India’s T20I captain is the first overseas signing for the franchise for 2019, while Alex Blackwell will take up the role of head coach once again
ESPNcricinfo staff04-Jul-2019
All smiles: Harmanpreet Kaur and Alex Blackwell•PA Images
India T20I captain Harmanpreet Kaur and former Australia vice-captain Alex Blackwell are both set to return to Lancashire Thunder, taking up their respective roles as overseas recruit and head coach once again for the Kia Super League 2019.Harmanpreet, who played her first season in the tournament last year and made 164 runs in seven innings at an average of 32.80 and a strike rate of 151.85, is Thunder’s first overseas signing of the season, with two more additions due to be announced. She is the fourth Indian to feature in the league this season, alongside Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma (Western Storm) and Jemimah Rodrigues (Yorkshire Diamonds).”I am delighted to sign with Lancashire Thunder once again for the Kia Super League. I really enjoyed my first spell in Lancashire, everybody made me feel very welcome and I have some great friends in the dressing room, who I can’t wait to play with again,” Harmanpreet said in a statement on the team’s website.”It is a very talented squad and I know we will all be hungry to go one further this year, following the disappointment of narrowly missing out on Finals Day in 2018.”Blackwell, who took up the job last year in what was her maiden assignment as full-time head coach following her retirement from international cricket, said her reunion with Harmanpreet, also her team-mate at Sydney Thunder in WBBL, was something she was looking forward to.”Harmanpreet made a fantastic start last summer, holding her nerve in the final over to hit the winning runs at Surrey after joining up with the squad late,” Blackwell said of Harmanpreet’s 21-ball 34 not out on debut, against eventual champions Surrey Stars, who had signed her up for the 2017 season but couldn’t avail of her services due to an injury Harmanpreet sustained at the 2017 World Cup. For Thunder, she capped off her innings on debut with a match-winning six in the final over, at The Oval.”She also played a great knock in our Roses victory against Yorkshire in Blackpool and I am certain that she will be determined to showcase even more of her skills this summer,” Blackwell said.The 2019 edition of the KSL begins on August 6, with Thunder taking on Southern Vipers in the season opener at Aigburth, Liverpool.
Tottenham believe a big club's £50 million star is "perfect" for manager Ange Postecoglou and his Spurs system, and they could explore a deal later in January.
Postecoglou wants three new Spurs signings
According to recent reports, Postecoglou is keen on signing a new centre-back, midfielder and winger this month as the Australian looks to bolster his squad.
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Spurs have suffered with a plethora of injury and suspension issues since the back end of last year, with key players like James Maddison and Micky van de Ven unavailable for large parts of the season.
Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr and Son Heung-min will also be absent over January, as the Lilywhites trio jet off to represent their countries at AFCON and the Asia Cup respectively.
Luckily for Tottenham, reports this week have suggested they appear close to ticking one off their transfer wishlist, with Spurs in advanced talks to sign Genoa star Radu Dragusin. As well as Dragusin, the Lilywhites are believed to be fans of Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher.
Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher
Despite being a key player for Mauricio Pochettino this season, Chelsea could be forced to sell Gallagher and fund their own transfer activity, as they've been flying pretty close to the sun when it comes to Financial Fair play regulations.
This could hand an opportunity for Spurs to sign the former Crystal Palace star, with journalist Dean Jones sharing what he knows for Sportslens.
Spurs think Gallagher is "perfect"
According to Jones' close N17 sources, Tottenham believe Gallagher could be "perfect" for Postecoglou as they continue to evolve under the ex-Celtic boss. A swoop for the £50 million Englishman is also possible this month, but it's been put on ice until the end of January as they focus on signing a centre-back first.
It's added that figures inside Spurs are "surprised" that Chelsea's owners could be willing to part with Gallagher, and despite loose talks over a new deal, no commitment has been made by the Stamford Bridge side.
The 23-year-old has started 19 top-flight matches under Pochettino and stands out as their best-performing player by average match rating, according to WhoScored. Gallagher has registered their joint-most assists in that period alongside summer signing Cole Palmer, so he is a proven Premier League player with added creative flair.
“I don’t need to talk too much because it is not my decision," said Pochettino on Gallagher's future recently.
"He is in the starting eleven in nearly all the games and is one of the captains. For me, he is the type of player that the club needs to have. He came from the academy and knows the identity of the club and he is very committed. You can see on the pitch how he runs, plays, and fights. He gives everything and he is a really important player. All coaching staff want this type of player in their team."
With Liverpool back competing for the Premier League title after a season of disappointment left them outside of the top four last time out, the Reds can start thinking about the ultimate honours under Jurgen Klopp again, who can also now turn his attention to attracting some of the best players in the world. The German's main focus may well be transfixed on the title race, but that doesn't mean those at Anfield aren't keeping one eye on future reinforcements.
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Now that they're on course to make a swift return to their place among the elite too, Liverpool could even begin dreaming about a move to sign Kylian Mbappe, especially after recent reports.
Liverpool transfer news
It's no secret that the Paris Saint-Germain star is a long-term Reds target, with Mbappe admitting that he held talks with Liverpool back in 2022: "I talked to Liverpool because it’s the favourite club of my mum, my mum loves Liverpool… I don’t know why, you will have to ask her! It’s a good club and we met them five years ago. When I was in Monaco I met them. It’s a big club."
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Now, according to French reporter Julien Laurens, Mbappe "really really likes Liverpool". The journalist told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I really believe him when he says he hasn’t decided yet. If he wants to stay a little bit longer or go somewhere else in the summer else as a free agent, Madrid very likely, Liverpool, less likely but, that’s another team he really, really likes."
With that said, whilst Real Madrid remain the frontrunners for Mbappe's signature, the fact that the Frenchman's mother is a fan of the Anfield club and the forward himself is enticed by the idea certainly opens the door of possibility.
"Fantastic" Mbappe is the only Salah replacement
Although reports suggest Mohamed Salah could now sign a new Liverpool contract, the Egyptian is not getting any younger and the Reds will have to think about a replacement sometime soon. And there is perhaps no other player capable of taking his throne outside of Mbappe. The World Cup winner is one of the best players in the world – that's undisputable – and he would likely go down as Liverpool's biggest-ever signing.
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Arguably next in line for football's crown as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo take their leave, Mbappe's Ballon d'Or ranking highlighted how good he is, as he placed third behind Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland. If that doesn't do the Frenchman justice, meanwhile, then his hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final on a night that ultimately ended in heartbreak for France and glory for Argentina certainly will.
Mbappe has also earned the praise of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who said via Esquire: "Mbappé is fantastic. He’s young, he’s won nice trophies so far and he’s developing. He is doing a good job and he’ll continue to do the job. He just has to keep his focus, even if the hype is around him and all things happening. Just keep focused, train hard and he’ll do even better.”
MLS expansion side San Diego FC are making a play to sign Spain legend Sergio Ramos ahead of their 2025 debut.
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SDFC targeting Sergio RamosWould be the team's DPClub also want Chucky LozanoWHAT HAPPENED?
According to , Ramos is set to be a free agent this summer, and is not expected to renew his contract with boyhood club Sevilla. As a result, San Diego FC are making an ambitious play at securing his signature.
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Ramos is the second high-profile target that SDFC are going after this summer, with the other being Mexico star Chucky Lozano. The winger is rumored to be the subject of a multi-million dollar bid from the MLS side, who are looking to secure his services from PSV this summer.
DID YOU KNOW?
Ramos made 657 appearances for Real Madrid from August 2005 to June 2021. For his national team, he made 180 appearances scoring 23 goals.
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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR RAMOS AND SDFC?
The MLS expansion side will look to secure the signing of the defender ahead of their inaugural campaign. It remains to be seen if they can put pen to paper, but Ramos would join as a free agent and as a Designated Player, per the report.
Leeds United bounced back to winning ways this week as they secured a vital 3-1 win at home to Swansea at Elland Road in the Championship.
The Whites were able to secure all three points against the Welsh outfit despite starting in the worst possible way as Jamie Patterson made it 1-0 after two minutes.
However, Joel Piroe – the player they signed from the Swans over the summer – was played in by Crysencio Summerville and produced a composed finish into the bottom corner.
Brilliant goals from Georgino Rutter – who beautifully controlled a long pass and slotted past the goalkeeper – and Dan James then rounded off the 3-1 win for Daniel Farke's side.
Leeds forward Georgino Rutter.
The result leaves the club in third place and seven points adrift of the automatic promotion places as the Yorkshire-based outfit chase an instant return to the Premier League.
They are in a strong position but do have the opportunity to bolster their chances by dipping into the market during the upcoming January transfer window.
Angus Kinnear revealed that Farke does have the funds and backing to strengthen his squad if the right player, or players, become available.
With this in mind, one player who could come in to improve the manager's options at the top end of the pitch is reported target Ali Al-Hamadi.
Leeds transfer news – Ali Al-Hamadi
It was reported by TEAMtalk last month tat the Whites are one of a host of clubs interested in a possible deal to sign the AFC Wimbledon star ahead of the second half of the season.
The outlet named Derby County, Blackburn Rovers, and Sunderland as the other sides who could be in the race to secure his signature in 2024.
This means that Leeds may face competition from League One and Championship outfits if they decide to firm up their interest with a formal approach for the Iraq international.
Barnsley and Peterborough had offers rejected for the talented centre-forward over the summer but TEAMtalk did not state how much it would take to acquire his services this time around.
It was also stated that Wimbledon do not want to lose their star striker and are bracing themselves for interest and bids from other teams for Al-Hamadi.
Leeds must now beat off competition from the aforementioned clubs and land a deal to sign the young marksman as he could be a shrewd addition to the squad.
It would be a gamble to take a player out of League Two and expect them to adapt to the Championship but he could come in as an understudy, initially, and then rival to Piroe's position in the team to create a healthy competition between the pair.
They could spur each other on and ensure that no one feels comfortable with their position in the team if they are not performing – in order to drive up and maintain high standards.
Piroe's season in numbers
The Dutch centre-forward was brought in from divisional rivals Swansea during the summer transfer window in a deal that was reported to be worth more than £10m.
He arrived with a proven track record of scoring goals in the Championship after two impressive seasons in front of goal with the Swans.
Piroe plundered 22 goals and six assists across 45 appearances during his debut campaign in English football before a return of 19 goals and two assists in 43 outings throughout the 2022/23 term.
Leeds forward Joel Piroe.
He has been able to carry that form over to Yorkshire so far with a record of seven goals and one assist in 15 league matches for the club – slightly better than one goal contribution every other game.
The left-footed finisher has created two 'big chances' for his teammates and only missed five 'big chances' of his own at the top end of the pitch.
Piroe is also the club's joint-top scorer in the Championship so far this season, with Summerville also on seven strikes, and has been a fantastic addition for Farke.
The 24-year-old has been deployed in a hybrid attacking role that has seen him for a fluid partnership with Georgino Rutter in the final third.
He starts in a number ten position but has the license to venture forward into a number nine role and beyond Rutter when the French magician drops back into midfield to make things happen in possession.
Al-Hamadi could now come in and rival Piroe for his position if Leeds are able to win the race for the impressive youngster's signature.
Ali Al-Hamadi's 2023 in numbers
Wimbledon snapped up the number nine from Wycombe Wanderers in January of this year and manager Johnnie Jackson lauded him as a "hungry" prospect who has the ability to offer a "threat" in behind.
The 21-year-old talent enjoyed a superb second half of the 2022/23 campaign after his move in January as he scored ten goals and provided one assist in 15 league starts.
He has followed that up with a fantastic start to the current season in League Two. The 6 foot 2 whiz has racked up eight goals and five assists in 16 starts for Wimbledon.
His sensational form this term has led to his manager – the aforementioned Jackson – going as far to say that the Iraq international can go "all the way" to the top of the game and that the gem is a "shining light" for his side.
Al-Hamadi's form has also earned plaudits from analysts as Tom Williams dubbed him an "absolute joke" who will be playing Championship football sooner rather than later.
This suggests that those who have watched him up close and personal this year believe that he has the quality and attributes to adjust to playing in the second tier.
The statistics behind his displays for Wimbledon this year also indicate that the potential is there for him to take a step up as he has dominated League Two with a consistent stream of goals and assists.
Al-Hamadi, who can play through the middle or out wide, has showcased his quality and potential over the course of 2023 and Leeds must now offer him a chance to prove himself at a higher level.
He could come in and provide Farke with a dream rival for Piroe's position as another versatile centre-forward who could chip in with goals and assists on a regular basis.
Pakistan allrounder Mohammad Hafeez, 38, will retire from Test cricket after the ongoing third game against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi, having informed chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq that he wants to focus on his limited-overs career.”Today, I want to announce my retirement from the Test-match format so that I can focus my energies on playing for Pakistan in the white-ball formats,” Hafeez said after the second day’s play. “I am eyeing to represent Pakistan in the ICC World Cup next year. I feel honoured that I represented the country in 55 Test matches, including the opportunity of captaining the team. I feel satisfied that I performed to the best of my abilities in my 15 year-long Test career.”I wish the Test team the very best for their upcoming assignments starting with the tour to South Africa, the team management especially the coach and captain have worked very hard in forming an exciting core of players that can serve for long.”PCB chairman Ehsan Mani paid tribute to Hafeez, saying his contribution in Test cricket “will be remembered for a long time”.”Hafeez gave some memorable and matching-winning performances for Pakistan in the Test match format,” Mani said. “He lent great balance to the XI with his bowling abilities.”One of the longest-serving international cricketers left in the game, Hafeez made his debut in both Test and ODI cricket in 2003. He marked his international debut with a half-century in a seven-wicket win against Sri Lanka in Sharjah that April, in Pakistan’s first ODI since their disappointing showing at the 2003 World Cup.In all he made 10 Test hundreds in his 15-year career, all of them coming in Asian conditions, including a best of 224 against Bangladesh in Khulna in 2015. His highest score elsewhere was a hard-fought 95 against England at The Oval in 2006, that would surely have set his team up for victory but for the subsequent forfeiture of the match due to a ball-tampering furore.Hafeez announced his decision after he had managed only 39 runs in four innings and went wicketless against New Zealand. Having been dismissed by Trent Boult for a duck on Tuesday, he could have one final chance to add to his 3644 Test runs, should Pakistan return to bat in their second innings.Hafeez’s international career appeared to be winding down after he was downgraded in Pakistan’s central contract list in August this year, and he even contemplated retirement. But his wife Nazia, along with the former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, talked him out of it.After a late call-up to the Pakistan Test squad for their two-Test series against Australia in October, Hafeez marked his return with a hundred in a double-century opening stand with Imam-ul-Haq. Their 205-run partnership in the first Test in Dubai was was only the 10th double-century opening stand made against Australia in Test cricket. However, in seven innings since his 126 in Dubai, he has not passed 20.
West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel has received a one-Test suspension from the ICC, following an incident in the Chattogram Test wherein he made physical contact with Bangladesh’s Imrul Kayes. This means Gabriel will not be available for the second Test of the series, which will be played in Mirpur form November 30.In the eighth over in Chattogram, Gabriel and Kayes made shoulder contact while the bowler was in his follow-through. This happened as the batsman was looking for a single on the leg side and didn’t have the bowler in his line of vision. Gabriel was warned by Aleem Dar but, in his next over, the 10th of the innings, he appeared to have nudged Kayes’ shoulder again, which was accompanied by a verbal exchange between the two.Gabriel received two demerit points – and was fined 30% of his match fee – for the incident, taking his tally of demerit points to five. He had picked up three demerit points during the Jamaica Test against Pakistan in April 2017. Then, too, Gabriel had made contact with a batsman, in that case Sarfraz Ahmed at the non-striker’s end while collecting his cap from the umpire.As per ICC regulations, if a player reaches a tally of four demerit points within a 24-month period, he or she receives a suspension. Each point stays on the player’s record for 24 months from the date of sanctioning, and suspensions are handed out when four, eight or 12 points are aggregated. That means that if Gabriel receives three more demerit points for any reason before April 2019 – which is when his Jamaica transgressions will be wiped from his record – he will receive a longer suspension. The two demerit points he has received for the latest incident will stay on his record till November 2020.An ICC statement said Gabriel admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee David Boon, so there was no formal hearing. The charge against him was brought by the match’s umpires, Aleem Dar, Richard Illingworth, Ruchira Palliyaguruge and Masudur Rahman.
West Ham manager David Moyes labelled Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen a ‘disgrace’ after being condemned to a 2-0 defeat in the Europa League.
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West Ham beaten 2-0 by LeverkusenMoyes frustrated with Leverkusen's benchRemains confident team will make comeback next weekWHAT HAPPENED?
Despite Leverkusen's incredible form heading to this match, West Ham were on course for a goalless draw until late substitutions Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface capitalised on a fatigued defence.
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Moyes got infuriated at Leverkusen's bench and accused them of influencing the referee's decision to caution Paqueta following a foul on Amine Adli. It was the Brazilian's third yellow card of the competition, meaning he will miss the second leg alongside Emerson, we also went into the book.
WHAT MOYES SAID
Speaking to reporters, Moyes said: "He will be a huge miss but I thought their bench was a disgrace. He got surrounded. I thought it was disgraceful and was really disappointing. You should let the referee make the decision and not the way they reacted to the incident. I thought it was a rule all the way through. We would not all run off and surround him. It was a poor thing for them to do and they are a good side and they didn’t need to react like that."
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ALONSO RUBBISHES MOYES' CLAIMS
In response to Moyes' criticism, Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso dismissed the complaints and defended the referee's decision. He said: “I have a lot of respect for David but I think it was a deserved (yellow card) from the referee and we don’t focus on their bench.”
Wales took a step towards Euro 2024 qualification on Thursday evening when they ran out 4-1 winners against Finland in the play-off semi-final.
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Brooks, Williams, Johnson & James score
Pukki pulled goal back for away side
Wales to take on Poland in play-off final
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Rob Page's team set up a final date with a Poland side who ran riot in a 5-1 win against Estonia on the same day. However, the Dragons showed they can give Robert Lewandowski and Co. something to fear when they welcome them to the Cardiff City Stadium next week.
Wales could hardly have made a better start to the match. The hosts found the lead just three minutes in when Harry Wilson played a one-two to break into the Finland box and fired a shot at goal. It was saved but knocked into the path of David Brooks, who made no mistake with his finish.
Finland managed to hold the majority of possession after the goal, but the away team had a hard time getting into difficult positions, with heavy touches and wayward passes proving their undoing. Instead, it was Wales who struck next when they were given a free-kick outside the box and Neco Williams lashed it into the net.
Finland pulled a goal back just before half-time when a smart pass found Teemu Pukki and the Minnesota United forward slotted past Danny Ward. Wales killed off their momentum quickly in the second half, though, as a deep cross was headed across goal and knocked towards Brennan Johnson, who fired in from close range.
Wales were on top from then on and, after having another goal ruled out, they struck for a fourth time when a defensive howler gave Daniel James a free run at the goalkeeper to tuck it away right at the end.
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THE MVP
Southampton forward Brooks was decisive for the Welsh as he grabbed the important early opener to give his team a boost and rattle their opponents. He then helped ensure they restored a comfortable lead when he found Johnson in space to smash home their third.
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THE BIG LOSER
Finland winger Daniel Hakans did not have the best of matches for the away side. He saw one wayward effort miss the target in the first half and then slipped as he challenged Ethan Ampadu for the header and ended up playing Johnson onside, letting Wales kill the game off.
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WHAT COMES NEXT?
Wales progress to the play-off final where they will take on a Poland side who beat Estonia on Thursday. The final will be played in Cardiff on March 26 and the winner will go on to join Netherlands, France and Austria in Group D.
Durante reunião virtual do Conselho Deliberativo, o presidente em exercício do Santos, Orlando Rollo, afirmou que o Cruzeiro desistiu de contar com o atacante Jonathan Copete por empréstimo. O time Celeste tinha acenado o interesse em contar com o jogador, mas se retirou devido a demora na resposta santista.
Qualquer movimentação de entrada e saída de atletas três meses antes da eleição, que no Peixe é prevista para o dia 12 de dezembro, precisa da aprovação do Conselho, mas a equipe mineira não teve paciência em aguardar.
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O contrato de Copete com o Alvinegro é válido até junho de 2021, mas desde junho de 2019 o colombiano não veste a camisa santista. Primeiramente, o jogador foi emprestado ao Pachuca (MEX) e em fevereiro foi novamente cedido temporariamente, dessa vez ao Everton (CHI). Em junho, o atacante retornou ao Santos, a princípio treinava separadamente, mas foi integrado ao elenco principal após a chegada de Cuca ao comando do Peixe.
Ainda assim, devido o banimento do Santos na Fifa, por conta de inadimplências com o Huachipato (CHI) e Atlético Nacional (COL), na contratação de Soteldo e Felipe Aguilar, vendido em março ao Athletico-PR, no início de 2019, Copete o retorno de Copete ao Peixe não pode ser registrado. A dívida atual do Alvinegro com as duas equipes é próxima a R$ 25 milhões.
Mesmo com o negócio encerrado, saída por empréstimo de Copete ao Cruzeiro foi votada e aprovada por 76% dos conselheiros santistas caso as conversas sejam retomadas. Até o então, o acordo seria firmado com cessão do colombiano aos mineiros até fevereiro, com o Peixe podendo solicitar o retorno do jogador a qualquer momento.