The South Africa captain says she will experiment with her spinners in the powerplay as well as at the death during the series in Chennai

Srinidhi Ramanujam04-Jul-2024

Laura Wolvaardt – “We’ll be looking to play our best side and most likely side to be playing in the World Cup”•BCCI

It has not even been a year since Laura Wolvaardt took over the South Africa captaincy from Sune Luus but it’s been hard for her as a captain. Though her batting has flourished in this period, on paper, South Africa haven’t been able to find much success, especially in T20Is.Coming off two series defeats against Australia and Sri Lanka, Wolvaardt said on the eve of the series opener against India that South Africa will be playing their best XI and “most likely side to be playing in the World Cup” having tinkered with the team in the last few series. The three-match T20I series will also be South Africa’s final assignment before the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in October.”It’s one of our last dress rehearsals before the big occasion,” Wolvaardt said. “So we’ll be looking to play as strong an 11 as we can and to have plans that are similar, so we can have them to the World Cup whether they be bowling options or batting line-up. And just try and nail down different combinations. We’ve had a few T20 series in the last couple of tours where we’ve sort of tried one or two things and given some youngsters an opportunity. But for this one, we’ll be looking to play our best side and most likely side to be playing in the World Cup.”Related

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With spin-bowling allrounder Chole Tryon also returning to the side from injury, Wolvaardt added that her team is “pretty close” to nailing down the XI that would be featuring in the upcoming World Cup. But she couldn’t confirm if Marizanne Kapp, who played a specialist batter due to minor back injury and workload management in the ODIs and the Test, was fit to bowl in the shortest format.”Obviously, in an ideal world, Marizanne would also be bowling, but other than that we should have everyone on board. I was happy having Chloe back as well. It should be as close, barring any injuries touchwood,” she said.Under Wolvaardt’s captaincy, South Africa had lost nine of their last 15 T20Is since the T20 World Cup final last year. In the multi-format series, they had lost both ODIs 3-0 and the Test by ten wickets. In South Africa’s quest for a maiden win of the series, she called for the team to get extra “10-20 runs” and be a bit more consistent with the ball. India, on the other hand, are coming off a 5-0 series whitewash against Bangladesh, clinched the ODIs 3-0 in Bengaluru and won the one-off Test by ten wickets in Chennai.”It’s just about for the batting unit to find that extra 10 or 20 runs. Throughout that Australia series, we were, sort of pushing 150-160s, but with the game nowadays and coming on a flat wicket, you know teams are scoring 180-200, especially in these conditions. In the WPL, there are also a lot of very high scores. With the ball, it’s about just being a bit more clinical and a bit more consistent. But yeah, the direction of the game is moving, and we need to keep being brave and playing positive cricket.”Wolvaardt’s South Africa lost the one-off Test to India by 10 wickets•BCCI

As a part of the final leg of their preparations for the global event in Bangladesh, South Africa couldn’t have asked for better conditions than Chennai, which has traditionally favoured spin. Wolvaardt conceded that it’s an opportunity for them to try spinners in the first six overs or at the death, something that’s uncommon with their bowling. That apart, only Luus, Kapp and Tryon have played in a T20I in Chennai before, in the 2016 T20 World Cup.”It’s a good time to maybe see if we could perhaps use a bit more spin in the powerplay or at the death,” she said. “Traditionally we use a lot of spin in the middle, but it could be a good time to to experiment with one or two things. India will probably play a lot of a lot of spinners, maybe only one or two pacers, so they’ll probably bowl spin throughout the innings, which is probably something we could try as well. But yeah, it depends on the day and how the conditions unfold and how spin-friendly is out there.”The wicket looks a bit different for the T20s than on the Test. I think the Test we had that red clay, and this one looks a bit white clear and lighter. But having never played a white-ball game here before, we’ll have to see how much it turns. Yeah, a bit of a frustrating hard toil on that first day of the Test. For us, none of our plans were working. But yeah, we’ve had one or two discussions, but T20 cricket is more about sort of trying to keep the very explosive Indian batters more quiet, so it’s more just been talking around their batters and maybe keep them a bit quiet.”

Newcastle United are believed to be eyeing an impressive double swoop alongside their imminent move for Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga this summer.

Newcastle closing in on Elanga signing

The Magpies continue to work hard on new signings, from James Trafford to Marc Guehi, but it looks as though the addition of Elanga from Forest is closer than ever to happening.

According to a new claim from Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie, Newcastle have agreed a £55m for the signing of the Swede, with a medical expected to take place imminently.

Elanga has the potential to be such an eye-catching signing for Eddie Howe, with his pace helping make them a huge threat on the counter-attack, as highlighted last season when he scored a stunning solo effort against former club Manchester United.

It’s now a case of ensuring that the Forest man becomes a Newcastle player and that there are no late obstacles to overcome, before turning their attention to further signings, with a striker believed to be a major focus for PIF this summer.

Newcastle eyeing double defensive swoop

According to L’Equipe [via Sport Witness], Newcastle remain keen on signing Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri, despite their strong interest in Trafford. He is considered a good alternative to the Englishman and may well head to the Premier League either way this summer, with Leeds United also in the mix.

Meanwhile, Give Me Sport claim that the Magpies are continuing to eye a summer move for Guehi from Crystal Palace, in a potential £70m deal. They are described as being “hopeful of winning the race” to sign the England international once they wrap up Elanga.

Perri stands out as an excellent alternative to Trafford, should Newcastle fail to sign the Burnley man, with Paulo Fonseca even calling him the “best in the world” in his position. At 27, the Brazilian is also a more proven player at the top level than Trafford, although at this point, it would still be a surprise if the Clarets goalkeeper wasn’t the man to come in this summer.

Meanwhile, Guehi arguably stands out as the strongest possible choice to come in and bolster Newcastle’s back-line, having now shown that he can excel for both club and country, standing out as England’s best defender at Euro 2024 last summer.

Now feels like the right time for him to enjoy a new challenge in his career, and he possesses the leadership, quality on the ball and reading of play to be a mainstay of the Magpies’ defence for many years.

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Granted, the £70m price tag is bloated, as is often the case with homegrown players, but he could prove to be worth every penny if he shines at the heart of the defence for the next decade.

Left-hander carries Foxes to seven-wicket win with 120 at a run-a-ball

ECB Reporters Network31-Jul-2024Sol Budinger followed up his maiden Metro Bank One-Day Cup century against Essex last season by adding a second three-figure innings against the same attack at Chelmsford.The left-hander carried the Leicestershire Foxes to a seven-wicket victory with 120 at exactly a run-a-ball to give the 2023 champions a second success in three games this season. He hit four sixes and 10 fours and put the Foxes in command in a third-wicket stand of 75 with Ajinkya Rahane.Noah Thain had parked Essex’s lugubrious innings into life with the fastest One-Day Cup fifty for the club, requiring just 27 balls to get there. He was finally out three balls later for 53 attempting to batter a fifth six out of the Cloud County Ground.The England U19 all-rounder was backed up contrasting fifties from Matt Critchley, who took 81 balls for his painstaking 55, and Charlie Allison, who carved out an elegant 51 from 60. Critchley later took 3 for 55 in vain as Essex went down with 15 balls to spare.The Leicestershire batters took an early liking to Aaron Beard, caning him for seven fours in his first five overs, which cost 48. However, the Essex seamer had the consolation of claiming the wicket of Harry Swindells, caught behind chasing one down legside.Budinger and Lewis Hill settled into a serene partnership that put on fifty in seven overs and 70 in total. Hill had been dropped by Allison at wide mid-off on 35, but added just seven before he was caught and bowled by Critchley off an attempted sweep. Budinger was undeterred and reached his half-century from 65 balls.Budinger had been circumspect in compiling his early runs but pulled Jamal Richards for six during his 13-over partnership with Rahane that dominated the flagging Essex attack. Rahane’s share was 37 before he followed a ball from Richards into the wicketkeeper’s gloves.The required rate rose from its initial 5.8 towards seven an over, but Budinger brought it down again with 17, including two sixes, off a Thain over. Two balls later he dragged the ball through the leg side to reach three figures. He eventually went to a catch at deep backward square leg off Tom Westley.There were a few nerves when Ben Cox became the sixth wicket to fall, caught at deep square leg off Critchley, with 16 still needed, and when Liam Trevaskis was bowled by Richards with four required.The middle-order half-centuries for Essex followed a sluggish start to the innings after being put in on a wicket dangerously close to the Pavilion boundary. Feroze Khushi was first to go, having struggled outside off-stump against Chris Wright and reached a dozen from 23 balls before he was bowled trying to whip Matt Salisbury off his legs.Fellow opener Robin Das pulled Salisbury over midwicket for six, but departed lbw for a run-a-ball 33 when playing over a delivery from Tom Scriven.Westley and Critchley decided to keep the scoreboard ticking over in singles, compiling 15 in succession in 31 balls before the captain chopped Liam Trevaskis into the wicketkeeper’s gloves the ball after Essex had ambled to 100 in 24 overs.Critchley had nudged and nurdled 30 singles while plodding to fifty from 79 balls. He carved the next ball for only his fourth four, but tried to continue the aggression and was bowled by Salisbury.Luc Benkenstein followed, bowled trying to reverse-sweep Trevaskis. But Thain took control, thumping Salisbury for three huge sixes, and added a fourth from a Scriven full-toss. Along the way, he lost the free-flowing Allison in an incredible 10-ball over from Ben Mike that cost 15 runs and included three wides and a no-ball. However, ball No10 accounted for Allison, caught and bowled at short midwicket off a leading edge.That was the first of four wickets to fall in the final five overs as Shane Snater ramped Wright to short fine leg, Jamal Richards fell lbw to Mike, while Thain’s knock ended when he holed out to deep long leg.

Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee has been ruled out of South Africa’s upcoming Test series against West Indies because of a side strain, which he picked up during the USA’s T20 franchise league, Major League Cricket (MLC). Migael Pretorius, uncapped at Test level but with the experience of 64 first-class games to his credit, comes in as Coetzee’s replacement.Coetzee, playing for Texas Super Kings, returned home to undergo assessments on his injured left side by South Africa’s medical team. Cricket South Africa confirmed on Thursday that he was not passed fit to play the Test series, which begins on August 7.Pretorius was last named in a South Africa squad in March 2021, for a T20I series against Pakistan, but he didn’t get a cap. He also got a national call-up in December 2020 for a Test series in Sri Lanka, but then injured his shoulder and could not debut.In 64 first-class games, Pretorius, 29, has 188 wickets at 27.50. He is currently the leading wicket-taker for Somerset in this season’s English County Championship, with 23 wickets, albeit at an average of 39.43.South Africa kick off the Test series in Port-of-Spain, before moving to Providence for the second Test. Three T20Is follow, from August 24 to 28.

Updated South Africa Test squad

Temba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne, Migael Pretorius.

Despite finishing as low as 15th in the Premier League last season and missing out on every European competition, Manchester United’s exciting summer transfer window could be set to continue amid reports that one target has made a shock U-turn.

Mbeumo set to undergo Man Utd medical

After submitting an offer in excess of £60m, Manchester United have taken a vital step closer to signing Mbeumo, who is now reportedly scheduled to undergo a medical at the club as early as next week. The Brentford forward, like Cunha, is a transformative signing for Ruben Amorim’s frontline which was often found wanting last season.

Ahead of the biggest move of his career yet, Mbeumo has already received the backing of Manchester United legend Gary Neville, who spoke about the impact that both he and Cunha could make at Old Trafford.

He told Sky Sports: “[Man United] need players who are going to come in and hit the ground running. United has become a very difficult place for new signings to operate in the last ten years.

“Cunha and Mbeumo have obviously got Premier League experience. They’ve got plenty of games under their belt. [English football] is not new to them and actually they are the right type.

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“When I watch Manchester United wide players, they have to be able to get from box-to-box quickly. They have to be able to run, to travel with and without the ball. Mbeumo and, to be fair Cunha, can do that.”

Whilst the new attacking duo is no doubt impressive, INEOS may not be done there with incomings amid reports that one of their top targets has made a shock transfer U-turn.

Gyokeres now wants Man Utd move instead of Arsenal

In what could prove to be an almighty mistake, Arsenal’s increasing interest for Benjamin Sesko has re-opened the door for INEOS to make their best move yet at Old Trafford.

The Gunners have been chasing both strikers for weeks, laying groundwork and weighing their options, but according to The Mirror, INEOS and Manchester United are in contact to sign Viktor Gyokeres and the Swede now believes that a move to the Red Devils is his best option this summer.

The Swede’s departure from Sporting has become somewhat inevitable after his public spat with the Portuguese club and United should take full advantage of the forward’s desire to reunite with former boss Amorim.

The disagreement came to the fore when Sporting president Frederico Varandas accused Gyokeres’ agent of falsely claiming that there had been a gentleman’s agreement to sell the star striker for around £59m this summer. Instead, the Portuguese club have reportedly priced the Swede at as much as £86m – a price that his camp believe is too high to ensure a move in the coming months.

In today’s market though, Sporting may argue that a player who scored 54 goals in 52 games last season is worth every penny of that £86m fee. Whether Manchester United share that sentiment and sign a player who Sporting boss Rui Borges dubbed “phenomenal” remains to be seen, however.

Arsenal are in advancing talks to sign yet another player for Mikel Arteta, following an already-hectic last seven days when it comes to the club’s recruitment drive.

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Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi was in London this time last week to formalize his transfer to N5 and sign all documents as a new Arsenal player (Fabrizio Romano), with the 26-year-old becoming Andrea Berta’s first signing as new sporting director.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

Almost immediately after Zubimendi, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga also travelled to the English capital to complete his own Arsenal move, coming after Berta triggered the £5 million release clause in his Chelsea contract.

The Spanish duo were swiftly followed in their journey to N5 by Brentford captain Christian Norgaard as well, with Arsenal agreeing an initial £10 million deal, plus a potential £5 million in add-ons (Ben Jacobs), to sign the Denmark international as a replacement for Thomas Partey.

Norgaard has been authorised to have a medical at Arsenal (Fabrizio Romano), but according to recent reports, Berta may soon add yet another player to their growing list of very recent new additions.

Arsenal "set to sign" Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia

On Thursday afternoon, news emerged that Arsenal have opened talks with Valencia over versatile centre-back Cristhian Mosquera.

The 21-year-old could play at both right-back and at the heart of Arteta’s defence, if the Gunners can agree a potential £17 million deal, with Mosquera up for grabs at a cheap price considering he’s about to enter the final 12 months of his contract.

The news was originally shared by X account ‘HandofArsenal’, with credible media sources then reporting that Arsenal are now in pole position to sign the Spaniard ahead of RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich.

Now, journalist Graeme Bailey, writing in a piece for TBR Football, has shared a further update on the story.

Bailey reports that Arsenal are “set to sign” Mosquera, with talks reaching an advanced stage after “positive” negotiations, but it could spell the end for back-up defender Jakub Kiwior.

The latter impressed alongside William Saliba last season when Gabriel Magalhaes was out injured, but Mosquera’s possible arrival is “set to signal the departure” of Kiwior as he prioritises a return to Serie A.

Called a “sensational talent” by members of the media, Kiwior is apparently preparing to leave the Emirates as a result of this move for Mosquera, with GiveMeSport also reporting that personal terms have already been agreed.

While Mosquera will serve as a back-up option initially, Arsenal are said to believe that the defender has serious potential to become a first-team regular in the coming years.

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, who had been depleted by injuries in the opening week of CPL 2024, have now been bolstered by the return of Wanindu Hasaranga* and signing of New Zealand’s big-hitting allrounder Josh Clarkson. Hasaranga had been ruled out of the tournament only last month because of a hamstring injury, and was replaced by Tabraiz Shamsi at the time, but he now comes in for the injured Sikandar Raza. Clarkson, on the other hand, will slot in for Tristan Stubbs, who will return to South Africa for national duties.Shamsi is also headed home for CSA commitments for a week, and he will be temporarily replaced by the Pakistan-born USA wristspinner Mohammad Mohsin. Mohsin, 28, has played 14 games for Stephen Fleming’s Texas Super Kings in the MLC, picking up 15 wickets at an economy rate of 7.43.Clarkson is arguably the hardest hitter of a cricket ball in New Zealand and can also bowl at brisk pace. On Tuesday, Clarkson was awarded his first New Zealand central contract, but he is not in the Test scheme of things yet, so he has signed up for his first franchise T20 league stint. Clarkson has played 89 T20s so far, scoring 1673 runs at a strike rate of 147.40 and taking 11 wickets at an economy rate of 9.15.Related

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Patriots head coach Malolan Rangarajan, the former Tamil Nadu allrounder who also works with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, rued the injuries, which have disrupted the balance of their side. “Obviously, we started off the tournament with an unfortunate injury to Sikandar Raza, who was a well-thought out and important pick for us,” Malolan said on Tuesday before Patriots had announced Clarkson as their new signing.”We’ve scrambled and we’ve tried to sign a replacement and we’ve had a few hiccups at the start of [the season], with Sherfane [Rutherford] missing out the first game and Rilee [Rossouw] getting injured in the first innings of our fielding. But I think the boys have responded brilliantly to all the challenges that’ve been posed at them.”While Patriots began the season with a thrilling last-ball win against Antigua & Barbuda Falcons in Antigua, they suffered back-to-back defeats at home against Trinbago Knight Riders and St Lucia Kings. They posted 200-plus totals in both innings, but their bowlers came in for heavy punishment in both games. Their fielding has also come into sharp focus: they have dropped at least seven chances so far. Patriots captain Andre Fletcher has called for a stronger response from his team.”Well, it’s all about execution,” Fletcher said. “We’ve been working hard as a bowling unit, I must say. Even before the tournament started, we had a camp here in St Kitts and then we played a practice game in Nevis. We’ve been working hard as a bowling unit. The guys have been putting in the effort as to bowling with the wet ball and bowling [at the] death and bowling actually to one side of the field, thinking about whether this batter from the other team is playing and how we’re going to bowl to this batsman. The effort is there and the practice as I mentioned we put in a lot, but it just boils down to execution. We haven’t been executing as well as we ought to but, I’m confident.”

Fletcher: ‘I’m big on players being comfortable and enjoying themselves’

Losing and losing on the bounce might result in an unhealthy dressing room – Patriots have just won two out of their 12 games across the past two seasons – but Fletcher said that they have stuck together and blocked the outside noise.”As a leader, I try to be not under pressure,” Fletcher said. “Yes, I know a lot will be going around, especially when you lose a game. The first game we win…spectators and fans will be like: ‘good leader and great leader’ and two games lost ‘you’re the worst’.”It’s expected and they always want a win. For me, I just try my best to see where maybe I can improve as a leader. I wouldn’t doubt myself; I’ve done it before and it’s just a matter of getting the guys together. One thing I don’t want is pointing fingers and we’ve responded well after the two losses, so we are gelling really well as a team and for me that’s important. When teams lose people start segregating and the vibe of the team tends to go down, so I’m big on players being comfortable and enjoying themselves.”A chain is as strong as its weakest link, so for me as a leader I will continue to keep the guys together and ensure that they’re comfortable. People would love to see us go out there and entertain them, but it doesn’t make sense to entertain with a loss. We have to entertain with a win and it’s straightforward.”*0315hrs, September 5, The story was updated after the CPL sent a release about the replacement players

Tottenham Hotspur’s activity in the transfer market over the last few days has been frantic to say the least, with huge moves being made by new boss Thomas Frank.

Mohammed Kudus appears to be the first major signing of the Dane’s tenure in charge, after a £55m deal was agreed between the Lilywhites and West Ham United.

The Ghanaian could prove to be an excellent addition for the club, with the 24-year-old scoring 19 times during his two years with the Hammers after joining from Ajax.

It certainly would be the start of what’s going to be a huge window for the club, especially if they are to rise up the Premier League table throughout 2025/26 after their dismal finish last year.

However, numerous other players still remain on their radar between now and the end of the window, but it remains to be seen how many more deals will be completed.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Brentford striker Yoane Wissa has been labelled as a potential option for Spurs this summer, potentially following Frank in moving across the capital to join the Lilywhites.

A £50m price tag has been mooted for the 28-year-old, who registered 19 league goals for the Bees during the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

However, another player in England’s top flight has emerged on their radar, with Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White a key target, according to The Athletic.

They claim that direct talks have been held between the two clubs, with a deal now being given the famous “here we go” by Fabrizio Romano who has suggested that it is a “massive” move for the club.

Whilst no deal has yet been formally completed, journalist Ben Jacobs has stated that the player has “agreed” to the move and will head to north London for around £60m, a bargain for Frank’s side.

The player is set to undergo a medical on Friday, according to Mike McGrath of The Telegraph.

Why Spurs’ £60m target would be a better signing than Kudus & Wissa

Whilst a deal for Kudus is pretty much in the final stages, it’s evident that the board are serious about completing moves for numerous players ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Daniel Levy evidently wants to back Frank in his quest for success, looking to build on the Europa League triumph they achieved at the end of last season.

Kudus and Wissa would add further quality to the frontline without a doubt, with the pair registering a combined total of 24 league goals throughout 2024/25.

However, despite their pending arrivals, a move for Gibbs-White would undoubtedly be a better option, with the England international one of the most sought-after talents in the division after being on Manchester City’s radar earlier this summer.

When comparing his stats to those of the aforementioned duo, he’s massively outperformed the pair in numerous key areas, handing Frank the attacking quality he has craved this window.

How MGW compares to Kudus & Wissa in the PL (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Gibbs-White

Kudus

Wissa

Games played

34

32

35

Goals & assists

15

8

23

Progressive passes

5.3

2.7

2.1

Passes into final third

4.2

1.6

1.3

Shot-creating actions

3.7

3.6

2.1

Take-on success

50%

44%

30%

Aerials won

1.3

0.3

0.9

Key passes

1.3

1

0.8

Stats via FBref

Gibbs-White, who’s been labelled “world-class” by journalist Jamie Martin, has registered more progressive passes per 90, along with more key passes completed – having the creativity ability to allow those ahead of him to thrive in front of goals.

He’s also registered more shot-creating actions despite his deep-lying role, whilst completing a higher percentage of his take-ons, subsequently able to create chances for himself or his teammates.

The 25-year-old has further showcased his dominance with his higher figure of aerials won per 90, with his skillset handing Frank a superb all-round option within the final third.

£60m for a player of his talent in today’s market would be an excellent piece of business by the hierarchy, offering the side yet another incredible talent within the final third.

There’s no denying that Kudus or Wissa would also be impressive signings, but given the stats produced and his current international status, Gibbs-White would blow the pair out of the water, potentially playing a huge role in any future success under Frank.

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أشاد نبيل معلول، المدير الفني السابق لمنتخب تونس، بلاعب النادي الأهلي، بعد تألقه وتقديم أداء أكثر من رائع خلال الفترة الماضية مع الفريق.

ويستعد فريق النادي الأهلي في الوقت الحالي، لمواجهة إنبي، يوم الأحد 14 سبتمبر، في الجولة السادسة من عمر منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وقال معلول خلال تصريحات عبر قناة “النهار” لبرنامج “أوضة اللبس”: “محمد علي بن رمضان لاعب الأهلي، يمتلك إمكانيات بدنية وفنية مميزة تجعله من أفضل لاعبي خط الوسط في الدوري المصري هذا الموسم”.

وأضاف: “محمد علي بن رمضان، من نوعية اللاعبين البوكس تو بوكس، يدخل منطقة الجزاء كثيرًا ويصنع ويسجل الأهداف، وأؤكد أنه سيقدم موسمًا استثنائيًا مع الأهلي”.

وعن المقارنة بينه وبين فرجاني ساسي لاعب الزمالك السابق، أوضح مدرب تونس السابق: “لكل لاعب ستايل مختلف، ساسي يمتاز بالربط بين الخطوط وفكر كروي عالي، بينما بن رمضان يضيف قوة هجومية من العمق، وأفضل الاعتماد عليهما معًا في خط الوسط”.

طالع | منتخب المغرب للمحليين يحسم موقفه من ضم لاعب الأهلي في كأس العرب

وفيما يتعلق بتولي نبيل معلول تدريب فريق القادسية الكويتي، أوضح معلول: “انضمام محمود كهربا إلى الفريق الكويتي في بداية الموسم الحالي أمر جيد، هو لاعب لديه قدرات وعندما أن يكون ملتزمًا”.

وتابع: “تفاجأت جدًا بكهربا، فهو أول من يحضر إلى التدريبات وآخر من يغادر، وعندما يكون ملتزمًا يظهر قدرات رائعة”.

وأكمل: “التزام كهربا مؤخرًا يعكس رغبته في استعادة أفضل مستوياته مع القادسية”، مشددًا على أن البيئة المناسبة من الجهاز الفني هي العامل الأهم لإخراج أفضل ما لدى اللاعب.

وأتم معلول في ختام حديثه: “كهربا يعاني من إصابة بالوقت الحالي، ويخوض مرحلة من التأهيل”.

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta still has his eyes on an array of exciting attacking talents, amid the club’s widely reported pursuit of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze and after their £50 million deal for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke.

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Mikel Arteta’s side have made a serious statement of intent with their deals so far, having also signed Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, with Arsenal appearing determined to bridge the gap between themselves and Premier League champions Liverpool.

Madueke passed his Arsenal medical on Monday morning, and the England international will soon be joined by Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera. The Spaniard has flown to England today as he begins his own medical with Arsenal, according to Sky Sports, after the Gunners reached an agreement to sign him for around £17 million, including add-ons (Fabrizio Romano).

Meanwhile, Arsenal are also finalising a potential £64 million deal for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, with Arteta on the verge of finally seeing a prolific number nine join his side after what seems like years of waiting (The Athletic). The north Londoners are apparently hopeful they can fully close this deal in time for their pre-season tour of Asia, with Arsenal flying out to Singapore on Saturday.

After Gyokeres and Mosquera, there are many reports that Arsenal remain in ongoing talks with Eze.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

25/26 – summer

£75m

Arsenal held positive discussions with the England international’s representatives recently (ESPN), and according to trusted transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, they’re still in contact as they maintain their pursuit of his signature.

Now, as per another reliable reporter, talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs, Arsenal are set to approach Palace over a deal for Eze, with club-to-club talks set to get underway after two-week-long negotiations on the player’s side.

Arsenal hold "genuine" Rafael Leao interest with Eberechi Eze

Arsenal apparently plan to speak with Palace as early as this week, and he’s viewed by Arteta’s side as a possible central attacking signing.

Their deal for Madueke will not impact their move for the 27-year-old, who scored 14 goals and registered 11 assists in all competitions last season. They think of Madueke as a separate signing capable of playing both on the left and competing with Bukayo Saka on the right-hand side, with Jacobs even suggesting that they’re still keen on more left-wing options.

Writing for talkSPORT, Jacobs reports that Arsenal hold a “genuine” interest in AC Milan star Rafael Leao as one target on a star-studded three-man shortlist.

Leao has a £152 million release clause written into his contract, which is active from July 5 to July 15 of every year before his deal runs out in 2028, but Arsenal are very unlikely to trigger that considering both the expense and how it expires today.

The Portugal international is one of Milan’s star players, scoring 12 goals and racking up a further 13 assists over his latest season at the San Siro. However, a potential move for Leao hinges on either Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli leaving the Emirates, which is no surprise considering they’ve just signed Madueke.

Bringing in another big-name left-winger would be yet another showcase of real ambition from Berta, but questions will surely be asked about how it could disrupt the dressing room – as Arteta may struggle to hand out adequate game time.