Tag Futebol

There was no famous farewell at Galle but Rangana Herath was happy it was “the right time” for him to retire from international competition

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Nov-2018Rangana Herath finished his final Test sliding on his front in one last effort to make his ground. It was not quite enough – his run-out capping a 211-run defeat for Sri Lanka – but although there was no famous farewell at Galle, his favourite venue, Herath was happy it was “the right time” for him to retire from international competition.”As always, losing is not a good result but this is part of the game,” he said. “We [wanted to] have played much better cricket, as we used to play. Hopefully the guys will come back strongly for the second and third.Herath had taken Test cricket series-by-series for about two years now, but it was the realisation that he had not been fit enough to play a three-Test series right through over the past 18 months that prompted his decision to retire after the first Test. For several years he has been nursing knee injuries, and had also picked up a back complaint more recently.”It’s an emotional situation, but all in all everybody has to take a decision at the right time. I’m thankful for all those years that I have played, all the people behind me, especially team-mates, Sri Lanka Cricket, I must thank every single person who’s behind me.”It’s been a privilege and honour to play for my country, because in Sri Lanka we have 22 million people, so very few get the opportunity to play for Sri Lanka, so that’s a remarkable achievement and honour for any player.”Herath finished with 433 Test wickets, the most by a left-arm bowler, putting him eighth on the all-time list. He waspresented with a plaque from his team-mates, as well as a shirt and a trophy, and a coin to commemorate being the first slow left-armer to 400 Test wickets.Although he has hung up his boots for Sri Lanka, Herath is still planning to turn out for his club in domestic cricket – once he has worked out arrangements with his employer, Sampath Bank, of course.Asked if he would miss it, he said: “Of course, playing cricket, yes. I wish to play some first-class cricket, but we’ll see how it goes in the coming months. Firstly I need to go back to where I work and have a bit of a chat, but I wish to play more cricket, not full time.”I’m so proud for Sri Lanka, especially playing for this team, with the people, we get to know each other. The game has given me a lot so I have a lot of respect for the game.”His captain, Dinesh Chandimal, finished the game nursing a grade 1 groin strain that could make him a doubt for the Pallekele Test, where Sri Lanka will also have to contemplate how to re-balance the side in the absence of Herath.”It’s a very hard day for us, we all know how much Rangana has done for the team and Sri Lanka cricket,” Chandimal said. “It’s a very emotional day today and we wish him a really good future. We’ll have to say sorry to him, we couldn’t give him a good farewell in his last game.”Rangana was a really big part of our test team. He has done so much for the team, especially when it comes to off the field, when we have a problem we go to him. He gives good advice, a tremendous man and one of the greatest human beings I’ve ever seen.”Despite a heavy defeat, one that saw England end a two-year run without a victory in away Tests, Herath was confident that Sri Lanka had the capacity to hit back. “I’m 100% confident in the talent we have,” he said. “If you take the recent past, against South Africa and Australia, we have had a very good winning mindset, so we need to get that back.”

MatériaMais Notícias

A CBF (Confederação Brasileira de Futebol) alterou o horário do jogo entre São Paulo x Sport, que será realizado neste domingo (06).Antes, a partida estava marcada para às 20h30 (de Brasília), mas passou para às 16h (de Brasília), no Morumbi, em jogo válido pela 24ª rodada do Brasileirão.

VEJA A TABELA DO CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO

RelacionadasSão PauloSão Paulo faz último treino antes do Goiás; Arboleda deve ser titularSão Paulo02/12/2020São PauloSão Paulo define data da eleição para presidente; veja detalhes do pleitoSão Paulo02/12/2020São PauloArboleda celebra retorno entre titulares do São Paulo e almeja títuloSão Paulo01/12/2020

Nesta quinta-feira (03), o São Paulo entra em campo às 19h (de Brasília), contra o Goiás, na Serrinha, em partida remarcada da primeira rodada do Brasileirão. O Sport, por sua vez, não disputará nenhuma partida neste meio de semana.

Vale ressaltar que a partida entre Santos x Palmeiras, que seria disputada no domingo às 16h, foi remarcada para o sábado, às 17h. Essa alteração pode ter levado a CBF a alterar o horário da partida do Tricolor.

The South African crunched a 55-ball hundred which overwhelmed the Loughborough Lightning attack

Raf Nicholson27-Aug-20182:03

‘The team pulled together and I’m so proud’ – Lee

ScorecardA magnificent 55-ball century from Lizelle Lee took Surrey Stars to their maiden Kia Super League title, her side racking up 183 or 6 – their highest KSL total – before bowling Loughborough Lightning out for 117.Fellow South Africans Marizanne Kapp and Dane van Niekerk then combined in lethal fashion to wipe out the Lightning top order, only three of their top six making it into double figures, before 19-year-old Mady Villiers finished off the tail with 3 for 22.Put in to bat for the second time in the day, Stars had got off to another tentative start, with Bryony Smith and Sarah Taylor once again falling cheaply. By the end of the Powerplay they had accrued just 44 for 2 – an identical score to their semi-final Powerplay against Western Storm earlier in the day.Stars’ eventual total, though, was 21 runs clear of their semi-final score, with the difference this time being one player: Lee. Taking the Lightning bowlers by the scruff of the neck from the outset, she wasted no time in belting Jenny Gunn over mid-off for the first six of Finals Day, before punishing the fourth over from Sophie Devine for four consecutive boundaries.When her hundred came, brought up in characteristic fashion in the 16th over with a boundary through backward square leg, she had dished out similar punishments to each of the six Lightning bowlers. If any innings sums up Lee it was this one: far from pretty – at one point she swung and missed at the ball so hard that she ended up firmly on her backside behind the crease – yet nonetheless effective, built on sheer brute force.While she rode her luck throughout, surviving several chances off left-arm spinner Kirstie Gordon’s opening over – the closest a catch put down on the long-off boundary by Georgia Adams, when Lee was on 37 and had barely got going – it was to prove no consolation for the disillusioned Lightning attack.At the other end for much of the onslaught was captain Nat Sciver, the pair sharing a 111-run partnership for the third wicket. Sciver, fresh from her unbeaten 72 in the semi-final, was content to play second fiddle for much of the innings, though she produced some beautiful cover drives on her way to a 31-ball 40.Neither finished the innings unbeaten – leading tournament wicket-taker Gordon adding the scalp of Lee to her successes as she was finally caught at long-off in the 17th over – but a 15-run cameo from van Niekerk ensured Stars cleared 180.It was an intimidating total for Lightning and the loss of early wickets putting them on the back foot immediately. The injury of leading batsman Devine, who had to leave the field during Stars’ innings after being struck on the wrist fielding a ball struck by Sciver, did not help matters, the absence perhaps contributing to her early dismissal lbw to Kapp in the second over of the innings. van Niekerk also struck early, sending England’s Amy Jones back to the pavilion in the following over, before her two in two balls in the 10th did for Georgia Elwiss and Adams, and Loughborough sank to 63 for 6 at the halfway point.But it was Stars’ young bowlers who impressed most, Sophia Dunkley having the dangerous-looking Rachael Haynes caught at point and Villiers adding three wickets to her KSL haul, wrapping up the Lightning innings with a four-over spell that included 11 dot balls. In last year’s competition Stars received much criticism after failing to hand the ball to any of their non-internationals once. It was fitting, then, that it was their young bowlers who helped them finally, three seasons in, lift the KSL trophy.

An Anderson delivery did damage to the middle finger of the keeper’s left hand, but he is expected bat for England if needed

Melinda Farrell at Trent Bridge20-Aug-2018Jonny Bairstow gave England an unwelcome injury scare, sustaining a fractured finger before lunch on the third day at Trent Bridge, raising the prospect of a keeping and batting reshuffle being needed for the fourth Test, but he is expected to be able to bat as England try to survive two days or score 521 for victory.Bairstow was struck on the left hand in the 44th over after Cheteshwar Pujara left a James Anderson ball that swerved significantly. The blow clearly left the wicketkeeper in intense pain as he rolled on the ground, clutching his injured hand.Jos Buttler took the gloves for Englnad as Bairstow was taken to hospital for scans, which revealed a “small fracture” to the tip of the middle finger of his left hand but it was not displaced which improves Bairstow’s chances of a swifter recovery.”We will see how it is in the morning, it is fracture but it’s not displaced which is the good thing,” Bairstow told Channel 5. “We are hopeful with more icing overnight and a bit of protection. It’s the middle finger and it’s my top hand, so I tend not to use it much”It’s part and parcel of keeping wicket, you will cop a few on your fingers. It wobbled and did what it typically does in England sometimes does, so unfortunately copped it on the end.”The impact on Bairstow beyond the conclusion of this Test will be assessed in the coming days, but while the gloves can pass to Buttler in a reasonably seamless shift – a move championed by some, including ESPNcricinfo analyst Mark Butcher, as the way England should balance their Test side – if he was ruled out it would leave England needing to bring someone into the middle order for the Ageas Bowl Test which starts on August 30.”The doc’s been working on him this evening to relieve a bit of pressure in the nail, so hopefully when needed he’ll be okay,” Paul Farbrace, England’s assistance coach, said. “A lot will depend on how the next few days go, and the soreness in terms of catching balls on a consistent basis. We’ll have to see how he goes.”I’m no expert on broken fingers, but because it’s not a displaced break, then he should be okay, and it’s just a case of managing the pain level as opposed to doing any further damage. There’ll be a big bit of plastic stuck over his glove. Let’s see how he goes over the next couple of days. If there was a risk of making it worse, he wouldn’t bat.”Upon his return to the ground, Bairstow sat on the balcony of the home dressing room with his left hand plunged into a pint glass filled with ice. As Bairstow’s injury was external, as per the rules he would be able to bat whenever required even though he didn’t return to the field. Bairstow is currently England’s leading run-scorer in this series with 206 runs, including two fifties.

MatériaMais Notícias

As eleições do Vasco para o triênio 2021/2023 têm mais um capítulo. Na manhã desta quarta, os presidentes de poderes do clube divulgaram uma nota em que reconhecem Leven Siano (Somamos) como novo presidente e criticam o Faues Mussa (presidente da Assembleia Geral). Vale destacar que atual mandatário Alexandre Campello, que é desafeto de Mussa e se desentendeu com Siano durante a eleição presencial do último sábado, não participou do manifesto.

Sendo assim, assinaram o presidente do Conselho Deliberativo, Roberto Monteiro, o do Conselho Fiscal, Edmilson Valentim, e o do Conselho dos Beneméritos, Sílvio Godoi. Nela, eles não só defendem a manutenção do resultado de sábado como pedem aos torcedores para se unirem pela “normalização institucional”.

RelacionadasVascoReforço na Colina! Vasco anuncia oficialmente a contratação de Jadson, ex-Portimonense-PORVasco11/11/2020VascoOs cinco candidatos: quem é quem no imbróglio judicial do VascoVasco10/11/2020VascoBenítez será comprado ou não pelo Vasco? ‘Decisão conjunta com o próximo presidente’Vasco10/11/2020

Confira a nota dos Presidentes dos poderes do Vasco

Os Presidentes dos poderes do Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama, abaixo nominados, vêm a público declarar:

1)A eleição ocorrida no dia 07 de novembro, contando com expressivo número de sócios eleitores do Vasco, cumpriu rigorosamente o estatuto e representa de forma cristalina a vontade dos sócios.

2)Quando, neste mesmo dia 07 de novembro, perto das 21hs, chegou a informação de que uma liminar suspendia as eleições, não foi apresentado à Mesa Eleitoral qualquer comunicado oficial sobre a decisão, portanto, naquele momento, isso não afetava a eficácia e a legitimidade do processo eleitoral, que já transcorria há quase 11 horas, com todas as chapas presentes e em campanha.

3)Registramos que a atuação deletéria e parcial do senhor presidente da Assembleia Geral, Faues Cherene Jassus (Mussa), tem conduzido o Club ao caos institucional. Ao contrário de defender o sócio vascaíno, que muitas vezes, com sacrifício pessoal, veio de longe para exercer seu direito de voto, o senhor Mussa, arbitrário e tendencioso, atuou nitidamente para atender aos interesses políticos de determinada chapa composta por seus familiares. A publicação de um “edital” convocando suposta nova “eleição” para o próximo dia 14 é apenas mais um capítulo desta farsa burlesca.

4)Consideramos que os sócios já elegeram seu presidente, Leven Siano, e conclamamos todos os vascaínos e vascaínas a se unirem em torno da legalidade e da democracia, trabalhando pela mais rápida normalização institucional.

Assinam:

Roberto Monteiro – Presidente do Conselho Deliberativo
Edmilson Valentim – Presidente do Conselho Fiscal
Sílvio Godoi – Presidente do Conselho de Beneméritos

Pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor has told Tottenham Hotspur and Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou exactly who they need to replace Richarlison.

Who have Tottenham signed 2023?

Chairman Daniel Levy brought in goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, young centre-back Ashley Phillips, defender Micky van de Ven, midfielder James Maddison, winger Manor Solomon, striker Alejo Veliz and forward Brennan Johnson over the 2023 summer transfer window.

In their place, former superstar striker Harry Kane, Sergio Reguilon, Joe Rodon, Djed Spence, Harry Winks, Alfie Devine, Troy Parrott, Dane Scarlett, Davinson Sanchez and Tanguy Ndombele all moved elsewhere either on loan or permanently.

Levy and Postecoglou's off-field decisions have paid dividends so far with the likes of Maddison and van de Ven seriously proving their worth as part of an exciting, new-look Tottenham team.

Maddison's two goals and two assists highlight exactly why Spurs paid £45 million to prise him away from Leicester City and the Englishman has dazzled under Postecoglou.

Tottenham currently sit second in the top flight table with three wins from their opening four Premier League matches; scoring 11 goals in the process and matching Man City's imperiousness going forward.

What happened to Richarlison?

However, one player who has been under-fire throughout last term and now is Richarlison.

The Brazil international, who was spotted "in tears" after being hauled off for his country during internationals, has scored just four goals in all competitions since signing for Tottenham in the summer of 2022.

Richarlison isn't exactly justifying his £60 million price tag so far and there have been concerns over just how much he can contribute for Postecoglou going forward.

Agbonlahor, who regularly features for talkSPORT, has suggested that the former Watford star just isn't the answser and a top striker is Tottenham's "missing" piece of the jigsaw.

The former Aston Villa striker, explaining who Spurs should go for in this regard, believes Brentford striker Ivan Toney would be a brilliant choice.

“I think Toney is an upgrade on Jackson at Chelsea, who’s a bit raw still. But he goes into most teams, apart from Man City," said Agbonlahor to Football Insider on his links to Stamford Bridge at first.

“Chelsea will want to make it happen, and they’ll give him the 20-year deal to do that. But I think Spurs should look at him as well. They’ve got Maddison, Son, Kulusevski – but they’re missing a top striker.

“Richarlison isn’t the answer. Toney could give a team like Tottenham a huge push for the second half of the season.

“I think he will have his pick of clubs. Strikers like him are rare, and they’re sought-after.”

How good is Ivan Toney?

The Bees star scored 20 goals in 33 starts for Brentford in the top flight last season; showcasing his ability as a truly prolific marksman when available.

Toney has also been praised by their manager Thomas Frank for having the mindset of a "lion".

Ivan is very intelligent, because he’s reflecting, and he deserves a lot of praise himself for also coming into a well-run club and listening to all the small bits and adding extra layers to his development and performance," Brentford manager Frank said in 2021.

"If you want to be a top player you need to work hard, constantly reflect and want to learn and then of course you need to have that confidence that he’s got so naturally.

"He’s coming across so fantastically: he’s humble, calm, but with a mindset of a lion."

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.

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.

Manchester United are working to sign Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard, as Erik ten Hag looks to add another centre-back to his squad, and there has been a new update.

The Red Devils could be left short if Harry Maguire completes his reported move to West Ham United this summer.

What's the latest on Benjamin Pavard to Manchester United?

With Maguire reportedly set to make a £30m move to West Ham, Manchester United have submitted an offer to Bayern Munich for Pavard, according to Sky Sports' Florian Plettenberg, who reported that the bid has been rejected.

There is some positive news for United, however, with a verbal agreement in place over personal terms with the defender. Now, they must attempt to agree on a suitable fee with Bayern in order to complete the deal.

Read the latest Man United transfer news HERE…

The Bavarians may be keen to sell Pavard this summer, given that the Frenchman's contract expires in June of next year, making him a free agent. It remains to be seen just how much Bayern will demand for their defender, however, given that United's first offer was reportedly rejected.

As the summer transfer window nears its end, the Red Devils will hope to meet the Bundesliga side's valuation as soon as possible.

Should Manchester United sign Benjamin Pavard?

Signing Pavard could represent a smart piece of business from a Manchester United perspective, adding to the arrivals of Mason Mount, Andre Onana, and Rasmus Hojllund this summer.

It didn't take long for the defender to impress Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel, either, with the current boss saying, via Get Football News France:

“He is an underrated player.

“He can adapt to the highest level and he defends rigorously. He is a top team player, he immediately had my confidence and proved to me that I had been right.”

Meanwhile, former manager Niko Kovac said before welcoming Pavard, via Bulinews:

"He is a world-class footballer, a young player who will certainly be even better. Many clubs are looking at him – let's see if we will too."

Statistically speaking, Pavard would hand Ten Hag an improved option to call upon in the coming season.

According to FBref, the Bayern man outperformed Maguire in most aspects in the last campaign, whilst also performing better than right-backs Diogo Dalot, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Given that Pavard can play both centre-back and right-back, the numbers are a positive sign.

The Manchester United target made more progressive passes, was involved in more goals, and won more tackles per 90 than Ten Hag's current options last season.

Everything seems to suggest that Pavard is a player worth pursuing for United, who will need another centre-back should Maguire leave, as is reportedly expected.

Adding the Frenchman to Ten Hag's options in the backline would undoubtedly help the Red Devils to compete on all fronts as they step back into the Champions League this season.

Of course, it remains to be seen whether or not the move takes place, but it is certainly one to keep an eye on in the coming weeks, as United attempt to agree on a fee with Bayern Munich for their defender with an improved bid.

Manchester United may spring into action again late on in the market, given their stuttering start to the Premier League season…

Who are Manchester United signing this summer?

Having narrowly defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers in their opening-day clash, and falling to a disappointing defeat most recently to Tottenham Hotspur, it has hardly been the most inspiring beginning to this campaign.

Such underperformance could spur Erik ten Hag and the Red Devils' hierarchy into action, with a big-money move to potentially silence the vocal critics.

Read the latest Man United transfer news HERE…

However, it will have to be a monumental acquisition to truly solve their big issues, with one name in particular able to fit the bill who could potentially soon be available.

After all, they have shown an interest in Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni this window, with the Spanish giants expected to command a mouth-watering fee to sanction his exit. Football Transfers value the Frenchman at just €51.5m (£44m).

How good is Aurelien Tchouameni?

They would likely have to pay way over that aforementioned figure, with a fee that could rise close to what Arsenal paid for Declan Rice.

In what turned into a heavily drawn-out saga, the Gunners saw off competition from Manchester City to tempt the former West Ham United captain to spearhead their revolution.

Mikel Arteta remained incensed that the England international was imperative to any future success they would enjoy, and so a mouth-watering £105m was paid.

Last term saw the 24-year-old maintain an impressive 88% pass accuracy, register six goal contributions, 2.1 tackles and one key pass per game, via Sofascore, highlighting his all-round qualities from the middle of the park.

His new Spanish boss was quick to laud him upon confirming the deal: "He is a player with tremendous ability, who has been performing at a high level in the Premier League and for England for a number of seasons now. Declan is bringing undoubted quality to the club and he is an exceptional talent who has the potential to be very successful here."

These marked exceptional figures for a side that endured a relegation battle for large parts of their term, which makes his similarities with Tchouameni an exciting prospect for Ten Hag.

FBref even emphasises them by including Rice on his 'similar players' list, whilst also showcasing how he ranks against other midfielders across Europe. The Frenchman sits in the top 1% for pass completion rate per 90, as well as the top 2% for interceptions per 90.

He is a truly outstanding defensive midfielder, and despite his game time being somewhat limited in his debut campaign in Madrid, still shone.

His 7.13 average rating in La Liga emphasised this, as he too clearly shone in the same key areas that have seen Rice so lauded. Defensively outstanding and economical in possession, their respective presences help maintain balance within their teams.

However, it could even be argued that his ceiling is above that of the Arteta favourite, with journalist Stefen Bienkowski including him as one of "three potentially world-class midfielders" already at the Santiago Bernabeu, noted even before the arrival of Jude Bellingham.

It is this depth that could actually suggest an exit would be on the cards for Tchouameni, who might seek to become a leading figure elsewhere rather than one of the peripheral figures for Los Blancos.

Ten Hag would likely love to profit from such uncertainty, securing his very own Rice to hold down his midfield and get their season back on track.