All posts by h716a5.icu

Celtic have signed a significant number of players since Ange Postecoglou became the new manager of the Hoops.

The Bhoys have added no fewer than nine players to their senior ranks this summer, but that could grow even larger before the deadline closes.

What’s the word?

Celtic have been in talks to sign Giorgos Giakoumakis and Jota in the last few days but their business might not stop there.

It’s thought that Jota is undergoing a medical on Monday with a view to signing on loan but a more permanent fixture could head through the door.

According to The Sunday Mirror; 29/08 (via Glasgow Live), Celtic are one of many clubs interested in signing Watford striker Troy Deeney.

Separate reports from The Athletic claimed that Birmingham City have already begun negotiations to lure him away from the Hornets.

Shades of Hartson

The idea of signing Deeney is likely to be met with scepticism by Celtic supporters.

After all, Postecoglou has preferred signing young players with plenty of potential to succeed in the future. At the age of 33, the English forward is heading towards the end of his career.

He would also take up a pretty hefty space on the wage bill as he currently earns around the £65k-per-week mark at Vicarage Road.

That being said, his powerful attributes and goalscoring traits could actually be useful for the Hoops.

Described as a “handful” by Arsenal legend Ian Wright, he has amassed 140 goals in Watford colours, seven of which came last season in 19 Championship outings.

However, it’s not the scoring of goals for which Deeney is famed, but rather his powerful and bullish approach on the field of play.

The veteran attacker is one of the strongest players in the game and has won a hefty number of aerial duels. Last term, he was successful in 3.6 aerial battles per match; a tally which was down on his career average of 5.1.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/postecoglou-hoops-bhoys-jenz-larsson-nisbet” title=”Check out the latest Celtic transfer news!”]

With his immense physical traits in mind, he could evoke memories of a certain John Hartson at Parkhead. The footballer turned pundit was a lumbering striker who put himself about and bullied defenders much in the same way Deeney has throughout his career.

He scared opponents merely with his size and was a throwback to the old-fashioned striker. Speaking about his career, the Welshman once said: “I was never a great, great player. I was just somebody who gave his heart and soul into every performance.”

Coincidentally, that typifies Deeney in a nutshell as well. His work ethic and attitude has to be admired.

AND in other news, Worse than Edouard: £4.5m-rated Celtic gem who lost 80% duels let Ange down massively…

Chris Gayle, the Stanford Superstars captain, is confident his team can beat England in the US$20 million Stanford 20/20 for 20 on November 1

Cricinfo staff22-Oct-2008
Chris Gayle: “To be honest I never thought that when I started to play cricket, I would be playing for so much money” ©Stanford2020.com
Chris Gayle, the Stanford Superstars captain, is confident his team can beat England in the US$20 million Stanford 20/20 for 20 on November 1. Gayle knows the visitors begin the one-week Stanford Super Series as favourites, but says anything could happen in the shorter form of the game.”England are strong favourites,” Gayle said. “They are well balanced and very talented, it will not be easy.”But against [favourites] South Africa, England won 4-0 [in the ODIs] and we can do it as well.”In Twenty20 cricket there is no comfort zone and anything can happen, regardless of who are favourites,” Gayle said. “One delivery can change the game.”The Superstars squad includes a few West Indies regulars alongside those who have performed in Twenty20s on the domestic circuit. “It is a good mixture and I think we have the talent to get out there and get the job done. Everybody is looking forward to the tournament over here. We are really excited.””To be honest I never thought that when I started to play cricket, I would be playing for so much money. Credit must go to Sir Allen Stanford for organising and developing the game here.”Gayle also had time to kick off some verbal talk with his opposite number. “He [Pietersen] already has plenty of money so he should make it easy for us. This is a life-changing amount of money for us. If we win, it’s important we spend it wisely.”Our preparation has been going well so we are just waiting on the big day.”

Aston Villa have made their move to sign Northampton Town starlet Caleb Chukwuemeka ahead of Premier League rivals Tottenham.

What’s the story?

Having enjoyed an impressive summer transfer window in terms of new signings – Dean Smith’s side have already seen the likes of Emi Buendia, Ashley Young, Leon Bailey, Danny Ings and Axel Tuanzebe arrive through the door – it appears that Villa aren’t done just yet.

According to Football Insider, the Midlands club have made a late attempt to snatch Chukwuemeka from right under the noses of Spurs – the 19-year-old is the older brother of Carney, who has already begun to make an impression at Villa.

Fans will love it

As well as the obvious link and desire to reunite Chukwuemeka with his brother at Villa Park, there’s no doubting the potential he has on the pitch either.

Former Northampton manager Keith Curle was full of praise for the 19-year-old last year, saying: “Caleb has got an unpredictability about him and he can be unorthodox at times. What we’re trying to do is get the fundamentals in place in his play without taking away that excitement and that freedom in his play.”

The sheer fact that Villa have come in at the 11th hour and made an approach to lure a target away from a club competing in European football for the past several years is a real testament to the work and ambition the club have put in under NSWE to establish themselves as a rising force.

If Johan Lange can pull off this heist from under Spurs’ noses, it would be yet another deal to strengthen the sporting director’s superb work in this summer’s transfer window.

Villa fans will be buzzing with the prospect of landing another target supposedly wanted by one of the Premier League’s big boys, having already signed Buendia ahead of Arsenal earlier this summer.

In other news: “Would be a fantastic signing” – Exclusive: Pundit drops AVFC transfer verdict amid £50m claim

The MCC has decided to award honorary life memberships to Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble and Shaun Pollock when its World Cricket Committee meets in New Delhi over the weekend

Cricinfo staff21-Oct-2008The MCC’s World Cricket Committee meets in New Delhi over the weekend when, apart from discussing issues related to the game at large, it will award honorary life memberships to Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble and Shaun Pollock. The three players are members of its World Cricket Committee.The discussions will cover the impact of Twenty20 on international cricket and the use of technology for on-field decisions. Kumble and Dravid will give their opinion on the umpire decision review system, which was trialled during India’s recent tour of Sri Lanka, while IS Bindra, the ICC’s principal advisor, will outline the success and future of the IPL.Tony Lewis, the committee’s chairman, said he expects a healthy discussion and debate on issues currently concerning the game. “This is the Committee’s sixth meeting and we are reaping the rewards of a group of highly experienced, independent-minded cricket specialists debating the core issues in the game today,” he said. “Free from considerations of politics, money and race, the MCC World Cricket Committee can and does act solely in the interest of the sport and its players.”

Aston Villa are still looking to sign Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse, according to Sky Sports.

The Lowdown: £25m bid

Villa were first linked with a move for the Saints captain at the beginning of June, a day after they agreed on a club-record deal for Emiliano Buendia. However, rumours of a possible Villa Park switch didn’t exactly gather pace in June and most of July.

David Ornstein of The Athletic revealed on Friday that Southampton have rejected a £25m bid from Villa for Ward-Prowse, but it seems as if they haven’t given up hope of signing the 26-year-old.

The Latest: Sky Sports’ claim

Sky Sports reporters Dharmesh Sheth and Kaveh Solhekol ran through the transfer latest on all 20 Premier League clubs live on air, which was shared on Twitter.

When it came to Villa, Solhekol outlined that Villa are closing in on a £30m deal for Leon Bailey, before revealing that ‘Villa also want’ Ward-Prowse.

The Southampton captain, who Pep Guardiola hailed last season as the “best free-kick taker I have seen in my life”, still has four years remaining on his contract at St Mary’s.

The Verdict: Cost more than Bailey?

With Villa’s deal for Bailey rumoured to be in the region of £30m, it appears as if any possible move for Ward-Prowse could cost Villa more than that.

Ornstein admitted Southampton would want ‘far more’ than the initial £25m offer, so Villa may well need to make the Englishman their club-record signing, surpassing Buendia’s £34.56m move.

Villa may easily have the funds to spend big on Ward-Prowse over the coming weeks, though, especially with Jack Grealish linked with a £100m move to Manchester City.

In other news: Many AVFC fans are buzzing over Leon Bailey latest. 

Crystal Palace are set to demand around £40m for talismanic forward Wilfried Zaha this summer, according to well-known journalist Matt Woosnam.

What’s the story?

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, The Athletic’s Palace reporter revealed the club’s asking price should they receive an offer for the Ivory Coast international.

“I think we’re looking around £40million at least, which is lower than it was a year ago, but he only has two years on his contract, so in two years’ time he will be a free agent,” Woosnam said.

Fellow Premier League clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Everton have been strongly linked with a move for the 28-year-old in recent weeks, although no concrete bids have been made as of yet.

Fans will be gutted

Zaha has established himself as a Palace great throughout his time with his boyhood club, bagging 68 goals and providing 72 assists in 393 appearances for the south London outfit. He enjoyed the most fruitful goalscoring campaign of his career to date last term, netting 11 Premier League goals as the Eagles secured a ninth consecutive season in the top flight.

Therefore, Woosnam’s claim that Zaha could leave Selhurst Park for as little as £40m will surely leave large sections of the Palace supporters feeling gutted.

The Ivory Coast international attracted strong interest from Arsenal back in 2019, with the south Londoners reportedly demanding a huge £80m just two years ago. Back then, the Eagles turned down an offer of £40m from their fellow capital club.

To make matter worse, any fee that Palace receive for their star forward will also be significantly reduced due to a 25% sell-on clause inserted into the deal which brought Zaha back to the club from Manchester United.

A recent report in the Evening Standard claimed that the Selhurst Park hierarchy are hopeful that their recent spending spree under new manager Patrick Vieira will be enough to convince the wantaway Zaha to stay.

However, with his contract set to expire in the summer of 2023, the current transfer window may be the last chance for Palace to demand a sizeable fee for their prized asset.

In other news…Parish must swoop for “underrated” £6.3m-rated beast, he’s an upgrade on Milivojevic 

The USA Cricket Council are taking another step towards forming a nationwide Twenty20 league by holding an event on July 4, Independence Day, called the Freedom T20 Cricket Tournament 08

Deb K Das02-Jul-2008The USA Cricket Council are taking another step towards forming a nationwide Twenty20 league by holding an event on July 4, Independence Day, called the Freedom T20 Cricket Tournament 08.It will feature players from Connecticut, Central and South Florida, and will be held at the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill. Expansion into other states may follow, but the current plan appears to be to consolidate the initial franchises on the Eastern seaboard, and then look to the Midwest and beyond for additional locations. The four teams will be called US Lions, US Giants, US Bears and US Sharks.”We look forward to highlighting the best US cricketers,” said Mohammad Qureshi, chairman and CEO of the Cricket Council. “Indeed the goal of CCUSA is to promote Twenty20 cricket in the US. Showcasing the best national will help accomplish our goal.”The tournament will include four games, with the main Championship Match set to begin at 5.30pm, followed by a fireworks display.

Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma would fit in at Wolves and is the type of player they need, says Express & Star reporter Luke Hatfield.

Zouma is one name Chelsea are thought to be open to selling this summer and Wolves have been credited with an interest.

According to Telefoot journalist Julien Maynard, the Midlands club have already made a move for the 26-year-old, though he has rebuffed their advances. However, there is still an expectation that he will leave in the current transfer window.

And if Wolves can end up persuading Zouma to join, then Hatfield believes Bruno Lage will be getting a player his squad desperately needs.

“Zouma is obviously a good player,” Hatfield said to FFC. “I think he’s impressed with Chelsea and it was a spell at Everton before then.

“He’s a player who I think would probably fit in at Wolves; he’s probably that type of player [they’re missing]. They do need another centre-back.”

While it is currently looking unlikely, if Wolves do manage to land Zouma, then they will be getting a central defender who is particularly strong in the air.

Last season, the Frenchman, who helped Chelsea to Champions League glory, won 3.6 aerial duels per league game, the highest average in Thomas Tuchel’s squad (via WhoScored).

Gautam Gambhir says India cannot claim favouritism in the upcoming Test series despite Australia fielding a relatively inexperienced squad by Australian standards

Cricinfo staff23-Sep-2008
Gautam Gambhir says India will need to be at the top of their game for five full days to beat Australia in a Test © AFP
Gautam Gambhir says India cannot claim favouritism in the upcoming Test series despite Australia fielding a relatively inexperienced squad by Australian standards. The visitors have lost several key men since their series win in India in 2004-05 and their 15-man squad includes four uncapped players and four who have played 11 or fewer Tests.Australia’s captain Ricky Ponting has conceded his side is far less experienced than India, who could potentially start the series with as many as eight players with more than 50 Tests under their belts. But Gambhir pointed out there were few differences to the Australia squad that beat India 2-1 in Australia earlier this year.”If you look at the Australian bowling attack, it is pretty similar to the one we played against when we toured there,” Gambhir told . “The only difference is that they don’t have the experience of a spinner such as Shane Warne or Stuart MacGill.”In any case when you play against a team like Australia, you have to play to the best of your ability. They are tough to beat and they always play to the best of their ability. You just cannot think of beating them by playing one or two sessions well. You have to be at the top of your game throughout the five days.”Both teams are hoping for a friendlier series than the contests in Australia, where the cricket was often overshadowed by on-field and off-field controversies. Gambhir said it was important India were mentally prepared for a rematch.”You don’t want to be playing a weak opposition. Australia is the toughest series for any cricketer,” he said. You have to be fully ready mentally to take anything on. You should be prepared for everything that comes at you and at times give it back.”Gambhir’s debut Test four years ago remains the only one he has played against Australia. He is entering the series in fine form having struck three half-centuries in the recent three-match series in Sri Lanka but he was frustrated at his failure to go on and reach triple-figures.”Hitting 300 runs in three Test matches is very satisfying, but I still think I should have got more runs,” he added. “You don’t get these kind of opportunities when you’re playing Test cricket. Test cricket is all about settling in and getting big runs – as many as possible.”On Monday Australia arrived in Jaipur, where they will train and play the first of their two warm-up matches. The Test series begins on October 9 in Bangalore.

West Ham United have been dealt a major blow in their bid to bring Boulaye Dia to the London Stadium this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by French media outlet Le10 Sport, who claimed that, following intense talks with the Reims centre-forward, West Ham narrowly missed out on the signing of the 24-year-old, who now looks set to join Spanish side Villarreal CF in a €12m (£10m) deal.

It had been reported that the Senegal international was a key target for David Moyes in the summer transfer window, with the Scot desperate to bring in additions to his West Ham attacking arsenal after the January sale of Sebastien Haller left the 58-year-old with only Michail Antonio as an out-and-out striker in his first-team squad.

However, after missing out on Dia, who is believed to have signed a five-year deal with the Europa League winners, Moyes will now have to look elsewhere in his search for a new forward in the summer transfer window.

Fans will be gutted

With a new signing in attack very much a priority for West Ham this summer, and Dia impressing for Reims last season, reports that the centre-forward looks set to join Villarreal are sure to have left Hammers fans gutted.

Indeed, over his 36 Ligue 1 appearances for Oscar Garcia’s side last term, the £12.6m-rated marksman scored 14 goals, registered one assist and created two big chances for his teammates, along with averaging 1.8 shots and 0.8 key passes per game.

These returns saw the £17,000-per-week hitman earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.96, ranking him as his club’s second-best performer in Ligue 1 as he played a key role in his team comfortably securing survival in the division.

As such, it would indeed appear that Dia would have been a highly astute addition to Moyes’ attacking options ahead of next season, especially for the relatively cheap £10m fee that the striker is believed to have cost Villarreal.

However, with a move for the 24-year-old very much seeming dead in the water, the Scot must now focus on other centre-forward targets, something which will undoubtedly frustrate the Hammers boss.

In other news: GSB enter into negotiations for “phenomenal” £25m dynamo, West Ham fans surely buzzing