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The England youngster was involved in a rare moment of quality in a difficult game for Sonia Bompastor's side as they extended their lead at the top

Chelsea nearly came unstuck against a plucky Leicester City side again on Wednesday, but escaped from a difficult evening with all three points thanks to goals from Catarina Macario, Aggie Beever-Jones and Erin Cuthbert. The Foxes held the Blues to a draw in December, representing the first winless game of Sonia Bompastor's reign – with the second only coming on Sunday in a 2-2 result at Brighton, and they were a tricky opponent again in the rematch, even if the reigning Women's Super League champions managed to come away with a 3-1 win.

Macario's goal from a deflected free-kick, which wrong-footed goalkeeper Janina Leitzig in the eighth minute, was Chelsea's only shot on target in a disappointing and disjointed first half, one disrupted by a lengthy stoppage when England youngster Ruby Mace was stretchered off. A rare moment of quality doubled that lead early in the second period, as Mayra Ramirez's backheel put Beever-Jones through to finish, but it wouldn't put the game to bed as the Blues might've hoped.

Despite losing a key player in Mace, Leicester grew in confidence in the game, best evidenced by the gorgeous scooped finish that Yuka Momiki produced to halve the deficit before the hour. It was no less than the Foxes deserved, but they could not turn it into more, as Bompastor looked to her stacked bench to wrestle some of the momentum back.

Cuthbert's curling strike in the final minutes, which came just after she crashed another effort off the bar, made the scoreline flatter the Blues, who extended their lead at the top of the WSL table to eight points.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Kingsmeadow…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Hannah Hampton (6/10):

Positioned herself well to deal with any Leicester threats, making a few comfortable saves as a result.

Lucy Bronze (5/10):

A little sloppy in possession at times and didn't always make the best decisions on the ball.

Nathalie Bjorn (5/10):

Awareness of the space she was responsible for felt lacking at times. Went off with more than half an hour to go.

Millie Bright (6/10):

Had a few sloppy moments, but generally mopped up well at the back where needed.

Niamh Charles (6/10):

Battled well in defence, winning possession back more than any other player, but found her attacking impact limited.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMidfield

Oriane Jean-Francois (6/10):

Did her job well enough, covering her defenders where needed and moving the ball around nicely. Just lacked a bit of help in a defensive sense in the midfield at times.

Maika Hamano (6/10):

After finding herself somewhat limited in her position in the first half, seemed to be pushed further forward in the second and immediately played an important role in Chelsea's second goal. Was much better from there.

Catarina Macario (6/10):

Was always looking to get on the ball and get involved, even if her end product wasn't always there. Free-kick broke the deadlock and another went close, too.

Getty Images SportAttack

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (5/10):

Offered plenty of endeavour down the right, albeit without the final ball to make a difference.

Mayra Ramirez (6/10):

Couldn't really pick the ball up and run at defenders like she so often does. Produced a gorgeous backheel to put Beever-Jones through to double Chelsea's lead, however.

Aggie Beever-Jones (6/10):

Showed good movement off the ball to be an option when Chelsea got forward, with her run through to finish and make it 2-0 great evidence of that. Did lose possession in a dangerous area for Leicester's goal, though can't shoulder all that blame.

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Subs & Manager

Wieke Kaptein (7/10):

Came on before the hour to add some steel to the midfield and she did exactly that, while also offering a good attacking threat.

Ashley Lawrence (6/10):

Took up the right-back role for the final half hour or so and didn't do too much wrong.

Erin Cuthbert (7/10):

Made her return from a rib injury in the final 20 minutes and her impact was significant, with a fantastic late strike one of three troubling efforts she sent towards the away goal.

Sjoeke Nusken (N/A):

A late introduction to help see the game out.

Sonia Bompastor (6/10):

Lack of any flowing passing moves felt in part due to the lack of a proper midfield deployed, with Jean-Francois sat behind two players who are essentially forwards. There was not much shape in the middle as a result and that hurt the team as a whole. Improved when changes were made, at least.

Liverpool are yet to offer Mohamed Salah a new deal – much to the player’s disappointment – and an important new update regarding the situation has emerged.

Salah's Liverpool future in doubt

The 32-year-old was the Reds’ match-winner yet again over the weekend, helping his team come from 2-1 down to win 3-2 away to Southampton in the Premier League. He grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck when they most needed him, pouncing to score the equaliser and then firing home the winning goal from the penalty spot.

After the game, however, Salah admitted that Liverpool are yet to contact him over a new deal, claiming he is more likely to leave than stay as things stand: “We are almost in December and I haven’t received any offers yet to stay in the club. I’m probably more out than in. You know I have been in the club for many years. There is no club like this. But in the end, it is not in my hands.”

It goes without saying that the Egyptian’s comments are concerning during a period where he still looks as world-class as he has ever been, consistently getting the Reds out of trouble this season.

The hope is that the situation changes dramatically in the coming weeks and months, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk also hopefully committing their futures, but it feels like a precarious situation for the Reds to overcome.

New update over Salah's Liverpool contract

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, there is one main issue stalling Salah’s contract negotiations at Liverpool, with the Egyptian King wanting a new three-year deal or a two-year extension with an option to extend for a further 12 months.

It is claimed that “the length of contract is a concern for the club’s owner Fenway Sports Group” given the £350,000-a-week wages he is currently on.

This does at least shed a little light on the situation, but supporters are right to still side with Salah considering how well he is playing, not to mention the fact that he looks like he can play well into his 30s at this level.

The idea of the Liverpool legend moving on in 2025 doesn’t bear thinking about, with Arne Slot heaping praise on him after the Southampton game, saying:

“That is what special players do. They can score out of nowhere. It wasn’t completely out of nowhere as it was a great ball by Ryan Gravenberch. Mo is known for the timing of his runs, he finds the right moment and scores the goal.”

At this point, keeping hold of Salah is arguably even more important than retaining the services of Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk, with arguably no player in the Premier League this season impressing this consistently.

5/10 star must no longer be a regular starter for Slot's Liverpool

Liverpool had a few notable underperformers against Southampton.

ByMatt Dawson Nov 25, 2024

It is vital that Slot ensures that this situation doesn’t act as a distraction to his players amid their title charge, especially ahead of a hugely important home clash with Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

The chief selector says the decision to omit Fawad Alam was based purely on merit

Umar Farooq16-Apr-2018Unfazed by the severe criticism concerning the omission of batsman Fawad Alam, chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq insisted he has seen “better players in the last three years”. He has been passed over for national selection, and this time, it ignited nationwide anger.Alam’s selection – or lack thereof – has been an enigma for years. Despite the mounds of runs he accumulates year upon year in domestic cricket – his average in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy over the past four years has been 40.71, 55.54, 56 and 71.90 – the left-hander has been overlooked for Tests by various selection committees and captains over the past eight years. He made his Test debut in 2009, scoring 168, and played a further Test against New Zealand later that year, but was subsequently dropped, and hasn’t played Test cricket since. During the intervening years, he made it into the limited-overs squads occasionally and went on to play 38 ODIs and 24 T20Is until 2015. But it is Test cricket he is best suited to, his average in the first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy consistently well over 50.He was called up by Inzamam among the 25 probables in the fitness camp ahead of the Ireland and England tour, only to be overlooked yet again.”Fawad Alam is an outstanding player but in the last three years there are others at the top of the list,” Inzamam told ESPNcricinfo. “We got him here in the nets but we found Saad Ali to be better, and the decision to prefer Saad was unanimous, with input from all the coaching staff and captain. Fawad is a good player and we obviously can’t ignore his career average; that is why he was brought into the camp. During my tenure, I have given 12 to 14 players an opportunity and none of them have disappointed us. If you look back in the past three seasons, there are players who have scored more runs than Fawad Alam.”Dropping any player doesn’t mean we are disregarding them. It’s easy to pick players following scorecards or statistics, but there are many more things we take into consideration. I am not sure why Fawad wasn’t picked in the past before me but if you ask me about my tenure as chief selector, I have seen better players.”ESPNcricinfo LtdAlam was last picked in a Test squad in 2015 that played three matches against England, but he never made it into the playing XI. He sat out for several years because of a settled middle order comprising Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Younis Khan and Asad Shafiq. But with the exit of Misbah and Younis, Alam’s prospects looked bright. Instead, the selectors opted to bring in younger players , recalling left-hand batsman Harris Sohail, investing in Sami Aslam, and now Usman Salahuddin and Saad Ali – who scored 957 runs at an average of 68.35 in last year’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.”I am not taking away anything from Fawad, as he has scored a lot of runs in domestic cricket at a great average. When there is a competition, some players get left out, but that doesn’t mean their career ends there,” Inzamam said. “We haven’t ignored him, we have actually given an opportunity to a few others we thought were more suited to English conditions. Last season, we had tough bowling conditions in the QeA, and Saad Ali was a stand-out performer, and that is why he was preferred. I have spoken to Fawad on many occasions and given him the confidence to keep on working hard.”I know people are very critical about his non-selection but we need to see things in perspective. People have expectations and they want to see their team win every game which brings a lot of responsibility on us. I have nothing against any player. We have a responsibility and what is important is we do not fail it. We must select players on merit. I am lucky that most of my picks so far are paying off well, and we now have a bigger pool of players.”Talk of merit invariably raises the uncomfortable topic of Imam-ul-Haq in the team. Imam is Inzamam’s nephew, and his selection for the tour of England raised eyebrows, particularly because he had a slightly worse average than Alam in the 2016-17 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, the last season both of them played the competition together. Imam was, however, the third-highest run-scorer that year in the competition, and was picked for the ODI series against Sri Lanka, and ended up scoring a century on debut.”Picking Imam is a tough decision but this is one decision I didn’t take,” Inzamam said. “People might be cynical about this but the head coach [Mickey Arthur], batting coach [Grant Flower] and other selectors made the decision to select Imam. I am the part of the discussion group, but I didn’t say anything about it. The report given by trainers and coaches about him showed a significant improvement in his skill and fitness levels. He was already in the system even before my becoming selector, so associating me shouldn’t be a point of discussion.”

Newcastle United have started slow in the Premier League this season but have the opportunity on Sunday to make it successive victories, travelling to Bramall Lane to take on Sheffield United.

Earlier this week, Eddie Howe's side drew 0-0 against European giants AC Milan in the Champions League, having returned to the pre-eminent domestic competition after two decades away this year.

That's because a remarkable upswing in performance and results since Howe's appointment and the PIF takeover in 2021 has wiped away the obscurity that the club was engulfed in not too long ago, having finished fourth in the English top-flight last term and doing so at the expense of top divisional outfits such as Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

Sure, Newcastle are now one of the most opulent clubs in world football, and will be able to utilise their wealth on the transfer market to sustain a spot at the forefront of domestic football, challenging for a European spot each year, but they have plied their trade with great diligence and deserve all the plaudits for how this newfound position has been erected.

Newcastle summer signing 23/24

Price (via Sky Sports)

Sandro Tonali

£55m

Harvey Barnes

£39m

Lewis Hall

Loan (£35m obligation to buy)

Tino Livramento

£32m

Yankuba Minteh

Undisclosed

The acquisitions made this summer have enhanced a cohesive crop of players, but thus far, the Tyneside club haven't quite clicked into the same, slick gear that reaped so much success last season.

Why did Newcastle sign Sandro Tonali this summer?

One of the pillars of last term's feats was the robust and reliable midfield trio, with Bruno Guimaraes the "orchestrator" – as he has been dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig – in the middle, and energetic peers Joelinton, Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock all competing for the pivot spots astride the Brazilian's deep-lying position.

Sandro Tonali was purchased from AC Milan in a £55m transfer in July to enrich the ranks with a fresh dimension, a newfound layer of playmaking prowess and creativity to unlock the next level of this side's performance.

Efficient with both feet, intelligent, and clean in his ball retention and passing ability, the 23-year-old's arrival captured the excitement of a devout fanbase, who welcomed a player of immense quality to consolidate the new position of power.

Magpies winger Anthony Gordon lauded the Italy international as "one of the best midfielders in the world", and his addition signalled a possible shift in dynamics in the centre, with Howe open to Guimaraes shifting further upfield.

Tonali is not a traditional No. 6 though, but was utilised in that position by Rossoneri manager Stefano Pioli last term, who recognised the success to be found in his ball-playing skills served from the very centre.

Ranking among the top 12% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists per 90, as per FBref, the £120k-per-week ace is undeniably of first-class quality, but has not found his feet on English soil yet.

Indeed, Tonali has been praised as "incredibly gifted" by former Italy boss Roberto Mancini and already boasts a Serie A title to his name, but has found it tough adapting to life in England thus far, admitting himself that he has struggled with the move somewhat.

Pundit Gabby Agbonlahor issued harsh rebuke for the Newcastle players after losing three of the opening four matches of the Premier League campaign, claiming that they needed to "wake up", while the Daily Mail's Craig Hope noted that he is "struggling to impact" proceedings, after the player indeed failed to impress against his former club on Tuesday night, taking just 20 touches and completing only seven of ten passes across his 72 minutes of action.

There are concerns that the axis of Tonali and Guimaraes is not working, but after such little time to gel together and a very tricky start to the season, playing some of the division's best, it is premature to suggest that it's not going to work.

Regardless, following the stuttering start, perhaps it might have been worthwhile for the Toon to have followed up their interest in OGC Nice centre-midfielder Khephren Thuram, who arguably boasts a more dynamic skill set.

Were Newcastle interested in Khephren Thuram?

Liverpool were known to be tracking Thuram for much of the summer, though Newcastle had also been credited with an interest in the Frenchman, whose French side were rumoured to be willing to discuss terms if their €60m (£52m) asking price was met.

The “midfield star” – as he has been dubbed by 90min's Graeme Bailey – ultimately remained with Nice, though Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be tracking him ahead of a possible move in 2024.

A powerful and multi-functional midfielder, Thuram is neither the natural holding midfielder that some believe Newcastle should have targetted, but he is unequivocally a talented midfielder who would have made a marked improvement on the St. James Park engine.

How good is Khephren Thuram?

Described as an "elite ball carrier" by journalist Zach Lowy, Thuram is typically found across the scope of the midfield, and has impressed for Les Aiglons over the past few years, making 143 appearances, scoring eight goals and supplying 11 assists.

This season, he has started off in Ligue 1 in impressive form, earning an eye-catching average Sofascore rating of 7.26 across his five displays, completing 88% of his passes, making two key passes per game, and averaging 2.2 tackles and five ball recoveries per outing.

Tonali, comparatively, has recorded an average match score of 6.88, scoring on his debut against Aston Villa during a 5-1 rout but since not really excelling, completing 84% of his passes, making one key pass, one tackle and three ball recoveries per game.

Thuram would have provided the energy and exuberance needed, having been called a "monster" by writer Sam McGuire and boasting a far more rounded arsenal to Tonali.

Indeed, the £14k-per-week Frenchman ranks among the top 13% of positional peers for shot-creating actions, the top 3% for progressive carries, the top 5% for successful take-ons and the top 19% for interceptions per 90.

In all likelihood, Tonali will come good and prosper at the highest level, but considering Thuram's expansive skills, it's perhaps a shame that he was not signed to bolster the midfield.

Leeds United's current predicament has come as little surprise to the fanbase, who were forced to bear witness to the steady decline of their club under the clueless ownership of Andrea Radrizzani.

Clearly hitting the jackpot with the appointment of Marcelo Bielsa, it would unfortunately mark the end of their success at Elland Road, as the eventual dismissal of the Argentine set off a catastrophic chain of events that have them currently playing their football in the Championship.

The appointment of Jesse Marsch was ill-advised, as was the decision to leave him in charge for so long, and their desperation at the end of the last campaign was embarrassing, desperately scrambling to find a manager to save them from the mess they had created. Neither Javi Gracia nor Sam Allardyce could achieve such a goal, and they would sell up in the summer.

It is now the turn of the 49ers to hopefully lead the Whites into a brighter future, with their first window in charge marking a largely successful one given the pitfalls left by the old ownership.

The appointment of Daniel Farke marks an intelligent one, and his signings seem largely risk-free investments set to bolster the squad. That being said, they are still unfortunately holding onto some of the dead wood from the previous regime, outlining a slight failure on their part.

Who should Leeds United have sold over summer?

Despite last term's squad being largely responsible for their relegation, no less than 15 senior players jumped ship at the first opportunity.

However, that was not a wholly catastrophic event, given their continued presence might have financially crippled the club had they not earned promotion at the first time of asking.

Not only that, but most had shown themselves to be far from the requisite level to perform for a football club as huge as this one, so their departure was welcomed. Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen will certainly not be missed, but the likes of Junior Firpo and Helder Costa somehow survived the culling.

Retaining the latter, in particular, marks a questionable decision, given how out of favour the Angolan winger has fallen at Elland Road.

Although the 29-year-old enjoyed an impressive initial loan spell and perhaps merited the permanent acquisition, it swiftly became clear that he lacked the consistency to perform within Bielsa's demanding play style. His average rating would drop from 6.76 in the Championship to 6.46 in the Premier League the following year, with his form drawn into question by many, via Sofascore.

Pundit Keith Andrews would claim in 2020 (Sky Sports Main Event 8/2/20 7:55 PM): "You look at a player like Helder Costa, and he’s a shadow of what we saw from when he got promoted in a Wolverhampton Wanderers shirt, and I don’t know what’s gone on there."

Then, a year later, former top-flight goalkeeper Paul Robinson would compile such misery by outlining one torrid display: "He lost his place in the Premier League side and this was his opportunity to prove to Bielsa that he deserves another chance. As an all-round team performance, I thought Leeds were terrible. Helder Costa was absolutely miles off it."

Given he was, as journalist Phil Hay put it, "Leeds’ second most expensive signing" back in 2019, he certainly disappointed.

As such, he was expelled on loan, first to Valencia and later to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad Club, where he has failed to reignite a stuttering career. Despite all of this, somehow Costa remains, slowly draining funds from Elland Road despite offering nothing to the club anymore.

How much did Leeds United sign Helder Costa for?

Having helped Wolverhampton Wanderers to win promotion from the Championship, the former Benfica trickster was enlisted by Bielsa to help them repeat such a trick.

Whilst he would actually offer some value, with his ten goal contributions in the league an admirable and useful return as they won the title, this would be a short-lived success that quickly devolved into a highly lucrative flop.

After all, it had not quite commanded the eventual £16m fee they would pay, which marked a big risk at the time.

What is Helder Costa's salary at Leeds United?

Having been at the club for four years now, although one of those was only on loan, and two more actually saw him sent out on loan, it is tough to pin down exactly how much Costa has taken from the Yorkshire outfit with regard to wages.

His base salary sits at £32.5k-per-week, but has only really spent two full years draining the club.

As such, such a figure has amassed a further £3.4m that Costa has cost Leeds, with Bielsa's purchase marking quite an expensive failure given his longevity and seeming reluctance to depart. In total, the underwhelming dud has snagged £19.4m when combining the initial fee with the wages expended.

Does Helder Costa deserve to earn £32.5k-per-week?

The 5 foot 10 flop does not deserve to earn anything near what he currently does, with his salary made even more impactful following their relegation.

Finances are already tight around Elland Road, with most of those aforementioned summer exits likely enforced to comply with the strict regulations that the Championship imposes on its clubs.

Having since made 71 appearances for the Whites, scoring just eight and assisting a further 11, this paints an even more damning picture, of an attacker that costs £2.4m for every goal he scores.

When does Helder Costa's contract expire?

Fortunately for Farke, the expiry of Costa's deal comes soon, meaning they must wait for one final season to truly be rid of him in the summer of 2024.

When he eventually does leave for free, which all signs suggest he will, it seems like all the fiscal failings surrounding his move will be emphasised given they will recoup no fee for their tricky winger.

Helder Costa's years at Leeds United

Market Value, via Transfermarkt

Percentage Change

2023

£2.7m

37% decrease

2022

£4.3m

49% decrease

2021

£8.5m

17% decrease

2020

£10.3m

N/A

Whilst this deal does not crack the club's most expensive deals of all time, with regard to actual return on investment, it must go down as one of Leeds' worst.

How much has Helder Costa earned in his career?

Although, it should hardly come as a surprise to see Costa struggle, with his career failing to pan out the way it was expected after a bright start back in Portugal.

The nine-cap international has only just managed to hit 52 goals across his entire career, with his quick feet and burst of speed often flattering to deceive.

Despite that, the ex-Wolves star cannot be faulted for the financial incentive his tenure in football has handed him, amassing a total career earning of £9.94m. A mouth-watering figure for a man Farke likely cannot wait to get off his books.

They have made the leap back up to Division One in the County Championship but the road to consolidating their place, let alone contesting the title, is not lacking in hurdles

Melinda Farrell05-Apr-2018Nottinghamshire have made the leap back up to Division One in the County Championship but the road to consolidating their place, let alone contesting the title, is not lacking in hurdles.Talented all-rounder Paul Coughlin is out with a shoulder injury for at least four months, making it unlikely he will play white-ball cricket for his new club this season. After his highly anticipated signing from Durham in September, Coughlin dislocated his shoulder in the outfield while playing for England Lions in the West Indies and required surgery. The loss of his seam bowling is a blow but it is, perhaps, in the batting stakes where Nottinghamshire may feel the squeeze.The Trent Bridge departure lounge was busy in 2018; those moving on included captain Chris Read, Brett Hutton, Michael Lumb and Brendan Taylor. More recently, Alex Hales signed a white-ball only contract.

He wants to get better at white-ball cricket, he thinks that’s his real strength. He wants to become one of the best players in the worldNottinghamshire coach Peter Moores on Alex Hales

Nottinghamshire were unsuccessful in securing several batsmen, including Sam Northeast, in the off-season and they remain in the market should someone suitable becomes available. Head coach Peter Moores will look to the experience of new signing Chris Nash and emerging players to push for success in 2018, but he knows any injuries will leave the cupboard bare.”Our staff is actually smaller than we’d like, if I’m honest,” Moores said. “And so, it probably lacks a little bit of depth but it’s a great chance for some of the youngsters and that’s just the way it’s gone.”In some ways, we are waiting for the right sort of player to come along. We’ve been in the market for two or three players in the winter, didn’t get them. But that’s what happens. We’re fine, we’re happy where we are, but if that right player comes along we’d be interested in signing somebody.”Samit Patel struck twice in the first over•PCB/PSLMoores is philosophical and supportive of Hales’ decision to eschew first-class cricket, coming in the same week Adil Rashid signed an exclusive white-ball deal with Yorkshire.”I understand it. I really do,” Moores said. “Alex had thought long and hard about it. It came across to some people that he made a snap decision.”But he’d made that decision, told us about it, thought long and hard about it before Adil Rashid announced it. He’s pretty clear in his goals. He wants to get better at white-ball cricket, he thinks that’s his real strength. He wants to become one of the best players in the world. He’s got areas he needs to work at and he’s got to use the little gaps in between to work on that.”Samit Patel is one Notts player keen to take on more responsibility. After playing a key role in the side’s promotion, the Royal London One-Day title and the Natwest T20 Blast trophy, the allrounder has returned to England with a few new tricks after some “eye-opening” training sessions with Saeed Ajmal and PSL franchise Islamabad United.Patel has never worked with a specialist spin-bowling coach and, while he was naturally coy about the specifics of Ajmal’s advice, he revealed he has made some tweaks and is focusing more on what is happening at the other end of the pitch.”The way he coaches and comes across as a person is really good and just tactically he is really smart,” Patel said. “There’s not too much [difference] as a finger spinner that you’re going to get but subtle variations in actions and things. Not big things but things that I wasn’t aware about on what makes things happen at the other end instead of short term at the crease.”It’s what happens down at the other end that makes [a wicket] happen if that kind of makes sense. Where it lands and how it comes off the pitch. So there’s a little bit of a difference in what happens this year compared to previous years.”The 33-year-old has made no secret of his desire to play for England but he has added a new goal to his list: he wants to play until he reaches 40.”It’s just a figure in my head that I thought it’d be a good age to play until and if the body allows to be honest,” Patel said. “But at the minute I think it’s pretty realistic.”

Celtic have confirmed the signing of a highly-rated teenager at Parkhead despite the transfer window now being closed in Scotland.

What's the latest news involving Celtic?

Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers has been talking to the media in his pre-match press conference before Celtic take on Dundee this Saturday and refused to rule out the possibility of bringing some Scottish talent to the club in the near future.

Cited by Football Scotland, Rodgers stated: "Having that identity is very important. If I worked in Spain I would want a Spanish core of players. When I work in Scotland I want a Scottish core of players who understand what it's about. I think you have to look at that moving forward because squad planning is important. We were anticipating there were some players who were going to move on who haven't left the club."

In other news, journalist Dean Jones has told GIVEMESPORT that Celtic are working hard behind to try and tie Denmark Under-21 international Matt O'Riley down to a new deal at Parkhead amid interest from Leeds United in his services during the summer.

Celtic winger Liel Abada has been ruled out until around the Christmas period and will likely miss the Hoops' entire Champions League group stage campaign, as per The Daily Record.

Several widemen now have an opportunity to step up at the club over the next few months, including the likes of Yang Hyun-jun, Luis Palma, Marco Tilio and James Forrest, with Daizen Maeda regularly occupying a berth on the left-hand side for the Hoops.

Who have Celtic signed?

Cited by Australian outlet KEEP UP, Celtic have completed the signing of young defender Liam Bonetig from A-League outfit Western Sydney Wanderers after the 18-year-old impressed during an initial trial period at Parkhead.

Western Sydney Wanderers will receive a training compensation fee for his services and Celtic have once again dipped into the Australian market, having brought in the likes of Aaron Mooy and summer signing Tilio in the recent past.

Speaking to Celtic's official website, Bonetig spoke of his delight at being able to join a club the size of the Scottish Premiership champions, stating: “It’s such a huge club and I couldn’t believe it when Celtic were interested. So I am just glad to get it done."

Bonetig will initially join the academy set-up at Celtic and has signed a three-year deal at the club and has previously been part of an Australian schoolboys tour of the UK & Ireland, winning player of the tour and gaining valuable experience in the process.

Last term, the central defender made nine appearances in the National Premier League – New South Wales for Western Sydney Wanderers' second string, as per Transfermarkt.

During this campaign, Bonetig will be available to play his part in the Lowland League, UEFA Youth League and Premier League International Cup, which will only help to enhance his profile further as he tries to break into the senior squad at Celtic at some point in the future.

Bangladesh’s interim head coach hopes for a big performance from Mustafizur Rahman and his spinners; says Shakib’s inclusion subject to a fitness test

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Colombo15-Mar-2018Bangladesh’s batsmen, led by Mushfiqur Rahim, have had their moments, but the bowlers have underwhelmed. So said stand-in coach Courtney Walsh on the eve of his side’s must-win encounter against Sri Lanka. In their previous match, Bangladesh had conceded 79 runs in a definitive six-over period against India. Even in the game they won, they conceded 214.There has been one bright spark in their attack, however, and this time it is not the young left-armer with the magic wrists. It is Rubel Hossain who has been Bangladesh’s best, maintaining an economy of 8.22 in three matches. Along the way, he has picked up four wickets. One of those was the wicket of Shikhar Dhawan, who was bowled by perhaps the ball of the tournament so far: a late-swinging, yorker that zipped past Dhawan’s outside edge and flattened middle stump.”Rubel has been very consistent,” Walsh said. “If the other guys stepped up, it would give us a little more cushion. I would be lying if I said I thought we bowled well. We have bowled okay, but not as well as we can. The improvement is coming, but not as quickly as we would like. If we can put it all together, it will be a big plus for us in Friday’s game.””Spinners also have not been as spot-on as we like them to be. They have had good patches. But if everyone did their bit, it will give us a very good chance.”Among those who have under-performed at the Nidahas Trophy has been Mustafizur Rahman, whose 12 overs have gone at 9.75 runs apiece, though he has also taken four wickets in the competition. His cutters have been only sporadically effective on Khettarama decks that have atypically failed to reward revolutions on the ball.Friday’s virtual semi-final will be played on a fresh pitch, which means that seam and swing may be more reliable fast-bowling weapons than cutters. “Someone like Mustafizur Rahman having a good game will help us tremendously,” Walsh said. “I am hoping he can step up to the plate in this crucial game. I know he can. He had some fantastic games in PSL so it is a case of turning it around here. One game can make a difference. It could be his game, or another bowler’s game, but we’re hoping that he comes good.”The attack would appear to have been bolstered with news that Shakib Al Hasan is joining the team ahead of this game, but Walsh was reluctant to suggest Shakib is a certainty for the playing XI. Though he will be with the team in the approach to the game, Shakib is expected to take a fitness test for his injured finger that has kept him out since mid-January.”He is on his way. Like any other player he will be assessed. If he is fit, someone of his class and calibre will be considered to play.”

Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon systematically dismantled South Africa’s batting order on the second day in Durban to give Australia a 189-run lead

The Report by Brydon Coverdale02-Mar-2018
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsThis was the reason South Africa picked an extra batsman. Australia’s attack, led by Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon, systematically dismantled South Africa’s batting order on the second day in Durban; such was Australia’s complete dominance that it seemed an achievement for South Africa even to avoid the follow-on. Starc wrapped up the day neatly with a five-wicket haul to dismiss South Africa for 162 in reply to Australia’s 351.If the first four sessions of the Test seemed rather low-key, the octane level rose considerably after lunch on day two. Last time the teams met in Durban, in 2009, Australia did not even pick a specialist spinner, but here Lyon struck twice in his first over of the Test, removing Dean Elgar and Hashim Amla to open up South Africa’s order for the fast men. Pat Cummins then broke through with a fierce bumper, before Starc began his procession through the middle and lower order.Only AB de Villiers looked like pushing South Africa to a competitive total, but almost inevitably he ran out of partners, left unbeaten on 71 when the final wicket fell to finish the day’s play. Fittingly, it was Starc who put the icing on the cake, or to coin a more appropriate Australianism, the coconut on the lamington, by trapping Kagiso Rabada lbw and smashing the stumps of Morne Morkel. Starc finished with 5 for 34, his best work having been done against the right-handers earlier.Mitchell Starc removed Faf du Plessis•Getty ImagesLike a hustler of the highest order, Starc played the angles to perfection and conned mark after mark into nibbling outside off stump. Coming around the wicket, he found the perfect line and often enough moved the ball away, beating edges not left, right and centre, but left, left and left. This method first accounted for Faf du Plessis for 15, then Theunis de Bruyn – the extra batsman not helping South Africa – for 6, and finally Vernon Philander for 8.It was an exquisite display of left-arm pace bowling, though Starc had support from all other members of Australia’s attack. Lyon was the man who sowed the first seeds of doubt in South Africa’s minds. His second ball of the Test caught Elgar’s leading edge and was brilliantly taken by the bowler leaping to his right, and three balls later Hashim Amla’s inside edge was snapped up at short leg by Cameron Bancroft to give Lyon a double-wicket maiden.He later returned to add a third wicket, Quinton de Kock’s recent batting struggles continuing when he was bowled by Lyon’s quicker delivery for 20. Josh Hazlewood chipped in by rattling the stumps of Keshav Maharaj, which meant all four of Australia’s bowlers were wicket-takers. Cummins had earlier ended an enterprising innings of 32 from Aiden Markram, who could only fend an accurate short ball to Bancroft in close.Markram was the only batsman beside de Villiers who threatened to worry the Australians. But really, de Villiers was in a league of his own. He scored all around the ground and was especially strong through the leg side, striking 11 boundaries on the way to his highest Test score since his recent return to the side. But one man making a half-century was nowhere near enough; South Africa needed a more even list of contributors, as Australia had possessed.The day had started with Australia on 225 for 5 with Mitchell Marsh and Tim Paine at the crease. Paine edged behind off Rabada early, but Marsh compiled useful partnerships with Starc and Lyon to continue frustrating the South Africans.Marsh seemed destined for a century, which would have been his second in consecutive Test innings, when he tried to bring up the milestone with a boundary over mid-on, where the giant Morkel hurled his hands up to clutch the chance. Had Temba Bavuma been fit and fielding there, Marsh might have had his hundred. Instead he fell for 96, but his impressively patient innings was more than enough for Australia to post a competitive total.Starc had provided an entertaining cameo of 35 from 25 deliveries, clubbing two sixes over deep midwicket off Maharaj and striking four fours, including three in one Morkel over, before he was bowled by Maharaj. Cummins had fallen in similar fashion, bowled through the gate by Maharaj, though after an innings very different from that of Starc – Cummins occupied the crease for 38 balls for his 3 runs. His innings was just about the last quiet passage of play for the whole day.

Former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder and club icon Carlton Palmer has given his verdict on what he thinks about two of the Owls' summer signings.

When Sunderland got promoted from League One in 2022, they entered the Championship with one of the strongest squads in the league – Black Cats’ sporting director Kristjaan Speakman managed to recruit the likes of Édouard Michut, Daniel Ballard and Amad Diallo, who would help the side finish in the playoffs.

Sheffield Wednesday on the other hand hasn’t managed to recruit as well as their new league rivals since their promotion to the Championship and losing manager Darren Moore only makes their fight for survival much harder.

Former Watford boss Xisco Muñoz was appointed as Moore’s successor, however, the Spaniard is struggling to guide his side to points.

The Owls currently sit 23rd in the Championship with their only point coming in a lacklustre 0-0 draw to Yorkshire rivals Leeds United.

And Palmer hasn't been too impressed by the deadline-day acquisitions of Jeff Hendrick and John Buckley…

What has Carlton Palmer said about Wednesday's transfer business?

Speaking to FootballLeagueWorld this week, Palmer said:

"Sheffield Wednesday needed to bring in some Championship experienced players into their squad, so on deadline day, they secured the services of John Buckley.

“It was believed that Buckley was the subject of a £3 million pound bid from Swansea on a permanent deal, but Buckley rejected the move to stay up north.

"Buckley has fallen down the pecking order at Blackburn starting only 21 games last season, but at 23, has played over 100 Championship games, so is a useful acquisition."

Palmer then turned his attention to Hendrick. The former Leeds United midfielder added:

"Hendrick is 31, is experienced, and has a lot of Championship experience.

"He spent last season out on loan at Reading playing 45 league games. Although they were relegated, that was due to the six-point deduction. So, [Hendrick is] another useful acquisition.

"Both are not top-drawer signings but useful additions to the squad."

Who have Sheffield Wednesday signed this season?

Wednesday’s deadline day business may save them from relegation as they managed to get a few additions through the door. One signing that the three-time FA Cup winners signed was Irish midfielder Hendrick from Newcastle United.

The 31-year-old had seen his minutes vanish at Newcastle United as the Magpies invested heavily in their midfield with the Dublin-born midfielder being nowhere near the quality of £55m rated Sandro Tonali or £42.7m Bruno Guimarães.

Name of signing Former club Price as per Transfermarkt Djeidi Gassama PSG 850k Pol Valentín Sporting Gijón 250k Juan Delgado Paços de Ferreira Free Di'Shon Bernard Manchester United Free Anthony Musaba Monaco Free Ashley Fletcher Watford Loan Devis Vásquez AC Milan Loan Mohamed Diaby Portimonense Loan Jeff Hendrick Newcastle United Loan John Buckley Blackburn Rovers Loan Bambo Diaby Preston North End N/A Reece James Blackpool N/A The £1.2m valued midfielder played three times for Newcastle in the 2021/22 season and was later shipped off to Reading the next year. During his time at the Royals, Hendrick played 45 times in the Championship scoring four and assisting once as his side were relegated.The Owls also reinforced on deadline day with 23-year-old John Buckley arriving on loan from Blackburn Rovers.Like Hendrick, Buckley also plays in the centre of the park and has already played 130 times for the Riversiders despite his relatively young age. Last season, the hard-working midfielder averaged 0.43 yellow cards a game (seven in total), so Muñoz may want to have a chat with his new signing about being less aggressive when defending.Whether Palmer is right in his assessment remains to be seen, but after the international break, the Spaniard will be hoping the arrival of these two midfielders will help change their fortunes on the pitch or they will face an instant return to the doldrums of League One.