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Ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Conference League Final between West Ham United and Fiorentina, early team news has begun filtering through on how David Moyes’ side will line up for the decider in Prague.

It’s a huge night for both West Ham and Fiorentina.

The London side are looking for their first major trophy since winning the FA Cup in 1980, while the Italians have not won a major trophy since their Italian Cup triumph in 2001 and their last European trophy was all the way back in 1961.

Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio expects Moyes to stick to their regular formation of 4-2-3-1 for Wednesday’s final, with no major surprise inclusions or omissions.

Who will be in the starting XI for West Ham in the Conference League Final?

The Hammers boss has implemented the 4-2-3-1 formation in 23 games this season, per FootballCritic. Wednesday’s final will likely see the formation played for the 24th time, according to DiMarzio.

Goalkeeper Alphonse Areola is expected to start in goal for the Hammers.

The Frenchman has been West Ham’s No.1 in cup competitions this season, starting all 12 of the club’s Conference League fixtures this season. Per Transfermarkt, Areloa has conceded just seven goals in those games, keeping six clean sheets.

A central defensive pairing of Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd is expected, with Aaron Cresswell at left-back and Vladimir Coufal at right-back.

Declan Rice will captain the side in what could be his final appearance for West Ham, with reports linking the England International with a summer move away from the London Stadium with Manchester United, Arsenal and Bayern Munich all interested in his services.

Rice will make be joined in midfield by Czech Republic international Tomas Soucek, who has been in only 33% of the Hammers' starting XIs in this season’s Europa Conference League.

Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma will start on the right and left flanks, while Brazil international Lucas Paqueta will start in the No.10 role behind striker Michail Antonio up front.

Full starting XI: Areola; Cresswell, Aguerd, Zouma, Coufal; Rice, Soucek; Benrahma, Paqueta, Bowen; Antonio.

Has Moyes got his team selection correct?

This is a West Ham side that picks itself for the final, and no inclusions or exclusions will be of huge surprise for Hammers fans.

Thilo Kehrer may consider himself unfortunate to miss out on a starting spot after a strong performance in the semi-final second leg away to AZ Alkmaar, but Moyes has instead opted for the experience of Coufal.

Indeed, the former Paris Saint-Germain ace registered the joint-third highest Sofascore rating in the West Ham team that day, which is hardly a surprise given he registered two clearances, two interceptions (joint-most) and one block, whilst Coufal, 30, could also have the home support behind him, being back in his home country – the Czech Republic.

With the injury to Gianluca Scammaca requiring surgery, Antonio is Moyes' best option up front.

With six goals in eight games in this competition, Antonio could have a big role to play for his side in tonight's final.

Presenter Terry Flewers has claimed that idea that Manchester United might not be able to sign Kim Min-jae this summer is just "scaremongering".

What are the latest MUFC transfer rumours?

It's been well reported that the Red Devils are hoping to sign the Napoli defender and may even be able to land him for just £42m (via reports from Italy) thanks to a clause in his contract.

However, a recent report in The Mirror claims that Erik ten Hag's transfer plans are "paralysed" as the takeover saga continues to rumble on without being resolved.

This could then halt Man United from making a move for Kim in time to trigger that clause which is only available for a short period during July.

What's more, reports in Portugal (via The Express) claim that Newcastle United are now in the race for the South Korean star.

However, while talking about it all on The Football Terrace, Flewers has insisted that Ten Hag and co will "will buy big this summer" regardless of the takeover.

He explained (4:49): "Man United will have anywhere between £200m to £250m to spend this summer – that's there, that exists.

"Man United fans, I think, have got to pull away from this scaremongering tactic from the media.

"And the reason I say scaremongering, one article this morning in The Mirror states that Kim Min-jae is done and the club now negotiating for Victor Osimhen. In the same very breath, they're stating that the transfer plans are paralysed.

"The chief European football writer and the chief football writer are clearly getting two different sides of the story.

"But of course one is trending and the other one isn't because negativity around Man United sells.

"For me, look whether the sale goes through or not, they will either be an investment into the club or a full sale. One of those two things is going to happen. Either way, the club is going to have money.

"There's the Champions League money that's coming in, and players are going to be sold. Man United will buy big this summer, will buy quality this summer and investment will be made.

"There's no such thing as paralysed transfer talks at Manchester United right now in my personal opinion."

How much can Man Utd spend this summer?

As Flewers points out there have been reports in Italy (via The Mirror) that a deal for Kim is already done and the club are now trying to focus on Osimhen.

With that in mind, it's easy to see why he's sceptical of just who to trust when there are so many conflicting reports in the media – such is the nature of the transfer market.

After all, they've been linked with some top players – such as the aforementioned Napoli duo – but reports also claim they have just about £100m to spend, due to financial fair play rules.

All in all, it's hard to know what to believe but with Champions League football secured, and some top targets wanted, it's hard not to see United spending big this season regardless of what happens with their ownership. Though some players may have to go first to help ease those financial fair play rules.

Watch more of The Football Terrace on YouTube now!

The Kanpur pitch, for the first Test between India and New Zealand, is cracked and somewhat dry, but is expected to hold up well, according to head groundsman Shiv Kumar

Sidharth Monga19-Sep-2016The Kanpur track is dry, has cracks, and it will assist the home side, as it should. But, if you listen to head groundsman Shiv Kumar, only as much as it should. There are early indications that the ball won’t turn as early or as alarmingly as it did in Nagpur and Mohali last season, when India won both Tests inside three days.There might be some concern at the sight of the cracks three days from the start of a Test, but Shiv said the soil has deceptively good binding qualities, and that erring on the side of caution could result in a repeat of the 2004-05 Test when Andrew Hall scored 163 in a boring draw. That was the debut Test for Shiv, an electrician by formal training who decided to try his hand as a groundsman because of unemployment. He says he has learnt a lot from that 2004-05 draw.The other extreme in Kanpur, though, appeared in 2008 when India, trailing 0-1 in the series, beat South Africa in three days on a vicious turner, which was later rated “poor” by the ICC. Shiv said that happened because of the April heat, and a repeat was not likely to happen this year. If the Test on crack was played in the heat of April, the one on valium was played in November when the weather cools down considerably. This one, in September, might be bang in the middle in terms of heat; September used to be pleasant before global warming turned the north Indian summer into a seemingly never-ending phenomenon.Shiv has three reasons to be confident this pitch won’t start turning alarmingly on day one. Firstly, the cracks might be visible, but they are not loose; in fact the surface is quite hard. A knuckle knock on the pitch creates a solid sound. Secondly, Shiva said the binding qualities of the Kanpur soil make it a difficult surface to break. Thirdly, the pitch is still getting watered, unlike Nagpur last year where the cracks had become loose by the time the toss happened. The pitch was kept under covers to shield it from the scorching sun during the day, and it was watered at 5pm. More rolling and watering is expected on the two days before the match.There are patches of grass on the pitch, but they are too dry and too far apart to provide any real encouragement for traditional fast bowling. However, if it rains – it rained on Sunday and some mild showers are expected during the Test – the heavy atmosphere and the high water table at Green Park could make traditional swing and seam a factor. Otherwise Shiv expects only about an hour’s help for the quicks on the first morning.A typical Green Park track, Shiv said, on the basis of first-class matches in the Ranji Trophy, is good for batting for the first two days, and then it starts to take turn. That is more a classic Test track in India: good for batting in the first half of the match and moving along at a rapid pace in the second. The turn is expected to be on the slower side.The dry track is ripe for reverse swing, which could seal Neil Wagner’s selection alongside Trent Boult for New Zealand, and might tempt India to play two quicks, three spinners, and thus, just the five batsmen.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly reached an agreement with Galatasaray defender Victor Nelsson, according to reports.

Who is Victor Nelsson?

Nelsson is a Danish international who first arrived at the Nef Stadium from FC Copenhagen back in August 2021 and he’s since gone on to make 78 appearances to date, 31 of those being starts this season from 33 games in the Super Lig.

The Lilywhites have Clement Lenglet out of contract at the end of the campaign upon the expiration of his season-long loan from Barcelona, so should he not make his move permanent, Ryan Mason’s successor could be on the hunt to find a new centre-back, and the 24-year-old appears to have been identified as an ideal target in N17.

Are Tottenham signing Nelsson?

According to T24 (via Sport Witness), Tottenham “came to Galatasaray with a €25m (£21m) offer”, with the Turkish side now “working” on sanctioning his sale. The club's president Erden Timur “made a trip” to London to hold “transfer talks” with several clubs, one of those being Spurs, and despite not wanting to let him go, they have “softened their stance” as a result of him showing his “desire to leave”.

The report adds that Spurs chiefs have had a meeting with the Denmark international, where it has been claimed they have “reached an agreement”, presumably on personal terms.

Prior to joining Galatasaray, Nelsson was dubbed a “monster” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, and considering the extremely high standard of his performances that he's continued into this season, Tottenham could be recruiting a fantastic centre-back should this deal get 100% finalised.

The World Cup participant currently averages 3.4 clearances and 3.1 aerial wins per league game, via WhoScored, so is a real rock at the heart of the backline, but he’s also capable of contributing to his team’s efforts at the opposite end of the pitch.

Nelsson, who has the versatility to operate slightly higher up in defensive and central midfield alongside his natural position in the backline, has scored one goal and also provided an assist across all competitions this term, so can be useful when it comes to set pieces and long balls in the final third.

Whether Tottenham’s new permanent manager will have his eye on the same targets as Daniel Levy is highlighting now when appointed yet remains to be seen, but regardless, Nelsson may make for an impressive signing no matter which candidate finds themselves in the dugout in the capital ahead of the 2023/24 term.

Adam Zampa might be Australia’s specialist white-ball spinner at the moment, but he hopes to use the upcoming summer to prove that his skills can be transferred to the longer form of the game

Brydon Coverdale12-Aug-2016Adam Zampa might be Australia’s specialist white-ball spinner at the moment, but he hopes to use the upcoming summer to prove that his skills can be transferred to the longer form of the game. Zampa made his ODI and T20 debuts for Australia earlier this year and immediately impressed with his poise under pressure, a trait that has brought him success, particularly in T20 cricket.He was the leading wicket-taker among spinners during the recent Caribbean Premier League, in which he claimed 15 victims at 18.46 for the Guyana Amazon Warriors, and is about to join Australia’s squad in Sri Lanka for the limited-overs leg of their tour. The axing of Glenn Maxwell from the ODI squad should create plenty of chances for Zampa, named alongside Nathan Lyon in the squad.”It’s a big opportunity for me,” Zampa told reporters in Adelaide during a brief trip home between the CPL and the Sri Lanka series. “Looking at the next six months or so coming up too, there’s quite a lot of white-ball cricket. There’s probably three or four tours this summer. It’s a good opportunity for me to cement my spot even more in that one-day and T20 side.”However, Zampa also knows that opportunities are presenting themselves for spinners in the Test side, with Steve O’Keefe and Jon Holland both having played alongside Lyon during the ongoing Test series in Sri Lanka. In order to make himself a candidate for a Test call-up, Zampa will need to make the most of his opportunities at the Sheffield Shield level during the gaps between his white-ball commitments.Last summer, Zampa played five Shield games for South Australia and collected 10 wickets at 45.20, but he was far from alone in terms of spinners being overshadowed during that season. The top 10 wicket-takers in the previous Shield summer were all fast bowlers, including three from Zampa’s own state – Joe Mennie, Daniel Worrall and Chadd Sayers – who dominated the wickets tally.”It’s been made pretty obvious that I’m predominantly white-ball cricket at the moment,” Zampa said. “I want to try and show that I’ve actually improved as a bowler in the last 12 months. I haven’t had a great opportunity, but in Shield cricket last year, I actually felt like I bowled really well.”With our bowling attack and the way the wickets were going last year, I actually didn’t get too much opportunity. I’m hoping to get some suitable conditions this year, and I want to try and win some games for South Australia before I’m ready to play for Australia.”If Zampa can show his red-ball skills during whatever Shield games he plays this summer, the reward could be significant. A Test tour of India in February-March will require Australia to take at least two, and possibly, three spinners.”I’ve got to get quite a few more games under my belt,” Zampa said. “I’ve only played three or four four-dayers in the last 12 months. This year is going to be a great opportunity for me. There’s some opportunities coming up, you’ve seen with O’Keefe, Lyon, Holland… there’s an India tour coming up, so Shield cricket this year is going to be big for me.”

Ross Taylor and BJ Watling took 299 and 172 deliveries respectively to rack up 173* and 107 – their second hundreds against Zimbabwe – and build an advantage New Zealand may have considered unassailable

The Report by Firdose Moonda30-Jul-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details1:01

By The Numbers – Taylor and Watling’s day out

Ross Taylor and BJ Watling took 299 and 172 deliveries respectively to rack up 173* and 107 – their second hundreds against Zimbabwe – and build an advantage New Zealand may have considered unassailable. Tim Southee and Trent Boult took four Zimbabwean wickets for 10 runs in the space of 18 balls, and likely ensure the 412-run lead is more than enough.Zimbabwe’s top order were blown away by swing and teetered on 17 for 4. Given their first-innings collapse, a three-day finish seemed imminent. But Craig Ervine equalled his highest Test score – 49 – and formed partnerships with Sikandar Raza and Graeme Cremer to allow the hosts to live to fight another day.Taking the match into the fourth day was Zimbabwe’s second small success after they removed nightwatchman Ish Sodhi in the second over of the day. They did not see the back of another New Zealand batsman until 15 minutes after tea, when Watling dragged Raza to deep square leg. By then, the New Zealand wicketkeeper had a century, Taylor had 173* and their partnership – a chanceless stand headlined by crisp cuts, powerful pulls and careful strike rotation – had reached 253.On its own, it was worth 89 runs more than Zimbabwe’s first-innings total. Combined with the 79-run opening stand, the 156 runs Tom Latham and Kane Williamson added for the second wicket, and other small contributions, it put the match beyond Zimbabwe, who were kept under the Bulawayo sun for 166.5 overs.Their second new ball was under six overs old when the day began and Donald Tiripano and Michael Chinouya started promisingly with it. Both showed marked improvement from their second-day performances and made the batsmen play at more deliveries by tightening their lines. Chinouya reaped some reward when Sodhi played an uncertain drive and edged to substitute wicketkeeper Brian Chari.Sensing an opportunity to get into New Zealand’s lower order, the pair tried the short ball but without the pace or the discipline to back it up, it was wasted. Too often, they offered their deliveries with width, allowing the batsmen to cut. Other balls were misdirected and invited the pull, a shot both Taylor and Watling played comfortably. Their ease against the short ball only highlighted Zimbabwe’s deficiencies when faced with the same.With the seamers struggling, Graeme Cremer brought himself on. He did not manage as much of the turn and bounce he got on the second day, but Taylor and Watling were still cautious against him.It was only towards the end of the first session, when heavy legs caused Zimbabwe’s fielders to make several fumbles, that the pair upped the scoring rate. Taylor took on the more aggressive role and showed his authority against Cremer while Watling hung back and rotated strike. By lunch, the lead was over 250 and the pair well settled.They returned after the break to deal for another careful five overs before opening up. The next 15 overs brought 61 runs at over four runs per over. In that time, Taylor brought up his century with a signature square cut. His second fifty only took him 83 balls, compared to his first for which he faced 108.Watling went into the tea break on 95 and brought up his century four overs later with a top-edge off a pull – the shot he had played so comfortably through his innings. The pair were given some freedom to bat on but managed only one more shot in anger before Watling holed out and Williamson called his men in, leaving Zimbabwe with a tough task to make New Zealand bat again.They decided to take on the challenge head on and played their strongest hand by promoting their most experienced batsman Hamilton Masakadza to open. Brian Chari, who does not keep regularly and spent five sessions behind the stumps doing the job, was given some time to recover but he did not have too long.Masakadza drove the first ball he faced for four but then edged the third, which moved away from him, to first slip to end a disappointing Test for him. Chari was in at No.3 and handled the first five balls he faced before a Boult inswinger snuck through the bat-pad gap and took out his off stump.Chamu Chibhabha also failed to handle Boult’s movement and poked at one that moved away to give Taylor a second catch, low and to his left. With his next ball, Boult angled it in to Prince Masvaure, who was hit on the pad in front of middle stump.Sikandar Raza sliced the hat-trick ball through the covers for four and settled Zimbabwe’s nerves somewhat. Raza and Ervine took a totally different approach to what may be expected from a side on the back foot, and played an aggressive range of strokes. They scored at 7.8 runs to the over and swiped their bats at anything, be it full or short. Raza fell on his sword when he top-edged a short ball and walked off before the catch was taken.With news that Regis Chakbva and Sean Williams, neither of whom fielded at all because of illness, will be available to bat on the fourth day, Ervine will be hopeful of reaching a milestone and more, even if in vain.

Chelsea have made an offer for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic ahead of the summer transfer window, journalist Julien Laurens has revealed.

What's the latest on Vlahovic and Chelsea?

The forward has previously been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, and with Chelsea in need of a striker this summer, it seems that they have targeted the 23-year-old for a potential transfer.

The Serbian earns £216k per week at Juventus, and it may be an expensive deal for the striker, who has scored ten league goals this season.

A potential move could also confirm that Romelu Lukaku's future lies away from Stamford Bridge. The Belgian is on loan at Inter Milan, with it unclear whether he could be offered a fresh start in West London under incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Speaking on The Byline Podcast, Laurens revealed that an offer has already been made for Vlahovic, with Chelsea seemingly keen on getting their business done early.

"I was told today like by someone that Chelsea are in for Vlahovic, Chelsea have made an offer already for Vlahovic, and I think he's maybe better technically than Lukaku, but he is still really a goalscorer," he stated.

"There is not much of an all-round game about him like you can see with Harry Kane, that by the way, Pochettino made him what he is now, like a number nine and a number 10. That might have changed, and he might just want a proper number nine in Vlahovic, who I think will do that very well.

"The fact that Chelsea are in for Vlahovic shows that they're not counting on Lukaku, I think Lukaku will go back to Inter eventually on loan, and then Pochettino will be able to get a striker that he wants to work with more, if that's Vlahovic then fair enough."

Should Chelsea buy Vlahovic?

The 23-year-old presents a much younger option than if Lukaku was to return, but it is arguable that he does not represent an upgrade on the Belgian.

Lukaku has a higher scoring rate, significantly better passing and dribbling statistics, and is more dominant in the air than Vlahovic as per FBref. He has scored just two goals less than the Serbian in 400 less minutes in Serie A, and has also helped Inter reach the Champions League final whilst Juventus continue to struggle.

Given that Vlahovic joined Juventus for a hefty fee of around £66m, it may take a large fee to convince the Old Lady to part ways with their striker, and he may need some convincing to join, with Chelsea not competing in any European competition next season.

Unless a big offer arrives for Lukaku which could see them effectively swap the strikers for a similar fee, a move for Vlahovic may not be the solution to Chelsea's problems this summer.

Liverpool's admiration for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is no secret, and the Merseyside outfit are now said to be closing in on the World Cup winner following recent reports.

What's the latest on Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool?

According to Football Insider, the Reds' recruitment team is 'progressing with talks' to sign the Argentinian dynamo, who has emerged as one of the Premier League's hottest commodities this season.

The 24-year-old is reportedly valued at £70m by Albion, who are reluctant to let their prized asset go but are increasingly resigned to allowing him to depart, with a release clause in his contract supposedly enabling this summer.

While Liverpool are in pole position for a prospective transfer, Chelsea and Manchester United are said to be right behind Jurgen Klopp's outfit and will certainly pounce if negotiations hit a bump in the road.

What is Alexis Mac Allister's style of play?

The £50k-per-week South American has been part of a wave of remarkable recruitment from Brighton over the past few years, the centrepiece of the club's ascension to prominence over the past few seasons.

Signing from Argentinos Juniors on a four-and-half-year deal in 2019, Mac Allister has made 109 appearances for the Seagulls, scoring 20 goals and providing eight assists.

This season, he has scored 12 goals and served two assists from 37 matches across all competitions for Albion, who are currently sixth in the Premier League with a game in hand on their European-chasing rivals as the season approaches its culmination.

The 16-cap Argentine played a definitive role in his nation's triumphant 2022 World Cup campaign in Qatar, starting matches and recording an average rating of 7.05 – as per Sofascore – scoring once and registering an assist, completing 89% of his passes and averaging 1.5 tackles per match, hailed as "very intelligent" by his compatriot Sergio Aguero.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 2% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues for total shots, the top 24% for shot-creating actions, the top 22% for progressive carries and the top 17% for successful take-ons per 90, heralded as Brighton's "golden boy" by content creator Ryan Adsett for his burgeoning role.

Klopp will be seeking to utilise his transfer funds aptly this summer and seek to narrow the gulf that has formed between his outfit and that of Manchester City, who are very much on course to complete a historic treble this season.

By signing Mac Allister, the German gaffer could emulate the success of Citizens star Ilkay Gundogan, who has been instrumental in his side's illustrious success since signing for £21m in 2016 and has been in fine fettle of late, at the term's defining stage.

The industrious German midfielder, also described as "intelligent" by Pep Guardiola, played 117 times under Klopp's wing at Borussia Dortmund and won the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal, now one of Europe's most prominent midfield names.

Gundogan ranks among the top 1% of midfielders for non-penalty goals, the top 20% for progressive carries and the top 16% for shot-creating actions per 90, with discernible similarities to Mac Allister's own game.

Liverpool must sign Mac Allister, reigniting the relentless core that has somewhat waned at Anfield this season and cementing himself as the nucleus of his outfit's endeavours.

A vintage Peter Trego century helped Somerset stay firmly on course for the Royal London Cup quarter-finals with a four-wicket South Group win over Middlesex at Taunton

ECB Reporters Network26-Jul-2016
ScorecardPeter Trego’s hundred set the platform for Somerset’s successful chase (file photo)•Getty ImagesA vintage Peter Trego century helped Somerset stay firmly on course for the Royal London Cup quarter-finals with a four-wicket South Group win over Middlesex at Taunton.The visitors posted 296 for 9 after losing the toss, Nick Gubbins making 89 off 78 balls, with four fours and three sixes, Paul Stirling 58 and James Fuller a rapid 42 not out. There were two wickets each for Trego and Roelof van der Merwe.In reply, Somerset reached 297 for 6 with an over to spare, Trego hitting nine fours and a six in his 104, while Lewis Gregory contributed 69 and van der Merwe 41. Ollie Rayner was the pick of the Middlesex attack with 2 for 40. The result put Somerset on nine points from six group games, while their opponents remain on six.Middlesex had been given a solid start by Stirling and Ryan Higgins, who took the total to 83 in the 18th over before Higgins, on 39, drove a catch to cover off Trego. Stirling moved to his half-century off 60 balls, with six fours, before being second man out in the 24th over, caught at deep cover off Trego, who strangely bowled only six overs for figures of 2 for 27.Gubbins hit the first six of the innings off Craig Overton in the 25th over, but Middlesex could never put a charge on against some accurate Somerset bowling. It was 143 for 3 in the 30th over when Eoin Morgan was caught at mid-on by Trego after top-edging a pull shot off Gregory and 173 for 4 when George Bailey drove a catch to cover off van der Merwe.By then Somerset had used eight different bowlers. Gubbins reached his half-century off 47 balls, with three fours and a six and shared a fifth-wicket stand of 58 with John Simpson, who was bowled for 27, looking to reverse sweep van der Merwe.James Franklin went quickly to Overton before Gubbins’ innings ended when he guided a Tim Groenewald full-toss straight to James Hildreth at short fine-leg. Fuller provided some late acceleration with successive sixes off Groenewald, but a couple of late run-outs left Middlesex short of the 300-mark.Somerset would have been happy at the halfway stage. But skipper Jim Allenby went for a duck to James Harris when they replied and Johann Myburgh, having looked in prime form moving to 22, had to retire hurt with a side injury.Mahela Jayawardene (28) helped Trego add 63 before being well caught one-handed above his head by Morgan at midwicket off Rayner, and it was 117 for 3 when Hildreth, on 9, tamely chipped a catch to midwicket off Higgins.Trego reached a 53-ball half-century, with seven fours, against a Middlesex attack deprived of Fuller because of a side strain. Gregory provided excellent support in a fourth-wicket partnership of 86 in 15 overs and the hosts looked well placed when 35-year-old Trego moved confidently to three figures off 106 balls in the 36th over.He was bowled, advancing down the track to Rayner. But Gregory and van der Merwe were both dropped in the 41st over, bowled by Harris, Morgan and Tim Murtagh the culprits.They proved expensive errors as Gregory reached his half-century off 64 balls, with three fours, and the pair took their side to the verge of victory with a stand of 71 in 8.5 overs before both fell in the closing overs. Josh Davey and Craig Overton completed the job.

Chelsea are eyeing a move for Barcelona midfielder Gavi this summer, with manager-elect Mauricio Pochettino driving the deal, according to reports from Spain.

What's the latest Chelsea transfer news?

With the Blues now seemingly poised to appoint Pochettino as their new manager, they have now started to look at potential summer signings, recently being linked with a move for Bayern Munich winger Sadio Mane.

Another wide option is Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar, with Chelsea said to be interested in signing the Brazilian, and he is willing to leave the Parc des Princes this summer.

Attacking options appear to be the main priority for Todd Boehly, also being strongly linked with Brentford's Ivan Toney, however Pochettino has made it clear he wants to strengthen in a number of areas, including midfield.

According to reports from Spain (via Sport Witness), the former Tottenham Hotspur boss is the strongest candidate to take over at Stamford Bridge, with Graham Potter's successor set to be named in the next few days.

The Argentine is said to have "very clear" plans to rebuild the Chelsea squad, and wants to start by bringing in Gavi, who he "really likes", although it will not be easy to orchestrate a transfer.

The 18-year-old has no intention of leaving Barca, despite the fact he is currently on a youth contract, with his proposed contract renewal being rejected by La Liga due to the club's financial issues.

Would Gavi be a good signing for Chelsea?

If the Blues are able to convince the midfielder about a move, then he could be a very exciting signing, given that he has already emerged as a vital first-team player for Barca, despite his age, making 45 appearances in all competitions so far this season.

Hailed as "sensational" by journalist Josh Bunting, the maestro is also versatile enough to play on the wing, having featured on the left side 13 times this season, weighing in with two goals and three assists when played in that position.

Teammate Sergio Busquets has raved about the starlet, telling Movistar TV (via The Athletic): “He is at an incredible level, goals, assists, he has a brilliant future, but still many things he can improve."

That said, even though the £124k-per-week youngster undoubtedly has a great deal of potential, Chelsea already have the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Mason Mount and N'Golo Kante to choose from at central midfield.

Given that the Blues are among the lowest-scorers in the Premier League, a new striker must remain the priority, and it would not be the end of the world if they missed out on Gavi.