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North Zone made virtually sure of retaining the Duleep Trophy on Saturday

Staff Reporter27-Jan-2001North Zone made virtually sure of retaining the Duleep Trophy on Saturday. While the only team which seemed to have a chance to overhaul their points tally, South Zone, lost to East Zone by four wickets at Agartala, North Zone took a major step towards winning the title at the Feroze Shah Kotla when at stumps on the third day, Central Zone were 370 for eight off 103 overs in their first innings in reply to the home team’s 690 for eight declared. Even if North Zone were to get no more than five points for the first innings lead, they will take their tally to 23 points from their four matches – a figure no other team is in a position to overhaul.Resuming at 81 for one, Central Zone put up a good fight but in the pace of the imposing North Zone total, it was a hopeless cause. They suffered an early blow when their skipper and that prolific run getter around the domestic circuit Amay Khurasia was caught by Dinesh Mongia off Harbhajan Singh for 51. Khurasia who was in a punishing mood since he came in on Friday evening faced only 36 balls and hit nine fours and a six.Jai P Yadav and Md Kaif then shared a third wicket partnership of 103 runs off 25.2 overs before the former was out for 78. The in form MP opening batsman faced 103 balls and hit 12 fours and a six. Kaif and Raja Ali then carried the total to 227 when the former was caught by Mongia off Rahul Sanghvi for 61. In a stay of 2-1/2 hours, Kaif faced 139 balls and hit six fours and two sixes.Sanghvi also got rid of Ali (29) but a fighting knock by Yerra Goud sustained the Central Zone innings till close of play. The 29-year-old Railways right hander received some support from the tail. D Bundela (11), RJ Kanwat (17) and wicketkeeper Abhay Sharma (14) all stayed with Goud for some time as he raised his personal score as well as the side’s total. By stumps he was unbeaten on 67. He has so far faced 160 balls and hit ten fours. Left arm spinner Sanghvi was the pick of the bowlers and finished with four for 47 off 25 overs. Off spinner Harbhajan Singh was rather expensive conceding 123 runs from 30 overs for his two wickets.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, former Wolves striker Steve Bull thinks his old side could look at Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui in their bid to replace Nuno Espirito Santo.

Nuno shocked supporters when it was announced on Wolves’ website last week that the 47-year-old will be leaving the club after four successful years at Molineux.

It, of course, leaves the Midlands outfit needing a new manager, and various reports have suggested that ex-Benfica boss Bruno Lage is one of the frontrunners to succeed his compatriot.

Bull, however, would not be surprised to see his old club turn to someone like Lopetegui, who has been getting mentioned by supporters on Twitter.

Asked by TT whether he could see chairman Jeff Shi and Jorge Mendes headhunting the 54-year-old Sevilla manager for the position, the Wolves legend said:

“I think so, I think so. There’ll be names bandied left, right and centre. If [Jose] Mourinho was free, you would have dropped him in the hat as well. But, you know, it’s just a lottery at the moment.

“I’m like all the other Wolves fans, waiting with bated breath to see what’s happened or what’s going to happen in the future.”

Lopetegui came close to joining Wolves back in 2016, something he previously confirmed to the MailOnline.

The Spaniard has managed his country, Real Madrid and, of course, Sevilla, where he won the Europa League in 2020, so he would be quite some appointment for Wolves.

West Bromwich Albion host their arch-rivals in what could be a pivotal Black Country derby later this evening.

It is a must-win game for Sam Allardyce’s men as they sit 11 points adrift of safety with only five games left to play, so a defeat would all but confirm their relegation back to the Championship.

The 66-year-old, who is yet to have such a dismal feat on his CV, will have to get his team selection spot on and they will be buoyed by the fact that they defeated Wolves when the two teams last met.

After turning a corner defensively since the January transfer window slammed shut, the Baggies have looked awfully susceptible at the back once again, leaking five goals in their last two outings.

The right-side of Big Sam’s back four looked particularly weak in both matches, so the Albion boss must consider a change there with Darnell Furlong surely facing the axe.

The 25-year-old has been inconsistent throughout the campaign, grading as their ninth-best player (6.65) as per WhoScored ratings but in these last two games, he has performed below that mean, picking up a disastrous 6.06 against Leicester City and a 6.61 last time out against Villa.

Against the Foxes, he was particularly wasteful in possession, losing the ball a whopping 25 times – comfortably the most on the pitch – and making only 36% of his 25 passes, as per SofaScore.

This was then repeated at Villa Park, where the former QPR star made just eight passes throughout 90 minutes on the pitch. That’s just one every 11 minutes.

BirminghamLive’s Joseph Chapman claimed that he struggled with the threat on offer by Anwar El Ghazi, and that could happen again with the likes of Adama Traore and Daniel Podence at Nuno Santo’s disposal.

The Baggies cannot afford to keep leaking goals when there is so much ground to cover in so little time. Perhaps it would be a wiser decision to opt for the more defensively sound Dara O’Shea, who is versatile enough to play through the middle and on the right.

Ex-Albion boss Slaven Bilic, who handed the young Irishman his debut, heaped praise on him, once claiming: “Dara is the future, and he can be present. Dara is one of the reasons why when I came to the club we didn’t sign another defender,” via BirminghamLive.

Furlong is currently holding West Brom back, so Big Sam must look to show no mercy and axe the £9m-rated right-back this evening.

AND in other news, “I’ve heard”: Pundit drops West Brom managerial claim, Dowling will surely be buzzing…

MatériaMais Notícias

A ascensão avassaladora do Flamengo aos primeiros lugares, aliada a contratações de impacto como Diego, Leandro Damião e Réver, rendeu uma boa dose de euforia a rubro-negros, definida pela expressão “cheirinho de hepta”. Porém, os ares na Gávea ficaram completamente nebulosos com o empate em 2 a 2 diante do Coritiba.

No entanto, o tropeço, diante do Maracanã lotado, não foi o único momento no qual a equipe de Zé Ricardo decepcionou quando não devia. O LANCE! traz uma galeria com dez momentos nos quais a equipe “patinou” quando ninguém esperava.

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Former Glasgow Rangers manager Alex McLeish is worried about Filip Helander ahead of the Gers’ Old Firm clash on Sunday.

McLeish worried by Helander

The Gers face Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday afternoon in the Scottish Cup fourth round as they continue their quest for a domestic double.

Speaking to Ibrox News, McLeish has revealed he has concerns about the Sweden international as he said:

“They will certainly analyse things that they have seen since then.

“Again, on the flip side, guys like Helander are good professionals and will be analysing their own game and seeing where they should be better.

“Let’s face it, it was great play from Celtic, but these are the games where you can be rusty and don’t close down quick enough, and you have to be switched on.”

Calm

It is surprising to hear McLeish say he is worried about the 27-year-old. The fact of the matter is, Helander has been a rock for Steven Gerrard’s side ever since he made the move to Ibrox.

Since his switch to Glasgow in 2019, the Gers are yet to lose a Premiership game with him in the line-up (Transfermarkt), and his performances have even attracted interest from Leicester City and Aston Villa – his reported price tag is £6m (Football Insider).

Helander didn’t have his best game in the last Old Firm clash, and he has been accused of lacking pace, but he is a player on whom Gerrard and the rest of the squad can rely. If he is selected as part of the starting XI this weekend, that should not be a cause for concern for anyone associated with Rangers.

In other news, Kieran Maguire shares this worrying Rangers finance update.

Dropping the latest on West Ham United star Declan Rice, club insider Claret & Hugh has shared an injury boost – with the Irons and David Moyes apparently hopeful of an early return date for the Englishman.

Rice was at the centre of breaking news before West Ham came away from Wolves with a vital 3-2 win, as reports emerged that he would miss the game with a knee injury.

Moyes gifted Rice injury boost

As a result, there was even speculation that he could miss the Euros this summer and fears at Rush Green he could possibly need surgery if the self healing process ‘took too long’.

However, C&H report that the ‘early signs’ behind the scenes are he’ll miss five weeks – with the 22-year-old already pictured back in the gym and commencing his rehabilitation.

Indeed, the situation is apparently ‘looking much better’ and it is ‘far more likely’ he will miss just over a month of the season.

Rice could even return for West Ham’s final three matches against Brighton, West Bromwich Albion and Southampton, according to C&H.

Transfer Tavern take

While the insider claims West Ham’s five week estimate is viewed with ‘some optimism’, news there is a good possibility he could return before the end of 2020/2021 is arguably a big boost for Moyes.

The Irons are chasing unprecedented Champions League qualification, and supporters will be holding their breath over his return whilst praying the team can maintain their momentum in his absence.

In other news: West Ham fans erupted at this ‘fantastic news’, find out more here.

Liverpool are closing in on a move for RB Leipzig centre-back Ibrahima Konate, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.

Jurgen Klopp is likely to be eyeing up a new defender this summer, having experienced all sort of problems in that area throughout the season.

Liverpool are without injured trio Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip for the remainder of the season, with Nathaniel Phillips forced to become a regular and Ozan Kabak joining on loan from Schalke.

Konate is a player with whom the Reds have been linked numerous times in the past and it now looks as though he will be heading to Anfield in the summer.

Liverpool look set to sign Konate

According to Ornstein, significant progress has been made with regards to a deal for the 21-year-old , with talks now at an advanced stage.

Konate has been limited to just four Bundesliga starts this season, due to injuries of his own, but he is considered a player of big potential. His former coach Ralf Rangnick has said of the Frenchman: “He’s so good that he could play for Real Madrid or Barcelona one day.”

Transfer Tavern take

It is apparent that Klopp sees the importance of bringing in a centre-back this summer, with Matip particularly unreliable when it comes to staying fit consistently.

Konate is a player who could not only come in and do a job straight away, boasting ample Bundesliga and Champions League experience, but could also represent the long-term future at Anfield.

In other news, one Liverpool star has been tipped to stay put this summer – find out who it is here.

MatériaMais Notícias

Dois times que estão na zona do rebaixamento se enfrentam às 11h deste domingo, no Orlando Scarpelli, em Florianópolis. Com 28 pontos, o Figueira sai do Z4 com a vitória. Para o Santa Cruz, em penúltimo com 23, os três pontos são essenciais para que o time tente engrenar uma reação. O jogo é válido pela 27ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro e terá transmissão em tempo real pelo site do LANCE!.

No Figueira, o técnico Marquinhos Santos fará a sua estreia e tem oito desfalques, três deles titulares: Marquinhos Pedroso (suspenso), Caucaia e Rafael Moura (machucados). Como espera uma vitória, usará um esquema ofensivo, 4-1-4-1.

-– Testei um estilo, gostei do que vi e não pretendo fazer alterações, disse o treinador, que espera a vitória para tirar o time da zona de rebaixamento – disse Marquinhos.

No Santa Cruz, o treinador Doriva mais uma vez apostará em Grafite. O atacante vive mau momento, não faz gol há três meses (14 jogos).

Além de manter o veterano (com Bruno Moraes no banco), Doriva promove o retorno de três jogadores que não atuaram na derrota para o Independiente Medellín, pela Copa Sul-Americana: o atacante Keno, que vem sendo o principal atacante da equipe, o lateral-direito Léo Moura e o apoiador João Paulo.

FICHA TÉCNICA
FIGUEIRENSE X SANTA CRUZ

Local: Orlando Scarpelli, Florianópolis (SC)
Data/hora: 25/9/2016 – 11h
Árbitro: Paulo H. Schleich Vollkopf (MS)
Auxiliares: Eduardo da Cruz e Cicero Alesandro de Souza (MS)

FIGUEIRENSE: Gatito Fernandez; Ayrton, Bruno Alves, Werley e Pará; Jefferson; Ferruge, Elvis, Bady e Dodô; Lins. Técnico: Marquinhos Santos.

SANTA CRUZ: Tiago Cardoso; Leo Moura, Danny Morais, Neris e Allan Vieira; Uillian Correa, Derley e João Paulo; Keno, Pisano e Grafite. Técnico: Doriva.

Reports by Gol Digital earlier this week claimed that Sevilla are holding out for Joan Jordan’s full release clause, but David Moyes should urge West Ham United to break the bank to sign a second Tomas Soucek-type this summer.

Jordan is one of the key pillars of Julen Lopetegui’s side in La Liga, with his ability to connect the midfield and offence unparalleled at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium.

But his efforts have sparked European-wide interest ahead of the summer transfer window, with the Irons one of five clubs understood to be presenting serious curiosity.

Serie A title-hopefuls AC Milan are said to be Jordan’s best option should he leave Andalusia at the end of the season, as the Rossoneri are likely to remain keen despite seeing a €30m (£25.5m) approach snubbed as they strive to build a squad ready for the Champions League.

Sevilla would be expected to reject a similar approach in the future, with the side who were eliminated from the Champions League in the Round of 16 earlier this month now intent on demanding that Jordan’s full €60m (£51.5m) release clause is triggered.

A sum in that region is expected to force only the top clubs to show a formal interest in the next transfer window, yet Inter Milan, AS Roma and the Irons are all listed as potential destinations for the 26-year-old.

Jordan has been a mainstay of Lopetegui’s plans so far this season, starting 20 of his 25 La Liga outings and featuring in a total 40 games across all competitions.

The RCD Espanyol product has offered Sevilla two goals and seven assists over his appearances to date, to register his highest single-season return of goals created in his career and help to take his goal contribution for the club to 14 in the past two seasons combined.

West Ham triggering Jordan’s release clause would see the midfielder become the London Stadium natives’ new record signing, eclipsing the £45m paid to Eintracht Frankfurt for Sebastien Haller in 2019.

But Moyes should urge David Sullivan, Karren Brady and David Gold to fund a lavish outlay to bring Jordan to West Ham, as the Sevilla star would offer him a second Soucek-type after the Czech Republic international’s successful adaptation to the Premier League.

Jordan is recognised for his ability to make late and dangerous runs in the opponent’s box to offer a forward threat, much more akin to the traditional English style of a box-to-box option that the tiki-taka template that has flourished in Spain, after growing up watching and learning from the way Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard operated.

“I remember watching quite a lot of Lampard when I was growing up, he was a top, top, top player,” Jordan told The Athletic in December. “What really sticks is how the way he arrived late into the box, that was spectacular. It is something very difficult, that he made look easy.

“I remember Steven Gerrard, too, talking about the Premier League. He and Lampard were standout players, especially when they got forward, arriving from the second line. I always looked at all the little details I could, from many different players, to become a more complete player myself.”

“I like to have plenty of space and freedom, to help in attack but I always like to defend and help my teammates,” he added. “Football is evolving, and everyone has to run, everyone has to sacrifice themselves and adapt to different functions that a coach asks for.”

Making those intelligent runs into the area and offering a box-to-box presence is just what Moyes gets from Soucek, who is West Ham’s top-scorer in the Premier League this season with eight goals.

The 26-year-old is also lauded by Jamie Carragher for being the best at what he does, as “there’s nobody better in the Premier League right now than Soucek”, but he could face competition for that honour with Jordan also in the squad.

AND in other news, West Ham in four-way Premier League battle for 13-goal striker who is “annoying to the defender”…

Leeds United look to be scouting for future talent and this has seen them linked with a move for a Championship starlet in Osaze Urhoghide.

The latest transfer rumours

According to Football League World, a host of clubs in England are keeping tabs on his situation.

The young defender is expected to be a free-agent in the summer (Transfermarkt), with Leeds United, Crystal Palace and Watford among those monitoring the 20-year-old.

This could be a good signing for Leeds

The 20-year-old defender started to emerge from the Sheffield Wednesday academy at the end of last season and has featured 12 times for the club since making his first-team debut in January 2020 (Transfermarkt). Ten of these appearances have been in the Championship.

With various sides interested in the player, he clearly has some potential and Leeds would do well to pip the other interested parties to his signature. They already have quite a strong starting eleven, proven by the fact that they are eleventh in the top flight, so a player like Urhoghide who likely wouldn’t break into the first XI immediately is a risk worth taking, as there is no immediate need for mass changes in the first team.

In other news, Leeds received a welcome transfer boost!