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The coming months could be seismically important for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta.

The Spaniard led his side to a third successive second-place finish in the Premier League this season, so it feels like the club must seriously back him and the squad in the transfer window this summer to ensure they can get over the line next year.

Fortunately, that seems to be happening, as the board have already renewed Gabriel Magalhães’ contract, seem close to securing the services of Kepa Arrizabalaga for just £5m, and most exciting of all, appear to have secured the signing of Martin Zubimendi.

The Spanish international will be a brilliant addition to the Gunners’ squad, but if recent reports are to be believed, the club are now looking at another midfield maestro, someone who’s an even bigger talent than the Real Sociedad star.

Arsenal moving to sign midfield monster

It feels like Arsenal have been trying to sign Zubimendi for an eternity, with some of the earliest links to the Spanish international appearing all the way back in January 2023.

Transfer Focus

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However, in January of this year, Sami Mokbel broke the news that the club had all but sewn up a move for the Real Sociedad star, who rejected Liverpool only last summer.

While the deal hasn’t been officially confirmed by either team, transfers expert Fabrizio Romano revealed just a few days ago that the 26-year-old will cost the Gunners around £55m, which will be paid in installments.

While this is undoubtedly exciting news, it looks as if the North Londoners might not be finished with their midfield revamp, with reports now suggesting that the club want to sign Eduardo Camavinga.

At least that is according to journalist Sebastien Vidal, who, in a recent report, revealed that Arsenal are incredibly interested in the Real Madrid superstar.

In fact, he has claimed that the Gunners have already made contact over the player but that the Spanish giants will not sell unless a big offer is made, which, according to other reports, might be around £50m.

It wouldn’t be a cheap or simple transfer to get over the line, but given Camavinga’s ability, it is one worth fighting for, especially as he’s a bigger talent than Zubimendi.

Why Camavinga is a bigger talent than Zubimendi

Now, it is important to clarify that both midfielders are enormously talented footballers and that Arsenal will benefit massively from signing either one, but when it comes down to raw talent, it looks like the Real Madrid ace has the slight edge, and there are a few things that suggest as much.

The first is that even though the Frenchman is four years the Spaniard’s junior, he has already achieved far more in the club game, winning two La Liga titles, a Club World Cup, and most importantly, two Champions League titles.

Moreover, he wasn’t just a passenger for those triumphs, making ten appearances on the way to Real’s win in the 21/22 season and then 11 appearances, of which nine were starts, during their successful 23/24 campaign.

On top of that, the Cabinda-born maestro has also won more senior caps for France than the Basque star has for Spain, and while he’s not got a European Championship to his name, he did start in the 2022 World Cup Final, and there probably isn’t a bigger game in world sports than that.

Finally, away from tangible achievements, the “world-class” Los Blancos star, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, simply has the better underlying numbers, which, again, suggests he’s a bigger talent.

Camavinga vs Zubimendi

Statistics per 90

Camavinga

Zubimendi

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.11

0.10

Non-Penalty G+As

0.20

0.10

Progressive Passes

4.94

5.51

Progressive Carries

1.90

1.09

Shots

1.13

0.78

Shots on Target

0.36

0.25

Passing Accuracy

89.8%

84.0%

Key Passes

0.86

0.56

Passes into the Final Third

5.34

4.87

Passes into the Penalty Area

0.52

0.61

Live Passes

59.0

52.5

Through Balls

0.29

0.05

Shot-Creating Actions

2.53

1.31

Goal-Creating Actions

0.17

0.18

Tackles Won

2.55

1.12

Blocks

1.90

1.36

Interceptions

1.30

1.26

Clearances

2.36

2.65

Successful Take-Ons

1.03

0.56

Ball Recoveries

6.72

4.32

Aerial Duels Won

1.55

1.64

All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 Season

For example, not only does the former Stade Rennais gem produce a higher non-penalty goals plus assists figure, but he also plays more key passes and wins more tackles all per 90.

In other words, the young Frenchman is a complete midfielder who can help out the backline before bursting forward – look at his progressive carries – and playing a killer pass for one of his teammates or putting the ball in the net himself.

Ultimately, while Zubimendi is going to be a great signing, Arsenal would do well to pick up Camavinga as well, as he appears to be an even bigger talent.

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Posts ByEthan Lamb Jun 22, 2025

The team is back in action, facing South Africa over the course of three ODIs, one Test and three T20Is starting on Sunday

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jun-2024

Harmanpreet Kaur and Amol Muzumdar will hope India conjure up another successful series against South Africa•PTI

India women’s head coach Amol Muzumdar has emphasised the importance of “fielding and fitness” as India gear up for a busy few months beginning with the first ODI against South Africa on Sunday in Bengaluru.”When I took over last December, we had said that fielding and fitness have been the cornerstone and we have been driving that message to the group. They [the players] have responded really nicely to that,” Muzumdar said. “Fielding is a work in progress and we are working very hard towards it and trust me, you will see some results out of it.”India play three ODIs, one Test match and three T20Is against South Africa over the next four weeks. Following that, they will head to Sri Lanka for the women’s Asia Cup starting July 19 and then travel to Bangladesh for the Women’s T20 World Cup which kicks off on October 3.Related

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Muzumdar highlighted the scheduling of the South Africa series as an advantage to be seized upon. “The continuity is very important in the few months leading up to the World Cup,” he said, “This series, the format that we are playing is ODI format, then the Test match, then the last one is T20. It is a very well-scheduled series and we go into the Asia Cup which again is T20s.”By then I think, we should be ready for the World Cup. Then we have a layoff of about seven and a half weeks before we head off to Bangladesh. It is a very well-thought-out series and [we are] really looking forward to it.”India are coming into the series against South Africa on the back of a series sweep over Bangladesh. They played all five matches in Sylhet, the venue for India’s group games at the Women’s T20 World Cup later this year.”We have had a fantastic preparation in the last eight weeks,” Muzumdar said. “We went to Bangladesh and had a desired result; 5-0 we won the T20 series. We also practiced over there, in the same ground where we would be playing the World Cup. We’ve had a couple of camps before this series. We had a split camp. The bowler’s camp was held at NCA here in Bengaluru and the batter’s camp was held in Navi Mumbai. It was a concentrated camp and we had the fruitful desired results for the camp.”Muzumdar was also effusive in praise of Smriti Mandhana, who led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to the Women’s Premier League title earlier in the year.”She is a fantastic leader. We do have a leadership group within the team and Smriti is a big factor in that,” Muzumdar said. “Going forward, she definitely has got a role to play. She has a good camaraderie with the current captain Harmanpreet Kaur and we are all working together. She is definitely a fantastic leader as we’ve seen in the WPL. She has won the title for RCB.”

Looking to add to their Ibrox arrivals after confirming Max Aarons, the 49ers and Glasgow Rangers are reportedly ready to win the race to sign a player who has been dubbed the ‘Brazilian Paul Pogba’.

Aarons "delighted" to join Rangers

Getting to work straight away after completing their takeover of the club and hiring Russell Martin, the 49ers have already secured both Aarons and young Scotland talent Lyall Cameron. Aarons particularly stands out as an impressive coup on loan from Bournemouth given the experience that he built up in the Premier League.

After arriving at Ibrox, the defender told the club’s website: “I am delighted to be here, as you can see it’s a huge club and you realise that when you walk through the doors, I can’t wait to get going.

“I’ve got a lot of experience now in different leagues and I have played a lot of games. I think I can bring that experience, I can bring a new energy, and I think Rangers fans can be excited – I am really looking forward to it.”

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Martin, equally delighted, then said: “Max is a player who I have always kept a keen eye on since he was emerging through the youth ranks while I was coming to the end of my time at Norwich as a player.

“He is a wonderfully talented player who is hungry to develop, improve and help deliver success for his side. We are pleased to bring him on board for this season, and I believe he will be a fantastic addition to the squad.”

The Scottish giants will be hoping that Aarons’ arrival is the first of many amid links to the likes of Conor Coady and an impressive midfielder who has reportedly been handpicked by the 49ers.

49ers now ready to battle for Metinho

According to The Scottish Sun, the 49ers are now ready to win the race to sign Metinho ahead of Champions League side Basel this summer. The American owners reportedly handpicked the Troyes midfielder as someone they wanted to invest in before arriving at Ibrox and now have the perfect opportunity to do so.

Earning high praise from scout Kai Watson, who described the midfielder as a “strong passer of the ball”, Metinho has also been dubbed the ‘Brazilian Paul Pogba” in the past – highlighting the talent that Rangers could be signing.

Fending off interest from Basel won’t be easy, however, after the 22-year-old spent last season on loan in Switzerland, but the 49ers will be hoping that their newest project will be enough to build a strong case. After Aarons, Metinho would certainly only continue a promising start to Rangers’ summer window.

Opening pair combine for club-record 259-run partnership to set up huge win

ECB Reporters Network24-Jul-2024

Ed Pollock flicks off his pads•Stu Forster/Getty Images

Centurions Ed Pollock and Gareth Roderick rewrote the record books in spectacular style for Worcestershire during their 183-run Metro Bank One Day Cup triumph over Middlesex at New Road.The opening pair smashed 259 off just 35.2 overs, Worcestershire’s highest first wicket List A partnership, in a total of 371 for 3 from 48 overs. Their stand surpassed by the 243 made by Brett D’Oliveira and Jack Haynes against Essex at Chelmsford three years ago.Pollock went onto amass 180 from 138 balls with five sixes and 21 fours, his second century in four days after his 120 not out against Wales in a warm-up match. It was the joint second-highest individual score for Worcestershire in List A cricket alongside Tom Moody with only Callum Ferguson (192) ahead of Pollock.Roderick was the perfect foil to Pollock during the initial phase of his innings but then accelerated to such an extent that he scored his 115 off only 104 balls and also with five sixes in addition to 10 other boundaries.A three wicket burst with the new ball by Harry Darley, one of six Worcestershire One-Day Cup debutants, pressed home his side’s advantage. Another in Jack Home then chipped in with three wickets and, Middlesex who lost half of their side for 118 despite Mark Stoneman’s powerful 75 off 37 balls, were bowled out in just 25.4 overs.Worcestershire fielded arguably the most inexperienced attack in their history after being decimated by injury and illness. Their absentees were Joe Leach, Adam Finch, Nathan Smith, Ben Gibbon, Matthew Waite, Yadvinder Singh, Josh Cobb, Kashif Ali and D’Oliveira.Six players made their One-Day Cup debuts in Home and Darley, Rehaan Edavalath and three new short-term signings from National Counties cricket in Tom Hinley (Oxfordshire), Hishaam Khan (Staffordshire) and Tommy Sturgess (Berkshire). Middlesex had five players absent due to the Hundred in Stephen Eskinazi, Max Holden, Leus du Plooy, Ryan Higgins and Tom Helm, and handed first One Day Cup starts to Nathan Fernandes and Noah Cornwell.Worcestershire were put into bat and Pollock and Roderick gave them a flying start with a century stand in 16.3 overs. Pollock was the dominant partner initially and raced to his half century off 45 balls. But Roderick gradually stepped on the accelerator in supporting the left-hander as boundaries flowed constantly and he completed a 62-ball fifty.Pollock moved into the 90s with a six backward of square off Blake Cullen and then a steer to third man off the same bowler enabled him to complete a superb hundred. Roderick swept Fernandes for another maximum – his fourth – in completing a 92-ball hundred which also contained nine fours.The stand was worth 259 in 35.2 overs when Roderick attempted a similar shot against Fernandes and was bowled. But then Rob Jones provided staunch support in adding 93 in just 10.2 overs with Pollock.. His memorable effort finally ended when he went for another big hit against Fernandes and was caught at long-on.Darley, who made his senior debut with four appearances in the Vitality Blast, struck a trio of early blows with the new ball when Middlesex launched their reply. His second legitimate delivery nipped back and bowled Sam Robson and then a similar ball hit the top of Joe Cracknell’s off stump.There was more joy for Darley when Fernandes aimed a leg-side blow and popped up a catch to captain Jake Libby at cover. Home came into the attack and struck when Jack Davies top edged a skier to fellow keeper Roderick. He then had Stoneman caught behind when driving and Martin Andersson holed out to third man and the innings quickly subsided.

يخوض فريق الكرة الأول بالنادي الأهلي، مواجهة صعبة، اليوم الأحد، أمام منافسه الشرس إنبي، في لقاء يقام ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

ويلتقي الأهلي مع نظيره إنبي، ضمن منافسات الجولة السادسة من بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز، على ملعب المقاولون العرب بالجبل الأخضر، في الثامنة مساء اليوم.

الأهلي يدخل اللقاء وهو في المركز الخامس عشر برصيد 5 نقاط، بعدما خاض أربع مباريات؛ تعادل مع مودرن سبورت 2-2، ثم فاز على فاركو 4-1، قبل أن يكتفي بتعادل سلبي مع غزل المحلة، ويخسر من بيراميدز 0-2.

طالع| تشكيل الأهلي المتوقع أمام إنبي اليوم في الدوري.. عودة مروان عطية

أما فريق إنبي، فيدخل اللقاء وهو يحتل المركز الثامن برصيد ثماني نقاط، حيث تعادل في مباراتين وفاز في مواجهتين، وخسر في لقاء وحيد ببطولة الدوري.

وما يزيد من صعوبة اللقاء، أن الأهلي يدخل المباراة بمدرب مؤقت وهو عماد النحاس بعد إقالة الإسباني خوسيه ريبيرو، إضافة إلى أن إنبي يمثل عقدة للفريق الأحمر في آخر موسمين، فكيف جاءت نتائجهما؟. نتائج الأهلي وإنبي في آخر موسمين

التقى الأهلي مع إنبي في آخر موسمين، في 4 مباريات، 3 في الدوري، وواحدة في كأس الرابطة، لم يعرف الأحمر فيها طعم الانتصار.

وخلال المواجهات الأربع، خسر الأهلي أمام إنبي 0-1، في مباراة أقيمت ضمن منافسات كأس الرابطة في مارس الماضي، فيما تعادل في ثلاث مباريات، 0-0 في ديسمبر 2024، و1-1 في أغسطس 2024، و2-2 في أبريل 2024.

بينما يعود آخر فوز للأهلي على إنبي إلى 4 أكتوبر 2023، في كأس مصر، حين انتصر الأحمر 3-0، في الدور نصف النهائي. تاريخ مواجهات الأهلي وإنبي

وإجمالا، لعب الأهلي وإنبي 53 لقاء، فاز الأحمر في 37 وتعادلا في 10 مواجهات، وانتصر الفريق البترولي في 6 مواجهات.

Kent’s slide towards Division Two continues with innings defeat at Edgbaston

ECB Reporters Network31-Aug-2024

Oliver Hannon-Dalby took six-for•Getty Images

Warwickshire banked their first Vitality County Championship victory of the season in the most emphatic fashion, by an innings and 21 runs over struggling Kent, before lunch on the third day at Edgbaston.Kent were bowled out in their second innings for 243 on the third morning as Warwickshire’s seamers completed the demolition job they start on their opponents on the first day.Bowled out for 156 first time round, Kent mustered little more at their second attempt even against the Kookaburra ball on an easing pitch as Oliver Hannon-Dalby took 6 for 43 (9 for 74 in the match).Only Joey Evison (65) offered prolonged resistance as the visitors’ dismal season delivered a sixth successive Championship defeat and another shunt towards relegation. Injuries to key pair Tawanda Muyeye and Grant Stewart only added to a grim three days in the West Midlands for Matt Walker’s side.After Kent resumed on the third morning on 157 for 3, they advanced comfortably enough to 171 before Hannon-Dalby hit them with a burst of 3 for 6 in 14 balls. Sharp in-duckers trapped Jack Leaning and Muyeye lbw and Charlie Stobo sent his first ball to Rob Yates at second slip.Hannon-Dalby was 60 percent of the way to taking all 10, but that pathway was ended by Ed Barnard who trapped Stewart lbw and followed up with the wicket of Matt Parkinson, who edged to wicketkeeper Michael Burgess.Alfie Ogborne edged Michael Rae to slip before Evison, running out of partners, lifted Barnard for six to reach a 93-ball half-century. Evison batted impressively in both innings but when another attempt to clear the ropes, off Michael Booth, found only Alex Davies at long-on, another Championship ordeal for Kent was complete.Their Division One status will expire shortly but Warwickshire’s appears safe for another year after this victory as other teams in the bottom half of the table struggle in their games around the country.

Arsenal have spent big in transfer windows in the past, but this summer is starting to feel like something else entirely.

At the back, Andrea Berta and Co have signed Kepa Arizabalaga and are soon to sign Christian Mosquera.

In midfield, they’ve made a significant investment in the £60m Martin Zubimendi, are being linked with Eberechi Eze, and have completed the shrewd signing of Christian Norgaard.

Then, in attack, the club are set to land Noni Madueke for around £52m and, perhaps most exciting of all, look set to make the statement signing of Viktor Gyokeres, and if reports are to be believed, they are now looking at someone who’d help him perform even better at the Emirates.

Arsenal target perfect teammate for Gyokeres

There was no doubt in the minds of most fans that, coming into this summer, Arsenal had to go all out for a new striker.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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Mikel Arteta and Co must have felt the same way, as their hunt for a number nine has been one of the biggest sagas of the window thus far.

However, once it was clear that Benjamin Sesko was being priced out of a move by RB Leipzig, the Gunners promptly turned their attention to Gyokeres.

Despite Sporting CP’s president talking a big game, it now looks like the North Londoners have got their man, for an initial price said to be just £55m.

The good news doesn’t stop there, though, as it now appears that Berta and Co are looking to sign another attacker, someone who could help the Swede perform even better at the Emirates.

At least, that is according to a recent report from journalist Ben Jacobs, who has revealed that Arsenal are keen on Anthony Gordon.

Jacobs claims that the Premier League runners-up hold a ‘genuine interest’ in the Newcastle United star, although they’d likely have to make a sale before making an offer for him.

Moreover, while there is no mention of how much he might cost in the story, reports from earlier this month claim that the Magpies could demand as much as £100m for the Englishman.

While it would be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, Gordon would undoubtedly be a level-raiser for Arsenal’s left-hand side, and someone who could help Gyokeres be even more effective.

Why Gordon would make Gyokeres even better

While there are undoubtedly a range of reasons Gordon could help Gyokeres perform at an even higher level at Arsenal next season, the most important of the lot is down to his output.

After all, if the Swedish international isn’t being supplied a steady stream of chances to convert, he’s not going to rack up the goals.

Additionally, with 13 assists to his name last season, the former Coventry City ace is reasonably creative, but if the man to his left isn’t a reliable finisher, then he won’t see his assist tally soar either.

Fortunately, over the last couple of years, the Newcastle star has proven himself to be a real threat on the wing, both as a creator and a goalscorer.

For example, since the start of the 23/24 campaign, he’s scored 21 goals and provided 23 assists in 90 appearances, totalling 6815 minutes.

In other words, the Liverpool-born “nightmare,” as he described himself, has averaged a goal involvement every 2.04 games, or every 154.88 minutes across the last two years.

In contrast, Gabriel Martinelli, who he’d likely replace, has scored 18 goals and provided 11 assists in 95 games, totalling 6204 minutes in the same period, which works out to an average of a goal involvement every 3.27 games, or every 213.93 minutes.

Gordon vs Martinelli since 23/24

23/24

Gordon

Martinelli

Appearances

48

44

Minutes

3869′

2640′

Goals

12

8

Assists

16

5

Goal Involvements per Match

0.58

0.29

Minutes per Goal Involvement

138.17′

203.07′

24/25

Gordon

Martinelli

Appearances

42

51

Minutes

2946′

3564′

Goals

9

10

Assists

7

6

Goal Involvements per Match

0.38

0.31

Minutes per Goal Involvement

184.12′

222.75′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Finally, in addition to his output, the former Everton gem also ranked in the top 15% of attacking midfielders and wingers for passes into the penalty area last season, according to FBref.

This is important because, by looking at the Swedish goal machine’s heatmap from last season, it’s evident that he likes to spend as much time in the penalty area as possible.

Therefore, to get the most out of him, his teammates need to get the ball to him in dangerous areas, which is something the Toon star could do based on that metric.

Ultimately, Gyokeres has the potential to be a game-changing signing for Arsenal, and Arteta and Co. could get even more out of him by pairing him up with Gordon.

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 15, 2025

Opening the batting may not be ideal berth, but after 17 Tests on sidelines, any role will suffice

Vithushan Ehantharajah19-Aug-20240:53

Dan Lawrence: Ollie Pope doesn’t need to try to be Ben Stokes

“I’d bat No.11, if I had to.”It’s a line Dan Lawrence has used before, which is as much a reflection of three years spent largely carrying drinks as his 11 caps spent ticking off every slot between No.3 and 7. But its airing on Monday in the press conference room at Emirates Old Trafford had an altogether different twist.Lawrence will not be batting at No.11 in the first Test against Sri Lanka – he will be in at No.1. As a designated replacement for Zak Crawley, he is due to face the first ball this week when he walks out to the middle with Ben Duckett. And while batting last comes with a specific kind of bitterness that Lawrence says he would have been willing to swallow, going in first may not be all that much sweeter. Like the ends of a horseshoe, they are closer together when it comes, say, to the kind of reticence a middle-order batter might have for such an unfamiliar position. Not that Lawrence has articulated any of that.”I was just waiting for an opportunity,” he said, having spent 17 Tests on the outside looking in, instead carrying drinks, bowling his tidy home-spun offies in the nets and, ironically, often batting first in pre-match sessions.”And wherever that was, in the order, I was going to snap their hands off for it,” he added. “So I’m just going to enjoy these few weeks and hopefully score some runs and put my name in the hat for future selection.”A month captaining London Spirit has clearly given Lawrence a professional level of diplomacy. Then again, when your last Test appearance came on a depressing tour of West Indies, months before the breakout Bazball summer of 2022, why wouldn’t you be appreciative of an invite to the party? Even the recently retired James Anderson, fresh from a month commentating on the Hundred, was donning keeping gloves on the Emirates Old Trafford turf during Monday’s training session as the quicks tore in on a practice strip from the end bearing his name. He was eventually relieved of those duties once Jamie Smith had finished batting in the nets.That’s not to say Lawrence is anything but sincere in his desire for an opportunity, or that England are simply rewarding his perfect attendance over the past two years. Truth be told, everything that this team has been since 2022, even in a summer where they are veering away from their previous brat ways, is very Lawrence. Outlandish strokeplay wedded with bloody-mindedness. A ruthless take on carefree abandon. Everything in moderation, including moderation.Dan Lawrence has been recalled to England’s Test team in Old Trafford•Getty Images

Even earlier this year, Lawrence was hustling for a hit. Out for the full tour of India, he was granted permission by the ECB to turn out for Desert Vipers in the ILT20 during England’s break in Abu Dhabi between the second and third Test. His switch to Surrey has seen him operate as a spin-bowling allrounder, a role that England often threatened to replicate during the India tour last winter but never quite settled upon. At a time when English cricketers seem to be able to have their cake and eat it too, Lawrence has had to choose.It is easy to forget that when he first arrived on the Test scene in Sri Lanka at the start of 2021, he was the new radical. Wristy beyond belief, yet with an appreciation of the grind. He was reared on spicy Chelmsford decks – initially as an opener, which is where operated for most of his brief second-team career – before emerging as a vital cog in a County Championship title-hoovering beast.That did not quite translate to his first stanza with England, in part because Lawrence was trying to make his way during the dregs of Joe Root’s era, most of which was levelled in the great rebuild. That he has four half-centuries and five ducks speaks appropriately to that indifferent start. It also explains why, despite only operating as an opener in seven out of his 203 red-ball innings, he views this week as a new beginning.”I think in my first stint, I showed glimpses of what I can do. I was certainly fairly inconsistent. There were definitely some glimpses of what I can do. And there was some low scores as well in there, but I think that all came with being quite young. I wasn’t completely sure of my game at that time.”And, yeah, I look back on it, and I’ve got some really good memories, and I’ve got some memories where I thought it was really challenging. So I’m treating this as a bit of a fresh start.”It is not a stretch to suggest that, had Sri Lanka won more than three of their last 11 away Tests since the start of 2021 – all those against Bangladesh, too – Lawrence’s wait for a starting berth may have gone on. And it is not unthinkable that this all ends in pretty unedifying fashion. Sri Lanka’s seamers operate with full, attacking lines by default and are likely to have conditions in their favour with a bleak summer set to peter out in dank fashion, starting in Manchester (of course). And, well, there’s the very real fact that Lawrence just isn’t an opener.In a recent column in the , Michael Vaughan articulated his justified reservations over the selection, while highlighting Lawrence’s strengths. “Well, thankfully it’s not up to me to make those decisions,” came Lawrence’s understandable response when the former England captain’s thoughts were put to him. “I got asked to open the batting, and I’m definitely going to say yes. So obviously people are going to have their opinions, but I’m obviously chuffed to get the opportunity.”Shoaib Bashir and Dan Lawrence during a training session•PA Images via Getty Images

At this juncture, that, ultimately, is all that matters, especially at a time when Lawrence’s opening partner, Duckett, has thrived by not leaving anything outside off stump. It has also been made cleaner by the decision to replace Stokes with Matthew Potts. It would have been awkward to select Jordan Cox, the uncapped Essex batter – who was signed from Kent to cover for Lawrence’s departure to the Kia Oval – as he would have likely slotted in at No.6. Lawrence would have been within his rights to feel aggrieved if that had come to pass, as if he had braved a long queue for the hottest restaurant in town, settled for a cramped seat at the bar, only for the person behind him to bag a recently vacated booth.Nevertheless, Lawrence is finally through the door for his first taste of Test cricket under the jurisdiction of Brendon McCullum and Stokes, albeit in a stand-in capacity as Ollie Pope takes the reins. And he is glad for it.”I think ultimately, the best thing about this environment is allowing players – or new players – to go out there and be as free as possible,” Lawrence said at the end of his media engagements. “Whereas, necessarily, in the past, it might not have been like that.”But watching all the boys go out there and debut and take five-fors and score loads of runs, it’s quite evident that boys are going out there and just relaxing and having a good time. And that’s what I’m going to try and do.”

تعرض لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، أحمد سيد زيزو، للإصابة خلال المباراة الجارية حاليًا ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

ويلتقى الأهلي مع إنبي على استاد المقاولون العرب، ضمن لقاءات الجولة السادسة من عمر بطولة الدوري المصري.

وفي الدقيقة 26، سقط زيزو على أرضية الملعب، متأثراً بالإصابة دون تدخل، لكنه لم يستطع استكمال المباراة وغادر الملعب.

طالع أيضاً.. تشكيل الأهلي أمام إنبي في الدوري المصري.. عودة مروان عطية

وقرر عماد النحاس المدير الفني للفريق، الدفع باللاعب طاهر محمد طاهر بدلاً من أحمد سيد زيزو.

الأهلي يحتل المركز الخامس عشر في جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري برصيد 5 نقاط، بينما يتواجد فريق إنبي بالمركز الثامن برصيد 8 نقاط.

Leeds United have now made an approach to sign an “incredible” goalkeeper, who has been identified as a leading target alongside Lyon’s Lucas Perri, according to a report.

Leeds looking for upgrade on Illan Meslier

It has become apparent that Leeds will look to find a replacement for the error-prone Illan Meslier this summer, and journalist Luke Entwistle believes Lyon shot-stopper Perri could be a suitable option.

Entwistle said: “He’s an interesting shout for Leeds in particular. They obviously need a goalkeeper, and I’m sure they’ll be wary of having someone who can’t use their feet, and I’m not saying that he’s in that category, but he did have a few hairy moments.

“I do think he would nonetheless be an upgrade on Meslier in that regard and also in terms of his shot-stopping.”

The Brazilian goalkeeper was identified as the Whites’ number one target to replace Meslier last week, and there have been suggestions that he could be available for a fee of around £20m, given Lyon’s significant financial issues.

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However, the 27-year-old is not the only option on the shortlist, with a report from TEAMtalk revealing that Leeds have also identified Angers SCO goalkeeper Yahia Fofana as a leading target alongside Perri.

Fofana may be available for a lower fee than the Lyon goalkeeper, with previous reports suggesting he could cost just £8m, and the Whites have now approached Angers to discuss a potential deal.

Perri remains Daniel Farke’s first-choice target, but the Ivorian goalkeeper moving to Elland Road is deemed more likely than Nick Pope, with the 33-year-old determined to stay at Newcastle United ahead of a Champions League campaign.

There is also interest in Meslier from France and Italy, with Leeds now actively trying to get the Frenchman off the books this summer, although none of the interested parties are currently in advanced talks.

"Incredible" Fofana could be solid Perri alternative

Having previously been lauded as “incredible” by U23 football scout Antonio Mango, the 24-year-old went on to have a very impressive 2024-25 campaign at Angers, with fellow scout Ben Mattinson singling him out for high praise.

With an average SofaScore rating of 7.28 in Ligue 1, the Paris-born goalkeeper was by far the best-performing Angers player last term, and his potential availability for just £8m means he would be a low-cost addition to Farke’s squad.

As such, if Perri is unattainable, Fofana could be a fantastic alternative, with the goalkeeper clearly ready to test himself in the Premier League.