All posts by h716a5.icu

Liverpool are showing an interest in Sampdoria and Denmark star Mikkel Damsgaard, according to a report from Spanish newspaper La Razon. 

FC Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham are also named as potential suitors for the Euro 2020 sensation.

Damsgaard shining for Denmark at the Euros

Damsgaard scored a sublime goal in Denmark’s final group game against Russia to set them on their way to the knockout rounds.

And he then set-up Kasper Dolberg for the opening goal as they thrashed Wales 4-0 in the Round of 16.

He’ll hope to shine again on Saturday evening when Denmark meet the Czech Republic for a place in the last four.

The 21-year-old scored two goals and provided four assists in 18 starts over the course of his first season with Sampdoria.

An ‘auction’ for his signature is tipped to begin after the Euros.

Damsgaard, who has three years left on his contract, is valued at £11.7million by Transfermarkt.

Fan feed LFC Transfer Room relayed the report, and here’s what supporters made of it.

Liverpool fans excited by Mikkel Damsgaard links

“I beg”

Credit: @mxddylfc

“If it’s true, THIS IS THE KIND OF PLAYER I’D LIKE”

Credit: @parthivp_

“Yess that would be a good buy”

Credit: @GreenStreet55

“He’s class”

Credit: @dominion1017

“I’m all over this. Looked quality this tournament.”

Credit: @KevNGxx

“Would love this”

Credit: @charlie_griff90

In other news, a possible striker target has emerged for Liverpool.  

Kapil Dev has once again expressed the view that India can win the World Cup

Partab Ramchand03-Dec-2002Kapil Dev has once again expressed the view that India can win the World Cup. And emphasizing on the “team work” that the Indians have produced of late, Ravi Shastri is the latest to jump on this upbeat bandwagon. And of course all over the country, and one suspects abroad too, cricket followers are chanting the mantra that India will win the World Cup.

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A lot has been made of the NatWest Trophy triumph in England and thesharing of the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka. Notable as thesefeats are, the fact remains that teams like Australia, West Indies,New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa were not among the contestantsin the NatWest Trophy while it must not be forgotten that theChampions Trophy was held in the sub-continent where India have alwaysperformed well.

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I wish I could share this optimistic mood when it comes to analyzing India’s chances at the World Cup. But I am afraid I remain pessimistic. With just over two months left for the mega-event to commence there are three very important factors that are governing my rapidly increasing negative mood ­ the past, the present and the future.Let’s quickly examine the past record of India in the World Cup. In 1975 and 1979, India were novices in the field and predictably enough were eliminated at the preliminary stage. If a Test nation suffers its most inglorious moment when it loses to an associate member, then, India suffered that humiliation when they went down to Sri Lanka in 1979.The unexpected triumph in 1983 still constitutes the greatest moment in Indian cricket. Outsiders at 66 to one, Kapil’s Devil’s, as they were imaginatively labeled, surprised the cricketing world. The one cautionary note that triumph served was that from then on great things would be expected every time from an Indian team in the World Cup.What’s that adage again about it being hard to reach the top but it being harder to stay there? Realistically speaking, the Reliance Cup in 1987 represented India’s best chance to win the title again. The team had huge factors in their favour. They were the defending champions, the nucleus of the trophy-winning side was still intact and they were playing at home in familiarenvirons.The build up to the title defence was terrific and the crowd was behind them to a man. A semifinal spot was theirs for the asking for starters, and they did well too in the preliminary stage winning five straight games following a one-run loss to Australia in the tournament opener. And then, as everyone knows, the dream run and the dream itself was shattered by England in the penultimate round.In Australiasia in 1992, India never had a realistic chance, though, few expected them to finish as low as seventh among nine teams in the preliminary stage. However, hopes were renewed four years later when India were co-hosts again.This time too the Indians flattered only to deceive, being outplayed by ultimate champions Sri Lanka in the riot-torn semifinal at Calcutta. And despite all the hype surrounding their campaign for the 1999 tournament in England there was again never any realistic chance of India making much progress. They just about made it to the Super Six stage and that remained the extent of their challenge.So the net result is that in seven competitions, India have finished winners once and semifinalists twice. The past then does not inspire confidence. Much the same sentiments can be expressed when it comes to the present.A lot has been made of the NatWest Trophy triumph in England and the sharing of the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka. Notable as these feats are, the fact remains that teams like Australia, West Indies, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa were not among the contestants in the NatWest Trophy while it must not be forgotten that the Champions Trophy was held in the sub-continent where India have always performed well.The conditions in South Africa are very different and to compound matters, India does not enjoy a very good record in that country. Yes, on present form, the team perhaps deserves a place in the Super Six, something confirmed by the latest team rankings but anything above that will have to be considered a bonus.And now to the future. India are in the much tougher Pool A. The other teams in the group are defending champions Australia, England, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Holland and Namibia.The challenge of Holland and Namibia can be discounted. Associate members at the most have pulled off the upset victory in the World Cup ­ besides Sri Lanka defeating India in 1979, we have had Zimbabwe beating Australia in 1983, Zimbabwe upsetting England in 1992, Kenya shocking the West Indies in 1996 and Bangladesh surprising Pakistan in 1999 ­ but have not progressed beyond the preliminary stage. That still leaves four tough matches against Australia, England, Pakistan and Zimbabwe and India will have to win at least two of these to be in the running for a place in the Super Six.That’s easier said than done. Incidentally, the other group comprises South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Canada and Kenya. So there you have it. On past record, present form and a cursory glance at the future (the draw for the World Cup) it is not going to be an easy passage for India. As I said, anything beyond the Super Six must be considered a bonus. But then in 1983 even qualifying for the semifinal was thought to be out of the question. So, then, what was that adage again about man living on hope?

Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez has become the first Argentine goalkeeper to win the Copa America Golden Glove award [BenchWarmers].

Enjoying a spectacular 2020/21 season, the former Arsenal stopper managed to keep 15 clean sheets in 38 appearances for the Villans [Transfermarkt].

Now taking his career to new heights at international level, the 28-year-old played a major role in the Argentina international team winning the Copa America for the first time since 1993 [The Sun].

Winning in style, Martinez has also come in for personal adulation upon achieving the prestigious award, conceding just two goals in six fixtures [Transfermarkt].

In light of this award, many Villa supporters took to Twitter to express their delight upon discovering that he doubled up Argentina’s overall triumph with this individual award.

Aston Villa fans react:

Replying to Aston Villa’s official Twitter channel, here is how some supporters responded to the “phenomenal” Martinez getting the Golden Glove:

“Congratulations to Emi Martinez. He’s been phenomenal since moving to Villa. One hidden gem in the league who’s shone thus far.”

Credit: @brass263″BEST IN THE WORLDDD”Credit: @tiwari0216″Admin stayed up til this time to tweet Emi propaganda?? Needs a raise imo”Credit: @_JackAvfc”The King of keepers”Credit: @MerseMagic”He’s a ‘keeper’ that’s for sure! So chuffed for Emi and his family. He made a huge decision to leave Arsenal, move his family and join Villa, and I couldn’t be happier for him. I’m one very proud Villa fan! UTV”Credit: @SquigsTheBeef”Thank you for your gracious reply, Villa fan here and we are so happy to have Emi with us..”Credit: @bensherman72In other news, many Aston Villa fans react to a tweet concerning Jack Grealish and Tyrone Mings.

Stuart MacGill picked up an important wicket on the day he decided to quit Test cricket but Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s solid resistance was decreasing Australia’s chances of giving him a farewell victory

The Bulletin by Brydon Coverdale01-Jun-2008
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
How they were out
Stuart MacGill picked up Ramnaresh Sarwan with a quality legbreak © AFP
Stuart MacGill picked up an important wicket on the day he decided to quit Test cricket but Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s solid resistance was decreasing Australia’s chances of giving him a farewell victory. On a day shortened to one session because of rain and a wet outfield, West Indies reached 255 for 4 at the close with Chanderpaul on 55 and Dwayne Bravo on 29, and they still trailed by 224 runs.It was a frustrating day for the players and spectators at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium as the venue’s drainage, which was a problem during last year’s World Cup, once again failed to impress the umpires and captains. Rain during the morning meant no play was possible before lunch but despite the optimistic sunny skies after the break, it took so long to mop up the wet outfield that play could not begin until 3.30pm local time – five and a half hours late.While Australia’s players were on the sidelines twiddling their thumbs and waiting for a chance to get at the West Indies middle order, they at least had time to digest the news that MacGill was retiring. After his major struggles in the first Test in Jamaica and on the second day of the Antigua game he told his team-mates of his decision on the third morning. When play finally began MacGill, freed of the pressure of trying to justify his position, promptly bowled a better line and length.Ramnaresh Sarwan was providing some solid resistance and had reached 65 when MacGill tossed up one of his best legbreaks of the series, a delivery that drew Sarwan forward and caught the outside edge. The in-form Michael Clarke lunged low to his right and clasped the catch at first slip. It was a key wicket; Sarwan had played confidently until that stage and was strong when cutting the fast men. He also guided Brett Lee over the slips for four and had built a 77-run stand with Chanderpaul.After Sarwan departed, Chanderpaul found a useful ally in Bravo, although they were gifted some easy runs as MacGill’s woes returned – he even struggled with his run-up and bowled eight no-balls. Bravo dispatched two loose MacGill full tosses over long on for six but it was Chanderpaul who was the bigger worry for Australia. Chanderpaul looked as reliable as he had at Sabina Park, where he made a gutsy century, and he was his usual patient self. He cover-drove with precision when MacGill strayed with full tosses and worked ones and twos that kept Australia’s fielders active.It was unlikely to be enough for West Indies. While the big chunk taken out of the day might have reduced Australia’s chances of victory it all but extinguished the hopes of West Indies, who need a win to retain any possibility of regaining the Frank Worrell Trophy. The final two days will reveal how much fight West Indies can display in a cause that is virtually lost, and whether Australia can provide a farewell to remember for a man who has given them more than 200 Test wickets.

This could be a long and arduous summer for Wolverhampton Wanderers if they face intense interest from elsewhere for their star players.

The Old Gold are restricted when it comes to finances and they will need to sell before they can significantly invest in the playing staff.

What’s the word?

Ruben Neves continues to attract the interest of Arsenal as his departure from Wolves look pretty inevitable this summer.

However, Bruno Lage also faces a battle to keep flashy winger Adama Traore at the club. Pedro Neto has been linked with a mega £50m move to Manchester United and Rui Patricio has already headed to pastures new.

There could also be a departure for Daniel Podence who is now fielding interest from Tottenham, according to reports.

Former Wolves boss Nuno Santo is now in charge of the Lilywhites and is preparing to make a proposal to his old employers in a bid to sign Podence.

The attacker currently earns £52k-per-week and is valued at £22.5m via Transfermarkt.

Get rid

If Spurs are genuinely interested in signing Podence then Wolves must be incredibly open to concluding a deal.

Their spending power is limited and if they can receive a tidy fee for a bit-part player they should grasp it with both hands.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-wolves-transfer-news-ceballos-zinchenko-euros-felix-lage” title=”Read the latest Wolves transfer news!”]

Wolves have already signed Trincao this summer and with his ability to play in a variety of forward areas, it could limit Podence’s overall game time.

The 25-year-old struggled last season, missing over 100 days of action due to a variety of injuries. He missed the conclusion of the campaign with a groin problem while sustaining thigh and shoulder issues in 2020/21.

Consequently, the Portuguese scored just three goals in 25 outings for the Old Gold.

Once dubbed a “phenomenal” player by Wolves reporter Tim Spiers, Podence was actually more of a frustration last term.

Of course, he struggled to find form due to his injuries but he feels like an expendable player in a window where the club needs to raise vital funds.

Rather than selling Neves or Traore, they should look to generate cash by selling Podence to Tottenham in the coming weeks.

A tricky and wily player on his day, he should, unfortunately, have no future under Lage at Molineux.

Combine his injuries and fitness with the arrival of Trincao and he looks rather doomed in the Midlands.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Neto: Lage can form magic Wolves duo by signing “unbelievable” £10m gem…

Shane Watson’s best chance of a Test recall would be to make another push to open and eventually succeed Matthew Hayden, according to Australia’s coach Tim Nielsen

Cricinfo staff02-Jul-2008
Shane Watson made 126 opening in the third ODI on Sunday and Tim Nielsen believes he could do a similar job in Tests © Getty Images
Shane Watson’s best chance of a Test recall would be to make another push to open and eventually succeed Matthew Hayden, according to Australia’s coach Tim Nielsen. Watson scored his first one-day international century against West Indies on Sunday and the innings means that when Hayden returns from his achilles tendon injury, Watson is likely to join him coming in first.After his 126 guided Australia to a comfortable win, Watson spoke of his desire to fight back into the Test side, where he has not been seen since making the last of his three appearances in November 2005. Nielsen believes Watson can make a case to open at the highest level and could be a genuine option whenever Hayden, 36, retires.”I don’t think it can hurt, the fact that he is opening in one-day cricket,” Nielsen told AAP. “We’ve seen a lot of guys come through the system opening in one-day cricket and then getting an opportunity at Test match cricket. So if he can show that he’s got the ability to cope with the quality bowlers with the new ball in one-day cricket over the next 12 months, whenever the opportunity arises, his hat will certainly be in the ring.”However, Watson will need to lift his first-class output to make the transition viable. He typically bats at No. 4 or 5 for Queensland and although he tried to prove himself as an opener when Justin Langer’s Test spot was up for grabs, Watson’s six performances coming in first for his state were dire: 0, 0, 0, 15, 13 and 0.He also has the problem of being behind Simon Katich in the pecking order after Katich burst back onto the Test scene in the Caribbean with back-to-back centuries opening while Hayden was injured. Whatever the case, Nielsen is pleased that Watson has enjoyed a six-month injury-free period after his latest hamstring problem.”Selectors have shown some real good strength to stick with him and offer him chances whenever they can, and I think over the long run that’s how you get players who can slot into any role,” Nielsen said. “He’s done that brilliantly this tour.”He adds a lot of flexibility to our group. Shane is somebody who is good enough to come in as a batsman, who can hold his own as a bowler and does a good job in the field. International teams get caught out a little bit by relying on bits-and-pieces allrounders, who are not good enough in either batting and bowling. Watto is actually a good player as either a bowler or a batsman.”

JP Duminy could get a chance to make his Test debut if Neil McKenzie doesn’t recover from his groin strain in time for the start of the second Test against England in Headingley on Friday

Cricinfo staff17-Jul-2008
Openers Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie averaged 99.27 from 11 innings this this year © Getty Images
JP Duminy could get a chance to make his Test debut if Neil McKenzie doesn’t recover from his groin strain in time for the start of the second Test against England in Headingley on Friday.Mickey Arthur, the South African coach, said McKenzie’s injury was not serious but the short three-day gap between the first and second Tests meant there wasn’t enough time to recover. “I think it was prodding forward to Monty [Panesar] for nine hours that did it,” Arthur said.”I’m optimistic – I think he’ll play. He had some ultrasound this morning and is going to do some strength and muscle activation this afternoon. He’ll bat on Thursday and will do some training again tomorrow afternoon – and we’ll put him through a fitness test on Friday morning.”However Arthur confirmed that if McKenzie didn’t play, Duminy would open the innings with Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers would remain at No. 6. “Anything else would be two swaps for one, and I don’t want to make two changes for one position. It will just be a straight swap.”McKenzie’s absence could be a great blow to South Africa who are looking to gain a series lead after drawing the Lord’s Test. Since his return to the South African Test side this year, McKenzie has averaged 79 from seven Tests, scoring two hundreds and a double-century. His opening partnership with Smith in those Tests gave their side a solid platform to build on – the two averaged 99.27 from 11 innings, with three hundred-run partnerships and four half-century stands.

Kevin Phillips reckons Steve Bruce is ‘having talks’ with Allan Saint-Maximin in a bid to persuade the player to stay put. 

The lowdown

According to The Mirror, former Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has identified Saint-Maximin as his preferred replacement should Everton star Richarlison follow Carlo Ancelotti to Real Madrid.

Having committed him to a six-year contract as recently as October, Newcastle have apparently slappeed a £60million price-tag on the Frenchman.

But Saint-Maximin has ‘warned’ the club that they must be able to ‘match his ambitions’.

Last season, he scored three goals and provided four assists in 19 Premier League starts for the Magpies (via WhoScored).

The 24-year-old comfortably led the squad for completed dribbles per 90 with 3.8 (compared to 1.6 for nearest challenger Joe Willock).

The latest

Former Sunderland striker Phillips says Bruce will be ‘fighting’ to ensure Saint-Maximin’s head isn’t turned by the reported interest from Goodison Park because he’s a crucial asset to Newcastle.

“When you lose one of your best players it’s a big blow because it’s very difficult to replace them,” he told Football Insider.

“So Steve will be fighting in the background. I’m sure he’s having talks with him, trying to keep the player from Everton’s clutches and to keep him happy.

“But he has signed a new deal so the Newcastle fans will be hoping that he’ll stay.”

The verdict

If anything, a £60million price tag seems a little generous. Saint-Maximin’s direct goal contribution numbers may not be spectacular, but his ability is there for all to see and he’d almost certainly go up a level at a side with more attacking intent.

With such a lengthy contract, Newcastle probably ought to make their demands even more prohibitive. A Richarlison sale to Real Madrid would put huge funds in Everton’s pocket too, all the more reason for the Magpies to play hard to get until they see an offer they simply can’t refuse.

The other possibility, of course, is that the club are being more realistic. With a ‘meagre’ transfer budget, perhaps they can’t rule out a mega-money sale as a means of investing more comprehensively in the rest of the squad.

In other news, read this key insight on Joe Willock’s potential move.

Former Premier League star Carlton Palmer believes that Manchester United could do with signing another striker.

The Red Devils completed the signing of Jadon Sancho on Friday in a deal worth £73m, according to BBC Sport.

Mundo Deportivo have reported that United dream of Sancho’s former teammate Erling Haaland and could include Anthony Martial as part of a deal in their pursuit of the Norwegian striker.

United are interested in Raphael Varane as well this summer, with journalist Fabrizio Romano saying an official bid will be submitted from United to Real Madrid in the coming days. With this in mind, it remains to be seen if the Red Devils will go all out and add another attacker to their ranks in this transfer window.

Chelsea are also interested in Haaland according to 90min, but if no club can prise him away from Signal Iduna Park this summer, then there will be a fight for him next as he will be available for closer to £65m then.

Palmer believes United have got a squad to challenge for the Premier League title but could do with another striker, telling Football FanCast: “They’re going to be there or thereabouts. I think they could do with another striker, but they still believe in Martial who started to show glimpses last season of what he’s about. You know, like I said, they’ve got a very exciting squad.”

United have an abundance of attacking talent and striker Edinson Cavani recently extended his stay in Manchester for a further year, signing a new contract at Old Trafford until 2022. The Uruguayan scored 15 goals for the Red Devils last season, helping United to a second place Premier League finish and a Europa League final.

Dileep Premachandran recaps the Plays of the day from the first day of the second Test between Sri Lanka and India in Galle

Dileep Premachandran in Galle 31-Jul-2008
Prasanna Jayawardene dropped Gautam Gambhir early in India’s innings, but he was not so generous to Sourav Ganguly © AFP
Whose catch is it anyway?
India had just 30 on the board when Gautam Gambhir edged a drive off Nuwan Kulasekara. The ball was heading straight to Kumar Sangakkara at first slip when Prasanna Jayawardene dived across to try and take it. Not only did he fail to get his gloves to the ball, he also appeared to put off Sangakkara, who couldn’t hold on to the chance. Gambhir went on to add a further 43, and India another 137 before they lost their first wicket.No backward step
Few batsmen had the confidence to take on Ajantha Mendis in Colombo, but Virender Sehwag has no respect for reputations. The ninth ball that Mendis bowled today was an off break, and Sehwag stepped out of his crease to swung it a long way over midwicket. Gears changed, he then raced to an 87-ball century.Playing yourself in. What’s that?
After being off the ground for more than four hours, some batsmen would have opted to ease themselves back into some sort of rhythm. Not Sehwag. When Chaminda Vaas dropped one in his hitting zone outside off stump, he clubbed it a huge distance over midwicket for six. Three balls later, a booming drive down the ground took him to his 15th Test hundred.Full stretch
Sourav Ganguly opened the face of his bat to a delivery from Vaas which seamed away from him. The ball took the outside edge and Prasanna Jayawardene dived full length to his left to take a one-handed catch to make up for his error in the Gambhir drop. It was Sri Lanka’s fourth wicket in 20 balls and the 151-run first session was just a bad memory.Taking a walk
Law 32 – 3(e) states that a batsman is out if “a fielder catches the ball after it has touched an umpire, another fielder or the other batsman. However, it is not a fair catch if the ball has touched a protective helmet worn by a fielder, although the ball remains in play.” When Rahul Dravid inside-edged one to forward short leg, he perhaps didn’t see that Malinda Warnapura had held on to the chance only after he had first deflected the ball on to his helmet. The umpire wasn’t required to make a decision either, because Dravid, who had just passed Sunil Gavaskar in the all-time runs table, walked.Ban Aacism
These days, it’s obligatory for the giant screens at stadium to display warnings asking spectators to refrain from what Matthew Hayden memorably called racial vilification. In Galle, the intent was certainly there, but a few in the crowd might have been mystified to learn that they were being asked not to indulge in “Aacist chanting.”