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Tottenham Hotspur are pushing recruitment chiefs to sign a forward, as manager Ange Postecoglou reportedly makes a decision on the out-of-form Timo Werner.

Werner criticised for lacklustre start to the Spurs season

Lilywhites chairman Daniel Levy and technical director Johan Lange moved to secure an extension on Werner’s loan deal in the summer, which includes a more generous option to buy the forward permanently for around £8.5 million.

Pundit names "exciting" Tottenham gem overshadowed by Moore and Lankshear

He’s loved at N17 and by England.

ByEmilio Galantini Oct 26, 2024

However, Postecoglou and co have not exactly been rewarded for their show of faith in the £165,000-per-week attacker, who is one of the highest earners at N17.

Werner has misfired on many occasions so far this season, with the former Chelsea star criticised for his lack of cutting edge in the final third, spurning many gaping opportunities.

Appearances

11

Goals

0

Assists

1

Minutes played

445

Werner’s end product has been called “poor” so far, and the 28-year-old is yet to score a single goal in all competitions. Postecoglou has publicly defended the ex-RB Leipzig star, who once scored 34 goals and bagged 13 assists in all competitions for the Bundesliga side back in 2019/2020, with the Australian admitting that Werner’s confidence is low right now.

“He is definitely down in confidence you can see that,” said Postecoglou on Werner’s form after Spurs beat AZ Alkmaar 1-0 in the Europa League.

“It is a difficult thing to get out of sometimes. It can feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. All we can do is try to support him and keep trying to get him to a place where he feels a little bit more confident with certain things.

“He has played a great ball in for Mikey to score early and if that goes in, that’s an assist for him it gives him a lift but it doesn’t happen. It happened at Ferencvaros as well, he played a great cross that Will Lankshear just missed but these things happen. He needs to find a way out of it because for us in those positions we need players to make an impact. I thought in a couple of moments he lacked some self-belief that we need to try to instil in him somehow.”

Reports have even claimed that Tottenham are targeting a new winger ahead of January, and now GiveMeSport have shared an update on Werner’s situation in north London.

Tottenham push recruitment chiefs to sign forward with Werner likely to go

According to their information, Tottenham are pushing their recruitment department to identify a new winger who they could sign to replace Werner, resulting in the forward being “on track” to leave at the end of this season.

Postecoglou has apparently decided to “set his sights” on signing a fresh attacking option, with the tactician personally in search of more firepower and Werner “set to return” to Leipzig next summer.

There is still time for Werner to change the minds of Postecoglou and Spurs officials, and it is clear by the former’s past statements that he does rate Werner as a player.

“He’s a quality player,” said Postecoglou on Werner’s overall ability earlier this year.

“I think he’s proven at this level, and as he gets stronger and fitter and understands our game a little bit better, I think he’ll become even more effective and I know there’s goals in him as well that will come for Tottenham.”

EXCLUSIVE: Barcelona legend is coaching his old friends, and tells GOAL the understanding between them is the key

Javier Mascherano doesn't mix it in in training these days.

There were the old times, when the new Inter Miami manager would be there, in Rondos with Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez as a Barcelona player between 2010-18. There he was, going viral for an unfortunate nutmeg here and there, and bossing the quartet around the Catalonian training pitch in Barcelona. And on the weekends, he was playing behind them as one of the club's legendary defensive midfielders, shouting and tackling from deep as the famous side bossed both La Liga and Europe.

But not anymore.

"I left a long time ago as a football player," Mascherano told GOAL. "Now I'm just focusing on training, and focusing on the players."

And that is some job to take on. Mascherano, as has been well documented, has limited experience as a head coach. He has never taken the helm for any professional club at any level. His resume consists of a number of jobs in the Argentina youth setup, backed up by a 20-year-long professional career that included four La Liga titles, two Champions Leagues, and a stint as Barcelona vice-captain.

This particular role, though, is unique. Not only is Mascherano taking on his first job, but he is also the man on the sidelines for the most-watched team in American soccer. And he will have to do it all while controlling the noise around the four footballers he used to be training with, every single day.

Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty'I'm here to help them'

Mascherano and Messi played for Barca together for eight years. They suited up in Argentina for 13 (Mascherano famously handed him the country's armband in 2014). Throw in the appearances with Busquets, Alba, and Suarez, and there are around 1,000 games of experience in some sort of combination. Put more simply, these guys know each other pretty well. For Mascherano, though, that means piecing together the best environment to help them thrive.

"I'm here to try to help them. Like I said from the first day, I'm here to help them have success. There aren't too many secrets in football. You have to try to give them some ideas and they will take the rest," Mascherano said.

But that doesn't necessarily make this whole thing easy. The Barcelona quartet has a combined 146 years of experience between the four of them. These are aging legs, but also wise football heads. There isn't much more that Mascherano can teach. Instead, it is his job to develop a playing style, something cohesive that can ensure that this team can deal with the grind of an MLS season.

"[Mascherano] is very possession-based," Inter Miami midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi told GOAL. "He wants us to have the ball. He doesn't want to be chasing the ball around."

AdvertisementAFPRaising the level

Yet there's a conflict in that. Experience or otherwise, this Miami side – despite setting an MLS points record – crashed out of the playoffs in the first round. Something clearly needs to happen here. And there have been attempts to address those shortcomings. For one, the intensity level is up.

"This year's training sessions are a little more intense," Cremaschi told GOAL. "We need to be in great shape to compete. And MLS is a very physical league."

There has also been a real bite to extensive preseason tour of Central America. It started in Mexico when Messi was pictured arguing with Club America fans during Miami's penalty shootout win. Mascherano, for his part, brushed it off as chatter between two rival countries.

"I think that we have more important issues to deal with, yes and logically I have had to play against Mexican teams and against the Mexican national team, we know that they are usually hostile towards us Argentines and well I think that also after the World Cup that wound is still open," he said in a press conference following the game.

Friendly or otherwise, there has been a real emotion around this whole thing. Since then, the noise has only grown louder. Messi was on the end of a crunching tackle in the preseason friendly — something that riled up the Miami bench. There have been highly-publicized social media posts from his bodyguard, Yassine Cheuko. This might have been a feel-good tour, but Miami has a real target on its back.

"There were some tackles flying… but it kind of builds you and gets you right into the mindset of the season. Even though it might be difficult or tough to deal with in the moments, it's good for us in the long run," Cremaschi said.

Getty Images SportProtecting Leo

Talk to anyone around the club: Mascherano, Cremaschi, Fafa Picault, and others, and they will all say that the success of this side is reliant on one thing: making sure Messi has space, time, and legs to be the catalyst this team. It has been the remit of any number of teams the Argentine has played in for some time now. Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni surrounded him with hard-nosed midfielders and willing runners during the Albiceleste's World Cup run. PSG sacrificed midfield creativity to give him space to roam. Barca did a similar thing in bringing in Arturo Vidal in 2019.

And there's an understanding of the same for Miami. For some, such as Picault, that means making sacrificial runs:

"I'm dangerous when I'm getting into good spots," Picault explained. "If I continue to make my runs, it's going to free [Messi] up, or it's going to make him give another crazy pass that we've seen him do a million times."

For others, such as Cremaschi, that simply means bringing a sense of energy.

"[Their desire] is something that that us young guys, we see and we respect and obviously we try to get attached to that energy that they bring and that desire to win," Cremaschi outlined.

For Mascherano, it's about making sure this whole thing is harmonious.

"He's the best player in the history of this sport. So around him always, you can find a lot of things, but I see him very quiet, relaxed, happy and I think our target is to try to give them the tools to have a very good season," he said.

Either way, a happy Messi is a good Messi. And a good Messi is what Miami needs.

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(C)Getty ImagesCremaschi and an expanded role

This could be a pivotal season for Cremaschi. Named to both the USMNT Olympic roster last summer and the January camp squad last month, the Argentine-American figures to play a key role this year. He was, at times, misused last season, charged with playing in a defensive midfield role when he is a far more natural box-to-box presence, full of energy and attacking quality. He knows that under a new manager, he will be handed further chances.

"I want to be an important player for this team. Obviously, it's hard with the players that that we have, but I feel like I could help," Cremaschi said.

Part of the appeal, for him at least, is making up for what happened last season. He was on the pitch when Atlanta beat Miami in game three of the first round of MLS playoffs. He knows what it was like to be on the wrong end of a generational upset.

"We don't want that to happen to us again. I think we obviously had a great regular season… but I think we always have more to prove. We should be a top team in this league, in the competitions that we play," Cremaschi said.

Mascherano, too, will be counting on him. Such is the intensity of Miami's schedule that he will need his full squad to chip in. Those on the bench early on will be counted on later. There will be ample opportunities for everyone.

"It's important for us to talk to the players, to have the commitment during all the season," Mascherano said. "Maybe the players that don't start the season will be important during and the end of the season. So it's important to have a very good squad."

It would all seem set up nicely for Cremaschi, still only 19, to break out in full.

Review of dressing-room culture and game-wide approach to dealing with complaints are among pledges

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Nov-2021Tom Harrison, the ECB chief executive, says that the “earthquake” of revelations surrounding institutional racism in English cricket could prove to be the catalyst for long-overdue change within the sport, as the board on Friday unveiled its five-point action plan in response to the crisis.The measures outlined include the adoption of a game-wide approach to dealing with complaints of racism, and a full review of dressing-room culture at international and domestic level, as Harrison acknowledged that, with a game-wide fan-base in the region of 11 million people in England and Wales, “we don’t yet have a sport which represents all [communities]” and that “we risk losing these people unless we address this situation urgently”.”It feels like an earthquake has hit us,” Harrison admitted during his first media briefing since last week’s Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee hearing in Westminster. Azeem Rafiq’s appearance before the committee followed Yorkshire’s botched handling of a report into his allegations of institutional racism at the club and sparked a number of other players to speak out about abuse they had suffered at other clubs.”The last few weeks have been very, very tough for cricket,” Harrison said. “Our game has been portrayed in the worst possible way in the world’s media, and testimony from others has revealed serious issues which we’ve collectively not dealt with as a game for many decades, as well as more recently.”What we’re trying to get to grips with now is it’s a collective response from the game coming together to work out what we’re going to do about this very serious situation that we face. Last Friday was that moment where we came together as a collective, the whole game.”Frankly, it sometimes takes an earthquake like this to provide the kind of courage that we’ve seen from Azeem Rafiq in particular, but others too,” Harrison added. “It’s provided the opportunity to accelerate years and years of change in a very quick period of time. Perhaps this has been the shock that will enable us to bring this game together once and for all. And I don’t mean that as the game as we see it now, but the game which has got 11 million fans who want to be part of it.”Harrison’s own position within the ECB had come under scrutiny going into last week’s meeting, but he reiterated his belief that he has the “backing of the game”, as he pledged to do everything in his power to drive through the changes outlined in the action plan.”I am so committed to sorting this issue with the game,” Harrison said. “We’ve come up with some significant action as a result of what’s happened. I understand I have the backing of the game and I’m very motivated to make sure that we provide a welcoming environment across our sport for everybody. That is that is something I’ve felt passionately about, since the moment I walked into this job. I’m not going to walk away from that now.”In addition to the plan, the ECB has also committed to £25 million in funding over five years to support Ethnicity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) actions and the formation of a new anti-discrimination unit within six months, as well as setting EDI minimum standards for all venues with the power to withhold funding if those standards are not met.Also included is a commitment to conduct a full-scale review into the detection, enforcement, and sanctions against discriminatory and abusive crowd behaviour at all professional cricket grounds before the 2022 season as well as to “best practice governance” with targets for Board diversity of 30% female and locally representative ethnicity by April 2022. Every senior executive employed across the game will also have personal EDI objectives as part of their annual performance targets.The plan was developed in the wake of the Rafiq racism scandal and following a crisis meeting a week ago involving the ECB, MCC, Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) and the 18 first-class counties, among other organisations.The five target areas are: understanding and educating more; addressing dressing-room culture; removing barriers in talent pathways; creating welcoming environments for all and publishing localised action plans on a six-month deadline.Under those headings, the plan lists 12 courses of action including “adoption within three months of a standardised approach to reporting, investigating, and responding to complaints, allegations, and whistleblowing across the game”; “a full review of dressing-room culture in all men’s and women’s professional teams, both domestic and international”; and “action to aid progress into professional teams of people from diverse backgrounds (especially South Asian, Black and less privileged youngsters)”.Responding to the threat last week from the sports minister, Nigel Huddlestone, that the UK government could see fit to appoint an independent regulator if the ECB fails “to get its house in order”, Harrison acknowledged that a governance review was overdue, and that the ECB would “have to have a very good reason” not to comply with such recommendations if they were forthcoming.A meeting was held on Thursday with county chairs to discuss the ECB’s dual role of regulator and national governing body, and Harrison added that the same conversation would need to be had with the wider game in due course.”This reflects the changing role of the ECB and the broadening role of the governing body over recent years,” he said. “We haven’t done a governance review since 2017, when we introduced the independent board, so I think it’s the right time for us now to go back as a collective, and work out whether we have got the right governance structures, given the pressures and the uniquely different roles that ECB plays now as a major sport, with the multiple hats that we have to wear while overseeing the game.”Barry O’Brien, ECB Interim Chair, said: ”There is no doubt this is a critical moment for cricket. After our all-game meeting last week, we said we must rise to the challenge and respond with one voice.”We have now set out a series of game-wide commitments so that cricket can start to make the transformation that we know is needed. Change is required as a matter of urgency, but we also recognise that sustained action is required over months and years to achieve fundamental and long-lasting progress. This must begin today.”

Dwight McNeil is a doubt for Everton’s upcoming Premier League fixture against West Ham United. It’s a big one. And it’s a big blow. The dynamic attacking midfielder has posted three goals and three assists apiece in the top flight this term.

It’s a worrying possible absence, not least because McNeil is the creative lifeforce of Sean Dyche’s attack, having created eight big chances and averaged 2.7 key passes per game, as per Sofascore.

It could have a detrimental effect on the performance of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who isn’t at his best right now.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin's current form

Calvert-Lewin is out of contract at the end of the season and perhaps this is what’s preventing the 27-year-old from hitting his stride in terms of goalscoring.

Of course, after several seasons of ups and downs on the fitness front, it’s just pleasing to see him in regular action, starting all ten of Everton’s Premier League fixtures this term.

However, Calvert-Lewin has blanked across his past six matches, failing to score or assist since Everton broke free from the four-match losing run that started their season off on the wrong footing.

His inconsistency could see the improving Beto earn his first starting berth of the season in the Premier League, but whatever the decision against West Ham, some supporters must rue the failure to once sign a striker now thriving at the very top of the game.

Everton missed out on the dream Calvert-Lewin upgrade

In 2022, Everton were interested in signing Coventry City’s Viktor Gyokeres in a deal worth £10m. They failed, with the Sweden international moving to Sporting Lisbon and since becoming one of the most coveted players in the world.

Indeed, now hailed as “one of the most feared strikers in Europe” – as said by reporter Harry de Cosemo – Gyokeres could instead be plying his trade for an Everton team fighting further up the table, closer to those elusive European spots.

Indeed, Frank Lampard had personally identified Gyokeres, now 26, as the perfect player to spearhead the Everton charge, but his career went down a different avenue and he is now scoring hat-tricks against Manchester City in the Champions League.

Even so, this merely accentuates the misery of failing to get the deal done. When comparing the forward’s league efforts this term against those of Calvert-Lewin, it’s clear that Dyche’s system – or perhaps Lampard’s, had this move been completed – would be operating at a higher level.

Matches (starts)

10 (10)

10 (10)

Goals

2

16

Assists

1

1

Touches*

28.6

41.2

Shots (on target)*

2.2 (0.9)

4.9 (2.6)

Big chances missed

7

7

Pass completion

59%

80%

Key passes*

0.3

2.0

Dribbles*

0.6

2.5

Total duels won*

6.5

6.3

And anyway, Gyokeres is now considered among the finest that the game has to offer, dubbed “unplayable” by former teammate Maxime Biamou. It’s a matter of when, not if, he will land a transfer to one of Europe’s pre-eminent competitors.

One that got away

The transfers that nearly happened but never did. This article is part of Football FanCast's One That Got Away series.

Sporting, who are losing their manager Ruben Amorim to Manchester United, are expected to welcome bids of £60m for their prized asset, which actually means that he is worth 500% more than the figure that Everton were hoping to pay for his services.

It’s one to look back at ruefully, but given the heights that Gyokeres has since reached – and will perhaps reach down the line – it’s better not to look back at all.

Everton had the next Barkley in teen talent, then he was sold for £1.5m

Everton once had the dream Barkley heir but he was sold for just £1.5m.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 8, 2024

The 235-page report concluded that Graeme Smith, Mark Boucher and AB de Villiers had all engaged in prejudicial conduct

Firdose Moonda15-Dec-2021Cricket South Africa unfairly discriminated against players on the basis of race, according to the Social Justice and Nation-Building (SJN) commission’s final report. In the 235-page document, submitted to CSA, ombudsman Dumisa Ntsebeza concluded that the administration, as well as former captain and current director Graeme Smith, current head coach Mark Boucher and former captain AB de Villiers had all engaged in prejudicial conduct.The report recommends that a permanent ombudsman is appointed, funded and handed resources to deal with race and gender-based complaints and that CSA puts in place an anonymous grievance policy. It does not have any consideration for reparations for those found to have been unfairly discriminated against but recommends that a permanent office considers if any reparations should be paid.CSA confirmed that the SJN process, which was initially supposed to last four months but ended up lasting over six months, cost the organisation R7.5 million (US$500,000). However, they felt the process was both necessary and productive. CSA said the issues facing cricket “are a complex interaction of multiple factors stemming from the history of this country and consequent socio-economic factors that prevail today.” They will engage with the report further in 2022.No punitive action is being taken against anyone immediately, however.”The board is still considering the report. It is a hefty document and needs a holistic response,” Lawson Naidoo, the CSA board chairperson, told ESPNcricinfo.”No decisions have been taken on any issues raised in the report and it would be premature to speculate on any action that may be taken. The board has got to look at the report in its entirety and engage with it seriously. This will be a continuation of what we are already doing. Overall, the SJN was an important process and that’s why the board backed it all the way. It is now the responsibility of the board to engage with the report.”Three of the more eye-opening findings, however, revolve around the main pillars of South Africa’s golden years – Smith, Boucher and de Villiers – and in two of the cases, specifically around the non-selection of black players.Related

Elgar: 'Not nice to see our coaches get lambasted for things'

CSA to launch formal inquiry into conduct of Smith and Boucher

Graeme Smith's lawyer claims 'fundamental flaws' in SJN process

Flawed but necessary: SJN hearings reveal no heroes, no villains

Holding: Quota 'a burden for players of colour in SA to carry'

Mark Boucher and Paul Adams Adams testified that he was nicknamed “b**** s***” by his national team-mates, including Boucher. In a responding affidavit, Boucher admitted that he was among those who sang a song which included the slur. Boucher apologised and explained that white players were unprepared for the realities of post-Apartheid team dynamics. The ombudsman found that Boucher’s response revealed a “lack of sensitivity and understanding of the racist undertones,” of his comments, that Boucher attempted to excuse racism because it was done in a team setting and that he does “not comprehend the South African apartheid/discriminatory and racist history.”The reports cite case law in which those who have uttered racial slurs have been found guilty of hate speech and suggests that Boucher has not “undergone diversity and transformation training,” and where he has, that he is “apathetic towards diversity and transformation.”Graeme Smith and Thami Tsolekile This concerns Tsolekile’s non-selection for the national side following the retirement of Boucher in 2012. At the time, Tsolekile was contracted to CSA, with a view to taking over from Boucher at the end of the series against England. However, Boucher’s career was cut short by an eye injury at the start of the England tour, and de Villiers took over wicketkeeping duties until 2014, when Quinton de Kock made his debut.”The decision of the panel was totally irrational and showed clear signs of systemic racism,” the report reads. “CSA, Mr Graeme Smith and some selectors at the time really failed Mr Tsolekile and many black players of this time in many ways,”AB de Villiers and Khaya ZondoKhaya Zondo was part of South Africa’s ODI squad that toured India in 2015 but was not selected in the team when JP Duminy was injured for the final match of the series. Instead, Dean Elgar, who was part of the Test squad was flown in early and played in that match. In testimony given to the SJN, Hussein Manack, the tour selector at the time, said he was pressured into selecting Elgar over Zondo by then-ODI captain AB de Villiers. Selection convenor Linda Zondi was not involved in the decision as he was not on the tour, and was also not consulted, after de Villiers discussed the matter with then-CEO Haroon Lorgat instead.The ombudsman found that de Villiers flouted the National Selection policy by talking to Lorgat ahead of Zondi and that he did so “just to ensure that a black player was not placed in a position which he deemed as requiring greater experience,” the report reads. “The only reasonable conclusion is that Mr de Villiers unfairly discriminated against Mr Zondo on racial grounds.”In response to the report, de Villiers told ESPNcricinfo that he had “wholly supported the aims of Cricket South Africa’s Social Justice and Nation Building process, to ensure equal opportunities in our game. However, throughout my career, I expressed honest cricketing opinions only ever based on what I believed was best for the team, never based on anyone’s race. That’s the fact.”The ombudsman found that AB de Villiers flouted the National Selection policy during the ODI series against India in 2015•Associated Press No evidence of racial discrimination Roger Telemachus had alleged that he was overlooked for the position of Kwa-Zulu Natal Inland coach in favour of Michael Smith on the basis of race. This was disputed by CEO of the Dolphins, Heinrich Strydom, who detailed the appointment process. Smith’s appointment was made in line with employment policy guidelines and on “a balance of probability, Mr Telemachus failed to demonstrate that there was a differentiation on the listed ground of race.”Lonwabo Tsotsobe’s contention that he was made to carry bags of senior players while newly selected white members of the squad were not required to do the same, was contested by then-team manager Mohammed Moosajee. Tsotsobe’s evidence and the subsequent rebuttal meant that the ombudsman concluded there was “insufficient evidence to make out a prima facie case of unfair racial discrimination.”Several testimonies were made by players who accepted sanctions for conspiring to fix matches in the 2015-16 domestic T20 competitions and claimed that they were investigated by anti-corruption officials on the basis of race. While the SJN was not mandated to look into the match-fixing investigation, the ombudsman “could not find any evidence supporting the contention that black players were targeted during the investigation.”

Robert Lewandowski is the latest to experience the authority of Hansi Flick the hard way, after expressing frustration at being subbed out early.

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Flick warns LewandowskiTold him to accept his callsPolish striker unhappy with early substitution against Rayo Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has sent a message of authority and let his players know who the man in charge is, firing a staunch warning to Robert Lewandowski after he was visibly frustrated on the bench following an early substitution.

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Lewandowski was once again the protagonist for the Catalans, as his 25th-minute penalty — the only goal of the game — helped his team beat Rayo Vallecano on Monday night to reclaim the top spot in LaLiga.

With the game fairly in Barca's control, Flick opted to withdraw Lewandowski for Ferran Torres to give his first-choice centre-forward some rest ahead of some tough fixtures. The Polish striker, though, was captured throwing away a bottle in anger on the Barcelona bench.

WHAT HANSI FLICK SAID

“It’s normal for Lewandowski to get upset with the substitution because he wants to score goals, but the decision is mine," Flick told reporters (h/t Get Spanish Football News). "I make changes when I see fit, and they have to accept it.”

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

Having superseded Real Madrid in the league, Flick and Co. will be hoping to continue their rampant form domestically when they visit Las Palmas this weekend, before hosting Atletico Madrid in the highly-anticipated first leg of the Copa del Rey next Tuesday, February 25.

Amid Luke Shaw’s continued injury issues, Manchester United have reportedly opened preliminary talks to sign an instant upgrade on the left-back for new manager Ruben Amorim.

Man Utd transfer news

The Red Devils have several areas of concern to address, but signing a new left-back should be among their top priorities. There’s no denying that Shaw is one of the best in the Premier League when fit, but there lies the problem.

For all the ability in the world, availability can often become the difference between a top player and an unreliable option, and the England international is arguably falling into the latter category.

Man Utd ace who Scholes said was a 'huge concern' will thrive under Amorim

The Man Utd ace has performed well this season and could shine under new boss Ruben Amorim.

ByJoe Nuttall Nov 17, 2024

Yet to make an appearance in the current campaign, forcing Diogo Dalot to play out of his preferred right-back role, Amorim should look to replace Shaw at the first chance he gets in charge of Manchester United.

On that front, those at Old Trafford have already been linked with options such as former academy star Alvaro Carreras, who has since gone on to star at Benfica to earn United’s interest once more. But he’s not the only candidate on their list.

According to Spanish outlet Relevo, Manchester United have opened preliminary talks to sign Milos Kerkez alongside Premier League rivals Liverpool. The Bournemouth defender is enjoying another excellent season at the Vitality Stadium and could reap the rewards as a result.

Still just 21 years old, the Hungarian represents an ideal long-term option who should also make an instant impact given how quickly he adjusted to life in the Premier League last season. Going head-to-head against Liverpool for his signature, INEOS could make a much-needed statement of intent by beating the Reds to solve their left-back problem.

"Brilliant" Kerkez would solve Man Utd problem

With Shaw unlikely to avoid further injury setbacks, Kerkez could emerge to instantly solve United’s problem, and perhaps even offer Amorim the perfect option to play left wing-back, given his attacking exploits. The Bournemouth defender has earned plenty of fans in the last year or so, including Hungarian journalist Bence Bocsak, who described his performance in their victory over Arsenal as “brilliant” earlier this season.

His arrival would also allow Dalot to step into a more familiar right-back or right wing-back role under Amorim, where he would compete for a place alongside Noussair Mazraroui.

Playing a part in victories over both Manchester City and Arsenal so far this season, Kerkez is proving with every week that he belongs among England’s best clubs, and he may yet get the move that reflects that in 2025. As Man Utd and Liverpool battle it out, Amorim could quickly land an upgrade on Shaw.

The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel has now ruled on the controversial decision to cancel a penalty for Everton against Manchester United.

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Everton had penalty overturned against Man UtdHarry Maguire tangled with Ashley YoungKMI Panel says VAR correct to interveneFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

United drew 2-2 with Everton in February in a match that ended in huge controversy. The Toffees were awarded a stoppage-time penalty when Ashley Young went to ground under a challenge by Harry Maguire but then saw the decision reversed after a VAR check, meaning Everton were denied the chance to score a potentially game-winning spot-kick. Everton were furious at the decision, while former referee Mark Halsey claimed  referee Andrew Madley was shown the wrong footage as Matthijs de Ligt had also pulled Young's shirt.

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The KMI Panel has now ruled on the incident and says VAR was correct to intervene and overturn the decision. The five-member panel voted 4-1 that match referee Madley was wrong to award Young a spot-kick for the challenge by Maguire. However, there was no vote on the actions of De Ligt, according to .

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

The KMI panel noted: "The contact from the defenders doesn't match the exaggerated fall from the attacker." However, one member did disagree and took issue with De Ligt's actions, adding: "The referee should not have been sent to the monitor as it wasn't a clear and obvious error due to the foot-on-foot contact by Maguire and shirt pull on Young by De Ligt which wasn't shown to the referee."

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The Premier League's KMI Panel was set up at the start of the 2022-23 season and is made up of five members. Three of the panel are former players and/or coaches, while there is also a representative from the Premier League and one from the PGMOL.

New Zealand took the lead after bowling the visitors out for their lowest total batting first since 1932

Firdose Moonda16-Feb-2022Matt Henry recorded the joint-third-best figures by a New Zealand bowler with a career-best 7 for 23, including three wickets in the same over, to dismiss South Africa for their lowest total against New Zealand and lowest in 23 Tests. On a seamer-friendly Christchurch surface, Henry made use of the movement and bounce and almost single-handedly bowled South Africa out for 95, their lowest total batting first since 1932. In so doing, Henry registered the best bowling figures against South Africa since 1915. And if the historical data is not enough to underline New Zealand’s dominance of the opening day, their top four wiped out the deficit inside 34 overs, and took the lead by the close of play.The Test match got underway at midnight South African time and anyone who stayed up might have wondered if it was the team, and not them, who were sleep deprived. Not only did no-one score more than Zubayr Hamza’s 25 but they also dropped four chances in the field in an underwhelming showing, especially coming off their series win against India. South Africa are notorious slow starters and were made to look even slower by a clinical and energetic New Zealand side.Henry, who did not play in New Zealand’s last five Tests and was a replacement for paternity leave absentee Trent Boult, set the tone when he nipped out three of the top four in the morning session. He returned after lunch to claim four more and leave South Africa shell-shocked.His first incision was a big one, when he got rid of Dean Elgar in the 10th over of the morning. The South African captain reached away from his body to drive an outswinger and got a thick edge to third slip. Tim Southee, who had opened the bowling at the other end, took a diving catch to his left to dismiss Elgar for 1.That left debutant Sarel Erwee, who was in because Keegan Petersen could not make the trip after contracting Covid-19, with Aiden Markram, the out-of-form opener now moved to No. 3. Erwee left well to start but grew more tentative and was eventually sent back when Kyle Jamieson, bowling first change, forced him to play at a short of a length delivery that he edged to Daryl Mitchell at first slip.South Africa were 22 for 2 after 10 overs and New Zealand continued to pile on the pressure. Only five runs were scored in the next six overs and Markram seemed particularly vulnerable. He survived a tight lbw shout but soon enough, in trying to punch Henry off the back foot, he underestimated the movement on offer and was caught behind. Markram has not scored more than 16 runs in his last nine Test innings, dating back to June 2021.Rassie van der Dussen was dismissed in the same over, squared up by a good length delivery that straightened on him and edged to third slip where Southee took another good catch. At 37 for 4, South Africa would have been pleased that they included an extra specialist batter in their XI. Hamza made a comeback after last playing Test cricket two years ago and even looked convincing for a while, pulling and driving Southee, but then Henry had him prodding at a back of a length ball without moving his feet and was caught behind.That was Henry’s second session warm-up wicket. His main act came two overs later when he struck Kyle Verreynne on the knee roll with a full ball and New Zealand reviewed. Hawkeye showed the ball would go on to hit leg stump and Henry had his first Test five-for. Four balls later, Henry had Kagiso Rabada caught behind. Debutant Glenton Stuurman went the same way. South Africa were 88 for 8 and then 88 for 9 with Henry on a hat-trick. He didn’t get there and it was Wagner who ended the innings, with Duanne Olivier caught at second slip.New Zealand began their reply positively but South Africa had an early opportunity to dent them when Stuurman, sharing the new ball in his first Test, induced a leading edge from Tom Latham but Marco Jansen, at gully, could not hold on.Jansen made up for his mistake by dismissing Will Young in his first over and South Africa wrested back some control when Olivier bowled Latham with a scrambled seam delivery that hit the top of off stump. But then they let another chance go begging when Hamza dropped Henry Nicholls at third slip. The day kept drifting away from South Africa, a feeling amplified by Temba Bavuma shelling another chance when Nicholls cut Rabada to him at point.Nicholls and Devon Conway put on a stand of 75 and take New Zealand into the lead but Olivier separated them when he bowled Conway off the inside-edge. That could have given South Africa some cheer at the end of a long day but van der Dussen dropped a late chance when nightwatchman Neil Wagner turned an Oliver delivery to him at short leg. Van der Dussen was not anticipating the chance and had to react quickly, but the ball hit him on the body and fell to the floor. A metaphor for South Africa’s day.

The hosts will miss 12 first-choice players who will be away at the IPL, with Tom Latham to lead both white-ball squads

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Mar-2022Allrounder Michael Bracewell and wicketkeeper-batter Dane Cleaver have earned their maiden New Zealand call-ups for the upcoming white-ball home series against Netherlands. While Bracewell has been named in both the ODI and the T20I squads, Cleaver has been chosen only for the T20Is.Bracewell and Cleaver were the top two run-getters in this season’s Super Smash, New Zealand’s domestic T20 competition, scoring 478 and 369 runs respectively.Bracewell is in line to become the fourth member of his family to play for New Zealand, after his uncles John and Brendon, and his cousin Doug, who is also part of both white-ball squads.Related

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“Both players have been on the national radar for some time and certainly deserve their selection off the back of another quality domestic season,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead said. “Michael is a superb ball-striker who can mix touch with his power, while his right arm offbreaks are an asset to any side.”Dane… has been the stand-out wicketkeeper-batsman of the Super Smash in recent years. We felt Dane’s consistent weight of runs and the role he can play at the top of the order gave him the slight edge.”With 12 of New Zealand’s first-choice players missing the series to take part in the IPL, fast bowlers Ben Sears and Scott Kuggeleijn were also named in the T20I squad.”Anytime you lose 12 front-liners it’s going to be a challenge, but we’re really excited by the players we’ve been able to call on,” Stead said. “With another T20 World Cup later this year and the ODI World Cup next year it’s a good time to be offering opportunities to a wider group of players.”Meanwhile, the ODI series will be Ross Taylor’s farewell, as he is set to retire from international cricket after its conclusion. Taylor is a part of only the ODI squad, along with Henry Nicholls and Kyle Jamieson.The tour begins with the one-off T20I in Napier on March 25, with the three-match ODI series – which will be a part of the ODI Super League – starting in Mount Maunganui on March 29. Tom Latham will lead both sides in the absence of regular captain Kane Williamson.New Zealand ODI squad: Tom Latham (capt, wk), Doug Bracewell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, Blair Tickner, Will YoungNew Zealand T20I squad: Tom Latham (capt, wk), Doug Bracewell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Dane Cleaver (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Scott Kuggeleijn, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Will Young