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Paris Saint-Germain may have a readymade replacement if Mauricio Pochettino is lured to Manchester United.

The Telegraph’s Jason Burt reported that the Ligue 1 leaders have been made aware that former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane would be keen on the job at the Parc des Princes.

Is Pochettino to United now on?

This could be a crucial development because, according to Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna, PSG will let Pochettino go to United if they have a successor lined up for the Argentine. Conveniently, he also says that Zidane is their preferred candidate.

Incidentally, the former Real Madrid boss has himself been ‘repeatedly linked’ with the Red Devils.

No need to wait?

United’s initial plan following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was to appoint an interim manager to lead the team until the end of the season, but it seems as if the prospective appointment of Pochettino could be fast-tracked, with Zidane now said to be waiting in the wings.

Fan feed utdreport relayed Burt’s update, and here’s what a selection of supporters said in response, with many voicing excitement over the potential chain reaction which would see the Argentine coming to Old Trafford soon.

“I’m starting to get excited about our club again”

Credit: @koreen_didier

“This now looks inevitable. we need to get it sorted before Chelsea.”

Credit: @stefanduro

“Get it done”

Credit: @ellis22szn

“Get in”

Credit: @niarra4v

“Ok that works. Let’s do that. Everybody wins.”

Credit: @TheRealRobLaw

“It’s all coming together…”

Credit: @UtdLG

In other news: What of Erik ten Hag? These Man United fans have flocked to an update on the Dutchman.

Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has urged Celtic to make the most of their arch-rivals’ current slump after Steven Gerrard’s exit as manager across Glasgow.

The Lowdown: Celtic on the up

It was painful for Hoops fans watching on as their biggest rivals won the Premiership at a canter last season, with the Bhoys being denied 10 league titles in a row in the process.

Rangers currently hold a four-point advantage over Celtic this time around, but their Scottish League Cup exit at the hands of Hibernian on Sunday suggests that all is not well since Gerrard left.

Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou’s side have picked up five wins and a draw from their last six league outings, finding a rich vein of form in the process and progressing to the final of the aforementioned competition, thus giving them the opportunity to strike first in the domestic trophy stakes in 2021/22.

The Latest: Pundit makes Celtic plea

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan claimed that Celtic need to be ruthless during this current period, making the most of Rangers potentially taking their eye off the ball.

Those comments come amid recent reports that the Hoops plan to bring in major reinforcements in the  January transfer window, with the possibility of multiple signings as they plan to reclaim domestic supremacy. Whelan said:

“They will be smelling blood for sure after what they saw from Rangers at the weekend. There’s a trophy which they will absolutely be favourites to win in December, barring a catastrophe.

“It’s a really good sign for Celtic, they’ll be fighting all the way to bring the title back to Celtic Park.

“On the pitch, they are keeping pace. They’ve scored a lot of goals this season, their goal difference is already superior to Rangers’.

“They need to take advantage from now and into the January window. They can really hurt them in these early stages of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s tenure.”

The Verdict: Big chance to take advantage

This could prove to be a pivotal point in the season come next May, with Rangers arguably at their most vulnerable at the moment following their recent managerial upheaval.

New manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst may take time to make his mark at Ibrox and Celtic have winnable, albeit not necessarily easy, league games coming up against Aberdeen, Hearts and Dundee United.

January reinforcements could only help in that respect, with major additions being mooted, as Whelan alludes to, giving Postecoglou’s men that extra push before the business end of the season arrives. This could be the ideal time for an upwardly mobile Celtic to really push on and reclaim the edge on their biggest rivals.

In other news, a journalist has made an exciting claim regarding one Celtic player. Find out who it is here.

A Sri Lanka A side fielding eight players with international experienced outclassed the New Zealanders in a low-scoring practice game

Jamie Alter in Colombo06-Sep-2009
Scorecard
A Sri Lanka A side fielding eight players with international experience outclassed the New Zealanders in a low-scoring practice game on a lazy Sunday in front of a handful of spectators at the SSC. The New Zealanders went in without Daniel Vettori, Ross Taylor and Shane Bond and though it was the bowling that should have been weakened by the absentees, it was up to the mark. A limp batting performance, however, led to a 61-run defeat.The day began well as Daryl Tuffey made his presence felt in his first and last opportunity on tour, taking five wickets to limit the target to 235. However, a poor start to the chase and a shaky middle order put too much pressure on the battling Brendon McCullum, who was unlucky to be given out lbw to Sri Lanka’s star performer, the allrounder Muthumudalige Pushpakumara.Thilina Kandamby decided to bat in good conditions, but Sanath Jayasuriya followed two poor Twenty20s with 2, caught behind off a short delivery. Tuffey bowled a rhythmic opening spell and, aided by some loose shots and athletic fielding, helped reduce Sri Lanka to 14 for 3. Mahela Udawatte’s poor form continued against the tourists, after Friday’s first-ball duck at the Premadasa, when McCullum pouched a good catch at extra cover.Tuffey provided the initial problems in a smart spell of 2 for 14 from five overs, after which Kandamby and Lahiru Thirimanne picked easy runs from Brendon Diamanti, Jeetan Patel and Neil Broom. Through a mixture of swings and inside edges, crisp flicks across the line and drives down the ground, the pair added 56 to settle the nerves. Kandamby danced down to Patel and effortlessly lofted six over mid-off, but trying to repeat the shot he chipped straight to short extra cover for 26.Tuffey continued his good game when he returned in the 34th over, immediately getting Thirimanne to give a catch to midwicket for 51. In the 36th over he drew another loose shot, getting the ball to angle sharply, and had Gihan Rupasinghe out for a brisk 34. An impromptu jig followed.Dinesh Chandimal and Pushpakumara bailed Sri Lanka out and ensured Kandamby had at least a competitive total to play with. Chandimal, regarded as a future international, used his feet well and was also quick between the wickets, keeping the New Zealand fielders on their toes.Pushpakumara’s cameo, both chancy and delightful, enabled Sri Lanka to reach 234 after walking in at a nervy 137 for 6, with 14 overs to go. A crafty late dab off Patel, exposing all the stumps and then steering past short third man, was followed by another delicate deflection off Diamanti’s medium-pace. When Tuffey returned and pitched too wide, Pushpakumara flayed four over gully and sliced wide of the wicketkeeper.They put on 64, at 7.80 an over, before both fell in the 45th over: Chandimal for a 30-ball 29 and Pushpakumara for 42 from 30 balls. After taking 4 for 28 from eight, Tuffey’s figures were spoiled by Nuwan Zoysa, who clubbed 26 from just 11 balls, but he finished the innings in 47.5 overs. Jesse Ryder took 2 for 18.The New Zealanders had a bad start; Dilhara Fernando and Zoyza, picked up a wicket each as the tourists slipped to 49 for 3 in 9.3 overs. McCullum was left to try and hold the innings together after Broom and Gareth Hopkins departed in successive overs from Pushpakumara, who didn’t get much turn but bowled a very tidy line. McCullum was playing solidly, intent on getting himself in until he was adjudged lbw to Pushpakumara. It was a harsh call as the ball was missing leg stump by a week. McCullum fumed as he walked off, and with that went the New Zealanders’ chances.Diamanti took 35 balls to score 18 and the asking rate had neared seven-and-a-half by the time he was yorked by Fernando. Jacob Oram went on to score 39 from 56 balls after the competitive element had long since gone. Fernando took him out to finish with 3 for 40.

Brett Lee’s chances of returning for next week’s third Test have been reduced after he was left out of Australia’s tour match against Northamptonshire

Peter English23-Jul-2009Brett Lee’s chances of returning for next week’s third Test have been reduced after he was left out of Australia’s tour match against Northamptonshire on Friday. There was an outside chance Lee would be picked in an attempt to prove his fitness from a stomach injury that ruled him out of the first two Tests, but the selectors have decided against rushing him back.Australia, who are behind 1-0, missed Lee when Mitchell Johnson misfired at Lord’s and the fast bowler must now prove he is ready for the intensity of back-to-back Tests through his work in the nets. Lee, who has taken 310 wickets in 76 matches, was under pressure entering the tour following ankle surgery, but he showed his form during the warm-up match in Worcester before succumbing to the stomach problem.Lee’s absence allows Stuart Clark a chance to push for a recall after he was left out in Cardiff and Lord’s when Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus were preferred to support Johnson. It is expected that only one of Hilfenhaus, who performed strongly at Lord’s, and Siddle will turn out in the three-day fixture.Australia named a 12-man squad and have given the captain Ricky Ponting, deputy Michael Clarke and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin a break, leaving Michael Hussey to lead the side. The game will be no easy ride for Johnson or Phillip Hughes, who are fighting for form after disappointing starts to the series increased the pressure on their spots.Hughes has been roughed up by Andrew Flintoff’s short-pitched attack while Johnson was unable to hold a consistent line at Lord’s. Despite the setbacks, which include some family issues back home, Johnson has still managed to take eight wickets and the Australians don’t want to give up on him.”I don’t want to bowl him into the ground as there is just over a week until the Test starts,” Hussey said. “I don’t want him punching out 25 to 30 overs in an innings or anything like that. I’ll communicate with him and see how he’s feeling, and also take into account the situation of the game.”Hussey said Johnson seemed to be in a good frame of mind. “He seems comfortable and was focused at training,” Hussey said. “He and [the bowling coach] Troy Cooley are very clear on what they need to work on.”The allrounders Shane Watson and Andrew McDonald will appear in their first matches of the tour alongside Graham Manou, the back-up gloveman. Ponting, Clarke and Haddin have scored a century each in the series and will turn their thoughts to rescuing the Ashes instead of facing Northamptonshire.Australia squad Phil Hughes, Simon Katich, Michael Hussey, Marcus North, Shane Watson, Andrew McDonald, Graham Manou, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Stuart Clark, Ben Hilfenhaus, Nathan Hauritz.

Leeds United pundit Noel Whelan has been giving his thoughts for this weekend’s clash with Norwich City following Marcelo Bielsa’s early team news, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Raphinha and Shackleton expected to be fit

Raphinha suffered an injury last weekend against Wolves but posted a positive update on social media revealing his knock is nothing serious.

The Brazilian was left out of the squad against Arsenal in the week, with youngster Jamie Shackleton was also missing.

Bielsa admitted after the defeat at the Emirates that he ‘thinks’ both Raphinha and Shackleton will be fit to take on the Canaries, a potentially huge boost.

The Latest: Whelan’s comments

Whelan was talking to Football Insider after learning of the two injury boosts ahead of the trip to Carrow Road.

This is what the BBC Radio Leeds man had to say, labelling who gets the first goal of the game as ‘massive’.

“They should be aiming for no less than three points.

“It’s so important that we take something away from the away games. They’ll be hurting after conceding seven, and they’ll have worked on defending after that defeat.

“We may have to stay patient during the game, but I do think that the first goal will be massive – especially away from home. We need to go there and take the confidence from last week – because that Wolves result felt like a win.

“The players should be full of confidence and belief that they can win the game.

“They’re a wounded animal but we need to step up and be better than the last two games.”

The Verdict: Good news

Shackleton, who Bielsa described as ‘important’ earlier this year, has started the last four Premier League games, and with Luke Ayling out, his availability could be crucial.

Cody Drameh made his debut in the week, but if fit, you’d expect Bielsa would select Shackleton over Drameh – the former has much more experience in senior football.

It seems as if Raphinha may also be available from the off, so the pair could play a crucial role as Leeds look to get their second Premier League win of the campaign – Dan James was disappointing in the Brazilian’s absence against Arsenal, so getting Raphinha back is massive.

In other news: Pundit spots Bielsa fury at something 18-cap Leeds man did. 

علق فتحي مبروك لاعب الأهلي الأسبق، على تراجع مستوى المارد الأحمر خلال الفترة الأخيرة، موجهًا رسالة لجماهير القلعة الحمراء.

وقال مبروك في تصريحات لبرنامج “الريمونتادا” على قناة “المحور”: “رسالتي لجمهور النادي الأهلي، اطمئنوا، المارد الأحمر سيعود إلى هيبته وقادر على العودة من جديد وبقوة”.

وتابع: “إذا نظرت إلى أفضل فرق العالم، ليفربول أو برشلونة، تتعرض لمثل تلك المواقف والتعثرات؛ لذلك أرى أن الأمور عادية، خاصة أن الإجهاد يُحاصر اللاعبين، والفرق العالمية تتعرض لكبوات، وهذا طبيعي”.

وعن قرار مجلس إدارة الأهلي باستكمال الدوري باللاعبين الناشئين، علق فتحي مبروك: “الأهلي يملك لاعبين ناشئين على أعلى مستوى، وقادرون على إعادة الإتزان خلال الفترة المقبلة، البنية التحتية للنادي رائعة، والعمل الإداري أراه مميزًا للغاية”.

طالع أيضًا.. محمد عبد الجليل: “هيبة الأهلي بدأت تروح”.. والاعتماد على الناشئين كارثة

وأضاف: “في وقتٍ سابق رشحت أحمد سيد عبد النبي للفريق الأول مع الأهلي، وأيضًا محمد أحمد شرقية صعدته من الاختبارات وهو لاعب رائع”.

واختتم مُعلقًا على أداء منتخب مصر للشباب في بطولة كأس العرب، قائلًا: “أشيد بمحمود جابر والجهاز الفني لمنتخب مصر الوطني، المنتخب يسير بشكل رائع، وحققوا انتصارات رائعة على منتخبات قوية من شمال إفريقيا”.

Rangers will be looking to end thier run of two games without a win in all competitions as they come up against Livingston in the League Cup tomorrow.

After losing 2-0 to Lyon in the Europa League and drawing 1-1 with Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership, the Gers have a chance to get back to winning ways in the cup.

Steven Gerrard could make some changes to his team given that they played on Sunday and that they have another match on Saturday, against Dundee FC in the league.

One player he should unleash against Livington is experienced central defender Leon Balogun. He was rested against Motherwell as he watched on from the bench, despite an impressive start to the campaign.

The former Wigan defender has been in fine form this season and proved that he can be a quality option when called upon by Gerrard. In the league, Balogun has averaged a sublime SofaScore rating of 7.15 and helped Rangers to keep two clean sheets in four games.

He has won 64% of his duels in the Premiership and shown that he is a strong centre-back who can be a brick wall in the defence for the Gers. Despite the result ending in a 2-0 defeat, Balogun also caught the eye against Lyon with a superb display, as he recorded a rating of 7.10 and made two interceptions, two tackles, two blocks and two clearances against the French side.

The £14k-per-week powerhouse must, therefore, be unleashed against Livingston to improve Rangers’ chances of progressing through to the next round. He is a quality centre-back who could prevent the opposition from testing his goalkeeper, or at least limit what they can test him with, as he has shown that in his performances in the Premiership and Europa League this season.

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Gerrard must name him in the starting XI and start him alongside Connor Goldson. It could give Rangers a solid platform to build on, allowing the attackers to go about their business without worrying about major defensive errors at the back costing them the game.

At the age of 33, Balogun could also bring some vital experience to the side if Gerrard wants to hand a couple of young players opportunities for this match. The head coach has the chance to play academy products to see what they can do, outside of the Premiership and Europa League, and having a wise old head like Balogun in the side could help ease them through the game.

AND in other news, Gerrard masterstroke: Rangers flop has seen value plummet 66% since Ibrox exit…

Aston Villa are ‘in the queue’ to sign wantaway Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah in January, according to Ekrem Konur. 

The lowdown

Nketiah has yet to make the matchday squad for a Premier League game this season, having picked up an ankle injury just before the campaign started.

His only first-team minutes have come in the Carabao Cup clash with AFC Wimbledon, a game in which he scored.

Last season, the England Under-21 international was limited to just four Premier League starts.

Significantly, his contract is up come the end of the season and, according to a report from David Ornstein in August, ‘there is no sign’ of a forthcoming extension.

Arsenal may, therefore, be under pressure to sell their £14.4million-rated asset in January amid the risk of losing him for free.

The latest

Nketiah ‘plans to leave’ The Emirates at the turn of the year because he ‘wants regular first team football’, Konur says.

Villa can expect to face competition from newly-promoted Brentford and from Leeds United, where Nketiah had a spell on loan during the 2019/20 season.

The verdict

It certainly looks as if Nketiah will be leaving the Gunners, but it’s hard to see Villa being his next destination.

If he wants to be playing week-in, week-out, then he surely won’t go to a club where he’ll be behind two other strikers – Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins – in the pecking order.

Perhaps Villa should look in-house if they want to bolster the first team’s attacking ranks. Cameron Archer has been particularly impressive.

In other news, fans flocked to this update on Leon Bailey.  

Aston Villa were open to selling midfielder Douglas Luiz over the summer, according to The Athletic’s Gregg Evans.

The Lowdown: Luiz links

Villa made a number of big-money signings over the summer but failed to add to their central midfield ranks. They also sold Jack Grealish to Manchester City for £100m, and it appears as if Luiz was also regarded as a possible departure by the Villa hierarchy.

He won Olympic gold with Brazil over the summer and was linked with moves to Manchester City and AS Roma, but as we now know, the £52,000-a-week man remained in the Midlands and has been a regular in recent weeks.

The Latest: Evans’ claim

Evans shared a story on The Athletic on Wednesday, looking at Villa’s new 3-5-2 formation. He suggested that the club were open to moving Luiz on in the recent window for the right price, but there wasn’t enough interest.

Evans then added that Dean Smith welcomed the Brazilian back to Bodymoor Heath with a presentation to celebrate his success at the Olympics along with the Villa squad.

The Verdict: A close shave

As Evans mentioned later in the article, Luiz has been an unsung hero in Villa’s wins over Everton and Manchester United, so Villa have been lucky to keep him at the club.

A midfield three of him, John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey has worked effectively in Smith’s new system, and with Villa’s lack of depth in midfield, parting ways with the 23-year-old could have been a costly mistake.

Roma are still linked with Luiz, so it’ll be interesting to see what Villa’s stance is in the New Year.

In other news: ‘Believe it or not’ – Preece shares worrying under-the-radar update on Villa ace who Smith loves. 

The PCB has once again indicated it is keen on bringing back ICL players back in the fold, with chairman Ijaz Butt urging the ICC to resolve the current policy of most national boards

Cricinfo staff21-Jan-2009
Ijaz Butt: “We don’t want our players to be banned because they have contracts with the ICL” © PA Photos
The PCB has once again indicated it is keen on bringing back ICL players into the fold, with chairman Ijaz Butt urging the ICC to resolve the current policy of most national boards excluding those involved with the unsanctioned league from playing international or domestic cricket run officially.”We don’t want our players to be banned because they have contractswith the ICL,” Butt was quoted by . “But unfortunately we can’t do anything unless the ICC changes its stance on this issue.”The Pakistan board, under its previous administration, had announced a ban in December 2007 on six players who took part in the ICL’s inaugural tournament, and since then 13 others had joined the league, including batsman Mohammad Yousuf. Among those banned are former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood and Mohammad Sami. Surprisingly, the ban does not apply to coaches and officials, with Moin Khan guiding Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in the domestic circuit.”The PCB has not directly banned the players, We have banned themunder the ICC rules,” Butt said. “The rules state that no tournament can be heldwithout the home board’s permission and, in the case of the ICL, theIndian board [BCCI] does not recognise it as it runs its own league, the IPL.”The BCCI had been instructed by the ICC to conduct talks with the ICL – which had approached the ICC for recognition – but Butt said he was not aware of any progress on the matter, which would be discussed at the ICC executive board meeting in Perth on January 31. Butt felt it won’t be long before the official stance on the ICL is changed, as the ICL had a strong legal case.”I don’t think this ban will be there for long. Because the ICL isback to talking about taking legal action, if necessary, if the ICC orIndian board does not recognise it. And let me make it clear here the ICClawyers have indicated ICL has a strong legal case.”When he took over in October, Butt had talked of a possible merger between the ICL and the BCCI-run IPL, though the Indian board is yet to confirm any such development. The new PCB administration has been vocal over the stance on ICL players, with Javed Miandad, former Pakistan captain and now the board’s director-general, questioning the rationale of the bans.