Phil Foden joined an exclusive club as he bagged a hat-trick for Manchester City in the much-needed win over Aston Villa.
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Foden joins exclusive club of players in EuropeBecomes fifth player to score 20+ goals and record 10+ assistsNetted second hat-trick of the season against VillaWHAT HAPPENED?
With a scintillating performance against the Villans that saw Foden score his second hat-trick of this season, the England international has now joined an elite group of players who have scored 20+ goals and provided 10+ assists in the current 2023-24 campaign while playing in the top five leagues in Europe, per Opta.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The exclusive group of players is thoroughly dominated by English stars as it features four Three Lions stars – Foden, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Ollie Watkins – while Liverpool's Mohamed Salah is the fifth member.
DID YOU KNOW?
After Wednesday's clash, the 23-year-old now has 14 league goals to his name this season, the most he has scored in a single Premier League campaign with the second-highest tally being 11 during the 2022-23 season.
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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR PHIL FODEN?
The England and City star is likely to feature for his club on Saturday as Pep Guardiola's side take on Crystal Palace in another important Premier League fixture in the title race.
The India allrounder coming back from injury has the chance to influence a tight game with his bowling on the last day at Wankhede stadium
Ankur Dhawan in Mumbai16-Dec-2018The IPL has done funny things to Indian cricket, particularly the fan. How else do you explain lusty cheering for Mumbai Indians Baroda allrounder Hardik Pandya as he tried with all his might to thwart Mumbai’s chances of securing a vital first innings lead at Wankhede stadium? Sure, there is merit in the theory that he is an India player, but MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli apart, not many have such a hold over crowds across the country.If it was a case of conflicted emotions – although there was no sign of it as the small crowd chanted his name like an anthem – they got the best of both worlds. Pandya obliged with a 137-ball 73 but Mumbai clung on to the cliff edge, securing a 29-run lead that may just keep them afloat in the Ranji Trophy.Pandya may have missed a maiden Ranji Trophy hundred, but it was his first major contribution with the bat in red-ball cricket since a whirlwind 93 at the start of the year in Cape Town. (He’d made a fifty against Afghanistan in between, but that came after India’s total had already gone past 300)Baroda had other heroes as well. Aditya Waghmode batted in mode to make 114 off 304 balls and Vishnu Solanki produced a more free flowing 133 to give Pandya the time he needed to find his feet, both literally and figuratively. At lunch he was batting on 3 off 29, struggling for rhythm but untroubled by the bowling as such.Match situations, though, can be fickle, and after cruising for 121 overs and looking set to surpass Mumbai’s 465 by a significant margin, wickets fell, as though through a series of trapdoors. A comfortable 351 for 3 became 378 for 6 when tea was taken, and two overs post resumption Baroda had slipped to a precarious 379 for 7. At that stage, it seemed like they were running out of luck, exemplified by Solanki’s questionable lbw decision earlier in the day, but soon enough Pandya was bowled off a no-ball and it became a level playing field once again.Reprieved on 41, he brought his side within 29 runs of Mumbai’s total before being pinned in front by Royston Dias as he tried to steal a single off the last ball of the over. It was not unlike the position he was in a few months ago at Edgbaston, when India needed 32 to win and Pandya was left with the awkward job of refusing singles when the field was spread, and scampering across when it came up. Eventually he was led to play a shot that wasn’t meant to fetch him runs or protect his stumps and he was dismissed.The difference here is that there’s an innings left and Pandya could enjoy the perks of who he is – an allrounder – and influence the result. While Mumbai would have undoubtedly been the happier side, having taken the lead, given the lack of time left in the game, they were also the only ones left in a position to throw it away – a tendency common among teams batting without purpose on final days. With his two quick wickets before stumps, Pandya has stoked that possibility.
Tottenham Hotspur did more than just end their interminable trophy drought when defeating Manchester United in the Europa League final last season; Ange Postecoglou opened up a road to the Champions League.
Given that Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League, this was quite the saving grace at the end of a campaign that left so much to be desired, and it ensured the Londoners could make a compelling case to potential signings like Xavi Simons.
While Tottenham supporters were overjoyed when signing the Dutch playmaker from RB Leipzig for £51m, after intense interest from Chelsea earlier in the summer, there’s no denying that the 21-year-old has yet to perform on English shores.
Given his big-money profile and the expectation upon his arrival, there’s a concern that Simons is echoing the likes of Tanguy Ndombele before him.
Simons' start to life at Spurs
Thomas Frank hasn’t yet established his vision at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with his side struggling for form in the final third. Simons has been a part of the problem, but it’s important to remember this is a young talent who has entered a team lacking offensive coherence.
In just two years in Germany, Simons scored 22 goals and supplied 24 assists across 78 matches. He was the difference-maker, and many Premier League clubs were keen.
Spurs won the race, and credit to them, but Simons has yet to prove he has what it takes to raise his game to the next level, thus prompting concerns that he might mimic Frenchman Ndombele, who became the Londoners’ club-record signing when joining from Lyon in a £54m deal in 2019.
Ndombele’s temperament and commitment were among the cruxes of his demise in English football, and Simons cannot be blamed for a lack of effort, but it’s a concern all the same, and one Frank will need to rectify quickly to get his side operating at full creative capacity.
The jury is still out for the Netherlands international, who is young and talented and settling into an outfit that lacks creative direction right now.
There’s actually another Lilywhites man with far more experience who might be deteriorating into Ndombele 2.0.
Spurs' new version of Ndombele
Frank has spoken of his players’ frustrations following their recent run of form, and this was clear to see last weekend when Fulham condemned Tottenham to yet another home defeat.
Pedro Porro was incensed, but the Portugal international might want to direct that anger inwards, given his spate of shambolic displays this year.
The 26-year-old has been in the English capital for almost three years now, and while he is among the most technically gifted players in the ranks, his awareness and accuracy in defensive phases could see him become a disappointment in a similar way to Ndombele, especially when considering he had such a furore about his signature in 2023 that Manchester City came sniffing around last year.
Porro is rudderless. Sofascore record that he has made five errors already in the Premier League this season, and he is among the most dribbled-past defenders in the division thus far.
#
Player
Stat
1.
Mats Wieffer
19
2.
Neco Williams
18
3.
Pedro Porro
17
4.
Hugo Bueno
16
5.
Matty Cash
16
In fairness, Porro sits among the top 16% of Premier League full-backs this season for shot-creating actions and the top 5% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref, but his defensive work has been well below the desired standard.
But his lack of focus and misuse of his own athleticism led one Tottenham podcast host to brand him “an absolute liability” last season, and that’s only been underscored since then, with Frank now facing his own Ndombele-like conundrum in working out what to do with this talented but toiling star.
Porro has enjoyed some high points across his Tottenham career, but he’s been culpable for too many poor performances over the past couple of years, and in this, it is he and not the young Simons who is shaping into the London side’s new version of Ndombele.
Just like Romero: Spurs prepare £40m bid for "crazy" Van de Ven upgrade
Tottenham are in the market for more defensive depth ahead of the January transfer window.
Ravi Thodge, a retired lieutenant general, joins Rai and Edulji, while Justice DK Jain takes over as board’s final adjudicating authority
ESPNcricinfo staff21-Feb-2019The Committee of Administrators (CoA), which is currently overseeing the functioning of the BCCI, has a new third member: Ravi Thodge, a retired lieutenant general of the Indian army. The Supreme Court made the appointment on Thursday, during a hearing of various issues related to the Justice Lodha Committee’s recommendations.Thodge’s appointment comes after months of heated and public disagreement over several issues between the two existing members of the CoA: Vinod Rai, the former Comptroller and Auditor General of India, and Diana Edulji, the former India women captain.During the hearing, Justice SA Bobde expressed his displeasure at Rai and Edulji airing their differences in public, and asked the amicus curiae PS Narasimha to instruct them not to do so. Narasimha suggested that reconstituting the CoA to an odd number could help solve potential deadlocks, and Bobde wondered aloud if there should be five members. In the end, the court settled on three, making its decision in chambers.It is not yet known if Thodge will be part of the BCCI meeting on Friday, where top-level officials including Rai and Edulji are set to discuss – among other issues – whether to send the ICC a draft letter asking for Pakistan to be banned from the upcoming World Cup.The court has also appointed Justice DK Jain, a retired Supreme Court judge, as the BCCI’s ombudsman, the board’s final adjudicating authority under its new constitution.The post had been vacant since Justice AP Shah finished his term in late 2016 and the Committee of Administrators (CoA) had been asking the court for directions on a new appointment since Justice Shah’s departure.One of the first issues Justice Jain is likely to deal with is the recent suspension of Indian players Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul. The pair had been suspended pending an inquiry into their offensive comments on an television chat show, which the CoA concluded had violated the Code of Conduct. The players were eventually allowed to continue playing, subject to the case reaching its conclusion upon the appointment and adjudication of an ombudsman.When Justice Bodbe asked the amicus what the hurry was to appoint an ombudsman, Narasimha replied that the ombudsman was the dispute resolution mechanism, and there were quite a few issues where he could help. When the judge asked for an example, the amicus pointed to the alleged misconduct of the CEO Rahul Johri, an issue that was settled after an independent panel cleared him of sexual harassment allegations by 2-1 majority.It was a contentious verdict, with Edulji and two of the three BCCI office bearers disagreeing with it. It is likely that Justice Jain would need to study the final report of the independent panel before taking any fresh step.
Yuvraj Singh talks about his relationship with his father, his favourite captains, and about how he spurned the offer of a farewell match
ESPNcricinfo staff10-Jun-20192:34
I have made peace with the sport – Yuvraj
On making peace with his father, the former India fast bowler Yograj Singh, with whom he has had a fraught relationshipI think I actually made peace a couple of days ago when I was talking to my father. So I spoke to him and all the demons inside as a younger kid came out. That conversation happened and he said his side of the story. It was a very peaceful moment for me to have that closure and have that chat with him, because I’ve never had that chat with him in the last 20 years. He’s always been like a dragon to me… I think me and my father both have a very different relationship now. We both have grown up. Well I have grown up, I don’t know about him! All his life he has taken off on me in the media, now it’s my time.But yes, I’ve had closure with him. He never appreciated me playing any other sport. He only appreciated if I played cricket. So I said, “So be it.” And luckily for me, later on in my career I started enjoying it and made something good out of it.I think it was a very beautiful moment talking to my father and talking to my mom about my journey and I was looking for closure.On why he wasn’t able to do as well in Test cricket:Yes, definitely, that will always be a regret. I think I played at a time when it was very difficult to get a spot. Played with [VVS] Laxman, [Sourav] Ganguly who was captain, Sachin [Tendulkar], Rahul [Dravid], Viru [Virender Sehwag] started opening… it was very hard to find space in the middle order. And that time we used to get one or two Test matches [to prove ourselves] compared to guys today who get 10 to 15 Test matches to play all the time.So I never really got that spot. Every time I failed, I would lose my spot because it was just me, or Sourav or Laxman… Over seven years I think I sat out of 40 Test matches. And then when Sourav retired, that one year I was actually playing Test cricket. I finally got my spot, but then I got diagnosed with cancer, so… I don’t know what to say. It’s been unfortunate. If you look at the whole journey it’s been great, but unfortunate not to play… another 40 Test matches would have been awesome.I was batting at No. 6, I averaged about 34-35, which is not great. I would have loved to average 40. But for me, at the end of the day, it’s about winning games, and every time I scored runs I’m sure it helped win the game for India. It’s a regret, definitely, but I’ve given my all.On whether he regrets not scoring 10,000 ODI runs:No… Scoring 8000, 9000, whatever, definitely you can look at the books and say, “Oh he scored 10,000 runs.” But winning the World Cup… I’d rather have winning the World Cup than scoring 10,000 runs. I never thought about 10,000 runs, I always thought about winning the World Cup. 10,000 would be very special, but I think winning the World Cup is far more special.Yuvraj Singh never quite cracked the code of being a successful Test batsman•Getty ImagesOn his biggest high and his defining moment on the field:I think the biggest moment in my career would definitely be winning the World Cup in 2011 and being Man of the Series. And we won it in India as well, and after 28 years. There cannot be a bigger high.Defining moment in my career, I think it would be when I batted for the first time in my career and scored 84 against Australia. First game, and you score 84 against the best team in the world… It was quite a dream. Because of that, I came and failed in a lot of games. But because I had started so well I always got an opportunity.On his family’s reactions when he told them:I’d been talking to my wife and mother since two years, that I want to retire and go on with my life. But mentally I was not happy. Because after playing international cricket for so many years, going back and playing domestic cricket was a bit of a struggle.I spoke to my father recently and when I had told him I want to speak to him he was expecting that I would tell him I’m going to retire. He was also saying that, “It’s been enough. Almost 19 years and about 25 years of playing cricket.” I think he was very happy I was retiring, and he hugged me. He was very satisfied with the journey because he lived his dreams through me. He was very happy with my career and told me that when Kapil Dev had lifted the World Cup [in 1983], he had the regret that he wasn’t in that team, but he felt happy when I lifted the World Cup. He was very content with what I had achieved.On whether he would have wanted a farewell match:I didn’t tell anyone in BCCI that I want to play a last match. If I was good enough and had potential, I would have gone to the ground. I don’t like to play cricket in that fashion, that “I want a [farewell] match.” I had been told that if I can’t pass the yo-yo test, I can play a retirement match. I said then that I don’t want a retirement match. If I don’t pass the yo-yo test, I’ll go home quietly.On whether the yo-yo test is needed in a bat-ball game:See, I’m sure in life I will have a lot of time now to discuss these things. I will have a lot to say. I’m not saying it right now because India is playing the World Cup, and I don’t want any controversies around the players. Because I want the players to be in the best phase possible to win the last four. I’m sure my time will come to speak. I don’t want to be in that space where I retired during the World Cup time and whatever… I just retired because I want to move on with my life, and I’m sure my time will come to talk about these things.On which current player reminds him of himself:Not exactly myself, I think he has the potential to be better. Rishabh Pant, he’s already scored two Test hundreds away, in Australia and England. I think that boy has great potential to be a very attacking, match-winning left-hander. I’m looking forward to seeing him in the next few years.On mentorship or coaching in the future:Not now, I’ve just retired! I’ll enjoy myself for a year or two. After that I’ll think about it. Right now I’m going to take some time off. I definitely want to give something back to cricket, and hopefully do some work in the future with the younger generation.Yuvraj Singh gets aerial as he unleashes a throw•AFPOn the captains who had the most impact on him:I think Sourav Ganguly, under whom I started. He supported me a lot. And with MS Dhoni, I’ve won a lot of major championships, so definitely these two captains.Ganguly was very authoritative when it came to fighting for his players. He wanted certain players in the team, like myself, Ashish [Nehra], Bhajju [Harbhajan Singh], Zaheer Khan, [Virender] Sehwag. I think he built us guys together.Dhoni was very composed under pressure. He had a very good mind behind the stumps for how the game was going.On his thoughts before the first time he batted in international cricket:The previous night, Sourav Ganguly told me I have to open. Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie and [Glenn] McGrath were the bowlers. I remember it was a night of a lot of anxiety. But I got up in the morning all ready to open and Sourav said, “No no, I was just joking, playing a prank on you.” I told him that “Hopefully I will be able to repay the prank some day!”I think there’s less pressure when you’re actually going in to bat. There’s more pressure outside, I’ve always felt it. And the moment I was in the zone, it was just like me and the ball.On how he took revenge on Ganguly:Gave it back to Sourav? Nicely, after a couple of years, against Pakistan. Bhajji and me made a false newspaper cutting of him accusing his own players. And Sourav got all red on the field and he said, “I don’t want to captain this team anymore.” And then we said, “April fool, .”On the toughest bowlers he’s faced and his favourite overseas cricketers:You’re asking me this now?! (laughter)I think Muttiah Muralitharan would be the toughest I’ve faced. The other would be Glenn McGrath. The overseas cricketers I admire… Ricky Ponting is someone I really admire as a batsman. AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle… I think these guys were serious powerhouses when I played against them.On playing under pressure:Under the sword, under pressure, I always play my best cricket. I used to enjoy the challenge when we were three or four down. When Kaif and me won that Natwest final, a lot of belief came from that situation, that if I can do this now at such a young age, I can do more in the future.I felt the pressure a lot when I came back after cancer. I was not that fit, I went to France for training. When I came back in the team, Duncan [Fletcher] was the coach. And I felt there was a lot of pressure just to perform at that time. Everything had changed. Because everybody thinks I’ve come back from cancer and I’m not the same player anymore. That added up a lot of pressure on me, but that’s how life is.
Chelsea’s summer business has been impressive to say the least. Enzo Maresca has wasted little time in building a team which he believes can go far in both the Premier League and Champions League this season.
Expectations have certainly been heightened after the club won the inaugural Club World Cup stateside earlier this month.
The Blues weren’t expected to cause much of an upset against PSG in the final, but a Cole Palmer double and a Joao Pedro effort ensured the trophy would be heading to London.
If the Stamford Bridge side get off to a good start this season, they will be a force to be reckoned with. Maresca still has plenty of work to do in the transfer window to make sure his squad is exactly the way he wants it.
That means there will likely be another few incomings over the coming weeks. More importantly, however, is the need for the manager to move on several players who don’t feature in his plans this season.
Chelsea manager EnzoMarescabefore the start of the second half
Let’s take a deep dive into all the latest transfer news surrounding the club, shall we?
Latest Chelsea transfer news
Firstly, Maresca is still keen on bolstering his attacking options. Despite having signed Jamie Gittens, Pedro and Liam Delap, the Italian isn’t stopping there.
According to ESPN, Chelsea have shown interest in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak amid the news he wants to leave the Magpies this summer.
Player
Club signed from
Jamie Gittens
Borussia Dortmund
Liam Delap
Ipswich Town
Joao Pedro
Brighton
Mamadou Sarr
Strasbourg
Estevao
Palmeiras
Dario Essugo
Sporting CP
Liverpool appear to be frontrunners for his signature, but should the Blues somehow convince Isak that his future lies at Stamford Bridge, it would eclipse any of the club’s transfers this summer.
Elsewhere, Maresca is still keen on bringing Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho to the club.
The Telegraph state that the Blues are monitoring the situation with the Argentinian winger at Old Trafford as his future looks in doubt.
Manchester United's AlejandroGarnachoreacts
Garnacho could be available for a fee in the region of £40m should Maresca make a concrete move for the player. Given his age and Premier League experience, this type of fee makes a deal much more appealing.
Regarding outgoings, Chelsea haven’t sold many of their wantaway stars just yet. João Félix is attracting interest from his former club Benfica, although if a deal were to happen, it would mean a significant loss for the Premier League side.
Indeed, the Portuguese outfit wants to acquire 50% of Félix’s rights for a fee of around €25m (£21.7m).
Christopher Nkunku is another player that Maresca is looking to get rid of before the league season gets underway. Both Nottingham Forest and Man United have joined the race for the French attacking midfielder.
The Blues have set his asking price at £43m, which could tempt various clubs to come in and make an offer for the former RB Leipzig star.
As for incomings, one deal that looks close to completion is that of Xavi Simons. The Dutchman has been a key target recently, and it finally looks as though Maresca has his man.
Chelsea close to agreeing personal terms
Fabrizio Romano shared an update regarding the club’s progress on a move for the Leipzig sensation.
“Understand Chelsea and RB Leipzig are now in advanced talks for Xavi Simons.” Said Romano on X.
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“Negotiations club to club progressing well, still work to do but heading positive direction. Xavi, keen on Chelsea project with personal terms talks also advanced.”
No concrete transfer fee has been mentioned as yet, but barring any last-minute hitches, this deal should be over the line sooner rather than later.
Netherlands'XaviSimonscelebrates scoring their third goal
That means Chelsea have yet another young, hungry attacking prospect ready to showcase their talents in the Premier League.
Can Simons become Chelsea’s very own Florian Wirtz?
Why Chelsea want to sign Xavi Simons
Liverpool made their own statement of intent by splashing out around £116m to sign Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. If all works out, he could be the signing of the summer.
Simons won’t cost that much – having been touted at around £56m – but the two players are similar in style, being able to operate as an attacking midfielder.
Indeed, throughout the 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign, Wirtz was the fourth-most comparable player to Simons due to their likeness as players.
Not only that, but the pair also registered similar statistics across a range of metrics, including goals and assists (16 vs 22), shots per 90 (2.09 vs 2.83), shot-creating actions per 90 (4.52 vs 5.66), carries into the final third (72 vs 72) and crosses delivered into the opposition penalty area (79 vs 101) during the Bundesliga last term.
Both Simons and Wirtz have strengths including key passes, dribbling and through balls, according to WhoScored. The duo also both love to dribble, counting this as a key skill set, while they both like to provide layoffs to teammates.
As such, making a move for Simons this summer would allow Maresca to have someone who is just like Wirtz in his squad, for a fraction of the price.
Ahead of the 2024 European Championship, analyst Ben Mattinson lavished plenty of praise on Simons, saying that he is “destined for greatness”, while describing him as a “superstar” who can become “one of the best in the world in the future.”
During that tournament, he scored once and provided three assists as the Netherlands reached the semi-finals.
Simons has starred on the big stage for club and country over the previous three years and should he seal his move to Chelsea, Maresca may just have the final piece of his attacking jigsaw.
Aged just 22, the Dutch starlet is ready to take the next step-up in his career and what better club to do it at than Chelsea.
Wirtz may have made the headlines, but Simons could certainly match his displays next season. Watch this space.
Perfect for Isak: Chelsea agree personal terms to sign £70m "game-changer"
Chelsea have agreed personal terms to land a “game-changer” of a signing
A European giant has now made an early move to try and sign a Manchester United star in January, with Ruben Amorim yet to be impressed by him, according to a fresh report.
Amorim takes first Manchester United game
Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by Ipswich Town on Amorim’s Premier League debut after he took charge in the November international break.
A new-look Red Devils side trialed a 3-4-3 system that saw Noussair Mazraoui form part of the back three, with Amad Diallo stationed at right wing-back and Diogo Dalot on the opposite flank.
They did not look comfortable for much of the game, and Amorim’s changes did little to inspire improvement, with the new Man Utd boss singling out summer signing Joshua Zirkzee as someone who needed to improve to continue getting game time under his management.
“I think that [decision-making] is a concern, you don’t need to coach them at this level,” Amorim said.
“You have to keep the ball and know the momentum to put the ball in front. Sometimes you feel that you can’t keep the ball and you [have to] put the ball in front.
Appearances
18
Starts
7
Goals
1
Assists
2
Minutes per goal/assist
240.3
“Then you have like we are in the end of the game, we were around the box with two strikers. Josh [Zirkzee] has to understand that he has to go to the box to have the crosses. So we are doing some things that were not at the right moment, so that is something we have to address.
“Sometimes people talk about the 3-4-3, that is not the concern, the system is the system but the understanding of the game is what we have to improve a lot in this area.”
Already under pressure after a poor start to his Old Trafford career, Zirkzee has been linked with a move away and now those comments have caught the eye of a European giant.
Motta wants Zirkzee reunion at Juventus
That comes as reports in Italy claim that Juventus are keen to sign the Dutch striker should Manchester United decide to cut their losses.
The Turin side are now coached by Thiago Motta, who worked with Zirkzee at Bologna last season, a campaign which saw the forward net 12 times in all competitions.
And now, it is claimed that he is eyeing a reunion, and “first contact has now been made between Juve and Motta’s former striker”, as they look to bring his Old Trafford nightmare to an end.
Man Utd ready to offer Serie A star £33m+ Old Trafford deal to join Amorim
He would be a massive statement of intent from the new Manchester United boss.
ByBen Browning Nov 27, 2024
It is added that “Juventus are in the front row” to sign the 23-year-old, who arrived for £36.5m just months ago and is on £105,000-a-week, though there is no suggestion that Manchester United have changed their stance on the youngster.
Nonetheless, with the Red Devils linked to several new forwards and Rasmus Hojlund already at the club, Zirkzee may only likely see his game time decrease in the months and years ahead, suggesting that perhaps a move away from Old Trafford is the best move for all parties.
Henry's last match was the 4-0 thrashing of Chivas in the CONCACAF Champions Cup Clásico Nacional, played on March 12
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Martín is suffering from tendonitis in his Achilles tendon.
He will miss the matches against Tigres, Cruz Azul, and Pachuca.
The forward is doubtful for the return leg against Cruz Azul in the Champions Cup.
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
América captain Henry Martín will be sidelined for at least four weeks due to a lingering Achilles injury. The forward has been dealing with the issue for months and hasn’t been at full strength since the start of the year. His absence means he will miss Liga MX matches against Tigres and Pachuca, as well as the first leg of the Champions Cup quarterfinals against Cruz Azul.
It is unlikely that Martín will recover in time for the second leg on April 8, and his availability for América’s Liga MX match against Cruz Azul on April 12 (Matchday 15) remains uncertain. Manager André Jardine will have to wait and see if his captain can return in time.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
A few weeks ago, the forward consulted a specialist in Guadalajara, who recommended that he stop and undergo a month of rehabilitation to return fully recovered.
Martín currently has his leg immobilized with an orthopedic boot, and although he is receiving daily rehabilitation at Coapa, for now, he cannot engage in any football-related activities.
Getty Images SportWHAT VÍCTOR DÁVILA SAID
"A shame, we hope to have all our teammates available for the end of the tournament, but we're calm because the coach has handled it well. We've had rotations, and we have a wide enough squad to cover every position," Davila said of Martin's injury. "Each player has contributed good things in the attack, and André Jardine has managed the pieces well and distributed each player accordingly. What we expect is that Henry can recover properly, and it will be up to us to do our part and cover for his absence."
Getty Images SportDID YOU KNOW?
Injuries have impacted Martin's performance this season. The forward has only been able to play nine matches this year between Liga MX and the Champions Cup, where he has scored just once and registered three assists. Martín has a total of 115 goals in matches with América and is currently in fourth place on the list of the club's all-time top scorers.
Visitors plod their way to total control in relegation battle with Warwickshire
ECB Reporters Network14-Sep-2022Somerset’s greatest display of aggression came before the start of the third day at Edgbaston when they issued a media release stating that the ECB’s current cricket schedule was “unacceptable” and that the south west needed “the highest standard” of men’s and women’s cricket to be able to sustain the game in the region.”The current domestic playing programme, which resulted in only four one-day matches being played in Taunton over 43 days in the height of summer this year, with 17 Somerset players unavailable, is unacceptable to the club, its members and the South West’s cricketing public,” Somerset said as the debate continued over the future structure of the English game.Their point made, on the field they plodded their way into total control against Warwickshire on the third day of their LV=Insurance County Championship Division One relegation battle at Edgbaston. They closed the third day on 277 for 4 – 300 ahead – to virtually insure themselves against defeat heading into the last day of this crucial game.On a pitch which remained slow but lost its menace, Somerset, led by captain Tom Abell’s obdurate 87 from 173 balls, batted through the day for 264 runs in 101 overs. Supported by Tom Lammonby (40 in 170 minutes) and George Bartlett (91 not out, 209 balls), the skipper lifted his team into a position whereby they have it in their power to simply bat Warwickshire out of the game.It was another tough day for the home side, who took just two wickets in three sessions. They must now lift themselves to bat well enough on the final day to avoid a defeat which would severely damage their prospects of survival.After resuming on 13 for 2, Somerset settled straight into the slow lane, Lammonby and Abell adding 55 runs in 36 overs in the morning session. At one stage, one run arrived in seven overs while Lammonby went 11 overs without scoring.It was gritty stuff, not easy on the eye but a totally understandable approach in the match situation. Warwickshire’s hopes of an early clatter induced by India internationals Mohammed Siraj or Jayant Yadav were thwarted as the pitch blunted the pace of the former and offered only very slow turn to the latter.The second-wicket pair added 79 in 41 overs before Lammonby edged Olly Hannon-Dalby to Rob Yates at slip. Bartlett seamlessly took up the cudgels of caution and settled in alongside his captain while Warwickshire skipper Will Rhodes shuffled a bowling attack that plugged away nobly to ensure that runs at least never came quickly. The fourth-wicket stand was worth 72 in 25 overs when Abell’s 246-minute vigil ended when Danny Briggs turned a beauty onto his off stump.Again, home hopes of one wicket bringing two were in vain as Lewis Goldsworthy added his application to the collective diligence. Bartlett and Goldsworthy put up a century stand in 202 balls and were still there together to resume in the morning having so far added 121.
Chelsea have held discussions with intermediaries in the last few days over a potential forward signing, as those agents attempt to find their player a new home in January and reach out to Stamford Bridge officials.
Chelsea scour January market for new attackers in January
Enzo Maresca’s side are believed to be targeting a fresh attacking option before deadline day on February 3rd, leading to their widely reported interest in the likes of Bayern Munich starlet Mathys Tel, Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens and Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho.
Chelsea make "formal" bid to sign "exciting" £65m forward for Maresca
The Italian could witness a busy end to their transfer window.
ByEmilio Galantini Jan 24, 2025
The Telegraph’s Matt Law wrote earlier this week that Chelsea are considering Tel, Garnacho and Gittens to bolster Maresca’s forward line, while other reports from South America claim a “formal” offer has already gone in for the Man Utd man.
Man City (away)
January 25
West Ham (away)
February 3
Brighton (away)
February 14
Aston Villa (away)
February 22
Southampton (home)
February 25
Garnacho’s exit from Old Trafford is looking more and more like a realistic possibility, given United’s PSR concerns, and it is believed that Chelsea could look to take full advantage of this situation to snap up the Argentine.
The forward’s rumoured price tag has varied, but it has gone as high as £65 million according to some media sources, making him an expensive potential acquisition mid-season.
Taking this into account, BlueCo may also be wise to keep their eyes on further alternatives to Garnacho, and Lyon star Rayan Cherki could be a very prudent option.
Rayan Cherki in action for Lyon
The Frenchman is widely regarded as a very exciting prospect, and Lyon’s provisional relegation to Ligue 2, as a result of their financial situation, means Cherki could go on the cheap.
His price tag has dropped to as low as £19 million, as per Fabrizio Romano, which could be too good of an opportunity for elite sides to pass up.
Chelsea hold talks with intermediaries over Rayan Cherki
According to The Boot Room and journalist Graeme Bailey, agents have spoken to Chelsea “in recent days” over Cherki and his availability, as they scour the market to find their client a new club this month.
The Blues are keen on him, as are Arsenal, Liverpool, Man United, Newcastle, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton and West Ham, who’ve also held discussions with Cherki’s camp.
That being said, all these sides, including Chelsea, have concerns over Cherki’s attitude to fulfilling his potential. However, if the 21-year-old does begin to perform at the level he can, journalist Dean Jones suggests he’d be an excellent signing.
“He’s just different, this player,” said Jones on the Ranks FC Ultras podcast recently.
“If you haven’t seen Cherki play, then just either stop the pod and go and watch him on YouTube for 10 minutes and then come back or just go watch him while we’re talking right now. Because his skill level is outrageous. He feels like he could become one of the best players in the world.”