All posts by h716a5.icu

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has delivered an impassioned defence of summer signing Kai Havertz when speaking about the German in a recent press conference.

What's the latest on Arsenal and Kai Havertz?

It's not exactly been the easiest start to life for the 24-year-old in North London. Indeed, it's easy to get the sense that many of his new supporters aren't particularly happy with the big £65m transfer fee handed to rivals Chelsea in exchange for the player.

After all, the Emirates let out a "cry of frustration" after Havertz misplaced a pass in the Gunners' recent 2-2 draw with Fulham, showing how little patience the fans already have for the summer signing.

Having failed to impress on that most recent Premier League outings, the German has now played three games (plus an appearance in the Community Shield) without claiming either a goal or an assist for Arsenal.

Read the latest Arsenal transfer news HERE…

With all that in mind, there appear to be doubts over the player already and manager Arteta has tried to deal with this by urging the club to show more "love" for Havertz as he finds his feet in his new surroundings.

Indeed, when speaking to the press this week (via The Mirror), he said: “It’s difficult to ask more of our supporters and our people, but my feeling is give him love and we’ll get the best out of him. I think we have some very beautiful examples in the last years with players that we have given a lot of support and got behind them, and they have felt that love and they just exploded.‌

“I will stick to that because not everyone is going to be willing Arsenal to do well, but the ones that have their heart and soul in this club want the best for the club. So let’s do it because there’s a lot there for him to give us.”

As you can see in further footage circulated on Twitter, he then listed a number of other Arsenal players who took time to settle as well, saying: “It’s more than [Martin] Odegaard. And with Gabriel Magalhaes it was the same, and Ben White could not play as a full-back, Aaron Ramsdale wasn’t good enough for Arsenal and now we have signed another keeper and it is a catastrophe! Bukayo Saka was a left-back and now he’s a right wing. Granit Xhaka….we have so many good examples. But the players have to love what they do and they do that when they feel supported.

Finally, on Havertz, he added: ‌“His football brain, how he understands when to move, how to move, when to stay, when to run, it’s phenomenal. We are talking about a player who has already won and done a lot at his age and he’s played three Premier League games, so… calm.”

What happened with Kai Havertz?

Interestingly enough, Arteta isn't the only one to defend Havertz in recent times. Indeed, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand recently slammed Arsenal fans for their lack of patience.

He explained: “You guys [Arsenal fans] are all over the place. With Havertz, I understand that he might not have hit the ground running, bit like Mason Mount at Man United

"But the way that you guys are absolutely like: ‘get him out’, I don’t get it. If it was 10, 15 games, do you know what, I could see what they’re saying.

"But it’s three games you know. People need time to adjust.”

Of course, Havertz has replaced Granit Xhaka in the Arsenal lineup, so it might take him time to get used to a different midfield role but some of the underlying stats actually suggest he'd doing a better job than many realise.

After all, as you can see in the graphic below – shared on Twitter by statistician Scott Willis using data from Opta via Fbref – the German is actually outperforming his Swiss counterpart in a number of attacking areas such as goal probability added, open play key passes, progressive carries.

On top of that, he's also doing well defensively with more aerial duels won, ball recoveries made, and less fouls committed than Xhaka – albeit from a small sample size.

New Zealand have responded to three consecutive T20I defeats by making two changes to their batting for the remainder of the tri-series involving England and Australia

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Feb-2018Batsman Mark Chapman and wicketkeeper Tim Seifert have been called up to New Zealand’s T20 squad as they aim to revive their tri-series campaign following the opening-match drubbing at the hands of Australia in Sydney.Chapman, 23, was born in Hong Kong and has played two ODIs and 19 T20Is for them but qualifies for New Zealand through his father. A left-hand batsman, Chapman has been pushing hard for a call-up this season with prolific white-ball form and replaces Tom Bruce. He scored 307 runs with a strike-rate of 171.50 in the Super Smash and is the leading run-scorer in the Ford Trophy by a distance on 433 (as of February 7).New Zealand squad

Kane Williamson (capt), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Anaru Kitchen, Colin Munro, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Tim Seifert (wk), Ross Taylor, Ben Wheeler

The uncapped Seifert, also 23, will take over the wicketkeeping role from Tom Blundell who himself replaced fellow wicketkeeper Glenn Phillips during the series against Pakistan in what is becoming a revolving position in New Zealand’s T20 side as they seek a long-term successor to Luke Ronchi. He also enjoyed a strong Super Smash with 323 runs at a strike-rate of 146.81. Seifert and Chapman scored two of the three centuries made in this year’s tournament.”Mark has been very consistent over the past couple of seasons and has taken his game to another level in recent times,” selector Gavin Larsen said. “His ability to hit the ball in all areas makes him a real threat and we’ve seen in the domestic competition some of the power he possesses.”Bruce made 3 against Australia before top-edging Billy Stanlake having scored 26, 11 and 22 in the series against Pakistan. Blundell came in at No. 6 in that match after New Zealand’s early problems and his omission is partly a knock-on effect of Bruce being dropped.”It’s hard on Tom Blundell, but with Tom Bruce not in the squad we wanted to inject some further power into that middle order and Tim has shown he’s one the most dynamic in the country at that,” Larsen said. “We have some strong options with the gloves at the moment, but it’s about what best complements the rest of the squad and we think that’s Tim for this series.”Seamer Seth Rance also drops out of the squad that flew to Sydney, leaving Ben Wheeler as the pace back-up to Tim Southee and Trent Boult.New Zealand limped to 117 for 9 at the SCG, with only Colin de Grandhomme coming to terms with conditions as he made 38 off 24 balls, and will resume their tri-series campaign against England in Wellington on Saturday. Australia have set the early pace in the tournament, following their victory against New Zealand with a win over England in Hobart.

The India captain is behind only Steven Smith in Tests, and he also holds the top rank in ODIs and T20Is

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Dec-20171:18

Looking at Kohli’s rankings journey

Virat Kohli has moved up three places to second spot in the ICC rankings for Test batsmen following a prolific home series against Sri Lanka. Kohli is also the No. 1 batsman in ODIs and T20Is, but trails Steven Smith by 45 points in Tests, leaving him short of emulating Ricky Ponting as the only batsman to hold the top rank across formats at the same time.Kohli scored 610 runs in five innings in the Test series against Sri Lanka, making a hundred and back-to-back double centuries. The 243 in the third Test in Delhi was Kohli’s career-best score, and helped him overtake David Warner, Cheteshwar Pujara, Kane Williamson and Joe Root in the rankings.While Kohli has 893 points, Smith’s lead is considerable in Tests – his tally of 941 last week was the joint fifth-highest in Test history. Smith is presently on 938 points. Ponting held the No. 1 rank simultaneously across formats in 2005-06, and Matthew Hayden is the only other batsman to have been top-ranked across formats.For Sri Lanka, their captain Dinesh Chandimal broke into the top ten for the first time in his career: he moved up eight spots and is presently ninth after making 366 runs in the Test series against India.

Born on August 21, 1988, in Warsaw, Poland, Robert Lewandowski's journey to stardom began in the lower divisions of Polish football.

He honed his skills at Znicz Pruszkow before moving to Polish top-flight club Lech Poznan in 2008. Lewandowski's time at Lech Poznan marked his emergence onto the international stage and his goal-scoring prowess caught the eye of top European clubs.

In 2010, he made a pivotal move to Borussia Dortmund, where he truly blossomed. At Dortmund, Lewandowski formed a deadly partnership with fellow forward Marco Reus. He helped guide the club to back-to-back Bundesliga titles, showcasing his knack for finding the back of the net with incredible consistency.

During his Dortmund tenure, Lewandowski also etched his name in Champions League history, scoring an unprecedented four goals in a semi-final against Real Madrid in 2013. His performances not only earned him individual accolades but also drew attention from European giants Bayern Munich.

In 2014, he joined Bayern, where his goal-scoring exploits reached new heights, winning numerous domestic and continental titles. His five-goal haul in just nine minutes against Wolfsburg in 2015 remains a Bundesliga record.

He's now continuing his goal-scoring exploits in Spain with La Liga giants Barcelona, where he has shown no signs of slowing down. Lewandowski's journey from Polish lower divisions to global football stardom is a testament to his talent, work ethic and determination.

Robert Lewandowski at Znicz Pruszkow

Lewandowski's early career at Znicz Pruszkow marked the genesis of his remarkable football journey. From 2006 to 2008, he honed his skills at the Polish club, showcasing his burgeoning talent as a forward.

He very quickly made a name for himself in the 2006/2007 season, netting 15 goals in the Polish third division to help Znicz to promotion. He followed that up in the next campaign by scoring 21 goals to be the Polish second division top scorer.

A record of 38 goals in 66 first-team appearances led to a transfer to Ekstraklasa side Lech Poznan in June 2008.

Lewandowski's Honours at Znicz Pruszkow

III Liga (1)

2006/2007

Robert Lewandowski at Lech Poznan

Robert Lewandowski's tenure at Lech Poznan from 2008 to 2010 marked another pivotal phase in his football journey. During this period, he rapidly evolved into a goal-scoring sensation, amassing 41 goals in 82 first-team appearances. His contributions played a vital role in Lech Poznan's Polish Cup victory in the 2008/2009 season.

Lewandowski's remarkable goal-scoring ability unsurprisingly caught the attention of Europe's top clubs, propelling him into the spotlight. His time at Lech Poznan laid the foundation for his subsequent successes, and his impressive performances became a stepping stone for his move to Borussia Dortmund in June 2010, marking the beginning of his ascent to becoming one of the world's most renowned strikers.

Lewandowski's Honours at Lech Poznan

Ekstraklasa (1)

2009/2010

Polish Cup (1)

2008/2009

Polish Super Cup (1)

2009

Robert Lewandowski at Borussia Dortmund

Robert Lewandowski's spell at Borussia Dortmund, spanning from 2010 to 2014, is a chapter that solidified his status as a world-class striker. Arriving from Lech Poznan in a deal worth just €4.5m, the Pole seamlessly transitioned into the Bundesliga and left an indelible mark on both the league and the club.

His tenure at Dortmund saw him play a pivotal role in the club's renaissance under coach Jurgen Klopp. Lewandowski's ability to find the net with precision and consistency was a cornerstone of Dortmund's successes during this era.

He formed lethal partnerships with players like Mario Gotze and Marco Reus, helping the team capture back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2010/2011 and 2011/2012.

Lewandowski's statistics during his Dortmund years are a testament to his prowess. He scored a total of 103 goals in 187 appearances for the club, an impressive tally considering the intense competition in the Bundesliga. One of his most iconic moments came in the 2012/2013 Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, where he scored all four goals in a historic victory.

His accolades during this period included being named the Polish Footballer of the Year multiple times and earning a place in the Bundesliga Team of the Season. His 24 goals in the 2013/2014 Bundesliga campaign also earned him the league's top scorer title.

Beyond the statistics, Lewandowski's Dortmund stint was marked by memorable milestones. His performances not only elevated Dortmund's profile but also established him as a sought-after talent across Europe. His style of play, marked by intelligent movement, clinical finishing and a strong work ethic, endeared him to fans and pundits alike.

Lewandowski's time at Borussia Dortmund laid the groundwork for his subsequent move to Bayern Munich, where he continued to etch his name in football history. His impact on Dortmund's resurgence and his legacy as one of the greatest strikers of his generation are undeniable, and his Dortmund chapter remains a crucial part of his illustrious career.

Lewandowski's Honours at Borussia Dortmund

Bundesliga (2)

2010/2011, 2011/2012

DFB-Pokal (1)

2011/2012

DFL-Supercup (1)

2013

Robert Lewandowski at Bayern Munich

Robert Lewandowski's illustrious career at Bayern Munich, spanning from 2014 to 2022, was a testament to his exceptional skill, dedication and legacy as one of the greatest footballers of his generation. His time with the Bavarian club was defined by extraordinary goal-scoring exploits, historic records and a lasting impact on the sport.

Lewandowski's journey at Bayern Munich began in the summer of 2014 when he completed a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund. The move was met with high expectations, and he quickly proved himself worthy of the iconic number 9 jersey. From the outset, it was clear that he was ready to take his game to the next level and embrace the challenges that came with playing for one of the most successful clubs in the world.

One of the most iconic moments in Lewandowski's career, and perhaps in football history, came on September 22, 2015. In a Bundesliga match against Wolfsburg, he scored an incredible five goals in just nine minutes. This remarkable feat showcased his unparalleled scoring instincts, composure and ability to seize control of a match single-handedly. It's a record that stands as a testament to his greatness and has become an enduring part of his legacy.

Lewandowski's consistency in finding the back of the net is a hallmark of his time at Bayern. Season after season, he has been a prolific scorer in both domestic and continental competitions. His performances helped the club win eight Bundesliga titles, three DFB-Pokal victories, and a UEFA Champions League.

In the Bundesliga, Lewandowski repeatedly clinched the top scorer title, establishing himself as one of the most lethal finishers in the world. His goal-scoring prowess is matched only by his versatility – he can score from long range, finish with finesse and outmuscle defenders in the box. His statistics are awe-inspiring: he reached the 100-goal mark for Bayern in just 120 Bundesliga appearances.

A defining moment in Lewandowski's career came during the 2019-2020 season. He played a central role in Bayern's historic treble-winning campaign, which saw the club secure the Bundesliga title, the DFB-Pokal and the UEFA Champions League. Lewandowski's 15 goals in the Champions League that season propelled Bayern to European glory, and he was the top scorer of the competition.

The 2019-2020 Bundesliga season also saw Lewandowski equal a longstanding record. By netting 34 league goals, he matched Gerd Muller's record for the most goals in a single Bundesliga season. This achievement not only honoured Müller's legacy but also highlighted Lewandowski's own legacy as a modern-day football icon.

Beyond his goal-scoring prowess, Lewandowski's influence on and off the field has been immeasurable. He is often praised for his work ethic, professionalism and leadership. His commitment to the team's success inspired his teammates, and he was a guiding figure in Bayern's dressing room. His humility and dedication have endeared him to fans worldwide, making him a role model for aspiring footballers.

Lewandowski's dedication to maintaining peak physical condition is evident off the pitch. He has consistently prioritized fitness, nutrition and recovery, enabling him to maintain his exceptional performance levels even as he's progressed in age.

In May 2022, after eight seasons with Bayern Munich, Lewandowski announced his desire to leave the club and two months later he was signed by Barcelona in €45m deal, a transfer which made him the most expensive Polish player in history. He ended his Bayern Munich career with an outstanding record of 344 goals in 375 first-team appearances.

Lewandowski's Honours at Bayern Munich

Bundesliga (8)

2014/2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021, 2021/2022

DFB-Pokal (3)

2015/2016, 2018/2019, 2019/2020

DFL-Supercup (5)

2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021

UEFA Champions League (1)

2019/2020

UEFA Super Cup (1)

2020

FIFA Club World Cup (1)

2020

Robert Lewandowski at Barcelona

Lewandowski signed a four-year deal with Barcelona in July 2022 and unsurprisingly hit the ground running in his first season in Spain.

The veteran Polish striker netted 33 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions during his first campaign away from Germany, helping the Catalan giants to the La Liga title while also finishing at the top of the La Liga scoring charts with 23 goals.

That personal triumph would make Lewandowski the first player in the top 5 European leagues to win the top scorer award in six consecutive seasons.

Lewandowski's Honours at Barcelona

La Liga (1)

2022/2023

Supercopa de Espana (1)

2022/2023

Robert Lewandowski with Poland

Robert Lewandowski's international career with Poland has been as remarkable as his club exploits. Since making his debut in 2008, he has become the nation's all-time leading goalscorer and a symbol of Polish football excellence. His contributions to the national team have been pivotal in raising Poland's stature on the international stage.

His debut marked the beginning of a prolific run that has seen him consistently find the net in crucial matches. He played a key role in Poland's qualification for the 2016 UEFA European Championship, where he showcased his ability on a continental platform.

One of the standout moments in Lewandowski's international career came during the qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. In a match against Armenia in October 2017, he scored a sensational hat-trick in just four minutes, becoming the quickest player to achieve such a feat in World Cup qualifying history.

Lewandowski's leadership qualities were recognized when he was appointed captain of the Polish national team in 2013. His influence extends beyond his goal-scoring prowess; he motivates his teammates and plays a crucial role in shaping Poland's tactical approach.

He became Poland's all-time leading goalscorer in 2017 when a hat-trick in a 6-1 win over Armenia took him to 50 goals for Poland, surpassing Wlodzimierz Lubanski's previous record of 48.

At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the striker scored his first goal at a finals in a 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia. He scored his second World Cup goal in a 3-1 round of 16 defeat to eventual finalists France.

To-date, Lewandowski's record for Poland stands at 79 goals in 142 appearances.

Robert Lewandowski's Personal Accolades & Records

Robert Lewandowski's illustrious career has been adorned with an array of personal accolades, awards, records and milestones that cement his status as one of the greatest footballers of his generation.

His numerous awards include being named the Polish Footballer of the Year 10 times, a testament to his impact on his home country's football scene. At Borussia Dortmund, he earned a spot in the Bundesliga Team of the Season and clinched the Bundesliga's top-scorer title. However, it's his time at Bayern Munich where his individual accomplishments reached unprecedented heights.

During the 2019-2020 season, he matched Gerd Muller's long-standing record for the most goals in a single Bundesliga season with 34 goals. This remarkable achievement showcased not only his exceptional scoring ability but also his dedication and consistency.

Lewandowski's international records are equally impressive. He is Poland's all-time leading goalscorer, surpassing legendary figures in Polish football history. His captaincy of the national team is a testament to his leadership qualities and his ability to inspire and motivate his teammates.

The individual awards that Lewandowski has amassed are a testament to his influence on the global stage. In 2020, he was awarded the prestigious FIFA Best Men's Player award, beating out stiff competition from footballing giants. This recognition was a culmination of his outstanding performances and a nod to his dedication to the sport, while he has been named the Ballon d'Or Striker of the Year on two occasions.

Lewandowski's Personal Honours

Ballon d'Or Striker of the Year (2)

2021, 2022

European Golden Shoe (2)

2020/2021, 2021/2022

Best FIFA Men's Player (2)

2020, 2021

FIFA FIFPro World XI (2)

2020, 2021

FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball (1)

2020

UEFA Men's Player of the Year (1)

2019/2020

UEFA Champions League Forward of the Season (1)

2019/2020

UEFA Champions League Top Scorer (1)

2019/2020

UEFA Champions League Top Assist Provider (1)

2019/2020

UEFA Team of the Year (2)

2019, 2020

Golden Foot (1)

2022

European Sportsperson of the Year (1)

2020

Ekstraklasa Best Player (1)

2009

Ekstraklasa Top Scorer (1)

2009/2010

Ekstraklasa Goal of the Season (1)

2008/2009

II Liga Top Scorer (1)

2007/2008

III Liga Top Scorer (1)

2006/2007

Polish Footballer of the Year (10)

2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021

Polish Sports Personality of the Year (3)

2015, 2020, 2021

Polish Young Player of the Year (1)

2008

Bundesliga Player of the Season (5)

2012/2013, 2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2019/2020, 2020/2021

Bundesliga Team of the Season (10)

2012/2013, 2013/2014, 2014/2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021, 2021/2022

Bundesliga Top Scorer (7)

2013/2014, 2015/2016, 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021, 2021/2022

Germany Footballer of the Year (2)

2020, 2021

DFB-Pokal Top Scorer (5)

2011/2012, 2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2019/2020

Bayern Munich Player of the Season (1)

2019/2020

Pichichi Trophy (1)

2022/2023

La Liga Team of the Season (1)

2022/2023

Lewandowski's Individual Club & International Records

All-time Poland Appearances

142

All-time Poland Goals

79

Most Goals in a Bundesliga Season

41

Josh Hazlewood struck twice in his first two overs before Mitchell Starc cleaned up England with the new ball to banish any thoughts of a famous upset

The Report by Brydon Coverdale06-Dec-20171:02

Swann: The batting monkey is growing on Root’s back

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsEngland arrived at Adelaide Oval on the fifth day knowing that hope springs eternal, or at least until Joe Root gets out. And so England’s hope sprung for only 17 deliveries. By the time the day was three overs old, Josh Hazlewood had dismissed Root and Chris Woakes, and within two hours Australia had won the Test and taken a 2-0 lead in the series. At least the England fans who had awoken in the small hours back home in anticipation of a tense final day could get some sleep.The day began with England 178 runs from victory with six wickets in hand. They added only 57 to their overnight total for the loss of all six of those wickets. That England even fought back into this match, that they entered the final day with any sort of hope whatsoever, was a surprise in itself. But if Australia officially won the Test on the fifth afternoon, in reality England had lost it on the first two days, when they sent Australia in and saw them make 442.It left England needing their all-time highest successful chase to win this match, and the final day began badly when Woakes edged behind off Hazlewood from the second ball – Snicko confirming his fate despite a review. In Hazlewood’s next over he claimed the key wicket of Root, who did not add a run to his overnight score of 67. On a surface that had been good for batting all match, a ball finally stayed a touch low and kissed the toe of Root’s bat on the way through to Tim Paine.Josh Hazlewood had Joe Root caught behind for 67•Getty ImagesFrom then on it was only a matter of time, and not even much of that. Moeen Ali was trapped lbw trying to sweep Nathan Lyon on 2, and the rest of the damage arrived with the new ball. Mitchell Starc curled the very first delivery with the new pink Kookaburra in to the pads of Craig Overton, who was lbw for 7; Stuart Broad edged behind off Starc for 8; and the result was confirmed when Jonny Bairstow chopped on against Starc for 36.Starc had finished with 5 for 88, but it was Hazlewood’s two early strikes that set the tone for the final session of this Test. After a day of England fight, normal service had resumed. And if the Gabbatoir is the fortress at which Australia like to open their summer, the Adelaide Oval day-night Test is becoming a strong occasion for them as well – the Australians have now won all three pink-ball Tests played in Adelaide.Now the teams fly to Perth with Australia just one win away from regaining the Ashes. And if Root wins the toss at the WACA, don’t expect him to do anything but bat.

Chelsea appear to be well and truly setting their sights on a Michael Olise alternative as an update emerges on Lyon star Bradley Barcola.

Who have Chelsea signed?

Mauricio Pochettino's side, despite spending over £250 million already this transfer window, could move to strengthen further following their failed pursuit of Olise – with the Frenchman instead signing a new deal at Crystal Palace.

Midfield duo Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia are the first team stars to most recently come through the door at Stamford Bridge, with the former costing a British-record £115 million to prise away from Brighton.

"Moises has proved himself as a standout player in European football over the past 18 months, and we are thrilled to add him to Mauricio Pochettino’s squad," said Chelsea co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley.

"Moises possesses a rare midfield skill set and is a player we've been targeting for some time. We believe he will make a significant impact at Stamford Bridge this season – and in the years ahead."

Meanwhile, Pochettino has expressed his delight at the signing of Lavia from Southampton, with Chelsea's head coach revering the Belgian's quality after they announced a deal.

"We all know Romeo and his quality, his profile," said the Argentine.

"I think he’s a perfect player for this project. We are excited and we are so happy to add him in the squad.

"The club worked really hard on these signings. We have to congratulate the owners and the sporting directors Laurence [Stewart] and Paul [Winstanley], because the job was amazing."

Lavia and Caicedo join the likes of Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi, Nicolas Jackson, Lesley Ugochukwu, Robert Sanchez, Angelo and young Brazilian ace Deivid Washington in penning deals at the Bridge.

Lyon star Barcola, following Chelsea's summer spending spree, could be another player to make his way to west London as journalist Fabrice Hawkins shares an update for RMC Sport.

Indeed, it is believed Pochettino's side are "fully" chasing the 20-year-old forward and talks have "intensified" very recently following Chelsea's collapsed deal for Olise.

Lyon have already rejected a bid from PSG for the player, and Man City's interest in Barcola has cooled down as they pursue a move for Rennes winger Jeremy Doku.

This could open the door for Chelsea, but during talks, Lyon have apparently quoted a fee of around £43 million to let Barcola leave.

Who is Bradley Barcola?

Barcola played just 1438 minutes for Lyon over the 2022/2023 campaign, but in that time, he registered an impressive five goals and eight assists.

The Frenchman stands out as an incredibly direct winger, having averaged a brilliant 2.5 dribbles per 90 in Ligue 1 according to WhoScored, with Lyon boss Laurent Blanc heaping praise on the player this year.

Read the latest Chelsea transfer news HERE..

"He surprises me on a physical level. He doesn't second-guess himself… he scores goals, even though he is not necessarily an out-and-out striker," said Blanc.

"He can easily eliminate his opponents with his technical finesse and speed.

"When he wasn't a starter, I told him to be attentive and serious because he was certainly going to be able to occupy an important position in the team. He must have thought I was crazy not to play him. But I already had a few ideas."

One Aston Villa star in particular wouldn't be fazed by the prospective arrival of Sevilla right-back Gonzalo Montiel at Villa Park, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Is Gonzalo Montiel heading to Aston Villa?

According to reports in Spain via Sport Witness, Aston Villa have had 'simple contacts' with Sevilla regarding a potential swoop for Montiel this summer as Unai Emery looks to strengthen the right-hand side of his backline.

The outlet claim that River Plate and one club in Russia have expressed interest in Montiel in recent times; however, the chances of the £22k-a-week ace moving to South America are believed to be 'minimal' despite his place in Jose Luis Mendilibar's side being under threat from youngster Juanlu, who has been given an opportunity to shine in pre-season.

Last term, Montiel was ever-present for Sevilla as they stormed on to Europa League glory once again and featured 43 times in all competitions for the La Liga outfit, registering one goal and three assists, as per Transfermarkt.

Montiel has a knack for scoring crucial penalties on the elite stage and netted winning spot-kicks in Sevilla's Europa League triumph and Argentina's famous World Cup victory last November.

Nevertheless, he could be set for a new challenge in 2023/24 and it remains to be seen whether he could pitch up at Villa Park between now and the close of play in the market.

Suppose Montiel was to join Aston Villa, journalist Jones thinks that current Villans' right-back Cash would relish the challenge of fighting for his place in competition with the Argentina international.

Speaking to Football FanCast, Jones stated: "The threat of Montiel will certainly have Matty Cash on his toes, but this is a player very confident in his ability and what he brings to the table, so when he hears the club are targeting players of this level, I get the impression it actually fires him up and motivates him rather than fills him with fear. He started 20 Premier League games last season and that would have been more if he had not suffered an injury towards the back end of the season. There is not much that could deter his motivation at such a key stage of his career."

Could Matty Cash fend off competition from Gonzalo Montiel at Aston Villa?

Cash has been a consistent performer for Aston Villa since joining the club from Nottingham Forest for a fee in the region of £16 million back in 2020, as per The Guardian.

Over the course of his time at the Villans, Cash has gone on to feature 96 times in all competitions, notching four goals and seven assists in the process, as per Transfermarkt.

In 2022/23, the Poland international was a reliable presence when deployed at right-back, winning an average of 2.1 tackles per match in the Premier League, according to WhoScored.

Contributing to build-up play efficiently, Cash also completed 75 progressive passes in his time on the field last campaign for Aston Villa, as per FBRef.

Unai Emery will want to have two players capable of fighting for every position in 2023/24 and having Cash and Montiel to choose from at right-back would be a nice selection headache for the Spaniard at Villa Park.

Uthappa finds form as Saurashtra secure lead to top group standings

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Nov-2017An inspired bowling performance by Aamir Aziz, the left-arm spinner, helped Jammu & Kashmir register their first win of the 2017-18 season in Jamshedpur. However, it was certain that both J&K and Jharkhand were out of contention for a quarter-final berth with one game to play.Aziz picked up five second-innings wickets to take his match tally to 9 for 149 as Jharkhand, who began briskly in a steep final-day chase of 350, were bowled out for 243 in 49.4 overs. The openers Ishan Kishan (52) and Mohammad Nazim Siddique (38) added 87 in 11.5 overs to give their chase a fillip. Utkarsh Singh, at No. 3, made a solid 47 to further strengthen their prospects of a second win, but the middle order imploded.Shahbaz Nadeem reduced the margin of victory by making 53, but that was scant consolation. Parvez Rasool, the J&K captain, who top scored with 70 in the second innings to help stretch the lead past 300, finished with 5 for 99, his 12th five-for in first-class cricket. Earlier in the day, J&K added 19 to their overnight 246 for 7 before declaring their second innings in the first session to set up the possibility of their outright win, which they achieved in the second session.Saurashtra continued to remain to top of the Group C standings as they walked away with the first-innings honours against defending champions Gujarat in Rajkot. The top two – Gujarat are currently second – in the points table continued to remain as they were, but the race for the quarter-finals intensified, with Kerala, two points adrift of Gujarat, also in the fight.Gujarat, who rode Priyank Panchal’s 145 to make a pitch for a lead, were bowled out for the addition of 110 to their overnight 303 for 4, conceding a lead of 157. Once the first-innings honours were decided, the game went into snooze mode with Saurashtra opting for batting practice. Robin Uthappa’s return to form was a big positive. The Karnataka opener, who joined them prior to this season as a professional, struck his first half-century of the season, and was unbeaten on 64. Saurashtra had posted 98 for 1 when players shook hands.

The opening batsman said “there will definitely be some words exchanged” come the start of the first Ashes Test in Brisbane

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Oct-2017David Warner won’t have any qualms about engaging with England players in the middle during the Ashes, believing his verbal sparring performed a key role in the 2013-14 whitewash.No sooner had he returned from the limited-overs tour of India, Warner was thinking of the opening day at the Gabba as he talked of the need to find “hatred” of England in the heat of the Ashes tussle.Warner, lauded in recent years for a more mature approach to his game, wasn’t afraid of having a few words four years ago which included saying England had “scared eyes” during the Brisbane Test as they were dismantled by Mitchell Johnson although later admitted he had gone “too far” when he labelled Jonathan Trott’s second-innings dismissal as “poor and weak.””As soon as you step on that line it’s war,” Warner said on . “You try and get into a battle as quick as you can. I try and look in the opposition’s eye and try and work out ‘how can I dislike this player, how can I get on top of him?’ You’ve really got to find that spark in yourself to really take it to the opposition.”You have to delve and dig deep into yourself to actually get some hatred about them to actually get up when you’re out there. History is a big part in this and that is what carries us onto the ground.”Warner added, however, that he would leave the talk until he gets onto the field in Brisbane even suggesting he will take a “subtle” approach in trying to get under England’s skin.”Four years ago, during that first Test I made some statements in the media and at the time I thought it was a great thing to come out and speak what I said,” he said. “I have no regrets about that and I think that could have played a little bit of a role in the back of their minds.”At the moment I’m not going to put any vibes out there or get into a verbal stoush … but come day one when we walk out there, there will definitely be some words exchanged. But I think the subtle approach these days is how it is and how it goes.”Australia’s players have three rounds of Sheffield Shield matches to prepare for the first Test with the major question marks over their side revolving around who will bat at No. 6 and who will take the wicketkeeping gloves.England, who are set to be without Ben Stokes, depart at the end of the month and have three warm-up matches before the first Test which starts on November 23.

Champions League finalists Inter Milan are "fighting off" transfer rivals Monaco to secure the signing of Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun.

Who is leaving Arsenal?

Gunners transfer chief Edu Gaspar has done wonders to back Mikel Arteta with a few huge signings, namely Kai Havertz, defender Jurrien Timber and club-record signing Declan Rice for over £200 million.

Brentford goalkeeper David Raya is also on his way to Arsenal, with the club now sealing an alternative to current number one Aaron Ramsdale.

After this serious spending spree, the north Londoners will need to continue balancing their books with more player sales. So far, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Auston Trusty, Pablo Mari, Matt Turner and long-serving midfielder Granit Xhaka come as the most notable departures.

Albert Sami Lokonga, who spent part of last season on loan at Crystal Palace, has also been heavily linked with an exit as league newcomers Burnley attempt to sign him on a temporary deal.

Nicolas Pepe is being chased by Turkish Super Lig sides Besikta and Fenerbache, while Balogun could come as, arguably, Arsenal's most high profile exit of the window.

Balogun enjoyed a prolific spell on loan at Reims last season, which may have significantly raised his stock as some reports suggest Arsenal won't sell for less than £50m.

Read the latest Arsenal transfer news HERE…

Inter and Monaco have both been linked with moves for the USA international as they hope to add attacking flair before the window shuts.

CBS journalist Matteo Bonetti, taking to X recently, says Inter are determined to sign Balogun and are "fighting off" Monaco for his services.

Simone Inzaghi's side believe they have a trump card in the race, as they can offer him Champions League football next season.

"Inter are fighting off Monaco to secure the signing of the American striker Folarin Balogun," said Bonetti.

"The big difference being that Inter can offer him Champions League football. The 22 year old exploded last season with Reims in Ligue 1, where he scored 21 league goals."

How good is Folarin Balogun?

Barring his 21 goals in the French top flight last season, Balogun has been praised by Gunners boss Arteta for his quality and attitude behind-the-scenes.

Commenting on the "special" striker's loan spell at Reims last season, it's safe to say Arteta was very impressed with his efforts across the channel.

“I’m so happy for him,” Arteta said.

“He’s a boy that has a really clear idea of what he wants to do with his career. He’s really ambitious, really committed and really brave.

“We discussed a lot before he made that move whether it was the right place to go and the other choices he had. He was so convinced. I’m really happy for him because he deserves what he’s getting.

“When you look at the numbers and what he is doing, it’s just incredible. It’s very rare to see that. But he’s got something special, that’s why we decided to give him a long-term contract and have faith in him and give him the long period that he needs now, because the loan he is having now is really different to the one he had before at Middlesbrough."