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Leeds United could be set to move for a promotion specialist to fill their managerial vacancy…

What's the latest on Scott Parker to Leeds United?

That's according to The Athletic's Phil Hay, who wrote a fresh update just yesterday about the 49ers' search for a new boss after the completion of their takeover last week.

With Brendan Rodgers now out of the picture completely, as his move to Celtic seems poised, they now need to find a fine alternative who can lead them into a similarly bright future.

The first hurdle they must tackle is escaping the Championship, and there are few more qualified to do so than Scott Parker.

Having starred with Fulham and AFC Bournemouth in the second division, the Whites are now set to battle with Leicester City for his signature. He is under intense consideration by both relegated outfits.

How good is Scott Parker?

It is those two spells at this level that gives the 42-year-old his allure, as on both occasions he managed to earn promotion.

His first outing came at Craven Cottage, where his side downed Brentford in the playoff finals to regain their top-flight status. That year his side finished fourth, just two points from the automatic promotion spots.

Although they would be relegated the year following, the former West Ham United midfielder still deserves praise for the way in which he eased his side back to the top.

Then, in the same year of his exit from West London, the Cherries took the plunge and welcomed him into their dugout. He would then earn them promotion in his first season, although once again failing to last once retaking his place in the Premier League.

Although a common theme seems to emerge with Parker's managerial ventures, it seems the young tactician remains a keen student of the game who is always learning and building on his 4-3-3 philosophy. These failures might be frequent, but he will grow with each one and at the very least, he could seal an instant promotion with Leeds.

Former Fulham player and mentor of the unemployed boss, Jim Hicks, even noted: "Scott was one of the exceptional ones and one thing that sets him apart is that he listened to that advice about always preparing.

"With everything that’s going on as a player and with his family, he was still preparing quite sophisticated and mature thoughts: how he was going to behave, what standards he expected for his players, what his pre-season would look like; what’s his style going to be? What he’s going to do on set pieces? He thought it all through."

Whilst Rodgers might have been the more attractive option, given his pedigree winning trophies with the Foxes and Celtic, plus his top-flight experience, perhaps Parker's Championship nouse could prove imperative as an alternative with the skillset to easily guide Leeds back to the promised land.

Usman Khawaja was a young child when moved to Sydney from Islamabad with his family; now he’s set to play his first Test match against the country of his birth

Brydon Coverdale13-Dec-20161:38

Khawaja mistaken for Pakistan cricketer

Twenty-five years ago, Usman Khawaja left Pakistan as a little boy with his family, set for a new life in Australia. He has played 20 Test matches in the baggy green, and is about to play his first against the country of his birth. That match will take place at the Gabba, his adopted home ground. But despite being Queensland’s state captain, Khawaja was still at the centre of an awkward moment on Tuesday.”Funnily enough I was waiting downstairs and I needed the change room locker to be opened for us and I was just waiting and the Queensland Cricket lady came down,” Khawaja said at the Gabba. “She was like ‘Oh, you need the locker rooms open?’ I went ‘yes please’ and she started walking to the Pakistani change room. I was like, ‘No, I’m that way, thank you’.”His Pakistani background remains important to Khawaja, although he remembers only glimpses of his early life in Islamabad. He has not been back to visit relatives in Pakistan since 2008, and has had few dealings with the Pakistan cricket team, having played against them only in a solitary Twenty20 international during this year’s World T20 in India.Asked whether playing his first Test against Pakistan would be a significant moment, Khawaja said he had not considered the matter in that way, but he said it might be a big moment for his parents, Tariq and Fozia.”They grew up in Pakistan and were there for a long time,” Khawaja said. “Obviously I was born there, so it’s a very close part of me. It still is a very big part of me… culture is very important, as is religion. My parents are Australian but they’re also very Pakistani.Usman Khawaja: ‘If I broke it down, the way I act and what I do, is very Australian, but there are parts of me that are Pakistani’•Getty Images”If I broke it down, the way I act and what I do, is very Australian, but there are always parts of me [that are Pakistani] – when I talk to my parents I still at times try to speak Urdu here and there. It’s not as good as theirs but they can understand what’s going on. It is a big part of my life when I’m with my parents or around my parents, but other than that it’s usually quite normal.”My parents are truly Australian now. They don’t support Pakistan at all. They haven’t for a long time. They were there for 30 years but now they just want me to do well and want Australia to win every single time no matter who we’re playing. There is no allegiance conflict at all.”Khawaja was four-and-a-half years old when the family moved to Sydney, and his life quickly became that of any young Australian. There was never any doubt over which country held Khawaja’s cricket future, and in 2011 he became the first Pakistan-born cricketer to win a baggy green.”I’ve had glimpses of memories from before I left,” he said. “I was born in Islamabad. So I have glimpses of memories of our old place and whatnot, but nothing too circumstantial. Most of my childhood memories revolve around being in Australia, being in Sydney.”The Pakistan series will not only pit Khawaja against the country of his birth, but also against his former Australia coach Mickey Arthur, who is now in charge of Pakistan’s side. Khawaja was one of the four players suspended during the homework saga in India in 2013, which was a key moment in the eventual downfall of Arthur as Australia’s coach.”I’m not spiteful or vengeful in that sort of respect,” Khawaja said. “Mickey is a very good guy. He was very nice… every time we were around [each other] he was very helpful. It was such a long time ago. It was tough at the time but I was playing the next Test series anyway, so it didn’t really mean too much. I played the next Test series [in England] and didn’t play that well and then got dropped, so that wasn’t anyone else’s fault than myself.”I’m not the kind of guy who holds onto grudges. If I get into a fight or get angry with someone I’m over it like that. Usually, anyway. I’m sure if I see Mickey there would be no issues. Everything would be good.”

Glasgow Rangers are interested in signing midfielder Tom Davies this summer as Michael Beale looks set to continue with his current recruitment spree, having already signed four players for the Ibrox side.

What’s the latest on Tom Davies to Rangers?

According to talkSPORT, Davies will be leaving Everton after 13 years at the club this summer, and the Gers are seemingly interested in luring him north of the border.

He was offered a new contract, yet turned the opportunity down, with director of football Kevin Thelwell saying: “We offered Tom a new contract, but he feels he has reached the stage in his career where he needs regular first-team football.”

In January, the Light Blues were linked with the Englishman, yet no move materialised. Could it be second time lucky for Beale this summer?

Will Rangers sign Tom Davies?

Signing Davies could be worth the gamble, especially as he would join for nothing. And with the midfield needing bolstering, it is certainly a viable option for the club.

Davies struggled during his final year on Merseyside, starting just four Premier League matches all season, so perhaps a fresh start is the best thing for him.

Beale is clearly a big fan, having praised him previously, saying: “Tom Davies, he used to kick my Liverpool Under-23s team all around the place. There’s a bit of John Lundstram about him. But again, two really good players."

Lundstram has developed into something of a “cult hero” at Ibrox according to Ally McCoist, as his Europa League performances during 2021/22 powered the club all the way to the final.

Indeed, he thrived on the big European nights, averaging 56 touches per game while also making 1.6 tackles and 1.7 interceptions each match along with winning an impressive 55% of his total duels, showcasing his abilities in the heart of the midfield.

Davies, with the aforementioned likeness to Lundstram, also tends to thrive in a deep-lying position. During the last season where he made more than 20 appearances, back in 2020/21, the 24-year-old ranked second in the squad for interceptions per game (1.4) and was in the top ten for tackles won (1.2) and big chances created (two), yet a lack of opportunities in recent years has dented his confidence.

Before signing Todd Cantwell in January, the midfielder had gone 18 league matches without a goal or an assist for Norwich City, yet in just five months at Rangers, he had registered 11 goal contributions, with Beale transforming his game.

There is no doubt the 42-year-old is capable of doing the same for Davies, boosting his confidence and turning him into the player that burst onto the scene back in 2017. Former professional Trevor Sinclair lauded him as “outstanding” following an Everton win over Tottenham Hotspur in 2021, and the 5 foot 10 gem has all the attributes to be a success in Scotland, potentially becoming their next Lundstram.

Leicestershire have signed Surrey all-rounder James Burke on a season-long loan

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Jan-2017Leicestershire have signed Surrey allrounder James Burke on a season-long loan deal.Burke’s arrival at Leicestershire should bolster their seam bowling resources which were a chief reason for the fading of a surprising promotion challenge last season.Burke is available to play in all three competitions but will not feature if Leicestershire play Surrey in any fixtures during the 2017 season. He is currently training in Cape Town and will join up with his new teammates on Leicestershire pre-season tour to South Africa next month.The allrounder, who celebrates his 26th birthday today, has played for both Somerset and Surrey in his county career and also represented England from Under-17 to Under-19 level.He caught the eye against Leicestershire in Surrey’s promotion year in 2015 by claiming four wickets haul in a Championship victory at Grace Road.Leicestershire’s head coach Pierre de Bruyn said: “It is important for us to have depth in our squad and James is a highly talented all-rounder. He will compete for a place in our side across all three competitions. He will add strength to our batting and bowling, and he is also a dynamic fielder. “Burke made little impact as Surrey returned to Division One of the Championship, playing only six matches across all three formats.Surrey’s director of cricket Alec Stewart said: “This is a great opportunity for James to play all forms of cricket on a regular basis, allowing his game to develop.”

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been linked to Ligue 1 ace Elye Wahi, as Julen Lopetegui prepares for a busy summer at Molineux.

The Spaniard will have to make his improvements this transfer window on a budget, as Wolves face battles with Financial Fair Play (FFP), however, the task remains that significant reinforcements are required at the Midlands club.

The Old Gold have had their transfer window so far dominated by the lucrative departure of Ruben Neves who departed for Al-Hilal for £47m, although incomings have been speculated too, with the latest coming from France.

As reported by journalist Mohamed Toubache-Ter, Wolves are interested in Montpellier forward Elye Wahi, stating that the interest is ‘real’ with Jorge Mendes mentioned as having a ‘hand on the file’ of the player.

Earlier this summer, Foot Mercato reported that the French outfit valued the striker in the region of €35m (£30m), making him a player slightly out of Wolves’ budget if a compromise cannot be made.

What could Elye Wahi offer to Wolves?

If there’s one area that Lopetegui must bolster this summer, it’s the most advanced position of attack.

Wolves ended the season as the Premier League’s lowest-scorers, netting just 31 goals in 38 games in a dismal campaign in the final third.

To put into perspective how much of a boost Wahi could present to Molineux, the 20-year-old scored just 12 goals fewer than the entire Wolves side in five fewer appearances in the league, scoring 19 in Ligue 1.

The Old Gold’s previous high-scoring talisman has phased out, with Raul Jimenez suffering a career-altering injury back in 2020 in which he fractured his skull, leaving him sidelined for a long stretch of time.

The Mexican failed to score in the Premier League last campaign, subsequently damaging Wolves’ overall form and making it blatantly obvious their need for a striker this summer.

Hailed as being “so powerful” by ex-Caen academy director Francis de Taddeo, Wahi could solve Lopetegui’s woes in the final third, and at just 20 years old, the striker could benefit the club for years to come.

With 1.9 total shots and 1.2 shots on target per game in Ligue 1 last season, the Frenchman is the clinical striker Wolves require to amend their form in front of goal. For context, no one at Molineux throughout 2022/23 could better those numbers.

While his 19 goals were impressive, the youngster also registered five assists, averaging 0.7 key passes per game and created seven big chances to flex his ability in attack, as per Sofascore.

Likened to Newcastle United’s 18-goal sensation Callum Wilson by FBref, Wahi would be a significant upgrade on Jimenez, not just for his efforts in dispatching the ball into the net.

When comparing the seasons of both the Wolves forward and Montpellier’s hitman via FBref, the Frenchman is a lively presence in attack as highlighted by his 2.04 progressive carries and 1.04 successful take-ons per 90.

Jimenez registered just 0.53 progressive carries and successful take-ons last term, showing just how much of a presence the 20-year-old could provide Lopetegui with.

The deal will ultimately come down to whether or not the Old Gold can raise the funds to pry the striker away from Montpellier, where he is contracted until 2025, but it would certainly be worth their time and energy trying to conclude a move.

Former BCCI president Anurag Thakur has tendered an apology to the Supreme Court which had ordered his dismissal from the game’s most powerful body in January

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Mar-2017Ex-BCCI president Anurag Thakur has tendered an unconditional apology to the Supreme Court of India in response to a showcause notice relating to charges of perjury. The issue pertained to his affidavit asking the ICC chairman Shashank Manohar for a letter stating whether the appointment of an official from the Comptroller and Auditor General’s office on the Apex Council would amount to governmental interference. The ICC does not permit government interference in the functioning of its member boards.According to a report, Thakur, who was present in the court, said he had never intended to file any false information before the apex court. “I (Thakur) have tendered my unconditional and unqualified apology and I have explained the circumstances. I had not intended to file any false information,” senior advocate P S Patwalia, appearing for Thakur, told the three-member bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra.The bench, which also includes Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, has fixed the matter for hearing on April 17 and also exempted Thakur from personal appearance on the day.In his affidavit, Thakur had told the court that he had asked Manohar, who was BCCI president between October 2015 and May 2016, if he thought having a CAG official on the Apex Council could “invoke an action of suspension” from the ICC. Thakur said he asked Manohar during the Dubai meeting if he could issue a letter of clarification.Thakur further said that during the ICC meetings in Cape Town in October 2016 he ran by Manohar the points and basis on which he was going to depose the affidavit to ensure the discussion between them was accurately placed on record.”Thereafter, Mr Shashank Manohar personally dictated a portion of my affidavit,” Thakur said. “At the end of the dictation, Mr Shashank Manohar had also remarked that it was natural for me to ask him for a clarification as I was a lawyer and did not understand the nitty gritties of the issues. Accordingly paras three and four of my affidavit dated 15.10.2016 filed before this Hon’ble Court are based on the dictation of Mr Shashank Manohar.”Thakur also said he had forwarded the “dictated paragraph” to ICC CEO David Richardson requesting him confirm the contents of the conversation. Richardson had told that Thakur had asked the ICC for the letter. Thakur attached his letter to Richardson and the latter’s reply.The court also took up the matter of the show cause notice issued to Thakur relating to charges of contempt for having “obstructed and impeded” the implementation of the Lodha Committee recommendations.Despite reminders from the Lodha Committee and directives from the court that it was binding upon the BCCI and state associations to implement the recommendations unconditionally, Thakur, in an affidavit filed on December 3, said he could not force the state associations to adopt the recommendations.In its response, the court did not buy that argument. “We are prima facie of the view that Mr Thakur is liable to be proceeded with for contempt of court for having obstructed and impeded the orders of this Court.”

A wrap of the second day’s play of the 8th round match between South Australia and Queensland

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Feb-2017
Scorecard
File photo – Jack Wildermuth collected 5 for 40•Getty ImagesQueensland allrounder Jack Wildermuth claimed a career-best five-wicket haul as Queensland gained control on the second day against South Australia at Adelaide Oval. After dismissing the Redbacks for 156, the Bulls finished the day on 4 for 90 in their second innings, with a lead of 152 runs, and with Marnus Labuschagne on 40 and Wildermuth on 23.Chadd Sayers had caused problems for the Bulls by collecting 3 for 17 from his 15 overs, his wickets including the Queensland stand-in captain Joe Burns, who was lbw for 11. However, South Australia had been let down by their own batting earlier in the day; having resumed at 0 for 35 they did not lose their first wicket until 65, but then lost all 10 for 91 runs.Wildermuth began by having opener Jake Weatherald lbw for 38, and Peter George followed with two wickets in two balls in the next over – Callum Ferguson caught behind and captain Travis Head caught for a golden duck. Jake Lehmann scored a fighting 59 but had little support, and Wildermuth took regular wickets to finish with 5 for 40, while George picked up 3 for 11 from his 15 overs.

Leicester City are also battling to sign Swansea City star striker as they reportedly close in on Harry Winks and Conor Coady, according to The Daily Mail.

Who will Leicester sign this summer?

The Foxes, buoyed by new manager Enzo Maresca, are said to be getting busy behind-the-scenes with Leicester fast approaching two major new signings.

Harry Winks, who has spent the last 21 years at Tottenham as both an academy and senior player, is thought to be nearing a £10 million move to the King Power Stadium.

James Maddison has already gone the other way in a seperate £40 million move, but Leicester won't be stopping there, as it is also believed Maresca is very close to the capture of Conor Coady on a permanent deal from Wolves.

The Englishman spent last season on loan at Everton but Leicester have agreed an initial £7.5 million deal for Coady, with a further £1m set to be paid as well if Maresca secures promotion.

Following these prospective captures, The Mail have an interesting line on Piroe, who is also at the centre of interest from Leicester after their drop to the Championship.

Indeed, according to the newspaper, Leicester are "also competing with Southampton" to sign Swansea's clinical striker who's netted an incredible 41 second tier goals since 2021/2022.

The 23-year-old's contract expires next year, and as he enters the final 12 months of his deal, Leicester have apparently registered an interest.

Not much else is said beyond that, but it appears the Midlands side want a prolific forward after Winks and Coady.

Who is Joel Piroe?

The Dutchman has been capped throughout junior international level, making appearances for the Netherlands Under-15s right the way through to Under-20s.

Piroe is yet to be selected for his country at senior level, but going by his goal record of the past few years, it could be a matter of time.

Beyond his 41 Championship goals in two seasons, Piroe averaged a very threatening 3.3 shots at goal per 90 last term, a far greater number than anybody under former Swans boss Russell Martin (WhoScored).

He also completed more successful take-ons per 90 than any other Swansea player last season, backing his obvious threat, with Martin previously heaping praise on Piroe.

Commenting after a nervy 3-2 win over Peterborough United last year, the ex-Swans gaffer hailed Piroe's "ruthless" mentality in front of goal and "composure".

Ashish Nehra emphasised on the importance of mental toughness to bowl during the end overs of a T20, but said bowling yorkers isn’t an easy art

Vishal Dikshit in Mumbai11-Apr-2017Bowlers need to be mentally tough and “very strong” to bowl impressive spells in the end overs in T20 matches, experienced paceman Ashish Nehra has said. Nehra emphasised on how bowlers need to focus on executing their skills to become mentally strong.The left-arm quick has become a specialist in the shortest format in the last couple of years in the IPL, and made his return to the Indian T20 team when he was picked for the Australia tour last year.”My simple thinking about bowling in the death, number one is that mentally you have to be very strong,” Nehra said on the eve of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s third match, against Mumbai Indians. “There are so many times I have seen that the first ball you bowl goes for a six, the second ball also goes for a six and you feel maybe this over is going for 25-26 runs. But if you are mentally strong and even if the first two balls go for sixes, you can still bowl a 15-run over. Those 5-10 runs make a big difference.”In the death overs, only if you execute your skills you will do well but you have to be mentally very strong. One or two bad games doesn’t matter. I have seen bowlers in the past who have had two or three bad games and from there onwards, the whole tournament they will play or the teams will drop them after five or six games and they never recover, that is the main thing in T20 cricket.”During India’s recent T20 series against England, Nehra, along with Jasprit Bumrah, had turned the second match around in the end overs in Nagpur. Chasing 145, England were comfortably placed at 104 for 3, needing 41 from 30 balls with Ben Stokes and Joe Root at the crease. But Nehra and Bumrah bowled a deceiving mix of yorkers and slower deliveries to concede 35 runs and pick three wickets in the last five overs, sealing India’s five-run win. Nehra had said after the match he had advised Bumrah to rely on his yorkers. On Tuesday, however, Nehra said bowling yorkers was not an easy art.”Everbody’s mindset is different,” Nehra said. “Yorker is one word which I hear in T20 cricket, the more and more I play. It is very easy to say like everyone says ‘oh, bowl a yorker’ because somebody who never bowled doesn’t know what it takes to bowl a yorker, especially when the ground is wet on a ground like Mumbai.”It is very easy to say go and bowl a yorker. If it’s in my hands to bowl good yorkers, I can bowl six. It is not that easy.”Nehra also said bowlers could not afford to get carried away if they bowled stifling first spells, but what mattered was how many runs a bowler conceded in his four overs, not in individual spells.”Sometimes, you bowl three overs for 18 runs and you think today is a good day, and the last over goes for 20 runs,” Nehra said. “Look at Sandeep Sharma yesterday, he gave just 7-8 runs in his first three overs (7) but his last over went for 20 (19). So it doesn’t mean your day is over, your day is not over till the time you finish your four overs and the team completes 20 overs.”

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has ordered the board to make a move for Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, according to reports from Spain.

Which midfielders are Man United signing?

Man United are edging closer towards a deal for Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount, with a £60m package now being agreed, and they have offered the England international a five-year contract, which includes the option for an extra year.

However, with the likes of Fred, Donny van de Beek and Scott McTominay all potentially heading for the exit door this summer, Ten Hag may need to bring in multiple new central midfielders, and the manager has picked out a number of options.

Transfer insider Dean Jones reports United still believe they can sign Southampton's Romeo Lavia, with the race for his signature said to be "pretty open", while they have also made contact with Brighton & Hove Albion over a deal for Moises Caicedo.

Another target now emerging for the Red Devils is Real Madrid's Tchouameni, with reports from Spain (via Football 365) detailing that Ten Hag has personally ordered various members of the board to travel to Madrid and pursue a deal.

The manager believes the Frenchman is an "ideal candidate" for the Man United midfield, though Real Madrid's valuation is high, and they are not willing to settle for less than €80m (£69m).

Despite the central midfielder aiming to "pack his bags" this summer, Madrid will not sanction a departure for lower than their asking price.

Is Aurelien Tchouameni leaving Real Madrid?

Although he only arrived at Real Madrid last summer, in a deal worth €100m (£85.3m), it appears as though the 23-year-old already has his heart set on a move elsewhere, and he could be a fantastic acquisition for the Red Devils.

Hailed as a "monster" by France U21s manager Sylvain Ripoll, the former AS Monaco man got off to a good start in a Madrid shirt, averaging a 7.13 Sofascore match rating last season, so it is a little puzzling they are willing to sanction his departure.

One of the France international's most impressive traits is his passing ability, averaging a 92.9% pass-completion rate over the past year, which places him in the 99th percentile compared to his positional peers.

The maestro also ranks in the top 1% for interceptions per 90, showcasing his defensive acumen, and scored a remarkable long-range goal for France against England in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.

Tchouameni is a very well-rounded midfielder, capable of threatening on the front foot and pitching in defensively, and United should make an opening offer in the coming weeks if they want to bring him in for the start of the forthcoming campaign.