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Aston Villa are on course to seal the permanent signing of goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

What’s the Word?

That’s according to Football Insider, who claim that a source has revealed that Villa are in advanced talks to sign Olsen on a permanent deal from AS Roma – the 32-year-old shot-stopper who has been at the Premier League side on loan since January.

With just over a year left on his Roma contract, Gerrard could secure the services of Olsen on the cheap and he would provide solid cover for Emiliano Martinez next season.

Robin Olsen would provide excellent cover at Villa

During the first half of the campaign, Olsen was plying his trade at Sheffield United in the Championship, turning out 17 times for the Blades whilst only keeping one clean sheet.

This didn’t stop player John Egan from boosting the £13k-per-week keeper’s confidence, stating in the media that the Swede had a “big presence” and that they “were lucky to have him”.

Massive praise for someone who often let in too many goals during his tenure in the Championship. However, his international experience plus his age could well prove to make him a huge coup for Gerrard and Johan Lange.

Despite not making a first-team appearance for the side since his arrival, he has obviously impressed Steven Gerrard and the coaching staff. The Swede does have prior experience in the top flight, however, featuring for Everton on 11 occasions in the 2020-2021 season.

With further progress needed to show the board that he is moving in the right direction; Gerrard will be aiming to utilise his funds carefully and not squander vital cash on poor signings.

European football must be the aim and that is why the board went all out to secure his services from Rangers in November. The former England captain faces a huge summer ahead.

AND in other news: Gerrard now plotting AVFC bid for £46k-p/w “phenomenon”, he’s better than Phillips

The BCCI has called the ten IPL franchises for a meeting on June 24 in Mumbai, ending a brief communication lull

Nagraj Gollapudi10-Jun-2010The BCCI has called the ten IPL franchises for a meeting on June 24 in Mumbai, ending a brief communication lull. The significance is that the franchises will finally get the opportunity to get acquainted with Chirayu Amin, the league’s interim chairman, after the BCCI suspended Lalit Modi on April 26.The letter, a copy of which is with Cricinfo, was sent on June 8 and addressed to “the owners of the franchises” by N Srinivasan, the board secretary. Without elaborating the agenda, the brief communiqué read:”BCCI President, Shri. Shashank Manohar and Interim Chairman IPL, Shri. Chirayu Amin desire to meet the owners of the IPL franchise to discuss matters pertaining to the IPL.” Also attending the meeting are Ratnakar Shetty, the board’s administrative officer and Sundar Raman, the IPL’s chief operating officer.Even as the BCCI top brass got immersed trying to sort the IPL mess after Modi’s suspension, the franchises, especially the original eight, were anxiously waiting to hear from the board about the way forward.At the moment, most franchises Cricinfo spoke to are keen to understand what Amin and co. have in mind regarding the player auction, how many players each team can retain and the total number of matches from IPL 4 after the addition of two more teams.”Most would expect a road map, what is going to happen here on,” a top official from one of the franchises, who did not want to be named, told Cricinfo. “We don’t even know what will happen.” But, according to him, invariably most franchises would read their demands from the same sheet.”Player auction, central revenues, the retention of players, the sponsorship avenues – these would top my list and I reckon most others would want to know the same,” the official said. Central revenues comprise the monies that come from the broadcasting revenues, the title sponsorship, and other avenues like the the MRF blimp. Till last year, each team received 10% of the central sponsorship, with 20% going to the IPL. “We are worried if that will change for the third season,” another franchise official said.Another important issue likely to be discussed is if the number of matches scheduled to be played from IPL 4 needs to be reviewed. A total of 94 matches were slotted originally, an excessive workload – critics have pointed out – which could endanger the players’ fitness and add to the stress. In fact, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, a member of the IPL governing council, voiced concerns about the relentless schedule and the IPL workload, after India were knocked out of the ICC World Twenty20 in the Super Eights for the second year in a row.Interestingly the matter is already being discussed by the board officials internally. According to a top BCCI official, the IPL governing council will study a proposal which recommends the teams being split in two groups, with a total of 68 matches. It is understood that the IPL governing council will meet in Mumbai on June 25, the day after meeting the franchises.

West Indies have dropped opening batsman Travis Dowlin and replaced him with Barbados opener Dale Richards in the squad for the third Test against South Africa

Cricinfo staff23-Jun-2010West Indies have dropped opening batsman Travis Dowlin and replaced him with Barbados opener Dale Richards in the squad for the third Test against South Africa at the Kensington Oval from June 26 to 30. Fast bowler Ravi Rampaul was also not in the list of 13 because of a side strain. He has returned to Trinidad to continue rehabilitation.The selectors retained Dowlin for the second Test after the opener had failed in the first – he scored only 4 and 1 in West Indies’ 163-run defeat. Dowlin did not impress in the high-scoring draw in St. Kitts either and fell for 10 in West Indies’ only innings of 546.His replacement, Richards, played two Tests for West Indies against Bangladesh in 2009, while most of the regular players were on strike, and scored 108 runs in four innings.West Indies trail 0-1 in the three-Test series against South Africa. They lost the Twenty20 series 0-2 and were blanked 0-5 in the one-dayers.Squad: Chris Gayle (capt), Dwayne Bravo (vc), Dale Richards, Brendan Nash, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Darren Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Darren Sammy, Sulieman Benn, Shane Shillingford, Nelon Pascal, Kemar Roach.

A number of Liverpool supporters have called for Nathaniel Phillips to be sold by the club, following rumoured interest from Serie A giants Napoli.

The 24-year-old became something of a cult hero last season, filling the centre-back void left by injured trio Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez.

In the end, Phillips played a big part in Liverpool sealing an unlikely third-placed finish in the Premier League, starting 15 games in the top flight.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375258″]

Minutes have been hard to come by this time around, though, with just three appearances to his name in all competitions, and he is now being linked with a move away from Anfield.

According to The Times [via Anfield Watch on Twitter], Napoli have shown an interest in signing Phillips, and Liverpool would demand £15m for his signature.

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Liverpool fans call for Phillips to leave

These Reds fans took to Twitter to react to the news, believing that it makes sense for the defender to move on.

“He would bully Zlatan week in week out”

Credit: @iamlfc3

“Loan is better option than selling”

Credit: @_jacobsonodior

“Sell him and wish him the best. He deserves a good opportunity”

Credit: @mformuttley

“Sell him”

Credit: @sibu_mqatazana

“We would offer him on loan fast”

Credit: @DciNelson

“*£55million”

Credit: @Mike90lfc

In other news, some Liverpool fans are fuming after a Reds injury update emerged. Read more here.

Luke Ronchi has capped his strong comeback season by winning the Laurie Sawle Medal as Western Australia’s Player of the Year

Cricinfo staff26-Mar-2010Luke Ronchi has capped his strong comeback season by winning the Laurie Sawle Medal as Western Australia’s Player of the Year. Ronchi, who has appeared in four ODIs, was dropped at the end of the 2008-09 campaign but forced his way back and finished on 44 votes, 15 ahead of Shaun Marsh.Ronchi was the Warriors’ leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield with 716 at 47.73, including three centuries, and he was tied with Chris Hartley as the most successful gloveman in the competition with 44 dismissals. He was also a useful contributor in the one-day and Twenty20 tournaments, which helped him win the Players’ Choice nomination.Michael Hussey was recognised as the state’s most outstanding player across all levels, which earned him the Gold Cup for the fourth time in five years. The opener Wes Robinson collected the Excalibur award for the player who best upholds the Spirit of the Warriors.Mitchell Marsh gained the Future Legend prize after a summer in which he was a regular of the state teams and captained Australia in their Under-19 World Cup win. Rene Farrell became the first player to win back-to-back Zoe Goss Medals for the most outstanding female cricketer of the season.

Will Jefferson, the opening batsman, has been released by Nottinghamshire after losing his first-team place

Cricinfo staff28-Sep-2009Will Jefferson, the opening batsman, has been released by Nottinghamshire after losing his first-team place.Jefferson joined the county in 2007 from Essex and played role in Nottinghamshire’s Championship promotion that season, but didn’t make any first XI appearances since June this year.”I am very sad that it has not worked out for me at Nottinghamshire but it has been an honour to represent the club over the past three seasons and I will always have happy memories of my time here,” Jefferson said. “Due to a combination of injuries and a lack of consistency with the bat in the longer form of the game over an extended period of time, I feel it is time to move on and find a new lease of life somewhere else.Director of cricket, Mick Newell, added he was surprised that the moved hadn’t worked. “I always look to sign players who have performed consistently well against us and I genuinely thought that Will would kick on and do well here,” he said. “I’m amazed that it hasn’t worked out for him because he is a talented player and I have no doubt that he can continue playing first-class cricket.”In 22 first-class matches for Nottinghamshire, Jefferson made 939 runs at 26.82 with one hundred.

West Ham United have been handed a huge injury boost concerning the return of Kurt Zouma.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to a claim made by ExWHUemployee, who revealed in a recent post on The West Ham Way that the centre-back, who picked up a hamstring tendon injury in the 3-2 win over Chelsea at the beginning of the month, is ahead of of schedule in his return to first-team action.

The insider also went on to reveal that the France international did not undergo surgery after sustaining his knock, with the club opting to take the “natural recovery route” for the 27-year-old defender.

In his post, Ex said: “Another who is ahead of schedule is Kurt Zouma. Although no return date is set, the club have opted to go down the ‘natural’ recovery route with him, meaning he’ll avoid surgery.”

Fans will be buzzing

Considering just how important a part of the West Ham side Zouma has become since his £29.8m move to the London Stadium this summer, the news that the centre-back is ahead of schedule in his return from injury is sure to have left Hammers fans buzzing.

Indeed, over his 11 Premier League appearances so far this season, the £28.8m-rated man has helped his side keep two clean sheets and has scored one goal, as well as making an average of 1.2 interceptions, 0.6 tackles, 5.2 clearances and winning 60% of his duels per game.

These returns have seen the £120k-per-week defender average a SofaScore match rating of 6.91, ranking him as David Moyes’ 12th-best performer in the top flight of English football.

As such, it is undoubtedly a case of the sooner Zouma returns the better for West Ham’s top-four hopes in the current campaign, meaning that the news the 27-year-old appears to be ahead of schedule in his return from injury is certainly a major boost for everyone involved with the club.

In other news: ExWHUemployee reveals big twist in West Ham transfer pursuit, Moyes will be furious

A new cricketing and educational facility will be opened in Mirpur, thanks to funding from the non-profit Sport for Life! foundation, the Pakistan government and cricketing authorities across the country

Cricinfo staff05-Mar-2010A new cricketing and educational facility will be opened in Mirpur on March 6, developed and funded by the non-profit Sport for Life! foundation, the UK government and international cricketing authorities. The Pakistan government is supporting the venture.The new co-educational facility will provide youngsters between the ages of 10-16 in the rural area with the latest desktop computers, interactive whiteboards and classrooms with the aim of increasing levels of numeracy, literacy and IT skills. Coaches will be recruited from local communities and trained to maintain the centre.The project in Pakistan is supported by some of Pakistan’s greatest cricketing role models, Wasim Akram and Imran Khan. Sport for Life! was founded after the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. Following the implementation of Sport for Life! centres in the Caribbean and UK, the programme continues to use cricket as a recruiting mechanism to motivate and inspire young people to participate in sport, education and healthy lifestyle training.Sport for Life! plans to develop more centres in Rawalpindi and other parts of Pakistan. The foundation will continue to sustain the initiative through a combination of internal and external, private, public and philanthropic donations.

Angel Di Maria insisted Lionel Messi is the "greatest player in history" and claimed that he wanted to win the World Cup for his skipper.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Argentina beat France on penalties in World Cup finalMessi emerged as the best player of the tournamentDi Maria lavished praise on the Argentine captainGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Argentina's World Cup victory celebration in Buenos Aires turned into a spectacle as millions of ecstatic fans flooded the streets to welcome their triumphant football heroes after they beat France in the final on penalties. An unseen footage of the open bus ride has emerged where Di Maria is seen sharing an emotional moment with Messi where the duo eventually ends up in an embrace.

AdvertisementWATCH THE CLIPWHAT DI MARIA SAID

In the documentary titled Di Maria was caught on camera saying to Messi: "For me, playing with you on a team is what I wanted, man. And winning it, winning this trophy with you, I know that it's…."

Later on, he goes on to add: "It became more about him than about me. I wanted to win the World Cup for him. Without a doubt, for me, he is the greatest in history."

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THE BIGGER PICTURE

The streets of Buenos Aires were filled, making it impossible for the bus to proceed as initially intended. In response to the unprecedented crowd size and security concerns, the victory parade was rerouted, and the team made an impromptu departure from the ground. Helicopters provided a unique exit strategy for Messi and company, ensuring their safety and allowing them to share the World Cup trophy with their adoring fans from above.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has signed a new two-year extension to his contract which will take him to 2026.

What’s the word?

Klopp has pledged his long-term future to the Reds in a deal which will expire in 2026, a move that is sure to please Kopites everywhere.

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There were talks of him leaving Liverpool upon the end of his previous contract in 2024, with the German explaining as recently as March: “The plan at the moment is to get to 2024 then, ‘thank you very much’.”

Klopp set to continue the Liverpool dynasty

The 54-year-old has revolutionised Liverpool since taking over from Brendan Rodgers in October 2015. The club was arguably in freefall despite an encouraging start under the Northern Irishman and change was urgently needed.

What followed over the next six-and-a-half years has been nothing short of extraordinary. Klopp has built a team of winners, recruiting diligently over time to craft a team which can compete on three fronts to devastating effect.

The Champions League title was won in June 2019 before a maiden Premier League crown was added the following season, despite the attempts of a global pandemic to derail the inevitable.

With Club World Cup, European Super Cup and Carabao Cup trophies all added to the growing list, it is only the FA Cup which has eluded him and his side so far, although they are in the final of that competition this season.

The former Borussia Dortmund manager has plenty of time on his side to continue this excellent Liverpool dynasty and add further silverware to the already bulging Anfield trophy room.

An extra two years might not seem like much, but to the Liverpool faithful around the world it may feel like a lifetime, and now he has even greater scope to cement his place in the pantheon of managerial greats – if he hasn’t already.

Considering just how successful Klopp has been on Merseyside, and how much he is adored by the fan base at large, it is a masterclass from FSG to secure the German for another couple of years so that he can further add to his Anfield legend, while also creating even greater excitement among Kopites.

AND in other news, Liverpool can unearth their new Gerrard by plotting bid for “outrageous” £50m gem…