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The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece has revealed that Anwar El Ghazi’s long-term future at Aston Villa is uncertain, and even raised the possibility of the club looking to move him on.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days have suggested that Serie A giants AS Roma have made an approach to sign the winger, with Dean Smith now willing to let him go as he looks to try and revamp his attack ahead of the new Premier League season.

When asked about those reports linking the Dutchman with an exit from Villa Park, Preece replied: “He’s got less than two years left on his deal and there’s been no talk whatsoever about Villa wanting to extend it which tells you everything.

“It’s a big season for AEG who *could* be sold for a small profit. I am, though, expecting him to stay knowing Trezeguet’s out long term. AEG scored 10 last season; his Villa career is in the balance going into this one…”

Villa fans will be worried

While consistency is something which has affected El Ghazi badly in his time at Villa Park – last season score the bulk of his 10 Premier League goals in just two purple patches over the course of the campaign – there’s no questioning that he’s got the talent.

Speaking after his goal against Crystal Palace earlier this year, former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown said: “Dean Smith told me his training in how he executes those finishes is there for all to see. Craig Shakespeare then backed him straight up when I ran into him later, he just said ‘what a technician he is.’

“He’s practising in training, he has a bad week against Burnley: eight shots, great chances, can’t put one away. Then he scores against West Brom, then goes and puts one in the top bins like he did last night… Magnificent is the word we’re all looking for.”

The Dutchman was the club’s second highest scorer last season, behind only Ollie Watkins, while his underlying stats make for impressive reading.

As per WhoScored, he ranked second in the entire squad for shots per game, second in crosses, and in the top six for dribbles per match in the Premier League – that’s a real testament to how he’s always tried to make things happen whenever he’s been afforded the chance to play.

Potentially letting El Ghazi go, without first signing a top-quality replacement, would be bad business and could worry fans over the strength in depth in those wide positions.

At just 25, the Dutchman still has the peak years of his career ahead of him, and the fact he was only outscored by Watkins last season despite not always being a regular starter shows that he does have the ability to be a good player for Villa.

Preece’s latest update may worry fans.

Meanwhile, Villa are eyeing this Brazilian ace…

The Indian board wants to utilise the window in the international calendar created by the postponement of the ICC Champions Trophy to prepare for the “very important” home Test series against Australia

Cricinfo staff27-Aug-2008
Australia will arrive in India in October to defend the Border-Gavaskar trophy © AFP
The Indian board wants to utilise the window in the international calendar created by the postponement of the ICC Champions Trophy to prepare for the “very important” home Test series against Australia, Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary, said.Shah said India, as of now, had no plan to participate in any international event during that period – September 12 to 28. The board wanted its top players playing in key domestic tournaments and participating in a preparatory camp ahead of the four-Test series against Australia starting in Bangalore on October 9.Shah said the BCCI expected members of the Indian team to be involved in the season-opening Irani Trophy match – between Ranji Trophy champions Delhi and Rest of India – which has been advanced to September 24, instead of October 1-5 as originally scheduled. “The match [in Vadodara] will feature all the probables for the Test series against Australia,” Shah said.Media reports in Pakistan claimed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was hoping to be part of a quadrangular one-day tournament in South Africa, which would also involve the hosts, Sri Lanka and either India or Australia. However, Shah said the BCCI had no plans to participate in any such event.”We would like to use that time to get our best players to play in domestic cricket and prepare in the best manner possible for the very important series against Australia,” Shah told Cricinfo. “What we are also planning at this stage is to organise a comprehensive camp for our players ahead of that series.”We are also keen to have the Mohammad Nissar Trophy [on September 15 in Delhi, between the domestic champions of India and Pakistan] too. There is also the important series [two ‘Tests’] between India A and Australia A [starting in Bangalore on September 3]. We would like to focus on these events, and I don’t think anything else is possible,” Shah said.India A will also participate in a one-day tri-series at home against Australia A and New Zealand A from September 15 to 22, and later take on the New Zealanders in two unofficial Tests from September 28 to October 6. Shah said these matches would be crucial for players on the fringe for selection to the Indian team. The India A team includes players like Sreesanth, who is looking to make a comeback from injury, and S Badrinath, the India A captain, who is in line for a Test call-up.Pakistan were confident that they would be able to confirm a series in order to fill the gap created by the postponement of the Champions Trophy to October 2009 because of security fears expressed by five nations.On Wednesday, the reported that “Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa have confirmed [for a quadrangular one-day tournament in South Africa] while India, Australia or New Zealand will most likely be filling in the final spot.”However, Duleep Mendis, the chief executive of Sri Lanka Cricket, (SLC) told Cricinfo that his country has “received offers from different countries” to participate in one-day tournaments in September but said the board has not yet finalised its plans.

Newcastle United are reportedly in a race with a number of clubs in the Premier League to sign Angelo Fulgini in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Fulgini impresses

Fulgini has come off the back of a very impressive individual 2020/21 season with Angers in France, scoring no fewer than 10 goals and making a further four assists in 36 games in total over all competitions (Transfermarkt).

He also showed his added ability to play in a wide number of different positions, which would be very useful to have in Steve Bruce’s squad.

The Latest: Fulgini monitored

As per The Daily Mail, Fulgini is being ‘monitored’ by the St. James’ Park faithful as well as Crystal Palace, while he has also been previously linked to both Everton and Southampton.

Rated at £12m, he is described in the piece as a ‘talented’ player while also ‘versatile, creative, skilful’ and a ‘set-piece specialist’.

The Verdict: Sign

Fulgini sounds like a player who could really benefit the North East club in terms of his creativity, which players like Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson should be able to thrive off of.

£12m could turn out to be a real bargain too, as at just 24 years of age, he certainly still has plenty of time to improve further and develop into a top player.

Nonetheless, the Toon Army will be desperate for a new face to come into the door, and so we suspect Fulgini would be welcomed with open arms.

In other news, find out what Luke Edwards has been told about NUFC’s transfer business here!

Nottinghamshire’s opening bowlers enjoyed what little cricket was available on the first day against Somerset at Trent Bridge, cutting deep into the visitors’ lineup. Darren Pattinson, though rather expensive, was the bowler of the day with three wickets

John Ward at Trent Bridge03-Sep-2008
ScorecardNottinghamshire’s opening bowlers enjoyed what little cricket was available on the first day against Somerset at Trent Bridge, cutting deep into the visitors’ lineup. Darren Pattinson, though rather expensive, was the bowler of the day with three wickets.Winning the toss at a ground like Trent Bridge can present a dilemma, but Somerset decided to bat in conditions that began in warm sunshine. Few people seemed adjusted to the 10.30 September start, as the ground itself looked somnolent and there were only a few scattered spectators in the stands at that time. Justin Langer played half-forward to the first ball of the match, from Charlie Shreck; possibly he was anticipating swing, but it was dead straight and Langer was promptly stuck lbw.The first runs came in the next over, as Marcus Trescothick hit Darren Pattinson for a handsome four through extra cover. As usual batting was not easy, with some movement in the air and off the pitch, and also more lift than usual, but Trescothick only occasionally looked rushed; even when he played and missed, he seemed to do so with time to spare. His partners never came to grips with the bowling. Zander de Bruyn played back and edged to the keeper for 8; with the extra lift, a player had to make sure he was right across behind the line, as Chris Read rarely offers second chances. Having said that, all his catches of the day were very straight-forward and most due to lapses in concentration or technical inadequacies.Until the verge of lunch, Nottinghamshire rotated their three seamers, Shreck, Pattinson and Andre Adams. It was Adams who surprised Trescothick when he had 35, moving a ball back from outside the off stump to bowl him off the inside edge. In quick time James Hildreth, perhaps in desperation at his inability to get off the mark, was caught at the wicket off a ball that lifted, and Wes Durston (2) followed in like fashion, both off Pattinson, reducing Somerset to 51 for 5.Ian Blackwell played himself in and batted well, accumulating runs and hitting the loose ball powerfully. He scored 24 off 25 before he was trapped lbw by a full-length ball from Shreck. Craig Kieswetter wisely took a long time to play himself in, holding up his end for Blackwell, and when his partner fell he took over the leading role while Peter Trego dug in.Rain interfered twice with the play during the afternoon session. Trego finally found his confidence, reaching double figures with two off-side boundaries in an over from Pattinson, but in the prevailing conditions a batsman could never drop his guard. Kieswetter paid for his indiscretion on 39, slashing at a ball from Adams and providing Read with his fourth catch.Soon after, however, the rain returned in greater force, just before tea, and the players were unable to return. Nottinghamshire undoubtedly had the better of this 48-over day, but at this venue in particular, their opponents are by no means out of the contest.

The Athletic journalist Matt Woosnam has backed Crystal Palace’s decision to hand Joel Ward a new contract and believes the full-back deserves to be rewarded with a testimonial.

Ward joined from Portsmouth after the Eagles won the £400,000 race for his services in 2012.

The 31-year-old has gone on to make 273 appearances for the Premier League club and played a key role as Palace won promotion to the top flight via the Championship play-offs 12 months after his arrival.

However, he faced an uncertain future at the end of last season as he was among a string of players whose contract was set to expire at the end of June.

Palace, under new manager Patrick Vieira, and Ward eventually agreed a new two-year deal earlier this month.

Should Ward stay until the end of his contract, he will have been on the south London club’s books for 11 years.

Woosnam believes the Eagles made the right decision in keeping Ward on board and has urged the club to reward him for his services.

He told Football FanCast: “I think he really deserves a testimonial at Palace.

“Joel Ward has been absolutely fantastic and cleared the ball off the line in the play-off final all those years ago.

“When you think it was only £400,000 to sign him from Portsmouth, he has well over paid back that fee. I think it’s a really good signing.”

Centuries from Nick Jewell and Brad Hodge put Victoria in pole position at 352 for 2 on the first day of their match against South Australia in Adelaide

Cricinfo staff14-Oct-2008
Scorecard
Nick Jewell was the star for Victoria on the first day against South Australia scoring 164 © Getty Images
Centuries from Nick Jewell and Brad Hodge put Victoria in a powerful position on the first day of their match against South Australia in Adelaide. They put on 190 runs for the second wicket as Victoria went to stumps at 2 for 352 with Hodge unbeaten on 100 and David Hussey on 8. It proved to be a luckless day for the home side, which had gone into the game looking to overturn the one-day loss to Victoria on Sunday.Chris Rogers, playing his initial first-class match for Victoria having moved from Western Australia, combined with Jewell for a strong 139-run opening stand after the stand-in captain Hussey chose to bat. The pair began confidently on a lifeless pitch and Jewell in particular was harsh on the South Australia attack, which featured Shaun Tait in his first taste of first-class cricket in nine months.Jewell, who likes to joke about having only a couple of shots in his repertoire, showed more aggressive instincts than usual and struck 28 fours in his 164. His most recent previous innings for Victoria was 99 in last season’s Pura Cup final and this time he reached triple-figures with a quick single following a lofted drive over mid-on that took him to 99.Rogers continued to justify Victoria’s investment in him after he opened the season with 60 in Sunday’s one-day game. He fell on 63 when he edged behind off Paul Rofe, having already survived a chance that was put down by Tom Plant at slip. The removal of Rogers was one of the few bright spots for South Australia, who then had to deal with Hodge.He took 14 balls to get off the mark but was hardly troubled by any of the bowlers. He provided the perfect foil for Jewell as Victoria looked to be heading towards a mammoth first-innings score. The only other celebration for the Redbacks came when Rofe bowled Jewell in the 81st over with the score on 329.Mark Cleary was unlucky not to have Hussey for a duck just before stumps after an edge flew between the wicketkeeper and first slip. Hodge brought up his century in the penultimate over of the day with a casual flick through midwicket on a day which clearly belonged to the visitors.

A major update has emerged on Tottenham Hotspur star Tanguy Ndombele…

What’s the word?

The 24-year-old did not feature in their final pre-season friendly against Arsenal over the weekend but it has been revealed that his absence was not injury-related.

According to The Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare, the French midfielder was available to face their arch-rivals but he was “simply not selected” by manager Nuno Santo.

“He’s now considering his options ahead of the transfer window closing,” the reliable journalist added.

Time to act?

Despite not being in France’s Euro 2020 squad, Ndombele has not played a single minute throughout pre-season. He’s also been training in recent weeks, having returned from a period of paternity leave, so this is certainly a strange situation.

You’d imagine that his prospects of being involved for their opener against Manchester City on Sunday are rather slim at this stage and it now leaves Nuno and sporting director Fabio Paratici with an interesting decision to make, with three weeks to go in the transfer window.

The 5 foot 11 maestro cost a club-record £55m two summers ago and is on wages of £200k-per-week but glimpses of his true potential have been far and few between.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-team-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-more” title= “Read the latest Spurs news, transfer rumours, gossip and much more!”]

There’s no denying that he’s amongst Spurs’ most technically gifted talents, though there are evidently application issues that have led to club legend Graham Roberts dubbing him as “a joke” on Twitter.

Now valued at £45m, Ndombele has only provided eight goals and eight assists in 75 appearances, averaging a direct contribution every 267 minutes, as per Transfermarkt.

In 2020/21, he rated behind many of Spurs’ other midfield options for creativity, having managed only 0.6 key passes per 90 minutes. A worse rate than his rivals in the attacking midfield role, including Giovani Lo Celso (1.4), Dele Alli (1.3) and even Lucas Moura (one), via WhoScored.

Is it now time to act?

Well, Ndombele has been given two years to settle in and it’s clear that not much has changed. Many lambasted Jose Mourinho for his treatment of the box-to-box dynamo but it seems as if he had very just reasons.

This situation is at risk of bubbling over into another unnecessary saga and one that Nuno does not need as he embarks on his first competitive match in charge of the Lilywhites.

Should a suitable offer come in for Ndombele, then Paratici and co must absolutely consider cutting their losses – just as Roberts says, this has now become an absolute joke in North London.

The Frenchman’s lasting legacy at Spurs is likely to be more akin to that of Adel Taarabt rather than a Gareth Bale or a Christian Eriksen. Not what you want from a club-record signing.

AND in other news, Nuno set for huge Spurs boost as encouraging Hotspur Way development emerges…

The West Indies women’s squad will have a five-day training camp in Barbados ahead of their tour of Sri Lanka in November

Cricinfo staff18-Oct-2008The West Indies women’s squad will have a five-day training camp in Barbados ahead of their tour of Sri Lanka in November. The camp, during which the players will undergo gym work, fitness tests, physical sessions, and net sessions, will begin on October 25 and end prior to the team’s departure on October 30.”The plan is to get in the maximum amount of work before we head off to Sri Lanka,” Sherwin Campbell, the head coach, said. “We will also be looking to work on the skills of the players and get them in the right frame of mind. This is likely to be the last tour before the World Cup and we will be looking to make the most of every opportunity.”Sri Lanka are relatively new, and might be on par with us, so we will be going there expecting a tough tour. We have talented players who are committed and I believe we will do well.”The tour will give the players valuable international exposure ahead of the 2009 World Cup in Australia in March. West Indies have been pooled with Australia, New Zealand and South Africa for the tournament.West Indies will play one warm-up match in Sri Lanka before the five-match ODI series begins on November 5.Squad: Nadine George (capt), Kirbyina Alexander (vc), Merissa Aguilleira, Phernel Charles, Shanel Daley, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Erva Giddings, Stacy-Ann King, Anisa Mohammed, Juliana Nero, Danielle Small, Charlene Taitt, Stefanie Taylor.

Geoff Lawson, who was sacked as the Pakistan coach last week, has said he was better off than other officials working with the Pakistan board since he was paid out and got to go home

Cricinfo staff30-Oct-2008
Geoff Lawson: “I just needed to get a few more pieces of the puzzle together and I won’t get a chance to do that” © AFP
Geoff Lawson, who was sacked as the Pakistan coach last week, has said he was better off than other officials working with the Pakistan board since he was paid out and got a decent exit.”There are so many other staff who have been sacked or are leaving and I don’t think they got paid an awful lot,” Lawson was quoted as saying in the . Lawson worked out a financial agreement with the PCB after sending back a cheque the board had given him, claiming the payment was far short of what was owed to him as per the terms of his contract.Under Lawson’s charge, Pakistan reached the World Twenty20 final but then lost vital series against South Africa at home and India away. Pakistan’s frontline fast bowlers, expected to prosper under a former fast bowler, were plagued by injuries, and the losses only added to the pressure on the new coach-captain pair of Lawson and Malik. “I am sorry to be leaving these guys,” Lawson said. “I went into this thing full of hope and enthusiasm. I just needed to get a few more pieces of the puzzle together and I won’t get a chance to do that.”Lawson said his sacking had nothing to do with the coaching. “When the government changed everyone knew the [cricket board] chairman would change and when that happens, a lot of things change. So it was always a possibility rather than a probability. That is just how things work over here. I am very philosophical about it. There is no other way to be.”In 2008, Lawson’s first full year in charge, Pakistan have played four ODI series, one Twenty20 tournament and no Tests. Their home series against Australia and the Champions Trophy were postponed because of security fears in the country. But Lawson maintained, as he had through his tenure, that Pakistan was a safe place to play. “It [the terror threat] feels so peripheral when you’re here. What is disappointing is we didn’t get a chance to prove how good we can be. I have seen what talent there is in this team, and it’s enormous. There are 25 players who could eventually be really good players if they are handled properly.”Lawson said as the Pakistan coach he got a chance to experience a different sort of life. “It has been a tremendous experience. It was never going to be just about the cricket but about life, living in a Muslim culture, and that is something very few people get to experience.”

Liverpool forward Xherdan Shaqiri has taken a significant step towards the Anfield exit door after agreeing personal terms with Lyon.

What’s the story?

According to a report from French outlet L’Equipe, the 29-year-old has agreed personal terms with the Ligue 1 giants, although the two clubs are continuing to negotiate a transfer fee.

The Athletic’s Liverpool reporter James Pearce recently that Lyon have seen their opening bid for Shaqiri rejected by the Reds, with other potential suitors across the continent also registering their interest in the Switzerland international.

“Lyon have made contact with Liverpool in the past 24 hours. Their initial offer fell a long way short of the club’s £12 million valuation. Lazio and Napoli have also registered their interest in Shaqiri in recent weeks. It remains to be seen whether Lyon return with an improved bid,” he wrote.

Fans will be absolutely delighted

Shaqiri outlined his desire to depart the club earlier in the summer after becoming frustrated with his lack of game time in an interview with Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport (via Football Italia).

“My contract (with) Liverpool expires in 2022, In 2018; I signed a four-year deal. The important thing at this moment in my career is to be able to play regularly, but that hasn’t always been the case in the last three seasons,” Shaqiri admitted.

“This is why I told Liverpool that I feel ready for a new challenge. They accepted my wish and will seriously consider the offers that will come. They will not stop me.”

After joining Liverpool for just £13.5 million from Stoke City back in 2018 thanks to a relegation release clause, Shaqiri made a solid start to life on Merseyside, scoring six goals and providing five assists in 30 appearances.

However, a string of minor injuries has seriously hampered his progression and limited the diminutive forward’s time on the pitch, meaning he’s only started 18 Premier League games over the last three seasons.

Therefore, a large section of the club’s supporters will surely be delighted that Shaqiri is nearing the exit door. Although he can be a top-class performer on his day, the former Bayern Munich ace failed to show his best form on a consistent basis under Klopp’s tutelage, eventually becoming a liability to the German tactician.

The proceeds from his sale would add a significant boost to Liverpool’s relatively limited transfer budget, potentially allowing Klopp to secure one of his much-needed transfer targets before the window closes.

Furthermore, Liverpool must free up a space for a non-home grown player if they want to make a foreign signing of their own so Shaqiri’s exit could allow the Reds to bring in a new face, something that would delight the club’s supporters.

And, in other news…Fabrizio Romano drops exciting Liverpool transfer update that’ll have the fans buzzing