Australia’s women players have been caught in the middle of a tussle between the two boards stemming from tensions over scheduling

Daniel Brettig26-Apr-2019Conflict between Cricket Australia and the BCCI has left Australia’s female players confused and fuming about their absence from the list of players taking part in the IPL exhibition series due to take place in India next month.The announcement from the BCCI on Thursday that no Australians would be taking part in the exhibition tournament, a year after Meg Lanning, Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt and Beth Mooney all featured in the inaugural match, arrived with players still unsure about whether or not they would be travelling to India for the event.ESPNcricinfo understands that the decision not to include Australian women in the tournament is part of a wider disagreement between the two boards that also featured the BCCI’s insistence on CA honouring a touring commitment to play men’s ODIs in India in January next year, leaving Australian broadcasters angry about an absence of one day cricket on the home calendar while also taking the nation’s best players overseas in the midst of the Big Bash League.CA is believed to have been non-committal about the availability of women’s players for the IPL exhibition for some months, alongside negotiations about the men’s ODI series. However, as the world’s most powerful board put its foot down over the men’s ODI series, the CA chief executive Kevin Roberts broke from annual leave to travel to India for last-minute negotiations about the women’s IPL tournament – talks that now appear to have come to nought.”CA has never said the players will be unavailable. We have been working with the BCCI on this and assisted them with activating the visa process earlier in the week,” a CA spokesperson said. “We confirmed yesterday that the players would be released and able to participate in the tournament that commences on 6 May.”There was no indication at that time that there were any problems with this and the BCCI were grateful for the support of the women’s IPL. As was the case last year we are very supportive of the Women’s IPL and look forward to seeing some great games ahead of the Women’s Ashes.”The Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) indicated on Friday that the three players slated to take part – Lanning, Healy and Perry – were still eager to do so if an agreement can be reached between CA and the BCCI.”The Women’s T20 Challenge in India is a good opportunity to grow and develop the global interest in women’s cricket,” an ACA spokesperson said. “In speaking with the players we know they have been preparing to go and are still keen to play. To have no Australian players in the tournament would be an opportunity missed.”Last year’s first exhibition match was not without its troubles, with some disquiet about the nature of the contracts offered to the players to take part, including their terms and conditions. This year CA had been working to negotiate contracts collectively on behalf of their players, before the breakdown in talks that has led to their absence from playing lists named by the IPL.Australia are the reigning T20 World Cup champions after winning the global tournament in the Caribbean late last year, with Lanning, Perry and Healy arguably the world’s best players. CA’s development of the WBBL has been unashamed in its focus to be the world’s biggest women’s event, taking the place that the IPL occupies for the men’s game.

Nuno Espirito Santo's first game in charge of Nottingham Forest takes place this weekend as in-form Bournemouth travel to the City Ground.

Forest go into the game off the back of another disappointing defeat, as they lost 2-0 to Spurs at home, which ultimately saw Steve Cooper lose his job.

A run of poor performances that stretches back to September has put the Reds 17th in the Premier League, with just three wins from 17 matches, and the Garibaldi faithful will be hoping that their new boss can inspire the side and start with a bang.

Luckily, Santo has almost a full squad available to choose from, ensuring that he could make three changes from the loss to Spurs.

1 GK – Matt Turner

Despite not playing a game for Forest in the whole of November, Matt Turner seems to have become the number-one choice again over the last two weeks. The American is expected to start in between the sticks once again this weekend.

2 RCB – Willy Boly

Willy Boly will link up with his former Wolves boss again, and he should keep his spot in a right centre-back role. The 32-year-old has started 12 games this season, and he will be hoping to use his aerial strength in the opposition box.

3 CB – Murillo

The 21-year-old has featured in every game since his debut in October, and he should start once again this weekend. Murillo will look to progress play and pick up his third clean sheet of the season.

4 LCB – Moussa Niakhate

Niakhate's position in the starting XI depends on whether Felipe is fit enough to start, but given that the Brazilian is set to undergo a late fitness test, the number 19 may be preferred. The Senegal international has only kept one clean sheet this season, which came in his player-of-the-match performance against Aston Villa.

5 RWB/RM – Serge Aurier

Neco Williams started last weekend in the absence of Aurier, but the ex-Spurs player could return to the side after suffering from an injury. The 30-year-old was fighting to be fit for last weekend's game, so he should be ready for Bournemouth.

6 CM – Orel Mangala

The Belgian midfielder has started all but one game this season, and he will keep his place at the heart of Forest's midfield. Mangala has failed to form a relationship with teammates this season due to rotation, but the number five has been a mainstay in the team.

7 CM – Ibrahim Sangare

Sangare has only started ten games this season under Cooper, but with a new boss in charge, his Forest career could finally take off. The ex-PSV star is set to take a late fitness test after being out with an Adductor strain, but if he is fit, he should walk into the starting XI – ensuring that Ryan Yates is among those to make way.

8 LWB/LM – Harry Toffolo

Nuno does have options in this role in the form of Williams and Ola Aina, but Harry Toffolo should be given the nod this weekend. The 28-year-old is Forest's joint top assister this season, and he will look to create in the final third on Saturday.

9 RW – Morgan Gibbs-White

The Reds star has featured in every game this season, but he has only registered one goal and two assists. He will look to re-connect with his former manager, who gave him his breakthrough at Wolves, and the boss will start the number ten this weekend.

10 ST – Chris Wood

After scoring a brace versus Luton in October, Chris Wood has failed to score in his last six games for Forest. However, with Taiwo Awoniyi out injured, the 32-year-old should come back into the fold after the experiment of playing without a centre-forward last time out failed to pay off.

A "reliable" goalscorer at Burnley – as described by pundit Gary Neville – Wood could well start firing again under the new regime.

Sydney Sixers are shaping as favourites to secure AB de Villiers for next season amid interest from all the BBL teams

Daniel Brettig and Mel Farrell29-Apr-2019

AB de Villiers hits one over the covers•BCCI

Sydney Sixers are firming as the likely Big Bash League destination for AB de Villiers, as part of a package deal with Cricket Australia and broadcasters that may be worth more than AUD350,000 for a stint at the back end of next summer’s tournament.CA and broadcasters both confirmed to BBL clubs that they would offer financial assistance to help secure de Villiers’ signature ahead of a season where the men’s ODI team will be absent from Australia during a chunk of January – CA’s contribution understood to be up to $50,000 in return for marketing services. The Sixers appear to have the inside running for reasons over and above than the playing, marketing and broadcasting deal they are able to piece together for the South African and his management.Most BBL clubs are believed to have been interested in signing de Villiers up – Adelaide Strikers would have had he been available for the whole season – and submitted offers last week, with Sydney Thunder’s proposal strengthened by the salary cap room afforded to them by the retirement of Shane Watson, who will restrict himself to shorter overseas T20 jaunts rather than the longer and more demanding BBL schedule.However, the Sixers have a couple of advantages not able to be found elsewhere. Not only will de Villiers have a friend and former team-mate on hand in Morne Morkel, who will be spending six months of the year in Sydney with his family, he will be able to play home games at the SCG, the venue of his memorable 162 from 66 balls for South Africa against the West Indies at the 2015 World Cup.”We would be absolutely delighted to have AB join the Sixers and have made an offer for this summer,” Sixers general manager Jodie Hawkins told ESPNcricinfo. “We understand there are a number of BBL clubs wanting to welcome AB, but we believe we offer him a great option to experience the Big Bash, living in Sydney by the beach, playing at one of his favourite grounds, the SCG, and just enjoying what Sydney offers in summer, that’s a pretty good proposition. He’d also be great working with some of our young stars like Josh Philippe, and meeting our incredible fans.”Ad hoc high profile signings with financial assistance from CA and broadcasters such as Fox Sports have been a part of the BBL’s history, most notably Shane Warne and Kevin Pietersen with Melbourne Stars, and the news that the Australian ODI team would be pressed to honour a pre-existing commitment to tour India next January has helped add impetus to the push to secure de Villiers for at least part of the next competition.But the creation of a more equitable marquee system for high profile international names remains strongly desired by numerous clubs, while others within the Australian system would prefer an auction for overseas players. The Australian Cricketers Association has blocked attempts by CA to add one more overseas place to BBL playing lists for next summer, arguing that the length of the tournament is a greater barrier to the world’s best players taking part rather than the money or squad positions available.Andrew McDonald, coach of the tournament-winning Melbourne Renegades, told ESPNcricinfo earlier this year that the BBL’s credibility demanded a more even system for high profile overseas players. “I think the only way you could do that is to have a marquee [fund],” McDonald said in February. “[CA] is talking to us. Everyone is talking essentially. Our CEO is talking to us as coaches, that’s going back up to Cricket Australia.”We’ve identified that there is a problem or a potential problem, if we don’t get it right going forward. I think the only way to do it is if we have eight marquee spots available, get 16 players from around the world to nominate, and then you have a marquee draft. Just have a lottery draft. Pull the Melbourne Stars out of the hat first, whoever out of the hat second and they pick eight marquee players, and those marquee players have to sign up for the entirety of the tournament.”The Stars and Melbourne Renegades are among other clubs believed to be heavily interested in de Villiers, but there is also a parallel competition to secure Andre Russell, whose star has shone evermore brightly in this year’s IPL, resulting in his recall to the West Indies ODI team for the World Cup in England later this year.Other BBL recruiting moves are afoot, with Fawad Ahmed set to join the Perth Scorchers to form a spin bowling tandem with Ashton Agar, and the West Australian paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile likely to be unveiled by the Melbourne Stars among their signings for 2019-20.

Alisha Lehmann has been showing off her keepy-uppy skills while relaxing by the pool on a break in Brazil with boyfriend Douglas Luiz.

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Domestic season over for VillansHave headed to South AmericaRelaxing & recharging in the sunshineWHAT HAPPENED?

The couple have headed to South America after seeing their respective campaigns at Aston Villa come to a close. Luiz helped the men’s team to a top-four finish in the Premier League and Champions League qualification, while Lehmann figured prominently for the women’s team as they reached the League Cup semi-finals.

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Lehmann also hit a half-century of appearances for her country in 2023-24, with the Swiss forward counting down the days to a European Championship on home soil in 2025. She is also looking ahead to a Women’s World Cup that will be heading to Brazil in 2027.

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The 25-year-old is already in that part of the world, and is keeping herself sharp by indulging in ball-juggling routines poolside and on the beach. Lehmann has mastered that art, with a box of tricks being opened up.

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O zagueiro Arboleda alcançou uma marca histórica com a camisa do São Paulo no último domingo (28), no empate em 1 a 1 diante do Botafogo-SP, pela estreia do Campeonato Paulista.

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Autor do gol são-paulino na partida, o defensor chegou ao feito de 150 jogos com a camisa do Tricolor Paulista. Titular e um dos pilares da zaga do São Paulo, Arboleda publicou um texto em suas redes sociais comemorando a marca.

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– Feliz demais em alcançar esse feito em um dos maiores clubes do mundo e o maior do Brasil. Agradeço a Deus pela oportunidade nesses quase 4 anos defendendo as cores do São Paulo e conseguir chegar aos 150 jogos com essa camisa. Continuarei dando meu máximo dentro de campo para honrar cada vez mais esse manto. Obrigado! – celebrou.

Contratado em 2017, Arboleda possui números expressivos tanto defensivamente quanto ofensivamente com a camisa do São Paulo. Nos 150 jogos disputados, o zagueiro balançou as redes em dez oportunidades, além de quatro assistências.

Segundo o site de estatísticas SofaScore, o equatoriano se sobressai na defesa. Ao todo foram 780 cortes, 195 interceptações, 165 desarmes e um aproveitamento de 67.1 % nos duelos aéreos.

Provável titular, o zagueiro Arboleda volta a campo com o São Paulo nesta quarta-feira (3). O Tricolor Paulista visita a Inter de Limeira, às 17h (de Brasília), em jogo válido pela segunda rodada do Paulistão.

Sunderland reportedly have another attacking target on their list in a "fast" Championship star, according to one reliable journalist.

Sunderland targeting new striker

The Black Cats appear to be searching the market for a new striker this month and Michael Beale is hoping to “excite” supporters with one or two additions.

“We have a clear idea on one or two of the areas we would like to strengthen this month, if we can. It’s never an easy month, but we are certainly going to try and do something to strengthen and boost the squad, and to hopefully excite the fans. Those discussions are going on in the background. This (derby) game has been a bit of a distraction, if I’m honest, but those discussions were happening even (Tuesday) morning and late on in the afternoon.”

Winger Jack Clarke has been the main source of goals this season, netting eight more goals than any other Sunderland player. (Sunderland top scorers – BBC) However, Clarke, due to his fine form, has been linked with a move to the Premier League, with West Ham believed to be exploring a potential transfer.

Even if the Sunderland star remains at the Stadium of Light, a new forward appears to be on the agenda, and Bournemouth striker Kieffer Moore is on the list of targets.

Recent reports have claimed Sunderland are in pole position to sign the Wales international ahead of a number of other Championship sides, and a new update has emerged including the name of a new attacking target.

Sunderland eyeing Sam Gallagher move

According to The Northern Echo’s chief reporter Scott Wilson, Sunderland have held preliminary talks with Bournemouth for Moore and are waiting to hear the final decision. However, the reliable reporter added that the club’s recruitment team, led by sporting director Kristjaan Speakman, also have Sam Gallagher of Blackburn Rovers on their transfer wishlist.

Gallagher, who can play anywhere across the front three, completed a permanent move to Blackburn in 2019 after a previous loan spell and has been a regular at Ewood Park ever since.

The 28-year-old has plenty of experience in the Championship, mostly with Rovers, so could be a shrewd addition, potentially alongside Moore to rival the likes of centre-forward options Nazariy Rusyn and youngsters Mason Burstow, Eliezer Mayenda and Luis Semedo.

Sam Gallagher career stats

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Blackburn Rovers

214

45

21

Southampton

26

2

0

Birmingham

34

7

0

MK Dons

15

0

2

Former Blackburn and Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray is also a big fan of Gallagher, describing him as a “monster” back in 2022.

“I don’t know how many appearances he (Gallagher) has made but I think his goals per starts is pretty good. He’s missed a fair whack of the season. He scored tonight with his right foot. I’m always encouraging him to hit it because when you watch it in training it’s like a bazooka, his right foot. It’s a great strike.

“Gallagher is fast, strong, good in the air, rocket in his right foot. He has all the attributes to be a top player. His ambition has to be to get to the Premier League, hopefully with this club, but if not, the Premier League look at this monster of a boy who can run like the wind with a rocket in his boots, why can’t he play in the Premier League?”

Sitting just five points adrift of the automatic promotion places in the Championship, Southampton could yet make an instant return to the Premier League under Russell Martin, who has more than found his feet at St Mary's this season. The Saints' most recent outing was one of their most impressive performances to date, as they eased past Swansea City to win 5-0 in front of their home fans.

As results continue to come, Southampton could yet improve even further too. Reports suggest that the Saints' transfer chief Darren Mowbray is particularly desperate to convince those at the club to move for one particular star striker at his former club.

Southampton transfer news

After suffering relegation last season, Southampton did well to keep hold of the majority of their star men. Whilst James Ward-Prowse and Romeo Lavia left for West Ham United and Chelsea respectively, the likes of Che Adams and Stuart Armstrong stayed put to hand Martin a major boost of experience in his first season in charge. Now, the former Swansea boss could turn to the January transfer window to add further additions to a side he hopes will be capable of sealing automatic promotion to the Premier League. And that could include the arrival of one star striker.

According to Daily Record, Southampton Head of Recruitment Darren Mowbray is pleading for the club to sign Aberdeen forward Bojan Miovski, who has also attracted the interest of both Celtic and Rangers ahead of the January transfer window. The striker would reportedly cost around £6.5m to match Aberdeen's record sale of Calvin Ramsay to Liverpool in what would be a hefty winter deal. When the transfer window swings open in a matter of days, Miovski could certainly be one to keep an eye on, especially if Mowbray gets his wish at St Mary's in the new year.

"Brilliant" Miovski could star in the Championship

Miovski's stats for Aberdeen this season prove that he's more than ready to make a big move to a club vying for Premier League promotion. The forward has scored 14 goals in 27 games in all competitions this season and, at 24-years-old, he looks set to get even better.

Earning plenty of praise as a result of his goalscoring exploits, Kelle Roos said, via The Press and Journal: “Bojan is brilliant. If you feed him, he will score. He always finds himself on the shoulder and Bojan always gets his body in front, Bojan can really be a threat from all angles. He can score from crosses, he has one-touch finishes.

"I have played with strikers who are also good shooters – but they don’t have anything near the mobility Bojan has. He’s a great striker and someone we all enjoy having in the team.”

Given the small margins in the Championship promotion race, the January transfer window could make all the difference for Southampton, especially if they beat others to Miovski's signature. The forward could be a game-changer for Martin, who has the job of closing the gap on Ipswich Town in England's second tier.

WSL side Manchester City have announced that goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck will be leaving the club alongside others this summer.

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• Man City miss out on WSL title
• Losing four key players including Roebuck
• England international set for Spain switch

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  City are releasing a handful of players this summer as well as saying goodbye to captain Steph Houghton, who announced her retirement earlier in the season. Alongside the skipper, the WSL's second-placed side will be without experienced goalkeeper Roebuck, who is calling time on nine years in Manchester.

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• WHAT MAN CITY SAID

  In a joint statement released by the club announcing the departure of Demi, Stokes,Ruby Mace,Filippa Angeldah and Roebuck City said: "Roebuck’s quality between the sticks was exemplified by several incredible stops during her nine years at the club. Only Karen Bardsley can better her tally of 62 clean sheets in sky blue, but her total of 45 in the WSL remains a record for the club.

  "Everyone at Manchester City would like to thank Ellie, Demi, Ruby and Filippa for their contributions to the Club, and wish them the very best in their future careers."

• Getty
  

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  City are losing a faithful servant in Roebuck and they will have to replace her winning mentality in the summer if they are to go again in the WSL next season. The 24-year-old made 17 appearances in the league last season and was part of the squad that won the league in 2016, but has not featured for the club this term.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ROEBUCK?

  The stopper has signed a pre-contract with Spanish champions Barcelona and will join fellow Lionesses Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh at the club. Barca are on the verge of Champions League glory having stormed to another league title without losing a game.

The Scotland captain has been recognised for services to cricket where he has achieved some notable milestones

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Jun-2019Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer has been awarded an MBE for services to cricket in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.Coetzer, 35, has played 52 ODIs and 48 T20Is alongside scoring 4404 runs in his first-class career and more than 5000 in List A cricket. He is Scotland’s all-time leading run-scorer and made their first World Cup century, against Bangladesh, in 2015.He led the team to their historic ODI victory over England in Edinburgh last year.”It’s very special and a huge honour to be awarded an MBE,” he said. “It’s not something you ever consider, and it was a huge shock to hear the news. A special thank you to my family, friends and colleagues who have played a huge part in supporting me in my cricketing journey.”Huge credit must also go to all my amazing team-mates, coaches and back room staff who have helped guide and shape me towards this special award. I couldn’t have done it without every one of you.”Tony Brian, the chairman of Cricket Scotland, said: “This is a richly deserved award for one of Scotland’s best and most iconic cricketers in the 250 years of the sport.”Kyle has been an inspirational player and captain who has led the men’s team through its most successful period ever including the never to be forgotten win against England in June 2018.”

Still early into the January transfer window, Tottenham Hotspur shocked English football with revelations that they are closing in on a six-month loan deal for RB Leipzig's Timo Werner, who won the Champions League with rivals Chelsea in 2021.

In some ways, it's not surprising; Ange Postecoglou is without his captain and talisman Heung-min Son for a month (possibly a bit longer) due to the Asia Cup, while 20-year-old striker Alejo Veliz injured his knee on New Year's Eve and will be sidelined for a few months.

Harry Kane was sold to Bayern Munich in the summer after Spurs missed out on European football with a lowly eighth-placed finish, and while Postecoglou suffused quality across the squad, a direct replacement was not signed, with Veliz deemed something of a star in the making.

All confirmed Premier League done deals: January transfer window 2024

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ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024

Bolstering the backline is the winter priority, sure, but there will likely be a lucrative incoming up front at some point in 2024, and Feyenoord phenom Santiago Gimenez could be the man for the job.

Spurs transfer news – Santiago Gimenez

According to CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs – speaking on the Last Word on Spurs – Spurs remain interested in Gimenez and appear to have earmarked him as the top target at centre-forward, with the Eredivisie champions demanding £60m for his sale.

He said: "Tottenham are assessing if they can bring in a wide forward or a goalscorer, I think a really concrete target is Santiago Gimenez, but that’s one for the summer, there will be no exit as I’m aware in January, or if there is to be one it would be an incredible amount of money for Feyenoord."

While a winter deal might be off the cards, this is actually beneficial for Spurs in the long run as they look to bolster the backline this month.

Santiago Gimenez's style of play

Spurs' London rivals Arsenal are also thought to be in pursuit of Gimenez and Postecoglou will know to put in the groundwork over the coming months to ensure that the Mexico international chooses to head down the N17, should he come to England.

Hailed for his "sensational" performances by journalist Graeme Bailey, Gimenez is an exceptional finisher and would bring an additional element of raw striking prowess to Spurs' system, having posted 43 goals and eight assists from just 67 appearances for Feyenoord since the start of last season.

The 22-year-old, who signed from Mexican side Cruz Azul in July 2022 after an impressive start to life in his homeland, having since proved his worth as a first-class talisman and attracted the attention of teams such as Arsenal and Tottenham.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 1% of forwards across divisions similar to the Dutch Eredivisie over the past year for goals scored and touches in the attacking penalty area and the top 2% for shots taken per 90, highlighting his aptitude as a target man.

Last season, with Feyenoord marching toward the league title, the 6 foot talisman scored 28 goals across all competitions, leading talent scout Jacek Kulig to pronounce him the "Mexican machine."

While last year's feats were emphatic, he may well have levelled up since the summer, having now started scoring at a frankly absurd rate.

Santiago Gimenenz's season in numbers

Kulig has remarked that Gimenez has been "on fire" in the Netherlands, and his clinical exploits indeed certify his skill set as incredible enough to succeed in a division such as the Premier League.

As per Sofascore, across 16 displays in the Dutch top-flight this term, Gimenez has plundered 18 goals and four assists, averaging 1.1 key passes each game to show that he is not merely a goalscorer, creative in his craft too.

The 24-cap international would certainly offer a style closest to that of Kane; while Son is a remarkable player he is probably still most effective from the left, despite his prolific success at the tip of the arrowhead this season.

And should Postecoglou forge ahead with a transfer, it might even prove to spell the end of Richarlison's career at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

How Gimenez compares to Richarlison

Richarlison has enjoyed a relieving run of goalscoring form over the past month or so after languishing so far below expectations for so long, signing from Everton in a £60m deal in 2022.

Having been a menace for the Toffees for several years, Richarlison's failure to score more than one Premier League goal throughout the 2022/23 campaign came as a shock to many, with the player subject to ridicule for his lacklustre efforts.

But he was called a "fighter" by former Spurs director Fabio Paratici upon his transfer and he showcased such spirit with a resounding return to form recently, scoring five goals across his past five league appearances.

Strengths

Weaknesses

Defensive contribution

Crossing

Headed attempts

*Sourced via WhoScored

To his credit, the £90k-per-week dynamo does rank among the top 12% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues for assists, the top 8% for touches in the attacking penalty box, the top 7% for tackles and the top 1% for blocks per 90, but he just simply isn't clinical enough to be the long-term solution at centre-forward for Tottenham.

With Son likely to remain the figurative offensive centrepiece over the next few years, it's unlikely that Richarlison would preserve a prominent spot in the team if a star such as Gimenez was signed.

The Feyenoord player – who has been noted for his "insane" quality by journalist Antonio Mango – is the answer, and while Richarlison would still probably have a place in the squad, he would fall from a regular starting role and this would contribute toward his downfall at the club.

Richarlison's return to form over recent weeks has come at the perfect time for Tottenham, who have indeed lost Son's services for the foreseeable, but the fact remains that a striker is needed.

Gimenez would be the perfect, out-and-out force to bring goals with ferocious constancy for Postecoglou's side, which would only improve with his arrival.