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Shane Watson, the Australian vice-captain, has signed with the Sydney Sixers in the Twenty20 Big Bash League, meaning he will take part in the competition in the gap between home Test series against New Zealand and India.By signing with the Sixers, Watson will stay close to the SCG, but will need to manage his workload carefully amid a raft of international commitments between August and February.Stuart Clark, the Sixers general manager, said he signed Watson with the knowledge that issues of fitness or fatigue may mean Watson’s role in the first BBL is limited to one match – or none. However Clark wanted to establish a rapport with Watson in the knowledge that future summers might be more amenable to his participation.”We expect him to be fully fit and ready to play when the competition comes around, but at the same time we want Shane to have a long-term relationship with the Sixers,” Clark told ESPNcricinfo. “As someone who has played international cricket I know how demanding it can be, so we’ll take it on a case by case basis and work out what is best with Shane.”Clark said it was possible an agreement would be struck to cover the cost of Watson’s personal physio needs, mirroring the role played by John Gloster, the Rajasthan physio, whenever Watson has been in India on international duty.”We’ll tailor something to what Shane needs, we’re well aware of his requirements and the needs for regular physio to keep him fit,” Clark said.Mitchell Johnson, another cricketer expected to be battling a hefty international schedule, has elected not to sign with any BBL team, while the Test captain Michael Clarke is yet to declare his intentions.”When Stuart rang me about joining the Sixers I was excited about the type of team that he was building and the quality group of players that he was putting together,” Watson said.”It’s great to be based at my favourite place in the world to play cricket, the SCG, and I hope that I can add something to the squad and be part of a winning culture.”Clark was similarly enthusiastic about Watson’s presence in the squad, which means he will have to choose between the Sixers and the Rajasthan Royals of the Indian Premier League should both qualify for next year’s T20 Champions League.”Shane is a quality cricketer and we are delighted that he has chosen to join the Sixers,” Clark said.”He brings a combination of experience and class, and will help provide the leadership that will teach our younger players what it takes to win. He is a match-winner with both bat and ball, and a quality human being.”The squads so far
Adelaide Strikers Aiden Blizzard, Cameron Borgas, Lee Carseldine, Tom Cooper, Adam Crosthwaite, Theo Doropoulos, Brendan Drew, Callum Ferguson, Daniel Harris, Michael Klinger, Nathan Lyon, Aaron O’Brien, Gary Putland, Kane Richardson. Overseas players: Kieron Pollard.
Brisbane Heat Ryan Broad, Nick Buchanan, Daniel Christian, Ben Cutting, Peter Forrest, Ryan Harris, Nathan Hauritz, James Hopes, Chris Lynn, Michael Neser. Overseas players: Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori.
Hobart Hurricanes Travis Birt, Mark Cosgrove, Xavier Doherty, Luke Feldman, Evan Gulbis, Ben Hilfenhaus, Michael Hogan, Phil Jaques, Matt Johnston, Jason Krejza, Nick Kruger, Ben Laughlin, Rhett Lockyear, Tim Paine, RIcky Ponting. Overseas players: Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Owais Shah.
Melbourne Renegades Ryan Carters, Aaron Finch, Shane Harwood, Aaron Heal, Jayde Herrick, Michael Hill, Brad Hodge, Glenn Maxwell, Andrew McDonald, Brenton McDonald, Dirk Nannes, Nathan Reardon, Will Sheridan, Shaun Tait. Overseas players: Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi.
Melbourne Stars George Bailey, James Faulkner, Jon Holland, David Hussey, Alex Keath, Rob Quiney, Peter Siddle, Chris Simpson, Adam Voges, Matthew Wade, Cameron White. Overseas players: Luke Wright.
Perth Scorchers Tom Beaton, Michael Beer, Mark Cameron, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Michael Hussey, Simon Katich, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Marcus North, Luke Pomersbach, Nathan Rimmington, Luke Ronchi. Overseas players: Paul Collingwood, Herschelle Gibbs.
Sydney Sixers Ed Cowan, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Brett Lee, Nic Maddinson, Peter Nevill, Ben Rohrer, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Shane Watson.
Sydney Thunder Sean Abbott, Tim Armstrong, Nic Bills, Doug Bollinger, Luke Butterworth, Scott Coyte, Tim Cruickshank, Matthew Day, Luke Doran, Ben Dunk, Jason Floros, Phillip Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Craig Philipson, Daniel Smith, David Warner. Overseas players: Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle.

MatériaMais Notícias

No Independência, o Atlético-MG não conseguiu aproveitar o apoio da torcida para garantir um bom resultado no primeiro jogo das oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil e caiu na armadilha da Chapecoense, que segurou o empate sem gols na estreia e levou a decisão para o duelo de volta, marcado para o dia 16 de maio, na Arena Condá.

Embalado após duas vitórias consecutivas em casa, contra Vitória e Corinthians, o Atlético-MG chegou confiante para o confronto e conseguiu a assumir à frente na criação das principais jogadas do primeiro tempo. Com a Chapecoense voltada para a defesa, o Galo teve facilidade para avançar, mas tropeçou nas finalizações. Entretanto Jandrei não passou despercebido e foi acionado em forte chute de Gustavo Blanco aos 13 minutos.

No decorrer da etapa, o Índio Condá encontrou mais espaços no meio de campo e levou perigo ao goleiro Victor quando Bruno Pacheco cruzou para Arthur, que cabeceou no chão para a defesa do alvinegro. Mesmo com maior posse de bola, o Atlético continuou sofrendo com o último passe para a finalização, algo que adiou a abertura do placar mais uma vez aos 45 minutos. No lance, Ricardo Oliveira recebeu bola longa e chutou forte em direção ao gol, mas foi para fora.

Os times mantiveram suas formações para o segundo tempo e o Atlético-MG identificou os principais obstáculos que teria que superar para garantir a vantagem no Horto: a agilidade do goleiro Jandrei e os erros em chutes a gol. Pressionando a saída de bola dos rivais, Gustavo Blanco teve boa atuação nas jogadas de ataque, mas também não foi efetivo na marca do gol e acabou dando lugar a Elias enquanto Adilson chamou Cazares.

Do outro lado, a Chapecoense buscou espaços para investir na criação de jogadas, mas poucas vezes os comandados de Gilson Kleina conseguiram deixar o rival em situação de risco. Como resposta, o Galo parecia estar mais perto do gol a cada avanço e animou a torcida com uma jogada um tanto embolada dentro da área. Após tentativa de chute de Ricardo Oliveira e Róger Guedes, a bola sobrou para Patric, que bateu cruzado para fora aos 26.

A Chape, que começou a recuar na etapa final, esquentou o Horto com uma reação aos 35 minutos. No lance, a zaga alvinegra afastou mal bola alçada na área e Wellington Paulista aproveitou a sobra para chutar no alto, mas Victor pulou para salvar. Na sequência, o Galo ainda tentou o triunfo em duas saídas de escanteio e falta cobrada por Otero, mas não alcançou o resultado esperado e deixou a decisão para o dia 16, às 19h30, na Arena Condá.

RelacionadasAtlético MineiroLarghi exalta desempenho do Galo, mas lamenta empate com a ChapeAtlético Mineiro02/05/2018Copa do BrasilNúmeros da Bola: Estatísticas de Atlético-MG 0x0 ChapecoenseCopa do Brasil02/05/2018

FICHA TÉCNICA
ATLÉTICO-MG 0 X 0 CHAPECOENSE
Local: Independência, Belo Horizonte (MG)
Data-Hora: 02/05/2018 – 19h30
Árbitro: Paulo Roberto Alves Junior (PR)
Assistentes: Rafael Trombeta (PR) e Pedro Martinelli Christino (PR)
Público/renda: –
Cartões amarelos: Luan, Patric (CAM); Jandrei, Apodi (CHA)
Cartões vermelhos: –
Gols: –

ATLÉTICO-MG: Victor; Patric, Leonardo Silva, Gabriel e Fábio Santos; Adilson (Cazares, aos 17’/2ºT), Otero, Luan (Matheus Galdezani, aos 32’/2ºT), Gustavo Blanco (Elias, aos 17’/2ºT) e Róger Guedes; Ricardo Oliveira. Técnico: Thiago Larghi.

CHAPECOENSE: Jandrei; Apodi, Rafael Thyere, Douglas, Bruno Pacheco; Amaral, Elicarlos, Márcio Araújo (Vinícius Freitas, aos 47’/2ºT), Canteros (Guilherme, aos 21’/2ºT); Arthur (Júnior Santos, aos 32’/2ºT), Wellington Paulista. Técnico: Gilson Kleina.

New Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag appears to have had a major setback over one of Europe’s brightest talents.

What’s the word?

Man Utd have been linked with RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku recently, however, it appears that he won’t be leaving the German side this summer.

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Liverpool were also linked with the versatile attacker, but Leipzig claimed that even a bid of £85m wouldn’t be enough to prise their finest talent away from the club.

The news was relayed by Fabrizio Romano who put across comments from the club’s director, Oliver Mintzlaff. The Tweet read:

“RB Leipzig director Oliver Mintzlaff on Christopher Nkunku’s future: “We have clearly discussed it internally: we won’t let Nkunku leave this summer, we told him and his agent”. RB Leipzig will also try to extend his contract but talks are still at early stages.”

Ten Hag faces first blow over Nkunku

The incoming manager faces a big rebuilding job at Old Trafford in the summer, with a rejig of the squad absolutely certain, ten Hag will be determined to stamp his authority on the team as soon as possible.

With the side’s frustrations in the final third, Nkunku would have been an ideal signing and thus, missing out on him will be a first major blow to the Dutchman, one that will understandably leave supporters gutted and perhaps even upset.

The 24-year-old has netted a remarkable 34 goals in 50 matches this season, adding in a further 20 assists, and it’s clear to see why he is one of the most sought-after properties on the continent.

All of this is from mainly an attacking midfield role too, with former Leipzig manager Jesse Marsch dubbing him as a “player with no weaknesses.”

With Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo, the only two United players to have scored double figures this season, adding another attacker is the utmost priority for ten Hag.

It is surely only a matter of when instead of if regarding Nkunku joining an elite side, despite his club stating he isn’t for sale.

If the Red Devils come in with a seismic offer, then it might just be tempting enough for the German club to consider it.

With his current stats being exemplary, then there is no doubt he could be the right man to lead the club into a new era. It’s a shame, therefore, that this move looks unlikely.

AND in other news, Forget McTominay: MUFC must brutally axe “pathetic” dud who 0 duels duels v Brighton

It’s crunch time for West Ham United on Thursday evening, as David Moyes’ side take on Eintracht Frankfurt in what is set to be an enthralling, Europa League, semi-final, second-leg clash.

The Hammers head into the game on a run of four matches without a win in all competitions – having lost their last three both in Europe and domestically – although all hope is not lost with the current aggregate scoreline at just 2-1 in favour of the Bundesliga side.

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The London Stadium outfit weren’t at their best in that defeat on home soil, although that one-goal deficit ensures it is all still to play for, with history seemingly on their side as they overcame the same opponents at the last four stage of the European Cup Winners’ Cup back in 1976.

Ahead of this pivotal encounter, here’s how the Football FanCast think that Moyes will line his side up…

With the former Manchester United boss announcing a clean bill of health in his pre-match press conference, the only changes to be made are likely to be tactical ones, with the Scotsman having shuffled his pack in the weekend defeat to Arsenal. As such, we are predicting that the 59-year-old will make four alterations from the side that lost at home to the Gunners.

One of those tweaks will see Alphonse Areola return in goal having featured in nine of the ten games in the competition, while ahead of him Craig Dawson returns to the backline after his brief suspension on Sunday, lining up alongside Vladimir Coufal, Kurt Zouma and Aaron Cresswell.

The latter will return to his usual left-back berth, meaning that £38k-per-week dud Ryan Fredericks will drop out – the full-back having been dubbed a “shocker” by journalist Thomas Clark earlier this season.

In midfield, the club’s “man mountain” Tomas Soucek, as he has been described by pundit Micah Richards, replaces club captain Mark Noble alongside talisman Declan Rice, while ahead of them should be the attacking trio of Pablo Fornals, Manuel Lanzini and Jarrod Bowen.

Leading the line will almost certainly be Michail Antonio – with Said Benrahma making way – although as his manager admitted, the Jamaica international is in desperate need of a goal, having scored just twice in all competitions since New Year’s Day.

In other news, Forget Rice: Moyes now set for West Ham disaster on “remarkable” £125k-p/w giant

Newcastle United are reportedly now targeting a move for Renan Lodi in the summer.

The Lowdown: Targett conundrum

The St James’ Park club have a conundrum over whether to sign Matt Targett on a permanent deal following his loan spell from Aston Villa.

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They have reportedly not made a decision yet, although polls suggest that the vast majority of the fanbase would choose to bring him in permanently.

The Latest: Lodi targeted by Newcastle

As per journalist Jacque Talbot, Lodi ‘remains a target’ for Newcastle despite Targett’s ‘glowing performances’, with the latter set to ‘hold talks’ with the Tyneside club this summer after his loan ends.

Replying to a fan on Twitter, Talbot then revealed that the Atletico Madrid defender will likely cost around €50m (£42.2m) and that a deal is ‘very negotiable’, saying: “Think about €50m but have heard it’ll be very negotiable how it’s done.”

Expanding in his article for Football Transfers, the journalist said that ‘sources’ have told the news outlet that talks over Targett will still proceed despite the interest in Lodi, as both Newcastle and Villa are ‘happy’ with how things are going at the moment.

However, the representatives of Lodi have already spoken to the Magpies, with discussions taking place in the January transfer window over a potential move then.

The Verdict: Targett over Lodi

If the Toon could only sign one of those left-back options, they should be looking at signing Targett over Lodi.

Firstly, the Englishman should be a lot cheaper, with €15m (£12.6m) thought to be enough for his permanent signature.

His performances for Eddie Howe’s team should not be overlooked either, and he is actually averaging more tackles, interceptions, clearances, blocks, shots, key passes, dribbles, crosses and long balls per game than the Atletico Madrid left-back in their respective domestic leagues so far this season (WhoScored).

The new owners at St James’ Park should be prioritising a move for Targett first, before potentially moving onto Lodi if a deal cannot be struck.

In other news, find out whose NUFC future is now in doubt

Tottenham Hotspur now also want to sign Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans while they weigh a move for Christian Eriksen as fresh transfer news emerges.

The Lowdown: Lilywhites enter Eriksen chase…

Links to their former superstar playmaker have been prevalent in the last few weeks as Tottenham reportedly eye a move to re-sign Eriksen on a free summer deal.

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90min recently claimed that Tottenham are interested in a move for the 30-year-old, as did reliable iNews correspondent Mark Douglas, with big name source The Times also backing these reports.

Journalist Gary Jacob, making a Tuesday night claim, says Spurs are weighing a move for Eriksen but, as per his information, he isn’t the only midfielder on their radar.

The Latest: Paratici eyes Tielemans move…

Writing for The Times, he claims that Spurs want to sign Leicester’s star midfielder as they keep tabs on his situation.

He comes as a fellow target alongside Eriksen, with Tielemans about to enter the last year of his contract at the King Power Stadium, potentially putting Paratici and co in a strong position to move.

The Verdict: Good candidate…

While Eriksen on a free could come as the more romantic move, certainly amid supporters at least, you cannot rule out Tielemans as a good candidate to strengthen Antonio Conte’s midfield options.

The 24-year-old, who wants to play in the Champions League as Spurs compete for a place there next season, has been lavished as ‘one of Europe’s top midfielders’ by Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers this season.

In another promising claim, Leicester could let him go this summer for as little as £35 million, coming after they demanded as much as £60m last year (Het Nieuwsblad via The Metro).

Amid this £25m drop in price, it’s little wonder Spurs are now eyeing a move.

In other news: Conte personally approves ‘monster’ player move as Tottenham take pre-summer action, find out more here.

Transfer insider Dean Jones has dropped a fresh update on Aston Villa’s permanent pursuit to sign Philippe Coutinho.  

The Lowdown: Coutinho at Villa

Steven Gerrard made the former Liverpool star his first signing as Villa manager, with the Brazilian joining on loan from Barcelona. The 29-year-old has gone on to impress back in England, contributing to seven goals in 11 appearances.

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Villa managed to negotiate an option to buy Coutinho at the end of the season, believed to be in the region of £34m, but Johan Lange and co have seemingly asked the Europa League quarter-finalists if they can help further with a full-time switch.

The Latest: Jones’ comments on Coutinho

Talking to The Transfer Tavern, Jones claimed that Villa have ‘asked’ Barcelona if they could do ‘something’ when it comes to Coutinho’s final year under contract at the Nou Camp. The journalist stated:

“From what I understand, they’ve asked Barcelona about doing something over the last year of his deal there.”

The Verdict: Interesting…

Barcelona appear to be desperate to offload Coutinho for good and would reportedly be willing to accept a lower fee than the £34m figure upon which the clubs agreed in January.

Villa may well be aware of that, and with Coutinho on £480,000 per week at the Nou Camp, the Midlands club may well be asking Barcelona to release the playmaker from the final 12 months of his deal or lower a fee massively in order for Villa to finance a full-time move for him.

Newcastle have also been linked with his services recently, so there could be more twists and turns when it comes to Coutinho’s long-term future ahead of the summer transfer window.

In other news: Gregg Evans buzzing as Aston Villa confirm ‘great news’ for Steven Gerrard 

2021 was an extremely unkind year to Celtic Football Club and the Hoops’ supporters.

It was a year that saw Neil Lennon lose his job as the Bhoys surrendered their dominance of Scottish football, handing over the title to their fiercest rivals.

Ange Postecoglou did arrive and sealed a League Cup victory but 2022 hasn’t exactly started out perfectly.

The Australian coach has added the likes of Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Yosuke Ideguchi to his ranks but there is a feeling that more transfer business could be concluded.

That’s because Celtic may already be working with a depleted squad just two matches it into the calendar year.

Callum McGregor suffered a severe facial injury in the win over Alloa Athletic on Saturday while Liel Abada had to hobble and Ideguchi also sustained some sort of injury too.

Couple that with Maeda’s international call up for Japan just in time for the Old Firm and it doesn’t paint a vibrant picture of availability in Postecoglou’s ranks.

Thus, the window could be exploited once again before it slams shut next week.

In order to combat injury blows to McGregor and Ideguchi in the middle of the park, the Glaswegian outfit must try their best to force through a late move for Ahmed Kendouci.

Also touted with Rangers, it’s thought the Celtic-linked midfielder handed in a transfer request earlier this week. That’s a situation Postecoglou simply has to take advantage of in the coming days, luring what would be another exciting signing to Parkhead.

The Algerian is just 22 years of age but has a plethora of qualities and attributes that would benefit Celtic.

First and foremost, the youngster is capable of playing all across the midfield, whether it’s in a holding role or more advanced. That has seen him score an impressive three strikes from a deep-lying role for ES Setif in the top tier of Algerian football this term.

Furthermore, stats first shared in September demonstrate how he’s not just effective in the final third, but also supremely combative in physical battles. He had made 96 recoveries and 46 interceptions, showing his ability to win back possession. With that in mind, he’d have loved the contest against Alloa just a few days ago.

Bullish in defensive duels, Kendouci is also a graceful midfield player. Known as a risk-taking ball carrier who can play defence-spitting passes, talent scout Jacek Kulig hailed his mesmerising feet last summer, saying that his left foot is “made of gold.”

With that in mind, Kendouci very much appears to be a sensible signing for Celtic this winter, especially when you consider the long-term blow to McGregor.

AND in other news, Celtic can finally axe the “new Ryan Christie” by signing £3.5m “Jota-type trickster”…

MatériaMais Notícias

Desfalque no treino de sexta por conta de uma amigdalite, Keno foi a campo e participou de todo o trabalho neste sábado de manhã, na Academia de Futebol. A atividade foi apenas para os reservas, pois os atletas que começaram a partida contra o Santo André tiveram mais um dia de trabalho regenerativo na parte interna do centro de excelência.

Sem Marcos Rocha, Antônio Carlos, Thiago Martins, Victor Luis, Felipe Melo, Tchê Tchê, Lucas Lima, Dudu, Willian e Borja, todos fazendo recovery, Roger Machado comandou atividades técnicas e de bolas paradas com os reservas.

Na sequência, o elenco almoçou na Academia de Futebol e os relacionados já seguem viagem para Ribeirão Preto (SP), onde o Verdão enfrenta no domingo, o Botafogo-SP, pela segunda rodada do Estadual.

O Palmeiras não divulga mais os atletas convocados para os jogos, mas a expectativa é de que Keno esteja entre eles. O Al-Nassr, da Arábia Saudita, demonstra interesse no jogador, mas o Verdão é enfático ao dizer que não recebeu nenhuma proposta pelo camisa 11. Segundo Alexandre Mattos, neste momento não há negociações nem para chegadas, nem para saídas.

Um desfalque certo para a segunda rodada em relação à estreia é Deyverson. O atacante sofreu uma fissura em um osso do pé direito no treino de sexta e ficará entre seis e oito semanas fora de combate. O confronto com o Botinha está marcado para as 17h (de Brasília), no estádio Santa Cruz.

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There is a feeling that Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa will leave Elland Road at the end of the season, according to journalist Alex Crook.

The Lowdown: Bielsa’s deal running out

The 66-year-old signed a one-year extension with the Whites last summer, having not been willing to commit his long-term future to the club.

Bielsa has arguably had his hardest season to date at Leeds, with numerous injuries affecting his team’s performances and a relegation battle still not out of the question.

It is unknown whether or not the Argentine will sign a new deal but a new claim doesn’t sound too promising.

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The Latest: Journalist makes big claim

Speaking to Give Me Sport, talkSPORT’s Crook claimed that there is an ‘expectation’ that Bielsa will leave in the summer, potentially bringing an end to a wonderful spell at the club:

“I’ve not really heard too many links and maybe that’s because there’s a bit of an expectation that Bielsa will probably leave at the end of the season.

“Are the board really going to let a manager sign players in January knowing that he possibly won’t be there?”

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The Verdict: Time to move on?

Bielsa is slowly coming towards the end of his fourth season as Leeds manager and it may be that he feels he has taken his side as far as he can.

In fact, he has never before been in charge for this long anywhere during his entire career in club management, barring a 10-year stint with Newell’s Old Boys youth team between 1980 and 1990.

There is an argument to say that things have started to go stale under Bielsa – Leeds sit 15th in the Premier League and have only won five games in the competition this season – and a new manager could freshen things up.

That being said, Whites fans are unlikely to complain if Bielsa stays on, given his almost God-like reputation among supporters.

In other news, Leeds have been boosted in their quest to sign a Premier League player. Find out who it is here.