Chelsea are interested in signing Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse and have shortlisted him ahead of the summer transfer window.

Could James Ward-Prowse join Chelsea this summer?

With Southampton's relegation to the Championship already confirmed, Ward-Prowse has naturally been linked with a summer exit.

It would mark an end to his 12-year stay at the club and, according to football.london, his transfer fee is expected to be set at around £50million. The club captain has three years remaining on his deal, so despite Southampton's relegation, the south-coast outfit can stay firm in negotiations.

Chelsea have added the 28-year-old to their transfer list, according to Football Transfers, and could compete with Tottenham, Aston Villa and Newcastle United for his signature.

Former Southampton and incoming Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino reportedly could play a key role in a deal to sign Ward-Prowse having managed the midfielder during his time as Saints head coach in 2013/14. The Argentine coach is still considered to be a big fan of Ward-Prowse.

Back in 2014, he said:

"In every training session, he gives 100%. He always has an immediate impact in what he does and he is still a player who is growing. He is a figurehead of the sort of player that we are looking for at Southampton."

Pochettino was spot on as Ward-Prowse has gone on to play 420 games in all competitions, playing a whopping 30,493 minutes, as per Transfermarkt.

Does James Ward-Prowse have the Premier League free-kick record?

Ward-Prowse, who is represented by CAA Stellar like Ben Chilwell, is a technically gifted player. The midfielder has been tipped by Nathan Jones to beat David Beckham's record of 18 Premier League goals directly from free-kicks. Ward-Prowse has 17 currently and with his incredibly consistent dead ball technique, it might not be long before he equals the record. Jones waxed lyrical about the player, saying:

"He's been outstanding. When I arrived at the club my first conversation with him was ten minutes after he didn't get picked for the England squad.

"Unless somebody comes in and cut off his right leg, I think that record is under threat. He's one of the best technicians I've ever seen, the consistency he shows is world-class."

It looks set to be another busy summer at Stamford Bridge, and it seems as if a move for Ward-Prowse could be one to keep an eye on, potentially reuniting him with his former manager in the process.

Leeds United have just been handed a huge boost in their hunt for a new manager, with Andrea Radrizzani looking to make the club as attractive as possible in preparation for a likely sale.

What's the latest Leeds manager news?

French outlet RMC Sport detail OGC Nice's interest in Graham Potter initially, before outlining a host of alternatives.

With a few English clubs vying for his signature, it is expected that the former Chelsea boss would prefer such a move, as Crystal Palace and Leicester City circle.

However, the Whites are another option touted, who could tempt the 48-year-old to Elland Road in an effort to escape the Championship at the first time of asking.

Is Graham Potter better than Marcelo Bielsa?

In snagging this progressive long-term coach, it seems like the Yorkshire club are truly serious about building a brighter and more sustainable future than the one Marcelo Bielsa conjured.

After all, despite the huge success he achieved in returning this club to the Premier League, his methods were what ultimately let him down. Stubbornly standing by a smaller group of players, he forged closer bonds but left himself wide open to an injury crisis.

Around the time of his sacking, he had been without Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips for large parts of the season, yet he retained his aggressive all-action style that was leaking goals for fun.

That year, when they narrowly avoided relegation, his side shipped 79 goals across the 38 games.

Meanwhile, Potter was quietly making a name for himself at Brighton and Hove Albion, spearheading their steady progression that has culminated in their Europa League finish in the most recent campaign.

Whilst Roberto De Zerbi will earn all the plaudits for finishing off the job, it was the Englishman who led them from a side that escaped the drop by just two points the year before his appointment.

His fluid 3-4-2-1 system allowed him to nurture his squad into a group of high-quality and versatile players, all able to play various roles well above their expected levels. This culminated in their highest-ever top-flight finish in his last full season (until this year), and when he left for Stamford Bridge, the Seagulls sat in fourth.

Such were his achievements, even the great Pep Guardiola sought to laud him, noting: "I am a big fan of Graham Potter. From the first time at Swansea, it was a joy to analyse his teams but also a concern when you play them. His players have the courage to play, they all know what to do. The first thing I would tell my players is: 'We have to be at a high level against them.'"

Although De Zerbi has since proven the following statement wrong, it was a testament to his work at progressing a club far smaller than Leeds that journalist Sam Morton spoke so highly of Potter: "It was a shame to see Cucurella and Bissouma leave Brighton but Graham Potter is the only irreplaceable asset at the club, you feel. The man is a genius."

Although he had his struggles in west London, many would argue that he was given particularly unfavourable circumstances with which to work. Perhaps a return to management where he could awake a sleeping giant under Radrizzani, could be the perfect place to rebuild his reputation and surpass Bielsa's legacy by earning promotion and a sustainable future in the top flight.

Imran Tahir will equal Marcus North’s record of playing for six different counties after signing for Derbyshire

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Oct-2016Imran Tahir will equal Marcus North’s record of playing for six different counties after signing for Derbyshire. Tahir, the South Africa legspinner, is expected to be available from June onwards, depending on his international commitments.Derbyshire have begun overhauling their squad after a disappointing season, with chairman Chris Grant signalling a move to making more experienced signings. Ireland wicketkeeper-batsman Gary Wilson has joined from Surrey and Luis Reece accepted a contract after being released by Lancashire but the arrival of Tahir will add extra quality.Tahir, 37, is ranked the No. 1 T20 bowler and No. 3 in ODIs, according to the ICC player ratings. Last season, he played seven Championship matches for Nottinghamshire, taking 25 wickets at 37.20, although he could not prevent their relegation to Division Two.”I love playing cricket in England and I’m looking forward to playing a senior role at Derbyshire,” Tahir said. “I’ve learned a lot over the years and if I can pass my knowledge on to youngsters and help win matches, then it’s a great option for me.”Tahir will be in England from May, with South Africa playing a bilateral ODI series ahead of the Champions Trophy, but will then link up with Derbyshire. South Africa are scheduled to play a four-Test series afterwards but Tahir is unlikely to be involved.Derbyshire recently appointed a new director of cricket, Kim Barnett, after finishing bottom of Division Two and failing to progress in the two limited-overs competitions. They have also taken the rare step of bringing in a specialist T20 coach, another former player, New Zealand’s John Wright.Barnett said that alongside his proven ability, Tahir would help the development of Derbyshire’s young legspinner Matt Critchley.”We are keen to strengthen our squad with experienced match winners who will also help our talented youngsters,” Barnett said. “With his vast international and domestic experience here in England, Imran fits the bill perfectly.”He is one of the best legspinners in the world and we’re very excited to have him on board. Not only will Imran bring an added dimension to our bowling line up, his influence on the team and players, such as Matt Critchley, will be immense.”Former Australia batsman North became the first overseas player to represent six different counties when he joined Glamorgan in 2012. From next summer, Tahir will be able to count Derbyshire alongside Nottinghamshire, Hampshire, Warwickshire, Yorkshire and Middlesex.

Arsenal could be set to swoop for a Brazilian wonderkid, mirroring their prior successes in snagging talent straight from South America…

What’s the latest on Marcos Leonardo to Arsenal?

That’s at least the claims made by 90min, who offered an update on the widespread interest in Marcos Leonardo.

The 20-year-old’s fine performances have unsurprisingly caught the eye of many, and the report states that alongside Edu, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, AS Roma and much of the Premier League are all admirers.

Having been linked with Liverpool in the past too, the reported inclusion of a £51m release clause leaves the door open for such a switch this summer.

Who is Marcos Leonardo?

Despite his youth, the striker already boasts 141 appearances for Santos FC, denoting an experience far beyond many others within his age category.

He has married such knowledge with a fine personal year thus far, having notched eight goals and assisted a further three in just 21 games.

However, it is his work in the U20 World Cup that has truly caught the eye, with a 7.20 average rating upheld by three goals in as many games alongside 1.3 key passes per game, via Sofascore.

To sign directly from the source, cutting out the middle-man that Portuguese clubs often occupy, it would allow Edu to replicate the club’s masterclass of 2019 when they signed Gabriel Martinelli from Ituano.

That Brazilian international has gone on to play 130 games for the Gunners, scoring 15 goals this term as they mounted a surprise title charge. His importance to Mikel Arteta cannot be understated, and Leonardo could quickly rise to the same level should his form translate to the English game.

After all, South American football expert Tim Vickery even likened him to one of the Premier League’s greatest-ever forwards, noting: “There is a kind of Aguero-type striker there, he is not particularly tall but comes alive in the penalty box and I think there is talent there as well.”

Given the former Manchester City finisher notched 260 goals in 390 games whilst in England, this comparison should please Arsenal fans should they force the deal through.

Having drawn attention from numerous European heavyweights, snagging Leonardo would not just be a fine coup for the club, but a huge statement of intent that the north London club are once again ready to battle with the best.

كشف عبد الواحد السيد مدير الكرة بنادي الزمالك، النقاب عن حقيقة ما تردد بشأن مطالبة القلعة البيضاء برفع اسمي الثنائي محمد عبد الشافي ومحمود حمدي الونش، من القائمة.

وكان عبد الشافي والونش قد تعرضا للإصابة بقطع في الرباط الصليبي خلال الفترة الماضية.

طبيب الزمالك يُعلن تشخيص إصابة إبراهيما نداي.. وموقف زياد كمال

ونفى عبد الواحد السيد ما تردد بشأن إرسال خطاب رسمي لاتحاد الكرة، لطلب رفع اسم محمد عبد الشافي أو الونش، مشيرًا إلى أن كل ما تردد في هذا الإطار غير صحيح.

وأوضح مدير الكرة أن الونش أجرى عملية الرباط الصليبي بنجاح وبدأ المرحلة الأولى من التأهيل مؤخرًا.

في حين ينهي مسؤولو النادي إجراءات سفر محمد عبد الشافي إلى ألمانيا خلال الساعات القليلة المقبلة، كي يخضع للعملية الجراحية، بعد تعرضه للإصابة بقطع في الرباط الصليبي.

ويستعد فريق الزمالك لمواجهة أبوسليم الليبي في الجولة الخامسة لمباريات دور المجموعات لبطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الأفريقية، يوم 25 فبراير الجاري باستاد “19 مايو 1956” بمدينة عنابة الجزائرية.

Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Atalanta wonderkid Giorgio Scalvini – and the Italian centre-back could prove to be Mauricio Pochettino's own Paolo Maldini at Stamford Bridge.

Could Chelsea sign Scalvini this summer?

According to reports from Italy, Chelsea are among the suitors for the 19-year-old this summer after a fine season in Serie A with Gian Piero Gasperini's side.

The likes of Inter, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Atletico Madrid are also said to be keen on the youngster, who is likely to cost around €40m (£35m) this summer.

While Scalvini is contracted at the Gewiss Stadium until 2027, it is suggested in the report that he earns a relatively low wage – something he would likely be able to increase should he make the move to Stamford Bridge this summer.

Could Scalvini be Pochettino's own Maldini?

Pochettino is all but confirmed to be the man in the dugout for Chelsea next season, with the Argentinian's appointment likely to be formally announced in the coming weeks as the Blues finally end their nightmare campaign at home to Newcastle this weekend.

While it has been scoring goals rather than keeping them out which has been the main problem for the Blues in the Todd Boehly reign, Thursday's heavy defeat against Manchester United exposed their defensive vulnerabilities, while 38-year-old Thiago Silva cannot be expected to be the main man at the back forever.

Scalvini has featured 30 times in Serie A so far this term with a solid 6.67 rating from WhoScored for his performances, while he has already earned a call-up to the national side.

Italy is famous for producing world-class defenders, with the likes of Fabio Cannavaro, Franco Baresi and Alessandro Nesta all regarded as some of the best centre-backs in footballing history.

However, the best of the best is arguably Maldini, with former teammate Alessandro Del Piero suggesting that he went beyond the description of world-class, arguing that he was number one.

Maldini famously said that "if I have to make a tackle, then I have already made a mistake" and it could be argued that Scalvini seems to play with that mindset, with his preference to intercept the ball, as according to FBref he ranks in the top 3% of defenders across Europe for interceptions per game.

Goal journalist Tom Maston lauded the youngster's "eye-catching" displays and it is easy to see why, as he also ranks 6% of defenders for shot-creating actions, progressive passes and progressive passes received per 90, which suggests that he is a very modern centre-back who is comfortable in possession.

It is rare to see a centre-back as young as Scalvini playing regularly for club and country and he will certainly be looking to follow in the footsteps of the great Maldini, who broke into AC Milan's first team at the age of 16 and retired nearly 25 years later at the age of 41.

Boehly has already shown a preference for signing players with potential, and in Scalvini, he could uncover a top-class player for Pochettino – so long as the Italy international is allowed to properly develop at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester United are reportedly keeping a close eye on Chicago Fire sensation, Brian Gutierrez ahead of the summer window, albeit with rival suitors also in the mix for the teenager's signature.

What's the latest on Gutierrez to Man United?

According to the Daily Mail, the Red Devils are said to be among the clubs who are interested in signing the 19-year-old, with Scottish Premiership side Rangers also believed to be keen on the American starlet.

The piece does add, however, that both United and the Ibrox outfit may find it difficult to land a work permit for the 5 foot 10 playmaker, with that handing the advantage to the likes of Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Girona who also hoping to strike a deal.

Who is Brian Gutierrez?

The emerging superstar has caught the eye after playing a regular role for Chicago in recent seasons, with the Illinois native having already racked up 74 appearances for the MLS outfit to date since making his senior debut back in 2020.

The versatile dynamo – who can operate on the flanks or in an attacking midfield role – has showcased flashes of his quality throughout his time in the first team, notably scoring twice and laying on 11 assists across all competitions, including four assists in just 17 games in 2023.

That early impact has evidently caught the attention of clubs across Europe, with the United States U20 international having undoubtedly warranted that interest having been hailed as a player who has "got everything" according to coach Frank Klopas, with the latter man also listing the teen's attributes:

"Good with the ball, his work rate, key passes, ability to beat players, technical ability."

Those traits appear to have impressed Ten Hag and co, with there the potential for Gutierrez to be a long-term heir to Bruno Fernandes in that playmaking berth at Old Trafford, with the Portugal international seemingly having no genuine understudy at present.

The 28-year-old was again an everpresent for United in 2022/23 as he featured in 59 games in all competitions, showcasing his ability to make an impact in the final third after scoring 14 goals and contributing 15 assists in that time.

The key facet to the £240k-per-week man's game is seemingly his creativity, with the former Sporting CP star having finished first in the division with regard to big chances created (32), while also averaging 7.04 progressive passes per 90 across the last 365 days as a sign of his front-foot approach.

While still arguably just a young prospect, Gutierrez has shown signs that he could potentially emulate the impact of Fernandes in the years to come, with the £4m-rated American having also shown his creative spark after averaging 5.81 progressive passes per 90 across the last 365 days.

The precocious talent also mirrors Fernandes with regard to his impressive work ethic off the ball as he has also averaged 1.64 tackles per 90, as per FBref, with the current United ace averaging only slightly ahead at 1.79 per 90 for that same metric.

That would suggest that if Ten Hag is looking for a suitable successor to his midfield maestro, then Gutierrez could be just the solution.

Tom Harrison has insisted the ECB’s treatment of Durham has been harsh but “appropriate”.Harrison, the ECB’s chief executive, defended the decision to relegate Durham in the County Championship, impose a raft of points deductions in each of the 2017 domestic competitions and withdraw their status as a Test-hosting ground in return for a financial rescue package as a necessary “deterrent” to other counties.And while he did not fully confront the ECB’s role in Durham’s failure – notably its encouragement of the club building a Test venue – he did suggest Durham had to take responsibility for bidding more than they could afford in the pursuit of major matches.”Having been through the most serious financial crisis any county has been through – to the extent that the ECB was the last resort – we have to send a message to the other counties that this is not something that is going to be an attractive solution for any county finding themselves in that position,” Harrison told the BBC’s Test Match Special. “It’s not the ECB’s job to be the lender of last resort.”In any business, you have to understand what your revenue is and what your costs are. If one gets out of whack it is not a pretty situation and it will end up hitting the wall at some point. The ECB had to step in to stop that happening in May or June this year. It was going to happen unless we had taken steps to avoid it.”While it is very harsh in terms of the immediate penalties on the players for next year, I think it is appropriate and sends the message to other counties that this should be a significant deterrent. The playing sanctions are harsh but they are appropriate.”Harrison accepted that the ECB’s historic method for allocating games, which involved a bidding system, might have contributed to Durham’s debts, but suggested the club had to take most of the responsibility. And he insisted that the measures taken had provided Durham with the foundations for financial stability in the future.”The way matches were allocated was a bidding structure,” he said. “But no one was forced to bid a certain amount. There’s wasn’t a sword of Damocles over their head about having to stage Tests.”Our absolute priority was to safeguard the future of professional and recreational cricket in the northeast of England. Durham could now be in a position where, 12 months after the most serious financial crisis that’s met any county, they are off and running with no debt and a new management structure and can look forward to the future in a very different way than when they were burdened by debt.”Harrison also referred to the new-team domestic T20 competition – now set for a 2020 launch – as “the most significant development in county cricket in a generation”. Counties agreed to explore the proposals at an ECB meeting in September but the implementation has been delayed as discussions continue.

ظهر تشافي هيرنانديز، المدير الفني لفريق برشلونة، في مؤتمر صحفي منذ قليل للحديث عن مباراة الغد المرتقبة ضد نابولي في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويلتقي الفريقان في إطار منافسات ذهاب دور الـ16 من البطولة، موسم 2023/24، على ملعب “دييجو أرماندو مارادونا”.

وقال تشافي في تصريحاته التي نشرتها صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية: “التعادل نتيجة جيدة لمباراة الغد؟ الأمر يعتمد على كيفية سير المباراة، سنلعب من أجل الفوز، كما هو الحال دائمًا”.

وأضاف: “سنخرج من أجل الفوز، نحن برشلونة، التعادل بالنسبة لفريقنا ليس نتيجة جيدة، سنلعب من أجل الفوز، سنرى ما إذا كانت النتيجة جيدة أم لا، لكن علينا أن نأخذ في الاعتبار أن لدينا مباراة على أرضنا وأنهم سيتعين عليهم زيارة مونتجويك”.

وواصل: “ستكون المنافسة متقاربة للغاية، سنتنافس، أعتقد أن النسبة ستكون 50%، لا أشعر أن مستقبلي على المحك الآن، لدي حماس ودافع هائلين”.

وأردف: “الهدف الرئيسي هو التأهل إلى الدور ربع النهائي، أصبح الفريق أكثر اتحادًا، وكان رد الفعل جيدًا للغاية، من الرئيس ومن ديكو، سعيد بما نحن عليه في غرفة الملابس”.

واستمر: “انتقادات دي يونج للصحافة؟ (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا)، نحن لا نلوم الصحافة على النتائج، لكن صحيح أنك تشعر أحيانًا بالظلم عندما تقول أشياء غير صحيحة، وبهذا المعنى، يتأثر اللاعبون، لكن علينا أن نلعب بشكل أفضل، ونتنافس بشكل أفضل، إننا نتفهم ذلك، ولكن هناك أشياء أخرى غير عادلة”.

وأوضح: “أتفهم فرينكي تمامًا، أي لاعب كرة قدم يعاني من الظلم، بالنسبة لي، هذا أمر أساسي، أعتقد أنه لاعب لسنوات عديدة، إنه لاعب ذو خبرة”.

وأكد: “علينا أن نكون أكثر حذرًا، ونستعد للمباراة بأفضل طريقة ممكنة مع العلم أن هناك 90 دقيقة متبقية في مونتجويك، لكننا سنواصل إظهار هويتنا، سيكون الأمر معقدًا”.

واستمر: “بالنسبة لنا، هم منافس قوي جدًا، خاصة مع المهاجمين الثلاثة، بالنسبة لنا من الضروري الدفاع بشكل جيد، واليقظة، وعدم السماح لهم بهجمات مرتدة، من الصعب إيقاف هؤلاء اللاعبين”.

وعن الضغط في مباراة مصيرية بالنسبة له بعد إعلان قرار رحيله نهاية الموسم الحالي، أجاب: “سأعيش الأمر كما لو أنني لم أعلن أي شيء، أنا متحمس جدًا، لا شيء يتغير، سأستعد لذلك بأفضل طريقة ممكنة، الضغط هو نفسه الذي يحدث في برشلونة”.

واستطرد: “غدًا علينا التنافس والاستمتاع، ربما يكون دوري أبطال أوروبا هو العمل غير المكتمل للنادي في السنوات الأخيرة، نحن سنرى ما إذا كان بإمكاننا المنافسة بشكل جيد”.

واستأنف: “أعتقد أنها أكبر مسابقة على مستوى الأندية، إنها المكان المثالي لإظهار ما نحن عليه، لقد غيرت إدارة نابولي المدرب بطريقة مفاجئة، لكنه مدرب يعرف النادي، بالنسبة لنا الأمر ليس سهلًا لأننا لن نعرف كيف ستكون المباراة مع تغيير المدرب، نحن سنواجه بطل الدوري الإيطالي”.

No action yet against BCCI president Anurag Thakur for asking the ICC to clarify whether one of the Lodha Committee’s recommendations amounted to government interference in the board, but the issue is far from over

Nagraj Gollapudi21-Oct-20165:23

Kalra: SC giving BCCI as much breathing space as it can

The Supreme Court has deferred considering taking action against BCCI president Anurag Thakur for asking the ICC to clarify whether one of the Lodha Committee’s recommendations amounted to government interference in the board, but the issue is far from over.The court said it was a “matter of serious concern” that Thakur had asked the ICC for a letter regarding the induction of a nominee of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the proposed Apex Council, which is a recommendation in the Lodha report that was passed by the Supreme Court order on July 18. The ICC does not permit government interference in the functioning of its members.In an order on Friday, the court asked the Lodha Committee secretary to write to ICC chairman Shashank Manohar and “set the record” straight because on October 17, upon directive from the court, Thakur had filed an affidavit and denied that he sought such a letter. This issue had emerged because ICC chief executive David Richardson had told that Thakur had made such a request, and the court said on Friday that such behaviour was to “question the legitimacy” of its recommendation.The court said: “It is a matter of serious concern that the President of BCCI, even after the declaration of the final judgment and order of this Court dated 18 July 2016, requested the Chairperson of ICC for a letter “clarifying” (as he states) the position which he had taken as BCCI President to the effect that the induction of a CAG nominee would amount to governmental interference and may result in BCCI being suspended from ICC.”There was no occasion for the President of BCCI to do so once the recommendation of the Committee for the induction of a CAG nominee was accepted in the final judgment of this Court.”Thakur’s original remarks concerning the letter to the ICC were part of an affidavit – signed by Ratnakar Shetty, the BCCI’s administration and game development manager – filed in the court on October 7, in response to the status report submitted by the Lodha Committee. During that hearing, the court asked how Shetty had been privy to a conversation between Thakur and Manohar, and asked Thakur and Shetty to file separate affidavits as part of the October 17 hearing.In its order on Friday, the court said Thakur’s version of events concerning the approach to the ICC was corroborated by the minutes of the BCCI working committee meeting on August 22. In the affidavit filed by Shetty, however, the board had denied that Thakur had sought ICC intervention at all and said Richardson’s comments were “incorrect”.The court observed there was a “variance” in what Richardson and Shetty were saying. “Mr Shetty in his response to the status report claims that the CEO of ICC had ‘falsely’ stated in his interview that the President of BCCI had requested ICC to issue a letter stating that the intervention of this Court amounted to governmental interference. The version of Mr Shetty is at variance to what is alleged to have been stated by the CEO of ICC.”It may also become necessary for this Court to assess the veracity of the version of Mr Shetty and that of Mr Richardson. Mr Shashank Manohar, the then President of BCCI is presently the Chairman of ICC. A copy of this order shall be forwarded to him by the Secretary to the Committee in order to enable him to consider filing a response setting out his version, to set the record straight and assist this Court. Mr Manohar is at liberty to obtain a report from Mr Richardson before filing his response.”