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Michael Beale heads into the summer transfer window knowing he has to get it spot on if he wants Glasgow Rangers to return to the summit of Scottish football once again.

Two major trophies in 12 years is far from good enough for the Ibrox faithful, but with a change in the dugout at their Old Firm rivals, the Gers could take advantage of the uncertainty from across the city.

Beale has made a solid start in terms of transfers since arriving at the club, making five signings in all. However, it is the deal to bring Todd Cantwell to the Light Blues, a snip at just £1.5m, that could prove to be one of the finest he will make.

The Englishman registered 11 goal contributions across just 20 matches from January until the end of the season, already showcasing the talent which nearly secured him a £20m transfer to Aston Villa back in 2021.

It’s been a wonderful start, no doubt about it and next season will surely see the 5 foot 9 gem further improve, while he could also be Beale’s very own version of Alexis Mac Allister.

Will Todd Cantwell be Rangers' most important player next season?

Mac Allister has enjoyed a whirlwind 12 months. His impressive performances for Brighton & Hove Albion led to him securing a place in the Argentina squad for the 2022 World Cup, going on to score during the tournament as the Albiceleste secured their third world title.

The 24-year-old finally got his big move, as Liverpool recently announced him as their first signing of the summer, and for a fee of just £35m, it could well be a bargain.

Analyst Ben Griffis demonstrated on Twitter that Cantwell is statistically similar to Mac Allister, and if he kicks on next term, he could truly become an excellent player for Rangers.

Indeed, last season, Mac Allister and Cantwell registered similar stats with regard to goal contributions (12 to 10), shot-creating actions per 90 (3.66 to 3.31), tackles won (30 to 33) and interceptions (26 to 22), showing that not only do they pose a solid attacking threat, but they can also chip in defensively by winning a lot of tackles and making plenty of interceptions.

According to WhoScored, Cantwell and Mac Allister both like to tackle, showing their tenacious sides, while the duo both have passing noted as a key strength, being able to circulate the ball well throughout the pitch.

Following the 3-0 win against Celtic last month, Beale stated: “Todd is highly motivated to be here. I couldn’t be happier with him.”

And if he continues to demonstrate the abilities which have seen him compared to the new Liverpool sensation, his performances will surely only improve.

South Africa’s convener of selectors Linda Zondi felt that domestic players needed to play more pink-ball cricket to make the transition to day-night Tests that much easier

Firdose Moonda17-Nov-2016Linda Zondi, CSA’s convener of selectors, has suggested that South Africa should consider introducing pink-ball cricket at first-class level. This, he said, would help prepare players for the inevitable move towards more day-night Test cricket.”From a selection point of view, it only makes common sense as we move on that guys need to familiarise themselves with the process,” Zondi said. “You cannot be in a position where at the international level, you play with a particular ball but then at franchise level, where you are selecting from, the guys are not.”While Australia, India, England, Pakistan, Bangladesh and West Indies have all introduced some pink-ball matches into their domestic competitions, South Africa’s only first-class experience with it was four years ago in a match between franchise team Knights and provincial side North-West. The only member of the current South Africa squad who played in that match was Rilee Rossouw. Rossouw made 21 and 2 in the drawn game, during which issues were raised about the quality of the ball.The pink ball was used again during the group stages of the inaugural Africa T20 Cup in 2015 – a season-opening tournament played between the provincial semi-professional sides alongside a team each from Zimbabwe, Kenya and Namibia. After feedback from players, match officials and the host broadcaster, it was decided that white balls would be used for the knockout round. This year’s Africa T20 did not feature pink balls at all.South Africa have also not been tempted to experiment with it in a franchise match. It was only when they agreed to play a day-night Test on this Australia tour that their international players were exposed to the pink ball. South Africa A toured Australia in winter and sent opening batsmen Stephen Cook and Dean Elgar, middle-order man Temba Bavuma and opening bowler Vernon Philander to gain experience with the pink ball. Initially, Philander expressed concerns about the softness of the ball.He has since returned with the Test squad, who played in a pink-ball warm-up match in Adelaide before the series. There, Quinton de Kock downplayed the hype over the pink ball, saying he found it no different from any other colour ball because it was tricky to face upfront and then became easier.Kyle Abbott had similar views after the Hobart Test. “It is not that much different to a red ball, or a white ball really for us. It is either going to swing or seam,” he said. “It all depends on the surface. It might nip. Under lights it did seem to nip a bit, but we’ll just have to see when we get there because I think the conditions will be a little bit different.”The Adelaide pitch is expected to have a fair amount of grass – a means of delaying the aging of the ball – which hints at an advantage for bowlers. South Africa, though, can’t be too sure because their experience with the pink ball is limited to the matches they have played in Australia. Only Rossouw knows otherwise, although Zondi is hopeful that will change in future.”The key is that within the franchise, within our structure, sooner or later it will be an idea to also make sure all those guys where we pick from are using the pink ball,” Zondi said. “I’m not quite sure when it will happen because that’s a different pipeline in terms of the guys who are dealing with it but we hope it will happen.”While all major franchise grounds have the facilities for day-night first-class cricket, a potentially prohibitive cost will be that of turning the lights on. Electricity prices in South Africa have risen 10% in 2016 alone and most stadiums spend hundreds of thousands of Rands to use floodlights. The franchises and provinces are heavily funded by CSA so if domestic pink-ball cricket is to become a reality, the finances will need to be carefully assessed.

Essex were brought down to earth after their overnight celebrations on securing promotion to Division One of the Specsavers County Championship as Glamorgan kept them in the field for much of another hot day at Chelmsford

ECB Reporters Network14-Sep-2016
ScorecardCraig Meschede completed his maiden five-wicket haul•Getty Images

Essex were brought down to earth after their overnight celebrations on securing promotion to Division One of the Specsavers County Championship as Glamorgan kept them in the field for much of another hot day at Chelmsford.Mark Wallace, with a run-a-ball fifty, threatened to take the game away from the newly crowned Division Two champions in the early evening after Essex had snapped up five wickets for 33 in 13 overs either side of tea, including a spell of three for five in 18 balls.With Glamorgan only 130 ahead with three wickets in hand, Essex’s fourth victory on the trot looked a realistic prospect. However, by the close, Wallace’s belligerence had brought him 75 and helped Glamorgan into a stronger position, 260 ahead with one wicket still to fall.It was a particularly memorable day for two Glamorgan players: allrounder Craig Meschede took the first five-wicket haul of his career, and Will Bragg became the Welsh county’s first batsman to 1000 Championship runs this summer.Essex added 44 runs for the loss of four wickets in the first hour’s play to give themselves a first-innings lead of 33, captain Ryan ten Doeschate taking his score on to 117 and James Foster shepherding the tail before being last out for 64, becoming Meschede’s fifth wicket.Glamorgan had rubbed out the arrears when on the point of lunch Nick Selman was trapped lbw to one from David Masters that kept low. That brought in Bragg to join Jacques Rudolph and together they put on 91 in 26 overs before ten Doeschate accounted for them both in the space of his first over.Essex had gone into their penultimate Championship game with a side packed with batsmen, and were inconvenienced when Graham Napier limped off with a calf injury on the first afternoon. It meant a lot of overs to be shared between bit-part bowlers like the captain and Tom Westley.Ten Doeschate brought himself on for the 39th over of the innings and had Rudolph chopping on to his first ball. With the final ball, and after the batsman had scampered the single that took him to 1000, Bragg tickled one down the leg side and was caught behind.Jamie Porter accounted for Aneurin Donald shortly before tea with one that swung in and flicked the bails on its way through and straight after the interval, Kiran Carlson failed to repeat his maiden century from the first innings as he chased one down the leg side from Bopara and was caught behind for 1.Glamorgan’s post-tea collapse continued when Foster took another catch as Meschede edged Porter, and David Lloyd fell lbw to Bopara for 25. At that point three wickets had gone down in the space of 18 balls for the addition of five runs.Mark Wallace and Owen Morgan repaired some of the damage to take Glamorgan past 200, the eighth-wicket pair putting on 54 in nine overs before Masters trapped Morgan with one that kept low. But Wallace carried on apace and reached his fifth fifty of the season from 49 balls, and Timm van der Gugten joined the party with a six over long-on in Dan Lawrence’s first over before falling to the same bowler, a steepler held by Bopara at mid-off.In the morning, Meschede took two of the four wickets to fall to finish with career-best figures of five for 84. But it was van der Gugten who ended ten Doeschate’s 171-ball stay when he trapped him lbw in the fifth over of the day. Ten Doeschate’s seventh-wicket stand with Foster – which saw them claim the batting point they needed for promotion on Tuesday afternoon – was worth 104 in 32 overs.Napier came out to bat with Lawrence as his runner but could only slice Meschede to Lloyd at third man without scoring. Masters then chipped a delivery from Michael Hogan back to the bowler.In between, Foster passed 50 in the Championship for the fourth time this season and hit Meschede on to the roof of a marquee at extra cover for the second six of his 126-ball knock. But Meschede took a measure of revenge by having him caught at wide mid-off by Rudolph off another attempted big hit for 64.

ScorecardBen Slater hit his first hundred for nearly two years•Getty Images

Derbyshire suffered another first innings batting failure despite a century from Ben Slater as Craig Miles bowled Gloucestershire back into the Division Two match at Derby.Slater’s 110, his first county championship hundred for nearly two years, should have set Derbyshire up for a commanding total but the last seven wickets fell for 67 runs as they subsided to 242 with Miles finishing with outstanding figures of 4 for 30 from 17 overs.Gloucestershire had bowled poorly after Derbyshire elected to bat and moved to 91 without loss until Miles ran through the top order to change the course of the day.Derbyshire hit back in the closing overs with Gareth Roderick falling to Tom Milnes but Gloucestershire held the initiative at stumps on 27 for 1 , 215 behind.Derbyshire would have expected to have a much bigger total to defend when Slater and Billy Godleman plundered some desperately poor bowling in the first hour to cruise along at six an over.Gloucestershire’s seamers failed to maintain an accurate line and it was only when Jack Taylor’s off-spin was introduced at the City end in the ninth over that they managed to exert some control.Only Miles consistently posed problems and he made the first breakthrough when Godleman drove firmly but straight to cover where Taylor took a good low catch.It was the first of three wickets in as many overs as Liam Norwell found some late movement to have Alex Hughes caught behind and then Wayne Madsen drove to point without scoring.Slater and Broom set out about rebuilding the innings after lunch with the opener adding to his three one-day hundreds this season before a second collapse handed the initiative to Gloucestershire.Broom had looked fortunate to survive an lbw appeal against Miles but edged to second slip in the bowler’s next over and Matt Critchley drove a return catch to Taylor before tea.The decline continued when Slater was caught down the legside in the sixth over after tea and Tom Milnes failed to beat David Payne’s throw from mid on when he was sent back by Harvey Hosein who faced 31 balls before he got off the mark.Will Davis drove and pulled Josh Shaw for three consecutive fours but when he edged the next delivery to second slip, Derbyshire had let an opportunity slip away on a decent pitch in good batting conditions.Milnes struck an early blow when he found bounce and movement to have Roderick caught at first slip but Derbyshire have a lot to do to claim a first championship win of the season.

Tottenham Hotspur have held talks with Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner who is officially leaving his club this summer, according to reports.

Who could be the next Spurs manager?

Spurs have shortlisted a succession of managerial candidates in the last fortnight, but as their number of options shrink, supporters are getting a clearer idea of who could succeed Antonio Conte.

Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso and Burnley's Vincent Kompany, who were rumoured to be of interest to chairman Daniel Levy, will no longer be contending as both tacticians commit their long term futures.

Former Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann won't be getting the job as things stand with various reports ruling him out of the running.

As a result, Spurs are targeting far narrower options, with Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim, Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi and Slot among the primary contenders.

Glasner, who is confirmed to be departing Frankfurt a year before the expiry of his contract, has been linked with a move to north London and The Daily Mail have an update.

According to their information, whilst the likes of Slot and Barcelona boss Luis Enrique enter pole position, Spurs have also held talks with Glasner behind-the-scenes.

While his appointment could be viewed as an "underwhelming" one, it appears the 48-year-old is still in the frame, and Spurs hope to settle on preffered candidates in the next fortnight.

Who is Oliver Glasner?

The tactican, who won a Europa League title with Eintracht last season, could be a fairly solid option for Levy and co given he is soon to be a free agent.

Favouring the 3-4-2-1 formation, Spurs players would arguably grow accustomed to Glasner's style of play quickly, as it is not too dissimilar to that of Conte.

He will be readily-available for hire this summer which comes as a real pull for Spurs, with no club to stand in the way of Glasner's possible appointment.

Former Wolfsburg boss Niko Kovac gave a glowing endorsement on his counterpart last year, explaining to the Frankfurt Allgemeine Zeitung (via Bundesliga):

“He’s very structured, very well organised, meticulous, observes the opposition very closely and prepares the team very well for them,"“He doesn’t just let Eintracht run their boots off. He adjusts tactics, tries to simulate the opponent during the week in training. Oliver has transferred his ideas of football well to his team because he works methodically, because there’s no chopping and changing.”

It will be interesting to see if Glasner emerges as a prime contender, with Slot currently thought of as being the frontrunner.

Manchester United won't be making an offer for Victor Osimhen this summer, with Football Insider reporting that the Red Devils have opted against it.

What is the latest on Victor Osimhen to Man United?

The Premier League side have struggled to bag goals on a regular basis this season, with only Marcus Rashford bagging a double-digit figure in the top flight. The highest scoring striker for Erik Ten Hag's team in the domestic league this campaign has been Anthony Martial, who has just four efforts to his name.

The boss has therefore identified the need to try and bring in some fresh faces in attack over the summer transfer window. Ten Hag has reportedly identified both a new midfielder and a goalscoring striker as two of his main priorities at the end of the current campaign, with United needing to boost their forward line.

One name that has been doing the rounds in regards to potential attacking additions is that of Victor Osimhen, who has been impressing for Napoli this season. With a haul of 23 goals in just 26 starts for the Italian side this season, he has emerged as one of the best striking talents in Europe. It brought him to the attention of United, who were seemingly in "pole position" to snap up the player this summer.

However, a fresh report from Football Insider states that Osimhen may not not be heading to Old Trafford. That's because the club reportedly don't plan to make a bid for him anymore because of his lack of exposure to English football and his steep asking price of over £100m.

Should Victor Osimhen sign for Man United?

The Red Devils are in need of a striker and Osimhen would be an outstanding addition to their team if they did opt to try and sign him in the summer.

With the player having never played in England, their concerns are right in regards to that. Osimhen though has shone in Italy and also bagged goals in France for Lille (13) and in Belgium for Charleroi (12). He is a proven goalscorer then and might not have much trouble adapting to another new country.

It's hard to also deny how impressive the striker has been for Napoli this campaign. Former player and manager Sunday Oliseh called the forward a "superstar" because of his performances this season and his rating of 7.47 on WhoScored puts him within the top two best players in the entire Serie A this season to boot.

Osimhen then could certainly be a fantastic addition to United's frontline – and if they decide not to move for the player, then any other team could benefit from having him in their squad.

Tottenham Hotspur are 'ready to speak' over the potential signing of Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret this summer, according to reports.

Who could Spurs sign this summer?

Chairman Daniel Levy is currently a busy man at Spurs, having commenced the search for a new manager and Antonio Conte's permanent N17 replacement. The north Londoners have also recently appointed Chief Football Officer Scott Munn to oversee on-field operations in the absence of Fabio Paratici.

Munn's arrival could be pivotal ahead of the summer transfer window and may allow Levy to focus his efforts on securing the ideal successor to Conte. In terms of potential signings, there has already been a lot of noise.

Perhaps the most heavily-linked star right now is Leicester City playmaker James Maddison, who is reliably believed to a major target no matter which manager comes in. There have even been suggestions that the 26-year-old is set to join the Premier League top four chasers over Newcastle.

Alongside Maddison, Spurs are reportedly on the lookout for an alternative to goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, with Leeds United's Illan Meslier and Brighton's Robert Sanchez among those to have been previously mentioned.

The France international is out of contract in 2024 and hasn't enjoyed his most productive season for Spurs, meaning Tottenham are contemplating who could take his mantle.

Now, according to reports in Italy, it appears there has been a development on that front. Indeed, Napoli star Meret is now believed to be of real interest to Tottenham, with the Italian news website claiming Spurs are 'determined' to sign the 26-year-old.

It's believed that Meret is a name 'loved' by the Lilywhites 'management', meaning Spurs club chiefs, and they are 'ready to speak' over his potential signing. Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti is even said to be 'worried' over losing the Italy international as Spurs lurk in the background.

Should Spurs sign Meret?

The shot-stopper is out of contract in 2024, meaning Munn and Spurs could have some leverage to whittle down his €40 million (£35m) asking price.

Napoli's starting keeper, who has been a mainstay under Spalletti, is on course to win the 2022/2023 Serie A title after playing a pivotal role.

Called a 'stellar goalkeeper' by members of the media like journalist Roberto Rojas, Udinese legend Antonio Di Natale has also previously likened Meret to Italian footballing icon Gianluigi Buffon.

Still arguably very young in goalkeeping years, Spurs would also be signing a long-term option.

Alexis Mac Allister wants to leave Brighton & Hove Albion this summer, and Arsenal could ‘come calling’ for him, according to transfer insider Graeme Bailey.

The Lowdown: Mac Allister in demand

Mac Allister has clearly been impressing in the Premier League this season, given the level of interest in the midfielder from some top clubs, with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believed to have personally spoken with the player about a move to the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester United have also held internal talks about making a move for the Argentine this summer, with Newcastle United said to be monitoring the situation, and Tottenham Hotspur have also been named as potential suitors too.

Arsenal were linked with a move for the World Cup hero back in December, and there has now been an update on his future at Brighton, which could potentially open the door for a move to the Emirates Stadium…

The Latest: Wants to leave

In an interview with TEAMtalk, Bailey has now confirmed the 24-year-old is looking to leave his current club, amid the high level of interest in his signature.

The transfer expert said: “Alexis Mac Allister wants to leave Brighton this summer. But he has a lot of hurdles to overcome before he can get out of the AMEX.

“Mac Allister signed a new long-term deal just before Argentina’s World Cup campaign, which saw him excel. And it is no real shock to learn that the interest in him is strong with many clubs around Europe keen.

“However, Brighton as it stands are in no mood to sell – given that he only signed his new deal earlier in the season.”

Before later adding: “As we saw with their stance over Moises Caicedo, they stood firm in January and if they decide not to sell they won’t – although could something like that go on for the whole of the summer, am not so sure.”

“I am told Brighton’s finishing position could help dictate this, in that if they finish in Europe – that may quell his want to leave. But even that may not be enough to convince him not to seek a move especially if the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham come calling…which they might.”

The Verdict: Get it done?

The maestro was absolutely vital for Argentina en-route to their 2022 World Cup triumph, ranked as the fourth-best performing player in the entire squad, with an average match rating of 7.05.

Not only that, but the Santa Rosa-born ace has continued to impress at club level since returning from Qatar, weighing in with a total of nine goals and two assists in all competitions this season, a very impressive return, given that he has mainly been utilised in a defensive role.

Hailed as ‘unplayable’ by members of the media, Mac Allister has proven he is ready to take the next step in his career, and Arsenal should undoubtedly make a move for him this summer.

Everton, in their seemingly never-ending pursuit to return to the top, have thrown money at every problem.

Farhad Moshiri boasted little experience within the footballing industry prior to taking control of the club but was inundated with cash from his various business ventures.

Therefore, he saw fit that any issue could be solved with a shiny new player or swiftly replacing a manager.

The club's owner soon came to understand that in football, and the Premier League especially, you have to have a plan.

Manchester City did not fumble their way to the top; Sheikh Mansour had it all planned out, and the money was merely supplementary to their successful model.

There are many examples of the Toffees’ misguided spending that outlines the difference between themselves and the Cityzens, but arguably few more so than Cenk Tosun.

How much did Cenk Tosun cost Everton?

With the start of the 2017/18 campaign having disappointed, as the club momentarily dipped into the relegation zone, Moshiri’s rashness came into full effect as he dismissed Ronald Koeman in favour of Sam Allardyce, to ‘save them’ from a scrap for survival of which they were never really in.

Clearly a short-term appointment, it became particularly baffling that the Iranian allowed the journeyman boss to spend at all in his one window in charge.

But instead, £27m was unloaded on Turkey international Cenk Tosun, as an answer to their Romelu Lukaku-sized absence.

Whilst the fee alone drew criticism, the fact he was also handed a five-year contract on £60k-per-week made the deal even more questionable.

Unsurprisingly, the 31-year-old was not a hit on Merseyside, featuring just 61 times across that period, scoring 11. It was no surprise to see him branded “toothless” by journalist Luke Gardener too upon hearing Crystal Palace’s interest in signing him back in 2020.

Allardyce would be sacked at the conclusion of that season despite guiding them to a more than respectable eighth, whilst Tosun remained at Goodison Park until his contract ended last summer.

When accumulating both his wages and initial fee, across the 231 miserable weeks he spent at the club, the current Besiktas forward cost the club £41m.

The striker was one of many players signed under the new owner, who has sat on a huge wage before leaving at a cut price. It is a miserable trope that has now become synonymous with the Moshiri reign and has led to fan unrest too.

Evertonians deserve better, and had their untold riches been spent alongside a well-thought-out structure, perhaps the Toffees might be perched alongside Man City rather than at the opposite end of the table.

Manchester United need to find a new striker in the summer if they are to reach the next level under Erik ten Hag.

Do Manchester United need a striker?

The Red Devils have undoubtedly improved their squad unity since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo earlier in the season but have arguably failed to replace the goals that the legendary Portuguese forward would provide at Old Trafford.

Marcus Rashford has stepped up significantly since the World Cup but he is best when cutting in from the left wing, and Ten Hag will surely be looking to ease the pressure on the England international next season with another option through the middle.

Wout Weghorst has done an admirable job at times since signing on loan from Burnley but he cannot be considered a long-term option, while Anthony Martial’s injury issues have once again precluded him from living up to his potential.

Therefore, the Dutch manager should consider getting rid of the Frenchman for good in the summer, and replacing him with academy starlet Charlie McNeill.

Who is Charlie McNeill?

McNeill has caught the eye in United’s academy sides since swapping the blue of Manchester City for the red of United back in 2020, having scored more than 600 goals at youth level during his time with the Citizens.

His first season with the Red Devils saw him register a phenomenal 24 goals and six assists in just 21 appearances in the U18 Premier League, which saw him swiftly promoted to the Premier League 2 despite his age.

The teenage forward played a big part in United’s success in the FA Youth Cup last season, as he scored five goals and contributed two assists in just six appearances en route to glory.

McNeill, 19, started to emphasise what he could do against senior opposition this season as he hit three goals and one assist in five Papa Johns’ Trophy games, while he was also handed his debut for the first-team in the Europa League, so he is clearly a player on Ten Hag’s radar.

While a loan at Newport County in League Two has been less successful, with no goals in nine appearances, the experience of senior football will do him the world of good ahead of returning to United in pre-season.

He will certainly have chances to impress Ten Hag and could potentially step up to replace Martial, who looks certain to leave given he has managed just nine appearances in the top flight so far this campaign.

Former United right-back Paul Parker criticised Martial recently, saying: “He doesn’t deserve to play again for Man Utd. He hasn’t taken his chances and he is showing no consistency at all.”

McNeill has certainly shown enough in the academy to suggest he could be a hit in United’s first team and Ten Hag should make the bold decision to favour the young Englishman over the disappointing Martial next season.