Real Madrid will not offer Luka Modric a new contract and the midfielder will bring to an end his 12-year stay in the Spanish capital next summer.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Broadcaster Ralph Dellor, a former editor of cricinfo, has died aged 69
ESPNcricinfo staff01-Sep-2017Broadcaster Ralph Dellor, a former editor of Cricinfo, has died aged 69. In a wide and varied 50-year career in cricket, Dellor commentated for the BBC’s programme, authored many books, and coached the Norwegian national team.Dellor began his career in 1970 with BBC local radio, going on to work on and as well as . He also wrote for the , became the ICC’s first media consultant and, more recently, took on the job of “Voice of Lord’s” as MCC’s PA announcer.Widely liked and respected within cricket, he covered numerous other sports and developed a line in after-dinner speaking. Between 1984 and 1988 he was editor of the and in 2000 he won the Jack Fingleton Award as cricket commentator of the year.A keen cricketer and golfer, he was an ECB-accredited coach and led Norway to the European Trophy in 2003, 2005 and 2006.Dellor was director of cricket operations at Cricinfo between 2000 and 2003, which involved commentating on the 2000 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand. He left to set up his own business, Sportsline Media, with Cricinfo colleague Stephen Lamb.Dellor was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, for which he had been undergoing treatment.
Laura Forde, the wife of Wrexham star Anthony, has revealed how Ryan Reynolds helped her to escape the “living nightmare” that engulfed her family.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Laura Forde diagnosed with brain tumourTold see may only have a matter of months to liveReynolds helped to get a second opinionWHAT HAPPENED?
Within days of welcoming son Paddy into the world, Laura Forde was informed that she had an inoperable brain tumour after going for a routine MRI scan. It was claimed that the tumour was malignant and that she may only have a matter of months to live. Wrexham co-owner Reynolds then helped Forde and his partner to get a second opinion, with another neurosurgeon delivering a more optimistic assessment following another biopsy – with it revealed six weeks later that the tumour was in fact benign and the initial diagnosis had been wrong.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT FORDE SAID
Laura Forde has told the of an emotional and scary period for all concerned: “We said then we didn't want to know how long. Paddy was four weeks old and I am being told basically that I may not see my son turn a year old. No word of a lie, I was planning my funeral as I was doing those night feeds. I was crying silently. It was a really low time. A living nightmare. It was a very low time. In the first few months after giving birth, a woman is severely all over the place hormonally, not to mind getting this landed on me. Emotionally, it was just a roller coaster. I was initially in shock and disbelief. I was in such a vulnerable place that I felt I should be happier about this. But I had just been through the worst seven weeks imaginable with my newborn baby. I have PTSD as a result. I am going to counselling. I am not ashamed to say that.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The Fordes saw their story covered on the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary series, with Anthony adding his voice to those singing the praise of Reynolds and his fellow co-chairman Rob McElhenney – who have committed fully to helping the local community on and off the field. Forde said: “They are such normal people and there is not a chance that they would do this for publicity. They don't need it. I remember saying to Ryan 'I can't thank you enough' and he said, 'People have helped me too.'”
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR FORDE?
Forde took a much-needed break following his wife’s initial diagnosis, but returned to action in time to play an important role in Wrexham’s National League title-winning campaign. He has remained a regular in Phil Parkinson’s plans this season as the Red Dragons take aim at securing promotion into League One.
Somerset ground out a slight advantage in a tension-ridden battle of the bottom two at Edgbaston where defeat will as good as signal relegation
Jon Culley at Edgbaston05-Sep-20171:37
County Championship Round-up: Somerset nose in front in crunch encounter
To find Warwickshire battling for Division One survival in the first week of September comes as no surprise, but that cannot be said of Somerset, who were denied a maiden County Championship title on the final afternoon of last season after Middlesex’s dramatic win over Yorkshire at Lord’s.Yet their season has been scarcely less awful than Warwickshire’s, prompting director of cricket Matthew Maynard to lament that they looked like a team resigned to relegation as they were beaten by Essex last week.Their outlook need not be quite so bleak. The gap between themselves and the safety of sixth place – 23 points as they enter the final four rounds – is by no means unassailable, particularly if they can nudge their opponents a little closer to the exits by winning here. That would raise the possibility of dragging one of two teams immediately above them into the fight – those two teams ironically being Middlesex and Yorkshire. They meet Middlesex at Taunton in the season’s final round.Warwickshire are a further 12 points adrift, the consequence of a decline that has been set in for some time since the players who won the title in 2012 began to find their powers on the wane. They, too, are not doomed yet but, as captain Jonathan Trott spelled out rather starkly on the eve of this match, they might need to win all four remaining fixtures.”It helps that we know what we have to do,” Trott said, doing his best to find a positive spin. Given that they have won only four of their last 22 Championship matches, however, it does seem to be asking rather a lot.On the subject of spin, it is the slow bowlers who look likely to determine the outcome of this one. Somerset came armed with two in Jack Leach and Dominic Bess and after taking a look at the pitch, which is the same one used for last Saturday’s NatWest Blast final, Warwickshire chose to follow suit, dispensing with the idea of giving England Under-19 seamer Henry Brookes his debut and opting for the slow left arm of Sunny Singh to share the load with Jeetan Patel.It was a wise move. After a start delayed until ten past one, Trott tossed the ball to Patel with the contest just seven overs old and having the New Zealand off-spinner bowling in tandem with Singh after only 18. There was turn for both from the outset. By the close they had bowled 38 of the 56.3 overs possible and taken three of the four wickets.A test for the batsmen, particularly for those at the starting-out end of the experience scale; Eddie Byron, opening with Marcus Trescothick, is just 20, and George Bartlett – Brookes’s England Under-19 colleague – only 19.In the event, Trescothick – a tad more experienced at 41 – was the first to go. The former England opener, another with whom time is catching up now, looked in good order initially on a ground where he has scored five hundreds but, having rapidly scored half a dozen boundaries, fell to the first ball of Patel’s second over. The left back went back to cut, another four in his sights, but made a misjudgement this time to a ball that was perhaps a shade too full and a thin edge had him caught behind.Byrom, in only his fifth first-class match, played very nicely for his 43 – matching his best score so far – but after reverse-sweeping Singh for his sixth boundary attempted – perhaps unwisely – to give the next delivery the same treatment. This time it ended up in the hands of Trott at slip.Singh, a tall 21-year-old born in India but developed in Warwickshire’s academy, looked competent and confidant, tidy until weariness began to creep in towards the end. He claimed his second success when, getting one to turn sharply, he had James Hildreth caught at slip, driving.The Warwickshire seamers were less impressive, although Keith Barker was a little unlucky in his second spell. Ryan Sidebottom – the Australian-born right-handed version – bowled a mix of good and bad balls, graphically illustrated when he bowled Bartlett through the gate with a real jaffa, having offered up a wide long-hop with his previous delivery, duly crashed away for four by the teenager, who had announced himself as audaciously as you might like by getting off the mark with a reverse-sweep for four off Patel.At 131 for 4 with Hildreth’s wicket, it was shaping up as Warwickshire’s day. By the close, though, Steve Davies and Tom Abell had turned things round rather impressively, applying themselves well in a stand that has so far added 72.
Bottle-flinging fans in Pallekele caused a 35-minute disruption, and prompted the intervention of riot police, in the closing stages of India’s six-wicket victory on Sunday. In the 44th over of India’s innings, plastic bottles began to be thrown from the two grass embankments that flank the ground – many of these projectiles made their way on to the playing area. Ground staff were seen clearing the bottles, but more continued to be flung, thereby forcing the Sri Lanka fielders to move to the centre of the field in order to avoid being hit.At one stage, there was doubt as to whether the match could even be concluded, because the bottle-throwing persisted for so long. Having spent about 20 idle minutes near the pitch – MS Dhoni even finding time for a nap – players eventually shook hands and made their way off the field. Later, however, after the embankments were cleared of spectators, match referee Andy Pycroft decided the match could continue. India required only seven further deliveries to close out the game.This is the second crowd-related incident in Sri Lanka in the space of two years. In 2015, a fight between two groups of fans had broken out in the stands at Khettarama, and had subsequently degenerated into stone-throwing. That incident had also caused a disruption of play, though on that occasion, no projectiles had been thrown towards the players.Earlier in the month, fans in Dambulla had also held up the team bus in order to voice their displeasure after the first ODI. That incident, however, had not been marked by any violence.
Liverpool could be set for a busy few weeks in the summer transfer window as they shape their squad ahead of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign.
The club are reportedly in talks with Al Ettifaq over a deal for captain Jordan Henderson, who has already agreed personal terms with Steven Gerrard's side.
Meanwhile, Al Ittihad are said to be pursuing defensive midfielder Fabinho. They have approached the Brazil international to discuss terms but are yet to make an official offer to Jurgen Klopp's team as it stands.
Their exits would leave two significant holes within the roster and that could force the Merseyside giants back into the market to make further additions in that area of the pitch.
This comes after Liverpool secured the signings of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister from RB Leipzig and Brighton & Hove Albion respectively, earlier this summer to bolster their options in midfield.
However, changes may occur elsewhere in the squad as the Reds were recently linked with a swoop to sign Zenit winger Malcom, which could mean that Klopp has attacking reinforcements on his agenda.
How good is Malcom?
It is hard to say exactly how good the Brazilian forward is as he is yet to experience Premier League football in his career to date. However, his form in Russia last season suggests that the potential is there for him to be a big upgrade on Diogo Jota for Liverpool.
The 26-year-old hotshot is a versatile player who is capable of being deployed across the frontline, which is also the case for the Portugal international. This means that Malcom could replace the ex-Wolves man's impact as a rotation option out wide or through the middle.
Last term, Jota scored seven goals in 22 Premier League appearances – the joint-fourth most in the team, only behind Darwin Nunez (nine), Roberto Firmino (11), and Mohamed Salah (19).
The right-footed ace struggled to offer much outside of goalscoring as he created 0.8 chances per match for his teammates. 12 other players within the squad produced more creativity, which suggests that the Portuguese forward was not one of the club's standout playmakers.
Malcom, on the other hand, plundered 23 goals in 27 Premier Liga clashes – four more than any of the aforementioned Liverpool attackers managed. Whilst there is no guarantee that it would directly translate to the English top-flight, his record in front of goal indicates that the potential is there for him to be a prolific scorer for Klopp.
The former Barcelona wizard showcased his creativity with 2.3 key passes per outing. Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold led the way for the Reds with 1.9 per match, which means that the Brazilian talent could come in to split open opposition defences more frequently than the manager's current options.
Malcom, who was once described as "hugely talented" by journalist Ryan Baldi, also averaged a phenomenal Sofascore rating of 7.95 – 0.63 higher than Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool-leading score of 7.32.
Therefore, the £108k-per-week sensation could be a superb signing for Liverpool and a big upgrade on Jota, both in terms of scoring and creating goals, if he can reproduce his form in Russia in the Premier League next term.
Everton are in the market to improve their attacking threat this summer, and now a new update has emerged on the club's pursuit of a potential transfer target.
What's the latest on Everton's interest in Brian Brobbey?
According to Football Insider, Everton have made an approach with interest in signing Ajax forward Brian Brobbey.
As per the report, the Toffees have made the Eredivisie club aware that they are interested in signing Brobbey this summer and are currently weighing up their options before pushing forward with a concrete move for the striker.
It is noted that Sean Dyche is on the hunt for another No 9 to help Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the centre-forward role next season due to the Everton striker's injury struggles.
How good is Brian Brobbey?
There is no doubt that reinforcements are needed in the final third at Goodison Park, with Everton finishing last season as the second-lowest goalscorers in the Premier League.
The departures of Richarlison and Anthony Gordon over the last 12 months have significantly weakened the Toffees' attacking threat, and has left the Everton boss with limited options to work with, let alone any prolific and consistent performers in front of goal.
Indeed, the Merseysiders did acquire the services of Neal Maupay last summer, however, like many of Farhad Moshiri's transfer moves, he has been a complete disappointment, with the forgettable Frenchman only finding the back of the net once across all competitions.
As a result, the signing of Brobbey – once hailed "dangerous" by former Dutch striker Pierre van Hooijdonk – would be a great piece of business for Everton and would provide Dyche with a player who can compete for Calvert-Lewin's spot as well as be a huge upgrade on Maupay.
The £14m-rated Netherlands native is an incredible attacking presence, as he ranks in the top 5% of his positional peers across the competitions at a similar level for non-penalty goals, touches and progressive passes received, whilst he featured in the top 15% for shots on goal and pass completion, as per FBref.
When comparing the Ajax gem's output to Maupay's last season, Brobbey comfortably outperformed his Everton counterpart in a number of key attributes, including goal contributions (16 v 1), rate of shots on target (47% v 40.6%), shots on goal per 90 (3.50 v 2.58), shot-creating actions per 90 (2.29 v 1.45) and goal-creating actions per 90 (0.22 v 0.08).
It was reported by Football Insider last month that Maupay was attracting interest from Italy and France, which led to Everton opening talks with a number of Serie A and Ligue 1 clubs over a potential exit.
The sale of the former Brighton & Hove Albion striker would be massively advantageous to the Toffees in their pursuit to boost funds amidst Financial Fair Play concerns, which would, in turn, help them to provide an attractive financial package to secure the signing of Brobbey.
With that being said, a move for Brobbey is definitely one to watch for Everton, as he would boost goal contributions and make significant improvements in the final third to help the team compete more comfortably in the Premier League next season should he replicate his Eredivisie form in the English top flight.
The India-Pakistan impasse is potentially holding hostage cricket’s attempts to devise a new international calendar, as the PCB has made it clear it will not sign up without clarity on bilateral matches with India
Osman Samiuddin and Nagraj Gollapudi 21-Sep-2017India-Pakistan, that old, festering wound, is potentially holding hostage cricket’s attempts to devise a new international calendar, as the PCB has made it clear it will not sign up without clarity on bilateral matches with India.The ICC is optimistic that a new calendar, designed to bring context and meaning to international cricket, will be presented to its board for approval at a meeting in Auckland in October. That calendar will have the top nine sides play a two-year Test league with a play-off at the end, and a 13-team, two-year ODI league that is a qualifier for the World Cup.At a scheduling workshop in Dubai last month, board chief executives from around the world gathered to finalise details of the new structure. Though the meeting was seen as the final step to a process in the works for over a year, the PCB posed a late hurdle.The Pakistan board agrees with the new structure, and has even largely worked out its commitments within it. But the ICC was told clearly that if the BCCI did not agree to ink in bilateral commitments the league windows, the PCB will not sign off on it in Auckland. The calendar includes an eight-month window during which members are free to schedule bilateral ODI series of their choosing. Whether the PCB’s threat can actually derail a revamp – and the impact it has on any vote – is not yet clear.The PCB has reluctantly agreed to the BCCI’s request to not schedule any Tests or ODIs against India within the league structure. That will avoid instances such as last November, when the Indian women’s team forfeited points for not playing a three-match series with Pakistan. It dilutes the idea of a league in which each side is required to play six series (and not everyone) over two years. And it isn’t clear what happens if India and Pakistan meet in the final play-off.But in return, the PCB wants some commitment from India that they will play, or at least ink in a commitment, in that eight-month window. That, a PCB official said, was crucial: “If you are not going to list that series it means we are not playing India for the next eight to ten years and we are not in a position to take that risk, to go to the next broadcast rights and say there is no India. For us, it’s a decision worth US $130 million.”We said to other boards there, will any of you agree to a schedule without India? Will Australia do it? England? If you can’t, why should we? Our position is that this is non-negotiable. This whole structure becomes viable if, outside the structure, we have India scheduled. If that doesn’t happen, then we won’t be able to sign this.”India and Pakistan have not played a full bilateral series since late 2007. The terror attacks in Mumbai the following year resulted in a sharp deterioration in diplomatic ties between the two countries; in that time, they have played one bilateral series, a short, limited-overs series in India. The PCB has sought repeatedly to restart ties, but the BCCI insists it cannot until the Indian government green-lights it.Complicating matters is an escalation of the PCB’s ongoing efforts to resolve the issue of already-cancelled series with India from the current calendar. In May this year, the PCB sent a notice of dispute to the BCCI for not fulfilling obligations of an MoU agreed upon in 2014 for six bilateral series between 2015 and 2023. The first of those – in December 2015 – never went ahead; another is scheduled for 2019.As per the ICC’s code for disputes, the two sides met a few times to attempt a breakthrough. But with little progress, matters became heated at the last meeting in London in June, during the ICC’s annual conference. Now the PCB is on the verge of sending an official notice of dispute to the ICC.The ICC chairman Shashank Manohar sat in on that meeting as the arbitrator, or facilitator, between the two boards. Manohar had dealt with the issue first hand during stints as BCCI president before he moved to the ICC. In London he told the PCB in no uncertain terms that pursuing a legal route would mean ending any hopes of ties with BCCI. Instead he urged more patience. But where Manohar felt he was spelling out the reality to the PCB, the Pakistan board felt he was representing a BCCI view, adopting a partiality at odds with his ICC role.The upshot is that the PCB is due to meet with lawyers in the UK, before sending the official notice of dispute to the ICC. That is part of a distinctly harder line adopted by the recently appointed PCB chairman Najam Sethi as compared to predecessor Shaharyar Khan, a former diplomat more open to discussion than direct confrontation.”What is the harm in pursuing this legal option?” one PCB official explained. “At most, we will lose [and not play]. If government ties get better, then in any case the BCCI can’t stop from playing us.”The basis of the PCB’s legal argument rests on whether the Indian government has explicitly – and in writing – denied the BCCI permission to play against Pakistan. Ordinarily, the protocol for India to tour anywhere is that the BCCI writes to the Indian Sports Ministry, and copies in the Home Ministry and External Affairs Ministry seeking permission. Usually the Sports Ministry responds granting approval.In the case of Pakistan, however, approval must come from all three ministries and especially the Home and External Affairs wings. The last time BCCI approached the Indian government for permission for a Pakistan series was last year, but there was no response.The PCB is seizing upon this, pointing to a decision the British government took in 2008 to cancel a tour of the country by Zimbabwe in 2009 on political grounds. Then, the government sent a letter to the ECB instructing it to cancel.”We said have you [BCCI] ever got a no from them [Indian government]?” the PCB official said. “They said no. We said have you ever written to the government? They said yes. We said why have you assumed it is a no? It is your assumption. If you don’t get a response, it is your assumption.”In case the BCCI now produces a government letter, the PCB’ will still argue that their grievances date back to previously cancelled tours, for which there are no letters.The BCCI position, a board official said, was clear and had been reiterated to the PCB. “No matter how much noise they make this is a decision of the Indian Prime Minister’s office. And so there is no point discussing or arguing. The PCB ask us to play and we (BCCI) respond that this is way above us. This is a government decision. The BCCI does not have the authority to commit.”The sides continue to play each other in ICC events, most recently twice at the Champions Trophy earlier this year. India won the first game in the group stages, but Pakistan surged to an upset win over them in the final.Last week, the ICC chief executive David Richardson said the ICC’s role would be to facilitate
and let the dispute process “take its course”.
Aston Villa are reportedly interested in Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria, as Monchi plots to continue his star streak in the summer transfer window.
It’s been a positive break in play for the Villans, who have obtained the talents of Youri Tielemans, Pau Torres and Moussa Diaby, with the capacity for more signings to arrive at Villa Park ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
In capturing Tielemans, Unai Emery has strengthened his midfield however could add more firepower in the middle of the park in Zakaria.
How much could Denis Zakaria cost Aston Villa?
As reported by Italian outlet La Gazetta dello Sport this week, the Old Lady would expect a bargain fee in the region of €18m (£15m) for their midfielder, who spent last season on loan at Chelsea.
The report states that Villa have ‘taken information’ for the 26-year-old’s services, with West Ham United and unnamed German clubs also interested.
The transfer fee is clear from Juventus, with the report stating the player could be sold or be sent on loan with an option to buy this summer.
How good is Denis Zakaria?
Life on the pitch has been difficult for the Swiss midfielder since his departure from Borussia Monchengladbach in January 2022.
The 26-year-old has made just 27 competitive appearances for both Juventus and Chelsea since his move, being deprived of game time despite being sent on loan to develop his performance.
In the Premier League, Zakaria played just 413 minutes for the Blues in a switch that couldn’t have come at a less convenient time for the player, considering Chelsea’s struggles.
The midfielder failed to integrate under any of the three managers that took charge at Stamford Bridge last campaign, in a year that failed to hand the Geneva-born gem the experience and game time needed to take back to Turin.
In Villa’s interest, the 49-capped Swiss international could be given a replenished shot at redemption in the Premier League, where his talents could be used to great effect in Emery’s system.
Having previously been hailed as an “unsung hero” and “hugely talented” player by scout Antonio Mango, Zakaria was snatched by the Italian giants for his stand-out performances in the Bundesliga at Borussia.
While his last consistent streak of game time came back in the 2021/22 campaign, the defensive midfielder hasn’t suffered greatly in terms of his individual form due to his lack of playing time, as highlighted by his international performances.
In the European Championship qualifiers, the former Chelsea loanee has maintained an average match rating of 7.30, registering a passing accuracy rate of 93% and winning an impressive 67% of his total duels in an average of 6.5 per game, via Sofascore.
Strengths in such areas are comparable to those highlighted by Villa ace Douglas Luiz, who Emery could replicate in signing Zakaria for a cheap fee to bolster his options in the middle of the park.
In the 2021/22 Bundesliga campaign, the Switzerland international averaged 1.48 tackles and 1.23 interceptions per 90, comparable to the Brazilian’s 2.24 tackles and 1.23 interceptions per 90 in the Premier League for Villa, as per FBref.
Adding to the depth in midfield would be a strong move for Emery, who will have the added fixtures of the UEFA Europa Conference League to consider next term.
Manchester United are simultaneously lining up moves for both Randal Kolo Muani and Rasmus Hojlund, according to a fresh transfer update on Saturday morning.
Which striker are Man United signing?
The Red Devils’ need for a centre-forward has been well documented ever since Cristiano Ronaldo departed the club in unceremonious fashion last November. The club goalscoring charts made for pretty grim reading during Erik ten Hag’s first campaign at the helm, with only Marcus Rashford, primarily a winger, reaching double digits in the Premier League.
Anthony Martial struggled with fitness once again, starting only 11 matches in the top flight and scoring six times, while Wout Weghorst failed to find the score-sheet at all after arriving on loan in January, despite starting ten matches in the league and coming on an additional seven times as a substitute (Whoscored).
Unsurprisingly, the club have been linked with virtually every striker on the planet this summer, from Victor Osimhen to Harry Kane, but it appears they have narrowed the search down to two targets in recent weeks.
Atalanta’s Hojlund is the primary target, with the Old Trafford outfit in pole position for his signature and expected to formalise a bid in the coming days, but talks are also being held for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Kolo Muani, according to a recent report from Football Insider.
The Bundesliga club value their France international at £80m, claims the update, which United see as excessive, meaning they are still leaning towards a deal for Hojlund, but have nonetheless held negotiations for both signings.
Other sources have put Hojlund’s price tag at €90m (£78m), so it appears the Red Devils are prepared to splash massive cash on at least one marquee arrival up front, which is sure to be music to the ears of fans who suffered so much from their centre-forward play last season.
Who is better – Kolo Muani or Hojlund?
It feels unlikely both players will arrive this summer, even though Kolo Muani can play out wide on the wing as well as his natural position up front, so Ten Hag and the scouting team will likely have to pick one or the other.
And even though they are seemingly pressing ahead with Hojlund as the main man, it is the Frenchman who has the better record at first glance.
Indeed, Hojlund has just 27 senior club goals to his name, while Kolo Muani, four years his senior, has racked up 49 goals across spells with US Boulogne, FC Nantes and now Frankfurt.
While Hojlund’s potential looks sky-high – he’s been likened to Erling Haaland for his incredible mixture of pace and size, while members of the media have called him a “phenomenal talent” – he looks like more of a signing for future potential, rather than the here and now.
Given their aforementioned struggles in front of goal last season, United need a player who can waltz straight into their first XI and start hitting the back of the net immediately, and Kolo Muani’s superior experience in a top league and goalscoring prowess implies he should be the target they are prioritising for now.