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India captain says WTC final is part of India’s “quest for excellence”

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Jun-20213:13

‘WTC a step in the right direction for Test cricket’ – Virat Kohli

The ICC is promoting the inaugural World Test Championship final as the ‘Ultimate Test’, but India captain Virat Kohli has said that the result of the one-off match against New Zealand cannot decide which is the “best” team in the format. Kohli said that his team would instead treat the final as part of India’s “quest for excellence”.”If you are talking about Test cricket and deciding who is the best Test team in the world on one game over a period of five days, that’s not the reality of the truth,” Kohli said on Thursday during the pre-match media briefing. “It is not going to reflect anything for people who really understand the game and know exactly what has gone on in the last four to five years and how the teams have fared. You can very well look back at history and focus on things that didn’t go your way. At the end of the day you realise you play sport and you are going to be beaten and you are going to win on a particular day.”Watch cricket on ESPN+

The WTC final is available in the US on ESPN+. Subscribe to ESPN+ and tune in to the match.

The last ICC tournament India won was the 2013 Champions Trophy, when MS Dhoni was the captain. In the 2016 T20 World Cup, India lost in the semi-final. A year later they would lose to Pakistan in the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy. In the 2019 World Cup, Kane Williamson’s New Zealand pipped Kohli’s India in the semi-final. However, Kohli remained unfazed about being on the cusp of possibly lifting his first ICC Trophy.

“For us as a team we have been on a quest for excellence for a while now. And we are going to continue to be on that path regardless of what happens in this game.”Virat Kohli

“If you win this game, cricket does not stop for us. If you lose this game, cricket does not stop for us. Our processes, our mindset is what matters to us the most and we are striving for excellence every day. And we step on to the field every Test match or every game that we play wanting to win. That’s the most you can ask of your players – to stand up in tough situations and keep proving that you belong here and you take a lot of pride in playing for India.”We have not come here to just play one-off Test. We have come here to play six Tests in the English summer. Our players understand well their strengths and they understand how to utilise those strengths and they will do that during these six Tests.”India’s ‘quest for excellence’
While India head coach Ravi Shastri had said the WTC final would be the “biggest” match for India, Kohli downplayed the superlatives. Asked whether winning the WTC final would be on par with winning the 2011 World Cup, Kohli said he wanted India to treat it like another Test match without getting carried away. “For me this is another Test match that has to be played. These things are very exciting from the outside where there is so much importance and so much other extra stuff that’s attached to one game and it sort of becomes do-and-die.Related

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“For us as a team we have been on a quest for excellence for a while now,” Kohli said. “And we are going to continue to be on that path regardless of what happens in this game. We have no doubts whatsoever in our abilities and what we can do as a side.”As an individual player, look, we won the 2011 World Cup which was a great moment for all of us. But cricket goes on. Just the way life goes on. And you have to treat failure and success the same way, and you have to treat the so-called outstandingly big moments pretty similar to the other moments as well.”So, yes, it is an occasion that has to be enjoyed from our point of view, but it is not different for us or no more important for us than the first Test match that we played together as a young group of players back in the day when we were trying to come up the ranks. So, yes, the mindset remains the same.”

West Ham United and manager Julen Lopetegui are considering whether to move for a free agent striker after summer signing Niclas Fullkrug's injury blow.

Fullkrug suffers injury for Germany in worry for West Ham

Fullkrug, who signed for West Ham in a £27 million deal from Borussia Dortmund in early August, missed Germany's 2-2 draw with the Netherlands on Tuesday evening after sustaining an achilles tendon injury.

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Lopetegui is dipping into the free agent market.

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The 31-year-old has played 63 Premier League minutes under Lopetegui thus far, making three appearances off the substitute's bench, with Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann confirming he won't feature against Fulham this weekend.

"Unfortunately, the area is a bit problematic because it's the transition to the Achilles tendon at the bottom of the calf," said Nagelsmann on Fullkrug's injury.

"If something were to happen, it would be long-term. That's why we're not taking any risks. He will have to take a few days off. He will not be playing in the Premier League at the weekend."

Fullkrug has since returned to West Ham for a medical assessment, with Lopetegui set to find out the extent of his injury as the Hammers await a further medical diagnosis.

West Ham summer signings

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Fee (Transfermarkt)

Max Kilman

Wolves

€47.5m

Crysencio Summerville

Leeds United

€29.3m

Niclas Fullkrug

Borussia Dortmund

€27m

Luis Guilherme

Palmeiras

€23m

Mohamadou Kante

Paris FC

Undisclosed

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Man Utd

€18m

Wes Foderingham

Sheffield United

Free transfer

Guido Rodriguez

Real Betis

Free transfer

Jean-Clair Todibo

Nice

Loan transfer

Carlos Soler

PSG

Loan transfer

West Ham summer departures

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Flynn Downes

Southampton

€17.85m

James Ward-Prowse

Nottingham Forest

Loan

Maxwel Cornet

Southampton

Loan

Nayef Aguerd

Real Sociedad

Loan

Kurt Zouma

Al-Orobah

Loan

Said Benrahma

Lyon

€14.4m

Angelo Ogbonna

Watford

Free transfer

Thilo Kehrer

Monaco

€11m

Nathan Trott

FC Copenhagen

€1.5m

Ben Johnson

Ipswich Town

Free transfer

Joseph Anang

St. Patrick's Athletic

Free transfer

“West Ham have confirmed an injury to new forward signing and German international Fullkrug,” said insider ExWHUemployee.

“A top source confirmed that the player will be out for Germany’s game and is returning to West Ham for treatment. The injury is thought to be an Achilles heal tendon and calf injury and the club will monitor and scan the injury to get an official diagnosis of how serious the injury is.

“The source finished with saying “he hates international breaks” and I think as fans we all agree. We will keep you updated.”

West Ham consider signing free agent striker after Fullkrug injury

The free agent market is still a solution for Tim Steidten and co in regards to bringing in more talent after the transfer window, and they can still choose to sign one until the Premier League squad submission deadline on Friday evening.

West Ham have been in talks with ex-Sheffield United stalwart John Egan, who played in a behind-closed-doors friendly for the Irons against Dagenham and Redbridge last week.

According to GiveMeSport, West Ham have considered signing a free agent striker after Fullkrug's injury – with the severity of his problem set to determine whether Lopetegui deems it a priority.

The east Londoners apparently refuse to rule out the possibility of bringing in a quick-fire replacement for Fullkrug and did ponder a swoop for ex-Barcelona forward Memphis Depay, before the Dutchman joined Corinthians.

If West Ham don't opt to make a Bosman attacking signing, out-of-favour striker Danny Ings is thought to be ready to seize an opportunity to impress under Lopetegui.

Emi Martinez has explained his epic 2022 World Cup tattoo, which includes a nod to his iconic final save from Randal Kolo Muani.

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Enigmatic keeper was a hero in QatarVital stops in extra-time & penalty shootoutBoasts a lasting memento on his left legFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Argentina were, despite leading 2-0 and 3-2 at different points of the game, in danger of seeing their dreams dashed late in extra-time when Kolo Muani raced through on goal. Martinez dashed off his line to spread himself, with a sprawling stop keeping the scores level and giving Lionel Messi and Co a shot at claiming a global crown in a thrilling penalty shootout.

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Martinez delivered more heroics in a test of nerves from 12 yards, as Argentina savoured their first World Cup triumph since the Diego Maradona-inspired days of 1986, and several members of the squad had already vowed to get lasting mementos of a special day.

WHAT MARTINEZ SAID

Discussing his body art with the podcast, which sits on his left calf, Martinez said: “It’s amazing. We made a bet with some of my mates in the national team after we lost the first game [against Saudi Arabia]. I said: ‘If we win the World Cup, we are going to do a tattoo with our names and shirt numbers’.

“When I saved that ball and we won the World Cup, they all said ‘we know where you are going to do the tattoo, you have to do it there in that spot’. I just did a star in the exact spot that the ball hit. In my tattoo, the 22 star is exactly where the ball hit.”

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Martinez went on to say of the emotions that are conjured up every time that he looks at the World Cup inking on his leg: “Just proud. I came to England at such a young age, without speaking the language, different weather, different people and different culture. Looking back 16 years ago, I’m proud to be here, being a world champion, winning so many titles and individual awards. It just makes me proud and keep going.”

Plymouth have parted ways with head coach Wayne Rooney, with the club sitting bottom of the Championship.

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Rooney and Plymouth part waysPilgrims sit bottom of ChampionshipOn a nine-match winless runFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Rooney and Plymouth have agreed to mutually part ways following an abysmal start to the Championship campaign. The Pilgrims are rock-bottom, winning just four of their 23 matches and sitting four points from safety. The Manchester United legend took over in the summer but will be looking for another new role in 2025 as his latest managerial venture comes to an end. Plymouth have confirmed assistant coach Mike Phelan and first-team coach Stephen Ireland will also be departing.

AdvertisementWHAT ROONEY SAID

In a statement released by the club, Rooney said: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Board of Plymouth Argyle Football Club, in particular Simon Hallett and Neil Dewsnip who I shared great relationships with. Thanks also to all the staff who made me feel welcome and who make the club such a special place, the players and fans for their efforts and support during my time as Head Coach and I wish them all the best for the future.

"To the Green Army thanks for making the games at Home Park so special, they are memories that we will share forever. I would also like to give a special mention to my coaching staff Kevin Nancekivell, Simon Ireland, Darryl Flahavan and Mike Phelan for their knowledge, dedication, help and support. Plymouth Argyle will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will continue to look out for and take interest in their results."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Rooney's seven-month stint at Plymouth had few positives and it is another negative mark when it comes to his reputation as a manager. Having now had spells at Derby, D.C United and Birmingham all lasting less than two seasons, it remains to be seen whether the Manchester United legend will continue down his current path, or move back into the world of punditry. There is no doubt that Rooney was one of the best players of the 21st century, but as a manager, he has yet to prove himself at the top level.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

No one knows what the future looks like for Rooney, but at Plymouth, there will be a fresh determination to avoid the drop. The club have confirmed that first-team coach Kevin Nancekivell and club captain Joe Edwards will lead the team ahead of the Pilgrims' clash with Bristol City on New Year's Day.

Pakistan’s focus now on the Tests, says the pacer, with the series being a key one for his side in the new World Test Championship cycle

Danyal Rasool04-Aug-2021An early 1-0 lead that’s consolidated by not much happening for the rest of the contest sounds like something out of Jose Mourinho’s playbook, but if ever a cricketing equivalent were to have such a result, you’d put good money on Misbah-ul-Haq being the mastermind. There weren’t too many tactics involved in that scoreline, though, with uncooperative weather ensuring a T20I in Guyana was all the cricket that could be played, and once Pakistan edged West Indies in it, there was little West Indies could do to prevent a Pakistan series win.But while the weather might be the enduring narrative from what should have been a five-match series (even before the weather played foul, Covid-19 cut into the schedule), Pakistan fast bowler Hasan Ali insisted a series win at the home of the defending T20 world champions meant a lot to his side. “Winning away to a side with such firepower that they can hurt you anytime is great. A win is a win and we’re very happy with the series victory in the West Indies,” he said. “We’re all disappointed because we wanted to play. Even when it was raining we were all raring to go. But the weather is not in our control. Of course, the disappointment is we couldn’t prepare properly away to a champion side.”We had to learn some lessons from the England series, and we’re working on our bowling in the middle and the death. I really like our bowling unit right now, and also my personal form. As a bowling unit, we trust each other and our coaches trust us too. Of course, we have to improve, but we have a month or two to hone our skills ahead of the T20 World Cup.”

“We’re not looking forward to the India match right now at all, to be honest with you. That’s still very far away. My focus is just on these two Tests right now”Hasan Ali on the T20 World Cup game against India

There’s another assignment, though, before the focus shifts completely to the shortest format. A two-match Test series against West Indies starting next week, to kick off the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for both sides. Unlike the last cycle, which somewhat passed Pakistan by, the fixtures and scheduling have fallen in a way that represents a real chance for Babar Azam’s side to claim a spot in the final come 2023. The upcoming two-match series presents arguably Pakistan’s most challenging away fixtures in this cycle, with the other away series against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.That, of course, makes performing in this Test series that much more important, and Ali said the series was his side’s primary focus for the moment.”We’re looking forward to the Tests; we have a few days to get used to the red ball. I’ll try to capitalise on my form and the rhythm I’ve got going for now,” Ali said. “Our team is very balanced. We have plenty of spinners with Yasir [Shah] coming back, and in dry conditions like these that’s very useful.”Then we also have [pace options in] Shaheen [Afridi], Naseem [Shah], [Mohammad] Abbas and myself. We’ve won the last two Test series [against West Indies] and we’re looking to continue that and get the WTC off in victorious fashion.”Facing up to the usual, mandatory question on Pakistan being drawn in the same group as India in the T20 World Cup group, Ali was clear that it was not something the team was dwelling on. “We’re not looking forward to the India match right now at all, to be honest with you,” he said. “That’s still very far away. My focus is just on these two Tests right now.”

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is poised to hand one Spurs teenager first-team minutes over the next 10 days, coming after the youngster has seriously impressed coaching and backroom staff at Hotspur Way.

Tottenham escape Coventry with dramatic 2-1 victory

It was very nearly one of Postecoglou’s most embarrassing nights in the Lilywhites dugout on Wednesday evening, with Championship side Coventry City minutes away from causing a real upset in the EFL Cup.

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Postecoglou, speaking after their North London Derby defeat to Arsenal last weekend, appeared to promise supporters that he will deliver silverware this season – when the tactician remarked that he “always” wins trophies in his second season in charge.

“I’ll correct myself – I don’t usually win things, I always win things in my second year,” said Postecoglou on his record as a manager.

“Nothing’s changed. I’ve said it now. I don’t say things unless I believe them.”

That pledge was in real danger of looking silly earlier this week, when Coventry star Brandon Thomas-Asante gave the home side a shock lead just past the hour mark to give Spurs a serious scare.

Rodrigo Bentancur

7.8/10

Destiny Udogie

7.6/10

Djed Spence

7.5/10

Ben Davies

7.4/10

Brennan Johnson

7.3/10

It was an uninspiring performance from Postecoglou’s side overall, but their heart and character was on full display in the dying minutes. Right-back Djed Spence fired in an 88th minute equaliser before Brennan Johnson, who has been subject to online abuse recently, scored the winner to send Tottenham into the EFL Cup fourth round.

The smash-and-grab nature of their victory at Coventry could even spark a revival, following what has been a tepid start to the new campaign for Spurs. It also gives hope to fringe players of the squad who are eager to fight their way into Postecoglou’s plans.

Spence was on the verge of joining Genoa in the summer, but the Englishman helped Tottenham to claw their way back against Coventry and could be set for more roles this term – which is quite the comeback from where he was this time last year.

Ange poised to play Tottenham youngster Lucas Bergvall

According to GiveMeSport, young teenage midfielder Lucas Bergvall could be set for more game time over the next 10 days, starting with their clash against London rivals Brentford this afternoon.

The Swede, signed from Djurgarden earlier this year for around £8.5 million, was given his full debut against Coventry – starting the encounter and seemingly doing enough to impress Postecoglou.

GMS write that Postecoglou is poised to play Bergvall in Tottenham’s next few games, and it is believed that the 18-year-old has been impressing backroom staff behind-the-scenes at N17.

The £15,000-per-week Bergvall looks to be a highly promising talent, with pundit Marca Palma even likening him to Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong following some good outings for Sweden at international level this year.

“Then there is the 2006 Lucas Bergvall, Swedish central attacking midfielder, 187cm, of Tottenham,” said Palma to TUTTOmercatoWEB (via Sport Witness).

“For many the most gifted 2006 in the European panorama, in Sweden he arrived in the first team at 16 years old. Great ability to play the ball, high level vision of the game, elegance on the pitch, gifted with excellent technique and enormous versatility.

“In July 2024 he was bought by Tottenham who paid 10 million for him and immediately included him in the first team. Senior national team he entered in both matches played by Sweden demonstrating great mastery on the pitch. Reminiscent of Frankie De Jong but more offensive.”

Pep Guardiola revealed what he told Stefan Ortega in a bizarre outburst on the pitch after Manchester City's collapse at Brentford.

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Guardiola lifted lid on Ortega rantMan City gave up a two-goal leadBrentford held Man City to a 2-2 drawFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Manchester City were just 12 minutes away from registering their third consecutive win in the Premier League for the first time since October with a two-goal lead at the Gtech Community Stadium, but Brentford scored two late goals to snatch away the victory from the champions. Phil Foden scored a brace in the second half, but Yoane Wissa and Christian Norgaard's late goals denied City all three points.

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After the full-time whistle, manager Guardiola appeared to rage at goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, who perhaps could have done a better job keeping out Norgaard's late header. The Spanish coach cut a frustrated figure but also repeatedly embraced Ortega with a wide-eyed look on his face in bizarre scenes. He was also seen having a serious conversation with Josko Gvardiol and Savinho. The City boss, however, clarified that he did not admonish the players.

WHAT PEP GUARDIOLA SAID

Speaking to reporters, the 53-year-old said: "I was satisfied, we’re talking one action. The same with Ortega, I said how good he played in the actions with the ball, had good passes to Erling [Haaland], how happy and satisfied I am, especially with these two players with what they have done."

Guardiola was also asked about Foden's admission that City players were 'leggy' in the closing stages, and replied with a wry smile: "Yeah, that’s why I replaced him."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER CITY?

The Cityzens, who are sixth in the table after 21 games, will be back in action on Sunday as they take on Ipswich Town in another important Premier League clash at Portman Road.

Everton welcome Crystal Palace to Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon, and Sean Dyche will know that a poor result will leave him skidding on the thinnest of ice.

Five matches have yielded one draw and four defeats in the Premier League so far, and while a sliver of respite can be taken in the fact that Everton have led in each of their past matches, a more cynical outlook would point toward a lack of togetherness and confidence.

Dyche has always always prided himself in the strength and discipline of his teams. Unity and coherence wrapped inside a drilled understanding of defensive duties and how to shuttle the ball forward in direct sequences. This year, so far, Everton’s defence is fragile and shaky, and things do not look good.

Only… The Friedkin Group are set to complete a majority takeover from Farhad Moshiri, and the Merseysiders could finally have a new direction to end these gloomy and interminable seasons of struggle.

Will Dyche front this project? He’ll be out the door in a flash if he doesn’t turn things around, with Everton sniffing around for an exciting replacement.

Everton already considering Sean Dyche replacement

Should Dyche be dismissed, former Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion manager Graham Potter has been earmarked. According to reports from Football Insider last weekend, the tactician is very interested in taking the Everton job, should it become available in the coming weeks or months.

Potter has been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea in April 2023, less than seven months into his tenure. He can’t take all the blame, though, for the Blues were a turbulent mess and Potter was simply unable to bring it all together.

At Everton, he could find the start of an exciting new project, one that embraces his methodologies as it looks to pull away from the route-one football that Dyche designs. Potter has been hailed as “a genius” by journalist Sam Morton.

He champions interchangeable formations and fluid football, always keen to retain the ball and drive it forward though – Potter could be the new stylistic injection to send Everton back into the ascendancy after so long away.

But he could also lift that aforesaid defensive fragility, patch it up and make it into something new. Indeed, he might even be the perfect manager to turn Jarrad Branthwaite into a world-beater.

Why Potter could make Branthwaite unplayable

Talent scout Jacek Kulig called Branthwaite an “absolute monster” for his performances at the rear last season, excelling alongside the industrious and experienced James Tarkowski and keeping 12 clean sheets from 35 matches, incredibly winning 68% of his duels.

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Liverpool

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He’s a titan of a player. At 6 foot 5, Branthwaite is framed to succeed as a centre-half, but he does need to work on his distribution.

Of course, Dyche’s system precludes Everton defenders from playing like Sergio Ramos. Last season, the Goodison Park side posted an average possession of just 41%.

Centre-backs like Branthwaite were and still are expected to make clearances and defend Jordan Pickford’s goal as a dog would defend a bone in a kennel. It worked.

It also, however, meant that the 22-year-old was unable to implement a fluid passing game. As per FBref, he ranked among the bottom 28% of Premier League centre-backs last season for pass completion, the bottom 18% for progressive passes and the bottom 18% for passes attempted.

This is where Potter comes in. The English manager likes to enforce a flexible system that promotes slick passing and enhances high-energy pressing.

In 2021/22, his final full season with Brighton, Potter recorded a 54.4% possession average in the Premier League – the fourth-highest in the division and finished ninth in the table.

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His centre-backs embodied this control-focused style. Captain Lewis Dunk ranked among the top 18% of Premier League defenders for pass completion, whereas the more dynamic Adam Webster ranked among the top 15% for passes attempted and the top 2% for progressive passes per 90. Branthwaite need only find the right manager to guide him to prominence, he’s already demonstrated such prodigious potential.

Former CEO Keith Wyness has proclaimed Branthwaite a “generational” talent, which is high praise indeed. But he’s the talk of the town for a reason and could be the difference-maker for imperilled Everton this year.

If Dyche is dismissed and Potter brought in, there’s a real chance that he could sharpen the ball-playing skills needed to rise to that next level. The 49-year-old might even fashion him into the best in the Premier League.

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Opener relishing chance to play Test on ground where he first came through as a teenager

George Dobell08-Sep-2021Haseeb Hameed has admitted there were times he wondered if he would ever play a Test in front of his “boyhood crowd” at Emirates Old Trafford.Haseeb developed through the Lancashire system and, after a bright start to his career, made his Test debut as a 19-year-old on the India tour of 2016. But after a prolonged slump in form, he was released by Lancashire at the end of the 2019 season.Now, however, he is back in England’s Test side. And after two half-centuries – and two century partnerships with fellow opener Rory Burns – in the last couple of games, he is set to make a memorable return to the ground in the fifth and final LV= Insurance Test starting on Friday.”Growing up it is the dream for a young Lancashire player to play a Test here,” Haseeb said ahead of England’s training session in Manchester on Wednesday. “But obviously when you’re going through difficult moments that seems a long way away. It’s only natural to feel that way and wonder if it will happen.Related

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“But I’m extremely grateful to be in this position where there is an opportunity to hopefully play in front of my local boyhood crowd and play in a Test match for England. I feel very lucky and privileged to be in this position.”Despite the disappointing manner in which his career at Lancashire ended, Hameed insisted he is relishing his return to the club and ground where he spent the formative years of his career.”My memories of Lancashire are all positive,” Haseeb said. “I started playing for the club at the age of nine and did so through to the age of 22.”It was where I made my first-class debut and my maiden first-class century. I was part of a very strong age group team that won multiple national championships, so my memories here are very positive. I had a lot of success here.”I’ve always said that the club holds a special place in my heart. And I don’t want the last couple of years to overshadow what I feel like has been a good relationship and a good time at the club.”Haseeb also paid tribute his previous coach at Lancashire, Peter Moores, for helping him rediscover his form. It was Moores who recognised his potential and promoted him to the first-team squad as a 16-year-old. So when Moores, who had by then moved to Nottinghamshire, saw that Haseeb was out of contract at the end of 2019, he was keen to sign him.”I knew Peter a little from our time at Lancashire,” Haseeb said. “I hadn’t worked with him extensively, but he was the first one that got me involved training with the pros when I was 16.”Going to Notts was just the fresh start which I needed in a new environment. I walked in and the guys, the coaching staff and players alike up there were brilliant. They welcomed me with open arms and made me feel comfortable very quickly. And we just got to work.”Mooresy and myself just had a few conversations about where to head in terms of the work and we just set out a plan and tried to execute it.”And what went wrong towards the end of those years at Lancashire? “I feel like there’s a number of reasons and there’s not many reasons,” he said. “It’s an interesting one. The way I put it in my mind now is that it was something that was just part of the journey. I guess it was quite extreme in terms of the highs of India, then the lows were very low.”It was just part of something that I had to experience. I guess there’s a number of different reasons as to why that could be the case but it is not something I want to dwell on too much.”I’m just happy to take the learnings from that and hopefully be confident that it will help me going forward and make me a better player and person for it.”

Ipswich Town were given a humbling reminder of the task that remains in front of them this Premier League season at the weekend, with survival the main aim for the Tractor Boys when the campaign is over and done with.

Kieran McKenna’s men can’t afford to pick up many more defeats like the 4-1 loss they suffered at the hands of West Ham United last match if they are to keep their heads above water, as Jarrod Bowen and Co cruised to a straightforward victory to give the Suffolk outfit an almighty wake-up call.

The despondent Ipswich boss will just be glad he has Liam Delap at his disposal up top, who scored another top-flight goal against the Hammers for his new employers, after leaving Manchester City behind this summer.

Liam Delap's form this season

Delap is already on four goals from seven Premier League appearances for his new employers, with his recent brace against Aston Villa, in particular, standing out, as the electric 21-year-old terrorised Unai Emery’s men at the back just before their famous 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

There would have been a worry that Delap wouldn’t instantly hit the ground running when first making the switch, specifically when you glance at his previous mixed form in the EFL away from Pep Guardiola’s men on loan.

However, the 21-year-old looks to be every bit the prolific striker he was at youth level in Manchester in the senior game in Suffolk.

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He would only need 20 touches of the ball last time at the London Stadium to fire home a strike, and that killer instinct could prove to be crucial for McKenna’s men, as they strive to pick up some huge results that could see them stay up in the Premier League.

That is a massive ask, with Ipswich well aware of how huge the gulf in quality between the Championship and the top flight is, but Delap will want to play a leading role in his side’s survival story if he can.

In an alternate reality, however, McKenna could have called upon a different face altogether to lead the line against Julen Lopetegui’s hosts, who Ipswich were incessantly linked with all transfer window.

One that got away

The transfers that nearly happened but never did. This article is part of Football FanCast's One That Got Away series.

Who Ipswich nearly signed over Delap

Whilst the Ipswich number 19 has taken to his new surroundings in Suffolk like a duck to water, a certain Armando Broja hasn’t graced the pitch whatsoever for the Toffees to date, owing to an injury problem keeping him sidelined.

Although Ipswich’s interest in this player would go on right up until transfer deadline day, according to reports, Broja was a target regularly linked with a switch to Portman Road before this nail-biting occasion, even before Delap made his move official in July.

All the way back in May of this year, it was reported that that the Tractor Boys were keen on the Albanian’s services, but nothing would come of these rumours, despite talk in the window suggesting that a £30m deal was even done at one point.

This would have been a risky transfer to get over the line, not just when taking into account the excessive fee involved, but also when you consider Broja’s previous ineffectiveness in front of goal in the top flight, with just eight strikes in the division managed from 66 games.

Broja was hyped up by Mauricio Pochettino as a talent with “amazing potential” when he nurtured the 23-year-old at Stamford Bridge, but the Tractor Boys will be relieved they didn’t win his signature in the end, as Everton eventually snapped him up.

Ipswich, instead, won ex-Man City starlet Delap for £20m, which is looking to be an excellent bit of business already, based on his ever-growing goal tally for his relegation-threatened side in the league.

McKenna must now drop 5/10 Ipswich star who lost possession 17 times

Kieran McKenna would have been very disappointed with Ipswich Town’s display at West Ham United.

ByKelan Sarson Oct 6, 2024