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Sophia Dunkley, the South East Stars allrounder, has replaced Kirstie Gordon in the only change to England Women’s central contracts list for the year 2021-22.Dunkley has played in each of England’s last five T20Is after impressing in the bio-secure bubble in Derby last summer, and has started the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy with scores of 104 not out, 0 and 92 this season. She was previously on an England rookie contract.Gordon, who has not played for England in any format since the Ashes Test against Australia in 2019, has started the season strongly with two four-wicket hauls in three appearances for Lightning, but has been pushed down the spin pecking order by Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn and Mady Villiers.Related

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• Sophia Dunkley asserts her England credentials to leave Sunrisers seeing Stars

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• Tammy Beaumont, Kathryn Bryce set Lightning up for big win over Thunder

Gordon moves to a regional domestic contract, though the shift has not been straightforward since the dates of central contracts do not currently align with regional system. As a result, the new tranche of central contracts run from May 1, 2021 to October 31, 2022, longer than the usual year.England are due to name their squad for the one-off Test against India on Wednesday, with Dunkley among those expected to be included after her strong start to the summer, albeit in a different format.Georgia Elwiss’ inclusion on the central contracts list, nearly two years after her last appearance for England (she missed last summer through injury), also implies that she is likely to be named in that squad. The Test starts on June 16 in Bristol, with three ODIs and three T20Is to follow.Jonathan Finch, the director of England Women’s cricket, said: “We’re pleased to confirm a strong group of centrally-contracted England Women’s cricketers ahead of a really exciting two years for Lisa, Heather and the team.England Women’s Central Contracts for 2021-22•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

“The central contracts, along with the roll-out of professional women’s domestic contracts, provide a fantastic opportunity to develop a larger pool of players pushing for selection and help strive for success on the field for England Women.”We’ve continued to work closely with the England Women’s Player Partnership (EWPP) and the PCA to establish a comprehensive and objective process that underpins the awarding of central contracts. We will keep working in collaboration for the benefit of the players as we continue to grow and develop the professional women’s game.”

تصاعدت الأزمة بين نادي الزمالك واللاعب البولندي كونراد ميشالاك، بعد أن تغيب عن تدريبات الفريق اليوم، احتجاجًا على عدم حصوله على مستحقاته المالية، ما دفعه إلى اتخاذ خطوة تصعيدية بالتوجه إلى الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم “فيفا” لتقديم شكوى رسمية ضد النادي.

وكان مجلس إدارة الزمالك، برئاسة حسين لبيب، قد حاول في الساعات الماضية التوصل إلى حل ودي مع اللاعب لإنهاء التعاقد بالتراضي، إلا أن كونراد ميشالاك أبدى رفضًا قاطعًا لأي حلول لا تتضمن حصوله على كامل مستحقاته، والتي تتجاوز 700 ألف دولار.

وأكد مصدر لـ بطولات أن اللاعب رفض جميع العروض التي قدمها الزمالك لإنهاء التعاقد، مشددًا على أنه لن يرحل إلا بعد الحصول على مستحقاته كاملة، مما دفعه إلى اتخاذ خطوة تصعيدية بتقديم شكوى رسمية ضد النادي في “فيفا”.

طالع أيضًا | شوبير ينتقد الفوضى الإعلامية في الزمالك: انظروا ماذا يفعل الأهلي

وكان ميشالاك قد انضم إلى الزمالك خلال الميركاتو الصيفي الماضي على سبيل الإعارة من نادي أحد السعودي، لكنه لم يحظَ بفرص كبيرة للمشاركة مع الفريق، وخرج تمامًا من حسابات الجهاز الفني خلال الفترة الأخيرة.

وعلى صعيد الصفقات، أعلن الزمالك عن التعاقد مع 4 لاعبين حتى الآن، وهم محمود جهاد، أحمد حسام، والمغربي صلاح مصدق، وأحمد الجفالي.

اقترب مجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك، من حسم صفقة جديدة، لتدعيم صفوف الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالقلعة البيضاء خلال فترة الانتقالات الشتوية الجارية.

وكان مجلس الزمالك، أعلن في وقت سابق، عن اتمام ضم الثنائي محمود جهاد لاعب فاركو، وأحمد حسام مدافع الجونة، بالإضافة إلى اللاعب صلاح مصدق، وفقًا لما كشفه وكيله.

طالع.. وكيل صلاح مصدق يعلن انتقاله إلى الزمالك.. ويؤكد: سيتواجد في مباراة الإسماعيلي

وعلم بطولات أن الزمالك يقترب من حسم صفقة أحمد الجفالي بعد التوصل إلى اتفاق مبدئي مع نادي الاتحاد المنستيري.

وتوصل مسئولو الزمالك إلى اتفاق لشراء اللاعب نهائيًا وحسم الاتفاقات المالية بين الطرفين ويتبقى بعض الرتوش البسيطة لحسم الصفقة.

ويواصل الزمالك، البحث عن احتياجاته لتدعيم صفوف الفريق، من أجل المنافسة على مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز، والحفاظ على لقب الكونفدرالية الإفريقية.

Mikel Arteta issued a challenge to his Arsenal players after tearing apart Sporting CP 5-1 in a statement Champions League win.

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Arsenal dismantled Sporting CP 5-1Victory ended Sporting's 18-match unbeaten streakArteta set bar high after a massive UCL winFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Arteta had called on his team to prove their mettle after a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Inter in their previous Champions League outing and his players rose to the occasion in Lisbon. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bukayo Saka, and Leandro Trossard propelled the Gunners to a decisive 5-1 victory which was a marked turnaround from their recent away form.

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This dominant Champions League result comes on the back of an equally impressive 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League just days earlier. The win ended a remarkable run for Sporting CP, who had remained unbeaten across 18 matches this season, including 17 wins and a draw.

WHAT ARTETA SAID

Speaking after the match to Arteta said: "That's what we need to do. We need to find consistency. You want to be challenging for the big things? You have to be consistent. Win and win again. Today was a very different game but we reacted really well, let's move on now."

When asked if this was Arsenal’s best away European performance under his management, Arteta didn’t hesitate: "Absolutely. Especially against a team that hasn’t lost at home in 18 months. They’ve been in incredible form, better than everyone they’ve faced here. To perform like that against them is very satisfying."

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

Arsenal’s next test comes on November 30 when they travel to face a resilient West Ham side in the Premier League. With momentum on their side, the Gunners will aim to keep the winning streak alive and close the gap on the title race as they currently find themselves nine points behind leaders Liverpool in the standings.

Former Real Madrid captain Nacho is not considering moving back to the Spanish capital as he is happy earning 'much more money' in Saudi Arabia.

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• Nacho ruled out Real return
• Happy in Saudi Arabia
• Real did not sign replacement

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 34-year-old defender parted ways with his boyhood club at the end of the 2023-24 season after his contract expired. After spending 13 years at Santiago Bernabeu, Nacho Fernandez left Europe to move to Saudi Arabia and joined the newly promoted Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah.

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  The Spaniard has been asked about his decision to move to the Middle East and if he would consider returning to Los Blancos in future. It has been reported that Real could consider re-signing Nacho amid a defensive injury crisis, but he insists he is happy in Saudi Arabia on a higher wage packet.

• WHAT NACHO FERNANDEZ SAID

  Speaking to , the defender said: "They haven't called me, but I don't even think about it. Now I have to suffer with Real Madrid as a fan. It is a decision that I was very clear about, I felt that my time had come.

  "I'm super proud of everything I experienced at Real Madrid, but I don't regret it [leaving]. I don't have to lie either, logically I earn much more money here than at Real Madrid. No one is going to change me for telling me that I came here for the money."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

  After Nacho's departure, the Spanish champions did not make a defensive signing in the summer and that decision is proving to be costly for the club at the moment as Eder Militao recently ruptured his ACL and has been ruled out of action for the entire season. Los Blancos, however, are likely to sign a new defender in January with Al-Nassr's Aymeric Laporte linked with the club.

Chelsea's Jadon Sancho has reportedly returned to training after missing out on the Blues' 1-1 draw against Arsenal due to illness.

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• Sancho returns to training with Chelsea
• Missed the Blues' Arsenal clash due to illness
• Chelsea set to take on Leicester City next

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Sancho joined Chelsea on a loan with an obligation to buy from Manchester United in the summer after his falling out with former Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag last season. Sancho started well with the Blues, scoring in each of his first three outings for the club. However, his form has since dropped off and the Englishman has not appeared since October 20 due to a combination of illness and being ineligable to play against parent club Manchester United.

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  The Standard have now reported that Sancho has returned to training with Chelsea this week as Maresca's squad prepares for their Premier League clash against Leicester City while they await the return of the players who have departed for their specific international duties.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Maresca has led Chelsea to a strong start to the 2024–25 season; they now sit third in the Premier League standings, four points behind second-place Manchester City and tied with fourth-place Arsenal. The Italian has been dealing with a number of injury issues, though, chief among them being the withdrawal of star man Cole Palmer from England duty during the international break.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

  Maresca will now look to lead Chelsea out against his former side Leicester City as he returns to the Foxes' home ground for the first time since leaving in the summer. The two sides will clash at King Power Stadium on Saturday, November 23.

Tottenham have started the window with a bang, acquiring highly rated talent Archie Gray from Leeds United. But they aren't looking to stop there, with plenty of attacking targets being linked with the club.

Spurs will be looking to clinch Champions League football next season, having missed out by two points, and finishing fifth in the Premier League last season, in Ange Postecoglou's first year in charge.

Having already bolstered the midfield with Gray, it is likely Tottenham will see at least one forward signing come through the door this summer, either in the shape of a striker, or a dynamic and exciting winger.

Tottenham chasing exciting winger

According to Football Insider, Tottenham are continuing to watch Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams closely and could make a move for the Spaniard. Aston Villa are also said to be long-term admirers of Williams.

The reports state Williams has a £49m release clause in his contract, but his wage demands could prove to be a stumbling block, as it seems Barcelona have been "scared off" due to the figures.

Williams is one of the shining stars at Euro 2024 currently, making three appearances, scoring one goal and providing one assist. Spain has won four out of four games so far, and will face Germany on Friday in the quarter-finals.

How Williams would form a deadly duo with Son

Williams made 37 appearances in all competitions last season for Athletic Bilbao, scoring eight goals, and providing 19 assists. Helping Bilbao towards a fifth-place finish in La Liga, bettering their eighth-place finish from the season before.

Bilbao managed to score 14 more goals last season compared to the season prior, and Williams had a massive part to play in that, adding eight G/A to his La Liga numbers in the most recent campaign.

The 14 assists Williams managed last term was the most impressive feat of his game, showing his elite ability to create chances through a variety of skills, such as his ball carrying, 1v1 ability, and his crossing.

Williams excels in the ball-carrying metrics, averaging 5.69 progressive carries per 90, and 3.42 successful take-ons per 90, which both rank in the top 10% for wingers on the continent in this metric.

His ability to receive the ball in 1v1 situations, beat his man and find himself in dangerous areas to either deliver the ball or get a shot off, is what makes him so sought after, as he can create chances for himself and others.

But once he gets into these areas, he is also a top-level crosser of the ball, averaging 6.08 crosses per 90, and making 0.87 crosses into the penalty box per 90, which ranks in the top 1% for wingers in this metric.

Son Heung-min could be the beneficiary of this move, getting a deadly striking partner back, just like his past partnership with Harry Kane. Whilst Son used to operate from the left, with Kane in the middle, this could see a similar partnership struck, but with Son in the central zones, and Williams off the left.

The Spanish star's ability to take the creative burden away from Son, would allow him to operate even more in and around the box, getting more shots off, and showcasing that extremely clinical nature of his, producing a goals – xG of +0.15.

One thing is for sure, as Zach Lowy said, Nico Williams "is going to be one of the most coveted wingers in the transfer market this summer".

Spurs have big interest in special star who could be their answer to Yamal

Tottenham looking to add a tricky and direct winger to their ranks

ByConnor Holden Jul 4, 2024

The hamstring surgery that ended her T20 World Cup impacted Perry leading into the WBBL

Daniel Brettig24-Nov-2020

Ellyse Perry’s returns with bat and ball have dropped off in this season’s WBBL•Getty Images

Belinda Clark believes that Ellyse Perry will be forced to rethink her approach to T20 cricket after her returns, with bat and ball, dropped off dramatically at the ongoing edition of the WBBL and the Sydney Sixers missed out on the tournament finals for the second year in a row.Clark pointed to how Perry has previously reinvented herself as a short-form batter in particular to align herself to the demands of her role in the T20I set-up over successive World Cup wins.”She’s already done it before,” Clark told ESPNcricinfo. “She’s very technically correct – she was batting down the order a bit in the shorter formats. But then she evolved her game and got herself to a point where she was a lot more attacking and a lot more risky in the way she went about things. She opened up whole different shots for herself.”Then she’s been going through a period where… you can’t stay on the top or be at the top of your game 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, it just doesn’t happen. She will go away, think about it, find a way, come back. But absolutely I’ll back her to solve the problem in front of her, because she’s done it before and she’ll continue to do it.”ALSO READ: Ellyse Perry is Australia’s greatest cricketer of the last 50 yearsPerry’s problems in the WBBL are best illustrated by how her pace bowling was targeted by opposition sides to cost the Sixers 8.25 runs per over across the tournament, a long way from her usual rate of a little more than five per over. At the same time, her batting was corralled into a strike rate of 96.53, comfortably down from recent years, even though she has averaged 48.75. Perry also missed out on the WBBL Team of the Tournament this year, a first. That said, the return from the hamstring surgery, which ended her T20 World Cup campaign, has undoubtedly impacted Perry leading into the WBBL.Clark, who over 118 ODIs compiled 4844 runs at 47.49 – she is still third on the all-time table, despite last playing in 2005 – while also notching the second-highest ODI score of all-time, an epic 229 not out in the 1997 World Cup, said that Perry’s battle this season was part of the kinds of evolutions that took place over long and elite careers across cricket.”This isn’t just a female athlete discussion either,” Clark said. “If you look at the methods, the technique of all of the players at the beginning of their career and at the end, you’ll see marked difference. Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer, Steve Waugh, you name them, they’ve all evolved their game through a period of time when they’re representing their country, and that’s because they always want to be better so they keep finding ways.”If you think that you can stand still and just apply what you’ve got day in, day out and not continue to try to get better and evolve your game, you won’t last very long. Meg is a classic example of that time she spent out of the game with a shoulder injury and she’s come back with a whole range of other strings to her bow, Alyssa Healy is continually improving her game, her innings the other day was magnificent.”People don’t stand still, but you go back and watch Ricky Ponting’s first Test innings and his last one you’ll see some things that are idiosyncratic and the same, but other things that’ll be totally different, whether people are more conservative, more attacking, they’re playing certain shots, but that’s what sport’s all about, continually trying to get better.”Having announced she would step down from her role at Cricket Australia at the end of November, Clark has had time to reflect on some of the big moves in the women’s game over 20 years of her time in administration at women’s, high performance and community cricket roles. She noted that the decision to push T20 very strongly as the best format with which to grow the women’s game had been vindicated by how players had evolved to meet what she called the “constraints” of the shortest form.”The constraints of the game will dictate what the end product looks like, so if you can get the game to reward people taking risk, then the players will find a way and find their own way to make the most of that opportunity,” Clark said. “This game’s all about risk/reward and you need to stack the odds in the favour of those who take the risk, so there’s a whole range of playing conditions that were filtered around that concept.”I think what we’re seeing now is the players have adapted, they’re super skilful and they’re now playing a game that’s shown them they can evolve. If you went and changed all the rules tomorrow, it’ll take a little while but they’d find another way to make it entertaining and tip the odds in their favour. That’s the beauty of sport, you often don’t have to change too much and the players and coaching staff will respond with a tactical approach to overcome whatever you put in front of them.”I think it’s amazing where the game’s got to, but absolutely the constraints of the game have led the players to solve the problems in front of them.”

Glasgow Rangers look set to be going through an overhaul of their playing squad at Ibrox this summer after they missed out on the Scottish Premiership title last season.

The Light Blues have already brought in Brazilian left-back Jefte, winger Oscar Cortes, centre-back Clinton Nsiala, and midfielder Connor Barron to bolster their options across the park.

German forward Yusuf Kabadayi is also reportedly in advanced talks to join up with Philippe Clement's squad next term, whilst striker Hamza Igamane is set to join on a permanent deal.

This comes after Ryan Jack, Jon McLaughlin, Kemar Roofe, Borna Barisic, and John Lundstram all departed Glasgow at the end of last month, when their respective contracts with the club expired.

The Scottish giants are also reportedly willing to cash in on some of their remaining first-team stars to raise more funds for additional signings.

Rangers willing to sell attacking midfielder

The Scottish Sun recently reported that attacking midfielder Todd Cantwell is one of the players who could be moved on before the window slams shut.

He joined the club from Norwich City on a permanent deal in January of last year, as Michael Beale's first signing, and could now end his 18-month stay in Glasgow.

The report claimed that the Gers are prepared to listen to offers for the former England U21 international as Clement looks to make changes to his squad ahead of next season.

It did not, however, reveal how much the Ibrox giants would be looking to recoup for the 26-year-old playmaker, or if there is any tangible interest from elsewhere.

Clement also may not even need to dip into the transfer market to find his replacement as academy and B team star Alex Lowry could emerge as his heir.

Alex Lowry could step up for Rangers

The Scotland U21 international could finally make the step up as a first-team regular for Rangers after coming through the youth set-up at Ibrox.

Lowry spent the first half of the season on loan with Hearts in the Premiership and produced one goal and four assists in 11 domestic starts for the Jam Tarts.

Starts

10

24

Touches per game

43.6

51.6

Key passes per game

1.8

1.7

Dribbles completed per game

1.4

1.2

Goals

0

7

As you can see in the table above, the Scottish youngster produced more key passes and dribbles per game than the Rangers star, despite taking eight fewer touches per match on average, which speaks to his impressive creativity.

The 20-year-old starlet, who was once dubbed "very dangerous" by ex-boss Gio van Bronckhorst, did not showcase his goalscoring quality with Hearts, however, but has been prolific at youth level.

Lowry has racked up a staggering 12 goals in 16 appearances for the B team and Light Blues prodigy, who has scored twice for the first-team, could look to translate that form to senior level in the coming years.

The attacking midfielder appears to have all the tools, with his goalscoring prowess, creativity, and dribbling quality, to brilliantly replace Cantwell if he can make the step up and emerge as a consistent first-team performer for Clement next season.

Rangers eyeing up move for "menacing" £4m Roofe replacement

The Light Blues missed out on him last year but have retained their interest in the forward.

ByDan Emery Jun 20, 2024

That would then negate the need for the Belgian boss and head of recruitment Nils Koppen to dip into the market for a replacement, saving the club millions.

The Egyptian netted the winner from the penalty spot at Molineux as Arne Slot's side made it five wins from six to start the season

Liverpool climbed to the top of the Premier League table as Mohamed Salah converted from the penalty spot to secure a 2-1 win over struggling Wolves in what was an underwhelming but overall satisfying performance from Arne Slot's side.

The Reds were on the backfoot for the opening 20 minutes as Gary O'Neil's side came out of the blocks quickly, but eventually the visitors took control, and Dominik Szoboszlai should have given them the lead when he fired straight at Sam Johnstone from close-range.

Ibrahima Konate, however, did not make the same mistake from a similar position as he headed home Diogo Jota's cross in first-half stoppage-time. However, the France defender then went from hero to villain early in the second period as he failed to deal with a ball that was trickling towards the byline, and Wolves took advantage as Rayan Ait-Nouri slammed into an empty net.

The hosts weren't level for long, however, as Jota was fouled by Nelson Semedo in the penalty area, and Salah made no mistake despite having an otherwise forgettable evening.

GOAL rates Liverpool's players from Molineux…

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Alisson Becker (6/10):

Back from injury and showed good hands on a number of occasions. Maybe could have helped out Konate for the Wolves goal, but wasn't as much to blame as the defender.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (5/10):

Below his best as he cut a frustrated figure at times. Booked early for kicking the ball away, though did make a couple of strong defensive interventions.

Ibrahima Konate (6/10):

Excellent in dealing with Strand Larsen in the first half before powering home a header to open the scoring. Looked lost for the first 20 minutes after the break, as he was at fault for the equaliser and then picked up a booking. Did recover to make a crucial block to deny Forbs when through on goal.

Virgil van Dijk (8/10):

Imperial at the heart of the Reds' defence. Swept up when Wolves looked to get in behind and stepped in to make challenges and clearances on a regular basis. A real leader's performance.

Andrew Robertson (6/10):

Combined well with Diaz down the left, but his final ball wasn't always what he was looking for. Solid defensively.

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Ryan Gravenberch (8/10):

Gets better with every game. Barely lost possession in midfield as he proved press-resistant before playing some excellent passes.

Alexis Mac Allister (6/10):

Looked off the pace to begin with but grew into the game as it wore on. Eventually began to distribute well, particularly in the second half.

Dominik Szoboszlai (4/10):

Didn't look up for it at all. Wasted a gilt-edged chance in the first half when he fired straight at Johnstone, and allowed Lemina to run off him for the Wolves equaliser. Will have better days.

AFPAttack

Mohamed Salah (6/10):

Had a quiet first hour as Ait-Nouri did a good job in locking the Egyptian down. Made no mistake from the penalty spot, but did miss an earlier sitter and should have played Jones in to make it 3-1 with what looked to be a simple pass.

Diogo Jota (7/10):

Struggled to get into goal-scoring positions against his former club, but did play a big role in both goals, as he sent over a superb cross for Konate to head home before winning the penalty by getting the wrong side of Semedo.

Luis Diaz (7/10):

Carried the ball well and looked a threat whenever he got around the Wolves penalty area. Couldn't keep his fine goal-scoring form going, however.

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AFPSubs & Manager

Cody Gakpo (6/10):

Replaced Diaz for the final 20 minutes but didn't really offer much.

Curtis Jones (7/10):

Bright after coming on for Szoboszlai. Should have been played in by Salah and then tested Johnstone with a low effort.

Joe Gomez (N/A):

On for Robertson for the final couple of minutes.

Arne Slot (6/10):

His side took time to get going and this was by no means a complete performance, but they did largely dominate and pick up the three points, so he won't be too disappointed.