Manchester United appear to be in the race for a "wonderkid" this summer, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed.

Ten Hag proves youth stands a chance at Old Trafford

Though it has been a disappointing campaign for the Red Devils, their bright sparks have largely come in the form of their young talents.

Alejandro Garnacho has become almost undroppable in Erik ten Hag's front line, while Kobbie Mainoo has done likewise in central midfield and has already seen his performances rewarded with an England debut over the most recent March international break.

There have also been Premier League appearances (though perhaps more due to necessity than choice) for centre-back Willy Kambwala and attacker Omari Forson.

United have previously missed out on young stars as a result of failing to offer first-team assurances, with Jude Bellingham a notable case in point when he turned down a move to Old Trafford in favour of a switch to Borussia Dortmund in 2019.

Manchester United's young talents in the Premier League

Player

Age

Appearances

Goals + Assists

Alejandro Garnacho

19

30

10

Kobbie Mainoo

18

18

2

Willy Kambwala

19

7

0

Omari Forson

19

3

1

But with Ten Hag in charge, that appears to have changed, and it is even reportedly a contributing factor in why he may keep his job at the end of the season despite finishing bottom of his Champions League group and on course to fail to qualify for next season's competition.

They remain in contention to lift the FA Cup, but that could only paper over the cracks of what has otherwise been a poor and inconsistent season. However, Ten Hag's youth policy could help them attract future stars once more.

Man Utd eyeing "wonderkid"

Now, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has given fresh insight into just that, in the form of League One sensation Baylee Dipepa, who was linked with a move to Old Trafford last month.

The 17-year-old is currently starring for Port Vale, where he has made 20 appearances this season, scoring three times and grabbing two assists in just 609 minutes of action. That has caught the eye of a whole host of clubs, and the Red Devils are firmly among them.

Speaking to Caught Offside, Romano confirmed that they have "followed and tracked" the teenage talent, but that any future move is currently uncertain.

“Finally on Man United, 17-year-old Port Vale wonderkid Baylee Dipepa has been followed and tracked by the United scouting team. Let’s see if they decide to proceed with negotiations, but it will depend on the new board they are building now, so we can just be patient on that one.”

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Port Vale chief Matt Hancock has already accepted that they may not be able to keep Dipepa should bids arrive, though he did reveal no official approaches had been made.

"We have had no official approaches or offers. We are not naive enough to think that someone who is playing ahead of Premier League forwards for England under-17s and then getting regular games and scoring in League One, won't have eyes on him. We will see what the future may hold."

That future may just be at Old Trafford.

Manchester United have struggled to perform on the pitch this season but you can't dispute the loyalty and support of the fanbase.

Rain or shine, the Red Devils cheer their team on in booming, infectious voice. Last week, a chastening 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace sent United to new depths under Erik ten Hag but the visiting faithful roared and clapped and cajoled the first-team squad, who failed to repay the faith.

Ten Hag's eighth-placed Premier League strugglers need to tailor their strategy this summer but Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have sparked optimism that the ship can be steadied.

Much needs to happen during the off-season, however, to narrow the canyon that United's arch-rivals reside on the other side of.

Man United's summer transfer plans

A clearout must be the first port of call for the United bosses this summer: too many high-paid stars have failed to impress and the club will not rebuild without a certain streak of ruthlessness, and the likes of Casemiro, Raphael Varane, Christian Eriksen and more are in troubled waters – with only Kobbie Mainoo, Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho seemingly untouchable.

Others must be permitted more time to find their feet, with Mason Mount a perfect example of this. Signing from Chelsea for an initial £55m fee last summer, the England international has endured a torrid campaign but it's improbable that he will be ousted this year.

Despite this, Man United are understood to be interested in RB Leipzig's Dani Olmo, who, according to Spanish newspaper SPORT, could be on the move this summer, with plenty of admirers.

Olmo is also attracting attention from Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, while Barcelona have long been known suitors after releasing the Spaniard during his youth.

Leipzig will hold out for a fee of €60m (£51m), and Ratcliffe, Dan Ashworth and co will need to decide whether to launch such a fee on the player, who could further impact Mount's career next term.

Mason Mount's season in numbers

Almost three years ago, Mount threaded a wonderful pass through to Kai Havertz to hand Chelsea the lead in the Champions League final against Manchester City. It was the only goal of the game. Mount crystallised his name.

The 25-year-old left Chelsea last year as the Blues slumped from that point on, and while Havertz joined him in departing Stamford Bridge, the former peers have yielded disparate results during the 2023/24 campaign.

Once hailed as a "generational" talent by journalist Benjamin Lynch, Mount endured an injury-hit 2022/23 campaign with Chelsea, failing to influence or ignite his struggling side, who slumped to a 12th-place league finish.

This season, his luckless fitness record has prevented him from starting more than five Premier League matches for United, of which he has endured mostly miserable results.

Crystal Palace (A)

06/05/24

4-0 loss

Brentford (H)

07/10/23

2-1 win

Crystal Palace (H)

30/09/23

1-0 loss

Tottenham Hotspur (A)

19/08/23

2-0 loss

Wolverhampton Wanderers (H)

14/08/23

1-0 win

One of the main issues is that Ten Hag doesn't appear to have worked out what Mount's best position is thus far, playing him across the midfield and on the wing.

Injuries have damaged his hopes of a successful season but considering Mount earns £250k-per-week at Old Trafford – more than Bruno Fernandes (£240k-per-week) – he faces the possibility of another depth of despair next year if he cannot pull his act together.

His conundrum will be compounded by Olmo's possible arrival, but Ratcliffe must be bold in demanding perfection from his new outfit.

How Dani Olmo could fit in at Man United

Olmo, like Mount, has been beset by injuries throughout the current campaign, but unlike the Man United man, he has grasped his opportunity with both hands and has led talent scout Jacek Kulig to claim that he has been "stealing the show" in 2023/24.

Indeed, across all competitions, the Spain international has scored eight goals and added five assists from just 20 starting appearances, principally playing on either attacking flank but also boasting qualities that allow him to serve in a creative central role.

Right winger

15

2

4

Left winger

6

5

1

Attacking midfield

3

1

0

As the table above highlights, Olmo is able to find prolific levels wherever he is deployed, though the right-footed ace is naturally able to find better goalscoring success when on the left.

But his shooting is certainly not the only area of importance here. As per Sofascore, Olmo has completed 80% of his passes in the German Bundesliga this season, creating eight big chances and averaging 1.5 key passes and dribbles, 3.6 ball recoveries, 4.0 successful duels and 1.2 tackles per game.

Given that he's only started 17 times, the £156k-per-week dynamo has crisp and technical qualities that would make a marked impact on a Man United team begging for fluency and fizz.

Ranking among the top 17% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists and the top 20% for interceptions per 90, as per FBref, Olmo has the rounded skill set that is required for a positive Premier League career.

Olmo's ability to maintain impressive levels of sharpness despite enduring a season punctuated by setbacks is a testament to his quality and tenacity, and he would truly be a wonderful addition to a Man United squad entering a transformative period.

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While Olmo would not come cheap, he's got a dynamic and daring array of abilities and he might just prove to be the perfect upgrade on a struggling star like Mount.

Red Devil fans would love to see the Englishman performing at the top of his game at the Theatre of Dreams, but United are at a critical juncture and must act with conviction to enjoy a resurgence next year.

Manchester United have entered the race to sign a new defender who, by his own admission, loves working hard in what could be music to the ears of Red Devils fans.

United players accused of laziness

Safe to say, this season has done little to enhance the reputations of either Erik ten Hag or his playing squad (with a couple of exceptions). Losses are piling up and goals are flying past Andre Onana, with the 4-0 hammering at Selhurst Park just the latest in a long line of embarrassing Premier League defeats this season.

Currently marooned in eighth, and with games against Arsenal, Newcastle United and Brighton to round off their campaign before an FA Cup final against Manchester City, there are very real concerns that they may not win another game this season given their form.

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There have been plenty of incidents of United's players drawing ire from fans too, with several clips of Marcus Rashford trying to press earlier in the season going viral for all the wrong reasons.

Even ex-players have been getting involved, with Paul Scholes branding his side "poor" and "lazy" earlier in the campaign.

"Rubbish. They’re a poor football team at this minute, aren't they?", he explained. "Those results they’ve had recently are misleading. Too many lazy players on the football team – you can’t get away with that. Going to these places, the first thing you do is work hard. You can see the joy that Newcastle are getting down both sides and feel sorry for the full backs."

Now, they could be set to change that pattern at Old Trafford, as they enter the race for a man who won't stand for any of that from his potential new teammates.

United in Reinildo race

That is according to the Sun, who claim that United are one of the sides chasing Atletico Madrid defender Reinildo this summer. The Red Devils need cover at left-back, with Luke Shaw having missed much of the season through injury and Tyrell Malacia having missed the entire campaign.

PL Games played at left-back for Manchester United this season

Luke Shaw

10

Tyrell Malacia

0

Victor Lindelof

6

Diogo Dalot

9

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

5

Sofyan Amrabat

1

Sergio Reguilon

4

And the latest reports reveal United are looking to address that with a savvy move for the 30-year-old Mozambique full-back, who is down to the final 12 months of his £13k-per-week deal at the Wanda Metropolitano and as a result could be available for just £8m.

The defender would certainly help battle the laziness accusations at Old Trafford, having already revealed his main attribute back in 2022; his willingness to work hard. “I hear people say, ‘Simeone is very demanding’, but I like demanding coaches. I think it’s yet another opportunity for me, so it’s great to be able to work with him.

“I like to work hard, I never complain and I like to learn a lot, too. I’m always working 120% and to have this sort of coach, who is a good leader and wants you to work hard, it’s totally suited for me. I’m so grateful for the opportunity he gives me, and his belief in me.”

United face competition from other clubs for his signature though, and with both Aston Villa and Juventus able to offer Champions League football, the Red Devils' failure to secure a spot at Europe's top table next season could leave them at a major disadvantage were it to come to a straight shoot out.

But with Sir Jim Ratcliffe seemingly trying to change the culture at the club on and off the pitch, Reinildo could be a savvy addition if they can get it over the line.

تحدثت شبكة “ذا أثلتيك” العالمية باستفاضة عن التصريحات المثيرة التي أدلى بها نجم فريق ليفربول، محمد صلاح، عقب مباراة الأمس ضد ساوثهامبتون في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي، والتي نُشرت اليوم وتسببت في ضجة لدى جماهير الريدز.

وخاض ليفربول مباراته في الجولة الثانية عشر من الدوري الإنجليزي، ضد ساوثهامبتون، حيث فاز بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدفين.

وتألق محمد صلاح في تلك المباراة حيث سجل هدفين، الثاني والثالث لـ ليفربول.

وعاشت جماهير ليفربول ليلة سعيدة بعدما عزز فريقهم صدارته لجدول الدوري الإنجليزي، بفارق 8 نقاط عن مانشستر سيتي، ولكن الأمر تغير تمامًا بمجرد ظهور تصريحات محمد صلاح صباح اليوم.

وقال محمد صلاح إنه لم يتلق حتى الآن أي عروض من جانب مسؤولي ليفربول بشأن التجديد، ومن ثم فإن رحيله نهاية الموسم أقرب مقارنة بفرص بقائه.

وقالت شبكة “ذا أثلتيك” العالمية: “إن القول بأن محمد صلاح نادرًا ما يتحدث إلى وسائل الإعلام الإنجليزية سيكون أقل من الحقيقة، خلال سبع سنوات ونصف في ليفربول، توقف الأيقونة العالمية مرتين للإجابة على الأسئلة بعد المباريات”.

وأضافت: “في المرة الأولى، في أبريل 2018، أوفى بوعده للمراسلين المحليين بعد وصوله إلى 40 هدفًا ضد بورنموث في موسمه الأول القياسي في أنفيلد، وبعد مرور 14 شهرًا، فعل الأمر نفسه في مدريد بعد مساعدة النادي على الفوز بنهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا أمام توتنهام”.

وواصلت: “منذ ذلك الحين، رفض محمد صلاح مئات الطلبات بأدب، ولكن عندما خرج بعد مباراة ليفربول وساوثهامبتون أمس، لركوب الحافلة، كانت الرياح تعوي واستقبله صوت العشرات من الجماهير وهم يهتفون باسمه”.

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واسترسلت: “وألقى نظرة سريعة على يمينه حيث كان أربعة صحفيين ينتظرون خلف حاجز معدني، لكن بدلاً من إرسال اعتذاره، توجه مباشرة وسط الضجيج، حيث سرعان ما اتضح أن محمد صلاح يريد أن ينفس عن شئ ما في قلبه”.

وتابعت:”بعد أن ظل صامتًا في السابق بشأن مأزق عقده، قرر محمد صلاح أن الوقت قد حان لكي يتكلم، كان إحباطه واضحًا حيث تحول الحديث إلى حالة عدم اليقين المستمرة بشأن مستقبله”.

واستكملت: “التوقيت ليس رائعًا بالنسبة لـ ليفربول نظرًا للعناوين الرئيسية غير المرغوب فيها التي ستنتج عنها تصريحات صلاح، مع دخولهم أسبوع حاسم، حيث يستضيف أنفيلد ريال مدريد في دوري أبطال أوروبا يوم الأربعاء ومانشستر سيتي يوم الأحد في الدوري الإنجليزي”.

وأوضحت: “كان من المفترض أن يكون كل شيء إيجابيًا بعد عودة جريئة أمام ساوثهامبتون للتقدم بثماني نقاط في صدارة الدوري الإنجليزي، لكن من السهل أن نفهم لماذا قرر صلاح زيادة الضغط على مالكي ليفربول”.

وشددت: “مع مرور كل أسبوع، يجب أن يعزز أداء محمد صلاح على أرض الملعب يده على طاولة المفاوضات، بالنظر إلى تسجيله 12 هدفًا وتقديمه 10 تمريرات حاسمة في 18 مباراة في جميع المسابقات، فإنه يسجل هدفًا كل 65 دقيقة هذا الموسم”.

واستأنفت: “محمد صلاح يقترب من موسمه الأكثر إنتاجية في حياته المهنية، حتى في موسم 2017/18، عندما سجل 44 هدفًا وساهم بـ 14 تمريرة حاسمة، لم يتمكن من المشاركة في هدف واحد كل 71 دقيقة”.

واستطردت: “يريد ليفربول الاحتفاظ بـ صلاح، لكن يجب أن يكون ذلك في إطار يعتقدون أنه منطقي من الناحية المالية، حيث يسعون إلى استخدام مواردهم بحكمة، كما يواجه المُلاك تعقيدًا إضافيًا يتمثل في محاولة الاتفاق على تجديد عقد فيرجيل فان دايك وترينت ألكسندر أرنولد في وقت واحد”.

ولم تتوقف الشبكة عن هذا الحد، بل كتبت كذلك: “سيُصاب العديد من المشجعين بالحيرة من قول محمد صلاح (لم أتلق أي عروض)، ومع ذلك، فإن الموقف أكثر دقة من ذلك، حيث من غير المنطقي أن الحوار الجاري بين المدير الرياضي ريتشارد هيوز والوكيل رامي عباس لم يتضمن تحديد المواقف وتحديد التوقعات من قبل الجانبين، حيث تنطوي المفاوضات بشكل أساسي على مناقشة الشروط شفهيًا، مما يؤدي عادة إلى تقديم عرض رسمي”.

وذكرت: “ويصر محمد صلاح على أن هذا لم يحدث بعد، ولم يؤكد أو ينفي ليفربول، حيث لا يريد صناع القرار في النادي إضافة الوقود إلى النار أو جعل العملية عدائية”.

وتغزلت الشبكة في عقلية محمد صلاح، قائلة: “إنه لاعب شطرنج ماهر، وكان التحدث بصراحة كما فعل يوم الأحد خطوة جريئة، مع العلم أن الوقت وحده هو الذي سيخبرنا ما إذا كان ذلك سيحقق التأثير الذي يرغب فيه في عملية التفاوض”.

واختتمت: “كانت هذه كلمات رجل يريد البقاء في ليفربول بعد هذا الموسم ويحاول الحصول على الصفقة التي يعتقد أنها تعترف بمكانته الدائمة في اللعبة العالمية”.

Federico Chiesa has landed at the John Lennon Airport in a private jet to complete his move to Liverpool from Juventus.

Article continues below

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• Chiesa on the verge of joining LFC
• Has already set foot in England
• The Reds get him on a cut-price deal

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Italian winger, who has been linked with several top European clubs, is now expected to complete his move to Anfield, bringing an exciting end to Liverpool's relatively quiet summer transfer window. The Merseyside club are reportedly set to pay around £11 million ($14.4m) with add-ons to Juventus – which is a fraction of Chiesa's current market value.

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• WATCH THE CLIP

  Confirmation of Chiesa’s arrival came through a social media post from Liverpool John Lennon Airport. The post, made shortly before 4 pm BST, featured an image of a Cessna private jet landing from Turin, with a playful hint in the caption: “A view from the Old Air Traffic Control Tower of a Cessna landing from Turin moments ago. On a completely unrelated note, the Italian word for church is Chiesa.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been patient throughout the transfer window, waiting until the final days to secure Chiesa’s signature. The Italian is geared up for the fresh challenge and is "ready" to give his all to shine along with Mohamed Salah and Co.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CHIESA?

  Chiesa is now expected to undergo a medical at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre, where he will also finalise personal terms and put pen to paper on an alleged four-year contract. Moreover, Liverpool fans may not have to wait long to see their new signing in action as the forward could make his debut as soon as this weekend, with the Reds set to face arch-rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Last summer, it was all about Declan Rice for Arsenal. The Gunners broke the bank, not literally, but it felt like it to acquire the England star for £105m.

It was a drawn-out transfer saga but Edu and Co prevailed, beating Manchester City to one of the Premier League’s finest talents.

Rice has shown as much this season, now nominated for the Player of the Season award after a stunning campaign in which he’s registered a career-best haul of seven goals and nine assists.

Who will it be about this summer? Well, there are reports suggesting that Alexander Isak is Arsenal’s priority when it comes to bolstering their forward ranks. Fellow Toon star Bruno Guimaraes has also been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Recruiting from the Premier League has been a common theme right throughout Arteta’s reign in north London and that approach looks set to be adopted once more this summer.

Crystal Palace star Michael Olise is another who could move across London.

What Ray Parlour has said about Michael Olise

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast on behalf of NetBet Sports Betting, Ray Parlour raved over the Palace winger’s ability to dazzle defenders.

“Olise is a top player. I’ve seen him many times and he is always looking to be on the ball and drive forward. He is a talented footballer and will get a big move soon,” the former Arsenal star began.

Indeed, this has been an excellent but injury-disrupted campaign for the France U21 international. Olise has missed 19 Premier League matches due to hamstring issues. Still, in 18 appearances for Roy Hodgson and then Oliver Glasner, he has been a star, scoring ten goals and supplying five assists.

Under Glasner, in particular, the winger has taken his game to new levels, scoring four goals in his last five matches.

As a result, he’s high on the wish list of plenty of clubs, notably Manchester United and the Gunners.

Further speaking to Football FanCast, Parlour stated: “He is one all the top sides will be after and Palace will get a big fee for him. He would naturally fit into Arsenal’s side and benefit from the way Arsenal play and would light up the Emirates should he join, but Arsenal have Saka, Martinelli, Trossard as well so it’s going to be difficult to see where he could fit in, but for Olise, to work under Arteta can only benefit his game for sure and he would fit in well.”

It would be tricky for Olise to gain regular starts but Arsenal have long needed someone to be able to compete with Saka for a spot on the right wing and the 22-year-old is exactly the right profile of player for that role. It’s just a pity his release clause stands at £60m. Pricey stuff.

Related Ray Parlour backs Arsenal to sign PL star who will cost as much as Rice

Ray Parlour was speaking to Football FanCast about the Gunners’ plans for the summer window.

Posts ByMatt Dawson May 8, 2024

England Women seeking matches this summer to solve batting puzzle ahead of 50-over showcase

Valkerie Baynes21-Apr-2020

Tammy Beaumont says the nature of England’s exit from the Women’s T20 World Cup will sting for a long time to come.Having lost their opening match to South Africa, England finished second in their group and had their semi-final against India abandoned without a ball being bowled because of rain. With no reserve day, India advanced as leaders of their group to a final against hosts Australia, who defeated South Africa in a rain-affected semi-final before securing an emphatic victory in the title decider on March 8.”Going out on a washout, a rain-affected game, it’s still hard to put into words how you feel about it,” Beaumont told ESPNcricinfo. “The raw emotion of when I’ve played in semi-finals and lost before is more obvious almost. This one’s going to burn and be annoying and niggly over a long period of time, almost until we get the chance to play again.”You can argue until the cows come home we should have had a reserve day, but at the same time we also should have beaten South Africa and come top of the group and then we wouldn’t have been on the wrong end of it.”England’s women were due to return to full training on April 14, meaning they have only missed a week of work so far as a result of the UK’s Covid-19 lockdown. But being confined to individual fitness programmes at home while the shape of the season remains uncertain, there is arguably more time to reflect on their World Cup disappointment.Similarly, Beaumont has had time to ponder her own performance at the tournament, where she had limited opportunities in an unfamiliar finisher’s role. When she was finally promoted to open alongside Danni Wyatt in a swap with Amy Jones, who had struggled as an opener, Beaumont was out for a second-ball duck in England’s final group game, a 46-run victory over West Indies.”At the back end, things weren’t quite working out with the batting order and I got moved back to the top and obviously didn’t really take that opportunity either against West Indies,” Beaumont said.”But I felt really good going into that semi-final and was really hoping I could make quite a big impact in that game. It wasn’t to be and it’s probably one of the tournaments you look back on as more of a learning experience and something to motivate me going forward.”Tammy Beaumont looks to the heavens after falling for a duck•Getty Images

In 67 T20I innings, Beaumont has batted in the top three 43 times, averaging 27.25 in 29 appearances at No. 2 with a strike rate of 112.86 and 26.30 in 13 matches at No. 3 with a strike rate of 113.36.She played at No. 6 in two matches during the tri-series with India and Australia immediately before the T20 World Cup and then scored nine runs at No. 7 against South Africa and six at No. 6 in England’s win over Pakistan during the group stages.”I’ve been quite open in saying that I’ve always been more comfortable in the top order or opening or batting at No. 3 so I think that was nice to go back to what I know,” Beaumont said.”It was a little bit of a pressure situation in a must-win game in our last group game, to go in in that situation and know that if we got through it would be straight into a World Cup semi-final, when I think at that point I’d only faced maybe 10 balls in the whole tournament. But that’s what you train for as a professional cricketer and the fact that they felt comfortable doing that with someone like me, I actually felt pretty good about.”It didn’t come off, I didn’t quite repay the selection, but hopefully in the future I’ll get another chance and I will get to repay the faith of the coaches and the captain.”Jones played more freely at No. 6 against West Indies, scoring an unbeaten 23 off 13 balls, which may prompt coach Lisa Keightley to persist with Beaumont at the top of the order and Jones lower down. The pair have regularly opened in one-day cricket in recent times but, with Wyatt enjoying some success opening with Beaumont at the top of the order against Pakistan late last year, England captain Heather Knight suggested her side may stick with a similar line-up for the 50-over World Cup, scheduled to be played in New Zealand in February and March.”It’s something we’ll have to look at again, ” Knight told ESPNcricinfo’s podcast. “Fifty-over cricket is definitely going to be our focus when we do get back playing and Tammy has proven that she’s a world-class opener in 50-over cricket so she’ll most definitely head to that role.”Danni moved up to open in 50-over cricket on that tour to Malaysia against Pakistan and did it very successfully. We see Amy as quite adaptable in terms of where she can bat.”We haven’t quite solved it yet and, to be honest, I don’t think we’ve solved it in 50-over cricket… that 6-7 role is a little bit up for grabs. There’s people who have had shots at it, haven’t quite done it or taken the role and made it their own, so that’s something that we definitely have on our list of things to get right leading into the World Cup, and hopefully we get a good run of matches before that to try and solve it.”

Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia’s interim chief executive, flies down from Sydney to Melbourne on Monday night with an in-person meeting to unify his executive team as the first of numerous priorities in the wake of Kevin Roberts’ exit last week.A number of hurtful divisions have opened up in Australian cricket over recent weeks, none more so than the fact that the team pulled together by Roberts for CA to deal with the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic did not include all the governing body’s most senior management figures.The vastly experienced trio of Belinda Clark (head of community cricket), Stephanie Beltrame (head of commercial) and Anthony Everard (head of events) were among the omitted executives, alongside the head of national teams Ben Oliver and the high performance chief Drew Ginn. Plans for mass staff stand downs on 20% of the original salaries were among those cooked up by a smaller group, leaving Hockley needing to build a more inclusive and united front among his own executives in addition to addressing fractures with the states and the players.ALSO READ: What’s in the inbox of interim Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley?“I feel for everyone who’s been through a really difficult time. I’ve been in this room [in his Sydney home] for three and a half months, I’m looking forward to getting out, getting back into the office and doing the work we love,” Hockley told ESPNcricinfo. “Something my chief executive at the London Olympics, Paul Deighton, always used say ‘all I’m asking of you, is to do the best work of your lives’, and I’ve been given this responsibility and I’ll be just doing everything to the best of my ability to do the role.”Cricket’s place in the fabric of Australian society and history is not lost on me, but we’ve got some pretty clear things we’ve got to get on with in the next few days and weeks.”Having worked on the wildly successful 2015 men’s ODI World Cup and then as CEO for this year’s pioneering women’s T20 World Cup, culminating in a crowd of more than 86,000 at the MCG for the final on March 8 this year, Hockley is adamant that CA must be ambitious for the staging of a successful 2020-21 summer. He will draw inspiration from how, having set the lofty goal of getting more than 90,000 spectators to the decider, tournament organisers did not leave themselves wondering “what if”.”I hadn’t actually watched back the TV coverage of it until very recently, and that was quite emotional because I know how much hard work’s gone into that by so many people,” Hockley said. “By nature I’m an optimistic pragmatist. You only get one shot at this life and you want to make the most of it and I try to take that into my work. There was a lot of discussion about ‘what if you don’t fill the stadium’, but I think what would’ve been worse than that was if we’d never tried and we’d have always wondered.”ALSO READ: Knowledge, power – and the fall of Kevin RobertsIn addition to Deighton’s footprint on Hockley’s career, he has been mentored in Australia by the 2015 World Cup chief executive and now CA director John Harnden, while the longtime former CA chief executive, James Sutherland, also sits on the T20 World Cup board. In acknowledging their influence on him, Hockley added that he also needed to be grateful for some of the advice he had received from Roberts over his time as a CA board director and executive prior to becoming CEO in October 2018.”I do like the detail, but ultimately whether it’s a one-off major event or administering a sport, you can’t do anything on your own,” Hockley said. “The support they provided on the board of the T20 World Cup to really think big and to back us in as an organising committee and be really bold and ambitious, they were an intrinsic part of that and it’s really important to say that Kevin played a big role in that as well.”In terms of generating unity and morale among Australian cricket’s many spheres of influence, Hockley recalled how at both the 50-over and T20 World Cups, staff from numerous individual organisations had married up successfully in the cause of staging big events. This summer, as much of the world looks to Australia for sport in general and cricket in particular, will provide a similar opportunity.”On the T20 World Cup we ran a really lean local organising committee and that was only possible because we worked so closely with the states and territories,” Hockley said. “I know what it feels like when everyone’s all coming together. We were all just one team and delivering something fantastic. I’ll certainly be trying to take that collaborative approach, that’s my broad philosophy and approach and always has been.”

First step towards professionalisation of domestic game takes place in spite of lockdown

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Jun-2020The ECB’s plans to professionalise the domestic level of women’s cricket have been stepped up with the announcement of 25 Regional Retainers, in spite of the complications caused by the Covid-19 lockdown.The recipients are split across the eight regions of the women’s game, and represent the first tranche of professional contracts at domestic level, with the ECB still intending to upgrade these players, and 15 further names, to full-time contracts before the end of the year.”In what has been a challenging year for the whole game, it is pleasing to be able to support 25 women’s domestic cricketers by offering them Regional Retainers,” said Clare Connor, the ECB’s director of women’s cricket.”In doing so, we are taking another step towards contracting our first cohort of full-time, professional players in the women’s domestic game.”We know that in order for the women’s game to continue to grow, we need a strong and thriving domestic set-up to enable more women to be able to make a living from the game.ALSO READ: Women’s Hundred salaries to be ringfenced – PCA chairman”Girls need to see visible role models and to know that a talent and performance system exists for them to fulfil their potential. I’m excited to see how these players progress with greater support over the next couple of years – it’s another significant step forward for our sport.”The 25 players include five England women’s rookies – Linsey Smith, Emma Lamb, Alice Davidson-Richards, Sophia Dunkley and Bryony Smith – and the rising star Issy Wong, all of whom were part of a 24-strong group who returned to individual training earlier this week with a view to taking part in a delayed England itinerary against India and South Africa in September.The players on the retainer will adhere to strength and conditioning programmes and undertake certain online modules including anti-corruption and anti-doping education. They will also give some of their time for “good of the game” activities and appearances.The recruitment process was driven by the eight regions and their respective Regional Directors of Women’s Cricket. Once the 40 full-time contracts are awarded, the players will be split evenly across the eight regions with five professional players at each region.Speaking to ESPNcricinfo earlier this week, the PCA chairman Daryl Mitchell welcomed the ECB’s commitments to the retainers scheme, especially given the extent to which the women’s game has borne the brunt of the lockdown, with the bulk of the board’s efforts so far this season being devoted to protecting the more financially critical men’s game.”Credit to the ECB – they’ve put 24 [players on] retainers to try and help those people out,” said Mitchell. “There’s a little bit lacking for a lot of players financially, not playing in the Hundred as well, so it’s been tough for some of those players on the fringes who would have expected to become a full-time pro this year.”But I think there’s light at the end of the tunnel with those contracts being awarded at some point in the near future. As chairman, I’m looking forward to being able to welcome 40 women into the PCA as professional members.”Regional Retainers

North East Hollie Armitage, Beth Langston, Linsey Smith (EW Rookie)
North West Georgie Boyce, Alex Hartley, Emma Lamb (EW Rookie), Ellie Threlkeld
West Midlands Eve Jones, Marie Kelly, Issy Wong
East Midlands Kathryn Bryce, Sarah Bryce
South West and Wales Dani Gibson, Sophie Luff, Fi Morris
South Central Georgia Adams, Tara Norris, Paige Scholfield
London and South East Alice Davidson-Richards (EW Rookie), Sophia Dunkley (EW Rookie), Tash Farrant, Bryony Smith (EW Rookie)
London and East Amara Carr, Naomi Dattani, Cordelia Griffith

MatériaMais Notícias

Destaque do Juventus-SC, o volante Tássio foi o autor do segundo gol do time catarinense na vitória por 2 a 0, contra Marcílio Dias, no último domingo – pela Série D. O triunfo foi o primeiro do time nesta edição da competição.

Após o gol da vitória, o jogador de 28 anos comentou sobre a sensação de balançar as redes na primeira vitória do clube na Série D.

– Estou muito feliz em voltar a marcar e ajudar a minha equipe a vencer na competição. A vitória foi muito importante, tínhamos feito bons jogos, mas os três pontos não estavam vindo e essa vitória dará mais tranquilidade para seguirmos trabalhando em busca da classificação.

Com o triunfo, o Juventus assumiu a 5ª colocação do Grupo H, com cinco pontos, seis atrás do Cascavel – primeiro colocado. Com isso, Tássio comentou sobre uma possível reação do clube na competição:

– Acredito que temos tudo para embalar dentro da competição, tivemos boas atuações, mas sem vencer. Na última partida conseguimos juntar a boa atuação com a vitória. Com certeza isso dá mais confiança e tranquilidade, é seguir trabalhando forte que com certeza vamos conquistar grandes coisas dentro do campeonato.

O Juventus-SC volta a campo no próximo domingo, quando enfrenta o líder Cascavel, às 16h, no Estádio Olímpico Regional Arnaldo Busatto.

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