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Leeds United target Noa Lang could face a ‘shock’ if he moves to England, former Premier League boss Alex McLeish has told Football Insider.

The lowdown

The report claims that Lang is a ‘top target’ for Leeds in this summer’s transfer window.

‘Preliminary talks’ between the Yorkshire outfit and Belgian side Club Brugge have begun, with the player said to be open to the switch.

The 22-year-old scored 16 goals in 26 Jupiler Pro League starts, and also provided seven assists (via WhoScored).

That tally was enough for Lang to finish in the top 10 in the division.

Leeds are set to sign FC Barcelona’s Junior Firpo and may then turn their attentions to the Dutchman, who’s valued at £19.8million by Transfermarkt.

The latest

McLeish warned adapting to the rigours of the English top-flight would be difficult for Lang, who helped Brugge win the Belgian title last season.

“The players who come to England and play in the Premier League will sometimes get a shock,” the Scotsman said.

“The level of speed in the game and the quality of the players, they’re up there with the best players in the world.

“He’s coming in with a winning mentality and a mentality that says he’s going to a higher place.

“You’ve got to bring the level he showed at Brugge.”

The verdict

You’d imagine that Lang, who can operate on both flanks, would come in initially as a back-up to Jack Harrison and Raphinha before mounting a challenge for a starting role.

He wouldn’t be under immediate pressure, giving him the luxury of time to adapt to both the Premier League and Marcelo Bielsa’s intense and specific instructions.

Moreover, Bielsa certainly wouldn’t be interested in any player who looked like they couldn’t cope with the demands of high-intensity football.

In other news, read Noel Whelan’s intriguing transfer claim.  

It doesn’t pay to be successful in the TelstraClear Black Caps side at the moment – you become a target for the injury gods, and Nathan Astle is the latest victim.New Zealand’s player of the year after his outstanding batting form over the summer Astle, will not play in tonight’s second One-Day International against Pakistan and will return home immediately having been diagnosed with a tear in the patella tendon of his left knee.The extent of the tear is not known and is why he is being flown home to be diagnosed by the New Zealand Cricket medical team.A precautionary scan has been taken of the knee as the result of Astle experiencing increasing discomfort since the one-day tournament in Sharjah.New Zealand Cricket’s operations manager John Reid said: “We want to get him home for further diagnosis from our medical team and start him on rehabilitation as quickly as possible.”That’s operations as in technical administration of New Zealand’s Cricket but it might just as well be medical operations manager such has been the attrition rate among the leading New Zealand players since the World Cup of 1999.Geoff Allott, Chris Cairns, Daniel Vettori, Shayne O’Connor, Dion Nash, Scott Styris, Shane Bond and now Astle have all suffered severe injury setbacks which have drastically reduced New Zealand’s capacity to compete as efficiently as it could without such an injury load.Astle’s place in the side is being taken by Mathew Sinclair.Sinclair had just returned home from Sharjah and will now rejoin the side on Friday. Astle’s injury is the perfect opportunity for Sinclair to reclaim his place in the New Zealand Test side after being dropped for the home series against England.

According to TuttoSport (via The Boot Room), Tottenham are interested in signing Arkadiusz Milik from Napoli this summer.

The Lowdown: Spurs target a striker

Harry Kane recently dropped a bombshell on the club when he revealed that he wants to leave north London this summer (Sky Sports).

As such, Spurs could well need a new striker. That has led to them targetting a forward who has regularly been compared to Robert Lewandowski.

The Latest: Spurs eye Milik

It is now being reported Spurs are interested in Poland international Milik, who currently plays for Marseille in France on loan from Napoli.

Along with Tottenham, Juventus are also said to be interested in signing the 27-year-old.

The Verdict: Good target

Milik has struggled with injuries in the past, but he is certainly a forward who knows how to find the back of the net. In 281 senior career matches, he has managed 119 goals, with his best spell coming at Ajax, where he managed 47 in 75 outings (Transfermarkt).

With 34 career assists, he is also capable of creating for his teammates. Currently valued at £19.8m (Transfermarkt), he could be available for a good price as well.

The sale of Kane would bring in a considerable amount of money for Spurs – if they could sign Milik for a reasonable price, they would have plenty of funds to improve other parts of the squad as well.

In other news, Spurs are interested in signing this Bundesliga midfielder.

According to a report by Sky Sports, as relayed by West Ham Transfers, the Hammers are now in talks with defender Vladimir Coufal and his representatives over a new and improved deal at the London Stadium.

Coufal, who signed last summer from Slavia Prague for just £5 million, has arguably been one of manager David Moyes’ best buys with the right-back drawing acclaim for his consistent performances over 2020/2021.

The 28-year-old was a mainstay throughout the campaign, starting 34 Premier League matches under Moyes, with the club now seeing fit to reward Coufal with a new and improved deal.

Sky Sports claim that the Irons have commenced talks with the player’s representatives over the revised terms with his current deal running until 2023.

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Only Tomas Soucek and Aaron Cresswell started more English top flight games this term, so a new deal seems like a fitting reward.

West Ham supporters certainly think so, with many of them flocking to social media in light of this development as one called it ‘absolutely huge news’.

Find all of their best verdicts down below.

West Ham fans buzz over Coufal talks

“Get it done @WestHam our best full back since Frank Lampard”

Credit: @RichardRf020370

“Deserves it. Unreal RB”

Credit: @joshbw13

“Give him what he wants”

Credit: @HR_WHU

“Lifetime contract pls. I want him teaching our kids.”

Credit: @jamiebaxter182

“Good! Deserves a significant pay rise”

Credit: @Joshua_Mbu

“Put your hand in your pocket the mans a star.”

Credit: @trevoroliver20

“This is absolutely huge news, love the man.”

Credit: @stephenlott

“Good news. He has been outstanding for us this season”

Credit: @FredJac07859045

In other news: West Ham fans flock to official club announcement, find out more here.

Australia and Pakistan begin psychological warfare tomorrow in the first of two NatWest Series encounters rendered meaningless before the teams meet in the final at Lord’s on June 23

CricInfo15-Jun-2001Australia and Pakistan begin psychological warfare tomorrow in the first of two NatWest Series encounters rendered meaningless before the teams meet in the final at Lord’s on June 23.England’s run of defeats means that the remainder of the qualifying games are largely irrelevant although there will no doubt be some mind games played at Chester-le-Street tomorrow.And Australian coach John Buchanan has hinted that there could be some experimentation from both sides.”It is nice to be in the final. That being the case, there will be a littlebit of room for some experimenting along the way – but certainly we want to keepthe winning run going,” he said.”With the future in mind, it is important for us to continue to have a lookat Pakistan. I dare say they will put on the field a couple of players who we have not seen before, so that will be useful.”He added: “There is the luxury of having got to the final, which means wecan maybe look at one or two different things we would like to try.”We may take a few more liberties than we would normally do. We will betrying to play our best cricket but we will also have an eye on the future.”Australia’s renowned rotation system means tomorrow Glenn McGrath will be rested for the first time in the series, to be replaced by Brett Lee. Ricky Ponting is given a day off while Damien Fleming is back after a minor calf injury.Waqar Younis, who has said he believes it is essential his team wins at least one of the two clashes with Australia before the final, has a fully fit squad to choose from – but offered no further clues as to who would be taking the field.Australia: M Waugh, A Gilchrist (wkt), M Hayden, M Bevan, S Waugh (captain), DMartyn, A Symonds, S Warne, B Lee, J Gillespie, D Fleming.Pakistan (from): Salim Elahi, Shahid Afridi, Yousuf Youhana, Inzamam-ul-Haq,Abdur Razzaq, Waqar Younis (captain), Rashid Latif (wkt), Saqlain Mushtaq,Younis Khan, Wasim Akram, Azhar Mahmood, Saeed Anwar.

Two weekends ago, Everton didn’t have very much joy against opposition in claret and blue.

The Toffees were made to bemoan a horrendous defensive mistake from Mason Holgate as they eventually lost 2-1 to Aston Villa.

However, fast forward to a week later and it was a piece of magic from one of Everton’s defenders that set them on their way to victory against a team wearing the same colours; West Ham.

The Irons have been mightily efficient this term but they struggled to find a way past Carlo Ancelotti’s men after an early first-half strike from Dominic Calvert-Lewin meant they won 1-0.

The England international racked up his 21st strike of the campaign but he was set free by Ben Godfrey, the real stand out man on Sunday afternoon.

Godfrey has had an excellent first campaign at Goodison Park but this was undoubtedly one his best performances in blue.

He led from the front defensively but showed what a classy ball player he is by assisting Calvert-Lewin’s goal.

The former Norwich man was allowed to step out of defence before sliding in a lovely ball down the right-hand channel. It was on a plate for Everton’s leading goal scorer who took possession into the box before finding the net.

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However, there was more to Godfrey’s game than his exciting ball-playing abilities. In fact, that wasn’t even the most outstanding part of his day.

The £68k-per-week earner only completed 74% of his passes but he enjoyed a dominating display among Everton’s backline.

Ancelotti mixed things up on this occasion and after the debacle against Villa, he dropped Holgate and played a back three.

Godfrey seemed to relish his role as the right centre-back, stepping forward and winning nearly every single physical battle he competed in.

He won eight of his nine defensive duels (88%), prevailing in a whopping five tackles during the contest.

In completing four clearances, he enjoyed a dominating and imperious display at the back. Everton had to be stern defensively on Sunday and they were definitely that.

The Toffees restricted West Ham to 11 shots, none of which were on target. Considering the Irons are bidding to reach the Champions League, it was a complete defensive display to deny them.

Godfrey rarely let Said Benrahama and Jesse Lingard get the better of him with the duo succeeding with just one key pass and two dribbles between them.

The Everton defender has proven to be a valuable member of the team with his versatility but he looks at complete ease at centre-back.

AND in other news, Move over Gordon: Everton have a future star in never-seen 15 y/o, he’s a big “threat”…

MatériaMais Notícias

Na última quarta-feira, Camilo acertou a trave duas vezes na derrota alvinegra para a Chapecoense, na Ilha. O camisa 10 passa um jejum de mais de dois meses sem balançar as redes: a última vez foi no dia 11 de setembro, contra o Cruzeiro, no Mineirão, quando acertou belo voleio em cruzamento de Victor Luis. Desde então, foram 11 jogos sem saber o que é marcar gol. Contudo, ele tem pela frente no domingo um velho conhecido, que trás boas lembranças.

De palmeirense na infância para carrasco do time como profissional. Além de ter participado de duas goleadas sobre o Alviverde com as camisas do Mirassol e Chapecoense – marcando gol em ambas – Camilo marcou também no triunfo por 3 a 1 sobre os paulistas no primeiro turno, no Luso-Brasileiro.

– É enfrentar com muita concentração, porque sabemos que a equipe do Palmeiras vai lutar, e a torcida vai vir em peso. Já mostramos durante a minha história que sempre tive bons jogos contra eles. Apesar de ser meu time de infância, a gente sempre pensa no lado profissional – disse, completando:

– É carregar isso como algo positivo para trazer um bom resultado (…) Tem alguns lances, goleadas que ficaram marcadas. No 6 a 2 pelo Mirassol, fiz o sexto gol. Com a Chapecoense, em 2015, no 5 a 1. Esse ano, teve o 3 a 1 que ganhamos na Arena – ressalta o camisa 10, que marcou em ambos triunfos.

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David Moyes is surely very concerned ahead of West Ham United hosting Chelsea with Aaron Cresswell and Arthur Masuku ruled out through injury.

That’s according to Claret & Hugh, who claim the duo are expected to be declared unfit for the Hammers’ clash with Thomas Tuchel’s side this Saturday.

Chelsea travel to the London Stadium looking to pull three points clear of the Irons in the race for Champions League qualification, having moved ahead into fourth place after being held to a goalless draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on Tuesday.

The Blues presently sit above West Ham only on goal difference having conceded less frequently thus far, and the Hammers falling to a 3-2 defeat at relegation-threatened Newcastle United last time out.

Moyes was without both Cresswell and Masuaku at St. James’ Park due to hamstring issues, seeing that academy product Ben Johnson was recalled to start a Premier League game for only the fifth time this term.

Johnson will now likely retain his position at full-back for the visit of Chelsea to east London with Moyes not expected to receive positive updates on Cresswell or Masuaku, while Craig Dawson will also be absent through suspension.

Masuaku is understood to be an injury doubt for the Blues clash due to having fluid on his knee, although it is not claimed whether or not the issue relates to the career-saving surgery he underwent in December.

Cresswell is due to be absent as a result of the hamstring injury he sustained early in the second half of his side’s 3-2 win at home to Leicester City earlier this month, but is touted for a return away to Burnley on May 1st.

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Moyes will surely be very concerned by the prospect of facing Chelsea without Cresswell or Masuaku, who have opened 16 and 11 of West Ham’s 32 Premier League fixtures at left-back or left-wing-back this term.

Johnson performed promisingly as the stand-in at Newcastle and proved to be Moyes’ real positive of the day, despite falling to a 3-2 defeat when Joe Willock outleaped the 21-year-old to head home the Magpies’ winning effort.

The Irons product made a joint game-high three successful tackles with Tomas Soucek and the Toon’s Federico Fernandez at St. James’ Park, and proved to be his side’s most creative option with three key passes – only Allan Saint-Maximin (5) offered more, per WhoScored.

But his role in Willock’s goal will have raised some concerns over Johnson’s readiness to thwart a Champions League-chasing opponent, especially one in Chelsea who strike 16% of their shots from the right-wing for the Premier League’s second-most to Leicester (18%).

Former Sheffield United midfielder Michael Brown was also highly critical of Johnson’s efforts in the other direction against Manchester United last month in what was his previous start, telling BBC Radio 5 Live:

“Moyes has told him regularly now: ‘go on, push on, be that outlet out wide at the top of the pitch’. I think he is frightened to do it. We will see how long that lasts because Moyes has told him to do it three times now.”

With Cresswell also West Ham’s lead assister maker with seven and creator with an average of 1.4 key passes per Premier League game this term, Moyes may need Johnson playing on the front foot against Chelsea – it just remains to be seen if he can do to the Blues what he did at Newcastle.

AND in other news, West Ham have eyes on a “very aggressive” £75,000-per-week colossus facing an uncertain future…

MatériaMais Notícias

O Fluminense vai ao Couto Pereira neste domingo em busca dos três pontos, mas Levir Culpi & Cia. não esperam qualquer tipo de facilidade no duelo com o Coritiba, às 18h30, válido pela 32ª rodada do Brasileirão. Tanto para o técnico quanto para o elenco, a posição do rival na tabela, brigando contra o rebaixamento, não indica que o Flu terá uma missão fácil no Alto da Glória.

Apesar das três derrotas consecutivas, Levir Culpi tem insistido que a equipe vem tendo um bom rendimento em campo, o qual não está sendo acompanhado pelo resultado. Assim, o técnico não quer uma mudança de postura em relação aos últimos jogos, basta aproveitar as chances no duelo.

– O que deve mudar é o resultado. Quem que não corre no time? Tem alguém que não dê sangue? Isso não existe. Os jogadores se esforçam. Temos de respeitar o adversário. Não existe só o Flu. Perdemos três vezes. Para ter resultado, precisamos de atitude e aproveitar as chances – afirmou Levir..

Para Giovanni, é importante que o Fluminense entre em campo com a mesma entrega do que o adversário, que contará com o apoio da torcida coxa-branca. O lateral-esquerdo afirma que o elenco do Fluminense está tão motivado quanto o do Coritiba, que luta contra o rebaixamento.

– A gente não pode perder em vontade. Sei que há pressão enorme a quem luta contra a queda. Mas nós brigamos por vaga na Libertadores. Então, temos de igualar. As derrotas serviram de alerta para a gente não repetir os erros – disse o camisa 6.

Sem pistas nos treinos
​
A semana livre de jogos serviu para Levir Culpi treinar bastante a equipe tricolor, mas as atividades não indicaram qual equipe o treinador optará por colocar em campo. Ontem, nas Laranjeiras, Pierre participou do rachão e está à disposição do técnico. No entanto, como o camisa 5 teve problemas físicos nos últimos dias, Douglas pode herdar a vaga no meio-campo do Fluminense.

O lateral-esquerdo Giovanni será mantido no lugar do titular William Matheus, que não se recuperou de lesão muscular. No ataque, a tendência é de que Levir volte a escalar Scarpa, Wellington e Richarlison, apesar do rendimento ruim nas últimas rodadas: foram só três gols nos últimas três partidas.

A manutenção do trio de ataque também se dá pela falta de opção. Não há um jogador reserva pedindo passagem para entrar na equipe titular do Tricolor.

Charlton Athletic moved to within two points of the playoff zone with their resolute win over fellow promotion hopefuls Doncaster Rovers on Good Friday, but there has been a serious lack of foresight that could cost them dearly past the current campaign.

It is true that the Addicks still do not know which division they’ll be competing in next season.

Whilst automatic promotion seems out of reach, they could well repeat their 2019 exploits and return to the Championship via the playoff final, should they get there. And then there’s a chance they miss out entirely and are condemned to another season in the third tier.

Either way, the newly-appointed Nigel Adkins needs bodies tied down for next season, but as it stands, no fewer than eight first-team players are out of contract this summer and six loanees should be set to depart, too.

One of those Valley stars is current club captain Jason Pearce. It seems farcical that someone of his calibre is being allowed to run down his contract – after all, he’s still kept the armband under the former Southampton hero.

The 33-year-old veteran is a key cog in this Charlton side, having featured 20 times in the league, in which he’s started their last seven matches. It’s not a coincidence that the Addicks have been unbeaten in that time either.

Pearce is consistent in the heart of defence, bringing home a 6.70 average WhoScored rating for 2020/21. This is above 11-goal frontman Conor Washington (6.69), and fellow stalwarts Chris Gunter (6.54) and Darren Pratley (6.51).

Evidently, he still has a lot to give, irrespective of whether it’s Championship or League One football next season. He’s played for the club in both divisions, racking up a total of 141 appearances – further proving just how big a player he has been for the southeast Londoners.

He’s more than just an impact on the pitch, too. Ex-manager Lee Bowyer waxed lyrical about his leadership to the club’s official website in 2018, he said: “You couldn’t have asked for a better player to look up to than Jason Pearce on Tuesday night because he is a leader and he will put his body on the line for you.”

Sentiments echoed by Ryan Inniss, who himself has missed large parts of the season through injury but dubbed his central defensive counterpart “brilliant.”

Similarly, following the win over Rovers, journalist Benjy Nurick claimed Pearce has “become one of the squad’s most important players again.”

This is the sort of figure that Adkins will need to keep around this summer, so letting him run down his £5.1k-per-week contract is certainly on the verge of being one massive disaster – and that falls into the hands of Steve Gallen, who should have offered him fresh terms by now.

AND in other news, Forget Maatsen: THIS Addicks star stole the show on Good Friday…