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Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso is "of interest" to Tottenham Hotspur and chairman Daniel Levy by extension, according to journalist Dan Kilpatrick.

Who could Spurs appoint as manager?

There are currently a fair few candidates in the frame to become Spurs' next manager after the club parted company with former boss Antonio Conte.

The Italian left N17 nearly two months ago, but as of yet, there has been no official appointment with interim boss Ryan Mason set to see out the rest of this Premier League season.

Former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann is believed to be out of the running, which comes as an arguable surprise, with the likes of Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim, Feyenoord manager Arne Slot and Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi contending instead.

Spurs are also on the hunt for a new sporting director after former transfer chief Fabio Paratici was forced to resign from his post.

Going back to their manager search, reporter Kilpatrick has shared an update on Tottenham's links to Alonso, who has emerged as a candidate for the job in this last fortnight.

According to the journalist, writing a report for The Evening Standard, says former Leverkusen chief Tim Steidten is a contender to succeed Paratici, something which may well raise speculation in regard to a managerial move for Alonso.

Kilpatrick adds that the Bundesliga boss is "of interest" to Tottenham and chairman Levy by extension, but there are apparently some concerns over his lack of experience.

Despite Spurs' interest, with Alonso still in the running, he is rated as an outside contender to succeed Conte as things stand.

Who is Xabi Alonso?

The big name Liverpool and Real Madrid legend, not to mention World Cup winner with Spain, has been credited with transforming Leverkusen's fortunes as they gear up for a Europa League semi-final second leg against Roma this week.

Former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho, speaking about his counterpart recently, has been left in awe of the 41-year-old – explaining to the media (via Football Italia and Yahoo News):

"If I am not wrong, he [Xabi] was coached by [Rafael] Benitez, [Carlo] Ancelotti, [Pep] Guardiola, me and others.

“I think it’s normal that he takes more inspiration from some coaches more than others. Bayer are the best counter-attacking team I’ve seen, but if he prefers another style it’s another story. Surely, he is very pragmatic. He uses the style that suits his players more.”

If Alonso becomes more than just an outside contender, there are reasons to believe he could do a fine job at Spurs.

West Ham United are in action on Thursday night as they bid to reach the final of the Europa Conference League.

The first leg started worryingly for the Hammers, as AZ Alkmaar took the lead just before the interval through a strike from Tijjani Reijnders that shocked the London Stadium.

Luckily for David Moyes, his side put things right before the end of the first 90-minute instalment of the tie, thanks to a Said Benrahma penalty and a 75th-minute Michail Antonio winner.

On Thursday, the Irons take a 2-1 lead to the AFAS Stadium with the goal to reach the final against one of Basel or Fiorentina in Prague.

A lot of West Ham’s success this season rides on the outcome of the semi-final, with the Hammers just scraping safety, Moyes’ influence could be further questioned should his side fail to make the final.

Should Lukasz Fabianksi start in the semi-final?

Following the first leg of the semi-final, there has been increased debate about whether Moyes should hand Lukasz Fabianski his first minutes of European football this term in the semi-final.

The 38-year-old has been favoured in the Premier League over Alphonse Areola, who has played every game in the Conference League this campaign.

In the last fixture, the Frenchman was arguably at fault for Alkmaar’s opener, with his attempt to keep the ball out from his near post dubbed as “shocking” by one prominent West Ham fan account on Twitter.

While the two shot-stoppers are perhaps similar in quality, the former-Arsenal shot-stopper has the edge in one crucial attribute that could merit his start on Thursday evening in a game that could define the club’s season.

Indeed, Fabianski has 11 Premier League penalty saves to his name in 350 appearances, and has been lauded for his abilities at saving penalty kicks in the past, including being praised as “faultless” by Arsene Wenger in 2010 for his Champions League spot save against Partizan Belgrade.

Last time out the £65k-per-week ‘keeper earned a Sofascore match rating of 7.5 against Brentford in the Premier League, a performance higher than Areola’s in the European competition, who scored 6.5 in the first leg.

It’s a tough call for Moyes to make, with the Frenchman being a professional member of the squad in his patience which is rewarded through his starting place in the cup competitions.

With so much at stake for both manager and club, only time will tell if the Scotsman makes the audacious decision to switch who starts between the sticks in the Netherlands.

كشف مصدر بنادي الزمالك عن أخر المستجدات الخاصة بـ ضم عبد الله السعيد لاعب نادي بيراميدز خلال فترة الانتقالات الشتوية الجارية.

ويرغب مسؤولو نادي الزمالك في ضم عبد الله السعيد خلال الميركاتو الشتوي، لتدعيم صفوف الفريق الأبيض بعد حل أزمة القيد.

وقال المصدر في تصريحات خاصة لـ”بطولات”: “لم نتراجع عن محاولات ضم السعيد، وهناك تفاوض مستمر حتى يتم حسم الصفقة”.

طالع | خاص.. الزمالك يقترب من استعادة لاعبه السابق بعد الاتفاق مع المصري

وتابع: “هناك بعض المطالب المبالغ فيها من جانب إدارة بيراميدز من جانب ممدوح عيد وعمرو بسيوني رغم الوصول لاتفاق في وقت سابق”.

وأكمل: “نحاول الوصول إلى اتفاق مرضي بين الناديين خاصة أن رغبة عبد الله السعيد هي الانضمام إلى الزمالك”.

وأتم: “في حال تمسك بيراميدز بمطالبه لن يتوقف سعي الزمالك نحو الصفقة حتى لو لم يكن في فترة الانتقالات الشتوية سنضمه في نهاية الموسم كانتقال حر”.

Ireland have announced an ODI against West Indies against in September next year and have also confirmed the schedule for the tri-series in May involving New Zealand and Bangladesh

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Jul-2016

Ireland have announced an ODI against West Indies against in September next year and have also confirmed the schedule for the tri-series in May involving New Zealand and Bangladesh.West Indies will play their match on September 13 ahead of the one-day series against England later that month. It will be the first time they have met since Ireland beat West Indies by four wickets in Nelson during the 2015 World Cup.It will also bring Phil Simmons, the former Ireland coach who is now in charge of West Indies, back to face his former charges.”I’m really looking forward to bringing the West Indies team to Ireland,” said Simmons. “I had eight great years there as coach and made some lasting friendships as well as winning trophies. It should be a tough contest and Irish conditions will be ideal in helping our preparations for England.”The tri-series in May will be part of the preparation for New Zealand and Bangladesh ahead of the Champions Trophy.Ireland take on Bangladesh in the first game on May 12 before facing New Zealand two days later.New Zealand and Bangladesh go head-to-head on May 17, with Ireland playing Bangladesh for a second time on May 19.Ireland’s final game is against New Zealand on May 21, with the last game in the series between New Zealand and Bangladesh taking place on May 24.Ireland will begin their 2017 season with a two-match series against England with matches at Lord’s and Bristol.

كشفت وسائل إعلامية إسبانية، عن مستجدات بشأن مستقبل حارس مرمى الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد، كيبا أريزابالاجا.

ويحتل ريال مدريد صدارة الترتيب العام للدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم لاليجا، برصيد 57 نقطة.

اقرأ ايضاً.. قائمة ريال مدريد لمباراة أتلتيكو مدريد في الدوري الإسباني.. موقف روديجر

وأفادت صحيفة “ريليفو” الإسبانية أن كارلو أنشيلوتي وجهازه الفني منحوا كيبا آخر فرصة له من خلال مسابقة كأس السوبر الإسباني، لكن مستوى الحارس لم يكُن على ما يرام، فخسر الثقة تمامًا.

وتابعت أن ريال مدريد قرر بالفعل التخلي عن كيبا، وأن الملكي غير راضٍ عن مستوى الحارس ويعتبر أن مركز حراسة المرمى مُغطى بالفعل بوجود لونين وكورتوا.

وانضم كيبا أريزابالاجا إلى صفوف ريال مدريد على سبيل الإعارة من تشيلسي الإنجليزي بسبب إصابة تيبو كورتوا، لكن سيعود الحارس الإسباني من جديد إلى الدوري الإنجليزي عقب نهاية إعارته.

Aston Villa's pursuit of Barcelona director Mateu Alemany has now collapsed as the Spaniard has changed his mind to stay at the club, Fabrizio Romano has explained.

What's going on with Villa and Alemany?

The highly-rated director of football looked set to join Aston Villa at the end of the season, in what was an ambitious move from the Villains, who offered a financial package which was enough to tempt him away from Barcelona.

The former Valencia director has now changed his mind in a dramatic U-turn following the departure of sporting director Jordi Cruyff and is now set to stay at the Camp Nou.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed the "crazy development", in a move which could alter Villa's summer transfer window plans.

"Mateu Alemany has offered himself to Barcelona and to the president Laporta to stay at the club. So he changed his mind," he stated.

"Mateu Alemany had a very big proposal from Aston Villa. This was almost done, 90% done, but after the verbal agreement, Mateu Alemany never signed that contract at Aston Villa.

"He had the chance to go there, to go to the Premier League with a big budget and work together with Unai Emery, but then he changed his mind, he decided to stay at Barcelona. This would be his priority. He loves the city. He loves the club. And so he changed his mind after talks with Aston Villa."

"So let's see how it will continue, but crazy development around the situation."

How will Villa's plans be affected?

This sudden development means that Villa may need to quickly find an alternative director who can help them bring in top players during the transfer window, and Emery may feel frustrated given his ambitions with the club as he aims to bring them back to Europe.

Villa were reportedly targeting Barcelona attacker Ferran Torres, and given that Alemany knows the Spain international from his time at both Barcelona and Valencia, he could have heavily assisted in what would have been a statement signing.

Whilst Villa may still be capable of having a productive transfer window, they will need to move quickly to reassess the strategies they may have been planning with Alemany, and any delay to their plans now could see them lose out on their top targets.

It is certainly a development which will frustrate the club, but if managed correctly, they can operate with minimal disruption despite the late timing of Alemany's decision.

After all, Villa remain in a promising position ahead of the final two games of the season with the prospect of European football potentially offering them an advantage going into the summer window.

India coach Anil Kumble has said he is looking to cultivate a “feeling of Indianness” in the team

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Jul-2016

India coach Anil Kumble has said he is looking to cultivate a “feeling of Indianness” in the team. That, he said, would involve incorporating the “best practices” in Indian culture into the way the players play and interact with each other.”It is important we create an Indian way,” Kumble told . “I don’t mean to say sledging is not Indian culture or is somebody else’s culture. What I meant is, you would want to bring a feeling of Indianness – that is, extended family, respect for one another.”Take all the best practices in Indian culture, mesh them in a way that all of us own what we want to be seen as, known as, how do we want to play the game, how do we want to practice, how do we want to be seen as an Indian team.”The best practices in the Indian family would be, generally, follow whatever elders say, but here we want to be a bit more open and express our views even if they differ from that of the seniors. Here it is having family values and say, if a senior has taken a decision, I will follow it. However, you should also have the freedom to disagree but in a more civilised way, where everyone has the opportunity to express himself.”India left for the tour of the West Indies earlier this week, following a five-day training camp in Bangalore. Kumble said he was pleasantly surprised by the players’ receptiveness to new ideas during that camp.”This group is very open to ideas and, I must confess, given the current generation and the way they are perceived, I thought getting them into a room for an hour or so and seriously discussing certain issues would not be easy and after ten minutes or so, they won’t be listening or responding. But I was surprised to see that not only were they very receptive and embraced new ideas, but we spent more time than what was stipulated.”

رد عدلي القيعي مدير التعاقدات الأسبق بالنادي الأهلي ورئيس شركة الكرة الحالي، على الانتقادات التي يتعرض لها المارد الأحمر، بسبب عدم تعويض محمد الشناوي بالتعاقد مع حارس مرمى جديد في فترة الانتقالات الشتوية الجارية، وما يتردد عن مجاملة اتحاد الكرة للأهلي بمد فترة القيد، لهذا السبب.

وقال القيعي لقناة “DMC” الرياضية: “هل تشعر أن الأهلي فعل ما يريد؟ الأهلي من المستحيل أن يفعل ذلك، نحن طيلة العام نبحث عن الخطوة التي تنقلنا للأمام، وهذا ظهر من خلال لجنة التخطيط والكشافين داخل وخارج مصر، وهذه بذرة شركة الكرة، وأصبحت الآن يقودها شخصيات أصحاب خبرات، في ناس تتهكم على ما وصل له الأهلي، لكن لا بد ألا تتهكم حتى تُفكر كيف تتخطاني”.

وأكمل: “لكي تتعاقد مع حارس لا بد أن يكون من أصحاب الخبرة ويكون أساسيًا مع فريقه، من سيوافق على ترك حارسه الأساسي؟، لم نتفاوض مع أبو جبل، بل كان مع وكيله، لم يتواصل معنا الحارس كما تردد، الوكيل استطلع رأي الحارس والأخير وافق، ولا بد أن أشكر إدارة البنك الأهلي، لأنهم أبدوا الموافقة بكل أريحية، عكس أندية أخرى”.

إقرأ أيضًا..عدلي القيعي يختار المدرب الأنسب لقيادة منتخب مصر حال رحيل فيتوريا

وزاد: “أبو جبل حارس محترم ووافق على الانضمام للأهلي، لكن حدث شيء جعل الأهلي يُفكر في أن يكون البديل حارس آخر”.

وبسؤاله، هل الشناوي تدخل لمنع انتقال أبو جبل للأهلي؟، أجاب: “لا أحد يقدر على ذلك، ولا يُمكن أن يطلب الشناوي ذلك، ولو كان قال ذلك كان الرد إن أبو جبل سيأتي 6 أشهر، ولن يحتكا ببعضهما، لكن كان هناك شواهد أخرى، عندما تتعاقد مع لاعب جديد لا بد أن يتناسب مع ثقافتنا، أما أسباب التراجع عن إتمام الصفقة لن أخوض فيها، هذه أمور تدار في غرفة مُغلقة”.

وعما إذا كان عدم التعاقد مع حارس جديد مخاطرة، قال: “عدم التعاقد مع حارس جديد مُخاطرة ولكن ليس انتحارًا، لأن الأوقات الصعبة قد تخلق لك كنزًا، مصطفى شوبير لعب قبل نهائي إفريقيا، وأدى مباراة ممتازة، ونثق به، وحمزة علاء أدائه في المنتخب الأولمبي رائع وحارس مميز، لماذا نحتاج حارس مرمى آخر؟”.

وأردف: “هانك حارس مرمى موهوب جدًا ويمتلك مقومات ذهنية وجسدية، وهو مخلوف، كنا نُحاول ضمه منذ 3 سنوات، وكل التقارير من مدربي حراس المرمى أنه حارس موهوب، وعندما رأينا شخصيته تأكدنا، لكن نحن عندما نتعاقد مع حارس حتى يطمئن القلب من المفاجآت، لأن خطأ شوبير قد يتم تخطيه في وجود الشناوي لكن في غياب الأخير سيكون الموقف صعبًا”.

واستطرد: “كولر يريد حارس مرمى، لكن بمواصفات مُعينة، يدخل في التنافس ولا يكون عنده شيء اسمه ألعب أساسيًا، هناك لاعبون أخذوا وضعًا مُعينًا، أنا مثلي مثل كولر أو الخطيب، نقول ربنا يستر ولا أحد يتعرض للإصابة”.

وعن إمكانية التفكير في ضم محمد صبحي حارس الزمالك، قال: “لا أتحدث في الكلام العيب، هو لاعب في الزمالك، كيف تفجرت موهبة صبحي وأصبح أحد الحراس في المنتخب الأول؟، الإجابة أنه أثبت وجوده مع المنتخب الأولمبي، وهذا نفس ما حدث مع حمزة علاء”.

وصرح القيعي بشأن التعاقد مع وسام أبو علي: “ماذا عن وسام أبو علي؟ هو نتاج دقيق لعمل الكشافين، كنا نُفكر في اتجاهين، مُهاجم أجنبي، ولكن عندما عُرض علينا وسيتم تسجيله على أنه لاعب محلي، واللاعب كان يريد أن يلعب في أوروبا، لكن أمير توفيق تحدث معه عن الأهلي، واللاعب تابع الفريق في كأس العالم للأندية، وهذا جعل عنده حماس جارف، وبعدها أصدر جواز السفر الفلسطيني، وضغط من أجل أن ينضم للأهلي، والمفاوضات معه كانت سهلة، وأنا مُعجب بعقليته وطريقة تفكيره، وهو يريد أن ينجح، بالتأكيد حزنت من إصابته، وارد لأن التدريب في الخارج مُختلف، لأن الأهلي دائمًا مضغوط، لكن أتوسم فيه خير”.

Arsenal are reportedly ready to look ahead to the summer transfer window, as the 2022/23 campaign comes to a close this weekend.

The Gunners have endured an unexpectedly strong season, establishing themselves as title challengers alongside Manchester City, in a prolonged run that came to a bitter end in the latter stages.

Despite falling with the final hurdle in sight, Mikel Arteta has given the club lots to celebrate this term, putting Arsenal back among Europe's elite in qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since 2016.

Squad depth proved to be a contributing factor to the Gunners’ failure to win the title, but with the summer transfer window fast approaching, Arteta will look to put things right ahead of next season.

Defensive instability saw Arsenal crumble when it mattered most, though recent news emerging has linked a famed defender in Europe to the Emirates.

What’s the latest on Jules Kounde to Arsenal?

According to reports in Spain earlier this week, three Premier League clubs are interested in signing Barcelona centre-back Jules Kounde this summer.

The report states that Arsenal, along with Manchester City and Manchester United, have shown “strong interest” in the 24-year-old, who is speculated to want to depart Catalonia due to arguments over his playing position.

Valued at a reported €75m (£65m), the centre-back could be a worthy addition to the clubs thought to be interested.

What could Jules Kounde offer Arsenal?

When William Saliba was injured in March against Sporting CP, the Frenchman’s absence became quickly noticeable, and the gaps in Arteta’s young squad became clearer.

It was an injury that, as described by journalist Charles Watts, “killed Arsenal’s season”, with the Gunners’ win percentage dropping from 78% to 44%, showing his undeniable influence on the Emirates defence.

Kounde could be the missing piece to Arteta’s title-winning masterplan, as the 24-year-old could not only supply the Spaniard with depth, but competition for his leading centre-backs Gabriel Magalhaes and Saliba, who have no close figures in terms of quality in the squad.

The versatile centre-back, hailed as having “enormous potential” by scout Jacek Kulig, has numbers to support claims that he is one of Europe’s best early into his budding career.

There is so much more to the Frenchman’s game than sitting back and defending pressure, as shown by his FBref statistics, which rank him in the top 2% of centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for elements in his progressive play.

As per FBref, the “awesome” talent averages 6.74 progressive passes and 1.99 progressive carries per 90 – incomparable to Arsenal’s current defensive rotation option of Rob Holding, who registers 4.35 progressive passes and 0.53 progressive carries per 90.

Lauded by Marca journalist Miguel Angel Garcia as being the “closest thing” to Sergio Ramos back in 2021, the Frenchman has received high praise for his exploits at Barcelona, arguably making him a worthy fit for any defence in Europe with a huge career ahead.

One thing is certain, and that is Arsenal’s desperation to recruit central defenders this summer, as the absence of Saliba paired with the mishaps of Holding dented the Gunners’ success this campaign – and is a stain that is easily rectifiable this summer.

Dwayne Bravo ensured the dance phenomenon made it’s way through south Florida on Sunday, taking four wickets to set up a resounding eight-wicket win for Trinbago Knight Riders over St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in Lauderhill

The Report by Peter Della Penna in Florida31-Jul-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsDwayne Bravo put on an entertaining display with the ball on Sunday in Florida•CPL/Sportsfile

Dwayne Bravo ensured the dance phenomenon made it’s way through south Florida on Sunday afternoon, taking four wickets to set up a resounding eight-wicket win for Trinbago Knight Riders over St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in Lauderhill. The Knight Riders captain bowled a stifling spell early on, striking twice in his first over, and finished with figures of 4-0-13-4 to restrict Patriots to 137 for 6, a total chased down with three overs to spare.Bravo removed Evin Lewis at gully and yorked Faf du Plessis in the fourth over, before returning at the end to bowl Shamarh Brooks and take a skier off his own bowling to get Devon Thomas and not allow Patriots to put up a stiff target.Kieran Powell got Patriots off to an aggressive start, making 23 off 17 balls with an array of classy shots over the off side but Bravo made inroads at the opposite end to pull Knight Riders back in the Powerplay. Anton Devcich, who opened with spin opposite Bravo, then took an athletic one-handed return catch from a blitzing Powell drive to make it 25 for 3 in the fifth over and from there Patriots struggled to rebuild.Sunil Narine kept the pressure on, getting Jonathan Carter stumped with the batsman dragging his foot fractionally out of the crease missing a slog, in a wicket-maiden 12th. Narine conceded only nine runs in his four overs but could not remove Lendl Simmons, who finished unbeaten on 60 but received little support.Hashim Amla fell cheaply at the start of the chase but fellow opener William Perkins put on 58 for the second wicket with Denesh Ramdin before falling at the end of the eighth over. Brendon McCullum’s horrid run in this season’s CPL showed signs of turning around as he struck three sixes in his unbeaten 43 off 28 balls, including a clean strike over the hill on the north side of the ground. Ramdin top-scored with 52 not out and hit the winning single through cover. Knight Riders now await St Lucia Zouks in a playoff eliminator on August 4 in St Kitts.