AC Milan have entered into negotiations with Manchester United over signing Alejandro Garnacho, with the Argentine's exit looking increasingly likely.
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Garnacho doesn't feature in Amorim's plansAC Milan have begun negotiations with Man UtdArgentine allegedly in bust-up with his manager Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Red Devils are looking to part ways with Alejandro Garnacho this summer, with Milan being the first ones to knock on the door for the Argentine's services as per Sempremilan. Manager Ruben Amorim looks to unload the player as he is no longer in United's plans.
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Serie A has been a retreat home for many Premier League players in recent years, with AC Milan signing major talents from the Premier League. As the situation around Rafael Leao becomes more unsettling, the Rossoneri have begun the hunt for the Portuguese winger's replacement. Milan have started negotiations for Alejandro Garnacho, and with the 20-year-old out of Amorim's plan, a move is around the corner. Juventus and Napoli are both said to monitor the situation.
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Garnacho's relationship with the club and head coach Ruben Amorim has deteriorated. This comes after the Argentine publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with Amorim's game plan during the Europa League Final against Tottenham. Garnacho was visibly frustrated with his limited game time in the final and stated that he would decide his future in the summer. This didn't go down well with Amorim, who dropped him from the team for their final game of the 2024–25 campaign against Aston Villa, making it more prominent that the winger will soon depart Old Trafford. There have also been reports of the United boss having allegedly told the 20-year-old that he 'better pray' that a new club wants to buy him in the summer.
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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR GARNACHO?
Garnacho signed a five-year contract extension with Manchester United in April 2023, but his future at the club now looks bleak. His public criticism of Amorim has reportedly shut the door on any return to the squad, with the United manager allegedly telling the winger to "pray and hope" for a transfer this summer. With financial pressure mounting, United are preparing for a major squad overhaul, placing several high-profile names on the transfer list as the club braces for a summer exodus.
Newcastle United are thought to be interested in completing the signing of an exciting young attacker in the summer, according to a new transfer rumour that has emerged.
Newcastle begin huge week in their history
The Magpies have one of the biggest matches in their history to look forward to at the end of the week, after Monday’s trip to West Ham, as they take on Liverpool in the EFL Cup final at Wembley on Sunday afternoon.
For Newcastle, it has been 70 long years without a major domestic trophy, so if Eddie Howe and his players can get over the line against the current Premier League leaders, it would make them heroes forever at St James’ Park. That is clearly a tough ask, given the quality of the Reds, but they have already drawn with them in the league this season.
Regardless of what happens at Wembley, the summer transfer window needs to be far more productive than it was last year for the Magpies, and they are being linked with fresh faces already. One report has claimed that they are in talks with Tammy Abraham over a return to English football, with the striker currently on loan at AC Milan from Roma.
Meanwhile, James Trafford has emerged as a leading option to increase the competition for places in goal at Newcastle this summer, especially with Nick Pope not getting any younger and seemingly losing his form in 2024/25 too.
The Englishman has excelled for Burnley throughout the current campaign, playing a key role in a team who have conceded just 10 times in the Championship.
James Trafford
Newcastle eyeing move for prolific South American youngster
Now, according to a fresh update from Sport [via Sport Witness], Newcastle and Paul Mitchell are battling to sign young Millonarios FC striker Neiser Villarreal in the summer.
Barcelona and Watford are also believed to be in the mix to snap up the young Colombian, so the Magpies won’t find it easy to acquire his services. They are described as “very attentive” to the 19-year-old’s situation, though, and his current deal expires this December.
Villarreal is far from a household name, so Newcastle fans may not be as excited compared to a high-profile star being mentioned as a target, but he is a player with so much potential.
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He has proven to be prolific at international youth level for Colombia, scoring 10 goals in just 14 caps for his country’s Under-20s, and he has also been hailed as “excellent” by analyst Ben Mattison.
Newcastle should always be looking at developing exciting young talent, as well as signing elite-level footballers, and if they could pip a club of Barca’s size to Villarreal’s signature, it may prove to be a major coup over time.
تحدث ناصر الخليفي، رئيس نادي باريس سان جيرمان عن تتويج فريقه بدوري أبطال أوروبا للمرة الأولى في تاريخه كما كشف عمن يستحق الكرة الذهبية هذا العام.
وحقق باريس سان جيرمان دوري أبطال أوروبا للمرة الأولى في تاريخه بعدما فاز على إنتر ميلان بخماسية نظيفة كأكثر فريق تسجيلًا للأهداف في نهائي «ذات الأذنين» عبر التاريخ.
وقال الخليفي في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة «آس» الإسبانية: “أخبرني لويس إنريكي قبل مباراة أرسنال أننا سنفوز بدوري أبطال أوروبا، كنت في غاية السعادة مع كل هدف في النهائي، لم أصدق الفوز 5-0 على إنتر ميلان، أصبح هذا النادي مصدر فخر لقطر وفرنسا عالميًا”.
وأكمل: “لويس إنريكي هو أفضل مدرب في تطوير اللاعبين، اهتمامه الصادق باللاعبين هو أحد أهم أسباب نجاحنا”.
اقرأ أيضًا | إنريكي: سأمنح الكرة الذهبية لـ ديمبلي.. وأهدافه ليست السبب
وأضاف: “لم يتوقع أحد فوزنا باللقب، تعاملنا مع دوري أبطال أوروبا خطوة بخطوة، منحتنا مباراة أنفيلد الكثير من الثقة، ساهم وجود نجوم الفريق على مر السنين بشكل كبير في شعبية باريس سان جيرمان العالمية”.
وأردف: “لدينا الآن أكاديميات في جميع أنحاء العالم، اخترنا لويس إنريكي لأننا نؤمن بكرة القدم الهجومية واللعب بمتعة، في غضون 3 ساعات فقط بعد المباراة النهائية، حققنا مبيعات للقمصان بقيمة 5 ملايين”.
وعن سهولة الدوري الفرنسي، قال: “من الأسهل تسجيل الأهداف في الدوري الإسباني عن الدوري الفرنسي، ظهر لويس إنريكي بشكل عظيم ومثّل الدوري الفرنسي خير تمثيل، ودافع عنه ضد جماهير الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز التي أطلقت عليه اسم دوري المزارعين”.
واستطرد: “انتهى بنا الأمر بالفوز على أرسنال ومانشستر سيتي وليفربول وأستون فيلا في دوري أبطال أوروبا هذا الموسم”.
وعن عثمان ديمبلي واستحقاقه الكرة الذهبية: “عثمان ديمبيلي يستحق الكرة الذهبية، ليس فقط لقدراته الفنية، بل أيضًا لشخصيته، إنه ملتزم تمامًا داخل الملعب وخارجه، ويحافظ على صلاته”.
Glasgow Rangers manager Philippe Clement is hanging on to his job by the thinnest of threads.
The 1-0 Scottish Cup defeat to Queen’s Park a couple of weeks ago should have been the final straw, yet he was still in charge for the clash against Hearts in the Premiership on Sunday afternoon.
Rangers managerPhilippeClementbefore the match
Despite the Light Blues winning 3-1 at Tynecastle, courtesy of two own goals by Jamie McCart, the performance was hardly anything to be proud of.
Not only did Hearts create more big chances (five vs one) and take more shots (21 vs 15) during the game, but they also took more corners (ten vs seven) and made more passes (422 vs 385) during the match than the Ibrox side.
They were certainly extremely lucky to come away from the capital with all three points, that’s for sure.
Several players failed to perform to the levels we have seen over the previous few weeks, notably Hamza Igamane. The striker failed to get a shot on target throughout the game, while completing only 15 passes and taking 49 touches of the ball.
Since his goal against Aberdeen last month, the youngster has been a shadow of his former self in front of goal, failing to score since.
Hamza Igamane
The manager will be hoping Danilo can recover from his injury swiftly to give the Moroccan star a rest, perhaps taking some pressure off of him.
Danilo hasn’t exactly endured the best of times since joining Rangers in the summer of 2023, but when fit, there is plenty to admire about his game.
Danilo’s Rangers statistics
Michael Beale spent a lavish sum of money on signing the Brazilian centre-forward from Feyenoord, around £6m to be exact.
For this outlay, the Ibrox faithful were expecting someone who could slot straight into the starting XI and make a huge difference in the final third.
Danilo
Under Beale, he started just three times for the Gers, scoring just three goals, and it looked as though it was yet another waste of money, especially when he spent weeks on the sidelines after suffering a broken cheekbone in September 2023.
Under Clement, Danilo began to show the form expected of him, netting three goals and grabbing five assists, although disaster struck in December as a knee injury sustained against Hearts kept him out for the remainder of the season.
Despite taking longer than usual to return to full fitness, the 25-year-old scored six goals along with recording three assists between August and the start of January.
Against Aberdeen last month, Danilo suffered a shoulder injury and this has kept him out ever since. These setbacks are hampering any progress the striker is making on the pitch, which in turn, prevents him from building up consistency.
When healthy, there is no doubt Danilo is the finest centre-forward at Ibrox, but he is of no use when on the treatment table.
The Light Blues have sold their fair share of strikers since Steven Gerrard took over way back in 2018. Some have struggled since leaving Glasgow, while others have sparkled, fulfilling their potential outside the pressures faced at Ibrox.
Ryan Hardie certainly belongs in the latter category, enjoying a wonderful career south of the border.
Ryan Hardie's time at Rangers
Hardie came through the youth ranks at Rangers, going on to make his senior debut for the club during their spell in the Championship, scoring twice in just five games in 2014/15.
Spells on loan at Raith Rovers (14 goals), St Mirren (three goals) and Livingston (15 goals) between 2016 and 2019 did allow him to gain plenty of game time at senior level, but it became clear that he wasn’t going to make the grade at Ibrox, despite his talents.
As such, Gerrard sold the Scottish forward to Blackpool for an undisclosed fee in the summer of 2019.
Hardie hasn’t looked back since…
Ryan Hardie's record since leaving Rangers
His initial spell with Blackpool was hardly a success, netting just once in 12 appearances for the club, but a move to Plymouth in January 2020 turned out to be a match made in heaven.
Since that move, Hardie has scored an impressive tally of 69 goals in 237 games for the club, helping them secure promotion back to the Championship during the 2022/23 season.
Ryan Hardie’s stats since leaving Rangers
Season
Games
Goals
Assists
2024/25 (so far)
29
7
2
2023/24
45
13
4
2022/23
54
17
4
2021/22
45
19
5
2020/21
51
6
7
2019/20
25
8
0
Via Transfermarkt
His first in the second tier produced 13 goals in 44 matches as the Pilgrims retained their status in the Championship. While he struggled to get going under Wayne Rooney earlier this term, new coach Miron Muslic has brought out the best in the 27-year-old.
Indeed, across his previous four matches, Hardie has netted five goals, including a stunning winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup a few weeks ago.
Scottish content creator Kai Watson hailed the former Gers striker after the clash against the Premier League title challengers, stating that he is now “thriving” following the change in the dugout.
Overall this season, he has scored seven goals for Plymouth in 29 games, chipping in with two assists.
If he maintains this current form, there is no reason why he cannot break through into double figures, while helping his club move up the table in the process.
These seven goals are also a bigger tally than what Danilo has recorded so far this season. That’s not to say Hardie is better than the Brazilian, which would be rather disingenuous given the circumstances, but it proves that perhaps Gerrard should have given him a chance.
If so, he might have proven the former Liverpool captain wrong and remained as a squad player.
His move down south has worked out better than anyone expected, especially after a rough start at Blackpool.
Where Are They Now
Under Muslic, Hardie has the opportunity to push on and become even better.
Rangers loanee who left in 2022 is now worth 2421% more than Lyall Cameron
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Marcus Rashford is yet to find a new club since admitting to journalist Henry Winter he was ready to leave Manchester United in the January transfer window.
The Old Trafford star put clubs on red alert after new manager Ruben Amorim decided to omit him from the matchday squad for the victory over Manchester City back in December.
Speaking to journalist Winter, the England international said: “For me, personally, I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps. When I leave it’s going to be ‘no hard feelings’. You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Man United. That’s me. I will always be a Red.”
Whilst Amorim has since attempted to diffuse the situation, Rashford’s desire couldn’t have been made much clearer, and as such, we’ve taken a look at the clubs who could now swoop in and land his signature in the winter window.
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ByRoss Kilvington Jan 15, 2025 1 Barcelona
If Rashford wants to make a fresh start whilst realising a dream move for almost any player, Barcelona’s reported interest will surely be music to his ears. The 27-year-old can put what has become an Old Trafford nightmare behind him to follow a similar path to David Beckham to become a star in Spain.
Hansi Flick certainly knows how to transform a winger, too, having helped Raphinha recover from being on the verge of a Barcelona exit to becoming one of the most in-form players in Europe.
Financially speaking, logic would suggest that he’d need to take quite the pay cut from a reported £300,000 a week in order to become an affordable option for Barcelona in 2025. A move could still be doable, though, with Sky Sports recently claiming that Barcelona is Rashford’s preferred destination – and initial talks have been held over a transfer.
2 Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund's Karim Adeyemi celebrates scoring their second goal withDonyellMalen, Julian Brandt and Pascal Gross
Borussia Dortmund have been named as another potential European destination for Rashford should the England international want to try his luck abroad for the remainder of the campaign and possibly beyond.
The Bundesliga side held internal talks over a move to sign Rashford earlier in the January window and are pushing to land the Man Utd attacker on loan to rival the likes of Karim Adeyemi, Max Beier, Jamie Gittens and Serhou Guirassy.
However, since then, Dortmund have decided to part company with Nuri Sahin after four defeats in a row – something which could impact their plans to sign Rashford before the deadline.
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ByHenry Jackson Jan 14, 2025 3 Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur could look to take full advantage of Rashford’s current situation, with Ange Postecoglou’s side in an arguably worse position than the Red Devils right now, especially in the Premier League table.
Spurs could look at new forwards amid Dominic Solanke’s injury concerns, while Richarlison’s future has been up in the air for a number of months, meaning Rashford and Tottenham could be just what each other needs at this moment in time.
Of course, a fair few dominoes would have to fall in place for such a move to occur, and question marks would remain over United’s willingness to sell to a Premier League rival, but Spurs could yet find themselves in the picture for Rashford. Amorim’s trash could quickly become Postecoglou’s much-needed gold in his pursuit of transforming the Lilywhites.
4 Bayern Munich
Another club reportedly offered Rashford’s signature is Bayern Munich – and that should come as no surprise. The German giants are set to lose Leroy Sane as a free agent at the end of the season and could need an instant replacement, with the former Manchester City man already linked to Old Trafford.
Bayern could strike a win-win agreement with the Red Devils to welcome Rashford and combine the winger with England teammate Harry Kane.
Bayern should have little trouble affording Rashford’s high wages, adding to the chances that the Bundesliga side may well be among those best placed to sign the Carrington graduate. One final boost could even be the fact that Bayern boss Vincent Kompany is already well aware of Rashford’s quality, having faced him as a Manchester City player and Burnley manager.
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ByBarney Lane Oct 17, 2024 5 Arsenal
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford.
In what would be the most controversial move on this list, Arsenal have been linked with a move to sign Rashford more than once in recent months, and could finally decide to act on their reported interest.
Unfortunately for those at Old Trafford, it’s a move which makes perfect sense, too. The Gunners are crying out for a winger capable of dragging Mikel Arteta’s side to victory after an injury to Bukayo Saka and a general lack of attacking potency.
Rashford, meanwhile, is crying out for a new challenge, and Gabriel Jesus’ injury could also allow for a more central role for the United star.
Arteta’s side have been forced to rely on set-piece goals in the current campaign, which has seen them fall short of expectations. Simply put, if it’s not Saka, it’s difficult to name a world-class threat from open play within the current Gunners front three.
If they swoop in and land the version of Rashford that scored 30 goals and assisted another nine in all competitions just two years ago, Arsenal could finally have the key to unlocking Premier League glory for the first time since 2004
Every set-piece goal Arsenal have scored under Mikel Arteta
Chelsea are very keen on potentially signing one club’s “key” forward, amid reliable reports that they’re pursuing a January deal for Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel.
Chelsea hold talks over signing Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel
On Monday evening, trusted transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano broke an exclusive report on X that Chelsea have held initial talks over signing Tel – where they asked to be kept informed on the Frenchman’s situation.
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Their fresh interest in Tel, coinciding with Bayern’s eagerness on a winter deal for Christopher Nkunku, has even prompted serious talk of a possible swap deal involving Chelsea’s wantaway winger.
Nkunku is said to have agreed terms on a move to Bayern and wishes to join them “right away” (Florian Plettenberg), and Vincent Kompany’s side have earmarked the 26-year-old as a top transfer target to get through the door before deadline day on February 3.
If a swap deal can’t be done, then Chelsea value Nkunku at around £59 million plus add-ons (Ben Jacobs), so it could be in Bayern’s best interest to try and facilitate a part-exchange bid involving Tel – even if Bavarian sporting director Christoph Freund is attempting to pour cold water over the 19-year-old’s potential exit.
“He is a very important player for us,” said Freund. “He’s a great talent. Our clear goal is for Mathys to make his breakthrough with us.
“We are very happy with our squad, both quality and quantity wise. Of course, if a player is unhappy, we can talk about it. But the clear plan with Mathys is for him to make his breakthrough here.”
Bournemouth (home)
Today
Wolverhampton Wanderers (home)
January 20
Man City (away)
January 25
West Ham (away)
February 3
Brighton (away)
February 14
In any case, initial discussions have taken place between Chelsea and Bayern over Tel, and it will be interesting to see whether Nkunku could be involved or if his transfer turns out to be a separate entity. It is also worth noting that Chelsea were reportedly holding talks over Tel as far back as last summer.
Chelsea "ready" to move for Deportivo winger Yeremay Hernandez
Amid Chelsea’s pursuit of Tel, a Spanish media source has shared more news on BlueCo’s chase for some of world football’s brightest young talents.
Indeed, it is believed that Chelsea are targeting Deportivo La Coruna forward Yeremay Hernandez, who has impressed for the La Liga 2 outfit with eight goals and three assists so far this campaign.
The Spain Under-21 international is a “key” player for them, but this report from the continent states that Chelsea are “ready to take” Hernandez from Deportivo after keeping a very close eye on his development in Europe.
The 22-year-old can play on both the right and left-hand side, with Deportivo not exactly demanding a marquee fee to let him go, despite Hernandez still having five years to run on his current contract. Chelsea, it is reported here, could even strike a deal for around £17 million.
Sri Lanka made huge strides towards taking control of the Test on the second day, despite having lost their last four wickets for 63 runs in the morning.Asitha Fernando made the crucial breakthrough, removing form batter Abullah Shafique with the second ball of the innings, before the spinners went to work. Prabath Jayasuriya had Babar Azam playing on. Dhananjaya de Silva slipped a full delivery through Imam-ul-Haq’s defences. Mohammad Rizwan, Fawad Alam, and Mohammad Nawaz were out to Ramesh Mendis’ offspin.The end result is that although Pakistan kept Sri Lanka to a manageable 378 in the first innings, they’ve stumbled so badly, they are now fighting to stay alive in the Test. Agha Salman, playing his second Test, was the batter who fought hardest, hitting 62 off 126 balls, as wickets fell around him. His dismissal off what turned out to be the last ball of the day entrenched Sri Lanka’s dominant position, however.Things had begun so well for Pakistan. Naseem Shah blew Sri Lanka’s overnight pair away in the first half-hour of play. He first fired a vicious one at debutant Dunith Wellalage’s throat in the fourth over of the day, which the batter could only fend to second slip, as he tried to get out of the way. In Naseem’s next over, another bouncer accounted for Niroshan Dickwella, who tried to help the ball around the corner, and only managed to give an edge. Dickwella had got to his half-century shortly before, having begun the day on 42.Yasir Shah then took the last two wickets as Ramesh Mendis prevented an all-out lower-order folding, with his 35, during which he struck up a 20-run partnership with No. 10 Prabath Jayasuriya, and a 25-run last-wicket stand with Asitha. Still, 378 did not seem like a total that locked Pakistan out of the game.The Pakistan top order though, did not take advantage of the situation. Second ball of the innings, their form batter Shafique played a leaden-footed push at Asitha, whose length delivery took the inside edge and cannoned into middle and leg stump.Babar Azam was out next, also chopping on, pushing at a full Prabath Jayasuriya delivery that did not turn as much as expected, to be out for 16. Imam was also bowled, but this time the bat did not interfere. De Silva beat him in the air, and slipped the ball into middle.From there, it wasn’t quite a procession, but the wickets fell regularly. Mohammad Rizwan was lbw playing back to a quicker one from Ramesh. It looked plumb from the outset, but Rizwan burned one of his team’s reviews. Fawad Alam battled to 24 before he too played back to a sliding Ramesh delivery, that hit him in front. Fawad didn’t review.Mohammad Nawaz was out a little more than 10 overs later, when he edged Ramesh behind. But Pakistan’s best batter of the day was also out before the day’s end. Salman ground his way through the innings, not hitting a boundary in his first 67 balls. When he did hit out, he advanced to pound Jayasuriya over long on, before sweeping him for four behind deep square leg.Salman was more adventurous after that, particularly when he used his feet. He got to his maiden fifty off 93 balls, and was out off the last delivery of the day for 62, edging Jayasuriya to slip.Of Sri Lanka’s bowlers, Ramesh returned the best figures, taking 3 for 42. Pakistan had two bowlers on three wickets in their innings too – Yasir taking 3 for 80, and Naseem 3 for 58.It didn’t seem like a bowlers’ pitch on day two at Galle. And yet, 11 wickets fell.
Eleven wickets fell on day two in Galle, with Pakistan trailing by 187 runs
Andrew Fidel Fernando25-Jul-2022Sri Lanka made huge strides towards taking control of the Test on the second day, despite having lost their last four wickets for 63 runs in the morning.Asitha Fernando made the crucial breakthrough, removing form batter Abullah Shafique with the second ball of the innings, before the spinners went to work. Prabath Jayasuriya had Babar Azam playing on. Dhananjaya de Silva slipped a full delivery through Imam-ul-Haq’s defences. Mohammad Rizwan, Fawad Alam, and Mohammad Nawaz were out to Ramesh Mendis’ offspin.The end result is that although Pakistan kept Sri Lanka to a manageable 378 in the first innings, they’ve stumbled so badly, they are now fighting to stay alive in the Test. Agha Salman, playing his second Test, was the batter who fought hardest, hitting 62 off 126 balls, as wickets fell around him. His dismissal off what turned out to be the last ball of the day entrenched Sri Lanka’s dominant position, however.Things had begun so well for Pakistan. Naseem Shah blew Sri Lanka’s overnight pair away in the first half-hour of play. He first fired a vicious one at debutant Dunith Wellalage’s throat in the fourth over of the day, which the batter could only fend to second slip, as he tried to get out of the way. In Naseem’s next over, another bouncer accounted for Niroshan Dickwella, who tried to help the ball around the corner, and only managed to give an edge. Dickwella had got to his half-century shortly before, having begun the day on 42.Yasir Shah then took the last two wickets as Ramesh Mendis prevented an all-out lower-order folding, with his 35, during which he struck up a 20-run partnership with No. 10 Prabath Jayasuriya, and a 25-run last-wicket stand with Asitha. Still, 378 did not seem like a total that locked Pakistan out of the game.The Pakistan top order though, did not take advantage of the situation. Second ball of the innings, their form batter Shafique played a leaden-footed push at Asitha, whose length delivery took the inside edge and cannoned into middle and leg stump.Babar Azam was out next, also chopping on, pushing at a full Prabath Jayasuriya delivery that did not turn as much as expected, to be out for 16. Imam was also bowled, but this time the bat did not interfere. De Silva beat him in the air, and slipped the ball into middle.From there, it wasn’t quite a procession, but the wickets fell regularly. Mohammad Rizwan was lbw playing back to a quicker one from Ramesh. It looked plumb from the outset, but Rizwan burned one of his team’s reviews. Fawad Alam battled to 24 before he too played back to a sliding Ramesh delivery, that hit him in front. Fawad didn’t review.Mohammad Nawaz was out a little more than 10 overs later, when he edged Ramesh behind. But Pakistan’s best batter of the day was also out before the day’s end. Salman ground his way through the innings, not hitting a boundary in his first 67 balls. When he did hit out, he advanced to pound Jayasuriya over long on, before sweeping him for four behind deep square leg.Salman was more adventurous after that, particularly when he used his feet. He got to his maiden fifty off 93 balls, and was out off the last delivery of the day for 62, edging Jayasuriya to slip.Of Sri Lanka’s bowlers, Ramesh returned the best figures, taking 3 for 42. Pakistan had two bowlers on three wickets in their innings too – Yasir taking 3 for 80, and Naseem 3 for 58.It didn’t seem like a bowlers’ pitch on day two at Galle. And yet, 11 wickets fell.
Newcastle United aren’t in crisis, but some gaping holes need filling in at St. James’ Park. The recent Premier League defeat at the Gtech has left Eddie Howe’s squad mired in 12th place, with just one win in five.
While there’s no inclination that Howe’s position is under threat, it’s pretty clear that things need to change if Newcastle are to complete the campaign and view it as one of success and progress.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe
There’s an alarming lack of intensity, energy and positivity about this Magpies team, who have overcome the injury struggles of 2023/24 but are now suffering from a poor summer transfer window and the ramifications of PSR, spilling into the first-team squad.
That’s not to say that injuries have been totally wiped from the Tyneside slate, with Callum Wilson enduring a torrid season that has just been dealt another bruising blow.
Callum Wilson's latest injury
Wilson has featured across Newcastle’s past four Premier League fixtures, but only after sitting on the sidelines for the entirety of the opening phase of the campaign.
Callum Wilson in the Newcastle stands
Given that United have struggled for goals and fluency in attacking sequences, it’s clear that this has been to Howe’s detriment, for Wilson is always clinical, always dangerous, and has that ball-striking knack that would surely have provided the team with something more.
But he’s been out of action and now appears to be set for several months back in the medical room after picking up a hamstring injury – something that will keep him out indefinitely and is a recurrence of two similar problems from last season. It’s saddening to see, especially as the back injury that has ruled him out over recent months is a completely separate thing.
The January transfer window can’t come soon enough, but Howe will need to balance Alexander Isak’s workload and somehow maintain the potency of the Magpies attack.
The players who could replace Callum Wilson
Newcastle fans will rest assured in the fact that Isak is their prized forward, but the Swede has suffered from injury issues throughout his Premier League career and must not be freighted with too heavy a burden.
Luckily, Anthony Gordon can stand in at number nine when needed. He’s not a natural striker, to be sure, but offers dynamic qualities and can work in flux with left winger Harvey Barnes.
Miguel Almiron could also be considered as a stand-in forward, serving as Isak’s understudy, at least. However, the Paraguayan is on the margins as it is and has scored just one goal over 15 career appearances in a central striking role, which is rather typical.
Miguel Almiron
There’s also William Osula to consider. The French forward, 21, left Sheffield United to sign for the Toon in a £15m transfer last summer but has only featured four times in the Premier League, yet to start and yet to score across his total of ten minutes.
However, the fact that Osula has been involved in first-team action for the entirety of the campaign yet has scarcely featured on the Premier League pitch suggests that he is still not ready for the kind of role that Howe is looking for.
Of course, the latest blow only heightens the expectation that PIF will green-light some January spending to propel United back into the ascendency.
But in the interim, and perhaps into the latter phase of the term, Howe must consider unleashing academy talent Ben Parkinson.
Howe could boldly unleash Ben Parkinson
Parkinson, aged 19, has been a prominent figure in Newcastle’s academy system over the past several years and has been among the most influential U21s this season with six goals and an assist across 12 appearances.
Newcastle youngster Ben Parkinson
A dynamic attacking talent, Parkinson is capable of playing across the attacking span and has demonstrated a level of potency throughout – though, given that he is left-footed and focuses on goalscoring, he’s least effective on the left wing.
His talents have seen him rewarded with a senior debut, coming off the bench during a 2-0 Newcastle defeat against Bournemouth in the Premier League last season, though he has since continued his development in the academy zone, albeit spending a host of senior matches on the bench last year – including twice in the Champions League.
Ben Parkinson: Newcastle Stats by Level
Level
Apps
Goals
Assists
Newcastle U21
36
13
2
Newcastle U18
32
11
5
Newcastle YL
4
1
0
Newcastle
1
0
0
Stats via Transfermarkt
It’s curious to note that Parkinson has matched his numbers with the U18s as a U21 star, bespeaking growth and development that can often be the inverse for young hopefuls, bloated with numerical success in their maiden stage before fizzling out as they rise higher and higher.
With his 20th birthday only three months away, you’d think that Parkinson is reaching the stage when he would be a regular presence in the matchday squad, especially given Newcastle’s lack of options at centre-forward and indeed on the right flank, with Almiron and Jacob Murphy leaving plenty to be desired.
He’s a team player, adept in contributing toward flowing transitions (that are a staple of Howe’s system) and he’s been praised for his natural striking sense, with U21 coach Ben Dawson saying: “He’s always had that knack of being in the right place at the right time.”
Howe clearly entrusted Parkinson with a bit-part role in the senior squad last year, and now it’s time for the teenage talent to prove that he can step up to the plate as Isak’s understudy, and mollify the fanbase’s concern that Wilson’s fresh injury could be a devastating blow to a campaign that still hasn’t got going.
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Former PCB chief executive Wasim Khan has been appointed ICC’s General Manager of cricket. He is slated to start his new role next month, as he takes over from Geoff Allardice, who vacated the position last November.”I am honoured to be joining the ICC, I can’t wait to get started and work in partnership with our Members to strengthen and grow our sport,” Wasim was quoted in a press release by ICC. “I’m particularly excited by the ICC’s commitment to the growth of the women’s game, and I look forward to playing my part in really accelerating that growth over the next decade.”Related
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A left-hand batter in his playing days, Wasim played 58 first-class matches and 30 List A matches for Warwickshire, Sussex and Derbyshire. However, he is known more for his administrative roles, having served as the CEO of Cricket Foundation, Leicestershire County Cricket Club, and Chance to Shine in the past, apart from leading the PCB.Wasim was awarded an MBE, a British honour conferred upon a person for a particular achievement in their line of work, in 2013.Welcoming Wasim to the role, Allardice said: “I am delighted to welcome Wasim to the ICC. He brings an in-depth knowledge of our sport and its stakeholders, and his first-hand experience of the international cricket landscape will be of enormous benefit as we implement the ICC global growth strategy and move forward into a new events cycle.”Wasim was appointed CEO of PCB in 2019 but stepped down from the role in September 2021, four months before the end of his contract. He joins ICC after Allardice held the post for eight years before being appointed full-time ICC CEO.