Few young Australian cricketers have generated as much excitement as Will Pucovski in recent years but he is ignoring the hype as he bangs on the door for selection ahead of the Test series against India.The 22-year-old was named among five uncapped players in a 17-man squad on Thursday after piling up 495 runs in two Sheffield Shield matches when opening the batting for Victoria.He will have another chance to impress selectors when he faces India’s bowlers in a tour match in Sydney from December 6.ALSO READ: Test squad talking points – Burns v Pucovski, Carey still No. 2 and caution over GreenThe Australia A game has been seen as an unofficial “bat-off” with incumbent opener Joe Burns, who has hit a lean patch for Queensland in recent Shield games.But Pucovski has little interest in giving oxygen to the speculation and has switched off his social media accounts to be free of distractions.Will Pucovski plays through the off side•Getty Images

“I think it’s a bit of a media build-up to be honest, the big bat-off thing,” he told reporters on Friday. “I think all I can really control is how I go about it in my preparation and then obviously in the game so I feel like my batting’s in a really good place.”I’m off a lot of social media, so that makes it a lot easier. You can’t get tagged on Twitter and stuff if you don’t have the app, so that’s been a pretty easy one for me.”Australian cricket rarely fails to produce wunderkinds but experts have already marked Pucovski as a once-in-a-generation talent in the mould of Ricky Ponting or Steve Smith.”It would be ridiculous to say he’s not ready,” former Australia captain Ian Chappell told the Nine Network. “What the hell is he going to prove by playing more Shield cricket?”The pressure of playing Test cricket on home soil is at an entirely different level, though, and selectors may be wary of throwing Pucovski into the cauldron of a hugely anticipated series against Virat Kohli’s team.Pucovski has a history of battling mental health issues and has taken time off from the game twice when on the cusp of test selection.Replacing Burns, whose solid opening partnership with David Warner helped Australia whitewash Pakistan and New Zealand in the last home summer, would also be a bitter pill for the incumbent.”He’s been amazing, hasn’t he?” Australia coach Justin Langer said. “That said … we loved the combination of Joe Burns and David Warner. At this point, I’d say that will remain the same.”Pucovski has also struggled with a series of concussion injuries dating back to a serious head-knock suffered in school football. He believes the concussion problems may have contributed to his mental health struggles.”Obviously getting hit in the head a lot is not ideal from a physical or mental perspective,” he said. “But I’ve done a lot of work in that space to try and make sure my process is in a really good place.”

The match was called off at tea with only four wickets falling in the third innings on the final day

Alex Malcolm11-Nov-2020

Will Pucovski walks off frustrated after being dismissed•Getty Images

Will Pucovski’s attempt at a third consecutive century was the only storyline of note heading into the final day and a line-ball lbw scuppered those hopes early in the morning as the match between Victoria and Western Australia at Karen Rolton Oval petered out to a draw.WA’s decision to bat deep into the third day and surpass Victoria’s first innings total left Victoria with little else to do but see out the final day. Pucovski, with scores of 255 not out and 202 to his name this season, began the day unbeaten on 32 alongside Marcus Harris with time to carve out another big score prior to the Test squad announcement.But he was undone in the 11th over the morning having added just six runs to his overnight total. Cameron Gannon nipped one back off the seam and he was adjudged lbw despite being hit high on the leg and having survived a very similar appeal earlier in the morning. Victoria’s opening partnership of 84 was also 102 runs shy of their second-lowest for the season.Harris ground out 45 from 150 deliveries as the surface slowed considerably before chipping a catch to midwicket. Peter Handscomb and Nic Maddinson spent some valuable time at the crease, as did Matt Short who was batting for just the second time this season.Handscomb was undone by a neat delivery from Gannon that just left him off the seam while Maddinson was bowled through the gate driving at a full inswinger from Aaron Hardie before the match was called off at tea.Cameron Green did not bowl a single ball on the final day having bowled just four overs on the third evening.

Douglas Luiz is on board the proverbial ship, chugging toward the westering sun and disappearing beyond the horizon. Aston Villa are resigned to selling him to Juventus, necessary to stay in line with PSR.

The Bianconeri are set to sign the Brazil international for about £17m, with Villa claiming Weston McKennie and Samuel Iling-Junior in return too.

Whether such players are makeweights or players tailored to perform prominently within Emery's vision remains to be seen but it's without question that a sense of malaise has been left lingering at Villa Park, like mist.

After qualifying for the Champions League, the hope is that the Lions will cement their newfound position of power and build for lasting success, but losing Luiz threatens to be a detrimental blow, having been described as "one of the best 6s" in English football by journalist Adam Gilk.

Whether McKennie, who was criticised for his "poor" passing and "mistimed" tackling by journalist Beren Cross during his botched loan stint with Leeds United in 2022/23, is up for the task remains to be seen. Villa might be better off looking elsewhere.

Villa lining up Premier League star

Aston Villa have been eyeing a deal for Chelsea's Conor Gallagher for several weeks but now need to further their advances with haste after an important development.

Indeed, as per The Guardian, Chelsea are considering making a U-turn and offering the Three Lions star a new contract at Stamford Bridge, despite the vested interest of Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.

Valued at £50m, Gallagher has already been the focus of recent discussions between the Blues and Villa, so the blocks are in place to make a move.

Monchi and Co just need to move the pesky PSR quandary out of the way first.

Conor Gallagher's season in numbers

From the onset of Chelsea's struggles over the past few years, one constant source of optimism has been the ever-flowing talent cascading from Cobham Academy.

Gallagher, now aged 24, has been one of the creams of that crop but now faces an untimely exit from his boyhood club as they look to fund the summer's anticipated spending. Gallagher is a homegrown product and thus would bring home pure profit if he was to be sold.

Aston Villa must pounce on the opportunity to bring him to the Midlands, especially so after losing Luiz. Across all competitions last season, he scored seven goals and added nine assists over 50 matches, but his influence stretched far further than that of goal contributions.

Hailed for bringing "balance and chemistry" to the Chelsea first team by reporter Liam Twomey, the £50k-per-week ace is the veritable lifeblood and makes such a difference to the performances of those around him.

Ranking among the top 17% of midfielders in the Premier League (2023/24) for successful take-ons and the top 20% for ball recoveries made per 90, as per FBref, Gallagher would clearly bring the energy and enthusiasm needed.

Whether signing McKennie would affect any bid for his signature is likely alarming for supporters. But would he actually be better than the Juventus star?

How Conor Gallagher compares to Weston McKennie

In a word: yes. McKennie does have his strengths and should not be defined by a short spell at Elland Road that saw him thrown into the firepit in January 2023, but he's not too dissimilar from Gallagher and the Blues man is unquestionably performing to a higher standard.

As per FBref, McKennie ranks among the top 7% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 11% for touches in the attacking penalty area, the top 5% for clearances and the top 17% for progressive carries per 90.

He's been described in the past as "one of the best players at Juventus this year and one of the top midfielders in Serie A" by the USMNT head coach Greg Berhalter, who naturally spoke kindly of the American but not without credibility.

Matches played

37

34

Matches started

37

29

Goals

5

0

Assists

7

7

Pass completion

92%

81%

Touches per game

70.4

44.9

Key passes per game

1.4

1.2

Ball recoveries per game

6.0

3.4

Tackles per game

2.3

1.4

Dribbles per game

1.0 (68%)

0.5 (38%)

Duels won per game

5.7 (50%)

3.4 (50%)

The comparisons between the respective stars' campaigns speak of Gallagher's superiority in all of athletic output, ball-playing ability and defensive commitment.

For Emery's system, reliant on hard work and sharp tactical awareness, Gallagher would be the one to make the most marked impact on the squad, with one analyst even noting that he's something of a "pressing and transition monster".

McKennie's mediocre defensive metrics hardly suggest that he is indeed the suitable man to replace Luiz in the centre of the park, even if he might be considered a more dynamic and advanced player anyway – the 25-year-old featured nine times in right midfield for Juve last season.

While Boubacar Kamara offers the sound defensive skill set to allow a player such as McKennie to play with more freedom and security, Gallagher is the complete package and has proven himself in the Premier League moreover.

McKennie, conversely, flattered to deceive during his stay in England's top flight, completing just 78% of his passes and winning only 39% of his ground duels across his 16 starting appearances for Leeds, as per Sofascore.

Different circumstances; different conditions. Sure. But Gallagher is a player who could be a real difference-maker for Emery, not only filling in the Luiz-shaped hole but ensuring the club enjoy success domestically and on the continent during the forthcoming campaign.

Aston Villa must sell £25m star who earns more than Weston McKennie

He could be set for a move to Italy this summer.

ByJoe Nuttall Jun 13, 2024

MatériaMais Notícias

Rivais eternos, CSA e CRB vivem momentos opostos na reta final da temporada 2021. Enquanto um luta pelo acesso, o outro tenta encostar nos quatro melhores da Série B.

+ Veja no aplicativo do LANCE! o resultado dos jogos da rodada

Após alguns anos na sombra do rival, o CRB vive um trabalho sólido com Allan Aal. O treinador encaixou o time desde a sua chegada e mostra um bom desempenho em campo.

Com 22 jogos na Série B, o Galo aparece na vice-liderança, com 40 pontos, dois a menos que o líder Coritiba.

Por outro lado, o CSA tenta encostar na briga pelo G-4 da competição. Sob o comando de Mozart Santos, o Azulão surge na 11ª colocação, com 29 pontos.

Para chegar ao G-4, o CSA precisa dar um grande salto no desempenho, já que o Goiás, primeiro time do grupo de acesso, aparece com 38 pontos.

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Todd Boehly has certainly raised a few eyebrows since his takeover of Chelsea back in 2022, splashing over £1bn on new signings in an attempt to return the club back to Premier League glory.

Numerous signings have caught the eye, including the one of Moises Caicedo last summer, which totalled £115m – a transfer that broke the British transfer record.

However, moves for players such as Wesley Fofana haven’t been as successful, with the Frenchman only making 20 appearances for the Blues since his £70m move to the club during the 2022/23 campaign.

Such signings have bled the club dry, losing them a lot of money in the process, so new boss Enzo Maresca needs to brutally part ways with multiple players to raise funds if he is to make more new additions at Stamford Bridge.

One player in particular could be axed, with the club desperately needing to cut ties with the talent, especially after his poor displays at the ongoing Euros.

Romelu Lukaku’s stats for Belgium against France

After joining the club for £97.5m a couple of years ago, striker Romelu Lukaku had high hopes of being a success during his second stint at the club, but it’s safe to say he’s failed to live up to expectations.

He’s spent the last couple of campaigns on loan at Inter Milan and Roma, with his displays for his nation also failing to catch the eye.

In Belgium’s round of 16 defeat to France earlier this week, Lukaku was non-existent, struggling to keep hold of possession and threaten goalkeeper Mike Maignan. The 31-year-old only managed 20 touches in his 90-minute display, completing just seven of his 13 attempted passes.

Minutes played

90

Touches

20

Passes completed

7/13 (54%)

Duels won

2/10 (20%)

Possession lost

12x

Dribbles completed

0/1 (0%)

Lukaku only won two of the ten duels that he contested – a success rate of just 20% – whilst also losing possession 12 times, the most of any Belgian player.

He was subsequently handed a 4/10 match rating by the Daily Mail – a reflection of his dismal showing against Didier Deschamps side.

His poor form internationally could be evidence that he’s unable to cut it at the top level, with the Blues needing to cut his hefty wages off the bill if they are to be able to fund a move for a new number nine.

How much Romelu Lukaku earns at Chelsea

Despite not featuring for the club in over two years, Lukaku still pockets a huge weekly wage, which was offered to him upon his big-money return to Stamford Bridge.

According to Capology, the forward earns a reported £325k-per-week, making him the club’s joint-highest earner alongside Raheem Sterling.

His massive earnings are ludicrous for his lack of impact for the Blues during his second stint, but even more so when compared to one player who’s been linked with a move to the club.

Newcastle striker Alexander Isak has been frequently linked with a move to London in recent days, following a season on Tyneside which saw the Swede score 21 times in the Premier League.

However, despite his stellar campaign, he only pockets a measly wage in comparison to Lukaku, taking home £120k-per-week, a figure that is nearly three times less than the Belgian.

Given Lukaku’s dismal displays for his nation, coupled with his extortionate income, Maresca must brutally part ways with the 31-year-old, with the club able to finally cut their losses, whilst also funding a move for a more clinical frontman – such as Isak – to lead the Italian’s revolution.

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Christian Pulisic has revealed what “changed my career around”, with the USMNT star reflecting on his decision to leave Chelsea for AC Milan.

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Spent four years at Stamford BridgeLeft for San Siro in summer of 2023Has become a key man for RossoneriFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Despite becoming a history-making Champions League winner at Stamford Bridge, the United States international made a brave career call in the summer of 2023 when swapping life in west London for that in northern Italy.

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Pulisic adapted quickly to a new country and culture, with a personal-best return of 15 goals recorded across his debut campaign at San Siro. The 26-year-old forward has become a talismanic presence for the Rossoneri, with a spark being rekindled that had been in danger of fizzling out.

WHAT PULISIC SAID

Pulisic has told the YouTube channel of becoming the best version of himself in Milan: "I’m loving Italy, Italy has been… dude it has changed my career around. Just the club as well, Milan has been just so enjoyable.

"The fans, the stadium… you guys got to get out to San Siro. Our stadium is just… I’ve never seen anything like it man. I live right by Lake Como, Milan, everything’s right there, Switzerland. You’re close to everything."

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

Pulisic, who has a further six goals to his name this season, is tied to a contract through to 2027 – with there already talk of those terms being extended. He has returned to Europe early from the latest USMNT camp and will be hoping to star for Milan in Serie A again when they play host to Udinese on Saturday.

Manchester United are interested in signing RB Leipzig's in-demand striker Benjamin Sesko next summer, though one condition is working against them.

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• Man Utd want Leipzig's Sesko
• Red Devils could have major problem
• Striker keen to play Champions League football

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Manchester United are among the clubs who have a long-standing interest in RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko. The 21-year-old was linked with a move to a number of top European sides during the summer 2024 window, including Arsenal and the Red Devils, but ended up staying in Germany.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Red Bull recently announced that former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will be joining as their Head of Global Football, overseeing clubs in their network such as Leipzig and Salzburg. Upon starting on January 1, 2025, he could already have an almighty task on his hands trying to fend off interest for Sesko.

• Getty Images
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  The striker is expected to leave Leipzig next summer as he looks to make a move to further his career, as per the Daily Mail. However, the report states that Sesko ideally wants to play Champions League football next season, and United's performances so far this term have done little to suggest they will qualify for Europe's elite club competition.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR SESKO?

  Sesko has had an impressive start to the season for Leipzig as he has four goal contributions in the Bundesliga after six rounds of fixtures. However, his best form has come in the Champions League as he has scored three times in two games against big-name clubs in the form of Atletico Madrid and Juventus.

  The Slovenian striker will be back in action when Leipzig take on Mainz in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

After a disappointing seventh-placed finish in the Premier League last season, Newcastle United could now sacrifice one of their top stars in order to bring new players through the door at St James' Park.

Magpies eye up defensive reinforcements this summer

After struggling to settle on a nailed on back four last season, Eddie Howe appears to be in the market for players to reinforce his backline. One defender has already made the move to Tyneside with free agent Lloyd Kelly set to join the club at the start of July after leaving Bournemouth at the end of his contract.

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With one already through the door, the latest rumours out of St James' Park have linked Newcastle with a number of further defensive signings. AC Milan's Fikayo Tomori is one name linked with a move to the Magpies with the English defender potentially available for £42million this summer.

Another defender on PIF's shopping list is Juventus' Federico Gatti. The 26-year-old central defender is linked with a £25 million move away from the Turin outfit and Newcastle are reported to be ready to launch a formal bid for the player.

With fresh faces in defence clearly high on Newcastle's list of priorities, the club could now use the transfer window to sell one of their most reliable players in this area of the pitch.

European club target Toon star

As first reported by Sport Witness, the Turkish press are claiming that Trabzonspor are interested in signing Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar. The Swiss centre back has just one year left on his current deal at St James' Park meaning that he is likely to be moved on this summer.

The report goes on to state that Schar is now Trabzonspor's top target in their search for a new central defender after the 2022 Süper Lig winners failed to convince Marseille’s Samuel Gigot to join, and they have already reached out to the Magpies star.

Current Toon boss Howe spoke on Schar's unique abilities back in March, telling the press: “There won’t be many centre-halves like Fabby (Schar). He is a total one-off, he is a very good defender when he is absolutely concentrated and really well-trained.

"He is as good a defender as I’ve seen. But he would probably tell you that his biggest strengths are on the ball, and he can see things and execute things that I don’t see many other centre-halves capable of doing. That’s why he’s so important to us."

Schar made 36 league appearances for the Magpies last season, scoring four goals in the process. The 32-year-old's goal scoring prowess is well known with the player synonymous with well struck efforts that end up rippling the back of the net.

As he is currently away representing Switzerland at Euro 2024, Sport Witness states that any negotiations will not take place until the tournament has concluded.

With Newcastle eyeing up moves for a number of high profile defenders, shifting Schar's £45,000 per week wages off the books could be what allows the Magpies to go after some of their top targets.

Looking to win a fifth consecutive Premier League title, Manchester City have reportedly been gifted the chance to sign an attacking reinforcement who Erling Haaland is a big fan of.

Man City transfer news

Just how you improve a side who are attempting to win the Premier League for a fourth title in a row is a question that only Pep Guardiola knows the answer to this summer. And that answer may well include both Jamal Musiala and Joshua Kimmich, with both Bayern Munich stars already linked to The Etihad this summer. By the beginning of the next campaign, of course, both midfielders could be entering as Euro 2024 winners with Germany.

it's at the Euros in their home country that Musiala has particularly thrived, scoring twice in three games to steal the headlines as many predicted he would. Such a talent is made to play for the very best and Manchester City are exactly that, so much so that they've reportedly been offered a Premier League rival.

According to TeamTalk, Manchester City have been gifted the chance to sign Jadon Sancho from Manchester United by Sir Jim Ratcliffe this summer. The Red Devils' minority owner has reportedly made the same call to Chelsea and Arsenal, with all three clubs now in a position to make a decision in the coming months.

Related Man City now one of the only clubs £315,000-a-week star is willing to join

Pep Guardiola absolutely adores him.

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City, of course, know all about Sancho given that he initially left their academy to join Borussia Dortmund, before beginning a nightmare spell at Manchester United. Since enjoying a more resurgent spell back on loan at Dortmund, Sancho has reportedly been shown the door at Old Trafford this summer and finds himself at a career crossroads.

Whether Manchester City or, indeed, another club are prepared to splash the cash to sign Sancho and pay his reported £195k-a-week salary remains to be seen, however.

"Fantastic" Sancho needs Man City move

If Sancho could go back in time then he may well have ditched the idea of joining Manchester United altogether in favour of a City return back in 2021. Three years later and still suffering a spell to forget at Old Trafford nonetheless, the England international would likely jump at the chance to join Guardiola's winning machine in a move that former Dortmund teammate Haaland may also welcome.

The star striker is a big fan of Sancho, having previously told SoccerBible via the Bundesliga's official website: "The levels of performance are so high and from the first second we just understood each other. Jadon is obviously a fantastic footballer and he can reach the very top."

Reuniting such a partnership at Manchester City could go a long way in taking the Premier League champions onto further history in both English and European football, but only if Sancho manages to rediscover the form that saw him thrive alongside the Norwegian in the first place. He's certainly one to watch this summer, as he looks to leave Manchester United on a permanent basis.

After the last couple of transfer windows were marred by financial sanctions, Everton finally look set to open their chequebook this summer and reward Sean Dyche for staving off relegation from the Premier League last season.

Everton eye moves for new talents

The latest news out of Goodison Park has linked Everton with a move for in-demand free agent Wilfred Ndidi. The Nigerian midfielder is set to leave Leicester City as a free agent after his contract expired at the end of last month. An announcement is also expected soon for Everton's £16.9million signing of former Sheffield United man Iliman Ndiaye.

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Another midfielder on the Toffees' target list is former Liverpool man Arthur Melo. The Brazilian spent last season on loan at Fiorentina, however is now in line to leave parent club Juventus on a free transfer. The midfielder struggled with injury during his time at Anfield but could be an asset to Dyche's side if he can remain fit.

With a midfielder clearly high on the Toffees' list of priorities, Everton look set to soon submit a bid for a talented player with interest from a fellow Premier League club.

Toffees set to compete to sign Benfica midfielder

As first reported by Sport Witness, the Portuguese press are claiming that Everton are set to battle with Leicester City for Benfica's Florentino Luis. The report states that the Foxes are preparing an offer for the 24-year-old midfielder while Everton will submit a bid of their own in the coming weeks.

Luis has long been linked with a move to Goodison Park with Sport Witness stating that the Portuguese youth international was on the Toffees' target list as far back as January. A report from back in May also suggested that Everton would be interested in making a move for the player during the summer window.

This latest development has seen Everton now look set to launch a bid for Luis, however they will now have to compete with a fellow Premier League side to get the deal over the line. Luis has been one of the standout players in the Liga Portugal last season, making 30 appearances as Benfica finished second in the league.

Passes attempted

73.93

96th percentile

Progressive passes

7.61

92nd percentile

Tackles

4.23

99th percentile

Interceptions

2.63

99th percentile

Blocks

1.93

92nd percentile

The 24-year-old's time at Benfica has seen him earn praise from across Portguese football. Luis' former coach at Benfica Rui Vitória spoke highly of the midfielder telling the press: “Florentino Luis is an exceptional talent. He has the qualities that every coach would want in a midfielder: tenacity, intelligence, and technique.”

Whilst Everton's interest in Luis is now clear to see, the Toffees may have to fork out a hefty fee to secure the player's services. Sport Witness claim that Benfica have already turned down a £25million bid from an English side meaning that Everton will have to exceed this figure to bring their man to Goodison Park.