It is understood that Bengaluru will host the rescheduled tournament with the league fixtures slated for August 23, 25 and 27
Shashank Kishore in Vijayawada19-Aug-2018The Quadrangular series between the A teams of India, Australia and South Africa has been shifted out of Vijayawada due to incessant rains. The change was confirmed by an Andhra Cricket Association official soon after four games were washed out without a ball bowled. ESPNcricinfo understands Bengaluru will now host the rescheduled tournament with the league fixtures slated for August 23, 25 and 27. The final will be played on August 29.Matches to be televised will likely be held at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, while the others are expected to take place at KSCA’s Alur facility on the outskirts of the city. Alur hosted the recently concluded second four-day Test between India A and South Africa A earlier this month.The ACA ground in Mulapadu, which was to host the fixtures, does not have a state-of-the-art drainage facility. Vijayawada has received intermittent rain over the past week. This forced the first set of matches to be abandoned on Friday despite there not being any rain for more than 24 hours in the build-up to the start.The ACA was confident of preparing the surface and outfield for Sunday, provided there was no rain, but there was a thunderstorm on Saturday evening. This resulted in water seepage that caused significant damage to the pitch and outfield. Sunday dawned with continuous drizzle, and although both teams made it out to the ground, they had to return to their hotel not long after making the hour-long trip.That the one indoor facility in Mangalagiri is an hour’s drive from Vijayawada has added to the players’ frustration, leaving them with little or no opportunities for match practice in the five days they’ve been in the city. They have been forced to remain indoors or undertake fitness sessions at a private gym.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has compared England international Jude Bellingham to Brazil legend Kaka.
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Ancelotti compared Bellingham to KakaBellingham better 'without the ball'Kaka played for six years under AncelottiWHAT HAPPENED?
Ancelotti has been comparing AC Milan and Real Madrid star Kaka to current Los Blancos hero Jude Bellingham ahead of his team's Champions League tie with Union Berlin. The Italian has spoken about working with both players and claimed that the England international is better 'without the ball' than the legendary Brazilian.
AdvertisementWHAT CARLO ANCELOTTI SAID
Speaking to reporters, Ancelotti said, "Kaka got into the box a lot with the ball. He didn't have as much quality to get there without the ball, like Bellingham. We play without a fixed nine and in the box there is more space to finish. With Kaka the system was different, but in general, Kaka was very good on the ball and Bellingham's movement off the ball is very effective."
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The former Brazil star played under the tutelage of the Italian manager for six years at AC Milan before the duo left the club in 2009. Together in Milan, they won multiple trophies including Serie A and Champions League titles. In 2009, Kaka headed to Real Madrid while Ancelotti joined Chelsea.
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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?
The Spanish giants will be next seen in action in the Champions League on Wednesday as they take on RB Leipzig in the second leg of their round of 16 fixture.
Glamorgan were denied their second win of the season by the Derbyshire tailenders at Swansea, where Tony Palladino and Duanne Olivier batted out the final 14.3 overs to earn a draw
ECB Reporters Network23-Jun-2018 ScorecardGlamorgan were denied their second win of the season by the Derbyshire tailenders at Swansea, where Tony Palladino – who faced 108 balls for his unbeaten 30 – and Duanne Olivier batted out the final 14.3 overs to earn the visitors a draw.When Derbyshire lost their eighth wicket, Glamorgan were favourites to win but, with stubborn resistance and some good fortune, the visitors held out.Glamorgan had resumed at their overnight score of 201 for 3, making rapid progress in the opening session as 107 runs were scored in the first hour at the rate of six runs an over. Kiran Carlson and Usman Khawaja shared a record partnership of 289 for the fourth wicket, the highest for any wicket for Glamorgan against Derbyshire, surpassing the previous record set by Mark Cosgrove and Michael Powell.Khawaja was to the first to reach his century, and he also became the first Glamorgan batsman to score successive hundreds in his fist two games for the club. Carlson reached his landmark shortly afterwards before racing to his next fifty from only 20 deliveries.Both batsmen surrendered their wickets in the quest for quick runs, and after David Lloyd had struck a brisk undefeated 43, Glamorgan declared to leave Derbyshire a target of 325 from a minimum of 63 overs.The visitors were soon in trouble as Harvey Hosein had his middle stump uprooted in Michael Hogan’s first over, then Ben Slater was lbw to Andrew Salter – also in his first over – with Derbyshire struggling at 18 for 2.Much depended on Derbyshire’s best batsmen Wayne Madsen, and he responded with some aggressive shots, notably against Salter, whom he struck for three fours in one over. However, Alex Hughes was the next to go when he edged Hogan, who had changed ends, to second slip.Derbyshire resumed after tea on 77 for 3, with 40 overs remaining, but there then followed a flurry of wickets. Ben Godleman was the first to go when he chipped Prem Sisodiya to midwicket, before the 19-year-old debutant took the vital wicket of Madsen, who was caught at backward point.When Matt Critchley became Hogan’s third victim, Derbyshire had slumped to 93 for 6, but Gary Wilson and Palladino provided stubborn resistance for 15.2 overs. Wilson faced 72 balls before he was lbw to Lukas Carey for 26, a decision he clearly didn’t agree with, as he stalked back to the pavilion.Hamidullah Qadri quickly followed for a pair in the game to give Hogan his fourth wicket – but there was further frustration for Glamorgan as Olivier joined Palladino to defend on a fourth-day pitch that offered little to the bowlers.
Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Fraser Forster has heaped praise on an arguably unsung Spurs player, saying he's been training brilliantly behind the scenes.
Spurs player ratings 2023/2024
Ange Postecoglou's table-topping Spurs side have quite simply blown away on-lookers. Some had them finishing in the bottom half after star striker Harry Kane quit for Bayern Munich in the summer window, but things haven't quite gone in that direction. Instead, the north Londoners find themselves unbeaten over their opening eight Premier League matches, winning six of them, and standing out as the division's most in-form side on paper.
Few could've envisaged this sensational start to the new campaign, especially after Kane's departure. A few star players have gone on to catch the eye under Postecoglou, too, perhaps most notably Yves Bissouma, Son Heung-min, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison. The latter has already bagged two goals and five assists in a Spurs shirt since arriving from Leicester City for £40 million.
“I always rated him [Maddison],” Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle told Premier League Productions (09/10/23 at 5:30 pm).
“I felt Tottenham three years should have gone and got him with Harry (Kane) in the team. I always felt that he was ahead of players who were getting ahead of him in the England squad when he was at Leicester. With better players around him, and certainly in that England team, I think you would see the best and that’s coming out of him now. He has matured. He’s got three or four years where he is going to be at his peak.”
The aforementioned have quite simply starred in a Lilywhites jersey, but one lesser-mentioned star of their starting eleven has been goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Guglielmo Vicario praise
The Italian, who was brilliant for Empoli last season, attracted Tottenham's interest over the summer transfer window as chairman Daniel Levy sought to bring him in for around £17.2 million. Since his arrival, Vicario has usurped long-serving number one Hugo Lloris as Tottenham's first choice keeper, going on to make some crucial saves against the likes of Luton most recently.
Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Back-up Spurs keeper Forster, speaking to Tottenham's Off The Shelf podcast, heaped praise on his counterpart and revealed that Vicario is training brilliantly.
"I think as you see this season, I think every game, even as a team the way we want to play, we look better and better at what we want to do because those relationships are coming and can only get stronger and better as the season goes on," said Forster, later praising Vicario.
"He's been brilliant," admitted the Tottenham goalkeeper. "I think his performances in the games have been very good and he's made big saves. [It's] not easy coming to a new club, new country. His English is very good which has really helped him.
"One of my mates from Celtic actually played with him at Empoli and he's raved about him for ages, so as soon as he was coming here he said he's a very, very good goalkeeper. Top guy. He's been brilliant in the games, he's been brilliant around the place, trains well and works hard, so it's a good start for him."
Having secured Champions League qualification by the skin of their teeth last season, Newcastle United are under no pressure to sell players this summer.
Of course, Eddie Howe will still have to comply with Profit and Sustainability (PSR) regulations in order to make sure the club are balancing the books this summer.
The last time Newcastle played in Europe’s premier club competition, they failed to make it out of the group stages.
Howe will be expecting a much better showing this time around, although this means simultaneously keeping his star players while adding in much-needed squad depth.
Alexander Isak has been the subject of links to Liverpool recently, following on from another wonderful campaign on Tyneside.
The Toon are not willing to let their star striker leave, never mind selling to a Premier League rival. As such, they have placed a valuation of around £150m on his head.
Whether this deters potential suitors or not remains to be seen, but the Swedish centre-forward does appear happy at the club.
He isn’t the only player attracting interest of late. Indeed, winger Anthony Gordon is another who enjoyed a productive season in 2024/25.
While Isak appears indispensable to the club’s success next term, could Gordon be allowed to leave if the right offer comes in?
The latest on Anthony Gordon's future at Newcastle
The English starlet has emerged as one of the most sought-after talents in the Premier League after a few impressive seasons at Newcastle.
Liverpool showed interest last summer, but nothing materialised. Could Arne Slot return this year and finally secure his signature?
Anthony Gordon
Any move may cost around £75m as both Chelsea and Arsenal have joined the Anfield side in declaring their interest in the former Everton sensation.
Last season, Gordon registered 16 goal contributions – nine goals and seven assists – in all competitions for the Magpies.
While he didn’t play in the League Cup final, the winger scored twice on the club’s road to the trophy, and his efforts in the Premier League sealed a top-five finish for the Toon.
Goals
6
Assists
5
Big chances created
6
Key passes per game
1.5
Successful dribbles per game
1.1
Shots per game
1.7
Via Sofascore
When compared to his positional peers in the top flight last season, Gordon ranked in the top 7% for crosses into the penalty area (0.63) per 90 and in the top 5% for fouls drawn (2.63) per 90, proving how much of a menace he is down the flanks.
It is perhaps no wonder that so many clubs are keen on signing the Englishman, especially as he isn’t even the finished article yet.
Will Howe be prepared to accept an offer worth around £75m for the player? Especially as it could fund a few potential signings this summer?
That much remains to be seen, but if so, the club will need to spend in order to sign an able replacement. That’s for sure.
It appears as though Howe has already targeted a youngster who could potentially fill the void left by Gordon. Should he depart Newcastle, that is.
Newcastle eye move for French sensation
Howe has been working hard on trying to make something happen this summer in terms of incoming signings.
Players such as Jadon Sancho, Marc Guehi, and even Marc-Andre Ter Stegen have all been linked with moves to Newcastle in recent weeks.
All three would be excellent signings, without a shadow of a doubt, but the lack of progress is slightly worrying.
Lyon's Malick Fofana
Now, according to ESPN, Newcastle are one of the clubs lining up a deal for Lyon starlet Malick Fofana this summer, although they face some stiff competition from the likes of Chelsea, Everton, Brighton, and Fulham for his signature.
As per the report, Fofana could cost around £45m, which, for a player of his age and lack of experience, is an astronomical amount. His ceiling for development is massive, however, which could entice Howe into making a swoop for the 20-year-old, especially if Gordon goes.
Fofana is a right-footed winger who likes to play on the left, and he would be the perfect replacement for the Englishman.
Why Newcastle must sign Malick Fofana
The youngster has already made his senior debut for Belgium after what was a breakthrough season with Lyon in 2024/25.
Indeed, across 41 games in all competitions for the French side, he scored 11 goals and grabbed a further six assists, showcasing his ‘explosive’ skillset, as it was labelled by Astorre Cerebróne of Breaking the Lines.
It was in the Europa League where the talented winger really demonstrated his talents. Not only did he record an impressive eight goal contributions in the competition, but he shone in a range of metrics.
When compared to his positional peers, he ranked in the top 1% for non-penalty goals (1.05) per 90, while also ranking in the top 1% for touches in the opposition penalty area (8.23) and for progressive carries (7.88) per 90 in the tournament.
This certainly proves that he loves taking on defenders regularly, while taking the ball into dangerous zones during matches.
His eye for goal could also be advantageous for Howe, who would look for a goalscoring winger to replace Gordon. Fofana is only going to get better, too, that’s for sure.
Fofana was hailed by U23 scout Antonio Mango for his “game-changing potential” late last year and certainly showcased his talents for Lyon throughout 2024/25.
He even starred in Ligue 1 for the French side. The youngster created six big chances and succeeded with 0.8 dribbles per game.
Lyon's Malick Fofana against AC Milan.
There is no doubt that he is ready to take the next step. After shining in the Europa League, could the Champions League be the platform for him to continue his development?
Howe must think so, and while a fee of £45m is big, especially given his lack of experience on the biggest stage, he must think of the long-term future.
Fofana could be a player who eventually brings the club a major profit a few years down the line, which will go a long way in his thinking, given his impressive form for Lyon, which suggests that he could be a brilliant replacement for Gordon.
Newcastle readying bid and fighting to land centre-back wanted by Real Madrid
The Magpies are well in the fight to land their man…
Australia captain Tim Paine hopes the move will underline the changed image of the team team since events in South Africa
George Dobell12-Jun-20180:52
Paine hopes to change perceptions with handshakes gesture
The England and Australia teams will shake hands on the outfield ahead of the Royal London One-Day series in attempt to restore the somewhat battered reputation of the sport.With the image of the game – and the Australian game in particular – tarnished by events in South Africa earlier this year, the new Australia captain, Tim Paine, suggested the handshakes to his England counterpart, Eoin Morgan, at The Oval on Tuesday. Morgan readily accepted.Paine hopes it will underline the changed image of the Australia team since events in South Africa. Not only were three Australia players suspended for their part in a ball-tampering episode during that tour, but there was an acceptance that some aspects of their behaviour had become unnecessarily aggressive and unattractive.The pre-game handshakes were first seen ahead of the final Test of that sometimes acrimonious South Africa series and Paine would like tosee them repeated before the first game of all series involving Australia in future.”It’s something we want to bring in to start a series, not before every game,” Paine said. “It’s just living our actions. We’ve spoken internally about our values as a team and how we want to be perceived by the Australian public and by the cricket public in general.”But words are words. Come Wednesday, it’s time for us to act on those words and show it by actions.””I’m absolutely happy with that,” Morgan said. “They are trying to turn around the image of the game in their country and we are all for that. We want cricket to be as popular as ever.”During the 2015 Ashes, the England captain – Alastair Cook – invited the Australia team for drinks in the dressing rooms at the end of the first Test; a custom usually reserved for the end of a series. The Australia team declined.
Everton finally claimed that all-important first win of the season last Saturday, as they brushed aside Brentford in emphatic fashion to leave the Gtech Community Stadium with a 3-1 win.
It was a result that Sean Dyche always felt was coming, given how their performances were yet to merit the results they craved, and with two favourable Premier League home fixtures on the horizon now, he will hope to build upon the four points already amassed.
It has been a tough job for the former Burnley manager since joining the Toffees, as he inherited a club riddled with financial woes that left them hamstrung in the markets. In the January window where he was appointed late, their only major business was to sell Anthony Gordon, bringing in no replacements.
Then, in the summer just gone, although they did invest in a number of positions, this was largely funded by the departures of Demarai Gray, Alex Iwobi, Moise Kean and a number of academy graduates.
Everton manager Sean Dyche.
With a takeover looming that has also drawn scrutiny, it is admittedly a trying time to be a blue. But with that victory, things are now looking up.
Their current predicament is born of years of fiscal mismanagement, with the club placing trust in undeserving figures who would then spend outside of their means. Although Ronald Koeman and Steve Walsh might be the two biggest culprits guilty of such actions, Marco Silva cannot be completely absolved of blame either…
Who was Marco Silva's worst signing at Everton?
The Portuguese boss was a long-term target of Farhad Moshiri's back in 2017, having first tried to pry him directly from Watford, before eventually moving again after his sacking.
With a free-flowing style of football expected to light up Goodison Park, their first campaign under his leadership showed enthralling signs of the bright future the club and manager might build together. After all, Director of Football Marcel Brands had noted: "One of the most important things is that he’s a guy who wants to play attractive, attacking football and also wants to work in the structure we have at Everton. He will be a very good manager for Everton."
However, leading them into European football would actually prove detrimental, and after being thrashed across the continent, Silva was sacked with his side languishing around the relegation zone.
It was not a completely thoughtless decision to wholeheartedly back the man who had led them to such debut-term success, but with hindsight many of his subsequent acquisitions were questionable.
Yerry Mina and Jean-Philippe Gbamin have both proven a waste given the injury turmoil suffered, whilst Alex Iwobi only really enjoyed the final few years of his time in Merseyside before leaving last summer. Even Fabian Delph, who seemed like a shrewd acquisition at the time, somehow devolved into a financial mess given his high wages and persisting injuries.
However, it could be argued that Silva's worst signing was actually his cheapest, given the excitement that surrounded Bernard's 2018 signing, and the disappointment that was to follow.
After all, the Brazilian joined with a big reputation as a diminutive trickster with enough technical prowess to thrive in the physical Premier League. His 63 goal contributions in 157 games for Shakhtar Donetsk only added to the joy at his capture, with Silva claiming: "Bernard is a quick player, very good technically and he can play on the left or right wings and as an offensive midfield player behind the striker.
"He has experience of playing in the Champions League for Shakhtar Donetsk for the past five years and the fact he has 14 caps for Brazil is a further reflection of his quality."
However, just eight goals in his 84 appearances for the club would severely underwhelm, and he would depart in 2021 for UAE Pro League club Sharjah. A severe case of what could have been for Silva and Everton, Bernard will forever be remembered as a man whose entire career on Merseyside saw him flatter to deceive.
How much did Everton pay for Bernard?
It would surprise most to hear that someone mentioned in the conversation for worst signings came on a free transfer, but the 31-year-old managed that feat.
After all, following the end of his contract with the Ukrainian side, a lucrative deal was the only way to tempt the 5 foot 5 dud to choose Everton over the likes of Chelsea, AC and Inter Milan, all of whom were reportedly interested.
Given just how quiet a stint the winger would endure, it puts into perspective just how poor he was across his three years with the club, that a free capture still managed to be a shocking signing.
What was Bernard's salary at Everton?
The real financial blunder was handing Bernard a long, lucrative contract, rather than any potential transfer fee he might have cost in the past.
After all, the forward managed to snag himself a £120k-per-week deal and £6.2m a year, making him easily the club's highest-earner in that debut year alongside Mina, via Capology.
3
1
0
6.77
15
3
2
6.71
25
1
3
6.64
Therefore, across the three seasons spent slowly draining the club, he accumulated £18.72m in wages alone.
Did Bernard deserve to earn £120k-per-week?
It has already been well-established that Bernard did not deserve nearly as much as he earned, but this was merely a case of ensuring they were the ones to secure his signature rather than the other European giants reportedly interested.
However, writer Peter Guy took little time to work out the Brazilian, writing in 2018: "Walcott, Bernard aren’t good enough."
This would be a notion supported by Liverpool Echo journalist Gavin Buckland, who slated the winger on an episode of Royal Blue: The Everton FC Podcast in 2020: "Bernard, for me, is a major concern. He’s been here two seasons. If you’ve been at a club two seasons and you’ve not really nailed down a first-team place, you’ve got to be asking questions about what your long-term or medium-term future is.
“He’s far too lightweight. He has his moments of excellence, as we well know, but whether he’d be somebody you’d hang your hat on to produce good performances week in week out is open to question.”
Given the money he took from the club, and the output he offered, it actually works out that the club paid Bernard £2.3m for every goal he scored. A truly torrid return, he is just one of the many blunders made that have put Dyche in the awful position he finds himself in.
An unbeaten 157 from opener Luis Reece – and an opening stand of 219 – was part of another dominant day against Middlesex
ECB Reporters Network22-Apr-2018 ScorecardDerbyshire are poised to end their long wait for a home Championship victory after they outplayed Middlesex for the third day running in the Division Two match at Derby.Luis Reece scored an unbeaten 157 and Ben Slater fell one short of a century before Derbyshire declared on 333 for 3, setting Middlesex a highly improbable target of 442 in a minimum of 129 overs.Their chances were even slimmer after Sam Robson, Rob White and Hilton Cartwright were dismissed leaving Middlesex on 86 for 3 at the close and Derbyshire scenting a first home win since they beat Leicestershire at Derby in September 2014.Derbyshire started the day in a strong position with a lead of 226 and they increased that by 53 in 17 overs before rain resulted in an early lunch.Middlesex were without injured pace bowlers Toby Roland-Jones and James Harris and although they did well to restrict Derbyshire’s run rate, it was always a question of when the home side pulled out.Reece and Slater passed Derbyshire’s previous highest opening stand against Middlesex of 181 and then eclipsed the best ever partnership against the county of 209 set in 1932.Both looked certain to reach three figures but after Reece completed his third Championship hundred for Derbyshire from 268 balls, Slater became becalmed on 99 and cut a long hop from Ollie Rayner to cover.Reece drove Rayner for six as he and Wayne Madsen added 101 before Paul Stirling had Madsen caught at short fine leg and Alex Hughes stumped before the declaration came leaving Middlesex to equal the highest winning fourth innings total against Derbyshire.But their first target was to get through 29 overs against an attack that bowled them out for 157 in the first innings and although conditions were good for batting, Middlesex’s chances suffered a big setback when Hardus Viljoen removed Robson.The Middlesex captain played across a full length ball and was lbw for 5 and there was another breakthrough when Duanne Olivier replaced Viljoen at the City End. White shuffled across and was only half forward when he was struck in front and Olivier was celebrating again when he switched ends.Hilton Cartwright pulled a short ball to the midwicket boundary but the next left him and took the outside edge to take Derbyshire a step closer to that elusive victory.
Tottenham Hotspur remain firmly in the mix at the top of the table following a remarkable start to life under new boss Ange Postecoglou, with the Greek-Aussie still yet to taste defeat in his opening six Premier League games in charge.
The former Celtic coach notably oversaw a positive 2-2 draw away to bitter rivals Arsenal on Sunday, with a typically clinical brace from long-serving legend, Heung-min Son, having secured a deserved point for the visitors at the Emirates.
No longer aided by his former partner-in-crime, Harry Kane, Son showed he has the ability and the quality to be Spurs' new talisman moving forward, having taken his tally to five league goals for the season already – half of what he achieved in the whole of last season.
That's not to suggest that the north Londoners are simply a one-man show, however, with summer signing James Maddison also helping to shoulder the attacking burden in the absence of Kane, the former Leicester City man laying on both assists for the South Korean sensation at the weekend.
The division's Player of the Month for August has made a stunning start to life at N17 and has arguably been the "signing of the summer" – according to TNT Sports pundit Joe Cole – with two goals and four assists to his name already this season.
78 minutes played
43 touches
Two assists
Three key passes
7/12 ground duels won
Three fouls won
86% pass accuracy rate
7.7 match rating
Stats via Sofascore
Such an instrumental performance from the 26-year-old was somewhat tainted as he was forced off with injury late on, with both Postecoglou and supporters facing a nervous wait to see if the playmaker will be fit to feature at home to Liverpool this weekend.
What is the latest on Maddison's injury?
The England international was withdrawn in the closing stages – alongside Son – against Mikel Arteta's men, with reports suggesting that he is set to undergo scans to ascertain the extent of the damage, after jarring his knee in the second half on Sunday.
Although the Coventry-born maestro was able to play on following that nasty-looking incident after receiving treatment, it remains to be seen if it is merely a minor issue, or something that could rule him out for an extended period.
According to football.london, the player himself is said to have been feeling 'positive' regarding his knee after the game and was seen moving normally following his post-match media duties, thus raising hopes that he will not be enduring a spell on the treatment table.
Even so, that momentary concern over Maddison exposed a major 'short-term issue' for Postecoglou – as per the Evening Standard's Dan Kilpatrick – with regard to the lack of 'squad depth', with there seemingly a dearth of options to replace the former Norwich City man if he is to be sidelined, be it now or at another occasion.
Who could replace James Maddison at Tottenham?
With the likes of Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr, Oliver Skipp and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg all more likely to operate in a deep-lying berth, the only obvious candidate to step into Maddison's shoes is Giovani Lo Celso, albeit with the Argentine having endured his own injury woes of late.
Even if the Argentine was available for selection there are likely to be doubts over whether he can perform on a consistent basis in the Premier League, having spent the last 18 months out on loan at La Liga side, Villarreal.
The 27-year-old – who signed for Spurs back in 2019 following prior stints at Real Betis and Paris Saint-Germain – has hardly set the world alight when he has been seen in Lilywhite in recent times, scoring just eight goals and contributing only six assists in 86 games in all competitions to date.
With Maddison already almost eclipsing that tally of assists from just seven appearances, Lo Celso doesn't appear to be the man who can provide quality service to the likes of Son and Dejan Kulusevski, hence the need to potentially look elsewhere to find a solution.
A possible dream, "creative force" – as hailed by journalist Alasdair Gold – could have presented itself in the form of teen superstar, Jamie Donley, with the 18-year-old currently shining in the academy ranks.
How good is Jamie Donley?
The Northern Ireland-born, England youth international had previously been touted as the 'new Harry Kane' after rising up through the age groups at Hotspur Way, proving himself to be "a natural finisher", according to journalist Josh Bunting.
Despite potentially having the goalscoring credentials to succeed the 30-year-old in the first-team ranks – having previously netted 26 goals in just 40 games at U18 level – the youngster has thrived in a number ten berth of late, ensuring he could be the perfect understudy to Maddison when required.
Lauded as a "fantastic young talent" who is "comfortable driving with the ball", in the words of Bunting, the Antrim native is a real master at providing that creative link between midfield and attack, showcased by the delightful assist that he provided for Alfie Devine against Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Youth League last term.
As for the current campaign, the exciting diamond – who has 17 goals and assists to his name in just 31 games for the U21s – has already contributed seven assists in just six games so far this term.
That includes a record of six assists in just five Premier League 2 appearances, while Donley also starred in the recent EFL Trophy triumph over Colchester United, scoring twice and contributing one assist in that 5-0 thrashing.
Such an "outstanding" showing – as hailed by youth coach Wayne Burnett – has indicated that the elegant left-footer can thrive against senior opposition, having also put himself about defensively after winning 11 ground duels, including making seven tackles.
Evidently something of an all-rounder, it would be no surprise if young Donley is handed his first-team bow before too long, having been described by podcaster Chris Miller as the "closest thing to Maddison" in the Spurs ranks at present.
With Postecoglou already putting his faith in the youthful pairing of Destiny Udogie and Sarr this season, the next step is to promote one of the club's emerging academy talents as the campaign progresses.
Bowlers dominated on a grim day at Lord’s but Middlesex’s Stevie Eskinazi managed to provide a bright interlude
ECB Reporters Network29-Apr-2018 ScorecardMiddlesex’s Stevie Eskinazi stood tall on a day of otherwise clattering wickets in the Specsavers County Championship match against Glamorgan at Lord’s.While all others, with the possible exception of John Simpson, struggled to put bat to ball, the South African-born right-hander plundered 16 boundaries in scoring 94 at more than a run a ball.The fact his efforts were not enough to raise a batting point for the hosts was largely down to a five wicket-haul for Glamorgan skipper Michael Hogan, ably supported by Tim Van Der Gugten who after having Eskinazi caught behind, ran through the Middlesex tail.Tim Murtagh conjured up a trademark spell of 4 for 12 from the Nursery End to leave Glamorgan floundering at 38 for 4 in reply before the bad light and then rain which has dogged the fixture from day one returned to drive the players off at 3.30pm.After the washout on day two, play began promptly and Hogan was soon among the wickets, removing Hilton Cartwright’s off-bail with a delivery to which the Australian international offered no shot. He would strike again four overs later when Paul Stirling nicked a good ball to wicketkeeper Chris Cooke.Eskinazi, who’d struck five boundaries on the first day, continued untroubled, his eighth four taking him to 50 from 58 balls. Just back from missing two games through illness he became the first member of Middlesex’s top six to reach a half century in the Championship this season.As if in celebration, he then hit Lukas Carey for three fours in the following over. Wicketkeeper Simpson caught the mood, playing some similarly aggressive shots and the hosts had real momentum when bad light intervened with the score on 152 for 5.The 25-minute delay worked in Glamorgan’s favour when shortly after the restart Eskinazi chased a wide one from Van der Gugten to depart six short of what would have been a wonderful hundred. Nevertheless, in these conditions his was an outstanding effort.Shorn of their mainstay Middlesex subsided quickly either side of lunch, especially after Simson edged Van der Gugten to Nick Selman in the slips.Fittingly Hogan, Glamorgan’s standout bowler, grabbed the final wicket, getting Murtagh for a duck as Middlesex fell six short of a precious batting point.Murtagh though soon took centre-stage with the ball, conjuring just sufficient seam and swing to leave Glamorgan’s batsmen in a lather.Jack Murphy and Shaun Marsh were both trapped lbw before Selman, earlier struck on the head by a bouncer from debutant Tom Barber, was bowled by one which went between bat and pad.The very next ball, an outswinger, found the edge of Aneurin Donald’s bat and was pouched by Simpson leaving Murtagh on a hat-trick which Cooke negotiated before the weather closed in.