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.

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?

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.

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.

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…

BySean Markus Clifford Jun 21, 2025

أعلنت رابطة الأندية المصرية المحترفة مواعيد مباريات الجولات المتبقية ببطولة الدوري المصري، بالإضافة إلى مواعيد المؤجلات.

وكانت رابطة الأندية قد كشفت في فبراير الماضي عن مواعيد مباريات الدوري المصري حتى الجولة الـ30 مع مواعيد بعض المؤجلات.

وكشفت رابطة الأندية عن مواعيد 9 مباريات للزمالك، بينها 5 مؤجلات بالإضافة إلى الـ4 جولات الأخيرة.

رابطة الأندية تعلن مواعيد باقي جولات الدوري حتى نهايته.. موقف الزمالك

الجدير بالذكر، أن نادي الزمالك قد أعلن في وقت سابق عن عدم تكملة منافسات بطولة الدوري، إلا بعد الانتهاء من مؤجلات الدور الأول.

الطلب لم يلق قبولا من جانب رابطة الأندية ليلجأ الزمالك للاعتذار عن خوض مباراة الأهلي التي كان مقررًا لها اليوم في الجولة السابعة والعشرين من عمر الدوري.

وكشف الجدول المعلن من جانب رابطة الأندية المصرية المحترفة عن موعد نهاية الموسم الحالي من الدوري 2023-2024.

وحسب المواعيد المعلنة فإن الدوري سينتهي يوم 18 أغسطس المقبل، كما تنتهي المؤجلات يوم 11 من الشهر ذاته. مواعيد مباريات الزمالك في الدوري

مؤجلة من الجولة 17

الزمالك ضد بلدية المحلة، يوم الإثنين 15 يوليو، الساعة 7 مساء.

الجولة 31

الداخلية ضد الزمالك الأحد 21 يوليو الساعة 7 مساء

مؤجلة من الجولة 18

الزمالك ضد بيراميدز، يوم الجمعة 26 يوليو الساعة 7 مساء.

مؤجلة من الجولة 19

المقاولون العرب ضد الزمالك، يوم الإثنين 29 يوليو الساعة 7  مساء.

الجولة 32

الزمالك أمام الجونة الجمعه 2 اغسطس الساعة 7 مساء.

مؤجلة من الجولة 22

الزمالك ضد إنبي يوم الإثنين 5 أغسطس، الساعة 7 مساء.

مؤجلة من الجولة 23

زد ضد الزمالك، يوم الخميس 8 أغسطس، الساعة 7 مساء

الجولة 33

 الزمالك ضد طلائع الجيش الأربعاء 14 أغسطس الساعة 4 مساء.

الجولة 34

الزمالك أمام بلدية المحبة، يوم السبت 17 أغسطس المقبل، (لم يتحدد موعد اللقاء).

Paul Mullin is pleased to be back on the hat-trick trail at Wrexham, with the Red Dragons striker sending a “that’s more like it” message.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Red Dragons back to winning ways
• Star striker claimed the match ball
• Chasing down a top-three finish

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 29-year-old frontman has found the going a little tougher this season, having made a delayed start to the campaign on the back of an unfortunate injury. He did not take in a first appearance until September, while Phil Parkinson has not been afraid to put his prolific No.10 on the bench.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Mullin went eight games without a goal prior to finding the target against Forest Green Rovers, and followed that effort up with a treble in a 4-0 victory over Accrington Stanley. He appears to be back in the groove, with form being found at just the right time.

• WHAT MULLIN SAID

  Wrexham will need to have Mullin firing on all cylinders over the coming weeks, and he is delighted to have rediscovered his shooting boots – with the win over Accrington that he claimed a match ball in lifting the Red Dragons back into third place in the League Two table.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR MULLIN?

  Mullin’s last hat-trick for Wrexham came against Morecambe on November 25, 2023 – while he recorded four trebles last season. He has become a firm favourite of club co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, with the hope being that another promotion party will be thrown in 2024.

Glasgow Rangers are currently in turmoil, there is no doubting that. The Ibrox side succumbed to defeat to Cypriot side Aris Limassol in midweek during their second Europa League group stage tie and confidence is at an all-time low.

Michael Beale was relieved of his duties last weekend following the woeful 3-1 defeat to Aberdeen in the Premiership and the Light Blues are now trailing Celtic by a staggering seven points, made even more remarkable by the fact the club have played just seven league ties.

With high expectations heading into the 2023/24 season, it has been nothing short of disastrous and the recent loss in Europe has summed it up rather well.

The supporters are having to watch a team of players in which the majority have either outstayed their welcome or aren’t good enough, while they were being coached by someone who had no clear playing style and this led to regression.

With Beale gone, thoughts now turn to his successor. Steven Davis is currently in interim charge at the moment, yet James Bisgrove will be keen on bringing someone new in as soon as possible in order to bring some calm to an otherwise turbulent period.

With any managerial dismissal, there are often a plethora of names being linked with the vacant role and the Ibrox hotseat is no different and Bisgrove has a big decision to make with regard to appointing just the 19th permanent manager of the club.

Who has been linked with the Rangers job?

One name that was doing the rounds was that of Frank Lampard, yet it now appears as though he is formally out of the , according to BBC Sport, and he will not be part of the final stage interview process which will take place next week.

Former Gers defender Kevin Muscat – who played for the club during their treble-winning 2002/03 campaign – has also shown interest in the role. The Australian is currently managing Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos and has won league titles in both Japan and Australia during his managerial career.

Pascal Jansen, the AZ Alkmaar boss, has also reportedly shown a keenness to be the next manager of the Light Blues having impressed in the Eredivisie since taking over his current side in December 2020.

Philippe Clement, a three-time title winner in Belgium, could potentially be a left field appointment and he is currently a free agent having been sacked by AS Monaco following the end of the 2022/23 season, despite leading them to a third-place finish in Ligue 1.

A new name has entered the picture however, as former Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner has instructed his representatives to register an interest in the role as he looks to return to the dugout having been dismissed by the German side in the summer.

With his previous managerial pedigree, plus a solid record in Europe, could Glasner perhaps be the best option out of all the candidates mentioned?

Who is Oliver Glasner?

The Austrian enjoyed a decent playing career which saw him make 571 appearances for SV Reid across nearly 20 years, and he won the Austrian Cup twice before he embarked on a coaching career following his retirement in 2011.

The 49-year-old took the reins at his old side in the summer of 2014 and lasted just a single season before moving to LASK, spending four years at the club, and clocking up 161 matches in charge, yet it was his spell at Wolfsburg which brought him more attention.

During his first season in charge, he led the German side to the last 16 of the Europa League while guiding them to a wonderful fourth place finish during the 2020/21 campaign and this clearly caught the eye of Frankfurt, who appointed him in the summer of 2021.

Journalist Ronan Murphy certainly believed he would be an ideal replacement for the departing Adi Hutter, saying: “OFFICIAL: Eintracht Frankfurt have confirmed the appointment of Oliver Glasner as their new head coach.

“Excellent replacement for the outgoing Adi Hütter. Hopefully Frankfurt can keep most of their squad together to compete for the top four again next season.”

Although Frankfurt would only finish in 11th place in the Bundesliga during his maiden campaign, they shone on the continent, going on to set up a Europa League final clash with the Light Blues in 2022.

Of course, it ended in defeat for the Gers, but Glasner proved he wasn’t a one-trick pony on the continental stage by leading his side to the last 16 of the Champions League the season after. He was sacked in the summer and is currently a free agent, making the move even more appealing.

Would Oliver Glasner be an upgrade on Michael Beale?

The Austrian has managed 383 matches in his career and currently has a 1.72 points per game average, while seeing his team score 674 goals during that time period, proving that he does enjoy an attacking style of play.

In contrast, Beale has managed just 121 games during his brief managerial career to date and has a 1.78 points per game average, yet this is skewed due to how fewer games he has managed than Glasner.

Beale has seen his teams score 219 goals across these 121 matches, yet his clear lack of playing style ensured his quick demise at the Light Blues.

Glasner clearly had a vision at both Wolfsburg and Frankfurt, winning a European trophy with the latter, and it is evident he would be a massive upgrade on the former QPR coach.

Indeed, the Austrian just missed out on becoming the new head coach of the German national football side, further showcasing his ability and this is the sort of figure Bisgrove needs in charge of the side.

He appears to be one of the most qualified candidates for the role, and he certainly has the talents to turn around this Rangers squad and make them challenge for honours in the near future.

Another trophy-less campaign will not be tolerated, and the board have arguably the biggest decision in the club's recent history to make in the next week.

No pressure then.

Celtic have brought through a number of talented young prospects throughout the academy system in Glasgow over the years to bolster their first-team squad.

Whilst supporters may like to see fresh new signings come through the door every window, the club must also leave room for youth prospects to have a pathway into the senior set-up if they show enough promise.

Brendan Rodgers brought in nine new first-team signings during the summer transfer window but already has the likes of Callum McGregor, Stephen Welsh and Anthony Ralston – who all came through the academy – on his roster.

Gustaf Lagerbielke, Hyeok-kyu Kwon, Hyun-jun Yang, Maik Nawrocki, Nat Phillips, Luis Palma, Marco Tilio, Paulo Bernardo, and Odin Thiago Holm all joined ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Hopefully, though, they will not prevent the next star from rising through the ranks at Parkhead if Rodgers is willing to offer them a chance to catch the eye in the senior side.

One Celtic manager who was not afraid to lean on youth was Ronny Deila as the Norwegian head coach hit the jackpot with central midfielder Callum McGregor.

Where did McGregor start his career?

The midfield maestro came up through the U17 and U20 sides at Paradise before being afforded his first chance of regular first-team football out on loan with Notts County in England.

He made the most of his spell during the 2013/14 campaign as the talented youngster racked up 41 appearances in all competitions and contributed with 14 goals and one assist.

McGregor scored 12 goals in 37 League One outings for County as he showcased his ability to make a significant impact at the top end of the pitch from a central midfield position.

It was an impressive first season of senior football for the Scottish gem as he gained valuable experience that stood him in good stead ahead of his Celtic breakthrough.

By the end of his loan spell, Transfermarkt placed his market value at just €150k (£130k) as he had only played in the third division of English football by that point.

When did McGregor make his Celtic debut?

Deila joined Celtic in the summer of 2014 and opted to place his faith in McGregor after the 21-year-old's impressive spell with Notts County.

He handed the young midfielder his first-team debut for the Hoops against KR Reykjavík in a Champions League qualifier in July 2014, in which the academy graduate played the full 90 minutes and scored the only goal of the match.

The Bhoys failed to qualify for the group stages of Europe's premier cup competition but the Scottish ace did contribute with three goals and one assist in six qualifying matches that term.

McGregor then went on to play 17 times in the Scottish Premiership throughout the 2014/15 campaign and chipped in with two goals and two assists from midfield.

However, he did fail to produce a single goal or assist in five Europa League group stage outings after his success in the Champions League qualifying rounds.

How many appearances has McGregor made for Celtic?

The 30-year-old ace has gone on to rack up an outstanding 428 first-team appearances for Celtic in all competitions since Deila handed him a debut nine years ago.

He has made himself a crucial player over the course of almost a decade and is still a star within the first-team squad to date as the central midfielder goes in search of more trophies to add to his collection.

The experienced machine, who signed a new five-year contract earlier this year, has won a staggering 20 pieces of silverware with the club and five domestic trebles, which the club claims to be a world record for any player in football.

His best season in a Celtic shirt to date arguably came during the 2021/22 campaign as he was crowned the PFA Scotland Player of the Year, which shows that his peers viewed him as the best player in the division that term.

McGregor, who was handed the captain's armband by Ange Postecoglou at the start of the season, showcased his ability in and out of possession in midfield.

He averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.13 and caught the eye with 1.4 key passes and 2.2 tackles and interceptions combined per match. Only three players with at least five appearances made more key passes and none made more tackles (1.5) per outing than the skipper, as per WhoScored.

The Hoops leader, who was ultra-reliable in possession with a pass success rate of 90%, made an impact at both ends of the pitch and was rewarded for his fine form with his Player of the Year award.

How much is McGregor worth now?

At the time of writing, Transfermarkt value McGregor at €8.5m (£7.3m), meaning his value has soared by a staggering 5,567% from the initial €150k that he was valued at ahead of the 2014/15 season.

Therefore, Deila hit the jackpot with his decision to unleash the young midfielder in the first-team after his impressive loan spell with Notts County and this is a perfect example of why it is important for managers to be willing to lean on academy players if the talent is there.

Aaron Hickey

£21.5m

Kieran Tierney

£21.5m

Callum McGregor

£7.3m

Jack Hendry

£2.5m

Ben Doak

£2.5m

McGregor happens to be one of the most valuable Celtic academy products in the game at the moment and is not showing any times of letting up.

The 30-year-old maestro has just under five years left to run on his current contract with the Scottish giants and there is plenty more – appearances, trophies, goals, and more – to come from the Scotland international over the coming seasons.

He was dubbed "irreplaceable" by former boss Postecoglou and that still appears to be the case today as Rodgers has started him in all seven of the club's league matches so far this term.

Hopefully, McGregor will have another successful year at Parkhead and possibly increase his market value even further to emphasise his importance to the Hoops and show the benefits that can come from unleashing academy players at the right time.

ScorecardAlex Davies led the recovery for Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford as he finished the second day of their crucial Specsavers County Championship match against Hampshire unbeaten on 78.Replying to Hampshire’s first-innings 451, Lancashire closed on 140 for 3 as Davies posted his highest score of the Division One season so far, surpassing a previous best of 71. However, Hampshire, boosted by a Rilee Rossouw century, will still be the happier at the halfway stage of a clash between two struggling teams. A couple of early wickets during the third morning will really see them in the driving seat.With club captain Liam Livingstone on England Lions duty and veteran West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul missing for compassionate reasons, Lancashire’s batting order has suffered a huge dent. Hampshire, meanwhile, are without South African pace bowler Dale Steyn as they have decided to rest him prior to their Royal London Cup final against Kent at Lord’s on Saturday.The Lancashire innings got off to a familiar start as they lost an early wicket. England opener Keaton Jennings gloved Gareth Berg behind for 4 to leave his side 7 for 1 before tea.Haseeb Hameed’s off-stump was sent cartwheeling by Fidel Edwards as he departed for 13 early in the evening. Hameed’s poor run of form continues having now been out three times in a row offering no shot, and he averages just 7.00 in his seventh appearance this summer.Rob Jones followed for just a single, as he too had his off stump uprooted by Kyle Abbott as the score slipped to 70 for 3 in the 25th over.Despite the loss of wickets, wicketkeeper-batsman Davies remained positive by playing some crunching shots all around the ground. The 23-year-old reached a mature fifty off 87 balls with 10 fours. Dane Vilas – the stand-in captain for Livingstone – supported Davies and will aim to continue their unbroken 70-run alliance deep into the third morning.Earlier, Rossouw crafted his 19th first-class class century as he finished the Hampshire first innings unbeaten on 120 off 189 balls.They resumed the second day on 302 for 6, with Rossouw and Ollie Rayner unbeaten. But Rayner failed to trouble the scorers as Graham Onions had him trapped in front for a 24-ball duck.That gave Onions his second five-wicket haul of the season after taking 6 for 55 at Trent Bridge against Nottinghamshire in mid-May. However, the hosts couldn’t capitalise on the early wicket as they toiled in heightened Manchester temperatures.A 67-ball 49 from Berg ensured Lancashire’s bowlers felt the burn as the lead grew. Abbott and Edwards hung around with Rossouw, adding 61 for the last two wickets.

Chelsea's cash-splurging strategy has delivered success to east London since the turn of the millennium and failed in equal measure.

During the Roman Abramovic era, the Blues became title-winning titans as the arrival of Jose Mourinho saw big spending come into fruition off the field as well as domineering displays on it.

After arriving at Stamford Bridge in 2004, the special one was given a war chest of funds to splash on talent across Europe, striking gold with the acquisitions of Petr Cech, Ricardo Carvalho, Arjen Robben and Didier Drogba, in particular.

That quartet were instrumental in the Blues scooping consecutive Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006, although supporters will look back on the mid-2000s with fond memories, it's also a barometer for how far the club have fallen, especially in the transfer window.

When looking at Chelsea's recent escapades in the transfer window, it's been a while since the club has unearthed a club legend – like a Cech or Drogba – and have instead shelled out obscene amounts of cash on future flops.

The biggest of those is the £97.5m capture of Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan in 2021, however, the signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga in 2018 has given the Belgian a good run for his money.

How much did Chelsea pay for Kepa Arrizabalaga?

When Chelsea signed Kepa Arrizabalaga for £71.6m, which still stands as a world record fee for a goalkeeper, Maurizio Sarri was sold the pipe dream of him becoming a top-drawer 'keeper who could inspire the club to a glut of title-winning campaigns.

The Spaniard arrived at the club in 2018 with big shoes to fill. He was replacing the departing Thibaut Courtois, who joined Real Madrid that summer with the tag of being world-class while Zinedine Zidane was full of adulation for the Belgian, praising him as "among the best in the world".

Courtois would live up to that praise in the Spanish capital by helping his side win two La Liga titles and one Champions League, which subsequently saw his value skyrocket to highs of €86m (£74m) in 2022, as per Football Transfers, from the initial £35m that Real shelled out for him five years ago.

Conversely, Arrizabalaga hasn't come close to eclipsing the Belgian's performances in east London and has instead drained the club financially.

From 2018 up until his departure on loan ironically, to Real Madrid in the summer, the £150k per-week dud has bled the club dry of £39m in wages alone, amounting to a staggering £110m when adding the initial transfer fee to his salary.

Kepa's time at Chelsea – Financial Commitment

Transfer fee

£71.6m

Weekly salary

£150k

Yearly salary

£7.8m

Total salary

£39m

Total cost per game

£674k

Total cost per clean sheet

£1.8m

Total cost per yellow card

£11m

Data via Transfermarkt & Capology.

How has Kepa Arrizabalaga performed at Chelsea?

While Courtois reaffirmed himself as one of the best in the world at Real Madrid, Chelsea's replacement has proven to be far less successful.

The Spaniard would make a huge number of mistakes during his first few seasons at the club and when Edouard Mendy from Rennes arrived in 2020, he was relegated to second-choice.

Arrizabalaga was signed for the exceptional ability he had with the ball at his feet, but it became impossible to look past the traditional parts of his goalkeeping game when assessing his ability.

Rarely, if ever, able to make outstanding saves and simply allowing far too many shots to go past him, the Spaniard's performances were weighed down by his hefty transfer fee, making three notable errors that led to a goal in top-flight football.

In the early stages of his Blues career, the 29-year-old was subject to shaky performances and although there were improvements last term, keeping nine clean sheets in 29 appearances for a struggling Chelsea side, he still left many feeling unconvinced, including Ian Wright.

He said on the Wrighty's House Podcast: “I’m looking at Kepa and I’m sorry man but it’s not working out. The man makes too many mistakes,”

The main responsibility for any goalkeeper is to exhume confidence in between the sticks and become an imposing presence in defence, but Kepa – who was described by football pundit and personality Mark Goldbridge as "suspect" – has never really put in the consistent performances to build that level of trust.

Having kept four clean sheets in seven matches for Real Madrid so far, perhaps the world's most expensive stopper is thriving in a fresh environment, but for what he's achieved in the Blue of Chelsea, he'll still go down as one of the worst signings in the club's history.

That the visitors failed in their quest can be explained by the team-spirit and collective will of a Kent team who are enjoying a lovely season

Paul Edwards at Tunbridge Wells23-Jun-20182:01

Kent squash Warwickshire’s hopes of record chase

ScorecardIf you are attempting to beat a 93-year-old record which was set, in part, by the future Baron Aberdare of Duffryn, your efforts could have no finer setting than Tunbridge Wells. Hosting county cricket at the Nevill Ground appears not to be a priority for its owners, the local council, but this sacred field has long been ennobled by cricket lovers. And when they gathered, on a morning of high clouds and sweet scents, spectators wondered if they might see Warwickshire score 519, thus achieving the highest successful fourth-innings pursuit in the history of the County Championship, a mark set when Middlesex scored 502 to beat Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in 1925.That the visitors failed in their quest, albeit by only 73 runs, can be explained by the team-spirit and collective will of a Kent team who are enjoying a lovely season. And perhaps that determination should now be matched by the executives responsible for keeping four-day county cricket at Tunbridge Wells. If the will is strong enough, the aim can invariably be achieved.Such longer-term considerations must of necessity be far from the minds of the Kent players as they reflect on their fourth Championship win in six games, a victory which leaves them only eight points shy of Warwickshire at the top of the table. But the will of Joe Denly’s players needed to be very strong indeed on a Saturday when the growing humidity reflected the match’s progress towards its climax. Not until Denly ended the game by taking three wickets in six balls, the first two of them lbws, did wickets fall in clumps; and until Adam Hose was ninth out for 65,  his team retained a sliver of hope.That hope was rather stronger at the start of the day, when Warwickshire resumed needing 290 to win with nine wickets in hand. But a game we had expected might be decided by one of its matinee idols eventually starred a cricketer who has served his time in repertory. While on Middlesex’s books, Harry Podmore went out on loan to both Derbyshire and Glamorgan. They are both fine counties but they were not places where Podmore could hang his hat. Now at Kent, the seamer  is hoping to play in next Saturday’s Royal London Cup Final at Lord’s and has probably helped his chances by returning career-best match figures of 8 for 110 in this gameHarry Podmore made key breakthroughs•Getty Images

Podmore took the two wickets to fall in the morning session and both were significant. Having made his first century of a tough season, Dominic Sibley nicked him straight to Heino Kuhn at slip and departed for 112. Two overs later Jonathan Trott edged the same bowler to Adam Rouse, whose delight when he hurled the ball into the air probably reflected his relief that his dropping of Ian Bell on 148 an over or so earlier might not be too expensive in the broader sweep of things.Ah yes, Ian Bell at Tunbridge Wells. Sometimes this game writes its own poetry. Even in a first half hour marked by nothing more than diligent accumulation and the odd alarm. Bell was as easy on the eye as one remembered from his great seasons. Few players invest a forward defensive shot with quite so much grace and precision. The ECB can negotiate broadcasting deals until their flipcharts fall off the walls but if England’s middle-order comprised Bell, James Vince and James Hildreth, BBC4 would cover Test matches.And thus it was when Bell was leg before to Ivan Thomas in the seventh over of the afternoon that Warwickshire’s chances diminished markedly. Bell had batted for a minute over six hours and stroked 24 fours in his 172 runs. But the ball jagged back and pinned him; and in that moment the game turned. Perhaps Kent’s players knew it, for their joy was illimited.Warwickshire lost three more batsmen in the afternoon session and took tea on 414 for 7. Five overs after Bell’s dismissal Tim Ambrose had his off stump knocked askew by a fine ball from that Stakhanovite labourer, Matt Henry. In the next hour Keith Barker and Jeetan Patel fell to slip catches. At no stage did Warwickshire crumple but their grip on the game was loosening.Less than an hour after tea and just when some spectators were pondering the time and overs left in the game, Denly deployed his legspin. He bowled 19 balls and three of them took wickets. Middlesex’s record was safe. One hopes the future of county cricket at Tunbridge Wells is even safer.

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.

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."