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Reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has shared some news on Tottenham and their possible transfer plans for the summer window, as Spurs seemingly eye an interesting alternative to heavily linked Aston Villa starlet Jacob Ramsey.

Tottenham have player-plus-cash bid for Ramsey rejected

As reported by an array of media sources in the last week, Ange Postecoglou's side had a player-plus-cash bid for Ramsey rejected recently.

Tottenham offer Richarlison in swap deal bid for £120,000-per-week star

The Brazilian has been tipped to leave.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 28, 2024

Villa have insisted on players being included in a fair few of their summer deals so far, with star midfielder Douglas Luiz swapping the Midlands for Turin in a £24 million deal, as Enzo Barrenechea and Samuel Iling-Junior also head the other way from Juventus.

Villa also wanted players included in recent Chelsea talks over a deal for Jhon Duran, which ultimately came to no avail. In light of this, Tottenham looked to take advantage of this trend with their own bid for one of Unai Emery's stars.

Indeed, Spurs tabled a £20 million player-plus-cash offer for Ramsey, which included out-of-favour midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, which makes sense considering Emery knows the Argentine well from their time at Villarreal together.

Stat

Total (via Transfermarkt)

Appearances

21

Goals

1

Assists

2

Yellow cards

2

Minutes played

1,068

However, the proposal was rejected out of hand, with Villa deeming the offer far below their valuation of the 23-year-old. Johan Lange is driving Tottenham's interest in Ramsey, though, and it is believed Postecoglou has personally green-lit any approach for him (Alasdair Gold).

A deal for the Englishman could be very difficult to pull off, so it is perhaps wise for the Lilywhites to have alternatives for Ramsey of a similar ilk.

Tottenham have been eyeing Leeds sensation Archie Gray

Leeds United sensation Archie Gray, who starred under Daniel Farke with 52 appearances in all competitions last season, could be an interesting option. The 18-year-old midfielder featured predominantly at right-back last season, but was utilised in his natural position on many occasions as well.

The versatile teenager not only acts as an alternative to Ramsey, but could also come in as a replacement for the exit-bound Emerson Royal, who is attracting serious interest from AC Milan (Fabrizio Romano).

Romano says Tottenham have been closely eyeing Gray, alongside the likes of Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund, so he could be one to watch. However, other reports suggest he could cost around £50 million.

"I can tell you that Chelsea have been scouting the player this season; for sure, he is a player they appreciate.

"At the moment, no bid, just interest and we will see what clubs like Manchester United and others do in this situation because many other clubs are scouting the player," said Romano on his YouTube channel this week.

"But at the moment, the two clubs with concrete interest are Chelsea and Dortmund but for example, Tottenham have also been following the player closely, so let’s see who is going to move in terms of the bid, but still nothing official to Leeds United."

Another threat to their chances of snapping up the youngster was the news that has since emerged, stating Brentford had agreed a deal with Gray, with the Bees "on course" to secure his transfer, with a medical pending.

However, journalist Ben Jacobs has said there is "caution until the ink is dry", suggesting that his sheer volume of suitors, including Spurs, means other teams could still come in and hijack the deal.

Late wickets for Trent Copeland capped a perfect day for the Blues, although Mitchell Starc was left frustrated

Alex Malcolm10-Nov-2020

Centuries from Moises Henriques and Sean Abbott and two late strikes from Trent Copeland put New South Wales in position to pull off one of the most remarkable turnarounds in Sheffield Shield history.Having been bowled out for 64 on the opening day, the Blues third-lowest total in Shield history, and having trailed on the first innings by 175, a phenomenal batting display from Nick Larkin, Henriques, Abbott, and Mitchell Starc gave them a chance to declare their third innings and set Tasmania 347 to win, with 13 overs left in the third day.The declaration proved a master-stroke with Copeland removing both Tasmania openers to leave Matthew Wade and nightwatchman Peter Siddle to survive until stumps.Earlier in the day, Henriques cruised to his 12th first-class century and his partnership with Larkin, which had rescued the Blues from a perilous position on the second day, reached 250. Henriques was out shortly after, nicking Siddle to second slip.Larkin passed 150 for the second time in his Sheffield Shield career but his dismissal for 161 was a career-first. He was squared up by a peach of a delivery from Gabe Bell and held the pose of his squared up defensive stroke, but both feet were outside the popping crease. Tim Paine under-armed a throw at the stumps quickly and hit with Larkin stood still as a statue, dumbfounded and stumped. That was the last wicket Tasmania took as Abbott and Starc piled on the pain with a soul-destroying unbeaten 189-run partnership for the seventh wicket. The pair plundered 13 fours and seven sixes between them, feasting mainly on the part-time offerings of Beau Webster and Jake Doran. Drinks had to be called at one stage because one of Starc’s blows over midwicket could not be found.Abbott brought up his maiden first-class century with a delightful clip off his toes wide of mid-on and the Blues immediately declared leaving Starc 14 runs shy of his maiden hundred and less than impressed with his captain Peter Nevill. But it was the right move as Charlie Wakim edged Copeland in the third over with Abbott plucking a sensational catch low to his right at third slip.Jordan Silk, after holding NSW at bay with a fine century in the first innings, was Copeland’s second victim to leave Tasmania with a huge mountain to climb on the final day.

وجه أسطورة الكرة المصرية ومحلل قنوات شبكة “بي إن سبورتس” القطرية، محمد أبو تريكة، نصيحة هامة إلى مدرب مانشستر سيتي، بيب جوارديولا، بعد معاناته في الموسم الحالي.

ويعاني جوارديولا من كثرة النتائج السلبية بعد 9 هزائم سقط فيهم وتراجع الفريق إلى المركز التاسع في ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

اقرأ أيضًا.. جوارديولا يرد على أنباء رحيله من مانشستر سيتي بعد النتائج السيئة

وتحدث أبو تريكة عن وجهة نظره فيما يحدث مع مانشستر سيتي وجوارديولا، وقال في الاستوديو التحليلي للجولة الثامنة عشر: “بيب في مرحلة الصدمة، القلب أصبح يتحكم”.

وتابع: “لهذا جميع قراراته خاطئة في الفترة الحالية، لأنه شخص عقلاني وليس عاطفي لذلك تعرض لكل تلك الهزائم وحصد 4 نقاط فقط”.

واستمر: “عظمة ميسي وجوارديولا أن الجميع يطلب منهما الحل، ربما يستطيع ليو فعل هذا من خلال تمريرة حاسمة أو تسجيل هدف”.

وواصل تصريحاته: “لكننا نطلب من جوارديولا إيجاد حل لمشكلة مانشستر سيتي ولا نتكلم عن لاعب مثل دي بروين أو هالاند”. تصريحات أبو تريكة عن معاناة جوارديولا مع مانشستر سيتي

واستمر: “لذلك نصيحتي أن يترك بيب جوارديولا ذراع البلايستيشن أو الريموت الذي يتحكم من خلاله في أسلوب الفريق، يجب أن يضع التشكيل ويترك حرية اختيار القرارات للاعبين ليستمتعوا”.

وأكمل: “يجب أن يجرب، ليس هناك ما يخسره جوارديولا على الإطلاق، لقد غير الكثير من الأمور في الفترة الماضية لأنه المسئول أمام الجميع عن الفوز وعن الهزيمة مثل ميسي”.

وأتم: “عليه أن يضع أفضل تشكيل ممكن لكن مع الاحترام له لن يفيد جلوس جوندوجان أو دي بروين على مقاعد البدلاء ليلعب كوفاسيتش لأنه أفضل”.

Rutherford’s fireworks in vain as Worcestershire falls 16 runs short in derby encounter

ECB Reporters Network18-Sep-2020Birmingham 179 for 6 (Hain 61, Mousley 40) beat Worcestershire 163 for 8 (D’Oliveira 61, Rutherford 45) by 16 runsBirmingham Bears took a big step towards the Vitality Blast quarter-finals with a 16-run victory over arch-rivals Worcestershire Rapids at Edgbaston.On a chilly, autumnal night in Birmingham, the Bears totalled 179 for 6. After Rob Yates’ enterprising 37 at the top of the order, a solid total was assured by Sam Hain (61, 33 balls) and Dan Mousley (40, 31). Rapids captain Ed Barnard led his team’s bowling with an intelligent spell of 4-0-20-2.Hamish Rutherford’s violent 45 (23 balls) gave the Rapids’ reply a lightning start and Brett D’Oliveira played beautifully for 61 (40 balls) but then fell to Henry Brookes with his team still needing 26 from 13 balls. That equation proved beyond the tail as the Rapids fell short on 163 for 8.The Bears chose to bat first, having omitted Dom Sibley after the England opener scored just four runs in three T20 innings. The aggressive Adam Hose was promoted to open but it was Yates who provided early impetus with 37 from 20 balls with five fours and two sixes.The Rapids hit back hard, though, as the Bears, from 64 for 1 in the eighth over, lost three wickets for six runs in 11 balls. The impressive Barnard forced miscues into the infield from Hose and Michael Burgess and D’Oliveira had Will Rhodes caught at mid-wicket.Hain and Mousley, playing only his second T20, rebuilt with a stand of 80 in 53 balls which ended when the latter was caught off Morris. Hain continued his exceptional T20 form, reaching his half-century from 30 balls before edging Pat Brown behind in the final over.The Rapids’ reply was spectacularly launched by Rutherford whose 45 came from just 23 balls, five of which he smote for six. His first-over assault on Tim Bresnan forced the Bears to change their plans and bring linchpin Jeetan Patel on early.Patel bowled Jack Haynes in his first over and Jake Libby sliced Olly Stone to point but Rutherford threatened to win the game single-handed before he fell to Jake Lintott’s first ball, superbly caught in the deep by sub fielder Sibley.Lintott ran out Ben Cox with a direct hit but D’Oliveira advanced to a 31-ball half-century and batted with enormous aplomb until he edged Henry Brookes behind. The game was still very much in the balance but the 19th over, from Stone, cost just four runs and brought the removal of Daryl Mitchell’s off stump to leave the Rapids’ lower order needing 18 from the final over – a challenge well beyond them.

Lionel Messi could be in line for a return to the Club World Cup, with Inter Miami open to gracing that event in 2025.

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• Expanded event heading to the United States
• Herons may be asked to join the party
• Argentine has won trophy on three occasions

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  An expanded version of the FIFA-hosted tournament will be heading to the United States next summer. Some 32 teams will now be taking part in the competition, which is set to be held on a quadrennial basis rather than an annual one.

  Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games now

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Seattle Sounders, as winners of the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League, will be providing MLS representation on U.S. soil. The United States will also be allowed to send another team on an invitation basis – with it suggested that Inter Miami may get that nod.

• WHAT MARTINO SAID

  The Herons are an obvious choice as they have eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi on their books, and are in the hunt for MLS Cup glory in 2024. Inter Miami boss Tata Martino has said of accepting an invite if one were to be sent to Florida: “Obviously we would like to. Who wouldn't like to participate in a Club World Cup? We have the objectives for this year, what lies ahead, but the other part and the way of qualifying will be determined by those who have to decide.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Messi has graced the Club World Cup on several occasions in the past, but not since capturing that particular crown in 2015. He claimed said title on three occasions while on the books at Barcelona – with global glory complementing three of his four Champions League triumphs during a record-setting spell at Camp Nou.

Chelsea face their third clash against London opposition in a row this weekend as they play West Ham United in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Having secured four points from their previous two matches, including an impressive 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, Mauricio Pochettino’s side are clearly exuding some confidence for once.

The injury crisis is worsening, making the previous two results even better considering 14 players missed the Spurs tie.

This doesn’t leave him much room to manoeuvre in terms of rotation, but given how well his starting XI performed, it seems unlikely that Pochettino would have changed much anyway.

Marc Cucurella was among those who enjoyed a wonderful display in midweek, and the £63m man could be key against West Ham.

Marc Cucurella’s stats against Spurs

The left-back was tasked with keeping Brennan Johnson quiet during the match, and he certainly achieved that, with the Spurs man delivering zero accurate crosses while managing only one shot during the tie, which was off target.

The defender made four tackles, four interceptions, won all nine of his contested ground duels and wasn’t dribbled past during the match, showcasing his defensive solidity.

Touches

75

Accurate passes

29/40

Ground duels (won)

9 (9)

Possession lost

14

Key passes

0

He also succeeded with 100% of his dribbles and while he perhaps didn’t offer as much going forward, his display in keeping the Spurs attack quiet was more than enough.

Indeed, the former Brighton gem was given a match rating of 7/10 by the Standard for his performance in the 2-0 win which boosted Chelsea’s European ambitions.

While Cole Palmer is the man of the moment for his incredible displays this season, Cucurella could be even more important against West Ham on Sunday.

Why Cucurella could be key against West Ham

Palmer has enjoyed a sublime debut season at Chelsea. Not only has the former Manchester City gem scored 25 goals across all competitions, but the youngster has chipped in with a further 13 assists, certainly enjoying life in London, it seems.

Pochettino will be hoping he can add to this tally against the Irons, but Cucurella might just be more important in order to nullify the threat posed by a certain Jarrod Bowen.

The Englishman has scored 20 goals this term and could be the major threat for David Moyes’ men against the Blues, something which Cucurella will be hoping to stop.

The Spaniard has won 4.4 ground duels per game this term in the top flight – a success rate of 60% – while making 2.8 tackles per game and is clearly in a confident mood after the midweek victory.

If he can replicate that performance against the Hammers, then Bowen should be kept fairly quiet, which could allow the Blues to steal all three points as they chase down a European place.

Everything will depend on whether the entire starting XI deliver another excellent performance that they are clearly capable of. If they do, then another win should be secured in the Premier League for the west London outfit.

Chalkboard

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Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is personally very eager to replace Thiago Silva with a high-level £115,000-a-week defender, if he is set to remain in the Stamford Bridge dugout for next season.

Thiago Silva set to join Fluminense as Chelsea exit confirmed

After joining Chelsea on a free transfer from PSG in 2020, Silva is now bringing an end to four memorable years in west London, where he has forged a life-long bond with the club's supporters.

Related Fabrizio Romano says £52 million player has now agreed to join Chelsea

The reliable journalist has shared a significant update this week.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini May 9, 2024

The veteran defender has made 152 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions since his arrival from France, helping them to a Champions League title in 2021 and UEFA Super Cup triumph that same year.

His contract was extended on multiple occasions during his stay, with Silva originally signing on a one-year deal in 2020 but remaining at Chelsea for three additional seasons. However, 2024 has brought an end to this trend, and he is now confirmed to be re-joining Brazilian side Fluminese when his deal expires.

"Chelsea means a lot to me," said Silva in an emotional goodbye to supporters late last month. "I came here with the intention of only staying for a year and it ended up being four years. Not just for me but for my family, too.

Thiago Silva's best Premier League games for Chelsea this season

Match Rating (via WhoScored)

Chelsea 5-0 West Ham

8.17

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

7.53

Chelsea 6-0 Everton

7.48

Sheffield United 2-2 Chelsea

7.48

Chelsea 3-2 Brighton

7.46

"My sons play for Chelsea so it’s a source of great pride to be a part of the Chelsea family – literally because my sons are here. I hope they can continue their careers here at this victorious club that many players wish to be part of.

"I think in everything I did here over the four years, I always gave my all. But, unfortunately, everything has a start, a middle and an end. That doesn’t mean that this is a definitive end. I hope to leave the door open so that in the near future I can return, albeit in another role here But…it’s an indescribable love. I can only say thank you."

Attention now turns to who could succeed Silva at the heart of Chelsea's defence. Indeed, a few targets have been identified already, with Chelsea eyeing a move for Wolves defender Max Kilman among others.

Pochettino picks Silva replacement

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Pochettino apparently senses an opportunity to bring in Barcelona's Ronald Araujo.

The £115,000-a-week ace's contract expires in 2026, and GiveMeSport state that Pochettino does not want to miss out on a chance to sign Araujo for Chelsea if he becomes available. The Blues are said to be aware that it is very rare for a defender of the Uruguayan's calibre to be potentially up for grabs this summer, a fact not lost on Pochettino who is very keen on him.

Chelsea are apparently ready to swoop for Araujo if Xavi's side decide to cash in, but they're not alone, as Man United and Bayern Munich are also circling.

Arsenal are keeping a close eye on the situation of a Premier League star as they look to bolster their ranks this summer, according to reports.

Gunners relying on City slip-up

Despite a run of form that has seen them take 40 from a possible 45 points in 2024, Arsenal are still relying on Manchester City to drop points in their final four games of the season should they be able to lift their first Premier League title since 2004.

Mikel Arteta's side came through a nervy North London derby with three points on Sunday, despite the best efforts of the Arsenal players to throw it away in the second half after David Raya passed the ball to Cristian Romero and Declan Rice gave away a penalty.

Spurs and Arsenal target's agent spotted in North London – report

His client has been strongly linked with both sides in recent weeks.

ByBen Browning Apr 28, 2024

They then watched on as Nottingham Forest spurned several glorious opportunities to take points off Manchester City, eventually succumbing to a 2-0 loss against the Champions.

It leaves City just a point behind the Gunners, but crucially with a game in hand on the north Londoners, and with a favourable looking fixture list between now and the end of the campaign.

The Premier League run in

Game

Arsenal

Manchester City

35

N/A

Wolves (H)

36

Bournemouth (H)

Fulham (A)

37

Manchester United (A)

Tottenham (A)

38

Everton (H)

West Ham (A)

Both sides are certain to strengthen in the summer, with the Gunners in particular in clear need of additions both in defence and midfield, though the emergence of Kai Havertz may have tempered the need for a new striker this summer.

Premier League star in Arsenal's sights

Their quest to bolster the depth in defence comes in the form of a raid on yet another Premier League side, with the Gunners thought to be keeping a close eye on Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.

The Englishman has missed the last two months with a knee injury but is expected to be part of the England squad chosen by Gareth Southgate to head to EURO 2024 this summer.

Beyond that though, his future is unclear. He has just two years left on his deal at Selhurst Park and has attracted attention from both Arsenal and Manchester United this season, with the Times reporting that the pair have "scouted him extensively" over the course of the campaign. Chelsea are also keeping tabs on the situation, and the Blues have the right to match any bid made for him thanks to a clause in the deal that sent him to Selhurst Park from Stamford Bridge.

His qualities are undeniable, and he has left quite an impression on former teammates too. When with the U21s, his strength left his fellow England youth players in shock, leading to Josef Bursik to dub him an "absolute tank".

“Easy, Marc Guehi. He's an absolute tank," Bursik said when asked to pick the strongest player in the England U21s squad.

Capable of playing on either side of central defence, the Crystal Palace captain is believed to be available for £55m this summer, which would be a new record sale for Palace, surpassing the £50m they raked in for Aaron Wan-Bissaka when he joined Manchester United.

The Eagles, meanwhile, are already plotting his replacements with reports he is expected to move, lending credit to the idea that he will join a huge club this summer. With Arsenal having been linked with a move in the past, could this be the summer that they finally make their move?

ESPNcricinfo’s live updates on the final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Dec-2019