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Friday is the deadline for interested parties to apply to coach the South African national team

Firdose Moonda14-Jun-2017Friday is the deadline for interested parties to apply to coach the South African national team. Despite incumbent Russell Domingo’s claim that there is “no clarity” in the situation, CSA have advertised the post on their website. A five-person panel including Gary Kirsten and Eric Simons will recommend a suitable candidate to take over until the 2019 World Cup.That means if Domingo is interested in continuing in the job, he has two days to make that known. On Sunday, after South Africa crashed out of the Champions Trophy, Domingo said he had “not yet” put his name in the hat and could not say if he would like to take the team to another major tournament.Domingo’s contract expires at the end of the current tour to England which could make the four-Test series his last in charge of South Africa. After a strong 2016-17 summer, in which the team won eight trophies, they lost the ODI series in England and had a poor Champions Trophy campaign. A T20 rubber and Tests follow.Domingo has been in charge since mid-2013 and has had his contract extended three times. While there is no indication of who might take over, Lions coach Geoffrey Toyana is thought to be the front runner.

Tottenham Hotspur have entered the race to sign Wolfsburg's Dutch defender Micky van de Ven, with new manager Ange Postecoglou seeking assurances over the quality of his backline.

What's the latest on Micky van de Ven to Tottenham?

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claims that Spurs have included Van de Ven "on their shortlist" alongside fellow German Bundesliga ace Edmond Tapsoba, with preliminary talks believed to have been conducted already.

With Premier League rivals Liverpool also interested in the left-sided central defender, who is valued at around €30m (£26m) by Wolfsburg, Spurs will need to provide an enticing package if they are to capture his signature.

Tottenham have compiled a list of names to consider for transfers this summer after failing to qualify for Europe this year, with the woes largely down to a dismal defence that shipped 63 goals in the top flight.

Should Tottenham sign Micky van de Ven?

While the pathos pervading from the recently-concluded season still lingers down the N17, the appointment of Postecoglou has been both an astute and suitable move, and there is every chance that a promising transfer window could plant the seeds for a memorable campaign.

But such fruitful endeavours will only rise to the fore with apt work on the defensive ranks, and Van de Ven's athleticism and exuberance could strengthen the framework at the back.

The "giant" has been praised for "flourishing" this season by journalist Ronan Murphy, and given he favours the left side of the central defence, he could be the perfect partner for Cristian Romero.

Ebbing and flowing like the tide with his displays this season, Spurs' £42m man concluded the 2022/23 league term with an average Sofascore rating of 6.97, playing 27 times and being praised as a "Rolls-Royce" by Martin Keown.

And given that the Argentinian 2022 World Cup winner ranks among the top 17% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for successful take-ons and the top 5% for tackles per 90, as per FBref, he clearly boasts the tenacity and aggressiveness to bully defences, and with a burgeoning star such as Van de Ven beside him, he could thrive.

Comparatively, the Dutchman ranks among the top 10% of centre-backs for progressive carries and the top 7% for successful take-ons per 90.

The 23-year-old is definitely unrefined but undoubtedly boasts a high ceiling that Spurs should snap up in a heartbeat, and by securing his signature, a dynamic new partnership could be born to rekindle the stability and strength of a leaky backline.

Increasing the standard of the defence can only lead to better results, and given what Romero has been able to produce in the midst of a poor defensive year for Spurs as a collective, a new partner as capable as Van de Ven may just give the Tottenham backline the lease of life it needs to prosper next season.

قطع لاعب فريق مانشستر يونايتد، ليساندرو مارتينيز، فترة استدعائه مع منتخب الأرجنتين، حيث سيعود إلى النادي الإنجليزي من جديد.

كان المدافع الأرجنتيني قد غاب عن الملاعب في آخر 6 أسابيع بسبب إصابة في الركبة التي تعرض لها أمام وست هام في فبراير الماضي.

اقرأ أيضًا.. منتخب الأرجنتين يُعلن خبرًا سيئًا بشأن ليونيل ميسي

وذكرت صحيفة “ديلي ميل” الإنجليزية أن ليساندر مارتينيز سيغادر معسكر منتخب الأرجنتين حيث سيعود إلى مانشستر يونايتد مرة أخرى.

وأوضحت أن ليساندرو مارتينيز تدرب مع زملائه في المنتخب الأرجنتيني هذا الأسبوع، لكنه قرر الآن العودة إلى إنجلترا.

ويوي صاحب الـ26 عامًا المشاركة في الاستعدادات لمباراة مانشستر يونايتد المقبلة في الدوري الإنجليزي ضد برينتفورد، حيث يأمل في العودة.

وأفادت أن عملية إعادة تأهيل ليساندرو مارتينيز سارت بشكل جيد كما هو مخطط له، ويشعر اللاعب الآن أنه في وضع أفضل للعودة إلى مانشستر بينما يستعد الفريق لاستئناف مشواره في الدوري الإنجليزي يوم السبت 30 مارس الجاري.

Newcastle United are interested in signing Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig this summer, with the Hungarian now a "main target" for Eddie Howe's outfit.

What's the latest on Dominik Szoboszlai to Newcastle?

That's according to transfer insider Rudy Galetti, who, speaking to GIVEMESPORT, claims that the Magpies will likely prioritise the signing of the 22-year-old this summer despite Leipzig's desire to "monetise" him.

He said: "The Magpies are working to create an even more competitive team to better face the Champions League and the Hungarian attacking midfielder represents the ideal profile, so we can consider Dominic a main target for them."

Believed to possess a €70m (£61m​)​​​​​​ buyout clause in his contract, the chances that the Red Bulls will allow him to leave for less are infinitesimal, and with Liverpool also lurking, Toon technical director Dan Ashworth must act swiftly to tie up a deal for a new midfield focal point.

Should Newcastle sign Dominik Szoboszlai?

Newcastle are undoubtedly on the up, after such blistering success this season – at a point where progress has eclipsed expectations – should Ashworth, Howe and co manage to get the transfer strategy right once again this summer, it could be another emphatic term to reaffirm their newfound stature as one of the Premier League's elite.

The onus will be on taking the domestic success and implementing it in the Champions League, and in order to do so, sealing signings for aces such as Szoboszlai is the perfect way to provide a steady and sparkling flow of creativity.

Indeed, having scored ten goals and provided 13 assists from 46 appearances this season as Leipzig secured a third-place Bundesliga finish and clinched the DFB Pokal for the second successive year, the 30-cap Hungary captain is starting to live up the tag of "generational talent" bestowed upon him by journalist Marcel Moeller.

Given this gem is one who could, arguably, cement a starting berth in any European outfit out there, his prospective Tyneside move could spell danger for Joe Willock, who may see his own game-time hampered despite being heralded for his "limitless" potential by reporter Simon Collings.

Indeed, the £69k-per-week Bundesliga phenom does play in a more advanced midfield position but Howe could look to deploy him deeper to suit the system, something that has occurred with the former Arsenal ace – who used to feature as a No. 10 with greater regularity.

As per FBref, Szoboszlai ranks among the top 9% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 13% for progressive passes, the top 11% for blocks and the top 13% for clearances per 90, with the latter metrics illustrating his aptitude with his defensive game, something that Howe is surely aware of.

Willock must be lauded for his solid work this season and he could still play a part in Newcastle's ascension, but Howe must be ruthless as he crafts a team capable of securing silverware season upon season, and Szoboszlai holds the key that few across the scene can match.

Everton ended the 22/23 campaign at Goodison Park, roaring in adulation, basking in a seasonal culmination that so easily could have written a different narrative.

The Toffees had defeated Bournemouth 1-0, Abdoulaye Doucoure the hero after unleashing a venomous volley during the second half, and needed to do so after Leicester City beat West Ham United – the Foxes would have secured survival themselves had Everton failed to win.

A shrewd move which could be taken to ensure the pit of the Premier League becomes a fugacious memory could be found in Middlesbrough striker Chuba Akpom, with the one-time Arsenal starlet enjoying a tremendous campaign in the Championship, and TEAMtalk state that the 27-year-old is of interest to Dyche and co, alongside a lengthy list of suitors.

Akpom has just one year left on his current deal, and Boro boss Michael Carrick is expecting several departures to fund the summer market.

Given Akpom is valued at roughly £20m, he seems to be the optimum choice for departure.

Should Everton sign Chuba Akpom?

Toffees boss Sean Dyche, who assumed the reins in January, will be delighted that his outfit crafted a successful end to the season but will be all too aware that the jubilance stands upon pillars of strife, with the club now seeking to avoid a third successive relegation dogfight.

To do so, signing a centre-forward is surely paramount; with just 34 goals scored in the top-flight this term, Wolverhampton Wanderers are the only club to have produced fewer net-bulging moments, and the crux of the club's malaise lies in the attacking potency – or lack of it.

Having signed for Middlesbrough for £3m from Greek outfit PAOK in 2020, Akpom scored just five goals in his maiden campaign and was subsequently loaned back to to PAOK.

Returning to the Riverside Stadium this summer, the 27-year-old whiz finally harnessed his prolific prowess and plundered 28 goals from 40 Championship appearances as his side reached the playoff semi-finals and has been hailed as "remarkable" by BBC contributor Oluwashina Okeleji for his exploits.

At Goodison Park, however, he would bring an imposing threat and a ball-playing assurance to coincide with his goal-scoring aptitude, with FBref ranking him among the top 3% of forwards across Men's Next 8 divisions – preceding the established European top five – for rate of non-penalty goals, the top 4% for pass completion, the top 9% for progressive passes and the top 4% for progressive carries per 90.

He could form a deadly partnership with dynamic midfielder Alex Iwobi, who has been resurgent at Goodison Park this season, having found a home in a new, more central role, scoring twice and registering nine assists over the course of the season.

The £120k-per-week Nigerian ranks among the top 13% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues for rate of assists, the top 15% for progressive carries and the top 14% for successful take-ons per 90, and could work very well alongside his former Gunners teammate, both players heaping emphasis on surging into the final third and instigating promising pieces of play.

Akpom clearly has a striker's instinct to succeed, on top of his progressive presence and knack at keeping things slick and secure in the offence, he could be just what Dyche needs heading into next season.

An unbeaten century by Tasmania’s captain Tim Paine led the Tigers to a storming victory over the Cricket Australia XI in the Matador Cup match at Allan Border Filed in Brisbane

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Oct-2016
ScorecardTim Paine scored an eighth List A ton•Getty Images

An unbeaten century by Tasmania’s captain Tim Paine led the Tigers to a storming victory over the Cricket Australia XI in the Matador Cup match at Allan Border Filed in Brisbane.Tasmania’s win served as payback for the state’s loss to the youth collective in their corresponding fixture last season, the CA XI’s only win of their first year in the tournament.The Tigers had sent the CA XI in to bat on Wednesday morning, and were able to limit the scoring largely through the efforts of the former Australian ODI spin bowler Xavier Doherty.His three wickets came at miserly cost, and it took a ninth-wicket stand of 56 between Liam Hatcher and Tom O’Donnell, son of the former Australia allrounder Simon O’Donnell, to carry the CA XI past 200.Paine and Ben Dunk got the Tigers off to the most rapid of starts, 42 runs on the board in the fifth over by the time Dunk was run out. That early acceleration removed any sense of scoreboard or run-rate pressure, leaving Paine, Dom Michael and Alex Doolan to cruise home to Tasmania’s first win of the tournament.

Tottenham Hotspur could announce the appointment of Feyenoord manager Arne Slot "within days" if an agreement is secured, according to journalist Wayne Veysey.

Who could Spurs appoint as manager?

The Lilywhites are still hunting for Antonio Conte's permanent replacement at N17, coming after they parted company with him around two months ago.

Spurs and Conte split ways after the Premier League side ultimately failed to build upon their top four success last season, not to mention the Italian's scathing post-match rant after a 3-3 draw to Southampton.

Since the former Chelsea manager's departure, a succession of coaches have been linked with the vacancy, but chairman Daniel Levy is thought to have narrowed down his shortlist.

Indeed, reports suggest that the likes of Ruben Amorim of Sporting CP, Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi and Slot are all contending for the role – yet it is the latter man taking centre stage right now.

It is believed that the 44-year-old, fresh off the back of his first ever Eredivisie title win, is a serious target for Spurs and Slot is in pole position ahead of other candidates.

Talks have even been held with the former AZ Alkmaar boss, and now reporter Veysey has made a huge claim, writing in a piece for Football Insider.

According to his information, Spurs could announce Slot's appointment "within days" if an agreement is sealed, with negotiations thought to be progressing and at an advanced stage.

The Lilywhites are apparently "confident" of hiring the Dutchman "this week" and he is open to leaving Feyenoord despite his recent success with them.

If all goes to plan, the club could seemingly make serious strides imminently in their hunt for a new manager.

Who is Arne Slot?

While it remains to be seen if Veysey's big claim will come to fruition in the next few days, Slot certainly has his credentials when it comes to the Spurs job.

Not only does he now have a league title on his CV, but the Feyenoord boss also reached a Europa Conference League final last year – unluckily missing out on the trophy to Roma.

Slot has also been revered by Dutch media for his attack-minded and exciting style of play, with journalist Marcel van der Kraan (via talkSPORT) calling him a "maniac" in that regard:

“The best thing about Arne Slot is that he is probably the best attacking coach I have seen in the last 35-40 years at Feyenoord.

“He is very similar to Pep Guardiola, his ideas are very similar, he is a massive fan of Pep and he plays the same time.

“He goes ultra-attacking, he is almost like a maniac. Not on the touchline but it is fantastic to see how he has turned an average side into a wonderful attacking machine."

Nepal inscribed another noteworthy entry in their cricketing history by winning on their first visit to Lord’s on Tuesday in front of several thousand delighted fans

Alan Gardner at Lord's 19-Jul-2016
ScorecardGyanendra Malla top-scored in Nepal’s triumph at Lord’s•Kaushal AdhikariNepal inscribed another noteworthy entry in their cricketing history by winning on their first visit to Lord’s on Tuesday in front of several thousand delighted fans. On a sweltering day in north London, a Nepal XI defeated MCC by 41 runs after which the Nepal captain, Paras Khadka, led his players around the outfield to pay tribute to their typically exuberant supporters.Having chosen to bat first, Nepal’s every run was cheered to the rafters by a crowd of around 5000 that spread itself out across the Mound, Tavern, Edrich and Allen stands. Boundaries and wickets brought even greater outbursts of adulation and chants of “Ne-pal! Ne-pal! Ne-pal!” echoed around the old ground as Sompal Kami and Basant Regmi cleaned up the tail to dismiss MCC for 176 in pursuit of 218 in 50 overs.The fixture was arranged as part of celebrations to mark the 200-year-old relationship between Britain and Nepal, with proceeds from the match going towards rebuilding work in Nepal after last year’s earthquake.MCC opener George Adair did his best to spoil the visitors’ party by scoring an even 100 but the left-hander was eighth man out, caught behind off Regmi, with the asking rate rising towards two runs a ball. Nepal’s main contributor was Gyanendra Malla with 39 but there were useful scores throughout the order as they built a match-winning total beneath clear blue skies, a Nepali flag above the pavilion fluttering in the occasional breeze.”Boys were excited, a little bit nervous as well – you can understand, playing at Lord’s just doesn’t happen everyday,” Khadka said. “I think we managed to hold ourselves pretty well.”Everybody contributed bits and pieces, overall it was very good. Batting, we were 20-30 runs short but the boys kept digging in, the wicket wasn’t that easy and the bowlers were very, very disciplined and that was one of the key factors for us to win today.”The result gave the majority of those who had paid £10 for a ticket the perfect summer’s day out – Nepal shirts were de rigueur, although those attempting to unfurl a flag in the stands received a gentle talking to from the stewards, as per Lord’s rules.MCC were captained by former Middlesex and Somerset allrounder Keith Dutch and included former Queensland batsman Clinton Perren and South Africa-born fast bowler Chad Barrett, who made his only first-class appearance for Northamptonshire two years ago.Dutch and Barrett picked up two wickets apiece and Nepal did well to get up to 217 for 8 in their 50 overs after slipping to 174 for 7. Khadka swept the only six of the innings as he and Malla took the score to 104 for 2 but the experienced pair fell in successive overs, as Dutch and left-arm spinner Marc Reingold established a stranglehold on the scoring.Kami and Regmi bolted together a resourceful 42-run stand for the eighth wicket and the Nepal bowlers then proved adept at defending a score. Sagar Pun picked up 3 for 35 with his offspin as only Adair, fellow MCC opener Steve Clark and No. 7 Richard Wilkinson managed to get into double-figures – and, in the case of Adair, a 28-year-old who plays for Hampstead, beyond. His well-paced century, from 122 balls, was warmly applauded by players on both sides.Pubudu Dassanayake, who stepped down as Nepal coach last year after being involved in some of their greatest moments of recent times, joined the celebrations in the dressing room afterwards. Dassanayake has been back working with the side recently as a consultant, arranged by the ICC, and his pride in their achievement was obvious.”These boys, the amount of work they put in, they deserve this, to come and play a game here,” Dassanayake said. “They make a lot of sacrifices and fight always.”

New Zealand Cricket is monitoring the unrest in Zimbabwe ahead of its team’s tour to the country later this month

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Jul-2016New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is monitoring the unrest in Zimbabwe ahead of its team’s tour to the country later this month. Widespread protests against economic and civil issues have taken place in Zimbabwe this week.New Zealand’s departure for Africa will not be delayed as of now, NZC public affairs manager Richard Boock told the , but the board will keep a close watch on the situation as the team prepares for the two Tests against Zimbabwe at a camp in Pretoria, South Africa.”We are monitoring closely what is happening in Zimbabwe,” Boock said. “There are no plans to delay the players leaving New Zealand. While in camp in Pretoria, we will be able to keep an eye on what is going on. South Africa A are in Harare at present, and we will be liaising with South Africa Cricket and the British High Commission in Harare.”Currently, South Africa A are in Zimbabwe to play two four-day games, one each in Harare and Bulawayo. In June, India had played three ODIs and three T20s in Harare without incident.The New Zealand team is scheduled to fly to South Africa on July 11, before moving to Zimbabwe in time for a three-day warm-up game in Harare from July 22. The Tests are set to be played in Bulawayo between July 28 and August 10.A nationwide strike to protest a lack of jobs and unpaid wages was organised in Zimbabwe on July 6, leaving city streets deserted. On Monday, taxi drivers clashed with security forces in Harare over issues of extortion, leading to many arrests. Several other strikes – reportedly featuring the likes of civil servants, doctors, teachers – have also taken place in the drought-hit country.

It seems clear that whoever takes over at Chelsea in the summer has a huge job on their hands if they are going to transform the Blues back into challengers at the top of the Premier League.

The decision to appoint Frank Lampard as an interim manager has certainly not paid off after four defeats from four, which has left the west London outfit languishing in 11th position in the top flight, with no trophies to compete for.

The millions spent by Todd Boehly has not produced the expected results, while his gamble on Graham Potter did not pay off, which has left the American with a significant decision to make in the summer if he wants to restore Chelsea to their former glory.

If he wants to build for the long term, then former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann could be the ideal man to take over from Potter at Stamford Bridge.

What's the latest on Chelsea's interest in Nagelsmann?

In a recent interview with GIVEMESPORT, journalist Dean Jones provided his thoughts on the potential appointment of Nagelsmann at Stamford Bridge.

He wrote: "Sources have explained how Nagelsmann is seen as an improved version of Graham Potter and that Chelsea believe his style of coaching could mean that groundwork already put in over past months is less likely to be abandoned under his leadership.

"They have put in work too to understand exactly why his Bayern Munich reign did not work out and learnings at this moment suggest they do not feel the reasons would impact on them if he took charge of Chelsea.

"Managing so many personalities and egos is a potential problem in this situation and as part of the process Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley have been undertaking key conversations around recruiting a manager that can handle this.

Would Nagelsmann get Chelsea back to their best?

Nagelsmann would certainly arrive at Chelsea with a big reputation, having first taken Hoffenheim to the Champions League before the age of 30, which saw him described as a "genius" by the Athletic's Raphael Honigstein.

The 35-year-old averaged 1.53 points per game in his time at Hoffenheim, before steering RB Leipzig to a hugely impressive 1.94 points per game in his time with the Bundesliga outfit.

That remarkably saw the club leapfrog perennial runners-up, Borussia Dortmund, into second place in the German top flight, suggesting he knows how to get the best from his players.

This earned him a move to Bayern and despite him averaging a phenomenal 2.31 points per game there, he was sacked earlier this year.

Nagelsmann had achieved great things again in Munich, leading the German powerhouse to the top of the league and a Champions League quarter-final.

Given Potter mustered just 1.42 points per game at Chelsea, it definitely seems fair to suggest that Nagelsmann would be an improved version of the Englishman, with his attacking style and youth policy – something seen at Leipzig – also making him an ideal target for Boehly who has invested so heavily in the stars of tomorrow.

Thus, if the German is given time to adjust to Premier League football and is able to trim the squad accordingly, then he could be the ideal man to get the best out of the incredible players Chelsea have at their disposal.

He has already proven in Germany he can do exactly that; it's now time to transfer and hone those skills in English football.