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Nottinghamshire have signed Ali Brown, the former Surrey batsman, on a two-year deal as they build for the new season

Cricinfo staff07-Jan-2009
Ali Brown was a destructive batsman for Surrey and hopes to bring that to Nottinghamshire © Getty Images
Nottinghamshire have signed Ali Brown, the former Surrey batsman, on a two-year deal as they build for the new season.Brown, 38, spent 21 years at The Oval and has scored first-class centuries against all the other counties, but was released by Surrey at the end of the 2008 season as they started to build for the future following Championship relegation.Nottinghamshire, though, have snapped him up and believe he can still play an important role. “Ali has a lot to offer as a cricketer but he’s also an experienced head who will act as a role model to younger players,” director of cricket, Mick Newell, said. “He’s an exiting one-day player at the top of the order and he can play an important role for us over the next two years.”Brown, who also played 16 ODIs for England, is looking forward to joining a team who are pushing for honours. “Nottinghamshire are primed to challenge for the Championship and I want to hit the ground running and help the team to push for honours,” he said.”For me, the buzz of playing cricket comes from winning competitions and I feel that I’ve got two more years to win things at this level. I’ve always been confident in my ability, I’m feeling fit and I want to play for Nottinghamshire in all forms of the game.”Nottinghamshire have been busy during the off-season, securing the futures of a number of key players including Samit Patel and Darren Pattinson, while also strengthening the squad with offspinner Jason Brown joining from Northamptonshire.

Everton have cruised through the summer transfer window in unspectacular fashion.

The Toffees have signed four new players but have only spent £1.7m. Rafa Benitez may have expected to be given more license to spend but it hasn’t had an adverse impact on the squad.

What’s the word?

Although Everton haven’t thrown their chequebook around this summer, they have still secured seven points from three matches in a promising start to the season.

What bodes well is that they’re also trying to improve the squad before the deadline passes in just over 24 hours’ time. Luis Diaz could arrive from Porto, while former Newcastle striker Salomon Rondon is also a target.

However, the player Everton should sign instead is Odsonne Edouard. The Sunday Mail (29/08 – via Sky Sports) suggests that the Merseyside outfit are battling Tottenham, Brighton and Crystal Palace for his signature.

Edouard has been a highly sought-after player for a while now but his wage demands had priced the Frenchman out of a move before deadline day. It’s thought that he may cost in the region of £20m.

Wonderful signing

If Benitez secures Edouard over Rondon on transfer deadline day, it would ensure that Everton end the transfer window with an almighty bang.

The striker has downed tools with Celtic over the last few months and nothing typified that more than a horrendous miss from just yards out in Sunday’s Old Firm derby against Rangers.

However, the 23-year-old is more than that. He is usually a wonderfully composed finisher from inside the area. He is a tall and powerful forward but possesses an incredible first touch which he uses to his advantage to subsequently outmuscle defenders.

However, most vital to his play is the goalscoring antics he has created in Glasgow. Edouard found the net on 22 occasions in 41 outings last season, a tally which beat Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s goals for the campaign by one.

On top of that, he has beaten the goalkeeper 86 times in 179 appearances for the Hoops. Therefore, he’d surely bring a heap of goals with him to Merseyside.

With Richarlison potentially heading for the exit door, Everton will definitely need another prolific attacker in their ranks, and Edouard fits the bill perfectly.

Speaking about the Celtic star last year, Frank McGarvey waxed lyrical about his qualities, saying: “He has that bit of magic in his feet.”

Scotland defender Declan Gallagher added: “His one-touch play, his link-up, he’s two-footed – he has got absolutely everything, all the attributes. It’s hard to stop him. When Edouard is on that kind of form he is unplayable.”

With that in mind, Benitez must attempt to wrap up a deal. It could be the difference between a mere top half placing or a European finish.

AND in other news, Alan Myers delivers seven-word Everton transfer update, fans must be fuming…

Brett Lee has started an intense training programme ahead of the third Test amid concerns in the Australian camp that he has lost condition and his fearsome speed

Cricinfo staff24-Oct-2008
Brett Lee has lost speed and condition, according to Australia’s fitness advisor © AFP
Brett Lee has started an intense training programme ahead of the third Test amid concerns in the Australian camp that he has lost condition and his fearsome speed. Lee spent a month away from the game following his marriage break-up in August and it has left him under-prepared for the tour of India, where he has picked up four wickets at 59.25 in the first two Tests.”Because he’s been a bit underdone he’s been bowling a bit at half- and three-quarter pace at training, concentrating on his technique trying to do everything right,” the captain Ricky Ponting told the . “But by doing that he’s probably taught himself to bowl slow.”For the next week he’ll be doing that dynamic stuff. When he bowls at training he’ll be bowling off his long run to train that back into his body again.”While most of the squad has been given time off to refresh mentally and physically following the 320-run loss in Mohali, Lee will be aiming to lift his strength and his speed. Stuart Karppinen, the team’s fitness advisor, is trying to help Lee regain his spark in the five days that remain before the Delhi Test.”Because of his personal circumstances, he hasn’t done the same volume of work and we want to try to build that up,” Karppinen said. “He’s at 95% and bowling in the mid-140s [kph] but we want him to be able to crank that up. He’s lost speed and condition.”Although both Ponting and Lee played down their on-field disagreement in the Mohali Test, where Lee was not asked to bowl until after lunch on the fourth day, Ponting said it was clear Lee had taken time to find his rhythm. He said if Lee could not regain his extreme pace, his responsibilities would need to be tweaked accordingly.”We’ll have to look at how to get him to bowl in the Test if he can’t bowl express,” Ponting said. “He’ll have to play another role for us. If you look at his spells in the game it’s probably been his first-up spell that’s been his worst. When he’s come back he’s settled into a line and length.”Lee’s experience – he has nearly 300 Test wickets – took on extra importance when Stuart Clark pulled out of the Mohali game with an elbow injury. The fast-bowling line-up at Mohali featured the debutant Peter Siddle and the developing Mitchell Johnson, and with Clark’s fitness still uncertain, Ponting is desperate to have Lee firing in Delhi.”We need him bowling very well,” Ponting said. “He’s the guy everyone in our attack looks up to. He’s a senior player in the team and he’s led the attack brilliantly in the last 12 or 18 months. The rest of our bowling attack really fits in around what he does. We need him back and bowling well to be a chance of winning this series.”

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has explained his reasoning for not playing Kalvin Phillips in their 5-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester United on Saturday.

The Lowdown: Leeds thumped at Old Trafford

The Whites were looking to make the perfect start to their Premier League season, but it ended up being a nightmare afternoon at Old Trafford.

Leeds may have equalised through a Luke Ayling stunner early in the second half, but they swiftly found themselves 5-1 down after capitulating against their rivals.

Phillips was a noticeable absentee from the starting line-up, with Robin Koch struggling in midfield, and the England international was clearly missed.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359346″]

The Latest: Bielsa explains why Phillips didn’t play

Speaking in a Q&A for The Athletic after the game, journalist Phil Hay claimed that Bielsa “said Phillips’ lack of preparation time was why he didn’t feature” against Manchester United, having returned to pre-season later than some of his teammates due to his involvement in England’s run to the Euro 2020 final.

It remains to be seen whether the 25-year-old will start Leeds’ next game at home to Everton on Saturday.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-12/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Phillips’ influence highlighted by his absence

If ever anyone doubted Phillips’ influence on this Whites team, you only needed to look at the manner in which their midfield fell apart against Manchester United.

Some of the marking of Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes left a lot to be desired and Leeds lacked their usual tenacity and discipline which exists when Phillips is playing. The Whites won 23 tackles yesterday – just over two per player – whereas the 25-year-old won 2.6 per game by himself last season.

The hope is that he comes back in for the Everton game, or else Bielsa could be risking back-to-back bad results to start the season.

In other news, Phil Hay has provided a key update on one Leeds player. Find out who it is here.

Leicester City have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij this summer.

What’s the story?

According to the Sunday Express, the 29-year-old’s agent Mino Raiola has presented the Foxes with an opportunity to sign his client in the current window.

The report also claimed that Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur plan to hijack the proposed move if talks between Leicester and De Vrij are unsuccessful.

Jon Rudkin could form a dream duo

Brendan Rodgers has been in the market for a new centre-back since former club captain Wes Morgan announced his retirement at the end of 2020/21, and Wesley Fofana’s horrific injury in pre-season has accelerated the manager’s search.

Schalke 04 youngster Ozan Kabak has been strongly linked with a move to the King Power Stadium in recent weeks, but now Leicester may have another option available to them.

De Vrij has established himself as one of Europe’s top central defenders since arriving in Serie A from boyhood club Feyenoord back in 2014. After initially joining Lazio, the Netherlands international moved to domestic rivals Inter three years ago and has gone on to make 124 appearances for the San Siro giants in all competitions.

He played a pivotal part as the Nerrazzuri’s claimed their first Scudetto in 11 years last term, putting in a string of impressive performances as he scored once in 30 top-flight starts, achieving a highly respectable 6.89 WhoScored rating along the way.

The £45m-rated gem was hailed as a “monster” by former Lazio defender Mauricio, and his underlying numbers for 2020/21 illustrate why.

As per WhoScored, De Vrij recorded 1.3 interceptions, 2.9 clearances and 0.6 blocks per league game, placing him in the top two for each metric when compared to his teammates, highlighting the outstanding set of attributes that he’d bring to Leicester should they make a move for him. Furthermore, his passing success rate of 93.8% was the highest of anyone who started more than ten league games for Inter last term.

Therefore, Foxes director of football Jon Rudkin must swoop for the 6 ft 2 beast before Spurs attempt to snatch him away.

Due to Inter’s desperate financial situation, the Serie A champions have been forced to sell some key players already in this transfer window and appear to be open to De Vrij’s departure as well.

As a result, Rudkin could form a dream centre-back duo made up of the experienced, calm-natured Jonny Evans and the physical, elite passer that is De Vrij. Having conceded more league goals than Brighton last term, a deal for the Dutchman could be the one which finally propels Leicester back into the Champions League if he and Evans strike up a formidable partnership at the back.

In other news… Well-known journalist reveals Leicester transfer update that’ll leave fans buzzing 

A number of Liverpool fans have been calling for Divock Origi to leave the club after three Premier League teams were linked with a move for him.

The Reds got off to a winning start in the top flight on Saturday evening, with Jurgen Klopp’s men securing a 3-0 victory away to Norwich City. However, Origi played no part in proceedings, with the Belgian becoming increasingly surplus to requirements at Liverpool.

Last season he started just two top-flight matches and netted only once in all competitions, the goal coming in a 7-2 Carabao Cup romp against Lincoln.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

The 26-year-old will always be appreciated for some of the huge goals he has scored for the Reds, most notably the clincher against Tottenham in the 2019 Champions League final, but his time at Anfield could soon be up.

According to The Telegraph [via Anfield Edition on Twitter], Wolves, Crystal Palace and West Ham are all eyeing up a summer move for him.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/the-latest-liverpool-transfer-news-copy-4/” title=”The latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Liverpool fans call for Origi to leave

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to give their approval to the prospects of Origi moving on in the next few weeks.

“I’m on my knees”

Credit: @DannyBains25

“Get him off”

Credit: @pieckbootysweat

“Please please please buy him”

Credit: @Cody3Smith

“Take him please”

Credit: @CHADO_K_

“I beg”

Credit: @JoeeSZN

“Please be true”

Credit: @mdeeks76

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been reacting to an injury update on a rumoured transfer target. Read more here.

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Aug-2016Asad Shafiq lost his off stump to Stuart Broad for a duck•Getty ImagesMisbah-ul-Haq kept Pakistan steady although got away with this edge past a very close Joe Root at slip•Getty ImagesJames Anderson made the key inroad when he removed Misbah to expose Pakistan’s tail•Getty ImagesJonny Bairstow produced some sharp work to complete the run out of Yasir Shah•Getty ImagesAnderson was removed from the attack late in the innings after again running on the danger area•AFPStuart Broad closed the innings with the wickets of Sohail Khan and Rahat Ali to leave the lead on 103•Getty ImagesIn reply, Alastair Cook continued his fine form with a brisk half-century …•Getty Images… and Alex Hales reached his own fifty from the final ball of the day•Getty Images

West Ham United midfielder Tomas Soucek could look worse following the imminent departure of long-time midfield partner Declan Rice, according to Sam Tighe.

What position does Tomas Soucek play?

Since his arrival at the London Stadium from Slavia Prague in January 2020, Soucek has made 155 appearances in all competitions, scoring 22 goals and assisting eight.

According to Transfermarkt, the Czech Republic international has played the majority of his games as a defensive midfielder. Across these games, Soucek played mostly alongside club captain Rice, with the pair forming a very strong partnership across 137 matches that has anchored the Irons midfield for the past three seasons.

That partnership is set to be broken up now, though, with the Englishman on the brink of sealing a record-breaking £105m move to Arsenal. It is a move that has been brewing for a while and a move that, in the eyes of Tighe, could have major repercussions for Soucek.

Speaking on the Sky Sports Transfer Talk podcast, journalist Tighe revealed that he believes the 28-year-old may look worse following the departure of Rice due to the loss of the support he provided on the pitch.

He said: "David Moyes is going to have a lot of money to spend here, but this is not going to be an easy task, because I think he needs to buy a new midfield.

"Declan Rice is irreplaceable, but also I think he makes the others around him better, and I think there are players in this team who are going to look worse because Rice isn’t there to support them and prop them up – and I think Tomas Soucek is a prime example of that."

How will Tomas Soucek look worse without Declan Rice?

The 24-year-old was the perfect partner for Soucek because their games complemented each other incredibly well.

According to WhoScored, the Czech player's strengths include aerial duels, blocking the ball and interception skills, whilst his main weakness is his passing. Rice, on the other hand, has passing as one of his key strengths, whilst aerial duels and interceptions fail to make his list of strengths.

This perhaps showcases why the partnership was so fruitful; whilst the England international would control the tempo, drive the ball forward and run the game with the ball for West Ham, Soucek thrives off of winning duels and tackles as well as popping up in the box to score.

The departure of the Hammers captain leaves a major hole in the side that needs to be plugged, and whilst the names that have been reportedly linked to the club are great players in their own right in Joao Palhinha, Edson Alvarez, and Denis Zakaria, none of them arguably shape up to complement the 28-year-old as well as Rice did.

When it comes to Palhinha, the Portuguese midfielder has tackling as a "very strong" strength according to WhoScored, however, skills such as passing and dribbling are not listed as a strength of his game, suggesting that both he and Soucek could end up playing the same role which could be very detrimental to the Hammers.

In the case of Zakaria, WhoScored lists passing as one of his weaknesses, as well as aerial duels and tackling. So whilst he would enable the Czech man to focus on his strengths as a player, he wouldn't exactly help out in terms of covering his weaknesses.

Alvarez seems to be the best option for the Hammers, with both passing and tackling listed as "very strong" strengths, whilst he lacks any major weaknesses, according to WhoScored. Whilst the Mexican's skillset could lead to a strong partnership in the future, there may be some teething problems initially if the two players are focused on the same parts of the game.

If West Ham want to avoid many settling-in issues, Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse could be a brilliant pick-up, with his strengths according to WhoScored laying in the creative and passing parts of the game, whilst tackling and defensive contributions are mentioned as notable weaknesses. This should allow Soucek to focus on his strengths with the 28-year-old England international alongside him to pick up the creative side of the game.

Captains Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb spoke to the media ahead of the five-day final starting on Thursday

Tristan Lavalette30-Mar-2022As Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb posed for the cameras, the iconic Sheffield Shield nestled between the skippers made for a magnificent sight in front of the WACA’s famous scoreboard.After a 23-year drought, the burly trophy was back on Western Australian turf but not yet in the WACA’s possession, reinforced by a Cricket Australia official whisking the Shield away when the media event on Wednesday ended.A desperate Western Australia will be aiming to end their curse when they host Victoria in the five-day Sheffield Shield final starting on Thursday. Perhaps no one has endured the drought more than 38-year-old Marsh, who made his first-class debut for Western Australia in 2000-01 – just two seasons after Tom Moody held aloft the Shield at the Gabba after repeating as champions.Ever since those glory days – that 1998-99 winning team featured Adam Gilchrist, Mike Hussey, Simon Katich and Damien Martyn – Western Australia have mostly been mired near the bottom of the Shield competition. Even Justin Langer, who helped fuel the Perth Scorchers into a BBL powerhouse, was unable to deliver a title with Western Australia falling short in consecutive Shield finals in 2013-14 and 2014-15 during his coaching tenure.”I wouldn’t say it’s been a curse,” Marsh said. “It’s been a long time between drinks. Probably three years ago when I knew my Australian days were over, I made a real conscious effort to come back here and try to be part of something like tomorrow.”Western Australia enter as warm favourites after securing their first home final since 1997-98 with a thumping innings and 51 run victory over Victoria at the WACA last week. They have a good blend of youth and experience with batter Hilton Cartwright in aggressive form, while their pace attack is varied and boasts left-arm quick Joel Paris and speedster Lance Morris who combined for 10 wickets as Victoria crumbled for 114 and 172.Marsh said their final eleven hadn’t been confirmed but hinted at it remaining unchanged meaning 17-year-old Teague Wyllie, who starred at the recent Under-19 World Cup, would hold his place after making 42 in the middle order in his first-class debut.”He’s pretty lucky, I’ve waited 20 years to play in a home Shield final and he’s playing one in his second game,” Marsh said. “It’s a great story. He’s played so well over the last 18 months and thoroughly deserves his opportunity and I’m really excited for him.”Victoria have received a boost with the inclusion of Ashes hero Scott Boland•Getty ImagesWhile Marsh remained unsure if this would be the swansong of his long first-class cricket, which netted six tons in 38 Tests, he remained focused on Western Australia’s bid for a trifecta of titles after winning the Marsh Cup and Scorchers triumphed in the BBL.”This would certainly cap it off but there is a lot of hard work and we are looking forward to giving it a big shake in front of family, friends and fans,” he said.While anticipation is building internally, the final is a relatively low-key affair in Perth amid Australian football season heightened by the suffocating build-up of the marquee local AFL fixture between crosstown rivals West Coast and Fremantle. Even so, Marsh hoped for a strong turnout at the WACA.”Hopefully we get a big crowd and the supporters can get right behind us,” he said.Hoping to spoil the party, Victoria – who last won the Shield in 2018-19 – boast a strong top order through newly joint player of the season Travis Dean, Will Pucovski, Nic Maddinson and Handscomb.But they’ve been left shorthanded with opener Marcus Harris forced out due to testing positive to Covid-19 on his return from the Test tour of Pakistan. Harris joins veteran James Pattinson on the sidelines after the former Test quick was ruled out with a calf injury.Victoria, however, received a much-needed boost with the inclusion of Ashes hero Scott Boland, who will return to the field after being unused during the Pakistan Test series.”I’m sure (Boland) has trained the house down in Pakistan and done all the workloads,” Handscomb said. “Scotty knows his body well and what he needs to do, so he’ll be ready tomorrow.”With the final set to be played in humid and overcast conditions throughout, Boland looms as a major handful on the WACA surface although Handscomb preferred sticking with Victoria’s underdog tag. “The conditions are probably going to suit WA because it’s their home ground,” he said.”We had a good run last week so we have an understanding of what we are going to get. Hopefully we will learn from that and be better for it.”Western Australia (possible): 1 Cameron Bancroft, 2 Sam Whiteman, 3 Shaun Marsh (capt), 4 Hilton Cartwright, 5 Teague Wyllie, 6 Josh Philippe (wk), 7 Aaron Hardie, 8 Joel Paris, 9 Matthew Kelly, 10 Corey Rocchiccioli, 11 Lance MorrisVictoria (possible): 1 Will Pucovski, 2 Travis Dean, 3 Peter Handscomb (capt), 4 Nic Maddinson, 5 Matt Short, 6 Jono Merlo, 7 Sam Harper (wk), 8 Will Sutherland, 9 Scott Boland, 10 Mitch Perry, 11 Jon Holland

Chelsea put in a superb display against Aston Villa, with Enzo Maresca yet again making some tactical tweaks, catching Unai Emery off guard, and easing their way to a 3-0 victory in front of their home fans at Stamford Bridge.

Nicolas Jackson, Enzo Fernández and Cole Palmer scored the goals for the Blues, controlling the game with 64% possession, and playing at their tempo, something Chelsea haven’t always been the best at, especially with such a young group of players.

There were plenty of top-class performances among Maresca’s troops, but two in particular stood out, two players who are considered key men for Chelsea in the present and future of the club.

Cole Palmer's performance vs Aston Villa

Palmer provided the goods yet again for the Blues, making it eight goals and six assists this season, totalling 1,181 minutes played across 15 appearances.

Alongside his excellent output, grabbing a goal and an assist in the game, Palmer also made two key passes, completed four out of four long balls, and won both of his ground duels in the match.

The 22-year-old has been a key figure since signing for the Blues, but one man who gives him a run for his money, in terms of importance to this Chelsea side, could well be their next Michael Essien.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Chelsea's new Michael Essien

Essien used to be a versatile player, a bison of a midfielder, who could fill in as a full-back to do a job for his manager. He often did this for José Mourinho at Chelsea, and Maresca may well have uncovered his man for this role too against Villa.

Moises Caicedo started the game at right-back, inverting into midfield alongside Roméo Lavia, filling in for Malo Gusto who was on the bench, but missed last week due to illness, and clearly wasn’t deemed ready to start.

Minutes

90

Touches

76

Accurate Passes

56/64

Key Passes

3

Long Balls

1/5

Ground Duels Won

3/5

Aerial Duels Won

1/1

Clearances

1

Interceptions

2

Tackles

2

The 23-year-old Ecuador midfielder took to this role like a duck to water, having previously done this at Brighton in the past for Roberto De Zerbi too. Caicedo made three key passes, won three of his five ground duels, and made two tackles.

He was astute on the ball as always, having 76 touches, making 56/64 passes, and looking to break the lines, whilst also always being ready to defend in transition and protect his teammates.

Caicedo’s versatility is especially important, as Chelsea have Reece James out through injury again, which could mean this tactic needs to be deployed again in the near future.

Since joining the club, Caicedo has shown his importance, making 63 appearances for the Blues, scoring two goals and providing six assists, across 5,157 minutes.

But most importantly, he is always there for his teammates, putting in that extra 10%, and acting as the extra man for his side, using that ability to cover ground and persistently track his opposite number.

The next Palmer: Chelsea want "incredible" £40m star who can rival Jackson

Chelsea could add some depth up front

ByJoe Nuttall Nov 30, 2024