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As per a report in the paper edition of Tuttosport, via Sport Witness, there has been a development in Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Inter Milan star Marcelo Brozovic.

The Lowdown: Spurs eyeing move…

The Croatia international is yet another one of Antonio Conte’s former Nerazzurri men who he personally wants to bring to north London alongside defender Stefan de Vrij.

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As per recent updates, the 52-year-old wants Brozovic at Tottenham with TUTTOmercatoWEB even claiming that he is ‘ready’ to welcome the player with ‘open arms’.

This comes amid his 2022 contract situation at the San Siro, and despite Brozovic himself admitting he would like to extend, Tottenham and many other clubs are waiting in the wings ready to take full advantage if talks break down.

The Latest: Spurs make approach…

As per Tuttosport (via SW), Tottenham are one of the many clubs to make an approach to the player’s representatives alongside Manchester United, París Saint-Germain, Atlético Madrid, Bayern Munich and even Newcastle United.

It is also believed that one of these clubs may have already offered Brozovic an €8 million-per-year (£6.7m) salary, which roughly translates to around £129,000-per-week.

The Verdict: What Spurs need?

Surprisingly, despite being a traditionally more defensive player, the 29-year-old could come as a temporary solution to fill the Christian Eriksen-shaped void.

The 70-cap star was remoulded as a playmaker at Inter last season whilst superstar duo Harry Kane and Son Heung-min were the only Tottenham players to match or better some of his creative stats in their respective leagues.

Brozovic averaged the same amount of key passes per 90 in the final third as Kane (1.4) over 2020/2021 whilst racking up six assists, highlighting how he could make an impact for Tottenham further forward (WhoScored).

Former Inter Milan and Udinese boss Andrea Stramaccioni described Brozovic as a ‘very precious’ player for the Serie A giants and we believe he could become just as important under Conte in the Premier League.

In other news: Journalist says ‘worldbeater’ could now be tempted to join Spurs, find out more here.

Everton could sign their ideal heir to James Rodriguez over the coming months after being linked with a move for Real Madrid midfielder Isco.

What’s the story?

The 29-year-old has entered the final year of his current contract with the La Liga giants, meaning a January exit is on the cards.

And according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo (as relayed by the Liverpool ECHO), Goodison Park is a potential destination for Isco as he searches for regular game time away from the Bernabeu.

Deportivo’s report states that there are several sides contemplating making a move for the Spaniard’s services over the winter window, although Everton are leading the race for his signature.

“One that is more likely to do so is the Everton of Rafa Benitez. The Liverpool team, which also just let James Rodríguez go to Qatar, could be reinforced this winter with the figure of the Malaga player as long as the player is satisfied with leaving Real Madrid,” the report reads.

“Especially since his contract ends in 2022 and the option to sell him this coming January is the only one of the scenarios in which Real Madrid would receive some money for the transaction.”

Heir to James Rodriguez

Everton manager Rafa Benitez knows Isco’s qualities well, having worked with the creative talent at Madrid when he was manager of the capital club between 2015 and 2016.

And it’s no wonder the 61-year-old tactician is reportedly keen to bring his compatriot to Merseyside in January. Isco has played a pivotal part in Los Blancos’ success over the last few years, scoring 51 goals and providing 56 assists in 366 appearances for the club.

His impressive exploits helped Real Madrid claim four Champions League crowns, two La Liga titles and one Copa del Rey during his time at the club, earning praise from several impressed onlookers, including former international teammate Andres Iniesta.

“He is a fantastic player, with an incredible talent,” Iniesta told reporters back in 2017. “For many years, he has been doing things very well, and he is playing for one of the best teams in the world.

“He is an important player not just in the national team but in his club. He is young and has many years to grow and improve.”

However, Isco has struggled to live up to his early promise in recent years. After starting just 25 league fixtures since the start of 2019/20, the £16.2m-rated gem appears to be surplus to requirements in Madrid, and Everton could offer him an ideal escape route from his ordeal at present.

Famed for his incredible dribbling ability, eye for a pass and outstanding technical ability, Isco could prove to be the perfect replacement for the recently departed Rodriguez, bringing a sense of imagination back into Benitez’s pragmatic setup.

And, in other news…Benitez plots swoop for “scary” £27m-rated magician, Everton fans will be buzzing 

Everton’s fast start to the season may have been undermined by a string of injuries to key players, but there could yet be a significant silver lining to their recent fitness woes.

Midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure joined the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Yerry Mina on the sidelines after picking up a foot injury against West Ham United, leaving a sizeable gap in the Toffees’ engine room.

Rafael Benitez attempted to plug the gap in the centre of the pitch with Tom Davies and Allan last time out against Watford, but with disastrous consequences.

The industrious pair were unable to cope with the pace and physicality that every Premier League game now produces and were overrun in the midfield, heavily contributing to the 5-2 mauling that the Hornets handed out at Goodison Park.

However, Benitez may not have to search too long and hard to discover the solution to his latest managerial conundrum.

Academy starlet Tyler Onyango has caught the eye with a string of impressive performances in recent years, and the timing of Doucoure’s recent setback could hardly have come at a better time for the 18-year-old.

The former England under-17 international scored two goals and provided a further two assists in 17 Premier League 2 outings last season but suffered a serious injury of his own towards the end of the campaign, ruling him out for six months.

Onyango made a successful return to action in the under-23s’ game against Leeds United on 18 October – just a day after Doucoure picked up his foot problem – before featuring against Arsenal’s and Burnley’s youth sides respectively.

It has led to speculation that the box-to-box dynamo could make the leap to the first team over the coming weeks, with his playing style deemed most similar to that of the absent Doucoure.

The Athletic’s Everton reporter Patrick Boyland tweeted: “In Doucoure’s absence, Tyler Onyango was close to making the Everton squad on Saturday. The teenager has impressed since returning from injury & is seen by some as the natural successor to the Frenchman”.

It seems as though the talented teenager is making a strong case for his inclusion in Benitez’s matchday squad for the upcoming trip to Molineux on Monday night after some standout displays following his return to fitness.

“He looks sharp and has come back really well,” said under-23s coach Jose Baxter recently (as relayed by The Athletic).

“It shows his professionalism returning earlier than expected, right in at the deep end. He’s a great lad and a great professional. You’re seeing it now with his performances.”

Only time will tell if Benitez is brave enough to select Onyango from the off as the Toffees attempt to get back to winning ways on Monday night, but reports that the midfielder is so highly-rated and thriving once again will surely have Everton supporters buzzing with excitement, especially with Doucoure out of action.

In other news… Brands must sanction Everton swoop for 23-goal “predator” lauded by Kaka

According to The Telegraph (via The Express), Graham Potter turned down the chance to manage Tottenham Hotspur as he did not want to work with Daniel Levy.

The Lowdown: Potter flying

Potter was linked with the Tottenham job before Spurs finally settled on appointing Nuno Espirito Santo.

It seems the Brighton manager did well to stay with the Seagulls, though – the south-coast side have won six of their opening eight games in all competitions (75 per cent), with their only defeat coming against Everton (Sky Sports).

The Latest: Potter snubbed role

As per this latest report, Spurs did indeed approach Potter about making the move to north London.

However, the former Swansea manager did not want to make the switch as he did not want to tarnish his budding reputation by working for Levy.

The Verdict: Damaging for Levy

Tottenham’s search for a new permanent boss after the sacking of Jose Mourinho was a farce. They went through a whole host of candidates, including Antonio Conte (The Guardian), Gennaro Gattuso (ESPN) and Paulo Fonseca (The Mirror), before finally deciding to choose Espirito Santo – mainly, it seems, because he was out of work and obtainable.

Potter’s Brighton have enjoyed a fantastic start to the new term and look to only be getting better. It is early days, of course, but they are four points ahead of Spurs at the moment in the Premier League table.

This report is damning news for Daniel Levy, whose reputation is taking a battering at the moment, and one has to wonder where the future lies for the club if an up and coming manager would rather – with all due respect to the Seagulls – stay put than join a club who were in the Champions League final just a few short years ago.

In other news, Gary Neville takes aim at these two Tottenham players.

A number of Liverpool supporters have urged the Reds to sign Youri Tielemans, following comments regarding his Leicester City future.

Jurgen Klopp didn’t add to his midfield in the summer transfer window, in a decision which left many frustrated, especially with Gini Wijnaldum joining Paris Saint-Germain.

One player who Liverpool were linked with signing was Tielemans, who has become an influential performer for Leicester.

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The £49.5million-valued Belgian memorably scored a stunning winning goal in last season’s FA Cup final win over Chelsea, and has been a key figure under ex-Reds manager Brendan Rodgers, being hailed as ‘fantastic’ by Emile Heskey.

Tielemans has remained coy over his Leicester future, however, admitting [via Sky Sports on Twitter] that he is “keeping his options open” with regards to his future.

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Liverpool fans call for Reds to sign Tielemans

These Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to talk up the idea of the Reds signing their summer target if he decides to move on next term.

“Youri Tielemans’ contract runs out summer 2023. If he doesn’t sign a new deal before then, we should be all over him”

Credit: @CosmoKhan

“Please, @LFC. Tielemans or Bellingham”

Credit: @JoshDrewPoland

“I’d take him on the cheap next year with 1 year to go we’d get him like £35million. Bellingham. Won’t go next year unless 100 plus then go for him”

Credit: @WaqarHu63300657

“How to say you’re leaving without saying you’re leaving. Hopefully Liverpool get him along with Jude Bellingham next season”

Credit: @muootarek

“#TielemansLFC2022”

Credit: @BKNBUZZ

“Coming to Anfield”

Credit: @Lfc_madhikes

In other news, James Pearce has shut down one rumour regarding a Liverpool player leaving. Read more here.

Gary Kirsten has said that India’s goal in 2009 is to be the No. 1 team in the world. India’s coach, who has received praise from many in the Indian team, felt the side’s biggest improvement in recent times was the way they prepared for a game.Following Australia’s loss to New Zealand in the second ODI at the MCG, India have moved to second place in the ICC’s official ODI rankings. “Getting to No. 1 is the obvious goal for this year,” said Kirsten, “but it’s not playing too much on our minds. To do that, it’s important for the basics to be right. We are just trying to focus on taking it game by game and series by series. The team ethic is great. Everyone is preparing really well for a game and we are moving in the right direction.”Today’s was an optional nets session at the R Premadasa, and the attendees included SachinTendulkar, L Balaji, Irfan Pathan and Ravindra Jadeja. Tendulkar batted for 45 minutes and was constantly chatting with the bowlers on the correct line to bowl. Venkatesh Prasad, India’s bowling coach, spent lots of time with Irfan, primarily working on his length. Tendulkar even bowled to Jadeja and passed some tips now and then to the young allrounder.Irfan’s form has been a concern for India. Given the new ball in the last game – his only appearance on tour so far – Irfan ended up with 3 for 58 from seven overs; his first spell read 5-0-42-1 as Sanath Jayasuriya went after him. India have been using their slow bowlers in the middle overs, retaining the seamers for the Powerplays.Kirsten had earlier said the lack of an allrounder who bowls seam had forced the team to take that route, and he felt it had been a bit difficult for Irfan as he has been in and out of the team. “I really can’t comment after just one game,” said Kirsten. “He [Irfan] is working hard in the nets. He has a good work ethic and hopefully will get the rewards for it.”To be the No. 1 team in the world, Kirsten said that India would have to dominate the opposition consistently. It was something that Gautam Gambhir also stressed upon, while talking about the dead-rubber game at this same venue on February 8. “When you playing for your country you can’t take any game lightly,” he said. “It’s going to be a fantastic achievement if we can make it 5-0. You want to be a part of the team which is creating this history.”You can’t just think that you have won the series 4-0 and be complacent for the next game. It doesn’t happen with us. When you go onto the field you go to win and not just compete. Great teams are those that carry the momentum forward into every game.”India have won the series and the final match is to be played at the R Premadasa as well.

Shaun Tait has looked to his fellow fast bowler Mitchell Johnson for inspiration as he continues his return to international cricket while trying to minimise the stress on his body

Cricinfo staff21-Jan-2009
Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson will be reunited for the remainder of the ODI series © Getty Images
Shaun Tait has looked to his fellow fast bowler Mitchell Johnson for inspiration as he continues his return to international cricket while trying to minimise the stress on his body. Tait walked away from the game last January and this month made his ODI and Twenty20 return for Australia.However, he has battled serious shoulder, elbow and hamstring injuries over the years and his physically demanding action and the effort to maintain his speed is a concern for his longevity. He was rested for Australia’s most recent one-day game, against South Africa in Hobart on Sunday and it continued his off-and-on season.South Australia have this summer taken the unusual step of allowing Tait to nominate which matches he feels capable of playing. Since he suffered hamstring tendonitis in a one-day game seven weeks ago, Tait has been careful not to overload himself.”If I had my way I would like to play every game, but my body is just not able to do that,” Tait told the . “This management I have gone through with the torn hamstring has paid off in the end.”You have to be a bit careful, though. If you have a good relationship with your support staff then you can talk to them, tell them how you feel and you can manage the situation.”Tait will be joined in the remainder of the ODI series by Johnson, who was rested for the opening games. He said Johnson was a good man to look up to, given how he had handled the rigours of international cricket, both physically and mentally.”You sort of got the feeling people were not sure about his ability or if he was up to it,” Tait said. “I think he has answered all those questions with his batting and fielding as well. He is the perfect package. Mitchell has done brilliantly, bowled a lot of overs. He is pretty important to Australia at the moment.”Mitchell is 27 and learning the ropes of international cricket now. I am 25, feel like I have played a lot of cricket and been through a lot, but obviously have a number of years left as well. They say that from 27 to 29 you are at your peak.”

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Whether it’s a contest over 50 overs, 20 overs, or – as it turned out today – 22, India’s one-day cricketers are simply streets ahead of England’s. They duly claimed an unassailable 4-0 lead in the seven-game series thanks to a 19-run victory in a match that was rescued from a soggy grave by some valiant work from the Bangalore groundstaff.After nearly five hours of rain delays, the contest was minutes away from an abandonment when the umpires decreed that the conditions were fit for play, and as things turned out, their decision proved to be worthwhile. For eight hard-hitting overs, while Owais Shah and Andrew Flintoff were together at the crease, adding 82 for the fourth wicket, England put up the best fight they have shown all series. But in the final analysis, the unbridled flamboyance of India’s batsmen, coupled with the nerveless short-form skills that India’s bowlers have learnt from their time in the IPL, proved decisive.In every respect, India’s approach to the game was superior to that of their opponents. Virender Sehwag epitomised the difference in mindset – the bulk of his 69 from 57 balls came when he was batting with a view to lasting for 50 overs, but in the final analysis you would hardly be able to tell the difference. He started the match by belting James Anderson’s first ball over the covers for four, as India cruised a healthy 106 for 1 after 17 overs. Then, nearly seven hours later, he clobbered Samit Patel’s first ball of the resumption for six, as India reappeared to help themselves to 60 more runs in the remaining five overs of their reduced allocation.India’s ability to switch tempo at will was astonishing and, to England’s rigid mentality, unthinkable. Yuvraj Singh belted three more sixes to continue his extraordinary run of form with 25 not out from 11 balls, while both Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yusuf Pathan – from the final ball of the innings – also launched the first balls they faced into the stands. Their final total of 166 for 4 was rightly adjusted under the Duckworth-Lewis method to an imposing target of 198, a prospect that looked stillborn when England began their chase.The contrast between Sehwag’s onslaught and the cautious dirge chosen by England’s openers was stark. Only 21 runs came from England’s first six Powerplay overs, and though Zaheer Khan, who finished with 2 for 20 from five overs, was exceptional – both for his own bowling and the way in which he guided his younger team-mates – England’s stifling orthodoxy was bewildering and self-defeating. Playing with a pendulum-straight bat, Ravi Bopara played out four dot balls in the first over, before being caught by a flying Ishant Sharma in the second, while Ian Bell managed a gravity defying seven runs in seven overs.With every straight-batted push that England produced, the run-rate leapt another notch or ten. Bell was eventually bowled for 12 while attempting a sweep against Harbhajan Singh, and though Kevin Pietersen clipped his first ball effortlessly through midwicket for four, he had arrived at the crease approximately eight overs too late. In his haste to make up for lost time, he inside-edged a massive swipe across the line, and was bowled for 5 by a gleeful Sharma.India’s dominance at this stage was so total that Yuvraj was able to burst out laughing after a blunder from Suresh Raina on the square leg rope gifted Shah an extra boundary. Slowly but surely, however, England found their feet. Shah brought up his half-century in flamboyant style – and from an unexpectedly brisk 35 deliveries – with a pull through midwicket off Sharma, then creamed a huge six into the stands with a fetched slog-sweep off Yuvraj. Flintoff, meanwhile, ran a clever four off an open-faced bat after noticing that third man was up in the circle, and then made Harbhajan pay for one full-toss too many by swiping him fiercely through cow corner.That single blow gave Flintoff the confidence he needed, because he followed up with arguably the biggest blow of the series so far, a gargantuan swipe that might have ended up in Chennai had it not rebounded off the top of the stadium roof. It meant that England had added 61 in five overs, at the required rate of two a ball, and for the first time in four matches they were matching India’s strokeplay shot for shot.Shah continued in the same vein, greeting Munaf Patel’s return with another flick into the midwicket stands to bring the requirement down to 73 runs from 43 balls. But back came Zaheer for the final Powerplay, and after conceding three runs from his first four balls, he beat Shah with a low full toss that flew off the leading edge to Sachin Tendulkar at point to end a fantastic innings of 72 from 48 balls. In the very next over, Flintoff drove a slower ball from Sharma to extra cover, and England’s two big guns had gone in the space of five balls.That was effectively that. Samit Patel drove his first ball through long-on for four as he and Collingwood kept England in contention until the penultimate over. But Zaheer, kept bowling full and fast, removed Patel via a butterfingered catch in the covers from Gambhir, and Munaf was given the honour of sealing the contest as he successfully defended the 27 runs England still needed in the final over. For the fourth match in a row, England had shown an improvement on their earlier efforts in the series, and yet the gulf between the sides appeared as wide as ever before. The prospect of a 7-0 clean sweep looms ever larger.

Wolverhampton Wanderers fans were left lamenting a pair of misses from Nelson Semedo in their clash with Watford on Saturday afternoon. 

Wolves came into the game without a point on the board, having lost each of their first three Premier League fixtures by a goal to nil.

Watford, meanwhile, were looking to return to winning ways on home turf after following-up their opening-day victory against Aston Villa with back-to-back defeats at Brighton and Spurs.

Recapping Semedo’s afternoon at Vicarage Road

Bruno Lage selected Semedo at right wing-back for the third consecutive match, with Marcal, who was superb, slotting in on the other side.

The Portuguese ace however had the chance to put the visitors ahead in first-half stoppage time after he was set through by right-winger Francisco Trincao, but he shot straight at Daniel Bachmann.

And then, just after the hour mark, he was in again, only to fire wide of the post.

Semedo also lost six of his ten ground duels, failed to complete a dribble and conceded possession 14 times in total, contributing to a team-low SofaScore rating of 6.2.

Mercifully for Wolves, an own-goal from Francisco Sierralta and a debut strike from Hwang Hee-chan were enough to earn their three points.

These Wolves fans bemoaned Semedo misses

“Remember when fans said Doherty wasn’t good enough after getting 15 goals/assists and now Semedo has missed another 1 on 1. We are actually cursed. How have we missed another”

Credit: @Habby396

“Semedo has robbed Raul of an absolute beauty of an assist”

Credit: @wwfcnaasif

“Semedo man you’re killing me rn”

Credit: @haydenbd_

“Semedo has to score, again”

Credit: @WeAreWolvesFans

“Why is it Semedo every time man, guy can’t finish”

Credit: @_tomwwfc

“Semedo I just can’t man”

Credit: @GeorgeTheStud

In other news, this ‘excellent’ ace has hinted at a desire to leave.

An update has emerged on Everton target Andreas Pereira, regarding his thoughts on a move to Goodison Park.

What’s the talk?

According to TNT Sports, via Sport Witness, Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira has decided to snub Everton in favour of a return to his home country to sign for Flamengo.

The report claims the Toffees made an offer to sign the Brazilian this month, but he has decided that playing for Flamengo is his best chance of making the Brazil squad for the World Cup next year.

Benitez will be gutted

This update comes as a killer blow for Everton as it seemingly rules them out of the running for the central midfielder as it stands. Of course, never say never in football as Flamengo are yet to agree a deal with United and he has not officially signed for the Brazilian outfit, but it is not looking promising at the time of writing.

Rafa Benitez will be gutted that he is now unlikely to get the chance to work with Pereira at Goodison Park next season. The issue for Everton is that he has made this decision based on his chances to make the national team, given he would be back in his home country, and this is not something the Toffees can change. It is not as ‘simple’ as Marcel Brands offering him more money to come to the club, so it is out of their control.

The Spaniard, Benitez, will be disappointed as he could have been a fine addition to his Premier League squad for this season. Upon sanctioning his loan move to Lazio, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claimed that the midfielder is developing and only the signing of Bruno Fernandes stopped him from being a regular for the Red Devils. He said:

“They’re a big club, Lazio. Andreas needs to play regularly.

“He started last season really well and played loads of games. You could see the confidence growing and see him developing but, after we signed Bruno, that position that Andy played in was taken because Bruno came in and had such an impact. We decided this is what was best for Andreas.”

The £49k-per-week gem played 25 times for United in the league last season, scoring once and providing three assists. He also averaged a solid WhoScored rating of 6.78 in six Europa League appearances for the English giants, highlighting the quality he is able to produce when given regular minutes.

At the age of 25, the £7.2m-rated ace is heading into the peak years of his career and Benitez could have enjoyed getting the best out of him in the next few years. Instead, he appears set to return to Brazil and not to Goodison Park, and that will leave the Toffees boss gutted.

AND in other news, Everton make contact for “tremendous” 6 ft 3 machine, Benitez would love him…