All posts by h716a5.icu

The Reds reportedly view 'the new Denzel Dumfries' as a potential long-term successor to their Real Madrid-bound right-back

It's been a bitterly frustrating season for Feyenoord. The Dutch side reached the last 16 of the Champions League, upsetting the likes of Bayern Munich and AC Milan along the way, but they're now in very real danger of failing to secure a spot in next season's competition, with Feyenoord currently clinging onto the final qualification berth in the Eredivisie, sat just a point clear of fourth-placed Utrecht.

However, the Rotterdam-based outfit have started to find some form under new coach Robin van Persie – who took over from interim boss Pascal Bosschaart on February 24, a fortnight after the dismissal of Arne Slot's successor, Brian Priske – and an 18-year-old right-back has played a big role in lifting the sense of doom and gloom around De Kuip.

Indeed, the emergence of Givairo Read as a first-team regular has arguably been the most positive aspect of Feyenoord's 2024-25 campaign. The only problem is that the youngster has attracted plenty of Premier League interest over the past few months. As a result, GOAL is here to tell you everything you need to know about a player presently being touted as a possible long-term replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold at Anfield…

Where it began

Read was born and raised in Bijlmer, which is located on the southern outskirts of Amsterdam. He started out playing football for nearby amateur outfit Zeeburgia, but was picked up by FC Volendam at the age of 11.

He progressed rapidly through the club's youth sector and was still only 16 when he was handed his Eredivisie debut by former Ajax and Netherlands midfielder Wim Jonk, who introduced Read for the final five minutes of a 2-1 win over Fortuna Sittard on March 17, 2023.

By that stage, he was already representing the Netherlands at Under-17 level, and it was during a European Championship qualifier against England 11 days after his Volendam bow that he first came to the attention of Van Persie. The former Feyenoord striker, who had just taken charge of the club's Under-18s, had gone to the game at the Sportpark Nieuw Zuid to watch his son Shaqueel in action, but he couldn't help but be impressed by the home side's right-back.

"I have to admit that I also thought I did well in that match," Read told . "It was one of those days when everything went well and I was lucky that Robin was looking for a right-back for his team.

"He said afterwards that he thought that I had stood out, and not much later Feyenoord contacted my agent. I was already in talks with Volendam. In fact, the contract there was ready and I had more or less decided that I would stay. However, I thought, 'listening never hurts', so I went to speak with Robin. He’s a very good talker and I began to have doubts.

"At Volendam, I would be in the first team, but in Rotterdam I would have to first join Feyenoord's Under-18s. So, I would have to take a step back, with the intention of taking two steps forward in the future. That was a risk, but I thought it was worth the gamble. I really wanted to play under Robin and he immediately put me in the team. He gave me a lot of responsibility and the great thing was that Robin wanted to play very attacking football, exactly like Wim Jonk at Volendam, so that made it easy for me to adapt."

AdvertisementThe big break

It wasn't long before Read's performances for Van Persie's Under-18s caught the eye of Slot, who invited the teenager to train with the senior squad before he'd even played a game for Feyenoord's Under-21s. Read even travelled with the first team to Marbella for their winter training camp, and when Slot found himself short on cover at right-back for the first leg of the Europa League play-off with Roma on February 15, 2024, the teenager was named on the bench for the game at De Kuip.

"Lutsharel Geertruida was ill, so Bart Nieuwkoop started at right-back," Read explained. "I immediately had the feeling that I might make my debut and the great thing was that Geertruida thought so too. He sent me a text message before the match: 'Get ready, there is a big chance that you will come on. Show what you have worked so hard for all this time and make your family proud.' I thought that was very nice, a really wonderful gesture from a real captain.

"Strangely enough, I wasn't nervous when Slot sent me out of the dugout to warm up. I also didn't have time to realise what a big match it was.

"When I came on, I just played my game as I always did at Volendam and Feyenoord Under-18s: attack whenever I can but be back in time to defend. It was an exciting match, it ended 1-1, but only afterwards do you realise how special it was: Roma, with all that history with Feyenoord, and Jose Mourinho on the bench… I enjoyed it!"

How it's going

Read also enjoyed working under Slot, whom he credits with helping him both "develop quickly" and settle easily in the senior squad. However, following Slot's move to Merseyside last summer, Read went into the 2024-25 season as Feyenoord's third-choice right-back and wasn't even included in Priske's squad for the first phase of the Champions League. However, injuries to Nieuwkoop and Jordan Lotomba offered Read the chance to stake a claim for a starting spot – and he's taken it with both hands.

Read did a fantastic job marking AC Milan star Rafael Leao on his Champions League debut in February, while he has racked up six assists in his last six appearances for Feyenoord. He even made a little bit of history by creating three goals in the same game, against Twente last month, and Van Persie was astounded that Read wasn't rewarded for his fantastic form with a place in the Netherlands U21s squad for the March international break.

"It is up to [manager] Michael Reiziger to make that decision and maybe he has someone else who is even better but I can't imagine that he does," the ex-striker said. "I haven't heard anything either, so I also don't know if Reiziger has my number. But he can get it anytime!"

In fairness to Reiziger, it wasn't really his call, as the Dutch football federation (KNVB) quite reasonably felt that it would be better for Read to help the U19s qualify for this summer's European Championship (which he did as captain) rather than play a couple of meaningless friendlies for the U21s.

The whole furore, which generated plenty of debate in the Dutch media, only served to underline just how much excitement surrounds a defender that some pundits believe could put himself in a position to challenge for a place in the Netherlands squad for the 2026 World Cup if he maintains his current rate of progress.

Biggest strengths

As underlined by his recent hat-trick of assists, Read is terrific going forward. He's quick, can beat a man and is a deadly crosser of the ball. He may not boast Alexander-Arnold's ridiculous range of passing, but he's got a great right foot capable of picking out runners with raking passes from deep positions.

Encouragingly, he's also acutely aware of the importance of the defensive side of his role. "You always have to get back, you can't let your defence suffer," he says. "That requires not only fitness, but also insight and communication. I have players around me who coach me well."

Personality-wise, Read is humble but hungry, desperate to soak up as much information and advice as possible to improve as quickly as he can.

Perhaps most impressively of all, he's utterly fearless, with Read admitting that only once has he ever felt nervous before a game, ahead of his first appearance in De Klassieker (Feyenoord-Ajax) earlier in this season, and even in that instance, he was exhilarated rather than inhibited.

It's hardly surprising, then, that while Van Persie loves everything about Read's game, it's his attitude that impresses him most. "When you see how Givi picks things up, how he trains and how he plays, that's extra enjoyable for me," the Premier League winner said.

Manchester United host Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford this evening, looking to return to winning ways after boss Ruben Amorim suffered his first defeat as manager in midweek.

The Red Devils fell to a 2-0 loss against Arsenal at the Emirates, ending the 39-year-old’s three-game unbeaten run after taking over from Erik ten Hag.

However, he’s yet to lose a game on home soil, looking to make it back-to-back losses for Nuno Espírito Santo’s men in Manchester after their defeat to Manchester City on the same night.

A win this evening will take United above the visitors in the Premier League table, closing the gap on the top four spots – undoubtedly the aim for Amorim come the end of the season.

If his side are to return to winning ways, he must recall one player after dropping to the bench in North London a couple of days ago.

Why Amad needs to start against Forest

After the appointment of the former Portuguese international, it’s seen the side operate in the 3-4-2-1 system that saw him claim two league titles during his time at Sporting CP.

Such a transition has allowed numerous players to star in unfamiliar roles, with Amad Diallo just one of the beneficiaries in recent weeks.

The Ivorian originally arrived in Manchester as a winger, but he’s since dropped slightly further back to operate in a right wing-back role, taking his performance levels above anything he’d ever demonstrated in the North West.

In the three games since his switch, the 22-year-old has thrived, delivering three assists in just two league outings – including a perfectly weighted ball into the path of Marcus Rashford, who poked home for the first goal of the Amorim era against Ipswich.

However, despite his recent displays, he was named as a substitute against the Gunners, with Tyrell Malacia coming into the side – but it’s a switch that needs to be reversed once more tonight.

Most of the positive forward play in recent outings has come through the former Atalanta ace, with a recall needed alongside one other key first-team star.

The player who needs to be recalled alongside Amad

Academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo has taken huge strides over the last 12 months, from making his debut to even receiving an England call-up for Euro 2024 over the summer.

However, he’s yet to showcase his best performance levels under the new management team, being left on the bench in two of the three games he’s been available for.

The 19-year-old did start the clash against Everton last weekend but did receive his fifth booking of the season – subsequently receiving a one-match ban for the game at the Emirates on Wednesday.

His suspension saw Bruno Fernandes drop into a slightly deeper role alongside Manuel Ugarte, ultimately taking away the creativity of the Portuguese international, with the United skipper producing his best displays when he operates in a more advanced role, as seen against the Toffees.

Such a move leaves a perfectly sized hole in the middle of the park for Mainoo, allowing the “world-class” ace, as dubbed by journalist Ryan Adsett, to terrorise Forest at Old Trafford.

Games played

8

Minutes played

654

Pass accuracy

90%

Dribbles completed

74%

Tackles success

81%

Duels won

48

Interceptions

15

During the opening months of 2024/25, he’s completed 74% of the dribbles he’s attempted, whilst achieving a 90% pass accuracy rate, two figures that could enable him to run the show at the Theatre of Dreams and terrorise the visitors.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Indeed, Mainoo might fancy his chances up against the likes of Ryan Yates and Nicolas Dominguez, with the pair having struggled against City in midweek, after being dribbled past four times between them on the night.

It will be a tricky task against Nuno’s side, who have enjoyed a superb start to the campaign, but ultimately, Amorim’s men should have the quality to pull through once more.

If they are to claim all three points, Amad and Mainoo are two players who simply have to start, potentially picking up where they left off in the previous home victory.

Man Utd sold their original Yoro for £10m, now he's struggling big time

The former Manchester United ace has failed to make an impact away from Old Trafford.

ByEthan Lamb Dec 6, 2024

Antoine Griezmann has reportedly made a decision about his Atletico Madrid future but will leave the final call to the club.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Griezmann makes decision on Atletico futureWill allow the club to take final call this summerFrenchman's contract expires in 2026Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to Spanish journalist Ruben Ulia (h/t Football Espana), Antoine Griezmann has reportedly made up his mind with regards to his future at Atletico Madrid with just a year remaining on his current contract, but will allow the Rojiblancos to take the final call this summer.

AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Griezmann is reportedly eager to stay at the Metropolitano for another season. While he can make that decision independently, the veteran World Cup winner is keen to avoid causing any issues for the club. Griezmann plans to meet with the Atletico higher-ups to discuss his future, ready to accept a potential departure if the club feels it's the best move this summer.

With Los Colchoneros potentially saving significantly on his salary, the club may look to move him on if they don't see him as a key contributor. Already, Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth are set to lead the attack next season. It's unclear whether Griezmann would accept a reduced role as a squad player who could make the difference from the bench.

DID YOU KNOW?

The 34-year-old stated last summer that Atletico would be his last club in Europe. “I have had offers and calls but I have been clear – I want to stay at Atletico. I made a lot of effort to come back and be accepted. I want it to be my last club in Europe.”

This could come as a huge boost to MLS clubs, with the Frenchman admitting publicly that he was tempted by the prospect of finishing his career in the United States. Last year, it was revealed that a special €15 million release clause was inserted in his current contract, enticing MLS clubs to make a potential move this summer.

AFPWHAT NEXT FOR ANTOINE GRIEZMANN?

Griezmann is having a fine season, having scored 16 times and registered seven assists in 42 games across all competitions. Diego Simeone will be hoping to count on his form and experience in Atletico's upcoming fixture, in which they will face Espanyol on Saturday, March 29. Simeone's men are currently third in La Liga, four points behind rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona at the top of the table.

Key numbers from the Pakistan-Bangladesh T20I where Shahid Afridi’s 19-ball 49 powered his team to a massive win

Bharath Seervi16-Mar-20163:28

Chappell: Afridi looked relaxed

201 Pakistan’s total, their second-highest in T20Is and their highest in the World T20. The score was Pakistan’s second total of 200 or more and both have come against Bangladesh. They had scored 203 for 5 in Karachi in 2007-08. Four of Pakistan’s top five T20I totals have come against Bangladesh (three) and Zimbabwe (one).55 Pakistan’s margin of victory, their second-highest in the World T20. Their only bigger victory, in terms of runs, was against Netherlands at Lord’s in 2009, by 82 runs. Overall, it was their sixth-biggest win in T20Is when batting first.95 Runs added by Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez for the second wicket, the highest for Pakistan in the World T20 and sixth-highest for any wicket in the tournament. The partnership was also the third-highest stand for any wicket in T20Is between Bangladesh and Pakistan.11 Man-of-the-Match awards for Shahid Afridi in T20Is, which is already the most by a player. Afridi is also the only player to have got 10 or more such awards. This was his fourth such award in the World T20, the joint second-most by a player. Afridi scored a 19-ball 49 and then took 2 for 2. With his second wicket, Afridi became the second-highest wicket-taker in World T20 history.257.89 Afridi’s strike rate during his explosive innings of 49 off 19, which is the eighth-highest in T20Is by a batsman who has faced 15 or more balls. However, for innings of 19 or more balls, Afridi’s strike-rate is the second highest. He missed scoring the fastest T20I fifty for Pakistan, which is held by Umar Akmal, but became the second Pakistan batsman to aggregate 500 runs in World T20 matches, after Kamran Akmal. His strike rate of 155.86 is the highest for any batsman who has faced 200 or more balls in the World T20.40 Number of sixes for Afridi in International matches in India, the most by a visiting batsman here. He went past AB de Villiers, who had hit 39 sixes. Both Afridi and de Villiers have played the same number of innings (37). With the whole World T20 to be played in India, the record may change hands often.55 Runs scored by Pakistan in the Powerplay, which is their most in eight T20Is this year and the second-highest in 21 T20Is since the last World T20. They had made 71 against Zimbabwe in Lahore in May 2015.2 Half-centuries for Mohammad Hafeez in T20Is this year. He had made 61 against New Zealand in Auckland in Pakistan’s first T20I this year before making 64 in this match. Incidentally, he had not scored any fifty in the last two calendar years – 2014 and 2015. He had averaged only 13 in 14 innings in those two years compared to his 22.12 in eight innings in 2016.2 Scores of fifty or more for Shehzad in World T20 matches against Bangladesh. He had made an unbeaten 111 in the last World T20, in Dhaka, and scored 52 in this match. Chris Gayle is the only other player to have made more such scores against one particular team in the World T20: four against Australia in five innings. However, Shehzad’s average of 163 is the highest for a batsman against a team in the World T20.2 Number of players who have completed the double of 1000 or more runs and 50 or more wickets in T20Is. Shakib Al Hasan became the second to do so in this match, after completing 1000 runs. Shakib scored an unbeaten 50, his sixth half-century in T20Is and his fourth in a losing cause.

Dramatic top-order collapse reawakens fears of return to Division Two

David Hopps21-Sep-2022Warwickshire endured a nightmarish start to their second innings at the end of the second day to slip deeper into relegation trouble and give Gloucestershire hopes of their first Championship win of the season.A side that won the Championship last season by dint of gritty, earnest cricket, rushed headlong towards relegation with a frenzied batting display against Gloucestershire’s new-ball bowlers which saw them reach the close at 58 for 5, only 77 ahead. Without Alex Davies’ unbeaten 41, they would have been in a sorrier mess.Considering the shenanigans at Chelmsford, and to a lesser extent at the Ageas Bowl, it should be underlined that this has been a challenging, but reasonable enough September surface, offering plenty of encouragement for the new-ball bowlers, slow turn for the slow bowlers and some uneven bounce. More raised eyebrow than slap on the wrist. It has made for immensely watchable cricket, even if a three-day finish is on the cards.Warwickshire’s sporting director Paul Farbrace, who is stepping down at the end of the season, said: “It was a very tough last hour. There have been some crazy sessions and mad hours elsewhere in the country this week and it was our turn today. But Alex Davies showed some real fight to see it through to the close and, providing we can put on more runs and get to at least 150 tomorrow, we could still be okay. Anything above that and the pressure starts to swing the other way.”Gloucestershire’s return to Division One has been a galling experience, but the Bristol crowd was besides itself with pleasure as Tom Price, surprisingly entrusted with the new ball at the Ashley Down End in preference to Ajeet Singh Dale, took four wickets in his first three overs and must have looked on in wonder as he delivered his bustling fast-medium to an array of four slips.Price, a 22-year-old who cut his cricket teeth in Great and Little Tew CC in the Cherwell League, now has 25 wickets at only 21.08 for the season and considering Gloucestershire’s travails has pronounced himself their breakthrough player of the season. Apart from the left-arm spinner, Zafar Gohar, who has had a sturdy season in adversity, and Ryan Higgins, who has not been seen since Cheltenham and is returning to Middlesex, no other Gloucestershire bowler has taken more than 15 wickets.With Kent and Somerset thriving midway through the penultimate round of matches, defeat for Warwickshire could well plunge them into the bottom two. The draught of relegation will also be reaching Yorkshire, who are under the cosh against the leaders at at Kia Oval. Indications are that there will be much left to play for in the final week.Price’s most meaningful moment arguably came with only his second delivery. Dom Sibley had batted through Warwickshire’s first innings for six-and-a-half hours for an unbeaten 120, but he made a second-ball duck second time around as Price seamed one back to win an lbw decision. He said afterwards that it was the dismissal that gave him hope – “he was the rock we could not get past on the first day” – but he felt he had bowled better first time around.Rob Yates dragged on against David Payne before Price could take up the challenge again. He won another lbw decision in his second over when Sam Hain, perhaps determined to escape the tortuous manner of his first innings, stepped across to leg to try to work the ball through the leg side.In his next over, the skipper, Will Rhodes, edged to the wicketkeeper as Price seamed one across him. Jayant Yadav was so offended by his third-ball nought – another keeper’s catch for James Bracey – that he gave the umpire a death stare for fully six seconds before making his way off the field. The umpire lived to tell the tale – and will probably tell it on an official form.Warwickshire had not identified the surface as a seam bowler’s paradise, quite the contrary. They bowled only 20 overs of pace in their 74.3 overs in the field, relying on the combined spin efforts of Yadav (who was excellent for his 5 for 90) and Danny Briggs (3 for 79) as they dismissed Gloucestershire for 255 to claim a paltry first-innings lead of 19.Gloucestershire’s familiar failings emerged once more as they lost half their side for 95. Ben Charlesworth received a snorter from Ryan Sidebottom, who was otherwise expensive, but there were some weak top-order dismissals against the spinners. Briggs defeated Miles Hammond’s attempts to advance and hit him down the ground, and Yadav, who is in his first spell in county cricket at 32, bowled Bracey as he lurched blindly at a straight, well-flighted delivery. Bracey began the season with 177 against Yorkshire, and briefly encouraged talk of an England return, but he has largely struggled since.A stand of 90 in 23 overs before Jack Taylor and Graeme van Buuren righted matters, Van Buuren entrusts largely to the back foot, and Yadav eventually hunted down his quarry, turning one to hit off stump as he laid back to cut. Taylor’s 71 from 106 balls was a typically free-spirited affair, a 50-over type of innings in a Championship relegation affair, adorned by five sixes, three of them down the ground against Yadav and two pumped into the Mounds Stand at deep midwicket off Briggs. They love him in Bristol, but prospects of some happy chatter over the tea interval departed when he edged Briggs to slip from what became the last ball of the session.It was still Warwickshire’s game. Their lead was 73 with three wickets to get. Complete the job and the match was as good as theirs. They reckoned without Gohar, one of the most unsung overseas players and one of the worthiest. His batting is always plucky and occasionally unorthodox. By the time Yadav bowled him, attempting a reverse sweep, his 55 from 82 balls had trimmed the lead to 19 and he might still have a part to play with the ball if Gloucestershire are finally to taste victory.

After being completely outplayed on the opening day, South Africa would not have minded an extra day off to reflect on their mistakes and plot an unlikely coup to get back into the series

Firdose Moonda in Bangalore15-Nov-2015Rain is exactly what every South African wanted today. Back home, the country is facing its worst water crisis since 1992, five of the country’s nine provinces have been declared drought disaster areas, and water restrictions have been imposed. In Bangalore, the rain has poured like the blessing South Africans believe it to be.The entire second day was washed out, eating into the time India wanted to wipe away the first-innings deficit and begin building a lead. Even though the rain also munched away at the minutes South Africa could have used to start plucking Indian wickets – and in humid, overcast conditions their seamers would have hoped for some assistance – they would have preferred to lose time on this occasion.South Africa’s pace pack is depleted down to only one frontliner: Morne Morkel. The two who could have made use of any movement on offer – Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander – are injured and the replacement pair – Kyle Abbott and Kagiso Rabada – need some time to gear up for the magnitude of the task facing them.Rabada needs more experience – in less than two years he has gone from impressive schoolboy to international cricketer across all formats – but Abbott, who is a swing bowler, could have used the extra day off. Abbott was barely 36 hours off a plane when he was thrust into a Test match with his captain’s assuring words that “when he puts his boots on, he’s ready even if he got off the plane 10 minutes before he bowled the first ball.”The Abbott of day one was not quite ready. In his six-over spell, he found movement, beat the bat and held his length back. But even with Morkel testing the surface’s spongy bounce and Rabada poison-tipped with potential, Abbott could not create any pressure. India’s opening pair were very rarely made to feel as though they would be lured into making a mistake, much less that there was any menace coming from their opponents.South Africa’s batsmen are partly to blame for creating that sense of security of their hosts, who put them in – a rarity in Indian conditions – and then bundled them out. In the two-and-a-half sessions India spent out there, they would have seen there were no demons in the pitch, not even the sluggish, sleeping ones like they were in Mohali They would have known they could seize an advantage by batting carefully to the close.But in-game advantage is delicate and for India to hold on to it, they need to continue blunting South Africa’s seamers, who generally do not remain passive for extended periods and will have the importance of sharpening up stressed on them. Morkel will have to lead with a little more authority and a little more meanness. He will have to bowl fast and back of a length to extract the bounce that a bowler of his height can generate and make the Indian batsmen uncomfortable. Abbott will have to conjure up his inner-Steyn, in swing terms, and make the conditions work for him. Both of them have to be careful not to bowl too straight, but to make the batsmen play outside the offstump.Rabada will have to back both of them up by being the other half of Steyn: fast and furious. He will have to be the one who bends his back the most, bangs in the hardest and bears down on the batsmen the most. He already has the right bowling character to intimidate, now he has to trust it at the highest level and he has reason to. He has the backing of the best.During the first Test, Steyn posted a photo of himself in wicket-celebration mode with his steely, scary eyes trained on Rabada. “I am looking at the future of SA cricket!,” Steyn captioned it. “Remember this name, people. You gana (sic) be seeing a lot of it. Congrats on your Test debut bud. #fastbowlingpartner.”Steyn will not be on the field to guide Rabada or anyone else but his presence from the dressing room may serve as a reminder of what South Africa’s attack need to protect. Before the Mohali Test, South Africa had lost only one Test away from home – to Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in October 2013 – in five years. The team owes a lot of that form to Steyn, who before Saturday had not missed a match in six years since he sat out the first Test against England in December 2009.The stability Steyn provided in that time has meant South Africa have usually had the luxury of pushing for wins rather than settling for draws. They tended to prefer time in the game than time out, but without Steyn, that dynamic has shifted. Time out – and there could be more of it with rain also forecast on Monday and Tuesday – could allow them to save the blushes after their batting blunder. But it will also leave the series open wide enough for them to begin plotting an unlikely coup, even with their new attack.

Bayern Munich are reported to be weighing up their options to bring in cover for Harry Kane ahead of next season.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Bayern eyeing Burkardt in summerMainz hoping to keep strikerDepth behind Kane is lackingFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to , Mainz forward Jonathan Burkardt has appeared on Bayern's transfer radar ahead of the summer. The 24-year-old is described as "one of several" options the Bundesliga giants are looking at to serve as a back-up to chief goal-scorer Kane. Burkardt is considered affordable and is also favourably represented by the same agency as Bayern skipper Manuel Neuer.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

After previously enjoying a breakout season in 2021-22, Burkardt has come storming back in 2024-25 following a long-term injury that affected his two previous campaigns. His 15 Bundesliga goals have Mainz third in the table and seriously in the hunt for unprecedented Champions League qualification, but he will shortly enter the final two years of his contract. Even if Bayern don't formalise their interest, Burkardt isn't likely to be short of suitors, with Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt and unnamed Premier League clubs said to be pursuing him.

WHAT MAINZ SAID

"I can imagine that European Cup matches with Mainz 05 would be a motivation for Jonny," sporting director Niko Bungert recently told German media, referencing the club being on course to dine at the continent's top table come the autumn.

GettyWHAT NEXT?

If not Burkardt, a striker is an important part of Bayern's recruitment puzzle ahead of next season. Thomas Muller, due to turn 36 in September, has occasionally filled in for Kane, but the squad's attacking make-up beyond the 32-goal England captain is primarily wingers and No.10-type players. Mathys Tel had served that role in the first half of the season, but was loaned to Tottenham Hotspur in January and wasn't replaced.

The storm is likely to reach its peak over Antigua, where the series was originally scheduled to begin on September 16

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Sep-2022The schedule of matches for the West Indies vs New Zealand women’s series has been rejigged*, after the impact of the tropical storm Fiona forced the organisers to postpone the first game, scheduled for Friday in Antigua. The three ODIs will now be played on Monday (Sep 19), Thursday (Sep 22) and Sunday (Sep 25), followed by the five T20Is. All the matches will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.The change of dates has been made keeping in mind the possible impact of Fiona over the next couple of days. It has already caused extensive showers in Antigua, and is likely to reach its peak over Antigua and the Leeward Islands later on Friday.”We have put player safety at the forefront of this decision and will be working very closely with New Zealand Cricket to protect all the internationals matches via a revised schedule if possible,” CWI director of cricket Jimmy Adams said in a statement a while before the reschedule was made public. “We are very keen to get as much high-quality competitive cricket for our women’s team as possible, especially in this period leading into next year’s Women’s T20 World Cup.”The T20Is will be played between September 28 and October 6.The ODI series counts towards the ICC Women’s Championship and eventual qualification for the 2025 ODI World Cup, while the T20I series serves as preparation for the 2023 T20 World Cup, to be played in February in South Africa. Neither side has played a game in the Women’s Championship cycle so far.It is the first series for West Indies where Hayley Matthews will lead the side as the official captain, and the first since Deandra Dottin announced her retirement rather abruptly last month. It will also be West Indies’ first series in any format since they lost the semi-final to eventual champions Australia in the ODI World Cup in March earlier this year.*September 16, 05.20 GMT – This article was updated after NZC published the new schedule on its website.

Everton need to step up their game. As most Toffees supporters are likely aware, there’s a gruelling run of winter fixtures coming up in the Premier League for Sean Dyche’s men.

They don’t quite teeter on the precipice of the drop zone, but 16th-placed Everton will know that a poor run of results over the next few weeks could be damning – for Dyche, at least.

01/12/24

Man United

Old Trafford

04/12/243

Wolves

Molineux

07/12/24

Liverpool

Goodison Park

14/12/24

Arsenal

Emirates Stadium

22/12/24

Chelsea

Goodison Park

26/12/24

Man City

Etihad Stadium

29/12/24

Nott’m Forest

Goodison Park

The fact is, there’s a long stretch of football still ahead in 2024/25, but Dyche will not last the duration if he does not enforce drastic changes quickly.

Everton's search for a new manager

The fact is, Dyche is skating on thin ice, and the cracks are raking across the sheet. Everton’s drab football is frustrating supporters, with successive goalless draws in the Premier League preceded by a 1-0 defeat against bottom-placed Southampton.

Dyche triumphed in lifting the Toffees away from the relegation zone in 2022/23, but the club have now regressed and there is a growing portion of the fanbase seemingly yearning for change. It’s understandable, and fans might get their wish.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast's Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

With The Friedkin Group set to purchase Farhad Moshiri’s 94% stake in Everton, change is going to arrive at Goodison Park, which is going to undergo change in any case since the Blues are leaving their iconic stadium at the end of the term.

This proud and prestigious outfit wants a more attractive and expansive style to lift the squad back to the upper end of the table and perhaps into Europe.

According to TEAMtalk, former Porto manager Sergio Conceicao could be the man to herald the new era, with Everton believed to be closely monitoring the 50-year-old ahead of a potential swoop this winter, if Dyche is indeed dismissed, having been earmarked as the ‘number one target’ for TFG.

Why Sergio Conceicao would be "incredible"

Hailed in the past for his “incredible” managerial quality by journalist Jerry Mancini, Conceicao would be a significant coup for Everton, should they pull it off. Before Enzo Maresca was appointed at Stamford Bridge, the Portuguese boss was linked with a move to Chelsea.

Given his Portuguese roots, Conceicao could prove to be Everton’s own version of Ruben Amorim, with his possession-based and attack-minded approach sure to revolutionise Everton’s tactical genetics in the same way that Amorim is tipped to transform Manchester United.

His 4-2-3-1 formation would see Evertonians at least assimilate his teachings in a framework not too dissimilar to Dyche’s but the actual tactical philosophy would differ wildly.

With three Liga Portugal titles and eight more across domestic fronts with Porto, Conceicao – like former Sporting boss Amorim – has the winning mentality that Everton need to begin a new journey and move toward the limelight once again. Moreover, he has a superior head-to-head record against the Red Devils’ new boss.

Ruben Amorim

16

7

5

4

1.63

Marco Silva

6

1

1

4

0.67

Jurgen Klopp

6

0

1

5

0.17

Nuno Espirito Santo

4

1

1

2

1.00

Mikel Arteta

2

1

0

1

1.50

Pep Guardiola

2

0

1

1

0.75

Unai Emery

1

0

0

1

0.00

Fluid in his approach, Conceicao is adaptable depending on the opponent and willing to tweak his set-up should the situation demand it. This bodes well for a prospective role with Everton, for he could ensure that the English outfit are dynamic and capable of keeping teams guessing.

Such qualities could even see him enhance the qualities of players such as Dwight McNeil and Iliman Ndiaye, perhaps Everton’s most exciting attacking players in a colourless landscape this term.

McNeil has principally been a winger throughout his Everton career but has been utilised in a central attacking midfield role this term to great effect, notching three goals and three assists in the Premier League while averaging 2.7 key passes per game, as per Sofascore.

Ndiaye has taken his place on the left channel, ranking among the top 4% of attacking midfielders and wingers across the Premier League this season for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, suggesting that there is just reasoning behind the decision.

It’s all just a little rigid is the problem. However, that could change with a more expansive and attack-minded manager in Conceicao. With Dyche at the helm, it’s hard to envisage Everton rising to the level that they so desire.

His fiery response to alleged comments made by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta – whom he claimed “insulted” him when Porto met the Gunners back in March – aligns with the fiercely candid demeanour of Amorim and suggests that he would slot right into Premier League football on Merseyside.

Not that the Toffees are ready to go toe-toe with the likes of Arteta and Guardiola at the Premier League summit, yet the appointment of Conceicao could certainly nudge them a fair bit closer.

Lukaku 2.0: Dyche must unleash "devastating" Everton star to save his job

Sean Dyche has been under pressure in his role as Everton boss in recent weeks.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 28, 2024

Potts has retained his place, while Billings has been dropped following Foakes’ recovery after a bout of Covid-19

Vithushan Ehantharajah02-Aug-2022England have handed a recall to Ollie Robinson for the upcoming home Test series with South Africa.Robinson, the right-arm seamer whose last Test appearance was against Australia in Hobart in January this year, has made the squad of 14 for the first two matches of the three-match series after a battle with an array of ailments that kept him out of action for almost two months. After coming through problems with his back, Covid-19, and dental issues, he will be in line to add to his nine caps so far.Related

England's summer slump leaves T20 WC plans in a mess

Mott braced for 'hard decisions' as T20 WC selection looms

England return to Pakistan after 17 years

Robinson, 28, has had a mixed start to his Test cricketer, despite exemplary overall figures of 39 dismissals at an average of 21.28. His debut at Lord’s at the start of last summer was marred by the emergence of historic offensive tweets, before he put that behind him to emerge as England’s standout bowler of 2021 and earning a spot as one of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year. However, he was publicly admonished for his fitness during the 4-0 Ashes defeat, something which came in for further scrutiny when he was unable to play a part in England’s tour of the Caribbean in March.He began the 2022 summer looking to put that problem behind him only for back spasms and other niggles to restrict him to just four first-class appearances by the middle of May. But 4 for 44 and 5 for 66 in his return to County Championship action for Sussex against Nottinghamshire last week, getting through 36.1 overs, showed Robinson was back on the right path. He will continue to prove his game-readiness by turning out for the England Lions in their four-day match against the South Africans at Canterbury, which begins on August 9. ESPNcricinfo understands batter Harry Brook, also a member of the 14-man squad, will play in this match too.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe finishing touches on the squad were made by the selection committee on Monday, with Brendon McCullum dialling in from New Zealand. He is due to be back in England by the start of next week.Robinson was expected to be part of the Lions squad, which is expected to be named on Friday. But an injury to Surrey quick Jamie Overton, who made his debut in the final Test against New Zealand at Headingley, saw them pick Robinson in the main group. Robinson was due to represent Manchester Originals in the Hundred, which starts on Wednesday, but opted to continue at Sussex and play in their Royal London Cup matches instead.Durham’s Matthew Potts, one of the beneficiaries of Robinson’s absence, retained his place in the squad after 18 dismissals from his four Tests this summer. Wicketkeeper-batter Sam Billings has dropped out now that Ben Foakes has recovered from his bout of Covid-19, which led to him being replaced during the Headingley Test.