There has been a suggestion this week that Arsenal would be prepared to pay up to £60 million for a very highly-rated striker, as manager Mikel Arteta scours the market for another attacking option.
Arteta wants striking partner for Havertz at Arsenal
The Gunners have been linked with a new striker ever since the beginning of this summer window.
Club reply as Arsenal make opening bid to sign "creative" player this week
It’s been tabled in the last two days.
ByEmilio Galantini Aug 15, 2024
Arsenal did attempt to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig earlier this summer, as did Man United and Chelsea, but the Slovenia international starlet rejected all three proposals to remain at his current club and sign a contract extension.
Arteta apparently wants a striking partner for Havertz, despite the German finishing his debut campaign at the Emirates Stadium very strongly with 14 goals and seven assists in 51 appearances across all competitions.
A prolific new marksman has long been viewed as the final missing piece of Arteta's jigsaw, with former Arsenal star Bacary Sagna explaining that they need a target man in the mould of ex-star Olivier Giroud.
"Arsenal need to be stronger and be more attacking going forward," the former full-back told Paddy Power (via The Metro).
"This season, scoring goals was a problem for them. They could add a proper striker – a number nine. Arsenal are playing well but they can improve on crossing the ball – they hold the ball well generally, but occasionally they’ll need to cross it more.
Team
Date
Wolves (home)
August 17
Aston Villa (away)
August 24
Brighton (home)
August 31
Tottenham (away)
September 15
Man City (away)
September 22
"I’m happy with Gabriel Jesus, as long as he stays fit, but they still have to have cover. I would go for someone like Olivier Giroud, someone physical who can hold the ball quite well and support the team if they’re struggling.
"They need someone who can wait in the box and help out offensively and defensively."
Arsenal reportedly maintain a loose interest in Ivan Toney of Brentford for the role, while Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres has also attracted their attention this summer.
Suggestion Arsenal would pay up to £60m for Gyokeres
Journalist Steve Kay, speaking on KS1TV (via The Boot Room), suggests Arsenal would pay up to £60 million to sign Gyokeres from Sporting – and he made the claim when discussing their interest in Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
Sporting CP strikerViktor Gyokeres.
"If he (Guimaraes) became available, similarly to Gyokeres, at about £50-60m, I’m sure he’d be someone we’d be looking at, but at the price they want, I think they more or less immediately said no," said Kay.
The Sweden international's contract includes an £86 million release clause, with the "unplayable" striker scoring 43 goals in just 50 appearances across all competitions last season.
Celtic are just a couple of weeks away from opening their Scottish Premiership campaign for the 2024/25 season with a clash against Kilmarnock at Parkhead.
The Hoops have made two additions to their first-team squad so far during the summer transfer window, ahead of the season-opener, and both are goalkeepers.
Kasper Schmeichel has come in on a free transfer from Anderlecht to replace fellow veteran Joe Hart, whilst Viljami Sinisalo has joined from Aston Villa on a permanent deal.
Hart retired at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, after three years with the club, and Celtic now have two shot-stoppers to compete for his place.
Celtic target Kasper Schmeichel in action for Denmark.
The Scottish giants are not done there, though, as they have reportedly held talks over a deal for Antwerp star Michel-Ange Balikwisha, whilst they have agreed a £3.5m deal to sign Paulo Bernardo from Benfica.
This shows that the club are currently working on transfers to come in and improve their options across the park after resolved their goalkeeper issues first and foremost.
Whilst Bernardo appears poised to come in to bolster Brendan Rodgers' midfield ranks, after spending last season on loan at Parkhead, Celtic are also interested in a deal to bring another midfielder to Glasgow before the end of the summer transfer window.
Celtic's interest in midfield dynamo
According to the Daily Record, the Premiership champions are in the hunt to sign American midfielder Tanner Tessmann from Venezia this summer.
The report claims that the Scottish giants have been 'alerted' to the potential of a deal being on the cards for the midfield maestro, as his proposed move to Inter fell through.
It also states that he is valued at £6m and it remains to be seen whether or not the Hoops have that in their budget, or if they are willing to spend that on him.
Tanner Tessmann for Venezia.
Tessmann, who was dubbed a "cerebral operator" by talent ID recruiter Jonathan Stoop, has emerged as a target amid interest in current Bhoys star Matt O'Riley.
The Daily Record adds that Liverpool are now interested in a swoop for the Denmark international, whilst Serie A side Atalanta are also keen on him.
However, Tessmann's form for Venezia and style of play actually suggests that he would be more suited as an alternative or future successor to Reo Hatate in the middle of the park, rather than O'Riley – if he were to depart this summer.
Reo Hatate's qualities in midfield
The Japan international is a dynamic midfielder who does not offer too much in terms of his defensive contributions due to his lack of physicality.
He makes up for that, though, with the quality that he can offer in possession of the ball, as the Hoops whiz can chip in with goals and assists at the top end of the pitch.
In the 2022/23 season, the 26-year-old star produced six goals, eight assists, and ten 'big chances' created in 32 league matches for the Scottish giants.
Hatate proved that he has the quality, movement, and vision, to be a reliable source of goals and creativity from a midfield position at Premiership level, with 14 direct goal contributions in those 32 games.
Unfortunately, injuries blighted his most recent campaign in a Celtic jersey as the Japanese ace only managed to make 16 appearances in the Premiership.
23/24 Premiership
Reo Hatate
Appearances
16
Starts
12
Goals
3
Assists
4
Duel success rate
49%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Hatate still showcased his ability in the final third with seven direct goal contributions in just 12 starts, which works out as more than one every other start on average.
His lack of game time in the league, though, came down to three separate injury issues that he sustained throughout the campaign, including one to each calf and one to his hamstring. Those three blows kept the midfielder out of action for a staggering 40 games for club and country.
The midfield ace's injury problems are a cause for concern and that is why Rodgers should swoop to sign Tessmann from Venezia this summer, as the American star could come in as a dream alternative to Hatate, a 2.0 version of the Japan international.
Why Tanner Tessmann could be Reo Hatate 2.0
Firstly the Serie B maestro is four years younger than Hatate, at the age of 22, and could be a long-term successor to the current Celtic talent, as well as providing immediate competition for his place.
The 22-year-old gem is coming off the back of an impressive season in the Serie B for Venezia and his statistics suggest that the potential is there for him to provide an exciting attacking threat from a deep-lying midfield role.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers applauds the fans.
Tessmann is a progressive passer and someone who can get forward to chip in with goals and assists of his own to be a difference-maker for his side.
In the Serie B last term, the young prospect ranked within the top 5% of his positional peers for progressive passes per 90 (6.93), which shows that he is constantly looking to play forward and on the front foot to get his teammates into advanced positions.
He also ranked within the top 25% for Expected Assisted Goals per 90 (0.12) and that speaks to his creative excellence in midfield, as he consistently creates high-quality chances for his fellow players.
23/24 Serie B
Tanner Tessmann
Appearances
37
Goals
6
Assists
3
Big chances created
6
Key passes per game
1.3
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Tessmann got forward to great effect with 12 goals and 'big chances' created combined across 37 outings in the second tier in Italy.
He also created more than one chance per match on average, which aligns with his impressive xAG per 90, and these statistics show that the USA international has the quality to be like Hatate for Celtic.
Just like the Japanese whiz, Tessmann can burst forward from a number eight role to contribute with goals, assists, 'big chances' created, and key passes at an impressive rate, which is why Rodgers should sign him to be Hatate 2.0.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have had a busy transfer window, with some interesting incomings and significant outgoings from Molineux. This summer, the goal has been to modify the squad so that Gary O’Neil and his side can take on the challenge of improving last season’s 14th-place finish, a campaign in which they got 46 points and came 20 points clear of relegation.
In terms of the Midlands club’s two major sales this summer, the first was a deal that saw them lose club captain Max Kilman to West Ham United for £40m. It was a move that saw him reunite with former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui. The other significant sale saw star winger Pedro Neto join Chelsea for a sizeable fee of £54m, after five years at the club.
Pedro Neto and Max Kilman
That money has been reinvested into youngsters Rodrigo Gomes from Portuguese side Braga, and Brazilian fullback Pedro Lima. Tommy Doyle also saw his loan from Manchester City turn into a permanent deal, and Jorgen Strand Larsen signed for the club from Spanish outfit Celta Vigo on loan with a chance for the move to become permanent.
However, with just under a week left of the window, the Molineux side might not yet be done with their summer incomings and could look to add further attacking firepower to the squad.
Wolves target Saudi Pro League winger
The player in question here is Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad and Portuguese winger Jota. The 25-year-old has struggled to settle since his move to the Middle East last summer and could depart the club for a fresh challenge.
According to a report from French news outlet L’Equipe, the Midlands club are thought to be one of the clubs interested in signing the former Celtic star this summer. This comes after the rumours surrounding the former Portugal under-21 international's future in Saudi Arabia have once again intensified.
Former Celtic winger Jota.
However, they will not be alone in their quest to sign the Al-Ittihad winger, with Portuguese giants Sporting CP looking to bring him back to his homeland, and French side Stade Rennais also believed to be showing an interest in the winger this summer.
At this stage, a price has not been clarified by the report from L’Equipe. However, the former Celtic man is valued at around £5.5m by Football Transfers, meaning he could offer a cheap solution to Wolves’ lack of depth on the wing since Neto’s departure to West London earlier in the month.
Why Jota would be a good signing
It has certainly been a rocky time of things for Jota since his move to Al-Ittihad. The 25-year-old was briefly not registered by the club, for them to comply with the Saudi Pro League rules of having a maximum of eight foreign players registered; thus the Portuguese winger was sacrificed and found himself an outcast in many ways.
Jota, Celtic forward (now Al- Attihad)
However, he has appeared for the club, playing 25 games in total, with 16 of those coming in the league before and after his registration issues. In those 25 appearances, he has five goals and an assist from the left wing.
The Benfica academy graduate arguably played the best football of his career for Scottish giants Celtic. He played 83 games for the Bhoys and found the back of the net an impressive 28 times, grabbing 26 assists along the way, too.
Celtic forward Jota.
The entirety of his spell at Celtic Park came under the tutelage of current Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou. The Australian manager clearly thought highly of the winger, praising him for his “dangerous” and “threatening” attacking ability during their time spent together in Glasgow.
Should Wolves bring Jota to the club this summer, he could be a perfect replacement for Neto. The Chelsea number seven was superb for the Molineux side despite injuries and showed his class with 14 goals and 24 assists in 134 appearances for the club.
Indeed, the Al-Ittihad man would be a like-for-like replacement for his fellow Portuguese winger. The pair are both rapid, direct wingers with an eye for goal. Crucially, the former Celtic man, who currently earns a whooping £190k per week in Saudi Arabia as per Capology, is a versatile player.
Wolves star Pedro Neto celebrates
Last season, O’Neil played the new Chelsea man right across the Wolves frontline, and this is certainly something he can count on with Jota, too. During his time in Scotland, he played on both wings and had great deals of success on each side.
Jota record by position for Celtic (min 45 mins played)
Position
Games
Goals
Assists
Left-wing
50
16
15
Right-wing
28
12
10
Total
78
28
25
Stats from Transfermarkt
Their stats are also comparable and demonstrate just how good of a Neto replacement Jota could prove to be. It is important to consider that for this comparison, Jota’s Sofascore stats from 2022/23, his last season at Celtic, have been used, with Neto’s stats from last campaign have been considered, courtesy of Sofascore.
Firstly, in terms of their pure goals and assist numbers, Jota scored 11 goals and got ten assists in 29 SPFL games, with Neto scoring just twice but getting an impressive nine assists in 20 Premier League matches.
Wolves forward Pedro Neto in Premier League action.
Their creative numbers per 90 minutes are very similar. The former Celtic attacker – who has been dubbed "a striker's dream" by pundit Marvin Bartley – created 13 big chances and averaged 1.9 key passes per game during his last season with the Bhoys, with the former Wolves winger creating seven big chances and also playing 1.9 key passes.
The pair are also neck and neck when it comes to their dribbling stats from those respective seasons. The Al-Ittihad number 11 averaged 1.5 dribbles per game with a completion rate of 48%, and although the ex-Wolves man averaged more dribbles each game, with 1.9, he had a slightly worse completion rate of 47%.
Former Celtic winger Jota.
As the stats, the goals, assist numbers and Jota’s versatility shows, he is a perfect replacement for Neto. Whilst he has struggled during his time in Saudi Arabia, he is clearly a talented player rated by the likes of Postecoglou, which the stats also reflect.
It maynot be an expensive deal for Wolves to get over the line, and he seems to be the dream replacement for one of their best players of the past few seasons. It would be a very well-profiled signing from O’Neil and the scouting staff at Molineux.
Talks held: Wolves could repeat Gomes masterclass with £30m "monster"
American investors are supposedly asking “how do we get to be Kim Kardashian or The Rock’s English football team?” after witnessing Wrexham’s success.
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Hollywood co-owners at SToK Racecourse
NFL greats with Birmingham & Burnley
U.S. investment trend expected to continue
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have enjoyed quite the adventure in North Wales, with an award-winning documentary allowing them to open up a window to the world and build a global fan base. They have stepped out of a Hollywood comfort zone and found success in a surprising sporting venture.
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DID YOU KNOW?
NFL legend Tom Brady is now an investor at Birmingham City, while Will Ferrell has linked up with Leeds United and Michael B Jordan boasts ties to Bournemouth. JJ Watt is another American football great with links to the EFL, alongside his former USWNT star wife Kealia at Burnley, while there has been talk of rapper A$AP Rocky – the partner of music icon Rihanna – forming part of a takeover bid at Tranmere Rovers.
THE GOSSIP
More funding from North America is expected to flood into the English game, with investors able to take moderate financial risks in pursuit of potentially lucrative gain – while building on the relationships that they already have in place with famous celebrities.
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WHAT INVESTMENT BROKER SAID
Adam Sommerfeld of Certus Capital, a firm that brokers the sales of English sports teams, has told of the growing EFL trend: “Investors can afford to have a go without it being significant for them and their capital. Potential investors will be trying to figure out ‘How do we get to be Kim Kardashian or The Rock’s English football team?’”
Newcastle United are now in "touching distance" of completing the signing of an "outstanding" player this summer, in an exciting new transfer update.
Newcastle want new centre-backs
The Magpies will still want to bring in fresh faces to boost their squad between now and the end of this month, with centre-back continuing to be a primary area of focus. Marc Guehi is considered a main option in that position, as he looks to make a big move from Crystal Palace, and an offer has been submitted for the 24-year-old's services.
That being said, the England international isn't the only defender being linked with a switch to Newcastle in the near future, with Toulouse ace Logan Costa considered a cheaper alternative to the Palace man. At 23, he is a year younger and should only improve for the foreseeable future.
Toulouse's Logan Costa.
Then there's Liverpool's Joe Gomez, who has been backed to seal a move away from Anfield this summer, having found himself down the centre-back pecking order. While that was the case under Jurgen Klopp at the end of his time as manager, it looks as though the 27-year-old will stay put, suggesting that Arne Slot may be planning to give him more minutes in his preferred position.
In attack, reinforcements could also be needed, especially if Callum Wilson leaves St James' Park ahead of the new Premier League season, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Boulaye Dia have both emerged as options. The respective Everton and Salernitana stars could both represent younger additions than the current Magpies hero.
Newcastle within touching distance of new signing
According to Football Insider, Newcastle have "agreed personal terms" with Marc Guehi over a summer move to St James', with talks over a marquee signing believed to be at an "advanced" stage.
A report from The Guardian also adds that "although an agreement is still to be reached", and "the move remains in danger of being hijacked", the transfer is in "touching distance" of being completed.
At this point, it would be a huge surprise if the £2.6m-a-year-earning Guehi wasn't a Newcastle player come the end of the transfer window, with so much pointing towards a transfer being sealed.
Should that happen, Eddie Howe would acquire the signature of a top-quality defender with a big future in the game, being hailed as "outstanding" by Micah Richards and "excellent" by Alan Shearer during Euro 2024.
“I thought he was excellent in the first game," the legendary Magpies number nine said. "The second game… yeah, I think he was maybe the best of a bad bunch so yeah, particularly when there was so much talk about Harry Maguire not playing and England struggling in that position, I think he’s done really well, he can be pleased with himself."
Newcastle set to battle West Ham to pay £5m premium for new defender
The Magpies are still in the market for defensive reinforcements.
ByTom Coates Aug 5, 2024
Guehi could become Sven Botman's long-term partner at the heart of Newcastle's defence, once he returns from a knee injury, with neither Jamaal Lascelles nor Fabian Schar representing the future these days, and it could elevate Howe's team to another level.
Manchester United have opened talks with Sporting CP over a deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres next summer, per a new report.
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United initiate talks with Amorim's old clubGyokeres in electric form this seasonUnited must raise funds before moving for strikerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Per Florian Plettenberg, United have initiated talks with Sporting over a deal to sign Gyokeres. The 26-year-old has been in incredible form for the Portuguese club this season, scoring 24 goals in 21 games, as he reached a new level under the now-United boss Ruben Amorim.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
According to the report, however, United will have to raise funds if they want to do a deal for Gyokeres, and they also face competition from Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's side lost 4-1 to Sporting in the Champions League earlier this season, with Gyokeres scoring a hat-trick.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Sweden international has played in England before, representing Coventry City 116 times, and scoring 43 goals. He also played eight times for Brighton, scoring once.
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Gyokeres will hope to continue hitting the back of the net as City and United hover. It remains to be seen if Amorim's side are able to secure his signature.
Whilst many of Aston Villa's summer arrivals will make an instant impact on Unai Emery's side, the Villans are now reportedly keeping tabs on a future star with room to develop under the Spaniard.
Aston Villa transfer news
Those in the Midlands have been among the biggest winners in the summer transfer window, signing the likes of Amadou Onana, Jaden Philogene, Ian Maatsen and Ross Barkley to instantly put their Champions League status to good use. As the season gets underway, Villa should have higher ambitions than ever in the Premier League.
Emery's side shocked the rest of English football by qualifying for the Champions League last time out and will now be looking to send further shockwaves by making it back-to-back top four finishes. Establishing themselves as a European side would undoubtedly be crucial in pursuit of one particular gem too.
Emery wants £50m+ star at Aston Villa but Man Utd are in talks to sign him
Atletico Madrid have also made an offer.
ByCharlie Smith Aug 17, 2024
According to Graeme Bailey for HITC, Aston Villa are keeping tabs on Jens Hjerto-Dahl and have sent scouts to watch the 18-year-old Tromso midfielder alongside interest from the likes of Liverpool, Everton and Borussia Dortmund.
In a busy chase for the 6 foot 4 teenager, Villa will hope that their project under Emery acts as a vital selling point. Hjerto-Dahl, meanwhile, could have the biggest decision of his career so far to make before the summer transfer window slams shut in a couple of weeks.
Hjerto-Dahl is one for the future
It speaks volumes that Hjerto-Dahl has attracted the interest of a number of European giants, making it even more important that Aston Villa land what would be an impressive coup. His stature, alone, makes the midfielder an interesting one to watch, especially if his future features a partnership with Onana at the heart of Emery's side.
It's worth noting that the teenager does have an eye for a goal, scoring four from midfield last season. Combined with Onana's physical prowess, Villa could unlock their answer in the middle of the park for years to come.
Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana
Aston Villa is certainly the place to be for young players these days, given their current rise. Whether Hjerto-Dahl decides to become part of that remains to be seen, however.
The Villans have shown in the last two years that they're more than capable of competing with some of Europe's best both on and off the pitch, qualifying for the Champions League and signing the likes of Onana. Now, they could prove that one more time by signing future star Hjerto-Dahl.
Rangers are said to have been close to selling one of their players this week, however, there's been a twist at Ibrox.
The Scottish side, under Philippe Clement, are now a few weeks into their season, and it has been a relatively good start for the club, as they have collected four points out of a possible six in the Scottish Premiership. They have also secured their spot in the next round of the League Cup. The one big disappointment has been the fact they failed to qualify for the Champions League, as they were knocked out by Dynamo Kyiv last week.
Rangers could brilliantly replace Yilmaz with swoop for £4.2m star
The Light Blues could dip into the market to find a replacement for the injured defender.
ByDan Emery Aug 21, 2024 Rangers transfer news
It has been a rather productive summer for Rangers, as the club has been busy making changes to their playing squad. So far, the Scottish side has made eight new signings in this transfer window as Clement looks to close the gap to arch-rivals Celtic.
The Gers have brought in players such as Robin Propper and Jefte to improve their defensive options, but they have also added Mohamed Diomande and Vaclav Cerny to improve the team going forward.
Mohamed Diomande
Nordsjaelland
Robin Propper
Twente FC
Hamza Igamane
FAR Rabat
Vaclav Cerny
VfL Wolfsburg
Jefte
Fluminense
Connor Barron
Aberdeen
Liam Kelly
Motherwell
Clinton Nsiala
AC Milan U20
Despite there already being a high turnover of players at the club, as Rangers have also seen 10 players leave Ibrox in recent months, Rangers’ transfer business may not be stopping there.
It was reported last week that Rangers are interested in signing WSG Tirol player Mahamadou Diarra in what remains of this transfer window and have held talks with the player’s agent over a potential deal.
That phone call is said to have discussed the player’s potential contract at Ibrox, as well as his playing time, his transfer bonuses, and what the project is that is on offer at Rangers. It remains to be seen if Rangers remain interested in the player, but adding a forward to their squad may become even more important after the recent news.
Cyriel Dessers was close to leaving Rangers
According to reporter Luca Bendoni, Rangers had been in negotiations with MLS side Atalanta United over a potential deal for striker Cyriel Dessers. Bendoni states that talks over a deal were worth $6 million (£4.6 million) for Dessers.
He goes on to add that an agreement between the American side and the Scottish side was close, however, the move has broken down, as Dessers himself didn’t agree on the move to the MLS.
Dessers joined Rangers in July 2023 from Italian side Cremonese, where he had been since August 2022. The 29-year-old had a very productive campaign in his first season in Scotland, as the striker scored 16 goals in 35 Scottish Premiership games.
He also played a further 19 games for Rangers that season, as he was their leading man in their Europa League campaign, as well as their success in reaching the Scottish Cup final. The striker has continued that form from last season into the new campaign, as he’s netted once in two league games, as well as scoring in the cup and the Champions League qualifiers. Dessers remains contracted to the club until 2027.
تحدث حسام حسن، المدير الفني لمنتخب مصر، عن رغبته في التتويج ببطولة كأس الأمم الإفريقية 2025 المقامة في المغرب.
وقال حسام حسن، على هامش تواجده في قرعة كأس أمم إفريقيا: “سعيد بتواجدي في المملكة المغربية، وسعيد بتمثيل مصر في كأس الأمم في دولة عربية”.
طالع.. خاص.. حسام حسن يراقب لاعب خط وسط قبل معسكر مارس
وتابع: “كل التوفيق لكل الفرق، ونتمنى أن نحصد اللقب للمرة الثامنة، لأننا سبق أن حصدنا اللقب 7 مرات بفضل كل اللاعبين الذين تواجدوا قبل ذلك”.
وأضاف: “أنا محظوظ كمدرب، والكرة المصرية أيضًا محظوظة، بأننا نمتلك واحدًا من أعظم اللاعبين في العالم، وهو محمد صلاح، كما أن مصر بها مواهب كثيرة مثل عمر مرموش، وأنا سعيد كمدرب بأننا نمتلك لاعبين مميزين مثلهم”.
وواصل: “أعتقد أن صلاح ومرموش يمثلان ضغطًا إيجابيًا لنا، وأعد الجماهير المصرية والإفريقية بأن هناك مواهب مصرية ستظهر في بطولة أمم إفريقيا”.
وأتم: “أعتقد أن البطولة ستنجح في المغرب بفضل هذه البنية التحتية المميزة، وأتمنى أن نقدم بطولة قوية تليق بالكرة الإفريقية”. تصريحات حسام حسن في قرعة كأس أمم إفريقيا
Another issue will be the new T20 leagues eating into the international calendar
Osman Samiuddin14-Apr-2021
Some Full Members want an expanded World Cup•Getty Images
Chief executives of cricket boards will start hammering out on Thursday what cricket’s next eight-year calendar will look like. CEC (the ICC’s chief executives’ committee) meetings on the 2023-31 cycle have so far been exploratory in nature, in trying to suss out member views on various competitions, ICC events, and the growing space domestic T20 leagues now occupy.But the real work of getting the calendar into shape begins now, with two broad questions to answer: One, how much time and space is available for bilateral cricket given ICC events and domestic T20 leagues. And two, what should the structure of international cricket, including the World Test Championship (WTC) and the ODI Super League, look like?These discussions are likely to be more complicated than ever, and not just because figuring out a common virtual window for every board from around the world to attend is relatively tricky. The demands on the calendar are growing and have amplified, even in the time since these discussions last took place, across 2017 and 2018. Ahead of the meeting, we look at the four issues that need resolving in the next calendar.Related
If ODIs feel irrelevant now, just wait till the next FTP cycle
ICC makes U-turn, to revisit plan for extra global event in next cycle
BCCI upset with ICC for overlooking objections to new events in 2023-31
T20 leagues threaten new international schedule
The neglected middle format: ODIsT20s and Tests are fairly settled for the moment but it’s bilateral ODIs, and specifically in relation to global ODI events, that are under the scanner.Ostensibly, the ODI Super League is providing context to bilateral ODIs with the reward of World Cup qualification at the end of it. But it has yet to gain real traction and momentum, given its start was postponed because of the pandemic, and the immediate focus is firmly on the two upcoming T20 World Cups. One of the points of discussion will be an expanded 50-over World Cup – with 14 rather than ten teams – though the push for this is coming from those Full Members who weren’t in the last World Cup. Full Members like their teams to be in World Cups, as one official said, and there are currently 12 Full Members but a ten-team World Cup.If there is a larger World Cup in 2027, what happens to the ODI Super League? Currently it features 13 teams, out of whom the top eight qualify directly for the 2023 World Cup. If it was kept to a 13-team league but eventually 12 qualified from it, that would defeat the point of a league.If that league becomes larger – and for 12-14 teams to qualify, it would have to be much larger – then it starts eating into the calendar, which already has too little space in it. And there might still be an appetite for a World Cup qualifier tournament, given the great spectacle that the 2018 tournament in Zimbabwe was.Ireland and Afghanistan have begun playing Test cricket recently•Getty Images
Nine or more for the World Test Championship?Members see the WTC, by and large, as a success, enough in any case to indicate it will be around beyond the current cycle. The build-up to the finalists being confirmed, as well as the build-up to the final itself, has gone down well.But the question hovering over the league is what to do with Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Ireland. The three are not part of the WTC in the league’s second cycle, which ends in 2023, but are keen to get some definition around their involvement going forward beyond that – even if it is a pathway that ultimately leads to inclusion.When the league was first devised, those three teams weren’t playing enough Tests to be part of it. They have only played nine Tests between them – Ireland none at all – since the WTC began in August 2019. They have a slightly busier Test calendar in the second cycle of the WTC, but not by much.The challenge, again, will be limited calendar space. Six series (three home and three away) over two years for each team works currently. Adding more teams will mean somehow squeezing more time out of the cycle, or not playing more than the six currently stipulated series – which dilutes further the idea of a league, in that a growing number of sides won’t play each other.The Champions Trophy was scrapped after the 2017 edition•Getty Images
That ICC eventIn some ways this extra event is at the heart of the game’s current tensions. As things stand, the extra event – whether it is an ODI tournament or a T20 one – has been approved by the ICC board, despite objections from the BCCI.But with CA and the ECB joining the BCCI in their opposition, and ICC chairman Greg Barclay suggesting an extra event was not a done deal, don’t take it as final. It does have majority support among members currently – many of whom rely significantly on ICC event revenues – and is an acknowledged starting point for discussions, but whether that means it will still remain at the end of these discussions is a different matter.And if it is an ODI event, that will only complicate the status of the ODI Super League. It used to be that ICC events would be scheduled into an eight-year cycle and members then went and built their own bilateral schedules around it. But with extra context now with the WTC and Super League – in essence, two more competitions – getting clarity on what they look like is just as important as knowing when – and where – ICC events will be played. Once members work out their bilateral match-ups in these competitions, a calendar can start to be built.The other calendarOne of the main points of difficulty in the 2017-18 scheduling discussions were the various domestic T20 leagues that members were running – an alternative calendar to the year, essentially. At that time, South Africa’s Mzansi Super League (MSL) and the PSL were difficult to work around, in that they took two elite teams out of international cricket for a total of six or so weeks in the October-March window – which is when the majority of the member teams are in their international season.This time, add to those leagues the Lanka Premier League, the Afghan Premier League, the Abu Dhabi T10, from this summer on, The Hundred, and from 2022, an expanded IPL. That creates many more moving parts for members to juggle with. The ICC has no control over this, of course, but because they all eat into one calendar, it all has a direct impact on international cricket.