All posts by h716a5.icu

Glasgow Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has revealed that passport and pandemic issues have prevented new signing Fashion Sakala from joining up with the squad so far.

The Lowdown: Gers sign Sakala

The striker was the Gers’ first signing of the summer as he arrived from Belgian outfit Oostende on a free transfer (rangers.co.uk).

However, he is yet to start pre-season training with the Scottish champions, and Gerrard has now provided an update on the 24-year-old.

The Latest: Sakala issues arise

Discussing the current status of his squad, Gerrard said (via Glasgow Live):

“We need to add to it, so we’re actively working hard to bring some good players in alongside the recruitment already done in Jack (Simpson), Scott (Wright), Nnamdi (Ofoborh) and Fashion Sakala will join us in the coming days.

“We’ve got some passport and Covid issues to get through first but he’s very excited to join us as well.”

The Verdict: Sort it out soon

With the Gers now having started pre-season, this will no doubt be inconvenient for Gerrard. It is surprising that this situation has arisen – the Gers confirmed the free transfer signing of Sakala on May 4, two months ago today, so he has had plenty of time to get to Glasgow and get ready for the season.

There could be plenty more pressure and expectation on the £3.6m-valued Zambia international (Transfermarkt) next term given that Alfredo Morelos could be on the way out of the door – he continues to be linked with a move to Porto (Antena 1). As such, the Ibrox outfit must look to sort out these problems as soon as possible.

In other news, this Rangers man has received a four-game ban.

SYDNEY – Steve Waugh has a golden opportunity to prove his World Cupcredentials when he leads NSW in a 40-over-a-side match against afull-strength Australia at North Sydney Oval on Tuesday.

Will Swanton05-Dec-2002SYDNEY – Steve Waugh has a golden opportunity to prove his World Cupcredentials when he leads NSW in a 40-over-a-side match against afull-strength Australia at North Sydney Oval on Tuesday.Waugh, omitted from Australia’s 30-man provisional World Cup squad,remains hell-bent on somehow making the final 15-man touring party thatwill defend the world No.1 title in Africa in February and March.The 37-year-old Test captain’s first chance to rack up big runs comestomorrow when NSW takes on England at the SCG in a one day clash.But of even more interest will be his showdown against the awesomeAustralian bowling attack of Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespieand Shane Warne on Tuesday.Lee expects Waugh to come out with all guns blazing.”It’s going to be a serious day, that’s for sure,” Lee said today at NSWtraining.”There will be quite a few guys trying to prove a few points and I knowthat Steve Waugh will grab the chance with both hands.”Never right Tugga off. He’s a hard man and I’m sure he’s going to comeback.”It’s really hard for players like me to talk about selections.”You can only do what you do and see what the selectors decide. But I’msure Steve is going to put up a really good fight from here on in.”He’ll just try and score run after run after run and I’m sure he’ll doa great job.”Waugh intimated tonight he would like an explanation from Australianchairman of selectors Trevor Hohns as to why he was not considered amongthe best 30 one-day players in the country.”I don’t say they [the selectors] have to justify any of theirselections, but if they did sometimes it would be nice,” Waugh toldChannel Nine.McGrath, who helped protect Waugh’s house from bushfires in the southernSydney suburb of Alfords Point last night, took a slightly morelight-hearted view, saying: “I’ll try not to bowl him too many halfvolleys, but you never know.”McGrath and England batsman Nick Knight both said they expected Waugh tobe full of motivation with the bat – and who knows, maybe even the ball- at the SCG tomorrow night.”I’m sure Steve will be looking forward to getting out there and havinga very good match,” said McGrath.”All the players have a lot of confidence in him still and he’ll be keento do well.”Knight, who was not in the England side that stumbled and bumbled itsway through the first three Tests, said: “Steve Waugh wants to play wellwherever and whenever he plays.”He’s a fine player and I’ve got nothing but respect for him. Mostpeople do in cricket.”He’s a great player, he’s going to try to get back in (the Australianone-day team) of course.”But if the selectors feel they’ve got better players it shows thestrength they’ve got.”Australia’s final World Cup squad will be announced by December 31.

Despite serious interest from Porto and Cagliari, Steven Gerrard should do everything he can to keep Alfredo Morelos at Ibrox this summer, as the 25-year-old could be crucial to any success in the Champions League for the Gers.

In a recent interview with This Is Futbol, former Rangers defender Michael Ball has claimed that the Colombian could be sold by Gerrard’s side this summer, saying: “Alfredo is always rumoured with leaving the football club.

“He seems like he’s very ambitious and wants to go to that next level again but I think there’s a possibility that he will stay for one more year. I don’t think he will be at Rangers in two or three years’ time. I think he will move on.

“Rangers will cash in at some point.”

Jordan Campbell, Rangers correspondent for The Athletic, recently claimed that the Light Blues may well be forced into player sales this summer as they look to raise around £14m, and therefore Morelos is perhaps one of the likeliest members of Gerrard’s squad to depart.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-rangers-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Rangers transfer rumours and news!”]

The 25-year-old striker has been heavily linked with Porto, whilst Serie A side Cagliari also reportedly had a bid rejected by Rangers, so if either of those can meet the Gers’ asking price, then it seems as if Morelos could well be on his way out of Glasgow.

However, the club should consider the financial boost which progressing in the Champions League can have, with $19.1m (£13.8m) on offer should Rangers reach the group stage of the competition, whilst they can also earn themselves around £2.4m with each win in the group stage.

There is little doubt that the Colombia international is one of the most talented players in Gerrard’s squad, having scored 17 goals or more in each of his four seasons so far at Ibrox. Also, given that he is the club’s all-time record goalscorer in Europe, they should definitely be looking to keep him around as they make their return to Champions League action.

[freshpress-quiz id=“593776″]

The “top-class” striker is also a real fans’ favourite, so whilst Ball suggests that Rangers may well cash in on him this summer, the Scottish champions should be doing everything in their power to keep him in their squad for next season, as Gerrard will likely need the Colombian’s goalscoring prowess if they are to make their mark in Europe’s premier club competition.

In other news… Report drops Rangers transfer claim, fans will be buzzing

Sanath Jayasuriya’s unexpected inclusion in Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup squad means Warwickshire will have to find a Twenty20 replacement

Cricinfo staff21-May-2008Warwickshire have confirmed that Sanath Jayasuriya won’t be joining them for the Twenty20 Cup next month, after Sri Lanka recalled him to their Asia Cup squad for the forthcoming tournament in Pakistan.Last week, following some spectacular feats of scoring for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, Sri Lanka’s sports minister Gamini Lokuge intervened to have Jayasuriya included in the latest squad, leaving him unable to honour his deal with Warwickshire.Warwickshire are seeking an immediate replacement although Ashley Giles, their director of cricket, admitted Jayasuriya’s call-up came as something of a surprise. “The news regarding Sanath comes out of the blue and is disappointing especially given his recent form in the IPL,” said Giles. “We will now look to see who might be a suitable replacement.”Jayasuriya retired from Test cricket following Sri Lanka’s victory over England in Kandy last December. He was omitted from the one-day squad which faced West Indies last month, leading to speculation that his international career was over, but his recent Twenty20 performances have caused the selectors to have a rethink.

Andy Flower, the former Zimbabwe captain, has supported his country’s suspension from the ICC but said South Africa’s about-turn decision to cut ties with Zimbabwe was “pathetically weak”

Cricinfo staff25-Jun-2008Andy Flower, the former Zimbabwe captain, has supported his country’s suspension from the ICC but said South Africa’s about-turn decision to cut ties with Zimbabwe was “pathetically weak”.”I like the fact that they [South Africa] are moving onto stronger language and being more decisive,” said Flower, who is now England’s assistant coach. “Things are spiralling out of control so quickly in Zimbabwe now. I hope someone does something to arrest that. If suspending Zimbabwe from the ICC is the first step then that’s good.”On Tuesday, Cricket South Africa, under pressure from its cricketers, decided to suspend its bi-lateral agreements with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union in light of the worsening political situation in the country.Flower left Zimbabwe in 2003 after protesting the “death of democracy” there. “We should not have normal relations with a country in such an abnormal state. I don’t think they should play in England next year on either the tour or in the World Twenty20.”Flower also said it was embarrassing to have Peter Chingoka, the ZCU president, sit on ICC committees. The ICC members are to meet in Dubai next week for the annual conference where the future of Zimbabwe cricket will be discussed.

Aston Villa journalist Luke Hatfield reckons that Ashley Young’s set-piece ability is a major reason why the re-signed him.

The 36-year-old spent five seasons at Villa Park between 2006 and 2011 before securing a sensational return following successful spells with Manchester United and Inter Milan.

Young has won five major trophies during his decade away from Villa, including the Premier League, Europa League and Serie A title with Inter last term.

He’s enjoyed an illustrious career, with many goals and assists throughout, although some of his finest years came in the claret and blue of Villa.

His best scoring seasons all came at Villa, with his immaculate set-pieces a large reason why he’s racked up 48 goals and 69 assists in England’s topflight.

And with Villa short of a genuine free-kick and corner taker in their current squad, Hatfield told Football FanCast that Young’s quality around dead ball situations was one of the reasons that led to his return:

“Another important part of his game, which Villa will have liked, is his set-pieces.

“He knows how to whip a good ball in, he knows how to score from a direct free-kick, which is an area that Villa are slightly weak in.”

Ricky Ponting is accustomed to leading from the front and playing mammoth innings in his milestone matches but in his 300th ODI it was his two most senior assistants who got Australia over the line

Cricinfo staff27-Jun-2008
The partnership between Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey rescued Australia from a precarious position © AFP
Ricky Ponting is accustomed to leading from the front and playing mammoth innings in his milestone matches but in his 300th ODI it was his two most senior assistants who got Australia over the line. After Ponting fell for 13 on a slow, seaming pitch, Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey rescued Australia with a match-winning 100-run stand.Clarke is Ponting’s vice-captain and Hussey temporarily took that role when Clarke initially stayed home for family reasons early in the tour. The two men showed why they are trusted with leadership roles by grinding out a calm partnership that initially brought only eight runs in ten overs as they tried to consolidate, and Ponting appreciated their resolve.”That was a really, really difficult one-day wicket to bat on,” Ponting said after the match. “Hussey and Michael Clarke summed up things really well. They got us a partnership in the middle of our batting innings that got us enough runs to win the game. They’re two pretty experienced players and we’ve actually done really well in these sort of conditions before – slow, low sort of wickets – we’ve actually got a very good record of late playing those sort of conditions.”Hussey and Clarke both made half-centuries as Australia worked their way to 213 for 5, which Ponting was confident would be enough on such a tricky surface. Clarke ended up as the Man of the Match after also grabbing 3 for 26 as West Indies capitulated to lose by 63 runs on the Duckworth/Lewis method, but he said Hussey was the key man with the bat.”He was fantastic,” Clarke said. “He’s certainly the brains behind the operation upstairs. He keeps my head screwed on and I thought he did a fantastic job today.”Australia’s sensible approach through the middle overs was not copied by West Indies. As usual, Shivnarine Chanderpaul was a rock with an unbeaten 45 but his colleagues fell around him, often to terrible shot selections under the circumstances. Chris Gayle, the captain, was not without blame after miscuing a pull on 10.”Batting again [was] a big disappointment, the way some of the guys got out,” Gayle said. “It was a bit difficult to bat on. It was a bit two-paced and stuff but once you’re stuck in there you have to work hard for your runs on that sort of wicket and we just didn’t have the patience today.”The major concern for West Indies is they are now down 2-0 in a five-match series and the next game will be at the same venue, in very similar conditions, on Sunday. If West Indies are to achieve any sort of comeback they will need a lift from their senior players, including Gayle, as Australia continue to get significant contributions from their leaders.

West Ham United are likely to make a move for West Bromwich Albion talisman Matheus Pereira if they are unable to seal Jesse Lingard’s permanent return, according to journalist Jack Rosser.

Lingard enjoyed a sensational end to last season, following a loan switch from Manchester United in January.

The 28-year-old bagged nine goals and recorded five assists in just 16 appearances for the Hammers.

Lingard’s impressive form has resulted in West Ham boss David Moyes making the creative midfielder his top summer target, but it looks as though the east Londoners may be unwilling to match his current employers’ asking price.

Reports suggest United are hoping to recoup £30million for Lingard despite his £75,000-per-week deal entering the final 12 months.

It may lead to West Ham looking elsewhere and Evening Standard journalist Rosser believes Brazilian creative midfielder Pereira, who has been strongly linked with heading to the London Stadium, is a fine back-up option in the transfer market.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Rosser said: “Pereira is someone I think West Ham and quite a few clubs like. He’s definitely someone West Brom are expecting to move on this summer.

“If you can’t get Lingard who would be West Ham’s first choice, then he’s a very good alternative.

“He impressed in spells in the Premier League last season so, if Moyes can get hold of him and make him as consistent as he has most of the other players he has brought into West Ham, I can’t see why that would be a bad move at all.”

The much-anticipated English Premier League will get underway in 2010, with two divisions made up of ten teams

Cricinfo staff16-Jul-2008Changes in the English domestic scene
No Pro40, but two Twenty20 tournaments in England © Getty Images
The EPL will get underway in June 2010, with 18 counties and two guest teams split into two divisionsThe counties will later contest a Twenty20 League primarily on Friday nights in July and August, which will determine the qualifiers for the Champions League.The current Pro40 competition will be scrapped, but there will be one 50-over tournament. The County Championship [first-class league] will be played in a two-division structure, with each team contesting 16 matches.The much-anticipated English Premier League will get underway in 2010, with two divisions made up of ten teams, after the ECB unveiled a radical shake-up of the domestic game following its board meeting at Lord’s.In a unanimous decision, the format that has been agreed upon will involve all 18 first-class counties, plus two overseas sides to make up the numbers, with the matches to be played in the month of June. One of the teams will be provided by Allen Stanford and it is believed the other will be from India, with the winners of the IPL the likely choice.A separate Twenty20 League for the 18 counties will then take place, primarily on Friday nights in July and August, and will act as the qualifier for the Champions League. The current Pro40 competition will be scrapped to make way for the competition.”I am delighted that the board unanimously supported these creative proposals,” said the ECB chairman, Giles Clarke. “I would like to congratulate everyone for their hard work and thank those who went to considerable time and trouble to produce documents for discussion.”We have already received enormous broadcast and sponsor interest from around the world which was reported to the board by the chief executive David Collier.”The proposal that had been put forward by the MCC chief executive, Keith Bradshaw, and Surrey’s chairman, David Stewart, for a nine-team league modelled on the Indian Premier League was rejected out of hand, although in a press release, Stewart threw his weight behind the new initiative. “These are extremely exciting and satisfying proposals for the future of domestic cricket in England and Wales,” he said. “I am delighted to support them.”They incorporate some excellent ideas and Keith Bradshaw and I were delighted to be able to submit our ideas as part of the decision making process and to build on the robust structure proposed by the ECB as a result of detailed consultations undertaken.”According to the ECB, the structure of the new league was decided upon following detailed market research in which spectators stated their desire to watch more Twenty20 cricket. Some of the funding ideas in Bradshaw and Stewart’s plan were incorporated at the meeting.The board also agreed the 2010 season would include a single 50-over competition and 16 County Championship matches in a two-division structure. “We looked at the Schofield Report, which stated that we should be playing competitions that mirror international competitions,” Clarke told Sky Sports News.”Spectators want to watch Twenty20 cricket on Friday nights, in the months of July, August and September, and the county championship in midweek. This is about giving the spectator what they want.”David Smith, Leicestershire’s chief executive, told Cricinfo he was “delighted” with the announcement. “The ECB has got it right,” he said. “It has maintained 16 four-day games which I think is sacrosanct for the development of Test cricket. We also needed a bit more Twenty20 and an EPL is an exciting prospect. It was obvious that one of the competitions had to go.”

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has delivered an update on Leeds United’s pursuit of Kristoffer Klaesson.

What’s the story?

With the new Premier League season now less than a month away, Marcelo Bielsa will no doubt be desperate for some reinforcements to be made to his first-team squad.

Reports in recent days have suggested that Valerenga shot-stopper, Klaesson, is someone who the Whites have identified as a potential replacement for Kiko Casilla, who of course departed on a season-long loan to Spanish side Elche.

Now, via Twitter, Hay has delivered an update on where things stand, saying: “Club are making progress with that one. Decent chance. Would need a work permit though.”

Fans will be excited

At only 20, Klaesson is at the opposite end of his career compared to Casilla, and would provide Leeds’ number one goalkeeper Illan Meslier with the kind of competition needed at the top level to truly thrive.

Valerenga’s sporting director has openly spoken about the fine work Victor Orta has done in trying to recruit his club’s player, saying: “The best clubs, and the best environments, work long-term with player recruitment. There, Victor is one of the brightest in the subject. Leeds arrived on the field in the summer of 2019 and have been very good. We have had a good dialogue with them.

“They obviously saw something of Kristoffer early that they liked, and have been good at updating themselves on developments.”

That knowledge that Orta is cultivating relationships with clubs behind-the-scenes in order to get a head-start on negotiations and make a good impression is something that The Athletic recently shed light on during Leeds’ signing of Junior Firpo.

It’s an indication of the kind of impressive work that the Spaniard is doing in order to get the right players into the club, and now, Hay’s update that Klaesson is closing in on a move to Elland Road is sure to have Whites fans excited.

Not just because it will be another new signing to add to Bielsa’s ranks, but also another statement that they have got a transfer chief who appears to be very good at his job – it bodes well for the rest of the window for sure.

Meanwhile, Leeds United have opened talks for this player…