for him to showcase his ability, especially given that United's league season is only going to peter out into insignificance.

The Red Devils have 13 Premier League games remaining and the only thing they realistically have to fight for is avoiding their lowest finish since they came 13th in the 1989-90 season. The defeat at Tottenham saw Amorim's side drop to 15th in the table, and although jokes still abound about relegation, they are surely safe from that unthinkable fate, sitting 12 points above 18th-placed Ipswich Town. The lowest they could feasibly finish is 16th, while getting into the top half seems a tall orde as they are eight points behind 10th-placed Brighton.

Essentially, United have nothing to lose from giving Obi more opportunities up front from now until the end of the season. But they have plenty to gain.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty The Rashford precedent

The opportunity that has opened up for Obi in the team feels reminiscent of the circumstances that led to Marcus Rashford's incredible breakthrough into the first team in 2016. Rashford had nothing like the hype surrounding Obi when he was included in the starting line-up for a Europa League last-32 second leg at home to Midtjylland in February 2016 after Wayne Rooney was injured and Anthony Martial hurt himself in the warm-up.

But with his two goals against the Danish side and a brace three days later against Arsenal in the Premier League, Rashford shot to fame and breathed new life into a flagging season, leading to United eventually winning the FA Cup. The team could really do with a fresh injection of optimism and youthful energy right now, and so could the fans, who love nothing more than seeing young academy players promoted into the first team.

There are also a few United players who could be helped by Obi playing more regularly, though none more so than Rasmus Hojlund. The Dane has had a terrible campaign, scoring just twice in the league despite being the team's only natural No.9, with Joshua Zirkzee being much better suited to helping with the build-up play than scoring goals. Hojlund has started eight of Amorim's 13 Premier League games, but his meagre contribution was summed up by the fact that Manchester City's new signing Omar Marmoush managed to score more times in the opening 33 minutes against Newcastle on Saturday than the Dane has all season.

A Manchester United player who earns £120,000 a week is being offered to a new club before he gets a chance to prove his worth under new manager Ruben Amorim, according to a recent report.

The Portuguese head coach is now officially in charge at Old Trafford, but with no game for 10 days, he will be getting used to his surroundings and getting to know the small number of players who are not away on international duty.

INEOS exploring deal to bring £16m former Man Utd player back under Amorim

Amorim will want to address the left-back situation at United and they’re now eyeing a former academy graduate.

ByBrett Worthington Nov 13, 2024 Man Utd transfer news

Given the change of manager, the January transfer window could be a busy time for the Red Devils, as INEOS could see this as an opportunity to make a move for any targets that may be available to help Amorim gel his new team better.

Already, United have been linked with a move for Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku, making an enquiry over his possible signing. The Frenchman is growing unhappy with his game time at Stamford Bridge, and INEOS could look to take advantage of that and bring the forward to Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, the Premier League side is looking into the possibility of using Antony in an agreement to sign another Brazilian. It has been claimed that United could look to use Antony in exchange for Flamengo’s Lorran, whom they have had a “long-standing” interest in, as he’s now emerged as one of the brightest prospects in Brazilian football.

Antony may not be the only player to leave Old Trafford, as one defender is now offering his services to a top European team via his entourage.

Victor Lindelof offered to Juventus

According to Tuttosport relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof has offered himself to Juventus, who find themselves in an injury crisis in defence. Lindelof has been at Old Trafford since 2017, and since joining from Benfica, he has won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.

The Swedish international, who was dubbed “imperious” by writer Dominic Booth in the past, had his contract extension triggered in January this year, and that now runs until the end of this season. He has made seven appearances for United so far this term, three of which have come as starts, in what looks to be his final campaign at the club.

This report states that Lindelof’s agents have put their client’s name forward to Juventus, as his representatives have an “excellent” relationship with Juventus sporting director Cristiano Guintoli. The Serie A giants “appreciate” Lindelof’s profile as a player and his playing style, but his age of 30 doesn’t fit into their plans.

Apps

266

Goals

4

Assists

7

However, his contract situation at Old Trafford, which sees him earn £120,000 a week, makes him an attractive opportunity for them in January or next summer. There has been no clear indication that United will definitely not give Lindelof a new contract, but given his age and the fact he has hardly featured, his exit seems very likely, especially if Amorim favours other defenders ahead of him.

Pakistan have also named five reserves – including Yasir Shah and Naseem Shah – for the Tests, which are set to begin in Rawalpindi from March 4

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Feb-2022Pakistan have called up right-arm quick Haris Rauf, while opening batter Shan Masood, who played a Test in January 2021, has been recalled in the 16-member squad for the three home Tests against Australia. Offspinner Bilal Asif, who was part of the squad for the series against Bangladesh, has been dropped.Rauf, who has played ODIs and T20Is for Pakistan but is uncapped in the longest format, was earlier called up for the Tests against South Africa and Zimbabwe in 2021 but did not debut. Masood meanwhile replaces Abid Ali, who is currently in rehabilitation after being diagnosed with a heart condition in December last year.Pakistan have also named five reserves – Yasir Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah and Kamran Ghulam – for the Tests, which are set to begin in Rawalpindi from March 4.According to a PCB release, the players named in the Test squad who are not involved in the ongoing season of PSL will assemble in National Stadium in Karachi on February 16 for a training camp.”We have opted for consistency for the important home series against Australia and changes have only been made where absolutely necessary,” chief selector Muhammad Wasim said. “This is to give the boys confidence, reward them for their impressive performances in the longer version of the game in 2021 and continue to build the side for the future.”These are the best available, most talented and in-form players in the domestic circuit. I am confident they will put up an impressive performance against a formidable Australia side.”The second and the third Tests are scheduled to be played in Karachi from March 12 and in Lahore on March 21 respectively.Pakistan squad: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Zahid Mahmood
Reserves: Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah

Ipswich Town have been one of the Premier League’s surprise packages this season.

There was an expectation before a ball was kicked this year that Kieran McKenna’s side would struggle and that perhaps their rapid ascent up the English football pyramid would catch up with them.

However, we’re now 11 games into the campaign, and the Tractor Boys have picked up eight points courtesy of five hard-fought draws and an imposing win away to Tottenham Hotspur just before the international break.

One of the goalscorers that day was summer signing Liam Delap, who has been simply sensational for the club so far, and should the board want to get even more out of him, they should look to sign another up-and-coming talent they were linked to in the summer.

Delap's incredible form

Ipswich decided to splash around £20m on Delap back in July.

While fans were aware of his ability in the Championship thanks to his loan move to Hull City last season, signing him was risky as he’d had minimal experience of top-flight football at City.

Those concerns even remained a few games into the season for some, as the Winchester-born poacher had only scored one goal in his first five games for the club, but then, against Aston Villa in gameweek six, he announced himself.

In his 90 minutes of football that day, the 21-year-old phenom put the ball in the back of the net twice to earn his team an unlikely point, and since then, he’s scored another three goals and provided an assist for good measure.

That means the former City gem now has seven goal involvements in just 11 league appearances for the Tractor Boys this season, equating to a sensational average of one every 1.57 games.

It’s hard to overstate just how much of a success Delap has been at Portman Road this season, but the board could make him even better if they make an effort to sign another 21-year-old talent who’s been quite the creative spark in the Championship this year.

The Championship gem Ipswich should sign

So, the player in question is West Bromwich Albion star Tom Fellows.

Interestingly, there seems to be some confusion about whether Ipswich were interested in him over the summer, as Football Insider claimed that they began talks over a potential £11m move, while other reports claim that there was no interest at all.

Whatever the truth is, the Tractor Boys should be in for the talented 21-year-old regardless, as he was impressive last season and has looked even more so this season.

For example, in 38 appearances for the Baggies last year, the “explosive” wideman, as football talent scout Jacek Kulig described him, scored five goals and provided four assists, equating to a goal involvement every 4.22 games.

However, this season has seen the Solihull-born gem become far more of a creator, and as things stand, he’s provided five assists in just 15 appearances, equating to one every three games.

Season

23/24

24/25

Appearances

38

15

Goals

5

0

Assists

4

5

Goal Involvements per Match

0.23

0.33

It’s this ability to create chances from the right-hand side that would make him an ideal teammate for Delap, as so far, Leif Davies has the most assists in the Ipswich squad with just two to his name, while the most productive right-sided player is Omari Hutchinson with just one.

Ultimately, it might prove a challenging transfer to get over the line, but given his creativity talents and what that could mean for Delap, they should be doing all they can to bring Fellows to Portman Road in 2025.

Ipswich want to sign future "Premier League star" who's outscoring Delap

The sensational winger would make Ipswich much more dangerous.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 14, 2024

Wayne Rooney has been told why his Manchester United management dream is still alive despite flopping at Birmingham and Plymouth.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Flopped in Championship postsTaking a break from coachingBeing backed to prove his worthFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Ex-England captain Rooney lasted just 83 days alongside NFL legend Tom Brady at St Andrew’s, before taking in only 25 games in charge of the Pilgrims as they slumped to the foot of the Championship table. He is now back in punditry while taking an enforced break from coaching.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Rooney had been billed as a potential United boss of the future when first stepping into the dugout – as the Red Devils’ all-time leading goalscorer – but is now fighting to salvage his reputation. Former team-mate Michael Owen believes a career path that leads back to Old Trafford can still be found.

WHAT MICHAEL OWEN SAID

The ex-United striker has told told , who offer the latest Cheltenham Gold Cup Odds: “With Wayne Rooney’s attitude, it gives him a 10x better chance of one day managing Manchester United than someone without it. He’s got the right attitude, determination and will to succeed that he had as a player and I'm sure he will succeed at some point.

“I just take my hat off to him. I go down the pub and some people say that he's not cut out for management, I say that’s far too harsh. He's learning the ropes. He's showing everybody that he'll do anything to learn those ropes in the harshest conditions and all the rest of it, being away from his young family.

“I do hope that he nails it sooner rather than later. He'll get another job, I'm sure. He might have to be abroad, but at some point he’ll nail it and he deserves it.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

AFPWHAT NEXT FOR WAYNE ROONEY?

Rooney, who has spent time working at Salford City – the League Two side co-owned by United’s fabled ‘Class of 92’ – has said that he would be willing to consider U21 and backroom staff roles. The 39-year-old is now waiting on enticing offers.

Oscar-nominated actor showcases his love for French football while attending the BNP Paribas Open with girlfriend Kylie Jenner.

Chalamet wears Adidas x Saint-Étienne collaboration jacketActor's choice highlights his long-standing support for the Ligue 1 clubChalamet also supports Premier League giants Chelsea and the New York KnicksAFPWHAT HAPPENED

Hollywood star Timothée Chalamet was spotted at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, wearing a green and white Adidas jacket featuring the AS Saint-Étienne (ASSE) football club logo. The actor attended the event with his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner on March 10, catching the attention of both sports and fashion enthusiasts. Chalamet's choice of attire at the high-profile tennis event highlights his long-standing support for AS Saint-Étienne, a French football club.

AdvertisementWHAT SOCIAL MEDIA CAPTUREDTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The Oscar nominated actor is a big fan of football and AS Saint-Étienne as he spent childhood summers near the team's hometown of Saint-Étienne. However, Chalamet's football interests extend beyond Ligue 1 as the actor is also known to support Premier League giants Chelsea FC. Not only that, he was spotted, in February, wearing a Columbus Crew jacket to the Berlin Film Festival although the actor never confirmed whether he supports the MLS side or was a fan of the attire.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

AFPWHAT’S NEXT?

The Ligue 1 side have endured a tough time in the French top tier ever since their promotion back into the top flight at the end of the 2023/24 season. They currently sit 17th on the league table and are at risk of relegation with 11 games left in the Ligue 1 season. However, Saint-Etienne are two points from safety and face Montpellier next on the road before hosting league leaders PSG at the Geoffroy Guichard Stadium on March 16 and 29 respectively.

Arsenal are interested in signing a £40m-rated Premier League player who is now open to leaving his current club in January, according to a report.

Arsenal linked with new defenders

Although they endured a slow start to the campaign, Arsenal have shown signs of real improvement over the past few weeks, and they look particularly impressive from an attacking point of view, notching 13 goals in their last three matches.

The Gunners had the best defensive record in the top flight last season, shipping just 29 goals across the season, and despite their attacking prowess, they have looked a little more vulnerable defensively this term.

As such, Mikel Arteta may be keen to bring in some reinforcements at the back to provide the strong centre-back pairing of Gabriel and William Saliba with some extra solidity.

Sky Sports: Arsenal keen on 20 y/o ace who's shining in Champions League

Mikel Arteta has set his sights on a new attacker.

ByDominic Lund Dec 1, 2024

Last month, Arsenal are said to have made an approach for Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande, while Jules Kounde has also been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium due to Arteta’s admiration of the Frenchman.

Arsenal keen on Bournemouth's Kerkez

Not only has Arteta been running the rule over a number of centre-backs, but the manager may also now be keen on a new full-back, with Caught Offside reporting that AFC Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez is on the list of potential options in that position for Arsenal.

Kerkez may be available sooner rather than later, with the report stating that he is open to a move away from his current club this January, and there are a number of other clubs also vying for his signature.

Liverpool are said to be stepping up their interest in the left-back, with the likes of Tottenham, Chelsea and Aston Villa also being named as potential suitors. Should Bournemouth sanction the 21-year-old’s departure, they would be looking to receive a fee in the region of £40m.

After his move to Bournemouth in the summer of 2023, the youngster was tipped for success by former teammate Mathew Ryan, who said:

“Milos is a great boy. A crazy dude, in a good way. He is always positive and smiling. Hopefully he can develop even further in England and become even more mature. He is aggressive, powerful and has so many qualities. A unique skill set. Bournemouth is going to get stronger because of him. Milos still has a great career ahead of him.”

Since then, the Hungary international has really kicked on, establishing himself as a first-team regular for the Cherries, so it is no wonder some of the Premier League’s top clubs could soon come calling.

NBC Sports’ Robbie Mustoe has also explained that he believes Kerkez is one of the best left-backs in the Premier League:

However, Arsenal are well-stocked at left-back, with Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko at Arteta’s disposal, so signing the Bournemouth star could be low down the list of priorities this winter, although it looks like one to watch following this update.

Aaron Hardie, Jhye Richardson and Jason Behrendorff shared seven wickets, as Aaron Finch’s 67 went in vain

Alex Malcolm08-Mar-2022Western Australia stormed into the Marsh Cup final after their international-quality attack razed Victoria for 143 to set up a six-wicket win with a bonus point at the Junction Oval in Melbourne. They chased the target in just over 27 overs to also finish on top of the table after six rounds. Western Australia will now face New South Wales at the same venue on Friday after the latter’s match against South Australia was abandoned due to rain.WA might light work of Victoria thanks to their top-class attack, with Jason Behrendorff and Jhye Richardson claiming two wickets apiece, while Aaron Hardie picked up three.Western Australia cruised to the target of 144 after the early loss of Josh Philippe. Short and Shaun Marsh put on 74 for the second wicket to break the back of the chase. The pair fell in quick succession to Cameron McClure, who took three wickets. But Hilton Cartwright smashed five boundaries in 11 balls to ice the game and secure the extra point.Aaron Finch the was only Victorian to stand tall, making 67. D’Arcy Short replied with 54 in the chase as Western Australia’s top six ran down the target with ease.Western Australia won the toss and sent Victoria in, as Behrendorff snared both openers Jake Fraser-McGurk and Mackenzie Harvey to start the rot. Victoria slumped to 86 for 7 thanks to a combination of good bowling and poor decision making.Peter Handscomb nicked a beautiful outswinger from Matt Kelly, while Glenn Maxwell was a touch unlucky, flicking Hardie to deep backward square where Cameron Bancroft took an outstanding catch in two parts, having to lob it up to himself to avoid stepping outside the rope with the ball in hand.And Nic Maddinson then ran himself out taking on Kelly’s pinpoint throw from mid-on, before Richardson ripped out two in two overs.Finch was left to pick up the pieces and he shepherded the tail with a patient 67 from 100 balls. He struck seven boundaries in what is likely to be his last hit before the limited-overs tour of Pakistan.Western Australia had nine international representatives in their XI, with Marcus Stoinis being rested to spend more time at home. They were also missing Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green and Ashton Agar who are currently with Australia’s Test squad in Pakistan.Meanwhile, it was the fourth time in six matches this season that New South Wales had a match abandoned without a ball bowled. But eight points from four no results, plus two wins and a superior net run rate were enough for them to sneak past Tasmania into second spot on the table.The final will be played at the neutral venue in Victoria after Cricket Australia locked in the schedule last month when Western Australia’s border was shut due to Covid-19.

Pep Guardiola reached two unwanted milestones for the first time in his coaching career after Manchester City were held to a 2-2 draw by Brighton.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

City concede 40 league goals for first time under coachCatalan also set for lowest points total in careerChampions League qualification in dangerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

City twice gave away the lead in Saturday's draw at the Etihad Stadium and Abdukodir Khusanov's own goal was the 40th time they have conceded in the league this season. It is the first time Guardiola has ever conceded 40 goals in a single season.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The draw also meant that Guardiola will achieve his lowest points total in his nine seasons in England and in his entire managerial career, even if City win all of their nine remaining matches. It also means he will fail to average at least two points per game for the first time in a coaching career which has seen him work in Spain, Germany and England. The result also dealt a blow to City's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League as Newcastle will knock them out of the top five if they win their game in hand. However, Guardiola is still hopeful that his side will get back into Europe's elite competition.

WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

"I am always confident. I have moments where I can have doubt but I find the way. We have nine games left in the league and nine finals," Guardiola said.

DID YOU KNOW?

City have qualified for the Champions League in 14 successive seasons, since the 2011-12 campaign. Arsenal hold the English record for 19 consecutive group stage appearances between 1998-99 and 2016-17, while Manchester United qualified for 18 successive campaigns between 1996-97 and 2013-14.