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A prospect of reserve day and even a shared trophy could be on the cards

Andrew McGlashan11-Nov-2022There will be some nervous looks skywards over the coming days in Melbourne with rain threatening the men’s T20 World Cup final between England and Pakistan at the MCG on Sunday, raising the prospect of the reserve day being needed and even a shared trophy.There is currently a 95% chance of rain forecast for Sunday with between 15 and 25mm falling. “Very high (near 100%) chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm, possibly severe, with heavy falls possible,” the Bureau of Meteorology was saying as of Friday morning.The reserve day is allocated on Monday, but that also has an uncertain forecast with again a 95% chance of rain and falls between 5 and 10mm.For the knockout matches in the tournament a minimum of 10 overs per side is needed to constitute a match, compared to five overs during the group stages.The first priority will be to complete a shortened match on Sunday if required, meaning the overs will be reduced before the reserve day is activated. If the game has started on Sunday but can’t be completed then it will resume on the reserve day from the position it was halted. Once the toss has taken place, the game is considered live.If the game begins on Sunday and there is a reduction of overs but play does not have a chance to restart due to weather then the game will resume as a 20-over contest on the reserve day.While only 30 minutes of extra time are allocated to the original day of the final, if the reserve day is used there are four extra hours available* with play starting on the Monday at 3pm local time.”The Event Technical Committee (ETC) has increased the provision of additional playing time on the reserve day to four hours from the original provision of two hours (clause 13.7.3 of the Playing Conditions), in case more time is required to complete the match and get a result,” an ICC release stated.”It may be noted that 10 overs per side are required to constitute a match in the knockout stage and every effort will be taken to complete the match on the scheduled match day. Every effort will be made for the match to be completed on Sunday, with any necessary reduction of overs taking place and only if the minimum number of overs necessary to constitute a match cannot be bowled on Sunday will the match go into the reserve day. Play on the reserve day will begin at 15h00 and would be a continuation of play from the scheduled match day.”If there is not enough time over the two days to achieve the minimum overs the trophy would be shared. The 2002-03 Champions Trophy between India and Sri Lanka ended in such a way although under the playing conditions at the time a new game was started on the reserve day. Both matches were abandoned at virtually the same point. In the 2019 ODI World Cup, the semi-final between India and New Zealand at Old Trafford was played across two days.Melbourne has been badly hit by rain during this tournament with three Super 12 matches abandoned without a ball bowled: New Zealand vs Afghanistan, Afghanistan vs Ireland and Australia vs England. The England-Ireland game in Melbourne was also curtailed by rain, but Ireland were able to take a famous win on DLS.Aside from the South Africa-Zimbabwe game in Hobart which was also a no result, the rest of the tournament has largely escaped the rain during what has been a wet start to summer across the east and south east of Australia.The forecast was also poor leading into the India-Pakistan game at the MCG but cleared to allow a full game with the contest developing into one of the best T20 matches of all time. Organisers, players and supporters will hope the final is graced with the same good luck.*GMT 1040 The story was updated after the ICC confirmed that there will be four extra hours, rather than two, available on the reserve day to complete the final.

Aston Villa had a busy winter transfer window, making five major signings to try and help their top four push and give them a boost in the Champions League knockouts.

Two of those additions were on permanent deals. Right-back Andres Garcia made the move to the West Midlands from Spanish side Levante, and attacker Donyell Malen joined the club from Borussia Dortmund.

The other three signings were loan deals. One of those was a defender, with Axel Disasi making the temporary switch to Villa from Chelsea.

They also brought in two attackers on loan. One of those was experienced attacking midfielder Marco Asensio from Paris Saint Germain, and the other was perhaps the more exciting addition initially, Marcus Rashford.

Marcus Rashford's fleeting Aston Villa career so far

What a coup it was for the Villans to bring Rashford in on loan from Manchester United.

Despite the fact it has been a tough few months for him, there is no doubting the quality of a player Xavi once described as “very, very dangerous”. The legendary midfielder certainly knows what he is talking about when it comes to deadly attackers, given he played with Lionel Messi.

Rashford’s record for United is exceptional. In 426 games for the club, he scored 138 goals and grabbed 63 assists. Of course, that included his fantastic 30-goal campaign in the 2022/23 season, in which he scored in the Carabao Cup final.

Prior to his Villa debut, which came in the FA Cup against Tottenham Hotspur, manager Unai Emery expressed his excitement at working with someone as talented as Rashford. He explained that he is “very happy to try to exploit” the potential the England international has to offer.

Minutes played

24

Touches

22

Accurate passes

13/14 (93%)

Key passes

0

Shots

0

Successful dribbles

1/2

Ground duels won

3/5

Aerial duels won

1/1

Tackles

2

Villa fans will be hoping he can be the catalyst to Champions League qualification via a top-four finish and a deep run in the competition. With the likes of Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins alongside Rashford, they certainly have the talent in their squad to go on a good run.

However, they might be looking back and perhaps wishing that a former star was in Rashford’s shoes.

The former star Aston Villa will wish they still had

When you think of the best Aston Villa in the last few years, only one man springs to mind; Jack Grealish. The England international has struggled since his £100m move to Manchester City in 2021, but he was spellbinding at Villa Park.

Villa meant everything to the boyhood fan, and it was no doubt painful for him to leave almost four years ago. He played 213 games for the club, scoring 32 goals and registering 41 assists.

Grealish was pivotal in his last three seasons donning that famous Claret and Blue shirt. In 2018/19, his 12 goal involvements helped his side earn promotion back to the Premier League before he registered 14 and 16 goals and assists in the two seasons that followed to keep them in the top flight.

2018/19

Championship

31

6

6

2019/20

Premier League

36

8

6

2020/21

Premier League

26

6

10

Since his then-record-breaking move to the Etihad Stadium, things have been up and down for the former Villa captain. He has played 148 games for City, scoring 16 goals and grabbing 23 assists.

His best season in the top flight in terms of goals and assists is 12, less than his best at Villa. With that being said, he has won three Premier League titles, including the treble.

At Villa Park, the now £37m-rated England international was a maverick footballer. He was a rich source of goals and was an “elite playmaker” according to football statistician Statman Dave. Grealish embodied Villa and was a huge reason as to why they kept Premier League status.

As good as Rashford could be for Emery, Villa fans might not be able to help but wonder what their former captain might have been able to produce if he played for the club now. A player boasting similar flair and the ability to make something happen out of nothing, he would certainly bring that to the club in abundance were he still there in 2025.

Nothing beats the feeling of seeing a homegrown player performing week in, and week out for the club. Villa fans can only wonder what Grealish might have been able to produce if he still played for his boyhood club.

Aston Villa have already signed a more exciting talent than Rashford

Unai Emery will be excited about Aston Villa’s short-term future with these top signings.

1 ByKelan Sarson Feb 10, 2025

Yamal and Olmo came off the bench to spark an incredible comeback as Barcelona came back from 3-1 down to win 4-3 and edge closer to La Liga glory.

Hansi Flick opted to rotate for Barcelona's clash with Celta Vigo, leaving both Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo out, but the pair proved decisive in sparking an incredible second-half comeback.

Barcelona had the lead within 11 minutes thanks to Ferran Torres; the winger drifted off the left flank, drove beyond a challenge and shot from the edge of the box, finding the bottom corner.

But Celta hit back within four minutes. Borja Iglesias got on the end of a cross into the box and finished. Wojciech Szczesny had charged out of his goal and dived to attempt to cut out the ball in, but left his goal completely open.

Before half-time, Robert Lewandowski got beyond the Celta backline but his wild effort flew well over the crossbar. Just seconds later, Szczesny made a superb double save to keep Barca level.

At half-time, despite the stalemate, Hansi Flick resisted the urge to introduce Yamal and Olmo, and within five minutes, Celta had the lead, as Iglesias again beat Szczesny. The striker took advantage after Frenkie de Jong completely failed to clear a long ball, and drove a superb finish into the bottom corner from an acute angle.

Approaching the hour, Flick smashed the emergency glass and introduced Yamal for Torres and Olmo for Fermin Lopez, but that could not stop Iglesias from completing his hat-trick, as he got onto the end of a long ball, burst beyond the defence, and finished coolly.

Swiftly after, substitute Olmo found the net after Raphinha's clever pass, hitting the bottom corner and sparking hope of a comeback, and Raphinha then hit the net himself to equalise, after an assist from fellow sub Yamal.

In injury time, Olmo went down in the box, and a VAR review recommended the awarding of a penalty. Raphinha scored, and Barcelona are now on the verge of La Liga glory. With a performance like this, it is little surprise.

GOAL rates Barcelona's players from Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys…

• AFP
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Wojciech Szczesny (4/10):

  Awful mistake as he misjudged his timings and gave Iglesias the entire goal to aim at. Made an excellent double save before half-time, somewhat redeeming himself. Well beaten by Iglesias' second and third. Not a good day.

  Jules Kounde (5/10):

  Struggled with his defensive duties and couldn't attack as often as he wanted to.

  Pau Cubarsi (5/10):

  Usually so elegant but he really struggled here, especially with Celta's direct tactics. More fouls than successful tackles summed up the day. Subbed.

  Inigo Martinez (4/10):

  At fault for the second goal as he appeared to confuse De Jong before his failed clearance. Lost for Iglesias' third too. As badly as he's played in a long time.

  Gerard Martin (5/10):

  Offers nowhere near the dynamism of Balde and Barca's attack suffered as a result. Did drive when he could but the drop-off between him and the first-choice is stark. Subbed.

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• AFP
  

  Midfield

  Pedri (6/10):

  Good on the ball as ever, but was bypassed all too regularly defensively.

  Frenkie de Jong (6/10):

  Got lost under a high ball and failed to clear, allowing Iglesias to drive at goal and finish from an acute angle. Barely lost the ball, however.

  Fermin Lopez (6/10):

  Some smart touches and he loves to drive at the opposition but he struggled to turn it into anything tangible. Subbed for Olmo.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Attack

  Raphinha (8/10):

  A couple of sparkling runs. Scored the equaliser with a brave finish and then won the game at the death from the penalty spot. A performance with flashes of brilliance.

  Robert Lewandowski (5/10):

  Smashed a presentable chance well over the crossbar before half-time. Struggled to get into the game and was subbed at 3-3, being replaced by Gavi, after a knock.

  Ferran Torres (7/10):

  Superb goal to give Barcelona the lead, as he dropped his shoulder and slammed an effort into the bottom corner. Subbed for Yamal, despite a highly effective display.

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• AFP
  

  Subs & Manager

  Lamine Yamal (8/10):

  Fine assist for Raphinha's equaliser. Immediate impact but what else can you expect from the teenager?

  Dani Olmo (8/10):

  Sparked Barca's fight-back with a fine finish after his introduction and also won the decisive late penalty. He drifts into pockets of space so well.

  Gavi (6/10):

  Replaced Lewandowski. Did well to link midfield and attack during his time on the pitch.

  Eric Garcia (N/A):

  On for Cubarsi late.

  Pau Victor (N/A):

  Replaced Martin late on.

  Hansi Flick (7/10):

  It was the subs that did it. Barca were all at sea until Yamal and Olmo were introduced but what matters is that they came back and recorded a huge win. There is work to be done, but Flick is almost certain to end up a La Liga champion this season.

يشهد اليوم الثلاثاء الموافق 13 مايو 2025، مجموعة من المباريات المهمة على مستوى منافسات الدوري المصري الممتاز والدوري الإسباني والدوري العراقي.

يستعد الأهلي لخوض مباراة قوية أمام سيراميكا كليوباترا ضمن منافسات الجولة السادسة من المرحلة النهائية لبطولة الدوري المصري. وتقام المباراة على استاد المقاولون العرب، حيث يسعى الأهلي لمواصلة نتائجه الإيجابية وتعزيز صدارته لجدول الترتيب برصيد 49 نقطة، بينما يحتل سيراميكا كليوباترا المركز السادس برصيد 31 نقطة. ويخوض الأهلي اللقاء بروح معنوية عالية، بهدف الاقتراب خطوة إضافية نحو التتويج باللقب للموسم الثاني على التوالي.

وفي قمة الجولة، يلتقي الزمالك مع بيراميدز على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي في مواجهة منتظرة بين الفريقين. يدخل الزمالك المباراة وهو في المركز الثالث برصيد 41 نقطة، بينما يحتل بيراميدز المركز الثاني برصيد 47 نقطة، مما يضفي على اللقاء أهمية خاصة في ظل الصراع المشتعل على لقب الدوري مع اقتراب المسابقة من نهايتها.

كما تستكمل مباريات الجولة السادسة بمواجهتين أخريين، حيث يلتقي فريق فاركو مع المصري البورسعيدي، بينما يستضيف حرس الحدود نظيره البنك الأهلي، في مواجهات حاسمة لكافة الفرق من أجل تحسين مراكزها.

وعلى مستوى الدوري الإسباني، تُقام ثلاث مباريات ضمن الجولة السادسة والثلاثين. يستضيف بلد الوليد نظيره جيرونا على ملعب “نيوفو جوسي زورييلا”، فيما يحل سيلتا فيجو ضيفًا على ريال سوسيداد في ملعب “أنويتا”، بينما يواجه إشبيلية فريق لاس بالماس على ملعب “رامون سانشيز بيزخوان”.

طالع أيضًا | مدرب الترجي السابق يوضح حقيقة مفاوضات الأهلي والزمالك للتعاقد معه مواعيد مباريات اليوم الثلاثاء 13-5-2025 والقنوات الناقلةمواعيد مباريات الدوري المصري اليوم

الأهلي ضد سيراميكا كليوباترا، الساعة 5 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “on sport 1”.

فاركو ضد المصري، الساعة 5 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “on sport 2”.

حرس الحدود ضد البنك الأهلي، الساعة 8 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “on sport 1”.

الزمالك ضد بيراميدز، الساعة 8 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “on sport 2”. مواعيد مباريات الدوري الإسباني اليوم

بلد الوليد ضد جيرونا، الساعة 8 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports HD 1”.

ريال سوسيداد ضد سيلتا فيجو، الساعة 9 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports HD 3”.

إشبيلية ضد لاس بالماس، الساعة 10:30 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports HD 1″؟ مواعيد مباريات الدوري العراقي اليوم

كربلاء ضد القوة الجوية، الساعة 6 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “الرياضية العراقية”.

زاخو ضد الحدود، الساعة 6 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “الرياضية العراقية”.

نفط ميسان ضد الزوراء، الساعة 8:30 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “الرياضية العراقية”.

الكرمة ضد الشرطة، الساعة 8:30 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “الرياضية العراقية”.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنــــا

West Ham United are ready to entertain buyers for a speedy and direct player, as manager Julen Lopetegui attempts to raise January funds and strengthen his squad in key areas.

Julen Lopetegui reveals transfer talks with David Sullivan

Speaking to the press, Lopetegui shared that he’s held conversations with West Ham chairman David Sullivan over plans for the looming winter window.

West Ham chiefs impressed by £49m forward who Lopetegui personally wants

The Spaniard is keen to bring him to east London.

By
Emilio Galantini

Dec 26, 2024

Technical director Tim Steidten is under pressure at West Ham, following a series of lacklustre investments over the summer window, which saw the club spend over £120 million on new signings – including flop striker Niclas Fullkrug from Borussia Dortmund.

West Ham are believed to be in the market for a new centre-forward next month, but must first raise funds through player sales, as Lopetegui sits down for talks with Sullivan to discuss the best steps heading into January.

“The talks I have with David I am not going to tell you, but we talk a lot about the team,” said Lopetegui on his meetings with Sullivan.

“About the squad and about the next challenge, the only truth I believe is to be focused on the next match. After, we will see what happens.”

While Lopetegui refused to go into too much detail on West Ham’s transfer plans, reports suggest that Real Sociedad star Brais Mendez is a key target for West Ham alongside their pursuit of a new number nine.

It has also been reported that West Ham are serious contenders to sign Evan Ferguson on loan from Brighton, so there are rumoured targets on the agenda at Rush Green, but their need to sell after a summer of high expenditure means it could be a tricky one to navigate.

There are a number of squad members who could be forfeited in an attempt to bolster Lopetegui’s transfer kitty, and one of them is now winger Maxwel Cornet.

West Ham put Maxwel Cornet up for sale after Southampton re-call decision

According to The Athletic, Cornet will be recalled from his loan spell at Southampton, with the Ivorian barely making any matchday squads recently and appearing surplus-to-requirement at St. Mary’s.

West Ham are set to put Cornet up for sale once he returns to London, two and a half years after his £17.5 million move from Burnley, and the east Londoners could be hoping to recoup at least some of that fee in an attempt to raise cash.

The 28-year-old was a star player for Burnley in the 2021/2022 season, finishing that Premier League campaign as their top scorer with nine league goals, but it appears he’s failing to rediscover that form behind the scenes.

“Cornet is quick and direct. He could help them get behind,” said the late Kevin Campbell about Cornet back in 2022 (Football Insider).

“Cornet is a runner. He gets in behind and stretches teams. I think that is essential. He is a handful off the bench.”

Manchester United have made a move to sign a £6.1 million-a-year defender and have already had a reply, according to a recent report.

Man Utd transfer news

The January transfer window is edging ever closer to opening, and that surely means behind the scenes at Old Trafford, work is being done ahead of what could be a busy month. Ruben Amorim could be pushing the hierarchy to make funds available, as he will want to bring in a couple of new faces if possible.

It emerged this week that Marcus Rashford could leave United in January, and the club has already identified his possible replacement, as they have made an offer to sign Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao. The Red Devils face a transfer battle, as PSG and Barcelona are also keen on signing the Spain international and are willing to make offers as well. Williams has a release clause worth £48 million, which may be too much for United to pay in January given the FFP rules.

Related £1.2m-a-year star now not renewing his contract amid interest from Man Utd

United have their eye on a player who has a connection to Ruben Amorim, having come through Sporting’s academy.

Posts ByBrett Worthington Dec 19, 2024

As well as looking at a replacement for Rashford, United are also looking at options to strengthen their left-back spot, and they remain strongly interested in Nuno Mendes of PSG. The Portugal international was of interest to United before he moved to France, and that interest hasn’t disappeared. PSG want to extend the player’s contract, but as things stand, that isn’t in the plans for Mendes, as he is aware of the teams interested in him.

Man Utd make first move for £6.1m-a-year defender

Mendes is not the only defender that is on United’s radar ahead of January, as according to Tuttosport, relayed by Yahoo Sports, Manchester United have added Inter Milan’s Federico Dimarco to their list of targets.

The 27-year-old, who has been noted as having a “world-class” delivery from set pieces by journalist Carlo Garganese, came through the academy at Inter Milan, and despite a few loan spells away and being sold to the Swiss side FC Sion and then returning a year later, Dimarco remains an Inter player.

The Italian, who earns €7,410,000 a year (£6.1 million), has been key in Inter’s recent Serie A and cup success, and he has now emerged on United’s transfer radar. The Premier League side are continuing their search for a new left-back, and Dimarco has emerged as a potential option.

Federico Dimarco’s Inter Milan stats

Apps

156

Goals

17

Assists

28

United have spoken to the player’s camp regarding a move to Old Trafford during January, but it is being reported that Dimarco, who can play as a centre-back as well as a left-back, has turned down any move to England as he wants to remain at the San Siro and sign a new contract with the Serie A champions.

Dimarco is under contract until 2027, but given he is a boyhood fan of the Italian club, it is always going to be hard to get him out of a club he loves.

حقق فريق الأهلي فوزًا مهمًا على نظيره الوحدة بنتيجة 3-2، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما ضمن منافسات الدوري السعودي.

وأقيمت المباراة بين الأهلي والوحدة على أرضية استاد الملك عبد العزيز، في إطار لقاءات الجولة 29 من الدوري السعودي.

طالع | ترتيب الدوري السعودي بعد تعثر الهلال وفوز الاتحاد

افتتح الأهلي التسجيل مبكرًا عن طريق المدافع البرازيلي روجير إيبانيز، الذي استغل كرة عرضية من ركلة ركنية، ليضعها برأسه في شباك الوحدة.​

وعزز الأهلي تقدمه بالهدف الثاني، في الدقيقة 58 عن طريق غالينو بتسجيل هدف رائع بعد تمريرة متقنة من زميله، ليسدد الكرة بقوة في الزاوية اليمنى لحارس الوحدة.​

وقلص الوحدة الفارق بالدقيقة 81، عندما سجل عبد الله الحافظ هدفًا برأسية قوية إثر ركلة ركنية، أعادت الأمل لفريقه في العودة للمباراة.​

وأحرز رياض محرز الهدف الثالث للأهلي، بالدقيقة 89 بعد مجهود فردي مميز وتسديدة متقنة من خارج منطقة الجزاء.​

بينما اختتم علاء آل حجي أهداف المباراة بتسجيله الهدف الثاني للوحدة، مستغلًا ارتباكًا في دفاع الأهلي، لكن الوقت لم يسعف فريقه لتحقيق التعادل، وذلك في الدقيقة السادسة من الوقت بدل الضائع للشوط الثاني.

وبهذه النتيجة رفع الأهلي رصيده إلى 58 نقطة، ليحتل المركز الرابع في جدول ترتيب الدوري السعودي.

بينما تجمد رصيد الوحدة عند 26 نقطة، ليبقى في المركز الخامس عشر، ويواصل معاناته في منطقة الهبوط بالدوري السعودي.

Aston Villa were incredibly unlucky not to have their first win in seven games on Wednesday night against Juventus. A late goal from Morgan Rogers was ruled out after it was deemed Diego Carlos fouled goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio, much to the anger of 42,000 fans inside Villa Park.

As it happened, the game finished 0-0. Neither side really had a substantial chance to win the game until Rogers’ disallowed finish. As per Sofascore, Villa had an expected goals total of 1.22xG, and Juve’s was even worse, standing at 0.39xG.

However, there were some standout players on both sides, with Francisco Conceicao one of the people who performed well for the visitors.

Conceicao’s stats vs. Villa

It was an incredibly impressive showing from Portugal international Conceicao. He terrorised the Villans with his raw pace and was a nightmare for Lucas Digne, the fullback directly defending him.

The young winger, who scored at Euro 2024, has had a really standout campaign so far. He initially moved to Turin on loan from FC Porto but will join permanently in the summer for £28.3m.

He has scored twice and has five assists to his name in 12 games in all competitions for the Old Lady so far.

Against Unai Emery’s side on Wednesday, the dynamic winger completed an impressive nine out of 13 dribbles, showing his direct nature and confidence on the ball. He also worked hard out of possession, winning 13 out of 18 ground duels.

His performance clearly left a lasting impression on the Villans supporters, having also come agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock, only to be denied a stunning stop from Emi Martinez.

Frustratingly for Villa, they had a player of that profile but sold him in the most recent summer transfer window.

Aston Villa’s answer to Conceicao

The player in question here is French winger Moussa Diaby. He spent just one season at Villa Park, signing in 2023 from German outfit Bayer Leverkusen for a reported £51.9m. However, he departed almost exactly 12 months later, moving to Saudi Arabia to join Al-Ittihad for a fee in the region of £50m.

Although his time at Villa Park was short, he left a lasting impression on the club. Diaby played 54 games for the club, finding the back of the net ten times and grabbing nine assists, too. That included 14 goals and assists in 38 Premier League games.

Indeed, Diaby is everything the Villa fans now wish they had in the squad after watching a fellow left-footer, Conceicao, at Villa Park. He is as quick as they come, and according to Speeds Database, has clocked in at speeds as high as 36.1km/h, beaten by just eight current players.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast's Where Are They Now series.

Combine this pace with the direct nature of Diaby’s game, and you have a lethal winger. Thus, it might be surprising that the Villans were happy to sell the left-footed star last summer, given they have no other profile like his in the squad.

In recent weeks, Emery’s side have not been at their best, and the Frenchman could have been a real point of difference. The wingers are struggling of late; Leon Bailey has three assists and no goals to his name, and Jaden Philogene is yet to register a goal contribution at all.

The Villans could have certainly done with their “electric” former winger, as football statistician Statman Dave described him.

After watching Conceisao’s direct nature and sheer pace when driving with the ball, it may well have made Emery wish he had kept hold of the winger, who could have been a huge part of their 2024/25 campaign and helped them out an end to of this winless run.

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By
Joe Nuttall

Nov 28, 2024

Rahul also set to be captain of new franchise

Nagraj Gollapudi18-Jan-2022

KL Rahul, who will lead India in the ODI series in South Africa, is one of the three players who have been picked up by the Lucknow IPL franchise. Australian allrounder Marcus Stoinis and uncapped Indian legspinner Ravi Bishnoi are the other two.ESPNcricinfo understands that the Lucknow franchise will go into the February auction with a purse of INR 60 crore – Rahul cost them INR 15 crore, Stoinis INR 11 crore, and Bishnoi INR 4 crore. It is learned that Rahul will also captain the franchise.Rahul, 29, was the first acquisition for the Lucknow franchise, which was bought for INR 7090 crore (USD 940 million approx.) last October by the RP Sanjiv Goenka Group. One of the most consistent batters in the IPL since the 2018 IPL, Rahul had earlier told his previous franchise, Punjab Kings, where he was the captain the last two seasons, that he wanted a change, and was subsequently released by the management.Related

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After starting his IPL career in 2013 when he was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rahul went to Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2014, and was traded back to Royal Challengers in 2016 before the Punjab franchise (then Kings XI Punjab) paid INR 11 crore to buy him in the 2018 auction.While the team has continued to fall short of expectations, Rahul’s form has soared. After four seasons with Punjab, Rahul signed off as the leading run-getter for the team, scoring 2548 runs at an average of 56.62 including 25 fifty-plus scores – two of them hundreds – in just 55 innings.Rahul scored 26.52% of Punjab’s runs in that period, with season aggregates of 659, 593, 670 and 626 respectively between 2018 and 21, while averaging over 50 in each of those seasons. These are four of the five best season aggregates for any batter for the Punjab franchise in the IPL. However, his runs were also accompanied by a discussion about his strike rate, with several observers pointing out that Rahul’s rate of scoring was sometimes counter-productive. His 670 runs in IPL 2020, in fact, came at a strike rate of 129.34, the lowest of anyone who has made 600-plus runs in an IPL season since the start of the tournament. Even the 626 runs he got in IPL 2021 were scored at a strike rate of 138.80, making Rahul the only batter with two sub-140 strike-rate tallies in a 600-plus IPL season.As for Stoinis, Lucknow will be his fourth IPL franchise. He had started in 2015 with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), where he returned in 2020 after being bought for INR 4.8 crore. In the 27 matches he has played for the Capitals, 32-year-old Stoinis scored 441 runs at a strike rate of 142.71 and picked 15 wickets. In between, he had also turned out for Punjab and Royal Challengers.Bishnoi, who impressed with his performance in the 2020 Under-19 World Cup in South Africa, where he finished as the leading wicket-taker, was one of the most sought-after uncapped players ahead of this year’s IPL auction, with several franchises showing keen interest in him. That included Punjab, who had won the bidding war for him with Mumbai Indians in the 2020 auction to bag him for INR 2 crore.Bishnoi then quickly became the lead spinner for Punjab, and took 12 wickets in 14 matches in his first season, and in 2021, he had 12 wickets from nine matches. Overall, he has an economy rate of 6.95.The other new IPL franchise, based in Ahmedabad, named their three players of choice yesterday, picking up Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan and Shubman Gill. With both the new teams finalising their players, the cap set by the IPL, the focus shifts to the auction, which is scheduled for February 12 and 13 in Bengaluru. The BCCI, however, is yet to formally inform the franchises about the dates and venue as it weighs in the pandemic situation across India.

MatériaMais Notícias

Além da recente saída confirmada do técnico Claudinei Oliveira no Avaí, o meio-campista Jefferson Fernandes, atleta que tem seus direitos ligados ao clube Azzurra, também pode estar prestes a mudar de ares segundo informação apurada pelo Futebol Latino e confirmada pelo próprio jogador.

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>Aplicativo de resultados do LANCE! está disponível na versão iOS

De acordo com Jefferson, uma equipe do futebol espanhol, no mercado do exterior, e também um clube do futebol carioca estaria em conversas para contratá-lo. Porém, para não criar expectativas fora da realidade, ele garante que ainda está em fase de análise com relação as ofertas disponíveis:

-O intuito agora é pegar bagagem no profissional, estavam especulando de uma futura proposta para o Ibiza, na Espanha, agora tenho uma proposta certa para ir pro futebol do Rio de Janeiro… estou analisando ainda.

-Estou me preparando o mais forte possível, tanto mentalmente como fisicamente para quando surgir a oportunidade eu saber aproveitar e demonstrar meu melhor desempenho. Acredito que posso ajudar a equipe dentro e fora de campo – acrescentou o atleta.