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Why Test cricket remains the pinnacle
“In my humble opinion a hard fought five-day Test match remains the greatest all-round challenge in modern day sport.”A challenge as mentally demanding as it is physical. A challenge demanding the very highest levels of concentration of technique, of determination, of stamina, all, for the batsman at least, with no second chances.”Because, having played every form of cricket in every corner of the cricketing globe, I remain 100% convinced that the five-day Test remains the supreme form of the game.”This may surprise some of you. After all, I am not known as a traditionalist… Nor, I should add, am I anything but unstinting in my praise of T20 cricket – particularly the wonderful IPL. Twenty20 provides the thrill, the noise, the speed and no little genius. It has taken fielding to a new level and has redefined batting.”But it offers the cricketing buzz without the full sting. Wickets are less precious. Risks are taken without the same downside. There is less character and technique required. Few players have ever been met with the wrath of an entire population simply for getting out to an injudicious shot early in a T20 innings…””Trust me, there is no feeling like the exhaustion, the excitement, the sense of wonder at waking up on the final day of a Test match knowing that any result is possible. The aching thighs. The mental fatigue. The fear. And the possibility that this will be day.”How you keep Test cricket healthy
“I’m afraid that the answer to that isn’t in the hands of cricketers at all. It’s in a word that makes many shudder: commerce.”We may dream that cricketers will choose to play five-day cricket because of its history and tradition. Because it develops character. And because we seek to emulate the feats of [Don] Bradman, [Len] Hutton and [Sunil] Gavaskar.”But that would be no different to asking a Bollywood star to give up the screen for work in the theatre. It may be a more classical form of acting but it offers a fraction of the rewards.”If we wish cricketers to commit to five-day cricket we have to pay them. And as an ex-cricketer, I can now say this without being accused of self-interest…”So how do we pay them? Simply by throwing the same commercial nous and innovation [as in T20] at the Test game. Five days of action. They provide so many opportunities. Day-night games have demonstrated the enormous leaps that are possible. The IPL doesn’t play its biggest fixtures when many of its staunchest, wealthiest fans are at work. Neither should Test cricket…”Let’s make every game count. Push the profile of the World Test Championship. Develop marketing opportunities. Offer cheaper seats in the ground to provide a better spectacle for TV viewers.”Is there a game anywhere quite like Test cricket in which so many people are passionate despite rarely attending a game in person? We need to get them back through the turnstiles. It’s better for the players, the sponsors, and television…”Let’s throw equal marketing clout behind the Test game before we succumb to the lazy assumption that T20 rules.”How to raise Test cricket’s entertainment levels
“Let’s not compromise on entertainment… Let’s make Test cricket a spectacle. Garnish it with colour and fireworks. Fill the grounds. Play in the evenings. Give the umpires microphones to broadcast to the spectators. Allow sledging – as long as it remains the right side of the line. Communicate better with the fans.”Give the players a voice during play. Entertainment isn’t just about hitting the ball hard or bowling bouncers. It’s about creating an experience.”How to make Test cricket the best players’ priority
“As for the administrators wondering what the players really think. How do you ensure that Rashid Khan and his fellow stars in this room commit to Test cricket? How do you push them towards a career where they truly care about the five-day game?”It’s remarkably simple. Ensure that it becomes their priority. They are professionals. They are brands in their own right…”So ensure that they are paid as well over five days as they are over five hours of T20 cricket. You can’t blame a player for seeking financial security through his or her sporting talent. The days of amateurism are gone.”Let’s not kid ourselves that players will choose a classical art form over something requiring less effort that attracts greater rewards. When the greatest players can attract the greatest income by playing the greatest form of the game, then we will see nothing less than a renaissance in Test cricket.”

Eoin Morgan is expected to be fit to captain England as they look to take an unassailable lead in the series

The Preview by Andrew Miller18-Jun-2018Big PictureTwo games gone, three to go. And England are on the brink of their second ODI series win against Australia in the space of six months. Leaving aside Australia’s well-documented absentees for one moment, victory at Trent Bridge would be further confirmation of England’s radical departure from their traditions in limited-overs cricket – the last time they won back-to-back ODI series against Australian opposition was way back in 1986-87.And yet, it’s been a curious pair of performances to date. England should have won the first match at a canter after Australia’s batting imploded at The Oval, but it was that very act of cantering that almost derailed them in a three-wicket win. And then, in Cardiff, England seemed somehow to have left a good 30 runs out in the middle in nevertheless amassing their highest ODI total against Australia. With a bit more adequate support, Shaun Marsh’s defiant 131 might have punished them much as Ross Taylor had done in a similarly sized chase in Dunedin in March.Small quibbles perhaps, but a reflection nevertheless of the strange paranoia surrounding England’s No.1-ranked ODI team. Like the All Blacks prior to their 2011 World Cup win, there’s a nagging suspicion that Eoin Morgan’s men have managed to peak too soon for the big event – that their bowling (admittedly missing its usual depth in the absence of two key allrounders, Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes) lacks penetration, while their batting, formidable when on-song, is prone to unravel when faced with either challenging conditions or bowling.In spite of slumping to their seventh defeat in eight ODIs against England, Australia have at least shown glimpses of the fighting spirit that they will need when their World Cup defence gets underway in just under a year’s time. There’s certainly little wrong with their back-up fast-bowling resources, with Billy Stanlake, Jhye Richardson and (though he was luckless in Cardiff) Andrew Tye all showing plenty of reasons why they can challenge the hegemony of the Big Three, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.But then there’s the batting – Marsh’s remarkable hundred aside, there’s been little evidence of class or durability from the remainder of the line-up, with Glenn Maxwell’s two unfulfilled innings of 62 and 31 symptomatic of the team’s wider malaise. There’s been little wrong with their T20 form in recent times – as England discovered to their cost in the winter – but with a less robust tail over the longer format, they’ve lacked the faith in their team-mates that England (for better as well as worse) have made a central plank of their no-holds-barred approach.There’s time to turn it around, of course – particularly if Australia’s bowlers get on an early roll against a team who still don’t entirely fancy setting a target. But on another true surface at Nottingham, the scene of England’s record-breaking 444 for 3 two years ago, you suspect it’s going to be another stiff test of Australia’s mettle.Jonny Bairstow sports some strapping on his knee during training•Getty ImagesForm guideEngland WWLWL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Australia LLLWLIn the spotlightPressure for batting places is rarely a bad thing, except for the under-performing player whose turn it is to sit in the spotlight. That accolade, for the moment at least, has passed to Alex Hales, who has already been dislodged from his opening berth due to Jonny Bairstow’s rapacious run of form, and who is unlikely to bump Jason Roy out of the top slot in a hurry either, following the latter’s matchwinning hundred at Cardiff. Besides, Hales has endured a tricky start to the year – no great wealth of runs or opportunities in the IPL, followed by a highest score of 52 since his return to England – that in an innings against Scotland that was arguably more notable for his running-out of Joe Root. With Ben Stokes waiting in the wings, he needs a score to cement his spot.No one would envy the circumstances in which Tim Paine inherited the Australia captaincy, but while his all-round good-eggery may be what the team needed to address its short-term cultural concerns, his credentials in the longer term are bound to be judged, as always, by victory and defeat. And to that end, Paine desperately needs to get his team off the mark in this series, and ideally, to be instrumental to that achievement as well. He had a chance at Cardiff to be a hero – with Marsh going strong at the other end, he needed to be the man to hang around. Instead, he holed out limply to Liam Plunkett, having moments earlier survived a dropped chance. A fine catch behind the stumps, soon after a nasty facial blow, was proof of Paine’s quality as a keeper, but Alex Carey is due a chance at some stage. The reigning World Champions cannot afford to have any passengers in the build-up to 2019.Team newsThe England management have confirmed that Stokes is closer to a return to action than his fellow injury concern, Chris Woakes, who has been ruled out of a return at any stage in this series as he recovers from a “chronic” knee injury. Stokes, meanwhile has been rated as running at “90% capacity” after his hamstring tear. He’s likelier to feature in the India series than the remaining matches against Australia, though he will remain with the squad throughout. Eoin Morgan, who missed the Cardiff game with a back spasm, took part in training and is expected to slot straight back in for Sam Billings, although Jonny Bairstow could be a doubt with a knee problem that remained strapped on Monday.England: (probable) 1 Jonny Bairstow, 2 Jason Roy, 3 Alex Hales, 4 Joe Root, 5 Eoin Morgan (capt), 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Moeen Ali, 8 David Willey, 9 Liam Plunkett, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Mark WoodThe experiment of shifting Aaron Finch to the middle order was not an unqualified success, but it seems likely that Australia will persist with that policy to allow D’Arcy Short to take another stab at the top of the order alongside Travis Head – especially as Marcus Stoinis proved to be the pick of their bowlers at Cardiff, having not been called upon in the first match. Billy Stanlake’s height and pace were sorely missed in that contest when he had to withdraw with a toe injury. He trained with the squad on Monday and, if fit, can expect to dislodge one of Australia’s pair of Richardsons with the new ball. No concerns about Paine after his facial injury at Cardiff. He has been checked over by the doctor and dentist, and will play with a few stitches in his cheek.Australia: (possible) 1 Travis Head, 2 D’Arcy Short, 3 Shaun Marsh, 4 Marcus Stoinis, 5 Aaron Finch, 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Tim Paine (capt & wk), 8 Ashton Agar, 9 Andrew Tye, 10 Jhye Richardson/Kane Richardson, 11 Billy StanlakePitch and conditionsThe pitch is likely to be another Trent Bridge belter, and the weather – while not set to be blazing – looks set to be dry. Lots of runs seem likelier than not.Stats and trivia After missing the Cardiff match, Morgan still needs 41 runs to overtake Ian Bell as England’s leading run-scorer in ODIs. Australia have won just twice in 15 ODIs since the Champions Trophy in 2017 – a win-loss ratio that is the worst for any ODI team in the past 12 months. They’ve got a way to go yet before they can start targeting whitewashes, but given the current state of the two teams, England will rarely have a better chance to beat Australia 5-0 in an ODI series – their best result was 4-0, with one wash-out, in 2012. Quotes”We haven’t quite been at our best and where we want to be this time next year. The Australians will always come hard and will be thirsty to beat the English, no matter what format and no matter who’s playing. We’re expecting tough competition in the other three games.”
“It’s been the frustrating thing in the past 18 months – we play well in patches but let the games slip, be it a couple of poor overs with the ball or with the bat, little collapses. It’s nothing new, we do need to put it all together and start to play the more complete game.”
Aaron Finch on the inconsistencies that are currently costing Australia.

There was also a century for Keaton Jennings on a day of toil for Somerset, but some unexpected success with the ball from Tom Abell

Paul Edwards at Old Trafford06-May-20182:04

Yorkshire complete epic comeback

ScorecardSamuel Beckett might enjoy watching Dane Vilas bat. Just when you think he can’t go on, he goes on. Unlike the eponymous character in Beckett’s novel, however, one doubts Somerset’s cricketers consider Vilas . On the contrary, they probably had some pretty ripe names for him on the third evening of this game, albeit they may not be good out-loud words.One sees their point. When Lancashire were eventually bowled out, deep in the evening session of this hot day, they had taken an improbable lead of 63 runs. More to the point, 235 of their 492 first-innings runs had been mercilessly plundered by Vilas, a batsman who seems not to know fatigue and who regards a century as the end of his beginning, an opening gambit, an opportunity.Vilas is a serial converter. Having reached three figures on 17 occasions, he has now made nine scores in excess of 150 and four double centuries. More remarkably still, Vilas has never been dismissed between 100 and 120. His innings against Somerset illustrated his ruthlessness. Having put on a mere 201 for the third wicket with Keaton Jennings, Vilas remained at the crease while Lancashire’s total was nearly doubled, adding 102 for the sixth wicket with Jordan Clark and 49 for the tenth with Matt Parkinson.He had opened his account on Saturday with a couple of sixes off Jack Leach but hit only eight fours in reaching three figures. Then he tore the flagging Somerset attack apart in the hour before lunch, levying ten more fours in getting to 150. Before long we had almost forgotten that Jennings had made his first hundred in 43 first-class innings.Somerset thought they had chances late in the morning session when they removed Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Steven Croft cheaply. Then Vilas reasserted his mastery and, like an implacable bailiff, took everything away from them. He and Clark dominated the afternoon session so the sudden tumble of four wickets just before tea came as something of a surprise, not least because all of them were taken by the Somerset skipper Tom Abell, who nearly doubled his first-class tally in the space of 12 balls.Abell is a medium-pacer who runs up with the genial good-nature of a chap who doesn’t really go in for this bowling lark but is always happy to help the side out, doncha know. The reality is rather different. A tight off-stump line is kept and if you play down the wrong line, as Clark did, you lose your pole.Two overs later Abell took three wickets in five balls as Lancashire declined to 443 for 9. Joe Mennie was bowled, Tom Bailey was leg before and James Anderson was caught at the wicket first ball. Abell smiled at all and sundry, as if to say that a career-best 4 for 43 was absolutely tickety-boo but surely old Jack deserved some more wickets.One tended to agree. Leach may yet wake in the cold and lonely hours before dawn and imagine he is bowling to Vilas. A similar sensation may afflict Lewis Gregory who dropped Lancashire’s linchpin in the gully when the batsman was 171 and just settling into his day’s work. And even when he had reached 200 off 323 balls, Vilas was not done. There were two more sixes as he shepherded young Parkinson towards greater Lancastrian strength. A late tea came and a late tea went. Then Parkinson was brilliantly caught in the gully by Craig Overton off Paul van Meekeren to end the innings.As for the game, it will probably end in a draw. Somerset’s openers faced 18 overs in the late evening and negotiated them without mishap. Lancashire’s wicketkeeper was Dane Vilas. He watched every ball intently. It is his incurable habit.

Reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has shared a twist on Ivan Perisic after Tottenham confirmed his very serious injury blow this week.

Arsenal vs Tottenham

Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou has guided his new side through a very impressive start to this Premier League campaign.

The Lilywhites have clinched victory in four out of their opening five league matches; scoring 13 goals while displaying real character in parts. Tottenham's wins over Bournemouth, Man United, Burnley and especially Sheffield United exemplify just how much they've transformed under Postecoglou.

Spurs were forced to dig deep against the Blades last Saturday after going behind against the run of play, with two late, late goals from Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski gifting them all three points.

The north Londoners are now gearing up for their toughest test and biggest match of the campaign to date against fierce cross-town rivals Arsenal. Both sides go into the contest on a similar run of form, as Mikel Arteta's men also boast four wins out of their opening five but in far grittier fashion for the most part.

Tottenham team news

Postecoglou has no fresh injury concerns to worry about heading into their battle with Arsenal, except one of course.

Huge news came to light this week that winger Perisic suffered a complex Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury in his right knee. The Croatian sustained it during non-contact training and is now set to undergo rehabilitation in a bid to get back to full fitness.

Perisic's injury has been described as a "big blow" by sections of the media, as the 34-year-old had been providing real injections of quality coming off the bench this season. There have been reports that the player could even miss the rest of this season, but according to Romano, this actually may not be the case.

Sharing a twist to the tale, the journalist suggests that, if all goes to plan, Perisic could make a return in March/April – and there is a "feeling" he can do it.

"Ivan Perisić has torn his ACL — he will miss the next 5/6 months as Tottenham confirm," wrote Romano on X. "Perisić, fantastic professional who’ll now work hard to be back and help Spurs in March/April… then Euro 2024 with Croatia, feeling he can do it."

How good is Ivan Perisic?

Signed by Antonio Conte last summer, Perisic arrived with plenty of pedigree and experience. The versatile ace went on to make 34 top flight appearances last term; racking up more league assists (8) than any other player in Tottenham's squad.

Speaking to the BBC last year, both Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer sang the praises of Perisic.

“Perisic is a seasoned pro isn’t he, he’s such a good player and can play different positions for you," said Lineker (via Spurs Web). The Newcastle legend responded: “He’s a really good player. You won’t be around for as long as he has and have the career he has [without that]. He’ll be a big player for them today.”

Having him back for the last month of the season would be a big boost for Postecoglou and co.

Manchester United’s recent 2-1 victory over Brentford was reminiscent of the comeback wins and late, late goals scored when Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge of the club.

Indeed, ‘Fergie time’ was often the moniker used when the Red Devils were deep into the game and required a goal to secure a positive result and nothing is more famous than the two dramatic goals in the final moments of the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

This never-say-die attitude has been missed at Old Trafford over the previous decade with a succession of managers failing to carry on the legacy of the great man and the club are a shadow of what they were.

His longevity will likely never be surpassed, and the Scot continued to build great teams across all four decades he was in charge of the Red Devils, yet might he have won more had he signed everyone that he wanted?

Who did Man United miss out on under Alex Ferguson?

The legendary gaffer managed to lure some incredible names to Old Trafford during his reign, including the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Robin van Persie among others.

They all played a significant part in their success, yet there may have been another couple of Premier League crowns or European titles added to the collection had Fergie managed to sign some of the names United were linked with throughout the years.

Icons such as Alan Shearer, Gabriel Batistuta, Gareth Bale and even Spaniard Raul were once linked with a move to Manchester as Fergie sought to bolster his starting XI and these are just a few of the many glamorous figures that were touted for big money moves to Old Trafford.

They all forged legacies at other clubs but one name that the club were linked with went on to become a legend at a club very close to home – Manchester City.

Remarkably, Ferguson tried to lure David Silva to the red half of the city before he eventually joined Man City, and it might well be one of his few regrets in the transfer window given Silva’s impact in the Premier League.

Did Man United come close to signing David Silva?

It appeared that United were keen on the attacking midfielder, yet Fergie wasn’t convinced by his defensive skills which scuppered a move.

“We watched Silva a lot when he was at Valencia,” said the wily Scot. “And the other player they had, the same type, years before it, played in that No.10 role.

“My problem with that was you have to be very, very good to play in that position, because there's no defensive duties for them.

“So if you're wanting to be really successful, everyone has to do their turn, has to work, you know?

“So I had a difficulty with that. But, in the end, of course, there's the greats. You could say Lionel Messi was a No.10 type, Maradona, some fantastic players, and I don't dispute that.”

His attacking prowess surely would’ve made up for his lack of defensive contributions had United signed him, and it proved to be a massive mistake, as he eventually joined City from the Spanish side for a fee of £24m in 2010 and gave Fergie a first-hand account of exactly what he missed out on.

What did David Silva achieve in his career?

Following 168 appearances for Valencia – scoring 32 goals and grabbing 36 assists – the time for Silva to test himself in the Premier League had come, and he joined the City revolution two years after their takeover.

The signing proved to be one of the greatest value-for-money buys in their history as he flaunted his creative talents in England.

David Silva's clubs

Games

Goals

Assists

Manchester City

436

77

140

Valencia

168

32

36

Real Sociedad

93

7

19

Celta Vigo

36

4

0

SD Eibar

10

1

0

Stats via Transfermarkt

Silva played a prominent role in City’s first league title since 1968 during the 2011/12 season, registering a staggering 23 goal contributions from an attacking midfield role, and he was also a factor for their second Premier League crown in 2014, managing 18 contributions from just 27 games.

He flourished under Pep Guardiola, becoming the main link between midfield and attack and during the title-winning season of 2017/18, Silva averaged a mammoth 97.7 touches per game while holding an 89% pass success rate as he controlled games on a regular basis.

His talents in the final third were still outstanding under his enigmatic compatriot, however. He created 16 big chances and averaged 2.3 key passes during the 2018/19 season and these statistics ranked him fourth and fifth across the whole league, indicating that he was still one of the better performers in the top-flight despite his advancing years.

He enjoyed one more season at City before bowing out having won four league titles among a handful of other honours and his creative talents have certainly been missed, despite the club securing a wonderful treble last season.

Jonathan Liew heaped praise on him following his departure from City back in 2020, saying: “Genius. Magician. Best City player ever. One of the greatest-ever Premier League imports. After 10 years, David Silva finally has his due. Maybe in time, Yaya Toure will get his too. This week’s column.”

There is no disputing any of those when describing the Spaniard and might United’s recent history been radically altered had Ferguson looked over his supposed defensive fragilities?

The former Valencia starlet emerged as one of the finest ever Premier League imports during his decade in Manchester, but there is no doubt the recent history of the competition would’ve changed had United lured him to Old Trafford.

£24m may have seemed a lot in 2010 for a player who hadn’t played in England, yet it turned into a wonderful bargain for City and he only got better.

Ferguson didn’t have that many transfer mishaps over the course of his 27 years at the Red Devils, but missing out on Silva might be one which stung rather hard, especially as he got to see his talents up close during his final three seasons in charge of United.

Would the Old Trafford side be in their current predicament had Silva joined them instead of City? Who knows, but they may have been a far better team to watch during their first few years after Fergie’s retirement, that’s for sure.

Sean Dyche is safe in his job as Everton manager for the time being, but journalist Paul Brown has revealed which coach would "love" to take the job if the chances arises.

Will Sean Dyche be sacked as Everton manager?

The Blues have had a really disappointing opening to their Premier League season, with four defeats and one draw coming their way in their first five fixtures. Three 1-0 home losses have occurred against Fulham, Wolves and Arsenal last time around, while a 4-0 hammering away to Aston Villa was added to by a spirited 2-2 draw at Sheffield United.

There is no doubt that Dyche finds himself under a fair amount of pressure at the moment, having not yet had the desired impact since replacing Frank Lampard. Granted, he kept Everton in the Premier League, but that had to be seen as the bare minimum, and his side have failed to kick on in 2023/24 to date.

The hope is that things change for the better as soon as possible, starting with Saturday's trip to Brentford, but if that doesn't happen, the Blues could again find themselves searching for a new manager again eventually.

Will Wayne Rooney be Everton's next manager?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Brown claimed that Wayne Rooney is unlikely to come in as Everton manager in the near future, but he can definitely envisage him taking charge at Goodison Park eventually because of his personal connection with Goodison:

"It's hard to say. That looks quite a long way off, but who knows? I'm sure Rooney would love to take on a job like that at some point. He's had an interesting history with the club, veering from being the hero to villain in the eyes of many there.

"Last time, when he left, I don’t think he left under particularly happy circumstances. He's trying to make a name for himself now as a manager, and it's entirely possible one day that he might end up being at Everton. But I think we're a long way from that right now."

As Brown alludes to, Rooney's relationship with Everton has certainly been an up-and-down one over the years, having left to join Manchester United as a player and not exactly going out on good terms last time either, but he is someone who almost feels destined to manage the club one day.

He clearly still has a strong affiliation with the Blues, having supported them as a boy, but most importantly, he has impressed in his short managerial career to date, doing well with Derby County in tough financial circumstance, and now shining with D.C. United in the MLS in America.

The 37-year-old is still a young manager learning his trade, however, so to throw him in as a possible replacement for Dyche would feel like a risk, at a time when Everton would need more of a sure-fire bet to come in and make a difference.

As mentioned, however, Dyche does feels safe at the moment, despite the poor run of form, and it would arguably take a genuinely awful run for him to be disposed of so soon. Rooney should definitely be considered a future option in the Goodison hot seat, though, given the manner in which he has slotted seamlessly into management, with Paul Ince saying he is a "top, top" coach.

تحدث هاني سعيد المدير الرياضي لنادي بيراميدز، عن الفوز الذي حققه الفريق اليوم على المقاولون العرب، وذلك بالمباراة التي جمعت بينهما ببطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وفاز بيراميدز على المقاولون العرب بنتيجة 3-1 على أرضية ملعب الدفاع الجوي، في خضم مواجهات الجولة 27 من عمر مسابقة الدوري.

وقال هاني سعيد في تصريحات عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر 2”: “أحمد الله على الفوز اليوم بعد تأخرنا بهدف، وطبيعي أننا سنتأخر في بعض المباريات، الأهم أننا تعاملنا بشكل جيد، وتوفيق ربنا ساعدنا”.

طالع أيضاً.. يورتشيتش بعد الفوز على المقاولون العرب: سعيد بـ”وحوش” بيراميدز.. ويمكننا تحقيق نجاحات بهذا الأسلوب

وتابع: “جائزة رجل المباراة لم تأتي، هذا أمر مُضحك، عندما ستأتي سيتسلمها فيستون ماييلي، الأمر الجيد أن يتسلم اللاعب الجائزة بعد المباراة، لكن أن يتسلمها بعد ذلك لن يكون لها فائدة”.

وواصل: “ما زال الموسم طويلا ومبكر أن نتحدث عن فوز بيراميدز بالدوري، لأن الواقع يقول إن لو الأهلي فاز بكل المؤجلات سيتخطى بيراميدز بنقطة”.

وبسؤاله هل تتأثروا بالأزمات الحالية وموقف الزمالك من الدوري؟ أجاب: “نحن نركز في مبارياتنا ولا نركز في أي شيء لا يخصنا، وتفكيرنا في المباراة القادمة، ولا نشغل أنفسنا بما يدور حولنا”.

وأشار: “لدينا مشكلة في التحكيم، في بطولة أوروبا عندما تشاهد التحكيم تجد أن هذه هي الكرة، لكننا بعيدين عن التحكيم والكرة، هناك حكام عندنا مستواهم ضعيف، لماذا لا نعمل على تطوير مستواهم، لأن هناك أندية كثيرة تُعاني من تلك الأزمة”.

وعن أزمة رمضان صبحي قال: “رمضان لديه جلسة يوم السبت، وأنا لن أتحدث في الأمر إلا بعد أن ينتهي”.

وعن موقف الشيبي أفاد: “هو لاعب مهم في النادي، وبالتأكيد النادي كان يدعمه ويسانده”.

وبسؤاله هل توافق على دوري استثنائي؟ أتم: “منذ 3 سنوات كان في اجتماع في اتحاد الكرة وتم طرح هذا الأمر، و90% من الأندية رفضت، وأنا كان رأيي لو الموسم الاستثنائي سيعيد النظام في السنوات القادمة فلا توجد مشكلة”.

Having endured a patchy start to the new Premier League season, despite remaining unbeaten, it finally seems like Arsenal are clicking into gear and recapturing the rhythm that saw them come so close to immortality last year.

With standout victories over Manchester United and PSV Eindhoven, Mikel Arteta's men have laid a fine foundation for success across the board, with the Spaniard likely boasting grand ambitions of challenging on all fronts.

However, much of the media interest surrounding the current campaign, Kai Havertz's questionable performances aside, has been aimed at the goalkeeping position.

With Aaron Ramsdale having started the term as no.1, given the England international's impressive and ever-improving form since joining, the loan acquisition of David Raya drew questions.

The Spaniard is a fine shot-stopper who boasts exemplary ball-playing skills, but many wondered what the need to replace their current keeper was when the 25-year-old had largely impressed.

However, when the opportunity arose the Brentford loanee certainly took it, with it now widely recognised that he will maintain his starting spot.

Despite all the interest and debate such a saga has whipped up, it could be argued that back in 2020, Arteta actually sold a man who outperforms both of them.

Who has Mikel Arteta sold whilst at Arsenal?

Upon being appointed following the troublesome tenure of Unai Emery, there was plenty of work for the young inexperienced coach to undergo before he could take the Gunners back to the top.

After all, he had inherited a hugely bloated wage bill consisting of ageing luxury stars, many of whom were unlikely to stick around and star for the long-term project that was being crafted.

As such, the 41-year-old was cut-throat, with stars such as Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette all falling foul of the new regime. The former two even saw their contracts terminated in an effort to speed up their exit and free up significant wages to spend on a brighter future.

However, some departures did get lost in the mass exodus, with Pep Guardiola's ex-assistant perhaps a little too eager to completely revamp the squad.

Stars such as Matteo Guendouzi and Bernd Leno have gone on to enjoy fine stints since departing the Emirates, but few have enjoyed a rise to prominence like Emiliano Martinez, who joined Aston Villa in 2020.

After deputising well for the injured German goalkeeper, it became clear that despite his blistering form, the Argentine would not be handed a long-term show of faith. So, in a deal that has since become legendary for the international repercussions it held, the 31-year-old would seek greener pastures.

Having since made 119 appearances for the Midlands outfit, as an ever-present stalwart who has helped them in good times and bad, he is now reaping the rewards of having a fine outfit in front of him, who even charged to a European spot last season.

However, the true outstanding contribution of the shot-stopper's career thus far has come with his national team, more specifically during the 2022 World Cup.

Selected as Argentina's undisputed number one by Lionel Scaloni, the 6 foot 5 titan would play every minute of every game as they charged through the tournament. Brushing aside a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia, they would ease past Poland and Mexico before crushing Australian dreams with a narrow round of 16 victory.

Next came the Netherlands, who they defeated on penalties as Martinez starred, before an emphatic 3-0 win over Croatia cemented their spot in the final.

Whilst Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe stole the show offensively, the 32-cap superstar would make the decisive intervention, producing a phenomenal late save to deny Randal Kolo Muani in extra time before making two penalty saves to win his country the ultimate prize.

Journalist Thierry Nyann would seek to highlight his contribution, which saw him win the Golden Glove award and later the award for Best Goalkeeper in the World: "Big shouts to Emiliano Martinez — Argentina wouldn’t have won the World Cup without him. A World Class Goalkeeper".

To think, Arteta was willing to sanction his exit for what now seems like a nominal fee.

How much did Aston Villa sign Emi Martinez for?

Whilst few could possibly have foreseen the glistening future Martinez would enjoy, there were signs that Arsenal had a truly special keeper on their hands.

After all, his work during that spell in the first team was exceptional, managing a 7.21 average rating as he recorded 3.8 saves per game, via Sofascore.

Therefore, the £17m spent marked a relatively risk-free signing for the Villans, who had secured a fine first-choice goalkeeper for the foreseeable future.

How much was Emi Martinez worth at Arsenal?

Having spent eight years at the north London club, his was a stint largely spent in the shadows, patiently awaiting a moment to shine.

As such, he would record just 38 appearances, the bulk of which came in cup competitions, and in that period before his exit.

€40.7m (£35.1m)

2023

Aston Villa

€21.4m (£18.5m)

2022

Aston Villa

€6.9m (£5.9m)

2021

Aston Villa

€0.7m (£0.6m)

2020

Arsenal

€0.5m (£0.4m)

2019

Arsenal

FootballTransfers, recognising his diminutive status, would therefore only value Villa's number one at €3.8m (£3.2m), which marked the pinnacle during that period at the Emirates. Unsurprisingly, this was a figure that would skyrocket in the following years.

How much was Emi Martinez worth at Aston Villa?

Although his value has since decreased slightly now, with the hype surrounding those World Cup performances understandably inflating such a number, it still remains at a level where Arteta will hold much regret regarding the departure.

After all, as recently as February was the Argentine worth a lofty €40.7m (£35.1m), with that having now dropped to a still admirable €30.9m (£26.7m).

When taking the former figure, since leaving the Gunners Martinez has actually seen a 105% increase when comparing that valuation with the fee first paid.

Why is Emi Martinez worth that much?

That value is not a figure solely upheld by his international displays though, as despite Villa's patchy start to the Premier League season, Martinez has starred.

The former Reading star is averaging an admirable 7.28 average rating this league term, making him the seventh-best-performing goalkeeper in the division, buoyed by his 3.4 saves per game and 84% pass accuracy, via Sofascore.

For comparison, Raya and Ramsdale have only managed 7.15 and 6.63 average ratings respectively, thus emphasising the earlier point. Arteta may have been vindicated in the sales of Ozil and Aubameyang, but he got it all wrong with Martinez.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have endured a trialling time since the departure of Nuno Espirito Santo in 2021.

Three managers have had the unenviable task of attempting to eclipse the former's achievements but have failed dramatically.

The Portuguese manager took Wolves back to the Premier League and led them on a European journey, reaching the Europa League quarter-finals in the 2019/20 season, but those preceding him have led the Old Gold in the opposite direction.

Looking down the table rather than up, their plight at the bottom of the league table hasn't been helped by the Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions imposed onto the club as Wolves were forced into selling their prized assets before they were able to spend this summer.

While a grey cloud is hanging over Molineux currently, the arrival of Nuno in 2017 and the astute recruitment that followed, proved to be the catalyst for their recent success.

With the backing of super agent Jorge Mendes, the Old Gold were able to attract some of Portugal's brightest young talents as Diogo Jota and Ruben Neves shocked the footballing world when they swapped Champions League football for the Championship.

Those two signings, in particular, demonstrated their ambitious intent, inspiring them to win the title at a canter.

How much did Wolves sign Diogo Jota for?

Signed on a season-long loan spell from Atletico Madrid in 2017, Jota quickly showcased his explosive finishing attributes, notching up an impressive ten goals before January as Wolves exercised the option to make his move a permanent one at the end of the season.

Securing the services of the 21-year-old for around £12m (€14m) would prove to be one of the best pieces of business the club has ever done.

The Portuguese, who possessed boundless amounts of talent, settled in quickly to the physical demands required in the Championship and during his stellar 2017/18 campaign – in which he recorded 23 goal contributions in 44 appearances – Jota admitted that he's adapted to his game to suit the second tier and is coping with the rough treatment.

He said: "I tried to adapt my game. In Portugal we don’t have a physical game like here."

With his ferocious physical attributes and phenomenal technical attributes coming to life in the second tier, Jota would soon translate those performance levels into the Premier League as Wolves qualified for Europe on their top-flight return while Jota chalked up nine goals and five assists in 33 appearances.

In the following campaign, his impact in the final third would slow down with only seven goals in 34, however, that drop in form didn't warn Jurgen Klopp away from his talents.

Prior to his move to Liverpool, the enigmatic German admitted in an interview with BBC Sport: "He's been on my list for two or three years" and Klopp's dream of working with the player would come true.

How much did Wolves sell Diogo Jota for?

Wolves desperately tried to hold on to Jota but when Liverpool came calling with a £41m bid in the summer of 2020, it was impossible for 33-cap international to turn down the opportunity to play with world-class players.

Seeing Jota depart would have been a bitter pill to swallow for Nuno and perhaps a contributing factor to their drop down the table, but the sale of the Portuguese did make them 241% increase on their initial £12m investment.

Now an integral part of the Liverpool side aiming to challenge for the Premier League title, Klopp's admiration for the player has only grown stronger since he made the switch to Merseyside.

How good is Diogo Jota now?

Lauded as "exceptional" and "so valuable" to the Reds by his manager, Jota has used the competition from the likes of Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez as fuel to shine in the face of adversity, exemplifying his talents through his ability to make a decisive impact despite restricted game time.

The £140k per-week star is brilliant at combining his movement in the box with explosive finishing to provide a consistent source of attacking output.

Indeed, according to FBref, he ranks in the top 1% against his positional peers across Europe for non-penalty goals, top 4% for assists, top 8% for touches in the attacking penalty box and despite his 5 foot 10 frame, uses his sublime jumping power to place within the top 7% for aerials won, all per 90.

Since Jota departed Wolves, it's no surprise to see their output in the final third take a dramatic tumble, and Liverpool's improve exponentially.

Emma Hayes' side weren't at their best, but the Women's Super League leaders remain in four competitions after a narrow quarter-final victory

Catarina Macario came to Chelsea's rescue on Sunday, scoring just three minutes after coming off the bench to send the Blues into the FA Cup semi-finals thanks to a 1-0 win over Everton. It was only seven days ago that the United States women's national team star marked her club debut with a goal, and her second in as many appearances keeps Chelsea in the hunt for a quadruple.

It could have and probably should have been easier for Emma Hayes' side. Nathalie Bjorn hit the bar with a header in the opening minutes against her former team while Jelena Cankovic spurned a golden opportunity in the final moments of the first half that seemed to shock even the player herself. But Everton played well and looked the more likely to score for large parts, Arsenal loanee Kathrine Kuhl firing a couple of dangerous shots at goal from the edge of the box, one of which forced a good stop from Zecira Musovic.

It was the pick of the Sweden goalkeeper's saves that forced Hayes into the triple-change that won Chelsea the game, though. Elise Stenevik struck a free-kick from almost 30 yards out that looked destined for the top corner, only for Musovic to tip it onto the bar. Moments later, Melanie Leupolz, Lauren James and Macario entered the fray, and it was the latter who broke the deadlock with the goal that won the game, finding space in the box to finish after great work from Aggie Beever-Jones.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Walton Hall Park…

Goalkeeper & Defence

Zecira Musovic (6/10):

Looked shaky with the ball at her feet when Everton pressed. Made some good saves, though, most notably to deny Stenevik from a free-kick.

Eve Perisset (7/10):

Great on set-pieces and solid in her defensive work, again.

Nathalie Bjorn (N/A):

So close to an early goal when her header hit the bar, but then went off injured inside the first 15 minutes.

Sjoeke Nusken (6/10):

A few poor passes, though she did also make some good defensive interventions in a role that isn't her most natural.

Jess Carter (6/10):

Had to change position when Bjorn went off but did so relatively well.

AdvertisementMidfield

Sophie Ingle (5/10):

Played some nice passes to kickstart attacks but was also sloppy in possession a fair few times.

Erin Cuthbert (6/10):

Almost slipped Kirby in perfectly, but the England forward just couldn't control it. Battled well in midfield.

Jelena Cankovic (5/10):

Creative when she got on the ball and delivered good set-pieces, but missed an absolutely golden chance at the end of the first half.

Getty ImagesAttack

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (6/10):

Superb, powerful run to set up Cankovic for the best chance of the first half. On the fringes of the game but good when involved.

Fran Kirby (5/10):

Really isolated as the No.9. More effective on the left in the second half but went off just after the hour.

Aggie Beever-Jones (8/10):

Worked hard up and down the pitch, driving at defenders but also getting back to defend. Superb assist for Macario's goal.

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Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Niamh Charles (6/10):

Replaced Bjorn with just 14 minutes played and had some shaky moments, no surprise given she was thrown in unexpectedly. Got better as the game went on.

Lauren James (5/10):

On just past the hour as part of a triple-sub but struggled to get involved in the game.

Melanie Leupolz (5/10):

A little loose in possession in her 30 minutes from the bench.

Catarina Macario (8/10):

Instantly lively and scored just three minutes after coming on.

Maika Hamano (N/A):

Replaced Cuthbert with just over 10 minutes remaining. Did plenty of running and kept Everton on their toes.

Emma Hayes (7/10):

Was a case of sticking square pegs in round holes again due to injuries and absentees, so there was only so much she could do in some areas, but Kirby as the No.9 didn't work. Fortunately, Macario came on and made all the difference.