Tag Futebol

Leicestershire’s chief executive has provided the clearest hint yet that the days of promotion and relegation in the County Championship could be coming to an end

George Dobell19-May-2018Wasim Khan, Leicestershire’s chief executive, has provided the clearest hint yet that the days of promotion and relegation in the County Championship could be coming to an end.While Wasim, chairman of the working party looking into the future shape of domestic cricket, was at pains to say no decisions had yet been made, he makes no secret of his fear that two divisions “promotes short-termism” and feels the county season starts too early to encourage good quality cricket.Wasim, who also feels counties should be better rewarded for producing England-qualified players and that it should be made “very difficult” for counties to include non-qualified players in their teams, hopes to make his recommendations to the ECB’s cricket committee in October.Any changes will, if approved, be introduced for the 2020 season. If promotion and relegation is abandoned, it is likely to lead to the introduction of a conference system.As Wasim also sits on the ECB’s cricket committee and is involved on the working party that is drawing up the new County Partnership Agreements (which replace the old Memorandums of Understanding), his views are likely to prove highly influential.”Does promotion and relegation promote the right behaviours? Does it promote short-termism? Yes it does. That’s the unintended consequence,” Wasim said.”We’ve seen examples of that in terms of players being brought in to support promotion and relegation. We’re a prime example: at Leicestershire we’ve lost players in the past as they felt they had to go and play Division One cricket.”If our fundamental aim is to bring those two mountains together – county cricket and successful England teams – then we’ve got to take a bit more of a long-term view.”How can we encourage all of us to make more long-term decisions as counties? And is the current two-divisional structure helping us do that? If it is, then great. But the evidence would suggest we have to look at it and perhaps in some areas that it doesn’t.”Wasim’s working party – a group that includes England cricket director Andrew Strauss, Glamorgan chief executive Hugh Morris, Yorkshire director of cricket Martyn Moxon and Ashley Giles, director of sport at Warwickshire – met for the first time last week. It would have been premature to “jump into solution mode”, according to Wasim, so instead they discussed the process by which they will come to their decisions and “evaluation criteria for each of the four areas” they were asked to review.Those four areas are: the two-divisional structure; what gets played during the six-week window earmarked for The Hundred; the volume of T20 Blast games to be played during the county season; and the role of the minor counties. Over the next few weeks, the working party will split into two sub-groups to devise pros and cons for all possibilities and meet again, as a whole, on June 28.While it is clearly too early to predict their final decisions, Wasim makes no secret of his own desire to reintroduce the minor counties to the main List A competition as a method of spreading the reach of the game.”We’ve 39 cricketing counties in this country, not 18, and we know the numbers around participation have begun to dwindle in some areas,” he said. “There’s a lot we need to do to keep competing with other sports.”So, if you have Surrey turning up to play at Wiltshire, it is a game that is going to attract 3000 or 4000 people. Or Leicestershire playing at Dorset. Those games can then be used as a catalyst to get more young people enthused about the game. It’s about spreading the game far and wide. So the initial thinking involving the minor counties is certainty something we’re really want to do in some way, shape or form.”He is also open-minded about the possibility of counties starting the season abroad – playing either first-class or List A cricket.”If you asked most people, April is still too early to play county cricket,” he said. “So it’s about trying to find the optimal time to play it. Where you give an opportunity to bat for a long time on good wickets.”Can we play two games [abroad], for example. There’s been talk mooted in the past of playing white-ball cricket abroad. A lot of teams go on pre-season overseas tours and there’s a lot of expense. All these things will need to be looked at.”One thing that appears almost certain to remain the same is the number of T20 Blast matches played by each county. Certainly Wasim is very keen that there is no reduction to the current number of seven games hosted by each county, nor the Friday night (or weekend) scheduling.”We’re all massively pushing for it to stay in place because it’s so important for us,” Wasim said. “The Blast is critical. We don’t want to reduce the short format to just the eight venues, we want to excite kids to come to watch cricket here. We want to say to schools: here are some free tickets, come and watch your heroes locally. The Blast plays a critical role, not just in terms of sustaining the counties but for the player pipeline point of view as well.”We’ve been very clear from the outset: seven home games is critical for what we’re trying to do here.”Wasim also suggested counties may need to be better incentivised to pick England-qualified players and that, over the coming weeks, spectators will be asked for their views over the domestic structure.”One thing that has come out loud and clear is about incentivising the counties more around playing and promoting more English-qualified players,” Wasim said. “Ideally to support England and the future of English cricket we clearly need a strong county game with more county players exposed to playing county cricket who are qualified to play for England.”The strong consensus across the counties was we should make it beyond doubt that it should be a very difficult thing for us not to play English qualified players.”And yes, we’re definitely looking at canvasing the views of spectators. We’re looking at setting up an email address. We’ll encourage people to send their views in. A lot of good people watch cricket and have for a long time. Let’s get their views on what they think would work.”

أوضح هاري كين نجم منتخب إنجلترا، حقيقة التقارير التي أشارت إلى اجتماعه باللاعبين عقب التعادل مع الدنمارك في يورو 2024.

منتخب إنجلترا تعادل مساء الخميس أمام الدنمارك في المباراة التي جمعت بين المنتخبين في الجولة الثانية من المجموعة الثانية ببطولة يورو 2024.

زعمت التقارير الإنجليزية أن القائد اجتمع مع زملائه لإجراء محادثات بدون الجهاز الفني في صباح اليوم التالي للتعادل 1-1 أمام الدنمارك، والذي وصفه البعض بأنه أسوأ أداء للفريق في عهد جاريث ساوثجيت.

طالع أيضًا.. شكوك حول جاهزية لاعب إنجلترا لمواجهة سلوفينيا

إذاعة “TalkSport” البريطانية، نقلت تصريحات هاري كين ردًا على تلك التقارير: “لا، هذا لم يحدث. لست متأكدًا من أين جاء ذلك. ربما كانوا مجرد أشخاص يحاولون خلق شيء من لا شيء في معسكر المنتخب”.

وأضاف: “في اليوم التالي للتعادل مع الدنمارك، اجتمعنا مع المدرب لفترة قصيرة، ثم قضينا يومًا عائليًا بحضور أفراد أسرة كل لاعب، وأمضينا حوالي 7 ساعات مع العائلة”.

وأكمل: “كان يومًا مهمًا من أجل تقليل حجم الضغوطات، لكنه كان مرهقًا للغاية، وقد نخفض تلك المدة الزمنية في المستقبل”.

بينما تظل إنجلترا في صدارة المجموعة الثالثة برصيد أربع نقاط، فقد انزعج المشجعون والنقاد والصحفيون من الأداء السيء المقدم أمام الدنمارك وكذلك في الفوز على صربيا.

MatériaMais Notícias

O domingo é decisivo para o Ceará. A partir das 20h30 (Horário de Brasília), o Vozão recebe o Corinthians em jogo que é importante para se afastar da temida zona de rebaixamento.

RelacionadasVaivémAdeus no Palmeiras, Robinho voltando ao Brasil e muito mais! O Dia do MercadoVaivém10/10/2020Atlético MineiroSub-20 do Atlético-MG derrota o Sport-PE pelo BrasileiroAtlético Mineiro10/10/2020BragantinoBragantino tem problemas no ataque para encarar o Atlético-GOBragantino10/10/2020

Dentro do elenco do Ceará a concentração é total e o zagueiro Tiago Pagnussat prega a conquista dos três pontos.

‘O Corinthians é um concorrente direto na tabela. Sabemos que vamos encontrar dificuldades dentro de campo. Sabemos da importância desse jogo. Estamos focados e comprometidos para fazer conquistar esse triunfo dentro de casa. Estamos muito conscientes que precisamos dos três pontos’, afirmou o defensor.

Com 15 pontos conquistados, o Ceará está na 14ª colocação, duas acima da zona de rebaixamento.

South Africa have picked wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen and allrounder Wiaan Mulder – both uncapped in Tests – in their squad for the first two Tests against Australia.Allrounders Chris Morris and Andile Phehlukwayo, and fast bowler Duanne Olivier were the players to miss out on selection, after having been part of the squad for the Tests against India.Faf du Plessis, Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers and Temba Bavuma, all of whom missed all or part of the ODI and T20I series against India due to injuries, were named in the Test squad. Dale Steyn, who was injured during the first Test against India, was not.Klaasen travelled as South Africa’s back-up Test wicketkeeper on the tour to New Zealand last March but did not play a game. He’s scored 292 runs at 48.66 for Titans in the 2017-18 Sunfoil Series, South Africa’s first-class competition, and played match-winning innings in the Johannesburg ODI and Centurion T20I against India.”Klaasen has been tremendously impressive in the white-ball matches he has played for the Proteas and we firmly believe he can become just as good a player in the five-day format,” CSA National Selection Panel convener Linda Zondi said. “He has averaged nearly 50 with the bat in Sunfoil four-day cricket this season and hit two centuries. We are also keen to have a back-up wicketkeeper to de Kock in the squad.”Mulder, 20, was a non-playing member of the Test squad against Bangladesh at the start of the summer in late September. Ottis Gibson, who attended a round of first-class matches soon after his appointment as South Africa coach, had been impressed with Mulder and identified him as a future prospect.”Russell [Domingo, the SA A coach] called me across to his cell phone and I saw Linda Zondi’s number come up on the phone so I knew something was up,” Mulder said, when asked about how he heard the news. “I couldn’t believe it when he told me I had been selected. In fact, I still can’t believe it.”Mulder averages 61.66 for Lions in the 2017-18 Sunfoil Series – 370 runs in nine innings – and has played one ODI for South Africa, against Bangladesh in October last year.”The selection of Mulder continues our strategy to expand our pool of allrounders against top-quality opposition. He is a batting allrounder and his selection will depend on how we decide to balance our starting XI. He has been the top allrounder in the Sunfoil Series with a batting average of 60 (one century) and 15 wickets at an average of 28.”Squad Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungisani Ngidi, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.

Everton Director of Football Kevin Thelwell is believed to be strongly considering a late swoop to complete the club's attack this summer.

Youssef Chermiti has been signed for £15m from Sporting Lisbon, but is inexperienced and only 19-years-old, while dynamic forward Arnaut Danjuma has also been secured on a season-long loan.

The Premier League club finished 17th last term as the second-lowest scorers, but such subpar cutting edge could be transformed with the signing of Patson Daka.

What's the latest Everton transfer news?

According to Football Transfers, the Toffees are 'strongly considering' a move for a Leicester City player, who suffered relegation from the English top-flight with the Foxes this year after Everton's final-day victory over Bournemouth.

Read the latest Everton transfer news HERE…

That happens to be the exciting Patson Daka. He only signed for his current outfit from RB Salzburg for £22m in 2021, and it is no surprise that the attacker is leaning toward an exit this summer given his array of qualities.

The player is now valued at £17m, as per Football Transfers.

How good is Patson Daka?

Having only scored 15 goals and supplied eight assists from 74 matches for Leicester, Daka did not live up to the same prolific heights in Austria that saw him plunder 27 goals from 28 league matches for the imperious Bundesliga champions.

While he has not quite emulated his former feats on English soil, the Zambian forward remains a slippery figure with "electric pace" and a "ruthless" approach to his attacking output, as described by journalist Ryan Taylor.

Despite his down-swing in direct contributions – and peripheral role, starting just 13 Premier League matches last term – the 35-cap international still ranks among the top 2% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 16% for tackles, the top 5% for interceptions and the top 10% for blocks per 90, as per FBref.

The defensive metrics are likely a big reason behind Everton's supposed interest, with manager Sean Dyche preferring to implement a direct, defensive style, and his creativity and 'electricity' could prove to get the best out of the struggling Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The 26-year-old Englishman has been hampered by consistent injury problems over the past few years, missing 46 matches of competitive action since the start of the 2021/22 campaign, and while he has scored 60 goals from 209 outings for the Goodison Park side, he clinched only two from 18 matches last year.

The 6 foot 2 marksman, who utilises his aerial dominance to great effect, ranking among the top 8% of forwards for aerial wins per 90, has undergone a 'factory reset' this summer as he strives to rekindle the form that saw him earn 11 England caps – scoring four goals – and be hailed as a "monster" by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Daka's creativity and pace could open up the field of play and provide Calvert-Lewin with the perfect strike partner, with the differing skill sets perhaps blending together to finally restore some of the panache to the Toffees frontline, in what could be a pivotal moment for the club as Dyche looks to navigate away from the danger area this year.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have had a difficult summer so far, with the club unable to spend due to restrictions relating to Financial Fair Play (FFP).

The severity of the Old Gold’s finances reached a summit just five days before their opening fixture of the 2023/24 Premier League season, as Julen Lopetegui left his role as manager.

The Spaniard was replaced swiftly by former AFC Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil, who guided the squad to a convincing performance against Manchester United on Monday night, despite the fixture ending in a narrow defeat.

Without having the ability to spend, the club have seen the vast majority of their transfer activity stem from outgoings, with more talent expected to depart, leaving numbers low within the squad.

What’s the latest on Wolves’ transfer situation?

While it looks increasingly unlikely that Wolves will be able to financially sanction a move for a player this summer, there remains hope that someone can arrive to shed some light on a dull period.

The latest news regarding Molineux has linked Daniel Podence with a move away, with Celtic reported to be the most likely destination for the winger.

With just 12 months remaining on his contract with the Old Gold, now would be the ideal time for the club to cash in on the Portuguese gem, who joined the side back in 2020.

Despite their inability to sign players this summer, the Midlands club have been linked to a host of talent, with one name having the potential to be the perfect successor to Podence, should Wolves miraculously find the resources.

Back in April, Napoli winger Hirving Lozano was speculated to have received interest from the Midlands, as reported by outlets in Mexico.

Earning £97k-per-week in Naples, the Mexican has been rumoured to be close to departing the Blues this summer, in what would be a strong acquisition should Wolves opt to revive their interest.

What is Hirving Lozano’s playing style?

Like Podence, the 28-year-old is best utilised on the flank, with the ability to play on either side.

Once likened to Lionel Messi for his approach to play when going forward by Marcel Brands, director of football at his former club PSV, the “explosive and agile” wide player could be the perfect figure to get Molineux on their feet.

Despite falling down the pecking order in Naples, the forward contributed to eight goals last season, scoring four and assisting four in both Serie A and the Champions League for the Italian champions.

Described as an “attacking threat” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, the lively winger could be the perfect figure to replace Podence, based on their similarities when comparing the statistics relevant to their respective 2022/23 league campaigns.

As per FBref, the Wolves man averaged 2.19 progressive carries and 1.22 successful take-ons per 90 to showcase his ability in possession, also recording an average of 1.83 key passes per 90.

Lozano bettered the Portuguese attacker with his on-the-ball efforts, averaging 4.82 progressive carries and 2.13 successful take-ons per 90, as well as making an average of 1.68 key passes per 90 in Serie A, via FBref.

While it would be a reach that could shock everyone for Wolves to resuscitate their interest in the Mexican, there’s no doubt the impact the Napoli star could have in the instance that Podence bids farewell.

MatériaMais Notícias

A principal competição nacional do futebol feminino se aproxima do retorno após a paralisação por conta da pandemia. E o Flamengo/Marinha vem se preparando para o jogo da reestreia, contra o Internacional.

Próximo da partida de volta, a lateral Raquelzinha, experiente jogadora do elenco, falou da preparação e da expectativa.

– Nessa preparação para a volta tem aquela ansiedade de voltar a jogar, claro. E também uma sensação de alegria, em poder fazer o que amamos. É uma mistura de sentimentos. Estava com saudades da rotina de treinos e estamos na expectativa para voltar a entre em campo, esperamos fazer um grande jogo – disse a atleta

Algumas semanas após a volta, os protocolos para proteção da saúde seguem sendo fundamentais para todo o elenco. A jogadora falou também sobre essas mudanças após o retorno.

– No retorno voltamos com toda a segurança possível, seguindo o protocolo necessário. É uma nova forma de seguir. Uso máscara sempre, e todos os cuidados são necessários. O processo é importante – finalizou a jogadora.

O Rubro-Negro retomou as atividades do time feminino de forma presencial no dia 27 de Julho, quando foram realizados exames no elenco, como parte dos protocolos de segurança.

A partida entre Internacional e Flamengo/Marinha está prevista para quarta-feira, dia 26, às 19h30.

RelacionadasFlamengoRecuperada de cirurgia no joelho, meia projeta sequência no Flamengo no retorno do Brasileiro FemininoFlamengo11/07/2020

Darren Lehmann says the pitch in Mirpur could result in Australia fielding two spinners in the first Test

Mohammad Isam21-Aug-2017Australia will draw motivation from their thwarted efforts on the tour of India earlier this year, as they seek a series win in the subcontinent when they take on Bangladesh in the Test series starting Sunday. Australia have not won a series in the subcontinent since 2011 and were clean-swept in two of the three Test series’ since then.Australia coach Darren Lehmann has homed in on the importance of the new ball to the visitors as they look to remove Bangladesh’s top order early.”They have got some quality batsmen all the way down the list,” Lehmann said. “They have actually got a really good record at home. They did well against England. Their top order is a key to how they bat. So we have to make early in-roads with the new ball. It will spin and probably reverse the way the wicket goes.”They have good depth and are a good side at home. We made some in-roads into India but we still lost that series. The challenge for us is to win a series away from home.”The conditions in Mirpur could result in Australia fielding two spinners, with Ashton Agar a potential pick. Agar last played a Test four years ago but Lehmann pointed that he had improved his lengths and offered an all-rounder advantage in the side with his batting and fielding abilities.”His lengths are a lot better. He has had a good Sheffield Shield season last year,” he said. “Young (Mitchell) Swepson is a good prospect as a legspinner. It is really tight between all the spinners. But Ashton batted really well and he is a gun fielder. We are really pleased for him.”We are hoping for Ashton to reproduce that sort of form. Steve O’Keefe was excellent in India but we have decided to go with Ashton. He has got an all-round game that he hopefully can take to the next level. For example when we play three quicks, he can play up the order. He gives us a lot of flexibility in that way.”Lehman was not too concerned by the fact that the last Test in Mirpur – between Bangladesh and England in October 2016 – ended in three days.”In India we had three day games. Sometimes the shorter the match, the more exciting Test match it is in a way,” Lehmann said. “We are prepared for that, but traditionally it is a good wicket here.”I haven’t seen the wicket in Mirpur. It will be a good wicket here traditionally. The outfield will be fine and hopefully the rain stays away. They are really working hard to get it up. That’s all we can ask. We hope that it is dry and we get a great Test match.”With the practice match called off, Australia now will train at the Academy ground next to the Shere Bangla National Stadium, although their training session on Monday was cut short by rain.

The soft ball turned less sharply off the pitch, and the Khettarama surface itself has become easier to bat on. So said Sri Lanka’s interim head coach Nic Pothas, after Zimbabwe turned a scoreline of 59 for 5 into 252 for 6 by the end of the third day. The unbeaten pair of Sikandar Raza and Malcolm Waller have been most responsible for that turnaround, their partnership currently worth 107.”You’ve got to give credit to our players as well as the opposition,” Pothas said. “Once the hardness went out of the ball, it obviously became a bit more difficult, and it spun less than yesterday. I thought Raza played really well, as did PJ Moor and Waller.”But our guys were phenomenal. They did their jobs. I thought the quality of the fielding was superb. It hasn’t been easy, but we’ll get up again tomorrow morning, try to get a few quick wickets, and then chase a score.”Having conceded a first-innings lead of 10, Sri Lanka are presently looking at a fourth-innings chase north of 300, unless they can dismiss Zimbabwe quickly on the fourth morning. Only three times have teams successfully chased down targets of over 300 in Sri Lanka. One of those occasions had been against Zimbabwe, however – Sri Lanka hunting down 326 at the SSC in 1998.Sri Lanka will hope that, as Pothas says, the Khettarama pitch is not as treacherous as Rangana Herath predicted it would be, 24 hours prior. Both Pothas and cricket manager Asanka Gurusinha have put Sri Lanka’s performances in this Test largely down to conditions.”The pitch has changed quite a bit. Once the hardness went out of the ball today, it didn’t seem like it did as much as yesterday,” Pothas said. “Yesterday and day one the ball spun. At the end of the day we’re playing in the subcontinent and wickets spin. You just need to come up with plans to score, and how you’re going to get wickets. Today it was surprising that it didn’t do as much as expected, but we just need to find a way of getting wickets.”With Herath having claimed nine of the 16 Zimbabwe wickets to fall so far, there has been scrutiny about the performance of the remaining bowlers, who have gone through long spells without threatening to take wickets. Pothas, however, defended Sri Lanka’s quicks in particular, again ascribing their lack of wickets to conditions.”The amount of work those guys put in behind the scenes, and the effort they are putting in today with a soft ball, and a wicket that’s not conducive to fast bowling – I thought they did a fantastic job on it,” he said. “If we’re going to keep judging them, we need a bit of perspective. I think under the conditions they did a great job.”Though Sri Lanka have largely fielded well in this Test – Dimuth Karunaratne taking two especially sharp catches at slip in this innings – their fielding over the past few months has come in for stern criticism, particularly after the Champions Trophy defeat to Pakistan. Pothas, however, again defended the side on that front, suggesting they had turned a corner.”Are we judging them on one hour against Pakistan? I think we need to be careful on that, because in the first innings I thought we fielded phenomenally well. I think in general, we’ve been pretty harsh on them even when they put in good performances. I don’t think they get enough credit for it. When we played against South Africa at The Oval, I thought we fielded brilliantly. We fielded brilliantly against India. Then we had an hour of madness at the end of the Pakistan game, which was unfortunate. Since then we’ve done some pretty good stuff in the field, so I think we need to be a bit careful with always looking at the negative part of their fielding.”Sri Lanka dropped no fewer than six catches during the ODI series against Zimbabwe, however. Half of those chances were straightforward.

Aston Villa are reportedly eyeing Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho, as links re-emerge between player and club.

Unai Emery and Monchi are aiming to build upon their first summer signings of Youri Tielemans and Pau Torres, marking a statement of intent ahead of the eagerly anticipated 2023/24 campaign.

Could Aston Villa sign Jadon Sancho?

Last month, FootballTransfers reported that Villa were one of the clubs ‘keen’ on signing Sancho, who could leave United this summer.

An updated stance coming this week via GIVEMESPORT relayed the news, recharging the spark that the Villans could secure the talented Englishman’s signature.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Rudy Galetti named the 23-year-old as one of the “many names” on Emery’s list to “strengthen the wing”, adding that the club have “asked for information” on the forward.

Potentially available in a swoop worth £50m, according to other reports, Monchi and Emery could highlight Villa’s ambitions going forward in signing the Londoner.

How good is Jadon Sancho?

In a move that was so highly anticipated, the Englishman has struggled to seek his form on display in Germany at Old Trafford.

In 79 total appearances so far for the Red Devils, Sancho has recorded 18 goal contributions, highlighting his difficulty in finding his feet on his return to Manchester.

It’s been a challenging period both on and off the pitch for the 23-year-old, who has come under intense scrutiny for his inconsistent form, however a move this summer could give the dynamic whiz a chance to breathe and re-capture his true ability.

Hailed as a “phenomenon” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the former Manchester City academy starlet was electrifying when adorning the yellow of Borussia Dortmund, making a monstrous 114 goal contributions in 137 appearances for the club.

Such talent doesn’t simply disappear, and in signing Sancho, Emery could nurture and promote the skill of the England international, giving him a licence to roam in his free-flowing attack.

Being one of the most talked about English talents for his time in Germany, Villa could capture a marquee deal if they can strike a deal with United for the winger, who could bring stardom back to Villa Park in a way many have seen before.

Likened statistically to former Villa hero Jack Grealish by FBref, Emery could unearth his own copy of the treble winner, in the bid to take the club further up the ranks.

Similarly to the Birmingham-born gem – who was described as "almost unplayable" by BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand earlier this year – Sancho is a clever player for his exploits on the flank, seeing him hailed for his “explosiveness” when in possession by U23 scout Antonio Mango.

Such praise is supported by his numbers, averaging 4.62 progressive carries per 90 over the past year, excelling in a similar way to Grealish who averaged a monstrous 7.08 per 90 in his final season at Villa.

The 23-year-old also averaged an impressive 1.86 successful take-ons per 90, and exercised his impressive creative attributes with an average of 2.30 key passes per 90 in the league last season, with the City ace enjoying a similar record having averaged 1.97 successful take-ons per 90 and 2.19 key passes per 90.

Those of a Villa persuasion are no doubt fully aware of what the 27-year-old is able to produce, having registered 75 goal involvements in 213 games during his time with the Midlands side, prior to leaving for the Etihad on a £100m deal in 2021.

Hiring a player in the calibre of Grealish, could be fundamental to the progression of success at Villa Park, with Sancho able to unlocked and rejuvenated under the watchful eye of Emery.