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Three members of the Chennai Super Kings’ IPL contingent – chief executive Kasi Viswanathan, bowling coach L Balaji, and a bus cleaner – have tested positive for Covid-19.It is understood that the others in the group, which is currently in Delhi, have cleared their tests, which were conducted on Sunday.Viswanathan, Balaji and the member of the maintenance staff, ESPNcricinfo has learnt, took a fresh test on Monday morning to rule out the possibility of a false positive. If they test positive again, they will need to spend ten days in a designated isolation facility outside the team bubble and return two negative tests before being allowed to re-enter.Balaji, the former India fast bowler, was in the team’s dugout on Saturday, when the Super Kings lost off the last ball to the Mumbai Indians. As things stand, though, their next match, against the Rajasthan Royals in Delhi on May 5, is set to go ahead.Related

• Australian players set for IPL exodus to the Maldives

• IPL 2021 and T20 World Cup – what happens next?

• IPL 2021 postponed as Covid-19 count increases

• Chennai Super Kings' May 5 game against Rajasthan Royals postponed

• Kolkata Knight Riders CEO: 'Sandeep fine; Varun a little under the weather'

This follows the news that Monday’s IPL game has been postponed after two Kolkata Knight Riders players tested positive.An ECB spokesperson said the England board was monitoring the situation at the IPL, but the decision to continue to play or leave would be left to the players. “We continue to monitor and communicate with our players and staff currently in India,” the spokesperson said. “In terms of continued participation, it will be a decision that will be taken by each individual.”Among the 11 England players currently at the IPL, three belong to the two affected franchises: Moeen Ali and Sam Curran are with the Super Kings, and Eoin Morgan is with the Knight Riders.This is the second time the Super Kings have had to deal with a Covid-19 outbreak in the team bubble. At IPL 2020, in the UAE, Viswanathan’s wife had been one of several members – including players Deepak Chahar and Ruturaj Gaikwad – to test positive ahead of the tournament.

The news of Pedro Neto’s transfer to Chelsea on Friday afternoon came completely out of the blue, with Enzo Maresca finally landing a talent who could improve his forward line.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that an agreement between the Blues and Wolverhampton Wanderers had been reached over a £54m deal including add-ons that would see the 24-year-old swap the West Midlands for West London.

The Portuguese international has struggled with fitness issues in recent times, only managing 20 Premier League appearances during 2023/24, but did manage to register 11 goal contributions – with his attacking qualities undoubtedly improving the Blues’ frontline.

The spending under Todd Boehly doesn’t show any signs of slowing down, with Neto’s deal taking the fees paid for players to a staggering £150m – with the Wolves man being the most expensive of the lot this summer.

He could be joined at Stamford Bridge by one of his former teammates, with Chelsea still in the race for his signature despite the latest flurry of activity in the market.

Chelsea should sign £50m attacking ace

All summer long, Maresca has been eyeing up various attacking players to try and give his side the added edge in the final third, to help try and push the club back towards the top end of England’s top flight.

He could be helped in his attempts by the potential addition of Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, with the Blues having been named earlier this month as one of the clubs who are pursuing a move.

However, they aren’t alone, with Arsenal, Newcastle and Aston Villa all keeping tabs on the 24-year-old’s situation at the City Ground.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s side are reluctant to part ways with their star man after he registered 15 goal contributions in the Premier League last season, but it has previously been reported that they could be willing to negotiate should they receive an offer in the region of £50m.

The Englishman would be a great addition for the Blues, potentially rekindling a partnership with ex-Wolves teammate Neto, whilst also being a dream addition for another potential Chelsea signing.

Why Gibbs-White would be a dream addition for Omorodion

Over the past couple of days, Chelsea have edged ever closer to the signing of striker Sami Omorodion from Atlético Madrid, with the two clubs agreeing a £35m for the 20-year-old.

The Spaniard spent last campaign on loan at fellow LaLiga side Deportivo Alaves, scoring eight goals in his 34 appearances – an average of one goal every 4.3 matches he appeared in.

He could be further aided by Gibbs-White should the pair both move to Stamford Bridge before the start of the campaign next weekend, with his creativity in the final third falling into the hands of the youngster.

The Forest ace, who Neto found “easy to play with” during their time together at Molineux, registered 4.9 progressive passes per 90 in the Premier League last season, with 3.6 of them being played into the final third of the pitch – showcasing his ability to play the ball into forward areas and thus hand more opportunities to Omorodion.

Morgan Gibbs-White's PL stats per 90 (2023/24)

Statistics

Tally

Games played

37

Goals + assists

15

Progressive passes

4.9

Progressive carries

2.3

Successful take-ons

1.3

Passes into final third

3.6

Key passes

2.1

Stats via FBref

He also managed an average of 1.3 successful take-ins and 2.3 progressive carries, with Gibbs-White loving to take the ball forward on a frequent basis – especially on transition.

Whilst it may cost Maresca and Boehly another huge sum after the signing of the aforementioned players, it would be a huge coup that would certainly provide added creativity in attacking areas.

As new man Neto has previously said of Gibbs-White's talents, "he likes to combine, he likes to come inside, he likes to play with the team" – all attributes that Maresca would surely love.

The former Wolves ace is destined for the very top of European football, with the £50m fee touted a potential steal for a player of his quality.

Related Imagine him & Omorodion: Chelsea could sign world-class Williams alternative

Chelsea could still move for Nico William alternative

Posts ByConnor Holden Aug 8, 2024

Barcelona have surpassed Real Madrid in the pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah ahead of a possible summer move.

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• Tah could leave Leverkusen
• Centre-back in the final year of his contract
• Barca lead Real Madrid in the race

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Barcelona are in advanced talks to secure the services of Jonathan Tah and beat arch-rivals Real Madrid to his signature, according to El Chiringuito. Tah is yet to pen down a new contract with Bayer Leverkusen with a little over seven months left on his contract.

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  Barcelona want to strengthen their defence ahead of the next season. The club have immense faith in Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez, who have consolidated themselves as undroppable in Hansi Flick's setup, while they are also patiently awaiting the return of Ronald Araujo to full fitness. On the other hand, there is concern regarding the future of Andreas Christensen, whose injury problems have kept him out of action this season.

  Tah is among the mainstays under Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen and has become an important figure in the German national team as well. Tah refused to sign an extension with Leverkusen last summer, which means that he could be set for a free transfer to one of the big clubs next summer.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Real Madrid's injury list keeps growing after Eder Militao suffered an ACL injury earlier this month. That leaves Los Blancos with just two natural centre-backs in the squad: Antonio Rudiger and Jesus Vallejo.

  With David Alaba also yet to return from the ACL injury he suffered last year, Carlo Ancelotti wanted to bring another centre-back in January, with Tah among the list of candidates shortlisted by the club for a January move.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR JONATHAN TAH?

  Tah will be leading the defence for Bayer Leverkusen when they taken on Heidenheim at the BayArena in Bundesliga on Saturday, November 23.

The home side were well placed in their chase after Peter Siddle managed Tasmania’s only wicket

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Mar-2021Rain ruined the final day of the Sheffield Shield match at the MCG, denying Victoria a good chance of victory after they had made strong progress towards what appeared to be a challenging target.Peter Handscomb’s impressive form, with his second half-century of the match, in an unbroken second-wicket stand of 95 with Marcus Harris had broken the back of the chase before the rain returned and wiped out the rest of the day.Handscomb scored his runs at a rate rarely seen in a match where ball had held sway. Jake Doran produced the standout innings on the third day with 98 to leave a target of 253.Peter Siddle had taken the only wicket, removing Nic Maddinson to a thin edge in the sixth over of the day, but the game was getting away from Tasmania when the weather closed in and play was abandoned at 5.30pm.

Gearing up for the top-flight, Southampton are now reportedly looking to land a Premier League ace who is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal at his current club this summer.

Southampton transfer news

The Saints have already got their summer business underway with the arrival of Adam Lallana. The former Liverpool man has completed a return to St Mary's 10 years after the decision to swap his boyhood club for Anfield. Returning at the end of his career, he will hope that his veteran-like experience rubs off on Southampton as soon as pre-season and leads Russell Martin's side to Premier League safety at the first time of asking.

Speaking to the club's official website after putting pen to paper, Lallana said: “When I started speaking to Russell and understood there was a little bit of interest, it was something I knew straightaway felt right in my head and in my heart that it was something I needed to pursue, and it came through in the end.

“I’m extremely happy to come back to where it all started. Although it sounds like a bit of a fairy tale, in my head there’s still a job to do and I’m really confident I’ve still got a lot to give to this football club.”

Southampton eye £6m reunion with forward who can be "as good as it gets"

He will be a familiar face at St Mary’s.

ByTom Coates Jun 19, 2024

The Premier League incomings seem unlikely to end there, however. According to Jack Rosser of The Sun, Southampton are now looking to land a deal to sign Bobby Decordova-Reid following his failed contract talks with Fulham. As things stand, the winger is set to become a free agent at the end of June, allowing the likes of Southampton to swoop in and land a free deal for Martin's side and his side this summer.

"Great" Decordova-Reid can replace Adams

Amid all of the promotion celebrations remained Southampton's Che Adams problem, which looks unlikely to reach a resolution. In identical fashion to Decordova-Reid, Adams is set to leave St Mary's as a free agent at the end of the month following failed contract talks and as the Scot departs, the Fulham man represents an ideal alternative option for Martin.

Whilst Decordova-Reid isn't the goalscorer that Adams is, his ability to play on the right-hand side as well as in attacking and central midfield would hand Martin a different type of replacement to call on next season. Meanwhile, what the Fulham man would directly replace is Adams' invaluable Premier League experience.

Praised by Marco Silva after netting the winning goal in a 1-0 FA Cup win over Rotherham last season, the Fulham boss told Sky Sports: "He deserves it because he's a top professional, he's a vocal guy and one of the great examples we have at the club in terms of focus, able to play in any position and he's always there. He deserves all the credit and he deserves these good moments and good weeks.

"It's important for us and him because he needs these type of moments to lift his confidence and he needs the confidence to keep going in the direction we want him to be. Bobby has the capacity to score and tonight it was a great strike from him."

تحدث وليد صلاح الدين، نجم الأهلي السابق، عن أمنياته للكرة المصرية في عام 2025، وانتقد بشدة ما وصفه بـ”نظرية المؤامرة” وبيانات الأندية ضد التحكيم.

وقال وليد صلاح الدين عبر برنامج “لعبة والتانية” على إذاعة “ميجا إف إم”: “ما هي أمنيتك للكرة المصرية في 2025؟ أهم شيء أننا نحاول تطوير وتحسين فكرة نظرية المؤامرة، نحن لدينا هذه النظرية عالية جدًا لدرجة تؤدي بنا لمنطقة سيئة، أسوأ شيء في 2024 هي بيانات الأهلي والزمالك ضد التحكيم، هذا الأمر يضر الكرة المصرية ويضرب الكرة المصرية في مقتل”.

وتابع: “معروف أن الحكم قاضٍ، هل أحد يعلق على أحكام القضاء؟ ما بالك وأنت تريد أن تغير حكم القاضي نفسه؟ القاضي عنصر بشري، وهو لا يريد أن يخطئ، لأن ببساطة هي حالتين: إما أنه قاصد ويكون مُغرضًا، وأنا متأكد أن كل حكامنا شرفاء، الفكرة أنه يخطئ عن غير عمد، ويخطئ مع كل الأندية، ولو طلبت من كل الأندية تحضير فيديوهات للأخطاء التحكيمية ضدهم، ستجد الأخطاء تحدث مع كل الأندية”.

طالع أيضًا | وليد صلاح الدين: بيراميدز خطر على الأهلي والزمالك.. وقريب من حصد الدوري

وأضاف: “والأندية تحذو حذو الأهلي والزمالك لأنهما كبار الكرة المصرية، فأصبحت كل مباراة الفريقين يضغطان على التحكيم ويصدران بيانات بدون فائدة، هذه أمنيتي في 2025 للكرة المصرية، أن ننتهي من هذا الأمر”.

وعن الانتقادات الموجهة لكولر، علق: “آراء الناس تُحترم، بالتأكيد كانت هناك أخطاء فنية، كان لا بد أن يأخذ الأهلي في اعتباره أنه سينافس في بطولات كثيرة، ولا بد أن يكون في الفريق بديل واثنان وثلاثة، لكن الأهلي فعل العكس، أخرج لاعبين مهمين مثل محمد عبد المنعم وديانج وأحمد عبد القادر، وتدعيم الفريق في خط الدفاع كان بلاعبين مصابين مثل أشرف داري ويحيى عطية الله، ولولا تألق رامي ربيعة وياسر إبراهيم لكانت مشكلة”.

واختتم: “الأهلي لا بد أن يطور الفريق، دكة الأحمر لا تشعر أنها بنفس ثقل الموسم الماضي، وكولر من البداية يعمل على فكرة الانضباط والالتزام التكتيكي، ولا يغير طريقة اللعب، عنده ثبات وهدوء وتغييرات متأخرة ليعطي اللاعب أكبر فرصة، لكن الآن البديل الذي يشارك خلال المباريات ليس على مستوى الأساسي، فالأفكار تغيرت والجودة قلت، وربنا يستر على الأهلي في البطولات القادمة، ولا بد أن يتدارك الأهلي هذا الأمر في يناير ويدعم بلاعبين كثيرين”.

England star Chloe Kelly could leave Manchester City at the end of the season after seeing her relationship with manager Gareth Taylor deteriorate.

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• Kelly could leave Man City
• Relationship with manager Taylor has broken down
• Was an unused substitute against Barca and Liverpool

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Kelly has started in only two games out of City's seven outings in the ongoing season across all competitions and remained an unused substitute in the club's last two matches against Liverpool and Barcelona. Per the Daily Mail, the striker's relationship with manager Taylor has worsened over time and this could lead to her exit from the club next summer.

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  The Lionesses forward's current contract with the Cityzens expires at the end of the 2024-25 campaign. While the player, who shares a close bond with the club, would love to stay beyond her current deal, the two parties are yet to progress on their talks over an extension.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The relationship between the player and the coach started to worsen last season after the star forward was left on the bench during the Manchester derby in March 2024. She had to sit out for four straight matches which indicated some trouble in the City camp.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER CITY?

  Taylor's side, who are currently at the top of the table, will be next seen in action on Wednesday as they take on St. Polten in a Women's Champions League clash away from home.

West Ham United are now looking at a move to sign a £25m+ forward after securing a deal for Luis Guilherme.

West Ham set to sign Luis Guilherme

Julen Lopetegui, speaking after being announced as the new West Ham head coach to replace David Moyes last month, admitted he wants to put his own stamp on things at the London Stadium.

“We will try to put our stamp on the Club. I feel that we have a fantastic platform. I think the last few years have been very good years to have this base, of course, but my ambition as a coach is always to be better and better, to achieve more and bigger aims and to encourage and improve the players, the team, and to compete because football is about this – to compete. We are very ambitious about this.

“I am where I want to be. I am here because I want to be here and for us it was a fantastic day when we closed our agreement here because our commitment is 100 per cent to be here.”

To do that, there could be plenty of work to do on the training ground and in the transfer market, and it looks as if the Irons have now sealed a deal for Luis Guilherme to become their first summer signing.

As reported by Fabrizio Romano, a medical has been completed and a deal worth a potential €30m from Palmeiras is agreed, with contracts to be signed on Wednesday.

After Guilherme, though, it looks as if sporting director Tim Steidten is already working on more deals. Reports have suggested that contact has been made for Udinese defender Nehuen Perez, and an approach has also been made for a new forward.

West Ham make Jorgen Strand Larsen approach

According to reports abroad, relayed by Sport Witness, West Ham have made an approach to sign Celta Vigo attacker Jorgen Strand Larsen. Signed from Dutch side FC Groningen in 2022 for €12m, this summer appears to be the time for the La Liga side to cash in on the Norway international, and although he has a €50m release clause, Celta Vigo want around €30m (£25.3m).

Whether or not West Ham are willing to match that fee remains to be seen, with Larsen primarily a centre-forward who can also play on either wing.

Take out the goals of Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus last season and West Ham’s top scorer was central midfielder Tomas Soucek with 10, so looking to sign a new attacker appears to be a wise move by Lopetegui and Steidten.

With Larsen, the Hammers would be getting a 24-year-old striker who appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high €25m Transfermarkt valuation and one who has just scored 13 La Liga goals last season.

Prior to his time with Celta Vigo, Larsen also hit double figures for goals with Groningen in the Eredivisie in the 2021/22 campaign, so a deal could be a shrewd one, making this a deal to keep an eye on.

Newcastle United fell to a first Premier League defeat in four matches, losing 3-2 to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

Eddie Howe’s side trailed at the break, following Kobbie Mainoo’s strike just after the half-hour mark, separating the sides after a half of few opportunities.

Anthony Gordon scored his 11th league goal of the season before goals from Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund pushed Erik ten Hag’s side into a two-goal advantage.

Left-back Lewis Hall pulled a goal back in stoppage time, but it wasn’t enough with the Magpies now three points behind Chelsea in the battle for a Europa League spot.

It’s no secret that injuries have plagued Howe’s side in recent months, with one of the returning players having an evening to forget in Manchester.

Kieran Trippier’s stats against Manchester United

After not starting since the 2nd of March, Kieran Trippier was recalled to Newcastle’s starting eleven for the trip to face the Red Devils.

However, it would be a decision that backfired, with the 33-year-old producing a below-par performance at Old Trafford.

The right-back could only produce 22 accurate passes, at a completion rate of just 63% and only managed to find a teammate on 50% of his crosses into the 18-yard box.

Trippier also lost possession 17 times and failed to win any of the duels that he contested during the defeat. The former Atletico Madrid defender failed to produce any positive numbers defensively, being dribbled past once and unable to complete any tackles.

When comparing his stats with fellow full-back Hall, it’s clear that the 19-year-old’s display was much more complete than his experienced teammate – even managing to get on the scoresheet for the second time against the Red Devils this season.

Minutes played

63

90

Passes completed

22

51

Pass percentage

63%

86%

Possession lost

17

15

Tackles

0

1

Dribbled past

1

0

Trippier was subsequently awarded a 6/10 rating by Chronicle Live journalist Lee Ryder, with the Newcastle correspondent claiming the defender looked 'off the pace'.

With it being his first start in over two months, it was to be expected he would be slightly off the pace, but with a crunch battle coming up on Sunday, Howe must immediately drop him and replace him with another talent who made his comeback last night.

The man to replace Trippier against Brentford

After missing the Magpies’ last two Premier League outings through injury, centre-back Fabian Schar made his return in the defeat off the substitutes bench, replacing Trippier in the 63rd minute of the clash.

Full-back Emil Krafth has often had to feature at the heart of the defence alongside Dan Burn such as the current injury problems, with Howe needing to play the Swede in his natural position ahead of the trip to the GTEC on Sunday afternoon.

It would allow Schar and Burn to play in a centre-back pairing, with Krafth taking up his usual role on the right-hand side of the Magpies defence.

With Sunday’s game being vital in the club’s hunt for European football, Howe simply must drop Trippier with the defender needing to be replaced by Schar if the Magpies are to have any chance of claiming seventh spot at the very least.

Newcastle struck gold on "phenomenal" ace who's worth more than Trippier

He produced an excellent display against Brighton on Saturday.

ByEthan Lamb May 12, 2024

Tottenham have asked a Premier League side about signing one of their £30 million players this summer, and it is believed they want to sell him.

Spurs targeting new centre-back for Ange Postecoglou

Following manager Ange Postecoglou's comments back in March, it remains the belief that Spurs are targeting a new centre-back for the Australian when the transfer window reopens on June 14.

Ange outlines Tottenham star as weak link as he eyes "perfect" £55.6m heir

The Australian has decided to sell him.

ByEmilio Galantini May 21, 2024

The Lilywhites are fairly well stocked in the position, with Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Radu Dragusin, but Postecoglou told the press earlier this year that Tottenham would be after yet another central defender.

“If you’re saying, ‘Is it an area we can strengthen?’, yes it’s an area we will probably look at”, said Postecoglou on signing another centre-half.

“With all these things, it’s about trying to strengthen the group as much as anything else. If you think about when I first arrived, we had maybe six or seven centre-backs at the club. So it’s not just numbers. It’s more about the ability of those players to play the football we want and to fit in to what we’re trying to build here.

1. Man City

34

2. Arsenal

29

3. Liverpool

41

4. Aston Villa

61

5. Tottenham

61

“I think it is an area of the park we will look to strengthen, but I think we’ll look to strengthen all areas of the park come the end of the season. That is planning that’s already underway, and other people are in charge of it at the moment.”

The Times, among other reliable outlets, claim Postecoglou still wants to bring in another central defender this summer, with many linked in the past few weeks alone. Tottenham made an offer to Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo, as shared by reliable insider Paul O'Keefe recently, but the Englishman rejected Spurs' advances.

He is by no means their only option, and perhaps Fabio Paratici's network of contacts in Italy could see them look towards Serie A again for a solution. Spurs have been targeting Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori in that regard, as well as Torino defender Alessandro Buongiorno.

Opportunities will arise closer to home, especially at Chelsea, where Trevoh Chalobah is widely believed to be up for sale.

Tottenham ask Chelsea about signing Chalobah

HITC have an update on the 24-year-old's future, and it involves Tottenham. They claim Spurs have asked Chelsea about signing Chalobah this summer, who they value at around £30 million, and it is believed Stamford Bridge chiefs are "clear" they want to sell him off for pure profit.

The versatile defender is homegrown, and played a starring role under Mauricio Pochettino during the latter stages of 2023/2024, so he could be a bargain at that price, while Spurs are also still interested in long-term target Conor Gallagher.

“He’s a delight to train with every day because he comes in with an enthusiasm, low maintenance, and when you talk about the things you want, he tries to do them on the pitch, which is a great thing," said former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard about Chalobah.

“In my short period here, you look at what are the games and the individual players, I’ve been very happy. I was looking forward to working with Trev because I didn’t get that chance when I was here before (2019-21).”