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Chelsea have placed Anatoliy Trubin on their transfer radar this summer, according to a report from reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Who is Anatoliy Trubin?

The 21-year-old currently plays in goal for Shakhtar Donetsk, where he has spent the entirety of his career to date. He was given his first ever league outing with the side back when he was just 16-years-old, and he has since gone on to establish himself as their undisputed number one. In the 2022/23 season, he managed the biggest stretch of league games with the side to date, featuring on 28 occasions as the club won his second league title.

It's led to him also being given minutes for his country on the international stage too. He was handed his Ukraine debut back in 2021 and has gone on to feature seven times for them, having also played for their youth teams.

Now, his performances appear to have caught the eye of Premier League side Chelsea. According to a report from reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano, Mauricio Pochettino wants to try and strengthen their goalkeeping department and whilst they aren't entirely sure of a need to buy a first-choice shot-stopper, it's clear they want to at least bring in an alternative to provide competition for that spot.

One of the names on their transfer wishlist on that area is the 6 foot 6 giant Trubin, although Blues chiefs have yet to make an official bid for his signature.

What is Trubin's transfer value?

It's unclear exactly how much Trubin would cost the Blues if they did want to launch an official bid for the player. Romano doesn't mention a price tag for the goalkeeper, but Transfermarkt suggest that his value could be around the 22 million Euros mark (or about £19m). It isn't an extortionate amount of money for a young and promising player, but it is still a fairly steep price to pay for a player yet to test himself outside of Ukranian football.

He's already highly regarded despite his age though, and that could be why Chelsea are keen to do business for the player. At just 21-years-old, football talent scout Jacek Kulig has already called him a "hero" for his performances with Shakhtar Donetsk and highlighted how impressive he had been statistically in a recent fixture against Rennes.

Trubin then can already do a job at a decent level and given the right coaching, he could eventually emerge as an undisputed number one – and the Blues seem to want it to be with them too.

Durham have confirmed the signing of South African batsmen Stephen Cook for the first half of the 2017 season

David Hopps23-Jan-2017Durham have confirmed the signing of South Africa batsmen Stephen Cook for the first half of the 2017 season.Cook will sign as an overseas player, much to the relief of CSA as it contends with an influx of players into county cricket on Kolpak registrations, so ending their international careers, at least for the foreseeable future.Kyle Abbott (Hampshire), Hardus Viljoen (Derbyshire), Simon Harmer (Essex), Rilee Rossouw (Hampshire) and David Wiese and Stiaan van Zyl (Sussex) have all signed Kolpak deals, although last week Dean Elgar shunned the opportunity when he was confirmed on an overseas player deal with Somerset.For Cook to resist the lure of a Kolpak deal at the ripe old age of 34 – precisely when it is deemed most attractive – is particularly striking. Forced to wait until late in his career for a chance at international level, he is in no mood to concede it.Durham always pursued the overseas player route with Cook. Even if they had proposed a Kolpak option, which they did not, it is questionable whether the ECB would have allowed it. Since Durham were saved from administration by re-forming as a community interest club, with the ECB agreeing a £3.8m rescue package, the county can expect to be monitored closely by the central body for what is viewed as acceptable behaviour.As well as Championship matches for Durham, who were relegated to Division Two with a 48-point penalty, Cook will also play in the Royal London One-Day Cup before joining South Africa’s Test squad for the four-match series against England later in the summer.With two heavy top-order run-makers, Mark Stoneman and Scott Borthwick, moving to Surrey, and Calum MacLeod and the long-serving fringe batsman Gordon Muchall also released, Durham will be desperate for Cook to provide ballast as an opener.Cook burst on to the international scene and scored a century in his first Test innings against England last January, the last Test player to achieve the feat before his new Durham team-mate Keaton Jennings. He has already chalked up two further hundreds in a nine-match Test career, at an average of 41.Jon Lewis, Durham’s head coach, said: “We have been looking to add quality to the squad but also the right character to fit into the dressing room, and we have found someone who has both of those assets in Steve.”Our conversations have been very promising and he comes to us with a fine reputation, built not only through his short international career so far but throughout an excellent first-class record over many years in South Africa and we are looking forward to welcoming him into the changing room.”

Leeds United have a tough task on their hands to gain an instant return to the Premier League, but with the right guidance, it could be one made relatively straightforward.

For two years now, the Whites have seemingly lost their identity, with Marcelo Bielsa's stubborn tactics leaving the hierarchy unsure as to how they move on from such a legendary figure in their recent history. They had quite clearly gone 'all-in' on the 67-year-old, which made his dismissal even more heart-wrenching.

Jesse Marsch followed, and it was his tenure that arguably doomed the West Yorkshire outfit to their relegation, which neither Javi Gracia nor Sam Allardyce could halt.

Appointing the right boss this summer is integral in ensuring their Championship stay is a short one, and doing it soon could be key to convincing their key assets to remain at Elland Road.

If fans are not too desperate to see Brenden Aaronson stick around, should his potential is unleashed, he could have a huge hand in returning them back to the top flight.

Of the various managers touted for their dugout vacancy, the United States international would surely prefer Daniel Farke to get the job given their philosophical alignment with regard to how football should be played.

Will Brenden Aaronson stay at Leeds United?

The 22-year-old was brought up on the heavy-metal football associated with the Red Bull system, having been brought over by Marsch to spearhead his midfield.

However, with just one goal and three assists in the league last term, this has been a wholly failed experiment.

Should the 49ers seek to appoint the former Norwich City man, perhaps he would have a few tricks up his sleeve to unearth the potential of this high-octane maestro, who had notched 16 goal contributions across all competitions in his final year in Austria.

Whilst he is sure to implement a high-pressing system, Farke could also accommodate the youngster by harking back to his work with Emiliano Buendia, given how he transformed this diminutive Argentinian dynamo into one of the Championship's top performers – now a solid Premier League asset.

During his second promotion with the Canaries, the success of the 46-year-old boss was buoyed by the emergence of the current Aston Villa man, who shone from his right flank.

In scoring 15 times and assisting a further 17 in the league, he was the deserving recipient of the Championship's Player of the Year award, despite standing at just 5 foot 8.

Given Aaronson has been called a "lightweight" by pundit Jon Newsome when talking to BBC Radio Leeds, he too could be toughened up by this new regime, perhaps by being allowed to star from the left flank and drift onto his right foot as a mirror image of the 26-year-old.

After all, he does boast that same silkiness and tenacity that Buendia enjoyed, with Marsch even telling MLSsoccer.com's ExtraTime podcast: "He gets better every day. He's like a weed. You almost see him grow before your eyes. It's really amazing. He's a special young man.

“It's so much just about his ability to make final plays and slow himself down a little bit in the last third. He has more quality than people think. He's a good finisher, he's really clever with how to put passes together in tight spaces."

All these attributes have helped Farke's former prodigy grow into an instrumental figure in Unai Emery's Midlands revolution, and the hope around Elland Road will be that he can repeat this feat with their £45k-per-week flop.

England could have dismissed each of India’s three centurions for a lot less, and Alastair Cook felt that contributed to their innings-and-36-run defeat in Mumbai more than their selection issues

George Dobell in Mumbai12-Dec-20161:59

‘Thought 400 was a little above par’

Alastair Cook was left ruing missed chances in the field as England succumbed to an innings defeat in Mumbai.While Cook admitted England had erred in selection – picking four seamers on a pitch where India’s spinners claimed 19 wickets – he felt the defining moments of the game came when England failed to take chances to dismiss all three of India’s centurions in the relatively early stages of their innings.Jonny Bairstow missed a stumping opportunity off M Vijay when he had 45, Virat Kohli was put down by Adil Rashid – a difficult caught and bowled chance – on 68, and Joe Root put down Jayant Yadav at slip when he had eight. Vijay went on to score 136, Kohli made 235 and Yadav 104.The frustration for Cook is that these things keep happening. The series against Pakistan was littered with missed opportunities – and Rashid also put down a tough chance off Kohli in Visakhapatnam when he had scored 56. He went on to make 167.”I keep going back to the chances we missed,” Cook told . “That’s why we lost this game.”Yes, we would have liked another spinner. But with the side we had, we had opportunities to bowl India out for 400 and we just didn’t take them.”Obviously Virat played an extraordinary innings, but we had a chance to get rid of him on 60-odd. Yadav got a 100 and we had a couple of chances to get rid of him. And those are the things the game is changing on. This team, at the moment, we’re not taking those chances. It’s those opportunities that have cost us.”Cook also admitted England “didn’t need that extra seamer” in Mumbai. Going into the match with six bowlers – two spinners and four quicks – Cook was obliged to ask Rashid and Moeen Ali to deliver more than 50 overs, while none of the seamers bowled more than 20.”That was a mistake,” he said. “It’s kind of the problem when you don’t have any games between Test Matches. We really wanted to see what four seamers looked like, because they are the bowlers so far on this tour who have given us the most control and our two best spinners have been Mo and Rash.”Maybe if we’d bowled first we’d have more control with the four seamers. But clearly when you bat first, you didn’t need that extra seamer.”Whether it would have changed the game… we were in this game with the balance of that side. We had an opportunity when they were 307 for 6 to restrict India’s lead. Historically, 180 is a good score here in the third innings and it’s very hard to score much in the fourth innings. So we would have been in the game.”But would have, could have isn’t really good enough and that’s the bottom line: we haven’t been good enough to get over the line.”Cook had praise for Kohli, though: “He’s in incredible form. He’s having one of those series you dream of as a player and a captain. You lead from the front and you score a hell of a lot of runs and that’s a huge amount of credit to him. He’s clearly one of the great batsmen of our generation. And certainly in these conditions, he’s very hard to bowl at when he’s in this form.”

It was a season that promised so much for Arsenal and Gooners everywhere, a record 248 days atop the Premier League table, last-minute winners against teams like Manchester United and a feeling that they were really going to dethrone Manchester City. Alas, it ended in disappointment.

What's the latest AFC transfer news?

However, with an array of quality players now linked with a move to Mikel Arteta's project in North London, could they finally cross the finish line next season and end their two-decade wait for a league title?

The list of those who could join the club is quite impressive. Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, Kai Havertz, and Romeo Lavia could all help transform the team from nearly men into champions.

It isn't just incomings, though. To help the team progress, some players are set to depart from the Emirates over the coming weeks.

The name many are expecting to leave is the long-serving Granit Xhaka, a player once public enemy number one amongst fans but now leaves with the love and admiration of the Emirates faithful. The other man linked with an exit is a little more surprising, midfield monster Thomas Partey.

The Ghanaian international was one of the side's best players for much of last season. However, his performances faltered as the team around him struggled to cope with the pressure. Maybe that is why Arteta is happy for the player to leave.

Either way, there will definitely be some incomings this summer and here are some of the players who could be signed.

Read on to find out how Arsenal could line up next term…

Declan Rice

The West Ham United man has become something of the club's white whale in recent months, as the stories linking him to the club have felt near enough constant, with there seemingly being very little in the way of actual progress until recently.

In the aftermath of the Hammers Europa Conference League, Irons chairman David Sullivan confirmed Rice would be leaving in the summer window, music to the ears of Gooners everywhere.

Even better news came when transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed that personal terms between the club and player were "almost agreed" and a "new bid" was "to be discussed" between the clubs.

The England international would be an excellent signing for Arsenal and would provide some genuine flexibility in midfield. That said, the likely position for the West Ham man, in light of the Partey news, would be at the base of midfield, screening the back four.

It's a position he has excelled in for the East London club, and according to FBref, who compare players in a similar role across Europe's top five leagues, he is in the top 5% for interceptions and the top 17% for clearances, per 90.

He does have more to his game than just defending, however, notably his ability to carry the ball forward, which could mean he occasionally plays in the number eight role.

Romeo Lavia

One of the few standout performers from an otherwise dismal Southampton side this year, Romeo Lavia certainly looks like a star for the future.

Perhaps it's no surprise then that the team with the second-youngest average age in the league would be interested in signing him.

Whilst it would be unlikely for the Belgian to come in and regularly start for the team, he would certainly benefit from being around players like Rice and Jorginho.

Kai Havertz

This was certainly a transfer story many of us weren't expecting to be writing about this summer, Chelsea's Kai Havertz to Arsenal.

However, the more we think about it, the more it starts to make sense.

What has been one of the main problems for Havertz at Chelsea? His inability to find a position to make his own. What's something that Arteta values highly in a player? Positional versatility.

That said, it does look like with the departure of Xhaka, the number eight position will become available for someone else, and that was a potion the German international would occasionally play to great effect during his time with Bayer Leverkusen.

With Rice behind him, he could make full use of his speed and technical ability to be a real thorn in the side of opposing midfielders and defenders.

Jurrien Timber

Another surprising link is to Ajax's much sought-after Jurrien Timber, especially after considerable talk of the Dutch defender joining his former manager Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.

If Arsenal were to get their man, though, it would be a fantastic deal. And they have already lodged a £30m bid, as per David Ornstein.

Timber has been excellent for Ajax this season, averaging a match rating of 6.89, according to WhoScored, across 34 games in the league.

One of the major pluses to this signing would be his versatility – you can really see the pattern with Arteta now – as the 22-year-old can fill in as both a right-back required.

This would allow Ben White to play more games as a centre-half next season and create more depth in both positions.

Arsenal's Potential Line Up

Aaron Ramsdale; Oleksandr Zinchenko, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber, Ben White; Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard; Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli

The PCB’s governing board has approved a proposal for the PSL to function as a separate entity, but the modalities of the restructuring have yet to be finalised

Umar Farooq08-Nov-2016The PCB’s governing board has approved the overhaul of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), and its de-linking from the Pakistan board. The PSL is set to become a separate entity run by its own governing board, which will be headed by a chairman and an executive officer, along with two independent directors. The league will be registered as a private limited company and will be run independently of the PCB. The idea was drafted and presented by PSL chairman Najam Sethi.The structure of PSL’s governance, however, remained unclear as Sethi was reluctant to take questions on the league during the briefing at the PCB headquarters. He said that restructuring was underway and that the details would be shared with the media in due course.A few key areas were still under debate, namely the control the Pakistan board would have over the PSL and the revenue-sharing between the two. PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan had echoed concerns about the separation of the PSL from the PCB but was a part of the governing board that unanimously approved the proposal after a nine-hour meeting at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.The PSL will be a PCB-owned subsidiary, but the Pakistan board will draw a minor share from the tournament’s revenue pool, with the a majority of the revenue being given to the franchises. Sethi told ESPNcricinfo that one of the factors behind making PSL a separate entity was the need to counter political restrictions, with a change in government bringing an inevitable change in the PCB’s leadership too.The immediate implication of the split is that all PSL contracts related to franchises, broadcasting, marketing and commercial matters will be rewritten and transferred from the PCB to the PSL. The league’s governing board consists of five members – Sethi, Mansoor Khan and Shakeel Sheikh from the PCB’s governing board; and two independent directors in Arif Habib, a renowned businessman, and Zia Rizvi, a corporate lawyer. The PCB’s chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed and chief financial officer Badar Khan will be a non-voting members ex officio.Both Sethi and Shaharyar are direct nominees of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, who is Chief Patron of the PCB. Any changes in the federal government could thus result in an immediate change in the PCB. Following the appointment of Shaharyar as PCB chairman, the board has seen two power centres emerge, with Sethi, too, occupying key positions. The separation of the PSL could further exacerbate the issue with a key department working independently of the board.

Liverpool could now be in pole position to complete an audacious swoop for Jarrad Branthwaite after PSV deemed the on-loan ace too expensive.

It would certainly send tremors through the city, with Abel Xavier in 2002 the most recent example of a player moving directly across Merseyside the historic rivals, but that's not to say a deal would be unattainable for Jurgen Klopp's side as he looks to bolster his defence this summer.

In February, a report from the Daily Mail stated that Liverpool – alongside Manchester United and Roma – had sent scouts to watch the Eredivisie star in action after his impressive displays on loan this season.

And now, according to a report from Dutch outlet Eindhovens Dagblad (via Sport Witness), PSV have pulled out of the running to make his transfer permanent, with Marcel Brands, the Eredivisie club’s director of football, saying: “Financially this will be difficult to achieve, I expect.”

PSV had a £15m offer rejected in January but Liverpool boast wealth on a different scale and could look to test Everton's waters with a shock bid over the coming weeks.

Could Liverpool really sign Jarrad Branthwaite?

It certainly seems unlikely on the surface, but although it hasn't happened in a long time, it has indeed not been unheard of for the Reds and Toffees to conduct business in the past.

And it makes sense from a playing perspective; Branthwaite is a towering defender standing at 6 foot 5, and given his natural preference as a left-footed defender, he could provide Virgil van Dijk – who favours his right foot but typically occupies the left side of the centre-defence – with a sturdy alternative.

Having made 37 appearances across all competitions this term, scoring four goals and supplying two assists, the 20-year-old has been hailed as a "great talent" by ex-boss Ruud van Nistelrooy and boasts all the attributes to flourish at the top level as he grows into his skin over the next several years.

As per FBref, the £15k-per-week titan ranks among the top 15% of centre-backs across Men's Next 8 divisions over the past year for goals, the top 24% for assists, the top 25% for progressive passes and the top 26% for rate of interceptions per 90. So while there is clearly room for improvement, he has time on his side to become one of the best in his position.

Described as "skilful" by Carlo Ancelotti, he could replace Joel Matip at Anfield, with the Cameroonian veteran now 31 years old and out of contract on Merseyside in just one year's time.

Despite playing an important role in an illustrious period in Liverpool's history, Matip started just 12 times in the Premier League this term and was an unused substitute for 13 of the last 17 matches of the campaign.

Branded "awful" by CBS reporter Nico Cantor for his dismal displays this term, Matip's time could be up and Branthwaite could provide youthful exuberance as a promising back-up for Klopp's team, growing into the role and perhaps cementing it as his own at some point over the next few seasons.

It might seem unlikely, but this is a deal to keep an eye on; Liverpool will understandably prioritise the bolstering of the midfield, but should the cogs fall into place, Branthwaite could be a shrewd option to enrich the defensive ranks at Anfield.

Mohammad Shahzad has been suspended for two matches for making physical contact with Sabbir Rahman with his bat following his dismissal against Rajshahi Kings in Mirpur on Monday

Mohammad Isam29-Nov-2016Rangpur Riders opener Mohammad Shahzad has been suspended for two BPL matches for making physical contact with Rajshahi Kings’ Sabbir Rahman with his bat, following his dismissal in Mirpur on Monday. Shahzad was also fined 30% of his match fees. Sabbir was handed a 15% fine while Liam Dawson, Rangpur’s stand-in captain, was fined 30% for showing dissent after the umpire adjudged him lbw.The Shahzad-Sabbir incident occured in the fourth over of the chase and replays showed there was physical contact between them after which Sabbir crouched for a few minutes. Sabbir was running past Shahzad who extended his bat. The umpires spoke to Sabbir after the incident, which boiled over from the first innings after the pair was involved in a heated conversation.”The decisions were taken after speaking to the umpires and studying TV footage. We didn’t need an official hearing. Everyone accepted they were guilty,” match referee Neeyamur Rashid said.Rajshahi captain Darren Sammy said Shahzad’s physical reaction was unnecessary. “We are good friends. We are going to play together in the PSL and we have always been a good mix. Whatever situation you are in the game, it’s the responsibility to conduct yourself in the proper manner.”If he did what Sabbir said he did, then it’s not right. I am not a violent person, he stays in my hotel. I am going to talk to him, when he is in my field you don’t behave like that.”Shahzad violated Article 2.1.1 of the BCB Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game”. Four demerit points were added to Shahzad’s disciplinary record which were converted into suspension points.Sabbir was found guilty of a Level 1 (Article 2.1.1) offence and one demerit point was added to his disciplinary record.Dawson was found guilty of a Level 1 offense under Article 2.1.5; two demerit points were added to his disciplinary record.

Manchester United bidder Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his petrochemicals firm INEOS are prepared to be 'flexible' in order to seize control of the Premier League giants, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

What's the latest ownership news involving Manchester United?

As per Sky Sports, INEOS value Manchester United at a higher price than rival bidder Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani and are looking to acquire a majority controlling stake in the club, giving the Glazers an opportunity to keep a 20% stake as minority stakeholders.

According to The Financial Times, all six members of the Glazer family could be allowed to stay on once INEOS has acquired the club, with a contractual obligation to leave the building in the coming years.

INEOS could then buy up the remainder of the shares on derivative contracts in what would be a phased takeover of Manchester United and enable Ratcliffe to take majority control.

On the flipside, Sheikh Jassim has submitted his fifth and final bid to take over at Old Trafford; however, he has made it clear that the offer must be accepted by this Friday or he and the Nine Two Foundation will step away from proceedings, as per The Mirror.

The Qatari businessman wants to take 100% control of the Premier League giants and has promised to upgrade infrastructure at Old Trafford, something which has taken a backseat under the Glazer family's ownership, as per The Daily Mail.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jacobs thinks that Ratcliffe is willing to be as open as possible about the structure of his bid in order to gain control at Old Trafford.

Jacobs told FFC: "The Glazers will look at one number, which is the club valuation, and this is where INEOS feel that they still have an advantage. There's perhaps not a massive amount between the two club valuations, but Jim Ratcliffe's offer is higher and also more flexible. By flexible, I mean that INEOS are prepared to either allow the Glazers, particularly Joel and Avram, the opportunity to stay, or Jim Ratcliffe is prepared to buy all of their shares. As long as he gets control of the football club, he is prepared to be as flexible as possible."

What now for Manchester United?

While the battle for the ownership of Manchester United rages on, the Red Devils and their boss Erik Ten Hag will look to turn their attention towards summer recruitment at Old Trafford.

Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount looks like he could be one of the first names through the door at the Red Devils and is said to have agreed personal terms over a move, as per Football Insider.

Manchester United have also been linked with a move for West Ham United captain Declan Rice and he looks to have played his last game for his current employers following his Europa Conference League success this week as confirmed by their chairman David Sullivan, according to The Manchester Evening News.

L'Equipe report that Monaco defender Axel Disasi could also be on his way to the North West in the off-season, signalling that Manchester United could be in for a busy time of things in the market over the next few months.

Dean Elgar’s 117, du Plessis’ 102, and the pair’s 179-run stand helped South Africa score 489 in their final warm-up game before the Test series

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Oct-2016
ScorecardSouth Africa’s captain Faf du Plessis warmed up for the Test series with a century against a South Australia XI in Glenelg on Thursday in his side’s final hit-out ahead of next week’s first Test against Australia in Perth. Like his captain, Dean Elgar also retired soon after reaching triple-figures, while Quinton de Kock narrowly missed the chance for his second ton on tour, falling for 99. JP Duminy, however, has been ruled out of the remainder of the match due to a chest infection.With South Australia playing a Sheffield Shield game at the WACA at the same time, South Africa’s opposition was effectively a state second XI, but that didn’t stop the top order having a couple of early wobbles. Fast bowler David Grant, yet to make his first-class debut, had Stephen Cook caught behind in the second over for a duck, and Hashim Amla caught behind for 9.Amla had retired on 51 in South Africa’s first tour match of this trip, against a Cricket Australia XI, but Cook’s form might be a slight concern for the South Africans. He made 5 and 12 against the CA XI and will be hoping the South African bowlers skittle the South Australia side on the second day of this two-day fixture to give him another opportunity at the crease.Rilee Rossouw fell for 22 to Cameron Valente before du Plessis and Elgar combined for a 179-run partnership that ended only when du Plessis reached his hundred and promptly retired on 102. Elgar also enjoyed his time in the middle, moving on to 117 before he retired to give the rest of the batting order an opportunity.Temba Bavuma scored 43, Vernon Philander retired on 41, and for the second time on the tour de Kock appeared to find batting easy, flying to 99 from 94 deliveries before he was caught at mid-on off the offspin of Michael Cormack.The South Africans piled on 489 before they were dismissed in the 90th over of the day.