For all the sensationally talented players Tottenham Hotspur have had over the years, like Harry Kane and Gareth Bale, they’ve had more than their fair share of duds.

Be that the expensive kind like Tanguy Ndombele and Richarlison or the cheaper but still disappointing variety like Clinton N’Jie and Vincent Janssen.

However, there have also been those who fit somewhere in the middle, including one player who saw his stock plummet in North London: Serge Aurier.

The Ivorian international became something of a scapegoat at Spurs by his own doing, and now it looks like Ange Postecoglou has his own version of the defender in this current squad.

Serge Aurier's Spurs career

In the summer of 2017, Spurs completed the sale of Kyle Walker to Manchester City for around £50m, the record for a defender at the time, and needed a new right-back to replace him.

Instead of looking for that player in the Premier League, the club turned to Paris Saint-Germain and paid around £23m for their exciting but trouble-making full-back, Aurier.

The Ivorian defender had just come off a relatively impressive campaign in which he had provided five assists in 32 games, but as he had been handed a two-month suspended sentence the year before, it was no surprise to see the Parisians so willing to move him on.

Unfortunately, the Ouragahio-born ace made a poor first impression in the Premier League, as in his first league start for the North Londoners, he managed to get himself sent off against West Ham United, which almost cost his side the game.

Even though it would be two years before the right-back was sent off for a second time, he had almost immediately reinforced the opinion people had of him and by September of his first campaign, he had Jamie Redknapp describing him as “all over the place” and Teddy Sheringham calling him “erratic.”

Such critiques reemerged in full force when his foul led to Manchester City’s game-winning free-kick in the 2021 League Cup final, with Jamie Carragher describing him as “one of the biggest liabilities in Premier League football.”

Aurier finally saw his contract terminated by mutual consent that summer, leaving with a tally of eight goals and 17 assists in 110 appearances, but did so as a scapegoat, and now it looks as if Postecoglou has his own version of the Ivorian in his team.

Spurs' new Aurier

There are probably a few players who could fit this description in the current Spurs squad, from Radu Dragusin to Yves Bissouma.

However, when it comes down to it, we reckon that Pedro Porro is the closest player to Aurier in Postecoglou’s squad.

Now, there are a few apparent similarities between the pair, such as them both being right-backs, and offensive ones at that – the Spaniard has racked up 26 goal involvements since joining in 2023.

Appearances

94

Starts

85

Minutes

7788′

Goals

9

Assists

17

Goal Involvements per Game

0.27

Minutes per Goal Involvement

299.53′

Yellow Cards

8

Points per Game

1.47

Yet, the most significant similarity is that, like the Ivorian, the former Sporting CP star, who joined the club under Antonio Conte’s tenure, has become something of a scapegoat.

That may sound harsh, but it’s hard to disagree with, as for all his attacking talent, this season has seen the 25-year-old become more and more of a defensive problem for the team.

For example, there have been numerous cases of him being turned inside out by opposition wingers, like Lenadro Trossard in mid-January or Jeremy Doku last month.

Moreover, it’s not just individual moments he’s struggled either, as journalist Mitch Fretton described his performance against Ipswich Town last year as a “horror show”, and then at the weekend against Bournemouth, the Daily Express’ Tom Parsons gave him a 3/10 match rating.

Lastly, according to FBref, he sits in just the top 46% of full-backs in the Premier League for tackles, the top 48% for clearances and the bottom 12% for pass completion percentage.

Ultimately, while Porro can be effective in attack, he’s proven time and time again that he is a serious problem when it comes to the defensive side of his game, and if he is continuously played at right-back, he could be the club’s next Aurier.

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حسم طاهر أبو زيد، لاعب الأهلي السابق ووزير الرياضية الأسبق، موقفه من تولي رئاسة نادي بيراميدز خلال الفترة القادمة، بعد الجلسة التي جمعت بينه وبين مسؤولي النادي.

وقال أبو زيد خلال تصريحات عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر 2” لبرنامج “يامساء الأنوار في المونديال”: “كان يوجد جلسة شبه ودية، مع مسؤولي نادي بيراميدز في الفترة الماضية”.

وأضاف: “ارتباطي بالأهلي، ورضاء جماهيره عامل مؤثر في اتخاذ القرار بالنسبة لي، وهذا يحتاج إلى نوع من التريث والتفكير الدقيق، بدأت في النادي الأهلي من نعومة اظافري”.

طالع | طاهر أبو زيد يوجه رسالة إلى الخطيب وحسين لبيب بشأن بيراميدز

وتابع: “أنا أبن من أبناء الأهلي وأعمل لذلك اعتبار في كل تصرفاتي، رضاء جماهير الأهلي أولوية”.

وأكمل: “حبي لجماهير الأهلي منعني من تولي رئاسة بيراميدز”.

Everton have issued a strong statement condemning online abuse directed at striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin's wife.

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Sandra Calvert-Lewin targeted after Everton winEverton condemn vile abuse at striker's wifeMerseyside Police open investigationFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Sandra Calvert-Lewin was subjected to online abuse after posting a message on social media to celebrate her husband's goal record at Goodison Park after Everton played their final home game at the stadium on Saturday against Southampton. She wrote: "30 goals at Goodison. Top 3 ever. They might not shout it – but we're proud every single day." Calvert-Lewin has scored 30 Premier League goals at Goodison, behind only only Duncan Ferguson and Romelu Lukaku.

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The post subsequently came in for criticism and saw Sandra Calvert-Lewin subjected to vile abuse. Everton moved quickly to issue a statement and also confirmed a police investigation had been opened in a bid to identify the perpetrators.

WHAT EVERTON SAID

A statement from the club read: "Everton Football Club strongly condemns the threatening, racist, and misogynistic abuse directed towards the wife of Dominic Calvert-Lewin on social media. This sinister and intimidating behaviour is not only deeply hurtful and distressing, it is also criminal – and does not represent the values of Everton or the overwhelming majority of our supporters. The Club has a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of discriminatory and abusive behaviour. We are working closely with Merseyside Police and the Premier League to ensure the individuals responsible are identified and held accountable for their actions. Threats or abuse of any kind – whether online or in person – are completely unacceptable and have no place in our game or in society. The Club urges anyone who sees or experiences such behaviour to report it to the authorities and relevant social media platforms immediately. We will continue to offer full support to Dominic and his family."

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MERSEYSIDE POLICE RESPOND

Merseyside Police said: "We are aware of racist and threatening social media comments directed towards the wife of Dominic Calvert-Lewin. To send such abhorrent messages to anyone online is utterly appalling and we are working with Everton Football Club as part of our initial enquiries. We take these reports extremely seriously and would like to remind social media users that any belief that they can maintain anonymity online to commit offences is misplaced. Offences committed online, which includes making threats and racist abuse, can be investigated."

MatériaMais Notícias

Giuliano Galoppo já está no Brasil. A expectativa é que o argentino de 23 anos, prestes a ser contratado pelo São Paulo junto ao Banfield por cerca de US$ 6 milhões (aproximadamente R$ 33 milhões), seja apresentado oficialmente terça-feira (26), no CT da Barra Funda.

A chegada de uma opção para o meio-campo em meio a um time completamente fragilizado na defesa não causa estranheza ao técnico Rogério Ceni. Nos vestiários após o empate em 3 a 3 com o Goiás, no último sábado (23), no Morumbi, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro, o comandante tricolor revelou que o novo reforço foi ofertado pelo misterioso patrocinador.

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GALERIA
+ Veja as notas do L! para o time do São Paulo no jogo contra o Goiás

– Nós temos procurado (por zagueiro), mesmo pelas lesões que aconteceram esses dias, com o Arboleda não voltando mais nessa temporada, então a gente concentrou esforços em relação a isso. Mas, quando o patrocinador tem a oportunidade de te dar um jogador, você tem que aceitar ou não. Nesse caso é um patrocinador que está oferecendo essa oportunidade de ter um jogador jovem. Mas dentro das possibilidades do clube, talvez um zagueiro seja a peça mais importante para nós nesse momento.

A situação é conflitante para o treinador. Arboleda, operado, não joga mais neste ano. Leo e Miranda estão em transição física, mas não há garantia de que retornem para o duelo de ida das quartas de final da Copa do Brasil contra o América-MG, quinta-feira (28), no Morumbi.

A sequência impossibilita Ceni de manter uma sequência no setor. Foram quatro escalações diferentes nos últimos cinco jogos. Inclusive com a escalação de Luizão e Beraldo, recém-promovidos do sub-20, e a improvisação de Rafinha para compor a linha de três pela direita.

– Do meio para frente nós não temos muitos jogadores de velocidade, ganhamos o Marcos Guilherme (único reforço do clube até aqui nesta janela). Temos muito mais opções para o ataque. São 20 jogadores do meio para frente. E em um sistema com três zagueiros são cinco vagas. Na parte defensiva são dez, 11 opções apenas. E houveram situações que nós perdemos nossos quatro principais zagueiros.

Sobre a busca por um zagueiro, supostamente prioritária desde o fim de junho, o treinador repete o discurso adotado há tempos: não é fácil encontrar uma peça no mercado. E se gastar e for eliminado. Conversa idêntica a de antes da abertura da janela, quando o clube ainda não tinha garantida a classificação nas copas. A esperança é muito pequena para que chegue alguém para o setor a tempo de se encerrar as inscrições para a Copa do Brasil, na terça.

Sobre Galoppo ainda, Ceni antecipa que a regularização do meia a tempo do fim das inscrições para o principal mata-mata nacional não é garantia de escalação imediata dele.

– Ele não foi anunciado ainda. Eu mesmo já o cumprimentei, vi ele, mas ainda não há uma formalização de assinatura. Se eu digo que é um jogador pronto? Ele é pronto. Mas para entrar no time do dia para noite? É um pouco difícil. Não vi nem um treino dele. Preciso pelo menos ver uma atividade dele para opinar melhor.

TABELA
> Confira classificação, jogos e simule resultados do Brasileirão-22
> Confira todos os jogos da Copa do Brasil-22
> Confira todos os jogos da Copa Sul-Americana-22
> Conheça o novo aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!

Liverpool are inching closer to sealing Florian Wirtz's transfer, with the German sensation informing Bayer Leverkusen of his desire to join the Reds.

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• Liverpool close to signing Wirtz
• German informs Leverkusen of desire to join Reds
• Had visited Liverpool's training facility

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Per , Wirtz has told Leverkusen that he wants to join Liverpool this summer. The midfielder has agreed on personal terms with the Reds and the English champions have now started to negotiate a transfer fee for the player.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

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  Bayern Munich and Manchester City were also keen on signing Wirtz at one stage, however, reports emerged on Friday that they had pulled out of the transfer race seemingly giving the green light for Liverpool to move in on their target.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Per Sky Sports' , Leverkusen are now working to complete the player's transfer swiftly and are waiting for the Reds' first offer. The former German champions reportedly want a sizeable transfer fee and a player from the English side, as they are looking to add a goalkeeper, a defender, a striker and a potential replacement for Wirtz.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

  Ahead of a busy summer transfer window at Anfield, the English champions will take the field one last time this season on Sunday as they face Crystal Palace at home.

Arsenal and Mikel Arteta have been given a bit of encouragement over signing a prolific striker, as his stance on a potential switch to London emerges.

Strikers who Arsenal could sign this summer

It is perhaps football’s worst-kept secret that the Gunners need a new number nine sooner rather than later, with current strike force Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus sidelined after picking up long-term injury problems.

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There are even suggestions that Jesus could be out until 2026 after he ruptured his ACL during Arsenal’s FA Cup third-round defeat to Man United, while Havertz won’t begin to return to action until pre-season preparations for next campaign.

Arsenal did attempt to reinforce Arteta’s centre-forward options in January, submitting a low-ball £40 million offer for Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins (The Times), but Unai Emery’s side rejected it out of hand.

Arsenal’s next five Premier League games

Date

Man Utd (away)

March 9th

Chelsea (home)

March 16th

Fulham (home)

April 1st

Everton (away)

April 5th

Brentford (home)

April 12th

Villa were said to be outraged by the timing of Arsenal’s approach for Watkins, which was on the eve of their pivotal Champions League clash with Celtic, but they were prepared to negotiate at a starting fee of around £60 million – a figure which Arteta’s side decided not to reach (The Times).

Arsenal then ended the winter window without obtaining a new goalscorer, with Arteta now forced to wait until the summer for his club to resolve the glaring lack of options up front.

In terms of their rumoured targets for next season, many high-profile names are attracting attention from N5, with Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović high on Arsenal’s transfer shortlist amid Italian reports the club are prepared to open talks.

Arsenal have retained their interest in signing Watkins as an option as well, while Newcastle United star Alexander Isak is believed to be a dream target for Arteta.

RB Leipzig starlet Benjamin Sesko also remains a very serious target for the north Londoners. The Slovenia international is dazzling in Germany yet again this season, having scored 17 goals in all competitions already, which is just one shy of his entire tally from last campaign.

Arsenal had a proposal to sign Sesko rejected last summer, with the 21-year-old deciding to remain at Leipzig on the condition of a gentlemen’s agreement they’ll allow him to leave this summer or in 2026 (Fabrizio Romano).

Benjamin Sesko has privately told Arsenal he'd like a move to London

Journalist Graeme Bailey, writing in a piece for The Boot Room, has shared an update on their chances of landing the sensation.

According to his information, Sesko has privately told suitors, including Arsenal, that he’d prefer a move to London. While this hands the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea a slight boost, Bailey also writes that other elite Premier League sides like Liverpool are still firmly in contention for his signature.

What comes as more good news, though, is that Leipzig will help to orchestrate his transfer and won’t stand in Sesko’s way as long as they’re satisfied with the final proposal. The Bundesliga outfit could even let him leave for a fee lower than his £58 million release clause.

Arsenal and Chelsea are also believed to be frontrunners for his signature as things stand, despite enquiries from Liverpool.

The striker, who’s been heralded for his “extremely quick” burst of pace, would suit English football down to the ground as a physically imposing frontman with an impressive scoring record.

A “brilliant” manager is under consideration to replace Barry Ferguson as Rangers manager this summer, at which point the club is “likely to be under new ownership”, according to reliable reporter Ben Jacobs.

Ferguson gets off to perfect Rangers start with win at Kilmarnock

After 16 months at the helm, Philippe Clement was relieved of his duties as Rangers boss following a 2-0 home defeat against St Mirren, which left his side 13 points adrift of Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic.

In the wake of Clement’s sacking, a number of managers have been linked with moves to Ibrox, with the likes of David Wagner and Steven Gerrard being named as potential candidates for the job. However, the Gers hierarchy moved swiftly to appoint ex-player Ferguson on an interim basis, and the former captain avoided an early scare at Kilmarnock on Wednesday evening, winning his first match 4-2 courtesy of goals from Vaclav Cerny, Cyriel Dessers and Nedim Bajrami.

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The 47-year-old has made it clear he will impose an attack-minded philosophy during his time in the Ibrox dugout, saying: “You are going to see a team who are going to have a certain style of play, attack-minded and we are going to try to win every single game.

“We are going to be aggressive, which was a part of my game as well and I don’t mean by going and tackling people, but I mean aggressive in the press.”

It remains to be seen whether the Scot’s attacking philosophy is able to win over the Rangers faithful and convince the board to give him the full time gig, but a four-goal haul at Killie is a great start.

Taking to X however, the reliable Jacobs has stated Derek McInnes is “under consideration” to replace Ferguson in the summer, at which point the Gers are “likely to be under new ownership”, with 49ers Enterprises in line to take over.

McInnes famously came close to replacing Pedro Caixinha in the dugout back in 2017, verbally accepting the deal job before being talked out of it by Dave King.

"Brilliant" McInnes impressing at Kilmarnock

The 53-year-old has developed quite a reputation in Scotland, spending almost eight years at Aberdeen between 2013 and 2021, and pushing Celtic nearly all the way in the title race during the 2015-16 season.

During his time with the Dons, the Paisley-born coach also lifted the Scottish League Cup in 2014, one of three trophies he’s won in his career, having won the Scottish Championship on two occasions.

Brendan Rodgers has described the Scottish coach as “absolutely brilliant”, and there are signs he could do a good job at Ibrox, given his success with Aberdeen and Kilmarnock, leading the club to a fourth-place finish last season, in what was their first campaign after winning promotion.

That said, if Rangers are going to bridge the gap to Rodgers’ Celtic, they could do with a manager with more experience of competing for major honours, rather than appointing a coach with no experience in a top job.

Setting their sights on summer targets, Aston Villa are now reportedly plotting a big-money move to sign an attacking target who’s with the same agency as on-loan winger Marco Asensio.

Aston Villa transfer news

After deciding to cash in on Jhon Duran in the January transfer window and opting to welcome the likes of Marcus Rashford and Asensio on loan rather than in permanent deals, Aston Villa could have money to burn this summer.

The Villans could certainly do with reinforcements too, having struggled to replicate last season’s top four success – albeit whilst impressing in the Champions League against the likes of Club Brugge.

If Unai Emery and those in the Midlands want to ensure that last season’s top four finish was more than just a flash in the pan, then the summer transfer will be more important than ever with a number of targets already emerging.

According to Journal de Noticias in Portugal, as relayed by Sports Witness, club sporting director Monchi is now plotting a move to sign Pedro Goncalves for Aston Villa this summer in a deal that would be worth €80m (£67m) if they were to trigger his Sporting Club release clause.

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Monchi’s interest is not exactly new either, given that he was also eyeing a move to sign the winger last summer before ultimately turning his attention towards other targets. Now, one year later, even as the winger continues his road to recovery from injury, the sporting director has not given up on his pursuit.

What could help this time around is the fact that Goncalves is represented by the same agency as Asensio, who Aston Villa signed on loan in January. That prior deal should hand Monchi a working relationship to build on.

"Creative" Goncalves would be an upgrade on Bailey

Though Aston Villa’s current frontline is filled to the brim with quality, it won’t be too long before they’re forced back to the drawing board when both Rashford’s and Asensio’s loan moves come to an end. And that’s when they should turn their attention towards Goncalves, who would be an instant upgrade on the struggling Leon Bailey.

Compared to the Aston Villa man, the Sporting star has scored five goals and assisted a further six in just 12 appearances in all competitions this season. Bailey, meanwhile, has managed just two goals and three assists in 34 appearances – highlighting just how clinical Goncalves has been when fit and firing in Portugal.

They’re numbers that analyst Ben Mattinson likely saw coming after describing Goncalves as a “creative force” in 2023. Now, two years on, it’s Aston Villa who could take full advantage of those numbers.

Nottinghamshire coach becomes only current overseas name in the BBL filling the role vacated by David Hussey

Alex Malcolm28-Mar-2023Melbourne Stars have hired former England and current Nottinghamshire coach Peter Moores to take charge of the trophy-less BBL club for the next two seasons.Moores will become the only current overseas coach in the BBL, filling the role vacated by David Hussey after he chose to take up a position as Victoria’s head of male cricket following four seasons as Stars coach.Moores has coached England in two separate stints from 2007-2009 and 2014-2015. He has had tremendous success in English county cricket winning three county championships with Sussex and Lancashire as well as two T20 Blast titles and a one-day title with Nottinghamshire since taking charge in 2017. He will remain in his job at Nottinghamshire.Related

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Beyond England, he has coached an overseas franchise team previously having led Karachi Kings in the PSL in 2022 but that stint lasted just one season as they finished last with one win from 10 games.Stars are coming off three dismal seasons having finished sixth, seventh, and eighth after making the BBL final in Hussey’s season year in charge in 2019-20.”I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to work with some of the best players in the world but also to help develop the rest of the squad to get this club back where they belong,” Moores said.Moores joins Stars with a strong Nottinghamshire connection already established via Hussey who played for them between 2004 and 2013 and helped them win two County Championships in 2005 and 2010.Joe Clarke and Luke Wood were both part of Stars last season as overseas players having played for Nottinghamshire under Moores, although Wood currently plays at Lancashire.Moores joins Stars with the list in a state of flux after stand-in captain and Australia limited-overs legspinner Adam Zampa requested a trade to Melbourne Renegades. Former Australia fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile is also out of contract.Stars general manager Blair Crouch said: “Peter was the outstanding candidate from a very strong group of applicants and I’d like to thank all of them for their time.”Peter has built a very strong resume over a long period of time both at domestic and international level and we look forward to him sharing all of that knowledge and experience with our group.”We are well aware of the challenge ahead of us, rest assured the entire club is working as hard as we can to rise back up the BBL ladder and Peter is the best man to lead this group.”It has yet to be confirmed whether next season’s BBL will continue in its current format or be trimmed to the reduced 10-game competition which is part of the next broadcast deal which begins in 2024.

Ollie Pope is among many within English cricket watching Ben Stokes at the IPL with bated breath.Despite nursing a troublesome left knee, Stokes chose to fulfil his commitment to Chennai Super Kings. Reinforced by a cortisone injection prior to travelling out to India, England’s Test captain is currently two games into his stint and even bowled in the victory over Lucknow Super Giants on Monday, albeit an over that went for 18. Even with promises from the man himself that he won’t take undue risks, and the reassurance offered by head coach Brendon McCullum that the medical team at Chennai – one of McCullum’s former franchises – will look after Stokes, everything is crossed he arrives back in one piece ahead of an Ashes summer.For Pope, the concern is a little more complex. While Stuart Broad was the unofficial vice-captain during the 2022 summer, it was Pope who actually fulfilled the role over the winter, skippering two warm-up matches – against England Lions in Abu Dhabi ahead of December’s Pakistan tour, then in New Zealand ahead of the two-match series in February. Granted, they were low-key affairs (both two-day matches which Stokes chose to skip), but the England management gave Pope the opportunities to further his leadership credentials and were impressed by what they saw.Related

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Stokes has been reticent to name a deputy officially. But should he be unable to take to the field at any point this summer – he might even choose to sit out the Ireland Test at Lord’s which begins on June 1 – Pope is evidently the next in line. Though he hopes otherwise, Pope backs himself to do the job, if required. His only previous experience in competitive cricket came in September 2021, leading Surrey in a County Championship match against Glamorgan.”It’s not a conversation that’s been had, it’s just something that if it comes about, then I feel confident,” Pope said. “I feel the cricket brain’s good enough to allow that to happen. Whether they choose to do that in a Test, I’ve honestly no idea.”Fingers crossed, touch wood – his [Stokes] knee’s all good. Firstly, that’s not something we’ve spoken about. I don’t know if Stokesy did go down, I’m not sure who would do it to be honest, we’ve not spoken about it.”There’s really one Ben Stokes, isn’t there, in England. And I think that’s something that if he did get injured and someone had to do it, no one is going to try and replicate exactly what he does, but take the ideas he implemented into the team. Do it slightly in their own way, but continue the messages that he provides if someone were to do it if he did get injured. Again, touch wood, he’s all good.”Pope enjoyed leading those warm-up matches and believes it has given him a new perspective on the field. Throughout five Tests in Pakistan and New Zealand – four of them England wins – he watched Stokes a little closer: “What he does with the bowlers and what he does with the fields and how he talks to his bowlers as well.”He seemingly took those lessons on board, and was a more vocal presence in games, whether consulted by Stokes between overs or offering his own suggestions regarding on-field tactics. Coaches are particularly enamoured with how Pope has emerged as a more senior member of the squad, something which is no doubt linked to taking more responsibility as the No. 3 batter in this exciting new iteration of the Test team.That, ultimately, will be his primary focus this summer. Since moving to first-drop, Pope is averaging 41.63 across 12 caps, a marked improvement from the 28.66 across the previous 13. As impressive as the two centuries and five fifties in that time is the strike rate of 75.04, in line with the positive mantra espoused by Stokes and McCullum.Pope is gearing up to start the Championship season with Surrey•Getty Images

Pope credits the pair for making him a better player now. The shift in mindset has benefitted him greatly, as has the faith shown in him. This time last year, after being dropped after a dispiriting Ashes series – England lost 4-0 and Pope averaged 11.16 from three Tests – he boldly decided to call up a newly appointed Stokes and request a move up the order. It was a gamble, from both parties, that has paid off.”I feel a much better player,” Pope said. “I’ve got a better defence and a better game plan. That’s come through just constantly playing.”Our new mindset in that England team means I go into a Test series really excited for it, rather than thinking: ‘Oh, if I miss out this time, I hope it’s not going to be my last.'”They should be the best times of your life, playing for England, and they’ve [Stokes and McCullum] made that pretty clear. Your career’s too short for you not to love those moments so that’s a good message for me. You’ve got to enjoy it while you’re there.”Surrey begin the defence of their County Championship title on Thursday, against Lancashire at Old Trafford. It will be the first of six matches they will be able to call on Pope before the international season gets going. Having contributed 700 runs at an average of 70 last time around, his aim, for now, is to get the club off to a strong start in Division One. Then he will allow himself to get excited for the challenges ahead, particularly those five Tests against Australia.”What worked for me last year was that when I was at Surrey and I was around for the start of the Championship, I didn’t necessarily think I was going to be playing for England. I wasn’t thinking about England.”That’s going to be my plan again this year. I’ve got half an eye on it just from a mental and physical state, so you know you can peak at the right time. But while I’m here I’m going to 100 percent concentrate on this because that’s what’ll put me in good stead for the Ashes. It’s something to really look forward to, something I’m really excited for. But while you’re here in a Surrey shirt, why not enjoy this as well?”