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While it might take a mathematical genius to work out the exact equation needed, it was reckoned to be around five past five when Glamorgan were bowled out at New Road that Lancashire knew they would be returning to county cricket’s top-flight.Ifs, buts and maybes still remained however, and it was not until the unfortunate figure of an injured Ravi Rampaul walked out to bat in the swirling rain and proceeded to hit Matt Parkinson straight up in the air that promotion could properly be celebrated.That the Red Rose have regained their Division One status with two games to spare will doubtless come as a relief to those supporters so used to final day arithmetic, but it is no less than Lancashire deserve, after an unbeaten season which has seen them ruthlessly put away opponents in much the same way as Derbyshire were ground down on this third day.It was not all bad for the visitors who actually enjoyed a profitable morning session, taking four wickets as Lancashire progressed to 365 for 6 and a first innings lead of 121.This came after their disheartened bowlers took just a single wicket on day two, but once Derbyshire grabbed the new ball they immediately profited, with Liam Livingstone only managing to add one run to his overnight score before he edged a rising delivery from Rampaul to wicket keeper Harvey Hosein for 71.Livingstone’s dismissal broke a third wicket partnership of 199 with Josh Bohannon, but he was quickly followed back to the dressing room by Glen Maxwell who was out first ball, playing on to Rampaul in what is the Australian’s final appearance of the season for the county.Bohannon’s long vigil finally ended soon after when he edged to Wayne Madsen at first slip off Fynn Hudson-Prentice for a brilliant debut first class century, with his total of 174, including 23 fours and two sixes. He is just one of Lancashire’s young players who could prosper at the higher level.Rob Jones and Lancashire skipper Dane Vilas proceeded to build a partnership of 67 for the sixth wicket, with the South African reaching 1,000 runs for the season and bringing up his own half-century, before he nicked behind off Anuj Dal on the stroke of lunch.Resuming on 365 for 6 after lunch the hosts immediately looked to add quick runs and Tom Bailey had progressed nicely to 26 when he was run out attempting a quick single by a direct throw from Dal who then clean bowled Jones for 37.Parkinson was trapped in front by Matt Critchley for one before Dal, who finished with figures of 3 for 60, did the same to Saqib Mahmood as Lancashire were bowled out for 418.Under darkening Manchester skies, Bailey then got the early breakthrough when he enticed Luis Reece to drive at a wide one and play on to his stumps for six.Bailey followed up with the prize wicket of first innings century maker Billy Godleman who was lbw for 10 to leave Derbyshire 49 for 2 at tea with Wayne Madsen and Leus Du Plooy set to negotiate a tricky evening session.It always looked a big ask for a side with little to play for and with one eye on their forthcoming appearance at the T20 Blast finals day and perhaps unsurprisingly a trickle became a torrent when Madsen edged Bailey to Livingstone at slip before spin took over and Maxwell accounted for Du Plooy the same way.Critchley became Parkinson’s first victim, trapped in front for 1, with Alex Hughes next to go, brilliantly caught by Richard Gleeson at backward square leg for 33 off Maxwell.It was all over bar the shouting and Derbyshire meekly rolled over, losing their last three wickets for no runs in 11 balls as Fynn Hudson-Prentice was run out, Dal was stumped and Rampaul skied one off Parkinson, who finished with 3 for 28, to seal the deal.Cue the celebrations and a victory march which should see Lancashire claim the Division Two title with just five points needed over the next two games. Put away that abacus.

The agony of crashing out of the FA Cup at the hand of holders Manchester City might still be fresh in the minds of the Tottenham Hotspur faithful but there is plenty to be positive about, with Ange Postecoglou doing some stellar work since his summer appointment.

Injuries hampered a blistering start to the campaign but key players – Micky van de Ven and James Maddison – have returned to action this month, complemented by the winter acquisitions of centre-back Radu Dragusin and former Chelsea forward Timo Werner (on loan).

Now, fifth in the Premier League and just three points behind Arsenal and Aston Villa above, Spurs are looking to finish the winter window with a flourish and welcome a new centre-midfielder.

Scores of names have been thrown about but there is one above all else that remains the top of Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy's shopping list, and with the market just days away from closing, it really is crunch time down N17.

Spurs eyeing Premier League star

At the end of August, on deadline day, Tottenham failed with a £40m offer for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher but have not been dissuaded in their transfer efforts and have been prodding and probing this month.

Last week, Football Insider revealed that Spurs have been planning to mount a stunning last-gasp bid this month to secure their city rival's star, though Chelsea had placed an £80m price tag on his signature to swat Spurs away.

Well, that doesn't really look to have worked, with reputable source The Times now corroborating past reports on Monday evening with the news that Spurs are planning a late approach with Chelsea still willing to sell the 23-year-old.

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ByAngus Sinclair Jan 21, 2024

The Blues had demanded £50m in the summer and, despite conflicting figures, were Levy to arrange such an offer then things could move pretty quickly in the capital over the coming days.

Conor Gallagher would be perfect for Yves Bissouma

The feasibility of a dramatic crescendo to the window relies on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's departure, though that looks unlikely given that the Denmark international's lawyer has stated that his client wishes to stay put for now.

Nonetheless, nothing is certain in football and especially so in the late stages of a transfer market; Tottenham are quite clearly invested in pursuing a deal for Gallagher and will push for any openings, lodging a formal bid to test the waters.

And what an underrated player Postecoglou would get his hands on, with Gallagher praised for instilling "balance and chemistry" in the Stamford Bridge engine room.

It's this cohesive aura that is at the core of Spurs' interest, with his qualities considered perfect to complement the existing options at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, perhaps ensuring that Malian machine Yves Bissouma, who is currently competing at the African Cup of Nations.

Bissouma signed for Tottenham from Brighton & Hove Albion in a £25m deal back in 2022 and flattered to deceive during his first term at the club, starting just ten times in the top flight and missing much of the latter half of the campaign with an ankle injury, with journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke claiming that he needed to "take more responsibility" after numerous forgettable displays.

Back with a vengeance this season, Bissouma has been in barnstorming form that, admittedly, does need toning down and shaping a little bit, having missed five matches due to suspension, but none can argue against the monstrous weight of his efforts in the centre of the park.

As per FBref, the 27-year-old ranks among the top 2% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 5% for passes attempted, the top 7% for successful take-ons, the top 3% for tackles and the top 17% for interceptions per 90.

Defensive contribution

Finishing

Passing

Discipline

Key passes

Tackling

Such remarkable metrics denote a tough-tackling expertise and an immense command of his duties, controlling the traffic in the middle and squashing opposition in their attempts to break on goal.

Perfect counterbalance

So how would Gallagher elevate such qualities higher? Well, as per Sofascore, the England international has completed 91% of his passes across 20 matches in the Premier League this season, racking up four assists and averaging 1.4 key passes, 2.7 tackles. 6.9 ball recoveries and 5.8 successful duels per game.

An all-encompassing machine, the £50k-per-week Chelsea ace would work in tandem with Bissouma, counterbalancing his skill set, to fuel Tottenham's attacking endeavours with his multi-functionality, described as a "pressing and transition monster" by one hawk-eyed analyst.

Moreover, Bissouma ranks among the bottom 44% of midfielders for touches in the attacking box and the bottom 9% for progressive passes received per 90.

Gallagher, in comparison, ranks among the top 11% per 90 for both statistics directly above, though considering that he is such a reliable defensive tool too, it certainly appears that the 5 foot 11 midfielder has found the kind of balance that has left Spurs with such a vested interest in his services.

This delineation is basically illuminating the force of nature that Bissouma is in his defensive duties, dispossessing antagonists with bone-shaking ferocity and then placing passes for his peers with superlative precision, and how, given that he rarely drifts away from the anchor of the midfield, Gallagher would flourish.

Moises Caicedo has not been sensational since his British-record £115m transfer to Stamford Bridge in August but he is one of the most exciting defensive midfielders in the business and has completed 92% of his passes this season, averaging 2.2 tackles and 5.0 recoveries and 4.1 ground duels per game – winning just 52% of the latter.

The Ecuadorian is similarly pinned to the centremost area of the pitch and this has allowed Gallagher, who has been praised for his "relentless" output and energy by The Athletic's Mike Stavrou, to shine.

This term, Bissouma has completed 91% of his passes, averaged 3.3 tackles, 4.8 recoveries and 6.5 ground duels per fixture, crucially, winning 61% of said duels – superior in his performance to his Chelsea counterpart.

Moises Caicedo

Chelsea

Declan Rice

Arsenal

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

Tottenham Hotspur

Given the success that Gallagher is having right now in a Chelsea team that has not clicked quite as Spurs have under their Australian manager, it's clear that Postecoglou understands the success that would be found in a successful swoop.

Is it surprising that he is so fervently fought for this month? With Bissouma, arguably better than Caicedo this season, partnering Gallagher in the Spurs centre, the pendulum might just swing and stick in the north London club's favour, providing Postecoglou with the tools to sculpt a new era bathed in silver.

The arrival of new boss Mauricio Pochettino and the outlandish spending of Todd Boehly and Co over the summer meant that some Chelsea fans came into the season with a small amount of hope that they might just be able to rebuild after the disaster that was 2022/23.

However, at the halfway point of their Premier League campaign, the Blues find themselves in tenth place, miles off the Champions League places and heading into their League Cup semi-final second leg against Middlesbrough 1-0 down.

Aside from Cole Palmer, it would be hard to call any of their summer transfers successes, and one in particular, Nicolas Jackson, could be set to lose his place as Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez has been touted for a move to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea transfer news – Lautaro Martinez

According to a report from Sports Lens earlier this week, Chelsea are interested in signing Inter's talismanic frontman, Martinez, in 2024.

The report has revealed that Arsenal are another party that have been monitoring the Argentine, and that while the Italian club are looking to tie their star down to a new deal as soon as possible, an offer in the region of £80m-£100m would be enough to turn some heads at the San Siro.

While it would undoubtedly represent another significant investment into the playing squad from Chelsea's ownership group, it would be worth it to sign a striker capable of finishing the impressive number of chances the Blues create – boasting the fourth-highest xG in the division.

How Lautaro Martinez compares to Nicolas Jackson

Martinez has long been looked at as a player who could go on to do great things, and over the last couple of years, he has well and truly established himself as one of Inter's most important players.

This impressive rise is not something that would have surprised talent scout Jacek Kulig, as he once described the 26-year-old as a "mix of Agüero & Falcao".

As a forward, there are few more flattering comparisons than that, as Agüero finished his career with 426 senior goals for club and country, while Falcao – who's still playing – has 307 club goals and 36 international goals to his name.

Jackson might be four years Martinez's junior, but with 168 senior goals to his name already, it is much easier to imagine the former Racing star reaching those levels than it is the Senegalese international.

That said, while comparisons to previous greats can be helpful, how do the pair's underlying numbers stack up to one another?

Well, in almost every meaningful metric, the "complete" Inter star, as described by Jacek Kulig, has his potential new teammate beaten. He scores more goals, takes more shots on target, produces more shot and goal-creating actions and even wins more aerial duels per 90.

Stats per 90

Martinez

Jackson

Non-Penalty Expected Goals

0.56

0.66

Non-Penalty Goals

0.94

0.43

Shots on Target

1.51

1.24

Goals per Shot on Target

0.63

0.35

Shot-Creating Actions

3.15

2.98

Goal Creating Actions

0.57

0.37

Successful Take-Ons

0.75

1.55

Aerial Duels Won

1.01

0.93

All Stats via FBref for the 2023/24 Domestic Season

Jackson only emerges victorious when it comes to successful dribbles, and he has a higher non-penalty expected goal and assists figure, which, while usually a good sign, only proves how profligate he is in front of goal for the Blues.

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Ultimately, if Chelsea want to salvage anything from this season, they'll need an elite striker, and there aren't many better than Martinez, so Pochettino should be doing all he can to force a move for his fellow countryman this month.

Speaking to Football FanCast, in partnership with NetBet Online Casino, Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has shared his thoughts on a possible signing the north Londoners could make.

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The Ghanaian's injury problems, coupled with some claims that he is open to leaving the club, have been an issue for Arteta this season as he seeks to guide Arsenal to a first Premier League title in 20 years.

Mohamed Elneny and Jorginho are also out of contract at the end of this season, which would leave Arsenal pretty short of midfield options later this year if they don't elect to bring one in.

As the north Londoners face a triple midfield exit in 2024, Arsenal have been linked with the likes of Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz, who is a long-term target for Edu and co.

Another player attracting interest from the title contenders is Everton star Amadou Onana, with Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri sharing news of Arsenal's advances for him earlier this month.

The Independent and journalist Miguel Delaney also claimed late last month that a centre-midfielder is one of Arteta's personal transfer wishes alongside two new full-backs and a goalscoring striker. Onana, however, could cost in the region of £60m.

Parlour backs 2024 Arsenal swoop for Onana

While FFP restrictions and a limited January budget make a move for the likes of Onana hard to pull off this month, Parlour has told FFC that a 2024 move is still very much possible.

The ex-midfielder believes Arsenal could swoop for Onana later this year to solve Arteta's midfield conundrum.

"If Partey leaves, then Onana has been the one Arsenal seem to have identified to come in and be the boss in that holding area of the pitch," said Parlour.

"But in January, Everton will want too much money and are in a relegation battle, so won’t sell him. In the summer, Onana could be the one Arsenal will go for as he is impressing. On Havertz, he is working well in the side, but Arsenal need to convert the chances they are creating."

Burnley 0-2 Everton

8.52

Everton 3-0 Bournemouth

7.69

Brentford 1-3 Everton

7.42

Luton Town 1-2 Everton

7.33

West Ham 0-1 Everton

7.30

The colossal 6 foot 4 midfielder, who also featured at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, has made 17 league appearances as a star mainstay under Sean Dyche this season.

The Knight Riders opener smashed 24 runs in the mystery spinner’s first over

Sreshth Shah at Eden Gardens27-Mar-2019

Varun Chakravarthy was taken apart by Sunil Narine in his first over•BCCI

It was, in case you were wondering, the worst debut over in IPL history.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

1.1 Varun to Lynn, 1 run, looped onto a full length, dabbed cautiously off the legs to midwicket
1.2 Varun to Narine, SIX runs, plonked into the dug-out! Plants the front foot, swings through the line, clean over long-off! Old Mystery 1 New Mystery 0
1.3 Varun to Narine, 2 runs, through Varun’s fingers! Smashed back down the track and he can’t cling on to his left!
1.4 Varun to Narine, FOUR runs, honked through midwicket! That’s another calculatedly aggressive mow. No need for finesse, just pummel it to the rope!
1.5 Varun to Narine, SIX runs, that’s gone many a mile! Right to the pitch of this one, a booming slog sweep, high over the leg side! Big pressure now!
1.6 Varun to Narine, SIX runs, sliding down the leg side, and launched over backward square! Yeegads, Narine’s at it again!
To his credit, after conceding 25 runs in his first over – Chris Lynn had scored one off the first ball – and nine in his second, he ended with 1 for 35, after sending back Nitish Rana in his third over.

MatériaMais Notícias

Com complicada situação financeira e esportiva, o Botafogo pode ver Pedro Raul atuando por outro clube brasileiro na próxima temporada. O Corinthians intensificou as buscas pelo jogador nos últimos dias e negocia a contratação do atacante de 23 anos para 2021, após o término do atual do Campeonato Brasileiro.

Antes, Pedro Raul tinha situação encaminhada para jogar no futebol japonês na próxima temporada. O Corinthians, contudo, chegou no radar da negociação e atacante gosta da ideia de permanecer no Brasil. Agora, as partes tentam costurar um acordo.

+ Confira a classificação do Brasileirão e simule resultados da reta final

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O principal entrave para o acordo é uma cláusula que Pedro Raul possui com o Botafogo, que possui 70% dos direitos econômicos do atleta. Por ter atuado em 60% dos jogos do Alvinegro como titular, o atacante tem direito a ganhar 1,5 milhão de euros (9 milhões de reais, na cotação atual).

Como Corinthians e Botafogo passam por situações complicadas, uma das partes da negociação passa por Pedro Raul abrir mão de parte desta bonificação, tentando facilitar a parte financeira das duas instituições.

Além disto, o Corinthians também cogita envolver jogadores na negociação e, assim, mandar atletas do atual plantel para o Botafogo, como uma forma de tentar convencer o clube de General Severiano a aceitar a proposta e, assim, liberar o atacante para o Parque São Jorge.

Pedro Raul é o artilheiro do Botafogo na temporada, com 12 gols marcados. No meio do ano passado, o atacante chegou a atrair o interesse de Grêmio e Internacional, mas as sondagens da dupla gaúcha não foram adiante.

MatériaMais Notícias

A partida entre São Paulo x Coritiba teve seu horário alterado. O confronto estava marcado para às 21h, mas foi antecipado para às 19h do próximo sábado (23), no Morumbi, pela 32ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.

Mauro Cezar, Pato, Didico… Veja 21 personagens do esporte que cairiam bem no BBB 21

Segundo o site oficial do Coritiba, a mudança no horário aconteceupor solicitação da emissora responsável pela transmissão, por motivos de ajuste na grade de programação do canal Premiere.

VEJA A TABELA DO CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO

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Antes desse jogo, o São Paulo tem um duelo direto contra o Internacional, que acontece nesta quarta-feira (20), às 21h30, no Morumbi. Para a partida, o Tricolor deve ter a volta do atacante Luciano, que se recupera de lesão.

Já o Coxa enfrenta o Fluminense, também nesta quarta, às 20h30, no Couto Pereira.O volante Matheus Galdezani e o atacante Rafinha foram relacionados para a partida e devem ser utilizados.

O São Paulo está na liderança do Campeonato Brasileiro com 57 pontos, um a mais que o vice-líder Internacional. Já o Coritiba está na zona de rebaixamento, na 19ª posição, com 25 pontos.

Arsenal are reportedly stepping up their interest in RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko amid rival interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.

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• Arsenal step up interest in striker Sesko
• Chelsea & Man Utd keen on RB Leipzig star
• Slovenian may be available for £42.5m

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Gunners have been linked with the 20-year-old for a couple of months now, with the Slovenia international understood to have a £42.5 million ($53m) release clause. Following the north London outfit's Champions League exit on Wednesday, the Evening Standard claims manager Mikel Arteta wants to add more 'firepower' to his squad. However, United and Chelsea are also keen on recruiting the 6ft 5in forward – who has scored 13 goals this season.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  While Arsenal have scored 75 goals in 32 Premier League games this season, a tally only bettered by Manchester City's 76, they do not have a clinical striker. Winger Bukayo Saka is their top scorer with 18 goals in all competitions but strikers Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah, plus false nine Kai Havertz, only have 24 goals between them. Perhaps having more of a focal point in attack, such as Sesko, is what Arsenal need to take them to the next level.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Sesko joined Red Bull Salzburg at the age of 16 in 2019 and went onto score 29 goals in 79 matches for the Austrian Bundesliga side. The striker, who had two seasons on loan at Austrian second-tier outfit FC Liefering between 2019-2021, signed for Leipzig in 2023 for a fee in the region of £20.5m ($25.5m).

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Arsenal, who are two points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City with six games remaining, will look to bounce back from their Champions League quarter-final loss to Bayern Munich when they travel to Wolves on Saturday.

ESPNcricinfo’s live blog of the first round of the Ranji Trophy 2018-19 season

Shashank Kishore02-Nov-2018

The German Football Federation (DFB) have revealed they are working to extend Julian Nagelsmann's contract, in a potential blow to Manchester United.

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• Germany set to offer new deal to Nagelsmann
• Man Utd eyeing Nagelsmann as replacement for Ten Hag
• Germany beat France 2-0 on Saturday

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The former Bayern Munich coach joined the German national team as their manager in September 2023 on a short-term deal that will expire after the conclusion of Euro 2024. Now, DFB president Bernd Neuendorf has hinted that a new deal will be offered to him before the flagship continental competition.

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• WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

  Speaking to after Germany's 2-0 win over France in their international friendly on Saturday, Neuendorf said: "It would be absolutely desirable from our side (to extend Nagelsmann’s contract). We’re a good team, we get on well, we’re in intensive dialogue."

  Nagelsmann has already suggested he is very much open to staying on beyond Euro 2024, telling reporters earlier this month: "If I have a contract offer before the European Championship that I am happy with and where I say I feel comfortable and where I see myself, then there is a high probability that I will sign it before the European Championship."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  A few weeks back it was reported that Nagelsmann could return to the club management arena if he did not receive a new deal before the Euros. Premier League giants Manchester United were being linked with a move for the German coach amid suggestions that new minority owners INEOS are looking to replace current boss Erik ten Hag in the summer.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR GERMANY?

  After an important win over France, Germany will be next seen in action in a second friendly encounter against the Netherlands on Tuesday. An official announcement on Nagelsmann's future is likely to be made in the coming weeks.