Newcastle United are moving towards the forefront of European football with expeditious assertiveness, and with Champions League qualification firmly in their grasp, Adrien Rabiot has been earmarked to fortify the centre of the park.

What's the latest on Adrien Rabiot to Newcastle?

According to prominent French outlet L'Equipe, the Frenchman is 'an important goal' for Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, with his contract at Juventus expiring in several weeks.

The report also credits Magpies manager Eddie Howe with an interest, bolstering previous claims from the likes of CalcioMercato that the Tyneside club have 'tested the ground' on the feasibility of a deal.

Technical director Dan Ashworth will need to act swiftly if he is to tie up a move, especially considering the Red Devils' interest in the midfield machine.

Should Newcastle sign Rabiot?

While St. James' Park now boasts an affluence that only a select few can compete with on the global footballing stage, completing a shrewd move for Rabiot could be a most auspicious avenue for the club to delve down.

Valued at £43m by CIES Football Observatory, the 36-cap France international has been in emphatic form this season and scored 11 goals and four assists for the Old Lady this term, hailed as an "absolute monster" by journalist Robin Bairner.

Newcastle have been tremendous this season, taking their success under Howe's tutelage from last year and moulding it into something capable of sustaining a position challenging for silverware and top four.

Each shelf of the system has been triumphant, with the defence imperious and the attack devastatingly clinical; the midfield, notably, has been churning at an intense output and the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Joe Willock and Joelinton have formed a high-octane sense of constancy.

With the addition of European endeavours next year, bringing Rabiot into the fold would only enrich the prospects of success. As per FBref, the £152k-per-week gem ranks among the top 3% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for rate of non-penalty goals, the top 20% for progressive carries, the top 21% for clearances and the top 17% for aerials won per 90.

The phenom, quirkily heralded as a "wardrobe" by Gianluigi Buffon, is also listed as the most comparable player in world football to Magpies menace Joelinton, which could bode very well for Howe and co as they look to clinch new signings capable of flourishing but not disrupting the finely-poised balance of the system.

The Brazilian machine ranks among the top 11% of positional peers for rate of non-penalty goals and the top 16% for progressive carries per 90, as well as the top 6% for successful take-ons, 15% for interceptions and 7% for aerials won per 90, described as "tireless" by writer James Nalton, illustrating the semblance between the two players.

Newcastle must sign Rabiot, he fits the mould for success in the Premier League and, considering he is available on a free transfer, would represent a fantastic value for money.

Zimbabwe batsman Richmond Mutumbami has been ruled out of the second T20I against India due to a right hip injury, which he picked up during the first T20I.Batting at No. 3, Mutumbami was struck on the right hip by a back-of-a-length delivery from Jaydev Unadkat in the sixth over. The blow left him doubled up in pain for several minutes, before he had to be helped off the field.X-rays in hospital showed that Mutumbami had not suffered a fracture or dislocation, Zimbabwe Cricket said in a release, but he will use crutches to take the strain off his hips during his recovery period. His condition will be re-assessed prior to the third T20I, scheduled for June 22.Wicketkeeper-batsman Peter Moor is likely to take Mutumbami’s place in the XI.Meanwhile, the release also said that batsman Brian Chari was making steady progress in his recovery from a knee injury. He was not yet ready for selection, though.

Liverpool are interested in signing all three of Alexis Mac Allister, Mason Mount and Ryan Gravenberch this summer, according to reliable journalist Neil Jones.

Will new midfielders arrive at Liverpool?

It is no great secret that the Reds will be looking to strengthen significantly in the middle of the park ahead of next season, with that area of the pitch proving to be problematic throughout 2022/23.

Having previously been the team's engine room, it has been far too easily to get through this term, with age catching up with certain individuals and the rest of the team struggling because of it.

Liverpool have been linked with a host of signings, and while Jude Bellingham has been the most high-profile, it has been made clear that the club aren't willing to blow most of their summer transfer budget on one player, despite his enormous talent.

Instead, it is vital that at least two or three new midfield faces arrive in the upcoming summer transfer window, in order to transform the Reds' midfield and make it a force again.

Could Reds secure triple signing?

Mac Allister, Mount and Gravenberch have arguably emerged as the most likely additions in recent weeks, and taking to Twitter, Goal's Jones said that the trio are indeed "very much on the agenda":

"Alexis Mac Allister, Mason Mount, Ryan Gravenberch very much on the agenda."

If Liverpool could bring in all three of those individuals, it would certainly represent a positive window, considering the youth and quality they would bring to the squad. Mac Allister has excelled for Brighton all season, scoring ten times in the Premier League, and his intelligence and class could make him an instant hit at Anfield.

While Mount hasn't had his best season for Chelsea, he is still a top-quality player with 36 caps for England, and Gravenberch has been considered one of Europe's brightest young midfielders for a number of years now.

It could certainly be argued that a true defensive midfielder is also required at Liverpool, however, given Fabinho struggles, with these three players at their best in more attack-minded No.8 roles. If the Reds could bring in Manuel Ugarte, for example, it would be the icing on the cake, although whether the funds are there to sign four midfielders is certainly up for debate.

ظهر مدرب منتخب المغرب، وليد الركراكي، في مؤتمر صحفي اليوم قبل مواجهة زامبيا يوم الأربعاء في بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا 2023.

ويلتقي المنتخبان في إطار منافسات الجولة الثالثة من دور مجموعات البطولة، المُقامة حاليًا في كوت ديفوار.

وركز الركراكي في حديثه عما حدث في مباراة الجولة الماضية أمام الكونغو الديمقراطية، حيث نشبت مشادات عنيفة بين لاعبي المنتخبين.

واُتهم الركراكي بتوجيه إساءات عنصرية تجاه قائد منتخب الكونغو الديمقراطية، تشانسيل مبيمبا، وهو ما نفاه.

وقال الركراكي في تصريحاته التي نشرتها شبكة “sportstar” الإنجليزية: “النقاش حول أنني استخدمت كلمات عنصرية هو بكل بساطة أمر مخزِ وسأدافع عن نفسي حتى النهاية”.

وأضاف: “للأسف، مع شبكات التواصل الاجتماعي ومع ما يحدث في العالم، ومع الكراهية التي يمكن أن تكون موجودة على كلا الجانبين، تلقيت رسائل عنصرية وتهديدات بالقتل”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. الكونغو تتقدم بشكوى ضد المغرب بسبب أحداث كأس أمم إفريقيا

وواصل: “لسوء الحظ، أعتقد أن اللاعب استقبل رسائل مشابهة كذلك، هذا يظهر أننا وصلنا إلى الحدود القصوى في مباريات كرة القدم وهذا أمر مخزِ”.

وأردف: “كانت هناك أشياء قيلت بعد انتهاء المباراة غير صحيحة، لم أهين اللاعب، ما فعلته بعد المباراة، أفعله طوال الوقت، ربما كان هناك توتر وكان يجب أن أدع الأمر، من الآن فصاعدًا سأذهب لمصافحة المدرب وهذا كل شيء”.

واستكمل: “لقد آلمني وأثر على عائلتي، ولم يتحدث اللاعب نفسه في مقابلته قط عن العنصرية، إنه المجتمع المريض، الناس يستغلون الأمر ويزداد الأمر سوءًا”.

وأكد: “هناك أناس سيئون على كلا الجانبين، أنا هنا من أجل تهدئة الأمور، أنا أدين الرسائل التي تلقاها ورسائلي”.

Rashid Khan belted 60 off 44 balls to rescue Afghanistan from 109 for 6 to 229, and then returned 4 for 21 in eight overs to dismiss Ireland for 150

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jul-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsFile photo – Rashid Khan played a starring role in Afghanistan’s victory•Peter Della Penna/ESPNcricinfo LtdSeventeen-year-old Rashid Khan produced his career-best batting and bowling performance in ODIs to give Afghanistan a 2-1 lead against Ireland in Belfast. Rashid, who had played in the Under-19 World Cup as well as the World T20 this year, first belted 60 off 44 balls to rescue Afghanistan from 109 for 6 to 229, and then returned 4 for 21 in eight overs to dismiss Ireland for 150.Afghanistan’s victory, however, was marred by Ireland opener Ed Joyce’s controversial run-out. After driving the ball over extra cover in the sixth over, Joyce stopped running mid-pitch, assuming the ball had reached the boundary. Mohammad Nabi chased the ball down and flicked it back to Rashid, who then threw to the non-striker’s end where Yamin Ahmadzai, the bowler, took the bails off with Joyce mid-pitch, having assumed the ball was dead.The on-field umpires – Alan Neill and C Shamshuddin – asked Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai to withdraw the appeal, but he refused to do so. There was no TV umpire for the game, and the wicket led to an exchange between Ireland captain William Porterfield – who was also batting at the time – and the Afghanistan players.Speaking after the match, Porterfield confirmed that Joyce had thought the ball crossed the rope. “We ran past each other, he [Joyce] said he pretty much saw him [Nabi] pass the rope, flick it back,” Porterfield said. “The fielder comes back and says he didn’t. I don’t know what footage is out there of [this]. The umpires said they are going on his word, and this is as far as it goes for me.”Four overs after Joyce’s dismissal for 12 off 21 balls, Porterfield was run out as well, for 16 off 27 balls. Rahmat Shah, who had earlier laid the foundation for Afghanistan with 48 off 70 balls, then removed Sean Terry and Stuart Poynter to reduce the hosts to 67 for 4 by the 18th over. Kevin O’Brien and Paul Stirling threatened a recovery with thirty-something each, but Rashid, the legspinning allrounder, sliced through the middle and lower order. Wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad was involved in three of those dismissals. Ireland lost their last six wickets for only 20 runs.They had started well with seamer Peter Chase having Noor Ali Zadran, who had replaced Javed Ahmadi, nicking behind for 10. Shahzad, coming off three successive half-centuries, flickered only briefly on Sunday, holing out to deep square leg off Stirling for 22.When Samiullah Shenwari and Stanikzai exited in successive overs, Afghanistan had slipped to 84 for 4 in the 21st over. Ireland’s bowlers tightened the screws by delivering 53 boundary-less balls, a sequence broken by Nabi flat-batting a four off seamer Tim Murtagh. Najibullah Zadran had fallen in the dry spell, and Rahmat edged behind soon after it ended, leaving Afghanistan teetering on 109 for 6.Nabi and Rashid then came together to add 54 for the seventh wicket and revive their side. That was followed by an unbroken partnership of 66 between Rashid and Mirwais Ashraf at over eight to the over, lifting Afghanistan to 229 for 7 on a pitch that Porterfield later admitted was difficult to score on.Rashid, who was dropped on 17 and 34, got to his maiden international fifty, which included five fours and two sixes. Terry spilled the first chance of his, parrying the ball to the cover boundary, while Murtagh fluffed the second.Porterfield said the fielding lapses cost Ireland on a surface that assisted spin. “Just under 200 on that pitch would have been about par,” he said. “I think that, putting those couple of chances down… you’re probably looking at 175-180 [if those catches were taken], which I think is pretty chaseable regardless of the [pitch]. We’ve done it [drop catches] a couple of times now in game where we’ve been just a wicket or two behind. Difficult to claw back from there.”With the first ODI of the series being washed out, Afghanistan cannot lose this series now. The final ODI will be played on July 19, at the same venue.

Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will “100% leave” when Mauricio Pochettino arrives this summer, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

What's the latest on Aubameyang's future?

The Premier League veteran first arrived in SW6 back in September 2022 from Barcelona, but he's always been significantly out of favour having made just five top-flight starts during his debut season, with ex-manager Graham Potter even going as far as completely omitting him from his Champions League squad.

Back in March, Romano revealed that the former Gabon international made a secret trip to Camp Nou to support his former Blaugrana teammates during a game and even went into the dressing room after the final whistle which didn't go down well with the hierarchy.

Spanish outlet Sport soon after reported that the Blues were considering terminating his contract, which isn't set to expire until the end of next season, 12 months early to get him off their books and out of the building, and there has now been further confirmation that he will indeed be heading for the exit door.

Taking to Twitter, Romano now reports that Aubameyang is fully expected to depart Chelsea upon the conclusion of the current campaign, a time when Pochettino is widely expected to take over. He wrote:

"Pierre Aubameyang confirms: 'I’d like to return to Barcelona… but we will see'. Auba will 100% leave Chelsea. Barca open to sign Auba but it depends on Financial Fair Play. Only way for Barca: no transfer fee & salary reduced."

Should Chelsea keep or sell Aubameyang?

Chelsea will probably know that they made a huge mistake by signing Aubameyang because he's been nothing but a "liability" since joining, according to ESPN pundit and Blues legend Craig Burley, so Todd Boehly should definitely cash in during the upcoming window.

The Nike-sponsored athlete has scored just three goals and provided one assist since the start of the season, as per Transfermarkt, which is nowhere near a good enough return in the final third, not to mention that he's ranked the 31st worst player out of the 32 squad members with a WhoScored match rating of just 6.12.

Finally, Aubameyang currently pockets £160k-per-week in the capital which is extraordinary for a player who's failing to make any kind of positive impact so sanctioning his sale would free up the wage bill and give the board additional funds to put towards recruiting some much-needed fresh faces ahead of the 2023/24 term.

Wahab Riaz has said that England’s middle order is “fragile” ahead of the first Test at Lord’s and believes Pakistan can put pressure on them

Andrew McGlashan10-Jul-2016Wahab Riaz has said that England’s middle order is “fragile”, ahead of the first Test at Lord’s, and believes Pakistan can put pressure on them.Wahab felt much rested on the shoulders of Alastair Cook, and Joe Root, who has been promoted to No. 3, with the next two positions being filled by James Vince and the recalled Gary Ballance.Vince managed just 54 runs in four innings in his debut series against Sri Lanka, while Ballance is set to play his first Test in a year, having earned a surprising call-up as England reshuffle their order.”We know that England is struggling with their middle order, Joe Root is one of their best players and he has to take the responsibility, so that’s why he is at No.3,” Wahab said. “But I think the other batting is fragile. If you get Cook and Root quickly, you can really put pressure on them, but you can’t take things easy against them.”While Wahab, who went a long way in cementing his Test spot with a fiery spell of reverse swing on the second afternoon against Sussex, is correct to pinpoint the uncertainty around the No. 4 and 5 positions heading into the series, England’s lower middle-order has been prolific of late. However, they are likely to be tested more by Pakistan’s attack – sharp left-arm pace complemented by the legspin of Yasir Shah – than they were by the Sri Lankans.Jonny Bairstow, who has been in stellar form, has led the way, while Moeen Ali struck a career-best 155 against Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street. Moeen will be followed by Chris Woakes who has made half-centuries in Tests and ODIs this season. Ben Stokes, who was left out of the squad for the first Test as he continues his return from knee surgery, is expected to be back for the second Test at Old Trafford.The statistics back up the recent divide between England’s top order and the security provided by those lower down: since May last year, their average for positions 1-5 is sixth in Test cricket (Pakistan’s batsmen average 14 runs more per wicket, albeit in far fewer Tests, and all of them in Asia) but for positions 6-11, England are top of the pile.Ahead of the squad being named, there was a suggestion that Stokes could be included to play as a batsman while Jos Buttler’s name was also linked to a batting position following his impressive limited-overs form. Buttler subsequently broke a finger playing for Lancashire, so will now not be an option during the Test series, but Pakistan’s coach Mickey Arthur said he had been preparing for that duo to be in the line-up.”We obviously looked at the squad with a lot of interest,” Arthur told ESPNcricinfo. “Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler are guys that can take the game away of us, so, though it’s not a relief, we were preparing for an England middle order of Bairstow, Stokes and Buttler. But the guys that have come in have earned their opportunity and must have done something right, so certainly won’t take them lightly.”

أعلن الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم “كاف”، عن أفضل لاعب في مباراة مصر والكونغو الديمقراطية، التي جمعت بينهما مساء أمس الأحد، ضمن منافسات كأس أمم إفريقيا 2023.

المباراة أقيمت على أرضية استاد لاورينت بوكو، في خضم منافسات دور الـ16 (ثمن النهائي) لبطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا 2023.

وتلقى منتخب مصر الهزيمة أمام نظيره الكونغو الديمقراطية بركلات الترجيح بنتيجة 8-7، خلال المباراة التي جمعت بينهما ضمن منافسات دور الـ16 من كأس أمم إفريقيا.

طالع أيضاً.. بالفيديو | منتخب مصر يخسر أمام الكونغو الديمقراطية بركلات ترجيح ماراثونية ويودع كأس أمم إفريقيا

ونشر كاف على حسابه عبر موقع التواصل الاجتماعي “إكس” تويتر سابقاً، فوز اللاعب ليونيل مبازي نزو حارس مرمى الكونغو الديمقراطية، بجائزة أفضل لاعب في المباراة أمام منتخب مصر.

وساهم ليونيل مبازي في فوز منتخب بلاده والتأهل إلى دور الـ 8 من بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا، حيث سجل هدف الفوز الأخير في ركلات الترجيح.

بتلك النتيجة، حصلت الكونغو الديمقراطية على بطاقة التأهل إلى دور الـ8، فيما ودع منتخب مصر بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا.  

🇨🇩 Lionel Nzau 🇨🇩

He’s not just a goalkeeper, he is also the TotalEnergies Man of the Match after a crucial penalty shoot! 🤩#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | #EGYRDC | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/uzzcwcpuOc

— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 28, 2024

ScorecardRoss Taylor could not get Sussex over the line•Getty Images

A low-scoring classic at Hove saw Sussex Sharks snatch defeat from the jaws of victory as a floundering middler order saw them make a mountain out of a low target set by Hampshire. A simple chase of 135 from 20 overs took a turn when Sussex’s batsmen only managed five runs from three overs, in which they lost the wickets of Matt Machan and Chris Jordan.That meant 23 needed off the final three overs, which soon became 17 off 11 when Dawson caught Craig Cachopa at deep third man off the bowling of Gavin Griffiths. The silver lining of the wicket meant Ross Taylor found himself back on strike. Three fours in the remaining five balls of the penultimate over meant a manageable five off the final six.With three needed from the final two deliveries, Taylor went to lap Brad Wheal around the corner, only for the ball to pass him and leg stump through to the keeper. No wide was signalled and, with a cracking yorker, Wheal sealed a one-run win for Hampshire. Sussex Sharks skipper Luke Wright, while questioning the wide decision did not shy away from the brutal truth that Sussex lost this match through their own inexcusable carelessness.Even Matt Prior, watching on from the stands, could not bite his tongue when Sussex’s middle order woes were put to him, suggesting that he was prepared to help – although stopping short of saying in quite what capacity.While Griffiths returned three figures, it was 19-year-old Wheal that influenced where this game was headed. It was not just his ability to send the ball down consistently above the 85mph mark but his knack of second-guessing the batsmen to return 14 dot balls. Bowling Luke Wright for just nine and then trapping Machan in front just as he looked to steer the game away from Hampshire were marquee wickets.Having chosen to bat, Hampshire posted an under-par target with a batting effort that went some way to explaining why they were rooted to the bottom of the South Group before the match. It makes for unsettling viewing. In an era when the phrase “Moneyball” has been bastardised to the extent that you could get away with applying the phrase to a petrol station meal deal, they were one of the few sides that appreciated the analytics and application of T20 theorems. This will be the first season in the last eight in which they have not made it out of the group stages.Liam Dawson, morphing from one of English cricket’s “most improved” to “most valuable” white ball cricketers, cast as many disapproving looks to teammates as boundaries. Miscommunication with Tom Alsop and Shahid Afridi saw both run out embarrassingly, leaving him to pick up the pieces.Former Barbados under-19 Jofra Archer made his T20 Blast debut and, in his second over, picked up the wicket of Adam Wheater, with Chris Jordan taking the catch. It was Jordan who spotted Archer and recommended that Sussex make use of his British passport and bring him to Hove. Judging by the chain and chunky golden watch, Jordan may accessorise him, too.When he wasn’t encouraging Archer, he was showing him how it’s done. Four overs returned two for 14, as Jordan toyed with the tail when he finished his set with the 17th and 19th overs. His part in the game did not end with the ball, as he made an appearance in the 16th over of the chase, in at No. 6, as Sussex began to get stage fright.Three sixes – Taylor hitting Tino Best into the flats out at midwicket and Machan taking two in a row off Dawson – gave Sussex a degree of insurance. So, too, did Chris Nash’s 32 off the top of the innings. But a game that by Wright’s estimation should have been won in the 18th over slipped through their fingers in embarrassing fashion.It has been a strange season for Sussex: one which started with talk of an all out attack on the sole promotion spot out of Division Two and now, in the midst of the county summer’s own silly season, has them assessing how many eggs to place in each basket. Promotion is still not out of the question. But the uncertain weather and sheer effort needed to win four day games on down-trodden tracks means they will have to embark on an unheard of run in their final 10 matches to take them back to the top division.In the short term, staying in the hunt for T20 success means placing everything on beating Essex Eagles, Surrey and Glamorgan – all of whom sit above them in the group. They are still in control of their own destiny to a point but have lost all wiggle room.

Chelsea are eyeing a sensational summer swoop for Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez.

What’s the latest on Lautaro Martinez to Chelsea?

According to Football Insider, the Italian giants are set to demand a fee of £69.5m to allow the forward to leave the San Siro.

The report also details that the Blues are set to be rivalled by Manchester United for the 25-year-old’s signature as both clubs are frantically scrambling for a consistent goalscorer.

The Argentine’s current contract expires in 2026, so the Nerazzurri are in no rush to sell, and it would be a tricky deal given his insurmountable importance to the side.

The same outlet previously revealed that the incoming Mauricio Pochettino is interested in the prospect of bringing his compatriot to Stamford Bridge.

How would Lautaro Martinez fit in at Chelsea?

The 5 foot 9 attacker has been imperious form this season and has registered 35 goal contributions in 52 appearances in all competitions.

The 48-cap international was also part of his nation’s 2022 World Cup triumph and his national team compatriot Lionel Messi once lavished Martinez with praise and said:

“He’s spectacular. He has impressive qualities. You could tell he was going to be a great player and he is showing that.

“He’s very strong, really good one on one, scores a lot of goals, and in the area he fights with anyone, holds it up, he can turn, scrap to win it all on his own. He has a lot of quality. He’s very complete.”

The £186k-per-week whiz is an effervescent goalscorer and creator – this is showcased by the fact that he ranks in the top 14% for shot-creating actions per 90 and the top 9% for non-penalty goals, according to FBref.

He could be the solution is a hideously disjointed and underperforming Chelsea frontline, which has mustered just 36 goals – the fourth lowest in the division.

With Christopher Nkunku set to join the 2021 Champions League winners, this could spell the start of a new and devastating strike force that could terrorise Premier League defences.

The Frenchman scored his 14th Bundesliga goal of the season to secure RB Leipzig a commanding 3-1 victory against Bayern Munich.

As both the incoming Chelsea star and their apparent transfer target have been in fine form this campaign, it's clear that they – as a duo – would instantly hand Pochettino a frightening frontline, one that is a considerable upgrade on the current underperforming group, in which the likes of Kai Havertz, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Joao Felix have evidently flopped.

Furthermore, with the future of the Portuguese loanee still clouded and the German's inability to function as the team's focal point, the addition of these two silky technicians could transform the West London outfit and as such, Chelsea could ensure that Pochettino instantly strikes gold upon his arrival.