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Netherlands women have followed in the footsteps of their counterparts in Ireland and will participate in England’s domestic county championship in 2009. With Scotland having been part of the fixtures since 2007, the tournament will now feature three of Europe’s leading sides.Netherlands and Ireland have been placed in the newly created fifth division though they will be competing in separate sub-divisions. Scotland are higher up in the third division.The 50-over competition format for 2009 will run from May to September and have more home and away matches for the 24 teams in the top four divisions.Clare Connor, the head of England’s women’s cricket, was confident the ECB’s structure would help Ireland and Netherlands enhance their performance. “I want to support our European neighbours to enable them to climb the ODI rankings and it seems to me that with more regular, competitive opportunities we can genuinely help them do this. I do not want to see Irish and Dutch women’s cricket get left behind in the global rankings by the growing Asian nations who are playing more and more cricket.”Richard Hobsworth, the ICC regional development manager, said the two teams’ inclusion in English domestic cricket was a boost to the women’s game in Europe. “This will allow each team to participate in regular competitive fixtures outside of their own countries; an environment which will progress their development enormously.”

Danny Cowley has provided an update on Ellis Harrison which explains why he did not move to Bolton Wanderers.

What’s the talk?

The Portsmouth manager has explained why the Trotters failed to secure a deal for the striker during the transfer window.

Bolton were reportedly keen on a move for the centre-forward, with Cowley now revealing that Harrison asked to stay at the south coast club on deadline day as he was not looking to seal an exit from Fratton Park despite transfer interest.

He told Hampshire Live: “I had a really good conversation with Ellis on the telephone [on Tuesday] evening. He explained his reasons. It is absolutely his prerogative to want to stay.

“We didn’t want to lose him. He’s in the last year of his contract. He is motivated, he knows that it is really important for him in his career after a difficult year last year that he plays regularly and he knows that he controls that and he owns that.

“We need to get him fit enough, so that when he penetrates, he can become a handful because he stretches the pitch. Defenders don’t like forwards that run in behind and then defenders get deeper, it then gives him the opportunity then to pin up and you can play in to him and up to him and then he can start to link the play.

“I think there had been some interest, he had spoken to clubs, but he still feels he has got unfinished business here.”

Frustration for Evatt

Ian Evatt will surely be frustrated by these comments from Cowley as it means that Harrison decided he would rather play a supporting role at Pompey instead of potentially coming to Bolton and being a key figure. If the Trotters’ interest in him was genuine, that means he snubbed the chance to make the move, which will be disappointing to Evatt as it suggests he did not do enough to convince the 27-year-old that it was the right decision.

As Cowley explained, there was interest in Harrison and he did speak to clubs about a transfer. If Bolton were one of those, that means they ultimately failed in their attempts to bring him to the northwest, rather than it being a case of Portsmouth refusing to sell him.

This is doubly frustrating for Evatt, as it becomes an issue with Bolton rather than Portsmouth. The 39-year-old may need to do more to ensure that players want to join the club and are desperate to make the move so that the Trotters do not encounter similar problems in the future. Whether that means improving the training facilities or putting together a better pitch to give to targets remains to be seen, though.

The £4.3k-per-week Portsmouth forward has played one minute of League One football this season and only started 11 matches last term. This highlights the backup role he plays within Cowley’s team and why his decision to remain there is particularly frustrating for Evatt, as he has decided to continue being a bit-part player at Fratton Park instead of joining Bolton.

AND in other news, 82% duels won: Bolton gem with 85 touches was unsung hero for Evatt against Port Vale…

Cricinfo previews the fifth game of the ICL World Series between Bangladesh XI and Pakistan XI

Cricinfo staff26-Nov-2008Match factsNovember 27, 2008
Start time 7.30pm (1400 GMT)The Big Picture
Will Naved-ul-Hasan star with the bat again? © ICL
The Pakistan XI stepped up to the task in their must-win game against the World XI. All teams now have two points each, making the final two league games of the tournament virtual semi-finals.Both Pakistan and Bangladesh have bounced back strongly after losses in their first games, and if they carry that momentum on Thursday, it will surely make for a thrilling contest. Shahriar Nafees’ unbeaten 70 carried Bangladesh to a win over India on Tuesday, while for Pakistan two outrageous half-centuries from Naved-ul-Hasan and Abdul Razzaq helped chase down a daunting 189 with 2.1 overs to spare. It was a comfortable win, considering the target and the fact that Inzamam-ul-Haq wasn’t required to bat.Chasing seems the way to go in this tournament. Sides batting second have won the last three games, and in the inaugural game, it was an all-round effort from Lance Klusener that thwarted Bangladesh’s chances after they chose to field.Players to watchHabibul Bashar will be a man under pressure. He captained the Dhaka Warriors in the ICL 20-20 Indian Championship, but failed to take them to the semi-finals. The same Dhaka side forms the Bangladesh XI, and Bashar would be eager to see him team through. Bashar’s personal form with the bat also remains a worry – against India he did not bat at all, and it was surprising that a specialist batsman dropped out of the top seven.Razzaq is one of the few members in the Pakistan squad who did not play for the Lahore Badshahs. The Hyderabad Heroes allrounder starred on Wednesday, with his unbeaten 73 helping Pakistan win a do-or-die clash.

Speaking to Football Insider, BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Alan Hutton has heaped praise on Tottenham Hotspur following the signing of Argentina international Cristian Romero.

The Lowdown: Spurs snap up Romero…

As confirmed by the club, new manager Nuno Espirito Santo has been significantly reinforced by the arrival of Romero from Atalanta as their third major summer signing.

The 23-year-old, who won the 2020/21 Serie A MVP award for best defender, enjoyed a brilliant season at the Gewiss Stadium which prompted serious interest from Spurs.

After long and drawn-out talks, Tottenham announced his signing on August 6, with Hutton now heaping praise on the club for an ambitious move.

The Latest: Hutton thrilled by Romero signing…

Speaking to Football Insider, the former Spurs defender has waxed lyrical over the signing of Romero, highlighting it as a real show of ambition from the Lilywhites and managing director Fabio Paratici.

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“It’s a great display of ambition from Spurs,” Hutton explained.

“It was Paratici who brought him to Juventus from Genoa, so it’s a player he knows really well and trusts.

“It’s a big fee but he’s at an age now where he is playing at a high level as an established first-team player.

“Centre-back is an area that Spurs have been crying out to strengthen, with Alderweireld and Vertonghen departing recently.

“They need to establish a new centre-back dynamic, and that’s why they have spent the money on a very good player who is known by the backroom staff.

“I hope he can adapt to the league very quickly as there’ll be a lot of pressure on him to succeed.”

The Verdict: Huge coup…

Starting 29 Italian top-flight matches last season, Romero made more interceptions per game (3.1) than any Tottenham player did in the Premier League, whilst also winning a superior amount of aerial duels in that time (WhoScored).

These impressive numbers highlight why Spurs brought him to north London and perhaps indicate that he can fix Spurs’ long-time central defensive issues.

Hutton has every right to brand Romero’s signing as an ambitious one and Lilywhites supporters will hope that it ends up being a transformative acquisition.

In other news: Offer pending: Tottenham front race to sign ‘very exciting’ player with ‘gigantic buzz’, find out more here.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly wants five of his first team stars to be offered new contracts over the coming months.

What’s the story?

According to The Sun, the Norwegian is keen to tie down Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba to fresh terms as he continues to search for his first piece of silverware as United boss.

The report stated that Solskjaer wants the Old Trafford dressing room to be harmonious and believes that it is unfair if some players undeservedly earn more than others.

Star midfielder Pogba has been heavily linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain in recent weeks – who are also thought to be preparing a bumper contract offer for Frenchman – after he entered the final year of his current deal in Manchester.

However, Solskjaer remains confident that the 28-year-old commit his future to the Red Devils and wants Pogba’s high-performing teammates to be rewarded for their impressive displays last season.

Manchester United fans will be buzzing

The Sun’s report stated: “Fernandes has five years to run on his contract but is on £100,000-a-week and is already in talks for a new deal which could be worth between £250,000 and £300,000.

“Englishmen Rashford, Maguire and Shaw all earn between £180,000 and £200,000-a-week and will also be offered similar terms to Fernandes.”

Spain international goalkeeper David de Gea is the club’s highest earner on £375,000 per week, ahead of Pogba, who takes home £290,000 weekly, meaning that the English trio and Fernandes would become some of the top earners at Old Trafford.

News that the United hierarchy are planning to offer fresh terms to a significant number of the club’s most important players will surely have the supporters buzzing with excitement.

The 20-time English champions have made great strides under Solskjaer during his two-and-a-half-year tenure, recording consecutive top-four finishes for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson retired back in 2013.

However, a major trophy has so far eluded the man formerly nicknamed the Baby-Faced Assassin, and he’ll be hopeful that the five aforementioned stars put pen to paper, helping him bring the good times back to the red half of Manchester.

In other news…Miguel Delaney reveals worrying Man Utd update, Ole will be absolutely fuming 

تحدث أحمد حسام ميدو لاعب ومدرب الزمالك السابق، عن ملف المدير الفني الجديد لفريق الكرة الأول بالنادي الأهلي، المنتظر أن يتولى المهمة خلفًا للجنوب إفريقي بيتسو موسيماني.

طالع.. خاص | الأهلي يتفق مع مدربين أجنبيين لخلافة موسيماني.. وخطوة واحدة قبل الحسم

وقال ميدو في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر فضائية “الريمونتادا”: “يُمكن أن يتعاقد الأهلي مع دييجو سيميوني، وهو مدرب كبير وقاد أتلتيكو مدريد، ولكنه من الممكن أن يفشل عندما يقود قطبي الدوري المصري، بسبب أسلوب المنافسين في الدفاع ضد الفريقين”.

وأضاف: “نجاح المدرب لا يشترط بفكرة أن يكون مدربًا كبيرًا وله اسمًا كبيرًا، ولكن لابد أن يكون لديه مقومات النجاح، رغم أن كرة القدم لا شيء مضمون فيها”.

واستكمل: “توقيت التعاقد مع المدرب عامل مهم جدًا في نجاحه، والمباريات المقبلة للأهلي صعبة، على مستوى الدوري والكأس”.

وتسائل ميدو: “من المدرب الذي سيأتي لقيادة الأهلي في هذا التوقيت ويحقق الفوز ويكسب ثقة الجمهور والإعلام؟ خاصة أن البدايات دومًا مهمة، ومعلوماتي أن الأهلي يبحث عن مدرب صغير في السن ويكون مؤمنًا بالشباب ويعمل على تطويرهم”.

واستطرد: “الأهلي عقد اجتماعًا عبر (زووم) مع المدرب الألماني دافيد فاجنر، وهو أقرب المرشحين لقيادة الأهلي خلال الفترة المقبلة، دافيد فاجنر مدرب يعرف كيفية التعامل مع الشباب، وهذا هو هدف الأهلي”.

واستكمل: “ممكن أن يتعاقد الأهلي مع المدرب قبل مواجهة بيراميدز، ولكن لن يقود الفريق، من الممكن أن يشاهد المباراة فقط إذا تم التعاقد، ولكن لن يقود الفريق فنيًا”.

طالع | أحمد بلال يختار أفضل 3 لاعبين في مصر.. وينتقد عبد القادر بسبب “الشو”

وأتم: “مواجهة الأهلي ضد بيراميدز ستكون صعبة للغاية، وتاكيس جونياس مدرب مخضرم ولابد من معرفة كيفية مواجهته جيدًا”.

واختتم: “نصيحتي لجمهور الأهلي، لا تستعجلوا الإدارة في التعاقد مع مدرب جديد، الفريق مُقبل على مباريات صعبة، وهذه هي الأزمة الحقيقية بالنسبة لاختيار مدرب الأهلي الجديد، وهي ضيق الوقت”.

وضح وكيل الأعمال الشهير، خورخي مينديز، موقف نادي برشلونة من بيع لاعب وسط الفريق الأول لكرة القدم، نيكو جونزاليس، في الميركاتو الصيفي الحالي.

ويعمل برشلونة في الفترة الحالية على التوصل لاتفاق مع مينديز الذي يمثل اللاعب الشاب من أجل تمديد عقد نيكو لسنوات أخرى نظرًا لموهبته الكبيرة.

اقرأ أيضًا | ليفربول يُخبر لاعبه بإمكانية الرحيل هذا الصيف.. ويحدد سعر بيعه

وقامت الصحافة الكتالونية بتوجيه سؤال إلى مينديز أثناء خروجه من مطعم بعد تناول العشاء يوم أمس، الأربعاء، مع خوان لابورتا ورافا يوستي وجوردي كرويف وماتيو أليماني.

كان السؤال عن موقف برشلونة في بيع اللاعب ورد البرتغالي: “إنهم لا يريدون بيعه”.

ويعد نيكو أحد المواهب التي ظهرت في برشلونة خلال فترة المدير الفني السابق، رونالد كومان، ورغم عدم مشاركته المستمرة مع، تشافي هيرنانديز، إلا أن هناك تمسكا من جانب النادي الكتالوني رغم شائعات إمكانية رحيله للتدعيم بصفقات أخرى.

Newcastle United writer Liam Kennedy believes that Freddie Woodman is very close to being a top-level goalkeeper.

Woodman was in fine form last season during his loan spell at Swansea City. The shot-stopper kept 22 clean sheets in his 52 appearances for the Swans, in all competitions and helped the club reach the play-off final at Wembley.

Whilst a loan move to Bournemouth was on the cards for Woodman this summer, but due to an injury to Martin Dubravka, Woodman looks like he is staying at St James’ Park and could be the man between the posts in the Magpies’ opening Premier League fixture against West Ham United.

Woodman was given another 45 minutes for the first team in their pre-season match against Burnley, which was his second half of football in pre-season, after playing in his side’s 1-1 draw with Rotherham.

Kennedy believes that Woodman is close to being ready for Premier League football, telling Football FanCast: “I think he’s ready to play football and I do think he is very close to being a top-level goalkeeper, but really we will never know that until he performs week in, week out in the top flight.”

If Woodman starts the Premier League season in goal for Newcastle and puts in a string of good performances, the Magpies will have three top level shot stoppers on their hands, which will create healthy competition for the number one jersey at St James’ Park.

Liverpool have reportedly joined the race to sign Italy and Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Locatelli shines at the Euros

Italy deservedly won Euro 2020 earlier this month, following a final victory over England and dominant performances throughout the tournament.

Locatelli played his part in the Azzurri‘s success, scoring twice in his country’s 3-0 win over Switzerland in the group stages.

The 23-year-old looked a class act in the middle of the park whenever he did play and a summer exit from Sassuolo looks on the cards, with Juventus strongly linked with a move for him.

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The Latest: Liverpool linked with move

According to Gazzetta dello Sport [via LFC Transfer Room on Twitter], however, Liverpool are now in the race to sign Locatelli.

The Reds are watching the Juventus situation closely, with Arsenal also linked with a move for the midfielder.

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The Verdict: Could be a great signing

Locatelli looked an excellent prospect at the Euros and he could be an ideal player to come in and fill the Gini Wijnaldum-shaped void in the middle of the park.

At 23, he would represent a long-term signing, but he is also experienced enough to be a key man from the off, already winning 15 caps for Italy.

Locatelli averaged 2.4 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game in Serie A last season – in comparison, Wijnaldjum averaged just 0.6 and 0.7, respectively.

In other news, one big European club are reportedly eyeing up a surprise move for a Liverpool player. Find out who it is here.

Football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Glasgow Rangers target Alhassan Yusuf is about to make a move to Royal Antwerp in Belgium.

The Lowdown: Gers target Yusuf

The Gers have been linked with a move for Yusuf (SCORENigeria via The Daily Record), who currently plays in Sweden for IFK Goteborg.

He has made 76 appearances for his current club, racking up two goals and nine assists during that time (Transfermarkt).

However, the Gers have not made a concrete move for him and have already signed another midfielder in John Lundstram (rangers.co.uk), and there has now been an update on Yusuf’s future.

The Latest: Yusuf close to Royal Antwerp

Romano has revealed that the 20-year-old is closing in on a move to Belgian outfit Royal Antwerp (via Voetbal Primeur).

The journalist added that IFK Goteborg will receive €1.5m (£1.3m) from his sale.

The Verdict: Other targets emerged

Steven Gerrard and co will naturally be disappointed to miss out on one of their summer targets. However, it appears that no bid was made his services, so perhaps they weren’t hugely keen on the 20-year-old.

The Gers have recently signed a midfielder in Lundstram on a free transfer. Aged 27 and with plenty of Premier League experience under his belt, he is more of a finished product, whereas the much younger Yusuf will no doubt still need to develop.

In other news, Rangers have a funding gap which needs to be filled.