Tag Futebol

Match Facts

June 21, 2017
Start time 6.30pm local (1730 GMT)

Big Picture

In the fast-paced world of international sport, there’s little time to rest on any laurels – or, indeed, lick any wounds, which is what England and South Africa are likely to have been doing in the past few days, as they reflect on their disappointing exits from the ICC Champions Trophy. So, where better for two hard-hitting white-ball teams to decamp than to a sun-baked South Coast, to engage in the opening bout of a three-match T20 contest that promises (at least on the evidence of their last encounter in this format…) an onslaught of cathartic tonking?T20 cricket may be the world’s most in-vogue format at the moment but, in truth, this particular series crops up as an anomaly in the fixture list. The next World T20 isn’t until 2020 – fittingly enough – despite long-standing rumours of an extra tournament being shoehorned in for 2018, and as a consequence, these games have been a distant third in the priorities of two teams who will be embarking on a four-match Test series at Lord’s in little over a fortnight.The names of the absentees for this series are as notable as the inclusions in two new-look squads. For South Africa, Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy and Kagiso Rabada have been rested with the Test series in mind, while Faf du Plessis is back home in South Africa awaiting the birth of his first child. England’s omissions, meanwhile, include Ben Stokes, Joe Root, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid – four integral members of the team that carried England to the World T20 final last year.But, again, in the fast-paced world of international sport, one man’s absence is another man’s opportunity, and there’s a wealth of young thrusters on both sides eager to lay down a marker.Eoin Morgan, England’s captain, has already confirmed that each of the five uncapped members of his squad will be given a maiden appearance in the coming three games, which means that some of the most talked-about young players in the country – most notably Liam Livingstone, Tom Curran and Mason Crane – are about to be unveiled to the wider English public.For South Africa, the claims of a knot of lesser-known players can and should be advanced in the coming days, including Tabraiz Shamsi, the left-arm wristspinner who just missed out on selection for the Champions Trophy, and Dane Paterson, the right-arm quick who enjoyed himself on this same ground a fortnight ago, claiming 7 for 27 in a thumping win for South Africa A against Hampshire.

Form guide

England LLWLW (completed matches, most recent first)
South Africa WLLWW

In the spotlight

Legspinners are back in vogue at the moment, particularly in white-ball cricket – from Adil Rashid to Rashid Khan, from Imran Tahir to Shadab Khan. And now, on his home ground at the Ageas Bowl, there’s a strong possibility that England’s new young thing will be given his first international outing. It’s not easy being a spinner in England – and James Whitaker, the national selector, expressed his disappointment earlier in the season when Hampshire failed to select Mason Crane in the early rounds of the County Championship. But he’s got the sun on his back now, and a chance to give it a rip and hang the consequences. It would be a missed opportunity not to give him an outing and see how he goes.Ostensibly, it’s a match for the kids, but one old stager has left himself a fair amount to prove in these three contests, after a lacklustre showing in the Champions Trophy. Something hasn’t been right with AB de Villiers on this England tour. He’s seemed distracted from the outset – tired, even – and having already ruled himself out of next month’s Test series, these games take on an improbable significance for a living legend of South African cricket. He’s back in charge of the team in du Plessis’ absence, and still has his sights set on a possible swansong at the 2019 World Cup. But he’s been confused about his priorities for months now, and it’s not inconceivable that he could be making his final appearances in England over the coming days.Mason Crane could make his international debut on his home ground at the Ageas Bowl•Getty Images

Team news

Jason Roy’s stark loss of form during the Champions Trophy was mitigated in his most recent outing for Surrey, a matchwinning 92 from 81 balls in the Royal London semi-final against Worcestershire last week, and given the faith that Eoin Morgan has in his ball-striking skills, it would be a surprise if he was not slotted straight back in at the top of the order. Jonny Bairstow, who once again let no-one down as Roy’s replacement, deserves to be given another chance to start, perhaps ahead of Livingstone, another hugely rated young England batsman, who may have to wait until later in the series for his first outing. Hampshire’s spin twins, Liam Dawson and Crane, could be able deputies for Moeen and Rashid. Mark Wood is only available for this opening game, so will surely lead the attack.England (possible): 1 Jason Roy, 2 Alex Hales, 3 Sam Billings, 4 Eoin Morgan (capt), 5 Jonny Bairstow, 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Liam Dawson, 8 Chris Jordan, 9 Tom Curran, 10 Mason Crane, 11 Mark Wood.With a raft of big-name absentees at the top of the order, JJ Smuts and Reeza Hendricks are expected to open the batting, even though they’ve played only nine T20Is between them: Hendricks’ 49 against Australia in Sydney three years ago is their highest combined score to date. AB de Villiers could step up the order – as indeed could Wayne Parnell as a pinch-hitter – but de Villiers’ off-colour displays in the Champions Trophy suggest he may prefer to stick to more familiar surroundings at No.3 or 4. In the absence of Rabada, Andile Phehlukwayo may step up to take the new ball for the first time in international cricket.South Africa (possible): 1 JJ Smuts, 2 Reeza Hendricks, 3 AB de Villiers (capt), 4 David Miller, 5 Farhaan Berhardien, 6 Mangaliso Mosehle (wk), 7 Wayne Parnell, 8 Dwaine Pretorius, 9 Andile Phehlukwayo, 10 Dane Paterson, 11 Imran Tahir/Tabraiz Shamsi

Pitch and conditions

The weather is scorchio and the pitch is likely to be hard, flat and true. In the most recent completed one-day match at the Ageas Bowl, back in May, Glamorgan chased down 333 to beat Hampshire by three wickets. More of the same should satisfy an anticipated capacity crowd.

Stats and trivia

• The last time these two sides met in a T20 international was a tussle for the ages – an unforgettable encounter in the 2016 World T20 in Mumbai, when England hunted down a record target of 230 to win by two wickets with two balls to spare.
• Overall, South Africa have had the better of the rivalry in 20-over cricket. Since 2007, they have won seven matches to England’s four, with one abandonment and a no-result at Old Trafford in 2012.
• AB de Villiers needs another 43 runs to become the second South African, after JP Duminy, to reach 1500 T20 runs.

Quotes

“We don’t have a T20 World Cup for two and a bit years, until 2020, so this is an opportunity particularly when the senior players are rested, to have a look at these new guys.”
“I don’t feel like I need to prove anyone wrong or prove something to someone. I just want to go play. I feel like a youngster starting my career again. I am really full of energy and love playing. I just want to score some runs again and captain the team to a few good wins.”
AB de Villiers insists he’s hungry to play international cricket.

نجح فريق الكرة الأول بنادي مودرن فيوتشر، في تسجيل الهدف الأول بشباك نظيره الزمالك، في المباراة الجارية بينهما الآن.

مباراة الزمالك وفيوتشر يحتضنها ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي، ضمن منافسات جولة الإياب لدور الـ8 (ربع النهائي) من بطولة الكونفدرالية.

تشكيل الزمالك أمام فيوتشر في إياب ربع نهائي الكونفدرالية.. محمد شحاتة أساسيًا

وسجل هدف فيوتشر الأول اللاعب جوزيف جوناثان، في الدقيقة 18 من عمر اللقاء، عن طريق ركلة ركنية رائعة فشل عواد في إبعادها.

وكانت مباراة الذهاب التي جمعت الزمالك وفيوتشر يوم الأحد الماضي على ملعب استاد السلام، انتهت بفوز الفارس الأبيض بهدفين مقابل هدف.

تجدر الإشارة إلى أن المتأهل من مباراة الزمالك وفيوتشر، سيصطدم بدريمز الغاني، في مباراة نصف النهائي لبطولة الكونفدرالية. هدف فيوتشر الأول أمام الزمالك

Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, says that the launch of All Stars Cricket, a major grassroots initiative for children aged between five and eight, is about creating a new generation of fans in order to sustain the sport into the future.From midday on Monday, parents have been able to sign up their children online to become All Stars in an ECB scheme that aims to introduce the game to 50,000 boys and girls across the country.”I think we’re in a world of competition from many sports,” Vaughan told ESPNcricinfo. “I do think cricket has sat back for many years and expected people to come and play the game. This is a project that takes the game to parents and kids.”The need to engage young children with cricket has never been more pressing as cricket has lost out to a range of individual pursuits that have been galvanised by Olympic coverage and social media interest, and by the effects of a social environment less naturally attuned to team sports.”You only have to look to the left and see the Olympic Stadium,” Vaughan said during the launch event at the ArcelorMittal Orbit in Stratford. “Who’d have thought many years ago that kids would have seen BMX racing on TV, or taekwondo? These kids have been inspired by the Olympics because they’ve seen the game. And that’s really important, that cricket gets seen more.”If one or two England players are made in the next ten years then great, but this is more about creating the cricket fan. I would hope that any youngster who comes through the programme, whether they play or not, they are going to like the game. And that’s what I call spreading the wings of the game. The more we can grab kids of a younger age, the more their wings are going to be spread later in life, and that can only be good for the game.”A clue to the ECB’s priorities comes in the fact that the media release prior to the launch came with enthusiastic quotes not from the MCC or any traditional cricketing body, but from the CEO of Mumsnet, Justine Roberts, who spoke on behalf of parents in celebrating: “Fun sporty activities that their children will love.”

ECB close to Olympic Stadium World Cup deal

Tom Harrison, the ECB chief executive, believes a deal is close to being secured to host World Cup matches at the Olympic Stadium in East London during the 2019 event.
Negotiations have been ongoing for some time, and are believed to revolve around two group-stage fixtures, one of which will feature England, and could be played in front of a capacity audience of 66,000 – double the size of Lord’s.
“It would be an amazing statement,” said Harrison. “60,000 people in a ground in the UK watching World Cup cricket. It’s making a statement about what cricket means in this country.”

“We’re trying to make a very early connection with girls and boys around the country, which if you get that right, the return on that time and investment is over a lifetime,” ECB chief executive, Tom Harrison, told ESPNcricinfo. “It’s a fantastic way for us to demonstrate how we are trying to broaden the appeal of cricket around the country, through our club network, county boards and ultimately also through communities that we don’t reach through cricket clubs.”The initiative has been almost two years in the making since the ECB appointed Matt Dwyer, who had successfully promoted the game at age-group level in Australia, as its director of participation and growth.Upon sign-up, participants will receive a cricketing backpack including a bat, ball and everything they need to try the game for the first time. They will then start an eight-week programme at their local centre in May where they will be introduced to the game in “a fun and safe environment”.As a gesture towards educational advantages, children will also learn the social development skills that team sport brings.Each session of the eight-week programme – developed with input from Andrew Strauss and the England performance team – aim to give children the basic skills they need to develop a lifelong love of cricket.Participating centres will receive free All Stars kits, volunteer training and support via a central marketing campaign, celebrating ‘Big Moments’ as children take their first steps in the game. The programme reflects ECB’s strategic framework for growing the game at every level.The project is part of the ECB’s wider ‘Cricket Unleashed’ programme, which aims to re-establish the sport’s relevance to all sections of society. ESPNcricinfo gave more details on the scheme last monthThe ECB has promoted All Stars at a series of meetings in county clubs around the country. Some of those already running successful youth cricket have reservations, bemoaning the fact that they will have no choice but to join a more expensive and glitzy marketing-led scheme.With cricket participation levels down, however, after a decade without free-to-air coverage, and with all team sports feeling a fall in numbers, and pressure on facilities, All Stars comes at a crucial moment for English cricket.Dwyer said: “We have big ambitions to significantly grow the game and this programme is all about putting a bat and ball in the hands of more children at an earlier age. First and foremost, we want to make playing cricket a fun and enjoyable experience for children and give them a passion for the game to last a lifetime.”Drawing kids to the game at an early age will develop more players, create more fans and show the power of cricket in developing physical and social skills.”We also want to make sure that parents have a great first experience at the club and give them the chance to have an hour back with their kids every week. We will be encouraging parents to get involved with sessions, whatever their prior knowledge of the game.”Within weeks of unveiling the programme to clubs we had 2,000 of them sign up to deliver All Stars Cricket and this summer we hope to have 50,000 kids trying the sport all over the country through this exciting nationwide programme.”England men’s and women’s stars Jonny Bairstow and Lauren Winfield joined Vaughan at the event’s launch on Monday evening.Additional reporting by Andrew Miller

أعلن الجهاز الطبي لـ منتخب مصر بقيادة محمد أبو العلا، تشخيص إصابة لاعب خط الوسط إمام عاشور التي تعرض لها في مباراة الأمس أمام نيوزيلندا ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس عاصمة مصر الودية.

وفاز منتخب مصر بهدف دون رد، وذلك على أرضية استاد مصر بالعاصمة الإدارية الجديدة، في دور نصف نهائي البطولة الودية.

وكشف الجهاز الطبي أن الآشعة التي خضع لها إمام عاشور أثبتت إصابته بخلع بين مفصل الترقوة ولوح الكتف، وسيستكمل الإشاعات اليوم السبت.

طالع أيضاً.. فيديو | إصابة إمام عاشور في مباراة مصر ونيوزيلندا.. ويغادر باكيًا

وسيتم عرض إمام عاشور على أحد الأطباء المتخصصين في إصابات الكتف لفحصه وتحديد حاجته لجراحة من عدمه.

وتم التواصل والتنسيق بين الجهاز الطبي للمنتخب بقيادة الدكتور محمد أبو العلا و نظيره في الأهلي.

وسقط إمام عاشور على أرضية الملعب بعد التحام قوي مع مدافع المنتخب النيوزيلندي في الدقيقة 25، ليقرر حسام حسن المدير الفني استبداله والدفع بحمدي فتحي.

Umpire Paul Reiffel will not stand for the remainder of the Mumbai Test after suffering concussion because of a blow to the back of the head on the opening day

Sidharth Monga in Mumbai08-Dec-2016

Umpire Paul Reiffel will not stand for the remainder of the Mumbai Test after suffering concussion because of a blow to the back of the head on the opening day.Reiffel was helped off the field by England’s medical staff and went to hospital where tests cleared him of serious injury, but he was advised to rest. Marais Erasmus, who was the TV umpire, will continue in the on-field role for the rest of the match.*An ICC statement said: “Paul Reiffel underwent precautionary tests yesterday, which came back all clear. Paul, however, has been advised to rest, which is the normal course prescribed following a concussion. As such, he will not take any further part in the Mumbai Test and has been replaced by Marais Erasmus.”The accident took place in the 49th over of England’s innings, when Keaton Jennings worked R Ashwin past the square leg. From three-fourths of the way to the fence, Bhuvneshwar Kumar lobbed a throw back to Cheteshwar Pujara, who stood between Reiffel and the stumps. The throw didn’t have enough power, and Pujara seemed to warn Reiffel late, leaving him time only to duck. Had Reiffel stood upright the ball might have glanced the top of his head; but now it hit the sensitive area on the back of the head.The other umpire Bruce Oxenford, who wears an arm guard in limited-overs cricket, rushed to provide Reiffel shade with his hat and the England medical team looked after the 50-year-old umpire as he collapsed to the ground. Play was held up for 10 to 12 minutes shortly before the scheduled afternoon drinks break. Erasmus took Reiffel’s place on the field as he walked off for a medical examination.It helped that there was an understudy for the third umpire: C Shamshuddin, who has stood in ODIs, was at the ground as part of a programme to train local umpires on the DRS. Shamshuddin, who was better versed with DRS protocols than fourth umpire Nitin Menon, moved into the TV umpire’s seat.Reiffel is scheduled to be an on-field official during the final Test in Chennai.* December 9, 2.15pm IST: This story was updated with news of Paul Reiffel not returning for the Test

Celtic are on the lookout for a new first-team manager after Ange Postecoglou opted to depart Parkhead in favour of a switch to the Premier League.

The 57-year-old's exit was confirmed earlier this week, and this has left majority shareholder Dermot Desmond and chairman Peter Lawwell, alongside the rest of the board, in need of finding a replacement.

The Hoops are coming off the back of winning a domestic treble, thanks to their success in the Scottish Premiership, League Cup and FA Cup, and could use their platform as a team that is able to win trophies on a regular basis to lure an excellent manager to the club.

One manager who has recently been linked with the vacant post is Italian coach Francesco Farioli, who could be a superb appointment by the Scottish giants.

Who is Francesco Farioli?

The 34-year-old boss is out of work after deciding to leave Turkish side Alanyaspor at the end of the 2022/23 campaign after finishing fifth and tenth in the Super Lig and the tinkerer could be Desmond's own version of Brighton & Hove Albion's Roberto De Zerbi at Parkhead.

Prior to joining the Seagulls, the Italian had finished eighth or lower in five of his last six league seasons as a coach – winning the title with Shakhtar Donetsk in the other.

He then led the Premier League side to a sixth-placed finish and secured European football in his first campaign in England, whilst playing exciting progressive football.

Farioli, who was hailed as a "talented coach" by journalist Fabrizio Romano, is known in Italy as the 'young De Zerbi' after working with the Brighton boss for three seasons at Benevento and Sassuolo.

He soaked up knowledge from the now-Premier League chief and used his experience with him in the Serie A to form his own coaching career, with both managers deploying a high-pressing 4-2-3-1 system that encourages brave play on the ball from technically gifted attacking players.

Speaking about his style of play, Farioli once said: "I think it's important to build a team of players with passion for what they do. They must enjoy the ball, approach the game in a brave and proactive way."

The Italian is yet to win his first trophy in management at the incredibly young age of 34, but he is a coach with potential who could go on a journey with Celtic and build something special in a similar way to how De Zerbi has transformed Brighton into a European side.

It would not be a safe or easy appointment for Desmond to make but it could be one that is a gamble worth making if he can instil an exciting brand of football and become a success at Parkhead in the years to come.

An update has emerged on Leeds United and their plans to replace Sam Allardyce in the dugout at Elland Road ahead of next season…

What's the latest on Scott Parker to Leeds?

The Athletic's Phil Hay penned a recent article revealing that chief executive Angus Kinnear is now assessing and approaching potential candidates and has discussed a possible swoop for out-of-work boss Scott Parker.

It states that the club are looking at proven and safe options to lead them into the 2023/24 campaign, with Steven Gerrard and Brendan Rodgers also named alongside the ex-Bournemouth head coach.

The report claims that the Whites are plotting a move for the Englishman due to his previous promotion-winning years with Fulham and the Cherries in the second tier.

Would Scott Parker be a success at Leeds?

A swoop for the former Chelsea central midfielder could be another big disaster for the Whites after their recent failures with Jesse Marsch, Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce, whose combined work led to a devastating relegation to the second tier.

Since the start of February, Leeds have parted ways with three managers, and this suggests that the club are in desperate need of a coach who can come in and install a long-term plan at Elland Road – and one which could lead them to become a sustainable force in the Premier League.

Parker has an excellent record in the Championship – winning promotion via the play-offs and a second-place finish with Fulham and Bournemouth respectively – but his top-flight experience so far indicates that the 42-year-old is not the man to lead them where they want to go in the future.

Parker has won nine of his 52 Premier League matches as a manager and averaged a dismal 0.77 points per game in that time, which would work out as 29 points over a full season – two fewer than the club managed in their relegation campaign.

The Englishman was also given an opportunity to showcase his ability as a coach in the top-flight of Belgian football with Club Brugge in 22/23 but was relieved of his duties after winning two of his ten league games at the helm and losing both of his clashes in the Champions League.

Journalist Josh Bunting described the 4-3-3 boss as a "disaster" in Belgium and his statistics at the top level suggest that is exactly what he would be for Leeds if they commit to a long-term plan with him.

Parker may be able to get them promoted next season, although there is still no guarantee that he would be able to do that, while his Premier League track record indicates that it would all go downhill after that.

Therefore, Kinnear should be looking to appoint a head coach who has the potential to keep the side in the top division of English football in the long term, rather than bringing in a short-term boss to merely secure promotion.

ScorecardTom Alsop made his highest first-class score as Hampshire took charge (file photo)•Getty Images

Nottinghamshire were facing a battle to avoid defeat in their Specsavers County Championship match against Hampshire at Trent Bridge. Left to score a nominal 468 to win, from a minimum of 118 overs, Notts reached stumps on 42 for 2 on the third day.Hampshire, who went into this round of matches four points behind Nottinghamshire at the bottom of the Division One table, had batted until after tea before declaring on 393 for 7. Jimmy Adams scored 99, Tom Alsop hit 93 and there were half-centuries also for Ryan McLaren and Liam Dawson.Andy Carter, the former Notts seamer who took four wickets in the first innings, then struck with his first delivery of the second, having Jake Libby taken at square leg for 9. Hampshire made another inroad in the final over of the day as Will Smith held a juggling slip catch off Mason Crane to send back Riki Wessels for 11.Mick Newell, Notts director of cricket, said: “We need the five points we’d get for securing a draw, so we need to show some application tomorrow. Somebody has got to bat a lot of balls and that is going to be crucial. We felt that they would bat for a long time and they did, so they’ve given us less time to bat. We hoped to survive that session one wicket down but to lose two is disappointing.”Earlier, Adams and Alsop had few alarms in extending their second-wicket partnership to 160 before being separated just before lunch. Adams, whose career-best score of 262 not out came at Trent Bridge in 2006, moved on to 99 but then feathered an attempted pull off Jake Ball through to Chris Read – giving the England seamer his 100th first-class wicket.Dawson led a charmed life as he arrived in the middle. He was bowled by the first ball he faced but was reprieved by a cry of “no-ball”, was then dropped at midwicket and almost chopped on to his stumps, all from the bowling of Imran Tahir.Alsop had brought up his 50 from 122 balls during his stand with Adams and advanced to his career-best score before falling in the first hour of the middle session.Tahir, who has played for both these sides during spells with five different English counties, picked up two wickets in quick succession. Alsop went lbw and then Adam Wheater drilled a caught-and-bowled straight back to the South Africa international.With Dawson and Ryan McLaren then adding 80 for the fifth wicket, Notts were delighted to make a further strike in the final over of the afternoon session. Dawson had brought up his second fifty of the match from 85 balls but was bowled by Samit Patel for 69. The spinner made it two wickets in two balls as Lewis McManus edged his first ball into the hands of Steven Mullaney at slip.Gareth Berg survived the hat-trick delivery and moved on to 17 before nicking Tahir behind. But McLaren launched three enormous sixes over the midwicket ropes and was unbeaten on 71 when the declaration came.A successful run chase would be Nottinghamshire’s highest of all-time, surpassing the 461 they achieved against Worcestershire in 2001. More realistically, with 426 still needed, they will have to bat well to secure a draw and avoid dropping below their opponents at the foot of the table.

حقق فريق أتلتيكو مدريد فوزًا ضد خصمه فالنسيا، في مباراتهما مساء يوم الأحد في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإسباني.

وتلاقى الفريقان في إطار منافسات الجولة الثانية والعشرين من الليجا، موسم 2023/24، حيث فاز أتلتيكو مدريد بهدفين دون رد.

كان أتلتيكو مدريد قد تقدم بهدف في الدقيقة الخامسة من الوقت المُحتسب بدلَا من الضائع للشوط الأول، عن طريق اللاعب صموئيل لينو.

وتمكن أتلتيكو مدريد من مضاعفة تقدمه بتسجيله الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 57 عن طريق الهولندي ممفيس ديباي.

بتلك النتيجة، تراجع برشلونة إلى المركز الرابع في جدول الليجا، حيث ارتفع رصيد أتلتيكو مدريد إلى 44 نقطة في المركز الثالث بفارق الأهداف عن حامل اللقب، في حين تجمد رصيد فالنسيا عند 32 نقطة في المركز الثامن.

Tottenham Hotspur have slowly cultivated an unwanted toxic atmosphere within the club, which more recently has spilled over onto the pitch.

The players have been struggling for some time now, resulting in their abhorrent form which has brought just one win since early March.

With European football seriously in jeopardy and Ryan Mason the man expected to steady the ship, their need for a new permanent manager to enter the dugout has never felt greater. Daniel Levy is clearly aware of this, hence the ever-changing nature of the favourite, amongst the various candidates.

One such name which refuses to lose traction is that of Luis Enrique, who reportedly came in for talks earlier this week alongside Julian Nagelsmann.

The Spaniard boasts a huge pedigree and has overseen some of the world's top talents during his impressive career in management. However, he will have never experienced a dressing room like this.

It will take some serious upheaval to transform the failing Lilywhites culture, gutting the majority of the playing staff of the losers that have come before.

Whilst many would push Eric Dier to the front of that list, Enrique's work with Sergio Busquets could pose an interesting thought experiment with regard to the future of the 29-year-old.

Having featured in defensive midfield before, but predominantly as a centre-back of late, the inconsistent England international could occupy the former role with the perfect tutor to mould him in the image of one of the best to have ever done it.

Can Eric Dier be Luis Enrique's next Sergio Busquets?

Busquets is a true legend of the game, yet has never been famed for his exceptional technical quality. Having so often been surrounded by true show-stoppers, partnering Xavi and Iniesta in a midfield sat just behind Lionel Messi, the general has been happy performing out of the limelight.

However, it is this selflessness and willingness to silently do the dirty work that has made him ever-present in some of the greatest footballing sides of our generation, as well as being Enrique's most-used player (181 appearances) throughout his career.

The 34-year-old powerhouse was a mainstay for Spain during their historic 2010 World Cup and subsequent EURO 2012 victory, and boasts as many as eight La Liga titles alongside three Champions Leagues with Barcelona.

No matter the turmoil or changes that have gone on around him, the midfield anchor has remained a constant.

Breaking up play and offloading to a more technically proficient teammate; it is a role that could certainly benefit Dier, who often draws scorn for trying too much when his quality is often lacking.

Back in 2021, pundit Frank McAvennie even suggested that the dud was "awful" and "not good enough" for Spurs.

This season, where he has featured mainly at centre-back, the £27m-rated titan has only managed a 6.88 average rating. The move into defence was one initiated by Jose Mourinho, but whilst part of Mauricio Pochettino's engine room from 2015 to 2018, his average rating instead did not drop below 7.01.

The pinnacle of this role came during the 2016/17 campaign, where his 7.10 rating was maintained by an 87% pass accuracy, 1.4 tackles and 4.1 clearances per game, via Sofascore.

It is clear that within the right system, Dier can thrive in midfield, With Enrique's expertise and a philosophy that would get the best out of the £85k-per-week flop, perhaps the Spaniard could be the catalyst that transforms this player and the club as a whole.