Barcelona and Nike are reportedly planning a collaboration that will see tribute paid to NBA legend Kobe Bryant in the club's 'Mamba Collection'.
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Lucrative deal agreed with Nike
PSG have delivered 'Air Jordan' collection
Catalan giants to pay homage to icon
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The Catalan giants have, following the odd dispute, entered into a 10-year partnership with sportswear giants Nike that is said to be worth €1.7 billion (£1.4bn/$1.8bn). As part of that deal, a special range of Kobe-inspired merchandise will be launched – including sweatpants, jackets and caps.
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THE GOSSIP
Barca will also be delivering a special away kit for the 2025-26 campaign that features the iconic ‘Black Mamba’ logo. Said shirt will, according to , be ochre in colour and feature purple detailing – in a nod to the LA Lakers jersey that Bryant wore with such distinction.
DID YOU KNOW?
Tributes are being paid to basketball icon Bryant, who passed away in January 2020, as he often expressed support for the Blaugrana. He visited training sessions and games when Barca were in the United States, allowing him to rub shoulders with the likes of Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi.
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WHAT NEXT?
Barcelona’s 'Mamba Collection' is similar to that produced by Paris Saint-Germain as part of their partnership with Nike – with the 'Air Jordan' logo having featured on several of the French club’s kits since 2017.
Chelsea have held initial talks over signing a £120,000-per-week striker after Barcelona starlet Marc Guiu, with Todd Boehly and co expected to make further attacking additions.
Chelsea set to sign Marc Guiu from Barcelona
The west Londoners are set to seal a deal for Guiu, as reported by multiple reliable media sources.
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The Blues have reached an agreement in principle to trigger Guiu's modest release clause of £5 million, with BBC Sport journalist Nizaar Kinsella claiming that the 18-year-old is a signing for the first team and not for the future.
However, even with the Spanish starlet looking set to make a move to Stamford Bridge, Chelsea will continue their hunt for a new star striker after Guiu. The teenage attacker is regarded as great value for money, and after a week of talks with his agency, Chelsea are now ready to schedule a medical for Guiu in London.
Chelsea's top scorers in all competitions last season
Goals
Cole Palmer
25
Nicolas Jackson
17
Raheem Sterling
10
Noni Madueke
8
Conor Gallagher
7
“He is a pure centre-forward. A classic (number) nine. A specialist in the area who lives by his physical power,” said Ivan Carrasco, Guiu’s former Barcelona youth coach.
“His best virtue is his aerial play. Marc is also very quick and powerful, he is unstoppable with space. He is not a striker who can drop to the flanks or stands out for his combination play. But he is aware of his strengths and limitations and knows how to focus on his strengths and hide his flaws.
“Another of his virtues is his great ability to fight for every ball and press like an animal. Defenders are not comfortable with such a hard-working striker profile.”
While he brings plenty of promise, especially after his stunning debut against Athletic Bilbao last season, you can make a stern case that new head coach Enzo Maresca needs a proven new frontman with top-level experience to lead his line.
Chelsea were heavily reliant on the likes of Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson for their output last season, and you could argue that a prolific centre-forward is one of the final missing pieces of their jigsaw, even if Maresca wants to make Palmer his Chelsea focal point.
Newcastle United star Alexander Isak could be a fantastic potential move in this regard, but the Swede may well be very difficult to prise away from St. James' Park and would come at a premium.
Chelsea hold initial talks over signing Alexander Isak
As per The Mail, that hasn't stopped Boehly and co from testing the waters.
According to their information, Chelsea have had "conversations" with Newcastle over signing Isak – making contact with the Magpies as they gauge the forward's availability.
As expected, the 24-year-old won't come cheap, with The Mail even claiming that Chelsea may have to stump up a larger fee than the British-record £115 million they paid for midfielder Moises Caicedo.
It is unclear whether Chelsea are willing to go that high to do a deal for the £120,000-per-week ace, who scored 25 goals in all competitions for Eddie Howe's side last season.
“It’s just about trying to speak to the right people around you,” Curran says of life in the bubble
Matt Roller31-Oct-2020
“I’m sure there are going to be players in the near future who need a break. There are opportunities you don’t want to give away,” says Sam Curran•BCCI
England allrounder Sam Curran expects some players to opt out of national selection “in the near future”, as the strain of life in a series of bio-secure bubbles begins to take its toll.England will name their squads to tour South Africa for two limited-overs series next week, with players scheduled to fly out on November 16 ahead of three T20Is and three ODIs. For Curran – who will return to the UK after the Chennai Super Kings’ final group game of the IPL in Abu Dhabi on Sunday – and the rest of England’s IPL contingent, that means only a short break at home if they are selected for the tour.His international team-mate Jofra Archer has spent more days in bubbles than any other England player since June, but Curran is not far behind. He left the squad ahead of the final Test of the summer against Pakistan to play for Surrey in the Bob Willis Trophy, but was one of four players from the red-ball bubble – along with Archer, Jos Buttler and Mark Wood – to be picked for both the T20I and the ODI squads against Australia in September.Archer, Buttler and Curran then flew to the UAE immediately after that series, where they have been living in bio-secure conditions for the last two months. Archer admitted this week that he was counting down the days until he could leave the UAE, while Ashley Giles, the ECB’s director of men’s cricket, and Eoin Morgan, England’s limited-overs captain, have both spoken of the importance of protecting players’ mental health in recent weeks.”It is very tricky,” Curran told Sky’s , “but we’re in a very fortunate situation, playing the game we love, going out there and trying to entertain people at home – there’s a lot of people in tough situations. It can be tough – if you’re in all three formats, you’re obviously travelling into different bubbles, not being able to spend time with family, loved ones things like that.”I know speaking to the other England players that it is tricky. You look at the tours coming up and there’s going to be a big schedule for all-format players. Some guys, I’m sure, will have to pull out at different stages. Some guys react to it differently: there are days when you’re struggling, and days when you feel like you’re coping OK.”We’ve just got to keep trying to enjoy it: it can be tough at times, and it’s just about trying to speak to the right people around you, and trying not to get too down on the down days, because there can be quite a few.”ALSO READ: Mark Wood was close to saying ‘I’ve had enough’ over ankle injury issuesWhile England have always maintained that players opting not to be considered for a tour will not have their decisions held against them, Curran admitted that there remained some anxiety about the idea of giving someone else a chance to take your spot. That is particularly pertinent in Curran’s case: while he holds a red-ball central contract, he is not currently guaranteed of his place across any of the three formats.”I think you’ve got to keep trying to suck it up as long as you can,” he said. “I’m sure there are going to be players in the near future who need a break. There are opportunities you don’t want to give away – someone might come in and take your spot. There is a fine line, trying to balance that out and making sure you mind and your mental health is in the right place.”Curran has been one of the few Super Kings players to enhance their reputation in this season’s IPL, which is the first time they have taken part in a season but failed to reach the playoffs. He is their leading wicket-taker, with 13 scalps and an economy rate of 8.22, having also also chipped in with 186 runs at a strike rate of 131.91.Out of those, 53 runs came as a pinch-hitting opener across three innings, and while he has since shifted back down the order, Curran said that he had been told by his captain MS Dhoni to express himself in the way that Sunil Narine has done for the Kolkata Knight Riders in previous seasons.”It came about because in our first couple of games we were quite slow out [of] the blocks in terms of our powerplay,” Curran said. “You’ve seen KKR have sometimes done it with Narine, sending him out there with no fear of getting out. It is probably the best place to bat: you look at the England side, and all the guys want to bat up top. MS said to express myself and not try too hard.”MS has sent a clear message to us about taking these last few games because we can definitely spoil a few other teams’ chances of qualifying. You’ve seen the young guy Ruturaj Gaikwad come in for the last few games and get some amazing fifties. Now that we’re out of the tournament, Chennai have sent quite a clear message about giving the youngsters an opportunity, and so far the guys that have come in have done really well.”
اختتمت أمس منافسات كرة القدم الفرنسية بشكل عام لعام 2024، بآخر مباريات كأس فرنسا، بفوز باريس سان جيرمان بركلات الترجيح على لانس في الدور 64.
وفاز رافائيل فاران بكل شيء مع ريال مدريد، ولكن هذا لم يمنعه أن يساند فريقه القديم في مواجهة باريس سان جيرمان ببطولة كأس فرنسا.
طالع أيضًا.. قبل مباراة ريال مدريد.. فالنسيا يقيل مدربه رسميًا لسوء النتائج
رافائيل فاران الذي ولد في مدينة ليل الفرنسية، بدأ للعب مع لانس في سن السابعة عشر وبعد تألقه بموسم واحد فقط، انضم إلى ريال مدريد وقضى سنوات ناجحة مع النادي الملكي.
وفي مواجهة لانس أمام باريس سان جيرمان أمس، تواجد رافائيل فاران في المدرجات لمؤازرة فريقه والاستمتاع بالمباراة دون أن يتعرف عليه أحد.
ارتدى اللاعب الفرنسي وشاح لانس، ولم ينتبه أحد لتواجده في مدرجات ملعب بوليرت ديليس، حيث كان متخفيًا.
أمضى فاران عقدًا من الزمن في العاصمة الإسبانية، وفاز بالدوري الإسباني 3 مرات ودوري أبطال أوروبا في 4 مناسبات، إلى جانب مجموعة من الجوائز الأخرى مثل مونديال الأندية وكأس ملك إسبانيا والسوبر الإسباني والسوبر الأوروبي، بالإضافة لكأس العالم مع منتخب فرنسا.
فاران اعتزل كرة القدم في وقت سابق من هذا العام، بعد أن فشل في الظهور مع فريق كومو الذي انضم له في الصيف بعد نهاية عقده مع مانشستر يونايتد، وذلك بسبب الإصابة التي أجبرته على تعليق حذائه في سن الـ31 عامًا.
Tom Smith five-for seals visitors’ 57-run victory at Edgbaston
ECB Reporters Network02-Sep-2020Gloucestershire brushed Birmingham Bears aside by 57 runs in a truncated Central Group thrash in the Vitality Blast at Edgbaston.In a game shortened to 12 overs per side by rain, Gloucestershire piled up 157 for 3 thanks principally to Ian Cockbain’s explosive unbeaten 84 from just 35 balls, including six fours and seven sixes.A second-wicket stand of 89 in 40 balls from Cockbain and Miles Hammond, who struck 41 off 23 balls, ensured the Bears would be facing a hefty target.The mighty scoreboard pressure then told on the home side as they mustered only 100 all out in reply with left-arm spinner Tom Smith taking a career-best 5 for 16. Birmingham lost their last nine wickets for 45 runs in 42 balls.After Gloucestershire were put in, Dan Mousley, making his T20 debut, bowled Chris Dent with his fourth ball, but Hammond and Cockbain hit freely. They took their side to 42 from four overs and then smashed 22 from the fifth as Cockbain welcomed Tim Bresnan into the attack with a four followed by three successive sixes, over mid wicket, long off and extra cover.Two more successive sixes, flat-batted over long off, then hoisted over cover, off Olly Stone, took the former Lancashire player to 50 from 19 balls.Hammond’s impressive support role ended when he lifted Henry Brookes to point but Gloucestershire’s momentum remained high, with only two of the 12 overs costing fewer than ten runs. Cockbain charged on, chanced his arm, usually connecting sweetly and earning the luck that saw one or two edges speed away to the boundary.Birmingham omitted Ian Bell from the side to make room for a hitter in the shortened contest, but they took just three runs from the first over from Graeme van Buuren.Ed Pollock got the Bears going with two sixes in the next over from David Payne but perished in the next when he missed an attempted big hit at van Buuren and was bowled.Adam Hose and Sam Hain took the Bears to a reasonably promising 55 for 1 but the innings was then sent into freefall by three wickets in an over. Smith had Hose stumped and Hain superbly caught at long on by a diving Cockbain, then Will Rhodes was run out after responding to a misjudged call for a single by Michael Burgess.Burgess was bowled by Ryan Higgins in the next over and then Smith ended Mousley’s debut knock at just three in five balls. The 33-year-old had his third five-for in T20 cricket after Bresnan and Stone sent up catces. That was 83 for 8 and by now the Bears were flailing wildly in the wilderness while Gloucestershire were home and hosed.The day’s other three fixtures; Lancashire v Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire v Durham and Yorkshire v Leicestershire, were all abandoned due to bad weather without a ball being bowled.
Wolverhampton Wanderers suffered yet another Premier League defeat in midweek, this time to AFC Bournemouth, as the Old Gold’s chances of finishing in the top half took another major hit.
While Gary O’Neil’s debut campaign in charge of the Molineux side has largely been positive, the previous few weeks have seen an injury crisis derail their progress.
Players such as Pedro Neto, Hwang Hee-Chan, Matheus Cunha, and Craig Dawson have been in superb form throughout the 2023/24 season, yet they have all suffered injuries just when Wolves were banging on the door of a top-half finish.
Wolves forward Pedro Neto in Premier League action.
It proves that O’Neil has a real lack of squad depth at his disposal and he will certainly be hoping to bring in a few players during the summer transfer window.
Much will depend on how big his budget will be, however, as the Old Gold seek to comply with financial fair play rules, which suggest the manager might need to sell a few players in order to balance the books.
With regard to future incomings, it appears he is showing interest in a current South Korean international who knows Hwang fairly well…
Wolves transfer news
According to reports in Serbia earlier this week (via Birmingham World), Wolves are reportedly showing interest in Red Star Belgrade midfielder Hwang In-beom as they look to strengthen their squad this summer.
Indeed, both Wolves and fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace sent scouts to watch over the player during Red Star’s Serbia Cup semifinal win over Partizan Belgrade, with the South Korean star playing the entire match during their victory.
In-Beom Hwang
The centre of midfield is certainly an area which could do with some reinforcements ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
The 27-year-old has only been in Serbia for a year, moving to Red Star from Olympiacos last summer, but it appears his performances have caught the eye in recent months, especially as Wolves sent representatives to watch his display.
With Hwang enjoying his finest season in terms of goals scored at Wolves this season, could signing his compatriot take his game to a new level next season?
Hwang Hee-Chan’s statistics for Wolves this season
The centre-forward initially joined the club on loan in the summer of 2021, before signing permanently just six months later.
Across his first two full seasons, Hwang scored five and four goals respectively, struggling to make an impact in the team as the club failed to build on Nuno Espírito Santo's success under new manager Bruno Lage.
This season has been a different story for the South Korean, finally emerging as a main goal-scoring threat under the leadership of O’Neil.
Not only has he scored ten Premier League goals in 25 games, but the 28-year-old currently ranks highly among the rest of his teammates with regard to various performance metrics.
In terms of goals and assists in the top flight, Hwang ranks second in the squad with 13, while he also ranks fourth for shots on target per game (0.6), big chances created (four) and fifth for successful dribbles per game (1.4) which demonstrates how important he has been to their cause this term.
O’Neil has deployed the former RB Leipzig gem across the front three this season, while he has even dropped deep into an attacking midfield role at times, depending on the formation the manager uses.
This could see him link up well with his compatriot should he make a move to the Midlands in the summer, as their chemistry will already be established heading into the new season.
Hwang In-beom’s statistics this season
The 27-year-old has shown his positional versatility this term, either playing as a defensive, central, or attacking midfielder for the Serbia side, contributing five goals and five assists across 30 appearances.
This suggests he has plenty of attacking traits which could prove useful for Wolves as he tends to burst forward from the heart of the midfield on a regular basis.
Hwang In-Beom's stats for Red Star in the Serbia top flight this season
Goals
4
Assists
4
Accurate passes per game
42.3
Big chances created
8
Key passes per game
2.2
Via Sofascore
The former Olympiacos dynamo currently ranks second among his teammates for overall Sofascore rating (7.64) in the Serbia top flight, along with ranking fourth for big chances created (eight), fifth for accurate passes per game (42.3), second for key passes per game (2.2) and fifth for tackles each match (1.5), showing a real desire to help out either when his side has the ball and are attacking, or if they are defending.
Slotting just behind Hwang, the current Red Star midfield general could create plenty of chances for him while offering support in the final third. Across the whole Wolves’ midfield this season, only Mario Lemina has scored more than twice, indicating a need for a player who can assist the front three when the Old Gold are attacking.
The Red Star player isn’t just shining in his current squad either. When compared to his positional peers in the men’s next 14 competitions, Hwang currently ranks in the top 3% for shot-creating actions (4.75), the top 4% for total shots (2.21), the top 13% for non-penalty goals (0.17) and in the top 7% for tackles (3.23) per 90, proving he is among the best in his position for these metrics.
The midfielder has plenty of experience starring at the highest level, representing South Korea at the 2022 World Cup, where journalist Konstantinos Lianos dubbed him a “top, top player” as the Asian nation made the knockout stages for only the third time in their history.
He started all four games in Qatar and showed plenty of willingness to get on the ball and make things happen, evidenced by the fact he averaged 70 touches per game while succeeding with 80% of his passes each match.
There is no doubt the South Korean midfielder would improve the current Wolves' midfield setup. The main question is, will they be able to afford him?
He has a contract at Red Star until 2026, which suggests they will have to pay a sizeable fee – especially considering his performances this season – to secure his signature.
Wolves could sign their own Romelu Lukaku in "unique" marksman
Wolves could be eyeing up a move for a current Premier League striker…
It’s safe to say boss Sean Dyche has worked miracles at Everton this season, transforming the club into a solid defensive unit and securing Premier League survival.
The Toffees have enjoyed a brilliant end to the campaign, winning four of the last five games, drawing the other, in a run that has seen Dyche’s side concede just a singular goal against Luton Town.
Everton have succeeded on a foundation of being solid at the back and winning games by one goal – a feat that has happened in six of their 13 Premier League wins this season.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates against Liverpool
The Toffees have only conceded 1.3 goals per game this campaign, the best record in the bottom half of the table – a stat that has boosted the club’s league position astronomically.
However, the club have struggled in front of goal, scoring just 1.05 goals per match, with one player in particular struggling to add any creativity in the final third.
Jack Harrison’s stats at Everton in 2023/24
Winger Jack Harrison was brought in on loan to bolster Everton’s forward line ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, following Leeds United’s relegation to the Championship.
Following a season that saw him score five and assist seven in the Premier League, there were high expectations for the attacker to thrive at Goodison, but he’s failed to deliver.
In his 29 appearances for the Toffees, Harrison has only managed three goals and three assists, half the tally he managed at Leeds, with the 27-year-old outscored by the majority of the club’s other attacking options.
Everton senior attacker's PL stats 23/24
Statistics
Harrison
DCL
Beto
McNeil
Games
29
31
29
34
Goals
3
7
3
3
Assists
3
2
0
6
G+A per 90
0.2
0.3
0.1
0.3
Stats via Transfermarkt
His best performance undoubtedly came in the 3-0 win against Bournemouth back in October, with a third of his goal contributions throughout the entire campaign coming in that one match.
Harrison has only managed one goal contribution in 2024, with his last goal coming in the 2-2 draw against Tottenham back in February, going 12 matches without any goals or assists – having now also been ruled out of the club's final game of the season through injury.
With the winger only at Goodison Park on a temporary basis, the club confirmed that he wouldn't be staying ahead of the 2024/25 campaign – for now, at least – with the Toffees able to save a huge chunk on their wage bill next season.
How much Jack Harrison earns at Everton
According to Capology, the loanee earns a reported £90k-per-week, making him the club’s fifth-highest earner on Merseyside.
Over the course of his one-year loan, he will have pocketed £4.6m, a total that will have seen Dyche’s side fork out £766k per goal contribution during his time in Everton colours.
Everton's loan forward Jack Harrison.
His weekly wage of £90k sees him earn more than James Garner and Jarrad Branthwaite, with the pair earning £30k and £35k-per-week respectively – a total of £65k, which is still £25k-per-week less than Harrison.
The young duo – who are just 23 and 21, respectively – could well have long-term futures at Goodison, if the club can fend off any lurking suitors, yet for Harrison, his time at the club is coming to an end.
It’s a real shame for both parties that the move hasn’t been a success, but the club will be relieved that the deal is coming to an end in June, with Dyche able to reinvest the wages saved over the summer.
Dyche could send Coleman packing by unleashing Everton's teen sensation
The 35-year-old is out of contract at the end of the campaign.
Everton have excelled in recent weeks under boss Sean Dyche, securing Premier League survival after three successive victories against Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Brentford.
Idrissa Gueye has starred in midfield, even finding himself on the scoresheet in two of the victories against Forest and Brentford – securing vital points in their battle for survival.
The Toffees have had their setbacks this campaign, suffering an eight-point deduction after multiple breaches of the Premier League's PSR rules – putting their ever-present Premier League status at risk.
However, Dyche has transformed his side's fortunes in recent weeks, looking to build a stable platform ahead of the 2024/25 season, with the club aiming to consolidate as a mid-table side.
One player deserves to be a crucial figure within the Toffees squad next season, with his excellent recent form seeing a sharp increase in his market value.
Dwight McNeil's stats in 2023/24
After joining the club for £20m from Burnley during the summer of 2022, midfielder Dwight McNeil endured a solid first campaign at Goodison Park, scoring seven times and providing three assists for his teammates – as the club narrowly avoided relegation.
However, whilst he's scored fewer goals this season, just three in total, his all-round play has been much improved – with McNeil's stats backing up his development.
The 24-year-old has provided six assists in the Premier League this season, the most of any player within Dyche's squad, with the winger making up for his lack of goals with his other contributions.
However, out of his three goals this season, two of them have come against Forest, with McNeil producing consistently against sides in and around the Toffees in the table.
His brilliant performances have seen the attacker achieve an average rating of 7.18, as per FotMob, the highest of any player in the Everton squad this season.
McNeil's excellent campaign doesn't stop there, with the former Burnley man creating 65 chances and 17 big chances, in the league – tallies that simply can't be matched by any of his teammates.
McNeil's stats at Everton in 23/24
Statistics
Tally
Ranking (squad)
Average rating
7.18
1st
Assists
6
1st
Chances created
65
1st
Big chances created
17
1st
Successful dribbles (per 90)
1
3rd
Stats via FotMob
As previously mentioned, his excellent displays have allowed for the winger's value to skyrocket, to the point where he's now valued more than one Everton talent who's been linked with a huge move this summer.
Dwight McNeil's market value in 2024
Less than two years on from his move to Merseyside, the "fantastic" McNeil, as described by journalist Zach Lowy, has seen an increase in his market value, with the 24-year-old now valued at £31m, as per Football Transfers.
His figure, which is £11m more than the club paid for him, is also two times higher than Amadou Onana, who joined the club for a fee of around £33m during the same summer as McNeil.
The young Belgian is now only valued at £15m after failing to truly kick on over the last two years or so, while McNeil has firmly established himself as a key figure at Goodison.
Everton midfielder Amadou Onana.
The latter man has been superb in what has been a difficult season for the Toffees, proving in recent weeks that he has the ability to be a crucial part of the club going forward.
With the wideman only being 24, he has the potential to grow into a sensational talent and increase his market value further, subsequently making the club a huge profit on their £20m investment.
Everton could hit jackpot by selling "complete" star for 6,900% profit
The Toffees titan has been linked with a move away from Goodison this summer.
Two Premier League clubs reportedly asked loan transfer questions of Real Madrid after seeing them acquire Brazilian wonderkid Endrick.
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Forward moved to Spain after turning 18Considered to be a hot prospectFaces fierce competition for placesWHAT HAPPENED?
The highly-rated forward agreed a move to Santiago Bernabeu in 2022, but only completed that switch after he turned 18 in the summer of 2024. He is considered to be the hottest of prospects and has already been likened to iconic countryman Pele.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Madrid intend to be the ones to benefit from Endrick’s undoubted potential, but they have also acquired World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe and already have the likes of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham on their books.
DID YOU KNOW?
With that in mind, claims that two sides from England enquired as to the potential availability of Endrick and a short-term deal for the 2024-25 campaign. Those approaches are said to have been knocked back as Carlo Ancelotti intends to give the youngster plenty of game time this season.
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Getty ImgesWHAT NEXT?
Endrick, who already has 10 senior caps and three goals for his country, has figured for Madrid during pre-season while Mbappe was granted an extended break. He will face fierce competition for places in the Spanish capital, but could be a useful impact option off the bench for the current holders of La Liga and Champions League crowns.
Jos Buttler has admitted he is “not quite performing to the standards” he would like with the bat in Test cricket.Butter is averaging just 23.14 since the start of the Ashes – a period of 14 innings in seven Tests – with one half-century (70 against Australia at The Oval). His average since he was recalled to the Test team in May 2018 is now 34.10, while his overall Test average, after 38 Tests, is 33. He has made just one century.ALSO READ: Pope fit and raring to make Test spot his ownNow Buttler concedes he is still “trying to work out” a way to play Test cricket with the natural aggression that has rendered him one of the world’s most dangerous limited-overs batsmen. And he has resolved to be “a bit more positive” in the future if the situation allows.”I feel like I’m not quite performing to the standards I need to,” Buttler said. “I’m trying to improve that and affect games in positive ways for England.”Since I’ve come back into Test cricket I’ve tried to trust my defence for longer periods of time. I’ve been able to do that on occasions. But [playing my natural game] is certainly something I’m trying to work out.”You can do a lot of work in the nets but I’m spending a lot of time thinking about the game when I’m sat in my room or trying to visualise things or work through them in my head. Moving forward I’ve got to play the situation, but I will try to be a bit more positive.”He doesn’t have to look too far for an example. For while Buttler made 12 off 39 balls in the first innings in Centurion, failing to marshal much resistance from the tail, his South Africa counterpart Quinton de Kock thumped 95 from 128 balls in the first innings and 34 from 37 in the second, to speed the game away from England.”Quinton played a really good knock and put pressure back on the bowlers,” Buttler said. “He tried to take the initiative and, watching that from behind the stumps, it resonated with me.”When you’re batting with the tail, you try to sum up situations and work out how best you can score. You work out your risk management.: what is too much risk; what is trying to push the game on.”Looking ahead to this Test, I want to look to be a bit busier and try to look a bit more on the positive side.”Jos Buttler has endured a tough run in Test cricket•Getty Images
While some have suggested Buttler would benefit from a position higher up the batting order to allow him time to build an innings, the England management believe that batting him at No. 7 allows him the freedom to play his familiar, aggressive game in the knowledge that he has limited before the lower-order are dismissed.He has batted everywhere from No. 5 (eight times) to No. 8 (twice) since his return to the Test side (he has batted 13 times at No. 6 and 15 times at No. 7) with little obvious change in strike rate or average. Overall, he averages slightly more at No. 7 (33.15, with a strike-rate of 56.77) than No. 5 (28.62; strike-rate of 53.62) with No. 6 (average 39.69; strike-rate 63.15) his best position.”It’s obviously nicer to be 300 for 5 than 100 for 5,” he said. “But you turn up and try to play the situation.”With Jonny Bairstow – who averaged just 18 in 2019 – also having lost form, there is not the pressure on Buttler’s position from within the squad that there might be. But Ben Foakes, who averages 41.50 from his five Tests and is, in the eyes of many, the best wicketkeeper available to England, in the background, Buttler will know neither he or his team can afford a sustained fallow period.