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Manchester United have looked like a side that lacks belief and a clear strategy this season, with the latest defeat versus Bayern Munich being their third in their last four matches.

Erik ten Hag’s latest Premier League loss was at home to Bournemouth last weekend, where they lost 3-0. The Cherries found themselves in plenty of space on the counter multiple times and punished the vulnerable Red Devils.

With that result and Ten Hag having to rely on 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo in midfield recently in mind, Man United may look to purchase an experienced, dominant midfielder in January.

Man Utd latest transfers – Joao Palhinha

Joao Palhinha looked set to move from Fulham last summer, but his move to Bayern Munich fell through.

However, according to TEAMtalk, Manchester United are the latest club to join the race for the Portuguese midfielder who is keen to stay in the Premier League.

Man Utd could sign their next Di Maria in “unplayable” £61m star

Erik ten Hag wants to add another attacker to his forward options.

ByTom Lever Dec 14, 2023

£60m is the rumoured fee, but Palhinha is contracted to Fulham until 2028, and they could demand more if he is to move this winter.

How Joao Palhinha compares to Casemiro

Palhinha has become Fulham’s most important player since signing for the Cottagers last season, and he has featured 13 times this campaign, helping his side climb to tenth place with 21 points.

The ex-sporting player registered the most tackles per game last season, 4.2, and also picked up the highest number of bookings in the league.

The 28-year-old has an almost identical profile to Casemiro, even down to his ability to commit multiple fouls without consequence, which Zach Lowy described as “Casemiro esque."

Furthermore, the duo both excel out of possession and struggle slightly on the ball, although it isn’t completely fair to judge Palhinha’s on-the-ball ability while playing for Fulham, a team typically lacking in possession.

The duo are among the best in Europe for their influence out of possession, including tackles, interceptions, blocked shots, and clearances. Their out-of-possession stats from the last 365 days are displayed in the table below, highlighting a heavy amount of defensive work.

Tackles won

2.46

1.66

Interceptions

1.69

1.17

Blocks

1.60

2.73

Dribblers tackled

2.77

1.56

Ball recoveries

7.10

9.05

Manchester United have struggled in defensive transitions this season, particularly before Casemiro’s injury. Palhinha would fix this problem on his own, with the Portugal international tackling dribblers at an incredible rate and importantly, he can cover ground with ease due to his long legs.

The 28-year-old is also far more athletic than the United number 18 and he can be relied upon to play as a lone defensive midfielder alongside two high eights, which Ten Hag seems to be persistent with fielding.

Overall, Palhinha would provide United with much more control out of possession and almost a safety blanket for them to commit more players forward and take risks.

He isn’t brilliant in possession, which rightfully raises some question marks, but when Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, and Luke Shaw are back from injury, they can take on most of the progressive responsibility.

Palhinha is essentially a younger, more athletic, and dominant version of Casemiro.

West Indies’ target on Saturday is to keep Bangladesh’s lead below 200 runs, and they plan on doing that by “going hard at them” in the morning session

Mohammad Isam in Chattogram23-Nov-2018

Shimron Hetmyer and Shane Dowrich added 92 for the sixth wicket•AFP

West Indies’ target on Saturday will be to keep Bangladesh’s lead below 200 runs, and they plan on doing that by “going hard at them” in the morning session.Wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich, who battled hard with an unbeaten 63, stated that West Indies will need to pick up early wickets on day three if they are to avoid a tough chase in the fourth innings.Bangladesh are currently leading by 133 runs, with five wickets in hand. Mushfiqur Rahim, unbeaten on 11, and Mehidy Hasan will be West Indies’ initial stumbling blocks before Mahmudullah, the last recognised batsman, comes in at No 8.”On this pitch, it is hard to say,” Dowrich said. “I would say anything under [a lead of] 200 is possible. Anything over 200 might be difficult. I think the game is pretty even right now. Bangladesh already have a lead, and a lead on the board is always a challenge. But I think once we go hard in the morning and get those wickets as early as possible and bat well in the second innings, we could also come out winning.”Dowrich added 92 for the sixth wicket with Shimron Hetmyer, who chipped in with a counterattacking 63 off 47 balls. It was an innings that brought West Indies back into the game, after they had slipped to 88 for 5.”I think we complement each other. Obviously, he is a very aggressive player, I told him to be selective and play his shots and that allowed me to just rotate the strike and get him on,” Dowrich said of the partnership. “And once I got in it was easier for me to score. I think everyone has their style of playing on different wickets but it worked for us today.”While Dowrich was solid with the bat, he conceded that he had a more difficult job behind the stumps, since the ball was spinning both ways, and often spitting from the rough patches.”It’s a tough pitch to keep on. There is inconsistent bounce and lots of spin, but I just gotta stay low and try to catch it well,” he said.”I think it’s more than trying to defend. To be able to survive we have to be positive.”

After losing 3-0 to Manchester City at Old Trafford last time out – Erling Haaland showing no mercy with two goals in a comprehensive victory for Pep Guardiola's men – Erik ten Hag cut a forlorn figure again on the touchline as Manchester United boss.

It's not out of the ordinary in recent years for Guardiola's high-flyers to humiliate their rivals on their own patch, the gap between the two sides frightening and ever-growing.

It puts even more pressure on the shoulders of the Dutch head coach attempting to turn things around with the Red Devils, who continue to struggle and ultimately fold on the big occasion.

Five defeats from their opening ten matches in the Premier League is way off where an expectant Man United fanbase thought they would be under Ten Hag, the ex-Ajax head coach was meant to be the catalyst for change at Old Trafford when appointed.

Yet, it's pointing in the direction now of another managerial dismissal similar to the likes of Ralf Rangnick, Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Jose Mourinho before him – all unable to reach the heights expected of them.

The Red Devils could, therefore, look towards a serial winner to replace their current boss which would certainly appease the restless natives at the Theatre of Dreams – previous interest in Zinedine Zidane could well be reignited as a statement appointment.

Man United manager news – Zinedine Zidane

First linked with a switch to Manchester in 2021 according to football journalist Duncan Castles of the Telegraph, the iconic Frenchman's name could well pop back up in the list of names rumoured to replace Ten Hag who remains on extremely thin ice.

Zidane's agent would reject multiple advances from the Red Devils at the time, the 51-year-old taking time out of football after departing Real Madrid.

Man United would eventually settle for Rangnick, another notable misfire in their ongoing back catalogue of failed managerial appointments.

But, with the pressure ramping up on Ten Hag to fix the situation at Man United fast, Zidane should well be in the running to finally come to Old Trafford as boss to turn around the fortunes of the underperforming giants.

Zinedine Zidane's immense trophy collection

Two years now out of the managerial game, you imagine Zidane will be raring for a return to the limelight and Man United could present the former Ballon d'Or winner turned head coach with an opportunity to find his feet again.

Zidane would raise the standards at Old Trafford tremendously, the 51-year-old determined to win at all costs which saw his Real Madrid teams dominate the Champions League – the Frenchman spearheading his elite group to three Champions League titles in a row, the third and final honour coming at the expense of Liverpool with Gareth Bale's overhead kick stealing the show in a 3-1 victory.

He has also never lost a game versus Man United in his entire managerial career, beating the Red Devils 2-1 in the 2017 Super Cup final to add another trophy to his extensive collection as Los Blancos manager.

Burning out at the Bernabeu eventually, Zidane could well fancy the opportunity to kickstart a resurgence at the Theatre of Dreams if he was to return to the cut and thrust of managing again. Ten Hag may well have won trophies in the Netherlands but he doesn't have the CV that one of France's greatest players possesses.

Expectations would have to be tempered somewhat. Ten Hag was meant to be this saviour-like figure for the Red Devils when swapping Amsterdam for pastures new in Greater Manchester and it hasn't gone according to plan whatsoever.

Zidane would have to navigate through choppy waters initially, with the Man United job arguably a poisoned chalice ever since Sir Alex Ferguson walked away from his post ten years ago.

MatériaMais Notícias

A Arena MRV, futuro estádio do Atlético-MG, tem números superlativos antes mesmo de ser concluído. Com um orçamento acima dos R$ 500 milhões e precisão de entrega para 2022, já cria uma ansiedade no atleticano, que se imagina lotando as dependências do estádio, que terá capacidade para mais de 40 mil pessoas e tem a torcida de uma nação, a alvinegra, para que seja o marco de uma nova era para o Galo.

Algo que chama a atenção na construção da Arena MRV é a forma de relacionamento que já vem sendo feita com a torcida. Um centro de experiências para acompanhar as novidades e sentir de perto como ficará o empreendimento; souvenirs de todos os tipos. Tem de tudo um pouco: de terra do terreno à miniaturas do sonho alvinegro.

Há também registros como uma websérie sobre bastidores e histórias que circundam o maior projeto do clube no século XXI. Tudo para que o atleticano saiba como será um dos seus futuros orgulhos, que, na visão do clube, poderá ser a porta de entradas para uma era de conquistas e engrandecimento nacional e internacional.

A reportagem Valinor Conteúdo/L! conversou com Bruno Muzzi, CEO da Arena MRV sobre detalhes das obras, como vai funcionar o transporte para o estádio e até se você poderá tomar uma cervejinha do lado de fora antes dos jogos. Confira nossa prosa com a pessoa que está conduzindo esse sonho atleticano.

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1-Bruno, nos dê detalhes dessa construção da Arena MRV no campo de obras e fora dele. Qual o conceito que o empreendimento quer erguer, além do estádio?

Desde o início, todo o projeto da Arena MRV tem sido pensado com muito cuidado. Estamos caminhando um passo de cada vez e é justamente por termos toda essa cautela com as etapas que tudo tem saído da melhor forma possível. Sabemos que é uma obra que tem impacto em toda região do bairro Califórnia, por isso são fundamentais o diálogo e a convivência com a comunidade do entorno. Estamos em constante contato também com o poder público, para cumprirmos as contrapartidas. E, claro, pensamos no torcedor e no Atlético. A Arena MRV será a casa do Atlético, e o torcedor se sentirá totalmente confortável em seu novo estádio. Nosso projeto é de que seja a arena mais moderna e tecnológica do Brasil e da América Latina.

2-Os custos foram aumentados, mas era algo previsto antes mesmo da confirmação do início dos trabalhos. Agora está ajustado os gastos da obra ou preveem mais alguma possível variação no orçamento?

Estamos trabalhando muito nos custos da obra. Os materiais de construção tiveram um aumento significativo nos últimos tempos, e precisamos organizar nosso orçamento considerando esses custos. O valor de todo o projeto, já com as contrapartidas, é de cerca de R$560 milhões. Nosso contrato com a Racional, que é quem executa obra, é de PMG (Preço Máximo Garantido) e, no início do projeto, em 2017, esse PMG era de R$ 410 milhões. Em abril de 2020, no início da obra, passou para R$ 441 milhões. A diferença para os R$ 560 milhões são as contrapartidas (cerca de R$ 100 milhões) e as adequações de custo da obra.

Para cumprir esse orçamento, precisamos angariar recursos com a venda de cadeiras cativas e camarotes, iniciada em outubro. Os camarotes foram um grande sucesso, com 92% de reservas. Já com relação às cadeiras cativas, vendemos mais de mil unidades desse primeiro lote e ainda temos unidades à disposição. O torcedor que quiser aproveitar as melhores condições pode comprar as cadeiras em nosso site oficial, www.arenamrv.com.br, e garantir presença por 15 anos nos jogos oficiais do Atlético. São duas modalidades de cadeiras cativas: a do Setor I, no meio do campo, com assentos numerados e nome nas cadeiras, e o Setor II, com assentos livres. Ambas podem ser compradas com 7% de desconto à vistam, em até 20x sem juros, em 30x com juros, ou financiado em até 60x pelo BMG.

3- O Centro de Experiências, a Websérie já são ações que se relacionam com o torcedor. Há outras previstas para integrar o atleticano ao estádio?

O Centro de Experiência já é a Arena MRV em funcionamento e, por isso mesmo, algo pensado para o torcedor. O atleticano que visita o Centro de Experiências já se sente dentro da Arena, conhecendo como será o camarote, fazendo uma imersão de realidade virtual que o coloca em áreas de uso dos jogadores, como vestiário e sala de aquecimento. É algo emocionante, assim como o novo vídeo do cinema 180° que estará disponível em breve. Recentemente, colocamos à disposição do torcedor uma mesa interativa para que ele veja como será a Arena MRV pronta, veja o hall de entrada, o lounge, a Esplanada. Além disso, temos o deck, onde o atleticano tem o primeiro contato com a obra do estádio com vista panorâmica.

Já a websérie “A Era Preta e Branca” é um registro histórico de todas as etapas da obra. O primeiro episódio, que lançamos na semana passada em nosso canal (youtube.com/arenamrv), foi um grande sucesso. Os torcedores elogiaram muito toda a produção, os depoimentos, a captação de imagens, a edição… Como a ideia da websérie é acompanhar o andamento da obra até a inauguração, planejamos lançar um novo episódio a cada três meses, sempre em nosso canal no Youtube.

4- A parceira com uma empresa para gerir o estádio, nos mesmos moldes do Allianz Parque, teve algum progresso? Há um prazo para definição deste tipo de gestão?

Estamos avaliando as diversas possibilidades de parceria para gestão comercial e operacional da Arena MRV. Ainda há bastante tempo para que essas questões sejam definidas.

5-Projetando para 2022, qual as perspectivas iniciais com faturamento, presença de público, claro, em um contexto mais normalizado pós-pandemia?

No nosso plano de negócios, as receitas da Arena MRV começam em um patamar e vão sendo incrementadas ao longo do tempo. A expectativa é de atingir a receita bruta de R$ 100 milhões/ano a partir do sexto ano de operação.

6- O torcedor de menor poder aquisitivo do Galo terá condições de conhecer a sonhada arena do clube? Haverá um ticket médio que atenda camadas menos abastadas?

Nos últimos anos, a lógica de acesso aos jogos passa pelo programa de sócio torcedor dos clubes. Como um clube de massa, o Atlético tem torcedores com todos os poderes aquisitivos e, não por acaso, possui planos de Galo na Veia que atingem a diversas gamas. No Centro de Experiências, a visita é bastante acessível: custa R$ 30, com 50% de desconto para sócios GNV e para casos previstos em lei.

7- O que a Arena MRV terá de diferente no seu conceito em relação às demais arenas construídas no Brasil?

A Arena MRV será moderna, multifuncional e totalmente adaptada para receber os grandes shows que, muitas vezes, não chegam em Belo Horizonte. Estamos trabalhando para que toda a logística para o produtor de eventos seja facilitada, o que pode diminuir o custo da produção do show ou evento. Além disso, queremos que a Arena MRV seja a mais tecnológica da América Latina, com tudo que há de mais moderno em questão de infraestrutura de tecnologia. Não será um estádio luxuoso, mas totalmente funcional e que atenda a todos os seus públicos da melhor maneira possível.

8- O ano de 2022 vai mudar a história do Clube Atlético Mineiro?

Acreditamos que a história do Atlético já está mudando desde a aprovação do projeto da Arena MRV.

9- Mobilidade: quais são os planos para o torcedor chegar ao estádio? O povo ama carro, e aí terá estacionamento pra todo mundo? Quais outras alternativas?

Teremos um estacionamento para 2.333 veículos, com todas as vagas cobertas. Entre as 89 contrapartidas que teremos que cumprir, algumas delas são viárias. Teremos que fazer melhorias no entorno, como construção de vias e passarelas, ampliação de acessos e viadutos.

10- Existe algo previsto para a que a Arena MRV seja algo tipo La Bombonera? A história do Galo no estádio é virar um atrativo turístico de BH?

Entendemos que a Arena MRV já é um atrativo turístico. Nosso Centro de Experiência já recebeu mais de 3 mil visitantes, e a tendência é de que com a evolução da obra, quando o estádio começar a ser erguido, o interesse cresça cada vez mais.

11- Todo estádio tem seu churrasquinho da esquina. Como será para o atleticano tomar uma cerveja antes que o jogo comece? O que a Arena pensa para o antes do jogo, fora do estádio?

Já iniciamos conversas com algumas empresas de alimentos e bebidas, mas tudo ainda muito embrionário. Focamos nossos esforços para a venda de cadeiras e camarotes, sem esquecer da operação do estádio. Oportunamente divulgaremos como será o fornecimento de alimentos e bebidas na Arena MRV.

Poonam Yadav picked up four wickets•ACC

Legspinner Poonam Yadav’s four-wicket haul guided India women to a 13-run victory over Sri Lanka women in the first T20I at FTZ Sports Complex in Katunayake.After being asked to bat, India put up 168 for 8, courtesy a 35-ball 46 by Taniya Bhatia and 36 each by Jemimah Rodrigues and Anuja Patil. In response, Sri Lanka were 70 for 2 at the end of seven overs, with Chamari Atapattu batting on 27 off 21. However, Poonam dismissed Rebeca Vandort and Atapattu in the next over to jolt the chase. Eshani Lokusuriyage fought with a 31-ball 45, but there was not much support from the other end as the hosts were bowled out for 155 in 19.3 overs.Openers Atapattu and Yasoda Mendis gave Sri Lanka a breezy start of 39 in three overs before Mendis fell to the medium-pace of Arundhati Reddy for a 12-ball 32, studded with five fours and two sixes. Atapattu and Vandort took the side past 50 in the sixth over before Poonam’s double-strike derailed the chase.Lokusuriyage held the end together, despite the wickets tumbling at the other and brought the equation down to 18 off 12 balls with two wickets in hand. Radha Yadav, the left-arm spinner, then bowled a tight 19th over, conceding just three and taking out Lokusuriyage. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur bowled Sugandika Kumari in the next over to end the innings.Earlier, India lost Smriti Mandhana for a first-ball duck to Udeshika Prabodhani. But Mithali Raj and Rodrigues added 57 for the second wicket off just 24 balls. Rodrigues struck three sixes and a four off successive balls off Nilakshi de Silva, who leaked 27 in her first over.Sripali Weerakkody broke the stand by trapping Raj for 17, but Bhatia started in an emphatic manner, smashing three fours off the first four balls she faced. Atapattu dismissed Rodrigues and Harmanpreet, for a duck, in space of three balls to reduce India to 70 for 4.A 67-run partnership between Bhatia and Patil for the fifth wicket took India to 137 at the end of 15 overs. Sri Lanka pulled things back with Bhatia’s wicket as only 18 runs came from the next four overs. Veda Krishnamurthy’s unbeaten 15-ball 21, however, ensured India finished with a total that eventually proved too much for Sri Lanka.

Leeds United are a side that finally seems to have earned some stability in the Championship, after a rocky start that saw Daniel Farke scamper to figure out his favoured system.

Having seemingly settled on the spine with which a successful campaign will hopefully be enjoyed, the Whites have since risen up to fifth, although are part of the playoff-seeking group that has been left behind by leaders Leicester City and the chasing Ipswich Town.

With a long season ahead, there will be plenty of opportunity to shorten that gap, with an instant Premier League return likely high on the former Norwich City boss' agenda.

He would outline his intentions when offering a recent detailed reply, after a reporter questioned his preference to start Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter in opposing roles: "But believe me when it comes down to strikers I know my business. I know my business. I know what I have to do and also when it comes down to win this league. I know my business, so let's not speak about this topic anymore."

It feels like the club is finally healing after years of mismanagement, with a true leader at the helm once again set to usher in a period of prosperity. Whilst it was likely not solely down to his departure, it does feel like Kalvin Phillips' exit marked the beginning of the end for the Whites' time in the top flight.

Why did Kalvin Phillips leave Leeds?

Having emerged through the academy, the 27-year-old midfielder was an instant fan favourite around Elland Road, as a combative yet classy presence in the engine room.

He had starred in the Championship, even earning an England call-up following their promotion, before then translating his outstanding attributes into the Premier League.

Such form was always bound to draw interest, but it felt like his affiliation with the club, alongside his injury woes, might ensure he stuck around in Yorkshire a little longer.

In the end, the allure of Manchester City proved too much, and he would depart for a mouth-watering £45m fee; a huge figure considering the enforcer had started just 18 league games the year prior due to various ailments.

Since moving to the Etihad, opportunities have hardly been more forthcoming.

Upon making the ill-fated move, Phillips would seek to justify his departure by noting: "It’s one of the main reasons I wanted to come to City, to improve my game in loads of different ways. It’s hard for me to say right now how I’m going to play a role in the team because it’s very difficult to come into a team of eighteen superstars."

Jesse Marsch would even suggest that the Leeds-born star "misses being here" after he had returned to Elland Road to watch a game in December 2022.

Given how good he was, and how far he has since fallen, that should come as no surprise.

How good was Kalvin Phillips?

It would be hard to argue against the 2020/21 campaign being Phillips' finest to date, given just how exceptional and important he became not just for club but for country as well.

Having first starred in the Premier League, with his 7.21 average match rating indicative of an outstanding performer, he would translate his form onto the world stage as a mainstay for Gareth Southgate's England as they reached the Euro 2020 final, losing to Italy.

Average Rating

7.28

Appearances

37

Goal Contributions

4

Key Passes per game

1.8

Tackles per game

2.6

Duels Won per game

6.4

His league form was upheld by a number of starring statistics, as his 85% pass accuracy and 1.2 key passes per game outlined his economical incision, whilst his 1.6 interceptions and 2.6 tackles showcased his defensive steel, via Sofasore.

Former Three Lions boss Fabio Capello would then rush to praise the man dubbed 'the Yorkshire Pirlo', suggesting that whilst the nickname was wide of the mark, he did boast some truly outstanding qualities: "Phillips is not like Pirlo and he will never be. He is a much faster and more aggressive player, of good quality but he is not Andrea's heir. He reflects a lot the tactical qualities of Marcelo Bielsa.

"At Leeds with Bielsa, Phillips has really grown a lot and today he is the best modern midfielder I have seen on the pitch – but no one should compare him to Pirlo."

It is a testament to such consistently impressive showings that talkSPORT pundit Perry Groves would suggest he was worth an astronomical fee: "Kalvin Phillips fits Liverpool perfectly. The energy they play with, the closing down, his athleticism, his passing range. What would he cost? £100million."

Andrew Hughes, the former Leeds midfielder and current coach, would seek to explain how Phillips' rise came about and offer his own valuation: "The only way to get someone who can cover and do the same job perfectly is to spend £50 million, at least. That’s what a player like him costs. Rather than talking about how other players match up, you just have to accept he’s very special."

What is Kalvin Phillips doing now?

It is fair to say that since moving to Manchester, things have not worked out well for the former Leeds United favourite.

Opportunities have been scarce, and as such it seems his interest has naturally waned too. Guardiola would even offer a scathing criticism of the midfielder back in 2022, suggesting: "He's not injured. He arrived overweight. I don't know [why]. He didn't arrive in the condition to do training sessions and to play."

As such, the £150k-per-week dud would manage just two league starts last campaign across his 12 appearances, and seems set to endure a similarly quiet year yet again, having yet to start in the league after eight games, only three of which he has seen time on the pitch.

Featuring too infrequently was always bound to see his value drop, but few could have predicted it would be as harsh as CIES Football Observatory suggests, who offer a miserable €10m (£9m) valuation for the 28-cap workhorse.

This has even led to rumours regarding his future at the Etihad, with the coming January window set to be an important one in the future of the star.

Whilst Farke will likely want to look ahead towards a brighter future that does not include the romantic return of old faces, Phillips' career does mark a cautionary tale for those expecting greener pastures once they leave Elland Road. For many, it is only downhill from there.

A big week for Arsenal started in captivating fashion on Saturday afternoon as the Gunners swept aside Bournemouth with pure ease.

It was as comfortable an away performance as you could ever ask for as Mikel Arteta's men ran away from the south coast with a 4-0 victory.

Bukayo Saka opened the scoring with a header from close range before two penalties – one from Martin Odegaard and another from Kai Havertz (yes, he actually scored) – saw the game put beyond all doubt.

There was even room for Ben White to pop up with a rare goal, heading home from a late free-kick.

After Manchester City's remarkable loss to Wolves, Arsenal have moved to within a point of the league-leading Citizens, who they face in a crunch match at the Emirates next Sunday.

That match is sandwiched by the return of the Champions League, with the Londoners set to face French opposition in Lens on Tuesday night.

With City to come, a degree of rotation is likely to be afforded in a few day's time, with William Saliba one player who could sit out.

What's the latest on William Saliba's fitness?

The Frenchman missed the League Cup win over Brentford in midweek due to a niggle, with Arteta refusing to take any risk on his star centre-back.

Last season, a back problem curtailed the £190k-per-week defender's season, and indeed ended any hopes Arsenal had of winning a first Premier League title since 2004. Rob Holding ended up being his deputy and we all know how that turned out.

Speaking after the 1-0 win over the Bees, Arteta said: "He has a knock… Let’s see how everybody is today. They weren’t selected for a reason. We need to assess them today….They weren’t fit enough to be in the squad [against Brentford], that’s it."

Saliba returned to the squad against Bournemouth and kept a clean sheet, with it proving to be the type of game where he even had fewer touches than David Raya. However, he could well sit out again for the trip to Lens.

Should Saliba play against Lens?

If Arteta has any sense this is surely the ideal match to rest the France international.

The international break may be around the corner but the fact of the matter is that Arsenal cannot afford any injuries to their star men heading into such a critical encounter with Man City in seven days from now.

If Saliba was to get injured then either Ben White or Takehiro Tomiyasu could deputise in central defence, but no one quite offers the "world-class" qualities – as dubbed by journalist Jason Soutar – that the club's number 2 provides.

Saliba doesn't rank particularly highly in a number of defensive metrics this season when compared to positionally similar players in the top flight, largely because Arsenal haven't had a huge amount of defending to do, but his composure and ability to play out from the back is second to very few.

The 22-year-old sits in the top 12% of centre-backs in the Premier League this season for pass completion, the best 23% for progressive passes and the top 20% for carries, via FBref.

Remarkably, he is yet to be dribbled past once in the league this season, boasting a 100% success rate when it comes to dribblers tackled. An irremovable force, he is one of few defenders in the world that you'd fancy getting any change from Erling Haaland.

An injury, therefore, would be disastrous and he simply has to be benched for the club's forthcoming Champions League tie.

The New Zealand legspinner replaces injured Afghanistan left-arm wristspinner Zahir Khan

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Apr-2018

Cricket Australia

New Zealand legspinner Ish Sodhi is set for his maiden IPL stint after being signed by Rajasthan Royals as a replacement for the injured left-arm wristspinner Zahir Khan. Sodhi, currently the No. 4 T20I bowler, has been acquired at his base price of INR 50 lakh (USD 77,000).Zahir was one among four Afghanistan players, apart from Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan, bought at the player auction in January. Zahir, who had set his base price at INR 20 lakh, was acquired for three times that amount. He caught the eye of the franchise during the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand in January.In January 2017, Sodhi picked up the second-best figures in Australia’s Big Bash League while playing for Adelaide Strikers. Incidentally, his 6 for 11 came after he was signed as a replacement for England’s Chris Jordan towards the end of the season.Sodhi has picked up 102 wickets in 92 T20s at an average of 23.09 and economy of 7.66. Only a week ago, Sodhi made news for his lower-order batting that helped New Zealand salvage a thrilling draw against England in Christchurch.Sodhi isn’t entirely unfamiliar to bowling in India, having previously been part of two New Zealand A tours to the country. He also featured in their World T20 campaign in 2016 as well as in New Zealand’s limited-overs squad during their tour of India in September, as a replacement for Todd Astle.

Tottenham Hotspur appear to be keen to add their defensive ranks on transfer deadline day, amid reports that Ange Postecoglou's side are eyeing a surprise late move for a current Premier League centre-back…

Who will Tottenham sign on Deadline Day?

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the Lilywhites are believed to be mulling over a potential swoop for Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly, with the suggestion being that the north London outfit would even be willing to include long-serving asset Eric Dier as part of a deal for the 24-year-old.

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

Writing on Twitter, the respected journalist stated: "EXCL: Tottenham considering possible move for Lloyd Kelly from Bournemouth in last 24h. No formal bid/concrete yet as depends on outgoings, Spurs need players to leave. Bournemouth would need to replace Kelly, not easy; also Eric Dier could be offered as part of deal."

How good is Lloyd Kelly?

While Postecoglou and co have already bolstered the backline with the signing of Micky van de Ven earlier in the summer, there had been previous claims that the club were interested in signing at least one more central defender before the close of the window, amid prior links to the likes of Clement Lenglet and Edmond Tapsoba.

Having shipped a dismal tally of 63 league goals last term, it is easy to see why those at N17 are so eager to find increased depth for the defensive unit, with the ex-Celtic boss currently set to be particularly reliant on both Van de Ven and Cristian Romero for the remainder of the campaign.

With that in mind, it does appear to make sense to push to bring in a new recruit before tonight's deadline, although whether Kelly is a suitable target is another matter altogether, with Spurs supporters likely to be concerned at the fact that the Englishman has been likened to Davinson Sanchez as part of Football Transfers' 'Similar Players' list.

That comparison will spark a sense of trepidation among the Tottenham faithful as Sanchez has endured a miserable time of it of late in the capital, with the Colombian international memorably being booed by the home crowd following a short, erratic cameo against the Cherries last season.

Branded "one of the worst players" to have played for the club, in the eyes of talkSPORT's Jamie O'Hara, the 27-year-old appears to be a player that Postecoglou is desperate to get rid of over the coming hours, having only recently missed the crucial spot-kick in the penalty shootout defeat to Fulham in the Carabao Cup, with the Evening Standard's Dan Kilpatrick writing that the player 'struggled with and without the ball in a desperate first-half display'.

To think then that a possible clone of Sanchez could be about to be snapped up in the form of Kelly – who has been valued at just €5m (£4m) by CIES Football Observatory – is a real worry, with the pair also alike due to their statistical record in recent times.

That likeness can be seen by the fact that the duo are hardly adept at winning back possession for their respective sides, with Kelly ranking in just the bottom 29% among those in his position in Europe's top five leagues for interceptions made per 90, while his Spurs counterpart ranks in the bottom 36% in that regard.

Equally, the Bournemouth brute – who has at least been lauded for his "aggressive" style in the past by former boss Scott Parker – has hardly set the world alight so far this term after making just a solitary league start for the south coast side, with it hard to see the wisdom in Tottenham making the effort to bring him to north London.

Tottenham Hotspur continued their confident start under Ange Postecoglou by dispatching a spirited Bournemouth on the south coast, and the Australian manager will be delighted by his side's collective fluidity and incisiveness.

How did Tottenham get on against Bournemouth?

While the Cherries started the affair with attacking intent, Spurs' control and newfound exuberance under the stewardship of Postecoglou shone through, and the away side emerged as deserved 2-0 victors.

James Maddison bundled in the opener after latching onto Pape Sarr's penetrating through-ball to score his first goal since joining the club from Leicester City in a £40m move this summer.

While Andoni Iraola's side threatened throughout, they could not bypass Guglielmo Vicario's goal, and it was new captain Son Heung-min and young full-back Destiny Udogie who combined to place the full-back into a dangerous position, where his cut-back allowed Dejan Kulusevski to drive home his first of the season.

How did Udogie play against Bournemouth?

Whilst Maddison dazzled with his performance, Udogie's start to life on English soil will have emboldened his manager, with the 20-year-old impressing as the Lilywhites gather steam.

The defender spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan at Udinese after signing for Spurs in an initial £15m deal the summer before.

As per Sofascore, Maddison recorded a joint match-best rating (alongside Son) of 8.0, complementing his maiden strike for the club with a 91% pass completion rate, making one key pass, winning seven of his 13 ground duels and succeeding with both of his attempted dribbles.

Hailed for his "creativity and zest" by Henry Winter, Maddison looks a real livewire in the Spurs centre and the fulcrum of their attacking efforts, but it is the collective enhancement of this Tottenham team – which last year languished to an eighth-placed finish – that will have the supporters so excited, and Udogie is emblematic of his improvement.

While Udogie was withdrawn at the 82-minute mark with a suspected injury, the 6 foot 2 dynamo was described as "brilliant" for his role in Tottenham's second strike by Charlie Eccleshare.

He would record an impressive match rating of 7.2, and while his assist caught the eye, the eight-cap Italy U21 star made three clearances and completed 89% of his passes, touching the ball 58 times.

Football.london's Rob Guest handed Udogie a match rating of 8/10, with the journalist saying: "Looked to attack at every opportunity and also played his part with some very good defending up against Antoine Semenyo.

"Showcased his best qualities for the second goal with a lovely run and link-up with Son Heung-min before picking out Dejan Kulusevski."

Despite his young age, Udogie boasts a wealth of skills that leave him tailor-made for Postecoglou's system, ranking among the top 17% of full-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 15% for shot-creating actions, the top 19% for pass completion and the top 7% for progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

The 2023/24 campaign is still in its embryonic stages, but Udogie and Tottenham are tantalising a successful year, and against Bournemouth, he showcased why he must be a regular name on the teamsheet for his side.