Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong was left in tears in the dressing room after coming off at half-time of Sunday's clash at Real Sociedad.
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De Jong just back from long lay-offPicked up knock playing for BarcelonaFeared another spell on the sidelinesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
De Jong returned to action with Barcelona in October after a five-month lay-off due to an ankle injury. Yet the midfielder was forced off after just 45 minutes at the Reale Arena on Sunday and was left in tears in the dressing room as he feared another long-term lay-off, according to . The Dutchman had taken knocks to his shin and his ankle and was left emotional at the thought he could be set for more time on the sidelines.
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Fortunately for De Jong, it emerged that he had only suffered a blow to his shin and he has since travelled to meet with up with the Netherlands squad for Nations League fixtures against Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The midfielder's injury problems mean he hasn't made an appearance for his national team in 14 months and so he'll be hoping for minutes over the next two games before returning to Barcelona.
WHAT DE JONG HAS SAID
De Jong has spoken about his fitness after linking up with the squad: "It's been a long time, playing for the Dutch national team. It's a great honour. I'm always happy to be here. I'm a bit sore, but I think it'll be fine. It was a lingering injury. I missed a lot of matches and the European Championship, which was difficult. Things are getting better now. I am growing back to where I need to be in terms of form and fitness. I think we have a good team, a good selection. Hopefully we can do great things."
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De Jong will be hoping he can now stay injury-free and have an impact with both club and county. The Netherlands sit second in their Nations League group, five points behind Germany, while Barcelona are currently flying high at the top of La Liga under new manager Hansi Flick.
New Zealand will keep one eye on the final day of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and how the next month pans out
S Rajesh18-Jan-2021If Australia winAustralia will move up to 75.4. They will obviously qualify if the three-Test series against South Africa doesn’t materialize. If it does, Australia will need another 59 points from that series, which they can get if they win one Test (40 points), and draw two (13 points each). So a 1-0 series win will be the minimum margin required to go past New Zealand’s percentage points.India will drop to 66.7 and will need 110 points out of 120 from their series against England. That can only happen if they win 4-0. Any other series scoreline and they will have to hope that Australia do even worse in South Africa. England could come into the reckoning too if both Australia and India drop points.If the Test is drawnAustralia will be on 71.25 points and will qualify if the series against South Africa is called off. If that series goes ahead, they will need 79 out of 120 points, which means at least two Test wins. If they don’t win two, they will drop below New Zealand in the table and will have to hope that results in the India-England series go their way.India will drop to 68.3 and will need 100 points at least from the England series. For that, they will need a 3-0 scoreline. Anything less, and they will drop below New Zealand and will be counting on other results going their way.(If the Gabba Test is drawn, if England beat Sri Lanka 2-0, the Australia-South Africa series ends 1-1, and the India-England series ends 2-2, then Australia will finish on 65.8, England on 65.6, and India on 65.3.)If India winAustralia will drop to 69.2 and will need 89 points from the series against South Africa to go past New Zealand. That can only happen if they win at least two Tests and draw the third, in which case they will get 93 points from the series. Had Australia not dropped those four points for slow over-rate in Melbourne, they would have been on 70 even with a defeat. In that case, the runs-per-wicket ratio would have come into play (since teams have played an unequal number of series, the series wins isn’t being considered in this cycle); currently, Australia’s ratio is 1.42 while New Zealand’s is 1.28.India will move up to 71.67 with a win and will need 80 more points against England to top New Zealand. They can achieve that with a 2-0 series scoreline in the four Tests.England’s win in Galle has brought them into the conversation as well, but for them to go past New Zealand, they will need to win the second Test in Sri Lanka, and beat India 3-0.
Evin Lewis makes 65 in 143-run opening stand after controversial Danushka Gunathilaka dismissal turns tide
Danyal Rasool10-Mar-2021A brilliant century from Shai Hope – his tenth in ODI cricket – led West Indies to a crushing eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first ODI in Antigua.Set 233 to win, West Indies knocked off the runs with three overs to spare, with the sort of ruthless efficiency it is generally so difficult to execute against Sri Lanka, particularly on slower tracks that might have something in them for spinners.A 143-run opening stand between Hope and Evin Lewis, who scored an uncharacteristic, yet impressive, 90-ball 65, effectively froze Sri Lanka out of the game before their spin bowlers had a chance to get stuck into it. A clinical unbeaten 37 from Darren Bravo guaranteed Dimuth Karunaratne’s men would not be permitted a sniff after that stand was broken, the total Sri Lanka had put up after winning the toss shown to be well below par.While Sri Lanka’s innings had also begun with a glistening century partnership, West Indies had the advantage of knowing exactly what was required, and were laser-focused on achieving it with the minimum fuss possible. There was limited running between the wickets early on but Hope and Lewis continued to find a boundary an over or so, both particularly severe on any line they could work through the covers. They brought up fifty inside nine overs, with Sri Lanka introducing spin right after, but at that point, the openers began to milk the singles, the left-right combination never quite letting the Sri Lankans settle into a rhythm.Perhaps it was the pitch – which offered limited purchase for the slower bowlers – or maybe Sri Lanka had an off day, but rarely have that side’s spinners looked as toothless as they did today. There was an inevitability to the hundred partnership, and the ease with which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries, and how West Indies shrugged off the wicket of Lewis, will have surprised even the most partisan West Indies supporters. There was even time for a bit of flair as Hope stormed to 99 with a six over long-on, before a glorious drive brought up three figures.If anything, it was the pace of Dushmantha Chameera that appeared to trouble West Indies most, and the fast bowler, who has often been troubled by back injuries, was responsible for both wickets that fell. Lewis was undone by a perfect yorker that he failed to get his bat down for, before a peach of a slower delivery whooshed past Hope’s bat and clattered into his off stump just after he had brought up a hundred. They were just consolation strikes for today, but if Chameera can remain injury free, his importance to his side, both for this series and in the long term, could be exciting.In the morning, Sri Lanka played out a topsy-turvy innings that began with a sparkling 105-run opening partnership, but West Indies continued to strike throughout the 50 overs to repeatedly peg the visitors back, bowling them out for 232 inside 49 overs.Half-centuries from Danushka Gunathilaka and Karunaratne at close to a run-a-ball saw Sri Lanka bring up the three-figure mark inside 19 overs, before a spate of wickets through the middle order saw much of that hard work undone. It included a deeply controversial incident where Gunathilaka was given out for allegedly obstructing the field after West Indian captain Kieron Pollard appealed, and the couple of run-outs that followed put West Indies on top.There was plenty to like about the Sri Lankan innings once they won the toss and batted first, but the only thing likely to be remarked upon at any length is the moment of Gunathilaka’s dismissal that changed the tide of the game.Pollard, who was hugely influential through the innings, had just dismissed Karunaratne with his second ball, before he served Gunathilaka a short delivery in his next over. Pathum Nissanka, on debut, set off for a single his partner wasn’t remotely interested in, and Pollard, sensing a run-out opportunity, raced to get hold of the ball, nestled beside Gunathilaka’s feet.As the batsman took a backward step to ensure he remained inside his crease, he trod on the ball, knocking it back, leading to Pollard’s furious appeal. It appeared there was no way replays could establish Gunathilaka had deliberately foiled a run-out attempt, but TV umpire Nigel Guguid took little time reaching that conclusion, ending a delightfully fluent innings.The game took on a tetchiness and Pollard threatened to Mankad the non-striker, Nissanka, who was in the action once more with a risky second run putting paid to another of his partners, Angelo Mathews, as Pollard flicked off the bails. Nissanka’s miserable, brief stay at the crease would end an over later, when he was run out as Sri Lanka attempted another needlessly chancy single.Amidst the drama, it might be easy to forget the awareness and quality Pollard and Jason Mohammed bowled with to trouble Sri Lanka. They took the pace off on a somewhat slow pitch to stymie Sri Lanka’s fluency, with the visitors guilty of occasional impatience that brought the end of Kamindu Mendis and Wanindu Hasaranga. Ashen Bandara, on ODI debut, showed great maturity, regularly rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries – uncommon though they were – to steer Sri Lanka past 200 and bring up his half-century.It need not have been as laboured as that by the way Gunathilaka and Karunaratne went about things. After a staid first six overs, the two began to speed through the gears, hitting six boundaries in nine balls off Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph to make up for lost time. Gunathilaka, in particular, took on the role of aggressor, refusing to let Romario Shephard settle and manipulating the field expertly as dot deliveries became increasingly scarce.It might not have mattered given the way Hope and West Indies batted, but considering how sharply Sri Lanka’s fortunes slumped from the moment of Gunathilaka’s dismissal, it is that moment, rather than Hope’s brilliance, this game is likeliest to be remembered for.
Liverpool have been quoted a bargain price for Rayan Cherki as Lyon are in desperate need of transfer funds to avoid forced relegation.
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Salah into final year of Liverpool contractReds linked with potential successorsCherki available at bargain priceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Salah's future at Liverpool remains uncertain currently, as the Egyptian star is into the final year of his existing contract and yet to extend. A replacement may therefore be needed and Lyon's Cherki has emerged as a possible option. According to , the Ligue 1 side would be willing to sell Cherki in the January transfer window for €30-35m (£25-£29m) as the club need to raise around €100m (£83m) in sales to balance the books and avoid a forced relegation.
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Lyon are willing to sell players to ease their financial issues and may well have plenty of interest in Cherki. PSG and Bayer Leverkusen are expected to rival Liverpool for the France youth international, who is contracted to the club until 2026.
WHAT HAS BEEN SAID
Lyon owner John Textor has spoken about Cherki and possible January sales. He told reporters: "We lost €15m from his potential sale [to PSG] last summer, but now his value is way higher. He should stay in January, but it's up to Rayan, as is always the case in football.
"We have an excess of superb players. The coach has almost impossible decisions to make. I hate rumours about which players to sell, it all depends on the opportunities, but the certainty is the abundance of players. We have 29 players in the first team. Ideally, we want 23 or 24. There are six players too many. Some have not left and we wanted to recruit to be stronger in the league."
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Salah has been in top form again this season for Liverpool, scoring 10 goals already for Arne Slot's Reds in all competitions. The Egypt star is yet to reveal his plans for the future, but there's no doubt finding a replacement for the 32-year-old will be a tough task for Liverpool, if he does decide to move on.
This transfer window has been a quiet one up to now for Arsenal, with David Raya the only addition, making his loan spell permanent at the Emirates ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
However, defender Riccardo Calafiori could be about to be the club’s second addition this summer, as journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed he’s passed his medical and is set to join the squad in the US.
Mikel Arteta finally looks as though he’s won the race for the Italian, but the Spaniard still wants reinforcements in midfield to bolster his squad’s chances of winning the Premier League this season.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Mikel Merino is the latest name to be linked with a move to the Emirates, looking to take advantage of his contract situation, entering talks with Real Sociedad over a potential deal for the Euro 2024 winner.
Despite the progression in talks, Arteta’s side should be all over a move for Merino’s international teammate, who’s potentially available for a bargain price this summer.
Arsenal should move to sign £51m talent this summer
In recent weeks, Arsenal have been touted with a potential move for RB Leipzig midfielder Dani Olmo after his impressive form for Spain at Euro 2024.
The Spaniard, who has registered three goals and two assists at this summer’s European Championships, also has admirers from Manchester City, Manchester United, and Chelsea, with the Gunners needing to act quickly if they are to secure his services.
His displays at Euro 2024 have springboarded him into the limelight, with the Spanish talent finally getting the recognition that he deserves.
It has previously been reported that he has a €60m (£51m) release clause in his current deal with the Bundesliga side, a bargain for a player of his quality.
Whilst he enjoyed a successful tournament this summer, his stats from the 2023/24 Bundesliga campaign are just as impressive, with Olmo ranking very similarly to a talent who has burst onto the scene in recent years.
Why Olmo is a similar player to Musiala and perfect for Odegaard
Jamal Musiala has cemented himself as one of the best youngsters in world football over the last couple of years, starring for German giants Bayern Munich.
Germany star Jamal Musiala
Since his first-team debut back in 2020, the 21-year-old has featured 163 times for the club, scoring 43 goals and providing the same amount of assists – an average of one goal contribution every 0.5 games for Bayern.
However, despite his excellent stats, Olmo has matched or even better some of his stats per 90 in 2023/24, with FBref ranking the Spaniard as a similar player to the German star.
In the Bundesliga, the “world-class” Olmo, as described by journalist Victor Catalina, registered fewer combined goals or assists than Musiala, but managed to contribute with more assists per 90 than the German.
Games
21
24
Goals + assists
9
15
Assists per 90
0.31
0.25
Passes completed
32
32
Recoveries
4.7
4.7
Progressive carries into final third
3
3
He also registered the same number of passes per 90, whilst matching the Bayern ace for progressive carries into the final third – making him the perfect partner for current Arsenal star Martin Odegaard, with the pair both liking to get on the ball and play forward and at any given opportunity.
The Norwegian excelled in a box-to-box role last season, regaining possession before playing forward, with Olmo fitting perfectly into the mold, as demonstrated by his tally of 4.7 recoveries per 90 – crucial figures to break up the play, before allowing him to demonstrate his creative side.
Merino may be a cheaper alternative for the Gunners this season, but Olmo possesses a lot of qualities that would benefit Arteta’s side. He can play in a number of roles across the midfield, making him a versatile option who can have an effect at both ends of the pitch.
£51m in today’s market for a player of his quality is a bargain, with the Gunners needing to act quickly to secure his services, amid strong interest from various other English sides.
West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui is working hard to build a side which could get back to securing European qualification next season.
So far, Max Kilman and Luis Guilherme have joined the side, while a deal is reportedly close for Leeds United winger Crysencio Summerville.
Max Kilman West Ham graphic
Lopetegui is also chasing another centre-forward, with Borussia Dortmund’s Niclas Füllkrug closing in on a move to London after the side agreed a fee of £27m with the German side for the player.
Slowly, but surely, a team which could break back into the European spots during the 2024/25 campaign is being built.
Opponent
Date
Aston Villa (H)
August 17
Crystal Palace (A)
August 24
Manchester City (H)
August 31
Fulham (A)
September 14
Chelsea (H)
September 21
West Ham United closing in on World Cup winner
It isn’t just his attacking options that Lopetegui is looking to bolster, as a move for Argentinian World Cup winner Guido Rodriguez is reportedly close.
That’s according to the Standard, who claim that the Irons are in advanced talks with the former Real Betis midfielder, who is currently a free agent after leaving the La Liga side at the end of his contract.
Real Betis midfielder Guido Rodriguez.
The 30-year-old will bring a wealth of experience to the club, and he would be an ideal signing for Lopetegui, especially on a free transfer.
Could the Spaniard land Rodriguez a perfect midfield partner? As he is chasing a midfielder who has won the Champions League twice…
West Ham United eyeing up move for ex-Barcelona midfielder
According to Pete O’Rourke, who was speaking on Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast (via Football Insider), West Ham are considering a move for Sergi Roberto, the former Barcelona midfielder.
Having left the Catalan giants following the expiration of his contract, Lopetegui would be able to sign him for nothing in a move similar to that of Rodriguez. Judging by his experience at the highest level, he could be a worthwhile addition to the squad.
Roberto and Rodriguez may even form a wonderful partnership in the heart of the midfield as West Ham chase a top-eight finish next season.
Sergi Roberto & Guido Rodriguez partnership
Rodriguez typically operates as a defensive midfielder, making 29 appearances in that position for Real Betis last season.
He demonstrated his defensive capabilities in the Spanish top flight last term, winning 4.9 total duels per game – a success rate of 60% – while making 2.2 tackles and recovering 6.5 balls per game throughout the 2023/24 campaign.
When compared to his positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues, Rodriguez ranked in the top 13% for interceptions per 90 (1.49) and the top 12% for clearances per 90 (2.05), yet more evidence of his defensive skills.
Roberto, on the other hand, tends to perform slightly further forward than Rodriguez, and he made 24 appearances for Barcelona last term, registering six goal contributions – three goals and three assists – in the process.
During his 14 La Liga appearances, Roberto created one big chance, succeeded with 75% of his dribbles, averaged 0.6 key passes per game and finished the season with a 90% pass success rate, not bad considering he only averaged 62 minutes per game.
Metric
La Liga
Champions League
Goals
3
0
Assists
2
1
Accurate passes per game
40.7
23.8
Total duels won per game
2.6
1.6
Big chances created
1
2
Despite this lack of game time domestically, he still shone when compared to his peers. Indeed, across Europe’s top five leagues, Roberto ranked in the top 2% for non-penalty goals (0.25), the top 5% for assists (0.25) and the top 4% for touches in the opposition penalty area (3.22) per 90, showcasing his attacking talents from the heart of the midfield.
These statistics clearly show that Rodriguez and Roberto could form a solid partnership in the West Ham midfield, offering both defensive and attacking skills to complement each other well.
Not only that, but the Spaniard is also like a current Manchester City star who was the player of the tournament at Euro 2024…
Why Sergi Roberto could be West Ham’s own Rodri
Rodri shone for Spain as they won their first major international tournament since 2012, finishing the tournament with a stunning 93% pass success rate while recovering 6.8 balls per game and winning 5.2 total duels per game.
He was the beating heart of this wonderful Spanish side and if Lopetegui could sign a player who performs like him, then West Ham would be all the better for it.
According to FBref, Rodri is the seventh-most comparable player to Roberto, which means the club could be signing their own version of the City gem should a deal be made for the 32-year-old this summer.
Last season, the pair registered similar domestic statistics with regard to shots per 90 (1.05 vs 1.9), pass success percentage (89% vs 92%), successful take-on percentage (50% vs 65.6%) and goal-creation actions per 90 (0.31 vs 0.71), evidence of their similarities last term.
Although he may not be at his peak anymore, Roberto – who has been described as "extraordinary" by ex-Barca boss, Xavi – would bring a host of big game experience to this West Ham side.
Throughout his career, the Spaniard has won seven La Liga titles plus two Champions League crowns, proving that he has what it takes to shine on the biggest stage of all.
Overall, Roberto made 373 appearances for his boyhood club since making his debut during the 2010/11 campaign, scoring 12 goals while grabbing 34 assists in the process.
It would certainly signal a major statement of intent if they were to bring the former Spain international to London in the next few weeks, showing that Lopetegui means business in the transfer market.
New West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui
If deals can be done to bring him and Rodriguez to the club, then the midfield area will be bolstered significantly heading into the new season.
If the pair hit the ground running, completing both signings without spending a penny could soon be seen as a masterstroke by the former Wolves manager.
Time will tell however, but the signs are looking good for West Ham heading into a new season.
In the race: West Ham want "complete midfielder" who can replace Paqueta
Arsenal have been told that signing Victor Osimhen and Rafael Leao would make the difference in their pursuit of the Premier League title.
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Arsenal chasing Premier League titleTold they need two more stars to succeedOsimhen and Leao named ideal signingsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Mikel Arteta has turned the Gunners into Premier League title contenders, but they have fallen short of beating Manchester City to the crown. Arsenal surrendered leads at the top of the table to finish second two years in a row and hope to go a step further this time around.
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However, former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit feels their squad is not strong enough to win major silverware yet, but feels bringing in Nigerian striker Osimhen, who is starring at Galatasaray on loan from Napoli, and AC Milan star Leao would get them over the line. Osimhen's future remains unclear amid interest from Premier League sides, including Arsenal, while Portugal star Leao has been linked with a move after falling out of favour at Milan.
WHAT PETIT SAID
"My dream signings for Arsenal to win major silverware are Victor Osimhen and Rafael Leao," he told . "They need a striker like Osimhen and Leao would be perfect in a rotation with Gabriel Martinelli, they need that competition. I’ve said before that Arsenal don’t have the depth of other teams and that’s what they need to add. Those players would take Arsenal to the next level and make them a real threat in both the Premier League and Champions League under Mikel Arteta."
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Arteta's team are already nine points behind Premier League leaders and will be desperate to avoid a costly slip up when they host Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
“I’ve played four Tests matches here and this is easily the most special Test match”
ESPNcricinfo staff16-Feb-2021R Ashwin said he felt like a “hero” whenever he bowled – or just removed his cap for that matter – in front of his home crowd during the second Test against England at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.Ashwin, who starred in India’s win – eight wickets and a century in very challenging conditions in the second innings – dedicated his “most special” Test performance to the crowd: the stadium had allowed spectators at 50% capacity for the game.”When I was young I’ve wondered if I would ever play on this ground and if people would turn out and clap for me,” Ashwin told the host broadcaster after India’s series-levelling win. “I’ve played here as an eight-nine year-old. I’ve watched matches from these stands, my dad would get me here for most of the games.”I’m speechless right now. I’ve played four Tests matches here and this is easily the most special Test match. It gave me a hero feeling.Related
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Ambitious Ashwin's hard work pays off with a hundred at home
“Every time I bowled or removed my cap there was a different feeling [because of the cheers]. During Covid times when there’s hardly any cricket, the knowledgeable Chennai crowd came in large numbers without worrying. I dedicate this win to the Chennai crowd. We went one-up after they allowed the crowd, hopefully we continue to do well [in the presence of crowds] in Ahmedabad as well.”After picking up a five-for to restrict England to 134, Ashwin hit a 148-ball 106 in the second innings, stretching India’s lead to a challenging 482, and then returned 3 for 53 in the final innings to help bowl England out for 164. In the process, Ashwin moved to second on the list of players to have scored a century and take a five-for in the same Test, having done it for the third time, and is only behind Ian Botham, who achieved it five times in his career. The latest five-for also took Ashwin past James Anderson to No. 4 on the list of players with most five-wicket hauls at home.While the spinning Chennai pitch earned criticism from former players such as Michael Vaughan and Mark Waugh, Ashwin, while admitting that the surface behaved very different to how it did during the first Test – also played in Chennai – said that it was the Indian spinners’ mental ability that gave them the edge this time, and not just the pitch.”This wicket is very different to what we played in the first game,” he acknowledged. “That [in the first Test] was a red soil wicket and this is a clay wicket. As much as it looked bad from the top, many people were predicting a lot of things – those balls weren’t the one that got the wicket.”It was the mind that was actually getting the wickets. We had to play in the minds of the batsmen to get the wicket. It’s easier to say ‘go out there, bowl and get wickets’ but it’s not as easy as it looks because I’ve been playing here for years now. It takes a certain amount of pace and guile to be able to do it.”
Chelsea fans could not believe their eyes as Noni Madueke blocked team-mate Cole Palmer's goal-bound tap-in in a comical mishap.
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Fans slammed MaduekeEnglish winger blocked Palmer's shotChelsea beat Leicester City 2-1Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Palmer had the golden opportunity to double Chelsea's lead in the 54th minute when he had an empty net in front of him. The English attacker tapped the ball in and was about to celebrate, but team-mate Madueke was unable to get out of the way on the line and blocked the shot, resulting in a goal-kick for the Foxes. Madueke did try to jump in the air to avoid connecting with the ball, but it hit his foot and went out of play.
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As the English winger denied his team-mate from doubling their lead, fans slammed the 22-year-old on social media and questioned manager Enzo Maresca's decision to field him in the starting line-up.
An X handled named @lfchaytch wrote: "Madueke' is the worst player I’ve ever seen."
A fan named Mac threatened Madueke for his mistake as he wrote: "If we end up not winning this game, we’re going to have some serious issues Madueke."
A user named Marescaholic wrote: "Madueke with a goal-line clearance for Leicester."
A handled named CFCLux_ urged the Blues boss to drop Madueke from his starting lineup as the post read: "Maresca needs to swallow his pride and drop Madueke, it’s getting ridiculous now constantly starting him."
Chelsea Realist expressed frustration over Madueke's performance as the post read: "I’m tired of Madueke at the moment. He isn’t awful but every time he runs at a player and is in the ball I already know 99% of the time it isn’t going to result in anything. He needs to be a sub, not a starter in this moment."
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Enzo Fernandez turned out to be a hero for the Blues in the end as after providing the assist for Nicolas Jackson's opening goal, the Argentine scored in the 75th minute to make sure that his team walked away from the King Power Stadium with all three points.
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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?
The Premier League giants will be next seen in action in midweek in Europe as they take on Heidenheim in a Conference League clash.
Simon Kerrigan impresses with ball but Northants fall short in fourth-innings chase
David Hopps06-Jul-2021Yorkshire secured their place in Division One in the second phase of the County Championship with a 54-run defeat of Northamptonshire at Northampton. Lancashire will join them if they avoid defeat against Kent at Old Trafford. Next week’s Roses match, though, will be far more than a private feud. It might yet influence the destination of the Championship.As Steve Patterson, Yorkshire’s captain, pointed out: “With the way the points system works – carrying points over from the qualifying teams you’ve played – it’s important we get some kind of positive result against Lancashire if we can. We got beaten quite badly against them at Old Trafford.” Lancashire will lack Saqib Mahmood and Matt Parkinson, both summoned by England in extremis.After his career-best 7 for 43 in the first innings, Dominic Bess was again the fulcrum in Yorkshire’s attack but he had to settle for two wickets second time around as the rewards were shared, Northants falling 54 runs short of a target of 206.Bess again bowled soundly, finding more turn than on the previous day, but just not seeing things run his way. It will not concern him. He cuts a more well-balanced, philosophical figure than the young spinner who was so shaken to be dropped on England’s tour of India. When he returned to England, he bought a Bosnian rescue dog, a constant reminder that life, love – and real suffering – goes well beyond the game in which he makes his living.Gale relieved Brook completes job
Yorkshire’s coach Andrew Gale feared that Harry Brook would be called into England’s emergency one-day squad before he completed the match-defining innings that brought victory against Northants. “When my phone rang at half six this morning from Mo Bobat [ECB performance director], and he told me the situation, I was pretty convinced he was going to tell me Harry Brook was leaving as well as Dawid Malan. “He’s had a great few weeks in T20, but that big innings in red ball cricket has been missing even though he’d had five fifties. That match-winning innings was always there. “There’s no doubt in my mind Harry will go on to play international cricket. He’s a very grounded lad and won’t get ahead of himself. He’s very hungry for runs.”
“At the end of the day, we’re playing sport,” he reflected after his first-innings success. “There is obviously that expectation, we’re playing professional sport, yes, we’re playing for Yorkshire, we’re playing for England, but it’s not as important as we all think it is. I certainly felt that after coming back from India.”What is pressure? Pressure is what you put on yourself. You can do certain things to limit the pressure you are under. Being accountable for my actions, how I hold myself, the consistency of my preparations, being a good person is the bigger picture. It’s one thing to have a good one-off game but I think the consistency of it, being a good person, doing things well, doing things you believe in, is only going to help your consistency on the pitch.”Yorkshire’s batting frailties have not been solved by this victory. Perhaps on this worn surface it was never likely that they would be. Two innings – George Hill’s 71 in the first innings in his first foray at opening the batting, Harry Brook’s 113 in the second – amounted to more than half the runs off the bat and their top six made six scores of 10 or fewer.But there was no doubting their resolve in the second innings after the initial rush of new-ball wickets. Brook received staunch support from every batter in turn, enabling him to preside over affairs at the tempo he pleased. He now averages 41 in the Championship and that has been a major element in their qualification.The match was still delicately poised when Yorkshire resumed at 159 for 6, a lead of 147. Brook was 95 when Patterson became the eighth batter to fall, but he remained reserved, pulling Taylor for a couple to reach 99 before running him to third man later in the over. A late flurry ended when he was caught at deep midwicket, leaving exemplary figures for another spinner, Simon Kerrigan, who wheeled away for 30.2 overs for 5 for 39. It was Brook’s third first-class century and he will make many more.Simon Kerrigan claimed 5 for 39 for Northamptonshire•Getty ImagesNorthants sank to 43 for 5 by the 18th over. For more than two days, batting had felt onerous and another 210 overs had been added to the three T20s that had been staged on a slightly unreliable surface.Bess had two in that rush of wickets. There was more turn to be had, largely out of the footholds, and until he tired a little, he flighted the ball with a sense of wellbeing. Emilio Gay was at full stretch after advancing down the pitch and making room to clear the offside and the result was a good low catch by Sam Northeast at extra cover: on a two-match loan, he would have been relieved to contribute after two batting failures. Rob Keogh was given caught at short leg and hunted out a replay in aggrieved fashion.Patterson relishes low-scoring days like these when there is assistance to be had. He has the attitude of a cost-controlling accountant, resenting any unnecessary expenditure that might undermine the final outcome. Ricardo Vasconcelos, lbw to one that seamed back from around the wicket, was a prize scalp in the seven overs before lunch; Charlie Thurston immediately after lunch when Gary Ballance pulled off a fast catch at short leg.When Duanne Olivier made one bounce to have Saif Zaib caught at second slip, Northants needed to change their approach. Luke Procter had missed his first innings when he was absent from the second day because of a family bereavement. That he would attempt to grind his way forward could be taken as read, but the likes of Tom Taylor, Gareth Berg and Wayne Parnell needed to adopt a more enterprising approach.In the event, only Taylor, a robust hitter of some quality, made an impression. That he would try to break Yorkshire’s seamers was indicated when he lofted Ben Coad down the ground and then switched into T20 mode with a scoop. But he also assaulted Bess with a reverse sweep and sumptuous on-drive. When he fell lbw to Coad, swinging across the line, it was his first ill-judged shot. Berg was out without scoring, striking his fourth ball to short extra; Parnell fell to Jordan Thompson’s direct hit on the stroke of tea.At 103 for 8, a quick kill looked likely, only for a couple of former Lancashire players to do their best to stymie Yorkshire’s celebrations. Procter and Kerrigan put on 49 in relative comfort until Kerrigan gloved a pull against Olivier. Northants, after a worthy first phase, including two cracking see-saw matches against Yorkshire are heading towards Division Two.