All posts by h716a5.icu

Slingy speedster Munis Ansari produced a yorker barrage that Jersey’s batsmen could not answer on his way to claiming 5 for 27 and Man of the Match honours in Oman’s 58-run win

Peter Della Penna in Jersey23-May-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsSlingy speedster Munis Ansari produced a yorker barrage that Jersey’s batsmen could not answer on his way to claiming 5 for 27 and Man-of-the-Match honours in Oman’s 58-run win at St Saviour. Ansari took two wickets in his first spell, including the key scalp of Jersey captain Peter Gough for 17, before returning to spark a hasty conclusion with three more as Jersey fell from 143 for 5 to 147 all out in pursuit of Oman’s 205 for 9.Jersey’s middle order produced a resilient fightback after the team had slipped to 43 for 4 during Ansari’s first spell, in which he also claimed Cornelis Bodenstein caught behind for a duck. Jonty Jenner and Anthony Hawkins-Kay added 39 for the fifth wicket to give Jersey a bit of hope before Jenner slammed a full and wide ball straight back at left-arm spinner Aamir Kaleem, who took a stunning return catch for his second wicket to make it 82 for 5 one ball into the 24th over.Hawkins-Kay grinded his way through the next 10 overs with an able ally in Luke Gallichan, who made 30 as part of a 61-run sixth-wicket stand. After bowling five overs earlier, Ansari came back for a second spell to start the 33rd over and the pair was able to negotiate him safely for his first two overs of the spell, but a key moment occurred on the first ball of Ansari’s eighth over, the 37th, that contributed to the breakdown of the partnership.Hawkins-Kay was on strike and clipped a single off Ansari through the leg side. Gallichan wanted to push for two but when he was turned down, he tweaked his left calf muscle while trying to get back to his crease. Gallichan took a single off the next ball, after playing to third man, but hobbled all the way down the pitch and needed treatment from the physio, resulting in a seven-minute break before he decided to continue batting. After one more single by Hawkins-Kay, Gallichan came back on strike and, with his footwork now limited, he was promptly bowled by an Ansari yorker.Charles Perchard arrived and fell to another Ansari toe-crusher but Jake Dunford was able to keep out Ansari’s hat-trick ball. Three balls into the 38th over, Hawkins-Kay’s dogged stay ended for 45 when he was adjudged to have edged one down the leg side off Rajeshkumar Ranpura that was spectacularly caught by Swapnil Khadye. Ansari started his final over by yorking Ben Kynman for his fifth wicket before Ranpura ended the match nine balls later, getting the injured Rhys Palmer to edge to Kaleem at second slip.Palmer’s health was a point of contention before the start of play when he suffered a knee injury while warming up after Jersey had won the toss and opted to field. The Jersey team management requested to have Palmer changed out of the XI after he had initially been included but Oman captain Ajay Lalcheta declined, as is his right under ICC playing conditions. Palmer took 3 for 29 in the rain-affected first encounter between the two sides on Saturday which ended with no result, and his absence deprived Jersey of a specialist spinner on a track offering plenty of turn.Zeeshan Maqsood’s 69 paced Oman’s innings though the rest of the top order struggled for the third match in a row. Maqsood made his half-century off 73 balls, though he was dropped in back-to-back overs on 35 and 36 by the wicketkeeper Dunford, first standing up to Perchard’s medium pace and then to left-arm spinner Ben Stevens.Maqsood combined with Jatinder Singh for a 78-run third wicket partnership after Jatinder came in at 48 for 2 in the 17th over to give Oman a necessary platform for a defendable total. Perchard eventually nabbed Maqsood to end the 39th over, this time inducing an edge held on to by Dunford after Maqsood was cramped trying to cut. It was the third wicket in a patch that saw Oman lose four wickets for 17 runs, to shift momentum Jersey’s way. After Hawkins-Kay took one wicket in his opening spell, he came back late to claim Sunday’s high-scorer, Kaleem, for just 12 to make it 163 for 7.But Jersey’s focus lapsed over the final two overs as tailenders Khadye and Ranpura added 27 runs – including a six by each batsmen off consecutive balls to end the 49th and start the 50th over. Hawkins-Kay finished with Jersey’s best figures of 2 for 18, while spinners Stevens and Nat Watkins also took two each in the loss.

Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly on the verge of becoming the new Chelsea manager but faces a mammoth uphill task to mend their damaging state.

The Argentine will need to trim a hideously bloated squad and attempt to add some much-needed depth to a side that has experienced an absurd amount of change in the past 12 months.

After Todd Boehly’s unconventional transfer dealings, the former Paris Saint-Germain boss is expected to be handed significant control of the new signings.

However, one deal that has already been completed is that of Christopher Nkunku, who will join the Blues in the summer, and in the Frenchman, Pochettino could unearth his next Dele Alli.

How did Alli play under Pochettino?

The 51-year-old created the Englishman into an absolute monster and one of the potent assets in the Premier League at Tottenham Hotspur.

In four full seasons together, Alli registered 74 goal contributions in 131 top-flight outings, as he was named PFA Young Player of the Year on two separate occasions.

Since Pochettino was dismissed by Daniel Levy in 2019, the 27-year-old’s career has drastically declined with unproductive stints at Everton and Besiktas – scoring just three times in those spells – just highlighting the incredible job the coach did in mentoring and nurturing this previously formidable talent.

How good is Christopher Nkunku?

The forward has supposedly already secured a £63m move to Stamford Bridge and looks set to unite with Pochettino in the coming weeks.

So far this season, the Frenchman has been in unstoppable form, having recorded 24 goals and assists in 31 appearances in all competitions. Despite missing nine of the last 15 Bundesliga games through injury, the eight-cap international is still the league’s second top scorer with 13 goals.

The attacker has also received comparable accolades to Alli, being crowned as the Bundesliga Player of the Season and Footballer of the Year in Germany in 2022.

Achim Beierlorzer, Leipzig's former assistant coach, is a massive fan of the star and said that he can be considered a "world-class player."

Similarly to Alli, he can appear across the frontline but can mainly occupy the position just behind the striker, whilst chipping in with his outrageous concoction of skill, potency, and playmaking.

American coach Jesse Marsch also fuelled Nkunku’s reputation and feels he "doesn’t have any weaknesses."

This season, Kai Havertz has often been deployed in similar positions, but he has failed to convince the Stamford Bridge faithful of his quality or consistency, as he still desperately clings to the 2021 Champions League-winning goal to rescue his legacy.

Although he is Chelsea's top scorer this term with nine goals, he could well be ousted by the incoming Leipzig man.

Indeed, the addition of Nkunku will be welcome and necessary, and Pochettino could ignite his career in English football as he did so well with Dele.

Zimbabwe are a better side than their displays in this series have suggested, and it is in their interests – as well as in India’s – for them to play to potential in the third and final ODI

The Preview by Karthik Krishnaswamy14-Jun-2016Match factsWednesday, June 15, 2016
Start time 0900 local (0700 GMT)1:03

Can Zimbabwe stop series whitewash in Harare?

Big pictureOver the last two years and a bit, India’s ODI top three has been among the best in the world. They have had issues, however, with Nos. 4, 5 and 6. Addressing those issues must have been among the selectors’ primary concerns when they picked a largely experimental squad to tour Zimbabwe. Two-thirds of the way into the ODI series, India’s Nos. 4, 5 and 6 have faced one ball between them. One ball.Two matches down, the series already won, India have barely been tested. Their bowlers have enjoyed the conditions, which have offered a bit of swing and seam for the quicks and a bit of grip for the spinners, and have racked up sensational numbers. Of the five bowlers India have used, only Axar Patel (24.00) averages more than 20 in this series. But perhaps they have had it all too easy. No meaningful partnerships to stretch their patience or skillsets, no withering attack to quell, not one batsman building an innings and refusing to give his wicket away.The batsmen, needless to say, have had it even easier: they had to chase 169 in the first ODI and 127 in the second.Zimbabwe aren’t a great side. This was known even before the series began. But they are better than their displays so far suggest. It will be in both sides’ interests if they actually show up on Wednesday, and play to their potential. The series cries out for a big top-order partnership from Zimbabwe, for a burst of wickets from their bowlers, for the crackling contest that isn’t beyond them.Form guideZimbabwe: LLLWW (last five matches, most recent first)
India: WWWLLIn the spotlightIt isn’t his fault that he has bowled with woefully inadequate totals to defend, and, given those circumstances, Tendai Chatara has actually bowled pretty well so far. His pace isn’t yet up to the level it was at before he broke his shin last year, but he has hit the deck, straightened a few past the edge, picked up Zimbabwe’s only wicket in the first ODI and could have had one in the second game too, had he not overstepped. He will hope Zimbabwe either bowl first or put decent total on the board on Wednesday, giving him a chance to apply some sort of pressure on India’s batsmen.Kedar Jadhav scored an unbeaten 105 the last time he batted in an ODI. That was in July 2015. Since then, he has lost his place to more established names and come back for this series only to notch up DNBs in the first two matches. He will hope India bat first, or that they get a decent target to chase, or that he gets a major promotion up the order.Team newsCraig Ervine injured his hamstring before the second ODI, and Sean Williams, who replaced him, injured his finger soon after the toss and was unable to bat. It is unclear if either will be available on Wednesday. Timycen Maruma could get a look-in if both are ruled out. Zimbabwe already have a lengthy batting line-up, though, and might be tempted instead to pick an extra bowler – either a seamer in Donald Tiripano or Tawanda Mupariwa, or a spinner in Wellington Masakadza or Tendai Chisoro.Zimbabwe (probable): 1 Hamilton Masakadza, 2 Chamu Chibhabha, 3 Peter Moor, 4 Vusi Sibanda, 5 Sean Williams/Craig Ervine/Timycen Maruma, 6 Sikandar Raza, 7 Elton Chigumbura, 8 Richmond Mutumbami (wk), 9 Graeme Cremer (capt), 10 Tendai Chatara, 11 Taurai MuzarabaniIndia played the same XI in the first two games and, given the lack of batting time for their middle order, could shuffle the top six. MS Dhoni hinted after the second ODI that India might rest one of their bowlers, and that could mean Jaydev Unadkat, Rishi Dhawan or Jayant Yadav gets a look-in.India (probable): 1 KL Rahul/Mandeep Singh, 2 & 3 Karun Nair/Ambati Rayudu/Faiz Fazal, 4 Manish Pandey, 5 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 6 Kedar Jadhav, 7 Axar Patel/Jayant Yadav, 8 Dhawal Kulkarni, 9 Yuzvendra Chahal, 10 Jasprit Bumrah/Rishi Dhawan, 11 Barinder Sran/Jaydev UnadkatPitch and conditionsChilly weather is likely to continue on Wednesday, with a high in the low 20s, though no rain is forecast. The early morning start will tempt both teams to bowl first and utilise the swing on offer, but India might look to bat first and challenge both their batsmen and bowlers.Stats and trivia MS Dhoni is one short of 350 ODI dismissals. He currently has 260 catches and 89 stumpings from 277 matches. One stat to sum up the series so far: India’s batsmen average 100.66 per wicket. Zimbabwe’s average 15.47.Quotes”They put a fielder there. If there’s a fielder, hit it down, get the single. We didn’t do that.”

Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a stunning move for Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Julen Lopetegui, as well as sporting director Matt Hobbs, according to a report from Football Insider.

What's the latest Tottenham manager news?

With Julian Nagelsmann reportedly out of the running to take over at Tottenham, the club's hierarchy have identified alternative options in recent days, recently being linked with a move for Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi.

Spurs have held agent talks with the Italian, but it is as yet unclear whether he would be interested in a move to the Premier League, given that he is doing a fantastic job with Inter, who are in a great position to qualify for the Champions League final.

Thomas Frank has previously been touted for a move to N17 by journalist Alasdair Gold, and now Daniel Levy appears to be keen on another manager who has performed well in the Premier League this season.

According to a report from Football Insider, the Lilywhites are plotting a stunning double swoop for Lopetegui and Hobbs to fill their manager and sporting director roles at the end of the season.

The Spaniard has impressed during his time with Wolves, leading the Old Gold to safety with three games to spare, after taking over when they were bottom of the Premier League table.

It is detailed that the 56-year-old would tick a lot of boxes for Tottenham, as he has experience managing at the highest level, while Hobbs is also highly-regarded as a sporting director, playing a key role during the January transfer window.

Should Tottenham appoint Lopetegui?

The Asteasu-born coach has done a fantastic job to turn Wolves around in the second half of the season, averaging 1.43 points-per match in the top flight, a huge increase on the figure of 0.75 from his predecessor Bruno Lage.

Not only that, but the former Sevilla boss has a wealth of experience at the top level, leading his former club to a Europa League triumph in 2020, while he has also had stints in charge of Spain and Real Madrid.

Hailed as "remarkable" by football writer Colin Millar, the Wolves boss could be a savvy appointment for Spurs, given that he has now proven himself at Premier League level.

However, given that Lopetegui penned a three-year deal with the Old Gold back in November, it may be hard to prise him away from his current club.

Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler would be candidates to play in England’s Test side purely as batsmen according to head coach Trevor Bayliss

Andrew McGlashan03-Jul-2016Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler would be candidates to play in England’s Test side purely as batsmen according to head coach Trevor Bayliss.The England selectors will meet on Thursday morning to select the squad for the first Investec Test against Pakistan at Lord’s before it is announced later that day, and Bayliss said it would be an “interesting” meeting.There will definitely be one enforced change following Nick Compton’s decision to take a break from the game, although he would have been dropped after a torrid series against Sri Lanka.Stokes is currently making his comeback from knee surgery by playing as a batsman for Durham after being injured in the first Test against Sri Lanka, while Buttler is seeking a Test recall having been dropped against Pakistan in the UAE.Buttler will be considered as a replacement for Jonny Bairstow behind the stumps after Bairstow’s inconsistent series against Sri Lanka, but Bayliss indicated that he thought him a viable option without the gloves and also suggested that Stokes did not have to be a certainty to bowl to come into consideration.”From my point of view, he’s in contention for a batting spot if it’s fit,” Bayliss said of Stokes. “He’s playing the next four-day game as a batsman and might, depending on how he’s gone in the last few days in the nets, he might bowl some short spells. I’m just saying a guy who has made plenty of runs in Test cricket already, he has to be discussed I’m sure.”Knowing Jos and the type of sportsman he is – whatever he’s doing: darts, snooker, football, cricket – he’s a game player. He could play as a bat, I’m sure. He could field, he wouldn’t have too many problems at all. We saw Jonny field in these one-day games and he’s a very similar sportsman as well, a good athlete, and I think Jos would be the same. He played in the IPL as a fielder. I think he could handle it.”Buttler has not played a first-class match since the Dubai Test against Pakistan in October, but Bayliss does not think that has to be a deciding factor into whether he returns to the line-up.”Not for Jos, I don’t think, the way he plays,” he said. “Personally I think he’d be better in Test cricket if he played like he does in the white-ball game. That would be devastating, him coming in at six or seven and being able to play like that.”He certainly looks like he has a lot of confidence at the moment, this series against Sri Lanka has probably been as consistent as he’s played since I got here. The way he has struck the ball, the way he has carried himself, his keeping as well was pretty good, he’s certainly in contention.”Alongside a decision on Stokes’ fitness, an assessment will need to be made over James Anderson who has a stress fracture of his right shoulder blade. Anderson has resumed gentle bowling but Bayliss said it was a day-to-day process given the unusual nature of the injury. Jake Ball, who was in the squad throughout the Sri Lanka series, and has been rested from Nottinghamshire’s current Championship match against Lancashire, would be the favourite to replace Anderson.The batting vacancy could be filled by a straight swap of Compton for another top-order batsman, the favourite being Durham’s Scott Borthwick, but if it was taken by either Stokes or Buttler it would require a reshuffle in the order which would require either Joe Root or James Vince to bat at No. 3.Bayliss reiterated his belief that Root is England’s future No. 3, but said that he thought Vince – who made a maiden international fifty in the final ODI against Sri Lanka having replaced Alex Hales – would not have a problem adjusting to the position which he holds for Hampshire in domestic cricket. Vince had a difficult start against Sri Lanka in the Tests, with 54 runs in four innings, but seems certain to retain his place.”Long term, I think Root is our No. 3,” Bayliss said. “Rooty would have to want to do it, it’s a big change and he’s done well at No. 4. My way of thinking is you put your best batter at No. 3. But from what I’ve seen of Vince, I think he could handle No. 3 also. In a way he’s a similar style of player to Rooty, a classical player, plays nice and straight, so there’s no reason why he couldn’t make a success of No. 3.”

Celtic could face a battle to keep hold of manager Ange Postecoglou, with two Premier League sides eager to try and sign him according to Football Insider.

What's the latest on Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou?

The current boss of the Scottish side has impressed since arriving at the club, helping guide the team to the league title on two occasions. Not only that, but he has also claimed two Scottish League Cups. It means the boss has four pieces of silverware to his name already, despite only being with the team since 2021.

His dominance as a boss has been showcased by the manner in which Celtic stormed to this season's Scottish Premiership title. On 95 points currently – 13 clear of second-placed Rangers – they have already bagged the trophy thanks to a win against Hearts and have lost only one fixture all season. The gap is now insurmountable and his side have once more claimed SPL victory.

His ability to craft a winning and dominant side with Celtic has now led to interest in his services from elsewhere though. According to Football Insider, both Tottenham and Leeds are contemplating moves for the manager during the close season. Both teams need new managers and Celtic have readied themselves for approaches from the two Premier League outfits and other interested parties this summer. With Mauricio Pochettino potentially not heading to White Hart Lane and with Sam Allardyce only employed until the end of the campaign, both could launch moves for the manager this summer.

Would Postecoglou be a good fit in the Premier League?

The manager has never ventured into English football before, with the vast majority of his experience as a boss so far coming in Scotland and Australia. He's also had two other stints in Greece and Japan.

However, the signs are promising if he was to be poached by either of Spurs or Leeds. He has gradually improved over the course of his career, with every experience bringing a better managerial record. Right now with Celtic, he has a points-per-match record of 2.35 – his best ever rate. It's even more impressive when you consider that he has achieved that over 108 matches. It's easier to achieve a better record in a smaller sample size, so to do it over so many games is even better.

He's experienced in terms of challenging at the top end of the table too, having won the title with Celtic and also bagged silverware with South Melbourne, Brisbane Roar, Yokohama F. Marinos and even Australia. In short, Postecoglou has won trophies wherever he has gone and that bodes well for Tottenham in particular, who are desperate for glory of their own.

Postecoglou then is worth a gamble considering his impressive record and his ability to build "winning" teams. Celtic will of course be proud of the interest he is generating but simultanously fighting tooth and nail to keep him where he is.

A century from 22-year-old Tom Abell against Sussex at Taunton, helped Somerset to secure home advantage in the quarter finals of the Royal London Cup

ECB Reporters Network30-Jul-2016
ScorecardTom Abell switched into coloured clothes and made a classy century•Getty ImagesA century from 22-year-old Tom Abell against Sussex at Taunton, helped Somerset to secure home advantage in the quarter finals of the Royal London Cup.The young batsman batted without equal to score 106 off 117 balls, as Somerset held off a late revival from the Sussex tailenders, to win by 10 runs.Somerset, having chosen to bat first, might have felt this was not to be their day having slipped to 15 for 2 inside four overs. Mahela Jayawardene and Peter Trego were the men out as 21-year-old Jofra Archer put Sussex in a commanding early position.Jim Allenby’s quickfire 30 was the dominant feature in a 32-run stand with Abell, for the third wicket. However, when the captain departed, once again off the bowling of Archer, Somerset were back in trouble at 47 for 3.Despite the mounting pressure, Abell batted with great maturity and with the help of one or two middle order partners, took Somerset to a score that was respectable, if not altogether satisfactory.He added 70 for the fourth wicket with James Hildreth and 42 for the eighth with Craig Overton. Although Lewis Gregory and Ryan Davies chipped in with useful runs, it was Abell who led the way. He posted his second List A fifty without too many alarms and finally passed three figures for the first time in one-day cricket, off 107 balls with nine fours and a six.Ten balls later he was run out for a fine 106 as Somerset crept towards the 250 mark.In the end, they fell 13 runs short of that milestone when Tim Groenewald became Archer’s fifth wicket at 237. Archer finished with the impressive figures of 5 for 42 off 9.1 overs.Although the 50-over season has been something of a damp squib for Sussex, to date, they would certainly have fancied their chances of posting a second win of the campaign, in this their penultimate game in the Royal London Cup.Somerset, however, had different ideas and with Groenewald and 25-year-old Josh Davey leading from the front, with the ball, the visitors found themselves well and truly behind the black ball.Opening batsman Philip Salt departed in the second over, without scoring, lbw to Davey, before Harry Finch was run out by the man of the moment Abell at 25 for 2.It got worse. Captain Luke Wright became Groenewald’s first victim at 59 for 3, and after Chris Nash had been trapped lbw, first ball, by Gregory, seven runs later, Groenewald returned to pick up the important wickets of Ed Joyce and wicket keeper Ben Brown.When Chris Jordan became Trego’s first victim at 95 for 7, Sussex were heading for a landslide defeat. However, Archer and Ajmal Shahzad added 61 for the eighth wicket to leave Somerset wondering whether 237 would be enough.Archer, having struck two fours and as many sixes in his 35, was eventually bowled by Max Waller, who also took the wicket of Shahzad.Will Beer and Danny Briggs did their bit to keep Sussex in with a chance of victory, adding an unbeaten 52 for the last wicket. However, it was not to be and in the end, Somerset kept their cool to not only make sure of victory, but to secure a home tie in the last eight.

Insider Dean Jones has revealed that Crystal Palace are "still speaking to" potential managers to replace Roy Hodgson in the summer.

Will Crystal Palace hire Roy Hodgson as permanent manager?

It's been a pretty incredible spell as interim boss for the 75-year-old since he returned to Selhurst Park to steady the ship.

Indeed, Hodgson has eased all relegation fears with five wins, two losses and just one draw in the eight Premier League games he's overseen this term.

However, the current Palace boss returned to the club having signed a contract to keep him around only for the remainder of the campaign.

But with things going so well, there could be the temptation to keep him around for next season as well – with The Sun reporting a new one-year deal is on the cards.

However, while discussing Hodgson on Chasing Green Arrows, Jones said that the Eagles were still discussing alternative options.

The journalist explained (30:25): “They are still speaking to people, Palace, as well outside – or they have at least in the last two weeks been scoping people out.

"So we'll have to wait and see what kind of manager they decide to bring in.

"But ultimately after seeing how he's [Eberechi Eze] been flourishing, Steve Parish will want someone who was guaranteed to let him free. So let's look out for that”

Who has been linked with the Palace manager's job?

When discussing the latest on Palace, Jones was talking about how well Eze has been doing under Hodgson and the midfielder is likely desperate for the current boss to stay in charge.

After all, he has scored six goals and played the full 90 minutes in every single Palace game since the 75-year-old arrived.

However, seeing as Hodgson was only supposed to be back on a short-term basis – having already left the club back in 2021 – it might be unwise to completely dismiss the idea of looking into hiring some other managers.

According to a recent report from The Daily Mail, Fulham boss Marco Silva is one man who could come in and take over.

Seeing as the Cottagers sit eight points above Crystal Palace on the league table, it's easy to see why this could be an appealing idea for Steve Parish and co.

Still, if Hodgson continues to win in the Eagles' final two games of the season, it might be pretty hard to simply let him go this summer.

Chelsea are still pushing to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen this summer, with the player top of the Stamford Bridge wishlist, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.

What’s the latest Chelsea transfer news?

The Blues have endured a frustrating 2022/23 season, with Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter both receiving the sack during the current campaign.

Frank Lampard has taken temporary charge until the end of the season, but it seems as if Mauricio Pochettino will be the next man in the Stamford Bridge hot seat. The Argentine already appears to have identified Osimhen as his top summer target, and a further update has now emerged.

Plettenberg took to Twitter in the last 24 hours to share news on Osimhen and Chelsea. He stated that the Blues are “still pushing” for the Nigeria international, who is top of the list at Stamford Bridge, however, no Champions League football next season could be an issue.

“News Osimhen: Chelsea is still pushing! They want him as their new striker! He’s top of the list. Understand there are price expectations about €110m + Boni at this stage.

“But CFC has to sell players first and De Laurentiis wants more and at least €150m. Problematic for Chelsea: No Champions League next season.”

Who wants to sign Victor Osimhen this summer?

It isn’t just Chelsea who want to sign Osimhen this summer, though, with Premier League rivals Manchester United and Newcastle United also keen on the 24-year-old. Along with clubs in England, Paris Saint-Germain are interested, and it’s easy to see why, with Osimhen netting 28 times in 37 games in all competitions this season.

Called a 'monster' by members of the media, Osimhen has also come in for praise from legendary striker David Trezeguet, who described the forward as 'unique':

“He’s a unique player, a prototype of the new player, fast, and he moves a lot. I think he has become a striker with an important profile. He knows how to move and manage himself in the match.”

Chelsea have lacked goals this season, scoring 36 times in as many Premier League games, less than the likes of 19th-placed Leeds United and 18th-placed Leicester City, so Osimhen could help get the Blues back on track in the final third under Pochettino, and it seems as if the club will do everything they can to secure his services over the coming months.

Scott Borthwick and Mark Stoneman plotted a route to safety as Durham and Warwickshire both took solace in the draw points that eased their relegation worries

ECB Reporters Network26-Aug-2016
ScorecardScott Borthwick just missed out on a century as he piloted Durham to safety•Getty ImagesA stand of 151 between Scott Borthwick and Mark Stoneman ensured Durham were able to hold out for a draw in the Specsavers County Championship match against Warwickshire at Chester-le-Street.Durham were only ten behind with eight wickets standing when Stoneman fell for 80 and Borthwick went on to make 91 before he departed five balls before hands were shaken.Rikki Clarke came on bowling off spin and his first ball was so wide of off stump Borthwick could not resist flailing at it, only to get a big inside edge into his stumps.Durham were on 195 for three, 21 ahead with 22 overs still availabel when a draw was declared, Warwickshire taking 11 points and Durham eight.It was a welcome return to form for Borthwick, whose form slumped when he was widely reported to be on the verge of England selection.Things looked ominous for Durham when, with 84 overs to bat, they lost Keaton Jennings for a duck in the fifth, when he pushed forward and edged Keith Barker behind.But Borthwick was soon stroking Barker effortlessly through the covers, while Stoneman had made only one when he whipped Chris Wright over long leg for six.Patel came on for the 14th over and conceded only seven runs in his first nine overs, going closest to a breakthrough when Stoneman missed an attempted cut on 45 and was almost bowled.A repeat of the stroke brought the three runs which took him to 50 as nine runs suddenly came off Patel’s tenth over.Both batsmen completed their half-centuries off 93 balls and continued neck and neck as Durham reached 162 for one at tea, only 12 behind. Stoneman was bowled by Patel without addition.Resuming on 344 for 7 in the morning, Warwickshire added 37 in ten overs, losing Tim Ambrose for 50, before declaring 174 ahead. Barker was unbeaten on 43.Warwickshire captain Ian Bell said: “We came in this morning excited about our opportunity considering the amount of movement there had been in the pitch.”But it was not to be. This was a better day for batting, whereas yesterday would have been a good day to bowl. It seems to be a trend of the season that every time we get in a good position the weather gets in the way.”